Born of Darkness

A fic by: Jen

Rating: M

Pairing: Angelus/Buffy

Disclaimer: I don't own them I just like to play with them.

A/N: Thank you to Viv for beta reading this for me. I love you sweetie.

Also I want to give some shout outs to my buds JayMartinez who has several very good B/A fics out there. Helmi1, who is an amazing talent by the way, and has more than a few great stories posted. Amber (uskohakuchan) is awesome and maybe if we bug her enough she will PLEASE post on 'You're No Mr. Smith' huh? Huh? :) (I love U Amber)

A quick shout to all these incredible authors too: elaine451, frosty600, Brandi Rochon, bangelstheonlywaytogo, Esmerada007, regretfulXXobsessions, MacKenzie Creations, Kay8abc, AshesatMidnight, and seeleysangel all are terrific authors. Of couse I have to give my girl Vix a shout—even if I haven't heard from her in a while…*hint* lol! Anyhow, check out my profile…I have some amazing authors on my fave list. If I didn't mention you—it's because I'm tired and having a blond moment. I'm sorry.

Okay, enough of Jen's babble, eh?? On with the chappie:

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**Oh and I want to give a cry to my friend Summer: Where are you?? I miss you babe… :( Please buzz me…and you too Rox! Jen is sad…she misses her girls. Oh and a total hello to Jess (BuffyChino) Hey babe, I'm so glad to have you back...I missed you sweetie! :) And a quick hi to Cryngle, Lia, Lois, Dez, Ash, Taz, Lisa, Em, Ally, Abby, Kelli, Katie, Kimmy, Roxy, Summer Leah, Traci, vana, Layla, Sarah K., Tessa, Hannah, and so many others, but my mind is going blank and blond...sorry. If I forgot to mention you by name...er...well, it's a blond day for me. :) Please forgive and feel free to tell me I forgot you, but if I don't know your real name well then that's why I didn't...kay? Okay.

Now seriosuly...enough of my babble.

xoxo

Jen

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Chappie 10

"Why are you in such a hurry now?" Buffy grumbled as she gathered together her things. She glanced at all her new clothes and pouted. She hadn't even had a chance to try most of them on before Angelus was rushing them to leave. She wanted to whine at him to let her try her clothes on, but bit back the urge, he didn't look like he was in the mood.

"Because it's time, now quit nagging and just get your ass ready, will you?" he said, zipping his bag. He stood, grabbed Connor's things along with his and swept out of the room. He opened the trunk and tossed the bags inside. His eyes roamed over Gunn and he mentally calculated the time he had left until the man awoke. He still had several hours, but the need to get to the 'safe-house before Gunn rose was his main priority. As a new fledge, Gunn would need to feed first thing and Angelus knew himself well enough to realize he didn't have the patience to travel with a starving fledge for any length of time. His newest childe could very well end up on the wrong end of a stake if that happened. He hadn't turned the street fighter just to stake him. No, it didn't matter that he would rather stay right here and play with Buff for a few days; they had to get a move on before Gunn woke up.

When he got back in the room, Fred was just finishing putting her small amount of belongings in one of the large plastic shopping bags, but Buffy was sitting on the bed—half her clothes still scattered there.

"Why aren't you ready?" he asked her as he sat next to her and began to shove the clothes into a bag. She remained mute and simply glared at him. He resisted the urge to rub his temples. "What is it now?"

She motioned to Fred. "You bought her clothes too?" Her lower lip jutted out in an angry pout.

He glanced over his shoulder at the brunette. "Yeah, I bought her a few things, it would have been rude not to don't you think, considering I bought you half the damned store? But if you're going to have a fit about it I can—"

She cut him off. "Did you watch her try them on too?"

He narrowed his eyes at her. "You're being a jealous shrew and I don't have time for it. I bought Fred some clothes because she needed them or would you rather her run around naked?" He shrugged. "Hey, I can take 'em back if you want. I have no problems with Fred getting naked—even if she is a tad thin for my tastes." He stood up and took a step towards the slender Texan. "Fred, I'm going to need those—"

Buffy grabbed his hand to stop him. "No!" The very last thing she wanted was Fred on display for Angelus. "I-I get why now." She looked away. "Sorry," she mumbled, plucking at the comforter.

