On the Edge

Author: Greenfae/Keziah

Parts: 6 - 10

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~Part: 6~

There was little doubt in Giles' mind that this new complication would draw the rest of them into a life or death battle that no one could ever win. It would not matter if Buffy was slain, or if they were all killed, the result would basically be the same.

The world was a darker place now that these evils were in motion. Giles had felt guilt and pain over Buffy's death before. Now it was worse, his beloved slayer was not only dead but a demon, and he should have seen it coming. Giles rubbed the bridge of his nose and then frustrated, removed his glasses to get at the spot that was bothering him most. It was like a tick in the mind, a sharp pain that you don't expect, he was stunned still and on the verge of going mad.

To much, she had been through to much and he through most of it with her. Now her body, her memories, her actions and abilities were being used by a monster, a demon. An evil changeling that controlled the way she would sneer at him, licking her lips suggestively in his dreams. Giles would shudder at remembered visions he kept having. Over and over again she would come for him, telling him that they could again be a team. But this was just a dream, wasn't it.

The way she would speak to him, his Buffy would have never thought of. Never would she lean into him and press herself against his body running slim fingers over his shoulders and grinding her hips to him. It was a horror to him, he had to wonder if he had ever felt that toward her, was there somewhere deeply buried in his mind, the idea that it would be easier to let the evil win. Indeed he was tired, the object of over half a dozen years had been destroyed.  So much time and effort being put forth, only to fail in the end. Only to lose those most important ones to him.

As a watcher he had been trained to keep is distance emotionally. But after even his first year with Buffy as the slayer, he found he could no longer hold himself to that. She was truly a remarkable girl, odd and quite irritating at times, but amazing still.  Giles shook himself and placed his glasses back on, letting them rest low on his nose.

He went back to his books and wondered if research would help with this one. There had been lots of cases where vampires had killed slayers, but so far as he knew Buffy was the first slayer ever turned. This made her situation unique on a levels no watcher had ever faced before. Somehow Giles felt it was his morale obligation to deal with this on his own. That would be impossible and he knew it.

Angel would be there, and he also felt a need to deal with this. It was more or less his fault that Buffy was a demon now. Angel would blame himself as he always had and to Giles that wasn't such a bad idea. Angel would find a way to kill her if he could, he was the one responsible therefore he was the one required to end this evil. The powers that be would demand that he take his place in this, or his redemption, which he no longer felt he had any chance at, would be ended.

Then of course there was Willow, Giles cringed at the guilt she must be caring. Her actions had set in motion both the death of her long time friend and that friends change into this demon form. The young witch would have a lot to answer for, but this was by far, one mistake that she would always blame herself over. No forgiveness, no answers why, only a deep regret that she would never be free of.

Then there was Riley to consider, what role did he play in all this. Giles didn't really know but the young solider did seem to have his place. If not for his timely reentry into their lives Buffy and Angel would have killed the rest of the scoobies in just a few short nights. With Riley, Faith had also come back. She was something of a enigma to him, in all her pain and anger. Having spent her time in prison she seems to have changed a good deal, although Giles felt that maybe some of her tempering was due in itself to Riley's presents. How 'close' had those two become over a matter of a few days, Giles wasn't even sure he wanted to know.

All of them had a focus on Buffy, she was what directed their actions at the moment, and may do so for sometime to come. Giles thoughts ramble in and out of his head. He would never understand this and he could feel his anger build because of it. Going over yet another of the hundreds of books he has in his possession, he could only shake his head and wonder what was to become of them all. Now that the demon they faced was the object of all their hearts.

Buffy would always be in their minds, an ever present reminder of her strength and beauty. She did the best she could, yet the fates had taken her and defamed her memory with this horrid thing. Her evil incarnation, that unless what was left of the exslayers friends could stop it, would create a new legend. One that could far over run the reputation of creatures like the master, and would more than rival Angelus himself.

Yet somewhere deep in the darkness of his mind, he could hear her voice softly calling to him. It seemed to speak of wonderful things, he would enjoy and have her with him always. 'Ripper,'  he heard his old nick name called to him in sultry tones. His body shook with the force of the feelings that flooded him. Giles had never been so happy no one was there to witness his reaction to the vision. But he knew he needed to tell someone, he would tell Willow, yes.

He needed to talk to the young witch, she would understand, she had crossed that thin line herself once. Maybe she was the only one that would be able to help him deal with these new events. As he thought it he realize that he would not call her. He could not call her, something made it impossible for him to do the one thing that might save his soul from the same fate as the slayers.

Could it be that he wanted a chance to be with Buffy, to be by her side forever. Only time would tell and he had work to do. If all turned out for the good, Buffy would be dealt with and the rest would be time spent, honor given. Slowly Giles began thumbing threw another of the many volumes before him.

Witch and an Angel;

He was still sleeping and it was very near sundown, Willow felt as if the weight of the whole world was on her shoulders as she let her nimble fingers dance across the keys of her lap top. She had performed the spell to uninvite vampires in her parents house and then settled into a day of research. She knew Giles would take care of the book end of it, and it was her part to deal with the internet, 'I'm so the net girl', played in her mind, as she remembered when Angel had came to her about Ford long ago.

Willow felt a soft touch on her shoulder, she started only a bit and looked back at Angel towering over her even as he leaned down to see what she was looking at. "Hey", she said softly, and "Hey" he said back. Both spoke as if loud words would hurt them somehow. Angel removed his hand and asked "find anything that might help us yet." Willow only shook her head no, she sat back holding her hands to her face so not to let Angel see her trying not to cry again. She had cried so much over the past couple of days, and he had his own pain to deal with, she just didn't feel right submitting him to her tears again.

Angel draw her hands from her face and turned her to him. "It's no ones fault really Willow, there was no way we could know. If I had not wanted to be with her so badly she would not be this way now." his words only made Willow lose control of the tears she had. She clutched at his bare chest and buried her face in it. She began to choke and and sob, Angel's reaction was only to hold her until it was over.

That was a good ten minutes, and when she was finally able to say something, her voice cracked and heated, "I am so, sniff,  sorry, I really, sniff, thought the spell had worked,". Angel just rocked her, his eyes far off and clouded,  he was making shhing sounds as he rocked her and she quieted down.

Her heart beating like thunder, he could hear her blood racing through her body, she was so warm, he could hold her like this forever. Their shared pain was a strong bond between them and he knew he needed to put some distance between him and the witch soon. He was hungry after all, and human blood had been his main stay for almost six days. She really smelled good to him and his demon raged that he was even thinking about letting this delicious witch go.

Angel stood and slowly back away from Willow asking her in a needy voice, "Do you have any blood here Willow, I need to, um, feed." Willow stood abruptly and nodded, "Yeah, I do, erm I will get it for you," and with that she went into the kitchen. Angel followed her there and watched as she retrieved the blood from the bottom the fridge and poured it into a mug,  heating it a little in her small microwave.

As she handed it to Angel he could feel his revulsion raising, so close was what he really craved and yet he didn't want to hurt her. The heat alone from her body was creating a  wave of turmoil in him, he wanted that heat, but took the mug instead. Lifting it to his lips carefully, his nose caught a whiff and her scrunched up  his face a moment. "What, um is it not good," he heard Willow's small voice now more like itself softly ask.

Angel shook his head and simply tipped the mug so that the contents filled his mouth. It was like eating a veggie burger when you were used to having beef, and his reaction seemed to let Willow know how he felt. But still being very hungry Angel asked for more and she replayed her actions, giving him more of the same. They both looked at each other, he gave a half grin and Willow giggled. "Like drinking medicine I guess" she offered, he only nodded and tipped what was left into his mouth. His hunger not sated but dulled so that he could function.

Angel rinsed the cup and placed it in the dish washer, Willow still smelled wonderful to him. But he was able to keep his demon on a leash. He followed her into the den where the computer was, and sat on the large couch. Both of them were holding on tightly to their emotions. Willow resumed her spot in front of her laptop and clicked a few things off the screen. "Angel, do you have any ideas on what I should be looking up to um erm control or stop Buffy?" she was unsure if she should even ask but she really had no choice. He was there, he knew exactly what had happened to her.

The hurt look in Angel's dark eyes told her this would not be an easy subject, but then she knew that. Still they had to talk about it, he needed to give her any information she could use. There was of course the spell she planned for this evening. Willow had in mind that she would attempt to give Buffy her soul back, after all if Angel could be brought back why couldn't she. She had already done it once, that thought made her cringe, knowing she was responsible for tearing her friend from heaven. Only to years later have to face that same friend in demon form. It was almost to much. Willow brought back her mind to the present and Angel.

He was staring at her, he knew that but she seemed to be in another world and didn't notice. Willow had always been cute and sweet, as he remembered but she was now a beauty, the sadness in her only making her appear even more so. Angel watched as her eyes unfocussed and left him by himself, he knew the second her mind had left and just as quickly he noticed when it came back .

But in the span of a few minutes he was able to trace with his eyes the lines of her face, her sweet mouth and wide eyes. The way she wore her hair now, shoulder length and softly layered,creating soft feathers of blood red framing her pale face. He glanced over her slim body and noticed that the skinny kid thing was gone. She was by no means full figured, but she did have soft curves that gently reminded any man she was a woman.

As her eyes and mind came back she heard a slight intake of breath and wondered if it was her or Angel, knowing he didn't have to breath made her think it was her. Willow looked at Angel and asked, in a more certain voice, "We will have to know ,, umm how she became the way she is now,, Angel, if you can stand to tell me", She lower her green eyes and waited. Not wanting to upset him but still needing the information she let him brace himself for the telling of something she was sure would hurt him terribly.

Angel's Nightmare;

She heard Angel's voice begin, slowly, softly at first, then building with emotion. Angel related how the powers had let him know that he had not yet achieved his goal but he deserved some happiness and they would allow him to find that for himself.

