Your Love

by Jill2

Set at the end of the 19th century; Angelus stalks Buffy, but finds himself falling in love with her ...; It's one of my older stories and - uh - if you're a fan of either Riley or Darla, you might not want to read this. They are not silly or stupid in th

1. Part 1-10

FIC: Your Love
Author: Jill
Disclaimer: Would I write this if I owned them? Just think!!
Rating: R to be sure.
Spoilers: none, you just have to know the characters of the show
Summary: Angelus and Buffy meet
Timeline: it's the year 1890
Feedback: is begged for! Please, Please, Please!
Dedication: To Kathy and Helen who said the idea was good enough for a story.


Part 1

He was on the hunt again. There was nothing comparable to this feeling of being
the hunter and stalking your prey. For a vampire anyway. It was the deepest,
strongest and purest emotion for a creature of the darkness.

And he was a master of it.

Tonight he was on his own. He was sick of William's twisted humor, Drusilla's
crazy visions and even Darla couldn't give him any satisfaction. Not that night.
She was his sire, his lover, his companion, and their connection was as deep as
possible for vampires but tonight he needed to be on his own. It was a deep
feeling he wasn't able to put into words but it was there and over the years he
had learned to trust his gut.

The girl he was following through the dark streets of London wasn't alone. She
was accompanied by a man and another girl. They all did seem quite young and he
licked his lips thinking about the fresh blood that he would soon taste on his
tongue. She was pretty he decided, a pity he had to kill her. Maybe he could
have a little bit fun with her before. Sex with a human was a thrill he enjoyed
from time to time. Maybe she was even a virgin. Most of the girls of her age
were, well at least the sort of girl she seemed to be. Sure virgins weren't
experienced but to possess them and then to extinguish their life shortly after
was a special pleasure.

His eyes were glowing yellow for a short moment. The anticipation would have made his heart beating faster if it was possible.

She was tiny and blonde and the laughter was like music and sounded in his ears
now that she was talking to her girlfriend. They were carrying some books,
obviously they'd been shopping in one of the book-stores.

He moved closer to listen to their conversation.

"Aren't you excited that you're going to be wed in four weeks," the red-headed
girl said in a happy voice.

"Yes, very happy," the blonde replied, but there was a tone in her voice that
said she wasn't completely sure about it.

"Riley is such a nice man. So handsome and with such good manners. Giles was
right to choose him for you." the red head smiled at the boy who was with them
and he nodded in response.

"Your father is a very wise man," the boy said. "He immediately saw that you and
he were made for each other."

"Hmmmm," the blond made. "Probably. I'm not sure though," she suddenly admitted.

"Why?," the red-head asked surprised. "I think he's perfect."

"Well, I don't know," the blonde sighed. "Isn't a relationship meant to be
exciting and ... well, passionate? I mean Riley is a good man, he's always nice
and friendly, but ...," she shrugged slightly.

"What do you feel when he kisses you?," the other girl asked.

"It's nice and all, but ... I just have the feeling there's missing something.
Plus I have a hard time picturing me as his nice and quiet wife, giving birth to
and raising his children. My mind is full of ideas, of things I want to see," her voice became passionate. "I know it's not proper for a young lady to think that way, but I want to see the world, I want to do important things. Something like that. I'm afraid that I'll be bored to death, just playing the nice wife of an army captain."

"I see," the red-head nodded. "Maybe you just want too much. Women are meant to
be at their husband's side, supporting them and raise their children. With Riley
you will have a save future. He's also from a very good family and they've
money."

"Sure," the blond replied, frustration in her voice now. "Well, whatever I want.
It seems there's no way it'll come true. My father has planned my life and as I
have no money of my own I will have to follow his decisions."

The vampire stopped and looked after them while they slowly disappeared in the
darkness. He had heard enough. No he wouldn't kill her tonight. There would be
much more fun in playing with her. He knew he was handsome and he was a master of
passion too. So maybe she was just the right girl for a while. He turned and
began to laugh. He would find his food elsewhere tonight.

This girl could wait. He would have his way with her and kill her later. Some
things were worth waiting for.

With another laugh he followed a shop-keeper into a dark alley.


Part 2

He kept watching her during the following nights, to learn about her habits, her
life, her friends. It was like a game and he loved it. If he hadn't happened to
become a vampire he might have been a good spy. He chuckled at the thought.

He knew he was obsessed with her already, and he loved it. His lover on the other hand. Well, that was definitely another chapter. Darla was pissed. Beyond pissed actually. It didn't bother him, not really. Vampires had no consciousness, no human feelings, and he was grateful for it. It was an easy way to live. He could still remember the struggles of his pathetic human soul, the deep hurt because of his father's disapproval. Oh boy, he had paid everything back and loved it.

Darla had shown him a new life, a new world and although his name was now well
feared amongst the vampire community he was still with her. Sires and childer
usually had strong connections but Darla and he had something special.

And so she sensed something was happening to him, she didn't understand what, but she could feel it. He'd been obsessed before, Drusilla was the best example, but it had never touched his connection with his sire. That he had a new obsession she knew the first night when he came back. He hadn't even been interested in touching her, so she had to find her pleasure elsewhere that night. And the following nights too, he hadn't laid a finger on her for more than two weeks, leaving their lair as soon as it was dark and coming back at dawn. He never talked about it and for the first time in their long relationship Darla had the feeling he was slipping from her influence.

So she felt she had a right to be pissed. Kicking at a chair in the middle of the room, she scowled inwardly. William, laying on the bed, a smoke in his hand and his one arm loosely wrapped around Drusilla who was dreaming beside him,
chuckled: "The boy-toy gone again?"

"Shut up," she yelled and crossed her arms in front of her chest.

"Maybe you should just follow him to see what this is all about," he suggested.

"I can't," she clenched her teeth. "He would immediately sense my presence. Or
yours for that matter. He's not stupid," a proud smile spread across her face.
What a great childe he was and what a skilled lover. Unconsciously licking her
lips she sat down and closed her eyes for a moment. "I need a spy. Someone I can
trust."

"Trust," William grinned. "You'll find nobody. Vampires aren't trustworthy."

"I know," she hissed.

"Why are you so nervous?," he tilted his head and glanced at the dark haired girl at his side. "He's been obsessed before, he'll come back."

Darla only looked at him. If only she could be so sure.

*******

He was standing at his usual spot. She would come here soon, getting books for
her father again. He had watched her for two weeks now and knew more about her
habits and her daily routine. He could see her entering the bookstore, talking to the shop-keeper and then turning to leave.

The vampire took a deep unnecessary breath and pushed himself off of the wall. It was time for the next step.

Keeping his eyes on the ground he approached her. She was looking into the
enlightened shops, not paying attention to her surroundings. It was perfect, he
thought, absolutely perfect. One step, another step and the last and then.

"Oh," she exclaimed when her body collided with another and the books fell on the pavement.

"I'm so sorry," the vampire apologized. "I wasn't paying attention."

"No," she was looking up at him and their eyes met for the first time. For a
moment she almost forgot to breathe and she couldn't talk. Clearing her throat
she said: "I wasn't paying attention either. I'm sorry too."

He smiled slightly: "That makes us even I think."

"Indeed it does," she replied giving him a smile of her own and blushing
slightly.

"I hope they aren't ruined," he said.

"What?," she asked confused.

"Those," he chuckled slightly at her confusion and pointed towards the books on
the ground.

"Oh," she blushed a little bit more. "No, I'm sure they are fine. They're pretty
hard after all." God, I sound like a stupid little girl, she scowled herself
inwardly.

He bent down and picked the three books up: "There," he held them in his hands.
"I think you're right. They seem fine. I could carry them for you, if you want."

"No," she replied quickly. "I mean, you don't have to." Closing her eyes for a
moment and calling herself stupid again she added: "But I wouldn't mind though."

He smiled again: "Fine. Maybe I should introduce myself first. My name is Liam,
Liam Flynn."

"Eliza," she held out her hand for him. "Eliza Giles. But my friends call me
Buffy."

"Buffy, hm?," he chuckled again then took her gloved hand with his and planted a
feather light kiss on the back of it.

Buffy could feel her heart quickening it's pace and a shiver run down her spine
and she almost moaned when he let go of her hand. God, what on earth was
happening to her? "Yes, Buffy," she nodded and then sighed. "It was my father's
idea when I was little. I tried to get rid of it, but it was in vain and now I'm
so used to it that I don't care anymore. I even like it."

"Buffy," he repeated her name, and a warm feeling sprread in her chest hearing hisvoice saying it. "So I'll call you Buffy, but then you must call me Liam."

"Alright." She was surprised by his attitude. Usually the men were more formal
and stiff, Liam seemed to be different and she liked it. He was so not at all
like Riley.

