~*~*~

~Part: 1~

      Willow sat the stuffy, smokey car, wishing that she was in Los Angeles already or spending her Friday evening anywhere but where she was right now.  'I had to volunteer to be research girl, didn't I?'

      Angel had called Giles in an uncharacteristic moment of need.  A demon had been plaguing the homeless in the City of Angels and the employees of Angel Investigations had been unable to identify the assailant.  Their only information had been that the demon attacked only the homeless, was very strong,  and seemed to be sucking their life force through their eyes.  Each victim's eyes had exploded or had been taken.  With the information that Giles had been given, he and Willow were able to pinpoint a Meeragh as the attacker.  Fortunately, the former watcher had
the weapon and the incantation needed to destroy the demon.  Unfortunately, he was unable to leave the Hellmouth due to problems arising with the Initiative. Willow had volunteered to take the necessary items to Angel, but the Scooby Gang didn't want her to travel alone.  With Buffy needed in Sunnydale, Xander having to work, Anya not being much good for backup, and Oz missing in action, there had been only one possibility
left.

      That possibility was chain smoking and cursing to himself while driving like a madman.

      "Don't know why I'm doing this," the blonde vampire muttered.  "It's always 'Spike do this and Spike do that.  Spike, get hurt so we can chuckle at your misfortune.  Spike, baby-sit Red so she doesn't get in trouble in the big scary city.' "  He shook his head and took a drag from his ever present cigarette.  "One day, Red, one day......."

      "Yes, Spike.  I know.  Buffy will be your third slayer and you'll bathe in the Scoobies' blood.  Once you get your bite back, of course."  Willow sighed and rested her head against the window.  "And to answer your question, you're doing this to stay in our somewhat good graces so we'll continue to give you shelter and blood.  I'm not enjoying this either.  But no, I've got to be research girl and Wicca girl.  'Go to LA, Willow, get Oz out of your system.  But just don't play with any magick while you're out there.  We wouldn't want Cordelia and Angel getting married, now would we?' " The redhead shook her head and gazed at Spike, who in turn looked at her in a new light.

      "In the same boat, we are, ducks.  They all want to put us in a nice little package and label us, using us when the need strikes.  How 'bout we deliver the goods to Peaches, vanquish the demon, and have ourselves a spot of fun?  Hell knows it's been a while since we've had that," he stated, tucking a lock of her fiery hair behind her ear.  Spike winked at her and turned his eyes to the road.  He hated to admit it, but he liked the witch.  Really liked the witch.  She had real fire, that one.  Raw, untapped strength.  Didn't hurt that she was bloody beautiful too.  Nor did it hurt that he knew exactly what she was going through.  Well, maybe not exactly, since Dru wasn't a werewolf, but he knew what it was like to have the love of  your life cheat on you, then leave you.  It was like being ripped apart inside.  He couldn't blame her for turning to magick to ease her pain.  The anguish makes one desperate.  Sadly, he had been on the receiving end of that foray into comfort.  He shivered at the memory of coming out of the spell with his lips attached to the Slayer's.

      "Fun," Willow replied, tearing Spike from his thoughts.  "I think I'd like that.  As long as killing and maiming are off of the menu."

      "It narrows things down a bit, Red, but I'm sure we'll find something to do."  He grinned and winked at the witch.

      "I have a friend out here that I'd like to look up.  You'll dig her, Spike.  She's punk rock."

      "Sounds like a plan, pet."

      Willow couldn't believe that she was agreeing to go out and 'have a spot of fun' with Spike.  Mortal enemy Spike.  No having of any kind Spike.  I'll stick this bleeding bottle right through your brain Spike.  'The whole broken heart thing must be driving me insane,' she thought.  'At least I'll be insane with a really hot demon. And I won't bother to mention the crush I've had on said demon since he kidnapped me senior year.  Nope, I don't mind whatsoever.'  Willow giggled to herself, capturing Spike's attention.

      "What's so funny, Red?"

      "Nothing, Spike, absolutely nothing."  'Yup, I'm a nut.'

      "If you say so."  The vampire spotted his sire's street and turned on to it.  The agency loomed into sight, causing his apprehension to build.  He hadn't seen nor spoken to his sire since the Gem of Amarra incident.  "Say, Red, do you know if the watcher told the Great Prancing Pouf that I was accompanying you on this field trip?"

      Willow looked at the vampire sheepishly.  "I highly doubt it.  He was pretty focused on all things Initiative once we figured out that the demon was a Meeragh.  Nervous?"

      Spike parked the car and glared at the witch.  "I am William the Bloody.  I do NOT get nervous," he hissed. 'Well, maybe just a tad, but Red needn't know that.  It's not every day you meet up with the sire that you had tortured nearly to death.  I mean, he is a wanker, but sometimes I........forget it.'  "Let's just get this over with," he snapped just before getting out of the car and trashing those thoughts.

      "Yup, he's nervous," Willow muttered to herself before following him.

      "I heard that, Red!"

~*~*~*~

      Cordelia dropped her coffee mug almost as soon as she picked it up.  Steaming black liquid and ceramic crashed to the floor as the seer dropped to her knees. Blood, pain, and death invaded her senses, the force of the mind blow manifesting itself in a bloodcurdling scream.  Angel and Wesley dashed out of the office at her cry.  The dark vampire took her shaking frame into his arms as the former watcher ran for some water and
aspirin.

      "What is it, Cordy?" Angel asked gently.  "What did you see?"

      Wesley suddenly appeared with the medication the seer always needed after a vision.  She washed the drugs down with a swig of water and shuddered.

      "It was horrible, Angel.  I can still hear their screams," she whispered, her face turning pale, her eyes wide.  "They begged him to stop, pleaded for their lives.  They trusted him, invited him into their home, and he killed them."  Her mind kept the image of the scene in her eyes.  Four bodies littered the ground of a large apartment, blood and gore splattered on the pale blue walls.  She could see the decor, rock posters and myriad photos on the walls, pottery adorning ample shelves and guitars on the floor, blood adorning all the possessions that the victims had held dear.  Her vision focused on a framed photo on a desk. Five young adults beaming for the camera, all with the rest of their lives ahead of them.  Now they were dead.  Dead, because they let someone they thought they knew into their home.  Dead, because they had no idea what went bump in the night.  And because of this, a woman their own age was feeling the terror of their deaths.  Never were her visions this clear, this detailed.  While she hated all of the gore dancing about in her head, it would make this easier to figure out.  She hoped.

      "We have to find him, Angel," she insisted.  "We have to find them."  Cordelia suddenly went rigid in her employer's arms as an aftershock of the vision hit her.  She could see the vampire that committed the atrocity.  He had pinned the last one alive against the wall, a malicious grin on his face.  "Now Isabel has nothing to live for," he hissed.  "So she'll die for me."  With those words he ripped the boy's throat out, his blood spraying them both.  The boy's last thoughts were prayers for Isabel's safety. The vision left her as quickly as it had come and Cordelia lay slumped in Angel's arms until a thought came to her, prompting her to attempt to stand.  Angel kept her in his embrace.

      "Rest a moment, Cordy," he pleaded.  "Just take a minute."  The seer shook her head as she gazed into her friend's eyes.  "No, Angel.  There's one more that's left alive.  Isabel," Cordelia whispered.  "He's after Isabel.  He's going to turn her."

      The door to the office opened, startling the three.  In walked Willow and Spike, the redhead running to the fallen seer as she took in the scene before her.

      "Is she o.k.?" she asked, her voice full of concern.

      "She just had a vision, Willow," Wesley told her.  "A rather brutal one."

      "Guess we won't just be killing the demon and heading home, Red," Spike muttered from his spot just inside the door.  Willow shot him a death glare and gingerly brushed a lock of Cordelia's dark hair from her face.  "Can I do anything to help?"  Cordelia choked back a sob and buried her head in Willow's shoulder.  "Oh God, I can feel them, their fear for her," the seer cried softly.  Angel loosed his hold on her and let his secretary wrap her arms around Willow.  "They died for her, for Isabel."  Willow's head snapped up at the mention of the name Isabel.  'It can't be the same woman.  No...'   "Isabel," she whispered fearfully.  'Goddess, please don't let anything happen to her, I beg you.'  But in her heart, she knew that the vision
spoke of her friend.  Cordelia heard the fear in the witch's voice and stood up.

      "You know her," she stated, concern apparent in her voice.  "Her home, where is it?"

      Spike walked over to Willow and helped her up.  "Who is she, Red?" he asked gently.  "What is she to you?  I've never heard you or the Scoobies mention that name."

      "Later, Spike," she whispered, willing herself not to cry.  "Let's just go," she told them all.  "La Cienega and Sunset."  'Isabel is the one person who understood about Oz.  If I can do anything to stop this, by the Goddess I will.'
 

~*~*~

      With Willow's directions, Angel made it to the small home in Cordelia's vision in record time.  The redhead fished a key from a mailbox and swiftly let herself in, leaving the other three on the porch.  She only managed to take a few steps before she dropped to her knees in a pool of blood.  "Gods, they're gone," she whispered, her throat dry, her chest tight.  "Goddesses, Gods, please keep Isabel safe, wherever she is right now," she pleaded.

      "I'm right here, Willow."

      The witch turned her head and sobbed with relief.  Standing swiftly, she threw her arms around the young woman leaning in the doorway.  Confused, Isabel put her arms around the petite redhead.  "What's going on, Will--not that I'm ever unhappy to see you or anything.  And, um, who are the folks standing on my porch?"  Willow glanced up at Isabel and once she saw Willow's eyes she knew something was terribly, terribly wrong.

      For just a moment she took her attention away from her friend and glanced into her home.  All she saw was blood.  She snapped, her mind filled with the carnage before her.  Barely able to stifle her scream, she ripped herself away from Willow's embrace and ran into her living room.

      Four young corpses, three young men and a young woman, lay sprawled on the bloodied carpet.  There had obviously been a struggle of some sort--the posters that had appeared in Cordy's vision were torn and bloody, the pottery had been smashed, furniture was  broken.  Her house, her home,  was in a bloody shambles.  The four people she loved more than anything in the world were sprawled lifeless in pools of their own blood.  She couldn't speak or cry or do anything except but fall to her knees in the middle of the carnage.  She just sat there as a part of her soul died with her friends.

      Cordelia stood beside Angel and Spike as they watched Willow gaze sadly at Isabel.  None of them wanted to intrude on their sorrow, but they needed to get Isabel to safety and find out who was responsible for the scene before them.  The seer slowly approached Willow and broke the silence with a quiet voice.  "Willow, I'm sorry, but--"

      The redhead smiled sadly and nodded her head.  "I know.  I'll be right out."  With one last look at her mourning friend, she stepped outside.  While all three of her friends looked at with great concern, Spike spoke first.  "Tell us who they are, pet," he requested gently.

      "They're friends of mine and Oz's," she revealed painfully.  The last thing she wanted on her mind was the werewolf.  "He introduced me to them in the spring when we were here for one of his gigs.  We got pretty close after that.  After, well, this, er, will spell," Willow winced as Spike blanched at the mention, "went wrong I came here for a weekend and ate fattening food and watched bad television." Her eyes teared as she
thought about that weekend.  "It's one of the best  memories of my short life."

      Spike pet his arm around the petite girl.  He felt nothing but compassion for her.  First the wolf leaves her, then she comes to LA to see her friends butchered.  The demon within cursed the man he still was for feeling for Willow.  'I should be killing her, not holding her.'  Spike shook those thoughts from his head and turned his back on the demon.  "Willow, we need to get an ambulance here for them.  Go take care of your friend and we'll attend to all else."  She cast a grateful smile his way just before heading back in toward Isabel.

      Cordelia stared at the blonde vampire, her eyes wide, her jaw wide open.  "Who are you and what did you do with the pain in the ass vampire who wanted to kill us all?  What are you doing here anyway?" she demanded.

      Angel cut in before his childe could respond.  "I'm assuming that he's here to help with the Meeragh, Cordy.  Even though it would've been nice for some advance warning."  His tone was firm, but slightly yielding.  Giles had informed the elder vampire of the situation Spike was in.  While he wasn't about to charge on and free Spike  from the implant invading his skull, he didn't like to see his childe suffer.  Not like that, anyway.  If Spike was going to be tortured, it would be he that exacted it.  After all, Spike, William, was of his blood, his life.  He would let his childe's past transgression--he surely hadn't forgotten about the hours of torture implemented by Spike's minion-- fall to the wayside for the time being.  They had more important matters to attend to.

