A/N: Wow! Thanks for all the feedback from the last chapter! I'm glad all of you seem to be enjoying the story so far, and I'm really glad all of you are wondering about the history between Angel and Andronikos. Don't worry, you get some more tidbits of information in this chapter, but you'll get the full story next chapter. (I know, I'm evil.)

Also, I'm changing a few character traits and actions in this story. Spike is definitely going to be more like he was in the later seasons, and he and Angel will get along...most of the time. Buffy will also start seeing Spike as a true ally...after a few things are sorted out...like Spike working for Adam. lol

Okay, I do believe that we are ready to proceed with the story!

Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy. If I did...Angel would have punched Xander more, had more lines, and would have NEVER left. I also think that penquins have a distinct possibility at ruling the world, that aliens exist, and that I want to get a dog and name her Kitty. Still think I own Buffy?

Angel ducked underneath a low hanging branch as he led everyone through the woods. The scent was getting stronger, and Angel had to stop himself from simply taking off and leaving them all to find Buffy. The fact of the matter was that he needed the Scoobies. He didn't doubt that Andronikos had some booby-traps set up, or any other diversion. Then again, there was the possibility that he hadn't even bothered, knowing that Angel would come for Buffy, because in reality, this was between him and Andronikos. Buffy was just the bait and an added bonus. Another annoying fact, it was pointless to try to predict anything Andronikos would do.

It had been a hundred years since he'd last met Andronikos. They'd been in France at the time, and Angel had barely escaped with his head still on his shoulders. It would be foolish to think that Andronikos would give up, but apparently after that incident he'd lost interest in their constant rivalry. Angel cursed inwardly. He was no longer Angelus, and he did not want to continue the rivalry that had existed between Angelus and Andronikos.

But that didn't matter right now. Right now he had to find Buffy before it was too late. Angel knew that she was still alive, he could feel it. But she was weak and in pain, and it was his fault. Why did he only ever bring her pain? Was that part of his curse too? Angel almost snorted at the thought. He wouldn't be surprised if it was.

Suddenly, Angel halted and raised his hand to tell the others to do the same. Before them was the mouth of the caves. Buffy was down there somewhere, and it took all of Angel's control not to take off into the caves.

Instead he turned around to face the others, "Alright, we're going to have to split up. Go in groups of two or three. Be careful though, I wouldn't be surprised if he has the place wired to explode or something else just as dramatic," Angel explained disdainfully.

"Alrighty then," Willow said with a slight smile, just barely able to keep the shake out of her voice as she took Oz's hand. "Let's do this."

Angel offered her a small smile and it seemed to ease Willow's fears just a little. "Spike you're with me," Angel ordered and Spike smiled.

"I'd expect nothing less. It's almost as if you don't trust me."

"I don't."

"Good."

Angel rolled his eyes as he entered the caves. The entrance split into four separate tunnels. Angel paused for a moment, trying to feel through the connection that he and Buffy still shared. He finally settled on the far left tunnel.

"We're going this way," Angel said definitively and Spike immediately fell into step slightly behind him as they made their way through the tunnel. Hold on Buffy. Angel thought to himself. Just a little bit longer.

Angel and Spike continued down the tunnel until a soft cry reached their ears. Angel growled and strode forward. He knew that they were close. He could hear Andronikos speaking, "I wonder why he's not here to save you," he taunted, making Angel's fist clench. "Perhaps he doesn't care about you enough. He's not willing to die for you…like you were for him."

Angel vamped out and turned to Spike, who was already wearing his game face, "You get Buffy out of here" Angel ordered.

Spike nodded and they rounded the final corner of the tunnel. A small room had been carved and they could see a flicker of yellow light. That's when Angel saw her. Rage. Pure rage coursed through his veins. He could hardly recognize Buffy. Her beautiful blonde hair was now a strawberry blonde because of the blood in it. Her face was bruised and swollen. Cuts adorned her body, and the smell of burnt flesh stung his nostrils. In Andronikos' hand was a bright red poker, and Angel found himself frozen in his anger.

"He never loved you apparently," Andronikos taunted, waving the poker in her face.

Angel watched as Buffy's green eyes flared defiantly. "Yes. He. Did."

Andronikos laughed, "Then why isn't he here?"

"Who says I'm not?" Angel interjected quietly, causing Andronikos to spin around to face him.

