Coming Together

Author: Angel's Kuuipo

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~Part: 6~

It had been a little over a month since life had changed so drastically.  Lacey loved working with the ‘Angel’ cast.  It was never dull.  She grimaced then laughed as she recalled what had happened earlier that day.

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

“Hell, damn, shit, piss and all those other words” Lacey muttered as she answered her vibrating cell phone, “What?” she growled as she tried to wipe the green goo off her.

“Is that any way to greet your favorite vampire?  What did David do this time?” Angel teased.

“Practical joke playing bastard slimed me…at least I think it was him.  Now I understand why Amy told me to bring extra clothes with me when I first started.  Whoever did this is so going to pay.”

“Honey I did warn you that night at dinner.”

“Yeah, yeah I know.  The other jokes have been relatively harmless.  I haven’t had any problems retaliating.  Now I’m going to have to bring out the big guns.  I need Kassie and Nico to help me plan a fitting retribution.  Angel, I’m wearing the shirt you bought me.  It’s unsavable.”

Angel winced.  He had replaced the shirt he had ruined when she’d been hurt and you’d have thought he’d bought her diamonds.  She loved that shirt.  Oh yeah, whoever slimed her was in big trouble.  “Don’t worry.  We’ll all figure something out.  Hey why don’t we all go out tonight?  Willow is dragging Trick, Will and I to find some books for the library, but we can meet you, Kassie and Nico at Rampage, say around 10?”

“Alright sounds good.  Angel?”

“What darlin’?”

“Wear leather.”  Lacey was smiling as she hung up the phone.

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

She wasn’t sure if she’d be able to continue working for the cast once ‘AI’ was up, but she decided to wait and see.  It amazed Lacey that she had spent her whole life surrounded by demons and the undead and never knew it.  Now that she knew what to look for that world was blinking bright neon.  She was also surprised that none of the cast knew about it either, though she thought Andy might suspect.  The family had had a few encounters with vampires over the last few weeks, but no demons.  Nico had been very impressed with Lacey’s skills in combat and had asked her to teach him.  Between her, Angel and Will the others were learning different types of self-defense.  Willow trained but relied more on her magick than hand-to-hand fighting.  Kassie had moved into Lacey’s building, taking the loft across from her.  Nico had a loft on the third floor.  Angel was ready to kick his two new roommates out after two weeks so Lacey had offered Will and Willow lofts as well.  Willow now lived across from Nico and Will had taken a space on the fourth floor.  They had turned the first floor of the renovated warehouse in to office space and a huge library of texts on the supernatural.  The second floor was turned into a combination training facility and storage.  Angel and Will were actually licensed private investigators.  Willow had hacked in to the registrar and forged the necessary documents for the rest of the crew.  Anyone checking on their credentials would find everything above board.  Angel Investigations was set to open in about two weeks.  Joss and company had no problem with them using the name ‘Angel Investigations.’

Lacey thought about Angel and Will as she drove home.  They had been wooing her for the past month.  That was the only word to describe it.  She had never been wooed before, but she liked it.  She had been right about Will he was a troublemaker.  He loved getting her riled up just to hear her drawl come out.  After he had made her mad one night and she lit into him he had made it a mission to do it as often as possible, but then he would do the sweetest things to make it up to her.  He still wrote poetry, was surprisingly good at it, and would leave her bits to find around her home.  Lacey thought of Will as an annoying older brother, but once in a while she would catch him watching her in a certain way and would feel anything but sisterly.

Then there was Angel.  Just the thought of him brought a dreamy smile to her face.  He made her feel as though she were the most beautiful most important woman in the world.  It was nothing overt, just the way he would focus on her when they were out, ignoring all other women who had tried to gain his attention and there were plenty.  He loved her mind and they would talk for hours about anything and everything.  He talked about his past, though she really didn’t talk about hers.  He wasn’t broody like he was portrayed on the show.  He freely admitted that he had been years ago, but when the Powers had anchored his soul it had blended with his demon creating a peace within him.  Angelus was still a part of him and would come out once in a while, but he was fairly tempered and under control.  Angel had explained to her why he went by the name ‘Angel’.  His full name as a human was Liam Angelus McAilaster.  He had been called Angelus when he was the head of the ‘Scourge of Europe’, but after he regained his soul he couldn’t bring himself to go back to being Liam.  So he called himself Angel.  Over the years he had had many names.  In his latest incarnation he had finally gone back to his human name, but his close friends who knew he was a vampire still called him Angel.  He had come to terms with the things he had done as Angelus and that allowed him to enjoy his unlife a bit more.  He was downright playful sometimes and had a biting wit that Lacey thoroughly enjoyed matching.  She was slowly but surely falling in love with him and to a lesser extent with Will.

Lacey arrived home around 8 and made a snack.  She had a devilish grin on her face as she thought about what she was going to wear and headed to the bathroom to get started.

&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*

“Holy Mary Mother of God.”  Angel’s jaw dropped and Will let out a low whistle as they watched Lacey saunter up to them in front of the club.  They were used to seeing her in jeans and button downs or halters.  None of the family had ever seen her dressed as provocatively as she was that evening.  She was wearing a deep claret colored satin bustier that showed an impressive amount of her upper chest and stopped just above her belly button paired with a low riding black leather skirt with slits on each side that hit just below mid thigh.  Completing the outfit was a pair of knee high black leather boots and a 3/4 length black leather car coat.  Her mid-length dark reddish brown bob had been parted on the side and flipped up at the ends, looking as Kassie fondly called it like the ass end of a duck.  Her make-up was dark, her light green eyes smoky and rimmed with kohl making them shine and her lips were a glistening dark red.  The jewelry she wore was a black beaded choker, a silver hoop with a garnet and onyx charm in her belly button and matching drop earrings.

“Sweet Jesus.”  Lacey gasped as she took in the appearance of her two vampires.  Angel was in all black.  He wore tight black leather pants that rode low on his hips and a sheer black pullover that molded to his chest and abs.  She could see his hipbones exposed slightly by the low slung pants and see through shirt and bit back a groan.  His black leather boots and a 3/4 black leather duster completed the look.  Will was also in leather, wearing a pair of tight golden brown pants that also rode low on his hips paired with a tight midnight blue velvet shirt that matched is eyes, a leather blazer in the same shade as his pants and brown leather boots.

Kassie, Nico, Trick and Willow were all similarly taken with the others appearances.  Kassie was wearing a slinky red dress with strappy red heels and her hair fell in a mass of ringlets down her back.  Trick simply dressed in tailored black trousers and a royal blue silk shirt.  Nico was wearing loose low riding jeans and a tight burgundy pull over that hugged his body.  And Willow was dressed in a pair of deep green silk capri pants with a matching wrap shirt embroidered with an intricate design in gold and black heels.

As the seven people admired each other they paired off with their respective dates and entered the club not noticing the admiring looks they were receiving from other patrons.  They found a large booth in a corner and dumped their coats.  A waiter came and took their drink orders as they made themselves comfortable.  The club was crowded and the music was loud.  The group sat in silence for a few minutes, just taking in their surroundings.  After their drinks arrived Lacey announced, “I’m going to dance.  Who’s with me?”  Will and Angel both accepted.  Angel stood up and offered her his hand, “May I?”  She smiled and put her hand in his letting him lead her to the floor.  Will had a hand on her waist.  Kassie watched the trio walk away and grinned.  She leaned around Trick so Willow and Nico could hear her, “Twenty bucks says the three of them do the nasty tonight, probably here in the club.”  Her statement was met with a chorus of “Your on” except from Nico.  He looked thoughtfully at the stairs leading to the dark upper level near the bar and said, “No.  I don’t think so.”

Lacey looked at Angel’s back watching the muscles shift as he maneuvered them onto the floor.  She could see his tattoos through his shirt and shivered.  He had a beautiful back.  She felt Will’s hand tighten on her waist and glanced at him from beneath her lashes.  He too was watching Angel with appreciation.  Angel had explained his relationship with his grandchilde and Lacey found it fascinating.  There had been a physical relationship between them in the past, but now they were just friends.  She had a fleeting thought of seeing the two of them together and with her.  <Where did that come from?  Right Lace, like you could handle the two of them.  Angel would be more than enough and you don’t even have him.>  Straightening her shoulders, Lacey let her thoughts go as the three of them started moving to the music letting the stress of the day melt as the beat took hold.

Angel turned to her as the music changed.  The bass was heavy and the drums set up an erotic beat.  Lacey gave herself up to music, closed her eyes and began to move.  Angel watched as her hips began to sway and her hands slid up her sides as she raised her arms above her head.  He found her rhythm and moved into her lightly resting his hand on her hip.  Will moved in behind her and rested a hand on her other hip.  She was effectively caged between the two cool bodies.  She began to rock back and forth between them.  Lacey brought one hand around Angel’s neck and let the other drift back around Will.  They moved in closer to her both leaning in to nuzzle her neck.  The three of them swayed to the beat of the songs lost in their own private world for who knows how long.  The song changed to a reggae tune and Lacey pulled away turning her back to Angel as she began to move in time to the song.  She wrapped her arms around Will and he leaned in slightly to brush his lips across hers.  Angel moved behind her and wrapped an arm around her splaying his hand across her stomach pulling her lower body into the cradle of his hips.  Her head fell back against his chest as she felt his growing erection pressed against her.  He leaned down and whispered in her ear, “You look amazing tonight Lacey.  Good enough to eat.”  She moaned as he licked at her ear lobe and slowly made his way down her neck to her shoulder nipping and licking at her flesh.  She rolled her hips against him causing him to groan and tighten his hold around her waist when he sucked at the pulse point where her neck met her shoulder. Angel’s eyes caught Will’s.  Will leaned in to Lacey, “I’m going to go get a drink.”  He kissed her softly and turned away, making his way towards the bar.  Angel turned her suddenly and brought his lips crashing down on hers.  His tongue surged into her mouth and they began a heated battle for control of the kiss.  He moved his left hand down her side until he reached her knee.  Hooking his hand behind it he lifted her right leg slowly until she hooked it behind him.  He held her there gently rocking in time to the music, his hips slowly thrusting against her.  She broke away from the kiss gasping in huge gulps of air.

“I want you.  Here.  Now.”  Lacey said looking into his eyes.  They flashed amber at her words.

“Are you sure?” he asked and she nodded.  He searched her eyes and saw no uncertainty, just desire.  He let her leg drop, took her hand and headed towards the stairs by the bar.  They were roped off supposedly barring admittance, but Angel ignored that and lifted Lacey over the barrier and headed up.

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

Across the club the two couples noticed that Angel and Lacey had headed upstairs where they’d seen Will disappear earlier.  Kassie crowed, “I told you!  I win.”

Nico shook his head, “No things are about to go very wrong.  The three of you are going to have to take Lacey home in about a half an hour.  Damn the Powers anyway.  She doesn’t deserve this.”  Kassie, Trick and Willow looked at Nico worriedly, but he wouldn’t say anything more.

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

It was slightly quieter on the upper level and the lighting was subdued.  There were sofas, chairs and low tables scattered around, but Angel ignored them.  He pulled Lacey around to face him and pushed her against the wall.  He was vaguely aware that Will was also up there, but could only concentrate on the beautiful woman in front of him.  “Last chance to change your mind.”

Instead of answering Lacey pulled his head towards her and licked and nipped delicately at his lips.  <I can’t believe I’m doing this here, but it feels right> she thought to herself.  He groaned and opened his mouth.  She slid her tongue over his teeth then explored the cool interior.  Her hands moved down his chest lightly flicking his nipples then scraping them with her nails through his shirt.  Angel hissed at the slight pain and moved one leg between hers widening her stance.  He swept a hand under her skirt and brushed his fingers against her lace-covered mound.  She whimpered at the contact and pulled away from his mouth leaning her head against the wall.  Deprived of her mouth, Angel trailed kisses along her jaw and down her throat, brushing his lips across the scar below her collarbone and heading lower to kiss the upper swells of her breasts, which were exposed by the bustier she wore.  Lacey’s hands moved down and pulled his shirt out of his leather pants and he pulled back long enough to take it off.  Angel’s hands went around Lacey’s throat and removed the choker she was wearing.  Her hands were all over his body, tracing the contours of his chest and abs, moving around to knead the muscles in his back and lower to caress his leather-encased ass.  Angel inhaled deeply and the scent of her arousal was more intoxicating than the finest scotch.  Again he moved his hand under her skirt, this time grasping her knickers and with a quick tug ripped them off of her.  Lacey gasped as she felt his cool fingers delving into her heated core.

“Angel, please” she begged as he set up an erotic rhythm that had her rocking against his hand.

“I will baby.  Just give yourself up to it.  Let go and I’ll catch you.” He said as he began kissing her breasts again.  He tugged at the bustier with his free hand and exposed her nipples.  Taking one his mouth he suckled like child as his fingers twisted her clit.  Lacey put her hand over her mouth and screamed as her release rocked her body.  Angel pulled her hand away and kissed her deeply while he unbuckled his belt and gingerly worked the zipper of his pants down over his erection.  Then he quickly pushed them down along with his black silk boxers and grasped Lacey around her waist and lifted her up.  She wrapped her legs around his waist, locking her ankles behind him and braced her hands on his shoulders.  He guided her onto his cock and slowly lowered her down.  He heard her sharp intake of breath as he eased himself inside.  <Damn, she’s tight.  I know she’s not a virgin, but…>  <Omigod, he’s huge!  I know this can work.  I want this.  Come on Lace, just relax.>  Lacey looked into Angel’s eyes and saw desire and tenderness in his chocolate brown depths.  As she tightened her legs around him, sending him a little deeper, she saw them start to flicker with gold.  She licked her lips and smiled at him then leaned in and whispered, “I want you inside me Angel, now.”  Then she bit his ear lobe sharply.  Some of Angel’s self control slipped at the small attack and he moved her down hard sheathing himself to the hilt in one thrust hissing as her warmth enveloped him.  She cried out and tightened her legs around him keeping him still as she adjusted to having such a large cock buried deep inside her.  Angel leaned in and kissed her tenderly.  Pulling back slightly he murmured, “Are you ready love?”  In response, Lacey rolled her hips a little feeling him move deep inside.  They both groaned and Angel started a lazy rhythm, which quickly increased in intensity as Lacey, using her grip on his shoulders as leverage, began to counter his thrusts.  As he thrust up she thrust down to meet him.  Angel wrapped one hand in her hair and the other held her ass to anchor her to him as he kissed her.

Lacey felt her release approaching for the second time that night and pulled away from Angel’s mouth.  He growled slightly and she smiled, “Change for me.  I want to see all of you.”  Seeing no fear only desire in her clear green gaze Angel let his demon come to the fore.  Lacey took in the ridges on his forehead and cheeks, the gold of his eyes and his mouth distorted by the fangs.  <And I thought Boreanaz was a beautiful vampire.  He’s got nothing on the real thing.>  She brought her hand up and caressed his face.  He leaned into her touch and purred.  “You’re beautiful Angelus,” she said as she leaned into kiss him.  She deliberately scraped her tongue on one of his fangs and let him taste her.  Angel’s control snapped at the taste of her sweet blood.  He roared as he began plunging into her faster and faster.  Lacey felt herself tighten around him and turned to bare her neck for his bite.  As she did her gaze locked with Will who unbeknownst to her had been watching them the whole time and had started to move towards them.  Lacey froze as horrid memories of another time flashed through her mind then she began pushing frantically at Angel, “Stop.  Sean Stop!  NO!  Don’t hit me.  Let me go!  Gods please let me go.”  She babbled almost incoherently.  “No, no, no, no…don’t let Jack have me.  Oh my Gods, I have to get out of here.  Please let me go!”  From somewhere Angel found the self control to stop.  His features smoothed out as he tried to understand what she was saying.  He let Lacey down and she stumbled as she wrenched herself out of his embrace and ran for the stairs.

Ignoring Angel and Will’s pleas for her to stop Lacey managed to get her clothes to rights before she became visible on the stairs.  She ran into a hard body at the bottom of the stairs and felt strong arms go around her.  She jerked her head up and found herself looking into the concerned, but understanding whiskey colored eyes of Nico.  “Shh…it’s alright Lace.  Here’s your coat, Kassie and the others are waiting with the car.  Go on.”  Lacey just nodded and bolted for the door.

