Chapter 10 A Mate's Mark and a Mate's Love

A/N: The end of this chapter is for mature people only. Yes this story is rated M but I know not everyone is honest about their age on this site. If you are under 17 then please be honest and skip about paragraphs 38 to around 43. Enjoy.

Buffy felt something cold hit her and she woke up and looked around. She went to get up but was chained at her feet and hands. She had a bandana tired around her mouth. Her head was in a fog and when she went to sit up her side hurt and she let out a small shrill. She's been stabbed before but not like that. She breathed heavily from the pain and looked around. She was in the sewers that much she knew. There were candles everywhere and she wanted to get up and out. As she sat on the ground she heard music an old song playing. 'Nights in white satin, never reaching the end, letters I've written, never meaning to send.' She heard the song. 'Beauty I'd always missed with these eyes before. Just what the truth is, I can't say anymore. Cause I love you, yes I love you, oh how I love you.' Buffy just wanted to go back to sleep and wake up in Angel's bed as if this was a terrible nightmare.

"Finally you're awake." That voice made Buffy jump a little and then Gabriel knelt before her. "Let's remove this shall we?" He asked and loosen the bandana. "Sorry about the chains but they are needed hey have you and Angelus ever tried chains? They can be fun if you ever want to spice things up." Buffy just sat there and realized she was shaking but not all from fear she was freezing. "Ah yes the ice torture." And Buffy like she was sitting on ice. She was sitting on bags of ice.

"See it's kind of like frozen meat. And when heated just right it's pretty tender and I've always preferred steak tar, tar." Gabriel smiled as Buffy was shivering. "Don't worry I'll remove soon. So you are the slayer the one who killed the Master and tamed the beast it's an honor to meet you." Buffy didn't feel honored. "Sorry about all this I mean this was the original plan. I was on my way to find and kill you for killing the Master."

"That happened almost five years ago what took you?' Buffy asked and he smiled.

"Well I can't fly fear of the day so had travel by boat and just not normal ways so needless to say it took some time. Although at first I wasn't upset about the Master he needed to be killed ruthless bastard. Anyways it wasn't until uh, eh a year ago that you were gaining fame so I had to meet you." Gabriel explained. "I mean Dracula came to see you wished you would have killed him to the asshole owes me some money." Gabriel started to pace.

"So you have me just kill me then." Buffy stated and he smiled and faced her again.

"That would be too easy." He said and smiled and over to her and knelt back down. "You'd like that wouldn't you?" He asked. "You've died before twice am I right?" And Buffy said nothing. "Death is beautiful and for a slayer it's what they all want at some point because it never stops." She's heard this a few times before. "Death is perfect compared to being here right?" Buffy said nothing. "No killing you right now at least is not what I want to do I will kill you trust me and you'll beg for it but not now." He then got back up and Buffy sat there shivering as he went to get more ice for her. She looked up as her hands were above her head and the shackles around her feet. She tried to pull her wrist out of the iron shackles but nothing it just hurt. He then came back with a pack of ice and swapped out an old pack for a new one.

"Now death sweetheart like I said will happen. And yes killing you will be nice but it's not entirely you I want. I want Angelus and I intend to torture him by killing you. Then I'll pick off every one of his friends. But you will cut the deepest." Was Gabriel's method behind his madness. He then sat in front of her smiling and she saw his hand that still had the knives on his fingers. "Pretty cool?" He asked. "I made these because I needed people to remember who I was. A child was the first." That made Buffy sick and he smiled and then reached out and started to chuckle seeing a mark on Buffy's neck.

"Well Angelus has been busy." Gabriel smiled. "You are truly his mate. You see a vampire's mate bite mark is very controlled and leaves little behind. When he did it, did it hurt?" Gabriel asked and Buffy said nothing. "I bet it was on threshold of pain and pleasure and you didn't want it to stop. Now I could really make Angelus angry and desecrate it with my own mark." Buffy just sat there not wanting to talk. "So death you want it?" He asked. "Maybe once you did but he makes you want to live. I will kill you and I'll do it in front of him and once he's alone then I'll kill him."

At the hotel everyone sat at the table. Lorne forwent the small glass of alcohol and had a twelve ounce bottle at the table downing shots. Angel sat quietly in his chair as everyone was wondering what to do. Buffy rarely was taken like this and if she was then she knew how to save herself but this time she would die Gabriel was not some vampire to take lightly.

