Part 15

"So you expect to be confronted with that woman, what was her name. Oh yes, Darla." Giles had still problems digesting all the things he'd heard the past 48 hours. "And didn't you say she is the vampire that made you." He looked at Angel who was sitting comfortably on the large sofa in Giles' library.

"And me," Buffy answered in his place leaning her head against her mate's shoulder.

"Err, yes, you too." Her father shook his head, "Somehow it's hard for me to believe this is real. I mean besides the fact that you can change your face you're still the same Buffy. You even walk in the sun...,"

"Thanks to this," she gave him a smile and touched the necklace, the gem shining in the light of the fire that was burning in the the fireplace, creating a comfortable atmosphere in the room.

"So somehow nothing has changed, you're even going to get married soon, although his groom isn't the one expected," Giles glanced quickly at Angel then his gaze was back on his daughter.

"By the way, the formerly intended is a vampire as well now," Buffy told him.

"He is what?" her father straightened in his chair and his face wore a stunned expression.

"A vampire," Angel replied. "He's another of Darla's childer. I'm not sure though why she's made him." Exchanging a glance with Buffy, he added, "usually she's more careful in her choices."

******

Exactly the same thoughts went through Spike's head when he hushed Drusilla to pack her dolls. He'd explained her they had to leave London soon and that she should get her things together, but quietly and in a way Darla wouldn't notice it. Fortunately Drusilla had one of her good periods that night and followed his orders without question. She even  smiled at him, "I don't like Darla anyway," she told him.

It was only an hour before sunrise and the blonde vampiress hadn't returned to their lair by now. That was more than unusual for her and Spike wondered what could be the reason for her strange behaviour. Sure she was furious about Angel and his little girl but still...

"Where is she?," came a voice from the doorway.

Inwardly groaning Spike turned around and came face to face with the vampire that annyoed him even more than his grand-sire. "Riley," he said on a sigh. "If you're looking for Darla, she isn't around."

The former soldier raised a brow, "Packing already I see," he remarked and stepped a bit closer.

Spike slightly narrowed his eyes, "And what do you know about it?," he asked.

"You should be more careful who's following you," Riley smirked. "I heard everything you talked with Angelus."

"He goes under Angel these days," the older vampire snapped. Then he smirked as well, "And it seems he's got your woman."

Anger welled up in the newly made vampire, "What do you know?," he shouted. "This Angelus obviously uses magic, Darla's still completely obsessed with him too."

"She isn't interested in you, is she?," this was so great, Spike couldn't help grinning. This conversation was definitely lightening his mood. Seeing the boy swirm was great entertainment.

Riley snorted at the older vampire and turned around. "She won't like the fact that you're betraying her," he said, facing Spike again. "It will be a pleasure to tell her. And I will ... oh no," were his last words. Only a second later nothing was left of him but a pile of dust.

Spike stared at the spot the vampire had stood before and then a huge grin spread over his face. There stood Drusilla, the most beautiful smile on her face, her eyes shining. "Goody," she exclaimed and jumped up and down, the wooden stake firmly in her hand. "He wanted to tell Mummy. We won't have that, will we, Spike?"

"No, pet, we won't have that," he replied and walked over to her.

"That was fun," her smile grew even wider. "He was an annoying little brat."

Spike shook his head in astonishment, then reached out and pulled her into his arms. "You're the best pet," he told her and and kissed her soundly on her still smiling lips. Life was truly great.

*****

Darla didn't return to the lair that night. She was sick of Dru's whining, Spike was annoying her, she missed her favourite childe and lover and Riley was definitely testing her patience. What had gotten into her when she'd decided to turn him - if anybody asked her right now she doubted she would have the answer. No wonder this little girl had dumped him for Angelus. She couldn't really blame Buffy for it.

She thought about her childe's handsome face and his skills she had enjoyed over hundred years and decided she definitely couldn't blame Buffy. Shaking her head she laughed throatily and turned her head to look at the vampire lying beside her, thankfully he was fast asleep. The sun was high in the sky and that made vmapires sleepy. This particular one was over 600 years old but obviously age had nothing to do with sexual skills. But she needed him for her plans and for this she had to give him what he wanted - for now.

Only the last minute she stopped the growl forming in her throat. He had chosen a silly virgin over her and still she couldn't get Angelus out of her head. She'd been a successful whore all her life, her human life that is and she'd improved her knowledge during her time as a vampire. She couldn't count the various lovers she'd had over the long years of her life or unlife until - well, until she'd chosen Angelus to be her companion. After that she'd almost been monogamous. It wasn't that she hadn't had several possiblities. She was - after all - a beauiful woman, it was just that other men or vampires didn't seem as attractive to her as they had been before.