Angel had immediately thought of Buffy and his long waited chance to be with her again. Knowing that she (Willow) had anchored his soul he left almost immediately for Sunnydale. He found Buffy on patrol that very night, she had been up later than normal and he was very happy to see that she seemed to still want him. Taking it slow had been the first idea. There was a lot to talk about, and problems they would need to work out.

They had made a date for the next night and he went to work setting up the mansion. Or a few rooms anyway, so that he would have a nice place to stay while he was here. Buffy showed up if a little late and they talked  part of the night, she told him about Spike and how she used his childer to fill her empty spot but came to her senses.

Though Angel was angry he had no room to talk as he was with Darla when she had come back, and their son was now a young man living in the hotel with Angel and his friends. Buffy had a hard time thinking of Angel as a father, but in the end she knew he was more than kind enough.  He must have made a wonderful father to the infant and teen son.  To think in just a few short years Conner was already grown. But then living in a hell plane will do that, time just isn't the same. They held each other and soon one thing lead to another, they started just kissing. Isn't that always the way, Angel thought, just something innocent.

When they had made love Angel was happier than he had been in a very long time. They had cuddled together and fell asleep, only to have Angel awaken to the pain of his soul being ripped away. Buffy had been sleeping soundly and he had tired to run from the place. But he had been far to comfortable, he couldn't make it far enough away. Angel fell back into the memories so close to the surface of his mind that they tore at his sanity.

Buffy's responsive body surging under him, her smell and feel of her skin on his. She was warm and living moaning softly at his every touch. Then sudden flashes of his taking her again. This time tearing at her flesh, she hadn't had a chance. She didn't know it was Angelus this time, and not her Angel, as he landed heavily on her willing body and began his sensual assault on her soft flesh. Stroking her to wanton abandon, coming so close to her release as she held him tightly to her.

Not until he bared his fangs and sank them deeply into her shoulder did she begin to understand. The sounds of his feeding deafening. Within seconds it was to late, her body weaken to his powerful draw on her life force. Now not caring if she new the difference or not her pinch, and brutalized her body. Ramming into her soft core with no regard to her human frailty, she was a thing to be used.  He reveled in every thrust that cause his fangs to tear more of her tender skin.

She was nothing, just a sexual feeding toy that he planned on making his own, knowing she would be a first. Or at least to his knowledge, the first slayer turned. Plunging into her he could feel her ripping, tearing, her flesh rending under his hands and he didn't care. His hands clamp on her hips he only drove deeper into her body.

What else was she good for but to please him now. He always knew she was a wonderland toy, but this, this was way above his imagination and he would not give up his little bitch for nothing. When his seed was spent in her bleeding center he turned her and bent her to the bed letting his hand pull on his shaft until he was ready again. Which didn't take long watching her naked  and so close to death, oozing blood from her shoulder and her very core. It was such a turn on for him. He smiled knowing this would be a first for her, the pain alone might kill her, but it didn't matter.

He could see the bruises forming on her body where he had grabbed and pinch, slapping her for good measure a few times. Holding his now engorged member in his hand he rubbed some of her still dripping blood from the center of her and began his push into her darkest channel. Slamming his hugeness   into this virgin passage, Buffy shrieked in pain and her head fell back to the pillows below her her tears making them wet.

Angelus felt her body making a recovery, slowly her slayer abilities were working to bring her back from the brink, he really didn't care about that either. Only the feel of his shaft ramming into her, he could hear her moans of pain, smell her fear like a cheap perfume, heavy and filling his nose.

She was no longer aroused but still to weak to stop him, feeling his release coming again he jerked her back by her hair and fed from her to the point of death again. This time he didn't hold back at all and when he knew she would die within seconds he flung her body from him so that she lay on her back in  the bed torn and bleeding, then he crawled up her body and run a finger nail along both sides of his shaft.

Angelus grabbed a hand full of her hair and pulled her face within inches of her still raging arousal. Letting the dripping blood fall onto her face and lips. Watching as her eyes fluttered briefly and her mouth dipped opened slightly. He placed the head at her lips and slapped it against them, Buffy opened wider looking for more of the life giving blood that she had a taste for.

The little slut is loving this, he thought and he decided it was time. Shoving his member into her mouth he could feel her slowly begin to suckle him. Pleasure ran through him like a fire in the fields. Angelus wound both hands in to her silky hair and pulled her back and forth on him  enjoying the feel of her mouth wrapped around his shaft so tightly. But not being a creature that was willing to wait he began quickly ramming her face onto his swollen member. Angelus' eyes rolled back in his head and he let out a growl that rumbled the room shooting his cold seed down her throat.

Coming back to his senses Angel looked at Willow, her eyes wide in disbelief. She said nothing only got up and walked to the windows, looking out into the night. He had to wonder if he had told her the whole story or the edited version that he had planned on telling. Angel sat up and leaned over his lap holding his head with his hands. The weight of what he had done baring down on him.

Willow glanced back at Angel, her heart sinking, her friend had been tortured beyond anything she had ever heard of, then turned in a way that only Angelus could have thought of. It was all so surreal to her, what could she do to fix any of this.

There wasn't enough cookies in the whole world to make up for her mistake. She had destroyed some of the people she loved most, and it could very well complete the end of them all. With Buffy out there and no one knowing where she was or what she was doing. Willow could only wonder, wait, she sighed and turned back to the window.

~Part: 7~

Darkness rising:

Willow had no idea what to say to the things she had just heard. She could tell Angel was in a lot of pain. But not one word could she think of in order to ease his pain, what could possibly be said to help him with what she new he must be feeling. Looking out the window she watched the night. The darkness itself seemed to chill her now, somewhere out there was her best friend. Well at least her best friends body, demon filled. She turned and looked back at Angel still sitting the same, holding his head with his large hands.

Willow took a few steps and laid a comforting hand on  his shoulder, rubbing it gently. Her voice saying something she wasn't sure she heard herself, "It will work out, shhh, don't beat yourself up Angel, it really wasn't you." All the while her mind was telling her she did this to him, to her best friend. It was something she would make as right as possible. Even if it meant her dying in the attempt, she would try. There was no other course for her right now and even Giles would have to agree she had to play her hand this time.

Angel grabbed her hand gently and held it to his lips, feeling her blood pulse through her. He could feel her sadness like his own, her heart heavy with the pain of what he had done. Though he knew she would blame herself as well. He didn't blame her, she had only tried to help and sometimes things just didn't work the way they should. Angel wanted to hold her close to him, to take some comfort in the fact that she didn't blame him either. But that was something he could never do, it would to him be abusing his friendship with the witch. She had enough abuse of late, he would not add to it.

Angel had no idea how her inner emotions would deal with what he had told her. Only that so far she had not rejected him, and he was glad of that blessing. He was also glad for the quiet they were having, Giles would be there soon but he was not worried about that. He wondered about Willow and Oz now that he had remembered killing Oz's entire family that lived in Sunnydale. Willow had told Angel that Oz was angry with her but not really why. Angel thought he could figure that out by himself.

Another life that he destroyed while Angelus controled him. How many times could she forgive him anyway he thought. What he owed her was something he could never repay, but he would try. What he had done to her and her friends, Buffy included was far more than he would ever be able to make up for. Suddenly Angel felt as if a pain shot right into his heart, and his demon screamed that he was being killed by the shy red head. That she had staked him in the back. But that was not the case, only his inner pain creating more pain.

So much so that he pulled on Willow's hand and felt her neatly fall in his lap. Not what he meant to do but since she was there he wrapped both arms around her like she was a safety blanket and buried his face in her shoulder. Willow started with a grunt and then settled down letting Angel hold on to her.

She seemed to know he only wanted someone to hold on to, and it probably would not matter who it was he held on to. Only that he needed to hold someone and be held, so she wrapped her arms around him as well. Angel's control broke at that and began to cry in earnest, his tears staining Willow's blouse, not that she cared.

Willow held him and let him cry knowing that if she were not careful she too would be in tears. She didn't want to burden Angel more with her pain so she did her best to hold her emotions in check. Not something she would have been able to do well when she was younger but she has changed a lot over the past 5 or so years. She smoothed her slender hands through his dark hair and talked softly to him in a reassuring way. His grip only seemed to tighten, Willow had to wonder if she was going to have to remind him she needed to breath. But he relaxed his grip on her even as she thought it.

Angel nudged his face closer to her soft warm shoulder until his nose rested just above her collar bone, Willow couldn't help but notice his lips were so close. Nearly touching her in places she needed to get him away from if she was going to think clearly.

This was not the time or the man/vampire to be having these sorts of feelings for. But still her body and heart betrayed her in small ways. She could feel her skin tingle and her most female of places reacted in a very bad way. Heating her up and causing her to ache so that she would wiggle slightly, even though she was trying so hard not to. She had thought that she had gotten over her crush on the dark vampire. Years of not seeing someone can dull the feelings but never take them away, Willow's mind mused.

Reactions:

He smelled it immediately her flesh heated slightly and her pulse picked up a little faster beat. So he inhaled deeply thinking that he was scaring her. With what he had told her he couldn't really blame her for that. But it wasn't fear he smelt, something sweet and with a light tang. Angel's eyes flew open as he realized that she was slightly aroused. Not so much as to be overwhelmed but he never thought that he was someone that she would feel that way about.

Without thought he burrowed himself closer to the aroma that tickled his senses. Willow only made a small sound in the back of her throat. Shifting her position again only a little. Her over all scent to him was wonderful mixed with her arousal was the smell of vanilla, cloves and her own sweet flesh. Soon he wasn't sure if he could let her comforting body go. But his mind warred with the demon in him and won. He knew this was insane, so he loosened his grip and began trying to think about what was going on.

