Isabel was not a day person.  She never had been.  During her school years it had always been a struggle to be on time and to stay awake in class.  Even now, at 27 years old with a 9 to 5 job as an administrative assistant, it was difficult making it to work on time. On her days off she never even thought of getting out of bed until three or four in the afternoon.  She had never functioned well while the sun was full in the sky.

        Friends all through her life had called her a vampire due to her sleeping habits and her incredibly pale skin.  People wouldn't expect her to be  he way she was--so warm, kind, loving, with a 'sunny' personality--if they were to see any room that she had decorated.  Dark paint, dark draperies, light provided by candles and christmas lights.  Her curtains were only opened once the sun set.  It was all rather goth-like, but as long as she kept it as dark as night during the day, she felt secure.  Maybe that's why she loved Angel's underground apartment so much.   And like so many vampires, it was only when the sun set that she could truly feel alive.

      Everything she loved was part of the night--it was her time.  At night she was able to take off the facade she was forced to wear at work.  She could wear anything she liked; never did she have to hide the art adorning her body--the art that was a part of her.  Night was when she could be with her friends, she could go to concerts, she could play her music, and she could spend time with her magick and with her God and Goddess.  It was only then that she could truly be Isabel.

      So it surprised her when she actually wanted to sit out in the smoggy LA sun with her cigarette at nine in the morning.  After all, that was about the time she went to sleep most nights.  But the last night wasn't like most.  Isabel had been mind-raped and her family had been killed.  She was staying with two vampires and a fellow witch who were working with her to make sure that a certain vampire never got his hands on another woman again.  And she was smoking again.  Isabel thought she had kicked it a year ago, but there she was, reveling in the thick smoke that burned down her throat.  The only times she had smoked since she quit were after sex--which she wasn't having all that often--and when she would drink with Simon.  He'd had the best clove cigarettes she'd ever tasted.  The first thing she did whenever she entered his home was to light one up.  Simon had even taken to leaving one on the table in the foyer whenever Bell was expected.

      There had been one on the table last night, she remembered.  Even though she had gone unannounced, it had been there and she had lit it out of pure habit.  She had smoked the entire thing before she found him in his bedroom.  And then she had gone on to smoke three more in between the rolls in the hay with Simon, after which she had felt perfectly blissed out, stoned even.

      Crushing her smoke under her boot, she ran back into the AI office.  Hearing her hasty entrance Spike, Willow, and Cordy naturally looked up at her one she stormed in.

      "Eradico animus," she told them before they could speak.  "It means to obliterate the soul, the will--it's an herb.  That's how Simon managed to get me into his bed yesterday."  Isabel didn't even pause for them to respond--she knew if she didn't rattle off the information now, it may be lost in her addled mind.  "It smells like cloves and it tastes like cloves.  The plant is used in very strong love rituals, to make a person completely surrender their will, and in general mind rape.  I smoked four clove cigarettes last night that contained the plant while I was at Simon's.  I don't know exactly how he's using it, but it only works if the victim ingests it willingly.  It has both immediate and prolonged effects, but alone it has none and must be used in conjunction with a spell or ritual.  My obvious guess is that he's planning on using that to make me give in to him."  During the speech, the witch had remained totally detached, almost as if she were talking about someone else instead of herself.

      "Then we find a way to counter the effects."  Isabel looked up to see Angel standing in the doorway to his office.  "Cordy, please call Wesley and ask him to come in, Spike if you'll hit the books and Willow the computer, it would be great."  He received three somber nods in response and turned his attention back to Isabel.  "Bell?"

      "Yes, Angel?"  He took a step back into his office.  "Can I talk to you a moment?"

~*~*~

      It was when Angel shut his door that Isabel threw herself into his arms, losing the calm she'd displayed only minutes ago.  The vampire lifted her gently into his arms and sat in his office chair, cradling her to him.  "That shit can make a person a zombie, Angel," she whispered tearfully, "and I've got it in me right now."

      "There is no way in hell I am going to let the bastard get his hands on you again, corazon," he murmured in her ear.  "We will find a way to fix
this."  Isabel felt so safe in his arms; his large body curled around her in protection, that she almost wished she never had to leave them.  She took that time of security and let her fear and grief pour themselves out in her tears.

      Angel sat there with the weeping woman in his arms, sharing in her grief and fright.  All he could do while she cried was to hold her tight against him and stroke her hair, wanting nothing more than to make it all go away.  He cursed the one who had caused all this, vowing once again to grace him with a painful death.  She seemed so small and fragile at that moment, bearing no resemblance to the Isabel that had tried to beat sense into him only an hour ago.  Her tears began to soak through his shirt, their scent filling the air.

      The sobs did begin to subside after a while and her shaking ceased.  Only when her body was absolutely still did Isabel look up at the man who was holding her so tenderly.  Angel automatically wiped the tears from her face and brushed his lips across her cheek.  "Have your tears dried up, corazon?" he whispered softly.  She nodded with a sad smile across her lips.  "For the time being."  She paused a moment looking at him curiously.  "Angel?  Corazon, what does it mean?  Spanish has never been a language of mine."  Her protector smiled warmly as he answered.  "It means
heart.  It's impossible not to notice your heart, Bell, how kind, loving, and forgiving it is."  Sighing, the witch snuggled further into his embrace.
"I think that's the kindest nickname anyone had ever given me."

~*~*~

      In the front office Willow, Spike, and Cordelia were silent, concentrating only on the task at hand, each of them wearing a similar mask of worry as they researched.  Wesley walked into the dead quiet office in surprise.  He had never known that those three could be in a room and not speak, not even trade barbs.  Cordelia greeted him with a forced smile.  "Hi, Wes."  Willow and Spike didn't even look up from their work, not noticing the new arrival.

      "Good morning, Cordelia.  I do hate to ask, but what has happened since I was here last?"  The seer sighed and shook her head.  "Nothing good.  I mean, in a way good, but also not."  The demon hunter looked at her in confusion.  "What?"  Cordelia gestured to a chair and he obligingly sat.  "Isabel figured out how Simon managed to, um, take advantage of her last night.  An herb, the name is Latin--means to obliterate the soul."

      "Eradico animus," he breathed.  "Often used to take one's will, their heart, and their soul or to bend those aspects to the users liking."

      "Bingo on that one.  Bell smoked four clove cigarettes laced with it last night."

      "He must have used a very large amount if he was able to get her to look past the murder he had just committed and to sleep with him."  He paused a moment, trying to remember more details about the plant.  "While it does have some immediate effects," he remembered, "most of the permanent ones won't appear until the third day after the ingestion."

      The four colleagues looked up as Angel emerged from the office and closed the door behind him.  He gave greeted Wesley a small smile.  "Good morning, Wes.  Thank you for coming so quickly."

      "No thanks are necessary, Angel," the demon hunter claimed.  "Cordelia just informed me that Isabel has ingested copious amounts of the eradico animus plant." The vampire nodded and leaned against the wall.  "That's correct," he confirmed.  "Are you familiar with it?"  The watcher looked at his employer sadly and shook his head.  "Only the basics, Angel.  But I do know of several books that deal with the subject,"
he added excitedly.  "If you'd like, I could run to a couple of the occult stores I know of that carry them."  Cordelia stood after glancing at Willow.  The redhead looked incredibly upset, which was totally understandable.  Cordy wanted to take her out of the stressful environment of the office for a bit before they attempted to find anymore information from their current resources.  In her current state, Willow wouldn't get very far.  "Why don't Willow and I go, Wes?" she asked kindly.  "You just got here.  Stay, have a donut, and hang with our two favorite undead guys so we can get out for a bit."

      The expression on Cordy's face was not to be argued with and Wesley gladly acquiesced.  He gave her all the information she needed and the two left the office.  Angel took a seat on Cordelia's abandoned chair and faced Spike and Wesley.  His childe was studying him, unable to ignore his frustration.  His fists were closed, his jaw was clenched, and he had the fire of Angelus in his eye.  He was indeed on edge.  Spike didn't want to break the silence, but there were still other matters to talk about.

      "I hate to mention this, Angel, but we still have the Meeragh to kill."

      "I know," he sighed.  "The bastard is insanely strong and keeps itself flanked by vampires.  I'll definitely need the both of you," he told Spike and Wes. "Cordelia and Willow too.  Tonight would be the best time to take care of it."

      "And Bell?"

      "Bell can take care of herself."  The three men turned to the witch standing in Angel's office door.  When she saw them about to interrupt, she silenced them with a look akin to Willow's 'resolve face.'  Once she knew they would remain silent she continued.  "The trouble I'm in now isn't ordinary trouble, guys.  I've had to defend myself on the streets before.  I know how to wield a stake and I never leave my house without my boot knife. I'm not very big, but I'm fast and oddly strong for a chick of my size.  I've also got the magicks on my side.  The Lord and Lady have blessed me with a quick mind and the ability to conjure strongly on the spot."

      "Bell, do you think you're in a state of mind to use your powers?"  Angel queried, his previous edge fading into concern.  "Your emotions aren't exactly balanced right now."  She laughed bitterly and hopped onto Cordelia's desk.  "I may not be in the state to cast tonight, but I'm definitely in the state to kill some demons."  The dark vampire studied her a moment, noticing her rigid posture and tense jaw.  She was either trying not to cry again or not to scream.  "What's wrong, Isabel?" he asked gently.  The witch kept her head low, knowing that if she looked into Angel's concerned gaze she would lose it.

      "I just got off the phone with Eli's mother.  Simon called her last night.  He apparently informed *everyone* while I was at the morgue.   Supposedly he's 'very worried about me and wants everyone to call him once they've reached me,' " she quoted in a mocking tone.  "I told Catherine to tell everyone I was in a hotel right now and I'd check in later tonight.  They're all in so much shock they won't even think to find me until I call."

      Angel knew that wasn't all that was bothering her.  "What else, corazon?" he whispered, Spike and Wesley both staring at him as he used the endearment.  The vampire didn't notice, his attention was totally on Isabel.  Lifting her gaze to meet his, she struggled to choke back a sob.  "Catherine and Simon have made all the necessary arrangements," she whispered roughly.  "Right down to the interfaith memorial service to be held at St.Theresa's on Monday.  I'll be given the ashes that day also.  Cat knew that I'd know where to leave them."  She glanced at the three men
who all regarded her with such concern.  Bell wore a mask of such despair that their hearts broke for her.  "This was the last thing I could do for them, guys," she sniffled as her ever-present tears made another appearance.  "He even took that away from me.  And one more kicker," she continued bitterly, "there's no way I can dust the bastard until after the funeral, at the earliest.  Way too many people would freak out if he went missing right now."  She hopped off of the desk and turned towards the elevator.  She couldn't talk about it anymore."  I-I'm gonna go downstairs for a bit," she stammered hastily before leaving Spike, Wesley, and Angel to stare after he retreating form.

      "The funeral is the third day," Wesley breathed.  "The day when the permanent effects of the herb and the ritual will reveal themselves.  Unfortunately, there are a plethora of rituals he could have used."

      "St. Theresa's has no windows with direct sunlight.  It also has tunnel access," Angel stated, veering off  topic.  Spike knew what his sire was thinking and nodded his agreement.  "Looks like we'll all be attending."

      The former watcher leaned back and removed his glasses to clean them with his shirt.  "I do hope the girls get back soon.  This is all too bleeding complicated."

      The fates decided to honor Wesley's plea.  The door blew open to reveal Cordelia and Willow.  "What's too complicated?" Willow asked as she and Cordelia returned to the office with their occult booty.  "Fucking everything," Spike swore.  Automatically Willow went to him and the blonde vampire gladly took the hand she offered him.  "Well," the redhead informed the crew hopefully, "the first store had bunches of books on rituals dealing with eradico animus."

      "We picked up a dozen of them," Cordelia piped in.  "And the great thing--there's a thirty day return policy.  We can take back the books that don't help at all."

      "Where did you get these books, Cordy?  Barnes and Noble?"  The seer glared witheringly at her boss and unceremoniously dumped the texts on her desk.  "Take.  Read," she commanded.  "Find answers."  She took a glimpse into Angel's office, hoping to see Isabel.  When she didn't see the witch Cordy dropped the drill sergeant facade and turned to Angel with concern apparent in her eyes.  "What happened while we were gone, Angel?"

