Tempus de Muto

by Schehrezade

Disclaimer: They ain't mine but I gets to play with them!!
Feedback: As a first time writer, I would love input. It's a drug that I could become addicted to! Drop me a note at
schehrezade_1@hotmail.com
Rating: PG15 for now will vary from chapter to chapter. Will always put in a warning.
Dedications: To Tales, cos I wouldn't be writing without her prodding. You're my muse girl!! Madame Draco my Beta. Thank you for all the hard work and patience. A true gem!

Chapter 9 

"Um, how old is he?" Buffy shuffled her feet.

"Physical, mental, vampire or combined age?" Spike quipped. Groo and Wesley laughed at his joke.

"So what do we do now?"

"No idea, Buffy. Maybe one of us should go talk to him," Spike offered.

"Well, not me. No way he's gonna want to see me at the moment," Buffy mumbled into Spike's neck.

"I doubt that he would be ready to talk to me either," Wes responded dryly.

"I do not know him well enough," Groo added.

"Sweet Moses in a basket! What the hell did I miss?" Lorne trotted down the stairs and gazed at the two injured blondes. "Are you two okay?" he asked, looking extremely concerned.

"Angel happened!" Wesley adjusted the ice pack on Buffy's head.

"He hit you? But I thought you were his long lost love..." Lorne grimaced at Spike's blistering glare. "Maybe not?" he offered with a sheepish smile.

"S'all right. I got a few kicks and bruises in for my lady's honour!"

"More than a few, honey." Buffy squeezed his arm gently, trying to avoid any ouchie areas.

"Well, there's no way I'm talking him down, not without a few strong Sea Breezes in me!" Lorne turned to Wesley who had ignored him completely. "Wesley, I'm sorry I didn't visit you in the hospital. It's just, what with the green skin and the horns..." He gestured to his face. "I can't really move around in those sort of places easily. I was waiting until you got out. Just wanted you to know you have a friend in me. That is, if you still want one."

Wesley nodded slowly, part of his anger falling away. He had never considered that Lorne might not have been able to see him. "I'd like that, though I won't be in LA for much longer. I do appreciate your apology, however." He hesitated for a second. "Lorne, I am truly sorry for knocking you out. I was only trying to save both Angel and Connor."

"You're forgiven. Also, I know you were only doing what you could to protect the little nipper and his Pops. Just make sure I have a number to keep in contact."

"So, who's going to talk to Peaches?" Spike eyed the others and sighed. "Bugger. I guess I'll go!"

"Just follow the smell of burnt wood and fresh paint," Lorne suggested.

"What?"

"Angel had a little trouble a while back. We've just finished fixing up his rooms."

"And he doesn't have another room to move into? It's a hotel for cripes sake!" He rolled his eyes at them and slowly stood. Holding his side he limped up the stairs. "If you hear screams, come rescue Angel!"

*********

"What happened in here?" Spike stepped over the burned timbers and broken furniture that littered the hallway and made his way through the open door.

"Earthquake, fire and rain of blood. Well, dripping of my blood," Angel replied mildly. After Buffy's request to break the claim, the fight had gone out of him. He had had no idea that she had realised what he had done. After recovering from the initial anger and shock, he now felt guilty. He hadn't made the claim deliberately. His demon had.

Spike sat on the re-upholstered armchair and slowly leant back. He let out an audible sigh of relief. "You need tending to?"

"You offering?"

"See anyone else around?" Spike sniped back at the brunette who stood with his back to him, fingering a collapsed crib. "Connor's?"

"Yes, it's all I have left of him. Some clothes, toys, an empty crib... Even his scent is fading. The fire took that." Angel turned to face his Childe. Although Drusilla had sired him, Angel had always considered Spike to be his own.

"I can just about pick him up. It's odd smelling Darla and you combined again. Brings back some memories and not all of them bad. We did have some good times, back in the day." Spike had never been one to hold a grudge, give him a good fight and then, as a rule, he pretty much put it behind him.

"The good old days. We did have some." Angel shared a smile with the seated blonde. He stopped himself for a moment, recalling Darla's sacrifice.

