They had been in LA for two months. So far, things were great. They had found a nice warehouse and had had it remodeled into a cosy home for them all. With the money they had paid, the workers had been finished in a month. They had been staying with Cordelia and Angel until the remodeling had been done. She was never happier to have something finished. Five of them lived here. Enough space that no one was constantly around but not so much that you felt alone.
Alone. Anya smiled slowly. She definitely hadn't been alone lately. The six of them had become fast friends. Spike and Doyel had hit it off well, often playing poker into the wee morning hours. Angel still lived at his place, but he was always over to visit them. He might as well have just moved in. He even had a guest room that was 'his'. She knew he was lonely when he left the chatter and constant noise of their place. She knew that this was the closest to having a family that she would ever have.
They were a family. A twenty first century family. Friends and lovers that trusted each other completely. She would put her life in any of their hands and never blink twice. She knew they felt the same way. There was more than just trust though. She couldn't descibe it without sounding stupid. She loved them. She would do anything to protect them. She had never felt such loyalty and devotion to anyone. As a demon or as a human.
She thought of Xander and sighed. He hadn't been a mistake. She had cared for him. Always would hold a place in her memory and heart for him. He just wasn't her future. It had been fun, but it was time to grow up. She and Angel had been talking more. She knew the others were trying to set them up. So far, she wasn't complaining. She cared a lot about the dark haired vampire. Could easily fall in love with him. It was just too soon. She had rushed everything with Xander and didn't want to make the same mistake.
So, they were going slow. He had no objections to that. His heart still belonged to Buffy in most ways. She knew it would take him longer to get over the slayer than it would take her to get over Xander. Since they had left, they had not heard from anyone in Sunnydale. It was the same as when they were there. She knew that they felt that Willow had betrayed them by not telling them about Spike. She understood the redhead's reasons though and held no blame against her. Besides, she had seen the two together and knew love when she saw it.
She looked around her room and smiled. It was the size of a small apartment. She loved it. The others had bigger space, due to the two people living there. Cordelia and Doyle were on the other side of the warehouse. Willow and Spike closer to her. She was glad at how well the walls blocked sound. Those two often got carried away. When that happened, it got loud. She didn't want to have to hear them make love every night...several times. Not with Angel down the hall beside Cordelia's room.
She moved down and snuggled under the covers. She hit the off button on the television and the room plunged into darkness. She closed her eyes and settled down to sleep.
* * * * *
Anya laughed at Doyle's baudy joke. Willow and Cordelia just rolled their eyes, exchanging smiles.
"See, the wee chit enjoys my humor" Doyle pointed out to his girlfriend.
"She doesn't count. She enjoys anything that mentions sex." Cordelia said solemnly.
"Hey now....watch it" Anya said, her voice light but her eyes full of regret. Willow gave Cordelia a pointed glare. "Anya is no longer a sex crazed nympho Cordy. Well, at least if she is, she doesn't act it out."
"Damn, nothing is good for you people. First I'm sex crazed. Now I'm a nun. This coming from the redhead that has at least three orgasms nightly." Anya pointed out.
Willow blushed causing Doyle and Cordelia to laugh. "Three Wills? Geez, what do you have him on, viagra?"
"Oh just hush. It is not three. She's just trying to redirect our argument to me."
"And it almost worked" Anya pointed out smiling innocently.
Willow suddenly got a wicked gleam in her eyes, "Well, then, Miss Demon girl. I may be forced to tell what I hear coming from your room every night...." She let the sentence linger as she chuckled evily. Anya's eyes widened, "What are you talking about?"
"Let me just say that you aren't a quiet sleeper, Anya. Must I say more in mixed company?"
"Oh god....You're joking right?" Anya said, knowing what most of her dreams centered around.
"'Oh baby. Yessss...Right there. I love it when you do that....fuck me hard....' I believe that was last night." Willow said, blinking innocently.
Cordelia started laughing harder, "Don't tell me. Did you forget the, 'make me yours now Angel' part?"
"You guys really irritate me sometimes" Anya said, knowing her face was flaming.
"You started it" Willow reminded her.
"Well, then. I want to finish it. New topic."
"Actually" Willow looked at the new watch Spike had bought her, "It's time to meet the boys. About time for them to wake up."
"As long as we don't have to talk along the way" Anya said as she paid the bill.
They walked out of the resteraunt chatting. As she walked through the door, she bumped into a man coming inside.