With recent events he knew he could never get close to her, it was far to dangerous, for her and everyone else that was left of the people he cared about. But even as he thought that, he could also feel his stomach tighten and other parts of him take notice of the witch's state of mind and body. Angel let her go and made moves to get up. When she got off his lap he left the room abruptly, no sense in letting her know how he was reacting, nothing could ever come of it, he thought.

He did love her but then his love for the slayer had always come before anyone or thing else. Willow wasn't second choice, only second noticed. He was after all sent to help the slayer, and he did. Angel had no idea and neither did anyone else that he might be able to care for someone else. Willow was far to innocent when they first met anyway.

Angel walked into the bathroom and stood not sure why he was there except to get away from Willow's alluring scent. So he began washing his hands and splashing his face, to pull himself back from his fantasies. There were things that needed his attention and they had little to do with the red headed beauty just the other side of the door. Angel had to wonder if he were being punished, for Buffy's demise. This was her best friend and he needed to focus not feel.

Angel gather  himself together and wished he could look in the mirror. He really wanted to see the monster that destroy anything he could have had with Buffy, or Willow for that matter. He was almost sure that he and Buffy could always make things work, but her being a slayer would not make that easy. Angel grabbed the hand towel to his left and dabbed  his face and hands dry. Then with a sigh he walked back into the room with Willow.

She was sitting in front of the large window staring out into the darkness. He could see her reflection in the window and he watched her eyes as they peered into the night. Her back to him gave him a chance to really look her over. Still very slender but with much more womanly like curves he thought there must be dozens of guys or girls that were interested in her.

The story he had gotten on Oz was that he and Willow kind of dated on and off. Mostly off, and that he was working with the scoobies more oft then not. Willow didn't seem real upset with the fact that he was gone for now, he had left a couple of days ago and he didn't seem to want anything more to do with her or the scoobies. He guessed that Angelus part of him had caused more pain than the young wolf could or wanted to deal with. Angel glance around and noticed the dark look in Willow's eyes, as if they were turning black and he seemed to remember that was a bad thing. But if after what he had done,if she decided to magically blast him back to hell, he would not blame her.

Willow saw when Angel noticed her, and she knew what he saw. In his eyes she only saw simple acceptance. He thought her anger was for him, it wasn't, she was still very angry with herself.

Giles picked that moment to come in the room and announce that he thought he had a locater spell that would work for them. It would be about the only way they would have of finding Buffy, unless they wanted to wait and watch the carnage she would cause before she got around to them. Which somehow Willow and Angel's presents in the scoobies now made it a fact. She would be back and sooner than they could be ready for, unless they took the first move.

The rather loud knock at the door startled everyone, and Giles went to peek out so as not to be more than just surprised. He nodded to the rest of the tense room and opened the door to Riley and Faith. "Hey people, Faith started out happier than one would think she had the right to be, hows the research thing goin" She walked in cat like and looked around the room, noticing the dark expressions she calmed herself as well. Riley on the other hand looked like someone had beat the hell out of him, but he must have won because he was still smiling. If that half grin half smirk could be called a smile. Giles took note of there reactions the minute they walked in and knew something was up. Not being his place to say anything and feeling no need to interfere he left it alone and started on what they needed to be doing.

Riley glanced at Willow and then to Angel, and knew something had happened. Willow was looking very close to a break down of some sort, and Angel, well that could only be consider shame on his face as well and the pain he had seemed to always carry times ten. It made him somewhat uncomfortable to know they were going through hell, while he and Faith were in the middle of something that felt pretty darn good to him. He knew it was way to serious, the loses they had already had. They needed to discuss plans about what they were to do.

Giles recounted his plan of locating the ex slayer, and taking care of her quickly as possible. Riley and Faith both seconded that idea, but Angel and Willow for what ever reasons were not sure, "It could be a trap too, Giles, Angel thought out loud, she is, I mean was the slayer, and she knows what most of our tactics. She will know that we would try a spell to find her and she may be ready for that." Giles nodded. He could find no fault in the logic and Willow had already agreed with Angel. "She is going to do the worst she can, and she knows us, maybe better than we know ourselves." her voice seemed to vibrate in the air.

Giles wondered how much control she must be holding on to in order to keep from just using the powers that waited for her to command them. It would be sorely tempting considering what they had at there disposal was only a drop compare to what she could do. He thought about the wisdom of asking her, just this once to use them to find Buffy and kill her. It would be just the one time, but after that could she stop using them, he didn't know, he did know he didn't want to find out.

Riley step close to Willow and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Hey, you gonna be OK?" the question was stated more than asked, but he knew she understood that he cared. Faith snorted, from a far corner she was watching the room, taking in what Angel and Giles were saying as well as how Willow and Riley were reacting to each other.

Riley looked back at her when she made her not to discreet noise and smiled, thinking, she is jealous, maybe I better back off a bit until she is more comfortable with her and I, the thought was simple. But then Riley knew if you wanted to deal with people the best way was to make it simple. Faith had the distinct problem of having been alone far to long and taken as second best more of her life then even she cared to admit. It was his job, aside from helping her deal with the hellmouth, to keep her comfortable, with their brand new status as a couple.

He gave Willow a quick hug when she turned to him and smiled, until he heard a faint growl as he was already backing away from her and looked at Angel. Then his smiled faded, and his first reaction was to grab his tazer. Not that he had to, Faith was so close to him now and she wrapped her left arm around his shoulder looking at Angel, her eyes blazing, a smile on her red lips. To Riley she said, " Think the air is better over her sweet cheeks", pushing herself up on her tip toes to give him a kiss on the cheek.

Angel calmed looking Willow over and Riley had to shutter, as Faith said, "Hey fang, you wanna back off the evil routine unless you want me to stake your dead ass right here." Giles stepped in quickly backing everyone to there respective corners just before Willow got involved, he saw when her eyes went totally black and knew that danger was at hand. Angel stood and walk to the angry witch, "Willow, calm down, it's OK" he said in hushed tones. She seemed to relax and her shoulders slumped as she let go the magic's that were building in her. Riley and Faith took up a spot in a corner talking quietly, Giles pulled off  his glasses and toy at cleaning them intently, Willow leaned into Angel and her wrapped his arms around her. Everyone seemed to be gageing the rest of the people in the room. If they were going to fight together, they would need to get along. The quiet that filled the small room was laying heavy on them all.

Giles spoke up and took control of  for the moment. The rest let him because he was the only one that none of them had a problem with. He laid out a plan of action carefully, point to the ones that would be involved in certain parts and stages of the things they were going to do. Angel was the most quiet of them all, his dark eyes surveying each person with great care.

Riley noticed his quiet behavior but said nothing yet, not sure if there was really anything to comment on. In his mind he ran different scenarios that could be the reason for his non verbal attitude. One of which he didn't want to think about but knew he would discuss with Faith later. They were suppose to use the rest of the night to come up with a decent plan, Riley wasn't sure now if that was a good idea. The tension was thick and everyone knew it. But what did that really mean, they were all worried about Buffy being on the lose.

No one knew what she might do, but they knew it had something to do with them all. Angel had related how each new fledgeling would go back for it's family. Destroying any links it had with the human world. The demon would seek to destroy them. It was settled that Angel and Faith would go patrol together. Both were leery of the idea but they were the best suited to the plans objectives. Which entailed capturing and questioning Buffy. They had to know what she had been up to, who she had turned.

Willow and Giles were setting up things for Angel's soul to be bound to his body, this time in such a way that it could not be lost ever. Riley was on guard for them at Giles' home so that if they were attacked they would have some deference other than Willow's magic. Which Giles had stated would be only used to work the spells they had already decided on.

Willow knew she wanted to restore Buffy's soul, but Giles had talked to her about it and they decided to see if it was possible to anchor the soul in Angel first. That would take alot of the worry out of him and Buffy becoming evil agian once she had hers back. Giles had argued that if they got Buffy back but only lost her again it would likely be with the advent of losing Angel too. At that Willow relented if only for now, she needed to know the spell would work, that Angel's soul would no longer be in danger. Then she could work on Buffy, even though she hated the idea that Buffy would be prowling Sunnydale for one or maybe two nights.

Willow understood the reasons for this, still she couldn't help but think it would be so much easier if he let her use her powers to find Buffy. After all she was more powerful in her magic's than even they knew of. The only trouble with the idea was the possible lose of her control. No one wanted to deal with Willow's dark side, on top of Buffy.

The Rage;

Sitting on a crypt, she watched as her new childer went on the hunt. She knew he was still very young but then so was she. The only difference was that she herself had hunted many times. This was now used in training her fledgling, but in reverse, instead of hunting vampires they were hunting humans for food. She found out his name was Luke and he had just turned eighteen. Other than that she really didn't care, he was nice looking if not really handsome, and as a demon he had showed her that he was indeed promising. On his first kill he had chosen another male of equal height but larger frame. The young man was blonde and blue eye, apparently someone Luke had known before, but that was to be expected.  Luke wanted to know before he took the boy if he could or if she would turn him. Buffy had said no, he was not what she wanted for a childer.

Luke could do nothing but what she wanted and knew better than to provoke her anger. The one time so far that he had done so cause him to winch every time he thought of it. So Luke went after his prey with a vengeance. Buffy only smiled as he ripped the blondes throat with his fangs and drank greedily, letting the body fall from his arms like a rag doll. Swaggering back to Buffy he wiped the blood from his face and grinned at her.

Buffy could feel someone watching them and had little doubt as to who it was, after all who else would be hanging around a Sunnydale cemetery this late just watching the events as they played out. "ello cutie," came the British drawl from behind one of the large trees. Spike strutted slowly toward the ex slayer with caution, not knowing what she was up to until he came close enough to know that she was no longer living. "Well, he started as she lowered her lashes in a coy way, isn't this just.... neat".