"Look we all just go in there blades of glory style and take the son of a bitch out." Gunn suggested.

"He'll kill her." Wes stated and he leaned forward. "He wants one person and that's Angelus." Wes looked to Angel.

"I'm not turning to Angelus." Angel stated.

"That what he wants and," Wes began to argue.

"No!" Angel made it clear. "If Angelus is released you think he'll save Buffy?" Angel asked.

"What might happen is he won't like the competition Angelus is very prideful and can take out Gabriel." Wes explained.

"Yeah and then Buffy can handle Angelus and poof re-ensouled." Cordelia finished and he looked to Cordelia meaning no and it was not that easy. Angel had find perfect happiness to become Angelus again and right now finding any kind of happiness wasn't happening.

"Ok so this vamp rolls into town wanting you," Gunn looked to Angel. "Just duke it out. Try to free Buffy and then bam he's dust."

"Gunn, Gabriel is as old as the Master at this point Angel cannot win he's too young of a vampire." Wes stated. "Angelus might be able too."

"Angelus will never return." Angel made that clear and it meant they had to find another answer. Angel just sat there quietly.

"Well were running out of time." Wes reminded them and Lorne took another shot and burped.

"Sorry." He apologized. "Continue."

"What if you pretend you're Angelus?' Fred asked and everyone looked at her.

"Actually that might work." Cordelia realized that he did pretend to be Angelus once before to get into the Mayor's circle and he fooled both Faith and the Mayor maybe he could do it again. "You did it once and we all believed it."

"You think Gabriel will buy it?" Lorne asked.

"The only way he will is if Angel does something to Buffy." Wes added meaning Angel might have to hurt Buffy in some way. He had to hurt Buffy like that before and he never wanted to do it again. "But Cordelia and Gunn might be right, you might have to pretend."

"Unless we're just strictly talking strength then Angel can just channel the inner demon." Fred added and that sounded better but it wasn't the answer.

"Or he pretends to be Angelus," Wes was forming a plan. "He'll pretend Angelus can manipulate just about anyone he can torture with a little truth and turn it into a lie." Wes then reached for a book. "Gabriel before he turned love his mother I bet Angelus can use that." Angel was understanding where this was going. "Now you plant ideas into his break him down mentally and then kill him. If your cover is blown then channel the inner demon." That was the plan. Angel didn't like any one of it but what else could they do.

"How long do you think we have?" Fred asked.

"By tomorrow night Gabriel will be anxious so Angel will go," Wes was then cut off.

"Now." Angel stated.

"Angel we have to plan some of this out." Wes told the vampire but Buffy's life was at stake and he would risk waiting until tomorrow.

"Look I lost my son," Angel turned to Wes. "I lost Buffy twice and I won't lose her again not to him." Wes understood and Angel got up and left.

Angel changed into fresh clothes he would bring Buffy back not just because he needed her but so did Dawn. Angel then headed downstairs to the lobby to get his weapon. Everyone in AI stood around and Cordelia held Dawn as Angel then put on his coat. He looked to his people and there was a difference in him. Angel was beginning to channel his dark side. He grabbed the axe and headed out to meet Gabriel. He would have to unleash the inner demon something he hated doing and rarely does but to have any gain on Gabriel he needed to.

Buffy finally let the tears fall as Gabriel didn't stab her but pulled on the fresh wound. Buffy was freezing by now from the ice. He then picked her up and turned her around to face the wall and lifted her shirt up and with the tip of the knife on one of his fingers and nipped the skin on her back. Buffy did her best to hide the pain but it was too much. She let cries of pain and then he was done. He carved his name in Hebrew on her back and then let her sit back down on the ground on the ice. Because she was cold she didn't bleed well just a little.

Angel found the slaughter house and went to the sewer knowing that's where Gabriel would be. Angel opened up the manhole covering and jumped in and started to walk following the candles. Gabriel won't be in the exact same spot but around here. He caught a small sample of Gabriel but right now he was trying to find Buffy's scent. Then he picked it up and followed.

