Disclaimer: duuuh! Of course they do not belong to me! I wouldn't write this, if they're mine; the title of the story is a song by Mike & The Mechanics from their album "Beggar on a Beach of Gold", so it's not mine too. #Distribution: Take it, if you want it. But please tell me where it goes. #Spoilers: S1 - S4 of BtVS and the previous story: One Moment Changes Everything, which can be found at the Land of Denial: , if you don't want to read it first, although I'd recommend it, here is a short summary: Buffy and Angel had sex in Amends, this way they found out his soul was safe; they had to deal with a vampiress, one Angel once made and defeated her; Faith is on the dark side, they had her captured but she got loose again; oh yes: and Spike is back and he has a soul.#Summary: This is set at the beginning of the fourth season Buffy, so some time went by since the last story. Think that most of the events in Season 3 happened, including the arrow attack on Angel and him drinking from Buffy, BUT he never left Sunnydale of course. And as his soul is safe they had intensive nocturnal activities (grin). Buffy is now living at the mansion full time (she moved in after her 18th birthday) as is Spike - the mansion is big enough. Faith was working for the major, but none of them knew, so she isn't in a coma, she's still loose and nobody knows her whereabouts. AND there is one major difference to the Season 3 on tv, but you'll realise it as soon as you read the story. Buffy starts college.#Feedback: is begged for, so please, please, please

"God Morning, Mr Giles," Wesley greeted his former colleague.

"Pryce," Giles said surprised. He looked at his watch: "It's not even nine. Is there an emergency?"

"No, no," the younger man assured him. "But I was around and I need a certain book, so I thought you might have it your various collection."

The former watcher nodded and stepped aside to let the other man enter. "What book is it you're looking for?"

"Il colorum noctae," Wesley replied and eyed at the coffee pot on the table. Giles saw it and nodded.

"Take yourself a cup and have a coffee while I am looking for it. I might have it, but am not really sure. How is Buffy doing by the way?"

"I think she's fine. I do not talk to her very often. After her break up with the council, well," he sighed. "How do you both get along?"

Giles looked up, holding a book in his hand: "We talk sometimes. Last week she came and we had some coffee. Angel is not talking to me still though. But I cannot really blame him. I think if she was my girlfriend I'd do the same."

"I tried to explain him, that the slayer-test at her 18th birthday was an old tradition and that you already overstepped your boundaries by telling her about it, but I am not sure if he'll ever forgive you. In his eyes you have endangered her life on purpose and that is something he'll never forget." Wesley took the book that Giles held out for him, laid it on the table and took his cup.

"And he is right. I should have refused to do it from the beginning. We knew Buffy was strong. There was no need testing her in that ancient, cruel ritual. I am surprised that she seems to have forgiven me, in some way at least, but I fear she'll never trust me again completely." Giles sighed and poured himself some more coffee. "And even Willow looks differently at me now, although she's friendly and all. It will be a long way to get back what we've had, if ever."

*******

"This is all so exciting," Willow exclaimed and looked at Buffy, who didn't look happy at all. Frankly the college frightened her. Too many people she'd never seen before and all these buildings she didn't know. The read-head saw her doubtful look and took her arm: "Come on, cheer up, Buffy. We are starting a new life, no more highschool, no more Snyder. We both have wonderful loving boyfriends. Alright they are a bit out of the ordinary," she admitted. Then she grinned: "But who cares. This is after all still the hellmouth and nothing is usual here."

"Are you sure you hadn't more than one coffee this morning, Wills?."

"No. I mean yes. I had only one cup. I am just sooo excited. All this knowledge, I cannot wait to see the library," she chirped.

The slayer groaned inwardly and was almost relieved to see Oz coming towards them. "Hi Oz," she greeted the werewolf.

"Buffy, hey Willow," he greeted back and kissed his girlfriend on the cheek.

"Isn't it just so..."

"Willow, if you say that word again, I swear I'll kill you," Buffy threatened her and rolled her eyes. She looked at Oz: "Maybe you are able to calm her down. She's almost bouncing up the walls."

The werewolf grinned: "That's my Willow. Knowledge just makes her jumpy. But you don't look as if you're so happy."

The slayer groaned: "Why do I need this at all? I mean I am the slayer, it's not as if I will ever be able to have a normal life. Besides my boyfriend is a little bit on the night side of life and I'm actually living with him, which is almost the only positive think going on in my life at the moment by the way. And as far as I could see he's not really poor, so I will not starve any time soon."

"Now that's a happy girl," Oz replied and looked at Willow: "I have to go. See you later."

"Bye Oz!," she smiled lovingly at his retrieving form. Then she turned to her friend: "So, why don't we just go for the library?"

********

"Wasn't that guy just so sweet?" the red-head chirped when Buffy opened the door to the mansion. She and Willow had decided to go to the slayer's home after their visit to the library to go over lists they'd been given for stuff they'd to buy.

"What guy?" the slayer asked absentmindely, looking around for her boyfriend but not very surprised that he wasn't there. After all it was three in the afternoon.

"Riley," the witch said with a frustrated sigh. "You're not listening."

"No. Sorry, Will. Riley?," she frowned. "Hmm, quite nice I think."

"He likes you," Willow said dreamily. "I can tell, the way he looked at you."

"Oh god Willow," Buffy sighed. "Stop that."

"Why?" she replied innocently. "I know you're not looking for a boyfriend, but doesn't it nurse your female ego to know a guy has the hots for you?"

"No," the slayer said firmly. "I do not need any college boys drooling over me. I've got all I need." And plenty of it, she thought dreamily. The nights couldn't be any better.

"Fine. Fine. But I'll bet it's not the last you've seen of him." Willow fell on the large leather sofa and looked at her friend: "I really could do with some coffee," she eyed at the long list in her lap. "This seems like a lot of work."

********

"What's that goofy grin on your face?" a black boy came towards a tall blond one and frowned.

"Forrest," the tall boy greeted his friend. "Have you seen the freshmen?"

"Why?," his friend asked. "Anyone in particular?" now he grinned as well.

"I'm not sure. Maybe."

"Riley, Riley," Forrest nudged him in the ribs. "Tell me, what's her name?"

"Buffy," he replied.

"Buffy? Is that a name?" Seeing Riley glare at him he raised a hand in mocked defense: "Sorry, my friend. Alright. So I'd say she's hot?"

Riley nodded and sighed: "Yeah. And she'll be in Pro Walsh's class."

"Any boyfriend?"

"I don't know."

"Then I'd try to check that first, Riley. You shouldn't waste your energy on a lost cause." But Forrest had the feeling it was already too late, because the dreamy look on his friend's face wasn't a good sign this would soon be over.

Part 2

Buffy and Willow were at their second cup of coffee when Angel came down the stairs. He smiled when he saw his girlfriend sitting on the sofa, a frown on her forehead and concentrated on a piece of paper in her lap.

"Deep Inside," the slayer groaned. "That sounds like the title of a smutty novel and not like a Psych book."

Angel chuckled silently and signalized Willow who'd seen him not to say anything. She tried to make a serious face but failed. Buffy's frown deepened when she looked up at her friend: "Willow? What's wrong?"

"Uhm, nothing," the red-head shook her head emphatically.

"You do not look too ... uuuh, Angel," the Chosen One squealed when she felt his arms encircling her from behind. "Don't sneak up on your girlfriend. One day she'll have a heart attack."

He grinned and planted a kiss on her head: "You're the slayer, you'll survive," he said mercilessly. He came around and sat down beside her, taking her cup and drinking from her coffee.

Buffy looked at the witch with mocked annoyance: "Can you tell me why I keep that guy?"

"Because you love me, baby," he replied grinning at Willow. The red-head had still problems to get used to the change in his behaviour. Ever since they'd defeated Alanna, Angel's personality had become lighter and happier. He was still brooding and there was still guilt and pain in his eyes but there was also happiness shining in them and she knew that that happiness was Buffy, the fact that their relationship was working perfectly, even the arrow-incident, as Buffy always called it had not driven them away from each other. Willow would never forget how shocked she'd been to learn he'd drunken from her, but Buffy had told her later that she'd forced him to do it and then whispered to the witch about the most incredible orgasm while this was happening. Seeing them together now Willow made a vow not to talk about Riley again. Buffy really didn't need any admirers, okay he was human, but he would never be Angel.

"You're very certain of that," the slayer grinned now as well. "How come?"

He shrugged: "I'm irresistible didn't you know?"

Buffy giggled and was about to reply, when another voice sounded in the hall.

"Slayer, Red," Spike greeted the both girls. He came down the stairs and took a seat beside Willow. "How's college?"

"Don't remind me," Buffy groaned. "It's pure hell." She quickly glanced at Angel and was glad he didn't even flinch. "It's as if they'd thrown us into a labyrinth, I don't know how I'll ever going to find the right houses."

"I think it's exciting," Willow beamed. "All this knowledge, all the clever people. And you should see the library! It's huge."

"Yeah, huge," the slayer's voice sounded annoyed.

Her boyfriend chuckled and patted her leg: "My girlfriend isn't very much into books," he said with an amused tone in his voice.

"Hey," she glared at him mockingly. "Do you say I'm stupid?"

He leaned forward and kissed her gently: "I'd never say such a thing. I think you're very bright," he looked deeply in her eyes, "and you have many breathtaking talents."

"Oh yeah?," she grinned. "And what are they?"

He smiled mischievously: "Making coffee for example."

"Hey," she punched him slightly into his arm. "I refuse to talk to you."

"Oh god," Spike groaned and got up. "I'm not watching that any longer. You want some blood peaches," he asked Angel while he was walking towards the kitchen.

"No, thanks. Not hungry," the other vampire replied. Then he looked at Willow: "Now, as she doesn't talk to me anymore, I'll ask you. Any other interesting things today?"

"Yeah," the red-head answered, excited that at least someone seemed to be interested in college. "There was this sweet guy who had the hots for Buffy. Sorry," she added when she saw the slayer glare at her. Damned, she'd just vowed not to mention him and now it had slipped.

Quickly Buffy turned to her boyfriend who had his arms crossed in front of his chest and was staring at her: "A boy had the hots for you, hmm?", he asked, his voice sounding serious, but she could see the mischievous glimpse in his eye.

"I'm sorry," Willow apologized. "But I can assure you, Buffy didn't look at him twice. As a matter of fact she almost killed him."

The same moment the lovers burst out laughing. "Oh Will," the slayer turned to her friend: "It was only a joke." She leaned forward and laid a hand on Angel's arm: "Actually he was quite annoying." She rolled her eyes: "And the worst is, I cannot avoid him, he'll be our Psych TA."

"And what's that about killing him? He isn't a demon or something." Spike came back to the room. "Slayer, slayer, not enough night-time activities. Are you now killing in daylight too?"

"Angel tell me again, why I cannot stake him?"

"He has a soul?" Willow suggested.

"Yeah, I knew there was something." Buffy sighed and leaned her head on her boyfriend's shoulder. "No, but coming back to Riley. His name is Riley. Riley Finn. Have you ever heard a stranger name?"

"Buffy? Angel? Spike?", the red-head suggested again.

"How about Willow?," the blonde vampire shot back. "I don't know many people who are named after a tree."

"Alright, so we all have funny names," the slayer admitted. "But please, Riley Finn! That's just ridiculous. And Willow had the guts to say he was sweet." Buffy shook her head in disgust.

"Maybe Red's the hots for him and is just too shy to admit it," Spike grinned and then jumped away from the witch who threw a book in his direction. Still grinning he added: "It's always the guilty one who react like this."

"You better be quiet. I've improved my wiccan qualities a lot and if you're not nice to me I might transform you into something ... well, icky." Now Willow grinned as well.

Then the phone rang and Angel went to answer it. The Chosen One moaned in protest for losing her pillow. She watched him when he took the phone and froze. His voice was tense: "Giles. What do you want?"

The other three exchanged silent glances. "At least he's talking to him again," Buffy whispered to Willow. "But I'm afraid he'll never forgive him."

"I cannot blame him, slayer," Spike said. "If you were my girlfriend I'd never forgive him too."

"I used to trust him," Buffy said more to herself. "I trusted him blindly. And he betrayed me. But at least we can be civil again, I still love him like a father," she sighed. "Angel on the other hand..."

"Buffy, he wants to talk to you," Angel came over and handed the phone to her.

"Giles? ... A demon? What? ... Alright, I'll come over. ... What? Well, I could try, but frankly I don't think he'll come. ... I know. Fine, 'til later." She printed the end-button and laid the phone on the table.

"What did he want?," Angel asked curiously.

"There is a new demon in town. He wants me ... well, us ... to check on him and Wesley tonight after patrol."

"Alright," he answered quickly.

"What? You'll come with me?"

He sighed: "Yes. It's time to face him again. We cannot go on like this forever. I think he's truly sorry and ..." he ran his hand through his hair. "Well, I'm not really the person who should talk about forgiving."

Buffy and Willow exchanged a short glance and then the slayer put a hand on his arm: "I'm glad."

"But you shouldn't really compare the two of you," Spike said with a frown. "You had no influence of the deeds of your demon. The watcher on the other hand..." he trailed off.

"Let it be Spike," Angel shook his head. "I'm sure he wouldn't do it again and he's blaming himself more than we do. And talking about no influence, I was fully aware when I drank from Buffy."

"I had to force you to do so," his girlfriend reminded him. "So talk about influence. I'm the slayer and I'm already stronger than you when you're at full health..."

"Alright, alright," he raised a hand and smiled, then he glanced at Willow: "I can never win in an argument."

"Damned right," Buffy grinned. "You better remember that."

"So when do we meet Giles?" Angel changed the subject.

"Around eight," she looked at Willow and Spike: "He wants the whole gang there."

"Oh bloody, another 'save-the-world' meeting with annoying guy."

"Spike," Willow hit his arm. "Xander isn't that bad. Besides I don't even know if he's back from his trip."

"Maybe he got lost. Didn't find his way through the desert," Spike said hopefully.

The others only shook their heads but couldn't help laughing.

Part 3

Giles shifted uncomfortably in his chair and from time to time his glance went towards Angel who stood in the back, in the shadows, arms crossed in front of his chest and listened to the news about this special demon. It was a strange feeling to have the vampire back in his apartment. After such a long time, he seemed to be willing to take the first step.

"So this Kanka Demon ..."

"Kankarian," Giles interrupted his slayer. No, not my slayer, he corrected himself, not anymore.

"Alright, Kankarian Demon," Buffy gave him a short smile. "This thing is supposed to come to Sunnydale and eat ... children? Right?"

"That is correct," Wesley nodded in her direction. "Every 50 years it seeks for a Hellmouth and has to feed from children. Only the hearts and brains."

"Eeeeeew," Cordelia exclaimed. "Can you say gross?"

"Actually they are very nice," Anya said from her spot in the corner. When everyone turned at her. "Okay, when they don't eat children. They are funny guys."

Xander only shook his head: "Honey, I may be used to your stories as I had to hear them throughout our trip but other people might not enjoy your experiences."

"Why not? It's good to know about the facts in life," his girlfriend stated matter-of-factly.

"Uhm, well," Giles tried to get everyone's attention. "This demon will come soon. We do not know the exact date, but we should look out for it. It can only be killed by decapitating. So you should take something on patrol to perform it."

"He means carry a sword handy," Xander grinned at the slayer and then at her boyfriend. He and Angel had come to terms and Buffy was glad about it.

"Thank you Xander," the former watcher shot the boy a look. "You have to be prepared to meet it at any time."

"Alright," Buffy said and looked at Oz and Willow who were staring at each other. "Uhm Wills."

"Yeah, what. I'm here," the red-head blushed furiously, when everyone looked at her. She hated it when the attention was drawn towards her.

The slayer suppressed a grin and tried to keep a straight face: "Did you find anything in the computer?"

"Computer. Right," Willow took a deep breath, this was so embarrassing. "It seems the kids this demon eats or their brains and hearts respectably, the kids have to be under a certain age. There are different mentions, but none is higher than six. It's really an ugly demon. And it eats about hundred."

"Hundred children," Buffy's eyes were wide. "My god," she whispered and stared at her former watcher. "We cannot miss it. We cannot let it kill these innocent children."

"We won't," Angel spoke for the first time. "Best we split up for patrol so we can cover more ground. Spike," he looked at his grand-childe. "Maybe it's best we start tonight. You go to the cemeteries and take Xander and Anya."

"Oh no," Spike groaned. "Not the annoying one."

"This is serious," the dark-haired vampire's voice didn't allow a discussion. "I'm going with Buffy."

"Of course," the blonde vampire muttered.

"I heard that," Angel looked at his grand-childe for a moment. "Willow, Oz and Cordelia can take the grounds around the old highschool. It's the most unlikely place and I don't want to endanger you."

"But you endanger us," Xander threw in.

"You've got Spike with you," Buffy said.

"That's exactly what I meant," the boy replied. "How do you know that Spike and I won't kill each other?"

"We won't," the blonde vampire grinned. "It could only happen that I kill you. But I don't want to lose my home, which would happen as a result, because the slayer likes you, something I won't understand even if I'm going to live a thousand years."

"Exactly Spike," Buffy looked at Xander: "So you see, you're perfectly safe. Spike's too afraid of little me."

"Just one question," Willow gazed at the slayer. "Where will you and Angel go?"

"The west," the vampire said.

The witch raised an eyebrow: "The college area? It doesn't look demonic for me."

"Nothing looked demonic for you before I came," Buffy said with a certain look.

"Point taken," Willow sighed. "But before we go on patrol I say we have some hot chocolate first."

*

When he saw Giles was alone in his little kitchen Angel left the others in the living-room and joined the ex-watcher for a moment.

"Giles," he said, standing in the doorway.

"Angel," the Brit looked at him. "I'm very glad you came."

The vampire nodded: "Me too. Maybe ... well, I thought we could try again. Maybe I overreacted."

Giles shook his head: "No. You didn't. And I know that now. You will never know how terribly sorry I am." Seeing Angel raise an eyebrow he corrected himself: "Well, probably you're the only one who understands and Spike maybe. Anyway. Besides endangering Buffy's life it was unforgivable not to inform you the moment I knew about the danger she was in."

The vampire cleared his throat: "Well. Whatever happened, the important part is, that Buffy survived this. And I'm sure you would never endanger her like this again." He extended a hand: "So, we try to start new?"

"I would like that," Giles took the hand and shook it. "I respect you very much. None of you can imagine how it is to live with this demon inside of you. It has to be hard."

Angel shrugged and let go of the watcher's hand: "I've learned to do it. And it's much better now that I know I can't loose my soul again. And of course with Buffy being around. It's something I never expected, some kind of normal life." He smiled: "As normal as a vampire and a slayer can be."

Giles smiled as well: "She's very happy with you. She's much more relaxed about her slayer duties now. She almost never complains. I think it's the fact there's always someone she can talk to and who truly understands."

"I try," the vampire replied honestly. "Still, it is different from my fate. She never had a chance for a normal life and yet she's human and could have it. What I mean is, I cannot change what I am and she can't change it either, but it's always right in front of her nose."

"I understand." Giles nodded. "Now. The chocolate is ready. Can you carry some of the mugs?"

********

"I never patrolled here before," Buffy said, while she and Angel were walking through the darkened college area, hand in hand. "I'm glad you talked to Giles."

"Hmmm," he made. "Did you hear that?" he suddenly grabbed her arm.

"No," she replied, but tried to listen carefully. "But then your hearing is better than mine."

"Hmmm," he made again, but his concentration was at the noises he'd just heard. Without a warning he pulled her behind a bush and when she looked at him he put a finger on her lips. "These are human noises."

"Human?" she whispered back. His answer was a short nod and then both their eyes widened when they saw strange figures appear. They were dressed in army gear and wearing masks.

"I was sure there was something," army guy 1 said and looked around and Buffy could have sworn she'd heard this voice before, but it was so muffled under the mask that she wasn't entirely sure.

"I didn't hear anything," army guy 2 replied, putting away a strange thing he held in his hand.

Army guy 1 shrugged: "It's windy, maybe just the wind in the leaves. Let's go, we have to cover some more of the area tonight."

And with this they disappeared again.

"What was this?" Buffy wanted to know.

"No idea, but we better ..."

"... talk to Giles," she finished his sentence. "Patrol over. Research on, because whatever they are, I don't like it. I don't like it at all."

With this she grabbed her boyfriend's arm and pulled him towards her former watcher's house.

Part 4

The research about the army guys led nowhere. And they didn't find the Demon either. So the next week went almost peacefully and although Angel and Buffy kept on patroling around the campus they didn't meet the strange humans again. And when another week passed they almost forgot about them. Nobody had any idea what they did or what they were.

Still it was strange. And both, Buffy and Angel couldn't get the freaky feeling out of their system.

In her daytime life the slayer began to accomodate with college life. Now she knew where to go for her classes and she didn't feel as if she was lost in a labyrinth anymore. Of course she'd met Riley again. The moment she entered her psych class he had spotted her and smiled warmly. He had a warm smile, and maybe, just maybe, she would've looked at him twice if ... a dreamy smile spread across her face and she sighed slightly, which made Willow turn and look at her.

"Thinking about that boyfriend of yours?" the witch teased.

"Yeah," Buffy breathed happily. "He's so sweet, you wouldn't believe...," she stopped when she saw Pro Walsh gaze rest upon her. Blushing she sunk into her chair and of course Riley was smiling at her again - encouragingly this time. Dammit, Willow had been right, he seemed definitely interested in her.

*

After class she wanted to get out as quickly as possible, but Riley's voice stopped her: "Buffy, wait," he shouted behind her.

The slayer and Willow stopped and turned towards the voice: "Hi Riley," the witch chirped. "Nice to see you."

"You too," he replied but his gaze was on Buffy. "I just wanted to warn you. Pro Walsh is alright and all, but she can't stand if her students don't pay attention."

"Thanks," the slayer said. "I will think of it. Uhm, sorry, but I have to go. See you." With this she turned and pulled Willow with her.

Riley stood there and watched them leave. Buffy Summers, he thought, yes, he wanted to know more about her. He had tried to talk to her on several occasions but she had always been, yes almost shy. Maybe she was just unexperienced in relationships he thought. When he smiled at her, she almost always smiled back. Not that couldn't imagination only. She seemed to be interested.

*******

The same evening Buffy and Angel sat on one of large leather sofas in the hall of the mansion. The flames in the fireplace made a nice atmosphere. It wasn't cold outside, but the large stone building never took the warmth of the summer completely. Especially the both vampires seemed to love an open fire in their house. Buffy sometimes thought it was a bit weird, to love something that could kill you so easily.

Willow and Oz were there as were Xander and Anya, Cordelia didn't have time to come because she had a date in LA. Buffy had invited them for some socialising, as she called it, and snacks. It had been a funny evening. Well, for almost everybody. The minute Spike had spotted Xander he'd rolled his eyes and left, mumbling something about taking over the slayer's patrol. She had given him a grateful smile. There was nothing better than a free evening and a gorgeous boyfriend.

Now the only problem was to get rid of her friends. It was almost ten and as nice as the evening had been Buffy looked forward to some quality time with her boyfriend.

"Uhm, guys," she said after a while. "I don't want to push you out, but..."

"Of course you want to do exactly that," Anya commented smugly. "We all know what you two'll do when we're gone."

Xander rolled his eyes and gave Buffy an apologetic smile. It would need some more time to get his girlfriend fit for social outings.

Angel and the slayer exchanged a glance and both grinned.

"Well then," Willow got up first. "I say it was a lovely evening as ever. Angel your cooking was great, as ever and now we all need our beauty sleep, not to miss college tomorrow."

"Yeah, college," Buffy sighed. "Oh well, at least there's no more Snyder."

"Alright," Oz got up as well and wrapped an arm around his girlfriend's face. "See you tomorrow."

With this they turned and left. After a short good bye Xander and Anya followed them. When they shut the door behind them Buffy turned to Angel, a mischievous grin in her eyes: "Are we that predictable?"

He grinned back and shrugged: "Maybe," he reached out and pulled her to him. "But who cares?" Laying back on the sofa she came to lay on top of him, their lips meeting instantly.