      "I didn't volunteer for this, Peaches," the Englishman snarled.  "Do you think that I would willingly come to your aid?"  Spike clenched his jaw,
desperately trying to keep all of his feeling about  this meeting to himself.  Yeah, Angel was an utter pouf.  But he was also his sire.  Indeed he did
torture said sire with pokers and a little bit of sunlight, he had pretty good reasons for doing so at least.  There were so many issues, so many emotions to be dealt with between the two, but he knew that this wasn't the time to dredge it up.  He lit a desperately needed cigarette before he spoke again.  "We can get back to hating one another after we take care of Red and her friend."  'So much for our fun,' he thought sadly.

      Cordelia had known that Spike was fangless, which by the way she was very thankful for, but she had no idea that he could be this human.  After all, the last time she saw him, the vampire had Angel impaled with burning pokers and chained to a ceiling.  Now the feared vampire had sympathy in his eyes when he looked at Willow.  She was confused.  Very, very confused.  Putting that confusion aside she nodded at the vampire.  "Spike's right."  She looked at Angel and pulled out her cell phone.  "Call Kate.  The police are going to be called anyway.  At least she won't freak out about all of us being at the scene."  Angel took the phone and walked away from them to make the call.  The seer stood by Spike, both of them feeling completely helpless.  The crime had been committed, now they had to deal with the repercussions, those being the shattered hearts of Willow and Isabel, someone they hadn't even met.  They had merely seen her approach the house and give them off looks before seeing Willow grieve.  And then they had heard the scream.  Cordelia looked at Spike nodded her head towards the door.  She was going in.

      Even her crystal clear vision from the Powers left her unprepared for the sight before her.  Perhaps it was because this time it was personal.  Maybe she hadn't known the victims, but Willow did.   And as much as she never thought she'd admit it, she honestly cared for the little witch.  So, yeah, there had been that indiscretion with Xander.  And yes, it had hurt her at the time, in more ways than one, but they were young then.  They were still young in fact, and Cordelia knew that people like Willow only came into one's life once in a lifetime, if ever.  Sadly, it took her over a decade to realize that.  It broke her heart to see Willow crying and trying to comfort the dark haired woman in her embrace.  They had known so
much death in their short lives, so much that it seemed like it would never stop.  It had been various classmates over the years, Jesse, then Ms. Calendar, almost losing Willow, and then Doyle..............her heart still hurt when she thought of him.  Another person she had taken advantage of.  'It may be too late to make everything up to him, but I can still have Wills in my life.  I *will* be here for her,' she vehemently told herself before entering the living room to kneel next to her friend.

~*~*~

      Isabel hadn't said one word since she had first seen the wreckage of her home.  She couldn't--she felt as if all the wind had been knocked out of her, as if her heart would burst if she did.  All she could do was sit in a pool of blood and stare at the remains of the four people closest to her, tears blurring her vision so that all she could see was blood.  The moments before Willow took her into her arms seemed like an eternity.  She had never been so happy to see the little redhead before in her life.  Wordlessly she let herself be comforted.  It was when she felt a second person approach that she stiffened and shrank from Willow's embrace.

      Willow glanced up to see what scared Isabel and saw Cordy kneeling with them.  Taking one of Cordelia's hands in her own, she smiled at her other friend.  "Bell, this is Cordelia.  I've known her since we were little.  She's here to help."

      Cordy's chest tightened as she looked into Isabel's eyes.  Her beautiful heart-shaped face was streaked with tears, her grey eyes red and stricken.  "I'm sorry we had to meet like this Isabel," she told her gently.  "But I do promise that we will find who did this."

      Isabel's lips moved, but neither Willow nor Cordelia could hear the words.  The witch stroked Bell's long black hair before asking her to repeat herself.  Looking at the two women before her she stood and pointed to the wall she was facing.  "Simon," she spat.  "He did this. His calling card."  Adorning the wall in dripping blood were two words:  Mine Now.  All grief left her eyes, instead replaced by a burning rage as Willow and Cordelia stood and took a closer look at the message.  "He told me he'd never hurt us," she whimpered.  Willow glanced at Cordelia, who nodded.  They were both thinking alone the same lines. The vampires needed to see this before the police arrived.  The redhead wrapped her arms around her grieving friend .

      "The two men that you saw on your porch are friends of mine, very good friends.  Would you mind if they came in before the ambulance arrives?"  Isabel shook her head.  "No, Willow, I trust you.  If they are friends of yours, they are welcome in my home, or what remains of it," she trailed off, closing her eyes to ward off the tears that just wouldn't stop coming.

      The vampires outside heard the invitation with their enhanced hearing and entered.  While the demons inside the two rejoiced at the stench of death, the men were enraged--even Spike, who, if it weren't for the Initiative, would probably engage in such activities.  But he wasn't able to and now all he could think about were the two young women that this act was hurting.  'Bloody hell.  I've totally gone fucking soft.'  Angel's thoughts were the same.  He could feel the horror and the grief, the fear and the pain.  He would find who did this and grace them with a very, very painful death.  He took a glance around the wreckage of the living room before his eyes settled on the bloody words on the wall.  'Indeed, the author will be found.'

      Spike broke the silence and held his hand out to Isabel.  "I know there is really nothing one can say at a time like this, but please know that we will do anything we can for you.  I'm Spike, by the way," he stated before gesturing to Angel, "and this is Angel."

      Isabel gazed at the two men before her, looking past her rage and grief to see the sincerity written on their faces and burning in their eyes.  She took Spike's hand and grasped it gratefully.  "Thank you both," she whispered.  'It was truly a miracle that brought Willow to me this night.  If I didn't have her here I'd probably join them in death.'  "It's a godsend to have you all here."

      Cordelia couldn't help but smile a little.  Isabel didn't know how accurate that statement was.  Before anyone could say another word, the sirens came upon them and Detective Kate Lockley  entered the house.  "L.A.P.D.," she stated, getting the attention to the huddled five.  Angel stepped forward to speak with her while Cordy, Willow, and Spike  ushered Isabel outside.  "Angel, what happened here?" she asked with genuine concern.  The vampire had been clearly shaken over the phone--this wasn't just another case for him.

      "The redhead that just stepped out is a friend of the victims.  And mine," he added.  "She's visiting me from Sunnydale and she wanted me to meet the, um, deceased."  He had no qualms about telling Kate the lie.  They had no time to get into a discussion about his secretary's visions.  "The door was unlocked and we walked into this.  And then the one other occupant of the house arrived and I called you."

      "I see.  God, I'm sorry that you all had to experience this.  I'm gonna get the crime scene fellas in here now.  I'll get the ID's from," Kate looked up at him questioningly, "what's the name of the other occupant?"

      "Isabel, her name is Isabel.  She's the woman with the long black hair."

      Kate nodded her thanks and went to gather her fellow police officers.  Angel followed her out and walked over to the four sitting on the grass.  Angel knelt next to Willow and put a hand on her shoulder.  "They police are going to take over now," he told them. Isabel chuckled bitterly and shook her head before resting against Willow's other shoulder.  "They won't be able to find him," she spat.  "They can't do a damned thing about his kind.  But I didn't know, I had no idea what he was until it was too late," she berated herself.  "I didn't know."

      "You know who did this, pet," Spike prompted gently.  'This is going to be a faster hunt than expected.'  Isabel looked him in the eye and nodded, the unmistakable gleam of revenge in her grey eyes.  "His name is Simon LeBeau.  He is nosferatu, a vampire."
 

~Part: 2~

      Four pairs of eyes looked at her in shock.  Willow managed to recover first.  "Y-you know about vampires?" she asked warily.  "How?"  Isabel smiled softly at the redhead.  "I know the same way that I know that evil Oz the wolfboy is a werewolf and that you're a witch."  Willow's eyes were so wide Cordy thought they would pop out of her head.  "Spike and Angel are vampires, but with very good vibes, or else I wouldn't have let them in my home, and Cordelia is human with a mystical spark about her."  Surprise hit them all once more at that revelation.  "Willow, I've known about Oz for about a year, you, it took me a while to figure out.  I'm a Wicca too," Isabel confessed "I'm incredibly sensitive to other demonic or mystical beings and can read auras pretty well, too.  I never said anything because I didn't want you to feel exposed.  I felt that this was a safe haven for you, away from the Hellmouth.  I wanted you to have something that wasn't tainted.  A happy place." Her smile faltered as the next words flowed from her lips.  "And it's been taken away.  He took away my family."

      Spike sensed the onslaught of tears coming and wrapped an arm around her.  "We'll find him, and he'll pay, love," he promised.  "Red's family to us, and you, being her friend, are family too.  We *will* protect what is ours."

      Willow's heart swelled in pride as she heard Spike's words to Isabel.  They held such sincerity and truth.  This event evoked a familial feeling between she, the vampires, and the seer.  All prior resentment Willow once had for Cordelia was gone now, any fear she had of Spike vanished.  And Angel, she knew would be their protector. The second witch would be welcomed with open arms.  They couldn't fill the void she now had, but they would do their damnedest to comfort her.

      Kate approached the five and crouched next to Isabel. "Isabel, I'm Detective Kate Lockley.  I am sorry, but I have a few questions for you."  Isabel nodded.  "I understand.  Do you mind if we do it right here?" she asked patting the grass beside her.  The officer sat and began her questioning, the first being her full name.  "Isabel Emily Young.  I'm 27."   The detective went on to ask her more questions, on which she couldn't concentrate enough to answer the officer.  The only details she could give were the names and ages of her friends.  With a sad sigh she had rattled
them off as Kate took her notes.  "Jayne Page, age 24, Ash Beck, age 21, Andrew Waters, age 25, and Eli Goldman, age 21," she had stated in a hushed voice.  She had apologized for her inability to focus on the other details, her mind being too occupied with grief and anger.

      Kate completely understood.  "Don't apologize, Isabel.  I understand.  That's all I needed to talk to you about right now, but we will need you at the coroners office later."  The two made arrangements for Kate to call Cordy's cell once the bodies were transported.  Isabel turned toward her home and said a silent good-bye to the place that had housed nine years of her life.  She may have to return to get her belongings, but it was no longer her home.  Willow put her arm around Bell's waist as she too bid the place farewell.  The horrendous act that had taken place there tainted it's pure atmosphere.

      After a moment, Isabel let herself be led to the Angelmobile where Spike, Angel, and Cordy were waiting.  Hand in hand they walked, drawing strength from one another.  "I thank the Goddess for sending you to me," she whispered to the redhead.  "You and your vampires."  Willow turned to face her, grasping her hand with her own.  "I know that we haven't been friends for the longest time, Bell, but I cherish the time we've had so far, with you and Ash, Jayne, Drew, and Eli.  I will be here as long as you need me."

      "When Willow gives herself to friendship, she give herself completely," Cordelia added.  "All three of us have been on the receiving end many times."

~*~*~

      "What do we do now?" Spike asked impatiently as they all leaned against his sire's convertible.  All he wanted to do now was find this Simon bloke and show him how he got his name.  Angel sensed the anger within his childe and subtly shook his head at the blonde.  "Now we should probably get back to the and brief Wesley."

      "Clothes?" Isabel queried meekly.  "I'd really like to get out of the blood soaked ensemble I've got going on right now."  She gestured to Willow and Cordelia.  "All three of us, actually.  And I doubt the cops will let me in the house to get clothes.  Besides, I don't know when I'll ever want to go back in there again."  Angel nodded and opened the car door so she, Willow, and Spike could get in the back while Cordelia rode shotgun.  "And maybe I could get some whiskey?"

      "I'll stop at the first liquor store I see.  As for clothes, you can borrow something of mine, Isabel.  My home is located beneath my office."

      "Your office?" she queried

      "I'm a private investigator."

      "Angel Investigations," she realized aloud as the vampire nodded.  "I've heard of you.  The Goddess did indeed bless me."

      Cordelia couldn't stop the snort that came out at the comment.  "The Powers That Be sent us to your door.  Literally."  Isabel was obviously confused and Willow took pity on her friend and explained.  "Cordelia's a seer.  The Powers send her visions of those in need."

      "And you and Spike just happened to be with them as the vision occurred?"

