A/N- I've taken a few libterties in this. I tried to keep the timing as close to the real thing as possible... but I digress.. I bent things just a little bit... I'm putting it out there up front. I'm trying to follow the cannon as much as I can, but at the same time let the story develop.

A/N 2- Warning! I'm not very nice to Angelus in this fic. He is evil. I just watched 'Passion.' 'nough said.

Chapter 2 {Captive}

"It's kill or be killed here, take your bloody pick" Spike 4x8 Pangs

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

"I knew she would bring you." The elder gypsy spoke as he heard the door open. "I suppose you want answers."

"Not Really" Buffy answered him as she strode into the room. "Angelus is on his way to kill you. You're just lucky I got here first." The man's eyes widened at her words, though he continued to puff on his pipe knowingly.

"Well, no matter," he spoke again, haughtiness filling his tone. "What is done is done. Now you must do your duty, and kill him."

Buffy grabbed blindly, the rage filling her had the old man's hands tied and pinned behind his back before he ever registered she moved.

"I swear, if one more person tells me to kill Angel, I am going to put a stake in them!" She hissed.

"Buffy!" Ms. Calendar's voice cut into her anger. "What are you doing?"

"I'm taking him with me." Buffy stated, her voice indicating she was not going to be trifled with. "I need to get to the apartment and stop Angel, and I need both you and your uncle's cooperation to re-curse him."

"I will not!" The old man bellowed. "You will never get away with this!" He struggled feebly against her grasp.

"Considering no one but Jenny went to your funeral the last time, I'm thinking I will." Buffy said sweetly. Daring a look at Ms. Calendar she added. "I'm not going to hurt him, but right now taking him with us is the best way to keep him safe. I'm hoping to have Angelus captured by tonight, but knowing my luck…"

Jenny nodded, remembering the last conversation she had with her uncle. She wasn't feeling too inclined to help him right now. "I don't know if he'll help you Buffy, but I promise I will." She assured the girl. Her uncle's eyes bulged in outrage.

"You will do no such thing Janna!" He sputtered. "Vengeance is a living thing! You will not interfere!"

Jenny gazed into the eyes of the only family she had left, and spoke softly. "You would have died if Buffy hadn't come here Uncle. Angelus may deserve death, but Buffy certainly does not, and neither does Angel."

*

Buffy took him to the mansion. She wasn't really sure where else to go with him. It wasn't like she was an expert on holding hostages. She found it a bit ironic that in the span of a day she was hopefully going to have two. She explained more to Jenny on the way. Having to tell Ms. Calendar about her own death definitely didn't rank on her list of things to do again in the next century.

"Poor Rupert!" Jenny gasped.

"Yeah he took it pretty hard. He really likes you." Buffy smiled at the teacher. "He went after Angelus and nearly got himself all burned up in the process." Tears stung her eyes as she remembered Giles, face down on the factory floor. She shook her head "I don't know a whole lot about the curse, you died before…" She trailed off and glanced somewhat sheepishly at the teacher. "Anyway," She continued "Pretty much all I know is that you found it, and that you need this orby thingy… I think it was called the Orb of Thessula? Giles has one he's using as a paperweight." She remembered with a bit of a grin.

Jenny's mouth quirked up at the thought. That was just like Rupert

"If I died, how did Angel end up re-cursed?" She asked softly.

Buffy stared out the window, allowing the memories to come.

"Willow found the curse." She began "You had saved a copy of it on a floppy disk... After you died Willow pretty much took over teaching your class for the rest of the school year." Buffy's gaze grew distant as she slipped further into the past. "Willow tried to re-curse him, but she got attacked by a group of vampires before she could finish. They killed Kendra and put Willow in the hospital." Not to mention the fact that they made off with Giles, and Angelus tortured him for a while… She left it unsaid. Some things people were better off not knowing.

Her hands clenched on her lap as she grappled with the memories. "That's when I really understood what I had to do."

Jenny listened to the story observing the distance in the young girl's eyes.

"Angelus activated Acathla." Buffy let out a hysterical laugh "It turned out it was his blood that opened it, and once activated, only his blood would close it." Her voice shuttered. No matter how many time she told this story it never got any easier. "Willow tried the curse again from the hospital... I-It worked at the last minute- But it was already too late."

Jenny watched as Buffy's face filled with the horror she must have felt when she realized what she had to do.

