Part 5

Buffy was surprised when she realised that Liam hadn't come in a coach but at foot. He led her away from the house, down the street and she glanced at him from time to time. After a while, the bright windows of her aunt's house far behind them, she spoke: "Where are we going?"

"I thought you trusted me," he replied.

"I do," she assured him quickly. "I know it's crazy, because we’ve known each other just for 24 hours, but I feel...," she paused.

"Yes?," he stopped and looked at her. "You feel what?"

"I don't know," she whispered, gazing deeply into his eyes. "When I touched your hand. Yesterday, I mean. It was different. It was what I dreamt about, with Riley it's always safe and," she chuckled, "yes and boring. But with you..." she trailed off.

He began to walk again: "You're wrong, you know."

Eyeing him from the side she asked: "Wrong?"

"I’ve known you much longer than 24 hours."

Now it was her turn to stop and look at him: "What?" Her face was full of confusion.

"I watched you. Two weeks I watched you," his voice was deeper now, "and then I wanted to meet you. I'm not what you think."

"No?," her confusion grew

"No," he replied and pulled her into a dark avenue. Staring at her with an intensity that made her shiver he seemed to study her face for a while. "Did you ever hear about vampires?" His eyes wandered from her face to the pulsing atery at her neck. He could almost feel the blood on his tongue. Soon, he told himself, soon she would be his. He knew if his heart would beat it would race now.

"You watched me for two weeks," she said ignoring his last question. "Why?" Then suddenly her head snapped up: "Vampires? Did you say vampires?"

"Yes," he replied. "My name isn't Liam," he shrugged, "well, actually it was, about 150 years ago." He lowered his head and when it came up again Buffy was staring at something she'd never seen before. "Now I'm known as Angelus."

She couldn't move, she had to remind herself to breathe, she could only stare. The face in front of her wasn't human anymore. She knew she should run because it should have frightened her, but somehow it didn't, because there underneath was Liam, the man she ... oh God, she thought. And then she did something the vampire would've never expected. She reached out with her hand and touched him. Softly, gently, like the touch of a feather, her fingertips wandered over the ridges, over his lip and finally over his prolonged canines.

Angelus was sure he had seen almost everything in his long life or unlife, but now he was frozen on the spot. She wasn't afraid, she didn't scream, she didn't try to run away, she just stood there and touched him and in her eyes he saw something he couldn't clearly read. But it wasn't disgust or fear, was it curiousity?

"So you're a vampire," she whispered after what seemed like an eternity.

"Yes," he whispered back. What the hell is happening to me, he asked himself? Why on earth am I talking to her at all? I should take her, suck her and finish it now.

"Did you kill many people?," she asked and looked at him. Looked straight into his yellow, vampiric eyes.

And suddenly he was ashamed. He shook his head in disbelief. He was Angelus, he was meant to be proud, he was a master of torture, a master of killing, of the hunt and now the touch of her hand changed him into some soft lapdog. Almost embarrassed her stepped back and averting his eyes, his voice harsh, he answered: "Yes. More than I can count." And why not, a part of him screamed. He was a vampire, vampires killed humans, they fed from them. It was only natural. But it wasn't that simple anymore. Nothing seemed simple all of a sudden.

When she didn't say anything, he looked up. Her eyes were still resting on him. "And you came to kill me too." It wasn't a question.

"That was the plan," he replied. And the question that kept repeating in his head again and again was, why don't I just bite her?

"What happened?", she tilted her head

He shrugged: "Don't know."

Suddenly she smiled: "You wanted to do it tonight. But you didn't. Do you have feelings for me?"

*******

"Don't leave me alone Spike," Dru whispered in panic. She hated it to be left alone in the lair. And she didn't want to go on a hunt either. The people in London were mean. Only a week ago, one had tried to stake her.

"Pet, I'll be back in no time. There's a business, I have to take care of. I promise it won't take long. Just stay here and wait for me."

"Spikey," she protested again

He took a deep breath, he hated the next sentence but he knew this way she would understand: "I have to do it. For Angelus, for your Daddy."

"Daddy," a happy smile crept across her face and Spike wanted his grand-sire to vanish here and now. But to make sure of it, he had to leave and follow Darla. She'd left five minutes ago and he knew where she wanted to go. He couldn't let it happen. It was his only chance to get rid of the sick bastard.

"Yes, Daddy," she said and groaned inwardly. "Now, be a good girl and wait for me." With a last look at the love of his life, he left

*******

"Vampires don't have feelings," he snapped at her. How could this stupid chick think he had feelings for her? Who the hell did she think she was? She was nothing special, only another human girl, he would have fun with. He could feel his anger grow and he approached her again. She didn't step back, only looked at him unflinchingly. He grabbed her shoulders: "I don't have feelings," he shouted. "You mean nothing to me."