Buffy felt his hands roam up and down her back and moaned. Angel smiled in her mouth hearing this. Then her hands were wandering from his hair over his shoulders to his shirt. She was about to open his first button when...

"Oh no, tell me I didn't hear that," she groaned.

"Ignore it," he said with a grin and continued kissing her.

But there it was again, a certain noise.

Someone was knocking at their door.

Sighing dramatically the slayer got up and looked down at her boyfriend: "This better be damned important."

"I'll bring the dirty plates into the kitchen," Angel said behind her.

"Coming," she exclaimed and then opened the door. And blinked.

And blinked again.

"Riley," she said, not really believing her eyes.

"Hi Buffy," he said. "I'm sorry to disturb you, but you forgot that in class today and you might need it to prepare for tomorrow." He held out her psych book.

"Oh," she said, still not processing the fact that her TA stood there and had just disturbed a promising make-out. "Well, thanks." Suddenly she reminded her upbringing. "Would you," she cleared her throat. "Would you like to come in?"

A smile spread across his features: "Sure."

She stepped aside and then led him into the hall.

"Wow," he said in awe. "This is a great building. When I read the address I could hardly believe my eyes. It's a wonderful house.

"It's a mansion," she said as if everyone had to know it.

"A mansion," he echoed. "It's great anyhow. Do you live here on your own or with your parents?"

"Well actually," she began but was interrupted by Angel who came back from the kitchen.

"Buffy who was...," he stopped when he saw the man standing with his girlfriend.

She turned and looked at him: "Angel, this is Riley," she shot him a look. "Riley Finn, my Psych TA. Riley, this is Angel, my boyfriend." She made a short pause and then added: "And we both live here."

A look she couldn't quite interpret crossed the blond man's face. Disappointment? Jealousy? Surprise?

"Uhm, nice to meet you," Angel said and extended a hand.

Riley took it: "How do you do," he replied. "I just came to bring Buffy a book she forgot today."

"I see," the vampire eyed the human cautiously. There was something about him. "That was very nice of you," he added. He didn't like him, no, not a bit, but one couldn't just hit someone for a first impression. Although the way this Riley's eyes rested on Buffy were anything but only friendly. He almost ate her up.

"Well," Riley licked his lips. "I better go now. It's late and you're certainly tired."

"Yeah," Buffy replied and her eyes wandered over to her boyfriend for the split of a second. "Thanks for bringing the book," she said and walked him to the door.

"No problem and good night." Then she shut the door behind him.

When she turned round she saw Angel standing there with a strange look on his face. "What?," she asked. "You aren't jealous, are you? Because there's nothing going on between us."

He snapped out of his thoughts: "Oh sorry. No I'm not jealous, although he shouldn't look at you like this."

"Like what?" she grinned and stepped closer.

"As if he wants to eat you," said with a certain tone in his voice.

"You mean like you look at me." She bit her lower lip. "Now," her voice was husky.

Angel swallowed hard, but stopped her advances for a moment. There was still this thought in the back of his mind: "What do you know about him?"

"What?" she asked not really paying attention. She was too busy unbuttoning his shirt.

"Buffy," he said firmly. "Riley. What do you know about him?"

"God," she groaned. Then she sighed loudly and threw her hands in the air: "Alright. Well, he's my psych TA. Period. Why?"

"Something's wrong with that guy."

"Definitely," she replied. "He's annoying beyond belief. And he has the guts to come here and ruin our perfect, private evening. A book. Pah!," she snorted. "He wanted to check me out." She tilted her head: "Would you count that as stalking already?"

"Seriously Buffy. There's something about him. I cannot put my finger on it, but," he sighed in frustration. He just couldn't grab it.

"Well it isn't anything demonic, because he's human as a human can be."

"No, I didn't mean that," Angel shook his head and pulled her closer again: "Let's forget about it. For now."

She grinned: "Yeah. Much better things to do right now." And with this she caught his lips in a hot kiss.

*******

On his way home Riley Finn thought about the strange meeting in the old mansion. So she had a boyfriend, no not only a boyfriend. But a living-in-boyfriend. He seemed older than Buffy. Maybe mid or end twenties, he guessed, and he was certainly quite experienced. So the shy number had only been some attitude. The look he had seen pass between them told him that they would do more than talking or kissing right now. So there was a rival. Well, not a problem. Riley had never feared a challenge.

But there was something else about that boyfriend of hers. Something that disturbed him. He couldn't put his finger on it, but he was strange somehow, as if he wasn't human.

Riley shook his head and let out a short laugh. He was getting paranoid. His work seemed to reach into his private life now. Buffy Summers was a perfectly normal girl with an older boyfriend. There was nothing supernatural about them. She was just damned pretty and sexy and he wanted her. And be damned, he would have her.

Part 5

"So the girl's got a boyfriend," Forrest exchanged a grin with Graham, while they were standing the next evening with Riley in the elevator leading to the underground lab.

"Yeah," the blond boy's voice sounded annoyed. "And he's older."

"Good looking?" Graham wanted to know and winked at the afro-american.

"Honestly I didn't pay attention, it's not really interesting for me if another male is attractive or not."

"Sure," Forrest chuckled. "So I say he's good looking. Well, bad luck then."

"Don't be so sure," Riley said with a determined look in his eyes. "Maybe I just have to show her that I'm the better choice."

Graham sighed and exchanged another glance with Forrest. You couldn't really do anything when Riley was up to something. That had been the reason that made him a leader in the Initiative. But Graham was sure this was a lost cause. Buffy Summers had made it very clear over the last two weeks that she wasn't interested in his friend, Riley was just not ready to accept it. He seemed to have it bad for the blonde chick.

*******

The same night Buffy and Angel were patroling the college grounds again. Willow and Oz had joined them this time.

"Not one vampire tonight," the witch said with a voice that sounded disappointed.

"Willow," Buffy grinned. "I thought you were afraid of vampires."

"I am, but this is boring. Nothing happens," the red-head replied.

"When we find that demon you'll get enough action," Angel chuckled and exchanged a glance with his slayer. This was a new side of Willow's.

"Hmmm, I guess," the witch laid her head on her boyfriend's shoulder and Oz kissed her gently on her skull.

"Actually..." Buffy began, but stopped when Angel put a finger on her lips.

"That's the noise again," he whispered and gestured all of them to hide behind a bush.

Only seconds later three masked army guys appeared. They were all holding the strange things in their hands Buffy had seen before.

"I can't believe this," army guy 1 shook his head. Again the slayer had the feeling she'd heard the voice before. "I was so sure something was going on here. I definitely heard a noise."

"I didn't hear anything. You're paranoid," army guy 2 replied with a sigh.

Buffy and Angel looked at each other. What was this? Who were they? Gesturing towards her boyfriend and Oz to stay in cover she pulled at Willow's arm: "You wanted action, now you get some," she whispered. "We'll find out who they are. Come on." Ignoring Angel's concerned gaze, the both girls approached the army guys as if they were just on a nightly stroll through the park.

The three masked men spun around when they heard a noise behind them.

"Who is there?" army guy 1 demanded.

"Oh my god, you've startled us," Buffy lied and tried to look as if it was true.

"Buffy," army guy 1 said without thinking. He was so surprised to see her and Willow that it just escaped his mout.

The slayer tilted her head: "You know my name? Who are you?"

"You shouldn't be here," army guy 2 said instead of an answer. "This isn't safe."

"Not safe," Willow tried to look as innocent as possible. "What do you mean?"

The army guys exchanged short glances and then 1 pulled his mask off.

Both girls gasped while Angel and Oz tried to stay calm in their hiding.

"Riley," Buffy was honestly surprised now. "What the hell is going on here?"

The blonde man nodded at his collegues and now they removed their masks as well. "We're looking for somth... someone," he corrected himself quickly. "Some pretty weird people around here."

The slayer looked at Willow and then let out an exasperated sigh: "Are you talking about vampires?" she asked sounding casual.

"Vamp..." Graham almost choked on the word. "What do you know about vampires?"

"We're living in Sunnydale," Willow replied. "Vampires are pretty much a part of every day's life around here."

"So you both know about them?" Forrest asked.

Seeing that the black man's eyes had narrowed at this question Angel gave Oz a nod and both followed their girlfriends. "Buffy, Willow, where are..." the vampire said and then stopped when he was "surprised" to see the humans wearing army gear.

"Angel," Riley said raising an eyebrow.

"Riley," the vampire greeted back and came to stand beside the slayer while Oz wrapped an arm around Willow's shoulder. "Is there something wrong?" he asked his voice sounding surprised now.

"No," Buffy replied. "They're looking for vampires it seems," she added.

"Do they?" Then Angel looked at Riley: "And did you find any?"

"So you know about vampires as well?" the blonde guy asked. And he had thought the Initiative were the only ones to know about these things.

Willow suppressed a giggle, this was the best joke ever, asking a vampire if he knew about vampires. Of course Riley didn't know about Angel, but still. Oz squeezed her shoulders slightly, but there was a slight smile on his lips as well.

"Of course he does," Buffy replied for her boyfriend. "Many people in Sunnydale too, but they try to ignore it, being too scared and all. But you never answered my question, who are you?"

"As you've already guessed we're looking for vamp..." Riley couldn't finish his sentence because the same moment a bunch of 10 vampires approached them. The three army guys paled and Forrest pulled something out of his pocket: "Headquarter, we're in trouble, Lilac leader is in trouble. We're in area 4, send support."

Buffy gave him an irritated glance but then looked back to the vampires, when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning around she saw Riley: "You all better run now," he said. "We can handle this."

The slayer raised an eyebrow: "Really? Well, handle whatever you want, but we're staying. Willow do you have your holy water? Oz?" When they both nodded she turned to her boyfriend: "Seems this night isn't as boring as it seemed."

"Obviously," he replied with a slight grin at her attitude towards Riley.

"Slayer," the first vampire hissed when they all stepped nearer. Then he bowed slightly towards Angel: "Angelus. It's a pleasure."

"Yeah, well I really can't say it's mutual," the dark haired vampire said producing a stake from his sleeve.

"I already heard about you hunting your own kind and playing the slayer's lap-dog. What a shame."

"Alright guys," Buffy had her hands on her hips and her expression was annoyed: "This is all very interesting, but can we get this done? I've got more important things to do tonight."

"You're going to die, girl," the vampire hissed and stepped closer.

The slayer rolled her eyes: "Do they implant them something so they all say the same?" Exchanging a short glance with her lover she added: "Let's dust them and then go home." With this both, slayer and ensouled vampire charged the other blood-suckers. They were kicking, spinning and dusting in formidable speed.

Willow and Oz stood and watched them with a grin on their faces while Riley, Forrest and Graham couldn't believe their eyes. They watched two exceptional fighters dealing with a number of vampires the Initiative boys would never have handled, they would've been helplessly outnumbered.

Buffy landed a roundhouse kick on the third vampire after she'd dusted two of them already, while Angel had one on each arm and another one approaching him. Feeling that he wasn't strong enough this way he slipped into game-face completely forgetting the three strangers who were watching them. With improved strenght slayer and vampire dusted eight blood-suckers while the remaining two fled. Changing back to his human form Angel nodded at Buffy and they turned around only to come face to face with three wide-eyed army-guys.

"H-he is a vampire," Riley gasped.

"Yeah. And?" Buffy wasn't really in the mood to discuss anything with them. They said they were hunting vampires but hadn't moved as much as a finger to help.

"Buffy, hostiles aren't persons," the blonde guy tried to begin.

"Host... What?" the slayer wanted to know.

"Hostiles, that's how we call vampires," Graham explained.

"They are creatures of true evil," Riley said again. "He is dangerous," he pointed towards Angel. "You don't know what you're dealing with. I've heard that some women seem to find a thrill in thinking about a vampire lover, but this isn't a game," he added. He had to warn her, although he wasn't sure at all if she needed a warning after the little display he'd just watched. Who the hell was she?

Now Buffy was truly annoyed: "Actually I know exactly what I'm dealing with. I'm the slayer, Riley. I kill vampires. It's my calling yadda, yadda, yadda. I won't bore you with the details. Besides, my watcher is much better at that. And yes, Angel's a vampire. But he's different, he has a soul."

"A soul? I don't understand," Riley was truly confused now. A slayer? A vampire ... with a soul?

The blonde girl rolled her eyes: "You say you hunt vampires, but you seem to know nothing about them and frankly I don't want to explain it right now. It's late and I want to go home. Just one thing, Angel doesn't kill people, he only kills vampires and demons and helps me." Suddenly she remembered something: "What's this?" she pointed at the strange things all of them still held in their hands.

"It's an immobilizing gun," Graham explained. He could remember having read something about the slayer. It seemed pretty strange at first, but now everything fell into place for him. "It uses energy to immobilize the hostiles."

"Why don't you just kill them?" Willow wanted to know. This all was more than strange. Humans hunting vampires in army gear and with stun guns, maybe they were hunting werewolves as well.

The three men exchanged glances: "We study them," Riley said hesitantly. "But we make sure they won't harm people anymore."

"How?" Angel spoke now. He'd known there was something wrong with that guy and now he found his suspicions prooved.

"We don't really know," the blonde commando said. "The doctors do this. We're only the hunters."

Willow suppressed the urge to laugh out loud. The term 'hunters' for these ridiculously looking humans was too funny.

Angel studied the human's face for a moment, but said nothing.

"Alright," Buffy took her boyfriend's hand. "I think we're finished here for tonight. Just keep your hands off of my boyfriend," she warned the army guys. And with that the slayer, the vampire, the witch and the werewolf turned and disppeared in the darkness.

After a while of walking in silence, Angel squeezed his girlfriend's hand: "He lied."

"What?" she turned to look at him and they all stopped.

"Riley lied," the vampire said matter-of-factly. "He knows exactly what happens with the vampires when they capture them, but he didn't want us to know it. We have to find out what's going on there."

"Yes," the slayer replied. "We should go and see Giles immediately. This just gives me the wiggins. They way they looked at you. We have to very careful." She felt a cold hand reach for her heart.

"Maybe they are after werewolves too," Willow said with a tremble in her voice. "Is this a vampire hunting army, or what?"

"We have to find out as soon as possible," Angel said. "The fact he lied about the treatment of their captives doesn't make me feel better about them. In fact it's quite the opposite. Now, let's go and talk to Giles."

******

The moment the group around the slayer had disappeared the supporting squad arrived with their colleagues. "What happened?" the leader of the second squad demanded.

Still stunned Riley exchanged a glance with his friends: "You wouldn't believe it. We have to talk to Walsh. I bet, she will find the news very interesting."

And with this he led them towards the Initiative headquarters.

Part 6

"Bloody hell," Spike exclaimed. "So there are some army-wannabes running around, hunting vampires."

"That pretty much sums it up," Oz said dryly. "What we do not know is if they hunt anything else, like say demons and what they're going to do with them afterwards."

"Oh dear, oh dear," Giles shook his head. He felt utterly helpless. Humans hunting vampires, that went beyond his watcher experience.

"Giles, think," Buffy paced the room. "There are some weird guys playing 2nd World War with vampires. You should just see them, they look so ... so ... ."

"Ridiculous," Willow suggested.

"Good word," the slayer gave her an approving nod. "Completely ridiculous I'd say. In these masks they look as if they are up for some diving. And they use these taser guns to immobilize the vamps." She couldn't calm down, so Angel stepped in her way and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Buffy," he began but she wouldn't wait for his words.

"Don't Buffy me, Angel. I've seen how they looked at you. Especially Riley, with his jealous little eyes." She spun round: "Giles, for god's sake say something."

"I just don't know what," he said, still feeling out of place. "First we should find out, if they work for an organisation or something."

"Oh wait, wait," Willow exclaimed. "The one called his ... headquarters, yes, I believe he said headquarters."

"You're right," Angel affirmed her words. "And they talked about lilac leader."

"I told you, ridiculous," Buffy waved her hands at her former watcher. "Lilac leader," she snorted. "That sounds as if coming right from a bad adventure novel. Oh, this slippery weasel, playing the nice, human TA and then at night running around playing soldier."

"Huh?" Willow was lost.

"Riley," Buffy sighed. "I mean our nice, blue-eyed normal TA. Always caring for our wellbeing," she suddenly stopped. Her gaze flying towards her boyfriend, her eyes widened in fear: "He already knows where we live. He came with this damned book. And now he knows where to go and just take you." Her voice was high and trembling now and Angel immediately pulled her in his arms.

"Shhh," he made. "There's no need to expect him coming and taking me," his gaze wandered to his grand-childe and then he corrected himself: "Us."

"Thanks peaches," Spike bowed his head. "Remembering my not so important existence. But whatever they intend to do with us or not. I don't like it. I don't mind staking vampires, but I shudder thinking about what they do with them."

The slayer pulled back from her lover's embrace and looked at Willow: "Can you try to find something on the net?" When she met her friends doubtful gaze she shrugged: "I know not very likely, but we have to try," she said with look into Angel's direction.

Understanding her best friend's fear and shortly glancing at her boyfriend who after all was still a werewolf - at least three days a month - she started her laptop and began to search immediately.

"Any signs of that demon," Giles tried to get the subject into familiar territory.

"None so far," Buffy looked around: "Where's Wesley by the way?"

"He drove Cordelia to LA," the former watcher said absentmindedly while he was looking for a book. He missed the curious glances that passed between the other people in his living-room.

"And Xander and Anya?" Willow wanted to know.

"They came back with Spike from their patrol, but as it was obviously boring they soon left."

"And three times we can guess what they're doing right now," Spike said with a smirk.

Buffy rolled her eyes: "Whatever. Any news Wills?" she went over to stand behind her friend.

********

"You say that she told you she was the slayer, agent Finn," Pro Walsh stood in front of the three commandos, her hands at her hips and glanced at them sharply.

"Exactly," Forrest answered. "And then she said her boyfriend was a vampire with a soul," he laughed shortly, but shut up immediately when he saw the older woman's angry look.

"Agent Finn," Pro Walsh began to walk up and down in front of them. "Tell me, did you have the impression she told the truth?"

"Even if I wouldn't believe her, but her actions are pretty much confirming it. She and her ... boyfriend dusted eight vampires in less than five minutes. I've never seen something like that before." Riley looked towards Graham who nodded.

"And you say that this vampire fought other vampires?"

"Yes. And killed them. Oh and one of the other vampires called him Angelus, while Buffy calls him Angel." Riley had thought about this their whole way back.

"Hmmm," Pro Walsh made. "A slayer," she said deep in thoughts.

"So it's real," Riley asked with big eyes. "The slayer is real?"

"Yes, Agent Finn. One girl in every generation and that's what makes with thinking."

"Excuse me?" Forrest couldn't follow her.

"Nothing," she said with a certain gesture of her hand. "But that vampire. Soul or not, I want him here. Try to get him on his own and bring him. It will be interesting to make some tests on him. But try not to hurt the girl in the process. We do not need her."

"Of course, but we might need more men," Riley got excited thinking he could get rid of that boyfriend of hers, although he wasn't sure anymore if she was as attractive as she had seemed. Did a boy want a girlfriend who easily kick his ass?

"Angelus," she said to herself turning and walking away from them, "there somewhere rings a bell."

Part 7

**

Buffy and Angel were on their way back from patrol. It had been quite boring, only two newbie-vampires who had been dusted easily. So it had been more of a make-out session, one of those they'd had years ago. The slayer with her back pressed at a headstone, Angel's strong arms left and right of her and his mouth... she shivered by thought of it ... he was a great kisser.

Then when they almost reached the mansion they'd been jumped by two ugly looking demons and somehow they'd been separated, Buffy couldn't clearly remember why, so after killing hers she had to make her way home on her own. Whistling slightly by thinking about what was waiting for her, a gorgeous vampire and all hers, she opened the door of the mansion.

And froze.

**

Buffy screamed.

*******

"Agent Finn, I don't want you involved in this. The same goes for you two," she pointed towards Forrest and Graham. "The girl knows the three of you. So I'm going to send another squad for this mission. I don't want her to connect it with anyone personally." Maggie was standing in front of a group of commandos who were about to get ready while Riley and his friends stood behind her, all of them in jeans.

Crossing her arms in front of her chest she continued: "I want you to immobilize the hostile and bring him here. Try not to hurt any humans. Try to get him alone."

The leader of the squad nodded, a young brown-haired guy named Paul Dudley. He was very excited about his mission. Pro Walsh seemed to trust him with something obviously important. Checking his equipment he turned round to his men and with a nod told them that they were ready to go.

"Agent Finn," Maggie Walsh turned to the blonde man. "You and your men will patrol the college area tonight."

******

"Another very boring patrol," Anya muttered under her breath. "Why do we have to do this anyway. I'm neither a slayer nor a vampire who wants to make amends."

"No you're just a vengeance demon who found pleasure in killing men the worst possible way," Cordelia shook her head and glanced at Xander who seemed very uncomfortable with the conversation.

"Unfaithful men," the former demon replied. "They all earned it."

"Like Xander," the brunette grinned and even more when she saw her ex-boyfriend turn beet-red.

"He'll never be unfaithful to me," Anya raised her chin in self-confidence. "He's much too busy giving me orgasms."

Angel almost choked on her last statement. He was more than 200 years old but he still had to get used to this kind of bluntness. Much to his dismay he wasn't patrolling with his slayer that night. Giles had told them he expected the Kankarian Demon any night now and so it wasn't safe to leave any of the humans completely unprotected for patrol. That and the fact that Xander and Spike were about to kill each other or Spike the boy for that matter. His grand-childe was even worse with Xander than he had ever been. As hard as it was to believe, Angel and Xander were almost on friendly terms with each other now.

Spike had insisted to patrol on his own that night, to get some peace as he had called it. Spike and peace, Angel chuckled inwardly. He'd never thought something like that. It was almost as strange as the fact that the two vampires had become friends over the months. What a difference a soul could make.

"How long are we supposed to patrol tonight?" Cordelia asked coming to walk beside the vampire.

He shrugged: "Another while, but you all can go home if you want," he offered. "I don't believe we'll find the demon tonight."

"Are you sure?" Xander wanted to know. "Because I'm not looking forward to get my ass kicked by a furious slayer if everything should happen to dead-boy." It was a long time since he used that nick-name, but the way it was spoken now showed he didn't host anger against the vampire anymore.

Angel gave him a smile, the sort a mother would give her child: "Xander, I'm not really helpless and Buffy's more concerned about these army guys. I've never seen them in the graveyards. It's Buffy who is patrolling the college grounds tonight." A little sigh escaped him, patrols weren't the same without his girlfriend by his side.

"Alright, then I say we leave you to yourself, to entertain your day ... no, stop," Cordelia grinned. "Wake dreams about a certain blonde."

"Very funny," the vampire replied, but he smiled.

"I thought so," she teased and followed Xander and Anya who were waiting for her at the entrance of the cemetery.

*******

"Maybe this wasn't a great idea after all," Willow said with a smile at her boyfriend.

"Hmm," Buffy made absentminded. Dammit, she missed Angel. She hadn't been on patrol without him for a while and one got used to ... certain advantages. She grinned wickedly at that thought. She would remind him of her needs when she was home later. And she would punish Giles, after all it had been his idea to make them patrol separately and of course Xander and Spike who couldn't keep themselves under control.

"You're not quite communicative tonight," Oz said and tightened his hold on his girlfriend's waist.

"Oh sorry," the slayer's head snapped up. "What did you say?"

"I'm sensing a severe Angel-missage here," Willow grinned.

"I'm just not used to do this without him," Buffy admitted with a sigh. "Yeah, I miss him," she added.

"I can understand," the witch replied glancing at Oz.

"Damn Giles and damn Xander and Spike. It wouldn't be like this if it wasn't for them," the slayer was still slightly angry.

"Don't be unfair, Buffy, it isn't really Giles' fault that this demon is coming to the Hellmouth. For Xander and Spike on the other hand, well obviously Xander needs to insult a vampire and you should be glad it isn't Angel anymore," the red-head said with a smile.

