Willow searched the building looking for any sign of Angel. She wanted to find him so he could know about her earlier conversation with Buffy, just
having the slayer around for the day reminded Willow why it had been so easy to chose LA over Sunnydale. No matter the situation they faced Buffy was able to turn it into some melodrama starring Buffy. They had Darla and Dru scheming to hack them to pieces and do Goddess knows what to Douglass, Douglass finding out about Giles. Lindsey just beginning to take his first steps down a path to his own redemption, Angel still getting over the fact that his soul is stuck like superglue and all Buffy could care about was who Angel had the hots for.

Reaching the second floor landing Willow heard noises coming from the other side of the door. Opening the door slowly she peered in to see who was using the training space and was greeted by the back view of Angel striking out at the punching bag. He was relentlessly attacking the bag his entire concentration on hitting the swinging object harder then the time before. Willow stood silent enjoying the way his muscles moved on his back, she couldn’t hear what he was muttering under his breath every time he took a swing but was sure she’d learn a few new words. He looked like he was in a dark mood and she was ready to close the door and talk to him later when he swung around and saw her. 'There goes my plan for leaving unnoticed.'

"Willow." His voice sounded dull and the lack of emotion almost ripped her already injured heart.

"A-Angel, I needed to talk to you...but you don’t seem...and with everything...I’ll just go." Turning around quickly Willow started to run up the stairs tears again falling. 'Goddess, I’m so damn stupid. How am I always mixing up friendship with love? Just because he’s my friend doesn’t mean that he has any feelings other than that for me.' Passing the third floor landing Willow was about to start up the last of the stairs to her haven where she could break down again with out any witnesses but she was stopped from behind when Angel scooped her up throwing her over his right shoulder.

"Angel?" Willow had a nice if not upside view of the vampires tight ass,and would probably have enjoyed the view more if every step he took didn’t knock the air out of her lungs. "Umph...Angel, hard to breathe."

Angel didn’t say a word but re-entered the training area looking for a spot to deposit his bundle that would limit her any chance of escape. The games were done, he was going to tell her just how he felt and damnit she was going to listen. The weapons room seemed to be the best choice since the only escape was the door and that he could easily block. Slightly shifting Willow on his shoulder he headed toward the room closing the door before letting the girl to her feet.

"Angel, what are you doing?" Placing a hand on each side of her face he pulled her closer to him his eyes never breaking contact with hers. "Why have you been crying?"

Willow tried to look down but Angel refused to let her. "I...well with everything that’s going on. And with Buffy here. Angel please don’t make me
say it. I feel so stupid."

Letting go of her face he gathered her in his arms and rubbed her back. "Don’t. I don’t ever want you to feel stupid. You don’t think that I’m in
love with Buffy anymore do you?" He felt the little redhead tense in his arms. "Willow you know that right?" Cuddling into his embrace she nodded
slightly.

“You’ve told me before. But having her here, throwing herself at you is...well I thought maybe old feelings would resurface.”

"I’ll always care about her but I remember her differently than what she has become. She was once so sweet and innocent, had to grow up fast with out much choice in the matter. The woman she has become isn’t someone I like very much. She’s cold on the inside and in a way I think we knew that it wasn’t going to work out. The more we fought for our relationship the more pain she and I brought to ourselves."

"But what about...well when you two...the clause."

"I won't ever say I wasn’t in love with her but sometimes you need more in a relationship then that. You need trust and friendship not to mention the same interests. The only interest that she and I shared was fighting demons and vampires."

"Oh." Willow kept her head hidden in his chest.

Looking down at the young woman in his arms Angel took an unneeded breath and decided it was now or never. “I have those things with you, Willow. The friendship, trust, common interests...not to mention love.” Willow stopped breathing wondering if she had heard him correctly or perhaps he meant love as in 'love you like a friend.' She could feel his gaze looking down at her waiting for her response. What was she going to say that wouldn’t make her look like a fool if she had misunderstood him. "Willow, I love you." Pulling out of his arms she flashed him a smile filled with love.

"I feel all those things for you too, Angel. You’re one of my closest friends. I trust you and I also think we have a lot in common. And...I-I love
you too." Angel relaxed finally hearing the words. It had taken them long enough but he was glad that whatever was going to happen now between them had started as friendship, leaning down he brushed his lips softly over hers waiting to see how she would react. He didn’t have to wait long for the little redhead to open her mouth for him to deepen the kiss but all to suddenly Willow broke the kiss.

"Buffy!" Angel stared at her, he was now totally lost. One second they were kissing the next she was shouting his ex’s name. "I had come looking for you to tell you about something that Buffy said to me. She thinks that you’re in love with Douglass."

"Douglass. Strawberry blonde whirlwind of trouble, Douglass?" Willow nodded and clung onto his hands.

"And since we’re talking about Douglass there’s something else you should know." Willow paused and tried to think of the right way to put what she
wanted to say. "She may be pregnant." Holding her breath she waited as her words sunk in, at first he looked confused, that turned to shock before that was quickly replaced by anger.

"Lindsey. I’m going to kill that bastard."

"She doesn’t know yet and neither does he. I’m sure that they hadn’t planned on this happening." Angel knew that if it were possible for him to have a headache he’d have one. "Angel? You can’t say anything. Cordy bought a test last night and is waiting for the right time to give it to Douglass." He nodded numbly wondering what in the world was going to happen if she was indeed pregnant. One thing was for sure Angel would do whatever it took to keep Lindsey on the right path.

"Find her, do it now. We have to know, especially with this Darla mess. If she is we need to keep her protected." Wrapping his arms around Willow he kissed the top of her head. "I have no idea what to do about Buffy. Part of me wants her to just keep thinking that there’s something between Doug and me, just so she’ll stay away from you." Willow understood what he meant. "We’ll have to tell her sooner or later, I just wish it was later." Pulling away from her he kissed her forehead and stepped back. "You find Doug, I’ll look for Buffy. Hopefully I can convince her that nothing is going on between Doug and I. With the way things are going I think it wise to wait until she goes back to Sunnydale to let her know about us.” Willow nodded in agreement not all that ready to face the slayer's wrath. Accepting another soft kiss from Angel they headed out of the weapons room on their separate missions.
 

Chapter Fourty-two

Giles sat on the floor outside the bathroom door. Douglass had been in there for a good twenty minutes, every time he thought for sure she couldn't
possibly have anything else to purge she’d prove him wrong. Dawn found him there, she felt sorry for the man who was the closest thing to a father she could claim.

"Giles?" She asked softly as she sat next to him. "Are you okay?"

Looking over at the young girl sitting next to him he tried to gather his emotions. "Yes...I’ll be fine. Douglass isn't feeling all that well."

"Did you tell her?" Dawn felt bad for Giles. Knowing that he probably would never marry and have any other children and the one he had was already grown.

"Yes. I don’t think she took it all that well."

"Why not? If I found out you were my real father I'd be thrilled." Dawn admitted honestly.

"Yes, well, Douglass has been without a father for twenty-three years now. She may find it hard to accept the fact that she all of a sudden has one. God only knows what Nessa told the girl about me, about my absence from her life." Taking his glasses off he rubbed his tired eyes, hearing the door open from behind, Giles and Dawn turned to see Douglass standing in the doorway looking a little uncomfortable. Dawn quickly excused herself and Douglass sat down next to Giles not saying a word.

When the silence became almost unbearable Giles felt a small hand grasp onto his. Looking down at his hand, he saw it entwined with his daughter's
delicate one and Giles felt immense gratitude. Raising his eyes to hers he felt his heart constrict when he saw her tears. "I always wanted to hold my Daddy’s hand."