Her smile grew even wider: "No, of course not." She watched him for a moment and then turned her head: "Then go on. Bite me."

The second time this night he froze. Without even noticing his gaze returned to it's human form. His eyes were wide. He wanted to take her, make her his and couldn't move.

Slowly, ever so slowly she reached out with her hand and touched his face again: "I love you," she whispered.

"No," he jerked back. "No."

"Yes," she nodded and touched his lips. "I love you."

"You cannot love me," he shook his head. "You’ve known me 24 hours. That's not enough time."

"More than enough," she replied with a grin. "Sometimes it needs only a second." Seeing him stepping backwards, she replied: "I love you."

"No," he shouted again, his anger growing again. "You cannot do this. I don't want this," he yelled. He was Angelus, a vampire, he would show her. And then without even noticing it he slipped back into game-face and approached her. He would kill her now and stop it. Grabbing her shoulders, avoiding her eyes, he bent forward and could smell the blood running through her veins.

*******

Spike ran through the streets of London, he knew she was near. He could smell Darla and hoped she wouldn't pay attention to him, that her focus would be directed towards her beloved childe and towards him only.

Reaching behind his back he sighed in relief, he hadn't forgotten about it. He didn't want to go for the extreme, but this was his chance and he would be damned if he didn't take it. Drusilla would be his, for eternity.

*******

She smelled so tempting, his teeth were only inches apart from her neck, but she didn't fight, she didn't move, she didn't even flinch.

Angelus closed his eyes and pulled back. Something like that had never happened to him before, he couldn't do it, something was holding him back. There were suddenly pictures in his head, he couldn't place and he found his eyes locked with hers.

"I love you," she repeated again.

"No, no," he yelled. "Stay away from me!", he shouted. Then without a warning he turned and disappeared into the night.

Buffy could only watch him run away. Suddenly she felt cold and she could feel her hands were trembling, but then again a smile spread across her face. He was a vampire, a real vampire, and she loved him. Closing her eyes for a moment, she had to laugh. She was mad, she had to be mad. Only a mad woman would behave like this. She was completely insane. But she loved him. There was nothing in her life she was so sure of. She loved him. And she would find him or he would find her. They would find a way, somehow. Tomorrow she would maybe think differently, but tonight it felt so right. Shaking her head in disbelief, she was about to turn, when she heard a voice behind her and turned around.

"Hello, little girl."

She wasn't surprised anymore. Now she knew vampries were real. Although it was a new experience to see they could be female too.

Part 6

He ran into the night, into the darkness, ran and then ran even faster. Only to get away from her, from everything connected to her. And to stop thinking, thinking about what was happening to him. And he ran away from the pictures in his head, hundreds of people he'd killed, tortured, women he'd raped, without a second thought, without mercy, without remorse.

Until today.

Today his world had shattered. His world as a vampire that was. Three little words had turned his life upside down, or his unlife for that matter.

"Stupid bitch," he muttered when he slowed down at least. He was far away from her he knew, but he could still feel her fingers touching his face, smell her scent on him. "Stupid bitch," he repeated, but he already knew the struggle was in vain. The war was lost. She'd conquered him with three little words. What on earth had he thought two weeks ago when he decided to follow her. Maybe he had a thing for self-destruction? Was it a twisted urge to hear exactly what she'd said tonight? 'I love you', it repeated in his head again and again.

There was no space in his world for love. He was a vampire. A vampire. A creature of the night, a blood-lusting beast and he loved it. Had lov..., oh god, he groaned inwardly. The mere thought of killing someone sent nauseous shivers all over his body. The images of the people he had killed started to haunt him, he felt so weak and to steady himself he leaned against a wall. He could feel his hands trembling, his knees were like pudding and his gut one big twisted knot. Dizziness overcame him and with his back at the wall he sank down to the ground, pulling his knees to his chest.

He could see the little girl, he had killed over hundred years ago, her sweet face, her gentle smile, he saw the bridegroom who was anxiously waiting for his love. He had sucked his blood and enjoyed it. The twins whose eyes were wide with fear, the nun, praying in the church. He could still remember the glorious feeling to kill a nun in a church, a proof he was now an old vampire, he could go into a church en enjoy it. And then his parents, Kathy ... he buried his face in his hands. No, no, no ... this wasn't happening, this wasn't he, he would never do such a thing.

There was blood, lots of blood, everywhere, he could feel it on his tongue, the blood of each victim, there were so many, he'd forgotten most of the faces, they hadn't been important. He had taken human lives and felt nothing, no it was worse, he'd loved it.