"She staked herself so he could live. I felt her disintegrate in my hands." He stared down at his empty hands then looked up at Spike's glowing yellow eyes. He offered his grieving Grandsire a sympathetic growl. Angel nodded in thanks. He had known that out of anyone Spike would understand. After all, he was family. The others had barely mentioned the passing of his sire.Pretty much the same had happened the first time she had been dusted...by the same hands that had desperately held hers as she sacrificed herself.

"It was hard at first. I mean, what did I know about raising children? But then everything clicked into place. It was amazing."

"Got any pictures?"

"Here." Angel reached over and pulled out a sheaf of photographs from a drawer and handed them to Spike. He was a little unsettled at the civility of their conversation after their earlier fight. Spike flicked through the images, pausing at one that showed Cordelia holding Connor with Angel hovering in the background, a lovesick look on his face.

"You love her?"

"Buffy? Yes, I do." Angel braced himself for another attack.

"No, you nit, the cheerleader," Spike retorted.

"I thought I did. But now it's too late..."

"Now that you realise that Buffy isn't waiting in her ivory Hellmouth for you, it all seems a bit trivial." Spike tossed the picture on the bed next to Angel. "She can't hold a candle to the Slayer, can she? Even with the dodgy dye job." He smoothed his hand over his own bleached hair and smiled ruefully.

"No, she can't, but I do feel something for her. I honestly thought that she could fill Buffy's shoes."

"Sire, no one can do that."

"I know, but it seems like my shoes have been filled..." Angel glanced over at his errant childe and groaned. Spike sat there looking like a cat that'd eaten a cage full of canaries. "Stop looking so smug and happy or I'll be sick!"

"I do love her, you know."

"I know," Angel stated simply. He looked at the photograph again and shook his head. 'What was I thinking? I'm still cursed, why do I play Russian roulette with my soul?'

"I'd never hurt her... protect her with my un-life." Spike laid his hand over his un-beating heart.

"I know." One thing about Spike he knew, when he loved, it was completely.

"So, where's the first aid kit?"

"In the kitchen." Angel waved his hand over to the first cupboard. Spike rose slowly and retrieved the kit then sat down on the bed next to Angel.

"Need re-setting?" He gestured to Angel's face.

"Yeah, go on, I won't bite. Well, not too hard anyway." Angel smiled. Spike reached over and placed his thumbs on either side of the damaged area and snapped Angel's nose back into place.

"Not even a whimper!"

"It happens pretty much all the time. You get used to it."

"Must say, since I got to know the Slayer, I've had the unfortunate pleasure. She's popped me a good few times in the kisser!"

"She still does that?"

"Yeah, I think Joyce taught her!" Spike joked.

"How is she doing without her Mom?"

"Better, but it's been tough. Money is tight and slaying doesn't pay at all." Spike swiftly cleaned Angel's face and then wrapped his ribs tightly. Several were broken.

"Ouch," Angel grumbled and gingerly prodded at the offending areas. "How tough?"

"Wot? The money?" Spike paused and gazed at Angel, considering his next words carefully.

"Why? You gonna help?" He knew that Angelus had squirreled away a massive fortune. He also knew that the souled git probably hadn't touched a penny of it. It was blood money after all... would probably chaff at his soul to use it, but maybe he could set up something to help the slayer and her sis.

"I could, but it's..."

"...Blood money. Yeah, I get that. Maybe you could set up a trust fund, put it to good use. She needs money or else she is going to crumble under the pressure. Those tossers at the council probably wouldn't piss on her if she was on fire!" Spike hesitated, he didn't know if Buffy wanted Angel to know about Giles. He shrugged. No skin off his nose. "You know Giles ditched her and buggered off home. Told her she needed to grow up."

"Grow up?" Angel asked shocked. "Grow up? Where the hell does he get off saying that? She's incredible."

"I know. I think the git was too scared to stay and watch her grow away from him. I know he sulked most of last year when she was in college. I think it dawned on him that she was gradually beginning to realise she didn't need him." Spike lay back carefully. "He didn't handle her death well either, but then who of us did?" He let out a loud sigh of relief. "What I'm most worried about is that she'll get some crap job. Work long hours, flipping burgers or serving beers to arses not fit enough to lick her boots.  She's too proud to ask for help. Her friends are pretty much useless... Well, except for Glinda."