~Part: 8~

New Alliances;

Buffy sat on the crypt and watched as Spike swaggered his way to her. She was kinda swinging her legs as he joined her watching her new fledgling. Luke was looking at her and then back to the street hearing someone coming, he gave Buffy a look,that said, 'please' and she smiled nodding to him. He turned grinning and Buffy looked delighted watching him go after another victim, this time a female. "Look at you", Spike said smirk on his handsome face. Buffy inclined her head and gave him a slow once over, "yeah, look at me, she smiled back, but if that's all your gonna do you can do it from over there". Then she hopped down, coming within a foot of where Spike stood.

Spike almost laughed at this, it was like his dreams had just come true. Oh well, OK, he still had that buggered chip like a leash up his arse. But Buffy, oh yes this was just sweet, as he came closer he noticed a scent on her that he knew, and his demon growled, Buffy only looked at him sideways and nodded, "yep, were family now. Guess Angelus didn't have time to tell you before the witch bitch souled him again."

Luke walked back to his sire after draining a third victim, eyeing Spike with an amber look of anger for growling at his Buffy.  Spike only glance at him grinning and said, "boy you ain't got the wrinkelys to back that up so you better sod off." Luke went to charge him and Buffy shouted no at Luke but it was to late. Spike had made a habit of carrying a stake with him while he was with the slayer on her many patrols, and this night was no different. In one smooth move Spike staked the new vampire  and in his follow through he seemed to appear on the other side of the dust fluttering all around his body. Buffy whined at Spike, "damn, Spike now what am I going to do for fun when I can't go out".

Spike only stepped over to her and grabbed her by both arms. Pulling her body to his he crushed her lips in a powerful kiss. Buffy felt like Jell-O, but she grabbed onto the lapels of his duster and held on tight while the big bad, searched out her mouth with his oh so talented tongue. When he finally let her go she sighed, and smiled, "is that an offer Spikey," her voice so sweet now she nearly purred at him. Spike only offered her, his arm and when she took it he walked off with her in tow.

Though Spike had the feeling he might regret this he couldn't just turn down the chance to be with the exslayer/vamp, it was just to wonderful to him. Her being a vampire made it all perfect, they would hunt and feed together and other things, this thought made him smile all the more.

Buffy hadn't really thought about Spike until he showed up. But what better way to get back at Angel/Angelus since he wasn't around to warm her bed now. Spike, Angel's grandchilder and a master vampire himself would do as a nice replacement. Buffy snuggled closer to him watching the world go by, she decided she was a little hungry still so they stopped at a local club for a 'snack'.

Buffy quickly choosing what she wanted and sharing with her new found playmate. Spike couldn't have been happier, human blood on his chin, grin on his face, he pulled Buffy into a lingering kiss. Spike leaned back and let his hands run up her body, moving roughly from spot to spot. She bit his lower lip hard enough to draw blood and the lust in him went wild. Sucking her tongue into his mouth he nicked it with his now elongated fangs, pulling deeply on her essence, savoring the taste of them both, she would be his now.

With no one to claim her since the old poof wouldn't, it left Spike with a chance to keep her for himself. He knew that she would be more drawn to him since they were more or less family. That was an advantage he would press, almost like he was pressing his body into her, showing her that he wanted more than a few kisses. Buffy giggled and grab his hand leading him out of the hall way they had been in to the alley outside.

Once there she attacked him, sliding gracefully slim fingers down the front of his jeans, rubbing the stiff length of his need for her. She press kisses up and down the sides of his neck raking her fangs more often then not, causing his blood to flow in little runnels from each of the  marks. Spike sighed in ecstasy, she was bloody wonderful. Her tight little body so aggressively taking what she wanted from him.

Spike shoved her up against a wall, thinking how glad he was that she was in a dress, as he push up her hem, parting her thighs with his own. Oh yes he was going to get what was his all right, and his was the exslayer. No doubt about it as he felt her wrap her legs around him, he ground himself tighter against her center, giving her a good feel of the hardness he had in store for her, Buffy groaned her pleasure as she kissed him deeper and run her hands under his duster, and just inside the waist of his black jeans.

Spike growled back at her and began rubbing a hand over the cloth covered mounds of her breast, pinching hard at the now distended nipple. Buffy went wild on him and pulled at his shirt so that she could get to skin. Then raked her nails over his back leaving little blood trails there  as  she went. Spike nibbled her lips and made a path down to her neck nipping and sucking as he went.

Her head thrown back she pushed her hands as deeply as they would go into the back of his jeans and dug into the soft flesh there. Spike moaned and let his demon visage fall into place, sinking his fangs into her neck and drawing hotly on her liquid sex. The blood filled his mouth, and destroyed his reason, he shoved her up onto a set of crates and in one smooth motion ripped her panties off.

She to had gone nearly insane with her lust, digging her nails into him as she fought to undue his jeans. She ripped the button off of them and jerk the zipper down by pulling the ends apart. Her nimble fingers extracting his throbbing erection, she cradled it and stroke him until neither could do anything but give into their needs. In just a few seconds Spike was at the entrance of her core, her wetness soaking the head of his member Buffy bucked her hips at him as he held her against him, sliding the hard shaft deep in her cool wet channel.

Spike made her stop moving for a few seconds as he regained his focus no sense in losing his seed to quick. Then he began with painfully slow thrusting that Buffy was ready to kill him for. Buffy let out and agonized cry and letting her human guise fall away she buried her fangs deep into Spikes chest, just above is nipple. This only causing him to thrust harder, faster, which was a boon, since she wanted it that way.

Buffy thought he would never stop, but she wasn't about to complain. It hurt so much, but felt so good as he torn into her body with a vengeance. All she could do now was ride him out and hope she would survive it.  Her passions pushing her off the edge over and over, until she had no idea where she was or even who she was only that he was there pinning her. Stabbing into her body so that she thought she would go insane.

Spike was determined that he would erase all traces of his grandsire in Buffy. She would only want him when tonight was over, and with that in mind he nearly ripped her apart, one hand, full of her golden hair and the other squeezing her breasts and nipples in rhythm to his thrusts. All his mind and body were bent on marking her as his, all his problems would end with a mate like Buffy. He meant to mate with her and not just in body, pushing her threshold to the limit over and over again.

He watched as she broke apart in his arms, her mind gone, only the wild animal in her remained. She was thrashing about hitting him with her fists crying and panting, "more, fuck me more", until she gave over to near exhaustion. Only then did Spike allow his own release, and Buffy felt his cool seed flood her core made hot with the friction, it felt wonderful. She let her head fall back and Spike took the invitation, biting into the mark left by Angelus, deeply pushing past what he felt came from grandsire, marking her for his own.  Buffy curled her arms around his shoulders and cradled  his head as he fed from her. Her mind awash with the spent passion and wonderful feeling of his drawing her blood. She cuddle him close and Spike felt like he was finally home.

To think it over:

Angel and Faith had left to do some patrolling, more to see if Buffy was out and about. They had found three bodies, to male and one female. Angel said the kills looked like something a fledgling would do, to sloopy to be a mature vampire. But at the same time he didn't think Buffy had done them either. She has been much more discreet, more vicious, her malicious kills up till now had always involved some type of seduction. These were just attacks, forthright and violent. But not Buffy's style, Faith cringed at the thought of a vampire having a 'style' of killing, "how messed up is that" she questioned. Angel only shrugged and started out again, he had noticed a scent around them other than Buffy's. Two others even, one he knew well, the other was new to him. Faith tug his arm so that he would face her, "What is it fang". Angel cringed at the nick name she had given him, thinking it was even worse then Xander's dead boy comments.

He looked at her and smirk slightly, "I would say Buffy has a new friend,  or two". Then noticing the ash around one crypt area he corrected himself,"make that one, new  friend". The words said almost absently as he thought of what Spike would be doing with Buffy. His mind raced, he knew the answer to that  question, knew Spike would not be able to resist the temptation of what she was now. In a way it made perfect sense, they were both part of him, and he knew better than anyone else in the party what ties that could invoke.

"Spike, he said without thinking, Faith picked up on the softly spoken word and her face took a confused look for a moment. "Hey, you mean that,, they are together" the question in her voice needed no answer. She understood what Angel meant, and that they still had a master vampire and Buffy to deal with. Spike may not be able at the moment to kill or hurt anyone. But Buffy didn't have that restriction, and with Spike at her side she would be able to move in higher circles of the vampire world. Angel waved for Faith to follow as he started out in the direction of the scents of Buffy and Spike.

In a few short minutes they were at the doors of the Bronze. Angel knew unless the scents were very fresh they would never find them in there so he tired going around the building. Maybe they had fed, left a trail that way, it was his only hope. His only problem was the he didn't know what they would do once they found them. In the alley behind the Bronze Angel was hit with the overwhelming scent of sex. He knew both Buffy and Spike had been there and he knew what they had been doing.

Faith again tried to pry from him what he could sense or smell. He only told her that they had been there together, not what they had been doing. It had not been long ago either. But by the scent he was getting they left fast, Angel himself was starting to feel a little weaker and knew then that the sun would be up soon.

He and Faith went their separate ways, she to Riley, they were still hold up in the motel, even though Giles had offered them a place to stay with him. Angel went to Willow's  house, she had set him up a nice, if small place in her basement. He was glad for the chance to be with her again, he needed to know she was all right. Everything else in his world had gone so wrong, he needed the feeling of something safe. Willow made him feel safe, and he would protect her with his life if it came to that. He was sure it just might with Spike in the mix now.

Learning self;

Willow stood watching out the window for when Angel would return. He needed to be back soon, it would be daylight in maybe half an hour now. She fiddled with a strand of her hair aimlessly and walked away from the window. Sitting down on her couch she picked up the book of spells she had been reading. She and Giles were doing the spell to secure Angel's soul today, and she was very nervous. Giles would not be there until he had time to get the rest of what her new spell had called for. She was only home so that she could let Angel in.

