Part 6

Buffy woke several hours later from a deep sleep, feeling totally refreshed and ready to fight a new day. She leisurely stretched out a yawn before noticing she was still fully dressed. Memories of the night before came rushing back and she sighed deeply. In the space of a few hours her whole life had been turned upside down again. Her dreams had been filled with confusing images of Riley and Angel, all mixed in with a faceless demon trying to steal her soul.

Climbing out of bed, Buffy walked across the room to find a set of fresh clothes - that could have only come from Cordelia - and a china wash jug and basin.

** All the comforts of home ** Buffy smiled as she poured cold water into the basin and shivered as she splashed it onto her face. Changing into the sweatpants and a tank top she walked out of the bedroom in search of the others.

Buffy found Wesley first, he was in the main hall meticulously checking a table full of weaponry. Turning, she caught her breath as Angel, naked to the waist, worked out on an old punch bag. She watched in fascination as the muscles in his strong arms and upper body rippled, beneath the skin, with each movement. A light perspiration covered his pale skin causing him to almost glow.

Unintentionally, Buffy ran her tongue over her lips to moisten her suddenly dry mouth.

She knew without doubt that Angel was still the most beautiful man she had ever seen.

A sad sigh escaped her lips as she remembered how those powerful arms had once held her so softly. So lost in her memories, she failed to notice that Angel had stopped training and was walking slowly towards her.

"Hey" he lifted the corners of his mouth in the small smile that had once stolen her heart.

"Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, thank you. Is Cordelia still asleep?" Buffy asked, fighting for something to say and keep her eyes from wandering over his wonderfully exposed flesh. Angel reached for his shirt and slipped it over his broad shoulders, much to Buffy's disappointment.

"No, she left to get supplies. We left in rather of a hurry. Giles phoned, the others will be over shortly" Angel's soft smile grew and Buffy tore her eyes away. **It just wasn't fair, nobody should look that good** her heart whispered with sadness.

"I see you've been working out, you look good" ** Oh God, did I really say that? ** Buffy felt her cheeks flush red with embarrassment. Angel pretended not to notice but secretly his heart soared. They continued to just stare at each other, both longing to speak and yet neither knowing where to begin.

"Good morning, Buffy. Good, I see you have already started" Giles' voice startled the pair, causing them to quickly break apart. Buffy spun around to find all the members of the scoobie gang filing through the door.

"Started?" Buffy found her voice and moved further away from Angel.

"Training. I asked Angel to put together a training program for you, that way you will be primed for any kind of attack." Giles smiled, turned and walked over to Wesley to examine the weapons on the table.

Running a hand over the wide assortment, Giles frowned.

"I'm not sure if any of these will be any good, we have no idea what this assassin will be. Vampire, demon, who knows maybe even human? Giles picked up a crossbow only to shake his head and return it to the table.

"No, I think Buffy will have to rely more on the strengths of being the Slayer than weaponry. So training it is".

"Count me in" Riley walked in late and quickly joined the party. He looked tired and drawn and Buffy suspected he hadn't slept much. When this was all over Buffy made a promise to make things right between the two of them, but even as she thought those words her heart doubted things would ever be the same again. Seeing Angel once more had reminded her only too painfully what real love should feel like and, although she cared deeply for Riley, sadly it wasn't in the same league.

For the rest of the afternoon Angel watched Buffy train. He watched as the Slayer skilfully annihilated all opponents.

Poor Wesley had been the first to volunteer, he had tried a surprise attack and had almost been sent into orbit for his trouble. Buffy apologised profusely, helping the dazed man to his feet. Wesley reassured the Slayer that there was no permanent damage and went off in search of a large ice pack and half a bottle of painkillers. He returned just in time to watch the next unfortunate volunteer take over the training. Much to his relief.

** Lambs to the slaughter** Wesley thought as he lowered himself gingerly into a hard, uncomfortable chair.

As the afternoon progressed the opposition became weaker. Xander and Giles' efforts were less than satisfying and, because of the chip, Spike was almost a waste of time.