      "That's how it happened, ducks.  Red and I are in town to help out with a demon.  We came in the office to see Cordelia on the writhing on the ground in the throes of a vision."  His statement earned him a withering glare from the brunette.  "You make it sound like these things are orgasmic, Spike," she ground out.  "Lemme pass one onto you and see how it goes."

      "And that is definitely my cue to get us out of here," Angel muttered.

~*~*~

      After stopping at a convenience store for Isabel's libations, they headed to the offices of Angel Investigations.  Wesley met them at the door, concern deeply written across his face.  Seeing the worn faces of this colleagues and acquaintances and the blood stained clothes adorning the women he couldn't help but ask, "What happened, did you--" But he shut up once he laid eyes on Isabel.  The visible strain marring her features and bloodshot eyes were enough to let him know who she was.  The five entered the office.  Once they were all seated, Angel introduced the former watcher to Isabel.

      "Wesley, this is Isabel.  Isabel, this is Wesley Wyndham-Price.  He's one of my colleagues."  Isabel looked up at him and held her hand to him, which he shook gently.  "It's nice to meet you Wesley.  I only wish I could've meet you all under better circumstances."

      "Likewise, Isabel," he replied.  "But we will help you in whatever way we can."

      A genuine smile, the first she had managed since entering her home, lit up her face.  "If there is one think that I am certain of, is that."

      At that, Angel stood and walked toward his office.  "Please excuse me.  Wes, Spike--I need to talk to you. Cordy, If you'll show Willow and Isabel downstairs and grab them some clothes from my dresser.........."

      Spike and Wesley walked into the office and shut the door.  The dark vampire nodded to the seats in front of his desk.  After they were all seated, Angel and Spike filled Wes in on the happenings of the evening.  The watcher sat there in shock and disgust.  "So this Simon wanker has managed to hide his vampiric nature, is stalking her, and has killed the people closest to her.  That's the basic issue?"

      Angel nodded to the affirmative.  "That's about it.  I don't know what  Isabel's relationship with is Simon yet.  I'd like to get her through the night  before I asked her anything pressing like that.  She still has to go down to the coroners office to make the final ID and speak to the police again."

      Spike shook his head.  "Poor girl," he couldn't help commenting sadly.  "Both she and Willow.  Fuck, the wolf just left her and now this--"

      "Wait," Angel interrupted, "Oz left Willow?  When?"

      "'Bout a month ago.  Cheated on her with a werewolf bitch and took off, told Willow that he needed to find himself or something like that.  That's what she was talking about when she mentioned the spell that went awry.  She was trying to soothe some of her pain, but it backfired.  I'll spare you the details, but it left her even more upset, especially since the bloody Scoobies were too busy shagging their significant others to be there for her."

      Angel was surprised.  One, Oz had left Willow, she being one of the most generous, loving, beautiful people he has ever known, two, that her friends were too self-involved to comfort her and three, that Spike was speaking of her pain so passionately.  Not that he wasn't unhappy that Spike was looking after the witch, but he had never thought his childe would care so much for a human.

      Spike could practically read the thoughts going through his sire's mind.  "Yeah, I know, Angel, I'm getting soft," he growled.  "But only for that witch.  I couldn't care less about the others, well, except for Giles, since he keeps me in blood and all that, but that girl showed me compassion when the others were about the stake me after I was chipped.  I think I owe her for that."

      "I didn't say a word, Spike.  You have my blessing in keeping close to Willow.  She gave me my soul, helping me get out of Hell.  I wouldn't want her hurt."

      The two vampires left the conversation at that, both knowing that Spike would take care of her.  Once again, they brought their focus to Isabel and Angel got into business mode.

      "I want to know how Simon was cloaking his vampiric nature from Isabel.  He must have known somehow that she's a witch.  Maybe that's what attracted him to her in the first place.  I'm going to hit some contacts tomorrow and see what I can find.  The faster we find this bastard, the better.  During the next couple of days it may be hard to work, considering she and Willow will have to contact friends and family and make funeral arrangements.  We'll just have to work around that th best we can.

      Wesley nodded, dazed from the exchange that took place between sire and child.  It was astonishing to see William the Bloody speak up for a mere mortal.  'Stranger things have indeed happened.  After all, who am I to judge?'  "I start looking into it now.  I'm sure Willow will be a great help in discerning his actions."  The two vampires nodded in agreement.

      "Spike," Angel began, "while I'm at the morgue with Isabel, I want you to stay here and look after Willow and Cordelia while Wesley researches.  If they need to leave for any reason go with them.

      "Indeed, Angel," he replied soberly.  "But when it comes time to beat some demon ass for any reason, I want to be there," he added with his trademark smirk.

      "All right then.  I suppose we should get to work," Angel stated as he stood.  "I'm going to check on the girls."

~*~*~

      Cordy went to the emergency store of clothes that she kept at Angel's for the super icky demon killing days. She managed to procure a pair of jeans and a tee shirt for Willow, but didn't have anything for Isabel. "I don't think any of my stuff would fit you well, Isabel," she apologized.  Isabel nodded her understanding.  "I know.  I've got the large hip thing going on for me."  The seer hurried to apologize once more--she thought Isabel might have taken offense.

      "I didn't mean--"  Isabel cut her off with a hand on her shoulder.  "I know, Cordelia," she grinned.  "I didn't think anything of it.  I was just stating the obvious.  My hips are wider than yours.  I'm comfortable with that, really.  Anyway, Angel said I could use something of his."

      She found a pair of black jeans that hung precariously from her hips and had to be cuffed quite a few times and a black silk shirt that she decided to tie around her midriff and leave the sleeved unbuttoned.  "Wow," Cordelia commented, impressed with the way the older woman could pull of her boss's clothes.  "I think you look better in Angel's stuff than he does."  Isabel smiled shyly and headed to the kitchen to pour herself a shot of whiskey.

~*~*~

      Willow, Cordelia, and Isabel were sitting at the kitchen table over hot mugs of tea.  Talk had been somewhat strained as Willow and Cordy had millions of questions running about in their heads, neither wanting to ask Isabel until she was ready.  The dark haired witch picked up their curiosities and decided to break her silence on the matters at hand.

      "I've known Simon for months, almost as long as I've known Willow," she began softly, staring into her tea. "I met him at a bar one weekend when the LoveDolls were playing--that's the band I was in with Ash and Jayne," she explained for Cordelia's benefit.  "He started to insinuate himself into our lives, being a pseudo-roadie for the band, going out with us for drinks, taking me to movies.  I thought nothing of it. He was handsome, intelligent, and courteous toward me and all of my friends.  We started asking him to dinner at least once a week.  I had no idea that he was a vampire.  Whenever I was near him I felt body heat, his breath, see his reflection, I could feel his heartbeat.  Never did my senses pick up that he was undead."

      "I hate to interrupt, Isabel, but were you, um, involved with him?" Cordelia asked.  Isabel answered unflinchingly.

      "We were casually dating.  We slept together once.  After that he would always ask me to 'be his.'  I told him no.  I didn't have the time for the kind of relationship he wanted.  I had my band, I had my job, I had my house to run.  I didn't want to be with him like that, but I still wanted him in my life."

      "When did you find out he was a vampire?"

      "Ironically," she answered bitterly, "today.  I went to his apartment to have a talk with him about our relationship.  Anyway, I entered his place, during the day, mind you, and saw him.  Feeding on and fucking some regular at one of the clubs I played at.  He tossed her aside when he saw me.  He stood there, naked and covered in her blood, telling me he didn't tell me because he loved me.  He wanted us to be together forever, that he would never hurt me or anyone I loved because he cared for me so much.  He wanted me to be his."  She stopped and hung her head, trying to mask the tears that ran freely down her face.  "And I believed him.  I don't know how, or why, but I let him take me right there, in his bed.  I let
him fuck me in the same bed he had shared with his latest corpse.  After that all doubt had left my mind. I don't know how or why, but all I knew at that moment was that he loved me, he loved my family.  By the time I had kissed him good-bye and headed home to make dinner, the sun had set. He told me he'd be over soon, with a present for me.  He obviously beat me home.  And he didn't leave me one present, but four.  I had walked home in a totally blissed out state, it was like he cast something over me.  I remained like that until I saw the blood.  How could I have been so
stupid?" she all but screamed, startling Willow and Cordelia who had been listening to her quiet testimony in rapt silence.  "How could have let myself believe that he truly loved us?"

      "You're right, he must've had some sort of hold on you, Isabel," Angel stated as he stepped out from the shadows, causing the three women to jump slightly.  "He must have been able to pick up that you were going to back off on the relationship.  If there's one thing we vampires are, we're damned intuitive.  He was prepared for you."

      Isabel looked up at him with her watery eyes and shook her head.  "I should have known.  It was my job to protect them--they had no idea what went bump in the night.  I wanted them to be happy and love their music and art, not worry about the dark side.  They knew of my religion, but never thought of it as anything but.  They never knew that I was steering them away from all that could harm them."

      Angel knelt before her and took her hands into his own.  "You love them very much, don't you?  You were a mother to them."  She silently nodded as the vampire brushed a lock of hair from her eyes and tears from her face.  "Will you let me protect you like you protected your family?" Isabel tried to look away, but Angel's hand caught her chin, forcing her to look at him.  "Isabel, believe me, I know what's it's like to watch your entire family perish, more than you would believe.  And we are all here to help you, but I need you to let me help you as I see fit--by keeping you
safe.  Will you let me?"

      Isabel saw the sincerity in his great brown eyes, the determination in the set of his jaw.  She couldn't refuse him.  "Yes, Angel," she choked through her tears.  "I will."

      Before another word could be said, Cordelia's cell phone began to ring.  She answered with a quick hello and handed it to Angel.  "It's Kate."  Her boss took the phone and excused himself for a moment as he spoke to the detective.

      Willow and Cordy both scooted their chairs towards the weeping woman between them and each took one of her hands.  "I know right now it's almost impossible not to blame yourself, Bell," Willow told her, "but we need to get you past that.  If there was any way you could have kept Simon from them, you would have.  But magick is a powerful and volatile thing, we both know that.  And it's often far beyond our control."  And that was something the  redhead was definitely sure of.  The older witch smiled ruefully and squeezed Willow's hand. "You know, I keep trying to tell myself
that, Wills.  It's not helping much."  Angel laid a hand on Isabel's shoulder, distracting her from their conversation.  She looked up at him to see a frown marring his face.

      "They're ready for us, Isabel."

      She nodded and stood, Cordelia and Willow following suit.  Angel turned to them, keeping his arm around Isabel.  "I want the two of you to stay here with Wes and Spike."  His tone left no argument and they nodded, following he and Isabel back into the office. Once she and Angel walked out the witch and the seer sat on the latter's desk.

      Spike looked up at him from his reading and nodded to them.  "What went on downstairs?"

      As they recalled Isabel's story, the vampire got more and more enraged.  "Bloody hell!" he exclaimed, hitting the table we was sitting at.  "The pillock is using magick to get to her?! What a coward.  He obviously has no idea how to woo a woman proper."  His rant ended with three pairs of eyes looking at him like he's grown another head.  "Please," he spat at them, "just because I'm dead doesn't mean I don't know how to treat a lady."  Willow keenly remembered the vampire kidnapping her for a love spell, but wisely kept her mouth shut.  "Anyway, this isn't about me.  Back to Isabel.  How did these blokes come to be her family, Red?"

      "In short, her childhood sucked.  Her father was a drunken wife beater and ended up killing her mother.  That happened just after Isabel's eighteenth birthday. Once her mom was buried she came out here to get as far away from Boston as she could get."

      "Oh God," Cordelia gasped.  While dangers of the supernatural kind ceased to shock her, she just couldn't believe those who could harm their own families.  "That poor woman."

      Willow nodded and continued her tale.  "It was here that she met Eli, Jayne, Drew and Ash through mutual friends.  They all had similar backgrounds--cruddy home, cruddy parents.  Over the years she took all of them into her home and made sure that they had everything she hadn't.  A caring and loving home.  Ash, Jayne and Bell went on to the form the LoveDolls, a punk/metal band, while Eli and Drew pursued their art.  They all worked and helped with expenses, but Bell was the only one who had a regular job that paid well.  She was definitely a mother figure to them.  And she loved every moment," she disclosed sadly.

