DISTRIBUTION: Just ask.
SPOILERS: A little of "Surprise," but mostly "Innocence."
RATING: PG-13
SUMMARY: Angelus' POV during select scenes from "Innocence"
DISCLAIMER: All Buffy related things are owned by Joss Whedon, etc, etc. I own nothing except the idea for this story.
FEEDBACK: Highly appreciated.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is my first fic since I've been back, and I'm really out of practice. Hope you still like it, though. Part 1 of the Prelude to Darkness Series.
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Interlude into Innocence
Pain. It was all I felt. Hot, burning, intense, searing pain. All-consuming pain. And then nothing. Peace. Calm. I was back in control. I was *back.*
I grinned in delight and thanked the Devils for freeing me from that agonizing soul. 80 years...80 years of being subdued and bound, caged like a...well...nevermind.
The smell of fresh blood suddenly assaulted my senses, and I could barely control my hunger. 80 years.
"Hey. You okay?" my meal asked in perfect serenity, never knowing the terror of the moments to come, "you want me to call 911?"
"No," I told her, getting up off the ground, "the pain is gone."
I grinned.
"You sure?" she asked persistently.
"Yeah," I replied, letting my true visage slip into place. Before she could say another word, I whirled around and sank my fangs into her neck, reveling in the taste of the warm blood gushing into my mouth. I gulped it down like a starving man, never before having realized the sweetness of fresh blood. As I let the dead body drop to the ground, the corners of my mouth turned down in bitter distaste as I recalled the 80 years of starvation or packaged blood.
Never again. I was free, and it felt damn good.
"Oh yeah," I muttered to the body of the dead hooker, lying feebly on the ground, "I feel just fine."
I inhaled the scent of Sunnydale, and sensed something I hadn't felt in a long time: raw power, ready for the taking. *My* taking. Of course there was the problem of the Slayer to deal with first, though she wouldn't be a problem for long.
Images of that night swarmed into my head, and I shook them out violently. I never did understand why the wimp constantly trailed after the Slayer. Not when there were so many better things to be had...
Thoughts of a fire-haired beauty flooded my mind. There was so much to be done in this town. But first things first.
***
As I approached the factory, I could hear the sounds of my children talking. I heard Spike asking about soul-boy, and decided that was my cue.
"Well," I started, in the tones I had used so often with them in years past, "he moves to New York and tries to fulfill that Broadway dream. It's tough sledding, but one day he's working in the chorus when the big star twists her ankle."
I saw a flash of recognition pass through Spike's eyes at the tone in my voice, but it was quickly chased out by the supposed impracticality of that possibility,
"You don't give up, do you?" he asked, more irritated than usual.
As I approached him, I could barely conceal my laughter as I continued, "As long as there's injustice in the world, as long as scum like you is walking..." I couldn't resist, "well, rolling around in the streets...I'll be around. Look over your shoulder. I'll be there." I forcibly pushed my amusement back down as I remained straight-faced.
I watched as Spike's newest employee approached me, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. It was my childe who came up with this plan. Mine.
As Spike tried to figure out why exactly I wasn't burning to ashes, I noticed a look of realization cross Dru's face. I was about to confirm her thoughts when the Judge stole the words right out of my mouth, "This one...cannot be hurt. He is clean. There is no humanity in him."
Not one to be left out of the conversation, I interrupted, "I couldn't have said it better myself."
"Angel," Dru breathed wistfully.
"Yeah, baby," I announced, "I'm back."
***
The next few hours were spent reminiscing about the old times and the new. It felt good to be back among my own. But I couldn't keep my thoughts off of the Slayer. Well, the slayer's little friend to be more precise.
Willow Rosenberg. I was never quite sure what it was about her that intrigued me. It was just everything. There was so much hidden fire beneath that innocent exterior, and I wasn't the only one to notice it. I snickered at the memory of Angel first visiting Willow in her room. Just for information on that Ford, character, too. Right. How easy it would have been to just take her right there…but I always made it a point to not dwell on lost opportunities. After all, it was more fun creating new ones.
And I would certainly create a new opportunity for this. Willow was not about to escape me now. Angel may have kept me from her before, but I was in control now. And there were so many possibilities.
I could turn her and mold her into the perfect childe. A vision of grace and power, beauty and death. And she would belong to me. Only me. I could feel the excitement rush through me just from thinking about the wonderful years of eternity we would spend together. And it would start tonight.
I decided to make a stop at Angel's apartment for a quick change before I headed to the library, and to Willow.
***
As I emerged from the closet, I was surprised to see the Slayer standing in front of the bed. This definitely wasn't what I was expecting, but it definitely wouldn't hurt to have a go at her.
She called to me, and I replied coolly, wondering to myself how much it would take to break her. Probably not much. She began rambling on about how much she was freaking out and I smiled to myself. This would be *too* easy.
"I, I don't understand," Buffy said to me in the most pathetic tone I had ever heard, "Was it-me? Was I not good?"
I had to pause a moment to keep from bursting out in laughter. It didn't work. "You were great, really," I told her. On a second thought, I added, "I thought you were a pro."
"How can you say this to me?" she looked like a wounded animal. She would be a lot more than wounded when I was through with her.
"Lighten up. It was a good time. It doesn't mean we have to make a big deal."
"It *is* a big deal!" she protested.
"What? Bells ringing, fireworks, a dulcet choir of pretty little birdies?" I laughed. "Come on, Buffy. It's not like I've never been there before."
I reached up my hand to stroke her face, needing to pack a punch of sorts to my words. She jerked her head back, and I relished in the feel of her pain.
