Your Love - Part 11
"What's going to happen now," Giles looked at his daughter and her ... was it her lover? He sighed inwardly, this was the strangest situation he had himself ever gotten into. But in a very odd way he did approve of the relationship of the two people in his room. Was it the way his daughter's eyes would lighten up every time she looked at Angel?
"What do you mean?," Buffy frowned.
"He wants to know, what's going to happen with the two of us," Angel said with a
smile. "And the answer is yes. I intend to marry your daughter. Of course we
cannot be married in a church, but there are other ... uhm ... possibilities."
Giles nodded, "Good to hear." Then his eyes shifted to Whistler, "And I suppose
you're going to be the best man?"
"So far nobody's asked me," the demon grinned.
The dark-haired vampire was about to answer when they heard a knock on the door.
Giles rose to answer it and was about to invite the visitor in, when Angel's
voice stopped him, "You're certainly not expecting to be invited into this
house."
"Bloody hell, no." Spike shook his head and then grinned, "But you're in and he's still alive. To hell, whatever happened to you mate?"
"None of your business," his grand-sire snapped. "Sir Giles," he turned to his
future father-in-law - talk about strange things he thought - "This creature is a vampire as well. First law, never invite anyone into your house. Not with words, not with a gesture, at least not after darkness." He shifted back to the blonde vampire on the doorstep, "What do you want?"
Spike raised a brow, "Want? I came to make a deal with you."
"Is that so? Talk."
"Well, it's a little uncomfortable out here. I've eaten already," he said.
"Doesn't matter, you'll be hungry again tomorrow. Go on, talk. I'm starting to
get annoyed with you."
"Angel what ...," Buffy joined the men at the door and tilted her head seeing the new face there.
Spike's eyes were wandering up and down and then he smiled, a slow, sensual,
vampiric smile, "I see. Well, can't blame you. She's more class than Darla,
that's for certain."
His grand-sire merely shook his head, "Buffy, this is William or Spike as he
calls himself now. He's my ... er ... grand-childe and deeply annoying. Spike
meet Buffy, she's my mate. So hands off and would you now talk."
"Talk, oh yes, talk," the blonde vampire nodded after a last glance at the petite blonde. "Darla's really pissed mate. So there's my deal. I'll help you to get rid of her and in exchange you stay away from Dru and me."
Angel let out and exasperated sigh, "I'm not interested in Drusilla."
"Maybe. But she's sure as hell interested in you. It's an obsession and I don't
like to compete."
"And how exactly do you intend to help us?," Buffy asked looking at him.
*******
Darla stormed through the door of her lair with Riley in tow and was surprised to find Drusilla there on her own.
"Where the hell is William," she shouted.
As expected her response was a whining sound from the insane vampiress who was
sitting on the ground clutching her head.
"Who's she?," Riley wanted to know.
"That my childe," she patted his head, "is our Drusilla. Angelus did a fine job
on her, but still she can be very useful. She's psychic. Means she can see
things."
The newly made vampire merely shook his head. Psychic, what nonsense. "Why are
you so nervous," he asked his sire.
"Because that slippery weasel William isn't around and I don't like it. He's not
the brightest sort of vampire, but if he's going behind one's back it can be
very uncomfortable."
"And why didn't you try to get rid of him," Riley asked with a grin. Killing was
so appealing all of a sudden. He'd just had his first meal. A blonde hooker,
she'd tasted wonderful and her screams had just been the right addition to turn
him on. Now all he needed to be completely satisfied was a healthy portion of
sex, but Darla didn't seem to be interested in him that way and Drusilla, well to be honest he wasn't really attracted to someone who needed strong mental care.
"Because we need him to keep her," she pointed at the dark-haired vampiress, "in
check. Angelus could do it as well, but he doesn't like it. He's a very
headstrong boy," she smiled and licked her lips. "You'll like him. He's lots of
fantasy. You'll learn a lot from him about torture and pain."
"My Spike," Drusilla suddenly cried and began to rock back and forth on the
ground. "Ohhhhh."
"What do you see?," Darla crouched down beside her, touching her shoulder.
"He's with my Daddy. I see him talking to my Daddy. Oh my Angel," she whined.
"Who's Spike?" Riley wanted to know.
Darla made an impatient gesture with her hand. She was already doubting if it had been such a good idea to make that annoying guy a vampire. "It's William. He's got a thing for calling himself Spike these days." At least she had to keep up the appearances, she needed Riley - for a while. "Anything else?," she turned
towards Drusilla again.
"No," she shook his head. "But he'll come back to me. He isn't lost like my Daddy and her. Their hearts stink of love for each other ... it's so disgusting."
Darla sighed and got up again, "Spike and Angelus ... I don't like it. Don't like it at all." She looked at Riley. "Come on then."
"What? We just came back," he protested.
"There's a change of plans, my childe. You get to see your former fiancée sooner
than you'd expected."
Part 12
"I think your father took everything pretty well," Angel said some hours
later when he and Buffy were alone in the guest room of her father's house.
"I can hardly believe it," she agreed. "He was even alright with the
fact that you and I will stay together for the rest of the night," she added
quite shyly.
"Buffy," he reached out for her and took her tiny hand in his large one.
"I know this is a lot for you to take in. And although I can't think of
anything more wonderful than to spend eternity with you, you should know that
I'll be eternally sorry you had to experience this."
"This?," she asked not quite understanding what he meant.
"Becoming a vampire I mean. It's ... I never planned," he paused and took an
unnecessary breath, "The demon did plan it. Killing you, I mean. Then turning
you, but I...," his voice broke and he just shook his head, not able to find
any words for the shame he felt right now.
"It's okay," she said softly and moved to his side, leaning her head
against his shoulder. "You didn't do it."
"No. But without me, Darla wouldn't have had any cause to act on you."
"That's wrong and you know it," she closed her eyes enjoying the feeling
of being so near to him. "You have to accept that you are not your demon
although you share the memories which is pretty unfair to me." She could hear him chuckle slightly and had to smile, "But," she continued, "I can understand why. Whistler explained it to us, that you had to carry them so you can understand what's going on inside a vampire. It'll help us."
"But you will never have a real life. Never any children, no husband, no
home," he sighed, "not a human one that is."
"So what?," she turned her head to look at him, "I had everything you talk
about right in front of me and you know what? I didn't look forward to it. I
didn't enjoy the idea of playing the nice, caring housewife by Riley Finn's
side. I would've done it because I thought I had to honour my parents' wishes,
but it wasn't what I wanted to do." She held his large hand between hers. For
the first time she realised how cold they were. Funnily enough it wasn't an
uncomfortable coldness, but it was something she had to get used to. "I already told you I wanted to see different countries, learn languages and now I can do it. We don't even have to fear the sunlight." She glanced at the little gem on the chain at her neck, "thanks to Whistler and this we can almost live like a normal couple."
"But what about...," he began but was silenced when she laid a finger on his
lips.
"You mean children? Well, maybe there'll come a day when I'm going to
miss them, but all we can do is deal. We should try and look on the bright side of this. We're going to spend eternity together." She gave him a sweet smile and kissed him on the cheek.
"How can a person so young be so wise?", he asked with a lopsided smile.
"I don't know," she replied. "But you'll have to live with it. According to
Whistler you're stuck with me."
"Am I?," now his lips curved a bit more into a smile.
"Hmmm," she grinned. "You realise we're alone together in a room?"
"Buffy...,"
"No, don't say it. Maybe I'm a wicked woman, but I want you. Hey, I'm a vampire now. Who cares about rings and vows, and didn't you tell my father you're going to marry me?"
He had to laugh at that, "I didn't even propose to you."
She shrugged, "You will." She sounded very convinced. "But for now, I'm quite
content with you by my side. I love you, Angel. By the way I really like that
name. Sounds sweet, much better than Liam. More melodic."
"Does it now?," his voice became low, sensual, "well, before the night is over
you're going to whisper it, cry it, shout it ... out of pleasure." He leaned
towards her and caught her lips in a sweet kiss.
"Is that a promise?," she asked a bit breathlessly, when their lips finally
parted.
"You bet on it."
******
"Drusilla," Spike looked at his lover who was sitting on their bed when he
returned to their lair.
"My Spike. You came back."
"Obviously," he replied a little bit annoyed. He didn't like the fact that
Darla wasn't there. "Where's the bitch?," he asked.
"They left," the dark-haired vampiress informed him.
He raised a brow, "They?"
"Hmmm. She brought a new childe."
"Excuse me?," Spike approached his lover and took her hand. "Drusilla look at
me!," he commanded, "What are you talking about."
"I didn't like him. He didn't like me either. But he knows my Daddy," she gazed at him with wide-eyes. "I saw you then. In my mind. You saw my Angel."
"Dru, listen to me," he grabbed at her shoulders. "Did you tell Darla
about it?"
"Hmmm," was her only reply.
He pushed her back on the bed, "Damn," growled. "Damn, damn. This isn't good.
No, not good at all." He took an unnecessary breath, "Alright, luv. So she knows
I met with Angelus, right. Well, why not. He's my grand-sire after all. But then
she knows I hate the bugger," he was talking to himself now, desperately
trying to find a solution for his problem. Darla was a bitch, but she was a
clever one and the fact that she knew about his meeting with Angelus would
raise her suspicion. But to make his plan work she had to trust him. He needed a
plan and he needed it fast. Before she would be back.
And the hell what childe did she bring with her? So she made a new one. This
was odd. Usually Darla was very picky with her childer, she hadn't made a vampire for ages. Something was going on and he didn't like the fact that he didn't know what.
******
"Are you alright?," Angel asked the girl laying naked next to him, firmly
wrapped in his arms.
"Better than that," she said sleepily. "I always wished for my first time to be good, but I didn't expect this. It was wonderful."
He chuckled in response, but didn't say anything.
"You probably had a lot of practice," she said after a while. "You know. How to make a girl feel happy." Her voice was steady, but he could hear the tinge of
jealousy in it.
He sat up in bed and looked down at her, "Buffy," he gently stroked her cheek
with his knuckles, "I don't know what to say to this. Yes, there have been
other women, lots of them actually. A demon isn't very picky about sex." He
paused for a moment and added, "Any kind of sex." When he saw she was listening attentively he continued. "But this ... you and me ... is different from everything I've experienced in my long life. I've never been in love before. Not even when I was human. I was a drunken bastard with a thing for one-night-stands in my time."
He paused again and searched her eyes, they were clear and watching him, but he
found no sign of judgement there, so he went on, "You were a virgin before
tonight, but in a certain way, you might not understand, I was too. For me it was the first time to make love to a woman. To put her wishes before mine. And I didn't do it because it was different, but because you're important to me. Because your feelings are more important to me than my own." He smiled and
touched her lips with his thumb. "I love you so much. I never thought something like that existed. Something so beautiful, so perfect. I can't even imagine being without you anymore." He shook his head and let out a short laugh, "I always thought I was good with words, but tonight I suck."
"No," she shook her head, "not at all. It was beautiful." She smiled, sat up as well and cupped his face in her hands, "and I understand about you being a
virgin. I love you too. So very much. Love me, Angel. Please love me and never
let me go."
Part 13
Angel's eyes shot open and he tried to control the uneasy feeling that had woken
him with a start. The last second he stopped the growl forming in his throat.
Quickly glancing to his side he saw that his mate was still asleep, curled up in
his arms, pillowing her head in the crock of his arm. Despite the danger he felt
gripping him he had to smile. She looked so innocent and beautiful - how he loved
her.
That instantly made him snap back into reality. Darla was near. The feeling of
her being close was to familiar to him to be mixed up with anything else. His
first instinct was to get out of the house and meet her, but he remembered
Whistler's words about his destiny and looked at Buffy again. He couldn't risk
getting hurt. They were bound together for eternity. Leaning over he gently
kissed her on her forehead and slightly shook her shoulders, "Buffy," he
whispered into the darkness. Well, darkness for humans, vampires could see just
fine.
"Hmmm," she made but didn't open her eyes.
He chuckled, she obviously wasn't a person getting up easy.
"My love," he kissed her again and her lips responded immediately. One hand came
up, pulling his head closer, deepening the kiss. He smiled into her mouth and
carefully pulled back. "Sorry, love, but now isn't the time."
One eye opened and her lips formed an almost irresistible pout, "Not fair," she
mumbled into the sheets.
"I'm sorry," his voice was soft. "I'd prefer this too, but Darla is outside."
Now both eyes opened and she looked at him with concern in her beautiful eyes,
"How do you know?"
"I can feel her," he told her simply, not wanting to elaborate his long
relationship to his sire.
"Oh," was her only reaction, and after a moment "she was your lover, wasn't she," she asked.
"No," he shook his head and when he saw her incredulous gaze he explained, "she
was the demon's lover. Never mine. I would never touch her." His lips twitched
into a smile, "I'm addicted to you, don't you know?"
"Good," her smile grew. "So she's outside," she shifted until she sat upright on
the bed beside him. "And what?"
"She's watching us," he slipped from the bed and Buffy would've blushed furiously hadn't she been a vampire. She hadn't really looked at him before and now he was moving around in her bedroom - completely naked and totally unashamed. He's probably used to it, she thought. There's really a lot I have to learn, was the next thing that came to her mind.