"Shall we walk then?," he asked.

"Oh," she had completely forgotten she was on her way home. Giles was certainly
waiting for her. "Yes, of course. Flynn," she said after a while. "Are you
Irish?"

"Yes, but I haven't been there for ... er ... a long time."

"Because I cannot hear an Irish accent," she looked at him for a moment from the
side.

"Ah," he smiled again. "You are from London?"

"No," she shook her head. "I'm born in Salisbury, that's southwest of London. A
wonderful place. But my father has to be in London for business reasons, he has
a company here. We live in London for four years now."

"I see," he replied and thought about what to ask next, when she surprised him
with her question.

"This might be forward and not ladylike, but I've rarely been what everyone
expected," she giggled slightly. "What I want to ask you. Are you free tomorrow
night?"

"Pardon?"

"It's that my aunt is giving a ball you see. And she lacks gentlemen. She's
invited too many ladies, so we need more of the other sex." She bit her lower
lip and he thought that it looked beautiful.

"Well," he faked hesitation. He couldn't just say "yes", that would've been too obvious.

"Oh please. You could also bring a friend."

"No," he replied almost too quickly. He didn't even want to think about William
on a society ball. The picture was so ridiculous that he almost burst out
laughing. "Alright, I'll come. If you tell me where it is?"

"I will. It's Lady Carpenter's house, maybe you know it."

"Indeed, I do. What time?"

"Eight-thirty," she smiled at him and then stopped. "That's my house." She held
out her hand for the books. "Thanks you for walking me home."

He bowed his head: "It was my pleasure," he said and handed her the books. Their
hands touched for a second and again she felt shivers all over her body. "See you tomorrow then, Buffy."

"Until tomorrow," she replied and closed the door behind her.

"Buffy, is it you?," she heard her father's voice from the living room.

"Yes, father," she called back.

"There's a message for you. From your fiancée. He'll be coming tomorrow to take
you to the ball."

"Oh great," she muttered. It wasn't that she didn't like Riley, no that wasn't it, but after meeting Liam today, feeling the touch of his hand and his lips on her hand nothing seemed the same. All of a sudden it seemed more ridiculous than ever that she should marry Riley Finn.

*******

Angelus whistled slightly when he entered his lair an hour later.

"Where have you been," Darla hissed the moment she saw him.

Giving her an arrogant look he raised an eyebrow: "Out."

"So much I've guessed," she shot back and began to pace the room.

"She's afraid you're spending too much time with your new obsession," William
said from his spot on the couch.

The dark-haired vampire's head snapped around: "My new obsession?"

"There's a new girl in your life," Drusilla said in her melodic voice.

"Really?," Angelus sat down and watched the other vampires in the room. He didn't want them to know about Buffy. Not yet, he told himself.

"I'll be back soon," Darla hissed again and then slammed the door behind her.

"She's pissed, mate," William chuckled and then quickly added: "Not that I mind.
It's not my business. Just to warn you."

Angelus gave him another look and then closed his eyes. She was different than he had expected. And her eyes were so pure. Inwardly groaning, he covered his face with his hands. What the hell was wrong with him? He didn't have feelings, did he? Oh god, maybe he should stay away from her or better just kill her and get over with it. To be too near to humans wasn't a good thing. He had heard of cases where it had even affected vampires. There were some pathetic individuals who were living with human women.

He was Angelus, The Scourge of Europe, strong, powerful and merciless. Abruptly
getting up he shortly glanced at William: "I'll be back later. I didn't have
dinner yet."

With this he left. He had to get the humanity out of his system. A good kill
would do the trick!


Part 3

The house at Belgrave Square was huge and when Angelus arrived at exactly eight
thirty he could see one carriage after the other stop in front of it. He liked
balls like these, they were a great opportunity to get easy food, the lords
never counted their servants. Chuckling at the thought he pushed every thought
that he was possibly looking forward to see Buffy far away. He wasn't interested
in her as a person, she was a new toy he would play with and then finish off in
time. The only unconvincing fact was that he'd never played with a toy for such a long time before.

Approaching the house he gave the butler his hat and coat and walked in. An older woman smiled at him: "Sir?"

He bowed his head slightly and took her hand to kiss the back of it: "Lady
Carpenter I believe. My name is Liam Flynn, your nice Miss Giles ..."

"Oh," her face lit up, "you're the young man she told me about." Twinkling she
added: "She never told me you're so handsome."

Grinning he replied: "And I was never told you were such a charming lady."

"Oh," she blushed slightly. "Now, Mr. Flynn, welcome to our ball. Just go over
into the ballroom and help yourself to some Champagne."

"My Lady." He bowed again and walked over to the open entrance. The ballroom was
quite full already, but he didn't notice any of the guests. His eyes were only
scanning the crowd for a certain blond head. Finally spotting her in the opposite corner of the room, he walked towards her direction.

*******

"He's gone again," Darla fumed.

"Sexual frustration, luv?," Spike smirked.

"Oh, shut up," she replied angrily.

Looking up and down at her, the blond vampire suggested: "I could help out?. At
least for a while."

"Thanks, I'm not that desperate," Darla shook her head. "Besides what will your
little Drusilla say to this?"

"She doesn't have to know. Plus it's not as if I'd leave her, we're just shagging once or twice," he said enjoying the situation tremendously. Angelus was such a sick bastard, and he had certainly never liked him, but nobody could make Darla as angry as he could. What was about that damned bugger that all the girls were so obsessed with him, he wondered.

"My Spike," Drusilla came through the door.

"Yes, luv," he said, getting up. She was the only one to call him by his new
name. Darla and her childe were just ignoring his wishes. William sounded so
ridiculous for a big, bad vampire.

"I was talking to the stars," the dark haired vampiress told him in her typical
sing-sang. "My Daddy's gone out again. He meets the blonde girl."

"Blonde girl," Darla's head snapped up. "Did you see anything else?" As annoying
as she was, sometimes Drusilla was a good source.

"He thinks she's pretty. I can feel his heart sing for her," the insane vampire
continued.

"His heart sings for her, that's ridiculous," Darla snorted. Although she had a
sinking feeling in her stomach that this was very close to the truth. But she
would never show the others. "I'm not listening to this nonsense. I've got better things to do." With this she left their lair, slamming the door behind her.

Spike only grinned, pulled Drusilla close and gave her a passionate kiss.

******

The moment Liam had entered the ballroom Buffy could feel him. She didn't know it first, she only felt something in her body, but when she saw him and the feeling got stronger with every step he took towards her she knew. "Liam," she greeted him, extending her hand.

"My pleasure," he replied with a smile, taking the offered hand and kissing it.

"I'm so glad you could come," Buffy smiled too and was about to ask something
when someone beside cleared his throat. She had forgotten all about him. Turning
and forcing herself to keep the friendly smile on her face she said: "Oh Riley,
I'm so sorry, Riley, this is Liam Flynn. Liam, this is Riley Finn."

"Her fiancée," the man added eying the vampire curiously.

"I see," Angelus replied. Her fiancée, he thought, not the greatest choice ever.
He seemed quite attractive, but stiff and boring all over. Certainly not the man a girl like Buffy would want for all her life. He himself on the other side ...
hey, where did that thought come from.

"Liam was so nice to carry my books home last night," Buffy explained the man at
her side. "I already told you."

"Yes, you did," Riley said. "That was very nice of you Mr. Flynn."

"It was no trouble at all. After all I was the cause they fell to the ground in
the first place." Giving Buffy another smile he studied her fiancée closely. He
was a tall man, a soldier regarding the uniform he wore. The most interesting
thing however were the vibes he could feel from the blonde girl. She didn't like
him that much and certainly didn't love him.

"Buffy," another male voice cut in. A man in his mid forties came to stand
beside the girl.

"Father, this is Liam Flynn, the gentleman I told you about. Liam, that is my
father, Sir Rupert Giles," Buffy introduced the two men.

"Sir Giles," Angelus said with a short bow.

"Mr. Flynn," the elder man eyed the younger for a moment and then turned to his
daughter: "I will be at the billards room should you need anything, my dear." Then he walked out of the ballroom.

"My father hates balls like these, but as a member of the society you have to
attend from time to time," she explained. Then she turned towards her fiancée:
"Riley could you please get me a glass of water?"

"Of course, my dear," he kissed her hand and with another glance at the vampire
he walked away.

"When are you going to marry?," Angelus wanted to know.

"Actually I was meant to be wed in two weeks, but Mr. Finn just informed me he
was called to his regiments and for this we have to wait another six weeks," she
replied with a bored voice.

The vampire grinned inwardly, no she definitely wasn't very fond of her fiancée.
"What sort of business is your father involved in?"