Nico met Angel and Will on the stairs, “Let’s go back up and have a chat.”  Angel made to move past him wanting nothing more than to find Lacey and find out what had gone wrong, but Nico caught his arm.  “Now.”  His tone made Angel’s demon bristle, but seeing the look in the other man’s eyes he just nodded.  The three of them sat down and Nico just looked at them until they started squirming under the intensity of his gaze.  “I believe I told what I would do to you when we first met if you hurt Lacey.  The only reason neither of you are dust yet is that I know things will be made right again.”  He turned his too knowing gaze on Will, “You shouldn’t have been watching them Will.  It was too soon.  And you,” he said turning his eyes to Angel, “should have known better than to put her in that position.”

~Part: 7~

Will and Angel looked at each other then back at Nico.  Nico snorted, “You don’t get it do you?  Has Lacey talked at all about her past?  Her marriage?”

“She was married?”

“That would be a no.  This should come from her, but seeing that she didn’t remember any of it until now I’ll tell you.  Make yourselves comfortable this will take a while.”  Nico took a deep breath and began, ”Kassie and I met Lacey when we were fifteen.  Her father was in the military and moved her family around quite a bit.  She was this incredibly shy, overweight bookworm with the most incredible green eyes and smile I had ever seen. The three of us made a connection and she became a part of our family.  Others called us the Trinity and we were inseparable.  She never dated, but seemed happy enough.”  Nico smiled as he combed through the memories.  Angel noticed him turning a ring on his right hand.  He looked closer and saw that it was just like the engraved Claddagh band Lacey and Kassie wore.  He turned his attention back to Nico.  “After we graduated from college I moved to New Orleans and Kassie moved to San Diego.  Lacey’s parents died in a car accident when she was twenty and she was left alone in Phoenix.  We all still kept in touch, but for the most part Lacey was by herself.  She had never learned to make friends easily, but she had a few other than Kassie and me.  For her twenty-fifth birthday Kass and I wanted to throw her a party.  We came in and organized it, invited her friends and co-workers.  It was a blast.  She kind of got to see how special people thought she was.  She met Sean that night.  He had come as a co-workers guest.  They seemed to hit it off.  Lacey was thrilled.  She couldn’t believe that someone as handsome and successful as Sean Thompson was interested in her, but he was apparently sincere in his pursuit.  He literally swept her off her feet.  They were married within three months.  He was her first and only lover.  The first six months were good then she started noticing things about Sean that she didn’t really like.  He was always making comments to her about her weight, which had always been a sore point with her.  He started to batter her self worth with snide comments.  He didn’t like all the phone calls between the three of us.  He resented her friendship with me.  He drank rather heavily.  He resented her making any decisions without consulting him first.  She didn’t tell us any of this at the time though.  She started having the knowledge ‘downloads’ right around her twenty-sixth birthday.  She didn’t know what was going on at first and she was scared.  To her they were seizures that had suddenly started and no one had an explanation for.  Sean blew it off and told her to get over it.  She had one when they were at a party and he accused her of just trying to get attention for herself.  Then he started getting weird on her when it came to sex.  He tried to get her to do it in public places or when other people were around.”  Angel and Will both winced as he said this.  They were beginning to get an idea of how big they had messed up.  “About a year and a half ago they were at another party.  He got her drunk and had sex with her in his best friend Jack’s bedroom while he and a few others watched.  Thankfully Sean didn’t let anyone else take her then.  I’ll give the bastard that much.  She didn’t remember it, but a few days after she found a videotape they had made.  She filed for divorce the next day, packed a bag and drove out to San Diego to see Kassie.  She cried for two days straight, wouldn’t eat, would hardly sleep and didn’t speak at all for a week.  She just sat looking out the window.  After the second day Kassie called me to come out.  We almost had to put her in the hospital, but on the eighth day she came back from wherever she had been and started talking.  She told us what had happened then she told us about the seizures.  Between the three of us we figured out that she was gaining knowledge, but we thought it was in the form of remembering past lives.  One of her new found skills was investing and she set up a new identity for herself so Sean couldn’t take anything away from her in the divorce and started making plans for her new life.  She quit her job wanting to sever all ties with anyone who knew her or Sean.  She stayed with Kassie another week before going back to Phoenix to get the rest of her stuff.  I went with her to help her pack.”

Nico’s eyes darkened as he fought for control of his temper.  What he had told Angel and Will so far had been difficult but now came the really hard part.  He still felt violent if he thought about what the bastard had done to her.  He prayed that Lacey would forgive him for telling them all of this, but he really didn’t have any choice.  This was the way the Powers wanted it.  His eyes got a faraway look in them as he continued.   “We waited until we knew Sean would be at work before we went to the house.  She had no desire to see him and didn’t want a confrontation.  We were about half way done and I left to get us some food.  Sean and Jack came in while I was gone.  He started yelling at her wanting to know why she was making a big deal out of a silly tape.  He couldn’t believe she would leave him because of it blah, blah, blah.  She told him to talk to her lawyer and tried to leave.  He beat her,” Nico’s fist clenched at the memory, “and raped her while Jack watched and cheered.  Jack was about to have a go at her when I got back.  I don’t really remember what I did.  I just know that there was blood on my hands when I got Lacey to the emergency room that wasn’t hers or mine.  We filed a report, had photos taken the whole deal.  For some reason Sean and Jack never filed charges against me.  They’re both serving time for the assault on Lacey.  Because of what happened the divorce and rape trial were expedited.”  Nico focused his gaze back on Angel and Will who were growling while he was talking.

“One of my best friends died that night.  Sean Thompson broke her and Sharon Porter ceased to be.  The day after the trial was over Sharon disappeared and in her place was Lacey Mikayla Raines.  She had absolutely no memory of the previous year and a half.  She didn’t remember Sean, the marriage, the assault, trial, anything.  It was like it had never happened.  She remembered everything else about her life, except her name was Lacey in those memories.  She stayed with me for a couple of weeks in New Orleans then decided to do some traveling.  Kassie and I got postcards from all over.  Lacey finally wound up in San Diego to stay with Kassie for a bit.  She was making a killing in options trading and had decided to try her hand in real estate.  That’s when she made the move to L.A and bought her building and a few others.  Our Lacey is an intelligent, funny, strong wonderfully confident woman.  She has a steel core within her that never existed when she was Sharon.  She’s comfortable with herself.  But she’s still fragile.  The only lasting effect of her marriage Kassie and I had noticed was her unease around men in social situations.  Angel you are the first man to touch her intimately since it happened.  She felt she was ready for that and I’m glad it was with you, but to have Will watching and I’m pretty sure he meant to have a go at her as well, without her permission…that was just stupid.  It opened the floodgates for the memories to resurface.”

Angel had tears in his eyes and was rapidly losing control of his demon.  He leaned forward and put his head in his hands.  “Jaysus Nico.  I knew she didna like ta talk about herself, but…” he looked up at him not realizing he had slipped into the brogue of his youth, “I asked her if she wanted ta change her mind.  She didna protest.  If I had known…but tha’s no excuse.  I canna believe I let our first time be in the deserted lounge of a nightclub.  She deserves so much better.  I’ve lost her before I ever really had her haven’t I?”

Will spoke up before Nico could answer.  “Sire she didn’t know I was there.  I am so sorry.  I knew I shouldn’t have been watching, but the two of you are so beautiful together…” He trailed off wondering if he’d ever be able to make things right.  Then a thought struck him and he looked at Nico, “How did you know what was going on up here, mate?  Were you watching?”

“No Will.  I had a vision.  And Angel you haven’t lost her.  This needed to happen.  Apparently the Powers felt Lacey had to face that part of her past.  Kassie, Willow and Trick are going to help her.  Just give her a few days.  Let her make the first move.”  Nico got up, “I need a ride home.”

“Sure no problem.  Will she forgive me…us?”  Angel was damning himself all over again.  He had wanted his first time with Lacey to be romantic, long and slow and sweet.  Not some hurried coupling because hormones had raged out of control and certainly without Will being present.  But when she had said she wanted him then and there all of his plans had flown out the window.  All that had mattered had been getting inside her as soon as possible.

“Yes Angel.  She will forgive you.  Both of you.”

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

Lacey ran out the front door of the club as if the hounds of hell were after her.  She looked about wildly not really seeing anything and screamed when she felt another pair of strong arms go around her.  “NO!  Let me go!  Please, please let me go.  I’ll be good.  I’m sorry I tried to leave.  Just let me go,” she sobbed.

Trick held her tighter and said, “Lacey it’s Trick.  You’re all right princess.  Everything’s gonna to be okay.  Let’s get you home.”  He kept repeating the same things over and over again until finally Lacey looked up her eyes clearing momentarily, “Trick?”

“Yeah princess.  You’re okay.  Everything’s gonna be fine.”

“I wanna go home.”  Trick led Lacey to her car and bundled her into the back seat where Kassie was waiting.  Lacey took one look at her best friend and began crying losing herself in the past.  Kassie gathered her into her arms and rocked her slowly, gently stroking her hair and muttering nonsensical phrases trying to calm her down.  Willow was quiet in the front seat as Trick drove them to Lacey’s building.

Kassie was cursing herself six ways from Sunday for thinking that Lacey was ready to have sex with not one, but two men.  <What the hell was I thinking?  Other than Nico only I know just how messed up she is.  It just seemed so right for the three of them to be together.  I have to fix this.>

Lacey flinched when Trick lifted her out of the car, but allowed him to carry her into her loft.  He gently placed her on the bed and quickly left her bedroom.  She bolted off the bed and ran for the bathroom muttering, “have to get clean.  Have to wash away the memories,” before slamming the door.

Willow had gone to her apartment when they arrived and had just entered Lacey’s in time to hear her words.  She headed to the kitchen to brew the tea she had brought with her.  She looked at Kassie who was sitting on one of the sofas crying.  Trick was trying to comfort her, but it wasn’t working.

“Want to tell us what’s going on?”  Willow asked quietly as she sat down next to Kassie.

“Short version?  Lacey had a flashback.”  Kassie said dully.

“A flashback of what?”  Trick asked afraid he already knew.

“Her ex-husband raped her while his best friend watched.”  Both Willow and Trick gasped.  Seeing their reaction to her little bombshell, Kassie began relaying the same story Nico was telling Angel and Will at the club.  “…And so I’m guessing that Lacey saw Will and that’s why she freaked.  I can’t believe I was stupid enough to think she was ready.”  Kassie finally finished her tale still twisting the engraved Claddagh band she wore that matched Lacey and Nico’s.

Willow and Trick sat there stunned trying to reconcile what they had learned with what they knew about their friend.  Trick had actually shifted to his demon form at one point and was still growling occasionally.  He had only known her for a little over a month, but he loved Lacey like a sister and he was furious that someone could or would hurt her that way.  He would have never suspected she hid that much pain inside her.  She glowed with her love of life and an inner peace that he had thought was unshakable.  Trick was seriously contemplating damaging Angel and Will for what they had done tonight, but he knew that they were learning the same things right now.  That was punishment enough.  He was fairly certain that Angel would sink into a full on brood the likes of which hadn’t been seen in close to thirty years.  He wasn’t sure what Will would do and he didn’t really care.  <Voyeuristic, horny, unthinking bastard>

Willow was wiping tears off her face.  She now understood why Nico had damned the Powers earlier.  Lacey didn’t deserve having those memories brought back to life in that way.  Unfortunately, it was clear to Willow why it had been done.  She had been working with Kassie since they had met on cultivating her spirit healing powers.  Lacey was to be her first ‘patient’ for lack of a better word.

“Kassie, do you understand why tonight happened?”  Willow asked.

Kassie looked at Willow for a long moment then paled as realization dawned.  “That’s just cruel.  Why did the Powers have to make her relive it that way?  Why couldn’t I just try without her remembering?”

Trick looked back and forth between the two women, “What are you talking about?  What are you…ah, I see now.  The Powers want you to heal her spirit.  Bella, in order for you to do that, Lacey needs to acknowledge that the pain is still there.  She may no longer recognize herself as Sharon Porter, but deep inside she is and she’s broken.  What happened tonight opened that locked door.  You can help her now.  Is there anything I can do to help?”

Willow smiled slightly, “Lacey is going to have the mother of all headaches from all the crying she’s done.  You could take care of that after we’re done.”  She looked up as the door opened.  Nico walked in and closed it softly behind him.

“How is she?” he asked before he heard the water running in the bathroom.

Kassie stood up and hugged him tightly.  “I was just getting ready to check on her. I am really not liking the PTB right now.  There had to be a better way for me to test out whatever healing abilities I’ve gained.  I’m going to get her some clothes and get her settled so we can start.”

She went to Lacey’s closet and pulled out her favorite Cubs Jersey, a pair lounge pants and clean underwear wanting her to be comfortable.  Lacey hadn’t locked the bathroom door so Kassie just knocked softly and went in.  Her heart almost broke when she saw Lacey huddled on the floor of the shower stall rocking back and forth though she was no longer crying.  She was bleeding in several places where she had rubbed her skin raw.  “Oh honey.”  Kassie turned off the water, which was running cold and knelt next to her with a towel not caring in the least that she was ruining her dress.  “Lacey?  I’m going to get you dried off now okay?  We’ll get you dressed and settled into bed and then I’ll fix this.”  Lacey didn’t protest as Kassie began drying her off, she was lost in her memories.  Kassie managed to get her out of the shower stall and wrapped the towel around her.  She sat Lacey down on the toilet and told her to stay put.  <It’s like handling a child> Kassie closed the door behind her as she went back to where Trick was talking with Nico and Willow.

“Trick can you work any of your healing mojo from here or do you need to be able to touch?”

“Why Bella, what did she do?”

“She’s scrubbed herself raw in some places and made herself bleed.  I think she would be okay if you were to touch her, you did earlier tonight, but if you can do it without that might be better.”

“Show me where and I’ll see what I can do.”  Kassie did and watched in fascination as Trick’s eyes began to glow before he closed them chanting softly under his breath.  After a few moments he opened his eyes and slumped back against the couch.  “I hope that worked.”  He gave Kassie a wan smile and sent her back to the bathroom.  Lacey was sitting exactly where Kassie had left her.  Kassie sighed in relief as she saw that the abrasions were indeed gone.  <Note to self: kiss Trick senseless when this is over.>  Kassie got Lacey dressed then thought <Nico I need you to get her into bed.>  Nico was there immediately, picking Lacey up and carefully laying her down in her bed.

Willow had lit several candles in the bedroom and that was the only light in the room.  Brushing her hand over Lacey’s eyes to close them as she sat down beside her she looked up at Nico and said softly, “wait for us in the living room.”  Nico quietly withdrew.  Kassie leaned down and brushed a kiss across Lacey’s forehead and whispered, “I’ll make this better Lace.  I promise,” before sitting across from Willow.

“You ready?”  Willow asked.  Taking a deep breath Kassie nodded.  The joined their hands and placed them on Lacey’s forehead and over her heart.  Closing her eyes, Kassie began concentrating on Lacey’s spirit.  A colorful image of Lacey formed in her mind, her aura.  There were rich clear shades of green, blue, yellow and red all pulsing with life.  Kassie ignored the bright colors, searching out the insidious blacks and dark bloody reds that had woven themselves into Lacey.  The dark colors throbbed dully, a horrific counterpoint to the brightness that made up the heart and soul of her friend.  In her minds eye Kassie saw herself reaching out and grasping the horrible strands, pulling them free.  She shuddered as the darkness writhed in her grasp alternately trying to wrap around Lacey again and then trying to work their way into her.  Then Kassie pictured a box in front of her and she stuffed the pain filled strands into the box, sealing it tight.  Lighting the box on fire in her mind, she watched as Lacey’s pain and the last vestiges of her link to Sharon Porter went up in flames.  “I love you Lacey,” she said in her mind.  With a gasp Kassie opened her eyes and looked at Lacey.  Her eyes were still closed, but the lines of pain that had etched her face had eased.  Looking at Willow she smiled tiredly, “It worked.”

“Yes it did.  Setting the box on fire was a nice touch.  You did well Kass.  In time you won’t need me to help you.  How do you feel?”

“Tired…and dirty.  What I pulled out of her was just awful.  I mean I was there for her when it happened, but actually feeling what she felt…I can’t describe it.”  Kassie broke off as Lacey stirred.

“Kassie?  Willow?”

“Hey there.  How do you feel?” Kassie asked.

