"Okay, this calls for a full-scale, middle of the night, serious book reading, two dozen donuts eating, Scooby meeting."  Buffy said, still staring at the spot Willow had vacated moments earlier.

"I couldn't agree more."  Giles shook his head, still in a state of shock.  "Let's give them a call."

"Check, Scooby APB coming up. " She paused. "Do you really think Xander and Cordelia are going to be much help?" Buffy reached for the phone. When a situation got this bad, she was comforted by Willow and Giles doing some research.  Willow would find exactly what they needed.

"Perhaps not, but if I'm up then they have to be too. Frankly, I don't think I could sleep after what we just heard."

"Me either."  Buffy called Xander. Of course, it took forever because Giles had a rotary dial. "Hi, Xander? You awake?" There was muffled voice on the other end. "Yes, I know it's 5:22A.M."  Another mumble was heard. "I know you were sleeping. What else is new? You're always asleep." She listened. "Yes, of course it's important! Not quite middle of the night call from the Slayer . .  do the math. Get Cordelia and get to the library.  We're in full research mode. " Buffy expelled a breath as the muted voice was heard again. "No, it's not a nasty demon of the week. It's much more serious than that. No, not The Judge serious but almost.  Just get there, will you? Willow's in trouble!"   Buffy hung up the phone, she dusted her hands free of imaginary particles.

"We should see them at the library in record time."

  "Well, I daresay, that was a straightforward way of telling him." Giles said sarcastically.

"I can't right now, Giles. Do you know what a hissy fit Xander is going to throw when he finds out? Willow is shacking up with the evil undead. We're lucky if he doesn't end up in the hospital."

"Yes, I know."

"What are we going to research?  Has this sort of thing happened before?"

"Human women falling for vampires?  Their numbers are legion. However,  I'm convinced that there might be other forces at work here. This isn't like Willow."

"What do you think it might be?"

"I haven't the faintest idea.  Mind control? A spell gone awry? Perhaps Xander's, er, new relationship with Cordelia has robbed her of her senses.  I just can't imagine that Willow and this demon. . ."   He looked vaguely disgusted. "I'm still quite flummoxed." He crossed his arms over his chest and drew his shoulders in.

"I'm not."  Buffy said honestly. "I mean, think about it. Handsome. Intelligent. Sophisticated."

"Homicidal."

"That is a big draw back. Who knew Wills digs bad boys?"

"Maybe she's simply flattered by his attention. I've noted that Willow has been rather ignored by young men."

"And the leather pants don't hurt either."

Giles grimaced. "Yes, quite. Thanks to our dear Willow, I also have some disturbing sexual imagery floating around in my head."

She groaned."Gyuah!  Giles, I just managed to block that out.  Remember?  I have some imagery from BOTH you and Wills.  Now, it has all started again.  Worse than before."

"Buffy, I didn't-"

"Save it. I saw your sex toys, Giles. The Denial Train has left the station. " The librarian blanched. Buffy put her head in her hands. "Talk about something else.  We have to get rid of the mental picture."

"I'm trying!  Er. . .Spike! Let's think about him. Demon. Railroad spikes. Nothing sexual about him at  all."

Buffy gave him a disbelieving look. "You have seen him, right?  Great cheek bones.  The accent.  Big blue eyes."

"Just what are you implying?"  Giles said archly.  "I'm not harboring any, er, thoughts about Spike. That is-"

At the same time, Buffy spoke. "Not that I'm attracted to Spike. Because, eww, evil undead, right?"

"That was in my youth.  I put Ethan Rayne behind me."

"What are you talking about?" Buffy asked.

"Nothing.  What were you talking about?"

"Nothing." She snapped.

"Let's move on. We were discussing Spike, er, his killings."  His face was impassive, as if he were reading from a book.  "William, the Bloody. Killed two Slayers."

"In love with Drusilla." Buffy added.

"Who was sired by Angelus. Dammit!  New Topic."  Giles blurted out. "The Master."

"Okay. . .The Master. Scary." Buffy chimed in.

"Powerful."

"Sired Darla."

"Who sired Angelus!" Giles scowled.

"Apparently, all roads lead to Angelus."

                           ************

Willow sprinted down the road and then across her lawn ever mindful up the large vampire behind her.  She hurriedly swung open the door of her house and scampered up the stairs.  Behind her, Angelus grinned.  He bolted to her balcony and climbed up the side, easily vaulting onto the floor.  He was inside her room just as she swung the door open.  Moving swiftly, he swept her up in his arms.  "Looks like I caught you."  He growled playfully.

"Dammit."  Willow said.

"Willow, I'm shocked at your language.  Whatever would your friends say?"

"I was supposed to be faster, you weren't supposed to win." She frowned.  "And I'm not even sure you won.  I mean, I was in my house, and-"

"But not in bed."

"Who said anything about being in bed?" Angelus just smiled sexily. Well, okay, maybe she WAS thinking about bed.  Did he have to be so smug about it?

"How did you manage to outrun me most of the way, little one?" Angelus said, sitting down on the edge of the bed with her still in his arms.  "I am a demon, after all. Super strength and added stamina."  He nipped her ear. "In more ways than one." She shivered.  "And my legs are longer."

"Spell."  She said, looking down, trying to fake remorse but failing miserably.

"It's called the Rabbit Running Spell.  I memorized it from a website. I thought it might come in handy in Sunnydale."

"You cheated?!"

"Uh, yeah." She struggled to be set free but he held her tighter.  She assumed he was angry until Angelus bust out laughing.  He even had tears running down his face.

"Are you alright, Angelus?"

"I'm fine."  He sighed.  "You just surprised me yet again." He hugged her. "I'm so proud of you!"

"Why?"

"You're just so. . . devious."

Her brow wrinkled."And that's a good?"

"It is if you're me."

Willow ran the back of her palm along his face. The faint smattering of stubble scraped along her skin.  "I've missed you."

"I know."  He waggled his eyebrows.