Wesley searched through Douglass's book for anything that might aid them in their up coming fight against Darla but so far the book had been a huge disappointment. If he had the whooping cough he'd know how to treat it, other then remedies and herbal mixtures the book had nothing of value, well, except the one spell Douglass had added that was for Angel. Turning the page in disgust Wesley had almost missed it. The title was Boxes, the handwriting barely legible, it seemed to be a meditative technique that helped the healer or caster concentrate at the task at hand. It was simple actually, one constructed a box in their mind shoving into it all unneeded thoughts or emotions...ect. Sitting puzzled for a moment Wesley got up from the desk he was working at in search for a book he had purchased weeks before.

The book dealt with common beliefs of healers, flipping through the book he skimmed the pages when suddenly it all started to make sense. Grabbing another book to confirm his theory Wesley let out a whoop of joy and raced off to find Angel.
 

Chapter Fourty-three

"You think I'm what?" Douglass chuckled.

Willow and Cordelia glanced sideways at one another, this was going a lot better then they had planned.  "Well, after Lorne being all weird like and
your Linda Blaire like impersonations we think that you might be pregnant." Cordelia waited for a second watching Douglass's expressions closely. The blonde witche's amused expression disappeared and in its place a look of concern became etched into her pretty features. "So I got you this." Holding out the store bought pregnancy test for her friend to take Cordelia waited for Douglass to respond.

"Doug, you know that we're all here for you, right?" Willow touched Douglass's arm to bring the poor girl out of her daze. "If you are you wont
have to go through this alone."

"You're damn right I wont go through this alone. If I have to go through all the puking, crazy mood swings, getting fat and what ever else Lindsey's going down with me. I don't care if Angel and Spike have to torture him, this child *will* have a father." Grabbing the test from Cordy's hands she hurried to the bathroom. "Will you guys do me a favor?"

"Anything."

"Yes"

"Go find Lindsey, he will just have to sit and sweat it out with me. Oh and don't tell my Dad. I think he's gone through enough for right now, I'm sure
he's not ready to find out that not only is he a Daddy but that he may be a Grampy too."

Willow and Cordelia grinned and rushed to find Lindsey.

"So, how long have you and Douglass been dating?" Lindsey looked over at the slayer and wished for some way to escape her continuous questions.

"I really don't know. It went from having to be together to wanting to be together, I really can't say when it all changed." Lindsey answered halfway
truthfully, trying to skirt around the blonde he was again blocked.

"So, if you two are seeing each other, why did you sleep in separate beds last night?" Buffy smirked catching him in the lie.

"We're fighting. We fight a lot." Now that wasn't a lie. Lindsey knew he wasn't fooling Buffy and that she was going somewhere with this but he really didn't feel like playing games. Wesley had asked him to look up a few things that might help Douglass out with getting her powers back but with Buffy shooting out questions left and right he couldn't concentrate on his task.

"So how do you feel about Angel being in love with Dougie?" Buffy went in for the kill, she wanted to find out how long Angel and Douglass had been
together.

Lindsey stood staring at the slayer, his face expressionless. His shoulders started to shake as tears formed in his eyes, finally a grin plastered to his
face, he bent over laughing. "You think Douglass and Angel have a thing for one another? That is the funniest if not stupidest thing I have heard."
Wiping the tears from his eyes he walked past Buffy ignoring the murderous glare she shot his way. "Wow, I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. Thanks Buffy."

Aria slowly woke up feeling Spike's arms around her waist. Scooting back to cuddle closer to him she heard a growl coming from Spike's throat.

"Stop your bloody wiggling or you're going to start something that I may not be able to stop." His voice was strained.

"And what if I don't want you to stop?" Aria whispered, feeling his body tense.

"Are you sure?" Spike was surprised that he had practically been given the chance to end his body's torment and he was acting all poofy again, making sure she was ready.

Turning over with Spike's arm still over her she pressed herself to him. She waited a moment thinking that Spike would take the lead. When he stayed still she took the initiative and pressed her lips against his, he kissed her back gently making her growl and deepen the kiss.

Spike was trying to control the demon that was demanding that he take the girl and make her his. Spike fought hard, trying to let Aria set the pace, he didn't want to scare her with the demonic passion he felt for her, the uncontrollable need to take possession of everything that was her. He
couldn't let that happen, not only would his damn chip go off but more importantly he would end up hurting Aria and he would rather stake himself
than hurt her.

Aria pulled back and saw the pained expression on his face. "What are you doing? I thought you wanted this."

"I do Pet, it's just my need for you is so strong that I don't want to hurt you." Aria felt her stomach tighten at his sweet words.

"I appreciate that but if we're *ever* going to do this I'm not going to be the one to do all the work."

Spike cocked an eyebrow at her leaning forward. "If?"

Aria smirked. "Well, your interpretation of nervous virgin just isn't a turn on. I'm more the hot and-." Spike grabbed her and pulled her close. His lips
sought hers as he rolled them until he had her pinned underneath him.

"Nervous virgin huh?"

"Or maybe impotent vamp-." Spike cut her off with another kiss as he grabbed her nightshirt and tore it off her body.

"I'll show you impotent, you silly chit." Grinding his hardened cock against her silk undies he could feel the wetness seeping from within, leaning down he took her nipple into his mouth alternating between sucking and nibbling until Aria"s whimpers were echoing off the walls.

"Now what do you think?" Spike sat up.

Aria glared up at him "I think that if you stop again I will stake your sorry ass." Pulling him down to her she wrapped her legs around his waist to
prevent him from leaving the closeness of her body.

Spike growled again, licking the side of her neck above her pulse point. He could barely concentrate as her lower body rubbed itself against his.
Detangling her legs from his waist he went lower down her body, licking and kissing until he was to her naval. Lapping his tongue around her sensitive area he slipped his finger inside her panties causing Aria to jump as he slid his finger deep within her soaked core.

Aria bucked her hips towards Spike's mouth silently pleading for him to end the torment he had started between her thighs. "Tell me Luv, what is it that you want?" Licking the outside of her silk panties he caused Aria to moan louder.

"Please Spike, I need you." Aria opened  eyes that had been squeezed shut and stared into his lust filled eyes.

Ripping the thoroughly soaked panties off her body Spike licked at her slit obsessed with the taste that was totally Aria. If he could he would stay
between her thighs forever, adding a second finger inside her he felt her insides clamp down on him. Setting a rhythm that had Aria on the edge of a climax Spike held her there as long as he could but when she started to thrash her head side to side he knew it was time for her to reach her
release. Attaching his mouth to her clit her drove her over the edge, her scream of release bouncing off the walls.

"Oh my God." Aria whimpered, her legs shaking.

"Not even close." Spike smirked, placing himself between her legs and grinding himself against her wetness, he closed his eyes enjoying the feeling
of her warmth. Pulling back he pressed the tip of his hardened shaft against her drenched opening, he held back for a second controlling the demonic need to slam harshly inside her. When he had a semblance of control he entered her with one quick thrust.

Aria felt as though heaven exploded around her as she felt him enter her quick and sure, never in her life had she been brought to this point of
sensual feelings. Wrapping her legs around his hips almost afraid that he'd stop these unbelievable sensations she matched his thrust, every time their bodies met there was a sound of flesh meeting flesh.

Spike felt her vaginal muscles tighten around him and he knew she was ready. Slipping a hand between them he twisted her clit whispering to her. "You're mine now Luv, can you live with that?"

Aria nodded clutching him tighter to her. Spike felt his sac tighten and knew it was time, with one last deep thrust the two slipped over the edge into sweet oblivion.
 

Chapter Fourty-four

Lindsey knocked softly at the bathroom door not sure what he was doing or why. Willow and Cordelia stood nervously behind him waiting for the blonde witch to answer, he knocked again, "Who is it?" Douglass's muffled voice came from behind the door.