~*~*~

      Cordelia stepped into Angel's apartment and saw Bell lying on the bed.  She slowly approached and sat next to her.  The older woman had tried to sleep, but her mind wouldn't shut itself down no matter what she had tried--prayer, meditation, nothing.  She instead settled on glaring at the ceiling and imaging Simon's slow torture and subsequent demise.  She smiled sadly once she felt Cordelia's presence.  "Hey, Cordy," she whispered.

        "They told me, Isabel," the brunette started softly.  "We'll all be there with you and we won't let anything happen."  Isabel turned on her side and looked at the seer with pain evident on her face.  "I'll be expected to run into Simon's arms, Cordy.  Everyone thinks that we're fucking, that were *together.*  Willingly," she added.

      "Isabel, screw them," snarled Cordy, dropping the quiet and consoling tone she'd used thus far.  The witch gawked at the seer, almost flinching as she felt the angry energy coming from her.  "Don't let their expectations dictate your behavior.  Your best friends just died.  If they question where you get your comfort, I'm thinking that they aren't as concerned as they claim to be.  You are going to enter that church with Angel on your arm and you are going to show Simon that you so do *not* belong to him."  Isabel was completely taken aback by Cordelia's orders.  'So this is what it's like to have these folks at my back.  They do *not* take shit from anyone.'  And then she realized what Cordy had just said.  "Angel on my arm?" she repeated.  Cordelia's energy became less hostile and she smiled at the surprised witch.  "We're not talking about that right now, Bell, but we will soon.

      "Bell," Cordelia began again, this time in a far gentler tone, "We have two days to find out what's going in with the bloodsucker.  If we're lucky, we'll be able to dust him right after the funeral and you'll be able to tell your friends that you broke everything off with him and he took off due to his broken heart." Cordy chuckled and lay down next to Isabel with humor dancing in her hazel eyes.  "It'll be the truth after all."  Isabel inched closer to the seer and leaned her head against her shoulder.  "Yeah, it would," she sighed.  An idea then popped into her mind.  Kicking herself for not thinking of it sooner she jumped off of the bed and faced Cordelia with the brightest smile she'd been able to muster since the death of her
friends.  It absolutely lit up her entire face and lent much light to the dark apartment.  The brunette was ecstatic to see her new friend so happy, even if it was only for the moment.  Isabel then started to giggle and hop around the apartment.  'If Angel could see her like this I think he'd totally forget the Buffster.'

      "Bell, what's up?  Where did the happy happy joy joy dance come from?"  The witch jumped back on the bed unable to keep the grin off of her face.  "I know what I'm gonna do," she singsonged.  Cordy gave her a look that clearly said 'and what the hell are you talking about?'

      Taking a deep breath Isabel managed to quell her hyperactivity for a moment.  "I am *not* going to play the victim.  Even if this is the last thing I manage to do in this lifetime," she began, her excitement still very evident, "I'm having a memorial of my own.  Tomorrow night.  At the Blitzkrieg."

      "I know where that is--I think.  It's a little dive off Sunset, right?"

      "Damn straight, Cordy," Isabel confirmed.  "It's a little dive with a good stage and an outstanding sound system.  The owner's had a thing for me since I started hanging out there six years ago.  I know he'll let me have it there."  She paused and giggled.  "The last thing I ever promised them was a kickass sendoff. And if I start calling around right now, I'll definitely be able to have it tomorrow night so we can all head to the memorial mass with hangovers.  I know they would appreciate that after all of the weekends they spent in temple and in church with raging hangovers."  The witch's eyes began to water, but she kept a smile on her face.  "They'd want to go out in rock 'n roll style, Cordelia.  I told them no sadness, just a celebration of their lives.  And Simon or no Simon, I am going to make sure I keep that promise"

      Cordelia wished that Isabel could stay this happy and excited, but she knew that was wishful thinking.  The poor woman had not one, but two burdens to bear--carrying out one last promise to her friends and figuring out what the toxin flowing in her body might do.  And then there was a demon to kill, well, two actually.  Simon and the demon that led Spike and Willow to LA in the first place.  The brunette was so wrapped in her worry and wishes for Isabel's happiness that she barely realized the witch was still speaking.

      "...and I can get a hold of the Evil Dead to play, my word, Cordy they're an awesome cover band, I can get my guitar and grab some clothes and then be back in time tonight to help out with the nasty demon that you guys are gonna kill tonight.  I'm totally up for a good grudge match"

      The last statement definitely grabbed Cordelia's attention.  "Hold on just a sec. You're going to help us with the Meeragh?"  Isabel could feel Cordelia's apprehension as well as see it etched in her face.  She glanced at the seer with an air of resolve.  "I am.  I already laid down the law to Spike and Angel.  I can hold my own, believe me.  I've unfortunately had lots of practice running around the sewers with vampires and other creatures of the night."

      "You don't go looking for vamps, do you?"  Cordelia asked suspiciously.  Bell shot her a look that definitely answered the question.  "Uh, hell no.
Let's just say that while demons broadcast themselves to me, I sometimes do the same for them, which often ends up with me being chased.  Vamps really like the blood of witches for some reason."

      "Well, as long as we have that straightened out," the seer replied in relief.  "If you feel well enough to lend a hand, I don't see why not.  I mean, this is going to be a full ensemble job so we'll all be there."

      "Wow.  I had to give the two vamps upstairs a long spiel for them to understand."

      "Please.  They're men.  Thick skulls and all."

~*~*~

      Cordelia left Isabel to start making her arrangements.  When she left the elevator she had a big smile plastered across her face.  Willow, Spike,
Wesley, and Angel were relieved to see it --it had to mean that Isabel was out of another grief-induced fog. They knew that Isabel was strong, but this was an enormous strain on her body, soul, and mind.

      And every time she managed emerge and smile, they inwardly celebrated.

      "I take it all went well with Bell?"  Spike smirked at his friends.  "Well, look at that, pets.  I rhymed."

      "Yes, you did Blondie.  And if you'll leave kindergarten for a sec I can tell you what's going on now."  Spike glared at her witheringly and made a 'go on' gesture.  Once she had told them all about Isabel's plan for a rock 'n roll memorial, they all had grins on their faces.

      "That's wonderful," Willow breathed.  "I really think that Ash, Drew, Jayne, and Eli would love that.  They practically lived at the Blitzkrieg.  That's where Oz met them--the Dingoes used to play there a lot."  The redhead managed to speak of her ex with no grief for the first time since he left.  Of course she still missed him--he was her first love after all, but this was a beautiful feeling. She could enjoy Spike's arms around her, accept his support, and his feelings for her without thinking that she was betraying Oz. She could feel Spike's eyes on her and turned to face him with a smile that brightened the room.  He just tightened his arms around her in response gave her his own smile.  Angel and Cordelia looked at each other
and grinned while Wesley sat there in silent confusion.  'The entire world is going to hell--Cordelia brought breakfast, Angel is getting along with Spike, Spike and Willow happen to be together, and Angel already seems rather fond of Isabel.  It takes Angel months to even think of being fond of anyone.  I keep trying to tell myself stranger things have happened, but I honestly don't think they have.'
 

~Part: 7~

      Willow quietly entered Angel's living space, a smile gracing her features as she heard Isabel chirping away on the phone.  Based on her tone of voice, she was truly excited.  The redhead stood out of the other witch's line of sight, not wishing to interrupt her.  She could remember the first time she went with Oz to the Blitzkrieg for a Dingoes show.  It had the heavy stench of booze and cigarettes, but it almost felt like home.  The Bronze had never really felt that way. At the small LA bar-slash-club, everyone seemed to be a friend, and as cheesy as it sounded, they almost
knew everyone's name. If they didn't, they introduced themselves.  The place was like a punk rock Cheers.  Isabel had been the first person to meet Willow that night.  All the redhead had to do was look at the older woman's inviting smile and feel her warm presence and she was lost.  She wanted to know her.

      And so she did.  She returned with Oz almost twice a month, spoke on the phone, and emailed back and forth. Willow had never thought of Isabel and the rest as Oz's friends, but as hers too.  Never did she feel like an odd wheel when they saw each other.  Isabel had a way with people--she could make anyone feel welcome with just a glance or a smile.

      Isabel's voice went up slightly in volume, tearing the redhead from her memories.

      "Hold on a sec, Al.  Willow's here trying not to distract me and doing a lousy job."  Laying the phone on Angel's bed, she crossed the apartment to take her friend's hand.  "C'mon and sit with me a minute.  I'm finishing up with Al." The redheaded witch allowed herself to be half dragged into the bedroom and plopped down on the bed.  Isabel continued her conversation with the Blitzkrieg's proprietor, during which she rested her head on Willow's shoulder.  The young witch played absentmindedly with her friend's long locks and wondered how Isabel could stand having hair down to her waist.  Her ponderings were cut short as Bell thanked Al profusely and hung up.

      There was a large smile on Isabel's face that Willow couldn't help but return.  "Cordy told you what I was doing, didn't she?"  The redhead nodded and put her arm around her friend.  "She sure did, Isabel.  I think tomorrow is going to be a great night.  They'd love this."

      "I thought so too, Will," she replied, putting her arm around Willow's waist.  "Is it all set for tomorrow?"  Isabel pulled away and stood up, bringing Willow up with her.  "Sure enough, babe," she winked.  "I only have two more things before tomorrow."

      "What's that, Bell?"

      "Well," she sighed, "Jayne always told me that you had to mark the turns in your life, both good and bad."  She paused and Willow looked at her to carry on.  "How?"  With a wicked smirk, she began leading her friend to the elevator and kept an arm around her waist.  "With clothes, besides I need to get something semi-suitable for the funeral on Monday and I can't help fight the Meeragh with Angel's pants dropping around my ankles."

      "I don't know, Bell," Willow grinned with a glint of deviousness in her sparkling green eyes.  "I think Angel would like that."  She saw the death glare Bell had shot her way and giggled, trying to keep a straight face.  "And the second thing you need to do?" she asked, changing the subject.

      "I'm going back to the house tonight."

~*~*~

      "NO WAY IN HELL!"

      Both witches jumped at the simultaneous roar coming from the vampires stalking towards them when they reached the top floor.  "Isabel, you are *not* going back to that house until we take care of Simon," Angel growled when they met halfway in the office, his brown eyes lost to the amber of his demon.  Looking defiantly at the angry vampire she lifted a hand to his face and lightly caressed the tense jaw.  The growls quickly turned to a deep purring with her touch.  "Calm down, Angel," she commanded him softly.  His eyes went back to their regular brown as he leaned
into Bell's caress.

      Spike couldn't believe what he had seen.  *No* one had ever been able to calm his sire with a touch, not when the blonde was first turned, not when Angel was cursed with his soul, and not when he lost it again.  Never had this happened before.  And even stranger, the feeling of tranquility was so strong, Spike could feel it flare through the bond he shared with Angel, right down to the purring emanating from his chest.  While Spike could admit her presence was quite soothing, he wasn't affected as his sire.  Willow was equally surprised by the demonstration before them.  Now that Isabel had let all of her barriers down, the redhead could feel that she was a very powerful Wicca, but never would she think her friend could silence a vampire, let alone a master such as Angel, with a touch.

      The dark vampire kept his gaze on Isabel, but she turned toward Spike and Willow.  "Would you mind giving us a minute?" she requested kindly.  Wordlessly they nodded and left the room, shutting the door behind them.

~*~*~

      When Spike and Willow returned to the front offices their jaws were still slack, their eyes still a bit too big.  "What made you and Angel freak out like that, Spike?" Cordy asked while Wesley paid half attention to the goings on.  "What's wrong?"  Spike wouldn't answer--his eyes kept flitting to the door and back to Willow.  "Did you see what I saw, Red?" he asked.  "Because if you didn't, I must be losing my mind."  Cordelia stared at them impatiently.  "Hello?  What's going on?"  Spike turned back to his sire's office and shook his head.  "That little witch is more than a witch," he whispered.  "There is no way she should've been able to do that."

      "Do *what*?" Cordelia cried in frustration.  "What did she do?"

      Willow sank onto a chair and turned her attention to the seer.  "Isabel managed to curb Angel's demon with a touch.  He was all growly and about to go grrrr when she touched his face.  No more grrr, no more growl. He actually started purring."

