Part I- I Was Made…

The blonde flashed her biggest smile and moaned out huskily, “Angel!!! More! Angel, you’re a sex machine! Harder!”

Lilah looked at the robotics engineer in disgust. Was this really the best the mechanical world had to offer? The new executive rolled her eyes at the man. The robot herself, obliviously stood between them with that big completely unnatural smile. Why couldn’t this idiot engineer get this robot to behave properly?

The whole idea was so ridiculously simple. And it was almost too good to be true when Lilah’s contacts had informed her of this “Buffybot”’s existence. Stealing the robot from the Slayer’s witch friend wasn’t too much of a problem either. It was funny really- the contract department had hired this gem of a warlock… All he did was cast a glamour making that little red head think this monstrosity was inside the basement. Easy as pie.

Lilah turned to the engineer, “That is the BEST you can do? Oooh, Angel- harder? She sounds like bad porno actress. In case you haven’t noticed, we’re trying to strive for reality.”

The engineer just shrugged, “Well whoever originally programmed this one was the cream of the crop. I don’t think I’ve seen anything so exc-”

“I understand that-” Lilah interrupted the man. “But that was all programming for this Spike vampire. We need her for Angel.”

“There’s only so much the good science of robotics can do,” the engineer insisted.

The female lawyer looked at him with eyes of venom, “Then try the darkside.”

“I’ll be honest with you,” the technician began, to the lawyer. “Until we get the demonic substances I requested and the subject herself-there isn’t much more I can do. We’ve done as much as we can with orthodox methods. What you need lies solely in the supernatural realm, ma’am.”

“I assure you,” Lilah began, beginning to loose patience with the man. “The materials will be here soon.”

The technician nodded his head in sympathy, “I realize that ma’am. But we can’t proceed until I have them. That’s the only thing that will hold her soul to the metal frame.”

“It’s imperative that Angel can recognize her as Buffy Summers,” she demanded.

“Yes ma’am… But I still feel as if I should warn you,” the man continued.

“Warn me,” Lilah asked wearily.

”Once we mix the elixir and insert the tank inside the robot- if the tank begins to leak or she somehow looses the liquid- it’s POOF! No more robot, period. She’ll implode,” he explained in earnest.

The Buffybot turned to smile at the man, “Angel makes me hot and I explode for him. He penetrates me and puts his-”

Just when Lilah was about to scream at the robot- a buzz from her intercom stopped her. She pushed the little yellow button and listened to her secretary.

“Ms. Morgan, the messengers have arrived with the materials you sent for,” the secretary informed her.

The young lawyer smiled, “Finally! Send them in.”

The secretary buzzed in the men, carrying a large box and an unconscious Buffy Summers. The workers just left the girl on the Italian leather couch- as if she was a used limp towel. Lilah checked the box and upon seeing everything was there, dismissed all except one of them. Lilah held the one worker back as she walked over to the knocked out Slayer. The lawyer put her two fingers on the girl’s neck, checking for a pulse. It was steady, and the girl seemed to be genuinely unconscious. Lilah turned back to the young messenger.

“Did she put up a struggle,” Lilah asked.

“We managed to find her at home alone, we slipped her some relaxers and that was that,” he replied.

But Lilah was still unconvinced, “Did you make it so that-”

“No one will look for her. We wrote a realistic enough note, using the intelligence report we received from the research department. Her friends think she’s out to look for a demon-god named Glory,” he explained to her.

Lilah nodded and let the man go, “Good. That is all.”

The lawyer looked at the slumping Slayer and then back at the robot. While Lilah had compared the robot to the surveillance photos of the Slayer, she never really appreciated the robot’s stunning likeness until now.

Lilah could almost see herself in that corner office on the top floor. All she needed to do was have this engineer get his act together.

“Well Frankenstein,” Lilah said to the man. “Here are your parts. Time to make the demon his mate. And do it right!”

The robot walked over to look at her human double, “Wow! It’s the girl who looks like me. We’re very pretty, you know.”

The female lawyer laughed, “Yes… You are very pretty. And I think someone else thinks the both of you are VERY VERY pretty.”

The robot used her simple logic programs, “Oooh- you mean Angel right? Angel has pretty hair. And he’s a sex machine. When will you finish my makeover? I want him. I want to see Angel.”

Lilah patted the robot’s shoulder, “Trust me Buffy, when we’re through with your makeover- we’ll open so many doors… But Angel isn’t here right now.”

The robot pouted, “Is he behind those doors? Lilah, where is Angel? I want to make my Angel happy!”

“Oh I think you’ll make Angel happy,” Lilah smiled. “Very, very happy.”

Part II- Opening Doors

To say that Lilah opened doors for me- is an understatement. Thinking about my “makeover” reminds me of- well, before I was called. I mean, before I became the Slayer I pretty much was a real robot. I led an incredibly vacuous life style, and to be honest- the Buffybot was more intelligent that I used to be.

No, I am the Buffybot.

Well- not anymore. I can’t think of myself like that now. I’m different. Lilah has changed me. I really AM Buffy Summers now. At least, as much as a hunk of metal and silicon can be. This is all too surreal for me. It reminds me of a shock and horror I hadn’t felt since that first vampire attacked me in the cemetery all those years ago.

Before Lilah’s procedure I was that automaton, the mindless child that thought the world revolved around her. And now- afterwards… The world has never seemed so big around me- and how I’m just so… small.

“Buffy,” Lilah calls for me and I turn to her. “Very good. You didn’t flash that huge smile when I called you.”

“Lilah, I’m not like how I was before. I… I know better,” I try to explain.

Lilah seems impressed as she walks over to me, “Yes. I’m sorry. I wasn’t sure the procedure would work. How do you feel?”

“I feel more- more real I guess. It’s sort of hard to put into words,” I admit.

Her smile grows even bigger at that, “No, no. That’s… perfect. The procedure seems to be a complete success.”

“Just what exactly was the procedure,” I ask her, as she suddenly brightens when I speak.

“Well Buffy- what we’ve done is taken your already advanced programming and given you an boost. An upgrade,” she replies, putting her hand on my shoulder.

I look around her office and question, “A boost? What kind of boost?”

“This is the human Buffy Summers,” Lilah says, walking to the gagged and restrained girl in the corner near her desk. “We’ve well, for lack of a better term- ‘transferred’ a copy of her soul inside of you.”

My mind or gears whirl at the concept, “So I’m… Her. She is me?”

“Yes, you could say that,” Lilah says at her desk, pleased that I understand. “And I know how much you love Angel. This way, you can be with him. Just in the way the both of you have always wanted.”

My heart… or whatever is giving me the capacity to feel- leaps at the thought. To finally be with Angel- the only soul who loved me before I ever met him. The only one I’ve ever given myself to, purely and fully. I don’t mean just that he was my first lover- I mean, that no matter which way you look at it… He was really my ONLY lover.

My Angel.

To see him, to talk to him, to hold him, to kiss him to…

“You letting me make love to him,” I ask, already knowing the answer.

Lilah bowed her head a little while going through all of the pictures scattered on her desk, “I’m letting you do whatever you can to make him happy. He’s been going through a lot, especially with the whole Darla business-”

“You mean sleeping with her,” I add, remembering Lilah’s first attempts at talking to me before the procedure. “You want me to go to him, now.”

I turn to my human counterpart, and see the tears form in her eyes. No doubt that Lilah explained to her what Angel had done while Wolfram and Hart drove him crazy. And though I’ve always thought of myself as a pretty fast learner- that’s something I don’t quite understand yet. Tears…

“I think he’s been lashing out because he can’t have you,” she says, putting her hand on my shoulder again and giving me something to look at. “And, I really think you should go to see him.”

I look down at what she’s given to me and to my surprise… It’s our prom picture. Well- Angel and human Buffy’s prom picture. But I like to think of it as ours, and I guess it sort of really is ours. I stare at his face- how the photographer for a brief moment caught that ever elusive smile of his. I gaze at Lilah I think even she realizes just how much in love we are when she looks at the picture.

I know that I am still new to the whole being sentient thing, but I do know a few things. I realize that Lilah is using me. To try and get Angel to go evil. And I know the paradox human Buffy feels about this. I feel it too. But I can’t restrict myself like she does. The emotions she feels- that I share... They’re all just too intense.

I need him. I want him.

I want my Angel to hold me. To tell me he loves me, to kiss me and run his large soft hands through my hair. I want to show him how much I love him. And to tell him how much I miss him. I want… I want to make love with him.

And that’s all I need in order to make my decision.

I run my fingers over his face in the photo before I turn back to Lilah, “How can I get to the Hyperion from here?”

Part III- The Other Side of the Door

The sun is setting as the cab pulls up to the three-story hotel. I search through Buffy’s and my memory suddenly realizing that this is our first visit to his new home. There were times, when vamps from LA would come to Sunnydale- and I…err… human Buffy, would hear a tidbit about Angel’s new life. How his friend Doyle had died. How he seemed to really find a family with Cordelia, Wesley and someone else they called Gunn… I imagine the warmth and love that he must get from them.

And even though I’m a cold, steel robot- once I step through the hotel’s doors, I immediately feel the chill in the air. That part of her soul- feels it. Something is not right here. I go through my pools of data, and realize this might have something to do with Angel firing them…

Cordelia doesn’t bother to look up from her desk, “Angel! Where the hell have you been? I wanted you to get me that double latte almost an-”

She stops when she sees me. Her mouth opens slightly and then closes. Eager to make connections, my new consciousness oddly connects her to Riley. That movement… It reminds me of Riley’s annoying habit. And that thought isn’t just from the programming- the soul is scowling too. The thought of him in that run-down house… With those undead tramp vampires- sucking him down, and him wanting them more than me…

“Buffy,” she says in a quiet voice, bringing me back to the moment. “Wow. You’re the last person I thought I’d see here.”

“Hi to you too,” I muster, suddenly feeling as if I’m not ‘acting’ anymore. “I take it that Angel isn’t here right now.”

Cordelia haughtily blows the air through her teeth at his name. Her arms are crossed in front of her chest in a very tight way. Something I don’t think I’ve seen her do since well… since when she used to hate me in high school.

“Yeah… That dead deadbeat isn’t here right now. When he SHOULD BE,” she scoffs.

“Oh,” I causally reply, walking past the former concierge desk and further inside. “Do you know when-”

“I sent him out for coffee. And he was supposed to have been back almost 10 minutes ago,” she interrupts angrily shaking her head.

I raise an eyebrow at that, “You sent him out for coffee?”

“There’s been a few changes in management,” she coolly replies, sitting back down to read her fashion magazine.

And that’s when I remember what else Lilah explained to me earlier, about how Angel is working under Wesley and the others now. I’m not quite sure what exactly to say to that. I can think of a few things… Not very flattering things to the ‘new’ management at Angel Investigations- yet things nonetheless.

But that’s not important to me. What’s important to me now is finding Angel. Giving myself to him at a time like this- to let him love me the way we both want each other. Letting know that I care about him… And I’m not afraid to show him.

So I bite my tongue and ask Cordelia, “Is there someplace that I can wait for him until he comes back?”

“Well, the paper work and filing he was gonna do can wait until after you talk to him,” she allows, as if she made a great sacrifice. “Wait for him in his apartment, 217.”

I nod quietly and walk up the large stairs to the second floor.

^^^

I sigh at my weakened sense of smell. The soul part of me is grappling at that, trying to adjust without it. Personally, I’m used to it by now. I never really cared about it until I got myself a soul- or copy of a soul, anyway. I imagine that if I were REALLY Buffy, I wouldn’t need Cordelia to tell me the apartment number… I’d be able to tell by scent alone. Mates do that sort of thing.

I open the door and step inside the dark interior. It’s different from the other rooms I’ve seen in the hotel. It’s beautiful… The room reflects who he is. The dark purple walls, the browning Old World globe and dark wooden furniture… I see little knickknacks, and a few weapons hanging on various spots of the wall- and all of this just makes me want to be with him even more.

I’m suddenly thankful for my lack of smell as I reach his bed, staring at the blue satin sheets. Buffy would not want to smell Angel and his sire together in his bed- and frankly, I don’t want to either. It makes me nauseated. Or at least the robot equivalent of it. I recall my- or rather her anger at Angel comforting Faith. And he had done that to her in friendship- but the way he took Darla…

My newly sensitive mind tries to process this information. Look for a reason why. Why… Why did he do this? It was obviously a desperate measure- a last straw. He had been stripped down of everything: me, his ties to humanity- even his belief that he could do good in the world. And all of that left him vulnerable. Pushed Angel to the point where even Darla had more feeling in her than him… Pushed him to the point where he just wanted to end it all and let the demon inside completely out. To effectively, kill himself… Maybe it was all of those things. Maybe it was all of that and more.

I don’t blame him or hate him for it. Neither does human Buffy. Truth of it is… I have, well- we have done the same with Riley. For that moment in time- we… lied to ourselves. Shrank back into that automaton we were all those years ago.

A deep pressure falls in my chest and I feel that this bed is suffocating me. It’s crushing me- depriving me of existence, even if I don’t breathe to exist. It’s darkness. It feels like whatever is keeping me running will crush until I’m just… nothing. Is this what sorrow feels like? God… I need to be somewhere else now. Anywhere- but not right here.

I look for my salvation and I see it in the corner of my eye. I turn and smile, I’ve found him again. I’ve found myself again. Before me is Angel’s large closet, full of his clothes- his smell. And even with my pathetic sense of smell- I can very clearly tell it’s his. The sweet sandalwood aroma pours out like a hand, twirling toward me- beckoning me to enter. I do.

The closet is one of those large walk-in ones, big enough for me to come inside. Mostly filled with weapons, but his clothes all hang here too. I close the door and turn on the little light, letting myself get lost in his scent. I let myself touch all of his clothes, smiling when I see his favorite overcoat hanging neatly next to me. I run my hands over the trenchcoat, feeling the comfortable dark fabric. How many times have I touched this coat? Let him envelop me in it? Rustle against it when I cried on his shoulder? Watched it flap in the breeze as we patrolled? I take one of the cuffs and inhale the strong lingering aroma. It fills my senses and suddenly I’m with him again. I imagine his soft strong hand inside of the coat and rub the cuff against my plastic skin.

I can’t wait anymore. I want at least the smell of my love to be around me. I step outside of the closet and back inside of his bedroom. Slipping out of my shoes, I strip myself of all my clothing. Removing the last of my underwear, I leave it all on the floor. Walking over to the closet, I look for one of his shirts…

Any shirt- so that I can have him with me. My eye catches one in particular- a gray one. The one he wore when we were supposed to have our first date… Dark, but not too dark. A shade of hope. I slip that one over my naked form and brace myself for what I’m going to do next.

Robots don’t get tired. Unless you consider a low battery being tired… I’m fully charged, though. But I need to lie down on that bed. This is something I need to face. I need to face her… I need to face his past.

As causally as I can manage, I stride over to the bed again and slip between the neatly made sheets. I have his shirt to cover me, and I let myself breathe in the bed’s scent. To my surprise I smell- nothing. As if the mattress and the sheets have been cleaned over and over again. Devoid of anything- even Angel’s own smell. I lie comfortably and snuggle against the clean pillows. Hopefully soon Angel’s smell can cover this bed once more… soon.

Part IV- After the Waiting

I’m not quite sure what time it is when I hear noises at the door. There is yelling- it sounds like Cordelia and Wesley. But I mainly just hear Cordelia’s ranting about how he is still obligated to get her new clothes… I also hear another voice- a male, one that I don’t recognize. He seems equally angry as well.

And I hear Angel in return, surprisingly soft toned… Just taking all of it in. The yelling stops and Angel opens the door, then closes it quietly once he’s inside the apartment. From the little light that is in the room, I can make out the large axe he’s carrying.

He walks a few paces more before he stops completely in mid-stride. From my place in his bed- I see him, feeling out with his senses. He feels me- but not all of her, I think.

“Who’s there,” he asks out to the darkness.

“It’s me,” I say back.

Angel turns on a nearby light and his eyes bulge at the sight. Here I am- wearing practically nothing… In his bed. I shift myself out of his bed and stand up awkwardly straight. His presence in the room drives my new senses crazy. I feel the dusky tips of my breasts harden as I’m sure human Buffy’s would. They peek out from the pale pearl gray fabric and I don’t care. I want him to know how much I love him… And I want to spend all of my existence showing him.

“What… what are you doing here,” he asks quietly stunned, melting my metal frame as his eyes rake over me.

I walk a little over to him, “I guess Cordelia didn’t tell you I was here.”

Angel put down his axe, “Cordelia neglected to mention it. She was kinda busy with other things like-”

“Coffee and clothes,” I finish, moving closer toward him.

He nods and I realize the reason why he was late. Angel ran into some demons. He’s a mess. His hair is sweaty, rumpled and tangled as if he’s been fighting. His clothes are covered with a drying but still gooey orange plasma. And they give off a strange familiar odor… The literal gears in my head turn in remembrance- well, in human Buffy’s remembrance. They’re the smell of Toak demons. Hard little monsters to kill. And the smell… Though I’m aromatically challenged- there are just some smells you can’t ever really forget.

“You’ve been fighting Toak demons,” I guess aloud, helping him out of his jacket.

“Yeah… I sort of ran into a few and they sort of exploded,” he said, stepping out of his black boots.

“I fought with some a while back,” I offer, daring to help him take off his shirt. “You know the only way to get rid of the smell is to-”

“Buffy,” he bellows out, as I get close to him. “I-”

“Shhhh,” I stop him with my index finger to his lips, as I get closer to his body. “Let me help you.”

I take off the dirty garment and my mouth goes dry at the sight of his bare chest. The clear cut muscles…. All the way solid, stretching into his defined abs- and then much, much lower into his completely hard, thick and long-

“Buffy, why are you here,” he asks me, so desperately close.

And my mind reaches for something human Buffy has hidden away deep in her subconscious. For memories that Lilah nor anyone else really remembers. Except for Angel. Of his hot hands, his warm lips on my mouth and his burning body deep in my flooded insides… Wanting, having, sharing ourselves and our bodies with each other as he thrusted his way home into her… me.

“I remember,” I simply say, walking back to sit on the bed.

Angel slips into denial mode as he joins me, “Remember what?”

“Breaking your kitchen table. Eating peanut butter and chocolate. Licking cookie dough fudge mint chip ice cream off of your chest,” I reveal, facing him. “I could go on. We did a lot of things in and out of your bed that day too.”

Angel winces, and I immediately realize that he thinks I’m blaming him. Another person who’s angry at him. I’m such an idiot… God- as a human or a robot, I can’t say anything right. I shake my head in protest as I try to explain.

“You hate me,” he assumes, hanging his head.

I want him so badly I make him look into my eyes, “No, no- Angel… I came here because I love you… I love you. And I want to-”

“You want to what,” he pants, his cool breath on my face.

Our lips are so close to touching, I can already feel him inside of me… Taste him inside of my mouth. Hear him scream out my name in pleasure, and feel how happy I am to be with him like this. To have this chance with him again-

And before he even touches me I feel myself weeping for him, needing him now. The evidence of my arousal floods all of my lower body and I hear Angel slightly growl. All of a sudden his hands are on my shoulders, easing me down to lie on the bed. His hands roam over to my neck and I sigh at feeling him touch me. My head hits the pillows, and more than ever I want to be the mate he deserves. I’m going insane at being so close to Angel and not having him buried deep within me… To have his taste swimming in my mouth. His lips are so tantalizingly near- for me to kiss, to lick, to-

Suddenly his hands menacingly wring my throat, crushing half of my electric sensors. My eyes bolt open to see his dark sienna orbs burn with anger. Why is he angry? I search those eyes for an answer and find my own stupidity.

He knew… The whole time he knew… He knew I wasn’t her from the very start.

There’s no mistaking that fury- the knowledge that I’m a fake. To him, a cheap imitation of the real thing. That’s why he growled at me- it angers him even to see me or my arousal for him.

His hands and voice are rough, “Who are you? And why are you talking about things that are none of your business?”

I’m a robot! I’m not meant to take this kind of violence. I was only made to love him.

If he squeezes me any tighter…He’d snap my circuits like they were potato chips, not the sensitive microchips they are. His glare is murderous and I suddenly realize… He could rip apart my wiring… He could kill me.

“I-I-I just wanted to love you,” I squeak out, his hands choking my digital voice box.

He thrashes my head against the headboard, “That doesn’t answer my question!”

“Angel! Please! Please,” I plead, beginning to lose the relay signals in my metal feet.

His hands let go of me and I drop back to the bed. Before I can react I see him hovering above me with his axe- ready to strike. Even with my mechanical senses… Angel moved so quickly…

“How about you just tell me and then I’ll decide,” he says, the axe close to my throat.

My hands are high overhead in defense, as I try to sit up on the bed. Angel backs away from me a little, as I stand up off of the bed. My left hand goes to the shirt that loosely hangs on my frame… I undo the few buttons and slip his shirt off my shoulders- tossing it on the floor. I’m naked before him. Bare breasts, wet core and all…

He’s speechless at the sight of my nude body, but I can tell he’s still on guard. My hands roam over the swell of my breasts, down my perfect silicon flesh until I reach my lower torso. I see the shock on his face as I open the panel just above the back of my hips- revealing my true nature. All of the gears, fluids and wires are exposed- for him to see.

He stares mesmerized by the wonder, ”Well that’s… That’s… You’re a robot!”

“Xander called me a Buffybot,” I joke, closing the panel when I see he’s gotten my point.

The massive axe is still tight in his hand, “So Xander had you built so you could what? Hump him senseless?”

“No, Spike had me built… So I could hump him senseless,” I deadpan.

The rage fires in his eyes again. Yet this time it’s not directed at me. This time Angel is out to kill Spike. But he knows that can wait. Angel turns his attention back to me.

“And yet here you are,” he notes, struggling to keep his eyes on my face. “In my town. In my bed. Naked.”

I want to say that he wants my body- that he wants to touch and love me. But he doesn’t.

I know the real reason he’s looking at me. He wants the human Buffy. And even now… In my all of my erotic glory, he’s thinking about that Buffy and not me. I watch his eyes, he sees only the flaws in my making. I can tell- he sees the subtitles that are missing… All the little features unique to her.

“I told you before,” I say, still hoping to feel his touch. “I want to love you.”

“Are you sure that’s not your programming talking,” Angel sarcastically retorts.

I venture to move to him, “I’m beyond computer programs, Angel. I mean- before the procedure I was a vapid parrot. But now that they’re given me a chance I want to-”

“They,” he interrupts, stopping my movement to him with his axe. “They who?”

“Angel…I know I’m not exactly Buffy,” I say, pushing myself back to him my arms coiling to hold him. “But she and I are the same… We love you. I love you and I-“

“But you’re not her,” he contests, walking out of my grasp.

And that’s when it all suddenly hits me.

He doesn’t love me. Angel loves her- Buffy.

Not me.

Then that funny concept of tears finally makes sense to me. Hurt- real devastation invades my mechanical processor. Like deadly electric shocks, I feel it overflow into my circuits. Spreading through the tin and rubber of my body until it engulfs me whole. And then I feel it’s all too much to hold in anymore… I feel the tears fall down my cheeks.

My robot radar vision is blurry now- but I feel a cool hand on my shoulder. Through my sobbing, I feel his arms around me. Not in the angry suffocation they were before. He’s gentle and caring, just as how I’ve always- no… How SHE has always thought of him. And his arms wrap around me as my tears hit his cold chest.

“I always end up making you cry,” he says seriously, catching one of my tears before it falls down my cheek.

“You mean you always make HER cry,” I correct him through my wailing. “And even then you know it’s not true, because she loves you and you love her.”

I find myself borrowing my head into his chest as he tries to apologize, “I didn’t realize… I don’t- I don’t know what to say..”

I suddenly feel ashamed of myself and pull away, “You don’t need to say anything… I’m just a walking, talking sex toy… I don’t have feelings…”

Though we both know that’s not true. I love him.

