Part 20

With the sound of the front door slamming loudly behind her, Buffy held her head high and walked away from William Pennington's house determined to bring an end, once and for all, to the nightmare that had plunged her life into confusion.

For one terrifying moment, as she fled along the darkened hallway of the mansion, she swore she felt William's presence behind her. But, as her heartbeat pounded so hard in her chest that it almost snapped a rib, Buffy accepted that her *stalker* had finally accepted the painful truth.

**Stalker?**

As soon as the word Angel had used for William slipped in to her head Buffy rejected it. Despite everything that had happened between the two of them, she knew that the cruel description of the blonde English poet wasn't really the truth. She realised sadly, that in all fairness, William really did seem to love her. The foolish young man had worn his heart on his sleeve and his emotions had blazed from his cool blue eyes with every longing glance, but it still didn't change anything. No matter how much he thought he loved her, Buffy couldn't change her feelings about him.

She would never love William. She couldn't love him.

Taking a full breath of cool night air, Buffy silently cursed her amnesia and the fact that she still couldn't remember what her life had been like just a few months earlier. It was so hard living in the dark, not knowing who she could to turn to or who she to trust.

Running her hands through her hair she stopped when she reached her temples and ignoring the pain, she pressed her fingers firmly against the skin.

"It's not like I'm asking for total recall. Just a few names and faces would be a start." Buffy tried to reason with the dark void that swirled inside in her head but as always it remained immune to her pleas.

Whatever was trapped inside her mind it was content to stay there...

**But for how long. A week. A month. A year.... The rest of my life**

The thought of living the rest of her life with no memory of her childhood, her family, or of even falling in love, sent a rush of depression straight to her heart. But, this time, Buffy refused to feel sorry for herself. If that was how her life played out, she now knew she had the strength to deal with it.

The scene with William had been painful but it had cleared up a lot of confusion

Buffy now knew that whatever her past life had been like, it didn't include loving Will Pennington. She didn't need memories to know that much. Her skin whispered it to her and the beat of her heart confirmed it and if she really needed more confirmation, the rich blood that pounded through her veins screamed out that her heart had been lost long before she had ever known William.

Her heart belonged to Angel. It didn't matter if he now hated her; If he never forgave her. Buffy's heart would always belong to Angel.

Thinking back to William she sadly shook her head

What ever his reasons were for lying to her, Buffy would never be able forgive the good-looking Englishman for his deceit and dishonesty. He had taken advantage of her when she had been at her lowest and that in itself was unforgivable.

For a second she felt a flicker of grief. In different circumstances they might have become friends, but that could never happen now, any chance of a friendship was ruined. After tonight, Buffy knew that she would never see William again, the defeated look in his eyes when she turned away from him had told her that much.

**Maybe that was for the best**

Feeling a slight weight lift from her slim shoulders Buffy walked down the stone steps and, standing in the middle of the deserted street, she exhaled a deep sigh of relief.

**She had one tiny part of her life back.. Whatever else she might turn out to be, she wasn't an adulteress**

A cool breeze fluttered down Crawford street and gently rattled the leaves in the nearby trees. Buffy shivered as the chill brushed over her skin and left tiny goosebumps on her bare arms. There was definitely a storm in the air and in all her hurry to stop Liam from killing William, she had left without a coat and was now stranded in the middle of Sunnydale.

Tilting her head up towards the heavens, she watched a thick blanket of cloud move slowly across the evening sky. As the stars faded from her sight, Buffy sighed. The swirling grey masses dominating the skyline matched her mood perfectly.

** How could she have been fooled so easily. She should have known right from the start that William was lying..**

**Why hadn't she seen right through him..?**

She already knew both these arguments were irrational. Pennington had taken advantage of her amnesia and used it for... for what?..... Buffy shook her head not wanting to even travel up that road of thought. How easily it could have all gone wrong. With a shudder she realised how simple it would have been to have believed his stories and fallen into his bed.....

"Stop it!" Again she slammed the door on thoughts of William.

**William was now firmly in the past. She now had to look only towards the future**

"Do I even have a future?"

**You could always get the hell out of here once and for all. Leave Sunnydale and all this misery behind you.**

Buffy closed her eyes as the thought drifted into her mind. Leaving this town was a possibility but the only trouble was, if she ran now, the empty void that lived within her, would surely follow her for the rest of her days.

"Or maybe I could just stay, stay here and make a new life for myself?" Ignoring the fact that she was standing in the middle of the street talking to herself, Buffy pondered the argument out loud.

There were two options now staring in front of her..

** A life completely on her own or.... A new life with Angel?**

The second choice brought a small smile to her lips.

**How many people get a second chance?**

"But would Angel still want her?**

Buffy looked up and then down the still deserted street and shook her head wishing that she had accepted the cab driver's kind offer to wait for her. She shuddered to think what William had told Liam and how much he had believed. From the damage to William's face she knew it hadn't gone well. The first thing she had to do now was find her husband and bring an end to William's deception once and for all. Only after they had laid the past to rest could they talk about the future.

But there was one giant stumbling block........With the whole town so unfamiliar, where on earth would she start?

"Where would Liam go?" Buffy closed her eyes and took a slow deep breath.

At first she felt nothing, just the usual swirling void that blocked her mind with its confusion and tormented her with its empty promises. But Buffy was tired of playing the victim, instead of giving in to the darkness that fought her at every turn; she battered her way through the abyss. Her memory might not play fair but as Buffy delved into her soul, her heart played its trump card. A tiny crack appeared in the void and a trickle of light seeped into her mind.

**The beach. Go to the beach**

Night had completely fallen on Sunnydale by the time she reached her destination and the occasional moonbeam peeping through the gathering clouds was the only light breaking the darkness.

After sinking up to her ankles in the soft sand, Buffy slipped off her shoes and decided to continue on barefoot. Walking to the water's edge, the fine white sand felt cold and damp beneath her small feet and every few seconds, a small rush of water would slip over her toes as the cool waves caressed the shore and then quickly fled back to the sea.

The beach was simply beautiful in the dim light, and even though it appeared to be totally deserted, the small girl didn't feel at all out of place. Buffy had the strangest feeling that she was safe there.