What was he? How was he fit to live? How could he live after all he'd done, after all the lives he'd extinguished. He threw his head back and with a loud 'thub' it met the wall behind him, but he didn't feel the pain, on the contrary he welcomed it. It was not enough, pain, it hit him like a bullet, he had to endure pain. Maybe physical pain would help to endure the mental torture he was suffering at the moment.

Frantically his eyes searched the ground in front of him for something to hurt himself when he met another pair of eyes, watching him quietly. The eyes belonged to a strange looking little man and after another little while he spoke: "Hello Angelus. Maybe we should talk."

*******

"Who are you?," Buffy asked and looked at the blonde, female vampire in front of her who was stepping closer.

"My name is Darla," the vampiress replied and tilted her head: "You're pretty. He always had excellent taste." When she saw the questioning gaze of the human girl, she laughed: "Angelus, little girl, I'm talking about Angelus."

"I thought so," Buffy replied, not believing how courageous she felt. "And you know him?"

"He's mine," Darla's voice was a passionate whisper. "He's been mine for over hundred years." Then it changed into a sarcastic tone: "I love you," she imitated Buffy's voice. "How pathetic. I made him, he's my lover and a good one," she swayed her hips and one hand stroked over her hips. "Everything he knows, everything he can he learned from me. Do you really think he would leave me to be with you, that's the best joke ever."

Why am I not afraid of her, Buffy asked herself again and again. I should run away, but I don't. "You're scared to your bones," she said after a while. "You're the pathetic one. Because he's already left you, maybe not physically, but his thoughts are with me. I could see it his eyes." And she was sure of it, as sure as she knew that she loved him. A confident smile crept across her face.

"Shut up!" Darla yelled, hatred boiling inside of her. "You don't know what you're talking about. But," she smiled evilly, "it's of no consequence, because," she licked her lips and her prolonged canines, "when you're dead, he'll forget all about you." With this she jumped forward.

*******

"Who are you?" the vampire asked, not really interested to hear the answer. The images in his head refused to stop, wouldn't stop haunting him.

"I'm a friend," the strange looking man replied with a grin.

"I have no friends, I'm a vampire," Angelus wanted to be alone, he wanted peace, no more faces looking at him accusingly, reminding him of his true nature.

"Well, then let's just say, I know who you are."

"Then you know more than I. Just recently I have great difficulties to see who I am," the vampire leaned his head against the wall and closed his eyes. "I don't want you here. Go away."

"It's hard, I know," the man crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.

"What?" Angelus asked with his eyes still closed.

"To feel remorse," was the simple answer.

The vampire's eyes snapped open in shock and he stared at the stranger who was standing beside him, his body completely relaxed. "H-How ... how can you know?" he whispered.

The stranger grinned: "They know a lot," his eyes went to the sky. "The Powers That Be, if you've heard of them."

"The Pow - what?"

"The Powers that Be, I'm a messenger. They can't talk to people or vampires, so they send guys like me," he explained with a grin. "Makes you feel warm and cozy inside to be important."

"Did anyone ever tell you that you aren't funny?" the vampire closed his eyes again.

"Hundreds of times, but it makes people listen to me," the grin was even wider now. Angelus groaned inwardly, this freak was obviously enjoying himself. "Don't you want to know what has happened today?," the stranger then asked casually.

********

Spike knew he was near and then he suddenly heard the screams. He ran and when he came around the corner he saw them. Darla had started to drink from a human girl, it had to be her, he was sure of it. He knew he had to do something and fast. But Darla was strong and he couldn't just fight her. She had the strength of almost 300 years in her bones. So he crossed his arms and strolled into the pale light of the street lamp: "Hi Darla," he greeted his grand-grand-sire.

Her head snapped up on hearing her name: "William," she hissed, blood dripping from her teeth. "What are you doing here?"

The girl in her arms was tiny and pretty, she was pale, her eyes were wide open, but he could see she was still breathing and somehow she didn't seem in panic.

"Did you follow me?" Darla narrowed her eyes.

He shrugged and stepped closer, never taking his eyes from Buffy's face: "So that's her," he asked almost casually. "Angelus' new toy."

"Yes, his new toy," she spat the last word. "His new obsession, but soon it'll be over."

"And so you decided you were the one to end it," he raised an eyebrow. "You're a fool Darla. He'll never forgive you for this. He doesn't like anyone to interfere with his girls."

"I'm his girl," she hissed. "She's just a temporary toy."

"I was just thinking," he was now standing beside the two women. "How about you let me have a bite or two?"

