Chapter 29

When Buffy woke up the next morning Angel was still sleeping beside her. The sun was shining on his face and the slayer marveled in the sight of him. He was so beautiful to her, in and out. Smiling she held up her hand and looked at her engagement-ring.

After they'd left the Bronze they'd gone to see her mother who had been smiling all the time. Buffy still could hardly believe what a U-turn her mother had made regarding Angel. After being persona non grata he was now quite the oposite.

She started a bit when Angel's hand took hers. Looking at him she saw him smiling, then pulling her hand to his mouth and kissing the ring. "Good morning," he whispered.

"Good morning to you. Sleep well?"

"The short time we did actually sleep," he grinned.

"You are wicked, Angel. Did anyone ever tell you that?"

"You think so?" he replied raising a brow. "You know what," he went on changing the subject, "I'm starved, but I'm not so sure we kept the fridge stocked."

"One suggestion," she rolled from the bed and searched for one of his shirts. "I'm going to take a shower and then we go and see Giles. He's always very well equipped and we didn't tell him so far."

"Alright," he sighed, climbing out of the bed as well. "Let's shower."

"I didn't invite you," she teased.

"Damn," he replied, grinning.

"But you can come anyway."

*

Giles of course wasn't at home, so the next best guess was the library where they found him engrossed in a book.

"*You* really need a life," Buffy scolded gently when she and Angel entered the library. "It's a wonderful sunny day, it's vacation time and you are sitting here, your head burried in a book. Is there anything else besides demons in your life?"

"It's just the way we stiff Brits spend our time," he replied sarcastically. "What brings you to a bookish place like this, Buffy? I mean, I know Angel reads a lot, but ...," he trailed off sending her a nasty look.

"Just so you know. I read quite a lot of poems recently," she said haughtily.

"And I have some ideas why," Giles glanced at Angel who was grinning. "So again, what brings you here?"

"Uh ...," Buffy felt suddenly uncertain. Giles had become so much a part of her life and somehow she felt bad for not telling him earlier. How odd, she thought, she hadn't felt any intention to tell her own father ...

"Giles," Angel took the blonde's hand, "Buffy and I are engaged."

"You are ...," the watcher had to clear his throat. "My ... that is some news."

"Yeah," the slayer agreed, smiling shyly.

"Congratulations," Giles stuck out his hand to Angel, then pulled Buffy into a bear-hug. "Taking the look in your eyes I'd say you are very happy."

"I am," she replied.

"Are you planning to get married soon?"

"No," Angel shook his head, took a seat and pulled his fiancée on his lap.

"Angel talked to mom before," she sent him a mocking but also loving glance, "and she only said yes after he assured her he wasn't planning to marry me before I finished college."

"Good to hear," he cast Angel an approving glance. "Alright, after breaking the news to me, what do you plan to do on this wonderful day?"

"Nothing special," the slayer replied, "what about you? Anything special why you're spending the day inside?"

"I was researching. Nothing definite." He shifted uncomfortably in his chair, not wanting to break the good mood. Sighing, he said, "I was reading about Spike." When he heard the slayer gasp, he shook his head, "There are no signs he is back. But I thought we should be prepared although," he eyes wandered to Angel, "I suppose you know more about him than any watcher handbook."

"I don't know. Of course I will tell you anything I know. But everything ends around the time I regained my soul. Our paths parted shortly afterwards. Angelus wasn't very fond of Spike and I ... well, frankly, he is really the most annoying childe I ever made, if not the most annyoing vampire."

"I don't know if that's supposed to make us feel better," Giles leaned back. "I read about him killing two slayers."

"We already knew that," Buffy gave him an annyoed glance, "remember when he first appeared in Sunnydale you told me."

"I know," her watcher nodded. "But I know almost nothing about how it happened."

"Me neither," Angel replied. "The first time only Dru was present, I had already regained my soul and was ... well, not comfortable anymore in their company. And the second time, I wasn't anywhere near. He ... liked to brag ... but never revealed any details about the killings. And Dru wasn't ... has never been ... in a position to tell me." He swallowed uncomfortably, still not liking to mention the insane vampiress who was now suffering in the demon dimension. Buffy felt the tension in him and squeezed his hand, then kissed him gently on the cheek.

