Coming Together

Author: Ann of Midnight

Rating: NC-17

Disclaimer: None of these characters belong to me. Joss owns everyone except Pacey, who belongs to Kevin Williamson. Characters from Kindred: the Embraced make an appearance, they belong to Spelling entertainment. No need to have seen the show. If any of you need clarification, please e-mail me. If you don't want to be bothered, skip that part.

Notes: Part 8 of the Extended Family Series.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

THE BRONZE; SUNNYDALE, California.

Pacey Witter was sitting alone at the bar, nursing a rum and coke and sighing loudly every time someone, who wasn't his somewhat-girlfriend Faith, walked into the place.

The bartender stumbled back over to him and leaned down to take a shot.

"Sorry 'bout that. So, I gotta assume by that face of yours that the date's still a no show?"

"No offense man, but if she was here I wouldn't be talking to you. Actually, considering the lady of my affection is out saving the world, you'd be seeing one happy me if she gets here at all. It's a bonus if she's not bruised or bleeding."

"Damn, what does she do?"

"Neighborhood watch."

"In Sunnydale? Fuck bro, I was in the army and I feel the need to get escorted home once in awhile-"

"No fucking kidding. This town could kick Swartzenegger' and all his characters collective ass,” he gestured. “So, you were about to tell me why you looked like you were going to go postal before you got into the tequila?"

"Did I really look like I was gonna loose it?"

"You've got bloodshot eyes, you were shaking and being a little snippy with people and if you don't mind me saying so, you look like you could use a refresher course in mixing”

“What’d I do?”

“A sex on the beach doesn’t contain sea breeze and your cosmopolitans were brown, among other things. Not that anyone else seemed to notice, just, you know, you seem… out of practice. Plus you've been giving minors alcohol all night and... Thanks for that by the way."

"My pleasure little man, you're one of the good ones. Looks like I'm an open book tonight, and it wouldn't be a big revelation to say I'm a little pissed off. Figured if the fucking teenyboppers got a little tipsy, they'd go home and crash, know what I mean? Leave me the fuck in peace", he leaned closer to the group of high schoolers impatiently waiting for drinks and finished loudly before they started barking orders at him, "give me some fucking breathing room before I decide breaking their necks would be justifiable homicide."

The group scattered away nervously and Pacey chuckled as his own drink was refilled.

"And here I though bartenders were supposed to like having costumers."

"Hey, hey, hey kid. No need to get all huffy with the sarcastic remarks, I ain't that gone. Now, see," he slurred, "I'm the manager here, and I don't think you can understand what kind of crap I've been dealing with."
He held up a finger, "first, all the sheep that work here are part timers and none of them bothered to come into work today." He held up another finger before loosing his balance and putting both hands back on the bar to steady himself. "Of course, only two of them called to give me a heads up. The god dammed fucking books from Hell aren’t balancing... you know, the accounting? God, I hate the fucking books this month, man. And of course they're late. I tell you, I had a stomach wound that bled out for an hour, and that was more peaceful than this: I've been looking for 6 cents for the last 4 hours."

Pacey cringed and let him continue.

"I had to pay my brother out of my own pocket to watch the door. And last but not least, I'm about to blow this fucking burb' for safer pastures. You'd think that'd be a happy thing, wouldn’t you? A relaxing thing… a sort of life extension. But instead it's just been a pile of trouble ever since I found out."

"What do you mean?"

"My sense of honor is annoying me into staying until my fucking boss comes back after yet another disappearing act. Don't get my wrong, I like the bastard, which is why I haven’t left his ass in a lurch but the guy just drops off the face of the earth for months... He got back the other day, said he'd be here; can’t fucking find him anywhere! I need to be gone by the end of the month."

Pacey finished his rum and coke and looked around for Faith again. Seeing she wasn't there, he belched really loudly and he and the bartender/manager had a good juvenile laugh.

He rested his head in his hands for a minute, while his glass filled up to the brim and startled the bartender when his head snapped up fast with a big, goofy grin on his face.

"What?"

