Part Eight:

Buffy watched Willow sleeping for some time, then looked down at her stained skirt. She walked over to Willow's closet wondering if she had something Buffy could change into and laughed softly to herself. Yeah like Willow is gonna have something, you'd be caught dead in. Softer side of sears indeed. She opened the closet door and slowly began to push cloths aside. She laughed silently. In those Cloths willow would never be competition. Skin was all you had to show for most men and Angel was like most men in that way. Skin made him stare.

She stopped short her mind shocked at the sight before her. A leather skirt hung on the hanger, she picked up the hanger and pulled the skirt off of it. It wasn't like Willow would ever really wear the black skirt. Willow never wore anything that was tight and revealing. Buffy moved into Willow's bath room and quickly shimmed off her skirt and attempted to pull on the other. She pulled in her stomach and still couldn't get the skirt to button. It was too small. She couldn't believe it. What size was this thing. She pulled at it till the tag was visible and growled no size.

She pulled it off and quickly pulled on her own skirt. She slowly began to try to clean the dirt off of it. Once she had it relatively clean she smiled. She moved over to the doors and grinned even more brightly. Willow was safe enough she doubted she would wake and Buffy was going to go to the bronze. She deserved a break.

Angel moved around his living room. He was restless and angry he wanted to be with Willow the desire had grown stronger since he'd left her home hours before. A growl came from within. He had wanted nothing more then to stay with Willow all night. To hold her close while watching over her as she slept.

Grabbing his jacket off the couch where he'd threw it when he'd entered the mansion. He slung it over his shoulders and headed out into the night. Angel moved quickly having every intention of being at Willow's before he stopped to think about the conversation that he knew he would now have to have with the slayer.

He walked hurriedly down the street trying not to be distracted by the dance club. Glancing at the crowd still waiting outside he stopped shocked, through the entrance he could see what he thought was Buffy. He couldn't be sure, blonde wasn't that uncommon a hair color, but there was something about the way she was dancing and with whom that assured the vampire that it was indeed Buffy. Buffy, who was supposed to be at Willow's protecting the hacker.

An angry growl seeped from Angel's chest as he worked his way through the crowd. He watched as Buffy danced in front of Xander, who was staring at Buffy gyrating form. He chuckled softly and walked toward them. Grasping the slayer's arm, he spun her around to face him. She gasped at the look at his eyes.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Angel demanded, "You're supposed to be watching over Willow."

"Calm down, like anything is gonna happen to her in her house." Buffy said sarcastically.

"That demon doesn't need an invite. Slayer if anything happens to her because of your petty jealousy I'll make Angelus seem like a day in the park." Angel growled out at the Slayer.

Xander watched the exchange shocked he couldn't remember the last time he'd seen this side of the vampire. He could see the golden glow that he hadn't seen since Angel had become Angelus. He dropped Buffy's arm after squeezing it meaningfully and staked toward the exit.

As he moved away, he heard the slayer say to Xander. "Why would he want her when he could have me."

Angel snorted softly the answer to that was simple. (Destiny links me to the forever and a day.) He remembered the words now and wondered how he had ever settled for the Slayer.

He moved as quickly as his vampiric speed would carry him. He drew in a slow breath as he got closer to the Rosenberg house. He heard a scream rent the air pushed himself a little harder hoping to reach the house sooner. He was only slightly aware of the fact that even thought her screams should have woken her neighbors their lights remained off. He ran up to her balcony and began to climb the large tree that he had used to get into her house normally. He paused at the French doors hoping to see Willow sleeping peacefully in her bed but some how knew he wouldn't.

The sight the met his eye through her lace curtains shocked him to the core. Her room was a complete mess. A number of her stuffed animals looked as though they had, had the stuffing pulled from within the lamp on her desk was on the floor as well as all of the contents of the desk. He could see her full-length mirror had been busted and that her bedclothes had been ripped of the bed and lay in a heap on the floor.

