Title: You Always Hurt The One You Love
Author: Crazy_Girl_Mary
Email: crazy_girl_mary@yahoo.com
Disclaimer: They’re all Joss’ and probably some other people but hey I’m a rebel so I play if I want damn it!
Summary: Angel dies, but Buffy isn’t ready to lose him yet. There’s only one way to stop his death, to go back in the past and kill his murderer, but that also means encountering her worst enemy, the devil who wears her lover’s face and his three companions Darla, Spike, and Drusilla at the height of their madness.
Pairings: No real pairings in this one, just friendships, but you could call it a B/A aftermath or a B/Aus infatuation.
Spoilers: Buffy has come back from heaven, and Angel has Conner, but he’s not grown up yet.
Rating: NC-17 (Just to be safe) there are a few strong sexual exchanges as in banter
Author’s Comments: I finally have a website! Isn’t that exciting! I know I’m excited and I’ll be even more excited if you email me with your challenges and reviews.

“So Monopoly next?” Dawn asked eagerly folding the Clue board into the box.

“Sure,” Anya said, frowning at Xander’s glance, “Can I be the ghost?”

“The ghost?” Dawn asked, “There’s no ghost.”

“Yes,” Anya said, and then she pulled the little lead hat figurine from the box, “Right here.”

“An, honey, that’s a hat.” Xander said.

“No, it’s a ghost, but all you can see is the hat.”

Dawn and Xander gave up with reason and began to start the game.

Buffy had set up a crib for the baby in the living room. Soon after dinner she had put him to bed and curled up on the couch to think about things. How was she supposed to take care of a baby? She didn’t know how she was going to pay for much of anything when it had been just her and Dawn, now with this added expenditure she didn’t know what she was going to do. Maybe Willow would be useful; she could just zap us rich, Buffy thought wryly. She hated herself for thinking of Conner as an expense but she just couldn’t help it. How could Angel do this to her? How could he just leave her, and leave his baby?

She grabbed the duffel bag Cordelia had helped her fill with the baby’s things and began to see how long her supplies would last. She was looking in the front pocket when she pulled out a clean envelope. Chills ran down her spine as the pain from earlier that day was rekindled. She hoped it wasn’t another overwhelming letter from Angel, she didn’t think she could handle it at the moment. She slowly opened the undressed envelope and pulled out a short typed letter.

Dear Buffy,

We understand the extreme reality of raising a child, as we have helped raise Conner along so far. Angel, as you may not have known, had managed to save a very fair sum of money to help him in this task. We know he would want you to have it, and we cannot see why anyone would feel differently. We wish you all the best, and hope you will give us a call if you need a few babysitters. Thank you for everything, you will be in our prayers.

Love,
Your friends at Angel Investigations,
Cordelia, Wesley, Fred, Gunn, and Lorne.

Buffy pulled out an enclosed check and grabbed her chest at the surprise of the “fair sum of money” bestowed upon her. She knew she needed it, and knew she deserved it. She smiled at the generosity and consideration of her friends, “Looks like we’re going to be okay after all, for a while anyway,” she said lightly to the baby. She smiled with anticipation at the notion of going to the bank early the next morning and depositing the large check into her stripped account.

She looked at the sleeping baby, angelic while sleeping, angelic all the time, just like his father. She frowned at the dry reality that despite the horrible experiences in their short relationship Angel had been one of the best things in her life. She had always dreamed of having a child with him and instead one of the beings Buffy had hated the most, and the last being that deserved it, had had his child. She wiped a stinging tear from her raw cheek and pulled the covers around her.

She turned her attention to the kitchen where Anya had jumped from her seat at the table and passionately kissed Xander, “I won!” she screamed as they broke for air. Dawn started to put the game away and when the table was clean Anya and Xander came into the living room to say goodbye.

Xander gave Buffy a hug, “Willow’s still at it,” Xander said.

“Yeah,” Buffy said looking at the pitch-black sky, “Did you save her a few slices of pizza?”

