Angel studied the hacker out of the corner of his eye, wondering if she even realized the death grip she held his hand in. He contemplated whether he'd be able to listen to what she had to say, if he would be able to hear about how in love she was with someone else. Because he had no doubt that whatever the circumstance of that relationship, she had to have been in love with another. The girl he had watched grow up would have had to love the man she gave herself too. The thought bothered him. A lot.

Even when he'd gained the ability to move on to be with someone without risking his soul, no one had truly appealed to him. It wasn't until he'd
begun to really examine what it was he felt for Willow, that he understood why.

Now knowing that she'd been able to find something with someone else when he had not, hurt. It wasn't just the idea of being her first, it was that she trusted another person enough to share of herself in such an intimate way. 'She was his damn it!', his mind hissed.

Okay, so maybe it was a little about being first... about possession. She belonged to him. Even then, even if he hadn't known it, even if she hadn't
known it. Willow belonged to him. Angel almost groaned at the direction of his thoughts. He wanted to laugh out loud at his own foolishness. After
years of ignoring his demon's desires, suddenly he was thinking in a completely vampiric manner.

A part of him jeered. 'Isn't that exactly what you are? Hmmm... Angel? A vampire? A possessive, demanding, doesn't play well with others, vampire.
You may try to ignore me, but I'm here Angel, I'm always here.' The dark haired vampire squared his jaw. He forced himself into the mental exercise
of shoving that shadowy part of himself back into its cage, and slamming the door shut behind it.

The two friends walked up to the door of his apartment in silence. Angel punched in the code. He glanced at the witch once more. As soon as the door clicked open, the redhead stepped in before him quickly. She glanced around the front room almost frantically, as though she was seeking escape. The vampire could feel her nervousness. Unconsciously, he began to purr lightly, soothingly. Willow sighed softly. When Angel moved into the room his arms wrapping around her, she relaxed immediately. She leaned back against his chest, her eyes closing for a moment.

The dark vampire drew her slowly over to the couch. He settled down, before pulling her into his arms, and onto his lap. The witch shifted, trying to
get comfortable while still being able to look into his eyes. Angel remained silent allowing her to move as she willed.

He wrapped an arm around her as she finally settled herself against his side. Willow snuggled into him, and took in a shaky breath. Once again,
Angel was stuck by the fact that whatever she was about to say, didn't seem to be easy for her. Reaching up, he pushed as stray piece of crimson silk from her face, capturing her gaze with his own. Silently, he willed her to speak.

The petite hacker drew in a slow breath, forcing herself to calm. 'He would understand', Willow told herself. 'He of all people would understand.'

She opened her mouth intent on beginning, when panic whispered through her system at the thought of drudging up those unwanted memories. Taking another deep breath she tried again, this time finding her voice, though it was far softer then she would have liked.

"It was right after I left Sunnydale", she said finally. "I'd only been in this small New England town for about two months." Willow's green eyes
clouded with memory. "There was this little café, in the middle of town. It was quiet and always open late. The food was good. They even had these little chocolate pastries that I was addicted to." Willow paused, her eyes held the vampire's seeking strength from his familiar features, before she continued. Her voice grew stronger.

"He came in one night. I didn't know what it was about him that seemed to call to me but it was strange like nothing I could name. It drew me and yet scared me too. I could feel the magick around him. It was so powerful and even alluring, but that very fact, made me wary. I think maybe if I had listened to my initial feelings none of it would have happened." She sighed. "Of course you never can be sure...", she mumbled the last part softly, pressing herself closer to the ensouled vampire. Angel's arms tightened about her in response. She fiddled absently with the hem of her shirt trying to distract herself from the memory of her stupid mistake.

"Anyway, he came over and started talking to me, and I was flattered and he was attractive." She sighed, "In hindsight, I realize now that he reminded me of you, and well I missed you, so I sort of latched onto the familiar things about him and ignored the part of me that was screaming something was wrong." Willow shook her head ruefully, and chuckling darkly.

"It was so soon after everything in Sunnydale had happened and I was still so hurt and angry at everything and everyone. I didn't dare call you. I
didn't want you to think I hated you or something, and yet I knew that you'd blame yourself for what happened. I didn't want that." The redhead stared down at her lap. "I just needed someone to hold on to and he was there", she whispered. "It was a mistake. Perhaps it wasn't entirely my fault, but I was still rather foolish." She laughed again, the sound was sad and not a little bitter.

