Author: Dayna
E-mail: honzr@midstate.tds.net
Rating: R
Distribution: TPWFLD; Angel of Mine; otherwise please ask.
Disclaimer: Characters don't belong to me. They belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. No copyright infringement intended.
Dedication: Lorelei, thanks for the support. This wasn't the original story I had planned, but we'll see where it goes.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Angelus sat staring into the fire. For the first time since his return, he was bored.
"What's the matter with you?" Spike asked.
"The game ended too quickly." Angelus said.
"Well, at least we have no resistance here anymore. The Slayer took off, and it doesn't look like she's coming back. And the others have turned tail and run."
"Exactly. There's no excitement here anymore. It's boring to be able to do whatever we want."
"Maybe you should've thought about that *before* you killed her." Spike replied sarcastically.
"And how the hell was I supposed to know that killing her would end it so fast? Shit, when I killed the teacher, it just made things more interesting."
"But she meant more to them then the teacher did. She was what held that group together. When you killed her, you destroyed them."
Spike turned and walked out of the room. He personally liked having the run of the town. It was nice not to have to worry about getting staked. But Angelus enjoyed the game, and his decision to kill the girl had ended the game. He had won, but the thrill of the chase was gone.
"Poor Angelus. He finally got what he wanted, but now he's bored. I certainly hope you don't expect me to feel sorry for him." The female said.
"Of course not. But, his life is about to become anything but boring. We'll have him begging to be left alone." The man replied.
"So, what happens next?"
"I'm going to pay my old friend a visit. Give him something to think about. Then later, you'll go to him."
"And do you believe that'll accomplish anything?" The female asked.
"On the Hellmouth, anything is possible. Besides, we both know how much Angelus loves mind games. Only now he's going to be on the receiving end."
"And if our *visits* don't break him?"
"Then we'll face him together. I don't care how we do it, but Angelus must be made to pay for what he's done. Not only to us......but, to all the innocents he has destroyed."
The female placed her hand on her companions shoulder. She knew how hard this was on him, but they had to get through this. The destruction of Angelus would be the only way for them to find eternal peace.
"He will pay, we'll see to that. He's strong, so we must be stronger."
The man nodded and they disappeared into the night. The time for justice was near.
End Part 1
"Well, well, well, what's the matter Angelus? Can't find anyone to kill?"
Angelus was walking down the street when he heard someone speak to him. He turned quickly, but saw no one.
"Where are you?" Angelus asked.
"Right behind you."
Angelus spun around, but still saw no one. "Or, maybe I'm over here."
"You might as well enjoy your pathetic little hide-and-seek game, because once I find you, I'll kill you."
"Now, that's a really fierce threat, Angelus. And I know it's worked well in the past, but it doesn't scare me."
"Then you're a fool. Or maybe you don't know who you're dealing with." Angelus responded, still searching the darkness.
"Oh, I know *exactly* who you are. I know everything about Angelus. And I really hate to burst your ego, but I'm not afraid of you."
"Then why are you hiding? If you're not afraid of me, why don't you face me?" Angelus taunted.
"Fine, we'll do this your way. Turn around Angelus......if you dare."
Angelus turned behind him, and saw a shadowy figure. The man was dressed in black, but his face was hidden in the shadows. Angelus recognized something familiar about the man.
"So, I'm facing you. Did you expect me to be afraid of you?" Angelus asked.
"You haven't faced me yet. I know you can't see my face."
"So, come on. I have better things to do then stand around talking to you."
"Better things to do? Like destroying people's lives?" The man asked as he stepped out of the shadows.
Angelus watched as the man approached, then shook his head in denial. This had to be some kind of trick....there was no way *he* could be there.
"What the hell is this? Who are you?" Angelus demanded.
"Surprised to see me? You already know who I am Angelus."
"That's not possible. You're gone!"
"Well, I was......now, I'm back."
"Then I'll just have to destroy you again." Angelus threatened.
"You could try, but you can't destroy what doesn't exist, now can you?"
"What do you want?"
"Uhhhmmm, let's see, what do I want? World peace, an end to racism, you know the regular stuff. But, right now I'll settle for your destruction."
"I don't remember you being so sarcastic." Angelus said.