Damn Angelus for making her feel like that. Damn him for making her still wanting him, more fiercely than ever now. Maybe just because she felt he didn't want her anymore. But she would show him how much better she was than his new toy. Tonight she would close this chapter forever and he would be hers again. She didn't know what she did for nothing. And then she would feel him again.

Feeling herself grow wet at that thought she looked at the vampire beside her again and not caring for the fact he was still asleep rolled herself on top of him.

*****

"I love you," Buffy sighed happily and snuggled deeper into Angel's embrace. The two lay entwined in her bed after a gentle lovemaking that almost made her cry. Knowing that she was still a bit sour from the night before he'd been so careful with her as if he'd been handling precious porcellaine.

"I love you too," he replied against her temple and she could feel him smile against her cool skin. "I can't believe your father is so ... so relaxed about us."

"I think he realised it's just meant to be this way. Plus the fact that you're promised to marry me and that I can't get pregnant of course," she planted a kiss on his chest, loving the scent of his body. How she'd ever managed to live without him was beyond her now. Almost unconsciously her eyes wandered to the little gem around his neck and she smiled in contentment. This would make sure nobody could take him away from her again. "I'm very happy you know," she said after a comfortable silence.

"That makes me very happy," his voice was full of emotion. "This - us - overwhelms me. I never dreamt to find anything like it in my life. I feel so truly blessed and don't know what I did to earn it. My life wasn't..."

"Shhh," she silenced him by laying two fingers over his lips. "Don't talk about it. You proved your worthiness when you couldn't kill me that night. You loved me even when you were supposed not be able to feel love at all. Don't you think it's pretty amazing?"

"Do you know," he chuckled, "for someone so young you're very wise."

"Hmmm," she made and pressed her body against his, rubbing his chin with one of her tiny feet and making him groan slightly in the process. "Good for you to notice."

"I'm wise too," he joked and gritted his teeth realising she was teasing him, trying to arouse him. And for all her innocence she was very successful. He was more than ready now. "Buffy," he hissed and slapped her hand away from dangerous ground. "Don't do this." "Why?," she asked innocently.

"I thought you were sour?," there was a mild question in his voice.

"I thought so too," she replied now looking at him. "But obviously this is soon fading in vampires." She wiggled her eyebrows making her intentions very clear to him.

Pressing his head back at the pillow he laughed and thanked God that her father was out of the house for a date. Then he gazed at her again, "Come here you," he pulled her on top of him. "I can't believe you're the same shy girl I met some weeks ago."

In reply she just grinned and soon the world was forgotten. 

Part 16

WARNING: CHARACTER DEATH IN THIS PART

AN: Salisbury (the town mentioned in the story beside London, is quite big nowadays, but wasn't in the late 19th century)

A cry of outrage came from Darla's throat when she entered her lair the next evening. She had not only spent a night and a day with some not-so satisfying sex, but now her lair was empty as well. It wasn't so much the vampire ashes, which proved to be the remains of her annyoing new childe - she had thought about staking him herself already - no, but the fact that Spike and Drusilla had obviously left without telling her that outraged her.

It was all her fault. That little virgin had caused all this trouble. She had disliked her before, now she hated her with all her might. First Angelus and now even Spike and Drusilla had deserted her. Darla narrowed her eyes. Deserted her. HA! Nobody did that to her. She was an old powerful vampiress, a direct descendent of the Master's line, her name caused fear throughout the whole vampire population, but of course not with Angelus.

The independence, stubbornness and power, that had always thrilled her in him proved to be a disadvantage now. He didn't need her. Usually childer were addicted to their sires and for a long time she had given in to the illusion it was the same with him, but of course she'd known better all the time. He wasn't like this and since that little blonde chick had entered his life ...

And even as a vampire she hadn't lost her attraction for him. "You will pay," she shouted and kicked a chair out of her way, "You will pay for taking him from me!"

******

Angel and Buffy couldn't care less if they had known about the threats from Darla's mouth. They felt safe together. They'd spent the day strolling through Hyde-Park, enjoying the rays of the sun and holding hands. They had even visited Buffy's friend Willow but of course without telling her about the vampire-part. There was no reason to get her into this.

Her shock had been big enough when Buffy had told her that her engagement with Riley was off and that she would marry Angel instead. He had to chuckle at that thought and when he looked at the girl walking beside him he found her watching him. "What?," he asked.

