Title: Welcome to my World

Author: Angel's blue eyed girl

Rating: T

Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own em:)

A/N… Sorry for the delay in getting this up… had some family stuff sidetrack me. This is a long one so I hope ya like it.

Chapter 29:

Angel Investigations…

The lobby seemed eerily quiet as Booth laid his head back against the back of the couch. He exhaled loudly as he ran a tired hand down his face. He was still reeling at what the demon had said to him. 'Brothers?! Could it be?' He wondered for what had to be the hundredth time.

His troubled dark eyes sought out the beautiful eyes of his partner and lover. Bones had a way of calming him. Her eyes were worried, but she just quietly took his hand and squeezed it.

Brennan wished she had the words to help him through this, but unfortunately that was usually his part of their partnership. Her social skills were sadly not what his were. Booth usually knew what to say in well… Maybe not quite a situation like this, but in times of trauma he was usually the one who spoke with the families or the person in crisis.

Instead of trying to find the right words she just hugged him to her. Kissing his brow softly as she offered him her silent comfort instead.

He accepted her embrace gratefully, hugging her back. He pulled back and just stared at her. "You believe him don't you?" He asked her very softly.

She wanted to say no. She wanted to say that what Angelus had said was not only illogical, but also impossible. Just a couple of short weeks ago, she would've said that, but that was before this case and meeting Angel.

Brennan felt tears come to her eyes at his pained look of desperation. He so wanted her to say that she didn't believe… But she'd never lied to him and no matter how much she WANTED to lie to him. She knew she wouldn't start now. The truth was, she DID believe the Vampire. She didn't know why, but she did.

"Yes… I'm not sure why… But yeah Booth. I think what he said is the truth according to him."

Booth raised a brow at that. "What do you mean… According to him?"

Temperence took his hand again, "I believe there is going to be more to this than he wanted to tell you. What he said was said to hurt and shock you. He thrived on your pain that was obvious. I think you need to give Angel a chance to explain before you get upset."

Booth laughed without humor. "Well it's a little late for the "not getting upset" part Bones. Way past upset here!" He sighed and laid his head back again.

Brennan understood that. "Well that's only logical, but what I'm saying is that I believe there is more to it than he wanted to tell you and the only one who can and will tell you is Angel."

Booth opened his eyes and rolled his head to the side to look at her. "You like him don't you?"

Brennan's brows rose. "What do you mean by that?" She asked him with a smirk.

He shook his head, rolling his eyes. "I don't mean like him like that… Though he IS handsome…" He grinned a bit at that, considering he and Angel looked so much alike. Booth sighed, "No I mean… You think he's a good person. Don't you? I mean… I do too, now that I'm getting past the whole creature of the night thing…" he said with a slight frown.

Bones rolled her eyes. "Oh he IS handsome I'll give you that…" She grinned at Booth's sudden scowl. But considering what he was going through she didn't have the heart to tease him.

"But to answer your question… Yes, I do like him. I think he has a lot of courage and a tremendous will to change essentially his entire predisposition and become something other than what his instincts say he should be." She shrugged, "That takes a certain amount of strength and a certain type of character, don't you think?"

Booth nodded. "Yeah, I do and I guess if I had to see one positive in this it's that at least he IS a good man… vampire… Whatever." He finished tiredly.

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If there was ever a time Angel was grateful for NOT having a heartbeat… NOW was the time. He was more than anxious. He was terrified at facing Booth and telling him this whole sordid, ugly story.

Buffy stopped him by pulling him to her, just before he made his presence known to the agent and his partner.

"Just tell him the truth baby," she whispered, stroking his jaw tenderly. She kissed him... deeply. Closing her eyes as the ever-present passion between her and Angel rushed through her blood.

Angel closed his eyes as her lips took possession of his. He moaned softly as her tongue tasted his and sent a jolt of longing and desire through him. "Buffy…" he sighed softly, his big hands coming up to cup her small, determined chin.

She pulled back and smiled softly. "Angel," she said as she stroked his bottom lip with her thumb. "It wasn't you who did that to your brother. YOU didn't kill your family and YOU didn't try and turn him. You know that. I know you do. After all these years with Angelus…" Her brows drew down and her face scrunched into that adorable scowl that Angel loved, she went on. "Uh…Living in your head. You know this… Angelus and you… So NOT the same."

