*****

Buffy stared with wide eyes as Angel hovered over her, his gaze andposture questioning, as if he were waiting for her permission tocontinue. Buffy smiled at the gesture, her heart lurching at theuncertainty, the love, and the concern he showed for her. The unshedtears in her eyes, caused by the sheer beauty of the moment, were hisanswer and he let out a deep breath as she reached up and tentativelytouched his chest, flattening her hands out on the muscular surface.

He moaned softly, the hands that lay on either side of her head holdinghim up as he gazed down at her, his eyes never wavering from hers. Shecould lose herself in those eyes, drown in them, and in that moment shehad never been surer of anything in her life. With the reverence of anartist molding clay, she moved her hands down his body, touchinglightly, gently, running her fingers down the fabric of his shirt in asoft tease. Her fingers paused at his waist, and a dark storm of passionraged in Angel's gaze, frightening her slightly with its intensity. Hishands balled into fists as he bent down and kissed her with every onceof strength he had in him, allowing his body to fall atop hers inreckless abandon.

Buffy gasped aloud when she felt Angel against her, her own bodybetraying its hunger as she arched against him. His body began to shakeuncontrollably, and he buried his fingers in her silken hair and hid hisface in the curve of her neck in an effort to stop the trembling. Thescent of her filled him, the sweet smell of skin and sweat, the allureof the floral concoction she used as perfume, and a deeper more powerfulmixture of something uniquely her. He wanted so much to drown in her, tospend the rest of his life with her, like this, smelling her, tastingher, touching her. It was the very definition of heaven. 

With anxious fingers, Buffy continued her exploration of him, pullinghis shirt out from the confinement of his pants. Angel breathed in moresharply as she tentatively touched the skin on his stomach, her coolfingers brushing against him like the frost covered petals of a rose,creating a rapid fire of sensations that sent his mind and heartreeling. He took in a gasp of breath, a virile sound emitting itselffrom his throat as he bucked powerfully against her, pushing them deeperinto the cushions and causing Buffy to nearly jump out of her skin inwant and need. She closed her eyes at the undeniable power of theemotions he caused to swell within her, her heart and mind feelingcompletely new and free.

Angel gazed reverently into her face, memorizing every curve andcontour, committing its breathtaking beauty to his mind. With barelyconcealed desire he shifted up to kiss her eyelids, then her cheeks, herforehead, her temple, and finally the little curve of throat just underthe ear. Her skin was so smooth and soft, like the feel of satin againstnude flesh. 

Buffy moaned sharply, moving restlessly against his chest as she archedagainst him once more, no longer able to think coherently. Angel smiled,touched, moved, unable to believe that he was actually her with her likethis and that they were surrendering themselves to each other in a waythat bound their hearts and touched their souls. With focused desire hebrought his lips down to kiss the sweet swell of chest just above thev-shaped curve of cleavage, his arm coming around to support her lowerback as she crushed against him. He buried his head on her soft chest ashe moved his hands lower, using them to unfasten her jeans and lift hershirt further up her chest. With renewed strength he looked up oncemore, pausing only briefly to meet her eyes before lifting her shirt upthe rest of the way. 

The last thing on Buffy's mind was modesty, not when he was looking ather the way he was, like she was a glass of water and he was almostdying of thirst, like she was a life saver and he was drowning, like shewas the most beautiful and precious thing he had ever laid eyes on. Hisbreath caught as he looked at her, meeting her gaze with wide-eyedwonder and admiration. She didn't wear a bra, but then she didn't reallyneed one. She was so perfect, a goddess, and her breast fit perfectly inhis hand as he moved to cup it, causing a low groan to escape his mouth.Again he started to shake, but he couldn't tear his eyes away from her,nor could he move his hand. The world seemed to still around them, as ifit too found the moment to private to intrude. 

Buffy reached up and lightly touched his cheek, causing his eyes to meethers. She held his gaze as her hands moved once more to his waist, thistime to slide his pants down his body. She took them as far as shecould, a movement that sent Angel back into action. With skilled ease heremoved them the rest of the way, kicking them off then moving to lay agentle kiss on her exposed stomach. Sitting up only briefly to lift hisshirt over his head, he moved to hug her to him but Buffy's handsstopped him, signally that it was her turn to marvel. Almost in awe shemoved to touch him, her fingers barely grazing his skin like the faintflutter of a butterflies wings. Her throat constricted as she drank inthe sight of him, moved irrevocably by the beauty of the man before her.His chest rippled under her administrations, sending his muscles flexingand causing Buffy to let out a sharp gasp. She knew then that she wouldnever tire of the sight before her, knowing that few men could live upto the living and breathing art that was Angel. 

