Good Intentions

Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, no matter how much I might want to, and someday I'll learn to accept that. Until then, please don't sue me or anyone who is nice enough to post this fanfic.

You should probably be aware of my general attitude: Storyline? What storyline? Basically, I'm ignoring everything after Angel turned evil, because... well, I just feel like it. Please, for the sake of what little dignity I have, don’t make me beg for feedback... I will, but it’d be much nicer if you just clicked on the address and said hello.


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art One

The moonlight shone brightly over the Slayer as she sat on a headstone, swinging her legs, waiting for the newest denizen of the night to begin (and end) his afterlife. "Come on..." She muttered, glancing at her watch. "Jeez, I think I’m going to have to start bringing a shovel to these little get-togethers, just to hurry it up a bit."

"Bored, Slayer?" The voice came from behind her. < Oh no, did I get the wrong grave again? Better not mention this to Giles. > Buffy jumped off her perch and turned to face... Angelus. Leaning against a tomb, his yellow eyes laughing at her.

"Well, maybe I can do something about that." He said, with a smirk. He lunged at her, teeth bared in a parody of a loving smile. Buffy tried to move aside, but she felt as if she was moving through water. < Nononono > Angelus caught her around the neck, pulling her to his chest roughly. "No..." Buffy gasped for air, bringing the stake up slowly < Too slow >, but Angelus easily batted it away.

"Please..." she said, as she desperately tried to pull his arm away from her throat. "Don’t worry," he said, smiling pleasantly, "soon, you won’t have to breathe at all." As if relenting, his chokehold eased to a caress. Buffy felt a moment of pure relief. < I’m not going to die > When Angelus chuckled, she realized she had spoken out loud. He ran his hands upwards, stroking her hair. "No, you’re not going to die." Suddenly his grip tightened, tilting her head to one side. As he lowered his head to drink, he murmured "You’re going to live forever."

"No!" Buffy jerked upright in bed, her breath coming in short pants. She frantically ran her hands over her face, feeling for ridges. When she felt the smoothness of her own skin, she began to calm down. Guiltily, she glanced over at the hacker in the sleeping bag. To her relief, the auburn-topped bundle appeared to be asleep. < Good. It was nice enough of her to come over and help me study. She shouldn’t have to deal with this as well. > Warily, the Slayer lay back down, looking forward to a night of insomnia but, (Slayers being what they are) she was asleep within a few minutes.

Once she was certain that Buffy was asleep, Willow sat up. She was becoming seriously concerned about her friend. < That’s the third nightmare she’s had tonight! And from how tired she’s been looking, I’m guessing this isn’t the first night she’s had them. > Willow ran her hand through her hair. She wanted to help Buffy but < how can I? With Angelus around her greatest fear, of being vamped, is a strong possibility. Besides, she’s Buffy, save-the-world-girl, stakes vampires in a single bound, the Chosen One. And I’m just... > She looked down at herself and grimaced. < ...net girl. >

An idea sparked, and she grinned. < Of course, I’m also an apprentice technopagan. First thing tomorrow it’s onto the net, and into the books! > Feeling better now that there was a semblance of a plan, Willow snuggled back down into her sleeping bag, reflexively checking the bottom for any stray frogs. Finding none, she drifted off.

*****

Willow thumped yet another book down on the growing pile of tomes on the library counter. < There, the complete History of Vampires. That ought to do it... > She glanced around furtively, and began stuffing the books into her bag. Then, she stopped. She sighed. < I just can’t do this, it’s wrong! > Slowly, she took the books back out, and began the laborious process of signing each one out. < So much for secrecy. Well, I may have signed them out, but there is no way I’m filing the cards! Nope. No way. Not gonna. >

Willow picked up her now heavy bag and began to march towards the door, smirking to herself. < I’m in control. I can be rebellious. I can leave the cards lying there. > Pausing. < Where anyone could see them. > Full stop. < Where Giles could see them and wonder what I’m doing with all these books... I forgot about Giles! >

"Hello, Willow." The voice momentarily disturbed her concentration on the knotty problem of Giles, and she looked up.