"She doesn't even try to hide," his voice interrupted her thoughts and she turned her head to look towards the window where he was standing now in the light of the full moon. God, he was beautiful. Like one of the statues she'd seen in the National Museum. One could develop an inferiority complex.
"You mean she just stands there?," she asked surprised.
"Yeah," he replied and glanced towards the bed. "Come and look," he invited
reaching out a hand.
Did he expect her to walk over naked as well, she wondered. He probably did, but
she wasn't ready for it so she wrapped herself into the bed-sheet and joined him
at the window. There she stood. The vampiress she'd only seen once before. In the dark alley when she'd made Buffy into a vampire. It hit her now, she was not only Angel's sire but hers too. "It's strange," she said, "she's my sire but I feel absolutely nothing for her."
"You never lost your soul," he replied as if it would explain everything. And
somehow it did.
Buffy could see the vampiress talking to someone behind her and when the person
stepped into the light of the street lamp she gasped. "God, that's ... that's..."
"Riley," Angel finished for her. "She was busy it seems."
"Yes," she whispered and leaned towards him. He wrapped her in his arm and pulled her close. Even from the distance she could see Darla's features contorting with jealousy. She immediately vamped out, turned and hit Riley square over his face. "She's angry."
"Oh yes," he confirmed. "Very. Darla is very obsessive with my demon. Seeing me
here together with you ...," he shrugged, "she doesn't like it. But I really
don't care."
Buffy had to smile at his words, "Good," she said and kissed him on his chest.
Looking up to him, she whispered, "Because you're mine now."
One of his eyebrows shot up and a grin played around his mouth, "Possessive all
of a sudden?"
She shrugged, "Must be the vampire in me," she smiled. "Kiss me. Let's give her a reason to be jealous."
"You're a bad girl," he scolded playfully but obliged. Their lips met and Darla
was forgotten in an instant. Wrapped up in passion they sunk to the floor.
*****
"I will kill her," Darla shouted in uncontrolled rage. How dare she! And Angelus! Her most favourite childe, her lover. He was hers and he was with that ... that girl now. Usually she wasn't really jealous when he went to have his fun with other women, but there hadn't been a real reason to be. None of them ever meant anything to him. But this girl was special. She'd felt it the moment the whole story had begun. He was more than obsessed with her. And he didn't even try to hide it. The possessive way he'd put his arm around her shoulder... she didn't want to think about it, but the image wouldn't leave her mind.
Riley wiped his face and licked the blood from his fingers. Blood, he wanted
blood, more blood. Darla had just introduced him to the new world, but now she
was neglecting him for this jerk. And Buffy, his Buffy wasn't even ashamed to
kiss this man in her room in front of his eyes. She would pay for it as would
Angel. Darla and he had more in common than she knew. "I'm hungry," he said and
looked at his sire.
"Hungry?," she echoed. "Then go and find yourself something to eat, I'm not your
nurse, you know. I made you, but that doesn't mean I have to care for you."
"Fine," he shot back. "See you later." With this he turned and disappeared into
the darkness.
"God," Darla groaned when he was gone, "what a nuisance. Can't even care for his own food." She rolled her eyes and shook her head. She would keep him for a while and then stake him. At the moment she could use him, but she wouldn't bother with an idiot like him for eternity.
Involuntarily her eyes wandered back to the window where she'd seen both her
childer only some minutes before. Hot rage consumed her when she thought what
they probably did right now. They would pay. She would kill the girl and torture
Angelus for a while. And she would make him watch while his precious new toy
died, she decided. And then, if he'd suffered enough she would open her arms and
welcome him back at her bosom. Yes, she liked the image and a moan escaped her
throat thinking of his cool tongue all over her. Yes, she would get him back!
Laughing out loud she walked into the direction where Riley had just disappeared
before. Maybe she could join him for the meal after all.
*****
Spike stood behind the bushes and chuckled. Angelus certainly knew how to make a
woman angry. Darla was fuming right now. And Spike was happy. An angry vampire
was a careless vampire. Well, that would make his plan easier. He just had to
talk to his annoying grand-sire again. But then, he shrugged inwardly, if his
plan worked, it would be the last he'd seen of him, and for that he'd do almost
everything. Grinning he followed Darla into the darkness.
*****
"Are you alright?," Angel asked for the second time this night.
"Hmmm," came her reply. The pleasure was evident in her voice, when she spoke,
"This was the best so far."
He chuckled against her body. His head was buried between her breasts his arms
firmly wrapped around her. "Glad you approve of me."
"Oh, I do," she said smiling. "You're certainly good at that."
"And how do you know?," he asked and looked up at her. "I know first hand you had nothing to compare me to."
She shrugged slightly, "Girls talk. And there are certain poems, but you know
what. It's all not true. This," she smiled at him, "is so much better." A happy
sigh escaped her mouth. "I think I get used to it."
"That's good because I'm addicted already," he told her with a grin.
"But I'm tired now," she said, her eyes closing.
"Don't you think, the bed would be more comfortable than the floor?," he asked
but she didn't answer anymore. She was already fast asleep. With a low chuckle he shifted and scooped her in his arms. Sliding with her under the covers he pulled her to him and closed his eyes as well. And Darla was forgotten for the night
Part 14
He'd always hated Angelus. He hadn't liked him on first sight, because for
Spike's taste he was to damned good looking. The moment however he'd realised
Dru's obsession with her sire, Spike was outright pissed. It wasn't very likely
for a vampire to feel like this, like being in love, but he felt that way,
period. The days Dru would slip from their room to visit her sire he felt like
killing something and most of the time it was exactly what happened. He would
leave their lair as soon as the sun had set and find some ignorant human who was
an easy victim.
It were these nights when Spike was doubting all his soul had left his body the
night Dru had made him a vampire. Because even while sucking some human dry the
pictures of Dru and Angelus wouldn't leave his mind.
So all in all he hated the bugger, but to find his peace he had to grit his teeth and go through with it. And in a way his grand-sire was different. First of all he'd never seen Angelus being civil with humans before. It wasn't like him, to stand peacefully beside them. Usually he would already inflict his century experience of torture on them.
He'd always been the inventive one when it was about torturing captives. He was
probably the only vampire Spike knew that didn't get his kick from the kill. For
Angelus it was nothing more than a necessity to survive. What really turned him
on was the way to go there, to make his victims scream, to see them sweat with
fear and terror. To smell these emotions on humans was like a drug for him.
He was a master of playing with human emotions what made Spike think about him as a human for a moment. He'd probably been someone with a fragile soul,
compassionate and capable of great love, but easy to break, open for hurt. Often
in vampires these things reversed to the opposite.
His special qualities were the reason all the women were so obsessed with him and his good looks of course. Angelus had once - under the influence of alcohol - confided in him how his human self had been a favourite amongst women. And
becoming a vampire had certainly not lessened his attractiveness. God, he hated the bugger! He'd spent the whole day listening to Dru's whining, crying out for 'her Angel' in her dreams. She never cried out of 'her William' or 'her Spike'.
With a growl Spike kicked some stone over the pavement and shook his head. But
obsession or not, he loved his dark princess, he couldn't think of being with
anyone else. Their love was meant for eternity and in moments of sanity Dru had
repeatedly told him she loved him too. Whatever that meant for a vampire like
her. But it had to be true up to a certain extent, because she'd made him her
childe after all.
Looking up he realised he'd reached his destiny, the house of Rupert Giles,
father of the girl Angelus favoured at the moment. And oddly enough she didn't
seem afraid of him. With a deep inward sigh he knocked and raised a brow when he
saw said girl standing in the doorway, but something was odd about her. And then
his eyes widened in surprise and understanding, "You're a vampire," he exclaimed
and had to laugh, "oh that bugger always knew how to do it."
"Good evening to you too, Spike," Buffy gave him a saccharine smile. "Angel told
me everything about you, so cut all this nonsense."
"Did he now?," Spike grinned. This was just fun now. "And he goes by Angel now,
that's new."
"Yes, he did and yes he does, answering both your questions," came Angel's voice
from behind his mate and a second later he stood in the doorway too. "So, what do you want?"
"I came to tell you that Darla ...," he stopped in mid-sentence and his jaw
almost hit the floor, "hell, I can't believe it." He pointed at the matching
necklaces Buffy and Angel were wearing, "if that isn't the Gem of Amarra. Bloody
hell, where did you get them?"
"None of your business," his grand-sire was about to loose his patience with him. "So what about Darla? She was here last night you know."
"Yeah," his grand-childe nodded. "I was too. Nice performance," he said towards
Buffy who bit her lips to prevent herself from giggling. She had been a well
educated girl of the London society for some years now, until some days ago, but
somehow she liked it better this way.
"She was furious," Spike grinned.
"I bet," Angel leaned against the doorframe.
"She knows about you and I," his grand-childe informed him. "Dru had a vision and told Darla."
"I see," the dark-haired vampire shrugged, not overly impressed. He knew Darla
and he wasn't afraid of her and especially not now being protected by the Gem of
Amarra. "Anything else?"
Spike narrowed his eyes and studied the other vampire's face. "Something's
different about you mate," he stated after a moment. "Something ... it's," he
shook his head and then suddenly his eyes widened, "It's your eyes. Both of you.
It's almost ... God, that's disgusting you know. You have a soul, mate! You and
the girl, you have souls," he shouted and stepped back. "My own grand-sire, the
Scourge of Europe has a soul." He ran a hand through his hair, "I don't believe
it. I'm going to be the laughing stock of the whole vampire community. One of my
ancestors has a soul."
"You can stop now, William," Angel said after a moment, "we all got it."
"Stop?," his grand-childe wasn't about to calm down. But then another thought
entered his mind, "thinking about it, you having a soul makes you much more
reliable, I'd say. Your soulless version wasn't a real team-player."
"No," Angel sighed involuntarily and rubbed his forehead with his fingers. "I
should probably tell you that we're not the usual vampires anymore." Seeing Buffy looking at him oddly, he gave her a sheepish smile before turning back to his grand-childe, "And don't ask me why I'm doing it. You were a real pain in my
...," he trailed off, but went on a second later, "Anyway. Our destiny is to hunt vampires, for that purpose we got these," he pointed at the necklaces. "They protect us."
"Don't I know it," Spike shook his head, still unable to believe the fact that
the great Angelus had disappeared all of a sudden. He felt bubbles of joy rising
inside his stomach. This was better than celebrating Christmas and birthday
together, if he was still human, that is. Suddenly his eyes narrowed, "You're
telling me you're going to hunt your own kind. That's even more disgusting,
mate."
"You aren't any of my kind, Spike," his grand-sire was dead serious, "not
anymore. I have a soul and Buffy never lost hers. You're certainly not comparing
yourself to her?," one of his brows rose. "You leave London with Drusilla, we
take care of Darla and her new toy."
"Oh you've seen him. God, he's an idiot," the younger vampire rolled his eyes,
"you should've seen him. He's following her like a puppy. I really hated your
soulless version, but Angelus had at least style. He was his own vampire, but
this. Darla must be more desperate than I've noticed at first." He paused for a
moment and then shook his head again, "Doesn't it strike you as odd that we have
our first civil conversation for like ... ever? Maybe I'm going to like you this
way."
Angel's eyes narrowed, "Don't play games with me. This is a one time deal. If
we'll ever run across you and Dru again, all deals are off. Then you'll be just
the regular vampire for me and nothing will keep us from staking you or your sire
for that matter."
Spike involuntarily stepped back and raised his hands, "Alright mate. I'm going
to get Dru out of here. Maybe ... no," he grinned, "better we never cross paths
again. I'm going to try to stay out of your way, I'm sure we'll hear from each
other though. Dru and I will leave tonight. I've planned everything. Take care of Darla and if possible forever, because I'm not looking forward meeting her
again. She'll be truly pissed knowing that we've worked together behind her
back."
"I'd say it was nice meeting you but the way it is ...," Angel trailed off but
managed to smile at his grand-childe. Spike surely wasn't the usual kind of
vampire. His affection for Drusilla was certainly more than uncommon.
"No need for flattery," Spike turned towards Buffy and made a slight bow, "But it was really nice meeting you. If you'll ever get tired of him," seeing the blonde raise her brows he laughed. "No, I suppose not. Looks like true love. God, it's really disgusting. Have a good life kids." And with this and a last laugh he was gone.
Buffy turned towards Angel and smiled, "He's strange, but somehow ..."
He quirked a brow at her, "Don't go soft on him. He is as blood-sucking as any
other vampire. But you're right, somehow..."
Both laughed at that. Wrapping his arms around Buffy, Angel closed the door.
****
The vampire formerly known as Riley Finn smiled to himself. Now Darla would take
him serious. He'd some information for her. William had made a deal with Angelus
and the dark-haired vampire had a soul as had Buffy whatever that meant. Riley
was to new in this to understand the deeper meaning. But certainly Darla wouldn't want him anymore now. She would be all his. He smiled and felt utterly superior. Oh yes, it was a good feeling being dead.
With a whistle on his lips he made his way towards their lair. He definitely
loved being in control.
Part 15
"So you expect to be confronted with that woman, what was her name. Oh yes,
Darla." Giles had still problems digesting all the things he'd heard the past 48
hours. "And didn't you say she is the vampire that made you." He looked at Angel
who was sitting comfortably on the large sofa in Giles' library.
"And me," Buffy answered in his place leaning her head against her mate's
shoulder.
