So Wrong

Buffy lifted her face to the sun as she strolled the grounds of Sunnydale High, smiling and occasionally murmuring something as Willow and Xander excitedly spoke about the weather.

Loosely swinging his arms in front of his body Xander took a deep breath before exclaiming, “Man, this is my first breath of Sunnydale air this year that has YET to carry a certain piquant flavor known as L.A. smog!”

Both girls obligingly took their own deep breaths before agreeing with an, “I think you’re right.” and a “Definitely.”

Buffy scanned the green expanse of grass, looking for a clear spot. The only ones inside were probably faculty and staff, and only because they had to be. Thinking about Giles she wondered if he had any news concerning Acrymydion. Taking another breath of fresh air Buffy recognized how her prophecy had taken less and less importance during the last week.

Today was training day and Buffy eagerly looked forward to it. Her body’s sporadic weakness had clearly left her, leaving in its place an incredible strength. Just keeping control of it in front of Giles would prove to be a challenge, but it was one she needed. Buffy’s stomach clenched as the violent image of blood, bone, and black hair assaulted her memories.

She WOULD learn to control it.

Pointing to an empty patch among the masses Buffy suggested, “Hey, what about that one?”

A reply was not really necessary because the trio immediately began quickly walking to claim their spot. Plopping himself down on his side Xander patted the grass and winningly suggested for, “My two ladies to rest themselves with the company of so noble a knight such as moi.”

Arching a brow at him Buffy eased herself on the soft grass and leaned back on her arms. “Actually paid attention in World Lit. today, huh Xander?”

Grinning widely he reached out with one digit and tapped Buffy’s nose. “Especially today.”

Sitting cross-legged Willow softly asked, “What was so special about today?”

Letting his head lean back Xander recited as one in a wonderful delirium, “It was circle day---“ Buffy groaned knowing that her upcoming class would involve turning her desk to be “at one” with her fellow classmates. Wait a minute. If it was circle day then that meant…

“We had to read out loud---“

Groaning even louder Buffy asked, with an amused frown while meeting Willow’s eyes, “I thought you hated reading anything out loud. Something about it violating your rights to not pay attention?”

“I do! But today was different, because SHE was reading and looking right at ME.”

“I thought Cordelia took World Lit. during first,” Willow commented while trying to keep her voice mildly disinterested. Only the brief flash of pain that crossed her eyes belied all her good intentions. Buffy could see that while Willow was beginning to see Oz as more than a friend, the unrequited love she felt for Xander would take time to fade.

Unrequited love…

Moaning in his arms, the lust between them somehow shamefully aroused by the blood that stained their bodies, Buffy greedily tore his clothes off. She needed to feel him next to her, INSIDE of her.

The frigid air did little to dampen the heat that burned throughout her body. Buffy could see that the thick beating of her heart tempted Angelus even as she dug her fingers into his shoulders. His beautiful mouth opened slightly while he held the base of her neck in his strong, deadly hand. He leaned his head forward and took deep breaths alongside her throat, the pleasure he took from acknowledging her blood’s rhythm evident by the purr his throat emitted.

Mentally shaking her head Buffy brought her suddenly scattered thoughts back to the present.

“Cordy? Oh, yeah she takes it first. No, I’m talking about a girl who has a voice to rival the Sirens.”

Quirking an auburn brow Willow asked, “Did she sing?”

Bringing his head up Xander confusedly questioned, “Sing? Why would you ask that?”

“Because that’s what the Sirens did,” Buffy explained before looking back at Willow. “Right Will?”

Nodding once Willow began fiddling with her shoestring as she casually queried, “So if it’s not Cordelia, who then?”

Sitting upright Xander scanned the faces around them until he found one in particular. “Look, over there by all the girls in black.”

Lifting her chin Buffy looked across the campus until she found the right group of girls. “Which one is she?”

“The one with curly black hair. It’s pulled up into a ponytail.”

“Cynthia?” Willow asked for confirmation.

Smiling broadly Xander nodded. “Yep, that’s her. Man, she has a voice you wouldn’t believe! And the eyes to match it!”

Buffy stared at Cynthia, her senses stirring once again before they quieted down. There was just something that didn’t feel right about her, something that alerted Buffy to be wary of the new girl.

“Looks like she’s making friends,” Willow commented casually.

“Yeah, it does,” Buffy replied while noticing the friends she made. There were about five girls in total, nothing unusual in itself except that they were all Goths. After her experience with Ford, Buffy always made sure that she kept an eye on that particular type of group. Nobody in Sunnydale was immune from the darkness that lurked in the night, but it was the hauntingly lovely black-clad kids like those in Cynthia’s company that were especially vulnerable.

They chose to believe in the beauty of the night and refused to see the crimson that stained it black.

Taking her lips in a punishing kiss Angelus leaned back, bringing Buffy up with him. Straddling her across his lap he slid his hands up her torso, taking special care with her breasts before violently ripping her sweater in half.

“Aah!” she cried out against his cold lips, the slight sound lost forever to the night as Angelus once again greedily took possession of his mistress’ mouth.

After several minutes of writhing on his lap and nearly suffocating from lack of oxygen, Buffy leaned her head back and took great gasps of air when he began licking the skin of her throat.

Tasting the dried richness of their blood Angelus pulled away before firmly putting a hand on either side of her head. Looking deeply into her pained and lustful gaze he thickly stated, “You and I are the same Buff.”

Staring back into the blackness of his eyes Buffy tried to shake her head, but his grip would not allow it. Instead she satisfied herself with the softly spoken denial of, “No Angelus, we are NOT the same.”

The familiar fury was neither to be found in his touch, nor his gaze. Instead, Angelus merely smiled.

“You guys know her?”

Looking back at Xander Buffy replied, “She’s in our third period class.”

Memory righted itself in his mind as he murmured, “Oh, she’s the new girl that Harmony was such a bitch to!” Shifting up he exclaimed, “That wench! I don’t even know why Cordy bothers to hang out with her!”

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe it’s like that saying goes: Birds of a feather,” Willow pondered wryly.

Buffy flashed her smile that was greeted with an amazingly catty one in return. It was there and gone in a flash of a moment, but it was there nonetheless.

“Okay, now there you go again! Cordelia may be many things, and believe me she IS, but a bird is NOT one of them…”

Unrequited love can fade, but more times than not it stubbornly takes hold, summoning forth all kinds of unusual behavior…

Buffy felt the tightening of her gut. Swiftly looking away she bit her lip fiercely while the strengthening hunger began to consume her. In this moment there was no one else in the world. All the shadows that were before still existed, but now they had the ability to blend into the night of pain and guilt.

“You LIKED it, didn’t you?”

Quickly Buffy brought her tormented gaze back up to Angelus. “NO!” she vehemently denied.

Smirking his smirk he silkily stated, “Yes you did. I saw you Buff. You and you alone, have given me the worst beating of my existence.”

She felt the nausea rush up her throat again as the tears burned hotly in her eyes. “I didn’t mean to---“

“Cut the bullshit Buff. You MEANT exactly what you did. In that moment, in that time, you meant it.”

Staring him fully in the face Buffy tensely asked, “You hate me for it, don’t you?”

Leaning into her throat Angelus answered, “Oh I hate you alright darling, but not for that.” Before she could respond with words he sunk his fangs deeply within the side of her neck. The force of his bite roughly brought her to the frozen ground. Clutching the back of his head Buffy moaned loudly as her body quickly fled past the excruciating white-hot burn to the molten rivers of pleasure.

Just as the peak of orgasm hit Buffy she brokenly pleaded without thought nor pride, “Please d-don’t hate me---not w-when I love you!"

As Xander defended his “Cordy” Buffy felt a shadow cross her soul, rudely shredding her very thoughts. Shivering slightly she glanced up and locked eyes on Cynthia. The beautiful girl was staring at her, not a flicker of emotion to be seen in her wonderfully dark eyes.

Despite the lack of unfriendliness in her face Buffy felt as if she was being challenged. Her instincts became angered by the unspoken. Coolly she peered up at the girl, daring her to make a move.

Usually people backed away when faced with her “Slayer” gaze, but not this time. Cynthia continued to hold her stare before briefly smiling. Buffy felt a start of surprise but it did not translate to her countenance at all. The contact was eventually broken when Cynthia finally looked away and looked down into Xander’s besotted face.

“Xander---I just wanted to say hi.” Her voice was softly sweet yet quietly seductive. Nothing obvious and perhaps not even intentional, but the spoken words could cause young men to think of thoughts that had nothing to do with what was being said.

“Hi,” Xander answered in return, hard pressed to keep the drool from seeping down his chin.

A moment passed before Cynthia murmured, “Well, I’ll see you later.” Including his friends in her gaze she said, “See you tomorrow in third.”

Both Willow and Buffy returned with, “Yeah, see you tomorrow.”

“Bye,” Xander inanely said while widely grinning. As soon as Cynthia was out of earshot he turned to Buffy and Willow and swore, “Oh, she wants me! She just came by to say hi---“, his frown of skepticism was apparent before he confidently said, “Oh, yeah, she wants me.”

Staring at her retreating figure Buffy’s thoughts worked to make sense of what she was feeling. Cynthia was different, there was no doubt about it now, but how?

Differences. There were so many facets to them…

Buffy’s eyes flew open when she realized what she had just confessed to. Angelus supported his weight on his arms as he leaned over her shocked body. His lips curled into a cold smile, the glint of crimson blood flashing brightly against his teeth.

Gasping Buffy immediately threw him off her body. Leaping to her feet she instantly ran deeper into the woods. Tearing past the branches that would seek to keep her, Buffy did not cry. She did not sob. She just ran. The farther that she ran, the farther away she kept herself from…

…the spoken truth.

It would destroy her. Loving Angelus would be her final downfall. How could it even be possible? How did she go from loving Angel to loving Angelus?

Feeling the pained cry her heart gave Buffy knew without a doubt that she still loved Angel and all the memories they shared. But now there was more.

Much, much more.

“You better not let Cordelia hear about Cynthia the Siren,” Willow sternly warned.

Xander’s face fell as he vehemently defended himself, “Hey! Cordy is my one and only Will! Just because the women of Sunnydale High,” at this his chest seemed to expand pompously, “are finally noticing what a catch I am---doesn’t mean that I’d leave what I have with her.”

Gaining to their feet Willow casually asked, “So what exactly DO you have with her?” as they made their way inside.