After watching Riley sent sprawling for the fifth time, Angel decided to take over the training session himself. Riley had tried to protest but was quickly silenced.

Angel removed his expensive silk shirt again and the Vampire and the Slayer squared off against one another.

"Are you ready?" Buffy grinned, she knew she'd finally found a worthy opponent.

Angel quirked his eyebrows and smiled.

"I think we should give them a lot more room," Xander said quickly moving to the far wall. The others, having seen Buffy and Angel fight before, moved without hesitation. Only Riley stubbornly stood where he was.

Buffy and Angel moved gracefully around the room reading each other's movements almost telepathically. An attack was countered before it was delivered. They lunged, ducked and rolled in perfect synchronicity.

The audience watched in awe as the Vampire and the Slayer matched each other point for point.

"You've improved" Buffy laughed as Angel evaded yet another well timed attack.

"Thanks. So have you." He replied never once taking his eyes off her.

The pace soon became almost frenzied as the two perfect warriors tested each other's knowledge and strengths to the limit. For the first time ever they fought as total equals, each knowing just how far the other would go.

Their movements became almost sexual as their bodies thrust against each other. The air filled with the sound of tiny grunts and groans with each new contact. The low throaty growl Angel gave when Buffy slammed him to the floor with her body wasn't lost on Riley or Buffy.

Riley seethed with jealousy as he watched how flawlessly the ex lovers fought together, he realised then just how much Buffy had held back in her workouts with him and his male ego plunged further into despair.

The rest of the room continued to watch the amazing display with wonder, most had seen Buffy fight Angelus of course, but the show in front of them was breathtaking. Even Spike begrudgingly admitted being impressed.

Buffy and Angel covered every inch of the room as Angel continued to push the Slayer, the two perfect athletes were now both glistening with perspiration and yet only Buffy was panting for breath.

Just when it looked like neither would win, Angel caught Buffy's body in mid throw and she dropped beneath his weight.

Nobody moved.

Buffy breathed deeply to calm her rapid heartbeat and to take her mind off the delicious weight pressing down on her body.

The two ex lovers eyes locked and for a split second they were the only people in the room. Angel lowered his face and for a fleeting moment Buffy almost swore he was going to kiss her. At that thought her heart beat increased and her lips parted in anticipation.

"Wow! That was better than sex, come to think of it, in some cultures that was sex" Anya was the first to speak.

"Yes, well I think we'll call that a tie" Wesley coughed, feeling slightly uncomfortable, he was amazed at the sexual tension radiating off the slayer and his friend.

"Ha, that's not what I'd call it" Cordelia rolled her eyes. It was the same old Buffy and Angel show starting all over again.

Angel moved first, he offered Buffy his hand and slowly pulled her up, never once talking his eyes from her face.

"Thanks, I mean thanks for the workout, it was good" she smiled softly still holding on to his large hands.

All through the exercise, Spike had been observing Riley with extreme pleasure. The boy had gone through a hell of his own watching the two ex lovers passionately move against each other.

Riley understood now why his and Buffy's training sessions had never been that intense, **Nothing in their lives had ever brought that kind if intensity** Riley reflected sadly.

As if on queue, Spike sauntered over and stood next to to the troubled boy.

"And that was one of their lighter sessions, you should have seen them in the good old days" he teased and revelled in the pained expression he received for his comment.

**That will teach the little prick to punch me** Spike laughed to himself and walked off

*****

Later that evening...

"I need to get out of here I'm going crazy " Buffy picked up her jacket and checked for Mr. Pointy

"Buffy, that's really not a very good Idea." Giles quickly closed the book he was reading and walked to intercept the Slayer. He could tell, by the resolute look on the girl's face, that his objections would be useless but he felt he had to try.

"I need to patrol. I understand your anxiety but look, this threat could go on forever. I can't hide away like a frightened child, if I do he might as well have stolen my soul already. I'm the Slayer, I need to go slay". Buffy looked at Giles desperately hoping he would understand.

"Then I'm coming with you" Riley insisted picking up a crossbow from the table and walking towards his girlfriend.