      "Every time I came here with Oz, the peace was palpable.  While I loved my friends in Sunnydale, I always had the small wish that I could take off and live with these guys in their pad of love," she told them wistfully.  "When Oz left me, I botched a spell," she sneaked a peek at Spike, who was looking at her with amusement and a touch of the wiggins, "and all I could think of was coming here. I made me feel so much better, just lying around with them, not having to worry about things of the Hellmouthy sort.  And each night we'd pile into Bell's bed like a bunch of puppies."  She couldn't stifle her giggle.  "I don't see doing that with Giles, Buffy, Xander, and Anya."

      "Um, ew," Cordelia agreed, wrinkling her nose at the thought.  "Definitely not."

      "Isabel seems like a truly remarkable woman," Wesley noted with a great deal of respect in his voice.  Spike and Cordy nodded in agreement.  "That she does, mate," Spike agreed.  "That she does."

      "It's like the Goddess blessed her with the face of  the Mother."  'And everything she had to live for has just been taken away.'  The redhead knew that she was going to be in LA much longer than she had anticipated.  She only hoped that Spike would stay with her.  She glanced up at the blonde who was watching her with a reassuring smile.  'Spike, reassuring.  Who woulda thunk it?'  She gave him her own smile before standing and grabbing a book from the large pile on the desk.  "Well, now that we're all on the same page, we should try to find how Simon is hiding his demon-ness."

~*~*~

      Isabel had asked Angel to enter to morgue with her.  He acquiesced and stood by her the entire time.  Once she had finished with all necessary discussion with Kate and the medic, he had left her alone with her fallen family.  Angel also turned to leave, but Isabel took his hand before he could do so much as take a step away.  "Stay?"  He felt awkward, being present for such an intimate moment, but one look into her pleading eyes and he couldn't refuse.  He squeezed her hand gently before she walked toward the four tables on which her friends lay.  She cleared her throat before she began to speak.

      "Guys," she started, "I know that if you were here with me, you would tell me not to blame myself.  But you know how stubborn I am, so it's gonna be a while until that happens.  All I can do now is take solace in the love and friendship that we shared."  She took a deep breath before continuing, all sorts of images dancing in her head--dressing up and going to the Rocky Horror Picture Show with Jayne, running around on the beach at night with all of them,  cooking dinner together--there were so many good times.  "Sure, a piece of me has gone with you.  I'll always
have an Eli, Jayne, Ash, and Drew shaped void, but I will go on, and live my life the way you always wished me to--I will now let myself be free and let my creative streak go wild.  Who knows, maybe this time around I'll let someone take care of me.  And one last thing--I'm gonna make sure y'all get a kickass send off.  No sadness, just celebrating your lives."

      She closed her eyes as she felt the spirit of song course through her, as it had done so many times before.  Before she could stop herself the words escaped from her mouth.

Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved and set me free
I was once lost
But now am found
Was blind but now I see
Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home

      "I pray that you are all home, whether it be your happy hunting ground, the Elysian Fields, or in your own version of heaven.  And if any of you run into Bon Scott, say hi for me.  I love you all so very much."

      She kissed them each on the forehead before returning to Angel who had a sad smile gracing his lips.   'She is amazing.  A Wiccan singing a Christian hymn to her fallen friends.  And her voice, hell,' he thought.  'It's absolutely gorgeous.'  The woman before him had the sweetest, clearest, most passionate soprano he had ever heard.  "That was beautiful," he stated softly, barely able to conceal constriction in his voice due to the emotion her song had evoked in him. He offered his arm to her which she took hold of immediately.

      "Thank you, Angel."

      The vampire didn't know if she thanked him for the use of his arm or his compliment, but he smiled at her all the same.  "You're very welcome.  Are you ready to go back?"

      "Yeah.  I think I think I am."
 

~Part: 3~

      By the time Isabel and Angel returned from the morgue it was nearly one in the morning.  Once they entered his office they were greeted with the sight of Spike and Cordelia passed out and most probably drooling over his books while Willow and Wesley were still working diligently.  The redhead looked up at the two with a wry smile.

      "Hey, guys, welcome back.  And just so you know, we've found a big 'ol diddly squat."

      Isabel walked over to the fellow witch and put an arm around her.  "It's still early, Will.  I have faith that your steel strap of a mind will help lead us to victory."

      Wesley was so involved in his reading that he hadn't even realized that his employer had returned.  "Wes?"  Angel called.  "Wesley?" When the watcher didn't acknowledge the vampire, Willow poked him in the side, which startled him, causing him to jump slightly in his seat and elicit a small squeal.  He glared at Willow who smiled sweetly back at him.  "What that really necessary, Willow?"  She just smirked.  "No, not really.  But it got your attention," she reasoned. He shook his head and turned to his boss.

      "It's late, Wesley.  You can head home if you'd like, but you're welcome to stay.  I can get some food if you're hungry........."

      "Thank you, but no, Angel," he replied.  "I think that I'm going to head home for the evening," he paused to look at his watch, "or morning, rather.  That is, if you don't mind."

      The former watcher knew that they would be in for many nights of work in the near future and really wanted to get some sleep before then.  Angel shook his head and dismissed him with a thanks, a be careful and best wishes for a good night's sleep.  Wesley bid them all adieu and headed out into the night.

      Isabel decided to wake the seer to see if she wanted to stay or sleep.  She had a good idea that she was going to take door number two.  The witch laid a hand on Cordelia's head and stroked her hair once.  That was all it took her to wake.  Willow had a feeling Isabel used a little magick for that feat.  During research parties it took both she and Xander screaming in her ears to get her to wake. The brunette looked up with sleepy eyes.  "Is it morning already?"  Isabel chuckled and shook her head.

      "Not quite, Cordelia. Angel and I just got back and Wesley's taken off for the evening.  Would you like to stay here and maybe research a little more or would you like to go home to your nice, warm bed?"

      "Well, when you put it like that, I'll go with that last one.  Unless you need me to stay," Cordy added, not wanted to desert she nor Willow.  Isabel grinned at her.  "No need, Cordelia.  Go home and get some rest.  Thank you for all of your help," she said sincerely.  "Words can't begun to express the gratitude I have for all of you."  The seer couldn't keep herself from putting her arms around her.  Already she felt connected to the latest stray to be taken in by Angel Investigations.  Loss could do that to people--bring them together and help make them stronger.  "I think it's safe to say that you're a member of the Angel Investigations family now.  Thanks aren't necessary."  With one final squeeze she let go of the witch and gathered her belongings.  She gave Willow a quick hug and said good-bye to Spike.  "Angel, would you mind walking me to my car?"  She led
him outside, the door shutting loudly behind them.

      Spike stood to stretch his legs and light a cigarette.  Isabel practically drooled as she watched him suck the heavy smoke down his throat.  She had quit smoking over a year ago, but she was feeling a relapse coming on.  The blonde noticed her eyeing his smoke and cocked an eyebrow at her.  "Can I help you, love?"  She looked at him with her best puppy dog face while Willow watched in amusement.  "As a matter of fact you can.  Can I please have one of those beautiful looking cigarettes that look like Camels, which is my brand--please?"  With a smile he gladly obliged, kneeling before her to light the cigarette.  "I've never been one to refuse a lady."

~*~*~

      "Angel," Cordelia began once they had left the building, "we have got to help her.  Willow gave us a brief history of Isabel, and my God," she spit out, stopping in her tracks and grabbing her employer's hand, "she's had a hell of a life.  She's lost her mother, lost these guys that she adored and took care of, she lost all that she lived for."  The seer couldn't keep the tears from her eyes, nor could she believe that she had become so attached to someone she'd known for all of one evening.  The vampire could see the emotion raging in her eyes and squeezed her hand.  "We will, Cordy," he stated emphatically.  "We'll kill the bastard and we'll help her get back on her feet.  I have a feeling that Spike and Willow will be around longer than they thought.  They'll be very helpful to our cause.  Now go home and get some rest." They walked the rest of the way to her car and Angel wrapped her in his embrace before she got in and sped off for the night.

      Once he stepped back into the office, Spike and Isabel were puffing away blissfully on their cigarettes while Willow lounged in her chair drowsily. He was thinking that the two women in front of him wouldn't be able to stay awake for much longer.  He could feel Spike watching him and turned to his childe.  "Yes, Spike?"  The blonde approached his elder before speaking.  "I think we should get the chits to bed, Angel.  They're exhausted and tomorrow's going to be another hard day.  Isabel is staying here, right?"  The blonde vampire would not be happy with her in a hotel or any other place where she would be alone.

      Determination flared in Angel's eye, his jaw decidedly set.  "Damn right she's staying here.  So are you and Willow."  Wesley and Cordelia lived here, they knew their way around and how to avoid danger.  Spike and Willow didn't.  There was no way in hell he was letting the three of them try and find somewhere to stay.

      Spike knew his sire wasn't going to budge on the issue.  Besides, he could protect Willow from demons until the sun came up, but if a human opponent accosted them, there would be trouble.  "Indeed, Peaches.  Thanks."

      Angel had to smile slightly.  His wayward childe had given him thanks and he wholeheartedly appreciated it. "Think nothing of it. Would you mind bringing in Willow's bag or bags if she has any?  I'll take them downstairs."  Spike gave a slight nod of his head and headed out the door.  Angel knelt before Willow and Isabel.  "Isabel?"  She looked at him wearily.  "Yes, Angel?"

      "Do you mind staying here tonight?  I mean, not with me, but Spike and Willow, I mean--"  He paused once he realized he was babbling.  'I thought that babbling was Willow's forte.'  If vampires could blush, he would've been as red as the young witch's hair.  He braved a glance at Isabel who was waiting patiently for the vampire to compose himself.  Taking pity on the poor guy, she put a hand on his shoulder.  "I know what you mean, Angel.  And no, I don't mind staying here.  In fact, I think that this is the only place I could feel safe right now."

      "If there's once place you're safe, it's here, Bell," Willow piped in sleepily.  With a huge yawn she stood. "Can we go to bed now, Angel?"  She gave Isabel and hand up and looked expectantly at the vampire, who nodded at her.  "Indeed, little one.  Spike will be back in a moment.  He went to get your bag."

      He led them downstairs and rummaged through his drawers to find Isabel something suitable to sleep in. 'Damn, I'm big,' he realized.  'I've never thought about it before.  This stuff probably wouldn't stay up on Spike---I don't know how my jeans managed to stay up on Isabel today.  Then again, Spike didn't have the hips or--damn.  I was thinking about her in a not so honorable way.  Oh no.  No indeed.'  Trying to think about anything but the woman that would be sleeping in his clothes, he went back to his task.  'Xander naked with Anya, the Master naked and torturing a minion,
just Xander being in a room with him.  Aha.  I did it. No more bad thoughts.'

      Angel dug out a tank top and a pair of black silk pajama pants and laid them on the bed for Isabel.  "There you are, Isabel."    She indicated her thanks with a smile and went to the bathroom to change.  Taking a look in the mirror, she gasped at her reflection.  Her eyes were still bloodshot, her face pale and drawn.  Shakily she ran a hand through her waist length black hair.  "Must keep self together," she muttered.  "There will be plenty of time to fall apart later.  I'm a survivor," she reinforced to herself before shedding her borrowed clothing.  It was heavenly to feel the silk and cotton against her weary body.  She folded Angel's jeans and shirt neatly, kind of sad to give them up.  It was one of the most comfortable ensembles she's worn in a while.

      She left the bathroom with Angel's clothes under her arm.  "Where would you like me to put your clothes?"  When she didn't receive an answer, she gazed up at him and was not ready for the expression on Angel's face as he looked at her.

      Beautiful.  That was the only word in Angel's mind as Isabel approached him, well that word and all of the bad thoughts he had managed to fight off earlier.  In the turmoil of the day, he'd looked at her, he knew she was an attractive woman and had a nice body, but now that he had spoken to her, been in her presence for an evening, he could read her essence, he could see the whole Isabel.  The woman had a body fit for a
1930s pinup model and the face of an angel.  Her kind spirit and calming nature were etched into that face.  What he would give to run his fingers through that hair........and hell, and her tattoos.......her long sleeves had hidden them earlier, but they were now exposed in their colorful glory.  She had a half sleeve on her right arm, so many designs he couldn't pinpoint them all, but he knew the artwork was exquisite.  Around her right bicep were beautiful flowering vines and he could see that there was another tattoo on her forearm.  He noticed himself staring and dropped his eyes.  "You're tattoos are really impressive and um, I'll just take care of the clothes for you." he muttered to the floor.

      Isabel blushed and thanked him.  "I've got more, if you'd ever like to see," she answered softly before handing the clothing over.

