"For a guy who’s scared for his life you’d think that he would be holed up in his hotel room." Gunn tossed his jacket on his desk.

"Maybe something happened to him." Wesley sounded worried.

Spike sat down in a huff. "We’re going to get a big fat I told you so aren’t we? Those silly chits are going to rub our noses in it for months to come."

"I refuse to let that happen." Angel snorted at Gunn’s comment. "I wonder what they’re up to? Probably sitting around painting each other’s nails and talking about us men." Gunn headed to the stairs when the front door opened and Lilah Morgan was pushed through falling to a heap on the ground.

Angel jumped from his chair when the female came flying in and he looked up from her figure to the man standing just inside the door. "Gee Linds if you wanted to see me you really didn’t need to bring a gift." Lindsey ignored his comment and handed Angel the book.

"She’s up to something." Everyone rolled their eyes. "I think we all know that I wouldn’t be here asking for help if it wasn’t something big."

"What an orphanage under attack? No it’s got to be...-"

"Douglass." Angel interrupted Gunn.

"Of course it is." Spike grumbled.

"No, it’s Douglass’s name in this book." Angel held it out for the others to see. "Where did she get this?"

"Me." Lindsey whispered. "Darla hired me a long time ago to find it, I know a man that hires out for jobs that involve finding the unfindable. Well, this
is the book that he sent. Darla threw a fit, screeching that this wasn’t what she wanted, I’ve tried contacting him since but he never returned my phone calls." Angel gave Lindsey a look that promised that they’d talk about his confession at another time, walking over to the shaking woman on the ground he loomed over her for a few minutes.

"Lilah. Lilah. Lilah." Angel crouched down in front of her using Angelus’s sing song voice that had been used several times to torment his victims.
"Tell me what you’re up to." Lilah started to sob unable to look him in the eye. "Let me guess, you got tangled up with Darla. Sur, she’s helped you out and you probably got a few giggles out of it but look were you are now." Angel held his arms wide open as Lilah  looked around at the angry
expressions, putting his arms back down he leaned in closer. "Plus, remember that funny incident with a little drugged drink?" Lindsey blushed and looked away. "We haven’t forgotten, none of us have. In fact one of our group has to remember that night for the rest of her life not to mention your co-worker here. I’m not too concerned for his feelings but hers are something I tend to care about."

Lilah felt each of his words hit her, anxiety rose inside her not really knowing what direction the handsome vampire was going but when the final blow was dealt she knew it was going to painful. "I meant to drug Lindsey." She whimpered.

Lindsey looked at the woman in shock almost asking her why until it hit him. If he was the one drugged he would have forced himself on Douglass, several times and if things had played out as planned he would have been skinned alive by Angel. "You fucking bitch." Lindsey made a dive toward her only to have Spike hold him back.

"Later mate, I’m sure Peaches here won't mind leaving a piece of her to finish off." Spike spoke softly, he was a little floored by the expressions
on the young man’s face, perhaps the bloke had another reason for breaking off his connection with Douglass other than not getting any information from the gang.

Angel made sure that his Grandchilde had Lindsey restrained, and continued on. "Tell me Lilah, what’s going on, don’t make this anymore painful than it already is."

Lilah hiccupped back her tears and bowed her head in defeat, she knew that in the end she was weak. Sure she could hand it out but when it came to getting it back she crumbled. "We met with Max, Lindsey’s contact."

"Who’s we?" Wesley asked.

"Darla, Dru and I. He told us some stuff about the book that none of us knew before, the only way he could get the book from the witch he had to bind her powers or kill her."

"Douglass." Gunn hissed.

"Darla plans on rebinding Douglass to the book again, I guess that she’ll become powerful with it and Darla will be able to get Dru’s sanity back."
Lilah watched in horror as Lindsey tried to fight Spike’s hold, she sure hoped that the blond vampire kept a hold of her co-worker because Lindsey
looked ready to kill.

"And?" Angel got her attention again.

"Well, we planned with Max on how to get her, Darla wants to recreate the night that Douglass was attacked but with her new friends taking Tori’s
place. He came here for all of you to do a case for him, when he had all of you going to different directions we were going to take Douglass, Willow, and Cordelia."

This time Angel almost had to be restrained. "Down boy. Now that we know what’s up we’ll just have to keep an eye on the girls plus we’ve got the
book. We’ll just push our plans on taking out Darla up a notch."

"Talking about the girls, where are they?" Wesley walked over to the phone and called up to their floor. "There’s no answer." Lindsey ran for the door followed by Angel who shouted to Spike , Gunn and Wesley to keep an eye on Lilah.

Bursting through the door, Lindsey ran from room to room stopping at Douglass’s bedroom door. "They’re not here."

Angel walked out of the kitchen when a note came floating to him. "Thanks Dennis." Angel mumbled as he read the note, he crumpled it in his hand and threw it across the room. "They’re out barhopping."

"What are we going to do?"

"We? There’s no we, Lindsey. I hate to remind you that you have no place in this group, that you’ve done everything in your powers to hurt the people I care about." Angel turned his back on the other man.

"I care about her."

"Who? Douglass? Lindsey, I find it close to impossible that you have the ability to care about anyone but yourself. Leave.. her... alone."

"Angel, I’m not asking if I can help! I’m telling you that I’m going to help, I started this mess by hiring that guy to get the damn book, if I had told Darla no Douglass would still be in Colorado fighting with her roommate on who’s supposed to clean the bathroom."

"I don’t have time for this Lindsey. If you want to help fine but I swear if this is some kind of trap, or you’re more involved than you’ve admitted, I’m
going to hold you down so Douglas can pound the piss out of you...and trust me she doesn’t need my help in accomplishing that task." Lindsey nodded and let out the pent up breath he was holding.

"First, we find those damn girls." Angel headed back downstairs stopping in his tracks to see Lilah bound and gagged in a chair, nodding his approval he let the other males know about the girls night out.

"Why didn’t they tell us?" Wesley asked.

"Maybe because we’d say no." Spike growled.

"Well, Doug’s Jeep is still here so they must have taken a cab." Gunn walked over to the phone and started dialing the cab services to see it he could find a lead.

"Spike and Lindsey and I  will search some of the clubs. Wesley and Gunn, I need you to stay here to watch Lilah and in case they show up."

"Why is the bloody bloke coming?" Spike asked before the others could.

"He wants to help. Who knows he might come in hand." A smile tugged at Angel’s lips at his slip, Lindsey glared over at him. "If anything it’ll be
fun watching Douglass beat the crap out of him." The others nodded.
 

Chapter Thirty-two

"I’m going on record right now that I *will* not sing." Douglass muttered as they walked into Caritas and looked around a little uneasily.

"I can’t believe you’ve been her for almost eight months and haven’t been here yet." Cordelia gushed and pulled the blonde witch further into the club.

"I can. There’s a reason I haven’t been here. I don’t sing." Douglass watched in horror as some grayish demon was trying to belt out the words to
"Wake up Little Susie.". "I saw we go on to the next bar." Douglass turned and headed to the door only to be intercepted by a tall green demon that had two small red horns sticking out of his head.

"Well, well, about time you brought this little one to see me, Cordelia." Lorne went over and kissed the brunette on the cheek. "Willow, great to see
you as well and who do we have here?" Lorne stopped in front of Aria who took a few steps back.

"Lorne the other redhead is Aria and this is Douglass." Cordelia pulled the reluctant blonde forward, Lorne peered at her for a moment slanting his head to the side. "Well congratulations are in order." Douglass looked at him confused. "Huh?"

Lorne smiled at her and patted her on the shoulder, looking over at the bar keeper he motioned him over to his side of the bar. "Get these girls a round of drinks and the blonde will have soda."

Douglass looked over at Willow and Cordelia for any insight but they looked just as perplexed. "You know you really shouldn’t be drinking." He smiled
warmly at Douglass. "I need to make my rounds, you girls find yourselves a table. The drinks are on me."

"Okay, what was that all about?" Douglass asked the other girls when the strange demon left.