"Yeah, yeah," Buffy shifted the sword she was carrying over her shoulder. "But ... oh look," she pointed to a spot in front of them. "Look who's on his nightly tour." The three stopped and looked at Riley, Forrest and Graham who were approaching them, without wearing masks this time.

When they came to stand in front of them, the slayer smirked: "Is this the new look then?" She pointed at the black-coloured faces of the two white men.

Willow suppressed a giggle and tried to be polite: "Hi," she greeted the commandos.

"On patrol again?" Graham raised an eyebrow at the sword hanging over Buffy's shoulder. "What do you want with that?"

"Decaptivating demons," she replied coolly. "And you? Playing with your stun guns again?"

Oz and his girlfriend exchanged a glance.

"We're doing our work here," Riley said and gave her a smile. After a lot of thinking he'd decided that he was still interested in her, super-strength or not, her ass was just too tempting, and soon the vampire boyfriend would be out of the picture. And he was strong too, Riley just had to show her that he was the better choice. Maybe in being the shoulder to cry on he would claim a place in her heart. For this he had to be nice, very nice and as innocent as possible, showing her that he didn't intend to harm that vampire. "Without your boyfriend tonight?" he asked.

"As you can see," the slayer answered, frowning. "You didn't see any demons tonight, by the way. Because if you did we could all go home and do ... better things," she grinned - more to herself, but Riley had caught her expression immediately.

"No." Graham replied. "No demons. Not even one hostile."

"I see. Alright," Buffy nodded. "Well then, it was nice meeting you," she said but her voice was telling everyone she didn't mean it. Not at all.

"They really give me the wiggins," she turned to look at Willow and Oz when the three commandos had disappeared between the bushes. She sighed again: "I don't believe we're going to meet that demon tonight. Let's get home. This way I will at least get something out of that evening."

Willow and Oz grinned at each other and followed her to the mansion. Buffy had invited them to stay over for the night as it was Friday and the weekend was ahead. Thinking about the comfortable king-size bed in the mansion's guest-room the witch and werewolf had agreed immediately. That and the prospect to get one of Angel's home-cooked breakfasts.

Her hand on the door-knob the slayer turned at her friends: "Welcome to our humble home," she grinned and opened the door. The three of them stepped in.

And froze.

And Buffy screamed.

******

Maggie Walsh looked up when the elevator came down and the men stepped out carrying someone or something between them. "That's your hostile," Paul Dudley said breathlessly. The damned vampire was heavy.

Pro Walsh took a closer look and nodded: "Fine. Get him into cell no 6, next to the girl." With a dismissive wave of her hand she sent them to take care of their new "guest". Licking her lips she smiled, a vampire with a soul. Now that would make an interesting experiment.

*******

"No, this is not happening," Buffy whispered, her whole body trembling in fear. She felt a cold fist clenching her heart. She had dreaded this, why on earth had she listened to Angel. Well, he hadn't really talked to her, she amended. When she woke up from her terrible nightmare he had her distracted ... otherwise and there was no way she would've disagreed with that. In the morning she'd forgotten all about it, too content with their night-time activities.

Willow's hand flew to her mouth and she leaned heavily against her boyfriend while she was looking at the scene before them. The table usually standing in the middle of the hall was broken and the parts of it lay near the fireplace. The sofas were turned upside down. Books lay on the floor. It was obvious that there had been a fight going on.

"No, no," the slayer said again. "It's like my dream," her gaze turned towards Willow and looked at her desperately: "I dreamt about this. Last night. I woke up and screamed. Then Angel took me in his arms and I forgot all about it. Oh god," she still couldn't move. Her fear paralysed her.

"What do you think happened?" Oz asked.

"In my dream," Buffy explained with a panic stricken voice. "The commandos came and took Angel. We were on patrol, then we got separated and I came home on my own. It looked exactly like this," she pointed at the crashed hall. "And then I found ... oh, no," she breathed. She moved forward and picked something up from the ground. Turning again she showed it to her friends: "Do you remember that?"

"One of their taser guns, yeah," the witch nodded.

"I found that in my dream too and then Angel was missing," she began to sob. "Th-they h-h-had t-taken h-him. Oh god."

Willow reached out to take her friend's arm, when they heard footsteps. Someone was coming towards the mansion.

Part 8

"Giles," Buffy exclaimed when she saw her former watcher entering the mansion.

"Good God," he looked at the broken furniture and then at the tear streamed face of the slayer. "What happened?" he wanted to know.

"We don't know," Willow started but was interrupted by her best friend.

"Of course we know," Buffy tried to wipe her tears away but new ones were still falling. "I had this dream about Angel being taken by Riley and his friends. And we found this," she held the teaser gun into Giles' direction. "This is one of their stun guns. Oh god, Giles, what if they hurt him, what if..." she couldn't finish her sentence, because there were footsteps again and then she heard a voice, a very well known, beloved voice.

"Buffy, why is the door open? Is there something... umph," Angel was almost crushed by a tiny body that launched itself at him. Encircling the slayer with his arms he could feel her trembling. "Buffy," he said again and then he saw the three concerned gazes of their friends and the chaos in the hall. "What happened?" he asked nobody in particular.

Slightly pulling back Buffy looked at him with her wet face: "I thought they'd taken you," she sniffled.

"Taken me?" he frowned. "Who?"

"Riley and his friends," she replied. "They've been here. Oh Angel, it was exactly like my dream." When she saw him raise an eyebrow she added: "Well not exactly, because you're here and alright." Feeling another shiver run through her body she pressed herself to him again. After holding him close for a moment to be certain he was really there she pulled back and said: "We found this," she pointed at the stun gun, Giles was holding in his hand. "And with all the damage I think it's pretty certain that someone was fighting in here."

"The question is who, now that you're here," Willow bit on her lower lip.

"Okay," the vampire removed his duster and threw it on the one chair that was still standing. "If we assume they were coming for me then we can guess they were looking for a vampire." He gazed at his friends and when he saw them all nod, he thought for a moment. And then it hit him. There was only one other vampire living in the mansion.

********

"That's not him," Riley stood in front of the cell the vampire was laying in, arms crossed in front of his chest and looked at Maggie Walsh.

"What do you mean it's not him?" she asked disbelievingly.

"That's not Angel or Angelus."

"But they took him where you said he was living," she gazed at Riley again. "And our detectors sensed humanity in him."

The blonde commando shrugged: "I cannot explain it, all I can say is that this Billy Idol-immitation isn't Buffy's boyfriend."

Spike didn't know where he was or what was happening to him. All he knew was that four masked men had shot him with something he'd never seen before, he couldn't feel a main part of his body and that the humans standing near to him didn't sound as if they took him because they were so fond of vampires. So he decided best to be careful and play dead or at least unconscious as long as they were watching him.

"Well, whatever he is, we're going to watch him. But this is not very satisfying. I want the other vampire too," Maggie said in a determined voice, then turned and left Riley standing at the cage.

The blond commando gazed at the vampire. What did that mean? Another vampire at the mansion living with Buffy. Maybe both were her lovers although remembering the possessive way the dark haired hostile had looked at her he was doubting it. Shaking his head he peered into the cell next to the one that held the vampire. The girl was sleeping. She looked so innocent and yet was so dangerous. Nobody was supposed to talk to her, only Maggie Walsh and one of the doctors were allowed to go near her. She wasn't a hostile, Riley knew that much. But nobody had told him what she was.

Not really any of his business, he thought. He was a soldier hunting hostiles and not meant to think about them. Shaking his head again he let out a short laugh. He was thinking about hostiles, ridiculous. Still laughing he left, never noticing that Spike had watched him the whole time.

******

"So we assume they took Spike. And that's bad because..." When everyone looked at him Xander shrugged. He for once wouldn't miss the blonde haired vampire at all.

"Yes, well," Wesley sat in a chair in Giles' apartment and held some files in his hand. "As I already said. I met this friend of mine and he gave me these. Riley and his friends seem to be part of an organisation that hunts vampires and demons and captures them to do some tests, as my friend said."

"And who is this friend, if I may ask?" Cordelia was curious.

The younger watcher glanced at her and then continued without answering her question: "They are supposed to have a laboratory somewhere in Sunnydale. But that's all my friend knew."

"That's quite a lot actually," Angel shifted in his chair to get comfortable with the slayer on his lap. Ever since the last night she wouldn't move away from his side. The whole gang was assembled in Giles' apartment the night after Spike had disappeared from the mansion. "Your friend," he looked at Wesley. "Did he say anything about who's supposed to be behind all this?"

"No," the Brit replied. "I'm sorry."

"Oh, no, don't apologize, this was a great help." Giles poured himself some more tea. "The one question is now. Where could the laboratory be? And even if we knew where it is, what are we going to do? We don't know against what we're have to go."

"Well so far we met those army-wannabes only around the college ground," Willow leaned against Oz' shoulder. "So maybe that's the area we should look for it."

"Yes," Buffy "We only met them there. Even last ... hold on. We met Riley and his friends last night. And then we were straight heading back to the mansion. So there have to be some more of them."

"That's what I was dreading," Giles sighed, concern written all over his face. He had not the slightest wish to send his slayer, her boyfriend and a bunch of teenagers against whatever they would have to face. The situation was unpredictable and for that the more dangerous.

"But Giles," the slayer took her boyfriends arms and wrapped them more tightly around her, while her back was firmly leaned to his chest. "We have to do something. They took Spike. We have no idea what they're going to do to him. And he is ... yeah well, a friend."

Xander coughed loudly. Seeing the glances resting on him, he raised a hand: "I'm not saying anything."

"Xander, Spike has a soul, even if he isn't our friend he is our ally. And we cannot leave him there to let them experiment on him." Willow had come to like the blonde vampire as a friend.

"No of course not," Giles nodded in the witch's direction.

"Besides," Buffy spoke again. "I don't want them to come after Angel next."

The vampire tightened his arms around his girlfriend's waist and placed a kiss on her neck before he said: "I think we should go on patrol. We all will go to the area around the college and see what we find there. Maybe," a slow smile spread across his face: "Maybe we can find one of these vampire-hunters and get him to talk to us."

"I like the way you're thinking," the slayer grinned ignoring the disapproving gaze of her former watcher.

*******

When Spike saw that he was no more watched he got to his feet and looked around in his cell. He was in a white room with a glass door. He'd already noticed that the glass was loaded with electricity. A bag of blood was laying on the floor. He took it and then threw it away. Did they think he was stupid? The drugs in it he could smell like garlic. He felt a bit of panic rising in him. One of these days he knew he had to feed, he couldn't go on without blood forever, but at least for a while, some days, he would be fine. Better hungry than drugged, he decided.

He almost thought he hadn't heard right when a voice from the cell next to him suddenly said: "Angel?"

He knew the voice, although it sounded scared, something he'd never expected in that girl. "No," he replied cautiously. "But we know each other, if I'm right."

"Oh great," the voice sounded annoyed now. "Talking-all-night-Blondie, what did I do to deserve this?"

Spike chuckled: "Faith, what are you doing here?"

"Good question," she leaned against the wall and pulled her knees to her chest. She didn't really know that vampire, but he was the first familiar voice she'd heard in almost half a year. "Two guys in trench-coats were standing in front of my door one day and when I tried to take the way through the back door there were these army-guys and the next I remember was waking up here. What about you?"

"I came home from patrol and they waited for me. They thought I was Angel."

"I got that much," she replied. "But why are they after him?"

Spike shrugged: "Don't know. I have a feeling they're all crazy, especially this woman."

"She's completely nuts," Faith affirmed. "They're doing psychoanalysis on me. And poke needles into me. I don't know what they want from me though. They never said a word why I was here."

"And the blond guy you saw before," the blond vampire continued.

"Riley?"

"Yeah, Riley," he snorted. "He has the hots for little Buff."

His answer was laughter. "That's a good one," Faith said. "Not in his wildest dreams he'll have a chance. Hey, the chick made Angel drink from her. That has to be true love."

"What are they doing with the vampires down here?" Spike asked. The answer he dreaded since he'd woken up, but he had to know.

"They do some sort of operation with them," she replied. "They're implanting something into their head. As a result the vampires can't harm humans anymore. But I think they aren't really sure if it works."

The vampire felt a shudder that went down to the core of his existence. That wasn't anything he wanted to face any time soon. His grand-sire and the slayer better hurry up. Because that they would come to rescue him he didn't doubt for a second. The only question was would they be here in time.

Part 9

The first thing Buffy and Angel found on patrol was a vampire. A vampire in love, that missed it's mate. He was a pathetic excuse for a vampire without a soul actually, he didn't even try to fight, he told them deliberately his mate was missing for a fortnight now and that he'd tried to find her. Some commandos had taken her from their crypt at one night.

So they now knew this vampire hunting was really done on a regular basis.

The next step they had to take was getting one of the commandos. And Buffy chuckled at the thought what had occurred in Giles' apartment when they'd planned how to do it.

//

"No way," Cordelia shook her head emphatically. "I'm not doing this."

"But you did it before," Xander grinned. "Remember the thing with the rocket launcher. You were a convincing hooker."

The brunette glared at him for a moment: "I'm really glad I dumped you in time."

"Cordelia please," Angel put a hand on her shoulder. "I know this is a lot to ask from you, but you're the only girl these commandos don't know so far. You're our best shot. And nobody asks you to play a hooker, we just want you to look attractive, so that we can get one of them on his own."

"But you can go and just knock them out and take one with you," the former may-queen gave him a pleading look.

"Come on Cordy," Buffy gave her a soft nudge. "You want to become an actress, so this is your chance. We really need someone who can pretend."

"Well, if you put it that way," the brunette replied hesitantly.

"And as for knocking some of them out," the slayer sighed. "We surely could do that, but we don't want them to know we've taken one of them. We don't want to warn them."

"Buffy, I still don't think..." Giles tried to say, but was cut off by his slayer.

"That's the only way," she bit on her lower lip. "And frankly, I feel a bit in the mood to let one of them suffer. They crashed my home after all."

Giles only sighed in response. He knew it was the only way to get Spike, but kidnapping a human being... no, he didn't like it, he didn't like it at all. I the council was ever going to know about this. He shot a sideway at Wesley, but he seemed comfortable with the situation. Oddly enough, ever since Buffy had turned away from the council, the younger watcher seemed to become a member of their group more and more.//

So now Buffy and Angel and their friends stood behind the bushes near the college while Cordelia was standing under a lantern filing her nails and looking extremely bored. It was only a matter of time until a vampire would spot her and sure as day one attacked her after half an hour.

As Angel had instructed her the brunette screamed as loud as possible and only seconds went by until three masked men arrived in order to save the girl. With their stun guns they charged the vampire and within seconds it lay motionless on the ground.

"Oh," Cordelia said breathless. "Whatever was that?" she asked faking surprise and shock. And then she began to cry. Angel and Buffy exchanged a look. She was the brilliant damsel in distress.

"Are you alright?" one of the commandos asked. It was Riley's voice and the slayer could feel her hands clenching into fists, silently praying he might stay with Cordy so she could torture him for a while. Angel certainly remembered his demon's techniques, didn't he? Shaking her head on this thought, she put her concentration back on the scene before him.

"Miss, are you alright?" Riley asked again under his mask.

"Oh," Cordelia breathed. "I don't know. I feel so ... weak," she grabbed his arm. "What kind of freak is that?"

"Lots of strange people around here," he replied. "We're taking care of him, but you shouldn't be around here on your own after dark."

"I was just waiting for my friend." More tears were falling: "What if...", she didn't finish the sentence. Then she let go of Riley's arm.

"You should really go home now," he told her and joined his friends to carry the vampire away.

Seeing her friends waving frantically at her Cordelia cried: "No, please don't leave me alone."

"Alright," Riley sighed. "You," he pointed at one of his friends, "stay with her for a while, escort her home or whatever, while we're taking care of the hostile." With this he and the third man picked the vampire from he ground and began to move away.

With a quick kiss on Buffy's cheek Angel followed them.

"I'm so happy you stayed," Cordelia gave the commando a faked sweet smile. "This was dreadful, so dreadful." She paused and then grinned seeing Buffy coming up behind the army-guy. "Almost as dreadful as this," she said triumphantly and then the commando lay on the ground, knocked-out.

"How was I?" the brunette looked around and was pleased to get approving looks from everyone. Yes, she would become an actress, and she would have the Oscar sooner or later.

*********

"Hey Blondie," Faith's voice sounded in the empty hallway of the laboratory.

"You're up again, slayer," Spike said while he was sitting in his cell, his back leaning against the wall.

"You think they're gonna come for you? B. and her vampire I mean?"

"Sure as hell," the blonde vampire replied. "What did they do to you? Why did they take you?" he changed the subject.

"I thought we already talked about it yesterday." She sighed and Spike was surprised by the sadness in her voice. "Somehow," she began, "they knew I was a slayer. They didn't know about B. though. After the attack on Angel," she stopped realising what had just slipped from her mouth. Maybe Spike wouldn't realise what she just had said. But of course no such luck.

"You shot the poisoned arrow?" the vampire asked incredulously. "So you worked for the mayor?"

"Hmmm," she replied. "I thought he liked me. You know, accepted me. Ii has to be a good feeling to be sure that your friends will come and help you."

Spike quirked his eyebrows. That wasn't the girl he had seen some months ago, blinded by fury in the bookcave. "It took me some time to realise it," he said honestly, "but yeah, it's a good feeling. Only the boy bugs me."

"Xander," she laughed. "He's such a wimp." She took a deep breath: "They inject drugs in my arms and legs, then they send doctors who do psychotherapy, I don't know what they want. All I know is that I feel miserable and would like to turn back time and make things better." She sighed and then laughed shortly, but it didn't sound happy. "Why am I telling you this, you'll never understand."

"No, how could I," Spike replied ironically. "Slayer, I was a vampire for what, almost 200 years, then I was cursed with a soul. I think you cannot even begin to imagine the things I did during my time. So don't humor me. I know exactly how you feel."

"Do you think..." she started, but stopped immediately, not knowing how to ask. She sighed again and rubbed her eyes with her hand.

"Do I think what?" he asked and waited. He couldn't see her, but from the vibes he got, she was struggling inside.

"How ... I mean ... how did you ... oh shit," she exclaimed frustrated. "Do you think they could forgive me?" she then blurted out.

So this was it! Spike didn't know why he was doing this, he didn't even know her well, but somehow she sounded as if she needed help. Oh god, he was becoming more and more like his grand-sire. "I honestly don't know. But I think it's worth a try. But don't expect it to happen over night. Trust is a matter of time. You'll have to show them you're worth it."

"So you think they'll give me a chance?" there was hope in her voice now.

"They gave me a chance after all, didn't they? And I'm not shaggin' with the a slayer," he tried to joke.

First she didn't say anything, but he could feel her tension softening. And then after a while he heard a chuckle.

"What?" he asked curiously.

"Oh nothing," she said amused. "I just remembered that you have a damned nice body."

On this Spike only raised an eyebrow.

Part 10

Groaning because he felt a murder-headache, Forrest opened his eyes only to find himself sitting on a chair, his hands bound behind his back and several pairs of eyes staring at him.

"Look who's back with the living," Xander joked and crossed his arms before his chest.

"Where the hell am I?" the commando wanted to know.

"Let's say we're some concerned friends who want to know about the whereabouts of one of their group," Cordelia grinned and enjoyed when Forrest's eyes widened in a mixture of shock and disbelief.

"You tricked me," he shouted.

"Yes, we did," Buffy stepped into his sight and gave him an arrogant look.

"You!"

"Quite right," the slayer stood before him, hands at her hips. "Now," she began, rubbing her chin. "We're not going to hurt you, so relax." Tilting her head she added: "Well that wasn't entirely correct. We do not intend to hurt you, I should've said. It's mainly up to you."

"Of course you're not going to hurt me," the commando replied coolly. "The police would find out about it. I think kidnapping is enough already."

"Oh really," Willow quirked an eyebrow and eyed him for a moment. "I'm a witch, you know," she then said. "I could turn you into a frog or worse." When Forrest began to laugh, she snapped her fingers and with a smile her boyfriend handed her a little cage. "Listen to me very carefully. This," she pointed at the rat in the cage, "was a good friend of mine. She turned herself into a rat. I've got that worked out now," she sighed dramatically, "the problem is, I'm still searching for a way to turn her back though."

The commando's eyes went wide during her little speech. She wasn't really a witch, was she. He felt his heart rate quickening, but tried desperately not to show his fear. "What the hell do you want from me?," he asked, glad that his voice still sounded somewhat firm.

"Now," Buffy kneeled down in front of him, staring into his eyes, "that was a good question. Actually the most interesting one. What we want to know is, what your friends do with peop ... no, how do call them," she rubbed her forehead with her hand, remembering how impressing that always looked when Giles did it. "Hostiles, yes, that's the word I was searching for. So what are you doing with them?"

"I'm certainly not going to tell you anything. The whole operation is top secret," he raised his chin and narrowed his eyes.

"He sounds as if he's escaped from a bad movie," Cordelia said to nobody in particular.

The slayer watched the commando for a moment and then said: "You took one of our friends as a captive. We do not like that. We were minding our own business when your army-friends broke into my home and took him. I'm not sure how legal that was," she scratched her head. "So I ask you again ..."

She was interrupted when the door opened and Angel entered the mansion, where they had brought Forrest. "Angel," she went over to him and hugged him. In a whispering voice she asked: "Any luck?"

"I know where the entry is," he whispered back. "Still we don't know what we're going to face down there."

"We're researching right now. But he's quite stubborn, maybe we need you after all." Stepping on her toes and kissing him briefly, she searched his eyes: "Are you sure you can do it?"

He gave her a reassuring smile: "Of course. Don't worry." Stroking her cheek gently, he nodded and immediately she turned back to the commando.

"Alright Forrest, my last try. Tell us what. is. happening. there."

"You cannot make me talk," he replied proudly, rising his chin another little bit. "I'm a trained soldier. I can keep a secret. You can even torture me." That sounded good, he was so proud of himself.

Sighing dramatically, Buffy shrugged: "Then I'm desperately sorry, but you wanted it the hard way." She turned and to Forrest's horror her vampire boyfriend, the one that was meant to be safely closed up in the Initiative, but was not, thanks to the stupid Paul Dudley, stepped into his view.

The vampire watched the bound human for a while, actually he stared at him, his eyes unmoving, his lids never flattering. The commando wanted to disappear into the ground here and now and unhappily he realised that he started to sweat. Buffy had told them her boyfriend didn't harm humans anymore, but one never knew and how trustworthy was a person who had kidnapped him anyhow.

"You have to understand," Angel began. "We were not the ones who started this. If it was for us we would've stayed as far away as possible from you." He exchanged a short glance with his girlfriend and Forrest felt his guts begin to knot. "But," the vampire went on, "you've taken a friend of our's. That is quite intolerable and I'm sure you understand our problem." His voice was low and soft but held a deadly note. His eyes were narrow and a dangerous glimpse was in them.

Inwardly Buffy grinned. It was a sure sign how much better her lover felt if he was able to play a bad-boy part in this charade.

With a smooth movement Angel produced a sharp knife from his pocket and held it in front of Forrest's face. "I don't know if you've ever read about the Scourge of Europe," he said in the same soft voice as before. "But if not, maybe you're up for some practical demonstration."

And now the commando screamed.

******

Spike was staring into space. He had talked again with Faith and had come to the conclusion, that she wasn't the same person he'd seen some month ago anymore. All the vibes he was getting from her told him she was truly sorry. So maybe the treatment in this - whatever it was - had helped after all or she was just scared which wasn't very surprising considering the circumstances. This cellar was more than scary, even for a vampire. And the stories Faith had told him weren't helping at all. He shuddered thinking about being operated and not being able to fight anymore.

They had not bothered him so far. They were checking his cell from time to find out if he'd drunken the blood, only to raise an eyebrow when they found the bag still lying untouched on the ground. If he hadn't smelled it from the beginning this would've been the proof it was drugged.

He only hoped his friends would come quick, he couldn't starve forever.

