Chapter 10

A frantic knocking at the door woke Buffy and Angel the next morning. The slayer just pulled the covers over her head mumbling something unintelligible. The vampire chuckled, slipped out of the bed and into his pants. Pulling a shirt over his head he opened the door.

"Willow!," he said in surprise. "Is something wrong. Come in," he invited her.

"No, nothing's wrong," she quickly assured him. "At least nothing like the end of the world. But Buffy's mom called me in the middle of the night because she wasn't in her bed. So I thought it's safe to say she's with you."

The vampire's face wore a shocked expression when he asked, "And you told her that?"

"No!," the red-head answered. "No, I told her she was with me. But I had to promise Mrs. Summers Buffy would call her in the morning," Willow told him and her eyes were wandering over Angel's apartment, taking in the art-work, the drawings. "Nice flat," she said then.

"Thanks," he replied absentmindedly. "Just a second."

With this he disappeared behind a curtain and soon Willow could hear Buffy's sleepy voice and then a loud "WHAT?! OH GOD!" Only seconds later the slayer appeared with Angel in tow. "Willow, I owe you big," she came to stand in front of the young witch. "Thanks for covering me."

The red-head gave her a grin, "It was nothing. Just a little sleep deprivation. I think she bought it. But you need to call her. I promised."

"Of course," Buffy nodded and disappeared behind the curtain again and then vampire and witch could hear her talking on the phone.

"You're a good friend," Angel said after a moment and gestured towards a sofa. "Did you have any breakfast?" he asked.

"No," the red-head shook her head.

"Then stay. I was about to get up to make something for Buffy anyway."

She raised a surprised brow, "You cook?"

"Hmmm," he made and was already on his way to his kitchenette, "Are you okay with toast and scrambled egg?"

"Fine with me," she said towards his retreiving back. "And thanks."

"Noproblem."

"Thanks again, Will," Buffy said coming back from the bedroom, now wearing her pants and one of Angel's shirts. "She wasn't even angry." With a contented sigh she let herself fall into a big seat opposite to her friend. "Is Angel making breakfast?"

"Yes. I didn't know he could cook?! He doesn't eat after all."

"He does," Buffy corrected. "It just doesn't taste a lot for him. But he can eat. And he can cook. At least better than I. And he likes to spoil me," she added with a grin.

"So he's the perfect boyfriend?" Willow grinned back.

"Oh yeah," the slayer nodded emphatically. "Absolutely perfect. I wouldn't trade him for the world. And he is a bit more than just my boyfriend," she added enjoying the way her girlfriend's eyes widened at her last words.

*****

With a shout Spike threw the the book he was holding into the corner. "There is nothing, absolutely nothing inside here. Dammit! And I thought my bloody-darned grand-sire was at least smart." He began to pace the abandonned house they'd found during the night. Well it was abandonned now after they'd sucked the owner dry. It had attracted the vampires because it had a large cellar that was light-proof.

Throwing his hands in the air, he looked at Drusilla who was sitting on the ground. "What the hell are we going to do now? We have this bloody demon here but we don't know how to use it! God, I would kill him if I could!"

"Secrets are everywhere," Drusilla said, her eyes closed, her body rocking back and forth. "We need the key." Her eyes flew open and she stared at her lover, "Spike. You have to get the key. The man with the book has all the informations you need."

"Oh pet," he sighed, hating that his wonderful black princess was in her own world again. "The key ... what do you ...," suddenly he stopped pacing, and a smile lit up his face, "Of course. The watcher!" Turning towards his minions, he shouted, "Tonight we're going to get the watcher."

He walked over to Drusilla and pulled her to his feet. She was smiling at him and for Spike there was nothing more beautiful in this world. "Pet, do you know what a great girl you are?"

"I do, Spike. And I'm always yours."

Chapter 11

"I still can't believe this," Willow said with a dreamy look in her eyes over a bite of scrambled eggs. She had to admit Angel had more qualities than she'd thought. The eggs tasted like heaven. "This is really good," she told him pointing at her plate with the fork she was holding.

"Thanks," he gave her a smile.

"I told you he was a good cook," Buffy said with a proud look at her boyfriend who was sitting beside her, a hand on her tigh. No, she thought, not just my boyfriend.

"So you are as good as married," Willow came back to subject that had made her shriek just before.

"Not really married," Angel interrupted her. "Not in this century anyway."

"Yeah, but still," the young witch took another toast. "This is so romantic. See," she looked at Buffy, "I always told you he was perfect for you. He can even back you up in a fight."

Buffy gave Angel an I-told-you-so look that made him grin and then turned to her girlfriend. "But don't tell Xander. He's freaking out enough already. I don't need any more. And no word to Giles."

"Oh Buffy," Willow almost whined. "I'm not good at keeping secrets."

"Willow," the slayer warned. "Giles will have a heart attack. Oh God, and mom," she sighed dramatically. "Angel," she turned back to her lover, "we have to talk to mom. As soon as possible. And we also have to find an explanation why you're only there at night."

"How about the truth," he asked after a moment.

"Are you crazy," the fork she was holding almost slipped from her hand, "Mom will *so* totally freak. She ... she can't handle this! You don't know my mom."

"She loves you, doesn't she," he said thoughtfully.

"Of course she does. But telling her about vampires ...," Buffy trailed off sending Willow a pleading look to back her up in this, but the witch just shrugged.

"Don't count on me there. For me your mom is perfect. Compared to mine anyway. She lives in Sunnydale for almost 20 years and is still in complete denial. But your mom is so much better."

"Now you're ganging up on me," Buffy fell back, closed her eyes and groaned. "But how can I tell her? Angel?"

"Of course I will go with you," he assured her. "How about tonight?"

"Tonight?" her voice was a mixture of panic and horror.

"Tonight is as good as any other night, Buffy. The sooner the better."

"God, and I thought this was a good day." She finally opened her eyes again and gazed to the clock. "I better get dressed for school now. Then I'm going to talk to Giles again, checking about news regarding Acathla, then patrol and then I'm ready for execution." She could almost feel Angel grin behind her back whe she disappeared into the bathroom and she was sure she heard Willow giggle while she was closing the door.