"He has a printing house," she answered. "He edits two newspapers and several
journals," she smiled. "He always loved the printed word. If he isn't working he
sits at home in his library reading."

Again Angelus thought that she had the loveliest smile he'd ever seen. Oh no, he
groaned inwardly. What the hell is happening to me? I'm standing with her for
about ten minutes and I haven't once looked at her neck. I'm not even interested
in her neck besides that it's extremely pretty. No, this wasn't happening to him! This just wasn't possible.

"Are you alright?," she suddenly asked with concern in her voice.

"I'm fine, I assure you," he replied with a smile.

She smiled: "Good. I know it's not ladylike again, but I already told you I'm not at all as one would expect a lady of the society. So what I wanted to ask you, would you dance with me. My feet are itching to move."

Grinning now he held out his arm: "It would be a pleasure."

When Riley came back he found his fiancée waltzing with the dark-haired
stranger. Frowning he put the two glasses he was carrying down and went to see
Lady Carpenter to inquire about him.

*******

"So you do understand me," Darla paced the little room. "I want him watched from
dusk 'til dawn."

"Yes, madam," the private investigator was busily scribbling on this note book.

"I'll come every night to get your report," she told him. "And don't you dare
betraying me," she warned him.

"No, no," he raised his hands. "You're our client now. You will get your report
every day in time, I can assure you. We are well known for our discretion and
punctuality."

"Very well," Darla nodded and then left the agency. She was going to find out
what was the matter with her childe and then she'd take care of the problem.


Part 4

"Why do you want to marry Mr. Finn?," Angelus asked while he and Buffy were
waltzing through the ballroom. He had already noticed the glances her fiancée was throwing at them and smirked inwardly. Jealousy was such a predictable human
feeling. Buffy might not be in love with her soldier, but he was certainly very
possessive of her.

Her head snapped up and she stared at him for a moment. Then she swallowed: "My
father has chosen him for me a long time ago. In fact his mother and mine were
dreaming about our union since I was born. They were great friends."

"Your mother isn't here, is she?"

"No, she died when I was ten," she replied. "I miss her still though. And after
her death my father kept holding onto that dream. Maybe because it was her wish."

"Do you love him?," he asked after a while.

"I know him all my life," she replied evasively.

"That's no answer to my question. But I don't want to push."

"You don't," she shook her head. "No, the answer is no. I don't love him. But
love isn't really required for marriage nowadays. And Riley is reliable, he'll
provide a good home for me. We're friends and know each other. And like my
father I want to honour my mother's wishes."

"It sounds very boring," he chuckled. "Although I understand the part about your
mother's wish," he added quickly. Careful, he told himself, be very careful.

"She was a wonderful woman," she sighed, "but the part about Riley being boring
wasn't nice," she told him, but a smile was on her lips and she sighed again.

"When I first met you ... I mean when we accidently bumped into each other
yesterday, I thought you'd be different. You know somewhat rebellious, a girl
that wants to be different, courageous."

She looked at him in surprise for a moment. How was it possible that this man
she'd only known for a day could see deep inside her soul? "Actually," she began, but then shrugged and sighed again. "Dreams, these are only dreams. I have no money of my own and unmarried women aren't really accepted in our society, unless they are very rich or old."

"You disappoint me," he replied. "I thought you were the kind of woman to fight
for her dreams, not give up so easily."

Before she could answer the dance was over and Angelus lead her back to the spot
her fiancée waited for her.

"Buffy," Riley gave her a tight smile. "Lady Carpenter informed me that you
invited Mr. Flynn to this ball."

"I did," she said nodding. "Aunt Emily told me she needed more men to provide
enough dance partners for the ladies." Why do I even explain this, she thought
immediately, while Liam's last sentence kept repeating in her head. *I thought
you were the kind of woman to fight for her dreams.*

"What do you do Mr. Flynn?," Riley turned towards the vampire eyeing him
cautiously. Lady Carpenter hadn't known a little thing about him and he didn't
like it at all.

"I travel a lot," Angelus answered and chuckled inwardly at the same time, it
wasn't even a lie. "And I don't actually have to work for a living."

"So you're rich," Buffy was surprised.

He chuckled: "Well, I'm settled, if you want to say so. And I don't need much."
With all the food running around, he added silently.

"A wealthy Irishman," Riley thought loud. "Buffy," he turned towards his fiancée. "Why don't we stroll around the room for a while."

Glancing from Riley to Angelus, she made the maybe most important decision in her whole life. Buffy slowly shook her head: "No, thank you," she replied, while the vampire's words kept repeating in her head. "Mr. Flynn, I would like to dance again."

And with this she left her stunned fiancée staring after them. Angelus on the
other hand was grinning widely. His plan was working excellently.

******

"I see the stars," Drusilla's eyes were half-closed and a dreamy look lay in
them. "They talk to me."

"What about luv?"

"My Daddy," she replied and began to sing something unintelligible.

Spike groaned inwardly, but gave her a smile: "He's gone, pet. He's with his new
human toy."

"Not a toy, Spikey," she said with a smile. "He's into her. Ooooooh," she moaned
and sank to the ground. "It hurts Spike, it hurts."

"Pet," he crouched down beside her and gathered her in his arms. "What do you
see?"

"He doesn't know, but she will change everything. It will destroy our little
family, you have to do something, Spike. He'll leave us." She began to whine in
his arms.

"I will, pet, I will," he patted her back but over her head he smirked. Getting
rid of his annoying grand-sire, getting him away from Drusilla, that was the best news ever. All he had to do now was stop Darla from interfering.

*******

"I think you fiancée is very angry," Angelus chuckled while they were dancing
again.

Her answer was a shrug: "I really don't care."

"Buffy, Buffy," he shook his head but smiled. "This isn't the way a well educated lady behaves."

She shrugged again: "Maybe, but maybe I'm not a well educated lady at all. Maybe
you're right and I'm rebellious and adventurous. Do you know that I dream about
travelling, seeing foreign countries, other people. Maybe I was behaving
well-educated long enough."

Inwardly smirking, he gave her a warm smile: "Your eyes lighten up when talk like this. You shouldn't give up your dreams only because everyone expects you to behave properly."

She took a deep breath and beamed at him: "Do you know that I feel free when I'm
with you. What are you doing to me? I've never felt like this before, it's
different."

"I'm glad to hear it, if it means you're going to live your dreams."

They were dancing near the exit when she suddenly stopped and pulled him into the hallway: "You could take me with you," she looked deeply into his eyes. She knew it sounded crazy, but somehow she suddenly felt it. This man was going to be her destiny.

"With me?", he tried to sound as surprised as possible, but could barely hide a
grin. He had wanted to possess her, kill her, but for quite some time he had
decided to turn her. But he didn't want another Drusilla, a demented doll, who
was nothing but a nuisance, for him she'd lost her charms together with her
marbles. No, Buffy should become his mate, his partner, his companion, one he
choose, not a sire he felt addicted to. Screw Darla, he thought angrily. He knew
he had to deal with her after turning Buffy, but it could wait 'til later.

"Yes, with you. You said you would travel a lot. Take me with you," she begged
almost desperately. "I know you'll think I'm crazy, because we only met
yesterday, but suddenly I feel free. Take me with you." For Buffy it was as if
all her dreams were laying right before her and she'd just to reach out for them. This time she wouldn't hesitate. "I don't expect anything from you, only to take me with you. I have a little money..."

"Stop," he raised his hands and chuckled. God, he was good, he thought. Actor
could've been another possible profession. "But first you have to come with me, I have to show you something first.

"Show me?," she looked at him expectantly.

"Yes." He nodded. "Do you trust me?"

She hesitated only for a second: "Yes, I do," she replied and the truth was in
her eyes.

That moment Angelus felt something in his chest, he didn't understand. It was a
strange feeling, but he simply ignored it. Holding out a hand for her he led her
out of the house into the dark streets, his eyes flashing yellow for a moment.
This was going to be his night and tonight she would be his.


Part 5

Buffy was surprised when she realised that Liam hadn't come in a coach but at
foot. He led her away from the house, down the street and she glanced at him from time to time. After a while, the bright windows of her aunt's house far behind them, she spoke: "Where are we going?"

"I thought you trusted me," he replied.

"I do," she assured him quickly. "I know it's crazy, because we know each other
just for 24 hours, but I feel...," she paused.

"Yes?," he stopped and looked at her. "You feel what?"

"I don't know," she whispered, gazing deeply into his eyes. "When I touched your
hand. Yesterday, I mean. It was different. It was what I dreamt about, with Riley it's always safe and," she chuckled, "yes and boring. But with you..." she
trailed off.

He began to walk again: "You're wrong, you know."