Staying near the water's edge for a guideline, she continued to walk along the wet sand with just the sound of the waves for company.

Buffy stopped to pick up a small shell from beneath her toes and breathed in deeply. She licked her lips tasting the salt in the air and sighed as the cool sea breeze washed over her and revitalised her tired skin.

For the very first time that night she felt relaxed.

And that was the moment she felt his presence

**Angel was there**

She couldn't see him yet, but she could feel him. Buffy knew that somewhere in this darkness Liam was out there, hurt and alone and fighting with demons of his own

******

A mile along the beach and with the lights of Sunnydale now a distant memory, Angel stared out at the ocean in front of him and his handsome face fell into a deep scowl.

At his feet the usually lazy waves were almost unrecognisable as they crashed angrily along the shoreline. His expensive leather shoes were probably already ruined as the salt water splashed around his ankles, soaking through his sock and trousers.

Not that Liam cared.

He'd gone there hoping the cool sea air would clear his hot head and maybe blow all thoughts of his wife away once and for all, but it had been a mistake. The beach was the last place he should have sought solace.

Buffy was everywhere.

The surf whispered her name as it tumbled over his feet. Every grain of sand reminded him of happier times and just what he had lost.

Standing alone in the darkness, with the salty spray blowing through his hair, the tall dark figure tried desperately to put the shattered pieces of his life back together. As the events of the last few hours replayed in his head like a bad movie, the lonely young man angrily chastised himself for acting so foolishly.

He couldn't believe that he'd almost fallen for that poet's bullshit. Life had been crazy these last four months and nothing made sense any more but if there was one thing he was certain of, it was that Buffy had never cheated on him. Their marriage had been so damn perfect that the idea of either of them cheating was laughable. She wasn't just his wife, she was his lover and his best friend all rolled into one. Liam honestly believed that he would have known if she had been that unhappy. He would have felt it in his soul if she had given her heart away to Pennington.

**But you didn't feel her leave you** Closing his eyes Liam shook the argument from his head. In all honesty, it was too close to home. It was true, he hadn't seen her leaving him, the day it happened had been such a surprise it had almost knocked him over.

**It's over. Don't even think of looking for me because I'm never coming back. I never want to see you again, not as long as I live. I'll never forgive you for this... Buffy**

He still found it madness. Buffy had left him for something *HE* had supposedly done and no matter how hard he tried to think back, Liam was still dammed if he knew what on earth it was. They hadn't fought, not so much as a cross word and, then, completely out of the blue his wife had fled into the night.

**But she didn't leave you for him. ** The thought brought little comfort. Somewhere lost deep in his wife's memory there was still the real reason for her leaving and until she remembered, Liam knew they would both continue to be haunted.

******

Thirty minutes after arriving at the beach, Buffy's sand covered feet had covered almost a mile without seeing another human being.

The beach was totally deserted and as the clouds continued to roll in from the sea, bringing the promise of a real downpour, the small glow of moonlight that had guided her earlier path grew dimmer. But it didn't matter how dark or how cold the night got; she wasn't quitting until she found him.

With a lonely sigh, Buffy wrapped her cold arms around her body and walked deeper into the night.

Part 21

A lone dark figure stood gazing out toward the sea; his mind lost deep in thought, as the troubles of the world pressed firmly down on his broad shoulders. In dark trousers and a loose black silk shirt, which flapped freely in the soft sea breeze, the tall form was almost cloaked by the blanket of night. Almost - but not quite.

Watching the endless shoreline blend into the distance with no sign of another human being in sight, Buffy stopped for a moment to get her bearings. She turned her face towards the water's edge and let the salty breeze spray up over her face.

From all indications there was a real storm rolling in from the ocean. On the horizon large black rain clouds merged over the silky waters, ready to do battle with each other all night and if she wasn't careful, Buffy knew she would be in for one hell of soaking. Even if she turned back now she doubted she would make it in time.

On that thought, she glanced one last time at what she believed was a deserted beach and as her eyes swept the vast nothingness, the moon chose that precise moment to slip out from beneath a blanket of cloud. A soft moonbeam of light swept down on the sand casting an almost ghostly white glow on the hidden figure.

"Angel...."

*****

Even though he hadn't seen a soul in over an hour, Liam had the strangest sensation of being watched.

The sensation grew.

"Hey!" She tried for the casual approach but the tone was a little strained.

Liam made no attempt to turn around, he just kept his gaze fixed on the dark waves dancing in the distance and focused on their anger instead of his own pain.

"How did you find me?"

Buffy sighed, she still wasn't really sure herself. In the end she just told him the truth.

"I have no idea. I just closed my eyes and followed my heart"

Still refusing to turn around and face her, Liam's eyes fixed firmly on the ocean in frustration.

"Your heart told you I was here?"

Buffy nodded.

"I don't understand how, but it's as if i could feel you. I just knew you would be here." She watched his broad shoulders waiting for some kind of reaction, when there was none, she continued in a low whisper.

" Angel.. My head might have forgotten you but my heart remembers"

As the words slipped into his head, Liam slowly turned around and met her eyes. Buffy watched as the anger drained from his tired face, leaving his dark haunted gaze full of pain and sadness.

"My heart remembers as well and that's what's killing me Buffy. I don't know when it all fell apart and I don't know how to make it right"

The sadness in his voice cut her deeply. Until now they had been going around in circles but it was time to stop dancing with each other and face their problems head on.

"I've seen William" she started quietly but didn't get very far before Liam interrupted.

"Me too" At the sound of the other man's name, he smirked bitterly and unconsciously rubbed his bruised knuckles. The back of his right hand was swollen and already turning a painful shade of blue. For a second his mind flickered back to the earlier confrontation with Pennington and his anger intensified.

Buffy watched as a rapid play of emotion flashed across his face.

"Are you alright? Did he hurt you? "She asked with concern but she could already see for her self that his face was unmarked.

Liam snorted with disgust. The very thought of Pennington hurting him physically was ridiculous. But even as he thought it, he knew it wasn't quite true. Pennington had hurt him, as much as Liam hated to admit it, the arrogant bastard had almost destroyed him with a few smug words.