As she continued to speak, Angel could almost see the things happening. Willow alone and afraid, seeking something familiar and finding it in this
man. He wondered what exactly it was about this guy that reminded her of him. Certainly he couldn't have been a vampire. Maybe it was simply the way he looked, or even the way he spoke. He supposed it could have been a lot of things.

"We became friends. At least, I thought we were friends... So when he invited me to join him for a circle casting, I jumped at the chance. I mean,
it had been so long since I had done anything formal. Everything was perfect that night, I remember, except the wine tasted funny. I should have known something was wrong then, it's not customary to use red wine on the full of the moon, but I didn't think anything of it at the time. Besides that there was the taste... not that there really was a way for me to know what it was, I'd never tasted wine laced with mandrake before."

The growl that had been forming in the vampire's throat broke free at Willow's words. Although he was not a practioner of the arts, he knew enough
about magick, to know what mandrake did and what it was used for. This person had ensorceled Willow, placing some kind love spell on the hacker,
something subtle and insidious that would make her far more interested in him than she would ever have been otherwise. Angel's eyes flickered with the force of his anger; dark to gold, gold to dark.

The redhead captured his fisted hand in her own, gently prying the fingers open and caressing the palm in an effort to calm him. Angel closed his eyes, and forced the demon down. Once he did so, he gave her his full attention once more. He didn't trust himself to speak.

"Afterward I was suddenly in love with him, only I didn't know at the time it was magickal and not natural.... I didn't realize there was something
wrong, and if anyone else noticed it they chose not to do anything about it. Needless to say one thing led to another... and then, well, the spell was broken."

"Sleeping with him broke the spell?", Angel asked confused by her sudden jump in the story. He gave a look that said he wanted more details and
Willow sighed squeezing his hand.

"No. Although having sex with him, sort of made me realize something wasn't right though. I mean, I assumed that if you actually really loved someone, sex would be a good thing, a wonderful thing, and it wasn't. It was uncomfortable, which I expected, but I couldn't seem to relax or let go and it wasn't... well, that is, I didn't...." The redhead's cheeks began to flush, as though she only just realized what she was saying and to who.
Angel nodded, saving her from having to elaborate more, and the hacker buried her face in the crook of the vampire's cool neck. He could feel her
cheeks burning against his flesh. He hugged her gently, surprised to see such a strong showing of the old Willow.

"Things just got worse, or I guess better, from there. Little by little the pull began to wear thin, and well seeing you again after so long during the
holidays, was the last straw so to speak."

Angel drew her face up to offer Willow a tender smile. "I broke the spell?", he asked, suddenly very pleased, yet at the same time wishing he'd given
into the desire to go to her that much sooner.

"Yeah, you did... although his reaction to seeing me with you helped too. But you definitely broke the last hold he had on me." She smiled a little
sadly. "He saw us together and thought well he thought we were more then friends."

Angel nodded, looking back on that week four years ago. It didn't really surprise him that the man had. The vampire supposed that they had acted more like old lovers, then old friends. Their mutual need to touch each other constantly and seeking out the other, would seem suspect. Afterall it was what had set Buffy off the year before, and led to their exile.

"That Christmas Eve, I told him I was spending it with family, and that I wasn't going to be in town. Apparently he didn't believe me because he saw
us, by the fire." Angel nodded already able to imagine what that must have looked like. Not that they had done anything wrong, but watching two people curled together in front of a fireplace, sort of made one assume that there was something more going on.  In reality all that had happened was some much needed catching up.

"Seeing us apparently made him realize why I wasn't completely in his thrall. My connection to you was stronger then anything his magick could
forge because what I felt for you was real and based in friendship. Those things can't be created. He wanted my magick, and well, it's a part of me,
so he needed my body, heart and soul. All those things weren't really mine to give anymore." Verdant eyes peered up into the dark vampire's face. "My soul belongs to you", Willow whispered, "I think my heart did even then, but I just didn't know it. The magick that connects us is older then the stars Angel. He really couldn't do anything about it." Her words made the vampire's heart take wing. Smiling, Angel leaned forward and captured
Willow's lips in a tender kiss.

"You know I'd always sort of wondered why everyone thought we where together? You think maybe this is why?"

"Kissing?, Angel asked, slightly confused.  Her cheeks colored once more and she giggled.

"No, this, the way we are. The touching, the snuggling... it just feels so natural. I mean, I never really thought about it", she smiled, "but the
kissing is nice too." She grinned at the vampire, knowing that her tale wasn't over quite yet.