He sighed in exasperation. "You have no reason to be jealous, lover," he said taking hold of her stubborn little chin and tilting her face up until their eyes met and held. "You keep me pretty occupied—too occupied to fuck around, don't you think?" She nodded, flushing with pleasure and he barely resisted the urge to pat himself on the back. His plan to drive a wedge between her and Fred and tie Buffy to him was working—even better than he'd hoped. Smoke was practically coming out her ears at the thought of him showing Fred any special attention. She considered him hers now and Angelus almost purred with satisfaction at how fast the Slayer had fallen beneath his spell. He pulled her up from the bed, smacked her ass and pushed her towards the bathroom. "Now get the rest of your shit together—we're leaving in five minutes, anything you don't have ready get's left behind."

"Cave-man much?" she grumbled, rubbing her rear end as she began gathering her toiletries.

He laughed. "Oh stop." He winked at her, licking his lips. "I happen to know you like it when I spank you," he teased, his voice dropping to an intimate growl.

Her face flamed with color, but she couldn't stop the rush of pleasure his words caused. Her belly clenched, and a small tingle-pulse started between her thighs at the husky tone in his voice.

"All done," Fred said, interrupting the moment. Buffy almost growled as Angelus' attention was taken away and directed at Fred.

"Good," he said smiling at the slim brunette. "See Buff, Fred listens when I tell her to hurry. Why can't you?"

Openly glaring at the other woman now, Buffy narrowed her eyes. "Well maybe that's because she'd do just about anything to make you happy, wouldn't you?" she spat, hating the enraged jealousy that swamped her.

"Yeah, she would," Angelus answered for Fred, who'd backed away from the fury in the Slayer's voice. "Remember that," he purred, cupping Buffy's chin in his palm.

She pulled away and glared at him too. "Like I could what with her panting over you all the time!" she snapped. Suddenly she grabbed him by his collar and brought his lips down to hers and kissed him hard. "But you're mine," she whispered, nipping at his bottom lip with her blunt white teeth. "Remember that and we'll get along fine!" Her eyes were defiant and her chin lifted as if daring him to dispute what she'd just said.

Angelus backed Buffy against the wall. "Fred, take the kid out to the car, will you?" It was posed as a question, but the order was clear and she hastened to comply. Angelus waited until she was gone before turning back to his lover. "As much as I like you practically pissing on me, Buffy, you're not in charge here," he said very softly, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear in an almost gentle caress. He trailed a finger down the curve of her cheek, before he grabbed her by the throat. "You don't give me orders…you know that, right?" His hand tightened around her windpipe while he simultaneously pressed his hips forward, letting her feel his bulging erection. "If I want to snap your neck—I will. If I decide to fuck Fred right in front of you—I will…and nothing you say or do will stop me."

She ignored the hot flush of fear and lust that surged through her and shoved him away from her. "Really?" she asked, raising a brow. She put her hands on her hips and stood facing him, toe to toe. Angelus couldn't help but notice she looked like the Slayer she was and he felt his cock stir to life, but the smile that spread across her face was a bit too sarcastic to suit his desire for her utter subjugation to him. He narrowed his eyes and waited for what she had to say. It didn't take long. Buffy stepped closer and poked a finger in his chest. "Well let me tell you something, lover…" she purred, stalking him now. "If you so much as show her your dick—you're going to be the first vamp in history to find out if 'all' your body parts really do grow back, are we clear now?"

His jaw dropped. Was she actually threatening to cut off his…He threw his head back and laughed. "Buff," he said, still chuckling. "Just when I think I have you all figured out, you go and threaten to pull a Lorena Bobbit on me." He rolled his eyes. "And you called me a cave-man!" he teased, flashing his trademark smirk.