But it’s not like I got those feelings because of anything I did or thought up. I stole them. From another person. A wonderful human being. I left her behind for the wolves. Now she is tied and gagged in a den of thieves. And she wallows in the knowledge her only love is being seduced by a monster wearing her face and body.

Suddenly I feel like the most horrible being ever created- mechanical or otherwise.

And I want to run away.

“Don’t,” Angel says, sensing my movements. “Don’t go away.”

I try to back away from him, “Angel, I-”

“I know you’re confused right now,” he said, holding my wrists gently but firmly. “Frankly, so am I… Look, beyond either of us- there’s someone else we need to think about right now too.”

“Buffy,” I answer and he nods his head at me.

“I need to know what’s going on,” he gravely entreated.

I just shake my head, “I don’t… Look at me, I’m a freak. I wouldn’t be able to help anyone. I’m just a se-”

“Don’t say that- You can! You can be more,” he asserts to me, and I see his honesty clear in his eyes.

And the words echo in my head.

~ You can be more… You can be more…~

I take an unnecessary breath and let the truth come out of me, “It’s Wolfram and Hart… After the gang took me away from Spike- Willow hid me in the basement of Giles’s magic shop.”

Angel’s eyes narrow in understanding, “It’s Lilah, isn’t it? She wants to flex her muscles now that Lindsey’s gone.”

“They took me and kidnapped Buffy. No one will look for her… They all think she’s on a Slayer-Only mission for Glory. They wrote a note-”

“Glory,” Angel breathed, remembering Buffy’s explanation near her mother’s grave. “But why did you come here to me? What was the-“

But before Angel can finish his sentence… He knows. He doesn’t need me to explain.

“They wanted me to go evil,” he surmises, and I wait for the anger to erupt from him.

Though the anger never comes. Instead, I see sadness. Pain from knowing he can never let himself love her. Any part of him- any happiness… And I see some recognition in his eyes, as if he sees past my metallic shell. His piercing gaze straight through to deep, deep inside my… our soul.

I feel his hand upon my cheek as he strokes me, “Buffy? Why? Why would you-”

“I love you,” I reply truthfully. “And we… We want to love you. The procedure… They’ve changed me. My soul, Buffy’s soul- that essence has been recreated. And placed inside of me.”

“But what if-”

“I knew it was wrong,” I interrupt him. “But I wanted to be selfish! I want you. And… I don’t know… I guess when I look back on it- I knew…”

“You knew what,” he prompts as my voice trails off.

“I think I knew that somehow, even if I could convince you to make love- that you’d… You’d… You would know- know that I wasn’t really her. And that because of that… we could feel each other, but that you’d never totally be-”

“Happy,” he finishes, concluding my confession. “Oh God… Buffy- even just a little part of you… ANY part of you- it would be so much, enough to make me…”

As his voice trails at the thought, my mind is fulfilled with emotions all at once. I have to see the strangeness of it. Angel calling me Buffy now, even though we both know I’m not really her. She and I may share a soul- a fundamental component to existence. But I am no more Buffy than a human being is a telephone or a speaker… I’m just like the answering machine- echoing the sentiments of a person far, far, away. And yet, when I look at Angel now, as his hands hold me so close- I feel…

But before I can articulate it- the room is spinning… I can barely stay on my feet but Angel somehow catches me. I look up at his worried face and anxious eyes that hang above me- yet I see something else… Hands… Not Angel’s hands. Someone else’s… Horrible hands… I don’t like the way they feel- they’re cold and unfriendly, and make me shiver with death.

“Buffy,” he calls out to me as I’m fading into my other self. “Buffy- please, please! Answer me, Buffy- ”

“They’re going to… Use me, I mean her- Buffy… Use Buffy for their dirty work… There’s a surgery,” I stumble, my voice hollow and empty.

I hear Angel trying to coax me from unconsciousness, “Buffy you need to stand up. I need you to walk with me.”

Suddenly I get full control of my limbs, and stand with from my own volition. As Angel’s face breaks into a smile of relief, I greet him with a countenance of despair.

“I’ve slipped unconscious,” I gravely inform him.

Part V- Wait No More

In a blur, he grabs his gray shirt off the floor and I get my clothes back on. Suddenly, we’re racing down the stairs. We have no plan or even a vague hint of what to do when we get there. Yet we’re running. Running through the corridors, down the first flight of stairs- until Angel stops.

I see a trio of unhappy faces- Cordelia, Wesley and a third young man.

“Where’s the fire at,” the man asks, and I realize it’s the same voice I heard yelling at Angel before.

“Gunn! We need to get to the Wolfram and Hart office building,” Angel says trying to step away from the lean body blocking him.

“Here we go again,” Cordelia cuttingly added.

“Angel,” Wesley began in an almost condescending tone, reminding me of the days when he used to be my Watcher. “I thought we had a discussion-”

“I know- but there’s not much time,” Angel says, tugging me in tow.

“Not even enough time to say hello,” Gunn counters sternly, looking at me.

“Hello. I’m Buffy. Sort of. Which is part of the reason we need to leave now,” I say back at him from my place beside Angel.

“Things are- I can’t really explain it right now! Buffy can explain things while we drive there,” Angel says hurriedly.

Wesley stops him, “Angel, we simply can’t run off into the night without knowing what we’re fighting. And besides- a very well to do client will be coming shortly. He will page me within moments of his arrival!”

“And I’m not asking you to,” Angel implores again, a desperately honest look caressing his features. “I’m asking you to trust me.”

“And it’s not like we can’t trust you right,” Cordelia yelled out to him, propping up her feet on the table in defiance. “Cause Angel has NEVER done anything to make us not trust him...”

“I can’t do this now,” Angel slightly moaned, grinding his teeth.

“And we can’t do this now,” Gunn shortly responded, going back to polishing his axes.

Angel opened his eyes in disbelief at the words. We both stand there in stunned silence as the trio continued to prepare for their meeting. Angel quickly turned back to me on the staircase, I don’t hesitate to nod my head in his support.

“There are some weapons in the closet,” he tells me, pointing to the other side of the large lobby. “Get as many as you can, plus the blueprints of the building. The plans should be inside too. I’m going to bring the car to the front.”

Once he sees I’ve understood him, he runs forward to the garage. On his way out he’s careful to avoid Gunn by the doorway. I run over to the closet and rapidly start my search. I’m sorting through all of the various items, tossing out anything I think we can use. The group says nothing nor helps me in my search, but I’m able to find what we need. My arms are full and I can just barely manage to close the door with my foot. Cautiously balancing my heavy load, I make my way to the door.

“Nice seeing you again, Buffy. Next time- call before us you ruin our chance to teach Angel a lesson,” Cordelia vexed.

Her remark surprises even me and I turn to her, “This has nothing to with teaching anyone a lesson! This is about saving souls- helping the hopeless.”

“This is for Angel’s soul as well as our own, Buffy. Angel needs to understand that we are his subordinates no longer. We are our own individuals. AND that we do have our clients to think about as well,” Wesley affirms, though he shoots an eye at Cordelia for her remark.

“We all ain’t at his beck and call,” Gunn agreed. “We have people who need us.”

“People with money,” I mumble, going as fast as I can to the door.

Each second counts for Buffy. There is no time for explanations… I need to run. My synapses fire with electricity, urging my heavy metal legs as quickly as I can out the door. And I can tell my comment hits them all a little too close to home.

“Buffy,” Wesley calls out for me in concern.

I hear him at the door, as I pass the end of the covered patio. But I also hear a loud beeping, piercing the night air. Without stopping to turn my head, I know it’s coming from Wesley. It is a sound that I know commands him to stay.

I can already feel his regret as his eyes bore into my back. I feel all of their regret as Angel races to the curb for me. I drop our supplies in the backseat and hop in, still aware of their eyes on us. But as we disappear into the night, I also see a long, long, long white limousine quickly take our place at the Hyperion’s front curb…

The large black convertible is screaming down the street off onto LA’s highways as we both try to think. The highway is long but Angel speeds down the roads as fast as he can.

He begins to ask me, “The procedure-”

“They’re inside the building- called in the doctors,” I finish for him. “I think- it looks like the same room from before…”

“Before when they Xeroxed your soul,” Angel concluded, turning onto the off ramp that led them downtown. “The question is- how are we going to get inside there?”

“Maybe there’s no way to get in,” I say quietly, as we slow down to pass a large park next to the skyscraper.

Angel stops the car, just at the shady end of the vast empty green park. He turns off the ignition and moves his body to face me. He takes my little hands in his, and I look deep into his dark penetrating eyes of determination.

“We are going to get you out,” he vows, easily cutting through the paradox he’s just spoken. “We will find a way to get you out.”

“No,” I shake my head, hundreds of guards with sharp pointed stakes marching through my mind. “There is no way we can get secretly inside.”

Angel remains quiet at my remark as he my massages the non-existent muscles under my silicon skin. The action is calming and I naturally close my eyes at the feeling. I know he knows how he affects me, because I think I have that same command over him. That when he touches me, everything else is gone. My metal body is so light, but full of love and peace. And even in these dire circumstances, I can’t deny how wonderful it feels for him to touch me. I could never really deny how he makes me feel…

“There might not be a way for us to get secretly inside,” Angel said in sudden realization, but before I can say anything he turns to me. “But there is a way to get you out.”

Part VI- The Price

“Are you ready,” he asks me, as we walk closer to the doors of the massive building. “Do you think you’ll be able to-”

I turn and tremble slightly as I say, “You’re the one who’s just going to stomp right in there and get caught!”

“Not caught,” he contends. “Just a little distraction. Once I’m in, all the guards will be called in for me. Do you know where she is?“

“I think so. They put her in that empty office you were talking about, with guards all over. But I still don’t like the idea of us being separated,” I argue, holding his hand. “In your plan you never told me exactly how you intend to dodge those half a dozen guards. All of them with sharp pointed stakes I might add!”

“I didn’t,” he says quietly as, removing to go inside alone.

I firmly grip his hand, “Angel you’re not going to-”

But he places a quiet finger on my lips to interrupt me, “I’m going to do whatever it takes to get you back with me. Whatever it takes.”

“Remember the ‘back with you’ part of the promise. Okay, ” I plead, my mouth even now crying out for his nearby kissable lips.

“I will,” he promises and I can see the desire flow in his eyes. “I have something to look forward to, you know.”

I smile at that, realizing again that he knows what I’m thinking. I give him a slight nod and he gets ready to go into action. We go to the side of building and he watches me as I swing his grappling hook high in the air. I see the iron shaft fly towards the stars, and hear its claws catch an opening far above. Yanking the rope, I look back at Angel to make sure it’s the right office. When he nods, I begin my quick climb high over the sidewalk and all the streetlights below. But my eyes are still focused on Angel’s, his amber eyes- waiting… Just as I reach the top, I see him disappear into the front of the building.

I dangle from the strong corded rope for only a few seconds before I can faintly hear an alarm ringing inside. From my wobbly view of the window, I can just make out several guards standing watch over her… me. At the sound of the alarm they run out the door down the hallway. Once the room is empty I quietly slip inside, easily getting in through the window. Too easy.

The warrior in me stills, wondering if this is set up. I check the nameplate on the door- Lindsey McDonald. This is the right office. And I see myself, or rather Buffy- lying face down on a gurney. I see Lilah’s office down the hall as well, it figures she would leave me- Buffy in here. She smothered me as her project- as if she were my mother.

I shake the thoughts from my head as I… well, I give myself a hand. Buffy is still unconscious and she not that difficult to carry. We both go out the window, I hold her tightly as I climb back down.

“Angel,” I scream out once I’m on the ground, running to find him.

Suddenly the glass doors burst open and I hear Angel yell, “Run Buffy! Run!!!”

I see Angel stumble out to the front, his hands firmly gripped around Lilah’s neck. He’s walking backwards, tugging Lilah with him. He yells at me to get to the car and I’m running. I make sure to stay in front of him, using my metal body as a shield for him. No guards try to follow us, and I see the black convertible still sitting at the end of the park.

“You don’t honestly think you’re going away from this all squeaky clean, do you,” I hear Lilah drawl as Angel nears the car.

“You tell me,” Angel snickers back, pushing her against the side of the convertible.

“Seems to me that you should be doing the thinking.”

“Please,” she coughed, Angel’s hand still holding her tight. “The guards only let you escape because I ordered them to.”

“After Angel took you hostage,” I shoot back at her, placing Buffy safely inside the backseat where I can keep watch over… myself.

Lilah ignores my comment but keeps her eyes steadfast on Angel, “All we needed was for you to get inside. One way or another… We’ve got you.”

“What are you talking about,” he demands, his eyes turning golden.

“Three… Two… One,” Lilah counts before I suddenly hear Angel scream.

“Angel! Angel,” I call out to him as he lets go of Lilah, dropping to his knees.

“It’s amazing how physics and metaphysics can so nicely be merged together,” Lilah gasps, as I try to help Angel stand up.

My mind turns murderous as I yell at her, “What is this? What game are you playing?”

“Whatever the game- I always play to win,” she cackles to me. “Angel is experiencing the effects of what we’d call regression…. The air inside Wolfram and Hart is the not only air conditioned- but mixed with a hybrid of vampire toxins all meant to cause the most pain possible.”

I shake my head in denial, “Vampires don’t breathe!”

“He doesn’t have to,” Lilah causally replied, straightening her blouse. “It infects just by contact with the skin. Angel sealed his fate the moment he stepped inside.”

“You’ve poisoned me,” he rasps out to the lawyer.

“Oh far much more than that… Among the little mix is my favorite- something called Lyeri. Familiar with it? Lyeri makes a vampire temporarily impenetrable- but only to keep its victims from trying to kill themselves. It’ll keep you in AGONY until the real drug kicks in… Doximall.”

I saw Angel’s face fall even further away at her words, “But Doximall will-”

“Turn you back into Angelus… For only a time, I know. But we’ve got a vial of blood and an Arabic Shaman that says otherwise. Just as a mental note for Angelus,” Lilah gloated, hovering over him. “Angelus- feel free to stop by for an appointment to PERMENANTLY remove your soul. Curses gone forever- guaranteed.”

To my horror, I see the young lawyer begin to way away. As if she had better places to be and the horrific scene around us was just a causal occurrence.

I can only numbly ask, “Why are you leaving him here?”

“The guards will come when our cocktail has taken its effect… And trust me, Tin Woman- Angelus will be the LAST of your problems once the REAL Buffy wakes up from her two surgeries,” she answers me.

“What’s that supposed to mean,” I snap back at her but Lilah only laughs at me, walking back to her fortress of steel and glass.

“Buffy,” Angel groans out to me, and all I can see is the pain from every poison take their toll on his amber eyes. “You have to go-”

“No,” I yell back in protest, cradling his head on my lap. “I can’t just leave you here!”

He tries to push me away and gruffly mumbles, “You’ve seen what he can do! Go!”

But I can’t go.

My soul refuses to let him go.

“I can’t… I can’t leave,” I cry to him, stroking his hair as he no longer has the strength to try and shove me away. “I can’t ever leave…”

Every sensor in my body is screaming… Screaming. Screaming at the injustice. Screaming for the loss of Angel’s soul. Screaming at the futility of my making.

I was designed for perfect happiness. Born of sweat and magic- coming to being in a world of sorrow. A world without my Angel in it. What good is my metal body for now? Pumped with the elixir of creation to move and touch for his pleasure…

The elixir of creation…

The elixir.

And suddenly hope enters my heart and I realize what I must do.

“Sit up,” I command him, wiping away my tears. “Angel- there’s a way to save you.”

“I can’t be saved,” he lamented in defeat, his back flush against the tires of his car.

I grab his shoulders and stare him in the eye, “I exist, I feel- because the elixir inside of me magically binds Buffy’s soul to my mechanical body. The elixir! Don’t you get it? Angel- you could never lose your soul again!”

“To feed off of you,” he says wearily, the last of his strength leaving his body. “To steal your life from you again?”

“You’ve never had to steal anything from me. I’ve always wanted you,” I say, tracing the lines of his lips with my fingers. “I’ve freely given you myself then- and I’m freely giving myself to you now.”

My words still hanging in the air, I do what I’ve wanted to do ever since I was brought into this world. Gently, I lean forward and softly kiss Angel’s parched lips. He is surprised at first, I can tell. But he hesitates only because he has no strength. Only for a moment. Then he slowly kisses me back, slightly parting his mouth to softly lick my lips. I wrap his arms around me and easily allow his sweet tongue inside- freeing myself to his marvelous touch.

As I am bathed in the brilliance of our love, I sense him strengthen beside me. His kiss grows bold and more daring, suckling to tease my longing mouth. I feel his cool hand in my hair, stroking and playing with the long strands. My hands wander down to his back, slowly kneading his muscles as I kiss him. Letting him absorb my love through my lips.

Absorbing love- and what will give him the soul that is rightfully his, forever.

I don’t think Angel realizes what we’ve been doing- until it is too late. By then I see he knows my fate, and can read my thoughts as are lips passionately play together… Talking doesn’t get across the message- I continue to kiss, my lips explaining in a different way. He makes me feel so light with his touches. I’m overflowing with his love. Overflowing- and suddenly floating… I’m floating away. Floating on a cloud of our love, I vaguely hear Angel call out to me- as I merge with the light.

Part VII- Forever Works For Me

Buffy Summers woke to the sound of crisp waves crashing upon the sun bleached California sand. The cool morning air tickled her skin as she found herself curled in the backseat of a car. She sat up only to be greeted by a pair of anxious brown eyes.

“Buffy,” Angel hesitantly asked, as the blonde turned to him sitting in the front seat.

Buffy blinked her eyes several times before she jumped at him to search deep into his eyes for his soul, “Angel?”

Angel nodded and before he could brace himself, Buffy launched herself into his arms- holding him closely to her body. He was all to eager to accept the gift of her warmth, and they both reveled in the joy- Angel was still here.

“I’m not sure how much you know,” he said, still holding her tightly. “Or how much you remember- but some people I’ve had run-ins with… Kinda demon guns for hire, a law firm if you can believe it- named Wolfram and Hart… They kidnapped you-”

“It’s okay Angel… I know,” she soothed, pulling only far enough away to stare into his soulful eyes. “I know- everything…”

“Everything,” he asked her, making the questioning connotation clear.

Buffy gave a wry grin at that, “Trying to explain to Giles how I have TWO sets of memories from the past day or so is easy…Watching him sputter and babble about how this might be rupturing the fabric of the space time continuum will be difficult.”

Angel smiled at the joke but then turned serious, “You did it. It worked… I’m here. For good. But Wolfram and Hart- they’re still probably trying to look for us. Sunrise was coming fast… So I took us here.”

Buffy looked around as Angel gestured to their location and wrinkled her nose, “Where is here?”

“The Toak demon nest,” he explained, moving to the backseat. “Not exactly the Ritz or anything but it’s near the beach and just-“

“No, you’re right- It’s nice,” she said, sharing his thoughts. “I can hear the ocean… I like it. And plus there’s the big-”

“Tactical advantage,” Angel concluded for her. “Yeah, the cave is hidden pretty well. It’s out of sight and with the Toak’s blood smeared on the wall- it should hold as a good magical shield if someone tries to come in.”

“Yeah,” Buffy agreed again, resting her head on Angel’s chest.

Angel gladly let her recline on him as she rested her right hand on his shoulder. Having each other to lean on both emotionally and physically was far better than any kind of medicine. As Angel leaned toward Buffy, he noticed the hospital-like identification bracelet that graced the dainty wrist.

“Buffy,” he asked, stroking the skin that lay beneath the plastic band. “What did they-”

“I think- they wanted to control me… I heard some of the doctor’s talking before they put me under. I only remember going under the knife once- but they I heard them say-”

“There would be two operations,” he agreed, taking a closer look at the words on the plastic.

“Lilah said last night- that when I woke up I’d be- trouble,” Buffy confessed, as she tried to look down as well.

“Worse than Angelus she said,” Angel remembered, looking at the tags carefully. “Encephalic Scelus implantation… ”

Buffy tried to make sense of the words, “In the hall I lick what?”

“Encephalic Scelus implantation,” he repeated, dumbstruck at the words. “I… I didn’t think it was possible- ”

“Possible for what? Angel, you’re scaring me with the cryptic,” Buffy worried, looking at Angel’s dubious countenance.

Angel softly rubbed her arms and shoulders in comfort, “I’m sorry Buffy- it’s just… It’s only supposed to be a legend. Happens only once and then… Never again.”

“An implantation?”

“That something could be conjured… Fashioned to be purely evil, concentrated in sin- and then attached to a living creature,” he replied gravely.

“It’s in me isn’t it,” Buffy asked quietly, as if she was afraid to say it out loud. “When? When will I-”

“You should already be,” Angel finished for her. “It needs its host in order to survive.”

Buffy stared down at the flexible hospital band, now like a grasping manacle heated to choke and burn her skin. The black perfectly typed letters seemed to be seared on the snowy white loop. But as Buffy looked more closely at the white ring, a tiny glimmer of hope crawled into her heart.

“There’s no mark, Angel… Look, I don’t see a mark,” she said excitedly, holding up her wrist for him to see.

“A mark,” he hollowly echoed, Buffy’s words not entirely registering. “A mark for what?”

“To show that I completed the surgery. See, this box is supposed to be checked,” Buffy beamed pointing to the empty box. “There’s no red dot.”

Even with his keen vampire senses, Angel held her wrist close to his face, ”No… There isn’t. But there is a red dot for the second procedure Lilah was talking about.”

The smile quickly faded from her face, “There is?”

“Immortalis onlay,” he read. “Oh god… It figures- I mean… If they could only conjure this thing once, they’d want to it survive forever. But that means-”

Buffy cocked her head to look at him, “Immortalis? As in I’m immortal? Like I can’t get killed immortal? Eternal youth?”

“Well I’m immortal- but I can still get killed… Just not in the ordinary sense of the word,” he said flippantly, then warmly looked deep into her eyes. “Buffy- if this is right-”

“This is right,” Buffy breathed, suddenly finding herself in Angel’s lap. “It’s always been right, Angel. I’ve always felt so-”

But Buffy’s words were suddenly muffled, as her lips found their way to Angel’s mouth. They lost themselves in the quiet, fathomless kiss- finally unafraid of each other and their unending love. Buffy cradled Angel’s thighs between her tanned legs, as his arms lovingly embraced her body in return. And though Angel had no need for breath, he pulled away from her gasping in need.

“Buffy,” he sweetly called to her, stroking her hair. “I love you. I always have- and there are so many other things in your life… I just don’t want to rush-”

“It’s been two years since I’ve really felt you inside of me,” she panted, her body rocking slightly against him. “A day- an hour, a minute… It’s too long of a time for me not to feel you. I love you, Angel.”

“You’re everything to me,” he professed to her, delighting in the feel of his honesty and love that swelled in his heart. “You’re my best friend. My love. My partner…”

“Your wife,” she pointedly added just before his lips slipped back to hers again. “Don’t think I haven’t read about Irish wedding customs… Our claddaughs…”

Buffy felt Angel’s smile against her mouth as he sheepishly replied, “That too… Mmmm, I think- its time for us to be husband and wife now.”

“Definitely,” Buffy cooed, as the back of her palm caressed the side of his face.

Angel’s sable eyes met with Buffy’s emerald orbs, and they both knew that fate had blessed their union. Though other people had drifted in and out of their lives, the ties between them had only strengthened. No one could ever erase or eclipse all of the consuming passion and love they had for each other. Destiny had tried to temper their love with distance. But now, Destiny saw what truly made their love wonderful- being fully able to express that love to each other. With their words, with their bodies, with their entire souls.

Their lips melded together again, as fate surrendered to will of their hearts and longing bodies. Buffy and Angel sank into their united souls, freely meandering to the release of their love. Suddenly the world seemed so bright- not from mere daylight, but from their love. It wasn’t as if all of their problems merely vanished, but were suddenly easier to resolve… Not as hopeless as they were when they were alone. Every aspect of their lives: their gender, their history, their personalities met all at once, in this moment- mouths engulfing but wanting more…

“I could do this forever,” she moaned, beginning to remove his dark trenchcoat.

