Written as a response for Jess' Challenge:
Challenge:
Starts off when Angel came back from Hell, but it wasn't Angel who came back. It was Buffy. Somehow, you don't have to explain it or anything; Buffy saved the world by going to hell herself, instead of Angel. Buffy is returned, the same age and all, but totally senseless, animal like. Just like Angel was.
Must have:
Angel finding Buffy first
Angel taking care of Buffy
Buffy having to be put in chains because of her behavior
No Faith
A strained relationship between the Scooby Gang and Angel, all accept for
Willow
Some kind of spell (have some kind of plot, you know)
Disclaimer: Joss Whedon owns the Buffyverse.
Distribution Statement: Ask and you will get the damn thing. Lol
Spoiler Warning: Becoming 2
Classification: Buffy/Angel
Rating: PG so far
Summary: Read challenge above.
Author's Notes: I haven't seen season three but I dared to answer the
challenge anyway. I'm so brave!
Dedication: Shelly.

Prologue

A vortex was opening, spinning wildly, growing faster and faster in front of the trembling trio. The Slayer stared down at the vampire clinging to her like a lost child that had just found his way home. Her fingers stroked through his soft dark hair and held his head close to her stomach, letting him bury his face in her warm body, finding the safety and comfort he was seeking.

"Buffy, listen to me!" Giles said, raising his voice. "It's not enough time! You can't. . .you can't save him. It's too late, child. Only his blood can save the world from being sucked into hell. Only *his*!"

The Slayer raised her eyes and looked into her Watcher's frightened eyes, seeing something in them that he was desperately trying to hide from her.

"I know you, Giles, and I *know* that you're lying to me now." She told him, quietly. She watched him, seeing his whole body tense. "My blood can save us, can't it?"

"Buffy. . . "

"No, damn it! You tell me the *truth*!" She hissed, hearing the vortex's roar grow unbearable. Giles just stared at her silently before he nodded. He closed his eyes when he saw the resolved look come into her eyes. There was no way he could stop her from doing this. Wild horses couldn't keep her from sacrificing her own life to save the ones she loved.

Buffy freed herself from her lover and looked into his still confused dark eyes. It would take some time before he remembered everything, she guessed. The only thing he seemed to remember at this moment was *her* and it made her heart ache.

"Close your eyes." She whispered to him, and as a trusting as a child with his mother, he did. Buffy leaned down and she kissed him goodbye.

As she walked towards the vortex, cutting her wrists with a hunting knife, she felt her Watcher's eyes bore into her back and she started to cry. She was too young to die. Too young, too much afraid and too much in love.

Part One

Blinking, Buffy looked around, and whimpered when a bright light from above her hurt her eyes. She crawled away, hiding behind something green. She sniffed and whimpered, not understanding where she was. She suddenly felt a big shadow hovering over her and she froze, raising her eyes. She growled at the intruder, backing up against the green thing. The arms of the thing ripped at her, tearing her skin and she screamed and scratched and hit out around her. The creature lifted her up away from the object that had hurt her and she spit at it and tried to bite it, afraid that it would hurt her as well. When her teeth sank into the soft flesh of its hand the creature screamed out, dropping her to the ground. She cried out in pain, kicking the creature in panic when it straddled her, holding her arms still and above her head. She heard it repeat a sound but she didn't understand it. Didn't understand who or what it was, what it wanted. After a few moments more of struggle, she lay unmoving and staring into the creature's eyes.

"Buffy." Angel said her name softly, as she looked up at him with frightened eyes. "Buffy, please. . . remember me."

There seemed to be something familiar about him, the young woman thought. She thrust her face into his, smelling his skin. She rubbed her nose against his and the creature made a weird sound that caused her to recoil and stare up at him, bewildered . Angel smiled, holding back more laughter as he looked down at her.

"It's okay, Buffy. It's okay."

Buffy bit her lip. She still couldn't understand the noises he was making. Was he trying to say something to her? Did she know him? No? Yes? She didn't know!

Pouting, she rubbed her face against the creature's face once more and let out a satisfied sound. Whoever or whatever he was, she liked him.