"Don't touch me," she said.
"I should have known you wouldn't be able to handle it." I was wasting my time here. After all, I had more important matters to attend to. Like a certain computer hacker, for instance.
"Angel!" she called to her lover again. I sighed in barely restrained exasperation and turned back to her. "I love you," she told me. Or what she thought was me.
I grinned at her obvious stupidity and said, "Love you, too. I'll call you." 'And once I have Willow by my side, you'll be sure to see a lot more of me,' I thought to myself.
And then I turned and walked out the door.
***
As I entered the school building, I could hear soft voices talking quietly from the hallway leading to the library. Obviously Willow and Xander.
I approached quietly and caught the last of their conversation. "Yeah. Where's an army when you need one?" Willow was saying. Her beauty caught me off guard for a moment as I just stood and watched her. She was absolutely radiant. But there was a strange look of sadness in her eyes. One that wasn't there recently. I began wondering what could have possibly happened. But it didn't matter. Soon, Willow would be sharing all of her secrets with me, for the rest of our lives.
As Xander began muttering something about having a plan, I reached out to flip off the light switch, leaving the entire hallway in darkness. This would be easier than I thought.
"What's going on?" Willow asked.
"Let's get to the library," Xander suggested to her.
Not yet.
I decided to make myself known. "Willow. Xander," I called out to them.
"Angel," Xander announced, distaste present in his voice. Well, the feeling was mutual.
"Thank God you're okay," Willow exclaimed. I smiled. I was better than okay. "Did you see Buffy?" she asked.
"Yeah," I replied casually. We wouldn't want anyone getting suspicious. "What's up with the lights?"
"I don't know," Xander said, "but listen. I think I have an idea--"
"Forget about that," I interrupted him. I didn't have time for his stupidity. I wanted Willow, and I was going to have her, *now.* "I...I got something to show you," I amended hastily after seeing the look on Xander's face.
"Show us?" Willow asked innocently.
'Yes,' I wanted to tell her. 'Show you. Only you.'
"Yeah," I responded. But first, to get Xander out of the way, "Xander, go get the others."
"Okay," Xander replied without a second thought. That wouldn't leave me much time here with Willow, but at least it worked to give us a few moments alone. And that was all I needed.
After Xander had run off, I continued, "And Willow, come here."
"What is it, Angel?" she asked coming tentatively closer. She obviously sensed something was wrong. My brilliant queen. But as long as she didn't figure out *what* it was, I was in the clear.
"It's amazing," I told her. A whole new world, just for the two of us. Soon. I saw the expression on her face, and it was one of interest and trust. I could hear her heart pounding in her chest, and I longed to feel that chest pressed against mine.
I almost had her when that damn computer teacher called out for Willow to get away from me.
"What are you talking about?" Willow asked her, confused, "it's Ang--"
I didn't let her continue. After seeing the cross in her hand, I knew the gig was up. I stepped forward, closing the distance between Willow and myself and grabbed her before she could get away. I was so close!
Just then Xander came running from the other hall, and called out, "Don't do that!"
Angrily, I replied, "Oh, I think I do that."
"Angel..." my Willow managed to choke out despite the tight grasp I had on her throat. I hated hurting her, but I wasn't about to let her go.
"He's not Angel anymore. Are you?" Jenny asked me.
"Wrong," I snarled back at her, "I *am* Angel...at last!"
I could feel Willow suddenly tense even more as the meaning of my words sunk in. I began to back out suddenly while I still had the chance, while I still had my treasure in my arms. "I got a message for Buffy," I announced, hoping to keep them distracted as I made my exit with Willow.
"Then why don't you give it to me yourself?" the one voice I didn't want to hear spoke up from behind me.
Damn! I couldn't keep the anger from my voice. This wasn't supposed to happen this way. Bitch! I whirled around to face the Slayer and told her, "Well, it's not really the kind of message you can tell. It sort of involves finding the bodies of all your friends." Like Giles' stupid girlfriend and Xander.
My anger got the better of me and my grip on Willow instinctively tightened. I heard her yell out in pain and I automatically wished I could have taken that back. I brought myself under control and began thinking of ways I could get out of there with Willow. Unfortunately, there weren't many options.
"This can't be you," Buffy argued, still in denial. What would it take to get through to that idiot?
"Gee, we already covered that subject," I replied.
"Angel, there must be some part of you inside that still remembers who you are."
"Dream on, schoolgirl." I decided there was no way Willow and I were both getting out of there. My plans for the night were ruined, and I was not happy. "Your boyfriend is dead. And you're all gonna join him," I told them, thinking to myself how they would all pay, first, and pay dearly.
"Leave Willow alone, and deal with me," Buffy announced. Like I wanted to deal with her! The nerve of that slut, thinking all I cared about was *her.* Well, the less she knew about my real intentions, the better.
"But she's so cute and helpless. Really a turn-on," I pinched Willow's cheek. I felt her heartbeat accelerate in barely contained fear, and I wanted to carry her out of there right then and claim her for myself.
Suddenly I felt a burning sensation behind me, and I was forced to drop Willow to get away from it. Xander. That damn fool and his cross. I swore. My plan was falling to pieces, but I wasn't about to let the Slayer get the better of me. I grabbed her as I passed by and told her, "Things are about to get *very* interesting." Giving her a quick kiss, which I had to admit was more effective than a blow across the face, I raced out of the building and back to the factory.
I hadn't gotten Willow that night, but I'll be saved before I let her escape me again. She *would* be mine.
And with that thought in my mind, I waltzed through the doors of the
factory, more determined than ever to end the miserable little lives of
the Slayer and her groupies.
