Tara looked down at her hands suddenly wishing that Spike was with her. The blond vampire bolstered her strength even when he left her weak in the knees. She almost wanted to laugh. It was crazy, her finding this love at such an inopportune time. She really wasn't surprised, not really. Spike had become so very special to her in the time she'd known him. Now she had this to deal with on top of everything else.

Hiding him when she'd been home had been hard enough. It had only gotten more difficult. After having joined the Circle she had been forced to pretend that she had no one to go home to, no one whom she was needed by. But that had been a lie, Spike had needed her, she just hadn't known their relationship was going to be this long lived or the direction it would head.

She shook herself, forcing her wandering mind back on the problem at hand. Another murder. A body which Spike himself had found while out in the
predawn hours. She wasn't exactly sure what had driven him from their shared sleeping space, into the cool morning, but a part of her was glad. Tara now
knew more about the victims, since her vampire had found this one, then she could have possibly learned from the news. Now she just had to figure out a
way to inform the other witch and the ensouled vampire with out revealing herself to them, or Spike to Giles.

Tara started, realizing she had the attention of all three of the room's occupants. While her heart went out to the tiny redhead that even now was still wiping tears from her eyes, and the fierce warrior that hovered protectively over her, she knew she had to tell them. What she had to say was important.

Originally, she had suspected that all the victims were Wiccan, but now she was sure. They were members of a small, local group that got together on the
college campus. Most of them where harmless, couldn't tap into anything more powerful then their own psyche. However, within each of them was the
potential to tap into the forces. The very fact that they were so innocent, so unaware of the power that ran just out of their untrained reach, made
them the perfect sacrifices. Kind of like the whole over-rated virgin of old.

Finally Tara spoke. "I'm sorry Giles. It's just... well, I managed to find out some important information from a reliable source about this one. That's where I was this morning", she confessed. The blond witch knew he would assume she had gone to meet someone alone, and had put herself in danger.

"Dear girl, you could have been hurt", Giles scolded gently.

Tara found her lips curving in acceptance of the chiding as well as the unspoken caring that came with it. He worried about all his children and counted her among them. The thought filled her with warmth.

"It was fine, I was safe", Tara said, trying to reassure the older man. Giles nodded once, clearly ready to be given whatever tidbits she'd been able to learn.

"Well first, it appears that all the victims were witches. Quite young most of them, my age and Willow's, a few actually younger. I believe they were all members of the small circle that meets at the college. They don't really have a lot of knowledge when it comes to the dark arts. They were goddess worshipers, and nature nurturers. What they did have however, was the potential to be as powerful as you once were Giles", Tara paused catching her breath, before continuing quickly so she wouldn't be interruted. "For most of them that power was untapped, and by the same rote, untainted by greed. So, the power was truly pure, as pure as it's source."

"You're certain?", Giles asked worriedly, eyeing both Tara and Willow. "You do realize that if what you say is true, the first time you cast, these murderers will pick up on your scent like sharks after blood?", the Englishman demanded. He'd realized just what she had, that she and Willow were both going to be targets. What he didn't know, was that both she and the other witch had already cast, there was no if. The knowledge that in protecting her vampire, she had opened herself up to another enemy in a way that the Circle would frown upon, made her feel almost unworthy of the title of convener. Tara sighed, knowing that she'd made the right choice. She would be a whole lot worse off with out Spike.

She glanced at Willow, noticing the way the dark haired vampire behind the other girl tightened his hold, nuzzling against her neck the way a large cat
would offer comfort. She smiled a little at them, staring hard, hoping that Willow would catch her gaze. She needed to talk to them. It was important. The victim had also had common dates of birth and spaces of death. Tara shivered, remembering how Spike had informed her that the woman had not been
killed where he'd found her. There had been no blood there. Considering the fact that most of it had been drained from her body (in a non-vampire sort of way), it had to have been spilled somewhere else.

Tara saw the exact moment that Willow caught on to her gaze, and its meaning. The red-haired witch shook her head subtly, making it look like she was leaning to allow the vampire behind her more room to nuzzle.