******

An hour later, Forrest had told them everything, he'd even sell his mother now. It was humiliating, because they hadn't done anything to him. But he hadn't been trained to face a dangerous vampire, with a knife in his hand after all, who had described the different methods of torture very vividly, while the knife was only inches away from his victim's face. Soon Forrest had discovered that he wasn't as courageous as he'd thought.

So the commando had blurted out all the important details. But they hadn't let him go so far. And they obviously hadn't any intention to do so. He watched them while they got ready, collecting weapons, as if they'd go to war. He himself was now chained to a wall, unable to move.

"Everyone ready," the slayer asked the group. When they all nodded, she looked at Angel: "You've got everything?"

Throwing a rucksack over his shoulder, he took an axe from the table: "Yes. I think we should hurry. They've got him long enough down there."

"Yeah," Xander sighed. "Let's save dead-boy. I'm really looking forward to some action."

Laughing the group left the mansion, leaving a desperate Forrest hanging at the wall.

Part 11

"Aren't they stinky little bastards, having something like that underground," Xander muttered under his breath.

"We heard you Xand," Buffy replied with a grin. "I agree wholeheartedly. Oh I just long to get Riley between my hands."

"I would've never guessed you were the violent type," Angel joked beside her. They were all tense, none of them knew what they had to expect going down into whatever it was. So jokes were a possibility to lighten the mood.

The slayer shrugged: "Some guys just bug me," she grinned. "Alright, guys. Cordy and Anya stay here at the entrance. If something happens, don't wait for us, run!"

"We will, don't worry," Cordelia affirmed with a nod.

"Well, these army-guys have trained, muscular bodies, so maybe..."

"Honey," Xander groaned. "This is serious!"

"Geez," Anya rolled her eyes. "Can't a girl have fantasies."

Shaking her head, Willow looked at Buffy: "I have all the things I need for the spell. They won't remember anything afterwards. Well, hopefully."

"Good," the slayer replied. "Xand, you and Oz will stay behind Angel and I and as soon as Willow did the spell you get her out. Two vampires and a slayer are enough power to deal with these wannabe-soldiers. So no heroic gestures."

"Sure."

"Okay, commander."

"Xand, I mean it," Buffy put her hand on her hips and gave her friend a look. "We don't have time to save your ass if you get yourself in trouble down there."

"I promise," he raised his hand. "I'll be good."

"Don't forget it," she sighed. "Alright then, let's go."

******

"I don't like that," Giles rubbed his glasses with his shirt and looked at Wesley who sat opposite to him. Steaming cups of tea sat on the table, untouched.

"Me neither," the younger man replied. "But if Buffy has set her mind, not even wild horses can change it."

"I know," Giles sighed loudly. "I know," he repeated. "She's the most stubborn girl I've ever met. Just think about her boyfriend."

Wesley let out a short laugh: "You can say that. That's certainly unique. A slayer living with a vampire."

"I say there's nothing about her that's not unique. She's certainly the most uncommon ways to deal with her duties. And she's lived longer than most of the slayers." Giles took his cup for the first time and sipped.

"Which is - at least for a great part - the result of said uncommon relationship." The younger man grabbed a piece of cake.

"I just hope they're going to be alright. I didn't like the look in Buffy's eyes tonight. She's really angry. These Initiative-guys tried to go after Angel, and that's something she can't forgive."

*******

"Look at this," Buffy's eyes wandered around. They had passed the outer entrance area and entered the cell tract. "I've never seen so many different demons in my life." From the corner of her eyes she saw the witch behind her: "Will, you're not going to faint, are you?"

Breathing heavily, her face an unhealthy shade of green Willow grabbed her boyfriend's hand: "Well, I certainly didn't expect something like this. But I'm not going to faint," she added with a much firmer voice. She had eliminated the computerised system for this laboratory, she would also survive seeing all the very ugly, slimy ... she shuddered and tried to think about something nice.

"Okay," the slayer looked at her boyfriend: "You think they all have names?" His only answer was a slight grin, which made her roll her eyes: "And I suppose you know most of them. Okay just tell me how stupid I am."

He leaned down and gave her a quick kiss.

"Hey, I thought this is a serious matter, no PDA-distraction during the operation."

Buffy was about to reply something when Angel suddenly said: "Do you notice something?"

"What?" she looked at him with questioning eyes.

"We've seen all kinds of demons, but no vampires so far."

"I just thought the same," Oz said with his usual stoic gaze. "Maybe they have them somewhere special."

"And I really hate to state another thing," Xander looked around. "But don't you think it's strange that there are no guards, no soldier-guys or whatever. Aren't they afraid the demons will escape?"

"The doors are electric," Angel replied. Seeing the questioning gazes of the others he shrugged: "I can feel it. Loaded electricity like that is sensible for a vampire."

"Every day I learn a little bit more about my boyfriend," Buffy said with a grin. "Well, but coming back to the other thing. Maybe we should try to find the part with the vampires. And honestly this all gives me the wiggins. It's not that I like demons, but this," she gestured with her hand. "Kill them is one thing, but keep them like ... well, like stuffed animals. Can I say perversion?!"

"And they are supposed to be the ones with the human souls," Angel's voice was sad and the slayer immediately took his hand.

"Uhm, guys," Willow laid a hand on Buffy's shoulder. "What about the door over there? I go and have a look at the electrics." With this she went to the electronic display and after some minutes the door opened. Slowly walking through it, they found themselves in the next hallway, identical to the one they'd come from, but now the captives were obviously vampires.

On seeing the "guests" the vamp in the first cell jumped up. "Angelus," it hissed. The dark-haired vampire studied him for a while, then shrugged and moved on.

"Someone you know," Xander asked.

"Not really," was Angel's short answer. "He was one of Spike's minions, when he and Drusilla were living at the mansion." He explained and exchanged a glance with his lover. She smiled at him and squeezed his hand. His time as Angelus was still a rough spot for her boyfriend.

Walking down the hallway most of the vampires jumped up immediately, still there were no commando-guys around, which filled Willow with pride. It seemed that not only her wiccan-skills were improving. Fooling the observation system hadn't been easy and the fact that it worked was very satisfying.

And then suddenly Angel spotted the well known bleach-blond head. "Spike, Spike," he shook his head and grinned.

"Peaches," the blonde vampire greeted him and grinned too. "I knew you'd come."

"Oh?" Buffy raised an eyebrow. "How come?" Then she turned to her friend: "Willow, the door."

The witch nodded and began to eliminate the electric barrier. Standing between Spike's cell and the next, she quickly take a look. "Oh my god," she gasped and stepped back, pointing with her hand into the cell.

"Willow," Buffy was by her side in a second and took her arm. "Are you alright?"

"F... F...", she started, but couldn't say a word.

"Willow," the slayer said a little bit louder, shaking her friend's shoulders slightly.

"Pet," Spike interrupted them. "She's about to tell you that there's..."

"Faith," Buffy said suddenly. She had followed the direction of Willow's outstretched arm and came face to face with her sister-slayer.

"Hey, B.," the brunette slayer smiled sheepishly.

"What is she doing here?" Xander wanted to know.

"They took her prisoner some months ago," Spike explained. "We talked a little while I was here. By the way, Red, if you don't you mind opening my cell now?"

Snapping out of her daze, Willow went back to finish her task with the vampire's cell-door.

"What did I say," Spike continued. "Oh, yes, my friend Faith here. Peaches," he looked at Angel. "We have to take her with us."

"No way," Buffy replied, her voice angry. "She tried to kill Angel once."

Twice, Spike added silently, but didn't say a word. This wasn't the time for deep discussions. "She's much better now, pet. We cannot leave her here. She has a soul too."

"No," the slayer said again, and spun round when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking into Angel's face and seeing his eyes, she stepped back: "No, no way."

"Buffy," he began, but was cut off.

"Angel, she tried to kill you. Are you out of your mind? I don't want her near us."

Her boyfriend gazed at his childe for a moment: "You're sure about her?"

"Yes," Spike said without hesitation.

"Alright. Willow, we take Faith with us, when you're ready with this door, open hers too."

"Okay," the red-head nodded.

"Hey, I'm still here," Buffy said angrily. "And I..."

"Buffy, please," Angel interrupted her, touching her cheek. "Don't you trust me?"

She shook her head: "Oh no, don't try to come at me this way. Of course I trust you, it's her I don't trust."

With a "cling" Spike's door opened and Willow went over to the other, turning to Angel again with a question in her eyes. When he nodded, she started to open the second door as well.

Gazing back at his girlfriend, the dark-haired vampire looked deeply into her eyes: "We cannot leave her. We will be very careful, but look around. This is no place for someone with a soul."

She sighed: "Alright, but I want her bound and watched, until we know more about her."

"Alright," Angel pulled her into his arms. "I know you're afraid."

"I just don't want anything happen to you and she tried to kill you once," she muffled against his chest.

Another "cling" and Faith's door was open too. "Thanks," she gave Willow another sheepish smile. Spike moved to her side signalising his grand-sire he would take care of her.

"Then let's go," Xander said to his friends. "I rather not spend the night here."

They were about to turn and leave when suddenly a door behind them opened. Spinning around they saw a whole bunch of commando-guys standing there and more of them still entering the laboratory. Stepping forward with crossed arms Riley raised an eyebrow at Buffy: "And where do you think you're going," he asked.

Part 12

Staring at the commandos in shock, surprisingly Willow was the first to recover: "Don't you feel ridiculous, running around like that," she pointed at their uniforms. Then she clasped her hand over her mouth: "I cannot believe I said that, obviously I'm spending too much time with Cordelia."

Riley's eyes narrowed at the red-head's comment, but he didn't move, his eyes never leaving Buffy and Angel who stood together, their tense bodies touching. "I repeat my question. What do you think you're doing here? If I remember correctly you told me you and your," he made a sound of disgust, almost spitting the next word, "boyfriend were hunting vampires, not freeing them and other dangerous creatures." His eyes briefly wandered over to Faith. "Besides breaking into a government laboratory is a serious crime."

"You captured one of our friends," Willow shot back.

"Friends," Riley raised an eyebrow and then leaned over to Graham who stood by his side: "Does it feel sick to you too, combining the word friend with a vampire." Feeling overly righteous, the commando stepped a bit forward: "I can hardly believe it, but I still like you," he looked at Buffy. "And I don't want to hurt you..."

"Hurt me," she almost laughed.

Ignoring her comment, he went on: "... so I'll give you a last way out. Hand over the vampires and her," he pointed at Faith, "and we'll forget you've ever been here."

"Riley," Buffy let out an exasperated sigh, "you're even more an idiot I thought. And let me tell you, and believe me, usually I protect humans, I really long to hurt you." And with this she jumped forward placing a roundhouse kick to his stomach. The impact made him fly backwards to the wall and he and his colleagues stared at the petite blonde girl in disbelief. Riley was their strongest and they couldn't believe what they'd just seen. Only Graham didn't seem surprised, he could clearly remember Buffy fighting the vampires some nights before.

Quickly recovering from his shock, Riley groaned: "Get them. All." When he saw his men hesitating he roared: "Now!", while struggled to get up.

All the commandos went forward and charged the group, but were lost against the combined powers of two slayers and vampires. When there were only some of them left, Buffy turned towards her friend: "Willow, get your spell set up."

The witch nodded and pulled some herbs and a spellbook from the bag she'd been carrying and Oz was giving her a hand. When the last of the commandos was knocked out Angel turned towards the slayer: "As soon as the spell is done, I want everyone of you out."

"Angel..."

"No," he raised a hand. "All of you. We talked about this before. I'm going to do this." He leaned forward and caught her lips in a short kiss: "I'll be with you in no time. I've got a little bit more experience in these things." He turned and waited for Willow to finish her chanting. When she stood up he asked: "Done?"

"Yes," she gave him a smile. "They won't remember ever having seen us."

"Okay. Now. Go!" seeing his girlfriend hesitate, he said: "Buffy, you have to get them out! Spike hasn't fed for days, I assume and we don't know about Faith."

"Alright," she replied with an urgent voice. "But you'll come!"

He smiled: "I will. I love you."

"Love you too," she squeezed his hand and then the group left the laboratory the way they'd come.

Angel, now alone with the unconscious bunch of army-guys pulled his rucksack from his shoulder and opened it, while he tried to remember the plans of the laboratory he'd seen before. Pulling out the dynamite he'd brought with him, he began to distribute it on several places to get sure that the humans wouldn't be hurt in the blow-up. They didn't want to kill anyone, only damage the building so that it would keep them busy for a while. When he was at the last he pulled out some matches. He would have sixty seconds to leave the building now. He stood up and turned only to come face to face with Riley again.

******

"Why isn't he out?" Buffy asked nobody in particular.

"He'll come," Willow tried to comfort her. "He has to set up all the dynamite."

"But..."

This was exactly the moment, they heard the first explosion.

******

Angel ran through the hallways ignoring the desperate shouts of the vampires and demons behind him. Riley hadn't been a problem, he was only a human after all, but it had cost him precious seconds, and by all means he wasn't liking the idea to burst into flames. With the detonations behind him he raced towards the exit.

Then he had reached the door and turned the knob only to bump into his girlfriend who had been about to go in and look for him. They both fell into each others arms, tumbling to the ground outside of the the door from their impacts.

Clinging to him, Buffy cried: "Angel." Quickly recovering from her fear anger took over and she pulled back and with her flat hand she hit him on the chest:

"Where the hell have you been?"

"Ouch," he exclaimed, but then grinned and gave her a quick kiss, not at all caring for their friends who were staring at the couple on the ground. "I would've been faster, but your friend Riley caused a short delay."

"Riley!" It was an angry shout. "That bast..."

The word was swallowed in his mouth that was covering hers again. Then he suddenly pulled back, got up and pulled her to her feet. Glancing over to the rest of the group he grinned: "I think we better get going."

When they heard the noises of approaching police cars Xander nodded: "I think Dead-Boy's right. The commandos might not remember anything afterwards, but I'm not very fond of the cops."

"Then lets go home," Buffy said with a last glance back to the entrance of the laboratory. "Spike, Faith, are you two alright?"

"Sure, B."

"I need some blood, but yes, Pet."

"Oh, that's so gross," Cordelia groaned.

"I'm hungry, Luv," the blonde vampire replied and shrugged. "The service in there wasn't really first class with drugs in my meal and all."

Raising an eyebrow at this grand-childe Angel turned back to his girlfriend: "I think we better go to the mansion. There's still a commando waiting for us and Willow if you could possibly use the spell on him too?"

"Sure," she nodded immediately.

"The rest of you," the dark-haired vampire looked around: "Go back to Giles. We'll follow later."

"Good idea. The watcher-man has always some of my stuff stored," Spike replied with a nod.

And with this the group parted.

*******

"Hey G-man," Xander greeted the ex-watcher when the group was entering the building, while Spike went directly to the fridge. "We brought someone with us," he said, when he passed Giles and nodded behind him where Faith was just entering the apartment.

The ex-watcher's eyes went wide as did Wesley's and they both exclaimed unison: "Faith."

"Hey," she smiled sheepishly feeling quite uncomfortable with the situation.

"Can anybody please explain," Giles started, but then a confused look entered his eyes: "Where are Buffy, Angel and Willow. Don't tell me..."

"They're fine, Giles." Xander sat down on the sofa and pulled Anya into his lap. "They just have another soldier-boy to take care of."

"What?" Wesley asked confused, then it hit him. "Oh, the captive. I just hope we won't have problems with all this."

"Nope," Oz said from his spot at the wall. "Thanks to my Will." Seeing the questioning gaze of both ex-watchers he added: "She did a forgetting-spell."

"Oh," Giles' face brightened immediately. "Good. So did you have any problems down there?"

"Not really, no," Xander said, kissing Anya on the neck. "Although thanks to Riley Angel almost got blown up in the explosion."

"I see," Giles was on his way to the kitchen to make some tea, when it hit him and he spun round: "WHAT?" he yelled. "Care to explain?" He didn't understand a word. He could clearly remember about freeing Spike and after a long discussion even agreeing to take one of the commandos, but they'd never talked about an explosion.

"Ooops," Cordelia grinned. "Maybe it slipped during the discussion."

"It never came up," the ex-watcher's voice sounded angry. "So would anybody please enlighten me?"

"Well we thought," Xander pushed Anya from his lap because his legs had been falling asleep, "it was a good idea to keep them busy for a while. So thanks to Willow's computer skills we studied a map of the laboratory down there. Angel placed some dynamite to do a little bit of damage." Giles was about to interrupt, but Xander raised his hand. "Nobody's been hurt, I promise. We just damaged the building a little bit. And they won't remember us. To complete the task Willow accompanied our most beloved slayer and her vampire to the mansion to take care of Forrest."

"Forrest?" Wesley asked.

"The guy we captured earlier tonight," Oz explained.

"I see," Giles nodded, then his gaze wandered to the brunette slayer. "Which brings me to the second question." He quickly glanced at Spike and then back to Faith: "Why are you here?"

*******

"Uuuh, I'm still so angry, I'm truly sorry I didn't beat the crap out of Riley," Buffy shouted. "It's almost a pitty he won't remember the punch I gave him tomorrow." She sighed dramatically.

Angel chuckled: "Maybe you can punch him again, some other night, I mean."

"Hey," she playfully nudged him in the ribbs.

"No, just go ahead," Willow supported the vampire. "I will come and cheer."

"Willow!" the slayer exclaimed in astonishment. "I thought you liked him."

"Liked," the red-head replied. "Emphasis on the past tense. This slimy, little bastard."

"Oh wow, she's angry," Buffy whispered to Angel and opened the door of the mansion.

Stepping in they all froze dead in tracks.

"Oh my ...," Willow mouthed and looked at her friends. The chains at the wall were empty, Forrest was gone.

Part 13

"Gone? What do you mean gone?" Giles stared at his slayer, who was pacing his apartment, with wide eyes. She, Angel and Willow had joined the rest of the gang five minutes ago.

"Gone, like disappeared, Giles," Buffy replied angrily. "Like poof. Away. Not there anymore. Just empty chains."

"This doesn't sound good," Wesley came out of the kitchen carrying a new mug of tea.

"And the prize for the most intelligent comment goes to the stiff Brit..."

"Buffy," Angel interrupted his lover by stopping her pacing. "It won't help anyone if you insult people."

"Great," she shouted at him. "Now you go all wise on me again. Arrrgh," she threw her hands in the air and poked her index-finger in his chest: "Don't you understand. He knows what happened. He can remember, we took him prisoner and forced him to tell us anything he knew."

"Buffy," Willow laid a hand on her friend's arm. "Angel's right, it won't help if we shout at each other now."

The slayer glanced at her friend and then back at her boyfriend. Then she sighed: "I know," she said, leaning her forehead at her lover's chest. "I'm sorry. God, why can't our life be simple and normal, just for a week or two? Why is there always something going wrong?" She embraced Angel's waist tightly and pressed her body at his'. Being the slayer really sucked.

Catching Giles' and Wesley's worried gazes, Angel said: "Personally I think all we can do is wait. This Forrest-guy cannot really go the police, can he? I mean," the vampire chuckled slightly. "How does it sound: I was captured by a slayer and her vampire boyfriend who threatened to torture me?"

Buffy giggled at this chest and the others chuckled as well: "If you see it that way," the slayer seemed to relax in his arms.

"Maybe we should watch the news," Willow suggested. "See what they say about the explosion at the initiative."

Giles nodded and turned the television on. The image of a reporter flickered over the screen: "... several explosions in the cellar under Lowell House. Unfortunately none of the students can remember what happened. It seems they didn't even hear the noises in their sleep. And the police has no trace so far. This was Louise Hobbins for Sunnydale News."

"I'd say that doesn't sound bad," Spike put his empty mug down and crossed his arms. "I wonder if they even remember Faith."

At the mention of the brunette slayer's name everyone turned to look at her. Faith wanted to disappear into a hole there an then. "What did they do to you down there?" Giles wanted to know.

She shrugged: "They never told me what they had in mind. I had to talk to a lot of doctors who injected tons of stuff into me, then Pro Walsh...,"

"Pro Walsh?" Buffy's eyes nearly popped out of ther head. "You mean my psych Pro, Maggie Walsh?" Her confused gaze wandered to Willow whose face wore a similar expression.

"Yes. The very same. She's a bitch and all the soldier guys crawl at her feet. I think she's the one in charge of the whole operation." Faith still felt uncomfortable to be the center of everyone's attention but to talk about everything helped to relax a little.

"Maggie Walsh," the slayer shook her head in disbelief. "My Goodness, who would've thought."

"No fashion sense," Cordelia snorted. "You can expect everything from such people."

Anya yawned loudly and then looked around: "Are we done now? Xander, I want to go home," she gazed at her boyfriend, who blushed immediately.

"Alright, honey. Is it okay if he leave now?" he looked at Giles.

"We meet tomorrow morning at the mansion," Buffy turned in Angel's arms and leaned her back at his chest. "We have to talk about this, maybe they will come and look for Spike and Faith."

"Aye, aye," Xander grinned and then pulled his girlfriend out of the door.

"And we all know what's going to happen now," Spike sighed. It wasn't easy to be a vampire with a soul and without a girlfriend. Suddenly his eyes rested on Faith for a moment.

"But none of us wants to hear it," Cordelia rolled her eyes. "Xander and a former demon, now turned into nymphomaniacs."

"Yes, well ... er," Wesley stuttered in embarrassment.

"Relax, Wes," the former may queen patted his back. "It's hard for me too, thinking about a naked Xander," she grinned. The younger watcher was so damned predictable.

Willow bit on her lip, while Buffy hid her face in Angel's chest, who tried to suppress a chuckle. Oz only shook his head while Faith looked to the ground.

"Alright then, we meet tomorrow morning at the mansion," Giles tried to change the subject. "I think we all need some sleep now." When the group had left his apartment he turned to look at Wesley, who was still sitting on his sofa: "God, I really hope there'll be some solid demon soon, humans just aren't my cup of tea."

********

"What do you mean Agent?" Maggie Walsh yelled at the black boy standing in front of her, his whole body shivering in distress.

"As I told you, they captured me. This girl we saved from the vampire was with them," he looked at Riley, who was leaning against a wall and rubbing his temples. His head was killing him and somehow he couldn't help but feel he was missing something.

"I can remember her," he finally said and joined Maggie and Forrest. "She told us she was waiting for a friend and then the hostile attacked her."

"And you tell me now that this blonde slayer, her vampire boyfriend," she glanced over at Paul Dudley, "the one that should be safe down here with us, and the girl captured you." She turned away to control her emotions and when she faced the two men again, her voice was loaded with anger: "I'm surrounded by idiots. First this ensouled vampire escapes while nobody, I repeat nobody, seems to even notice it and he takes our most important prisoner with him. And on top of this I have to discuss for two hours with our local police why nobody can come down here to inspect our lab. You should all be very glad that executions are forbidden in our organisation." She glared at them and then focused her gaze on Riley: "How, Agent Finn, how could you've been so stupid?"

Riley knew his boss quite well, he also knew when it wasn't the time to discuss things with her, as it was right now, so he rubbed his forehead with one hand and shrugged: "I wasn't even on duty tonight. And besides whatever they wanted from Forrest, he already told us he didn't say a word. Maybe we should all calm down."

"Calm down," she spat at him. "I lost the most important captive the Initiative ever had. If I have to report this it can cost my head and, if I may say this, yours. You're my protegé, although I must have been out of my mind when I decided to make you the commander of the squad. But nevertheless you are. So you better get all your men together and bring me captive 7." She reached over to her desk and handed Riley a pack of photos: "This is Faith. I want her down here again within 48 hours or you will be very sorry your mother ever gave birth to you." The commandos were about to turn, when her voice stopped them again: "And be careful, the girl is a slayer."

*********

"I really don't know how I feel knowing that Faith is sleeping in our home," Buffy pulled her shirt over her head facing her boyfriend only wearing a bra and panties.

He grinned at the sight before him while unbuttoning his own shirt: "Love, Spike's taking care of her."

The slayer rolled her eyes: "Oh yeah. I saw the way he looked at her."