*****

"Spike," Drusilla whined. "I don't want to move again."

"But what we're going to do won't work in the basement of a house, pet," he took her hand in his. "Do you understand."

"I want Daddy," she said ignoring his reply and staring into space.

He sighed and turned away, "He won't come back. You told me yourself. He's with the slayer now."

"I hate her. The bitch took my daddy." She walked over to him and put a hand on his shoulder. "You will take care of her, won't you? Spike. Promise me! You killed slayers before."

Pulling her in his arms he kissed her soundly, "Whatever you want ducks, whatever you want." Turning towards his men he shouted, "We're moving again. Take everything with you. And don't forget that damned statue."

Chapter 12

"I'm not so sure this was my best idea ever," Angel said while he and Buffy were leaving the cemetery they'd just been patroling.

"You're not chickening out now," she stopped and shot him a stern look. "It was your idea after all. *You* made me call mom and tell her I'd be bringing someone for dinner. You should've heard her."

"No I'm not backing out of this," he replied with a sigh. "But that doesn't mean I'd like it either."

"Well, that's your problem now," she said with a grim smile and started to walk again. "You know," she went on after a moment of silence, "that mom loves art. She's working at a gallery. And you're good with art, right? I mean you left me that drawing one night and ...," she trailed off suddenly realising it hadn't been him in her bedroom that night.

But Angel didn't seem to have noticed or if he had, he ignored it, because he said, "Yes, I'm quite good with art. I was around for a while after all. Actually I've met some of the painters."

"And you can draw, right?" she asked, curious all of a sudden if only the demon was an artist.

"Yes, I can," he nodded. "As you've already had the oportunity to see. But I'm not that good, Buffy. I'm not an artist."

So he had heard her remark about the drawing, but obviously he didn't mind. A good sign, she thought. "But you are," she protested. "I don't know anybody who can draw as good as you." When  she saw his doubtful look she insisted, "It's the truth, really."

"Buffy, how many artists do you know?" he asked smiling.

"None personally, but that doesn't mean anything. You're good, for me anyway. Period."

Her voice had a certain tone that he knew it was useless discussing the subject any further, so he just sighed inwardly.

Before they even realised they had arrived in front of the house. Buffy searched her pocket for the key and opened the door, frowning when he didn't follow, but then suddenly remembering, "Oh sorry," she gave him an apologetic smile, "I forgot. Please come in!"

His lips twitched when he stepped into the house and removed his coat. The smell of food was everywhere in the air, obviously Joyce had outdone herself and Angel felt himself regretting that he wasn't really able to enjoy normal food anymore. But at least he could smell it and that was something for a start.

"Buffy, is that you?" Joyce's voice came from the kitchen and then the door opened. "Oh, good, and you brought you fr...," she stopped in mid-sentence and stared at the guest, her eyes widened and she seemed to struggle for the words. Then after a moment she pointed at Angel, "What is he doing here? Buffy Anne Summers I think you have to explain a lot now!"

"Mom, please," Buffy gave her mother a pleading look.

"Don't look at me that way," Mrs. Summers wasn't about to calm down easily, "Just some weeks ago you said he was stalking you, you warned me to be careful and now you bring him back into the house. I think an explanation is the least you owe me now." While she was talking, her eyes were never leaving Angel who wasn't quite sure how to react.

So he cleared his throat, "Mrs. Summers, maybe we should sit down somewhere and talk."

"A very good idea," she gave him another hard look, then turned and led them into the living-room.

When they were seated, Buffy was the first to break the awkward silence that had settled over them, "Mom, omigod, I don't know how to begin, but I'm a vampire slayer."

Shock, disbelief, even amusement were to be seen on Joyce's face when she looked at her daughter. She'd thought Buffy was member of a gang, but obviously it was even worse. She raised a brow, "A what?" she asked.

"A Vampire Slayer. Mom, please just listen, okay, and then you can ask. This is actually a very boring story, but see in every generation there is a Chosen One..."

****

Giles took his glasses off and rubbed his eyes. Glancing at the clock he saw it was not even nine now. He shook his head and closed the book that way laying in front of him. God, he felt tired tonight. Tired and old.

Staring at the doors of the library he found himself expecting Jenny to come in and laugh at him, calling him an old book-worm and kidnapping him to go with him to monster-trucks or some other horrible so called entertainment. How he missed her. He missed her laughter, her sparkling eyes, the mischieveous sparkle in them when she was teasing him.

He had never had the oportunity to tell her he loved her, he realised. No, not true, he amended. There had been perfect oportunities, but he'd never used them, being too sure the right time would come. But now it never would. Jenny was dead and even when he'd talked to her ghost - he shook his head and chuckled - it wasn't the same. He wanted her to come through the door and kiss her. He wanted to blush at one of her remarks, he even wanted to talk to her about computers.

He sighed, stood up and put the book back into his office when he suddenly heard a noise from the door. "Hello?" he asked and was about to turn when his world went black.

******

Joyce stared at the girl sitting before her and then at the man at her side. This wasn't really happening she thought. This was a nightmare and every minute she would wake up ... no, this can't be happening. Shaking her head in a helpless attempt to clear her mind she swallowed hard.

"Mom, say something."

Buffy's voice sounded in her ears, but it seemed far away.

"Mom."

This time it was louder and somehow Joyce managed to make her voice functioning, "What do you want me to say? This is a lot to take in."

"Tell me about it," Buffy said with an unamused laugh. "I freaked when my first watcher told me."

"Who would've thought," her mother's voice was full of sarcasm. But then she shook her head and her eyes wandered to Angel. "And how do you fit into this picture?"

"I ... uh ... well..."

"Angel's a vampire mom," the slayer said giving her lover a look.

"A ... vampire," Joyce nodded although she didn't understand a word. Well, she understood the words, but still ... "But didn't you tell me you're killing vampires?"