Angel chuckled in return as he flung the garment to the front seat, “You do realize that’s possible now, right?”

“You know… We can do lots of other things forever too,” she whispered suggestively, her eager hands already unbuttoning his shirt.

“Forever,” he mused, losing himself in their smoldering lock of her lips. “Forever…”

Angel let Buffy slowly undo the small buttons of the gray shirt, her lips never leaving his mouth. She nipped at his exposed nipples, and Angel let out a groan that sounded through out the cavern. Buffy giggled at the sound, wanting to elicit his moans again. Her lips went back to his chest, teasing him her with tongue as her hands went lower. She rubbed his lean undulating hips, still encased in his black pants. Angel nibbled the top of her left ear, thrilled at Buffy’s cries of pleasure as he did this.

Together, they quickly shed him of his gray shirt. The silk article fell next to his trenchcoat, and Buffy was eager to see that his pants followed. She had spread her legs a little wider, then sat up straight to seductively remove them. Before she had time for his boxers, Angel’s lips latched onto her throat. Angel kissed and suckled the warm flesh, making Buffy groan just as loudly as he had before. His hands went to her breasts, kneading and massaging the soft swell of skin. Angel carefully stroked the tender breasts, making the thin cotton reveal the rosy outline of her hardened nipples.

Buffy’s mouth hung open as she felt Angel travel lower… Suddenly slipping his hand under her flimsy hospital gown. She had no underwear beneath, Angel making direct contact with her naked skin. His palms stroked the curves of her bare backside, while his mouth massaged her lips in the same way. He fondled her feminine curves, teasing the back orifice slightly before bringing his hand back up to her chest. Angel’s right hand joined his left, and they stroked Buffy’s sensitive nipples once more. Only now his fingers had delved under the fabric, sweetly meeting her enflamed flesh.

They were melting, boiling in the physicality of their passions. Each touch, each kiss and gasp rising the temperature between them. Both were busting to complete each other, their mutual arousal blazing- but they wanted to completely enjoy their love. Savoring the seduction between them, taking in heaving ragged breaths to continue without combustion…yet.

Angel’s expert hands left the sanctuary of her breasts and moved to relax the muscles in her long graceful neck. His mouth followed the path of his hands, kissing her still clothed figure. Once he reached her shoulders, his hands and mouth parted for separate exotic locales. Angel’s mouth descended back to the tiny dip below her throat, tasting the well of skin and heat. His hands rested behind at her warm nape, relaxing the muscles of her neck- but also, searching… The quest ended when he found the white solitary straps of Buffy’s hospital gown. Angel pulled the loose knot undone, while his mouth eagerly sought out more of Buffy’s long beautiful neck. He didn’t even have to move away to pry the gown loose. All he did was gingerly pull it away from her body, and set it aside next to his own clothes.

Though, he did move his face away from hers just barely- so his eyes could feast on the banquet of her naked body. Buffy saw up close his ear to ear grin, and moved away a little further- to fully take in the precious smile.

Buffy’s refined but strong hands rubbed his pectoral muscles in sensual circles, “I demand my private Angel show too.”

He chuckled again in Buffy’s mock anger and held her tightly, “Just enjoying the view.”

A look of determination suddenly surfaced through her lusty eyes- shooting them open for a moment, “It’s time I get to enjoy my view too.”

Her hands departed from his cool defined chest, down to his abdomen. Buffy stopped to trace each tight muscle, before pulling away again to see Angel’s reaction. To her surprise, his eyes were not closed in ecstasy- but wide open in rapture. Buffy could tell he was all but coming at their touches, but his eyes were squarely focused on her. Watching her body- her hands rub his wild erection, gazing deep into Buffy’s eyes for her soul. Even with his eyes, Angel made love to her. His stare was smooth but powerful and felt just as thrilling as his hands at her lower curves.

Buffy needed more then just her touching and Angel’s mouth now back at her neck. Boldly acting on their needs, she ripped the black silk from Angel as her lips assailed his penis. Angel was lost in the quick motion, hissing in passion and approval. How his tongue had delighted in tasting the wonders of her neck, only then to feel Buffy’s strong attentive mouth on the most intimate part of his body. Angel was surprised he hadn’t orgasmed then and there. He certainly felt it- the rush, the exhilaration… Yet Angel knew he was still very hard… getting even harder- and very wanting.

Buffy was intent to make him spill for her, to taste what she had been denied for so long. It was only Angel she had ever tasted (had ever wanted to for that matter), and she was ambitiously seeking the savory sweetness again.

Buffy had quickly gulped his liquid ice, the cool pre-ejaculate hitting the bottom of her throat moments before Angel’s large member did. In her first stroke she had completely engulfed him, to the very root. Though she gripped his perfectly proportioned buttocks to brace herself, to keep her throat from constricting and rejecting him. Buffy kept him deep inside of her mouth, stilling him from any movements- enjoying the moment. Her knuckles turned white at the gripping, steadying herself until she was ready to actively suck.

Easing into him, she smiled in anticipation. Finally, her tight lips moved down to slurp and suck, leaving Angel absolutely quiet at the raging sensations. There was no sound or words, demonic, human, or even primal to describe how she effected him. Or for how much he loved and worshipped her. Her tongue tickled his underside, before massaging the top of his member. Buffy’s hands weren’t idle either, she squeezed and sweetly handling his plush sacs. Her mouth quickly went to each of those sacs, practically swallowing them whole. Angel could feel them tighten inside of her, as she siphoned the perfect rounded ovals.

Up until now, Buffy’s hands had gripped his backside- holding his body in place for her. Now that her hands were deliciously occupied elsewhere, it left him free to roll his pelvis just like she rolled her tongue. Buffy encouraged him to buck forward into her mouth, completely adjusted to such a towering presence within her. Angel didn’t feel the need at first, her talented mouth producing pleasure he only imagined these long years away. More bliss washed over him, and all at once Angel was lost in its tempestuous currents. He found himself again- as he thrusted into her wanting mouth. Lunging into her luxurious mouth, reveling in her warm tightness. Only Buffy could provide such sweetness as he plunged deep inside of her. Stroking, rubbing until finally howled in glory, rushing headfirst into orgasm. He felt like a grand river- surging into Buffy’s mouth with his come, again and again and again. Yelling out his joy, emptying himself into her. Buffy took all of her prize and even after he stilled, cleaned both of them of his sticky goodness.

Angel lay flat against the large leather backseat, massaging Buffy’s resting blonde head at his hip. They deeply panted in the aftermath of their passion, Buffy feeling as if she had orgasmed enough for the both of them. She could have easily fallen asleep from such an adventure, but the urgency to touch Angel quickly shook her from the sleepy lust.

This time however, Angel was the first to take action. Faster than even her Slayer senses could perceive, he inverted their positions. Buffy found her back pressed against the black leather seats, with Angel’s head hovering in the valley of her breasts. From the beginning, Angel wanted to make her come as hard and as many times as she had him. Now he saw his chance. Angel began tenaciously teasing her breasts with his tongue and mouth, sucking not unlike Buffy had with him earlier. His hands played and tweaked the other of the ample pair, before switching. Buffy found Angel’s mouth on the other side of her, while his expert hands enraptured her at the other wetted breast.

Buffy sat on one of Angel’s knees, his thick manhood hard at her waist. Angel continued this sweet onslaught, very aware of Buffy’s arousal gushing out on his thighs. He let go of her twin delights, to stop and savor the first tang of Buffy’s come. Angel wiped the honey off of his skin, his now wet fingers flying to his mouth for a taste. Buffy smiled to watch Angel enjoy her, happily noting that Angel hungered for her come just as much as she did his.

When he thoroughly devoured the morsel, he opened his eyes with a mission. Angel quietly voicing endearments to his love, and ventured to find Buffy’s fit stomach. He tasted the skin and muscles there before circling his tongue around her belly button. Angel circled it several times before delving into it, clearly demonstrating what awaited Buffy’s quivering core.

Angel took a long drawn moment to smell Buffy’s curls and the rest of the heavenly scent that wafted from deep inside her heat. To her excitement he then slid down to her thighs, a glowing shine in Angel’s eyes. Angel peppered both her thighs and wet outer silken folds with kisses. Buffy felt she had come again just from that touch alone, but her insides still wept for him. She squealed, knowing that he had only begun with her. Buffy felt she was on the brink of explosion, but still pleasurably captivated in his careful ministrations.

Angel then stuck his tongue out, to gradually lick her thighs- as if she were a cold popsicle melting her sweetness for him. Upon licking off all of her honey from her thighs, he turned to the wet slippery entrance before him.

Slowly, Angel kissed and lightly passed his tongue over the pliant exterior flesh before he actively lapped Buffy up. Buffy’s tiny o shaped mouth grasped silently, letting her body and her soul do all of the talking for her. He now slipped inside of the flesh, tasting the walls of shaking heat before gulping more of her steamy sticky pleasure.

Now Angel’s tongue dove into her center, hoarding all of the sweet arousal that filled his mouth. He tasted the heady tang of her inner walls, gliding over several of her g-spots in the one area. Not wanting to stop his exploration of her insides, Angel replaced his tongue with one of his long fingers. She rode his index finger, easily taking in two more of his fingers along for the ride. Her palms, which had gripped his shoulders the entire time, guided him elsewhere. Buffy now entreated him a little further up, to her pulsing swollen blossom. He let his nose nuzzle the area fondly and Buffy jerked down to meet him. Lightly circling the area, she enjoyed the long sweet moments of his seduction. Before she knew it he had taken the entire bud into his mouth, gently nursing it. Soon the soft unhurried happiness, turned into fast ravaging swallows.

Her muscles inside and out were clenching in passion- releasing but not nearly finishing her pent-up desire. Her charged bundle of nerves were intensely and repeatedly titillated by Angel’s tongue. Buffy could suddenly feel him stroke her everywhere, his touches calling her to come for him. It seemed as though she had spent forever in his bliss, wallowing in the cool cavern of his mouth. Ever since they had begun this renewal of their love, she felt herself coming. With her breasts jiggling and her body in full motion, she physically orgasmed in him. Joyfully falling into the hardest, all encompassing, most erotic set of orgasms Buffy had ever felt. Slamming into him over and over, Buffy was hollering her completion. Wildly letting her cries reverberate on the rocky walls, as she drove deep into his satisfying mouth. Buffy could even hear Angel’s slurps as she stilled, not stopping until he swallowed her come whole.

Buffy stroked Angel’s crown of brown thick spiky hair, as he continued to softly lap at her entrance. In the back of her mind she knew that his teasing should hurt, yet he touched her with such a gentle ardor Buffy could feel nothing but quiet bliss.

The craving of Buffy’s lips bloomed within him, and Angel found himself at her sweet lips once again. They their hot kisses were flavored with each other’s come, adding a fiery spice to their already lusty lip locking. Tasting their lover’s arousal, just made Angel and Buffy enthralled for each other again. They would always have an enduring need for each other, a love that extended beyond anything else in their lives.

Knowing each other’s thoughts, Angel poised himself at Buffy’s hot entrance and Buffy opened herself to meet him. Angel eased his manhood deep into her, gasping for focus. He filled her with one stroke, seating himself perfectly within her. Buffy gasped for air too, enraptured at how wonderful it felt to be with him like this.

They seated themselves upright, both of their legs wrapped around each other. Almost like they were twined into a little ball of flesh and love. Buffy’s arms easily encased her husband’s body, fondly tracing the Celtic griffin tattoo. Angel nibbled her neck again, stopping to smell her sweet vanilla hair. Savoring her aroma, Angel thrusted into Buffy- his hands tangling in the blonde locks. Buffy used her tiny hips to dive forward onto his member, squeezing as she went. Her ample breasts rubbing against Angel’s male nipples, driving her into passions as well.

She pulled herself forward, and Buffy lost herself in his lips again. Angel’s tongue explored her mouth just as he explored her flooded insides, caressing the all of Buffy’s erogenous flesh. She was so tight around him, gripping his back with her tiny hands and gripping his penis with her womb. They inclined their bodies, easing the movement needed for this soulful titillation. Easier for them to dive deeper into each other, easier to ride Angel’s manhood, easier to burnish Buffy’s ruddy blossom.

Angel felt so alive, so needed and wanted in Buffy’s tiny arms. Only one look into her eyes, or feel of her touch said volumes about the love she had for him. Angel had felt all of those sweet emotions as well, reveling in the freedom and peace only Buffy could give to him. Their bodies wetly smacked, adding to their mutual groans of desire.

Years of longing, lonely nights- so many roads taken to end up unfulfilled. An eternity of being unloved and alone was broken with their love making, and gave way to such unimaginable bliss. It was too much to fully articulate- their intertwining perspiring bodies, roaming hands, and throbbing nerves… But they knew the unending depths of their love, the unspoken rightness of it. They could feel the surging in their blood, the coming pleasure that would soon be unleashed.

Angel and Buffy finally crashed into each other, grinding their bodies as the light of their love washed through them. They swam in this heady musky rush, as they both convulsed in pleasure. Angel slammed into Buffy’s quivering womb, spilling into her so much and so hard… And she gripped him back for more, cooing when he lovingly delivered himself to her. They rode out of their sweetly shared orgasms until they fell back onto the leather interior with a slick slap.

Neither moved, for fear of the other leaving. Angel worried his weight was too heavy on his beloved, Buffy scared that Angel wanted space. Yet they collectively realized, within their single embrace how much in love they both were. Each dared to look into the other’s eyes, and saw the other’s devotion. They both smiled. No one was going anywhere. Buffy couldn’t help but trace her fingers through Angel’s hair again, and twisted her hips to make them both sigh in arousal.

“Mmmmm,” Angel purred, moving his mouth to kiss the inside of her wrists.

He brought his lips to the dainty spot, when he saw the hospital band again. The words WOLFRAM AND HEART blared beneath his lips, stopping his amorous move. Angel turned to look at Buffy, as he instead tucked away a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

“They’ll be looking for me,” he said quietly to her, rubbing her tiny cheek.

Buffy nodded as she leaned into his touch, “What do you think we should do?”

Angel looked out to the daylight outside, “We’re close to the LA city limits- Sunnydale isn’t too far away after that. Once it’s dark, we need to-”

“Leave LA,” Buffy finished their shared thought. “Yeah. But I mean- I love you, Angel. Will you… Will we-”

“Whatever happens, I can’t ever be without you again,” he professed, and Buffy could see the fierce resolution in his eyes.

“Angel- I need to tell you something… I’m worried,” Buffy confessed to him. “About Glory-”

His face was wilted into a frown, “Is Dawn-”

“Dawn is okay… For now. I can feel her. She’s like- Dawn is a part of me. I know the gang and Giles are keeping her safe. But I don’t know if I can take out Glory alone and still make it out in one piece.”

“Buffy you can and will defeat her. Then live to boast about it. You’re so strong. And brave. You don’t have to do it alone, either. You have Giles and everyone else. And Buffy, if you want me-“

“Of course I want you,” Buffy cried out, cuddling herself closer to him. “Anyone with less than half a brain would want you…”

“Not Wes, Cordy and Gunn,” Angel noted sadly. “I practically betrayed them. You and the three of them are my connection to the light, Buffy… I… They don’t trust me now. I fired them- and I slept with Darla.”

“Lilah told me,” Buffy said, quieting him. “Angel, with people as powerful as they are- it’s no wonder you… lost your way for a bit. But you’re here with me now. And I love you.”

“I know… I love you too,” he agreed quietly, resting on his soulmate’s shoulder.

Buffy sighed, “Can’t force trust. And no trust equals no good done. Maybe they just need a while more… Before they can see you like I do, you know?”

Angel looked up into her eyes, “How do you see me?”

“I see someone I can trust with totally everything. Someone I can really count on. I love you and I know that you love me,” she said thoughtfully, before turning playful. “I also you see as majorly gorgeous when your naked.”

Angel and Buffy laughed at her remark, loving how easily their problems could be resolved when they were together. The solution to the problems and worries of their lives was their love. By completely loving each other, they had the strength to deal with hell gods, evil law firms and every other kind of chaos. Together.

A mirthful smirk appeared on his lips as he thought of ways to spend the daylight hours with her, “So you think I should talk to them completely naked, huh?”

“Well,” Buffy smiled, as they drew their nude forms even closer together. “Maybe not them… You could just talk to me in the nude.”

“Just talking,” he asked, smelling Buffy’s arousal in the air and feeling his own.

“I’m sure there are a multitude of other activities we can think of when we’re together,” Buffy flirted back, reaching down to tenderly rub her husband.

“I’m thinking of a few we could squeeze in right now,” he groaned, entreating her lips for more sweet kisses.

“What did you have in mind,” she breathlessly asked, tightly running her fist up and down.

“This,” he said, spreading her legs and using his hard erection to fill her burning core.

Buffy softly grunted at the move, clamping her thighs around his waist once again. Angel’s mouth traveled back to her neck, as he focused on what he wanted to ask her.

“So... Ahhhh! Oooooh, Buffy- how does forever….upppphhhh…sound? Can I- I- oooh, stay with you forever,” he stammered while licking Buffy’s neck and quickly thrusting into limber body.

“Forever works for me,” she groaned, falling back into the locomotion of their bodies and their eternal love. “Forever….oooohhh, god! We can uuuuummmm! Forever… ahhhh… Works.”

Tonight had been a good night, as far as he was concerned.

The Slayer lay unconscious, crumpled on the floor. Her skirt was torn, her face bloodied... Looking just so.

A damn good time of a night, he smirked.

"You would think that," a familiar voice said to Spike from the shadows. "And yet, you know... Deep down, its not."

"Angel," Spike shot back in a condescending tone. "You damn ponce! Oh this is right near Christmas! Come to see how much I made your little Buffy come?"

The dark coated figure passed Spike who now stood shirtless before him, "I figured you be too stupid to really get it."

"Oh I tell you what I got," Spike growled, meeting his grandsire head on. "Look at 'er. Screwed 'til she couldn't keep up with me anymore! And she was the one who kissed me first! Didn't force her to do anything- she pulled me out... And I gave her what she wanted. Rode her till-"

"You can't gloat over something you haven't got," Angel cut him off, quickly moving over to Buffy.

"Well let's see... Where to begin? You know there were so many lit' special moments tonight. The way she screamed out my name when I took her... No, maybe it was when she ripped off my shirt-"

"And how exactly did you take Buffy," Angel asked as he tended to her, noticing Buffy was still fully clothed. "She didn't even let you undress her."

Spike just grinned as he looked for his torn shirt, "Well if you're so picky on the details, I'll remember next time to strip her down before I do 'er. Might try me hand at some ARTISTIC pics, after I bang her of course."

Angel snickered, "Even if you could draw or get Buffy undressed, you wouldn't be able to show me anything I haven't seen before... Honestly Spike, you could never see the forest for the trees."

"And quite a forest it is," Spike shot back. "It was good when my fingers-"

"You could stare at her for hours... Days.... Years even. And you couldn't tell me anything I already knew blindfolded miles away," Angel steely injected. "You look, but you could never see her."

"Tonight was my winning. Do you see her Angel? She BEGGED me and I gave it to her," Spike said, as if he had triumphed.

Angel deftly interjected, "What, you think this was it? The big jackpot? Sorry to disa- well no... I can't say I'm sorry for the truth. Buffy gave you NOTHING tonight."

"Angel... I never thought you were one for denial," Spike said glaring down at Angel's hunched over frame.

"It's not denial," Angel casually offered. "It's a basic fact that any idiot can see. You know, you must be some SPECIAL idiot then."

"Tsk, tsk. I thought we were above name calling- with all that save a soul business," Spike chided, looking for a cigarette.

"This was nothing," Angel said, trying to revive the girl. "Not making love. Not sexual... It wasn't even about raw need. This is something you'd flip past on the Discovery Channel..."

Spike gave back a self-satisfying smile, "I got meself plenty. There was the banging... Lots of banging. And oh yeah- even some of the mushy kissing that comes wit' all the hearts and flowers."

Angel bantered as he tried to stop the bleeding, "Kisses? Any of them longer than two seconds? Oh no wait, that's probably how long you lasted..."

"Look at her," Spike proudly pointed. "She couldn't handle me."

"No one wants to 'handle' you Spike. Besides, I know what you have to OFFER A WOMAN... You're the pebble trying to tell me you filled up Lake Superior," he said, taking out another handkerchief to clean away her blood.

Spike grimaced at Angel's analogy, "Bloody hell, you don't need to get personal, mate. She wanted me. I gave it ALL to her. She LOVES ME and I took ALL OF HER. Plan on giving it to her again."

"Love? Heh," Angel sneered, cradling Buffy's head in his arms. "That's your fantasy Spike! The truth? This has nothing to do with love. Or anything else that's remotely significant."

The platinum vampire lit up his cigarette at the words, "She loves me. That's why she let me do 'er. Can't change that."

"Where's her mole," Angel asked of him, trying to keep Buffy's pulse steady.

Spike tried not to make a show of it and shrugged puffing on his cigarette, "Don't know. Don't care. She still let me take 'er."

The dark haired vampire sardonically smiled at Spike's ignorance, "That's what I thought."

"I don't care where her stupid mole is," Spike maintained, but the thought had already done its damage.

"Don't fool yourself Spike... You got nothing here today," Angel said, seeing Spike's knees lower as the bleached vampire sat down on the wreckage.

Spike waved his fist at Angel, hoping to flick some of its ashes to him, "I WANTED IT ALL AND I GOT IT. BUFFY LOVES ME. You can't deny it."

From his place near Buffy's side the elder vampire eerily asked, "Did she tell you that? During any of the whole thing? Did she tell you that she loved you, weakling?"

"Shut up," Spike said wearily, taking a drag from his cigarette.

"You're so eager to give me the details," Angel pushed, knowing he hit on the truth. "Did she? Whisper "I love you"? Were her eyes open when your hormones got the best of you? Because you couldn't handle just a single second of her body?"

"That's enough," Spike said, pulling Angel to his feet.

"Did she Spike," Angel pressed, throwing the facts at Spike's face. "'Cause I don't see anything manly or powerful about that."

Spike flinging his cigarette at Angel, but missed screaming, "I said shut up!"

But Angel hissed and went on, "She gave herself to you Spike because she thinks she has nothing left... You had to beat her up to get her to even touch you. Some kind of big bad you are."

Spike responded to his comment by hurling Angel into a pile of rotting wood. Wishing on that far chance Angel would get impaled and turn to dust. He crashed into the debris, but Angel beamed as he stood up to continue.

"She only did this with you because you badgered her. You took and she gave but she gave nothing... Not herself. Not what makes her who she is."

"You think you're so bloody smart! Do you," Spike screamed throwing his grandsire a hard right jab to his jaw. "I won! She's mine! I HAVE IT ALL!"

"You got the part that was full of anger and hate and nothing else. Even her body isn't really Buffy anymore... You got the empty shell," Angel affirmed, going over to Buffy.

Spike quickly delved into the rumble and drew out a rotted wooden rafter, "She's mine."

"There is nothing here for you anymore Spike," Angel growled back. "Time for you to go. Or face the consequences of touching the woman I love. The one I marked. My love."

"Your love," Spike spat out, eyeing Angel's chest.

"You've got NOTHING," he repeated over his shoulder, wanting to get Buffy out of there. "And that little bit of nothing is all you are ever going to get. The truth is, all she is- all she will ever be is mine. Like I am hers."

Angel sensed Buffy's waking and began to make his way over to her. Seeing Angel make a move toward Buffy, Spike shoved the older male from his path. The younger vampire ran over to her, seeing Buffy stir.

"Slayer," Spike smugly mused, blocking off Buffy's sight of vision to anything except himself. "Are you up for another round then? Got more to give me, now?"

Buffy woke up and as Spike blocked her she groaned, "God Spike, the only thing I'm going to give you is a pointy end of a wooden stake."

"Buffy," Angel called, running toward her once he heard Buffy speak.

"Angel," she beckoned back, trying to move Spike aside.

"Are you all right? Do you feel dizzy," Angel asked, rushing to her side.