“Better.  I remember what happened now, but the pain and fear are gone.  I’m not Sharon anymore.  You did good Kass.  Everyone knows now.”  It was a statement not a question.  Lacey grimaced at Kassie’s nod, “I really made a fool out of myself didn’t I?  Thank you, Willow.”  She said when Willow handed her a cup of tea.  She sipped at it, sighing as the warmth spread through her.

Willow answered her, “You’re welcome and no, you did not make a fool out of yourself.  You were in a bad place.  No one blames you.  I’m just glad you’re all right.  There are two guys in the living room who I’m sure would like to see you.”  Seeing Lacey tense Willow hastily added, “No not them.  I mean Nico and Trick.”

Lacey relaxed and nodded.  She wasn’t quite ready to face Angel and Will.  Just then the door opened and Nico and Trick walked in.  They stood at the foot of the bed waiting for her to make the first move.  “Thank you for helping me.  Now come here so I can give you a hug.”  Willow stood up and Trick moved to the side of the bed, “You’re sure?” he asked not wanting to spook her again.  Lacey tugged on his hand and he leaned down so she could wrap her arms around him.  He held her tightly for a moment then let her go and moved around to stand by Kassie.

Lacey looked at the clock on the bedside table.  It was 12:30am.  There was no way she was going into work in a few hours.  “Kassie I know it’s late, but would you please call Andy and let him know I won’t be in the morning.  He’ll let everyone else know.  Tell him I have food poisoning or something and not to worry.”  At her nod Lacey looked around at her friends.  “You all look as tired as I feel.  Go get some sleep.  I’ll be fine.  Nico?  Stay for a few?”  He nodded as others bid her goodnight and left.

Lacey smiled as she heard Kassie ask Trick, “Stay with me?” as they made their way from her room.

Lacey patted the bed next to her and crawled into his lap after he had made himself comfortable.  He gathered her close and stroked her hair.  They sat in silence for a bit before Lacey spoke, “I thought I was ready.  It seemed so right to be there with Angel.  He was being careful with me even though it was a little rough.  I liked it.  I felt wanted and beautiful and safe.  I asked him to change for me and he did.  I wasn’t scared at all.  He’s beautiful Nico.  I turned my head so he could bite me and that’s when I saw Will.  I don’t know how long he had been there, but I saw him and then I was back in hell and I couldn’t get out.  You told them didn’t you.”

“Yeah baby I did.  I’m sorry, but I thought they needed to know.  The Powers set this up for Kassie.”

Lacey wrinkled her nose, “The PTB do seem to enjoy messing with my head, in more ways than one.  Maybe they’ll ease off a bit now.  It’s okay Nico I’m glad this happened.”  At his snort Lacey giggled.  “I mean that everyone knows now.  I didn’t like reliving that horrid time, but Kassie took away the pain.  It’s kind of funny.  Earlier tonight I had a fleeting thought of how exciting it would be to see Angel and Will together and with me.  That could have happened if I hadn’t wigged.  But I know now that I’m not ready for that.  Even if I didn’t have all this baggage with me I’m not ready for a threesome.  I’ll have my hands full with just Angel…if he still wants me.”  That last thought gave her pause.  “Do they hate me Nico?  Do they think I’m a whore?”

“No baby.  They could never hate you and they don’t think you’re a whore.  Angel’s brooding thinking you’re never going to speak to him again and Will’s feeling guilty and in the process of getting drunk off his ass.  He mentioned staking himself.”  Nico pulled Lacey back into his arms as she tried to get up, “Don’t worry Lace, Angel’s keeping an eye on him.  I asked them not to call you or come by unless you contacted them.”

“Thanks.  Let’s go to sleep.”  Yawning Lacey crawled out his lap and snuggled under the covers.

Nico smiled at her, “You want me to stay?”

She nodded, “I want you to hold me like you did the first time.”  Nico stripped down to his boxers, climbed in beside her and wrapped her in his arms.

“Love you Nico.  Sleep sweet.”

“Love you too Lacey.”

~Part: 8~

“’Lo?”  Lacey sleepily answered the phone the next day.

“Hey sweet.  I just wanted to see how my favorite assistant was feeling.  We miss you here.”  Andy said cheerily.

Yawning Lacey sat up and glanced at the clock.  It was after 11am.  She noticed that Nico was gone, but there was a note on the pillow next to the cats.  “I’m fine Andy just tired now.  I’ll be back tomorrow.  Hey, do you have any idea who slimed me yesterday?”  Silence.  “Andy?”

“I’m sorry Lacey.  It was me…before I hear that sexy drawl of yours let me tell you that you weren’t the target.  I was trying for Alexis, you weren’t suppose to come through the door just then.  Please forgive me?”

“You ruined the shirt Liam bought for me.  But, because I love you I won’t hurt you…too much.”

“Fair enough.  I’ll take you shopping to make up for it.”  He said hopefully.

“We’ll see.  Thanks for checking on me.  I’m going to go back to sleep now.  Tell everyone I said hi.  Buh-bye.”

“Bye sweet.”

Lacey hung up the phone and unfolded the note from Nico.

Lace,

Had some things to do and didn’t want to wake you.  Make sure you eat something and call me or one of the others to let us know you’re okay.

Trinity,

Nico

<Yes dad.>  Lacey sat quietly taking stock of herself.  She felt good.  Letting her mind wander she headed to the bathroom to get ready for the day.  She thought about what had happened last night.  Her overall feeling was one of regret that things had been interrupted by her little meltdown.  <Bet no one has ever freaked out quite that way on Angel before, then again if he were draining someone…but that was Angelus> she thought dryly as she put on her make-up.  She knew she needed to talk to both Angel and Will, she just didn’t know if she should do it together or one on one.  Dressed in jeans and an OCC t-shirt Lacey grabbed some yogurt and a bottle of water out the fridge and headed out.  She dialed Nico’s cell phone as she walked down to Will’s apartment.  Getting his voicemail she left a quick message that she was fine and could be reached on her cell.

Taking a deep breath Lacey knocked on Will’s door.  A very broody looking Angel opened it.  <Guess I’ll be talking to them both> she thought as she smiled tentatively at him.  He just stood there looking at her.  <She looks beautiful.  I didn’t expect to see her today.  Why is she here at Will’s?>  Lacey began to feel a little uncomfortable under his intense longing gaze.  “Um can I come in Angel?  I’d like to talk to you and Will.”

Angel snapped out of his thoughts, “Yes sorry, please come in Lacey.”  He stepped back and she entered the darkened apartment.  “Lace…I am-“

“Don’t.  Don’t say anything just yet okay?  Where’s Will?”  Lacey asked as she went to the window wall and opened the drapes flooding the loft with sunlight.

“Bleedin’ Christ Luv.  Are ya tryin’ to kill me?  Not that I don’t deserve it.  Oi it’s times like these I wish I still smoked.”  Will groaned from the couch where he had been laying.  He pulled a pillow over his head to block out the sunlight.  He had gotten himself piss-assed drunk last night and had passed out on the couch.  He vaguely remembered offering to stake himself.

“Good morning Spike.  No I’m not trying to kill you.  I think your obvious hangover is sufficient and may I say just how odd it is to know that vampires can get hangovers?”  Lacey walked over to him and pulled the pillow away from his face.  He winced and slowly sat up.  Looking at Lacey warily he tried to stand.  <Gods I didn’t know a vampire could look so awful.  There’s just one thing missing> Lacey pulled back her fist and socked him in the jaw.  Will sprawled back on the couch <I deserved that.  Damn she packs a wallop.  I think that would have knocked me on me arse even if I weren’t hung over.  What a woman.>  Shaking her hand she said, “I feel a bit better now.  That was for watching us last night.  Go take a shower then we’ll talk.”  Without a word Will got up rubbing his jaw and left the room.

“Want to wail on me next?  I won’t put up a struggle.”  Angel asked only half joking.  He was more than willing to let Lacey beat him unconscious if it made her feel better.

“Did you know he was watching us last night?”  Lacey asked as she turned to him, for the moment ignoring his offer of being a punching bag.

“Not exactly.”  Seeing her eyebrow raised in question he explained, “I could sense that he was on the upper level, but I wasn’t aware of him watching us.  You were the only one I was focusing on last night Lacey.”

She searched his soulful brown eyes and saw the truth in them.  She also saw sadness, guilt and hope.  <He really thinks I won’t forgive him.  He didn’t really do anything wrong.>  Lacey stepped up to Angel and wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest.  He stood there stunned for a few moments before he crushed her to him.  “Gods Lace I am so sorry.  I don’t…I can’t…”

“Shh Angel.  It’s okay.  I only want to go through this once so let’s wait for Will, ‘k?”  He nodded.  “Have you eaten?”  She asked.  He shook his head and let her go.  She went to the kitchen to find a spoon for her yogurt and heated up two bags of blood.  She placed the two mugs on the coffee table along with a bottle of aspirin.  Lacey had just sat down when Will came out of his bedroom looking slightly better.  He gratefully grabbed the mug of blood and the aspirin.

“We’re only going to talk about this once and then it won’t be mentioned again.  I know that Nico told you what happened to me.  I would have preferred no one ever finding out.  Hell, I would have preferred never remembering it all, but the Powers had other ideas.  My little lapse of sanity would have happened eventually regardless.  The Powers wanted Kassie to try out her new abilities and I was chosen to be her first fix.  It worked.  I can say with certainty that I will not wig the next time I get…um intimate with someone.”  Lacey looked at Angel as she said this and if he had needed to breathe he would have stopped at the promise he saw in her eyes.  <She still wants me.  It would be poor form to jump up and down right now wouldn’t it?  Yes it would> he thought as a slow very Angelus-like smile spread over his face.

Lacey turned to Will who was sitting there dejectedly holding his head.  “Will, I love you like a brother and think you’re sexy as hell, but I’m pretty sure I can only handle one man…er vampire at a time and that’s going to be Angel.  Nico said we have eternity so that may change at some point, but for now…friends?”

“Friends, luv.  I knew I didn’t have a chance when I met you, but I had hope.  I really am sorry about last night.  The two of you looked so right together…it was as close as I was going to get.  Who knows, maybe I’ll find someone for myself.  Though I don’t know of many women who’d be as accepting of my blood habit as you.”  Will smiled at Lacey as she giggled.  Everything was going to be fine.

“Good.  Now that that is out of the way, you guys want to go do something?  I took the day off and want to have some fun.”  She looked at her vampires expectantly.

“What’d you have in mind Lace?”  Angel asked.  He really wanted to spend some time alone with her, but he understood that she wanted to get things back on an even keel between the three of them.

“Hmm…wanna go to Magic Mountain?  I’ve never been before.”  Her eyes sparkled with mischief as both Angel and Will groaned.  “I promise none of the roller coasters.  I don’t like them.  Maybe one of you will win me a stuffed animal.”

“The things we do for you.”  Angel said, resigned to spending the day dodging screaming children and oblivious parents.

“You know you love me.”  Lacey said as she dragged them out of the apartment.

<Yes we do> was their silent response.

&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*

Lacey was tired and getting bored.  It was 1 a.m. and the scene was taking forever to finish.  It was the last shot of the night and nothing seemed to be going right.  Just when the crew thought they had it someone or something managed to bollocks it up.

She nudged Andy and whispered, “I’m going to get some coffee.  You want?”

Andy bounced out of his chair and pulled her up, “I’ll go with you sweet.  I can’t believe this is taking so long.  I still have to get out of make-up, but I can’t until the director’s certain we won’t have to re-shoot the scene before this.”  Andy looked around as the two of them made their way towards the cart about a block away that had stayed open just for the shoot, “Still I love my job.”

She knew she’d be going back to the studio with Andy.  It had become a ritual of sorts that Lacey kept him entertained during the arduous make-up process.  The removal was much quicker than the application, but she knew he liked having her around.  “Looks like we won’t be going home for a while then.”  Andy nodded as they reached their destination.  “You think we should bring some back for David and James?”  Lacey asked.

“Oh yeah.  They wouldn’t forgive us if we indulged in the caffeine and denied them the same pleasure.”

Lacey placed the order and could only smile as the barrista just stared at Andy, “Don’t worry he’s not real.  Not to be rude or anything but we are kind of in a bit of a rush,” she said not unkindly.  The barrista flushed and quickly made up the various coffee concoctions.  Lacey put a nice sized tip in the jar and thanked the girl.  As she and Andy made their way back to the shooting location Lacey felt her hackles rise.  Something was following them.  Concentrating a bit more she figured it out, vampire.  <Honestly, I really didn’t think any of them would be foolish enough to hang around this set.>  Glancing casually behind her Lacey saw a man and a woman following them.

Nudging Andy Lacey handed him the two cups she was carrying and said in a low voice, “Why don’t you take these on ahead?  I’ll catch up in a minute.”  She surreptitiously slipped the stakes she carried in her jacket up her sleeves.

Andy looked at her curiously, “What’s wrong sweet?”

Before she could answer they both heard a voice behind them, “Aren’t you from that vampire show?”

Lacey sighed as she and Andy turned around.  <Figures we’d stop next to an alley.>  The man and woman were closing in and Lacey almost snorted at the looks of hunger on their faces.  <Fledglings and not very bright ones at that if they’re going to try to eat a celebrity.  How can I do this with Andy here?  I know he won’t leave me on my own.  And eww!  Like anyone would think that leer was sexy.  Oh yeah I’m swooning.>  Lacey decided to try diplomacy first, “I’m sorry but we really can’t chat right now.  His cue is almost up.  Don’t want him to be late or anything.”  Lacey gave Andy a small push back towards the set.  Andy didn’t budge.  He could tell that something about the two in front of them was bothering Lacey and he wasn’t about to leave her by herself.

The woman glanced quickly at Lacey then dismissed her as a minor nuisance.  She stared hungrily at Andy, thinking how important she could be if she took out an actor.  It never occurred to her or her cohort that the entire production was protected by a master vampire, namely Angelus, and therefore off limits.  Lacey tried one more time, “The two of you really shouldn’t be here.  You just may piss of the wrong ‘people’.”

The man leered again at Lacey.  He had caught the emphasis on the word ‘people’ but didn’t get what she was talking about.  He was hungry and the girl looked like a tasty morsel.  Licking his lips he smiled as his face started to shift, “Oh I don’t think anyone will be pissed at us doll.  Neither of you will be around to tell anyone we were here.”  The woman’s face also shifted and they started forward.

Lacey glanced at Andy, “When I say move you move got it?”  He just nodded while he stared in disbelief at the two vampires facing them.  Lacey turned her attention back to the two fledglings, “Just on general principle I’m going to stake you both.  Don’t you realize you can’t touch anyone attached to this show?  By Angelus’ decree the entire production is protected and therefore off limits.  As is anything affiliated with Mutant Enemy.  Who is your master?”  At their blank looks Lacey sighed, “Oh the hell with it.  You two are too stupid to give me decent answers.”  Slipping her stakes into the palms of her hands Lacey smoothly threw them at the vampires.  Both hit their marks true and she watched in satisfaction as they turned to dust.

Lacey turned reluctantly to Andy.  Even with his red contacts in she could see the questions in his eyes.  Taking a deep breath she said, “Yes Andy those were actual vampires.  They really do exist.  As do demons and different dimensions.  The show is based on actual beings and events.  I’m not at liberty to say much more and I really hope you can keep this to yourself.  If it had been possible I would have had you never find out.”

Andy shook his head and laughed quietly.  Handing two of the coffee cups back to Lacey he said, “I always knew there was more to Liam than met the eye.  So he is the real Angel huh?  No wonder you call him that.”  Noticing that Lacey wasn’t walking with him he made his way back to her and looped his arm with hers gently prodding her to move forward, “I’d kiss you if it didn’t mean having to touch up my face.  Don’t worry sweet, I won’t say anything to anyone.  But someday I want the full story.  I’d also like you to show me how to throw like that.”

Lacey was dazed.  <I really shouldn’t be surprised.  I’ve had a feeling he knew more about the night world than he let on.>  Lacey smirked at his last statement, “I can show you how to throw Andy.  But learning to do it yourself takes a lot of practice.”

“It’s not like we don’t have time in between set ups now is it?”

Lacey laughed quietly as they returned to their chairs, “You’re right.  We’ll start tomorrow.”

<Well we should entertain everyone at any rate.> Lacey thought to herself, smiling as David and James dove towards them to get their coffee.

