A/N Thank you to all of you that have reviewed! I am still flying solo without a beta reader, so please have patience with me. Amanda hope all is well!
This chapter is more like a filler, a regrouping. Don't get use to it!
Chapter 10
Angel stopped in his tracks and watched her run from the room; he could hear her muffed sobs as she ran down the hall and stairs. He turned to Willow "What is going on, why was she holding her chest like that?"
Willow felt trapped should she tell him or not. "Willow what did you see?" Angel asked again walking to stand in front of her. Spike wrapped the cloth to stem the flow of blood, took Willows arm and gave her gentle shake as he asked.
"What happened love?" Spike stood in front of her and looked her directly in the eyes. "What did you see? You are not betraying Buffy by telling us"
Willow closed her eyes "Gaven was forcing Buffy to watch Angel and Darla having sex". Her eyes found Angel's shocked ones. "She saw it all, I can't describe it" she said walking towards the door, rubbing her arms as if she was suddenly chilled "Buffy was frozen she couldn't stop it, or turn away from it" Her words caused Angel to sit on the bed.
"Oh my God" he closed his eyes "Spike I will kill him with my bare hands" he whispered. Angel let his mind wander back to that dark time, Darla and Angel had sex but it was almost animalistic, hurtful sex.
Spike was having a hard time understanding exactly what Willow meant so he had to ask for further clarification "When you mean saw."
Willow cut him off "Everything it was like they were right in front of her, you could smell the sex in the air," Spike closed his eyes as Dru's words echoed in his mind again.
"You now what he is doing don't you" he asked to no one in particular anger flooded his system, he felt the demon in him rage. He was not sure what angered him more, the fact his best friend had just lived through her worst fear or the fact no one seemed to notice Gaven's game plan.
Angel looked at Spike his mind not working he was still too shocked to think clearly. "What who is doing" he asked rubbing his head which was suddenly pounding.
Spike began to pace, his mind racing as his thoughts came together, "Gaven is trying to keep Buffy off her game, a distracted slayer is a dead slayer" he said repeating Dru's message.
Willow closed her eyes and wiped the tears from her face, she shook her head trying to shake her friends despair from her mind. Angel stood up and said, "I have to find her and explain." Willow sat next to Spike shaking her head.
"Just leave her be for a while, it is still to fresh in her mind to listen to anything you might have to say." Willow rested her head on Spike's shoulder, her mind beginning to follow Spike's line of thought.
Buffy ran down the stairs and into the main washroom, she slammed the door and leaned against it. Her breath was ragged, her mind was racing, she let her bag fall to the floor as her stomach heaved and she dropped to her knees in front of the toilet.
Willow went to check on Buffy, Willow raised her hand to knock but stopped, as she heard Buffy heaving behind the closed door. Buffy empty what little she had in her stomach out, she rested her heated head against the cool porcelain of the bowl, taking deep breaths.
"Pull your self together Buffy you have too many people counting on you to fall apart know" Buffy said to herself as she slowly go to her feet, she rinsed out her mouth and washed her face, she cleaned the cut above her eye. Buffy stood motionless as she took in her appearance. She looked like that lost little girl, that was afraid of her destiny that ran from her fate, not the strong independent woman she had struggled to become.
"Buffy can I come in" Willow asked threw the door. When she got no response she tried the door, it was open she walked in and saw Buffy standing in front of the mirror. "Is there anything I can do" Willow asked.
Buffy smiled putting on a brave front "Fine, I am just fine" Willow sat on the rim of tub not buying into her false smile.
"I saw what he was doing to you Buffy, Do you need any help?" Willow asked again looking at her friend's chest.
Buffy clutched her shirt tighter "No I," she said as tears came to her eyes. Willow stood up and approached her friend Buffy turned quickly to the shower and turned the water on.
"Let me see Buffy" Willow asked again. Buffy removed her nightshirt and Willow noticed right away the suck marks on the back of her neck and shoulders. Buffy turned slowly, Willow gasped when she saw her friends chest, she had teeth marks all over her breasts and stomach, he had bitten her so hard the skin was broken and bruising in many places.
