Part Eighteen: The truth is out there.

Buffy watched him go and shook her head in classic gesture of helplessness. If he didn't remember soon, he would probably think she was insane. Well, I'll just have to get Giles to give Angel the 'Vampires and other demons' 101 lecture. She sure couldn't handle it. Although you had to admit that explaining about Vampires to someone who had been one was pretty funny if you had a weird and twisted sense of humour. She turned back to the fridge and got out some eggs, bacon and bread to start making breakfast.

Angel re-entered the kitchen to the smell of cooked ham and eggs. His stomach rumbled in response. When he was in the bathroom he had noticed a tattoo on his back.

"Buffy?" He asked.

She turned around startled. He had come up behind her very quietly. In fact the way he walked was still the same. Like a cat. A large powerful cat. She took in his clean shaven face and damp hair. He had put on a favorite outfit of hers. A black silk shirt and black jeans.

"Hi, you look better." Instinctively she went up on her toes and kissed him briefly on the lips. Then just like always he caught her in his arms and deepened the kiss. Suddenly he pulled away.

"I'm sorry.. I don't know what came over me." He apologised.

"It's alright, you always do that. When I kiss you good morning, you hold me and kiss me back. It's almost become a ritual. Breakfast?" She asked brightly. He was starting to remember she thought excitedly.

"Yeah, um can I ask you something?" He inquired.

"Sure, what?" A pretty frown appeared on her forehead.

"The Tattoo on my back. When did I get it? What is it?"

"You've had it for a long time. I'm not sure exactly when you got it. It's a Celtic style design, a cat with a letter A, for your name."

"Was I actually called Angel?" He questioned her.

"No. It's short for Angelus." She said shortly.

"You've never really liked the name so everyone just calls you Angel." She added in a soft voice.

"Buffy, I don't know myself right now or even how the world works. But one thing I do know is what my feelings are telling me. That I care for you very much, I think that I love you." He told her.

She looked at him and felt relief flood through her. Slowly he opened his arms to her and she gladly went to them. He held onto her and felt an instant connection. A wave of possessiveness rushed over him. He would never let anything happen to her, he would happily kill anyone that tried to hurt her. The intensity of this thought shook him a little, could he really be such a violent person if provoked. Deep inside he knew he could be.

Another memory came to him. It was night time. He was in a darkly lit street. There were three strange looking men attacking Buffy. He saw himself run to the group. He threw one of them off her and like lightning punched him. Buffy was fighting too. He admired her skill and knew she could handle the one she was fighting. She had some sort of weapon in her hand... Then it was gone.

"Angel, are you all right?" He heard her ask in a worried tone.

"I'm fine, I just remembered something, that's all."

"What did you remember?"

"I saw us fighting off these three weird looking men. They had you pinned but I came and helped you. Did that ever happen.?"

"Yeah it did."

"Who were they and why were they after you? How did we manage to fight them off?"

"Angel, do you trust me?"

Angel thought for a minute. Yes he decided, he would trust her with his life.

"I promise I will explain about your past to you. But not right now. I think we should talk to Giles, he can say what needs to be said. We'll go and see him today, right after breakfast is that ok?"

He nodded his head, yes.

"Ok. Who is Giles?"

"He's a friend. I'll just go and getdressed."

Buffy disappeared into the bathroom. Angel was left in the living room alone. He stood taking in his surroundings. There was obviously a woman's touch in this place, but there were strong indications that the apartment must have belonged to him first. He saw the desk and noticed the journal open on it. He slowly walked over to it. He turned to the front page. Marked in strong neat script in the top left corner were the initials A R. Turning the page he started to read. It was dated.

May 6th 1996.

'I've got a whole new life now. I followed her to Sunnydale and managed to get an apartment. I bought the whole building. It also included the ownership of the town's only club called the Bronze. It's a good cover. The Master is as yet unaware of her presence but I know it is only a matter of time before he finds out. When he does her life will be harder. I've got to help her but I don't know how.'