"Douglass, it's me, Lindsey."

"Come in." Lindsey looked behind him at the two girls wondering what was going on, turning back to the door he opened it slowly almost expecting to get jumped once he got inside. Douglass was the only person in the room, and she was sitting on the side of the tub, her arms wrapped protectively around her stomach.

"You wanted to see me." Lindsey approached the blonde cautiously. Taking in her teary eyes and the tension in her body.

Douglass's gaze skipped to him back to the bathroom counter that she was staring at intently. "What time is it?"

"Three-ten." Lindsey checked his Rolex.

"Four more minutes." Douglass nodded. Lindsey stood waiting for some kind of answer but Douglass stayed quiet except for her deep breathing. Walking over to the counter he tried to locate what would have the blonde in such a mood, skimming over the usual paraphernalia his eyes rested on a pregnancy test. His blood ran cold.

"What is this?" Lindsey demanded his eyes unable to leave the test.

"Our possible future." Douglass paled even more.

Lindsey felt his stomach lurch as the implications sunk in, test equaled possible baby that equaled him daddy. His palms started to sweat as he stood there staring, his breathing matched hers as he watched the test. "What are we looking for?"

"Plus we're having a baby, minus we escape the bullet."

Lindsey stared at the test his mind in shock. Too much was happening at once. He was stressed this morning when he woke up knowing he had no job. Would soon have Wolfram and Hart chasing after him, stopping only when his blood poured from his dead body. He was surrounded by people that only days ago he was convinced he despised. And a women who he loved that could barely look at him, all because he was one hanious jackass.

A child. Who was he kidding, if Douglass was pregnant the child deserved a father that hadn't done so many evil and vile things. How could he be
expected to take such a purely innocent and help raise it. Even from his own upbringing Lindsey really couldn't say he had a great experience to recall from.

A child. And lets not forget the lifestyles we lead aren't the safest for a child. And money, he just walked away from his life, with out thinking what
was going to happen the next day. Yesturday he had only himself to worry about. Now he might have Douglass and a baby to have to think of as well. Well its not as though they were poor, like he had been growing up. And Douglass wasn't some suicidal drunk. She would make a wonderful Mother, not like his. And anyone could be a better father than his own. Didn't he swear years ago, before he was warped by Wolfram and Hart, that he would one day be the best Daddy in the world? It seemed lifetimes ago when he had made that promise to himself.

<Breathe Linds. There isn't anything you can do now but sit and wait.> Lindsey sat next to Douglass, not having the words he wished he could speak to make the anxiety they both felt go away.

Taking her hand in his he felt a tad calmer. He could do this, if Douglass was pregnant he was going to be the best damned father any child could ever wish for. "Do you know that I'm here for you?"

"Do you know that you didn't have much of a choice?" Douglass answered back squeezing his hand as Lindsey let out a soft chuckle.

"So..."

"So..." Lindsey stood to find out his future.

"Move! I can't hear." Cordy pushed Gunn aside and pushed her ear closer to the door. "I can't hear a thing they're saying."

"No you wouldn't over your blathering." Spike growled. "I have super hearing and can't hear those two over your yapping."

Aria pinched Spike's arm to silence him.

"Shh I think I heard something." Willow whispered.

"Honey, that would be me." Five sets of eyes turned to see Angel leaning back against the couch watching in amusement. "Have any of you heard of privacy?"

"Are you new?" Cordy sniffed turning back to the door. "We have eight, no scratch that, seven people, two vamps, an ex evil lawyer and three guests all under one roof. Do you *think* there's any privacy?"

Willow blushed as Angel cocked his eyebrows. Leaving the others she joined him near the couch. "So have you talked to Buffy?"

"Haven't had time. Wesley has found something and I still don't have a clue what I should say to her." Angel reached out and tucked a fiery lock behind Willow's ear, staring at her lips, Angel would die a happy man if he could just have a taste of them right that moment.

"Well, seems those two have finally done something about their raging hormones." Spike quipped staring at the couple who was oblivious to anyone
else.

"Think he's taken that soul for a test drive yet?" Gunn winked at the blonde vamp.

"Hello again with the no privacy. Don't you all think that we would know if they had sex?" Cordy scuffed.

"Pet, Im positive that there is stuff that goes on under this roof that not even you know about." Spike leaned closer to Cordy issuing a challenge.

"Maybe," Cordy smirked back."But we *all* know about what you and Aria did today." Crossing her arms over her chest she revealed in the shocked looks on Spike and Aria's faces.

"The vents in this place let us hear *everything* and I do mean *everything*." With a smile and a wink Cordy walked past the couple finally able to put Spike in his place.
 

Chapter Fourty-five

Darla growled in fury, switching off the power to the VCR and ejecting the tape they had gotten from Wolfram and Hart. "Everything is ruined. All because Lindsey couldn't keep to himself." Stopping in mid-step and turning toward Max she felt frustration boil deep within. "You are to fix this. I do not care how you do it but you will start NOW! I will have Dru cured and Douglass at my disposal."

"Darla, they know by now that I'm not some client in need, Lilah probably spilled everything the first five minutes they had her. We underestimated Lindsey's feelings for Douglass." Max sat forward in his chair glaring back at the blonde.

"Wow Max, you came up with that all on your own? I'm impressed." Darla words dripped with sarcasm. "Now listen to me, you worthless idiot. I want Dru fixed and soon. I want Douglass, she will make a wonderful addition to my family. Max, I will not tolerate any more failure around me do you understand? Don't make me regret bringing you over." Max stood and strode out the room defiance reeking from him.

Darla watched as he left feeling sick at herself for having created such a stupid creature. She had thought she had chosen well, human Max had been pure evil. The plans and torture he was able to come up with was pure brilliance but now it was as though he had been hit over the head a few too many times. Where Dru was crazy Max was dense but Douglass would never turn out like either. The passion that ran through that girl was overwhelming, once her powers were tapped into and controlled she was going to be unstoppable, as a witch and vampire. Douglass was going to be her greatest childe ever, even better than Angelus.

Darla had been playing around with what she would call the strawberry blonde once she was embraced. Tessa, it held that old fashioned taste that she loved. Yes, soon she would have Dru cured and her Tessa at her side and there would be no stopping them.

Lilah sat alone in the dark room that Angel's little group of do gooders had deemed appropriate to hold hostages. It was on the top floor and the room appeared to be some poorly decorated spare room. Lilah knew she should count herself lucky that she was still alive because if the situation were reversed and it were one of the Angels little pals that were being held hostage by Wolfram and Hart? They would either be close to death from the torture inflicted upon them or just plain dead.

"I should have been more careful around Lindsey." Lilah muttered to herself pacing the small width of the room. So many could haves and should haves had gone through her head that it was driving her crazy.

"At least I know what's going on because of the vents." She half smiled, the people inside the building were making it ready to fold in on its self. The jealousy, secrets, half lies and high emotions were a handicap. Angel's refusal to allow any of the girls the freedom to come and go was going to make them resent the vampire. The slayer, who by all accounts, had to be one of the most inane flakes Lilah had ever the displeasure to meet face to face. How did the girl get anything done with all her whining?

"At least I was able to keep Darla's ultimate plan for Douglass secret. Though I doubt that Darla is going to be too happy with what I did tell." Lilah rubbed her head. "How am I going to get out of this? I have to escape." But having already searched the room for a way out or perhaps a make shift weapon she had come up empty handed.

"It's time." Lindsey checked his watch for the last time. He thought that the last few minutes had been the longest in his life. "I can't look." Douglass squeezed her eyes shut trying to tune out the sound of her blood pumping in her ears.