Hearing a knock at the back door she stood up and went to see who it was. Knowing who it had to be, she hurried her steps, daylight would be fairly soon now and she didn't want the back porch covered in ash. Nor did she want Angel dead, the thought seemed to cause her to move faster. Opening the door quickly  she stood back and said, "Angel you can come in" never again would she make the mistake of just saying come in.

Angel stepped in from what was left of the night and looked at her sadness showing in his dark eyes. He too knew that she would always remember having made the mistake of just welcoming in who ever was at the door. A mistake, simply, but deadly, Angel's thoughts covered the rainbow as he replayed quickly in his head the night Xander had gotten killed. It wasn't like he and Xander had been best friends. But the man deserved better than to be murdered at the hands of one of his best friends.

"Hey", Angel said as he cleared the door and, "hey', Willow replayed with a half smile. She was just glad he had made it through the night. Even as Angel stood there stoic and nervous in her presents she was nearly giddy that he was still alive. Well not dust anyway, she thought. Willow threw her arms around his neck after she shut the door behind him and hugged him tightly. He was caught off guard, and stood still for a minute then returned her hug.  Willow didn't let go of him for a little longer than was necessary and he didn't seem to mind.

Willow was holding him close, her heart drumming in her chest she sniffled, a fore warning of the tears she barely held in check. Clinging to him for balance in a way. She just needed to feel safe and she never thought she would again, until she felt his arms wrapped gently around her waist. Willow nuzzled her face into his soft shirt, letting his body make a comfort zone for her. She relaxed her grip finally and stepped back her eyes awash with unshed tears. Looking up at him she wonder why he didn't say anything to her. Had she done something wrong, was he angry.

Angel had been stunned when she had clung to him like that. He was flooded with emotions, and the feel of her, her scent. He could smell that she had been afraid and now she seemed relied. Had she worried like that over him. It was not something he would think she would do. He was more than capable of taking care of himself. Still, his mind going full force, he was happy to find she felt that way about him. Some where in the back of his mind he wondered if she would feel the same if she knew what she had just done to him with that little display. He move than a little unhappy when she moved away from his arms, and it was all he could do not to growl out his reaction to the empty place she left. What is going on with me, he thought, I must be going insane. But what he really felt was the need to be as close as possible to her. So he turned away without saying more than see you later I am tried and went to the basement to hide from the day. Maybe to hide from her too, maybe to hide from his own needs.

Faithful;

She only stopped at a quick market and picked up a couple of sandwiches for her and Riley, it had been a long night and dealing with fang didn't help matters. She was really tense and wanted to get back to the motel as soon as possible. It was only a few blocks from her now so she sprinted in the darkness. It would be daylight soon, and she wanted to be sleeping by noon. A smiled crossed her lips as she ran, for once in her life she had a reason to run home.

He was in the shower when the door opened and he heard her dropping things around the room. Riley had never worried that someone would break in at this time of day. To close to daylight for vampires and anyone else he would take care of pretty easily. He worried more for Faith being out with Angel, and looking for Buffy. It was a horrid feeling, this waiting, so when she came through  the door he was relied. Turning the shower off he got out long enough to towel himself down and slip on his jeans. He had an idea how Faith would come back from this patrol and didn't see any reason to get completely dressed yet.

Walking out of the bathroom he saw her standing in her bra and jeans. Dark hair flowing around her shoulders as she waited for him to say something. His only words were, "nice night sweetheart", a half grin on his handsome face. Faith bit back a giggle and replayed, "it's getting better". Then she tackled him, sending both their bodies to the bed he had insisted she sleep on when they met. Levering herself up on her elbows she smiled down at him and he smiled back. Green eyes meeting the dark depths of hers, the mood changed from playful to intense.

How did he do that she thought, make her feel happy one minute and the next make her need him so badly. She didn't understand since before him she had always used and tossed men, they didn't really matter. Or more to the point, they hadn't really cared, and by the time she got to Xander, she didn't care anymore. Riley was a whole different matter, not only did he care but he needed her too. He made her feel like he didn't want to be without her. It was kind of like what she had experienced with the mayor. Faith shook her dark head slightly ridding her mind of those thoughts, as she leaned down and took Riley's mouth in a searing kiss.

Riley run his hands over her back and undid the clasp of her bra, then wrapped them around her tightly. Her body was smooth, soft and tight. He rolled her over so that he was now on top and she groaned letting him touch her as she touched him. He wasted no time, as he stood back up long enough to unzip her jeans and pull them off her quickly. Leaving only her panties in his way.

Faith return the favor sitting up and pulling his jeans down to the floor before lifting her gaze to his eyes. The need there being all the coaxing she needed as she wrapped long fingers around his shaft and leaned to flick her tongue over the smooth head of it. Causing it to weep a pearl for her, Faith traced the head of it licking up the tiny offering as well. In no time he was more than ready for what she wanted but when he pushed her back down on the bed he didn't move over her right away.

Riley's fingers traced little lines along her body, coming to a point where her panties stopped his forward movement. He let then linger there, but not long as he pulled the waist band back and lifted her hips up slightly running his hands down her hips and legs as her removed them at at last. Faith was ready to attack him again if he didn't start doing something. He lifted one leg and nibbled at her instep the took his nibbles else where trailing over her ankle an down her calf, to her soft inner  thigh. Then repeated the action on her other leg, getting so close to where Faith had been aching since she saw him come out of the bath, damped and rippling.

Riley wasn't about to just jump into things he had in mind that he was going to take his time and drive her crazy if at all. Riley leaned over her and made little nibbles around her sides and stomach, dipping his tongue into her belly button, then tracing the little dip and going further south. Faith grunted her frustration at him.

But she wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of making her break and pull him to her before this got really good. He teased her some more then nuzzled her dark curls with his nose. Faith bucked her hips at him in tiny movements meant more to incite him than just let him know what she was feeling. His first dipping into her curls with his hot tongue almost ended it for her right there. She was so close, and he was going so slow. Something she had never been used to, and didn't know if she could handle now. He was showing her, showing her that he loved her, by loving her body in ways no one else would have bothered. When he lifted his golden head leveling green eyes on her, she was burning up with lust, having had her release more times that she could think to count, and he was only getting started.

Faith grabbed him by his hair and pulled him up her body, she needed filling, and she needed him to do it now. This time it was Riley that groaned as she forced  him to come to her. Wrapping her legs around him, she burned his mouth with a kiss. Riley knew he was lost to this dark goddess, and he moved only enough to enter her, pushing as deeply as he could, he stopped.

If she could have strangle him then she would have but she suddenly notice her had tied one hand to the head board and was in the process of doing the other. Quickly he was done and he leaned down to her mouth kissing her hard, exploring her sweet mouth. Faith has no idea what he was up to but at t his point she didn't really care. Her body bucked to his pushing him in and out of her tightness, as much as she could. Riley leaned into her and began kissing her small rounded breasts suckling each nipple in turn.

His body with urgent need of it's own could wait no longer so he returned her movements allowing them much deeper thrusts. Both threw back their heads in release only moments later. Riley moaned Faith, as he shuttered the ending to what he was sure of would be the first of today's events. Faith pulled him down and clung to him, their sweaty bodies slipping softly over each other. He barely rolled to his side pulling her with him, he kissed her cheek and they fell into a deep sleep together.

Chances;

Willow stood at the doorway to the basement and wondered why Angel had acted like that, it scared her some. Well, the thought that he could be hiding something scared her. Picking up her courage she turned on the stair light and started down. She had put Angel in one of the tiny rooms at the back of her basement. It only had one window and that one had a very full bush that grew in front of it. She had choose a curtain that blocked out any of the light that might get in otherwise.

The basement was pretty large over all and when she got to the bottom of the stairs not much of the light from them shone where she could see. The light switch she needed to get to was only a few feet away, but she wondered if it would bother Angel to have every light on in here. Her worry about what was wrong out weighted his discomfort or her embarrassment.

She started for the light when his voice rang out of the darkness, "Willow", it sounded more like a question. "Hey, um yeah, it's me", she answered. "What are you doing here, is it time for the spell you and Giles are going to do" the words shot at her distracted her thoughts form what she really had in mind. "oh um, yeah, but no, Giles isn't here yet. Soon though very soon, then she mumbled, I hope".

She couldn't see him yet and it made her nervous, she felt like he was watching her, taking note of something, maybe she thought, just maybe her spell hadn't worked the other night, and now she is going to die. Angelus would revel in playing with them then killing her and Giles when no one could protect them. Willow shook her head and frown at herself, hoping that she was not right. It seemed forever, but he finally came from the shadows, stepping next to her his eyes dark and dangerous.

He stared at her face, looking deeply into her eyes. Willow stood wondering but unable to express what she was thinking. Her mouth open slightly in awe of the man/monster in front of her. Angel could smell the fear on her when she had come down, now he smelled something sweeter. He knew what she wanted, even if she didn't. But he wasn't ready yet, to much pain. No, more like, he was afraid, so much so that he didn't dare touch her right now.

Willow saw when the look of sadness and fear crossed his face. Her heart went out to him and so did her hand, she lightly touched his cheek and ran her fingers down his jaw. Angel's eyes closed and he moaned deep in his throat, "Willow, this is not a good idea, you, we, erm," his voice trailed off, as he pulled her fingers to his mouth in a deft move. He opened her hand and kiss her palm gently. Willow's intake of breath was audible, even if he had not been a vampire. It made him want more, she had no idea what she was doing to him, he wasn't sure if he was falling in love with her or if the pain they shared was causing this attraction. He didn't care at the moment.

Angel looked into her eyes and saw she wanted this too, maybe it was wrong, but maybe not. He only needed to wait, until he was sure he would not hurt her like he had Buffy. Then they would explore these new feelings. Willow lifted up on tiptoes and landed a kiss on his mouth, Angel lost control and pulled her into his arms with a feral growl bruising her mouth with his kiss. Delving into the depths of her sweetness, he savored the feel and taste of her in his arms, on his tongue.

