Hi people!!!! After a long, LONG time without my dearest love (i.e.: My computer. And yes, I need a life. *g*) I'm finally writing again. Well, this part had been written some months ago but I wanted to wait 'till I had the computer back. That way I could continue the story as you reviewed it. By the way, leave a review or send an email, please, it's the only way I have to know if the story is being read or not. And don't worry, I accept flames... but only if they are followed by suggerences.

P.S.: I would *really* appreciate it if you read 'High Mountains, Wide Rivers'. I'm particularly proud of this last chapter, especially the Non-Quite-Buffy/Angel scene...

Ok, that was enough for author's notes. Now, let's the games begin!!!! *g*


TITLE: Complex Cycles 5b
AUTHOR: Leni
DISCLAIMER: You kidding, right? I mean, B/S???? I'll *never* go for it. Even if I love Spike enough to want him for *myself*!!! *g*
DISTRIBUTION: E-mail me and we will talk about it.
SUMMARY: A date, two loves, one discovering and a nice torture... Just another normal day in this universe...
SPOILERS: Seasons 1,2,3,4 of BtVS and Season 1 of A:tS
AN: Remember. This is an *very* ALTERNATE universe fic.
RATING: Hey! We are talking abut B/Aus here! You just cannot ask for a G with those two! I mean... are they nimphos or what? Cuz the only thing they do in my head is to...er... better read it, ok?

THANKS: To Chloe and Jaime, of course. What would I do without you both??? For commenting, correcting and just plain prodding me into writing more of this crazy story. Thanks, girls!!!!!!!!!! You're the best!!

FEEDBACK: You write it, I write this. dani_vasq@hotmail.com , a_d_v_v@yahoo.com.ar


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"So the Anointed wants us to grace his home."

Buffy nodded.

"I wonder..." He had awakened to the feeling of is love's hands drifting playfully over his chest and shoulder blades, coming fully aware when the body half covering his had threatened to leave. Buffy's impatient glare brought him back to the present. "I wonder if it had something to do with Ford's news."

"What about Ford?" she questioned immediately, "he seemed untroubled last time I saw him. Did something happen to him? Didn't he like my present?"

Angelus sighed in annoyance. He should know better than to mention the younger vampire's name along with disquieting news. "No, my love, no." He petted her hair slowly. "He is okay." he added to himself. He wasn't jealous of that filthy rat, but sometimes his mere presence could make him grit his fangs. Why would Buffy worry so much about that pathetic vampire-pet? Of one thing he was sure, though, if he *ever* came to be jealous of that good-for-nothing vampire, Angelus would make sure of eliminating him. Buffy's cries and pleas be damned!

Of course, right now, with Buffy happily lying on his chest, he felt no jealousy towards that whelp. His dear mate could be sure that her little pet would live to see another sunset...

So intent was he in his daydreaming that he didn't felt Buffy's caresses as they ascended form his chest to his neck, to his face. He needed two delicious fingers forcing his eyes shut to come back to reality. Reality was definitely better humoured that when he had left it.

"If he's okay, then I'm not interested in Ford," she murmured gingerly over him. He felt her stretching above him -keeping her fingers over his eyes- to reach the night table at his side. He smiled when he heard her impatient one-handed search in the drawer. A jubilant cry and a clinking sound informed him that she had found her mark.

Buffy had been bothered for the last hour. Her brief memories about the Gypsies and -especially- the nice toys they had destroyed had brought forth countless memories the fire could never consume. Leaving the handcuffs as a modern collar around Angelus neck, she reached out to grab the hand that had been caressing her hip. Silently and swiftly, and lamenting that she had to use both hands for this task, she had secured Angelus' hand to the nearest bedpost. She smiled when his eyes remained docilely closed. How could she ever have *dreamed* of staking him? She shook the nasty thought away and decided to let him keep a free hand in reward for his obedience. On second thought, that free hand would do a better job between her legs.

Angelus agreed wholeheartedly as he felt her leading his hand to her core. Oh... how much he *did* know his woman! A small show of submission and he was 'allowed' to do what he pleased.