The Greek vampire's eyes gleamed, "I knew you would come. Forgive me for having a little fun…not too much fun though," Andronikos chuckled. "I was going to save that until later…"

During this time, Spike had been slowly making his way towards Buffy. He may not like the Slayer, but he couldn't help the grudging respect he had for her. The only Slayer he'd never been able to kill…he had to admire her for that, no matter how infuriating it was.

"But no matter," Andronikos continued. "This will be much more fun…letting her watch me kill you. That would be the ultimate torture, don't you think?"

"I'd love to see you try," Angel smirked. "France wasn't all that long ago."

Andronikos pierced him with a fiery glare, "Not for our kind, no."

By now, Spike had reached Buffy and was beginning to break her manacles open. Buffy looked at him questioningly, but Spike only grinned. "I'm surprised too pet," he whispered as he broke another manacle and hauled her into his arms.

"Why don't we take this outside?" Angel suggested, trying to get Andronikos as far away from Buffy as possible. She was too vulnerable for a fight to break out with her this close.

"Why not start things here?" Andronikos asked. "Don't think I don't know what you're doing."

"Of course not," Angel replied easily. "But don't think I'm stupid enough to fight you down here."

"Who says you have a choice?" Andronikos asked before launching himself at Angel.

Spike took his only chance and darted from the room, running through the tunnels as fast as he could. He bolted out of the mouth of the caves and saw that everyone else was waiting. They all rushed at him when they saw the small, bloody figure in his arms.

"Oh God," Xander mumbled as he took in his friend's appearance.

"Relax," Spike murmured. "The Slayer will heal up nicely."

"Where's Angel?" Giles asked just as the ground beneath them shook.

Spike grinned, "Fighting."

Angel shook his head, scattering the dirt in his hair. Another wall had just collapsed. This time because he'd thrown Andronikos into it. Slowly, they were moving towards the cave entrance. Angel knew he wouldn't be able to hold Andronikos off much longer in this confined space. He needed room to move. The main problem was that Andronikos was over a century older than Angel, giving him an automatic advantage. But Angel was the better fighter. Andronikos knew that, therefore he was determined to keep Angel confined to the tunnels.

Still, that didn't stop him from tossing Angel into the tunnel wall, part of the tunnel behind them collapsing due to the impact. Before Angel could even make the move to get up, Andronikos hauled him to his feet and threw him out of the caves. However, Angel managed a back flip while he was airborne, so he landed on his feet.

"You've turned into quite the acrobat since we last met," Andronikos chuckled as they began to circle each other.

"You haven't changed all that much," Angel replied smoothly. "Still relaying on strength and age."

"And you're still hoping that your little tricks will save you," Andronikos shot back. "We both know that only one version of you can beat me…and it's not the one that is before me."

"I don't need to be Angelus to kill you," Angel argued, ignoring the evidence to the contrary.

"Of course you do," Andronikos shot back. "You're not half the fighter Angelus is."

"We'll see," Angel replied shrugging nonchalantly before launching himself at Andronikos.

The two vampires then began a complicated, violent dance. Neither vampire appeared to be able to land a blow. Each one of them blocked the others attacks flawlessly. Punch for punch, kick for kick, every strike was blocked.

Finally, one of Angel's roundhouse kicks connected with Andronikos' jaw, sending him flying into a tree that groaned from the impact. Wasting no time, Angel rushed forward and grabbed the front of Andronikos' jacket, throwing him into another tree that actually snapped and crashed to the ground. Angel rushed at the vampire again, but this time Andronikos was ready and he dealt a wicked kick to Angel's chest that sent him flying back.

Not willing to lose the advantage he had gained, Andronikos launched himself at Angel, raising a makeshift stake high in the air, ready to plunge it into Angel's chest. Angel's eyes widened and his hands shot out and caught the stake, just as it hovered an inch over his heart. Angel gritted his teeth as the stake slowly lowered towards his heart until he could literally feel the tip pierce the skin.

A movement out of the corner of his eye caught Angel's attention. It was slow, but still graceful. A poker embedded itself into Andronikos' back, causing him to scream in pain, leaping off Angel. He glared at Angel, "This isn't over. It's only just begun!" he growled before limping off into the woods.

Angel looked down at his chest and noticed that the stake was still there. He didn't even want to know how much further it needed to go before it pierced his heart, so he grabbed it and pulled, grunting at the pain.

"What are you doing here?" Buffy demanded breathlessly as she staggered towards him.