Angel sighed, letting her push herself closer to his body. It seemed like she was trying to wrap herself in him. He slowly released her arms and was glad to see that she didn't try to hit him, again. He got off of her, placing his coat over her and wrapping her trembling and naked body up in it. When he had first tried to put it on her she had shrieked and begun a fight with the black coat. It took him awhile to make her understand that it wasn't alive and wouldn't hurt her. Now she stood before him, docile and smiling at him, as she felt the cloth warming her skin. Angel put an arm across her shoulders and led her out of the park and towards the mansion. Buffy pressed herself close against him and almost made him trip when a man walking his dog passed them. Suddenly, she was on his back, scratching at his neck to keep from falling. He was forced to shake her off and then carry her the rest of the way because she refused to put her feet down on the ground.

Once inside the building, he went straight to his bedroom with her legs still wrapped tightly around his waist. Buffy was staring wide-eyed around her, whimpering and sometimes screaming when she accidentally touched something unknown to her. Angel carefully laid her on the bed, watching her curl up into a little ball, trying to make herself as small as possible.

"It's okay, my love." Angel told her, stroking away a strand of hair from her cheek. Once she had gotten used to the room, he stripped away his coat and tied her hands to the bed, making sure she wouldn't walk out of the mansion if he fell asleep. Her eyes were dark and untrusting after he tied her up and he could tell by her expression that she expected him to hurt her.

He decided not to touch her again and carefully placed a blanket over her, keeping his hands from her body, before turning out the light and sitting in the chair next to the bed. It was dark now but he could *feel* her watching him.

It almost made him crawl out of his skin.

Unable to take anymore, he let his true face come forth so that he could see her clearly. To his surprise, he found her eyes closed. Still, he had the feeling that she was *watching* him. Closing his eyes, he let himself once again feel her presence. He swore he could hear her soul talking silently to him.

The trouble was, he couldn't understand the words.

Part Two

Angel awoke, stretching his arms to ease the pain of his aching muscles after having slept in the chair all night. He looked over at Buffy, finding her awake and watching him. He gave her a soft smile and was pleased to see a hint of smile lurking in her hazel eyes.

"Buffy? Do you remember me?" He asked her and watched her frown. He sighed and leaned forward to pat her knee. "It's okay. We'll make you remember somehow."

Angel rose from his chair and started pacing. He knew he should call her Watcher but his relationship with Rupert Giles and the others was very strained. He had helped them on several occasions since Buffy's disappearance but never once had they thanked him. He was given hateful looks until he left, once again surrounding himself in the waiting darkness. He didn't mind, really, because his only touch of light was gone.

But here she lay. On his bed.

Alive and breathing and watching him.

He wished he could tell her how sorry he was for everything, but he doubted she would understand him. It seemed as if she didn't even know who he was.

Why couldn't she remember?

Sighing, Angel stopped pacing and looked at Buffy. Who could he turn to for help?

The name struck him as quickly as lightning. *Willow*, of course. She had never looked at him with unkind eyes. She had even visited him a few times, making sure he was okay. He had asked her why she bothered and she had smiled, saying that if Buffy would willingly go to hell to save his life then he must be someone really special.

"You love her." she had said, "And that's good enough for me. Besides, I can feel her presence when I'm around you. She feels *close*."

That had made him frown and she had taken his hand between hers and told him to close his eyes. Her words had made him wince, of course, but he did as she had asked and when she told him to listen he had. And had heard nothing but silence. And . . .then. . .oh sweet mercy. . .he had *felt* her.

He had opened his eyes and looked at the redhead still holding his hand. She had nodded and squeezed his hand. "One part of her will always be with you, Angel."

Sweet, merciful Willow.

Angel grabbed the phone from the nightstand and sat down in the chair. His hand trembled as he dialed her number and held the phone to his ear.

"Willow.it's Angel. She's back."

He heard a click on the other side of the line and knew that the young witch would soon be joining them.

Part Three

Minutes later Willow rushed into the bedroom, screaming in delight when she saw Buffy sitting on the bed. She ran up to the blond, ready to give her a big hug, when a fist crashed into her face, sending her flying to the floor. Willow looked up, dazed, to see Angel holding down the hissing and fighting Slayer, so she wouldn't attack the redhead again.

