Hi people! I'm new at this html. thing so... if there are mistakes, please don't kill me.

TITLE: Complex Cycles (ex-Alternate Reality) Chapter 3

AUTHOR: Leni

DISCLAIMER: No matter what you think the characters are rightfully *his*. I'm only playing with them.

DISTRIBUTION: All yours. Just tell me.

AN: Remember: this is an *very* ALTERNATE universe fic.

RATING: PG13 just to be safe.

FEEDBACK: *Very* appreciated. Even flames if you're fair. If you have *any* idea PLEASE send it too. dani_vasq@hotmail.com , a_d_v_v@yahoo.com.ar

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Day 3 Friday _______*Life Goes On*

He glanced at her slim form under the covers. He just couldn't help himself. He had awakened to a sound from downstairs - probably just a minion too drunk to be stealthy enough - and hadn't been able to go back to sleep.

Buffy's body was curled up besides his own, her legs intertwined lightly between his. Her face was that of an innocent maiden having sweet dreams and he knew that she would look like one were it not for her nude state. She was using his shoulder as a pillow and he would probably feel her breath on his chest if she were breathing at all. He smiled softly and wondered for the thousandth time what would he do without his Dark Goddess. He never wanted to know the answer to that.

He stared at her and passed his hands lovingly through her blonde hair. If she were able to walk under the sun her hair would be of a shining gold colour, just as it had been once. Now it was more of a very light auburn but not dull as a Watcher had once described in his Diary. He frowned. Nothing about his Goddess could ever be considered dull. That Watcher had paid dearly for his audacity. To be locked up in a burning house with the corpse of his Slayer at his side had been his fair punishment. Not one of his best works, Angelus mused, but he had been too eager to kill him to bother much about the details.

He felt Buffy stirring at his side and stilled himself. He didn't want her to awake before she had to. He knew how much she liked to rest all day... nearly as much as she liked *not* to rest.

"What are you doing?" she murmured sleepily.

"Looking at you." He felt her smile against his skin.

"Do you like what you see?" she asked turning her head to look at him.

"I like... no. I *love* everything about you." He kissed her temple softly. "Go to sleep, love. I never intended to awaken you for now."

She remained where she was. "I had a dream," she whispered

"A dream?" He didn't like it when she had dreams. "What did you see, baby?" Mostly they were warnings and some of them had actually saved their unlives but they usually just bothered her and didn't let them live in peace for a while. Still, if he couldn't spare her the dreams then he would at least try to make the most of them and then concentrate on calming his mate.

But she still hadn't answered him.

"Baby?" He caressed her cheek with his free hand. "Tell me what you saw," he prodded gently. Buffy furrowed deeper into his embrace but didn't say a word. "Please. I want to know."

Buffy saw the concern in his eyes and nodded. "I... I saw my little sister. She was crying. She was crying so loud that she couldn't hear my voice. I saw her kneeling on the dirt in front of my house. She was calling for someone but she knew he would never come. And the tears kept falling and falling..."

There were tears in her eyes now. This was why he hated those dreams. Buffy would always be upset and fragile afterwards. Still, he knew it was even worse if she kept them for herself. "What else, Buffy?"

"She had blonde hair like mine, and it was so long and the wind carried it away. My sister was crying because she was lost and there was nobody to lead her away. She was lost in the darkness, in my darkness or maybe in ours, too. She felt angry and betrayed and she couldn't reach the light. My sister was lost and crying and the dirt stained her pretty, pretty dress..." She stopped her rambles and eyed him carefully. "Do I tell her the truth, Angelus? Do I show her the way to salvation, the way back home? My little sister needs me, do I run towards her like I should?"

He kept silence for a while. Buffy did never have a little sister. Who the hell is this woman who appears in her dreams? "Leave her where she is, love. She doesn't need you." He paused and gazed into her green eyes. "I do."

"Aye. You will always need me, Angelus." She stared off into the space for a long time. Just when it was beginning to unnerve Angelus, she came back to her senses. Her demeanour was solemn when she faced him again. "I'll leave her alone but I warn you, if she stays in the darkness it might lead her to us and then her fury will be directed towards us only. She might be dangerous..." she trailed off.

"I don't fear her," he said.

She caressed his jaw-line lightly and smiled briefly. "No, you don't. You have already promised to give me her heart after all." She gave him a last, soft kiss and drifted off to sleep.

He kissed her on top of her head and brought her body closer to his. "Sleep tight, love." he murmured. Angelus stayed awake for a long time wondering what her dream could have meant.

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Xander was worried. *Very* worried. Darla's mother had called him late at night asking for her daughter. She had known that the three friends would meet at Xander's house after the librarian's burial. At first Xander had been surprised at Darla's disappearance, he had thought her already safe at home. However, he had recovered rapidly and said that Darla surely was still with Cordelia. Then he had called Cordelia and told her to conceal Darla's absence from her mother. They certainly didn't want Mrs. White to think the worst about her daughter, and considering her strange behaviour - and especially the amount of problems Darla always managed to get in - it wasn't a difficult task to do. Regretfully Darla's mom seemed to think that her daughter was lost in the worst kind of teenager chaos. Drugs; gangs; prostitution... who knows what had crossed her mind. She still hadn't any proof but having Darla disappearing for a whole night certainly wouldn't help her case.

"Have you seen her?" Xander asked Cordelia bluntly when she finally arrived. He had been waiting for her at the entrance of the school building for some time now.

She stopped mid-step and looked searchingly around herself. Xander knew what she had been doing; looking for her so-called friends or for whoever would recognise her. God forbids someone would see the SH Princess with a geek as myself . She finally shrugged and walked decisively towards him. "No. And she didn't return to her home either."

Cordelia had been hoping that Darla regained her senses and went back to her house. Apparently it wasn't meant to be. "Her mom called me early in the morning. I did as you told me to and told her that Darla stayed with me overnight and that she was still sleeping. I'm glad she believed me. A lifelong friendship certainly helps when you are lying to your friend's parents."

"You are lucky then. Mrs. Duncan sounded as if I was hiding her daughter in my closet." He sighed. He liked Darla's mother. Hell, he wanted her as his future mother-in-law but sometimes that woman could get on his nerves!

Cordelia decided to change the course of the conversation to safer - and funnier - matters. "Oh no, I don't think Auntie Joyce was worried about your closet at all. Your bed would have been another matter, though..." She left her sentence hanging and grinned widely when a tell-tale blush appeared on his cheeks. "Oh well, you still did it good, Xand. That famous brain of yours works really fast, you know? But I still can't believe that *you* - Mr. I'm-So-Righteous - would be telling *me* to lie to my aunt? Worse yet, I can't believe I would ever follow *your* ideas? Even if it wasn't a bad one! I'm telling you, Harris, the End of Days is really coming!" Xander decided that she was only joking. Sometimes it was hard to tell the difference. Then her tone became serious again. "And we need the Slayer to stop it... If only we knew where she is..." She frowned.