"I've picked up all kinds of habits since you destroyed my life. And don't worry, we'll make sure your life isn't boring any longer."
"We?"
Angelus watched the man smile, a cruel reflection of his own, as he backed into the shadows.
"Damn you, Angel!!! You're not real!" Angelus yelled.
End Part 2
Angelus returned to the mansion and went directly to his room. He slammed the door as he tore off his shirt. His mind kept replaying the confrontation with Angel.
"Damnit! It wasn't real, Angel is dead and gone."
"Not quite right."
Angelus turned to see Angel sitting in a chair. In the light from the room, Angelus knew he was looking into his own face.
"How'd you get in here?" Angelus asked.
"Why would anyone stop me? You've made it clear that you don't want to be bothered by the others. They'd fear your wrath if they questioned you."
"But you're not me!" Angelus yelled.
"Yes, I am. When you re-emerged and took over control of our body, you didn't kill me. I was just misplaced for a while. But, I still knew everything you were up to, and came close to finding a way to get rid of you."
"You'll never get rid of me, Angel. I'm here to stay."
"Willow had found a way to restore me to my body, but then you destroyed her, too." Angel said calmly.
Angelus smirked, and sat down on the bed.
"So, you tried to get the little hacker to help you? How pathetic. She was so easy to kill, Angel. And it was a real rush." Angelus taunted.
Angel sat in the chair, and stared at Angelus. There was no expression on his face, and he refused to acknowledge Angelus' words.
"Aren't you going to attack me, Angel?" Angelus asked. He didn't like the way Angel was acting. His attitude was too calm. Angel continued to stare at him.
"Why would I attack you? I already knew what you did to Willow. I was there when you killed her, but wasn't able to do anything to help her."
Angelus stood and walked over to Angel. Angel looked up at him, but didn't move.
"You were helpless then, and you're helpless now. It was your fault she died, you realize that, don't you?"
"Really, Angelus? And how do you figure that?"
"If you hadn't involved her in your life, then I wouldn't have targeted her. She'd be alive today, preparing for college and a normal life."
"Nice try, but you're wrong. She died because of you. And you will be the one to pay for her death, and for all the other deaths you've caused."
"And what are you going to do about it? What are you anyway? A ghost."
Angel stood quickly, bringing his knee into Angelus' groin. Then he delivered a punch to Angelus' stomach, which dropped him to the floor. Angel turned Angelus onto his back, and pressed his knee into Angelus' chest.
"Now, if I was a ghost, that wouldn't have hurt, now would it?"
To emphasize his point, Angel slammed his fist into Angelus' face. "And that hurts, doesn't it?"
Angelus growled and tried to sit up, only to be pushed back onto the floor by Angel. He stared up into his own face.
"How does it feel not to be in control, Angelus? You have no idea what I'm capable of, and I don't intend to enlighten you. Just know that I'm watching you. The time has come to see you pay for your crimes, and we're the ones who will see that justice is done."
"That's the second time you've mentioned someone else. Are you such a sissy boy that you can't take care of me alone?" Angelus taunted. "Maybe you've tracked down the Slayer to help you out. Ohh, I'm shaking in my boots."
Angel smirked at Angelus, then stood and walked to the door. Angelus jumped to his feet.
"Maybe. But, maybe you'll finally meet your match. And you should be afraid, Angelus."
Angelus watched as Angel opened the door, and walked out. He ran to the door, and threw it open. Looking up and down the hallways, he saw no sign of Angel.
"Damnit!!" Angelus said, then slammed the door. He grabbed another shirt, then went in search of Spike.
End Part 3
"Spike!"
Spike turned from the table and stared at his sire. He looked furious.
"What's wrong?"
"Where'd he go?" Angelus asked, searching the room.
"Who?" Spike asked.
"Angel, where did he go?"
Spike looked at his sire in confusion. "Excuse me? I think you've been moping around in this mansion too long. You're talking as nutty as Dru. Angel's gone, remember?"
"Don't push me, Spike. Angel's back. I don't know how, but he's back."
"So, you're being haunted by your soul? Ignore it."
"You bloody idiot! He's not a damn ghost. Angel has a body, and he attacked me. I want to know how the hell that happened!"
"Don't look at me, I don't know anything about the black arts. That's Dru's area, and she's not here. Besides, I didn't see him here."