She sighed, a small blush covering her cheeks as she watched Angel with the witch. She had never seen anything so tender, and yet strangely erotic. The
young woman found herself wondering if she and Spike looked like that. He had acted in much the same fashion upon learning that she was perhaps in
danger. Of course Tara thought the two vampires were overreacting. Somehow, she doubted she could be considered pure. After all, she was involved with a demon. That made her nature questionable at the very least.
 

~Part 22~

That night, Tara and Spike waited in Restfield Cemetery for Willow and Angel to arrive. The blond vampire held his witch close, his chin resting on her
vanilla scented hair.

The British vampire felt his Grandsire before he spotted him or the redhead. The pull of the elder vampire's powerful blood, made Spike stiffen, his body
coming to attention automatically. His head swiveled in the direction of that ancient bond. Off in the distance he could see Angel's tall form stalking fluidly toward the cemetery, his long black coat fluttering behind him, while Willow's hand was securely clasped in his own.

The foursome met by one of the larger mausoleums, an awkward silence falling. The two vampires eyed each other warily.  Tara tucked a strand of blond hair behind her ear, and glanced at Spike for guidance. The chipped vampire just winked at her.

"Well ummm, I guess we can uh... ww-w-w-walk and talk", Tara stuttered a bit nervously. Willow smiled at her kindly and nodded. The group began to
meander their way through the cemetery.

As they walked, the blond witch told them about Spike's discovery of the latest body and its ramifications. The two vampires found they had common ground. Both were worried about their witch's, both feared for their safety. They were dismayed that their altercation the night before had led the two young women to reveal themselves and their abilities, to the enemy's they were trying to thwart.

"I don't want you out of my sight Tara-pet. I don't bloody give a damn, if the rest of the pathetic Scoobies know I'm here. I'm not leaving you alone for a second", the bleached blond said hotly.

"For once I agree with the Bleached Wonder, Willow. Wherever you go, I go", Angel stated forcefully.

"You guys are overreacting", the hacker responded. "These baddies are looking for power to tap, preferably innocent, untainted power. I really don't think Tara or I fit that standard. I mean we both consort with vampires for goddess' sake. Besides its not like we're untouched virgins!", she huffed in annoyance, her sense of independence bristling at her friend's declaration. Angel's eyes flickered, a low growl rumbling in his throat, Willow's statement catching him completely by surprise.

"Right?", the redhead said, glancing at Tara for support.

To her surprise, the blond girl ducked her head, her weight shifting nervously from foot to foot.

"Right?", Willow repeated, her voice moving an octave higher as the Tara's behavior sunk in. "Oh shit."

Spike moved closer to his witch. His arms slinging about her shoulders. "She was sheltered for much of her life Red, she could very well be the kind of
power these blighters want."

An embarrassed flush rose in Tara's fair skin. Hazarding a glance upwards she noticed all eyes were on her. "Well...", she squeaked. Clearing her throat she tried again. "Well I mean, its highly unlikely right? I mean, I still have a vampire boyfriend", her gaze caught Spike's for confirmation. His answering smile, turned her knees to jelly.

"Doesn't matter pet, I'm sticking to you like flies on cow patties."

Small butterflies tickled the blond witch's stomach. Despite the way the chipped vampire had phrased it, the idea of his constant presence around her was kind of intoxicating, even though it was completely unacceptable. He couldn't be around her every minute of every day. Sunlight and Scoobies hindered that idea.

Willow grinned, Spike and Tara were adorable together. She leaned into Angel's embrace. His strong arms wound about her momentarily before falling back to his sides. The green eyed redhead's forehead knit together. She wondered what was wrong, he felt a bit... stiff, all of a sudden. She looked up, surprised to find the vampire's chocolate brown eyes already on her face. 'Why was he acting... oh! Oh, boy...', the hacker thought, remembering what she'd said about virginity.

Angel lowered his head, his lips brushing the redhead's ear. "We have to talk Little One."

The red witch swallowed and nodded.

Angel straightened, his sensitive ears hearing the distant sounds of a fight in the cemetery. A slight sensation, like ants crawling across his skin told him, his hunch was correct. The ensouled vampire sought out his Grandchilde's face. The blond had also felt it.