"Giles!" Her face instantly froze into a manic grin. < The cards are right behind me...Oh no... Distraction, distraction, think! > "Is that a new suit?" < What are you thinking! Giles never buys clothing! Think think... >

"Why, yes." The Watcher had a pleased smile on his face. "I’m surprised you noticed." He fingered the lapels "Very few people can differentiate between different types of tweed."

< Alright, this is good. We have a topic. Now, to make him leave. Be subtle, don’t want him to think there’s anything wrong. > "You’d be surprised!" < What?! >

Giles looked up from his suit, brow creasing. "What?"

< Recover! > Wide-eyed, Willow smiled innocently at him. "How many people...like tweed!" < That almost made sense. Go with it! > "As a matter of fact," Willow glanced out the library door, "I happen to know that Miss Blanchard is passionately interested in tweed! And oh look... there she goes!" < I am so sorry, Miss Blanchard! >

"Really?" At Willow’s enthusiastic nod, Giles turned and saw Miss Blanchard.

"You should talk to her. Now. About tweed!" < Tone it down! > "I mean, since she’d be interested, and all. Yes."

Giles nodded bemusedly, gave her a rather odd look and went out the doors. The last thing she heard was "Why hello Miss Blanchard!"

Willow’s shoulders slumped, and she sighed. < Get the cards! > She rushed over to the counter and swept all the cards into her bag. Then, wracked by guilt, she turned and ran out.

*****

That night, safely in her room, Willow began the process of looking for something to vamp-proof Buffy. She spread out her resources around her. < Alright, got the books, got the link to the technopagan web site, got the time. Let’s go! >

Several hours later, Willow surfaced from a pile of books and took a breather. < Hmmm, I guess there’s a reason why this hasn’t been done before. > Her expression hardened. < But Buffy is worth it! >

Her computer beeped. "Ooh, mail!" Nimbly she hopped over to the computer. The e-mail came from grizelda.@darkness.com, and said simply "The Lure of the Shadows, reversed." Willow's eyes widened. < Of course! > Frantically she dug back into the pile of books, pushing volume after volume aside until... < There it is! > Triumphantly, she pulled out a large black book. Ornate (and stereotypical) gold letters spelled out "The Legends of Nightfall." She flipped quickly through the book, finding the spell she needed. A broad smile lit up her face < This is perfect! >

The spell, as it was written, was intended for demon summoning. It made the subject's blood seem irresistible to all demons, and the caster then sat back and waited for the demons to come for the bait. However, if reversed, it should make the subjects blood repulsive, thus guaranteeing that Buffy would never be drained. Or vamped.

< The best part is, I don’t even have to tell Buffy! At least, not until I’m sure it worked. That way, nothing can go wrong! > Willow grimaced. < I wish I hadn’t thought that. >

The next night, Willow stood in her room, surrounded by assorted occult paraphernalia. Running through her mental checklist for the thousandth time, she finally began the preparations. (And no, I’m not going to go through all of them! Pause for sigh of regret and/or relief.)

Once the preparations were over, it was time for the ritual to begin. Willow had carefully translated the words of the incantation, and had < hopefully > reversed their meanings.

Willow stood up, her slight figure outlined against the myriad candles and signs precisely placed around her room. < Thank God my parents are out! > She stepped into the centre of the circle, holding a picture of Buffy. Putting it by her feet, she concentrated on the words she’d memorized. < Maybe I should have written it on my hand...Oh well, here goes! >

Closing her eyes, she started to chant. "Maltheus, sorcerer and friend, lend me the power of your words. Lend me the power of the balance. Let the blood of the chosen become as filth to the brethren of the pit. Let the mere scent of it pulsing through her veins make them run from her. Let the demons feel your power, and let the binding of the spell be placed most strongly upon the one named Angelus!" Willow picked up the picture, and dashed it into a bowl full of water and herbs. Holding the bowl above her head, Willow closed her eyes and said the words of ending. "Grant me this, for the sake of the balance!"