Nudging Willow’s arm Buffy mouthed the word, “Catty” with a wink and a smile. Willow silently answered in return, “I know!”

The rest of Buffy’s afternoon went by quickly until she soon found herself in the library. Idly she sat at the end of a table, her foot swinging back and forth. Dressed in a pair of gray exercise pants and a matching close-fitting top, Buffy was ready for the sweatiness that was training.

She was ready and waiting.

And waiting.

And waiting.

Finally the door to the librarian’s office opened up. Giles and Ms. Calendar immediately stepped out of the small room. “Truly I’m, umm, sorry to hear about your computer’s, umm, infection.”

Smiling wryly Jenny laughingly corrected him with, “Virus Rupert.”

“Oh yes, umm, of course. Virus.” Mouthing the word silently he completely gave the appearance of mentally categorizing the term for future reference.

The amused expression fled her face as she murmured, “It doesn’t appear that any files are missing.”

“Well good, very good.”

Stopping by Buffy Jenny looked at the young girl and greeted her with a warm, “Hello Buffy.”

Smiling Buffy returned the greeting of “hello”. She could see the uncertainness in Ms. Calendar’s gaze. Things had returned to the way they were, after a fashion. Demon prophecies had a way of just “bringing people together”. She was no longer excluded from the group, nor was she treated with any hostility, but the spark of pure friendship and trust was gone. At least in Buffy’s life.

Just like Angel was.

It was all different again. Nothing would ever be the same. Not like there was a chance before that it would, but now… Buffy the Vampire Slayer was passionately in love with Angelus the Demon Vampire.

It was all so wrong for words, much less deeds.

How much more Lord? How much more would she have to endure?

Becoming the Slayer had in many ways been a burden to her life, but at least it and now her life served a purpose. Although she had given up so much of herself, and undoubtedly would continue to do so in the future---

The future.

She did not have much time left for her future. Less than two months were left between now and her prophesized destiny.

And how was she spending these precious few moments? Loving a creature that knew love only as a macabre tool of destruction.

And she had just stupidly given him the weapon herself.

Turning back to Giles Jenny said, “I just don’t understand how it could have happened!”

“What?” Buffy asked with a curious tone to her voice.

Giles looked at his Slayer as he explained, “Ms. Calendar’s computer was, umm, apparently breached by a---” His pause was slight as he obviously pulled out the filed word and said, “Virus.”

Hopping off the table Buffy exclaimed, “Computer talk. Okay, I’m already lost.”

Buffy already knew what happened, courtesy of her enhanced hearing. It seemed that she was beginning to have the ability to control it at will; the sporadic rush of noise assaulted her less and less.

Nobody seemed to notice any new physical changes. Buffy was unsure if she even looked as she did the day Angelus altered her body.

Mirthlessly smiling Buffy wondered at how she could be so empty inside that none of this shocked her. Death, change, betrayal…

None of it was as shocking to her as love.

Buffy felt a hand cruelly wrench her arm back. Roughly she was turned to face Angelus. “The time for running is long gone, Slayer.”

Her body stiffened as she heard the mockery clear in his voice.

Feeling it beneath his hands Angelus taunted her with, “You getting mad babe? Should I watch for any hidden pokers?”

Blanching at the fresh memories his words brought Buffy fought to keep her composure.

Wolfishly smiling he leaned in and whispered in a singsong voice, “I-heard-you-lover!”

Staring him fully in the eyes Buffy could feel her own fill with foolish tears. God! All she ever did now was cry! Shutting her eyes closed she waited for the precious few seconds of silence to give her the strength she needed to put up her wall.

When she opened them again all the tears were gone, but they remained on the inside, pouring over her soul. By the time her life was over, how dark would her soul be? Would it be blackened beyond forgiveness?

“So, is your pc alright now?”

Crossing her arms in front of her body Ms. Calendar nodded. “I’ve run a security breach program to see exactly what, if anything, was tampered. So far, it seems that whoever sent the virus just sent it, without really wanting anything more.”

Arching her brows Buffy mused, “Kind of a small-time hacker just coming around to say Boo?”

“That’s the way it seems.” Looking between Giles and Buffy, Ms. Calendar smiled once before briskly stating, “Well, I’ll just get out of the way so you two can train.”

“See ya!” Buffy casually threw over her shoulder as she bent down to re-tie her shoe. Discreetly looking up between the fringes of her eyelashes she watched as Giles’ and Ms. Calendar’s eyes met. The look that passed between them was not one of amorous intentions, but more of uncertainty and warning.

What were they hiding from her?

”I hate you.” The three words complimented the hardness of her voice. She did hate him. There was no lie to her words. If only that was all there was…

”Don’t try to hide the truth from me lover,” Angelus amiably warned Buffy. Leaning closer he confided, with a sudden hard edge to his voice, “You know how much I hate lying.”

Lifting her chin forward Buffy mockingly asked, “Don’t think it’s possible for me to hate you, lover? Why’s it such a stretch for you? After all, the least of your crimes was what you did to me tonight.”

“And how did you repay me Buff? You went fucking crazy.”

Buffy felt the nausea rise in her throat again. Hoarsely she stated, all the bravado gone from her voice, “Chaining someone to the wall, beating them, and then fucking them would do that to any normal person.”

Smirking he asked, “But you’re not normal, are you? I can understand a NORMAL person doing something that brutal, but you?” Roughly bringing her body closer to his Angelus sneered, “You’re the Slayer! The chosen meant to vanquish the dark, champion the good, and be a model of sainthood for all mankind!”

“Stop that!”

“Stop what? You want me to stop telling you the truth about yourself?”

“Truth? You don’t know anything about truth Angelus!”

“That’s where you’re wrong SLAYER. I know plenty about truth.” Placing his lips beside her small ear he mockingly bragged, “I told you the truth a few nights ago. I TOLD you that there would come a time that you’d love me. In fact, I promised that you would.” Leaning back from Buffy, Angelus’ gaze stared into hers. “I always keep my promises Buff---always.”

The cold was beginning to pierce her skin, causing Buffy to wish that he hadn’t torn off her sweater. Mild surprise laced her thoughts as she realized that she was standing there braless. She was becoming so accustomed to being nude in front of Angelus, that each time she shed her clothes it was a little easier than it was the last time.

Only this time she didn’t take off her sweater, it was ripped from her body.

“Let go of me,” she stiffly ordered.

Angelus merely squeezed her arms harder. “Never,” he softly swore. “I’m never letting go of you Buffy. Especially not now.”

Her eyes darkened as she heard him say her name. She could count on one hand the number of times he called her Buffy. Somehow it made his words all the more compelling, and all the more frightening.

“You can’t keep me Angelus, not unless I want you to,” she softly charged.

“But don’t you see? You DO want me to,” he confidently responded before gently laying his lips against hers. His touch was feather-soft, the cold of his mouth intoxicating against the heat of Buffy’s. The contrast of his hands against his lips intricately entwined and glorified the pleasure and pain of being with him.

Buffy was completely lost.

Pulling away from her he darkly ordered, “Never run from me, lover. If you do, I’ll hunt you down to the ends of the earth. Don’t test me on this Buffy.”

She felt the menace from his words snake down her spine.

Seeing it he smiled once more. “I promise you won’t like it.”

Closing her eyes Buffy insanely thought that at this moment, a wedding of sorts was occurring. He was pledging to keep her by his side, whether she wished it or not. She was pledging to love him, whether she wished it or not.

Whether she wished it or not...

Standing up Buffy lithely stretched her arms above her head before twisting her torso to one side then the other. The library doors swung shut with a ‘swish’ as Ms. Calendar exited. Now it was just Slayer and Watcher. Pasting a smile on her face Buffy bounced over to Giles. “Ready?”

Nodding shortly Giles remarked while walking to the weapons case, “It’s rare to see you so eager Buffy.”

Pouting slightly she complained, “What? I LIKE training!”

“As opposed to shopping?”

Arching a brow Buffy corrected him. “That’s Cordelia.”

Returning with a staff and pounds of padding, Giles stopped in the middle of the cleared library floor. “I stand corrected.”

Assuming her position across from him Buffy took comfort in the lighthearted conversation. It was one that hadn’t happened consistently in far too long. Looking into Giles’ eyes she could see that the shadows of the past few weeks were barely there. Feeling a shaft of warmth, Buffy’s mind was lightened by her Watcher’s demeanor.

It was good that he was free from the demons of doubt and despair, even if for only a few moments.

Running his hands over the bare skin of her arms Angelus assumed the guise of caring and gentleness. “You’re cold.” Pulling her close to his body Angelus ran his hands over her bare back. “All the warmth of my darling is gone.”

Buffy felt the sharp hunger that came from being in his embrace. A shiver coursed violently through her body when she felt his teeth gently close over the lobe of her ear.

Nuzzling his face against the side of hers Angelus whispered, “I don’t like her cold, I like her hot.” Bringing Buffy down beneath him he seductively whispered against her lips, “I like her hot, real hot, for me.”

Buffy’s legs widened to accept the length of his body. He warned her to never run from him; didn’t he realize that she had not the strength to run from herself, much less him? If she could, she would have run from all of this a long time ago, but she couldn’t.

Her fate was here. But Angelus did not have the final say.

The first blow that Giles delivered was blindingly quick, but Buffy avoided it with ease. Leaping back she soon saw him lift the staff, spinning it in his agile fingers before he brought it down in a low swing meant to sweep her off her feet. Jumping to the right she eased into the mindset that was part and parcel of her calling.

Giles had always trained her to make the minimum use of movement. Although impressed by her flips and showy kicks, he continuously advised her to conserve her strength, to attack with the least amount of motion. It had always been a lesson that was difficult for Buffy to master. In fact, she had never really mastered it.

Until now.

It was coming all too easy. Buffy barely had time to react to her Watcher’s blows but it was as if she could read his mind. Not his thoughts, but his body’s minute reactions to those thoughts. Somehow she just KNEW when he was going to attack her right side three times, and when he was going to go from her head, to her knees, and then back to her head.

The sweat was pouring off Giles, in part to the padding, but mostly because of the concentration he was devoting to landing at least one blow on his Slayer.

With the events of the past month and a half Giles hadn’t really had the time to focus on more than just the present catastrophes. First Angelus returning, the Judge, then Acrymydion, but now with at least the prophesy voided, he could return to noticing matters that were not relegated solely to texts.