"I guess that leaves me." Lindsey couldn't make himself move. "This is stupid. Listen Douglass, if you are pregnant we need to look at this as a good thing. I couldn't stand myself if we have a child and I had to look back and remember this moment as being such a horrible and disturbing time."

Douglass sat silently thinking about what Lindsey had said. He was right, no matter what, if she were pregnant, she was going to love and cherish the child and shouldn't begin this with negative thoughts or feelings. And if she were to be honest with herself having Lindsey for the father of her child was not the worst thing in the world, okay so just a day ago he was evil with spots of goodness inside him but he had chosen to do the right thing at a high cost to himself. Plus she honestly cared for him. All right, she was being honest. She was in love with him.

Taking a deep breath Douglass nodded and smiled. "Don't faint on me but you're right." Standing to go over to the counter she stopped and on impulse turned back to Lindsey, without missing a beat she leaned forward and kissed him softly on the lips.

"What was that for?" Lindsey asked, their faces still inches away from one another.

"I wanted to start this memory out right." Taking a deep breath she started to stand up again when Lindsey pulled her down to him and gave her a kiss that melted her insides. "What was that for?"

"Just because." Standing up next to her they walked over hand in hand to the counter.

They both stood silently staring at the test. "Well ,guess we don't need any clearer of an answer than that." Lindsey let go of Douglass's hand and put his arm around her shoulder pulling her closer to him.

"But I will say this. My son will not have some girlie name like mine." Lindsey grinned.

"Oh yeah, well my daughter will not have such a boyish name." Douglass grinned back wrapping her arms around his waist.
 

Chapter Fourty-six

"How long are they going to stay in there?" Cordy paced the room her eyes locked on the bathroom door. Her heart was going a mile a minute and her palms were sweaty.

"I thought the box said quick response, this is not quick response." Willow pulled away from Angel and looked him in the eye. "You don't think that she killed him do you?"

Angel's eyes looked far away as a slow smirk crossed his face. "Angel, stop that! We can all hear what you're thinking." Willow scolded smacking his arm. Angel pulled her back against him wrapping his arms around her. "If Douglass is pregnant we are *all*" Willow scanned the room. "Going to have to try and make Lindsey feel more welcomed around here." Spike looked ready to say something and Aria silenced him with a few softly whispered words.

"You wouldn't Pet." Spike looked whiter than usual.

"Just try me." Aria glared over at him making her point.

Willow looked at the rest, her gaze resting on Cordy. "If there is anyone who is going to have a hard time being around Lindsey its Cordy. Are you okay with it?"

Cordy stopped pacing and thought for a moment "I know that it should bother me but it doesn't. I know he almost killed me and all by burning the scroll but now that Douglass is around he seems like a different person."

"See? If Cordelia can forgive him anyone can." Willow announced as the bathroom door creaked open.

Douglass and Lindsey stood holding hands in the doorway, both looked as though they were depending on the other for support

"Well?" Everyone demanded.

"It's positive." Douglass couldn't help but grin. She was sure that soon the implications were going to hit her but right now she couldn't help but smile like some idiot. Tightening her hold on Lindsey he squeezed back hoping it reassured her.

No one knew how to react until they saw the parents-to-be grin. Soon they were surrounded in a huge bear hug, Lindsey felt awkward at first for being included in such a familiar way and he had no idea how to react. He had never been part of a group that cared for one another like this, he was for sure that he would have a fight on his hands for getting Douglass knocked up but here he was, being included into this odd little family.

After the hug broke up and everyone congratulated them, Angel stepped up from behind and whispered into his ear. "You're getting one hell of a second chance here Lindsey. See to it you don't do anything to mess it up."

Lindsey didnt hear any of the familiar venom in the vampires words but almost a friendly warning. Nodding his head Lindsey looked at Angel his smile
faltering. "Do me a favor?"

"Anything."

"Can you help me to make sure I don't ruin this? If you see me faltering beat some sense into me?" Angel smiled and nodded to the ex-lawyer.

"You don't even need to ask." Both men looked at one another in understanding. Angel had once been in Lindsey's shoes, well minus the baby. He had once been at the crossroads. One that led to a life of making sure that he got by and survived day to day without the nuisance of caring for
anyone else but himself. The other down a road that he had to put his trust and faith into other people, to be aware of their lives and the lives of
others. It was easy to survive but harder to live and if Lindsey needed help from time to time Angel would be there for him.

Angel caught Willow's teary eyes from across the room and moved to join her, he engulfed her into his embrace and she leaned into him. "Why the tears little one?"

"It's just so sweet. This could have been a horrible thing, Douglass being pregnant with Lindsey's child but instead we're all pulling together and are
making it a good thing. I have a feeling that they are going to be great parents."

Angel placed a kiss on top of her head and smiled. Willow could always find the good in things, it was just one of the things he loved about her.
 

Chapter Fourty-seven

Wesley hung up the phone having finished a very productive call with a contact he still had from his Watcher days. He couldn't be more pleased with the progress he had made, that he almost felt like giving himself a pat in the back. If it weren't for the impending threat from Darla he would've said that things were looking pretty darn good.

Standing to stretch his cramped muscles. From the information he had gathered he now knew why Douglass had no control over her healing abilities, and how she could take control. Plus with further digging he had figured out how to get Douglass's other powers back as well.

"Well, done chap." Wesley grinned sitting back down, only to be startled by breaking glass and the smell of smoke.

Buffy sat by herself feeling sorry for herself. Angel had his soul and he had yet come to her, if he wasn't in love with Douglass then who was he in love with? That would be the only reason why he hadn't sought her out, there had to be someone else.

But who? Cordy? No way. Though she had changed a lot from the self absorbed bitch from high school she hadn't changed *that* much. Aria and Spike were defintely a couple, the vents had proven that. The only other person was Willow, there wasn't a chance in hell that *her* Angel would go for someone like the redheaded witch, not when he could have her.

Sighing she leaned her head back against the back of the chair, there had to be a way to get Angel alone. Make him see that what they had once shared could be again but better this time. A plan. That was what she needed.

Getting settled in her chair,she started coming up with possible ways to win Angel's attention. Her concentration was ruined by the sound of breaking glass and shouts coming from another room.

Giles was helping Dawn with her homework, trying to make the teen pay attention to her lessons. It seemed that he was answering more questions
about Douglass and his past love Nessa then questions about the Great Depression.

"Dawn, you are never going to finish your paper if you keep asking me questions." Giles tried to use his no nonsense tone but could tell it didn't
make a difference.

"I still can't believe that you have a daughter. I mean I know you're old and all...I'm shutting up now."

"Very good." Trying to hide his amusement at Dawn's embarrassment. A daughter, he, Rupert Giles, had a daughter. Taking his glasses off to clean
them he was stopped by the window shattering from behind. Barely ducking in time Giles was stupefied as the room was engulfed in flames.

"Dawn, quick. Crawl on the floor to the exit." Giles instructed the girl.

"What about the others?" Tears streamed from the girl's eyes from fright and the smoke that was quickly filling the room.

"I need to get you to safety first." Giles prayed that his daughter and the others were all right.

Angel pulled Willow into her room shutting the door behind him. Before Willow could question him he leaned down kissing her gently until she responded to his gentle ministrations. Prodding her mouth open with the tip of his tongue he was thrilled she didn't hesitate in allowing him to explore the hot recess of her mouth, dipping his hands to the waistband of her pants he tugged at Willow's top eager to get his hands under her shirt. He sighed contentedly as his palms met Willow's smooth skin.