The water began to boil, as the bowl became like ice. All around her, some candles went out while others spontaneously ignited. Willow stood, in the centre of the flickering dance of light and shadow, and lowered the bowl to her lips. And drank. As she sank to the floor, all the candles flared up at once, and then snuffed themselves in an instant. Willow collapsed, and her mind fell away into unconsciousness, leaving only one thought behind. < I’m pretty sure that did something... > And then there was only blackness.


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art Two

In the cemetery, Buffy blinked for a second as a cold wave washed over her. She shrugged it off.

Giles, noticing, looked up from the book he was reading and glanced at her. "Slayer intuition?"

Buffy wrinkled her nose. "Na. Someone just walked over my grave." She looked around at the moonlit landscape and rolled her eyes. "Bad choice of words."

"What?" The Watcher looked puzzled for a moment. "Oh. Yes."

It was at that moment that the newest vampire chose to put in an appearance. Clawing his way out of the ground, game face on, he spun to face the slayer. Buffy grabbed her stake, and prepared for slayage. The vamp however, seemed less blood thirsty than the usual newbie. Standing in front of her, he sniffed the air tentatively and appeared confused.

Buffy moved towards him, stake raised. "Come on, don’t go all shy on me!" she taunted, taking another step closer.

The vampire's eyes widened, and he turned to flee. He made it to the edge of the cemetery at approximately the same time as the flying stake, and abruptly ceased moving. (Due to the low traveling capability of dust.)

Buffy shifted out of her fighting stance and turned to face Giles. "Well, that was of the strange."

Giles looked up from his book. "Hmmm?"

"Oh, I..." < Tell him and you’re research bound. Keep quiet, and it’s Bronze-ward ho! > "It’s nothing, nothing. Just some of my usual banter." With a wide smile, she said "That’s the last of them!" Almost pleading "Can I go now?"

"Of course, of course." He motioned her to leave and returned to his book. Buffy made it to the edge of the cemetery and then turned back to check...

He was still sitting there. "Giles!"

Startled, he jumped up. "What?" He scanned for danger.

"Find someplace safe to read?" With that, Buffy ended the death and destruction portion of her evening and headed off for the fun mindlessness of the Bronze. The odd occurrence was already forgotten.

*****

The next day, at school, Willow waited patiently until lunchtime. She stoically waited through food selection, food purchasing and the choosing of seats. Once she, Buffy and Xander were settled, she snapped. < Let’s find out if anything happened last night! Be cool... Don’t want a repeat of the tweed thing. >

"So, Buffy, did anything happen while you were slaying last night?" Willow said brightly.

Both Buffy and Xander stared at her. < What! What did I say... Oh. > "I mean, when you were...out?" She said hopefully.

Xander raised his hands in victory. "Hah!" He whooped "Somebody else said it! I’m not the only idiot around here!" The cafeteria fell silent. Everybody looked at Xander.

As the talking resumed, Buffy patted his hand and said "No, but you’re definitely in the top ten." Xander leaned forward and put his head on the table. Buffy started to speak again, but Xander put up his hand.

"No Buff, don’t try to comfort me. There’s nothing you could say that could make me feel any less stupid right now."

"Your hair is in my fries."

Xander raised his head. "Oh. Well, I was right. I feel no less stupid."

Willow smiled. < He’s so cute when he’s embarrassed. Wait! Back on topic! > "So... Did anything happen?" She said, smiling brightly.

Buffy thought for a moment. "No..." < Darn! > "Oh wait, there was one thing..." < Hope lives! > "Yeah, the new growly I was waiting for didn’t even try to fight. He just... sniffed, and ran away." Buffy shook her head. "Weird. So, why’d you ask?"

Inside Willow’s mind, she danced a jig. < It worked! I did it! > Then, thinking a little more clearly, she said "Oh, just curious, you know, life’s been sort of...normal lately." < Better wait ‘till tomorrow, it could have been a fluke. > She grinned to herself. < But I don’t think so! >

Buffy put her head to one side, "Well, if you’re growing weary of normalcy, why don’t you come out with me tonight? No ancient prophesies, so it's going to be practically doom-free!"

< Hmm, I can check it out first hand. > "Sure. Sounds like fun." < Fun? > "I mean, in that demon killing is a good thing, so therefore... fun?"