"I can't believe I actually wish that nutcase was here. We need someone who knows about this kind of magic. That's the only possible explanation."
"The only other I know of, you killed." Spike said.
Noting the blank look on his sire's face, Spke shook his head. "The hacker, she was working with the magics. In fact, she had tried to restore your soul, but Dru put her in the hospital."
"That's it! Before I killed her, she must've cast some spell to help Angel. Now I just have to figure out how to undo it. I want you to go find Dru. Bring her back here."
"I don't even know where she is. She made it quite clear she wanted nothing to do with me." Spike replied.
"Look, I don't give a damn about your tortured relationship with her, just find Dru and bring her back here. She's the only one that would be able to undo whatever that little bitch did."
"Fine, I'll leave as soon as possible." Spike responded angrily, then walked away.
"Does he actually believe Dru will be able to undo the spell?" The female asked.
"Probably. He refuses to accept that he's lost control. But he'll learn soon enough how it feels to be a puppet on a string. And Dru won't be able to help him. We both know that Spike will have to hunt for months in order to find her, and by the time he gets back, Angelus won't need his help anymore."
The female gave her companion a small smile. Angel turned to her, and pressed his hand against her cheek.
"Are you ready to face him?"
"As ready as I'll ever be. He's going to get a very unnerving wake-up call."
Angel turned his attention back to Angelus. He was fighting for control, but that wouldn't last. There was nothing Angelus could do to save himself.
"Remember, I'm close by if you need me."
"He can't hurt me, Angel."
"Not physically, but I meant emotionally."
The woman kissed Angel on the cheek and smiled at him. "I know you're there for me. But, I need to face him on my own this time."
Angel nodded and watched her walk away. She was strong, and would be able to handle Angelus. But, he knew it would take both of them to destroy the demon.
End Part 4
Angelus tossed and turned in his bed. His mind replaying his murderous acts. He saw every person he'd ever killed, and those he had destroyed mentally. He saw himself kill the teacher, and lay her out for the Watcher to find. And he saw himself kill the hacker. Angelus had lied when he said killing her had been easy. It had been hard, but he wasn't sure why. Maybe it was something in her eyes as she stared at him. Whatever it was had nearly caused him to let her live. But, the demon prevailed and he'd thrown her into the wall. As her body had collapsed on the floor, he'd felt a pain shoot through his body. The pain so vivid, he sat straight up in bed. Angelus shook his head, and ran his hands over his eyes.
"Ohh, poor baby, did you have a bad dream?"
Angelus slowly lowered his hands. He looked towards the corner of the room, and saw someone standing there. {At least it's not Angel.}
"No, I'm not Angel. But, aren't you going to say hello Angelus?" The woman asked.
"Who the hell are you? And how do you know what I was thinking?"
The woman stepped forward, and her identity became apparent. "Does this answer you're question?"
"Willow." Angelus whispered. The hacker stood before him, looking just as she had the night he'd found her.
"Boy, you got it right on the first guess. Of course, I never thought you were an idiot."
Angelus stood up, pulling on his leather pants. Willow leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching him.
"How'd you get in here?" Angelus asked.
"Nightmares are scary, don't you think? Your subconscious showing you things about yourself that you'd rather not know. I thought it was about time for *you* to take the nightmares. Angel's suffered with them long enough."
Angelus approached Willow, and wrapped his hand around her throat. Willow just stared back at him, no fear in her eyes.
"I could kill you where you stand, you little bitch!"
"Now that would be kind of hard.....since I'm already dead. And, I'm not a vampire, so you can't stake me. Exactly how are you going to kill someone who can't die, Angelus?"
Angelus slammed her head back against the wall, then walked back over to the bed. When he turned, Willow was still staring at him as though nothing had happened.
"This is all your doing, isn't it? I mean Angel showing up, and now you. Whatever spell you cast will be destroyed soon enough."
"Dru won't be able to help you, Angelus. She doesn't have the power to undo any of this, just as I didn't have the power to do all of this. Not on my own anyway."
Angelus refused to show his surprise that she'd known about Dru. But, she was talking in riddles, and he hated it. Angelus felt himself losing control, and he wouldn't tolerate it.
"So, there's more of you involved? Maybe the Slayer and her Watcher."