"Me too" Xander added quickly, much to the disapproval of Anya. All this talk about the devil had thrown the ex demon into a deep depression and the thought of her lover facing that threat by the slayer's side terrified her even more.

Buffy turned towards her loyal friends feeling slightly awkward, she knew what she was about to tell them would be hard to accept but it had to be said.

"No, you're not, I appreciate you want to protect me but I have to be able to concentrate on slaying, On my own I can move at full slayer speed. If you're with me I won't be able to fully focus, I'll be too busy worrying about your safety." she told them truthfully,

"This is quite unacceptable, Buffy. You might well be the Slayer but you're not going out there on your own" Giles was adamant. The risk was simply too great.

" She'll not be alone, I'll cover her back." Angel said simply, he picked up his duster and slipped it over his broad shoulders.

"NO WAY" Riley shouted, his face turning red in anger; it had been hard enough watching them train together.** If that's what you call it** he turned his head and glared at the vampire with unadulterated hatred. Angel resisted a sneer and ignored the boy instead, he then continued to walk towards Buffy.

"I said, no way" Riley grabbed Angel's shoulder and was rewarded with a warning growl

"Riley, please. You must accept that Angel is the only one here that can safely patrol with Buffy without placing her life in danger. You have to put your petty differences aside and think of what's best for her" Wesley tried to defuse the situation, the way things were going he could see real problems brewing between the boy and the vampire and that wouldn't help anybody.

"Please" Buffy turned to her boyfriend, her eyes pleading for him to understand. She knew how unfair she was being and yet she was also relieved that Angel would be watching her back. Fighting with Angel had always been so uncomplicated in the past; they could both work without fear for the other.

Riley wasn't giving in, this time she was asking too much. It wasn't that he didn't trust Buffy, he did. No Riley Finn would never trust the *blood sucking monster* standing next to her, *especially* after the way they had trained earlier.

"Hey, Buff. What do you say I play chaperone?" Spike offered from the doorway, he had been feeling like a caged animal for far too long and the chance to kick some ass wouldn't go a miss.

"Well that's settled then, Buffy will patrol with *both* Spike and Angel. Safety in numbers" Giles answered quickly without giving Riley any chance to argue

*****

Spike wiped the dust from his hands and cackled evilly " That was just too easy"

Buffy shook her head in wonder; she still couldn't believe how happy the British vampire got when he dusted one of his own. The difference between Angel and Spike was as wide as the ocean. She really would have to keep reminding herself that at the end of the day, Spike didn't have a soul and no matter how much help he offered them he really couldn't be trusted.

The trio continued the rest of the sweep with little difficulty. If there were any more vampires in the cemetery that night, they were keeping well hidden. Buffy, Angel and Spike made a formidable team.

The three walked in silence, Buffy and Angel both fighting an inner battle of their very own, each desperate to steal a glance and yet knowing, that path led to damnation in it's own right. Spike could feel the growing tension and smiled mischievously.

"This is neat, just like the good old days" his voice was almost melancholy

"Hardly, in the good old days we were usually hunting you, and winning" Buffy laughed relieved that the silence was broken.

"Slayer, you really do have a way to ruin the perfect moment. Look, you guys, can I trust you not to get all groiny with each other for a few minutes? I really need to grab some dinner." Spike didn't give them time to protest as he jogged off in the direction of his mausoleum, leaving Buffy and Angel alone for the very first time.

Buffy stood waiting for Angel to speak, in the past conversation between the two of them had never been a problem but so much time had passed since those days.

"I miss this" she sighed deeply "I miss patrolling with you"

"I miss you" Angel replied simply, making no attempt to hide his feeling.

Buffy turned and Angel saw tears in her eyes.

"Don't, I don't want to hear how much you miss me. I stopped believing anything you said a long time ago Angel" Buffy whispered stepping away from him. After all this time It was just too hard to hear the words

"Buffy, I never lied to you about my feelings" Angel sounded hurt that she would even think such a thing. The reason he had always put her needs before his own was because he loved her so much. ** Surely she knew that**

"I think you meant them at the time but we grow, we change. I thought I'd die when you left me but I didn't. Part of me will always care about you" she avoided his eyes for fear that he would see through her casual denial.

