I wrote, rewrote, rerewrote this chapter a lot. I had so many ideas going, but finally I could put them all in place. I wanted to include some hot stuff for our favorite couple, but couldn't find the right place/time yet. Both don't fear, lots of smoochies are coming. Curse free Angel, remember!
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Buffy sat holding Angel's hand while Faith spoke of her adventures. She looked at him and had a pang of jealousy when she saw the way he was looking at the new slayer, although she mistook his attentions.
"So, where are you staying?"
"In a motel near a DoubleMeat Place, B."
"Well. Where is you watcher?"
"The Watchers had some sort of meeting. Don't know much about. So, I decided to come here and meet famous Buffy. Cross notes."
Buffy gave a small smile and looked at Angel. She tensed yet again with the way he was looking at the new slayer. It seemed Faith had won all of her friends and her boyfriend.
"Am I famous?"
"Oh, yeah, B! Rebourn slayer and all that. So, how are things around this place?"
"You know. Hellmouth. Lots of vampires and other beasts to kill."
"Then, we will rock this shit! How come you are all social?"
Faith looked appreciatively at Angel and turned to Willow and Oz.
"Don't take it bad, but my watcher said boyfriends and friends were not part of the job description."
"Yeah. I bend the rules from time to time."
Buffy was about to say something more when suddenly Angel got up.
"Let's dance."
"Ok."
"Go B! Check out the lust bunnies!"
Angel ignored Faith's remark and took Buffy to the dance floor.
"What is it?"
"Huh?"
"It is Faith, isn't?"
Angel looked at Buffy.
"You know sometimes I don't like the fact I can't keep a secret from you."
"Look, Angel. I… I saw the way you were looking at her and…"
Angel grinned when he realized what she was thinking. He just shook his head amazed that Buffy was unsure of his feelings for her. Buffy smiled when Angel cradled her face in his hands and then kissed her.
"Buffy, it is not that… and I am offended you would think I'd prefer another slayer to you. I am a man of one slayer only."
He declared solemnly.
"Then, what is it?... Hey… I am the said Slayer, am I?"
Angel leaned and kissed her again.
"Yes. You are. It is just… something is not right in this picture. I was… was looking because she smells of someone I know."
"Ewwww…This smelly thing is just gross."
"Yeah, but it comes in hand."
"It does."
"So, who is this person you know?"
"A vampire named Kakistos?"
"And?"
"He is old, much older than me. He doesn't even look human anymore. I am just curious to know why and how his scent is in Faith. She doesn't seem quite right. I just… there is something wrong with her"
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know. I can't place it exactly. Just watch her."
"Ok, Mr. Cryptic."
Buffy gave him a look.
"What?"
"What about you being a vampire? Don't you think we have to tell her?"
"Maybe. But let's wait to talk with Giles tomorrow. Besides, she didn't feel me."
"That's true and now I ask myself why that is."
"She is younger than you and it seems she is not that well trained. She seems the one who fights with instincts, and they are not always good counselors."
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They spent most of the night listening to Faith's adventures. Angel didn't miss the fact that Faith avoided to talk about her watcher. He wanted to ask about Kakistos, but he couldn't do so without giving away something about himself. So, he just paid attention to her voice and heartbeats to know more her level of stress at some points during their conversation.
They had just got outside when they found no less than ten vampires waiting for them.
"Faith!"
Faith froze into place. She had just come out of the bronze behind Angel and Buffy and in front of Willow and Oz when she heard that voice. She looked up to see the reason of her nightmares. Kakistos.
"Angelus… Angelus? What a surprise"
Angel put Buffy protectively behind him before addressing Kakistos. He spoke among gritted teeth.
"Name is Angel now. What are doing here, Kakistos?"
"Well. I came to get that bitch!"
Kakistos pointed Faith who was still frozen in place.
"Why?"
Angel could feel and smell Faith's fear coming in waves behind him. He wondered what circumstances put the old vampire in front of him and the younger slayer together.
"Well. I see you got your meals of the day, but she is mine."
Kakistos stared at Faith, who was trembling, but hearing attentively to the conversation. He spoke with a sadistic pleasure.
"I want to drink her heart blood, you know… as I did with her Watcher."
Buffy turned to look at Faith. When she realized the other slayer was in no shape to fight she got to Angel's side in her fight stance.
"Well. Then, you will have to go through us."
The old vampire laughed cruelly.
"What a petit thing we have here. I think I am going to drink you."
Angel vamped out and growled at Kakistos who peered him with curious eyes.
"So. It's true what they say about you? This must Buffy. The famous slayer. The one raised from death. You disgust all of us. Fighting with the enemy. No fear, my friend. I'd like to drink these people you are protecting, but I want Faith first and you know me well enough to know I'll get her. This is just not the right time."
With that Kakistos just bowed and left, the vampires behind him following. Buffy grabbed her stake to throw at him from behind, but Angel held her arm.
"Don't. We will need something bigger to use."
They turned around to look at Faith. She looked from Buffy to Angel.
"You are a vampire?"
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AN: A new chapter is almost ready. So, I'll be posting it tomorrow. Stay tuned.