Willow and Cordelia shared a look and sat down at a nearby table, their earlier enthused faces were gone and both looked thoughtful. Aria was too
caught up in the different types of demons that surrounded them to not ice the change from the festive mood they’d all been in.

"Does he always act like that and why can’t I drink?" Douglass gave up on her friends answering her and sat back to listen to the next singer.

"We’ve been to five bloody clubs so far! Where could those chits be?" Spike growled.

"Where do you all usually go to?" Lindsey looked around the club they were currently looking for the girls in.

"We don’t usually go anywhere, usually we’re too busy chasing down demons and saving lives to go out." Angel responded.

"Yeah, we’re all work and no play, no wonder the girls escaped the first chance they got." Spike pulled out a cigarette and lit it.

Angel looked around one last time and scowled. It wasn’t like Willow to just take off without letting him know where she was. LA was a large city, one where a lot of bad things happened to beautiful young women, there was one more bar to search and heading for the door the three men made their way to Caritas.

"I think we should sing." Willow gushed trying to lighten the awkward feeling that settled around the table, she could tell that Cordelia and Aria were
thinking the same thing but Douglass was clueless. Cordelia nodded and flipped through the song book.

"No." Douglass sipped on her soda. She had tried to get the bartender to add something a little stronger but he refused saying that Loren said no.

"Come on Douglass, it’ll be fun." Cordelia smiled at her.

"Cordy, those smiles only work on the guys so save it."

"I’m with Douglass on this. No singing, now if you two want to, by all means go sing your hearts out. We’ll be here for moral support." Aria looked over to the entrance and chocked on her drink. "Oh boy. Two very pissed vampires coming this way and is that..." Aria’s mouth hung open for a second. "Lindsey’s with them." The three girls swung around to stare toward the entrance in shock. Angel and Spike looked fit to be tied as Lindsey followed looking a little uncomfortable.

Douglass felt her stomach clench when she saw Lindsey, he was dressed in his usual dress pants, shirt and tie but his collar and tie had been loosened and disheveled  hair made him look sexy as hell. The anger and embarrassment from their last encounter had lessened over the last month, at times she missed the jackass and she had no idea why. It wasn’t like he was all that nice to her but there were times when they forgot what side of the line they stood and would start having real conversations. Though after a few moments they’d remember who they were talking to and clam up again.

Douglass had analyzed that last night over and over in her mind, he had been sweet and understanding in certain parts though she had been able to
aggravate him some. It wasn’t the sarcastically bitter attitude he usually gave back, when he got upset he’d leave the room or would let the matter drop. Not his usual flare of going for the jugular with his words.

Willow on the other hand registered Angel’s foul mood from twenty feet across the room though he did look utterly sexy. It wasn’t just the clothes but the aura he gave off in his moodiness that gave her goose bumps, she’d never tell him this, he’d think she was deranged.

The other redhead watched as Spike made his way across the barroom, she marveled in his cat like grace, the confidence he seemed to ooze made other bar patrons move out of his way. He didn’t break his stride as he made his way to her. They had been sharing his living quarters now for a month and he still hadn’t done more than kiss her very brotherly on the forehead or cheek before settling on the couch, she was getting sexually frustrated being around him. Weren’t vampires creatures of passion? So why hadn't Spike thrown some of that passion her way?

Cordelia wrinkled her brow, wondering what the sitch was that had the vampires wandering LA with Lawyer boy at their side. Taking a look over at
Douglass she knew that the good looking man’s presence was leaving the blonde witch bewildered.

"Angel, my golden warrior, what brings you here? Going to dazzle us with another stellar performance?" Lorne waved his drink in the air with a
polished ease. "Or did a light bulb go off in that broody mind, telling you that you shouldn’t let such beauties off on their own." Leaning closer to the
vampire, Lorne whispered. "Not that I mind having them here, but that little redhead of yours is drawing the attention of every vampire in here." Lorne smiled as his words hit their mark.

"Spike, no need to remind you no fighting and might I say that Aria is just stunning. You really can’t find a woman like that around anymore." Winking at the growling vampire, Lorne finally looked at Lindsey.

"Congratulations to you. I bet you’re thrilled." Lorne shook the confused man’s hand. "Give this young man a drink on the house." He yelled over to the bartender.

"Congrats for what?" He questioned.

Loren’s eyebrows shot up and it was his turn to look a little confused, after a second of thought the green demon threw back his head and laughed. "Humans. I see that you’ve spotted your girls. I’ll be back  around."

The three males took only a moment to try and figure out the strange hosts greeting before closing the gap between them and the girls they pulled chairs up to the table.

"Girls?" Angel looked at them expectantly.

The three females looked back with questioning expressions, Angel sighed and leaned forward. "Thanks for the note." He added dryly. Cordelia was the first to snap out of her stupor.

"Why is he here?" Motioning to Lindsey who was surprised to see Aria sitting at the table with Douglass, Willow and Cordelia. Her father had been
searching for his missing daughter for a month now.

"Well ducks, if you were at home where you were supposed to be, you’d know." Spike sat back and lit a cigarette. Though he meant the words for all the girls he looked at Aria when he spoke, the little redhead looked away from his gaze.

Lindsey stared at Douglass wishing for a moment alone so he could talk to her. What he would say to her he didn’t have a clue but anything was better than sitting here with her not even acknowledging him.

"I think I speak for us all when I say we are big girls and can take care of our selves. I mean Douglass can almost take you out Angel...if you didn’t
have those super vampire powers...and didn’t out weigh her by a ton...but you know what I mean. Willow could cast a spell..." Angel glared at her darkly as Cordelia shrugged.

"We have some news that we really can’t speak about here." Angel stood expecting the others to follow his lead. Spike and Lindsey got out of their chairs but the girls sat and rolled their eyes at the men. Lindsey looked to Angel to see what the vampire was going to do. One of the reasons Lindsey had always disliked Angel was the control the vampire always had during their encounters, no matter the circumstances Angel was able to manipulate and conquer anything thrown at him but here he was now with four very unimpressed females looking at him as though he had just lost his mind.

Angel sighed, "*Please*... please can we leave so we all can talk." The girls nodded and got off their chairs.

Douglass made sure that she stood far from Lindsey, not sure of the emotions that were making her dizzy. Douglass watched as Spike put his arm around Aria’s shoulder and led her out of the club whispering in her ear, Aria looked at him and smiled. Douglass looked over at Willow and Angel, the dark vampire couldn’t last five seconds without touching Willow in someway though Angel’s mood seemed a little pensive at the moment.

"You kids leaving so soon?" Lorne asked before they reached the exit.

"Yes Lorne, something has come up." Willow smiled warmly at Caritas host, she had met him a while back and had found that she really liked the
guy...demon...whatever.

"Well, until next time." The small group filed out of the bar.
 

Chapter Thirty-three

The car ride to the old bank was deafening, there were too many people crammed into Angel’s black car. Angel was driving with Willow and Cordelia in front, Aria was sitting on Spike’s lap in the back and Douglass was wedged between the blond vampire and Lindsey in the backseat. With not enough room for personal space Douglass and Lindsey’s bodies were touching one another’s.

The blonde witch forced herself to concentrate on something other than Lindsey’s body pressed so close next to hers. She’d gotten over her anger at the lawyer weeks ago but now visions of their love making occupied her mind, he may be a mean son of a bitch but he sure made up for it in the sex department, looking at his hands resting on his legs she remembered how easily he had made her cum, with or without the drug, he was gifted in knowing just the right spots to touch and how to touch them. Shifting a little at the wetness that pooled between her legs she heard Spike snort, glaring over at him she shifted a little, it really sucked at times having vampires around that could sniff out your sexual frustrations.

Aria tried to get comfortable on Spike’s lap but since there wasn’t enough leg room  every time she’d move Spike would growl and tell her to stop
fidgeting. If she had seen the torturous look in Spike’s eyes she might have realized that the effect of her being on his lap was slowly killing him.
Spike on the other hand was thinking that if Peaches didn’t get there and soon Aria was going to have a much lumpier lap to sit on.