Angel chuckled: "Well, why not. Vampire and slayer," he stepped closer and began to nuzzle at her neck which made her moan in pleasure, "proves to work nicely."

"Mmmmm," she made and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Still ... uhh, ohh, that feels good ... Spike and Faith ... oh, Angel," she moaned again when she noticed he was opening her bra and felt his fingers moving down her spine. "I still don't trust her," she said after a while. "We have ... ohhh ... to talk ..."

He chuckled again: "Maybe *you* should stop talking now."

"Maybe," she breathed. Faith was an important thing she'd to take care of, but when she felt Angel's cold lips wandering down her body she decided there was a time and place for everything. Faith could definitely wait until tomorrow morning.

Part 14

Willow was already waiting for Buffy at the entrance of the classroom. Riley had just passed the witch without further notice. "Hey Buffy," she greeted her friend. "How is everybody?"

The slayer shrugged and gave her a slight grin: "Well Spike's taking care of Faith. Actually they were up early this morning and Faith was even preparing breakfast for me and Angel. She's like a completely new person."

The two girls walked into class ignoring their TA in the process whose head had snapped up when he saw Buffy's well known figure. The slayer could feel his eyes burning into her back. Forrest had obviously found his friends.

"Before I forget about it," Buffy looked at Willow again. "Faith wants to talk to all of us tonight. Said there was something we should know."

"Are you comfortable with her in your house?"

The slayer shrugged: "Dunno. But there isn't any other place she could go to. Honestly I mean the commandos will probably look for her and also for Angel's and Spike's sake it's maybe the best protection if they stick together as close as possible. The combined forces of two vampires and a slayer or two are a good match for those evil soldier-wannabies."

At that moment Pro. Walsh entered the classroom and put her briefcase down on her desk. She shot Riley a deadly look and Buffy stifled a giggle. Maggie didn't seem all too pleased with Mr. army-guy. It was really a pity Riley wouldn't remember the punch she'd given him the night before. Well, maybe there would be another chance someday.

*******

"So you wanted to talk to me," Angel leaned back on his leather sofa holding a cup of tea in his hand. Spike sat opposite to him while Faith was standing in the middle of the hall taking a sudden interest in her toes.

"Uhm...," she began hesitantly and cleared her throat. She'd never been in a situation like this before and the thing she feared most was that Angel would reject her again. And the rejection she thought about had nothing to do with sex. "Well..." She looked at Spike for a moment who nodded at her encouragingly.

"Faith," Angel put the tea cup down on the little table and looked at her. "I'm not angry with you. If it's about a certain morning in this house. Just think about it as if it's never happened. Do you feel better now?"

"No ... I mean yes, of course. That's great," she bit her lower lip. "I mean, you being so forgiving... oh damn." She stomped her foot. "I have no practice in this. So I better," she took a deep breath. Rising her head she looked him directly in the eye, "When I escaped from the library, you know the day when this Alanna-chick was there, well ... I didn't exactly know where to go. The details I'm going to explain tonight. The most important part however is, I joined the mayor. He was nice to me, he seemed to care for me and somehow he really did." She crossed her arms in front of her chest and bit her lower lip again: "I was the one who shot the arrow at you," she finally blurted out.

Silence fell over the room. Spike who'd already known about this realised that he couldn't do anything now. It was up to Angel to react. But he also saw the desperate look in the brunette slayer's eyes, waiting and hoping but not daring to hope for understanding. For forgiveness.

"Why?" Angel asked after a while.

"He wanted Buffy occupied. And I was so full of hate and anger and ... well, also jealousy I couldn't think straight. You had been the only one who was still believing in me, who didn't give up on me and I ...," her voice broke and a tear slipped from her eye. Angrily she wiped it away. "Plus I hated vampires. They'd killed my watcher and I didn't trust you, couldn't trust you although deep inside I knew I was wrong."

"Did you know what was going to happen? I mean, did you know it was a deadly poison?" the dark-haired vampire's gaze didn't leave the slayer's for a second, studying her intensively.

Her lower lip quivered for a moment but after taking a shaky breath she seemed to have herself under control again: "Yes. I knew it was a deadly poison, but I didn't know that there wasn't a cure. I ... I always thought Giles would figure something out. And he obviously did." She gave him a pointed look. He was sitting there alive and healthy after all.

"Yes," Angel's voice was strained. "There was a cure."

"What...," Faith wanted to ask, but was silenced by a look Spike shot her.

"Not a good thing to talk about, pet," he said shaking his head slightly.

"There wasn't a herbal cure or something magical," Angel went on as if he hadn't heard them. "The only cure was a slayer's blood. So Buffy made me drink her. It ... it almost killed her."

"Oh god," the brunette slayer breathed. She was shocked. "I never ... oh god, I'm so sorry." She wasn't able to stop her tears now. "Of course I understand that you can't forgive that - ever. Oh god. I'm so sorry," she repeated and was about to turn away and leave the room, when Angel's voice stopped.

"Faith, I believe you."

Confused she faced him again: "Believe what?" she asked breathlessly.

"That you didn't know about the cure. And I also know that you're truly sorry. I know you were very confused and alone when all this happened. You were feeling closed out and thought that the others didn't understand or accept you." He took an unnecessary breath: "I don't blame you. Who am I or Spike for that matter," he gave his grand-childe a short glance, "to judge you. It has nothing to do with forgiving. But if it helps you to know it, I've already forgotten about it." When he heard her gasp and saw the disbelief in her eyes he couldn't help but smile, "The more important point is that you get the others to trust you again. I think you've suffered enough for whatever you did with spending six months in that dreadful lab."

"So you just forget about the fact I tried to kill you? What kind of person are you? Are you some sort of saint?" she shook her head, still feeling slightly dazed. Her mind wasn't able to process this easily.

"Saint," Angel grinned, "isn't a word I would at any time connect with my person. No, Faith, you've done bad things, but we both," he looked at Spike again, "have done so much more. You cannot even begin to imagine what vampires without a soul are able to do. The point is you obviously want to change. That's more important."

"He's right, pet," Spike stood up and walked over to her side.

"I cannot believe this," she whispered. "But I want to say thank you and tell you that I won't disappoint you again. You trust me, Angel, you who doesn't have a reason to and I promise never to betray your trust."

"There's just one thing," he stood up as well now and studied her face for a moment. "Let me talk to Buffy before you're telling the group. She's ... well, let's say quite protective about me and I cannot say how she's going to take that bit of information about you and the arrow. I think it's much better to say her privately in our bedroom." He smiled a very slow and special smile which Spike caught at once.

Grinning he looked at Faith whose gaze was confused, "What he wants to say is that an angry slayer sometimes needs some distraction."

The brunette slayer needed a moment for the words to sink in, but then she raised an eyebrow and grinned too.

*******

After class Willow and Buffy strolled out of the room when Riley's voice stopped them: "You think you're very clever."

"Huh?" Willow gave him an innocent look.

"I don't mean you," he replied angrily and stared at the slayer. "It's a crime to kidnap a person."

"Kidnap a person?" Buffy's expression mirrored the red-head's. "I don't know what you're talking about."

He crossed his arms in front of his chest and narrowed his eyes: "Don't play dumb with me. Forrest has told me everything about your little display last night."

"Maybe your friend's a bit confused," Willow chirped and gave the commando a sweet smile. "Because Buffy was with me and Oz last night. We went to the cinema and then she and her boyfriend slept over."

"Don't try to protect her. You can't fool me." Suddenly the tone of his voice changed into what sounded like pleading, "Buffy, I truly care about you. I know vampires can enter other person's minds. Trust me, I can help you, if you let me."

"Maybe you should try to get over yourself. I've already told you I'm a slayer and I don't need any help with vampires and especially not with Angel." A wicked grin spread across her face and her thoughts were wandering to the previous night. He was really inventive. A little sigh escaped her mouth and Willow couldn't keep herself from grinning.

Riley angrily shook his head: "God, you're stupid."

"Don't," Buffy stepped forward and grabbed his shirt, "ever call me stupid, army-guy," she hissed. "You know nothing about Angel and I and you better stay away from him, do you understand." Her voice was low and dangerous now, "if anything, do you hear me, anything should happen to him I'm going to hold you responsible for it. And I will punish you," an evil smile spread over her face, evil and with a deadly promise, "slowly. Painfully. Do you understand?" With this she released him and pushed him back to the wall. "Just stay away from us," she warned him again and then her and Willow took off.

Riley stood for a while and watched them leave. What was that blonde chick thinking who he was. Nobody was treating Riley Finn like this. Stay away from her boyfriend, oh no, he thought, not in your wildest dreams my little slayer. Then he turned and went for the lab. She was threatening him. Very well, now she should learn about who he was. The times for games were over.

Part 15

Buffy snuggled deeper into her lover's embrace, enjoying the safety she felt in it. She had to smile when she felt his cool lips pressed against the back of her neck. "Hmmm, I like that," she murmured, while she was pressing her body against his'. She felt like a cat on a sunny roof, satisfied, spent, happy.

"Feeling better now?" he asked with a chuckle while his mouth wandered to her right earlobe.

"Well, let's just say you're quite perfect in distracting a girl." She stifled a moan, although satisfied, the nuzzling of his lips at her earlobe sent shivers down her spine.

"Thanks," his face wore a smile of pure male satisfaction.

Grinning she turned to face him, "Still it's hard to believe that Faith was the one too shoot you."

"She was desperate and alone," Angel said his face serious now. "I think she realised just now what she was doing. Spike seems to be good for her. He understands what it means to be on the dark side."

She had to smile at that, "Spike and Faith, who'd ever thought."

"Well," the vampire shrugged, "they're just friends so far. But why not. If they're attracted at each other?"

"Hmmm," she sighed, "there are certain advantages in a vampire boyfriend."

"Are there now?" he grinned and pulled her closer, suddenly aware again that they were still lying in their bed - naked.

"Definitely," she replied, rubbing her foot up and down his leg. "I wouldn't trade mine for the world."

"If that's true I'll have to take care you'll never change your mind," he joked but his eyes were darkened with passion.

"You do that," she nodded and caught his lips in a kiss.

*****

"I can't believe you did that?"

"God, aren't you the psycho-bitch?"

"You should be in hiding, not standing here right in front of us."

"Stop it, stop it now," Buffy shouted and silenced her friends who were all talking at the same time. They were all gathered at Giles' apartment. Faith had just told them about her time with the mayor and the attack on Angel and was now standing in the middle of the room looking utterly lost and ashamed and not able to look at anyone.

"But Buffy," Willow gazed at her friend with wide-eyes, "she tried to kill Angel."

"I know," the slayer replied, her voice firm. "I didn't like it either when Angel told me about it. In fact I totally overreacted, but then Angel convinced me it would be wrong." A quick sensual glance was exchanged between her and her boyfriend and she could see the amusement in his eyes at her words. He could clearly remember the way he had 'convinced' her. Struggling not to blush, Buffy went on, "We shouldn't blame her, she blames herself enough. She's seen her fault and is willing to change. That's the point we should focus on."

Amazed Giles looked at his slayer. She was behaving so maturely, so rational. He was certain that part of her behaviour was Angel's doing, but still Buffy was the one to defend Faith in front of her friends. If she'd been his real daughter he couldn't have felt more proud. "Buffy is right," he said after a moment. "The point is how to go on. What are we going to do about Faith," he looked at the brunette slayer who was raising her head for the first time now. "I think we can all see how sorry you are and that you're willing to make it work this time."

She nodded emphatically, "I will, I swear. I'm not going to disappoint you again. I've learned my lesson. I just," she couldn't help a tear slipping down her cheek, "I want to be part of the group. I was so jealous because you were such good friends." She raised a hand when she saw Willow was about to speak, "I know it was my fault it didn't work out, but I've changed, I truly have."

"I want to believe you," Xander said gazing at her. The other's looked at him in surprise. It wasn't like Xander to be that forgiving. He shrugged at them and then continued, "But trust isn't something we can just give. You have to earn it. All I can do is promise you to give you a chance." He smiled, "We're quite experienced in giving second chances, aren't we?"

"He's right," Cordelia nodded, "I still don't like you and your fashion sense, well let's not talk about that, but you're a slayer and if Angel and Buffy can give you a second chance who am I to not do the same."

"Willow?" Buffy looked at her witchy friend who seemed deep in thoughts.

"What?" her head snapped up, "Sorry. Well," she took a deep breath, "I'll need time. I have to get used to you being a part of the group again, but I'm willing to try. That's all I can say today."

"It's cool for me," Oz smiled at his girlfriend.

"Thanks," Faith said with watery eyes. "Thanks for being so understanding and thanks for giving me a second chance. Again, I promise I won't disappoint you again. Never."

"Alright," Spike glanced at the clock, "I say it's about time to patrol, right. Why don't you come with me?" he looked at the brunette slayer. "We can take the graveyards, talk a little. What do you think?"

"If it's alright?," Faith, still a bit unsure, gazed at Buffy and Angel who just smiled and nodded. Relieved to escape the group for a while the brunette slayer followed the blonde vampire out of the door.

"Okay then," Giles stood up and exchanged a glance with Wesley, "Be careful around the college area. Maybe they're looking for you," his eyes wandered towards Angel, "They might not remember your part in Spike's and Faith's escape but the one you captured surely remembers it."

"I know," Buffy sighed, "Riley stopped us today," she looked at Willow. "Will said we were with her that night, but he didn't buy it. But then I refuse to hide from them. It's better to face them open. Maybe we can come to terms."

"Maybe we should talk with their boss, your psych professor," Wesley suggested.

"I doubt she's really the one in charge," Angel said, his brows knitted in thoughts, "I mean, the whole thing looks like there's a lot of money and power in it. As if," he stopped and shrugged, "I don't know. But you two could try," he glanced at Wesley and Giles. "See her at the college, talk to her. Spike says she already knows about the slayer. So the damage is done. Maybe having it all out in the open can give us an understanding." He paused again and while looking at Buffy he added, "Although I doubt Riley will be pleased with it. His feelings towards Buffy and I are more of a personal sort."

"Oh Dear," Giles sighed and took his glasses off, rubbing the bridge of his nose with thumb and index-finger. "This sounds very complicated, but you're right. We have to find a solution. Soon. The current situation is quite unsatisfying. The slayers and ensouled vampires are fighting evil plus they have to avoid another organisation who's actually on their side." He shook his head, "Well. Anyway. You have to patrol. Be careful. All of you."

"Sure. By the way. We still haven't seen that demon," Buffy said when she and Angel were almost out of the door. "You're still certain he'll come toSunnydale?"

"Quite," Wesley nodded. "Of course there are other hellmouths, but according to the rumors I've heard he could be here any day."

"Great," the slayer exchanged a look with her boyfriend. "Well," she sighed, "the life of a slayer. At least it's never boring." With this she shut the door from the outside.

"What a girl," Xander said with admiration in his voice and ignored the glare he received from Anya.

"No, Xander," Giles replied with a smile, "not a girl anymore, but an amazing woman."

Part 16

"Arrgh," Willow looked up from her laptop and glanced at Giles who was sitting opposite to her.

"What?" Xander's head snapped up and he watched her quizzically.

"There's nothing in there. I thought I'd find something ... anything about Maggie Walsh." Frowning she amended, "Well I did find something, but only the usual college stuff. You know about her reputation as a psych pro and it is flawless by the way." She sighed and leaned her head against her boyfriend's shoulder. Oz looked up and smiled at her.

"I don't like this," the ex-watcher finally put his book away and gazed at the witch, "I tried to find anything more about that Kankarian demon. Something that could give us a more exact date. This is unsatisfying so far," he sighed glancing at Wesley who seemed deeply in thoughts over a book right in front of him. Slightly shaking his head he went on, "and then we have these Initiative-boys who're after vampires, even ensouled ones. Buffy's tension is almost palpable. She worries about Angel."

"And she's right to do so," Cordelia shot the ex-watcher a look. "It's not only that they're weird guys but this Riley, he'll be a special problem."

"I'm afraid you're right," Willow said with a sigh. Then she shook her head in disbelief, "and I initially liked him. Well, so much about my knowledge of human nature."

"Don't blame yourself, Will," Xander reached over and patted his friend's shoulder with a grin. "Everyone can be led astray."

"Xander," Anya punched her boyfriend in the ribs.

"Ahhh," he gave her a surprised glance. "What was that for?"

"It isn't funny," the former demon said firmly. "These are evil demon hunters. And none of them even look sexy."

Cordelia rolled her eyes, "You should really think about your choice of girlfriends, Xander", she said but then turned towards Giles, "Do you think we can find a way to talk to them? To Prof Walsh I mean?"

The ex-watcher didn't answer immediately. He frowned for a moment and then said, "I wish I knew, Cordelia, I truly wish I did."

******

"Do you think it went well?," Faith asked watching Spike from the corner of her eye.

"Well it wasn't bad," he replied with a shrug. He didn't exactly know what to say. Deep inside he'd hoped they would treat her in a more friendly way. She was deeply self-conscious after her treatment at the Initiative and the thing she needed most were true friends. She would have a rough path to travel.

"Angel and Buffy were great," she said after a while. "He always believed in me," now a small smile crossed her features and Spike couldn't help but feel a little bit jealous seeing the expression in her eyes.

"You like him a lot," he said as casually as possible, angry that his voice sounded a bit harsh.

"Yes," she said, this time without hesitation. "I was too blind to see it at first and I'm so glad he'll give me a second chance. And Buffy too. She tried to befriend me before and I pushed her away." After a moment she added, "You're okay too."

"Am I?" now he had to grin.

"Yeah," she said almost shyly.

"You've changed a lot, slayer," he said while they were walking through the graveyard.

"I hope so." Faith suddenly stopped and looked at him. "Do you ... I mean," she lost her courage and lowered her head.

Placing his index-finger under her chin he made her look at him again, "Do I what?" he asked.

"Like me, do you like me?" Her eyes were wide and he could see the doubt in them.

So he smiled and nodded, "You can bet on it. I like you."

She released a breath she hadn't realised she was holding, "Good," she said and smiled. "Do you ... find me attractive too?"

The smile on Spike's face faded immediately and his eyes darkened, "Too much," he answered quickly and began to walk again.

"Hmmm," was her only response. All of a sudden she was feeling much better, in fact she hadn't felt that good like ... ever.

******

"This is nice," Buffy sighed and entwined her fingers with those of her boyfriend who was walking beside her.

"What?" he asked with a chuckle, because he already guessed her answer.

"Patrolling. Like this, only you and me. The last few weeks we always had company."

It had been a quiet night so far. No demons, no vampires, no Initiative. The irony of her thoughts didn't escape the slayer. The soldier guys were meant to be on her side and yet they were her enemies. She glanced over to Angel, his face only partially visible in the pale moonlight. The mere thought that they might hurt him made her guts knot.

"You're awfully quiet tonight," he said after a while.

"Hmmm?" she said absentmindedly.

"You're quiet," he repeated and squeezed her hand.

"What? Oh, sorry," she smiled sheepishly. "I was thinking."

"Will you tell me about what?"

"Things," she replied with a sigh.

He had to chuckle at this, "Very informative."

"If you really want to know, I was thinking about Riley and his friends. They're our enemies and they aren't at the same time. It's so weird. If they were vampires, we could just dust them and get over with, but so...," she sighed again.

"I know," he nodded. "I mean I understand what you mean. I don't like it either. I don't like the idea of fighting humans. So far we could avoid an open confrontation." Seeing her raising a brow he amended, "Well we fought them down in their lab but we're the only ones to remember it so for them it never happened. Although it's really a pity Riley can't remember the kick you gave him."

She grinned, "He wouldn't be so communicative if he did. He came to talk to me and Willow today. Warned us," she rolled her eyes. "But look on the bright side. I think he's given up all romantic interest in me. So you've got no more competition."

Now it was his turn to raise a brow, "I never noticed I had any."

She shrugged and grinned mischievously, "Maybe you should keep your eyes open."

Immediately he stopped and pulled her into his arms, "Hey. I may have to punish you for that."

"Oh please," she replied and grinned even more.

"You're a tease," he chuckled and lowered his head, while Buffy stepped on her toes to meet his lips.

They were so absorbed in each other that neither of them noticed the four commandos approaching them behind the bushes.

Part 17

"They've been gone too long," Willow said her voice full of concern, her gaze drifting towards Faith and Spike who'd returned from patrol an hour ago.

"Patrol isn't something you can do by clock," Giles replied calmly. "Don't worry, Willow."

"But I do," the read-head said with a sigh. "I have a bad feeling."

"Look Red," Spike stood up and walked over to the kitchenette to get himself a mug of blood. "We all know that the poof and the slayer on patrol, all on their own ...," he trailed off but gave the witch a pointed look that made her blush.

"Uhm, well," she stuttered, "But still," she added after a moment.

"Come on Willow," Oz who sat beside her squeezed her hand, "I'm sure they're fine."

"I have to go with Spike there," Cordelia said with a sigh. "It's gross and all but we all know what they do out there in the cemeteries."

"They aren't at the cemeteries," Xander reminded her. "They're doing the college grounds."

"Cemeteries, college grounds, I don't think it matters," the former may-queen shot back, "There you have headstones and over at the college you have trees and bushes ...," she trailed off the same way Spike had done before.

"Alright, I think that's enough about Buffy's and Angel's private life," Giles said with a shake of his head. "I'm sure they are fine, whatever they do. They are both grown up people." Exchanging a glance with Wesley who hadn't said a word to all this he took another book from the table and began to read.

*******

Angel woke up with a groan. His head hurt and he had problems to recall what had happened. Finally he realised he was laying on the ground and tried to remember the last hour. There had been a terrible pain and then nothing. Shortly before that he could clearly remember kissing Buffy. Damn. He had been so absorbed in her he never heard or felt the danger coming.

Slightly shaking his head to get the dizziness out of it he rose his upper body to look around only to immediately realise she wasn't there. Buffy was not by his side. Shaking his head again he saw he was lying on the ground at the same spot where he and Buffy had been kissing only an hour or so ago.

Struggling to get back on his legs he groaned again. His body ached everywhere as if ... and then it hit him. Spike had told him how it had felt when thecommandos had gotten him. Oh no! The immobilising guns. The commandos.

Buffy.

Panic crawled up his spine, they had taken her. He could feel the demon roar inside of him. Rage. Pure rage threatened to consume him. Until another wave of panic hit him. For minutes he wasn't able to think. He could only feel. Fear, panic, anger, rage; wave after wave run through his body, his hands were trembling and if he'd had a circulation his blood would be boiling.

The last time he remembered having felt that way was the moment he'd heard about Buffy and Kralik. But then she had been safe in the circle of his arms. This time it was different. She wasn't by his side, she was somewhere else. At a place he didn't even know.

The laboratory it shot through his head, but somehow he doubted it. Would they be so stupid as to take her there? Would Riley?

Riley.

The name alone brought a new wave of rage. He should have followed his first instinct when he came to bring the book. He'd seen the way the boy had looked at Buffy. But of course he hadn't. He didn't harm humans, not regularly that was. Angel was sure Riley had to be involved in this. And for a short moment he would have preferred that the boy was still romantically interested in the slayer. Obviously that was gone and for this the situation was even more dangerous.

He had to do something.

Giles. They had to talk to Maggie Walsh. Giles and Wesley.

Angel knew he couldn't just go and sneak into the laboratory although it was the thing he wanted to do. He didn't really believe he'd find her there, but then the commandos didn't remember the way Spike and Faith had escaped. Maybe they still thought it was safe to take her there.

He had to talk to Giles. And fast. With this thought in mind Angel began to run.

******

"Well done, Agent Finn," Maggie gave the commando an approving nod and turned her attention back to the blonde girl who was laying on the floor in one of the cells, still unconscious. "Still it's a pity the vampire escaped."

"As I said, we couldn't carry them both and I thought a slayer is more important," Riley never took his eyes from Buffy, "when the boys came back to get him he was gone. Obviously the effects of the immobiliser wear off faster with him than with others."

