Summary: The four meanest vamps decide to have a little kidnapping fun
Timeline: I have no idea!! Way before the shows! Like some pre 1900 jag. Three or Two years before Angel got cursed.
Rating: Same as the show. I hope... ah, just to be on the safe side, mature adult themes... I mean, we are talking about Angelus here, right?
Disclaimer: Don't own them, so don't sue me for being a creative little know it all!
Spoilers: Ep, "Revelations" S3 of Buffy.
Notes: I had, yet another weird-oh dream, I think it was inspired by a TV show, but I can't think of which one it was!! GRR!!
Notes2: ~dates/dreams~ < thoughts > some parts are Angel(us) POV but I'll have those labeled with (Angel's POV) c? Plus, be surprised, cuz I'm just making this up as I go along! As I do with all my fics.
Notes3: Everything in the Buffyverse might not need to apply! This is a totally Au fic! The only thing that applies is that Angelus is my style Angelus, but since you haven't met him yet, ya just gotta wait. Everyone is the same. It's just like totally AU so take that as comfort. Oh, and the Angel-verse doesn't apply either, cuz I am setting it in a timeline that I shall choose at random and I have no idea what Angel(us) was doing at the time! So... I guess you should just go with it, you know? I am just confusing myself, so... just read and go with it.

Part 1

(Angel's POV)

It was another Tuesday afternoon when Buffy came to me. She looked a bit flustered, if not always beautiful. Her golden hair was swiped up in one of those complicated bun things I've never been able to figure out. And she wore black boots, pants, and a cotton jacket.

She rushed in rather quickly, and placed her things down onto the table next to the sofa. Without saying a word, she took off her jacket, revealing to me her tanned arms and slender shoulders.

I was a little curious as to why she was doing all this. After all, it wasn't that hot. If it was, I was probably oblivious.

Buffy turned to me, and her gaze landed on my shirt. Without so much of a warning, she stepped forward, and in one agle movement, undid all of the bottons and ripped my shirt off my back.

I just stood there, stunned.

She moved away again, placing my shirt near the fire place before turning back to me.

I frowned.

"Hi." She finally said.

I glanced at her, then around me again, then back at her, "Uh... hi..."

Buffy took a step forward and I took one back. To say she was acting strangely would be an understatement.

"Are you okay?" She asks me.

Am I okay? What about you? I look at her, and search her eyes, "Are you? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Buffy shrugs, "Why?"

When did I become so lost? "Well..." I started, moving toward my shirt again and taking it from it's resting place by the mantal, "You waltzed in here, without a word and preceded in stripping me down to my pants... which would bring me to ask, what are you doing?"

Her face is blank a moment, before she blinks, "Oh!" She laughs sheepishly, "Sorry."

"It's okay... ah, you wanna tell me why you did all that?" I ask her while putting my shirt back on.

But she quickly grabs it and pulls it back off me again, this time more gently. She places it in its original spot, then comes forward, and brushes her hand over my chest and I inhale strongly. It's been so long since she's been this close, and I'm sure that my skin feels like its crawling. Itching.

"There's a new Watcher," She whispers, trailing her fingers over my chest. I don't think she realizes what she's doing, "She's really strict. I'm pretty sure she hasn't had a date since the sixties. She's Faith's new Watcher..."

Faith. I think Buffy's mentioned her a few times.

"Giles' suggested that I do some training," She looks up at me, her eyes large, her lips looking ever so pouty...

"I was wondering if you could help me out in that area." She says, her fingers moving down my chest, then disappearing, "Think you're up to it?"

I blink a few times, something I find myself doing whenever Buffy and I get too close...

"Ah, sure." I say, "Why did you have in mind?"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Buffy chose T'ai Chi.

I guess I've been doing a lot of that lately. It helps me gather my thoughts, and concentrate. It motivates me, calms my nerves.

I decided to just sit Buffy done and show her some moves. After that, she joined me. We began with our arms stretched high above, ahead of us, hands together. Then lowering our arms to waist level with a graceful bend at the elbows.

I know Buffy's having trouble concentrating on the motions. I've felt her eyes on me several times, but I haven't bothered with telling her that. I'm not sure if she's trying to keep up with my elegant movements or if she's feeling overwhelmed with my presence, as I feel with hers.

We both sweep our crossed arms in a wide arc from left to right, and then draw our hands in to our waists and make a quarter turn to the left, so that Buffy has her back to me now.

We both extend our arms and slowly raise them, never stopping our fluid movements, until our hands are again held high. I can't help but watch her, and like a good teacher, I have to physically communicate with her. I move forward to Buffy and put my large hands over her tiny ones.

Buffy looks up at my hands on hers as I pull her arms down and around her. She's shaking slightly, and I can feel her soft hair brush against my chest. Her back pressed against me.

Slowly, she turned to face me and angled her face up toward mine. I want to stop her, and even try to pull away slightly, put it's useless.

Our lips almost meet when Buffy suddenly pulls away and walks over to one of the two couches to get her things. "Uhh... I better go." She says, "Big night for us Slayer types."

I turn away, a confused expression on my face. What just happened... it felt so familiar...

"People to see, demons to kill." Buffy goes on as she starts to leave, "Better hurry before somebody figures out what we're doing."

I start to put my shirt back on, not looking at her, for fear of loss in control. She does that to me, so easily...

"What are we doing?"

"Training." She says sharply. Then almost as an after thought, "And almost kissing."

I turn to look at her, stepping toward her as I buttons up my shirt. Buffy turns to face me.

"Sorry. It's just..." She smiles weakly, and I almost wish I could smile back, "old habit." There went that smile, "Bad, bad habit to be broken." She says it as if it was something typical. As if this habit was like biting your nails, or picking your teeth. The later, which I had when I was human.

"It's hard." I tell her. I know. I want to tell her she's not alone. I want to tell her that the pain will go away... but in that case, I'm not so sure.

"It's not hard." She says with resolve, "Cold turkey. That's the key to quitting."

I look look at her for a long moment, taking in a deep breath as she gazes at me with those wide eyes and little `o' mouth, both knowing that it's not easy. That it'll never truly be easy.