When Angel pulled into the small parking lot next to the building there was a collective sigh, the girls were curious as to what was going on but when they entered the lobby they weren’t prepared to see Lilah bond and gagged.

"Nice." Muttered Douglass as she sat down and pulled off her boots.

"Angel, what is going on?" Willow sat at her desk looking to Angel for
answers, she bit her lip hoping that he wasn’t upset that she had gone out that night. ‘Why would he be upset?’ She chided herself. ‘He’s had months to show me if he’s interested, It’s enough to drive a nun over the edge.’

Angel walked over to an object laying on a desk near by and picked it up, walking back over to the group he stopped in front of Douglass. "I think that this belongs to you."

Douglass just sat and stared at the book for a moment not quite comprehending what was happening then slowly her hand reached out and took the book. "How did you get it?"

Angel looked at Lindsey "I think it’s Lindsey’s story to tell."

Lindsey cleared his throat and tried to put into words how he had had an unknowing part of her torture and her roommates murder months ago, retelling how he had found Lilah with the book just hours ago and what information she had spilled to Angel. He tried to force himself to look her in the eye as he spilled his secrets to her, she deserved at least that much. Her expression was void of any of the emotion and it made Lindsey even more nervous.

Douglass sat there and listened, it was odd, as Lindsey explained what was going on she felt like he was talking about someone else, some faceless
stranger. That none of what he was saying had anything at all to do with her, she felt guilty that she didn’t feel mad or betrayed, Tori deserved at least that but she just listened, trying to make herself feel something, looking over to Willow and Cordelia, Douglass could read the resentment they felt for the lawyer. ‘That’s how I should feel. Heck, I should feel something but I just can’t. Sure he did a heinous thing and got Tori killed and me really hurt but what about Willow and I? We did that stupid ass spell on Angel and when I almost died he went and locked a room of humans up because of me .’

"So, you girls see why it’s imperative that you’re with us at all times?" Wesley concluded, Douglass ignored the groans from the other females and
looked through her recently recovered book. Her breath caught as she stopped on that page, the one  she had, almost a year ago, recorded Angel’s spell. They could finally anchor his soul.

"The spell." Douglass tried to get the others attention but her words only came out in a whisper, Lindsey heard her, he had been waiting for some kind of response from the blonde. Clearing her throat a little she tried again. "The spell." Everyone heard her that time and stopped arguing over what ever topic seemed so important at the time. "It’s here." She stood up and placed the book on the desk waiting for the others to gather around. "Angel’s spell." Douglass looked over to Willow and smiled triumphantly, the redhead stood still for a moment her eyes large as saucers but after only a second she bounded over to the book and read the spell. With shaking hands Willow picked the book up and devoured the words on the page.

"I can do this but it needs another person." Angel took the book from Willow and read over the spell, at first he just stood there staring at the book
unaware of the different looks being cast his way. Blinking, he came out of the stupor he was in and looked toward Willow, finally she could be his, he could chase after her and be able to provide the kind of love she would expect from a relationship. In his mind she was already his, it just hadn’t
been put into words, now he could show her just how much she meant to him.

"Maybe I can be the second." Wesley offered stepping up to Angel and prying the book from the vampire, Wesley read the spell and looked at the others in disappointment. "It’s a little out of my league."

"Damn! Figures that something goes our way and it only leads to a dead end." Gunn stopped and looked at Angel. "No offence."

"None taken." Angel shrugged, his mind was racing for a person that would have the ability to help Willow.

"Maybe Giles..." Willow looked at Angel unable to finish the sentence, Angel thought a moment looking over at Douglass before making a decision. "Call and see if he can come to LA. As soon as we can get this done the better." Angel walked over to Lilah who was still tied up. "What should we do with her?"

"Cement blocks and a deep river?" Douglass muttered glaring at the female, Angel raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"If we let the crazy bitch go she’s going to run to Darla." Gunn went over to stand by Angel ignoring the pleading looks Lilah was casting his way, shaking her head in denial that she’d do what he said.

"So, letting her go is out of the question." Wesley said. "Perhaps we just contain her until this is over."

"Yeah, it only took Angel some hundred odd years to dust her the first time. God only knows how long it’ll take this time." Gunn muttered and walked away.

Douglass could feel Lindsey’s eyes on her and she fought the urge to look back, she was still confused why she wasn’t feeling the wrath of a banshee after hearing of the part Lindsey McDonald had played in her nightmare this last year plus the sexual needs that rose inside her every time she looked in his direction were driving her crazy. Need to do something, anything to get my mind off all this, Douglass bit on her finger nails and listened as Willow finished her phone call with Giles.

"He’s coming." Willow's previous happiness was replaced by worry.

Angel nodded stiffly and went to sit next to her. "When’s he leaving?"

"They’re leaving as soon as they get a bag packed."

"They?"

"He’s bringing Buffy and Dawn, Glory is coming close to finding out about Dawn and Giles doesn’t want to leave them alone but he feels that your soul being anchored is also a top importance." Willow wouldn’t look him in the eye remembering the gleeful cry she heard over the phone when Giles related to Buffy about the spell, Willow felt that any chance she had had with Angel had gone up in smoke. Buffy would be here to claim what was hers and Willow would once again be left on the sidelines.

Angel sat staring at the wall not really interpreting the redheads mood because he was so caught up in his own thoughts. He visualized the how he was going to claim Willow for his own, he could be romantic, take his time. Court her like she should be courted or throw her over his shoulder and run for the nearest bed, smiling at the last thought he knew he didn’t have the patience for the first.

Willow stole a glance at Angel and saw the sexy smile slide across his face. ‘He’s happy that Buffy is coming.’ Willow controlled the urge to cry, she
needed to stop being so self absorbed, this was Angel’s moment and all she should care about is  his happiness.

"I can’t sit here all night waiting for Giles. I’ll go insane." Cordelia muttered crossing the room to where Lilah was tied up. "Are those Armani flats? Oh my God they are!"

"Cordelia, leave the hostage alone, pet." Spike wondered if given the chance would  the cheerleader swipe the shoes off the bitch’s feet.

"Cordelia’s right, we can’t just sit here and do nothing." Angel stood, "We can try and get some information on this Max guy, see what we’re up against." To his surprise no one complained but went to their usual stations.

Willow and Douglass took seats in front of their computers eyes glued to the screens as their fingers flew over the keys. Aria usually helped both of them while learning the not so innocent act of hacking into data bases. Wesley and Gunn calling different contacts that they had and Spike sat to the side doing nothing but throwing a usual insult here or there.

Lindsey was at a loss as to what to do, everyone had a job but him. "Lindsey, help me get some weapons from upstairs." Angel headed to the stairwell Lindsey following close behind, Douglass let out the pent up breath that had been trapped in her lungs.
 

Chapter Thirty-four

Lindsey walked into the training room and couldn’t block out the night that Douglass had been unconscious because of the unbinding spell. He waited as Angel turned on the lights and was shocked to find himself slammed onto the floor.

"So Lindsey, tell me your plans." Angel loomed over him in full game face. "See, I have this real trust issue with you right now and I want to know
what’s going on in that head of yours."

"I....can’t... breathe." Lindsey clawed at Angel’s hand that was at his throat, Angel lessened his grip but not by much. "I want to make it up to
Douglass."

"So, it’s guilt you feel. I can understand your guilt, I mean just thinking about those ugly scars that girl will have on her throat and wrists for the
rest of her life would make me feel guilty too." Lindsey was going to ask what scars until he remembered the slight pinkish marks, he had almost
forgotten they were even there. "Or her best friend's murder, yep that’s something to feel pretty torn up about." Angel looked thoughtful for a
moment. "So that’s all this is. A way to shake the guilt that’s hounding you? We don’t need your help then." Angel got up and went to the small room to his left to get weapons out.

"Like I said before, I’m not asking to help." Lindsey felt anger toward the vampire rising from the pit of his stomach, there was no way he was going to allow Angel to stop him for making this up to Douglass. It was his responsibility to protect her... Lindsey’s  eyes bulged, no it wasn’t she
wasn’t his responsibility but he wanted it to be. He loved Douglass, what a fool he had been.

