I am sorry that I haven't updated for so long. But ever since I started my new job last year, I hardly find the time, energy or concentration to sit down and write. And I had major computer problems. But here it is, a new chapter. And I know that most people don't like Riley (me included), but he can be useful for certain storylines.

But since it's been so long since I updated this, I think a short RECAP is in order:

Set in 1898 in Romania. Buffy is a gypsy and her sister has been killed by Angelus. The clan curses him with a soul and Buffy, accompanied by Willow, is chosen to follow him due to the second part of the curse: Angel is supposed to lose his soul when he sleeps with someone who makes him happy. Afterwards, he is supposed to be cursed with a soul forever so that he will suffer the pain of killing someone he loved for eternity. Buffy watches him at night and sees how tormented he is. She starts doubting her mission. One night, Angel tries to dust himself. Buffy saves him. Angel has no idea who she is, but he is fascinated by her. They slowly get closer. One night, they meet Rupert Giles who is traveling through Europe to research vampires, werewolves and witches. The same night, when Buffy and Angel go for a walk they are harassed by some drunk thugs. A fight erupts and Angel is forced to reveal that he is a vampire. Afterwards, Angel is surprised that Buffy is not running away from him. She has to confess that she has always known what he is. This doesn't go over well with Angel. He can't deal with the fact that Buffy knows that he has killed so many people. Buffy also admits that she knows that he killed her sister and what her true mission is. It all ends in a huge argument. Angel sees no future for them. Their argument erupts anew at the inn, where Giles overhears them. He is thrilled to meet his first real vampire. Also, despite Angel having set his mind on leaving Buffy for her own good, she can convince him to give their relationship a try. Buffy and Angel slowly deepen their relationship, but both are very unsure about how to handle the whole situation. Angel is worried about not being good enough for Buffy and Buffy is worried that she can't match up to the women in his past. Then someone from Buffy's clan shows up unexpectedly: Riley.


Chapter 9 – Unexpected Developments

The next morning, Riley was already waiting for them downstairs. "Hi, Buffy. Hi, Willow."

"Riley, what a surprise to see you here," Buffy said, trying to sound enthusiastic.

"A good surprise, I hope. And what a surprise to see you with blonde hair," Riley said, staring at her hair. He didn't look like he approved. "I haven't seen you like this since we were little kids. What brought this on?"

"Well, I just thought it was time for a change."

"A change?"

"Yeah, why not?"

"Sure, why not. Changes are a good thing."

"Um, yeah, I guess. So, what brings you here?" Buffy asked.

"Well, I thought somebody should check up on you. You know, make sure everything is going smoothly and that you have everything you need. And I wanted to surprise you."

"Yes, it's certainly a surprise," Buffy said, forcing a smile.

"So, Willow said everything is going okay with the vampire."

"Yeah, he's not giving us much trouble. Like we wrote in the letters, he moved around a lot at the beginning, but now he seems to have settled."

"Just like Constantin predicted, he wanted to get to a bigger city."

"Yeah."

"I thought I could join you on patrol tonight, give you some company in the lone, cold nights."

"Well, Riley, actually-"

"And I thought, before that you could show me the city a bit. We could go for a walk and you can get me up to date."

"There's really not much to tell. It's all in the letters we sent."

"I know. But I wouldn't mind you telling me everything again, from your very personal perspective. I am very interested in what you think."

"Really, since when?" Buffy was barely able to keep the sarcasm out of her voice.

"I've always been interested in what you think."

"Riley, I really need to get some things done today." Buffy had to warn Angel. They were supposed to meet tonight. She would have to tell him to put on a performance for Riley. "Maybe Willow can show you around for a bit."

"I don't mind helping you with your chores. Let's do them together." He grabbed Buffy's arm, linked it with his own and walked with her towards the door. "So, where do we need to go first?"

"Um… it's not so important," Buffy stammered. "I can do it some other day."

"No, really, it's okay. I am happy to lend a hand."

Buffy looked at Willow for help.

"Don't worry, Buffy," Willow said. "I'll do those things for you. You two enjoy your day." Willow gave Buffy a meaningful look. She knew exactly what Buffy had in mind.

"That's not necessary, Willow," Riley said. "I am happy to help out while I am here."

"No, that's fine. Since you are only here for a short while, you should enjoy the city."

"That's very nice of you, Willow," Riley said and smiled at her and then at Buffy. "You work so hard, Buffy. You deserve some time off."

"Um… well…," Buffy had no further excuses to beg off spending time with Riley. "Willow, can you make sure that…" How to let Willow know what she wanted her to tell Angel?