Xander could tell that his fri... No. No 'friend' now. ...that *Cordelia* was worried about Darla. She surely had taken it pretty seriously. The girl had dark rings under her eyes and he could even tell that her lipstick didn't match her nail polish - not that he ever noticed that kind of things. He shook his head. Definitely not. Yeah, sure and you also didn't notice that the shirt she is using now is brand new *and* tighter. Of course not! Yeah, sure...

Cordelia spoke at last. "I was hoping we would find her here."

Xander's inner struggle stopped at that. "*Here*? Like *at school* here? Why would she?" He really couldn't think of an only reason to come to school when you didn't have any class. Of course, saving the world from an Apocalypse was a clear exception; but there wasn't any world-salvage scheduled for last night. It didn't make sense that Darla would come.

"Oh, I don't know." Cordelia bit her lower lip. She always did that when she felt frustrated. You notice such a tiny detail and you didn't see the *tight* shirt? Colour me unbelieving. Xander shook his head again and concentrated on his sometimes friend's voice. "Maybe she wanted to destroy a few things or collect Giles' last remembrances or whatever..." She reconsidered her own words. "That's it! Come on, let's go." She grabbed his arm and began pulling him in the general direction of the library.

"Wait, wait, wait, Cordy." He snapped out of her grip. "Are you sure of this? I mean... You? The library? You don't do the library, remember? What about that speech about your oh so important rep?"

"Shessh, Xander, my friend IS more important than a rep. Even you should know it!" She snatched his arm again. She continued speaking while dragging him down the aisle towards the library. "Else it's early and nobody will see me. Now come on!"

"Figures." Xander mumbled under his breath. And I actually hoped something had changed after last night.

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Anya furrowed her brow. She *knew* that there was something going on between Cordelia and Xander. Let's see what she says next time. Now I have proofs of her involvement with him. She is practically hauling him towards the library! She remembered the lame excuse Cordelia had given her just two days ago. 'Studying'. Ha! If those two are going to study then I am an immortal demon-chick!

The Emersons had come to this god-forgotten town just some months ago. Anya's father had been sent to the Sunnydale branch of the company he worked for after the sudden demise of his predecessor. Anya had had to leave her old school and her old friends in L.A and follow her parents to this horrid town. She still couldn't understand how people could like their life in Sunnydale. It was boring like hell.

She remembered with longing her sophomore year in Hemery High. She had been head-cheerleader and Homecoming Queen. Her boyfriend had been the cutest guy in the football team. She had been the one who decided what was 'in' or 'out' at her school and people had feared her biting comments and/or practically kissed her feet for a single praise. Wherever she went there always were two or more cronies admiring her... Anya sighed. She missed those times. Here she was nothing. Sure, she had managed to get Cordelia's and Harmony's approval and 'friendship' -even if she despised them both- and she was the most popular girl after them BUT that meant absolutely nothing for Anya Emerson. She didn't want to be one more groupie like nearly all the other girls -and boys - at the school. She wanted to build her own heard of followers. She wanted *everything*. Maybe then Sunnydale would get a bit more exciting...

However, to reach her goal she would have to get one -preferably two- of the actual Queen-wannabes out of the 'popular picture'. At first she had concentrated on Harmony, knowing instantly that the blonde girl didn't have enough neurones to take a bus without her credit card; but she hadn't found anything interesting enough to use against her. Rich parents, always the latest car, always the last fashioned clothes, always hanging with the right crew... even if her attempts at dating were *always* major disasters Harmony lived in her perfect rosey Barbie-World. Nothing could be done against her.

Next in her list was Cordelia Chase. Anya had known since the beginning that going against the brunette would be even more difficult because the girl actually had some brains and else she had that way with words which left her followers smitten around her little finger to do as she pleased. Her worst mistake? Picking a freak as her best friend. But all in all Darla was a *cool* freak and once upon a time she had been the head-cheerleader of the school. Darla was still respected by the popular crew. From what Anya had gathered about them she had concluded that the two girls had been best friends since first grade. Together, they had managed to climb into the social ladder until reaching the highest spots. However, more than a year ago Darla had suffered a change. She had grown more and more indifferent and isolated, so much that now only Cordelia's faithfulness to her best friend and the memory of what once was maintained her in the 'in' crowd. But still, no matter how many rumours rounded Darla Duncan it was not stopping Cordelia from being the most popular girl on campus.

Anya's plans had seemed to be doomed until some days ago... But after seeing Cordelia following Xander - AKA 'Computer Freak' - into the library for the third time in a week Anya knew that she had found the weak spot in Cordelia's armour and she planned to make good use of it.

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"See? I was right."

They were at the door of the office in the library. Darla was sleeping on the chair at the desk, with her head buried between her arms. Underneath, as a pillow, was one of Giles' books. The Slayer had obviously been studying something before falling asleep.

"Ok, ok, so you were right. Now lower your voice, you will wake her up," Xander said in hushed tones.

"Well, it's not as if she could keep on sleeping. Classes begin in five minutes, you know," Cordelia said matter of factly. Anyway, she lowered her tone a few decibels. Both neared the sleeping girl and Cordelia tapped her softly on the shoulder.

Darla awoke with a jolt. She grabbed the stake which had been hidden in her lap and pointed it towards her friends. Just when she recognised them she began to relax.

"Easy, girl." Xander raised his hands in a mock-defensive motion. "You are not going to kill your old pals, are you? Who will bring you your favourite snacks if not me? Only *I* know where to get those chocolates you like so much...You can't even kill Cordy. Whom will you speak about boys and hairdos with? Of course that's not me. I prefer death before saying that Brad Pitt is even remotely cute." Darla smiled. It was a tired smile but it was a far cry from the worried frown she had before. Seeing his results Xander goaded on. "And, most of all, who will worry about your whereabouts when you decide to run away in the middle of the night?" he said, scolding her half-jokingly. "Seriously, Darla, where were you last night? We were really worried, you know. And I am pretty sure your parents would be, too. You are lucky Cordelia was there to cover you."

"Oh no, I forgot completely about them!" Darla said distressed. She had really forgotten to go home. In her frantic search for some clues she had forgotten about nearly everything. "What am I going to do now? Dad will kill me when I'm back!" She buried her head in her hands. "I don't even wanna think what my mother will do..." she mumbled miserably.

"Haven't you heard Xander? I covered for you," Cordelia told her, "your mother now thinks you've been at my house overnight. Just tell them how much fun we had together."