Gabriel wiped his knives clean not even close to being done with Buffy he was just warming up. But then a presence was felt and he turned around as he saw a shadow standing there. Buffy looked up and knew it Angel would come. Angel walked closer in but the walk was different and Buffy's heart started to race. She knew that walk and she backed up closer to wall. Gabriel didn't know what was happening he just knew it was Angel.

"Care to join?" Gabriel asked and Angel stood there holding the axe.

"Gabriel last time I saw you, you went up in flames." Angel said and Gabriel stood there not quite sure what was going on. "You wanted the real Angelus well here I am you're better off winning against Angel but I like to grant wishes." Gabriel believe it but it would be easy to convince him Gabriel knew nothing about the curse and how it worked.

"You're lying." Gabriel stated and Angel smiled a wicked smiled. He then took out a cigarette and lit it.

"No Gabe it's me see like you said," He then huffed on the cigarette. "I was young when our paths crossed so you never got to know the real me." Buffy sat there shivering and shaking and Angel looked to her. "And now you're taking what I've always wanted to kill. See she not only made feel human but sent me to hell and I'd like to return to favor." Gabriel stood there and then a smile formed.

"You wish to kill her?" Gabriel asked.

"Torture then kill her but see," Angel got closer to Gabe with his cigarette. "This girl can handle torture and death. You want to break her you got a kill her heart." Angel explained and Gabriel smiled. "So yeah cut her up and what not is great but you gotta find something to break the will. Breaking the spirit before the body makes the death all the sweeter." Angel then paced smoking his cigarette and Gabriel stood there thinking about it.

"You really are Angelus." Gabriel smiled and Angel smiled back. "But it's a curse how,"

"The little AI team thought you wanted Angelus and they released me thinking I would kill you and then just in time put my soul back. Well Angelus isn't a team player." He then turned to Buffy. "I'm back." Buffy let a tear out and that was the first true tear Gabriel saw Buffy let out. "But thank you for doing the hard work for me." Gabriel was in disbelief.

"They really thought it would work?" Gabriel asked.

"People aren't smart so they aren't going to put my soul as soon as I was released they died." Angel stated and Buffy closed her eyes praying he didn't get to Dawn. Angel then knelt next to Buffy and she tried to scoot away in fear. Gabriel saw what she was truly afraid of. "Now I will kill you Gabe because it should just me so yeah lets fight but first I want revenge and hey maybe you can help." He then turned to Buffy.

"If you are Angelus prove it." Gabriel stated and Angel knew this was going to happen. He then got in front of Buffy as she could not defend herself. He reached out and she tried to pull away. He managed to grab her head holding her still. Gabriel smiled at this. Angel leaned in closer as Buffy whimpered and tears fell. He then leaned into her neck as she wanted to scream and she could it just be muffled by the bandana around her mouth.

"It's me Buffy," Angel said in a soft voice. "I need you to keep pretending." She knew it was Angel. "Forever." Was the word and she closed her eyes and he sunk his teeth in trying not to hurt her. But that's all he did he just sunk his teeth in. He didn't drink and Buffy played along.. Angel released her and stood up and turned to Gabriel and pretended to wipe the blood away."Wow that is very powerful."

"So the great Angelus wants to teach me the art of torture?" Gabriel asked and Angel shrugged. "I was before your time I know what torture is." Angel nodded.

"You torture your mother." Angel stated. "I mean yeah I killed my family but I'm Angelus. You loved your mother but you were hungry. My family hated them it was easy." Angel was trying to strike something in Gabriel. "See a true vampire doesn't like their family unless they're turned of course. What did you do to her hmm? I bet she begged and just a small part of you wanted to keep her but to prove that you were strong you killed her. See," Angel explained. "That's why I'm more superior than you. You may be older but no vampire kept up with me. My brutality was something I was born with yours just grew as you grew." Gabriel stood there.

"Yeah you put fear into people but I made them go mad. You want to be well known it's not the amount it's the method and mine is far superior to yours. So let's do this how about you bow before me as your master, I'll let you drink the slayer and then kill her. After that I'll decided if you're worthy to be in my sight." Angel offered.

"You always had pride." Gabriel then started to pace. "Pride always comes before a downfall."