Buffy’s reflexes were honed to a perfection that he had never seen. Her speed and agility were of a quality that was beyond impressive. In a matter of a few weeks she had went from an impulsive, somewhat reckless fighter to a decisive, controlled warrior.

The longer they trained the more Giles saw that his initial observation not only was correct, but it was incomplete. Buffy was holding back. He could see it in the way she reacted to his attack. He could see it in her eyes.

Did she even realize how far she had come and how quickly?

That was what bothered him. It was too quick. How could Buffy come into her own that quickly? Unless the strain of the past weeks had brought forth her untapped abilities…

Of course! There could be other explanation.

Arching her back Buffy moaned as Angelus laid his lips against her breast. The way he lightly licked her flesh before greedily sucking her nipple into his mouth made her shiver with hunger.

Purring with pleasure Angelus murmured against her breast, “I think she’s getting hot here.” Shifting his head he languorously caressed the other breast with his mouth and fingers. “Oh, she’s still cold here. We can’t have that…”

Entwining her fingers in his hair Buffy let the desire roll over her wanton body. She did not want to remember that this was a sin. She wanted to pretend that this was natural and beautiful. She wanted to forget.

And she was doing a good job of it until her fingers encountered the stiffness of his dried blood.

Buffy could see that Giles was becoming winded. Glancing briefly at the clock she mentally calculated how much time had passed. Thirty minutes. They had been practicing her defense for half an hour at a brutal pace. She wasn’t even breathing heavy.

Looking at her Watcher Buffy could see the speculation in his eyes. She was controlling her abilities but it wasn’t enough. Giles knew something was different. He wasn’t a stupid man, but a professional trained to be observant to the point of uncanniness. To treat him with any less respect was an insult, and it meant she was getting sloppy.

Something she could ill afford to be.

As always, she was shocked that she had managed to keep her secret this long. Each day Buffy expected to be found out. There were already so many close calls, but as of the moment, no one knew.

However, Buffy acknowledged that she had to give the credit to her prophecy rather than her skill in deception. Giles had been immersed in texts ever since they found out about that nasty death warrant, therefore, leaving little room for else.

Mentally sighing Buffy wished that things could go back to the way they were. Not that things in Sunnydale were easy, but they weren’t this damn stressful.

The next time Giles swung his staff Buffy did not leap out of the way.

Pulling her hand away Buffy could see the tiny red flakes that dusted her fingertips. Her arm went limp as her hand hit the cold ground.

There could be no forgetfulness for her. Not ever.

Stilling in his mouth’s caresses, Angelus could feel the misery that permeated the girl beneath him. Smiling against her flesh he could quickly figure out what was running through her young mind. He had felt her small hand run through his hair. He had sensed when she encountered the blood of his wounds. He had heard when her hand hit the ground.

The utter anguish of her self-recriminations was arousing his possessiveness.

Gathering her body to his Angelus winningly plied her lips with his own. Docilely she opened to him, allowing his tongue to tease her mouth. Please, let me forget. Forget. Forget.

Abruptly pulling the staff to his side Giles quietly said, “We need to talk.”

Buffy’s heart dropped in her chest. What did he know?! What did they need to talk about?! Casually propping her hands on her hips, Buffy blew at a strand of hair that had fallen on her face. “About what?”

“About what?” Giles asked with utter disbelief. Gesturing from the top of her head to the bottom of her feet with his hand, he exclaimed, “About this Buffy!”

Buffy forced herself to continue breathing normally. “Giles---I don’t think we’re on the same page here.” Keeping her gaze on his Buffy slightly turned her head to the side. “Really, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Pulling the pads off his arms Giles quickly walked towards his Slayer. Internally Buffy winced. Oh God. Instead her Watcher firmly grasped her hands. “Buffy.”

“Giles.” Smiling briefly the excitement in his eyes had Buffy confused. He did not look furious, nor did he look betrayed, but he actually looked…happy?

Oh! There it was: a full-blown, cheek-splitting grin. Pulling her hands back Buffy wryly said, “Seriously, you’re scaring me.”

“Buffy you were holding back.”

Looking up into her Watcher’s eyes Buffy felt her world tilt.

The feeling of his tongue in her mouth was deliciously sinful. Clutching Angelus tightly to her body Buffy knew that this was empty. She knew that his comfort was mocking at best, sadistic at worst. She knew that there was no real tenderness.

The pain in her heart almost choked her.

None of this real but it was the only thing that mattered. Regardless of how it started, Buffy could not imagine not ever having this body next to hers. It was Angel’s. It was Angelus’. It was theirs and she belonged to them both. The sweet, gentle love of a young girl’s fantasies would always be with Angel. Not even Angelus could take that away, despite the torments he devised.

But there was more.

Now Buffy knew what true passion was and it was as addicting as tender love could ever be. Passion, PASSION was a greedy creature that could never truly be appeased. It beat against her heart with clawed fists, ripping and tearing at her flesh until the agony of it thrust her directly in the face of insanity.

And even then Passion was not satisfied.

Passion clutched Buffy by the throat, ruthlessly tightening its grip until she begged not for breath, but for Angelus. Always Angelus.

He was her enemy. He was a creature that detested humanity even in the midst of engorging himself on it. He was the ruthlessness of man magnified by his flaws.

He was also the vampire that brought her to heights of carnal gratification.

Yes, theirs was a union wrought by and for sex. But for Buffy she did not just see her time with him as just sex. She saw it as a battle. She prepared herself for confrontation. She felt loathing, fury, and misery.

Yet above all, Buffy lived with the disease that was her passion for Angelus.

“Holding back?” Walking to a nearby table Buffy needed to put distance between herself and Giles.

“Don’t you realize what has happened to you?”

Silently Buffy shook her head, her throat thick with emotion. What was going to happen now?

“You’ve become faster, stronger, and more controlled than I’ve ever seen you.”

“Giles…I don’t---“

His excitement cleanly interrupted Buffy faltering attempts to divert him. Pulling off one arm pad after another Giles said, “I’m surprised that I’ve just now noticed it, but no matter.” Walking towards his office he threw over his shoulder, “Naturally we must step up the intensive of your training, physically of course, but also the mental aspect.”

“Mental?” Buffy called out, wondering why Giles wasn’t freaking out. He knew she was different now but instead of pointing a finger at her and calling her “BAD!”, he was talking about training. Training?

Coming back out of his office Giles paced to a small bookshelf he kept behind the library counter. Squatting down he ran his fingers over several tomes, clearly focused on a new purpose.

Walking to the counter Buffy leaned over it and said, “Hello? Giles. Giles. Hey---Giles!”

“Hmm?” Still on level with the bookshelf Giles looked over his shoulder to see Buffy waiting for him with brow arched. “Yes Buffy?”

“Mental?”

Nodding his head once Giles stated, “Now that it seems that you’ve come into your own regarding your fighting abilities, we must begin strengthening your mind.” Returning back to his task the Watcher began pulling out several books ranging in sizes. These he carefully placed on the floor next to him before pulling out a set of keys from his pocket.

Buffy stood there, her mind in a mental whirl. Was this normal?

Feeling his hand decadently slide up her chilled thigh Buffy pulled her mouth back and harshly bit Angelus’ lower lip. The rumble of laughter thrilled her even as she hungrily licked his neck before leaning up and biting his earlobe. Angelus did not bother to hide the shiver that racked his massive body.

Buffy felt a frenzy possess her as she laved his skin with her tongue before nipping it with blunt teeth. Digging her fingers into the cold skin of his chest she wantonly pressed herself against him, needing to appease the hunger within. It rose and shrieked dementedly, the blood of her heart pounding loudly in her ears while the strength of her passion threatened to overwhelm.

Angelus’ fingers smoothly parted the soft flesh that was Buffy, allowing his fingers to teasingly slide up and down her warmth. Her response was immediate and pleasing to him. Her body’s heat scalded him as his fingers slowly sank inside of her. Bending his head Angelus languorously teased Buffy’s nipple with the tip of his tongue. “Oh my girl is hot here, very hot.”

Moaning softly Buffy murmured, “Now. I need you now.”

Wickedly smiling against her naked skin Angelus angled his fingers so that the palm of his hand lay flat on her mound. “I don’t think you’re hot enough Buff.”

Shaking her head, the frigid foliage entangling itself in her hair, Buffy babbled, “I’m hot! Real hot!”

Needing to hear her beg Angelus slowly rotated his palm and was rewarded with his mistress’ pained cry of pleasure.

Watching Giles scoot down further Buffy watched him fit a tiny gold key into a small safe. Cocking her head to the side she commented, “Funny, I never noticed that before.”

Removing a locked box from the safe Giles answered, “I’ve never had to open it until now.” Placing it in front of Buffy he then bent down and carefully lifted the pile of books from the floor and placed those in front of her as well.

Curiosity was pretty strong by this point, so strong that Buffy was intrigued by all the preparation Giles was taking. Still, maybe she was misunderstanding her Watcher. “Giles?”

Fitting another key into the locked box he distractedly murmured, “Yes?”

Several moments of silence passed until finally Giles looked up. Waiting until she caught his gaze Buffy asked, “What do you think has happened to me?”

Stilling in his task he replied, “You’ve become stronger---“

“Yes, but I mean WHY do you think I’ve changed?”

Giles was about to answer when he paused and rethought her question. Coming to an understanding he quietly said, “Slayers generally do not live long. You know that.”

Buffy nodded once.

“Sometimes there are those who do, despite many trials. Those who do generally change somewhat.”

“Change.” Glancing down briefly Buffy thought about her new circumstances. Were they not so new after all? Had they happened before? Looking back up she softly asked, “Like me?”

“Each Slayer is different. Some gained extraordinary agility. Others gained an advanced ability to endure pain. While still others gained keener vision.” Pinning her with his gaze Giles emphasized, “But all of them, ALL of them, only came into her own gift under great duress.”

Holding his gaze steadily Buffy somberly said, “You mean they almost died.”

“Yes.” Pausing briefly Giles looked into the distance and murmured, “I expected it to happen after your encounter with the Master, but it didn’t.” Returning back to Buffy he continued with, “But then again, you are the only Slayer that has ever come back from death.”

Digesting this Buffy tried to understand what had happened to her. All the Slayers before who had “changed” only did so after nearly dying. She had almost died, at least it felt like it did, when Angelus had nearly drained her.

“The difference with you once more Buffy is that you haven’t nearly died.”

Clutching his neck Buffy arched into his hand while she moaned softly. Furiously nuzzling him with her mouth she panted, “Please…please…please.”