"I kissed him, told him I loved him, and then I killed him." Buffy's voice had grown so soft Jenny had to strain to hear the last words.

"Buffy…." Jenny wasn't sure what to say to this young girl that had clearly been through so much. Buffy raised her hand to stop her.

"It was a long time ago." She spoke quietly. "What's important now is stopping Angelus and getting Angel back." Buffy got out of the car. "And Jenny? If there is anyway to re-curse him without the loophole? It would really help a lot." Jenny nodded.

"I'll see what I can do."

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

As Buffy entered the apartment she felt a wave of sorrow overwhelm her. The events of the day were beginning to weigh on her, and she had a feeling it was going to get worse before it got better. It had been a shock to open her eyes and find herself suddenly 4 years in the past. It was horrifying to realize she was going to have to confront Angelus again. As she looked around the room that held some of the best and worst memories of her life, she wondered if they would be able to send her back to her time; and then wondered if she even wanted to go back. Mom was dead. Giles was gone. Angel was gone. If she had to be alive, this time was just as good a time as any, she supposed.

Buffy sat on the bed that she and Angel had made love on so many years before. She drank in the scent of their combined essences. Blissfully she wished to curl up, close her eyes, and never wake. The memory of everything she was, everything she had done, with Parker, with Riley, and eventually Spike flooded her. And Buffy wept for all she had lost, and all she had become.

Hearing the door open, Buffy climbed off the bed, ready to do battle. She listened to Angelus rummaging through Angel's clothes, took a deep breath, and stepped out of the bedroom to face the music.

"Angel" Her voice was hardly a whisper. She forced the words out, her throat suddenly tight. She didn't want him know that she was aware of his change. "Where did you go? I was so worried."

She watched as Angelus gave her a once-over, taking in her rumpled appearance. It occurred to her she probably looked much like she had that day many years before. Her eyes swollen from crying, her clothes wrinkled from lying on his bed. Her heart pounded in her chest, anxiety coursing through her veins.

"I took off" The nonchalant tone of his voice was an abrasive reminder of things she longed to forget.

"But you didn't say anything…. you just left." Bile rose in her throat as she spoke the words, an echo from her past. Carefully inching closer, she closed her hand around the tranquilizer dart in her pocket.

"Yeah" His voice was cold, void of emotion. "Like I really wanted to stick around after that." Buffy's body filled with rage as he continued the monolog that haunted her so many nights in her sleep. "You've got a lot to learn about men kiddo." He smirked. "Although, I guess you proved that last night."

Buffy knew the next line was hers, but she couldn't bring herself to continue the scene any further. Clutching the dart she lunged.

Angelus looked surprised when she shot towards him, but recovered quick enough to avoid the needle she thrust his way. Growling he pounced. "What? Can't take the rejection?" He taunted. "I've done dead girls that were better than you!" Buffy blocked out the barb and went at him again. The years of fighting experience she now had showing.

Angelus' eyes went wide as he took in her new fighting style.

"Holding back on me where ya?" He taunted "What? Afraid you were gonna hurt me?"

Buffy tuned out his jeers, executing a flawless kick to his groin. She followed it by bringing her elbow crashing into the back of his head. Her anger at Angelus for all he had put her through added fuel to an already blazing fire. Buffy's leg shot out again, launching him across the room. She stalked after him, grabbing Angelus by the shoulders and banging his head into the wall unmercifully.

"That is for Ms. Calendar!" She yelled, tossing him headlong into Angel's desk. Following him she kicked again, arms flying as her furry mounted. "This is for Kendra!" Her fist shot out, further bloodying his tattered face. "This is for Angel!" She bellowed, banging his head into the wall once more.

Angelus got up, staggering as he ran at her again. His mouth set in a grim line as he realized he had been caught off guard, and the slayer now had the advantage. He got a kick in, enjoying the sight of her flying into the wall, her head bouncing as it collided with concrete. He watched her get up and come at him again. He lunged. Grabbing the coat rack she vaulted over him, hitting him from behind. Buffy enjoyed the look of shock on his face as her next words registered in his mind.

"And this is for everything you did to me! Angelus" A needle was thrust into his neck, and than mercifully, everything went black.

Buffy stared down at the dark vampire, hardly able to believe she had bested him in battle. Her whole body shook from the effort to stay standing as she shackled Angelus' hands and began to walk towards the mansion. She stopped in surprise when a car pulled up along side her.

