Ok, this could have come a hell of a lot sooner. So sorry guys. I've been busy with school and work, but I've got a bit of time now. Lemme know what you think. Hope you still kinda like the story.

"I'm sorry… I didn't mean to disobey! I'm sorry, Master!" Parker cowered on the dirty basement floor, his hands covering his bruised face.

Ethan Rayne looked down at the wounded boy in disgust. He raised his hand and a large black orb sprung magically from his palm. "I warned you. If you got in my way, even momentarily, you would be severely punished."

Parker looked up at him from his submissive position. His face was bloody and his clothes were torn and ripped. Immediately after leaving Giles' home, Ethan had taken his time beating the young man for even attempting to help the Awakener. "I-I-"

Ethan crouched down, the magical mass in his hands growing darker, "You will stay in this prison, until I say it is ok for you to come out. And that won't be for a long, long time. You are so weak and pathetic that you won't be able to break it. I knew that you would have nowhere near the power of an Awakener. You have failed me in every way possible."

"I shouldn't have wasted my time kidnapping you from your family." He stood and began chanting, the mass of black growing bigger and bigger.

The young vampire's eyes widened in shock, "Kidnapping me? You said that…you said that I was an orphan. You said that I had no family that wanted me!"

Ethan smiled at him with no remorse, "Does it really matter now? They've forgotten all about you. I could leave you here for a decade and no one will even remember your existence. You don't exist."

Parker said nothing, but gave Ethan a long look. It was not one of mercy, nor of pain, but one of pure contempt. He would find his way out of the magical prison, no matter how long it took.

Ethan was startled by the sudden intense gaze, but gave no mention of it. He threw the mass of black and watched as it consumed the boy. He disappeared, as if he was never there to begin with.

Ethan straightened his jacket and brushed his hair back carefully. It was time to get to work.

Willow trudged into her section of the compound with a heavy heart. Execution was never her favorite part of the job, but it could not be avoided. It seemed as if the tension inside of her clan was rising. She wasn't exactly sure why, but it was definitely a matter to be discussed with Angelus soon. Right now, though, she was returning to her suite to try to put this day behind her.

Reaching her bedroom, she kicked off her shoes and laid her bag and jacket in a pile on the floor. She opened the door and landed face first onto the plush bed.

She didn't tense when she felt a hand slide up her back, kneading the tense muscles that laid there. "Mmmm…don't stop…"

"Hard day?"

Willow peered up into the soft blue eyes of her wife and instantly felt a portion of her stress fade away. "Hard month more like it. Things are…things are crazy out there."

Tara laid on the bed next to her and kept lightly massaging her back, "What happened with the trial this morning?"

The red head turned on her side to face her, "It was ridiculous. This vampire completely lost control of himself and it was clear to see it was intentional. He just didn't care. It was all in front of humans. We… we had to take him down. He would have done it again."

Even if Tara wasn't an empath, she would have been able to feel the sorrow going through her lover. "Oh, Will, I am so sorry."

"I just don't… I don't understand anymore. Tara… When you first met me… how I used to be… who I was and all of the things that I had done… how could you love me?" Willow

Tara smiled gently. There were very few times that Willow would ask this, but she would reassure her every time, "I loved and love you because I saw who you really were. You were lost and didn't know how to control all of the power you had. You made mistakes. But I saw into your essence. Vampire or human, you were the single most beautiful person I had ever met. You still are."

Willow breathed a sigh of relief. Having a human mate was difficult at times, especially being as old as she was, sometimes she felt so disconnected to the human experience. "I adore you, you know that?"

"I know," The blonde smiled cheekily, "I mean…what would you do without me?"

The vampire regarded her seriously, the thought of her wife's mortality looming in her mind. She lifted a hand stroked her face delicately, "I don't know, love. I truly don't want to find out."