His gaze turned focused, driven, she could almost see fire burning inhis eyes. Within seconds he rid her of the rest of his clothing, hismind singly concentrated on fulfilling that powerful need that they bothemitted. With one last gaze into her eyes he hovered over her, pausingfor effect while she quivered beneath him. Then, with one sure, potentstoke, he crashed down and discovered with her the very meaning ofbliss. 

*****

Buffy lay contentedly against Angel's chest, her fingers running lazilyup and down his arm. She felt so alive, so free, as if released fromyears of constraint. Angel gazed down at her serenely, the love in hiseyes unmistakable. 

"So tell me why you chose to endanger yourself night after night bychasing vampires," Buffy asked, wanting to know every bit of his mindlike she now knew his body.

"Are you sure you want to talk about this now?" Angel asked, laying akiss on the top of her head, "I can think of other ways to occupy ourtime together."

Buffy laughed at the comment, looking up to flash him a brilliant smile."You are insatiable. And I'll definitely have to see about satisfyingthose carnal appetites of yours later. For now I want to talk."

"Okay," Angel sighed, not knowing where to begin. He was startled tofind that he really did want to talk to her about his life. He had neverreally confided in anyone before and he found the kinship he felt towardher as heart-warming as the love he had. For the first time in his lifehe felt the desire to share that piece of himself he kept hidden. 

"My parents were killed by a vampire when I was just a child, right infront of me. Let's just say that it's something that stays with you asyou age and get stronger. I made a vow to do what I could to stop thatfrom happening to some other poor little kid who happened to be in thewrong place at the wrong time," he said, his dark eyes showing theintensity of his troubled childhood.

Buffy gasped as her mind wrapped around his words, her eyes watering asshe moved to hug him. She wanted to block out his pain, to keep him inher arms and protect him against the ghastly memories, but she knew thatsome things, once embedded in the mind, never left, no matter how horridthe images. She had experienced that firsthand. 

"Oh God, Angel, I'm so sorry. That's horrible. I can't imagine anythingmore difficult then watching people you love die."

He shook his head, returning her hug, his heart somewhat soothed by herpresence. She brought out an inner peace in him that he had never feltbefore, though his heart still felt the ever-present pang of loss thathe had felt since his parents were taken from him.

"What about you?" Angel inquired, desiring to know what motivated herlike she now knew him.

She laughed slightly, a bitter, chilling laugh. "Well my reasons aren'tso noble, I'm afraid. Yes, I want to kill them and yes, I want to makesure that innocent people are spared the dark and horrid lifestyle thatthe darkness brings, but I also want good, old fashioned revenge."

Angel raised his eyebrows at this, his gaze meeting her questioningly,signaling her to elaborate. "The man who sired me is a ruthless, evilman. He wasn't just happy with killing, he had to bring discord andchaos into towns, causing people to turn on one another and generatinghatred and intolerance. It is my mission to rid the world of thatmonster."

The inflection of her voice frightened him. It was obvious her hatredran deep, but also he understood it. His whole life had been motivatedby hate, seeking his own revenge with each and every vampire he hadkilled. Her loathing of the beast that turned her was similar to the gutwrenching disgust he felt towards the vampire that killed his parents.The bond he felt with her grew stronger as he marveled at how alike theyreally were, in both their good and bad traits.

"I will help you find and kill him, Buffy," Angel said, looking into hereyes with evident fierceness.

"Shouldn't that be my line to you?" Buffy asked softly, worried thatAngel might be getting in over his head. She had seen him fight and sheadmitted to herself that he was strong, but still, he was human, andthat made him vulnerable. The last thing in the world she wanted was tolose him, not when it had taken her over four hundred years to find himand not when she now knew she loved him with everything she had in her. 

"We'll help each other," Angel said determinedly, holding her gazefirmly. "Now that I have you there is no way I'm letting you out of mysight, even for patrol. We have each other for backup now."

Buffy smiled softly at him, giving up on the argument for the time beingas she allowed herself to be moved by his protectiveness of her. Sheonly hoped that it didn't get him killed.

"I think I'm ready to do those other things you were talking aboutearlier now," Buffy stated seductively, moving to sit on top of him,reaffirming to herself just how much stamina Angel really had.

*****

"Giles," Angel called out loudly as he entered the library, Buffy's handclutched in his own. "There is someone I want you to meet."

Angel's voice echoed off the walls as they heard a muffled, "Be rightthere," came from behind one of the book shelves.

"Ah, Angel, there you are," Giles said as he rounded the corner and cameinto view. "I've been wondering when you were going to stop by andbring.." his voice trailed off as he caught sight of Buffy, a faintrecognition sending signals to his brain. The girl looked back at himwith equal shock, her mouth opening then closing again in eerie silence.

"Um, do you two know each other?" Angel asked, looking back and forthbetween his friend and his lover.