"There's more isn't there?", Angel asked worriedly, wondering what the bastard had done in retaliation.

"Oh yeah...." the redhead muttered softly. Still at least this part she could laugh about. She'd taught those fools something about power.

"He was a part of Circle Daybreak, still is as far as I know."

"I thought they didn't aprove of those sort of uses of magick?"

"They don't, but it's not like he told them, and they where too busy condemning me as a demon's willing whore to listen to anything I'd have to
say about what he'd done." The witch laughed, holding Angel's gaze. "He claimed he found us together... in the TOGETHER sense, and well, that he'd chased you away with a ever handy cross. According to him and the Circle, I was tainted now, tainted by you."

The ensouled vampire growled softly.

"Of course he was right, you're a part of me. Personally, I wouldn't call it a taint though, I sort of like having you in there. It's good, it makes me
stronger I found out." She chuckled, the sound sad and dark. "They told me they would help me get over my addiction to you. When that didn't work they threatened to strip me of my powers." Willow's voice raised in pitch slightly, as did the slight growl that seemed be pouring unnoticed from his lips.

Angel pulled her tightly against him, burying his face in her red locks.

"Well I bet that went over real well," he said, surprised to hear the roughness of his own voice.

She nodded slowly, an icy cold smile forming on her lips. "Remember me calling you and telling you I had to get out of town fast and that I was
scared?" The vampire nodded. It wasn't something he'd soon forget, the sound of her voice on the line had brought him back across the country faster then anything else ever could have.

"Well, when they tried to break our bond from my side and failed, they decided that they would have to kill you. In retrospect I should have known
they couldn't do that because of your soul, but still, they might have hurt you and badly. Needless to say, when he said that, it sort of woke up
something inside me. In my anger, I uhhh... sort of toasted the hell out of four of the Daybreakers that where holding me, and well.... er, made it very clear that if they ever went after you I'd do more then send them on overload." Willow smiled softly, settling back into his arms, her feature's
pleased. "So then you came, and helped me move again."

The witch sighed and looked deeply into his eyes. Immediately she saw the sadness he tried to hide.

"Oh Angel... don't.... That's one of the reasons I never told you. I don't want you to blame yourself. If it wasn't for you I would have been trapped
with those hypocrites."

Angel closed his eyes and nodded, nuzzling against the woman in his arms once more, his mind a whirlwind of unfocused thoughts. This wasn't exactly what he'd been expecting her to say. The entire story left an unpleasant taste in his mouth, and an unwelcome thought crossed his mind. If that bastard was still a Daybreaker, there was a chance he would be sent here.

On some level, the thought made the vampire happy. There would be nothing he would enjoy better than to tear the bastard limb from limb, slowly, with pliers and blunt cutting tools.

The dark haired vampire ammended the bloodthirsty thought. There would actually be a few things he'd enjoy more. The first that came to mind was
showing his beloved witch just how wonderful lovemaking could be. To erase the silent specter of that bastard's unclean touch from her mind and flesh forever. Angel stifled a groan, and tried to distract himself.

"S- so", he managed to utter gruffly, curiousity getting the better of him. "What about this guy, reminded you of me?"

Willow squirmed on the vampire's lap.

"Will-- Willow, could you not do that... please", he whispered.

The witch's eyes widened. "Oh... oh goddess... sorry Angel." She bit her lip. "It was dumb Angel he was really nothing like you. It was all superficial, and I think the spell kind of exagerated some of those traits."

"But what were they?"

"Well he was tall, like you. He liked black, like you... Then there was uh, his body", she squeaked quickly, before skipping over to another thought.
"He even had the dark hair and quiet manner. But that was it... well, actually not completely. There was also his name."

The vampire blinked. "He was named Angel too?"

Willow giggled. "Oh goddess no, gracious... thank the Bright Lady. I like the name Angel."

"So what was it?"

"His name is Liam."

The mention of that name caused Angel's body to stiffen. "Oh Willow I'm so sorry."

She shrugged. "Don't be." The hacker yawned, abruptly. "Sleepy now....Want to go to bed?"

Quickly extinguishing the off-color remark that almost flew out of his mouth, Angel picked the petite woman up and headed down the hall. It was too soon. However, there was no doubt in his mind, that by the time this latest crisis was over his best friend would also be his woman, his life companion. He didn't plan to leave her side ever again.
 

~Part 27~

~That same night~

The sorcerer forced down roar of rage that threatened to push it's way past his lips, as he watched the tiny brunette walk easily away. As though he hadn't just offered her the stars; the moon on a string. What was wrong with these women?