Darla nodded thankfully. She was about to say something when Xander interrupted her.

"Well, Darla, care to tell us why did you decide there wasn't a better place to sleep than school?" Xander asked. They could tell that he was serious now.

Darla sighed. There was no use in delaying the bad news. "He's a vampire." At the confused looks of her friends she continued. "I went to Giles' grave. He wasn't there. He's a vampire now." There was silence. "And then I began to think... " 'After I practically massacred those four vampires', she added for herself. "and well, Cordy said yesterday that they were *waiting*. For what? For me? I don't think so. They *could* have followed and attacked me but they didn't *want* to."

"Are you saying they wanted US?" Xander interrupted, catching on her idea.

"Not you. Just Giles. Don't forget that you were there only by chance. They were only interested in Giles. And then I wondered why. Giles isn't a threat. He is a Watcher, he *watches*. But then, he also *knows* everything. In the last weeks he was worried about something, a prophecy maybe... I really didn't pay much attention."

"So you came here to research without us," Cordelia scolded her.

Darla raised her head to look directly at her friend's eyes. She was going to say this only once and hope they would understand her. "Sorry Cordy, but I've decided it. I'm doing this alone. I told you last night. I can't do my job if you're in danger. It's not fair for you; slaying is my duty, not yours." She had prepared herself for this all night. It was going to hurt to have them leave her but it was necessary. She couldn't let them get hurt. If she were doomed to remain alone for the safety of her friends then so be it.

Cordelia knew exactly what her best friend was thinking. They had gone through this many times in these last years. Why wouldn't she understand once and for all? She went to Darla and grabbed her harshly by the shoulders. "Oh no! You're SO not doing this. I told you that you wouldn't be alone and you won't. And believe me when I say I don't care if you agree or not. I'm sticking with you anyway." Cordelia stated fiercely. She wasn't about to leave her only friend to the wolves... or vampires. She hadn't done it before and she would never do it. Darla was like a sister and she certainly deserved her loyalty.

Darla noted the resolution in her eyes and gave up... for now. She would find a way to convince Cordelia later. Thank God that their other friend would be easier. He had met her only a year ago, after all. He wouldn't be as attached to her as her lifelong friend was. "What about you, Xand?" She turned to him.

Xander rolled his eyes exasperatedly. "Do you really need to ask?" He winked at her. If the Ice Princess was going to stick with their friend then he certainly could do it. Hell, he would do it even if he were the only one!

Now Darla was truly surprised. She hadn't been prepared for this. "It'll be dangerous" She stated. Why should they be so stubborn?

Cordelia barely blinked.

"Danger?" Xander laughed. "I laugh in the face of danger." Darla stared at him. "And then I hide until it goes away." He grinned and winked at his friend.

For the first time in many days Darla really laughed.

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The two senior students were quietly walking down the aisle towards the music room.

"I'm going to get her back," one of them said finally.

Oz glanced at his friend. "Uhmm..."

"I'll sweep her off her feet. You'll see. A good, nice excuse, some flowers and she'll be in my arms again. She will forgive me before she knows it." Devon began to list mentally the things Darla liked. Mint-centred bonbons, pink roses in her locker, little collectible plush toys, cross-necklaces... His friend's voice interrupted him.

"Give up, man."

He liked Oz because he was a guy of few words; but in cases like this one he really wished for his friend to have a more extended vocabulary. "Give up? Are you crazy? Why should I?"

"She won't take you," the recently blue-headed boy answered matter-of-factly.

"Of course she will." Devon knew Darla would end up forgiving him, it could take some days but in the end they would be back together. He really liked Darla, she was a nice chick to show around in the gigs and she wasn't demanding as the others. In fact, many times he had found himself practically dragging her into a date. "You don't know her as much as I do," he accused.

It was true. Oz hadn't met Darla more than three or maybe four times; but he knew that a girl like her wasn't made for 'rebound material'. Devon just wanted her back because the exchange student hadn't wanted to stick around after that night. Devon was so childlike sometimes... He just shrugged to show his position on the matter.

Suddenly Devon gripped his forearm. "Hey, Oz. Look over there," he whispered and pointed to their right. There, a few meters in front of them, was a blonde girl walking with her back to them. "There is she. Today is my lucky day, man. I thought I wouldn't even see her. Who knows, maybe I won't need those flowers after all." Devon winked and headed off towards Darla.

Oz just shook his head.

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Both girls stayed open-mouthed for a long while. Then the taller one, Sophia, spoke.

"You kidding, right?"

Anya shook her head in denial. She had encountered the two cheerleaders in the bathroom doing their make-up. Deciding to begin her plans as sooner as possible, she had told them about what she had seen.

"I don't believe it," said the other one, "She wouldn't do something so... so..."

"Stupid?" The dark-haired girl supplied. Sophia wasn't known for thinking much about Cordelia. Still, she didn't think that the popular girl would go out with Harris, it was simply impossible.

"Yeah..."

"Well, better believe it. I myself saw them together just some minutes ago."

"I think you are just exaggerating, Anya." Sophia said in a scolding tone. "Do you really think they would ever be together? You weren't here last year, if you had been then you would know that it's impossible."

Suzanne intervened. "Yeah, I remember. They fought like dogs and cats for months."

"Yes? Well, I haven't seen them fight since I was here... on the contrary I've seen them acting very friendly to each other." She grinned, "and I bet they are even more friendly behind closed doors."

Suzanne waved her hand dismissively "That's just because Harris is Darla's friend now. Cordy wouldn't do a thing to anger her best friend. Else, I've heard he helps her with some courses."

"And you believe it?" Anya asked genuinely amused.

"Yeah, Sue is right. I for one won't believe such a thing until I see for myself... if ever!" Sophia said not bothering to answer Anya's question.

"Same with me," Suzanne declared heading to the door.

After some moments they both left leaving a seething Anya alone in the bathroom.

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Darla was quite happy. Her friends had decided to stick with her and though she really preferred them out of danger it was good to know that she could always count on them for anything. They had remained in the library going through Giles' books until the bell had rung. Xander had brought up the problem of a new location and they had decided to discuss it over lunch. She was already late for her Maths class... Mr. Bock would be SO annoyed. She shrugged; it was not as if it was the first time she came late into his classroom.

"Hi Darla."

She stopped dead in her tracks and turned round wordlessly. She hadn't expected to hear of him so soon after what had happened. His boyish grin and laughing black eyes greeted her. "Hi Devon," she said coldly.

If looks could kill... Suddenly he felt his palms sweating and searched his brain for a way to start a conversation. "So... how are you doing?" Probably that line was not the best option because her brow furrowed and her glance turned even colder.