It was Buffy who found her voice first, her body language regaining itscomposure, though more from years of practice at hiding her feelingsthen out of actually being composed. Angel knew something was up, hecould feel it.

"No, we haven't," Buffy answered as firm as she could make herselfsound, sticking out her hand for a shake. "Its nice to meet you. Angelsays the most wonderful things about you."

"Likewise," Giles said softly, coming out of a daze. He was trying tomake sense of the rapid images that were flashing in his brain, each onetelling him that he knew this girl. Somewhere, someplace, they had metbefore.

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well," he finished, still trying to makesense out of everything that he was experiencing. For some reasonunknown to him, he felt instantly paternal towards this woman,regardless of the fact that she had a good three centuries and then someover him.

Angel, however, was not about to let the subject drop. He remembered thestartled look Giles had given him when he had first mentioned Buffy'sname, and now the looks they were shooting each other back and forth hadhis curiosity raging in full force. He turned silently towards Buffy,his inquisitive gaze letting her know without words that he knew she washiding something.

"No secrets, Buffy, not now. Something's going on. What is it?" Angelinquired, his eyes locking on hers.

"Its nothing," Buffy replied with a small, embarrassed laugh, startledthat he read her so well. "I think Mr. Giles and I might be distantlyrelated. He looks a lot like someone I knew before I was turned."

"And who would that be?" Giles asked, though he already knew the answerbefore she gave it.

"My father; you look like my father. The resemblance is remarkable. Heeven shared your name. His first name was Giles," Buffy whisperedquietly, remembering with fondness the man who had raised and nurturedher and who had tried so hard to protect her when she had been alive.

"Maybe I was," Giles stated, smiling at the beautiful being in front ofhim, "in a different life. And if I were I would be very proud to be thefather of such a legendary person. I've been following your career thesepast few days and I must say I'm extremely impressed. You're exploitsagainst evil are legendary."

"Not really," Buffy said shyly, turning red at his compliment, yetdeeply touched by his proclamation nonetheless.

Angel smiled, amused at the bright shade of red that his girlfriend'sface had become.

"No time for modesty," he gently teased, throwing his arm around Buffy'sshoulders. "He only speaks the truth and I know firsthand that you arewonderful."

Buffy smiled back, hiding her face under his arm as she mumbled, "You'rebiased."

"That I am," Angel agreed, bending down to give her a chaste type kissthat held the promise of deeper things later.

Giles watched them both in wonder, moved by the open and honest displayof love between the two. He had never seen Angel so happy, he was almostbeaming with content. And Giles had instantly liked Buffy, recognizing adeep intelligence in her hazel eyes and a kindness in her demeanor.Perhaps the images that flashed through his mind too fast to fullycomprehend were the Power's way of showing him that he and Buffy hadknown each other in a different time and the time had come for them tomeet again. Whatever the reason, Giles was both happy and relieved towelcome another kindred spirit and skilled warrior into their small yetstubborn little family, no matter how unusual the circumstances.

"Well," Angel said, glancing from his girlfriend to his mentor, "shallwe get down to business? Buffy and I should probably put in some patroltime tonight," he finished, unable to disguise the twinkle in his eyes.

*****

"Angel, duck!" Buffy yelled, spotting a vampire creeping up behind herboyfriend.

Angel quickly scrunched down, allowing Buffy to throw a punch over hishead into the face of the demon they were trying to kill. The vampirescreeched in pain, his hands coming up to cover the area that Buffy hadjust hit, granting Angel the opportunity to quickly straighten himselfout and throw a punch of his own, aiming for the demon's gut.

The vampire crouched slightly in pain, his yellow eyes glowing, hisdemeanor radiating his anger and frustration. With valiant effort herushed forward, swinging aimlessly at Buffy while Angel quickly searchedhis jacket pocket for his stake.

As the demon continued to flail his arms about, intrepidly trying toconnect with Buffy and continuously failing, Buffy dropped to theground, her eyes quickly scanning the dirt around her for a twig orbranch or anything she could use as a weapon. She spotted a stick androlled to grab it, jumping up as soon as her fingers grasped theprecious object.

Their movements practically in synch Buffy twirled to stake the vampirefrom the front while Angel struck from behind, the vampire bursting intoa cloud of dust between them.

"Wow, that was kinda cool," Buffy said, her eyes twinkling as she caughther boyfriend's gaze.

"We make a great tag team," Angel replied, reaching out to draw her tohim in a hug. "We should take this show on the road."

"And do what," Buffy teased, "stake vampires in front of a live studioaudience?"

"Something like that," Angel agreed, nuzzling her neck.

"Keep that up and the last thing I'll be thinking about tonight is ourpatrol," Buffy whispered, desire building up within her.