May 8th 1996

'I met her tonight. She is more beautiful then I remember. She has a quick mind too. She is also by far the strongest slayer I have come across. I gave her my sisters silver cross. I hope it will help her. I didn't tell her my name, if I do her watcher might connect it with Angelus. I would lose any chance of becoming her friend if that happens. I know that as I am what I am I have no right to even wish that we could be more. I'm not worthy of her. But still I felt a connection with her tonight. I've fallen in love with her and I've only spoken a few words to her. If she finds out what I am she will despise me. I must protect her as much as I can while she still thinks I am as she is, human.'

The entry in the diary only succeeded in confusing him all the more. There were many questions he needed answers to.

Part Nineteen: Confused? You will be or/ Mummy came to play.

The answer machines red light caught his eye as it flashed. Out of curiosity he pressed the review button. From the tone of the lawyers voice he could tell he was respected. The amount of money he had apparently spent on lot #503 was a little shocking. Where did the money he had come from. How did he even start investing. Whatever Compucore was it must be making a very big profit. At that moment there was a knock at the door. Angel crossed the room and answered it.

A woman who looked to be in her early forties was standing in the hall. She had blond hair and green eyes. She was tall and was in good shape for her age.

"Angel." She spat in an accusatory voice. Just then Buffy emerged from the bathroom wearing only a small towel.

"Angel, have you seen my black top with the pink roses?" She asked as she rifled through the wardrobe. Getting no answer she turned round. Standing in the doorway of the apartment was Joyce Summers. Buffy's mother.

"Mom.?" Buffy gasped.

"Yes, mom! I want an explanation young lady. You said he.." She pointed a finger at Angel, "was dead. You said it was over between you anyway. An old friend said she saw you in town so I came back to take you home with me. Get your things and come right away."

Buffy went from looking amazed to being very angry in a matter of seconds.

"How dare you come into my home and start issuing ultimatums? I will not go anywhere with you. Angel is obviously not dead and things are far from over between us." Buffy raged.

"That much is apparent." Her mother retorted.

"Furthermore," she continued, "I'm 19, you have no right to try ordering me around. I love Angel and we're together. You can't break us up. Nothing has so far. Not you, not Xander, not Dru, not hell and not even death has succeeded. Nothing ever has or will. We're meant to be together, we're soul-mates." Buffy stopped to catch her breath.

"We'll see about that. As far as the law goes I can have him rotting in jail for the next three years. Last time I checked I could still file charges against him for statutory rape as you were only 17 when you slept with him." Joyce stated her voice grim.

Buffy turned white and promptly fainted. Angel crossed to her in one swift motion and caught her before she hit the ground.

"Get out of here. And don't come back. You might be her mother but I'll kill you before I let you upset her again. If she wants to speak to you she'll be in touch." Angel growled out. His voice dripping with anger as he gave her a withering look.

Joyce turned and left. Angel looked down at the girl in his arms. She looked older than 19. How much older was he than her? Buffy slowly came too.

"Are you ok?" He asked gently.

"I'm fine. I just can't believe that she would do anything like that. I know we don't get on but how could someone who says she loves me try to destroy me by wanting to take away the most important thing in my life. I have to stop her. I don't think she'll actually do it. She wouldn't." Buffy shook her head in denial. She wouldn't let her mom hurt Angel. Not when they finally had a fresh start to build a life together.

Part Twenty: The slayer wins.
LA: 6th November 1999

Dee sat in the apartment she and Spike shared. Such a lot had happened in the past two months since she had found out she was the slayer. Dru had stayed in New York to over see the club and to handle any problems that presented themselves. She and Spike had left NY for LA, to track down the vampires that had killed her parents. Last week they had found them in a club basement in down town LA. There were twelve in the group against she and Spike. They had fought side by side and he had kept his promise. He didn't kill any of them. That was her job. When it was over she had collapsed on the floor, surrounded by piles of ash, and begun weeping. Gently Spike had picked her up and carried her out of the club and back to their apartment. He held her while she cried herself to sleep and when she woke in the morning he was still there, holding her safe. As she looked at him she realised how much he had come to mean to her. He was there to make her laugh when she was sad and to watch her back in a fight. They had spent every waking moment with each other in the last months. She knew his habits, his moods, his quirks. He knew her just as well. Then it had hit her. She was in love with him. If only she knew how he felt about her. But he was older than she. He probably saw her as a little kid. She sighed and went back to her book.