He pressed her hand in return, "Anyway. So I suppose there isn't much I can supply. If you want to know about his character though ... he is evil, but unlike other vampires somehow he kept a weak spot for Dru. And it was much more than a sire-childe-thing. He loved her ... well as much as a vampire can love ... but as far as that goes, he truly loved her. And I know he was devastated when I had to send her to hell."

"That's the reason I'm sure he'll be back," Giles sighed and got up, disppeared in his office, but returned a minute later carrying one of his private watcher diaries. One of those he never allowed the slayer to read. He didn't want her to know about the horrible deaths her fellow slayers had faced throughout the centuries. Some of the things were beyond any human imagination. It was enough that he had nightmares all the time. For this he was comforted by the fact that Angel was at her side constantly.

"This watcher," Giles handed the book to the ex-vampire, "writes about the death of his slayer sometime around the boxer revolution. Spike killed her quite easily, obviously someone told her watcher how it happened. Spike seems to be very ... imaginative ... where killing is concerned."

"He certainly had his moments," Angel said sarcastically, not opening the book. He didn't want to read the contents, didn't want to be reminded that the woman he loved was mortal. The idea she could be hurt or worse was nothing he wanted to think about. His eyes caught the ones of Giles and the two men exchanged a look of understanding. They both would make sure the girl they both loved, the one like a boyfriend, the other like a father, would be safe.

****

Buffy was lying in bed beside Angel the same night when she suddenly heard a noise at the door. She got up, opened and gasped. There was Drusilla standing right in front of her. "No, you're dead," she whispered, not able to believe her eyes.

"Do I look dead?" the insane vampiress whispered. "I don't think so."

"B-but ... but I saw you being sucked into hell."

"Now," Drusilla tilted her head, an evil smile playing around her lips, "you were obviously wrong." Holding Buffy with her eyes, the slayer froze in place, her eyes widing in shock when she saw Angel stirr on the bed. She could watch what was going on, but was unable to move. "This is perfect," the vampiress licked her lips. "My Angel."

She produced a gun she had hidden behind her back and without further warning shot Angel right into his chest. Laughing evilly she snapped her fingers to free Buffy from the spell that had frozen her in place and left the apartment.

With one step the slayer was on the bed, her hands searching for the wounds in Angel's chest. He was lying there, his eyes glazed over from the sudden loss of blood, the life slowly slipping from him. "Angel," she sobbed, clutching his body to her. "Please, Angel, don't leave me."

"Buffy," he whispered. "I love you." Then his eyes closed.

"No," she cried, frantically reaching for the phone. "Angel please hold on, hold on. You have to hold on for me." But she could feel it, his breathing was stressed, his pulse fluttering, "Nooooooo." She cried into the darkness.

Chapter 30

"Buffy," Angel's voice slowly invaded the slayer's mind. She was desperately clinging to him, sobbing uncontrollably. "Buffy, love, please wake up, Buffy." He gently shook her in his arms.

"Angel," she whispered only now daring to open her eyes. "Oh God, Angel. She killed you. Sh-she h-had a gun and k-killed you," she sobbed, her whole body shaking like a leaf, one arm still desperately reaching for the phone at the nightstand.

"Shhh," he made while rocking her in his arms like a little child. "Everything is fine. I'm alright. It was just a dream, just a dream."

"But ... but it was so real," she insisted, not letting go of him. He reached over her trembling form and skipped on the light. "See," he said finally, pulling away from her, "I'm here. Buffy, love, look at me."

Slowly her hazel eyes opened. His heart clenched painfully in his chest at the horror he saw in them. But as soon as she was able to focus on him, the relief in them was almost palpable. "Angel," she cried and encircled his neck again.

"What did you dream? Who had a gun and was shooting at me?"

"It was Drusilla. She ... she was standing right in front of the door. I opened it and then," another sob went through her body, "she froze me with her eyes ... you know the way she did it with Giles ... and all I could do was watch. She produced a ... a gun and ... sh-shot you. Oh God," again she clung to him, holding him with all her might. "It was like that time when I dreamt she was killing you and as a result you lost your soul."

"I'm not going to lose my soul this time," he replied calmly.

"I know, but this dream was prophetic too, I just know it."

"Buffy," he held her at her shoulders. "I sent Drusilla into the demon dimension. There is no way she will be coming back."

"You're sure?" she asked not at all convinced. "But ..."

"Not buts," he said firmly. "Drusilla won't come back. Spike might, but certainly not his mate. Please, love, calm down. You're going to make yourself sick like this."

"Promise, you will always stay with me?"