I couldn't help feeling a little anxious as I swiftly climbed up the balcony to Willow's room. I really should have thought of this sooner, but in my haste to have Willow, I guess I overlooked the obvious.
I still had an invitation into her house.
And I intended on making the most of that. After all, who could possibly interrupt us in the privacy of Willow's bedroom?
As I leapt over the railing and landed quietly on the ground, I could see the light issuing from Willow's room, letting me know she was still awake. I crept closer to the windowed doors and peered inside. My favorite hacker was typing furiously away at her computer.
I smiled to myself thinking how some things never change.
Deciding to play the part of the gentleman for a change, I knocked softly on my love's balcony doors, the action vaguely reminiscent of the time *he* came here.
I watched as Willow looked up from her computer, utterly perplexed as to who would be knocking at this time of night. I could practically read her thoughts as they flew through her mind and were reflected off her beautiful face.
Finally deciding it was probably Buffy, she stood up and came to the doors, the only barrier between us. And she would be the one to open them.
"Buffy?" she called out as she swung one of the doors open, "what's wrong?"
Her question of concern was immediately cut off by the vision of my face standing on the other side of the door. "Hello, Willow," I spoke softly, yet with an underlying tone of intent.
"Eep!" she called out suddenly, causing me to smile in satisfaction. I loved the smell of fear.
As if the door was the only thing keeping me out, Willow rushed to slam it shut. She was too late.
I stuck my foot through the entrance, and shoved it in, hard enough to counter Willow's force, but not hard enough to injure her.
The door swung open allowing me enough room for passage, and I slipped in, closing it quickly behind me. "Nice of you to invite me in," I smiled at her delicate, shaking form.
"W-what are you doing here?" Willow asked, trying admirably hard to repress her fear.
"Oh, Willow. I don't think it's that hard to figure out. Come on, my brilliant hacker, put two and two together, " I challenged her, stepping closer, never taking my eyes off hers.
Willow's brows furrowed in thought for a moment, before she realized who, exactly, she was dealing with. Her countenance changed suddenly to one of indignance as she looked back up at me. "You...you...you have to leave!" she finally managed to say, a look of disbelief crossing her face as she realized the lameness of the plea she had just made.
"Really?" I decided to go with it, "and why is that?" I moved in even closer, leaving barely an inch of space between her body and mine.
"Because..." Willow fumbled for something to say, "because you're bad and evil and...you have better things to do! Yeah! Like kill and maim…other people! People far, far away from here!"
Put at a slight ease by her rambling, I was caught completely off guard as Willow suddenly bolted from right in front of me and headed for the balcony doors.
She was already outside, attempting to climb down the side before I reached her. Clever girl.
"And just where did you think you were going?" I asked her angrily as I grabbed her by the arm and yanked her back harshly. I felt her body collide into mine with the force I had used, and a rush of sensations hit me like a bolt. Ignoring them for now, I dragged her back into her room and deposited her roughly on the floor.
"Not a smart move, my dear," I chided her.
Willow picked herself up off the floor quickly, and, without saying a word, dove for the telephone on a table next to her bed.
She picked up the receiver and punched a button on speed dial before I had even had a chance to stop her. This was getting to be a bad habit.
"Hello?" I recognized the voice on the other end.
"Buf--" her plea was cut off as I violently yanked the phone cord from its jack.
"--fy," the words died in her throat as I leapt onto the bed and pinned her underneath me, trapping her there.
"I'll repeat," I pronounced each word harshly and clearly, accenting every syllable, "that was *not* a smart move." It took all of my control to keep the demon visage from showing itself, but I knew that the face of her once beloved friend staring back at her would be a lot more frightening than the face of the demon.
I was right.
I could feel her breath coming in ragged gasps and her heartbeat accelerate wildly. I had never been more turned on.
Intoxicated by the scent of her blood, I slowly brought my lips over her pulse point, exerting the slightest pressure with my tongue.
I felt her shudder.
Gaining control of my raging emotions, I dragged myself off of her. As much as I would have loved to continue, there was a more pressing issue at the moment. After all, the last thing I wanted was the damn Slayer to come barging in here.
"Willow?" I called to her softly, breaking the glazed look that had come over her eyes.
Coming back to herself, Willow scrambled off the bed, but I was ready for her this time. I grabbed her around the waist and held her to me, making sure she wouldn't be able to go anywhere.
"You really should learn to stop that," I whispered in her ear, "but I'll have to teach you later. Come on."
Dragging her into another room, I deposited her on the floor in front of the telephone. "Call Buffy," I told her.
A look of disbelief crossed her face, as she picked up the phone. Pausing a moment, probably to make sure she had heard me right, her fingers began punching in numbers.
Before she could enter the last digit, I stopped her. Leaning in, I whispered, "tell her you're fine. Tell her you dropped the phone. Tell her anything you want to keep her away from your house *except* that I'm here. If you do, I promise you, you'll pay."
"What are you going to do?" she asked snidely, "kill me?"
"No," the word stunned her into silence. That obviously wasn't what she was expecting. "I never had any intention of killing you. But I'll kill your friends, your parents, your parents' friends, even the unknown stranger who may happen to smile at you as you walk down the street. Can you live with that, Willow? Can you live with their deaths?"
Willow shook her head slowly as a look of defeat glimmered in her eyes. "Okay," she whispered softly, "I won't tell."
"That's my girl," I told her, stroking her face gently, "now finish your call."
Willow punched in the last digit and held her breath, probably hoping against hope that Buffy was still there. She better be.