"Put him in Buffy, I'll take you where you need to go." Buffy stared at Ms. Calendar for a long moment before she nodded and allowed Ms. Calendar to help her place Angel in the backseat.

"Drive fast, I don't know how long that thing will keep him knocked out for."

Jenny looked at the girl sitting next to her. Buffy's clothes were torn, and blood dripped from a number of wounds on her face and arms. Yet the girl sat in stoic silence.

"We'll find a way you know, to bring him back." She spoke reassuringly.

Buffy nodded.

"I know"

She felt the bile rise again as she looked back at Angel's battered face. He leaves me anyway.

Buffy chained Angelus up quietly. Carefully she checked the drapes, making sure the sun could not find its way in to harm him. Weighing the pros and cons, Buffy finally decided to question Jenny about magically binding the shackles. Thankfully Jenny was able and willing to perform the spell that was ultimately necessary to keep Angelus contained. Once it was completed, Buffy turned her attention to the mansion's other occupant.

She found Ms. Calendar's uncle resting, as peacefully as he was able, in a room down the hall. Making sure to leave him food and water, she spoke as she turned to leave.

"I caught him you know. I did it." The man's eyes flickered to hers, and than darted away, intent on ignoring her. "He's chained down the hall. No thanks to you." A gleam entered her eye "Although… I suppose you'll be the first one he eats if he gets loose…" Buffy grinned at the brief look of terror that crossed his face as she headed for the door. I just enjoyed that way too much.

Standing in front of Angelus again, Buffy allowed herself to reach out and stroke his face, smoothing the lines on his brow. It had been a long time since she had seen Angel. With his eyes closed it was harder to tell the difference between the two. Angelus looked almost peaceful. Buffy shook her head and walked away.

Knowing with her luck, things would get much worse, before they got better.

Climbing back through her window, Buffy breathed a sigh of relief that she had gotten back to her house without incident. She was bone tired and wanted nothing more than to fall into her bed and drift blissfully into sleep. Of course it was not to be. No sooner had she gotten in her window than the light flicked on. Buffy gulped as she took in her mother, standing in her room, glowering at her daughter as only a mother truly can.

"Uh… Mom… hi…" Buffy squeaked. I am so busted…

"Just what do you think you are doing young lady?" Her mother's voice could not be more patronizing if she tried. "Sneaking around?! Climbing in windows at all hours of the night?!"

Oh you know, just out, saving the world again…

Buffy sighed and looked at her mother, knowing no excuse she gave would stop what was coming. As much as she understood why her mother was doing what she was, the 21 year old in her still stamped its foot angrily. She opened her mouth, wracking her brain for something to say that wouldn't sound completely neurotic. She fleetingly wondered if the slayer's handbook had anything to say on the subject. '101 reasons I was climbing back in my window at 1am' A slayer's guide for dummies, or something like that. Hey, a girl can hope, not that it helps me much now... Note to self, ask Giles about the Slayer handbook.

"You know what? I don't want to hear it!" her mother threw her hands in the air, thoroughly disgusted.

"But, I-"

"I am trying to build a new life for us here, and you have done nothing but sabotage my efforts! And I intend to put a stop to it! I thought things were getting better, that maybe, just maybe, you were coming around. You want to play hardball? Fine!" Her mother's voice rose as she came to her finish. "You are grounded Buffy Summers!"

And why is it I *always* manage to get grounded right around the time the world needs saving?

"Look, mom, I-" She was cut off by the door slamming loudly in her face.

Final score, Mom 2, Buffy 0.

Shaking her head she crawled into bed. Absently she wondered what Angelus would do when he woke up and realized she had not only beaten him in a fight, but had also taken him prisoner. She was betting on him being livid with anger. Of course, Angelus was usually livid with anger.

Pondering the turn her life had taken, Buffy rolled over and went to sleep.

The next morning Buffy took extra care when leaving the house. The last thing she wanted was another visit from her mother first thing in the morning. She stopped by the butcher shop before heading to the mansion with fresh blood for Angelus.

At least he couldn't say she was 'trying to starve him' she muttered to herself.

Speaking of starving people… Buffy spun on her heel as she doubled back. Hostages were really not her thing. She had completely forgotten to grab food for Ms. Calendar's uncle.

