Diablo turned at the approach of a similarly large demon. It stood as tall as Diablo but not as wide. Although obviously a Demon Lord he was thin with a pitch black skin, wrapped in dark gray bandages and pale yellow eyes. His oversized robes concealed a score of long thin tentacles extending from his backside. His mouth was set into a line of displeasure and it was directed at his youngest brother.

"Baal, my brother." Diablo greeted his sibling with enthusiasm. "What brings the Lord of Destruction into mine domain?" He asked in a pleasent voice, for a demon, although he had a fair idea as to the reason for his prescence.

Where Diablos voice was deep and strong, Baals was more like the howling wind of a master hurricane or tornado. "Diablo, I have come to end this matter of Angels soul."

"Ah, but my brother, I have already ended this. Arioch should return soon with my prize and the damnable DarkChilds head." Diablo spoke in gleeful tones.

"Arioch has been defeated by the DarkChild and the enforcer demons with him have been destroyed." Baal calmly informed the Lord of Terror. Diablo blinked in surprise and tried to decide what to do about yet another set back.

"I shall go MYSELF to this Limbo and rip her world apart until they are both found and dead." He ground out the words with true intent but inside knew that he could not follow through on his threat.

"Shall you?" Baal asked. "And tell me, how will you accomplish this task?"

Diablo slumped in defeat upon his throne. Only less than Omega powers were free to move amoung the outer realms. Diablo and his six brothers were all of Prime powers. The Laws of All forbid him to move out of his realm without being summoned or through a portal such as the Hellmouth. "Brother, what shall I do?" Diablo asked.

"Nothing." Baal commanded "You have done enough. If you had but listened to the DarkChild at the outset we would have gained much from this. But you allowed yourself to be goaded into anger and now we barely stand to come away equal to what we started as."

"Damn the luck of that half-mortal bitch!"

Baal glared at his brother for a long moment before answering. "Luck had nothing to do with this." Diablo looked up sharply. "The DarkChild has played her hand well. She is after something bigger than we yet know." Although Baal had his suspicions. "We will now barter with the Magus in the hopes that she will slip up before this matter is concluded."

"I understand." Diablo conceaded. "I shall send-"

"YOU shall do NOTHING!" Baal spoke loudly but did not yet yell. "You have done enough in this matter." Baal moved to one side to reveal Syndahiel waiting patiently behind him. "I will send Syndahiel to the DarkChild and she will conclude this event." He caught Diablos gaze with his own. "YOU will abide by whatever decision made there. Understood?"

"Yes!" Diablo ground out while risking a glare at the Maiden of Deception. She was an apt choice for a negotiation, it just galled Diablo that he had helped make such a negotiation necessary. As his brother and Syndahiel left he quietly promised himself. "Someday, in someway DarkChilde, you will be made to pay for this insult and pay dearly."

--- --- ---

Upon his arrival within Illyanas private room Angel once again found himself dressed in his matching black silk ensamble from earlier. He shook his head and glanced around. He had appeared near the large fireplace which contained a blazing flame. Surrounded by cushions and pillows Angel guessed that it was time to relax. Illyana appeared a moment after him dressed in the same black silk sheath dress as before but this time it was a bit more transparent. Angel had little difficulty determining that she wore nothing beneath the dress.

Illyana laughed a light happy sound as she moved to a large stretch of cushion and allowed herself to fall backwards upon them. "Come. Join me Angel." She had meant it to be a request but it came across as a command.

Angel stiffened slightly and replied "Of course, Mistress." and started towards her. He could see her mentally kick herself with the quick frown and apologetic look.

"I'm sorry. I'm not used to switching modes so quickly like that." Illyana patted the space next to herself. "Please, join me." She entreated him further with such a sweet and innocent smile that Angel momentarily forgot what he had seen of her earlier. After he sat she handed him another goblet of the reddish-yellow liquid. "To a, so far, succesful venture." The glass chinked together and they drank.

As Angel lower his glass he pondered his question then asked. "Why me?" As he spoke he knew what part of her answer would be. Because everyone else in Hell belonged there. But it wasn't the real question he was asking and Illyana knew it.

"I could tell you all sorts of things." Illyana explained. "Some of them you might even believe, most of them not. I could tell you I was bored. Or that I couldn't stand by and let such an injustice be done." This last was said in mockingly noble voice. "I could even tell you that I am looking to redeem myself." She smiled at that like it was a joke unto itself. "But the big black ugly truth is that I see a chance for me to gain from all of this." She sipped her drink while she waited for him to responde.