Removing his hand from her Angelus lazily circled the wet fingers across her stomach. “Please what?”, he silkily purred in her ear.

“Please…Angelus…please.”

“Tell me,” he softly growled.

“Tell you what?”, Buffy cried.

Looming over her body Angelus gently drew up one of her wrists above her head before drawing the other. Holding both in one large hand he stared down into her eyes, willing for her to say it.

Buffy felt vulnerable lying beneath him with his deadly hand encircling her wrists. She could break free from his hold at any time, but she wouldn’t. The symbolism was all too clear. The moments passed as she continued to stare up into his shadowed face. Suddenly she knew what he wanted.

“I-I love…you.”

Her admission was met with a small yet triumphant smile. Reaching down between their bodies Buffy’s ears immediately heard the slithering hiss of a zipper. The hunger withdrew briefly while her guilty conscience stabbed through the passion that was a part of her.

She loved a vampire.

She loved a merciless creature that held not one shred of remorse for what he had done. She loved a thing that was not human and so held no compunctions for threatening those who were.

The fury grew within, hardening her eyes, before immediately being banished. No, she would not go there again. Buffy never wanted to visit that hell inside of herself that was capable of the brutality of tonight.

Angelus had told her that she committed that crime because she held back. And she had no choice but to believe him.

Buffy’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing Giles’ words. He didn’t know that it wasn’t true. He didn’t know that many things he thought about her were not true.

“Giles…I have something to tell you.”

“Yes Buffy?”

The moments wore on as Buffy’s gut twisted in on itself, twisting and coiling as another moment for the truth was upon her. If she told him everything, maybe he’d be able to help her. Perhaps together they’d find a way to work through her change. Seeing the curious light in his bright eyes Buffy felt her heart turn cold. If she told him everything, maybe he would help her, but he’d also be crushed.

Giles would take her failure as his own. Her disgrace would be his as well. She couldn’t let him feel that way.

“I---did I tell you that I was going out of town?”

Blinking once the Watcher shook his head and mumbled, “No, umm, you did not tell me.” Removing his glasses Giles rubbed the bridge of his nose. Cocking his head to the side he stated, “Buffy, this is not the time to leave Sunnydale---especially now that your training will be taking a different route.”

Shrugging Buffy lightly explained, “I know but---well, with mid-winter break coming my mom thought it’d be a good idea to see my dad.” With a casual shrug she finished with, “And I couldn’t really say, ‘No Mom I need to stay here and slay’, so it’s visitation time.”

“I don’t mean to be indelicate, but do you think perhaps that you can reschedule?” Seeing the look on Buffy’s face Giles put his glasses back on and immediately said, “Of course not. He is your father, after all.” Sighing heavily Giles turned back towards the neat stack of books and small box. “Well, we do have a few days left---“

“Uh, Giles? Officially, mid-break has already started.”

Turning back to her with surprise evident in his face Giles spluttered, “Today? Impossible!”

Glancing at the clock that hung high on the wall Buffy dryly said, “It’s possible.”

Running one finger around his collar Giles crossly murmured, “You children are hardly in school as it is---I don’t see why you need a break at all.”

This statement was met with a heated one from Buffy. “I know! I mean why bother with just a five-day week---it should be six. And summer vacation---what is UP with that?”

Peering at his Slayer from beneath his spectacles Giles allowed the tiniest of smiles to lift his mouth. “Point taken Buffy.”

Grinning back at her Watcher Buffy did not allow herself to think what Angelus’ reactions might be to finding her gone.

His hand firmly held hers in a tight grip. Buffy felt the cold briefly before gasping loudly.

“Oh my darling is hot here, really, really hot.” Angelus’ growl of satisfaction echoed in the silence of the wood as his flesh stretched Buffy’s. He adored the way her small body felt beneath his own. The night was cold and its effect was evident on Buffy’s skin.

Abruptly he let go off her wrists. Pushing himself even further inside Angelus enjoyed the feeling of her hands on his chest. The nails were chipped and ragged, most likely due to the viciousness of their earlier encounter. The sharp scratches she left enhanced the pleasure in ways that he could only show with his body.

Closing his eyes Angelus did not even try to stop the low moan that came from deep within his throat. She loved him. The vicious hunger within grew and grew, greedily wanting and needing more of the girl beneath him. Angelus wanted to possess all of Buffy---her emotions, her body, her thoughts, the very breath she took. He would be all to her.

Raising himself on his elbows Angelus triumphantly stared down at Buffy’s face. Her brow was furrowed, while her softly sweet, pink mouth was parted just a fraction of an inch. As if sensing his lengthy perusal, Buffy’s lids raised themselves. Staring up into his shadowed face her breath audibly caught.

His arrogant command was silent yet heard nonetheless. Show me your love Slayer. Prove that you love me. Closing her eyes once more Buffy turned her head to the side and kissed the inside of his wrist. Angelus felt much as heard the speeding of her heart and the acceptance to his will.

Lowering himself fully upon Buffy, Angelus enveloped her with his body. Sliding one hand beneath her hips he softly encouraged her to, “Move with me lover. Yeah, just like that.” When he felt the twining of her arms around his neck Angelus could sense the obsession within him explode in a dark stain of passion.

She belonged to him. She was his. His to play with, his to abandon, his to destroy.

But never would she leave him. Angelus would not lose her like he had lost the others.

“When do you leave for Los Angeles?”

Glancing at the clock again, Buffy silently calculated the time. “Actually, I have to be home in about an hour.” Seeing the arch in Giles’ brow she explained, “My dad is picking me up today.”

“I see.” Pausing briefly he inquired, “Will you be staying here in Sunnydale tonight?”

Slanting him a look from beneath her own brows Buffy retorted, “Nope. Dad feels like ‘Why waste time here when we could be using it to get to L.A?’” Before Giles could say anything she tossed out, “I think what he means to say is, ‘Why be near your mom longer than necessary?’”

Knowing what the situation was between Buffy’s parents Giles understood that his Slayer would prefer if he made no comment about it at all.

For filler, as much as anything, Giles politely asked, “Will the ride be long?”

Smiling Buffy asked, “You’ve never been to L.A.?”

“Other than a brief flight change on my way here, no.”

“You haven’t missed much. There’s just as much supernatural crap going on down there as there is here. Although, at the time I lived there I didn’t know that.” Walking behind the counter Buffy bent down and retrieved her duffel bag. She wished she didn’t have to go see her dad. As confused as it made her feel, being around him reminded Buffy of times that she’d rather forget. She loved her father, but she felt as if he had no room for her in his life.

And that hurt.

She wanted to be optimistic about what this visit might be like, but Buffy knew better than to expect something miraculous.

Beneath his arm he could feel her body tighten as she softly cried aloud her pleasure. The heady scent of her release perfumed the frigid air about them. Crushing Buffy against his chest Angelus brutally thrust against her. The demon within rose and howled with the craving to prove his ownership of Buffy.

If he had expected his mistress to shrink and withdraw from his rough embrace, Angelus was to be disappointed. Instead he could feel her legs tightly squeeze his waist and her body rise up to meet him thrust for thrust.

Angelus was not disappointed, not now.

Tomorrow when the thirst for vengeance against her and Angel ruled him, when the maddening fury that often drove him to debase her spurred him, THEN he would care that she felt no shame for this. Now was just the intoxicating moment of lust.

Gesturing to his supplies Giles sighed and said, “Well I guess you should be on your way.”

Slinging the bag on her shoulder Buffy asked, “What about patrol Giles?”

“I’ll just have to go tonight.”

“By yourself?” Buffy did not like the idea of Giles having to do her job, much less doing it alone.

Unconsciously loosening his tie Giles casually replied, “Ms. Calendar might, umm, well, accompany me on the rounds.”

Smiling sweetly Buffy noticed that her Watcher’s cheeks were taking on a slight rosy hue. Before she could tease him Giles abruptly asked, “How long will you be gone?”

“I’ll be back on Monday.”

Rubbing his chin he murmured, “Four days then.”

“I’m sorry to do this to you---“

Waving away her protestations Giles replied, “I understand Buffy. As a part of your duties you must keep this secret. That includes keeping appearances whenever possible.”

What an innocent statement. He wanted her to keep up appearances---appearances that could hide or expose what really lay within.

Buffy’s mouth tasted the cold flesh of his neck. Her every sense was centered on this moment, on now. The ecstasy of pure pleasure faded, leaving in its stead an even grander appetite. Hungrily laying her cheek against his chest Buffy’s stomach tightened with the familiar pained sensation of being so close to him.

Every sense within her body warred against instinct. Instinct told her to run. Need kept her close. The decadent fury of Angelus’ pounding body beckoned a wanton response from Buffy.

So feeling this, what mattered was how he made her feel, right now.

The underbrush beneath her back prickled, while the cold chilled her flesh to the touch. Yet all that Buffy cared about was how good it felt to have him inside her. Intoxication danced along her veins with a primal beat. The animalistic chant from her blood manifested itself through her heart, through the pulse that beat strongly in her neck. The sounds of their bodies could not hide the frenzied music that played with such fervor inside of Buffy.

Laying her hands of either side of Angelus’ face she leaned forward, giving into their song and bit his neck with her blunt teeth. Beneath her fingers Buffy could feel her lover’s face morph and knew what would come next.

Noting the time Buffy bid her goodbyes. “I’ve gotta go Giles. If I see any of our undead co-workers, I’ll be sure to send them on their way.”

“Have a good trip Buffy.”

“Thanks.” Walking away she suddenly paused at the door. Without turning around she called, “Giles?”

Stopping in the middle of the way to his office the Watcher replied, “Yes?”

With one hand on the swinging door Buffy said, “Be careful, okay?”

Hearing the worry in her voice Giles felt a brilliant burst of love for his young Slayer. “I will.” Deciding to speak before his inbreed need for discretion stopped him Giles gently pleaded, “I know it’s hard, but try to understand your father Buffy. Sometimes people don’t always act the way they’d wish or say what they really feel---especially towards those they love.”

Still with her back turned Buffy’s eyes immediately clenched shut. Wanting to leave before her emotions spilled she mumbled, “I’ll try,” and walked out the library.

If only Giles knew. If only he knew just how close he had described her very same feelings.