"Seriously I've heard this. If I had downfall why am I here?" Angel asked and then lit up another cigarette. "I think you being old has clouded your judgment. Besides what kind of name is Gabriel? Oh right it's the name mommy gave you. See I changed mine you haven't let go so," Angel went on. "By not letting go part of you wants to be human. The whole slasher things is a cover up. Thus I am superior." Angel stood there and he knew he made Gabriel mad. "What now Gabe?"

Gabriel stood there and held out his and a ball of fire formed.

"Ooo magic I'm scared." Angel taunted and Gabriel released it and the fire engulfed Angel but then went out. Angel stood there perfectly unharmed, before leaving Wes was able to put a simple protective spell over him. "Old tricks your boogie, boogied doesn't work." Angel walked forward and Gabriel tried again but Angel kept walking. Then Angel threw a punch and Gabriel went flying. "You want to fight and win?" Angel asked as he took off his coat. "It takes real power." Gabriel then got up as Angel picked up the axe he brought and twirled it and took one last huff on his cigarette and tossed. Gabriel showed his knives and Angel smiled now he had to release his inner demon to win. Gabriel came charging at Angel. Angel dodged him and Gabriel was now very upset. "Your poem is creepy but like I said I'm Angelus." Gabriel then charged again and slashed at Angel. Angel blocked the blades with the axe and shoved him off and kicked him.

Angel held his ground and has yet to release the demon buried deep down. He was fighting like this on pure anger because of what this vampire did to Buffy. Angel twirled the axe and Gabriel smiled and they charged again and Gabriel was putting pressure on Angel and Angel fought hard not to let up. Gabriel then kicked Angel in the shin and swiped at him and racked the knives across his chest. Buffy tried to cry out Angel's name but couldn't. Angel rolled on the ground as Gabriel swiped again. Angel had to lead Gabriel away from Buffy so he ran down a tunnel and Gabriel followed. Then Buffy looked to the ground and saw a key. She reached out with her foot trying to get the key.

Angel jumped out at Gabriel and they fought again. You think it would be easy for an axe to take out a person with just knives but not if it's a vampire that's over a thousand years old. Gabriel managed another slice across Angel's chest. Angel swung the axe and the blade went into the wall of the sewer. He yanked it back out quick enough to block another one of Gabriel's blows.

Buffy managed to get the key close but to reach it when her hands were above her head. She could hear the scraping of Gabriel's knives down the end of the sewer tunnel and it meant he was alive. Buffy then looked up seeing the chain was on a hook. If she could just somehow get the chain off the hook then maybe she could be slightly free. She started to shake the chain hoping it would work.

Then she noticed the scrapings stopped and hoped Angel won. She turned to the sewer tunnel and saw someone emerging and it was Gabriel. Buffy tried to scream and shake the chain some more as he came closer. Buffy was trying to say no to him but he got closer. Buffy did her best to get away and she managed to kick him despite how numb she was. Gabriel didn't like that as he reached out and grabbed her by the arms and lifted her up and shoved her against the wall.

"Had enough of you." He said and grabbed her throat and held up his hand to slash right through her but then something grabbed his arm and Buffy heard it being forced back violently and cracked. Buffy fell back to the ground as Angel threw Gabriel to the other wall leaving a hole in the tunnel wall. Gabriel stood up as Angel put himself between him and Buffy and Gabriel charged. Angel grabbed Gabriel by the neck squeezing as hard as possible and then slammed him to the ground. Choking Gabriel wouldn't do anything but it still felt good to choke him. Angel was letting the demon in him take over which gave him great strength. Angel released Gabriel and then kicked him. Gabriel flew back and didn't understand why this two hundred year old vampire was beating him. Gabriel slowly got up.

"Really sick just because you're channel the inner demon doesn't make you one of us." Gabriel told Angel. Angel held his ground and held his axe. "Almost had me thought I was fighting the real Angelus. Still your death will mean allot to me." Angel said nothing as he waited, pride comes before a fall. Gabriel then charged at Angel and Angel still didn't move. At the last possible second Angel spun and Gabriel went to his knees. Angel sliced off his hand with the knives actually sliced off both hands. Gabriel then looked up as Angel stood before him.