"Hello?" the voice answered the phone, more urgent this time.
"Buffy?" Willow finally spoke up, "it's me."
"Willow! Thank God! Are you okay? I thought something had happened to you! I was just on my way out the door. Hang, on okay? I'll be right over," I heard the Slayer say.
"No!" Willow yelled out, expressing a little fear in her voice, "I mean, um, just that, I'm fine. You don't have to come over."
Good girl.
"Are you sure?" Buffy asked again, "what happened?"
"Um, the phone slipped," Willow said, "and...I tripped over the phone cord and it got pulled out of the plug." She grimaced.
I smiled.
"Oh," the Slayer said simply, something obviously not seeming right to her. "You sure you don't want me to come over?"
I rolled my eyes at her persistence. She just didn't know when to quit.
"No," Willow said, "I'm fine. Really. I just didn't want you to worry."
"Yeah," she replied, calmed down, "so what did you call about?"
"Um...I just wanted to…see how you were feeling. How are you feeling?" Willow asked, dropping her voice slightly.
"I'm good," the Slayer sighed, "well, as good as can be expected."
"Yeah," Willow told her, "look, um, I'm kind of tired now, and I think I might have twisted my ankle, so I guess I'll talk to you later?"
"Anytime," the Slayer responded, "see you tomorrow."
"Bye," Willow hung up the phone.
Turning back to me slowly, I held her gaze. "Good. You've just saved quite a few lives," I informed her.
"What do you want?" Willow asked, repeating her earlier question, "that is...if you're not going to kill me. Not that I want you to kill me! It's just--"
"Willow!" I cut her off by placing a single finger over her lips, "sshhh." After looking into her eyes a few moments, I brought my lips down over hers, kissing her gently.
I could feel her muscles tense as she tried to pull away, but I brought my hand up and held the back of her head, keeping her from pulling away. Forcing her lips to part, I snaked my tongue inside her mouth, exploring, feeling, caressing, loving. I felt her lips and body respond of their own accord, and I smiled to myself.
After pulling away, I stared back into her eyes, and spoke, "Does that answer your question?"
"No..." Willow trailed off, still in a bit of a stupor. "I mean, yes. But no. We can't..."
"Yes," I told her, "we can. And we will."
Pushing her back onto the carpet, and covering her body with my own, I assaulted her lips once more, this time meeting no resistance. Never had a kiss held so much sweetness and intensity all at the same time. I craved more.
Trailing kisses across her jawbone and down her throat, I hovered once again over her pulse point. I could hear her blood gushing just underneath her skin, and it called to me.
But it wasn't time yet.
I kissed her pulse point, sucking the skin into my mouth but not biting into it. I continued my trail of kisses down her throat and across her collarbone. I was addicted.
I could feel Willow's breathing accelerate again and I looked up to see her panting slightly, eyes closed.
Moving back up to her face, I kissed her eyelids gently, and told her to open her eyes. I would make her look into my eyes, look at my face, and make sure she knew who it was that was giving her this pleasure.
Her eyes opened reluctantly and I bored my gaze into hers. "How do you feel, Willow?" I asked her, my lips just centimeters above hers.
She remained silent. "Tell me. Are you excited?" Still, she kept silent. Kissing her fiercely, I felt her body jerk suddenly from a shock of pleasure. The same pleasure that was assaulting my body in waves.
"Do you want me?" I asked her again.
As if she was half in a trance, Willow nodded her head slightly--so slightly that I wondered if she had even moved her head at all. "Was that a yes?" I asked her, grabbing a fistful of her hair and tugging on it slightly. "Answer me."
"Yes," the word was breathed so softly that a mortal wouldn't even have heard it. But it was loud and clear to me. And that was all I needed.
Delving back into the sea of pleasure, I showed Willow the infinite fire I had held for her, pent up inside of me for so long. She was so beautiful and passionate and I loved every inch of her.
As we climbed new heights of ecstasy, I couldn't control myself any longer. The smell of her blood, sweet and rich, took control of my senses, and as we fell over the edge together, I sunk my fangs into her neck, drawing the sweet nectar hungrily into my mouth.
When I sensed her pulse beginning to falter, I pulled away and bit into my wrist, squeezing out some of my own blood.
Willow, lost in her own world of pleasure, obliviously took my wrist into her mouth and sucked gently, drawing my blood into her. The feel of her lips and tongue lapping at my blood sent a new wave of pleasure and desire through me.
Collapsing on top of her, I gasped for the air I didn't need. Pulling
her limp form into my arms, I slept, knowing that the following hours were
all that was separating me from my Queen. And I waited.
I'll never forget the moments after my Queen awakened. She was devilishly beautiful and practically glowed, even in the dull sunlight that was trapped out by the curtains covering the windows. Her demon visage sent shivers through my spine, and it seemed as if her greenish-amber eyes held all the world's secrets in them.
"Angelus?" she questioned as she awoke from the slumber of the dead.
Eternity was at our feet.
"Yes, my love?" I asked her softly, placing a feather-light kiss behind her ear.
"What happened?" she asked, still sounding so much like the radiant mortal she was just hours before.
"You're mine," I stated simply and matter-of-factly, "for all Eternity."
Comprehension dawned in her glowing eyes as her hands automatically went up to touch her face, gingerly at first, then more firmly, as they explored the various curves and ridges in her new countenance. She lowered her delicate fingers to her lips, and slightly traced the now elongated canines.
A look of horror passed over her face as the reality of what she was sunk in, and that look sent a million daggers into my dead heart.