"You damn straight she does," Spike answered for her, giving a truly cocky smile. "Probably won't be able to walk or move either, will you pet?"

Yet Buffy stood straight and effortlessly walked to Angel. Spike's face fell, watching as Buffy easily moved to Angel. She quietly stood next to Angel, who held her and looked her over.

"You never did have a lot to offer a girl, Spike," Buffy mumbled, as Angel helped straighten her tangled hair and rumbled clothes.

"'ang on a bloody minute," Spike snarled, wooden beam still in hand. "Where do you think you're going?"

"Away from you- From here," she said making her way from the fray, willing to stand and walk alone.

"Buffy- Let me help you," Angel proffered, and Buffy accepted his hand.

Spike watched as the two walked out of the abandoned house, but refused to let Buffy go. He ran after them, waving the stake in the air.

"You're mine! You can pretend that this never happened- but it CHANGES EVERYTHING," he protested, grabbing her to make her listen.

Buffy whipped around, as Spike roughly hung onto her. He held the impromptu stake at her throat, threatening her with the wooden implement.

"You'd like me to stick it in you good," he snorted, angling the wood at her. "Like I did last night."

"No," she said grabbing the wooden object, piercing Spike's gaze. "This changes NOTHING. You- You're still pathetic."

Spike watched the once hard beam he had carefully chosen, crumble in Buffy's hands. The old rotted wood reduced to dust from Buffy's small powerful hands. He watched as the dust flew from her hands and scattered to the wind.

"Goodbye," Buffy said, turning her back and walking with Angel out of the house.

And Spike was alone in the crumbling house. Among the falling posts. The rats. Decay and death. Alone. And with nothing.

THE END!

Part I- Powerful Delusions

Riley paced back and forth in his dorm room. The wounds from the operation and the arrow still hurt. Things weren’t the same anymore. He missed the adrenaline and energy that rushed through his body. He missed that power… He liked being able to make Buffy scream. To be the dominant one…

Yet no matter how hard he tried to conquer her, there was one part of her he could never touch. Buffy didn’t think he knew. But he did. Maybe Buffy didn’t even really know herself…

Whenever they were alone together he sensed it. She was thinking about HIM. Even during sex. She didn’t think he could hear her saying HIS NAME. It was just barely a whisper- but it was still said out loud… I love you always, Angel…

Riley growled out again in pain, yet not from the wounds of his operation. He could ever dominate her- he would never fully be in control. He had no power- he had no hold over the Slayer, the most powerful being… He didn’t have the power.

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. Struggling, he stood up and walked to the door. At the doorway was a tall, scruffy, handsome looking guy.

“Hello,” he said to the stranger.

“Hi. I’m a friend of Buffy’s. Is she here? May I come in?”

“She’s not here now,” Riley said as he looked suspiciously at the pale visitor. “And which friend might you be?”

“The name is Pike. Buffy and I go all the way back to LA-”

“You’re from the snob school,” he said about to slam the door in Pike’s face.

Regretfully, the visitor sadly looked down at the floor and said, “No I didn’t go to Hemery… Hell, I went to the large public school next door…before I had to drop out…”

“Hey, sorry, um, Pike is it? Yeah man, come in,” Riley stepped back to allow him inside.

“Thank you,” Pike said as he walked into the dorm, looking around. “Nice place.”

Riley turned his back to Pike to close the door and said, “What did you want to see Buffy abou-”

Riley stopped in mid sentence when he turned around again. The ex-commando was shocked to find Pike in full vampire game face.

“I’ve gone through some changes, definitely… Actually, I came here for you, Riley!”

Pike plunged at him and Riley barely dodged out of the way. He scrambled around the room, searching for a stake. Pike stopped his attack, and leaned with one hand on the night table. He merely started to laugh at Riley. The ex-commando tried to swallow his humiliation.

“Get away from me,” he croaked out, still weakly holding the stake.

“Look at you, man. Totally pathetic. Love bitch to the Slayer. It should be the other way around… You should be out there- killing, taking control… Buffy ought to be here, waiting for you to get home. For you tell her what to do…”

Riley found himself agreeing with this vampire, but tried not to show it. “What are you talking about?”

“I know what you’re thinking, dude. I know everything about you. Who you were… Who you still want to be. And you know what? I can help you, Riley.”

“Nobody can help me.”

“See that’s where you’re wrong. I can do things for you… WE can give you the power and authority that you really want.”

Riley’s ears perked up at the words. He relaxed his grip on the stake and motioned for Pike to continue. Pike wickedly grinned back.

“We’re looking for a few good men,” he began.

“I’ve tried that route already… For awhile I was just as strong as her. But that’s-”

“Not enough,” Pike finished for him.

“Yeah,” Riley nodded, sitting down on the bed. “Wait- Who is we?”

“A legal eagle team that I work for. Excellent bunch of kids. Do what they ask and they take good care of you. I got that pretty little ‘cycle parked outside because of them.”

“This is stupid,” Riley stood up, holding the stake above his head. “What could you possibly offer me that could make me stronger than Buffy? Stronger than anyone?”

“Immortality. Money. Power,” he hissed back.

“Turn me into a vampire? Ha! That’s just-”

“What you’ve always really wanted. You are the dominant type, I can tell… Killing what you are jealous of…What you want to be… Think about it- Ungodly night vision…Incredible strength… Dead accurate precision.”

“What about the money and power,” Riley asked, still not convinced of Pike’s claims.

“That comes as a reward from the suits. But the real killer is that you can finally control the part of the Slayer you can never conquer,” he said as he made a gash on his chest.

“Angel,” Riley realized.

Pike stood back up, looking squarely at Riley and said, “So what are you waiting for?”

It was clear to him now. Pike was right. From the very beginning, all he wanted was to rule over Buffy. All of her. He thought he could do it by making her his little love slave, dominating her. But no matter how sickeningly sweet or how strong he was- she could never be totally his. She needed to realize that she was HIS GIRL. HIS TOY. He should be in charge, and HE should be telling HER what to do.

There was only one way to drive out the thoughts she constantly had of Angel… He would silence all of her thoughts, forever. He could have the power…

Pike sensed his approval before Riley could speak. He grabbed his neck and bit into him. Riley grinned back. This was HIS CHOICE. He was taking charge. He would make Buffy fall to HIS FEET. As Riley began to feel the life drained out of him, his mouth eagerly drank the blood oozing from the cut Pike had made across his chest.

“Should take you an hour or so to rise. After that,” Pike said looking down at Riley. “I need to write my sire a little note… Then we’re off to LA.”

Part II- Prelude to Disaster

It had been a tough night for Angel. He was getting more and more sleep, but he felt less rested. Last night he could barely attack a punching bag, let alone any vampire. But he felt more energy tonight. Something was about to happen…

He turned the corner of the main street and headed downtown. The Wolfram and Heart offices were nearby, and most demon activity happened there. As Angel continued walking, he sensed that he was not alone. He was being followed. He listened at the hushed voices, trying to make out what they were saying. They both sounded vaguely familiar…

“Lindsey is too cautious, dude. We need to rub Angel out now!”

“Look, Pike- I know you’ve been doing this longer than me, but trust me. You don’t want to tangle with Angel now. You need to wait-”

“I refuse to wait anymore, Mr. Lilac,” Pike said in a very loud voice. “I can take ‘em.”

Pike with a bottle of gin in his hand ran up to Angel, about to tackle him from behind. But Angel was ready for him and easily ducked out of the way. It was obvious that Pike was drunk. He was wobbling around, just barely able to stand straight.

“This is too easy,” Angel snickered as he pulled a stake from his coat.

He stopped dead in his tracks as he got a good look at his attacker. Suddenly it dawned on him who he was about to kill.

“You’re Pike… You helped Buffy with the vampires at Hemery when she was first called.”

“Yep… That’s the old me. I got a visit from someone and he helped me see the light… Actually the darkness, dude… You know him. He’s an old friend of yours. Goes by the name of Spike.”

Angel suddenly pieced together the puzzle, “So that’s why Buffy could never find you after the battle at the gym… She hurt so much when you weren’t at your apartment.”

“Oooh… Quite the stalker huh? Even then you wanted to get in her pants… I admire you, man. She’s too whinny for me. I heard about your little fling, man.”

Angel held up the stake about ready to strike, but Pike began laughing at him again.

“She seems to have forgotten you real good. Shacking up with some college dude. Actually he and I are total buds now. He begged me to make him one of us, and now he’s in on the plot,” the drunk vampire continued.

Just then, Angel heard a shuffle from the alley. He saw a tall figure running quickly into the Wolfram and Heart building. It moved too quickly for the vampire to get a good look, but he had a feeling who it was.

“Yeah, it was great, man! I took him right in his dorm room!”

“Tell me what you know,” Angel threatened.

“Well let’s see… I know my ABC’s,” he retorted in his alcoholic stupor.

A strange energy surged within Angel, making him angry and vengeful. Suddenly, before he realized it he staked the vampire. Pike turned into dust before him. Angel wondered what had possessed him to kill his only source of information. What had he been thinking?

“I got to get to Buffy,” he said, dropping the stake and running to his car.

From the window of the tall skyscraper, Darla watched him speed away in his car. She had missed so much of the times… She had missed her Angelus. But not for long.

“Soon,” she whispered.

“So everything is going to plan,” Riley asked as he stepped up to the window.

“Yes, quite… I’ve got a free hand here when it comes to dealing with Angelus. These people want only money,” she said thoughtfully.

“But I think you know where the real focus is,” Riley said as he studied her.

Darla gave a slight smile and said, “Selling out Pike was a strategic move, boy. Getting him that drunk was very good. Ambition and power are fine goals, indeed. But don’t betray me… Learn that from Angel- that filthy creature that corrupts my Angelus.”

“I can see you aren’t someone to be crossed,” he replied.

“William should be coming soon.”

“Yep…The prelude to disaster… But seriously, I know where the power is. I will not betray you.”

“Good lesson, boy. William will help us greatly…”

“Not to contradict you, Darla- But what if your plan does not work?”

“We have other options- albeit, not as poetic but they will do.”

“Should we begin our preparations?”

“We don’t have to start right away. The best part about this game is always the chase… We have enough time for dinner. Greek, Spanish, even China-men… They give me anything I want here,” Darla said as she led Riley out to supper.

Part III- Not What I Expected

Buffy lay on the bed, staring worriedly at the clock. It was almost sunrise and Buffy had no idea where Riley had gone. All she found was a note written yesterday. The note just said he needed to do something and it would take a long time. That was enough concern for alarm… And it seemed Riley had not taken his keys either.

She was about to call Willow for help when she heard a knock on the door. Thinking it was Riley, she sprang from the bed. She felt a tingling sensation all over body, something she’d never felt near Riley before.

Buffy opened the door, without really looking at who was there. She wrapped her arms around the figure, and began her assault of kisses. Soon her embrace was met and the lips returned her fury of passion. Gentle, but firm hands encircled her waist and drew her nearer. The exchange made gave Buffy a sense of relief, that the man in front of her was her home… Her love. A few minutes had gone by before Buffy realized- the body in front of her seemed very…cold.

Buffy quickly pulled away and was shocked to see a speechless Angel in front of her. Turning a slight shade of red, she stepped further away to get a look at him. Angel didn’t need to breathe for Buffy to have made him breathless at that moment.

“What are you doing to me,” Buffy asked suddenly angry.

“You kissed me,” he said, holding his hands up in defense.

“Well why didn’t you stop me? Don’t you specialize in pushing me away?”

“We’re not starting off like this. We were civil the last time I came,” he urged.

“You had no right to kiss me like that,” she added, not wanting to admit that she enjoyed the kiss as much as he had.

“No I didn’t,” he said quietly relented. “May I come in?”

“Whatever.”

“Buffy, no games. You know I-”

“Yes! Come in already,” Buffy said, moving out of the doorway.

Angel walked into the dorm room and Buffy closed the door behind him. Out of habit, she checked her appearance in the mirror before turning back to Angel. She offered him a seat, but he motioned that he preferred to stand. Buffy sat down on a chair near the bed.

“What are you doing here? No wait, let me guess… I’m in danger again huh?”

Angel didn’t flinch at the remark and continued, “I think so.”

“What? Did that Doyle friend of yours get some vision of me dying again?”

“No, Doyle’s dead.”

“Oh, sorry,” Buffy said, immediately regretting her previous tone.

“As much as it hurts, I know things work out for the best…He died for something good, Buffy. Cordelia gets the visions now. Then, you know Wesley has been helping..”

“Certainly a motley crew you have in the detective business,” Buffy said trying to get into a lighter tone. “So Cordy saw me in danger, eh?”

“No. They didn’t know I was coming here until- I actually came.”

“So what gives? How do you know I’m in danger?”

“I’ve heard some vamps talk. Had a run in with one last night in LA… Buffy, this may come as a shock-”

“I’m a big girl. I can take it,” she assured him.

“I saw Pike. He’s been turned.”

Buffy furrowed her brow at him, “How do you know who Pike is?”

“I’ve watched you for so long… Before you were called and afterward. That’s why I followed you,” he said, pain apparent in his voice.

“Oh… But no! I mean, about Pike- He took all of his stuff out of his apartment. I found a note saying that life was just too hard for him and he couldn’t deal with it. That he was dropping out of- Oh God… Just like the vampires at the college,” she gasped.

“That’s an old vampire trick. No questions asked about our victims,” Angel agreed. “He said some pretty disturbing things… I had to-”

She held up her hand, “No. It’s okay. I understand. Pike and I never really worked out anyway. I went to him that day to say goodbye… What did he say?”

“That he had been sired by Spike. But that’s not the worst of it. Where is Riley?”

“He’s not here,” Buffy said quietly, realizing that she had forgotten about Riley’s disappearance.

“Do you know where he is?”

“Do you?”

Angel sighed, “I think so.”

“Want to share with the class?”

“I think he’s been turned too.”

Buffy abruptly stood up and asked, “Did you see him?”

“No-”

“Then you don’t know, do you? He couldn’t,” Buffy said nervously starting to shake.

“I think I saw him run into a building. A place that helps demons. If it was him, then he’s planning something bad,” he said, softly trying to rub her shoulders.

She jerked away and accused, “Did you kill him too?”

“No. But I think eventually we might have to.”

“We can’t! We’ll get Willow to curse him! Get another orb,” she said as tears flowed down from her face.

“Buffy, you can’t condemn him to an existence like that. No one deserves the curse I have,” he tried to reason.

“So what? You’ll just kill him? You’d like that wouldn’t you,” Buffy said, unsure of where the emotion was coming from.

Suddenly Angel couldn’t hold back his emotions for Buffy anymore, “For all this pain I get…Yeah! I’d like to kill him! Because he can do what I can’t! And I hate him for it! He could do all those things I wanted so badly to do with you- to take you into the sunlight, to give you children, to make love…”

As Angel’s sentence trailed off, the anger left Buffy and she sighed, “I guess Pike took care of all of that… It makes sense. Pike is just Spike with an ‘S’ at the beginning.”

“I don’t think we can entirely blame this on the two of them. Riley knows a vampire when he sees one,” he said trying to lessen his previously harsh tone.

“Meaning what? He was looking to get bitten,” she questioned, half-knowing the answer.

“Pike said that Riley was begging to get changed. That Riley even invited him in.”

The harsh truth struck Buffy and she almost collapsed at the weight of it. But Angel was there to hold her up. Yet he held himself back a bit, not wanting to take advantage of her.

“Oh, Angel,” she gasped, realizing he was right. “Riley’s been obsessed with trying to beat me-”

“Has he hurt you? I swear I’ll-”

“No, not really. He’s just been trying to show he’s stronger than me… Every time we’re together, it’s like he wants to control me,” Buffy confessed.

She hadn’t told anyone about her doubts- she didn’t allow herself to think them. Yet, now it made sense. How he wanted to run experiments on Xander when he was split into two. How he didn’t tell anyone about his heart. How he could sometimes be so bent on being better than her at everything.

“Maybe he sided up with Wolfram and Hart to get that power,” Angel said, snapping Buffy out of her thoughts.

“Who?”

“Long story. I’ll explain on the way to Giles,” he said pulling her up.

“No, let’s go find Spike and then head out for LA. I feel like kicking some ass. He might have some information,” Buffy said as she wrote a note on a piece of paper.

“Shouldn’t we get Giles?”

“I’m not going to risk everyone’s life on this. If things are really that bad, I’m not going to involve the gang. I’m doing this alone. I’ll leave this note,” she said, walking out and sticking the note to the door.

“Buffy, you don’t have to do this alone,” he said, tugging at her shoulder.

“Fine. Then you can come with me…Since you have the car,” she added sheepishly.

Angel flashed a half smile, comforted in the knowledge that Buffy could still keep her sense of humor. That smile made Buffy melt, and almost lose her balance again. But she quickly regained her defenses without hinting that she had lost them to begin with. She gave a quick nod as she led Angel out of the dorm.

“Spike better watch out,” he said as the door closed behind them.

Part IV- The Drive And Its Destination

The sun just got up as Angel and Buffy hopped into the car. Angel had the top up and the windows were tinted, so no sunlight came in. First, they drove to all of Spike’s hangouts to look for him. The vampire wasn’t at any of them. At around noon, they came upon the graveyard and Buffy agreed to ruff up Spike. Angel was confused when she quickly came back a second later.

“He’s not there. Neither is Harmony. It sort of looks like there was a struggle… I found this, though.”

Buffy handed him a crumbled piece of paper. Angel took it from Buffy, and both felt the electricity surge through them when their hands brushed together. Angel tried to quiet down his emotions and read the note.

Spike,

It’s Pike. Long time no see. Now I’ve got a new deal with some lawyer people. It’s awesome! They give me all the blood and booze I want. Heard about that nasty chip in your head. And about that annoying Harmony chick that follows you around…

If you want to get rid of the blonde, the Slayer and the chip then come down to LA. Look up the law place called Wolfram and Hart. There’s someone who wants to see you down here… Can’t say anymore, but there’s more good stuff to the deal.

Pike

“Spike and Riley working together. That doesn’t sound good,” Angel said, stuffing the piece of paper into his pocket.

“Let’s just hope that they argue as much as they did when Riley was alive,” Buffy said sarcastically. “Then they’ll never get anything done.”

Angel started the car again, driving to the highway. He wanted to talk to Buffy, to comfort her. But he wasn’t sure it was his place to do this. Every inch of him wanted to be wrapped around her, telling her it was all right.

“So… If he didn’t like Spike then everyone else must have loved him,” Angel finally blurted out.

“The gang was encouraging… My mother the most,” Buffy sadly admitted.

“Things will work out, Buffy. If not with Riley, then with some other-”

“Just stop it Angel! Now!”

“I’m sorry,” he apologized.

“It’s just that…Riley was supposed to be normal Joe guy. Then I find out he’s some commando for secret government demon hunters. Then when he’s finally out, when he’s normal- he wants to be a super hero.”

“What do you mean?”

“He had to get an operation or else he’d die. His body couldn’t handle having super abilities. It came from some chemical thingie his directors gave him.”

“I see,” he said, letting Buffy continue.

“But he didn’t tell anyone about it until it was almost too late. I had to force him to get it and be normal… We both almost got killed.”

“Oh,” he said calmly, trying to hide the sadness.

Angel didn’t have to be forced into being a regular guy. Yet he couldn’t protect her as a normal guy. No, he wanted the best for Buffy. He would bare whatever pain or agony if it could keep her alive and happy.

Yet it was clear from the little Buffy said, Riley wanted powers only to impress her… Maybe even to control her. How could Riley have been so selfish? How could he have let Riley put her through this hell?

“Angel, it was real bad. He was acting so stupid! Damn, it! Why is it that all the guys in my life feel like they need super powers in order to be with me?”

So you took twenty-four hours to weigh the ups and downs of being a normal Joe and you decided it was better being a super hero?

Angel almost lost control of the car at her remark and said worriedly, “What do you mean ALL the guys?”

“Well like Riley and yo- No wait, I meant just Riley,” Buffy said stopping mid sentence.

She leaned back into the passenger seat and wondered. What made her say both Riley AND Angel had the choice of having supernatural abilities? Angel always had his vampire senses. Nothing in the world could ever change him into a normal guy…

Angel could not shake off the strange, almost clouded energy that surrounded them. Did Buffy know about last Thanksgiving? No, the oracles saw to that. She would never know… Or feel that pain he had right now.

Angel sat up ridged in the seat, not looking directly at Buffy. His thoughts went back to the day that never happened. The utter joy came not from being normal- but having no limits placed on them. To pour out all of his soul into Buffy. Then came pain of having to let her walk out of his office, eventually into the arms of someone else. Why couldn’t Riley understand the amazing gift he had been given?

The couple was lost in their own thoughts as they continued their trek to LA. They stopped for gas and food only once, since Angel couldn’t be in the sunlight. Buffy filled up the gas tank and grabbed some take out from a nearby diner. Within a few minutes they were back on the road, with little words exchanged between them.

The skies had suddenly turned dark and storm clouds blocked the setting sun. Strangely, Angel heard a sputtering sound from his car. He pulled off the road, onto the roofed parking lot of a run down motel. He and Buffy got out of the car to survey the damage. When Angel opened up the hood, a flood of smoke whipped out in front of him. Buffy coughed, trying to fan away the vapor. Angel stuck his head inside.

“I guess the car is just worn out. Driving back and forth without a long rest. Funny, that’s never happened before.”

“The car isn’t the only one worn out. Angel, you’ve spent almost two days without any sleep. Maybe we should just rest here for a while,” Buffy suggested.

“Lately, I’ve been sleeping too much… But you’re right. We could both use the rest. You can get something to eat. We’ll get two rooms,” he said, as they both walked over to the roofed clerk’s office.

“You don’t have to- We can just share the one room. Only for the night.”

“It just wouldn’t be a good idea.”

Buffy was too tired to argue with him, and just shrugged. They walked into the office and asked for two rooms. The clerk shook his head.

“Sorry kids, only got one. It’s a good one though, just put in new sheets.”

“Fine, we’ll take it,” Buffy said as she shot a no nonsense look at Angel.

He didn’t argue with her. Angel paid the man the money and filled out the register. While he did that, Buffy found the only working vending machine. She put in the quarters, getting herself some cookies, a soda, and some chips. She met Angel outside again and they walked nervously together to their room.

Part V- The Conspiracy Meeting

A woman’s scream could be heard through the quiet halls of Wolfram and Hart. It was after hours and most people had already left to go home. The only souls present were Lindsey and Lila, who were supervising the warlock’s work.

“Let my will be done,” he concluded.

Harmony tried in vain to get out of the chains and undo the gag. She wriggled around in the pentagram, almost knocking over Spike. At the moment they touched, a fireball of energy shot from the warlock’s hand. The fireball engulfed the two, and Harmony felt herself turn into ashes.

When the fireball disappeared, only Spike remained. He looked around for Harmony. All that remained of Harmony were the chains and gag used to bind her. He laughed out loud, and clapped his hands together.

“The vamp is back,” Spike gleamed.

“The transfer spell is complete. The other vampire’s energy is now blocking the functions of that chip. There should be no problem now,” the warlock confirmed.

“Thank you. That will be all,” Lindsey said as the warlock exited out the door.

The female lawyer walked over to the vampire and asked, “How does it feel, William?”

“Please, baby. Call me Spike. And I may call you what again?”

“Lila. But we have more-”

“No Harmony and I got my fangs back. This is bloody well Christmas. Now, what can I do for you mi’lady?”

“Actually, Spike- There is someone else who wants to see you. Two old friends actually,” Lindsey explained.

The doors opened to reveal Darla and Riley together. Spike almost flipped out. He stood there gaped faced as she and her new assistant walked over to him.

“You big sods! How the hell did you bring back Mummy? Hello Darla.”

“William. Or should I say Spike now?”

“William will do just fine,” he said, giving a wink at flustered Lila. “ So you’re the one behind all this…”

“I’m afraid not. I have these wonderful people here to thank for my presence,” Darla motioned to Lindsey and Lila.

“Are you up to speed on the situation,” Riley questioned Spike.