"Okay Will, I’ll meet you at seven. BYOS. Bring Your Own Stakes." With that settled, the three teens spent the remainder of lunch time engaged in conversation centering around more plebeian horrors like tests, curfews and the ever looming specter of mid-terms.


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art Three

A few hours past sunset Angelus was walking the streets of Sunnydale, looking for possible food. Having taken the edge off with the blood of a random (and unlucky) passerby, he was now prepared to be slightly more discriminating. < Maybe I’ll run into a friend of the slayer, or I could just find Buffy herself and torment her. Maybe do another round of "Buffy, I’ve got my soul back! God, I missed you!" Ugh. Even the thought of it turns my stomach. > He sighed. Lately, tormenting the Slayer had lost some of its appeal. He liked to keep his prey off balance, making them do things they’d never consider under normal circumstances. Buffy was too predictable. Her Slayer instincts always kicked in just as he thought he’d broken her.

< On the other hand, there’s Drusilla. > He thought, closing his eyes in pain. < I drove her so far off the edge that even I can hardly stand her. If it didn’t make roller-boy so miserable to see us together, I would have staked her out for the sun long ago. With Miss Edith right beside her. > He smirked at the thought.

Caught up in these pleasant imaginings, Angelus was caught off-guard by the scent of blood which wafted from somewhere in the distance. It both pulled him and repulsed him. One part of it seemed to be purity distilled, innocence begging for corruption, with an underlying darkness which called to the demon, singing of the sweetness of despair and the joy which springs from conquest. The other part... He wrinkled his nose in disgust.

The other part was boredom, indifference, the disinterest towards death and life alike that steals the pleasure from the hunt and makes of blood-letting a chore, rather than an delight. The apathy repelled him, but the other... Without conscious thought, Angelus began to follow the scent, letting it lead him towards the cemetery.

As he wound his way silently though the tombstones, he began to hear fragments of sound from ahead. The scent was now distinguishable as two separate parts, and was strong enough to make him dizzy.

"..so I said, well, I got the right continent, shouldn’t I get part marks?" < Buffy! > He began to move more slowly, trying to fix her exact position.

"Actually Buffy, Australia is a... right, the unfairness of it! How.. how dare she?!" < And the little red-head is here too, well, well. >

"Thank you, for that belated expression of sympathy." Angelus was now close enough to see the two girls, sitting on a blanket in front of a fresh grave. It resembled a very morbid picnic, where the refreshments should not even be thought on.

< There’s no-one else here. I guess they’re it. Strange, I don’t remember Buffy smelling that sweet... > He moved forward, purposefully making the leaves rustle under his feet.

The Slayer jumped to her feet and turned to face him. When she saw him, her face blanched. "Angel..."

He smiled as he walked towards her, letting his features shift into game-face. "Close."

"Willow, get out of here! Go home, now!" Buffy motioned to the hacker who sat, frozen behind her. Gulping, Willow got to her feet, turned and ran.

< Good. Now I can focus on the Slayer, and the blood... Wait! > As Willow ran, the taste of innocence diminished. < It’s not Buffy! It’s the hacker! > Momentarily distracted, he was caught by surprise when Buffy delivered a high kick to the side of his head. Shaking his head to clear it, he recovered enough to grab her arms as she came in for the kill. That close, the taste was unbearable, and he threw her as far away from him as possible.

Buffy landed on her feet, but he was already backing away. "Sorry Lover, some other time!" He called out as he scaled the fence with one easy bound and headed off, once more following the scent. < Hmm, this is an interesting development. Let’s see if that blood tastes as good as it smells. > He grinned as he moved quickly through the darkness.

*****

Willows heart raced as she fled towards her house, running as quickly as she could. < He didn’t seem repulsed. Guess it’s back to square one... > She put on a quick burst of speed as her house came into view and stopped, breathless, on the porch. Fumbling her keys out of her pocket, she leaned against the door as she tried to find her house key.

"Here, let me help you with those." The silky male voice came from directly behind her. The keys were gently lifted from her hands as she stood, immobile with shock. < Xander? Please be Xander. > After what seemed like an eternity, she turned, and found herself staring at an expanse of black satin. < Not Xander. > Raising her eyes upwards, she met the amused gaze of Angelus.