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it," Willow said and gave her a reassuring look.

Buffy sighed and resigned herself to her fate. She trusted that Willow would explain the situation to Angel.

"Great," Riley said. "And tonight, we follow the vampire together."

"You don't have to come along," Buffy said. But she was aware that Riley would most likely insist on going along.

"I want to."

"You don't believe what I wrote in my reports?" Buffy asked provocatively.

"Of course I believe you. But the elders want a detailed account of my days here. I know you are taking your duty very seriously. And nobody is accusing you of neglecting it. But I think it would help your case if I could give them a first-hand account."

"Sure, I understand."

"Please, Buffy, don't see me as someone who is here on official business. I am your friend. I came to see you, not because the elders sent me. I want to help you. You left not very amicably towards the elders. I mean, they understand that the pain over the death of your sister was still very fresh, but… well… it left them feeling… apprehensive about the whole situation. "

"Apprehensive? You mean they don't trust me because I dared speak my mind."

"They just want to look out for our clan and that isn't always easy. There have to be rules."

"I get it, Riley."

"Buffy, I understand you think this is a check-up on you, but the more I have to report on, the more satisfied the elders will be."

"Sure, whatever you say," she said resigned.


When the sun started to set, Buffy led Riley to the stables where Angel was hiding during the day. When he appeared, they followed him at a fair distance. Buffy was unusually tense. She didn't know what Angel would do and neither did she know what Riley had in mind. Angel seemed to be roaming through the city aimlessly. He never dwelt anywhere for long. Riley seemed content to simply follow and observe.

After they had followed Angel through the city a few hours, Riley asked, "When is he going to feed?"

"He doesn't feed every day, only when he really has to."

Riley looked at her surprised. "How often does he feed?"

"Not very often. He detests it."

"And he mostly feeds on rats and other small animals? I mean, not that I doubt your word, but I can't imagine…" Riley said disgustedly.

"He mainly feeds on rats."

"No wonder he detests it. I would hate that too."

"No, he hates it because he has to drink blood to survive," Buffy clarified. "He hasn't harmed anyone since he got his soul back."

"Interesting," Riley remarked.

"He is a completely different person from the vampire who killed my sister."

"He isn't a person, Buffy. Never forget that. He might still be confused from the curse."

"I don't think so. That is who he is now."

"We don't know that. Buffy, no matter how calm and harmless he seems at the moment, never forget that he can kill you in an instant. Don't get careless. He is a ruthless killer." Riley took her arm and turned her so that she would have to look at him. "Buffy, please, promise me to be careful and never let your guard down."

Buffy was surprised to see the concern in Riley's eyes. "I... I will be careful."

"Good. I don't want anything to happen to you."

They followed Angel for another hour or so and finally he returned to the stables.

"Is that all?" Riley asked. "Does he ever do something more... exciting?"

"No, that's pretty much it," Buffy said and shrugged her shoulders as if she couldn't care less. Angel's performance tonight mirrored exactly what Buffy and Willow had reported in their letters.

"How odd."

"Odd? What do you expect him to do? He has a soul now."

"Soul or no soul, he is still a vampire. He is just as strong and just as ruthless. He still needs blood to survive. His thirst for human blood could reappear any time." Riley turned towards Buffy. "I wish I could stay longer and look after you." He held up a hand to stop her from interrupting him. "Help you, I meant. I know you can take care of yourself. But still, when you are so far away I imagine the worst things happening to you."

"Um… Riley, you don't have to worry. We are doing fine. Everything has been going really well." Buffy looked down, afraid that he would see something in her eyes that would make him suspicious.

Riley lifted her chin. "Buffy, I want you to be honest with me. You can tell me anything. I do report back to the elders, but I would never say anything that would reflect badly on you."

Buffy hadn't expected Riley to be so nice and caring. She had expected his visit to be solely a mission from the elders to make sure she was doing her job. "Really, everything is okay."

"Good. But if you do have any problems, I want you to tell me. I wish I could stay here with you, but that's not possible at the moment. But I can put in a good word for you with the elders."

"Um… Riley, I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything."


When they arrived at the guest house, Buffy excused herself, saying she was very tired. The truth was that she wanted to go and see Angel. Riley stayed downstairs at the pub. While Buffy waited for Riley to go to his room so she could leave undetected she questioned Willow about her meeting with Angel.

"How did he react?"

"He just asked me how long Riley was going to stay. I told him I didn't know."

"And?"

"And what?"