He pushed open the doors and slowly entered the room; the moment he did a number of things made themselves known to him. Willow was here so was his double and Willow was terrified and bleeding. The sent of her blood alone had Angel in a rage as he headed stealthily further into the room. He paused and tried to figure out where they where in the house. Down the hall he realized. He moved slowly down and could make out the shadows of their struggling forms.

"Personally little witch I don't see why he just didn't keep you? He thought the Slayer was fun but you, your heaven." A silky voice said.

Angel slowly moved into the room, knowing that the double was too busy holding onto the struggling young woman to look behind him. He waited and when the double reached forward and tore the front of her shirt open Angel grabbed him by the scruff of the neck spun him about and connected a hard knee to the other mans groin. The double gasped clutching at himself in agony. Angel slammed his fist into his face cutting his hand on the other's fangs. He growled angrily and lifting him throwing him across the room. Angel stalked the doppelganger as he could feel his demon's rage take over. The dark-haired vampire smirked down at what would seem to anyone else his twin.

"You know…you should really have learned a lesson…but no…now we are going to have to do this the hard way." He sneered at his double. "Maybe a little torture first. I should be fun…but not so much for you as it would for me."

Angel captured one of his hands and smiled as he slowly bent one of his fingers back until he heard it break. The doppelganger screamed in pain. "I forgot how much I loved the sounds of pain… music to my ears." Angel slowly ran his hand up the arm of the other demon and twisted, snapping the demon's arm in two.

He knew Willow was watching him and for some reason couldn't get control of his demon. This time it was too strong. The vampire that lived inside of him wanted to slowly brake ever bone in the doppelganger's body for touching someone that belonged to him.

"She's mine." He growled, latching onto the doubles neck. His nails slowly tore into his neck, creating a bloodless wound it became clear to Angel that this demon truly was different. He knew he couldn't kill him but the desire was there. He growled again more darkly.

"Do you understand, now what is mine, and only I am allowed to touch her, I've marked her…claimed her. Lay hands on her again and you, will wish for death." Angel said before throwing the man easily down the hall toward Willow's room. He pushed him out into the night air already knowing that the demon would not die tonight. Oh…well, . He growled as he pushed the double toward the railing. Eyes flashed yellow as Angel finally gave all control over to his demon. He was truly what everyone known him as "The Scourge of Europe." Grasping the scruff of the broken body of the doppelganger and held him over the ledge of the balcony. Smiling Angel leaned against the railing. His double whimpered as he looked down at the ground. "Now…I have finally got your attention." Angel sighed shaking his head. "Hopefully you have learned from tonight's experience that you NEVER try and take something that doesn't belong to you…and this is really starting to bore me. So I should let you go now." The dark-haired vampire smiled as he watched the broken body hit the ground with a thud.

Angel could hear her coming up behind him and tried to will his fear and panic down only to find he couldn't shift back, he hadn't let his demon take control in so long that he couldn't calm down enough to stop. Her hand settled on his shoulder. And Angel turned slowly under her touch and captured her in his arms he didn't even think. It was pure instinct that led his mouth to claim hers. The kiss was harsh, harsher then anything they had shared and he lifted her in his arms, carried her back into the house. When she drew her mouth away from his to breathe, Angel buried his face in her hair breathing in her warm familiar sent. He kept whispering her name over and over again, Willow was only vaguely aware as the bed came up to meet her. Her thoughts caught and locked on Angel's large frame holding her close.

"Angel it's okay." She whispered when his lips brushed hers yet again. She sighed softly and snuggled into his clinging touch. She lay in his embrace for a long moment, not noticing the slow forays Angel's hands were making over her form, or the way his eyes gleamed with possessive desire. He wanted nothing more then to make slow love to her to assure himself that she was indeed all right and that she belonged to him. He held her till his own inner shaking stopped and then he reluctantly set up.