"He told me the two of you were having an affair behind my back" Liam couldn't stop himself, he knew it was bullshit but the words tumbled over his lips before he could stop them

Buffy fell silent for a moment carefully choosing her next words; the last thing she wanted was to send her husband running off after William again. She needed to tell him the truth but maybe she should hold back on some of the more sordid details.

"He was lying."

Liam lifted his head, noticing immediately the turmoil on her face.

"Was he? And how do you know that. I thought you couldn't remember him?" For a second the anger returned and flashed brightly in his chocolate orbs.

Buffy swallowed hard but refused to feel intimidated. She hadn't done anything wrong.

"He told me the same thing that he told you and because I was hurt and confused I believed him. How could I ask you? I didn't have anybody I could turn too. I didn't have anybody..."

Liam started to move forward but on seeing the distress on her face he stopped.

Buffy fought back the tears that burned the back of her throat and held her head high.

"He was very convincing. He was sweet and kind and he could see how lost I was and he used it to his advantage."

"And you just fell for it?"

" I might have amnesia but dammit I'm not stupid, It took a while but I saw through his lies and tonight I called his bluff.

" Did he touch you?" Liam asked, his jaw tight with frustration.

Wanting the violence to end Buffy shook her head

"In his own crazy way I think he really does loves me, but it was all in his head. I don't love him. I don't feel anything for him at all..."

A look of doubt shadowed Liam's eyes and for the longest time it lingered there.

"We don't have to worry about him anymore. William's promised to leave me alone, he's not going to cause us any more problems"

Angel snorted again. William Pennington had made it very clear that night that their problems had only just started. **For a start there would be assault charges**

Whilst caught up in his own thoughts he failed to notice the statement on Buffy's face as her eyes started to move around the beach.

"Angel.. I..." She bit into her bottom lip as her eyes took in the dark rocks that towered up behind them.

"This place is so familiar. Have we been here before"

The question jolted Liam back to the present.

"Do you remember?"

"Just for a second there was something... It's gone now but I have been here before, right?"

**Tell her the truth**

" Yes.. We used to come here to swim. Before we were married we would come down here to get away from Dawn and... " The sadness in his voice returned but it wasn't swimming in the sea that Buffy remembered

"No, there's something else" She struggled desperately to retain the memory. This time the feelings were so strong that she could almost touch them. Tiny echoes whispered deep inside her head as the void, that was holding back her past, started to break down.

Shaking her head she frowned not able to make any sense of the feelings she was receiving.

"Why does this place seem so important to me?"

Liam sighed deeply. From now on there was no more secrets, if she asked a question he would tell her what she needed to know. No matter how much it hurt.

"Because this is where I asked you to marry me. I got down on one knee right there in the sand and I got soaked to the skin for my trouble."

Buffy closed her eyes and searched deep for the memory, surely something that important couldn't stay hidden forever.

"Did we ever make love here?"

Before he could make it stop a flash of tangled limbs and gentle moans rose up from of his memory and once again tormented his eyes.

Liam just nodded his reply as he fought to wipe the visions way. It simply hurt too much knowing that Buffy no longer shared these memories with him.

Everything hurt too much these days.

Feeling his chest start to ache, Liam realised that for Buffy those memories could possibly be lost forever.

Buffy shivered as the sea breeze increased and she wrapped her arms around slender frame. In the sky overhead the clouds were continuing to gather, growing thicker with their promise of rain.

"I think I was happy here"

"You were"

A single clap of thunder brought the conversation to an abrupt end...

It was no surprise when it began to rain, the first few drops turning quickly into a downpour.

"Quick.. This way" Angel grabbed his wife's hand and turning away from the water's edge, he pulled her towards the nearest shelter

*****

"You're soaking wet"

"So are you"

Buffy blushed feeling her wet dress cling to her curves like a second skin.

Using incredible willpower, Liam dragged his hungry eyes away from his wife's trembling body. The shower had made the material of her light dress almost transparent and the sight of her slender frame so close and yet so far away, was driving him almost insane.

Scrambling from the storm, Buffy thought the small cave carved out at the foot of the rocks had been a miracle find. Liam remained quiet; he didn't have the heart to tell her that they had been there before.

Trying to take his mind off the thoughts he knew would hurt like hell, he turned his head and glanced back outside, hoping for a break in the weather. Outside the moon had temporarily escaped the grey mass of cloud, but the heavens over Sunnydale continued to pour down on them.

Turning his back on the rain, and keeping his eyes away from Buffy's curves, he knew their only option was to sit tight and wait for the storm to blow its self out.

It was going to be a very long night.

Almost soaked to the skin, Buffy shivered and pushed her wet hair away from her eyes.

Illuminated by only the soft glow of the moon, she looked so heartbreakingly young and beautiful that Liam felt his body stir with a speed that shocked him. Memories of them making love late at night in the cool sand, just a few months earlier, rose up and washed over his frustrated body and he had to fight back an overwhelming urge to pull her into his arms and kiss her until they were both senseless.

The wind chose that precise moment to howl through the cave and to Liam's relief, thoughts of kissing disappeared.

Buffy wrapped her arms around herself to try and keep the chill away but it didn't work.

"Buffy, you're cold" Liam reached up and gently brushed the rain away from her face with his fingertips.

Buffy shivered again and knew it was more from his touch than the cold.

"A little" Her voice shook and the small hairs on her arm stood on end.

Liam lifted her hand and started to gently rub the cool flesh beneath his fingertips. As his feather light caresses slid across her skin Buffy's stomach flipped.

"I know it's not going to be easy, with the amnesia and all, but we need to talk, Buffy. About Pennington and everything else that's coming between us" Liam took a slow breath, fighting to keep his tone level but it was a waste of effort. How could he speak calmly when his heart was doing somersaults inside his chest?

As his long fingers continued to dance lightly across her skin, setting every nerve and fibre alight with their touch, Buffy fought with the very same needs. His touch was so warm and familiar that it was leaving her breathless.

Feeling her mouth go dry she slid her tongue nervously across her lower lip, never once taking her eyes from Liam's face.