"Willow!" I couldn't keep the anger out of my voice. How dare she scorn the gift I had given her? Grabbing her shoulders and turning her to face me, I spoke, "You're one of us now, like me. Deal with it, because it'll never change, not if I have anything to say about it."
"How could you?" she whispered, "why did you?"
"Because I love you," I stated it simply, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, "and you're here to become my Queen."
"You what?" Willow asked, seeming partially repulsed and flattered all at the same time.
"Do you have any idea how absolutely irresistible you are?" I asked her, softening my voice and bringing my lips over her ears, nibbling slightly. "You're beautiful, intelligent, and passionate. I've now given you the ability to be strong and powerful, deadly and utterly magnificent. You could take anything you wanted, and nothing would ever be denied to you. And you think this is some sort of curse?"
"Well, no..." Willow trailed off, as if she were in deep thought. "It's just that, well, it's not like I'd miss my old life. Everyone was always taking advantage of me..." Her eyes took on a far away look, as if she was remembering some moment in time that had caused her mortal self unspeakable agony. Agony that she would never feel again, thanks to me.
Deciding to play off of whatever she was feeling, I spoke up, interrupting her thoughts, "But now you can get even," I whispered to her, massaging her shoulders lightly, "you can take revenge on anyone and everyone who's every wronged you. And believe me, revenge is certainly a thing to be savored."
"Would you..." she began but trailed off.
"Would I what?" I prompted.
"...teach me? To be strong?" she clarified, a gleam of malevolent hope and danger in her eye.
I smiled to myself upon seeing the demon inside of her finally take full control. Evil would be her primary goal now, and I would make sure she reached that goal. Yeah, I'd teach her, all right. I would show her to how to become the strongest, fiercest, most respected demon to have ever walked this planet. She and I together would be unstoppable.
"That's what I turned you for," I assured her, "to make you the best of the best. After all, you *are* my childe."
A slow grin spread over her face, and I knew in that instant that this would be the woman I would spend all of eternity with. She would be at my side until the ends of Time.
"Angelus?" she asked coyly, turning to look at me, "did I ever thank you for my gift?" she asked, grinning, her fangs gleaming.
Pure demon.
"No," I answered, pulling her closer to me.
"Then thank you." With those simple words, she leaned in and initiated a kiss that would have taken my breath away had I had any.
Pulling her on top of me, we sank once again into the dark abyss of ecstasy.
***
"Oh Spike!" I called out as Willow and I entered the factory. The sun had just set moments ago, finally allowing us to leave Willow's house-not that we didn't enjoy ourselves immensely while we were there.
"Look who finally decided to grace us with his presence," Spike remarked as he rolled out from one of the rooms in the back, "and what do we have here?" he asked, stopping dead in his tracks as his gaze flew over Willow appraisingly. "A carry-out meal?"
"No," I told him, moving forward to squat down in front of him so we were eye to eye, "this is the newest member of our little family. Say hello to Willow."
"No way!" Spike burst into a fit of laughter, "the Slayer's little friend? Boy is she gonna be pissed when she finds out! Way to think, old man! And here I thought you were losing your touch."
"I didn't do this because of the damn Slayer," I growled, grabbing Spike by the collar and hoisting him out of his chair, "and you'll do well to remember that," I warned him menacingly, promptly dropping him back down.
"Well someone certainly woke up on the wrong side of the sun this morning," I heard Spike mutter.
Immediately regretting the sudden harshness towards my childe, I struggled to push my anger back down.
"No, my friend," I slapped him affectionately on the back, trying to make up for it, "I woke up right were I wanted to." Pulling Willow to me, I wrapped my arm possessively around her waist, and said, "Willow, say hi to Spike."
"We've already met," Willow replied smartly, "but hi anyway." She smiled that devilish smile of hers, and I knew Spike would be lost.
I was right.
"Well, pet," he smirked, "welcome to the family. I'm sure we'll all have a blast."
I'm sure we would, too.
"Spike?" a new voice called out from the shadows.
I looked up to see Dru standing in the doorway, her gaze fixed intently on Willow.
"Yes, Princess?" Spike answered, turning to her.
"The stars were just telling me a wonderful story," she spoke, coming to stand in front of Spike, "do you know what they said?"
"What, luv?" Spike asked.
I never did understand how he put up with Dru's crazy talk for so many years. But, then again, that talk had come in handy more than once.
"They told me that Daddy brought me home a sister," she whispered, her eyes still fixed on Willow, "a beautiful sister, and powerful, with hair of flame."
"Well, pet, the stars told you right. Go on and say hi," Spike nudged her, realizing that Dru was looking for permission to approach Willow.
Smiling, I removed my arm from around Willow and said, "Willow, Dru. Dru, Willow. Though I'm sure you don't need the introductions."
"Willow..." Dru trailed off, as if tasting the sound of her name. A slow smile spread across her face as she continued, "we're going to be the best of sisters, we are. We can hunt, and play, and talk...but sshhh! We mustn't talk around *them,*" she indicated Spike and myself with a nod of her head in our direction, "they're not allowed."
I couldn't help smiling to myself at the thought of Willow and Dru gossiping to each other. What a scene that would be.
"Hmm..." Willow replied thoughtfully, "sounds like fun. But speaking of hunting...I'm hungry. Would you care to take me out for a feed, sis?"
Damn. I should have guessed that Willow would be hungry by now. But I wanted her first kill to be special…and I had just the person in mind.
"Oh, I would love to!" Dru replied wistfully, "can we, Daddy?"
"Maybe later, Dru," I replied, once again taking hold of Willow, "but right now, Willow and I have plans."