"They can't help us, Angelus. You've destroyed them. They are alive, but not living. Buffy, Giles, and Xander have all they can do to live day to day. Angel and I are the only two you'll have to deal with, but the real power is not ours."
Angelus reached out to slap Willow, but hissed in pain. Looking down at his hand, he saw burns.
"What the hell!?"
"You can't fight us, Angelus. In life, we were helpless to stop you. In death, we no longer had the ability. Now, we are the ones in control. You'll be made to suffer, just as you made your victims suffer. Then you will die, and face the ultimate justice."
"You couldn't beat me before, and you can't now. Angel doesn't have what it takes to destroy me, that was obvious when I regained control over my body. And you, what can you do? The Slayer's little friend, all you know is computers. You've already said you aren't the ones with the power. Who is? If they're so powerful, why don't they destroy me themselves?"
Angelus once again approached Willow, but found himself flying across the room. He slammed into the opposite wall. Shaking his head, he looked up into Willow's face. {How did she get over here so fast?}
"Angel and I are the tools for vengeance, and are gifted with the power to destroy you. But, death is too quick. We're going to play a game, Angelus. We know how much you love games."
Willow stood and stared down at Angelus. The smile she gave him sent chills down his spine.
"Blood for blood, Angelus."
Then Willow was gone. Angelus pushed himself up the wall, and surveyed the room. Nothing looked any different. But, something was going on and he didn't understand any of it.
"Good job, Willow. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Angel. Now that the dreams have begun, they will continue to plague him till I decide to stop them."
"He deserves to live with those dreams forever." Angel said bitterly.
Willow put her hand against Angel's cheek. "These dreams are worse then the ones you had Angel. I've seen to that."
"What have you done, Willow?"
"Just took your nightmares, and added to them. Manipulated them, I guess you'd say. We don't want to wait a hundred years for him to suffer, so I've sped things up. They will become more vivid, and more horrific as the days go by."
"Now we have to see if they'll even bother him." Angel replied.
"Oh, I think they will.....eventually."
Angel and Willow took a last look at Angelus, then disappeared. They would leave him alone for a few days. Let him live with the nightmares......and let him think they'd just been a part of those dreams.
End Part 5
Angelus sat and stared into space. It had been days since Willow's *visit* and the damn nightmares continued to interrupt his sleep. There had been no new visits from Willow and Angel, so he assumed they had just been a figment of his imagination. Angelus refused to let the nightmares unnerve him. However, the dreams had begun affecting him physically. Everytime he killed someone in his dreams, he felt their pain.
"You really don't have a conscience, do you?"
Angelus jumped out of the chair, to face himself. Watching Angel walk toward him, Angelus realized he'd been wrong. Angel was real.
"What are you talking about?" Angelus asked.
"The nightmares haven't even fazed you, have they? You don't feel even a twinge of guilt at the destruction you've caused."
"I haven't done anything to feel guilty about. Those damn nightmares are a nuisance, nothing more."
Angel shook his head, then went to face Angelus. Angel stared deeply into the demon's eyes, and his lips curled into a sad smile.
"They are more then a nuisance, my friend. You may not feel remorse, but you are beginning to feel your victims pain. Willow was right."
"That little witch is responsible for this?"
"Angelus, you can give up the theatrics. You may as well face your destiny. We won't allow you to hurt anymore innocent people."
"And what are you going to do to stop me? Give me more nightmares?"
"Those nightmares will continue to get worse, and if we let them continue, they will drive you mad. But, we don't want that to happen. We want you to know exactly what's happening to you."
"How did you and that little witch get hooked up anyway?" Angelus asked.
"We were the two chosen to bring you to justice. Both of us were innocent, and then you destroyed us. Together we will show you the truth. Then we will show you death."
Angelus turned away, and laughed. "It's going to take more then a few nightmares to destroy me. I'm not weak like you were."
The room was silent. Angelus turned to find Angel had left. Angelus sank back into the chair. {I won't let them destroy me. They are the weak ones. I can handle these dreams. It's just like watching a movie of my life.}
Angelus waited till sunset, then left to find some fun. He needed to have the thrill of the hunt. Exhaust himself so that he could fall into a dreamless sleep when he returned.