"Glinda? Who's she?" Angel interrupted Spike's diatribe. He was used to his Childe's long commentaries and his predilection for nicknames.

"Glinda? She's Red's ex. Now, that one is getting in over her head as well." He turned his head to eye Angel who was watching him with a perplexed smile on his face. "Tara, she's a White Wiccan, lotta power. You ever need someone to chant a chant, drop her a line. She lives with Buffy."

"Good to know," Angel commented as he lowered himself onto his back next to Spike. "Much better." He sighed in relief. "We're getting to old for this!"

"Too right, but I would like to keep Buffy alive long enough for her to say that to me." Spike rested his hand on his ribs. They were starting to itch, a sign of healing. "Angel, if you can help, it'd be good, otherwise she's gonna get killed fighting tired."

"It's done. I'll set it up when we go downstairs. You need any money?"

"What the hell's gotten into you, Peaches?"

"William, do you need money as well?" Angel repeated patiently.

"Well, yeah, could do with a few bob."

"All your old accounts still in place?"

"Yes."

"I'll do a transfer."

"Thanks," Spike muttered.

"Spike, I'm sorry for starting the fight."

"Sorry for kicking the tar outta you."

"You've gotten better. Buffy?"

"Yep, she keeps me on my toes. Sire, you going to be alright with the two of us getting together?" Spike closed his eyes. He knew it was a loaded question but he need to know.

"Rather you than that idiot she was dating last year," Angel replied carefully.

"White bread? What an arse! He stuck me with a plastic stake once. Wanker."

Angel glowered at Spike's revelation, another black mark against the soldier. Before he could say anything to soothe his childe's feelings, Spike groaned and rubbed his head.

"One decent thing that came outta the git being around was the bloody chip. Took away the blood lust long enough for me to realise why I was obsessed with Buffy."

 "He does like his toy surprises!" Angel winced, remembering Riley tasering him once the boy had realised that he couldn't win in a fair fight.

"He got you too?"

"Taser... When he couldn't get the upper hand."

"Tosser."

"Completely!" Angel wondered over their bonding over their love's ex. Spike's next revelation froze him to the core.

"He got into suck-jobs, paid these vamp skanks. You should have seen them.Rough as hell! It was a while before I found out and gave her the heads up. That's why I got the plastic staking. From what I can gather, it was 'forgive me for the vamp sucks now, or I hop on a Huey and bugger off tonight'."

"Forgive and forget, or I leave?" Angel asked, aghast.

"'Bout the size of it," Spike muttered.

"He could have been turned."

"S'what I thought." Spike risked a quick look at Angel. He could practically see smoke coming out of his reset nose.

"He could have turned Buffy in her bed. Killed her family."

"Slayer would never have known what hit her."

"This was the man she told me she loved?" Angel asked, aghast at Riley's stupidity. Angel couldn't believe it. He had left her so she could have a normal life. Instead, she had managed to find some idiot who got off on bloodletting. He had let his mate down.

"I don't know if she really loved him or if she was following her mate's wishes and moving on to someone normal, human. The Bit mentioned to me that you told her to find a bloke. One who could give her the American Dream. You know, kiddies, white picket fence and sunshine. Cornbread was her attempt at that. I think all it showed her was that she needed more." Spike wondered if his ploy had worked. He wanted Angel to realise that being abandoned as his sire's mate made Buffy vulnerable.

"She does need more, Will, doesn't she?"

"Yeah, Peaches."

"He was never going to be the one, was he?" Angel rubbed his hands over his face, avoiding his still aching nose. Then he sighed and smiled. "Thank God!"

When Spike saw Angel's relieved smile, he returned it. Neither of them felt especially bad for Riley. They shared a grin, masculine pride warring with their better nature, but they were unable to resist a small gloat.

"We're pathetic." Angel glanced over at Spike and shook his head.