"Don't trivialise what we had, you make it sound like a high school romance" Angel could hardly believe she was dismissing his feelings as casually as that.

"In 243 years I was the only one...You made it sound like forever. So one of us got it wrong. Maybe that's all….." she didn't get a chance to finish that sentence, Angel hands gripped her arms pulling her up roughly against his body, crushing his lips to hers, he slipped his tongue deep inside her mouth. Buffy gasped as long hidden emotions rushed to the surface.

** Angel was kissing her**

** Oh god, this is so wrong** her head screamed **Oh god, this is so right** her heart cried back as she wound her arms around his neck and pulled herself closer.

Angel cursed his weakness but lost himself in her warmth. He wanted nothing more then to devour her mouth with his. Angel needed to kiss Buffy until she couldn't breathe, he longed to kiss away all traces of that stupid farmboy that hung onto her every word like a love sick fool, like the same love sick fool that he used to be and wanted desperately to be again.

But then Buffy pushed away with a look of pure horror on her beautiful face.

"No, Angel. This is wrong...I'm ...I'm with Riley now, we can't do this" her small voice was strangely calm.

As he looked into her beautiful eyes, the pain hit him. All the love and passion that had always shone there when he kissed her had gone. Buffy's eyes held only guilt.

** She wasn't his girl any more** Angel knew then that she'd never be his girl again. p>"Buffy, forgive me. I should never…I'm so sorry" it took every piece of strength he possessed to keep his voice steady.

Buffy stepped back trembling

"Angel this is too hard, I really can't deal with this now, I need to be alone. Please" she begged knowing that if he stayed she'd break down and beg him to kiss her again and again and....... and then where would that leave them...

Nothing had changed. He would just head back to LA, leaving her heartbroken all over again, and her strained relationship with Riley would be irretrievable.

"Buffy"

"Angel, I appreciate your help and I always will but …I can't be alone with you anymore, Riley was right to worry" she hung her head.

"I can't leave you on your own" Angel couldn't leave her unprotected no matter how painful being together was. It was his sworn duty to protect her and he would carry out that duty until the day one of them died.

"I'll be fine…Spike will be back any time now. Go" her eyes pleaded and her resolve weakened. Everything she had ever wanted was standing right in front of her yet completely out of reach.

Angel turned, his broad strong shoulders stooped with sadness and regret as he walked away. Buffy watched until his tall dark figure blended into the shadows and then, with her heart breaking, she ran straight for the mausoleum.

Once inside she closed the heavy door and leaned her head against it breathing deeply.

She couldn't believe what she had just done, in rejecting Angel she had broken both their hearts, again.

** But nothing had changed, they still couldn't be together. Angel should never have kissed me**

" Damn you Angel," she cursed but knew the moment she uttered the words how wrong they sounded. Buffy knew in her heart that she wanted that kiss more than anything, she wanted Angel more than anything.

On hearing the sound of soft footsteps behind her she sighed heavily.

"Spike, I'm warning you. If you say one word I'll stake you and dance in your dust"

" Hello, Buffy. It's been a while"

Buffy spun around and came face to face with the being she knew wanted her soul

"So you're this famous assassin" she asked warily but then smiled

"Don't make me laugh"

Part 7

" You've been a very naughty girl, bad Buffy *grr*"

"Drusilla! I would say it's nice to see you again but we both know that's a big lie" Buffy was finally over the surprise of seeing Spike's old partner in crime, not to mention Angelus.

She watched as Dru's hypnotic eyes followed her every movement. In a strange way, Buffy felt relieved that at last the assassin was out in the open, so to speak.

Drusilla swept around the crypt casually picking through Spike's belongings, as if she owned the place. Her long crimson dress swirled around her delicate ankles.

"I like your dress Dru, then again, I bet people have been saying that for the last hundred years" Buffy smirked sarcastically. Drusilla had never been one of her favourite vamps and she was quite looking forward to dusting her sorry, insane ass.