Willow leaned further into the kiss. Gripping  the front of Angel's shirt she fought to keep upright when her knees turned to mush, never in her life had she experienced what she was feeling now. Xander's kisses were awkward, almost brotherly, Oz's had been sweet but Angel's were one hundred percent passion filled guaranteed to bring her to her knees.

One of Angel's hands went up to grip onto her hair bringing her closer to him. The other  stayed on the smooth skin of her lower back. Just as Willow was going to encircle her arms around Angel's neck the window by her bed exploded spraying shards of glass in every direction, before she and Angel could react to the shock of the breaking window the room was engulfed in flames.

"Willow, we need to get out."

"Angel it's still daytime. You have to get to the basement to the sewer entrance ." Willow followed Angel out of the room.

Aria ran her hand down Spike's bare chest loving the way he sounded everytime she touched him.  He had such a beautiful body and she could spend all day just touching him.

"If you don't stop that Pet, we aren't going to get that two hour nap Mr. Nancy pants allowed us." Spike opened one eye and gazed at the Goddess laying on her side next to him, her red hair flowed about her naked body and he felt himself hardening as he pictured what he would love to do to her.

"Hmm." Aria leaned over and nibbled on his ear. "You say that as though it were a bad thing." Spike groaned titling his head slightly giving her better
access, brushing her hand further down her lover's body she was immensely pleased that Spike had no modesty what so ever.

Aria was taken by surprise when Spike let out a growl and pinned her to the bed. Leaning over his captive, Spike smiled as he ground his hardened shaft against her seeping core. "Don't say I didn't warn you."

Lowering himself down her body Spike left a trail of kisses and nibbles inciting moans from his passionate lover. Placing his body between her thighs, Spike took a deep breath of her erotic perfume and nearly licked his lips in anticipation but instead licked at the juices that were already dripping from her.

"Spike...oh my that feels so...Spike smoke." Aria tried to sit up and started smacking Spike's head away from her as smoke billowed through the vents. Spike growled, glaring at Aria not wanting to be separated from her body.

"What are you doing?"

"Spike there's smoke, coming through the vents." Aria jumped from the bed nearly tripping, by the time the two where pulling their tops over their
heads they could hear screaming coming through the vents.

"Oh my God, the building's on fire." Aria whispered.

Spike looked to his love,then to the door leading upstairs then back to Aria. "Oh bloody hell." Spike shoved Aria to the sewer entrance. "Move down the tunnel about fifty feet. I'll be back. I need to make sure the others make it out."

Aria nodded, wiping the tears from her eyes, she didn't want to be separated from Spike but she knew that if she went with him he'd only worry about her. Climbing down the steps she entered the dark sewers of LA.

Gunn has been sleeping when the world around him exploded, it was the sound of breaking glass that startled him from his sleep but the screams and shouts of his friends was what pumped the adrenaline through his veins.

There was no evident fire on his floor of the building but the cloud of smoke pouring out of the vents proved that somewhere there was a fire. Grabbing his jacket and a few stakes he had stashed in his room, Gunn made his way to the door when he heard Cordelia screaming through one of the vents.

"Please someone help me. Please!" Her shouts turned into sobs. Gunn felt his heart stop.

"Cordy...baby, can you hear me?" Gunn shouted near a vent trying not to inhale too much of the smoke that was spewing out.

"Gunn, where are you?" Her voice sounded hopeful.

"I'm just about to leave my floor. Cordy girl, where are you?"

"I'm trapped in the laundry room on the second floor."

"Hold on, I'm coming. I won't let anything happen to you, sweetheart." Gunn took off to save Cordelia fear pumping through his veins.

When he got to the stairwell, he had to pull his shirt over his mouth and nose to prevent him from breathing in too many lung filled breaths of smoke. Standing outside the second floor entrance he could feel the heat coming from behind the door, taking a deep breath he tested the handle to the door only to yank it back when he felt his flesh burn.

"Gotta save Cordy...Gotta save Cordy." He chanted taking off his sweatshirt and using it to open the door. Flames were everywhere, Gunn tried to  gauge the best path to the laundry room. Without another moment of hesitation he darted through the room his eyes trained on the handle to the door that had his Cordy trapped.

Using his sweatshirt again to open the door he flung it open only to see Cordy's crumpled body on the floor, rushing to her side he scooped her up in
his arms and ran back to the door. The only thought in his head was to get his girl to safety.

Douglass cuddled against Lindsey's side fighting to keep her eyes open. So much was happening, so many new and strange events had been jam packed into just a few days. She couldn't come up with a word that could describe how she was feeling at that moment because she was feeling so many things that she was positive she would explode.

Though there were too many reasons why she shouldn't be in bed being held by Lindsey she couldn't get herself to really care. It just felt good, there was still so much she needed to learn about him. A lot he probably had to learn about himself.

"Douglass, I know I can't take back everything I put you through but I am just grateful that you are giving me the chance." Lindsey pulled her closer
to his side and inhaled the scent of her hair, she always smelled so clean. He had lived his entire life feeling dirty, first because he had grown up as
white trash, then because of his recent horrible acts he had committed.

"I did miss you. Funny huh? We were so rotten to each other but when you pushed me away and the anger lessened I realized just how much I really looked forward to just seeing you. Even though you were a major pain in the ass." Douglass hid her smile into his chest. Lindsey tickled her side, the more Douglass fought the laughter and tried to squirm away the more he would tickle, he was about to relent when the sound  of breaking glass made them both jump.

"What the hell?" Lindsey rolled off the bed and hurried to the door in time to see Angel and Willow dash from her room, he could see the ever growing flames dancing from inside her room and panic seized him. Thoughts of Douglass and his unborn child's safety gripped at him.

"Douglass, there's a fire, we need to get out now!" Lindsey turned and grabbed her arm pulling her from the room. Douglass paused and almost fell
over from Lindsey pulling her. Fire. It was spreading fast eating away at Willow's bedroom.

Angel grabbed Willow and kissed her hard before shoving her in Lindsey and Douglass's direction. "I need to make sure the others got out. Get them out of here, Lindsey." With one last glance Angel darted for the door.

"Angel no!" Willow cried and tried to go after him. Lindsey stopped her giving the redhead an apologetic look.

"Willow, he'll be fine but I need to get you two out of here. Where's Cordy?"

Douglass's gaze was fixated on the flames and Lindsey had to give her a slight shake. "Doug honey, where is Cordy?"

"Laundry room. She wanted to wash her lucky pair of pants." Tears started falling from her blue eyes and Lindsey wiped them away.

"Come on, we'll stop on the second floor to see if she got out."

Max watched from the shadows of the vacant building next to the bank, his plan was out of control. He had planned on smoking them out not get them all killed. Darla was going to be pissed that he put Douglass's life in jeopardy. He watched as the older Watcher and a young girl escaped the building followed by the blonde slayer.

No, damn it. These people were expendable, Max held an unneeded breath. Where were the others? Unless there was another way for them all to get out. Shit! Why hadn't he thought of that before? There were vampires in the group of course there was another entrance. Pulling out his cell phone he was about to call one of his human hirelings when another group barged out the door.

It was the dark young man, carrying the brunette followed by the redheaded witch and finally Douglass. Max let out the air he had trapped in his lungs. He may get to see another night, Lindsey came out right behind Douglass.

Max watched as the dark young man placed his bundle on the ground as the others gathered around. They were all talking at once to the unconscious girl but Max zeroed his gaze on Douglass who started to sway on her feet. The strawberry blonde witch dropped to her knees placing her hands on her injured friend. Max nearly jumped out of his skin when blue light radiated from the stretched out palms.

After a few moments the brunette sat up in a fit of coughs as Douglass collapsed to the ground.