The loud knock at the door wasn't wanted but it shook them both from the haze that threaten to kill them both.  Willow stepped back first and blinked at Angel touching her lips where his had been. "I better go, umm and let see who that is. Yeah, it's Giles, should be anyway, I'll go get him,"Willow stumbled over her words. Then turning she went back up the stairs. Angel only stood there and waited, his mind racing, he could have just made another big mistake. He could lose Willow as a friend, and that would count him much less for it. Angel ran a large hand through his dark hair and waited.

~Part: 9~

Enter the Dark

Giles set up the room in Willow's living room. Everything needed to be perfect when they brought Angel up for this casting. The spell would be painful for him, because it meant that he would be tied to the demon, but it would also mean the demon was tied to him. Until permanent death both would reside in the same body. It would be like having a split personality, there only real hope was that Angel was stronger, and could maintain control over the demon.

Willow entered the room in a simple robe, most of the spells she did now skyclad/naked. But since Giles was upset by the idea of seeing her in the nude, she decided on the robed version of the ritual. She had finished her cleansing bath and had anointed herself with blessing oil, and meditated to clear her mind and align herself with the Goddess.

Once she found her spot where she would be standing for awhile she almost asked Giles to get Angel, the thought crossing her mind that she  hand only to whisper his name and he would hear her. In a voice of power but low and quiet she did just that, "Angel, we are ready now." In seconds he was in the room, his eyes in wonder at the woman before him.

His entrance was almost a living thing on it's own. His body moved with grace but his eyes were glued to the witch in the center of the circle. Willow pointed where she wanted him to stand, he took the few steps it took to place himself where she wanted him. Then she nodded for Giles to take his place, the spell required the three of them in specific points of the circle Giles had wrought on the flood in the living room. All the furnishings had been moved, to make room.

Once they were in the correct spots, Willow raised her arms, and Giles lit the small metal bowl filled with herbs and incense. Willow's voice began to raise to a level of commanding that neither Giles or Angel had ever heard before.

"Spirits of earth and air,
fire and water,
I align myself with mother earth and ask that you join me in this rite.
Bless my works this night.
Bless the heart that's coming to you and grant us this gift.
By Diana, Oya, and Hecate, by Kernunnos  and by Pan.
I here by consecrate this circle and everyone in it, living or not."

She lowered her hands again, pulling herself together, letting the power surround her body, Giles and Angel both noticed when she reopened her eyes and looked up again, that they had gone black. With the power she was bringing forth. Her voice again rose into the candle lit room.

"By the one power,
working for and through me,
I herby manifest and create a protective shield,
The invisible protector,
Of the Goddess,
According to Free Will,
And for the Good of All,
Nothing and no one,
Can penetrate,
This Shield,
This circle is now impervious to all harm,
And we are now divinely protected,
And perfectly safe,
In all time and all space,
So mote it be."

Willow felt as the room got cold and she gazed around, Angel stood stock still and Giles seem to be a stone statue, she didn't let this bother her. But instead she raised her hands, lifting her voice to the air again.

"Holy mother, touch this warrior with your powers, Set him to rights, and put together the two halves,"

( through  the floors a light shone soft and yielding, as it seem to move and curl around Angel's body, he was in awe that it didn't hurt him,)

"Lift him with your love and turn his dark to light."

( he found himself floating on the light, as it cradled him to the center of the circle, )

"So mote it be, that he will serve, as warrior in his life."

(Suddenly the light began to vibrate around him, churning him around within it,)

"So mote it be, that he will ere be one, never dreading his hearts desire."

( Angel could feel the light holding him, and caressing his body, gently at first)

"So mote it be that the darkness in him will be bound to the light,"

(like a blast of fire the light went through him, he winced as the pain stuck him to his core)

"So mote it be that the light in him will be bound to the darkness".

( in him the darkness rose, attacking the light, but falling short of it goal only to be contain, and blended with it, giving the light  it shadows),

"So mote it be that he will ore the earth go",

( Angel thought he could never feel such pain, he was sure he would be torn apart, that Willow was killing him) "dark and light, good and evil, dwelling together, the twine shall be one".

(finally the dark and light around Angel stopped fighting and held together, )

"So mote it be by the power of night,"

( both began to flood into Angel's mouth, nose eyes, ears, any opening possible, to his mind, leaving one very tired but alive vampire)

"By the handmaiden of the Goddess",

( Willow felt the heat of the golden light that emerged from her, she gave thanks in her heart and prayed it was over, this time for real) Priestess of earth, of air of water of fire. By the spirit that dwells in us all. So mote it be.

Willow let her hands drop some but cleared her voice and return the spirits she had called thanking them in turn, for gracing the circle. Once the cycle was completed and she had done all that was required the golden light went back in her body. She stood in the aftermath of what had happened, what she had done, looking over Angel and Giles. In her mind making a mental note of them both, just so she would know they were OK.

"Angel, she spoke in a wispy voice, weaken by the power she had used, how do you feel". Her question seemed all important, and he just looked around a second then with a grin crossing his normally dour features, he said, "I feel whole". With that Willow too smiled and Giles signed in relief. Maybe this time it was really over, and he would never have to worry again, all be it somewhat late.

Willow let her smile fade and she seemed to feel herself leaning, or was that the room. Suddenly she found herself in Angel's arms, Giles close by. She could kind of hear what they were saying but not well enough to understand, her eyes fluttered shut and then all she saw was darkness.

Giving In:

Riley woke to construction workers just outside the motel, it was just before knock off time for them and he wondered why they were making so much noise, he hadn't heard them earlier, but now it was like they were right outside. He pushed himself off the bed and looked back to Faith, who was sleeping even through this racket. Riley not caring if he was unclothed at the moment got up from the bed and walked to the window, pulling the curtain so he could see out but no one could really see him.

Sure enough they were working right outside, digging some type of hole in the middle of the parking lot. Probably something to do with electric or water mains. He really didn't care except it made sleeping impossible for him. He turned and walked back to the bed looking at Faith as she slept, her hair a wild mass around her face and shoulders. The flush on her face, how she looked as if the world could end and she wouldn't care.

He would have loved to think all that was due to his loving her so well. But he would almost bet she slept like this more than not. She was the slayer, fearing the future would be a death sentence. She could not, or better would not live in fear. Riley loved that part about her, sitting next to her prone body now he reached over and brushed some of the dark waves from her face. Taking in her pouty mouth, and the deep eyes, how light her skin was and dark her hair.

She was a complete contrast, in look and the way she lived. On the edge of everything, fighting for all she was worth, living as fast and hard as she could, loving like there was no tomorrow. Of course for her that could well be true. Buffy had been one of the longest lived slayers, and she was still in her twenties. Faith was a year younger, and the only reason she was still alive was because she spent time behind bars.

It was a terrible testimony to the horrors of the world. She was chosen, and she was excepting that calling on her life. Which, no matter how good she was, or who she had to help her. One day, and most likely very soon, she would die. Some demon or other would claim her life, there was really no way around it.

Riley could feel his chest tighten with that thought, here he was falling in love with someone else he knew would die. We all die he thought, but that didn't help. Somehow the thought that she would be ripped apart by some demon, or worse, angered and terrified him. He had no control here, could not defend her against what she was destine for. It ripped at his insides, he hurt for her, for himself, and because he knew he to had no choice. He loved her, so much so that even the thought of what he a Buffy had was only a dim thought.

Faith was not easy to get inside of, her body was willing. But her heart was off limits, he had to take his time, not telling her, but showing her. It was working as far as he could tell, she loved him too he thought. Her love was fierce like a wild untamable beast. She excepted him as he was, not asking anything more, not comparing him to anyone else.

The noise outside had quit and he could finally hear himself think. He watched her as she slept, her quiet repose her beauty, he knew he didn't deserve her love. She was different from him but no less wonderful and special. Riley leaned down and kissed her eyelids gently. Then moved his attention to her lips, gently touching hers he began to pull back when she groaned and put a arm around his neck pulling his face back to hers. Plundering his lips, giving all she could again, he rose to the call and engulfed her body with his powerful arms.

Cradling her close, he rolled them to their sides. Faith was moving her hands over his over him again and he had to stop her. He wanted to talk with her, find out what she was feeling, thinking about him. He wanted so much, but felt he had no right to ask. Still how would she ever know what he felt if he didn't tell her, she could die on patrol tonight and never know what he himself just realized.

She may never know he loved her if he never got the chance to say it. Pulling her closer into his embrace he looked into her dark eyes. "We need to talk Faith". She looked at him strangely like talking was a concept she had never heard of. But she nodded in response to his words, he started and his voice trembled with intent.

"I have something to tell you and I will understand if you don't feel the same" his words run out of him like someone turned the faucet on full blast. Faith only looked at him letting her hands roam his body, making it even harder for him to think. He groaned and pulled one hand off his semi ready member, "really Faith, please listen this is very important to me, and I hope to you". Faith looked a little cross at him but asked, "OK, so give already solider boy, what is so hot you gotta tell me now" said as she was trying to nibble on his well muscled chest.

Riley inhaled deeply, not sure now if he was just nervous or over wrought with what she was doing to him, he blurted out the words. "I love you Faith", the statement was followed by a moan of pleasure as she attacked one harden male nipple. She laved the bud mumbling, "of course you do stud, I'm the best" her voice amused but not believing what he said.

Riley pushed her away and looked her in the eyes. His traitorous body aching for her to touch him more. "No Faith, I don't mean like that, I mean I really love you". He tired to make her see how serious he really was, and she looked hard at him, narrowing her dark eyes like she wasn't sure what she was seeing. Then she pulled away, turning her back on him, she stood and walked to the bathroom, not saying a word.