It was another hour before production wrapped for the night, then another two hours before Lacey finally made it home.  Collapsing into bed Lacey’s last thoughts before sleep claimed her were, <Only a few more months.  The series wraps and I’ll be able to breathe again.  Focus on the agency and on Angel.>  The thought of Angel put a smile on Lacey’s face as she drifted off to dream.

~Part: 9~

“Does she suspect anything?”

“Nope.  She knows we’re going to see Kane, but that’s it.  I’m glad Christian got to meet her a few weeks ago.  She wrapped him around her little finger just like the rest of us.  He was more than happy to do this.”

“Great.  Kassie’s really coming along isn’t she?  She’s really liking the sword.  Lacey is a good teacher.  We’re going to have to start getting ready soon.”

Angel, Will and Trick were watching Lacey train and spar with Kassie.  Nico and Willow were in the library researching for a case.

Life was as normal as it could be for the staff of Angel Investigations.  Lacey was still working for the cast so she didn’t really spend that much time in the office, but was always available on her cell to answer questions.  She’d had three more ‘downloads’ over the past few months and felt like her brain was about to capacity fill.  The last one had almost led to her totaling her beloved Camaro.  Lacey hadn’t told anyone, but the ‘downloads’ were starting to hurt.  She thanked Willow every day for the spell she had given her that allowed her to have the equivalent of eight hours sleep in two hours.  It had been a lifesaver.  Angel was taking his time with Lacey.  He wanted to make sure she was ready before he tried to seduce her again.  Lacey was getting impatient.  Nico and Willow were happily involved, Trick had moved in with Kassie and Will had recently started dating a former client.  He had helped Nico and Willow exorcise a ghost from her home and they had hit it off.  Sasha knew he was a vampire, though not that he was part of the Scourge of Europe, and didn’t care.  Lacey was very happy for Will and liked the little blond rare book dealer, glad that she got along with everyone.  Business was steady and clients were paying.  Life was good.

Kassie had had a rather nasty encounter with a Fron’ah demon just after Angel Investigations had opened for business two months ago and had announced upon waking from the trance-like state it had put her in that she wanted and needed to learn how to use weapons.  Trick had protested, he didn’t want her out on patrol at all, but when faced with the combined tempers of Kassie, Lacey and Willow he conceded that her knowing how to defend herself would be of the good.  Lacey had been training her in self defense and some hand to hand combat for general purposes since Kassie had moved into the building.  After the attack Lacey had agreed to train her in weapons.  Kassie had shown a definite flair with swords so that was their main focus, but Lacey was slowly making sure that she was at least proficient with other instruments of mayhem and destruction as Willow fondly called them.

The girls stopped their maneuvers to get some water and Lacey noticed the three men watching them.  “Guys, come make yourselves useful.  I want to try a group attack.  Don’t give me those looks.  It’s always a possibility that we could face more than one opponent at a time and we need the practice.  I want you three to attack us.  Use whatever style you want.  Kassie just let your mind go and do whatever feels natural.  Instinct should take over.  If you have to think about what you’re doing you could die.”  Kassie nodded and tried to relax.

In a blur of movement the mock battle commenced.  The clanging of steel on steel reverberated in the large room.  Lacey took out Angel then let herself be taken down as well and quietly moved next to him to watch Kassie fight Trick and Will.  They were circling her, alternating their attacks not forming any sort of pattern that she could follow.  She met each one head on.  Kassie dove to pick up Lacey’s fallen sword surprising her two would be attackers and disarming them.

Both Angel and Lacey started clapping.  Angel whispered something into Lacey’s ear and she nodded.  Angel said to Kassie, “You did great.  That last move was very good.  Took them both off guard and that’s what you’re after.  One thing you need to work on.  You’re leaving your left side open for attack.  Remember never drop your guard.”

“Yes dad.”  Kassie giggled and tried to get away as Angel lunged for her and started tickling her.

“Brat.  Come on you two should start getting ready for tonight.  We have to leave in an hour and a half.”

Lacey kissed Angel before she headed upstairs, “Want to help?  You can wash my back,” she murmured in his ear before lightly licking the lobe.

Biting back a groan he said, “Yeah I do, but if I come up with you we won’t make it to the concert and I know you don’t want to miss it.”  Slapping her on the bum, he pushed her towards the stairs “Go now.”  “Please” he muttered under his breath as he watched her hips sway as she walked away from him.  Angel turned towards his friends at the sound of poorly suppressed laughter.  He scowled at them, “What?”

“You’re pathetic.  If you don’t take her to bed soon she may kill you. What exactly are you waiting for you ponce?”  Will asked his grandsire.

“I just want to make sure she’s ready…”

Trick interrupted, “Angel it’s been two and half months.  She won’t freak out again.  You know that.”

“I know.  If you two must know I was waiting for tonight.”  At their confused looks he explained, “I wanted to wait until her birthday.  Lacey met that bastard of an ex on her birthday.  I wanted to create a new memory for her.”

“You really are a poof you know that?  But I think it’s sweet so I guess I’m not much better.”  Will grimaced.  “Well you can make good use of my gift to her tonight.  I’m going to get changed and go pick up Sasha. We’ll meet you at the Whiskey.”

&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*

“You look beautiful tonight.”  Angel told Lacey when she had opened her door.  She was dressed in a pair of indigo blue, tight low riding jeans paired with a short, forest green suede button down halter.  She had on her brown cowboy boots and a stylish straw cowboy hat covered her now shoulder length hair.  Lacey looked at herself then back at him, “You’re biased but thanks.  You look pretty good yourself.” <But then you always look good enough to eat.  Why won’t you make love to me?> she thought, licking her lips as she took in his faded jeans, sage green pullover and scuffed brown boots.

<Patience man.  You’ll have her tonight> Angel repeated to himself over and over again when he saw the unbridled lust shining in Lacey’s eyes and caught the faint scent of her arousal.  He was very tempted to just say ‘fuck it’, forget all his carefully laid plans and lock the two of them in her bedroom for a week.  If it were just the two of them involved he would have, but there were others who had put a lot of effort into Lacey’s birthday and he didn’t want to piss them off.  <Besides she’s going to love everything, which is why you did this in the first place.>  Satisfied that he would be able to make it through the evening he smiled offering her his arm and said, “You’re chariot awaits milady.  Shall we?”

Grabbing her brown leather jacket she took his arm and said, “Lead on kind sir.”  Lacey looked at him curiously as he led her to the street level.  She gasped when she saw the stretch limo waiting in front of the building.  “What the hell?”

“I thought we’d arrive in style.  It’s your birthday.  I want to spoil you.”  She looked at him and he just gave her an enigmatic smile.

They arrived at the Whiskey and met up with the rest of the family.  Will had them close to the stage.  Angel spent more time watching Lacey enjoy the show than he paid attention to the music.  Kane had just finished their normal encore of ‘Oklahoma State of Mind’ and she was clapping and yelling wildly.  Christian spoke into the mike, “We’re not quite done yet.  We have two more songs we’d like to do for a very special guest in our audience.  Lacey?  Where are you baby?  Get your cute little ass up here.”

Lacey froze and turned to Angel, “What did you do?” she asked as he pulled her up on stage.  He gave her a soft kiss and said “listen.”  The band started to play and Christian sang ‘L.A.’ as Angel pulled her into his arms and danced with her on the stage.  Angel repeated a verse in her ear,

She is pretty as a picture
She is like a golden ring
Circles me with love and laughter
I can’t feel a thing

The crowd just went along with it enjoying the added spectacle.  When the song ended Lacey had tears in her eyes.  She remembered when Angel had walked in on her while she was singing it one day.  She had been embarrassed, but he had told her she had a sweet voice and asked her to sing it again.  She pulled away from Angel then launched herself at Christian whispering, “thank you” in his ear.  He kissed her full on the mouth and then asked, “Ready for one more?”  Lacey nodded happily and he started singing ‘Happy Birthday’.  The crowd joined in then broke into applause as David and Andy came on stage carrying a giant chocolate cake from Harry’s with Amy, J., Alexis and James behind them.  Lacey was laughing and crying at the same time when they finished.  Christian handed her the microphone.  Wiping away happy tears Lacey looked at her co-workers and family who had also come up on stage and said, “Y’all totally kick ass.  I had no idea about any of this.  I didn’t think it was possible to keep a secret in this bunch.  This is the best birthday I can remember.  Thank you.”  Still holding the mike she turned to Angel, “And you.  I know this was all your doing.  Thank you for the surprise.  Gráim thú Liam.  I love you my Angel.”  She had been calling him ‘my Angel’ around her co-workers since she had first discovered who he was explaining that he really did remind her of the character David played.  Only Andy knew it was really his name.  Angel’s eyes widened.  It was the first time she had told him she loved him and she had said it in front of a club packed with strangers and friends alike.  She dropped the microphone when he grabbed her and lifted her up into a long kiss.  The crowd started cheering.  Christian picked up the microphone laughing and said, “Get a room you two.  Happy Birthday Lacey.  Come on let’s cut this cake.  Next round is on the house.”

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

Back towards the bar stood two men.  They watched as the lead singer of the band called a young woman up on stage.  The taller of the two men motioned to the other and they started to make their way towards the stage.  The woman had caught the tall man’s eye and he wanted a better look at her.  Both men noticed her light green eyes and her smile.  The tall man looked at his friend, “That almost looks like-“ his friend cut him off, “it can’t be.”  They ignored the crowd singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to her and just watched.  Then the men heard her speak.  The shorter of the two said, “Well I’ll be damned.  It is Sharon.  She’s changed a bit hasn’t she?”  They watched as she kissed the guy she had been dancing with.  “Calls herself Lacey now, hmm?”  The shorter man looked at the other people on the stage.  Nudging his friend he said, “Look there’s Nico.  No doubt about it.  That’s Sharon.  What should we do about this Sean?”  Eyes flashing yellow Sean looked at his friend and said, “We tell Gabriel we found her.  I think little Sharon needs to be taught a lesson.  This will take some planning though.  We’ll follow them when they leave here tonight.  How does that sound Jack?”  Jack’s eyes also flashed yellow as he thought about reaping revenge on the little bitch and her friends.  The two vampires moved back to the bar to wait for their prey.

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

Angel finally let Lacey up for air.  Looking into her eyes he said the words he’d been holding back, “Gráim thú Lacey Raines.  You’re not done yet.  Get us some cake then you can open your presents.”

“I’ve got prezzies too?  This has been more than enough.”

“Well if you don’t want them…” he teased.

“No.  If y’all have gone through the trouble of picking them out then I’ll just have to suffer through.  Hey!  Save me some of my cake.”  Lacey cried as she saw the rapidly dwindling cake being handed out.

Angel led Lacey to a private room at the club where the band, her family, friends, and co-workers had adjourned.  There was a table piled with boxes and envelopes with a chair situated next to it.

“Oh my Gods.  Where do I start?”  Sitting down she began making her way through the small mountain of gifts.  Lacey received a gift certificate to ‘Got Ink?’ a tattoo parlor from Trick.  He leaned over and whispered, “So you can cover the scars.”  Lacey just grinned at his thoughtfulness and kissed him on the cheek.  “Thank you.”  For the most part the scars she had from her first vampire fight didn’t bother her, but she liked the idea of hiding them with a new tat.  <I’ll have to have Angel design something for me.>

Next was an autographed guitar from Kane.  “First a serenade now this?  Thanks.  I know just where this is going.”

Andy had bought her an impressive selection of white men’s dress shirts, “Since you seem to have trouble keeping them clean and/or intact.”  There had been a few more incidents involving her favorite shirts and practical jokes.  “And whose fault is that?  One of these days y’alls puppy dog eyes are gonna to quit working on me and I’m really gonna let you have it.  I’ve been way too forgiving so far.”

David had bought her tickets to a Kings/Redwings game even though he bitched about her being a Redwings fan instead of a Flyers fan.  “What can I say?  I have taste.  David I had no idea you liked Dora the Explorer.”

“Jaden picked out the card.”

“Ahh.  Make sure to give him a big hug from me.”

She received tickets to the Dodgers/Cubs series from J. and James, mass teasing prompting her to defend, “You know us Cubs fans we’re eternal optimists,” an all inclusive spa day at the Gold Door from Amy and a card for theater tickets to a show of her choosing from Alexis.

Lacey looked at the last two gifts on the table.  One box was rather long and flat and the other was small and square.  Kassie told her to open the long one first, “That’s from Nico, Willow, Will and me.”  Lacey opened the box and pulled out two airline tickets, a hotel keycard and a set of keys.  “Ireland?  You’re sending me to Ireland?  Oh my…”

“You can take anyone you want with you, but I was kind of hoping I could show you my homeland.”  Angel said quietly.  Lacey looked at him with shining eyes, “There’s no one I’d rather be with.  What are the keys for?”

“One is to the cottage we’ll be staying at and the other is to the car we’ll have.”  Angel leaned in and whispered, “The keycard is from Will.  He booked us a suite for tonight at the Four Seasons.  We’ll leave from there to the airport tomorrow.”  Lacey’s eyes glazed over and she flushed a becoming shade of pink.  <Finally!  I’m finally going to get to have him.>  She jumped up, ran over to Will and gave him a big kiss much to some peoples’ surprise.  She whispered for him alone, “Thank you Will.  You have no idea how much this means to me.”  He whispered back, “Yes I do luv.  I hope you’ll be very happy together.”

Sasha narrowed her brown eyes at the display.  Lacey turned her head in time to catch the look.  <Think I’m gonna have to have a chat with her, but not tonight.>  Leaning back into Will Lacey whispered, “See to your girl Will.  I think she’s jealous.”  Will’s eyes widened slightly as Lacey walked back to her seat.  He could sense Sasha’s irritation and wondered at it.  He looked at his girlfriend she was staring stonily at Lacey.  <Guess we need to have a talk, but not now.  Maybe after Lacey and Angel leave>

Lacey sat back down and pulled the last box off the table.  “This one is from my Angel.  You really do know how to spoil a girl don’t you?”  She unwrapped a beautiful mahogany jewelry box.  The top was inlaid with a pewter Celtic knot work design.  “Oh it’s beautiful,” she breathed.

Smirking slightly Angel said, “Open it.”

She did and just sat there stunned.  Inside was a complete set of handmade jewelry.  There was a necklace, ring, bracelet, anklet, earrings and navel ring all made out of white gold.  The design was an intricate working of Celtic knots and the stylized angel wings of their tattoo.  “I…I don’t know what to say.  This is stunning.  You had all this made for me?”  She said as she slipped the ring on the middle finger of her left hand.  <Damn I’m crying again.  Thank the gods for waterproof mascara>

“Yes.  I love you Lacey, Happy Birthday.”  Angel said as he wiped the tears from her cheek.

“I love you too.”  Turning to the rest of the room Lacey said, “This has been the best birthday I have ever had.  Thank you all so much for the gifts and for sharing this night with me.  Normally I’d have plenty of smart-ass things to say, but I’m really at a loss right now to express how much all of you mean to me.  All I can say is Thank You.  Damn, I sound like a sappy greeting card commercial.”  Everyone laughed as she hoped they would.

As those gathered broke into groups to visit Lacey looked at the airline tickets.  The flight was scheduled for 2pm the following day and the return flight was a month from now.  She looked at Angel and said softly, “Angel, this is a month long trip starting tomorrow.  I haven’t packed.  What about the agency?  What about my work?  I haven’t gotten time off and I can’t even imagine asking to take this much time off.  I’ve only been working there for not even four months…” she quit talking as Angel laid a finger against her lips.

“Shh mo chroí.  It’s all taken care of.  Kassie is going to help the cast while we’re gone.  She’s really looking forward to it.  The family will be fine without us for a month.  If they need any of your knowledge they will be able to reach us, though it had better be an emergency.  Kassie and Willow packed a bag for you.  It’s in the limo along with mine.  Anything you don’t have we’ll get when we get there.  Now what do you say we bid these lovely people farewell and go to the hotel?  I have such lovely plans for just the two of us for the rest of the night…”

“Oh really.  Well it seems everything has been taken care of.  I can’t wait to see what else you have planned.”  With that Lacey started saying her good-byes, getting reassurances that it wasn’t a problem that she would be gone for the next month.

As she hugged Nico a strange feeling came over her.  She pulled back and looked at her closest friend.  “Be careful while we’re gone.  Something wonky is in the air.”

“I know I will.  I feel it too, just can’t pinpoint what it is.  You and Angel have fun and don’t worry about us.  Happy Birthday baby I love you.  Now go.”