"Which are?" Willow asked, raising an inquisitive eyebrow.
"You're going to get yourself a meal tonight. But it has to be someone special. After all, you never forget your first kill."
"Really?" she asked, pressing herself against me and sending the now commonplace rush of desire through me, "and do you have someone in mind?"
"But of course," I replied, offering her my hand, "shall we?"
With a small smile playing across her lips, Willow placed her delicate hand in my own, and I closed my fingers around it, pulling her with me towards the door.
"We'll be back," I called out to Spike and Dru, who both knew me well enough by now to know who I had chosen.
This would definitely be a night to remember.
I smiled in anticipation as Willow and I approached the library. The following moments would be ones neither I nor my Queen would soon forget.
Stealing a quick glance into the library through the windows in the doors, I smiled in satisfaction at seeing the entire "scooby gang" assembled there.
"They're all here," I informed Willow eagerly, "you ready?"
Willow turned to me with a mischievous grin illuminating her face, and replied, "Ready."
I smiled in return and took her hand in my own. Bringing it up to my lips, I kissed the palm and spoke, "And action."
With my right arm encircled around her waist, keeping her back pressed against me, and my left hand gripping her throat, I barged into the library, visibly startling all its occupants.
"Hello, Slayer," I called her attention, pretending to squeeze harder on Willow's throat, an action extremely reminiscent of that night in the school just days ago. "I told you things would get interesting. But you have yet to see *how* interesting."
Buffy paled instantly, and I smelled victory right around the corner. I grinned, purposely showing a little fang.
Fighting to retain her calm, the Slayer spoke, "Let her go." As if she could order me around. I wasn't her pathetic little lapdog anymore.
"Come and get her," I taunted, stealing a quick glance down at my lover. She was certainly commendable. The terrified expression on her face was no doubt having a terrible impact on the Slayer.
Oddly, it was startlingly realistic.
Without wasting an instant, the Slayer launched herself at me, and I released Willow, shoving her gently away.
Now it was her turn to shine.
Becoming quickly immersed in a fight with Buffy, I kept my eye on my redhead as she made her way to the back of the library, standing next to the brunette brat. Excellent choice. Even in my soul-plagued days, I couldn't remember liking her.
Then Willow made her move. Stepping behind Cordelia, she grabbed her by the throat, letting her true face finally show. The face I had given her.
Cordelia screamed, causing everyone, but Buffy, who was in the middle of an attack, to turn.
Emitting a low growl, Willow called out in her rich voice, "Oh, Buffy!"
Whirling around, the Slayer's eyes widened in shock and terror as she beheld the sight in front of her. "Willow…" she whispered softly.
I snickered.
Coming up behind her, I whispered, "She isn't your Willow anymore, Slayer. She's mine."
"You bastard!" she yelled out, unleashing her anger on me, bringing her stake up and positioning it over my heart.
I wasn't worried.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Willow called out, biting off the ends of her words in obvious anger and tightening her grip on her victim's throat. I noticed Xander approaching from behind, and I was about to call out to warn her, but she was already 2 steps ahead.
Turning slightly, she lashed out with her leg, planting a solid sidekick into his gut.
Utterly magnificent.
"You *would* protect the bitch, wouldn't you?" she hissed, digging her nails into the cheerleader's skin, who could only whimper pathetically.
I had to wonder what that was all about, but I wasn't much in the mood to ponder over it. After all, in this moment, I had never been more proud.
"Don't do this, Willow!" Xander yelled from the floor, still clutching his stomach, "we're friends. Don't you remember?"
"Correction. We *were* friends. But let's just say…I don't need friends like you anymore," Willow answered him angrily, giving him another swift kick into his side, which caused him to writhe in pain.
"Willow!" Buffy called out in desperation, "you don't know what you're doing! This isn't you!"
Just like the Slayer, still in denial. She would have to learn sooner or later to just accept things--though sooner would probably be best, considering she didn't have much time left.
"Oh, come on, Buffy," I continued taunting her, "what's your next line gonna be? Willow, 'there must be some part of you inside that still remembers who you are!' Give me a break. You are so predictable."
Doing her best to ignore me, the Slayer turned back to her "friend" and continued, "Willow, listen to me! You can't do this!"
"Like hell I can't!" Willow snapped, "that is so like you, Buffy, you know that? Always telling people what they can and can't do, always ordering them around. Well, you can't order me around. Not anymore. Thanks to Angelus, I finally *like* who I am. I'm strong."
"You can't mean that, Willow," Buffy sobbed, "he's a monster! And he's made you into one, too!"
"Well if I'm such a monster, why don't you kill me? Oh, that's right, you can't, can you?" Willow asked, grinning, and tightening her grip on Cordelia fiercely, "because you're *weak.*"
"Willow," the voice of a young man came through. Oz, I think his name was, though I couldn't be sure. The boyfriend of her human counterpart.
I growled in warning as he approached her, and felt a sudden sense of panic at the expression on Willow's face.
It wasn't hate.
"Oz," she stated, staring at the man.
"Willow, Buffy's right. This isn't you. But you do remember who you are, don't you? Who I am? How I feel about you?"
I could hear my growls escalate into snarls. How dare he talk to *my* lover like that? I'd break his little neck.
I was suddenly distracted when out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the librarian approaching with a crossbow aimed at my heart, his girlfriend standing on the other side with a bottle of holy water.
"I think you should leave, Angelus," he spoke, readying the crossbow, "now."
"And if we're not ready to leave?" I asked threateningly.