"Pretty good," she answered, "I was just going to one of my classes so... I'm going now." And she would have gone if she hadn't been so surprised at his audacity. How does he dare to even *look* at me after what he did?

He glanced to the floor and shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. She always knew how to make someone nervous with just a glance; she just had never used that skill on him. He breathed in heavily. "Uh... about the other night, I just wanted to explain-"

"Don't."

"But Dar! At least let me defend myself." He looked pleadingly into her green eyes. "Please."

"I said don't." She remained impassive in front of him. "I don't want to hear your explanations or your excuses. What line will you feed me this time, Devon? That she kissed you against your wish? That you didn't mean it?" He opened his mouth to say something. She stopped him with a movement of her hand. "I don't wanna even hear it. Cordy and Xand warned me. I didn't pay attention because I actually believed in you. I already paid for my stupidity. Now go away."

"But Dar, we were happy together. You must give us another chance."

"I *must*? You are kidding, aren't you?" She couldn't believe how strong-headed this guy could be. Didn't he understand that she didn't want anything else from him? "And my name is Darla. D.A.R.L.A. Not Dar. Keep that in mind from now on." She began walking away.

"Wait, Dar-..." She threw him a menacing glare over her shoulder. "...la! Darla, wait a moment, please."

"Sorry, Devon, but I am in a hurry now so I'm leaving you. No... Actually I'm not sorry. Go find that Caribbean girl of yours and leave me the hell alone," she said while continuing walking towards her classroom.

Devon just stood there and after some seconds began to walk away with a bowed head.

Some meters away Oz just shook his head.

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"Are you sure?" The girl asked in disbelief.

"Yes, and it is not the first time, either. First I thought it was only chance but now I know better." Anya answered. This wasn't going exactly as she wanted it too. The majority of the people refused to accept the facts she was giving them. Still, the news were already half way through the school and it was only a matter of time until they reached Cordelia's ears. She needed to complete her job before it happened.

"I can't believe it."

"I couldn't either, I mean, we are talking about *Cordy* here, the same girl who told you to ditch Phil because he was a science nerd!" To know all the gossip in and out the school was certainly handy. She saw the resentment and anger entering the girl's eyes. Convincing this one was going to be easier than pie. Some of the others would need more work but with a few well placed phone calls over the weekend even the most loyal 'Cordettes' would be eating from her hand by Monday. Cordelia wouldn't even know what had hit her.

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Angelus was far from being a content vampire right now. The scene of early in the morning kept playing repeatedly in his head and he still couldn't find a coherent answer to all his questions.

And the only one who could help him unravel this was still sleeping against his chest. He kept struggling against simply waking her up and obtaining his answers but no... she deserved her rest...

He sighed. The bizarre feeling of air going through his body helped him concentrate somewhat.

This dream had been important, he mused, he could feel the warning screaming in his blood. Whatever Buffy's visions had told her it was important. The fact that the strain has put her to sleep like a weak fledging was proof enough for him. Whether the contents of the dream were a symbol of his victory or of his defeat he still didn't know...

He dreaded it was the latter. Indeed, Buffy's prophetic abilities had never dealt anything good for them. Until now they always had had to run from a certain death or capture after one of her dreams. He doubted they would begin imparting good news now. If only he knew what it was about!

They were lying spoon-fashion on his bed. His arms were tightly bound around her sleeping form and her head was resting peacefully against his shoulder, letting the blonde locks fall freely all over his chest tickling his skin faintly. He didn't mind. He didn't mind either that his muscles were numb from being in the same position for hours. It was worth it if he was holding her.

What he didn't like was the fact that his love still hasn't woken. From past experiences he knew that after one of her dreams she usually was all fidgety and nervous, not being able to wait unmoving until the sundown to go hunting. That obviously wasn't the case this time. After her last words she had fallen into an easy sleep, only moving to follow his body from time to time when he tried to accommodate them into more comfortable positions. Then, because she wasn't going to get up for some hours, he had finally stopped moving at all and just held her as quietly as possible.

He hadn't shut an eye though the whole afternoon. After her enigmatic words he just hadn't been able to relax enough and sleep. He had been listening to the movement of the people -living people, blood-for-him people- outside the mansion. He had been acutely aware of the usually dulling sun out there. He had felt the demands of his body for rest. Nevertheless, his mind had paid no attention at all... it had been too busy thinking to be able of drifting off and rest.

His thoughts returned to her the moment she began to move in her sleep. That indicated that she was about to rise. Sure enough, just seconds afterwards he felt her hitherto relaxed muscles shift slightly as she passed from heavy slumber to full consciousness.

The first thing her senses gathered was the closeness of her mate. "Uhmm, " she said before opening her eyes, "I see you are already awake," she said without moving from her comfy place.

"So are you, baby," he murmured and planted a kiss on her hair. "I was beginning to worry."

She stretched out and smiled sleepily when she felt his arms even tighter around her. She certainly liked to wake up like this. With him at her side and no thoughts about Slayers or master plans worrying him. She smiled again and let her senses wrap around him. Then she sensed it. Tension. Tiredness. She knew instantly that she had only got half her favourite deal.

She shifted in his embrace until she was half over him and his face directly in front of hers. She lovingly passed a hand through his hair. "You haven't slept, have you?" It really wasn't a question and they both knew it.

"I wasn't tired," he reasoned. He removed her hand from his head and grabbed it tenderly. Then he proceeded to massage the palm slowly. "I wanted to watch you, " he murmured and released her. Soon he had removed his woman from his chest and was sitting at her side staring openly at her. "God! It feels like centuries since I passed the day just looking at you," he said vehemently while passing his fingertips over her collarbone.

Buffy smiled. If he thought he could lie to his chosen mate with romantic stuff... She grabbed him roughly from his shoulders and used them as leverage to let herself up. Before he had a chance to react -not that he really wanted to-, she had found his mouth with her own. After some minutes of amorous kissing, nipping and mauling she released him and purred at his ear. "You're sweet, Angelus. A terrible liar, but sweet." She kissed his neck with abandon and trailed her fingers down his chest. "I know you weren't looking at me." A soft sound of denial came out his lips. "Well, at least that was not all you were doing. You are worried." She levelled her face to his and looked into his eyes. "Tell me what happened," she ordered.

Angelus sighed. He should have known that she would be able to read him as an open book. Those many decades of being together had given her an insight of him not other being possessed, maybe not even his own Sire.

"You don't remember?"

"I remember," she said, "I had a dream. I told it to you. You decided our luck. I went to sleep. You should have, too." she summarised matter-of-factly.

"What did I choose, Buffy? Who was that woman?" He was lost. For the second time in more than a century he truly didn't know what to make out of her dreams. The last thing he wanted was a repeat of the last time.