"We should get you out of here, the mansion would be safer for you this night." Angel said drawing the shirt that had fallen open once more around her form, he buttoned it with shaking fingers all too aware of the warm flesh beneath. She shook her head, and slowly stood. Angel moved back to allow her to stand.

"Can I get a few things, a change of cloths, my tooth brush." She asked laughing a little. She felt like she was getting ready for a sleep over not going to Angel's because of the danger she might be in. She moved about her ruined room and picked up what she needed, cloths and her tooth brush. She turned and looked at the vampire who looked like he didn't know what to do now. "Hey, can I take a shower at your place?" She asked hoping he wouldn't mind.

"Of course you can," Angel said absently, "Or a bath if you wished." Angel said after a moment longer. Willow's eyes lighted at the idea. A bath now that would be fun. She dipped into her bath room and pulled from on the shelf a never opened packet of lavender bath crystals and her sponge and bubble bath. She dumped them into her bag and headed out to Angel. She had slung over her shoulder a single black book-bag filled with everything she needed. "Kay I am ready." She said.

Angel nodded and they headed down the stairs. At the front door Willow grabbed her jacket, and turned to lock the door before they closed it behind them.

Willow walked quietly behind Angel her mind she was reliving the last half and hour. The double had forced its way into her house, through the balcony doors. The sound had woken her and for the first time she thought it was Angel only to have the feeling she got off of him be all wrong. They had fought she had run and when he'd finally caught her in her parents room she had thought he was going to kill her.

Only Angel came.

She glanced at him and silently thanked the gods for the handsome vampire. He caught her gaze on him and offered her a gentle smile. He captured her hand in his own as they continued walking. He moved more quickly as he felt the presence of others of his kind coming closer. They where nearly home free, but he worried that they would be caught. He turned them down the street to the mansion and as soon as they reached the door he turned back and saw the creatures in question round the corner just where they had been moments before. Angel pulled the heavy door closed and drew Willow close behind him.

"Angel?" She asked softly as the vampire continued to hold her near him. He turned to her and eyed her uncertainly. The desire was still there burning him from within he wanted nothing more then to scoop her up in his arms and carry her into his bed room and make love to her. He knew it was wrong she was in danger and all he could think about was marking her as his, taking her possessing her.

"Sorry, here, why don't you go and sit I'll get you something to drink." Angel offered trying to think of something to do that didn't involve touching her.

Willow nodded as the vampire disappeared into what she could assume was the kitchen. She hadn't really been over here before. She walked over to the leather coach and settled herself onto it. She glanced at the fire place wondering if Angel would start one.

As Angel walked back into the room Willow spoke up."Shouldn't I call Buffy or something so that they know where I am?" Standing she walked toward the phone.

Angel paused in the door way. Wondering if he should tell the hacker that Buffy was supposed to be watching her and she wouldn't have been attacked by his double if the slayer had been doing her job.

"Willow what do you remember about earlier. After the spell?" Angel asked closing the distance between them.

"I fainted someone took me home and left me there." Willow said blinking at Angel unsure of what he was getting at.

"I was going to bring you here. However my idea was over ruled and Buffy was supposed to stay with you, only well."

"She left." Willow said. "Maybe she thought I was fine." Willow offered.

"Perhaps, but if she'd stay with you like she was supposed to you he wouldn't have had his hands on you." Angel said, she could hear the anger and venom in his voice. She was surprised. He pulled her gently into his arms, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead before allowing her to pull back and handing her a coke. She took the dewy cold can from the vampire glanced at him and then at the can.

"I got them last night." Angel said he took her hand and gently pushed her to sit back on the couch. He kneeled in front of her and slowly slipped his arms around her slender waist. "Angel . . . "She whispered uncertainly as he encircled her waist. She met his dark gaze and trembled softly.

