Text enclosed in * * represent thoughts.
This part contains graphic
violence.
Part 10
Angel watched Lily warily as they circled each other, testing each other.
The other vampires backed out of the way. Once the battle was begun they
could not interfere. Not that they would want to anyway. The power rolled
off the two warriors, electrifying the air around them. Where their auras
met, sparks flew.
Angel moved suddenly, faster than sight and struck at Lilys chest with
his foot. She felt him coming and side stepped easily, returning with a kick
of her own that forced him to scramble back. They circled each other once
more. She leapt at him, arm outstretched. He dodged out of the way, grabbing
her arm and twisting it behind her. She struggled against his grasp and swept
his feet out from under him. As he fell to the ground, he threw her away
from him. They both jumped up and began to circle again, feinting at each
other. Lily sent a bolt of power flying as she tried to entrap Angels
mind. Her power was a crushing weight against his will and he felt her thought,
her commands invade his brain. He warded off her mental attacks by launching
an attack.. He sent her power flying back at her with a bolt of his own power.
She staggered slightly, and he used his advantage, pressing forward to leave
a long scratch along the length of her face. She shrieked in anger.
"You cant be this powerful," she screamed.
"Says who?" asked Angel as he leapt at her again. This time she was ready,
and she turned his blow aside, answering with a blow of her own. Her fist
sent him reeling as stars exploded in his vision. He blinked once to clear
his eyes and rolled out of the way of her kicking foot. He rose to his feet
in one smooth motion, grabbing her foot and sending her flying through the
air to land on her back. He licked the blood from the lip she had split with
her fist. She growled and dove through the air. He tried to side-step her
attack but she caught him in the shoulder, driving him to the ground along
with her. They rolled on the floor, biting and scratching at each other.
Lily attempted to gouge out Angels eyes, but he quickly moved his head
out of the way, while using their momentum to end up on top of her, straddling
her struggling form. He pulled his fist back and smashed it into her face
with all his strength. Bones snapped but she clung to consciousness, using
her legs to throw him off her. Dripping blood, she came at him, grabbed his
throat and squeezed as hard as she could. He laughed weakly. Vampires
didnt breathe. Understanding her mistake, she changed her grip to tear
out his throat. Realizing her intentions, Angel punched through her chest
with his claws. His hand emerged from her chest, holding her heart. Blood
sprayed in every direction, coating Angel in gore. Lily stared in disbelief
at Angels hand, still squeezing her heart. Blood burbled up her throat,
and she sank to the ground. With a casual movement, Angel tore out her throat.
He had won. He stood over her and watched as her body exploded into dust,
adrenaline still surging through his system. Without thinking he licked the
blood from his hand. His lip curled in distaste. There was power in it, but
evil too. Overwhelming evil. He could still feel the battle rage, the heat
of combat. He shook slightly as he forced himself to slow his heart. As he
forced his body under control. Then he looked out at the world. The other
vampires had run, and Colin was gone with them. A sudden wave of panic broke
over him, and he searched frantically for Buffy. She was still right where
he had laid her, leaning against the trees supportive trunk. He limped
over to her, shaken by an irrational burst of fear that somehow she had
died.
She lay against the tree, her eyes closed. He sat down beside her and tenderly
moved an errant strand of hair from out of her face. Slowly responding to
his touch, she opened her eyes. She smiled when she saw him sitting beside
her, staring worriedly into her face.
"Im fine," she said. He smiled in response and she reached up to touch
his face. "Were a fine looking pair, youre completely covered
in blood, and Im sitting here with barely any left."
"Do you feel any better?"
"Actually I kind of do. I guess we won, huh?"
"Id say so. Did you sleep through the whole fight?" he asked
teasingly.
"Just the boring parts," she said grinning. "To tell you the truth, I felt
like I was fighting too. I felt like I was a part of you."
"You are," said Angel softly, leaning towards her to kiss her mouth softly.
She returned the kiss, tangling her fingers in his hair. Then she rested
her head on his shoulder.
"I got blood on my dress," she said. "I really liked this dress."
"Im sorry."
"I was worth it," she said with a grin. "It was worth it all for that kiss
and the look on Lilys face."
"Which look?"
"The one where she saw you holding her heart in your hand."
"You saw that?" Angel asked cringing.
"I saw." Buffy answered simply. She thought about the bloodlust she had felt
during the fight, the joy of battle, the viciousness, the feelings she had
shared with him as if they were her own. That could wait, shed tell
him later.
"Can you walk?" he asked, standing up slowly.
"Yeah, no problem." She pushed herself up off the floor. "Witness me walking.
The great vampire slayer thinking being able to walk by myself is a huge
accomplishment. Whats wrong with that picture?" Angel smiled at her
lighthearted comments and swept her up into his arms. "Put me down," she
said. "Youre not in any shape to carry any one."
"Hey its my fault you can barely walk, and youre the reason why
I won. Besides its so much faster this way."
