TITLE: RAGING MOON

DISCLAIMER & NOTES IN PREVIOUS PARTS.

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

Feeling groggy and disorientated, Buffy slowly regained consciousness. Awareness followed and she was relieved that she wasn't in any pain anymore. Her head felt thick and her eyes fell closed again of their own accord. A soft beeping sound could be heard in the background as she fought the fog in her head and willed her body to wake up properly.

An elderly nurse stood at the end of the bed writing on a chart then glanced up and smiled at Buffy. "Ah, you're awake. How are you feeling my dear?" the nurse asked as she moved around the bed to check on her.

"Tired, sleepy…" Buffy wanted to say more but the words wouldn't form.

"That is to be expected dear. The doctor gave you something to relax and it's the aftereffects you're feeling. You're head will clear within the next few minutes." She smiled at Buffy as she patted her hand reassuringly.

"Is my baby…?" The effects of the drug did nothing to calm her worries about her unborn baby.

"The baby is fine, the doctor had a look earlier and everything is good." The nurse reassured Buffy.

Buffy gave a nod then placed her hand over her stomach, grateful beyond belief that everything was fine. She couldn't remember much of the previous day and racked her brain to try and regain her memory.

"Do you want to see you're fiancé dear?" The nurse's voice was friendly and warm.

Buffy's shocked eyes met the nurses' "He's here?" Suddenly she remembered everything. Ben Webber, a local doctor. Ben admitting he had attacked her then killed the innocent men that helped her that night. The second attack in the woods and her trying to get away…her hiding under the tree and then, finally Angelus arriving and rushing her to the hospital.

"Yes, he's standing right outside with his friends. They have been here all night, 'caused quite a ruckus earlier." The nurse laughed as she thought back to what happened. "I'll go get him for you." Buffy smiled thankfully at the nurse but couldn't help feel apprehension as she waited for him. Did he know about the baby? What was he doing in Sunnydale? Did he know about Ben?

The door to her room opened and he strolled into the room with a confidence she still found very attractive. His eyes were red and his hair disheveled, he was obviously tired but he still looked good. Only Angelus O'Rourke could pull that off and look good doing it. As he strolled into her room she fell in love with him all over again.

His eyes traveled her body, no doubt checking that everything was ok. Buffy tried to smile at him as his eyes landed on hers and she felt her heart do flip flops at the intensity of his stare. "Hey"

"Hi. How are you feeling?" Angelus asked as he took a seat next to her and took her smaller hand in his. It felt so good to have her with him again. Her skin was still a bit cold and he couldn't wait to warm her with his.

"Tired, but I'm good." Buffy answered meekly. He nodded his approval and squeezed her hand.

"Thanks to you, how did you find me last night?" Buffy asked, trying to avoid the inevitable for just a few moments more.

"If I was blind I would find you." Angelus said truthfully, his eyes searching hers.

"You're always saving me. You must be getting so tired of it." Buffy faked a laugh but deep down in her heart she felt fear. What if he was tired of always protecting her?

Angelus looked into her eyes, clearly seeing the fear in her eyes. "Not in a million years, my love." He said as he placed a soft kiss on her hand. Both were silent for a while before Angelus broke the silence. "God you don't know how good it is to see you. When I was looking for you in the woods and I smelled your blood…I was so scared…if anything had happened to you…I wanted to rip him apart…" Angelus choked up and couldn't go on, the possibilities too much to even think about.

Buffy saw his distress and felt her own tears starting up. Pushing herself as far up the bad as she could, she leaned in close and hugged him to her, "I'm fine, you got to me in time and that's all that matters." She tried to reassure him.

"But what if I hadn't, he could have killed you Buffy…" Angelus' eyes widened, "It was him wasn't it? He's the guy that attacked you that night. He's your creator." It finally dawned on him, Buffy merely nodded in confirmation. Hearing it out loud made Buffy think back to the encounter at the hospital.

Buffy knew she had to tell Angelus that she was pregnant. If she didn't tell him now, she didn't know when she would have the courage to do it.

"Angel, I have to tell you something…" She started as she tried to avoid his eyes. Instead she focused on the blanket covering her.

He looked up from their joined hands and knew what she was about to tell him. He was shocked to see a look of apprehension on her face. Why would she be scared to tell him?