"Err, yes, you too." Her father shook his head, "Somehow it's hard for me to
believe this is real. I mean besides the fact that you can change your face
you're still the same Buffy. You even walk in the sun...,"
"Thanks to this," she gave him a smile and touched the necklace, the gem shining
in the light of the fire that was burning in the fireplace, creating a
comfortable atmosphere in the room.
"So somehow nothing has changed, you're even going to get married soon, although
his groom isn't the one expected," Giles glanced quickly at Angel then his gaze
was back on his daughter.
"By the way, the formerly intended is a vampire as well now," Buffy told him.
"He is what?," her father straightened in his chair and his face wore a stunned
expression.
"A vampire," Angel replied. "He's another of Darla's childer. I'm not sure though why she's made him." Exchanging a glance with Buffy, he added, "usually she's more careful in her choices."
******
Exactly the same thoughts went through Spike's head when he hushed Drusilla to
pack her dolls. He'd explained her they had to leave London soon and that she
should get her things together, but quietly and in a way Darla wouldn't notice
it. Fortunately Drusilla had one of her good periods that night and followed his
orders without question. She even smiled at him, "I don't like Darla anyway,"
she told him.
It was only an hour before sunrise and the blonde vampiress hadn't returned to
their lair by now. That was more than unusual for her and Spike wondered what
could be the reason for her strange behaviour. Sure she was furious about Angel
and his little girl but still...
"Where is she?," came a voice from the doorway.
Inwardly groaning Spike turned around and came face to face with the vampire that annoyed him even more than his grand-sire. "Riley," he said on a sigh. "If you're looking for Darla, she isn't around."
The former soldier raised a brow, "Packing already I see," he remarked and
stepped a bit closer.
Spike slightly narrowed his eyes, "And what do you know about it?," he asked.
"You should be more careful who's following you," Riley smirked. "I heard
everything you talked with Angelus."
"He goes under Angel these days," the older vampire snapped. Then he smirked as
well, "And it seems he's got your woman."
Anger welled up in the newly made vampire, "What do you know?," he shouted. "This Angelus obviously uses magic, Darla's still completely obsessed with him too."
"She isn't interested in you, is she?," this was so great, Spike couldn't help
grinning. This conversation was definitely lightening his mood. Seeing the boy
squirm was great entertainment.
Riley snorted at the older vampire and turned around. "She won't like the fact
that you're betraying her," he said, facing Spike again. "It will be a pleasure
to tell her. And I will ... oh no," were his last words. Only a second later
nothing was left of him but a pile of dust.
Spike stared at the spot the vampire had stood before and then a huge grin spread over his face. There stood Drusilla, the most beautiful smile on her face, her eyes shining. "Goody," she exclaimed and jumped up and down, the wooden stake firmly in her hand. "He wanted to tell Mummy. We won't have that, will we, Spike?"
"No, pet, we won't have that," he replied and walked over to her.
"That was fun," her smile grew even wider. "He was an annoying little brat."
Spike shook his head in astonishment, then reached out and pulled her into his
arms. "You're the best pet," he told her and kissed her soundly on her still
smiling lips. Life was truly great.
*****
Darla didn't return to the lair that night. She was sick of Dru's whining, Spike
was annoying her, she missed her favourite childe and lover and Riley was
definitely testing her patience. What had gotten into her when she'd decided to
turn him - if anybody asked her right now she doubted she would have the answer.
No wonder this little girl had dumped him for Angelus. She couldn't really blame
Buffy for it.
She thought about her childe's handsome face and his skills she had enjoyed over
hundred years and decided she definitely couldn't blame Buffy. Shaking her head
she laughed throatily and turned her head to look at the vampire lying beside
her, thankfully he was fast asleep. The sun was high in the sky and that made
vampires sleepy. This particular one was over 600 years old but obviously age had nothing to do with sexual skills. But she needed him for her plans and for this she had to give him what he wanted - for now.
Only the last minute she stopped the growl forming in her throat. He had chosen a silly virgin over her and still she couldn't get Angelus out of her head. She'd been a successful whore all her life, her human life that is and she'd improved her knowledge during her time as a vampire. She couldn't count the various lovers she'd had over the long years of her life or unlife until - well, until she'd chosen Angelus to be her companion. After that she'd almost been monogamous. It wasn't that she hadn't had several possibilities. She was - after all - a beautiful woman, it was just that other men or vampires didn't seem as attractive to her as they had been before.
Damn Angelus for making her feel like that. Damn him for making her still wanting him, more fiercely than ever now. Maybe just because she felt he didn't want her anymore. But she would show him how much better she was than his new toy. Tonight she would close this chapter forever and he would be hers again. She didn't know what she did for nothing. And then she would feel him again.
Feeling herself grow wet at that thought she looked at the vampire beside her
again and not caring for the fact he was still asleep rolled herself on top of
him.
*****
"I love you," Buffy sighed happily and snuggled deeper into Angel's embrace. The
two lay entwined in her bed after a gentle lovemaking that almost made her cry.
Knowing that she was still a bit sour from the night before he'd been so careful
with her as if he'd been handling precious porcellaine.
"I love you too," he replied against her temple and she could feel him smile
against her cool skin. "I can't believe your father is so ... so relaxed about
us."
"I think he realised it's just meant to be this way. Plus the fact that you're
promised to marry me and that I can't get pregnant of course," she planted a kiss on his chest, loving the scent of his body. How she'd ever managed to live
without him was beyond her now. Almost unconsciously her eyes wandered to the
little gem around his neck and she smiled in contentment. This would make sure
nobody could take him away from her again. "I'm very happy you know," she said
after a comfortable silence.
"That makes me very happy," his voice was full of emotion. "This - us -
overwhelms me. I never dreamt to find anything like it in my life. I feel so
truly blessed and don't know what I did to earn it. My life wasn't..."
"Shhh," she silenced him by laying two fingers over his lips. "Don't talk about
it. You proved your worthiness when you couldn't kill me that night. You loved me even when you were supposed not be able to feel love at all. Don't you think it's pretty amazing?"
"Do you know," he chuckled, "for someone so young you're very wise."
"Hmmm," she made and pressed her body against his, rubbing his chin with one of
her tiny feet and making him groan slightly in the process. "Good for you to
notice."
"I'm wise too," he joked and gritted his teeth realising she was teasing him,
trying to arouse him. And for all her innocence she was very successful. He was
more than ready now. "Buffy," he hissed and slapped her hand away from dangerous
ground. "Don't do this."
"Why?," she asked innocently.
"I thought you were sour?," there was a mild question in his voice.
"I thought so too," she replied now looking at him. "But obviously this is soon
fading in vampires." She wiggled her eyebrows making her intentions very clear to him.
Pressing his head back at the pillow he laughed and thanked God that her father
was out of the house for a date. Then he gazed at her again, "Come here you," he
pulled her on top of him. "I can't believe you're the same shy girl I met some
weeks ago."
In reply she just grinned and soon the world was forgotten.
Part 16
AN: Salisbury (the town mentioned in the story beside London, is quite big
nowadays, but wasn't in the late 19th century)
A cry of outrage came from Darla's throat when she entered her lair the next
evening. She had not only spent a night and a day with some not-so satisfying
sex, but now her lair was empty as well.
It wasn't so much the vampire ashes, which proved to be the remains of her
annoying new childe - she had thought about staking him herself already - no, but the fact that Spike and Drusilla had obviously left without telling her that
outraged her.
It was all her fault. That little virgin had caused all this trouble. She had
disliked her before, now she hated her with all her might. First Angelus and now
even Spike and Drusilla had deserted her. Darla narrowed her eyes. Deserted her.
HA! Nobody did that to her. She was an old powerful vampiress, a direct
descendent of the Master's line, her name caused fear throughout the whole
vampire population, but of course not with Angelus.
The independence, stubbornness and power, that had always thrilled her in him
proved to be a disadvantage now. He didn't need her. Usually childer were
addicted to their sires and for a long time she had given in to the illusion it
was the same with him, but of course she'd known better all the time. He wasn't
like this and since that little blonde chick had entered his life ...
And even as a vampire she hadn't lost her attraction for him. "You will pay," she shouted and kicked a chair out of her way, "You will pay for taking him from me!"
******
Angel and Buffy couldn't care less if they had known about the threats from
Darla's mouth. They felt safe together. They'd spent the day strolling through
Hyde-Park, enjoying the rays of the sun and holding hands. They had even visited
Buffy's friend Willow but of course without telling her about the vampire-part.
There was no reason to get her into this.
Her shock had been big enough when Buffy had told her that her engagement with
Riley was off and that she would marry Angel instead. He had to chuckle at that
thought and when he looked at the girl walking beside him he found her watching
him. "What?," he asked.
"Nothing," she smiled, "I'm just happy and all thanks to you."
"Oh Buffy," he couldn't help but to be deeply moved. It was his deepest fear she
would regret her existence one day. He hadn't made her a vampire but he sure as
hell was responsible for her becoming one. Darla would've never noticed her if it hadn't been for him. But so far she insisted that she had never been so happy
before in her life. And thanks to the Gem of Amarra their life was almost normal. Her father was taking everything incredibly well, maybe he was still in shock about all this and also thanks to the little gems around their necks they didn't have to fear anything.
"Are you happy, Angel?," she asked after a while, looking straight ahead.
"You know I am," he answered without hesitation. "I can't remember ever having
been so happy in my life. I still have difficulties to believe this is real."
She beamed, "When I met you that night. You know when I came from the bookshop. I just knew you were the one. I instantly knew that my life with Riley would be
boring. I know that you still blame yourself for me becoming a vampire, but," she paused for a moment and glanced at him, "if nothing else it saved me from
becoming Riley's wife. Maybe that gives you some peace."
They walked for another while in silence. Darkness had fallen over the city and
the streets were empty. Lights were shining from the big houses where the high
society was celebrating their balls. "And you're sure you're not gonna miss
this?," he pointed at a carriage where elegantly dressed ladies and gentlemen
descended to attend a ball.
She shook her head, "I never liked it anyway. It's so superficial. When my father and I were still living in Salisbury there weren't as many balls and receptions and I lived happily there. London is so ... so grand. I'm a country town girl, Angel."
He had to grin, "Are you now? But you had big plans nevertheless. Seeing the
world is a big step from a country town."
Buffy shrugged, "Maybe, but even as a little girl I loved to hear stories about
people who travelled the globe. I always wanted to see America. I never thought
I'd get there ... until you came." She glanced at him again, "stop frowning,
Angel. Maybe there'll be times when I whish to live another life, but I think
that's something that happens to everyone. Today I'm very happy."
*****
Sir Giles looked up from his book when he heard someone knocking at the door.
Glancing at the clock he frowned, who could come at that late hour? With a sigh
he closed the book and put it on the little table beside him, then removed his
glasses.
When he opened the door he came face to face with a beautiful woman who was
smiling at him, "Yes?," he raised a brow.
"Sir Giles, what a pleasure to meet you," she replied. "I'm a friend of the young man who is living with you."
"Angel?"
"That's his name now? Hmm? Well, yes ... a friend of Angel's. Could I speak to
him?"
Giles unconsciously stepped back, "They aren't at home. My daughter and her
fiancée are out for a walk," he said.
"Fiancée?," and expression of pure hatred entered her eyes. "How nice," she
remarked, her voice dripping of sarcasm. "Well," she chuckled slightly and then
changed into her demonic features, "it seems we have to have some fun on your own
then."
Panic entered his eyes, but he remembered Angel's words and said, "You cannot
enter demon. You are not invited here."
She smiled at him through prolonged canines, "That's where you are wrong," she
hissed.
****
Buffy and Angel had been walking the rest of the way to her house in silence.
When they arrived there the first thing they noticed was the fact that the door
wasn't closed. Angel tensed instantly and Buffy froze at his side. "Wh - what?,"
she asked, her voice trembling.
He just shook his head and put a finger on his lips. Vampires, his insides were
screaming and panic crept up his spine. He had instructed Buffy's father not to
invite anybody after dark, but he had forgotten that Buffy, who was living here,
was a vampire now which made the house open for other vampires as well. Damn! How could he have been so careless. The Gem around his neck had lulled them into
this, he was sure of it.
Squeezing Buffy's hand he took a deep unnecessary breath, slowly pushed the door
all the way open and froze dead in his tracks. Buffy bumped right into him.
"What?," she whispered again.
He closed his eyes already smelling what had happened here. Oh God, he thought.
Oh sweet God, no! She doesn't deserve this. He pulled her to his side and looked
at her, his voice grave, while she was staring at him with wide, fearful eyes,
"Buffy. You're a vampire as well, don't you smell the blood?"
If it was possible she was even paler now as usual, "B ... blood?"
He nodded, "Yes. Buffy, I want you to stay here in the hall. Don't follow me," he instructed her. But when he started to walk towards the library, she clung to his harm. He closed he eyes again to gather strength and turned, "Please, Buffy. Wait here."
She looked at him for a long time, then slowly nodded and let go, leaning against the wall for support. They hadn't said a word but both vampires knew what became certainty the moment Angel entered the library.
There was Buffy's father laying on the ground, two puncture wounds on his neck,
his body rigid already. It was the work of a vampire and Darla's scent was
all-over him.