"Always," he assured her and held her until she fell asleep in his arms.

Chapter 31

Buffy was shaken after dream, but when even Giles assured her that there was no way Drusilla would be able to return from where Angel had sent her to, she felt a lot better.

That, plus the fact that the next weeks went on and nothing spectacular happened. She and Angel staked some vampires but for a change there were no prophecies, no extraordinary demons and Spike didn't return after all. They were almost convinced he'd left the hellmouth for good.

School started again and life was almost back to normal.

Almost.

Although everything seemed fine and quiet none of them managed to shake off the feeling that something was coming up. So Giles called all of them to the books for research. Somehow he couldn't get over the feeling that he had overlooked something.

While the others were reading Buffy just sat at the table staring into space.

"Hey," Angel's soft voice behind her startled her.

"Hey," she took a deep breath.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's okay," she assured him, "I was just thinking."

"Do tell me!," he teased her gently.

"Hey, are you trying to make fun of me?" she asked playfully.

"Sure, you know I always do."

"God, can't you stop even once," Cordelia rolled her eyes in annyoance. "You almost live together. Itn't that enough already."

"No," Angel and Buffy replied simultaneously, then burst out laughing. The tension that had been palpable in the library vanished instantly. They were almost relaxed when Willow suddenly paled behind her computer.

"Uh ... guys," she chewed her lower lip looking at her friends with unconcealed worry in her eyes.

"What?" Giles turned towards her and gazed at her expectantly.

"I found something here and I'm not at all sure you're going to like it."

"Whatever it is, tell us," Buffy took Angel's hand hin hers, stealing herself against the bad news she knew were about to come.

"This article here describes a way to bring a person, a demon, back from a demon's dimension. It says it needs a token of love and a spell and ...," she swallowed, then continued, "the father of the person who will have to scrifice his life during the ritual."

"No worries then," Buffy sighed in relief, "I mean Drusilla's father is dead for ... what?" she looked at her friends who were staring ... not at her. And then it hit her. "Oh God, no," she shook her head emphatically. "No, this is not going to happen," she said firmly. "Never, ever."

"Of course it's not going to happen, we will take care that whatever happens none of them will come near Angel," Giles was the first who had recovered from the shock of the discovery.

"Angel?" the slayer's worried gaze was directed towards her fiancée. "You remember the dream, right?" was all she said.

"I remember," he assured her, then pulled her in his arms, "but I swear I'm not going to leave you."

"I love you, I can't lose you, do you understand," she mumbled against his chest.

"Nothing is going to happen," he said firmly and looked around gazing into each ones face.

"Nothing," five voices agreed.

"And don't forget me," a sixth voice came from the door. "I came to assure it as well."

Chapter 32

"Kendra"," Buffy gasped in surprise.

"Hello," the exotic looking slayer greeted the group. When her eyes fell on Angel she raised a brow. "I already heard the news," she said approaching the ex-vampire, "and as I can see they are true. You are human now."

"I am," he replied with a nod. "Good to see you. It seems you always appear in emergency-situations."

"That is because I am the best," she grinned at Buffy saying this and the blonde slayer grinned back. "My watcher told me that unspeakable evil is going to come to Sunnydale."

"Not really big news," Xander turned his attention back to his girlfriend and to the bag of potatoe chips he was chewing. "Evil is our daily work."

Kendra raised a brow at that while Buffy shook her head and laughed, "Just ignore him. What did your watcher say?"

"Well, I ... was fighting two vampires and one of them said something about ... this Spike ... seeking for revenge because Angelus killed his ... girlfriend," she hesitated a bit before saying the last word. The idea of vampires having an emotional relationship was too weird for her.

"I sent her to a demon's dimension," Angel supplied that little bit, his voice low and strained. It had been months ago, but it was clear that he would need time to get over anything regarding Drusilla, if ever.

"And then your watcher sent you here?" Giles looked at the young girl who should be every watcher's dream. How often had he complained about Buffy's strange behaviour but meeting Kendra had changed his perspectives. The blonde slayer wasn't so bad after all. No, not so bad!

"Uh...," the second slayer looked a bit uncomfortable at that question, then sighed, "well, I ... convinced him I was needed here."

Buffy stared at her with wide eyes, "You don't want to tell me you ... disobeyed your watcher."

"No," Kendra was quick to protest, then cast her eyes down, "we ... we had an argument but in the end I could convince him of my way of thinking."