As he felt her lips spreading loving kisses zealously on his neck, Angelus decided that he could afford some new chains. Better yet, maybe it was time to go into another 'shopping spree' with his darling. It had been months -maybe even more than a year- since they had had time to update their games. Now, with the Watcher 'indisposed' as he was, Angelus was certain that they could find a night between feeding and general mayhem to worry about their... Mmmm... more personal needs... I was right when I taught her.. oooh... *that*!

Where had he seen that sex shop in Sunnydale?


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"Time to wake up, sleepyhead."

The figure in the bed moved a little and covered itself with the covers. "I don't want to get up," a voice grumbled from the sheets.

Tara smiled. That reaction was so Willow-y. "You promised you would do the laundry today, dear."

"I'll do it later."

"Come on, Willow," she softly reprimanded her sleepy lover. "Later you will have to order everything for tonight and there'll be no time left for the laundry." A resigned sigh came from the bed but Willow still didn't get up. "Tonight will be cold and I know for a fact that you don't have any clean sweater left, dear. Well... except for the one your Grandma knitted for you last Christmas," she teased her. In fact, said 'sweater' was more of a mass of red, yellow and bright green wool that Willow hadn't had the heart to throw away.

"It was Hanukkah and you're jealous that she didn't make one for you," Willow sulked from her cocoon.

Tara laughed. "Tell me, love, do you remember that easy spell against Tolf demons?" Willow knitted her eyes shut and mumbled an affirmative. "Just a quick movement of hands, some words and a jet of water appears to extinguish the flames in their hands - and with them any chance to attack for some days. What were the words?" Tara smiled when she saw the bundle on their bed moving nervously. "Oh yes!" Willow heard Tara's hands slicing through the air. "Aqua sacrus, mort--"

"Ok! I'm up, I'm up." A redheaded head appeared from under the covers. It was followed by two shoulders clad in blue pyjamas - Willow's favourite - and the rest of her body came up while she yawned and blinked against the light. She focused on the smiling blonde figure and pouted.

Tara stopped herself from going and kissing the rumpled figure of her girlfriend. She knew that if she did, she would be even later for her meeting at the library. "I'll be preparing our breakfast while you get dressed," she told her. Willow muttered something that sounded like an acceptance and walked still sleepily to their wardrobe. Tara watched as she pulled out her jeans and a shirt from her drawer and nearly laughed as Willow grimaced at the sight of 'Grandma's present'. She left their room chuckling softly and headed for the kitchenette.

The coffee was already served and Tara was just waiting for the sandwiches to get ready when Willow appeared at the door in Tara's clothes and sporting her usual bubbly self. "You should have woken me up earlier," she complained.

Tara blinked and then laughed. "It wasn't for lack of effort, I assure you," she answered, amused. "I tried to get you up an hour ago but you just protested and went back to sleep."

Willow pouted. "Yeah, blame the witch who spent last night awake fearing a vampire's attack." She brought the juice from the refrigerator and put it in the middle of the small table. She sipped her coffee and grimaced at the sour taste. In cue, her lover passed her the sugar from the counter.

"I don't know how you can put *sugar* in it. It's--- *wrong*." Tara shook her head in wonder as she saw the redhead add the second full spoon in her cup. "Coffee has to taste like coffee and not like a dessert..." she declared aloud. Willow just stuck her tongue out at her and proceeded to drink her beverage.

Tara shook her head again and grabbed her own cup. When she was about to put it to her lips, she smelled something funny. "Oh no," she cried distressed.

Willow watched her amusedly as she unplug the toaster and opened it. Tara sighed in relief. "Nope, not burned," she informed her girlfriend happily. Then she frowned, "Well, the cheese is a little browner than usual, but---" She bit her sandwich warily. "Mmmm... It's edible." She took two plates from the counter and placed their sandwiches on them. With one plate in each hand, she walked to the table and sat down.

Both were eating in silence for some moments when Tara opened last night's discussion, "On a serious note, love, you shouldn't worry so much about the vampire. I'm sure that together..."