"I'm not talking about that!" She cried, breaking loose from his hold. She couldn't help the smile that spread across her face as she drifted to the other side of the bed. "Well, maybe I was." She gave him a coy look over her shoulder.

"Mmmm, well maybe I could something about that."  Angelus said, standing up.

Willow decided that she would never get used to his height. And the way he moved; the measured steps, the rolling hips, and that lethal smile. He stepped closer to Willow and walked her back against the wall. His arms slid up to pin her between the wall and his cool body. Angelus bent his head until his mouth covered hers.  He brushed his lips against hers several times, nibbling.  Teasing.

                          *************

"Willow's boinking evil Deadboy?!?" Xander shouted. They were in the library.

Wolf Oz was in the book cage dozing quietly.  The tranquilizer had taken care of him for the night.  They group was seated around the main table.

"Yep, blood breath and all." Buffy said, making an "ick" face.

Giles raised an eyebrow. "Yes, she having, er, sexual relations with him."

"We've gotta stop it!" Xander shouted, his eyes wide. "Why the hell are you so calm?!"

"He's in love with her."  The Slayer said.

"What?!" Xander jumped up from his seat.  "No, he's using her!  He's going to hurt her!"

"Xander, we're working on a plan.  We can't run off to face him unprepared. "

"What's to prepare?  He's a vampire, right? Grab the stakes and holy water and let's go!" He dashed to the door of the library.  "Come on!"

"It isn't that simple."  Giles said patiently. " It-it could be some kind of mind control.  Or perhaps she's simply feeling unloved and unwanted. We have to figure out what's wrong with Willow first.."

"Why?!" Xander cried.  "The only problem with her is that she's attached to 6 foot 4 mosquito.  Once the big bug is dead, she'll be fine!"

"Killing him might harm her.  Either emotionally or physically, if she's under some sort of an enchantment."

"Xander, sit down."  Cordelia ordered. "If it isn't a spell, this is so obviously your fault."

"I didn't make her shack up with Angelus." Xander denied, walking to the table.

"Yes, you did.  She saw us kiss that night.  She knows we're together."  Cordelia explained. "Xander, she's been in love with you for years and then you picked some one else."

Xander gulped, he could feel the guilt coming on. "Oh, God. This IS my fault." He put his face in his hands. "Poor Willow."

"Yes."  Giles agreed.  He nibbled on the end of his glasses. "So you see, we must find a way to safely disengage her from the vampire.  In her fragile emotional state, there's no telling what might happen."

"She didn't look that fragile to me." Buffy asserted "In fact, she looked kinda fierce." She took a sip of water. "And from how she was talking about. . .uh, doing the deed with Angelus, she enjoyed it."

"That's it!" Xander said, standing once more.  "I know you guys want to wait and plan. But we have to do something before she gets hurt."  He glared down at them, butting off their protests.. "I won't kill him, unless I have to.  But, I'm not letting her stay with him. You can either help me or stay out of my way." No one moved.  Xander went to the bag of weapons Buffy had brought and grabbed up a couple of stakes, a vial of holy water and a large cross. "This is stopping now. I'm sorry I might have hurt Willow but she's not going to continue on with this. . .thing. I'm not losing another friend to a vampire."  He swept out the door, the specter of his friend, Jesse, in his mind's eye.

The other Scoobies followed his lead. Apparently, Xander had made the decision for all of them.

                          *************

Willow moved her mouth more insistently against his but Angelus pulled back.

"What are you doing?" She whispered, almost dizzy from his proximity and the desire spreading through her body.  Why was he going so slow?

"Taking my time." His mouth feathered across hers again. "I want to revel in you."  He pressed his cheek against hers, savoring her warmth and softness. "Worship you."

"Oh."  She said, the breath rushing from her body in a shuddering sigh. "I-I guess that's okay then."

Angelus captured her lower lip between his own and sucked slightly before letting his dark dart out to tease her mouth.  He pressed her further into the wall, his body caging hers with its greater breadth and height.

Willow flicked her tongue against his mouth as well, mimicking his movements.  He groaned then, sliding his arms around her and bringing her flush against his body.  One of his hands fisted in her hair, holding her still for his invasion.  Their tongues dueled with one another.

Willow shoved at his chest then, breaking the contact. She gasped for air.

"I'm sorry."  He rested his forehead against hers. "I forgot you have to breathe. I almost smothered you."

She smiled.  "Yeah, but what a way to go."

His voice was hoarse, strained by passion. "We still have a ways to go."  With that, he swooped her up and deposited his precious bundle on the bed. He walked to the bottom of the bed, looming over her as he slowly brought his arm up to unbutton the button at his wrist. He did the same with the other one.  Then he unbuttoned his shirt, his eyes still trained on her.  Willow licked her suddenly dry lips, watching him avidly.  He peeled the shirt off and it floated to the floor.  Then his hands unbuttoned the top of his leather pants. Willow's eyes turned to smoke.  He slid his hands to the fly, pulling it down inch by inch, the metal zipper made a humming noise as it was undone.

She could see the hard bulge under his trousers, straining to be released. Angelus , pants still on, then leaned down to crawl up the bed to her. His talented mouth nipped at her ankle. His hand slid up her skirt, rucking it up.  His tongue darted out to caress her kneecap.  He pressed a kiss to the V of her thighs and Willow couldn't suppress a moan.  He bared her midriff to his gaze and his tongue swirled the edge of her bellybutton. His hands slid up to cup her breasts as his thighs straddled hers.  He bent his mouth to his bite mark.  His tongue slid along it.  He could feel his fangs elongate, his face changing.  "Looks like you got me where you want me." Willow observed.