"You think they make a patch for this?" She asked desperately.

I`m sorry honey. I don't think they make those kinds. But if there was such a patch, I`m sure that they couldn`t make enough to calm me around you. "You have to go." I tell her, breaking our gazes.

"I really do."

I look away as Buffy turns again to go. She only gets a couple of steps when she sighs and turns to face me again.

"I'm gonna try and vent a little hormonal angst by going out there and killing a Lagos, whatever that is." She says softly.

I face her again upon hearing that demon's name, "Lagos?" That sounds familiar, too...

"Some demon looking for some all-powerful thingamabob, and I gotta stop him before he unleashes unholy havoc, and it's another Tuesday night in Sunnydale."

I can't bring myself to look at her again, and so I just stare off into space, but my heart bleeds for her. I am worried, "Be careful."

Out of the corner of my eye I can see Buffy turn and head out of the mansion. I watch her back as she goes, and when she's gone, I get up to start some work of my own.

It seems like deja vu, a word I have never used before. But I know it does...

Lagos... Buffy... Ta'i Chi...

Kissing...

Over a hundred years ago...

The year I truly met my love... my Buffy... my princess... Danielle...

One in the same...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Part 2

When Spike had returned that night, Angelus couldn't help but notice his rather, up-lifting mood. He usually came home, a scowl plastered to his face, a bottle of rum in his hand, barking for Drusilla.

Angelus didn't blame him. They had traveled to France two months ago, after running from a mob of angry villagers from London, and now inhabited a mansion on the outskirts of a very tiny town called, Ewing. So small that there were now authorities, but also a lack of humans. Which wasn't a very good thing for vampires.

It bothered them all. Dru would sit in a corner and pout, while Darla would become more and more easily annoyed with Spike's usually banter. Angelus would busy himself with thoughts of what to do next. He was sure the angry citizens had forgotten them by now, but there was still the matter of living most of their possesions and money in London, with no way of getting them back.

Drusilla was now asleep in her chambers while Darla had been busy scheming away in her bedroom, so she did not hear Spike enter their home that night. But Angelus had stayed up most of the night. His body too tense from not killing for a few days, and eager to leave Ewing as soon as possible.

"What happened to you?" Angelus asked, "You only look like that if you`ve crossed paths with another vampire... or a tavern."

Spike grinned, "Ah, Angelus... I come with good news."

That got his attention, "Really?"

"Yes," Spike said, sitting himself down on a soft chair across from Angelus' own master chair. The fire was blazing, but Spike didn't notice much. He pulled out a cigar, lit it, then took a long drag before he went on, "I was passing by into town... ya, know, to see if there was anything worth bringing home."

Angelus nodded. Of that late, they had to deal with prisoning two victims in the lower part of the mansion, and having them hang there, taking rations at times. Angelus didn't like it. He wanted fresh blood, not some left overs from a previous feeding.

"Yeah, well, I paced by these two lads, both very proper like, dressed in nancy-boy clothing and all." Spike went on, "So, I figured they be passing through. When one of them caught my attention. Seems that one of those lads works for his royal high-ass himself."

Angelus leaned back into his chair, and smirk forming on his face, "A man in Ewing know's the King of France?"

Spike nodded, "But that isn't the best part. You know of Prince Henry, right? Well, it turns out he isn't a only child."

"What?" Angelus frowned.

Spike laughed, "He's got a bloody sister! Can you believe that?"

"But why would they hide her from the public?" Angelus asked.

"Seems these blokes were quite chatty." Spike went on, "See, this one lad blurted out that she was kept secret to protect 'er *destiny*"

"As what?"

Spike grinned, "As the next bleedin' Slayer!"

Angelus shook his head, "It makes sense. They had the girl so that the public will not notice her absence when she's called. How long have they known?"

"Looks about since the bint was born." Spike explained.

"I'm losing intrest Spike." Angelus said, "What does all this matter to me?"

"Well, she's a very valuable girl, is what I'm hearing." Spike got up and took another drag, "Say, someone up and took her away... don't you think them bloody Watcher's, or hell, `er bloody royal family would do anything to get `er back? Maybe even... pay a handsome pint for `er?"

Angelus grinned, "Spike... you might not be as useless as I thought you were."

Spike rolled his eyes, "I heard them say she's coming into town tomorrow night. She's suppose to stop `ere on the way back to her bloody family. I figure we could take her then?"

"Yes," Angelus said, "Go to Darla and Dru, inform them of this at once."

Spike scowled as he walked away, mumbling to himself, "What am I, ya friggin' milk maid?"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Part 3

"Is this where we'll meet the little brat?" Darla asked.

Angelus sighed. Ever since they had proposed the idea to Darla, she had many doubts. Her first being if those men just had too much to drink. Her second being, how would they get her away from her guards, already assuming she had many. And third, was if they could kill her guards instead of distracting them.

They stood in the forest area. Surprisingly, Ewing was mostly made up of forests and lakes.

"Yes," Angelus explained, "Spike and Drusilla are getting the shape-

shifter into the cabin. Then, he will disguise himself as a guard, get the princess out of her room, where you're minion will take her to us in the cabin not far from here. Dru and Spike will meet us right after they got him in."

Darla sighed, dramatically, glancing around the lush greens, "What makes you so certain that this shape-shifter will not betray us?"

Angelus smiled, "Because, I threatened to make a Scottish skirt out of his entrails. Besides that, he isn`t very strong. So, he knows a battle he can and can not win."

They waited patiently outside of the tiny cabin. The smoke popping from the house, filling their nostrils with the scent of fresh pork that was probably being cooked on the fire.

They waited. Darla impatiently tapping her fan against her hip, while Angelus did the opposite. Standing very still, watching like a predator that he was.

"Oi!" Spike said in a hushed whisper as he and Drusilla approached them from their right.

"Spike, is he in?" Darla asked.

"Yeah, we got that bloke in." He said, slinging his arm around Drusilla's waist. She smiled lazily as she looked up at the stars, "I saw her face... in a dream..."

Darla rolled her eyes, "You were right next to her window, of course you would have seen her."