"What else did he say?"

"He didn't say anything. He was just his usual taciturn self."

"Did he look disappointed?"

"Buffy, I don't know. He's hard to read. You know that."

"Yeah, sorry," Buffy said, but her disappointment was clearly written on her face.

"I also talked to Giles," Willow said, trying to change the subject. "Of course he wanted to talk to Riley. But Giles can't be allowed near Riley. And Riley can't find out that he knows us or that we've told him anything."

"Of course, what a surprise," Buffy snorted. "Doesn't he realize how dangerous that is?"

"No, not really. But when I told him that it might get us into a lot of trouble, he agreed to stay away from Riley."

"Let's just hope he sticks to his word."

"Oh, he will," Willow said and grinned. "I don't think that someone like him would break a promise. That would go against his British nature."


When Buffy went downstairs again, Riley was still sitting there and talking with some people. She tried again after another half an hour, but Riley didn't look like he would leave anytime soon. Finally, Buffy was really too tired and went to bed feeling miserable.


The next day, Riley wouldn't let Buffy out of his eyes. After having asked her question after question the day before about what she and Willow had been up to over the last few months, he told her everything that had happened back with the clan. He thought he was doing her a favor, but Buffy had a hard time paying attention. She couldn't care less about what was going on with the other clan members. She could only think about Angel and when she would be able to see him again.

After dinner, when it was already dark, Riley said, "Let's go."

"Go? Where?" Buffy asked, feigning ignorance. She had hoped that Riley wouldn't insist on following Angel again.

"Well, to follow the vampire, of course."

"It'll be hard to find him now," Buffy said.

"Let's use the spell," Riley said excitedly. "I always wanted to see it in action."

"Um… why don't we… I mean… since you are here… wouldn't it be a shame to waste the time following this vamp around? We already went last night. He's really not a very interesting fellow. I wouldn't mind taking a break tonight."

"You are right, his routine is rather boring." Riley hadn't lied to Buffy when he had told her that he wasn't really here on official business. It was what the elders thought, but he couldn't care less about the vampire. He was mainly here to see Buffy. "But how about we go for a walk anyway?" Riley asked, glancing at Willow.

Buffy tried not to roll her eyes. Obviously, Riley wanted to be alone with her. That wasn't Buffy's idea of a nice and quiet evening. But for fear that Riley might change his mind about searching for Angel, she agreed reluctantly. "Well… um… sure, why not. Let's go for a short walk."


Angel had been waiting inside the stables, waiting for Buffy and Riley to show up so that he could put on the same show as the night before. But when they didn't show up after a while, he went to the guest house. Carefully he looked through the window and saw them still sitting at a table. He lurked around for a while, not sure what to do. But when Buffy and Riley got up and put on their coats, he hid and waited. When they came outside he followed them. He expected them to make their way towards the stables, but quickly realized that they were not headed in that direction. With growing concern and anger Angel observed that Riley gradually closed the distance between Buffy and him. First he linked arms with Buffy, which seemed like a harmless gesture. But then he put his arm around her back. And Buffy didn't seem to mind one bit.


When Riley put his arm around her back, Buffy didn't know what to do. She wanted to push his arm away. But maybe it was just a harmless gesture. He was worried about her. He had said so. He just wanted to protect her. This didn't mean anything. Damn, who was she kidding? Did Riley really have feelings for her? How to tell him that she would never reciprocate them? Maybe she shouldn't address it at all. He would leave soon. There was no need to upset him.

Suddenly, Riley stopped. "Buffy, I think I never told you how impressed I am with how you've been handling all this. First Dawn's death, then leaving everything behind to follow her murderer. You are so mature, so different from anyone else I know." Before Buffy had any chance to reply Riley had put his hand behind her neck and kissed her.

Stunned and speechless by Riley's sudden move Buffy didn't know how to react at first. She hadn't seen this coming. But after the initial shock had subsided she firmly put her hands against Riley's chest and was about to push him away when she caught sight of Angel standing in the shadows. In panic, she shoved Riley away. "Riley… stop… we can't…" Buffy looked back at the shadows but Angel was gone.

"You are right," Riley said. "I am sorry. I shouldn't have. But I couldn't help myself. I've wanted to kiss you for so long."

"Riley-"

"I know, I know. It's not fair to you since I have to leave again soon. And who knows when we will see each other again."

"Um… yeah… we don't have a future together."

"Buffy-"

"No, it's okay," Buffy said quickly. "Let's go back to the inn. I am really tired." She didn't wait for an answer and started walking.