"Yeah, but at least we know she loves us, unlike the cardboard git. He should have had rebound tattooed on his arse. You know he shagged the other Slayer when she swiped Buffy's body that time. He never even cottoned on!"

"What?" Angel roared and sat up, clutching his ribs. "He did what! He couldn't tell? No wonder Buffy was hell bent on getting to Faith. I'm an idiot! "

"Sire, even I didn't cotton on, until I had a think. By then it was all over. I think that was the beginning of the end for soldier boy." Spike paused and eyed the glowering vamp. "Why are you finally admitting you can be an idiot?"

"I didn't know. When she came to LA, said Faith had played with her life, I supported Faith and broke Buffy's heart. Again." Angel felt even worse.

"You went against your mate and supported the dark slayer? You need your head checked!"

"I know. God, I have made some big mistakes with Buffy."

"You have, but she has forgiven you. Trust me on this."

"But the claim..."

"Yeah? What of it?" Spike sat up. "Look, be honest here. You just said you'd rather it were me that corn boy, right?" Angel nodded. "I know you love her." Angel nodded again. "She does love you but, Angel, she's grown and changed. Her love for you has also grown and changed. Can you accept that?" Angel grudgingly nodded again.

Spike lit a cigarette and puffed on it, eyeing the burning ember. He chose his next words carefully, not wanting to destroy the tentative friendship they had established. "Sire, let her break the claim. It's time to move on. I swear on all that's unholy she will still love you after it's broken. It'll just be a different kind of love. Her heart is big enough for both of us. I can live with that. Well, I'll have to live with that, just like she has to live with the fact that Dru still has a bit of my heart, but can you live with the fact that she will also love me?"

Angel stood and walked over to the crib. He remained there, thinking long enough for Spike to finish his cigarette and light another. His shoulders slumped. Without turning to face Spike, he finally answered him.

"I can."

*********

The two vampires came down the stairs, a study in contrasts.

Light and Dark.

Buffy watched them, trying to gauge the situation. Both of them smiled tentatively at her and relief flooded through her. They came to a stop in front of her. Spike slid his arm around her slender waist and pressed a kiss to her temple. Angel gently touched her bruised eye, the guilt in his eyes nearly made her cry.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to do this to you."

"It's alright, Angel. Really." She smiled at him.

"The three of us need to talk. Come into my office." Angel headed in, ignoring Wesley who sat talking quietly with Lorne and Groo. He paused. "Where's Cordy?"

"She's gone home," Lorne offered with a shrug. Angel nodded. He had been surprised at her outburst but he realised that she was insecure when it came to Buffy. He hoped that maybe, once everything had been sorted out, the seer would be happier.

"Buffy, why didn't you tell me how hard it has been?" Angel asked as he sat at his desk, gesturing for his remaining family to sit. "Spike told me that the Council has not been forthcoming with financial support."

Buffy flushed bright red. She was mortified that Angel knew that she couldn't cope. "I... I didn't know that anyone knew." She stared pointedly at her embarrassed lover. Spike shifted uncomfortably.

"Pet, I'm sorry."

"William, don't be. Buffy, you should have called and talked to me. I can and will help." Angel held up a hand to forestall any arguments she might raise. "You are and always will be my family, and I look after people I love."

"Angel, I don't want anything from you except for the ritual."

"We are not discussing that, yet. I need all your bank details. If you haven't got them with you, then just give me an account number. This is not open for discussion. If it helps, look at the money as alimony."

"What? You mean that you'll do the ritual?" she gasped.

"Yes, but first I need to know that you will never have to worry about money. There is enough for you to worry about without wondering where the next mortgage payment is coming from." He rifled through his desk and pulled out an old leather diary, flicking through until he found the numbers he needed. "Buffy, your chequebook please?"

"Here." Spike searched through her rucksack, pulled out her pocket book and tossed it over onto the desk. Angel nodded his thanks.

"Spike, what are you doing?"

"Luv, we are both making sure that you never lose that gorgeous smile. Let him help." Spike gently added, "He needs to do this for you." Then, he pulled out his ace. "Do it for Dawn."

Buffy bit her lip and studied both of her vampires, a small frown appearing between her brows.