"The Slayer", Spike growled.

"Buffy's here", Angel stated, simultaneously.

Willow groaned. She suddenly wanted the earth to just open up and swallow her.

"I have to go talk to her Wills", the dark vampire whispered.

"I know", she replied softly.

"Take care of her for me Spike. I'll be right back."

Spike read the look on his Grandsire's face, and hastily nodded. He knew better than to even joke when it came to the elder vampire's attachment to the redhead.

Willow watched Angel go. Her heart heavy. She knew that he and the Slayer were over, but she wasn't completely sure Buffy knew that.

Tara coughed, catching the other girl's wandering attention. "Willow, there's something else I wanted to bring up that could be important."

"What is it Tara?"

"Have you ever heard of Circle Daybreak?"

~~~~~~

Angel stalked closer to the sounds of battle. Suddenly the petite blond Slayer came into view. She was in rare form, trading blows easily with two much larger vampire opponents. As was her way so long ago, the dark haired vampire noticed that she still flung sarcastic barbs at them as well. Although originally he'd thought that habit rather strange and probably originating out of nervousness, he could see now that Buffy's running commentary about everything from the fledgling's clothes to their breath, was now a calculated way of making her enemies angry. Anger made one careless.

He stood and watched. He knew she didn't need his help.

Buffy dodged one fledgling's wild punch. Ducking beneath his flailing arm, she brought one tiny clenched fist upwards. The stake easily slid home. Before he was even dust, the Slayer was once again on the move. She flipped powerfully over the other vamp trying to sneak up behind her, landing gracefully on her feet at his back. The stake found its mark easily, and this vampire too, crumbled to dust.

A satisfied smile appeared on the young woman's face. "Chosen One and Mr. Pointy two, vamps zero", she quipped.

"Hello Buffy", Angel murmured quietly.

The blond whirled about in surprise, stake poised in readiness. "Angel", she gasped. Slowly, Buffy lowered her favorite weapon.
 

~Part 23~

"I know of it", Willow answered uncertainly. Tara caught the grimace that crossed the other girl's face at the mention of the highly powerful circle,
and wondered just what she knew about Daybreak. Considering how powerful the red witch was, Tara had a feeling that the circle may have approached her to join them. What she didn't know was what had accompanied that action, what had made Willow's opinion of them plummet.

Suddenly Tara didn't want to tell the hacker-witch the truth. She was terrified in that moment, worried that her new friend would judge her based
on whatever the circle had done to upset her.

"You don't like them?", the blond witch questioned carefully, trying to keep from blurting out that she was one of them. Willow turned her head to the side, studying the blond intently, making Tara feel exposed.

"You're a Daybreaker?"

It was more a statement, then a question. Tara was sure the redhead already knew the answer. She realized Willow had read her like an open book. Embarrassment fluttered through her and she bit her lip. Only an amateur left themselves open for such a thing. The witch sighed, no wonder the circle had been so reluctant to allow her to take care of this. They had sent, sure, but she had no doubt that if she failed she would never be given an assignment like this again. The blond peeked at Spike out of the corner of her eyes. Of course if anyone found out about the gorgeous vampire, she would be banished from the coven outright. The thought sent a chill down Tara's spine, they were all she had.

Closing her eyes in acceptance, she nodded once in answer to Willow's question. She was a Daybreaker... for the moment anyway.

"But, they said that demons were forbidden", Willow whispered softly, remembering just why she hadn't taken the offer she'd been given. She had
refused, and ended up having to move after having been black-listed in the first small town she'd settled down in, as a demon lover.

"They offered you status didn't they?", Tara asked, suddenly understanding the girl's earlier grimace. She could feel the Spike's curiosity behind her.

"If they offered you status, it means they offered to initiate her into the coven. However, you can't have another bond like the one she has with Angel. You can't be bonded to a demonic force regardless of it's alignment", Tara explained quietly for the bleached blond's benefit.

Spike started his brows drawing together in confusion. "But that means--" Tara interrupted, touching his arm gently and smiling softly at him.