However, Buffy remained silent.

"Your vision has something to have with me, with *us*. Don't I have the right to know what it is about?" He hated to be left in the dark. Their unlives could be in peril and he couldn't know it if she didn't talk. Maybe her visions were about his plans. Maybe someone wanted to thwart them against him. It would not be the first time. There were many wanting to see him dust, and the Slayer was the weakest in the list. "Buffy. You have to tell me."

She rose from the bed until she was standing in front of him and stared at him pleadingly.

"Buffy?" She shook her head helplessly. She wasn't going to say a thing. His fury finally snapped. "DAMN IT ALL, BUFFY! First you were afraid of your own freaking dream and now you don't even want to share. HOW THE FUCK AM I SUPPOSED TO HELP *US* IF I DON'T KNOW A FUCKING THING!?"

She looked at him nearly desperately. "I don't know it either, ok?" She closed her eyes and tilted her head lightly as if trying to remember whatever she knew. Her voice came out in low whispers now, "The Night was murmuring to me. Death and Fear are her allies. She is Light but she is Darkness, too. She needs us and when we don't help her she will come for us. She will want our blood and our heads. She will want to dance on our ashes and rejoice in them. But I don't know *who* she is. I couldn't recognise her. She is tied to me. somehow. The Night and the Blood are tying us forever but I don't know her name!" She calmed a bit and continued a little more quietly, "We won't find her, Angelus. It is her Destiny to come to us. For our help or our death." She paused. "You'll meet her soon enough... don't despair. It's all written now and there's no looking back anymore."

She was shaking like a leave after her outburst. He stood up and took her quivering body into his arms. He hated seeing her like this. Maybe he shouldn't have been so harsh and demanding but damn it! he needed to know. He waited until she was quiet again and then grabbed her chin so that he could look at her. Buffy had her eyes closed and tears had made a trail on her cheeks.

"Buffy. Look at me. Who was she?"

"She is the one with the power to kill us, she is the one with the power to make our dreams come true," she rambled.

"I don't understand..." And he really didn't. His mate's premonitions were often cryptic at best but this one was a challenge all for itself. He had never seen her so distressed because of her visions. Not since... he shut his eyes before that memory could invade his brain.

As if she sensed the turmoil inside of him, -and she probably did- this time it was she who put her arms around him "You don't need to understand, my Angelus."

"But..." I need to protect you, lover.

She pressed herself a little more against his body and smiled when his arms reached automatically for her. "Leave it to me, love. I already understand too much."

She moved her arms around his neck and stood on tiptoes. She neared his head to hers and before his lips touched hers she whispered, "Now shut up and kiss me. I never liked to speak about other women first thing in the night."

He kissed her and sighed into her mouth -a little trick he learned she liked when she was still human and until now. "Oh Buffy, what should I do without you?"

She stayed silent for a moment before returning the kiss with all her might. I worry about it, too, my angel. I worry about it.

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A dark figure moved between the shadows avoiding the small patches of light, which managed to enter through the blackened windows. He threw his cigarette to the floor with an annoyed sigh. He felt like a prisoner in this warehouse. He should have chosen one with sewer accesses; at least then he could run the necessary errands without worrying about spontaneous combustion. The sun still shone outside. Not that it'll go on shining for a long time, he thought.

He had come to Sunnydale just some nights ago, following Angelus' tenuous trail. Soon he had recognised the quiet town for what it really was: the portal to the nether regions and his source of amusement for some time. Especially if Angelus was really here. The Hellmouth and his old pal, both in the same town. He couldn't have made it better. Oh yeah, this would be fun... Soon.

The shadow smiled and lit another cigarette.

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They were now at Xander's house. In the school-break they had agreed that his place would be the best decision due to his mother's constant absence and the free space in his basement was adequate for Darla's training sessions. Of course, Cordelia had refused frantically. "But Darla, someone could see us entering his house!" she had told her friend. "It's not as if you have never been there." Xander remarked moodily. It was just like Cordelia to pass a good time at his home one night and totally forget about it the next day. "Oh, but it is different. One thing is to go there because I want to and another one because I have to," Cordelia had responded with her unique common sense. Xander just shook his head and let Darla handle her friend. At last, after some discussion Cordelia finally relented, she had even offered to help bring Giles' books to Xander's house, "I'll drive, you carry them. I'm not even touching those dusty books."

When school was over Darla and Xander had gone to the library intent on getting Giles' demonology books without anyone noticing. Instead, they had found Giles' replacement sitting at his desk and eyeing the books Darla left there earlier with something between amusement and wary curiosity. Mrs. Calender, that was the name of the mature, black-haired new librarian, had been surprised at their request to keep the 'Brit's more than weird books', as she had called them, but in the end had agreed. She even had helped them carry a few boxes to Cordelia's car.

So now, after arranging the basement as best they could, Darla, Xander and Cordelia were looking for the information that had cost the Watcher's life. They had decided to start with Giles' last Watcher Diaries, but the librarian hadn't written anything important for the last weeks, in fact he hadn't written anything. The three of them knew that was something very unusual, Giles often stayed overnight in his office just to describe painstakingly the last demon Darla had slain, it just wasn't like him to leave unwritten so many slayage.

Whatever Giles had found was worth not entering the last evil guys into his Diary. Knowing him as they did, the three were afraid of finding it themselves.

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He could feel the sun already descending slowly in the horizon. Soon the moon would come out with its harmless shine and he would drink the blood of another innocent by-stander. He smiled at the thought.

"Get up, Watcher. It's time to begin working." Angelus called entering his room.

Giles grumbled at the unexpected intrusion but didn't say anything. He had been wondering the whole day what this 'job' would consist of. To say the truth, he was overly curious, it was not everyday that a Master vampire went out of his way and sired you for a specific reason, after all. No doubt it had something to do with his experience as a Watcher. He raised from his makeshift bed and followed Angelus.

His Sire guided him to an isolated room in a corner of the mansion. It had no windows and it was clear that it had not been dusted for a long time. The only objects that were not covered with a thick cloak of dust were the books and scrolls placed in every available corner of the room. Some of them he could recognise but the rest were unidentifiable. He stared confused at Angelus. "What does this mean?" he asked, signalling the room with a gesture.

"*This* will be your workplace." Angelus answered with a serious edge in his voice. "All of these books contain information about the Blood Moon prophecy. I'm thinking you know what I am talking about, don't you?"

Giles nodded curtly. He had discovered that same one just some weeks ago. He knew it would be coming to pass soon. The text said a portal would open when the Caller demanded it. It would bring unimaginable powers and immortality to the performer of the opening and also a heard of hell-beasts which would ultimately decimate humans and end the known world. Right now Giles couldn't understand why he had been so worried before.