He held her gaze with his own, he leaned slowly closer to her and pressed his lips to her forehead once more."I thought I was going to lose you." He admitted, "you've become very dear to me." Angel whispered softly against her warm flesh, he slid his mouth lower along her cheek till he met her lips. She tried to pull away as his mouth touched hers softly. "Angel," she tried to speak only to have her words cut off by the coolness of his tongue brushing over her lips.

He slipped his tongue into the warm depths of her mouth brushing along her teeth causing them to part further and lightly skimming the roof of her mouth before tangling with hers.

When he released her, she was gasping softly for breath. Her hand on his shoulder, she pulled back, to look into his eyes gone so dark they appeared almost black.

She settled back on the couch looking at him questioningly. He kneeled before her and slipped his arms around her gently. She wrapped her arms around him in response her fingers catching in the hair at the nap of his neck. Angel slid his arms more tightly about her and lifted. She let out a surprised gasp as she felt herself leave the couch. Her hands tightening on the nap of his neck.

"Angel?!?!"

"Yes," he whispered as he carried her easily into the other room.

"What . . . "he settled her on the still rumpled bedding," Are you doing?" her voice sounded annoyingly tight. She shouldn't be this nervous this was Angel. Angel wouldn't ever do anything to hurt her, but then it wasn't the idea of hurting that made her tremble with fear it was the strange hot hunger that she saw in his dark honeyed gaze.

"Nothing . . . Yet." He whispered as his mouth settled on hers in a chaste tender kiss. He brushed her lips with his own gently carefully keeping the kiss soft and non threatening. The last thing he wanted to do was frighten her further, and she was already acting like the rabbit in the wolf's lair.

"C...can I get that bath . . . pl . . . please?" she cringed at her own stuttering tongue, he'd only kissed her. It wasn't like he hadn't done that before, okay well maybe he hadn't ever kissed her with that look in his eyes. The one the one that made her feel as though he was ravenous and she was on the menu.

Angel pulled back gracing her with a gentle smile, "as the lady wishes," Angel said. He moved back from her and taking her hand led her into the master bath off of his room. He smiled at the shocked sound she made. The room was huge she looked at him surprised, some how she hadn't thought Angel would indulge in such a thing it was too much a luxury. He smiled, "yes even I love a good long soak in a hot bath, Willow, there is nothing like hot wet heat wrapped around your flesh." He stated standing closely behind her. She jumped slightly when he settled his hands on her shoulders and gave them a gentle squeeze. She shivered when he leaned forward and pressing a gentle kiss to the side of her neck, he husked against her soft flesh, "I'll leave you to ready yourself My Lady." She slumped when he's left the room, the tension draining from her form.

THE BRONZE:

"Can you believe him?" Xander asked after a pause. He and Buffy had been dancing for nearly two hours and finally set down. Both had ignored Angel's interruption and continued their night out. He didn't want to deal with the fact that Angel might have been right, because it would mean that Buffy had put their best friend in danger. All because she didn't want her alone with Dead Boy, not that he wanted them alone with each other. In fact Angel's outburst and anger worried Xander, he'd seen that intense anger and fear only once before from the vampire and it had been when Buffy had been in danger. He couldn't be thinking of Willow the way Xander feared he was.

"I don't know what his is issue anyway? Willow's fine, I mean come one what the hell would that thing want with her anyway?" Buffy added, non-too nicely. She was getting tired of everyone being worried about the hacker. Buffy was the chosen one.

"Maybe he has reason to be I mean she's the one that can tell the difference." Xander pointed out. He had thought that it was strange but it might be true. He hadn't been able to find that much out about the double but someone being able to see the difference was normally not considered a plus. In fact the more he thought about it the more worried he became. What if Willow was in danger and what if he was here partying with the Slayer when Willow shouldn't have been left alone?

"Don't worry about it Angel's there now. I am sure nothings the matter and if it will make you feel better we can stop over on the way home." Buffy offered. She stood up again and caught Xander's arm she dragged the reluctant teen out onto the dance floor with her.

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