Willow watched Angelus leave the mansion. "He won't admit it, but the dreams are getting to him."
"I know. He sees it as a weakness." Angel replied, coming to stand behind Willow.
"He's going hunting. I won't allow him to hurt anyone."
"He won't, Willow. Everytime he tries, he'll be hit with pain ten times worse then he has experienced in the dreams you've given him."
Willow looked at Angel, and smiled. "I thought I was the one with the brains, you're supposed to be the muscle."
Angel smiled, and lightly ruffled Willow's hair. "I can come up with a good idea once in awhile."
"We should still follow him, just in case he's stubborn enough to try to endure the pain."
"You're right. Knowing Angelus, he won't let pain stop him for too long."
"But it will show him who's in control now." Willow said as she took Angel's hand.
Willow and Angel followed Angelus, knowing that Angelus could become even more dangerous when cornered. They would need to watch him closely from then on.
End Part 6
belong to me. They belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. No copyright infringement intended.
Angelus followed the young woman to the park, then grabbed her from behind. The feel of her struggling in fear was as intoxicating as any drug. His features shifted into those of the demon, but when he bent to her neck, he suddenly pushed her away from him. The woman ran screaming from the park. Angelus grabbed his stomach, and dropped to his knees. The white-hot pain in his gut was like nothing he'd ever felt before. {What the hell's happening?}
"I told you we wouldn't let you hurt anyone. You should've listened to me."
Angelus looked up and growled as he saw both Willow and Angel standing in front of him. Gradually the pain subsided, and Angelus leapt at Willow. Once on the ground, Angelus straddled Willow, wrapping his hands around her neck. Willow didn't fight him, just laid there staring at him. And looking into her eyes, he remembered the night he had killed her. She had looked at him the same way.
"Kind of creepy how she looks directly into the depths of your very being, isn't it, Angelus?" Angel asked. He stood just to the side, but made no move towards the two people on the ground.
"Aren't you going to try to save her, Angel? Or maybe you don't care about her?" Angelus taunted, purposely ignoring Angel's comment.
"Willow doesn't need me to save her. The only reason you even touched her, is because she allowed it. You aren't a threat to either of us."
Angelus raised his hand to slap Willow, but her arm caught his. "You don't want to do that, Angelus."
Angelus fought to free his hand, but Willow's strength was greater then his own. He made the mistake of once again looking into her eyes.
"Stand up, Angelus." Willow whispered. Angelus found himself unable to ignore her command, or break eye contact. He watched as she stood before him.
"What the hell are you? And if you have these powers, why didn't you stop me from killing you that night?"
"I didn't have the power to stop you Angelus. What you felt that night, was your final chance."
"Final chance for what?" Angelus asked.
"Redemption. If you had let me live, you would've been allowed a quick death. The chance to be tried apart from the demon. But now, you have accepted the demon's actions as your own. Death for you will not be quick or painless." Willow stated calmly.
"And what about Angel's crimes? How will his death be?"
"I'm already dead, Angelus. I spent years trying to pay for what the demon did. It's your turn now."
"Angel created his own suffering for crimes he had no control over. He has found his redemption. You had your chance, but you threw it away."
"I don't give a damn about redemption. My life is exactly the way I want it." Angelus yelled.
"Wrong, Angelus. The nightmares will become more real, and you'll feel all the pain you've caused. And anytime you try to hurt someone, you will feel the same pain you just experienced. Only you will be able to stop the agony." Angel said.
"Stop it how?"
"When you admit to us that you've had enough. Enough of the pain, and the torture. Come to us, and we'll release you from all of it." Willow said.
"Why? If you're punishing me, why let me off the hook?"
"Having to acknowledge your weaknesses will hurt you worse then anything we can do. Then you will face your sentence."
"It'll be a cold day in hell before I come to you for anything!" Angelus yelled, then walked away.
"Do you think it'll be much longer?"
"No, he's already starting to weaken. He won't be able to handle the things to come." Angel stated.
"Then we'll have our peace soon." Willow whispered.
Angel pulled Willow into his arms. They both looked forward to the end of this ordeal. Eternal peace would be theirs soon.