“What’s that big poof doing here? Why aren’t you humping the Slayer…Hey,” Spike said as he realized he felt something strange coming from Riley. “He’s a bloody vampire!”

“Before Pike’s unfortunate demise, he brought Mr. Finn to me. He has been most helpful with information on the Slayer and Angel.”

“I’ll bet. Well if that’s the case, why am I here,” he mocked.

“We thought you’d like to share in the wealth, Spike. In the downfall of the Slayer and return of Angelus,” Lila continued.

“And how are you little kids trying to do that?”

Darla smiled, “After the Oracles died, we found out some revealing information. And so I’ve been softening up Angel-”

“Don’t you mean, hardening him up,” Riley joked.

Lindsey ignored him and continued, “Darla has been giving him suggestions, appearing to him in his dreams. Messing with his emotions, reminding him of-”

“Slutty, the Vampire Slayer?”

“I’ve tried appearing as myself, but my appeal is to Angelus. So I have been trying the new approach. There are memories…They will remember,” Darla explained.

“Pike and I have lured them together down to LA. Darla was able to suggest to Buffy not to tell any of the Scooby Gang either,” Riley chimed in.

“Ah… They’re alone. So its only a matter of time ‘til they start banging each other. Clever little wanker, Riley… But didn’t the First try this mumbo jumbo?”

“He did… And it would have worked, save for their friends. As you can see, they are not an obstacle, William.”

“To ensure it, we had the warlock cast a little spell on his convertible just as they pulled to the motel we own. We only have one room available,” Lila said.

Lindsey turned to Darla and asked, “Are they taking the proverbial bait?”

“They have just arrived at the hotel… I’ve also set up a few surprises as well, to set the mood, ”Darla chuckled as she stretched out with her mind to sense Angel’s presence.

“Hate to rain on your parade, but what if they don’t do the deed? Peaches and the Slayer already know what will happen when they go whoopie.”

“If that should happen, Darla has thought of another solution,” Lila added.

Spike just smiled back, “Well then gang, what do you want little old me to do?”

Part VI- Let’s Pretend

By the time they reached the room, Buffy had already devoured her food. She didn’t know why she was so nervous. She wondered about Angel’s comments before. Did he still want to…

Angel opened the door to the small motel room. Just as they had entered, a bolt of lighting flashed the sky. Angel closed the door in time to stop the rain from coming in. The door muffled the thunder that followed.

Buffy surveyed the room. It had few furnishings. A small refrigerator that probably didn’t work. An uneven table. Then the bed. Buffy gasped at the mattress, the red silk covers. She wasn’t the only one surprised. As Angel spun around, he saw the striking similarity too. It looked just like the bed from his old apartment. The bed that he had first made love with Buffy on.

“It doesn’t look so bad,” Buffy said, ignoring her every impulse to point out her observation, wanting to relive that night.

“No, we’re here just for the night anyway. I, um, I, ah, I’d better take the floor,” Angel said as he took off his duster.

“Angel we can share the bed. I don’t mind,” Buffy said as she sat on the bed.

“I do. We’re both very vulnerable right now.”

“Ha! You’re worried that I’ll sleep with you? Because that’s the farthest thing from my mind,” Buffy half-lied.

“I just need to experience that one moment of happiness.”

“And that’s not going to happen,” Buffy said, beginning to lose her resolve.

“Its close to happening and I need every bit of my will to fight it. Every day. Every time I think about you. Just seeing you makes me so- It fills me up with so much joy…”

“Yeah, well- Join the club! I felt that whenever I used to see you,” Buffy said, trying to deny her own feelings at the moment.

“Look, I know we’ve never really talked about this… I didn’t lose my soul JUST because I had- with you. It happened afterward, right before we went to sleep,” he confessed.

She didn’t say anything, just looking up at him. Angel saw she was quiet, waiting for him to finish. He took an unneeded breath and looked directly at her.

“When we made love, it made me so happy.”

“Obviously,” she muttered, feeling the passion rise in her.

“That night… It changed everything. I couldn’t deny what was going on between us anymore. How right everything we did felt. That’s why I left, Buffy.“

“And you did all this for me, right? You didn’t even care how much it hurt,” Buffy said using her anger to keep her feelings at bay.

Angel was pained at Buffy’s remark, and fought every urge to protest his love for her. He wanted to tell her so many things. To let her know how deep his love ran for her… To shake into her how dangerous he was to her, just because of a selfish desire to love her. He used this pain to keep himself and the curse in check as he went on.

“Look, what I said doesn’t change anything. It only proves my point. Riley is the guy for you, if we can stop this-”

Buffy could no longer take his reasoning and screamed, “Ahhh! Angel when are you going to realize I don’t really love Riley!”

Angel looked at her in surprise, “What?”

“I don’t love Riley,” Buffy whispered as she curled into a small ball on the bed.

Angel walked over to the bed and sat down. He placed his hand on her shoulder and tried to turn her body to him. She turned slowly, and looked up into Angel’s chocolate eyes.

“I had to pretend, Angel. I overlooked everything about him- the controlling, the Initiative, even him sleeping with Faith!!!”

“He couldn’t have known-”

“You would have,” Buffy asserted.

Angel weakened from the night, had to be honest and said, “I would have.”

“I was just so…scared.”

Angel moved closer to her and asked, “Of what?”

“That I wasn’t any good… I remember what Angelus said the morning after we- well, you know. And he always says the painful things that are true,” Buffy cried.

As Buffy looked up at him, Angel let himself cup Buffy’s face with his hands. He was speechless at what Buffy was implying. He lost his voice at the thought. All he could do was gently stroke the sides of her face as she went on.

“And when I met Riley-I thought… I could love him… Or maybe there could be some practice time…That I could get better at not only you know- but just… everything,” she confessed.

“God- oh no… Don’t you realize that ALL of the time we spend together is so… precious,” he asked, wanting to strangle his demon half.

“Really,” she asked in a soft, child-like voice.

“There are no words, Buffy. Nothing can ever really quantify how special and amazing that night was for me,” he said, the passion rising in his tone.

“I tried so hard to believe that he was you… That maybe if I got better-”

“Its okay... We’re okay,” he said, trying to calm her.

“I mean…I pretended all the time… Even when I told him that having super powers wasn’t the best thing. I gave him the same speech I gave you before. Just like at Thanksgiving when we-”

Buffy’s voice suddenly trailed off as a force washed over her, willing her to remember. Angel looked at her with worry. After all this time….did she remember? As he wondered, the images and feelings came as intense as when they were first made.

Kissing, with the sun shining upon their bodies. Staring at Angel in the sunlight…

I’m sorry I kissed you like that.

Really?

Not for the kiss itself.

Good. I mean... Cause, as far as kisses go- I thought that it was well above average.

Making love on the table…

Why didn’t you ever tell me about chocolate and peanut butter?

I’m over the whole needing to be mature thing. That time we spent in the kitchen? That was enough time apart.

Too much.

Licking cookie dough fudge mint chip ice cream off his chest, then making love, again, and again, and again, and again…

Because more than ever I realize how much I love you.

No! It did happen! I know it did! I felt your heartbeat.

Just as quickly as her eyes closed, Buffy opened her eyes again. To Angel, only a second had gone by. For Buffy, she had relived an entire day with the only man she ever loved. A perfect day of just them acting naturally, being themselves. No pretending.

“I’ll never forget, I’ll never forget, I’ll forget,” Buffy cried, her eyes on Angel’s and grabbing his chest.

“Buffy, what happened just now?”

“Our perfect day,” Buffy noted sadly.

“The Oracles are dead… They still took it all back.”

“It doesn’t matter how, Angel… The point is I do,” Buffy said in a louder tone to make her voice heard above the rain.

Another clash of thunder sounded, and the two turned their attention to the storm. They could hear the pouring of the rain on the roof. The two were in silence, listening to the drops hit the titles- thinking back to the last time this had happened. They were in a trance at the memories- all of the memories, loving and fighting together.

The two lovers turned to each other. Their eyes deeply penetrated the other’s soul. Angel’s hand was still on Buffy’s cheek. Both realized this and they began to fall into each other’s embrace. His hand moved from her cheek to her neck, letting his fingers massage her soft hot flesh. Buffy felt herself lean more into him, using her own hands to explore his back. Her hands meandered down to his pants, undoing his belt and pulling out his silk shirt. Swept up in the moment, Angel’s palms traveled under Buffy’s shirt. In one move he pulled off the garment. Before either of them knew it, their eyes met again- urging their lips to do the same. When their lips did meet, the couple lay together in bed- feeling the natural love that had always existed between them…

Part VII- The Morning After

Buffy felt Angel’s muscular velvet legs entwined with her own. At first she snuggled deeper into him. She felt his naked body snuggle back, and his hands tighten over her own nude waist. The couple’s eyes shot open in an instant. At that moment, the lovers realized that last night was not a dream…

The Slayer jumped out of bed, grabbing the red silk covers to cover herself. Angel fell out of the bed with that action. While Buffy ran around the room to look for a stake, Angel held onto the side of the bed to pull himself back on top.

“Stay away from me,” she warned, grabbing her cross from the table.

“Buffy, please-”

“No! You won’t hurt me again!”

Angel held his hands up in protest, not caring he was naked in front of her, “I’m so sorry that I did that Buffy- I had no right to do that.”

“I- Wait a minute… You called me Buffy!?!”

“What else would I call you? Especially if I’m talking to the person I lov-”

Angel stopped in mid sentence when it suddenly dawned on him. He had just made love to Buffy. And the morning after he was still here. Buffy saw the soul in Angel’s eyes and dropped her cross back on the table. She crawled into the bed and stared into his face.

Buffy placed her hand on Angel’s chest, and in surprise said, “You don’t have a heartbeat! And you’re cold!?!”

Angel was just as confused and shook his head, “We just- but I’m…still here.”

“You are still a-”

“Yeah. The demon is still here. But he seems… Occupied…”

“What’s going on???”

Angel looked down at their unclothed figures and began to worry, “I don’t know. But we ought to-“

“Oh! Right! Skirt! I had a skirt,” Buffy yelped, looking around for her clothes.

She searched all over the room to find her clothes. Angel tried to help her, but she was too fast for him. Buffy quickly dashed into the bathroom, slamming the door in Angel’s face. She couldn’t face him. As she put her clothes back on, a million thoughts were going through her mind. What had possessed them to do something so reckless? And why hadn’t Angel lost his soul again? He had said it himself, he only needed a moment of perfect happiness. All of last night was perfect happiness. Wasn’t it?

Buffy emerged from the bathroom, to see Angel buttoning up his own silk shirt. His dark sad eyes looked up at her. Not wanting to scare her, Angel decided not to discuss how passionate and blissful the night was for him. Both of them were at a loss of words. Finally the vampire tried to cut through the awkward tension.

“We need to get to my office. Talk to Wesley,” he managed to get out.

All she could do is nod in agreement. Angel then stood up pulled his duster from the chair. Together they left behind the motel room. As Buffy closed the door, she looked back at the bed. The red silk sheets still rumbled from their evening encounter.

Part VIII- The Plot Thickens

“This is completely UNACCEPTABLE! I want answers,” Lila commanded of Darla.

Darla was just about to settle into of the executive chairs when Lila began yelling at her. Lindsey quickly followed her. Darla remained calm as Lila got right in her face. When the young lawyer had started her tirade, she merely yawned back.

“He felt that happiness. Even before they did anything… physical. It was enough for him just to see her,” she assured them.

Lindsey echoed, “You do realize that we brought you back for a specific purpose. Angel has been a thorn in our sides for some time now.”

“I do not take threats… Or orders,” she hissed back. “It is for this scenario I have brought William. He and my assistant are taking care of it.”

The two lawyers looked at her in disbelief. She spun around the chair to the large table to put her feet up. Her tall frame was lost among the sharp metal letter opener, stamps, and other office supplies that littered the massive table. Both founding partners were away at the moment, leaving Lila and Lindsey in charge of the operation. They had deemed these lawyers capable- and there were more important matters to address elsewhere. How were they going to explain this?

“Just relax,” she sighed. “Pretty soon- you won’t be worrying about Angel anymore…”

Part IX- Reviving the Past

The rest of the ride to Angel’s new office was quiet. Neither knew what to say to the other. Angel concentrated on the road, trying not to think of what had happened- and unending joy he experienced. Buffy was lost in her own thoughts and doubts. She remembered everything from Thanksgiving. Then what happened last night… Angel was still here with her. She didn’t know what to feel.

Buffy loved Angel more than anything. For her, last night was a release for all those feelings that been pent up for so long. Buffy couldn’t stop asking herself why Angel hadn’t lost his soul. There was one answer she could think of- she just didn’t make him happy anymore. And that thought scared her more than anything she had faced before.

“We’re here,” he said as he turned into a shaded parking lot.

He got out of the car and let Buffy out of the passenger side. Angel opened the side door and took a step back, allowing Buffy to enter first. She mumbled a thank you, and he followed her inside.

Wesley was at a make shift table with a dozens of books around him. Several charts were laid out in front of him and he seemed very engrossed in what he was doing. One item that caught Buffy’s eye was a slightly crumpled parchment scroll. The Slayer felt a strange attraction to the scroll. She almost wanted to reach out to touch it…

Angel made their presence known and said, “Wesley, we have situation-”

The ex-Watcher jumped up from his seat, knocking over several books in the process. He quickly excused himself and began to pick them up. Buffy bent down to help him, and Wesley gasped at the sight of her.

“Buffy! You’re here,” he exclaimed.

If this were another time, Buffy would have been amused. But she merely said, “Hello, Wesley. I see you’re in full research mode…”

“Yes, um. Well your situation will have to wait-“

Buffy stood back up and began, “No it can’t. Angel and I-”

“I made love with Buffy last night,” Angel interjected.

Wesley almost knocked over another stack of books at the words. Buffy felt a slight sense of pleasure when she heard Angel use the words “make love” instead of sex. She was quickly snapped out of her happiness when she heard Wesley stammering.

“B-b-b-ut I don’t understand…. Shouldn’t you be a little more-”

“Evil? I don’t know. I just woke up... And I was still here.”

Wesley could hardly get out his next question, “Well, yes, then… And, so, ah-huh… Um- Perhaps you didn’t quite reach that- No, that’s not the appropriate to ask…um…What I’m trying to say is, is it possible you were not able to hav-”

“I feel total bliss just looking at Buffy…Yes, Wesley- I was happy. Last night was more than enough to make me completely happy.”

Buffy glanced back at him, “Wait a minute- are you just saying that or do you really mean that?”

“You know I love you, Buffy. Of course I mean it-”

“Then how come you didn’t turn as soon as you saw me?”

Angel was about to speak, but couldn’t think of answer. He only thought of the dreams. When Buffy looked at him with concern, he explained to Buffy and Wesley about the strange dreams he’d been having. First a few with Darla. And then lately ones with Buffy. He continued to tell Wesley why he had gone to back to Sunnydale. Angel skipped the specifics of his night with Buffy and just reiterated the basic fact that he had not been turned. Wesley began to look worried as he started to shake his head.

“This might have something to do with the vision.”

“What vision,” the couple asked in unison.

“Cordelia had a vision. Angel- she saw Darla. She was quite alive and might I add, fighting you and Buffy,” he said worriedly.

“That can’t be. Angel and I killed her almost four years ago,” Buffy said shaking her head in denial.

“Buffy, its possible. Something strange is going on…”

Wesley continued, “In light of that vision, I decided to review the prophecies of Aberjia. It was most disturbing. The scroll contained a resurrection spell for a vampire.”

“Meaning that Darla really COULD be out there to get us? I thought once you slay a vampire, it can’t come back,” Buffy said.

“Yes, that is essentially true. However, from what I can ascertain the scroll says that the demon resurrected will not come back as a full demon.”

Angel looked to Wesley and said, “I don’t get it. Darla is human again?”

“Yes, but not quite. Technically, she is. Unfortunately the scroll says that the resurrected will have certain powers. To exactly what end, depends on the individual… However, it is hinted those powers could include hypnotism, drawing out the subconscious, with the ability to manipulate the elements and the like.”

Angel then worriedly asked, “Could Darla make it rain?”

“I suppose it is possible. Why do you ask?”

“Darla might have tried to make me…happy. So I could be turned.”

“That doesn’t make sense. If she was trying to get us…um, I mean you…happy- She did it, right? So how come you’re not all- grrrr?”

“Well, Angel’s curse is very specific- it is even recanted in the prophecy. The happiness needs to be total and complete from circumstances of fate alone.”

“A loophole within the loophole. The fun doesn’t stop for the gypsies,” Buffy remarked.

“At any rate, her attempt backfired. She messed with our minds and the- happiness, didn’t come out naturally…But Cordelia still saw us fighting her.”

“Yes, Angel she did. Which brings me back to what I was originally trying to explain to you earlier. To even cast the first spell is very difficult- there is a month long period every millenium when it can occur.”

Buffy looked worried and asked, “Wesley, did you just say FIRST spell? As in there’s another one coming?”

“Yes, is there is a second part of the spell,” Wesley sighed. “ The resurrected demon’s existence will not last for very long.”

“I’m guessing it’s not good,” Angel said dryly.

“If not completed, then the resurrected will die on the zenith of the next full moon. Coincidentally, the next full moon is tonight.”

“She’s getting electrical equipment,” Buffy asked sarcastically.

“No. Buffy, the zenith occurs when the full moon reaches a point that is precisely perpendicular to the horizon. From my calculations, this will occur at exactly 7:00 p.m.”

Angel asked, “What does the second part include?”

“It requires the mixing of blood from what they call the strong and the fair. A sacrifice of greed must be made as well for the spell to take effect. A series of very long chants must be uttered and then a circle must be drawn using the blood,” Wesley said, showing them the passage.

“Human blood,” Buffy realized.

“I am afraid so. Then in order to complete the process, the resurrected must remain in the circle until the zenith passes. Once they do that, they will be given immortality as well as several other great powers.”

“Then we need to stop her,” Angel said determinedly.

“There is a binding and banishment spell I had in mind. We can start there,” he said.

Angel nodded and asked, “Where did Cordelia say she saw us fighting Darla?”

“I am not quite sure. She did not explain the surroundings in great detail.”

Buffy looked around the lobby and asked, “Hey, where is Cordy anyway?”

“Unfortunately, she had a ghastly headache after the vision. We were all out of aspirin, so Gunn agreed to take Cordelia to the store in his truck.”

Buffy wrinked her nose, “Gunn?”

Angel reassured Buffy, “He’s a friend. When did they leave?”

“They went just a few moments ago. Cordelia insisted they go to a market on the other side of town to obtain a specific brand of aspirin.”

“Well if those visions hurt as bad I think, I don’t blame her,” Buffy agreed.

Angel shook his head, “We need a place, Wesley…What about the scroll? Does it say where the ritual will be performed?”

“The text says that the ritual must be performed at the same location of the resurrection.”

“Which means we’ve got to figure out how to get into the basement of the Wolfram & Hart building,” Angel said, walking over to a drawer of blueprints.

Buffy opened her eyes wide with realization, “Oh God! That Wolfram and Hart lawyer thing! They’re the ones who recruited Spike and Riley! That means-”

“They’re all in cahoots, together. Spike, Riley, and Darla… Which is why we need this,” Angel said, holding up the blueprints.

“Wait a moment, Angel. Aren’t you forgetting about the security measures in the place? For example, the demon that can detect vampires,” Wesley questioned.

“I’ll go in. Then once I’m inside we’ll look for a way to get Angel in,” Buffy said.

Angel was about to protest Buffy’s involvement, but the ex-Watcher interrupted him. Determined to be of use to the couple, he suggested they research the demon while he found the specifics of the binding spell. Neither argued the idea.

The two were again caught in an awkward silence. With a glance, Angel suggested to Buffy to help Wesley research. But neither of them really focused on the task. They remembered the countless times they were in this exact situation. Angel was thinking the same thoughts Buffy had at that moment… What will happen to us now?

Part X- Getting To the Hart…

For the first two hours of research, the situation was civil. Wesley’s presence was the main reason for this- no words between the lovers were exchanged. On a hunch, Wesley went to the back for a book he needed. Once he left, the tone between the two immediately changed. The strong feelings between them were so overpowering…

“Look,” Buffy started, breaking the silence. “This is a lot for us. All three of them together like that-.”

Angel reached for Buffy’s shoulders and quickly turned her to him, “No. They want me. Darla wants me. You will live! Never mind about me, YOU WILL LIVE!”

“Is this what you call living Angel? ‘Cause its not! When I said I wanted a normal life- I meant with YOU. Nobody else. When I said we were in a rut, I meant that we needed to do more things TOGETHER…”

“I can’t,” he said, sounding more like a cry for help rather than a statement.

Buffy was in his arms, wildly shaking, “You’re always walking away from me-”

“I can’t give you anything, Buffy. And if I stay with you, I put you in danger. If I love you- I hurt you.”

Before Buffy could respond, Wesley returned with a concerned look on his face. Angel took the opportunity and pulled away from Buffy. She wanted to go back to him. But sensing that there was something wrong, Buffy turned to Wesley.

“What’s wrong? Couldn’t find the book?”

“Actually I had it in hand when something suddenly occurred to me. What time is it?”

Buffy looked at her watch, “About 4:47 p.m. Why?”

“Cordelia and Gunn haven’t returned yet. Although it does take a while to get to the market I mentioned, they ought to have returned by now.”

Just then, a crash sounded. Angel reacted and was just able to catch the steel tipped bow before it hit his chest. Reeling from the event, Buffy was barely able to catch the second one before it hit her.

“Good Lord! What in heaven’s name was that?”

“Don’t know,” Angel answered Wesley, looking over to Buffy. “Are you okay, Buffy?”

“Yeah, I’m okay… Look at this,” she said, pulling a small piece of paper attached to the bow. “Take out yours first.”

Angel complied and read the note out loud, “Darling- Its been a long time. I’ve been lonely, but your friends are keeping me company. I don’t believe this… They’ve got Gunn and Cordelia.”

“Wait, Wesley- You said that the ritual required the blood of the strong and the fair right? I never thought Cordelia was fair- but this Gunn guy, is he-”

Wesley suddenly frowned further, “Strong as an ox… In the words of my esteemed colleague- Oh dear! They will be the ones used for Darla’s resurrection.”

“Come to the offices tonight at 6:20 p.m. Alone. I may just only take their blood and nothing else if you’re good,” Buffy finished.

Angel took his coat and said, “I’ve got to go after them alone. You two stay here. Don’t argue with me on this one Buffy.”

“You need me as much I need you,” Buffy urged.

The vampire stood there, looking at his only love. More than anything he wanted to take her in his arms and show her the vastness of his love. Angel was fighting every impulse not to touch her. Buffy ignored his silent refusal and went to him instead. She tip-toed a bit so she could hold his pained face in her hands.

“We are stronger together. That’s what the Mohra demon said and I’m sticking to it. And don’t give any excuses about how you think you keep hurting the ones you love. I only hurt when I’m not with you.”

Wesley felt very out of place at the moment, but still felt he should say something, “Angel, I am fully aware of the consequences of our collective actions. However, we all share a strong bond of friendship. I absolutely refuse to let Cordelia or Gunn down.”

The Englishmen’s arguments were convincing, but it was Buffy’s look of love that spoke volumes. He stared deep into her hazel eyes and sighed. At that moment, they both silently admitted that they had been living denial. The truth was here, being in each other’s arms. Yet Angel felt just as protective of Buffy as she did of him. He did not want her anywhere near the evil that took him into the darkness.

“Together, Angel,” she charged with a determined look on her face.

“I’m not letting you get hurt,” he began, softly stroking Buffy’s shoulders.

As Wesley observed their exchange he checked the clock on the wall, “It’s almost

5:00 pm now. You must decide NOW. If you’re going alone- you don’t have a lot of time to prepare.”

Part XI- The Struggle For Power

Riley felt a sense of manly power as he stood over the unconscious May Queen and this street fighter. The blood seductively dripping from their necks made the new vampire’s mouth water. As Riley bent closer to the bodies, he was swiftly kicked in the butt.