“Why?” Xander said bitterly, “She can just wave her hand and have whatever she wants.”

“I trust her Xander,” Buffy said, “And you should too.”

Xander nodded and he and Anya walked out the front door to their car. Dawn came and sat next to Buffy on the couch. Buffy wiped her bangs from in front of her face, “Did you finish your homework?”

“Yes,” Dawn sighed.

Buffy smiled back. Dawn leaned forward to look at the baby. Buffy feared she would be hurt that she hadn’t been consulted first. “We are going to make this work, right?” Dawn asked.

“We are,” Buffy answered certainly.

“Okay,” Dawn smiled then looked at the clock, “I’m going up to bed, goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” they kissed and embraced and Dawn went up to bed.

Buffy turned out all the lights but one so she could sit and think and still watch the baby. Thoughts and memories swept through her mind and she doubted she would ever fall asleep again.

“Buffy, Buffy wake up.”

Buffy opened her eyes surprisingly pulled from a fantasy along the lines of Angel’s. Her, Angel, and Conner were walking on the beach. “Willow?” she said. She sat up, “What is it? What’s wrong?” Willow looked excited, “What time is it?” Buffy asked.

“It’s around four o’clock.”

“What is it Will? What did you find?” Buffy sat up looking more excited every second. Willow held a book under her arm. She glanced up at the dark stairway, and began to whisper. “I think I have an idea about how to bring Angel back.”

Buffy got up and went with Willow into the kitchen. “What is it?” she asked.

“Well,” Willow said, “I looked in every book in the library at the Magic Box and at my place and I couldn’t find anything on resurrecting a vampire as human. However Wolfram & Hart did it, their secret remains theirs.”

Buffy frowned. “But I did find something else,” Willow added with a slight smile.

She opened the book she had placed on the counter to a leafed page in the middle of the leather binding. There was an etching of a man in the middle of a large whirlwind, and under that was an article in Latin. Buffy could see the notes Willow had translated.

“What is it?” Buffy asked impatiently.

“Well,” Willow said, “We don’t know how to bring Angel back but we do know how he died.”

“Holtz,” Buffy mumbled.

“Right,” Willow said, “And we know that somehow he came into the future to kill Angel.”

“Yes,” Buffy said, pain was evident in her tone.

“Well,” Willow smiled, “Why don’t we beat him at his own game?”

“Come on Willow,” Buffy mumbled.

“Why don’t you go back to the past and kill Holtz?”

“Spike?” Buffy called into the darkness.

“Come for some lovin’ Slayer?” a sexy male voice called back.

“You’re such an ass. I come here to ask you a favor and you piss me off.”

“Well, what is it?” Spike asked emerging from the darkness holding a TV remote control and a bottle of whiskey, a cigarette barely clinging to his bottom lip. “Is it about this kid I been hearing so much about?”

“What did you hear?” Buffy asked, paranoid.

“Well, he is a miracle, a human child born of two legendary vampires.” Spike sat on the chair in front of his television, “The boys are saying this baby tastes better then Slayer blood.”

“That’s precious,” Buffy, said sarcastically, “I’m going back in time to kill Holtz.”

Spike looked on mouth gaping, “You’re what?”

“You heard me. So when I come back to this time everything will be back the way it was.” Spike looked understanding, but didn’t speak. He knew these types of back in the future missions only dug people further into the ground. He doubted the Slayer would want his opinion on the matter so he stared blankly then butted out his smoke.

“So will you baby-sit?” Buffy asked.

“Buffy?” Xander asked concerned as they sat at the table, “Are you sure you want to do this?”

Buffy looked at him, “Positive.”

“Okay, well then lets start. You can only do this during the full moon,” Willow informed them, and Buffy directed her attention towards the witch.