"My, my," the blonde slayer grinned and exchanged an amused glance with Angel, "maybe you're not completely lost."

"An argument with your watcher," Cordelia looked up from filing her nails, "ts, ts, ts. ... I bet that's nowhere in the slayer handbook."

"Stop," Willow held up a hand, "don't you see you're embarrassing her?" she pointed at the dark haired slayer whose face was matching a tomato by now.

"Well ...," Giles cleared his throat. "This vampire, Kendra, the one talking about Spike. Did he ... say anything else."

"Uh ... no," the dark haired slayer had to clear her throat as well. She felt deeply uncomfortable about her behaviour towards her watcher. She had been raised to be a slayer. She had spent years in studying the slayer handbook, watcher diaries and stuff and now she had acted against everything she had been raised to believe true. "I ... uh ... usually don't talk with the vampires. I just stake them."

"Uh-huh," Buffy grinned. "No small-talk with the poor vamps." Catching a disaproving glance from Giles she quickly looked down. When she raised her head again, her eyes were sober. "So we know that Spike wants to come back to Sunnydale. Not really news." Seeing the hurt look in Kendra's eyes at her statement, she reached out and took her sister-slayer's hand, "But it's so good you're here. Strength in numbers."

"Buffy, I'm not really helpless," Angel said gently, taking her free hand in his.

"You are human now," Kendra stated.

"He is, but he can still kick demon-butt," Buffy replied proudly.

"Huh?" the other slayer was lost.

"When he turned human he kept all his strength and stuff," Cordelia explained. She was more than bored at the moment. So Spike was on his way to Sunnydale, big deal! They had dealt with him before and they would do it again. With a sigh she turned back and inspected her nails again. They were really suffering from all that demon-hunting stuff.

"He kept all his strength?" Kendra asked incredulously.

"Yes," Giles nodded, "it's extraordinary really. I have tried to find anything about that in the books, prophecies, but ... maybe I can discuss this with your watcher one day."

"Of course," the dark-haired slayer smiled. "I'm sure he will be pleased."

"Uh ... Giles," Buffy interrupted them. "Focus, please! There's Spike coming to Sunnydale soon. We need a strategy, because I'm sure he won't come on his own."

"He might not," her watcher agreed. "But we still don't know if he knows about the ritual to get Drusilla back."

"No we don't, but I won't take any chances with Angel," the blonde shot back squeezing her lover's hand almost painfully. They exchanged a look and then he pulled her to him.

"And there are the PDAs again," Xander rolled his eyes. "Maybe we should try to install them a private room somewhere...," he stopped when he saw the others looking at him. "What? Don't you think it's something to be done at home? And I'm pretty sure they're doing it quite often," he smirked.

"Xander, you are a jerk," Willow smacked his head what had him howling in pain. "And don't be a baby, I barely touched you. Can't you see the problem here. Spike will be coming back and he won't come to have some nice small-talk with his grand-sire. He'll come for blood," she paused and frowned, "or is it dust? You are human now, but if you die will you ... bleed ... or, well...," she broke off and gave the couple an apologetic glance, "Sorry, not the best topic right now."

"No," Buffy agreed.

"I say we go home now," Angel suggested, stroking over Buffy's hair, "we should all sleep and talk some more tomorrow. What do you think?" When everyone nodded, he continued, "What about you, Kendra? Where will you stay?"

"Uh, I...," she stuttered.

"You are welcome with us. I have a new apartment now with a guest room," he gave her a smile.

"Or you can stay with me," Giles suggested. "We could discuss some things."

"Yes, stay with Giles," Buffy grinned at her sister-slayer. "He needs this. Only stupid teenagers around here."

Laughing, the group left the library and none of them saw the figure watching them from the shadows.

Chapter 33

"So you saw them?" Spike narrowed his eyes at the minion kneeling before him. The former girl was shivering allover, if she'd been still human she would sweat in fear.

"Y...yes," she stuttered. Her master was towering over her and didn't look pleased and she had experienced first hand how he could be if he was angry.

"And you still insist that Angelus isn't a vampire anymore?" Spike crossed his arms before his chest and leaned against the wall behind him. It was good to have minions crawling before him.

"I heard his heart-beat. And I saw a dark-haired girl, I'm not experienced enough, but the vibes I got from her told me she's a slayer too."