Max couldn't wait until he told his sire what he just saw, she was going to be so pleased with him that she would forgive his other trespasses. About to leave his view from above for the second part of the plan Max nearly shouted in anger as he saw Lindsey straighten over Douglass's form, speaking a few words to the others the young man dashed back inside the burning building.

Lindsey wasn't *needed* to fulfill Darla's plan but would be an added bonus for Max when he presented the traitor to Darla.

"What the hell is he thinking?" Gunn watched in horror Lindsey ran back inside.

"Wait, do you hear that?" Giles held his hands up to quiet the young man. Everyone strained their ears then heard the terrified screams from above.

"Who the hell is that?" Buffy asked a chill sweeping over her body.

"Oh my Goddess, we forgot all about Lilah." Willow felt her stomach tighten and clapped a hand over her mouth as she staggered a few feet from the others before throwing up.

"Gunn?" Cordelia was resting back against Gunn's chest still coughing up the last of the smoke from her lungs. "Thank you."

"No need to thank me. Just see to it that it never happens again." Kissing her softly on the forehead Gunn tightened his hold her.

Giles had his daughter's head on his lap, begging her to open her eyes. "You don't think that all the smoke she had to have breathed in harmed the baby do you?" Willow asked nervously holding Douglass's limp hand.

"Well, as long as she didn't breath in too much...BABY? What baby?" Giles eyes widened looking at Willow for an explanation.

"Douglass just found out she was...well in the family way." Gunn answered for Willow. "It's Lindsey's child."

"Oh dear God." Giles looked back at the building as the sound of more breaking glass echoed off the deserted buildings in the neighborhood.
 

Chapter Fourty-eight

Douglass opened her eyes and blinked a few times in confusion. "What happened?"

Giles jumped, surprised at the small voice. "Thank God you're awake, I was getting worried." Giles leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "You saved Cordelia's life." Pride showed through his eyes but it didn't erase the lines of worry that were etched into his face.

Douglass sat up with the help of her father and looked around, Gunn was holding Cordelia whispering into her ear, Willow was staring at the building,
her arms wrapped tight around her. Dawn and Buffy were huddled together with Buffy soothing her sobbing sister, Douglass started getting frantic. "Where's Lindsey?"

They all stopped what they were doing to look over at Douglass who was trying to stand, looking at the older Englishman to explain to his daughter that he had run back into the building.

"He went back inside. Lilah..." Douglass's face went pale, they had forgotten the female lawyer and left her to die but worse Lindsey ran back into the fire and risked his life.

"How long has he been inside?" Douglass looked around at their faces panic gnawing a hole in her stomach. "HOW LONG?" she yelled at the top of her lungs when no one answered. Her hair was a mass of curls, flying in every direction, her eyes sparkled in fury.

"About ten minutes." Giles answered softly.

Douglass froze her eyes widening in terror, she was about to run to the front door when the sound of screeching tires came from around the corner. Everyone stopped what they were doing to look up at the black van heading in their direction.

"Oh this can't be good." Gunn tensed.

The van stopped and ten men jumped out, Buffy jumped up, stepping in front of her sister. Gunn shifted Cordelia off his lap so he could stand, Giles tried to shield Douglass from the intruders view but she stepped out from behind ready to fight with her friends.

"Douglass, if you wish to protect the baby I suggest that you step back." Giles whispered, looking at her father she stepped behind him again. Willow joined Douglass trying to concentrate on a protection spell that would help her friends.

It wouldn't have been much of a fight if the men hadn't had taser guns, Gunn was the first to fall to the ground followed by Giles. As Buffy tried to hold the men back five more men jumped from the van.

Dawn sat in horror as she watched Douglass, Willow and Cordelia snatched up and tossed into the van. The men that were keeping Buffy busy ran as soon as the van pulled off and headed down the street.

Lindsey choked on the smoke that was filling the stairwell, the heat was too much and he knew he had to turn back. In a way he felt bad for Lilah, no one deserved to die trapped in a fire but he also knew if she hadn't died that day sooner or later she would meet a bloody end. It was just the Wolfram and Hart way of things.

But he had decided to leave that way of life behind, it didn't mean his life was no longer in danger just maybe more so but now he could try and make up for all the evil he had done in his past. Angel and the others might think that this was once again another episode of his conscience getting the best of him but to Lindsey this was a long time in the making. Now he had a baby to think of and a beautiful girl to look after which meant he needed to get out of this building now.

Turing around to head back to the ground floor he bumped into Angel. "Are you insane Lindsey? I thought I told you to get the girls out of here." Angel looked behind Lindsey to make sure he didn't see any sign of Willow.

"I got them out but I remembered that Lilah was upstairs." Lindsey coughed again. The sound of shattering glass broke them out of their conversation, reminding them they needed to get out. Angel grabbed Lindsey by the arm and started to pull him down the stairs going so fast that Lindsey could barely keep up. When they got to the lobby Angel stopped. "I can't go outside but I want you to get everyone out there and meet up at the hotel." As the ex-lawyer was shoved toward the door Lindsey looked over his shoulder once as he watched Angel dash to the door leading to the basement.

"Shh Pet, I'm here." Spike pulled Aria close and stroked her hair.

"I was so scared. It's so dark here and I thought that something had happened to you." Aria hiccuped back her tears trying to take deep breaths to calm herself.

"I'm here see, " Spike held his arms out wide. "Perfect as always." Aria rolled her eyes and snuggled close.

"Is everyone else all right?" Wesley asked from the shadows of the sewer.

"Peaches made another tour of the place to make sure we all made it out." Spike didn't spare a glance in Wesley's direction, his attention totally
focused on the beauty in his arms.

Spike inhaled Aria's scent reassuring himself that she was in his arms and out of danger. Tilting her head he placed a kiss on her forehead, cheeks then her soft lips. Pulling her closer Spike stood for a moment just feeling her heartbeat.

They heard a door opening near by and a light spilled into the tunnel, soon Angel was seen striding toward them a grim look on his face.

"Everyone's out....except Lilah. Lindsey was the one to remember about her being trapped and came back in to get her out." Lines of guilt showed on Angel's face.

Spike noticed the look and put his hand on his grandsire's shoulder. "You had others that you were thinking of so I took the liberty of getting the bitch out." Seeing Spike motion his head to the side Angel looked to see Lilah huddled on the ground.

"Thank you Spike." Angel felt some of his guilt lessen. "I told Lindsey to gather the others and meet at the Hotel."
 

Chapter Fourty-nine

Angel paced, he knew something wasn't right, he could feel it deep inside. He kept looking to the hotel entrance for the arrival of the others only to see an empty entryway.

"Peaches sit down! You're making me sick with all your pacing." Spike lit another cigarette, his tenth in the last forty minutes. He could feel the
tension rolling off his grandsire and also felt that something  was wrong, the others should have been there by now.

"Lilah's asleep in one of the upstairs bedrooms." Wesley descended the stairs. "The others aren't here yet?" He received two angry glares.

"I'm sure they're on their way." Aria rubbed soothing circles on Spike's back.

"This is all wrong." Angel started his pacing again. "Cordy should have had a vision. We should have been more prepared for an attack." Running a hand through his spiky hair he swung around when he heard the doors open.

Gunn was the first to limp in., Buffy came next with tear stains on her face. Giles carried a sleeping Dawn and placed her on one of the lobby's couches, Lindsey was the last to enter, he was pale and shaking.

"Where's Willow?" Angel demanded a growl escaping his lungs.

No one answered. Buffy started to cry again, Giles looked far older than his forty odd years, Gunn looked away from the enraged vampire. Lindsey was the only who could find any words. "They're gone."

"What do you mean they are gone?" Angel clenched his fists and unclenched them leaving deep cuts from his nails.