"Well, come then." Angelus said, "We should go back to the cabin."

"Why don't we make a small detour to the town?" Spike asked, "Maybe snag a few drops of blood?"

"Why not?" Darla replied, "I feel like celebrating."

"Very well," Angelus said.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

After their little venture into town, which left it with two less housewives, one less priest, and one less prostitute, they headed toward the cabin in a carriage they obtained from the priest and the prostitute. Spike had a good laugh at the priest who had been betraying his vows by hiring a whore. But it served them well, for they got a carriage out of it, along with some wine and two meals.

When they arrived the met Samuel at the door. A short, odd looking man, who had been a shoemaker before he was turned. He had a rather large mustache, and wore glasses. For what reason, Angelus wasn't sure of. After all, Samuel was blind in one eye.

"Samuel," Darla cooed, "I take it ever thing went according to plan?"

Samuel nodded obediently, "Yes, ma'am. She's in one of the rooms as we speak. But she is acting strangely."

"How so?" Spike asked as they entered, Samuel leading them down the hall and toward her room.

"Well, when I took her away, she did not struggle, or act in terror. She held her head up, proud, and did not even look at me." Samuel said.

"Who would?" Angelus said.

Samuel stuttered, "Ah, and when I showed her room, she did the oddest thing... well, I, I guess you should see for yourselves." Samuel opened the door.

Angelus was the first to step in, followed by Darla, then Spike and Dru. What he saw stunned him.

On the floor, dressed in the finest silks of pink and red designs he had ever seen, the girl lay. She was on her knees, in a position that he had seen in prayer. Her upper body bent over, her hands and arms laying on the floor, outstretched before her. Her head down cast. From what Angelus could see, she was a tiny, petite thing.

She had the finest silk strands of hair he had ever seen. It shined on the floor in a glow of bright sunshine. But that's all he saw. Samuel closed the door and walked to the side of her. Only then did she raise herself up so she could be seen. Her hands still in front of her, keeping her up straight.

She was startling beautiful, with a young, innocent face and bright, spirited green eyes that were unlike any color Angelus had ever seen. She gazed at them all before her eyes rested on him.

Samuel cleared his throat, "May I present to you," He gestured toward the girl, "Danielle of France."

Samuel immediately noticed that she did not budge or speak. Spike noticed this, too, for he asked Samuel, "Is she mute?" Samuel started, "Ah, and these are my masters. The great..."

"Angelus," Danielle said, gazing at the vampire in question, "The Scourge of Europe, the one with the angelic face."

"You've heard of me." Angelus stated, taking a step forward.

"Yes," Danielle said, "I have. A reputation that outshines all other vampires." And what surprised them all was when she bowed forward, showing her respect for him.

He didn't even get a chance to *make* her respect him. Which was what he normally had to do with other mortals.

Angelus stepped forward, and using his boot he lifted her chin so she looked up at him again, "You respect me. A creature of the night. What brings you to do this?"

Danielle express stayed solemn, but her voice spoke with passion, "I was taught that all creatures serve a purpose, whether great or small, even if that purpose is to save or kill. And whether great or small, each position demands respect, which I freely give. Though, I doubt most of your kind shares that same perspective."

Awe struck, Angelus moved back. Spike out right laughed while Dru started to dance around the room. Unfortunately, Darla didn't find this little incident so funny.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Part 4

Shortly after the *incident*, Darla said that the sun would rise soon, and that they should head back to the mansion. They agreed, and collected Danielle, or rather, she followed Darla and Angelus, with Spike and Drusilla standing behind her.

When Samuel had followed, Darla had turned around on her way into the carriage. She had missed the short period of time where Angelus helped Danielle into the carriage, the way he took her hand gently, or the way she had graciously nodded her thanks. She had missed this exchange to tell Samuel she would not be needing his assistance any longer. Puzzled, Samuel asked her what she meant, just before Drusilla launched herself at him and killed him.

She licked her lips clean of blood, and smiled at Spike as he helped her inside. He then took the reins, and they were gone.

On the way there, Angelus noticed the somber look the princess still wore. She stared out the window on her side, seated next to Drusilla. Angelus was a little concerned, worried that Dru might do something to provoke or worry the princess. But she simply hummed softly, whispering to herself so softly that not even he or Darla could make out her words.

From what he had seen of her, he could only tell that she was brought up properly, and that already left the certain annoyance of snobbery lingering in his mind. He did not want to deal with another snob. Yet, she had bowed to him. *She* bowed to *him*. A Slayer in training, a princess, bowing to a creature lower than herself. It was odd.

He glanced at Darla at his side and noticed that her lips were set in a thin line, her ice blue eyes looking calm, but he could tell a storm raged inside of them. She was upset... of what he did not know. But she continued to sit there, properly and stare straight ahead. He wasn't sure if she was gazing at Dru, or the burgundy wall behind her.

The silence was not calming. The only sounds Angelus could enjoy was the sound of Spike whistling, very off tune, the horses trampling on the soil of the earth, and the sweet sound of Danielle's breathing and heart beat. Both steady and slow.

Angelus briefly wondered how that was so. She was in the presence of some of the most vicious vampires of all time, how could she not be frightened? Even the bravest, who dared hide their fear, would at least be breathing drastically, or their hearts would be thudding so loudly, that Angelus could hear it ringing in his own ears.

When they finally arrived to their mansion, after one of the longest carriage rides of Angelus' life, Spike opened the door to the carriage. He smiled politely enough, if not snickering, as he played his part as servant. Bowing in a mockingly way as Darla came out of the carriage first. Followed by Drusilla, who Spike carried out of the carriage and into the mansion.

Angelus glanced at the princess to see her staring at him. She quickly averted her gaze, and preceded to exit the carriage. Angelus followed close by. When he was out, he saw her standing close to the carriage, and gazing up at the mansion with her hands clasped before her. Not gaping, like most people did, but just staring.

Very unlike him, he asked her, "Are you well?"

Danielle took her eyes off of the stone walls and looked at the vampire. She nodded, "I am well. Just admiring."

"Admiring?" Angelus questioned.