Hearing the soft swish of the door Giles heaved a large sigh. So things were happening the way the Watcher’s Council had predicted. Several days before he had received a short yet succinct message from headquarters:

He did not like Buffy having to leave so quickly, but perhaps her visit with her father would be beneficial to his Slayer. It could give her time to reflect on her future. It would also give him time to decide whether to follow the subtle orders of the Council concerning the Acrymydion situation.

Quickly striding through the deserted hallways Buffy wanted things to be different. She wanted to have a real relationship with those she loved.

She wanted to tell Giles that she had almost died and that the prophecy had almost been voided. She wanted to assure her mom that she wasn’t a bad kid. She wanted to come to Willow and tell her what she was feeling for Angelus. She wanted to tell Oz that he was right and that she was sorry. She wanted to assure Xander that her first duty would be to them. She wanted to let Cordelia know that she had nothing to fear from Angelus.

Above all, she wanted to feel as if the darkness did not dog her every step.

”Buff I like your teeth---do you like mine?” Angelus lightly asked in a playful tone just before he bit into the side of her slim neck.

Her body immediately became tight and stiff as the shock of pure adrenaline flooded her veins. She could feel his razor-sharp fangs pierce through the fragile barrier of skin and take the liquid that flowed through her veins to fill the ones that lay empty inside of him. Her sight became awash in a sea tainted the shade of crimson as the exquisiteness of sensation possessed Buffy once more.

Instead of her body feeling weakened by a loss of blood, it was feeling stronger.

Raking her nails across his back Buffy dimly realized that he had taken his shirt off. She couldn’t remember him doing it but she was glad that he did. His skin, normally cold, was icy and felt wonderful against her own.

Exiting Sunnydale High Buffy squinted her eyes from the brightness of the sun, the sudden pain piercing through her head. Hurriedly walking home she wondered if somehow she’d find a way to untangle the mess of her life before…

Before she died.

Death cared nothing for who people were or what they did. Yet in her case, Death seemed to have a personal grudge against allowing her to live. All Slayers died young, it was a fact that never seemed to be talked about within the inner circle of her friends and Watcher. Even so, it was spoken without words each night before patrol, each time a fight broke out in the Bronze, each time they all survived to see the next sunrise.

It was always there, trailing her every step. It was there touching her with every breath she took, each life-giving inhalation of oxygen barely escaping the staleness of the stagnant air that could only belong to Death.

Walking up the drive Buffy pondered on how Slayers died young. All of them did. She was no exception to the natural rules of life. Knowing that made the inevitable easier to deal with---but just barely.

Opening up the front door Buffy immediately heard her mom upstairs. “Mom! I’m home!”

Joyce’s voice immediately barreled down. “Buffy! I’m in your room!”

Walking up the stairs with bag slung over her shoulder Buffy knew that her mom was packing her bag, instead of letting Buffy do it herself. Standing at the entrance of her room she saw that she was right.

Smiling at her daughter Joyce finished placing a t-shirt in the navy blue suitcase before zipping it shut. “I’ve packed you enough clothes to last a week. You’ve got socks, underwear, bras, t-shirts, shorts, casual pants, dress pants---“

“Casual dresses, dressy dresses, a parka just in case it snows, a raincoat, rain boots---“

Knowing her daughter was teasing Joyce laughed and said, “I know, I know. I over pack for you but ONE day it’ll come in handy.”

Plopping on her bed Buffy kicked off her shoes and sighed, “Mom I’m 17 now. Don’t you think I’m old enough to pack my own bag?”

Sitting next to her daughter Joyce smartly answered, “The last time I let you pack your own bag you forgot to pack any shirts and socks.”

Rolling her head to the side Buffy eyed her mother and said, “I was 6 years old! And besides, Grandma bought me what I needed.”

“And you expect Dad to buy you what you need if you forget this time?”

Shrugging while looking away she replied, “I expect Dad to buy me a ton of clothes, even if I don’t need them.”

Hearing the slight note of sadness in Buffy’s voice her mother softly sighed. Placing a hand on her daughter’s arm she waited until Buffy looked at her. “I know that you’re not exactly happy to be going to see your Dad.”

Without much enthusiasm in her voice Buffy blandly answered, “Seeing him doesn’t bother me---it’s knowing that he’ll be gone most of the time that bothers me.”

Understanding that what Buffy said was true, Joyce still felt compelled to defend her ex-husband. “Your father works long hours because he has to meet insane deadlines---not because he doesn’t want to spend time with you.”

“Maybe he does, but deadlines don’t extend to cocktails and dinner dates.” Buffy’s voice held no bitterness, just a resigned acceptance. Her father loved her, she had no doubt of that. However, Hank Summers seemed to be the kind of father that preferred to love his offspring from afar.

Before Angelus’ return Buffy would be filled with such resentment that her father pretty much ignored the fact that she was there. Visitations between them were rare, yet other than lunch they spent virtually very little time together. Her father usually handed her a few large bills while declaring, “You’ll probably want to be at the mall today. I’m having dinner tonight with a client so I won’t be able to pick you up. Here’s a twenty for cab fare.”

Pizza, shopping sprees, and a ton of Blockbuster videos summed up visits at Dad’s.

Now she could no longer feel angry with her father. Sad, yes. Angry, no. Leaning back on a pillow Buffy realized that if there was one positive thing that was happening to her, it was the ability to forgive people their flaws. Knowing now that she was filled with so many of them, how could she judge her father on his ability to show her love?

How could she judge him when she was feeding the ones she loved lie after lie? At least her father didn’t lie about who and what he was. At least she knew that he loved her. She on the other hand…

Patting Buffy’s leg once Joyce stood up and breezily asked, “How about a snack before your dad gets here?”

“No thanks Mom, I’m not really hungry.”

“If you don’t eat now, you’ll end up eating something greasy later,” Joyce warned.

Propping herself up on one elbow Buffy wryly asked, “Like that’s a bad thing?”

“Oh, that’s right---you have the metabolism of youth. You could probably eat ten burgers and not only NOT gain a pound, you’d probably lose five.” Shaking her head Joyce predicted, “When you get old then you’ll care.” Patting her stomach once she rolled her eyes heavenwards and lamented, “Trust me---I know.”

“All the more for me to enjoy McDonald’s now,” Buffy lightly joked all the while thinking about how she would not get a chance to grow old. If not Acrymydion there’d be something else after him. Sooner or later Death would catch up to her, and most likely before she reached the age of 21.

“Well, rest now. Your dad will be here in about an hour and you have a long drive ahead.” Smiling once more at her daughter Joyce walked out the room, leaving the door halfway closed. Buffy soon heard her mother’s steps on the stairs before they eventually led to the living room.

Closing her eyes Buffy knew that her mother would be sitting on the couch, looking for Hank Summers to pull up in their driveway. Thinking about how lonely her mother must be Buffy wished that things between her parents hadn’t turned out the way they did.

Hank Summers had been her mother’s first and only love. Since then there had been no others. No wonder her mother had been so susceptible to Angelus’ charms.

Clenching her jaw tightly Buffy felt fury flare up within her breast. Realizing that because the situation wasn’t in front of her, Buffy was more forgiving towards her mother. She knew that would change the instance Angelus was in the same room with them both. Bastard! He enjoyed pitting them both.

What if he seduces her?

The thought viciously pierced through Buffy’s mind, filling her with images she’d rather not have. Angelus was more than capable of doing it.

Her mother was more than likely to succumb.

Rolling to her side Buffy felt a stab of grief. There’d be no way she could ever deal with that. Her mother was hers. Angelus was hers. If they were ever together…If he wounded her in that way…

She’d lose them both. That’s exactly what would happen if her mother became intimate with Angelus. She couldn’t even begin to imagine how she’d react being in the same room with her mother, much less having to live with her. And Angelus…

She’d walk out on him. She’d walk away from whatever it was they had. It was rather silly considering that he had never committed anything to her other than his want for her to belong to him. Is that how he felt about Druscilla?

Clenching her fists Buffy’s thoughts now extended to Angelus being with other women. Knowing now that she loved him, Buffy more than ever realized that if he were to be unfaithful to her, she’d want to kill him.

Humorlessly smiling she understood that their entanglement was hardly that of a boyfriend, fiancé, or husband relationship. With anyone else Buffy would see this as casual sex. But it was different with him.

No matter how much she hated him, her need for him would be greater.

So far it was greater than her will, her pride, and her fury.

Especially after last night.

How can I keep doing this? Things were bad enough with all the lying, but now, it ‘s much, much worse.

Rolling on her back Buffy stared up at the ceiling while she brought her knees up. The final moments of last night were so bittersweet for her to remember. Abruptly hopping off the bed Buffy walked to her closet and quickly found a pretty yellow print spring dress. Finding the matching shoes and underclothing she laid those on her bed before entering the tiny bathroom. Training had left her clothes and hair rather limp so a shower was definitely in order.

She may be cramping her dad’s flow by coming to visit but she wasn’t going to add B.O.

Pulling the plastic curtain back Buffy stepped into the tub and turned the facets on. The cold water rushed out to splash all over her feet and ankles. The cold reminded her of Angelus. Shutting her eyes she shivered from the pungent memory of laying beneath him and praying that if she died, it wouldn’t be alone.

Her body was completely naked beneath his. Beneath the cold flesh of her calf she could feel the chilled leather that covered his beautifully muscled thigh. Letting out a mewl of pleasure all of her body’s senses were focused on her points of impalement.

Angelus finally slid his fangs from the taut flesh of Buffy’s neck. Leaning back on his forearms he looked down into her face and gave a wicked smile. The night gleamed in his eyes, promising her sinful joy and painful release. Even now Buffy could feel the familiar dreadful, the intense crimson pounding that beat within her belly. Its very rhythm signaled that stolen rapture would be hers again.

Looking down she could see the hypnotic thrust of his lean hips. She could feel every inch of his cock stretch her willing flesh and felt the breath leave her body each time he entered her. Buffy watched entranced as Angelus shifted his legs so that she lay even more opened before him.

Allowing her eyes to trail up his wonderfully sculpted chest she studied the coiling of the muscles beneath the pale, smooth flesh. Guiltily she saw the dried flakes of blood that clung to his skin. The disorganized pattern of bloodstains presented a constantly shifting play of shadows and light that sickened Buffy even as it lured her to watch.

Shutting her eyes from the sight Buffy softly moaned a cry of sorrow intermingled with an undeniable whisper of ungodly craving.

Opening up her eyes Buffy could vividly feel that moment of insatiable longing. The tightness of such an exquisitely intense sensation brought forth a shallowness of breath even as it caused the rapid explosion of blood to course through her body.