Lindsey looked ready to speak when he broke down, Giles patted the young man on the back. "Willow, Cordelia and Douglass were taken. We were ambushed." Angel stood silent absorbing what he was being told. It couldn't be.

Throwing back his head he let out a furiosus roar. Everyone jumped at his anger.

"We are getting them back right now. Who ever did this will die, whether demon or human." No one-second guessed him they all felt the same way at different levels.

"We need to figure out who did this." Wesley cleared his throat feeling a tad uncomfortable at the waves of rage pouring off Angel.

"I know who did this. Darla is behind this." Angel whipped around and headed to the offices.

"Yes, but we need to figure out where she is keeping the girls." Wesley followed Angel at a safe distance.

"I'm sure that if I bust a few heads together at Wolfram and Hart I'll get some answers." Picking up a few axes, he tested them to make sure they were sharp. "Hey Lindsey, want to go and play at your old playground?" Angel asked tossing a weapon in his direction.

Lindsey caught the weapon with ease staring at the dark vampire for a moment. "Yes."

"Listen to you two! You can't do this!" Aria cried out. "You'll be no better than they are. Contrary to popular belief there are some pretty okay people that work at Wolfram and Hart. Not all of them but a few. "

"Listen to her Peaches. I would also love to go in there and bang a few heads together but it's not the smart thing to do." Spike walked over to the other vampire and blocked his path. "Put the weapons away we can figure this out."

"My father has a list at home in his office of all the buildings that Wolfram and Hart use. Spike and I can go and get it." Aria held her breath waiting
for Angel's decision.

Angel looked at the weapon in his hand then over at Lindsey. He could only imagine what the ex-lawyer was feeling, not only was the girl he cared about taken but his child was in danger as well. "Twenty-four hours. I'll give it that long but if we don't have Willow, Cordelia and Douglass safely back here by then, I'm doing it my way."

No one argued knowing that most likely after twenty-four hours it would be too late.

Douglass felt the ropes even before she opened her eyes, something in the back of her mind was triggered and she fought for control not to cry out in fear. This was how it happened last time, she knew. It was all coming back to her, the last time she was in this situation Tori had been alive, tied to a chair at the foot of the bed.

"We know you are awake Douglass, why don't you join us?" A female's voice came from her left. Douglass fought the need to see where she was but gave in, opening her eyes slowly she wanted to shut them tight again. It was happening again, Willow and Cordelia were tied in chairs a few feet away from the bed and both were still unconscious.

Her own body was tied down as well, there were ropes circling around her wrists and ankles and another was wrapped tightly around her neck. Tears spilled from Douglass's eyes, she tried to fight them but couldn't, the female who spoke to her earlier stepped closer to the bed. It was Darla,
Douglass remembered her from the Charity Ball.

"Why?" Douglass choked out. "What is it that you want?"

Darla smiled slightly, and sat next to Douglass on the bed. "Such a loaded question, my sweet Douglass. What I wanted was one of the strongest lines of vampires that walked the face of the earth. I'm a direct descendant of the Master you know, I made Angelus," a dreamy gaze filmed over her eyes. "He was magnificent, so dark and handsome. Oh and the evil things that boy could come up with."

"I spoiled him really, let him have his way too many times. He got out of control for a while, that's when Drucilla happened. It was my plan really, to
corrupt the innocent girl and drive her batty. Angelus took the game too far when he sired her, his little 'Masterpiece'." Agitated, Darla stood and
walked to the end of the bed as though she were inspecting Willow and Cordelia.

"I put my foot down then, started punishing Angelus. I would have insisted that he destroy Drucilla but she had the gift of sight you see and I figured it would come in handy. Several years we traveled, causing pain and suffering wherever we went, then William was taken into the family. Such a pigheaded idiot, he hadn't the mind for the games Angelus and played but had just the thirst for the kill. I can't even tell you the number of towns we were ran out of because of that one."

Walking over to a window to the right of the bed, Darla stood and stared out at the city below. "We were a family though. We would never had turned on one another, that is until Angelus got the horrid soul. That's when it all fell apart, we went after the gypsies but there was no help for him. William and Drucilla gave up hope of ever getting Angelus back, they ran off one night and I was left alone."

"Silly me, I've gotten off topic, now what was I saying...oh yes why? I'm rebuilding my family. Starting with curing Drucilla, I'm looking into getting
Spikes chip removed plus I want my boy back and I will have him by my side again one day. But most importantly I have a new addition in mind." Darla walked over the bed and leaned over kissing Douglass's forehead. "You will make a beautiful vampire."

"Never." Douglass spat at Darla.

"Well, not yet, First things first." With a snap of her fingers Max appeared from behind a red hot branding iron in his hand.

Douglass whimpered as he got closer, a sound that turned into loud uncontrollable sobs. Suddenly the air was filled with a scream that echoed off the walls.
 

Chapter Fifty

"Spike will you stop humming? If we get caught by my father's guards we're SOL." Aria glared over at Spike who had been whistling the Mission Impossible theme. He shrugged and gave her a boyish grin but inside he was just as worried and tense as Aria. He knew from first hand experience just how bad things were for the girls, he had been the one with Willow when she had walked into the bloodbath at Doug's apartment, the demon in him was raging that anyone dare touch the members of his new family. He just was trying to keep things light for both his and Aria's sanity.

"Your yapping doesn't help much either Luv." Winking at her he strode past her to peer into the widow of her father's study. "So it's in there?"

"Yes, I thought that I would go through the front door. My father's guards are pretty much at the front gates and on the grounds, he doesn't think anyone would ever dare enter his home." Aria paused disliking the thought of having to enter the home she'd grown up in, the place where so many nightmares had happened. "When I get inside I'll open the window for you." Aria started to move off and Spike put out a hand to stop her.

"You don't have to do this you know. I could go with you or we could say bugger it all and figure out another way to get our hands on that list." Concern for her safety showed in his eyes.

"No, I can do this. We both know this is the fastest and easiest way to do it." Aria reached out and touched Spike's cheek and leaned over to place a soft kiss on his lips. Turning and leaving before he tried to stop her again Aria rushed to the front of the house.

Her father wouldn't be home yet. Like most evil and vile things that were employed by Wolfram and Hart he kept late hours, ducking behind a bush at sight of an approaching guard she held her breath as he passed. Waiting for a moment to make sure that she was safe to proceed, Aria went to the front door and took out her set of keys to her former home.

Walking into the darkened front hall Aria steadied herself as old memories flashed before her. The time her father pushed her down the front stairs one Christmas Eve when she was twelve, taking deep calming breaths she hurried to her father's study, eager to get Spike inside and near her. She always felt better having him close by.

Opening the door to the study she peered into the darkened room, she could smell the lingering scent of her father's cologne and it almost made her gag. Stepping quietly into the room she hurried to the window and looked out trying to spot Spike. She almost giggled at how his bleached blonde hair was almost like a neon sign, unlocking the window she pushed it open and waited for Spike to crawl through.

"Took your time with that didn't you, pet? I could have had me a bloody picnic out here." Spike jumped through the window.

Aria ignored his comment and headed to her father's desk. "They're in one of these drawers."

"Do we need a key?" Spike asked ready to tear the desk apart if need be.

"Are you kidding? My father has this firm belief that no one would *ever* trespass on what is his. He thinks of himself as some big bad ass." Aria snorted, opening one of the drawers. "The guards are just for show."

Spike watched her from behind enjoying the view of her bent over looking through the contents of her father's desk. Not being able to stop himself he reached out and caressed the left cheek of her ass. Aria jumped in surprise and swatted his hand away. "Do you mind?"