“Umph,” he cried out, stumbling over the captives.

Spike hit him and said, “Look but don’t touch…. We need the blood, you big poof!”

Riley still in vampire face angrily said, “Quit calling me that!”

“If anyone is going to drain Spordelia here, it’s going to be me. That’s payback for the all the damn Billy Idol cracks.”

“Then I get the other one, his strength will make me powerful,” Riley said thoughtfully.

Spike couldn’t help himself from laughing, “Oh God! What did the Slayer see in you?”

“What exactly are you getting at, Johnny Rotten wannabe?”

“Hey,” he said warningly as he gathered the blood. “Just telling you the truth.”

“And that would be?”

“You’re the doormat to every bleedin’ woman out there! Always will be. If not to the Slayer then to Darla. Face it- you’ll always be hiding behind the skirt of a girl.”

“Oh I’m so weak right? Then what are you doing here, huh?”

Spike shrugged it off and simply said, “I admit I’m slave to my obsessions- and respect my elders… Bloody hell! You’re not even man enough to say that. And sad part is, it’s not like you haven’t tried. Little Buffy has quite the imagination doesn’t she?”

Riley strode over to him and spoke in his face, “What is that supposed to mean?”

“Are you deaf AND dumb? I’ve heard her call you her lover’s name during all those stupid Scooby Gang meetings…We both know all too well- the Slayer opens her legs and heart to one vampire… And his name is-”

“You rang,” Angel called out, jumping Riley from behind.

Riley’s reflexes were still slow, and Angel’s punch connected squarely to his jaw. He tumbled to the floor. Spike turned in full vampire face to his sire.

“Oooh… Don’t get too happy at that one. Felt good didn’t it? Kicking his bloody bum- knowing that he’s touched your precious Buffy in the same places you’ve-”

Spike didn’t finish his sentence before Angel lunged at him next. The blonde vampire was surprised at the attack and took the full brunt of the assault. He slightly regretted taunting his sire in such a manner. Although Spike could pummel the ex-commando, he was still recovering from the spell worked on him. Even at full strength, Spike could just barely keep up with Angel.

“Hmmm….Still having performance problems? Well, I’m sure it happens to a lot of men even after they’ve sought professional help,” Angel quipped, in full game face.

The two vampires continued fighting, exchanging blows- not paying attention to the figure in back of them. As the jeers on Angel’s part continued, Spike became more and more angry. Finally, he used the rage to overcome Angel and held both of his arms back. Using all of his strength Spike pushed Angel down on knees, not sure if he could hold him down for very long.

“Riley, you sod! Get a stake,” he ordered, as Angel twisted against him.

The newly made vampire walked in from the back, glaring at Angel. Hearing the command, Riley walked over a large broken crate that was nearby. He yanked a plank from the connected boards and smiled back.

“Well Angel… We know who the bigger man is now,” Riley said, walking over to him.

“Yeah… It must take big pair to stake me like this. Tell something- how does it feel being Spike's lap dog?”

Enraged at the label, Riley pulled back the wooden stake- ready to thrust the weapon into Angel’s undead heart. His hand went down, but just before he connected another hand grabbed his wrist. The harsh grip forced him to drop the weapon and turn around.

“Time to break up this little boys club,” Buffy said, pulling Riley to the side.

Riley groaned from the pain, but still showed his bravado, “Buffy- long time no see... How about we pick up right where we left off? I’ll be on top.”

Angel flinched at the remark, but he took the interruption to his advantage. Spike was amused by the scene and did not foresee Angel flipping him over. Buffy shuttered at the thought of being touched by anyone except Angel. She quickly shook off the comment and continued to twist Riley’s arm.

“Angel, you’ve definitely lost the title to World’s Best Actor. I still don’t know how I could pretend THIS was you,” she retorted.

Angel pinned Spike against the while marble wall and said, “I’d like nothing better to stake the both of them-”

“But we’ve still got to deal with Darla. Right. Here,” Buffy picked up some chains with her foot. “We’ll just tie you two together. That should be torture for you both.”

The two warriors quickly tied the vampires to one of the iron fixtures on the wall. Angel couldn’t control his impulses and knocked the two out. Buffy gave him a slight smile of approval as she quickly walked over to Cordelia and Gunn. Wesley stepped out of the shadows, running with the scroll in hand. He surveyed his two unconscious friends.

“The wounds don’t look so bad,” he said, kneeling down to tie his handkerchief around Cordelia’s neck. “They didn’t take a lot of blood. I think they’ll be all right.”

“Let’s stick to the plan… Wesley- Get them out of here. Buffy,” Angel said, turning lovingly to his girl that looked sweetly back. “Stay close to me?”

Buffy grasped his hand back, “Always.”

“You had better take the binding spell found in the prophecies then,” Wesley said, giving the scroll to Buffy.

“Wait a second,” she said looking at her watch. “Wesley, its 6:35. Where’s the vial of blood Spike had?”

The three looked around, but the vial had disappeared. Just then, a soft voice could be heard. Even with their supernatural hearing, neither the Slayer or the vampire could make out the words. As the voice grew louder, Wesley eyes shot open.

Part XII- Come Back To Me

The ex-Watcher said hurriedly, “I hear chanting! Angel, Buffy- Watch out! It’s-”

“Just me,” Darla cooed, almost floating into the room with a wooden box in her hands.

Buffy stared at Darla, surveying her clothing, “Well- someone took a hint and dropped the Catholic school girl look. Hey, that’s MY dress!”

“Well- I didn’t think you’d be needing it. I found it lying on the floor next to that boy’s pants,” she shot back, pointing at the unconscious Riley.

“That was a cheap shot! I love Angel more than you could EVER comprehend,” Buffy said, stepping in front of Angel.

“We refuse to let you achieve complete resurrection,” Wesley said, just as Cordelia and Gunn were waking up.

“Let me at them,” Cordelia said groggily.

“My! We have an audience. Let’s keep this at a duet,” Darla said as she waved her hand.

The three associates tumbled back. Angel turned in their direction and saw them stumbling around. Buffy saw Cordelia grasping the ground with her hands.

“What have you done,” Gunn demanded reaching into the empty air.

“I just tapped into your collective subconscious… We’re all afraid of something. You all share the same fear… Not being able to see the evil. Impressed,” Darla asked.

Angel tried to stay calm and said, “Look this has nothing to do with them. So why don’t we leave them alone?”

“Coming around to your senses, sweetheart. Very well.”

Darla waved her hand again. Buffy felt a small gust enter the room, but the wind grew stronger. Before she knew it, a small tornado forced open the main doors to the basement. Wesley, Gunn, and Cordelia were suddenly swept up and blown out of the room like leaves. Buffy felt herself rising too. The Slayer reached out for Angel, and she felt his strong hands hold her fiercely. Buffy returned that devotion, and she grabbed tightly onto her lover.

“Angel, you don’t need her,” Darla said as she stopped the wind. “You know what you want. What you’re blood is screaming out to you.”

Angel caught Buffy as the wind died down. The doors swiftly closed, locking the three inside of the room. As soon as Buffy got on her feet, she looked up at Angel.

“Are you all right,” the Slayer asked, afraid to lose him.

Angel said in surprise, “I wasn’t the one lifted 10 feet from the floor. Are YOU okay?”

“I meant about what Darla said. Angel, I love you-”

Darla interrupted, “I’m still here, children… You know its true, Buffy. Angelus is for me, little slut.”

Angel turned back to Darla and yelled, “I love her! She kissed me Darla.”

“And she also bedded other men…”

“You know what I mean. Buffy kissed me. As I am. Face and all.”

“I MADE YOU,” she screamed at him. “And I’m offering you something she’ll never be able to give you. I’m giving you’re identity. Yourself, Angelus.”

Angel glared at her and said with resolution, “You have nothing I want.”

Darla smiled and slowly opened the box. Buffy and Angel wanted to throw up at the sight. Both recoiled from contents of the box. The bloodied heads of Lindsey and Lila lay in its purple velvet folds. Their faces were testament to the horrible pain and fear they suffered as their bodies were decapitated.

“Its all for you. They are no longer a problem. You won’t have to worry about them anymore… And together WE can be the supreme force, just like before.”

“Things are different, Darla. I AM DIFFERENT,” he insisted, feeling the demon within him stir.

“You are the lovely monster I made you, darling. Everyone sees it. That lady cop sees it. Her father saw it before he died. Hmmm… Even your little Slayer’s MOTHER sees that. And you know what? She was right to force you to leave her. You belong to ME,” Darla said as she ran her fingers down his cheek.

Buffy shouted in surprise, “My mother made you leave??? Oh that’s it girlie-girl. You’re dealing with me now. NOBODY TOUCHES THE MAN I LOVE!”

Buffy ran up to Darla and began her tirade of punches. Darla fell down, dropping the box of heads on top of Angel. The box hit him hard, knocking him unconscious. Darla tried to wave her hands again, but the Slayer pinned her down. Buffy began chanting the binding spell while she held Darla down. But just as she was near the end the Slayer lost her advantage. Darla quickly rolled Buffy to the floor. Darla was now on top her.

“Angelus is mine. He will come with me. The resurrection is almost complete. Look at the floor,” she cackled, strangling the Slayer.

Buffy turned her head and saw a circle of blood on the floor. She gasped as she saw the empty vial tucked inside the hem of Darla’s dress. Darla merely laughed again.

“I’m not at full strength yet… But I’m getting there,” Darla growled.

Darla felt another wave of power rush over her body. Suddenly, she didn’t need both hands to restrain Buffy anymore. She used her right hand to reach for the wooden plank Riley had dropped earlier. She now held the improvised stake over Buffy’s head. Angel’s eyes opened just as he saw Darla raise the stake.

“How ironic… Me killing YOU with a stake. Enjoy your death,” Darla said drawing the stake downward.

Angel slid over to the two women and screamed, “NOOOO!!!”

He knocked Darla off of Buffy, rolling himself onto Darla. Confused by the sudden motion, Darla’s hand slipped. The stake was caught squarely in Angel’s chest. Buffy watched the scene in horror and ran over to him, calling his name.

He reached out his hand and called her name, but it was too late. Buffy watched as her lover disappeared before her very eyes. Darla was shocked as she felt the dust fall onto her body. She started to sob, lying on the floor with Angel’s ashes around her. Fighting the numbness from her soul, Buffy managed to whisper the last word of the spell.

The ground beneath them rumbled. Buffy felt the winds blow in again, and the door swung open. The gusts all gathered in the center of the large room, swirling to form a glowing red vortex. Still crying, the gust sucked Darla inside its fiery depths. As the vortex closed, Buffy heard Darla wail and felt them infinitely louder in her own heart.

“Angel,” she cried. “Come back to me.”

Part XIII- The Sacrifice

As soon as Darla had been banished, Wesley and the others quickly staggered back into the basement. Still blind, they did not see Buffy crying over a pile of dust. In between gasps of breath, Buffy tried to explain what had happened. Wesley was the first to get back his vision, and stared at Angel’s remains.

“What’s happening,” Cordelia asked, suddenly scared.

“He’s dead,” Gunn answered, his eyes reverting back to normal.

Cordelia got her vision back, as her eyes adjusted to the floor. She saw the pile and fell down on her knees to begin her own sobbing. Gunn tried to comfort her, but a dark sadness filled his own heart as well. Wesley looked on at Buffy, half-knowing the torment that raged within her. He slid next to Buffy and tried to put his hand on her shoulder.

“He can’t be dead! He’s Angel,” Cordelia cried out.

“There’s nothing we can do, Cordelia. We can’t bring him back,” Gunn tried to reason.

Suddenly Buffy’s head shot up. She turned over to Wesley, who did not realize the fault of Gunn’s statement. Buffy took the scroll from her belt and unraveled it. Some it was in English, but rest was in Latin. There was still a chance he could come back… She whipped Wesley out of his mourning.

“Wesley, we need to resurrect him,” Buffy said stubbornly.

The ex-Watcher shook his head sadly, “We need a sacrifice of greed for it Buffy. And one vampire for every century Angel’s been alive… It’s too late.”

“No it’s not,” she asserted. “We have Spike and Riley now, and that’s enough to cover the two centuries he’s been alive. We can do this,”

Gunn looked over to Wesley and asked, “Can we bring the boy back?”

Wesley shook his head, “Buffy, you aren’t properly schooled in the magiks. Lindsey was able to do it because he had the training-”

“Guys, I’m going to this,” Buffy said, taking out the scroll.

Gunn looked Buffy over and said, “Hold up- This is Buffy right? As in The Slayer? That pretty thing Angel’s been pining over since I met him? I wouldn’t be telling her what she can and can’t do, brother.”

“Wesley- if she can bring Angel back, then maybe,“ Cordelia agreed.

“No! I’m afraid you all don’t understand-“

“We need to do this now,” Buffy said, getting into the circle.

“This is highly dangerous for you! And it is going to take a lot of energy… Even if you were fully rested, the ritual could kill you. Buffy, if you do this, you may not survive,” Wesley warned.

Buffy quickly looked at her watch, “We don’t have much time. Only ten minutes before the zenith, and we need to do both spells…”

Cordelia was shocked and said, “Wait! You won’t survive? No way-”

“Don’t argue with me! I’m doing this. I just have to be careful about the Latin.”

“We still need the sacrifice of greed-”

“Darla must have it here somewhere! We don’t have time to look for it! If she were going to complete the resurrection she’d have done it already! I love him,” Buffy yelled.

Wesley began to protest again, but Buffy had already started. Buffy felt her eyes glaze over, and her body went numb. She felt that somehow, she was outside of herself. The only action that kept her conscious was the chanting. All she could do was chant…

Part XIV- I Will Lie With Thee Tonight

“I can’t let Buffy die,” Cordelia said, making her way to Buffy.

“No! Do not interrupt her! If you do, she will most certainly die. Cordelia we have to help her. NOW,” Wesley said, holding the brunette back.

Gunn put his hand on her shoulder and said, “I may not know her all that well- but this is something the girl’s just got to do.”

“The best way to help her is to do this for her, Cordelia. Just follow my lead and say- ‘Yet they live.’ After each line,” Wesley urged.

Buffy continued on during this exchange- quickly coming to the parts where a response was needed. The three of them had to fight to keep up with Buffy’s speed. As they neared the Latin part of the spell, the group felt the tremors beneath them. Undaunted, Buffy continued- fixed on her purpose to bring her lover back from the dust.

Abruptly, another whirlwind emerged and engulfed the still unconscious Spike and Riley. Their bodies turned into dust and bones. A mixture of wind and dust began to whirlwind around Angel’s own ashes. The force of the wind was so powerful, the group had a hard time standing up straight. Buffy, almost outside of herself stood erect- chanting, steadfast, fighting to channel the energy… Feeling her own life, her energy- leaving her body.

“Sergei, Serga,” Buffy chanted, feeling her breath drain out of her.

A hot blue light suddenly emanated from the whirlwind- and a sonic wave propelled Buffy to the wall. Her tiny frame crashed into the cold marble, and fell out of the blood circle. The moment her body fell to the floor, the light engulfed the ashes in a brilliant exposition. When the light faded away, Angel’s wet, sweaty naked body appeared.

“Buffy,” he coughed, desperately looking for his love.

Angel immediately became scared. He couldn’t feel her life force as he always had. There were times when he was separated from her- but he could always feel her existence in his soul. Now his soul heard nothing… Still a little groggy from the ordeal, his eyes had trouble adjusting to the dimly lit room. Angel moved on instinct, trying to feel even the most remote sensation that Buffy provoked in him.

“No! Angel you must stay in the circle,” Wesley cried out.

Yet he paid no attention to the screams and shouts of his staff- straining to see in the darkness. And that's when he saw her. Buffy’s lifeless body lay just outside of the circle, her neck twisted at a horrible angle. Angel stepped out of the circle and held onto his lover’s corpse, still warm.

“I need you, Buffy. I need you, because I love you,” he whispered, shaking her in a futile attempt to bring her back.

“Go back in the circle, there’s not much time left,” Cordelia cried.

Angel looked to the group in tears, “Let me die! Let me be with her…”

He pulled her into his own lap, rocking her back and forth. They had resurrected him, but he refused to spend eternity without her. Angel had lost everything. He had lost his only love. All of the control he had gained over the years failed him. His heart was now truly dead, freeing all of his tears to the surface.

Angel felt his body turning to dust once more. He was dying. He knew he had only a few moments left to live. He ran his hands through her blonde silky hair and kissed her cheek.

“I will lie with thee tonight,” he whispered.

And with that, he embraced her and together the two warriors lay down on the ground-dead.

Part XV- Their Fate

Gunn looked down in horror at the bodies of Buffy and Angel. Cordelia had her head burrowed in Wesley’s chest. All of three of them looked down in despair. After all of what the two lovers had sacrificed for each other, this was their fate. Death.

At that moment, Gunn saw a beam of light streaming from a crack in window. He turned his head to get a better look and saw the full moon shinning back at him. The beam of light lit up the circle of blood, causing it to glow with a white-blue hue. He watched as the light engulfed the bodies, making them radiate with electric energy.

“Wes- check it out,” he said, pointing to the circle.

The two turned to follow Gunn’s gaze at the circle. The light shone on the bodies- which were just barely inside its rim. All at once, the ground began to shake again. They all tried to see what was going on, but smoke and midst obstructed their view. It billowed and curled around the bodies, until another brilliant light blinded the three of them again.

Another sonic wave brought the trio to their knees. Just as quickly as it began- it was over. The smoke evaporated, revealing the two lovers embraced together.

Cordelia, Wesley and Gunn ran to the spot where Buffy and Angel lay. The two lovers returned to consciousness, only slightly disoriented. Cordelia bent down to help Buffy up, and Gunn did the same for Angel.

“Shanshu,” Buffy whispered hoarsely.

Wesley looked at her in surprise and said, “What?”

“I don’t know… That’s… just what… I heard…Shanshu,” she huffed.

Angel tightened his grip on her and said, “Oh, God… I love you Buffy.”

They sat together like that, holding onto each other fiercely. Wesley quickly consulted the scroll, looking for an explanation. Gunn surveyed the area, making sure it was safe from anything else that would come. Cordelia covered Angel with Gunn’s trenchcoat and he quietly thanked her.

“But it said Angel would be human… I suppose I could have been wrong about the translation... However, Buffy died,” Wesley puzzled.

“Hey- Hate to break this up. But I found this,” Gunn said, picking up Darla’s box.

He walked over to the group and held it upside down for them to see. Buffy and Angel were surprised when they saw it was empty.

“There were heads in there… The lawyers, I mean… Darla cut them up,” Buffy said.

A look of awareness dawned on Wesley’s face, “The sacrifice of greed… Darla wasn’t going to resurrect just herself- She wanted to resurrect Angel as well.”

“What does that mean,” Angel said, trying to stand up with Buffy.

“That means- you and Buffy are… Resurrected. Both of you have come back from the dead with immortality,” Wesley said stunned.

Buffy stared at Wesley, “Hold on. We’re…immortal?”

“I thought you said Angel would just be human,” Cordelia asked, turning to Wesley.

“Well it is possible. For the moment we first resurrected him, Angel was technically human. But now… If the translation holds, he should have the same strengths he had as a demon, possibly with other new powers…”

“Wait, hold up… The two of them are unkillable,” Gunn asked, wanting answers.

“If this is true…In their new immortal state, Buffy and Angel can not die unless they are killed in a particular way… Angel is technically not a full vampire at this rate,” Wesley confessed.

“It doesn’t matter…. Angel you’re here…I just want get out of here,” Buffy said softly.

Angel smiled and held her tight, “I know, we’ll go together...”

Part XVI- Returning Home

It had been a long night for the entire group. Gunn decided to head for home, while the rest of them piled up in Angel’s car. Cordelia was about to protest to it, but Angel silenced her. He understood it was Gunn’s way. Just before he left, Gunn patted Angel’s shoulder. The look in his eyes said everything. Angel silently understood Gunn’s approval of Buffy.

The ride back to the offices was relatively quiet, save for Wesley’s musings. After looking at the scroll again, he was still unsure of what exactly happened. In the end, he stuck to his original conclusions about the resurrection. Angel would have at least the same abilities as did when he was a vampire. Yet it was mystery if he would develop new powers. Also, there was the matter of Buffy resurrecting with Angel. She could have easily gotten a few aspects of the demon as well.

Wesley admitted, he didn’t have any clear cut answers on that. He only knew what the rest of them knew for sure- Angel was no longer a full vampire… And Buffy had escaped the destiny of all the Slayers before her- death.

It was around 8 p.m. once they arrived at the offices. Sensing that Buffy and Angel needed some time alone together, Wesley and Cordelia left on his motorcycle. Before Cordelia left though, she pulled Buffy aside.

“Wesley and I have been talking… And if Angel isn’t a vampire anymore- then that means no curse,” she whispered.

“Cordelia, I-”

“Buffy, even Gunn sees how much you two love each other. And you’ve known him for what? Half an hour?”

The Slayer turned to her old friend and said, “I don’t know what to do-”

“Make him happy… Let him make you happy… Be happy together- just try to restrain yourselves while I’m around,” she said as she climbed onto the bike.

“But what if he doesn’t want-”

“He truly does love you, Buffy. Cordelia and I thought we should leave so the both of you could have some privacy,” Wesley said as he revved the engine.

“I’ve got cookie dough fudge and mint chip in the refrigerator. Tell Angel we’re taking tomorrow off,” Cordelia said as she put on Wesley’s helmet.

Before Buffy had a chance to respond, the two sped off into the night. Buffy slowly walked back inside the building. She walked over to the refrigerator and opened the freezer. As Buffy took the two cartons of ice cream out, Angel walked behind her.

“Hi,” Angel said shyly, unsure of anything else to say.

“Hey, um… Cordelia said this was all the food you guys had,” she said, holding up the two flavors.

“Oh… Yeah. I guess Cordelia was cheating on her diet… What kind of ice cream is it,” he asked, surprised that there was ice cream.

“We have two different kinds…Cookie dough fudge and mint chip,” she said, feeling the awkwardness of the moment.

“Buffy, when we made… well, um, when we had our day together, wasn’t there… I mean… Couldn’t she have bought-”

“I know… They don’t make all ready mixed cookie dough fudge mint chip anymore. The company split the two flavors apart.”

“Oh I see,” Angel said sadly, insecure with his feelings.

Buffy decided to cut through the tension and said, “Angel we’ve been through a lot tonight. And things were said-”

“You don’t have to say anything, Buffy.”

“No! I do. Angel- I meant every word I said tonight. God, tonight is the first time in a long time I can say that! I love you Angel. Maybe we can-”

Angel walked to her and held her tightly, “No, Buffy. Don’t finish that sentence. I love you. I’ve always loved you. But feel,” he took Buffy’s hand in his and held it to his chest.

“Angel-”

“I don’t have a heartbeat… I’m still cold. I can’t offer you anything-”

“Angel you give me yourself! And that’s all I ever wanted. You,” Buffy said, letting her head fall on his chest.

He let himself get lost in her and said, “I want you so much… But you’ve had other men- and we still can’t-”

“I’ve only loved you Angel. Just you. You’re technically not a real vampire anymore! So the curse kinda doesn’t count,” she bellowed, her breath hot on his neck.

Angel leaned forward into her but he said, “I still might not be able to give you children or walk in th-“

“I don’t come with any guarantees either, Angel. We’re in the same boat now… We’ve both died and come back… forever. It’s just hard feeling so ashamed- the two of us fighting and me with Riley,” she said sadly.

He pulled Buffy his to his head, so tempted to kiss her back, “Don’t you think that you’re not special or amazing… YOU ARE. I haven’t been the best in this relationship either… I’ve kept things from you, too.”

“The whole thing with my mom? Oh I’m sooo going to kill her,” Buffy confided.

“Not that. Something else…”

Buffy looked at him with total love and said, “Angel, I don’t care. We’ve both done really horrible things in our lives…But we’re here together now. And I want my life to be with you, forever.”