"You were the reason it all fell apart, you frightened the stars and made the moon shiver"

Dru's sing song voice grated on Buffy's nerves. **The trouble with dealing with this insane bitch was that she was so unpredictable** Buffy warned herself and watched as the vampire circled closer, sliding into a dangerous game of cat and mouse.

"Can we just cut to the chase?" Buffy asked slowly sliding her hand into her jacket pocket hoping to find Mr. Pointy.

"You took my poor daddy far away from me, you made him all soft with your humanity" Dru pouted her bottom lip. "Now you've done the same to my poor Spike" The dark haired vampire turned suddenly and moved closer to the Slayer. Her bright yellow eyes illuminating in the candle lit room.

"Spike! Humanity! Are you crazy? Of course you are, stupid question". At that moment Buffy's eyes caught sight of the blonde vampire laying unconscious in the corner of the room, a large red stain coloured his platinum head.

Drusilla picked up a stray piece of wood and snapped it between her strong fingers. She then turned towards Spike.

"Don't worry pet, mummy's here." Dru moved dangerously close to the fallen figure.

"He needs to be put out of his pain" she sighed and raised her arm.

Buffy had no doubt that Drusilla intend to dust her former lover. In her crazy head she believed she was doing him a favour.

** I'm gonna regret this so much** she thought as she tried her best to distract her.

"So, you came all the way to Sunnydale to dust a loser like Spike?"

Drusilla immediately turned back to the Slayer.

"The dark lord is calling for you, he sees all, he knows all" her attention was now back on the Slayer and thoughts of executing Spike were forgotten for the time being.

"There are names for people like that, I think weirdo is one of them" Buffy quipped and faked a small smile. The smile was more to cover her growing nervousness then anything else.

"He wants your soul"

"Sorry, not going to happen"

"You're wrong" Dru dropped the jagged piece of wood and reached into a concealed pocket in her dress, she then pulled out a large black crystal. Her eyes changed colour from yellow to red as she started chanting a language lost on Buffy.

Immediately Buffy felt a strong force enter her body and start to pull on her soul, her own eyes closed and she fought with all her might. She drew on the powers of her protection spell and prayed it was strong enough to fight this evil.

Drusilla continued to chant, her hypnotic voice wound it's way inside Buffy's head turning and twisting her mind. Buffy clenched her fist so tight her fingernails sliced into the palms of her hands. Her mind reached out to the circle of four for help, slowly she felt the affection of Tara and Willow wrap itself around her and then came the strength of the two vampires.

Dru ended her chanting with what sounded like a curse; a burst of black lightning shot through the crystal and danced around the crypt. Buffy watched with hypnotised eyes as the lightning bounced off the wall and passed right through her chest.

When the last of the light had faded from the room, Drusilla walked right up to the Slayer and pressed the crystal against her heart, Buffy didn't move she just stared ahead unfocused.

" And now your soul belongs to him" Dru laughed wildly, it really had been too easy.

"Buffy moved so quickly she caught Drusilla completely off guard, her fist knocking the surprised vampire clean across the crypt.

"You didn't do your homework, now did you Dru? The master couldn't pull that crap on me and neither can you. As for my soul, it's not going anywhere. Sorry, but once a psycho loser always a psycho loser" Buffy grinned, she felt so relieved that the protection spell had given her the strength she needed to hold on to her soul. She then pulled Mr. Pointy from her jacket pocket and stalked towards her prey

"I'm so going to enjoy this" Buffy approached the vampire. Drusilla had pulled herself to her feet and was now standing on the other side of the crypt.

She didn't try to escape as Buffy had expected, she just stood her ground as a large evil smile covered her beautiful features.

"Well, Buffy. if your soul won't leave without you" She leaped, and grabbed the Slayer by the wrist that was holding the stake. Using her other hand, Drusilla smashed the black crystal to the floor.

The room started shaking violently as a whirlpool in the floor appeared opening the vortex to hell.