Angel ignored her as he began making a series of calls, so she turned to Spike and pouted at him.

"Won't work, slayer. This is a done deal."

"Who is he calling at this time of night?"

"London. It's a bank set up for creatures of the night." Spike waggled his brows at her, trying to get her to smile. He smirked at her surprise. "Oh come on, you don't think that there weren't places set up for the demon community. I mean, can you imagine Clem going into Sunnydale Savings and Loans to make a deposit?"

"Well, no I guess not..." She trailed off, completely thrown by the strange turn of events. Before she could say anything else Angel interrupted them.

"Who holds the papers on the house?"

"Uh, Sunnydale Savings and Loan," she offered. Angel nodded his thanks and spoke briefly into the receiver. Spike rose and disappeared into the other room. She could hear him moving about and talking quietly with the others. Buffy studied the walls of the office and tried to ignore Angel. She felt slightly embarrassed about the two of them knowing about her near bankruptcy but Joyce Summers hadn't raised a fool. Buffy knew that she would be a complete idiot if she didn't let Angel do this for her.

"It's done." Angel put down the receiver and turned to face her.

"So do I get childe support for Spike?" Buffy quipped. She raised a brow at Angel. Her jaw dropped when he burst out into a deep rumbling laugh. She giggled too.

"What's so funny?" Spike reappeared carrying two mugs of warmed blood in one hand and a coffee in the other.

"Buffy asked for childe support." Angel chuckled. He was relieved that Buffy wasn't going to fight him over the money that had just been transferred into her account.

"Very funny, slayer, but Gramps here is setting up a trust fund for his grandson!" Spike handed a mug of blood over to the smiling Angel.

"Thanks, Spike." To Buffy's complete surprise, he took the mug and began to sip at it. At her look, he replied, "Oh, yeah. Well, Cordy sorta made me drink when they all ate."

"She's a good friend, isn't she?" Buffy cautiously asked. She wanted to know more but knew that Angel probably would keep quiet. He was still a private man

"She is. It's just that there has been a lot for her to process recently. The visions were killing her, so she had to choose between death and becoming part-demon."

"Well, that explains the glowiness," Buffy interjected.

"Yes, she is still adjusting. It's hard for her. The demon in her amplifies her emotions. That's why she was saying those things earlier. Then there's Groo." Angel leaned forward. "She wasn't really expecting to see him again. Now he's here, and she is trying to adjust her life to include him as well. She loves him." Pain filled his eyes.

"Peaches, she doesn't love him."

Hope filled Angel's heart. He tried not to show it on his face. He knew that Spike never missed a thing. "You're sure?"

"Come on, you great ninny! She's all over you. Look how pissed off she got when the slayer appeared."

"Angel, have you looked at Groo? Talk about creepy make over... She made him look like you!" Buffy added. "Not that you're creepy. It's just a bit weird doing that to him!"

Angel peered out of the window at the Pylean. He nodded. "Was she trying to make him more like me?"

"Duh!" Buffy grinned at Angel. She wasn't thrilled at his choice of Cordelia but at least she didn't feel as bad as she did earlier. He wasn't going to be alone. "Angel, about the money... thank you!" She reached over and took his free hand and squeezed. "You have no idea how much it means to me."

Angel squeezed her hand back, enjoying her warmth and strength. "My pleasure. If you ever need anything, call me."

"It goes both ways, Angel. Next time something happens, call us."

He nodded.

"Promise me." She tugged on his fingers.

"I promise." He smiled tentatively.

"Good. Now, about Wes." Buffy raised her eyebrow at the thunderous expression on Angel's face. "Hey, stop with the bad moodiness. I know you're probably never gonna forgive him so Spike and I are headhunting him."

"You're going to shrink his head? That works for me!" Angel joked.

"Hey! No, he's coming back to Sunnydale to help with the research. We have a Watcher vacancy." Buffy struggled not to tear up. She managed to control herself when Spike pressed his knee against hers, offering his silent support. "Giles has gone back to England so I'm taking Wes. Okay?"