“Love you too.”  Addressing the room at large Lacey said, “Thanks again.  I’ll see y’all in a month.”

&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*

Angel unlocked the door and ushered Lacey into the suite.  He stood by the couch and watched as she dashed through the rooms oohing and ahhing at the various accoutrements.  She came out of the bathroom and said, “Will really outdid himself with this.  Did you two plan this or something?  I think I might develop a complex if so many people stay involved with my sex life.  I don’t really relish the idea of giving up details.  Well maybe to Kassie, but that’s different.”

“I think I can say with certainty that you and I will be the only parties involved from now on.  As for giving up details, you don’t want to make anyone jealous now do you?”  Angel said as he stalked towards his love.

Lacey shivered as she saw the look in his eyes.  “Thinking highly of yourself are we?”

“Baby you ain’t seen nothing yet.  Come on, let’s go take a bath.”  He grabbed her hand and led her back into the bathroom.  Angel saw a gift basket that Will had had put in there and silently thanked his grandchilde.  It contained the scents that they both associated with Lacey.  He started to fill the large old-fashioned claw foot tub and added some of the vanilla and cinnamon bubble bath.  Lacey had started to undress and he looked up just as she slipped her halter off.  He could only watch mesmerized by her innocent strip tease.   Her boots and jeans came off along with her socks and skimpy lace knickers then she was naked.  Angel’s eyes hungrily roved her body.  She was more toned than when he had first met her.  Her arms and legs were sculpted and defined, her waist narrower than before.  He saw the thatch of strawberry blonde hair at the juncture of her thighs.  <She is a natural redhead.  Gods she’s beautiful and she’s all mine.>

Lacey blushed self-consciously under his perusal.  She knew she looked good but she didn’t like being the only one naked.  “Are you planning on joining me?  Cause if you are, you’re a bit over dressed.”  That snapped Angel out of his thoughts and he began stripping off his clothes.  Soon he was as naked as she and it was Lacey’s turn to slowly devour him with her eyes.  She had seen him without his shirt plenty when they were training, but the sight of his bared upper body never failed to make her drool.  Her gaze drifted over his sculpted chest and abs with its light sprinkling of hair, his sharply defined hipbones <I cannot wait to get my lips on those> and lower.  Lacey paused at the nest of dark curls and gulped at the sight of the rapidly growing erection she found there.  <That’s what was inside me?  Oh my.>  Her inspection continued on taking in his well-defined legs and his large feet.  Overall he was perfect.

Angel was surprised he didn’t burst into flames from the heat of her gaze, “You like?”

Nodding she said, “I love.  Shall we have that bath?”  She stepped into the tub and he moved in behind her.  They arranged themselves comfortably and just soaked for a while enjoying the feel of being in each other’s arms.  Angel was determined to wait until they were done before he made love to her.  He wanted their second first time to be in a bed and the huge king size in the adjoining bedroom was perfect.  Angel brought their entwined right hands out of the water and said quietly, “Tell me about the rings you, Kassie and Nico wear.”

He could hear rather than see her smile.  “We got these for each other the Christmas after we graduated from high school.  Kassie and Nico were the first people I met when I moved to Phoenix.  I was painfully shy, but they made the effort to get to know me and we just clicked.  The three of us were meant to be friends.  Others called us The Trinity. We were always together.  These rings represent our Trinity, unconditional love, loyalty and friendship.  We’re there for each other no matter what.”

“And your Claddagh?”

“Just my Irish heritage I guess.  It’s always spoken to me.  The amethyst is a healing stone for me.  You know I never really thought about it till just now, but even when I was married to I wore it open.  If I had paid more attention I might have not found myself in that situation, but I was so damn flattered by the attention...”  Lacey broke off bitterly.

“Shh…don’t think about that.  As horrible and tragic as it was for you I’m glad it happened.  If it hadn’t we wouldn’t be here now.”  Angel tightened his arms around her.

“Mmm…you’re right.  And I do so like where we are.”

“Do you think there will come a time when you will turn it around?  Do you think you might be able to give me your heart?”  Angel asked praying that she would say yes.

“Would I have yours in return?”  She countered.

“Gods yes.  You’ve had my heart since the night we met Lacey Mikayla Raines.  I think I fell in love with you when you did your Scarlet O’Hara on me at Harry’s.  You were the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.  You’re skin was flushed and your eyes were practically glowing with your anger.  And your voice?  I understand why Will likes to make you angry.  You were glorious.”

“I knew I was in love with you that night at Rampage before my little meltdown.  When you let your demon come out.  You trusted me.  I knew then that I loved you all of you.  You have my heart Liam Angelus McAilaster.”  Lacey untangled her hand from Angel’s and pulled off her ring.  She turned it around, the heart now facing her body and slipped it back on her finger.  She did the same with Angel’s ring then threaded her fingers with his again.  She leaned her head back and looked up at him.  He lowered his head and kissed her gently on the lips sealing their commitment to each other.  He pulled back as a thought struck him.

“What about children?”

“What about them?”

“It doesn’t bother you that we can’t have children?”

Lacey smiled sadly and looked away, “I couldn’t have them even if I wanted them.  My ex made sure of that.  He hurt me so bad that it’s not physically possible now.  Haven’t you noticed that I haven’t had a period since we met?  Just one more memory I could have done without.”  Before Lacey had remembered the horror of her marriage the lack of her monthly had been chalked up to severe endometriosis.  She’d always been spotty at best, but now she knew the real reason.  She looked back at Angel as she heard him growling.  He was in full game face. She turned to him and lightly stroked his face smoothing his ridges back into his human form, “Hey, hey, hey…it’s over and done with.  I wouldn’t be able to have children with you anyway so it’s a moot point.  I don’t want to think about him right now.”

Lacey laid her body against Angel and wrapped her arms around his neck.  “I want to think about us and that big soft bed in the other room and all the wonderfully sinful things we could and will be doing in it.”  She nipped at his lips and he responded in kind.  Before things got out of hand he gently set her from him.  At seeing her pout he smirked and said, “Our second first time will be in that bed.  Now let’s rinse off these bubbles so we can finish what we started.”  Lacey flipped the drain in the tub as Angel stepped out.  He lifted her out and stepped into the shower stall with her still in his arms.  They briskly shampooed and loofahed each other building the anticipation of what was to come.

They toweled each other off and Lacey grinned impishly, “If you want me come and get me,” and ran out of the bathroom naked.  With a very Angelus like smirk and a low growl Angel stalked out of the bathroom expecting to see Lacey on the bed.  Such was not the case.  <Little minx is hiding from me> he thought.  He opened his senses and heard her heartbeat out on the balcony.  Making his way outside he couldn’t help but chuckle at the site of Lacey leaning on the railing looking at the view of the city spread below them, “You really are an exhibitionist at heart aren’t you?” he said as he wrapped his arms around her pulling her back against his equally naked body.

“What?  We’re up high enough that no one can see me and there’s no one either side of us.  ‘Sides you’re just as naked as I am.”

“Mmm…yes I am and I caught you. You’re at my mercy.  Let me take you to bed and make love to you mo chroí.”  Angel picked Lacey up and carried her into the bedroom.

“Make me yours mo myrneen.”  Lacey breathed as Angel laid her on the bed and came down beside her.

Angel took his time, worshipping Lacey’s body with hands, tongue and teeth until she was writhing on the bed alternately begging and cursing him.  He had kept her on the keen edge of release not letting her go over.  He wanted to be deep inside her when she finally came.  “Please Angel.  I can’t take it anymore.”  She panted as Angel slowly made his way back up her body to kiss her letting her taste herself on his lips.

“Soon leannan.”  Finally losing her patience Lacey hooked her leg around his and flipped them over so that she was straddling him.  The move had surprised Angel and before he could react she had moved to take him inside her.  With her nails digging into his chest Lacey slowly lowered herself onto Angel, moaning as he stretched her tight channel.  Angel drew in a sharp unneeded breath as her heat enveloped him completely and she began to ride him.  He watched her as she took her pleasure with his body.  Her head was thrown back, eyes partially closed and her lips were slightly parted as she began to tighten around him.  Angel sat up wrapping his arms around her and rolled them over so that she was beneath him once again.  Lacey wrapped her legs around his lean waist and met his increasingly hard thrusts eagerly.  Snaking a hand between their bodies Angel pinched her clit roughly and she came undone screaming his name.  Angel continued pounding her into the mattress her cries of completion bringing his demon to the fore.  Lacey didn’t even blink at his demonic visage, just pulled him to her and kissed him deeply, scraping her tongue against one of his fangs.  She pulled back and smiled at him.

“I want to know what it feels like.”  She said as she guided his head to her breast.  He laved her nipple before moving just above the crown sinking his fangs in.  The pleasure/pain of the bite brought about another orgasm for Lacey and Angel followed as the heady taste of her rich blood on his tongue pushed him over the edge.  He came shouting her name.  Angel gently lapped at the wounds to close them and slowly eased out of Lacey to lie beside her.

“That was…wow.”  Lacey mentally kicked herself.  <The most amazing, fantastic, exhilarating experience of your life and all you can say is ‘wow’?  As a matter of fact it is.  That’s the only word I can actually form at the moment so piss off.>  She looked at Angel and smiled.  He was watching her with a silly grin on his face the likes of which she had never seen from him.  “What?”

“It was very ‘wow’.  I am so glad that my soul won’t go flitting off again though I don’t think you would be in any danger from Angelus.  He actually respects you.”  Angel gathered Lacey in his arms and she laid her head on his chest as he absently traced random patterns on her back.

“I made you that happy?”

“Oh yeah.  You know you are the first human I’ve been with who asked me to bite them while making love.  You have no idea what that means to me.  Not that I’ve been with many humans or other…um damn.”  Angel broke off thankful that vampires couldn’t blush.  <Yeah I so want to have a conversation about my past relationships right now.  Good going you ponce>

“I think making you happy enough to lose your soul is the highest compliment you could have paid me Angel.  Talk about an ego boost for a girl with severe intimacy issues.”  Lacey just laughed quite enjoying his discomfort.  “It’s alright Angel.  I certainly don’t expect you to have lived like a saint.  You’re almost 400 years old and I know for a fact that as the human Liam and as Angelus you were quite the horndog, though I’m sure the curse really curbed your…um enthusiasm shall we say?  Just out of curiosity when was your last relationship?”

“About fifty years ago.”  Seeing Lacey’s wide eyes when she looked up at him he ducked his head grinning sheepishly.  “I know that seems like a long time to you, but for me not so much.  I was use to being alone romantically speaking.  I didn’t know about the happiness clause until Buffy, but the curse did curb my, ah…appetites.  The guilt I felt over the things I had done far outweighed any desire to be with someone.  I really was ‘Cryptic Guy’ and ‘Broody Guy’ for a long, long time.  I can thank Buffy and the others for bringing me out somewhat though at times I cursed them for making me feel anything other than guilt.  Cordy was the last woman I loved before the Powers anchored my soul and she died long before that happened.”  Angel’s eyes darkened in pain at the memory of his seer’s death.  Cordelia had indeed been in a mystical coma and come back to him one more time before moving on to her final rest.  He occasionally could still hear her in his mind checking up on him.  “After my soul was anchored years later I wasn’t really in any hurry to try it out.  There were a couple of short relationships, but losing people I cared about hurt too much.  Then I met a woman in the early ‘50’s.  She brought me out of my self-imposed exile.  Her name was Joan.  We were together for about ten years until she died of cancer.  She was only 33.  After she died I said ‘the hell’ with relationships and wallowed somewhat contentedly in my singlehood.  That is until I met you.”  Angel brushed his lips against Lacey’s silently closing the subject.

Lacey sighed happily as the kiss deepened.  Deciding they really had talked enough she gave herself up to joy of discovering what made Angel go raving starkers and devoted the next few hours to making him scream which he eventually did.  They made love the rest of the night and well into the next day.  Angel marveled at Lacey’s stamina.  When he had asked her if she wanted to sleep her reply was a simple, “I’ll sleep on the plane.”

&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*

Angel and Lacey buckled themselves into their seats for the long flight to Galway, Ireland.  The two of them shared a comfortable silence, both lost in their own thoughts.  Angel was mentally planning all the things and places he wanted to show Lacey.  It had been many years since he had been home and he knew many things had changed, but some places were immune to the ravages of time and those were what he wanted to share with his love.  He could honestly say to himself that he was happier than he had ever been in his very long unlife.  Lacey accepted him in ways no one save Willow had ever done, but Willow was like his little sister.  Lacey knew the things he had done and still loved him man and demon.  Angel smiled in anticipation.  He planned to claim her while they were on this trip.  He was just waiting for the right moment to talk to her about it and explain what it really meant.

Lacey was thinking about much more mundane things.  She was wondering if MacGyver and Magonagall were going to miss her.  She was wondering how Kassie and Willow had managed to pack her bag and she not miss any of her clothes while she was getting ready the night before.  She was also still concerned with the wisdom of leaving her job for a month after only being there for three.  Though she didn’t need the income to live Lacey gave her all for the cast.  She loved them like a second family and hated the thought of disappointing them.  But they had all assured her last night that they would be fine with Kassie so she tucked her worries into the back of her mind and turned her thoughts to the vampire sitting beside her.  A tiny little voice was trying to tell her she was making the same mistake she had made with Sean, that she was being swept off her feet again, but Lacey firmly told that voice to go to hell.  She wasn’t meek, pathetic, needy Sharon Porter anymore.  She was strong, self-confident, self-reliant Lacey Raines and she was in love with a demon who had wreaked more havoc and destruction on this earth than Sean Thompson could ever even imagine and then repented for his actions.  There was absolutely no comparison whatsoever in Lacey’s mind.  Angel was a good man and he loved and respected her and treated her as an equal.  Besides it was fated that they be together.  Lacey smiled satisfied with her take on her current situation.

Angel saw Lacey’s smile and asked, “Is everything alright, Lacey?”

Turning her head Lacey leaned towards him and gave him a sweet kiss, “Everything is just fine my Angel.  I’m really looking forward to this trip.  Life is coming together nicely.”

Lacey fell asleep with her head on Angel’s shoulder shortly after takeoff.  Angel thought about her words and had to agree.  Life was indeed coming together nicely.  He soon followed her into sleep neither one of them having any idea that life was about to unravel on them in the very near future.

~Part: 10~

Lacey was in heaven.    She was more at peace now than she could remember being in months.  She hadn’t said anything to anyone but she was really wearing down.  Rusty acting skills had been sharpened to keep the others from knowing just how bad she was feeling.  Working for the cast, working for the agency and managing her investments were all beginning to take a toll.  There was so much going on in her head that she was never really at rest.  Then there were the headaches.  She wasn’t sure why after two years of being the Powers plaything that she would now be subjected to pain along with the dizziness and shaking, but she did know she didn’t like it.  The last two weeks had been amazing though.  Her mind seemed to have quieted some and her head wasn’t throbbing as much.  She and Angel had spent the days wondering through the small villages that graced the countryside or just veging out doing nothing at all.  He’d taken her to the farm where he had grown up.  She had been surprised to see the original house and outbuildings still standing and in good repair.  Angel had quietly told her that although he had destroyed his family he had kept the home and lands and had always had it tended to.  He allowed the families who kept up the house and grounds to live there. The couple spent a good portion of the evenings in a pub that Angel had told her had been there when he was still human.  The building was amazingly well preserved and when Lacey had asked he admitted that it was the same pub he had met Darla in.  Angelus had such fond memories of it that he had bought it and made sure it was kept in good repair and operational.  Lacey silently marveled at the connection Angel’s demon felt for the human Liam’s homeland.  She knew without asking that Angel would not be able to explain the demons actions.  The places he kept here were a part of him and had been for so long that he no longer questioned it.  No one at the pub knew he was the actual owner though and they passed the evenings anonymously enjoying the revelry.

On this particular day he had woken her at sunrise.  “Let’s take a walk.”  He said as he slowly kissed her awake.

Lacey smiled sleepily, “’K.  Fix me some coffee?”

Angel smiled, “I’ll do better than that my love.  We’ll have a picnic breakfast.”

Lacey jumped out of bed.  Though she wasn’t overly fond of breakfast foods she had discovered that Angel was an absolute genius in the kitchen.  His omelets were the best she’d ever had.  He laughed quietly as she rushed about to get ready for the day.  Angel was somewhat apprehensive about what he was going to do today.  This could very well make or break his romantic relationship with Lacey.  He lay on the bed lost in his thoughts until Lacey’s husky voice brought him back.