Eyeing him from the side she asked: "Wrong?"

"I know you much longer than 24 hours."

Now it was her turn to stop and look at him: "What?" Her face was full of
confusion.

"I watched you. Two weeks I watched you," his voice was deeper now, "and then I
wanted to meet you. I'm not what you think."

"No?," her confusion grew.

"No," he replied and pulled her into a dark avenue. Staring at her with an
intensity that made her shiver he seemed to study her face for a while. "Did you
ever hear about vampires?" His eyes wandered from her face to the pulsing artery
at her neck. He could almost feel the blood on his tongue. Soon, he told himself, soon she would be his. He knew if his heart would beat it would race now.

"You watched me for two weeks," she said ignoring his last question. "Why?" Then
suddenly her head snapped up: "Vampires? Did you say vampires?"

"Yes," he replied. "My name isn't Liam," he shrugged, "well, actually it was,
about 150 years ago." He lowered his head and when it came up again Buffy was
staring at something she'd never seen before. "Now I'm known as Angelus."

She couldn't move, she had to remind herself to breathe, she could only stare.
The face in front of her wasn't human anymore. She knew she should run because
it should have frightened her, but somehow it didn't, because there underneath
was Liam, the man she ... oh God, she thought. And then she did something the
vampire would've never expected. She reached out with her hand and touched him.
Softly, gently, like the touch of a feather, her fingertips wandered over the
ridges, over his lip and finally over his prolonged canines.

Angelus was sure he had seen almost everything in his long life or un-life, but
now he was frozen on the spot. She wasn't afraid, she didn't scream, she didn't
try to run away, she just stood there and touched him and in her eyes he saw
something he couldn't clearly read. But it wasn't disgust or fear, was it
curiosity?

"So you're a vampire," she whispered after what seemed like an eternity.

"Yes," he whispered back. What the hell is happening to me, he asked himself? Why on earth am I talking to her at all? I should take her, suck her and finish it now.

"Did you kill many people?," she asked and looked at him. Looked straight into
his yellow, demonic eyes.

And suddenly he was ashamed. He shook his head in disbelief. He was Angelus, he
was meant to be proud, he was a master of torture, a master of killing, of the
hunt and now the touch of her hand changed him into some soft lapdog. Almost
embarrassed her stepped back and averting his eyes, his voice harsh, he answered: "Yes. More than I can count." And why not, a part of him screamed. He was a vampire, vampires killed humans, they fed from them. It was only natural. But it wasn't that simple anymore. Nothing seemed simple all of a sudden.

When she didn't say anything, he looked up. Her eyes were still resting on him.
"And you came to kill me too." It wasn't a question.

"That was the plan," he replied. And the question that kept repeating in his head again and again was, why don't I just bite her?

"What happened?", she tilted her head.

He shrugged: "Don't know."

Suddenly she smiled: "You wanted to do it tonight. But you didn't. Do you have
feelings for me?"

*******

"Don't leave me alone Spike," Dru whispered in panic. She hated it to be left
alone in the lair. And she didn't want to go on a hunt either. The people in
London were mean. Only a week ago, one had tried to stake her.

"Pet, I'll be back in no time. There's a business, I have to take care of. I
promise it won't take long. Just stay here and wait for me."

"Spikey," she protested again.

He took a deep breath, he hated the next sentence but he knew this way she would
understand: "I have to do it. For Angelus, for your Daddy."

"Daddy," a happy smile crept across her face and Spike wanted his grand-sire to
vanish here and now. But to make sure of it, he had to leave and follow Darla.
She'd left five minutes ago and he knew where she wanted to go. He couldn't let
it happen. It was his only chance to get rid of the sick bastard.

"Yes, Daddy," she said and groaned inwardly. "Now, be a good girl and wait for
me." With a last look at the love of his life, he left.

*******

"Vampires don't have feelings," he snapped at her. How could this stupid chick
think he had feelings for her? Who the hell did she think she was? She was
nothing special, only another human girl, he would have fun with. He could feel
his anger grow and he approached her again. She didn't step back, only looked at
him unflinchingly. He grabbed her shoulders: "I don't have feelings," he shouted. "You mean nothing to me."

Her smile grew even wider: "No, of course not." She watched him for a moment and
then turned her head: "Then go on. Bite me."

The second time this night he froze. Without even noticing his gaze returned to
it's human form. His eyes were wide. He wanted to take her, make her his and
couldn't move.

Slowly, ever so slowly she reached out with her hand and touched his face again:
"I love you," she whispered.

"No," he jerked back. "No."

"Yes," she nodded and touched his lips. "I love you."

"You cannot love me," he shook his head. "You know me 24 hours. That's not enough time."

"More than enough," she replied with a grin. "Sometimes it needs only a second."
Seeing him stepping backwards, she replied: "I love you."

"No," he shouted again, his anger growing again. "You cannot do this. I don't
want this," he yelled. He was Angelus, a vampire, he would show her. And then
without even noticing it he slipped back into game-face and approached her. He
would kill her now and stop it. Grabbing her shoulders, avoiding her eyes, he
bent forward and could smell the blood running through her veins.

*******

Spike ran through the streets of London, he knew she was near. He could smell
Darla and hoped she wouldn't pay attention to him, that her focus would be
directed towards her beloved childe and towards him only.

Reaching behind his back he sighed in relief, he hadn't forgotten about it. He
didn't want to go for the extreme, but this was his chance and he would be damned if he didn't take it. Drusilla would be his, for eternity.

*******

She smelled so tempting, his teeth were only inches apart from her neck, but she
didn't fight, she didn't move, she didn't even flinch.

Angelus closed his eyes and pulled back. Something like that had never happened
to him before, he couldn't do it, something was holding him back. There were
suddenly pictures in his head, he couldn't place and he found his eyes locked
with hers.

"I love you," she repeated again.

"No, no," he yelled. "Stay away from me!", he shouted. Then without a warning he
turned and disappeared into the night.

Buffy could only watch him run away. Suddenly she felt cold and she could feel
her hands were trembling, but then again a smile spread across her face. He was a vampire, a real vampire, and she loved him. Closing her eyes for a moment, she
had to laugh. She was mad, she had to be mad. Only a mad woman would behave like
this. She was completely insane. But she loved him. There was nothing in her life she was so sure of. She loved him. And she would find him or he would find her. They would find a way, somehow. Tomorrow she would maybe think differently, but tonight it felt so right. Shaking her head in disbelief, she was about to turn, when she heard a voice behind her and turned around.

"Hello, little girl."

She wasn't surprised anymore. Now she knew vampires were real. Although it was a
new experience to see they could be female too.


Part 6

He ran into the night, into the darkness, ran and then ran even faster. Only to
get away from her, from everything connected to her. And to stop thinking,
thinking about what was happening to him. And he ran away from the pictures in
his head, hundreds of people he'd killed, tortured, women he'd raped, without a
second thought, without mercy, without remorse.

Until today.

Today his world had shattered. His world as a vampire that was. Three little
words had turned his life upside down, or his un-life for that matter.

"Stupid bitch," he muttered when he slowed down at least. He was far away from
her he knew, but he could still feel her fingers touching his face, smell her
scent on him. "Stupid bitch," he repeated, but he already knew the struggle was
in vain. The war was lost. She'd conquered him with three little words. What on
earth had he thought two weeks ago when he decided to follow her. Maybe he had a
thing for self-destruction? Was it a twisted urge to hear exactly what she'd said tonight? 'I love you', it repeated in his head again and again.

There was no space in his world for love. He was a vampire. A vampire. A creature of the night, a blood-lusting beast and he loved it. Had lov..., oh god, he groaned inwardly. The mere thought of killing someone sent nauseous shivers all over his body. The images of the people he had killed started to haunt him, he felt so weak and to steady himself he leaned against a wall. He could feel his hands trembling, his knees were like pudding and his gut one big twisted knot. Dizziness overcame him and with his back at the wall he sank down to the ground, pulling his knees to his chest.

He could see the little girl, he had killed over hundred years ago, her sweet
face, her gentle smile, he saw the bridegroom who was anxiously waiting for his
love. He had sucked his blood and enjoyed it. The twins whose eyes were wide with fear, the nun, praying in the church. He could still remember the glorious
feeling to kill a nun in a church, a proof he was now an old vampire, he could go into a church en enjoy it. And then his parents, Kathy ... he buried his face in his hands. No, no, no ... this wasn't happening, this wasn't he, he would never do such a thing.

There was blood, lots of blood, everywhere, he could feel it on his tongue, the
blood of each victim, there were so many, he'd forgotten most of the faces, they
hadn't been important. He had taken human lives and felt nothing, no it was
worse, he'd loved it.