"I know " she whispered and took a small step closer. Looking deeply into his dark eyes, she was amazed at the emotion shining back at her.

After everything that had happened between the two of them, he still loved her. He still wanted her.

Raising her free hand she trailed one finger gently down his cheek.

"I know in my heart that there's a chance that my memory might never return. I also know that people like William can take advantage of that if I let them. So, I'm not letting anyone take advantage of me ever again. I'll call the doctor in the morning and I'll get some help if I can, but I can't worry about the past any more. If it's gone then I'll have to accept that and move on. " Buffy heartbeat increased and she felt a rush of adrenaline pump through her veins, giving her the courage she needed to continue.

Taking a deep breath she spoke straight from her heart.

"I want a future, Angel.... I want a future with you.. Only you"

Outside, the rain thundered down on the sand and the waves crashed up against the shore, but inside the small cave the air between the two ex-lovers grew very still.

After what seemed like eternity, Liam brought his lips to her forehead and gently brushed them across her wet skin. He then moved his hand to her tiny waist and before Buffy could even think about changing her mind, he crushed her into his chest with a deep sigh of relief

When he finally spoke his voice was husky and raw, ringing with a conviction that tore at her soul.

"I want you too"

*****

Buffy trembled but she was no longer shivering from the cold. Pressed firmly up against Angel's muscular chest, her flesh was now burning with a very different kind of heat. She moaned gently as he wrapped his fingers in her hair and settled his mouth over her lips.

Liam's lips were cool from the sea breeze and yet, beneath the chill, there was a fire that heated her blood. As his lips devoured her mouth, Buffy's body began to ache in all the most delicious places. She wrapped her arms around his lean waist and kissed him back with all the forgotten passion that she had buried deep inside her heart.

Lost in the bliss of his mouth, her thoughts twisted through her head like ivy. The memories from her past were so close to the surface that they fought each other to break into her head.

Breaking away from the heaven of her lips, Liam kissed her eyes, her cheeks, and then her neck. When his warm tongue found and traced the small bones in her throat Buffy through her head back and moaned out loud.

" You are so beautiful" Liam broke away and looked deep into his wife's hazel eyes. Panting to catch her breath, she stared up at him through the darkness of the cave and the smile that she offered him melted his heart.

"You're not so hard on the eyes yourself "

If the first smile she gave him melted his lonely heart, the second one turned Liam's whole body into molten liquid.

"God! I missed you so much"

For a split second Buffy heard a hint of pain return to his velvet voice but it was pushed aside as his hungry lips once again claimed her mouth.

Feeling Buffy respond to his kiss, Liam's hands slid over the folds of her wet dress and followed the soft curves of her body. When Buffy mewled deep in her throat his breath caught on a wave of desire so strong, it caused a shudder to pass through his whole body. His heart leapt as he felt her small fingers on the front of his damp shirt, pulling away at the buttons. Finally free, the shirt slipped down his arms and disappeared, forgotten onto the dark floor.

Buffy blushed, a warm colour highlighting her pale cheeks. Swallowing deeply, she reached out her hand and ran her nervous fingers over the taut muscles of her husband's smooth tanned chest, exploring the man she had married and yet cruelly forgotten. When her nails grazed across a tight dark nipple he sucked in a short breath.

Liam then lifted own his hand and covered her small fingers.

"My turn" He stared at her with such intensity, such hot-blooded desire, that Buffy felt a sudden need to dive back outside into the raging storm just so she could cool off her burning skin.

She didn't get a chance.

A flash of white-hot fire shot through her bloodstream as his hands slowly drifted down her back, lowering the zip of her dress. Before she could find her lost breath, the wet garment was pooling at her feet, leaving her standing almost naked in the dim moonlight.

As the cool night air wafted over her skin, Buffy felt her nipples harden into tiny buds, desperate to be touched. Almost as if he could read her mind, Liam pulled her back into his arms; he lowered his dark head and kissed his way down her throat, brushing his mouth over the soft lace of her bra.

Undoing the front clasp, Liam released her small breasts and held them lovingly in his hands. Buffy sighed, feeling her nipples puckering in the cool evening breeze.

She then threw her head back with a soft moan as her skin was licked, nibbled and kissed almost to the point of insanity. Her blood ran first hot and then ice cold with each wet caress of his soft tongue. When her husband finally tore his eyes from her wet breasts, Buffy forgot how to breathe. Meeting his dark gaze she saw Liam's eyes were almost black with passion

With a groan he pulled her into his arms again, pulling her hips up against him so hard that she could feel the hardness of his desire pressed firmly against her abdomen.

Buffy found herself shivering again but this time it was from anticipation.

She wanted him, she needed him but more than that, she loved him with every fibre of her body.

Liam lips then found hers again, when his tongue flicked the roof of her mouth naked heat pooled in the pit of Buffy's stomach and she almost melted there and then. So lost in the heat of Buffy's mouth Liam almost missed her small fingers work between their tight bodies and slip the button on his fly. He felt his damp trousers slide over his hips and as they fell at his feet he kicked them free.

A clap of thunder high above them broke the lovers apart. Within a second the lightning strike followed.

Buffy stood as still as marble, her large hazel eyes never once leaving Liam's face.

"Buffy, are you sure you want this?" Liam brushed a loose strand of hair away from his wife's face and marvelled at how much he still loved her. He knew at that moment that he couldn't bear it if he ever lost her again. He would do what ever she wanted, take it as fast or as slow as she needed.

Buffy answered the question with her eyes long before she found her voice.

"Yes."

Lowering her gently to the floor, Buffy found her back being pressed into the cool damp sand.

The storm outside was then quickly forgotten as Liam's eyes drank in the sight before him. His heartbeat quickened until it's pounding blocked out every other noise.

Reaching out, he softly traced the contours of Buffy's face, before tangling his fingers in the silk of her blonde hair.

"I love you"

The vulnerable statement in his dark eyes was so sincere that it reached right into Buffy's heart and touched her soul.

With the declaration ringing in her heart, Buffy's reached out her hand, cupping the back of his neck and pulled him down into her body.