Willow cut her off. "I don't want you in the middle of this," she stated determinedly.

Tara was about to argue but saw no point in it. Willow was very stubborn, and it would take a lot of time to make her budge. When the time came she would make sure of protecting Willow, but for now she wouldn't burden her lover with her protests. "Maybe he left Sunnydale after the chaining spell vanished..."

Willow snorted and swallowed the last of her juice before speaking, "Tara, I *deceived* and *tied* him. He must be seeking vengeance by now. The only miracle I could hope for would be for the Slayer to kill him as soon as possible." She looked at her half-eaten sandwich pensively. The cheese didn't erase her current thoughts. She sighed and finally admitted, "And I doubt it will happen because he is powerful and powerful vampires don't roam cemeteries acting as easy prey for Darla."

"Maybe you could ask her to look for him," Tara suggested.

Willow shook her head vehemently. "Can't do. The poor thing has just lost her Watcher and is desperate in her own vengeance spree. I would have liked to help her, but---" She shrugged. "I can't do everything."

"And what do you plan, then? If I'm understanding correctly, he'll come searching for you, and in this town he is bound to find *us* sooner or later."

"Yeah, 'cause we Wiccans always attract more attention than wanted," Willow chuckled.

Tara smiled at the inside joke but didn't allow herself to be gotten off of track. "And?" she prodded seriously.

"And?" Willow's amused expression faded as she faced her lover in earnest. "I'm looking into a forgetting spell. It's my best shot."

The blonde girl furrowed her brow. "But forgetting spells need the presence of the object," she informed her girlfriend.

"Or some belonging of theirs," Willow answered easily. At Tara's confused gesture, she explained further, "We have his blood, remember?"

Tara's smile broadened as the redhead's idea dawned on her. "You are right, of course. There must be still some traces of it in the bowl."

"And in the bag I brought it in." They looked at each other and grinned.

"You are a bright little witch," Tara complimented.

Willow blushed faintly. "I learn from the best." As Tara put the dishes in the sink and left the dinner-room, Willow asked, "Where you going?"

"We have a meeting at the library," the other girl answered from the bedroom. Willow heard her rummaging through the closet. She thought about it for a second and reached a fast decision. "I'm going with you," she called to her lover. "I'm already dressed, after all."

A blonde head poked from the door. "Are you sure, Will? Here you are protected; do you really want to endanger yourself?"

She contemplated it as she looked out the window. "It's broad daylight outside." She tilted her head. "A little clouded maybe, but there's sun enough to keep all the vamps at bay. Besides," she put her hands together, "I know how to defend myself."

Tara smiled. "I'll defend you always, love," she swore. Willow smiled back and kissed her. The kiss continued until Tara withdrew. "Let's get going or we'll be lat--" She glanced at her watch. "--er. Oh no!" She rushed out the apartment with Willow close behind.

Downstairs, she looked back at the redhead. "You just did this because you hate doing the laundry," she accused.

Willow grinned innocently.


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With his pursuit of Cordelia the last day, Xander hadn't paid too much attention to his duties. So now, he had gotten up practically at dawn and began to work on the translations. It seemed to him that it had gone more smoothly than before, maybe because he had begun with *another* of Giles' books and this one wasn't written in a forgotten tongue. Romani wasn't too forgotten, after all. But now, he had already finished with the stack of Romani books and, as he went through one of the books of the next pile, he noticed that it was mostly written in incomprehensible symbols, that would require a code, one he didn't have at hand. So, he decided to ask again for the help of the mystic people in the Net I just hope they are back. Shortly after sending the e-mail -along with the scanned symbols he thought, patting the scanner. I would have hated to have to draw them myself in Paint. - to the respective lists and private addresses, his stomach decided to ask for lunch.

Realising that he didn't have anything better to do until someone answered his request I *knew* you couldn't be THAT responsible. He headed for the kitchen. A pot of frozen home-made stew was waiting for him to heat it.