Angel grimaced as he stood up, "Saving you."

"Weird, cause I just saved you," Buffy managed a small smile.

"Then I guess we're even," Angel replied quietly with an answering smile.

"Well that's good," Buffy said quietly, beginning to sway on her feet. "Cause I think I'm about to pass out now," she slurred and Angel rushed forward to catch her as she collapsed.

He was momentarily stunned to hold her in his arms again. He'd always marveled at how small she was, yet she was still just as strong as he was, maybe stronger. He grinned slightly as he remembered when they'd first met. He really had expected her to be taller. Angel was snapped out of memory lane when his sensitive hearing picked up faint footfalls, and labored breathing. The Scoobies had spotted them. He possibly only had a few more seconds to hold her, and he wanted to cherish it. The last time he'd held her was that day. That wonderful day that only he remembered. Angel sighed as he pushed back the flood of memories that poured into his mind and focused on his unconscious lover before him.

Gathering her gently into his arms, Angel stood and began to walk back to where he'd caught a glimpse of the others. He didn't have to wait long before they all came running towards him.

"Buffy!" Riley cried as he came to a stop in front of Angel.

"How the hell did she get away from you?" Angel asked no one in particular. She shouldn't have been there to save him.

"Well we—we," Willow faltered in her nervousness. "While you were fighting the vampire we started to take Buffy home. But she told us to go back, and well, we didn't think that was a good idea, but you know how she gets when she has her mind set on something."

Angel nodded, "Which one of you did she hit?" He really didn't have to ask, the already developing shiner on Xander's eye was answer enough. Angel managed to conceal his smile. Finally, that boy got what was coming to him.

"We need to get Buffy to a hospital," Giles said quietly.

That seemed to be enough to pull Buffy back to consciousness, "No…hospitals…" she mumbled.

Giles's face softened, "We must. Your injuries are too severe."

Buffy feebly shook her head, "No."

"Buffy—," Giles began to argue, but Angel interrupted.

"Compromise," he said looking down at Buffy. "I've still got all those medical supplies at the mansion."

Buffy considered it for a moment before nodding weakly, and Angel grinned in triumph. Riley reached for Buffy, and Angel fought the urge to pull her away from him. But Buffy was Riley's girlfriend, not his. Even though what he and Buffy had shared had gone far beyond boyfriend and girlfriend. So when Riley began to pull her away from him, and Buffy's hand grabbed a fistful of Angel's shirt in unconscious protest, Angel could barely conceal his smirk, his male pride flaring. Riley's face fell, but he made no other move to take Buffy.

"We need to get her to the mansion," Angel said quickly, starting towards the direction they came.

The walk back to the cemetery was quiet, only broken by snapping twigs and chirping crickets. For Giles, it was a walk riddled with thought. The Watcher had learned much in a short period of time…mainly about Angel. Either Angel had changed drastically since his departure, or they were seeing the side of him that only Buffy had ever seen. Somehow, Giles knew it was a little bit of both.

Giles remembered the fight he had witnessed with great clarity. Even with his human eyes, he had been able to see the majority of the fight. But sometimes the two vampires had just been blurs. He'd never seen any two vampires move with such speed. He'd seen Angel fight before, or at least he thought he had. He had seen Buffy and Angel spare a few times, but those times it had obviously been more for fun than in all seriousness. Yet even then, it had been plain to see that Angel was a terrific fighter. However, it was now apparent that Angel had not been fighting to the best of his ability then. From what Giles had seen, Angel was probably without a doubt one of the best, if not the best fighter in the vampire world. It only enforced the already established respect he had retained even when he was ensouled. No vampire that valued his or her life would willingly cross Angel.

And yet, Angel had still almost lost the fight. Giles had not seen the end of the fight, but he did notice the red stain on Angel's shirt right over his heart. No doubt, Angel had almost lost not only the fight, but his life as well. The thought that Andronikos could beat a skilled vampire like Angel was more than simply disconcerting.

But the conversation between Angel and Andronikos concerned Giles even more. Obviously, there was some rivalry between the two vampires. Or at least there had been a rivalry between Angelus and Andronikos. But something had happened. Angel had done something to set Andronikos on the vengeful path he was currently on. The thought that Buffy had gotten caught up in one of Angel's messes caused a fiery anger to course through the Watcher's veins. His Slayer had almost died because of her former lover's past…again.

