Angel opened one of the entry doors to the mansion after a sharp knock had sounded. What he saw made Angel frown, but he stepped away and allowed them entrance.
Maeve Kells, Giles, and two male Watchers armed with stakes, crosses, and crossbows entered. Angel had no doubt that the two also had holy water somewhere on their beings. As Giles passed by, Angel raised an eyebrow in silent question.
"Security against you…and Buffy. Watch them closely," Giles muttered.
Angel nodded his understanding. So either they'll attempt to kill me…and in so doing kill Buffy. Or they'll do nothing. Great, Angel thought wearily.
As the Watchers sat down on various furnishings in the main room, Angel walked over to stand in front of the fireplace.
"To kill me, or not to kill me. That is the question," Angel murmured humorlessly within Giles hearing as he passed by the Watcher.
Giles' eyes widened for a moment, before he bent over in apparently a coughing fit. All but Angel looked on in confusion as Giles fought to keep from laughing hysterically out-loud. Once he regained his composure, Giles leaned back in his seat glaring at Angel, a promise of retaliation in his eyes. Angel smirked, knowing full well that Giles would be hard-pressed to top what he had just done.
Maeve gazed at the ensouled vampire and Watcher of the currently-insane Slayer through slitted eyes, knowing something had just transpired between the two. A moment later her expression became blank as she focused completely on Angel.
"Rupert tells me that you wish to make a deal with me, Vampire." She paused. "I am listening."
Angel gazed into the blazing fire contained within the fireplace, shadows dancing across his face, before saying, "I want to bring Buffy back to full sanity. In order to do that, a spell has to be preformed. A spell that is extremely dangerous, and is very deadly if even one thing is done incorrectly. I also want to guarantee the safety of the Hellmouth while Buffy continues to recover from her time in Hell, however long that will take."
"And what shall the Watchers get out of this?" asked Maeve.
Angel slowly turned until he faced Maeve, his face half in shadows within the darkened fire-lit room, and said, "A sane immortal Slayer…and a vampire possessed of a permanent soul that will be able to give you inside information on what is happening on the other side of this war between the Light and Dark."
Maeve nodded once, then asked, "You have a way to make her sane, but how do you guarantee the safety of the Hellmouth?"
"A question first," Angel said. "Has there been a Slayer called to replace Kendra?"
Maeve's expression became guarded as she asked, "Why should I tell you that?"
"If there has been another Slayer called…I would ask you -- no -- I would beg you to have this Slayer come to Sunnydale to take over protecting the Hellmouth while Buffy recovers. Once Buffy is well, she will take over again."
"Why should I have the second Slayer come here, Vampire?"
"Because the Hellmouth is unprotected," Giles said suddenly, his irritation over Maeve's stubbornness clear. "Good Lord, Maeve! Angel is only looking out for the well-being of this world…and his Slayer."
"HIS Slayer!" Maeve sputtered, as Angel gazed wide-eyed at Giles in shock. "What do you mean 'his Slayer'!"
Giles gazed with calculating eyes at Maeve, then glanced at Angel, asking, "Angel, you have always had a strong connection to Buffy, is that not so?"
"Yes," Angel answered slowly, "I have. And she could always sense me. Why do you ask?"
Giles was silent for a long moment, lost deeply within thought. Only the falling of a log from within the fireplace pulled Giles out of his thoughts. After another moment passed Giles cleared his throat, and said, "Angel, I was recently allowed access to the records that your descendants possess concerning your life before you became a vampire. What I read was most astonishing.
"At your birth, a Druid of Fey descent prophesied of your life. What struck me, though, is what this Druid said concerning who your soulmate would be." Giles leaned forward, gazing intently at Angel. "I will quote what the Druid said. 'And he will be led to his soulmate. She alone shall see beyond the darkness of his past…and love him for the man and Warrior he will become. She a Warrior unlike any before seen. A Slayer of all manner of Dark Beings. They shall join together, and the Darkness will know fear.'"