      "Soul or no soul, Angel or Angelus, that's never happened before.  Not me, not Dru, not even Darla had been able to do that."

      Wesley was now paying full attention.  "You're saying that she kept his demon from emerging with a touch.  My dear, that is odd.  I think I'll look into that among everything else.  It couldn't possibly be a personal connection--they've only just met."  The demon hunter went back to his books, jotting more notes down.  The office remained awkwardly silent as Spike, Cordy, and Willow waited for Angel and Isabel to come out of the back office while Wes went to town with his books.

      The blonde Englishman was truly concerned for his sire.  Not that he suspected Isabel was using mojo on Angel--she was far too pure to do that.  But the entire situation they were in was so bizarre--the PTB sending them right to Isabel's door, Simon trying to drug her into being his love slave, and Isabel's strange hold on Angel.  It was all connected in some way.  Snarling to himself, he began going through a new text.  'I'm willingly doing research, actually wanting to find answers.  This chip must be doing other ungodly things to my brain.  At least Willow's by my side.  She'll help me keep my bloody head on.'  Thinking of the redhead stopped his snarling completely, turning his grimace into a smile.

~*~*~

Once they had gone, she steered Angel into a chair.  "What is wrong with you, Angel?" she asked.  Shutting his eyes, he willed his mind to slow.  There was so much going on in his head--want, worry, lust, fear--he didn't know exactly what to say.  Should he tell her she was beginning to posses him, tell her he didn't just want her to go to her home, tell her he didn't want her to leave his side--not only for her sake, but for his?  But with her gifts, Isabel was sure to pick up on his anxiety, no matter what came out of his mouth.

      Angel opened his eyes and saw her watching him with quiet unease.  Despite the uncertainty of his thoughts, he held his hand out to her.  She swiftly took it and allowed herself to be pulled onto his lap, straddling his thighs.  'Obviously Angel's aversion to being touched is fading,' she thought, 'but he is still far from comfortable right now.

      "I don't want you back there so soon, corazon," he confessed softly, drowning in her grey eyes.  "Why?" she asked as her hands found their way to his neck, her delicate fingers stroking his throat.  He began to purr once more with her warm hands stroking his flesh. "It isn't safe.  I think that Simon may have holed up there, waiting for you to come back."

      "Angel, I need things from my house, things I can't just buy," she protested.

      "Like what?" he prodded.    Isabel knew Angel wouldn't budge until he had every detail.  "I need my guitar, Angel.  Actually two of them.  It would also be nice to have some of my own clothes.  As much as I love wearing yours, they're kind of big.  And I need my glasses.  I have to do this stuff now, Angel.  I need to be able to sleep before the sun sets."

      "Are you sleepy, Bell?  You know you can go back to sleep now if you like."  She shook her head and rested it on his chest.  "I have to do it now, while I'm still awake.  Once I fall asleep I most likely won't wake up again until just before dusk."

      "Why?"

      "I hate the daytime, Angel," she confided.  "Only when it's dark to I really live," she whispered, her warm breath on his neck sending chills down his spine. "Why do you hate the sun, love?"  "It's always been that way, Angel," she replied almost inaudibly.  "Ever since I was little.  I could never wake up in the morning, I was always late for school and it's a struggle for me to get to work these days.  This morning is the first time I was out of bed before afternoon on a Saturday in years.  I always keep my drapes closed during the day and open them at night.  I use candles for light when the sun is out.  I don't always feel very well during the day and my magick is always much stronger in the evening.  That's why I have to do this stuff now, before I wear out."

      The vampire was extremely concerned to find that out. He'd never known a human to constantly avoid sunlight that didn't have a medical aversion to the sun.  "I won't let you wear out, corazon," he assured her.  "Why don't you do what shopping you need to do now and I'll go back to the house with you after we take care of the Meeragh?  Would that be sufficient, love?"

      "Yes," she answered, her hand traveling down the vampire's chest.  "Because you asked me so nicely."  He tilted her face toward him and kissed her softly.  "I don't think I could ask you any other way," he whispered.  "Do you forgive me for growling at you earlier?"  Isabel smiled brightly at him and smooched him on the nose.  "I do.  Now it's time for you to let me go so I can do what I gotta do."  Reluctantly, he removed his arms and let her stand, following suit.

      All eyes were on them once the door opened.  Willow was confused, Wesley was curious, Spike was concerned and Cordelia was, well, doing her nails.  She could only do the concerned silence thing for so long.  The tense vibes were making Isabel twitch, so she tried to cut through them.

      "I need to head on out for a little bit," Isabel announced, her words breaking the uncomfortable silence.  "Wills, Cordy?  Feel like joining me?"
Cordelia looked up at Angel, asking silently for his o.k.  He nodded his permission and she grabbed her purse while Willow kissed Spike on the cheek and smiled at Bell.  "Shopping right?"  Isabel grinned and Cordelia's eyes lit up.  "I am definitely in.  Let's go," she chirped, heading out the door.  The two witches followed the seer after saying their goodbyes. But before Isabel could exit, Angel stopped her.  "Take my car, corazon.  And be careful," he wished her.  She beamed at him and rose up on her toes to kiss him on the cheek.  "Thanks, Angel."  She ran out the door to her friends and the tall vampire went back into his office where his childe was smoking and pacing like a madman.  When he felt his sire approach he turned to him, startling Angel with the intensity raging in his blue eyes.

      "That witch can't be human."

~*~*~

      Cordelia and Willow chose to wait until they got to the car before questioning Isabel.  Once they were in, the questions came right at her, the mouthy brunette spitting hers out first. "So *what* is going on with you and Angel?  I mean, he never lets anyone take his car without a fight and have you seen the way he looks at you?  He *never* looks at women like that."

      Bell sighed and headed toward the mall.  "He's a lonely guy who needs more friends," she claimed.  "We get along well and we kind of understand each other.  And why aren't you asking Willow about Spike?" Bell demanded.  "I saw that kiss on the cheek, Wills. I know he talked to you this morning."  Cordelia made a *pshaw* noise.  "Hey, It's been obvious he digs Willow for about two years now.  Ever since the vamp kidnapped her for a spell our senior year.  I've been waiting for him to finally get off of his ass and tell her."

      "Congratulations, Willow," Isabel wished her seriously.  "I totally approve.  I hate to go around sneaking peaks at his aura, but I couldn't help
myself.  He's totally head over heels for you.  It's hard for me not to get a buzz from it."  Willow grinned from ear to ear.  "Thanks, Bell.  I, I mean,
Spike!" she exclaimed giddily.  "Uber-foxy British bad boy wants me.  I'm still trying to let it sink in."

      "Just let it sink, Red," her elder told her.  "I see lots of smootchies for the two of you.  Besides, why wouldn't he want you?  If I were inclined to swing that way as of late, I'd want you too."  Willow blushed.  "Thanks.  So.  You.  Angel.  What?"  She inquired insistently.  "I mean, Bell, you rock--I love you, and you're super cute, but Angel, heck, I don't think I've ever seen him ogle before even when he was with--" Cordelia stared her down into silence before Willow could say the 'B' word.  "What she means, is that Angel doesn't ogle.  He barely notices women, not that he's gay or anything, I don't think..." she trailed off.

      Isabel turned into the parking lot and got out of the car throwing a smirk to her friends.  "I wouldn't make any bets about that.  He and Spike have known each other for about two centuries," she replied in not quite in jest.  "Those vamps can get pretty kinky."  The thought shut Willow and Cordy up for the moment and Isabel knew their minds were in the gutter--in a good way of course.  They entered the bastion of commerce and walked in comfortable silence while thinking naughty thoughts about Spike and Angel until Isabel mentioned picking up some stuff for Willow.

      "Oh, no, Bell.  I love you, but you are not dressing me," the redhead declared.  "Besides, I really don't need anything."

      "Willow, babe, you're gonna be here until Monday, maybe later than that.  You have a shindig to attend tomorrow and a funeral the next day.  Just let me buy you some clothes.  I promise not to make you wear anything I would, o.k.?"

      Willow was still pretty adamant about not letting Isabel buy her anything so after a few minutes of bickering with the redhead, Isabel pulled her to the side and sat her on a bench while Cordelia watched in amusement.  "Willow," she began, "both you and I are on the verge of *huge* change in our lives.   You're out of high school, you're getting a higher education, you just broke up with your first love, you're moving on with a vampire, and your magick is getting stronger by the day.  I just lost my first real family, I'm gaining a new one, I've lost my role as a caretaker, I'm going to quit my evil corporate job, and I'm gonna make myself live for me.  Buying new clothes at times like this is a rite of passage, Willow.  I thought we
went through this earlier--you know Jayne would want us to do this.  She was a woman who went on a shopping spree every time she changed her hair color--every other week."

      "She's right,"Cordy confirmed.  "It is.  All change, good and bad, has to be embraced by buying new clothes.  It's been written," she deadpanned.  Isabel gave Willow an 'I told you so look' and pulled her toward Hot Topic for some fun new apparel.  Willow grudgingly accepted Isabel's offer, or rather demands, and the three women went on to charge a small fortune on Isabel's MasterCard.  After two hours of their mall
walking and repeatedly talking Willow into clothes she never would have worn previously, they decided to head back before the guys started calling Cordy's cell, much to Isabel's relief.  The sun was high in the sky and the witch could feel her little bit of energy fading. Just as they started back to the car, the phone rang.  "I bet it's Angel," Cordelia grumbled as she dug out the offending phone.  "Hello?"  Her face turned to a facade of surprise and handed the phone to Willow.  "It's Buffy."

~*~*~
 

      "What the hell are you talking about, Spike?" Angel bellowed.  His childe refused to let Angel intimidate him and stood his ground.  "You may not be able to see it, Peaches, but Isabel has a hold on you.  I will say that I doubt it's on purpose, but she's possessing you," he insisted.  "If you just thought she was attractive, that would be one thing, but the woman can bloody quell your demon with the touch of her hand.  That isn't normal --she isn't normal.  She's a lovely girl, Angel--I like her a lot, much more than the other humans I've had to deal with lately--"  He glanced over at Wesley who was watching with interest. "No offense watcher," he offered. "But between the aura reading, demon detecting, and the demon taming,
something must be going on."

      The blonde was waiting for his sire to smack him around for his outburst, but he did no such thing.  Sighing, he sank into a chair and ran a hand through his coiffure.  He met Spike's eyes, startling the Englishman with the confusion and lust in his gaze.  "She is possessing me," he confirmed quietly.  "I don't understand it.  At first I thought that she was just a woman in need that the PTB wanted me to help.  But now I think that she's the one helping me.  Isabel looks past my demon side and acknowledges the man.  I actually let her touch me--not in a sexual way, but in friendship.  This morning she held me in her arms while berating me for being so sullen.  And now I crave her touch."

      "Angel?" Wesley asked hesitantly.  "Is there anything else you can tell us about Isabel?  Any other special gifts she possesses or any quirks she's mentioned?"

      "She can sense demons and other mystical beings and read auras," he repeated, echoing Spike's words.   "Just by her presence and touch she can comfort me and make my demon disappear."  The dark vampire snapped to attention as another bit of information registered in his brain.  "She hates sunlight," he added hurriedly.  "She told me when we were in the office.  While the sun is out Isabel doesn't function very well.  That's why she wanted to get her errands done now--so she could come back and sleep before we take out the Meeragh tonight."

      Wesley looked up from his books and neither Angel nor Spike were happy with the look on his face.  "I hate to say this, but Spike is correct.  Isabel isn't human."
 

~Part: 8~

"Not human?" Angel whispered.  "Spike and I should have known if she weren't.  Her touch, her smell would have told us that."  He couldn't believe his ears.  He had held Isabel, kissed her, touched her most intimately.  All signs pointed to humanity.  Wesley shook his head.  "No, Angel.  Not in Isabel's case.  I ran across this phrase in my research on the eradico animus:   Mater matris quod amor, levamentum, et inflatus.  Mothers of love, comfort, and inspiration.  I believe Isabel is one of their descendants."

"Descendants of what, Wesley?" Spike wanted to know.  "A sect of demons, mystics maybe?"