"You're forbidden to me. Just like Angel was to her... but Angel is part of her. Their connection is deep. That would have had to be eliminated in order to initiate her fully. Whereas, I became a member before I met you."

"What happen if they find out about Spike?", Willow asked curiously.

"I lose my status", Tara replied. "It would mean being like every other little witch wanna-be in the world again." Except that they couldn't take
away her power like they did some, her power was goddess given and only the bright lady could remove it.

Willow nodded, somehow she had figured as much. And although the blond witch acted as though it was no big, she knew just how huge it really was. To take a wiccan's power and strip her of her right to use it, was a frightening prospect. The Daybreakers had tried to make her give up Angel, telling her that their connection was a taint that would only grow stronger with time. Perhaps they were right, but it was one Willow craved.

"I thought the bond between the Poof and you was unbreakable Red? You know, soul bond and spell. Like you told us last night." Spike eyed the small witch questioningly.

"It can be broken. But only in one way. Death... his."

"They wanted to try and kill Angelus? The bloody goody two shoes Poof? Are they daft?"

Willow chuckled, that had been much her own reaction, once she'd reigned in the need to zap the two coveners to kingdom come. No one messed with her friend, her vampire. Green eyes glittered with humor. "Well lets just say, they got a little toasted for their trouble", the redhead remarked, a small smile on her lips.

"So Daybreak sent me", Tara said finally. Willow nodded. That made sense. From what she knew, most of the major groups had sent someone to Sunnydale to see what was happening. It made sense that Circle Daybreak would as well.

"So they expect you to stop it all on your own?", Willow asked bemused.

"No just get some info and hope they stop. Not that that's likely ......", The blond witch murmurred, clearly aware of the fact that she by herself
wasn't going to accomplish much in this situation.

"Which is why I'm glad you and Angel are here."

"Tara pet...", Spike spoke suddenly, causing both young women to look at him, "I didn't realize how much trouble I was going to cause you." He
nuzzled against her and Tara squeezed his hand.

"It's alright Spike. The Circle's just gotten so stuck on being the good in this fight, that they've forgotten that all things must have balance."
 

~Part 24~

"What are you doing here Angel?  I'd think you'd be all snuggly with my former best friend right about now.  What happened?  Get bored?", the Slayer sniped.

"I highly doubt I'd ever find Willow boring Buffy", Angel rejoined, his voice low and deep.

The blond grimaced and looked away, her eyes falling on an old tombstone.

"I'm here because we needed to talk", the vampire said.  "We never did during the end."

"That's because you always had Willow to 'talk' to", Buffy said bitterly.

Angel shook his head, and stepped slightly closer to the petite woman. "Buffy--"

"No!", Buffy shouted, interrupting him.  "There's nothing to talk about. You and Willow betrayed me.  I was your love.  I was your soulmate.  She was supposed to be my friend.  How could she do this to me?"

The ensouled vampire growled under his breath, hot anger coursing through dead veins.  "Stop it!  Just stop it, you're acting like a self-centered
brat."

The Slayer's hazel eyes narrowed at the sound.  Her senses screamed, 'vampire! kill!'.  Cautiously she took a step back from her former boyfriend, her fingers itching for Mr. Pointy.

"You've always done this... blamed her, ostracized her.  Well how about me, I'm here Buffy, right in front of you."

Buffy swallowed.  "It wasn't your fault.  She did this.  She stole you from me.  I don't know how... maybe it was a spell...", she muttered darkly.

Angel closed his eyes in frustration.  He sighed.  "Look at this, look at us.  You're standing there trying to ignore the fact that you're entire body
is telling you I'm the enemy.  Don't you understand, that that's why we never would have worked out?  This isn't about Willow Buffy, this is about
you being the Slayer and my being a vampire."

"That's not true.  I loved you.  You weren't the same as these other vamps", she said, gesturing with her arms to indicate the cemetery around them. "You have a soul", she whispered.

"I do, but that didn't stop your instincts.  Did you know that I could feel it?"

Buffy looked up at the tall male in confusion.  "What?"

"How your muscles tensed in readiness, whenever I walked into a room.  How you never turned your back to me... "

The Slayer's gaze dropped.  "But Willow didn't, is that it?"