"Almost." He moved his hands from her breasts to her upper arms, moved them over her elbow and then down to her wrists, which he caught deftly.  He brought them together over her head and secured them with one of his hands.  The position thrust her breasts out, pushing temptingly from the line of her lavender top.  It also made her bare her throat to him.  He growled then, his hunger for her was voracious.  He wanted all of her.  Her mind.  He mind. Her love.  Her blood.  Her very soul.  And he'd greedily consume it all.   He plunged his fangs deep inside her, reopening his wound.  The rich blood bathed his tongue and he had to stop from ravishing her like the beast he was. Just then, dawn creeped up the sky.  The curtains to her bedroom were lighted with blazing yellow.  Angelus felt something pressing on him from within.  It was the soul. He just knew it.  He reluctantly pulled his mouth from her neck, droplets of blood clinging to his neck.  "No!"  He said, twisting his body as if he could stop it from happening. He released her hands. "Not now! I'm in the middle of--" Then, he arched his back and Willow felt a current of energy glide through his body.  Angel looked down at her. "Willow."

"Angel?"  She said weakly.  Her body still thrummed with unsatisfied desire and it was difficult to concentrate.  "How did. . .what is going on?"

"I don't know." He said dazedly. "I just woke up all of a sudden." His memory was fuzzy.  "Woke up on top of you."

Willow's eyes slammed shut. This was the perfect end to a bizarre evening.

"Great.  I'm dating Jekyll and Hyde."

Angel became aware of the scent of her blood suddenly. He could feel it on his tongue, clinging to his lips.  His mark on her was newly opened. "Oh, Willow."  He moaned.  Then, the scent of her desire hit him, add that to the position he was in. . .

The door to her bedroom swung open.   Xander had never been more horrified in his life.  Willow lay helpless underneath the huge vampire.  The demon was half naked and her blood clung to his lips. "Get off of her!" Xander exclaimed.  "Now!"

~Part: 17~

Giles stepped back from the chair to view his handiwork. Angel was bound by thick rope to one of his dining room chairs. The vampire's head was slumped forward and a huge knot was visible on his forehead from where he'd been struck with the side of a crossbow. Xander had launched himself at the dazed vampire and knocked him out before anyone could intervene. They had decided, despite Willow's weary protests, to take him to Giles' apartment while they ascertained what was really happening.

The rest of the Scoobies were sitting on Giles' living room furniture in various states of shock, disgust, horror, and confusion. The Watcher joined the rest of the group. "Well, now he isn't going anywhere."

"I don't see why you had tie him up." Willow grumbled.

"I don't let homicidal maniacs roam free in my home as a general rule." Giles said snidely.

"I think you just wanted an excuse to practice tying knots." Willow mumbled. Giles glowered at the redhead and Buffy wrinkled her nose up and whispered an 'eww'.

"What?" Xander asked, dumbfounded. "I don't get it."

"Enough." Giles said, standing up and walking over to tower over the still seated girl. "Explanation time, young lady."

Willow shot to her feet, causing her mentor to back up. Her eyes were fierce. "Why are you taking that tone with me? All parental and disaprovey." She put her hands on her hips. "My personal life is none of your business."

"Is Giles like a boy scout leader or something? Is that why he ties knots?" Xander pondered. "Creepy. Still not funny."

"I beg to differ. You have no idea who you're really dealing with, child. Whenever you decided to start dating a demon you lost your rights to privacy."

"Yeah," Xander chimed in. "I thought you had better taste, Wills. I mean, the evil undead? What's up with that?"

"YOU are going to lecture ME on dating a demon?" Willow said incredulously. "The only thing that I can say to that is. . .Mummy Girl."

"Yeah, and look how well that ended." Buffy said, wrinkling her brow. "Remember? She tried to eat you, Willow."

Willow ignored her blond friend."Or I could bring up Praying Mantis Lady."

"That didn't end well either." The Slayer reminded them. "She tried to uh, mate with Xander. Then, she was going to eat him. Are you seeing the pattern here, Wills? Dating a demon leads to badness."

"Do you know what this. . ." Giles broke off as he gestured to the darkly handsome vampire. "THING. . . has done? He's a killer. A pillager. A monster. And worse. He just happens to be wrapped in a pretty package."

"I know." She refused to look at him, her conscience warring with her burgeoning love for Angelus and Angel. "Believe me, I have no illusions about what he's done."

"Then why?" Giles asked, mystified. Out of all the teenagers, she was the most sensible. The most adult.

"I couldn't help it." She said in a small voice. She beseeched Buffy. "I never wanted it to happen. You have to believe me."

"I do. And I get it. Sometimes, we can't help who we love." The Slayer answered. "But how could you act on it?" Buffy asked. She wasn't still in love with Angel but it hurt to know of Willow's deep connection with the vampire. Was it wrong to want to remain in his heart? At least for a while.

"I guess I'm weak."

"Don't forget stupid." Xander put in. Her lower lip trembled. "Sorry, Will. You're the smartest girl I know, but this just plain dumb."

"I know." She whispered. Willow took all of their comments to heart. Nothing they said could compare with what her conscience had already told her. Still, she couldn't seem to stop herself. She was like an addict. She couldn't get enough of him. Or maybe there was some part of her that wanted to be a little bit bad. An evil thread in an otherwise good person.

"Look, we're getting nowhere with the guilt and shame routine." Cordy said. She turned to Willow. "So, you got pelvic with the big guy?" Willow pursed her lips but nodded. "Are you under any sort of spell or whatever?" She shook her head. "Are you doing this because of me and Xander?" Willow rolled her eyes. "Okay then." She clasped her hands together. "My work here is done. Let's go home."

"Not so fast." Giles broke in. "People operating under the influence of powerful magics rarely admit to it." He looked pointedly at Cordelia. Then, he turned to Willow. "Perhaps, you're not aware that you're under a compulsion or maybe a-"

"I'm not under a spell!" Willow cried. She hated that, the way they assumed 'mousy Willow' would need the dark forces to do something like this.

"Alright. Calm down." The librarian said soothingly. He sat down and motioned for Willow to do so as well. "Why don't you start at the beginning? Tell us how it started. Help us understand."

Willow sat down and took a deep breath. She doubted they would appreciate her strange love story. "Well, it started like this. . ."