"I'm…I know I should have told you sooner but…I'm sorry, I didn't…" clearly she was having some difficulty telling him. Buffy always babbled when she didn't know what to say. She tried hiding her discomfort but her babbling was always a dead give-away.

"Buffy, you know you can tell me anything." Angelus assured her, wanting to hear her say the words.

"I'm pregnant." It just blurted out of her mouth. She had wanted to ease into it but the words just poured from her mouth before she could stop them. As she looked into his eyes she was surprised to see him smile.

"I know, the doctor told me last night." Angelus said with a pleased smirk on his handsome face.

"You aren't…disappointed?" Buffy asked

"Try happy, elated, excited." Angelus smiled at her. The happiness shining in his dark eyes.

"But I thought that you didn't want kids. I mean we've never talked about this. You've never mentioned wanting any. I thought … I thought… And with what happened with Darla… " Buffy babbled on

"Buffy stop. I'm happy. And I've always wanted kids. You don't know how happy I am about this. I've never discussed kids before because I thought you weren't ready yet. Please give me a chance to explain what happened." He pleaded with her.

Buffy nodded but didn't say anything. It was obvious to him that she was still very hurt about what happened a few weeks ago. He squeezed her hand in reassurance and she looked up into his eyes. Angelus managed a small smile. "You know I love you right? You are everything to me Buffy. I never would have forgiven myself if something were to happen to you…" his words trailed of as he tried to steady himself.

Seeing Buffy in the hospital bed was still very hard for him to handle. He thanked god that she survived with only minor injuries. He still blamed himself for her being in this condition. If it weren't for him she wouldn't be here.

Angelus pressed on, he needed to explain himself to her and tell her what really happened that day with Darla. "I'm so sorry I didn't tell you what happened with Darla. I understand that you feel betrayed and hurt.

I would have felt and reacted the same if it was me. Nothing happened with Darla, I swear on my life. I would never do that to you. I love you and only you, you are the person I want to spend my life with and I will do everything in my power to prove myself to you Buffy."

Buffy finally glanced up into his face and released a breath she hadn't even realized she been holding. "You have no idea how nice it is to hear you say that. These past few weeks…I…with everything that happened, I doubted everything…and it feels good to hear you saying that." Buffy confessed to him.

"I know I have to regain your trust. I'm willing to do whatever is necessary, just as long as you come home. Please come home my love, I can't stand not having you there with me. Morgan and Cooper are driving me insane; they miss you so much…I miss you…" Angelus chuckled as he said the words. Morgan and Cooper were driving him up the walls with their constant questions.

Buffy smiled as well as she thought of the kids, she missed them very much. "Oh? Those two can be a hand full." She acknowledged. Things were still awkward between her and Angelus but she was glad they were talking about it.

"So…we made a baby huh?" Angelus tried making light of the situation and was happy to see Buffy smile back at him.

"Yeah, I guess we did." Buffy smiled broadly.

"Are you happy? About the baby, I mean?" the thought suddenly had him worried. Did Buffy even want to have a child? He wasn't sure.

"Yes. I'm very happy about the baby." Buffy smiled as she looked down to her stomach and placed her hand lovingly there.

Angelus moved his hand to her belly unconsciously then snapped it away, "May I?" he asked as he lifted his hand from her abdomen, unsure if she would allow him touching her. To his relief and joy Buffy nodded her head. He placed his hand gently on her belly and started rubbing in small circles.

A smile crept onto his face as he thought of the life growing within her. "I can't believe it" the thought still amazed him. He and Buffy had created life. The thought made him swell with joy and pride. Never in his life had he expected this.

Buffy noticed Angelus was lost in thought, the smile still firmly in place. Angelus was happy…he was actually…happy, Buffy realized as she placed her hand over his. His eyes snapped to hers the instant her hand landed on his.

Angelus jumped up and took her face in both of his hands as he kissed her passionately. It felt so good to have her back in his arms again, where she belonged. "I'm never letting you go again." He said and Buffy smiled at him, the love shining through her eyes.

"We still have to talk about what happened." Buffy reminded him and he couldn't help but feel apprehensive at the thought. He sat back down and started explaining.

"Darla came to me after I said I wouldn't take her divorce case. She tried making up excuses to see me but I told her to stay away and she got angry. Darla has always been a very deceitful person, I just didn't realize to what lengths she would go too to get what she wanted.