“I do too, love,” he whispered, gently stroking her back. “ You know…We’ve come a long way together. You and me.”

Buffy hugged him back, transferring heat to warm Angel’s cold body. At that moment, they both realized that only thing Angel had on was a trench coat Gunn had lent him. Buffy and Angel were already brimming with desire- and the realization broke the dam of their control. Without hesitation, their lips met in a rebirth of their love.

Angel felt himself melt into Buffy’s gentle touch and wrapped his arms around her waist. As they continued to kiss, Angel began to pull away so Buffy could breathe- but she stopped him. With a glance, Angel knew- Buffy didn’t need any air. Buffy shot him a hungry look and she pulled him back to her burning lips.

When their lips met, a flash of lightening lit the dim room. The couple heard raindrops on the roof as a clap of thunder sounded. Angel smiled against Buffy’s mouth and teasingly pulled a little away.

“They’re playing our song,” he tantalized, stroking her cheek.

“Mmmm… The last time we were like this, we agreed to take things…slow,“ she said, seductively rubbing his chest through the coat.

“Slow,” he echoed, as his mouth traveled downward to kiss her chest over her silk shirt. “I’ll make sure we go very, very, very, very slow.”

“Well, we might want to take the varied approach on speed,” she teased, as he pulled her back to his mouth.

Their kisses became even more intense than the couple thought possible. Buffy felt her body hum not only at his touch, but just at his mere presence. She began to feel weak in the knees. Wanting more of him as each second passed, she jumped up- wrapping her legs around his lean waist.

Angel became increasingly aware of his own body against Buffy’s. They needed each other. Now. As he felt her legs wrap around him, Angel began maneuvering their intertwined frames to the staircase. Buffy held onto him tightly, as he tried to make his way to his apartment. Along way they were dangerously close to their passion erupting on the flight of steps. But they were able to reach Angel’s apartment, letting nothing hold their love for each other back.

Angel stopped his ardent kisses for a moment and Buffy looked visibly disappointed. The disappointment didn’t last for very long- before she knew it, he whisked her into the air. He cradled her in his arms, and Buffy tenderly gripped his neck. Like a groom and bride, Angel carried Buffy over the threshold of his hotel penthouse. With both arms he held onto Buffy lovingly, closing the door with his foot.

When they got inside, Buffy fervidly wanted to continue their kisses- but Angel stopped her again with his index finger. He laid Buffy down on his bed, but to her surprise- he sat on a wooden chair next to the bed. Angel tried to reassure her, looking at her with all the love in his heart.

“Buffy- there’s something I need to tell you,” he whispered as he kissed her hand.

Buffy slanted her body to Angel and said, “I told you already, I don’t care. I just want you, always.”

“No… I have to say this. You have to know.”

“What is it,” she asked, fear reflecting in her eyes.

“Nothing bad… I promise,” he said, looking at her hazel eyes.

“Then what’s going on?”

“The ring,” he said as he gently rubbed her naked left ring finger. “The claddagh I gave you. For your birthday? I didn’t… I didn’t tell you everything.”

“What do you mean,” she asked, wrapping her arms around him, holding him close.

“That night… I married you. When I put the ring on your finger and I said those things I did… I married you. Over here it doesn’t mean anything- but during my day in Ireland-”

“We would have been married,” she finished quietly.

Angel looked at her, slightly surprised, “You’re not angry with me?”

“No. Why would I? I think that night we had something- sacred… And how great of a present is that,” she said, softly kissing him on the forehead. “I think I’ve always known. Sorta… On some level.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before…When Angelus came, every part of me fought him from telling you- I didn’t want it to come out that way. And after that I just didn’t want you to feel obligated to me,” he confided.

Buffy ran her fingers through his dark brown hair and said, “Loving you is never an obligation. It’s a privilege. Something I sometimes think I don’t deserve-”

“But you do-”

“Exactly! This is what we need to remind ourselves, Angel. We deserve each other. Always. Forever, that’s the whole point, remember?”

“When I’m with you, I don’t need to be reminded as much… I feel it,” he said, snuggling his head onto her shoulder.

“Well then… That settles it. We just won’t leave each other alone,” she said, drawing him in her a soulful, sensual kiss.

Angel pulled back again- but his left arm was still tightly wrapped around Buffy. He reached over to a nightstand on his bed. He opened up a drawer revealing inside a black satin jewelry box. He took out the box and got on his knees in front of Buffy. The Slayer beamed with joy and she felt the tears welling up inside of her. Angel smiled that sexy half-smile she loved, as he opened up the box.

“I found this after I came back. Buffy, I want to make that commitment to you… Again, and again, and again,” he simply said, holding up the claddagh ring.

“I looked everywhere in the mansion for it,” Buffy said in wonder.

“The crown represents, loyalty. The hands for friendship and the heart- for love,” Angel said, now finding a confidence he did not have three years ago.

“With the heart facing toward you… That means you belong to someone,” Buffy said.

“So, will you-”

“Yes,” Buffy cried before he had a chance to finish. “You don’t even have to ask- I’m already yours, you know.”

With each moment that passed, Angel kept amending his definition of happiness. Being with his Buffy- made the each passing second more special than he thought possible. The truth and freedom was here- in his arms. And he knew that he would never have to let go of it again. Feeling like a giddy teenager, he kissed the ring and held up Buffy’s hand.

Angel excitedly slipped the sliver ring on her tiny finger. He looked at her hands in awe, and Buffy looked down with him. The ring felt snug against her skin and she wondered how she had lived for so long without its touch- without Angel’s touch. With a slightly mischievous grin, Buffy arched herself back onto the blue satin sheets of the bed. She pulled Angel on top of her and gave him an enticing kiss. He eagerly returned it, but looked shocked when she pulled away.

“What’s wrong,” he asked, worry apparent in his voice.

Buffy said nothing as she guided his hands to her short silk blouse, letting him feel the flesh sticking out of it. She motioned to him and he undid the buttons, quickly sliding it off. Her red silk bra was the only thing that covered the rest of her chest, and Angel reveled in the sensation of touching her flesh against that fabric. He marveled at how Buffy’s skin felt so much softer that the material. With his eyes fixed onto hers- his thumbs gently massaged her.

She moaned softly as he proceeded with his orchestrations. But she giggled when he felt something hard between his fingers. Buffy smiled again as he stopped to look at that spot in confusion. She guided his hands again to the front clasp of her bra, and he gently removed it. Angel peaked inside of the bra’s cup at saw a glimmer of metal shine in the nightlight. Buffy pulled the ring out of its place and tossed the bra onto the floor.

“I found this when you came back too… But this was too big for me,” she said holding up Angel’s claddagh ring for him to see.

“You’ve had it all this time,” he smiled back, staring at it in Buffy’s tiny fingers.

“They’re the symbol of our connection. The rings, I mean. And that’s why I kept it close to my heart,” Buffy explained.

“So where does it go,” he asked with a hint of playfulness in his voice.

“Right here,” she said, slipping it onto his left ring finger- with the heart facing inward. “There. Now we match, like we always do, husband.”

“Wife,” he whispered kissing her again, removing the last obstacles to their joining.

Angel looked into Buffy’s eyes and saw the fire that shone brightly in them. His own eyes reflected that same burning. In each other’s eyes, the couple discovered happiness, love, and a sense of hope that they both thought could never be found again. He felt slightly nervous as he continued his kisses, his hands roaming around her bare being. Buffy shared the anxiety, but as their bodies moved closer- the worries left the couple’s thoughts.

They exulted in their union, finally feeling from their profound love the total freedom it engendered. While it may have taken a while for them to get this bounty, the journey made its destination all the more worthwhile. During this renaissance of souls, they rediscovered the true meaning of being complete. Both of them realized they were two different people, contrasting each other perfectly- Angel’s large, masculine frame emptying into Buffy’s tiny feminine body. Yet they were two different parts of the one whole. Delighting in these differences- coupled with the knowledge that they shared the same essence.

Their love finally knew no bounds. Together they could be gentle, slow and tender. Together they could be brisk, ravishing and voracious. What never wavered throughout the night was their passion and love for each other. Acutely aware of the other’s spirit as well as their body- and the merging of those parts into a single entity. Although they could have easily continued on like this, the couple finally decided to proceed with their expression at dawn.

Curling inside of each other, they allowed sleep pass over them. Buffy cooed into Angel’s chest and he tightened his already firm embrace. His mind drowned in the happiness Buffy had given him. He returned her reflection with an aroused satisfyingly husky moan. And as Buffy lay on top of Angel, she slowly closed her eyes. Just before she let them close, her eyes wandered over to the night table. She smiled at the empty containers of ice cream they had devoured.

“What are you thinking,” he asked, stroking her arms with his index finger.

“Oh Angel…You know- most people don’t think that mint chip and cookie dough fudge could taste so good together,” she said, beginning to doze off in his comfortable grasp.

“Mmmm, I can see that,” he yawned, letting himself drift with Buffy into subconscious.

“But Angel… I can’t imagine my life without them together,” she said thoughtfully.

“I can’t either,” he added, knowing Buffy meant something more than just the ice cream.

Somewhere in the denial bubble...

With script and spoilers in hand, Angel walked in compelete shock around the sanctuary that he and Buffy shared. He never knew how he and Buffy were taken from Sunnydale and Los Angeles. Or why they could in this calm, quiet space be free to love each other in every way they both had hoped. Angel had never looked a gift horse in the mouth.

What little he had heard of what was in the outside world made him shudder in disbelief. And more often then not, he was more thankful and more aware of just how deeply he was in love with Buffy.

Perhaps it was both their combined sadness that veiled the two of them from sensing the other was nearby. Angel had looked for, but had not been able to find Buffy anywhere. In their bedroom, their kitchen, or any where outside. And with the troubled thoughts recking his brain, Angel thought he wouldn't be very good company anyway.

When he hid himself in one of the dark spare bedrooms, Angel had hoped he could brood... Try to put some distance between himself and the turn of events.

That's when he heard a sob.

Looking carefully into the darkness, he found the love of his life sobbing in a heap on the floor. Even without any of the lights turned on, he could see how her eyes were red... How her wet cheeks shivered whenever she'd try to breathe through her crying.

"Buffy," he called out to her, rushing to her crumpled on the floor.

The blonde tried to reply to her love, but only managed a slight nod and deep gutted wail.

"I don't know what to say, sweetheart... I love you and I never wanted this to happen," he said, wrapping his arms around Buffy to hold her. "I can only say- I'd never do anything to hurt you... And this Darla business-"

But the words only made her cry louder, and Angel had not realized until now that Buffy had something in her hands. As gently as he could, Angel pried out the item and realized that it had been a video tape.

Or what was left of a video tape. The case had been opened and the actual magnetic tape had been pulled out and tangled.

"Buffy... What is on this tape," he quietly asked, as one of his hands tried to wipe away her heavy tears.

"I thought I could get rid of it. But people have seen it... And they think its me," she whimpered, gasping for air through her sobs.

Angel at first didn't understand what Buffy had meant, until he saw a discarded script nearby. He picked up the heavy booklet from the floor, and read through the manscript. The vampire paled, reading page after page until he came to the book's very end. At the last of its words he threw the volume clear across the room, as far away from the two of them as possible. The video soon followed, smashing as it hit the wall across from them. He could barely speak. Angel could only hold the collapsed form of his love against him. Gently rubbing her shoulders and back in comfort.

When he could manage to speak all he could say was, "And on the tape... You actually heard the zipper go down?"

Buffy shook her head furiously as she cried, "I wasn't really into seeing myself get... defiled... And want to be defiled!"

Angel cursed at his stupid question and hugged her even more tightly, "Oh no, my love... I'm sorry that was such a stupid thing to ask... Of course- just the visual image alone is..."

Buffy burrowed her tiny head into Angel's chest, "Angel, I... I, I, feel- feel so-"

"You feel what," he prompted her, easing her onto the nearby bed so she could be more comfortable.

More tears ran down her cheek as she said, "I feel dirty."

He ran his fingers through her hair as he tried to comfort her, "I don't feel like Mr. Clean either... God these people!"

"I feel so dirty," she cried out, her tears already drenching Angel's silk shirt. "And I can't ever be clean again, Angel- EVER!"

The vampire parted only slightly away from his love, so that he could look straight into her eyes.

"I know this is not you," he softly whispered, still stroking her hair. "Do you know that the things they say about me outside... That it isn't me either?"

Buffy heavily exhaled at his words, and tried to hold onto the comfort of them. She nodded and Angel continued.

"Do you know that no matter what- that I will always love you," he implored to her, then pointing to the smashed bits of tape. "And that even if any of these horrible things really DID happen- I would always love you?"

"But how could you love me," she cried, clinging to him with the little control she had left in her.

"I just do," he replied, giving her a kiss to her forehead. "With all of my soul... Forever. But after what happened with Darla could you-"

But Buffy interrupted, "I love you, Angel. I know you never did any of those things... And even if you did- I couldn't just not love you."

Angel felt the truth of her words, as they held onto each other. Buffy's sobs had quieted, yet with the ears of a lover and a vampire he could still hear the faintest of her crying.

"I still... I still feel so dirty," she sniffled, trying to lose herself in Angel's loving embrace.

He massaged her shoulders before he softly pleaded, "Come with me?"

From her resting place on Angel's chest Buffy looked up at him, "Where?"

"To the bathroom," he said, taking both her hands in his. "We can wash away this... All of this."

Trembling still, she followed Angel to the bathroom. He turned on the hot water facets and let the large tub fill with the steamy clear liquid. When the tub was filled up enough, Angel turned to his love and kissed her sweetly on the lips.

Buffy sighed at the gentle, pure contact and wrapped her tired arms around his tall muscular frame. She let him undress her, removing the wrinkled textile barriers. Her hands wandered to Angel's own shirt, wet from her tears and removed it to reveal his chest.

When they were both bare, Buffy took Angel's hand and stepped into the tepid waters. They both sat down in the calming bath, soaking in the feel of their love and the water. Angel took the soap to lather Buffy's back and shoulders, massaging her with the cleansing foam. Buffy found Angel's shampoo near his edge of the tub, and began to wash his hair with it. She gently worked the lather, then began to wash the froth.

"No matter what happens... Nothing can change how much I love you," Buffy said to Angel, pouring the clean water over his head and the rest of his unsullied body.

"Nothing... Not even the writers could make me stop loving you," Angel replied, letting the water clean her immaculate frame. "I love you, Buffy."

THE END

Driving down the lonely midnight highway, Angel mused his heart was just as dark and desolate as the road ahead. Hope was gone, leaving nothing but ash and bone. The eternally bright city lights of Los Angeles were now extinguished, left powerless from no electricity. Lost to darkness because the powerhouse- the hands of light, couldn't handle all of the demands the world made. The night seemed to swallow him whole, and the disturbing mental image provoked no response within him.

"I'm all for matching ensembles...But really, sweetness- you can't have a black soul to go with your black wardrobe," the Host said, not needing much concentration to read Angel's thoughts.

"It gets the job done," Angel replied in a menacingly low tone.

"Well see-As any good champion will tell you, its not a job...Its a way of life," the Host pointed out.

"Maybe I don't want this so called life anymore," Angel countered back, kicking up the car's speed.

The Host grabbed onto the black leather interior as the car jerked in acceleration, "Ouch! We HAVE to change that attitude. And preferably at a less life-threatening speed!"

Wordlessly, Angel eased off of the gas- bringing the speeding car back to its original pace. He cast a weary glance at the red horned demon. No need to take anyone with him on this one way trip, he thought to himself. Angel turned his eyes toward the road again. No one else needed to get hurt.

With a concerned look at the lonely warrior, the Host placed an understanding hand on his shoulder.

The Host tried to comfort him, "Strong is fighting, precious. And if you don't, you'll never-"

Angel gruffly cut him off and pulled away, "Stay out. Those thoughts are off-limits."

"Sometimes the past memories can show us the future path. You just have to know which ones," the anagogic demon enigmatically responded. "And sometimes even warriors need a little help in that department."

"I don't need help," Angel said quietly, turning into the parking garage of Caritas.

He wanted the green demon to stop his mystic babbling, and they arrived at the club not a moment too soon. Angel brought the car to a halt, causing the demon to be thrown against the dashboard again. The vampire stared down at the Host, before the demon finally moved out of the black convertible. Wolfram and Hart were already doing a good job at picking part his thoughts, Angel didn't need the Host doing the same.

As Angel started the car up again the Host quickly stopped him, "Whoa, buddy! Where do you think you're going?"

"Home," he said with a steely look, putting the car into gear.

"What? We just saved the world and no drinks for a celebration," the Host asked congenially.

"Gene already gave us some beer," he mumbled, ready to leave.

The Host shook his head, "But not the red stuff. You can have a Bloody Mary-with the real blood!"

The vampire gave the Host another tired look in return.

"One for the road," the Host persisted. "What's it going to hurt?"

Figuring that it would be quicker to give in, Angel turned off the ignition and got out of the car. Silently, he followed the Host into the building. The Host unlocked the doors and motioned for the vampire to sit in the softly lit club. Angel took a seat at the bar and waited for the Host to bring out the glasses. Out of habit, Angel eyes slid shut- trying to take some solace in the still quiet of the room. Knowing full well of Angel's penchant for the quiet darkness, the Host saw his chance.

As the vampire's eyes were closed, the Host reached below to a blue bottle from one of his special cabinet counters. Slowly, so as not to arouse Angels' suspicion, the Host slipped the blue powder into the glass. He stirred quickly, making sure that no hint of the magical grains were left to be seen.

"Sweet dreams are made of these," the Host sang softly to himself.

Angel's eyes snapped back open in question, "Blood?"

The Host made a face as he handed Angel the glass, "Not all your dreams are about blood. Really...You know everyone has dreams, my little lamb. Dreams that anchor them to this world and keep them in the fight. Dreams happen. You have to will them. Of course, that's never a solo performance."

Angel gulped the blood in one swig and mumbled, "Dreams..."

He only ever had one dream. One beautiful dream, of sunshine hair that fell to strong but delicate shoulders...And with eyes that had all of the colors that thrived in the fresh world of the living. From that first day she graced him with her glorious presence, it was always only-Buffy...

"We just need a little something to bring those dreams out," said the Host as Angel felt his eyes begin to strangely droop.

Suddenly the act of sitting up straight became too difficult for him, and Angel fought to keep from falling off the stool. The Host saw the struggle and eased the vampire out of the chair. Stumbling, the Host gathered the vampire around his shoulders and tried to make his way to the spare bedroom in the back. The green demon walked Angel over to the room, his large body almost sinking to the floor.

"Let's pray that at least this sharing of dreams won't be like your last experience," the Host smiled as he managed to get a sleeping Angel on the bed.

Angel turned and settled into the mattress, mumbling in his sleep, "Buffy..."

The Host grinned again as he closed the door, "Hope your Buffy is up for it."

^^^^

Angel found himself in the familiar dimly lit room, as if were suddenly four years in the past. He saw the menagerie of stuffed animals lying on the bed, the small Mr. Gordo leading the pack. He heard the rustle of the delicate butterfly wings flapping, as the friendly mobile turned in the gentle wind.

He looked at her younger sixteen year old face...Thinking that no matter how much time had passed from then until now, she always had that golden quality unto her. She was fresh with vitality and youth, but somehow with a graceful and strong maturity as well...

Angel suddenly found himself saying those dreaded words, "I'm older than you, and this can't ever...I better go."

"H-how much older," Buffy questioned, suddenly acting on the same pull that Angel felt toward her.

But Angel did not want to expose her to his darkness and tried to move away, "I should-"

"Go," she finished for him, walking over to gently block his escape. "You said..."

But Angel never heard the rest of what she had to say, finding his body slowly drawn to hers. And all at once- their mouths sweetly met for the first time, falling into the sweet ambrosia. Their lips parted for a moment- only to be tenderly brought back together, losing themselves again. Passionately, Buffy wrapped her arms around him to bring Angel closer. Angel let himself indulge at the feel of her lips, caressing her neck to keep her close as well. They got so lost in each other, lost in their love. All of his hidden hopes and dreams- bombarding Angel's senses. His mind and demon were overwhelmed by this love, stirring a fire his cold blood.

No, no, no, no...Angel used all of his will not to ruin this beautiful moment, not to have the demon manifest its evil countenance. Just a moment longer...

But he felt his sharp demon fangs start to extend, and the beginnings of his rumpled vampire brow surface. He refused to pollute the beautiful light of his life. She would not touch such darkness...Ever. Angel jerked away from her, turning his face to the floor so she could not see him- a monster.

"What? What is it? What's wrong," Buffy asked in concern, trying to get him to look at her in the eye.

Angel could no longer fight the demon's compulsion, and looked at his eternal enemy straight in the eye. He never forgot the terror that marred her features, or the blood-curdling cry that bellowed from her lips. They would forever haunt him like this- in his dreams...And follow him until he was dust.

He waited for the sound...And waited...Though the scream never came. Angel was almost afraid to blink. That if he did-she would be gone. His eyes firmly held onto the vision. Thinking that somehow, if he held her with his arms and his eyes-he could will her to stay. He needed see her too much...He couldn't let his dream be forever lost.

To his astonishment, Buffy moved her body close to him once more. With the eyes of a lover, she raised a tentative hand to the vampiric features.

"Oh," she warmly whispered, running her tiny fingers over the ridges. "I didn't even notice."

Angel was speechless as she moved her mouth to kiss each bump. Trailing downward from his forehead, to his nose- and finally, opening her mouth to kiss his full lips. Her every kiss always with the same bright intensity. Making him feel whole and truly alive.

He knew full well, that Buffy had not reacted this way...not at first. And every time he dreamt of this- it always ended with that horrified scream...Or worse yet, they ended with something even more befitting the lowly creature he was. Dreadful, horrible things Angel would find himself doing. But at very least of his nightmares, there was always that single truth- her scream. Why was this time suddenly different?

Angel pulled away from his Buffy's gentle touch to see that the room was suddenly different. What caught Angel's attention first was the calendar, its big red numbers blazing the year 2001. He looked closer and saw the rustling mobile was gone, along with some of the other pictures that had adorned the room's walls.

Angel turned back to Buffy and saw her face, different but somehow still the same. It was another one of the amazing parts about her. No matter how many years had past, there was that same glorious face of blinding sunshine. Continually changing details, but in the end she always remained the same. A woman and a girl, his anything and everything...His Buffy.

"My hair is longer now," Buffy smiled, sensing his unspoken thoughts. "When I first moved here I had-"

"Beautiful hair," Angel added, daring to move his hand through the locks. "Always beautiful hair... No matter what the length. At Hemery...In college...Beautiful."

Buffy leaned into his touch but thoughtfully said, "Angel, I didn't know you had nightmares about this..."

He shook his head sadly, "But it's the trut-"

"You can't keep torturing yourself like this, Angel. You just can't because...I-I-I've always loved you," Buffy said, her gaze softly penetrating his.

Angel began to protest, "But not-"

"All of you," she quietly calmed him. "I've always loved ALL of you. It was our first kiss. It HAD TO be beautiful. And our kiss was."

The way she gently caressed his still demonic form...The feel of her lips on his mouth, the smell of her hair...His dreams hadn't been this vivid since-

Feeling his face relax into his human features again, Angel tried to understand it all, "But this can't be-I mean we're not...Are we sharing dreams again?"

"That would explain a few things," she smiled, like she had aimed for the lowly treetops but instead shot the moon. "Usually at this point in my dreams, we've stopped talking."

Angel cast a half-smile to her, "In mine we don't talk we just..."

Buffy raised an eyebrow in mock surprise, "We...What?"

"We," Angel began, but stopped himself. "We...Need to talk. There are some things...I don't know why I'm here like this-the Host probably did this-"

"The who," Buffy absently asked, staring into his eyes.

"A friend," Angel said to her, trying hard not to loose himself in her again. "I-I...I've been going through some things...Cordelia and the others-"

"I don't want to talk about Cordelia," she gently interrupted, suddenly unafraid to plant tiny kisses on his neck. "I just want you..."