"Okay, just this once." Buffy relaxed in his arms, hugging him around the
neck. He bent his head to kiss her and began to carry her to Giles
house where the Slayerettes were waiting. "Oh I almost forgot," Buffy said
suddenly. "You have to come over to the house tomorrow and meet my mom."
"Oh God," groaned Angel. "And I thought it couldnt get any worse than
facing the most powerful vampire alive and almost killing my girlfriend in
the process. "
"Just try not to let the vamp pop out while youre talking to her."
"Gee, thanks for the advice." Laughing, they continued down the street.
**********************
Giles winced as the loud music that filled the Bronze assaulted his ears.
He had agreed to come in a fit of joy over their triumph. Now he was beginning
to regret that decision. He should have stayed home and re-read one of his
favorite books. That was more his kind of celebration. He sat down at a table,
drink in hand. He would need several more to get through the night. He stared
out at the dance floor, searching the gyrating bodies for a familiar face.
His gaze finally settled on Xander and Willow, dancing together. He smiled
at the look of rapture on Willows face. It was almost worth it just
to see her so happy.
Watching Xander dance, Willow giggled a little. *It's kind of endearing how
he throws himself into the dance, not caring what anybody else thinks.* She
felt a sudden rush of affection for his total lack of rhythm.
"Cmon Will," he screamed over the music. "Cut loose. We saved the world
remember, so boogie down." Willow shook her head doubtfully. She would feel
too ridiculous. She watched as his face fell slightly at her refusal, and
she immediately regretted her decision. The guy of her dreams was asking
her to dance, and she refused because she was afraid of a little embarrassment.
*Well not tonight,* she decided. Tonight she just wouldnt care what
the rest of the world thought.
"All right!" she yelled. "Lets get funky!" She abandoned her traditional
dance, which consisted of bouncing from one leg to the other, and began to
gyrate wildly.
"Whoo hoo!" Xander replied grinning, and the two shook and shimmied to the
music.
Buffy laughed as she watched the pairs wildly flailing limbs. "I
cant believe it," Buffy said to Angel. "Willow has never danced like
that in her life. She looks like shes having a seizure...I mean in
a good way." Angel glanced over at the pair and chuckled.
"Thats what lovell do to you," he said. They were sitting at
one of the many tables that filled the Bronze. They had cleaned themselves
up as much as possible. Angels jacket had been completely ruined so
he was wearing one of Giles tweed numbers. *It's amazing,* Buffy thought,
*he even manages to make Giles clothes look good.* They had washed
her dress in the sink, but it hadnt dried in time; so she was wearing
an over sized T-shirt and boxers. She covered the outfit with the leather
jacket Angel had given her. It wasnt her best look, but right now she
couldnt care less about fashion.
"Tell me again why we cant dance too," she whined.
"Mainly because we both almost died tonight."
"Oh yeah," Buffy said. "But I feel so much better." Angel shook his head
forbiddingly, just as Jewels Foolish Games came on. "Oh, please!" she
begged. "Slow dancing is just swaying anyway, theres no exertion involved."
Angel looked into her pleading eyes and couldnt resist.
"Just one." They walked to the dance floor and wrapped their arms around
each other. Buffy lay her head against his chest. Feeling his strength; drinking
in his heat, his smell. She looked up as she felt him shift in her arms.
He kissed her forehead lightly, and she raised her face. Their lips met tenderly,
then again more passionately. She ran her hand up his back, inside his jacket,
and he shuddered a little. He twisted a strand of her hair on his finger,
and drew her closer. Buffy knew that they still had issues to work through.
She had felt his blood lust during the fight, and it scared her. And there
was still the sex thing. Xander had been cruel when he brought it up, but
it was a valid point. She let all their problems slip to the back of her
mind. There would be plenty of time for problems later. Right now they were
together and tomorrow would never come. She smiled up into his beautiful
eyes. *Tonight problems dont matter. All that matters is being in his
arms.* Xander caught her eye as he danced with Willow. He grinned and Buffy
couldnt help but grin back. Everything would work out, she just knew
it.
Xander hugged Willow a little tighter. He liked the feel of her in his arms.
This was nice, really nice. He smiled down at her head and let the music
carry them.
Angel leaned his head on top of Buffys. She pulled back to give him
a kiss on the nose, which he returned. He smiled at her, and his fangs peeked
out of his mouth glinting in the dim light. Quickly he shut his mouth, hiding
them. He was suddenly very aware of the blood, the life in the room. He could
feel the heat of the bodies that surrounded them. He could hear the heart
beats that pumped blood through each of the bodies. The sound filled his
ears, pounding against his skull. He licked his lips nervously and his glance
fell on the girl nestled in his arms. Her look was questioning, but her eyes
were full of trust. He forced his heart to stop racing. Gradually he recovered
his calm. He was in control. He touched her lips lightly, and kissed her
hand. She was enough.
The End
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