That day you came to the office, she slipped past Harmony into my office. I'd told Harm not to let her in but forgot to alert the security guards downstairs otherwise they would never have let her onto the premises.

Darla came on to me just as you entered and saw us. I swear nothing happened. I pushed her from me and had her thrown from the building after I ran after you. That day you saw Riley? It was not by chance that he was here. Darla flew to Iowa and convinced him that you wanted him back and she flew him back with her."

"What? Are you serious?" Buffy could not believe what she was hearing. So Darla was behind the whole thing? No wonder Riley seemed so different that day.

"Yeah. She had this whole plan and used Riley to get to us. Riley came to me a few days ago and told me everything. Apparently Darla has a drinking problem and he couldn't handle her anymore. He went back to Iowa." Angelus didn't want Buffy to know the extent to which Darla's plans had gone.

When Riley had agreed to help them, Angelus made a bargain with him. He would never tell anyone about how far Darla would go. He didn't want Buffy stressing in her state. If she found out how sadistic Darla was, if she knew Darla had planned on drugging her and then wanted her raped, it would just be too much for her and Angelus didn't want to risk it.

Gunn was the only other person that knew but Angelus knew he could rely on his friend's discretion. Buffy did not need to know the gory details.

"I'm sorry I didn't trust you. I should have listened when you tried telling me what happened." Buffy apologized. Angelus stared at her, shocked to hear her apologizing.

"Baby, there's no need for you to say you're sorry. I know what it looked like and I can understand your reaction." Angelus assured her. He never expected her to apologize to him. He was the one who was wrong, not her.

"But I should have been more understanding. I trust you and I should have had more faith in you to just believe what any person said about you." Buffy felt horrible for how she had reacted. She and Angelus loved each other and they had been together for more than two years. Surely she knew him better at this point in their relationship.

Angelus squeezed her hand in reassurance "It's forgiven my love. You don't have to be sorry." He smiled at her and was glad they talked everything through. Now everyone knew the truth and they could get back to their lives.

A commotion at the door had him and Buffy looking questioningly at each other. The door burst open and Faith rushed in, Lindsay, Gunn and Groo were on her heels but couldn't catch up to her in time. She flew at Buffy and hugged her in relief.

"Oh my god, Buffy. I came as soon as I heard you were in here. What the hell happened? Are you okay? Is…" Faith asked in a rushed tone. Gunn came over and tried to pull her from the room. "Hey! Watch it dude, get your paws off me before I drop you're sorry ass." She said sternly to the large male.

Gunn could not believe what he was hearing. This small girl in front of him threatened to drop him? Was she serious? "Listen shorty, this is a private matter. Who the hell are you anyway?" Gunn asked sternly.

The brunet woman and a man stalked down the hall and entered Buffy's room before he and Groo could stop them. Gunn was flabbergasted at the nerve of the woman before him. There was no way he was letting strangers into his pack leader's room.

"Gunn, it's ok. This is Faith, my friend. She works as a nurse here. I was staying with her while I was in Sunnydale." Buffy called from her bed. As funny as it was watching Faith and Gunn go at each other, she didn't want to risk it. Both Faith and Gunn was strong willed people and she was in no mood to pull them from each other.

Faith just couldn't resist and had to have the last word "See I told you." Then she stuck her tongue out at him like they were still in kindergarten. Gunn scowled at her but remained silent as he looked over to Angelus with a bewildered expression on his face.

In the commotion that was taking place, everyone forgot about Lindsay. He was having his hands full getting past the dark haired man blocking his entry to Buffy's room. No matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't get past the bigger man.

Angelus happened to notice and stood up and walked over to him while Buffy was talking to Faith.

"Who are you?" Angelus didn't even try to hide the menace in his voice. He had no idea who the male was but he wasn't about to let him in either.

"Who the hell are you?" Lindsay countered right back at him. He was not going to let the guy intimidate him. Standing his ground, he folded his hands over his chest and waited for him to answer.

Angelus stared at the man before him and made no move to answer his question. Buffy's soft voice eased his anger somewhat as she called to him, "Angelus, let him in. He's a friend." A friend? What the hell did she mean he was a 'friend'?

Lindsay gave Angelus an evil look as he shoved past him and made his way over to Buffy's bed. Lindsay was sure this was the man Buffy was seeing. He was clearly very protective of Buffy which was a good thing, but he couldn't help but be jealous of the man. He had what Lindsay wanted…Buffy.