"Nothing," she smiled, "I'm just happy and all thanks to you."

"Oh Buffy," he couldn't help but to be deeply moved. It was his deepest fear she would regret her existence one day. He hadn't made her a vampire but he sure as hell was responsible for her becoming one. Darla would've never noticed her if it hadn't been for him. But so far she insisted that she had never been so happy before in her life. And thanks to the Gem of Amarra their life was almost normal. Her father was taking everything incredibly well, maybe he was still in shock about all this and also thanks to the little gems around their necks they didn't have to fear anything.

"Are you happy, Angel?," she asked after a while, looking straight ahead.

"You know I am," he answered without hesitation. "I can't remember ever having been so happy in my life. I still have difficulties to believe this is real."

She beamed, "When I met you that night. You know when I came from the bookshop. I just knew you were the one. I instantly knew that my life with Riley would be boring. I know that you still blame yourself for me becoming a vampire, but," she paused for a moment and glanced at him, "if nothing else it saved me from becoming Riley's wife. Maybe that gives you some peace."

They walked for another while in silence. Darkness had fallen over the city and the streets were empty. Lights were shining from the big houses where the high society was celebrating their balls. "And you're sure you're not gonna miss this?," he pointed at a carriage where elegantly dressed ladies and gentlemen descended to attend a ball.

She shook her head, "I never liked it anyway. It's so superficial. When my father and I were still living in Salisbury there weren't as many balls and receptions and I lived happily there. London is so ... so grand. I'm a country town girl, Angel."

He had to grin, "Are you now? But you had big plans nevertheless. Seeing the world is a big step from a country town."

Buffy shrugged, "Maybe, but even as a little girl I loved to hear stories about people who travelled the globe. I always wanted to see America. I never thought I'd get there ... until you came." She glanced at him again, "stop frowning, Angel. Maybe there'll be times when I whish to live another life, but I think that's something that happens to everyone. Today I'm very happy."

*****

Sir Giles looked up from his book when he heard someone knocking at the door. Glancing at the clock he frowned, who could come at that late hour? With a sigh he closed the book and put it on the little table beside him, then removed his glasses.

When he opened the door he came face to face with a beautiful woman who was smiling at him, "Yes?," he raised a brow.

"Sir Giles, what a pleasure to meet you," she replied. "I'm a friend of the young man who is living with you."

"Angel?"

"That's his name now? Hmm? Well, yes ... a friend of Angel's. Could I speak to him?"

Giles unconsciously stepped back, "They aren't at home. My daughter and her fiancée are out for a walk," he said.

"Fiancée?," and expression of pure hatred entered her eyes. "How nice," she remarked, her voice dripping of sarcasm. "Well," she chuckled slightly and then changed into her demonic features, "it seems we have to have some fun on your own then."

Panic entered his eyes, but he remembered Angel's words and said, "You cannot enter demon. You are not invited here."

She smiled at him through prolongued canines, "That's where you are wrong," she hissed.

****

Buffy and Angel had been walking the rest of the way to her house in silence. When they arrived there the first thing they noticed was the fact that the door wasn't closed. Angel tensed instantly and Buffy froze at his side. "Wh - what?," she asked, her voice trembling.

He just shook his head and put a finger on his lips. Vampires, his insides were screaming and panic crept up his spine. He had instructed Buffy's father not to invite anybody after dark, but he had forgotten that Buffy, who was living here, was a vampire now which made the house open for other vampires as well. Damn! How could he have been so careless. The Gem around his neck had lulled them into this, he was sure of it.

Squeezing Buffy's hand he took a deep unnecessary breath, slowly pushed the door all the way open and froze dead in his tracks. Buffy bumped right into him. "What?," she whispered again.

He closed his eyes already smelling what had happened here. Oh God, he thought. Oh sweet God, no! She doesn't deserve this. He pulled her to his side and looked at her, his voice grave, while she was staring at him with wide, fearful eyes, "Buffy. You're a vampire as well, don't you smell the blood?"

If it was possible she was even paler now as usual, "B ... blood?"

He nodded, "Yes. Buffy, I want you to stay here in the hall. Don't follow me," he instructed her. But when he started to walk towards the library, she clung to his harm. He closed he eyes again to gather strength and turned, "Please, Buffy. Wait here."

She looked at him for a long time, then slowly nodded and let go, leaning against the wall for support. They hadn't said a word but both vampires knew what became certainty the moment Angel entered the library.