"Yes," Danielle said, taking a step forward, "The work on this manor is quite impressive. I would think it took the architect at least four months to create the plans for this."

She glanced at him, then blushed, "Oh... but you must be bored with my talk of architect's and manors. The sun will be setting soon, as you're companion said--"

Angelus wanted to protest that Darla was not his companion, not by choice anyway, but she continued nonetheless.

"And I would not wish my captor to become nothing more than the ash you find with brimstone," Danielle walked towards the door, "So, might I suggest we head inside?"

Angelus nodded, and followed the princess inside, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he would be following her for a very long time.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Part 5

When Angelus awoke the next night, he was surprised to find Danielle already up and about. He was curious as to whether she was the type to sleep during the day, or the night. She was sitting next to the window, gazing outdoors again. The stars had already come out, maybe she was looking at those.

He made his presence known as he closed the door behind him. She whipped her head around, then sighed at the sight of him, "You startled me."

"I apologize," Angelus said.

"No, no need." Danielle started, wrapping her silk covered arms around her, "I was wondering when you would come to me."

"I am here now," Angelus said, "What is it that you needed?"

The princess got to her knees before him, "To confess."

"Confess?" Angelus questioned, "Confess what?"

"Of my knowledge of you." Danielle went on, "My... my father had me research many dangerous vampires, but I must tell you, even though you're records of viciousness is beyond all I can understand, I admire you greatly, and respect you."

Angelus shook his head, mortally confused, "Why are you telling me all this?"

"Because I have to," Danielle confessed, "For me."

"Oh. she's on her knees again," Darla remarked.

Angelus turned to see Darla still in her nightclothes, entering the room. Soon, Spike and Dru entered as well. Spike was dressed to leave, a bottle of whiskey in his hand already while Dru was clutching her favorite doll to her chest.

Angelus turned back to Danielle, but she had not budged.

"What's she doin'?" Spike asked.

"Who cares?" Darla cut in, moving toward Angelus. She placed a hand on his arm, "Come Angelus, this... *princess* is nothing more than a waste of skin. We should be working on the ransom note my dear boy."

"I am not a waste of skin."

The four vampires looked down at Danielle who was staring intently at the vampire she respected most, "Angelus will love me."

Angelus took a step back. A expression that was only defined as disturbed plastered to his face. Darla had laughed loudly while Dru began to share whispers with her doll. Spike just raised a brow.

"Love?" Darla exclaimed, "Love does not exist amongst demons little girl. Love is something that only weak beings experience, such as yourself."

It did not phase Danielle. She just sat there, looking at Angelus with calm eyes. He was not doing better. He felt, actually felt, uneasy. So, when Darla asked him if he wanted to go out for the night, like they always did, he responded with a no. Which shocked her, but she eventually let it go, and went off with Drusilla. Spike had told her that he was going to see what was wrong with his grand sire.

When Angelus sat himself down, that's when Spike made his move, "What is it?"

Angelus looked up at him, "What?"

"What's wrong with you?"

"What are you talking about? Nothing is wrong with me."

"Then why didn't you agree to go out with Darla and Dru?" Spike asked.

"There is the little matter of guarding our finds," Angelus reminded him.

"What? `er?" Spike rolled his eyes, "Please. We have servants in this mansion, don't we? At least one, the last time I counted. Anyway, he'd never let her out of his sight, being the type who *wants* to live. `Sides, she's just a princess... short of a few whores in the tavern if you get what I'm saying..."

"She is odd," Angelus said, "I will give you that... but there is something else that disturbs me about her. Something... something that I can't quite explain."

"She's messing with ya head, mate." Spike said, "She's probably a witch or something. As soon as we fix up the ransom note, she'll be on her bloody way back to the damn Watcher's and all will be well again."

"But what she said..." Angelus started.

"That you'll love her?" Spike rolled his eyes, "Come off it, will ya?! She's just as... *odd* as Dru is, and if you ever tell Dru I told you that she was odd, I'll smack you a good one."

"If you're quite done speaking of me, do you mind if I join you in you`re little conversation?"

They both turned in their seats, startled. Standing there, was the topic of their conversation. Looking a little amused at the words they had exchanged. But another questioned bothered Angelus: How had she managed to sneak up on them without either knowing?

"Sure," Spike said, grabbing his chair and placing it aside. He moved to the sofa and plopped himself down, "Take a load off."

"To be honest, Spike, I'd rather not." Danielle said, sitting down.

Spike chuckled, "A loon with a sense of humor. How's that for queer?"

"I assure you Spike, I am not a loon," Danielle stated, "I am merely a kidnapped princess in waiting for her lessons."

"Lessons?" Angelus questioned.

"Yes," Danielle said, as if it was the most obvious thing, "If I am to stay here, all I ask is for a way to spend my time. And I would think that lessons from a master of terror would teach me something of wonder."

Spike lifted a brow, "You think ol' Angelus is gonna sit down a teach you how to be like him?"

"Not quite." Danielle started, "But, I do wish to know his perspective of things. Why he kills, for the pleasure or simply because he must. How it feels, whether it be the tingling in his veins or the over powering hunger. That is, if you do not mind."

Both Spike and Danielle looked at Angelus.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Part 6

"I will," Angelus said softly, surprising Spike, "under one condition."

Danielle nodded.

Angelus leaned in forward, "Once I do show you, you must never tell another soul, no matter how much you might like, or how much your Watchers ask of you. Is that a position you are willing to take?"

Danielle staed back, nevering wavering, "Yes."

Angelus nodded, "All right then. Our first lesson will be tomorrow, at the same time. But in the meantime, I believe we should take a little venture."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Horses?" Danielle inquired as she and Angelus stood in the lush acre of his astate. Spike had brought the two horses from the carriage out to the back.

"Yes," Angelus said, "I would hope that a night's ride around the manor, might relax you."

Danielle nodded.

Still sitting on one of the horses, Spike looked at Danielle, "I don't suppose you know how to ride like this, do you, princess?"

Danielle looked at Spike, then shook her head, "No. I am afraid I don't know how to ride like that."

Spike glanced at Angelus, "Guess we'll have to teach the princess, eh?"