"You wanted to die for the Hell underworld?" Angel asked and Gabriel said nothing. "Happy to oblige." Angel then held up the axe and swung it and Gabriel's body turned to dust. Angel took a step back and tossed the axe away. Buffy saw it happened it just proves what Angel and or Angelus really is. Angel turned around as Buffy was still there chained. He went to her and pulled the bandana away from her and then had to pull up on the chain to release it. Buffy gave a grunt of pain and then arms were finally released. Instead of letting them fall completely she threw them around Angel's neck and he pulled her close. He took her away from the ice packs and wished he could warm her up but he had no body heat.

She was shaking because she was cold but also the adrenaline was wearing off. Angel held her close as she kept a tight grip on him. At one point she wanted to die but not anymore not with Angel holding her again. They sat in each other's arms for a moment just to feel. Angel then reached for the key and pulled Buffy's bound hands from around his shoulder and unlocked them letting the chains fall. He then unlocked her feet and it felt good to be out of the chains. He saw her wrists and how badly bruised they were.

"I'm ok." She insisted and he looked up at her then put a hand on her cheek slightly pushing her head one way seeing her neck. The marks would scar over easily and no one would notice. "Nice acting by the way."

"Thanks." Angel said and they couldn't help but hug again. She knew he'd come and save her. He always did and always would. She didn't want to let go and then Angel gave her kiss on the head and brought her closer. "Let's get you out of here." He suggested and she nodded against his shoulder and they both stood up. Angel left her side for a moment and grabbed his coat and then put it over her to warm her up. Buffy then saw Gabriel's old knives lying on the ground. He was gone for good. Angel picked up his axe and Buffy went and hugged him again just wanting to feel safe. Angel wrapped one arm around her pulling her in letting her know it was ok.

Buffy pulled away and looked to the slash marks on Angel's chest and place a hand on them. Angel winced slightly but they would heal in about a day or two. Buffy then looked up to Angel and wanted it. He wanted it too. They just wanted to lean in and kiss. They inched ever closer and their lips were centimeters a part. Buffy's heart raced and then finally their lips touched. It was just a soft kiss and they both meant to pull away but didn't the kiss started to grow. Angel then literally threw the axe away and wrapped both arms around her and she pulled closer. This was heated; they haven't kissed in a long time. They were lost in it and Buffy was warming up Angel could feel it. She forgot how great of a kisser he was.

The two made it back to the hotel and everyone had question about what had happened. The big question was if Gabriel was dead it was a yes. Angel killed the second oldest and second most powerful vampire. Buffy killed the first. But Angel and Buffy didn't want to talk to the others right now she wanted to be alone with Angel. She told everyone she needed to get to sleep and Angel insisted to escort her to room to make sure she was ok. The others dismissed it easily but then Cordelia noticed as they headed up the stairs their hands were locked together and her heart sank.

Angel led Buffy into his room and shut the door where they needed to talk about the kiss in the sewer, why does everything happen in the sewers with them? Buffy turned around as Angel stood there and told herself they needed to talk. But she didn't want to talk. She wanted to attack him but she had gain control but with Angel it felt like there was no such thing as control. The two walked straight towards each other and crashed their lips onto one another. Angel pulled her as close as possible and then wrapped his arms around her waist and picked her up. Buffy wrapped her legs around his waist and he stumbled to the bed and she fell first. He kissed up and down her neck wildly as he hadn't done this in so long. He then kissed the fresh mark he made reminding and telling her she was always his. No other woman had that mark not even Darla.

Their lips met again and Buffy thought she could unbutton his shirt but didn't she just ripped it off. Angel got rid of the shirt it was ruined anyways from the slash marks. They continued to kiss as heated passion that has built up for so long was finally being released. They couldn't go all the way he wouldn't allow it, too much fear of becoming Angelus. But that didn't mean they couldn't do anything. Angel took her shirt off and toss it away. His cool skin felt really good she forgot how good it felt. Angel went back and kissed his mark and it felt really soothing as he took off her bra and that was tossed away too. Buffy's heart raced as she was excited. Even if they couldn't fully be one this was better than having sex with any man out there.

Angel reached for Buffy's pant buttons and undid them as Buffy took off her shoes with her feet to hurry this along. Angel then slid her pants off and now it was his turn. Buffy took the belt off his pants and unbutton them and pulled them down and once she couldn't reach he pulled them the rest of the way. There was just two pieces of thin material blocking them. They stay there to keep from temptation but Angel slid his hand down her belly and Buffy bit her lip feeling his hand go under her panties and gasped feeling two fingers. Angel kissed her trying to keep the moaning down to a minimum so no one could hear them.