Quickly washing herself with efficient motions Buffy finished her shower in a few minutes. Soon she was dressed and lay once again on her bed. With a disconcerting ease the Slayer found herself back in the company of her vampire within the confines of her mind.

Laying his body on top of hers Angelus rested himself on his elbows while placing one hand on either side of Buffy’s tormented face. Winningly he whispered obscene promises of twisted affection to the small shell of her ear.

Buffy opened her eyes once again and all she saw was him. All she heard was him. Crouched above her, his wide shoulders blotted out the night, blurred the lines between white and black, and buried the long-held beliefs of right and wrong. In this space and time he became all she would ever know.

His lips would be the last she ever kissed. His hand would be the last one who touched her that she needed. His voice would be the only one capable of melting the ice that covered her heart. His will would be the final epilogue to her life as she knew it.

Acrymydion would take her life. Whether the omnipotent powers that she served would grant her another one was unknown.

Arching her back Buffy’s limbs locked around the intense body that hammered into her own. Muffling her cry of ecstasy against the strong column of Angelus’ neck Buffy heard him give a low growl of approval.

The dark travesty of it all was that Death was a part of them both and would continue to play with their lives, pitting them against one another even as it bound them together.

The sharp, annoyed honk of a car horn abruptly broke through Buffy’s reverie. Beep, beep, beeeeepppp! Getting up off her bed she walked to the window, pulled the curtain to the side, and looked outside. Sure enough it was her father in the driveway. Allowing the diaphanous material to float back down Buffy walked out of her room with packed case in hand.

Coming down the stairs with her suitcase she saw her mother waiting for her at the bottom. Upon reaching the landing Buffy spoke the unnecessary. “I guess Dad’s not coming to the door.”

“I guess not.” Dropping her eyes briefly Joyce lightly said, “It appears that he’s still upset.”

“Upset?”

Sighing she clarified, “We had a disagreement on the phone last week.”

“Disagreement?”

Resolutely smiling Joyce breezily stated, “It’s nothing.” Opening up the door she ushered Buffy to the porch. They gave each other a brief yet tight hug. “Now you call me when you get to Dad’s, okay?”

Nodding her head Buffy assured her with, “I will, I promise.” Looking her mother in the eyes she said, “I love you Mom.”

“I love you too Honey.”

Parting her lips in a goodbye smile Buffy said, “Bye.” Turning away from her mother Buffy walked to where her father was waiting. Hank Summers got out of his late model sedan and came around the vehicle. Taking the suitcase out of her hand he gave his daughter a brief hug. “How’s my girl been?”

“Good.” Her one word fell on seemingly deaf ears because he was already unlocking the trunk. Standing by the passenger door Buffy once again felt awkward. Her mother said only that they had a disagreement. She could easily guess why.

Glancing at Hank she could see the tight look around his mouth when he looked at her mother. She didn’t even have to see her mom’s face to know what was there. Opening up the door Buffy settled herself on the comfortable leather seat and knew that no matter how comfortable they were, she would not be during the ride nor during the visit.

As the sedan backed into reverse Buffy gave her mother a slight wave. Joyce waved back and widely smiled. Unconsciously Buffy’s eyesight sharpened until they saw what they hoped would be missing this time: tears.

Watching until her mother was out of sight Buffy leaned the seat back and closed her eyes. Sleep was something that would keep both herself and her father away from the awkwardness that came with divorce.

***************

Humming lightly Angelus enjoyed the solitary ride down the elevator. Tonight he would be going to the Summers’ household, presumably to tutor Buffy in history.

Perhaps he would, perhaps he wouldn’t.

Hopefully this time he could forgo the guise of eating dinner with the family but if not, then it’d be amusing to play at being human. The doors opened with a slight hiss before Angelus leisurely strolled through the tastefully decorated foyer. Glancing to his right he could see the concierge dumbly follow his progress with wary eyes.

Smiling wolfishly Angelus tipped his head at him before allowing his gaze to fall upon the old doorman. Sniffing slightly he could smell the approaching stench of death all over him. Without the vampire having to arch a brow of command, Robert calmly held the door open. Striding through Angelus knew it wasn’t because he was intimidated, but because he was a professional who cared about the quality of his work.

If he had to look favorably towards a human for something other than food, professionalism was as good a reason as any. Dismissing the man from his mind Angelus reached in his pocket and pressed a button. The alarm to his black Rodeo disengaged with a discreet flash of light.

Opening up the door he gracefully slid his body in, closed the door, and turned the key. The awakening of the engine was hardly one to cause heads to turn, much to Angelus’ chagrin. Since discovering this century in the flesh he was rapidly becoming partial to many versions of the automobile. From the American muscle cars of the ‘60s, to the beautifully constructed Italian luxuries of speed, Angelus truly enjoyed the one thing in common among them: power.

Driving along the dark highways of California he was rapidly becoming accustomed to being able to test the limits of the varied powerful engines. Turning onto the quiet street of Revello Drive, Angelus knew there was not much real power to test with this vehicle. Parking in the driveway of the Summers’ residence he turned off the engine and smoothly stepped out. What it lacked in power, it made up for in respectability.

He could hardly carry off the guise of well thought-of tutor while driving a Lamborghini Diablo.

Nimbly strolling to the door Angelus rang the bell. Patiently waiting while whistling he immediately detected the sound of light footsteps. While light they were, they did not belong to those of his mistress. Pausing in the middle of his jaunty whistle Angelus reached out with his senses and felt that Buffy was not there.

Before a scowl could mar the smoothness of his face the door opened, framing a surprised Joyce in the entryway. “Angel! I didn’t expect to see you here tonight.”

Ignoring the subtle yet admiring light in her eyes Angelus stated, “I’m here for Buffy’s tutor session. Is she home?”

Cocking her head to the side Joyce answered, “No she isn’t.”

“When will she be back?”

“No, I’m afraid she won’t be here tonight.”

Angelus’ eyes narrowed imperceptibly. “Oh, I wasn’t aware of that.”

Without realizing the growing fury of the vampire in front of her Buffy’s mother unknowingly added fuel to the proverbial fire. “She’ll be gone for a few days.”

Angelus made sure that his voice betrayed none of the swirling fury that was beating inside of him. Instead he chose to imitate the neutral tone of, “Gone?”

“Yes, she’s in LA visiting her father.” Looking down at her watch Joyce murmured, “I should be getting a call from her soon.” Meeting his gaze again she said, “I can’t believe Buffy forgot to tell you. I’m sorry that you had to come out this way for nothing. I’ll be sure to let her know---“

“It’s not a problem. I’m sure it just slipped her mind.” Stepping back Angelus politely bid Joyce “Good night” before cutting a swath back to his car.

Opening up the door with careful movements Angelus’ mind thought of how docile and delicious Buffy was after they had reached carnal satisfaction---in vicious comparison to how devious and deceitful she had been tonight.

The exquisite beauty of her female flesh was driving him to distraction. Angelus could feel the tiny tip of her tongue tasting his neck and it felt wonderful. Her limbs were wrapped securely about his body, so tightly that it seemed as if she didn’t want to lose the least bit of contact between them.

Buffy’s heartbeat lured him on to seek the forbidden pinnacle of their mating. The sound of it filled him with the dark desire to take all he could from her, to take every drop of her blood until she was a part of him completely. But if he gave in, then she’d be gone.

Hearing a soft cry of pleasure echo in his mind it immediately replaced thoughts that would cut short this moment in time. The scent of their violence still clung heavily about her, the perfume of decaying emotions cloying yet alluring. It was animal the way they fucked in the remnants of their own hate, yet it defined them as nothing before ever had.

Seeing her clearly despite the darkness Angelus could hardly remember the thrashing she had given him. The games of the night were wonderful to play, but even more so when she was willing, that was what he would remember. Turning his head to the side he licked the delicate skin of her wrist to which she immediately caressed his face.

Not able to hold back the ripple of pleasure that her one touch inspired Angelus wrapped his fist in Buffy’s blonde hair. His large hand held her head in such a way that her neck presented its beautifully lines to him. Guttarly he growled, “Angel would never have you like this, would he?”

He could see the pain flare in her eyes and it maddened him. Deliberately he stopped moving his hips. Ripping her hands away from his body, Angelus held them in one of his while still curling his other hand in her tangled blonde hair. Leaning down he softly spoke in a voice filled with tangible menace, “He’d never see you like this, would he Buff? You’d NEVER fuck HIM the way you do ME, would you Baby?”

Turning her head towards Angelus she winced at the pain in her scalp before whispering against his lips, “Please don’t say anymore. Please don’t, not now.”

He whispered in return against her mouth, “I wish you could see how pretty you are when you beg me.” Sensuously he took her lips with his own, lightly tasting and teasing her with his tongue. Drawing his hips back he slowly thrust against Buffy. After several moments of carnal play he loudly snarled, “You’d NEVER be completely open to him and he’d be too much of a PUSSY to have it any other way.”

Buffy let out a strangled sob as she arched away from him. “At least he’d never try to hurt me like you do!”

Angelus smiled in triumph. She didn’t try to deny what he already knew. Angel and Buffy may have discovered some tepid measure of love during their short time together, but it was hardly one that was based on honesty. Angel had had more of a love affair with his guilt than with the flesh and blood girl beneath Angelus now.

And Buffy…

She’d always held a measure of distrust and contempt for what Angel was and had never failed to throw it in his face. In some ways it had suited Buffy to have that power over Angel, the control of absolution and forgiveness.

In her innocence and inexperience she never saw it that way, but that did not make it untrue. So she had been sustaining a love that was based on superiority and Angel had only prayed to his adopted god that she’d never lose the taste for such an emotion. And even then he didn’t have the guts to see it through, although Buffy had yet to know…

So theirs was not an honest relationship, not like theirs was now.

Letting go of her hair and wrists Angelus rolled them until they both lay to their side. Shifting her thigh so it did not lay beneath his own he neatly placed her other leg over his hip. With one hand on the small of her back Angelus fervently said, “He’d end up doing it, darling. Eventually he would have walked away from you.”

When Buffy shook her head in denial Angelus softly assured her with, “Yes he would have. He was already thinking about it Buff.”

Staring into his gaze Buffy steadfastly said, “You’re wrong. Angel would have never left me and you know it.” Bravely she accused, “You’re just making that up to hurt me.”

A pitying smile twisted his lips. “I have the paperwork to prove it. Angel bought a piece of property one month before he, ah, left.”