"Do they hurt" Willow asked Buffy who shook her head, Willow knew she was lying but did not push.
"I am fine Will, I just need to be alone." Buffy watched her friend; she met Willow's eyes and held them for a moment. This seemed to work because Willow turned and left the washroom closing the door behind her. Buffy tested the water and stepping under the spray she let the heat relax her body. Once the burning stopped from the bite marks it wasn't to bad ' He is messing with your mind, Buffy, your making it too easy" she thought to herself as she washed her hair 'he knows my weakness and is playing on it, it has to stop or he is going to win.' Buffy rinsed off her body and shut the water out. "You'll have to face Angel, you'll have to forgive him or send him away' she thought as she dried off and applied disinfectant cream to her sore front half, 'can you forgive him she thought as she slipped on her work out clothes. Buffy once more stood before the mirror. "I can try, No more Gaven the game ends here, " she said to her reflection her voice filled the bathroom.
Pulling her hair into a ponytail Buffy opened the door carrying her running shoes. She opened the front door and sat in the sun letting the warmth soak into her. Buffy slipped her feet into her runners lacing them up; she stood up and stretched her body. Buffy's body protested 'you need to sleep" it cried. "Rest will come later" she mumbled to herself as she ran down the walkway. Buffy's main focus was to center both her mind and body for what laid ahead. The game was over.
Angel watched from his bed room window "Spike what am I going to do?" he asked as his eyes followed her until she ran into the woods. Spike who was still in shock at what Willow had told them finally said.
"You have to tell her everything, trust her with your mistakes" was all Spike could offer his friend. He stood up and walked over to him placing a hand on his shoulder to show his support.
Angel's gaze found and held the younger vampire's "You don't understand when Darla and I had sex it was" he stopped trying to find the right words "there was no feeling only want, I didn't care if she felt good or not, I was driven by need and lust" Angel moved to once more sit on the edge of the unmade bed.
Spike smiled feeling for his friend. "Just say it you had dirty raunchy sex" Spike sat down next to him trying to lighten the mood. It seemed to work because Angel offered a half smiled and said. "That is one way to put it Spike".
"Listen mate" he said standing up he wanted to find Willow "Just tell her the truth and she will come around, I have to go find Willow" Angel stood up with Spike and watched him go. Angel did not know what to do so he began pulling the sheets from his bed.
Spike found Willow looking out the window; in their bedroom "Hello pet how is she?" he asked embracing her from behind.
Willow turned to Spike "He hurt her" she cried into his solid chest. Spike looked confused and asked. "Who hurt Buffy? .. Angel?"
Willow shook her head crying "No not Angel Gaven, Buffy was like frozen she couldn't move and he touched her while she was forced to watch Angel and Darla."
Spike stepped back from her "What?" he asked then he shouted for Angel, who came running into the room "What is wrong?"
Spike passed on the info he just learned, Angel felt his blood boil "What did he do to her? Was that is why she was holding her chest." Willow nodded her head wiping her tears from her face.
"She has bite marks all over her breast and shoulders he even broke skin he wanted her to invite him in." She had to stop as tears flooded her eyes again "His hand.. his hand was down the front of her pants, he was trying to get her excited" Before anything more could be said Dawn walked in.
"Who was excited," she asked with a yawn. Spike quickly took control of the situation. He walked over to her and forced a smile. "I am excited, Willow wants to go shopping so I thought you might like to come," he said. Dawn reached out and touched his face.
"Fine don't tell me what is going on" she said with a frown and walked out of the room.
An hour later Buffy walked threw the door directly into the kitchen and poured her self a glass of cool water and guzzled it down. Placing the glass in the sink she smiled at her friends. "Morning" Spike handed her a mug of coffee. Buffy sat next to Giles, Spike had filled him in what had happened.
"Have a good run?" Giles asked trying not to look at her chest. Buffy smiled and reached for a muffin "Yes I did, when you're done your breakfast, Spike I would like to get some training in," She said as she tore the muffin into pieces and popped a section into her mouth.