Buffy struggled with all her might but was unable to shake off Drusilla's grip; her eyes then widened in horror as the vortex moved closer.

"You'll just have to come along too" Dru pushed the Slayer toward the hole and gravity did the rest.

Spike groaned in pain and opened his eyes just in time to see a very blurred Buffy disappear through the vortex, followed by his ex.

"Drusilla" he shouted as he dived for the hole, but the vortex closed in front of him leaving him totally alone..

Spike sat down on the floor of the crypt holding his blood soaked head in his hands. As he ran his hands over his wet hair he felt something prick into his finger. pulling back his hand, Spike discovered part of a computer chip

"Bloody hell"

*****

Angel walked the deserted streets of Sunnydale in brooding overdrive, cursing his stupidity. He should have known better, after all this time of course Buffy would have moved on with her life, he had no right complicating matters when there was still no possibility of a happy ending.

** Shanshu ** the word whispered in his mind, but Angel quickly shut it out. That could be years if not decades away. No, Buffy had found the closest thing to normality she was ever likely to have.

** You should be happy for her, its what you wanted** he tried to convince himself. **Then why do I feel so empty** his soul replied.

Angel shoved his hands deeper into the pockets of his duster, the cold night's breeze whistled through him as he carried on walking. The smell of dawn on the horizon brought him back to reality and Angel reluctantly returned to the mansion to face the consequences.

"You took your time, where the hell is Buffy?" Riley demanded as soon as Angel walked through the door.

Angel scanned the other worried faces realising that the Slayer had needed time to reflect as well.

"We got separated" Angel slipped into a necessary lie "Buffy's fine, she's with Spike"

"No, she's not"

Spike staggered into the room still bleeding from the gash to his head.

"Where's Buffy? What have you done to her?" Riley grabbed hold of the wounded vampire and pulled him off his feet.

Angel was right behind the boy and, once again, came to Spike's rescue by ripping the boy's arms away.

"I can't believe she did it" Spike seemed to be more in shock than pain.

"For god's sake man, Where's Buffy?" Giles demanded impatiently.

"She's gone" Spike looked up at the horror on Riley's face and swore the boy was about to stake him.

**That would be interesting** Spike thought and wondered just how much of the chip was still left in his head. He hadn't had the opportunity to try it out yet but, as he looked into the hate filled face of the Slayer's boyfriend, Spike promised himself that Riley Finn was first on his hit list.

"Oh my head" he groaned. Spike raised his hand and felt an enormous swelling on the top of his skull.

"SPIKE!" Willow's voice pleaded for information regarding their friend's welfare.

"She caught me off guard, one minute I was listening to..." his eyes looked towards Angel and decided now was not the time to continue with that line.

"And the next she hit me, knocked me out cold"

"Buffy hit you?" Giles asked in astonishment.

"No, not the Slayer, you fool…." Spike rolled his eyes and carried on

"Drusilla, my beautiful black goddess……..She hit me. The lying, cheating bitch knocked me out cold" Spike was still slightly traumatised over the whole situation. It was hard enough seeing his ex love after all this time but to find out that she was the devil's assassin, he was still trying to swallow that one. Not to mention the possibility that he was now de chipped.

"And Buffy?" Angel was finding this news as difficult to believe as Spike.

"By the time I woke up the vortex was closing, Dru couldn't detach the Slayer's soul, so..."

Angel's eyes widened in realisation as Spike continued

"I guess the Slayer's well and truly in the depths of hell"

"How will we get her back?" Riley was almost frantic with worry. His eyes pleaded with Giles and Wesley for answers that neither man held.

"Then how do we get in?" the boy continued to beg for an answer.

"Are you crazy? We're talking about *Hell* here, not bleeding Disney land, you can't just buy a day pass." The stupidity of these humans never failed to surprise Spike.

"Hell is a very complex place, it's built upon many layers. Buffy herself has visited one of the upper levels but the main anti chamber, that's an entirely different picture." Giles explained to the confused and worried faces around him as much as he understood himself

" There's only two ways you get to the see the top man, old Lucy invites you, like he did with me and sends the vortex or..." Spike made a movement with his hand to show the other way in was death. " And even then only the really evil get that honour."