"Maybe you've heard their common name," Wes continued.  "Divinitus Monstrum."  Both Angel and Spike were familiar with that name and despite their lack of circulating blood, they paled noticeably.  "Divine monster," Angel translated in disbelief.  "They're extinct Wes," he breathed.  "The last were killed in Ireland on the night of St. Vigeous.  That was twenty-five years ago and even before that their numbers were few."

"Isabel's 27, Sire," Spike stated as he put a comforting hand on Angel's shoulder.  "It could be.  The girl is love, comfort, and inspiration all rolled
into one cute little package.  She's also got the mother gig down."

"And she prefers the light of the moon to that of the sun; she actually weakens from prolonged exposure to sunlight." Wesley added.  "The Divinitus drew their energy from the moon."  Angel was still in disbelief.  He stood and began to pace the length of the office.  "If Isabel is indeed one of the Divinitus, then why hasn't Spike been affected by her at all?  I don't see him trying to paw her," he debated.  "The Divinitus are vamp magnets -- every vampire, hell, every demon in the city should be after her."

"I can't say that being around Isabel doesn't give me the fuzzies, Sire" Spike told him, "because it does.  Her kind soothes the savage beast and that's the two of us.  Demons either want to have her or want to kill her, just depends on the demon.  And I'm the kind of demon that would kill *for* her."

"So the both of you are telling me that I only care for her because she's a demon," Angel spat.  "The only reason I want to touch her is because her very being makes it so?"

"Don't you even think that, Angel," Spike demanded.  "That's the reasoning that killed them off."

"Angel, please don't jump to any conclusions, not yet at least.  I haven't told you all of it yet," the demon hunter requested nervously.  If they were going to help Isabel, Angel needed to calm down and listen. The dark vampire laughed bitterly, sending chills down his childe's spine.  He only laughed like that when his demon was close to the fore.  "Listen to what he has to say, Sire."  Spike was using Angel's title on purpose, attempting to let him know how serious the situation was.  He nodded for Wesley to go on.

"Isabel hasn't come to her full power, or so I believe," Wesley stated.  "The Divinitus were natural warriors, healers, and witches, but it took years for all of their abilities to develop, therefore it could take years for them to be detected by other demons.  That explains why other demonic suitors weren't beating down her door.  If Isabel is indeed one of them, she was taken from the rest when she was a child, saving her from the last battle that killed her kind.  I believe it was the Scourge that cornered the last."

"The same bastards that killed Doyle," Angel rasped.  Nodding sadly, the watcher continued.  "After the first of the Divinitus were brought forth, they were forced to mate with humans and other demons for procreation, as they were an all female race.  And that is why the Scourge targeted them--they were all half-breeds.   Since Simon used the eradico animus to bespell Isabel, he must have known.  I've found that eradico animus is rarely used due to its very potent and permanent nature--it is the only plant able to bend or alter the will of the strongest demons, the Divinitus falling under that category.  The boy certainly did his research.  He wants to be her mate.  If that happens, he will take on all of her strengths-the ones she currently possesses and those that develop later.  And if she does indeed become mated to Simon, there is a large possibility that she
could have his child, as the Divinitus were able to conceive with any species, human or demon, even vampires."  Wes stopped a moment, letting his words sink in.  When he began again, his tone had turned quite grave.  "If Simon's ritual runs its course, Isabel is beyond help.  Once one of the Divinitus is mated, they are mated for all time."

"Can you find the ritual and a way to stop it, Wesley?" Angel asked desperately.  Spike knew Angel's feelings went beyond Isabel's nature.  The scent of his sire's fear was permeating the office.  All of his prior bravado and bitterness were gone; all that remained of him was a man fearing for a woman he cared for.  There was no time frame on love and friendship, the younger vampire knew.  So what if his sire had only known the witch for a day?  He had loved his sire from the very moment he had set his eyes on him.  Angel's feelings were real--as real as his love for the Slayer had been.  Hell, *he* had no soul and had adored Isabel from moment one.  Probably the one human he would lay himself down for besides his Willow.
Women like Bell and Willow wouldn't come around often, no matter how many centuries he was bound to live.  Spike didn't want his sire to define Isabel by her demonic side--even if she were totally human, she would still be as loving and compassionate as she was now.  She would still be the tattooed cutie that his sire was enamored with.  Hearing Wesley clear his throat, he turned his attention back to the watcher.

"Now that I know what Simon used the plant for and that Isabel is of the Divinitus, I should be able to find it rather swiftly."  Wesley removed his glasses and moved to stand before his friend and employer.  "Angel, I don't think that Isabel has any idea who her ancestors were," he stated gently.  "She honestly believes her abilities to be gifts from her Goddess.  Please don't lash out at her when she returns."  Angel smiled at his friend, happy that he was willing to stand up for Isabel.  "I won't Wesley," he assured him.  "Thank you for all of the work you did today.  Go home," he ordered kindly.  "Rest up before we go on our evening monster hunt and meet us back here at sunset."  Wesley followed Angel's friendly orders and
went home, leaving the two bewildered vampires behind.

Angel leaned against the wall and slowly let himself slide down into a sitting position.  "Isabel is of the Divinitus," Angel repeated to himself, trying to make the fact real in his mind.  "The Divinitus Monstrum--natural slayers, brought forth by the Powers That Be to aid them in their work on earth.  The only creature known to tame demons and bring them into the good fight.  Demons able to inspire and comfort their fellow demon and man alike, the demonic version of the muse.  Slaughtered by scores of demons over the centuries, resented for the power they wielded.  It's been rumored that the first slayer was a descendant."  He didn't notice his childe sit across from him until he smelled the cigarette smoke.  "Mind giving me one
of those, William?" he asked wearily.  Spike quickly obliged and lit it for him.

"The watcher is right, Angel.  She doesn't know."  Angel took a drag of the cigarette, reveling in the smoke burning its way down his throat.  "I know, Spike.  It's hard information to absorb.  Did you know," he began, changing the subject, "that today was the first time I even thought of letting a woman touch me that wasn't Buffy in almost four years?"  His smile was bitter as he continued.  "I even kissed Isabel, Spike.  Twice.  That woman has the softest lips I've ever kissed.  And when Isabel has her hands on me, I feel warmth, like her heat flows right through me."  He paused and took another drag.  "I sure don't sound like a man who's lost his soul mate, do I?  Buffy's touch, her kiss--they didn't bring me contentment.  Contentment was never a part of our love.  Passion, pain, and lust--that's what defined our love.  As long as we could sate the passion just for a while, we were good.  And then we waited for the pain to kick in.  Ours was a sadistic relationship."

Spike listened as his sire went on, surprised that he would speak of his relationship with Buffy with his childe.  A childe that had tried repeatedly to kill the onetime love of his unlife.  He opened his mouth to comment, but was cut off by the phone.  He gestured for Angel to stay put and got up to answer the call.  "Angel Investigations," he growled.  "We help the bleeding helpless."

"Where's Willow?" asked the demanding voice on the other end.  Spike rolled his eyes.  "Hello, slayer I'm fine thank--"

"I asked you a question.  I'm not totally against the idea of driving to LA so I can dust your bony ass.  Now, where is Willow?  Why didn't she call last night?"

"If you must know, Buffy, plans have changed--"  The blonde wasn't able to finish as his sire yanked the phone away from him.  "Willow won't be leaving until Monday night at the earliest, Buffy.  There's been an emergency."  He could hear her breath catch when she realized who she was speaking to.  "H-hi, Angel," she stammered.  "What happened?  Is she all right?" the slayer asked lamely.  "She's fine, we're all fine.  I suggest you call Willow at Cordelia's cell phone," he told her brusquely.  "I really don't have time for small talk right now."  Buffy accepted his brush off, but not without some hurt, got Cordy's number and hung up.

~*~*~

Willow took the phone and excused herself from Cordelia and Isabel.  The latter two made themselves comfortable on a bench while Bell lit one if the
smokes she had managed to pilfer from Spike earlier.  "Buffy is Willow's best friend, right?" she asked between drags.   Cordelia nodded, wondering how much the older witch actually knew about Willow's life on the Hellmouth, if anything.  "Does Willow talk about Buffy or Sunnydale a lot when she visits you?"

"Not much.  Most of the time we talk about Willow, what she's been doing, how school is, playing guitar, and going to shows," she informed her.  "Willow plays guitar?" Cordelia asked in surprise.  "I never knew that."

"I just started giving her lessons a couple months ago.  So, why do you ask about Buffy?"

"Isabel," the seer began, "have you ever heard of the slayer?"  Isabel nodded her head.  "Actually I have.  I've heard some demons bitching about the Slayer on the Hellmouth and you're gonna tell me it's Willow's best friend aren't you," she babbled.  Cordelia nodded and put an arm around her friend.  "We're full of all sorts of facts to know and tell, Isabel.  Starting with our pal the slayer.  Since it's very likely you'll be a regular around the office, we'll need to brief you, but first we should get though the next couple of days."  Bell sighed and leaned against Cordy.  "Sounds like I'm in for a real treat."

Willow approached them before the seer could reply and returned the borrowed phone.  Sitting down in front of her friends she let out a large sigh.
"What's up, Wills?" Bell asked as the redhead's tension began seeping from her body.  "Well, that was Buffy.  She's well....kinda...." She trailed off,
trying to figure out how to explain Buffy's role in any of the current insanity.  Isabel rescued her with a grin and a knowing look.  "Cordy already told
me--she'd the slayer."

"Okey-dokey--glad that's cleared up," Willow replied.  "Anyway, she was freaking because I didn't call yesterday to tell her that Spike and I got here
aright.  I guess she just called Angel."  Cordy rolled her eyes at that.  "He was pretty much an ass on the phone to her, so I'm thinking that something's come up at the office."  Isabel took that as a cue to head toward the car.  She didn't think she'd be able to last much longer without passing out.  Taking a look at her watch she groaned. It was already two in the afternoon, meaning she'd only have about four hours to sleep before the evening's monster fun.  She then knew it had been a mistake to leave Angel's office that afternoon.  What had she been thinking?  After only getting a full six hours of sleep following the worst day of her life and waking with the sun, she never should have left the secure dark of Angel's apartment.  'Only a few more minutes, Bell,' she tried telling herself.  'Then I'll be back in Angel's bed.  Nice and sun-free.'

Willow and Cordelia kept back a bit as Bell charged ahead.  "What did Buffy really want, Will?" the brunette wanted to know.  "Of course she asked about Angel."  Cordy tried to keep from snorting.  "Please, tell me something I don't know."  The remark earned her a playful smack on the arm and a glare.  "Cordelia, behave," she reprimanded.  "Anyway, she actually did want to know why I didn't call so I explained and told her not to expect Spike and I for another week.  I chose to leave out some stuff, though."  She smiled bashfully at her friend who had a large smirk on her face.  "Oh, I don't know, maybe you chose not to tell her that I caught you swapping spit with the undead Billy Idol wannabe or that her beloved ex is drooling over a super cute tattooed punk girl--I am right?"

Their playful exchange was cut short by a sickening thud.  The witch and seer's heads snapped to attention and went running in the direction of the thud.  Isabel had collapsed a few feet from the car, her plethora of bags somewhat breaking her fall, but not keeping her from whacking her head on the concrete.  Willow reached her first and gasped in alarm.  Her friend had managed to turn a whiter shade of pale and she had a sizeable gash on her forehead from the fall.  "Oh Gods, Bell," she whispered, "what happened?"  Cordelia fell to her knees and took Isabel's hand.  "Are you
all right?"  The elder witch laughed weakly and closed her eyes.  "Think you can drive back, Cordy?  I'm not quite up to it," she managed to joke before falling silent.

Cordelia and Willow managed to get Isabel settled in the back seat and sped back to the office in record time.  Spike and Angel were still sitting on the floor chain-smoking when Cordy and Willow charged into the office, holding Isabel up between them.  Both vampires sprang to their feet in alarm, the elder automatically lifting Bell into his arms.  "What happened, Red?" Spike asked as he watched his sire lift the witch into his embrace.  Both Willow and Cordelia were stricken--they hadn't said one word on the way to the office and were still silent with worry.  The brunette managed to speak up first.

"We were walking back to the car and she collapsed," she quietly told them.  "One moment Wills and I were talking, the next Isabel was on the ground.  What's wrong with her?"  The blonde vampire put an arm around each of the girls while his sire took Isabel downstairs.  "Wesley found some very helpful information while you were gone, pets.  But I think we should wait until Peaches is done tending to Bell before we talk about that."