"Obviously." After a moment she turned away from the cell and motioned Riley to follow her. "The slayer is very important for our work, Agent Finn. We cannot risk losing her like the other one." She studied his face for a moment, "Guard her. You'll be responsible for her. She must not escape from here. Is that understood!"

"Absolutely," he said quickly. "I will take care of her. After all I have a personal interest in this. She made a fool of me and nobody does that." He set his jaw, "Nobody," he repeated.

Maggie just nodded and walked away.

"She's still pissed," Forrest commented. He'd listened to the whole conversation from near by.

Riley shrugged, "Maybe. It's not my fault you weren't fast enough to get the vampire."

"It isn't mine either," the black man replied, his voice sharp. "None of us knew the effects of the gun would wear off so quickly in him. By the way, I've read about him, Graham showed me some stuff."

"Oh?," the blonde commando raised a brow.

"Yes. Not someone you want to have an argument with. Did a lot of damage in his time. But it's true. The soul thing I mean," Forrest rubbed his forehead, "I can't recall the exact date, but for about 100 years he didn't do anything. Didn't kill humans. Some years ago he appeared in Sunnydale. That's all we found. Still, in his earlier times he was quite ... well, let's just say there's a lot of bodies and blood on his path."

"I'm scared to death," Riley replied in a sarcastic tone.

Forrest shrugged. "Whatever you do about this. Just wanted to warn you. I've experienced him first hand. He only described the things he intended to do to me and that was enough already."

His friend's head spun around, "I thought you said you didn't tell them anything," his eyes narrowed.

"I didn't," the black man said quickly, a bit too quickly Riley decided. Maybe Forrest had told them something. What if they knew about the laboratory? What if? No, if they'd known they would have come to free the vampire. But they hadn't come, so whatever Forrest had told them hadn't been important.

Riley put an arm around his friend's shoulder, "You shouldn't worry about this," he said. "After all we're the Initiative and he's just one vampire. So there's really nothing to worry about."

******

"What do you mean gone?" Giles asked the dark-haired vampire standing before him.

"When I woke up she wasn't there anymore," Angel replied and desperately tried to stay calm, to suppress his urge to throw something against the wall. "I can't remember a lot. Only this stabbing pain," he looked at Spike who nodded in understanding. "I'm sure they got her Giles," he said to the ex-watcher. "They have Buffy." He took a deep unnecessary breath and closed his eyes for a moment.

He opened them again when he felt a hand on his arm, Willow's hand. She looked at him with wide, compassionate eyes that were filled with tears. "I'm so sorry," she said, her voice only a whisper. "I felt something was wrong with you."

"It's alright," he replied and patted her hand. "We'll find her and get her home. Safe." He closed his eyes again. He had to believe in this because any other thought would drive him crazy. But he couldn't give in, she needed him now. She needed him and he wouldn't fail her.

And after that Riley wouldn't dare touch her again. The boy would learn his lesson. Angel could only pray they wouldn't be too late.

Part 18

"Keep her still," Maggie shouted for the tenth time that night. She, Riley, Forrest, two other commandos and a doctor were standing in a separate part of the laboratory. After an hour the psych professor had decided to take care of the slayer as soon as possible.

Buffy was bound on something like a table, wrists and ankles firmly fixed with cuffs. She'd shouted at them in the beginning, tried to kick everyone who wanted to come near her, but now she was helpless, her eyes were wide with fear. She didn't know what they wanted from her. Nobody had said a word of explanation. She was treated like a lab rat, not like a human being and nobody told her what had happened to Angel.

She'd woken up on the floor of her cell, disoriented, her body aching and no sign of him. Had they taken him as well, where was he and the most horrible thought, was he still alive? No, she wouldn't go there, not now. So she'd made herself believe that he was well and somewhere safe.

The first face she'd seen was Riley smirking at her. If it hadn't been for the barrier between them she would've been delighted to wipe that expression from his face, punch his guts and beat him into a bloody pulp. And if he'd hurt Angel she would certainly do that, later.

"Now," Maggie placed her hands at her hips and looked down at the scared slayer. "I'm glad you've stopped fighting us. Finally you seem to have realised that it's of no use."

"What do you want from me?" Buffy asked, her voice slightly trembling. She hated herself for showing a weakness, but couldn't help herself.

"We do some research on hostiles and demons."

"I'm neither," the slayer replied.

"I know that," Pro Walsh nodded. "But you're a slayer. You're not completely human either. Slayers have always been a particular interest of mine. Faith was a challenge. She was very disoriented and ... yes, almost evil when she arrived here. You on the other hand seem to live in the society, in disguise. This is far more interesting."

"I ... I don't understand," Buffy frowned.

"You will. Soon," Maggie smiled, but it was a cold, uncaring sort of smile. "First of all I'm interested to know what you can tolerate."

"Mrs. Walsh, Sir," Forrest said, his voice sounding unsure.

"Yes?" she turned around.

"Do you ... I mean, she's still a human being," he said cautiously.

"I think I just said she wasn't," came the sharp reply. "Do you have a problem with this?"

Forrest just stared at her, she'd been his idol, a woman helping humans against hostiles. And now she was about to torture a human being, slayer or not. He glanced at his friend, but Riley even seemed to enjoy this. As did the other commandos in the room. Buffy had been one of the persons capturing him, but she hadn't hit him, yes they'd threatened him, but somehow he had the feeling they never really meant to do it.

Maggie's voice pulled him out of his thoughts, "I think I asked you a question."

"Sorry," he looked at her and slowly shook his head, "No, I don't want to be part of this. I cannot watch something like this," he said.

"You realise that this will be your end in the Initiative?! Have you considered the consequences?" Pro Walsh's voice was sharp.

"Yes, I have," he glanced around, "I think I'm the only one who has actually." With this he turned around and left the room.

"Fool," Maggie snorted and gazed at the doctor. "Dr. Flint, please apply the first substance."

The man nodded and approached the slayer with a syringe. Buffy tried to struggle against her bonds but she already knew it was in vain.

And then the slayer screamed.

*******

"I'm not waiting until tomorrow Giles," Angel was pacing the ex-watcher's apartment.

"I understand what's going on in your head, but..."

"I doubt that," the vampire interrupted him and shot him a look. "I think you haven't the slightest idea what's going on in my head."

"But we can't just go there and rush in," Giles tried to reason.

Angel stopped abruptly and stared at the ex-watcher, "You're not telling me, we're going to wait and see what happens to her." His eyes narrowed, "You did that once and we all know what happened then."

Giles felt as if he'd been slapped. "I ... I," he could only stutter. He knew the vampire was talking about the situation on Buffy's 18th birthday.

"Please," Willow pleaded desperately. "It doesn't help when you both shout at each other. But Giles, Angel is right. We have to go tonight. We have to get her. Only God knows what they're going to do with her."

"I'm with Red and the Poof here," Spike laid a hand on the witch's shoulder. "We need to do it tonight."

"But you have no ingredients for a disguising spell, Willow," Giles tried to reason again. "They would remember you've been there this time..."

"I honestly don't care, Giles," Angel said, his voice calmer now. "I don't care if they know it was me who went there. I don't care if they try to go after me. They've got her there and Riley should pray that they don't hurt her or he will be very sorry."

"Angel ...," Giles tried to say although he already realised it was in vain. The vampire's face was like a mask. Hard and decided. He would go there tonight and it seemed everyone else would accompany him.

"I'm going with you," Wesley stood up and looked at his colleague, "you're not right Mr. Giles. I know, you're not expecting this kind of reaction from me, but we have no time to lose. They've already lost a slayer and a vampire. They'll be anxious to experiment on her."

Angel drew in a sharp breath and his eyes darkened, "Let's go then," his voice showing the barely restrained combination of panic and rage.

"I'll come with you," Giles put a hand on the vampire's arm. "You're right. It's about Buffy and to hell with the consequences. Just wait a minute, we should take some more equipment with us." With this he turned towards his private weapon cabinet.

Angel only nodded, while Xander put an hand on the ex-watcher's shoulder, "I always wanted to see the Ripper in action."

*******

When Buffy woke up again she realised she was back in her cell. But she couldn't move. She couldn't even remember that she'd fainted. Her whole body ached. Yet she could remember that this doctor had injected several things into her. Panic rose inside of her. What did they do to her? And why was every part of her body aching? Even breathing was difficult. She tried to concentrate on in, tried to breathe rhythmically and not too deep. Her ribs even hurt when she did that.

The light above her almost blinded her. Her eyes were sensitive to it, more sensitive than she was used to. She tried to concentrate on lifting her right arm, but it wouldn't move. Oh God! What did they do to her? She couldn't help a single tear slip from her eye. She was afraid. She'd never been so afraid in her whole life. Not even when she had to face Kralik about a year ago. She tried to turn her head and even failed to do that. Please Angel, she prayed, please come and help me.

*****

He was on his way. The very minute the vampire and her friends had arrived at the entrance door they'd used the last time. Willow used the code she still remembered from rescuing Spike to enter the laboratory.

Surprisingly there were no commandos around and so they walked through the hallways in search of the missing slayer, when Angel finally spotted her in the last cell in that certain hallway. He stormed towards it, but Spike held him back the very last second, "Don't touch it mate, it's electric."

Angel shrugged his grand-childe's hand off and looked at Willow, "Can you put it out?" he asked while his eyes never left Buffy's still form on the ground. "She's not moving, Giles," he said after a moment, seeing the ex-watcher coming to his side from the corner of his eye.

"Oh God, Buffy," Giles' voice was full of concern.

"I hear footsteps," Xander suddenly exclaimed. "They're coming from over there," he pointed at the closed door that led to another hallway." "Block the door," Angel commanded and immediately Faith and Spike went to do exactly that. "Hurry, Willow," he then said to the red-head, barely hiding the panic that threatened to consume him again. Buffy still hadn't moved at all. Her eyes were open, but he wasn't sure if she'd even realised they were there.

"Open," Willow said finally, for the vampire it had seemed like an eternity.

"Buffy, oh dear God," Angel exclaimed with anguish in his voice when he stormed into the cell and crouched down beside the motionless slayer. His hands desperately roaming her body, checking for injuries. Finding none, he looked up frowning. "Buffy, darling, please talk to me. Can you say something, my love?" Gently he stroked her cheek with his fingers.

"What's the matter with her?" Willow came to sit down at the other side of the slayer, whose eyes were open but who still didn't move. "Buffy?" she asked and then looked at Angel.

"I don't know. She won't talk to me."

"We have to get her out of here," came Xander's urgent voice from behind.

"Buffy, I will take you in my arms and carry you, do you understand?" the vampire asked while his fingers were still stroking her cheek.

The slayer tried to collect all her strength and finally managed to whisper, "A... Angel."

"Oh Buffy," his voice was hoarse with fear. "Oh, my love. What have they done to you?"

"D...Don't know," she breathed. "Hurts," she whimpered then and a tear slipped from her eye.

"I know," he said, his voice full of emotion, "I know, my love. But I have to carry you. We have to get you out of here."

A slight nod was her only reply.

"Alright," Angel said gently, "Tell me if it hurts."

Gently he put his arms under her body, every flinch from her feeling like a blow to his gut, "I'm sorry, my love," he whispered. "I'm so sorry."

"L... love you," she said hoarsely.

"I love you too." He swallowed hard to suppress the tears that threatened to fall. Slowly he stood up, scooping her in his arms and then pressing her body against his chest. "Where are the others?" he asked Willow.

"Waiting for us," she replied and glanced concernedly at Buffy.

"Come on, mate," Spike's urgent voice came from behind. "We have to go. We can't keep them out for much longer," he exchanged a glance with Faith. Slayer and vampire pressing their bodies against the closed door to keep the approaching commandos outside.

"Don't wait too long," were Angel's last words to them and then he and the others hurried down the hallway to the exit where Cordelia and Anya waited for them. As gently as possible he carried the slayer in his arms, her whimpers cutting through him like the blade of a knife.

"Oh god," Cordelia exclaimed in shock when she saw him and Buffy at the door. "What happened?"

"We don't know," Willow answered in his place. "We have to get her somewhere safe."

"We have to get her to a hospital," Angel said firmly. "We don't know what they've done to her, so we don't know what's going to happen next."

"Agreed," Giles and Wesley said unison. "It's probably best you go in Oz's van," he looked at the werewolf who nodded.

"See you at the hospital, Giles," Angel said. "Try to get her mother." With this he crawled onto the back seat of the van, the slayer firmly in his arms.

"What about Spike and Faith?" Xander asked, before Oz could close the door.

"Wait for them," the vampire replied. "Then follow us. They'll be here any minute."

"Alright," Xander nodded. "See you then."

Oz closed the door and jumped behind the wheel, Willow climbed in beside him and immediately turned her head, "How is she?"

"I don't know," Angel replied when the werewolf drove on. He glanced down at the slayer, whose eyes were still open and watching him. He lowered his head and softly kissed her on her lips. "I love you," he whispered. "Everything will be alright, I promise."

Part 19

"Intolerable!" Maggie shouted outraged, "Absolutely intolerable," she repeated. "Where's agent Finn?" she looked around.

"Here, Sir," he said with a steady voice although his heart was almost jumping in his chest. He knew he had screwed up big time and he could see it in her eyes, Pro Walsh thought the same.

"How could this happen? You were responsible, Agent Finn."

"I know, Sir.," he tried to breathe deeply to calm down his upcoming panic. What was she going to do to him now?

"Why was nobody at her cell?" she stared him in the eye, the hands firmly planted at her hips, "I gave exact orders, didn't I?"

"You did, Sir," Riley replied with a nod.

"Ah, well," she turned away for a moment to glare at the other commandos standing around and then faced him again, "Obviously I'm in a very good mood tonight. So I'm not killing you right now, although it really itches me." Her eyes were narrow. Dangerous, Riley decided. "You two," she pointed at two other men, "watch him. Agent Finn is under arrest."

"But Sir," the blond tried to protest, but was silenced by a gesture of her hand.

"Take him away until I decide what to do with him," was her last sentence, then she turned and walked away.

*****

Angel looked up from where he sat at Buffy's side when he heard the door open. He nodded at Willow who was entering the room.

They'd arrived at the hospital about an hour ago, it was long after midnight now. The doctor had asked several questions about the slayer, most of them they couldn't answer, because they simply didn't know what had happened to her. The hospital staff had immediately hooked her to several machines. She was still not able to move and barely able to speak but one thing was certain. Angel had to stay by her side. Every time he would get up and move to the door her heart rate sped up uncontrollably. So he sat there, holding her hand and whispering to her. From time to time she would whisper his name. He knew she was hurting, she couldn't exactly tell him where, but her eyes talked to him. They were wide with fear and pain.

Giles had organised to keep the blinds closed so that Angel would be able to stay during the day too. None of them knew what they had to expect from Buffy during the next hours.

"Spike and Faith are here," Willow informed the vampire with a quiet voice.

"Are they okay?" he asked but didn't look at her anymore.

"Yes. They're fine. Obviously they had to find another exit as the door we used was automatically blocked, but beside that there weren't any problems," she laid a hand on his shoulder. "Giles finally managed to call Mrs. Summers," she informed him. "She'll be here in a few minutes."

"That's good," he replied.

"Any change?" the witch asked finally.

Angel took the slayer's hand and gently kissed it. In response she tried to smile, he could see the corner of her mouth moving, but she couldn't really manage to do it. Suppressing his own tears he said, "She talks to me with her eyes. I know she's in pain, although the doctor has given her some pain-killers. I wish we knew what they did to her."

"I know," Willow looked at Buffy. "We're all here, Buffy," she smiled. "Everyone is out there. Even Anya and she seems really concerned." She turned to Angel again, "I'll be out there if anything happens."

"Thanks."

*******

"Where is she?" Joyce stormed into the waiting room, her eyes wide with fear. "What happened?"

"Mrs. Summers," Cordelia stood up, but Giles was already taking Mrs. Summers' hand.

"Joyce," he held her hand firmly in his and led her to a chair.

"I want to see her," she replied and tried to escape his grip.

"Please," he didn't let her go. "There's something you should know first."

She took a deep breath and looked at him, "Alright."

"Buffy and Angel were attacked on patrol. By humans."

"Humans?" she asked incredulously, "But ..."

"Joyce, there's a lot you don't know. For quite some time it seems we have an organisation here in Sunnydale called the Initiative. They hunt demons and vampires. It's too difficult to explain everything now, but Buffy had some encounters with them. And tonight they took her prisoner because she's the slayer."

"Oh god," Mrs. Summers breathed. "What happened?"

"That's what we don't know," Wesley said from his spot. "They attacked her and Angel, but only took her. When we found her down in their so called laboratory she was conscious, but she can't move. She can barely talk, not that she really knows what they did to her." He rubbed his forehead and ran the hand over his face, "The doctors say she's steady and in no immediate danger. Angel's with her."

Joyce nodded numbly, her baby was hurt and laying in a hospital bed. She looked up when she felt a hand on her arm.

"I'll take you there," Willow offered. "Come with me." She took the older woman's arm and led her through the hallways to Buffy's room. "She can understand everything you say, or at least Angel thinks." She had to smile, "They always have a sort of silent communication."

Mrs. Summers nodded absentmindedly, "Hmmm," she only made.

With a last nod Willow pushed the door open and the two women entered the room.

"Oh Buffy," Joyce rushed to her daughter's side, bent down and kissed her on the forehead.

"Be careful," Angel looked at her. "She's hurting, you have to be very gentle with her."

Mrs. Summers glanced at him for a moment, "I understand. Giles and Wesley told me briefly what happened."

The vampire just nodded at that.

"How could they do that to her? She's a human being." Joyce couldn't stop her tears from falling seeing her daughter like this. Suddenly she felt an urge to lash out, "And why didn't you protect her? Tell me Angel, why did you let them get her?"

"Mrs. Summers," Willow tried to intervene, but Angel silenced her by rising his hand.

He didn't look up, but his voice was grave when he answered, "I never heard them coming. You're right, I didn't pay attention, and I will never forgive myself for that."

Immediately Joyce realised she'd lashed out at the wrong person and cursed herself for it. But the damage was done. "Angel, I'm sorry, I didn't mean...,"

"No. You're right. I should've protected her," he insisted.

"No," Buffy whispered hoarsely. "N-N-Not y-y-y-your f-fault."

"Don't talk love," he kissed her hand gently, softly. "You need all your strength."

"Angel, she's right. I shouldn't have said it. Of course it wasn't your fault," Joyce said. "You shouldn't blame yourself. That won't help her. I was wrong, but seeing her like this ... I just lost it for a minute. I want to apologize."

The vampire just shook his head but didn't look at her. Parts of his face were buried in the palm of Buffy's hand. Rationally he knew it was the commando's fault, but he had let himself get distracted. He hadn't paid attention although he'd known it was dangerous around the college. Suddenly he felt a faint movement of the fingertips that were touching his cheek. His head shot up, "Buffy," he stared at her.

Her lips curved into a small smile, "Done it," she whispered.

"Oh, my love," now he couldn't stop the tears from falling. Seeing Joyce's and Willow's confused gazes he explained, "She just moved her fingers. It was only a little bit, but it was movement."

"Honey," Mrs. Summers took her daughter's other hand. "That's so great."

The slayer nodded and smiled even more. "I ... I c-can move my toes too," she said.

"Do you still hurt?" Angel asked concerned.

"Get's b-better," she replied. "Talking is better too now." Her eyes were concerned as well. There was something in her lover's eyes she hadn't seen for a long time and it bothered her. Guilt. "Please don't b-blame yourself."

"I ...," he tried to say but his voice broke.

"She's right, Angel," Willow smiled at the slayer. "You found her because you insisted going to her tonight. You should keep that in your mind. I'm going to tell the others. Welcome back Buffy." With this she turned and left the room.

Part 20

Willow was smiling broadly when she returned to the waiting-room to inform the gang about Buffy's progress, "She's talking and can move toes and fingers," she told them.

"That's so great," Faith smiled as well and exchanged a look with Spike.

"Wonderful," Anya said and when everyone turned to her because of her unexpected behaviour, she shrugged, "Well, it means we can go home now, doesn't it?"

"Yes, honey, we're going home." Xander slightly shook his head. Would he ever get used to his girlfriend's thoughts, he wondered. Taking a deep breath he looked at Willow, "We're leaving now. Tell her I'm visiting her tomorrow. She'll be tired anyway and I think Angel's not going to leave her side." Pulling Anya with him he was gone.

"Right," Giles looked around, "maybe you all should go home now. Oz, could you..."

"Sure," the werewolf got up, "I'll get everyone home safely. Who wants to come? Will?"

"No, I'm staying," the witch replied and kissed him on the cheek. "See you tomorrow then."

"Fine," he nodded and gazed at the others again, "Come on then."

******

"How do you feel now, honey?" Joyce asked her daughter after a while.

"B-Better. Still tired though. They gave me injections, lots of them," she replied but her eyes were on her boyfriend who wasn't holding her hand anymore but standing at the wall, his head bowed seeming deep in thought. It worried her. He hadn't said anything, but she had the feeling he would withdraw from her. Damn her mother for being to insensitive! "Mom, would you leave us for a moment," she glanced at Joyce.

"Of course," Mrs. Summers got up, feeling bad herself for her angry slip. But it was said, she couldn't take it back anymore. "See you soon," she said and was out of the door.

The vampire didn't even look up as if he hadn't realised she'd left. Buffy watched him for a while. His arms were crossed. The head was up now, but his eyes were closed and he was leaning back against the wall. "Angel," she said softly.

He didn't react. There wasn't even a flicker of his lids, nothing. As if he hadn't heard her. Maybe he hadn't, so she tried again, "Angel, please look at me. You're scaring me," her voice was pleading now, almost desperate, because she could feel him slipping away.

Slowly he opened his eyes and looked at her, "I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I had to think." He approached the bed again, but to the slayer he seemed further away than ever.

"Please, Angel, don't blame yourself. Mom was stupid to say such a thing. It's not your fault." She wanted to reach out, to touch him, but her arms wouldn't yet obey.

"We were distracted, you shouldn't be distracted," he replied, not really looking at her. "I didn't hear them coming. All the other nights, I could sense them, hear them, but I didn't pay attention although we knew it was dangerous."

His voice was harsh while he was blaming himself. Buffy wanted to take him in her arms, to comfort him, but all she could do was talk and desperately she felt it wasn't going to be enough, "You have to listen to me, Angel. This just happened. Look at me. I'm going to be fine. As soon as the drugs wear off..."

"But we don't know," he interrupted her, now looking at her for the first time, "none of us knows what they've done to you. God Buffy," he drew his hand over his face, "they could've killed you and I wasn't there." He paused and then repeated with a voice almost fading, "I wasn't there."

"But you were there. They knocked you out," she replied immediately, "and then you came to get me. Angel you saved my life."

"And endangered it in the first place," he shot back angrily.

"That's not true," Buffy cursed the fact that she still couldn't move properly. Several times she'd tried to lift her arms, but it still wasn't working. "It's my duty."

"No," stubbornly he shook his head and looked her in the eye, "You have to see this the way it is. You would've never had any problems with them if it wasn't for me." He raised his hand when he saw her opening her mouth to protest. "Your problems with them started with Spike and me. Because we're around you. I was just to blind to see it. And then I couldn't even take care of you although we knew it was dangerous."

******

"Joyce, is she alright," Giles asked anxiously as soon as he saw Mrs. Summers coming towards the waiting-room where beside him only Willow, Spike and Faith were waiting.

"She's much better. The doctor checked on her and he was very content with her progress," she replied. Then she sighed, "But I was an idiot." Seeing the other's looking at her she continued, "I was so afraid and ... I accused Angel of not having taken care of her."

"Oh no," Willow groaned and fell back on her chair.

"Not very smart," Spike remarked and gazed at Faith.

"I know, I know," Joyce was looking far from happy. "It was just ... I don't even know why I said it ... the words were out of my mouth before I could think properly. It's nonsense of course, but it hit him. I could see him flinch."

"It will be okay, Joyce," Giles laid a hand on her shoulder.

She looked at him but wasn't convinced, "I hope so, Rupert. I truly hope so."