"That's exactly it.  She was my friend.  She's still my friend, my best friend.  She accepted me wholeheartedly, without fear, without reservation.
She fought for me, gave me back my soul, rescued me from hell.  She even risked her life to save my own when we closed the Hellmouth....", the dark haired vampire's said, his voice breaking.

"So you don't love her then... this is all some sort of bizarre gratitude thing.  Is that what you're saying?", Buffy said, frowning in thought.

Angel sighed.  "No.  You're misunderstanding me.  What's between Willow and I now, is something I have yet to classify... We're talking about the past here Buffy."

The petite young woman shifted her weight, her arms crossing protectively about her chest.  She had a feeling she wasn't going to like whatever he was going to say next.

"Willow never betrayed you Buffy.  We've never been lovers.  What you thought, what you assumed... You were wrong.  She was always loyal to you."

Buffy snorted derisively.  The sound was the final straw.  Angrily, Angel growled, he moved closer to the Slayer and grabbed her arm in a powerful
grip.  The hazel-eyed blond looked up at the dark vampire in surprise.

"You the one who betrayed her Buffy!  You believed the worst of her  You turned Oz against her.  You made Xander choose between you both", he
snarled.  "And do you want to know what the saddest part of that is Buffy, all the time that Willow's and my friendship was blossoming, she was trying to remind me of my feelings for you."

"What?", the Slayer whispered.

Disgusted, the dark haired vampire turned away from the girl he had once loved.  With predatory grace, Angel began to leave.  Buffy stared at his
back, her mind trying to process everything that he'd told her.  To her surprise, he stopped and turned back to face her.

"I do have one thing to thank you for though."

"What?", she asked, curiosity getting the best of her.

"Willow is my friend, a very good friend.  But now, I'm thinking she could perhaps be more than that.  For that I have to thank you.  I would never
even have thought of pursuing her until you planted the thought in my mind years ago", Angel paused, his dark eyes meeting the Buffy's.  He smiled. The first truely happy smile she had ever seen directed at her, formed on his face.  "Thank you."  With that, he was gone.

'Nothing had happened... They hadn't betrayed her...' Silent, bitter tears fell from the blond Slayer's eyes.  Wobbly legs gave out from underneath
her.  'What have I done?!'
 

~Part 25~

Willow's eyes shifted away from the two in front of her, over to where Angel had disappeared a short time before. A worried frown turned her lips
downward, while her brow creased as she strained to listen. Nothing.

"You must really l--l-love him", Tara said a little uncertainly.

Willow's eyes shot back to the two blonds standing across from her. Spike stood there with a cocky grin on his face and his arm around Tara, and her ready denial died instantly on her lips. They didn't begrudge her this. If anything they understood all too well. With them she could be honest.
Especially now that she was finally being honest to herself.

She smiled, her eyes lighting slightly. She nodded once slowly. "It certainly looks that way." Willow refused to actually say aloud that she loved the dark vampire, unsure how he'd react when he found out exactly why she wasn't a innocent little virgin anymore. If anything, that moment in her
life should have been a clue to her feelings for Angel, but then again hindsight was always 20/20.

Her eyes shifted back to the path Angel had taken. They widened slightly when she finally spotted him. The dark haired vampire looked no worse for
wear. He just looked so weary. Instantly she moved toward him, meeting him halfway and allowing herself to be drawn into his arms. The embrace lasted only a few moments. The other couple watched in silence.

Angel pressed a tender kiss to her brow whispering, "Everything will be okay."

"Promise?"

"I promise sweet witch." He nuzzled his face into her soft hair, holding her tightly for a moment. Angel glanced at the other two over the hacker's
shoulder.

Willow turned around and looked questioningly at Tara. "Do you know if they are going to be sending anyone else to look after you?", she said referring to the Daybreakers. The red witch was terrified of running into more of them. The few she'd met before were nothing like Tara, who apparently was completely capable of thinking for herself. Not to mention that if more came, the chances of running into her ex grew. She shivered at the thought, repulsed. Something about that man had been off from the moment she'd met him. Unfortunately she'd allowed the fact that she was alone and hurting to affect her decisions.