Darla looked at him for a moment: "You always hated him," she said with an evil smile, "because Dru's still got the hots for him." And then she laughed: "Here serve yourself," she pushed the girl into Spike's arms and stepped back, eager to watch Buffy die in front of her. This was even better than to do it herself, this way Angelus wouldn't blame her. He would go against the blonde vampire.

********

The vampire sighed and shot the annoying stranger a look. "I have the feeling you'll tell me anyhow."

"Have you ever read of the vampire hunters?"

"I've heard of them, yes," Angelus admitted. "Why?"

"Did you ever ask yourself where they come from?," the stranger asked and watched the vampire closely.

"No, not really. But you're going to tell me am I right?"

"I like it when a man can follow my thoughts," he grinned. "You're a clever one, Angelus, you always were. And what a master of death."

"Stop it," the vampire shouted in agony. The images were coming again now.

The stranger raised his hands: "Alright, alright. It's a new feeling to have a conscience, isn't it. Damn painful, I guess. Okay, okay," he looked down at the vampire. "Sometimes I get sidetracked, sorry. Now, where was I, oh yes, the vampire hunters. Well, Angelus, welcome to the club," he tilted his head and grinned while the vampire's eyes widened in confusion.

********

"Are you going to drink her or what do you want?" Darla said after a moment.

Damn she was getting impatient, Spike thought. Slowly he bent forward and licked the girl's neck wound: "Do as if I'm drinking you," he whispered into her ear and congratulated himself for stopping on his way to suck some poor fellow dry. Otherwise he wouldn't have this kind of self-control. Hoping she'd understood he closed his lips over the wound and began to make sucking noises, when a movement in the dark caught his attention.

"My Spikey," Drusilla whined. "Don't you like me anymore?"

"Dru," the blonde vampire looked up from Buffy's neck. "What are you doing here?" Behind him he could hear Darla sigh in annoyance.

"This is Daddy's girl," the insane vampire pointed at the human girl. "He won't like it. He doesn't like us to interfere. He'll punish us," her voice was trembling. "I know he will."

"Go away," Darla hissed at Dru. "This isn't your business."

"You shut up," Spike turned and narrowed his eyes at Darla. "Leave her alone."

"My Spike," Drusilla touched his shoulder: "Let me have her," she begged. "Daddy will smell her blood in me, he'll love me then."

Certainly not, Spike thought with a groan. "You've already eaten, pet. Or did you forget all about the baker boy I brought you just before."

"Yummy," she licked her lips. "So fresh and young."

"Now, be a good girl, and let me have my dinner," he gave her a smile. Seeing her stepping back he bent down again to continue his noise making at Buffy's neck while his mind was trying to find a solution for this mess. Now he had Darla and Drusilla to take care of. Why on earth had this bugger Angelus ever to cross his path.

Part 7

"A vampire hunter?," Angelus stared at the stranger in disbelief. "God, I wished I never woke up tonight," he groaned.

"Alright, boy, let me tell you. First of all my name, I didn't say my name, did I?"

"No, you didn't," the vampire sighed. Maybe listening to this freak was a part of his torture.

"Whistler, my name's Whistler. I'm a demon, but a good one. There are lots of good demons. Anyway. You my friend got yourself a soul, a conscience if you like that better, today." He leaned back against the wall.

"So far I got it," Angelus stood up and crossed his arms. The images were coming again, more and more and for a moment he had to close his eyes. He opened them again when he felt a hand on his arm.

"Don't blame yourself for this," the demon told him. "There was a demon in possession of your body, now your soul is back and you're in control again."

"But how?"

"Because she loves you," the demon answered simply.

*******

Spike didn't feel too good. He was standing under a street lamp, faking to suck a human girl and two vampiresses in his back watching him. He'd been in better situations in his long un-life. Slowly moving his lips towards Buffy's ear he whispered: "Don't move, don't say a word. Don't even let me know you understand what I'm saying. I will drop you now and then you have to be dead. Try not to breathe or if you must be careful."

Desperately hoping she'd understood he pulled away and dropped her to ground. She fell like a puppet and to his great relief he realised that she'd fainted. Even better. Turning around he wiped his mouth with his sleeve: "Her blood was really sweet."

Darla narrowed her eyes: "Why are you here?"

"I followed you," Spike said honestly. Then he continued: "You always know to find something very rare and special." He gazed at Drusilla: "Are you alright pet?"

"Fine, Spike," she chirped. "Can we go now? This street isn't nice."

"We'll go," he nodded. "What about you?," he turned towards Darla.

"Yes, let's go. Angelus has to learn that he cannot play with me," she said with a content voice. With a last look at the body on the ground the vampires left the street.