“First, Buffy you will be in a different time period. As you know Angelus, Darla, Spike, and Drusilla are The Scourge of Europe during this time. Holtz is following the death trail left behind them. You will arrive in London, where both are. Holtz will prove to be a difficult opponent. Angelus and the three can never kill him and he can never kill them.” Willow looked a little nervous. “Just like in the movies, it is imperative that you don’t tell anyone in the past who you are. Hopefully Angel and the others will not remember you.”

“I get what you’re saying Will. Only talk to strangers, kill Holtz the easy way.” Buffy pulled out a small handgun. Xander, Spike, and Willow looked at her in shock. They didn’t want to know how she had acquired the item. “I’m not messing around here guys.”

Willow nodded and continued, “You wear this necklace while I say the spell and then you repeat the words on this paper to come back to the desired time. Your heart and thoughts direct you so don’t think about dinosaurs while reading the words.”

Xander smiled, “Or the imminent destruction of the world, cause that would suck to be at,” he piped in.

“Also, when you come back things should be relatively the way you left them, with the exception of Angel being alive, and Holtz being old news. No one but you should know what has happened. We are trusting you to play it safe and not put yourself in danger.” Willow sighed and looked at Buffy with a heartfelt, understanding expression.

Buffy nodded and looked out the window. “Let’s do this.”

Willow nodded and handed the large blue diamond necklace to Buffy. Buffy clasped the gold chain around her neck and looked at the beautiful stone admiringly.

“Are you sure about this?” Spike asked solemnly from his leaning perch on the far wall.

Buffy nodded resolutely and looked at them, “You guys take care of yourselves and the kids huh?”

“Happy to oblige little lady,” Xander said in a cowboy voice, tipping an imaginary hat.

Buffy smiled, “Thanks.”

“Okay,” Willow looked to Spike then Xander, “You guys have to leave the room now.” They reluctantly got up and took a last look at Buffy before going into the living room with Dawn, Anya, and Conner.

Willow clasped Buffy’s hands and began to read the Latin spell. The spell was rather long and strenuous, but Buffy was listening intently to every word trying to prepare herself for the rush of going back in time. When Willow said the last word it was evident the spell was working. A purple and deep red whirlwind much like the one pictured in the book began to form between them. Soon it was a rushing, glowing, force that blew the papers from the front of the refrigerator. Buffy closed her eyes and Willow delicately blew a breath into the whirlwind. It moved around Buffy and she felt herself running out of air. She closed her eyes when all she could see was black. She hoped she was doing the right thing.

Willow looked at Buffy’s empty seat and felt tears run down her cheeks. Had she done the right thing? Would Buffy be safe? She looked around at the mess that had been made by the spell and jumped up to straighten the room a little before the others came in. She was picking up the papers from the floor when Dawn came in followed by the others. She had red eyes and looked sadly at Buffy’s seat at the kitchen table.

“She’ll be home soon Dawny,” Willow said comfortingly. When she reached to give the girl a hug Dawn broke away and stormed upstairs. Anya followed holding the baby. Xander looked uneasily at Willow, “I better go with her and make sure she doesn’t say something stupid.” He left too.

Spike watched Willow intently. “This spell is safe right pet?”

Willow slumped into a chair. “As far as I know.”

“Then Buffy will be home soon.” Spike put a hand on her shoulder, “Don’t worry about it, you did the right thing.” Soon Spike had said goodnight and went to sleep on the couch to keep an eye on the doors. Xander and Anya slept in the spare bedroom and Willow and Dawn in Willow’s bed, Conner in his crib close by.

Willow lay in bed awake. Dawn had been mad but she had come to Willow soon after bedtime to cry and cuddle and cure a little of the loneliness that was building inside of her. She felt as if Buffy had died all over again. Soon Spike was standing in the doorway. “I’d feel better if I could keep a watch on you guys.” Willow nodded and pointed through the dark to a window bench with a pillow and cover.

Buffy opened her eyes. She nervously looked around her. Surprise, a cemetery; at least she didn’t feel too far from home. She wondered if she was in London like anticipated. She felt her pockets to make sure she had her gun and a stake. Then she walked towards a deserted dirt road she could see. There were many houses and pubs right on the road. The houses you could easily tell because the lights were all out and the pub lights were all on some emitted loud noise every once in a while and a man would stumble out still holding a bottle and start home or head to another pub.