"I love her." Lindsey whispered.

Angel nodded. "I know, now let’s try this one more time. What’s your plans Lindsey? You can’t have her and be Wolfram and Hart's evil monkey boy at the same time."

"She’ll never have me."

"That’s not the point. You can’t continue working for them if you ever want a chance with her, to have a chance at a better life for yourself. I only see it as a win win situation." Angel looked at the young man and hated to admit but they were alike in a lot of instances, the last time they had helped Lindsey was with the blind children but then the lawyer just wasn’t ready to give up the good life he could pursue with the income Wolfram and Hart supplied. Angel would never admit it but he felt guilty that he hadn’t been able to save Lindsey, to pull him from Wolfram and Hart's clutches. Sure the guy wreaked havoc in his and his friends lives for months but Angel saw it as a sign of a pampered brat, angry that he couldn’t have his way and if there was a chance to save Lindsey’s soul he’d be damned if he gave up that opportunity.

"I can’t just walk away from Wolfram and Hart. They’ll kill me."

"They’d kill you given the chance working for them Lindsey."

"They’ll disbar me." Lindsey choked, all his life he had always wanted to be a lawyer. When he was younger he had loftier goals, to help out the less
fortunate but after finding out what he could earn working for a large firm greed had led him by the hand.

"I can only see that as in making the world a better place to live." Angel handed Lindsey a couple of stakes and an axe.

"Hey, I was good at my job..."Lindsey stopped at the icy glare Angel had aimed at him. "I’ve never been good at anything before." Lindsey added weakly.

"Its your decision Lindsey and I suggest that you make it quickly." Angel left the man standing alone in the weapons room with his thoughts.

Douglass looked up from her computer screen at the others who were working, her glance strayed to Spike who was oddly engrossed in a book on ritual eating habits of the South American Sportelans. What was Spike doing reading that book and more then that why was Spike reading? He never read before or even offered to help when research was needed, slowly she stood from her chair and walked behind him.

Spike was hiding a book inside the one she thought he had been reading, he was so engrossed in the words on the page he was clueless that she was behind him, reading over his shoulder. Douglass swallowed down the rising laugh when she read the first few words, quickly her hand reached over his shoulder and grabbed the book dashing away.

Spike jumped when he saw a flash of a hand reach over his shoulder and snatch his book, with an angry snarl he jumped from his chair looking for the guilty culprit. "Brat, give me back that book or I’ll throw you over my knee and spank the imp out of you." Douglass ran in the direction of the stairs only to run into a weapon laden Angel, almost making him drop everything he carried. Spike had almost caught up with her only to have her duck behind his Grand sire.

"Give me back the bloody book." Spike tried to reach around Angel annoyed at the blonde's giggles at his defeat.

"One kiss between us will set the skies on fire." Douglass read from the book aloud using the most dramatic voice she had. Spike growled again and dogged around Angel only to have the imp run the opposite direction.

Lindsey walked into the lobby to find Spike chasing a laughing Douglass across the room. She leapt onto a desk just when Spike closed the gap, the
blonde vampire tripped and almost fel and by the time he regained his footing she was already two desks away using the office furniture like stepping stones.

Gunn went to look at the book the blonde had pilfered from Spike and snickered. "This is madness & I'll surrender willingly to it." Gunn read the words to Douglass who couldn’t contain her laughter. "Isn't it a shame to lock away all the passion you have inside? All the passion we can share between us?" She read the next line, the two looked like horrid actors in some soon to be canceled soap opera. Spike made a grab for the book only to have the cheerleader get it first, reading a few pages she raised a brow at him and giggled. "Aw, Spike I had no idea. You read smut books." Spike knew
he looked like the bloody idiot in a game of keep away and he might as well give up.

Cordelia cleared her throat and read. "Jennifer watched Dennis cross the room to her." Slowly she walked in Gunn’s direction playing up the words on the page as everyone watched in amusement. "she knew it was wrong to be alone with him but lord, how she wanted this man!" Now in front of Gunn she swung her hair a little dramatically. "He pulled her to him quickly covering her mouth with his," Cordelia stopped and waited for Gunn to take his cue, the young dark man smiled and played along grabbing at Cordelia and giving her a huge sloppy kiss. "she felt her bones go to liquid & she almost sagged against him."

"Yeah, more like gagged." Spike muttered.

Cordelia gave him a cutting glare and continued. "He tore his lips from hers to whisper..." She pointed to the words for Gunn to say. "Jenn, if you don't want this, tell me now" Everyone burst into laughter at his faltered lines.

"I want you so bad, Den, please...now" Cordelia rubbed her hand on Gunn’s bald head bringing on more laughter. "She heard a low groan come from him." Gunn let out the fakest most ridiculous moan. "as he trailed kisses along her collarbone," Cordelia stopped and gave Gunn a warning glance that said  try it and die so Gunn blew kisses at her. "suddenly she was picked up and placed on the bookcase. She tore his shirt open with impatient hands & wrapped her legs around him, moments later the only sounds coming from the library were moans & books being knocked off of shelves... Pfft, like that ever happens. I mean how uncomfortable is *that*?"

"It’s not bad." Douglass and Lindsey answered absently, a look of horror masked their faces when they realized they had said it out loud and in front
of one another.

"I’m not even going there." Gunn shuddered. Spike took the book from Cordelia and stalked off to the vault in the back of the lobby. "I mean who buys that stuff?"

Wesley cleared his throat. "I do. That’s my book." Everyone tried to hold back their laughter but couldn’t.

Lindsey wiped the tears from his eyes as a conversation he had with Angel months ago came back to him. "Hey, I don't want to be here anymore than you want to see me.  But I don't have a choice." "You always have a choice.  I mean, you sold your soul for a fifth-floor office and a company car." He had a choice, and this time it was a no brainer.
 

Chapter Thirty-five

Aria followed Spike to the vault, she had tried not to laugh at her friend's antics and she hoped that he wasn’t angry but really, what was the Big Bad doing with a romance novel? When she entered the vault, Spike was pacing back and forth mumbling to himself but he stopped when he saw her and glared in her direction.

"What, didn’t get enough chuckles out there that you needed to follow me in here to laugh some more?" Spike turned his back toward her.

"No, I wasn’t laughing at you" Spike snorted but she continued on "I was laughing at our friends, they’re a bunch of hams. Come on, if the roles where reversed and it had been Gunn or Angel reading the book you would have peed your pants laughing." Spike shrugged his shoulders.

"None of us ever thought you to be interested in...romance novels."

"I’m not. This is all your fault you know, if it weren’t for you I wouldn’t have been caught with that poofy book." Spike ran a hand threw his short hair and started to pace again.

"My fault? I didn’t force feed  some sappy romance book down your throat." Aria couldn’t believe he was trying to put the blame on her.

"I’ve been acting like a fool around you, trying to court you, be all sweet and nice. Well I’m done! This vamp is not going to turn out to be all broody
like peaches out there..."

"Court me?" Aria laughed. "Is that what you call kissing me on the forehead before you wander off to the couch every night? Wow and here I thought you looked at me like a little sister." Relief flooded through her as her fear that Spike would never return her feelings vacated her body.

"Little sister? That’s a laugh, I can barely contain myself around you. It takes all my effort not to throw you down on the ground and claim you." Aria visualized Spike doing just that and licked her lips as she thought now that would be nice, Spike watched in fascination as the redhead's small pink tongue ran across her lips, it was almost his undoing.

"So why the romance books?" Aria asked.

Spike shrugged and took a few steps closer. "Thought all the chits liked that drivel. It works for Peaches, thought I‘d get some pointers from Wussy’s book."

"*Peaches* means the stuff he’s saying but that’s not you. I see you as the vampire that takes what he wants." ‘Like me, now.’ Aria thought, enjoying the desire flashing in the blue eyes a few feet away from her.