Willow exhaled for the first time since he’d spoken. "Th..thanks." She said jerkily, reaching for the keys, "But I’m okay. Really. I’m fine."

Angelus cocked one eyebrow, "Really?" He turned and threw the keys into the bushes beside the house. < Not a good sign. Escape! > When he turned back, Willow was half-way to the edge of the porch, making for the trellis leading to her balcony.

Willow squeaked as she felt his cold hand close around her wrist, bringing her to a sudden halt. With no apparent effort, Angelus dragged her back, until she was once again standing staring at his chest. < That didn’t work. Back to basics. >

As she opened her mouth to scream Angelus clamped his other hand over it. Leaning down, he whispered in her ear, his frozen breath making her shiver. "Scream if you want, I’ll enjoy hearing it. But..." < But? > He released her mouth, his hand sliding around to the nape of her neck, forcing her head up to meet his eyes. "If anyone comes to help you, they die." Willow swallowed. < Good point. > She closed her mouth.

Angelus smiled and released her. "Sensible girl. Now, I have a few questions to ask you, and, since the Slayer will no doubt be here any minute, you have three choices. One, you can invite me in." Willow’s eyes widened and she shook her head emphatically, still trying not to make any noise. "Two, I can take you back to my place." < Yipe! Nonono, more vampires! > She shook her head again. Angelus gave a mock sigh. "No? Maybe later. Three, we can adjourn to your balcony." < Lesser of three evils. Wait. Later? > Willow nodded, then regaining a little confidence she said "Um, how ‘bout I go in and meet you there in five minutes? I’m not very good at climbing." The demon stared at her in disbelief. "I don’t think so. You’re either trying a not-to-clever trick, or... you’d actually meet me. As interesting as it would be to find out which, I’m not letting you out of my sight."

A frown creased Willow’s brow. "But... I’m really not good at climbing." < I’ll probably fall on my head and die! And if I don’t, he’s probably going to kill me! There is no good here! >

"Not a problem." Before Willow knew what was happening, Angelus had scooped her up in one arm, and was holding her against his chest. < Ack! > He walked to the trellis, and started climbing.. Willow looked down at the ground. < Gee, it looks a lot farther away than normal. I could still jump... > As if sensing her thoughts, Angelus’ arm tightened around her, almost cutting off her breathing. < Or not. >

Once on the balcony, Angelus continued to hold Willow. "Uh." She pushed against his chest. "You can put me down now." Looking up at him, she noticed that his eyes seemed slightly glazed. < Hmmm. He looks like Xander when he’s around Buffy. Or Buffy when she’s around shoes... > "Angel?"

Angelus seemed to snap out of it. "No. Not Angel. Angelus."

"Um, sure. Angelus. Now will you put me down?" < Pretty please? > She smiled tremulously up at him.

Placated, Angelus smiled and slowly lowered her feet to the ground, in the process sliding her down his body. Willow shivered as the satin rubbed across her skin. When she was once against on solid ground, she cast a hopeful glance at the balcony door a few feet away. < Maybe if he gets distracted.. >

Catching her glance, Angelus instantly moved to put himself between her and the door, trapping her between him and the balcony rail, with only a few inches of space separating them. "Naughty Willow. Don’t even think about leaving yet."


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art Four

This close to her, Angelus could hear the blood as it rushed through her body. Her scent surrounded him, and her face filled his vision. Suddenly, the question of why she was suddenly so attractive faded in importance compared to the question of what he was going to do about it.

Stepping slightly closer he put his hands on her shoulders, and to stroke her arms gently. He could feel her trembling under his palms. < Fear? Or excitement? Good either way... > He grinned darkly down at her, loving the way she was fighting her urge to run, knowing it would do her no good.

"I..I..." Willow sputtered, trying to get the sentence out. He could almost hear her thoughts racing trying to think of something, anything to say that would make him go away. He quirked an eyebrow at her, inviting her to finish the thought.

"I have homework due tomorrow!" < What? > Suddenly, Willow’s body stiffened, and the fear seemed to melt from her. Her eyes widened, focusing on a failing grade in the middle distance, and she pushed past Angelus, heading towards the door.