She traced his lips again with her thumbs, her hazel eyes gazing adoringly up into his deep chocolate brown ones. "BUT it WAS you who gave Seeley his life. His freedom… YOU… You and you alone made THAT decision Angel. Angelus had NO part in that choice. YOU loved him enough to let him have the freedom to NOT have to go through what you went through. YOU gave him the chance to be who he IS now."

She stood on tiptoes and grasped his strong jaw in her tiny hands. Drawing his beautiful face close to her own, Buffy whispered softly, against his lips. "I know you didn't want to tell him, but that's not an option anymore. I also know you will make huge sacrifices in order to protect someone you love. That's who you are and who you've ALWAYS been. You've done it for me and you've done it for Booth," she said tenderly, cupping his strong jaw as she leaned forward to kiss him gently.

Buffy sighed against his lips. "I love you Angel. I don't want to watch you do to Booth what you always did to me. Please save yourself and him a whole lot of trauma by telling him the truth instead of deciding to protect him from it!!"

Buffy's hazel eyes were clear and determined. She needed Angel to understand that even when he thought he was doing the right thing… The other party didn't always see it as such.

Pulling his big, muscular body closer, she hugged him. Her senses reeled as his scent overwhelmed her. "Sometimes we just need to know you're saving us and be a part of it y' know? The NOT being a part of the decision is the bitch… Believe me." She pulled his head down so their eyes met. "You can do this. He needs to hear the truth and from you… Not Angelus' version okay?"

He nodded, kissed her again and stepped into the lobby.

Across town…

Dawn looked around her prison. The room was huge and decorated in very expensive and tasteful furniture. The bed was a monstrous four poster affair, that had a canopy and was fitted with silk sheets that were so soft she'd at first thought she had dreamed her capture. She noticed several magazines were placed next to the bed and she even had a huge TV… Not that she'd be using it! As if she had nothing better to do than watch TV… Hello prisoner here!

She'd wandered into the private bath and had gasped in surprise. It was huge and blindingly white. Everything was white and the glass-enclosed shower was so big that literally it could bathe five or six people comfortably! Dawn had eyed the Jacuzzi tub longingly, but there was NO way she was getting caught by Angelus frolicking in that decadent looking tub! No matter how much she'd love a bath.

Dawn had been stunned at her luxurious surroundings, but the fact was it was still her cell because she had NO doubts in her mind that no matter how aesthetically pleasing to the eye her room was, she was still a prisoner.

And it was at that moment that she heard a key turn in her locked door. "Aaah and here comes my jailer…" she whispered, trying to tamp down the near overwhelming fear at facing Angelus by herself.

Angelus smiled as he heard her heartbeat speed up as he entered the room. He inhaled softly, enjoying the sweet smell of her fear. "Dawnie… I see you're awake," he said softly as he turned, holding the tray he carried with one hand as he shut the door softly.

He set the tray down on the desk as his eyes traveled slowly over the very beautiful young woman that Buffy's sister had grown into. Even though he had memories of her, Angelus knew in reality, he'd never met this woman. She hadn't really existed when he'd been in Sunnydale. He grinned lasciviously; maybe he should remedy that now. She was a looker, with a body like his dark precious little Dru.

"So how do you like your room?" he asked conversationally, as if they were friends and as if she wasn't his prisoner.

Dawn snorted, "Well it's the nicest prison I think I've ever seen."

Angelus raised a brow at her tone. He chuckled softly, 'Oh she's trying so hard to be tough right now!' It amused him, so he decided to see just how much it would take to get a reaction from her.

"Yeah, I suppose you could call it your prison… I mean you are my captive and I DO hold your life in my hands now don't I?"

Dawn's knees felt like they were going to give out. 'Oh God!! He could just snap my neck or drain me…Oh God…' she thought, gripping her hands together so he wouldn't see how they were trembling. She stopped her racing thoughts, knowing she'd need her wits to deal with him. He was a master manipulator and until Buffy and Angel found her, she was very much on her own.

"Yeah… I guess you do…uh hold my life in your hands, but obviously you wanted me for a reason…So I'm thinking you're not going to just up and kill me." She flashed him a smirk, praying he didn't just snap her neck, but her instincts told her Angelus liked this game… So she had to play.

He threw back his head and laughed at that. NOW she had his interest. She had a bit of fire inside her after all. He moved so fast, Dawn nearly screamed as suddenly he was right there next to her, pressed against her back. He licked the side of her throat, as he inhaled her now overwhelming fear. It was radiating off her in tremulous waves.

