OK, serious plot time here folks. Please bear with me!
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Chapter 9
Angel's neck had been patched up, and the first aid supplies put away after seeing to Buffy's assorted wounds. Spike was sitting off in a corner in what Angel could best describe as a sulk. And Buffy... well, she was currently tied to one of the dining room chairs. And now everyone was staring at Angel expecting explanations.
"What?!" Angel asked indignantly.
"Angel, please, tell us what on earth happened." Wesley questioned.
"Long story short, I was consoling Buffy and in the process I kind of....." Angel trailed off.
"Yes?" Giles prodded.
"Iputherheadupagainstmyneck." Angel pushed out in one breath.
"Could you put that on replay for us, and a little slower for those of us who don't watch everything on fast forward?" Xander said.
"I put her head up against my neck." Angel said much slower than originally, not making eye contact with anyone. "I got wrapped up, forgot that it *my* body Buffy's in, and made a stupid mistake, OK?"
"Angel, I know this is difficult, but please do try to remember that you are in a mortal body right now. Buffy could have killed you, and we have no way to know the repercussions if one of you should happen to die." Wesley pointed out.
"Man, I forgot what being drained feels like. Buffy hasn't exactly gotten down the finer points of the bite yet either." Angel off handedly commented, rubbing the still aching bite on his neck. "But believe me, I won't be forgetting again anytime soon." He finished, noting that Buffy had started to stir in her chair.
"You guys sure you got those ropes tight enough? She's gonna be pretty cranky and dosed up with slayer blood when she comes to." Angel motioned to Buffy.
"I did volunteer my chains." Spike said from his corner of the room but got only several annoyed stares from the group. "Well I did."
"We should probably check them before she wakes up." Cordelia said, though no one made any moves.
"Oh no. I'm not going anywhere near her. Last time I did that, Buffy pulled a Larry and Curly with me and Oz." Xander said. Now he was the one getting the annoying looks. Plus a confused look from Angel, and a snicker from Spike.
"Mmmmpfff.... Oh, man..... HEY! What the...." Buffy said as she became more conscious. She gave a hefty tug on her restraints and then glanced around in anger at the assembled teams.
"Hey Buffy! How you feeling? Little less blood lusty?" Willow asked cheerfully. Her only reply was a stare.
"See, she's angry. That's exactly how she looked before she used our heads as cymbals." Xander said, somewhat panicked.
Angel got up and went over to Buffy. Stopping just out of arms reach, but knowing if she got free and wanted to, she would have him down before he could react. Of course *this time* everyone was in the room and could, better, help if she did give in to the demon again.
"Buffy, do you remember what happened?" Angel asked, his voice very low and soothing.
Buffy looked at Angel confusedly for several moments. He knew she was trying to remember, trying to work things out in her head.
"Oh God.... Angel I...." Buffy stammered out. Tears were starting to form in her eyes as she remember what she had done. "Angel, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to, I couldn't stop. It's just, you smelled so good, and then it tasted so good, and it seemed so right. And then you felt so... and now I feel so...." Buffy rambled out. Her nostrils started flaring, her eyes started glazing over, and then Angel's game face shifted forward again. Now she was practically leering at Angel.
"Don't think bein' so close is the wisest thing at the moment mate." Spike offered.
"Spike, I know what I'm doing here." Angel bit out, turning his head to face the blond vamp.
"Really, 'cause it looks to me like you're tryin' to get drained again." Spike said.
As if on cue, Buffy's demon surged forward against the bonds, tearing them, and lunged at Angel. Spike was up and across the room before the others had hardly budged, and between he and Angel they managed to get Buffy subdued and re-tied, though it was no small feat. But Buffy was calming down, though she was now visibly shaking.
"Angel, think you and I should head out for a patrol. Give the bird a bit to come down." Spike said.
"Why in hell would I want to patrol with *you*?" Angel asked incredulous. "I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."
"I'm just sayin'. You know she's going to be high as a kite and as horny as a 16 year old boy for a bit, and you bein' here isn't going to help things any." Spike pointed out.
"Angel, perhaps Spike is right." Giles spoke up. "It has been a while since you patrolled in Sunnydale and until we have this sorted, I don't think either of you should be alone."
"I'm the one who gets bit and you're going to punish me by sending me out with Spike?" Angel asked, hoping that didn't come out as whiny as it sounded in his head.