      Just as Angel was about the respond, his childe entered by way of the elevator.  "Nice ink," he complimented offhandedly and tossed Willow her
backpack.  The redhead had watched the exchange between Angel and Isabel and was thoroughly amused.  Chuckling to herself she excused herself to the bathroom to change.  Just a few moments later she emerged in flannel pants and a tee shirt.  Isabel and Angel were both memorizing the wood flooring at their feet as Spike regarded them.

      'Sire's attracted to the little punk witch.  Here's to hoping he can keep it under control for a while.'  He decided to break the silence and cleared his throat.  The two that had been under his scrutiny snapped their heads to attention.  "It's time for all good little witches to get to bed, kittens."

      Isabel hung her head in disbelief.  "I'm twenty-seven years old and I've got someone telling me it's bedtime," she retorted.  Spike glared at her.  "Don't make me come over there, pet."

      "Willow, Isabel, go ahead and take my bed," Angel spoke up before Spike and Isabel began bitching at one another.

      "No, Angel.  I am not taking your bed," Isabel firmly informed him, her attention now on the taller vamp.  "I'm imposing enough.  I can sleep just as comfortably on the floor."  Angel took an unecessary breath and sighed.

      "Please don't argue with me," he pleaded.  "My couch folds out.  I'll sleep there."  He glanced over at his childe before continuing.  "You can share, Spike, but I'll have you know that you are not sleeping naked on that couch with me in it."  The blonde pretended to pout, but killed the pouting with a smirk.  "You're just afraid it'll give you a happy."  Angel wisely chose to ignore him and smiled at the tired women who had already jumped into bed and were looked at him with the sheets tucked under their chins.  "Good night to the both of you."  They managed to mumble a good night before sleep began to overtake them.  They instinctively had their arms around each other, seeking comfort even in their slumber.

      Angel gestured toward the elevator and Spike followed him.  The passed through the office and stepped outside into the cool night air.  "How was she at the morgue?" the blonde asked with concern apparent in his dark blue eyes.  The elder of the two shrugged his shoulders and glanced out into street.  "She didn't break down.  That's a good thing.  She said her farewells and made some peace with herself.  And she sang to them.  Hell, it was heartwrenching, Spike," he stated, remembering the way her words made him feel. "She sang an old hymn.  Amazing Grace.  The song's
been around as long as we have.  I'm sure you know it. Anyway, her voice is exquisite," he stated softly.  "It's clear, passionate, and haunting.  I've never heard anything like it."

      "She's a musician, mate.  Had a punk band with some of her housemates."  He looked warily at his sire who definitely had a faraway look on his face.  "Peaches?" he asked, trying to regain his sire's attention.  The dark vampire left his daze to look over at his childe. "Yes?"  The blonde took an unnecessary breath.  He knew he was about to cross a line with the demon in front of him, but there was something he needed to know.  Once he had steadied himself, he looked directly into Angel's eyes.  "Angel, you're probably going to hit me for asking this, but I want to know.  Do you get this up close and personal with all of your cases?  Or is it just Isabel?"

      The souled vampire stared at his childe in surprise.  He didn't see that coming, after all, he never did give Spike enough credit for his insight.  He kept his eye contact and answered truthfully, no anger apparent.  "No, Spike.  I don't.  But then again, I've never had a case hit this close to home before."

      Angel's words confirmed Spike's suspicions.  "You identify with her.  She feels like she's killed her family and you did kill yours.  You want to save her from the guilt that's consumed you.  And if you look at in a different light, also want to keep her from the same fate that befell Dru.  Crazy how many parallels there are, mate."  He paused a moment before he spit out his next words.  "And you're attracted to her.  You want to be her protector."  Angel hung his head, not being able to deny his childe's statements.

      "I know it's wrong.  The poor woman just lost all that she held dear, and I just downright ogled her.  I was thinking about how her my clothes managed to fit  her, how good she looked in them," he exclaimed in exasperation.  "What kind of protector is that?  Can you tell me?"

      In all honesty, Spike appreciated the candor of his sire's words.  He also could feel the animosity dissipating between the two of them.  Of course they still had to confront one another about their recent past, but for now, they seemed able to share space comfortably   for the first time in almost a century.  "Angel, you're a man that's starved for affection and I know that you don't just ogle every woman you see.  It's not in your nature, not anymore at least."  His sire winced at the illusion to his former self, but Spike went on.  "Isabel is a lovely and very special woman.  You can't help that your soul is attracted to that.  She's caring, pure of heart, and strong.  She's everything that you're striving to be now.  And unlike
Buffy, she wasn't born to despise our kind.  She knows what you are, what we are, and she's accepted it.  That's fucking impressive considering a vampire just killed her friends.  And Willow seems to absolutely adore her, which tells us that the chit's a-ok."

      "You care for her," he stated, referring to Willow, trying to get the attention off of his Isabel, um, lust.  Spike cocked his head at his sire and smirked.  "I thought we went through that already, Peaches.  She kept the slayer from killing me the moment I stepped on Rupert's doorstep.  I owe her for the fact that I'm not a pile of ashes right now."  Angel grinned at his childe knowingly and prompted him to continue.  With an exasperated sigh, Spike lit a cigarette and glared at his sire.

      "So what if it's more than that," he snarled.  "Yeah, the witch is beautiful, she's compassionate, she puts everyone's needs before her own.  She all that I'm not, Angel.  To her, I'm just a big fluffy puppy with bad teeth.  She looks out for me because her nature won't let her do otherwise.  And the slayer would cut off my bollocks and feed them to me if she were ever to know that this conversation took place."  His eyes began to blaze with blue fire, gold threatening to overtake them.  "Fuck, what am I talking about.  Bloody hell!" he swore.  "I'm a demon.  I was half of the Scourge of Europe.  I was William the Bloody.  I was Spike, one of the most feared vampires in history," he ranted hysterically, poking himself in the chest with each reference.  "After almost two hundred years of bloody rampages and two slayers under my belt, here I am.  Because of some bloody commandos I'm helping the fucking Slayer that I've tried again and again to kill, depending on them for my sustenance, caring for a mortal woman, killing my own kind, and having a moment of truth with my nancyboy of a sire that I almost killed only months ago."  He hung his head, trying to hide the tears that had formed in his eyes.  "I'm a disgrace.  I should've let them put me out in the sun long ago."

      "William."

      Spike dropped his cigarette when he heard his given name.  It had been over a century since anyone had called him that.  And before that, his sire was the only one who still referred to him as William.  All else had taken to calling him Spike.

      Angel took his childe's face in his hands, forcing the blonde to look at him.  "William," he repeated, "never refer to yourself as a disgrace.  In my two and a half centuries of existence, you are one of the most remarkable individuals I've ever known.  You show more feeling, more raw emotion than any vampire I've ever met.  You're strong, physically and emotionally.  You'd have to be to have lived through what I put you through two years ago.  And you'd have to be bloody fucking strong to have gone to Buffy for help.  Despite everything that has transpired between the two
of us, I can say that I am damned proud of you.  You're my childe," he said, almost reverently.

      Spike for the first time in ages he could feel his sire's love and pride come flowing through the bond created decades ago.  "And you're my sire," he whispered, his tears flowing freely now.  "Indeed," Angel agreed.  "I am your sire.  You are my family."  He paused to wipe away his childe's tears.  "I wish you would have come to me when you were first injured, but I understand why you didn't.  You can come to me at any time, William.  Please know that.  Our lives are different now, but keep in mind that the more things change, the more they stay the same."

      Shaking his head, Spike stepped away.  "I think this was easier when you were with the slayer and we hated each other."  Hundred of conflicting emotions were debating themselves in his mind while pain lanced through Angel at the repeated mention of his former love.  "I never hated you.  True, I was blinded by Buffy.  I believed she was my salvation, but never have I hated you."

      "I wish I could say the same," the blonde sadly replied.  Angel knew that his childe had many issues to reconcile with him.  They had decades to get over. This time they would be reconciled.  His beloved boy would be at his side once more--even if they were two nancyboys.  Putting his arm around the smaller man's shoulders he led them back into the building.  Silently they locked up and returned to the two sleeping women.

~*~*~

      A sinister chuckle resounded in the night as a solitary figure watched the two vampires return to his love.  Simon stepped out of the shadows and shook his head.  "So my beloved has come to the two traitors for assistance.  No matter to me," he stated confidently.  "When I wish for her at my side my will shall be done."  After one last look at the building which housed his Isabel he turned and walked away.  He wanted one last meal before the sun rose.
 

~Part: 4~

      She was back in her home, just as it was before she had come to find the bodies.  Eli and Drew's artwork adorned the spotless avocado green walls along with a myriad of photos and posters.  Isabel and Ash's guitar collection was lined up against the wall near the kitchen while Jayne's drum kit sat in the corner.  The carpet was still clean, all of the furniture in it's place.

      "You should have told us, Bell."

      The witch whirled around to find a pre-corpse Ash glaring at her with his fathomless blue eyes.  Shaking his head in disgust he ran a hand through his spiky blue hair.  "You should have told us that creatures like Simon existed."

      "I was trying to protect you all," she replied in defense.  "I did what I thought was best for you."

      "Obviously your best wasn't good enough.  Some witch you are," he mocked.  "Did you really think that you could read everyone you met, that you could know what kind of intentions lay in their souls?  You're no one's savior, Isabel," her friend spat at her.  "All you did was prolong the inevitable--your failure.  Because of your secrets.  And didn't we all agree that secrets were unhealthy, Bell?  I do think so," he accused harshly.

      Isabel sank to her knees as Ash voiced the fears that had always plagued her.  "I didn't want you to live in fear, Ash," she whimpered as tears ran down her face.  "If would've told you everything that I know, you'd all have lived your lives in fear.  I loved you too much to let that happen."  He knelt down in front of her, grabbing her chin so that she looked him in the eye.  She shrank away from his burning gaze, trying to look away, but his hold on her was firm.

      "You loved us so much that you invited your vampiric lover into our house so he could slaughter us all.  We were killed so you could have eternal life, Bella.  Bella," he repeated, the name dripping off of his tongue like honey.  "That's what Simon likes to call you, isn't it?"

      With a silent nod she shut her eyes, praying that this wasn't real.  Her prayers were short lived as Ash backhanded her.  "Witch!  Look at me while I'm speaking to you, Bella.  I think you owe me that much," he hissed.

      "You did kill us after all, Bella.  Give the boy what he wants."  Ash released Isabel long enough to let her see Jayne, Drew, and Eli, also uninjured, descending the stairs, the four pairs of eyes burning into her with their rage.  "Why did you have to make this such a mess, Bella?" Jayne continued.  "All you had to do was tell us what you were, what he was.  Would that have been so hard?"

      "I.  Didn't.  Know, " she stated through grit teeth.  "He masked his nature from me, from all of us.  He reflected, he breathed, he had a fucking heartbeat."  In her anger she beat her chest.  "How was I to know he'd do this?  He loved us........" she trailed off as her tears became hysterical cries.

      "And he loved you," Ash continued, the sarcasm thick in his voice.  "You're such a trusting soul.  Remember what your trust has done."  All four of them began clawing at their throats, their faces, replicating the damage that Simon had done to them, bringing their second death.  "May this vision be forever with you."

~*~*~

      Spike and Angel returned to the underground apartment  to the sound of anguished sobs.  Racing to the bed, they saw Willow trying to comfort a violently shaking Isabel.  The redhead looked up at them with her own tears.  "Help," she pleaded.  "I can't get her to calm down."  Spike went to Willow's side, taking her in his arms as Angel wrapped his large frame around Isabel.  After a few moments of comforting words and soothing
stroking of her hair, her cries ceased and her body began to relax against his.  The witch gazed up at her comforter with distressed, red eyes.

      "They blame me.  I killed them," she whispered in anguish.  "Everything's my fault.  I should have told them what I was, that boogey men do exist.  All of this is my fucking fault."  This is what she got for letting the guilt go for a moment, long enough to somewhat flirt with the man who was holding her.  The man that was just there to help her be free of Simon.  'I should only have two things on my mind.  My family and Simon.'

      "Shh, Bell, Bella--" She immediately froze at the endearment, her face a mask of horror.  "Please, don't call me that," she begged.  "H-he called me that.  I hate that name."