"Yeah," Buffy replied with the ghost of a smile on her lips, "but Angel is different, he's got a soul. He's not evil." She grimaced and then added, "well not usually that is."

"I see," Mrs. Summers look from her daughter to the man - no, not man, vampire - at her side. "No, actually I don't see," she amended. "Buffy, I don't know what to say."

"Mrs. Summers," Angel said after a moment. "I know this is hard to take in...,"

"You have no idea," she interrupted him.

"Ah ... well, yes," the vampire struggled to find the right words. "You see, I was cursed with a soul about 100 years ago. Since then I stopped being the ordinary vampire. I don't drink blood from humans anymore."

"Anymore," she echoed, "but you did. Before you got your soul, I mean?"

"Yes," he nodded and felt Buffy squeeze his hand. God, he loved her.

"A hundred years," Joyce considered and eyed him warily, "How old are you, Angel? Angel, that's your name, right?"

"Yes," he nodded again. "And I'm ... uh ... I'm 242 years old."

"Oh," was all Joyce managed to reply. "Well, you're definitely older," she added then.

Another awkward silence fell over the room. Buffy and Angel exchanged quick glances now and then, anxiously waiting for the older woman to speak again. She did - after some minutes - and her voice was much calmer now, "Show me," she said and surprised her daughter and the vampire.

"Show you, what?" he asked not understanding.

"You don't look different," she told him, pointing at his face. "So show me, how a vampire looks like."

Angel looked at her, startled, then at Buffy and when he saw her nod he changed into his game-face.

Joyce let out a gasp, but didn't try to look away. With a certain amount of amusement the vampire realised she was studying him. Then she suddenly nodded, "Alright. Now I believe you."

He nodded and changed into his human features again and Buffy asked, "Well?"

Her mother sighed loudly, "Well. What can I say? It's obvious that you're telling me the truth." She shook her head and laughed briefly, but sobered instantly, "As I said, it's a lot to take in. Angel," she turned towards the vampire. "What you told me some weeks ago...," she trailed off, feeling a bit embarrassed to discuss her daughter's love life. Her underaged daughter who was hunting vampires night after night, she thought.

"Mrs. Summers, it wasn't really me you were talking with."

"Not really you?" Joyce asked confused. "But you were standing right in front of me."

"Yes," Buffy answered in Angel's place. "He was. But somehow he wasn't." She took her mother's hand. "Mom the night ... well, the night Angel and I ... you know ...," she took a deep breath, "it caused him to lose his soul. He told you before that he was different because of it. And he also told you he was cursed with it. Well, the curse had a clause none of us knew about. It said that if he'd ever experience a moment of true happiness he'd loose his soul. And so it happened. But it can happen again, just that you know," she added quickly.

"Do you tell me that you lost your soul because you and Buffy were together?" Joyce asked with amazement in her voice and in her eyes her daughter saw to her great surprise an expression of awe.

"Yes," Angel said softly and looked at the girl at his side. "It was perfect happiness."

Without warning Mrs. Summers had tears in her eyes, "God, that's wonderful," she said and had to laugh when she saw her daughter's disbelieving gaze. "Oh honey. Not that he lost his soul of course, but to think a man - or vampire - loves you so much ... it's every woman's dream."

"So you're not mad?" Buffy asked completely stunned.

"Well, I'm not happy that you lost your virginity being only 17, but we already talked about it. So it doesn't come like a shock. Do you love him the same way?" she asked.

"Yes, I do," the slayer said honestly. "Very much."

"Well," Joyce wiped her tears away and stood up. "Then there's nothing more to say. Maybe one thing, being 242 years old, you grew up at a time when the woman married at Buffy's age, right?" She looked at Angel.

"Yes," he nodded. "Usually they did."

"I thought so." And then another thought entered her mind, "What about ... uhm ... contraception?"

Buffy blushed furiously and Angel would've if he had circulation. "Mrs. Summers...," he began, but was interrupted.

"Joyce."

"Joyce," he gave her a smile. "Being a vampire my body is actually not living anymore. It's just the demon keeping it alive. So I can't have ... I mean ... I can't ...," embarrassed he broke off.

"I see," she gave him her first genuine smile. "Well then. How about we have dinner now and talk a little bit more then. I suppose your life has been more than interesting and I'm eager to know more."

When she had disappeared in the direction of the kitchen Buffy shook her head and then leaned her forehead against Angel's shoulder. "I can't believe it. What happened to my mother?" she asked on a laugh.

Chapter 13

"So Buffy was shown to you?" Joyce asked over the dessert.

"Yes," Angel nodded, trying to get an idea how the chocolate mousse really tasted he was having in his mouth right now. With an inward sigh he had to realise it was in vain. The food looked good, it smelled delicious but it tasted all the same. But Joyce was Buffy's mother and for that an important person in both their lives and he had to admit he liked her. So he smiled and said, "That's fantastic," because he was sure it was.

"Thanks," Mrs. Summers smiled back, then slightly shook her head, "I still can't believe that this librarian Mr. Giles is part of all this," she gestured with her hand and the spoon in it. "No wonder he was so concerned at the hospital when your sire," she gave Angel a questioning glance and when she saw him nod, she continued, "your sire, Darla, bit me." She shuddered, "God, a vampire bit me and I never knew. Can anybody be more oblivious?" With another shake of her head she took a sip of her coffee."You have no idea," Buffy said and looked at Angel for a moment, then back at her mother, "just think about the many people who've grown up here. You would think they've noticed the mortality rate extraordinaire, but then it's so much easier to live in constant denial."

"Don't be so hard on them," the vampire leaned back in his chair, "people tend to deny things they don't want to see. If they would accept that vampires do exist they'd live in constant fear."

"Yeah, yeah," the slayer said with a nod. "But still...," she scratched the rest of her mousse with the spoon and licked it clean. The gesture was incredibly erotic to Angel and he quickly looked away. He doubted that a visible bulge in his trousers would be a plus in Joyce's book for him. She might know that he and her daughter were intimate together, but a visible proof was another thing.