*********

"Do you know the muffin man? The muffin man, the muffin man. Do you know the muffin man?" Drusilla sang as she twisted in circles.

Spike put his pillow over his head. "Dark Lord, make her stop." He called out to her. "Dru? Pet, could you be quiet, please? I need to sleep."

"But, there's dancing and songs, Spike." She said as she poked her head in their room. "And it's all being led by a purple demon!" She raced over and plopped down on the mattress beside him.

"Dru, are you watching Barney again?"

"Is that the demon's name?"

"Yes, but he's not a demon, he's a purple dinosaur." Spike said, yawning. "We've been over this."

"But he's looks like a demon." She whined.

"Fine, have it your way pet. Bloody Barney's a bloody awful demon. Especially when he opens his bloody big gob." He settled back down. "Run along then."

But she sat still and tilted her head to one side as if someone was whispering in her ear. "Oh, Daddy's tied up." She said with a sly grin like a child telling a particularly juicy secret. "The music's stopped and he's the only one in a chair." She laughed and then listened again. "Before there was two and now there is one. Gypsy magic and moon beams combined." She nodded. "But the red witch doesn't know."

"What?" Spike said, peering at her from under his pillow. "Are you talking about Willow and Angelus?"

Dru nodded. "There's to be a joining! Maybe a wedding." She clapped her hands and jumped up from the bed, twirling once more. "Goin' to the chapel and we're gonna get-"

"Red's going to be stuck with our ol' sire, eh?" Spike grinned. He wouldn't mind having her in the mix. And Angelus would be occupied too!

She stopped for a moment, eyes hopeful. "Do you think they'll let me be the flower girl? With a basket of roses?" She sighed. "All those nasty, hooky thorns."

"Sure, pet. You'll be the belle of the ball." He sighed. "Now, can you let me get some sleep?"

"Poor, Spike" She blew him a kiss before running out of the room. "I'm going to go see if that demon eats one of the children. They're so tasty, you know."

He could hear her turn up the music as they sang the "I love you" song. "Serve those noisy little buggers right." Spike said, turning over and burying under the covers.

************

The Scoobies had Miss Calender's belongings spread out on the coffee table. They were paging through her notebooks, reading the volumes of her gypsy lore books, and pouring over other relevant books Giles' possessed. The crew had finally believed that Willow was acting on her own free will even if she was showing impaired judgement.

Everyone secretly thought it would blow over anyway. Right now, they were more concerned about Angelus having free reign over Angel's body. Giles had vowed to keep him here under restraints indefinitely until they found a way to put his soul in charge.

"Ohhhh" Angel moaned as he woke up.

"Angel?" Willow asked, walking over to him. "Are you alright?"

The vampire swallowed. "Under the circumstances? Yes." He could feel the ropes cutting into his skin but they weren't very painful. Certainly no worse than anything he'd ever experienced as Angelus. He'd had a fondness for being bound, though that was usually a prelude to darker delights.

"How's your head?" Willow asked brushing his hair off his forehead.

He blinked. "Oh, my forehead. Fine. Vampires heal quickly."

Giles approached from behind the redhead and he was brandishing a large cross. It made Angel squint and look away. "How can you be sure that is Angel?"

"I just know." Willow said. "Can't you tell? He just looks different."

"I see." Giles said, leveling a cold stare at the supernatural being. "And what do you have to say for yourself?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing!? You seduce an impressionable young girl and you have nothing to say for yourself?"

"I don't have to explain myself to you or anyone for that matter, Rupert. And I don't appreciate being treated like an errant child because I'm old enough to be your great grandfather."

"Then, you have no business touching Willow!" Giles snarled. Willow wondered if all of this anger was really on her behalf. Perhaps, the Watcher was simply unleashing his rage at Jenny's untimely death.

"Jealous?" Angel drawled. Which earned him a black eye from Giles before Buffy dragged him away and pushed him into the bathroom so he could cool down.

"Alright." Willow said, trying to breath evenly. "We just need to calm down. Everyone calm down. Let's go look at the research again. Okay? No yelling or hitting." The Scoobies went back to their books and Willow held a ziploc bag of ice cubes to Angel's eye. Giles eventually joined them once more and the gang finally found the answers they were looking for.

Willow scowled at her legal pad. "I'm an idiot."

"No, you simply failed to take moon phase into account. It's a common mistake for a neophyte witch." Giles placated.

She went to Angel, bending down to look him in the eye. "I'm so sorry. I had no idea what would happen if I did this during the full moon."

"I know. We'll just have to fix it." Angel said. He hoped he sounded confident. He was worried about what damage Angelus would do with his body this time. And also worried about the monster's affect on Willow. Perhaps she wouldn't' want to change him back. Maybe she enjoyed having the demon around.

"Uh, dumb guy here. Need some more info." Xander interjected. "You guys lost me."

"Willow performed the spell at the height of the lunar cycle. The moon has always controlled dark and light. Right and wrong. Its no accident that emergency rooms fill up with the insane and more people commit crimes during the full moon. It heightens good and evil."

"Okay. Got that. But she gave him back his soul. Wouldn't that put the soul in control of the body again?"

"For a time, yes. However, as a full lunar cycle progressed and gelled the change. His darker self. . .the demon, reasserted itself. Literally, Willow polarized Angel. His demon and his soul are now sharing control of the body equally." He looked at Angel. "Did you feel different during the night? When the moon was out?"

"Yes," Angel said thoughtfully. "It was almost as if I could hear him. Like he was sharing my consciousness."

Giles nodded. "He is. The demon has seized nocturnal control of the body. Just as you have daytime control of the body."

"How do we undo it?" Buffy asked.

"I'm not certain about that." Giles admitted "I'm not even sure we can."

"Back to the books." Willow ordered.

"Can you at least untie me?" Angel asked. "It really is me. I would never hurt any of you and I'm an experienced researcher."

"Very well." Giles grudgingly untied the vampire and handed him a thick volume of lore.

*********

"Hey guys." Oz said, breezing in Giles' apartment.