Willow suddenly snarled loudly and threw Cordelia across the room, making sure she impacted roughly with Giles, causing them both to fall to the ground in a heap. I used the confusion to my advantage and grabbed the bottle of holy water away from the teacher, flinging it to the ground, then throwing her into Buffy, who was just about to attack.
The following moments seemed to play out in slow motion as Willow ran up and grabbed Buffy from behind, locking the Slayer in her grasp.
"Have I told you that I haven't had my first kill yet?" Willow whispered to her, "and I'm really hungry."
"Willow," Buffy pleaded, obviously not wanting to hurt the form that was once her friend and confidant, "don't do this."
Definitely weak.
"I think you've said that before, Buffy, and to be quite honest, it's getting a bit tiresome," Willow informed her bluntly. Jerking the Slayer's head harshly to the side, Willow lowered her fangs over her pulse point.
I waited in anticipation. Finally, the death of the Slayer, and at the hands of her best friend, too. And to top it all off, my childe's first kill would be a Slayer. Things couldn't get much better.
"Willow, no!" her ex-boyfriend called out again, racing forward to try and stop her. I grabbed him before he got too close and held him back, telling Willow, "Go ahead. Drink. There's nothing like the blood of a Slayer. And it's all yours."
Willow smiled at me and lowered her head once again to drink, this time sinking her fangs into the Slayer's neck. I could see the blood droplets trickling from her mouth, smell the intoxicating scent of a Slayer's blood, feel the excitement and power rushing through my childe, and, best of all, know that the Slayer was, at that moment, suffering the worst kind of pain.
I waited eagerly for that final, telltale moment when the Slayer's body would jerk convulsively, indicating the last of her blood flowing into my childe, the last beat of her heart, and the departure of her soul from her body.
It didn't come.
Willow suddenly pulled away, dropping the still very much living form of the Slayer to the ground.
"I've had enough," she stated simply, looking around at the still forms of all her old friends scattered about the library, "I'm full. And I want to go."
Her words hit me like a jolt. I had never even anticipated the fact that she wouldn't kill the Slayer. Stunned into silence, I could only watch as Willow came up to me and said again, "We're finished here. Let's go home."
Rage erupted inside of me, and I could feel my demon visage slip back into place. But it was suddenly replaced by shock.
As my Queen left my side and headed towards the doors, I shook my head slightly and blinked in an effort to remove the vision of what I had just seen: when Willow walked passed me, the look in her eye was one I had never expected to see again.
It was a look that was almost...mortal.
I followed Willow out of the library, leaving behind an equally stunned and equally frightened group of mortals. Buffy most certainly wouldn't have missed what had just transpired, and no doubt she would use that against us. Once again, I could feel the anger rising inside of me.
Keeping a few paces behind my childe as she lead us back to the factory, I watched as she practically bounded down the street, obviously pleased with her performance. She hadn't even realized yet what she'd just cost us.
I moved forward slightly to catch a glimpse at the look on her face. She wore a rather complacent grin on her face, and her eyes practically shone with arrogance. For a moment, I felt the anger slipping slightly at the sight of her beautiful face.
Shaking off those feelings, I called back the anger with a new fervency, determined not to let anyone, especially my childe, get away with such an act of disobedience. She would be punished.
As we approached the factory, I checked Willow's expression again, only to find that it hadn't changed. She was still singing her praises over something she obviously felt was a brilliant move. But that wouldn't last for long.
"What the hell did you think you were doing?" I finally whirled on her as we entered through the doors. Willow turned around then to look me straight in the eye. The smug look on her face was gone, but replaced with one of weariness, as if she were talking to a small child that couldn't understand something she had repeated to him a million times. Fury flared once again.
"Angelus," she sighed in exasperation, "I told you--I wasn't hungry anymore."
If it had been any other vampire, *any* other vampire, he would have been dust by now. How dare she talk in such a disrespectful tone to me? Grabbing her by the throat, I snarled viciously in her face, letting her know I was *not* satisfied with that answer.
"That's besides the point," I growled, unleashing all of my wrath, "you were supposed to kill the Slayer. That was the plan. You backed out, and I should kill you for that."
Stepping back slightly and raising her arms in an invitational gesture, she stated simply, with a small smile playing over her lips, "Then kill me."
She knew damn well that I wouldn't kill her. Couldn't kill her. And I hated her having that power over me. She'd just have to be taught a lesson.
Growling low in my throat, I advanced slowly upon my childe, never breaking eye contact. I could see the sudden flash of fear and doubt run through her eyes, and I knew that it was now or never.
Reaching out, I grabbed Willow by the hair and pulled viciously, dragging her to me. I heard her yelp in pain as I shoved her head to the side and buried my fangs in her throat, drawing just enough blood to make her weak and unable to fight back. She struggled uselessly in my arms before I withdrew my fangs and turned her suddenly to face the back wall. Grabbing both of her arms, I slammed her with all my strength into the wall, and I heard her skull crack slightly against the brick.
The noise had undoubtedly peaked the curiosity of the other vampires that resided there, including Spike and Drusilla. I turned my head slightly to look at Spike directly in the eyes, letting him know that I acknowledged that fact that they were here watching, and that I allowed it. This would, after all, serve as a lesson for future reference, in case any of the other vampires ever had a sudden urge to defy me.
Turning my attention back to the redhead, I reached out and struck her across the back of her head, causing her face to crash once again into the brick. I could see the blood trickling from her nose, and I knew that it had been broken. Grabbing her right arm, I swung it around so that she now faced me, and, keeping eye contact, I broke the arm.