He gripped her shoulders in his big hands, pressing her back to his broad chest. His lips were right next to her ear as he whispered, "Oh I think I do uh… Want you Dawn. Hmmmm… For what though, that will be the interesting part don't you think?" He chuckled again as she gasped and pulled away from him.

He let her go. The game was just beginning… He still had an errant childe to punish, another childe to play with, a witch to meet with, so she could put up a cloaking spell on this house. And last but certainly not least…a certain redheaded witch to track down so she couldn't try and work her special mojo on him again.

Yes… So many things to do. He just didn't have the time to properly play with Dawn right now, but looking at her… Angelus started to devise a new plan altogether. If he wanted to break the Slayer… What better way than through her sister, huh? He grinned suddenly. 'Yes, that might work out much, much better afterall."

He gestured towards the tray. "See, you distracted me and now you're breakfast is cold." He pouted almost and Dawn had the insane urge to giggle at seeing such a childishly sweet look on the face of a creature that she knew very well was a mass murderer!

She could SO see how he lured in his victims with that face. She KNEW what he was and she felt his pull. 'God help me… He's evil.' She reminded herself silently as she watched his face change again. The pout was replaced by a charming smile as he told her that he had a surprise for her.

Angelus opened the door to her room and gestured to whoever was standing there. Suddenly two minions came in carrying bags upon bags of what appeared to be clothes. They placed the bags on the bed and left as quickly and silently as they came.

Her captor turned to her with an enthusiastic smile gestured towards the bed. "I took the liberty of getting you some clothes. You looked like a size 4… But I did get a couple of other sizes just to be sure… Go through them and pick out whatever you like. I mean as much as it would be uh… enticing to have you run around naked…" His dark eyes roamed over her body and Dawn shivered at that look, before he went on business like again… "I think it'd be best if you didn't tempt me Dawn. Don't cha think?"

She could only nod her head. Dazed at the look of lust she'd just seen on his handsome face. Never had anyone made her feel naked with just a look. NOW she really was frightened as she realized just how vulnerable she was.

Angelus had to stop himself from crowing with delight at her intoxicating blend of terror, confusion and yes… There was definitely the hint of arousal there too. He knew how he was going to play this game now… It would just take a bit of patience on his part. Not something he usually had, but this… This was going to be his masterpiece and perfection took time.

Look how long it took to break Dru. And what he was going to do to Dawn, was going to make what he'd achieved with Dru look amateurish, by comparison. Which it had been really. He didn't want another loon… No, he wanted to make the Slayer's sister love him. It would be perfect. He could just see Buffy's scrunched up little face, big huge tears streaking it as Dawn, her beloved sister CHOSE to stay with him!

He needed to play her right. He'd already put the first salvo in play when he reminded her he could kill her at any time… That was the first step. Instill terror, then give her small acts of kindness… Little things like the clothes. He had to force himself not to act aggressive towards her. She would take a gentle hand, kind of like the wild horses that used to roam his father's property in Galway. First you had to get them to accept your hand and only then could you get a saddle on them and ride them! He chuckled at the double entendre there, but didn't make a move towards her. Instead he gestured again to the food.

"Eat Dawn. I don't want to frighten you any more. Look, if you just listen to me and don't try anything stupid… Like trying to escape then I promise you'll get through this without pain. Okay?"

Dawn raised a brow at his words. As if she was going to trust him? Ha! But she played the game too. "Okay…Uh thanks for the clothes and all." She sat down and took a sip of her juice.

Angelus nodded, "Good, well I'll see you for lunch then. Read… Watch some TV. Like I said, I don't want to hurt you…" He knew she didn't believe him and that was fine. This was after all only round one. 'Let the games begin lass…' he thought and left her to her own thoughts.

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Angel Investigations…

Booth watched Angel as he approached him, with a look that was something akin to what a condemned man might have when taking that final walk from his cell. Brennan started to get up, but he gripped her hand so tightly, she immediately sat back down.

"Don't go," Booth whispered, now unsure if he was ready for this after all.

Angel saw every emotion. He felt them as a matter of fact, his fear, uncertainty and his wariness. Every one of those things he felt too. Once again he cursed his demon for doing this. 'Prick!' Angel thought as he quietly sat down across from the two partners.

"I'm not really sure where to start so I guess I'll just start at the beginning…" Angel stated softly, finally raising his eyes to lock onto Booth's own dark ones.

Buffy came and sat down next to him and he gripped her hand in much the same fashion that Booth had Brennan's.

