Buffy walked in Angel's room and sat on the small loveseat. She motioned him to sit next to her. He looked at her for a moment then sat. "So, come to spend a little quality time or is there a reason you have that look on your face?" Angel tried to smile but it was too hard looking at her solemn expression.

"Oh, yea, sorry, I just got some info from Willow. She came up with something I need to talk to you about. I just don't know were to start." Buffy laid her hand on his and gave a small smile. They instantly felt that spark of heat pass thru them both at the contact and Buffy gave him a heated expression that soon turned grim as she thought of how to explain this without him rejecting it on the spot. "Its good news…… kind of, I just guess it depends on how you look at it." She was a little scared to have this talk with him but at this point they had no other options. It seems during their talk earlier he had told her of the prophecy to become human and his having to sign it away in order to keep up appearances with the Black Thorn.

"I really don't like the feeling you're giving me right now. Just start at the beginning, it'll be fine." Angel took her hand in his and looked her in the eyes. She always melted staring into those deep chocolate pools; looking into them she saw the same love and longing as she herself felt. She knew at that instant that she would be willing to do anything to lift the curse and be able to show him exactly how she felt about him.

"Alright, I will try and explain the game plan but you will probably need Willow for deeper splainy you know me and technical stuff……we don't mesh, and I'm all get to the fightin part." She squared her shoulders and gave her best determined look.

"Here goes, Willow thinks we will be able to reason with Angelus and heal your soul or lift the cursed part. She says we should be able to do it if we work together. If I take the potion she makes for the cure and some of that drug Wes used with Faith that time she fought Angelus, we could……or I could…..you know…….deal with Angelus."

"Woe, woe, woe………….. Hold on just one minute, what makes you think that will work? What makes you think Angelus will do anything but try and take advantage of you in a vulnerable state? I don't want you taking that drug Buffy it's too dangerous. I do not like this plan. It doesn't sound safe." Angel stood up from the couch and started pacing.

"Yes, we can do it together. I take the potion and drug. You bite me, we go into your mind like Faith did that time and we talk to Angelus together." Buffy stood and grabbed Angel while she said this to make sure he knew she was serious. She was going to stand her ground on this one. She knew this was the only way it was going to work. Angel was not going to make the decision on his own like he always liked to do, no; this time was going to be different. This time they were going to decide together and she was going to make sure he knew that saying no was not an option.

"Look Buffy, this is way too dangerous. I will not bite you. I have done that once already to cure myself, I refuse to do it again. I will not do anything to hurt you like that, not again. Faith almost died when she took that stuff, Wes was crazy to let her do it then, and there's no way I'm putting you in that kind of danger now. I can't loose you Buffy not like that. There must be another way to do it. Tell them to try the spell anyway. If it doesn't work and Angelus comes back, Willow can curse me again." Angel was almost pleading at this point. He was standing in front of her grasping her arms and looking deeply distraught. He was on the verge of tears and it was killing Buffy to see him in this kind of pain.

"You know it doesn't work like that Angel. If this is going to work we need to do it, 'Together'. It's the only way. I'm not jazzed to be spending time with Angelus, and yes I am scared, but I know that I love you and I want you and that is what gives me the courage to go thru with this. I need to do this with you; we need to do this together. Angelus knows his days are numbered anyway; this is the only way for you two to be at some kind of peace. Willow is a very powerful witch and I believe she can do this and keep us both safe. I will only take what is necessary to get the spell done, nothing more. Please Angel, just talk to Willow about it before you shoot us down. Ok." Buffy was in tears as she started to blurt all this out. She got up from her seat and was face to face with him. She could not hold back the hot salty tears that were streaming down her face. She had to convince him to a least try, he owed her that much.

Buffy sat down hard on the couch now sobbing uncontrollably. She just wanted Angel to be whole. She wanted to be with him, love him, hell make love to him without the complications of a cursed soul. She was starting to think Angel didn't want to be with her. Maybe he really felt he didn't deserve love of any kind and was afraid of it. If this didn't work she was giving up on love all together.