Liam smiled softly as his hands gripped her hips and gently rested between her open thighs. Lifting his head he looked deep into his wife's eyes

"Do you still love me?" He asked the question so quietly it was almost lost on the breeze.

Buffy's heart stopped for a second as the air between them grew still. It was a question she had asked herself a million times over the last few days. Closing her eyes for a second she finally let her heart answer for her.

"I love you " her reply was barely above a whisper but it was all Liam needed to hear.

With those three words all the hatred and bitterness he had felt over the last few months seeped away. All that mattered now was that Buffy was back in his life and she still loved him. Only him.

Tomorrow they would talk but not tonight...Tonight they would heal other wounds

**

Buffy threw her head back and screamed out as a burst of coloured stars erupted before her eyes. With that final thrust, she gave her husband back her body, her heart and her soul.

She was home.

*****

Outside in the pouring rain, a lone blonde figure, soaked to the skin stood quietly unobserved by the sated lovers. Darla Penn wasn't worried about the storm raging high in the sky above Sunnydale; she had her own storm brewing deep inside her soul. A deep bitter hatred was burning out of all control, and after witnessing Buffy and Liam's little reunion, that hatred had sent her completely over the edge.

Darla's plans changed that night. Knowing that she had once again failed to break the lovers apart she decided a more drastic option was needed. William wouldn't like it but there was no other choice.

**Never send a boy to do a woman's job** she thought bitterly at her brother's failure. No, this time she would do the job herself.

As soon as the sun rose Darla was going to put an end to the thorn in her side once and for all.

As the plan took shape in her demented head the tormented woman smiled.

There was only way to keep Buffy away from Liam.

She was going to have to kill her-

Part 22

For the first time in his life Lindsay Macdonald was totally speechless. His mouth dropped open and his brain whirled deep inside his head but as he stood staring at the scene before him, not a single coherent word could find its way across the barrier of his amazement.

Of all the scenarios that had crossed his mind on the short journey across Sunnydale, not one of them had come even close to the actual sight that greeted him...

**Some people never cease to amaze you**

*****

When the phone had first rung that morning, destroying what was left of an already poor night's sleep, the yawning young lawyer silently cursed his misfortune and pulled his pillow over the top of his head. Lindsey groaned, remembering that he was due in court all afternoon and the last thing he needed was early morning phone calls, killing off the little chance of sleep he might still yet salvage.

The thunder and lightning that crashed its' way violently across the Sunnydale skyline had kept him wake for hours, and the tired young lawyer knew unless he got a full eight hours sleep, it would be almost impossible to destroy the prosecution's case that afternoon. The Prosecutor he was up against was a real evil piece of work and Lindsey needed to be at his sharpest, if he had any real hope of winning his case.

Shaking his head, he closed his tired eyes, pulled the pillow tighter around his ears but it was all to no avail, the incessant ringing refused to end.

Dropping his pillow back behind his head, Lindsey turned his bleary eyes towards the bedside clock, and saw with horror, that it wasn't morning at all, in fact it wasn't even dawn. As his sleepy head slowly started to wake up, he noticed that the room was still dark and even the damn birds that chirped annoyingly outside his window each morning had better sense than to rise at this ungodly hour. With a low groan of annoyance, which he made no attempt to disguise, Lindsey pulled himself up against the pillow and cradled the receiver next to his ear.

"Do you have any idea what time it is? We have to be in court this afternoon and.. What? " The lawyer's eyes widened as the voice on the other end of the line actually seemed to laugh.

Lindsey scowled, at that time of the morning his body might be awake but his sense of humour was still very much asleep and if he heard so much as a hint of laughter, he was throwing the phone out of the window. And when he got his hands on the caller, the person in question was likely to go in the very same direction.

"If this is your idea of a joke, believe me, it's not funny" He shook his sleepy head and glanced once more at the alarm clock, still disbelieving that anyone would call him at that hour of the morning.

"You're where? What the hell are you doing at the beach..? "

With a tired sigh he rolled his eyes, even more convinced that the call was a practical joke. Even half-asleep Lindsey knew that no one in his or her right mind would have ventured out onto the beach the previous evening. The unexpected storm had torn its way through Sunnydale until the early hours of the morning and, in his opinion, only an utter fool would have headed there in that kind of weather...

Turning his thoughts back to the conversation in his ear, the young man's frown grew darker

" Say that again. You want me to do what?"

With the reply, Lindsey ran his hand through his rumpled hair and scratched the back of his head. It was bad enough being torn from his sleep, but the thought of being torn from his nice warm bed was something he really didn't want to face. If it had been anybody else but Liam calling, the conversation would have already ended.

"Dammit, Liam. Have you been drinking again? "

The answer he heard from the other end of the line was short and sharp and left no doubt that his friend was perfectly sober.

**Just totally insane**

As an evil little voice whispered the thought deep inside his mind, Lindsey grinned first time that morning. He then closed his eyes and shook his head again.

"Okay, you win, I'll be there as soon as I can, but Liam, for your sake, this better be good"

With a resigned groan that his beauty sleep was well and truly over for the night, Lindsey threw his long legs over the side of his bed and reached for his jeans

*****

Thirty minutes later.

Lindsey had little difficulty getting to his destination, the roads to the beach were almost deserted and before he even had time to moan about missing his breakfast, he was turning his car towards the small slip road that led to the more secluded part of the coast.

On the horizon, the first sighs of dawn had finally started to break their way through the darkness and with the storm now miles away; the Sunnydale skyline was once again giving birth to a glorious morning.

Parking his car just a few feet from the sand, Lindsey took a moment to breathe in the fresh salty air and wondered again what the hell he was doing up at that time of the morning.

**Whatever the reason turned out to be, one thing was very sure, Liam was going to seriously owe him for this**

Not bothering to lock the door, he left his car by the side of the road and strolled across to the beach.

Finding himself standing alone in the morning sunlight, there was one thing that the lawyer had to admit. The peace and tranquillity that washed over his tense body was amazing.

**Maybe that was what Liam had been looking for on the beach the previous evening. Liam could use a little tranquillity in his screwed up life**

Lindsey brought his thoughts back to the matter at hand and immediately noticed that apart from the seagulls squawking overhead, the smooth golden sand looked almost deserted. Almost, but not quite.