However, what was important at the moment was that Buffy was safe. Giles was still not wholly thrilled that they were not going to a hospital, but he no matter how grudgingly trusted Angel. Or rather, he trusted him enough to know that he would do anything in his power to protect Buffy. That was enough for now.

The truth was that Giles was scared of Angel. Angel was unpredictable. He was an enigma. When he and Buffy had been together, Giles had never really given much thought to exactly who Angel was. He knew what he had been, and that had been worrying enough. He'd never really gotten to know who Angel was as a person. But Buffy obviously had...and by the relationship that they had shared, she'd liked what she'd seen. Giles had never given much thought to the idea that Angel could be humorous or playful...or like tonight, enraged.

When he and Buffy had been together, he'd seen how happy Buffy was when she was with him, and after a year he had realized that perhaps it was not a simple high school crush that they shared. That idea had been hard to swallow, but he couldn't deny the looks in the two's eyes. They loved each other, whether he liked it or not. The passion the two had shared for each other had been so great, Giles had never seen anything like it before. It was almost as if they were simply made for each other. They completed each other. Yin and Yang. Buffy the light. Angel the darkness. And then sometimes the positions were reversed. Giles glanced at Angel out of the corner of his eye. The unmistakable look was still there. Angel still loved Buffy.

But what did Buffy feel? Giles frowned. He knew that she liked Riley. They were obviously happy together. Riley was everything Giles could ever want for the girl he considered his daughter. He could have done without the Initiative, but in the end he was glad that Riley could at least defend himself from the horrors Buffy faced. But still, Giles tried to remember if he'd ever seen that look in Buffy's eyes when she was with Riley. Giles frowned when he realized the answer. He hadn't. There was no spark in Buffy's eyes. No fire. Perhaps she did love him…but it was not in the way she loved Angel.

Giles sighed as he accepted the conclusion he'd made. They had all been so happy when Riley had come into the picture. Buffy had been so sad after Angel had left, and Giles couldn't help the anger and resentment he still felt towards Angel for causing his Slayer so much pain, however noble the vampire's intentions had been. After Angel had left, it was almost like a dark rain cloud followed Buffy everywhere. But then Riley had come into her life, almost as if he was the sun that made rain go away. However, now Giles realized the poor boy had only been holding an umbrella. Did Buffy realize?

His thoughts were put to rest when he saw the vehicles parked along the curb. Giles opened the door to the backseat of Angel's car and Angel gently laid Buffy across the seat. However, Buffy held onto his shirt and Giles could have sworn he heard Angel laugh quietly as he pried her fingers from his shirt.

"I'll meet you at the mansion," Angel said quietly as he opened the driver's side door and got in, turning the key, starting the engine.

"Right," Giles replied with a nod. Angel nodded in return before pulling away from the curb.

As he drove to the mansion, everything really hit Angel full force. The adrenaline from the fight had faded, and he felt every ache and pain that one would expect after being thrown into walls and fighting a three hundred and sixty year old vampire. The stab would from the stake had already closed, but he knew it had left an irritated red mark.

Andronikos was back. Angel cursed in Gaelic, and hit the steering wheel to vent his anger. He began to mutter under his breath, his old Irish brogue entering his tone like it always did when he was agitated. He would have to wait until he got to the mansion before he unleashed all his frustration and anger on the punching bag. Andronikos would pay. He would pay for what he had done to Buffy. No doubt Buffy would hate him for what he had brought upon her. How could she not? He had caused her life to be in danger…again. Would he ever find a way not to hurt her?

Woo! That was fun, wasn't it? We finally got some action, Buffy is safe for the moment, AND Riley totally got shut down, even when Buffy was unconcious...come on Riley, can't you take a hint? Anyway, we also got some more history and background in this chapter. I know, I know, what exactly happened in France? You will find out next chapter...promise! lol Also, I think that we never really see how much thinking and exactly how observant Giles really is. He's the ultimate watcher for a reason. I think in season 4 the writers really overlooked that. According to what they had established in the first 3 seasons, I think Giles should have realized what was going on. But then we all know the writer's of the show would have said something like, "Buffy really did love Riley, just not like she loved Angel." That's a load of bull. She never loved him at all, she only convinced herself that she did. There's a reason she never really opened up to Riley! Okay...done ranting...must edit the next chapter...lots and lots of fun to be had!

Reviews bring me happiness,

ArthursCamelot