"Good, now I won't have to brief you on the situation..." Angelus said aloud.

"What am I here for?" Giles asked. He was growing impatient. His instincts were screaming that sundown had come and gone and he was itching to go hunting. Were it not his Sire he was talking with he would have already bolted towards the streets.

"Your work is simple. You only have to gather the information regarding the prophecy and come up with a foolproof plan to make it happen without any interference. Only a little change will have to be made... " Angelus chuckled. "As you surely know by now I'm not the Caller. But just because I'm not the One doesn't mean I won't do it. After all I can't let him or her have all the glory, now can I? The Caller won't have the power, I will. I want you to find out how I can do it. Will you be able to get that little information for me, Watcher?"

Giles considered for a moment. He glanced around the room. The amount of books was a proof that Angelus had obviously been preparing this for quite some time. With such a text-source there shouldn't be a problem for him to make a research. "Yes. I'm sure."

Angelus arched his eyebrows at the minion's confidence. Who knows? Maybe this will work after all, he thought. He had first planned on himself to do the research but Buffy had convinced him otherwise. Siring the current Slayer's Watcher and let him do the work was the best option, she said. "Buried in those old books you won't have time for me," she had pouted. His dear mate had looked at him with those bright green eyes while moving her petite hands up and down his chest and he had known he wouldn't be able to deny her wish. Angelus knew that Buffy hadn't proposed it only to have more time with him. Since her change she had always had a particular taste for Watchers. Torturing and crossing this one over had been a funny game for her... one he had enjoyed helping her with.

He saw his new minion heading to the door. "Where do you think you are going?"

Giles started at his Sire's voice. What had he done now? "Out," he answered easily.

Apparently it was not the good answer. Angelus' gaze darkened and a malicious glint appeared in his eyes.

Seeing the disapproval in his sire's demeanour Giles hurried to explain himself. "It's already night and I want to feed. Don't worry about the research, Master. I'll begin it right after tonight's meal."

Angelus shook his head in light amusement. When he spoke his voice was gentle but hard. "Oh no, you'll begin right now. Did I forget to mention it? You won't leave the mansion until you finish this work." He smiled. "I can't risk you to the Slayer, after all. You wouldn't like to be dust before you carry out your duty to me, would you?"

Giles resisted the urge to growl at his Sire. First he made him sleep on an uncomfortable spot in a corner of the mansion, then he dragged him to 'do his duty' and now he was ordering him to stay in this tiny room for who knows how much time. Where was he now supposed to obtain his food? He thought fleetingly that nameless newbies had far more luck than he did, at least they got to be free until Darla staked them.

Noting his angry glare and half-guessing the cause Angelus continued. "Don't worry about anything. I myself will take care of your wellbeing. Who better than me to catch you dinner? Work fast and you could even have it *fresh*." He paused for a moment and regarded the lesser vampire from head to toes. "Of course, feel free to go if you really want to, you'll just have to... face some consequences."

Something in Angelus' tone told Giles that the Master vampire considered him disposable. He certainly didn't want to face the vampire's wrath two days after rising from the grave. The sooner, the better. Giles decided. It would be of no use to argue with his Sire. He approached the nearest pile of books and grabbed one of them. He began to read and discarded it immediately. It was the same one he had been reading in the Library. He grabbed the next one. After some moments he turned to Angelus. "What if I don't find your answers before the Caller is ready?"

"Oh, I don't worry about it. Buffy said you were the best Watcher alive and I believe her. That's why I 'contacted' you. You'll find a way."

"Since when are you so trusting, Angelus? Had the Slayer made you *soft*? " Giles said mockingly. He didn't know what possessed him to ask such a question. Was it the rebellious trait of the Ripper re-emerging again and fusing with the demon within him?

However, before he could think much of it Angelus had grabbed him by the neck and lifted off the ground without difficulty.

"Don't *ever* say that again," he hissed menacingly to his Childe and then dropped him carelessly to the floor. He eyed the crumpled figure and regretted not being able to just dust him. The Watcher was resulting more annoying than he was worth; if only Buffy hadn't insisted that he would be of great help... but if the little whelp said that *one* more time... Angelus didn't like anyone making fun of his private life. "And no, I'm not 'trusting' you." he continued, "you'll find a way or I'll simply kill you... again. Understood?"

"Of course, Master," Giles answered while stumbling to his feet. He knew that Angelus was being serious. The Ripper would have to postpone his apparition until his Sire was out of its way.

Angelus left the room.

Giles put himself to work. He eyed all those piles of books. "It's going to be a LONG while."

He sighed.

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When he first saw himself free from his prison he practically bolted to the streets. He had an evil plan to perfect, a former ally to find and, of course, new cigarettes to buy. So much to do, so little time for it. The Hellmouth offered a great variety of nightmares to come true and so far he hadn't had any luck in choosing one of them. Maybe he would just stick to his first plan.

Now he wandered through the streets waiting for a proper dinner. He didn't like to just grab the first person who crossed his way. That was a thing for lesser demons to do. A Master like himself learned to be a little picky. To choose a prey stopped being a simple task decades ago and now he made an art out of it. Giving so many people for the choosing was certainly worth it. For example, the kind lady who had sold him the cigarettes could have been enough for a minion's dinner, for him it had been delicious to feel her neck breaking under his hands. The bad thing was that there was no point in draining her if she wouldn't fight. He was still hungry.

He glanced around looking for a suitable prey. Maybe a girl in a short leather miniskirt would do, he thought just as he saw one entering a nearby pub. Dinner is ready.

He smiled and headed to the entrance.

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He had always felt comfortable in the loneliness of the night. It was like a mother beckoning him to stay in her embrace. Sometimes he could swear he heard the whisper of beings denied to see the light, other times he felt as if he were one of them. Others would have say that he was crazy, he liked to think of it as another stage.

"That one is new."

Oz started at hearing the unknown voice and stopped playing. He hadn't expected anyone to find him in this secluded spot of the park. That was why he had come here in the first place. He raised his head slowly and for the first time he felt as if he couldn't speak... even if he did want to.

"Do you mind if I sit here?"

Oz just shook his head. He didn't know if he did it to answer her question or to dispel the image his brain had obviously created. It was impossible for such a girl to exist. Her light brown eyes were sweet and entrancing at the same time and her short hair was of a shade he had never seen; and considering he knew every shade of natural and non-natural hair in the market that was a lot to say.

He moved a little to the side to leave her enough place to sit on the blanket. She did so without a word. They stayed in silence for a long while and Oz started to relax again. It was just one girl curious enough about his music to come here and watch him. Only that she didn't seem to watch him, she just sat at his side as if waiting for something. And Oz just wasn't sure of what that something could be. He could hear her breath and the beats of his own heart. Why couldn't she say something? anything? When he managed to look at his beautiful intruder again she had a fitful smile on her lips. She looked at him with those warm, hypnotizing eyes and spoke again.