"I need to tell you," he replied softly, gently giving her quiet kisses in return. "That I've-"

"We've been through so much," Buffy breathlessly interjected. "Angel, I guess what I'm saying is that I...Its enough for you just to be here...To love me."

"Really," he softly queried, running his hair through his fingers.

"Things are bad for both of us. There's stuff on my end too-the council, a new demon...But you don't need to say anything," she sighed, her tiny hands drumming along the lapel of his black coat. "We're here now...We need this, we need each other."

"Buffy," he sighed feeling himself fall back into her wonderful body, as she began to remove the coat.

She turned his face back to her, "We can talk tomorrow on the phone, Angel. This is our chance to hold onto something. Our anchor to the world..."

Stunned, he almost fell over at what she was implying, "S-s-s-o you, you want to-"

Buffy stopped him with another kiss and said, "Here...Now, this is for us- only us... Just...Kiss me."

And as Angel kissed her passionately back, the last of his fears trying to get its way, "We can't-you may make...um... sounds, in your sleep."

"This is our dream," she huskily answered, eagerly pulling the dark purple shirt out of his pants. "And I want it all."

"I want you...All of you, in my soul- in...everywhere," he confessed, slowly rubbing his hands over her breasts encased in the silk of her pastel green pajamas.

He used his hands to tease her breasts, the soft pillows seductively heavy in his hands. Angel loved to feel her small body, needing to be closer to her more and more. Wanting more of her to touch, his right hand smoothed down over the slick fabric- over her stomach, stopping when he had reached the juncture of her body. He rubbed the erogenous zone over her pajamas, aroused that he could already feel her wetness gushing through the fabric. He kept up the erotic activity at the two delectable places of her body, feeling himself harden even more that he had been before.

She groaned at the his soft touches and arched into him, "Ohhhhh, Angel! Mmmmmm...Mom is staying, staying- oooh... yes...overnight at the hospital for her....Ooohhh... weekly scheduled checkup....And- ah! Ooohhhhhhhh...."

"And what," Angel prompted her, still rubbing her breasts with his left hand but began to slowly unbutton her shirt with his right.

"Dawn is...sleeping....oooooh...sleeping....Yes, Angel! Mmmm...over at her friend's," she moaned out her sentence, as he continued to rub.

"Then your alone," Angel whispered nuzzling at her bare shoulders, softly running his hands through her hair and over to her back so he could kiss the golden skin.

Buffy thoughtfully looked into his chocolate eyes as she took off his shirt, "I'm alone, Angel. I have been ever since you left. I need you...Need you to-"

"Fill you," Angel answered for her, knowing exactly how Buffy felt because he felt that exact yearning deep in his soul. "Yes, Buffy...I need to feel you, all around me-fill me too."

"Oh yes," Buffy groaned, as she pulled his now bare chest over her own newly exposed golden skin.

Holding her close, Angel ran his hand through her soft silky hair. He pushed aside the heavy sweet smelling golden swathe to place his lips on the tender nape of her neck. As he kissed the sensitive area, Buffy could feel him breath in the vanilla of her hair. Angel nestled his nose into the delicate strands as he kissed, and she felt the slight tickling breeze of cool air. They both shook with the intensity of it. Knowing that it was a sensitive spot for the two of them. Raining soft kisses on her nape, Angel shared in feeling of passion running through their bodies.

His lips found their way back to Buffy's mouth, opening his own in hopes that she'd do the same. She did and when his tongue made gentle contact with hers, it only added to their eternal need for each other. After a long while Angel pulled just slightly away to look at her, feeding his starved and hungry senses.

"We're here together," Buffy smiled, moving his hand along his strong jaw in a loving caress.

"I know," Angel admitted, fondling her lower curves as he spoke. "It's just hard for me to belie-"

At the drop of Angel's voice Buffy's eyes opened from their lusty heaviness, "Angel? Is there something-"

"Shhh. I'm testing a theory," he whispered seductively, kissing her mouth again before moving them backwards to her bed. "I had an idea."

"An idea," Buffy asked breathlessly in between their sweet kisses.

"Oh god...Yes," he exclaimed, as Buffy's hands found their way inside his black plants. "And...Ahhhhh, yes! Yes, to you...And, and-yes that...that, I-I-GOD!!! I-, I-I had an idea..."

"Your idea," Buffy urged him, barely able to get the words out herself, as he slid his hands back to her pajama bottoms.

Angel continued his loving ministrations trying to explain as he touched and kissed, "I want to wait...Until-I uuuuuhhhhh...mmm...Buffy! I want-want, want you naked."

And with that husky declaration, his craving hands slowly slipped the silky pants, down. His kissing lips trailing the sliding fabric, down. Down her luscious hips, down her firm thighs, down her tanned legs, down her tiny ankles-until the fabric was away...All that was left was beautiful, amazing Buffy. Angel stepped closer to her full body again, pressing slow wet kisses softy into her face.

"The idea is only half finished," Buffy panted, momentarily stopping her teasing to pull down his open black pants.

With the same deep reverence, she tugged the rough material down Angel's body. The worn and weary threads clung to Angel's frame. Clearly showing his arousal for her but forcefully restrained his being, in a prison of cloth and darkness. Buffy now tore down the walls of that jail, his black silk boxers the only cover that graced his frame. Buffy gently tore at that last silken barrier, until Angel was as bare as she.

"There's still one more part to this," Angel whispered down to Buffy in passion.

Buffy smirked from her kneeling position at his feet with a full view of his large hard penis, the member proudly commanding her full attention. She smiled inwardly at the sight, how every part of Angel consumed her- filling her senses so that all Buffy knew was Angel. His body. His soul. The former part of him, she was now engaged in licking- his delightful hips, the chiseled curves of his derriere, those yummy thighs...

"And I'm happy to oblige it," Buffy murmured, moving to suckle the spot of his tight pale torso-the very spot of skin just before it melded into his hard erection.

Still in a quiet haze at her healing touch he didn't realize what Buffy intended until she started placing wet kisses over the length of him. Buffy was eager to reach his tip, as she happily noticed the delicious pre-cum streaming out of him. Her mouth had just made contact with the tip of his member before awareness rushed forth and he managed to gently lead her back up on her feet.

"That's not the part I had in mind," he quieted, knowing her playful complaint before she breathed it aloud.

"You can't stop me," she smiled, giving him another long kiss on his full lips before continuing. "Can't-can't stop me from going back there."

Angel grinned, not saying a word but instead quietly lifting her to the bed. The white comforter had never felt so soft and inviting until now, with Angel so deliciously close to her wanting body. He half sat on the side of her bed, pressing cool kisses to her lips and face before he spoke to her.

"This is what I wanted...Always wanted...Just you," his long fingers running through her hair, but again gave her another smile. "And...Well, let me see if it worked-"

He held her close, leaning a little forward to look inside the white drawer next to her bed. Buffy was about to ask why he was looking in there, until he produced a beautifully carved glass bottle. She looked in amazement at the unfamiliar bottle, filled with a rich amber colored liquid.

"I was alone, on the pier in Santa Monica one night," Angel began to explain, as helped Buffy comfortably lie down on her bed. "Walking...And then I saw this little girl- and she, she was...I bought every bottle she had."

"Of this," she asked quietly, taking the glass bottle and opening it. "I don't understand...Why is this in my room? What made you dream of th-"

But the scent of vanilla immediately flooded her senses. There was the sweet smelling vanilla, but there was something else in the heavenly mixture as well-she couldn't quite describe. She gasped at the sweet aroma, as Angel took the bottle from her again.

Suddenly, she realized what it was, "This is-this, this is us isn't it? It's you and me. Its-"

"Vanilla and sandalwood. Mixed together, as a lotion and a massage oil," he said, letting the tantalizing vapors waft into their nostrils. "Non-toxic, made of an all natural syrup."

Buffy stuck a few of her fingers into the sticky wet substance, delighting in the way it gushed in between her fingers.

"It reminds me of you," she smirked playfully bringing to mind a particular part of their lovemaking, as Angel had guessed by the look on her face.

Making her meaning clear, she massaged Angel's member with the cool substance. She was delightfully rewarded, his thick erection sopped with even more precum than he had already. She had barely restrained herself from licking him before- but being so close...Her control...With all of this delicious stimulation, just snapped. Her mouth darted to fulfill her desire, as she lapped at the savory sweetness that formed at his darkened rounded tip.

She had taken in just the tip, just his sandalwood smell-until she worked her way up his syrup covered shaft. And when she reached his hilt, the full musk of both unique essences blanketed her in a warm passionate rush. During her limited experience with Angel's body, she had always loved that scent of him-soft sandalwood. And even though they had spent that one night together, she knew of him probably more than she knew of herself. Buffy knew his scent. Just his taste alone could drive her into dizzying heights of passion. And coupled her with own aroma, it made the heavenly ride just as sweet as before.

"This syrup...Its like putting sugar in ice cream. The ice cream is already so sweet," she said ducking down to seductively suck his sacs before she groaned out again. "And uhhhh-ummm...your already sooooo good."

Angel moaned out in response as he took some more of the fluid from the bottle and eased Buffy to lie down. With her back resting snuggly on the warm mattress, her legs were already wide open and gladly eager for him. But she did not expect to feel his cool naked tongue to lave at her lips.

He kissed and tasted the her naturally sweet lips, "Mmmm...You are so very very sweet, Buffy."

She looked up to her Angel moved above her. He caressed her hair with his free hand, and Buffy leaned into his nimble fingers that gently roamed through the strands. Buffy loved to see him like this- not just because it was clear all of his attention was focused on her and their lovemaking. But she loved to see him happy, and her heart fluttered endlessly knowing that it was because of her. And what made this a truly real love-was that she took that same happiness in him. Buffy was forever joyful in his presence, at the perfection of his body, reflecting the beauty of his soul. That his intelligent mind knew hers so well- that all his parts knew her so well. That all of Buffy's parts knew him just as deeply.

Angel offered her a wry grin before suckling the spot behind her ear again, "I think I need to thoroughly taste you from a head to toe a few times...Then maybe I can squeeze in a few more times with this oil."

Buffy gave Angel a feminine grunt before stuck out her little pink tongue to wordlessly lick up the sticky amber fluid on his fingers. Angel in turn purred for her, coming to the conclusion that no matter where Buffy's mouth was sucking him- he'd just as easily climax. Well...He'd come hard at anything she did. And being with her like this, so close- so loving...Angel wanted to envelop her-to cover their bodies with love and come.

Though his body was on fire and readily agreed with that lusty sentiment-it did not, his erection growing even bigger than before.

To feed his hunger for Buffy's essence, he kissed down to the apex of her body-where her quivering thighs were already drenched in luscious arousal. Angel took great fervor and dedication for her succulent folds and thighs. Grasping and tasting her sweet bottom cheeks in his adventure, not unlike how Buffy had done with him earlier. He only took a moment to brush his tongue and fingers with her ruddy blossom and steamy entrance. Arousing and loving her, just as Buffy had done with him.

"Mmmm...Yesssssss....Very, very sweet," he mumbled before bringing his lips to suckle the sensual locale again.

His tongue titillated and teased her, but Buffy never felt any kind of frustration. She was definitely a hair's breath away from coming-but his mouth was so wonderful...Angel's strong and gentle lips, his questing fingers and probing tongue made sure this act was solely about love. He always strove to give her only pleasure and love.

And to see Angel delighting at the taste of her wet core...To know her happiness, was his happiness as well...

Buffy sighed at the loss of contact, but did not need Angel to explain to her why. She knew of the feast of treats to come. It was the reason why she had reluctantly stopped her pleasing and tasty endeavors that his member offered. The same reason that prompted her to wrap her firm legs around Angel's lean waist, as he licked and crawled up the length of her body.

They desperately needed to be inside one another...And to release their souls, minds and bodies into the vast landscape of pleasure that came only from their union.

Their lips met again in a massaging and lusty kiss, as Angel slathered the remaining bottled amber fluid all over their sweaty and happy bodies. Using hands, noses, lips, tongues-any body part possible-Buffy and Angel massaged the each other. Kneeding out any tension or pain from the sorrow of their separate lives. Making Buffy wetter and Angel harder than ever before. Her hands soothed the tight overworked tendons in his back, gliding over the fine dark lines of his tattoo. Angel's hands and mouth were happily at Buffy's ample breasts, licking and suckling to both their pleasure. Their legs were complexly but very comfortably entangled, their pelvises grinding only enough to sense the other's happiness.

Then, in a midst of all knowing clarity and powerful loving intensity-their bodies slowly slipped into each other. Tenderly blending these two halves of flesh and blood, into one whole and unending body of love.

Buffy and Angel's eyes were locked together-just like the rest of their bodies. Watching their lover's expressions of happiness and bliss as they slid into each other. Angel's cold flesh was warmed as he was fully seated in his Buffy's tiny form. And Buffy's hot body was lovingly cooled with Angel's penetrating cozily chilly frame.

Their embrace of love so tight, that if it had not been gentle-it would have surely crushed them to unspeakable pain. Yet there was only the uttermost of love and pleasure. Even the concept of pain, seemed vague and foreign to them here...In the other's embrace.

Angel petted her wet core, even now-as his penis filled Buffy's body. The act was so erotic for Buffy that she was utterly breathless. No sound could ever describe the rapture Angel made her feel. As they thrust together, Angel seductively petted. His finger massaging her pouty netherlips, with barely deliberate lunges. Wonderfully sandwiched between frantic abandon and slow deliberateness.

As his penis rubbed against her sensitive nub of pleasure, she used her own hands to make their love making even more charged than it already was. Buffy hungered to touch him back too, and found her tiny hands on the wet base of his penis. She stroked that sensitive root of his body, where all of their liquid arousal gathered. This action alone felt so good. To hold him in her hands and feel him sheathed in her body. He equally groaned at her touches as she kept up her rubbing.

In the course of their thrusting and mutually sweet petting-their hands and fingers bumped together. Their hands would switch back and forth. From touching each other, to a concentration for all four hands...Four hands that petted that particular spot of the other's body. But more often than not, Angel's hands would wander back to caressing Buffy's body. And Buffy would glide her fingers down and over to his.

This was heaven...Angel was always her heaven. Such strong enveloping comfort-making her feel so warm, wanted and safe. It was like this before on her birthday. It was like this in the countless dreams she had of him chronicled in her diary. And it was like this-just like this...In the strange, but wonderful flashes she'd get from time to time- of breaking a kitchen table and licking cool ice cream across his pale chest.

Buffy could imagine no place better and thought that if...when-when she died, she would be here. In Angel's arms. With his cool hands and wet mouth, roaming her body. His penis driving deep into her, touching places no one else could reach-far deep from her womb and straight into heart. All of his touch, his presence-his existence with her like this, made her feel so...Warm....Happily, warm.

Looking into Angel's eyes, Buffy could tell it was the same for him. He didn't need to tell her with his words. Though Angel did use words...Beautiful prose...When his lips weren't engaged in the sensual dance with her own. His mouth wanted to do both at the same time, and Angel ended up with an erotic mix of the two.

"I love you, Buffy...More...More, more than anything," Angel whispered, thrusting his body into hers, exploring her skin with his hands and mouth.

"Angel," she moaned, her tiny fingers running through his hair as she held him close. "I love you...So much..."

This heaven, this love and happiness-was far too wide...Too large and too complete, to be contained in their conjoined bodies. Even though their souls and minds could forever revel in their love...This love was far too encompassing, to be held in their flesh for much longer without effusion.

Angel arms wrapped around her perfect frame, trying to get even closer than he already was to this lovely, heavenly creature. Buffy held him just as close, her eyes open to fully see the wonder of him-the mind, the body and soul...How all of him converged with all of herself, with such joy and rightness. He felt Buffy everywhere, as they rolled passionately around her warm cozy bed.

Loving her, holding her...Touching him, surrounding him...

The rapturous pleasure and their total love could not be contained- far too big and infinite...They were receiving and giving, stockpiled with such heated passion that pleaded to grow more in release. As Angel's mouth moved back from her full breasts to her swollen pink lips, he felt himself sink even deeper inside Buffy's core. She rose to meet his lips and his hard wild thrusts. To taste his mouth and tightly grab at his body with her hands and womb. There was just too much to be restrained in such beauty-too much titillation to show each other, too much love to tell each other...With lunges and moans and rubbing and kissing and suckling and petting and throbbing and-and so much more. It all swirled in their heads, rushing, running-until their love exploded from themselves, deep, deep, deep into dizzying climax.

Suddenly Buffy was awash in the cool sweetness of Angel. They bellowed the other's name, as they marked each other with the sweet stickiness of their lovemaking. Buffy couldn't help but come-squeezing and titillating even more as Angel's thick strong effluency coated her hot inner depths. And Angel spilled himself even further at the rush of Buffy's sweet liquid arousal heavily wetting his still hard cock.

Both knew, that no matter how many times they were together like this...That need, that want to always be together-would never fade away.

After their sweating bodies had gloriously emptied all of themselves into each other, the lovers fell back onto the soft bed. They both groaned once they fell, as their bodies jerked back to each other with the action.

Angel was eager for more, and Buffy was in complete agreement. But somehow, in between their readying gasps to join together again-unconsciousness crept in. Though they were the fiercest warriors creation had even seen, sleep won out in the end. Settling into a comfortable entanglement of limbs, love, and come-the lovers slowly slipped deep into quiet slumber...

^^^^^

The uninvited blare of Buffy's alarm clock woke the young girl up, and she began to reach her hand out to silence the sound. But Buffy found she couldn't. Because both her arms were pinned down by...

"Angel," she moaned out with a surprise, finding him entwined with her warm body.

"Buffy," he yelped back, just as dumbfounded at their cozy predicament.

What shocked Buffy was not only at his presence but...exactly HOW her hands pinned down. Angel's graceful body pressed down on them, in a way she didn't physically think was possible-but definitely not painful...Oh no, certainly not painful AT ALL...

Being in more of a position to stop the sound, he managed to wriggle one of his arms away from its home in between Buffy's legs to get it. Angel barely managed to complete the task since his balance was offset by where his other hand still lay, behind her back.

He awkwardly hung his head down-not able to look at her in the eye, "God Buffy...I'm sorry-I hadn't realized that this would...I better go. No-I WILL go. I'm going, and I won't bother you and I'm sorry-"

Buffy was finally able to pull one of her arms free to tug on Angel's shoulder, "Angel-stop. Look-you're not burning!"

Angel looked up to speak at Buffy, but became utterly speechless at how beautiful she looked in the sunlight. Her hair shinning and golden in the light, her body bare and...

Sunlight...Buffy's body...In sunlight...Shadowed only by his own form...

Angel looked down at himself, to see that the morning had washed him in its rays-and that for once it did not hurt him. He sat amazed at the sight. The vampire did not notice the warmth or golden glow until now-he had only felt those things around Buffy. To him she was his sunshine, his light...

"I'm not on fire," Angel whispered, almost as if by saying it too loud he would remind the forces of nature to burn him as they normally did.

The marvel that had really captured his attention was not just seeing his body in the sunlight. It was seeing Buffy's own body with him that was the wonder. Buffy sensed that awe, because she felt it as well-at how in the harshest of early morning light their bodies still looked so beautiful together. Tentatively she outstretched her now free hand to feel Angel's broad muscled chest.

"But your cold," Buffy said aloud, and he was surprised that she did not scream out in horror at the fact.

If anything, that made Buffy eager to touch him all the more. To feel his cold but broad masculine chest and see it clearly wrapped in the golden rays of day. The sunlight came from everywhere, in all directions. Buffy hadn't drawn in any of the curtains the night before in her room. Without the barrier, the sunlight was free to lazily drift into the room.

Buffy shook her head and turned to look up into Angel's eyes, "We're not dreaming...So how is this possible? Why are you-"

"In the sunlight," he finished, looking into her own eyes. "But I'm-"

"Still a vampire," Buffy continued, and they both just sat in amazement. "Do you think this...This was what your friend did? The Host guy?"

"He gave me something to drink and he said...He said that dreams happen. You have to will them. And that its not something you do alone," he told her, as the sat together under the covers of her bed.

"And so this thing you drank it helped...I mean, we willed this-TOGETHER," she asked, gesturing to the both of them bathed in warm morning light.

Angel could only nod at the revelation, and reached a tentative hand to where the sunlight had kissed Buffy's long silky hair. Not really thinking about anything else, other than being right here, right now-this Buffy. She loved the gentle movements of his hand, and reveled in his soothing touch. And in this quiet touching...At that very moment...They knew. Angel's soul wasn't going anywhere-ever again.

Buffy slowly nestled herself into Angel's chest, and they leaned down to rest against her headboard. Shakily, she moved her dainty hand across the right side of Angel's chest. Her tiny fingers, carving hearts where his own un-beating heart lay.

And as their silent realization finally surged through Angel's brain, a new energy rushed through his entire body. Exciting him, thinking of the possibilities-of all the things he could do for Buffy. It made him sit straight up in bed with the thought.

"Buffy-Buffy! I can do so much for you now," he giddily acknowledged, as Buffy wrapped herself around him. "I...I can make things up to you now."

"You don't need to make anything up to me," she contested quietly, sliding her hand up from his chest to his cheek.

"I can make you breakfast! Everyone's had my eggs-but NOBODY has yet to taste my French toast," he energetically realized, bending over to the floor for his pants, then stopping when he saw his wallet. "No wait! I'll buy you something for breakfast!

"Angel," she cooed, trying to coax him back into bed.

"Anything you want. You name it," he said, already taking out the bills for her to see. "I'll buy out the whole deli if you want! And then I'll take you shopping! I'll buy you-"

Buffy stopped his slight rant with a kiss, before she put a hand over the tight fist that held his wallet. As their lips locked with passion and love, his grip loosened-and Buffy easily pried the item away from him.

She continued to kiss and suckle his lower lip, trying to caress his jaw- and deftly flung the wallet to the other side of the room. Buffy continue to delight in the feel of both her hands roaming Angel's chest, before he stopped-realizing what she had done.

"Mmmm...Wha-Buffy," he questioned, when he heard the wallet flop down next to the rest of his clothing. "What are you-"

"I don't want you to buy me anything," she huskily declared before assailing his lips, pulling him back to her body. "You don't need to get me anything at all-just...Touch me, love me...Be with me."

He shook his head still doubtful that she could love him, "But don't you want-"

"You," she kissed, desperately clawing at the large sheets he wrapped the both of them in for modesty-wanting to expose her flesh to his. "I want you. I love you."

Angel shook with passion at the words and her kisses at his neck yet still persisted, "Don't you want me to make you breakfast?"

"Breakfast," she repeated, when she finally pulled the bed cloth away from their nude bodies. "Mmmm..."

"There's toast," he said half convincingly, finding himself hard at her moaning-and now at her completely bare naked body.

"Mmmm, Angel-you know," she smiled, her lips suckling his mouth and her hands rubbing down his torso to his erection. "You can give me all the delicious breakfast I can swallow...And then some."

"Oh god, Buffy...Uhhh," he moaned out, as her little pink lips traveled from his lips down to the spot in question.

Buffy licked at him before she looked up at his handsome enraptured features, "I don't want your money or anything else. I just want to be with you...To have you."

"I only want you too, Buffy. To make you happy," he said lovingly, pulling her back up to his lips for more kissing.

Buffy groaned at the feel of his lips but hungered to taste his member, "If you wanna make me VERY VERY happy, you let me get back to what I was doing so-Hey!"

Angel effortlessly flipped her up and over, so she lay on her belly-straddling his chest. He massaged her lower cheeks, kissing and nuzzling in her soft skin before he spoke.

"If you get to have breakfast-then I think I should eat mine too," he sensuously reasoned, his tongue lapping at her already sodden, delectable netherlips.

Buffy hissed as his tongue furthered its exploration into her tight channel, but grinned as Angel's large and strong erection bounced against her chin. She lowered her head and took his tip into mouth, aroused at tasting the flood of precum that was already there.

As they tasted the other's arousal, both swam in their constant and never fading need for each other. Buffy and Angel reveled in their love, and how even in the day-the night called forth pleasure.

THE END!