Spike looked up from his mug "Sorry love you will have to find another partner. I have a few errands to do this morning with Willow & Dawn."
Buffy eat another piece of her muffin chewing it slowly, once she was done she turned to Angel " Are you up for a little workout?" Angel nearly choked on his toast "Yes I wouldn't mind a work out" he said with a smile.
Buffy smiled back and asked, "Is the equipment still in the same place or has it been moved?" Angel shook his head "No the back room hasn't changed". Buffy stood up and drained her mug, put it in the sink and walked out of the kitchen. Everyone starred after her.
Spike stepped forward "I'll go" he said following her out of the room, he entered the room to find Buffy stretching her body he watched her arch her back until she was standing on her hands. He waited until she was on her feet to speak. "Are you alright Slayer?" Buffy reached for the tape and began to wrap her already bruised hands.
"Yes Spike I am fine" she said looking up at him. Spike walked over to her and took the tape from her hands and began to wrap them for her.
"How are you alright? Last time I saw you were running from the room in hysterics". Buffy waited until he was finished to speak.
"Spike I did a lot of thinking this morning", just then Giles entered the room "These last few days I have lost control of my life, I have just been feeling not thinking. What happened this morning was some thing I don't think I will ever forget? But if I shut down and hide Gaven wins". She walked over to the window to look out side. "The truth is I can't blame Angel for what he did, we weren't together. I had no ties over him and if he wanted to sleep with Darla or any other woman that was his choice."
Spike took in her pained expression he knew how much this was hurting her but proud of her wisdom at the same time. "Buffy I think you and Angel need to talk about what happened with Darla."
Giles who was silent up till this pointed added "It may not make the hurt go away but put a better perspective of what truly happened" Buffy turned back to her friends and saw Angel standing in the door way, he had heard everything.
Buffy smiled and said, "Gaven will have to find another way to get at me than threw Angel, because that won't work any more. My feelings for Angel" Buffy stopped wanting to make sure she expressed her self correctly. "I have always considered them to be a weakness, but their not, they are my strength" She spoke directly to Angel.
Angel walked towards Buffy and took her in his arms "Thank you" he felt her stiffen slightly and released her. Spike turned to leave the room.
"Wait" she called out "before you leave please let Willow and Dawn know I want to go over some moves with them."
Spike nodded his head "Will do" he smiled as he waked out. Buffy began to punch the bag that hung from the ceiling. "And you might as well tell Lindsey and Darla to" she said hitting the bag with such force the leather seem burst. Giles smiled to himself proud of his Slayer. "Oops sorry" she said.
Giles worked Buffy hard, an hour and a half into it Angel had to slow down, so he watched Buffy and Giles sparing with wooden staffs, Giles held his arms up "I need a break" he gasped.
Buffy was covered in sweat; "Come on lazy bones break is over" Giles tossed the staff to Angel he stood up. Buffy attacked Angel with the staff, the next thing he new he was flat on hit butt.
"Wake up" she laughed Angel stood up embarrassed. Giles was laughing loudly "What is so funny" she asked turning to look at him trying to hide her laughter.
The two worked around the room. Both were in the heat of battle, when Spike walked in unnoticed by both Angel and Buffy, Giles handed him a staff and motioned him in from behind.
Angel saw him coming and picked up his pace determined to have Buffy knocked on her ass. Buffy sensed a change in the air around her, she spanned quickly to the right, hitting Angel with the heel of her hand directly in the chest to knock him off balance. While kicking her leg out almost connecting with Spikes face "It is not nice to sneak up on people Spike."
Giles clamped his hands "Great job Buffy, that is enough for now" She put her leg down and gently hit Spike a smile light her face as she spoke.
"Trying to gang up on me" Spike laughed "Well you know Buffy; Angel is human now, so…" Angel cut in "I can handle myself just fine" he huffed which caused them to laugh even harder.
"Giles" Buffy called out to him "I am going to shower and than take a nap came you keep an eye on Dawn, if Spike is not around." Angel having heard this reached for her arm.