Spike was sitting in a cafe in the middle of LA. He stirred his cup of coffee, thinking about Dee. During the two months they had spent with each other he had come to get used to her. She was smart, funny and so beautiful. When the guilt started to set in every now and then she would scold him and cheer him up. But what would a slayer like her ever see in him. The irony of the situation was bemusing. Again the fates had decided to throw a soulful vampire in to help the slayer. And again, said vampire had fallen in love with her. He had never met anyone quite like her before. She was different from the girls he had known when he was human. There wasn't a shallow bone in her body. But what chance would they ever have?

Whistler watched Spike from the shadows. There was one sick puppy of a vampire. This time he would get it right. No more souls being lost, no sir. This time he would see to it himself. Sure he was breaking the rules slightly, but hey, this slayer deserved happiness too. Besides, Buffy's upcoming motherhood meant she would have to take it easy. Therefore Spike and Dee could take her and Angel's place guarding the Hellmouth. Now to find the right spell.

There was a knock on the door. Dee got up from her chair and answered it. A short man wearing a hat and a badly fitting suit, that came straight from an old gangster movie was standing there.

"You're Deanna, the vampire slayer. My name's Whistler. I'm an immortal demon and I've come to help you." He told the astonished slayer. Then she burst out laughing.

"Help me? How? Why should I trust you anyway.?" She demanded of him.

Whistler stepped into the apartment and walked over to the sofa.

"Well that all depends. You see if I help you, then I want you and Spike to go to Sunnydale to help on the Hellmouth. You can trust me, slayer. After all I helped Buffy didn't I? And Angel, although that didn't go according to plan. This time I'm going to put things right even if I have to break the rules. I have a spell that will enable Spike and Dru to walk in the sunlight and help lessen their craving for blood. They'll still be vampires, but with a difference. I can also make the curse on both he and Dru permanent, unbreakable." He told her.

Dee looked at him for a long time then she finally asked him.

"What do you need for the spell.?"

He withdrew a small vial of red liquid from his jacket pocket.

"In here is a drop of blood from every slayer that ever lived, except yours. For the spell to work I'll need just a drop of your blood. That's all. After that there's really nothing left to keep you and Spike apart. You can be together, forever. I'll leave you to think about it know. I'll be in NY in three weeks. You can give me your answer then." With that he picked up his hat and left.

Spike came in to find Dee huddled on the sofa deep in thought. She looked pale. As if something had given her an awful fright.

"Kitten, are you all right?" He asked her concern lacing his words. He went over to the sofa and sat down beside her.

She looked at him with those great big eyes and for a second he thought he saw a longing for something in them. Then her face cleared and she smiled.

"I'm fine. Just thinking. Ready to go on patrol?"

"Yeah."

They headed out into the night. LA being so close to a Hellmouth was full of vampires. Most were young and inexperienced and posed no threat to them. However some were hunting in packs now so the fights could be harder. They walked along the streets behind the night clubs, checking the allys and empty buildings. It was quiet. She couldn't feel any vampires in the vicinity.

"Spike, I had a visitor tonight while you were out. He said his name was Whistler."

"What? He's here? That demon is an interferring riddler. He never gives a straight answer and he couldn't even stop Angel." Spike bust out.

"What he told me was pretty straight forward. He said something about breaking the rules. About making things right this time. He said he can give you and Dru your souls permanently. That the spell will allow you and Dru to walk in the sunlight and that it will reduce the blood lust. All he needs is a drop of my blood. It could work Spike. Just think you could see the sun for the first time in two hundred years."

Spike was silent. He was in turmoil. Could it work, really work? Their lives would change so drastically. Dru would be so happy, she missed the daylight. What would it mean for him? He could have a chance to be with Dee.

"I think we should accept his offer Spike. There's just one catch. We have to go to Sunnydale. I'd like that, and you could introduce me to the watcher. We might even get a chance to have a rela...." She stoped short when she realised she was speaking out loud. She'd nearly let him know how she felt about him.

Spike looked at her. Did she almost say? Nah. Or did she?