Riley followed her quietly.

Buffy's mind was in turmoil. How long had Angel been following them? What had he seen? It didn't really matter. He had seen them kiss. And he would probably assume the worst. Otherwise he wouldn't have disappeared in the blink of an eye. She had to find him. But first she had to get rid of Riley.


Buffy went back to her room to get rid of Riley and then snuck out again. She needed to talk to Angel. Buffy went to the stables. At first she just walked as quickly as possible. But soon she started to run. However, she wasn't really surprised when she found Angel's hideout empty. Frustrated she leaned against the wall and slowly slid down until she sat in the hay. She was going to wait for him until he returned.

The more time went by the more nervous she got. What if he wouldn't come back here at all? What if he had left town? Or maybe he was waiting for her back at the inn. She doubted it though. He was probably just roaming the streets. It was a cold night and Buffy tried to stay warm by covering herself with some hay. Despite her anxiety that Angel had left town already, she eventually fell asleep.


"So, did you have a good time last night?" Angel was towering over her.

Buffy was instantly roused from her sleep. "Angel! I… no… I didn't-"

"It's okay, really. I understand," he said. But inside he was seething. "It was stupid of me to believe that you would actually have feelings for me."

"I do have feelings for you." Buffy got up and brushed the hay off her clothes.

Angel turned his back towards her. "Please, at least don't lie to me."

"I am not lying!" She tried to touch his shoulder, but he pushed her hand away. "He kissed me. But I didn't want that," Buffy went on.

"You don't have to explain."

"I didn't want him to kiss me."

"Yeah, because I was watching."

"You have to believe me. He took me by surprise. I am not the least interested in Riley."

"Really, you had me fooled. I saw you flirting with him."

"Flirting? What are you talking about?"

"I saw you. He put his arm around you. You didn't seem to mind. Let me guess. You were just cold?"

"That was me trying to fool him, to distract him."

"From what?"

"You! I didn't want him to follow you again."

"You sure that's all it was?" Angel asked sarcastically.

"Yes, damn it! Riley seems to have a thing for me. But I don't want anything from him. I did that for you, to protect you."

"You don't have to lie to me," Angel said resigned.

"I have to be very cautious around him. He is a very influential person in my clan. He is not the usual henchman who usually acts as our in-between. He reports directly to the elders. And one day he will become one of them as well. That's all he thinks about."

"Oh, so he's a really good catch."

"Angel, please..."

"No, I understand. You have to think of your future."

"Angel, stop it!"

"No, it's okay. He's one of your kind. He obviously cares about you. And once it is in his power, he can get you back home and you won't be stuck here anymore following me around."

"What?"

"At least with him you have a future."

"Can you please decide if you want to be jealous or push me further into his arms?" Buffy yelled exasperatedly. "That would make it a lot easier for me to know what I am dealing with."

"You want to know what you are dealing with?" Angel asked threateningly. "Fine." He took a step towards her. "I hate that he touched you." He took another step. "I hate that you let him, hate the way you encouraged it."

"I didn't-"

"I hate the way you looked at him." He took another step and was now standing right in front of her, looking down at her greedily. "I hate the fact that the last lips on yours were his."

"Now that is something we could remedy rather easily," Buffy said seductively.

Without another word Angel kissed her hungrily. Never before had he allowed himself to get so lost in a kiss with Buffy. He had never allowed himself to get so aggressive while kissing her. Possessively, he buried his hand in her hair and pressed her close to his body, taking complete control of the situation. Angel could still smell faint traces of another male on her. It drove him crazy and he almost vamped out. He wanted to make Buffy his, to mark her. Normally, this feeling would have scared him, would have made him afraid that he might hurt her. But in this moment the need to kiss her was stronger than the impulse to stop. Besides, it didn't feel wrong. It felt like this was supposed to be. And when he noticed Buffy's encouraging reaction to him the urge to vamp out disappeared almost instantly. The other male was no competition, just a minor, negligible annoyance. All he cared about, all that mattered in that moment was Buffy.

Buffy gladly let Angel do as he pleased. She was relieved that for once he seemed to know exactly what he wanted, namely her.


"Are we okay?" Buffy asked when Angel finally let go of her.

Angel didn't answer.

"Riley doesn't mean anything to me. I don't even like him."

"He obviously thinks you do."

"He never gets told no. Like I said, the elders have very high hopes for him."

"A spoiled brat."

Buffy smiled. "Yeah, in a way."

"When will he leave?"

"Soon, I hope."

"You better get back."

Buffy looked at him unsure. Was he sending her away?