"How is it to be alive for so long?" Mrs. Summers asked after a short silence.

"Well," the vampire began but they were interrupted by a frantic knocking at the door. The three on the table exchanged short glances and then Buffy went to answer it only to come face to face with Willow, who almost stumbled over her words.

"Giles ... the library is trashed," she was breathing heavily and sweat was allover her forehead, Xander was standing behind her, looking the same way.

"Slow down, Will," Buffy grabbed the arm of her friend and pulled her inside. Xander followed on his own. When he saw Angel coming from the living-room he raised a brow.

"Family dinner already, I see," his voice was dripping with sarcasm but he was silenced by the deadly glance his childhood friend shot him.

"This is not the time for your childish behaviour," the red-head hissed at him. "Buffy," she turned back to the slayer and included Angel too, "we went to the library. Everything is trashed, books allover the place and then we found this."

She reached into her trouser-pocket and produced Giles' glasses, which were broken. "Something terrible happened. Oh," she gazed at the boy behind her, "and Xander found something."

Without hesitation he opened his palm on which they saw a brooch. It was silver and quite old and Angel's eyes widened on sight. He took Buffy's hand, "That's Drusilla's." He said.

Her gaze flew to him, "Are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure," he replied and was already getting his duster. "Spike's got Giles," he said while slipping it over his shoulders."Hello Willow, hello Xander," Joyce came from the living-room as well.

"Mrs. Summers," the young witch nervously glanced at Buffy who smiled.

"Mom knows everything now," she said and smiled at her mother.

"OH! Oh, good," Willow released a breath of relief. "What are we going to do now?" she asked.

"We need to find him," Angel said, his eyes on the slayer. "They still got the statue of the demon."

"Then let's go to the mansion, we beat them up, get Giles, then we can have the rest of mom's wonderful mousse." She was already halfway up the stairs to get her slayer supplies when Angel's voice stopped her.

"Buffy. Do you really think they're still at the mansion?"

"Uhm ...," she smiled a bit sheepishly, "if you put it like this, no."

"We need to split into groups," he said, looking at the human teenagers. "Willow you come with me, Xander'll go with Buffy. We meet back here in an hour." Locking eyes with his girlfriend, he added, "and no stunts on your own. You can't deal with them that way. We have to meet again here and then go together. Don't forget it."

The slayer flashed him a smile, before she raced up the stairs and shouted over her shoulders, "I love you too."

Grinning despite of the situation Angel shook his head and caught Joyce's gaze. To his great relief she was smiling. He was about to turn and leave the house when he felt her hand on his arm. "I'm really glad you're there to look after her," she said and gave him a quick squeeze. Then she turned and went back into the living-room.

"Come on Willow," he said to the red-head and was glad he was a vampire, because as a human he would've blushed furiously.

Chapter 14

The first thing Giles noticed when he regained consciousness was the fact that his hands were bound and that he was sitting on a chair somewhere dark. Groaning because of his splitting headache he tried to remember what had happened to him. There had been a noise and then ... just nothing. God, his head hurt. The last time he could remember a headache like this was a certain evening with Ethan Rayne some twenty years ago, after black magic and too much red wine. But he'd been younger then and he knew for sure he hadn't been drinking last night. Or was it this night ... what time was it anyway?

He tried to see something but it was so dark in wherever he was he couldn't see a single thing. Okay, he told himself, if you can't see try to hear or feel. Well, feeling was really out of the question with his hands fixed behind his back, his fingers numb from the bonds. That left his ears and he tried to concentrate on noises. After a moment he could hear voices, a male one commanding and ... was it whining? It was a soft female voice, it seemed almost unreal, and it sounded somehow ... confused?

The thought hit him like a bolt. Drusilla. Who else would have a reason to kidnap him but Spike and his insane lover? He also knew the reason. They would try to awake Acathla and needed information only he could give them. They would probably torture him. Well, let them he thought. He hadn't been called Ripper for nothing, they would surely learn a few things about the stiff Brit, he thought grimly.

The same moment a door opened and light fell into the room. And then he heard the soft female voice, "See, Miss Edith, our guest is all awake."

*****

"Where's Xander?" Angel asked when Buffy came through the door an hour later.

"Hopefully back soon," she replied and took a deep breath. "We met Cordy on our way out and so we split too. They went together and I was on my own. The factory was a dead end," she said with a trace of frustration in her voice.

"Where did you send them?"

"The caves," Buffy glanced at Willow, "I take it you found nothing either."

"Nothing," Angel said and shook his head, "your mother is making some hot chocolate. All we can do is wait for Xander an Cordelia now." When he saw tears in the slayer's eyes he pulled her to him, "We'll find him, love, I promise."

"We will," Willow said with a firm nod, although she was anything but optimistic at the moment.

They whirled around when the door bell rang and seconds later the remaining two scoobies stormed into the house. "They are in the caves," Cordy informed them. "And they have a very, very ugly stone figure ... can I say ewwww ... good heavens didn't they have mirrors in the middle ages. How can anybody want to look like that," she rambled.

"Cordelia," Angel interrupted her and when he had her attention, he said, "can we stay with the facts, please."

"There are about 20 vampires, maybe more," Xander supplied, shooting his girlfriend a look, "Spike and Drusilla were there as well. I didn't see Giles, but Spike was reading in a book that he's probably stolen from the library. So I'd say it's a safe bet. Giles is there."

"So we know they are down there," Buffy sighed and leaned back into Angel's chest. "Great, just great! That's probably the worst place. No daylight, no windows. And I thought we attack them in daylight," she sighed. "Plus they can guard the entrances quite easily."

"Uhm ... guys," when everyone looked at her Willow went on, "we've also still the problem of Acathla, right? I mean we still don't know how to fight it as soon as it's activated."

"It wasn't activated when we saw it," Xander said.

"But it could by now," the red-head reminded them.

"You're right, Will," the slayer turned and looked at her boyfriend. "What the hell are we going to do?"

