Chapter VII

Music was playing in the background as Buffy sat at the dining room table alone. She had been married to Angelus for four months now and things had changed between them, but not in a good way. Her husband was barely home, and tonight was special. Tonight, was the night of their anniversary of when they began dating. They had made plans. Buffy had cooked a romantic dinner and had candles lit, but it was beginning to get near midnight. Her husband was over three hours late. Tears fell down Buffy's heartbroken face as she blew out the candles and walked upstairs. Buffy locked the bedroom door before getting ready for bed. Since they got married, Angelus has been coming home late and smelling like women's perfume. Buffy did not want to assume that he was back to his old tricks, but she knew better, and she knew him. Buffy cried herself to sleep. Feeling the sun on her face, Buffy opened her eyes and felt an arm wrapped around her. She sighed heavily until she felt Angelus move his arms.

"Buff, I know that you are awake." Angelus said.

"How did you get in here?" Buffy asked.

"This is my bedroom too, you know. Why did you lock the door?" Angelus asked.

"You should know why I locked the door. This is the third time this week that you have not kept your promises. I am tired, okay. We had a romantic dinner planned last night and you left me sitting here alone." Buffy stated.

"Baby, I am so sorry. I was working on a case late last night. I did not even realize how late it really was. When I came in, you were already in bed and I didn't want to wake you." Angelus excused.

"Who was the client this time? Drusilla? Harmony? Hell, it might have been my sister again. Did you show her a good time? Did you enjoy sex with her? Did she enjoy making love with you because I did not get a chance to. How was it? Answer me!" Buffy said getting out of the bed and facing him.

"Buffy, what the hell are you talking about?" Angelus asked, getting out of the bed as well and in her face. "I told you that I was working. Why do you have to bring Dru and your sister into this every time we argue?"

"Maybe if you would stop fucking them like you don't have a wife at home then I would not have to. I sit at home. I cook. I clean. I take care of your house and you come home smelling like perfume every day of the week and it is not my brand. You told me that you would stop! You told me that you wouldn't hurt me!" Buffy yelled.

"For the last fucking time, I am not cheating on you, Buffy." Angelus said angrily.

"Maybe if I go out with Riley, that will get your attention." Buffy said.

"What the fuck did you just say? What did you just say?" Angelus asked, getting in her face.

"You heard exactly what I said. Riley, your friend asked me out to dinner, and I might take him up on his offer since my husband seems to be otherwise occupied with other women all of the time. Maybe he can help me with some of my needs." Buffy said. Before Buffy could say another word, Angelus had his hand around her throat, and he was choking her.

"If I ever, and I fucking mean ever, see you talking to a man that is not me, you will regret it! I will kill him and then you! You hear me!" Angelus yelled still with his hands around her throat. " I can't hear you. Do you understand me?!"

"Y…. Y….Yes." Buffy croaked out, clawing at him to let her go. Angelus removed his hand from her throat and pushed Buffy against the wall. That was the first time that Angelus ever put his hands on her, but it was not the last.

***8 months later***

Buffy was curled up in a ball as Angelus was beating on her again. It didn't take much to anger him anymore. This time, he didn't like the attention she was getting from other men at the restaurant they went to celebrate their one-year anniversary. Since she was no longer in touch with her friends, Buffy felt very alone. Ripping the dress off of her, Angelus made sure to tear it to shreds. He was so angry. HOW DARE SHE EMBARRASS HIM LIKE THAT?! HIM! CEO OF WOLFRAM & HART! SHE KNEW BETTER! Well, he was going to teach her a lesson about respect. Hours later, Angelus was gone, and Buffy was in the corner of the room battered and bruised. She had a phone in her hand and dialed a familiar number.

"Hello? Hello?" the person on the other line said.

"A…..Angel? Can you please come get me? Please?" Buffy cried.

"Buffy? Buffy, what's wrong?" Angel asked, alarmed.

"Please come get me before he comes back." Buffy said.

"I'll be there in ten minutes." Angel said, picking up his keys. He never expected the scene that he walked into though. Buffy was afraid. She was very afraid and his brother was the reason.

"Don't worry, Buffy. I got you. I always got you." Angel said, picking Buffy up. Checking her into the hospital, Angel was worried. If there was anything Buffy hated, it was hospitals but he had to make sure that she was okay. She was barely conscious when they got there. Dr. Warner, a friend of Angel's, came through the double doors.

"Angel, you here for Buffy Summers?" Dr. Warner asked.

"Yeah." Angel replied.

"Ms. Summers had a few broken ribs. It appears that she was also raped as well. Do you know what happened to her?" Dr. Warner asked.

"Raped? Are you sure? She was barely speaking when I got to her and she nearly passed out in the car." Angel asked.

"Yes, I am positive. She shows signs of agitated scarring and bruising. She is going to be okay though. Her and the baby." Dr. Warner said.

"Baby? Buffy's pregnant?" Angel asked.

"Yes, Buffy is currently eight weeks pregnant. So far everything looks very good, but Ms. Summers is very lucky. None of the bruising affected the fetus. Angel, I apologize but whoever abused this young lady has been abusing her for a long time. I would get her some help immediately." Dr. Warner advised.

Dr. Warner put a hand on Angel's shoulder before leaving to check on her other patients. Angel walked down to Buffy's private room and sat next to her bed. Buffy looked at Angel and smiled.

"Buffy, how are you holding up?" Angel asked.

"Angel, he can never know. Your brother can never know that I am pregnant with his child." Buffy stated determinedly.

"I won't tell him, Buffy, but you do know what happens after this. We have to inform the police and file charges. I can't handle this case. I'm too involved with you." Angel said.

"I know. I want to file charges. I have to file charges. I can't lose this baby too, Angel." Buffy cried. Angel got in bed with Buffy and pulled her into his chest to comfort her. He vowed that his brother would never be able to hurt Buffy ever again.

Willow Rosenberg was sitting in the living room waiting on her girlfriend to return home with their coffees from the coffee shop. She had been gone for awhile and Willow was starting to get worried. Willow was startled when there was a knock on her door. Opening the door, she was relieved to see Gunn and Fred on the other side but she knew that something was wrong by the expressions on their face.

"Gunn? Fred? What's going on?" Willow asked.

"Where is Tara? Is she home?" Fred asked.

"No, she went to the coffee shop to get us some drinks. What happened? What's wrong?" Willow asked.

Before anyone had a chance to answer, there was a knock on the door. Willow opened the door to see two detectives on the other side this time.

"Hi. Can I help you?" Willow asked shakily with Gunn and Fred behind her.

"Are you Willow Rosenberg?" the detective asked.

"Yes." Willow answered.

"Ms. Rosenberg, I am Detective Morano and this is my partner, Detective Morales. I am sorry to inform you, but we found Tara McClay in the alley on the side of the coffee shop. She was killed. I am very sorry for your loss." Detective Morano said.

"NO! NO NO NO NO! NOT TARA! NO, TARA! NO!" Willow screamed as she fell against Gunn's chest.

Fred grabbed onto Willow as they slid to the ground in tears. All anyone can hear down the block is the cries of heartbroken women. Meanwhile across town, Angelus received a phone call from an unknown number.

"It's done, sir. She never even saw me coming." The unknown voice said on the line.

"Good. You will be paid shortly." Angelus replied.

"Thank you sir. Nice working with you." The unknown voice said.

Angelus hung up the phone and smiled.

"Let the games begin." Angelus said out loud to no one in particular.