Riley had expected fire works, meaning she would go off on him, tell him he was lying, he figure on that. But not this, it was like total denial, she went to the bath showered, got dressed and picked some things out of her duffle, "hey solider boy, you ready to go fight evil, maybe kill some vampires"? He was still naked on the bed, and had no clue what was going on with her, but decided that he better get with it, so he dress quickly and got his things together as she watched. "Ready, he stated, as he followed her out the door.

Faith didn't miss a step, she watched him as he strode beside her keeping up in most ways. She didn't know what to make of him, did he really think she would fall for that "I love you", crap. Sure she knew she was falling hard for him, but no sense in being stupid about it. He did things for her and to her no one else had been able to do. She thought of him constantly where there wasn't a life and death struggle aimed at her anyway.

She knew he was using her feelings, her weak heart, against her, but if he thought she would just lay down and be whatever he wanted he was a fool. She was the slayer, now more than ever, and he was a toy. Or so she told herself, but her heart belied what she was trying to make herself believe.

Faith glanced up at him through ebony lashes, casting a look over his strong body, walking all military like next to her. In her mind she smiled, but then her thoughts turned dark. It would be night soon, and Buffy would be out there, she would have to find her, and do what must be done. After all that's how it worked, Buffy was a vampire, she was the slayer, and slayers kill vampires. Simple, just how Faith liked it. She stole another look at Riley, so few things in her life were simple, inwardly she grinned.

Resting;

Angel had carried her from the living room to her bed room it would only be a couple of hours till it was dark and he was feeling things he couldn't even describe. Giles stood by watching, and directing what Angel did for Willow. Placing a fluffed up pillow under her head and he stood back, standing near Giles, he asked, "What happened".

Giles rubbed the bridge of  his nose and tightly closed his eyes, saying, "Well, I'm not quite sure, he started again, could be that the whole event was to much for her and she just passed out". Angel gave him a look that said he needed to do better than that for an explanation. But Giles merely shrugged, she was alive and appeared to only be sleeping, he worried because that's what Giles did. But Angel worried that he may be the cause of her sudden need to sleep.

Angel just pulled up a chair, and sat beside her. It was something he felt he needed to do. She had saved him again, it was as if the fates had declared her his champion. In her sleep she was graceful and lovely, her face in quiet repose held the angelic appearance his sister had thought him to have. Giles mumbled something and said he would be back. Closing the door as he went, Angel took little notice of him except to know Giles had left.

His eyes were studying the glowing red hair and soft pale skin, of the woman in the bed near him. He had never felt such a tug on  his heart, she gave, and gave, even though she had once nearly gone mad with anger. None of that shone in her now, in her sleep. Angel picked up a slender hand and pressed his lips to it, in a scared kiss. His greatest fear now being that Buffy would come and destroy what was being forged here.

His mind wondered, where she was, did Buffy mean to kill them all now. When they had been together, that was there plan. To kill each of the scoobies in turn. Buffy had gotten Xander, and while she fed from him the demon part of him sung with joy. Now he felt sad for the loss, Xander was not much of a brain to Angel's way of thought. But he was Willow's friend and loyal to a fault. Angel stared intently to her eyes, but they wouldn't or couldn't open.

He toyed with her fingers brushing light touches over each, and leveled another gaze at her face. He was not know for his waiting skills, so this was going to be hell. Now there was something he knew about. Angel inhaled deeply and sat back placing her hand on her stomach first. To him she looked a lot like he imagine sleeping beauty would. If only it were that  simple, and all he had to do was kiss her.

Giles moved about the kitchen making some tea and reliving what had happened. He too was very worried about Willow, he had never seen her this way before. Rummaging threw the cabinets he found the tea, peppermint, he read on the box and thought, well at least it's not lemon something, and he began to set things up.

It was then that the voice from his dream came back. Her voice, low and seductive, like she was speaking with a lover, "Giles, come to me, we belong together," it said. Scaring him, terrifying  him in fact. Giles bent his head toward the counter and placed two fingers at the bridge of his nose pinching fiercely, trying to push the voice out of his head. He knew it was a lost cause, how do you fight your inner demons, was a question he could never answer. But for the sake of everyone he loved, he would try.

~Part: 10~

The night seemed quiet and cool, no strange things in the air, no scary prophecies. Riley Faith and Angel stood in the darken graveyard hunting, searching for the exslayer. Giles had gotten a lead as to where she and Spike might be holding up. Since those two had got together, more murders and missing persons had happen over the last three weeks then in the last three months.

Angel was sure he knew this time, where they were. Giles' source said that he didn't know where they stayed, but he did know where they went a lot. So here the three of them were, waiting out Buffy and Spike. Letting them make there move first, it was a normal tactic, one Riley, and Angel were used to, but Faith had waited to long and was not willing to wait much longer. She was antsy moving back and forth, looking at Riley and Angel the back to the direction they hoped Buffy would come.

Angel didn't like having to deal with Riley and he was pretty sure Faith wasn't all that happy with him either. Something about the way the two of them looked at each other of late. In the way she would turn from Riley's gaze, when it seemed a little to intense. Trouble in paradise Angel thought, he wondered what had made that change. It was not a good one, Faith had been edgy and more difficult to deal with since the day Angel's  soul was anchored to his demons.

Riley himself was more dour and darkly motivated, his actions had become precise. When Riley looked at Faith he seemed to be pleading with her. She would always turn away, as if she didn't want to hear it, didn't want to know. The pain Angel saw on Riley's face reminded him of things he never wanted to think about again. He knew that Riley was suffering, but he knew Faith well enough to know she was too.

Angel's thoughts went back to Willow, she had woke up two days after she did the spell. But was weak and unable to do much for herself, over time she had gone from bad to good and back to bad. It seemed she wasn't really getting better. Something was wrong with her, the spell maybe went wrong somehow. She would lapse into sleep that would last for twenty hours to two days. When she would wake it was from a fitful dream, something that would jar her awake.

Angel wasn't sure what he should do to help her, Giles took care of her  at night when he, Riley and Faith went patrolling. When he could Angel would spend his day time hours at her side. Feeding her and watching over her as well as he could. Faith helped with her bathing, so Angel was free to do other things at those times.

On nights when he wasn't patrolling, he spent those with her too. She had brought him back, and he would do whatever he could to bring her back as well. Angel had grown found of his time spent with her, sometimes she would be awake enough for him to talk with. Or he would read to her, play music, or just talk to her in her sleep.

So far the night had yielded no Buffy or Spike, and time was fading fast. Angel was beginning to think that maybe she and Spike had left Sunnydale, but he could still feel them around. That was something that he had counted on, being able to know they were close. The tie between vampires and their childer/sires, would l always let them know when each was about. The one boon that had so far saved their lives at least twice.

The first being three days after his soul was set in him, Buffy had waited for Angel to come outside. Knowing he always met Faith and Riley, if she could catch him outside before they got together, she would only have to deal with Angel. She hadn't brought Spike with her, and she seemed not in the mood for a fight. But Angel knew what she did want he now could never give her.

She walked fearlessly up to him and said, "Angel, my lover, tracing a sharp nail along his jaw line, Come back to me. We can rule this place, centuries. Angel felt the longing in him to touch her again, his demon surged forth, he was after all a vampire, and she was his childer. He could hear the monster in him screaming inside his head, his heart. The vampiric lust burned in him. He could smell her arousal, and knew she wanted him. Angel had to wonder why she wasn't with his grand childer.

The human heart in Angel won in the end, the people around him had sacrificed so much for his benefit. He only had to think of the little witch that was still on the verge of death because of him, because of what she was willing to do for him. His heart stir to that, and that only, no one had ever been so willing to give so much. He turned his head from Buffy, his words harsh, "You need to leave, if you want to live, stay here and I will kill you myself." he back away a few steps from her. Buffy gave him a pouty look and backed away, her words still rang in his mind, "But , 'sire' everything I want is 'here'.

The second time he was with Faith and she had brought Spike, they battled some, but mostly Buffy still seemed to be trying to let Angel know she still wanted him. Angel told her in one close encounter, when he had her on the ground, holding his stake inches from her heart. His voice full of anger, "I can't lose my soul again, it's been sealed Buffy, you will never have Angelus back so give it up", to which she only replied, "That's what you said the last time, lover". Kneeing him in the groin and rolling him off her she signal Spike and they ran.

Now as early as it was in the morning he could smell the sunrise coming and knew he needed to get back to Willow's home. He needed to see her again, she that she was not any worse, not dead. Every night he left he worried he would come back and she would be dead. Having passed in her sleep before even Giles attentiveness would notice. Faith was the first to speak up. "Well fang, looks like they aren't coming and if you don't get in soon we are going to have a big pile of ash to let sit bye Wills today". She tugged on Riley's arm and he gave a half grin, one thing Angel knew, no matter what their problem was they weren't letting it disturb there desire for each other.

Angel only nodded and said his goodbyes to them both, watching as they walked away into the on coming morning. Angel then hurried back as quickly as possible to Willow's house. One he needed to get in for the day, two he wanted badly to see Willow again. Somehow this need had nearly become and obsession, or maybe it was the fact that he worried so much, that he felt guilt over what had happened to he. Was it really his fault, or did he just need the guilt for some reason.

Once at the house he sense something different, no lights were on to welcome him. The doors seemed to be locked, Angel knocked at first. But then not hearing Giles' heartbeat and barely hearing Willow's, he took more aggressive measures, a broke the door open. He had mere minutes before the sun was up enough to scorch the flesh off his body, and he would be charred ash, manners didn't fit into this right now. "Giles, he roared even though he knew he wasn't there. Angel felt a cold shiver run up his spine as the thought about how Giles had told the three of them to wait at that cemetery for Buffy and Spike. How he had said that they wouldn't come by there till maybe a hour before dawn.