Angel smiled into her neck, the combination of Buffy and cool night airsending his senses reeling. "That's the whole idea," he respondedhuskily, marveling as the world around them fell away and left just thetwo of them to exist in their own private universe.

"Ahhh," Buffy stated, as if coming to a realization. "Well, we did justkill that one vampire.."

"Yes," Angel agreed quickly, "we did."

"So I guess it would be okay if we were to retire for the evening,"Buffy managed to choke out, burying her fingers in Angel's hair as helay open kisses lower and lower down her shoulder, thoughts of revenge,darkness, and the hunt completely overpowered by longing.

"Best idea I've heard yet," Angel replied, quickly moving to place anarm under her knees and one over her shoulder blades, lifting her up andcradling her to him.

They were both so wrapped up in one another, so lost in the feelings oflove, passion and lust, that they didn't notice the presence of a secondvampire hidden in the bushes, quietly observing the spectacle beforehim.

*****

"Master," the vampire called, entering the lair from the undergroundtunnels and caverns that ran beneath the city, "I have news."

"Oh, really," the tall, dark man crooned in a baritone voice, hisposture collected as he turned his penetrating gaze towards his minionand lifted an eyebrow in mild curiosity. Candlelight flickeredthroughout the lair, causing speckles of light to dance against thewalls, which in turn reflected off of the master vampire's face, givinghim the appearance of being larger than life. The feeling ofintimidation was acute as the demon crouched before the much older andmore powerful being.

"Yes," the demon continued fearfully, not able to read the mood of hissuperior. "It was her, the one you seek. She killed one of our own, asusual, only this time she wasn't alone. She had a human with her, a man.They seemed pretty close."

"Well, well," the Master Vampire seethed, rage building in his eyes."Seems our little Buffy has found herself a playmate. How disgusting."

Over the centuries the strong vampire's interest in his beautiful blondechilde had become an obsession. She was the only thing that had everescaped him, the only thing he had wanted that he hadn't been able tohave, and he was determined to rectify that situation.

"You know," the leader continued, moving across the room and waving hishand in the air in a blasé manner. "For hundreds of years I've beenwaiting for her to break out of this rebellious phase she insists ongoing through, hoping that one day she'd wake up and have the sense toembrace the inner demon, but she continually defies me. My most stubbornchilde, she was supposed to be my right hand. What's a vampire to do?"

The minion just shrugged his shoulders helplessly, not wanting to voicean answer for fear that it would be the wrong one.

"Well, I'm tired of waiting," the demon said resolutely, "her years ofrunning around hog wild are over. We'll just have to make our side looka little more appealing. Take me to this man of hers, if I can't seem toget to her perhaps her newly converted lover could."

And with that the Master vampire turned around to gather his forces.

*****

Angel sighed contentedly as he walked towards Buffy's apartment the nextevening. The sun slipped beautifully down the horizon as the firststirrings of night began to make their presence known. His mind wasfilled with images of Buffy, her golden hair, her porcelain skin, andhis heart raced quickly in his chest when his mind wrapped around theconcept that she was his. His to love and cherish, his to hold and makelove to, his to talk to and train with, his to reach out and touchwhenever he wanted. He silently thanked fate as he continued forward,marveling at his luck at finding such an extraordinary creature. 

He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't hear the sound of a metallid lifting from the sewer, nor did he hear the faint sound of movement,or the whispered tones. Without warning he was surrounded, surpriseovertaking his features as he looked from pale face to pale face thathad created a circle around him. His shock at the abruptness of theattack left him powerless as three vampires stepped forward and moved tohold him down, one grabbing either arm while the third placed a hand oneach shoulder from behind. Bravely, Angel attempted to struggle, but hisefforts were quickly and efficiently squelched by the demons that heldhim. The front of the circle soon parted, and Angel caught the glimpseof a large being heading straight toward him, clothed all in black.

Fear turned to recognition and recognition to hate as the master vampiremoved closer to where Angel was held captive. Angel's mind screamed, hisheart turned black and the image of deep, dark, red blood filled hiseyes. It was Him, the vampire he hated, the one that had tormented hisnightmares, the one that had forced him to grow up before his time, andthe one responsible for all of the anguish that Angel had ever had toendure. With new found strength Angel struggled once more, this timewith more force. More vampires moved forward to help hold him down andAngel made a sound like a wounded animal as he was once again forcedinto stillness.

The master vampire laughed, his eyes large and evil. "Well, well, well,what have we here? Buffy's little man-bitch?"

"You stay away from her," Angel demanded, his voice a low growl. A newwave of panic overtook his heart as he put two and two together,realizing just who this being must be if he knew of Buffy and took aninterest in her personal life.

"Poor fool," the lead vampire said in mock sadness, "do you even realizewhat you are getting yourself into?"