Several moments passed in absolute silence. As cliché as it was, Buffy even stopped breathing with the shock. Despite the shadows Angelus could see her face blanche and her eyes darken with agony once she realized he was being absolutely honest.

For many seconds she didn’t even appear to realize he was there as her mind whirled with the implications of Angel’s secret. “It can’t be,” was all that she said. Their bodies were still and for once Angelus left her to her own misery. Instead he quietly lay on his side with her body right against his own and waited.

Finally she peered at him with all the fury and pain in her heart. Through clenched teeth she repeated, “It can’t be.”

“But it is Buff. It is.” The simplicity of his words convinced her like nothing else would.

Although it was obvious she did not expect an answer Buffy dropped her eyes and nonetheless sadly asked, “Why?”

Running a finger around a lock of her hair Angelus replied in a nonchalant voice, “Because he was a coward.”

Despite feeling what she felt Buffy’s head snapped up while she heatedly defended Angel with, “He WAS NOT a coward!”

Arching an imperious brow he asked, “No? Why don’t you think REAL HARD on what Angel was REALLY like Buff and tell me again that he wasn’t a coward?” Pulling out of her body he quickly had her pinned to the ground.

Without giving Buffy a choice he barked, “Remember when the Master had you right where he wanted you? Who do you think was responsible for bringing you back to life? Angel?” Loudly he yelled, “Wrong!” In a voice filled with contempt he spat, “Xander is the ONLY reason why you’re even here. Now how sad is that? That worthless excuse for a man was even more of a man that your honey.”

Mutely Buffy shook her head while her eyes narrowed with growing anger. Angrily he twisted the knife of his words further. “He didn’t even want to do down there, did you know that? He was scared shitless Buff.”

“You won’t make me hate him Angelus---I’m not going to ever hate him.”

Mockingly he laughed. “I don’t want you to hate him, darling. I’m just trying to enlighten you to who Angel really was.”

“And why would you want to do that Angelus? Because you care so much about me? I don’t think so.”

One side of his mouth lifted in a smirk as the ebony of his eyes abruptly melded into a chaotic palette of amber, gold, and green. Leisurely he turned his head to the side and observed the mutinous cast of Buffy’s face. Her hackles were really up now. She was showing a little bit of spirit and this time he liked it. He should leave things the way they were, he really should.

But...

Leaning down he placed his lips by her ear and whispered the address of Angel’s building. Not only did he let her know where Angel had planned on leaving to, but when. In a treacherously gentle voice Angelus let Buffy know exactly what had been in her love’s mind every night he had spent by her side.

As the moments wore on he felt her stiffen, but not with anger, instead her limbs tensed with grief. Nudging her legs apart further Angelus slowly slid into her unresisting body. Gathering her against him he once again shifted to his side.

When her arms returned to embrace him and her head lay in the crook of his shoulder and neck Angelus growled, “He would have left you, but I’m not like him.”

Buffy’s mouth opened in a caress as she heatedly kissed the cold flesh of his neck and face. Soon she moved her hand and dug it into his hip while moving her hips even faster. Angelus answered the unspoken desire with a furiously passionate surging of his body.

Before long Buffy was gasping with intense pleasure while shudders ran all along her back. Immediately after hearing his lover reach her release Angelus gave into his own. Tightening his arm about her waist he groaned with ecstasy as his cock flooded Buffy’s insides with thick, dead seed.

Rolling to his back Angelus kept her body on top of his. Hearing her heartbeat slow its riotous rhythm he gently stroked her hair until he felt her limbs slacken.

His voice had the ability to charm the very birds out of the trees or make a girl like Buffy melt in his arms with an equal mix of lust and terror. This time his words aroused an abusive concoction of all three.

“He’d walk away from you darling, he’d even let you walk away from him, but make no mistake lover---I’m NOT him.”

Driving towards the factory Angelus felt an intense searing rage consume him. She left him. After the perfect madness of last night Buffy went to LA.

Her visitation may have been pre-scheduled, he'd give her the benefit of that doubt. But Angelus had a pretty good hunch that there would be more on her agenda than dinner with daddy.

********

Spike was itching to stretch his legs, literally and figuratively, but instead he was confined to the iron contraption that served to keep his intrigue. The main room of the factory held only a few vampires---himself, Druscilla, and his four spies. Although he was completely surrounded by those he trusted, Spike simply wasn’t a vampire who really trusted. No matter how desirable it was to ease the ache, he couldn’t afford to allow a stiff leg or a numb bum to blow his plans.

For one never knew when a curious eye might be about...

A trill of bright laughter suddenly rang throughout the cavernous metal room. Fondly Spike shifted his attention from his troublesome lower extremities to his lovely Dru. Clad tonight in a dress of festive red velvet with elaborate gold trim she was obviously in high spirits. Lovingly he noticed her beautiful hair. The long chestnut locks were gathered in a simple knot on her crown, allowing her curls to hang free.

A flash of memory seared Spike’s mind as he remembered the last time he had seen it hanging free.

She had been braced over him, her flawless back facing him while her hips worked slowly and sensually. His own hands gently gripped her slender waist while his neck arched off the bed. The ivory damask sheets rasped sweetly, but not as sweetly as when she gave a beautiful cry of completion. “Spike!”

The wonderful silk of her hair teased the taut flesh of his stomach as she arched her own head in a shudder of exquisite pleasure. Immediately she looked over her shoulder and smiled the naughty smile he so adored. “Now it’s your turn.”

Within moments she had him moaning her name repeatedly. Gathering her in his arms Spike felt the lifeless organ within his chest beat when she softly whispered, “I drown in my love for you.”

His lower extremities now suffered from a different ache that hurt all the more because there was nothing his heart could do to ease it. Spike had not taken pleasure with her since the bloody Slayer had broken his cursed back. And to add insult to injury, he was finding it harder and harder to keep his desires under control.

As far as everyone knew he was poor little Spike whose cock was as lifeless as his legs. Even Dru in her well-meaning way had more or less declared him, “A naughty boy that could no longer be naughty.” At least there had been a measure of peace since Irish was playing his fucked up games with the bitch-Slayer.

Even so he couldn’t take the risk of making love to Druscilla. Not because he feared Angelus taking exception but because of the questions and gossip it would stir up. Or the answers it would expose. If Irish knew that Spike could do his duty by Druscilla, then he would wonder what other things he could do. Angelus was no fool, he’d figure it out and then the battle would ensue before its time.

Until then he’d just have to be satisfied with loving Dru with only his eyes and his mind. What her sire did with her would just have to not be thought of…

Just as Angelus was no fool, neither was Spike. He knew the only reason why Angelus bothered Druscilla sexually was to drive the point of his physical superiority home. Angelus was the undisputed master when it came to causing emotional pain and hurt. He instinctively knew where a man or woman was most vulnerable and taunted his victim with it.

Spike’s only weakness was his love for Dru but it was one that he would gladly suffer, Angelus or no Angelus.

Rhythmically swaying from side to side Druscilla closed her eyes, tilted her head back, and dreamily sighed, “We’ve nothing to fear tonight Spike. Nothing at all. Even the worms will feel the boxes of their feast open.”

Smiling in satisfaction Spike already knew of what his goddess was speaking but he minded his manners and let her continue.

“The worms will have a full belly soon, yes they will.” Momentarily stilling the silent music that inspired her dance Druscilla’s piercingly clear eyes found her Spike’s. Staring dead within she whispered in a dreadful undertone, “And so will I.”

Arching her back she raised her arms and happily moaned, “I will find the prettiest ones tonight. We’ll dance and dance until the world spins.” As if to punctuate her words the tiny vampiress spun gleefully around.

Spike felt a moment of envy that he would not be able to “find the prettiest ones” with her. He had no doubt that his Dru would enjoy a veritable feast tonight. The obituaries for next week would double in size by the time their vacation was through.

Catching sight of one the guard’s hand signals Spike silently cursed. The Prick was back. Damn him! For the past week things had almost gotten back to normal. Although Spike expected Angelus, he still wished him to the bloodiest pits of Hell.

Arrogantly coming down the steps Angelus emitted a fury that reached them all. Quickly glancing at his troupe Spike recognized the vacant and greedy stares they adopted before shuffling out of the room. Good. With clenched jaw he then saw Druscilla immediately still her dance. The fear in her blue eyes was evident even as a mad exhilaration sparkled within.

Despite the fright she was still pleased to see her sire.

No matter what Spike could and would do for her, he could never sever that bond between them and it tore him to shreds.

Stalking across the room Angelus ignored Spike and stopped in front of Druscilla. After a moment’s pause he merely smiled. Lifting her slim hand to his lips and kissed it. “How’s my little girl been?”

A beautiful smile immediately spread across her ethereal face. “Happy.”

He arched a brow in question, “Have you missed me?” “Oh, I have Daddy. I’ve missed you dreadfully, although my Spike has kept me company.”

“Has he? Well, I think I’ve neglected you far too long. Would you like to go out tonight?”

Her eyes slid to the vampire silently observing them with a stoic gaze. For a moment the chaos that marked her mind slid away. This was hurting Spike badly, and Druscilla deeply regretted it. But as long as she was what Angelus wanted, it would not hurt him half as badly as seeing Angelus hurt her. As quickly as it had fled, the madness descended within the fractured shards of her once-sane mind.

“Oh yes!” Clutching his sleeve Druscilla winningly asked, “Can we go to the park? I’ve been so good!”

Mockingly glancing at the rigid blond vampire Angelus commented, “You know how much Dru likes the park, you should’ve taken her…Oh, that’s right! You’ve pretty much been homebound after my girl put you in your place.”

Arching his brow Spike asked in a bored tone of voice, “She’s your girl now?”

Stroking Druscilla’s hand Angelus answered with a smirk, “The Slayer has ALWAYS been my girl.”

Leaning forward Spike asked in a conversational tone of voice, “And HOW is our natural enemy? She been doing okay after having the dubious honor of sharing your bed?” Quickly touching the side of his head in a contemptuous gesture he said, “That’s right! She’s not here, is she mate?” Spike noticed the darkening of Angelus’ eyes with satisfaction. “Flown the coop that quickly, eh?”

Druscilla felt the dangerous tensing of her sire’s arm beneath her fingertips. Instinctively wanting to avert the clash between them both she softly said, “The Slayer will be back, my love. She wants into Daddy’s heart too much to stay away.” The cast of her blue eyes took on a dreamy hue as she intonated, “Her fate lies here, so it has been written, so it will be.”