"Oh, do not bother," Danielle said, taking the reins of the white horse from him, "I am a fast learner."

"That is good to know," Angelus said.

Spike grinned, "Princess, if you're up to it, would you like to have a little race?"

"A race?" Danielle wondered.

"Spike," Angelus warned, though couldn't keep the slight chuckle from his voice. He and Spike bother knew it would be unfair to the princess. Spike was great on a horse, almost as good as Angelus himself.

"Ah, c'mon, Angelus," Spike said, "Let us race."

"All right, I accept," Danielle said. She turned to Angelus, "Would you mind helping me?"

Angelus blinked, then looked at her and the horse, "Oh." He said dumbly, moving toward her. He placed his hands on her hips, almost tentaively, and was surprised at how small she really was. She, in turn, rested her tiny hands on his shoulders as he hoisted her up. Again, he was shocked at how light she was compared to all the women he had ever had to carry.

Danielle smiled her thanks, and arranged herself on the horse as comfortly as she could. "If you don't mind, Spike, I would like to race you from the edge of those woods, back to this spot,"

Spike glanced from there, and back, and shrugged, "All right. I`ll meet ya there." Then he took off on the brown horse.

Danielle gathered her blond hair together and grabbed a bin from inside her shirt. She used it to tie her hair up. Angelus watched as she unbottoned her dress. He never expected for her to do that so he blurted out the only thing he could think of, "Ah, I have never seen your style of dress before."

Danielle smiled, "No one has. My dresses were designed by my families."

"Families?" Angelus inquired as she shrugged off the pink and red satin dress. She was now wearing some sort of black corset with shoulder straps and black pants.

"Yes," Danielle smiled, "I have over five families from different cultures."

Angelus frowned.

"Well," Danielle gazed ahead, "I best be off." She sent one last smile over her shoulder before she hurried off.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Part 7

Angelus was beginning to feel surprisingly anxious, waiting for the two of them. He felt something funny go up his spine, then slowly turned back to look at the forest area. He took a step forward, and watched, astounded at what he saw appearing from the woods.

Like the wind blowing on the desert, she appeared, ahead of Spike, riding the white horse on her legs. She stood with pride, smiling as she held onto the reins with great ease. Her blond hair blew behind her. Angelus couldn't believe what he saw.

She smiled as she approached, making the horse stop, she jumped off, "I guess I won," She smiled sweetly up at him, taking her dress, and watching as Spike followed.

When he arrived, all he did was whistle, and sigh, "I thought you said you never rode a horse before."

Danielle giggled, "I said I never rode a horse like *that* before. I didn't say that I couldn't ride, now did I?" After finishing tying her dress up, and fixing all of its folds, she glanced around the sky, "It's going to be dawn so. I suggest we all go in, unless you need to go feed? If you need to, I could go back to my chamber's if you wish."

"No," Angelus started, "We're fine." He looked behind him, "Come, Spike. Put the horses away while I escort Danielle back inside."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Thank you for escorting me," Danielle said as she sat back near the window, "But you must be tired."

"So are you," Angelus pointed out.

She smiled, "I will be fine. Do not concern yourself with my welfare."

"It's my responsibility as your captur, is it not?"

Danielle blushed, "I guess you are right. May.. may I ask you a question?"

He nodded.

"Do you doubt my promise?" She wondered.

"No," He said, "I don't. I should, but I don't."

"Good," Danielle moved toward her bed and sat down, then looked up at him, "Are you nervous to be in the same room with me?"

Startled, Angelus gazed at her, "What?"

Danielle giggled, "You seem uneasy. I doubt that is usual in a vampire like yourself."

"Tis True," He agreed, "You make me... feel strange..."

"That happens around everyone," Danielle explained, "Everyone I have ever met, has had some sort of... I don't know, feeling, a sensation that they cannot describe. My early teacher's thinks its because of my clan."

"Clan?" Angelus asked.

"Yes," Danielle smiled, "I told you I had five families of five different cultutres. This is true. Quite obviously, the first was France, I stayed in this country for the first seven years of my life, learning the proper ways of a noble. Then, I was transferred to China, and trained by a women named Jia Li. She was sweet women, who taught me well for the next five years. Then, we traveled to Russia, where I have to big brothers who fight like bears, as they always say. I spent one year there. Then, we were off to Spain four two years. And finally, we traveled back to France, we meet up with the Romani. I spent the last three years of my life with them, learning magicks."

Danielle glanced at the silent vampire, "Oh... but you must be bored with my talk of my travels. Why, you must have seen all of those places by now."

Angelus shook his head, "You have learned much."

"Yes," Danielle replied, scooting into the bed and drawing back the sheets. She pulled them up to her chest and watched as he moved toward the bed, then squated down so they were face to face, only mere inches apart.

"You've spent your whole life doing what others have told you, just like a princess... doesn't this infuriate you?" He questioned, searching her eyes. From his life as a mortal, he knew what it felt like to feel trapped. To feel chained down by a righteous tyrant he used to call father. He did not then, nor did he now regret killing him. Every now and then he could hear his fahter's taugnting words hit him, and he would reach out to try and shut it off, but it would always come back, and he would take it out on someone else.

He was still tied even now. By the invisble chain that Darla had clamped around his neck.

Danielle stil had that solemn look on her face, but she stared into his eyes, then smiled brightly. A smile so bright, that it scared him more than Drusilla's insanely grins.

"Nope," She answered, poking the small area where his eyebrows met with her pointer finger, "Unlike most princess', when I was with my family, I had freedom."

She watched his face change to a look of seriousness and couldn't help but giggle. She leaned forward and kissed his nose, "Good morning," Then, she rolled over and fell asleep with Angelus still kneeling there.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Part 8

When the sun set once more, Danielle was escorted outside by Drusilla while Darla was having a chat with Angelus.

Danielle already knew that Drusilla was a odd one. She knew that Angelus had driven her crazy, but it helped to know that there was one less smart vampire around.

Drusilla was humming and holding a doll Danielle had now knew as Miss Edith.