"I know enough," Angel replied tersely, a glare of utter loathingdarkening his features. "I know that if you tell your mindless drones tolet me go and face me one on one I WILL kill you," he said, his voiceheavy with such determination and fierceness that the master vampire wasbriefly taken aback.

"Tsk, tsk," the head being responded, recovered from his brief surpriseand shaking his head in a mocking fashion, "you have a lot of anger inyou, boy, no wonder Buffy likes you. So tell me, what have I done toinspire such venom? You'll have to clue me in here so I can be sure todo it again."

"The fact that you even exist is enough to inspire anyone to want tokill you," Angel replied glibly, buying time as he looked around for away to get out of this.

The vampire laughed again, this time more boisterously. "Gentlemen," hecalled out, glancing around at his minions, "it appears our boy hasspunk. How positively delightful. You'll make a great, what was it youcalled it..'mindless drone'?"

"Not.on.your.life," Angel let out angrily, his hatred strengthening moreand more by the minute.

"See, that's just it," the demon stated, returning Angel's stareunwaveringly. "It's not on my life, it's on yours. And yours is about tochange, my friend. This conversation has grown stale. I'm afraid I haveother things to get to so we're going to have to get on with this. I'mdone playing cat and mouse."

With fluid grace the vampire edged forward, blocking Angel's vision ofanything other then the being he detested. In blind fury Angel thrashedabout, his mind retreating into a hidden corner as the purely driveninstinct of survival took control of his body. But it wasn't enough, andAngel's soul cried for Buffy as sharp teeth penetrated his skin andsearing pain grasped his body.

*****

Buffy roamed the streets restlessly, her expression betraying her worry. Angel was supposed to meet her at her apartment for patrol but he hadnever showed. Fear gripped her heart as she imagined the millions ofthings that could have happened to him. Her senses were alert, each oneattempting to reach out and feel the singsong glimmer of Angel'spresence. She was so madly in love, yet so unused to it that she foundshe feared for Angel whenever he was away from her. She'd watch as he'dleave her home to go about his daily activities, but each time shewondered if today would be the day that fate would take him from her asit had taken everything else. His handsome face flashed before her eyes,dark eyes dancing, looking at her as if undressing her with his gaze.His eyes were so beautiful, endless dark pools of brown chocolate,gripping her in their hypnotic power, surrounding her with so manywonderful feelings. There were times when she wanted to just reach outand squeeze him as tightly as she could to her. To breath in his scentand forget everything else. He had so much power over her, yet he wasunaware of it and she loved him for it.

Even though, introspectively, they had only been seeing each other ashort time, he had never given her a cause to be truly concerned..untiltonight. She continued on purposely, her steady stride creating the firmecho of footsteps. Her head moved back and forth as she scanned the areaaround her, straining her neck in desperate search, hoping to catch aglimpse of him rounding the corner, laughing about being delayed by thisor that, reaching out to pull her to him in a hug. But he didn't come,and she couldn't feel him, and her fear for him had grown to the pointwhere it threatened to consume her.

Off in the distance she caught a glimpse of a fallen figure splayed outon the street. A loud drumming started to beat against her eardrums asshe picked up her pace and sprinted towards the lifeless figure. Herheart jumped to her throat as she recognized him, her Angel, colorless,lifeless, a trail of blood dripping down from his slightly opened mouth.

With a scream she fell to her knees, loud sobs wracking her body, as shefelt a wave of pure, unadulterated anguish grasp her being, gripping herheart and squeezing it until it bled.

"NO!" she yelled at the top of her voice, not caring that the volume andstrength behind her call caused her throat to ache and her sides toburn.

The power of her cry reverberated through the night, causing the forcesof darkness to gather gleefully and the forces of light to share in heragony.

*****

Buffy Summers strode purposefully into Giles' office, her face hardenedand determined. Giles looked up from his desk startled, wincing as sheplaced a large leather bound book in front of him, its pages yellow withage yet still in excellent shape, as if its owner had taken special careto protect it.

"What is this," Giles asked curiously, slightly frightened by the angryemptiness he saw in her eyes.

"This is a book of spells," Buffy announced in a low voice, her tonedrained of emotion. "A gift from a woman I knew long ago, the same womanwho saved me. I'm going to need your help to use it."

"Oh," Giles questioned, more curious than ever, a feeling of dreadwashing over him. "What kind of spell are we going to be doing?"

"A soul restoration spell," she said softly, her voice threatening tocrack in sorrow, the first real emotion he had seen her portray sinceshe had walked in.

It took a few minutes for her words to take meaning in his mind, as ifhe needed to think them over, to contemplate them and then discover whatthey meant. And then he knew. She watched as the realization washed overhis features, his own sorrow filling his eyes as a strangled sob escapedfrom his throat. He loved Angel like a son and had feared this day forso long. It was like his worst nightmare was coming true and his heartmourned the loss of someone so young, so vital, but he also knew that hecouldn't go through with what Buffy had planned.