"You are so lucky man... I swear. I wish I had luck like yours! It's quite spectacular the way all of this worked out. And to think it all started with- oh yeah. Not supposed to talk about it." Pacey rubbed his eyes and smiled drowsily. He hiccoughed and laughed when he realized he was staring to slur. He took a deep breath and stretched, slapping himself across the face so he could think straight.

"Hello? You were saying??? Wuch you talkin' 'bout man? You lost me at the 'you're lucky, man'. Should I be cuttin' you off?"

"Probably should have cut me off a half an hour ago, but that isn't the point now. This is perfect! Check this out: I managed a video store. As in I could probably do good with the books, because I used to do the books there and you need a fresh pair of eyes. Or if you want, I can take the bar while you look for that six cents. See, I've known how to mix most drinks for years... you know the story, parents were drunks- I'm not going to bore you with the gory details, just trust that I can mix faster than you can. What I'm actually trying to say is that I need a job, and you're in the perfect position to give me one."

The bartender's face lit up and his brain started to go through the possibilities. His hopeful smile left his face and he frowned, sighing loudly.

"I would love to take you up on that, but sorry bro. Don't know if I can."

"Wait. Wait, wait. Don't get all depressed. You haven’t heard the best part: I got Angel on speedial."

"Who?"

"Your boss."

"If you aren’t shitting me, I will give you my first born, kid. You can get Mr. Bailey on the phone?"

"Yah man, just give me a second."

"I though his name was W. A. K Bailey. Used to tease him that his name sounded like a radio station, and when I would get really tired, I’d try to explain to him yet again what 'wack' means." They both chuckled.

"William's his kid's name and the name his dad always called him. Said if he was around when he was born he would have called him something respectable or whatever. It's a really long story. I don't see what's wrong with Angelus... my name is Pacey- now that's pretty bad."

"Please boy, my name is Forrest. I know all about fucked names... they named my sister Hurricane. I mean, have mercy, and my poor brother over there at the door, he got Ralph. RALPH okay? Now, you know how kids are... and in the 80's ' to ralph' meant: to puke. The kid had to learn to fight real early. Still has so much repressed anger about that time I wouldn't bring up anything having to do with vomiting, afros, big ears, glasses, the color pink or Velcro shoes around him. Mark my words, he'd kill you."

"I'll make sure I remember that. Where does he stand on acid-washed jeans?"

When Forrest shook his head and made a no-no sign with his finger, Pacey made a mental note not to speak to the doorman at all, he had a tendency to be 'funny' and Ralph was huge. He shook his head and pressed the button for Angel.

RING RING RIN-

"Just me. No news, everyone's fine."

"That's why you got the call waiting."

"Fidgety, jumpy, she's been having nightmares. Needing to blow off a lot of steam."

"You too? Hey man, just come back, seriously. It isn't worth all this pain, even if I don't really understand it. You can work something out from here. No-"

"It went-em well. He was better prepared than Willow thought. Just do me a favor and call him before you see him though. I don't think he needs you to walk in when he isn't expecting it."

"We're dealing with that too. Look, the reason I'm calling. I need you to talk to your manager and let him give me a job."

"Yes. No, I sucked at advanced math. No, I promise you I can do them."

"Look, there's no advanced algebra or calculus right? And who is it that bit who?"

"Then I'm the man for the job baby! Yeah. Here's Forrest."

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

GILES’ APARTMENT; SUNNYDALE, California

“You’ll forgive me if I say I’m a little flabbergasted. You had an excellent sense of the standard weapons we went through, and your accuracy with knives is remarkable but what you’ve done here, with this sword… I’ve never imagined you, I mean someone… b-b-being so g-g-graceful, s-s-s-so imaginative. The blindfold test puts you high above what I’d seen Bu- anyone do. You’re a master. I’ve been able to pick out several methods from your demonstration”

“Yeah, well, Adam taught me well. I don’t know where he got it though. We’d study a new way of doing things every two days, and he’d jump out and attack me whenever I’d least expected for practice. He was a trip. Like this one time, I was at the bathroom… We were at his place, just drinking beer, so I had to piss like a racehorse, I mean, you drink one beer and well, you know. So I was there, just doing my business, when he kicks down the door and starts going at me. I barely had time to put on my panties and I think I sprinkled the seat but I kicked his ass. Although it was probably because he thought I was reapplying make-up and not actually going to the John. He was all “let’s take a break, go see a movie” after and when we got home he stocked the fridge with some Stella. He doesn’t get the good beer often, I mean, he didn’t, that’s how I know he felt bad. He even let me sleep on the good couch.” Her light mood changed to sadness and anger at Adam’s loss.