He paused, and then quick as a cat, he grabbed her and tossed her against the wall. His big body pressed against hers while he gripped her wrists in one hand and pinned them above her head. "You're a pistol, baby. Maybe that's why I can't get enough of you," he murmured into her ear as he reached down and unzipped her jeans. The sound was loud in the silence of the room.

Buffy's pulse skyrocketed. "Angelus," she moaned softly, writhing against him as hot, treacherous desire raced through every nerve ending and set her senses spinning. He was like a drug and she was in need of a fix.

He yanked her pants down and ripped the panties off her. Buffy aided him by kicking one leg of her jeans off and he gave a soft growl of approval as she wrapped her legs around his waist. His hand went to the buttons of his pants, and within seconds he had them opened. He gave a soft grunt of relief as his erection was freed.

"Hurry," she panted, looping her arms around his neck and clinging to him.

He bent his knees and entered her in one hard, deep thrust. "Fuck me!" he snarled as she stretched around him, burning him within the hot, wet vice of her body. She felt better than anything he'd ever experienced. His eyes clenched shut and he hissed in pleasure as she pulsed around his cock. "Buff!" he gasped when her Slayer muscles clamped down on him. "I can't get enough of you," he growled softly, panting as he struggled to keep his control.

She squirmed against him, trying to get him to move. Her hands smoothed over the rippling muscles of his back and she dug her nails in, aching for relief. "Move dammit!" she finally demanded.

He chuckled. "Still giving orders, babe?"

"Would a please help?" she asked, leaning forward to place a soft kiss on his lips.

He growled and plundered her mouth in a toe curling kiss as he began to move in and out of her in frantic, almost primal strokes. His tongue dominated his mouth as was his nature. He broke away and buried his face in her neck. "This is gonna be fast, babe," he muttered, but neither cared, they just needed to come.

Buffy's knees gripped his hips tightly as he pounded into her. "Good, I need you fast," she replied breathlessly, burying her fingers in his hair.

His face shifted and he drove up inside her higher, needing to totally possess this wild creature that should be his enemy, but was instead his addiction. "Buffy." He sighed, licking at the spot on her neck that made her his.

Buffy cried out as he angled his hips and penetrated her deeper than before, it felt like he was becoming a part of her womb and she tossed her head back, torn between the pain of total his invasion of her body and the need to have him deeper. "Angelus-Angelus-Angelus," she chanted as he pumped into her, furiously seeking orgasm.

He swallowed convulsively and his mouth watered in anticipation of drinking from her. He gripped her hair and tilted her neck to the side. "Mine," he snarled softly, and bit deep.

The moment his fangs entered her, Buffy climaxed. For Angelus, the taste of her powerful blood surging into his mouth sent him over the edge too. Their cries of release echoed in the room as they were tossed into orgasmic bliss together. It was several moments later before they could actually put enough thoughts together to actually move.

He groaned softly as he pulled out of her, and let her slide down the wall. She wilted, her knees wobbling and he took her hand and pulled her back to her feet. "Jesus Buff—you're going to kill me," he gasped softly, laying his forehead against the wall.

Buffy took several deep breaths, before she gave him a well satisfied smile and patted his cheek. "Nooooo, I'd never kill you. I'd keep you as a sex-slave definitely…" she teased. She stroked his jaw, kissed him and stepped away. Her knees were still a bit shaky so she held onto his arm as she pulled herself back together. She glanced down. Her panties were ruined, so she kicked her pants off altogether and managed to wobble over to her bags to get a new pair of underwear. She selected a lacy red thong Angelus had purchased for her. "I think I like these…" she said, twirling them in front of him, earning her a soft growl. "I take it you like?"

He growled again. "Yeah, I like. I picked them out, didn't I?" Her sarcastic 'sex-slave' comment was niggling at him—pissing him off.

She gave him a saucy grin over her shoulder as she headed for the bathroom to clean up. "Oh and by the way…I'd never dust you. You're mine." Her look was so possessive—almost dangerous, it made Angelus shiver. "I really think I could kill anyone who tried to take you away from me," she said almost flippantly, shutting the bathroom door.