What was he? How was he fit to live? How could he live after all he'd done, after all the lives he'd extinguished. He threw his head back and with a loud 'thub' it met the wall behind him, but he didn't feel the pain, on the contrary he welcomed it. It was not enough, pain, it hit him like a bullet, he had to endure pain. Maybe physical pain would help to endure the mental torture he was suffering at the moment.

Frantically his eyes searched the ground in front of him for something to hurt
himself when he met another pair of eyes, watching him quietly. The eyes belonged to a strange looking little man and after another little while he spoke: "Hello Angelus. Maybe we should talk."

*******

"Who are you?," Buffy asked and looked at the blonde, female vampire in front of
her who was stepping closer.

"My name is Darla," the vampiress replied and tilted her head: "You're pretty. He always had excellent taste." When she saw the questioning gaze of the human girl, she laughed: "Angelus, little girl, I'm talking about Angelus."

"I thought so," Buffy replied, not believing how courageous she felt. "And you
know him?"

"He's mine," Darla's voice was a passionate whisper. "He's been mine for over
hundred years." Then it changed into a sarcastic tone: "I love you," she imitated Buffy's voice. "How pathetic. I made him, he's my lover and a good one," she swayed her hips and one hand stroked over her hips. "Everything he knows, everything he can he learned from me. Do you really think he would leave me to be with you, that's the best joke ever."

Why am I not afraid of her, Buffy asked herself again and again. I should run
away, but I don't. "You're scared to your bones," she said after a while. "You're the pathetic one. Because he's already left you, maybe not physically, but his thoughts are with me. I could see it his eyes." And she was sure of it, as sure as she knew that she loved him. A confident smile crept across her face.

"Shut up," Darla yelled, hatred boiling inside of her. "You don't know what
you're talking about. But," she smiled evilly, "it's of no consequence, because," she licked her lips and her prolonged canines, "when you're dead, he'll forget all about you." With this she jumped forward.

*******

"Who are you?," the vampire asked, not really interested to hear the answer. The
images in his head refused to stop, wouldn't stop haunting him.

"I'm a friend," the strange looking man replied with a grin.

"I have no friends, I'm a vampire," Angelus wanted to be alone, he wanted peace,
no more faces looking at him accusingly, reminding him of his true nature.

"Well, then let's just say, I know who you are."

"Then you know more than I. Just recently I have great difficulties to see who I
am," the vampire leaned his head against the wall and closed his eyes. "I don't
want you here. Go away."

"It's hard, I know," the man crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.

"What?," Angelus asked with his eyes still closed.

"To feel remorse," was the simple answer.

The vampire's eyes snapped open in shock and he stared at the stranger who was
standing beside him, his body completely relaxed. "H-How ... how can you know,"
he whispered.

The stranger grinned: "They know a lot," his eyes went to the sky. "The Powers
That Be, if you've heard of them."

"The Pow - what?"

"The Powers that Be, I'm a messenger. They can't talk to people or vampires, so
they send guys like me," he explained with a grin. "Makes you feel warm and cosy
inside to be important."

"Did anyone ever tell you that you aren't funny," the vampire closed his eyes
again.

"Hundreds of times, but it makes people listening to me," the grin was even wider now. Angelus groaned inwardly, this freak was obviously enjoying himself. "Don't you want to know what has happened today?," the stranger then asked casually.

********

Spike knew he was near and then he suddenly heard the screams. He ran and when he came around the corner he saw them. Darla had started to drink from a human girl, it had to be her, he was sure of it. He knew he had to do something and fast. But Darla was strong and he couldn't just fight her. She had the strength of almost 300 years in her bones. So he crossed his arms and strolled into the pale light of the street lamp: "Hi Darla," he greeted his grand-grand-sire.

Her head snapped up on hearing her name: "William," she hissed, blood dripping
from her teeth. "What are you doing here?"

The girl in her arms, was tiny and pretty, she was pale, her eyes were wide open, but he could see she was still breathing and somehow she didn't seem in panic.

"Did you follow me?," Darla narrowed her eyes.

He shrugged and stepped closer, never taking his eyes from Buffy's face: "So
that's her," he asked almost casually. "Angelus' new toy."

"Yes, his new toy," she spat the last word. "His new obsession, but soon it'll be over."

"And so you decided you were the one to end it," he raised an eyebrow. "You're a
fool Darla. He'll never forgive you for this. He doesn't like anyone to interfere with his girls."

"I'm his girl," she hissed. "She's just a temporary toy."

"I was just thinking," he was now standing beside the two women. "How about you
let me have a bite or two?"

Darla looked at him for a moment: "You always hated him," she said with an evil
smile, "because Dru's still got the hots for him." And then she laughed: "Here
serve yourself," she pushed the girl into Spike's arms and stepped back, eager to watch Buffy die in front of her. This was even better than to do it herself, this way Angelus wouldn't blame her. He would go against the blonde vampire.

********

The vampire sighed and shot the annoying stranger a look. "I have the feeling
you're going to tell me anyhow."

"Have you ever read of the vampire hunters?"

"I've heard of them, yes," Angelus admitted. "Why?"

"Did you ever ask yourself where they come from?," the stranger asked and watched the vampire closely.

"No, not really. But you're going to tell me am I right?"

"I like it when a man can follow my thoughts," he grinned. "You're a clever one,
Angelus, you always were. And what a master of death."

"Stop it," the vampire shouted in agony. The images were coming again now.

The stranger raised his hands: "Alright, alright. It's a new feeling to have a
conscience, isn't it. Damn painful, I guess. Okay, okay," he looked down at the
vampire. "Sometimes I get sidetracked, sorry. Now, where was I, oh yes, the
vampire hunters. Well, Angelus, welcome to the club," he tilted his head and
grinned while the vampire's eyes widened in confusion.

********

"Are you going to drink her or what do you want?," Darla said after a moment.

Damn she was getting impatient, Spike thought. Slowly he bent forward and licked
the girl's neck wound: "Do as if I'm drinking you," he whispered into her ear and congratulated himself for stopping on his way to suck some poor fellow dry.
Otherwise he wouldn't have this kind of self-control. Hoping she'd understood he
closed his lips over the wound and began to make sucking noises, when a movement
in the dark caught his attention.

"My Spikey," Drusilla whined. "Don't you like me anymore?"

"Dru," the blonde vampire looked up from Buffy's neck. "What are you doing here?" Behind him he could hear Darla sigh in annoyance.

"This is Daddy's girl," the insane vampire pointed at the human girl. "He won't
like it. He doesn't like us to interfere. He'll punish us," her voice was
trembling. "I know he will."

"Go away," Darla hissed at Dru. "This isn't your business."

"You shut up," Spike turned and narrowed his eyes at Darla. "Leave her alone."

"My Spike," Drusilla touched his shoulder: "Let me have her," she begged. "Daddy
will smell her blood in me, he'll love me then."

Certainly not, Spike thought with a groan. "You've already eaten, pet. Or did you forget all about the baker boy I brought you just before."

"Yummy," she licked her lips. "So fresh and young."

"Now, be a good girl, and let me have my dinner," he gave her a smile. Seeing her stepping back he bent down again to continue his noise making at Buffy's neck while his mind was trying to find a solution for this mess. Now he had Darla and Drusilla to take care of. Why on earth had this bugger Angelus ever to cross his path.


Part 7

"A vampire hunter?," Angelus stared at the stranger in disbelief. "God, I wished
I never woke up tonight," he groaned.

"Alright, boy, let me tell you. First of all my name, I didn't say my name, did
I?"

"No, you didn't," the vampire sighed. Maybe listening to this freak was a part of his torture.

"Whistler, my name's Whistler. I'm a demon, but a good one. There are lots of
good demons. Anyway. You my friend got yourself a soul, a conscience if you like
that better, today." He leaned back against the wall.

"So far I got it," Angelus stood up and crossed his arms. The images were coming
again, more and more and for a moment he had to close his eyes. He opened them
again when he felt a hand on his arm.

"Don't blame yourself for this," the demon told him. "There was a demon in
possession of your body, now your soul is back and you're in control again."

"But how?"

"Because she loves you," the demon answered simply.

*******

Spike didn't feel too good. He was standing under a street lamp, faking to suck a human girl and two female vampires in his back watching him. He'd been in better situations in his long un-life. Slowly moving his lips towards Buffy's ear he whispered: "Don't move, don't say a word. Don't even let me know you understand what I'm saying. I will drop you now and then you have to be dead. Try not to breathe or if you must be careful."

Desperately hoping she'd understood he pulled away and dropped her to ground. She fell like a puppet and to his great relief he realised that she'd fainted. Even better. Turning around he wiped his mouth with his sleeve: "Her blood was really sweet."

Darla narrowed her eyes: "Why are you here?"