"Please play that one again."

Oz didn't even think of refusing her. He grabbed his guitar and began the series of chords he had just created that same night. That was why he enjoyed being alone, his mind worked on its own pace without Devon's impatient interference or John's demands. Here he could lose himself in his music and nobody would stop him. Nobody but a curious redheaded girl... And the strangest thing was that he didn't want his loneliness again.

He knew she belonged here, just as his guitar and himself did.

He had never felt so *right* in his entire life.

When he finally finished he didn't receive any praise. He hadn't waited for one either. The now broad grin on the stranger's face was enough.

"Was it as good for you as it was for me?" she asked and Oz knew she wasn't talking only about the music.

"Yes," he responded sincerely. After a pause he asked something that didn't really matter but was important enough for him to ask. "Who are you?"

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Silence reigned in the room. They had been reading non-stop the whole afternoon. The only one who had ever raised from his spot had been Xander to bring some snacks from upstairs. The bowl and glasses now sat empty in the middle of the room.

Cordelia sighed and rubbed her sore neck. Being in the same position for so much time always tensed her muscles into a hard knot. She sighed again. So far she hadn't found anything interesting and she was getting tired of the hundred descriptions of demons and monsters she had read so far. If she discovered another place where horns could be placed - and there were *very* disturbing ones - she was going to scream. She glanced around and saw everything exactly as it had been an hour before. Darla was still sitting on the other end of the old couch reading one of Giles' diaries intently. Cordelia remembered suddenly that he had never let her see one of them and wondered what Darla had found so far. From the expression on her face Cordelia could tell that nothing useful but she still hoped that the Slayer could at least find comfort. Giles' departure had been rash and hurtful but maybe now Darla could gather some peace from his own words. He - the real he - would have liked that.

She raised her head a little more when she heard someone typing some meters away.

The first thing Xander had done was to install his computer in a corner of the basement. His mother would ask questions when she came back but he said he already had a reasonable answer for her. Just now he was trying to translate one of the books in Latin for them all to read later. While the Watcher had been alive he had been the only one to understand them; but now with the help of Xander's computer the three would hopefully be able to.

Cordelia just hoped that their combined effort would be enough to spare them the coming disaster. She shuddered at the thought of Darla doing this alone, she knew that her friend wouldn't survive her stubbornness more than some weeks, if even that. Whether she wanted to admit it or not each one of them was a key piece against the Darkness, even Xander with his lame jokes and idiotic grin.

Remembering this she began her research again.

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"Do you want some?"

He turned around and for a short moment could see the moonlight reflected on the green eyes of the girl. She stared at him wordlessly and mumbled some incoherent words. Anyway, he knew well what they meant. Help. All final words always meant the same, he thought, especially if they were said in front of him, or in this case in the arms of his mate.

He smirked.

"No thanks, love. Save her for yourself."

The unknown girl closed her eyes in dismay letting the tears run free. Without any hope left she sunk a little more in her captor's embrace.

Buffy eyed him for a moment from above the teenager's dark hair. She knew that he still hadn't fed enough, but obviously he wasn't about to accept her offering either. He never wanted to share her victims, even if sometimes they both fed from one of his. She didn't know if it was to keep his image of Master and provider of his pack or just one of his annoying customs. Though it was more than two hundred years since his turning he could still act like the Irish man who wouldn't let a woman intervene in his manly business - or in this case in his hunt. Would he ever change? She hoped not, she loved him just as he was. Yes, love, it was not infatuation as the Council had deemed it; infatuation didn't last a century and even more. Infatuation wouldn't make him remain at her side with her dreams and confusing moods.

When the girl began her weak struggle again Buffy just sank her fangs in her neck. Who was she to complain if Angelus didn't want to share? Else, it gave her such a rush to feel his eyes on her when she was feeding...

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Her screams died before she even had time to fully acknowledge her situation. He licked his fangs. Drugs. The girl had been on something. Oh well, nothing like a little cocaine to make one's night a funny event.

He dropped the dead body and stared unashamedly at her long, well toned legs. He now regretted having drained her so soon, he should have let her bring him to her room and not drag her to the first alley outside the pub. Maybe she even had another leather-clad friend at home...

He shrugged it off. He had been too hungry to wait more time. There would be another nice girl in a leather miniskirt if he looked for it. Right now he had more important matters to care about. Just like finding Angelus before he found him. He just hoped that his informants were right this time, he wouldn't like to lose his time in another town with a high death rate, not even if it was the Hellmouth itself.

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"Harder."

If she didn't know better she would think that the older woman only had a word in her vocabulary. Regretfully that wasn't the case, she just liked to use certain words.

"Focus."

And that was another one of them.

She didn't even know why she still put up with the annoying bitch. She should have ditched her years ago, just when she began to demand everything from her. They had met more than six years ago, when she still was just another lost urchin amid Boston streets. The older woman had taken her from the cold and hunger and taught her the right path. But then she wanted more. It never was enough for her. Everything should be better done, harder kicked, faster killed. Sometimes her guardian seemed to believe that she was no more than just an extension of her sword, nothing else than an arm to be perfected and never a girl to be nurtured.

"You aren't paying any attention!"

Yes, she really should have ditched her teacher years ago, but then she wouldn't have survived all these time. Her mentor had made sure of teaching her that. She wouldn't be more than another statistic were it not for Gwendolyn Post.

She decided to ignore the last thought and concentrated just on the feeling of the sword in her hands.

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They hadn't found anything. True, they hadn't gone even through a twentieth of Giles' books but they still hadn't found even a small reference to the mess they were in. Not even Xander with his Internet had been able to find anything useful and the translations of the Latin were still in process. Nothing gained there either.

So, after so many hours of fruitless research Xander had proposed a night at the Bronze. "Nothing better than ear-splitting music and some alcohol-less drinks to easy the tension," he had said. Darla refused right away claiming that according to police reports there should be three or four 'blood-loss caused' deaths to attend to in Sunny Rest Cemetery. Xander hadn't even bothered to ask Cordelia, the only reason why she would ever accept to go out with him was if Darla was with them.

Seeing that there was nothing more in store for him than some cowboy films and chips Xander prepared himself for a lonely, boring night.

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A loud scream interrupted the peace of the lonely streets.

Her green eyes were alight with glee when she finally heard it.

"Shh. You are being too loud." she whispered in her prey's ear. "You wouldn't want to awake all the sleeping little girls around here, would you?"

He shook his head.