He jumped to the only conclusion. "I'm a pawn." He told her with a hint of disgust. To his surprise she laughed. It was a laugh of appreciation and surprise more than evil or happiness.

"Oh no my dear Angel." She said "If I am the player then you," she leaned closer to him "my dear Angel," and even closer still "are my knight." she kissed his lips softly. "My knight in shining armour." As she kissed him the second time he leaned forward and kissed her back. It deepened and strengthened as it went on. Angel felt both of Illyanas hands upon his chest and sides feeling his muscles through the silk. He momentarily wondered where her drink went and then simply tossed his aside. She moaned as his hands began their own exploration of her body.

There was a flash of light and they were both upon the bed with Illyana on top. She straddeled his waist as they kissed deeply, tongues battling for supremecy but both guaranteed to win. Angel felt his shirt dissolve into a mist and warm hands begin to caress his flesh. He grinned and pulled up on her dress.

"Let me." She said and he shook his head no. There is something intrinsically erotic about undressing a woman and Angel knew this. She acquiesced to his silent desire. Allowing his hands to slide up her sides, pulling the sheath with them, he slowly revealed her perfect body.

"Do you like what you see?" She asked, although she could feel that he did.

"You. Are. Gorgeous." Angel breathed each word like a prayer. She smiled and blushed slightly which Angel found even more endearing. He pulled her down for another long kiss, reveling in the feel of her against his chest.

They began to explore one anothers bodies. Sweaty flesh, grunts and moans and finally gasps of release. He collapsed onto the bed next to her. As one they turned their heads to look at one another.

"Guess you haven't done that in awhile." Illyana said with a smile.

"Not since..." Angel trailed off as he remembered Buffy and the results of their only copulation.

"Buffy?" Illyana asked, a little cruelty entering her eyes. His eyes narrowed as he sat up. He recalled her saying that she had something to gain from all of this and now he wanted... no NEEDED to find out what it was.

"What, presicely, are you going to gain from rescueing me?" He was afraid of the answer but he asked anyways.

Illyana chuckled at him. "Not your seed if that's what you're wondering." He involuntarily let himself relax a bit.

"Then what?" He demanded as he reached for his pants. Something about how the situation was turning made him want to be covered up. Because of this he missed Illyanas momentary glare at him.

"Tell you what Angel." His name was said in a slightly mocking tone. "I'll answer one of two questions but not both. You can know what I am going to get out of this or what you are going to get out of this."

That got his full attention back on the sorceress. He knew that she would answer either question truthfully. There was no reason for her to lie, he couldn't hope to stop her. He pulled his pants on as he scooted to the edge of the bed. Did he really want to know what the demoness wanted or not. Eventually he would find out his fate in all of this and he may never discover her true motivations on his own.

He also considered whether or not he cared about her motivations or not. He turned at movement on the bed to find Illyana had stood and was stretching her arms above her head, still naked. She then walked to the foot of the bed while pulling her long hair onto her back. Once on the floor her white two piece outfit reappeared and she stood there patiently as Angel decided.

"Alright, what happens to me when all of this is finished?" He finally asked and Illyana favored him with a knowing smile.

"You get to go home." She said casually as she made her way towards the balcony again. Angel stood completely stunned for a moment and then hurried after her.

"Back to Earth?" Angel asked as he reached her side once more.

Illyana turned innocent eyes upon him "Yeah. Buffy, Giles and all those that love you so much." She paused but Angel ignored the sarcasm present in her voice. "Unless you think Hell is home." She pretended to think for a moment. "Then of course if you prefer Heaven..."

Angel quickly put together the pieces of what she was saying to him. "You can't really...?" He trailed off with finger pointing upwards but the DarkChild knew what he was asking.

"No. But I can reach those who can." The blond magus explained and then leaned into a strong cool breeze. "I'm sure they wouldn't mind escorting you across." They most certainly would mind but they'd have to do it anyhow. Those thoughts she kept to herself. Angel didn't even bother to ask why, he knew she wouldn't answer.

Angel shook his head. He most desired to return to Earth and... Buffy. He wondered what it would be like to be human around her. He grinned at the memory of their first tryst together. His grin almost faded as he recalled the results of that night. At least that will never happen again. He reassured himself. He felt himself being watched and focused on Illyana again. "Earth would be fine."