"Kitten?" He questioned her.

She knew she was caught. He knew how she felt about him. Now he would give her a gentle let down. She looked at him with her eyes wide and full of feeling.

Spike gasped when he saw the love for him in her eyes. Then he smiled at her and caught her in his arms. Softly he kissed her.

Dee was in shock. He felt the same way! She kissed him back showing how much she cared.

"I love you, Dee. I didn't know you felt the same."

"I love you too. I thought you saw me a kid. I never imagined you might have been interested in me. Just think if the spell works you'll almost be human. We could have a life together."

"When can we do it?"

"Whistler said he'd meet us in NY in three weeks. We've to give him a decision then. Dru will be so excited. I can't wait to tell her."

Arms around each other they walked back to their apartment.

Part Twenty-One: Insightful Gypsy.
Library: 7th January 2000

Giles was in the library cataloguing his books. It took his mind off of Buffy and the mystery of Andrade for the moment and the more worrying puzzle of the warriors.

He heard a sound behind him and turned to find Jenny smiling at him.

"Are we still on for dinner Rupert?" She smiled at him

"Oh.. Yes of course. Is there anywhere in particular you'd like to go.?"

"How about right here. That way you can stay close to your books and I can help you do your research?" She grinned at him when she saw the look of startlement on his face

"What?..how did you....I don't understand." He stuttered out.

"Rupert whenever you need to find something you become preoccupied. I know that look on your face. You're in total research mode." The watcher smiled in gratitude.

"You know me so well, Jenny. Thank you." Giles gently kissed her on the lips. She sighed and he felt her smile in happiness. The moment was interrupted by a discreet cough. Standing in the door way were Buffy and Angel.

"Buffy, Angel. I was just about to call you. How are you feeling Angel.?" Giles inquired.

"Giles we need to talk. Angel can't remember anything much. I want you to answer his questions and explain to him about everything." Buffy told him.

"Aha, well I suppose we could start right now. Uh, Buffy, exactly how much does he know..?"

"Nothing about that!"

"Angel, Buffy why don't you take a seat. I'll be right with you. I just have to get a few books and things from the store room." Giles gave the slayer a reluctant look and motioned Jenny to come and help him.

Part Twenty-Two: Remembering is such sweet sorrow.

Angel looked around the library. It felt familiar, like the apartment. The man Buffy had addressed as Giles also seemed familiar. He just couldn't remember how he knew him. He sat on one of the chairs and Buffy came over and promptly sat on his knee. Automatically he placed an arm around her waist and buried his head in her hair as she cuddled up to him. He realised the gesture, and his response to her was comfortable. It felt like something he had done a hundred times before. At the sound of the library doors opening he looked up. A group of young people walked over to them.

"Angel, how are you?" The red head asked. "So do I hear Church Bells?" She joked half seriously.

"Hey dead boy! How's life?" A dark haired boy asked

"Angel, you have colour in your cheeks. It makes your complexion look so much more healthy." This from a dark haired girl who was perfectly groomed. She blushed as the boy made a crack under his breath. Something about how it was his own blood and not someone else's.

Angel felt apprehensive. These people knew him. Were maybe even friends of his. Did they know about his memory loss.?

"Hi" he said.

At that moment Giles appeared from behind the stacks. He was laden down with a number of old books. Miss Callander followed behind equally favoured with a heavy load.

"Good, good. Everyone's here. That hopefully will make things easier. Now Angel some of what we have to tell you may be a little hard to take in at first. You may not even believe what we tell you but you must trust us. We're all your friends. You and Buffy met a number of years ago. If fact when she came to Sunnyhell...em.. Dale you alerted her to some problems. You had been sent to watch over her and to help when you could. You see Angel Buffy is very special. She is the chosen one, the vampire slayer. And you are, or rather were, a vampire.

Angel looked at Giles in disbelief. A vampire? Him. That couldn't be right. He had walked in the sun today. Then he remembered the blood in the fridge. The memory of fighting with those strangely disfigured men.

"Tell me more. Like if I am a vampire how can I walk in the sun.?"