“Okay.  I’m ready.”  Lacey looked at Angel and her enthusiasm waned a bit.  <He’s brooding>  “Angel, myrneen, what’s wrong?”

Angel stood up and wrapped Lacey loosely in his arms before placing a tender kiss on her lips.  “Nothing’s wrong Lacey.  Just thinking about some things.  We’d better go.  I don’t want our breakfast to get too cold.”

Lacey nodded and followed him to the kitchen.  She watched as he pulled two covered dishes out of the oven and placed them in the insulated picnic basket.  He added three thermoses, one of coffee, one of orange juice, one of blood and several bottles of water.  Closing the basket he took Lacey’s arm and smiled, “Ready?”

“Yep.  Where’re we going?”  She asked as Angel led her down the drive and turned to the left.

“It’s a surprise” was all he would say.

The couple walked hand in hand in the early morning light for about a mile before Angel turned them into the entrance of an old cemetery.  Lacey’s eyes grew wide as she realized what he was doing.  He led her to a very old section at the back and finally stopped at a large family plot.  Angel stood silently by as Lacey read the names on the various headstones.  Her eyes teared up when she came to the ones that had all the same death date, Liam’s family.  Lacey stopped at one particular stone under a large willow tree.  <How ironic that a willow protects his grave> It read:

<He was turned on his birthday?  Whoa.>  Lacey turned to Angel and simply asked, “Why?”

“Because I want you to know me, all of me, because I love you, because I want to claim you, because…”Lacey placed a finger gently to his lips halting his ramble.

<He wants to claim me.  Oh boy.>  Lacey had read in the journals about claiming, but she had a feeling that there was a lot more to it than what was written.  “This is obviously going to be a serious conversation.  Let’s sit down and eat.  Then you can say what you need to say.”  Angel nodded and they silently set up their picnic under the willow tree.  They made idle conversation throughout the meal.  Once the remains were cleared away Angel sat leaning against the tree trunk.  Lacey lay with her head in his lap.  She could tell he was trying to order his thoughts and simply waited for him to speak.  When he finally did his voice was soft.

“I know that I’ve shared a lot of myself with you over the last few months Lacey, but there are things about me that only William and Willow know.  I want to tell you, but I’m afraid once you know you won’t want to be with me.”

“Don’t assume that you can predict my responses or reactions Angel.  I’ll listen with an open heart and open mind.  Just say what you need to say.”  Lacey said quietly.

Angel stared down at the woman who held his un-beating heart.  Her light green eyes shone up at him with love, curiosity and a bit of apprehension.  <Gods I love her.  I pray I won’t lose her because of this.>

“The part of the demon world you, Kassie and Nico have been exposed to is only a small part of what is really out there.  Trick, being a demon is more familiar.  What we deal with at the agency and from Nico’s visions are pretty much the bottom rungs of demon society.  The higher you go the more…refined?…things become.”  Angel growled softly.  He really didn’t know how to explain things to her.  “I’m not sure how to explain it.”

“How about you just tell me what you want to tell me then if I have questions I’ll ask them.”

“You know that the name Angelus still carries a lot of weight right?”  Lacey nodded.  “Haven’t you ever wondered why?”

“Yes, but I figured you’d tell me when you were ready.  I’m guessing you’re ready.”

Lacey watched in fascination as Angel’s expression hardened into one of sardonic amusement.  His lips curled into a cruel smirk.  Even his voice, when he began speaking, had changed.  Lacey realized that she was seeing Angelus.  “I keep a pretty low profile for the most part now, but I am still one of the most feared and respected demons in the world.  Most upper echelons of demon society have forgotten about the ‘Vampire with a Soul’ but all know Angelus and once in a while I get to make an appearance.  The last time was quite memorable.  I almost managed to lose myself in the Darkness again.”  Twenty years after her death Cordelia had come to Angel to pull him out of the mess the Powers had inadvertently created and put him back on the right path.  Angelus still hadn’t forgiven the soul for returning them to ‘the good fight’, and he hadn’t been able to wreak as much destruction and mayhem as he would have liked, but overall he had quite enjoyed his last outing.

“Was your soul permanent the last time it happened?”

“Yes.”  He growled the admission.

“Did the Powers send you on a mission?”

Another growl. “Yes.”

“Did you kill humans?”

Angelus purred softly as he closed his eyes at the memory.  “Yes.  A younger vampire had made a power play to make a name for himself and gain higher standing in the demon world.  It was a very neatly executed plan and almost worked.  We completed the mission, but the only way to perform convincingly and keep Spike and myself alive in the process was to kill.  Quite a few demons died as well.  The entire experience served as a reminder that the Scourge of Europe was still strong and not to be trifled with.  It really was marvelous.”

Lacey didn’t even blink at the satisfaction and enjoyment she heard in his voice.  “Will you kill humans again the next time you come out to play?”  And that was the question Angel had been dreading.  His girl was thorough though.  Angelus opened his gold-flecked eyes and looked down at the woman in his arms.  <So she knows whom she’s talking to and she’s not scared in the least.  Oh soulboy really has made a good choice.>  At that moment demon and soul agreed completely that this woman would be their mate.

“I certainly hope so.  It’s quite possible that I may have to.  After all it’s what I do best.  But I can promise you this Lacey.  Our family is safe.  I would stake myself before harming any of you.”  And that was the truth.  Though Angelus would never admit it to his soul he had grown rather fond of Cordelia, Wesley, Fred, Gunn and Lorne in the end and missed the humans and demon Angel had called family more than a century ago.  True he had tried to kill them the last time he’d lost his soul before it was anchored, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t liked them.  The soul hadn’t let himself get close enough to anyone since them to have that sense of family until now.  Now though he treasured the new relationships with Kassie, Nico, and Trick but most of all with Lacey.  Having William and Willow around was just a bonus.  Angel took control once again and Angelus reluctantly slipped away.  His features relaxed into a look of guilt and acceptance and Lacey could tell that he was Angel again.  There was also a slight hint of satisfaction in his gaze and Lacey understood his fear of her reaction.  A part of Angel had enjoyed what he had done as Angelus.

Lacey thought about what Angelus had told her.  His comments about protecting her family came somewhat as a surprise to her, but she was glad the demon cared about Kassie, Nico and Trick as well.  That he cared about Will and Willow was a given.  It was obvious Angel still carried the guilt of his actions, but that he was prepared to let Angelus out again to serve the Powers and/or protect one of his own.  Lacey couldn’t fault him for that.  She killed demons to save perfect strangers.  If someone close to her was in mortal danger from a human she was pretty sure she would be willing to kill to save him or her.  She also knew that Angel would have exhausted all other possibilities before giving in and letting Angelus take a human life.  “Is that what you were afraid of Angel?  That I would find out you’d taken human life while in possession of your soul and think less of you knowing that you would do it again if necessary and that some part of you, not Angelus but you Angel, enjoyed it?”

Angel closed his eyes briefly then opened them again and looked at her.  He hadn’t thought she would pick up on that last bit.  But he wasn’t going to lie to her and say that he hadn’t enjoyed it.  “Yes.”

“Mo myrneen you were working on behalf of the Powers and trying to save one of your own.  I would do the same if need be.  Hopefully I’ll never be put in the position to make the choice of taking a human life, but if push came to shove and one I held dear was in danger I wouldn’t hesitate.  While I’m sure there is quite a bit more to the story than what you’ve told me, I think you’ve given me the pertinent facts.  As far as you enjoying it, you are a demon Angel.  I know that.  I accept that.  It doesn’t change how I feel about you.  I love you.”  Lacey laid a hand against his cheek and Angel leaned into the caress closing his eyes.  Rising up a bit she guided his head down so that his lips met hers in a tender kiss.

Angel was completely floored.  He had known that Lacey wasn’t afraid of his demon, but to hear her flat out admit that she accepted all of him good and bad was almost too much.  He wanted nothing more than to claim her right then and there, but he knew his grave was not the place for that.

When they broke apart a single tear rolling down his cheek Angel said, “I love you too Lacey.”

She wrinkled her nose, “Is that the reason you don’t have a tan?  You have to deal with beings from your past and don’t want to give away that you can go in the sun?”

Angel smiled faintly, “Something like that.”

The couple was quiet for a time.  Then Lacey asked, “Why did the Powers anchor your soul?”

Angel was surprised it had taken Lacey this long to ask him that question.  He smiled a little.  “It was my reward.  The Shanshu prophecy was real and I did reach it.  But when the Powers came to give me my reward I refused.  I still wanted to fight the good fight and knew I wouldn’t be as effective as a human.  So we compromised.  They anchored my soul and turned me into a daywalker.  Basically I’m here to stay as a Warrior for the Powers That Be.  Another part of my reward is the opportunity to not fight.  Since I’m going to be around forever, barring a freak accident or lapse in reaction time, I’m allowed to rest.  When we all came together I had pretty much been out of the game since the early twenties.  I took what cases I wanted or if I happened to be in the right place at the right time to help I would, but for the most part I led a quiet life.  Then I met you.”  He lightly tapped Lacey’s nose.

Lacey eyes had grown wider and wider as she listened to his explanation.  To think he had passed on the opportunity to become human and finally find eternal rest in order to continue fighting the good fight was amazing.  His voice had taken on a wistful tone when he’d mentioned resting.  That thought gave her pause.  “Do you regret being pulled back in?  Do you regret meeting me?”  She asked in a small voice.

Angel stared at her incredulously, “You’re joking right?  My Gods woman how could you possibly think I would regret meeting you?  You understand and accept me completely.  I’ve never had that from anyone that I’ve loved or claimed to love me.  Well except for Willow, but she’s like my little sister.  Not even Joan or Cordelia and certainly not Buffy ever completely accepted me for what I am.  A demon.  You’ve given me your heart and you body and that means more than you could ever know.  But I want all of you Lacey.  I want you to belong to me heart, mind, body and soul.  I want to claim you and make you mine forever.  Hell no I don’t regret meeting you.”

Lacey was stunned.  Angel spoke with such passion in his voice and his eyes burned with amber fire.  She hadn’t been fishing for compliments when she’d asked that question.  After hearing him talk about leading a quiet life she truly was worried that he may regret being called back into service and she knew that she was in part responsible for that happening.  “Oh” was all she could manage at the moment.  Then she found her voice, “What exactly would happen to me when you claim me?”

Angel didn’t miss the significance of her word choice of ‘when’.  He had been afraid after his little speech that he had scared her off, apparently not.  But then he hadn’t yet told her the details of what claiming meant either.  “Well vampires claiming humans as mates is a rare occurrence but it has happened.  You will become immortal like me.  Your immortality will last as long as I’m alive or rather…well you know what I mean.  You can be killed, but you will not stay dead.  Only decapitation will kill you permanently.  If I were to die you would resume aging normally and would have the opportunity to live out your natural life.  Though I have only heard of one case where that actually happened.  The bonds between mates are very strong and if one dies the other usually follows not long after.  You would also have healing abilities similar to that of a vampire.”

“Sounds a lot like ‘The Highlander’.”  Lacey said dazedly.  <Heh, heh> she laughed weakly in her mind.  <Do I really want to be immortal?  Do I really want to sit by and watch my friends and family age and die while I never change?  This is a huge step.  I know I want to spend my life with Angel and I know Nico said eternity but…>

Angel smirked, “Yeah I know, but this is real.”  He looked closely at Lacey.  She was paler than normal and her eyes were glazed.  “Lacey…leannan…are you alright?”  When she didn’t answer Angel began to worry.  He shook her slightly, “Lacey?”

Lacey shook her head and said quietly, “I’m okay.  It just kind of hit me that I’ll wind up watching my friends and family grow old and die and I won’t.  That’s a lot to come to terms with.  Do you mind if I don’t make a decision right now?”  She looked up at him hopefully.

“Of course not mo chroí.  I wouldn’t expect you to.”  Angel knew how difficult it was to watch those you cared about leave, but he had a feeling that his entire family would be around for a very long time.  Something Willow had said the night they had first come together about the not so near future and all of them being there floated through his mind.  He pulled Lacey up and arranged her so she was sitting in his lap.

They sat there in silence for a bit longer before Lacey asked a final question.  “Angel why did you bring me here to your grave?”

“To share all of myself with you and to show you that I trust you.”  Angel said quietly.  She looked into his eyes for a long moment before nodding.  “Thank you Angel.  I’m honored.”  Lacey kissed him softly then stood up and pulled Angel up as well.

Angel looked around the cemetery.  For the first time in his long unlife he felt a sense of peace here.  That peace prompted him to want to show Lacey some of the special places he had gone to as a boy.  “There are some other places I’d like to take you today Lacey.  Are you up for it?”

“What sort of places?”

“Magickal ones.”  Lacey looked at him to see if he were joking.  He seemed quite serious.

“Lead on my Angel.”

&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*

Angel and Lacey sat at their now usual table in the pub that evening enjoying the local musicians.  Lacey let her mind wander and sat back laughing quietly as a recent memory came to her.

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

Upon their arrival in Galway she had insisted that Angel take her shopping immediately for a few ‘necessities’ as she called them.  He had thought she meant clothes, but she had surprised him yet again.  Lacey had wanted weapons.  The new security measures being what they were for air travel, Kassie and Willow had not packed any and Lacey hated being unarmed.

“We’re on vacation Lacey.  Do you really expect us to do any slaying while we’re here?”  Angel asked in amused exasperation.

“I’d much rather be prepared.  ‘Sides I feel naked without my dagger and a stake.”

“You carry a dagger and a stake with you at all times?”  He asked.  At seeing her nod he continued, “Where pray tell do you hide them?”  Angel was quite familiar with her love of form fitting clothes and he could not fathom where she could hide such items.  He knew she was armed when they went on patrol, when she could join them, but that was different.

Lacey just smiled and said, “I keep the dagger in my boot and the stakes in my jackets.”  Angel just looked at her for a moment nonplussed then his expression cleared.  “Ah light dawns on marble head.  Do you really think I carry a jacket with me all the time because I’m cold?  Please we live in southern California.”

Angel grinned, “Just thought you were trying to be cool like me.  Well my love you have managed to surprise me once again.  If you’re set on this then let’s go shopping.”

It had been a good thing they had.  They had encountered a few nasties while out and about, dispatching them easily enough.  Angel had pleaded with her not to say ‘I told you so’.  She had just smiled smugly and kept her tongue.

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

Angel heard her soft laugh.  Turning to her he asked, “What’s so funny love?”

She shook her head, “jus’ rememberin’ our li’l shoppin’ expedition when we first arrived.”

“You’re never going to let me live that down are you?”

“You asked luv.  I jus’ think it’s funny.”  Lacey glanced at the clock behind the bar.  It was 9pm.  “It’s time to go home.  I need to do some investment management.  Thank Gods Kassie remembered to pack my laptop and there’s Internet access in the cottage.”  She took a final sip of her sparkling water and waved to the bartender as Angel escorted her out the door.

Now hours later Lacey and Angel were wrapped in each other’s arms asleep in the king size bed that took up most of the cottages’ one bedroom.  Lacey moved restlessly in her sleep accidentally chinning Angel.  He awoke with a grunt and heard her murmuring in her sleep.  As he moved to wake her Lacey bolted up in the bed with a small cry, “Angel!”

He ran a cool hand soothingly over her back, “I’m here mo chroí.  What’s wrong?”

Lacey relaxed into his embrace the dream fading so quickly that she couldn’t recall why she was scared just that she was, “I don’ know luv.  I canna remember.”  Angel smirked slightly at the soft brogue he heard in her sleepy voice.  He had noticed the change in her accent not long after they arrived.  It came and went; however Lacey seemed completely unaware.

Lacey suddenly jerked out of Angel’s arms and got up pulling on a pair of sweats over the boy shorts she had worn to bed.  “Lacey what are you doing?”

“I need to take a walk.  Would you like to join me?”  The hopefulness in her voice was unnecessary, as Angel wouldn’t let her wander around at this hour alone anyway, but it did let him know just how disturbed Lacey really was.

“Sure love.”  Angel pulled on his jeans and a red long sleeved pullover as Lacey slipped an Old Navy sweatshirt on over her tank.  She absently wound her shoulder length hair up securing it with two wood hair sticks as Angel grabbed a couple of blankets.  He had a feeling they would need them.  Slipping on their shoes they headed out the door.