"Who's sending someone after her?", Angel asked, clearly lost in the current conversation.

The red witch glanced over at her friend. "I'll explain on the way back, we should get out of here before Buffy decides to come this way."

Spike sneered, but nodded. However much he would have enjoyed scaring the crap out of Slutty the Vampire Layer, he had his witch to think about. Nodding toward his Grandsire and Willow, he took up Tara's hand. They hurried away, the blond witch wondering about the dark cloud that hung over the redhead suddenly.

Willow, and Angel headed off in another direction.

"So what did I miss?", Angel asked quietly after a moment. It took everything he had, to resist the urge to growl. He had not forgotten her slip concerning not being proper, virgin sacrifice material. The thought of anyone else touching his witch, made him ill. He wanted to bang his head on
one of the mausoleums. 'Why oh why did I stay away from her for so long?', he chided himself mentally.

He knew that in this day and age, one's virginity was very rarely held on to for long. If anything, Tara was a rarity. Even Willow who he'd only now
learned about, had waited much longer than most of her generation.

Willow blinked. "Well uhh...Tara's a Daybreaker."

The ensouled vampire nodded. "Makes sense. She does realize she could lose that standing if they find out about Spike doesn't she?"

The hacker, slowed, finally just stopping to stare at the tall male. "Yeah we talked about that... Wait, wait... You know about the Daybreak Circle?",
she asked shaking her head in disbelief. 'Good grief and here they all thought they were so darned secretive...', the thought made her want to giggle.

"I know of them", Angel said cryptically.

The redhead continued staring, when no explanation was forthcoming, her 'resolve face' made an appearance.

Angel rolled his eyes. "Fine, fine, no need to pull out the big gun's Will.... I know them because they're based in L.A. There's a large contingent of them there, and they don't take kindly to demons. Even when their warriors for the Powers That Be, vampires with souls, or both."

"Why those sanctimonious, uptight, pretentious bastards!", Willow hissed.

The dark vampire blinked, surprised by her explosion. Judging by the color of her face, Willow had only just begun. He watched her lips move. Gods how he wanted to kiss her.

"I can't believe them. There you are minding your own business, following your destiny... technically helping them, helping the cause of good... and
they try to kill you?!"

Slowly Angel's lips began to curve. He loved it that she cared about him, worried about him. After a particularly gruesome description about where
she'd put a stake in the next Daybreaker to try to harm him, the vampire found he couldn't resist his impulse any longer. Quickly he bent, capturing
her mouth with his own, her volatile exclamations ceased.

Taking his time, Angel caressed the tender flesh of her mouth, reacquainting himself with the wonderfulness that was his Willow. He kissed her until she was breathless. For a moment, he allowed passion to sweep him away, as he molded her slight form to his own. He could feel her heart beat
enthusiastically against his chest, and almost grinned when the heady aroma of her arousal reached his nostrils. Reigning himself in, the vampire
released her lips.

A sense of satisfaction rose in him as he gauged her body's reactions. The bright emerald gaze, the breathy gasps for air, the lovely rose color in her porcelain cheeks.

"Willow."

"Hmm..."

"You were saying?"

"What?"

Angel smiled. "You were saying?"

"I can't remember", Willow glared at him, aware of his glee at actually making her forget herself.

He watched her for a moment longer. He could see her practically reach out and wrap calm serenity about herself like a cloak. The witch sighed, her
hand reached up to caress Angel's cheek. The vampire leaned into her gentle caress, rubbing up in a manner so catlike, she could feel the slight
rumbling vibration as he began to purr.

The redhead could only watch in awed wonder. He was so beautiful, so perfect. Sometimes it was difficult to believe he was her friend, let alone
that he cared for her. But he did, she knew he did. She sighed and slowly withdrew her hand. Unfathomably dark eyes, were suddenly open and watching her. The wiccan bit her lip.

"Angel... about what I said before about my ummm, well... virginity. I want to tell you about it..."

"Willow, its not--"

"No Angel, please I NEED to tell you. There's a lot behind that story and I've only just now realized the significance of a lot of that." So saying, the lovely hacker tugged on the vampire's hand. They began to walk back to his apartment.
 

next