*******

"This is the only reason?" Angelus couldn't believe this.

"Yes. If ever a good soul would love a being of darkness like you *were* it would break the circle. When you became a vampire, you lost your soul, your conscience, no remorse, no thoughts, just an easy life. The only power to overcome this is love, her love," he paused and watched the vampire for a moment, "and yours."

"Mine," Angelus nodded thoughtfully. "I felt it happening. There was nothing I could do against it."

"I know," Whistler smiled. "The love you feel for each other changed everything. You're still a vampire, but you have a soul, that prevents you from killing people anymore. Your new fate is to fight vampires and demons. It's meant to be that way Angelus."

"Don't call me that," the vampire spun around and glared at the demon. "I don't want to be called like that monster."

The demon nodded: "I see. But Liam isn't very fitting either." He tilted his head: "How about Angel?"

"Angel?," the vampire looked at him doubtfully. "Don't you think that sounds a little bit too ... well, female?"

Whistler chuckled: "The Angel of Darkness. Does sound very good for me. And you will be an Angel of Darkness, you will be their nightmare."

"But how am I supposed to live like this. With all the blood and dead people in my mind?" the vampire closed his eyes again.

"You will. She'll be your strength," Whistler assured him.

Angel's eyes snapped open: "Buffy, I have to find her. I told her ... god, I just ran away." He gazed at the demon, who grinned.

"Go," he gestured towards the alley. "We'll meet again. There's a lot you have to learn."

"I know," Angel nodded. "I know." Then he turned and ran, this time not in agony but towards Buffy, towards his destiny.

*******

"William," Darla looked at the blonde vampire. "There's something I have to take care of. You better go to our lair. She doesn't look too well," she nodded at Drusilla.

Spike eyed her for a moment. Something wasn't right. But then if she wanted to find Angelus he wouldn't step inbetween. Whatever got to the bugger he'd earned it ten times, Spike thought. "Alright, Pet," he wrapped an arm around Dru's shoulder. "See you later then."

As soon as the blonde vampire disappeared in the darkness, Darla turned and ran back to the place where the girl was laying. Somehow she didn't trust Spike and when she was kneeling down beside Buffy and feeling for her pusle she knew her feeling had been right. William would pay for this. But then suddenly another thought came to her and a wide grin spread across her face. Pulling the neck of the girl towards her, she began to drink. A growl escaped her throat, William the traitor hadn't drunk at all. Well, the more for her. But this time she didn't take all, only seconds before it would've been over she pulled away from the vein and slapped the girl across her face.

Buffy's eyes snapped open. She'd been in a dream-world for a while. Pictures of Liam were in her head, his face, his eyes, his hands, the feelings for him. She knew she was about to die, but somehow she wasn't in panic anymore. She'd felt fear the moment Darla had bitten her, but now it was gone. Maybe it was the loss of blood that made her feel so light-headed, but maybe it was another thought: at least once in her lifetime she'd known true love.

Wide-eyed she stared at Darla who was kneeling in front of her, an evil smile on her face: "Hello, girl," she tilted her head. "I thought about killing you and bringing you to him tonight, as a present, you know. But now, I had a much better idea." And with this, she opened the vein at her wrist and only seconds after this Buffy felt blood run down her throat.

******

Angel ran around the last corner only to freeze dead in track. His eyes widened in shock. No, this wasn't happening he thought: "No, Buffy" he whispered in agony, stepping slowly forward. "Nooooooo," his shout sounded in the dark alley.

Darla stood up and looked at him: "Too late, my friend, the deed is done," she informed him. Then she tilted her head: "What has happened to you?"

"You did this," he hissed at her, stepping closer.

Unconsciously Darla stepped back, taken aback by the look in his eyes. "Angelus," her voice was uncertain.

"You will pay for this," he told her his eyes never leaving hers.

"But...," she began, but both vampires spun round when they heard a noise behind them.

Slowly Buffy opened her eyes which were glowing yellow in the street light. With a triumphant grin Darla watched the horror in Angel's eyes then she gazed at her newest childe: "Welcome Buffy."

Part 8

"Buffy," Angel whispered and kneeled down beside her reaching out with his hand, but not touching her. Her yellow eyes stared at him for a moment while she sat up. He could feel his guts knotting inside by thought of her being an evil vampire now. A creature of the night with all the blood-lust of a demon he only knew too well. This wasn't meant to be, it couldn't. Everything about her had been so pure and full of light.

"Wh- What happened?" she wanted to know, confusion written all over her face.