      Angel tightened his hold on her.  "Then I won't say it again, Isabel."  He rested his head on her shoulder and covered her hands with his.  "You had a dream, a very bad dream.  Those weren't your friends, just images.  They, your family, loved you.  They wouldn't accuse you of their deaths."

      "But--"

      "But nothing, Bell.  You did what you thought was best.  You took care of them the best you could."  He adjusted their embrace so he could her into her eyes.  Her gaze clung to him desperately, just like her arms. She just wanted him to make her feel safe, to make her believe she wasn't at fault.  "Isabel," he began firmly, "when Cordy had her vision, one of the first things she mentioned was fear.  It was fear for you.  They don't hold you responsible.  Your family just wants you safe.  Simon is the one responsible for this--he deceived you with powerful magick.  We're going to crack his hold on you and make sure he can never hurt you or anyone else again."

      Her gaze softened a bit before asking him, "Cordelia really felt that in her vision?"  Her voice was meek, desperate for his words to be true.  "I wouldn't lie about that," he stated, sincerity in his eyes and in his voice.  "Never would I lie about something like that, Isabel.  Do you feel well enough now to try and get some more rest?"

      "I can try," she answered quietly, "and I feel really, really awkward asking you this, but would you--"

      "Yes," he answered softly before she could finish her request.  "Don't think anything of it.  Cordelia and Spike were right--you are a member of the family now and we take care of our own."  He gently released her and turned to Spike and Willow.  The redhead knew what he was silently asking and nodded.  "I'll share with Spike."

      She crawled across the bed and kissed Isabel on the forehead.  "I love you, Bell.  Remember why you're called Hell's Bell.  You can kick the ass of anything in your way."  Isabel hugged Willow fiercely in thanks and kissed her on the cheek.  "I'm so glad you happened into my life, Will."  The redhead shrugged and winked at her.  "That goes both ways.  Now try to rest," she asked softly.  She gave her friend one last squeeze before leaving the bed to get the couch ready.

      Spike winked at her and took her hand.  "A good rest to you, Isabel," he wished to her.  He kissed her knuckles lightly and went in Willow's direction to give her a hand with the couch.

      "I'll be right back, Isabel, " Angel promised her.  He got off of the bed and went to the bathroom to put his sleepwear on, which consisted of a pair of silk pants identical to the ones Isabel wore.  Of course, he normally slept in the buff, but it was hardly appropriate now.  With one last thought he grabbed a pair of boxers for Spike.  His childe hated to be confined to clothing when he slept and the underwear was the least constraining thing he had.  He threw them at his childe when he left the bathroom, hitting him in the back of the head.  The blonde smiled his
thanks and took off to get semi-naked.

~*~*~

      "Angel?"

      "Yes, Isabel?" he asked kindly.

      The vampire had just turned off the lights and crawled into bed, or rather over the bed.  He felt very odd snuggling under the covers with her.  It was one thing to be on the bed, ready if she needed him, but he felt downright lecherous doing anything else.

      "You can get under the covers.  I don't bite and I trust you not to take advantage of me," she whispered conspiratorially.

      'Shit.  Can't she just let me be miserable on top of the blankets?'  "Sure.  I just wasn't sure, you know--"

      "Angel, I've slept platonically in beds with males all of my life.  You won't corrupt my virtue. " He turned on his side and saw her smiling at him in the dark.  "The whole point of you and me sharing the bed is so you can be my vampiric teddy bear and let me grab onto you should I feel the need.  That's way easier when you're under the blankies.  So get comfy, dammit and hold me so I can go back to sleep," she demanded.  She tried to keep her tone light, but her fear and pain were underlying.

      The vampire had no choice.  With a sigh, he crawled under the covers and found Isabel ready for him to take her in his arms.  She laid her head next to his and let him cradle her against him, his hold on her firm, yet gentle.  With a content sigh, she snuggled deeper into the embrace and wrapped an arm around his waist.  "Thank you Angel," she whispered.  Against the advice of his brain, he gently brushed his lips over her forehead.  "You are very welcome. Goodnight, Isabel."

      Angel didn't close his eyes until Isabel's breathing became shallow and even.  He then shut his eyes, letting himself relish in the warm body in his arms, sleep finding him fast.

~*~*~

      "Spike?  Are you asleep?"

      "Not yet, Red.  What's up?"

      The witch rolled over on her side and glanced at the vampire beside her who was looking right back at her.  "Thank you," she told him in a sincere voice.  The vampire cocked his scarred brow in curiosity.  "For what?"

      "For everything.  For coming with me in the first place, for being so kind to Isabel, for getting along with everyone, especially Angel.  And thank you for being a friend in this time of need.  I know that you've tried to kill me a bunch of times and I made you kiss Buffy, but here, now, it's like we're kind of on even ground."  She paused, trying to remember the last 'thank you' she meant to say.  With a smile she found it.  "And last, thank you for all of the times that you've saved our asses.  We really don't give you the credit and respect that you deserve considering all that you've done for us.  I'd really like it if we could still be like this when we get back home, of course I don't know if you do, I mean--"

      "I do, pet," he cut in, interrupting her babble.  "I'd like that.  Out of all of the blasted Scoobies, I honestly like you.  I respect you, even, but please don't tell them that.  And I thank you for saving my ass when I was first chipped.  You kept Buffy from staking me on sight at Thanksgiving and you didn't tell her when I attempted to turn you in your dorm.  You could've told her and I'd be dust right now.  I think we're pretty even on the ass saving between you and me."

      "Turn me?"

      "Huh?"

      "When you were in my dorm, you had given me a choice, but you would've turned me no matter what?"

      "Hell, yeah, Red.  Like I'd let you go to waste.  All that  fire, intelligence, your beauty--"

      "You think I'm beautiful?" she whispered incredulously.

      "Indeed I do, pet.  And believe me, I don't make shit like that up.  You have so many traits that would make you an amazing vampire.  But honestly, I'd miss your soul," he told her.  "It's so bright, it's almost blinding.  You've got so much love in ya, Red."  He could see her blushing from his compliments.  "I'd miss your blushing too."  That just made her turn redder.  "It's right adorable."

      "Wow, Spike.  I can't believe I'm going to thank you for wanting to vamp me, but, well, thanks.  I can't believe that you see all that in me."

      "A bloke would have to be blind to not, Willow."  In a daring move while ignoring any rational thinking at that moment the vampire quickly turned the redhead so that she was spooned against him with his arm possessively across her stomach.  "Do you mind, pet?" His voice was directly in her ear, sending a chill down her spine.  "Nope.  Not at all.  I'm comfy. Feels nice."  'Being held by super hot Spike, can't complain.'

      'Hell, she's so warm.  So soft.  I'm in heaven.'  He could vaguely catch a whiff of her arousal in the air mingled with her surprise.  He buried his head in the crook of her beck and deeply inhaled her scent. "G'night, Red," he whispered before pulling the blankets over them.

      " 'Night, Spike."

      Willow snuggled into his embrace, smiling when he pressed a soft kiss to her hair and  tightened his arm around her.  'I could get used to this.'

~*~*~

      "Warm.  Woman.  Wonderful dream.  Not gonna wake up yet."

      He couldn't see anything or anyone, but he could feel.  Her.  By the scent his visitor was giving off it had to be a woman.  A bit of clove, sandalwood, the smallest bit of cigarette smoke, and the pure essence of woman.  The faceless female had her lips on his throat, alternating between soft kisses, playful bites, and some wicked suction.  Her tongue was tracing intricate patterns on his jugular, making him purr while her hands were massaged his muscular chest, palming his nipples every so often. A knee insinuated itself between his thighs, barely brushing over his
erection.  He pulled his paramour closer to him, tangling one hand in her hair and using the other to bring her closer to him, making here feel what she was doing to him.  Her arousal was thick in the air and he positioned her on top of him, so she was straddling his painful erection.  He could hear her moaning as she moved over his pubic bone, giving her delicious friction.  She bent over him, tracing his parted lips with her tongue, teasing him into battle.  He took her head in his hands and crushed her mouth to his, his tongue stroking hers, fighting for dominance.  Releasing her head, he continued the kiss and brought his attention to her breasts, his large hands roughly kneading their fullness, stroking her nipples to hard peaks.  With a moan she tore herself from his mouth and leaned into his hands while she rode him.  Her body began tense and Angel knew she was approaching
her orgasm.  He pulled her over him so he could suckle and massage her breasts with his mouth tongue while his hand slipped under her silk pants.  He entered her with one finger, then two, using his thumb to circle her clit.  Her moans were coming fast and desperately as she moved on his hand.  Taking pity on her he slipped a third finger into her and applied more pressure on the swollen bundle of nerves, willing her to come, giving his dream lover a face.

      "Come for me, Isabel, corazon," he begged in a low whisper.

      "Angel!" she screamed, drawing her nails down his chest.

      Her juices drenched his fingers as he prolonged her orgasm as long as possible.  When he felt her final shudder he removed his hand and brought it to his mouth, tasting her.  "Isabel," he whispered once more as he licked her sweetness from his fingers.  It was so real he could feel her sweat covering the both of them, he could hear her rapid heartbeat as she came down from her high, and he could actually taste her juices on his fingers.  And he could feel a large damp spot growing his pajama pants.  And he still had a hard on.  And *then* he realized that he was awake
with a very real Isabel draped over him. "Oh, shit," he panicked.

      Drowsily Isabel stretched and saw Angel's huge brown eyes staring at her in horror.  She was awake.  He was awake.  And her dream was way more than a dream.  She stole a glance at the two of them and almost fainted when she saw that he still had one of his hands on her breasts and his lips swollen from her kisses.  Not to mention the very noticeable red bruise on his throat.

      'Oh, Gods, that wasn't a dream, I just rode Angel like a pony.  And I gave him a hickey.  And he still has a hard on which is pressing quite insistently against my booty."  She sat up rather roughly, sadly for Angel, because she rubbed against his now very painful erection and the vampire couldn't keep a moan from escaping his throat.  Isabel gasped when she realized what she had just done, but instead of running to the bathroom like she had planned, she pulled herself off of Angel and silently walked quite decorously to the bathroom, shutting the door behind her.

 ~*~*~

      "Bloody fucking hell," Angel muttered.  "What was that?"

      "A bloody good show, Peaches."

      He turned and saw Willow and Spike staring at him.  The blonde grinning maniacally, the redhead blushing up to her hairline.  His utter embarrassment took care of that pesky erection of his.  "How much did you see?" he growled.

      "Well, I heard and smelled before seeing, Peaches.  Couldn't sleep through the moaning.  I think it was the bed shaking that woke Red."  She hit the vampire in the chest in reprimand.  "Shut up, Spike."  It was actually Spike chuckling in her ear that woke her.  Then she heard the moaning and bed shaking.  She tried to ignore it, but Isabel's scream forced her eyes open.  She couldn't believe her eyes when she saw Isabel on top Angel.  And then she noticed.  While they were both in the throes of passion, they were also at the mercy of their dreams.

      "Angel, please calm down," she asked, trying to quash the fear that Angel's gaze instilled in her.  They were nearly yellow and his former purring had turned to growls.  "The two of you were dreaming.  You didn't mean anything, I don't think, I mean this kinda happened with me and I'm gonna shut up now" she babbled as her face turned a darker red.  "And um, I think I'm gonna check on Bell."  She tried to get up, but Spike kept her down.  He shook his head.  "You stay here with broodboy, Red, I'll talk to Isabel."  His amusement had faded into concern for the poor girl and he figured that he might be able to calm her down a bit better than Willow in this situation.  He left the bed and hastily stepped into his jeans.  Before he went to the other witch he grabbed his smokes, the bottle of whiskey and a pair of his sire's jeans and a tee shirt for her to change into.

~*~*~

      Spike rapped on the door gently.  "Bell, kitten, it's Spike.  May I come in?"  He could hear a muffled sigh on the other side of the door.  "If I asked you to just leave me alone, would you?"

      "Not likely, love.  I'm not here to laugh or mock or do anything remotely like I normally do.  I promise."

      He heard the lock turn as she opened the door for him.  She looked up at him with utter embarrassment written all over her expressive face.  He held up his cigarettes and the whiskey.  "I brought you presents." She stepped aside and took her seat on the toilet.  "That you did.  Thanks."  He handed her the bottle and she took a large swig.