The mansion was quiet when she entered, a peaceful disguise to evil she knew lurked there. She came to a stop in front of Angelus, making sure to stay out of his reach.

"Slayer" He hissed. His face contorting as he took her in.

"Vampire" She returned smartly, sounding much like a teacher. Than, holding up the container she inclined her head. "Blood" she grinned. Angelus turned away as though to refuse and Buffy rolled her eyes. *As if*

Carefully she set the blood down close enough for him to reach, and left him to his feeding. Walking down the hall she noted that she didn't really expect a better a welcome from hostage number 2.

The elder gypsy regarded her with wary eyes when she brought him his food.

"Why do you this?" He spat out the question in obvious contempt. "You betray your calling, your mission, all for this thing." He sneered, watching the girl's eyes flicker over him.

He felt her dismissal before she even spoke.

"He's a thing? Of coouurrse… he's a thing." She threw her hands up in the air, as if it had just occurred to her. "That makes it easier for you, doesn't it? Calling him a thing. It makes it easier to ignore the fact that the soul YOU gave him makes him so much more than that! Angelus deserves every bit of torment you want to dish out. Angel does not!"

"He is a vampire! A killer! A beast! He deserves to suffer for hundreds of years for what he has done!" Disgust colored his voice. "You are a shame to your people!" He spat.

"Yep, that's me! Shame-y Buffy. Glad you got that figured that out." She shook her head as she left the room. "I am done with this conversation."

From the moment Buffy re-entered the main hall she could feel Angelus' eyes watching her. Collecting the now-empty container of blood she turned to confront him.

"What? Is my make up smeared?" Buffy taunted crossly. She was not in the mood for Angelus' games. His dark eyes gleamed as he took in her stance, poised, ready to do battle. Something was off. There was something different about her. It set him on guard and made him wary. He liked to think he knew this opponent better than she knew herself. Now he was discovering it simply wasn't true. It didn't make sense. He recalled her words from in the apartment. She had called him Angelus

"So, what's the trick?" He finally growled, curiosity getting the better of him. "How did you know it was me and not your precious Soul-Boy?" And why aren't you more freaked out? His mind added silently. Loosing Angel should have thrown her at little bit, at least temporarily.

Buffy studied him, debating her answer. Her eyes took in Angel's strong features. His legs were lithe and limber, silent and deadly. His arms were strong and safe, swift and dangerous. She stared at his chest, wishing she could burrow herself deep inside and never come out. It was strong as steel, and yet soft as rain. Finally, Buffy raised her eyes to look into his face. She took in the brow that was forever wrinkled in worry, his lips that worshiped her so long ago. Buffy stared at his dark hair that was always mussed, and his chin that was as stubborn as she. Slowly Buffy raised her eyes to his, almost shuttering at the emptiness in his gaze. Pulling herself away from his hypnotic eyes, she grinned at him wickedly.

"Don't you wish you knew?" She turned, giving him a perfect view of her ass as she strode out of the mansion. Not once did she look back.

Angelus shook his head as he watched her leave, a wry grin covering his face. He was still no closer to figuring things out than he was before. But right now he had just one thing on his mind…That, was hot.

******

The scene in the library could only be described as chaotic. Books covered every surface, and people were strewn haphazardly around the room.

"So we got the missile launcher" Xander was saying, making sure to describe in great detail the heroics he and Cordelia had gone to in order to pull off such a feat.

"It was nothing really, I'm a born actress." Cordelia agreed, tossing her hair. She missed Buffy and Willow's shared look of terror. They had seen Cordelia's so called 'performance' in the school play last year, and it was not a pretty sight. In fact, Buffy was pretty sure she had seen lunch meat that was more interesting… and a lot less scary.

"So Buffy, I gather you were able to subdue Angelus?" Giles brought the group back to the matter at hand.

"Yep, he's all tied up at the mansion." Buffy grinned at her joke. "And hey, he did tell me one time we ought to try chains…" She allowed her voice to trail off as the room became silent. "Guys? I'm kidding." Mostly…

"A- Uh, mansion?" Giles asked quickly, slightly horrified at the direction his mind was taking after her last comment. Of all the bloody mental images I needed…

"Yeah, big housey thingy on Crawford street? You've been there." Buffy reminded him, forgetting for the moment what year she was in.

"I can't say that I have actually." Giles pondered, glancing curiously at Buffy.