Buffy stared in distaste at the evening gowns Angelus had sent to her room. They were all form fitting, with extravagant bows and shimmer and lace…

By most people's standards they were gorgeous, envy-worthy dresses. By her standards they were gaudy and overbearing. Besides, just because he told her to wear one of those dresses, didn't mean that she had to. After Angelus' hurtful rejection earlier in the day, she was determined to make her own decisions and not rely on a demon who had no concern for her. She would be playing by her own rules from now on.

Regardless, it was pretty strange the amount of show that the Aurelius put on. Buffy was rarely at a function of any kind for her clan. Their meetings were small and secretive, while the Aurelius held massive parties several times a year. She thought she had known the Aurelius. She thought they spent most of their time maiming and killing, not having black tie events and charity dinners.

She tossed her heavy thoughts out of her mind and went to the closet. She removed several items and threw them on the bed. She eyeballed the pieces carefully before arranging her final decision. She gave a proud smile at the outfit and mumbled to herself, "Yes. This will do just fine."

She turned to her vanity and remembered all of the items Angelus had knocked off of it when he had almost taken her. She picked up a few of the things she would need and headed to the shower to begin getting ready.

Angelus stood in his bedroom, tying his bow tie in the mirror. His thoughts were completely on the blonde vampiress that had invaded his life. The way she had said his shortened name seemed as if she had been doing it for years. She had startled him more than he was comfortable with.

He couldn't deny, though, she fit perfectly against him. And he planned on finishing what they had started earlier. He groaned as he realized his thoughts were getting him excited.

"Is that for me, darling?"

His thoughts froze as he heard his intruder speak. His hands clenched at his sides, "What the fuck are you doing here?"

"Mmmm you're just so gorgeous. I always love it when you brood." She purred, stepping fully into the room from his doorway.

He turned slowly, totally unamused by her, "I asked you a simple question. What the fuck are you doing here?"

She froze for a moment, sensing his anger. Biting her lip, attempting to be her most sensual she purred, "Angelus… I heard about your dinner tonight. I always…cum…to your dinners."

"It doesn't matter what you 'always' do, it matters what I say you do. I told you, explicitly, not to come back here unless I called for you. Yet… here you are."

"Angelus we have been together for generations. You can't just-"

Her words were cut off by Angelus' hand surrounding her throat, "It's MASTER Angelus, to you now." He tossed her across the room. "You've been sneaking in here, haven't you?"

Darla stood quickly and growled, "Is that what that little bitch has told you? Yes, I paid her a visit that night. I had to let her know where she stood."

Angelus felt his demon appear and it was the first time, in hundreds of years, he had so easily lost control. "Darla, our past is the only reason why I'm not ripping your throat out right now. Come here."

A slow smile crept across her face and she slid across the room to him. She only had a moment of excitement before Angelus once again had her by the throat and pinned up against the wall.

He dug his nails into her neck creating a flow of blood down her previously pristine white dress. "Don't mistake that for pleasure, my dear whore. If I see you here again, I will take great pleasure in killing you. Do you understand me?"

The grip on her neck was so tight that she couldn't speak a word. He gripped her tightly once more before releasing her to collapse on the ground.

She stayed there, catching her much unneeded breathe. "I-I understand, master…"

He forced his demon back down and walked over to his desk. He quickly dialed a few numbers into his phone, "I have a pick up for you. Make sure she leaves and does not return."

Angelus stood and watched his ex-lover stand. She flinched as he moved closer to her, "You even breathe in Buffy's direction or mention her staying here to anyone, and I will find you Darla. And everything you've seen me do before will be Child's Play."

Darla's eyes were wild as she was escorted out, "This isn't over Angelus…"

Angelus stared at the closed door after they left. He knew it wasn't over, far from it. Darla never knew how to follow orders or simply let things go. He was broken out of his thoughts by three sharp knocks on his door.

"Enter." He turned back to his vampire reflective mirror and began adjusting his bow tie again.

Willow walked in wearing a beautiful strapless hunter green dress. Her hair was pulled back and up, and tied with a simple white bow. She stepped in and immediately smelled the blood in the air. "What's happened here?"

"Darla happened."