Part 17
A sob behind him made Angel snap out of his daze. Slowly turning around his gaze
met the one of his beloved. Her eyes were wide and filled with horror, she was
pressing her fist into her mouth to keep herself from screaming.
"Oh God, Buffy, I'm so sorry," he tried to reach out for her, but she flinched
from his touch.
"Father," she whispered, tears streaming down her face. Her whole body was
trembling and when she finally moved towards the still form of the man she'd
known all her life she had to summon all her strength to keep herself from
breaking down.
In front of him she sunk down to her knees and her trembling hand touched his
face. He was so still, so cold, so ..., "Oh God," she suddenly screamed and fell
on his chest, "Papa," she cried, "Please, Papa." Her body was shaking with sobs
and she clung to the dead body. "No, no, Papa," she repeated again and again.
*
It broke Angel's heart and he couldn't help but feel responsible for this as
well. She'd lost so much in only some days and it was all connected to him. He
wanted to touch her, comfort her, but he knew that she wouldn't let him at the
moment. Her grief was deep and he could only stand and watch her. His soul cried
with her and suddenly feeling weak he leaned back to the wall and closed his
eyes.
*
He didn't know how long he had been standing there but he was instantly alert
when he heard a noise from the door. He waited only a second and then with a
quick move spun around to grab the intruder at his throat.
"Oh, oh, Angel my friend, it's only me!"
"Whistler," the vampire hissed through gritted teeth and let go of him. "Where
the hell have you been? You were supposed to be here."
"Had some busi...," the demon started when his eyes fell to the girl who was
still clinging to the dead body of her father. "Oh, no, what happened?," he
asked.
"A little present from Darla," Angel replied, his voice flat.
Whistler, the king of good mood and jokes, sobered instantly, "Darla did this? But how," then he slapped his forehead, "of course, a vampire is living inside this house."
"W-what do you m-mean?," Buffy raised her tear-streamed face and looked at the
two men in the room.
"Buffy," slowly Angel kneeled down beside her, "when a vampire lives in a house
it's no longer protected. Any other vampire can enter." He closed his eyes for a
short moment, "I ... I forgot all about it. I'm so sorry."
"So she just went in and killed him?," she asked, wiping her cheeks with one
hand.
"Yes," he nodded, preparing himself for her accusations, knowing he earned
whatever she would do to him.
But as she had before, she surprised him again, "I'm going to kill her," her
voice was cold and determined.
"We will," he assured her, but she shook her head.
"No, Angel. You don't understand. *I* am going to kill her. You can come and
watch, but *I* will kill her." She looked him straight into the eye and he knew
she wouldn't discuss this. "I know we haven't talked about this so far, but now I want to know," her glance quickly flew to Whistler, then back to her lover, "I
want you to show me how to kill a vampire."
***
And so they did. After taking care of all the formalities to burry her father,
they began to train in earnest. Angel was an experienced fighter, his years when
the demon had been in control were paying now. Angelus had always cared for his
body and had mastered several martial arts.
Now Buffy was learning too. And he showed her every possible way to kill a
vampire. Fire. Holy Water. Decapitation. And Staking.
He was amazed how well she learned, how quickly she became a master herself. They began to hunt each night and after a week she was almost as good as her lover. But what amazed him even more was the fact that she didn't blame him. Not once she accused him, for her it was no doubt that the demon and the ensouled version were two different beings.
Whistler taught them all they had to know about theory. He explained a lot about
prophecies, the different sorts of demons and many other interesting things.
It was good for all of them, it kept them busy and Buffy's mind off her father's
death, but of course they knew that the final confrontation with Darla was
inevitable.
Since the night she'd killed Sir Giles they hadn't heard from her, but Angel
could feel she was still around. Buffy would've been able to feel it too, had she been more experienced as a vampire.
After two weeks they began to search for Darla. Both wanted to have the matter
over and done with. Buffy because she hated the vampiress with all her heart,
Angel because he wanted nothing more than see Buffy at peace again. She was
tossing and turning in her sleep and crying out her father's name. And again
Angel wished he could've spared her the pain of all this. But it was too late for it and all they could do now was deal. Giving in to self-accusations and
self-pity, so he realised, wouldn't help her. She needed him by her side now, the future was what counted, dwelling on the past wouldn't miraculously make the pain go away.
And then, exactly three weeks after Sir Giles' death it happened. They had just
dusted three younger vampires in a dark alley, when a well known voice suddenly
called out to them. "Welcome, my children."
Part 18
Slowly the two ensouled vampires turned. They didn't look at each other but as if suddenly a link between them had been opened their minds began to silently
communicate. They were only surprised for a second, but Whistler had already told them that something like that would happen eventually as their connection grew. It was only another proof that they were meant for each other.
"Darla," Angel greeted his sire almost casually. His body seemed relaxed, but
inside every muscle, every tendon was tense, ready to jump into action whenever
needed.
A smile played around her lips. Lips that he had once found attractive, didn't
appeal to him anymore. It was her eyes. His demon hadn't cared for eyes but for
Angel the empty, cold expression in them was repulsive. He even had to force
himself to look at her without a snarl of disgust. She still had an attractive,
sensual body, but it meant nothing to him anymore. Relief washed over him, this
woman, this vampire was his sire and he hadn't been looking forward meeting her.
But now he knew he could go through with it.
"Angelus," she purred, only shortly glancing at Buffy who was standing beside her favourite childe. "You have been a bad boy," her voice was like silk. "Just
leaving like this. It was cold and lonely in my bed. You know he shared a bed,
don't you," her eyes were on the younger woman now. "We shared every possible
pleasure for over a century. Do you really think you can hold him?" A throaty
laughter was to be heard in the dark alley, "He might be ... infatuated with you
for a while. He sometimes needed ... a distraction. Like Dru," she flashed Angel
a quick smile, then narrowed her eyes when looking at Buffy again, "I have to say you have your ...," her eyes roamed the woman's body, "qualities, but ...," she shrugged and made a pitying sound.
"Really, Angelus," she closed her eyes for a moment then smiled at him, a loving, forgiving smile, that left him only cold. "Did you think I wouldn't forgive you? You should've known better. We both belong together, nobody can change it. I even allow you to take her with you for a while ... as long as you want her. We could have fun together, the three of us."
Buffy had to suppress a gasp. She had heard whispers about such relationships,
but as a girl of the better society nobody had dared to talk to her about
something like that. Books containing these things were strictly forbidden for
women. There was certainly a lot Angel had to explain to her, because as much as
the thought repulsed her to be touched intimately by a woman, she wanted to know
about it. She was startled when she felt Angel chuckle inwardly and a smile
crossed her lips. There was something to be said about telepathic communication.
Darla's voice snapped them out of their connection, "No comments?," she shook her head. "I'm disappointed."
"Frankly, I'm not interested at all what you are or what not," Buffy's voice was
cold and controlled. This vampire had murdered her father, and the hatred was
boiling inside of her, but three weeks of training had taught her not to give in. Angel had explained again and again that she mustn't allow her emotions to
control her. In combat the first and most important rule was to stay focussed and never let emotions distract you.
"Listen to her Angelus!," Darla laughed, "isn't she the feisty one." Then she
whirled around to gaze at Buffy, her eyes sparkling with anger, " Don't you
forget that I'm your sire, girl! I'm the one who made you what you are today.
Don't you realise what that means? Childers are meant to pay respect to their
sires."
"I owe you nothing," Buffy replied, her voice still controlled. "You killed my
father. And you will die for this tonight."
Darla rolled her eyes and threw here hands in the air, "What is this? Yeah, I
killed that old man. So what? I'm a vampire and kill humans, you're vampires
too."
"We're nothing like you," Angel said. "Nothing, do you hear!"
"Don't bore me with that soul-crap again," she replied angrily. "I had all I can
stand about this nonsense. Your little demon friend was already telling me, you
remember? You really want to throw everything away only because of some pathetic, filthy soul?" She stepped closer to him, began to circle him, her hand touching him, trailing along his back. Her eyes were half-closed, her sexual intention clear and her voice hoarse and inviting, "You're sure about that? Don't you remember all the wonderful days we had? Did you forget all the fun we had together? Think about it, Angelus, is it worth trading it for a little virgin whose attraction will fade in no time." She stopped, her chin laying on his shoulder, one hand touching his chest.
With a quick movement he grabbed her hands and pushed her away from him, "There
isn't anything worth trading, Darla," he told her. "I love Buffy. She loves me.
We have something you'll never understand. You could offer armies of lovers to me and it wouldn't change what I feel. I know, this sounds unbelievable for you, but it's the truth, accept it." Then he shrugged, "on a second thought, it's really not important if you do, because you won't have time for it. This will end tonight, Darla. Once and for all."
"Well," she shook her head slightly, "somehow I knew you'd be stubborn, so...,"
she nodded to someone behind her two childer, "I didn't came completely on my
own."
Buffy and Angel spun around and before they could even blink they were
surrounded by about 20 vampires, who didn't look as if they'd come for a nice,
friendly conversation.
"This is my last offer," Darla said, her body-posture relaxed. She was certain
she was in control of the situation and she was eager to show them her superior
position. "You can both come back to me and I'll forgive everything or ...," she
trailed off and an evil chuckle left her mouth, then she licked her lips and she
shrugged, "well, I suppose you can guess what'll happen."
"Forget about it," Buffy replied, her body fully alert.
"Angelus?," Darla turned towards the dark-haired vampire, ignoring her younger
childe completely. She wasn't interested in her at all.
He just shrugged, "You heard my mate."
At his last word, Darla's control snapped. Angel had fully intended it to happen, he was through with playing word-games. This had to end tonight and the sooner the better he decided. With a cry of outrage her face shifted into its demonic features and she launched an attack at Buffy, the other vampires following her swiftly.
Buffy felt the claws of her sire around her throat, squeezing her windpipe and
for the first time she was glad she didn't have to breathe anymore. Remembering
all the things Angel had taught her throughout the last three weeks she landed a
quick punch into Darla's stomach and the vampiress let go of her. Then with a
roundhouse kick she pushed her even further backwards, cursing the long skirts
which weren't the ideal clothes for fighting vampires. Buffy had already heard
about women wearing pants and she decided that she would try to get some of them
herself as soon as she had time to think about it.
The same moment another vampire attacked her from behind, but she quickly
produced a stake from under her skirts and he was dust in no time. Angel was
doing good beside her. He'd staked seven vampires already and some of them even
began to run realising they were going against someone much stronger then they.
With horror in her eyes Darla watched what was happening. No, she screamed
inwardly. The girl was fighting well, and she could see Angelus' handwriting in
her moves. There was no doubt he had taught her how to handle herself in combat.
Uncontrollable rage began to consume her body. He had betrayed her in more than
one way. She could forgive his infatuation with another body, but never this.
Never the fact that he had shared skills, she herself had taught him, with
another.
Her hands were trembling with rage when she reached for the crossbow she had
hidden under a stone just in case. If she couldn't have him, nobody else would.
Certainly not this little girl. She said she loved him, well then, she would
suffer seeing him die. With a deep breath and feeling the ultimate power her
hands steadied and slowly she pulled the trigger.
Angel dusted the last vamp attacking him and seeing Buffy brushing dust from her
skirts he gave her a quick smile. He never even saw the bolt come. It hit him out of the blue and went straight into his heart.
"In the end, Angelus, I've won," Darla shouted, a triumphant expression on her
face.
Angel watched her with an odd look in his eyes and then to her horror removed the arrow with a quick movement from his chest, a smile playing around his lips, he was obviously completely unharmed.
"No, Darla," Buffy's eyes were cold, and then she threw the stake. The moment the wood penetrated her sire's chest, she added, "you lost."
"Noooo," the older vampire cried, but she knew it was over and only seconds later her remains drifted away with the wind, leaving her childer alone with each other in the dark alley.
*
Buffy was the first to move and she reached out to touch Angel's chest where the
bolt had pierced it, "Are you okay?," she looked up and searched his eyes.
He smiled, "Yes. I'm fine. Thanks to this," he pointed the little gem on his
neck. "It didn't even hurt." Planting a kiss on her forehead he added, "It was
rather strange though."
"I bet," she replied and pressed her head against his chest, encircling his waist with her arms and holding him close. "It's over," she whispered.
He slightly pulled back and put a finger under her chin so that she had to look
at him, "Yes, but only for now. It'll never be over."
"No," she nodded and sighed. "I suppose not. We're vampire hunters after all."
Suddenly a grin appeared on her face, "But it's not half bad. I mean, hey I can
beat them up and don't get hurt in the process and the best part is you won't get hurt either. We can go out into the sunlight, stay young forever, at least on the outside, life forever - together. Life could be worse."
"Yeah," he stroked her hair. "Eternity with you. Not half-bad."
"Maybe we should go home now," she suggested. "I feel tired all of a sudden."
He grinned, "Do you now?"
"Hmmm," she replied when they began to walk. "Well, not too tired."
"Good," he grinned.
"Angel?"
"Hmmm?"
"Did you ever think about going to America?."
He stopped and looked at her, "You want to go to America?"
"Yeah," she replied and continued walking. "I already told you I want to see the
world."
"So you did." There was a smile in his voice.
"And there's another important fact."
"And what's that?"
"Some women already wear trousers there."
In response he laughed.
END
That's it guys. Hope you enjoyed the ride.