"You're one of us now, Darling," Darla stepped forward and looked at her new childe with an evil smile on her face. She was sure that her lover would come back to her in a flash. In her eyes Buffy's attraction for him was due to her being a human. With this gone he would turn his back on her.

"Liam?," Buffy gazed at the vampire with questioning eyes.

He looked to the ground in shame: "Yes," he whispered, his voice sounding hoarse, "she made you a vampire. I ... I'm so sorry."

She brought her hands up and touched her face, felt the change in it, realised it was the same she'd already seen in him. But surprisingly she didn't feel bad about it. On the contrary...

"Are you hungry, dear?," Darla stood in front of her with crossed arms, the smile never leaving her face. She had won and nothing was sweeter than a complete victory.

Buffy nodded: "Yes, I'm hungry. Very hungry," she added, her face turning towards the man beside her.

Angel covered his face with his hands, he was kneeling beside the girl he loved. But she was a vampire now, a vampire not capable of love or any feeling for that matter. And it was his fault, of course he hadn't made her a vampire but without him Darla would've never noticed her.

"Liam?"

His head snapped up when he felt the touch of her hand on his'. Her face had changed back to normal which was surprising because usually vampires needed some time to control this. He couldn't look into her eyes though, the shame washed over him and he was about to get up when she tightened her hold on his hand.

"No," she said firmly. "What is the matter with you?"

He shook his head again in agony.

"Liam, please. It's not your fault," she insisted. She reached out with her other hand and touched his face: "I told you before, I love you."

"What?," he looked at her in disbelief. "What did you say?" Was it possible, he thought and desperately tried to keep his hope at bay.

"I love you," she replied. "Maybe you can teach me how to be a vampire," she smiled sheepishly, " because I don't know anything about it."

"But ..." Angel couldn't remember ever been so confused in his life. But the hope in him was growing now. She'd said she loved him, after she was made a vampire. Two times.

"I already told you kid, love is stronger than the demon."

The three vampires turned their heads towards the voice. Whistler was leaning against the wall, grinning widely. "She didn't loose her soul. It was so full of love, the demon wasn't able to take control."

"So she isn't ...?" Angel looked at the demon.

"No, well technically she's a vampire, but no, she isn't bad," he smiled at Buffy who had followed his words with wide eyes. "Hey kid, I'm Whistler."

She shook her head: "Nice to meet you, but I'm still a bit confused. What do you mean by 'the love was stronger than the demon' ?"

"I think Angel here will tell you later, but for now. My boy," he walked over and put a hand on the dark-haired vampire's shoulder, "it was meant to be that way. You both are meant to be together, but how would it be possible if she stayed human?" Then he turned and grinned at Darla: "Good job, my girl, without you this wouldn't have been possible. It's good that jealousy is so damned predictable."

"No," Darla shook her head, hate radiating in waves from her body. "He's mine," she shouted and grabbed Angel's shoulder. "You're mine, Angelus, I made you." Then her attention went back to the demon: "What did you do to him?"

"He didn't do anything to me," Angel stood up, slowly, so he could control his still boiling anger in the process, although he felt a lot better since Whistler had told him it was meant to be this way. Buffy was meant to become a vampire and joy flooded his undead heart. She would be his mate, they would spend eternity together. But what if...

His eyes suddenly focused on Buffy ignoring Darla completely in the process: "Do you want to be with me? I mean, you said you loved me, but ..."

"Well," she bit her lower lip for a moment and then a smile spread across her face: "Usually two people who love each other promise to stay with each other for their lifetime. As we are vampires now..." she trailed off her smile turning into a wide grin.

"I love you," he admitted for the first time. "I didn't tell you before, but..."

"I know," she interrupted him. "I knew all the time."

He sighed and smiled as well: "I know you knew. It was very confusing. I didn't want to ... you know ... but I never had a chance." Angel's gaze wandered to Whistler for a moment who was watching the whole display with joy.

"Stop it," Darla shouted, "stop it now," her foot hit the ground. "This is ridiculous. Love," she snorted. "What a stupid thing. You both are vampires," she threw her hands in the air. "Vampires," she repeated as if this one word would explain everything. Well usually it did, but in this special case ... "What kind of sick nightmare is this! Two vampires love each other, it's just not possible," she laughed, but it didn't sound happy. "And who the hell are you?," she spun towards Whistler.

"Whistler," he introduced himself again. "I'm a messenger from the Po... well, from above," his eyes glanced at the sky for a moment. "Anyway. As my friend Angel told you already, I didn't do anything."

"Angel?," she shouted. "His name's Angelus, I created that name for him."

"Not anymore, Darla," Angel's voice was like ice. "I'm not what you think anymore. Things change, I've changed."