"Oz!" Willow stood up. She could feel Angel tense up beside her. She'd forgotten, in all the Angelus drama about the werewolf's encounter with Spike. "Are you okay?"

"Fine." He nodded. "My head's a bit sore."

"Well, that's because Spike clocked you one." Willow admitted. "You escaped last night but don't worry, no one was hurt. Er, except you."

"And Spike is. . .?"

"Vampire." She filled him in. "He actually saved me from you."

"Oh, Willow I'm so-"

"Forget about it. Not your fault. I'm just sorry he had to hit you." She winced. "And sorry we left you locked up and naked in school."

"Good God." Giles glanced up from his book. "We were so preoccupied with the matter at hand we forgot about-"

"Don't worry about it, Giles. I'm fine." He pointed to his orange t-shirt. "And see? Clothes wearing." He smiled. "Oh, but ,uh, Snyder found me. He wants to talk to you first thing tomorrow morning."

"Yikes. The mean midget found you naked." Xander winced in sympathy. "I bet he threw a fit." He made a face. "And naked in front of Snyder? Nightmares for life."

"Oddly enough he didn't seem that surprised to find someone naked in Giles' library. He just looked disappointed." He 'huh'ed about that. "But, he did make me take a drug screen."

Willow and Buffy pretended to very interested in their books.

"Lookin' for PCP?" Xander asked.

"The very same."

"Well, we're having a research party. Wanna join in?" Willow offered.

"Sure. Why not?" He pulled up a seat.

Oh, joy. Angel thought to himself.

*********

Buffy yawned, stretching her arms above her head. "You know, there is something to be said for Slaying. I mean, sure its dangerous. But there's no reading involved. It's just about introducing vamps to a pointy wooden object. No big."

"Yes, well, I think we've done all we can for now." Giles said. "I'm going to have to call the Watcher's Council and have some of their more arcane texts shipped to us. I fear that my library may not be extensive enough to cover this topic."

"Sounds like a good idea." Willow agreed. "And I should probably check the web. There are probably a few underground sites about this stuff. I just need to suss them out."

"Does this mean we can quit for the night?" Xander asked hopefully. "Because my eyes are swimming."

"Yeah, and I'm covered in paper cuts." Cordelia complained.

"You didn't bleed on any of my books, did you?" Giles asked sharply.

"Gee, thanks. So nice to know that you were worried about your stupid moth-ridden books but not me."

"You found moths?" He looked alarmed.

"She's teasing." Willow said, rubbing her own temples. "No fighting. Not tonight. I'm exhausted."

"What are we gonna do with Mr. Fangy?" Cordelia queried. "Cuz, I'm all for locking him up." She thought back to her guard duties with the werewolf. "I say we tranq Oz and Angel and then toss them in the bookcage. That way we don't have to worry about them busting free. It'll just be snoring in lockdown."

"And the rest of us who have human emotions? What do we want to do?" Willow said sarcastically.

"Cordelia does have a point." Giles said. "We can't afford a break out. At least when it comes to Angel. I'm not eager to come across Angelus again."

"I'm not sure its wise to keep Oz and I together." Angel said, trying not to be hurt over their callous tone. "What if one of us wakes up before dawn? We could damage each other."

"Agreed." Giles said, nibbling on the end of his glasses. "What if we restrain Angel in my bathtub and take Oz to the high school?"

"Sounds nice and safe." The Slayer put in.

Angel leaned down to whisper in Willow's ear. "Are you sure its okay to leave me tied up and all alone with Rupert?"

"You're worried he might try to get some payback for Jenny's death?"

"No, I think he might. . .well, you know. You said he likes things, uh, differently. A vampire tied up and helpless is different alright."

Willow smirked. "Tell you what, I'll stay the night too. I'll make sure and protect your virtue."

"Thanks." Angel grinned at her. He leaned closer and pressed a kiss to the area below her earlobe. "You smell delicious, by the way."

"Oh." Willow's face flooded with color and she got a pleasant tingly sensation in the pit of her stomach.

"Do hurry up." Giles said, green in the gills. "Sundown is rapidly approaching."

Oz watched the couple carefully, hurt in his eyes. He backed away and went to the door. Buffy called out to him. "Wait up, Oz." She followed him out the exit. "Hold up, I'm your escort for the evening, remember?" She frowned. "That came out a lot more prostitute-ish than I had intended."

"No big." Oz's back said.

"Hey, what's the what here?" The Slayer ran up beside him.

"Nothing. I'm fine."

"Yeah, cuz you look so darn happy."

"I'm sorry. . its just private."

"Its about Willow, huh?" Buffy guessed.

"Uh, yeah. That was amazingly accurate." Oz looked impressed.

"Takes one to know one. I'm feeling kinda green-eyed over Angel." Buffy managed a smile. "Misery loves miserable company. We don't have a lot of time until your upcoming 'grrr' but you wanna get a soda real quick and compare ouchies before we have to lock you up?"

Oz nodded. "Sounds like a great idea."

Buffy patted his shoulder. "You really don't say that much, do you?" He nodded by way of agreement. Her grin got much wider. "I like that in a guy."

~Part: 18~

"Come on, try it."  Buffy coaxed, offering Oz a sip of her Diet Coke.

"Nah, I'm orange soda guy."  Oz said, nodding to his beverage.  They had raided the vending machines by the cafeteria on their way to the library. Buffy and Oz were seated on opposite sides of the long oak table.  Their feet were propped up and it was the first time either of them had been able to relax all day.

"Fine, but you don't know what you're missing." She carefully bit into the side of her Reeses cup, she like to bite off the edges before she separated the peanut buttery goodness from the chocolate.

Oz was dining on powdered mini-donuts and pondering the mysteries of women.  "Does the drink cancel the chocolate out or what?"

"Something like that."  He stared.  "It's a delicate food system of checks and balances, Oz."

They smiled at each other.

"I respect that.  Wouldn't want there to be grocery anarchy."