"I'm sorry" she said, smiling briefly before rushing to catch up with the others. She stopped and glanced back. Something about him looked familiar. Shaking her head, she continued talking to Willow.
The man watched her, a smile crossing his lips. Briefly a flash of violence could be seen as inhuman eyes watched the group turn the corner. He whispered one word, his voice hard and cold, "Anyanka."
* * * * *
"Tonight was fun" Anya said, smiling at the dark haired vampire.
"It actually was" he said, grinning.
"You say that as though you had doubts" she replied.
"Nah...just our first chance to be alone. Wasn't sure what to expect...I'm just digging myself deeper aren't I?" Angel said, smiling.
"Would you like a bigger shovel?" Anya said, laughing at the look on his face.
Angel gave in to the temptation and caught her chin in his hands. He leaned over and kissed her softly, his teeth nipping at her lips. She opened her mouth, allowing him entrance. She sighed contentedly as the kiss deepened.
Angel pulled away, his eyes roaming over her. "I'll see you tomorrow, Anya."
"Good night Angel" she whispered.
The way he said her name sent chills up and down her spine. She wondered how long it would be before their relationship moved to the next step. She went inside, locking the door behind her. All was quiet in the house. She had gotten in rather late.
She went and took a shower before getting ready for bed. Laying down, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
Three hours later, she woke up, a scream catching in her throat. She was sweating heavily. She gripped the pillow tightly as she looked around her room. She had had a nightmare. She saw people that she had known throughout her demon life...they had been after her. She again looked around her room, making sure that no one was there. She could swear she felt eyes on her. Sighing, she leaned against the headboard as sleep eluded her for the remainder of the night.
**********
"Leave me alone!" Anya screamed, holding her head.
Willow rushed to her side, taking the trembling girl in her arms. "Shh...it's fine. No one is here.."
Anya looked at her, her eyes focusing, "Willow? Oh god, Willow." She hugged the redhead tightly. "Do you see them? Do you hear them? They're everywhere..."
Spike stood, taking in the girls words. He looked at Willow, catching her eye. "I'll be back."
Willow nodded, knowing immediately where he was going. They rarely had to speak at all. They had such a connection that words were not necessary. She continued to console Anya, hoping that Spike would hurry.
**************
Angel looked at Spike, his face confused, "What?"
Spike snorted, "She's seeing things. Can't sleep. Screams out at night at the most inopportune times. Been going on a few days now. Will is worried."
"She asked if Willow could see and hear them? Them who?"
Spike shrugged, "Who knows. I do know that Willow wants you there to help. Maybe she will talk to you. Willow can't understand half of what she babbles about."
"Of course" Angel grabbed his coat. "I hope she is ok. I don't think I could lose someone else...."
Spike smiled slightly, "You won't lose her, Peaches. But, it might be wise to stake a claim so that SHE knows she's yours to lose."
Angel glared at his childe, "Quit talking. Let's go. I want to find out what she's talking about."
Spike just laughed as he followed his sire into the night. Damn poof was stubborn sometimes.
**********
Anya smiled softly at the man sleeping beside her. Well, she guessed that he was sleeping. With no breath it was hard to tell sometimes. She'd have to ask Willow how she knew when Spike was sleeping. Shaking her head, she let her thoughts concentrate on Angel. Her lover. Her friend.
He had saved her three months before. It seemed that she had been recognized by a guy she had tortured a few hundred years before. He had put an enchantment on her making her see and hear the voices of her victims. It was supposed to drive her human mind insane. Angel had figured it all out and found the demon. Thanks to him, the spell had been lifted before any serious damage had been done.
Anya could still remember them all..the faces and the voices. But she had grown from the experience. She knew that she hadn't caused their deaths. With the help of her friends she had gone on with her life. The whole episode had brought her and Angel closer though. He had to admit to his feelings about her. Hers were always quite obvious.
They had become lovers a month before. It had been everything she had read about. Xander would always be her first, and for that he would always have a place in her heart. But, her feelings for him paled in comparison to her feelings for Angel. Angel was her other half. She now knew what Willow meant.
Angel had moved into the warehouse with them. All six of them had become a family. None of them had spoken to anyone in Sunnydale since before they left. There was no need. They had enough to keep them busy in LA. No regrets on any of their parts. It had all happened for a reason. She felt lips on her shoulder and looked down into dark eyes. She smiled, kissing him softly. The past was done and gone. They could all move onto the future now. With each other.
THE END