Sharply looking down at his child Angelus coldly asked, “What do you mean Druscilla?”

Flinching back from the look of pure menace that leapt into his eyes, the tiny vampiress confusedly babbled, “The n-nasty S-Slayer belongs t-to you a-and---“

Cutting into her frenzied speech Angelus calmly stated, “Of course she does, darling.” Looking away from her frightened face he stared at Spike’s impassive one. “I see that you ‘re wearing the dress I bought you, that pleases me. I’m glad to know that you haven’t forgotten how to please me Dru.” Unlike my newest whore.

Smiling in mad relief she whispered, “I haven’t forgotten anything. I keep it all in here like a good girl.” She tapped her head once for emphasis and hoped that her daddy would not find a reason to be angry with her.

Firmly keeping her hand on his arm Angelus began to whistle as he strolled towards the stairs with his former mistress in tow. “Don’t wait up for us Spikey---we’ll be gone for quite some time.”

Waiting until Druscilla and Angelus were gone Spike allowed his head to drop back. Staring up at the blackened metal ceiling he felt the constant pain slash into his heart. How he hated the turn of events that led him and Dru here! Ever since they set foot in this god-forsaken pissant town, everything had gone wrong.

Lifting his head forward he resolutely set his jaw and squashed down his bout of self-pity. True, things were loathsome at the moment, but they wouldn’t stay that way for long. Druscilla was healthy, he was mending, and the Slayer was going to die.

A spitefully cruel smile twisted Spike's firm mouth. Prophesies had a funny way of trailing humans like the Slayer---they were never wrong and they never failed. If she avoided one, she’d step right into another.

The fact that Irish knew nothing about it only made the victory even sweeter. Regardless of how obsessed Angelus was with every facet of Buffy Summers, he had absolutely no clue that his time with his newest plaything would be measured in only a matter of weeks.

Dru almost let it out of the bag, but thankfully fate seemed to be with Spike tonight. And not only tonight, but this entire week as a matter of fact.

Smiling with deep satisfaction Spike placed his hands on the large wheels of his chair and pushed himself out of the room towards his own chamber. Things often had a funny way of turning themselves to one’s advantage, regardless of how unexpected. Nothing proved this more than the discovery of his newest ally.

There were stranger alliances to be true, but beyond his own agenda Spike was actually eager to see just how his lovely, ruthless accomplice would achieve her own ends.

Absently noticing his guards awaiting him Spike chuckled at the notion of himself and a human being allies…

********

Boredly Angelus watched as Druscilla flitted from one end of the crowded dance floor to the other. She was in true form tonight, her madness somehow not a disadvantage as it usually was. Just as its intentional purpose intended, all were accepted here at The Cavern, insanity not to be excluded.

And Druscilla was taking full advantage of being the newest darling tonight.

The women good-naturedly envied her gothically Victorian dress and the men were stirred into a fervor of protectiveness and lust.

At least one of them was having a good time. Giving his childe a mock-salute with his glass Angelus quickly swallowed the entire contents of his drink in one fiery gulp. Slamming the dark blue crystal down he clenched his jaw tightly until the burn in his throat receded.

“Enjoying your night Angelus?”

Taking in the well-dressed vampire with one glance Angelus politely gestured for his visitor to sit down. Settling himself comfortably the man merely sat in silence and awaited to be spoken to first. But it was hardly out of deference and Angelus knew it.

“Simon, it’s been awhile hasn’t it?”

“Only a century or two,” came the lightly accented voice.

Taking in his cream and russet garb Angelus commented, “A bit out of place, don’t you think?”

Shrugging eloquently the handsome vampire replied, “I’ve never liked the color black and I don’t see why so many of our kind do.”

Smiling in amusement Angelus stated in return, “Maybe many of them don’t, but they seem to think they should.”

“But not you. You’ve always had a strong fondness for it, if I recall. I still remember the night when you arrived at the opera in black from head to toe. The Parisians were in quite a titillated shock, weren’t they?”

“They were.” Leaning back in the red leather booth Angelus rakishly smiled. “The beauties lined up for me that night, and the night after that, and the night after that night.” Idly playing with the rim of his glass he studied Simon from beneath his heavy black brows, “I offered to share one of them with you once, but I recall that you had other matters to attend to that night.”

Sensing the currents that ran between them Simon neutrally replied, “You know where I stand on that issue Angelus.”

The silence grew thick while the air about them throbbed with a pounding bass line. Finally Angelus let out a bark of laughter. “You cocky bastard! How the hell have you been?”

A small smile twisted the handsome vampire’s lips. Despite the darkness his eyes shone with a crystal blue tint, while his cleanly cut features bespoke of an eastern European heritage. The dark blond hair was pulled back from his face and secured in a neat queue. Although taller than Angelus, he was not nearly as broad. Instead his build was slim yet muscular, and just as dangerous.

Older than the vampire sitting across from him Simon was a creature with very different principles than the majority of his kind. One of the founders of clubs like the one they were in, Simon had merely taken his own personal feeding habits and made a business of it. Although his no-kill beliefs did make him a target amongst some vampires, Simon had more than proved his prowess and ability to hold his own against any and all---Angelus included.

“I’ve been good. And how have you enjoyed your return?”

“It’s been a blast,” Angelus drawled. The last time he and Simon had seen each other they had come to blows and now here they were sharing memories of old. Tightening his jaw slightly Angelus had to revise that. Technically they had briefly passed by one another in the ‘40s, at least Angel and Simon did.

Angel.

Angrily Angelus wondered if Buffy was going to give it at least a night or was she going to immediately seek to find the hidden pieces of Angel’s life.

“You play with fire Angelus.”

Sliding his hardening gaze towards the male across from him he coolly asked, “What ever could you mean?”

Recognizing his tact Simon quietly explained. “Your obsessions have never ended well, as you know. But this time---“

“This time what?” Angelus fairly purred, itching to find a way to get his frustration and fury out.

“This time the world may tremble from it.”

“A bit poetic for even your tastes, wouldn’t you say?” Angelus caustically growled.

Although realizing the danger of provoking a vampire like Angelus, despite the tenuous peace between them, Simon refused to leave without saying his say. “She’s the Slayer Angelus. Never before has a Slayer and a vampire been bonded this way.”

“You know about it?” Angelus asked with a note of curiosity.

“News like that always travels fast.” Leaning forward the older man asked, “Has it occurred to you what a prize you’ve created for the dark world at large?”

A measure of respect flashed across Angelus’ eyes briefly. Actually he had had no idea that it was even possible to be bonded with a Slayer, much less the ramifications of such a joining.

Instead of thinking about the short-lived pleasures or staring at Angelus in awe, Simon was thinking ten steps ahead---his intelligence was a quality that Angelus had always respected him for. It was nice to know that although much had changed since he last walked the earth, Simon hadn't changed. “She’s mine and all know it,” he arrogantly declared.

“Yes, I heard about your tasteful display on the table.” A note of censure colored his accented voice, clearly shouting his displeasure. “They’re all watching you Angelus. One wrong step and it’ll blow in your face.”

Arching his brow imperiously the dark vampire asked, “Excuse me Simon, but I’ve never gotten a warm, fuzzy feeling from you before. Why do you care what happens?”

“I’m somewhat a keeper of peace here Angelus, between our world and theirs.” Gesturing with his gaze he clearly meant the otherworldly and human. “If you do something to jeopardize this balance, we all feel it.”

Smirking the dark vampire stated, “You worry too much Simon. I’m more than capable of destroying any challengers. If anybody has a suicidal tendency to try to take her, I’ll send him on his way to Hell.”

Seemingly looking at Druscilla twirl across the dance floor he coldly murmured, “Besides, the Slayer is mine and she’ll stay that way.”

Following Angelus’ stare Simon acknowledged the pretty vampiress and all she represented. “Just like her?”

“It’s different this time,” he casually yet firmly stated.

“Is it?” the blond vampire softly probed.

Glaring at Simon Angelus bit off, “Of course it is! She loves me.”

“You or your other self?”

His deadly fingers tightened into a fist. Respectful or not, Simon’s words had the ability to rankle him, to worm their way into his deepest insecurities. “She loves ME now.”

“And so did the others.”

“No they didn’t.”

“Maybe not at the end, but they did love you once.”

"What are trying to get at?"

"I'm just trying to warn you. It seems that I'm the only one with balls big enough to do so."

Relaxing his fist Angelus acknowledged the dryly spoken truth disguised as a quip. "You've never lacked in the balls department Simon. I thought my face would never heal."

Remembering that long-ago night the blond vampire smiled, revealing flashing white teeth. "Likewise. My poor Marie must have fed me three times that night and still my nose would not straighten."

The smile dropped from his handsome face as he continued. "The last time you ran through obsession, you lost yourself for a century. It may happen again."

Angelus peered at Simon before curving his lips in a ruthless smile. “This is different. She’s obsessed with me. She seeks me. She NEEDS me. Soon, I'll be all she has.”

Simon took the other vampire’s measure for several moments. Finally he nodded once and said, “And so how does it feel to be the first vampire in history to claim a Slayer?”

“Just another notch on my belt,” Angelus casually tossed out before signaling to a lusciously curved waitress.

“Maybe a notch, but a rather big notch wouldn’t you say?”

Laughing shortly the dark vampire asked with a warning note, “That’s not jealousy I hear, is it Simon?”

Levelly staring at Angelus he replied, “I wouldn’t trade places with you for all the wealth in the world.”

Something in the tone of the other vampire’s voice convinced Angelus even as a feeling of disquiet snaked about him. Just then the waitress arrived with a decanter and two glasses. Gracefully settling them on the table she quickly took her leave. Focusing his once-more relaxed attention on Simon Angelus asked, “Have you fulfilled your duties as priest yet, or am I required to perform more confession?”

Mirthlessly smiling the dubbed priest stated, “One more question Angelus and I’ll leave you to your own company.” Awaiting a nod he simply asked, “Until when?”

Angelus completely understood the cryptically short question. Taking a measured drink this time he merely replied, “Until I’m tired of her.”

Simon took a sip of his own drink before quietly asking his boldest question yet. “And if she tires of you?”

Angelus’ eyes became hard and inhuman as they stared into Simon’s. Thinking about what he’d find in L.A. he spoke so softly that even the blond vampire had to strain to hear it. “I’ll kill her first.”