"Interesting  thought." Spike was on her in seconds, grabbing her to him as he shoved up against...a bookcase that held some of the more precious books. He seized her lips, his tongue demanding entrance. Aria gave him entrance and sighed when their tongues met, after a few minutes of  thoroughly kissing her, Spike pulled away with a cocky smirk on his face. "Now that’s what I call taking what I want." Aria pressed her body closer to Spike and brought her hand behind his head to guide his mouth to hers.

Spike lifted her up bringing her legs around his waist as his lips left her mouth to nuzzled the pulse point on her neck as he ground his groin into
hers. Aria moaned and arched herself into his body, she had been waiting from him to do this to her for weeks now. Spike’s hands wandered to her breasts and was about to move  the cloth from her shirt aside when the door to the vault swung open.

"AAHHH...My eyes! My retinas are burning." Gunn backed out of the vault with a hand over his eyes.

"Bloody wanker." Spike grumbled setting Aria on the ground, only to hear her whimper. "Don’t worry kitten, I don’t plan on sleeping on the couch
tonight." He threw over his shoulder as he walked out of the vault.

"That’s good because I don’t plan on sleeping." Aria grumbled and followed the blond vampire.

Almost two hours later, Giles, Buffy and a extremely tired Dawn walked into the building. What should have been a joyous get together was tense and apprehensive. Willow hugged her friend to her but the months of separation had changed the two girls, that and a handsome dark haired vampire. Introductions were made and when Giles took a look at Douglass his mouth hung open. "Dear God, you look just like Nessa."

Douglass fidgeted under his inspection, she had been told that Giles had once known her Mother but she still found it impossible. Seeing that her Mother had never been to England but the way the older man was staring, she felt that she was the one that must have been mistaken. "It’s nice to meet you." Douglass offered her hand and it took Giles a moment to accept.

"You look like an exact copy of your Mother."

"I’ve been told, all but the eyes. She said I had my father’s eyes." Giles took a closer look and gazed into eyes the exact color of his, after a moment he reprimanded himself for such fanciful thoughts. Their eye coloring was common.

"Yes well, your Father is a very lucky man." Giles forced a smile though the thought of any man with his Nessa hurt to even think about.

"Don’t know, never met him." Douglass shrugged. "Though with a name like his I’m not too sure that was a bad thing."

Angel cleared his throat and tried to get the their attention, the truth was too dangerously close and now wasn’t the time. Soon, after the immediate danger was past but the two hadn’t even heard him.

"I mean,what kind of name is Ripper anyway?" Douglass said as she watched, the man in front of her paled and the room went deathly quiet. Angel knew it was time for some damage control.

"Douglass, why don’t you, Lindsey and Aria take Lilah upstairs?" Angel walked over and guided Douglass away from the speechless Giles to the tied up Lilah. "Lindsey give her a hand please." Angel eyes told the lawyer not to question, just do, not that he would complain about a chance to have Douglass to himself for a little while, even if Aria came along. Lindsey grabbed Lilah by her upper arm and dragged her over to the stairwell, Douglass and Aria followed knowing that something big just had happened and they were being left out. "Was it something I said?" Douglass whispered to Aria.

Giles watched as his...daughter left the room and turned to Angel with an accusing glare. "You knew didn’t you?"

Angel looked away. "Yes. Tonight when Lindsey brought the book to us and I read the first page, I knew."

"Does she know?"

"No. I... with everything that is happening I had no clue how to tell her."

Gunn looked back and forth between the vampire and the watcher. "Care to share with the masses?"

Angel looked at Giles silently asking permission, Giles sighed and nodded. "In Giles’s early days he was known as Ripper."

"You mean Ripper as in Doug’s Pops Ripper?" Gunn looked at the Sunnydale gang and realized that he was pretty much the only one in the dark about the significance of the nickname.

Buffy walked over to Angel and put her hand on his shoulder, Willow tensed and turned away. "Angel, you need to tell her. Someone needs to tell her."

"I...we" Angel looked around for Willow who was standing outside the group. "We’ll tell her but now is not the right time."

"When is the right time?" Buffy watched as Giles fought for control over his emotions.

Angel shrugged Buffy’s hand off. "Buffy, you don’t get it. That girl has gone through hell these last couple of months, Lindsey’s here...not helping
matter at all plus we are too close to getting the guy who’s responsible for what happened."

"But think about Giles. The woman he loved had their child and never told him. How’d you like it if twenty some odd years down the line you found out that I had our child and didn’t tell you?" Willow choked down the urge to revisit dinner, how foolish for her to ever think that she and Angel had a chance at anything other than a deep friendship. Buffy would always be there.

"I’m going to check on them upstairs." Willow started to dash to the stairs only to have Angel stop her, he held onto her shoulder, not looking at her
but at Buffy instead. "First, I wont linger too long on the fact that I’m a vampire and the odds on that happening aren’t good but the fact remains that Douglass deserves to be told about this later. When she has a chance to breathe." Buffy looked ready to argue.

"He’s right Buffy." Giles agreed with Angel.

Looking down at Willow, Angel asked. "Spike can go upstairs and check on them. You’re staying down here with me." Angel hoped he got his message across, Spike got up from the chair he was observing from and headed to the stairs. "Spike, take Dawn with you." Angel added softly as he watched the young girl struggle to stay awake. "She looks like she could use a nap." Dawn smiled at the vampire and hugged him again though it was hard seeing how Angel refused to let go of his hold on Willow’s shoulder.

"Let’s get this spell over with." Angel turned back to the book bringing Willow with him. Giles nodded absently and looked over the spell.

Buffy slouched down in a chair and pouted, this wasn’t how it was supposed to happen. She and Angel were supposed to be smiling happily at one another, stealing touches that promised to turn into more when the spell was complete. She even broke up with Riley that night, trying to explain that he should be happy for her and Angel. Now she was here and Angel had yelled at her and wouldn’t even let her within two feet of him. Why wouldn’t he let Willow out of his sight?

Cordelia and Gunn watched the pouting slayer and looked at one another in understanding. Things were going to get ugly if blondie wasn’t kept busy. "Buffy, we were going to go out and...get some treats. Want to come?"

"Cordelia, we just got done saying that we need to keep you girls safe and traipsing off in the middle of the night in LA is not my idea of keeping you
safe." Wesley scolded.

"I’ll be safe. I have Gunn to protect me not to mention super slayer powers." Cordelia threw back as she got her purse ready.

"I don’t know, maybe I’ll be needed here with the spell." Buffy looked at Angel longingly.

"No...why don’t you go with them. It’s going to take a awhile to get everything ready." Angel had to fight the urge to start pushing her toward
the door, he would always care for Buffy but Willow’s feelings were his first priority now and watching the redhead become the wallflower again in Buffy’s presence was not something he was willing to let happen.

"But.."

"Buffy really, go get some fresh air." Giles waved his hand to the door as he reread the spell. Buffy’s face fell again this time because Giles dismissed
her as though she were some annoying little girl. Spinning around she marched out the door in front of Cordelia and Gunn.
 

Chapter Thirty-six

"So where should we put her?" Aria asked Douglass who was watching Lindsey's ass. "Earth to Douglass..." Douglass blushed and smiled over at Aria. "Lilah, where are we going to put her?"

"I don't know. The basement?"

"No, Spike and I live in the basement, the fourth floor?"

"No, I live on the fourth floor....but Dennis is there and could keep an eye on her as well, not like she's going anywhere." Lindsey led the way, dumping Lilah on the couch, Douglass then flopped down in one of the side chairs and yawned.

"You're not still tired are you?" Aria asked as she went to the kitchen to grab something to drink bringing back three sodas, one for Douglass, one for Lindsey and and one for herself.

"Long night." Douglass answered honestly.

"Hmmm." Aria said sitting down, Douglass looked over at the redhead. "Hmm...what?"

Aria looked nervously over at Lindsey then back to Douglass. "Nothing...Hmm, nothing."

"Aria, if there's something on your mind spit it out."

"Well you know how the host was acting all weird tonight with you?"

"Yeah, what was that anyways?" Lindsey tried to pretend that he was engrossed in the pictures hanging on the walls and not the two women.