"I ...," Angel began but they were interrupted when the door bell rang again. Willow turned and opened it. In front of them stood a short kind of man with horrible clothing and in his right hand he was holding a sword.

Chapter 15

"Whistler," Angel exclaimed and looked at the demon in the doorway.

Four pairs of eyes turned towards the vampire, a single question in them.

"Angel, my friend," Whistler grinned and stepped inside, closing the door behind him. "Nice to see you again, and so ... improved."

"I really can't say the same," the vampire raised a brow and looked at the demon, who was still wearing his old hat and the funny clothes.

"God, can you stay stuck in the 50ies," Cordelia rolled her eyes. "Where did you grow up," she said and shook her head, "on another planet?"

Whistler grinned at her, "Something like that. Who's the queen?" he looked at Angel.

"What do you want?" the vampire asked instead of answering the question.

"Now, now," the demon shook his head, "no need to be hostile."

"Whistler," Angel said on a sigh, "whenever I met you you were bad news."

The demon cocked a brow and looked at Buffy, "Always?" he asked.

"Okay, so not always, but most of the time and you're more than annyoing, so what is it today?" The vampire was slowly loosing his patience.

"Would anybody fill us in now," Buffy asked annoyed, her eyes wandering back and forth between the two men, who were obviously well aquainted. And somehow the name Whitler rang a bell.

With a heavy sigh, Angel said, "Buffy, this is Whistler. He is a good demon or that's what he says. Whistler, these are Buffy, Xander, Willow and Cordelia."

"Nice to meet you guys," the demon made a little bow, then looked around. "I heard you had some problems with an ugly guy called Acathla."

"What do you know about Acathla?" the slayer watched him through narrowed eyes. Who the hell was this guy?

"Our boy here, Angel, was meant to face the demon," he said after a moment of silence.

"Excuse me?" the vampire stepped closer to the demon. "Can you repeat that!"

"It's your destiny, my friend. You were meant to help fighting it. We almost thought it wasn't going to happen." He rolled his eyes, "When I introduced her to you none of us could know you two wouldn't be able to keep your hands off of each other."

"Thanks, I really needed the visual," Cordelia muttered under her breath.

But Whistler had heard it, "My pleasure, your majesty," he teased good-naturedly. "Anyway," he went on, "now that you're back on track, we hope everything will go as planned."

"Who the hell is 'we'?" Buffy demanded, nailing Whistler with her gaze. Annoyed didn't describe her feelings anymore. She was pissed with the demon's cryptic attitude. She remembered now that Whistler had been the demon who'd found Angel in the streets, no wonder her vampire lover had become a master of cryptic messages.

"We?" the demon glanced at her then at the sword, "not important, my beauty. Let's just say there are some higher powers who are watching you and him," he pointed at Angel. "I brought you this," he lifted the sword in the air. "This was the sword that was used before to defeat Acathla. It might help this time too."

Chapter 16

Buffy glanced at the sword Whistler was holding in his hand. "And that's supposed to kill the demon?" she asked doubtfully.

"No," Whistler shook his head and grinned when he saw the slayer roll her eyes in annoyance. Angel on the other hand looked ready to dismember him and although he knew the vampire had a soul he decided not to risk too much. "But you can use it to launch it into the demon dimension for good as soon as the vortex is opened."

"Huh?" Buffy cocked a brow, "So we just sit there and wait until the vortex - which is supposed to suck the whole world into hell - is opened. Does anybody else think the plan sucks?" she looked around and finally her eyes locked with Angel's.

"She's right," the vampire gazed at the demon. "This is too dangerous. We cannot risk the vortex to be opened in the first place."

"There is no other way, my friend," Whistler slightly bowed his head when he saw Joyce had joined the little group. "Good evening, Mrs. Summers."

"Hello," Joyce had only listened to parts of the story, but she suddenly realised that listening to Buffy's and Angel's stories about slaying was one thing, talking about an Armageddon was another. "You're not really talking about *that* hell, right?" she asked, her concerned eyes resting on her daughter.

"I'm afraid we do," Angel replied and laid a comforting hand on her arm which made Xander cock a brow.

"I can't believe it. Only days ago, this guy was running around, sucking people dry and today he's like the son-in-law sent from heaven," he muttered under his breath, earning a "say-that-loud-and-you-are-so-dead"-glance from both, Buffy and Willow and even Cordelia seemed not pleased by his attitude. Were all the girls dense, he discussed inwardly, or were they all falling for the guilt-stricken, blood-sucking type? What had Angel that he hadn't? A lot, he had to admit and decided it wasn't time and place for his usual bickering.

"You ... you can't be serious," Joyce stammered, her eyes wide with fear, one hand gripping her daughter's and squeezing it hard. "And you have to go?" she asked Buffy almost desperate.

"Yes," the blonde nodded. "It's my duty. But don't worry, it's not the first time and Angel's with me and my friends. We lived through something like that before and will again."

"You ... you mean, there's been more of this?"

"Of course," Willow assured her. "World savage on a regular basis, that's us!"

"Yes, we're standing strong in the face of danger," Xander added and all the others turned towards him. "What? We do. Stand strong," then he smiled sheepishly, "well, if we don't run as fast as we can, that is."

Shaking his head, Angel turned back to Whistler, "Okay, so you're telling us that we have to wait until the vortex is open and then just throw the sword into it?"

"Not exactly, no," Whistler replied.

"God, can someone please kill that guy," Cordelia had had it now. "Can you say annoying much. Listen buddie, just tell us what is what and skip the cryptic. We've all we can stand of it already," she added with a quick glance at Angel.

"As you wish, your majesty," the demon said with a grin. "Okay kids, you have to stuck this into the creature who opens the vortex and it'll swollow it together with the demon. The statue will stay, but the essence of the demon will follow into hell and can't come back - ever."

"And how are we supposed to know who opened it."

"Well, how about watching," Whistler suggested.

"Oh, great," Buffy rolled her eyes, "we're strolling into the caves for some vampire-induced Armageddon-live-act. Just how I planned to spend my evening. But you forgot an important fact. There's still Giles we have to consider. We cannot just sit and watch while he's probably been tortured. No way."