Buffy melted in his hand literally. No other man could make her tremble like she was now and she wasn't even close to achieving the blissful feeling. She wrapped her arms around Angel's neck and his lips found hers again as she felt him inside hitting the spot that will send her over in a matter of time. Buffy thought it was unfair to be feeling this and Angel couldn't so to be sure he got something out of this she kissed down his neck and bit him a little. Angel let out a growl. It wasn't an angry growl it was a growl of pleasure and delight. Her hand trailed down his back and around his hip and then to the front of the body and into his boxers. Angel couldn't hold it and let out a grunt himself and took a moment and then they were both able to get the same rhythm going on each other.

They wanted to keep it down but Angel was the one person she wanted. She fantasized about him when she was with Riley and Spike. Her fantasies did him no justice. They weren't even having sex but this was almost too much. Angel wanted make her forget any man she was with or wanted to be with and make her only think about him. It was working too. Buffy then cried out his name and he hasn't heard that in long time not since their first time well unless you count the day that never happened. Then almost instantaneously they released together. Buffy trembled under him and Angel collapsed she could feel that he was pretty much dead weight. She took in deep breaths and then held him close. Angel placed small kisses on her neck and to her cheek and then to her lips and she kissed him back. All that tension was released. Maybe if Angel was around when she came back and they did this then maybe she wouldn't have fallen so deep into darkness.

They kissed slowly savoring the moment together a moment they longed for, for so long. If Buffy had her way they do that all over again. Angel rolled over to his back and Buffy didn't let go still kissing him. She then kissed down his chest and to the arm where he was slashed a day or so ago and kissed the healing wounds. She then kissed his chest and kissed around the fresh wounds and it soothed him. She found his lips again trying to make this last. She then rested her head on his chest needing to breathe for a moment and he held her close.

They did another round again and Buffy was now propped up on her side tracing patterns on his chest. She was careful around the fresh wounds but they seemed to be ok. Angel had an arm slung across his face thinking and if he allowed himself to stay comfortable then he would fall asleep. Buffy then smiled thinking and ran her hand down to his side and pinched his side. Angel winced and Buffy smiled a little more knowing it worked.

"What are you doing?" He asked and looked up at her.

"It's called tickling," Buffy answered and she pinched him again and he winced and had an urge to laugh. "And in a few seconds you'll beg for mercy." Angel started to smile a little and tried to pull away but Buffy kept at it and he laughed. His laugh cause Buffy to laugh.

"I don't think I like this." Angel said and Buffy nodded.

"You're not supposed to." Was the pointed and then Angel leaned forward capturing her lips and kissed her. Buffy was lost in his kiss as he pulled her closer. Just as the passion was about to take over Buffy heard a baby's cry. She pulled away from Angel meaning she needed to get that. Buffy threw the sheets off of herself and got out of bed and Angel watched her as she grabbed one of his shirts that hung on a chair. She put it on and button it up and headed to her room to check on Dawn.

After Dawn was changed Buffy came back into Angel's room and stood at the bedside as he laid there. Buffy took the shirt off and climbed back into bed as Angel reached out his arms bring her close. He kissed her forehead as she got as close as possible to him. Angel laid there and felt content but nothing more. That's not what he wanted to do with Buffy he wanted more but if this is as close as they could get without Angelus rearing his ugly head then so be it. But the question wasn't answered was this all on a wimp or were they really going to try and make this work?

What! Oh yes I did. Now everything seems to be all fine and dandy but nope it's going to take a hard left swing out of the park soon. Does that mean Angelus? No…well not now at least. But Angel and Buffy never have it easy so well two things are going to go down no Angelus is not one of them not until…later don't want to give away his return…or will he return? Love leaving you guys guessing. But rather soon two major events will occur and soon after those have happened another one will which I did foreshadow last chapter see if you guys picked it up. And I left you all at a question are they together? Hmm guess you'll have to wait until the next chapter. More to come thanks for reading comments and reviews are welcomed.

Song- Night in White Satin sung by the Moody Blues