"Buffy, can we talk" he asked she looked him in the eye and said, "I would like that, but I would like to take a shower first, how about you come up in an hour or so."
Angel smiled "Sure thing" Buffy walked towards the stairs "Angel" she said causing him to turn back to her "Bring some food" she whispered.
She made her way up the stairs, humming to herself, 'your doing great so far' she said to herself 'just keep your self focused'.
"Buffy" she turned to look at Willow who was standing in the doorway. "Hi Will" Buffy found it hard to meet her eyes, "Can we talk?" Willow asked.
Buffy straightens her shoulders and walked into Angel's room motioning for Willow to follow. "Do you mind if I run a bath" Willow followed her into the bathroom and said "What about your arm" Buffy reached for her Vanilla scented bubble bath, "Giles said I could remove the stitches." Buffy told her friend.
"I'll do that while you're in the tub" she said and went to get the first aid kit. By the time she got back Buffy was in the tub with bubbles up to her chin her eyes were closed. If it weren't for the circles under her eyes, you could never tell anything was wrong, the bruises were gone from her head, and the cut had closed nicely would be gone by tomorrow morning. Her hands told another story; Willow pulled the foot tool up to the size of the tub.
"Here give me your arm," she instructed, Buffy laid it on the towel Willow had placed on the wide rim of the tub.
"How are you feeling?" Willow asked, Buffy kept her eyes closed but responded with a sigh "What would you like to know Willow" Buffy asked feeling her body relax.
This caused Willow to smile "I just want to make sure that your alright, it's not everyday that a person see the one that they love having sex with someone else" Buffy opened her eyes to look at her friend.
"Willow like I said earlier, I will never forget what I saw, but I have to get over it. I can not let Gaven control me threw Angel"
Willow began to snip away at the stitching "I am really glad you think that way, but what I want to know is how you feel" she said pulling the thread out of each knot.
Buffy closed her eyes once more and spoke "Willow, when I close my eyes I see them. The rational part of my brain tells me to let it go that we weren't together we had no ties, but my heart hurts to beat" Willow had to blink rapidly to keep the tears from falling "I mean when it comes to sex Angel and I do not have a great track record" Willow pulled the last stitch from her arm and cleaned it off.
"What do you mean?" Willow asked turning her back so Buffy could get out of the tub.
"Come on Will the very first time we made, he turned into a monster and tried to kill my family and friends. He completely shot my whole sex appeal to shit. Ok you can turn around," she said to her friend before she continued.
"Then when we do have normal healthy love making he swallows the day to make it so it never happened". Willow watched Buffy scurry around the room brushing her hair, pulling on clothes, completely lost in thought. "I mean how else am I to feel; look at the facts", she continued " he makes love to me and loses his soul, he screws Darla and becomes human" Buffy hand clamped over her mouth at the shock of saying what was truly in her heart.
Tears filled her eyes as she looked at her friend "Oh God, Will did I just say that out loud" Willow walked over and hug her friend "It is ok to feel that way. Face you feelings Buffy and follow your heart." Willow went to say more but there was a knock at the door.
"Lunch is served" Angel said walking into his room with a tray of food. He took in the two friends and stopped "Is everything ok?" he asked.
Willow smiled and said "I was just taking the stitches out of her arm" she walked to the door and pulled it closed "Enjoy lunch" she called out before it closed "Buffy, are you alright?" Angel asked putting the tray on the table.
Buffy smiled and said, "Yeah we were just taking" Angel sat down and motioned for her to sit as well.
"About me?" he asked as he reached for a plate. Buffy felt her face go red and she offered.
"You're name was mentioned." Angel filled her glass with juice and passed it to her enjoying the pinkish ting that covered her cheeks.
"That's good at least you don't hate me" he joked, Buffy cut him off shaking her head.
"I don't hate you Angel," she said frowning, Angel laughed and responded,
"I know that just I wanted to see you squirm" Buffy didn't know weather to laugh or cry.
They ate in silence and once Buffy was full she walked over to the bed and sat down "I see you moved your things out" Buffy stated trying to keep the tremor out of her voice, Angel stood up and joined her on the bed.