Angel paused for a moment trying to control himself. He glared over at his former friend, who was watching the three of them closely through the window. Wesley returned his gaze levelly, not backing down. He couldn't hear what was being said but knew he was being discussed.

Angel sighed. "Okay! Fine, take him. Just watch your backs," he warned, allowing his anger to surface for a brief moment.

"Always do, Sire."

"Angel, when you're ready, you should talk to him. He really was trying to help..." Buffy stopped at the closed expression on Angel's face. 'Well, at least I managed to plant the idea...'

"No." He gulped from the mug and placed it back on the desk.

"Ready to do this, Sire?" Spike asked. He knew that Buffy would skirt around initiating the ritual, not wanting to hurt Angel. He tried to ignore Buffy's raised heartbeat as she began to get nervous.

Angel hesitated for a second and then nodded. He rose reluctantly to his feet and stood waiting.

"We'll need witnesses. Lorne and Groo can do it. I'm not having Wesley anywhere near the ceremony.

"It's alright. I'll just pack my books and reference materials whilst you are performing the ceremony." Wesley appeared from Cordelia's office and leant against the door jam. He stared at Angel, waiting for the Irish vampire to challenge him.

"Fine, take your stuff. Just stay out of my way." Angel swept out of the office to talk to Lorne and Groo, leaving Buffy and Spike.

"You okay?" Buffy touched Wesley's arm. Spike stood next to her and raised his dark eyebrows in a silent question.

"I'll be fine. Good luck."

*********

Now that the time had come for the ceremony, Angel couldn't keep his emotions suppressed. He had put on a brave face. The talk with Spike had helped. They had bonded. He knew, in time, that the two of them could hopefully become friends but he was devastated. He knew that this was the final nail in the coffin of his relationship with his beloved. It was too much for him and he broke.

"Buffy, please don't do this," he begged, falling to his knees. "I'm sorry I let you down. Please think about this." He knew it was wrong, holding on to her. He also knew it was because he had lost everything else he had cared about.

Buffy closed her eyes. She was trying hard to be strong. Buffy knew that one of them had to find the strength to continue or else they would be stuck in the same holding pattern indefinitely. She was also aware that her third spin on the wheel of life would be her last. Buffy knew that she wanted to spend it with Spike. She and Angel had loved each other but now it was her and Spike's time.

"Angel, you will always have a piece of my heart but it's time for us both to find happiness."

She touched the top of his bowed head gently. "Look at me, Angel. What we had, it was beautiful but also sad. I have never cried as much as I did when we were together. Our relationship was doomed from the get go. The curse, my friends, our circumstances, they all worked against us. We both deserve to find someone who makes us smile. I'm sorry. I know it's tough for you. The curse is something you have to overcome but do it for yourself. Angel, I'm happy! Spike makes me happy. Please understand!" she begged.

"I can't move on. I told you this before. This is it for me. You can move on but I'm stuck in the shadows."

"Angel, you can and have moved on. I don't think you realise how much. You've built a wonderful life and you have good friends who all love you. You have Connor." When he shook his head at this, Buffy sighed. "Angel, the one thing I learned the hard way since I came back is that there is always hope. Don't give up. Connor may not be here physically but he's here." She placed her hand over his heart. "He is also here." She touched his temple lightly with her slender fingers.

"Buffy..." Angel took her hand and held it to her lips. "You have grown into an amazing woman." He placed a soft kiss on the back of her hand. He nodded to Spike to get everything ready.

Angel watched Buffy as she began to prepare for the ceremony. She carefully poured the salt that Lorne had found in the kitchens into a perfect circle. She walked over to the bench where Spike had laid out all the tools they would need. Three black candles were lit with the peroxide vampire's ever-present lighter. She would have preferred white but this was a demonic ritual. Buffy glanced up at Spike. He stood leaning against the rail, watching them both closely. Spike smiled in encouragingly and mouthed that he loved her. She took a deep breath to brace herself for what was to come.

Opening Spike's knife, she dropped it into the steel bowl filled with rose-scented oil to cleanse it. She left it there as she reached for a bottle of pure spring water. She washed her hands and then dried them with a soft towel. She tried to ignore Lorne and Groo who were seated on another bench. Spike had been sidelined as he had too much riding on the outcome of the ritual. Wesley was elsewhere in the hotel, packing all of his books and loading them into the car.