She went reluctantly inside the nearest establishment. Looking around she noticed the place was mostly empty. A few sad faced people were spotting the bar and a small group of men were seated at a round table near the back playing cards. Buffy noticed that when she entered everyone looked her way. She walked up and lightly addressed the bartender, “Ladies room?” she asked. He stared blankly at her, “Powder room?”

He silently pointed to a doorway in the very back of the bar and Buffy quickly went inside. She knew why they were all staring. She was wearing a pair of black leather pants, a black leather duster, a tight white tee shirt, and black leather boots. She wondered why her and Willow hadn’t considered that. Angel was sure to remember someone who stood out as much as she did. She also realized she didn’t have a dime to buy clothes, food, nothing.

She looked at herself angrily in the mirror frowning at their major screw up. Then she decided she had to hide until light incase Angelus or someone else spotted her. She went back into the bar and figuring there wasn’t much she could do, took a seat. She doubted any of the vampires would come into a place like this looking for food. She knew Angelus was quite the party animal; he would want a place with more people. More young woman, she thought wryly. She watched the eyes that leered at her. The bartender looked to be considering kicking her out more then once, but he never said a word. She would glance at the card game every now and then. She watched the youngest, scrawniest man clean the others out game after game. When it was nearly daylight Buffy sighed in relief, happy no vamps had made their way to that bar. Then she left shortly after the men had disbanded from their poker game.

She followed the winner down an alley, which was still dark, shaded from the coming sun. The man never knew what was happening. She pistol-whipped him and he passed out easily. She sat his body upright and pulled his winnings and the other contents from his pockets. She looked at a piece of paper from his pocket stating that he was getting a suit at James John London Tailors and smiled. She was in London. She put everything in her pocket and sat the man upright.

“That wasn’t very nice,” a familiar voice said from behind her back. She jumped up and turned quickly.

“Spike, shit.”

He smiled, “You’ve heard of me?” he asked. She cursed herself for being so foolish and careless as to let his name slip from her lips. She almost laughed out loud at his outfit. A black suit, knickers with white stockings, a jacket with tails, shoulder length golden blonde hair combed back, with a ribbon at the nape of his neck.

“Unfortunately.”

“I’d say.” He changed into his game face and ran towards her.

She barely caught him and brought her knee into his chest. He was stronger then his future self but she eventually got the better of him. She wondered if all the vampires would be stronger then their future versions. “Isn’t the sun coming up? You should hurry along inside.”

“I’m happy you’re concerned. Who are you?”

“I’m just a girl.” Buffy answered. “Now go home,” she said, “Maybe you should think about a diet as well.”

She pushed Spike away and he glanced around at the lightening sky. The sun would be fully up any minute. It’s no wonder he’s still alive in the future, Buffy thought. “See you again,” he threatened before disappearing down a side alley. When she went to the corner to make sure he was leaving he was gone. She sighed and looked back one last time at the cataleptic young man before walking hesitantly out onto the main road again.

She saw a middle-aged woman opening a store a few spots down. She walked nervously to the store. A mother and her young boy were walking down the street, the boy wearing a baby blue outfit similar to Spike’s and the woman wearing a heavy white hoop skirt dress and matching jacket. The boy tugged his mothers skirt and pointed at Buffy like the freak that she appeared to be. Buffy looked away nervously as the woman urged her son to walk faster.

Buffy peered inside the storefront and saw happily it was a clothing boutique. She waited a little longer until the sun was warming the black cloth then she disappeared inside. She smiled at the woman as she hung a beautiful dress up for display. “Can I help ye dear?” the woman asked cheerfully.

“Yes,” Buffy said, looking down at her outfit and drawling the woman’s attention to her clothing.