"No," Giles stated, looking up into her eyes, putting his need to grievein the background for a later time over what he felt Angel would want."Even with a soul Angel would not want to exist as a vampire. Thekindest thing we can do is kill him."

"No," Buffy answered in turn, her voice chilling. There was a firmnessto it, a tone of utter and complete resolve, as if she wouldn't considerany other option. Though her next words bellied the steel that wasevident in the inflection of her voice.

"I know Angel hates vampires, and I also know firsthand what it is liketo live like a demon in the shadows. Not a vampire because of conscienceand not a human because of circumstance. I live in darkness, I drinkblood, I haven't seen the sunset in over four hundred years. I wouldgive everything to become human again, but I can't. And even though Ihate it, even though I often feel tired and just want to curse my veryexistence, I always feel grateful that I was given the chance tocontinue. Angel deserves that chance, he deserves the chance to decidefor himself what he wants to do," Buffy stated, tears building in hereyes as her face scrunched in pain.

"Are you sure this isn't just some misguided attempt to hang on to him?"Giles asked softly, compassion going out to the woman who had seen andheard so much, yet really, truly loved his young ward.

"No," she replied again, "I'm doing this for Angel, not for me. If itwere up to me I never would have wanted this for him in the first place.Matter of fact, this is pretty much the last thing I would have everwanted for him."

Giles sighed, satisfied with her answer but not thoroughly convinced."And if he decides that he prefers death?"

She looked away then, not able to hide the silver tears that cascadeddown her reddened cheeks. "If he were decide that he prefers death thanI won't stand in his way."

Giles nodded, the sorrow he felt catching in his throat. "Very well," hesaid gruffly, "let's do the spell."

*****

Buffy watched Angel's face as he slept the sleep of death. Although theblinds were drawn, small patches of sunlight leaked through the opencracks, bathing the room in a faint, pale orange glow. It wasn't enoughlight to harm the vampires residing in the bedroom, just enough to casta warm glow on Angel's slumber driven features, giving Buffy's heart astrong lurch.

Even now, after dying and being turned, after the warm tan had beendriven from his skin, he was still beautiful. The shadows of the roomdanced around him, yet his face retained its restful oblivion, thecurves and contours smooth and perfect, like one of the ancient Greek orRoman marble statues of the gods that resided in the Louvre museum inFrance. He didn't move, his chest didn't rise and fall with air he nolonger needed to live, but to Buffy he still looked so alive, as if thepure, unadulterated essence of him couldn't be dampened, even byvampirism.

She sat quietly in a chair next to the bed just watching him, afraidthat if she made the slightest movement or released the faintest sound,the quiet blanket of solitude that surrounded the small room would bebroken and she would be left to confront the stark conflict of reality.Minutes ticked by, time came and went, and yet she refused to leave hisside, knowing full well what he had to face when he woke up and notwanting him to have to face it alone, the way she had.

As much as she looked forward to seeing him wake up, as much as herheart longed for those dark eyes to open and look towards her, she alsofeared what was to come. Angel's past didn't escape her, she realizedthat he had spent the good part of his life hunting and destroying herkind, and it was very possible that his fate would be met by loathing,fear, and even depression, but she couldn't and wouldn't be able todestroy him if he asked it. She had put up a strong front for Giles, hadled him to believe that she would be capable of doing whatever it wasthat Angel requested but she knew that it was a lie, and that she wasweak. For the first time in her life she knew what it was like to bemadly and irrevocably in love, but unfortunately she had yet to learnwhat it was like to let go. A lump formed in her throat as she fought torepress the terror she felt over the idea of losing him.

Buffy was torn away from her thoughts as Angel began to stir, his eyesopening suddenly, as if jolted out of slumber. His eyes were glassy, hishair a mess, confusion lighted his features. He looked disoriented, asif not recognizing his surroundings. A deep thirst consumed histhoughts, overshadowing the newfound strength that flowed through hisbody, the enhanced sense of smell that tickled his nose or even the waythe slightest sound rang loudly in his ears. He saw Buffy beside him,but he couldn't place just who she was, his need for something, thoughhe was not quite sure what, was so painfully strong.

Buffy handed Angel a mug, knowing exactly what it was he needed. He tookit from her questioningly, looking up at her with the earnest confusionof a child. The smell of the contents of the mug overpowered him,sending his nostrils flaring. It was such a pleasant aroma, like thenectar of the sweetest wine. In fierce hunger he brought the cup to hislips and took a sip of the red liquid inside. Instantly he feltstronger, his head clearer, the feel of the heavy elixir creating asoothing effect as it journeyed down his throat. Hungrily he drank therest of the contents of the mug, enjoying the feeling of absolute poweras it traveled to his stomach and dispersed through out all of hislimbs. In a matter of seconds he came out of his daze and that's whenthe cold reality hit.