"I thought it better if I slept next door, for now" he added he was unsure what to do or say so he just sat there.
Buffy smiled "A little sure of your self aren't you, but this is your room, I'll move next door". Angel shook his head while he said, "No Buffy it's ok, I like the thought of you sleeping in my bed, even if I am not with you" Buffy tried to control the hot feeling that rushed threw her body.
Suddenly everything go to quite, "Come on lie back" he said patting the pillow. Buffy stretched out and pulled the blanket with her, his arm wrapped around her drawing lazy circles on her shoulder. Buffy snuggled closer and said, "Ok so talk"
Angel's laugh sounded hollow "You know that I had this whole speech planned but for some reason it doesn't sound so good anymore" Buffy felt him tense up so she decided to hit the nail on it's head and said.
"I just want the truth, it's ok I can handle it no tears or freak-outs" she promised closing her eyes preparing herself to listen. Angel had to look at her because her voice held so little emotion. Angel got comfortable and began his life story explain how he came to find Cordy and Doyle, Wolfman & Heart. Buffy remained still threw it all, Angel watched as she would clench her fists ever so often. Now the hard part of the story was up so he took a deep breath and dived in.
"Suddenly I started to dream of Darla, vivid dreams that were so real, I could not forget them, soon everything was about Darla." Angel stopped because there was no movement from Buffy, "Hey are you a sleep?" he asked. Angel allowed Buffy to sit up he watched her get out of bed and walked to the window.
"Please finish," she asked before she chickened out. Angel shook his head trying to word things correctly. "Buffy to make a long story short I thought I was dreaming of Darla. I had no idea that Lindsey had brought her back, I was consumed with her obsessed and I lost myself in her. Buffy I am so Sorry" he said sitting on the bed; she kept her back turned to him.
"I wanted to hurt Darla and, myself for feeling so lost and lonely. This went on for 3 months. Finally Doyle and Lindsey came in and caught us together, up until that moment I thought Darla was dream. When I realized that she was really there. I mean Doyle could see her I lost it I nearly killed her. Suddenly every thing feel into place Wolfman and Hart wanted me to lose my soul, my humanity."
He stood up and walked towards her "I let her go 6 months later I was human" Buffy was numb 3 months he had a relationship. He touched her arm "Buffy please look at me, in all my years of being a vampire and now human. I have made love to only one person, and that was you, there is a difference, and I think you know what I mean." Angel paused then said "Now that you have seen what you did."
Buffy had to turn her face because tears threatened to fall "Yes I know what you mean" She walked towards the bed needing some space.
"Buffy" he called out she stopped to look at him "Do you trust me?" he asked her as he closed the distance she had just made.
Buffy just looked at him "I, I" she stammered taken off guard. He smiled his sad smile "Not even enough to tell me that Gaven had hurt you". Angel asked softly.
She looked up sharply "What.. Willow shouldn't have" her tongue tied as she covered her chest with her arms.
Angel stood before her and said, "It wasn't Willow, why Buffy?" Buffy blinked away tears and she turned her back to him.
"I wasn't sure, how you would react, I don't need a repeat of what happened to Spike happen to you" She could not see his smile or his eyes fill with love at her trying to protect him.
"Let me see" Angel asked, Buffy shock her head "Please, no more secrets remember" Angel said softly, Buffy turned to look at him. Her hands went to the top of her shirt to undo the first few buttons. Her hands began to tremble, Angel brushed her hands a side and slowly undid the rest.
He gently slid her shirt from her shoulders, down her arms until it hit the floor in a soundless heap. His eyes took in the teeth marks that covered her chest, neck and shoulders. Angel felt rage size his heart.
Buffy watched Angel's face especially his eyes turn from a chocolate brown to a blazing gold. A tear silently slid down her check, Angel gently touched the welted marks that covered her flesh. "Do they hurt?" he asked.
She was unable to speak. Angel looked at her tired face and eyes brimming with unshed tears "Hey" he said pulling her into his arms. "It's ok let it out, he will never hurt you again," he whispered and Buffy sobbed into his chest.