There was Buffy's father laying on the ground, two puncture wounds on his neck, his body rigid already. It was the work of a vampire and Darla's scent was all over him.  

Part 17

A sob behind him made Angel snap out of his daze. Slowly turning around his gaze met the one of his beloved. Her eyes were wide and filled with horror, she was pressing her fist into her mouth to keep herself from screaming.

"Oh God, Buffy, I'm so sorry," he tried to reach out for her, but she flinched from his touch.

"Father," she whispered, tears streaming down her face. Her whole body was trembling and when she finally moved towards the still form of the man she'd known all her life she had to summon all her strength to keep herself from breaking down.

In front of him she sunk down to her knees and her trembling hand touched his face. He was so still, so cold, so ..., "Oh God," she suddenly screamed and fell on his chest, "Papa," she cried, "Please, Papa." Her body was shaking with sobs and she clung to the dead body. "No, no, Papa," she repeated again and again.

*

It broke Angel's heart and he couldn't help but feel responsible for this as well. She'd lost so much in only some days and it was all connected to him. He wanted to touch her, comfort her, but he knew that she wouldn't let him at the moment. Her grief was deep and he could only stand and watch her. His soul cried with her and suddenly feeling weak he leaned back to the wall and closed his eyes.

*

He didn't know how long he had been standing there but he was instantly alert when he heard a noise from the door. He waited only a second and then with a quick move spun around to grab the intruder at his throat.

"Oh, oh, Angel my friend, it's only me!"

"Whistler," the vampire hissed through gritted teeth and let go of him. "Where the hell have you been? You were supposed to be here."

"Had some busi...," the demon started when his eyes fell to the girl who was still clinging to the dead body of her father. "Oh, no, what happened?," he asked.

"A little present from Darla," Angel replied, his voice flat.

Whister, the king of good mood and jokes, sobered instantly, "Darla did this? But how," then he slapped his forehead, "of course, a vampire is living inside this house."

"W-what do you m-mean?," Buffy raised her tear-streamed face and looked at the two men in the room.

"Buffy," slowly Angel kneeled down beside her, "when a vampire lives in a house it's no longer protected. Any other vampire can enter." He closed his eyes for a short moment, "I ... I forgot all about it. I'm so sorry."

"So she just went in and killed him?," she asked, wiping her cheeks with one hand.

"Yes," he nodded, preparing himself for her accusations, knowing he earned whatever she would do to him.

But as she had before, she surprised him again, "I'm going to kill her," her voice was cold and determined.

"We will," he assured her, but she shook her head.

"No, Angel. You don't understand. *I* am going to kill her. You can come and watch, but *I* will kill her." She looked him straight into the eye and he knew she wouldn't discuss this. "I know we haven't talked about this so far, but now I want to know," her glance quickly flew to Whistler, then back to her lover, "I want you to show me how to kill a vampire."

***

And so they did. After taking care of all the formalities to burry her father, they began to train in earnest. Angel was an experienced fighter, his years when the demon had been in control were paying now. Angelus had always cared for his body and had mastered several martial arts.

Now Buffy was learning too. And he showed her every possible way to kill a vampire. Fire. Holy Water. Decapitation. And Staking.

He was amazed how well she learned, how quickly she became a master herself. They began to hunt each night and after a week she was almost as good as her lover. But what amazed him even more was the fact that she didn't blame him. Not once she accused him, for her it was no doubt that the demon and the ensouled version were two different beings.

Whistler taught them all they had to know about theory. He explained a lot about prophecies, the different sorts of demons and many other interesting things.

It was good for all of them, it kept them busy and Buffy's mind off her father's death, but of course they knew that the final confrontation with Darla was inevitable.

Since the night she'd killed Sir Giles they hadn't heard from her, but Angel could feel she was still around. Buffy would've been able to feel it too, had she been more experienced as a vampire.

After two weeks they began to search for Darla. Both wanted to have the matter over and done with. Buffy because she hated the vampiress with all her heart, Angel because he wanted nothing more than see Buffy at peace again. She was tossing and turning in her sleep and crying out her father's name. And again Angel wished he could've spared her the pain of all this. But it was too late for it and all they could do now was deal. Giving in to self-accusations and self-pity, so he realised, wouldn't help her. She needed him by her side now, the future was what counted, dwelling on the past wouldn't miraculously make the pain go away.

And then, exactly three weeks after Sir Giles' death it happened. They had just dusted three younger vampires in a dark alley, when a well known voice suddenly called out to them. "Welcome, my children." 