"Now, look kid, this is the fate of the world we're talking about," the demon tried to argue.

"No way," the slayer shouted and shot him an angry glance, then she took the sword from him and stormed out of the house.

"Angel, my friend...," Whistler began, but the vampire just shook his head and followed his girlfriend into the night.

Chapter 17

Willow, Cordelia and Xander almost had to run to keep pace with the slayer and the vampire who were leading the way. They were three ordinary teenagers helping to save the world.

Talk about strange things, Willow thought and quickly glanced at Cordelia and Xander beside her who were holding hands all the time. She missed Oz tonight, but the quiet werewolf was gone north with the Dingoes for a gig and so she had to go through this on her own. Well not really on her own, she amended, but looking around she realised she was the only who didn't have a boyfriend with her tonight.

Hers and Oz's relationship was very new as was Cordy's and Xander's she had to admit. Not in her wildest dreams she had expected her childhood friend and the cheerleader to become a couple, but then this was the hellmouth and stranger things had happened already.

Her gaze wandered to Buffy and Angel who were walking in silence, not touching, but seemed connected by some invisible bond, nobody could touch and only attentive people could feel. Willow had always felt it. She would never forget the glimpse in Buffy's eyes when she was talking about him, shortly after she'd met him the first time. The connection had been there from the start, a vampire and a slayer, mortal enemies they'd gone a rough path but never lost their faith in each other. Buffy had never wavered in her affection, not even Angelus had changed her feelings. She had been lonely, missing Angel, but never accused him. Willow wondered if they were talking about this time at all. But then it was still fresh, the wounds raw, and with Acathla in Spike's and Drusilla's hands there hadn't really been time for something else.

And now Giles had been kidnapped. The red-head's heart went out for him. He'd suffered so much by loosing Jenny, seeing Buffy, whom he loved like his own child, suffer terribly and now this. Willow could only hope he would hold on.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Buffy suddenly stopped and the young witch realised they were standing right in front of Angel's apartment, the entrance to the sewers right oposite to it. "Listen," the slayer turned and looked at her friends. Teenagers without super-powers, but always there to help when it was necessary. Could anyone wish for better friends, Buffy wondered. "Fighting is for Angel and I alone. Is that understood? If," she let her gaze wander from one face to the next, "fighting is necessary don't try to take a vampire on your own. Do it together. When we find Giles you will take him outside. Don't wait for us," exchanging a quick glance with her lover, she saw him nod.

"But how are you going to fight more than 20 vampires - only you two?" Willow asked.

"Much better if we don't have to worry about you," Buffy said. "Giles is your first priority. Angel and I will take care fo Acathla," she glanced at the sword she was holding and then handed it to her lover, "You heard what Whistler said, it's yours to do it."

The vampire nodded again, "Look out for each other," he told the teenagers. "Do not loose sight of each other. Stay together."

"Since when did he become captain here?" Xander's angry gaze was on Angel. Might the others take him back without questions, but he just couldn't do it. Ever since Jessie had been turned he hated vampires more than anything and Angel even more for destroying any chance he might have had with Buffy.

"Not now Xand," the slayer warned him. "You know Angel is right and I won't have this. The moment we go down there, we need to trust each other. Either you'll get your hormones and emotions in check and agree to help or you stay here. What will it be?"

Four pairs of eyes rested on him and he swallowed uncomfortably, "Of course I'm going with you," he almost whispered.

"Good," Buffy's voice didn't let room for any more arguments. "Then lets go. Spike will learn what it means to mess with me."

Chapter 18

The last time Xander had been going through the sewer tunnels he and Angel had been on their way to save Buffy and had fortunately succeeded. After all Angelus had caused in Sunnydale it was hard for the boy to believe he was with the vampire again.

Buffy and Angel were leading the group, everyone trying to move as soundless as possible, nobody saying a word until they reached a bifurcation. There they stopped and vampire and slayer looked at each other.

"Promise to be careful," Angel said urgently and took Buffy's hand.

"I will. Promise the same," she replied with a tight smile.

"Promise," now he smiled as well.

Breathing a quick kiss on his lips the slayer turned around, ignoring Xander rolling his eyes and Cordelia looking annoyed. "Okay guys, be careful. As we said before, serious fighting is for Angel and I only. Giles is your priority. Try to get him out as quick as possible. And one more thing, no more talking from now on."

Angel nodded, "We will split into two teams. Willow and Cordelia come with me, Xander you are with Buffy. There are two entrances to the main cavern and it's better to invade from two sides." When he saw the teenagers nod he turned back to his girlfriend who squeezed his hand one last time.

*

Buffy exchanged a surprised glance with Xander as soon as they arrived their entrance to the cavern. They had expected guards, but there was ... nothing. The slayer wasn't sure if she should be glad or not. It just seemed too easy. The moment they peeped into the main room they knew why.

Giles was bound to a chair that stood in the middle. All the vampires were standing around him, right between them Spike, who was impatiently patting his thigh. Drusilla on the other hand was kneeling right in front of the watcher, moving her hands in front of his face, staring intensely into his eyes, while her lips were moving. But she was whispering and too far away for Buffy to understand the words.

Some distance away she saw the stone figure of the demon with the sword in place. She quickly glanced down at the sword Whistler had given her, she held tightly in her hand.

Giles was bleeding from several wounds and the fingers of his right hand were standing in strange angles and Buffy kept herself from gasping in shock the last possible second, then her gaze was instantly caught by the fact that Giles began to smile ... happily. The next thing they saw was Drusilla kissing the watcher and Buffy's eyes went wide. Looking to her side she saw that Xander helplessly lifted his shoulders. What was going on down there?

*

When Drusilla showed no intention to break the kiss, when she looked as if she was even enjoying it Spike's patience snapped. "That's enough, pet," he hissed and roughly pulled her away. "We know all we need to know."