"I followed you," Spike said honestly. Then he continued: "You always know to
find something very rare and special." He gazed at Drusilla: "Are you alright
pet?"

"Fine, Spike," she chirped. "Can we go now. This street isn't nice."

"We'll go," he nodded. "What about you?," he turned towards Darla.

"Yes, let's go. Angelus has to learn that he cannot play with me," she said with
a content voice. With a last look at the body on the ground the vampires left the street.

*******

"This is the only reason?," Angelus couldn't believe this.

"Yes. If ever a good soul would love a being of darkness like you *were* it would break the circle. When you became a vampire, you lost your soul, your conscience, no remorse, no thoughts, just an easy life. The only power to overcome this is love, her love," he paused and watched the vampire for a moment, "and yours."

"Mine," Angelus nodded thoughtfully. "I felt it happening. There was nothing I
could do against it."

"I know," Whistler smiled. "The love you feel for each other changed everything.
You're still a vampire, but you have a soul, that prevents you from killing
people anymore. Your new fate is to fight vampires and demons. It's meant to be
that way Angelus."

"Don't call me that," the vampire spun around and glared at the demon. "I don't
want to be called like that monster."

The demon nodded: "I see. But Liam isn't very fitting either." He tilted his
head: "How about Angel?"

"Angel?," the vampire looked at him doubtfully. "Don't you think that sounds a
little bit too ... well, female?"

Whistler chuckled: "The Angel of Darkness. Does sound very good for me. And you
will be an Angel of Darkness, you will be their nightmare."

"But how am I supposed to live like this. With all the blood and dead people in
my mind?," the vampire closed his eyes again.

"You will. She'll be your strength," Whistler assured him.

Angel's eyes snapped open: "Buffy, I have to find her. I told her ... god, I just ran away." He gazed at the demon, who grinned.

"Go," he gestured towards the alley. "We'll meet again. There's a lot you have to learn."

"I know," Angel nodded. "I know." Then he turned and ran, this time not in agony
but towards Buffy, towards his destiny.

*******

"William," Darla looked at the blonde vampire. "There's something I have to take
care of. You better go to our lair. She doesn't look too well," she nodded at
Drusilla.

Spike eyed her for a moment. Something wasn't right. But then if she wanted to
find Angelus he wouldn't step inbetween. Whatever got to the bugger he'd earned
it ten times, Spike thought. "Alright, Pet," he wrapped an arm around Dru's
shoulder. "See you later then."

As soon as the blonde vampire disappeared in the darkness, Darla turned and ran
back to the place where the girl was laying. Somehow she didn't trust Spike and
when she was kneeling down beside Buffy and feeling for her pulse she knew her
feeling had been right. William would pay for this. But then suddenly another
thought came to her and a wide grin spread across her face. Pulling the neck of
the girl towards her, she began to drink. A growl escaped her throat, William the traitor hadn't drunk at all. Well, the more for her. But this time she didn't take all, only seconds before it would've been over she pulled away from the vein and slapped the girl across her face.

Buffy's eyes snapped open. She'd been in a dream-world for a while. Pictures of
Liam were in her head, his face, his eyes, his hands, the feelings for him. She
knew she was about to die, but somehow she wasn't in panic anymore. She'd felt
fear the moment Darla had bitten her, but now it was gone. Maybe it was the loss
of blood that made her feel so light-headed, but maybe it was another thought: at least once in her lifetime she'd known true love.

Wide-eyed she stared at Darla who was kneeling in front of her, an evil smile on
her face: "Hello, girl," she tilted her head. "I thought about killing you and
bringing you to him tonight, as a present, you know. But now, I had a much better idea." And with this, she opened the vein at her wrist and only seconds after this Buffy felt blood run down her throat.

******

Angel ran around the last corner only to freeze dead in track. His eyes widened
in shock. No, this wasn't happening he thought: "No, Buffy" he whispered in
agony, stepping slowly forward. "Nooooooo," his shout sounded in the dark alley.

Darla stood up and looked at him: "Too late, my friend, the deed is done," she
informed him. Then she tilted her head: "What has happened to you?"

"You did this," he hissed at her, stepping closer.

Unconsciously Darla stepped back, taken aback by the look in his eyes. "Angelus," her voice was uncertain.

"You will pay for this," he told her his eyes never leaving hers'.

"But...," she began, but both vampires spun round when they heard a noise behind
them.

Slowly Buffy opened her eyes which were glowing yellow in the street light. With
a triumphant grin Darla watched the horror in Angel's eyes then she gazed at her
newest childe: "Welcome Buffy."


Part 8

"Buffy," Angel whispered and kneeled down beside her reaching out with his hand,
but not touching her. Her yellow eyes stared at him for a moment while she sat
up. He could feel his guts knotting inside by thought of her being an evil
vampire now. A creature of the night with all the blood-lust of a demon he only
knew too well. This wasn't meant to be, it couldn't. Everything about her had
been so pure and full of light.

"Wh- What happened?," she wanted to know, confusion written all over her face.

"You're one of us now, Darling," Darla stepped forward and looked at her new
childe with an evil smile on her face. She was sure that her lover would come
back to her in a flash. In her eyes Buffy's attraction for him was due to her
being a human. With this gone he would turn his back on her.

"Liam?," Buffy gazed at the vampire with questioning eyes.

He looked to the ground in shame: "Yes," he whispered, his voice sounding hoarse, "she made you a vampire. I ... I'm so sorry."

She brought her hands up and touched her face, felt the change in it, realised it was the same she'd already seen in him. But surprisingly she didn't feel bad
about it. On the contrary...

"Are you hungry, dear?," Darla stood in front of her with crossed arms, the smile never leaving her face. She had won and nothing was sweeter than a complete victory.

Buffy nodded: "Yes, I'm hungry. Very hungry," she added, her face turning towards the man beside her.

Angel covered his face with his hands, he was kneeling beside the girl he loved.
But she was a vampire now, a vampire not capable of love or any feeling for that
matter. And it was his fault, of course he hadn't made her a vampire but without
him Darla would've never noticed her.

"Liam?"

His head snapped up when he felt the touch of her hand on his'. Her face had
changed back to normal which was surprising because usually vampires needed some
time to control this. He couldn't look into her eyes though, the shame washed
over him and he was about to get up when she tightened her hold on his hand.

"No," she said firmly. "What is the matter with you?"

He shook his head again in agony.

"Liam, please. It's not your fault," she insisted. She reached out with her other hand and touched his face: "I told you before, I love you."

"What?," he looked at her in disbelief. "What did you say?" Was it possible, he
thought and desperately tried to keep his hope at bay.

"I love you," she replied. "Maybe you can teach me how to be a vampire," she
smiled sheepishly, " because I don't know anything about it."

"But ..." Angel couldn't remember ever been so confused in his life. But the hope in him was growing now. She'd said she loved him, after she was made a vampire. Two times.

"I already told you kid, love is stronger than the demon."

The three vampires turned their heads towards the voice. Whistler was leaning
against the wall, grinning widely. "She didn't loose her soul. It was so full of
love, the demon wasn't able to take control."

"So she isn't ...?," Angel looked at the demon.

"No, well technically she's a vampire, but no, she isn't bad," he smiled at Buffy
who had followed his words with wide eyes. "Hey kid, I'm Whistler."

She shook her head: "Nice to meet you, but I'm still a bit confused. What do you
mean by 'the love was stronger than the demon' ?"

"I think Angel here will tell you later, but for now. My boy," he walked over and put a hand on the dark-haired vampire's shoulder, "it was meant to be that way. You both are meant to be together, but how would it be possible if she stayed human?" Then he turned and grinned at Darla: "Good job, my girl, without you this wouldn't have been possible. It's good that jealousy is so damned predictable."

"No," Darla shook her head, hate radiating in waves from her body. "He's mine,"
she shouted and grabbed Angel's shoulder. "You're mine, Angelus, I made you."
Then her attention went back to the demon: "What did you do to him?"

"He didn't do anything to me," Angel stood up, slowly, so he could control his
still boiling anger in the process, although he felt a lot better since Whistler
had told him it was meant to be this way. Buffy was meant to become a vampire and joy flooded his undead heart. She would be his mate, they would spend eternity together. But what if...

His eyes suddenly focussed on Buffy ignoring Darla completely in the process: "Do you want to be with me? I mean, you said you loved me, but ..."

"Well," she bit her lower lip for a moment and then a smile spread across her
face: "Usually two people who love each other promise to stay with each other for their lifetime. As we are vampires now..." she trailed off her smile turning into a wide grin.

"I love you," he admitted for the first time. "I didn't tell you before, but..."

"I know," she interrupted him. "I knew all the time."