End Part 7
For the next few weeks, Angelus found himself weakening. The nightmares had become more intense, and the pain almost unbearable. His body was weakening from lack of food. Every time he had tried to feed, the pain in his gut had knocked him to his knees. Angelus laid in his bed, and tried to force himself to stay awake. He was exhausted, but refused to sleep. He wouldn't allow himself to dream.
"Have you had enough, Angelus?"
"Go away!!!!!" Angelus yelled.
"You are near the breaking point, Angelus. How much longer till you lose your mind? Do you really want to spend eternity like Dru?" Willow asked.
"I won't let you do this to me!"
"You're in no postitioin to stop us. Say the words, Angelus, and this agony will end." Angel said.
"But then I'm going from the frying pan into the fire, right? Exchanging one hell for another."
"I always thought you'd enjoy Hell, Angelus." Willow said.
Angelus growled and tried to strike out, but his body was no longer cooperating. He knew that in his present condition, he was extremely vulnerable. He had many enemies who would take pleasure in destroying him. Hell would be an improvement over what he was living here. And better yet, he'd be free of Angel and Willow.
"Fine! I've had enough, stop the damn dreams!" Angelus screamed.
As soon as he'd said the words, Angelus felt like his old self. There was no hunger, or weakness in his body. He was strong again. Angelus got out of bed and faced Angel and Willow.
"So, I've admitted it. Now, send me to Hell." Angelus said.
"It doesn't work like that, Angelus. You can't go to Hell like you are, that wouldn't be a punishment." Willow said.
"What are you talking about?" Angelus asked suspiciously.
"We told you that your death wouldn't be quick or painless. You've suffered physical pain, and will be relieved of that once we kill you. But, your eternity will be filled with pain. That is your sentence."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"You will." Willow predicted.
"God-damnit, you tricked me!"
Angelus watched as Angel approached him, and tried to fight back. Somewhere along the line, he had miscalculated what was going to happen. And for the first time ever......Angelus was afraid.
"Burn in Hell, Angelus." Angel said, then staked Angelus.
Angel turned and took Willow in his arms. "It's over. He's no longer a concern to us."
"We're free of him, aren't we, Angel?"
"Yes, we can rest in peace now, Willow. Angelus will never harm anyone ever again."
Willow cried tears of happiness as Angel wrapped his arms around her. Together they disappeared.
Spike returned with the news that Dru couldn't undo whatever spell the hacker had cast. He was surprised to find the mansion empty.
"He's gone, Spike."
Spike turned, and saw Angelus. "Dru wouldn't come back. She said she couldn't help you."
"We already knew she couldn't help Angelus, no one could. He's being made to suffer for his crimes."
Spike looked closely at the man in front of him. "Angel?"
"You might want to learn from his example, Spike. What happened to Angelus could very well be your fate as well."
"Where is Angelus?"
"In Hell, where he belongs."
Spike turned to the new voice. He saw the hacker come to stand beside Angel.
"That's his punishment? Boy, I bet that really showed him." Spike said sarcastically.
"Hell isn't a very pleasant place to be when you suffer from a conscience." Willow said.
"Angelus has never had a conscience, that was Angel's department."
"Angel has a soul, but Angelus did have a conscience, he just did an excellent job ignoring it. We simply unburied it." Willow stated.
Spike looked between the two people, and felt a chill run through his body. If what they said was true, and they had found a way to make Angelus feel guilty, then his sire was experiencing unimaginable suffering.
"Angelus will spend eternity reliving every death, every pain he's ever inflicted. His suffering will be physical as well as emotional. He had his chance to repent, and he ignored it. Now, he's living a Hell he never imagined. You might want to think about that Spike."
Spike watched as Angel and Willow disappeared right in front of his eyes. A glowing from a picture frame over the mantle drew his attention. Spike walked over to it, but jumped back when he saw the picture. Backing away from the image in the picture, Spike ran from the mansion. He vowed he'd never return there again.
The picture of Angelus screaming in tortured agony amidst the flames of Hell had scared Spike. The horrific scene soon changed back to the pleasant picture of rolling hills and flowers. One vampire had begun his eternal sentence of agony, while another tried to run from his own destiny.
Angel and Willow were finally able to find the peace that they had never had before. Their murderer had been brought to justice, and they were free. With Angelus gone, they prayed that their friends would be able to find peace as well.
THE END