"Hey, did you say mansion?!" Xander pounced excitedly. "Way to go Buffster! So… when do we get the tour?" He wriggled his eyebrows up and down, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. Buffy shot a worried frown in his direction.

"Anytime you'd like to come face to face with a nasty vampire and a grumpy gypsy, please be my guest." She pointed out.

"Whoops! Forgot about that" Xander shrugged, quickly abandoning the thought as he returned to his perusal of the doughnuts.

"A gypsy?" Giles rubbed his forehead worriedly, trying to remember if she had mentioned it to him before. "Is it evil?"

"Oh… Um…" Buffy had the good grace to look momentarily ashamed. "Ms. Calendar's Uncle is kinda 'tied up' there too right now… for his own protection of course!" She hastened to explain. "Angelus was going to kill him, and he wasn't being very cooperative, so…." She shrugged innocently.

"I see. So we're taking people hostage now are we Buffy?" Giles scolded her, raising his eyebrows in obvious distaste.

"Only mean nasty ones." Buffy pouted. Giles' retort was cut off when Jenny entered the library.

"Are you aware that Buffy is holding your uncle captive?" He turned to inquire of her. Jenny didn't even look up from the paper she was reading.

"Yes Rupert"

"And you allowed it?" Giles shook his head in wonder. I'm sorry, who are you and what exactly have you done with the real Jenny Calendar?

Hearing his tone Jenny looked up.

"He's a stubborn old man, who was refusing to listen to reason. Buffy did what was needed for the time being."

"I see, and now that Angelus has been subdued? You plan to let him go, correct?" Jenny sighed as she heard his words.

"If we let him go now, he'll show up tomorrow with a hunting party to kill Angelus himself. You don't know him like I do. For now, in order to keep Angel safe…" She allowed the thought to trail off. "He'll be fine, Rupert. And once Angel is able to defend himself again…"

Giles scowled, but admitted defeat. She did have a point.

"I still don't like it" he informed the teacher. Jenny nodded, relived that he had given in so quickly. Looking over at the young slayer she asked the next question she had on her mind.

"Buffy, is there anything else can you tell me about Angel's curse?"

Willow's head popped up quickly and swiveled between the two "So you're really going to help Buffy re-curse Angel? For real? Oh! Oh! Can I help?" She clamored, looking thoroughly intrigued.

"Will, no!" The words tumbled out of Buffy's mouth before she could censor them. Willow cocked her head at her friend, puzzled.

"Why not Buffy? I've been reading about it, and p-practicing some stuff, and I'm getting pretty good." Willow nearly bounced in her seat, her eyes sparkling excitedly.

"That's the problem" Buffy muttered darkly, feeling guilty at the way Willow's face dropped.

"Look Will, in the future, you end up kinda addicted to magic…. I-I just think you should be careful." She hastened to explain.

Willow looked up at Buffy, a slight look of wonderment covering her features.

"Addicted to magic huh? So, am I any good?"

Giles shot a dark look in her direction. "Well, I want to know!" Willow protested indignantly. "It's my future anyways" She tossed her head in a Cordelia-like fashion. Buffy watched her, somewhat worried, wondering if it had been good idea to have mentioned it at all.

"Yeah Will, you're good." She finally answered softly. Turning her attention back to the others, Buffy began to lay out her plan for taking down the Judge. "Tonight he's going down." She declared, looking around. "So, does anyone have any questions?"

Giles watched from a distance, observing the way Buffy took the lead with the children. A few days ago she was hesitant, a somewhat shy girl on the brink of womanhood. There was a remarkable difference in the girl that stood before him now. Although she participated before, it had often fallen to him to come up with the majority of the plans. No so now, Buffy gave orders without flinching, quietly aware of the players' weaknesses and strengths. She appeared undaunted at the thought of battle. Carefully delegating tasks, making sure everyone had a part.

As Giles watched her he couldn't help but be proud of the woman she had become.

"Buffy" he called as she turned to leave. "I'd like to know a bit more about the spell that brought you here. When you get a chance of course, anything you can remember could help me with sending you back to your time."

Lost in his musings, Giles missed the dark look that scurried across her face as she nodded and left the room.

Let me know what you think! Chapter 3 is in the works. It may take some time to get out. I had this great scene written, and then realized that it was completely out of character. I had to scrap it, and start all over again. *shakes head at self sadly*

I know where I want to take this fic, it is just a matter of getting it there. :-D