Drusilla looked at Danielle and started giggling, "Edith says your hair is sunshine... may I have some sunshine, too?"

Danielle tilted her head to the side, before reaching down for one of the long locks. She moved toward Drusilla, and pulled the dagger she thought she was hiding in her dress. Danielle had giggled when she saw it on Dru.

Quickly, she cut a lock of her hair out, and placed it into Drusilla's outstretched palm. Dru gazed down at it, then quickly began to giggle happily. She did a short dance, then leaned toward Danielle and kissed her forehead.

Danielle just sighed as she listened to Dru ramble on and on about how happy Miss Edith was. And almost didn't hear Spike until he spoke, "Dru's grown fond of you."

"Is that suppose to make me worry?" Danielle asked, fingering the cut strands of her hair for a moment, before tossing it behind her.

Spike shrugged, "Not sure... but its unsettling on me..."

Danielle let out a soft scoff, and smiled at the youngest vampire in this dysfunctional family, "You are the worried one... aren't you?"

Spike started, "No, I ain't."

"Hmm." Danielle started, "Have you finished with your little game? I grow weary of all the waiting."

Spike frowned, "What are you babbling about now? You make less sense than Dru, and she's lost all that's up `ere." He touched his temple.

"Oh..." Danielle started, before moving towards the maze of gardens, "Really..." She smiled, before moving on.

Dru's giggles broke him away, and he hurried his way back to her side as Angelus came out of the mansion with a roar of frustration. Darla was angering him with her accusing fingers and hissing taunts of rage. He had to get away... He turned to Spike, "Where did she go?"

Spike gestured to the garden's, "Not too far... playing with the jasmine's, probably..."

Angelus moved away, hurrying into the garden's and searching for her. Inhaling the air and looking for the scent of her... where could she have gone?

That's when he was practically trampled to the ground. He hissed, growling loudly while a feminine voice giggled, "Angelus in the dirt?" She tsked at him, "Have you lost that evil touch of yours?"

He turned, using his leg to bring her down, and pined her to the ground, his vampiric visage growling at her loudly. Danielle giggled softly, "I guess I was wrong..." She searched his face, then leaned up close, her neck pressed against his lips as she whispered into his ear, "The Slayer is dead, Angelus... I felt her die last night... now I have been chosen..."

She giggled as she flipped him over onto his back, with her pinning him. She leaned down and rubbed her nose against his own, "But... I'm still new... and there are a lot of things you still be teaching me..." She smiled, laying fully on him, resting her chin on his chest and looking into his eyes, "So... what do you want to teach me tonight?"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"You've become more... annoying." Angelus growled softly as he watched Danielle pick jasmine.

She smiled to herself, "Really? I haven't really noticed..."

Angelus frowned, catching sight of something. He stepped towards her and snatched the shortened piece of hair, feeling the smooth tresses... he shook his head, "What did you do?"

"Hmm?" She turned, then shrugged, "Drusilla wanted some of my hair... she said that it would make Miss Edith very happy if I gave her some..."

"You let her cut your hair?" He asked, incredulously.

She shook her head, "No... I did it myself."

"Why?" Angelus asked, "When someone does something like that for Dru, she becomes very attached... almost obsessed..."

Danielle smiled, standing up again and turning to Angelus. She held the jasmine in her hands, "If I gave you some of my hair would you become obsessively attached to me?"

He caught the tiny twinkle in her eyes, and narrowed his own, "You're thoughts are wondering..."

Smiling broadly, she moved forward and placed the jasmine in his hands, "Hold onto these for me..."

He watched her as she began to head towards the lull in the garden that lead to the lake in the center of their massive gardens. Was she going to... no... no! She wasn't that thickle... was she?

"What are you doing?" He asked as she began to take off her dress again... she had been wearing the same thing for a while... he should have thought of getting her a few dresses before hand...

"What does it look like?" Danielle giggled as she pulled the dress off, then began to undo the corset on her body. She looked over her shoulder to see Angelus staring at her oddly, "Oh, c'mon, evil one. Where is your sense of adventure?" She let one strap go, and then started to climb the old oak that overlooked the lake.

"Are you doing what I--" Angelus stopped short as her corset fell onto him... He gazed at the discarded clothing, then at the boot... then the other... then the pants... and then the... undergarments...

"You're exposed up there, aren't you?" He asked, looking at the clothing scattered on the floor.

He heard her famous giggle, "What ever gave you that idea?" He heard her say, "Oh, don't act so surprised, Angelus. You of all creatures, especially of men and demon shouldn't be. You've seen more of the flesh than most mortal men see in their entire life time."

"Yes, but for some reason, the thought of your nude body is making me uncomfortable." He replied.

Again, she giggled, "I would hope so."

Angelus growled.

"Why do you do that, Angelus?" He heard her ask as the leaves rustled, "Do you make that noise because you are angry with me? Or do you make that nose because you are frustrated with your own... desires?"

"What--"

He blinked as the sudden sound of water breaking caught his attention. He watched the bubbles, then watched as her head peeked up into the water, then turned around to look at him, "Angelus, do come in..."

"No--" He started.

"What if something terrible is living in this lake? A demon creature... you wouldn't want me to come to victim, would you? And if you did, how on Earth would you get your money?" She asked, "Please, come into the water, Angelus... its warmer than that cold flesh of yours..." She watched his expression of confusion, and gave a short laugh, "I promise I won't bite... not much anyway..."

He growled once more, dropping the jasmine as he began to undress, "This is childish..."

Danielle smiled, "Would it make you feel better if I didn't look?"

Angelus gave a short faux laugh, "Oh... indulge yourself, princess..."

"All right..." She replied, watching as he took off his shirt and shoes, then watched as he climbed the tree faster than her eyes could keep track... she frowned as she saw the water break, and knew he was in the water then... she just could not spot where.

Danielle glanced around again, then let out a girlish sound of distress as water burst out in front of her and splashed her. She gazed at him, and shook her head, "Now you're in trouble." She hissed as she splashed him.

Angelus growled at her and began to splash her continuously. She shrieked and attempted to defend her face with her hands. With a laugh she began to attack in kind.