Her eyes narrowed at the mention of his long time lovers name, "She came back here after you told her not to?"

"She figured that I would need her company tonight. She somehow found out about the dinner tonight. She… she was in Buffy's room."

The tone of Angelus' voice shocked her. He sounded so genuinely concerned over the young Azilot. "How is that possible? We have her room extremely secure at all times."

"Well, not secure enough. Not for someone as old and as evil as Darla is. After tonight I'm going to have to increase security on Buffy's watch. I can't… I can't let anything happen to her, Willow. "

A look of shock came over the powerful witches face. He was taken with the Awakener more that she had originally thought. "Angelus…what are your intentions with Buffy?"

"I don't intend on consuming her power, if that's what you're asking." He gave up on making his bow tie even and turned to her.

She gave a coy smile and stepped up to help him finish it, "I realize that. And I believe you. I'm just wondering if you're caring for the Awakener more than you realize."

"She…she interests me. She's not like anyone I've ever met. She's not afraid of me, even though I could take her life in an instant." He spoke as is he was figuring it out for the first time himself. "But, even the thought of doing that fills me with an emotion that I just don't recognize."

Willow nodded, but stayed quiet. She listened to this rare moment of Angelus explaining what was going through head.

"She was raised to hate us, to hate me. She was only taught of the worst things I've done in my life. Yet still, she has no fear of me…. I'm going to protect her, with everything in me. Even if it's protecting her from me." His face drew cold again.

She finished his tie and stepped back, knowing that was as much as she was going to get out of him for now. She tactfully moved onto another conversation, "Well, I think you look smashing. What do you say, we go pick up your girl?"

"I've already arranged for Xander to meet us in the front yard at 7. The guards are bringing Buffy down."

She gave another smile as they walked out of his room, "Splendid. Tara is already waiting for us. Hopefully this doesn't end up in as big of a mess as it did before."

He caught the purposeful look his advisor gave him, "Fine. I promise I won't leave… too early tonight."

"I'm so sure, Angelus." Willow didn't believe him for one second. The way he had looked at Buffy before, she was sure he would be more than distracted at the charity event tonight.

They walked a bit further to see Xander already waiting by the entrance to the compound.

"Hey. Where's your blushing beauty?" Willow asked, looking around for Cordelia.

"She is not able to make it tonight. She got the wrong shipment of Ar'dalla axes and her client is really stressing her about it. She said she'd try to make it later." He explained. Cordelia was a local weapon trader, with two shops located a few miles outside of town. Being involved in the demonic weapon trade was very lucrative, but also very challenging.

"So where is the beautiful buxom Buffy?" Xander sidled up next to Angelus.

Angelus stared at him for a moment, a slight irritated expression on his face. He was not pleased with the flirty tone to Xander's voice. "She's on her way, now." He spoke tightly looking back toward the stairs Buffy would be coming down.

Xander flashed him a smile, not noticing his boss' discomfort, "So, do you think I have a shot? I mean, I know she's a princess...or something, but c'mon! I'm nice. I'm funny. Although, I know Cordelia wouldn't appreciate it. With an ass like Buffy's though, I'd risk it-"

Xander was cut off by Angelus' hand on his throat. He pushed him hard against the wall nearest to them. "If I ever hear you say one word like that about her again, loyalty or not, I'll fucking kill you. You understand me?"

"L-oud and cl-cl-clear, Big Guy."

Angelus released his grip and stepped back. He straightened out his suit and looked toward the stairs again. What he saw come down a moment later is not what he expected at all.

Buffy came down, but not in any one of the beautiful, designer dresses he had sent to her. She was dressed head to toe in black and red leather.

He stood his mouth agape for a moment, before shooting his gaze to Xander, who promptly covered his eyes.

"Not looking, boss, definitely not looking."

He returned his gaze to Buffy, who was standing tall in her 6 inch leather boots, one hand cockily on her hip.

"Like my outfit? I picked it out myself." She chuckled haughtily walking up closer to the group. She caught Willow's impressed look and winked in her direction.