He was so surprised, her hand was on the handle before he reacted. Crossing the balcony in one stride, he grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her around, holding her in place. < Well, that was unexpected... >

"Going somewhere?" He purred softly into her ear, watching her twitch like a cat at the feel of his cold breath.

"Calculus. I...have to do Calculus." He pulled back so that he could look into her eyes. Still unfocused. He snapped his fingers in front of her. Nothing. < Nobody ignores me! This is getting more interesting all the time... >

"Willow? "In an attempt to shock her out of her homework-induced catatonia, Angelus tilted her head to the side and began placing soft kisses along her neck. The scent of her blood rose from the pulse beating in her neck, making his head swim.

"Willow? " He kissed her earlobe gently. "Wake..." His mouth traced a path along her jawbone. " Up!" Losing patience, he nipped gently at her neck, barely breaking the skin. A few drops of blood trickled from the bite, and he greedily licked them away.

As the taste of the blood washed over him, the dark vampire reeled. It was beyond anything he’d ever dreamed of. The sweetness of it drew him in, snapping his control like a twig. Instinctively shifting to game face, he bit down harder, reveling in the sensations.

In one dim corner of his mind, he noticed that Willow had finally returned to reality, and was struggling in his arms. He readjusted their position, pushing her back until she was flat against the balcony door, trapping her with the weight of his body. He braced his hands on either side of her head, holding her steady while he continued his assault.

*****

< I’m going to die. > Suddenly, it all seemed so clear. All the times she’d had a brush with death, all the times she’d "miraculously" survived... It had been saving her for this. She could feel her life slipping away, being pulled away with every drop of blood that left her body and entered Angelus’.

< I’m going to be killed for no apparent reason by my best friend's ex-love interest on my own balcony. Figures. > In the time-honored tradition of pre-death moments, Willow was consumed with regrets. For never getting to tell Oz how she felt about him, for never getting to tell Xander how she felt about him... For...

Her litany was cut off, as she became aware of exactly what was digging into her back. < The handle! Oh please, don’t let the door be locked! > Trying desperately to be surreptitious, Willow slowly moved her hand, forcing it into the small space behind her.

Her fingers touched cold metal. Hoping against hope, she exerted pressure on the handle. Which turned. < Yes! > Fighting off the growing dizziness, she put all her strength into her fingertips, praying it would be enough.

The handle turned, and several things happened very quickly. The door flew open, propelled by Angelus’ weight and Willow fell inside, hastily tucking her feet within the invisible boundary.

Curled up on the floor, she stared up at the furiously angry vampire trapped outside the threshold. Demonic ridges still marred his skin, and droplets of her blood stained his fangs. Shuddering, she wrapped her arms around herself, the shock and loss of blood combining to make spots dance before her eyes and moving seem impossible.

"Willow!" Angelus’ roar was like sandpaper on her nerves, and she whimpered slightly. "Let me in!" < What? How stupid does he think I am? >

Lifting her head slightly, she managed to croak out "No."

The vampire's eyes grew dangerous, and he strained against the force keeping him from his prey. "Let me in Willow, or... "

He was cut off by a pounding at the front door, and the faint sound of the Slayer’s voice. "Willow? Are you okay? Let me in!" Willow giggled faintly. She knew she should go down and let Buffy in, but she felt so weak...Moving was not an option.

Angelus growled softly, and turned to go. Reconsidering, he paused. "I don’t know what you’ve done, or what’s been done to you , but..." He lowered his voice, making sure she was paying attention. "If you undo it OR tell anyone, I’ll kill everyone you ever loved. Starting with Xander." The threat penetrated the fog wrapped around Willows mind.

The sound of splintering wood came from downstairs as Buffy kicked the door open. Angelus never took his eyes off Willow. "Are you going to be good? " Using the last of her strength, she nodded slowly. He smiled darkly. "I’ll be seeing you very soon. " He turned and melted into the shadows. The last thing she saw as she slipped into unconsciousness was Buffy’s face framed in the doorway, her mouth open in an O of horror.


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