"Well..." Aria dropped her voice a little and scooted forward. "Umm..." Licking her lips out of nervousness. "When was the last time your-"

"How's everything going?" Spike strolled into the room, Dawn at his heels. "Where are we going to keep our little captive?" Aria almost growled in
frustration when Spike interrupted.

"We thought here, you know, Dennis the friendly neighborhood ghost can help." Douglass got up from her chair and took Dawn's bag from her. "You look tired, come on you can bunk in my room." She led Dawn to her room as she felt the weight of Lindsey's stare from across the room.

"So Pet, what do you say we go and finish that conversation we were having earlier?" Spike gave Aria a smoldering glance as she blushed.

"As much as I'd love that there's too much going on. What was with the scene down stairs?"

"Seems that the watcher is Doug's Father. Angel and Slutty are having a battle of wills, she wants us to tell Doug now and he wants us to wait." Aria looked worriedly at Douglass's bedroom door.

"She may have more than just that to deal with soon." Aria whispered but this time Lindsey caught her words.

"What do you mean?"

Aria looked caught and was ready to tell Lindsey it wasn't any of his business, but the concern in his eyes caught her off guard. "It's nothing
really, just so much has happened in the last few hours that words just seem to be flying out of my mouth." Aria smiled reassuringly at the two men, Spike didn't buy it but he kept silent knowing that Aria would tell him later.

"So, what kind of junk food should we get?" Gunn strolled down the chip aisle surveying the variety that was offered. "Ahh Cordy?" Gunn looked around, and for a moment his heart stopped. How would he ever explain to Angel that he lost Cordelia in a Mini Mart? He was ready to shout out her name when he saw the top of her head a few aisles over, Buffy was looking over the soda selection and seemed oblivious to anyone else.

"Damn, girl, I thought you were next to me. When I looked up and you were gone I thought I was going to have a coronary." Cordelia jumped a foot in the air and squealed hiding something behind her back.

"Gunn!"

"Cordy...what's behind your back?"

"Nothing." Looking around she started to back up. "So did you get the junk food? I think we should also get ice cream...lots of it." Taking a couple
more steps she bumped into a person behind her.

"You're pregnant?" Buffy asked as she pulled the pregnancy test from behind Cordelia's back making the brunette turn three shades of red.

Turning around she snatched the box back from the slayer. "No! Not that it's any business of yours." Turning she saw Gunn's expression. "Well okay,
maybe?" She said in a weak voice as Gunn raised an eyebrow letting her know that he wasn't buying it. Gunn checked off the possibilities. Cordelia? No because he'd break the legs of any jerk that could possibly get *that* close to her. Willow? Not a chance, Angel would tear the legs...Aria? Not unless Spike was shooting swimmers. Douglass...no. She hasn't been with...SHIT! Gunn's eyes popped open and Cordelia grimaced when he figured it out.

"Damn." Was all he could say as he turned around and walked to the ice cream freezer, Cordelia sure wasn't lying when she said that they'd need it.

"Okay, I think that we have everything we need, now just a place to do this." Willow checked off the items in the list with Angel hovering above her
nervously.

"This isn't dangerous is it?" He questioned Giles for the hundredth time. "Because I really don't want to put Willow in any danger..."Giles gave him a
sour look." Or you for that matter." He added quickly.

"Like I said the first few times, no, this isn't dangerous." Giles answered.

"Angel I can do this, really." Willow said softly, feeling warm inside at his worry.

"I know, I'm just worried that's all." They gathered the supplies as Gunn, Cordelia and Buffy returned with bags of junk food. Wesley looked over at the bags counting in his head all the calories and fat that was going to be consumed.

"Did you leave anything in the store?" Wesley asked as he walked over and looked in the bags. "How much ice cream do we need?"

"Lots." Gunn mumbled as he walked past Wesley and to the stairs.
 

Chapter Thirty-seven

Douglass felt like she was on display in some freak show. If it wasn't Lindsey staring at her intently it was one of the others, she saw them
whispering and every time she'd get near they'd stop. They were casting pitiful glances her way and waiting for her to go somewhere else to start
talking again, only Buffy wasn't paying any attention to her, at least she could give the girl that much.

What she had seen of the slayer hadn't impressed her. Buffy whined and pouted more than any other person Douglass had ever met, she complained that she wasn't allowed to watch the soul anchoring ceremony, pitched a fit would have more accurately described it. Then she proceeded to sit and mope on the couch next to the bound and gagged Lilah who was holding up pretty well considering that Cordelia had almost swiped her shoes and that her stomach growled with hunger.

Spike came over and sat down next to Douglass holding a mug of warm blood in one hand and putting his free arm around the blonde witch's shoulder. He was going to see why she was being so damn quiet when she wrinkled her nose. "Spike, is that blood bad or something?"

Spike sniffed the blood and shock his head no. "Nothing wrong with it, pet. Angel just picked up a new supply today." Douglass's face paled as she put a hand over her mouth and ran to the bathroom, when the door slammed behind her Cordelia exclaimed to Gunn and Aria. "See! First she's tired all the time and now she's blowing chunks. I'm telling you she's knocked up, Lorne wouldn't let her drink alcohol saying that it wasn't good for her." Gunn hushed her by placing his hand over her mouth.

"Okay, let's say that you're right and she is pregnant, that'd mean that lawyer boy over there is the father." Gunn whispered.

"Okay ducks, what's wrong with Douglass? She's never squeamish around my meals." Spike walked over to the group demanding answers.

"She's pregnant." Cordelia whispered back.

"SHE'S WHAT?" Spike roared. Aria slapped a hand over his mouth.

"Little louder man, I don't think they heard you in China." Gunn hissed.

"We're not sure if she is. I don't even think she has any clue." Aria talked in a soothing tone hoping that Spike would gain enough sense to quiet down.

Lindsey was growing frustrated, he knew something was wrong and it concerned Douglass. He had seen her running to the bathroom at breakneck speed, that and her friends were talking behind her back in concerned tones about her.

"So who are you again?" Lindsey looked over at Buffy, shocked to have someone speaking to him.

"Lindsey...McDonald." He watched her eyes for any recognition and when he saw none he knew she had never been told about him.

"So what do you do?" The blonde asked, seeing the uncomfortable look in his eyes she went on further. "Fighter, magic, watcher, werewolf, demon? You know the basics."

"None of the above." Shifting under her gaze he was sorry that she started talking to him.

"Oh you're dating one of the girls huh? Let me guess... Willow."

"No, isn't she seeing-"

"No one. Willow is seeing no one, right sweetheart?" Douglass was standing behind him squeezing his shoulder to shut up, that he was about to go down a path he did not want to travel. "Actually it's me that he's stuck with." Smiling falsely at the slayer Douglass grabbed Lindsey's hand and started to pull him up from the chair. "And if you'll excuse us I need to steal him away for a moment." Practically dragging Lindsey to the stairs she forgot to let go of his hand as she led him down to the second floor.

Lindsey remained silent enjoying the feel of her tiny hand in his, he allowed her to pull him into the practice room and waited silently for her to speak. "Buffy is Angel's ex-"

"I know."

"She can't know about Angel and Willow because as it stands there is no real Angel and Willow to talk about...yet. Once those two open their eyes and see what's in front of them then there will be an official Angel and Willow. Slayer bitch will ruin all that, so please will you keep your mouth shut?"

"Yes."

"Thank you." Douglass went to turn around but Lindsey stopped her from leaving.

"I'm sorry." He whispered. "I had no idea that Max was going to go to that extreme to get the book."

Douglass didn't know what to say, looking into his eyes she could see the truth. That he was sorry and that was all fine and well, but what about the last time they were together? Hadn't he made it crystal clear just how he felt about her? "Thanks Lindsey I needed to hear that." Offering him a smile she again tried to leave but he stopped her again.

"About that morning..."

"Which one?" Her eyes daring him to continue.

"The money...the taxi..."

"Oh, the morning you treated me like a whore?"