Part 18

Slowly the two ensouled vampires turned. They didn't look at each other but as if suddenly a link between them had been opened their minds began to silently communicate. They were only surprised for a second, but Whistler had already told them that something like that would happen eventually as their connection grew. It was only another proof that they were meant for each other.

"Darla," Angel greeted his sire almost casually. His body seemed relaxed, but inside every muscle, every tendon was tense, ready to jump into action whenever needed.

A smile played around her lips. Lips that he had once found attractive, didn't appeal to him anymore. It was her eyes. His demon hadn't cared for eyes but for Angel the empty, cold expression in them was repulsive. He even had to force himself to look at her without a snarl of disgust. She still had an attractive, sensual body, but it meant nothing to him anymore. Relief washed over him, this woman, this vampire was his sire and he hadn't been looking forward meeting her. But now he knew he could go through with it.

"Angelus," she purred, only shortly glancing at Buffy who was standing beside her favourite childe. "You have been a bad boy," her voice was like silk. "Just leaving like this. It was cold and lonely in my bed. You know he shared a bed, don't you," her eyes were on the younger woman now. "We shared every possible pleasure for over a century. Do you really think you can hold him?" A throaty laughter was to be heard in the dark alley, "He might be ... infatuated with you for a while. He sometimes needed ... a distraction. Like Dru," she flashed Angel a quick smile, then narrowed her eyes when looking at Buffy again, "I have to say you have your ...," her eyes roamed the woman's body, "qualities, but ...," she shrugged and made a pitying sound.

"Really, Angelus," she closed her eyes for a moment then smiled at him, a loving, forgiving smile, that left him only cold. "Did you think I wouldn't forgive you? You should've known better. We both belong together, nobody can change it. I even allow you to take her with you for a while ... as long as you want her. We could have fun together, the three of us."

Buffy had to suppress a gasp. She had heard whispers about such relationships, but as a girl of the better society nobody had dared to talk to her about something like that. Books containing these things were strictly forbidden for women. There was certainly a lot Angel had to explain to her, because as much as the thought repulsed her to be touched intimately by a woman, she wanted to know about it. She was startled when she felt Angel chuckle inwardly and a smile crossed her lips. There was something to be said about telepathic communication.

Darla's voice snapped them out of their connection, "No comments?," she shook her head. "I'm disappointed."

"Frankly, I'm not interested at all what you are or what not," Buffy's voice was cold and controlled. This vampire had murdered her father, and the hatred was boiling inside of her, but three weeks of training had taught her not to give in. Angel had explained again and again that she mustn't allow her emotions to control her. In combat the first and most important rule was to stay focussed and never let emotions distract you.

"Listen to her Angelus!," Darla laughed, "isn't she the feisty one." Then she whirled around to gaze at Buffy, her eyes sparkling with anger, " Don't you forget that I'm your sire, girl! I'm the one who made you what you are today. Don't you realise what that means? Childers are meant to pay respect to their sires."

"I owe you nothing," Buffy replied, her voice still controlled. "You killed my father. And you will die for this tonight."

Darla rolled her eyes and threw here hands in the air, "What is this? Yeah, I killed that old man. So what? I'm a vampire and kill humans, you're vampires too."

"We're nothing like you," Angel said. "Nothing, do you hear!"

"Don't bore me with that soul-crap again," she replied angrily. "I had all I can stand about this nonsense. Your little demon friend was already telling me, you remember? You really want to throw everything away only because of some pathetic, filthy soul?" She stepped closer to him, began to circle him, her hand touching him, trailing along his back. Her eyes were half-closed, her sexual intention clear and her voice hoarse and inviting, "You're sure about that? Don't you remember all the wonderful days we had? Did you forget all the fun we had together? Think about it, Angelus, is it worth trading it for a little virgin whose attration will fade in no time." She stopped, her chin laying on his shoulder, one hand touching his chest.

With a quick movment he grabbed her hands and pushed her away from him, "There isn't anyhting worth trading, Darla," he told her. "I love Buffy. She loves me. We have something you'll never understand. You could offer armys of lovers to me and it wouldn't change what I feel. I know, this sounds unbelievable for you, but it's the truth, accept it." Then he shrugged, "on a second thought, it's really not important if you do, because you won't have time for it. This will end tonight, Darla. Once and for all."

"Well," she shook her head slightly, "somehow I knew you'd be stubborn, so...," she nodded to someone behind her two childer, "I didn't came completely on my own."