Buffy was loathe to bring down the mood, but eager to discus what had happened.  "What. . .um, what are you going to do about Willow?"

Oz's face became troubled.  "Still working on that."

"I'm still in think mode too."  Buffy agreed somberly.  "I didn't stake him.  That's a good sign."

"We've ruled out dusting then."  He was just a little bloodthirsty.

Buffy nodded.  "You know, I thought I was past it.  Angel and I ended things right.  Had the big talk and everything.  Then, boom. . .I find out he and Wills have been making with the wild monkey love and–"

Oz flinched.

"Oz, I'm so sorry!"  Buffy placed her hand over his on the table.  "I didn't mean to. . .you know, I'm giving Cordy a run for her money in the no tact department."

"S'okay."  Oz shrugged.  "She and I were never. . I hoped that we would be, close.  It's not like we were Oz and Harriet."

"Let me make it up to you."  Buffy offered.  "How about I buy you breakfast tomorrow morning?"

"That has potential."  Oz agreed.  "But I want two hashbrowns and I'm a coffee fiend."

Their eyes met and held and the hurt seemed to ease a little.

Willow was changing into her set of emergency clothing in Giles bedroom.  The Watcher had already clapped Angel in irons and he was resting uncomfortably in the bathtub. She was switching her clothing rapidly because she wanted to act as a buffer between Angelus and Giles.

"Pssst, Red." Willow froze as she was lifting her shirt over her head.

"Whose there?"  She asked in a loud whisper.

"It bloody well isn't Romeo."  Was the irritated reply.

"Spike!"  Willow pulled her shirt down and went to the window.  Spike was perched on the low overhanging roof.  The day was cloudy so he was able to not be `extra flamey' even though it was still technically still day time. "What are you doing here?"

"Checking up on you."  He touched the invisible barrier between them with one finger, absentmindedly.

"Oh, well, we're fine." Willow smiled and then her face became threatening. "And, hey, how long have you been there, did you see–"

"I'm a vampire, not a pervert!"  Spike said with an offended air.

"One in the same."  Willow said, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Okay, maybe a little peek, but I *am* a demon, you know." Spike said playfully. "Nice knickers, pet.  With the little red hearts on the–"

"Maybe I should tell Angelus."

"Like I give a damn." Spike shrugged.  "Anyway, I came here to talk about your situation, not your unmentionables."

"We're fine.  Everybody's in research mode and we're gonna undo this thing."

"We'll see."  Spike knew from past experience that Dru's visions were usually true.  Willow wasn't likely to appreciate this particular revelation.

"Yes, we, meaning me and him, not you. . .will."  She frowned.  " Hopefully, that had made sense."

"You sure that's what you want to do?"

"No." Willow admitted.  "I know I shouldn't want to. . .he's evil."

"The best people usually are, luv."  He grinned wolfishly.

"For that matter, I shouldn't be confiding in you."

"And why not?  I've got a hundred or so years of love advice to give.  Besides," He said confidentially.  "I'm better looking than `Dear Abby', right?"

"No contest there.  Wait a sec, do you read `Dear Abby'?"

"We're talking about *your* personal problems."

"Do you read Ann Landers' column too?"

"No, but maybe you should write to her." His voice switched to a high falsetto.

"Dear Ann, I'm torn between two relationships.  One with a broody vampire, one with a bloodthirsty vamp.  I just can't choose!  But the real problem is that they share the same body.  What should I do?"  Spike finished sardonically.  "How many lashings with a wet noodle do you think you'd get?"

"So, you do read her stuff."  Willow said, completely ignoring his taunt.

Spike growled.  "You're lucky I can't come in."

She knew he wasn't thinking of doing her serious harm. Somehow, this blue- eyed demon was charming his way into her good graces.  Wasn't she Miss Dicey Semantics? "I'm sorry." She said sincerely.  "And I can't invite you in anyway."

"No problem, pet.  It's all tweed and books."

"Are you sure?  He has some English food that isn't disgusting.  Like Wheetabix."

"You don't say?" Spike said thoughtfully.  "Hand some over the threshold, I'm feelin' a bit peckish."

Willow picked some off the night stand.  Giles usually ate crackers in bed. "Here you are." She handed him the box.  "I've got to get downstairs and be buffer gal."

"Righto."  Spike mumbled around a cracker.  "I'll wait up here, just to be sure it's all handled.  Nice and quite like.  Feel free to continue dressing though, pet.  Can't wait to see if your bra matches."

Willow rolled her eyes, scooped up her other shirt, and exited Giles' room.  She changed into her other shirt in the unoccupied hallway and then proceeded downstairs muttering about irritating vampires.  The sun was sinking in the sky and Willow watched it fade from sight.  She felt a rush of energy in the bathroom and knew she had to hurry.

Giles stood in the corner of the room sizing up the dark vampire.  "I've wanted to do this for weeks." He remarked as he took in the massive amount of chains Angelus was wrapped in.  "Although, in my fantasy, you were bleeding.  There may have been some bruises as well."

Angelus smirked, unconcerned about his own captivity.  "Yes, Willow told me all about your proclivities.  You could've at least bought me a drink first."

Giles' jaw tightened.  "I think that you've worn out your welcome.  You almost destroyed Buffy, seduced an innocent young girl, killed countless Hellmouth denizens, and. . .Jenny."

"Is that a violin I hear?" His head was cocked to the side as if he was listening to a distant melody.  "Poor Rupert, isn't your life just terrible." Angelus said without a trace of remorse.

But Giles wasn't listening to the vampire, he was listening to the inner voice of darkness.  Ripper was anxious to come out and play. "Yes, I should do all of us a favor and dispose of you."  Giles inserted an arrow into the crossbow.  "I would be doing everyone a kindness." His eyes smoldered with hatred.  "Not to mention the fun involved."

Willow swung open the door.  "Whatcha doin' in here, Giles?"

The Watcher quickly placed the bow at his side.  "Having a talk with Angelus," He replied smoothly.  "Why don't you be a dear and make us some tea, Willow?  I'll only be a moment."