"What's going to happen now," Giles looked at his daughter and her ... was it her lover? He sighed inwardly, this was the strangest situation he had himself ever gotten into. But in a very odd way he did approve of the relationship of the two people in his room. Was it the way his daughter's eyes would lighten up every time she looked at Angel?
"What do you mean?," Buffy frowned.
"He wants to know, what's going to happen with the two of us," Angel said with a
smile. "And the answer is yes. I intend to marry your daughter. Of course we
cannot be married in a church, but there are other ... uhm ... possibilities."
Giles nodded, "Good to hear." Then his eyes shifted to Whistler, "And I suppose
you're going to be the best man?"
"So far nobody's asked me," the demon grinned.
The dark-haired vampire was about to answer when they heard a knock on the door.
Giles rose to answer it and was about to invite the visitor in, when Angel's
voice stopped him, "You're certainly not expecting to be invited into this
house."
"Bloody hell, no." Spike shook his head and then grinned, "But you're in and he's still alive. To hell, whatever happened to you mate?"
"None of your business," his grand-sire snapped. "Sir Giles," he turned to his
future father-in-law - talk about strange things he thought - "This creature is a vampire as well. First law, never invite anyone into your house. Not with words, not with a gesture, at least not after darkness." He shifted back to the blonde vampire on the doorstep, "What do you want?"
Spike raised a brow, "Want? I came to make a deal with you."
"Is that so? Talk."
"Well, it's a little uncomfortable out here. I've eaten already," he said.
"Doesn't matter, you'll be hungry again tomorrow. Go on, talk. I'm starting to
get annoyed with you."
"Angel what ...," Buffy joined the men at the door and tilted her head seeing the new face there.
Spike's eyes were wandering up and down and then he smiled, a slow, sensual,
vampiric smile, "I see. Well, can't blame you. She's more class than Darla,
that's for certain."
His grand-sire merely shook his head, "Buffy, this is William or Spike as he
calls himself now. He's my ... er ... grand-childe and deeply annoying. Spike
meet Buffy, she's my mate. So hands off and would you now talk."
"Talk, oh yes, talk," the blonde vampire nodded after a last glance at the petite blonde. "Darla's really pissed mate. So there's my deal. I'll help you to get rid of her and in exchange you stay away from Dru and me."
Angel let out and exasperated sigh, "I'm not interested in Drusilla."
"Maybe. But she's sure as hell interested in you. It's an obsession and I don't
like to compete."
"And how exactly do you intend to help us?," Buffy asked looking at him.
*******
Darla stormed through the door of her lair with Riley in tow and was surprised to find Drusilla there on her own.
"Where the hell is William," she shouted.
As expected her response was a whining sound from the insane vampiress who was
sitting on the ground clutching her head.
"Who's she?," Riley wanted to know.
"That my childe," she patted his head, "is our Drusilla. Angelus did a fine job
on her, but still she can be very useful. She's psychic. Means she can see
things."
The newly made vampire merely shook his head. Psychic, what nonsense. "Why are
you so nervous," he asked his sire.
"Because that slippery weasel William isn't around and I don't like it. He's not
the brightest sort of vampire, but if he's going behind one's back it can be
very uncomfortable."
"And why didn't you try to get rid of him," Riley asked with a grin. Killing was
so appealing all of a sudden. He'd just had his first meal. A blonde hooker,
she'd tasted wonderful and her screams had just been the right addition to turn
him on. Now all he needed to be completely satisfied was a healthy portion of
sex, but Darla didn't seem to be interested in him that way and Drusilla, well to be honest he wasn't really attracted to someone who needed strong mental care.
"Because we need him to keep her," she pointed at the dark-haired vampiress, "in
check. Angelus could do it as well, but he doesn't like it. He's a very
headstrong boy," she smiled and licked her lips. "You'll like him. He's lots of
fantasy. You'll learn a lot from him about torture and pain."
"My Spike," Drusilla suddenly cried and began to rock back and forth on the
ground. "Ohhhhh."
"What do you see?," Darla crouched down beside her, touching her shoulder.
"He's with my Daddy. I see him talking to my Daddy. Oh my Angel," she whined.
"Who's Spike?" Riley wanted to know.
Darla made an impatient gesture with her hand. She was already doubting if it had been such a good idea to make that annoying guy a vampire. "It's William. He's got a thing for calling himself Spike these days." At least she had to keep up the appearances, she needed Riley - for a while. "Anything else?," she turned
towards Drusilla again.
"No," she shook his head. "But he'll come back to me. He isn't lost like my Daddy and her. Their hearts stink of love for each other ... it's so disgusting."
Darla sighed and got up again, "Spike and Angelus ... I don't like it. Don't like it at all." She looked at Riley. "Come on then."
"What? We just came back," he protested.
"There's a change of plans, my childe. You get to see your former fiancée sooner
than you'd expected."
Part 12
"I think your father took everything pretty well," Angel said some hours
later when he and Buffy were alone in the guest room of her father's house.
"I can hardly believe it," she agreed. "He was even alright with the
fact that you and I will stay together for the rest of the night," she added
quite shyly.
"Buffy," he reached out for her and took her tiny hand in his large one.
"I know this is a lot for you to take in. And although I can't think of
anything more wonderful than to spend eternity with you, you should know that
I'll be eternally sorry you had to experience this."
"This?," she asked not quite understanding what he meant.
"Becoming a vampire I mean. It's ... I never planned," he paused and took an
unnecessary breath, "The demon did plan it. Killing you, I mean. Then turning
you, but I...," his voice broke and he just shook his head, not able to find
any words for the shame he felt right now.
"It's okay," she said softly and moved to his side, leaning her head
against his shoulder. "You didn't do it."
"No. But without me, Darla wouldn't have had any cause to act on you."
"That's wrong and you know it," she closed her eyes enjoying the feeling
of being so near to him. "You have to accept that you are not your demon
although you share the memories which is pretty unfair to me." She could hear him chuckle slightly and had to smile, "But," she continued, "I can understand why. Whistler explained it to us, that you had to carry them so you can understand what's going on inside a vampire. It'll help us."
"But you will never have a real life. Never any children, no husband, no
home," he sighed, "not a human one that is."
"So what?," she turned her head to look at him, "I had everything you talk
about right in front of me and you know what? I didn't look forward to it. I
didn't enjoy the idea of playing the nice, caring housewife by Riley Finn's
side. I would've done it because I thought I had to honour my parents' wishes,
but it wasn't what I wanted to do." She held his large hand between hers. For
the first time she realised how cold they were. Funnily enough it wasn't an
uncomfortable coldness, but it was something she had to get used to. "I already told you I wanted to see different countries, learn languages and now I can do it. We don't even have to fear the sunlight." She glanced at the little gem on the chain at her neck, "thanks to Whistler and this we can almost live like a normal couple."
"But what about...," he began but was silenced when she laid a finger on his
lips.
"You mean children? Well, maybe there'll come a day when I'm going to
miss them, but all we can do is deal. We should try and look on the bright side of this. We're going to spend eternity together." She gave him a sweet smile and kissed him on the cheek.
"How can a person so young be so wise?", he asked with a lopsided smile.
"I don't know," she replied. "But you'll have to live with it. According to
Whistler you're stuck with me."
"Am I?," now his lips curved a bit more into a smile.
"Hmmm," she grinned. "You realise we're alone together in a room?"
"Buffy...,"
"No, don't say it. Maybe I'm a wicked woman, but I want you. Hey, I'm a vampire now. Who cares about rings and vows, and didn't you tell my father you're going to marry me?"
He had to laugh at that, "I didn't even propose to you."
She shrugged, "You will." She sounded very convinced. "But for now, I'm quite
content with you by my side. I love you, Angel. By the way I really like that
name. Sounds sweet, much better than Liam. More melodic."
"Does it now?," his voice became low, sensual, "well, before the night is over
you're going to whisper it, cry it, shout it ... out of pleasure." He leaned
towards her and caught her lips in a sweet kiss.
"Is that a promise?," she asked a bit breathlessly, when their lips finally
parted.
"You bet on it."
******
"Drusilla," Spike looked at his lover who was sitting on their bed when he
returned to their lair.
"My Spike. You came back."
"Obviously," he replied a little bit annoyed. He didn't like the fact that
Darla wasn't there. "Where's the bitch?," he asked.
"They left," the dark-haired vampiress informed him.
He raised a brow, "They?"
"Hmmm. She brought a new childe."
"Excuse me?," Spike approached his lover and took her hand. "Drusilla look at
me!," he commanded, "What are you talking about."
"I didn't like him. He didn't like me either. But he knows my Daddy," she gazed at him with wide-eyes. "I saw you then. In my mind. You saw my Angel."
"Dru, listen to me," he grabbed at her shoulders. "Did you tell Darla
about it?"
"Hmmm," was her only reply.
He pushed her back on the bed, "Damn," growled. "Damn, damn. This isn't good.
No, not good at all." He took an unnecessary breath, "Alright, luv. So she knows
I met with Angelus, right. Well, why not. He's my grand-sire after all. But then
she knows I hate the bugger," he was talking to himself now, desperately
trying to find a solution for his problem. Darla was a bitch, but she was a
clever one and the fact that she knew about his meeting with Angelus would
raise her suspicion. But to make his plan work she had to trust him. He needed a
plan and he needed it fast. Before she would be back.
And the hell what childe did she bring with her? So she made a new one. This
was odd. Usually Darla was very picky with her childer, she hadn't made a vampire for ages. Something was going on and he didn't like the fact that he didn't know what.
******
"Are you alright?," Angel asked the girl laying naked next to him, firmly
wrapped in his arms.
"Better than that," she said sleepily. "I always wished for my first time to be good, but I didn't expect this. It was wonderful."
He chuckled in response, but didn't say anything.
"You probably had a lot of practice," she said after a while. "You know. How to make a girl feel happy." Her voice was steady, but he could hear the tinge of
jealousy in it.
He sat up in bed and looked down at her, "Buffy," he gently stroked her cheek
with his knuckles, "I don't know what to say to this. Yes, there have been
other women, lots of them actually. A demon isn't very picky about sex." He
paused for a moment and added, "Any kind of sex." When he saw she was listening attentively he continued. "But this ... you and me ... is different from everything I've experienced in my long life. I've never been in love before. Not even when I was human. I was a drunken bastard with a thing for one-night-stands in my time."
He paused again and searched her eyes, they were clear and watching him, but he
found no sign of judgement there, so he went on, "You were a virgin before
tonight, but in a certain way, you might not understand, I was too. For me it was the first time to make love to a woman. To put her wishes before mine. And I didn't do it because it was different, but because you're important to me. Because your feelings are more important to me than my own." He smiled and
touched her lips with his thumb. "I love you so much. I never thought something like that existed. Something so beautiful, so perfect. I can't even imagine being without you anymore." He shook his head and let out a short laugh, "I always thought I was good with words, but tonight I suck."
"No," she shook her head, "not at all. It was beautiful." She smiled, sat up as well and cupped his face in her hands, "and I understand about you being a
virgin. I love you too. So very much. Love me, Angel. Please love me and never
let me go."
Part 13
Angel's eyes shot open and he tried to control the uneasy feeling that had woken
him with a start. The last second he stopped the growl forming in his throat.
Quickly glancing to his side he saw that his mate was still asleep, curled up in
his arms, pillowing her head in the crock of his arm. Despite the danger he felt
gripping him he had to smile. She looked so innocent and beautiful - how he loved
her.
That instantly made him snap back into reality. Darla was near. The feeling of
her being close was to familiar to him to be mixed up with anything else. His
first instinct was to get out of the house and meet her, but he remembered
Whistler's words about his destiny and looked at Buffy again. He couldn't risk
getting hurt. They were bound together for eternity. Leaning over he gently
kissed her on her forehead and slightly shook her shoulders, "Buffy," he
whispered into the darkness. Well, darkness for humans, vampires could see just
fine.
"Hmmm," she made but didn't open her eyes.
He chuckled, she obviously wasn't a person getting up easy.
"My love," he kissed her again and her lips responded immediately. One hand came
up, pulling his head closer, deepening the kiss. He smiled into her mouth and
carefully pulled back. "Sorry, love, but now isn't the time."
One eye opened and her lips formed an almost irresistible pout, "Not fair," she
mumbled into the sheets.
"I'm sorry," his voice was soft. "I'd prefer this too, but Darla is outside."
Now both eyes opened and she looked at him with concern in her beautiful eyes,
"How do you know?"
"I can feel her," he told her simply, not wanting to elaborate his long
relationship to his sire.
"Oh," was her only reaction, and after a moment "she was your lover, wasn't she," she asked.
"No," he shook his head and when he saw her incredulous gaze he explained, "she
was the demon's lover. Never mine. I would never touch her." His lips twitched
into a smile, "I'm addicted to you, don't you know?"
"Good," her smile grew. "So she's outside," she shifted until she sat upright on
the bed beside him. "And what?"
"She's watching us," he slipped from the bed and Buffy would've blushed furiously hadn't she been a vampire. She hadn't really looked at him before and now he was moving around in her bedroom - completely naked and totally unashamed. He's probably used to it, she thought. There's really a lot I have to learn, was the next thing that came to her mind.
