AN: After her strange meeting with the vampire, Buffy goes to Angel for explanation.

The Choice: Chapter 17

Buffy watched him while he went away. What was that all about? Why didn't she stake him like she did with the hundreds of other vampires she encountered? What was it that attracted her to him and left her with a feeling of. . . familiarity. A vampire that cried for whatever reason was rare, if not unknown.

She still thought about him when she was in the crypt. Then she decided to pay Angel a visit. Maybe he had heard of a vampire named Spike. She knocked on the door.

"Buffy?"

"Hey Angel, I didn't wake you, did I?"

"Yeah. . . but that's okay. Come in."

He let her inside the small apartment that brought up a lot of painful memories. He closed the door and looked at her intently, it had been a long time since she had come to him. He knew about her hide-out in the crypt, but didn't comment on it.

"Angel? Are you okay?"

"Yes," He smiled. "Just remembering lost times."

Buffy didn't say anything but looked around the room. She picked up a look on one of the nightstands.

"Shakespeare. You read that a lot, don't you?"

"He has a certain poetry in his words that makes all else superficial. It is hard to explain. . . but it makes me forget."

"It's good that you can forget. I tried too, you know, but nothing works. For some reason I feel a bit better the last couple of days."

"Is it because of the crypt?"

She looked at him in surprise.

"Willow told you! Fuck, I can't trust anyone here!"

"Calm down, Buffy. Nobody told me. You are not the only one patrolling the cemeteries. A few nights ago I saw you entering that crypt with food and a few books, I thought you had a prisoner there. Willow just confirmed what I already knew."

"You don't have to spy on me, Angel. I can handle myself. Besides, nowadays vampires don't want to fight me anymore. That's why I'm here."

"Because you want them to fight you?"

"No, that's not it. The vampire. . . he seemed a bit out of it, but he had an enormous strength. I think he was a master."

"Where did you meet him?"

"Cemetery. He cried, Angel."

"Cried? Vampires don't do that!"

"The hell they don't! I know there's nothing in the diaries, but you cried too. I know you do, but you have a soul. But he did cry. . . he didn't want to fight me and he had seen me before. I don't understand. I was hoping you'd know more about him."

"I don't think so."

"He called himself Spike."

Angel had to steady himself by the mention of the name. He knew about the crimes of his Childe, of his fame. It had been over a century he had seen him and his William had built a reputation for himself.

"What is he doing in America? He must know about me."

"You do know him! Tell me."

Angel watched the Slayer as she stood in front of him, hands on her hips, waiting for his answer. It was almost like old times.

"Spike. . . William is my Childe. I haven't seen him after the gypsies returned my soul." He lied.

"I don't know, Buffy. He used to be a vicious killer, maybe even worse than myself. I raised him, so you know what he is capable of. And he is a strong one, probably a master vampire by now. The only reason I can think of is revenge."

"On you? Because you left him."

"Yeah."

"He will be here soon then. He must have followed me here and sensed you. He can't be that strong."

"I think it's better if I do this on my own."

"Angel. . ."

"No Buffy! He is my responsibility, let me handle him."

"If you're sure."

"Yes." He laid his hands on her shoulder. "Trust me, Buffy."

"Alright, but I don't like it one bit."

He kissed her on the forehead.

"Thank you. Now, go back home. Or if you want to stay. . ."

"It's okay, I'm going. Be careful."

"I will." He smiled.