He sighed and smiled as well: "I know you knew. It was very confusing. I didn't
want to ... you know ... but I never had a chance." Angel's gaze wandered to
Whistler for a moment who was watching the whole display with joy.

"Stop it," Darla shouted, "stop it now," her foot hit the ground. "This is
ridiculous. Love," she snorted. "What a stupid thing. You both are vampires," she threw her hands in the air. "Vampires," she repeated as if this one word would explain everything. Well usually it did, but in this special case ... "What kind of sick nightmare is this! Two vampires love each other, it's just not possible," she laughed, but it didn't sound happy. "And who the hell are you?," she spun towards Whistler.

"Whistler," he introduced himself again. "I'm a messenger from the Po... well,
from above," his eyes glanced at the sky for a moment. "Anyway. As my friend
Angel told you already, I didn't do anything."

"Angel?," she shouted. "His name's Angelus, I created that name for him."

"Not anymore, Darla," Angel's voice was like ice. "I'm not what you think
anymore. Things change, I've changed."

"No," she yelled, grabbing his arm: "You're mine," she repeated her words from
before. "Mine."

His hand took hers with an iron grip and removed it from his sleeve. "Go away
from me, Darla. Stay away from us, this is my last warning. If you don't stay
away I'll kill you."

The blonde vampiress cried out in rage and jumped away changing into her
game-face immediately. "What did they do to you?," she demanded. "I can see it in your eyes. Something happened. Tell me!"

"He's got himself a soul, my dear," Whistler couldn't stop grinning. It had been
a long time he'd felt so good. Everything was as it was meant to be. And besides
he'd watched Darla for quite some time and had never liked her.

"A soul?," she shouted in disbelief "A soul," she repeated. Pure hatred was in
her yellow eyes: "This isn't over Angelus. Take care of your little girl and
enjoy her for a while. But this isn't over!" With this she spun around and
disappeared into the night.

Angel shrugged and turned to help Buffy getting up. She smiled sheepishly and
looked down at herself: "This was my best gown. It's not looking very well
anymore," she laughed. There were blood stains everywhere and the skirt was dirty from the street.

"Kids," Whistler tried to get the couple's attention. "I think we need to talk
now. Is there a place we could go?"

While Angel was still trying to think about a place to go Buffy spoke up: "My
house. I have to talk to my father." When she saw the doubtful looks she got from the two men she took Angel's hand: "He has to know about this and then you," she looked at Whistler, "can talk. I think there's a lot you have to explain."

********

Spike's head shot up when he heard the door slam shut and a second later Darla
appeared in their lair. Inwardly grinning because Angelus wasn't with her he
tried to keep his gaze as innocently as possible. Drusilla was sleeping in the
bedroom after an hour of passion.

"You're back," he raised an eyebrow at the blonde vampiress.

"As you see," came her clipped response.

"Where's my grand-sire?," he asked.

"Not here."

"I can see that," he said in annoyance, giving up his friendly tone.

"He's with her. With the girl. I made her a vampire and thought it would be the
end of it, but then this stupid demon showed up and now they both have a soul,"
she replied pacing the room.

"A soul?," Spike asked confusion. "What do you mean by that?"

"They're all good now. Feeling love and things. Ridiculous," she rolled her eyes
and threw her hands in the air. "But not for long." She spun around and her eyes
shot daggers at Spike: "Do you hear me," she yelled. "Not for long. I have to
think. I have to make a plan. He's mine and I swear I'll get him back." With this she left the room again.

Spike stared at the spot where she stood right before. Then a content smile
spread over his face and he leaned back in his chair. Lighting himself a
cigarette he felt great, Angelus was gone. Not with them anymore and for this
out of Dru's life. And Darla had been so angry that she hadn't even said a word
about his betrayal. Yes, life was good. Very good.


Part 9

Rupert Giles was already pacing his library when he heard a knock on the door. He and Riley Finn who'd accompanied him after Buffy was missing from the ball
stormed to the door and stared at the three people standing there.

"Buffy," Giles exclaimed and took his daughter's hand to pull her inside glaring
at Angel and Whistler in the process, while Riley was silently fuming in the
background.

When his daughter didn't move from her spot beside the man who had been
introduced to him as Mr. Flynn, Giles frowned: "What's the matter?," he asked.

"Sir Giles," Whistler bowed his head, "maybe I should introduce myself first. I'm known as Whistler and I'm a friend of your daughter and A... er ... Mr. Flynn here. Maybe you could invite us all in first and we'll explain then?"

Looking back and forth between the two men and then focussing on his daughter's
face Giles nodded: "Come on in then." He stepped back and motioned them towards
the library where the fireplace was heated and a comforting warmth welcomed them. When everyone was seated Giles looked expectantly at the strange little man now sitting opposite to him.

After exchanging a short glance with Angel Whistler took a deep breath: "Maybe
you should have some brandy first?"

"I don't want anything, all I want to know is what's going on. We were invited to a ball where my daughter disappears from with a man she's obviously just met
yesterday. I want an explanation for this," he finished staring at Angel now.

"Sir Giles," the vampire began and took Buffy's hand: "Did you ever hear about
vampires?"

The older man's eyes went wide but after a short moment he nodded: "Yes. I know
about them. Well, not know," he admitted, "but I've read about them. But they're
not real. It's a legend. I once met a writer, Bram Stoker, he's Irish, who seemed to be very interested in the subject. He was even suggesting that there's more about it than legend only. Of course this is nonsense."

"No it is not," Angel replied exchanging a glance with Buffy. "Maybe," he
continued, "I just show you." With this he took a deep unnecessary breath and
changed into his game-face.

Riley and Giles gasped in shock and Buffy's fiancée shouted: "What in hell...",
he pointed at Angel and then quickly grabbed the blonde's hand: "Get away from
him. Now!"

Buffy shook his hand off of her arm and without a word changed into her game-face as well, which was not a problem as she felt the anger against Riley boiling inside of her already.

"Oh god," Giles stared at his daughter. With a trembling hand he pointed at the
small table in the corner: "I think I need some brandy now."

Riley on the other hand backed away until his back pressed against the wall
behind him, he had to remind himself to breathe.

Both vampires changed back into their human forms.

Whistler nodded with an inward grin and handed the two humans well filled
glasses. Then he sat down again and said: "Well, as you now you've seen. My friend Angel here is a vampire. But not the average kind. He has a soul and for this does not hunt or hurt humans."

"Well, that's a relief," Giles said sarcastically. "But why you?," his face
turned towards his daughter and she felt a pang in her now undead heart when she
saw tears in his eyes. When she felt Angel's hand taking her own she gave him a
grateful look.

"Father, I ... tonight I was made a vampire," she began. Giles' gaze wandered
towards Angel and so she quickly added: "No, not by him. But by the vampire who
made him too. It was an act of revenge because," she smiled at the vampire beside him, "Angel is in love with me."

Giles almost choked on his brandy: "He's what? But you two hardly know each
other."

Buffy smiled at him: "Didn't you tell me you knew you loved my mother at the very first sight?"

Her father sighed loudly: "It seems I wasn't very careful with my words. But yes, it's true. Alright, so he loves you."

"And I love him," she added. "Very much. In fact our love for each other is the
reason why we both do have our souls." She smiled at Whistler repeating the wordshe'd said to her on their way to her father's house.

"Buffy I," Giles leaned forward and took his daughter's hand: "It's not that I
don't understand love, but this is all a bit much for me."

"I know," she replied softly. "Of course this is a lot. It's a lot for me too.
But I really love him, father."

He leaned back again and looked at the vampire couple in front of him, trying to
digest all the information he'd received tonight. He watched the man taking his
daughter's hand and kissing it with so much love and admiration in his eyes that
it suddenly wasn't important anymore what he was. He had never told his daughter, but silently Giles had already thought about the match between her and Riley. He had felt that there wasn't any love between them, at least not on Buffy's side. His daughter was a very mature girl, very smart and seemed to know what she wanted. So he threw all his prejudice and doubts out of the window and gave her a warm smile: "Whatever makes you happy, my dear."

Buffy felt tears welling up in her eyes: "Oh father," she breathed and blinked to stop the tears from falling. She was about to hug Giles when suddenly Riley
stepped forward.

"This is bullshit," he yelled. "Are you all mad! Buffy," he groaned, "the Buffy I knew was my fiancée. This," he pointed at the blonde disgustedly, "is not her.
It's some kind of monster."

"Don't you dare calling her a monster," Angel jumped up and was about to approach the other man, when Buffy's hand on his arm held him back. He looked down at her and saw her shake her head in the negative.

"She's a monster," Riley wasn't about to let it go. "And you're too. You can have her. I wouldn't touch this ... thing, even if you paid me for it." With this he turned and left the room. Only a second later the front door was slammed shut.