"Angel, no one is punishing you." Wesley said. "Much as I hate to admit it, Spike is probably right."
"Angel," Buffy said from her chair, "they're right. The way I feel right now," Buffy paused as she struggled for control, "it's probably best if you weren't here right now. Besides, someone needs to patrol, and whether you like it or not, Spike is gonna be your best backup."
"Hey, think of it this way," Cordelia offered. "Maybe you'll get lucky and some big nasty demon will dust him." she finished cheerfully.
Angel seemed to contemplate this a moment. With a very big sigh and an exagerated eye roll, Angel mumbled "We can only hope." and headed for the door.
**********
Angel and Spike had killed a couple of fledglings, but otherwise things had been slow. Having scouted all the cemeteries, the pair were now sitting on a mosoleum in Restfield cemetery, biding their time.
"You think it's been long enough?" Angel asked.
"Maybe. Wouldn't hurt to wait a bit a longer though." Spike answered, snuffing out his cigarette and then taking another out and lighting it. "The bloodlust is likely gone. But the other lasts a good while."
Angel snickered. "I don't think she wants anything like that from me. Not anymore." He finished quietly.
Spike chuckled. "You really are dense, aren't you."
"You know, I could stake you now and tell the others it was an accident." Angel said, glancing at Spike from the corner of his eye.
"Yeah, yeah. Heard it all before. Kind of old hat coming from the slayers mouth." Spike replied.
"I'm not the slayer." Angel said before he caught himself.
"Oh, but you are." Spike said cocking a brow at Angel. "See, you may be 'Angel the grand poof' in there, but you're in the slayers body. Until, or if, you get switched back, you *are* the slayer."
They sat there in silence for s few more moments.
"She still loves you." Spike said, almost too quiet for Angel to hear. "It's why the farmboy left."
"Doesn't matter. Nothing's changed. She still deserves more than I can give her." Angel responded.
"Well yeah! Doesn't mean she'd be happy if she got it though." Spike said.
"What do you mean she wouldn't be happy. How could she not be happy? She needs sunlight, and children, and as close as she can got to a normal kind of life." Angel said, sounding more like he was convincing himself instead of Spike.
"Do you ever really hear what you're saying? Or does it just come out without passing your brain first?" Spike asked.
"I can't believe I'm actually having this conversation again, but Buffy doesn't need the sunshine and rugrats to be happy. She will never be happy with normal. She needs a little monster in her man, and you, oh gelled one, fit the bill."
Angel simply continued to stare at the ground.
"You remember what you said right after you came to me and Dru in the factory? 'Bout killing Buffy? How you have to love her to kill her?" Spike asked, getting a small nod from Angel.
"You were wrong." Spike said. Angel's head shot up as he looked at Spike questioningly. "See Angel, it's the *not* loving that kills her. And you're doing a right fine job of it."
"I love Buffy." Angel said vehemently, jumping off the mosoleum. "I will *always* love Buffy."
"But not enough." Spike said. "There are ways around the soul thing. And even if you can't have your 'perfect happiness', there's lots of ways to make her perfectly happy, if you know what I mean, and I know you do. She will never be happy with anyone but you." Spike's voice was taking on an angry tone. "You could to give her that. But you'd rather throw it away with both hands. I,*I* would kill to be able to give her that, and it kills me that you don't even want it. That you won't take what she's offering."
"It's not like that Spike." Angel spat out.
"Isn't it? Tell me Angel, now that you're the one who's gonna die, now that you can go out in the sun, and have you're little picnics, and find some nice normal girl to have litters of kids with, does any of that make you happy? Does any of it change how you feel about Buffy? Does knowing that she can't give you any of those things change *anything* at all?" Spike asked with no small amount of emotion.
Angel could only stare at Spike as his words sank in.
"Didn't think so." Spike said. "Come on, we better get back before Giles sends the troops out after us." Spike snuffed out his cigarette and jumped from his perch, then started back toward the house.
"Spike?" Angel called after him. When the blond vamp stoppend and turned his head back , he asked quietly, "Why?"
"I think you know the answer to that." Spike gave a sad smile. "Besides, it's 'bout time she was happy, been a while."
Angel narrowed his eyes, searching Spike's face for a moment. Then gave a little nod. They walked the rest of the way to the house in silence.
**********
TBC...
A/N- whew! Angsty I know. next chapter will be back to funny. Please have faith in me! Oh, and don't forget to review! Thanks!