~*~*~

Isabel remained still as Angel laid her delicately on his bed.  He ran to the bathroom to wet a washcloth so her could clean her forehead. When he returned, she had opened her bloodshot eyes.  "I fell down, didn't I?"  The vampire sat next to her brushed her hair from her face.  "Indeed you did, corazon," he told her softly, his large brown eyes watching her with worry.  "What happened?"  Isabel took one of his hands as she smiled wryly.  "Not enough sleep, too much sun, too much pain.  I was so wrapped up in being empowered that I didn't take it all into consideration before I went and spent a fortune at the mall."  She winced as he cleaned her cut.  "Way to go, me."

"You can rest now, corazon," he whispered as he lay down next to her and took her tenderly into his arms.  With a sigh, Isabel happily accepted his comforting touch.  Angel closed his eyes a moment, cursing himself for even thinking it was Isabel's demonic identity that made him care for her.  No amount of supernatural energy could compare to the thrill of her caress and the light of her smile.  Demon or not, she had bewitched him.  And he was surprisingly accepting of that fact.

Isabel let Angel's aura wrap around her, finding comfort in his acceptance of the affection she offered, happy that the vampire was allowing himself
some companionship on his long journey, ignoring the piece of him that still pulsed with worry and uncertainty.  Only moments passed before the witch was fast asleep.  Angel gently removed Isabel from his embrace and covered her with a blanket.  "Rest well, corazon," he whispered before heading upstairs.

Angel was met with anxious silence when he walked into the office.  "Isabel's fine," he told them as he took a seat.  "It was exhaustion, nothing more.  I sent Wesley home for a bit before we head after the Meeragh," he continued on a different tangent.  "But before he left he uncovered something very important.  Willow," the vampire turned to the redhead, "do you know anything about Isabel's mother?"

"Depends.  Her birth mother or her adoptive mother?"  The seer grinned at her friend. "You're just a wellspring of info aren't ya Wills?"

"She was adopted, Red?" Spike asked before she could respond to Cordelia.  "Kind of," Willow replied.  "Isabel's the child of an army officer and an Irish woman.  Her father was stationed in Dublin for two years and he had an affair, actually both he and his wife did, but that's beside the point," she babbled.  "Anyway, she was an illegitimate birth and her mom died just after and made her father promise to take Bell to the States.  So he managed to get an honorable discharge and brought her back with him.  Henry and his wife raised her and despite the fact that Isabel wasn't really her daughter she loved her with all of her heart.  I think that's the only reason she put up with the abuse.  She wouldn't leave Isabel in that house."

"Damn," Cordelia swore.  "Can Isabel's life get any more dramatic?"  The two vampires shared a sardonic and knowing grin before turning their attention back to Cordy and Willow.  "Care to make any bets?" Spike smirked.

~*~*~

Dumbstruck.  That was the only word to explain how Cordelia and Willow felt after Angel and Spike told them that the race with the powers to heal, give comfort, give love, inspire, and kick lots of evil ass.  A demon that wore the form of a human, no matter what the father had been.  A demon whose sole purpose in life was to give love to the world.  A demon that could tame the fiercest of her brethren, but in certain circumstances could fall to the charms of the most evil of them.

The Divinitus were creatures of absolute love, Angel had said.  They never felt hate, but did vanquish those who meant harm.  Only with the most powerful of magick could one of the heavenly demons succumb to the dark side and that's the danger that Isabel was in.  Willow had listened in rapt attention as her friend and, well, more than friend gave them a brief history of the Divinitus Monstrum.  It all made perfect sense to her--every gift the Divinitus had, so did Isabel.  She couldn't believe that she hadn't noticed anything earlier, but Spike did say that it took years for one of them to be sensed.  It explained why both Spike and Angel were so protective of her and why she had become good with a stake--she'd had no choice.  Even if vampires or any other demons hadn't known exactly what she was, their instincts could still tell them to kill her or to protect her.

Cordelia was in awe.  Everything that the two vampires before her had said struck her as simply amazing.  Her new friend was not just a demon, but the fuzzy kind, like Doyle had been.  And that warm and fuzzy demon cared for Angel.  The fact made her so incredibly happy.  Angel deserved to have unconditional, painless love and affection in his life and who better to give it than a person like Isabel.  "Well, I think this is wonderful," she stated rather matter-of-factly.  "So what if she's got a demonic side--she's still a great woman and someone else to work with the PTB, hell, she was doing that already anyway.  I say we just find the way to break Simon's mojo and welcome her into the AI family with open arms."

"Do you really think she would want that, Cordy?" Angel asked seriously.  "To up and change her life like that?"

"Angel, if you saw all of the clothes she bought, you'd know that answer is a yes."  Willow snickered while Spike and Angel looked on in confusion.  "Huh?"

"All change, good and bad, must be marked with new clothes," the redhead explained.  "Or so I've been told.  Bell practically bought out all of Hot Topic."

"What's Hot Topic?" Spike queried as Cordy smirked at him.  "Let's just say it's a fine clothing store that even you would like, Spike.  Lots of vinyl  and fun fur and fishnet.  Bell got Wills some stuff while we were there."  The witch blushed madly as Spike smiled lavisciously at her.  "Really, Red?" he replied huskily.  "You'll just have to model it all for me."  Angel rolled his eyes at his childe, but not humorlessly.  In all truth, he still loved his boy and he loved Willow.  If anyone could show her the adoration and devotion she deserved, it was him.  He gave Willow an approving smile, which she completely appreciated.  It was good to know that she had so many people in her corner, especially knowing that when she returned to Sunnydale, WWIII would probably break out.  Deciding that all Spike-y thoughts could wait until they kicked the crap out of Simon, she cleared her throat and grinned at her vamp.  "While I do thank you all for your wholehearted approval of Spike and I, I do believe that now is research time.  Look for
anything that deals with the Divinitus Monstrum and rituals using eradico animus," she suggested.  "It should now be easier to pinpoint the way to break the herb's hold on her before Monday night."

Her three cohorts began their search, breaking only to call for carryout and for the vampires to feed.  Their hours of reading proved fruitful just before the sun began its descent from the sky.

"A-ha!" Spike bellowed excitedly.  "Found it!"  Cordy, Angel, and Willow were at his side in a split second.  The vampire wore a very satisfied grin as he pointed to a passage in his text.  "Says here that the process to possessing the will of the Divinitus using eradico animus takes four days.  We knew that much, but what we didn't know was how it started.  Seems like the ritual begins with sex and bloodletting."  He paused a moment and glanced at his Red and Cordy.  "I'll do my best not to be crude, but I'm not promising anything."  Willow urged him on with a warm squeeze of his shoulder.  "As Isabel hit her climax, she would have had to bite him--a willing bite-- hard enough to shed his blood and ingest it, therefore
initiating a claim on him.  His blood and the herb flowing though her body began the bond to Simon, though she won't even feel it until that fourth day.  She will be undeniably drawn to him on that day, which is when he stakes his claim, which is also the first step in their mating. As long as he gets that bite in, he's home free."  He braved a look at his sire, who was in obvious distress.  The elder vampire knew what was coming.  "Because once the mating has begun--"

"It can't be stopped," Angel finished painfully.  "And once mated, mated for life.  Their life forces shall be tied together for all of time.  And every
gift she possesses shall become his."  He gratefully accepted the hand his childe placed in his.  If there was any one good thing about their dilemma, it was having his beloved boy by his side once more.  Spike tightened his hand around Angel's before continuing.  "I've found a way to break the spell, but we should look for another option," he truthfully told them, the distress clear in his dark eyes.  "What is it, William?" the dark vampire whispered desperately.  Hearing the desolation in her friend's voice, Cordelia took his other hand while Willow took hers, forming a semicircle of strength and solidarity around the Englishman.  "She would have to be claimed, Sire.  A claim strong enough, deep enough to tie her to that
vampire for life.  She would become his property."  He paused a moment before continuing, silently damning Simon for bringing this upon his family.  "The claim would have to be done on that fourth day, while Isabel is in the throes of want for Simon.  The new claim must be done out of love and goodwill.  The vampire initiating it would have to love and care for her, not tying her to himself for jealous reasons."

Silence followed Spike's words, the seer, the witch, and the blonde waiting for Angel's reaction.  Rather gently he removed his hands from his childe and friend and turned away from their concerned faces.  "The sun is setting and Wesley should be here soon.  Isabel is probably awake now."  He started toward the elevator, but halted a few steps away.  "Please don't tell her," he pleaded.  "I'll do it after the Meeragh has been fought."
 

~Part: 9~

Angel entered his bedroom to find it empty.  Hearing the water running in the bathroom he breathed a sigh of relief.  The vampire needed a minute to regroup after Spike's revelation, especially since he knew there would be no other way to break Simon's spell. The woman who he had promised to protect was going to be claimed by a vampire in the next forty-eight hours.  There would be no other way to break Simon's hold on Isabel.  She would have to be claimed, tied, to a vampire for the rest of her life.  He hated the idea, but compared to the only other choice, it would have
to do.  Now if he only knew how to tell Isabel that she was half demon and needed to be tied to another vampire for the rest of her life to break free of Simon.  Sighing in frustration he let himself fall on his bed.  "Why is this so damned complex?" he growled into his pillow.  Isabel's scent washed over him on calming waves as he attempted to get himself together.  "Why can't I just take her into my arms and make it all stop?"

"Why so growly, Angel?"

The vampire moved his head so he could see Isabel smiling at him.  "I'm frustrated, corazon," he confessed.  "Very frustrated."  He felt the bed shift
as the witch sat next to him.  "I can feel that, Angel.  Why?"  Instead of answering he sat up and pulled her into his lap.  "How are you feeling?" he
muttered into her throat.  "Good as new," she promised.  "Just needed sleep and a shower.  I'm all shiny and happy and ready to kick some ass."  Isabel kissed the vampire on his forehead and rested her cheek against it.  "You don't have to tell me now," she whispered.  "Huh?" Angel asked as he lifted his head to look into her warm grey eyes.  Isabel responded with a knowing smile and lifted a hand to his face.  "Whatever has you feeling so frustrated, so on edge.  It can wait until we take care of tonight's demon."  Some of Angel's tension lifted at the statement.  "Then I think you and I should get ourselves a couple of drinks and then visit the wreckage of my home.  Sound like a plan, Angel?"  The expression on her friend's face reflected his thanks. "Indeed, corazon."

Gently, Isabel pushed him on his back, her thighs straddling him.  "Good, then we agree," she replied, running her hands over his chest.  "I found something in your drawers before I jumped into the shower, Angel.  I needed something to clean to wear once I got out."  Angel noticed for the first time that the witch was clad only in one of his shirts.  Her long hair was pulled up into pigtails, but a few waves had escaped to frame her face, which was flushed from her shower. And if he looked at just the right angle, he could catch a glimpse of her abundant cleavage.  'Argh!! Why couldn't she not be so bloody sexy?  Why, dammit, why?  Is this just another torment?  Well, fuck, even if it is, I'm going to have a bit of fun with it
before having her so close to me becomes completely unbearable.'  The vampire grinned wickedly at her and began to caress her bare thighs.  "And what did you find, corazon?"  Wordlessly she pointed to something hanging in the doorway.  "My leather pants?" he asked. "Is that all?"

"Uh-huh," whispered the witch biting her full lower lip.  "I want you to wear those for me tomorrow night, Angel," she commanded quietly, while bringing her hands under his sweater and relishing in the feel of his hard stomach before she moved up to his nipples. Angel moaned as she twisted them gently and looked up at her with lust addled eyes.  "And what will you wear for me, corazon, my little witch?  Or what will you do for me?"  Isabel cocked her head to the side and thought a second, her pink tongue poking out the side of her mouth just a tad.  "Depends, Angel," she
answered huskily.  "What do you want me to do?"  As she spoke, she leaned closer to him and the vampire snapped.  He sat up and took her lips in a bruising, possessive kiss.  Isabel immediately responded and opened herself to him, moaning into Angel's mouth as he plundered her with total abandon and then smiled against his lips as she felt his arousal grind into her.