He needed one to come of her own free will, to join them and be corrupted by her own hand. The spell was becoming more exacting. It demanded a certain kind of sacrifice. As always death was always required, for there is nothing like life's blood... but the state of the person before their death was beginning to matter. He needed the blood of one once innocent, but tainted by the lust for power. He really wished it had stayed just corrupt
innocence, instead of demanding corruption in a certain fashion. He couldn't seem to entice these women with the simple promise of power.

The brunette woman disappeared from view. That was one he could not have. The sorcerer growled softly under his breath. He couldn't help but wonder, if he wasn't overlooking someone. There had to be some weak witch want-to-be who would sell her soul for the promise of true power. Hell, even if he could get someone to commit an act that they knew was morally wrong, for the sake of power. Drawing in a slow breath, he continued back toward the house. He brushed his hair from out of his face, and glanced at the watch on his wrist.

The spell would demand a life soon, very soon. A fleeting thought caught his attention. What if he simply grabbed someone off the street? After all,
terror would easily add potency to the energy drained off such a victim, and give him a while longer to search for the proper sacrifice.

Having decided what to do, he slipped a practiced hand into his jacket. The man moved quickly, intent on a tall, curvy blond walking a block up from
him. She practically smelled of magick, the aura of power around her was strong. She probably could have been powerful enough to join that circle of goody goodies. He chuckled, under his breath. If this was a Daybreaker, he would be in luck. He'd be able to hold off the next sacrifice till a bit
closer to the moon, perhaps mess with the pattern he was almost positive the police hadn't noticed. But then it wasn't the police he was worried about. A dark grin split his face.

Reaching her quickly, he grabbed the woman violently by the shoulder. She spun around to face him, her face a mask of disbelief, and outraged
indignation. He chuckled internally. Those were good emotions. He held her in place with a softly spoken spell, one that anyone with that kind of power could have broken, if she'd only bothered to learn something of her own nature. He chuckled aloud this time, amazed that so much power could be housed in someone who seemed to have no idea what they where. How could they miss it?

Sneering he pulled a slender, razor-sharp, silver dagger from it's sheath in his leather coat. He held it lovingly, gazing into its shiny surface for a
moment, before looking back at the blonde. She was shaking like a leaf. Fear was an even better emotion, so much stronger, heady, addictive. The sorcerer could understand why creatures like vampire's saved their game faces for their meal's last moments, it sent them so much deeper into a state of terror.

The woman jerked against the magick's hold, trying to put distance between herself and the wicked looking knife. Her eyes where wide and he could see the fear in her eyes. It was so like an animal's when it realized that it is well and truly trapped.

She moved her hand back toward her body. Her fingers clutching something that lay beneath her shirt. He watched as her eyes shot heaven-ward. 'How quaint, a cross', he thought uncharitably. He frowned as she started to speak, it was more of a murmur because he couldn't make out the words she spoke. Although they were fast and slurred with fear, they had the distinctive sound of a rhyme.

He reached forward intent on grasping whatever it was that she thought would protect her. That way he could add abandonment, to the list of feelings raging through her.

The sorcerer jerked the object from around her neck and fell slightly backwards as the black cord gave. The woman gasped loudly, jerking away from him. Finding herself abruptly free, she started to run.

His glanced at her in surprise, another spell on the tip of his tongue, only to find the words unable to form. He glanced down at the object he held. It was beginning to feel like white-hot flame in his hand. Grunting he ignored the pain. A talisman stared back at him.

"Gods be damned!", he raged aloud. Who the hell was making wardings against his magick?

His eyes narrowed as he studied the object, certain he'd seen the funny little symbol before. It was a pentacle, a crude stake carved into it, as if
piercing its center. He racked his mind. Drawing a blank, he threw the talisman away. Its power was drained and of no further use to him. Cursing
under his breath, he headed in the direction of his lair, and the arms of his lady. Thinking of the tall, dark haired beauty, made his blood thicken.
'Yes, she would make him feel better', he thought, a feral grin forming on his features.
 

~Part 28~

The door slammed. Xander woke startled. Blinking owlishly into the darkness he swiveled his head and peered at the big red numbers of his digital alarm clock. 3:15. She was early tonight.

"Buffy", he called out.

He received no response. The dark haired man frowned. He yawned and swung his legs over the edge of the bed. He staggered out of the bedroom, and heard the sound of the shower being turned on.

"Buffy?"