"Giles," Angel murmured softly, his eyes uncertain and weary, "why are you telling me this?"
"Because the time of this prophesy is at hand. You have found your soulmate in a Slayer. Might I add the most powerful Slayer to ever exist. So powerful is she that the Underworld is hard-pressed to find those competent and willing enough to entangle themselves with Buffy.
"Also, Angel, even if vampires and other demonic beings call you 'traitor' or 'Slayer's pet'…they all fear you. Your recent bout as Angelus only made them realize how much your soul is in control of the demon within you. Because of this, they truly do fear you.
"You are both feared by the dark forces, and, according to my sources, are revered and held in high honor among those that fight against the Darkness that wishes to consume this world."
"Rupert," Maeve said quietly into the awe-filled silence, "how is this relevant to your comment that HE owns the Slayer?"
"Did I actually say he owns her? No. I did not. What I was saying is that she is his and…he is hers as well. They belong to each other," Giles said softly and firmly.
"When did you become my defender, Giles? I thought that only Willow would do that," Angel said in amazement.
Giles looked down, and quietly said, "Since I read what the Druid said concerning you…I have had a change of heart." Giles looked up directly at Angel. "I do not take lightly what I am about to say.
"Because of the way you have acted, especially where Buffy is concerned, you have once again earned my trust. Should you ever need anything, just ask, and I'll see what can be done."
In the silence that followed, Maeve surged to her feet, and glared at Giles in disgust.
"You are a fool…Brother," Maeve hissed. "Can you not see that this…monster has you under his thrall!"
Giles slowly rose to his feet, his face a mask of cold rage. "No, Maeve," Giles said, his voice far too calm. "It is you who are the fool. Your vendetta against a being that no longer truly exists will destroy all the hard work that has been accomplished here!
"The only person here who is under a 'thrall' is you, dear sister. A thrall of revenge that will destroy us all! For if you have your way, you will destroy the greatest Warriors that have, or will, ever exist."
"NO VAMPIRE WILL EVER SERVE FOR THE SIDE OF LIGHT!" Maeve screamed in a maddened rage, launching herself towards Angel, a stake in her hands.
In a moment that seemed to last for an eternity, Maeve moved forward…only to be stopped by Buffy.
The stillness of the moment disappeared as Maeve crashed to the floor. Buffy crouched in front of Angel, growling lowly, darkly. "Ssssstay. Awwwway. Ffffffrrrrom. Mmmmmmy. Mmmmmmate," Buffy half-growled/half-hissed in rage, her eyes mere slits.
Angel stayed behind Buffy as Maeve slowly stood up. He softly murmured, once Maeve was standing, "To destroy one is to destroy the other, distant child of my blood. Know this, and understand it. We cannot be separated. To do so would be to destroy us."
"Listen to him, Maeve." Giles said softly in wonder. "He speaks the truth. The bond they share is powerful enough that they can sense when the other is in danger even before the danger happens. With Buffy, I know, she often dreamt of what would soon happen. Angel…"
"I often dreamt as well," Angel supplied quietly.
Giles nodded his acknowledgement and continued. "They can both sense each other, and recently have been able to communicate to each other through their very souls. Maeve, Buffy and Angel are, what I would refer to as, a 'true joining of souls.' So great is their bond that if on is injured, the other will know instantly."
Giles paused, gazing at the two soulmates in awe. He then turned a determined face to Maeve, and said in a commanding voice, "You have one of two choices, Head of the Watchers Council. One: You help us, and give use all of the support we need here to battle the Darkness that wishes to open the Hellmouth. Or two: You and the Watchers Council leave this place, never set foot here again, and be banned from receiving the services of this Slayer. Choose, and choose well, Sister. For there will be no second-chances."
Maeve gazed in silence at Giles, then turned her face to Buffy and Angel. She shuddered, and said, "I do not like this…but once again I have no choice." She brought herself up to her full height, and addressed Buffy, Angel, and Giles. "You will receive whatever aide you need. This I promise as Head of the Watchers Council."