“Oh, well- um. Would you like some tea?” The slightly dazed watcher asked his young pupil.

“What’s that?” She asked innocently.

“Um, well, it’s this hot- oh, I see you’re kidding.”

“Come on man, loosen up. I know you just lost someone, but she’s not dead.”

“It’ s not that easy.”

“The someone I just lost is dead, man. I’d give anything to be in your position right now. Anything.”

“But Buffy, she was special, she was-“

“Buffy, Buffy, Buffy. What’s soooo special about her? I’m special too, or at least Adam thought so. I can’t be her, but give me a chance. I know I’m not all refined and sweet but I’m good at what I do, I like it. If I didn’t have this I’d be doing things I- you don’t even want to know. Without Adam, without Pacey and Willow… and you. For now anyway, you’re what’s keeping me sane. If I get too caught up in my emotions, in my anger- I don’t ever want to go there. I could make a mistake that- I don’t want to think about it.”

“I don’t mean to make you feel inferior. You aren’t. You’re different, and I have to relate to you in a different way. It’s just, a lot of changes you know.”

“I know, but let a bit of the Ripper out to play, I know there’s more to you than those glasses and that tweed.”

“How did you know about that?” He snapped at her, feeling a little violated.

“Adam. See he told me there was another slayer and so I wanted to know what you and Buffy were like and he found things out for me. If it means anything, it makes me respect you more. The turnaround you made, it gave me some hope for myself. It must have been a bitch.”

“Actually, it wasn’t that hard, given the circumstances.”

“I’m sorry about your son.”

“Do you know everything?” He asked, a tad irritated.

“No,” she paused, realizing what she had done. They were both sitting on his couch with a steaming pot of tea. “I know a lot, but I haven’t told the others, not even when Red told me what she did with Pacey. I wouldn’t. I guess I didn’t think the snooping was such a bad thing at the time… I just wanted to know how you guys did things and everything. And I get that you don’t know much about me, but we could talk now. The guys said they could wait. Ask me anything. Or if you want, I’ll just run off at the mouth until you’re begging me to shut up or rushing to the nearest bottle of Scotch.”

“Sherry.” He said, giving her the okay.

“Sherry.”

She poured their cups and blowed on her tea.

“I’m gonna trust you, because Adam liked you, and because I like you. I’m gonna tell you things, because I know things about you.” She looked at him and decided to go through with it. She sat on her shaking hands and started her tale. This was the second time only she told her story to someone. Pacey didn’t even know the half of it, but she was working up to that. “My name is Faith Pierson. It was Neimov, or I guess Neimova since I’m a girl. You have to add an ‘a’ when you’re a girl, I mean a women. I am of Russian descent on my father’s side, but I don’t know him. My mom says he was the scum of the earth but I have no way of knowing. My mom could have scared away the sanest guy. The only ones who stayed had as many emotional problems as she did, or addictions. My mother’s name was Perizzolo. Her parents are Italian. They’re from the North, which makes them and their kids all blond haired, blue eyed. Well, except for my mom, who has light brown hair and freckles, I don’t know how she got those. My grandfather used to say she looked like the mailman. I haven’t spoken to anyone in my family since I was 6; sometimes I wonder if they’re still alive…”

************************************************************************
THE BRONZE: THREE hours later, closing time.

He sighed in relief when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Willow sat down on the next stool and put her face in her hands. After some seconds, she smiled sadly at Pacey and ordered a strong drink. The manager/bartender served her with barely a second look and found a new customer to kick out. Pacey closed the book and sighed.