"Yes, the kind of talk that involved pointy wooden weapons." Angelus answered, nodding to the crossbow at Giles' side.

"He was going to-" She turned to her friend.  "I know that this is difficult for you but we can't kill him."  She sighed as her mentor continued to stare at her, unmoved. "Not like this, anyway, not when he's bound and helpless."

"I'm never helpless."  Angelus bristled.

Willow ignored him. "It would be revenge, Giles, and that isn't what we do."

"I think its time I went back to researching."  The Watcher said as he threw down the crossbow .  He paused at the side of the tub.  "We'll continue this real soon."  With that, he turned to leave.

"Giles–"

"I don't want to talk about it, Willow."

"Give me the key to his chains."  She didn't want Giles to have them.  Who knows what he might do?  She didn't even want to think about Angelus and Giles involved in a `fair fight'.

He pulled them from his pocket and slapped them into her hand as he stalked from the room. Willow watched him leave, at a loss for words for once.  She was torn. Part of her wanted to comfort Giles but she doubted he would let her.  Part of her wanted to tell him to leave Angelus alone, which would only compound his pain. Soon, she heard the blaring sounds of The Doors coming from the stereo.  Good, it was a non homicidal way to release tension.

Willow pushed the cold metal keys into her pocket and then faced her demon. She knew that Giles would never be able to forgive Angel and certainly not Angelus. She was doubtful that any of her friends would be able to forgive and forget either.  It all added up to an impossible situation.

"I thought he'd never leave."  Angelus said, grinning at the redhead.  "If I remember right, we were rudely interrupted by Soulboy when we last left off."

Willow scowled at him.  "You torment my friend and then expect me to sleep with you?"

"Why not?"  Angelus asked.  "Worked before."

She gasped and all at once, Willow knew the truth.   He was

right.  Angelus tormented her friends, pushed Jenny to her death, and was feeding off the general population.  And she had let him in her bed.  More importantly, in her heart. Willingly.

"Smarts, doesn't it?" Angelus was merely stating the facts.  "You love a demon."

Willow began to weep as she pushed herself into the corner.  "No–"

"A soulless, murderous thing who will kill your friends the first chance he gets. A fiend who's going to find a way to keep the soul out of this body forever."

Willow picked up the crossbow.

"Say it."

"I love you, Angelus."  She pointed the bow at his heart.

He shook his head.  "So impersonal, little one.  I expected a bit more of a send off from you."

Angelus was right.  It wasn't a fitting end to their relationship.  She pulled the arrow from the contraption and tossed it on the floor.  Then, on shaking legs, she approached him.

Angelus was deathly silent, watching her come to him.

She balanced on the edge of the tub, the arrow clutched in her fist.  Willow let her hand slide into his silky dark hair one last time and then laid her lips over his.   She kissed him goodbye, her tears falling freely.

Angelus savored the feel of her on his tongue.  The salty tears, the achingly beautiful pain, and her overwhelming love.  Intoxicating.  Then, he brought his knee up into her side, throwing her off balance and into the tub with him. He savored her scream as he caught it with his own mouth.  Angelus used his shackled hands to draw her up close against his body.  She fought to free herself but his hold on her was unbreakable, chains or not.  Outside, the music still shook the apartment. . .no one was coming to her rescue.

Angelus began to kiss her in his earnest then, putting all of his hunger for her into it.  His lips engaged hers in a perilous dance and Willow couldn't resist the tune. Heaven might be peaceful but Hell had its own delights. Dots began to dance in front of her eyes as his kiss continued.  He was sucking the life from her in a different way.  Her eyes rolled back in her head as she finally lost consciousness.

He reluctantly moved his mouth from hers, brushing a small regretful kiss against her lips as he maneuvered her backwards.  She came to rest on her back against his raised thighs, her legs still splayed around him.    "Sorry about that, little one, but I have to stop you before you do something we'll both regret."  Angelus slid his hand into the pocket of her jeans and retrieved the keys.  He palmed them and slid them into the variety of locks around his chest and waist.

Giles sat on his couch with a snifter of brandy in his hand , staring sightlessly at his stereo.  Jim Morrison's rich voice spilled from the radio. Unfortunately, it wasn't doing much to soothe his nerves or distract him.  "Five to one, baby. . .One in five. . .No one here gets out alive, now. . .You get yours, baby. . .I'll get mine. . ."

"Too bad you're past your prime."  Angelus challenged as he carefully set Willow down on the sofa.

Giles got up, startled to find the demon free from his bonds.  "What did you do to Willow?"

"Relax.  She's fine, Rupert, even if she is unconscious.  The one person I don't hurt is Willow."  His demonic features slid onto his face.  "I can't say the same thing about you."

The Watcher pulled a stake from his back pocket.  "Finally." He rushed the vampire.

Angelus was ready, he slammed his fist into Giles' face, sending him sprawling on the carpet.  The older-looking man swept a foot under Angelus who fell to his knees. He went for the vampire's heart but Angelus grasped his wrist and twisted it.  Giles screamed in pain and the vampire pulled him close, moving in for the bite.  He bent over Giles, placing his fangs against his neck.  The Watcher managed to elbow him in the gut but he was undeterred "Cheer up, old man.  You're about to go see your girlfriend."  Angelus was about to bite when he felt an overwhelming jolt of remorse. Unaccustomed to that emotion, he loosened his hold on Giles momentarily.

"What the hell?" He pricked Giles with his fangs and was flooded with guilt. "Damn it!"  He growled, throwing the man away from him.  Giles knocked his head against the coffee table and passed out.  "Sorry about that." Angelus said without thinking and then groaned.  "No, I'm not sorry about that!  I'm glad it hurt!"  He sounded unconvincing, even to his own ears.

He stood up and staggered over to Willow who was resting peacefully.  He kissed her forehead.  "I'll be back soon, sweet."  He whispered to himself more than her. "Soon as I figure out what's going on."