His jaw hit the floor, but she was gone before a suitable response to that statement formulated in his stunned mind. Had she actually just threatened to kill for him?! He went to the sink for a quick wash-up getting more and more jittery as he pondered what she'd just said. He didn't have to see his reflection in the mirror above the sink to know he looked shocked. Buffy wasn't just falling under his spell—she was laying a claim on him and truthfully…he wasn't sure how he felt about that. She'd threatened to kill anyone who tried to take him away. What if he decided to take himself away? The determined look on her face flitted through his head and he shuddered—he was suddenly aware that while he'd been tying her to him, she was still the Slayer and if she decided he was hers…how far would she go to keep him?

A disturbing image of him as her slave went through his head and he snarled. His fists clenched and he almost smashed the mirror in reaction to the visual. He didn't like anyone in charge, but himself. She'd sounded way too arrogant and possessive when she'd said that. It rubbed him almost raw as he imagined Buffy as his mistress. No fucking way! He gripped the sink so hard the tile cracked. What the fuck did she think she was doing?! He'd never be her lap-dog…

Angelus' head whipped to the closed door as he heard her singing—humming really, yet she sounded way too pleased with herself to suit him. It made him even angrier. Was she so sure he was neutered? He decided then and there that Buff needed to learn her place. The quicker the better…

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Sunnydale:

Giles dumped his bags by the door as he entered the house at Revello Drive. "How the bloody hell did he get to her?" he ranted at the Scooby Gang as a whole. He glared at Spike. "How could you leave her with him? I thought you cared for her?"

Spike's eyes widened at the attack. "Funny how someone tossing you through a soddin window makes you a little less diligent," he growled. He stepped closer to Giles. "You know? For someone who has Watcher on his resume—you don't really do a lot of that…do you?"

Giles opened his mouth, before he shut it with a snap. "You're right," he admitted. "I should never have left her. I thought she needed to grow—find herself…" He took his glasses off and polished them. "I failed," he said softly. He slid his glasses back on with a disheartened sigh. "So, do we have any idea where he would take her?"

Spike shook his head. "Not a bloody clue. He played it brilliantly. He didn't show his face anywhere in town as far as I can tell."

A knock at the door sounded and Dawn answered it. A medium sized, somewhat effeminate blond young man was standing there. "I heard it through the proverbial grape vine that you've lost something precious to you—namely the Slayer of the Vampyre."

Spike's eyes narrowed and he strode across the room to grab the boy by the collar and slam him against the wall. The coat rack fell with a crash, but Spike ignored it as he shook the boy like a rag-doll. "If you had anything to do with giving her to Angelus—just consider yourself lunch!" Spike's face shifted. "Oh and in case you were wondering…I won't give a toss if my bloody brain oozes out my ears…" His smile was almost diabolical. "Because you'll already be dead long before that happens," he purred, and lowered his head, ignoring the crushing pain assailing him from all sides.

"No!" Andrew screamed, trying to grab hold of Spike's face to stop the decent on those deadly fangs. "Oh please…no-no-no!" he cried, whimpering in terror. "I'm not the one who helped Angelus! It was Rack! It was Rack…please don't eat me…" he said, openly sobbing.

Spike dropped the boy. "Tell me everything you know and don't leave out a thing or you're a happy meal…got it?" He let his face shift again and Andrew cowered, raising his hands defensively as he nodded vehemently.

"We-we saw it-it…on-on our v-video," the boy choked out in halting breaths.

Willow handed him a glass of water and led him to the couch. "You saw what?" she asked, wondering if these boys had gotten Rack's words on video when he took her powers. If they had…she might be able to use his words to reverse the spell. She encouraged him to drink. "What did you see?"

Andrew gave her a grateful look, and nervously avoided Spike's penetrating blue eyes. "We saw him take your powers—we saw the big guy carry the Slayer away too." He took another sip of water. "At first we were happy because we wanted the Slayer gone, but since she's left all the demon activity has increased and it's become dangerous."

Spike made a sound of exasperation. "Ya think?" He shook his head. "Bloody morons!"