      "I think that was the single most embarrassing moment of my life, Spike," she confessed.  To his surprise she wasn't crying, she wasn't in denial, and she wasn't in shock.  Just acceptance and lots of blushing.  "I went from having a nightmare about my dead friends to this, Spike.  This insane subconscious sexcapade, at least I thought it was a dream--I mean it was and then it just got, well--"

      "Real," Spike continued for her.  "Isabel, you said it yourself--it was your subconscious.  Things like this happen, love.  It's happened to me many times before.  Years ago I know that I groped Angel in my sleep too."

      "Yeah, well I just did a bit more than groping," she muttered.  She then looked at him curiously.  "You've known Angel for a very long time, haven't you?"  He nodded.  "Yeah, almost two centuries now."

      "He's your sire, am I right?"

      "As rain, love.  You are an intuitive little thing, aren't you?"

      "Well, there's that and the fact that I've known other masters with actual childer, and not just minions, but I must say I like the two of you the
best."  She managed to smile at him.  "The two of you are far different from any vampires I've known.  Then again, I've only been knowledgeable about the bumps in the night for about nine years.  Not a very long time for you fellas."

      "No, it's not, but Angel and I are different from other vamps.  One of these days soon we'll tell you all about it, but now we're gonna talk about what just happened."

      "Do we have to?"  The blonde nodded his head and held out a cigarette for her.  She accepted gratefully.  Once he lit it for her, she could feel a wee bit of her stress winding down.  "Bell," he stated once he'd taken a smoke for himself, "I have a feeling you'll be associating these gits for a long while, even after Simon is dealt with.  It won't do you any good to be all awkward when me sire's around.  There's really no blame here.  You were having a randy little dream and happened to be next to someone who was also sleeping with their mind in the gutter."

      Isabel looked at him oddly.  "And this is supposed to be making me feel better?"

      "Yes," he insisted snarkily, "it is. The both of you were bloody asleep!  You didn't know that you were actually acting out your dream with each other.  I'm surprised I didn't wake up groping Red this morning.  If you were a vampire, love, you would know what it's like to wake up with a warm body," he breathed, reliving the evening spent with Willow in his arms.  "Absolute bliss, it is.  One of the reasons we sometimes choose to take human lovers.  Nothing, *nothing*," he emphasized, "can beat the feeling of stretching your body along a woman's soft warmth, heating the cold blood in our veins as we wake.  And besides," he continued in a less reverent tone, "we're all adults here, Bell, and shit happens.  It's doubtful that Red and I will be scarred for life, so don't worry about it.  We've seen far, far worse things in our lives.  So, now I suggest that you take a few more sips of liquid courage, finish that fag, put these trousers on, and talk to my ponce of a sire. " He stopped his tirade and glanced over at her.  She
had an odd look on her face, but a smile gracing her lips.

      "Thanks, Spike.  Strangely enough, you did make me feel better."  He winked and opened the door to leave. "All in a day's work, pet.  Now get your kit on and talk to Angel.  And just so you know, he does think you're a cutie."

      "Well, I think he's a cutie too."  She admitted. "And Spike?"

      "Yeah, love?"

      "You'll be good for Willow.  You have the capacity to love her the way she deserves to be loved.  Tell her how you feel--you'll be surprised at what happens"

      He nodded his thanks and went back to his sire.

~*~*~

      Willow didn't know what to do with pouty and growly vampire.  He had huddled under the covers with a pillow over his head and refused to say one word to her.  It was really starting to piss her off.  Well, so yeah, he and Isabel both kinda had a wet dream--with each other.  She wasn't going to sit there and watch what was most likely to turn into a good friendship go gown the toilet because of this.  She marched over to Angel and snatched the pillow from his face, tossing it across the room.  The vampire glared at her with irritation and surprise as she proceeded to sit on his chest with her arms crossed over her chest.

      "What are you doing Willow?"  The little witch glared at him.  "I'm going to make you talk, Angel.  It's going to do you no good to be all broody and grrr.  I'm sure that this was really embarrassing for you, but it was embarrassing for all of us.  I'm not scarred, Spike's not scarred, and I highly doubt Isabel's scarred because it takes a whole heck of a lot to phase her.  She used to share a bed with all of her roommates at times, most of the time when one of them was upset.  I've even shared a bed with all of them and guess what--I once woke up with Drew trying to hump my leg," she informed him.

      "Willow--"

      "No, Angel.  I'm talking now.  Your turn later.  I don't know what's really bothering you--if it's because she's one of your clients now, if you feel
like you're betraying Buffy, if you think that Isabel is feeling like you took advantage of her, or that she might never speak to you again.  Maybe you're really bothered by the fact that you do find her attractive and are attracted to her.  But you know what?  She is attractive.  She's one of the most beautiful women I've ever known.  Not just on the outside, but inside. That woman has so much love, compassion, and forgiveness in her that I'm surprised she hasn't exploded.  And she deserves caring and loving people in her life.  Like you," she growled and punctuated with a poke on the chest.  "So don't let your brooding get in the way of what could be a wonderful friendship."  She stopped a moment to catch her breath.  Angel regarded her closely.  He had no idea that Willow could rant like that.  Neither did he know whether or not to be impressed or extremely annoyed.
"Are you quite finished, little one?"

      Willow cocked her head to the side and thought a moment.  She nodded at him.  "For the moment.  I'll let you know if I have anything else to add."

      "I'm sure you will," he muttered, earning a glare from her.  "Willow, after just one day of knowing Isabel, I realize what a wonderful woman she is.  And yes, I am attracted to her.  I won't lie about that.  And no, this has nothing to do with Buffy.  It's not that I don't care for her, I always will, but we don't even live in each other's world anymore.  But do you know what could have happened?  What if I had bitten her or somehow had intercourse with her, Willow?  We both know that's a bad thing.  So much could have gone wrong and I couldn't even wake myself to stop it."

      "Angel, you can't stop what you don't know is happening.  The worst thing that happened is that you gave Isabel a screaming orgasm."  The witch grinned as Angel looked away in embarrassment at her candor.  She grabbed his chin and forced her to look at him.  "And that is nowhere near a bad thing.  I know Isabel.  She hasn't had one of those in a really long time, well, at least one that wasn't caused by her Hello Kitty vibrator.  And sex with Simon *so* does not count.  I hate to quote Anya, but orgasms are good.  You gave her a moment of pleasure in a time that's filled with pain."  Her gaze softened and she smiled sweetly at her friend.  "She knows that you wouldn't hurt her, Angel, like I know you would never hurt me."  She bent over and kissed him on the cheek. "I don't think we've ever spoken this much before."  With one last smile she crawled off of him and headed to her backpack.  "I think I'll go change now and let you sort out your, er, issues.  And one more thing, Angel.  Make sure you put on a turtleneck today."

      'I can't believe that Willow Rosenberg just said vibrator in front of me.  Without stammering or blushing of any kind.  I think it may be a sign of the apocalypse.'
 

~Part: 5~

She was cleaned up, changed, and ready to face Angel.

When Isabel broke free of her self-imposed bathroom confinement, she felt much better.  After all, they were both adults and they both had the right to have naughty dreams.  It wasn't their fault that their dreams became reality.  In the words of Spike, 'Shit happens.'

That's what she kept telling herself anyway.

Angel was sitting on his freshly made bed, right down to brand new sheets.  'I guess he could kinda smell my, well, he knows what.'  She fought the blush that she felt staining her cheeks and approached the vampire.  He had his arms resting on his knees and his head in his hands.  But he knew she was there.  She sat down on the floor in front of him and set her palm gently on his knee.  "Hey," she whispered, hoping he would answer.  He lifted his head and met her eyes.  "Hey."

"Angel," she began, keeping her voice soft and hopefully reassuring, "I know this is pretty embarrassing and I'm thinking that we don't really need to apologize to each other for what happened.  We were both obviously sleeping with our minds in the gutter and besides, Spike told me what it's like for a vampire to have a, well, a live human in their bed, what it's like to wake up next to one of us.  He made it sound pretty intense--"

"It is," he said, his voice breaking with remorse and longing.  "Isabel, the only time a vampire truly feels anything above room temperature is when they feed--"

"Or when they fuck," she finished for him.  "Well, when they have a romp with a mortal anyway."  The vampire stared at her in surprise.  She stated it so nonchalantly with no judgment or repulsion in her demeanor.  Isabel's grey eyes locked on his and refused to look away.  "Angel, I am no where near disgusted with you or what you are.  I think you forget I'm pretty in tune with your kind," she reminded him.  "Since you showed up at my door last night you've shown me nothing but compassion and caring.  Never have I felt any malice from you, well, when we've talked about Simon, yeah, but that's o.k.--we both have a common goal as far as he's concerned."  She took his hands into hers and felt his discomfort flow through her. It was more than discomfort--it was almost like self-loathing.  The softer her caresses, the more painful his vibes.  Looking up at him she saw the twin pools of his eyes fill with confusion and desolation.

"You're not used to being touched like this, are you?" she asked him sadly.  "I-I'm not sure I understand," he replied stiffly, breaking their eye
contact and withdrawing his hands from hers.

"Last night when I was sitting in your kitchen crying my eyes out, you had no qualms about touching me.  You touched my face, you wiped away my tears and when I woke up hysterically, you held me as I tried to go back to sleep.  Now that I'm trying to touch you in a comforting way, you pull back.  Why?"

"Why?" he repeated mockingly.  "I don't deserve your comfort, Isabel.  You have no idea who I am or what I've done."

"Angel, that statement goes both ways," she shot back.  You didn't go digging into my past before you decided to help me.  And I have no intention to do that do you.   I already know you're a vampire, Angel, a vampire that's two centuries old, at the least.  There was lots of bloodletting in your past, but that isn't something you take part in now."  His gaze drifted back to hers, her fire and spirit making her eyes glow like grey fire.  "How do you know that, Isabel?" he wanted to know.  "Can you read it in my aura?"  His voice was dripping with sarcasm and it was really starting to irritate her.

Too infuriated to sit anymore she jumped to her feet and stared the vampire down.   "Dammit, Angel!" she cried.  "Are you *trying* to piss me off?  I can see it in your refrigerator and I can see it in the way you treat us."    She paused a moment, almost happy that she had forced him to look away from her.  'Maybe the sod will realize I'm making sense.'   "Do you want company in this stroll down self-loathing lane?  Because I could go into my rant about how I should've been plagued with more nightmares about my dead friends this morning instead of screaming your name," she spat.  At that remark the vampire practically growled and pulled her in his lap.  Holding her head in his hands, Angel made Isabel look at him.  His gaze
wasn't to be ignored--it was smoldering, gold flickering in the background.  Isabel would've found it a turn on if she weren't so pissed.

"Don't you *dare* feel guilty about having a moment of pleasure when all you know right now is pain, Isabel," he ordered her.  She covered his hands with hers and smiled sadly.  "You gave me that pleasure, Angel.  Doesn't that mean that you shouldn't feel guilty either?"  When he didn't respond, she tried another approach.  "Last night, you asked me if I would accept your protection and I said yes."  She moved so that she was straddling his lap and cradled his neck with both of her delicate hands.  "Will you accept my comfort?" she whispered, tears about to run down her face.  His loneliness and pain were so palpable it was as if they were her own.  Isabel let one of her small hands travel from his neck to his face so she could trace his strong, stoic features.

Against his will the vampire sighed and let himself lean into her touch.  "It's been so long since someone's touched me like this and known what I am," he whispered roughly.  "I don't understand how you can."

"It's actually quite easy," she told him as she began to stroke the fine hairs on the back of his neck.  "All I had to do was look at you, Angel, and I wanted to know you.  Please don't apologize to me for what you are."

"I don't deserve this," he protested, trying to break from her embrace, but she held firm.  "I don't give a rat's ass as to what you think you deserve, Angel," came her soft reply.  "You are one of the most amazing men--"

"I'm not a man, Isabel," he painfully hissed.

"Fine," she sighed, "you the most amazing male demon I've ever met.  You've taken a complete stranger into your home and taken it upon yourself to keep her from harm.  You comforted me when I was frightened and held me so I could feel secure.  That takes one helluva man, Angel.  I don't care what you say, but to me you are more that the demon--*much* more."  She paused to flash a cheeky grin.  "I'm very opinionated, in case
you haven't guessed."  He started to glower at her, but when he saw the sincere expression of peace, acceptance, and well, a bit of love she wore, it turned into a smile, a full blown Angel smile that happened *very* rarely.  'I have to be incredibly fucking blessed to have this woman to convince me that I should be in her life.  This warm, beautiful, loving woman who sees me, man and demon.'