Neither heard the elevator arrive in the basement and just as Angel's hands moved to stroke the soft flesh under the witch's borrowed shirt--

"Pardon me, pets, but I do think there are other things you should be doing right now."

--he let them drop into her lap as he tenderly released her lips.  With simultaneous sighs, the witch and the vampire turned their heads in Spike's
direction.  The Englishman was watching them with great interest and a shit-eating grin.

"Thought I'd be charitable and bring Bell's clothes in, ya know, considering she really can't hunt wearing nothing but your shirt and a smile, Peaches."  He set her bags down and threw one on the bed.  "Time to get your kit on, love.  We've got some maiming to do.  I'd ask how you were feeling, but demonstration is always better than explanation."  Without even a shred of embarrassment she took the bag and headed for the
bathroom.  "Thank you, Spike," she called sweetly over her shoulder.

Angel fell back down on the bed as Spike plopped down next to him.  The blonde couldn't restrain his chuckle.  "You've got a great bird there, Angel."  The elder vamp sighed and rolled over to look at his childe.  "Thanks, Spike," he replied sincerely.  "I have to tell her tonight.  I have no idea how."  His sire's brown eyes were filled with distress and Spike couldn't blame him.  The little ray of light changing in the bathroom was going to be claimed Monday night, most probably by his sire.  And if that happened, she would be tied to him for the rest of her life.  They were indeed in a mess.

"Tell her what?"  Angel and Spike both jumped to attention when they heard Isabel's voice as she stepped out of the bathroom.  She was met with
silence.  "I see.  Must have something to do with what had Angel all growly."  Spike raised a scarred eyebrow at his sire.  "Had?"  Angel stood and smirked at his boy.  "What can I say, Spike?  I can't stay growly around this one."

Isabel giggled and pulled Spike off of the bed. "C'mon boys.  Time to get down and dirty," she quipped as she led them to the elevator.  Both vamps eyed her up and down jokingly, their gaze settling on her face with matching leers.  "You two are dirty old men," admonished Isabel as she bounded out of the elevator and into the office.  Angel grinned at his childe. "Damn  right."

~*~*~

Wesley had arrived while Angel and Isabel were downstairs.  After a hasty briefing, he swore that he wouldn't say a word to the witch about her heritage and possible fate--he would gladly leave that to Angel.  After going through the plan the six left the AI office and headed toward the district the Meeragh had been frequenting.  The entire team had armed themselves and split up.  After only a few minutes of the search, Willow and Spike had found the demon and the rest of the gang came running.  The fight itself was rather anti-climatic--Willow and Cordelia performed the spell to destroy the Meeragh (which they got to do from a nice, safe distance) while Wesley, Angel, Spike, and Isabel took out the vamps.  There
were a dozen flanking the stronger demon, but they were fledges and not very worthy opponents.  Quick work was made of the vampires and surprisingly to her friends, Bell had taken out three on her own.  Once the small pack had turned to dust, Angel managed to behead the Meeragh with Giles' ancient ceremonial axe.  The six comrades looked around in disbelief.  After all of the hype surrounding the demon it had only taken minutes to take it out.

"Well, that was disappointing," Isabel pouted.  "I wanted more violence."  In sympathy, Spike put an arm around her.  "I know what you mean, pet.  I was hoping for a spot of decent bloodshed."  Willow, Cordelia, Wesley, and Angel all stared at them.  "What?" the older witch asked in innocence.  "I have a lot of issues to work out.  Fighting helps."  Willow shook her head and took Spike's hand.  "So what now?"

"I don't know about the rest of you, but I could use some sleep," Cordelia stated.  Wesley and Willow nodded their agreement.  "Eh, what the hell," Spike piped in.  "I'll go back with Red, maybe watch some telly and drink the rest of your whiskey, Bell." Isabel glanced over at Angel.  "I guess it's just you and me," she smiled wickedly.

~*~*~

"Bloody hell!  The wanker doesn't even have a telly!"

Willow giggled at Spike's exclamation and sat down next him on the couch.  "Is Angel telling Isabel everything tonight?" she queried as Spike wrapped his arm around her, pulling her to his chest.  "I believe so, Red," he sighed.  "He isn't looking forward to it, but he won't let anyone else have the honor."

"He's going to have to do it, isn't he?" Willow wondered softly.  "Angel is going to have to tie himself to Isabel."  Spike winced at the sorrow and
concern in his beloved's voice.  "It's either Angel or me and I don't think me sire would take very kindly to the latter, love.  Besides, as much as I  like Isabel, adore the witch even, if I claim anyone in the near future, it'll be you," he confessed.  Willow turned in his arms, her emerald eyes wide in surprise.  "You want to claim me, Spike?"  The vampire shifted her to straddle his lap so he could look at the redhead. "Willow, " he huskily whispered, "you know that I would've turned you, had I the chance before.  I still want you that close to me, but without having to give up your warmth and your soul.  That's what a claim would do."  He paused and cupped her cheek in his palm.  "Do you still find that hard to believe?"

"Not really, Spike, but it's taking a while to register.  I mean, last week I was still pining over Oz and now I'm here with you, the foxy vampire that
I've had a crush on since he kidnapped me when I was in high school."  She smiled brightly at the man before her, that smile warming his unbeating heart. "You had a crush on me, Red?"  Willow stared at him in disbelief.  "Please, Spike.  How could I not?  Despite the fact that you're jaw droppingly beautiful, you have such a capacity to love.  I saw it first hand then.  I knew that you would do anything for the woman you loved.  Anything."

"Anything," Spike repeated as he claimed Willow's lips in a tender kiss.  The witch happily wrapped her arms around Spike's neck as he deepened their kiss, seeking entrance to the sweet depths of her mouth by means of soft bites and flicks of his tongue.  She opened herself willingly, letting Spike set the gentle pace as he tasted her.  He released her as air became an issue and turned his attention to her neck.  As Willow's lungs retrieved the much needed air, the rest of her body was reacting Spike, the vampire's lips suckling her throat, a rush of heat flooding her core as he bit down gently on her pulse point.  Spike grinned to himself as Willow's arousal escaped into the air, accompanied by her breathy little moans.  He
let his hands slide beneath her tee shirt and stroked the warm flesh of her back, the chill of his skin causing her to shiver.  Her hips began to move against the growing bulge beneath his tight jeans, eliciting a moan of Spike's own as she struggled to alleviate some of the lust starting to burn within her.  The vampire stopped his onslaught of her throat to take her mouth again, this time claiming it, bruising her lips in his insistency.  Willow gladly yielded, letting Spike envelop her with his kiss.  Suddenly he released her, gasping for unneeded air.  His beloved looked at him with concern and confusion.

"What's wrong?" she whispered fearfully.  "Did I--" He cut her off with a finger against her lips.  "Shh, kitten.  You did absolutely nothing wrong.  *You* are wonderful.  So wonderful, in fact, that if we don't stop now I'll end up taking you right here."  He stopped a moment, hoping that his eyes conveyed this truth, that she was overwhelming him, she made him want to lose all control.  "I really don't want our first time together on my nancyboy of a sire's couch. Or in his bed.  That's just frightening.  Especially after what happened this morning with he and Isabel, even though I'm sure he did change the sheets--"

It was Willow's turn to interrupt him, but she did it with a light kiss.  "You're babbling, Spike.  That's my job," she grinned.  The vampire smiled back at her, returning her kiss briefly.  "See, Red--you make me babble.  I don't think I've done that in the last two centuries."  Willow sighed and rested her head on his shoulder.  "Then that's a pretty special feat."  Spike ran his hands through her fiery locks as he cradled her petite body to his.  "If you are anything, Red, you're special.  Damned special.  That's why when we make love for the first time, but isn't going to be in a dank basement that reeks of Angel's poufy hair products."

~*~*~

Isabel directed Angel to a little dive not far from his home.  Lighting a cigarette, she pondered what was going on in his head.  Once they had dropped their companions off at the office the dark vampire had been silent and downright broody.  She didn't call him on it, instead letting him have his silence as they drove.  When they got to the bar he automatically asked for her order and retrieved their drinks while she chose a table.  Smoke burned its way down her throat as she watched Angel at the bar.  Now more than ever she wanted to take some of his burden away.  It was almost as if he was hunched over with the weight of it all.  She exhaled a stream of smoke and smiled as he came back with their beers.  He set a pint of Guinness in front of her and grinned.  "You're not into girlie drinks are you, Isabel?"

She raised an eyebrow at him as she took a final drag from her cigarette and put it out.  "Er, no," she stated seriously.  "The girliest drinks I indulge in are gin and tonics.  That's about it."

"Well, then.  Shall we have a toast, corazon?" he asked, picking up his pint.  Isabel did the same and smiled sweetly at the vampire.  "Indeed.  To
friendship," she proposed, "and to the wonderful people that enter your life so unexpectedly."

"To friendship," he echoed as they clinked glasses. Angel took a hearty drink of the dark beer and sighed.  "A taste of home."

"You're from Ireland?  I thought you might have been from Spain, ya know, calling me corazon and all........" she trailed off shyly.

"I was born and bred in Galway," he explained, "but I've been all over Europe in the last two and a half decades.  I once spent a few years in Spain with one of my childer.  It was one of the sweetest times of my life, corazon.  I had my beloved by my side--I wish I had that now," he confessed sadly.  Isabel reached across the table to take his hand.  "You chose wisely when you turned Spike," she told him sincerely.  Angel looked at her curiously.  "How did you know I was speaking of Spike?"

"How do I know anything, Angel?  I either see it or I feel it.  I feel the love and also the animosity that only exists between sire and childe when I'm with the two of you.  You'll become close again, Angel," she whispered. "He still loves you."  Angel squeezed the hand holding his and smiled graciously.  "I do hope you're right, corazon.  I've been without him for a century now."

"Once day, Angel," she promised, "I want you to tell me about your life.  *All* of it," she added before he could interrupt.  "Remember, you don't have to hide anything from me.  I really would like to hear about all of it, even the gory parts.  But now I believe there was something you needed to talk to me about."

Angel scowled and downed half of his beer.  "You sure know how to change the subject," he griped.  "Call it a gift," she retorted sarcastically.  "Now out with it.  I wanna know what happened this afternoon.  Don't think you have to sugarcoat it for me, Angel.  I'm a big girl that can handle whatever you have to throw at me, all right?"  The vampire sighed and motioned for a waitress.  "There's just one thing I need to know, Isabel, and I'm afraid it's rather personal, but I need to know to make sure that our theories are correct."

"Go for it, Angel.  I'm not exactly shy."  The vampire nodded and asked his question.  "Corazon, when you and Simon, I don't want to say made love, because I doubt that's what it was--"

"Nope," Isabel interrupted.  "It was animalistic rutting."  His eyes widened at her candor, but continued.  "Well, at any time during your animalistic
rutting did you bite Simon hard enough to draw blood?"  The witch smiled sheepishly and nodded.  "Angel," she whispered loudly, "I'm a biter."  Luckily for the surprised vampire, the waitress arrived then and after ordering another round he started his story.  The entire story.  He left nothing out, not a single detail.  Isabel paid strict attention and her face remained passive during the entire lecture.  The witch and vampire ended up putting away four more pints of Guinness before he finished and when he did, he was surprised with the look on her face.  She was smiling,
beaming actually.

"Isabel, how can you smile after everything I've just told you?" he asked in exasperation.  "I just told you that you're half demon and Simon is trying to mate with you, therefore tying you to him until you both die.  Aren't you the least bit disturbed by any of this?"  Isabel's smile faltered a bit as she gazed at Angel, whose chest ached as he saw the change in expression.  'Good one, Angel.  Just couldn't let her accept this gracefully, could you?  You have to make her as worried as yourself.'

"Angel, of course I'm freaked out," she stated while he berated himself, "but the fact that you and Wesley and Spike were able to find all this out amazes me. While my life is forever changed, it will still be my life, not Simon's.  And this whole demon issue?  It actually explains a whole hell of a lot for me.  All of the demons I've ever met either adored me or tried to rip my throat out.  At least now I know why." Isabel got up and moved to Angel's side of the booth, linking her arm through his.

