Giles POV

I was stunned to see Sara. There was a time I loved her, but no longer.  It
was both our parents' dreams to hook us up. Oh well, another shattered
expectation to add to my list of failures.  I went up on the roof looking for
Faith.  I knew she found this place to be relaxing.  I did too.  Many night
we simply talked about things. I saw the way Faith looked at Sara.  I also
knew how Sara was looking at me. I hoped it would not get ugly.

"Hey stranger." Sara said.

"Sara." I said.

"What no hug for an old friend?" I hugged her quickly.

"Things are pretty crazy here." She said looking up at the stars.

"I like this madness."

"Why are you here?" She asked me.

"Things went sour in Sunnydale. Willow was a friend of the slayer's.  The
friendship fell apart.  I stayed friends with her and eventually moved up
here. I like it here."

"I've missed you Ripper." Sara said and licked her lips.  She then tried
to kiss me. I stepped away quickly. "Sara, listen, I can't help you."

"Why not, Ripper, for old times sake?" Sara said, still trying to get
close to me.

"Things have changed. I am a married man now."  I saw the look of shock
on her face.

"Who?" She asked.

"Faith Thorne Giles."  I proudly said.

"Slayer Faith?" Sara asked in disbelief.

"That would be me, and that would be my husband, please remove you paws
from him or else I will." Faith said menacingly.

"Faith," I said and walked over to her. I noticed her hip hugging pants
and short shirt. It showed off her tattoo with my name on it.

"Ripper." She said.  She turned her back to Sara. She then kissed me deeply.
I loved her brazen moments. When I looked up, Sara was gone.

"Thanks for the rescue." Giles said.

"Who is going to rescue you from me tonight?" Faith joked.

"I refuse to be rescued, I would be your prisoner for all eternity."
Giles told her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 36

Willow POV

Sara was sitting quietly when I came up to her. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah, I just found out about Giles and Faith.  They seem so different."

"They are good together. She has come along way from the Faith I came to
know and loathe."

"You seem so normal, how did you end up here?"

"I have known Angel for a long time.  We go way back, he saved my life
many times. I have saved his."

"I heard he was with the other slayer, Buffy."

"They were together, but things changed, she and he have moved on."

"How is the other slayer?"

"I don't know.  We haven't been friends in almost two years, ever since I
became involved with Angel."

"Do you miss her?"

"Sometimes. I learned a lot about the world through her.  She has saved
my life so many times.  I am grateful. She has turned bitter since she and
Angel fell apart."

"Why did they fall apart?"

"Angel, as you know was really bad without his soul. He fed off a gypsy
child in the twenties. They cursed him with his soul. What we didn't know was
that one moment of complete happiness and he loses his soul. At the time
Angel and Buffy were in love. They had sex and he lost his soul. Eventually,
I recursed him. He left after the failed ascension. Angel was worried he
would lose his soul again. He left her."

"Wow." Sara had said. I saw her go to the library.  I worried for Giles.  He
was dealing with his father.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 37

Angel POV

Faith was alright. I couldn't help but smile as she lost her temper. I went
up to the roof. This had been a crazy day.  The watchers were staying at a
local hotel. I called Wes and told him what happened. He thanked me for the
warning. I wondered what would happen.  I felt her as she came up to the
roof. It had been a long day for both of us. I felt her wrap her arms around
me. I was so content just being near her, I closed my eyes and concentrated
on her heartbeat. It relaxed me. I watched as she sat on the futon couch we
put up here. She patted her lap and gestured for me to come over. I lie down
and put my head in her lap. I love being like this. Her hair has grown long
again. I like it this way on her. I play with the red strands. I felt her
hands in my hair. We just touched each other this way.

"Willow, how did I get so lucky?"

"I don't know if I would call you lucky, you are stuck with me."

"Willow, I mean my soul being permanent, having you. I do not deserve the
happiness you bring. It is like you are sunshine, in my dark wold. Even my
demon loves you."

"Angel, I love you, both of you. I never thought I could be so happy
before. I never knew that I would have my tall, dark, handsome prince."

"Your dark knight is more like it.  You have such a depth of character.
It amazes us.  I mean after how he tormented you, killed your friends, you
accept him as you accept me. We both love you so much."

"Angel, what will happen when I die?"

"I don't know.  I will either see sunrise over your grave, either that or
I will end up getting staked in a fight."

"I can't bear anything happening to you." Willow said.

"Why are we talking about this?" I was alarmed. Something had spooked
her.  Not much spooked her.  I rarely thought about what would happen when
she dies.  I refused to think about it. I wanted to enjoy my time with her.
Yet, I really wanted to bring her across.

"I dreamt I died."

I sat up and held her. I knew she was going to cry soon. "Angel, If I
die, I want it to be from you draining me. I want the last bit of life I have
going into you."

"You don't know what you are asking me to do." I knew if I took her last
drop, I would change her.

"Tell me Imzadi." Willow asked. She felt from her last vision she would
die soon, she told me that.

"If I were to do that, I would sire you. The demon would do it before the
soul can react."

"How were you sired?"

"I was drunk that night, my friend had passed out.  I was going home to
take some more of my father's silver, when I saw her in that alley.  I had
never seen a noblewoman out so late in such a bad area.  She entranced me.  I
asked her what she was doing alone in an alley with the reputation that one
had. She said she was lonely.  I offered myself to her. She said she came from
everywhere.  I remember I asked her to show me her world. She did."

"Did it hurt?"

"At first."

"Did you love her?"

"Yes, she was my sire.  I worshipped her. We had been together for a century
before things got crazy. I was her favorite childe, as well as a favorite in
the Master's Court.  I remember Darla and Spike would argue so much.  I have
a suspicion they got along nicely when I wasn't around."

"Why?"

"Darla was a slayer, you knew that.  William was studying to be a priest.
They both had such radical departures form the vocations. Dru found their
chatter boring."
 

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