"Faith isn't here yet? 'Cause I though maybe she needed a patrol partner."

"Haven’t seen her."

"I just went out by myself and dusted a few, I know I’m not supposed to, but I was so restless and-"

"You're been here long enough Willow. You know how to fight and you're smart, plus I'm sure you have a few spells you can use in a bind. I think that for me anyway, well, that maybe strength in numbers is the way to go, you know, just in case."

"Yeah. I’m really impressed with Faith, and she doesn't shove me out of the way every time danger comes a knocking, so yippy for me. Do you think she trusts me? I mean, am I in the way with her?"

"Why would you say that?"

"Buffy always made us feel like we were in the way,” she said grimly, and then relented, “mainly because we were always in the way."

"Pierson told me you could take care of yourself, but I think she watches out for you regardless; it is her job. She'll be here soon; she was showing Giles what she can do with that sword, and then patrolling the south side. She's 3 hours late, but when is she ever on time?"

"Her SWORD? In his little apartment? Isn't, I, did you see how big it was?"

“I think he’s insured,” he quipped. "She's a master, it's like watching a dance or something. It’s breathtaking,” he sighed, starry eyed.

“Oh! You looooove her.” She squealed.

He ignored the chuckling redhead. “I really want to learn how to use one of those. She said she would teach me, after I learned self-defense and some of the other weapons.”

“And how’s that going?”

“I am so bruised I feel like I’m 93 and I keep falling down the stairs.”

“If it gets really bad, just come see me and I’ll do that spell okay?”

“Thanks, but it’s bearable for now.”

"And how's everything between you and Giles?"

"Well, we talked some more about, everything... I think he's warming up to the idea. I am too, I think. Let's just say he wasn't expecting this."

"But it's better. Right? It'll work out, I know it will."

"I think maybe, just maybe, it would have gone at least considerably better, if you would have run it by him first- or ME for that matter. I'm grateful, don't get me wrong, but everything is just a little overwhelming right now."

"I needed to think fast and cover all our bases. I’m so sorry Pacey, but I did have your best interests at heart."

"I know Rose, but you made me the man's son."

"It sounds kind of bad when you say it like that, but you needed next of kin. It was the easiest way I could-"

"He called my father in Capeside."

"Oh. What happened or should I not ask?"

"Well, Captain Witter said he didn't have a son named Pacey and hung up on him. Then he talked to Deputy Doug and he told Giles to do anything to keep me in school and out of trouble... and that I'm not welcome there anymore. Dougie didn't even ask where I was or who Giles was. What kind of people would just...?"

"You may feel comforted to know that parents on the Hellmouth also cause us this kind of pause. For Xander it's a 'what kind of people would... oh, I can't tell you that. Well, for Cordelia, and this is pretty obvious, it's a 'what kind of people would raise a daughter like that?' or a 'what kind of people would get their child to stay out of their way by buying them?' kinda deal. And my friend Amy, her mom was a witch and I guess the power went to her head because she changed bodies with Amy just to get onto the cheerleading squad. That’s definitely on the twisted side. I mean, all of this is pretty common, except for the body switching part, but it seems all of the parents of Sunnydale are lacking in a big way."

“Remind me to stay away from Amy’s mother.”

“She’s trapped in a cheerleading trophy at school. You’ll know which one it is. It’s seriously creepy.”

"So, your parents have really been taking off since you were a kid?"

"My parents are blind. They ignore me, they've been leaving me alone for extended periods since I was 10 and they only talk to me or of me when it suits their purpose. They're psychologists.”

“Yeah, I remember you writing me that.”

“They think everything is a phase and it seems I'll only be worth knowing when I'm in an adult phase, and probably only when I do something they deem worthy, which could never happen."

"I'm sorry."

"I'm used to it. I don't know anything else, and even if I'm hurt, with my life since I found out about vampires, it's better they not be interested. I'm sorry I didn't consult you about Giles. It's the only way I found you could finish school and keep a low profile. Faith was easier because she's 18, she doesn't need a legal guardian. Adam is listed as her next of kin, but since he was never found dead, to the school she's not an orphan, there won't be questions about money or where she lives as long as someone signs her report cards and picks up the mail. Hey did you know about Adam, that he wasn’t found I mean?"