Lindsey winced as her words hit him. "Yes that one. I was confused and having you wake up next to me was too much."

"Don't worry, I just seem to bring out the best in men." Douglass glared and turned from Lindsey.

"That's not it. I freaked. I work...worked for a law firm that would use and distort anything good in my life for their own gain. Why do you think I
pushed my family away?"

"Because you're a bastard?"

Lindsey sighed in frustration. "That's not something we didn't already know. Will you please just give me a chance to explain?"

"Explain what Lindsey? It's not like we were fated lovers to begin with, you could hardly stand to be around me which is another well known fact. If it hadn't been for Lilah and that stupid aphrodisiac none of that would have happened."

Lindsey looked at her in disbelief. "Do you honestly believe that? That somewhere down the line we wouldn't have gotten together?"

Douglass blushed but stood her ground. She was damned if she was going to spend another month rationalizing what had happened between herself and Lindsey. "Yes. I believe. There was no absolutely no attraction between us before that night."

"You little liar." Lindsey said softly and took a step closer to Douglass who lifted her chin in challenge. "Because I for one was having dreams of you on a nightly basis and I know I caught you several times staring at me with those hungry eyes of yours."

"Hungry eyes? Have you been reading romance novels too? Trust me Lindsey, if there was any particular look in my eyes it was disgust." Lindsey smiled slightly at her words because the look in her eyes at that moment gave her away. She wanted him still without the effects of any damn drug.

"Tell me this, if I hadn't thrown money at you and told you to get out of my life where would we be now?"

Douglass started to gnaw on her lower lip, she had thought of that several times herself, if Lindsey hadn't been such and asshole that morning what
would have happened? They'd be together right now, she would have tried to explain her attraction to the man they hated and despised to her friends and hope for the best. But that's not how things played out, they were here now after a month of pain and confusion and she was damned if she'd give in that easily.

"We probably still be pretending, pretty badly might I add, at being girlfriend and boyfriend. All things considered things? Probably worked out for the best." Taking a step back from Lindsey she was ready to retreat from the conversation and his steady stare.

"I don't buy it."

'Them are fighting words.' Douglass stalked forward a few feet until she was toe to toe with her opponent. "So Lindsey, you tell me. Where would we be right now if you hadn't been such a jackass?"

Lindsey gave her a cocky grin. "Why don't I show you?" Douglass saw the gleam in his eyes and knew he wasn't going to fight fair, so she did the one thing she had never done before, she was backing down from a fight. But Lindsey was too quick, snaking one arm around her waist he prevented her from backing away, with his other hand he touched her face so tenderly that Douglass couldn't help the slight tremble that went through her body. His thumb traced over her bottom lip and Douglass took an involuntary step closer to him, slowly he lowered he head to hers until they were inches away. He felt her take another step closer to him until her body was firmly pressed against his. "Still feel nothing?"

Douglass's mind snapped back and she tried to step away but Lindsey pressed his lips to hers before she could escape. She fought for just a moment until she melted against his body in defeat. A smile tugged on Lindsey's lips, whether she knew it or not she was going to be his.
 

Chapter Thirty-eight

"Okay, what was that about?" Cordelia asked as Douglass pulled Lindsey from the room.

"I dont know. Buffy was asking him something then Douglass interrupted." Aria walked over to the slayer who was sitting alone again.

"Where did Lindsey and Douglass go?"

"I dont know, guess somewhere to smooch." Buffy shrugged.

"S-smooch?" Aria looked at her in disbelief.

"You know, what boyfriend and girlfriends do." Buffy looked at the redhead oddly. "They are boyfriend and girlfriend right? Well, thats what she said
anyway. I assumed he was with Willow."

"Willow? Oh no shes not with Lindsey. Nope, you're right. Douglass and Lindsey are together. Yep." Aria turned to the group that was watching
closely. "Buffy was telling me that Douglass and Lindsey went to...smooch. You know, what boyfriend and girlfriends do? She thought that he and *Willow* were dating."

"Willow? Lindsey? Nope not them." Cordelia shook her head.

"Smooches?...Not bloody-humph...yep you know those two love birds." Spike glared at Gunn who had nudged him in the ribs.

"Okay." Buffy looked around wondering at their odd behavior.

"They've been fighting you see so its a surprise to hear that they went to...smooch." Aria covered shooting a glare at her friends.

"It sounded like Lindsey was going to say that Willow was seeing someone." Buffy felt a little left out having to ask who her best friend was seeing.

"Willow? Seeing someone? Not that I know of." Aria backpedaled.

Douglass moaned as she pressed herself further into Lindseys embrace. Goddess he was a good kisser. Kisser...kissing...Lindsey. "No." Douglass
untangled herself and near ran across the room from him. "Oh no you dont. Its taken me a month to get over what happened and I *will* not let you come back and just start kissing me like nothing happened."

"Douglass, I messed up, I know that. God how I know that! And Im not stupid enough to think that a few kisses will take that away but I care about you. Ive never met anyone like you. Youre smart, beautiful, spontaneous and have so much passion that it scares me sometimes." Douglass couldnt control the tears that swam in her eyes. He was saying everything she had dreamed he would say but her heart ached knowing that what she felt for him could never be fulfilled. Though her friends may have an aversion to helping him, they would. One day they may even like him, after he proved himself. But nothing romantic could happen between herself and Lindsey. It would be like spitting in her friends faces, loving the man that had tormented them for so long.

Lindsey knew he was losing and it was better to back up for now. Too much was happening and if she needed time to think and see that he was intent on changing, then fine, hed give her space. "Douglass, I wont push but when you decide that we stand a chance Im here. Ill always be here." Sadly he turned around and headed upstairs, this was what angel had meant. She may never take him back and if he wanted to change he had to do it for himself, having Douglass take him back was just an added incentive.

"Is that it?" Angel looked at Willow and Giles who had collapsed to the ground, their clothes drenched in sweat. Both eyed Angel as though he had
lost his mind. Willow groaned as every muscle in her body screamed in pain.

"What did you expect? A light show?" Giles asked sarcastically.

"No, its just everything Ive...weve gone through, that spell seemed so easy." Willow agreed with his words, for such a huge gift the spell had been
relatively easy.

Angel stood and walked around the rooftop concentrating on his inner self. He could still feel the demon inside but instead of it fighting, it sat
cowering. He no longer heard its words of torment. The beast was silent. Angel gave a half smile then whooped for joy, racing over he scooped Willow up and swung her around.

Willow squealed in delight and hung onto Angel. Giles watched smiling as the two friends celebrated but the watchers smile faded when something dawned on him. Angel and Willow were in love. Dear God, Id rather face Glory on PMS than Buffy when she finds out. Giles thought.

Placing Willow back on the ground, Angel leaned in and captured her lips, the kiss didnt last long and wasnt filled with the passion he would soon show her but with friendship and gratitude. He was the first to pull away leaving a dazed witch in his wake.

Giles cleared his throat. "Yes well." The vampire and witch jumped at his words forgetting that the older man was even there. "We should go and tell
the others, Im sure theyre anxious to hear the news."

"Did it work?" Buffy rushed to Angels side putting her arms around his waist. Willow stepped away and walked to where the rest of the group was
standing.

"Girl, you okay? You look youre going to pass out." Gunn reached out as Willow started to sway.

Smiling gently Willow nodded her head. She purposely kept her back to Angel and Buffy not knowing just how much more she could take seeing them together. He was sending so many mixed signals and right at that moment she was too tired to sort it all out.

"Wheres Douglass?"

"She and Lindsey went to talk." Aria went on quickly to explain. "Buffy was asking Lindsey some questions, one being if the two of you were dating. He almost told him that you and...well Angel were a thing when Douglass stopped him and pulled him from the room."

"When was that?" Willow started to get worried.

"About ten minutes ago." Gunn saw that the red head was worried and tried to put her fears to ease. "He wont hurt her Willow. He knows that wed kick his ass."

Cordelia watched in disgust as Buffy had a death hold around Angels waist. "Youre not going to stand here and just let her throw herself at him are
you?" Cordelia hissed. "What about that saying fight for your man...okay vampire."