"What Angelus told you is the truth. You're name was Aidan McKenna and you are my brother. You were originally born May 16th 1726 in Galway Ireland…" At Booth's gasp, and deep inhalation of breath as if he was going to interrupt, Angel stopped. "Please Seeley," he murmured, "let me just tell you then you can ask me anything. Okay?"

At Booth's nod, Angel went on. "My human name was Liam. I was the older son, by a few minutes, but it made a difference then. I was supposed to inherit father's title and business, but I was a disappointment to my…Our Da. He called me a scoundrel. A wasteabout and truth be told I was. My greatest ambition was a willing woman in my bed every night and enough coin to have a few pints at the pub."

Angel stopped again, talking about this was hard and he was glad for Buffy's presence as she squeezed his hand and rubbed his back.

"You on the other hand were what could only be called the "good son" You studied hard and were being groomed to take my role as heir to father's estates and business. You might wonder if I was jealous of you…" He stopped again and his dark eyes sought Booth's. He smiled ruefully, as he shook his head. "I wasn't truthfully. You taking on that responsibility gave me more time to pursue what I wanted. I loved you and you loved me. You were one of the only ones besides Kathy (our sister) who accepted me. Most of the town and Da had turned their backs on me and given up hope for me… Which in all honesty I deserved, I mean, I didn't WANT to do anything more, so I didn't… That is until one night I was drunk and brawling in a tavern and met Darla… My Sire."

Angel exhaled softly, running his hand over his thigh nervously. "She was beautiful… Dressed in the finest silks. She looked like a queen next to the tavern wenches I'd been involved with, so when she asked me to follow her I did. I walked into that alley and right out of my life as Liam and into the arms of my murderer. She asked me if I wanted to see the world. I foolishly said yes and that's when she turned me."

Angel stopped again and it was so quiet he could hear all three of their hearts pounding. It was distracting and he took a deep, unneeded breath and went on. "After I awoke as Angelus. I…" He stopped again. This was going to be the hard part.

Buffy squeezed his hand again. "It's okay baby. It wasn't you Angel."

He nodded, "Yeah, but I still have the memories Buffy."

He looked at Booth, "I killed our whole family. Starting with Kathy when she invited me in, then Mother, then I attacked you, when Da burst in the room… You escaped. Then I watched you run and turned to our father. I remember telling him how he'd said I'd never amount to anything then showing him my demon's face and telling him he'd been wrong. I HAD become something… A monster… Then I killed him." He put his head down for a moment, before meeting Booth's eyes again.

"But it was after Darla reminded me that though I'd destroyed him, she'd said my father's victory over me would last an eternity cause I had never had his approval. MY victory was but a moment, but his would last forever. It was then that I decided I wouldn't kill you, that instead I would turn you because then MY victory over Da WOULD last a lifetime. I would make the one person he WAS proud of into the same monster I was…"

Angel's head was down as he said this and it was whispered so softly, Booth had to strain to hear him, but hear him he did and he gasped again softly.

Angel heard it and raised his head again, "I was a fledgling though and had no idea what I was doing. I didn't want Darla to do it… Didn't even TELL her I was going to do it as a matter of fact. I just sought you out and bit you again, then made you drink from me, but I guess I didn't drain you enough cause you didn't turn all the way. I left you when my Sire came for me and didn't see you again for over 200 years. I had gotten my soul back and when I saw you I well…"

Angel felt tears clog his throat. "God I felt so guilty and you hated me so much. Said I'd made you some kind of monster… So I went to the Goddess Nemesis and asked for you to be made human again. She agreed you deserved justice and that I should be punished. She cursed me with the happiness clause on my soul and you were made human again. Reborn actually 38 years ago as Seeley Booth." Angel had to stop, he felt drained…

Booth's head was spinning. It all sounded like something outta an Anne Rice novel or maybe even Stephen King!! It certainly wasn't something he had EVER thought he'd hear… Especially about himself!

For a very long time nobody said anything. Booth sat stunned, not really sure what to say and Angel was just too drained remembering all that pain to speak.

Finally it was Brennan who broke the silence. "So basically Booth was attacked by Angelus, but he has you to thank for giving him this life? So I guess I also need to say thank you for giving him this life too. Because logically speaking if you hadn't done what you did for him, then Booth wouldn't exist. Isn't that right?" She asked softly, squeezing Booth's hand and turning to look at him. She wanted him to see past what happened and see this side of it.