Muffled sounds reached his ears. Fear made his stomach churn. What if she got hurt? What if she couldn't answer him? Suddenly he was running down the short hallway. He skidded to a stop in front of the door. Turning the doorknob, he found it was locked.

"Buffy, honey, are you okay? Let me in baby."

Muffled sobs became louder. Not able to take this anymore. Xander backed up from the door, and ran into it full speed. The fragile wood splintered under his shoulder, but the door held fast. On his second try the door burst open.

The bathroom was humid and cloudy. The pounding sound of the water in the shower didn't waver and neither did the pitiful sounds of his love. Slowly he pulled back the shower curtain. What he saw made his heart break.

The petite blond Slayer was curled up naked in a corner of the tub, her head resting on her knees. Long, damp hair streamed down her face and legs, as her whole body shook from her sobs.

Without preamble Xander climbed into the shower with the young woman. He hissed as the too hot water hit his flesh, unmindful of the pajama bottoms he was getting soaked through. Turning the water to a more moderate temperature, he gathered his Slayer to her feet. Tenderly he pushed the wet locks from her face. Red rimmed hazel eyes peered out at him from a wan, puffy looking face.

"Oh Buffy", he said softly, "what happened?"

She shook her head. "Messed up Xander, I messed up bad....", she whispered.

"Tell me."

The blond woman shook her head and leaned against her fiancé, resting her face in the crook of his neck. Her hands wrapped around his waist, her
fingertips tracing patterns on his back. Xander sighed, suddenly completely aware that he had a beautiful, wet naked woman in his arms. His arms
tightened about his arms fractionally for a moment, before releasing her.

He shrugged out of his soaked pajama pants, and Buffy smiled faintly, noting his arousal. The dark haired young man shook his head and tsked tsked at her. Grinning at the blond, Xander bent and picked up her vanilla scented shower gel. Squeezing some into the palms of his hand, he began the
pleasurable task of rubbing the sweet smelling soap into her flesh. He did so carefully, making sure not to miss a single area of skin. He massaged as
he went, feeling firm flesh and muscle relax under his touch.

"I love you Xander", Buffy sighed.

Xander froze. He looked up from his place near her feet, his hands stilling from their work on the blond's muscular calf. Brown eyes met hazel.

"I do you know."

"I know."

"I don't know if you do. I mean how could you with the way I've been acting lately. Since Giles told us Angel and Willow had to return to Sunnydale,
I've been a complete bitch."

The dark haired male blinked and looked back down, his eyes level with the Slayer's concave belly button. Slim fingers wove through his thick wet hair.

"I do love you Xander. I just... well, its just hard to let it go. He isn't what I want anymore Xander. He just represented my youth. When all I wanted most in the world was to just be a normal girl, not the Slayer. He was my rebellion..." Buffy's words were lost as a gasp was forced from her lips.

She looked down to see her lover's dark head against her belly. His tongue traced the small indentation of her belly button. As his mouth worked it
magic on her body. Her head lolled back, warm water sluiced down her face and neck.

The water stopped. Buffy glanced down. He had turned it off. Xander stood in front of her. Dark eyes bored into her. Desire, love. The things she saw in his eyes made her heart full.

A trademark Xander grin broke out on his face, just as he pulled her into his arms. Her legs dangled for a moment, before wrapping around his waist.
Buffy moaned, aching to be closer. The man she had watched grow up and mature had no trouble climbing out of the tub with her in his embrace. She rained kisses on his face.

Drops of water trailed off of their flesh, leaving a trail in the short hallway towards their bedroom.
 

~Part 29~

Tara lay stiffly on the bed. She couldn't sleep, despite work not starting until ten and going to bed late, she just couldn't rest. Things were getting
extraordinarily complicated. Not only was the Scooby gang still splintered, but her most powerful ally, the redheaded witch, wasn't exactly fond of
Daybreakers. She wondered why. She should have asked, but something in the other woman's face had told her not to. Those weren't the only problems, however. Taking a deep breath, she turned over. Her eyes fell on her sleeping companion. He was her other problem. Spike.

The platinum haired vampire lay at her side, in the repose of slumber. Dark eyelashes rested against pale skin. It was a little disconcerting to see him this way. He was beautiful of course, but it was like staring at a statue. He didn't breathe, he didn't move, he didn't even twitch. It was especially strange considering when awake, Spike was constantly in motion. He was almost like a hyperactive child that way. He could never sit still for more than five minutes, and his mind was constantly jumping from one conversation, one train of thought, to another. Tara grinned, wondering if it was possible for a vampire to have attention deficit disorder. The smile faded slowly. She really had fallen in love with him.