"Kendra," the bleached blonde vampire hissed and turned away from her, pacing his lair. Two slayers and his damned grand-sire. Human now, so probably weak, but there were still two slayers and he could clearly remember his last encounter with them. It had ended up with him in a wheel chair ... no, no need for that again. He couldn't afford to lose this time. There was too much on stake here.

"She probably came to protect Angelus," came another voice from behind. Spike turned around to look at another of his minions. He had managed to sourround himself with quite a lot of them, some of them due to the fact that he'd been busy to create childer. Unlike minions they were loyal - at least for some years - and had scrouples to kill their sires. "It seems they expect us," the minion spoke again.

"Probably," his master growled. "They'd be dumb not to expect me. And they might be many things, but unfortunately, being dumb isn't one of them."

****

"Angel?" Buffy whispered into the darkness of their bedroom. Funny, she thought, how she had come  thinking of it as *their* bedroom. But then, they were engaged and so ...

"Yes," he whispered back, interrupting her thoughts.

"I'm glad Kendra is here," she told him gently stroking his chest. "I know you can look out for yourself but ... but I ..."

"I know," he replied tenderly and pulled her closer. "I can understand you. And if it helps I don't like the idea either to end up as Spike's sacrifice to rescue Dru from where she wanted so desperately go to." He had meant to lighten the mood but a sob escaping from her throat, even as it was muffled in his chest, told him that he hadn't achieved his goal. "Buffy," he gently forced her to look at him while his other hand switched on the light on the nightstand. "Please stop this. You're making yourself sick with worry. We don't even know if Spike's here or even if he'll come at all."

"He will," she replied sniffling. "He hates you. He tried to sacrifice you before and that was *before* you sent his insane girlfriend into the demon's dimension. Now I think nothing will stop him to try."

"Try being the operative word," he reminded her. "And you never forget it. He might try, but we're going to make sure he won't succeed."

"Promise?"

"I promise," he said and closed his lips over hers.

****

Promise or not, the next days Buffy made sure that either her or Kendra were with Angel all the time. After a while the ex-vampire felt like some celebrety accompanied by his personal bodyguard. And as much fun it was to be with Buffy, the times he was with Kendra Angel remembered why his demon self had been so particulary not-fond of slayers. Of course it wasn't the girl's fault, but her upbringing, the way she'd been shielded from everything and only been focussed of becoming a slayer hadn't made her an interesting conversation partner. There was nothing she could talk about.

No, that wasn't fair, he decided. She could talk about one thing. Slaying. He wondered if there was anyone in this world who knew more about the slayer handbook and if she would even beat Giles with all the information about prophecies that was secured in her head. As effective that might be at some point Angel couldn't help but pity her and damn the watcher's council who had actually agreed, even pushed, this development.

But for all the pity he was feeling he was glad that tonight he and Kendra were at Buffy's house and Joyce was keeping them company while Buffy was out slaying with Willow and Xander.

"Is anyone hungry?" Joyce inquired with a smile.

"No, thankyou, Mrs. Summers," Kendra replied politely.

"I told you to call me Joyce," Buffy's mother reminded her. "So please feel free."

The dark-haired slayer blushed slightly, but shook her head in the negative, "I really can't do that, Mrs. Summers. It just doesn't feel right."

Joyce sighed and looked at Angel who just shrugged. "What about you?"

"No," he replied. "Too nervous. I can't eat while she's out there on her own. I still can't believe I let her talk me into this. This is ridiculous," he finally admitted, running a hand through his hair and standing up.

Mrs. Summers had to smile at his attitude, he was so cute like this and she was glad he was really caring for her daughter. Maybe it was strange for a mother to aprove of their relationship, regarding the fact that her daughter was still underaged and the boyfriend - no, fiancée - was an over 200 year old ex-vampire, but she couldn't help but think they were perfect for each other.

"She should really be back by now," Angel's voice interrupted her thoughts. He was standing at the window and staring into the night, his back turned towards the women. "I need to know that she is alright," he suddenly announced and headed for the door, grabbing his duster in the process.

Kendra was up and by his side in an instant. "No," she grabbed his arm and held him back. "You're not going. I promised Buffy to look out for you and that we would stay here."

"Let go of me," he narrowed his eyes at her, a definite warning in his voice.

"No," she repeated.

"I really don't want to hurt you," he warned her.

A slight smile played around her lips, "You won't," she said. "And besides, maybe you should remember our last fight. You ended up in a cage, closed up and all."