Xander wondered if his hyperactive conscience was an aftereffect of the constant exposition to the Hellmouth or if he should just go to a psychiatrist as soon as possible. He took the taper from the freezer and put it in the microwave. Just as he was pulling out the plates and the cutlery, he heard the distinctive sound of an e-mail just coming in. He practically run downstairs to check it. The sender was unknown and his address untraceable. Whoever sent this message didn't want to be recognised. It said that the key to understand those books was in the public library of Sunnydale; he should go there at 3 o'clock and look for it in the Spanish section, right next to 'Hundred Years of Solitude'. Xander shook his head, this seemed cut out from a bad spy-movie. He re-read it and found no other clue to the identity of his helper, except for the very beginning of the letter. Xander enlarged that corner and discovered a J.K. He shrugged, that didn't help him.

He *would* ask Darla and Cordelia if they also had an annoying inner voice...

Xander sighed. He tried to think of any of his mystic contacts with J.K. as his/her initials... Xander's eyes widened. "Fuck!"

When he reached the kitchen the damage was already done beyond repair... "Where did I put the pizzeria's number?"


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The sheets had been thrown carelessly onto the floor. Red satin intertwining with the dark marble of the floor. A huge dent was now engraved in the side of a bedpost. A handcuff cut in half lying useless on the sheets...

They had been laying in silence for some minutes now. Hands caressed solicitously lonely patches of skin. Back and forth. Back and forth.

Back...

...and...

...forth.

He kissed her tenderly and caressed her body in a too brief caress.

She looked at him and her green eyes conveyed a blissful smile.

Reality couldn't enter their brief encounter in Heaven until they allowed it to.

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Xander was just finishing off his third slice of pepperoni pizza when the phone rang. He wiped his greasy hands in some towel at the sink and put the receiver at his ear while reaching out for the next slice. He bit it hungrily.

"Huh? wooz't?" Ok, so he had meant 'Who is it?'. He just hoped that it wasn't his mother on the other side. He would never hear the end of it.

It was worse.

"Eeew, Harris," came her greeting, "do you always answer the phone while you're still eating?" He could imagine her nose scrunching up. "That's so gross!"

Xander swallowed the last pepperoni. "More than you throwing yourself over that college guy?" He smirked. True, said college guy hadn't seemed repelled by her advances but he wasn't about to miss the chance to tease her.

In spite of his hopes, his remark didn't even face the cheerleader. "Ha, ha. Geez, I see you're actually developing some humour. If I *ever* present you to Tom, remind me to mention that one, will you?"

Xander rolled his eyes. "And what will he do? Accuse me to his Daddy?"

"I doubt that the head of Warner Enterprises would have time for a nuisance like you," she returned swiftly.



"Ooooh," sarcasm dripped from his voice, "then I'm 'honoured' that *you* have time for nuisance-me. And, Cordy, 'Nuisance' is a word so out of your league." Xander ignored the voice's answer and kept on teasing Cordelia, "Tell me, have you been looking into the dictionary for new words?"

"Why, of course, Harris. " He could almost see the saccharine smile she reserved for him. "I also found 'odious' and 'disagreeable' and they still fail to fully describe you," she continued before he had a chance to protest. "Anyway, before your infinitesimal small span of attention changes out of focus again, I'll remind you that we were talking about your *odious* eating habits."

"Well, Cordy, if you don't want to witness my 'eating habits'." He bit his fourth slice of pizza and chewed loudly on it, "then you shouldn't call me during lunch." The argument was stupid and he knew it. But then, it was *Cordelia* on the phone... However, before she had the chance to think an answer, "What do you want, Cordy?"

Cordelia sighed into the phone. "Don't think I'll let this pass, Harris... but you're right, I called because... well, I was talking with Lishanne earlier and she mentioned that Mr. Whitmore had suddenly programmed a completely unannounced test for Tuesday and I'm SO not prepared for it." Any other girl would have made that last part sound like a whine, Xander noted. Cordelia merely seemed annoyed by the fact.

"He told us about that test last week, Cordy..." he sighed.

"Whatever. Thing is, I need help. Yours. What with you being his little pet and all."