Angel tore up the stairs, and nearly ripped the door off it's hinges to get into Willow's room. When he saw her his worst fears were nearly the truth, she was breathing very shallow, and her heart was so weak. It was then that he smelled it, and he wondered why he hadn't before. She had started to recover from what the spell had done to her, only to relapse like she was now. The smell was of belladonna,  a very strong sedative, if not used carefully, it could be a poison, someone had poisoned her, Angel's mind raced, Giles had poisoned her.

But why, Angel had very little time to think about that and had no way to get Willow to a hospital knowing she would not last more than a hour or two. He went to the phone and called Faith, and Riley, the phone rang and the desk pick it up, he got them to ring to the room only to wait on line while it rang and rang. Giving up on that idea he called 911 and told them it was a accidental poisoning and he needed someone their now. This being Sunnydale they didn't ask a lot of questions, only sent out the ambulance. It was there within 20 minutes. Much less time then he would have thought, the man and woman came in and looked over the situation, both giving Angel an evil look, as if he were to blame. He didn't care only wanted Willow well again, and it seemed this was his last chance.

They asked if he wanted to go with her, but he only shook his dark head. It was full daylight now and he had no choice but to stay where he could be out of the light. He watched as they took her still form out the door but he couldn't get close enough to touch her again, he would have to wait and pray. The minute they were gone he went back to called Riley and Faith again. This time he got through to them although they sounded like they might be,, busy. Angel told them what had happened and they agreed to go to the hospital to watch over Willow. Angel knew both of them could be counted on for this if for no other reason then it was Willow.

When Angel's mind was settled that Willow would be watched over in the day, he started searching the house for any indication, any reason that Giles would do something like this. He would never have hurt any of them before unless he had no other choice. Willow was not evil she was not threating him in anyway, she was barley alive. Why, or was it someone/something else. Finally Angel went to the desk in the den where Giles had been spending a great deal of time, both day and night.

In the second drawn of the desk, Angel found a slim journal, he had been used recently Angel could smell the fresh ink still not totally dry. So he opened it and began reading from where the date was only a month ago. The writings at the time were in near perfect penmanship, and in great detail. It was as if he didn't want to miss anything about what was happening to them all. He had detailed Xanders death and Buffy's being a vampire, any thing that had been said at the time. Then he got little by little each day to be less distict on the scoobies and more on some sort of dreams Giles was having.

Angel thought for a moment and realized that he had seen the effect of the dreams on Giles, but didn't take much real notice because of his worry for Willow. In the dreams Giles was being told to do certain things, to destroy the witch, and come to her. Angel didn't have to think long to come up with who Giles was suppose to go to. He knew the ties that Buffy and Giles shared in that he was the Watcher and she the Slayer, nearly as powerful as the sire/childer bonds themselves. But Angel would have thought that would be severed when Buffy was turned. Now he knew he was wrong, one of the things he could not have known about since in all the centuries no one had ever turned a slayer before.

But if that was true then would she turn Giles or just kill him, Angel didn't know. His first reaction was to kill his whole family, to cut all ties to humans that way. So far, thanks to what was left of them, she had not gotten to her mother, Joyce. But it looked like Giles was forfeit in this game. She would most likely kill him, he was would not want to be a vampire and Angel was sure she would be looking for ways to kill them all. Angel read more only to find out that the nature of the dreams turned darkly sexual.

Angel wasn't really shocked by this only mildly surprised, he had not thought of Buffy and Giles that way even as vampires. It would seem that all that was changing, and things were about to get very interesting. If not in a good way. The demon inside him laughed, and crowed that his childer had been so smart the game so far. Angel cringed at the inner thoughts. Angel knew he needed to call the hospital again, and make damn sure Giles wasn't let anywhere near Willow. He strode to the phone again, feeling helpless to do anything else,  with a trembling hand, he picked it up and began to dial.

Faith and Riley had stopped by the neighborhood deli and gotten a couple of sandwiches on their way to the motel. She like always was hungry and he knew he had better eat something too.  Riley felt a little worried, it had been weeks since he told her how he felt and though his feelings had only grown, she made no attempt to let him know how she really felt. Once, and only once did she slip, just enough to let him know she thought more of him than just someone to be with, when she had need.

He had been in the middle of a battle with some of Spikes minion, he was out of her line of sight and the vampire he was fighting was very strong. It had tossed him over one above ground tomb, and then shoved him behind another. Faith was busy with a couple of vamps herself and Angel, was also in the middle of a few nasties. No one was able to get right to Riley.

Not that he care, Riley could take care of himself and this one vamp was not going to get him, he knew that. Sure he caught him off guard with the first punch, and then back him into this spot, almost like he was trying to separate him from Faith and Angel. Riley thought the vamp was in for a surprise and he pulled a stake, using the blunt side of it to backhand the monster, the when it went over on its back, he dived on it and plunged the stake into the things heart before it could blink again. "Easy target my ass", he thought, teach them to underestimate me just cause I am human.

Riley could hear Faith screaming his name, as she came running around the crypt, only to see Riley sitting over a pile of ash, grinning like the cat that ate the mouse. Faith let a smile cross her red lips and she crossed her arms shaking her head. It was then he knew she really cared about him, but did she love him. That she still had not let him in on, he began to wonder if she ever would.

Once they had made it back to the motel, Riley and Faith sat on one of the beds and started mawing out on their sandwiches. Faith was kinda of a sloppy eater and Riley reached out with a finger dabbing off the mustard that had found it's way to the corner of her mouth. She watched as she dipped that finger in his own mouth licking it clean. Faith knew she was in trouble from the first time she saw him at Buffy's funeral.

She had no idea why she walked up to him then but she thought she knew now. He was a blonde, sculpted, god. Worse he made her feel like she was loved, how do you win against that, and did she really want to. It would be a long time, she thought, before she told him that she loved him too. Letting a small smile cross her mouth she winked at him letting him know that the sandwiches were not the only thing she was hungry for.

They had barley gotten their food eaten and picked up some when the phone rang, Faith grabbed the thing before it got out a fourth ring. "yeah, she sounded impatient as she cradled the thing to her ear. It wasn't long before her face turned from pissed to raged, and Riley wonder what was up. "Yeah, sure Angel, what hospital.", Now she really had Riley's attention. Had something happen to Giles or Willow while they were out, patrolling the night. Riley stood and walked to Faith pulling her into his arms she allow this and he was amazed. Somehow he had thought she would pull away, maybe because whenever there was something really emotional to deal with that's what she did.

Faith put the phone down when she was done and turned to Riley, "we have to go to Sunnydale hospital." Riley tilted her head so he could see in Faith's dark eyes. "What has happened, he asked waiting for her to answer. Faith only looked at and frowned, seems the Giles tried to kill Willow last night, we need to go make sure he doesn't try again."

Riley looked stunned, he never thought he would hear something like that , it stunned him to the point of automatic thinking. Meaning he just got his gear and didn't bother to ask anymore questions, until his head cleared. "Lets go," he darkly stated, and out the door they both went at top speed.

They weren't but a few blocks from the hospital and got there not long after Willow had been admitted, the doctors were rushing around the room where Willow was laying and Faith could only peek in, she grabbed one nurses arm, asking, "do they know what it was that she got hold of, the nurse shook her head and tried to pull away, tell them it was belladonna", and Faith let the woman go. The nurse gave her a queer look of surprise and left going into the room with the doctor, leaning to him she whispered something in  his ear. Faith was sure she knew what it was and she leaned back into Riley's arms. Watching the way the medical people rushed around Willow, Faith only had one thought, what if that were Riley. She knew Angel had feelings for the witch, and if Faith wasn't careful she could be in the same boat. Never having let the person you care for really know.

Riley could feel her tension as she began to turn in his arms facing him, she looked up into his hazel eyes, like she was searching for something. Then in a breathy little whisper she  said, "Riley, he bent a little closer to hear her better, he knew she was worried, and he waited to see what she was thinking, I love you too". Riley didn't, couldn't say a word, he felt like he had been waiting  his whole life for her to say that, the very fact that she did made him all the more in love with her. She didn't give her heart easy, and he knew when she did, she would never take it back. He lowered his lips to hers in a kiss to seal their love.

She was the slayer and he was used to the fighting the battles, he knew they would face more. But she was his now, and they could face them together. He pulled back and looked into her dark depth's eyes. Then looked back at the window where Willow on the other side fought for her life. Silently in his mind he knew in some odd way Willow was the reason Faith had told him of her love, and he was thankful for that. Now he could only prey that Willow would get well, and they could all be together as friends.

And Where's that Watcher?

Giles sat in the dark waiting, he could hear her voice coming to him in the emptiness of the crypt. Then she was there, he had missed her so much, but things had changed since they were last together.  The steps he was sitting on cold against his bottom, he moved some trying to stand, but for some reason he had no strength to get up with. Buffy moved over him with steady delibreance. She straddle his legs and lowered herself to his eye level, Buffy reached out one hand and gently smooth over his pallid cheek. "Poor Giles, she purred at him, letting her lips follow the trail of her fingers.

Giles only moaned from somewhere in the back of his throat, he didn't want to die, but he couldn't stand being away from her any longer. He was going mad with his need for her. Somehow he knew it was wrong, he was the watcher, not some vampire's plaything. Buffy didn't miss a beat and asked him, "but aren't you suppose to help me when I can't find my way, she asked a slight pout to her voice. Giles looked up into her amber shaded eyes and knew he was lost, damned now forever, he had killed or at least nearly killed Willow.

Now he was with Buffy, even knowing what she might do to him. Giles leaned to her and let his lips brush over hers, taking them in a gentle kiss that she heated up. Pressing her mouth to his, she ravaged his mind and body with that one kiss. He was beyond caring, as his eyes began to flutter closed he noticed Spike arms crossed and a wicked smile on his face. Giles knew he was dead, if nothing else Spike's presents made that a fact.

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