"What did I do?" Willow asked, heartbroken, tears shining in her emerald eyes.

"I'm sorry, Willow." Angel apologized, seizing Buffy's wrists and slamming her arms down above her head. He growled at her knowing that she would understand the threatening sound. Buffy lay unmoving, panting heavily, her eyes shimmering with fear. Angel looked at the redhead sitting on the floor gingerly touching her sore, reddened cheek.

"She's not herself, Willow. She doesn't remember this world. It's not your fault. Does your cheek hurt?" Angel asked her calmly and the redhead nodded, pouting a little.

"I'll get you some ice." Angel told her nodding his head towards the chair. "Give me that rope, will you?"

Willow followed his gaze and crawled over to the chair, carefully avoiding Buffy's feet, and passed the rope over to hi. "What are you going to do?"

"Tie this wild one up." Angel said, tying Buffy's hands together. He saw the hurt look in her eyes and when her lower lip started to tremble, making her look more vulnerable than ever, his heart almost broke.

"Just for a little while, beloved. You used to love having me tie you up. Can't you remember, love?" He whispered in her ear and gave her a deep kiss that seemed to last for an eternity. He had a hard time pulling away from her once his mouth had claimed hers.

"Angel!?" Willow snapped.

Reluctantly he pulled away from Buffy and looked down at the redhead. "Ice?"

"Please."

"I'm on it." He said, embarrassed, and left the room hastily. Willow sighed, peeking up at Buffy.

"Hi." She said, waving her hand. "Um, remember me?" The blond gave her a threatening glare and Willow sighed. "Guess not."

"Here." Angel said from behind. Willow turned her head towards him and accepted the ice filled bag, pressing it against her aching cheek. They both stared at the young blond woman lying on the bed, staring up at the ceiling.

"Is she okay?" Willow asked Angel looking up at him. He tore his eyes away from Buffy and nodded slowly. He bent down and grabbed hold of Willow's arm, pulling her up.

"We need to talk." He told her pulling her away from the bed. Willow glanced up at him and then looked over at Buffy. When she looked back up at the vampire, he was hovering over, his body too close to hers and she pulled back, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. Angel noticed her uncomfortable expression and backed away a bit. He kept his voice low, once he spoke. "Did you tell anyone about her?"

"No. No, of course not." Willow responded, shaking her head. "I rushed right over."

"Good. I don't want them to know. Not yet." Angel said, looking deeply into her eyes.

"But, Angel, they. . ."

"No." Angel silenced her, his fingers brushing against her dry lips. He saw the panic in her eyes and sighed. After all these months she still didn't trust him. But why *should* she when he didn't even trust himself?

"Okay." Willow whispered, seeing the vampire's melancholy expression. She hesitantly laid a hand on his arm and smiled at him. When a answering smile broke out on his face, she was beamed, clapping her hands together. "Let's make Buffy remember!"

Angel hushed her when he heard Buffy squirm worriedly on the bed.

"Sorry." Willow giggled. "I'm just so happy!"

"It's okay." Angel told her, the redhead's enthusiasm rubbing off on him.

"Right." Willow said and motioned for the vampire to move so she could start pacing. "So how do we do this? I could find a spell. That might work." She frowned, chewing on her lip. "But do we really want *me* doing a spell? Seeing how they usually turn out, or how they *don't* turn out."

"I don't think we have much of a choice." Angel said and watched her expression darken. "And some of your spells have worked. You. . .you're. . .uh. . . good." He sighed in relief when she smiled again.

"Goody!" She exclaimed and ran out in the hallway. A few seconds later she came storming into the room again with a bag swinging from her hand. "Spell books!" She told him and let the bag fall to the floor. She quickly sat down, made herself comfortable, and then pulled out a book and started to glance through it.

Angel watched her and wondered if he should be scared. It wasn't that he *doubted* Willow's skills as a witch, it was just that, well, he wasn't quite sure he would *enjoy* the life of a bloodsucking frog.

Angel walked to the bed and lay down beside Buffy. He placed a gentle hand on her cheek and turned her head so that she faced him. He pulled her into his arms and hugged her, speaking to her silently.