"Hes not my anything but friend. I may have feelings for him but that doesnt mean that he feels anything for me. Im tired and just want to go to
bed." Willow went to her room without taking another look in Angels direction. Tears were falling from her eyes before she could get the door shut and all she wanted to do right then was have a good cry and get some
sleep.

"Peaches," Spike hollered across the room. "We need to go find where Brat and Lindsey holed themselves up." Spike was getting nauseous watching the slayer manhandle his Grandsire. Angel pried Buffys arms away and looked at Spike in raw gratitude.
 
 

Chapter Thirty-nine

The next morning everyone gathered in the lobby, they were all out of sorts and edginess from the lack of sleep ran high. Angel was ready to start
throwing things at Willows refusal to be anywhere near him. Any time he got close to her shed back away and hide behind one of her friends, her eyes were bloodshot and puffy from crying and it tore his heart out to see her so miserable.

Willow felt like she was dying inside and could do nothing to stop it. She thought that after her tears had dried up she would feel better but now, not only did she still feel sick at the thought of Angel and Buffys love for one another, her head hurt as well.

Spike was in a temper because he was unable to continue what he and Aria had started the night before. She passed out the second her head hit the pillow, he had tossed and turned all night, this time in his bed next to Aria and he could definetly describe himself as sexually frustrated. At least he had Slutty here to take out his anger on, when ever the stupid bint would say anything he had something nasty to say to her.

Douglass was sick to her stomach and embarrassed. Angel and Spike had walked in on her and Lindsey just as he was leaving and so they saw her crying. She had never felt so guilty and ashamed of feeling a certain way before, it made her cry even harder when Angel and Spike held her until she was finished. They were giving her support for the torn emotions she had for an enemy and her stomach didnt help. Certain smells set it off having her run to the bathroom at neck breaking speeds.

Lindsey felt disoriented, at this time he was usually reporting to work. Any time now someone was going to notice him missing, that is if they hadnt seen the tapes from the previous night. This was it. He was truly leaving Wolfram and Hart. A part of him was scared. He had given up so much to work for them. His family had been the biggest thing he gave up and now everything he had obtained by working there was going to be gone as well. He should have gone back to his apartment to get some things but perhaps it was for the best that he was making a new start with just the clothes on his back.

Everyone else was grouchy from over stimulation combined with only four hours of rest. Knowing that Darla was out there, planning their demise and there wasnt much they could do until they could find her. Douglasss friends certain now after her third trip to the bathroom that she was indeed pregnant were uncomfortable with who was the babys father.

"You cant expect us to just sit here and wait for Darla to make a move. We need to find her and take her out." Cordelia drummed her fingers on her desk in frustration knowing it was annoying the Hell out of Buffy.

"Yes, I can expect you girls to stay put." Angel snapped back. "Im not willing to put you all in danger like that. Deal with it."

Wesley cleared his throat. "I think-."

"We dont care what you think!" The girls shouted in unison. Wesley looked taken aback and glared at their rudeness.

"Maybe Angel and I should go look for her tonight, itd be like old times." Buffy said, looking at Angel to gauge his reaction. Spike picked up his mug
of blood and was tempted to throw at the girl. Would she ever give up?

Angel looked at Buffy but refused to respond. Turning his back on her he fought for control of his emotions, this was getting them no where. They
needed to be an united front not a bunch of squabbling children. The only person who wasnt saying anything was Dawn, the poor girl just sat there
bewildered.

"I say we take a break from each other for a couple hours. We all need to rest." Without word everyone rose and went separate directions

Giles had watched as the room emptied and his gaze returned to his daughter. He tried to conjure what she had looked like as a child, he was sure that she had to have been the most precious gift from God and he felt cheated. Angel caught his eye and the vampire looked thoughtful for a moment.

"Douglass, I need to talk to you and Giles...alone." Douglass paused and returned to her seat. Angel ran a hand through his hair and started to pace.

"Angel, I really dont think now is the appropriate time." Giles said one thing but his eyes screamed something else. Angel gave the man a faint smile.

"Giles, I once took something that you loved very much away from you. Please allow me to give you this." Giles looked at the vampire with tender regard amazed that he had ever been able to forgive Angel, even though he knew it had been Angelus. Nodding his consent, Angel turned his attentions back to Douglass.

"We werent going to tell you this until it calmed down some but I think its doing more damage than good by keeping you in the dark." Douglass
started to get worried at the seriousness of his tone. "You already knew that Giles knew your Mother once." Douglass nodded. "He loved your Mother very much." Douglasss eyes widened as she looked over at the man sitting near by. "And Im sure he can tell you a lot about your Mother before she had you and you probably can fill him in on your Mother after she had you." Angel stopped and grabbed her hand giving it a squeeze. "I really have no idea how to say this and make it any easier for you to understand. In Giless youth he had a nickname." Douglass felt like his next words were going to change her life forever and she almost wished hed stop talking but another part of her already knew what he was going to say.

"Ripper." She whispered looking over at the man to acknowledge if she was correct.

Giles felt tears in his eyes and cautiously reached out for her other hand. Douglass felt her world turn upside down as her stomach lurched again,
ripping her hand out of Angels to put over her mouth she ran from the room to the nearest bathroom.

"That went well." Giles felt his insides tighten at her rejection.
 
 

Chapter Fourty

Buffy watched as Angel took Douglass’s hand in his and their words were blocked from her mind. All she could see was the tender way he looked at the blonde witch, clenching her fist to her side it all made perfect sense. Angel was in love with Douglass. The bitch may have said that she and Lindsey were an item but they hadn’t been near each other since, seething in anger Buffy went to find Willow to see what exactly was going on.

It took her only a few minutes to locate the redhead who was trying to take a nap. "Why didn’t you tell me?"

Willow swore her heart stopped beating. "Tell you what?"

"About Angel...and Douglass. I mean it was so obvious last night that she and Lindsey were pretending to be together." Buffy paced back and forth trying to work out her anger. "You’re my best friend Will, why didn’t you tell me about Angel and that bitch!?!"

Willow felt her heart start to beat again and as Buffy talked Willow felt her temper rising. "They aren’t together! They’re just friends Buffy. If you
were here you’d see how they act like brother and sister, even Spike acts like her brother. But where Spike acts like her younger, maybe twin, when
they play and fight angel is her older brother. The arguments they get in is unbelievable, she can out shout him and defies him all the time but no matter how much they may care about each other they are not in love."

"You’re protecting her. Willow, you’re supposed to be my friend."

"I am." Willow cried. "I’m telling you the truth! Angel is *Not* in love with Douglass." Tears of anxiety and hurt fell from the redhead's eyes making them burn even more after her all night crying fest.

"You are no better than she is. If she wants a fight she has it." Buffy stalked from the room and Willow collapsed to her pillows.

"Spike, why are you so mad?" Aria followed him down into their apartment, a little apprehensive of the anger that was rolling off him.

"I swear if I didn’t have this bloody chip, Slutty would be a distant memory." Picking up the nearest object he threw it up against the wall. "She’s messing with Willow’s emotions and I wont have anyone hurting *MY* family." Aria jumped and backed away.

"Then there’s everything that Douglass is going through, not to mention what’s going to happen. There’s not a damn thing I can do about it. People
are fucking with my family and I have no control." With a roar he cleaned everything off the coffee table with a satisfactory crash. Aria kept backing up from him until she backed herself up against the wall, she had never seen this side to Spike. She knew it existed but it was intimidating.

"S-Spike." Aria whimpered as he picked up a near by vase. "Please...stop." Spike dropped the vase as her words washed over him.

"Kitten, god I’m so sorry. I totally forgot about what that bastard of a father put you through." Walking slowly to her side so not to frighten her
Spike put his arms around her.

"You are nothing like my father. I was just caught off guard." Aria snuggled more into his embrace as Spike kissed the top of her head. He just held her for a moment, her aura calming his rage. Leaning over he picked her up and carried her to their bed content for the moment just to hold her.
 

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