"I checked last night to see if maybe we could find out where he was buried, but it said there was just a lot of blood at the site… and it took a lot of digging to even find that. I'm not you, but I'm getting better, thanks for the crash course in hacking."

"The council?"

"They still don't know he's dead. They would be looking for Faith."

"Did she bury him?"

"She swears she didn't. She only stayed with his body for a couple of minutes before going hunting. She never went back."

“I don’t even want to think about what kind of- what kind of-“

“Sick fuck?”

“I was looking for something like ‘deranged lunatic’, but sick fuck sums it up quite nicely. What kind of sick fuck would steal a dead body?”

"Oh, there she is! How’s my breath?"

Willow scrunched up her face in semi-disgust.

“Here honey, take some gum…”

********************************************************
JULIAN LUNA's MANSION; SAN FRANCISCO, California. 2 hours later.

"Him or Her?"

"What?"

"Why you're wearing a hole in my new, and very expensive, oriental rug. Him. Or Her."

"HER. HIM. Both... Anything new on Will?"

"I'm afraid not. Only Brujah's can bid and you know Cameron can't be brought into this; Sasha... my niece won't go against him."

"Do you think he knows something? I would love an excuse to tear out his eyes and eat-"

Julian saw his brother's eyes turn yellow and calmed him the way he always did, he cut him off talking evenly and without a hint of panic.

"The location is top secret. This is bigger and more tightly guarded than we initially thought. We have little hope of finding him before he is sold, unless you want to take a team of enforcers and raid the city."

"But how could we even be sure they're within city walls? They have money; they could be hiding out anywhere. Maybe a peaceful city like Cuernavaca or a smaller place like Taxco or Puebla. Not too close, not too far just. AAAGH! If I keep going over and over all the possibilities, I'll turn into Drucilla."

"Stop this now. You have no say or control over this. You will go. I think you need her; this connection you have is too powerful to overlook. You haven’t been calm this entire time for more than one minute, except when you talk to her or about her. Go back Angel. I will be keeping an eye out for your boy. I have a lot of trustworthy people on this. I know you don’t like trusting anyone but yourself, but we have exchanged enough blood that you should know that hurting you would be like hurting myself."

Angel whispered his thanks, the prospect of being with Willow making him feel like he was finally taking a breath after being underwater forever.

"The car is waiting for you, Lilly sends her love and Daedelus will be in touch tomorrow. Cash is set to follow the car until you get to the city limits. I will keep you informed of all new developments."

"You sound like Archon. He made a good choice."

"Just get in the car, brother."

Angelus made his way down the stairs and turned back to offer Julian his loyalty as he had previously done. They hugged for a moment, both secure in the knowledge they would speak again.

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

SUNNYDALE, California. A half hour later.

PACEY AND FAITH were lounging on the couch in the Rosenberg residence. Faith’s head was resting on Pacey's stomach and they were both eating popcorn by the handful. John Cusack and Ione Skye were on the television screen.

Faith looked up to the second floor bathroom door.

"How long has she been in there?"

"Like, since the party when Lloyd has to be key master. She said Apollo's coming home, I say it’s about fucking time."

"What’s it been like, a couple of days?”

“Yeah. But you know it’s different for them.”

“That psychic thing they do kinda freaks me out. She's been all sad and uncomfortable since he left and kinda jumpy... I mean, that little thing dusted more vamps than I did yesterday, and she was fightin’ hand to hand. I hope Fang is really coming home 'cause I don't want my head bitten off by accident if it gets worse.”

“Well, I think she's been pretty cool, considering. I mean, we got everything we wanted done. She got you in school, she made me Giles' son when that troll was snooping into my background and she got her other friends in the same classes,” he sighed and took another mouthful of popcorn. He shook his head, thinking of school, "never thought I'd see the day when I was looking forward to more work."