"I just drank blood, didn't I?" he said softly, frightened, turningbewildered eyes on Buffy, which caused her heart to break just a littlemore.

"Yes," she whispered, her voice sounding faint and squeaky. "It waspig's blood, from the butcher, the kind I drink."

"Oh God," he gasped, taking a deep gulp of air, and freaking out whenthe air didn't travel down his throat to his lungs the way it should. "Iremember, it was the vampire, the one who killed my parents, the one whosired you. He killed me."

"No," Buffy said then, tears forming in her eyes. She clutched the wallbehind her, anger and absolute loathing crashing through her system. Herbody shook in hatred, anger, despair, and darkness, each feelingovertaking and consuming her thoughts.

"That bastard!" she screamed, her face turning instantly dark as shethrashed around. "I'm going to kill him."

It was then that a firm voice broke her out of her fit of rage, "We bothwill," Angel replied, looking at her softly.

The calmness of his voice shocked her, as did the way he said it, almostmatter of factly, without the rage she had displayed. But most shockingof all was the fact that instead of crying, instead of cursing hisexistence, instead of begging her to kill him, he was suggesting they goand fight together, as they had since their first meeting. It was thenshe caught the look in his eyes. The bewilderment was gone from his gazeand he looked at her the way he always did: adoring, worshipping,loving, lusting, all of these things combined into an expression thatwas so remarkably Angel and so warming to her heart that it caused herto briefly forget her own fury.

"You don't hate what you've become?" she asked shakily, both wanting andnot wanting to hear his answer even though his demeanor gave her hope.

"I realized something after meeting you," Angel responded, looking intoher eyes, "and that is that's it's not vampires I hate, it's evil. Aslong as I'm with you I don't care what I am."

And with that Buffy crumbled, falling to her knees with a thump. She hadexperienced every emotion possible these past twenty-four hours and shehad never felt more drained in her life, but that couldn't stop the joyfrom penetrating her senses nor the loud sobs from raking her body. Shecried out of happiness, she cried for their future, and she cried fortheir love, feeling the sureness of it cleanse her. Angel moved to sitin front her, reaching out and grabbing her to him while murmuringnonsense words in order to soothe her. They sat like that for a while,the peacefulness of day surrounding them as Buffy's sobs graduallyhalted.

Eventually she turned to face him, a smile lighting her face. "I loveyou, you know," she said, voicing it out loud for the first time.

A huge smile lighted up Angel's face as he crushed her to him once more,warm elation overwhelming him, "I love you, too."

*****

The master vampire paced in fury, picking up a large glass vase andthrowing it against the wall. The minions all crouched in fear, each onetaking a step back without even realizing they were doing it. Hundredsof tiny pieces of glass scattered in every direction, making a tinklingsound as they hit the floor. 

"You mean to tell me that there has been no trace of him anywhere?! Thatis impossible, a vampire just doesn't disappear off the face of theearth, especially a new one. This is unacceptable! You will all go outthere and you will find him or you will all be greeting the sun tomorrowmorning. Is that understood?" The leader raged, game face in full viewas his yellow eyes flashed angrily. If possible the minions were evenmore intimidated, each one looking at each other in fright.

"All this for me? I'm touched," a masculine voice called from the backof the darkened cavern. Angel stood calmly and collectedly against thewall, one leg crossed over the other as he shrugged in indifference."It's so nice to know how much you care," he finished, his voicedripping with sarcasm.

"Well," the master vampire stated, his dark demeanor relaxing somewhat,"it appears I wont have to kill you all after all. The prodigal son hasjourneyed home."

Angel pushed himself away from the wall, standing upright. "I reallydon't think you want me for a son. I have issues with authority figures,though my ex-therapist insists that's normal for someone who lost theirparents at such a young age, even if she did think I'm crazy forclaiming that it was a vampire that killed them."

A murmur rose amongst the masses, the minions all looking at each otherin confusion. The master vampire simply narrowed his eyes, regardingAngel as if he were an annoying gnat. "You're wasting my time. None ofthis means anything to me, nor should it matter to you. Surely becominga creature of darkness has cured you of whatever psycho babble youbelieved as a human."

"Actually," Angel said, gradually moving up to where the master vampirestood, "it hasn't. There is only one cure for my ailments, whichincidentally has a lot to do with why I'm here."

"And what cure would that be," the demon asked, impatiently.

"The same cure I've been looking for," a feminine voice called out,causing all heads to once again turn towards the back of the room.

A smile spread across Angel's face as Buffy walked into the room, herdemeanor relaxed and smooth as she moved with the stealth like grace ofa cat. She flashed a grin at Angel before turning a deadly glare towardsher sire, an all business no nonsense aura about her.