"Well you see. A few days ago there was an accident. You were killed. The sun rose early and caught you and Buffy unawares. We later performed a spell to get you back. Because the blood used in the ritual was slayer blood and because you alone of all vampires had a soul, the spell made you human again. You are now one of the living for the first time in over two hundred and fifty years."

Angel digested this information with a mixture of disbelief and amazement. His mind told him it was impossible but deep inside he sensed the undeniable truth in what they were saying. Then it hit him- the killings, the murders. The terrible things he had done before he had his soul. Then even worse came the memories of how he had tormented the one woman he had loved. How he had tried to hurt her after they had made love and he had lost his soul.

Buffy watched his face. She saw the emotions passing over it. The incredulity of what he had been told. Then the acceptance and finally what she had both hoped and dreaded. His memories returning, bombarding him with pain.

Part Twenty-three: Xander sees the light or/ Could this be a happy ending?

He shook his head and tried to gain control of his memories. To slow them down and stop them from overcoming him. Finally his face regained that haunted look. He looked up at her half fearful of what he might see in her eyes. She looked back at him happily with love and reassurance burning in her soul. He relaxed and smiled at her. She threw her arms around him and kissed him. Then in a small voice she asked him if he remembered what had happened in the cemetery before he had died. He nodded his head and took her hand in his looking with love at the silver band on her ring finger. She drew back a little and took his rings out of her purse. Reverently she took his hand in hers and put the claddagh ring and wedding ring back on his wedding finger.

The rest of the Slayerettes looked on smiling. Even Xander looked a little pleased at his friends happiness. Yes he decided he could accept Angel and Buffy being together. Especially if Buffy was happy. She was one of his best friends and he loved her. Then he realised how he loved her, as a brother. The woman in his life now was Cordy and she loved him. Xander put his arm around Cordy and smiled at her. She looked back at him and saw that her prayers had been answered. Willow again saw the simmering cord connecting Buffy and Angel. She also saw a similar cord connecting Xander and Cordelia and Giles and Jenny and finally one connecting Oz and herself. Each cord was connected by a smaller cord to the others. Everything was right, now. They were all connected to each other in this life by the friendship and love they felt for each other. Then she saw an image of Andrade in her mind and saw with a jolt of recognition the special cord that linked her to the sorceress. She was Andrade's daughter. Willow's eyes brightened at this realisation and felt amazed. But why had she not been raised by her real mother? She had all the time in the world for those questions. She looked again at the people in the room. We're all happy, completely so for the first time. Life would be great.

Part Twenty-Four: Home sweet Hellmouth.
New York: 7th January 2000

Dru and Dee sat on the roof above the apartment. Dru was sunbathing and she was starting to get a nice tan. Since she and Spike had undergone the change brought about by the spell she had spent every hour she could outside in the daylight.

Dru looked at her friend and knew something big had happened. Dee looked so excited. She was fidgeting constantly and was sparkling like a diamond.

"Dee, luv just spit it out. What's happened to make you so cheery?" She asked.

"Well....Dru, Spike took me out for dinner last night and he proposed. I said yes." Dee informed her.

Dru grinned and hugged Dee.

"I'm so happy for you. You and Spike deserve to be happy. I'm glad you have each other. Dee I haven't told Spike yet but... I'm going away for a while. There is something I have to do. However, I'll meet you in Sunnydale in two months. It was part of the deal. We all have to be there by then so I'll leave the house hunting to the both of you. Alright?"

"Spike won't be happy Dru. He'll worry about you, so will I. Besides what sort of house should I choose. You're much better at that sort of stuff than me." Dee pouted.

"Look for the biggest and most expensive. After all Whistlers paying for it." Dru laughed. "I'm leaving tonight. Tell Spike goodby from me and congratulations."

Dee sat in the lounger and watched Dru as she went inside to pack her bags. Dru was like a mother and a sister to her as well as a friend. She would miss her. Spike would worry, a lot. He and Dru had never been apart for long in the last hundred and fifty years. He still didn't think she could take care of herself. Well Dru had her own issues to work out. Besides, she'd be back in two months. Soon it would be time to go to Sunnyhell as Spike had referred to it.

Go to Part 25