He still said nothing, probably the first time a woman had rendered him speechless in a very long time. He then did something unexpected. He reached out, grabbed her hand, and gave her a slow twirl to examine her outfit carefully.

This was not what she had expected him to do. He was supposed to get angry and demand that she change into a dress that he had picked out. He wasn't supposed to be giving her a 360 degree ogle. But, she went along with it and when she faced him again, he had a dark, erotic look on his face.

"It's perfect... you're perfect." He kept his hand tangled in hers and placed his other alongside her corset clad waist. Even though, she was 6 inches taller, she was still a good deal shorter than he was. She still fit perfectly into his side.

Willow stood with an amused smile as Xander peeked from his clasped hands on his face.

Buffy stared up at him trying her best to ignore her growing arousal, "You're not... mad? Why are you not mad?"

"As long as men keep their eyes to themselves," His gaze snapped to Xander who promptly covered his eyes again, "And as long as you never leave my side. I'll be the happiest vampire in attendance."

"Well, I believe this is a good time to inform our dear visitor of her new identification." Willow walked over to her. "Your name is now Elizabeth. You are a recently turned vampire, therefore you are not expected to show your true face. You are 17 human years and you are Angelus' pet. That is all you will need to say. This will protect your identity."

Buffy nodded her understanding and Willow and Xander walked ahead of them to the limo. She began to follow, until she realized exactly what she "Wait, wait, your pet? What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

Angelus smirked firmed his grip around her waist, "It simply means that I turned you for my pleasure, whatever that means to me. As a servant, as muscle, to take my pain... to take my pleasure." He grabbed her hand and put it directly on his straining erection.

She gasped in shock and pulled her hand away. Her breathing increased as she huffed out, "But, you don't want me. You pushed me away!"

Angelus looked confused for a moment, "What would you have rather me do? Take you on top of your dresser? Trust me, baby, if I had kept going you wouldn't have been able to walk for the next week."

She blushed heavily, realizing that if he hadn't pushed her away they would have definitely had sex. She lowered her head to keep from showing him the redness on her face.

He lifted her head carefully and traced her lips. He lowered his face to hers, "When you become mine… it won't just be a rush of lust. You will be mine in every way." He took her lips gently, at first. He teased her flesh, until she responded to his kiss.

She moaned into his lips and gripped his waist closer, "Angelus…"

He abruptly stopped the kiss and looked to where Willow and Xander were waiting, "Our chariot awaits, my Slayer."

Darla stood on the outskirts of the compound staring at the Aurelius living facility. Bloody, silent tears were falling down her face.

"He thinks that he can make a mockery out of me. All for power? All for some virgin, assassin skank? He's behaving like a traitor is what he's doing. I will correct this. I will show him the err of his ways. He's all I have…"

A large, bearded man stepped out of the shadows. He had tanned, leathery skin and a long rugged scar across half of his face. He gave a low growl, which she ignored.

"I risked my life for him. I *gave* my life for him. Sure, I wasn't around all the time. But, neither was he!" A bloody tear slipped from her face as she stared at the compound.

A thick finger wiped her tear away, "We'll show him baby. Cuz, I'm here now."

Darla slid over to him. She placed one hand on his giant, hairy chest and, hiding her disgust, gave her most sexy look, "Croft… you do this for me and I will give you more power, more money than you could ever imagine. You'll be a hero to the Aurelius. Master Angelus will thank you and immediately appoint you as an Elder."

Croft gripped her tightly around her waist and pulled her closer to his body, "You and me will be able to rule whatever chapter we want to. We will reign!"

Darla returned his hug and snarled over his shoulder. She hated sleeping this demon, but she knew that he would be able to help her, while still obeying Angelus' orders. She gripped his manhood and grinded into him. *The things I do for you, my love….*

I could probably say that I could have done better. BUT, I like this chappie. More B/A closeness in the next chapter! I must give you a slight warning that the next chapter might contain hints of violence and other things that are not for the softhearted.

Chyna :)