"I couldn't move, he kept touching me, I am so strong but I could not move. But the worst part was having to watch you and Darla" she cried into his chest.
Angel tightened his arms around her "He will never hurt you again" he promised. Buffy was not sure how they made it to the bed but there she was snuggled into his chest in the protective circle of his arms. Buffy closed her eyes and said "Thank you" she mumbles sleep quickly approaching.
Angel smiled "Your welcome" Buffy turned her head and placed a kiss on his chest "I love you Angel" He felt his heart sing "I love you to" was his response, soon they were both asleep.
Willow walked into the main room in search of Giles, she found him with his nose in a book. "Giles we need to talk" she said stopping before him. He motioned for her to sit.
"What is on your mind?" Giles asked seeing the look on her face. He marked his page and closed his book.
Willow leaned towards him "I am going to fight Gaven with Magic, before you say anything, I will do it the right way." Willow said holding her hand in a pleading gesture.
Giles reached for his glassed, "Do you think you can handle it?" he asked deciding to here her out. Gaven was gifted warlock all options where open at this point.
Willow stood up and said "I have no choice, I need your help if you see me getting out of line". Giles stood up and hugged this young woman, she was truly a gifted and powerful witch, it took years to tune and hone in on that energy, but with it came a high price. The magic was like a drug to Willow; the more she used her powered the harder it would be to stop. Giles understood her need to help, even at the cost of her own safety.
"You can trust me," he said sitting back down. Willow smiled as all the tension left her body. "I also know someone who would love to help us"
"Who" Giles questioned reaching for his book. He had found a reference to Gaven in one of the older journals.
"Oz is back in town and is dying to see everyone," Willow told him beaming Giles smiled happy they had come together once more so he offered "That is wonderful, bring him by".
Willow left Giles and headed for the kitchen she walked in on Lindsey and Darla arguing, "Darla I am warning you back off, they are not your concern."
Darla spun on him "Angel is my concern and she is not right for him, and I will protect him". Willow walked right up to Darla anger flowing from her.
"Shut up, you don't care about Angel all you care about is yourself, if you so much as hurt either one of them, I'll kill you myself you worthless excuse for a human being." Willow grabbed the phone and said to Lindsey "I feel sorry for you, trust me you can do so much better than this trash" Darla swung at Willow who held up her hand in warning, the air crackled with electricity. This caused Darla to stop dead in her tracks.
Willow spoke to Lindsey without turning to look at him. "Get her out of here Lindsey before I push her out the window". Lindsey grabbed Darla pulling her from the kitchen.
Spike pulled into the driveway with Dawn. "Spike did something happen to Buffy last night" Dawn asked as she gazed at the stone structure. Spike spoke with out looking at her,
"Like what luv" he asked afraid to look at her so he took look out the window. His answer made Dawn sigh and got out the car and said. Dawn decided to try a different approach.
"What were you all talking bout this morning, why were you all acting strange when Buffy came back from her run"
Spike did not like having to lie to Dawn so he held up his hands almost to ward off the onslaught of questions and said "Dawn everything is fine trust me." Dawn decided not to argue for now.
Buffy stretched and rolled over and opened her eyes, Angel was propped up looking down at her. "Hi" he said with a smile. She sat up "Hi yourself, what time is it?" she asked. "About 6:30" was his reply he stretched his body yawning loudly.
"Time to get up" she said throwing the blanket away from her body. Angel watched her stretch her body; he saw the muscle dance under her skin. He took this time to examine the scars that ran across her lower back, they were angry looking scars, jagged slashes which had smoothed with time, he also noticed that some disappeared down her shorts.
"How long did it take for those to heal", he asked causing Buffy to looked at him over her shoulder not sure of what he was taking about. He placed a finger on the largest scar that ran right across her lower back, it looked like they tried to cut her in half.
Buffy stood up and reached for her shirt that was still on the floor. She covered her chest and walked to her bag to pull out a spandex bra. She had her back to him while she pulled it on "Longer than usual, they hurt a lot more that any other type of wound. The funny thing is most scars will fade and eventually disappear, but they didn't. Giles found it very strange at the time" she said in a matter of fact manner.