"We do," she agreed with a nod and smiled. She threw her head back and laughed and Spike was enchanted for a moment by her beauty. She was his black princess, the woman he would be spending eternity with. Granted, eternity in hell wasn't his idea of fun. He enjoyed living on earth, stalking his pray, drinking from humans and finally killing them and he enjoyed lots of other things like a beer now and then, a glass of whiskey ...

Why on earth was he doing this he wondered? But then he heard Drusilla laugh again and he knew. He would do anything to make her happy.

"Who would have thought, Spike," she smiled at him. "*I* am the one. I am to revive this magnificent demon." All madness seemed suddenly gone from her eyes. With a quick movement she produced a knife and cut the skin of her palm.

*

Buffy's gaze flickered to Angel whom she had seen some time ago at the other entrance. Knowing how he felt about Drusilla she wasn't quite sure how he would take this piece of news. But it was too dark down there to see the expression in his eyes, especially over this distance.

The moment Drusilla turned towards the demon Angel left his cover and entered the main room, signaling Willow and Cordelia to stay put for the moment. Spike instantly whirled around, "Peaches, I can see the stringed puppy is back."

"Spike," the dark-haired vampire slightly bowed his head. "I never thought you would care for hell."

His grand-childe shrugged, "What can I say. Whatever the lady of my heart wants."

Angel sighed, "I thought you'd say that," and without warning his fist connected with Spike's jaw. It was the sign for Buffy to enter from her side, Xander in tow. The assembled vampires began to shout and soon the slayer was staking vampires left and right. While fighting Spike Angel dusted some of the minions that tried to come between them. One Spike killed himself by accident.

Cordelia, Willow and Xander did their best to help for a while until they heard Angel's shout, "Take Giles," he ordered glancing at the almost unconscious watcher. "Now!" Surprisingly they obeyed instantly and only seconds later Cordelia and Willow disappeared through one of the exits with Giles between them.

Angel's fist connected again with Spike's face, the blond vampire stumbled backwards. "You've been better, mate," he growled and landed a kick on his grand-sire's stomach. Angel grunted but held his ground and attacked again.

Buffy had a vampire on each arm and was struggling when one disintegrated to dust and a grinning Xander was standing there, stake in his hand. "Thanks," she flashed him a quick smile, only to shout, "duck," when another vampire came flying through the air. The slayer who had staked the second vampire easily rolled away and in standing decaptiated the new one with the sword she was still holding.

They were all busy and none of them noticed Drusilla who was now standing in front of Acathla. Blood was dripping from the hand that reached out and touched the sword protruding from the statue's chest. The moment her hand connected with it the sword began to glow.

"No, Dru don't," Angel yelled seeing it from the corner of his eye. Spike let go of his grand-sire and whirled around to see his girlfriend slowly pulling the sword from the demon, a brilliant smile on her face. For him she was more beautiful than ever.

She spread her arms and said, "Come, take us all!"

The next moment the demon's mouth opened and a small vortex began to form in front of it. Still smiling, the sword in her bloody hand, Dru whirled around and looked at the others in the cavern. Nobody was fighting anymore. Some of the vampires fled, others, including Spike, were staring at the growing vortex with awe. "I did it, I did it," Drusilla repeated again and again and jumped up and down. A placed punch on the blonde vampire's head knocked him out for a moment.

"Give me the sword."

Buffy's head snapped around and she stared at her boyfriend who was holding out his hand and nodding at the sword she was holding.

"No," she shook her head. "Angel, let me do it," she replied, not wanting him to do it himself.

"You heard what Whistler said," was his reply. "Buffy, please."

Fighting the tears in her eyes she handed him the sword and swallowed hard. "Angel," she said hoarsly.

"It'll be alright," he tried to assure her, but the trembling of his hand when he took the sword from her told another story. Taking a deep breath he turned away from the slayer and walked over where Drusilla was still standing. "Hello, Dru."

"Angel," she smiled at him, reached out and touched his cheek, "My Angel. You came back. You came always back to me."

Buffy clenched her fists until her nails were piercing her skin. "I'm sorry," she heard Angel whisper and then with a swift movement he pushed the sword through her chest into the demon. A light appeared and after only seconds the insane vampiress was gone. The stone figure stood there as if nothing had happened.

The next they heard was an inhuman scream and when they looked into Spike's direction the vampire was gone.

Angel was still standing at the same spot, his whole body was trembling and suddenly he was convulsing. Buffy shoved Xander towards the exit, "Go and look for Cordelia and Willow," she ordered not wanting him to see Angel in such distress. Then she walked over to her boyfriend and began to stroke his back. "It's okay, Angel," she whispered. "It's okay."

After what seemed like an eternity he turned around and looked into her eyes. She could see tears in his and almost unbearable pain. She wasn't sure if she would ever be able to understand what this had meant to him. "It will be alright," she said and touched his arm.

"I hope so," he replied hoarsly. "Because I did this to her, Buffy. I made her the way she was and now I also had to destroy her."

"I'm so sorry," she told him with tears in her eyes. "You should've let me do it."

"No," he said, reaching out and gently brushing a tear away that had slipped down her cheek. "I know you wanted to do it for me. But I was meant to deal with Acathla and so I did."

And then she was in his arms, holding him close. They were both trembling and they stayed like this for a long time.

Buffy was the first to pull back, "We should better go upstairs," she suggested and was looking around, "Seems we're the last down here."

She felt Angel nod at her neck and heard him draw a unsteady breath. "Alright," he said after a moment. "We should also check on the others and Giles."

"Yeah," she nodded and was about to turn, but then stopped again, "Are you better now?"

"No, not really," he replied honestly. "But we have to go on anyway."

Chapter 19

They met the others at the upper exit in the crypt where Buffy had met Darla for the first time and where Angel had told her his name. There were so many memories in this little crypt but there was no time thinking about it. When Angel and Buffy arrived there they found Giles still with Cordelia, Willow and Xander, more conscious now he was waiting impatiently for his slayer.