"At least we get to get out of there fast. I wouldn't have made it through a whole year there, that school gives me the creeps. There is definitely something up with that principal. Plus all those dammened California girls with their blond hair, stuffed bras and pom-poms get me itchin' to fight hard."

"We saw a pack of them at the mall. Willow told 'em to fuck off. It was BEAUTIFUL," he snuggles up to her, "they're going to hate you with a passion you know... anything that's different just freaks the hell out of 'em."

"It won't be too hard to hate them back. I bet they just love you though, the new man in town; fucking double standard."

"Yeah, it’s the world we live in; but I don't care about them, I care about you"

"I thought you were going to stop with all the mushiness?"

"Oh, come on, you set me up. Don't you think I'm cute?"

Faith turned around and straddled Pacey. She licked her lips and smirked as he hardened under her.

"Do you think she'll be in there much longer?"

************************************************************************
BATHROOM: Rosenberg residence

Willow let the hot water pound down on her sore muscles. She was tired. Her body had not been reacting very well to being away from her vampire, or maybe it was her soul that couldn’t take it. Either way, it wasn’t the funnest feeling. Dreams had awakened her three or four times a night and although she was eager to explore them, she knew Angel had to come back first. She could feel him getting closer, and although that made her happy, she felt extremely impatient. She wanted to see him. She wanted to talk to him about anything and everything. She wanted to learn from him and teach him. She wanted to laugh with him. She wanted to touch him. She wanted to have 10 000 of his babies… figuratively speaking.

She had invited Amy over that morning and they had talked, making plans for an upcoming Sabbat and that month’s full moon ritual. They had both felt more connected to the world since they had been practicing regularly and they particularly liked working together.

She was glad she had de-rat-ed the witch.??????????? She was glad she had made friends with Faith, and she was enjoying Pacey more and more every day, but it was Angel she needed. She accepted that she was to be with him forever because she wouldn’t survive if she wasn’t. This wasn’t obsession, these were the feelings she had always had, the bond they had nurtured when he was in Hell, the new connection she had to him now. This was stronger than them, bigger. She knew that it should be scary, but it wasn’t. It was a fact. She had to breath, sleep, eat and she had to be with him.

She smiled.

She looked forward to every minute of it. Life in general was suddenly looking up. When the conditioner finally washed out of her hair, she stepped out of the shower to get ready to meet him.

**********************************************************************************
East Crawford Street; SUNNYDALE, California

The limousine had dropped him off hours ago, but not before the driver handed him a box full of surprises. First of all, the dictionary’s worth of bank statements revealed that he was back in control of all his accounts, and that they were transferred to his new legal name: Angelus K. Bailey. He had never intended to touch the millions he had, because, well, he felt unworthy. Now he saw his fortune a different way. He could “fight evil”, he could help charitable causes and fund research and whatever else Willow found important.

With the one personal account he had kept after he had disappeared, he had bought the Bronze as a refuge, and to keep an eye on things. Before the Bronze, he had noticed kids used to hang out on street corners or have bonfire get-togethers in the woods and there were many more deaths. He regarded it as one of his first accomplishments in the field of helping.

Also in the box were letters from Julian and Lily. Julian’s letter read formally, it talked of brotherhood and loyalty, then it gave him three sets of keys for the gates and he assumed, to the house that towered in the background. Lilly’s letter was warmer: I hope you feel at home. Don’t forget, ALWAYS, Lilly.

So that was that. He was now standing inside his very own mansion, and he couldn’t see it lacking in any department. From where he was standing at the door, he could see a fully stocked kitchen to his left, and a living room with a huge television, sound system, a VCR and a DVD player. He then noticed his old phonograph in the corner, looking so very out of place amid the modern conveniences. <Just like Me.> He thought. <Perfect>

He wandered into the huge library, which was, by all means, bigger than the high school's. Half the shelves were bare, and the big conference table in the middle of the room was recognized quickly as Archon’s favorite meeting table. It was big enough to hold twenty people, but wasn’t so massively huge anyone had to shout. He let his gaze wander to the back of the library where two fully functional offices were set up. Phones, fax machines, computers, leather armchairs and big desks that looked official. He had to struggle for a word that went beyond insane because nestled in one of the corners was a computer terminal that would surely have Willow salivating for weeks. He made a mental note to only present it to her after they’d had a couple of days together.
When he turned his head, he saw a big cage much like one they had at the Sunnydale library, but much sturdier.