**********
Chapter 9
Angel's neck had been patched up, and the first aid supplies put away after seeing to Buffy's assorted wounds. Spike was sitting off in a corner in what Angel could best describe as a sulk. And Buffy... well, she was currently tied to one of the dining room chairs. And now everyone was staring at Angel expecting explanations.
"What?!" Angel asked indignantly.
"Angel, please, tell us what on earth happened." Wesley questioned.
"Long story short, I was consoling Buffy and in the process I kind of....." Angel trailed off.
"Yes?" Giles prodded.
"Iputherheadupagainstmyneck." Angel pushed out in one breath.
"Could you put that on replay for us, and a little slower for those of us who don't watch everything on fast forward?" Xander said.
"I put her head up against my neck." Angel said much slower than originally, not making eye contact with anyone. "I got wrapped up, forgot that it *my* body Buffy's in, and made a stupid mistake, OK?"
"Angel, I know this is difficult, but please do try to remember that you are in a mortal body right now. Buffy could have killed you, and we have no way to know the repercussions if one of you should happen to die." Wesley pointed out.
"Man, I forgot what being drained feels like. Buffy hasn't exactly gotten down the finer points of the bite yet either." Angel off handedly commented, rubbing the still aching bite on his neck. "But believe me, I won't be forgetting again anytime soon." He finished, noting that Buffy had started to stir in her chair.
"You guys sure you got those ropes tight enough? She's gonna be pretty cranky and dosed up with slayer blood when she comes to." Angel motioned to Buffy.
"I did volunteer my chains." Spike said from his corner of the room but got only several annoyed stares from the group. "Well I did."
"We should probably check them before she wakes up." Cordelia said, though no one made any moves.
"Oh no. I'm not going anywhere near her. Last time I did that, Buffy pulled a Larry and Curly with me and Oz." Xander said. Now he was the one getting the annoying looks. Plus a confused look from Angel, and a snicker from Spike.
"Mmmmpfff.... Oh, man..... HEY! What the...." Buffy said as she became more conscious. She gave a hefty tug on her restraints and then glanced around in anger at the assembled teams.
"Hey Buffy! How you feeling? Little less blood lusty?" Willow asked cheerfully. Her only reply was a stare.
"See, she's angry. That's exactly how she looked before she used our heads as cymbals." Xander said, somewhat panicked.
Angel got up and went over to Buffy. Stopping just out of arms reach, but knowing if she got free and wanted to, she would have him down before he could react. Of course *this time* everyone was in the room and could, better, help if she did give in to the demon again.
"Buffy, do you remember what happened?" Angel asked, his voice very low and soothing.
Buffy looked at Angel confusedly for several moments. He knew she was trying to remember, trying to work things out in her head.
"Oh God.... Angel I...." Buffy stammered out. Tears were starting to form in her eyes as she remember what she had done. "Angel, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to, I couldn't stop. It's just, you smelled so good, and then it tasted so good, and it seemed so right. And then you felt so... and now I feel so...." Buffy rambled out. Her nostrils started flaring, her eyes started glazing over, and then Angel's game face shifted forward again. Now she was practically leering at Angel.
"Don't think bein' so close is the wisest thing at the moment mate." Spike offered.
"Spike, I know what I'm doing here." Angel bit out, turning his head to face the blond vamp.
"Really, 'cause it looks to me like you're tryin' to get drained again." Spike said.
As if on cue, Buffy's demon surged forward against the bonds, tearing them, and lunged at Angel. Spike was up and across the room before the others had hardly budged, and between he and Angel they managed to get Buffy subdued and re-tied, though it was no small feat. But Buffy was calming down, though she was now visibly shaking.
"Angel, think you and I should head out for a patrol. Give the bird a bit to come down." Spike said.
"Why in hell would I want to patrol with *you*?" Angel asked incredulous. "I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."
"I'm just sayin'. You know she's going to be high as a kite and as horny as a 16 year old boy for a bit, and you bein' here isn't going to help things any." Spike pointed out.
"Angel, perhaps Spike is right." Giles spoke up. "It has been a while since you patrolled in Sunnydale and until we have this sorted, I don't think either of you should be alone."
"I'm the one who gets bit and you're going to punish me by sending me out with Spike?" Angel asked, hoping that didn't come out as whiny as it sounded in his head.