Angelus looked beneath the shining blue surface and watched her mocking him. He growled at her and she responded by sticking out her tongue. A moment later she emerged from the water sputtering. "Are you all right?" Angelus asked as he saw her coughing.

"Yes..." she replied smiling at him. "Yet..."

"Yet...?"

Her eyes twinkled and she splashed him, "Yet, I'm not done getting you back!"

Angelus growled at her again and lunged at her. Danielle shrieked and started to run away when her foot slipped. She yelped as she fell backwards and a pair of arms grabbed her. She sheepishly looked up into his triumphant eyes. "Um... lovely night, isn't it?" She asked sweetly. "Way too nice for you to not let me go..."

He smirked down at her, "Too late for that, Danielle."

His eyes studied her face for a moment and as he let his eyes fall to her lips he saw water pearling there. Her giggles gradually faded and she looked up at him her eyes wide and a blush streaking across her cheeks.

"Angelus..." she whispered as she stared up at him.

He set her upright in the water. Right when she opened her mouth to thank him he pulled her close and kissed her. It felt strangely familiar, but there was such a profound reassurance in that familiarity that he enjoyed it. Let himself take full hold of it and held onto it with a fast fury.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Part 9

(Angel's POV)

I had simply came in to show her what I thought she was looking for. I had placed it down, and there she was. Standing in the middle of the room and looking down at the floor.

I approached her from behind, placing my hand on her shoulder and she spun, and sighed at the sight of me.

"Angel..." She said, breathing my name... almost as a prayer, "You scared me..."

"Sorry." I replied, half meaning it... I didn't like scaring her... but I did enjoy catching her off guard in her speech or during moments that we share together... it reminds me of how innocent she still is... how young and innocent she is...

She nodded, "It's okay... um..." She looked up at me, frowning, her breath catching suddenly, "Cold..."

I moved forward, my hands falling onto her soft arms, and rubbing them softly.

Her breath hitched again, "Cold... turkey..." She got out, before she looked into my eyes and rushed forward kissing me, and I gladly responded, pulling her closer.

I ran my hands up and down her smooth back, down her sides, just under her arms as I explored her mouth... it had been so long since I kissed her... since I've been able to kiss her without some sort of life and death situation arising...

Buffy's so soft... so warm... she's always been this warm... always tasting this good... I can't help but smile as we kiss, my eyes can see her perfect face, her eyes fluttering... I hear her soft moan, and I pull her closer, but then, suddenly, she's fighting against me... and then we're fighting against one another and we finally pull away fully.

She's gasping and I'm gasping. *I'm* *actually* *gasping*... but that's what she does to me... I can feel myself becoming dizzy again, and that old stirring has decided to come out of hiding once more.

"Oh God..." I hear Buffy whisper.

"Buffy." I started.

"What am I doing?" She asked herself, then looked at me with accusing eyes, "Wha--what are you doing?!"

"I don't know." I answered honestly. I don't know what I'm doing anymore... and its hard... but its so easy to not know what I'm doing... so easy to just take you into my arms... to hold you...

I shake myself mentally.

"Shame on you!" Buffy says, as if I controlled the whole situation. Her eyes are round and full, "Shame... shame..." She says shakingly, "Oh... God.." She murmurs and reached for her coat, "I knew I shouldn't have come back..."

I placed my hand on her own, stopping her from putting her coat on and leaving... stopping her from taking the sight of her sweet flesh away from me.

"Wait... wait." I say softly, "I think I have what your looking for..."

She looks up at me, tired and weary, but follows like the good little warrior that she is. She looks at the wrapped article and jokes, lamely, "Great... whoever wrapped this, remind me not to shop there..."

I unwrapped it, revealing the powerful instrument Lagos is searching for, "Glove of Minnegon."

"World's ugliest fashion--" She begins to reach out to touch it and I immediately place my hand on hers, stopping her, "Don't! Once you put the glove on it can never be removed..."

"So... no touching." She says, then looks down out our hands, "Kinda like us..."

I immediately take my hand away and look down. She looks up at me, and I know she wishes she had not said that, but I know she's right. She sighs, "You keep it... I'll tell Giles... at least he'll be happy about this..."

I cover it up again, and there's a silence between us I don't like...

"Buffy, about what--"

She looks at me, "Angel... please... just don't." She sighs, "Just don't..."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Part 10

"Don't let me go." Danielle whispered softly as Angelus held her to him, kissing his way down her smooth neck. He didn't find the strength to pull away until a moment later. He gazed at her, searching her young face, "Danielle..."

"Yes?" She whispered, touching his forehead, then trailing her fingers down his face, cupping his cheek, and then down until her hand landed on his shoulder.

"I..." Angelus started, "It'll be light soon... we've been out for long enough... we should go inside..."

"Yes..." She agreed, reluctantly.

They hurried towards the shore, Angelus wasted little time getting dressed. He stole glances at her, even as she slowly began to get dress. Taking her time, and smiling secretly when ever she felt his eyes on her.

As they made their way back to the mansion, Danielle paid close attention to her surroundings. She wasn't so much as worried as to what could happen to her if Darla found her wrapped in her Childe's arms. She knew that she was particularly possessive, a trait that were found in most... animals.

Days went by, and there was a rare silence between the pair, but Danielle de-attached herself, being careful of the way she moved around Angelus, of how she looked at him. As far as she could tell, Darla never seemed to notice as the days passed by.

Drusilla began to whisper of how she and Miss Edith knew a secret, skipping around the room while Danielle still kept her stature. She went out killing by herself one night and had brought back several items for Danielle. Two or three dresses, shoes, and a ripped out heart from a girl.

Drusilla said that it was a present.

Danielle had simply replied that she would happily except the heart if there had been a way to preserve it. Drusilla understood immediately, and buried the heart outside the window of Danielle's room.

Soon, Spike had reported that Danielle's Watcher was going to give in to the ransom in about three weeks. He needed to get the money. To prove that she was, in fact gone, Spike had even brought an article of her clothing.

Angelus grew more anxious around her, and couldn't envision why she stayed so calm. Didn't she feel like her skin was on too tight? Didn't she feel that ache? That prickle on her skin? That itch... It had been bothering him for days on end.