“Oh yes,” the woman said, not as shocked as Buffy had anticipated, “Actor, are ye?” the woman inquired leading Buffy back to a measuring stand. “Ye know people say that it’s wrong fer women to be acting on stage but I think ‘tis wonderful.”

Buffy smiled, “Thank you.” She stood on the stand and let the woman measure her waste and height and a few other things then watched her scurry away.

The woman came back with a few brightly colored dresses and hung them on a hook for Buffy then closed a curtain around her so she could dress in private. Buffy tried on the first dress, which was baby blue and lavender. It was a little snug in the waist and Buffy wondered how the woman of this time did anything at all with such heavy dresses and binding undergarments. She supposed that was pretty much the point and that they didn’t really do anything.

Although she didn’t have a waist shrinking corset on she looked in the mirror and liked the finished product. The next dress was a little more defined. It was light green with lace trim everywhere. Buffy tried on the dress, which fit perfectly everywhere. She opened the curtain and smiled at the older women’s nod of approval. “That looks marvelous.”

Buffy looked down at her bare feet, and having a Cinderella moment asked, “What about shoes?”

“I have the perfect shoes.” The woman measured Buffy’s small feet and bustled off again. She came back a few moments later with a few different pairs of shoes. Buffy tried on a pair of white boots that laced up and a pair of white dress shoes. She nodded in approval. On her way to the counter she passed a small supply of luggage and picked a tiny plain black bag and put all the items on a table. She looked hesitantly at her money and then at the woman. The women nodded reassuringly and took a few bills from Buffy’s stack, then helped Buffy pack the rest of the clothing into the bag.

Buffy smiled and started to leave, “I’m only in town for a short time. Do you know any good place to stay around here?”

“Well,” the woman said, “The Smith House is very cheap, but not especially clean. The Red Room I think would be the best, its clean and very luxurious, but not extremely high priced, you have plenty there doll, so don’t let anyone cheat you.”

“Thanks a lot,” Buffy said, “And where would that be?”

“It’s left outside the doors then two roads and a left past McCauley cemetery then on your right."

“Thanks again.” Buffy hoped she had enough to stay at this Red Room, because the Smith House didn’t sound like much fun. She walked out the door and slowly strolled down the street feeling more comfortable and less conspicuous in her new dress. She used a ribbon she hadn’t noticed was hanging from the sleeve of the dress and tied her hair up with it. Before she knew it she was standing outside The Red Room Hotel. She smiled at the size and Victorian style of the place. Red roses lined the front yard and small garden. The building itself was a deep dark red with black trim, which would normally be morbid or depressing seemed happy and vibrant amidst the plain white houses of the town.

Walking up to the door she didn’t know whether to knock or to just go in. Guessing that because it was a hotel the first room would be the lobby she just walked in without knocking. She looked around and noticed that the large lobby ahead was really grandly decorated. The walls were painted deep red and all the furniture was dark cherry wood with rich red and black fabrics. Beautiful pictures with noble ladies basking in the sunlight and still-lives of fruit and flowers covered the walls. She walked along the rich red carpet of the hallway into the massive lobby. Directly in front of her was a receptionist’s desk. A guest book, pen, and small silver bell ornamented the desktop. She gazed around and then hesitantly rang the bell lightly. She looked towards the three doors and the stairs within one of the doors and saw no one was coming. Getting impatient she rang the bell again and heard movement within the dining room. She smiled as a handsome young man appeared. He walked over smoothly and took his place behind his desk.

“Good morning ma’am.” He smiled graciously and rang the bell four sharp times. “I’ll be happy to help you acquire a room today.”

“That’s great,” Buffy said smiling. “How much for one room, a single room?”

“By yourself then?” he inquired.

Buffy nodded and got her money out of her bag. “How much?”

“Ah yes,” the man said frowning slightly, “That will be five pounds for the night. That’s good until one o’clock tomorrow afternoon, and then you’ll have to pay another five pounds if you want to stay longer. Or you could pay now in advance.” He smiled goofily. Just then an even younger man sauntered quickly into the room, he looked hesitantly at the man behind the counter, then at Buffy. “Can I help you with your bag ma’am?” he asked quickly.