Andrew trembled and scooted further away from the blond vampire. "Like I said…we wanted the Slayer contained, but we wanted to study her—she's an amazing creature—super-hero-ish in her strength." He saw her friends scowl and hastened on, skipping over the Nerd Herd's plans for Buffy. "But this Angelus guy was a variable we didn't see coming…" He glanced around the room. "He just swept in and took her." He set his water glass down. "It was a classic Blitzkrieg—in and out…fast, yet with deadly results."

Xander frowned, not liking that analogy at all. He'd been trying to ignore the fact that Angelus had Buffy. It was just too gut-wrenchingly scary. "Okay, color me confused, but why are you here again—if not to confess and be beaten up?" He picked up the base-ball bat behind the front door and advanced upon Andrew who was still cowering from Spike's threatening presence. "I'd start telling us what else you know because I'm feeling a little Babe Ruthey right now," Xander growled, gripping the bat with both hands as if preparing to swing away.

"I'm here to help you get her back," Andrew said, trying not to whimper as Xander hefted the bat over his shoulder.

Spike was done listening. "You're going to show me these videos and you're going to show them to me now," he growled, grabbing Andrew by his jacket.

Andrew began to whimper and whispered into the watch on his wrist. "Warren…mission abort, I repeat…mission abort!" he cried, scrunching his body up into a ball in the corner of the couch, he covered his head with his arms as if warding off a blow. "Warren—Warren…" he babbled brokenly, "Please help me!"

Spike flung open the door and raced outside. He sniffed the air—scented the sudden wafting of human fear and followed it. A few houses down he came to a van parked along the street. He flung open the doors surprising the two guys sitting there.

Jonathan stumbled back, terrified at the rage he saw in the blond man's face.

"Hey!" Warren yelled, but anything else he was going to say was swallowed back when Spike's face shifted and he climbed into the back of the van with them. There were about twenty computer screens there all with different visuals of Sunnydale on them.

"Hello," the blond vampire said in an almost friendly tone of voice. "What have we got here?" he asked shoving Warren to the side. He sat behind a keyboard and started hitting buttons. The screens went dark then one by one they blinked on and off before Buffy's image flooded them all. Spike stared, stunned into momentary silence. There were long shots and close-ups. There was no sound, but her face was so expressive it wasn't needed. There were a lot of her fighting, a few of her with her friends and then one of her sitting on her porch crying. His heart ached—he remembered that night, she'd just come back from seeing the 'poof'.

"Bloody hell," he whispered as the Slayer appeared in different settings over and over until it seemed her entire life was recorded here for these creeps to gawk at. He shot Warren an enraged look of surprise. "You've been stalking her…" His eyes narrowed and he grabbed the man by the collar. "Tell me what you've seen, and you might live out the rest of tonight," he snarled, dragging the computer nerd to the key-board of the main computer.

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On a dark freeway driving somewhere:

"How much longer?" Buffy asked, glancing at Angelus anxiously. He'd been totally mute and almost hostile to her ever since they'd made love before they'd left. She couldn't figure out what his problem was now, but she knew something was bothering him. He had something face—actually he had and 'I want to kill someone' face, but that triggered instincts in her she wasn't ready to deal with, so she ignored the rage pouring off him, and focused on trying to get him to talk to her again.

"We'll be there when we're there," he gritted out, keeping his eyes on the road.

"I'm hungry…" Buffy said, and laid her hand on his thigh almost playfully—trying to tease him into a better mood.

"You'll eat when we stop," he growled and tossed her hand back into her lap.

Stumped, Buffy glared at him. "What the hell is wrong with you?" she snapped.

"Nothing," he growled back, unwilling to go into his thoughts—which were getting darker with every mile. She thought he was her fucking puppet, didn't she? Well, she was in for a huge surprise when he got her to his safe house. "Leave it alone, Buff…" he warned.

Buffy recognized the dangerousness in his voice. He was beyond furious and since she had no idea what was wrong, she did as he asked and let it go. "Whatever," she said and turned to stare out the window. A 'Welcome to Oregon' sign sped past and she gasped. "We're leaving California?" she said, turning to face him again.