"No," she yelled, grabbing his arm: "You're mine," she repeated her words from before. "Mine."

His hand took hers with an iron grip and removed it from his sleeve. "Go away from me, Darla. Stay away from us, this is my last warning. If you don't stay away I'll kill you."

The blonde vampiress cried out in rage and jumped away changing into her game-face immediately. "What did they do to you?" she demanded. "I can see it in your eyes. Something happened. Tell me!"

"He's got himself a soul, my dear," Whistler couldn't stop grinning. It had been a long time he'd felt so good. Everything was as it was meant to be. And besides he'd watched Darla for quite some time and had never liked her.

"A soul?," she shouted in disbelief "A soul," she repeated. Pure hatred was in her yellow eyes: "This isn't over Angelus. Take care of your little girl and enjoy her for a while. But this isn't over!" With this she spun around and disappeared into the night.

Angel shrugged and turned to help Buffy getting up. She smiled sheepishly and looked down at herself: "This was my best gown. It's not looking very well anymore," she laughed. There were blood stains everywhere and the skirt was dirty from the street.

"Kids," Whistler tried to get the couple's attention. "I think we need to talk now. Is there a place we could go?"

While Angel was still trying to think about a place to go Buffy spoke up: "My house. I have to talk to my father." When she saw the doubtful looks she got from the two men she took Angel's hand: "He has to know about this and then you," she looked at Whistler, "can talk. I think there's a lot you have to explain."

********

Spike's head shot up when he heard the door slam shut and a second later Darla appeared in their lair. Inwardly grinning because Angelus wasn't with her he tried to keep his gaze as innocently as possible. Drusilla was sleeping in the bedroom after an hour of passion.

"You're back," he raised an eyebrow at the blonde vampiress.

"As you see," came her clipped response.

"Where's my grand-sire?," he asked.

"Not here."

"I can see that," he said in annoyance, giving up his friendly tone.

"He's with her. With the girl. I made her a vampire and thought it would be the end of it, but then this stupid demon showed up and now they both have a soul," she replied pacing the room.

"A soul?" Spike asked confusion. "What do you mean by that?"

"They're all good now. Feeling love and things. Ridiculous," she rolled her eyes and threw her hands in the air. "But not for long." She spun around and her eyes shot daggers at Spike: "Do you hear me," she yelled. "Not for long. I have to think. I have to make a plan. He's mine and I swear I'll get him back." With this she left the room again.

Spike stared at the spot where she stood right before. Then a content smile spread over his face and he leaned back in his chair. Lighting himself a cigarette he felt great, Angelus was gone. Not with them anymore and for this out of Dru's life. And Darla had been so angry that she hadn't even said a word about his betrayal. Yes, life was good. Very good.

Part 9

Rupert Giles was already pacing his library when he heard a knock on the door. He and Riley Finn who'd accompanied him after Buffy was missing from the ball stormed to the door and stared at the three people standing there.

"Buffy," Giles exclaimed and took his daughter's hand to pull her inside glaring at Angel and Whistler in the process, while Riley was silently fuming in the background.

When his daughter didn't move from her spot beside the man who had been introduced to him as Mr. Flynn, Giles frowned: "What's the matter?," he asked.

"Sir Giles," Whistler bowed his head, "maybe I should introduce myself first. I'm known as Whistler and I'm a friend of your daughter and A... er ... Mr. Flynn here. Maybe you could invite us all in first and we'll explain then?"

Looking back and forth between the two men and then focusing on his daughter's face Giles nodded: "Come on in then." He stepped back and motioned them towards the library where the fireplace was heated and a comforting warmth welcomed them. When everyone was seated Giles looked expectantly at the strange little man now sitting opposite to him.

After exchanging a short glance with Angel Whistler took a deep breath: "Maybe you should have some brandy first?"

"I don't want anything, all I want to know is what's going on. We were invited to a ball where my daughter disappears from with a man she's obviously just met yesterday. I want an explanation for this," he finished staring at Angel now.

"Sir Giles," the vampire began and took Buffy's hand: "Did you ever hear about vampires?"

The older man's eyes went wide but after a short moment he nodded: "Yes. I know about them. Well, not know," he admitted, "but I've read about them. But they're not real. It's a legend. I once met a writer, Bram Stoker, he's Irish, who seemed to be very interested in the subject. He was even suggesting that there's more about it than legend only. Of course this is nonsense."

"No it is not," Angel replied exchanging a glance with Buffy. "Maybe," he continued, "I just show you." With this he took a deep unnecessary breath and changed into his game-face.