"Good." She relaxed her grasp on his neck. "then maybe I won't have to kill you..."

His eyes opened in wonder. If she really let him go maybe he could get to a secure spot before she changed her opinion. Yes, even with his bruised ankle he could save himself. He had heard about this craziness before, he just hadn't believed it. Now he knew better.

He tried to go.

She pinned him to the ground. "But where would be the fun, then?" she asked herself.

Some seconds more and he was just another pile of dust on the road.

Darla raised herself and wrapped her arms tightly around herself.

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They had stayed in the park for hours, exchanging no words, listening to the whispers of the wind and his guitar. Sometimes she had accompanied his playing with an improvised song. He could still hear the lyrics in his mind and he knew that they were the missing pieces of his music. Her voice had been clear and light and sometimes it was as if she already knew what the next accord would be like.

She had left as unnoticed as she had first come, leaving nothing but a memory and a name. He had been entranced in a new song and when he turned to her she wasn't at his side anymore. For a second he had believed to catch her scent but the feeling had passed soon after. He wasn't bothered by her sudden disappearance, he knew he would see her again. How he knew it was something he didn't quite understand but he could feel it deep in his bones. It was enough.

Oz shook his head at his crazy thoughts. Maybe she had been only a dream. Only that she hadn't been one. Dreams don't speak and dreams don't give you their names.

"Who are you?" he had asked though it hadn't mattered at all.

"I'm Veruca." she had responded.

Veruca. Now he mouthed the word slowly. A word so strange and yet his mouth didn't make an effort to say it.

He would use that word again. He knew it.

He was waiting for it.

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Her sword made a sick noise when it cut her opponent's skin. Red blood oozed from it. He had been lucky this time, she mused, the stroke would have killed him if he hadn't dodged it.

Too late she realized that she had let an opening. He made good use of it and punched her on the stomach. She doubled over in pain and swore. If Gwendolyn were here she would say that she wasn't fast enough, that she wasn't strong enough. Well, she wasn't here and she had no reason to berate herself. She raised from her crouched position and regarded her newest prey with anger. She just had to kill him and it would be over for the night.

Few moments passed until she saw her opportunity. Launching herself into him sword in hand she managed to run it through his heart.

He looked at her in surprise and amazement. One of his hands went to his chest and for a moment he gazed at his bloody fingers as if looking for a reason of his death in them.

She lowered her gaze and caught sight of her sword. The dark-red bloodstains would be washed that same night, after it was cold and truly dead. She turned around and did not flinch when the sound of a body falling to the ground reached her ears.

Let's let Gwendolyn worry about the corpse, she thought before disappearing in the darkness. It was already time for the real party.

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He sat at the bar and took one of the cigarettes out of his duster. He glanced at his surroundings searchingly. He was planning on finding the whereabouts of his old friend before looking for another meal. So far he hadn't had any luck, if Angelus was really here he was keeping a low profile and so far none of the nearby girls attracted his attention.

"Want a fire?" a smooth voice said from behind him distracting him from his thoughts.

He turned around and found himself facing a stunning redhead smiling sexily at him. He cocked his head and grinned. Sparkling eyes, leather pants, not too much lipstick... it seemed that his meal had come herself. "You offering?"

"Of course," she purred and gave him a lighter.

He took it from her, carefully grazing her fingers, and lightened his cigarette. All the while his blue eyes remained in hers. She had a nice smile, that he would admit. And from the looks she was giving him she was more that intent of passing a good time with him. Oh, well, let's let her have a good time... then it'll be my turn. He smiled charmingly. "Thanks, princess. It's good to meet nice people when you are all alone..."

"You aren't alone anymore." She neared her chair to his. "And I'm not so nice as you think..." she said meaningfully. "I'm Willow, Willow Rosemberg. And you are...?"

"Someone you'll never forget, princess." He grinned to himself, Not that you'll have time to.

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They went through the main door kissing each other fiercely. Suddenly she unwrapped herself from his embrace.

"Uhmmm, I see that the mouse has been playing alone, hasn't he?"

Angelus just stared in amazement his surroundings.

Several dead bodies were placed in the room, some chairs displaying deep dark stains. The only reason he could think of for not having smelled the stark stench was that he had been occupied in another matters.

Meanwhile Buffy didn't seem as surprised as he was. She had put some distance between them and was inspecting the corpses with childlike curiosity, playing with the limbs and laughing when she managed to put a body in a certain position. "Isn't he nice, love? He organised all this just for us... bad thing he didn't invite us to help prepare it... So much blood and he didn't even think of us..." She put the hands of a woman over her lap and crossed her legs, giving it the impression of someone sitting peacefully. The illusion was dispelled by the terrorised look her eyes still maintained. "He should at least have stayed to let us congratulate him. Wouldn't we do so, Angelus?"

She looked at him in the eye and he knew that she was thinking exactly the same as he. The newest member of their family was going to learn how to respect his Sire's wishes. He himself would make sure of it.

Buffy laughed merrily when she dropped her new toy into a heap on the floor... and then she abruptly stopped laughing. Angelus looked as her pleased features dissolved and a furious frown appeared in their place. "What's up, Buffy?" he asked concerned.

She moved a little so he could see her discovering. Angelus didn't dare to even chuckle when he saw the tiny figure that had been hindered by the woman's body. The poor fool didn't even have a chance now. He took some steps in her direction and stopped just some inches behind her. Being so near it wasn't difficult to hear his angry mate.

"Kill him." Were her hissed words. She took the little body from the couch and cradled it to her chest. The kitten didn't mewl this time. "Kill him just as he killed my baby."

Buffy had adopted the little ball of fur just after arriving to this town. She had seen him on one deserted alley and took him home without asking him about it. He had been overly annoyed at having a pet at home again. He had believed that after those canaries died two years ago Buffy would stop bringing animals in. He should have known better. If decades of misguided motherly feelings hadn't stopped yet, they wouldn't do so now. He remembered seeing her petting the cat on their bed during the day. She would hum wordless songs to the nearly asleep kitten and he would purr loudly on her chest. And who knows where she got the milk the kitten would drink everyday...

"Promise me."

As if she really needed to ask.

"The world, Buffy. I promise you the world and the moon and the stars."

Not that it would be a real effort to hurt the damn bastard, anyway.

She smiled lightly at his words.

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P.S: The *perfect* B/S moment...

BUFFY: Good. 'Cause I've had it. Spike is going down. You can attack me, you can send assassins after me, that's fine. But nobody messes with my boyfriend!

ME: Hi Joss! Remember your own plot? *sigh*

Hello!!! Someone remember when all was right in the world and there was no doubt about *who* was the enemy and *who* the boyfriend? I *love* Spike but B/S is just *wrong*...