It should never have happened. She should never have allowed him so close. The blond girl still didn't know why she had. She knew it had felt right,
and she didn't regret it, but this turn of events was going to have far reaching implications.

As she thought, her eyes traced his still form. A blush rose in Tara's cheeks as her eyes dipped below his waist. Despite his being wrapped in the
covers, she couldn't rip her gaze away. Her curiosity was piqued. Almost without realizing, her hand reached out. A small gasp escaped her lips, and she stopped herself.

'Oh Goddess, what am I doing?', she asked herself quietly, before sitting up and getting off the bed. She padded on bare feet to the small living room. Maybe meditation would help her clear her mind.

Spike's cerulean blue eyes snapped open.

The blond vampire waited a few minutes to see if the girl was going to come back. He groaned, imagining he could still feel the radiant heat of her
hand, as it had neared his hip. She had been so close. Spike licked his lips. All he had to have done was arch up into her hand. It would have been
so easy. He was absolutely going insane with wanting her, with wanting to feel her touch, with wanting to taste her.

He sat up, the covers falling away from his chest. He pushed them aside and stood following Tara's earlier footsteps. Enough was enough. She loved him, he loved her, they wanted each other. Why was he being such a nonce? He was the Big Bad after all. Seduction was something he knew how to do quite well in fact. His mouth lifted in a cocky smirk.

Spike found his witch seated Indian style on the couch, her eyes closed her breathing long and even. He stood in front of her and cocked his head.

"Tara-pet, why'd you stop?"

The blond witch gasped, her eyes flickering open. "Ss-s-s-spike! W-w-wh-what do you mean?"

Icy blue eyes twinkled, and one side of the vampire's mouth lifted in cocksure grin. He knelt on the floor at Tara's feet. "You know what I mean
witch", he said, his voice silky, the timbre seductive.

"Uhh", the young woman hedged nervously, clearing her throat. "I, I, I..."

"Do I scare you pet?"

"Yes", she said quickly. For a moment, an almost pleased, yet hurt look appeared in the chipped vampire's gaze.

"No", Tara amended quickly, hurrying to put her statement into context. "You don't scare me, like I'm afraid of you... y- y-you just make me nervous."

The bleached blond male regarded the woman in front of him thoughtfully. "I wouldn't have minded it if you had touched me Tara", he said quietly, "in fact, its all I can think of lately."

A hot flush crept up her face. "Me too", she whispered, just as his mouth swooped down to capture her lips. Time ceased to exist. The witch had no idea how long they kissed. All she knew is by the time she was even halfway aware of her surroundings again, she was sitting in Spike's lap and his lips were on her throat.

Tara sighed softly, leaning into the blond vampire's embrace. Spike nuzzled ardently against the tender flesh of her neck, which already bore a single love mark.

The witch gasped softly as the vampire nipped gently on her skin, once more, drawing a slightly larger patch of her flesh into his mouth. She wiggled against him, loving the feeling of his hands skimming over her curves. His large hands gently cupped her breasts, fingers flicking lightly over clothed
nipples. She arched toward his touch, her fingers flexing against the taunt muscles of his thighs. She moaned, and his lips caught hers in a fiery kiss. Only after a long moment did the blond witch pull her mouth from the vampire's, her breath bathing his mouth with tiny pants.

The sound of a loud, impatient knock on the apartment door, caused both of them to jump. Instinctively, each knew that it was not Willow or Angel. Reluctantly, Spike scooted the witch from his lap forcing his desire to the backburner, as he moved slowly toward the door.  He was alert.  They never had visitors, and even if they did, it was late, really late, or even early morning depending on your point of view.  Who the hell would show up at such an ungodly hour?

Tara studied the way her would-be lover moved, her eyes drinking in his lithe, cat-like movements. Another blush colored her cheeks, as for a
moment, she forgot to be worried, losing herself in his beauty. The knock came again and with it a sudden certainty that Spike should not, could not, answer that door. She dashed across the room, and caught the blond vampire's arm. He turned quickly, dragging her easily into his arms and capturing her lips. She drew back after a moment as the knocking growing even more annoying.

"It's a Daybreaker", she said softly, having finally identified the slight buzz of power she was feeling.

Spike nodded once curtly, turning toward the hallway, before glancing at her again. "You sure it's one of the good guys pet?", he asked, worriedly. She nodded, and he disappeared into the dark hallway, close enough so that he could be at her side if she needed him.