He smirked. "Wow, can't get anything past you, can I?"

Buffy almost snarled at him in frustration. "Why are you being such a bastard?"

"What do you mean, baby?" he practically purred. "I'm always a bastard…I guess you just forgot that when you fell in love with my cock," he added cruelly.

Buffy clenched her fists. "Well, I won't forget again…" she muttered.

He snorted. "Yeah, you say that now…let's see what you're saying tonight when I'm making you come…"

"Fuck you!" she snapped.

"Ouch!" he said wincing, but his laughter made her skin crawl and she had to restrain herself from smacking him.

"You're an asshole," she said, staring out the window, refusing to look at him.

He ignored her and glanced in the rear view mirror. Fred was staring at the two of them as if hoping she could just disappear. He smiled. "Fred, did you ever get to try those clothes on, kitten?" he asked, his voice smooth like warmed velvet.

"I-I'm fine," Fred said softly, desperately trying to keep herself out of the line of fire between Angelus and Buffy. "Don't worry about me."

"That wasn't what I asked, sweetness…" he said, ignoring Buffy's eyes burning a hole in his profile. "I asked if you ever got to try your clothes on. Did you?"

"Um…" Buffy's glare was fluctuating between Angelus and Fred and the slim Texan cringed t the rage reflected in those hazel eyes. "Yeah," she lied. "And they fit fine, thank you."

"You're lying," Angelus stated. He shot Buffy a sideways glance, then met Fred's eyes in the rear view mirror again. "Don't let Buffy's petty jealousy stop you from telling me the truth Fred…ever," he warned.

Buffy's head whipped his way and her eyes narrowed. "I so wouldn't play the game your about to play, lover—I wasn't kidding earlier."

He smirked at her. "Neither was I," he said softly and Buffy shivered at the cold emptiness she saw in his dark brown eyes. He shot a quick look over his shoulder at Fred. "Now tell me the truth, did you get to try your clothes on?" he demanded.

Fred sighed, and shook her head. "No," she whispered, feeling sick as the tension in the car reached a near suffocating level.

Angelus nodded. "Good girl," he said, pleased. "Well, it doesn't matter. I'm taking you shopping again tomorrow night. I didn't buy you enough earlier," he said, glancing Buffy's way to watch her reaction.

Buffy swallowed hard. Why was he being like this? "I hate you," she muttered, blinking back unwanted tears.

He laughed softly. "That might have more weight if you didn't melt every time I touch you." As if to prove his point he slid a hand up her thigh and his smile broadened at her sharp indrawn breath.

She grabbed his wrist before he could cup her sex. "Stop!" she snapped and threw his hand away.

He laughed harder and put his hand back on the steering wheel. "Whatever, you want me—I can smell it."

Buffy almost hated him right then. Everything had been fine and then—wham— it wasn't. What had happened to put him in this mood? She gave him a curious look. "You know they have medication now for people like you," she grumbled, having a hard time keeping up with his mercurial mood shifts.

His brows drew down. "What the fuck are you talking about?"

"I'm just saying—the way your mood goes up and down…I'm thinking bi-polar…" she said with a shrug. "It's a common mental disorder, you know?"

His eyes widened, and then narrowed dangerously. "Shut-the-fuck-up," he snarled softly.

She smiled, knowing she'd struck a blow to his ego. "Fine, but still…" She shrugged, trying her best to appear casual…negligent even. "I'm just saying…therapy and some serious psyche-meds and you might actually be a normal vampire someday!" She smirked at him. "You really ought-a think about it."

He gripped the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white. "Another word and you might end up road kill," he bit out and gunned the big engine of the Plymouth. He was more in a hurry than ever because if he didn't get out of this car and soon he'd either fuck or strangle her to death—it was iffy at this point!

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A small town in Texas:

Lilah Morgan grumbled as she pulled in front of a blaringly loud Country/Western bar. She got out of her rental car, dusted off her smart business suit and clicked the alarm on the Lincoln, glad she'd managed to get the luxury automobile considering how the girl behind the counter had stared at her dumbly when the lawyer had asked for a Mercedes or a Lexus.