"I'm *not* a teacher's pet," he barked over the phone. He was tired of hearing Cordelia tease him about any and everything. "And I won't go to your house just because you were busy gossiping with Lishanne during class, I'm working enough translating these damn books as it is." And it was the truth. Else, it was a matter of balancing Slayer-duties vs. Her Bitchiness' sweet company. Not an option at all.

Meanwhile, none of the *truly* talking individuals spoke.

"Well." Cordelia stopped and then seemed to think it over for a second. "If you're really that busy... I guess I can park my car on the other street and walk. Oh, what the hell! All my friends already know I have study-sessions with you. I'll be at your home later, ok? You can use that new program of yours and still help me understand the beauty of science."

Xander stared at the phone in amazement. Where was Cordelia and what had they done with her? And why hadn't they invited him? "You are *really* desperate," he finally told her. It was the only reason he could think of for Cordelia Chase to *suggest* coming over.

"I flunked this course last semester, ok?" she confessed, "Whitmore will have my head if I fail *another* test."

"I don't think so," Xander said truthfully, "He is a nice fellow, never even gets mad when you don't do your homework."

"Speak for yourself, Xand," she lamented, "I was banned from his good side since I told his niece off the cheerleader squad. If I'd known this would happen..." Xander chuckled. "And don't laugh about it! Anyway," she abruptly changed the topic, " what did you want yesterday night?"

Xander started. He had completely forgotten about Larry's words. He could bet that Harmony had told half the school about the 'news' before even thinking about her boyfriend. Oh well, if Cordelia had spent the night with her Cordettes and survived without hearing that *infamy* then it was unlikely that someone believed it. "Nothing important, Cordy."

"Yeah, I thought so, too," she commented dismissively.

"I just wanted you to go through some of Giles' books," he lied, "They are in English and, contrary to popular belief, I do trust you to gather some knowledge from the written word." He could almost feel her anger building over the phone.

"Oh, so you're passing onto me what you canNOT do?" she returned snidely. "Real smooth, Harris. You know what? I'll be there by eight. Try and grow a personality until I get there, ok?"

"Only if you grow a brain, Chase!"

This time, Xander felt a childish pleasure when he hung up the phone on Cordelia's comeback.


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A knock on the bedroom door interrupted their brief interlude.

Buffy pushed the sheet entangled in her feet aside and rose to answer the door. Angelus grabbed her wrist toughly. "Are you crazy?" he hissed.

She drew her brows in a confused gesture and then remembered that she hadn't donned any clothes Angelus woke her up. "Oops," she giggled, "I guess it's better if..." She lowered her body slowly over Angelus'. "...I don't answer the door."

It knocked again.

"Who is it?" Angelus barked.

"It's Michael, Master. Ford sent me to ask if we were expected to hunt for the unknown threat this afternoon or if we should wait for you to accompany us..."

Angelus wondered for a moment. Finally he smirked, "Tell him to ask himself."

"Uhmm..." The disembodied voice seemed to hesitate behind the door. "He is rather... occupied, Master," it finally said.

Buffy giggled at his neck. "I guess he liked our present." She giggled again and peppered short kisses on his skin.

Angelus noted. Before he could lose his focus, he answered the waiting messenger, "Then tell him to wait. We'll search for the killer tonight, beginning with--" He ordered himself to continue even when Buffy hadn't stopped at his neck and was currently nibbling on his chest and going lower... "--Ford insists that the bars downtown were always Lucio's fav--" He bit his tongue so no moan would come out. "...favourite hangout. It's probable that's where he went with his Childe last night. We'll begin there."

"Yes, Master."

When Angelus heard his Grandchilde's steps sufficiently far away, he grabbed Buffy's head and tried to stop her. Tried. However, it was Buffy herself who stopped. Before he could actually touch her, she rose and, sitting quietly in his stomach, asked him what the hell was going on with Ford. "What's this all secrecy around me, Angelus? It's getting me sick."

"I'm not hiding you anything, baby," he soothed her, "but every time I've tried to tell you we've been.." he draw a glance over her body and smirked wolfishly at her "...conveniently distracted, you could say."