******

Buffy could only stare at her boyfriend. He'd said it so matter-of-factly, as if there wasn't any room for discussion. An icy feeling crept up her spine which had nothing to do with the drugs in her body. Slowly she asked, "What do you want to say?"

"What we both already know. That this," he pointed at her and then at himself, "was a wonderful dream we both had. But we should've known from the beginning that it wouldn't work. Just think about it," he laughed unhappily, "a slayer and a vampire."

"But I love you," she couldn't stop the tears from falling. No, this wasn't happening. Not now. Not after they'd gone through so much. After they'd overcome so many obstacles. His curse, Angelus, hell, even the First Evil. "And you love me," she added. "I know you love me."

"But that's not enough," he almost shouted. "Don't you see it Buffy. It can't be enough if the price is your life. Nothing is more important than that."

"But I don't want a life without you," she shouted back. "How shallow would it be without you? Would it still be worth living? I'm the slayer. That isn't going to change. Ever. And now you're depriving me of what little happiness I have. Of the person I love more than anything in the world?"

"Buffy, please," he said hoarsely.

"No. I won't make it easy for you. I will not just lay here and watch you leave my life. I love you and I need you. I can't be without you. If you go I will surely die. Or how do you think I'm going to survive if you're not there to back me up?"

"There's still Faith," he tried to argue, but somehow her words made sense to him.

"Faith," she echoed. "Faith's on the brink of a relationship with Spike. Yeah, another slayer-vampire couple. Obviously they do match. God, Angel, I thought after Alanna, we would be over this, but now I see we still aren't." She took a deep breath, "Can't you see how happy we were together? How important you are to me? If my life is without you, it's not a life anymore. Then all I am is the slayer, there won't be any Buffy."

"That's not true," he replied. "You're in college. You will find someone you can love."

"Are you really such an idiot?" she shouted. "I can't date a nice human boy because with my duties he will most likely get killed and besides I don't want to date one. I want you. You're all I ever wanted." Again she tried to lift her hand and this time it worked. Reaching out for him, she looked at him pleadingly, "Angel, please."

For a moment it seemed as if he would take her hand but then he stepped back, "I can't. It's not that easy, Buffy. I have to think about this. And there's something I have to do."

"Angel," she cried, but he was already gone. "ANGEL," she shouted, but he didn't come back, the door didn't move. Buffy felt as if someone had ripped her heart out of her chest. Oh God, this wasn't happening.

Then suddenly the door opened and Giles, Willow and her mother came into the room. "Buffy what happened?" Joyce wanted to know. "We saw Angel, but he didn't even talk to us. He only asked Faith and Spike to go with him and left."

The slayer studied the faces of her watcher, her friend and finally of the woman who was her mother. "If he's leaving me, mom, I will never forgive you. Do you hear me?" she said her voice deadly calm. "You made him feel responsible. You should've known better."

"What do you m-mean? L-leaving you?," Willow stuttered with wide eyes.

"He thinks he and me, the "us" isn't a good idea. He thinks he's endangering my life," Buffy replied while tears streamed down her cheeks.

"That's nonsense," Giles said firmly. "He's saved your life countless times."

"I know," she cried. "I know. But you known him. He always blames himself. And he was almost relaxed the last months. God, mom, how could you say such a thing?" Then she suddenly thought of something, "What do you mean he took Spike and Faith with him?"

"He told them to come," Willow began and suddenly her eyes filled with understanding and fear, "oh no," she looked at Buffy, "you don't think?"

The slayer looked back at her with the same expression, "Of course I do. Because that's exactly what they're going to do."

Part 21

"What's this all about, mate," Spike asked after a while. He and Faith had been walking silently beside his grand-sire for about twenty minutes.

"There's something I have to take care of," Angel replied curtly.

"That really helps," his grand-childe muttered but kept walking with him.

Abruptly the dark-haired vampire stopped and looked at his two friends impatiently, "I need some help to get into that laboratory. I need someone to distract them for a while so that they won't pay attention to me, because they'll be on special alert after what happened with Buffy."

Faith's eyes went wide, "Are you crazy? You can't go down there on your own," she put a hand on his arm. "You'll never get out again."

"That doesn't matter," Angel gave her a quick smile that didn't reach his eyes, "After tonight they won't harm anyone again. And that's all that counts."

"But...", the brunette slayer wanted to protest but was silenced when she saw Spike shaking his head.

"Alright mate," he said instead. "So you've decided to visit them with some explosives in your backpack." His voice was matter-of-fact, he knew his grand-sire and didn't doubt for a minute that the commandos would have to pay for what they did to Buffy. "Then let me come with you at least. I understand you won't take the girl," he looked at Faith. "I realise it'll be dangerous, hell it'll be a lot more than that, but I've lived long enough and ...", he shrugged.

Angel gave him a long look and just when Spike expected him to shake his head in the negative he nodded, "Okay. But only you." He turned to the girl beside his grand-childe, "You're staying out of this, understand. But we need you to distract them."

"Sure," she replied with a grin. "I've always been good at distracting boys."

"No," the dark-haired vampire's voice was sharp, "this won't be fun . This isn't playing with boys. It's serious."

"Now, as we've established that," Spike said, "where are we heading to?"

********

"Buffy, please calm down," Giles tried to comfort the slayer. He held one of her hands while the other laid firmly between Willow's. Joyce had left the room with her conscience weighing heavily on her soul, her daughter just didn't want her around at the moment. Inwardly the ex-watcher wondered what would happen if Angel didn't return to her.

"Calm down," she echoed. "I can't. I know he's about to do something incredibly stupid and I'm condemned to lie here doing nothing. Damn Pro Walsh, what the hell did she put into me?"

"I'm afraid we'll never know," the witch squeezed Buffy's hand. "I tried to investigate with the spell just before, but...," she shrugged helplessly. She had tried to magically find out what was keeping the slayer still motionless but the spell hadn't worked as intended. That or magic would just not help in this case.

"Buffy, we don't even know where he went, if ..."

"Bullshit, Giles," the slayer swore, "we know exactly what he's going to do. Just think. He said there was something he had to take care of and then he takes Spike and Faith with him. It doesn't need a high IQ to analyse what's going on in his head."

"No," the ex-watcher sighed, "probably not."

"If we just knew how to get the drugs to wear off faster, but it seems fruitless." Buffy usually wasn't one to give up, but this situation was new to her.

Suddenly a new, hesitant voice came from the door, "Maybe I'll be able to help."

******

"I should've known we were coming here," Spike said when they stepped through the doors of the mansion.

"We need to get some supplies," Angel walked through the great hall towards the stairs.

His grand-childe raised a brow, "Are you telling me we're sleeping on explosive stuff here? Just for the record, I'm allergic to fire." He watched the other vampire disappear upstairs.

"Oh yeah?" Faith gave Spike a grin.

His eyes narrowed, "Yeah, Miss I-think-this-is-all-great-fun."

"Don't be a spoil-sport," the brunette slayer punched him playfully on his upper arm, "They held me prisoner for six months. Don't expect me not to enjoy when we blow up their lab."

"What makes you think we're going to do that?" he asked with a smirk.

"Humour me!" she snorted. "We're going to get some explosive stuff and Angel looks ready to kill who ever crosses his path. Don't treat me as if I'm stupid, vamp-boy."

"Vamp-boy," he spun around, giving her a hard glare. "Watch your tongue, slayer."

"Yeah, yeah," she dismissed his dangerous glare with a wave of her hand and walked over to the table to get an apple. She took a bite of it and still chewing, she grinned, "Whatever you say. For me this is going to be great fun."

******

"Help? You want to help?" Buffy stared at Forrest who had just entered her room.

"You really think we're going to believe you?" Willow stood up, her eyes narrow.

Slowly he shook his head, "No," he said. "But maybe this will help you." He reached into a bag he was carrying and produced several files which he handed over to the witch. "These are the complete protocols Maggie wrote about the things she intended to do to you." At their disbelieving glances he shrugged, "Pro Walsh likes to plan and control, she writes everything down. I don't know if she did all of this, but maybe it'll help."

"Why are you doing this?" the slayer eyed the commando suspiciously.

"Because we ... that is me and Graham, he backs me up in this, decided that this went too far. Maggie's obviously left the path the Initiative was meant to go when it was founded. Learning about demons and hostiles to find ways to protect humans against them. But you're a human being."

"But why now? She had Faith down there for about half a year," Giles asked.

"Faith was different. She was out of control when she came, she was a serious threat and besides Maggie never treated her like she did with you."

"I know you left the room when she started, I can remember," Buffy looked at him, "But bringing us this," she pointed at the files, "you'll get into serious trouble."

He laughed shortly, "We're already having big trouble. Nobody talks to Maggie like I did without having to face her wrath. But I don't care anymore, not now after she did this to you. I saw you when they rolled you out of that lab and I heard your screams. I couldn't do anything then, but I'll be damned if I'll just stand by and watch." He paused for a moment, "You might not be the average human, but you're hunting hostiles and that helps other humans. Innocent ones who can't help themselves. You know, that was the reason I began to work in the Initiative." He pointed at the files again, "I hope they'll help you. We, Graham and I, are leaving the country. Tonight. It's too dangerous for us to stay. He's waiting outside in the car."

"Thank you," Buffy said after a moment.

He just nodded, turned and left the room.

Part 22

They were standing near the entrance the gang had used for their former rescuing "adventures", but still out of sight of the cameras that were installed everywhere around the lab. Tonight the Initiative had doubled their security by placing two guards in front of the door.

"Alright," Angel whispered looking at Faith. "You're going to distract them. Try to make them notice you. When the whole lab is on alarm, Spike and I will use the hidden door you and he used the last time."

"Okay," she nodded and gazed at the blonde vampire, "You both be careful."

"Sure, luv," Spike replied with his best grin, although he knew the following minutes or hours would be dangerous.

"Good," she smiled back, but her smile seemed forced somehow. She didn't completely understand what would happen tonight, but the silent understanding between the two vampires made her uncomfortable. She had the feeling they were deliberately shutting her out. To protect her. And that made everything worse. Angel was her friend and Spike, well, she had to admit that he could be even more than that. She didn't want them to be hurt or worse.

She startled a little when she felt Angel's hand on her shoulder. "You'll be fine," he assured her with a smile.

"I'm not concerned about me," she replied. "Please be careful. You were the first real friend I had in my life. I know Mrs. S. said something stupid, but you know it isn't true." She saw his face harden at the last sentence and knew she'd hit the nail head on. "B needs you, Angel."

He didn't answer at that. He simply couldn't. He still hadn't made up his mind. Was he right thinking Buffy was better off without him or was it just one of his guilt-trips as she would call them? He had to inwardly smile at that. Would he ever be able to live without her? He didn't even have to answer that question, it was clear as day. Without her his life would be empty and cold, the way it had been before he came to Sunnydale. But this wasn't about him. He had to put his feelings aside. This was about Buffy. Her life was the most precious thing to him and he would keep her safe, no matter what sacrifice he had to make. Spike and he would make the first step to reach that aim tonight.

Nodding at his childe, the two vampires began to move away from the slayer. Suddenly Angel stopped and turned back to Faith. He took her hand and she felt something metallic glide into it. "If anything should happen tonight," his voice was urgent, "give it to Buffy. She'll understand." He took a deep unnecessary breath, "Wait five minutes and then get started."

"Alright," the brunette slayer said automatically, not yet understanding what this was all about. "Take care."

"I will," he promised and then the two vampires were gone.

Faith just stood there and stared at the spot where they'd been standing before. Five minutes. She didn't want to stay behind and leave them to whatever they'd planned. But she had promised to do her job and that was one thing she'd vowed. She wouldn't break a promise again. Suddenly she remembered the object Angel had given her and opened her palm. Involuntarily she gasped in shock. Their mission had to be far more dangerous than they'd admitted to her. Otherwise the dark-haired vampire would've never have parted with something so precious to him.

Checking her watch again she began to pray. She didn't know if God really existed and if he did if he would protect vampires, but trying wouldn't harm anyone, she decided. All the time she held her hand firmly closed.

After five minutes her eyes shot open and she slipped Angel's Claddagh ring into the pocket of her trousers, silently vowing that he would be the one she would give it back to. Then she stepped from the bushes into the light. With a fake smile she looked at the commandos: "Hi boys."

*******

"Can't you read faster?" Buffy asked impatiently her gaze wandering back and forth between her ex-watcher and her witchy friend. She would've loved to help them but with her improper body-coordination reading was impossible.

"I'm doing my best," Willow replied, her voice sounding a bit annoyed. Of course she could understand her friend's urgency, but although she was a witch she was just human. With human eyes and a - although smart - human brain.

"I don't even know if this is going to help us," Giles rubbed his forehead then took off his glasses and rubbed his blood-shot eyes. God, he was getting old, he thought. He was beat and barely able to concentrate on the words in front of him.

"Giles," the slayer's demanding voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "This is urgent business," she continued. "We need to know. This is about Angel."

"I know," he nodded and went on reading. "This woman must be insane," he said after a while.

"Definitely," Buffy agreed wholeheartedly. "She seemed completely nuts to me. Like a fanatic, you know. Though I never thought she'd do something like this to me." She looked down her unmoving body, her frustration growing with every passing second. Angel was somewhere out there, doing God only knew what and she wasn't able to be with him, to help him, to ... she stifled the urge to cry out loud. If something should happen to him... darn the man for behaving so stupidly. So stubborn. And darn her mother for being so insensitive. And double darn Maggie for making her helpless.

"I think I've found something," Willow exclaimed excitedly. "That's the protocol from that night." A hand flew to her mouth, "Oh God, that woman is insane." Suddenly her face lit up, "I can counter-spell that. Well, at least parts. I even think most of the ingredients are at Giles' apartment, if not all." She looked at the ex-watcher. "You have to get them for me."

"Of course," he stood up and reached in his pocket for his car keys.

"I'll write everything down for you," the red-head said and was scribbling already. "It's not even that much." After finishing her list she handed him the paper and with a nod he left the room.

Willow turned towards the slayer again and gave her a reassuring smile, "You'll see, everything will turn out just right. We're doing the spell and one, two, three you'll jump around again."

But the slayer didn't smile, she just watched her friend with a grave expression on her face. "Let's just hope it won't be too late," she said finally.

*******

Angel and Spike were near the hidden entrance when they heard shouts and the alarm setting in. Both vampires exchanged glances and grinned at each other, this was going fine so far. Faith had obviously successfully distracted the commandos.

But only after a second their gazes became dead-serious again. Angel reached out a hand and touched his grand-childe's shoulder. "Whatever happens Spike, promise to take care of her."

"Don't talk like that, mate," the blonde vampire replied grimly.

"I have to. You know anything can happen tonight."

"I know, but I refuse to think in such a negative way. Hey we're vampires, we're immortal." The look he gave his grand-sire was very intense.

After a moment the dark-haired vampire replied, "Nobody is immortal, and you know that."

"Stop talking like this, better take care to get your ass safely out afterwards. Do you hear me," Spike realised that this man who he hadn't liked for a long time, even hated sometimes, had become his friend over the months. "This little slayer needs you. I know you have to do this and hell, I want it probably as much as you." He thought about Faith, and suddenly Drusilla was nothing more than a faraway memory for him. In his head he saw the picture of a brown-haired girl, with hungry eyes. Hungry for love and life. And he could remember the fear and pain he'd seen in them shortly after they'd been rescued from the lab.

When realisation dawned Angel suddenly had to grin, "Seems we both have some paying back to do."

His grand-childe shrugged uncomfortable, "Yeah, and? Nobody's going to hurt my woman. They took her prisoner for six months, bloody bastards."

"I know." The dark-haired vampire gave him a last glance, "Then let's try to return to them safely. Deal?"

"Deal."

Part 23

"What's going on out there," Riley's head jerked around at the first sound of the alarm and his gaze found his two former colleagues who were guarding him.

The two exchanged a glance but shrugged.

"It could be something serious," he insisted urgently. "Dave, Mike, you both know me. I've been your leader."

Dave, a red-haired, athletic man from Wyoming merely raised a brow, "Walsh gave her orders. I'll be damned to act against them. She'd have our asses." Mike just nodded at that.

The same moment they heard loud voices everywhere, although he couldn't see anything Riley felt the confusion around him. "Boys, this isn't some kind of game. Something's going on here." He let out an exasperated breath, "God, you're so damned stupid," he almost shouted. "I'm not going to bail, I promise. But with the escape of the two slayers anything could happen right now."

Dave and Mike exchanged another glance, "Look Riley," Mike seemed a bit uncomfortable with the situation. The former commando had saved his life once or twice and somehow he felt he owed him. "We just work here, it's Walsh orders, you can't probably expect us to ..."

"Hell, Mike," Riley became truly impatient now. He was bound in a room, wearing handcuffs, was guarded by his own colleagues while God knows what was happening around him. A very uncomfortable feeling crept up his spine. After what Maggie had done to Buffy he began to have an idea who could have caused the whole fuss. "It could be something very serious out there. I'm a trained fighter and can help."

Mike glanced at him and was about to get up when a hand held him back, Dave was shaking his head, "No, sit down. Sorry, Riley, orders are orders."

The former commando stared at him. Could they be so dense? Silently fuming he rolled his eyes and then shut his lids. He had to find a way to get loose. He had to.

******

"Where is he?" Buffy asked impatiently. "Damn I told him he should get a new car, that old vehicle isn't fit for emergency situations. He would've probably been quicker walking."

Willow couldn't help but grin, "Just imagine Giles in a normal car." She shook her head, "No way. It just wouldn't fit. He's the old Citroen type."

The slayer sighed and leaned back into the pillows. With concentration she could raise her upper body now, but it wasn't enough, it just wasn't enough. The thought of Angel being in danger consumed her whole being. The last twenty minutes she'd imagined all possible ways he could be hurt or worse. Willow had tried her best to distract her friend but to no avail.

Both looked up when they heard the door open and relief showed on their faces when the former watcher entered. "There it is," he handed the bag he was carrying to Willow. "God I hope it'll work." He came over to the bed, "How are you feeling?"

"Better," Buffy replied with a nod, "physically. But I'm about to go mad. Giles, if anything happens to him..."

"Don't," he took her hand, "he wouldn't want you to worry."

"Damn stubborn male," she muttered, but her ex-watcher had heard her. A smile curved his lips.

"He wants to protect you. After what happened he feels doubly responsible," he tried to explain Angel's actions.

She sighed and quickly glanced at Willow who was setting up a spell already, "I know. And I understand it, up to a certain point. But you should've seen his face, Giles. He was so determined, there was something in his eyes, they were so cold, so ... he'll go through with whatever he's planned and he's ready to risk everything for it." Her intense gaze caught his and held, "Everything," she repeated.

Slowly he nodded, "I understand and I truly hope you're wrong. But knowing Angel and the way he feels about you you're probably right."

"I'm ready," the red-head interrupted them. "If you're okay with it, I can perform the spell now."

"Then do it. Fast. Every second counts."

*******

"Seems Faith is doing a good job, none of the commandos are around," Spike couldn't suppress a proud smile spreading across his features.

"Yeah," Angel replied absentmindedly. He was busy to place the first shot of dynamite, he was carrying with him. He handed another to his grand-childe, "Put it over there, at the corner," he ordered. Their actions were accompanied by the shouts of the demons and vampires in the cells, some of them angry, some panicked. "And then check the cells. I've seen some demons who don't do any harm to humans." He reached into his pocket, "That's Willow's code for the locks. Let the harmless out. I don't want them dead. They haven't done anything to face this. When you're ready get out as fast as possible. Don't stop, don't wait for me."

Spike studied Angel's face for some seconds. He wanted to argue but he knew it would be in vain. The dark-haired vampire was determined to go through with it. "Alright," he nodded and took the paper sheet his grand-sire held out for him. "What are you going to do, mate?"

"Set up the rest of this," he replied and connected the first four shots of dynamite. Then suddenly he bared his teeth in a smile or something like that. It wasn't really a smile, his grand-childe wouldn't have been surprised to hear something like a snarl any minute. Spike involuntarily shivered at the expression in Angel's eyes, they were the cold, determined eyes of a hunter. It wasn't that they showed any resemblance to Angelus. The demon had never looked like that, there had always been cruelty in his eyes. No, someone had hurt Angel's woman and his grand-childe could understand it. Nobody who did something like that would escape with it. He was so deep in thoughts that he almost started when the dark-haired vampire spoke again.

"I will follow as soon as I can. I just want to make sure that this," he glanced around, "won't do any more harm. First they captured Faith, then Buffy. They've gone off limits. Studying demons is one thing, torturing human beings something completely different. And now go."

Spike was about to leave when a voice stopped him, "What the hell are you two doing here," it shouted.

Turning their heads the vampires came face to face with three commandos who had entered the hallway without their notice. The one who'd talked before raised a gun, not one of the immobilisers but a real one. Spike had to suppress a smile. "Didn't you hear me? Answer my question! What are you doing here?" Suddenly his eyes widened when they fell on the dynamite Angel was holding in one of his hands. "Put that down, rise your hands and don't move," he ordered while the three of them stepped forward.

Suddenly his colleague shouted, "I remember him," he pointed at Spike, "He's a vampire."

Grand-sire and grand-childe exchanged a glance then the dark-haired vampire looked at the commandos, "I will only warn you once. Just leave before we have to hurt you. Badly."

The first commando laughed, "I think you don't know where you are. You're in the Initiative lab. I'm not afraid of you two. Vampires or not."

"What a pity," Spike remarked before the vampires attacked the humans at lightning speed. Fists and feet flying it merely took a minute to knock them out.

"Or not," the blond vampire added afterwards. "That was fun," he rubbed his hands on his trousers. "I almost forgot what fun it can be to hit a human."

Angel raised a brow at that, then shook his head with a grin he couldn't suppress. Spike merely shrugged, then with a last glance at his grand-sire hedisappeared down the hallway.

Part 24

"Did it work?" Willow asked expectantly after she'd finished casting the spell on her friend.

"I'm not sure," Buffy replied hesitantly and tried to move her legs. "Oh," her face lit up. "They obey," she smiled and tried to crawl out of the bed when a hand on her shoulder stopped her.

"Buffy, you're still weak," Giles' face was full of concern. "You can't just go out there. You're certainly not at full slayer strength."

"Giles," the slayer hissed through gritted teeth. "It doesn't matter. I need to go to him. This is about Angel, remember."

"But...," he tried to say but shut up when he saw the anger in her eyes. An angry slayer wasn't something he wanted to face right now. Especially when deep inside he knew she was right. "Alright," he sighed."But we'll take my car."

"Oh God," she groaned and ignored Willow's grin. "That'll take hours."

"And you think you'll be faster on foot," the ex-watcher remarked dryly, pointing at her wobbly legs.

"Thanks, I needed that," she shot him a look. "Fine, we'll take your car. You really need a grown up car one day."

"Sure," he said, but didn't really mean it. He loved his old vehicle. "By the way where are we going to?"

"Giles, I never thought you were dense, to the underground laboratory of course," the slayer shook her head and rolled her eyes. Maybe he was already losing brain cells due to his age?

"I knew that," he shot back. "And I'm not dense. I just wanted to check if we're thinking about the same."

Ignoring him she gratefully smiled at Willow who was handing her some clothes and helping her to get them on while Giles faced towards the window. Buffy had to inwardly grin at that. He was such a sweet person and in many ways as old-fashioned as Angel. In fact, they were very much alike. The good feeling was instantly replaced by fear when she thought of her vampire boyfriend. The only thing that kept her sane at the moment was the fact he'd taken Spike with him. The blonde vampire had a strong will of survival. As long as he was with Angel they would live, she was sure of that.

Finally managing to pull all her clothes on she touched Giles' shoulder, "I'm ready."

He looked at her and nodded, "Fine. Let's go." Leading the two girls towards his car he inwardly prayed that they would get there in time.