“No thanks,” Buffy said, grasping the handle. She counted out the five pounds and handed them to the man behind the counter.

“Ok,” he smiled, “Breakfast is in an hour, and dinner is promptly at seven o’clock.” He smiled widely as he answered. “Charles will show you to your room.”

“Thank you,” she said and followed the bag boy up the stairs to the second floor. He led straight down the hallway to another stairway going to the third floor. Walking down the halls she noticed the pretty hand painted pattern on the walls, gold ribbon along the middle, and a cherub design clutching the ribbon and smiling out at any passersby every few feet.

“Here ya are ma’am,” the young man said, “Room thirteen.”

“Thanks,” Buffy took the key from his hand and opened the door herself. “Goodbye,” she said, and then closed the door in the young man’s prying face. She followed the walls along the room. The room had no windows, and was particularly dark. She put her bag on a rocking chair by the door and walked over to the large cushiony bed. She pulled down the overstuffed down comforter and felt the mattress. She would get a good nap. She shed her clothes and blew out the candle on the bedside table that lit the room, and then climbed in the bed. Quickly after she lay down she fell into a troubled and much needed sleep.

She was walking alone in the hallways of the hotel at night, a white silk nightgown flowing on her bare feet as she crept silently along. She felt his presence behind her, didn’t hear footsteps, or see a glimpse of pale skin as she turned a corner, just knew he was there. She came to an open door and the light within seemed to call her forward. She stepped into the doorway, entering a room much nicer then hers lit with glowing candlelight. She looked around for him, expecting him to suddenly be before her. She shook and was covered in goose bumps as she felt his hands slide delicately over her creamy shoulders from behind. She longed to turn, and look into his eyes, see him once again even if it were only a mirage of the love she had once known, an evil mirage; but he held her steady. He pulled her closer. His evil flesh caressing hers, tainting her purity, his hands defiling her privacy as they crept beneath the smooth cloth that covered her. Maybe he felt the bond between them that he had not yet experienced.

Suddenly she felt a cool blade against the skin at her neck, then a small slow trickle of crimson death down her sweltering skin. He leaned in and lapped at her life with his wet tongue. She wanted to struggle, but she was a prisoner to her own body; a body that only he had control over. Startling her from her thoughts of an eternal black void he turned her around and she was satisfied at the sudden sight of him. His eyes were sparkling with young evil, and frenzied hair framed his face, but according to appearance he was the same man she had loved. His lips opened and he smiled evilly, “I’ll live forever this way my darling,” he said then laughed happily.

A sudden sense of fear froze her body. She sat bolt upright in the bed. Looking towards the door, barely making out shadows of the furniture in the room. She looked around, almost sensing that Angelus was nearby. She wiped at her sweaty forehead and looked around the room again. Then she leaned over and quickly fumbled to light the candle on the bedside table. Once the room was lit with the orange glow of the candlelight casting flickering shadows on the walls she was satisfied that she was alone. She could feel that it was after dark. She got out of bed, not believing that she had allowed herself to sleep so long. She went over to a vanity where a washbowl and rag were sitting. She was beginning to wash her face when she heard a light bell ringing in the hall. “Dinner in a half an hour,” the voice called. Frowning she began to dress for dinner.

Buffy could hear the hushed voices inside the large dinning room as she waited outside. She knew she was late, and hated to drawl attention to herself. She peered slowly around the corner trying to get the lay of the room. Inside she saw a large rectangle table. The head of the table was on the far wall facing her, and the one seat there was empty. There was a young blonde woman seated at the opposite end of the table and all Buffy could see was her back. Then there were approximately ten seats on the long sides and three were not filled. Suddenly she felt a hand on her bare shoulder. She jumped nervously.

“Sorry to frighten you,” a familiar voice said, “But don’t you think you should be heading in?” She turned to see the man from the reservation desk.