Lindsay knew Buffy was in good hands but he couldn't resist biting out the situation a bit as he leaned down and gave Buffy a hug. A growl from the doorway caused the hairs on his body to stand on end. He glanced over his shoulder and stared at Angelus with wide eyes. Did he just growl at him? Like in an honest to god, growl, like an angry dog? Lindsay was sure he imagined it.

"Angel, please." Buffy chided him and Lindsay was now sure he didn't imagine the growl. His eyes snapped to Faith in hopes of getting an explanation from her. She just shook her head and shrugged her shoulders.

Angelus was so angry he felt his muscles start to pull together as he wanted to jump at the man who had just embraced Buffy. Gunn stepped in front of him, no doubt blocking him. It did nothing to ease the anger and jealousy he felt within him. Who the hell did this guy think he was? And how dare he lay his hands on Buffy?

Angelus fisted his hands at his side as he tried to calm himself. Buffy didn't need to deal with him attacking her 'friend' right now. If she said he was just a friend, then he was just a friend. It did absolutely nothing to make him feel better.

In hopes of getting his temper under control, he moved around the bed and stood at Buffy's side in a protective and territorial manner, making sure the guy could see Buffy was taken.

"Faith phoned me a while ago and I was on the phone with her when she heard you were admitted. She asked me to come and I rushed over." Lindsay said as he moved his gaze to Buffy's.

"Lindsay has some interesting information on Ben Webber…Hey!" Faith informed Buffy, but was appalled to see Angelus grabbing the file from Lindsay's hand as she was speaking. Lindsay didn't say anything, just folded his arms as Angelus ripped the file from his hands.

Faith glanced at Buffy in hope of getting some help but saw that she also couldn't do anything. The man which had tried to block her from the room moved over to Angelus and stood behind him as he also read the information contained in the file. Both were silent as they read.

"Well? I also want to know." Buffy said in a raised voice. Everyone knew except her, and no one was making any moves to tell her what was said in the file.

Luckily for her Lindsay came to her aid. "Ben Webber is a know fugitive in Texas. Authorities have been looking for him for more than five years now. He was suspended from practicing medicine after no less than five clients reported malpractice.

Ben has been alluding the police for all this time and managed to escape being apprehended about three years ago. He disappeared off the radar after that. I'm guessing that was when he came to Sunnydale."

"How did you get this information?" Angelus asked Lindsay in a more steady voice, looking from the file to the man standing next to Buffy.

"I'm an attorney, I have my ways, plus I have some connections up there and they were more than willing to give me the information on a known fugitive." Lindsay answered curtly.

"Did you tell them you thought Ben Webber might be here in Sunnydale?" Gunn spoke, addressing Lindsay.

"Yeah but I wasn't sure it was the right guy so I told them I would notify them as soon as I knew anything." Lindsay could see the wheels turning in Angelus' head.

"Come to think of it, I haven't seen Ben since his tantrum the other day. The chief told him to come and collect the stuff from his office but I never saw him come in." Faith recalled.

"How about I go and check out his office? Faith, could you maybe let me in there?" Gunn asked Faith in a friendly but professional tone. She was slightly surprised at the change in his tone but she could see that the man obviously cared for Buffy so she decided to change her attitude towards him as well. Nodding her head in agreement, she made her way over to Ben's abandoned office.

"Hang on I want to come along and take a look around myself." Lindsay said as he looked at Angelus. He nodded his head and Lindsay was pleased at that. Obviously they all had the some interest at heart which was to find out about Ben Webber.

Buffy and Angelus was left alone as the four people left her room to go search Ben's office. Angelus moved to the basin and poured himself a cup of water. He gulped the entire contents down in one gulp which made Buffy raise her eyebrow at him. "Angel? Are you ok?" she was starting to get worried about him, he was acting strange.

He nodded his head and smiled to try and soothe her. "So, how do you know this…Lindsay character?" Angelus tried to keep his voice steady but he had no idea if he succeeded.

Buffy sputtered as she tried to keep from laughing, "Lindsay? Um…since school, we went to school together but he was a few years ahead of me. He was a friend of my mother's too but he moved to New York a few months before she died." Buffy asked. Was she imagining this? Was Angelus actually asking her out about Lindsay?

He nodded his head and contemplated what to say next. "Angel? What's wrong?" Buffy asked trying to be sensitive to his feelings.