"She doesn't even try to hide," his voice interrupted her thoughts and she turned her head to look towards the window where he was standing now in the light of the full moon. God, he was beautiful. Like one of the statues she'd seen in the National Museum. One could develop an inferiority complex.
"You mean she just stands there?," she asked surprised.
"Yeah," he replied and glanced towards the bed. "Come and look," he invited
reaching out a hand.
Did he expect her to walk over naked as well, she wondered. He probably did, but
she wasn't ready for it so she wrapped herself into the bed-sheet and joined him
at the window. There she stood. The vampiress she'd only seen once before. In the dark alley when she'd made Buffy into a vampire. It hit her now, she was not only Angel's sire but hers too. "It's strange," she said, "she's my sire but I feel absolutely nothing for her."
"You never lost your soul," he replied as if it would explain everything. And
somehow it did.
Buffy could see the vampiress talking to someone behind her and when the person
stepped into the light of the street lamp she gasped. "God, that's ... that's..."
"Riley," Angel finished for her. "She was busy it seems."
"Yes," she whispered and leaned towards him. He wrapped her in his arm and pulled her close. Even from the distance she could see Darla's features contorting with jealousy. She immediately vamped out, turned and hit Riley square over his face. "She's angry."
"Oh yes," he confirmed. "Very. Darla is very obsessive with my demon. Seeing me
here together with you ...," he shrugged, "she doesn't like it. But I really
don't care."
Buffy had to smile at his words, "Good," she said and kissed him on his chest.
Looking up to him, she whispered, "Because you're mine now."
One of his eyebrows shot up and a grin played around his mouth, "Possessive all
of a sudden?"
She shrugged, "Must be the vampire in me," she smiled. "Kiss me. Let's give her a reason to be jealous."
"You're a bad girl," he scolded playfully but obliged. Their lips met and Darla
was forgotten in an instant. Wrapped up in passion they sunk to the floor.
*****
"I will kill her," Darla shouted in uncontrolled rage. How dare she! And Angelus! Her most favourite childe, her lover. He was hers and he was with that ... that girl now. Usually she wasn't really jealous when he went to have his fun with other women, but there hadn't been a real reason to be. None of them ever meant anything to him. But this girl was special. She'd felt it the moment the whole story had begun. He was more than obsessed with her. And he didn't even try to hide it. The possessive way he'd put his arm around her shoulder... she didn't want to think about it, but the image wouldn't leave her mind.
Riley wiped his face and licked the blood from his fingers. Blood, he wanted
blood, more blood. Darla had just introduced him to the new world, but now she
was neglecting him for this jerk. And Buffy, his Buffy wasn't even ashamed to
kiss this man in her room in front of his eyes. She would pay for it as would
Angel. Darla and he had more in common than she knew. "I'm hungry," he said and
looked at his sire.
"Hungry?," she echoed. "Then go and find yourself something to eat, I'm not your
nurse, you know. I made you, but that doesn't mean I have to care for you."
"Fine," he shot back. "See you later." With this he turned and disappeared into
the darkness.
"God," Darla groaned when he was gone, "what a nuisance. Can't even care for his own food." She rolled her eyes and shook her head. She would keep him for a while and then stake him. At the moment she could use him, but she wouldn't bother with an idiot like him for eternity.
Involuntarily her eyes wandered back to the window where she'd seen both her
childer only some minutes before. Hot rage consumed her when she thought what
they probably did right now. They would pay. She would kill the girl and torture
Angelus for a while. And she would make him watch while his precious new toy
died, she decided. And then, if he'd suffered enough she would open her arms and
welcome him back at her bosom. Yes, she liked the image and a moan escaped her
throat thinking of his cool tongue all over her. Yes, she would get him back!
Laughing out loud she walked into the direction where Riley had just disappeared
before. Maybe she could join him for the meal after all.
*****
Spike stood behind the bushes and chuckled. Angelus certainly knew how to make a
woman angry. Darla was fuming right now. And Spike was happy. An angry vampire
was a careless vampire. Well, that would make his plan easier. He just had to
talk to his annoying grand-sire again. But then, he shrugged inwardly, if his
plan worked, it would be the last he'd seen of him, and for that he'd do almost
everything. Grinning he followed Darla into the darkness.
*****
"Are you alright?," Angel asked for the second time this night.
"Hmmm," came her reply. The pleasure was evident in her voice, when she spoke,
"This was the best so far."
He chuckled against her body. His head was buried between her breasts his arms
firmly wrapped around her. "Glad you approve of me."
"Oh, I do," she said smiling. "You're certainly good at that."
"And how do you know?," he asked and looked up at her. "I know first hand you had nothing to compare me to."
She shrugged slightly, "Girls talk. And there are certain poems, but you know
what. It's all not true. This," she smiled at him, "is so much better." A happy
sigh escaped her mouth. "I think I get used to it."
"That's good because I'm addicted already," he told her with a grin.
"But I'm tired now," she said, her eyes closing.
"Don't you think, the bed would be more comfortable than the floor?," he asked
but she didn't answer anymore. She was already fast asleep. With a low chuckle he shifted and scooped her in his arms. Sliding with her under the covers he pulled her to him and closed his eyes as well. And Darla was forgotten for the night
Part 14
He'd always hated Angelus. He hadn't liked him on first sight, because for
Spike's taste he was to damned good looking. The moment however he'd realised
Dru's obsession with her sire, Spike was outright pissed. It wasn't very likely
for a vampire to feel like this, like being in love, but he felt that way,
period. The days Dru would slip from their room to visit her sire he felt like
killing something and most of the time it was exactly what happened. He would
leave their lair as soon as the sun had set and find some ignorant human who was
an easy victim.
It were these nights when Spike was doubting all his soul had left his body the
night Dru had made him a vampire. Because even while sucking some human dry the
pictures of Dru and Angelus wouldn't leave his mind.
So all in all he hated the bugger, but to find his peace he had to grit his teeth and go through with it. And in a way his grand-sire was different. First of all he'd never seen Angelus being civil with humans before. It wasn't like him, to stand peacefully beside them. Usually he would already inflict his century experience of torture on them.
He'd always been the inventive one when it was about torturing captives. He was
probably the only vampire Spike knew that didn't get his kick from the kill. For
Angelus it was nothing more than a necessity to survive. What really turned him
on was the way to go there, to make his victims scream, to see them sweat with
fear and terror. To smell these emotions on humans was like a drug for him.
He was a master of playing with human emotions what made Spike think about him as a human for a moment. He'd probably been someone with a fragile soul,
compassionate and capable of great love, but easy to break, open for hurt. Often
in vampires these things reversed to the opposite.
His special qualities were the reason all the women were so obsessed with him and his good looks of course. Angelus had once - under the influence of alcohol - confided in him how his human self had been a favourite amongst women. And
becoming a vampire had certainly not lessened his attractiveness. God, he hated the bugger! He'd spent the whole day listening to Dru's whining, crying out for 'her Angel' in her dreams. She never cried out of 'her William' or 'her Spike'.
With a growl Spike kicked some stone over the pavement and shook his head. But
obsession or not, he loved his dark princess, he couldn't think of being with
anyone else. Their love was meant for eternity and in moments of sanity Dru had
repeatedly told him she loved him too. Whatever that meant for a vampire like
her. But it had to be true up to a certain extent, because she'd made him her
childe after all.
Looking up he realised he'd reached his destiny, the house of Rupert Giles,
father of the girl Angelus favoured at the moment. And oddly enough she didn't
seem afraid of him. With a deep inward sigh he knocked and raised a brow when he
saw said girl standing in the doorway, but something was odd about her. And then
his eyes widened in surprise and understanding, "You're a vampire," he exclaimed
and had to laugh, "oh that bugger always knew how to do it."
"Good evening to you too, Spike," Buffy gave him a saccharine smile. "Angel told
me everything about you, so cut all this nonsense."
"Did he now?," Spike grinned. This was just fun now. "And he goes by Angel now,
that's new."
"Yes, he did and yes he does, answering both your questions," came Angel's voice
from behind his mate and a second later he stood in the doorway too. "So, what do you want?"
"I came to tell you that Darla ...," he stopped in mid-sentence and his jaw
almost hit the floor, "hell, I can't believe it." He pointed at the matching
necklaces Buffy and Angel were wearing, "if that isn't the Gem of Amarra. Bloody
hell, where did you get them?"
"None of your business," his grand-sire was about to loose his patience with him. "So what about Darla? She was here last night you know."
"Yeah," his grand-childe nodded. "I was too. Nice performance," he said towards
Buffy who bit her lips to prevent herself from giggling. She had been a well
educated girl of the London society for some years now, until some days ago, but
somehow she liked it better this way.
"She was furious," Spike grinned.
"I bet," Angel leaned against the doorframe.
"She knows about you and I," his grand-childe informed him. "Dru had a vision and told Darla."
"I see," the dark-haired vampire shrugged, not overly impressed. He knew Darla
and he wasn't afraid of her and especially not now being protected by the Gem of
Amarra. "Anything else?"
Spike narrowed his eyes and studied the other vampire's face. "Something's
different about you mate," he stated after a moment. "Something ... it's," he
shook his head and then suddenly his eyes widened, "It's your eyes. Both of you.
It's almost ... God, that's disgusting you know. You have a soul, mate! You and
the girl, you have souls," he shouted and stepped back. "My own grand-sire, the
Scourge of Europe has a soul." He ran a hand through his hair, "I don't believe
it. I'm going to be the laughing stock of the whole vampire community. One of my
ancestors has a soul."
"You can stop now, William," Angel said after a moment, "we all got it."
"Stop?," his grand-childe wasn't about to calm down. But then another thought
entered his mind, "thinking about it, you having a soul makes you much more
reliable, I'd say. Your soulless version wasn't a real team-player."
"No," Angel sighed involuntarily and rubbed his forehead with his fingers. "I
should probably tell you that we're not the usual vampires anymore." Seeing Buffy looking at him oddly, he gave her a sheepish smile before turning back to his grand-childe, "And don't ask me why I'm doing it. You were a real pain in my
...," he trailed off, but went on a second later, "Anyway. Our destiny is to hunt vampires, for that purpose we got these," he pointed at the necklaces. "They protect us."
"Don't I know it," Spike shook his head, still unable to believe the fact that
the great Angelus had disappeared all of a sudden. He felt bubbles of joy rising
inside his stomach. This was better than celebrating Christmas and birthday
together, if he was still human, that is. Suddenly his eyes narrowed, "You're
telling me you're going to hunt your own kind. That's even more disgusting,
mate."
"You aren't any of my kind, Spike," his grand-sire was dead serious, "not
anymore. I have a soul and Buffy never lost hers. You're certainly not comparing
yourself to her?," one of his brows rose. "You leave London with Drusilla, we
take care of Darla and her new toy."
"Oh you've seen him. God, he's an idiot," the younger vampire rolled his eyes,
"you should've seen him. He's following her like a puppy. I really hated your
soulless version, but Angelus had at least style. He was his own vampire, but
this. Darla must be more desperate than I've noticed at first." He paused for a
moment and then shook his head again, "Doesn't it strike you as odd that we have
our first civil conversation for like ... ever? Maybe I'm going to like you this
way."
Angel's eyes narrowed, "Don't play games with me. This is a one time deal. If
we'll ever run across you and Dru again, all deals are off. Then you'll be just
the regular vampire for me and nothing will keep us from staking you or your sire
for that matter."
Spike involuntarily stepped back and raised his hands, "Alright mate. I'm going
to get Dru out of here. Maybe ... no," he grinned, "better we never cross paths
again. I'm going to try to stay out of your way, I'm sure we'll hear from each
other though. Dru and I will leave tonight. I've planned everything. Take care of Darla and if possible forever, because I'm not looking forward meeting her
again. She'll be truly pissed knowing that we've worked together behind her
back."
"I'd say it was nice meeting you but the way it is ...," Angel trailed off but
managed to smile at his grand-childe. Spike surely wasn't the usual kind of
vampire. His affection for Drusilla was certainly more than uncommon.
"No need for flattery," Spike turned towards Buffy and made a slight bow, "But it was really nice meeting you. If you'll ever get tired of him," seeing the blonde raise her brows he laughed. "No, I suppose not. Looks like true love. God, it's really disgusting. Have a good life kids." And with this and a last laugh he was gone.
Buffy turned towards Angel and smiled, "He's strange, but somehow ..."
He quirked a brow at her, "Don't go soft on him. He is as blood-sucking as any
other vampire. But you're right, somehow..."
Both laughed at that. Wrapping his arms around Buffy, Angel closed the door.
****
The vampire formerly known as Riley Finn smiled to himself. Now Darla would take
him serious. He'd some information for her. William had made a deal with Angelus
and the dark-haired vampire had a soul as had Buffy whatever that meant. Riley
was to new in this to understand the deeper meaning. But certainly Darla wouldn't want him anymore now. She would be all his. He smiled and felt utterly superior. Oh yes, it was a good feeling being dead.
With a whistle on his lips he made his way towards their lair. He definitely
loved being in control.
Part 15
"So you expect to be confronted with that woman, what was her name. Oh yes,
Darla." Giles had still problems digesting all the things he'd heard the past 48
hours. "And didn't you say she is the vampire that made you." He looked at Angel
who was sitting comfortably on the large sofa in Giles' library.
"And me," Buffy answered in his place leaning her head against her mate's
shoulder.