Buffy's grin rivalled his. She considered his words for a second. "It's okay, silly, I knew it already." She kissed gingerly his nose. "I just love seeing you squirm." She winked.

He grabbed her sides suddenly and rolled them over so she was beneath him. "Tease," he accused.

Buffy had nothing to say against that truth. She just tilted her head and asked again, "so what's with Ford?"

Angelus' expression turned from playful to serious in mere seconds. "Someone's been killing a good handful of our boys."

"The Slayer..." she hissed hatefully.

He nuzzled her neck. He knew how much she hated to even think about the Chosen Failure. "No, baby, that's the strange thing. We made sure that the Slayer would be busy staking just-risen fledglings while we hunted the Watcher." He kissed her jugular. "No... it has to be someone else."

Buffy closed her eyes trying to come up with a solution - or at least an explanation. "How do you know it's not a one-time thing? Maybe an amateur or just a Hunter passing by..."

He shook his head. "Lucio and his group have not come back since last week. More minions have disappeared over the week and David's group did not come back last night." Buffy understood. She knew that Lucio and David were good fighters, both over the fifty years mark. To take them down not only implied strength but also experience. "Ford thinks we have a problem." He made a gesture of distaste. "And I'm forced to agree with him."

Buffy tried to put on a serious face but failed. The mere thought of Angelus *admitting* to agree with Ford was amusing; the fact that she had just heard it was plain comical. She giggled harder when Angelus scowled angrily at her.


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Sitting cozily in her favourite spot at the library, Willow Rosemberg tried to memorise a spell to make moving objects burn. The book narrated of witches who had had to burn wild animals, carriages (during the witch-hunt epoch) and even humans to save themselves. It didn't say anything about supernatural creatures, but Willow was sure that the spell would work on an unliving vamp, too.

She scribbled quickly in her little notebook. There were various details concerning this special spell. The wording was easy enough but the accent could alter the results dramatically. The emphasis had to be put in the right word or else the fire could even be directed at herself. Willow shook her head. It was better if she didn't get distracted. Her only preoccupation right now should be to learn how to incinerate a vampire.

Willow decided.

To say she was shaken by the prospect of an angry vampire at her doorstep was only a mild description of her feelings. She was shaken, alright; shaken and scared and just plain terrified. Not that she let her fear cloud her mind. Currently, she was researching the best ways to drive a vampire away. Anything. The burning spell sounded good; a couple more and she would go back home.

She glanced at the closed door in the corner of the library. Maybe she could wait for Tara. Her girlfriend was now busy with her Wiccan-reunion. She was so proud of her! When some months ago her presence wouldn't have been asked for in the important meetings, now everybody considered Tara's attendance imperative. That change had also did wonders for the blonde's personality, Willow mused. Whereas before Tara used to stutter whenever she met strangers or when she was nervous -almost always, that is- she was now learning to control herself and, in her new charge, she actually managed to impose a sense of control. Willow smiled and shut her book closed. Yes, she was proud of her Tara.

Her watch told her that it was already two o'clock. She could go to an ice-cream bar just in front of the library and then come back to study further. Willow sighed. She could never finish her research during daytime. I guess I'll wait for Tara, after all.


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Buffy was bored.

Lounging in bed with Angelus was fun, but her blood was boiling for something... mmm... bloodier.

She had already gone to the basement and looked for a proper victim. Nothing. All of them were so whiny. One even had had the guts to insult her. She would make sure that he didn't have any guts to speak of during the day. She smirked when she remembered his face as she told him exactly that. His fellow prey seemed queasy by the time she described her methods... and she hadn't even got to the nice parts. Oh well, let that nasty bug wonder when she would come for him and his insides.

But now she was still bored. After scaring their reserve food, she hadn't wanted to eat anything. Contrary to Angelus, she didn't like the flavour of extreme fear in her meals. Some was good; it was inevitable. After all, not every human liked to be deprived of his life. And the few that did find a thrill in her feeding... well, she *had* been a Slayer after all. She felt so repulsed by those death-cheaters that she always ended up killing them. Buffy shrugged; it was not her fault if they couldn't find a reliable vampire.