The night was cool and clear.  Hand in hand Lacey turned them towards the east.  She led Angel to the ancient place he had shown her earlier that day.  He hadn’t been kidding when he’d said it was magickal.  Lacey had been in awe of the quiet power that filled the place.  There was a small waterfall and pond hidden within a copse of trees.  Lacey and Angel paused at the standing stones that guarded the entrance for a moment silently acknowledging the power of those who had come before them.  Lacey felt a sense of calm settle over her as she gazed at the obsidian surface of the pond and listened to the water falling from the rocks above.  Moonlight filtered in from the trees creating silvery patterns on the ground and highlighting the ripples in the water and the steam rising from the surface.  Angel spread one of the blankets out and slipped off his shoes as Lacey did the same.  He gently pulled her down to sit next to him on the blanket.

“Is this better love?”  He asked quietly.

Not moving her eyes from the pond Lacey nodded speaking softly, “Thank you Angel.  I don’t know why, but I had to come here.  I just want to sit for a while.  Will you hold me?”

In answer Angel leaned back against a tree trunk and pulled her between his spread legs so that her back was against his chest.  He flicked the other blanket open settling it over them then wrapped his arms around her.  Angel kissed the top of her head and Lacey sighed in contentment as she continued to stare at the pond.  Angel felt her heartbeat slow and her breathing become even a few minutes later.  He continued to hold her that way until his eyes also became heavy with sleep.  He maneuvered them into a laying position with him spooned behind her and fell asleep as well.

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

Lacey opened her eyes and found herself in an old world library.  <This is not where I fell asleep.  Am I dreaming?>  Lacey pinched herself and winced in pain.  <Okay not dreaming.  Where the hell am I?>  She turned in a slow circle taking in her surroundings.  In every direction there were cases and cases of books.  <Where’s Angel?>  “Angel?”  There was no answer.  Lacey tried again, “Hello?  Is anyone here?  Where am I?”

“This way child.  Come sit with me.”  Lacey turned at the sound of a voice she almost recognized.  Where endless isles of books had stood moments before there was now a bay window with two wingback chairs set in front of it.  Sunlight streamed in the window casting a golden glow about the space.  Lacey warily made her way towards the voice.  She moved to stand in front of the chairs to see who had spoken.  The sight that greeted her made Lacey gasp.

Sitting in one of the chairs looking much the way she had just before she died was her mother.  Lacey took in the long chestnut hair streaked with gray pulled back in a ponytail, the crow’s feet crinkling the corners of her blue-gray eyes and the soft smile playing at her mouth.  “Mama?”

Moira Porter smiled softly at her daughter taking in the changes the years had wrought.  Though sleep rumpled and wearing baggy sweats Moira could see that the young woman before her held little in common in looks or demeanor with the girl she had been.  Gone was her long strawberry blonde hair and the baby fat that had never wanted to go away.  Gone was the shy tilt of her head and slumped posture.  Her daughter stood before her now as a slender, graceful, confident woman who was also looking decidedly confused.  “I am but I’m not.  The Powers felt you would be more likely to listen to your mother than a stranger.  Hello baby girl.  My, my, my how you have grown Sharon.”  She tried vainly to keep the tears at bay knowing the pain her daughter had been through.

Lacey’s spring green eyes hardened slightly, “I’m not Sharon Porter anymore mama.  My name is Lacey Raines.  Sharon went away over a year and a half ago.”

The tears slipped silently down Moira’s cheeks, “I know baby.  I’m so sorry you had to go through that.  It took a lot of effort to keep your daddy from haunting those awful men.  But when he saw how well Kassie and Nico were taking care of you we knew you would be all right.  He’s very proud of you.”

“Can I see him mama?”  Lacey asked as she sat next to her mother.

“Not this time sugar.  We have important things to do right now.”  Moira’s lilting southern voice had taken on the ‘it’s time to pay attention’ tone Lacey remembered so well.

“What things mama?  Where are we?”  Lacey gestured to the bookcases surrounding them.

“This is all the knowledge you will possess by the time you leave here.  The Powers are very pleased with what you have done with the knowledge They have imparted to you thus far.  You have not abused the power at your disposal.  It has been decided that you are worthy to carry all.”

Lacey’s brow crinkled, “Why would I abuse it?  I was blessed with the ability to take care of myself and to help people.”

Moira smiled, “That’s why you have been chosen.  Your Angel is a lucky vampire.”

Lacey’s eyes widened for the moment forgetting about the carrying more knowledge part, “You know about Angel mama?”

“Yes.  Daddy and I are so happy for you.  The two of you are destined for great things.  All of you are destined for great things.  The two of you must claim each other before you leave the sacred place.”

Lacey mulled over that little tidbit.  “We just talked about that today.  It’s not that I don’t want him to claim me, but it kind of hit home today that when he does then I’m gonna live forever while I watch my friends and my family grow old and die.  I don’t know that I can handle that mama.”

Moira’s voice took on a deeper resonance, “Do not fret over things you cannot control child.  Everything will work out in the end.  You and Angel are meant to claim each other in the sacred place.  As it is written so it shall be.”  In a more normal, slightly teasing tone she said with a small smile, “Demon or no that boy is a romantic through and through.”

Lacey looked at her mother closely at those rather cryptic comments and finally understood her earlier statement.  Yes this was her mother, but she was also a vessel for the Powers.  <The whole issue is apparently out of my hands.>  Then she smiled slightly at hearing her fiftysomething mother calling a 365 year old vampire ‘boy’.  Thinking back over her mother’s other words she was caught, “You said earlier I have been deemed worthy to carry all?  I don’t know that I can really handle a whole lot more in my head mama.  It’s awfully full as it is.  And the whole delivery is getting worse.  It hurts.  How can I keep myself from going starkers from all the thoughts that bounce around?  My mind never shuts off.  If it weren’t for the spell Willow taught me I would never sleep.  How can I do anyone any good if I can’t put things in order?”  Lacey’s voice had become increasingly frantic.

“Shh…calm yourself child.  We understand that you’re getting overloaded.  It’s time for a mystical tune-up if you will.  That’s one of the reasons we’re here.  I’m going to help you create a place in your mind that will contain all you will carry.  It will be kind of like a filing system.  You can access it at will, but otherwise it will remain tucked out of site.  No one will be able to access it but you.”

“What do you mean by that?  Who else would be in my head?”

Moira frowned.  Her daughter was really too observant for her own good.  She really wasn’t supposed to reveal…screw it, “You are not unknown in the demon world Lacey.  There are those who would use your gifts for their own nefarious purposes and gain without regard to your well being.  We refuse to let that happen so We’re going to set it up so that no mystical or conventional method of extraction will work on you.”  Moira stopped before she revealed too much.  Her daughter needed some surprises in her life.  “Now are you ready to begin?”

Lacey stood and looked around again.  The endless lines of bookcases were overwhelming, but who was she to argue with the Powers or her mother?  She grinned at a stray thought, “So I’m going to become Files and Records for the Powers huh?  Will my eyes do that flippy thing like the chick at Wolfram & Hart?”

Moira tried to place the reference then laughed as she saw through her daughters eyes what she was referring to, “Only if you want them to baby girl.  Come now child.  Let’s get started.”

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

Angel opened his eyes.  Lacey was still tucked securely against him so he was unsure what had wakened him.  At the sound of footsteps behind him he turned his head.  His eyes grew wide, “Cordelia?”

“Hey you.  You look good Angel.  I like you with short hair.”  Cordelia Chase paused before her former boss and almost-love.  She looked much the same as she had the last time she had come to him so many years ago.  Her mahogany hair fell loose around her shoulders, her soft brown eyes glowed with love and she still wore that impish smile that showed off her dimples.

Angel looked around then back at her, “It’s good to see you too.  Why are you here?”  He sat up carefully so as not to disturb Lacey.

Cordelia looked at the sleeping girl, “Don’t worry Angel.  She won’t wake until this time tomorrow.  She’s very busy right now.  You can’t move her from this place until then.”  She sat down and arranged her skirts so that her feet were covered.

“What do you mean she won’t wake till tomorrow?  What’s going on?

Cordy lightly brushed a strand of hair that had escaped from Lacey’s hair sticks away from her face.  “I like her Angel.  She’s good for you.  Keeps you on your toes.  I’m glad you’ve found someone to spend eternity with.”

“You’re stalling Cordelia.  Talk to me.  The last time I saw you was because I had strayed too far into the Darkness.  I’m still in the Light.”  Angel knew he sounded defensive, but he couldn’t help it.  It was a shock seeing his former seer and unrequited love sitting across from him.  He softened his voice, “I’m sorry Cordy.  I’m glad you like Lacey.  I guess you’ve been keeping tabs on me?”

Cordelia smiled softly and raised her eyes to his, “You could say that.  You know it still amazes me that you’ve managed to keep your Champion status hidden from the demon world for so long.”  The smile vanished and she became serious, “The Darkness is coming for you and yours again Angel.  Heed the call without fear.  All will be well in the end.”

“What?  You actually want Angelus to come out and play?  You want William and Willow to revert to their darker forms?  How can that possibly be to the Powers benefit?  Have They forgotten what happened the last time?”  He asked incredulously.  It bothered Angel that Angelus had just talked to Lacey this morning and was now being told that he was going to have to let him out again.  Soon.

Cordy shook her head, “I can’t tell you why, but please believe me when I say it will be all right Angel.  You have to let Angelus out to save those closest to you.  Spike and Dark Willow will help.”  Cordy cocked her head as though listening to something, “Your childe needs her sire.  She’ll soon be ready to begin her journey.  But before any of that happens you and Lacey must claim each other here in this sacred place.  Complete the bonds you have begun to form.”

Angel got stuck on one part of the cryptic speech, “My childe?  What does Dru have to do with any of this?  And when did you become the cryptic one around here?”

“I’m sorry Angel.  I wish I could tell you more, but I’m not allowed.  Just make sure you don’t remove Lacey from this place until she wakes tomorrow night.  She’ll be safe here if you need to leave.  It might be best for her if you bring back some food and water.  You need to feed as well.  Remember; claim each other here in this sacred place.  I have to go now.”  Cordelia leaned across Lacey’s prone form and lightly brushed her lips against Angels’.  “Be happy.  I love you Angel always will.  All will be well.  One more thing, when the time comes don’t get in Lacey’s way…”and with those words Cordy faded from sight.

“Cordelia wait…you always did have to have the last word.”  He muttered.  “I love you too Cor.”  Angel looked down at Lacey and smiled softly, “I am happy.”

Leaning back against the tree trunk again Angel replayed the things Cordelia had told him.  Something was happening to Lacey.  He couldn’t move her, but would have to leave her alone and unprotected if he wanted to feed and make sure he had something for her to eat when she woke up.  He took a good look at his surroundings and relaxed.  This was a special place and was almost impossible to find.  He used to think as the human Liam that it was only revealed to those who deserved to feel the peace and serenity it afforded which surprised him that he’d been fortunate to find it.  He was proven correct when as Angelus he had been unable to locate it.  Now as Angel he was rather amazed that he had been granted access to the sanctuary again.  Angel lay down next to Lacey and gathered her to him once more.  He gently kissed her cheek and whispered, “I don’t know where you are right now or what’s happening to you mo chroí, but I hope all is well with you.”

As he lay there holding her close his mind wandered to other things Cordy had told him.  He was going to have to let Angelus out to play and have William and Willow let their darker sides out as well.  <What an unholy trinity that will be.>  Angel really wished Cordelia had not picked this particular time to do an impressive imitation of his ‘Cryptic Guy’ persona.  <And how does Dru fit into all of this?  What journey will my childe take?>  Angel took several unneeded but nonetheless calming breaths to still his racing mind.  As sleep once more came to claim him his last thought was that he would finally claim his mate this time tomorrow.

&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*

Angel awoke to the sounds of birds chirping and the sight of bright sunlight filtering in through the trees.  Looking at his watch he saw that he’d been asleep for twelve hours.  He stood up and stretched looking down at Lacey.  She was still in the same position he had put her in, sound asleep locked away wherever it was she had gone the night before.  Angel looked closer at her and realized that her hair had changed color; instead of the rich dark auburn of the night before it was now a lustrous light red-gold, like flames.  <I don’t know what’s going on but I really hope she decides to keep that color.  It’s beautiful.>  He knelt down and turned Lacey onto her stomach.  He didn’t want her to be sore from being in one position for so long when she woke up.  He had plans for his girl.  Though she had been reticent to accept his claim and he completely understood her hesitation, Cordy would not have said what she had if it hadn’t been meant to be.

Standing once again Angel took one more look around before slipping his shoes back on and heading towards the entrance.  As he had done the night before Angel paused to acknowledge those who had come before then made his way back to the cottage.  Upon arriving he took a quick shower and put on a fresh pair of jeans and a gray pullover.  He heated some blood and drank it as he packed some cheese, crackers, an apple and two bottles of water for Lacey.  Next he gathered towels, bath things and some clean clothes for her putting everything into a duffle bag.  Angel figured she’d want to clean up after being asleep for 24 hours and thought it would be romantic to take a dip in the waterfall and pond.  That and he wasn’t about to let her leave that place without his mark proclaiming her as his and vice versa.  Grabbing a book to read he walked out the door again.  In his rush to get back to Lacey Angel didn’t bother grab any sort of weapons.

The rest of the day passed quietly and Angel found himself once again cradling Lacey as she slept.  He dozed off and on and woke fully when he sensed the change in Lacey heartbeat and breathing.  She moved for the first time on her own and rolled away from him.  As she did her hair sticks fell out and Angel gasped when he saw her red-gold locks tumble down her back.  <Oookay.  Her hair was dark and just brushing her shoulders when we got here last night.  Now it’s lighter and hanging more than half way down her back.  How long have you been gone and where have you been love?>

Lacey’s eyes fluttered open at Angel’s gasp.  She rolled to face him and smiled sleepily, “Hi.”

“Hi.  Are you okay?”

“Mmmm…yes I believe I am.  My noggin feels much lighter now.  Mama says hi.”  Lacey giggled at the look on Angel’s face.  She sat up and became aware of how long her hair was.  “Whoa.  I thought it had taken months, but I guess this is actual proof huh?  How long was I gone?”

Angel also sat up and kissed her softly before moving once again to rest against the tree trunk.  “You’ve been asleep for a full day.  Your hair has changed color too.  I brought you something to eat.  You want to fill me in on where you’ve been?”  Angel opened the duffle bag and pulled out her food and water.

Lacey took the food gratefully and munched while she relayed what had happened after she fell asleep.  She ended with, “So I’ve spent the last 24 hours here asleep and who knows how long in a pocket dimension turning into a walking, talking Files and Records library for the Powers and learning how to use my newfound filing system.  I guess mama wanted my hair long again.  What color is it?  Do you like it?”  Lacey sat twirling a thick strand of hair around her finger watching Angel come to terms with what she had told him.  She had left out the part about the claiming.  She was going to get to that in a minute.

Angel meshed what Lacey had told him with what he had learned from Cordelia and came to the conclusion that someone was going to try to take Lacey away from him.  He also knew that he wouldn’t be able to stop it, but that he would get her back.  <So that’s why Angelus, Spike and Dark Willow are going to come out to play.>  Angel didn’t like knowing he was going to be separated from his soon to be mate, but the Powers did things in Their own way.  He smirked slightly at the self-conscious tone he heard in her last question.  He took a good look at Lacey sitting in front of him in the waning moonlight with her hair falling in waves around her shoulders and arms.  Even dressed as she was in baggy sweats he thought she was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen.  “Yeah Lace I like your hair.  The color is a light red-gold.  It’s beautiful.  I’d like it even better with it spread out around you naked.”  Her eyes widened and she blushed slightly.  <He is the only one who can make me blush.>  Angel’s smirk was more pronounced seeing her reaction to his last statement <She is so cute when she blushes.>  “Come on.  Let’s take a dip in the pond.  You can use the waterfall to wash your hair and stuff.”  He pulled her up and stripped her down before she could protest.  Upon removing her sweatshirt both of them stared at her right wrist.  Wrapped around her wrist and halfway up her inner forearm was a tattoo of tribal flames.  Holding Lacey’s hand Angel shifted into his demon and looked closer with his preternatural eyesight making out some words woven in the design.  “Rahtu Noroh Goronja Neh Vitu Shashei Nagawa Leh Mano Fritawei Luto,” he said in a soft voice.  Shifting back to his human seeming he looked at Lacey.  “Does that mean anything to you?”  Lacey flipped through her new store of knowledge, “It’s a protection incantation.  I don’t know what manner of protection it means though.  Mama didn’t say anything about it to me or me waking up with a new tattoo.”  She shook her head and smirked at Angel.  “I’ve pretty much given up trying to understand the Powers.  My hair changing color and length, a new tattoo with a dead language protection incantation woven in; something is going on that I’m not meant to know about yet apparently.”  Lacey looked at her wrist again.  “Shiny.  Come on let’s take that dip.”  The water was warm, but they didn’t linger.  Lacey had to admit though that she was glad to wash away the evidence of sleeping outside for 24 hours.