Riley and Giles gasped in shock and Buffy's fiancée shouted: "What in hell...", he pointed at Angel and then quickly grabbed the blonde's hand: "Get away from him. Now!"

Buffy shook his hand off of her arm and without a word changed into her game-face as well, which was not a problem as she felt the anger against Riley boiling inside of her already.

"Oh god," Giles stared at his daughter. With a trembling hand he pointed at the small table in the corner: "I think I need some brandy now."

Riley on the other hand backed away until his back pressed against the wall behind him, he had to remind himself to breathe.

Both vampires changed back into their human forms.

Whistler nodded with an inward grin and handed the two humans well filled glasses. Then he sat down again and said: "Well, as you've now seen. My friend Angel here is a vampire. But not the average kind. He has a soul and for this does not hunt or hurt humans."

"Well, that's a relief," Giles said sarcastically. "But why you?," his face turned towards his daughter and she felt a pang in her now undead heart when she saw tears in his eyes. When she felt Angel's hand taking her own she gave him a grateful look.

"Father, I ... tonight I was made a vampire," she began. Giles' gaze wandered towards Angel and so she quickly added: "No, not by him. But by the vampire who made him too. It was an act of revenge because," she smiled at the vampire beside him, "Angel is in love with me."

Giles almost choked on his brandy: "He's what? But you two hardly know each other."

Buffy smiled at him: "Didn't you tell me you knew you loved my mother at the very first sight?"

Her father sighed loudly: "It seems I wasn't very careful with my words. But yes, it's true. Alright, so he loves you."

"And I love him," she added. "Very much. In fact our love for each other is the reason why we both do have our souls." She smiled at Whistler repeating the words he'd said to her on their way to her father's house.

"Buffy I," Giles leaned forward and took his daughter's hand: "It's not that I don't understand love, but this is all a bit much for me."

"I know," she replied softly. "Of course this is a lot. It's a lot for me too. But I really love him, father."

He leaned back again and looked at the vampire couple in front of him, trying to digest all the information he'd received tonight. He watched the man taking his daughter's hand and kissing it with so much love and admiration in his eyes that it suddenly wasn't important anymore what he was. He had never told his daughter, but silently Giles had already thought about the match between her and Riley. He had felt that there wasn't any love between them, at least not on Buffy's side. His daughter was a very mature girl, very smart and seemed to know what she wanted. So he threw all his prejudice and doubts out of the window and gave her a warm smile: "Whatever makes you happy, my dear."

Buffy felt tears welling up in her eyes: "Oh father," she breathed and blinked to stop the tears from falling. She was about to hug Giles when suddenly Riley stepped forward.

"This is bullshit," he yelled. "Are you all mad! Buffy," he groaned, "the Buffy I knew was my fiancée. This," he pointed at the blonde disgustedly, "is not her. It's some kind of monster."

"Don't you dare call her a monster," Angel jumped up and was about to approach the other man, when Buffy's hand on his arm held him back. He looked down at her and saw her shake her head in the negative.

"She's a monster," Riley wasn't about to let it go. "And you're too. You can have her. I wouldn't touch this ... thing, even if you paid me for it." With this he turned and left the room. Only a second later the front door was slammed shut.

Whistler took himself a glass of brandy and looked at the other three in the room: "Now, after the annoying person's left we can hopefully discuss the important things like grown ups."

*******

Spike bolted upright in his bed when he heard a sound in the room. His slowly adjusting eyes focused on Drusilla who was dancing around the room humming to herslef. The blond vampire got up and took her arm: "What's it love?"

"The stars are talking to me," she replied, her eyes seemed far away.

He sighed: "And what are they telling you?"

Suddenly her voice became whiny: "My Daddy, he's gone ... uhhhhh ... oh Spikey, my Daddy," she broke down and fell to the floor.

"What's about him?," he asked trying to sound concerned while he was grinning inwardly.

"He's taken away from us. His heart sings for her, the girl, the one he was crazy about." She began to rock herself back and forth on the ground, encircling her body with her arms. "Ohhhh, Spike, bring him back to me, bring him back to Princess."

"I cannot do that," he kneeled down beside her and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "It's his decision, pet. Angelus doesn't let anyone command him and you know that."

The same second the door flung open: "Did she have a vision?," Darla was staring at the couple on the ground.

"Daddy, my daddy's gone," Drusilla whined. "And my Spike says he cannot bring him back."

The blonde vampiress studied the dark-haired girl's face and then a smile spread across her face: "Don't worry my dear. I'll bring him back. I promise."

With this she left the room again and Spike stared at the closed door for a moment, groaning inwardly. It seemed as if he had to intervene again. No peace for a vampire these days.

Go to Part 10