"Have you…did you ever…date…him?" Angelus forced the words past his lips, feeling terribly vulnerable as he asked her the question.

Buffy placed her hand against his cheek softly and looked into his eyes. She didn't want to lie to him but did she really want to risk Lindsay getting attacked by a very upset Angelus, after he found out Lindsay had kissed her.

"No, we never dated…" Angelus harshly released the breath he was holding. "But…he kissed me…once…" Angelus' eyes went wide at the confession and Buffy had to hold his hand tightly as he pulled it and tried to stand up.

"Angelus, listen to me. Don't you dare to anything to him. He's my friend and he's going to stay that way…in one piece preferably. Nothing happened and he apologized, Angelus please…" Buffy knew that look. Angelus only got that look when he was extremely upset and about to rip something apart.

It was very obvious that Angelus wanted to go at Lindsay and she was not going to let that happen. To her relief Angelus remained at her side, looking into her eyes. Angelus gave a short laugh and looked at Buffy with love in his eyes. "I really hate it when you call me that."

Buffy couldn't help but smile at him, "Hate when I call you what?"

"Angelus, you never call me that. The only time you've ever called me by my full name was that day after I caught you I the forest. Ever since then you've called me Angel. When you use my full name it sounds like you're using a formality because you're scared of me, and you know you never have to be." He explained.

"I'm sorry about Lindsay." Buffy tried to say but he interrupted her.

"Don't be, considering the circumstances you've done nothing wrong." Angelus said to her. He knew Buffy would never kiss another man, as she said it had been an impulsive decision which Lindsay apologized for immediately after it happened. He couldn't blame her for what someone else did.

It still didn't make him feel any better about Lindsay. He decided to keep himself in check for Buffy's sake. She had been through enough and he wasn't going to cause her any more stress. Buffy didn't have to know that he was going to have a word with Lindsay later.

Angelus placed his hand on Buffy's belly once again and thought of what was growing within her. No matter how jealous he was feeling at the moment, the truth was, Buffy was his and in a few weeks, her belly would start to grow with the evidence.

A grin spread over his face at the thought. "What are you smiling about?" Buffy asked him as she also started smiling. Before Angelus could answer, his phone started ringing and to her disappointment, he answered. It was his mother from the sound of things.

After a few minutes he ended the call and looked at her apologetically "My parents and Adriana are coming down this weekend. I'm sorry but my mom would have it no other way." She assured him it was no problem at all, she was actually happy to hear they were coming to visit.

A while later Faith, Gunn and Lindsay rejoined them in the room. Upon their investigation of Ben Webber's office they found lots of incriminating evidence. He had been filling prescriptions at the hospital pharmacy and selling the drugs to people at a profit to himself. They also found a file containing lots of photos and information on Buffy. His obsession with her went deeper than any of them had thought.

Gunn spoke with Angelus shortly and agreed to turn Ben over to the authorities. Forrest was already en-route with the still unconscious Ben in the back of the van to the L.A. police department where he would be arrested and taken into custody.

Angelus was relieved beyond belief that everything turned out alright. Buffy was safe in his arms again, she was expecting their child, Ben was arrested and everyone was alright.

####

NEXT DAY

SUNNYDALE GENERAL HOSPITAL

"You know I'm not letting you stay here right? You're coming home." Angelus 'asked' her the next day. Buffy had been monitored and the doctor was pleased with all her stats and cleared her to go home.

Buffy was also very happy to be cleared and was eager to get back home. She smiled at him and chuckled at his tone. "I know…I want to go home with you." She thanked Faith for all her support and made her promise to visit soon. Faith happily agreed and even poked some fun at Gunn before saying her goodbyes.

Gunn didn't mind in the least. He actually enjoyed being challenged every once in a while and promised Faith they would continue when she visited.

All in all, Buffy couldn't be happier with how things had turned out. She and Angelus still had a ways to go but they were happy and loved each other very much. She was looking forward to seeing the pack again. Angelus wasted no time in phoning them and telling them the great news about the pregnancy.

As she and Angelus arrived back at the Hyperion and all the pack members rushed to greet them, Buffy couldn't help but think; 'It's good to be back home.'

END CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.

A/N: ONE MORE PART TO GO THEN THIS STORY IS FINISHED.

THANKS SO MUCH TO EACH AND EVERYONE READING AND SENDING FEEDBACK!

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