There had to be twenty bedrooms on the second floor, or maybe they were suits, but he decided to visit the basement first.

He crept down the dark steps and found the room to be exactly what he had hoped. It was a dojo, or a studio. There was a weapons locker at the far end of the room, next to what looked like a dungeon. A stereo system and exercise equipment was nestled into a corner, ready for use.

He walked through the door next to him, to find a bedroom and bathroom with the bare essentials. He raised an eyebrow and passed through the door on the other side, which led to your typical, cold, basement. He went past the water tank and other utilities to another door, which led to a small space. He pressed on the wall and was hurled into the dark and damp tunnels.

He laughed and fought to get back in. After about fifteen minutes of impatiently fucking with what looked like any other grimy wall, he was hurled back inside when his foot found the right brick to kick.

<Let’s not do that again, shall we>

He went up a hidden set of stairs that ended on the top floor. On this the third (or was it fourth?) story he found the greenhouse/solarium, a room decked out for meditation, several bathrooms, a huge art room and on either side of the master bedroom, there was a room for William and one for Willow. The master bedroom itself was simple and had access to the enormous bathroom between his room and Willow’s. He saw all his clothes hanging in the open closet, with several additions and an armoire for more clothes. More interestingly, next to the bed was a big wooden chest, lined in leather, which contained things that would make any other entity blush. The king size bed had black satin sheets and a feather comforter. Two silver rings were screwed at just the right height near the head of the bed. The same thick, black drapes hung from the window, like those he had seen on every other window in the house. When he opened the second set of drapes, expecting to find another window, he found chains. He stifled a laugh thinking of the workers hired to put everything together. < “So, you want cream colored walls in the master bedroom? And some chains. Right. Okay.> He noticed every room was wired with and intercom next to the climate control and a dimmer switch on the lights. He stifled the urge to say ‘Cool’ and ran back downstairs for a feed.

He moved to the refrigerator and found several bottles of the finest wine and bloodwine the ‘Haven’ had to offer and licked his lips, before uncorking a bottle of straight blood and letting the liquid flow down his throat. He wondered briefly if Julian had given it willingly or if Lilly had ‘talked’ him into it before surrendering to the feeling of his friend’s powerful life force running with his again. Lilly must have collected from all his friends, he thought, glowing eyes skimming the different size bottles with interest.

Julian had long ago acquired the powers of several other clans by drinking their blood, turning into a wolf at will like the Gangrel and absorbing the moon's power when facing it like the Nosferatu. He himself had never really felt the need to accumulate powers like that but there were other benefits. The vampire blood would make him stronger, would make him need to feed less and would bind him to his friends once more. It was a huge sign of trust and love that they had done this for him.

He rushed over to his new room to change and take a shower. As the hot water crashed down on his cold body, he thought about just how different his life would be. How much fuller. He knew he was going to be with Willow for however long forever was, and he hoped that that fact didn’t scare her too much. There were things he knew she accepted in theory that might not work out in practice and he didn’t want anything to go wrong. He was disappointed there was still no confirmed word on Spike, but being closer to Willow soothed him enough to keep him from a murderous rampage or a turn in an asylum. Soon, they would be together again and there was no way he would ever let either of them go.

*******************************************************************************
Rosenberg Residence; dawn.

“Come on, how can you still find me sexy after this? I’m getting my ass kicked- by you!”

“And it’s such a tight little ass.”

“Shut up Peirson.”

“You want to stop?”

“I need to stop, especially if you would like this body to be ready for another kind of work out later on.”

“Pacey, it’s almost 6 in the morning, you need to sleep sometime… I thought this would tire you out.”

“Sorry, I’m still in the land of insomnia.”

“Well, you can hit the shower.”