"Um…we mostly rent trucks," the girl had mumbled, snapping her chewing gum and twirling a lock of blond hair around her finger.

Lilah rolled her eyes. What was she doing here in Odessa; a tiny dirt bowl of a town in West Texas? Leave it to Lindsey to make her life this miserable. She glanced up at the neon sign. 'Cowboy Bob's Honkey Tonk' it blinked in garishly bright lights. Again she rolled her eyes. Who'd have thought Wolfram & Hart's 'Golden-Boy' would end up here? She gripped her purse and lifted her chin as she marched towards the doors. She'd faced down every man in the firm to get where she was—what were a few Neanderthal cowboys in comparison to that?

"Hey honey," a slurred voice called out as she entered the establishment and attempted to push her way past the throng of people standing three deep around the bar. Lilah looked down at the hand grabbing her hip. A drunken behemoth of a man in a flannel shirt wrapped his arms around her waist and tried to pull her onto his lap. "They got the bull rides later, but you can practice on me, if ya like?" he said, guffawing with his equally inebriated friends.

Lilah calmly pulled out a small gun and placed it against the moron's head. "If you want to keep what little brains you have left, I suggest you let me go," she said with a wicked smirk.

The man and his friends gaped at her, but the buffoon saw the deadly calm in her eyes and wisely let her go. He pushed his hat back. "You're a wild little filly, aren't ya?"

Lilah tucked the gun back into her purse. "More than you know," she said softly and headed for the man on the stage singing a sad country western tune about lost love.

He was pouring his heart out and actually had some talent, but Lilah wasn't interested. She was here for another mission altogether. "Give me a break Linds," she sighed as she listened to the lyrics about a blond heartbreaker who chose another. "She was a vampire—get over it already…" she said and sat down at a table to wait for him to finish his set.

The waitress came up and Lilah smiled at her. "Makers Mark—straight up." She motioned to Lindsey. "Is he a regular?"

The girl nodded, blushing prettily. "Lindsey? Oh yeah—isn't he pretty? And he has the most amazing voice!" she gushed.

Lilah wanted to vomit. "Yeah, he's terrific. Does he live locally?" She handed the girl a card. "I'm a lawyer representing a record producer, but I don't want to tell him that we're checking him out just yet. You know how it is…? Knowing there's someone scouting them in the audience…" She shrugged. "It tends to make someone get nervous…"

The girl glanced at the card and her whole face lit up. "Oh my God! Are you serious?" Lilah simply nodded and the girl looked like she was about to burst. "Well if this ain't the most excitin' thing to happen in…well, I can't really remember when!" she exclaimed as she tucked the card in her pocket. "He lives just a few miles from here." She took out a pad of paper and jotted down an address and phone number. "There's his cell and his address. Hey if he gets discovered do I like get a finders fee or somethin'?"

Lilah took the paper, memorized the address and then tucked the paper in her purse. She glanced up at Lindsey dressed in shabby Levis, a cowboy hat and a wife beater—again she rolled her eyes. "Or something," she said with a nod of her head.

The woman hurried off to get Lilah's drink and the brunette lawyer waited as Lindsey finished that song and broke into another—even sadder song. He actually looked good, way more relaxed than she'd ever seen him. Too bad that was about to change.

Her smile was cunning. "Time to get back in the game, Linds..." she said softly.

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Okay guys, sorry I've been a total slacker on replying—I promise I'll get them out this weekend, but I'm trying to get updates posted, so I just thought you'd rather have a new chappie than a message from me saying thanks. :) If I'm wrong, let me know and I'll do the reply thing before posting…

ASnyhow I'm almost done with a new chappie for all of my fics and YES…that includes Second Chances, Wish in Time and To tame a Demon. I will (hopefully) be posting on those this weekend. :) So again, I'm sorry for not saying thank you in a pm, but musie has been on fire and I really have to use the little beeyatch when she gets like this! Now please feed her so she'll continue to feed me! :)