" Hey!" A familiar voice broke through the stillness and brought all thoughts of tranquillity to an end..

Raising his hand to cover his eyes from the rising sun, Lindsey watched as Liam jumped down from a large rock formation, and walked swiftly towards him.

"It's about time you showed up, it's freezing out here. I need to borrow your jacket?"

Lindsay's mouth fell open and did a perfect impersonation of a goldfish as he watched Liam walk bare foot across the damp morning sand. In all the years he and Liam Angelus had know each other, Lindsey had never seen his best friend looking so dishevelled.... Or for that matter, so contented.

With a dozen long strides, Liam covered the short stretch of sand that separated them. As he moved, his dark silk shirt flapped open around his shoulder and his designer trousers, which appeared to be covered in sand and dirt, were happily rolled half way up his shins.

**He looks like a bloody tourist.**

Lindsey eyes widened in amazement when his gaze took in the state of his best friend's hair. The gelled spikes were nowhere to be seen and he guessed, with an evil grin, that it would take at least a dozen washes to remove all the sand that Liam had obviously been rolling in.

Not that Liam seemed to care. The smile on his face was enough to light up the darkest night's sky.

"Lindsey, I need your Jacket"

Lindsay's eyes glanced to the size of Liam's arms and slowly shook his head.

" Sure, but you realise it will never fit you" He replied as he slipped the brand new leather jacket from his shoulders and seriously considered trading in his best friend for a more considerate model. One that didn't call him out in the early hours of the morning and definitely one that didn't want to share his clothing.

"Here, just try not to get it covered in sand" He reluctantly handed over the garment and then became even more confused as his soon to be ex best friend, turned, and without another word walked away.

"Liam! What the Hell's going on? I thought you wanted a ride home?"

Not breaking his stride Liam through the reply over his shoulder and left his bewildered friend scratching his head in wonder.

"We do. "

Lindsey didn't have time to wonder for long, a few minutes later the confusion differed away when Buffy walked out of the rocks along side her husband, wearing his leather jacket.

Looking at her bare feet and similar dishevelled hair, the penny finally dropped and Lindsey roared out loud

"I should have guessed"

Buffy blushed and her cheeks flamed with embarrassment as she studied the handsome young man's face. She didn't remember anything about him but she immediately liked him and she sensed, from his good-natured grin, that he and her husband were definitely good friends.

"Thanks for the jacket, I was beginning to turn a little blue around the edges" Buffy joked and tried to prevent her voice from showing how cold she really was feeling. It was a glorious morning but the sea breeze was still blowing enough to stop any real heat from warming her cool skin.

The lawyer took a step forward and smiled

"Hello Buffy, it's really good to see you again" His soft voice was sincere and Buffy immediately felt at ease.

Lindsey watched as she pulled his jacket closer to her thin body and realised how cold she must have been spending the night waiting for the storm to pass. Not wanting either of his friends to catch a chill he cut off the reunion speeches and raising his hand, he indicated to his car

"Come on, let's get you two home, you can give me all the fun facts later"

Liam quirked an eyebrow and his friend knew at once that there was no way he would ever learn what really happened that night.. Not that it mattered. Just seeing Liam smile again was enough to make him happy. That, and a few more hours sleep. But, as the sun continued its rise in the early morning sky, the extra sleep he longed for seemed more and more unlikely.

"I owe you." Liam said sincerely and tightening his arm protectively around Buffy's small shoulders he followed Lindsay to the car.

At the promise Lindsey grinned.

"I'll remind you of that the next time your sister comes to town" He replied happily. At the thought, a vision of Cordelia rose up and danced before his eyes, causing the smug grin he was wearing to double in size.

**A date with Cordy was just what he needed** Lindsey would definitely be calling in that favour.

Dropping into the front seat, he twisted the key in the ignition and purposely turned his eyes away from the reunited lovers, now locking lips in the back.

"You two *really* need to get a room" Lindsey laughed

He was still smiling ten minutes later as he drove away from Revello Drive.

*****

"Home sweet home" With a heart-felt thank you, and a promise that he wouldn't be late for court that afternoon, Liam watched his friend drive away. Once the car was out of sight, he wrapped his arm around Buffy's shoulders and guided her towards the steps of their house.

**Home sweet home**

As her husband's words slowly filtered into her thoughts Buffy looked up at the pretty white house and for the first time since the accident, she viewed the building with a completely new perspective.

He was right, This really was her home and she was never going to leave it again.

******

With a small sigh, Buffy slipped the ruined dress from her shoulders and twisting her tiny hips slightly, she let the damp material pool at her feet in the middle of the bedroom floor. Stepping out of the garment, she quickly peeled off her bra and panties and with the flick of her wrist, the sand filled underwear quickly followed the dress into the waste paper basket. It was sad that all three items were less than a day old but Buffy knew they were all beyond repair. As she looked down at the overflowing wastepaper bin, the memory of Angel removing each garment brought a warm flush of colour back to her cheeks. She might only remember enough about her past to fill up a thimble, but the new memories they were creating certainly made up for the ones she had lost.. Well, almost.

Standing still, she remembered the events of the last few hours and smiled.

Their night together had been wonderful but as she ran her fingers over her pink skin, scratched from rolling in the sand, she knew that later she would be paying the price for being so reckless. Touching the tender flesh again, she silently made a note that the next time they rolled naked in the sand, she would remember to take along a blanket.

**And if last night was anything to go by, there would certainly be a next time in the very near future**

Walking across the room with a large grin on her face, Buffy stopped and stood naked in front of the full-length mirror. Gazing down at her reflection, she was relieved to see that her petite body was slowly starting to show signs of gaining the weight she had lost over her four-month absence. Her figure was nowhere near the curvy shape it appeared in their wedding video but she realistically accepted that every new pound she added was a bonus.

Buffy turned away from the mirror, she raised her hand and running her fingers through her hair, she cringed at the tangled mess beneath her fingertips.