"Can't say that I do." Spike chuckled, undaunted by her playful swat he reached out again. This time he stepped closer grinding his pelvis against her backside, she was wearing the pair of sweatpants she had been in when the building caught fire and the lose material gave him the freedom to feel her moisture already seeping from her core. His little spitfire was already hot and ready for him.

"Oh Pet." Spike sighed in her ear, grinning at the moan that was trapped deep in her throat. Reaching around front he kneaded her right breast, pinching her hardened nipple through the material of her shirt and bra.

Aria closed her eyes and tried to remind herself of the job they had come here to do but with Spike behind her, his hardened shaft pushing into her and the magic he was creating with his hands she couldn't think. "Spike stop." Aria whimpered.

"Make me, Luv." Nuzzling her neck right above her pulse point he heard Aria suck in a deep breath. 'Hell if you can't beat them join them.' she thought wickedly.

Turing around Aria reached out and placed her hand behind Spike's head and brought him closer until their lips met, with her other hand she eased the zipper to his pants down freeing his cock and starting to pump the length of him.

Growling at the pleasure that was coursing through him, Spike thrust into her small hand while pulling her pants down as well, lifting the little vixen up off her feet and setting her on her pop's desk, he was loath to change positions and causing her hand to leave him. Kneeling in front of her, impatient to get her shoes and pants off her body he leaned in and inhaled her spectacular scent, eeparating her folds he licked greedily at her juices.

Aria rocked into his face and laced her fingers through his bleached blonde hair. This was too much, the feelings he was able to create mixed with the fact that she was perched on her father's desk with her lover between her legs.

Spike inserted a finger into her wet core and a sense of masculine pride washed over him as Aria bucked against his hand and mouth whimpering his name over and over. As he Added a second finger to the first Aria had to bite down on her lower lip from crying out in pleasure.

Spike felt her walls clamp around his fingers and he sucked harder on her clit milking out her ecstasy. Standing up quickly not able to wait a moment more he sheathed himself into her hot heat and hissed at the exquisite feeling. Aria wrapped her legs around his waist and leaned back on her elbows allowing Spike to drive deeper into her.

"Spike." Aria felt her stomach tighten and her head went all fuzzy. Spike knew she was on edge and had they been anywhere other than her father's home he'd torment her longer but time was an issue. Reaching between them he pinched her clitoris hard enough to send her over the edge. muffling her moan of ecstasy Spike thrust deep inside her three times and  was claimed by a soul wrenching orgasm.

Aria leaned her head against Spike's chest and giggled. "That's not quite the sound a man wants to here from his lover after mind blowing sex, pet."
Spike grumbled.

"No, I was laughing because we just had sex on my father's desk." Spike grinned with her. "We need to find that list and get back." Aria pushed Spike back so she could hop down from the desk and retrieve her clothing.

Spike pulled up his pants and started pilfering through the desk again. "Well, well what do we have here?" Pulling out several files that Aria had never seen before. "Looks like your Daddy and some big wigs at good ole Wolfram and Hart have a little laundering scheme going on." Aria took the files from Spike skimming through the records of Adam Gallagher's latest embezzlements with Spike reading over her shoulder.

"Why would he keep something so incriminating in such an easy place to find?" Aria's eyes were wide.

"You said it yourself, your daddy doesn't think anyone would ever dare intrude on him." Spike stuffed the files into his jacket. "We may have a use for these. We need to get that list."

"Viola!" Aria waved the list triumphantly and was rewarded with a long passionate kiss from Spike.

"Let's go get our girls." Spike lead the way out of Aria's former home mentally noting that this would be the last time he'd allow his little she cat anywhere near it.

"Lindsey?" Angel had been watching the young man brooding in the dark and decided it was time to pull him out. They needed to come up with a plan and as loath as Angel was to admit it, Lindsey was great at putting a plan together, perhaps Lindsey's talents would be able to benefit the good fight this time. "Spike called. He and Aria are on their way back, they got the list."

Lindsey took in the view from the top of the building, he had been on the roof for close to an hour fighting back the tears that were welled up in his eyes. He was scared, perhaps more than he ever had been in his entire life. Just knowing it was a strong possibility he could  lose Douglass and his unborn child was tearing him apart

"You know, I used to think that karma was something the weaker of the species would spout to make themselves feel better about their pathetic existence but you know what? They were right, I am getting what I deserve. I changed too late and now Doug and the baby are paying the price." Sweeping a hand through his hair as he blinked the moisture from his eyes.

"I never pictured you one for self pity. Not a pretty sight." Angel gauged Lindsey's reaction, not wanting to push the other man too far.

Lindsey looked at the vampire sharply. "Of all people I would think that you'd understand the most. Willow's missing too." Angel flinched and his hands naturally formed into fists. "You haven't stopped to think that you're also getting what you deserve? That after all the pain and suffering that you have inflicted in your life, it's your turn now?"

Angel stood silently looking over his city. "Of course I think it Lindsey. I'm always thinking that I don't deserve the good fortune I have. I don't deserve the loyal friends I have, I didn't deserve the second, third and fourth chances I have gotten and I most definitely don't deserve someone as pure of heart and soul as Willow but I can't stand around beating myself up for it every time I'm in the middle of a crisis."

"You're right, you don't deserve someone like Willow." The two men heard the female voice from behind. Angel looked over his shoulder and spotted the owner of the voice, staring back at him, hands crossed across her chest.

"Buffy." Angel inwardly groaned. "How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough to know that you and my best friend have been lying to me." Spinning around Buffy stalked away, stopping at the roof entrance and turning around back toward Angel. "You know, you keep saying that you're not human, that you're a demon. Well, I disagree because you sure as hell act like every male I have ever known."

"How's that Buffy? From how I see it I gave you a chance at a new life. One without the torment and pain our love inflicted on us, it tore my heart out to leave you. I hated this damn city when I first got here. But it *was* for the best . Face it, what we had wasn't going to work, no matter how many times we tried. No matter how long the breaks from one another that we had." Angel saw Lindsey shuffle awkwardly out of the corner of his eye. He was glad the lawyer was here, confrontations with Buffy usually ended up messy, not that Lindsey could do much good up against
Buffy's strength but with a moderator it was less likely she'd attack. "Plus we've both changed from who we were. I needed the space to be able to make that change. I needed Cordelia and Wesley there reminding me that I was doing good, that I should lighten up and join the living. I couldn't do that with you, I was always reminded of what I was, what I did."

"So it'll be any different with Willow?" Buffy spat back at him.

"Its already different between Willow and I. I'm not trying to prove that I'm good, that I was nothing like Angelus. She has the faith and trust in me that you were unable to find. Face it Buffy, the two of you are as different as night and day."

"You can say that." Angel glared at the slayer's remark.

"I meant that as a compliment toward Willow." Angel threw back.

Lindsey tried to inch away from the fighting pair, the more he heard the more he began to understand Angel. Taking another step, he saw Angel shoot him a look that read a pleading for him to stay, thinking for a moment, Lindsey gave a short nod back.

"Willow is my best friend. Why did you have to pick her?"

"Please Buffy, when was the last time you called Willow to just talk girl talk? Or come to visit her?" Lindsey cringed at the anger in the vampire's words.

"What are you trying to say?" Buffy took a challenging step forward.

"What do you think I am saying? The slayerettes aren't much use for you anymore now that you can play army with the guys." Angel looked at the blonde's hurt expression and felt like kicking himself. "Buffy, this is just what I am talking about. We become like two five year olds fighting over a toy every time we get together."

"I won't accept that."

"You're going to have to." Angel motioned for Lindsey that it was time to leave and the ex-lawyer let out a long sigh, maybe it was a good thing he didn't have any past loves.
 

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