She looked up at Spike again, drawing strength from his still form.

"Angel, it's time. Do you agree that you claimed me without my consent?"

"It was the demon. I didn't."

"Angel, you are the demon. You may have a soul but you are still a demon."

"I have a soul. I am not all demon, not like him. How can you sleep with him? It's Spike!" Angel argued, desperate to stop the ceremony. He knew that what he was doing was wrong but he loved her. He also felt bad using Spike as a last attempt to appeal to Buffy, especially after the two of them had made such progress. He avoided the understanding blue eyes that were filled with both sympathy and anger at the same time.

"I love him," she said simply.

"What about our love?" he argued.

"Angel, I did love you but it was a long time ago. We were both different then. We have grown and changed. Angel, I died. You moved on. I don't blame you! I would never have expected you not to. You have a son, which pretty much shows what you think of the claim," she added sadly.

"But I love you! Connor... well, he's the best thing that happened to me since I came here to LA but you are my heart, my inspiration and guiding light. Without you, I'd still be in a gutter somewhere drinking rat's blood. You saved me!"

"Angel, don't do this. It's not fair!" Her eyes filled with tears, unable to stay strong in the face of his begging and agony. Lorne and Groo shifted, uncomfortable to be witnessing Angel's heart breaking. They remained quiet.

"It's not fair to abandon my claim. We love each other," he tried to reason.

"Angel, we've been over this. I never wanted to be claimed. I didn't even know what it meant. You never lived up to your responsibilities. You abandoned me. Yes, I loved you once. I still love you..." She held her hand up to stop him from interrupting her. "...But the way I love you is as a brother or a father figure. Maybe this is not the way you want me to love you but that is what we have now." She cupped his face in her trembling hands. "Please don't ruin what we have left," she begged, trying not to burst into tears.

"Buffy!" He leant into her soft touch. He knew that it was finally over. Everything he had clung to was over.

"Angel, this isn't the end. It's the beginning of something new... for both of us." Buffy sobbed. She had lost her battle against her sorrow. "I know it's difficult but it's healthy, for both of us! I promise it will get better for you. I will help. I promise."

Angel nodded, finally accepting that this was the end of their relationship and hoping that something else would begin in its place.

*********

Cordelia pulled the jeep over and parked. She had been driving aimlessly around the block trying to get a handle on the situation. She took a deep breath and looked into the rear view mirror. Her brown eyes stared back, revealing nothing.

'I need to talk to Angel, tell him there is something going on with me.' Cordy absently chewed her thumbnail, ruining her manicure. 'Maybe Skip could tell me what's going on.' Cordelia dismissed the idea quickly. She had no idea how to summon her guide, or even if he would be able help her. The powers seemed to only intervene when there was an apocalypse. Cordy instinctively knew that whatever was going on with her was not something important enough for them to care or even help.

Cordelia needed her friends' help but after the way she had behaved, Cordy doubted they would be prepared to research anything. There was way too much going on at the moment. Cordy winced. She was embarrassed and ashamed about the way she had behaved.

"Poor Buffy! She must have wondered what the hell she had done for me to freak out like that," Cordelia muttered. Resting her aching head on the steering wheel, she began to sob uncontrollably.

The seer also didn't know what to do about Groo. He had just appeared, expecting her to fall into his arms but there was someone else, Angel. She really cared about the vampire, maybe even loved him but after realising what Groo had given up to come to her, she had tried to make the Pylean champion happy. Nevertheless, the spark just wasn't there anymore. Cordelia mentally winced at the makeover she had given the Pylean. The others hadn't said anything but she knew that they were wondering what the hell was going on. 'Poor Groo! I made him into an Angel clone.'

"I have to fix this!" Cordelia wiped her face and checked that her mascara hadn't run. Turning the ignition, she pulled out into traffic and headed back to the Hyperion. She needed to apologise to everyone, talk to Groo and also check on Fred. Determination flooded her, suppressing the dark impulses for the moment.