"Err, yes, you too." Her father shook his head, "Somehow it's hard for me to
believe this is real. I mean besides the fact that you can change your face
you're still the same Buffy. You even walk in the sun...,"
"Thanks to this," she gave him a smile and touched the necklace, the gem shining
in the light of the fire that was burning in the fireplace, creating a
comfortable atmosphere in the room.
"So somehow nothing has changed, you're even going to get married soon, although
his groom isn't the one expected," Giles glanced quickly at Angel then his gaze
was back on his daughter.
"By the way, the formerly intended is a vampire as well now," Buffy told him.
"He is what?," her father straightened in his chair and his face wore a stunned
expression.
"A vampire," Angel replied. "He's another of Darla's childer. I'm not sure though why she's made him." Exchanging a glance with Buffy, he added, "usually she's more careful in her choices."
******
Exactly the same thoughts went through Spike's head when he hushed Drusilla to
pack her dolls. He'd explained her they had to leave London soon and that she
should get her things together, but quietly and in a way Darla wouldn't notice
it. Fortunately Drusilla had one of her good periods that night and followed his
orders without question. She even smiled at him, "I don't like Darla anyway,"
she told him.
It was only an hour before sunrise and the blonde vampiress hadn't returned to
their lair by now. That was more than unusual for her and Spike wondered what
could be the reason for her strange behaviour. Sure she was furious about Angel
and his little girl but still...
"Where is she?," came a voice from the doorway.
Inwardly groaning Spike turned around and came face to face with the vampire that annoyed him even more than his grand-sire. "Riley," he said on a sigh. "If you're looking for Darla, she isn't around."
The former soldier raised a brow, "Packing already I see," he remarked and
stepped a bit closer.
Spike slightly narrowed his eyes, "And what do you know about it?," he asked.
"You should be more careful who's following you," Riley smirked. "I heard
everything you talked with Angelus."
"He goes under Angel these days," the older vampire snapped. Then he smirked as
well, "And it seems he's got your woman."
Anger welled up in the newly made vampire, "What do you know?," he shouted. "This Angelus obviously uses magic, Darla's still completely obsessed with him too."
"She isn't interested in you, is she?," this was so great, Spike couldn't help
grinning. This conversation was definitely lightening his mood. Seeing the boy
squirm was great entertainment.
Riley snorted at the older vampire and turned around. "She won't like the fact
that you're betraying her," he said, facing Spike again. "It will be a pleasure
to tell her. And I will ... oh no," were his last words. Only a second later
nothing was left of him but a pile of dust.
Spike stared at the spot the vampire had stood before and then a huge grin spread over his face. There stood Drusilla, the most beautiful smile on her face, her eyes shining. "Goody," she exclaimed and jumped up and down, the wooden stake firmly in her hand. "He wanted to tell Mummy. We won't have that, will we, Spike?"
"No, pet, we won't have that," he replied and walked over to her.
"That was fun," her smile grew even wider. "He was an annoying little brat."
Spike shook his head in astonishment, then reached out and pulled her into his
arms. "You're the best pet," he told her and kissed her soundly on her still
smiling lips. Life was truly great.
*****
Darla didn't return to the lair that night. She was sick of Dru's whining, Spike
was annoying her, she missed her favourite childe and lover and Riley was
definitely testing her patience. What had gotten into her when she'd decided to
turn him - if anybody asked her right now she doubted she would have the answer.
No wonder this little girl had dumped him for Angelus. She couldn't really blame
Buffy for it.
She thought about her childe's handsome face and his skills she had enjoyed over
hundred years and decided she definitely couldn't blame Buffy. Shaking her head
she laughed throatily and turned her head to look at the vampire lying beside
her, thankfully he was fast asleep. The sun was high in the sky and that made
vampires sleepy. This particular one was over 600 years old but obviously age had nothing to do with sexual skills. But she needed him for her plans and for this she had to give him what he wanted - for now.
Only the last minute she stopped the growl forming in her throat. He had chosen a silly virgin over her and still she couldn't get Angelus out of her head. She'd been a successful whore all her life, her human life that is and she'd improved her knowledge during her time as a vampire. She couldn't count the various lovers she'd had over the long years of her life or unlife until - well, until she'd chosen Angelus to be her companion. After that she'd almost been monogamous. It wasn't that she hadn't had several possibilities. She was - after all - a beautiful woman, it was just that other men or vampires didn't seem as attractive to her as they had been before.
Damn Angelus for making her feel like that. Damn him for making her still wanting him, more fiercely than ever now. Maybe just because she felt he didn't want her anymore. But she would show him how much better she was than his new toy. Tonight she would close this chapter forever and he would be hers again. She didn't know what she did for nothing. And then she would feel him again.
Feeling herself grow wet at that thought she looked at the vampire beside her
again and not caring for the fact he was still asleep rolled herself on top of
him.
*****
"I love you," Buffy sighed happily and snuggled deeper into Angel's embrace. The
two lay entwined in her bed after a gentle lovemaking that almost made her cry.
Knowing that she was still a bit sour from the night before he'd been so careful
with her as if he'd been handling precious porcellaine.
"I love you too," he replied against her temple and she could feel him smile
against her cool skin. "I can't believe your father is so ... so relaxed about
us."
"I think he realised it's just meant to be this way. Plus the fact that you're
promised to marry me and that I can't get pregnant of course," she planted a kiss on his chest, loving the scent of his body. How she'd ever managed to live
without him was beyond her now. Almost unconsciously her eyes wandered to the
little gem around his neck and she smiled in contentment. This would make sure
nobody could take him away from her again. "I'm very happy you know," she said
after a comfortable silence.
"That makes me very happy," his voice was full of emotion. "This - us -
overwhelms me. I never dreamt to find anything like it in my life. I feel so
truly blessed and don't know what I did to earn it. My life wasn't..."
"Shhh," she silenced him by laying two fingers over his lips. "Don't talk about
it. You proved your worthiness when you couldn't kill me that night. You loved me even when you were supposed not be able to feel love at all. Don't you think it's pretty amazing?"
"Do you know," he chuckled, "for someone so young you're very wise."
"Hmmm," she made and pressed her body against his, rubbing his chin with one of
her tiny feet and making him groan slightly in the process. "Good for you to
notice."
"I'm wise too," he joked and gritted his teeth realising she was teasing him,
trying to arouse him. And for all her innocence she was very successful. He was
more than ready now. "Buffy," he hissed and slapped her hand away from dangerous
ground. "Don't do this."
"Why?," she asked innocently.
"I thought you were sour?," there was a mild question in his voice.
"I thought so too," she replied now looking at him. "But obviously this is soon
fading in vampires." She wiggled her eyebrows making her intentions very clear to him.
Pressing his head back at the pillow he laughed and thanked God that her father
was out of the house for a date. Then he gazed at her again, "Come here you," he
pulled her on top of him. "I can't believe you're the same shy girl I met some
weeks ago."
In reply she just grinned and soon the world was forgotten.
Part 16
AN: Salisbury (the town mentioned in the story beside London, is quite big
nowadays, but wasn't in the late 19th century)
A cry of outrage came from Darla's throat when she entered her lair the next
evening. She had not only spent a night and a day with some not-so satisfying
sex, but now her lair was empty as well.
It wasn't so much the vampire ashes, which proved to be the remains of her
annoying new childe - she had thought about staking him herself already - no, but the fact that Spike and Drusilla had obviously left without telling her that
outraged her.
It was all her fault. That little virgin had caused all this trouble. She had
disliked her before, now she hated her with all her might. First Angelus and now
even Spike and Drusilla had deserted her. Darla narrowed her eyes. Deserted her.
HA! Nobody did that to her. She was an old powerful vampiress, a direct
descendent of the Master's line, her name caused fear throughout the whole
vampire population, but of course not with Angelus.
The independence, stubbornness and power, that had always thrilled her in him
proved to be a disadvantage now. He didn't need her. Usually childer were
addicted to their sires and for a long time she had given in to the illusion it
was the same with him, but of course she'd known better all the time. He wasn't
like this and since that little blonde chick had entered his life ...
And even as a vampire she hadn't lost her attraction for him. "You will pay," she shouted and kicked a chair out of her way, "You will pay for taking him from me!"
******
Angel and Buffy couldn't care less if they had known about the threats from
Darla's mouth. They felt safe together. They'd spent the day strolling through
Hyde-Park, enjoying the rays of the sun and holding hands. They had even visited
Buffy's friend Willow but of course without telling her about the vampire-part.
There was no reason to get her into this.
Her shock had been big enough when Buffy had told her that her engagement with
Riley was off and that she would marry Angel instead. He had to chuckle at that
thought and when he looked at the girl walking beside him he found her watching
him. "What?," he asked.
"Nothing," she smiled, "I'm just happy and all thanks to you."
"Oh Buffy," he couldn't help but to be deeply moved. It was his deepest fear she
would regret her existence one day. He hadn't made her a vampire but he sure as
hell was responsible for her becoming one. Darla would've never noticed her if it hadn't been for him. But so far she insisted that she had never been so happy
before in her life. And thanks to the Gem of Amarra their life was almost normal. Her father was taking everything incredibly well, maybe he was still in shock about all this and also thanks to the little gems around their necks they didn't have to fear anything.
"Are you happy, Angel?," she asked after a while, looking straight ahead.
"You know I am," he answered without hesitation. "I can't remember ever having
been so happy in my life. I still have difficulties to believe this is real."
She beamed, "When I met you that night. You know when I came from the bookshop. I just knew you were the one. I instantly knew that my life with Riley would be
boring. I know that you still blame yourself for me becoming a vampire, but," she paused for a moment and glanced at him, "if nothing else it saved me from
becoming Riley's wife. Maybe that gives you some peace."
They walked for another while in silence. Darkness had fallen over the city and
the streets were empty. Lights were shining from the big houses where the high
society was celebrating their balls. "And you're sure you're not gonna miss
this?," he pointed at a carriage where elegantly dressed ladies and gentlemen
descended to attend a ball.
She shook her head, "I never liked it anyway. It's so superficial. When my father and I were still living in Salisbury there weren't as many balls and receptions and I lived happily there. London is so ... so grand. I'm a country town girl, Angel."
He had to grin, "Are you now? But you had big plans nevertheless. Seeing the
world is a big step from a country town."
Buffy shrugged, "Maybe, but even as a little girl I loved to hear stories about
people who travelled the globe. I always wanted to see America. I never thought
I'd get there ... until you came." She glanced at him again, "stop frowning,
Angel. Maybe there'll be times when I whish to live another life, but I think
that's something that happens to everyone. Today I'm very happy."
*****
Sir Giles looked up from his book when he heard someone knocking at the door.
Glancing at the clock he frowned, who could come at that late hour? With a sigh
he closed the book and put it on the little table beside him, then removed his
glasses.
When he opened the door he came face to face with a beautiful woman who was
smiling at him, "Yes?," he raised a brow.
"Sir Giles, what a pleasure to meet you," she replied. "I'm a friend of the young man who is living with you."
"Angel?"
"That's his name now? Hmm? Well, yes ... a friend of Angel's. Could I speak to
him?"
Giles unconsciously stepped back, "They aren't at home. My daughter and her
fiancée are out for a walk," he said.
"Fiancée?," and expression of pure hatred entered her eyes. "How nice," she
remarked, her voice dripping of sarcasm. "Well," she chuckled slightly and then
changed into her demonic features, "it seems we have to have some fun on your own
then."
Panic entered his eyes, but he remembered Angel's words and said, "You cannot
enter demon. You are not invited here."
She smiled at him through prolonged canines, "That's where you are wrong," she
hissed.
****
Buffy and Angel had been walking the rest of the way to her house in silence.
When they arrived there the first thing they noticed was the fact that the door
wasn't closed. Angel tensed instantly and Buffy froze at his side. "Wh - what?,"
she asked, her voice trembling.
He just shook his head and put a finger on his lips. Vampires, his insides were
screaming and panic crept up his spine. He had instructed Buffy's father not to
invite anybody after dark, but he had forgotten that Buffy, who was living here,
was a vampire now which made the house open for other vampires as well. Damn! How could he have been so careless. The Gem around his neck had lulled them into
this, he was sure of it.
Squeezing Buffy's hand he took a deep unnecessary breath, slowly pushed the door
all the way open and froze dead in his tracks. Buffy bumped right into him.
"What?," she whispered again.
He closed his eyes already smelling what had happened here. Oh God, he thought.
Oh sweet God, no! She doesn't deserve this. He pulled her to his side and looked
at her, his voice grave, while she was staring at him with wide, fearful eyes,
"Buffy. You're a vampire as well, don't you smell the blood?"
If it was possible she was even paler now as usual, "B ... blood?"
He nodded, "Yes. Buffy, I want you to stay here in the hall. Don't follow me," he instructed her. But when he started to walk towards the library, she clung to his harm. He closed he eyes again to gather strength and turned, "Please, Buffy. Wait here."
She looked at him for a long time, then slowly nodded and let go, leaning against the wall for support. They hadn't said a word but both vampires knew what became certainty the moment Angel entered the library.
There was Buffy's father laying on the ground, two puncture wounds on his neck,
his body rigid already. It was the work of a vampire and Darla's scent was
all-over him.