**I so need a shower**

At the blissful thought of standing beneath a jet of hot soapy water, Buffy picked up the large fluffy towel she had earlier placed on her bed, and after securing it tightly around her breasts, she hurried back down the hallway.

On reaching the bathroom, the sound of running water informed her that Liam had not only beaten her to the bathroom, he was still occupying the shower. Not able to wait another second, Buffy quietly opened the door and slipped silently inside the steam-covered room. As her eyes adjusted to the steamy haze, the sight that greeted her almost took her breath away. Although they had spent the best part of the night making love, the cave had been dark and the opportunity to get a good look at her husband's naked body had been limited. But now was an entirely different story. For the first time since her accident. Buffy could see the man she had married in the full light of day.

**Gulp**

Apart from the butterflies in her stomach, Buffy stood dead still, her mouth dry, and her heart thundering as she watched the naked silhouette through the misty glass door. The room was humid and as she stood nervously biting into her bottom lip, all she could smell was the scent of Liam's shampoo filling the air.

She took her first deep breath and let the heady aroma flood over her senses.

As Liam moved gracefully beneath the cloud of steam, Buffy was unable to drag her eyes away from his long naked form. She watched as the hot water crashed over his dark head, how it cascaded over broad shoulders, ran smoothly down his back and almost seemed to caress his firm buttocks before it faded from her sight.

She swallowed the lump that rose in her throat but still didn't move.

At the sight of his glistening tanned flesh, her small pink tongue slipped over her dry lips and the swirl of heat in the pit of her stomach ignited and seeped deep into her pelvis.

No wonder she found it so hard to breathe. Liam's hard lean body was pure poetry in motion. His shoulders were broad and like most of his body they were sculptured with sinewy muscles. He had a smooth chest, lean hips, muscled thighs and legs that seemed to.... Buffy sighed as her eyes continued their journey down his long wet legs and just for a moment, her mind imagined them twisted around her body. The image was electric and sent a hot delicious shiver right down to her toes.

**Maybe I better have a cold shower** she smiled at the thought and quickly rejected the idea.

No longer able to wait for her turn, she unwrapped the towel she was wearing and picked up a bottle of her own shampoo from the shelf. Buffy slid back the shower door and without making a sound, she slipped inside the small cubicle and closed the door behind her.

**Maybe after being in hell the last few weeks there really was a heaven to be found on earth** She remembered the hell well enough, the darkness, the loneliness, the isolation of not remembering who she was, who they were. But now, standing in the warmth, feeling both safe and loved, maybe there was a heaven to be found on earth after all

A rush of hot water crashed over her head as she lovingly slid her hands around her husband's waist and laid her cheek against his wet back. Closing her eyes, Buffy breathed in deeply as the water cascaded over her tired skin, slowly revitalising her weary flesh.

He'd known she was there from the second the shower door had opened.

Liam smiled at the feel of her small breasts brushing against his back and slowly turned around. For a moment he stood, just letting his hungry eyes roam over her beautiful body. After four long months of believing he would never see her again, It was like suddenly being hit by lightning.

**She was really home **

Liam reached out his hand and turning a small dial on the wall, he adjusted the speed of the water crashing over their heads before closing the small distance between them.

Buffy smiled up at him through the steam and reaching up a small hand, she ran her fingers lightly through the soap in his wet hair.

"You were taking far too long" She tried to smile but there was simply too much heat in her eyes.

With a soft moan, Liam reached out and drew her closer until their bodies were finally locked together, her breasts pushing up against the hard wall of his chest and her hips pressed firmly against his, feeling the hard evidence of how much he wanted her.

"So I got tired of waiting and though it might be fun to share" Her voice whispered suggestively and standing up on tiptoes, Buffy wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her hungry lips to his mouth.

While the sounds of lovemaking shook the air, the shower continued to spray water over the occupants inside it's four walls.

Hot, warm, tepid.

The lovers were still locked together when the water ran cold.

Nothing was breaking them apart.

*****

"Mmmmm. That was so nice" Buffy rolled on to her side and purred out a long satisfied yawn.

Sliding her hand down the length of the bed, she found their forgotten sheet and with a sigh of contentment she pulled it up to cover her cooling body.

"Nice?" Angel raised an eyebrow in amusement.

Lowering his eyes, he watched the sheet cover her naked form and a small smile turned the corners of his lips when he felt her small warm body snuggle up against his side.

**Nice?**

Buffy tilted her head at the question and almost laughed at the pouting statement her lover wore across his face.

"Nice?.. I only rate a *nice* now?" Liam's dark eyes glinted seductively as he teased. His fingers reached out and lazily toyed with a loose strand of her damp hair. Lowering his head, he dropped a soft kiss on Buffy's warm shoulder and felt a tiny shiver run right through his wife's body.

"Want to try it again, maybe we could try something not so nice" He suggested with a grin

Buffy's eyes widened

"I was talking about the shower not...." She blushed as she heard a replay of her own words and then with a soft sensual smile, she reached out her hand and gently traced her fingertips across his lips.

"The shower was nice, being clean, dry and warm again is nice but you.. Leaning forward Buffy brushed her lips to his mouth and softly kissed her reply " You were perfect"

She pulled away to gaze into his face and the gleam in his dark eyes told her all that she needed to know. He was teasing, he knew very well what she meant but he was enjoying the game.

Buffy on the other hand was through with playing games.

" You had me worried for a moment...."He started but the words were quickly lost when Buffy lowered her mouth back to his lips and slipped her tongue deep into his mouth for a long tender kiss..

Liam shivered with anticipation and the raw heat that swirled in the pit of his stomach flashed so intensely that it almost burnt him alive.

He closed his eyes and without even realising it, he found himself almost praying **Please God, don't ever take her away from me again ** The though of losing Buffy again sent a bolt of terror straight through his heart. There were still so many unanswered questions between them and even though they had both promised to make a fresh start, Liam couldn't stop the fear flooding through him that maybe, one day, Buffy would leave his life again.

Breaking the kiss he pulled back slightly to stare at her face and was almost choked with emotion. She looked so beautiful lying there. She was still slightly damp from the shower and her eyes, her eyes were shining with such raw passion it made him tremble.