A tired, red-eyed witch woke him a few hours later.

"I found a spell." She said, her voice dull.

"I'm sorry I fell asleep. I should have helped you." Angel mumbled, feeling guilty once he took note of Willow's haggard expression. She looked exhausted.

"Angel, it doesn't matter. I'm used to it, really. Besides, no one will be happier than I will if I'm able to help Buffy. She's my friend." She spoke, not looking at him. The vampire wondered if she had been taken for granted all her life. For the first time he really *saw* her. She always sacrificed herself and her life for others but what did she ever get in return? He walked to her and laid his hand on her shoulder, squeezing it gently.

"I can't thank you enough for all the things you've done for me." He told her softly. "You are the only friend I have ever had."

Willow spun around and buried her face in his chest, sobbing. "I'm so sorry, Angel."

"For what?" He asked her incredulously. He was the one who should be sorry not her.

Willow was quiet for a moment. When she finally spoke, her voice was soft and low. "I'm in love with you, Angel. I try to stop loving you, I know it's not right, but I just can't. And it *hurts*, 'cause I know you belong with Buffy. And she's my best friend."

Angel was stunned into silence. He swore that if he had a heartbeat then it would have stopped when he heard the witch's words. Willow pulled away from him, staring at the floor. "You're not saying anything." She stated. "Do I disgust you?"

"Willow, no. God, *no*. I'm honored. You're an intelligent, beautiful young woman but. . ."

"Don't. Please, I don't want to hear it. I know you don't love me." Willow told him and stepped further away from him. She picked up the spell book from the floor. "I'm going to do this spell and bring her back to you, back to us, but after that I'm going to leave and I don't want to see you again."

"Willow, please." Angel whispered, reaching out for her. She recoiled and he felt tears sting his eyes. "It doesn't have to be this way. I don't want to lose you."

The redhead laughed sadly. "I'm not strong enough to face both of you, now that you know my forbidden secret. Let's just do this." She sighed and Angel thought his heart would break when she locked her pain filled eyes with his. Not only did he read pain in her eyes, he was able to see, for the first time, the love they held; love for him.

"Are those for me?" She asked, and he frowned, confused, until she brushed away the tears running down his cheeks. "No one has ever cried over me before."

"Willow." Angel began.

"No. Don't talk." She tore her eyes away from him and looked down at the spell. "We need to chain her to the wall and I need some candles and a dagger. It's not too complicated, I can do this."

"I know you can." His soft voice was like music in her ears and she felt the grief threaten to rush over her like a wave. She prayed that he wouldn't say another word; that he wouldn't take her into his strong arms and hold her to him. Her prayers were answered and tears ran down her face. Tears of gratitude and sorrow.

Willow told him where to put the candles and waited while he brought Buffy to the wall and chained her. She was forced to look away when he tenderly stroked the blonde's cheek, telling her that everything was going to be okay.

"I need a few drops of her blood." She told the vampire, handing the dagger to him. He took it and when their fingers touched Willow gave a start, pulling away quickly. She really couldn't be around him.

Angel watched her sadly before turning to Buffy. The Slayer's eyes went wide with terror when she saw the dagger and she began to whimper. Angel hushed her, slicing her arm carefully. He gave the bloody dagger to Willow and she used the blood to make a small cross on her forehead.

"I bid thee, Goddess of Life
To restore what was taken
From this lost soul
Free her from the chains of oblivion
Release her from her hellish memories
She is a child of the light, a champion of light
Keep her not in darkness

So mote it be."

Buffy started to scream, thrashing violently against her chains. As soon as it had begun it stopped and she hung, sobbing, in her chains. Angel embraced her, holding her close to his chest.

"Angel?" Her voice was hoarse, but both vampire and witch heard her utter the name. Angel started to cry, rocking her.

"I love you, baby. I love you so much." He told her, holding her tight.

In the flickering light of the candles Willow stood, once more forgotten. She cried silent tears even as she smiled and her heart broke.

"I will remember you." Were her last words to the vampire that had stolen her heart. She walked out of the mansion, leaving the two lovers behind. She had managed to heal two hearts but in the process shattered her own.

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