"There's another way" Angel's quiet voice was almost missed. By now, everybody in the room was arguing.

"QUIET" Giles yelled above the noise.

"Angel, what did you say?" Giles turned towards the the vampire, he had never seen Angel look so worried and he almost swore he saw real fear in those deep brown eyes

"I said there's a third way in, I know how to get into hell, I just don't know if I can get back out"

****

HELL…..

Buffy fell to her knees; her hands clenched at her throat as she gasped for breath.

"Oh, look at the pretty lights" Drusilla cooed and moved around the same cavern Spike had been summoned to earlier. Lost in her own little world, the insane vampire ignored the choking slayer and explored the hellish cavern as an excited child would explore Santa's grotto.

Buffy turned her head as her poor lungs found their first wisp of air. The pretty lights that had caught Drusilla attention turned out to be fissures spewing fire. The heat was so fierce it burnt Buffy's eyes, sending tears streamed down her cheeks. She slowly pulled herself to her feet and continued her fight for air. After a few minutes Buffy felt slightly stronger, her slayer powers seemed to compensate for the change in climate. Her first trip into hell had never felt like this, but then again, this was Satan's lair itself.

"Well, well ,well. This is an unexpected pleasure" A deep throaty voice startled Buffy spinning her in every direction. Once more the red mist materialised into human form. Buffy trembled and gripped her stake until her fingernails snapped.

"We don't get many slayers drop in, I'm honoured" the sound of sinister laughter made her blood run cold, Buffy stood her ground refusing to let the creature see her fear.

"Hey! Maybe you should think about brightening the place up a bit, the décor is slightly on the dank side and that smell is really offensive. Have you ever heard of pastels" Buffy felt her voice run away with her in an attempt to cover her nervousness, at the same time, her eyes were checking for any chance of escape.

"How quaint, a smart mouth kid. Just how I like them. I've been told all about you, Slayer. You sent me some of my best disciples. The master, the mayor, Darla…No wait, that was the traitorous Angelus. Oh yes, I know all about your demon lover, slayer. I made his last stay here very pleasant"

Buffy shivered despite the intense heat as she remembered sending Angel to this dreadful place, her heart started to ache for him and the pain he must have suffered. A small tear trickled down her hot cheek as she also remembered their last encounter.

** He'll never know how much I really love him now** Buffy cursed her stupidity. ** So much wasted time, that was the story of their lives** she turned her thoughts back to the evil presence in front of her.

"The next time we meet I'll not be so gracious" it's evil eyes flashed in fury.

At that point Drusilla wandered over. "Her soul didn't want to come and play on it's own"

"You did a good job Drusilla, you can return to the world above whenever you're ready" the devil grinned causing Drusilla to giggle. Buffy watched in disgust as the vampire attempted to flirt with the devil, the sickening sight turning her stomach. Now she was more angry now then afraid.

"I've got a better idea" Buffy plunged the sharp end of Mr. pointy straight into the vampires back." Why don't you stay here" Drusilla had just enough time to give a startled cry before turning to dust. Buffy wiped her hands on her clothes and then defiantly raised her eyes to the devil.

His face darkened in fury and when he spoke the walls of the cavern shook. "You're going to be very sorry you did that" it growled

"Not as sorry as Drusilla" Buffy bravely shot back. She then noticed the cavern fill with an assortment of demons. They quickly surrounded the slayer with their hideous faces and soulless eyes. Buffy knew she was completely outnumbered but they wouldn't take her without a fight. ** That was a promise**

With only a stake for company, Buffy took up a fighting stance.

The devil almost looked impressed as his minions approaches the tiny wisp of a girl.

"You're a fool, girl. You can't possibly win"

For a split second, Buffy had a vision of Angel walking away from her in the cemetery, his shoulders stooped in rejection. ** That was the last mistake she was ever going to make** she sighed and then held her head up high.

"I've got nothing left to lose" she replied and attacked.