He raised an eyebrow at her, but had to smile as well, "Is this your way of telling me you won't let me go no matter what?"

"Exactly," now she grinned. Wow, he thought, this way she was almost cute.

Sighing, he put his duster back on the chair it had been laying on and was on his way to the living-room when suddenly something came flying through the window, shattering it in the process. Joyce shrieked more in surprise than in shock while Angel was already on his way to pick up the object. It was a stone and a piece of paper was wrapped around it.

A sick feeling immediately entered his stomach and with trembling fingers he opened the note. At the first words his face lost the colour it had gathered lately and he had to grab for a chair to steady himself.

"Angel?" Joyce's voice sounded far away.

"What is it?" Kendra demanded.

"They've got her. He's got her," he amended, "Spike took Buffy. I knew it. God," throwing the paper into a corner he whirled around and headed for his duster again. "I should've been with her."

"Angel, wait," Kendra came up behind him, the note clutched in her fist. "That," she held it out to him, "screams trap."

"Maybe," he admitted, "but that doesn't change the fact that Spike's got Buffy. And whatever happens, I will not let him hurt her."

"Angel," the dark-haired slayer touched his arm. "We need to contact Mr. Giles, we need a strategy ..."

She was cut short by his angry outburst, "A strategy!," he shouted. "Spike has Buffy. He wants me in exchange. Period. Kendra, I know you want to help and you are free to go and see Giles, but I will go there and get her now. I'm not risking her life in this. You don't know Spike. He is a vampire, he is evil and you have no idea what he's capable of." He looked at her for a long moment. "So are you with me in this or not?"

After a second she nodded and grabbed two stakes, "Okay. Let's go." Opening the door for her, Angel followed but turned round to look at Joyce, "Don't worry. I'm going to bring her back. I promise." Closing the door he only hoped he would be able to be true to his promises

B>Chapter 34

Rupert Giles had been going to bed in the hope to meet Jenny again. Ever since she'd appeared to him after Angel had regained his soul she was visiting him regularely and the watcher found himself looking forward to his dreams where he was reunited with the woman he loved. He knew that they were dreams only and that Jenny - even as a ghost - wasn't real, but it was comforting to know that wherever she was she wasn't suffering. And he loved the conversations they had while he slept.

So he was slightly disoriented when he bolted up in his bed awoken by a loud banging at his front door. Rubbing his eyes he reached for the light at his nightstand and put his glasses on. He blinked when he saw the clock there was saying it was just after midnight. So much for sweet dreams.

With a heavy sigh, he stood and patted barefoot down the stairs, tying his robe around him in the process, and towards the door where the banging just didn't want to cease. "Yes," he hissed in annyoance when he opened the door only to come face to face with someone he would never have expected there, and certainly not in the middle of the night.

"Mr. Giles," Joyce tried to catch her breath. She'd been running to her car, running from the car and the fear that was knotting her guts didn't help either.

"Mrs. Summers," he had to blink again to clear his mind, then instantly ushered her inside. "Come in, come in."

After he'd closed the door, she held out a piece of paper to him, "I think you should read this," and while he took it from her and began to scan the lines she continued, "Angel got it tonight. As you know Buffy was on patrol with Willow and Xander when we got this. He and Kendra left immediately. That was half and hour ago. From what I can read it might be a good idea to get some backup for them." When he tried to interrupt her, she held up a hand, "I understand that the two and my daughter have some sort of super-powers, but I cannot just stand by while she is facing this." She pointed at the paper and then looked expectantly into  the watcher's eyes.

"So Spike has Buffy, Willow and Xander," Giles threw the paper onto the table and went to his private weapon cabinet. He heard Joyce gasp when he opened it and she had a free view on the stakes, crossbows and axes hidden there. "I know it looks quite ... impressive," he said a slight smile playing around his lips. "While I collect the weapons, could you try to get Cordelia and Oz." Then he shook his head, "No, not Oz," he sighed, "it's a full moon and with him being a werewolf ... anyway. Forget about the phone," he turned holding two axes and a crossbow, "I think we are ready."

Joyce raised a brow, "You think," she replied looking pointedly at his pyjamas.

Giles shook his head, "I really don't think Spike is interested if I wear a proper suit while shooting him." And with this he opened the door and Joyce followed him into the night.