“Oh, yes.” She nodded and slowly walked into the dining room. All eyes looked her way, and she tried not to make eye contact with any one as she sat on the left side of the table three seats from the young blonde woman. As she neared her seat a gentlemen cordially stood and pulled her chair out for her. She smiled as she took her seat and smoothed her baby blue dress. She slowly looked around at all the inquiring faces. The gentleman that had helped her seemed to be with a young woman on the other side of him. Buffy noticed she was blind as he helped guide her hand to her glass of wine. She was extraordinarily beautiful and that would explain why the man she was with was her age and a half and not nearly as beautiful.

The woman next to her had a large head with fiery red curls propped up and protruding from a black beaded tiara to match her black beaded dress. She was about fifty pounds overweigh but was still rather attractive. On the side opposite her there were two seats open next to the head of the table, which was also open. Then there was an old couple. The woman was wearing a dress much too large for her frail frame and the old man seemed to be on the verge of falling asleep in his dinner. Buffy could barely restrain a smile at them. But when she saw who the blonde at the end of the table was the smile disappeared altogether from her thoughts. Although her style was much more elegant, classy, and downright stunning; Buffy knew the woman was Darla.

When Darla caught her glancing she smiled a full set of perfect white teeth and turned her head to the door. No noise that Buffy could hear had provoked her movement but sure enough moments later a suave young figure swept through the doorway. Buffy could barely keep the astonishment from her face as Angelus entered the room, closely followed by Spike and Drusilla. Things couldn’t get much worse. Spike had seen her; it was foolish of her to interact with him, now he would surely pass the word on to Angelus and the others when he recognized her.

She quickly engaged herself with cutting her dinner into tiny pieces, but when she looked up she saw Angelus was seated at the head of the table, Spike was seated next to him, and Drusilla next to Spike. All three were smiling at the new addition to their dinner. Buffy suddenly wondered if they were actually going to eat food. She smiled at Angelus innocently, as if she hadn’t a care in the world then began to eat her dinner. The man next to her, whose name was James was quick to initiate a conversation with her, and soon introduced her to his wife Seveen, who was completely blind since birth. She was surprised how easy it was to converse, and at how calm she was with the being that scared her more then anything in the world only seats away. Her worst enemy, a man who had hurt her more then anyone else could within striking distance.

Then, just as she had dreaded Darla suddenly addressed her over the conversations of the others. “Did you arrive this morning darling?” she asked loud enough so that everyone at the table stopped and looked for the answer to which they had all been wondering. Buffy turned to her, “Yes.”

“What brings you here?” Darla continued. Buffy quickly glanced back to see Angelus leaning back in his chair his chin resting on his knuckles in amused inquiry. Buffy hesitated, knowing that sooner or later they would know she was their enemy, maybe even a Slayer, so she figured she might as well play the part, “Business,” she answered frankly.

“Interesting,” Darla answered smiling. “What type of business are you in?” she asked.

“The private kind,” Buffy said and turned her head down to her dinner.

Angelus laughed lightly and went back to his wine, and soon everyone else at the table had continued with their eating or conversation clusters. When she was done, Buffy excused herself and went back up to her room. She slipped on her own outfit which was much more fit for the task at hand, grabbed the gun and a stake, and crept out into the hallway. She walked along quietly aware of every creak in the wood floor, and every voice still mumbling at the dinner table. She knew she had to get outside, and since there was no window in her room and she couldn’t get to the door without passing the table she had to climb out another window somewhere.

She walked to the corner of the hallway and looked out the small window to the garden below. Fortunately there was a rose climb right below the window. It was like people put rose climbs under windows just for the purpose of escape. She smiled and opened the window. It stuck a little and made a few loud squeaks but when she turned around in panic no one seemed to have heard it. Or at least no one came looking.