"You've such a beautiful smile Angel," she complimented.  "Just seeing it makes me happy."  She couldn't help herself; she ran her thumb across those soft lips, almost willing them to kiss her.  'This is comfort time for your vampiric teddy bear, Bell.  Naughty thoughts don't belong.'  She was trying desperately to drive them out of her mind while the vampire just nuzzled further into the caress, relishing in the human contact.  "We've got three options now, Angel," she breathed as she continued memorize his face with her touch.  "We could forget any of this happened--last night, this discussion, everything--and part ways once we dust Simon."  She noticed the pained look that flickered in his eyes and continued. "We could hop on your bed and fuck like bunnies," she declared. That one earned her a look a total shock that she chuckled at. "Or you could accept the friendship that I am practically throwing at you.  Have you thought that the Powers whom you serve brought you into my life for a reason?  The four of you showing up at my door like the cavalry was a bit extreme just to take one vamp out, don't you think?"

"Why would they bless me like that?" he asked honestly.  Isabel gazed longingly at the man before her, a man who wanted nothing but true, unconditional friendship, but was afraid to take it when it was offered.  "Maybe they think you deserve someone to accept the whole you, unconditionally, so you don't have to make your journey alone.  If you'll get to know me, Angel, you'll know I never hold a person's past against them.  It's what they are doing now that's important.  And what you are doing now is *so* important.  Even if you are trying to make amends for
past wrongs, you still deserve some credit--you haven't taken the easy way out."

"Why won't you just give up, Bell?" he muttered, but he could feel his resistance come tumbling down as he brought her closer, holding her snugly to his chest.  "I'm not trying to be your personal savior, Angel," she whispered.  "I'd just like to be able to show you kindness, be able to brighten your days while you do the superhero thing at night."

He chose not to debate her, but instead posed a question.  "So, if you were to hang around the office, you'd be running around giving hugs all the time?"

"Not quite.  I'd hug when it seemed like you needed a hug.  You probably think that I'm batty for saying this, but hugs have tremendous healing power," she claimed as her arms founds their way around his neck.  "How does this feel right now?" she inquired.  "Are you uncomfortable with my touching you now?  I'll stop if you want me to, Angel."  She already knew what the vampire's response would be, but she needed to hear it from him.  That response was to cradle her close and bury his head in the hollow of her neck and shoulder.  "Don't expect me to run about the office giving out hugs, corazon, but this I think I could grow to like."

"Baby steps," she suggested.  The tears the young woman had managed to keep under control chose to start streaming down her face at that moment.  Angel smiled softly and brushed the tears from her face.  "Does that make you happy?" he whispered.

"Angel, I see some of your tension, some of your burden lifting, I can feel it."  She held still a moment, basking in the wonderful vibes he was
emitting.  "It's beautiful."  He shook his head while he pushed her hair from her face.  "You're beautiful," he breathed.  "All that love and acceptance lighting your face, Bell.  Willow was right--you have so much that it's a shock you haven't exploded."  Isabel blushed at the compliment, making her seem even more stunning to the vampire.  She was still blushing when Angel took her lips soft, reverent kiss.  Returning his kiss, she ran her hands through his short, soft tresses, almost moaning with disappointment when his mouth left hers to place a gentle kiss on her throat.

Angel caressed Isabel's face in the same manner she had touched him earlier, his thumb lingering by the lips he had just kissed. "I want to take option number three, corazon," he whispered huskily.  "While I don't think it would be wise for us to fuck like bunnies, I'm not willing to let you slip through my fingers either.  I don't think anyone's tried this hard to make me want to feel before."  The witch purred happily and wrapped herself in the wonderful energy rolling off of Angel.

"You've now brought me two moments of pleasure, Angel," she sighed.  "This, and the screaming orgasm you gave me this morning that didn't come from my Hello Kitty vibrator."  His mouth opened and shut, but no words would come out.  "How--"

"Your bathroom walls aren't very thick.  I heard just about all of Willow's rant.  That Red sure does have a spark," she grinned.

~*~*~

Spike and Willow sat in the quiet of the Angel Investigations offices.  Being that it was Saturday and only eight in the morning, Cordy and Wes were
home, probably sleeping, which is what the witch and vampire would've really liked to be doing.  Willow yawned as she twirled around in Cordy's office chair.  Spike glanced over and caught her eye.  "C'mere, Red," he requested, holding his hand out to her.  The witch sleepily sauntered over to him and took it.  "Watcha want, Spike?"

"Sit down, pet."  She obliged and found herself wrapped securely in his arms, her head resting on his shoulder.  "Try and get some rest.  I'm sure the punk and the ponce will be finished pretty soon."

"What do you think they're doing?"

"I can't hear them very well from here, but Isabel just bitched at him for something.  Probably for being all poncy and guilt ridden."  Willow turned and glared at him.  "You've been listening to them the entire time?"  He just shrugged and pulled out his smokes.  "I've been trying, Red, but as I told you, It's all very muffled from up here."

"Well, try harder," she commanded as he lit a cigarette for himself.  The vampire looked at her in mock surprise.  "Willow Rosenberg," he gasped, "you actually want me to eavesdrop on the ponce and the punk chit?"

"Hell yeah," she grumbled.  "I want to know that Angel isn't screwing this up.  Isabel could be the best friend that he ever had and I don't want him to turn her away once the Simon fiasco is over and done with."

"I know what you mean, pet, but I'm going to let you on a little secret.  Peaches fancies the tattoo queen," he disclosed in a conspiratorial whisper.  "I don't think he'll let her go that fast."  Willow gave him a withering glance and shook her head.  "I could've told you he likes her, Spike.  I saw him ogling her when he saw her in his clothes, geez, you'd have to be blind to not see that.  But just liking her isn't neccessarily going to keep him from being an ass."

         The mention of his sire's feelings for Isabel caused the punk witch's advice echo to repeat in his head.  To tell Willow how he felt.  That he was a creature of the night that was totally smitten with a certain redheaded witch.  'Looks like it's now or bloody never.'

He gently lifted Willow off of his lap and sat her on Cordelia's desk.  Spike wanted to see every expression on her face as he told her, which was definitely now, because he couldn't stay this close to her and keep it to himself.  After all, self-imposed torture was his sire's gig, not his.  "What's up, Spike?" she asked when she saw the intense look on his face.  "Is something wrong?"

He smiled at her, falling even further for the witch who regarded him with such concern.  Her hand went to his face, caressing the hollow of the vampire's cheek.  "No, Red," he declared with a shake of his head.  "Nothing is wrong, nothing at all."  He paused a moment before going on.  "Willow, we've known each other for a few years or so, right?"  She nodded her head as she kept her emerald eyes on his deep blue orbs.  The only time he had ever seen him look this serious was when he had asked her, well, kidnapped really, for a love spell to win Druscilla back.  "Yes, Spike," she breathed, succumbing to his gaze.  "And we've gone from trying to kill each other to reluctantly saving each other's asses," he continued
with a slight smile.  "And we've gone from reluctantly helping each other to this."  He gestured to the hand that was still touching him softly.  "Well, Red, I'd like to go from that to this--" He stood slowly, his stance between her thighs.  Cradling her head gently he kissed her softly, yet briefly, pulling back to see her reaction while keeping his hands tangled in her hair.

Her jaw fell and her emerald eyes grew big as bloody frisbees.  "You want to progress to smoochies?" she breathed in awe.  "With me?"  With a very Spike-y grin he nodded.  "Yeah, Red, with you," he confirmed.  "But why?" she couldn't help but ask.  Someone like Spike digging her was a foreign concept to the redhead.  He was beautiful--not handsome, not cute, but beautiful--he could have any woman he wanted, so why her?  She had grown up around girls like Buffy and Cordelia, the girls that always got the attention from attractive men.  Except Oz.  He had been hers, well, until he decided he was too much wolf for her.  Even the fluke with Xander didn't happen until he had been crushing over Buffy and dating Cordelia.  Willow knew that she was kinda cute and had lots of good qualities, but she was in no way prepared for this predatory look on Spike's face after he had kissed her--it was pure need.

The vampire could practically read her thoughts--why her, why not other, more attractive woman, she couldn't even hold the wolf, how would she managed to be with him, among so may others.  "I'll tell you why, Willow," he affirmed, "you are one of the most passionate women I've known in two centuries.  You're beautiful, you're intelligent, strong, selfless, loyal, indomitable--" He stopped a moment to smile tenderly at the shell-shocked witch.  "I could go on for hours, love," he whispered.  The redhead shook her head and looked up, at him, her eyes glowing bright with joy, her lips curled in a glorious smile.  "I think you've made your point, Spike."  He brought a calloused hand to her jaw and stroked the soft flesh there.

"You have such fire, Willow, raw passion that your rarely let anyone see," he murmured while she leaned into his caress.  "I want to help you embrace it. Will you let me?"  Willow answered his question with a slight nod of her head.  "Yes," sighed the witch.  Once more she found her gaze drawn to his expressive blue eyes.  As he regarded her they turned dark, filling with hunger, passion, and undeniable lust.  In his relief at her answer, his lips brushed over hers once more.  With surprise and pleasure, he opened his mouth to Willow's as she delicately traced his lips with her tongue.  Once joined they explored and tasted each other for the first time.  The vampire rejoiced as he was finally able to taste his Red.  He had
dreamed of this moment for two years, ever since he'd taken her for the love spell.  Now he had her in his arms and he never wanted -

"What the hell are you two doing on my desk?!"

--to let go.  With a sigh he ended their kiss and pulled Willow off of the desk.  The redhead couldn't help but blush when faced with a very surprised
Cordelia gaping at them.  "Morning, Cordy," she managed to squeak.  Shaking her head at them, the seer set the two bakery bags she'd brought in on her desk and didn't even bother to hide the big grin spreading on her face.  "I'll forgive you for sullying my workspace.  I'm just happy you've come clean about the hots you've been harboring for each other," she declared with a smirk.  "You knew?" the redhead asked.  "How?"

"Please," she sighed.  I know these things.  Call it a gift.  You're the kickass research/Wicca girl, Isabel has her auras, and I can tell when two people have the hots for each other," she explained.  "I mean, have you seen the way Angel's been looking at Bell?  I haven't seen him be that obvious since--" She very wisely shut her mouth as she heard the arrival of the elevator.  Isabel and Angel stepped into the office, the both of them looking quite calm and collected, much to Willow's relief

"Good morning, Cordelia," the older witch greeted her.  "What on earth are you doing here so early?"  The seer gestured to the bags on her desk.  "I come bearing breakfast," she proclaimed with a smile.  "I've got bagels, donuts, and other freshly baked goodies here.  I'm painfully aware of the lack of food in Angel's kitchen."   Her employer beamed at her in thanks.  "That was very thoughtful of you, Cordy.  Thank you."

"Thank you Cordy," Willow and Isabel echoed.  Once they heard the word breakfast they had started pawing through the bags.  "I do have my moments," she admitted.  "Besides, I figured that this would be another difficult day.  I can make up my beauty sleep some other time.  So what do we have going on today?"

"Phone calls, funeral arrangements, thinking of creative ways to kill Simon," Isabel mumbled through bites of chocolate donut.  "That kind of stuff."  She paused a moment and looked over at Angel.  "I'm gonna step outside for a moment, o.k.?"  He crossed the room to take her hand, the one that didn't have a donut in it.  "Is something wrong, Bell?"  'Oh, hell, she's probably thinking of kicking me for kissing her.  What was I thinking?'  he mentally abused himself.  She smiled at him, her expression filled with no anger or regret, only peace.  The vampire quietly sighed in relief, no idea of the looks that Willow, Spike, and Cordelia were exchanging.  "No, Angel.  I just wanna have a smoke outside, in the sun, by myself.  Ya know, some alone time.  Me and my toxic fumes.  I'll just be out a minute," Isabel assured him.  She squeezed his hand before stepping outside into the sun.  Angel suddenly wished he could see her out in the light.  Shaking such thoughts out of his head, he turned to the vampire, seer, and witch all wearing matching smirks.

"What?" he demanded grouchily as he rifled through the baked goods in search for a jelly donut.  "Oh, nothing Peaches.  We were just wondering if you were going to cry when Bell went outside," he queried sarcastically.  Angel's response was to growl at his impudent childe and stalk into his office, slamming the door.  "He's got it *so* bad," Cordelia confirmed.

"I heard that!"

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