*****

Kendra and Angel had been almost running towards the mansion. Who would've thought that Spike would again take it as his headquarters. But then it was only logical, he knew the place, although Angel would've expected him not to be interested in the memories of Drusilla and his grand-sire's evil self. But then, Spike was a vampire and Angel knew only too well how twisted a vampire's mind could be.

"I understand that this Spike is your grand-childe," Kendra finally broke the silence.

"What?" the ex-vampire looked at her irritatedly for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, he is. Drusilla made him as a playmate, she thought it funny and I ... my evil self ... was so annyoed with her that I agreed. So she techinally made him but I was the one who taught him everything he had to know to survive as a vampire."

"That certainly is an advantage."

"For him or for us?" Angel asked, not slowing down for a second.

"Point taken," she replied with a sigh. "He knows you too." "He does," the ex-vampire said grimly. "I am responsible for him. And now he's got Buffy. God, we were so stupid. Why didn't we anticipate what he would do. It's so like him to use her as a bait. And now quiet, vampire hearing and all," he whispered.

They had reached the mansion and crouched to the wall went down the stairs to the courtyard. There was no light to be seen inside. Angel exchanged a quick glance with Kendra and motioned her to stay outside to cover his back. A nod from her assured him she'd understood and immediately she retreated into the shadows. Sometimes, he had to admit, it wasn't that bad when another person obeyed orders. With Buffy this would've have taken endless discussions about who was to risk their life or not. Angel had to smile at the thought, but was instantly serious when he slowly opened the door.

****

"You feel awfully good, don't you," Buffy had long stopped struggling against the chains. From her last encounter with the blond vampire she still remembered him bing a master of bondage. Ewww, bad thought, disturbing image. She had to shudder slightly.

"No, not really," he shot back while pacing in front of the two humans and the slayer he had captured and who were chained to the wall in the mansion. "But it'll be better as soon as your beloved Angelus arrives."

"Then," a voice came from the doorway, "you must feel quite hillarious now."

"Angel," Buffy cried, "go away. This is a trap."

"Of course it is," the ex-vampire gave her a reassuring smile while he proceeded further inside the mansion. His hands were stuffed in the pockets of his duster, his voice was controlled, the expression in his eyes calm. He shook his head and smiled slightly, "Spike, Spike, Spike. Will you ever learn? Taking hostages ... how profane. I thought I taught you better."

His grand-childe narrowed his eyes, "Cut the crap, Angelus, you are all human now I hear. That's disgusting. Not only a soul but human too. How can you look at yourself?"

"At least I *can* look at myself, can't I, Spike." Angel's eyes darted around, quickly scanning the main hall and counting the minions hidden in the shadows.

"You shouldn't act so haughty," the blond vampire crossed his arms, "you are ... slightly ... outnumbered here and with your little missy bound and out of the game and of course the other two losers...," he trailed off, his eyes finding Willow and Xander who were watching the whole exchange with frightened eyes.

"Alright," Angel removed his duster and threw it over a chair. "What do you want, Spike?"

"What do you think?" his grand-childe smiled evilly, "Do I look like the forgiving type to you? Certainly not. You killed my black goddess, you bastard. First you made her, drove her insane and then you sent her to the demon's dimension."

"That's what she wanted," the dark-haired man replied cooly although the reminder was tearing him up inside. This wound would never close.

"She didn't know," Spike shouted, "she was out of her mind. She was just playing a little bit."

"Sure," Angel nodded, "I know that Spike, but it was her or the whole world."

"I'm not interested in the world," his grand-childe shot back.

"Yeah," his grand-sire sighed, "don't I know it. Tell me how we settle this?" he asked. "Let them go, and I'm all yours."

"NO," came Buffy's shout from the side. "Buffy," Angel turned his head towards her, pleading with his eyes not to interfere, but of course she wouldn't have any of it.

"No way," she replied. "I'm not going to let you sacrifice yourself here. Not for this bastard."

With lighting speed Spike was right in front of her and backhanded her on the cheek. Buffy's head snapped around and she felt blood on her lip. "Hold your tongue, slayer," he snarled. "Or I'm going to turn him right in front of you. Would you like that, little whore, would you," he hissed in her face, so that Willow beside her winced and pressed her back against the supporting wall.

At that moment two things happened. Angel realised that Spike had no idea he had kept his vampire strength and he heard the roar of a car engine outside. Giles! It was Giles' car, so there was backup on the way, not to forget about the second slayer. All he had to do now, was free Buffy. Two slayers and him, plus an enraged watcher had to be enough to overpower these vampires. Spike, well he would look after Spike and settle that matter once and for all.