*********

Buffy began the ritual.

"I close my heart to you without reservation." Her soft voice filled the quiet courtyard. Spike winced in sympathy for Angel.

She tried to ignore the pain she could see in Angel's eyes. She turned her back on him, her smooth movement symbolising her rejection of his claim. Then, she spun back on her heel to face him, opening the knife she had borrowed from Spike. Her fingers slipped for a second, the rose scented oil made it hard to hold onto.

She reached over and took hold of Angel's shaking arm. Bracing herself, Buffy cut Angel's wrist. She deliberately chose his left, the closest to the hand on which he had worn the Claddagh ring.

She wryly noted that he no longer wore it.

"I retake that which you took from me." She leant over and pressed her mouth to Angel's shaking wrist and sucked a mouthful of his blood. She swallowed the lukewarm liquid, showing that she was reclaiming the blood he had drunk from her.

"I return it," Angel mumbled, staring longingly at her golden hair that fell over her face, tickling his bare arm. She nicked the scar he had left on her neck, drawing blood. He hesitated for a second and then leant over and licked the blood from the small wound. He suppressed a shudder. The power of her blood had increased since he last tasted it. He shifted slightly, trying to ignore the sudden tightness in his trousers.

"That which was joined together as one is now cast off." Angel winced. He felt like a piece of garbage that she had just thrown out. Buffy waited and then sighed. "Angel, please!"

"That which is cast off, shall remain so for all of eternity," he mumbled resentfully, finally realising that he couldn't change her mind. He looked at Buffy and fought back the tears that filled his eyes. Angel gasped as he felt a pain in his neck. "Buffy, it's started." She nodded in agreement. His bite mark was burning hot and throbbing.

"May our love that once shone, now be ended," Buffy stated in a clear and firm voice.

"May our love that once shone, now be ended," Angel echoed. The wind began to rise, rustling the scented jasmine in the courtyard. He shuddered as he felt the magic begin to take hold of him.

"Once we leave this circle of faith, the claim shall be broken." Buffy looked at Angel and nodded for him to repeat the final words to end his claim. He shook his head. She stared sadly at him. "I can end this claim the dusty way."

He nodded. "Once we leave this circle of faith, the claim shall be ended." She smiled sadly and then stepped away from him for the first and last time. As she crossed over the circle of salt, her eyes flashed golden for a split second. Angel repeated her actions and his game face appeared as the same golden flash crossed his sad eyes.

"So mote it be," they both intoned. As they uttered the closing words of the ceremony, the wind whistled around them, whipping Buffy's hair around her face.

"Thank you, Angel," she breathed.

He nodded, trying to ignore the empty void within him.

Spike came down the stairs and eyed them both worriedly. "You both okay?" When they both smiled tentatively, his entire frame relaxed. Spike reached over and pulled Buffy to him, kissing the pulse point on her left wrist. Lorne walked up to Angel and patted him on the shoulder. Then, he and Groo left to join Wesley in moving the last few boxes of books.

"Angel, I am sorry that this had to happen. I really am."

"I know, Buffy. Just promise me you will be happy."

"I promise."

"And remember, we are still family even though the claim is gone. You and Spike are all I have left... well, except for Dru but somehow I can't see her being much of a friend." He looked hopefully at the blonde couple. "Well, not like I hope the two of you will be."

"Angel, we will both always be there for you. I love you. Always will." Buffy reached over and smoothed his wrist where she had cut him. It was already healed but he shivered. She nudged Spike.

"Peaches, I'm always at the end of the line. Now that you've mentioned her, if you hear from Dru, give us a heads up. Don't want her sniffing around the Bit or my lady."

"William, I promise you'll be the first to hear anything."

"Spike, I guess we'd better head off. We need to get Wes packed and back home by this evening, or else Dawn will literally raise hell."

"She bloody well better not!" Spike grumbled, all too aware of his Bit's penchant for dabbling in magic she had no business touching.

Their voices faded away as they headed back into the hotel. None of them noticed the crackle of lightening or the portal that opened.

A slight figure thudded to the ground and lay there, unmoving.

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