Liam breathed deeply and let her scent fill his senses. It flowed over his tired body in waves, invading his every nerve and fibre.

"I can't tell you how many times in the last four months I've dreamt of this" His soft voice trembled as he opened up his battered heart and laid it open for the entire world to see.

It had been easier in the cave. The storm and being trapped together had made the whole night seem almost surreal. But with the rising sun, came reality and now, lying side by side in their own bed, Liam suddenly felt scared to death that none of it was real. That he would wake any second to the buzzing of his alarm clock and find his bed empty and his life once again in shambles.

Reaching out, he gently traced the soft curves of her face.

"I love you, Buffy. Whatever happens in the future, if you remember your past or not, I just need you to hold on to that.

Buffy's heart filled with joy and when she smiled, the passion in her sparkling eyes changed to tenderness.

She didn't get a chance to reply.

*****

"God! You were right," Wrapping her tightly in his arms Liam softly kissed Buffy's forehead and stroked her hair. "It was Perfect"

He breathed deeply as the pounding in his chest started to slowly return to its normal level.

"No arguments from me" Buffy sighed happily as she tried to bring her own breathing under control.

The room fell quiet.

For a few contented moments they lay there in silence, reluctant to untangle their sated bodies.. The curtains had been left open from the day before and the warm morning sun now fell in soft golden ribbons across their bed. Leaning into her husband's strong body, Buffy closed her eyes as a wave of exhaustion washed over her tired bones.

"Before you fall asleep, I have something for you" Liam turned away for a moment and when he turned back, he held a small gold band between his long fingers.

Buffy recognised it immediately. Her mind flashed back to the scene in the study and she remembered the pain in Angel's eyes as he waited for her to remember why she had left him. She hadn't remembered removing the ring then and with a sad tug at her heartstrings, she still couldn't remember why she would have taken such a drastic action.

"I thought you might like this back."

She fell silent for a moment, then with trembling fingers; Buffy accepted the tiny circle and slipped it over the third finger of her left hand. It fitted perfectly. Laying her head against his muscular chest, she snuggled up against him, secure in the knowledge that she was no longer alone in this dark world. The darkness inside her head was still ever present but whatever demons it hid, Buffy knew they would now face them together. All thoughts of William Pennington and his sister were firmly pushed out of her head, at least for that night.

Feeling his wife's hot breath sigh softly against his skin, Liam wrapped his arm around her, holding her tight.

"I love you." His lips tenderly brushed a featherweight kiss to her hair as he watched her eyelids flutter, struggling against the forces of sleep.

"I love you too." Buffy smiled at how easily the words slipped over her lips.

" I'm so sleepy, - but I still want.."

At the remark Liam looked astounded

"What? You couldn't possibly.. Not that I wouldn't.." His long fingers danced lazy circles over her taut stomach, once again teasing every nerve ending into life.

Buffy giggled at her husband's stamina and when she looked at him, she knew all the love she felt was shinning in her eyes.

"No, no. I'm spent. You?"

"For now." Liam smiled, but in his heart he knew he would never be truly spent where this woman was concerned.

Their eyes met and held.

"No, I - want to stay awake - so this day can keep happening. This is the best day of my new life, I want it to last forever"

She tried to hide the tiny yawn that crept into her voice but as her eyelids fluttered, the exhaustion of the last twenty-four hours slipped over her face and reflected from her sleepy hazel eyes.

Liam could hardly reply he felt so relieved.

"Sleep. We'll make another one like it tomorrow." His voice was little more than a whisper.

Happy with his promise, Buffy sighed in contentment. She tangled her legs with his, tucked her head under his chin and finally letting out a small yawn, she rested her head against his warm chest.

As the events of the last twenty-four hours took their toll, Buffy closed her eyes, and within minutes she was sleeping peacefully.

Liam cradled her closer to him and tenderly kissed her head.

"Sweet dreams"

Without disturbing her slumber, he reached out his free arm and reset the alarm clock by his bed. He knew that if he were late for court that afternoon Lindsey would never forgive him.

Liam then settled back against the pillow and tried to relax, but even as he closed his eyes he knew sleep wouldn't come. There were just too many demons running through his head. As his imagination kicked in, memories of his fight with Pennington returned to haunt him and the ugliness that they brought left a bitter taste in his mouth.

**We don't have to worry about him anymore. William's promised to leave me alone, he's not going to cause us any more problems**

Buffy seemed certain that their problems with the lovesick poet were now in the past but Liam didn't believe it for a second. If William loved Buffy as much as he proclaimed he did, he knew the lying little bastard would never give them a second's peace. He wouldn't worry Buffy for the world but he seriously suspected that their problems with Pennington were far from over.

Exhausted, but not able to rest, Liam lay watching Buffy sleep for the next three hours before turning off the alarm clock and silently slipping away.

******

"Angel"

Buffy cried out in terror as the fire that haunted her earlier dreams returned with a vengeance.

It burned and scorched, as once again it's hot red tentacles licked all around her skin. Even fast asleep, she knew what would happen next, it never changed

Buffy reached out her hand and watched in horror as the once smooth texture of her tanned arm crinkled and blistered as it slowly melted from the bone.

The heat was like a flaming stalker, it followed her every movement and it was still heading her way. No matter what she did, or how far she ran, she wouldn't escape it this time.

Deep inside her nightmare, Buffy stood frozen as she watched the burning heat move ever closer, engulfing her in its hatred.

**This time it will get you** A voice that she knew but couldn't quite place whispered out the warning. Only this time the words sounded more like a threat. Buffy watched the fire danced around her feet, licking it's way up her ankles and slowly burning her alive.

**Run away and hide little girl**

Pain bubbled up in her throat but when she tried to scream, she knew it was already useless... In the darkness of her mind there was no one there to hear her cry.

**You should never have come back, Buffy.**

**He doesn't love you. He never loved you**

**You were never the cheat...**

**He was**

"ANGEL"

Buffy sat up in her bed, her eyes widened in fear.

The voice she was hearing was her past. It stood right outside the door of her mind now and with a blaze of pure hatred, it screamed to be let in.

Go to Part Twenty Three