Taking a steadying breath, Tara pulled open the front door, after peeking out the spy hole first. Either it was a Circle Daybreaker, or someone had
finally managed a spell to mask their intent from her.

She glanced fleetingly over the man reading in his posture, his annoyance at having to wait for her.  She studied him through the open door carefully, not sure exactly what she was expecting. The dark haired man was tall, his eyes where a warm mahogany brown. On the lapel of his coat, he wore a pin which proudly stated him a member of the Circle to anyone who happened to know their secret symbol.

"Can I help you?", she asked guardedly. She wouldn't have been nearly so worried, if it wasn't for the fact that she'd been making out big time with
a vampire in the living room only moments ago.

"Are you Tara?", he questioned, and Tara was mildy surprised at the velvet tone of his voice. She sighed, okay there was something, tickling the back of her mind about this guy, but she couldn't put her finger on it.

"Who wants to know?", a sharp voice demanded from behind her. Startled Tara turned, not taking her eyes off the man in the door way, and blanched slightly.

"William", she gasped, shocked to see Spike standing there. She used his given name hoping the man in the doorway wouldn't realize he was a vampire. The witch had a strange feeling calling him Spike would give him away.

The wiry vampire stood against the doorway, his shirt half unbuttoned. Spike looked right at home and Tara found herself once more distracted from the matter at hand. 'This would never do', she thought to herself. A bit annoyed with herself she turned back to the man at the door.

"Yes, I am Tara," she blurted out rapidly. "You will forgive my over protective watchdog, won't you brother?" She acknowledged his being part of
the Circle deliberately, hoping that she would smooth the Spike issue over, without him realizing what it was that was off. He nodded once, a smile
forming on his lips when she asked him in.

"Who might you be? Since you clearly know who I am?", the blond witch asked. The handsome stranger smiled softly, his eyes lightening slightly.

"My name is Liam, I was sent to act as your second, should things get out of hand", he said smoothly. She nodded once, and then took a deep breath.

"I've already managed to secure alies in the town, and  I would hate to add you to the danger", she replied, hoping he was more of a coward then she thought he was.

"Nonsense, I've been sent to help and I will, surely whom ever you've located can't be equal to you in power."

"You'd be surprised", Tara said recalling the way Willow had stopped one of her bolts.

"Yes, well, be as that may, I am here and freely offer you my help. If you choose not to except it, then I can only assume you know best, after all
they wouldn't have allowed a mere amateur to take on this difficult of a task", he said, holding her gaze with his own. Tara felt a slight pull
towards him, and immediately jerked away from it.

She motioned for Liam to take a seat, while allowing her gaze to move to Spike.

"I'll leave you two alone", the blond vampire said with reluctantly, his teeth clenched. Tara nodded her thanks, and offering him a reassuring smile
before turning to her unwanted guest.

"Fine, but you may find you're in the way. This town is not without it's own protector's. I've found, they've excepted me readily enough, but I can't say how they would react to you." As she spoke, Tara tried to figure out some way to get this guy to leave, to go back to where he'd come from. Although she couldn't see anything really OFF about him, there was something in the way his eyes seemed to measure hers as she spoke, that told her that he was looking for any falsehoods. As far as she was concerned, anyone that was so quick to look for lies had some of his own he wished to keep hidden.

"If it will make you feel any better I will call the elders and see what they think of this. You are after all very young, and many thought it unwise
to allow a mere child in the ways of the arts, to handle this regardless of the power you possess, and can tap into."

The young woman nodded once, knowing that at least that much was true. More then a few of the elders had been a bit reluctant to allow her to do this alone.  Of course, she wasn't alone, she had Spike, but that fact would only get her into more trouble.

"Well," the dark haired man said before standing, "I believe it is rather late, and I should be on my way. I merely wanted you to be aware of my
presence so as to not be worried should you sense me." So saying, Liam reached forward to take the blond witch's hand in his own. He held her hand gently, hardly applying pressure.  He caught her gaze with his own, and offered her a charming smile. Tara found an answering grin curving her mouth.

"You will call on me", he said very carefully, his brown eyes brightening for a moment before returning to their normal hue.

Tara stared at his retreating figure, unable to look away.  She shook herself, overwhelmed by the sheer force of the other witch's charisma.  She
was still staring at the same spot when the door swung closed.
 