"I thought so." Illyana smiled. She knew that would be his response. It wasn't so much understanding Angel but understanding human nature. You always wanted to be with those you loved. Even if you weren't sure if they loved you. "But don't be surprised if your homecoming isn't all you expect it to be."

Angels brow creased. "Angelous. I remember what he did while... I was gone." The deception and torture, evil and plotting were all in his mind as if he performed those acts himself. "I'll explain, although I'm sure they have already figured it out." They must have. His soul had been restored to him moments before the end. Only a powerful wicca or sorceress could have done that. Willow immediately sprang to mind. He had always believed that she had more talent than any one was giving her credit for, even herself.

"Home is where the heart is." Illyana smiled without warmth.

For some reason Ariochs words of her half-mortal soul, ran through Angels mind. It had confirmed Angels suspiscion that Illyana was indeed a half-breed human-demon. "What about you Illyana, where is your heart?" He suddenly blurted out. He hadn't meant to say anything, it had just sprung forward of its own violation.

"Haven't you figured it out yet Angel?" Illyana asked without looking at him. "I have no heart and this" she indicated the realm around her "is my only true home."

Angel didn't believe her. "What of the others who S'ym mentioned?" It was a risk that he was taking but he felt that it needed to be done. She looked sideways at him with narrowed eyes.

"S'ym should learn to keep his mouth shut." Angel could hear her warning towards him as well. But she needed him so he didn't believe that she would harm him.

"Since you do have friends you must know what its like to be accepted just as you are." Angel pointed out. "Even half-breeds have families who care for them." He didn't get the reaction he expected. She laughed. But it wasn't a nice laugh. It was mocking and full of scorn.

"My friends, as you name them, trust me about as far as they could spit. And some not even that much." She turned fully towards him now. "You have no idea what you're talking about and I'm not about to let you do a psych eval on me." She put her back to him and walked towards the interior of her fortress.

As Angel spoke to retreating backside she slowed to a stop. "You're a half-breed human-demon. Your family and friends don't understand and are afraid of you." She didn't say anything so he continued. "So you keep yourself distant from them and try to be as human as possible for them. Meanwhile your loyal subjects are jealous of your status due to your mixed heritage. You send mixed signals when your friends are here because you treat them with kindness and yet have to be cruel and forceful with your demons. In short you feel that you have two roles to play and neither one feels like yourself. You have to find your own path or you'll get lost inbetween." Angel was startled when she turned on him in full DarkChild form.

"You know nothing about me." She yelled at him. "Allow me to disillusion you." Her face was a mask of rage and her soulsword, in hand, was blazing with silver fire. "I am not a half-breed as you suggested. I was born fully human and for six very short years I remained that way." She let the information sink in before saying "My soul was corrupted and remade into this places previous masters own image. Piece by piece I was reshaped into his DarkChild. I now stand here with only two fifths of my human soul left. The rest is this."

Angel knew without asking that she meant the DarkChild. She became her mortal self again. "So do you know what I'm going through? NO! You haven't got a clue. Oh, I know how you were made and what you've gone through but at least your demon came from without. I am my own demon."

"You can still try to be better than you are. It's all any of us can do." Angel insisted.

"Don't you understand? My friends and family don't trust me. They! Are! Afraid! Of me! Oh they don't say it outright but I can see it in thier eyes and in their souls. Always wondering when little Illyana is going to become the DarkChild ONE last time. So NO, Angel, I don't have anyone." She stormed off into her chambers again. Angel quickly went after her.

"Illyana!" He grabbed her arm and spun her back towards him. He found himself lifted off the floor by his throat and thrown across the room to land amoungst the cushions and pillows. He rubbed his neck where she had single handedly tossed him.

"You have annoyed me once too often!" Her aspect was still human but her voice carried the threat of the DarkChild. "S'ym!" She called out and he appeared in a circle of light.

"Yeah Boss?"

"My guest has worn out his welcome." She told him. "Would you please find a way to entertain him for the rest of his stay." S'ym grinned and used one hand to pluck Angel from the cushions.

"Illyana don't do this." Angel pleaded with her. He didn't want her to lose what was left of her innocence.

"You will refer to me as Mistress or DarkChild!" She waved S'ym and Angel away. She watched as they vanished and then took herself to the throne room while denying that the single tear on her cheek existed.