Again I warn of semi-graphic decriptions, so I will probably raise the rating because of these two chapters.

Chapter Twelve

Buffy leaned against the giant doors of her bedroom and took a deep sigh of relief. Thank god she hadn't lost her nerve while she had been pinned up against that wall. Her heart was pounding so hard she thought that it would have burst at any minute. She was surprised at how she had been able to keep her cool while her life flashed before her eyes. For a brief moment, she underestimated Angelus' strength. He was so powerful, and seductive in the way he moved, Buffy was almost seduced herself. A part of her liked the power that radiated from Angelus. But he was way too dangerous to be allowed in the real world.

Back inside Liam's bedroom, a different kind of internal war was raging. Angelus had come within mere seconds of snapping Buffy's neck in two. Liam had become so depressed after Buffy's rejection to his declaration of his feelings, that he had finally reached the point where he did not care what happened to him or anyone else anymore. But for some reason, after seeing Buffy beat back Angelus, he realized the reasons why he had tried so hard to keep "Angelus" from being freed, and avoided human company. But Angelus was in control now and it was going to take some time before Liam would have the strength to put Angelus back in his place.

Buffy had just settled in to read a chapter from the master, John Grisham, when a loud screaming noise made Buffy jump. The scream sounded again, and Buffy sat up in the bed. When the noise sounded a third time, Buffy put on her robe and set out to investigate.

Walking down the hall past Willow's room, the noise sounded again. Buffy wasn't certain, but it almost sounded like a dying or wounded animal. The noise was so full of pain, that it almost became intolerable to listen to. Willow cracked open her door in time to watch as Buffy carefully crept down the hall a few more feet and then stop. The hall now split in two directions. Buffy waited for the noise to appear before choosing her path.

"Go left," Willow whispered. "I think it's Liam. it sounds like he's in the gardens."
"How do you know?" Buffy whispered back.
"He used to make those sounds when he was really despressed," she answered. "I try to avoid him when he's like this, but you're more than welcome to take a look."

Buffy became even more determined to follow the noise. As Liam's death raising howl sounded, Buffy turned left, and headed down the darkened hall in search of the owner of the noise.

The hallway became darker and darker, until hardly any light could be seen, except for the occasional window which allowed a small portion of moonlight through. The noise had disappeared, but Buffy knew where she going. The hallway had wound around to the back and led to a small set of steps which took her back to the West Wing corridor towards Liam's turret bedroom.

Buffy walked down the stairs towards Liam's room, but a fierce growl halted her progress. Where Buffy had stopped, there stood two large French doors that went from floor to ceiling. Behind them were the beautiful gardens that Buffy had so often dreamed of while back home.Quietly, she turned the knob and opened the large glass door. Walking into the garden, Buffy listened for Liam. She heard some rustling behind one of the bushes, and cautiously edged towards it. Before Buffy could get further, a battered and bloodied form stumbled through the bushes and collapsed a few feet away.

Buffy was immediately repulsed at the sight before her. Liam's eyes were glowing a strange Amber, almost bright orange color. The handsome black silk shirt he was wearing earlier was completely shredded and barely hanging on his body. There was a gash on the side of Liam's body were something had clawed him. His face was cut, and blood dripped from his mouth and fangs. Blood also dripped from his hands. When Liam looked at Buffy, his eyes looked lost once more.They were not quite human, more like a wounded animal. His spirit was completely broken. It was almost has if he had lost the will to live. He reached his hands to Buffy and spoke.

"Buffy... help me," he said standing. His rasping breath did little to soften Buffy's hardening heart. She couldn't believe after all that Liam had said earlier, that he would allow himself to succumb to Angelus' power. She refused to believe that Liam had survived all these centuries with Angelus inside him, only to let him win because she had seen what Angelus was truly capable of. But still, Buffy knew that she should show kindness to the monster before her, instead of hate.

Buffy slipped off her robe, revealing the satin, baby blue nightgown she was wearing. Tossing the fabric at Liam's feet, she said sternly, "Clean yourself help, you look like hell."

With that, she turned and walked away from him and out of the gardens.

She paused in the doorway, and stared at Liam as he kneeled to pick up Buffy's robe, only to collapse. He looked back at the Garden doors and watched Buffy as she closed the doors, her eyes still cold and impenatrable. Angel held the fabric up to his cheek and swallowed as a single tear rushed down his blood soaked face. He could hear Buffy's heart beat begin rise, and like a deer in the wild, she was gone.

Buffy quickly walked back to her bedroom, and shut the door. She grabbed another robe from the armoire and threw it over her shoulders. She walked over to the window, hiding behind the curtain careful not to be noticed. Peering down, she watched as Liam stood on shaky legs and carefully used the white robe Buffy had left him to wipe the red stains from his face. After a minute or two had passed, Liam looked up towards Buffy's window. Buffy's breath hitched as Liam's face slowly moved to show a smile. Not the kind of soft smile she would have thought Liam would send her for her act of kindness. No, this one was more devious, almost taunting. The glimmer in his eyes, told Buffy that it had been Angelus she had seen,pretending to be all broken and weak.

Buffy turned and leaned against the wall. Liam was still allowing Angelus to control him. But Buffy was sure that for a brief moment, Liam was looking at her. Was Angelus that good an actor? Buffy rubbed her face as she tried to think of some way she could get Angelus back in Liam's cage. It broke Buffy to think that someone like Liam couldn't control his demons. Buffy remembered back to the days when she had been playing with her own demons. Those days, Buffy had played the innocent little girl around her mother, and the rambunctious hell raising, party girl she truly was when with her friends. It had come easily to Buffy, so it should not surprise her that Angelus would be able to manipulate Liam's feeling for his own purposes. Poor Liam, Buffy thought as she pulled her robe tighter. Memories compounded with her feelings towards Liam, and she sunk to the floor sobbing. This was going to be a long night.

End Chapter Twelve

FINALLY! My muse had a moment of clarity! LOL I hope you liked the chapter, and if you see anything that could be different REVIEW and let me know. I might rewrite this chapter, but don't know yet. I just know you guys have been patiently waiting for new stuff! Reviews always!