~Part 30~

Liam walked through the nearly empty Sunnydale streets.  He shook his head. This wasn't at all what he'd expected to find when he'd sought out the other Daybreaker. His people hadn't told him that she was relatively new or that she was an outsider, adopted into the coven. He been expecting to find a cousin, or sister, of one of the older, more experienced witches.

He headed towards his hotel lost in thought.  He needed to find out if this town had a  magic shop.  He was pretty sure it did, what with being on the Hellmouth and all.  And, he had to figure out exactly what sort of people the girl, Tara, had been dealing with. The male witch wondered if perhaps Sunnydale had a resident coven that would have offered their aid.  Of course if they had been on the Hellmouth for long, their power had probably been corrupted, altered.  No one could remain living on a Hellmouth for very long and not end up being tainted.  He sighed and shook his head.

Unwantedly a red haired siren came to mind, a young woman from this very out of the way town.  She'd been corrupted by the Hellmouth, and instead of allowing them to help her, allowing him to help her, she'd gone right back to the source of the taint.  She had allowed it into her home, her heart, her body.  It hurt Liam that when he'd tried to gain the help of the others she'd accused him of bespelling her.  Willow never understood that while a spell had indeed been placed upon her, it was the dark enchantment of a creature of the night. That vampire he'd seen her with, had enthralled her, keeping her away from him while he'd thought she was his. He closed his eyes for a moment, and whispered a small prayer for his former love.  Wherever she was, he hoped she was safe, and had rid herself of that undead parasite.

He opened his eyes, blinked and wiped his forehead, once more wishing he hadn't had to deal with the heat of California.  It was absolutely dreadful, even though it was night. He turned the corner and glanced around suddenly confused.

Liam groaned, realizing with sudden annoyance that he'd walked in a circle and was now hopelessly lost. Although he didn't fear the denizens of the
Sunnydale night, the witch had hoped to make it back to his hotel quickly, lest his presence cause more harm than good.

Quickly, the dark haired man drew in a calming breath and mentally went through a grounding exercise. He breathed deeply, thankful for the strength of the earth beneath his feet. He turned in the direction his renewed connection insisted was home, and began to walk slowly. Feeling a bit more hopeful, Liam was whistling slightly as though he had not a care in the world, when a scream rented the air.  Startled, the witch moved to
investigate.

He felt his feet start to move faster as he headed toward the pained cry. He rounded first one, then another corner, keeping track mentally of where he was going.  He grasped at the heartrending cries, extending his will while frantically trying to keep a hold of the direction of the rapidly fading calls. He made it around the corner just as the last scream faded into nothingness. The night air was silent once more.

The Daybreaker studied the tableau before him. A dark haired woman lifted her head from the throat of a lifeless figure, and allowed it to slide from
her grasp as though it were nothing more then a used candy bar wrapper. He shivered as the creature's golden eyes were raised to him, and he moved slowly toward her, his hand reaching for the wooden stake he'd taken to carrying as soon as he'd realized that Sunnydale was infested with vampires.

He offered the corpse on the ground, only a cursory perusal noting the pentacle that hung from a black silk cord around his neck. The vampiress
hissed warningly at him as he stepped closer, her eyes taking in the stake that he'd raised.

"You think your going to kill me?", she asked breathlessly, almost sounding pleased. Liam nodded once, slowly.

"Oh really?  You and what army?  Not even the Slayer has been able to catch me", the dark haired vampiress bragged, as she danced lightly away from his advancing form.

Liam smiled, suddenly, his perfect white teeth gleaming in the shadows. Then he lunged.  Moving faster then she'd ever seen a human move, he caught her around the wrist.

The Daybreaker saw the fear filter across the vamp's face, taking with it her demon's visage. He chuckled softly to himself, it was rather too bad,
she had been beautiful before she'd been made a demon.  Sighing almost regrettably, he thrust the stake easily through the flimsy garments she wore and into her heart, exploding in a cloud of dust.

The witch watched the dust settle, and then turned walking back toward the young man, he'd been too late to save.  He should have been faster.  His head lowered in respect for a moment, before he moved toward a pay phone he'd spotted.  Liam dialed 911, in order to get an ambulance to come for the boy. He was dead, he was sure, but he deserved at least that much.

He waited until he heard the sirens that heralded the arrival of the medic squad and then disappeared down the alleyway, knowing they would not see him. He continued down the street, turning yet again until he reached a clearing. The place he was staying was nearby.   Liam moved quickly toward his temporary home, all the while muttering under his breath.  He'd only been in Sunnydale for half a day, and he already hated the place.
 

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