Angel got out of bed as well "I noticed that they run under your short line. He watched her move around the room like she owned it.
Buffy began to brush her hair catching his eye in the mirror "lower back and thighs are the only places the scars did not disappear, I have a few very thin and fine ones that run across my navel and stomach but you really have to look to see them". She pulled her hair into a ponytail and reached for her running shoes. He watched her slip them on over her socks. Once she was done she stood before him "How do I look?" she asked with a smile
"Ready to face the world" he said squeezing her shoulder. Buffy laughed and said, "you might want to change, we have some training to do with everybody, then patrol. Then I have to go home and check on a few things and I am expecting you to come and keep me company".
Angel moaned, "When did you become such a drill Sergeant". Buffy stopped at the door "There are lots of thing you don't know about me" Angel came to stand in front of her and whispered "I am looking very forward to finding out" his lips gently covered hers in a kiss. Angel pulled away and smacked her on the ass "I will meet you down stairs in 10"
Buffy found everyone in the Garden "Come on all of you get into your work out gear training commences in 10 min." She said sitting down next to Dawn, as the others moan and groaned heading to the house.
"Hi ya squirt, what have you been up to day." Dawn smiled at her older sister, she did not mind it too much when Buffy spoke to her like a child so she let it slide and said.
"Not much how about, Oh my god Buffy what happened" she said reaching out to touch the fading welt and bruise on her sisters shoulder. Buffy took the girls hand trying to calm her. Dawn listen quietly has Buffy explained what had happened.
Dawn stood up and said "Is Darla in training, cuz if she is I want to partner up with her" Buffy smiled and said "Go get changed." Buffy went to the kitchen for a bottle of water there she met Lindsey.
"Hey training in the work out room." Buffy called out to him when he didn't look up Buffy sat down next to him "Are you ok?" she asked.
Lindsey look at her confusion hit his face causing him to ask, "How can you been so nice to me after all that she has done"
Buffy smiled reaching for his hand "You're not Darla, I think you're in a tuff spot but I can't blame you for Darla's actions".
Lindsey smiled and said "She is not like this normally, she reminds me of when we first brought her back, mean and selfish" he stopped himself and pulled his hand away.
"Am I interrupting something?" Angel asked from the door way. Buffy stood up and said, "You should go and get ready Lindsey" once he left the room Buffy turned to Angel and said "Poor guy maybe you should talk to him."
Angel looked at her and said, "Do you really want me to do that" Buffy smiled and said, "He needs someone to talk to" They both entered the gym when Angel called out "forgot my bottle of water."
"So look at the happy couple, all in love" Buffy turned to find Darla stretching in the corner. Buffy walked past her smiling to herself as she saw the bruise on her slightly swollen jaw. "Has he told you the things that we've done how long we were together?" she taunted from her corner. Buffy dropped her towel and bottle of water. She placed on hand on the bar that hung from the wall it was waist length in height and padded with foam.
Buffy lifting her leg to rest on it stretching her leg muscles. Buffy tried to block the images that came rushing to her mind. Angel approached the room and heard Darla taunting Buffy. He was ready to grab Darla by her neck and snap it into when he heard Buffy say.
"Darla give it a rest, I have more important thing to do then play games with you. If I were you I would worry about the man you have, because the next time I find him sitting all alone" Angel heard Buffy tone drop "I will do my very best to make him forget his troubles" Angel smiled as he walked into the gym. Darla stood there with her mouth open, before she could recover the other walked in.
Lessthanangelic1 – I like intense, glad you like the story! Don't want you to get too settled, the fun part is keeping you all jumping.
SPK – Again your review made my day! You So get the undercurrent of this story! Thank you
Logansluvah – I had so much fun with this chapter, Trust me Gaven had only just begun
Pinkblue-Ice – I am happy that you are so into the story. You have been a faithful reader from chapter 1 Thank you
Julyhearts- Thank you for your review, as for Buffy having faith in Angel, it has to grow, more twist and turns to come!