"Angel, no one is punishing you." Wesley said. "Much as I hate to admit it, Spike is probably right."
"Angel," Buffy said from her chair, "they're right. The way I feel right now," Buffy paused as she struggled for control, "it's probably best if you weren't here right now. Besides, someone needs to patrol, and whether you like it or not, Spike is gonna be your best backup."
"Hey, think of it this way," Cordelia offered. "Maybe you'll get lucky and some big nasty demon will dust him." she finished cheerfully.
Angel seemed to contemplate this a moment. With a very big sigh and an exagerated eye roll, Angel mumbled "We can only hope." and headed for the door.
**********
Angel and Spike had killed a couple of fledglings, but otherwise things had been slow. Having scouted all the cemeteries, the pair were now sitting on a mosoleum in Restfield cemetery, biding their time.
"You think it's been long enough?" Angel asked.
"Maybe. Wouldn't hurt to wait a bit a longer though." Spike answered, snuffing out his cigarette and then taking another out and lighting it. "The bloodlust is likely gone. But the other lasts a good while."
Angel snickered. "I don't think she wants anything like that from me. Not anymore." He finished quietly.
Spike chuckled. "You really are dense, aren't you."
"You know, I could stake you now and tell the others it was an accident." Angel said, glancing at Spike from the corner of his eye.
"Yeah, yeah. Heard it all before. Kind of old hat coming from the slayers mouth." Spike replied.
"I'm not the slayer." Angel said before he caught himself.
"Oh, but you are." Spike said cocking a brow at Angel. "See, you may be 'Angel the grand poof' in there, but you're in the slayers body. Until, or if, you get switched back, you *are* the slayer."
They sat there in silence for s few more moments.
"She still loves you." Spike said, almost too quiet for Angel to hear. "It's why the farmboy left."
"Doesn't matter. Nothing's changed. She still deserves more than I can give her." Angel responded.
"Well yeah! Doesn't mean she'd be happy if she got it though." Spike said.
"What do you mean she wouldn't be happy. How could she not be happy? She needs sunlight, and children, and as close as she can got to a normal kind of life." Angel said, sounding more like he was convincing himself instead of Spike.
"Do you ever really hear what you're saying? Or does it just come out without passing your brain first?" Spike asked.
"I can't believe I'm actually having this conversation again, but Buffy doesn't need the sunshine and rugrats to be happy. She will never be happy with normal. She needs a little monster in her man, and you, oh gelled one, fit the bill."
Angel simply continued to stare at the ground.
"You remember what you said right after you came to me and Dru in the factory? 'Bout killing Buffy? How you have to love her to kill her?" Spike asked, getting a small nod from Angel.
"You were wrong." Spike said. Angel's head shot up as he looked at Spike questioningly. "See Angel, it's the *not* loving that kills her. And you're doing a right fine job of it."
"I love Buffy." Angel said vehemently, jumping off the mosoleum. "I will *always* love Buffy."
"But not enough." Spike said. "There are ways around the soul thing. And even if you can't have your 'perfect happiness', there's lots of ways to make her perfectly happy, if you know what I mean, and I know you do. She will never be happy with anyone but you." Spike's voice was taking on an angry tone. "You could to give her that. But you'd rather throw it away with both hands. I,*I* would kill to be able to give her that, and it kills me that you don't even want it. That you won't take what she's offering."
"It's not like that Spike." Angel spat out.
"Isn't it? Tell me Angel, now that you're the one who's gonna die, now that you can go out in the sun, and have you're little picnics, and find some nice normal girl to have litters of kids with, does any of that make you happy? Does any of it change how you feel about Buffy? Does knowing that she can't give you any of those things change *anything* at all?" Spike asked with no small amount of emotion.
Angel could only stare at Spike as his words sank in.
"Didn't think so." Spike said. "Come on, we better get back before Giles sends the troops out after us." Spike snuffed out his cigarette and jumped from his perch, then started back toward the house.
"Spike?" Angel called after him. When the blond vamp stoppend and turned his head back , he asked quietly, "Why?"
"I think you know the answer to that." Spike gave a sad smile. "Besides, it's 'bout time she was happy, been a while."
Angel narrowed his eyes, searching Spike's face for a moment. Then gave a little nod. They walked the rest of the way to the house in silence.
**********
TBC...
A/N- whew! Angsty I know. next chapter will be back to funny. Please have faith in me! Oh, and don't forget to review! Thanks!