"Now, Kendra," he shouted and the door behind him instantly flew open revealing the dark-haired slayer who stormed into the building in full speed. With a round-house kick Angel's foot connected with Spike's, distracting the blond vampire for a moment and giving him enough time to open Buffy's chains, silently thanking the fate that he knew exactly how to handle them. She was on her feet in an instant and attacking the lower vampires who started to advance them now, seeing their leader beaten.

>From the corner of his eye, Angel could see Giles and ... *Joyce* enter the mansion, but there was no time to greet them. Realising that the two slayers and one watcher with a crossbow were enough for some newly made vampires he focussed on Spike who was backing away from him towards the oposite wall.

"You bloody wanker," he shouted. "You are still strong."

"Yeah," Angel grinned. "Seems your research wasn't that thorough. You are going to die today, Spike," he informed the vampire almost casually. "I took a lot from you, but you went one step to far. To take the woman I love is very bad in my book."

"You're not getting me without a fight," Spike replied, backing away again.

"Looking forward to it," his grand-sire didn't stop grinning. But it was a grin that sent shivers down the blond vampire's spine. The last time he'd seen this kind of expression Angelus had still be around.

Suddenly Spike had an iron stake in his hand and with a shout he launched himself at Angel. The ex-vampire side-stepped the attack and had his grand-childe flying through the air meeting the ground with a loud 'tumb'. Both encircled each other, completely oblivious to the audience. The two slayers had killed all the other vampires and were now staring at the scene before them. They all knew this was no ordinary fight. One of the oponents wouldn't survive the night.

Angel landed another kick at Spike's chest, audibly cracking several ribs and making the vampire howl in pain and instantly changing into his vampiric features. He turned around and punched Angel into his face, having him stumbling backwards for a second. The ex-vampire slightly shook his head to clear the momentary daze, then advanced his oponent again, who suddenly had a long metallic object in his hand. Angel couldn't escape the blow he saw coming. He felt something hard connecting with his skull and sunk to the ground. Through the haze he heard Buffy's frantic shout and saw Spike grinning above him in a feeling of victory, one of his arms darting towards his grand-sire's chest to rib his heart out.

At the same moment Angel rolled away and produced a wooden stake from behind his back. The advancing vampire all but ran into it and disintegrated into dust.

Only seconds later Buffy was beside the man she loved, "Angel," she cried encircling his neck and pressing herself close. "Are you alright? Are you alright?" she asked again and again, holding him, stroking his head and back.

"I'm fine. Might have a headache tomorrow, but ... fine," he assured her, holding her as well. Over her head his eyes met those of Kendra, Giles, Joyce, Willow and Xander and he silently thanked them for their help. "Are *you* alright," he asked the girl in his arms.

"Yeah," she sniffed slightly pulling back. "He just chained us up. And bored us out of our mind with his stupid ramble," she added with a smile.

"Uh...," Xander's voice interrupted the lovers, "Maybe we should go. None of us knows if there are more vamps around."

"I doubt it," Angel replied. "Spike was never the born leader. He wouldn't have an army. But I second the idea of leaving. It's not too cozy around here."

"Yeah," Buffy disentangled herself from her lover and stood, holding out a hand to him. When he stood as well he put an arm around her shoulder.

"How about a midnight snack?" Joyce offered, drawing a shaky breath. Everything she'd visited tongight made the adrenaline rushing through her veins. "I think we might also have some champagne left."

"A horray for the slayer's mother," Xander joked, putting an arm around Willow's shoulder, "come one Willy, let's celebrate. A bad-ass vamp dusted, why not catch up an orgy."

The witch blushed instantly, "Uh ...," she looked at the ground uncomfortably while the others behind her laughed. Even Kendra couldn't help to agree.

"A good night for the good forces," she stated and smiled at the couple.

"Maybe you should stay in Sunnydale for a while," Buffy suggested, "we could show you a bit of real life. Teenager life, you know. Boys," she winked at her sister-slayer, who became beet-red.

"Well, anyway. Let's go and celebrate," Giles ushered the others out of the mansion. "I say we've earned it."

"Uh-huh," Buffy grinned while she passed him. "By the way, nice new outfit for slaying," she joked and laughed again, when she saw the pained expression on her watcher's face.

He shook his head, but laughed as well. Life wasn't too bad after all.

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