She cried out in pain, and the pain called to me. Half of me wanted to the stop there, end the lesson there, but I knew that this was only minimal punishment for disobedience. If I had shown leniency now, she, and others, would no doubt disobey again in the future.
Taking a firm grip on her hair once again, I dragged her to the back of the factory, where a fairly large cross hung for obvious purposes. With a gloved hand, I reached out and grasped the cross, pressing it deliberately against the side of Willow's face. She screamed in agony, trying to turn her head and escape from the acrid burning, but I kept the cross placed firmly against her skin, watching the slight billows of smoke from her charred skin drift upwards.
Finally removing the offending weapon from the left side of her face, I used it to strike her across the right. After replacing the cross in its heavily wrapped spot, I brought my hand up to lightly, tenderly, trace the edges of the impression left in her skin. Curling my hand into a fist, I struck her across the face, making sure my fist impacted into the center of the cross mark.
The blow knocked her to the ground, onto her stomach. Using my foot to turn her onto her back, I stomped heavily onto her midsection, making sure that at least a few ribs had been broken.
I watched her face shrivel in pain, and I knew that she wouldn't be able to take much more. She was, after all, still a fledgling, and hadn't quite built up her pain tolerance. That came with age. Deciding to end it here, I reached up and unhooked a whip that had been fastened onto the wall.
Straddling her hips, I gave one, quick lashing across her throat before speaking. "Who is your sire?" I questioned her roughly, loudly enough that the others could hear, if not see. She was silent for a moment too long, perhaps more from pain than from a direct act of disobedience, but that, also, could not be tolerated. Striking her again across her abdomen, chest, legs, then face, I repeated the question. This time, she hurried to respond, not caring about the cracking in her voice. "You are," she whispered.
"Say my name," I told her, "and louder. Who is your sire?" I cracked the whip down again.
"Angelus," she called out again, as loud as she could. Crack.
"And who is your master?" I continued, biting off the end of each word harshly.
"Angelus," she replied. Crack.
"And who do you obey?"
"Angelus." Crack.
"And who have you disobeyed?"
"Angelus." Crack.
"Therefore who punishes you?"
"Angelus." Crack.
After a slight pause, I continued, "Who do you belong to?"
"Angelus," she breathed, the energy draining out of her along with the blood.
"And will you ever disobey me again?"
"No," she whispered the last word faintly, but put as much emphasis on it as she could, "never again."
"Good," I finished curtly. Standing up, I replaced the whip in its holder and turned around, making eye contact with each and every vampire in the room. "I trust my point has been clearly made," I told them, "now leave," the last word came out as a deadly threat.
The minions scurried away hastily, until in moments, only myself, Spike, and Dru were left. Dru gave me a look as if to say "how could you do that to my sister?" before leaving quietly, knowing better than to question me. Spike just grinned slightly, knowing me better than most, and wheeled away without a word.
I sighed wearily, the anger haven seeped completely away, as I turned back around to look down at my Queen. I watched her as she lied there on the ground, curled up into a fetal position. Squatting down, I stroked her beautiful hair and flinched inwardly just as she flinched outwardly, away from my hand.
Exhaling in a show of exasperation, much as she had done just minutes earlier, I scooped her gently into my arms, cradling her deceivingly slight form against mine. I chose to stay quiet.
Carrying her to our room, I deposited her gently onto the bed and began removing her torn and blood-soaked clothes. Leading her to the sink, I used a wet cloth to wipe the blood from her body, making sure not to press too hard on the various bruises that covered her form.
We kept eye contact the entire time, and I made sure to wipe all traces of anger, hatred, distrust, disappointment, and most importantly, superiority from my expression. After a few minutes, I could see the trust begin to return to her eyes as she realized that I didn't hate her, and had taken no enjoyment in punishing her.
"Angelus?" she whispered, casting her eyes downwards as she spoke, "I'm sorry."
Leading her back to the bed, wrapped in a robe, I sat her down next to me and lifted her chin so she was looking me straight in the eye. "Apology accepted," I told her straightforwardly, "but do not ever disobey me again. Understood?"
She nodded her head slightly, and I smiled, pulling her back with me onto the bed. Wrapping her in my arms, I breathed in her scent and smiled contentedly. This is the way things should be. "I love you, Red," I whispered into her ear, kissing her softly over my bite marks. "I love you, too, Angelus," she whispered back, squeezing lightly on my hand. After a moment, she shifted positions so she was facing me, and spoke again, "Angelus...about tonight? I didn't mean to disobey you. It's just that--"
"Sshhh," I cut her off. "I don't want to discuss tonight ever again. It's behind us. Just get some sleep."
"I had a plan," she whispered, lowering her eyes again.
"What?" I asked her, once again forcing her to look into my eyes.
"Well, I was gonna surprise you with...something."
Her words hit me like a jolt. In my anger, I hadn't even considered that she might have had a reason for disobeying me. Although that didn't excuse her disrespectful tone.
"Is that why you didn't kill the Slayer?" I asked her gently, "you had other plans for her?"
She nodded her head, and I smiled at her, kissing her lips lightly. "I see." I wasn't quite sure what else to say.
"Did you want me to tell you what they were?" she asked, uncertainly and a bit disappointedly, now that her surprise had been spoiled.
"No," I told her simply, smirking at the surprise on her face. "The Slayer isn't dead," I continued, "so neither is your plan. Besides, I love surprises."
"You wouldn't mind?" Willow asked, a hint of playfulness returning to her voice.
"Not at all," I told her honestly, "after all, if you came up with it--it has to be good."
Willow smiled and buried her face in my shoulder, as the two of us drifted
into sleep, entwined in each other's arms.
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