She put one foot out the window and got her footing. Then turned around to shimmy the rest of her body down to the rose climb. She was so shocked to see him standing there she lost her grip on the window ledge and fell two stories to the hard ground below. Embarrassed and a little hurt she stood and brushed her pants off then looked hesitantly to the window above her.

He was leaning out looking down at her and his eyes looked alive and glowing in the bright moonlight, “Sneaking off somewhere?” he asked busying himself by plucking the petals from a white rose and letting them drift slowly from his hand to the ground.

“Maybe.” Buffy said.

“What might a young woman such as yer'self be doing leaving alone at such a troublesome hour?” he asked smiling. It felt weird hearing him talk with such a thick and surprisingly appealing Irish accent.

“Why don’t you come along, I’m sure you and I could find something interesting to do.” Angelus grinned evilly at this, he knew of a few things he’d like to do to the girl.

“Perhaps I will,” he said throwing the last of the rose carelessly to the ground. Then smiling he added, “But I think I’ll take the front door.” He disappeared and Buffy walked around to the front door to meet him. She waited for fifteen minutes. She didn’t know what to do or where to go. She had to find Holtz as soon as possible, and originally figured Angelus and Darla would lead her to Holtz. They didn’t seem to be very hunt oriented. They ate dinner with humans. Was it a ploy? A ploy to lure in victims? She shuddered at the thought. Maybe Angelus was in there feasting on some unsuspecting guest.

She hadn’t really known she was going to invite him with her when she said it and she knew her invitation hadn’t exactly been inviting. She had hoped that he would decline but somewhere deep inside she knew he wouldn’t be able to resist the ploy of going on a private walk late at night with what he likely thought was an easy victim.

Suddenly she felt his strong arms wrap around her waist, they pinned her arms to her chest tightly and she struggled to breath as she tried desperately to break from his grasp. He only laughed at her struggling. She had been thinking so hard she hadn’t heard him sneaking out front from the window she had come.

“Let’s go,” he said quickly beginning to drag Buffy across the street. They entered a dark looming cemetery. Oh great, Buffy thought, like she wasn’t scared enough. Angelus had strength Angel had never had. Or maybe he had just never shown it to her. Breathing became more of a struggle as he tightened his grip. They neared a looming mausoleum and he opened the massive door and hauled her inside. He threw her to the dusty ground and stood above her. She took in ragged and deep gulps of air to catch her breath. He frowned, “What are you doing here?”

“I don’t know. What are we doing here?” she asked.

He frowned more seriously, “If you want to play games child, I have more appealing ones in mind.”

“Such as?” Buffy asked.

“Are you changing the subject on purpose, or are you just interested in playing with me?” he asked smiling as he took a step closer to her.

“A little of both actually.” Buffy stood and she enjoyed seeing Angelus step back and take fighting position.

“Who sent you?” Angelus asked again.

“I brought myself. No one sends me anywhere.”

“Okay,” he answered, “Then why are you here?”

“Are you scared?”

“Not particularly,” Angelus answered, he dropped his hands and boredom appeared on his face.

“Are you scared of Holtz?” she pressed.

“Holtz?” Angelus laughed, “You’re kidding, he can barely keep himself alive…” his smile broadened, “Holtz, that’s who sent you?”

“No,” Buffy said sternly, “Like I said, I brought myself and I don’t take shit so keep your distance.”

His expression lightened, he reached out his hand and wrapped his arm quickly around her waist, “That may be difficult.” His lips had barely touched her neck when she ripped herself from his grasp. He chuckled as she made her way to the door.

“Not as hard as you think,” she answered and flung the heavy door open. She didn’t want to know what he was doing during this time in his unlife. She wanted to go back to the future and know that she saved the life of a wonderful champion, not a cold-blooded murderous fiend. She stormed forward hoping he wasn’t following, knowing he probably was. She ran quickly, trying to hear his footfalls behind her but hearing only her heart pounding loudly in her head. She stopped suddenly in a small clearing and looked around. She expected him to leap from the trees but it didn’t happen. She was catching her breath and heard a horse running a few yards away.




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