"All of my life, I thought something was wrong with me--I thought I was just a raging slacker that hated mornings, that I was some bizarre freak who loved dark spaces and attracted demonic beings.  And now you tell me that my place in the world isn't to slave away in a corporate cubicle, but to help people in ways that aren't detrimental to me--it's wonderful.  It's all I've ever wanted to do.  I've always had to hide a part of me, Angel.  From my parents, I hid my aversion to the sun, from my friends I hid my ability to communicate with demons and all sorts of other stuff, from my employers I had to hide my body art and make sure that I always fit the image of corporate America.  The only reasons I did those things are gone now.  I don't have to keep a regular job since I don't have four people to take care of and my parents are gone so I don't have to worry about freaking them out."

Isabel turned and took Angel's face in her small hands, making him look at her.  She wanted him to see the truth in her words.  "Angel, by telling me this you've freed me," she whispered as tears began streaming down her face.  "I once thought that bottling up everything I am was going to end up killing me, but your words are allowing me to live again, to be born again.  And I thank you for that."

With teariness of his own, Angel took one of her hands and kissed her palm lovingly.  "You are amazing, corazon," he managed roughly.  "I don't think I've ever met anyone that could turn something as dire as this into something to celebrate."  Isabel smiled through her tears and claimed his mouth gently.  "I guess we're both pretty amazing demons," she grinned against his lips before drawing away.  "This is so weird," she giggled.  "I'm half demon.  Am I going to sprout horns or anything?" she asked worriedly.  "I think that's the only thing that would creep me out. I'm pretty used to the way I look--I like it actually."

Angel smiled and drew her against his chest.  "No, little witch.  You'll remain as gorgeous as you are now.  No horns, no scales, no fangs.  I do believe the only change that may occur is your eye color.  Once you come to your full power they'll become some shade of purple."

"Neato.  I think I could dig that.  So," she whispered as she changed topics.  "This whole claiming thing.  It has to be a vamp, one who's concerned for my well being, right?"  The vampire's body tensed at the word claim and Isabel's hands went to work caressing his back soothingly.  "It's all right,
Angel.  It has to be done and I would much rather have it be done by someone I care for and someone who cares about me.  *Anything* would be better than being stuck with Simon the rat bastard until one of us dies.  But I only know two vamps who fit that description--you and Spike.  And I doubt Spike wants to be stuck with me when he'd much rather be surgically attached to Willow.  But I don't want you to be stuck to me for the rest of your life either, Angel," she informed him quietly.  Seeing the hurt that flashed in his eyes, she winced and kissed him.  "Not that I wouldn't be the luckiest half-demon in existence to be claimed by you, Angel.  You're beautiful, you're wonderful--I adore you, only twenty-four hours of knowing each other be damned.  I'm thinking of you, babe.  Would you actually be willing to do this for me, would you want to be stuck with me?"

Angel smiled sadly and brushed a lock of hair from her face.  "I honestly can't think of anyone else I'd rather be stuck to, corazon.  It would be like having my very own little demonic punk rock motivational speaker," he added.  Then he realized he had to tell her.  His soul.  He would never be able to be with her, he would have a claim on her, but he would never be able to be her true mate even if they did fall in love, no one would.  His little witch would be stuck between worlds and without absolute love.  Angel had been so relieved to know Isabel would be able to break free of Simon that it hadn't even crossed his mind. His punishment would become hers as well.  Isabel's heart broke as she saw his expression of ultimate defeat; he downright looked like someone ran over his puppy.  His anguish was tangible, wrapping itself around the vampire, separating Isabel from him even
though they were touching.

"Tell me," she commanded.  "What's making you ache like this?"

"It's my punishment, Isabel," he rasped in reply, not able to meet her eyes.  The witch stared at him in confusion, brushing away a single tear that escaped his eye.  "I don't understand, Angel.  What punishment?"

"My punishment for being the Scourge of Europe for over one hundred years.  I raped, pillaged, destroyed entire towns and villages.  It all caught up to me when I fed from a daughter of the Romany.  They cursed me with a soul, Isabel.  And one moment of pure happiness, pure bliss will take it away again.  It happened almost a little over two years ago--Willow was the one to restore it, but not after I terrorized everyone I cared for and killed those close to them."
 

Isabel's eyes flooded with tears--she then knew why he walked with the weight of the world on his shoulders.  But it didn't explain why all his pain
bubbled up at that moment.  "I'm so sorry, Angel," she whispered, "but why would this anguish overtake you right now, at this moment?  I don't understand."  He looked at her sadly as her grey eyes were filled with tears for him and confusion of her own.  The vampire took her in his arms and held her tightly.

"If I claim you on Monday night, you and I will be tied, not mated.  But being claimed is the first step in mating between one of the Divinitus and a vampire. Once claimed by me, you will never be able to have children with anyone else, you will never be able to have a whole and healthy love.  While you could take other partners, I won't be able to make love to you, corazon, I don't know if I ever will, because that would surely be the moment of pure, unadulterated bliss that would tear my soul away.  My punishment will become yours and stay until one of us perishes."

"Do you really think that being with me would give you that much happiness?" Isabel sniffled against his shirt.  Angel pulled her away and tilted her chin up, forcing her to look into his gold-flecked eyes.  "You are one of the only people I've ever met who could accept me, both man and demon.  I think I could easily fall in love with you, Isabel and making love to you would bring me more joy than a man could stand."  His passionate declaration caused Isabel's tears to become full on sobs, causing her to bury he head in Angel's chest once more.  She cried for the both of them; for all of the guilt that Angel still suffered while his life was filled with nothing but good works and for herself and the unfairness of their situation.

Her sobs began to subside after many minutes of hair stroking and tender words courtesy of Angel.  When she did lift her eyes to look at him he was surprised and even happy with what he saw there.  Acceptance and adoration.  "Angel," she affirmed," even if I can never make love to you or have children, just having you in my life would make it all worthwhile.  Knowing that you're looking out for me and caring about me is more than enough."  He stared at her in disbelief. Buffy had once told him the same thing, that as long as they were together, they could fight through the hardships.  But with the slayer, that could never be. She was still a child of the sun and a woman that still wanted, deserved some semblance of a normal
life.  Isabel was wholly different.  She didn't want normal, she didn't crave the sun, she was willing to embrace and share in his darkness.  If he weren't so painfully aware of everything she was being forced to give up, he would've had his moment of happiness then.

"Are you sure, Isabel?  Once we make this decision we won't be able to turn back."  She laughed and shook her head at him.  "Don't question me, Angel or I'll kick your ass.  Just shut up and kiss me."  Her eyes flew open in worry as she thought about that.  "I mean, you can still kiss me, right?"  He answered by leaning over her by taking her mouth lovingly and tenderly, driving all thoughts out of her head with the caress of his tongue against hers, his hand gently stroking the sensitive nape of her neck.  He kissed her until she was breathless and released her with a
smile.  "I can still kiss you, corazon," he breathed.
 

~Part: 10~

      After fifteen more minutes of kisses and tears, the bartender not so subtly suggested they get a room, so Angel and Isabel left the bar.  The vampire was impressed that Isabel was able to hold her beer and told her so.  "You know, Bell," he began as he opened the car door for her, "you don't seem to even have a buzz.  You drank as much as I did and five pints is a lot for anyone your size."  She grinned at her vamp while he started the car.  "It takes a lot to get me wasted, Angel.  A *lot.*  Who knows?  Maybe it's my demonic constitution."

      "Where to now, Isabel?"  The witch grimaced, knowing what they had to do next.  "Back to the house, I suppose.  It would be nice to get it over with." Angel nodded and headed toward the home that saw nine years of her life.  They drove in silence, their only communication happening when Isabel inched closer to him and grabbed his thigh, needing something, anything to hold on to.  He felt her distress and put his arm around her, pulling her close.  The closer they got, the faster her heart began to beat until it was absolutely racing when they pulled up to the house. Angel kissed her gently before leading her to the door.  All the police tape had been taken down and she unlocked the door without a problem.

      Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open and entered, clutching Angel's hand in an unyielding grip. She held on to him tightly as she walked into the living room.  Before she did anything, she stood for a moment in silence, extending her senses to see if she and Angel were the only people in the house.  Once she was satisfied they were alone, she let go of Angel and turned the lights on.  With a gasp, the witch saw that the entire living room had been restored to its former appearance, no blood, no broken furniture.  Everything was in its place.

      Angel saw the note before Isabel did.  He picked it up off of the couch and read it, not being able to control his growls.  She stopped her study of the living room as soon as she felt the anger radiating from her friend.  "What, Angel?" she asked fearfully. Wordlessly he handed the plain white piece of paper to her and she took it, paling as she read the words written in such neat, familiar script.
 

      Out of sight does not mean out of mind, Bella.  I am near and I am watching.  You are bound to me now, my beautiful one, and my pain is your pain, but your pain remains yours.  Keep a tight reign on the dark and the light one.  I may not be able to defend myself alone between the two, but let them know, should they hurt me, they will hurt you.  Come to me willingly, Bella. No one else need suffer for you.  And no one will believe you.  On Monday, we will be one and you will in time be my childe, both forever living and divine. The spotless space where you now stand is where our family shall blossom, our power shall grow, and our love shall flourish.  Say goodbye now, my love--to your family and your to friends and to your life, for in two days time you will be mine.

Forever

~S
 

      Angel watched Isabel carefully, trying to gauge her reaction.  Her face had remained quite passive, but her eyes told a different story.  They were glowing with anger, flaming with rage.  Silently she stood, reading it again and again.  The more time passed the higher the fire of her rage burned.  The vampire may have been able to read auras, but he knew anguish and anger.  He had caused more than enough of it in his two and a half centuries of existence to be able to feel its blinding heat.

      "Stand back, Angel."

      He snapped to attention when he heard her whisper, but didn't hear what she had said until she repeated herself in a louder voice.  He complied, having no idea what she was going to do.  To his surprise the witch conjured a large blue flame that emanated from her palm.  She placed Simon's letter in it, but it did not burn--it instead disappeared as the flame roared to the ceiling before snuffing itself out.  Angel was very happy for the warning, but extremely worried about Isabel.  Her moment of rage had passed, replaced by an emotionless state reflected by her eyes and
expression.  He moved to take her hand, but she pulled out of his reach.

      "Please take my guitars to the car," she requested quietly.  "The pink glitter electric and the dark cherry acoustic.  I need to take care of some things upstairs."  Without waiting for a response from the vampire she walked up the stairs.  Once he heard a door close, he decided to honor her request and gathered her instruments and cases to take them from the car.  He was back in the house seconds later and she was still upstairs.  Instead of checking on her, he sat on the couch and left her alone.  The woman hadn't had any time to grieve alone yet.  And she had so much to mourn--the loss of her friends, the loss of her former life, and the fate that lay ahead of her.

      While Angel knew Isabel was somewhat relieved to know about her demonic status, it was startling nonetheless.  Granted, she was able to practice some of her gifts, but she was never able to be open about the nature she had possessed.  Her life prior to this point was hard and filled with behaviors that, while they were sometimes detrimental to her, they were necessary--they constituted her way of life.  Now she was somewhat free to come out of the demonic closet, but would she choose to?  Would she try to be a behind the scenes superhero or would she full on join in the good fight?  It was a given that she would indeed to continue to fight for the PTB, but she had to decide which 'costume' she wanted to don, how she was going to live her new life.

      And then there was the whole claiming issue.  He knew that Isabel liked him, was attracted to him even, but she was going to be bound to him for the rest of her life, no matter how short or long it would be.  It was no secret that in twenty-four hours he had become utterly possessed by the demonic witchy woman, but claiming her meant sharing his life, or unlife rather, with her.  After Buffy, he honestly thought that he would spend his nights being LA's caped crusader and going home to a dark and lonely home to brood.  He'd had no intentions of trying to find love again.  The
slayer had been *the one* and that was that.  The vampire never expected to have someone like Isabel to come into his life.  Not that he wasn't beyond thankful for her presence, but once you've got the rest of eternity planned, change is hard to accept.

      Angel wanted desperately to accept her and to a large extent he did.  He was fast to admit that he knew the difference from Isabel and Buffy, that they were in no way, shape, or form similar.  Well, except being beautiful and caring and able to kick ass.  They did have that in common.  But they did have *far* more differences than similarities.  That meant their relationships were bound to be different then, right? Just because his love for Buffy ended in two broken hearts and his being sent to hell, he and Isabel didn't have to end that way.  'I really hope not. Don't think I can take any more time in hell.  Been there, done that, got the tee shirt.'