So when the opportunity arrived, he snagged her from her spot where the heart had been buried. She had been placing small jasmines and night flowers around the buried heart to humor Dru's notion of having the heart spurt flowers.

He had slammed her up against the jasmine veins that covered a massive stone wall, his demonic ridges visible to her, "What are you playing at?"

Danielle frowned, "Playing... were we playing a game I wasn't aware of?"

He growled in frustration, "You're the most aggravating woman I've ever met..."

"I'm sorry." Danielle apologized, then frowned, "Is that..."

Angelus started, "What?"

She let out a shout, pushing him away with all her strength as the demon attacked. She hurried away from the stone wall, watching at it continued to thrash around, growling and shouting in a tongue she did not recognize.

In a short time, Angelus was able to drive the demon away, and then went back to her, most of his aggression had been taken out on the demon...

"He was babbling on about something..." Danielle said, "I wonder what..."

"Why are you avoiding me?" He grabbed a hold of her arms.

"What? Angelus, I am not--" But she was unable to finish, for he had latched his lips onto her own, inhaling her scent and taking her in.

One could say it was almost convenient... for Darla to find them, the note of the upcoming arrival of their sum of money falling from her hands.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Part 11

A secret love affair.

That's what they shared. And it was strong, so strong. Angelus could easily lie to Darla, tell her that nothing was happening between them, and then go about finding Danielle, whether she be tending to jasmines, dancing in the moonlight, or swimming in the lake. Perhaps being blinded by her fire was what caused him to take no real answer to Darla's subtle hints. Of her words.

It was during one night where he lay intertwined with her that she finally made it known, "She can smell me on you." Danielle brushed a stray lock of his hair away from his face, "She can smell you on me." She leaned down and kissed his chest.

"Let her." He replied, "I do as I will."

"But bonds are strong." Danielle said, stretching out against him, intentionally, "As are the bonds between childe and sire..."

Angelus glanced down at her, "Where has my confident flower gone? You sound like a meek lamb."

Danielle sighed, resting her head back onto his shoulder, "I cannot explain my dreams... or the feeling of mortal dread..."

"Shush." He whispered, kissing her forehead, then her lips.

Betrayal and such were something he did not want to hear of. He was perfectly happy with Danielle, and wished it to be that way for as long as he had. Of course, when you were a vampire, the only thing that lasted forever was your own being and the pursuit of blood.

Darla was smiling when he saw her several nights later. She was busily decorating her room while Drusilla lay at her feet, crooning and moaning softly. Normally, he would not have given the seen another look, but something seemed off.

"What are you so thrilled about?" Angelus asked casually.

Darla just smiled brightly at him. The smile bothered him more than he liked, but he didn't get to question her. Spike came, looking scared, which was not typical for him. His frame seemed different, off, shaken, like he had just found something that had cost him his second life. When his cold blue eyes met Angelus', the vampire immediately felt a tingle of warning, of danger.

"Spike." He said. The word coming out softly.

Spike swallowed hard, "I'm sorry."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

(Angel's POV)

Those words... from his mouth alone had made me worry. Then Spike told me what happened and I think I... he... died again along with her. Finding her body... Danielle's precious, beautiful body... completely drained of its beautiful, amazing life, was my undoing.

I took revenge in the worst ways. The only way Angelus knew how. I attacked Spike and Drusilla. Played with their minds, hurt them physically, and I have little doubt in my mind that was one of the reasons Spike wasn't so keen on seeing my last year. I'm a big part of why Drusilla wasn't feeling so hot when she came back.

Darla... ha. It was the only time I ever had such a power of her. To truly strike terror into her. I attacked her so furiously, knowing that it was her that had drank the blood of my beloved night flower, who snubbed it out. She declared that she had done it for me.

Anger seemed to flow into me, which helped as the brunette attacked me. Thoughts of Darla only brings me pain and hatred, which works to my advantage in fights. But I was still weak and felt myself falling backwards onto the sofa. The brunette must have been the new Slayer, but I was too weak to defend myself against her. If I hadn't been, I knew how easily I could have taken her down. She was sloppy, not at all coordinated or aware of what she was doing. She brought the stake up and in that instant I had another memory.

The memory of holding Danielle's dead body in my arms. Of remembering what love--what feelings I had felt, if they had been true love or not, Angelus wouldn't have known. The feelings had been so foreign to him, yet welcomed with the presence of the challenging woman. Like a shadow, like how I was in my most distraught moments, he had held her while walking through the woods until he came across the camp. They had seen him--with their precious adopted daughter, their clans favorite--slaughtered, and I knew they thought I was the one.

Ironic how Darla wanted me so badly, that she killed Danielle, but also ended up losing me forever to the Romani. Gypsies. I felt Danielle's death even harder as one of the men shoved his words of hatred into my frightened and wary face... but I found her again, my Danielle... reborn and even more beautiful in the form of a Slayer...

In the form of my Buffy... my love.

The air around me slowed, and I opened my preternatural eyes to see her. Golden like the lost memory of the sun, like a creator of life protecting me from an angry death. She threw the brunette slayer off of me and I felt my body release a tension I hadn't known I'd been carrying. Buffy was stronger than me, and I was certain that she could take care of that girl.

A battle against an insane ex-watcher took place, but I hardly remember any of it. I saved Willow, which brought a slight smile and knowledge that the young girl welcomed me back, if not hesitantly. It was good enough for me. The Slayer, Faith, as Buffy had called her, took off faster than a child caught doing something horribly wrong. She's confused, as are the rest. I glance down at Buffy who's looking up at me, searching for any scars.

I'm sorry, honey, but none of them are the kind you can see with your eyes. I can't help but bring my hand up to her cheek, to feel her warmth and be reminded of what had happened so long ago.

"You should finish that spell." She whispers to me.

"I will." I replied. She lifts her golden brows, and I know she's trying to make out the slight undertones to my words. I will finish the spell. I will remember Danielle. I will make whatever it is that we have last. And I will, for as long as I live, love you, Buffy.

Eternally.

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