Whistler took himself a glass of brandy and looked at the other three in the
room: "Now, after the annoying person's left we can hopefully discuss the
important things like grown ups."

*******

Spike bolted upright in his bed when he heard a sound in the room. His slowly
adjusting eyes focussed on Drusilla who was dancing around the room humming to
herself. The blond vampire got up and took her arm: "What's it love?"

"The stars are talking to me," she replied, her eyes seemed far away.

He sighed: "And what are they telling you?"

Suddenly her voice became whiny: "My Daddy, he's gone ... uhhhhh ... oh Spikey,
my Daddy," she broke down and fell to the floor.

"What's about him?," he asked trying to sound concerned while he was grinning
inwardly.

"He's taken away from us. His heart sings for her, the girl, the one he was crazy about." She began to rock herself back and forth on the ground, encircling her body with her arms. "Ohhhh, Spike, bring him back to me, bring him back to
Princess."

"I cannot do that," he kneeled down beside her and wrapped an arm around her
shoulder. "It's his decision, pet. Angelus doesn't let anyone command him and you know that."

The same second the door flung open: "Did she have a vision?," Darla was staring
at the couple on the ground.

"Daddy, my daddy's gone," Drusilla whined. "And my Spike says he cannot bring him back."

The blonde vampiress studied the dark-haired girl's face and then a smile spread
across her face: "Don't worry my dear. I'll bring him back. I promise."

With this she left the room again and Spike stared at the closed door for a
moment, groaning inwardly. It seemed as if he had to intervene again. No peace
for a vampire these days.


Part 10

Riley Finn slammed the door shut and stepped out into the dark streets of London. This was just not happening, he thought. It had to be a nightmare or worse. Vampires! The girl he was meant to marry all his life was a vampire. And on top of this she even said she was in love with another one. Well, it was only
logical, two vampires in love seemed fitting, although it was ridiculous on the
whole of course.

He was a soldier, he'd been on the battlefield, he'd killed enemies, he'd always
thought he was a brave sort of man but seeing the face of his fiancée contort into something not very human had been like a punch into his stomach. And much to his annoyance he'd realised the feeling was plain fear. Of course he'd read about vampires, there were stories about them, stories of the fairytale-kind. Children had nightmares, woman fainted if vampires were mentioned and gothic circles tried to communicate with them, but this. This was just not happening!!

The other thing was that he couldn't talk with his buddies about this. His
friends would laugh in his face or - in the worst case scenario - lock him away.
Seeing a little stone on the pavement he skipped it away with his foot not
looking out for his way only to bump into someone. Raising his head he stared
into the eyes of a blonde woman who smiled at him. There was something in her
eyes he couldn't place, it was a certain expression: "I'm sorry, Miss," he said.

She raised a brow: "Well, I'm not." Her voice had a flirtatious note and Riley's eyes widened in surprise. She didn't look like a hooker but she surely talked like one. "Mr. Finn," she laughed when she saw the expression of pure confusion on his face now. "You don't know me, but I know you. I will explain soon, but for now it just seems as if we've both lost something."

*******

"So Mr. ... er ... Whistler, what you're saying is that Mr. ... er ... Angel here and my daughter are meant to hunt vampires?," Giles rubbed his glasses with the hem of his shirt which made his daughter laugh inwardly. He only did this when he was highly confused.

"That's it in a nutshell," the demon nodded and leaned against the wall near the
door. "Buffy and Angel here are meant to hunt vampires - together."

"Father," the blonde stood up, walked over to Giles' chair and kneeled down in
front of him, "do you believe me that I love Angel?."

He looked into his daughter's face and nodded: "Yes, I do." He let out a short
laugh, "I can hardly believe I'm saying this, but the way you both look at each
other is very assuring. Although I'd like to know more about you," he looked at
the dark-haired vampire.

"And you will," Angel assured him quickly. "I will answer any question you might
have. As honestly as possible. I love your daughter, Sir Giles." He smiled at
Buffy, "More than I thought possible. She gave me a new life, a second chance if
you want to see it that way, and I'm planning to grabb it, with her ... if she
still wants me."

Their eyes locked and Buffy held out a hand for him which he took immediately.
This little gesture was so intimate, so full of love that Giles had to blink. Not in his wildest dreams he'd imagined his daughter to find a love like this. He even forgot about the fact that she was a vampire for a moment. "You have my
blessings," he said, his voice loaded with emotion. "All I ever wanted," he took
his daughter's other hand, "was for you te be happy. What you obviously are. So
who am I to deprive you of that."

"Oh father," Buffy squeezed his hand tightly and then moved back to sit beside
Angel.

"Alright," Whistler pushed himself away from the wall and looked at the couple.
"I'm sure Angel will tell you all about how to live and behave like a vampire but I'm here for a purpose too. And this is to teach you how to kill other vampires."

"Staking, beheading, fire or daylight," Angel replied with a slight grin,
"Whistler my demon wasn't very fond of his own kind. He killed more of them you'd imagine."

"Oh I know," the demon made a gesture with his hand, "don't forget they," he
looked at the ceiling, "see everything. No, what I mean it, how you kill them and stay alive yourselves. It wouldn't make much sense if you'd be dusted in the
process. And this is where this comes in handy," he pulled something out of his
pocket and held it out in front of the vampires' faces.

"Nice jewelry," Buffy remarked and took on of the gems dangling on chains before
them in her hands. "What is it?"

"It's called the Gem of Amarra or well, the whole thing is called the Gem of
Amarra. These are only pieces of it."

********

"Spike come back to bed," Drusilla looked at her lover with annoyance and patted
the spot beside her. "I'm up to it," she changed her face into a seductive
expression while her index-finger trailed a way between her breasts leaving no
room for imagination what it was she was up to.

"Not now," Spike barked and turned away from her. He could feel the flesh between his legs responding to her immediately and it just wasn't the time for this. "Give me some piece," he added. "I have to think."

"But I want you here," she pouted. "And I want my Daddy back. He's gone too long. He's with her. I hate her."

Spike sighed loudly and turned towards his lover: "Can you please stop talking
about him for a moment. It makes my head ache." He was desperately trying to
figure out a way to stop Darla, but annoyingly enough he didn't even know where
she went. And Dru was no help either of course. This moment he wanted her to
vanish, to disappear from his life, but the same instant he knew he'd never
wanted to live without her. He seemed doomed to love her.

He had to find a way to stop Darla, Drusilla's madness was one thing but her
permanent obsession with her sire was another and he would be damned if he would
let him come back into their lives. "Stay here Pet," he said while he grabbed his duster, "I'll be back in some hours." There was something he had to do now, he didn't like the idea that was forming in his head but to hell it was the only one he could figure.

*******

"The Gem of Amarra," Angel stared at Whistler with awe in his eyes.

"That's it my boy," the demon assured the vampire.

"Okay, I know I'm maybe missing something, but you both look as if this was the
eighth world wonder. For me it just looks like some pretty gems on two chains."
Buffy looked back and forth between the two men and then her eyes were resting on her father: "Do you understand that?"

"The Gem of Amarra," Angel stood up and paced the room, "is said to have magic
power. A vampire wearing it or parts of it is said to be unkillable."

"Like never to die?," Buffy's eyes were wide.

"Exactly," Whistler confirmed. "And that's the reason I have those," he took on
chain in each of his hands and held it out to Buffy and Angel, "for you. You
don't have to be afraid. They cannot be stolen. They're magically bound. The
moment you have them on your necks they cannot be removed by anyone but
yourselves. There's only one thing. Your two souls are bound by love. The love
you're feeling for each other. If one of you should ever stop loving the other
you would loose your souls. As a result the gems will destroy themselves because
as you certainly understand it's much too dangerous to have a soulless vampire
running around wearing this." He walked over to the brandy and poured himself
another glass. There was certainly something about earthly desires he told
himself. "Now put them on, kids."

Exchanging a short glance the two vampires put the chains on. "It doesn't feel
any different," Buffy looked at Whistler.

"It will the moment someone tries to stake you, you'll see," he replied with a
grin. "Oh boy, I would love to see this. It must be fun to see the look at your
opponent's face that moment. Thinking he's killed you and you'll be laughing in
his face."

*********

Darla stood leaning to a wall, her arms crossed in front of her chest and waited, her eyes never leaving the man laying on the ground. Riley Finn had been very interested in what she'd told him. She'd counted on it and grinned inwardly --- humans were just so predictable.

The same moment Riley stirred and groaned opening his eyes. In seeing Darla
standing above him he grinned.

She grinned back and tilted her head: "Hello my childe," she said extending a
hand to help him up. So far her plan was working excellently.


to be continued...