Part 17
A sob behind him made Angel snap out of his daze. Slowly turning around his gaze
met the one of his beloved. Her eyes were wide and filled with horror, she was
pressing her fist into her mouth to keep herself from screaming.
"Oh God, Buffy, I'm so sorry," he tried to reach out for her, but she flinched
from his touch.
"Father," she whispered, tears streaming down her face. Her whole body was
trembling and when she finally moved towards the still form of the man she'd
known all her life she had to summon all her strength to keep herself from
breaking down.
In front of him she sunk down to her knees and her trembling hand touched his
face. He was so still, so cold, so ..., "Oh God," she suddenly screamed and fell
on his chest, "Papa," she cried, "Please, Papa." Her body was shaking with sobs
and she clung to the dead body. "No, no, Papa," she repeated again and again.
*
It broke Angel's heart and he couldn't help but feel responsible for this as
well. She'd lost so much in only some days and it was all connected to him. He
wanted to touch her, comfort her, but he knew that she wouldn't let him at the
moment. Her grief was deep and he could only stand and watch her. His soul cried
with her and suddenly feeling weak he leaned back to the wall and closed his
eyes.
*
He didn't know how long he had been standing there but he was instantly alert
when he heard a noise from the door. He waited only a second and then with a
quick move spun around to grab the intruder at his throat.
"Oh, oh, Angel my friend, it's only me!"
"Whistler," the vampire hissed through gritted teeth and let go of him. "Where
the hell have you been? You were supposed to be here."
"Had some busi...," the demon started when his eyes fell to the girl who was
still clinging to the dead body of her father. "Oh, no, what happened?," he
asked.
"A little present from Darla," Angel replied, his voice flat.
Whistler, the king of good mood and jokes, sobered instantly, "Darla did this? But how," then he slapped his forehead, "of course, a vampire is living inside this house."
"W-what do you m-mean?," Buffy raised her tear-streamed face and looked at the
two men in the room.
"Buffy," slowly Angel kneeled down beside her, "when a vampire lives in a house
it's no longer protected. Any other vampire can enter." He closed his eyes for a
short moment, "I ... I forgot all about it. I'm so sorry."
"So she just went in and killed him?," she asked, wiping her cheeks with one
hand.
"Yes," he nodded, preparing himself for her accusations, knowing he earned
whatever she would do to him.
But as she had before, she surprised him again, "I'm going to kill her," her
voice was cold and determined.
"We will," he assured her, but she shook her head.
"No, Angel. You don't understand. *I* am going to kill her. You can come and
watch, but *I* will kill her." She looked him straight into the eye and he knew
she wouldn't discuss this. "I know we haven't talked about this so far, but now I want to know," her glance quickly flew to Whistler, then back to her lover, "I
want you to show me how to kill a vampire."
***
And so they did. After taking care of all the formalities to burry her father,
they began to train in earnest. Angel was an experienced fighter, his years when
the demon had been in control were paying now. Angelus had always cared for his
body and had mastered several martial arts.
Now Buffy was learning too. And he showed her every possible way to kill a
vampire. Fire. Holy Water. Decapitation. And Staking.
He was amazed how well she learned, how quickly she became a master herself. They began to hunt each night and after a week she was almost as good as her lover. But what amazed him even more was the fact that she didn't blame him. Not once she accused him, for her it was no doubt that the demon and the ensouled version were two different beings.
Whistler taught them all they had to know about theory. He explained a lot about
prophecies, the different sorts of demons and many other interesting things.
It was good for all of them, it kept them busy and Buffy's mind off her father's
death, but of course they knew that the final confrontation with Darla was
inevitable.
Since the night she'd killed Sir Giles they hadn't heard from her, but Angel
could feel she was still around. Buffy would've been able to feel it too, had she been more experienced as a vampire.
After two weeks they began to search for Darla. Both wanted to have the matter
over and done with. Buffy because she hated the vampiress with all her heart,
Angel because he wanted nothing more than see Buffy at peace again. She was
tossing and turning in her sleep and crying out her father's name. And again
Angel wished he could've spared her the pain of all this. But it was too late for it and all they could do now was deal. Giving in to self-accusations and
self-pity, so he realised, wouldn't help her. She needed him by her side now, the future was what counted, dwelling on the past wouldn't miraculously make the pain go away.
And then, exactly three weeks after Sir Giles' death it happened. They had just
dusted three younger vampires in a dark alley, when a well known voice suddenly
called out to them. "Welcome, my children."
Part 18
Slowly the two ensouled vampires turned. They didn't look at each other but as if suddenly a link between them had been opened their minds began to silently
communicate. They were only surprised for a second, but Whistler had already told them that something like that would happen eventually as their connection grew. It was only another proof that they were meant for each other.
"Darla," Angel greeted his sire almost casually. His body seemed relaxed, but
inside every muscle, every tendon was tense, ready to jump into action whenever
needed.
A smile played around her lips. Lips that he had once found attractive, didn't
appeal to him anymore. It was her eyes. His demon hadn't cared for eyes but for
Angel the empty, cold expression in them was repulsive. He even had to force
himself to look at her without a snarl of disgust. She still had an attractive,
sensual body, but it meant nothing to him anymore. Relief washed over him, this
woman, this vampire was his sire and he hadn't been looking forward meeting her.
But now he knew he could go through with it.
"Angelus," she purred, only shortly glancing at Buffy who was standing beside her favourite childe. "You have been a bad boy," her voice was like silk. "Just
leaving like this. It was cold and lonely in my bed. You know he shared a bed,
don't you," her eyes were on the younger woman now. "We shared every possible
pleasure for over a century. Do you really think you can hold him?" A throaty
laughter was to be heard in the dark alley, "He might be ... infatuated with you
for a while. He sometimes needed ... a distraction. Like Dru," she flashed Angel
a quick smile, then narrowed her eyes when looking at Buffy again, "I have to say you have your ...," her eyes roamed the woman's body, "qualities, but ...," she shrugged and made a pitying sound.
"Really, Angelus," she closed her eyes for a moment then smiled at him, a loving, forgiving smile, that left him only cold. "Did you think I wouldn't forgive you? You should've known better. We both belong together, nobody can change it. I even allow you to take her with you for a while ... as long as you want her. We could have fun together, the three of us."
Buffy had to suppress a gasp. She had heard whispers about such relationships,
but as a girl of the better society nobody had dared to talk to her about
something like that. Books containing these things were strictly forbidden for
women. There was certainly a lot Angel had to explain to her, because as much as
the thought repulsed her to be touched intimately by a woman, she wanted to know
about it. She was startled when she felt Angel chuckle inwardly and a smile
crossed her lips. There was something to be said about telepathic communication.
Darla's voice snapped them out of their connection, "No comments?," she shook her head. "I'm disappointed."
"Frankly, I'm not interested at all what you are or what not," Buffy's voice was
cold and controlled. This vampire had murdered her father, and the hatred was
boiling inside of her, but three weeks of training had taught her not to give in. Angel had explained again and again that she mustn't allow her emotions to
control her. In combat the first and most important rule was to stay focussed and never let emotions distract you.
"Listen to her Angelus!," Darla laughed, "isn't she the feisty one." Then she
whirled around to gaze at Buffy, her eyes sparkling with anger, " Don't you
forget that I'm your sire, girl! I'm the one who made you what you are today.
Don't you realise what that means? Childers are meant to pay respect to their
sires."
"I owe you nothing," Buffy replied, her voice still controlled. "You killed my
father. And you will die for this tonight."
Darla rolled her eyes and threw here hands in the air, "What is this? Yeah, I
killed that old man. So what? I'm a vampire and kill humans, you're vampires
too."
"We're nothing like you," Angel said. "Nothing, do you hear!"
"Don't bore me with that soul-crap again," she replied angrily. "I had all I can
stand about this nonsense. Your little demon friend was already telling me, you
remember? You really want to throw everything away only because of some pathetic, filthy soul?" She stepped closer to him, began to circle him, her hand touching him, trailing along his back. Her eyes were half-closed, her sexual intention clear and her voice hoarse and inviting, "You're sure about that? Don't you remember all the wonderful days we had? Did you forget all the fun we had together? Think about it, Angelus, is it worth trading it for a little virgin whose attraction will fade in no time." She stopped, her chin laying on his shoulder, one hand touching his chest.
With a quick movement he grabbed her hands and pushed her away from him, "There
isn't anything worth trading, Darla," he told her. "I love Buffy. She loves me.
We have something you'll never understand. You could offer armies of lovers to me and it wouldn't change what I feel. I know, this sounds unbelievable for you, but it's the truth, accept it." Then he shrugged, "on a second thought, it's really not important if you do, because you won't have time for it. This will end tonight, Darla. Once and for all."
"Well," she shook her head slightly, "somehow I knew you'd be stubborn, so...,"
she nodded to someone behind her two childer, "I didn't came completely on my
own."
Buffy and Angel spun around and before they could even blink they were
surrounded by about 20 vampires, who didn't look as if they'd come for a nice,
friendly conversation.
"This is my last offer," Darla said, her body-posture relaxed. She was certain
she was in control of the situation and she was eager to show them her superior
position. "You can both come back to me and I'll forgive everything or ...," she
trailed off and an evil chuckle left her mouth, then she licked her lips and she
shrugged, "well, I suppose you can guess what'll happen."
"Forget about it," Buffy replied, her body fully alert.
"Angelus?," Darla turned towards the dark-haired vampire, ignoring her younger
childe completely. She wasn't interested in her at all.
He just shrugged, "You heard my mate."
At his last word, Darla's control snapped. Angel had fully intended it to happen, he was through with playing word-games. This had to end tonight and the sooner the better he decided. With a cry of outrage her face shifted into its demonic features and she launched an attack at Buffy, the other vampires following her swiftly.
Buffy felt the claws of her sire around her throat, squeezing her windpipe and
for the first time she was glad she didn't have to breathe anymore. Remembering
all the things Angel had taught her throughout the last three weeks she landed a
quick punch into Darla's stomach and the vampiress let go of her. Then with a
roundhouse kick she pushed her even further backwards, cursing the long skirts
which weren't the ideal clothes for fighting vampires. Buffy had already heard
about women wearing pants and she decided that she would try to get some of them
herself as soon as she had time to think about it.
The same moment another vampire attacked her from behind, but she quickly
produced a stake from under her skirts and he was dust in no time. Angel was
doing good beside her. He'd staked seven vampires already and some of them even
began to run realising they were going against someone much stronger then they.
With horror in her eyes Darla watched what was happening. No, she screamed
inwardly. The girl was fighting well, and she could see Angelus' handwriting in
her moves. There was no doubt he had taught her how to handle herself in combat.
Uncontrollable rage began to consume her body. He had betrayed her in more than
one way. She could forgive his infatuation with another body, but never this.
Never the fact that he had shared skills, she herself had taught him, with
another.
Her hands were trembling with rage when she reached for the crossbow she had
hidden under a stone just in case. If she couldn't have him, nobody else would.
Certainly not this little girl. She said she loved him, well then, she would
suffer seeing him die. With a deep breath and feeling the ultimate power her
hands steadied and slowly she pulled the trigger.
Angel dusted the last vamp attacking him and seeing Buffy brushing dust from her
skirts he gave her a quick smile. He never even saw the bolt come. It hit him out of the blue and went straight into his heart.
"In the end, Angelus, I've won," Darla shouted, a triumphant expression on her
face.
Angel watched her with an odd look in his eyes and then to her horror removed the arrow with a quick movement from his chest, a smile playing around his lips, he was obviously completely unharmed.
"No, Darla," Buffy's eyes were cold, and then she threw the stake. The moment the wood penetrated her sire's chest, she added, "you lost."
"Noooo," the older vampire cried, but she knew it was over and only seconds later her remains drifted away with the wind, leaving her childer alone with each other in the dark alley.
*
Buffy was the first to move and she reached out to touch Angel's chest where the
bolt had pierced it, "Are you okay?," she looked up and searched his eyes.
He smiled, "Yes. I'm fine. Thanks to this," he pointed the little gem on his
neck. "It didn't even hurt." Planting a kiss on her forehead he added, "It was
rather strange though."
"I bet," she replied and pressed her head against his chest, encircling his waist with her arms and holding him close. "It's over," she whispered.
He slightly pulled back and put a finger under her chin so that she had to look
at him, "Yes, but only for now. It'll never be over."
"No," she nodded and sighed. "I suppose not. We're vampire hunters after all."
Suddenly a grin appeared on her face, "But it's not half bad. I mean, hey I can
beat them up and don't get hurt in the process and the best part is you won't get hurt either. We can go out into the sunlight, stay young forever, at least on the outside, life forever - together. Life could be worse."
"Yeah," he stroked her hair. "Eternity with you. Not half-bad."
"Maybe we should go home now," she suggested. "I feel tired all of a sudden."
He grinned, "Do you now?"
"Hmmm," she replied when they began to walk. "Well, not too tired."
"Good," he grinned.
"Angel?"
"Hmmm?"
"Did you ever think about going to America?."
He stopped and looked at her, "You want to go to America?"
"Yeah," she replied and continued walking. "I already told you I want to see the
world."
"So you did." There was a smile in his voice.
"And there's another important fact."
"And what's that?"
"Some women already wear trousers there."
In response he laughed.
END
That's it guys. Hope you enjoyed the ride.