******

Spike ran down the hallway checking all the cells for the different kinds of demons imprisoned there. Now it paid that he'd worked with Giles and the slayer for a while. When he'd still been a soulless vampire he'd never much cared for the different kinds of demons unless he could kill or torture them. Without the training throughout the last months he'd have been lost here. But now he could say which of them were dangerous and which not.

"You forgot me," a voice stopped him at a certain point.

He turned and looked at a slimy, green and powerful looking fellow. "Nah," he shook his head. "You're a Belican-Demon. You kill humans."

"One each century," the demon replied. "It isn't really that much, is it?"

Spike thought about that for a moment but thenshook his head again, "Sorry, my friend. Can't do this. Conscience and all. After all that one person could be a certain girl that's spinning in my head."

"A vampire and a human, that's disgusting," the demon snorted.

But Spike merely shrugged, "Probably, but it's a good feeling. And now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a job to do. After all there are some demons worth saving." With this he turned and left the stunnedBelican staring after him.

******

Faith was pacing back and forth in front of the hidden entrance, glancing at her watch every other minute. This was taking too much time. They'd been gone for more than an hour. Besides that it was already 4.00 a.m. and sunrise was only two hours away. Another thing not to forget. Where were they?

She'd managed to escape the commandos who had been following her at the beginning. They'd been so stupid she could hardly believe it. And they called themselves trained fighters. Laughable. They hadn't been anywhere close to capturing her. Sure she was a trained slayer and usually they were fighting the average vampire, but still. This organisation she'd feared while being imprisoned in their lab had lost it's threat to her.

At a sudden noise she spun around and her eyes widened when she saw the door open and a small demon appeared whose eyes had the same haunted look she'd seen in hers the day after her escape. His eyes searched the surroundings and when they found Faith he approached her, hands up, "I'm not going to hurt you. I'm a Gelentian-demon. We're peaceful. But I assume you're Faith."

Her eyes widened even more, "Says who?"

Now he had to grin, this was a human girl he could like, "Ugly looking fellow, calls himself Spike. Told me to tell you he'll be out soon. Just taking care to save the innocent inside there."

"I see," she nodded. "Thanks. Nice to meet you ... er?"

"Giles," he introduced himself and watched in confusion when she burst out laughing.

"Giles? You're actually called Giles. Oh this joke is SO good."

"Thanks that you find my name laughable," he replied a little bit hurt, both turning around when they heard the next demon climb into freedom. He was big and pinkish. On seeing them he just nodded and disappeared into the night.

"He's a Fendish-demon, they're vegetarians," Giles explained and shook his head, "These people down there. They're nuts."

"I know," she replied gravely, the grin suddenly wiped from her face. "I've been there too."

"You were? You're the slayer!" he exclaimed. "Words went through the lab they had a slayer down there, but I couldn't believe it. And this vampire is your ... you know," he grinned again.

"No. He's a friend," she paused and looked at him. "A good friend. But not more," suddenly grinning too she added, "yet."

"I see," he glanced back to the entrance where more and more demons escaped into the darkness. "And now, can you explain why my name is so funny?"

******

Angel placed the last dynamite in the corner of the second hallway. He stood up and looked around. Yes, this would do. This would do enough damage to stop them. At least around Sunnydale. He had no idea how powerful this organisation was, so he couldn't make any suggestions if it would damage them forever, but maybe it would scare them for a while. With the labs and the cell-blocks gone they would at least need some time to rebuild them, if they wanted to do that after all.

He was still wondering why only three of the commandos had charged him so far. Obviously most of them were running after Faith. He could only hope that they hadn't caught her. He didn't want to be responsible for another slayer suffering down there.

Ignoring the now fearful shouts of the vampires who had realised what was going to happen he pulled out a match and lit it on his shoe. When he finally held it to the fuse the vampires began to roar in their cells. With a last look at them he turned and headed towards the exit.

******

At the first sound of an explosion Riley jumped up from the chair he was sitting on. "What's going on there?" He stared at his colleagues, "Mike, damnit. Let me go. Something horrible's going on out there. I can help." He held out his cuffed hands to them. "Please."

The two guards exchanged a glance and were still hesitating when they heard a second detonation. "Alright," Dave finally gave in. "But you promise not to bail."

Riley let out an exasperated sigh, "I promise. And now open them. Quick."

As soon as he was free he started to run in the direction of the explosion with Mike and Dave on his heels. He was really looking forward to meeting the person who had done this.

*******

"Drive faster," Buffy demanded while she was wiggling on the back-seat.

Willow turned her head to look at her, "He's doing his best already," she grinned. "You know that car."

"I do," the slayer rolled her eyes. "It's like diving into the last century. I bet the mail-coaches haven't been any slower."

"Stop insulting my car," Giles said in annoyance. "And just for the record. No stage-coach would've made 30 miles."

"30 miles," Buffy groaned, "This is a nightmare. This whole night is a nightmare without waking up." She fell back and closed her eyes. It was no use getting excited about all this. She wouldn't change it. Her inner thoughts were directed towards Angel who was at the lab risking his life - she was sure of that - to punish them for what they did to her. Spike, watch out for him, she prayed. Please, please keep him safe. That was the exact moment when she heard the first detonation blowing up.

*****

Riley and his friends reached the already burning hallway only five minutes later. When he felt Dave and Mike hesitate he shot them an angry look, "You're cowards. This is our duty. We need to find out what's going on. Look at that, nobody here," his voice became disgusted. "All of them. Cowards." He stormed forward and crushed through the next door, while he could hear more explosions coming from every part of the underground lab.

As soon as the door closed behind them they ran further on only to collide with a solid body who was coming from the other direction. When they'd recovered from the impact, Riley and Angel were staring into each others eyes.

Part 25

"Angel," the commando smirked. This was his dream come true, a moment he'd been looking forward to for weeks now. He could feel his rage coursing through him and enjoyed the feeling. This feeling would make him stronger AND he had two of the commandos with him.

"Riley," the vampire just nodded at the blonde human standing before him. He wasn't looking forward to this --- NOW. Although the idea of beating up Riley had it's attractions. But not while everything around him was blown up into flames. Flames and vampires - as Spike had pointed out so accurately - didn't mix. And somehow through all this, while he was placing the dynamite-shots Angel had decided that there was still a lot he wanted to live for. Even if he'd decided to die he wouldn't have chosen fire. There were much more painless ways for a vampire to leave the earth.

So he looked at the commando and said, "As much as I'd like to stay..."

"Well that's just your problem then," Riley narrowed his eyes and approached the vampire, then stepped some feet away, legs firmly planted on the ground. "We," he nodded pointedly at his friends, "have enough time."

*******

Willow's eyes went wide when Giles' car slowly approached the already burning lab. There were more explosions to be heard from everywhere and several demons passed the car to get away from the fire as well as more and more commandos. They were only running for their life now, forgetting about their duty or Pro Walsh.

"Oh God," the red-head breathed and turned to look at the slayer again. "Buffy."

"I can see," her voice sounded strained. "Giles we have to go to the back-side entrance. Spike told me where it is."

"Yes," the ex-watcher nodded with a worried expression on his face.

Buffy couldn't speak anymore. She just stared at the flames that seemed as if they were rising into the sky, while Giles drove his car towards the hidden entrance. Her mouth was dry, her heart was racing in her chest. Somewhere. Somewhere inside of this chaos was Angel. Surrounded by fire, deadly for vampires, hungrily eating everything in it's path. Her thoughts were interrupted by Willow's excited shout, "There, there's Faith."

*******

"Riley, man, maybe he's right," Dave said hesitantly. "I mean look around. We have to leave, this is going to burn down."

"Shut up," the blond commando shouted. "You're such a sissy. He's a vampire for God's sake. Do you want him to escape? Besides the fire's far more dangerous to him than to us."

"I don't know. You can't be more than dead," Mike muttered under his breath, but didn't say anything aloud when he saw the glare Riley gave him.

"You should listen to your friends," Angel said, his eyes never leaving Riley's face. "This is going to be an inferno in a few minutes."

"For you too," the commando smirked.

"Yes," the vampire agreed, but then smirked as well, "but then I'm already dead." He glanced quickly at the other two soldier-boys who were looking more and more afraid. "I really don't want to hurt you," he added after a moment.

"Hurt me?" Riley asked arrogantly. "I want to see you try."

Okay, so maybe it was the right moment, Angel decided, maybe there wouldn't come a better one and without a warning, his hand shot out and he grabbed the commando by his throat, lifting him from the ground and pressing the air from his windpipe. "You know," he said while he changed into his game-face. "I really thought Buffy would be better with a normal guy." His other hand connected with Riley's gut, but as the commando's throat was still in the vampire's hand he didn't make more than a muffled sound.

Shifting back into his human form Angel let go of the boy whose body slid down the wall, and looked at him disgustedly, "You know, nice, human, steady ... well, normal. But seeing you I'm not so sure anymore. Maybe a vampire isn't the worst choice for a slayer. Turning his gaze away from the coughing commando he looked at his friends, "Get out. Take him with you. As much as it tempts me, but I swore never to harm humans again." When they didn't move he shouted, "Get out. NOW!"

Instantly Mike and Dave grabbed Riley and then hurried towards the exit, carrying their recovering friend in-between them, while Angel hurried into the other direction where he knew Spike and Faith would be waiting for him.

The very same minute the ceiling came crashing down.

*******

"NOOOOOO," Buffy yelled when she jumped out of the car and run towards her sister slayer. "Oh God, no." Grabbing Faith's arm she looked at her urgently, "Where is he?" When the brunette didn't respond immediately she shook her, "Where is Angel?"

"Still inside," she replied with fearful eyes. "I...," she was a loss of words. Her good mood while talking to demon-Giles instantly forgotten. Then she slowly added, "I didn't see Spike either."

"No, this isn't happening, this can't be happening," Buffy repeated again and again like a mantra while staring into the flames that seemed to consume everything.

"Buffy," Willow's breathless voice made her turn her head around. The red-head gasped at the emptiness in the slayer's eyes and she grabbed her arm, "I'm sure he is okay. Buffy, Angel can look out for himself. He'll be okay."

But the slayer was just repeating her mantra as if she hadn't even heard her. The witch's concerned glaze found Faith who watched everything with tears in her eyes. She didn't say anything only shook her head in a gesture of despair.

"What...," Giles wanted to ask when he arrived with the three girls but one look at them shut him up. "Angel?" He mouthed at the red-head, who shook her head with tears in her eyes. "Where's Spike?" he asked instead.

"I don't know," came Faith's toneless answer. "He should've been here by now, but he never came. He never came," she repeated.

"Buffy, I...," he reached out to touch his slayer's arm but she flinched away from his touch.

"No," she raised her hand. "Don't. He has to be okay. This isn't happening, Giles. He can't be hurt." Although she was looking at him she wasn't really seeing him. Her eyes wore a far away look.

The ex-watcher felt tears well up in his eyes. How would Buffy live with this loss.

*******

Angel groaned and tried to move, but soon realised that he was buried under something heavy. Then he remembered the whole building crashing down on him. Damned Riley, he thought. If it wasn't for the stupid commando he would be out and safe already. He could feel the heat surrounding him and tried to imagine when the fire would be reaching him too. Or would the stones that lay on him protect him. But even if, how long.

He was glad he didn't have to breathe, because the fire consumed every last bit of air. He tried to check his body and was relieved that nothing seemed to be broken. Still, he couldn't move. He was strong, but the weight on him was too heavy.

Suddenly he heard a voice shouting his name and yelled back, "Here."

"Bloody hell, what are you doing down there?" came the answer of a well known British voice, while Spike obviously began to remove the stones from his grand-sire.

Angel couldn't help but grin. "About time you came," he said, glad that he didn't have to shout. Vampire hearing and all.

"You should thank me on your knees. You sent me away, do you remember?" Spike replied, a little bit annoyed.

"I thank you later, at the moment I feel a little bit closed up," his grand-sire muttered. Then he saw the darkness giving way to a little spot of light and the blonde vampire's face was looking down on him.

"There you are mate," Spike grinned. "Wait a second, I'll just remove this and," he groaned at the weight of the last big stone and then Angel was free. He took the hand his grand-childe offered him and stood up.

"Thank you," he said with a nod.

"No big," Spike held his hand up. "We'd better try to find the exit. I really hate fire."

"I owe you for this," Angel didn't let go of the subject.

"Yeah, well. Let's just say, I wouldn't like to see Faith sad. She has a thing for you. Beats me why, but she sees you as her friend," the blonde vampire said with a sheepish grin.

"Sure," his grand-sire smiled. "Now. Let's find the exit."

Part 25

While the two vampires hurried towards the exit, the two slayers and their friends stood outside, their eyes fixed on the open door as if their thoughts and wishes would have the power to make their mates materialize in this instant. Faith's face was a mixture of hope and fear, her eyes dry, but wide, her body tense while her sister slayer was trembling all over, pure panic in her eyes and tears streaming over her cheeks.

Buffy couldn't think of anything but Angel. The fear to lose him, especially when their last words hadn't been loving. She had been angry with him for what she'd thought was cowardness. Maybe she would never know what had been in his mind. She could remember his eyes, so sad, so lost. Maybe he left thinking she was angry with him, what she'd been, but not this way, not angry *angry*, more annoyed with his attitude of feeling not good enough for her.

Of course he was idealising her. For him she was a sort of goddess, a creature of good, of light while he saw himself as someone who hid in the shadows, who was carrying the true evil inside of him. Now more dormant that his soul was safe, but still there. Like pulling a curtain away she realised suddenly that she'd never tried to understand what it meant for him to live with an evil demon. Sure, she'd told him that it had to be difficult to live with all the memories, but had she really? Had she really thought about it? To see so much murder, death and blood, maybe rape and to know it was done with your body.

To know that the creature responsible for these deeds was still living inside of you, ready to break through if you gave in, only a little. To feel that it was crying inside of you, screaming for blood, for death, for evil. Tempting you to give in. Only a minute, a second, to ease the pain, the battle raging inside your body.

How could he live with it? With the permanent struggle, the constant evil needs, the pictures, the dreams of his demons. She frowned. Did demons dream? Inwardly shaking her head she fully realized for the first time how strong this soul really was. What an extraordinary personality Angel was.

For Buffy he was the best person she'd ever met. He was forgiving, gentle, loving, loyal, for her he was just plain good. She, for herself, had separated the demon and the soul, it was easy. Angelus was an evil demon whose main wish was to destroy and torture. Pain was his drug. He had nothing in common with Angel.

But for the vampire he was always present. Always whispering inside his head. He was living in the constant struggle of his soul and his demon. Both were a part of him. It had to take incredible strength to never give in. She knew without a doubt that part of this strength was his love for her. And the love she gave him, her unconditional acceptance of his person never ceased to amaze him. He'd told her more than once. His main purpose was to keep her safe, to protect her.

And now - in his eyes - he'd failed to do exactly that. For him it had to be as if the demon had celebrated a little victory and the soul had lost a battle. She had to gasp at that thought, understanding her lover so clearly for the first time. And more than ever she wanted him safe to tell him she understood his insecurities, his doubts. That she loved him even more because of them. And that she was proud of him, to be so strong and wonderful.

God, how she loved him.

A gentle touch on her arm made her snap out of her thoughts. She turned her head to look into Willow's concerned gaze: "What?," she asked confused.

"I wanted to know if you're okay?"

"No," Buffy shook her head, "I mean yes, I mean. Oh Willow, he has to be okay. I have to talk to him, to tell him that I understand and that I love him."

The red-head squeezed her arm and smiled, "You will. I'm sure he is okay, and he knows that you love him, believe me, he knows," she said, although she could hardly believe they would be still alive by seeing the fire burning stronger than ever. The fire-squad had arrived by now, but they were almost helpless. Obviously Angel and Spike had done a thorough job. Willow was sure that after the fire burnt out nothing would be left of the lab and surprisingly she wanted to dance and celebrate at that thought. Maybe the Initiative had been founded to fight evil, now for the red-head it was as evil as the demons they intended to fight. The people representing this organisation were narrow-minded and short-sighted and did more harm than good.

Suddenly they heard a noise from behind the door and with a loud crash two figures jumped through it. Their dusters smouldering, both heads covered in ash they landed on the ground not far away from the anxiously waiting group.

"Bloody hell, that was a close call, mate," Spike looked at his grand-sire. "I should've remembered that your plans were always risky." He had to laugh a little bit, relieved that the ash covering his blonde head was not his own. "Next time. Remind me to stay away when you're angry."

Angel looked at him for a moment and then simply said, "Thanks."

"As I said, my little slayer wouldn't like the idea...," he trailed off and his eyes fixated on a point somewhere behind his grand-sire's shoulder. "Talking about little slayers," he said and nodded towards that point.

Still sitting on the ground Angel slowly turned his head and froze at the sight before him. In a corner of his mind he realised that there was a whole group of people looking at him, but he saw only one. Buffy was standing there staring at him as if he was a ghost. Remembering the state of the lab she probably thought he was one. He himself could hardly believe that they'd escaped that fire inferno.

Their eyes locked and he could see her lips move, forming his name, silently, disbelieving. And then her legs began to move, still a bit shaky, but stronger with every second, stronger with the knowledge he was alive. Forgetting everything around them she fell on her knees beside him, her face wet with tears but her eyes filled with love and relief, an expression mirrored in his'. Slowly, very slowly she reached out with a trembling hand and touched his cheek with her fingertips.

Realising that he was really sitting in front she flung her arms around his neck with a strangled cry on her lips, "Angel," was the only word she said, the only word in her mind. He was here, safe, in her arms and she would never let him go again. Almost as a reflex his arms encircled her waist at the same time, pulled her close and held her firmly. He could hear her muffled voice at his neck, repeating his name again and again and he could feel her tears falling on his shirt. They just clung to each other, assuring each other that they were together.

Their friends couldn't help but stare at them. Two bodies so entangled with each other that it was hard to say where the one ended and the other began. Two halves that only made an entity when together.

*

Tearing her gaze away from the couple on the ground Faith looked at the blonde vampire who was now standing only some feet away. "Hi," she said with a sheepish smile. "You're coat is burnt."

He shrugged, but his face wore the same sheepish expression, "Yeah. But hey, I'm not, that's a plus."

"Yeah," she replied and looked to the ground, then back at him, "Don't do that again," her voice was suddenly hoarse.

His eyes locked with hers, "What?" he demanded.

"You scared me dammit," she admitted. "I thought," she paused and took a deep breath. "Just don't do it again. Okay?"

A slow smile spread across his face, "Okay," he simply answered and then with a swift motion pulled her to him. Stroking her back, he whispered words of comfort to her, while the tension in her body softened and the tears began to flow.

"My God, tell me, is this always like that? Live-love-dramas?," a voice came from behind the group and when Willow and Giles turned around they were looking at a small, greenish demon, who was grinning.

The ex-watcher cleared his throat, "Excuse me. Who are you?"

The little creature extended a hand, "Giles. I'm Giles," he said and watched irritated that the man's eyes widened in disbelief, while the red-haired girl's face was wearing the same expression for a moment before she burst out laughing.

"It seems I get these reactions a lot lately," he muttered, a little bit annoyed. Sure he was a demon and for human eyes he didn't look exactly attractive but this. "Glad that I'm able to entertain you."

Willow was the first to recover from the surprise. Struggling to keep a straight face she took his hand, "Sorry. But," she had to laugh again. "It has nothing to do with you. I'm really sorry. B-but," another laugh, "his name is Giles too." She pointed at the ex-watcher who stood beside her and hadn't said a word so far.

"He's Giles too?" the little demon was stunned for a moment and then grinned. "I see," he said knowingly. "Well," he looked to the ground and bit his lower lip.

"Yes, well," Willow said with a nod. "Nice to meet you, I'm Willow." She smiled and added, "I'm a witch."

"Uh-huh," he replied and looked at Giles, "and he?"

"Oh, that's Rupert Giles, but we call him Giles," she explained. "He is ... wasBuffy's," she nodded at the pair on the ground, "that's the blonde girl there. Giles was her watcher."

"Was?" the demon asked a bit confused.

"Long story," she said with a wave of her hand.

"I can guess," he replied dryly and his eyes wandered to the two couples. "I've never heard of vampires and slayers ... that way."

"What can I say," the red-head chirped, "That's Sunnydale and all. We're never short of surprises." She gave him a smile and added, "I'm dating a werewolf."

"Uh-huh," the little demon gazed at the ex-watcher. "Hi, I'm Giles, nice to meet you."

"How do you do," the Brit said stiffly, still struggling with the idea that he was sharing the name of a demon.

*

Slightly pulling back from Angel's neck, Buffy covered his face with little kisses, "I thought, I'd lost you," she murmured in-between, her voice low but urgent. Then she looked at him, "I have to tell you that I understand."

He eyed her with a puzzled expression, "Understand what?"

"It's too complicated right now, but I'm not angry with you anymore. I understand why you were so frustrated after ... after they captured me. But ... but Angel, we can work this out. Believe me, you're not endangering me, in fact you're good for me and ..."

He silenced her by pressing his lips on hers and when they parted she looked at him with wide eyes while he was smiling, "You were babbling," he said with a grin. "Besides. I also thought about a lot while I was in there," he informed her.

"You did?" she asked, desperately trying to suppress the hope she was feeling at his words and the expression in his eyes.

"Hmmm," he made and quickly kissed her again. "I thought about the idea of you and Riley as a couple."

"Oh no," she groaned and rolled her eyes, but he silenced her again by laying his index-finger over her lips and shook his head smiling.

"No. Not that way. Just as a possibility. You and a human and you know what? It sucks."

She had to grin at his words. They were so un-Angel. "Does it now?," she gently kissed his jaw.

"Oh yes. Suddenly I realised that a vampire and a slayer aren't that bad." He nodded at Faith and Spike who stood not far away, still holding tightly to each other.

"I see," she wiped her tears away, there was too much joy in her now. "So you would say a vampire and a slayer ... let's say like us ... could continue their relationship."

"Exactly," he nodded with a grin. "Next time. Just hit me."

"I promise," she replied and stood up, pulling him with her in the process. "Let's go home."

"Home," he echoed and smiled. "Sounds heavenly."

"Yeah," she nodded and buried her face at his chest.

*

"I believe it's safe to say that everything is alright again," Giles (the human) had found his voice again and looked at the couple.

Buffy rolled her eyes, "Xander would love that sentence," she joked. At his puzzled look she grinned, "You could've just asked 'Everything okay'."

"Oh," he smiled, "I understand. Well, I'm still not used to that mistreat of the English language."

"Don't we know it," Willow smiled as well. "I think we should go now. There's nothing we can do around here and I'm SO not looking forward to face Pro Walsh or some of her commandos."

"Although I doubt that, I agree," Angel said holding Buffy firmly at his side. "We should go home." He looked at the little demon, "Where do you go? By the way I'm Angel."

"Giles," he grinned. "I'm Giles," he repeated. "I realise it's cause for laughter."

"He's Giles?" Buffy looked back and forth between her watcher and the little green creature and then grinned too. "Welcome to Sunnydale. I'm Buffy."

"Nice to meet you and to answer your question," he gazed at the vampire, "I will find a place. This town wasn't that friendly to me. So I doubt I'll stay."

"Then good-bye and good luck," Angel said.

"Thanks for," he gestured around, "for this."

The vampire raised his hand, "No need to thank me."

"Fine then, good-bye," demon-Giles said and with a wave disappeared in the night.

Giles (the human) looked at his little group. "We should really go home now. It'll be sunrise soon and Buffy needs to rest."

"Yeah, yeah," the slayer grinned and then took Willow's hand while they headed for the car, "He'll never look the same for me again," she nodded towards her ex-watcher.

The witch grinned too, "I will always wonder why he isn't green," she said and then burst out laughing again, while Angel smiled at the two girls.

Behind them Giles groaned, but then smiled. Life on the hellmouth surely was never boring.

really, it's the end! So I hope you liked the ride and will tell me what you thought of it! There is however the possibility of a third story in this universe. I already have some ideas. Of course not right now, but somewhere in the future. Tell me if you're interested in another story. I have to know if anyone would read it. Thanks for all the feedback throughout the parts. You were great.

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