In her mind there was no point in focusing on HOW it happened. It wasn't logical, since there was nothing to be done about it. The only course of action that made any sense to her was looking at the end result. She had Booth in her life because of what happened and Booth had his life, his son and her.

She smiled at him softly. "You wouldn't have Parker… Or me or the life you have Booth. Let's move past it." Looking at Angel's amazed face, she leaned over and touched his hand. "I think Angel's beaten himself up for enough years over this. He needs you to forgive him…"

Booth shook his head. Still trying to wrap his mind around the whole situation. He looked at his brother, just trying the phrase out in his head before actually saying it out loud. Angel looked so sick inside and Booth knew Bones was right. Even though he was still pretty freaked out about the whole thing, right now he couldn't lay any more on the man sitting across from him. He HAD suffered enough.

"Ya know I'm pretty blown away right now…" he said softly, rubbing a hand through his hair and mussing it more than normal. "But, Bones is right. You don't need any more guilt. You didn't do that to me so you shouldn't need my forgiveness, but if it means anything to you… I DO forgive you Angel… And, I thank you for making it right for me. I do, but if you don't mind I really think I need a bottle or maybe two of some good whiskey and some sleep before I'm going to be able to say any more about it. Okay?"

It was more than Angel had dared to hope for. He smiled softly, "Sure… There's whiskey… Some Bushmill's in my office. Buffy and I are going to go out and patrol… I need to work off some of this tension and see if I can pick up any info about Angelus."

Booth nodded, "Well is there anything we can do before heading home?"

Angel frowned at that. "Seeley, please don't leave. You saw Dru's reaction to you earlier. She can be very dangerous. Just because she acts childlike don't think she isn't what she is… She's a vampire and a deadly one at that. Believe me I know what she's capable of. She wants you and when she wants something she can be just as ruthless as Angelus."

Booth grimaced at that. "Great just what I always wanted my very own vampire stalker!" he scowled again, turning away. "Okay now I KNOW I need a drink." He turned back to Angel, hands on his hips. "So what I… Or we…" He looked at Bones, knowing there was NO way he was letting her out of his sight. "We have to stay here until we find Angelus and the loony girl?"

Angel nodded, "I'm sorry, but it's safer if we stay together."

Booth nodded too tired to argue about it. "Fine..Just point me to a room so I can crash for a bit then first thing tomorrow we get on finding your bastard alter ego and I can get my life back."

He hadn't meant that to come out like that so he looked at Angel and his voice softened. "Sorry. Just tired I guess. Look after this is over, then maybe you and I can see where we go from there okay?"

Angel smiled, "I'd like that…"

When Booth nodded again and started to turn away, Angel's voice stopped him. "Oh and Booth… just for the record… Thank you, it does mean something to me… More than I can tell you." He whispered, taking Buffy's hand and rubbing the back of it with his thumb.

Booth nodded, "We need to all get some sleep. I'm thinking we let your demon get the best of us tonight and I don't know about you, but that just doesn't sit well with me."

He looked at Buffy, she looked beat. Her eyes were swollen and Booth could tell she was deeply affected by not only the events of tonight, but also hearing her lover tell them all his story.

He gave her a gently smile, "Are you okay?" At her nod, he sighed. "Just be careful out there tonight. I can't do this without you both… I'm so far outta my comfort zone it's… Well let's just say it's beyond uncomfortable and bordering on hysteria right about now. So do your recon, but get back here so we can get together a plan to stop that son of a bitch before anyone gets hurt okay?"

Angel stood, pulling Buffy up with him. He had to hide the relieved look and almost giddy grin that wanted to burst forth. His brother had said that like he really cared… It warmed Angel's un-beating heart.

"Ready baby?" He asked her tenderly.

She nodded, somehow managing to keep her tears at bay. She was so proud of him. Proud and happy for him actually because Booth had taken all that surprisingly well. Though Buffy knew he was still in a state of shock, but he hadn't run screaming from the room and that was so a good thing!

She stuck a stake in each back pocket of her jeans, gripped Angel's hand and smiled up at him. "Ready and willing…" She flushed, "Okay! Color me embarrassed. I SOOO didn't mean that the way it sounded. I meant uh…"

Angel felt a smirk tug at his lips. "I think we got it." He said with a chuckle. He and Buffy both waved bye to Tempe and Booth as Angel drug his still blushing girlfriend out the door and into the chilly D.C night.

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