Once dry and dressed in a pair of gray yoga pants and a fitted long sleeve cadet blue pullover, Lacey sat between Angels legs as he combed through her damp, thick newly long hair.  He seemed fascinated by it.  <Well I suppose now is as good a time as any to tell him.>  Moving away so she could turn to face him Lacey ducked her head slightly and looked at him from under her lashes, “Angel mama told me something else while I was gone.”

He cocked his head, “What is it?”

“That we should claim each other.  Here, in this place.”

“Is that right?  And how do you feel about that?”

Lacey took a deep breath, smiled softly and moved her hands to the hem of her shirt, “Make me yours forever Angel…please.”  She pulled off her shirt as he slowly crawled towards her.  She shivered at the predatory look in his flashing eyes and caught her breath at the knowledge that the demon in him wanted her too.  Angel took Lacey’s mouth in a drugging kiss as he lowered her back down to the blanket bracing himself on his forearms above her.  He pulled away slightly to remove his shirt, but found it rather difficult as Lacey began nipping and kissing her way from the corner of his mouth, along his jaw to that special place behind his ear.  He growled softly and quickly jerked his shirt over his head before claiming her lips again.  Lacey’s soft laugh turned into a moan when she felt his cool hand slide from her waist to cover one cotton-clad breast.  She ran her hands up his arms and around to his back, kneading the taut muscles as he unfastened the front hook of her bra.  Angel left her warm lips to trail kisses down to the hollow of her throat.  Lacey moved her arms over her head and Angel slipped her bra off absently throwing it in the growing pile of clothes.

Neither noticed the warmth that enveloped them seeping into them both as Lacey sat up and slowly pushed Angel down onto his back.  Lacey stood to shimmy out of her pants and knickers.  When Angel tried to sit up she just shook her head and quietly said, “Let me.”  He nodded and lay back down with his hands behind his head curious to see what she would do.  In the two weeks they’d been lovers he’d discovered that she wouldn’t take the initiative often but when she did it was usually quite memorable.  His gold-flecked gaze traveled over her nude form bathed in the silvery moonlight.  He was right, her newly long hair falling over her full breasts as she dropped to her knees and crawled to straddle him was a wonderful sight to behold.  She held her body away from him only letting her mouth and hair come into contact with his skin.  A low purr began in his chest as Lacey placed small butterfly kisses all over his face avoiding his mouth for the time being.  She moved to his ear and lightly sucked at the lobe before gently placing a kiss just behind it.  Angel shivered at the contact.  She finally claimed his lips for a searing kiss before continuing her assault, trailing kisses and small bites along his jaw line to his other ear.  She continued down licking and nipping at his shoulders before pausing at one tiny male nipple.  Angel drew in a deep unnecessary breath arching his back as Lacey worried first one then the other nipple with her teeth and tongue.  The scent of her arousal washed over him.  Scooting down further Lacey licked a wet path down the center of his chest following the deep furrow that separated his muscles.  Pausing at his belly button she dipped her tongue in before moving her mouth to lick and nibble at his hipbones that were slightly exposed by the low-slung jeans he wore.  The purr became louder.

Angel shifted into his game face when Lacey bit rather sharply along his left hipbone.  He had never realized just how sensitive and erogenous that area was until Lacey.  His purr turned into a growl when he felt her move away.  He opened golden eyes and lifted his head to see her kneeling in front of him straddling his knees.  “Tá tú go h-álainn.  Absolutely beautiful.”  He murmured reverently shifting back to his human seeming.

Lacey smiled softly and said huskily, “As are you luv.  Don’t go shifting back on my account.  I love seeing both sides of you.  Kind of like knowing I can make you lose control like that.”  With that she bent back down and took the fastening of his jeans in her teeth, popping the button loose before lowering the zipper in the same fashion.  Angel’s head dropped back down and his hands moved to clutch at the blanket on either side of him when he felt her placing hot open-mouthed kisses on his straining erection through the silk of his boxers.  Lacey finally brought her hands into play when she sat back up to slide his jeans and boxers off.  She quickly returned to her former position and Angel damn near came at the first touch of her warm mouth wrapping around the throbbing head of his cock.  After a few torturous moments he abandoned the submissive role growling, “enough” as he sat up and pulled Lacey to him crushing her mouth under his.  He rolled Lacey underneath him and spread her hair out into a fan on the blanket.  Lightly running his fingers over her face he whispered, “My turn.”

Lacey moaned and shook her head, “No Angel.  I want you inside me now.”  He teasingly ran the tip of his shaft along her weeping slit and she moaned again lifting her hips trying to draw him into her, “Please Angel.  Take me now.”  It was the ‘please’ that did it.  He usually had to tease her mercilessly before she would beg him.

Smirking down at her he said, “Your wish…unngh…is my command” as he sank deep into her wet heat.  A soft green glow, again unnoticed by the two lovers, spread to join the warmth that surrounded and permeated them.  Both stilled for a moment just enjoying the connection to each other.  Lacey mirrored his hands movements lightly running her fingers over his face as they stared deep into each others eyes.

“I love you Liam…Angelus…Angel.”

His eyes flashed gold as she made it clear she was accepting all of him.  “I love you Lacey.”

Lacey lifted her hips and Angel took the hint.  Lowering his mouth to hers he kissed her tenderly then passionately as he began thrusting into her slowly and deeply.  Lacey wrapped her legs around his thighs and met him thrust for thrust.  Long blissful minutes later she began to tighten around him and he increased his pace, driving into her harder and faster.  Angel moved his lips to the right side where her neck met her shoulder lightly sucking at the skin over her pulse point as his face shifted.  Letting go of her for only a moment he made a shallow gash on the right side of his throat and Lacey moved to cover it with her lips.  By unspoken mutual consent both Lacey and Angel began speaking at the same time:

“With bonds of flesh and bonds of blood
I claim thee as my own
Forsaking all others
I bind myself to thee forevermore.”

Closing their eyes Angel sank his fangs deep into Lacey’s neck as she bit down hard and deep with her blunt teeth in his.  The pleasure/pain of his bite and the rich coppery taste of Angel’s blood pushed Lacey over the edge.  She screamed almost silently against his throat as she continued to drink him through her climax.  Angel pulled her away from the wound on his neck as he withdrew his fangs and kissed her harshly.  The taste of his blood on her lips sent him spiraling and he thrust deep into her three more times before his back arched sharply, throwing his head back with an animalistic growl and spilling his seed deep within her womb.  The green light flared brightly for a moment then slowly faded along with the warmth.  Angel collapsed briefly onto Lacey before rolling them both and arranging her over him so they were still joined.  Both were dazed and panting hard, but Angel had the presence of mind to reach for the other blanket and settle it over them.  Lacey lifted her head from his chest and smiled dreamily at him.  Angel brushed a finger over the slightly seeping wound at her neck causing her to shiver and her channel to flutter delicately around his softening shaft.  He groaned softly bringing his finger to his mouth and lightly sucking off the small amount of blood, “Mine?” he asked softly.

Lacey nodded, “Yours.  Mine?”  She asked as she mimicked his gesture.  She was somewhat surprised seeing her mark still on his flesh.

“Yours.”  Slipping his hand to the back of her head Angel guided Lacey’s lips to his for a soft lingering kiss.

They broke apart at the sound of a disembodied voice filling their sanctuary, “Bless-ed is this union.  Live well my children.”

They looked at each other and Lacey smiled as a single tear rolled down her cheek.  She whispered, “Thank you mama.”

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

“You did not tell them.”

“No.  It is better for it to be a surprise.  Knowing now would be a distraction and they do not need that.”

“Have we done the right thing?”

“It has come to pass sooner than was anticipated, but circumstances being what they are we had no choice.  This is their destiny.  She is now the Keeper and he is forever the Warrior.  As it is written so it shall be.  Besides you have looked into their hearts just as I have.  Though they would never admit it to each other and barely to themselves it is their deepest wish.”

“So it is.  What of the Messenger?”

“She will come to us for answers.”

“And?”

“We will give them to her.”

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

Angel looked at his watch.  It was 5:30 in the morning.  The sun would be rising in an hour.  “We should get back to the cottage.  This ground, while soft, isn’t nearly as comfortable as our bed.”

“Mmm…you’re right.  Twenty-four hours of sleeping on the ground makes for a sore Lacey.  Would you mind giving me a rubdown when we get home?”  Angel nodded and leered playfully at her as she reluctantly moved from the circle of his embrace and they began dressing again.  Angel watched in fascination as Lacey wound her hair back up securing it with the hair sticks.

“Are you going to leave your hair long?”  He didn’t hear the hopeful note in his voice but Lacey did.

She smiled to herself <what is it with guys and long hair?> “Do you want me to?”

“Yes.  It looks good on you.” He said as he started folding one of the blankets.  Lacey folded the other and stuffed everything into the duffle bag.  She took Angel’s hand as they turned to leave the ancient place.  At the standing stones they turned back to face the pond once more acknowledging and thanking those who had come before them.

They were half way across the clearing leading to their cottage when the attack came.  A dozen vampires rushed them.  Lacey silently cursed herself for leaving the house without a weapon, but she had been so shaken by that dream the night before that she had forgotten.  Angel was also indulging in a good dose of self-flagellation for being unarmed.  It hadn’t crossed his mind to grab anything when he’d been at the cottage earlier.  He and Lacey moved into their normal fighting stance back to back.  Pulling her hair sticks out she passed one to Angel and said, “This is the best I’ve got.  Ready?” as she slipped the thin piece of wood up her sleeve.

“As ever.  Be careful love.”

“You too.”  She managed just as the first of the vampires came at her.  Lacey dodged the first blow and came in low catching the minion with a short jab to his stomach.  He staggered back slightly and Lacey spun quickly catching him upside the face with a roundhouse kick.  She slipped her makeshift stake into her hand just as the minion came at her again.  Arms opened wide in an attempt to grab her she moved quickly and stabbed him in the heart pulling the hair stick out for continued use.  He turned to dust with a surprised look on his face.  Another quickly took his place and the early morning battle continued.  In a small corner of her mind she noticed that the vamps weren’t trying to kill her, just subdue her.  The thought slipped away before she could analyze it.

Angel was mad.  He had no idea how this many vamps had managed to get so close to him and his mate without him realizing it.  He grabbed the first minion to come at him and quickly snapped his head clean off.  The second one he staked with Lacey’s hair stick absently admiring the usefulness of women’s hair accessories.  A third was making a nuisance of himself though he was quickly dispatched.  He heard Lacey mutter a curse behind him and turned just enough to see her stake another minion.  His attention was distracted long enough that the vampire swinging a rather nasty club at his head caught him off guard.  He didn’t hear the softly murmured, “Sorry Angelus.”

Lacey had turned at the wooshing sound coming from behind her, but was too late in yelling a warning.  She watched horrified as Angel dropped unconscious to the ground blood running way too freely from the wound on his left temple.  “NO!”  She screamed.  A minion grabbed her from behind as she tried to move to Angel’s still form.  She growled low in her throat, latching onto the arm around her throat and pulling violently.  The minion went flying over her head and collided with the one who had raised his club to strike Angel again.  Lacey was at Angel’s side ready to take on the remaining four vampires though she knew it didn’t look promising for her.

A sharp whistle pierced the air and the minions stopped where they stood.  Lacey looked in the direction the whistle had come from, but could not make out the form that had issued it.  Slow, mocking clapping was the next sound to be heard above her deep breathing.  Lacey’s eyes widened and she felt light headed as all the blood drained from her face when the clapping figure became visible.  “Sean?  How is this possible?  You’re supposed to be in prison.”  Lacey looked at her ex-husband closely and shivered at what she felt.  <He’s a vampire!  What the hell?>

“I have powerful friends Sharon.  You’ve changed my little bitch.  Hanging out with vampires… and you’re quite the fighter now aren’t you?”  Sean waved a hand to indicate Angel and the vampire dust drifting in the light breeze.  Lacey palmed her hair stick hoping it was balanced enough for her to throw at him.  As she drew back her arm she was grabbed from behind again.  This time she couldn’t break loose from the grip that held her arms behind her and could only glare at the demon posing as her ex-husband as she once again slipped her hair stick up her sleeve.  Sean grinned evilly, “Ah, ah, ah Sharon be nice now.  I don’t want to mar your pretty face.”  Moving to stand in front of her ran his hand down her body as he took a deep breath, his eyes turning yellow and narrowing, “Someone’s been a naughty girl.  Did you enjoy your romp with the undead Sharon?  Maybe we’ll have to get re-acquainted since you seem to like fucking vampires now.”  <He doesn’t realize I’m mated.  He can smell Angel on me but can’t see the claim mark.  This could work to my advantage.>

“Go to hell Sean.  Oh hold a mo’ you can’t until I send you there.  Let me loose and I’ll make the trip a quick one.”  It had been a shock to see him, but Lacey was quietly pleased to realize that she wasn’t afraid of him like she thought she would be.  He was just another demon to take down.

Sean snarled and backhanded Lacey with such force that she was pretty sure he’d broken her cheekbone.  <Bloody hell that hurts.>  She felt the bone crack but refused to give him the satisfaction of crying out.  Instead she just spit out the blood that had pooled in her mouth and grinned through the pain at him, “And here I thought becoming a demon made you stronger.  Guess I was wrong.”  Lacey braced herself the next blow, but was completely unprepared for the feel of Sean’s lips against hers or the feel of his tongue invading her mouth to lick at the blood still seeping from the cut on the inside of her cheek.  Lacey winced at the pain radiating from her cheekbone and the feel of his fangs tearing at her lip, but otherwise remained outwardly impassive under his assault.  Inside she shuddered at feeling him this intimately pressed against her again.  <Not something I ever wanted to experience again.  I can’t believe I was ever attracted to this tosser.  What the hell was I thinking?  I wasn’t, that was Sharon.  All I can think now is ‘Ick’ with a capital ‘I’.  If I can keep him distracted long enough we may be able to stay out here ‘til sunrise.  They’ll all go ‘poof’ then I’d just have to wait for Angel to wake up…Wait…Angel, waking up right now would be a really bad idea.  I don’t think they know who you are.>  Lacey could feel him coming to wakefulness through their newly formed bond.  As though he read her thoughts Angel continued to ‘play dead’ as it were.  Lacey breathed through her nose when it became fairly obvious to her that Sean wasn’t going to stop anytime soon.

“Umm…Sean?  We need to go man.  The sun will be up soon and we still have to get to the cars then the airport.”  One of the minions said nervously.  Sean finally released Lacey’s mouth and straightened.

“Mmm…Sharon your blood is exquisite.  Come my little whore.  Gabriel wants to have a word with you.”

“You wanker.  As if I’m really going to come with you willingly…and by the way?  My name is Lacey.”  With that Lacey kneed Sean hard in the groin smiling in satisfaction as he doubled over.  She tried again to break loose from the minion holding her but was quickly subdued.

Sean straightened again and wrapped a hand around her throat squeezing hard in warning, “You little cunt.  I’m going to enjoy breaking you again.  I don’t know how you’ve come to be this way, but I’ll make damn sure you learn your place this time.”  He released her throat and pulled a plastic bag from his jacket pocket.  Removing the cloth from within he held it over Lacey’s nose and mouth as the minion held her head still.  <Chloroform> she thought as she tried uselessly to avoid inhaling.

Just before she slipped into the blackness she heard the minion holding her ask, “What about the vamp she was with?  What should we do with him?”

Sean looked down contemptuously at Angel then up at the sky.  “He’s not going anywhere soon.  Just leave him to greet the sun.  Come on let’s go.  Gabriel is waiting for his prize.”  Turning away he did not see the calculating look that passed the minions face.

<I love you Angel.  See you soon.>  Lacey smiled as she passed out.

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