She could always watch as Angelus' minions wreaked havoc among their 'prisoners', but to watch and not to play... Buffy shook her head. Not funny enough. On the good side, her last thoughts reminded her of her newest brother. The Watcher had to be restricted in his room. After last night, she doubted he could endure her bloody games. Well, Angelus was not the only one who enjoyed a battle of wills. And she was sure that the Watcher would make a worthy adversary.


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As soon as he saw the second fist coming his way, he ducked and rolled out of its reach. The demon growled furiously and lunged at him again. He smirked. For all its strength and supernatural reflexes, the Creiches didn't really know what to do with it. Or at least this cadre didn't.

That was why he found it so funny to spar a while with them. Of course, at the moment the largest Creich demon was probably planning the best way to rip off his head, but... he just didn't know he would lose his own first. With the large axe the last demon had tried to kill him with, he would make sure that the leader of this cadre was history.

But, for now, he was more intent in escaping his current adversary's clutches.

Jumping wildly from one extreme of the sewer to another, he managed to elude the not-so-clumsy-anymore attacks. Apparently, this Creich had enough neurones to recognise him as a powerful enemy. the vampire mused. So much that the massive bulk of muscles had nearly grabbed him from his blonde hair. His eyes flashed yellow and his fangs gritted as he felt the scraping on his scalp. The force of the demon's grip was ripping the hairs away.

It damn HURT!

Finally tired, the vampire managed to cast a last - powerful - hit on the demon's skull and knocked him out. He looked around and cursed.

The valiant Creich leader was nowhere in sight.


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Silence hung in the room after the newcomer's words were spoken.

With a gulp, the head of the gathering downed the last sip of his goblet. "Are you sure?" he finally questioned his subordinate.

"Yes, Master," a kneeling form responded. "Even after so many decades, his features are unforgettable."

"I see..." Collin reclined in his dais and contemplated the unexpected news. "So," he began after a long silence, "the Aurelius Order is finally complete."

"No, Master," a shadow at his right spoke, "one of the oldest daughters is still missing."

"Oh yes, you are right, Dalton." He reached his empty goblet out and immediately invisible minions refilled it. "The favourite Daughter of the late Heinrich... He told me many stories about her while he was still among us. In his opinion, she was one of the best assets for our family."

Many voices raised from the shadows.

"Just a traitor..."

"She was THE best."

"... deserted us for a mere fledging..."

"... deserved what she got."

"... rumours of her in China in the last century..."

"ENOUGH!" The voice resonated through the chamber, leaving only an echo of silence in its wake.

"Thanks, Dalton," Colin said when everything had calmed down. "Heinrich's favourite is not our concern for now. If what this minion, " He pointed at the prostrated vampire before him, "says is truth, then we have more to worry about than Angelus and his consort."

"Angelus is not even three hundred years old," a shadow scoffed, "What harm could he cause to our plans?"

Collin sipped slowly. "He won 'The Scourge of Europe' title before he was even two hundred. And I understand he deserved it," he reminded his followers. "He managed to defeat and cross over a Slayer when he was barely a century old." Murmurs of agreement accompanied his next words. "As I see it, in spite of his age he has proven to be an astounding member of our community, one we don't want to destroy our plans."

"Tonight," Dalton murmured.

"Indeed," he nodded at his follower, "Tonight." The Anointed One, current vampire leader on the Hellmouth, drank the rest of the blood and reached out for more.

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KENDRA: I thought you were a vampire. I had good reason to think you were. Did I not see you kissing a vampire?
WILLOW: (stands up in Buffy's defence) Buffy would never do that! (realises) Oh. (to Buffy) Except for that sometimes you do that. (to Kendra) But only with Angel. (to Buffy) Right? (sits again)
BUFFY: Yes! Right

ME: Right? NO! Thank to Almighty *cough*crap*cough* Joss it isn't right anymore. Are you content now, Joss?!