Noticing her uncertainty, Angel took her hands and rubbed them between his own. "You should get back to the guest house and get warmed up. I don't want you to get sick again." She had waited for him here in the cold the whole night.

"I am warm."

He placed a kiss on her hands. They were cool. But strangely enough he knew what she meant. Even though temperature couldn't affect him he was able to feel warmth and cold. But he himself never felt warm or cold. However, in that instant he did feel warm although he had no idea how it was possible. "You don't want to arouse suspicion, do you?" Angel asked. "The sun is already up."

Buffy nodded in agreement. She had to go back. She didn't want to leave, but she couldn't risk for Riley to get suspicious about her whereabouts. She desperately hoped he would leave soon. This charade was getting too exhausting for her taste.


"I wonder how long it will take until we can execute our final punishment on the vampire," Riley said and shouldered his bag.

Buffy could have jumped for joy when Riley had told her that he was leaving. "I guess that'll take a very long time. He feels guilty. He feels like he doesn't deserve a second chance."

"It's not a second chance, Buffy, it's his punishment."

"Great, if he is supposed to do penance, you think he'll ever try going on with his life? And that would mean that he doesn't think he deserves companionship or happiness."

"He's a guy. He'll… um…"

"What? Don't feel embarrassed on my account. I am aware of how the curse is broken."

"It's not appropriate…" Riley stammered.

Buffy rolled her eyes. Fine, if he wouldn't say it, she would. "As far as I understand, he would have to have genuine feelings for the girl, otherwise the punishment doesn't make sense. He is supposed to suffer like we suffered by losing someone he loves. I don't think a romp in the hay qualifies for that. Because then it would be like any other person he killed before."

"I am not sure someone like him is capable of having those kind of feelings anyway," Riley said contemptuously.

"He has a soul now."

"He is still a vampire."

"The elders seem to think he is capable of it. Because if he wasn't capable of compassion and affection it would have been a liability to let him go at all."

"Only humans are capable of such feelings!"

"Some humans aren't, so why shouldn't there be other exceptions?"

Riley didn't say anything.

"If you believe that he is not capable of having feelings for somebody else, then the curse will never come into full effect."

"Buffy, I understand that you want him to suffer like you did and to go on with your life instead of following him around. You want to believe that he is capable of such feelings but… it might have been a great plan but maybe this time the elders… overestimated themselves." Riley said this as if it was physically difficult for him to criticize the elders. He put a hand on Buffy's shoulder. "You have to consider that this won't work. He deserves to suffer in the worst possible way. But it might not happen. And I don't want you to waste your life in pursuit of revenge. It's not worth it. He is not worth it."

Buffy had just listened quietly. She couldn't believe her ears. She was stunned into speechlessness. It seemed like Riley did have a brain of his own after all. But luckily he mistook her insistence that Angel was capable of human feelings for a desire to execute vengeance. It seemed like the indoctrination from the elders was at least good for something.

"Buffy, are you listening?" Riley asked.

"Yes, I heard you."

"And?" Riley prodded.

"I didn't exactly volunteer for this assignment, Riley." She hadn't, but she had rejoiced at getting away from the clan. "The elders are the ones obsessed with vengeance. But vengeance won't bring Dawn back."

Riley just nodded thoughtfully. He realized that it might take decades for the plan to work out, if it worked at all. And that would mean that the elders would let Buffy follow the vampire for as long as they seemed fit, unless he gave them a reason to get her home. "Well, I hope we see each other again soon," Riley said finally.

"Isn't that rather unlikely?" Buffy asked, wanting to know if she had to expect another visit from him soon. "I mean, the elders should be satisfied for a while and once he moves on again the distance gets even greater."

"If he moves on."

"I don't think he'll stay here forever."

"No, probably not."

"And I am sure you are much too valuable to the elders to act as a simple go-between."

"I don't mind."

"They might think that you are losing interest in following in their footsteps."

"Don't worry about me, Buffy."

Worrying? She wasn't worried about him. She was giving him reason after reason not to come back. But he was stubborn. If dropping hints didn't work, Buffy would have to think of something else.


"Riley is gone," Buffy said relieved when she saw Angel that night.

"Will he be back?"

"I don't know. I hope not. And I think we might be able to do something to prevent him from dropping by again anytime soon."

"What's that?"

"We could move on, further away from the clan. I think the longer it takes to reach us, the more reluctant the elders will be to let Riley go on such a journey. They need him. He is their connection to the younger generation."

"Okay, then it's decided. We move on."

TBC