"Hello, John, its been awhile," she said with false politeness, deadlyundertones in her voice.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't my Buffy," the master vampire sang out,his voice slightly possessive. "It's about time you graced us with yourpresence. It has, after all, been four hundred years."

"As I said, it's been awhile, and just for the record I am in no way,shape, or form, your Buffy," she stated, her eyes taking on a deadlyglow. She kept the master vampire's gaze on her as Angel began to edgecloser to where the leader stood. 

The demon laughed, his eyes flashing dark. "Of course you are," heresponded, amused by what he considered a weak attempt at a powerstruggle. "You belong to me, you always have. Who else do you thinkcould possibly be a match for a creature such as yourself?"

"Me!" Angel said firmly, standing directly behind the master vampire. Ina quick motion he grabbed the stake he kept hidden in his jacket pocketand rammed it in the demon's back. No one in the room dared make a peepas everyone watched for the death to occur but the silence was quicklyshattered by the sound of loud, boisterous laughter.

"My dear boy, surely you don't think a mere stake will kill me. Afterall I've been around a long time, I've a good five hundred years onBuffy," he exclaimed, amusement apparent in his features.

"Which is why I brought this," Buffy called out, lifting up a sharpmetal object in the shape of a boomerang, the inner edge knife sharp.With practiced ease she threw the object at the demon, the blade movedswiftly through the air with a swishing sound, landing precisely againstthe master vampires throat, slicing through it as if it were a softcheese.

The head of the vampire fell to the floor with a thump and once againeveryone waited in shocked silence to see what would happen. A sparklingcloud of dust soon took the place of the monster before it, and a lowmurmur built up amongst the masses as the minions slowly edged their wayto the exits, desperately wanting to escape the wrath of the ensouledvampires.

Buffy met Angel's eyes from across the room, a slow, relieved andecstatic smile spreading across her face. With a smile of his own Angelopened his arms wide, his eyes twinkling as she saw his gesture and ranswiftly across the room. Angel caught her in mid stride, lifting her upand spinning her around as happy laughter built up in both of theirthroats. With his arms wrapped firmly around her, he caught her eyes,both of their expressions mirroring a new lightness and freedom, as if aheavy load had been lifted off their shoulders.

"Feel cured yet?" Buffy asked teasingly, running her fingers throughAngel's hair.

"Hell yes," he responded, squeezing her tighter. "You?"

"Never been better," said honestly, then a twinkle appeared in her eyesas she finished with a "well, except for the other night when we."

Laughter shook Angel's frame as he got her implication. He slowly placedher back on the floor, keeping eye contact as he did it 

"You know," Buffy continued, "I heard that getting revenge and killingyour lifelong nemesis can be a powerful aphrodisiac."

"Is that so?" Angel replied, grabbing her hands in his and lookingdeeply in her eyes, "well, then, we'd better get a move on," he finishedhuskily, bending down to grab her lips in a kiss.

"Most definitely," Buffy responded, allowing the passion generated heathe caused to swell up within her. "We've earned it."

Epilogue:

The wind whistled merrily through the trees as two figures made theirway quietly through the small graveyard. The full moon cast a gentleradiance over them, reflecting off her blonde hair and his dark eyes,causing their skin to shine with an unearthly glow. Crickets chirpedaround them, their song carried lightly with the breeze, filling thenight as the two lovers approached the grave site.

Silver tears fell from Angel's eyes as he crouched down to place a dozenwhite roses on both mounds, his free hand tightly clutched in Buffy's.

"Mom, Dad, I want you to meet my wife, Buffy. She's the most incrediblewoman I've ever met and she's brought so much happiness to my life. Iknow that you guys would have loved her."

Buffy felt tears well up in her eyes as she heard Angel's proclamation.She looked over and squeezed his hand, trying to feed him her supportthrough their entwined fingers. With a small smile, Angel moved behindthe woman he loved and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, both ofthem staring sadly at the graves. 

"You never know," Buffy said softly to her husband as they both stoodthere, her thoughts briefly going towards Giles, "I may very well get tomeet them one day."

Angel smiled, tightening his arms around her. "That would be great," hesaid finally, "I think you would love them."

"How could I not?" Buffy responded, her love for him evident in her toneas she turned around to face him. "They gave me you."

Delight sprang to Angel's eyes as he leaned forward and met her lips ina soft, heart-warming kiss. "I love you," he told her, his fingersreaching up to lightly touch her cheek.

"I love you too," she replied, once again taking his hand in hers. Theyboth turned and started to walk away but only got a few feet beforeBuffy turned back around and looked towards the graves.

"I promise to take good care of him," she softly told the gravestonesand the stars danced joyfully in reply.

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