Spike was happily munching on a Wheetabix cracker as he saw his sire stumble out the door.  "I assume it's Watcher bits and pieces in there." He said chomping down the last corner of the cracker.

"No, he's still alive." Angelus said distractedly.

Spike lifted his scarred brow.  "Didn't wanna piss Red off, eh?  Whose whipped now?"

Angelus didn't rise to his bait.  He was pacing back and forth on the patio, muttering to himself. "Falling for virginal young misses I can handle.  But sparing Watchers? *Apologizing?*  What's next?  Blubbering about sunsets?"

"You haven't gone off the deep end of the pool, have you? Because one mad person in a family adds color, two is a pain in the ass. *My* ass."

"It's the soul!"  Angelus said triumphantly, completely oblivious to Spike's rant. "It's in here." He pressed on his chest.  "Sharing my body and it's. . ."  He made a face. "Feelings."

"To be fair, it was his body first.  You're just some demon- come-lately." Spike baited.

Angelus' eyes blazed.  "I suggest you mind your manners, boy or I'm going to kick *your* ass."

Spike subsided.  "Fine, let's go see Dru, she'll be able to get to the bottom of this."

"You sure there isn't a Soul Eater around here?" Angelus asked.  He wasn't convinced his mad childe would be able to do much about the matter.

"Sure there is.  The Hellmouth is well-stocked with all types."  Spike asserted. "But they're all female.  She'll probably want to keep you after she's done chewing on your delicate parts."

Angelus grimaced at that imagery.  "Drusilla it is."

Xander and Cordelia walked along the edge of the graveyard holding hands. The full moon was high in the sky now, casting the world in a silvery blue light.  There were several candles lit in the graveyard, remnants of some cult's dark ritual no doubt.

"This is kinda romantic."  Cordelia said as she threaded her arm through Xander's.

"I was thinking the same thing."

"The shiny moon, the twinkly lights, the impending doom. . ."

"Doom and some boom, boom."  Xander agreed.

"So, you wanna. . .I don't know. . .find a quiet place and–"

"Neck? " She nodded. They both laughed as they ran in search of  a likely place.

Buffy finished off a second snack-size package of `Chips Ahoy' and moaned as her stomach tried to find room for the excess snackage.  Her gaze focused on Oz as he prowled along the inside of his cage.   Buffy marveled at the change in him.  One minute he was a normal high school boy. . .the next a supernatural being.  Buffy smiled wryly.  She could relate.

When she discovered she was the Slayer, she'd been horrified.  Her suburban world had been invaded by this other worldly force.   Fortunately, she'd had a Watcher around to help her learn control over her power.  Get acquainted with the new aspects of her new body.  She could only imagine how Oz was dealing with his werewolfiness all by himself.

Xander was laying against the base of an ancient oak tree and Cordelia sat on his lap.  She was fitting her own hand against his, comparing their sizes.  He kissed the top of her head.  "Mmm. . .you smell good."

"I only use the best hair care products." Cordelia answered, so content she was almost sleepy.

"This is nice."  Xander wrapped one of his arms around her. It was moments like this when he believed that they actually had a shot, that it was more than just hormones run amuck.  "Cor, I–"

She turned around in his arms and placed a finger against his lips.   Then, she replaced it with her own lips "I know." She favored him with a sultry smile as she rubbed a smudge of lipstick from the corner of his mouth.  "Now let's get back on track, we're wasting perfectly good necking time."

"My thoughts exactly."

They looked up to see a vamp looming over them.  He was a recent edition, he was still wearing the suit he was buried in.  Xander struggled to pull the cross from his back pocket.  Cordelia screamed and grabbed up a clod of dirt and threw it in his face. The vampire pulled Cordy to her feet and pulled her into what the Scoobies called "the biting zone."

"Let her go!"  Xander yelled, jumping to his feet.

"After I'm finished with her, she's all yours."  The vampire hissed as it closed in on Cordelia's neck.

Xander, unable to do much else, kicked it in the shin.  "Take that, you oversized mosquito!"

Cordy glared at her boyfriend.  "That oughta do it.   Or maybe you should slap him or put gum in his hair?"

"At least I'm trying!  And the least you could do is be supportive!"

"If he kills me, I'm going to haunt your ass for the rest of your life!" The vampire bit into her neck.  "Owwww. . .HELP!!!"

Angelus and Spike were cutting through the graveyard on their way to the mansion when they spotted the helpless teenagers.  Without thinking, the elder vampire broke into a run.  "Hold on, I'm coming!"

As he reached the fray, he tossed Xander out of the way. Unfortunately, he sent him in the way of Spike.  The dark haired youth collided with Spike's chest and knocked them both to the ground in a tangle of arms and legs. Angelus ripped the minion away from Cordelia and put his fist in its ugly face. Cordelia leaned against a nearby tombstone, holding onto her bloodied neck.

Meanwhile, Xander gulped as he looked up into the face of William the Bloody. "Hiya, Spike.  Nice coat."

"Don't hit on me, moron, I already have a girlfriend."

Xander looked towards Angelus.  "Oh."

"He bloody well wishes."

Xander was contemplative. "You're more muscular than I thought you might be."

"I wouldn't even bite you." Spike hauled himself and the boy to his feet.

"You don't even want to bite me?"  Xander whined.

"No, but I'm not adverse to breaking your sodding neck." Spike took a step closer.

Angelus staked the vampire and walked over to Cordelia.  "You'll be alright." His brow furrowed.  "Unfortunately. . .because I want you both to die!  Horribly!"  He thought a moment.  "But I. . .wanted to do it myself.  Yeah, so you two had better run. Right now!  I'll give you a twenty minute start."

"Yeah," Spike rolled his eyes.  "Come on, Angelus, we have evil things to do." He led his sire out of the graveyard.

Xander looked pointedly at Spike.  "Whatever, man, it's not like we want details."

As the two vampire walked out of sight, they saw the two teens conferring in hushed tones and then Cordelia's voice broke through the silent night air.  "You mean they're gay!?"

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