      But maybe he was getting ahead of himself.  There wasn't even an 'Angel and Isabel' yet.  They were new friends who just happened to be familiar with each others lips already, had naughty dreams about each other, and felt at peace when they were together.  The woman could calm his demonic rage and for the first time in a century made him feel like he deserved love and affection.  Buffy had given her love, but had
never said 'Hey, Angel, you deserve *more* than just me and our incredible sexual tension.'  That he deserved not just a lover or a girlfriend, but a
friend.  A companion that would be there when he couldn't handle the world or his journey for redemption.  And he wanted someone he could do the
same for.  His life with Buffy had been about pretending, trying to forget he was a vampire and she the slayer.   Life with Isabel wouldn't be about that. He would be able to be a vampire with a mission and she would be able to be demon/witch with a gift for love.  They would be able to share their lives, all aspects of it.

      He could even hope that the Powers that Be would lift the clause of his curse so that Isabel could have children.  Even if the Divinitus Monstrum were, in fact, not extinct, they were incredibly few.  And Isabel deserved to have children of her own.  She would be a wonderful mother.  But then, of course he would be a father.  And that was a somewhat scary thought.

~*~*~

      Isabel let herself into Ash's room and fell to her knees amidst the perpetual mess.  Clothes and music were everywhere.  The only area that had any semblance of order were the shelves stacked with empty containers of hair dye.  He would keep them after every hair dying she performed for him.  The small jars that had once held blue, purple, pink, green, orange, black, yellow and every other color under the sun had been formed into neat pyramids on those shelves.  He first said that he was keeping them so he could keep track of how many he went through before his hair fell out.  Soon after, he told her the real reason.  "Isabel," he had said, "the two of us don't get to spend much time together anymore.  Sure, we have the band and we go to shows and all, but we don't get to have us time.  There's *rarely* any Isabel and Ash time.  And I love you more than just about any person on this planet.  You've been my sister, my best friend, my muse, and the one-time object of my fantasies.  Every time I come in my room and see the technicolor rainbow on those shelves, I think of you and how much you mean to me."

      "Gods, I love you, Ash," she whispered to the heavens with crystalline tears running down her face.  "I hope you know that.  For the last four years you've been my best friend and I can't imagine what it's gonna be like without you.  I don't want to let you go."  By her feet she noticed a balled up tee shirt and she picked it up, choking back a sob.  It was his Motley Crue 'Shout at the Devil' shirt. That had been the first concert he had ever been to.  The shirt he got at that show had met its end *long* ago, far after he had outgrown it.  He was heartbroken when it finally
disintegrated and for his birthday two years ago, Isabel had managed to find the exact replica for him. Holding it to her face, she inhaled deeply.  It
smelled like him--cigarettes, leather, and the spicy aroma of his soap.  It was that smell that broke her. All of the tears she had shed in the last twenty-four hours had led up to this.  Her breaking point.  She was trying *so* hard to accept and move on and be thankful for everything that she still did have and had just been given--like Spike, Angel, Cordelia, Wesley, and her newfound closeness to Willow, but all she wanted was her family back.

      They were a family of misfits--she, Ash, Jayne, Eli, and Drew.  All five of them had come from households that were abusive in one way or another.  Most of them had left their hometowns as soon as they possibly could.  Some as soon as they turned eighteen, others the minute they graduated high school.  They all came to the City of Angels wounded, alone, and incredibly scared.  And by some miraculous twist of fate, they
managed to find each other, one by one.

      Their new lives in LA weren't idyllic at first.  They were five young adults trying to find their places in the world.  They lost themselves sometimes--in sex, in drugs, and in rock 'n roll.  There was a reason Isabel had the saying tattooed along her spine.  It was to remind her that her love of those vices would not control her as they had during her first years in LA. She had thoroughly enjoyed her bands, boys, and booze then.  Those were the only activities that brought her any happiness.  It was only when she was at a concert or with one of the boys she would pick up at the shows that she felt any contentment.  The only other person in her life that ever truly cared about her was no more and she had a huge void to fill.  But then she met Drew.

      Drew was a beautiful man and an amazing artist.  And she adored him.  From the moment they met at a Ramones show after her first year in the city, they were friends.  Soon after he told her he was HIV positive. He was only eighteen and infected.  He had become infected through the very activities Isabel was to so drawn to.  The last thing he wanted was for his beloved Bell to suffer from the same fate that he did. Drew helped her find that there was far more to Isabel than just a cute punk rock groupie--that she had meaning and worth.  .  Because of his friendship, she started to discover the real Isabel Young.  The beautiful, caring, talented, intelligent, determined individual that Angel was so taken with.

      Then Jayne came almost two years later, meeting Bell and Drew at the Blitzkrieg.  Once again, it was friendship at first sight.  They had taken the young woman into their home after knowing her for only a week.   Jayne had been so like Isabel-- young, scared, abused, and insecure--just waiting for someone to tell her that she mattered and was worthy of love.  Eli followed.  He came to LA after his father disowned him when he came out of the closet on his eighteenth birthday.  While his mother had supported him, nonetheless, he wanted nothing more than to escape from Detroit.  And so he did.  He met his future family about a month after arriving in the city and fell in love with them and they with him.  Eli had
finally found the support and inspiration to write his comic books.  That's how he met Ash.

      Ash worked in the comic shop that Eli had frequented. Once Eli found out that Ash had been thrown of his parent's house and was struggling to find a couch to sleep on every night, he brought him home to Isabel, Drew, and Jayne.  The then eighteen year old completed their family.  He had been truly eccentric, but *so* lovable.  He shared Isabel and Jayne's absolute love of rock 'n roll and Eli and Drew's appreciation of art.

      It was together that the five of them exercised their demons and kicked their addictions.  For the four years they were all together, they were totally happy and totally loved for the first time in their lives. They all had steady jobs and pursued healthy hobbies. While they were far, *far* cleaner than they had been in the past, they still weren't quite saints, but they knew when to stop and on those rare occasions they didn't, there was always someone was looking out for them.

      And most of the time it was Isabel.  She played the caretaker more than any of them, but they took care of her too.  Eli used to wake her up for work every morning and make her breakfast.  He never knew the cause, but he knew that Isabel was a completely nocturnal creature.  And because she was busting her ass working a straight job to make sure they always had everything they needed, that was the least that he could do for her.  When the circles under her eyes from lack of sleep became obvious, it was Drew that helped her cover them with makeup.  Jayne was always to one to prepare Bell's hangover cures on those days when their previous night had been one filled with a *little* too much indulgence.  Ash stood by most mornings, worried about his best friend.  He thought Isabel was killing herself by keeping the insane hours she did.  He knew exactly why she did it and perhaps that was why it bothered him so much.

      She did it for them.  She did it to make sure that all of the bills got paid, that they had plenty of food, and that they always had something clean to wear.  She wanted so much for them to have the family that they never had and didn't care that she was sacrificing so much to give them that.  Nothing he said could make her quit and find something else that would make her happy.  Isabel would always look at him with her huge grey eyes and smile brightly and tell him that she *was* happy.  She was happy as long as they were all in her life and she would do everything she possibly could for them.  He never really knew why she took on the role of mother.  Maybe it was because she was the oldest; maybe it was because she had been on her own the longest that she felt so responsible for their gang of misfits.  He would never know the real reason--she did it because it was in her blood. It was what she was born to do.

      Isabel was of the Divine Ones.  They opened their hearts and took in the most hopeless among them.  And that Divine One was then one of the most hopeless. Which is why the Gods had sent Angel to her.  For the first time in twenty fours hours since her life had been brutally altered, she felt empty and desolate. It was all so real now.  She wanted it to be a dream. Just a horrible dream. All she wanted was to wake up and have Ash come running to her, all excited about his new song or for Eli to pitch an idea for a comic book to her or for Drew to unveil his latest painting or for Jayne to gush about the new band she just heard. It had taken all of them years to finally come to a point in their lives where they were happy and
loved and it had all been taken away.

      "I love them," she whispered to the heavens as the tears began to cascade down her delicate face.  "They were all I had and everything I lived for.  What am I supposed to live for now?  *They* are what made me strong.  Without them I'm weak.  I'm nothing," she spat.  "Just an empty shell."

      "No, corazon, you're none of those things."

      Isabel hadn't even heard the door open and had no idea Angel was there until she heard his voice.  When she turned her tear filled eyes to him, the expression of total defeat broke his heart.  "I wanna be brave, Angel.  But they're all gone and they're never gonna come back," she whispered with the voice of a terrified child.  "I'll never be able to remind Drew to take his meds, or pose for Eli so he can use me for a comic, or tell Jayne what a kickass drummer she is, or hear Ash sing to me.  I'll never be able to hold them or tell them how proud I was of them or how much I loved them.  They were why I was brave.  They made me strong.  I thought I could deal with all of this, but all I wanna do now is die."

      Isabel's tears became painful sobs that made Angel swoop down and take her into his arms.  The witch let him enfold her in his embrace, resting her head on his shoulder.  "It took years for me to finally find some happiness and it was all taken from me.  Why can't I wake up from this dream, Angel?" she cried.  "Why can't they come back to me so I won't be alone again?"

      The vampire stroked her hair and kissed her forehead. "Isabel, corazon, I wish I could wake you up, tell you that it was all a dream.  But I can't.  What I can do is make sure Simon never hurts you again.  I can keep you safe.  I will never let you be alone again, love," he whispered.  "Not because we will be bonded, that has nothing to do with it.  I'll be here for you because I care.  I want to know you and be your friend and maybe even get to love you, Isabel.  I can never replace what you've lost, love, but you won't be alone.  You do have Willow, Spike, Wesley and
Cordelia, too, don't forget that.  Please, don't *ever* forget that," he pleaded.

      Angel held her trembling body close, knowing that even though his witch had shed tears before, these were the tears, the sobs and cries of true mourning. "You aren't a shell, corazon.  You have shown such strength and courage this past day, you've done so much to impress me and make me take pride in you. I've been around a very long time, love, and I know true strength when I see it.  You may only have become this woman over the last few years, but this is the woman you will remain.  You just needed someone to help you bring out all of the passion and fire and
strength burning within you.  Your family did that. They helped give you the courage to mold yourself into the exquisite creature before me.  Please don't give up your fire, love.  The world lost so much when your family was taken away.  It would lose so much more if it were to lose you too."

      Isabel removed her head from his shoulder and looked up at her vampire.  Angel watched her with such sorrow and concern flooding the liquid pools of his eyes. She reached up and touched his cheek, caressing the slight hollow.  "But it hurts so much, Angel," she whimpered.  "I feel like I've got a weight the size of Wisconsin balancing on my chest.  It hurts to breathe, hurts to cry.  All I want to do is scream and cry and throw things until I can't speak or move anymore, but I can't even bring myself to do that now.  A part of me just wants to give up.  On everything."  She laughed bitterly and shook her head.   "But if I do that, Simon wins."  Angel was happy to see some of pain and emptiness leave her eyes, the fire of anger replacing them.  "And there is no way in hell I'll let that happen."

      Angel smiled at her and to his pleasure she smiled back at him.  "I guess I can't seem to keep up the self-pity when I'm in your arms, Angel," she stated truthfully.  "It isn't self-pity, love."  Angel caressed her cheek tenderly before brushing a kiss across her lips.  "It's grieving.  Do all of the
screaming and crying you need, corazon.  I'll be right here to hold you and wipe your tears away."  Angel ran his hands through the thick black waves of her hair before cradling her head in his palm.  Isabel mimicked him, stroking the nape of his neck and pulling him forward so she could capture his lips with her own. She kissed him softly and lovingly, releasing his mouth with a little sigh.  "I've been *truly* blessed by the Lord and Lady, Angel," she told him sincerely, "to have had you enter my life

      The vampire smiled at her, another of his ultra-rare, incredibly bright smiles.  It was a smile that almost made Isabel's pain melt away, just knowing that smile was just meant for her.  "The both of us have been, love."  He brushed the remains of her tears away and stood, bringing her up with him.  "Let's go home, Isabel," he suggested.  She gazed up at him curiously. "Home?"  He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles.  "You are always welcome in my home, love.  Feel free to call it yours."

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