"Buffy," he exclaimed. "Angel," he added after a moment. "Are you both alright? What about Acathla? Spike? Drusilla?"Taking her lover's hand the slayer replied, "Thanks to Angel Acathla is gone and Drusilla with it. We both are fine. I don't know about Spike, he just disappeared. But Giles, that's not important right now, first of all we need to get you to a hospital."

"I'm better already," the watcher said but winced the same moment.

"I can see that," Buffy told him sarcastically.

"How about I drive him to the hospital?" Cordelia offered. "I'll go and get the car over there. It shouldn't be long."

"Thanks," the slayer gave her a grateful smile.

The mayqueen nodded, then turned and went to get her car. "I'll go with them," Xander said after a moment. "You others can go to bed."

"Yes, that's a good idea," Giles agreed, "Buffy, you look completely exhausted. Angel?" he looked at the vampire inquiringly.

"I'm fine," he said and made a dismissive gesture.

"You are not," Buffy said firmly, "but you'll be eventually."

*

They all waited until Cordelia returned with her car and after saying goodbye to Willow, Buffy pulled Angel into the direction of her house, "We go home - my home. Mom expects us anyway."He was hesitating for a moment, but she firmly shook her head, "No way, Angel, no way I'm leaving you alone tonight."

Slowly nodding he followed her. They were greeted by an anxious Joyce who - of course - hadn't been able to sleep.

"Honey," she instantly hugged her daughter. "Are you alright?" she asked and glanced over Buffy's shoulder at Angel who stood a bit away averting his eyes.

"I'm fine," the slayer assured her. "The world is safe again," she added and forced a bright smile.

"What about him?" her mother asked and again her gaze wandered to the vampire who seemed withdrawn, completely different from the communicative man she'd met only hours ago.

"He had a rough night," Buffy replied simply, not wanting to explain anything right now. "Mom, he's going to stay here for the night." She said it in a way that left no room for protest and so Joyce just nodded.

"Alright. See you in the morning, honey," she said. "I love you. Good night. Good night, Angel."

"I love you too, mom, sleep tight."

"Good night, Joyce," Angel managed to say, but didn't look up.

After her mother had disappeared in her bedroom, Buffy just took her lover's arm again and pulled him with her. He followed her without resistance, he seemed completely drained and the slayer could only try to understand how hard the last hours had been for him.

In her bedroom she removed Angel's shirt, his shoes and socks and finally his pants and then just gently pushed him towards the bed. He still seemed in deep shock. They didn't say a word and removing her own clothes Buffy just snuggled close to him, pulling the covers over them both.

He stiffly lay in her arms for a while, then after some minutes his whole body began to tremble and she could feel him struggle for composure but it was in vain. After another five minutes he broke down in her arms and began to cry. Cool, heavy tears ran down his cheeks and she just held him, stroking his head and back, whispering comforting, nonsensical words in his ear.

He kept crying in her arms until sleep overwhelmed him.

*

When Buffy woke up the next morning the clock already read 11 a.m. Angel was still asleep in her arms and she gently brushed her lips over his forehead. He'd suffered from horrible nightmares and woken up from them with panic stricken eyes, panting heavily, even crying out from time to time.

The slayer hadn't been able to hold back her own tears while holding him. He had looked so desperate and helpless, but he'd clung to her as if she was his lifeline.

The nightmares had subsided in the morning and ever since the sun had come up outside they had vanished. Now he was sleeping fitfully and she cautiously untangled herself from him. She needed to go to the bathroom and then - she was sure of it - her mother would be expecting some kind of explanation from her. So she rolled out of the bed and tiptoed from the room, closing the door silently behind her.

*

Joyce was downstairs, reading the newspaper and sipping from her coffee when Buffy entered the kitchen. She looked up when she heard her daughter enter, "Morning honey."

"Hi, Mom," the slayer replied hesitantly. She wasn't quite sure what to expect this morning. They had dropped quite a bombshell last night on Mrs. Summers before running away to save the world, only to come back and telling her matter-of-factly that her boyfriend would be sleeping in her minor daughter's room.

"How is he?" Joyce asked after a moment and surprised her daughter with her question. "I assume he's still asleep? Being a vampire, I mean." A sudden frown appeared on her forehead, "Well, at least, that's what the films say. Vampires sleep during daylight."

"They do," Buffy assured her mother with a small smile. "And yes, he's asleep. He had a rough night," she added, yawning herself. When she saw her mother raising a brow she explained, "He had horrible nightmares. Yesterday was ... well, in order to save the world he had to kill someone close to him."

"I'm sorry," her mother said. "But he'll be alright, yes?"

"Yeah," her daughter nodded and poured herself some coffee. Not only Angel had had a rough night, she hadn't slept so much herself. She'd been much too worried to sleep. "Or at least I hope. This other person was a vampire. A vampire he sired." She sipped from her coffee and realising her mother wouldn't understand it, she said, "He made her. She was a girl in London more than hundred years ago. His demon made her a vampire."

"I see," Joyce replied, not really understanding it. But she had seen the haunted expression on Angel's face the night before. "I thought about all the things you and your ... Angel told me yesterday," she said then, slightly changing the subject. "He seems very ... educated and very addicted to you."

Buffy smiled, "He is wonderful. Oh mom, he's so sweet, gentle, kind, he knows so many things and most of all he loves me." Sipping from her coffee again she sat down on one of the stools, "And he understands me. He knows what it means to be sourrounded by death and darkness." Seeing her mother pale she added quickly, "And I just love being around him."

"I just want you to be happy, honey. And if he makes you happy," Joyce sighed, "not that I didn't have other dreams for you...," she trailed off, giving her daughter a helpless smile. "There are many things I still don't understand."

"I know," Buffy nodded, "Maybe you should go and talk to Giles. He is much better in explaining all this stuff, you know."

"That might be a good idea," her mother agreed. "Besides, I want to know the man who is so important in my daughter's life."

"Just wait one or two days. He isn't feeling so well at the moment," she said. No need to tell her mother the truth, she decided. She had enough to deal with already. She put her cup down, "I'll better check on Angel." With a smile she left the kitchen.

Go to Part 20