Buffy and Angel spun around and before they could even blink they were sourrounded by about 20 vampires, who didn't look as if they'd come for a nice, friendly conversation.

"This is my last offer," Darla said, her body-posture relaxed. She was certain she was in control of the situation and she was eager to show them her superior position. "You can both come back to me and I'll forgive everything or ...," she trailed off and an evil chuckle left her mouth, then she licked her lips and she shrugged, "well, I suppose you can guess what'll happen."

"Forget about it," Buffy replied, her body fully alert.

"Angelus?," Darla turned towards the dark-haired vampire, ignoring her younger childe completely. She wasn't interested in her at all.

He just shrugged, "You heard my mate."

At his last word, Darla's control snapped. Angel had fully intended it to happen, he was through with playing word-games. This had to end tonight and the sooner the better he decided. With a cry of outrage her face shifted into its demonic features and she launched an attack at Buffy, the other vampires following her swiftly.

Buffy felt the claws of her sire around her throat, squeezing her windpipe and for the first time she was glad she didn't have to breathe anymore. Remembering all the things Angel had taught her throughout the last three weeks she landed a quick punch into Darla's stomach and the vampiress let go of her. Then with a roundhouse kick she pushed her even further backwards, cursing the long skirts which weren't the ideal clothes for fighting vampires. Buffy had already heard about women wearing pants and she decided that she would try to get some of them herself as soon as she had time to think about it.

The same moment another vampire attacked her from behind, but she quickly produced a stake from under her skirts and he was dust in no time. Angel was doing good beside her. He'd staked seven vampires already and some of them even began to run realising they were going against someone much stronger then they.

With horror in her eyes Darla watched what was happening. No, she screamed inwardly. The girl was fighting well, and she could see Angelus' handwriting in her moves. There was no doubt he had taught her how to handle herself in combat. Uncontrollable rage began to consume her body. He had betrayed her in more than one way. She could forgive his infatiuation with another body, but never this. Never the fact that he had shared skills, she herself had taught him, with another.

Her hands were trembling with rage when she reached for the crossbow she had hidden under a stone just in case. If she couldn't have him, nobody else would. Certainly not this little girl. She said she loved him, well then, she would suffer seeing him die. With a deep breath and feeling the ultimate power her hands steadied and slowly she pulled the trigger.

Angel dusted the last vamp attacking him and seeing Buffy brushing dust from her skirts he gave her a quick smile. He never even saw the bolt come. It hit him out of the blue and went straight into his heart.

"In the end, Angelus, I've won," Darla shouted, a triumphant expression on her face.

Angel watched her with an odd look in his eyes and then to her horror removed the arrow with a quick movment from his chest, a smile playing around his lips, he was obviously completely unharmed.

"No, Darla," Buffy's eyes were cold, and then she threw the stake. The moment the wood penetrated her sire's chest, she added, "you lost."

"Noooo," the older vampire cried, but she knew it was over and only seconds later her remains drifted away with the wind, leaving her childer alone with each other in the dark alley.

*

Buffy was the first to move and she reached out to touch Angel's chest where the bolt had pierced it, "Are you okay?," she looked up and searched his eyes.

He smiled, "Yes. I'm fine. Thanks to this," he pointed the the little gem on his neck. "It didn't even hurt." Planting a kiss on her forehead he added, "It was rather strange though."

"I bet," she replied and pressed her head against his chest, encircling his waist with her arms and holding him close. "It's over," she whispered.

He slightly pulled back and put a finger under her chin so that she had to look at him, "Yes, but only for now. It'll never be over."

"No," she nodded and sighed. "I suppose not. We're vampire hunters after all." Suddenly a grin appeared on her face, "But it's not half bad. I mean, hey I can beat them up and don't get hurt in the process and the best part is you won't get hurt either. We can go out into the sunlight, stay young forever, at least on the outside, life forever - together. Life could be worse."

"Yeah," he stroked her hair. "Eternity with you. Not half-bad."

"Maybe we should go home now," she suggested. "I feel tired all of a sudden."

He grinned, "Do you now?"

"Hmmm," she replied when they began to walk. "Well, not too tired."

"Good," he grinned.

"Angel?"

"Hmmm?"

"Did you ever think about going to America?."

He stopped and looked at her, "You want to go to America?"

"Yeah," she replied and continued walking. "I already told you I want to see the world."

"So you did." There was a smile in his voice.

"And there's another important fact."

"And what's that?"

"Some women already wear trousers there."

In response he laughed.