“No, I don’t think so,” she raised an eyebrow, ‘‘cause that would hurt a lot.” He clarified. “I was thinking more about climbing in under the stream of water and standing there for half an hour.”

“Ha ha, funny guy. Your puns are just not up to par this early in the morning.”

“So shoot me. I can’t believe you didn’t even break a sweat.”

“I have superpower, live with it.”

“Gladly,” he whispered, kissing her. “So, are you going to join me in the shower?”

“It depends.”

“On what?”

“On if you’re going to ask me to bend down to get the soap again. That’s just… Bad.”

“Okay, no prison inmate tricks. So, do you think I should be taking a self-defense class with real people?”

“Is me teaching you making wittle Pacey feel like less of a man?”

“Kinda.”

“Goody.” She giggled happily, taking the stairs two at a time to start the shower.

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

Willow had let her senses guide her to the house where she knew Angel was. She found the gate unlocked, the security system de-activated and a key for her in an envelope on the floor. Inside, she found the security terminal and locked the gate and re-activated the state of the art system. She then made her way upstairs, each step closer to her destination calming her to her core. When the door she wanted to take was locked, she went through the one to its right and almost jumped for joy when he saw what it contained. It was perfect. A big walk in closet, a plush queen sized bed, a phone, the perfect desk for her computer, a sound system, a dresser and a small library. Basically, everything she already had in her room, except better, with more space. A small table with a nice cushion next to it, pointing north, looked like the perfect personal altar. After scanning that room, she quickly passed through the bathroom and walked into the master bedroom where her master vampire slept on the biggest bed she had ever seen. As she neared, his human mask slipped but he did not wake. Willow’s heart burst with love at thinking he could let his guard down that much with her.

She striped slowly, drawn to him. She slipped into bed got close, touching his ridges with love. She kissed his brow, practically in tears at being close to him. His eyes opened slowly.

“You’re here.” He whispered, not moving.

“I am.”

“Thank you.”

“I feel exactly the same way.”

“Does it bother you,” he asked, referring to his game face.

“No.”

“Tell me you’re going to stay.”

“I will.”

“Not just tonight.”

“I won’t leave you.”

“I miss him Willow. I am so worried,” he said, his composure cracking. She knew exactly how he was feeling, because she could feel it. She put her forehead on his closed her eyes. “I know how you feel. But we’re together.”

‘I want you right now. Willow I can’t wait.”

“You have me.” She said pulling back to look him in the eye. She repeated herself no more loudly than their whispered conversation. Slowly, their faces inched together. They kissed, they touched each other passionately with their hands and when Angel moved his butt back he ended up at her entrance. He paused, open eyes, panting.

He inched in excruciatingly slowly. The heat that rose from her was incredible. Blood rushed to her cheeks and neither parts. She let another inch in, biting her lip and taking a deep breath. He kissed her tenderly, barely able to contain himself and moved another inch. She cried out and threw her face back. He knew he was at her door and wiped her solitary tear away. She finally looked at him.

“This is going to hurt.”

He kissed her with fervor and tore through her. Blood flowed from her core and her lips and Angel came with a scream as she held on and let the pain wash over her and away.

They laid together for several minutes before she started to moan lightly. When she squirmed he was rock hard again. He took her face in his hands, caressing her hair and the side of her face, their eyes boring into each other. He started moving slowly and steadily out, then in. Every time he hit her end, she would moan a shout and he would revel in the moment. He couldn’t believe her hotness and tightness; she gave him and out-of-body experience.

She couldn’t believe what she was feeling period. The most strikingly beautiful pain, totally tingly and powerful. She was totally at one with herself, her partner and the universe. She felt everything falling into place, and both of them getting lighter and lighter. She knew they were no longer touching the bed but her entire being was focused on the sacred act they were performing at the moment. Every time she kissed him she would feel hotter and hotter, like he fueled her fire. Every time her hands roamed she pulled him more securely against her. He could feel them melting into each other as an impossible pleasure started to build in her stomach.

They felt their souls joining together, for a moment knowing everything about the other and with one last kiss, they both came, crashing back down on the bed.

The End

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