Angel sat down beside her and held her until she calmed down a little. He picked her head up and laid his cool lips on hers. She welcomed his mouth. It was soft and sweet at first then deepened with every passing moment, they felt the passion building and a need to be closer than ever. Angel finally broke off the kiss and looked deep into her hazel eyes. How could he deny her anything? "Ok, we talk to Willow. But I will only do this if she convinces me that you will not be in danger. I love you." He then captured her lips once more.

They both needed each other so badly. Kissing with all the love and passion their bodies could give each other. Hands once again began to roam to familiar places and Buffy couldn't help but let out a soft moan as his hand came up to grasp one of her firm breasts. Angel broke away finally, and Buffy moaned her disappointment in the loss of his hands and his mouth. Angel again captured her gaze and spoke softly to her, "Buffy, maybe we should go down stairs now. I don't think we should stay in here alone much longer. I don't think if I keep touching you that I will be able to stop." He looked at her with lustful eyes and she returned the look with a sly grin. "See….we need to do something Angel. I will not be able to stay away from you much longer." Buffy grabbed his neck, pulling him down into another heated kiss. This time filled with more burning passion than the last until she found herself climbing onto his lap and moving her hands under his shirt to feel the muscled chest that was hidden beneath. Angel stopped the kiss and pushed her off of his lap and back to the sofa she was once on. He quickly rose to his feet and she could see him struggle to keep his demon face from emerging.

She planted her feet firmly on the ground and walked to him calmly. "Ok I ……see your point. My resistance is getting…… weak. I just want to touch you, feel you. GOD! I can't stand this. We talk to Willow now. This has gone on long enough. I think I need a cold shower and then I think I should go kill something, like right now." Buffy turned and headed for the door. "I think next time we are in here alone, I want us both to be able to finish what we start." She then walked out of the room and across the hall to her room. It was time for that shower and then talk to Willow even if she had to drag him down there.

Later that afternoon Willow, Xander, Faith, and Wesley were gathered around the table in the library. They awaited the arrival of Buffy and Angel. They all had spoken earlier and managed to convince Angel to go along with the spell. He was still hesitant but he knew there was no way he could tell Buffy no. He felt that he had let her down all those years ago when he left to give her a normal life. She would never have a normal life, she was the Slayer. Life for her would always be complicated, she would always be fighting some big bad, and she loved him none the less. With everything she had suffered and lost when he was gone there was no way he could deny her the chance to be even a little happy.

Willow had given Dawn and Andrew a list of things she would need for the spell. Wesley sent Faith and Connor to find the drug they needed. Faith kind of knew were to go, Connor was just back up in case she ran into trouble of the fanged kind. Gunn and Illyria stayed to help Wes and Willow get everything ready in the basement. They still had the cage that was erected to house Angelus when they were fighting the beast. Everything was set they just needed the two warriors to begin.

Angel told Wesley and Willow he did not want Connor there when they did the spell. Connor had his memories back, which included Angelus in them. But seeing Angelus in person is different then just a slight memory. If Angelus didn't go along with it, he would be there and not Angel, that was something he wished to spare his son. He wanted him to remember the man with the soul and not the monster who may gain control in the end.

When they all arrived back at the hotel, Kennedy took Connor on patrol with her and the other girls. She knew he would enjoy the hunt, he seemed to like the fighting and the girls could keep an eye on him. He knew Connor could hold his own but he still wanted to make sure he was as safe as possible.

Over the past few years, Dawn had been helping with research and doing a few minor spells. She was getting better each time and Giles thought she may have a natural ability to magic because of what she had once been. 'Energy controlling energy, very practical' Dawn remembered Giles saying once.

Willow was working with her and having her study all the magic the right way, not the way Willow had taught herself. Willow wanted to make sure Dawn didn't fall into it like she did. "Just take it slow Dawnie, I know its boring at times but you must always remember to be safe first." That was why she needed Dawn's help with this spell. Wesley, Dawn, and Willow needed to be there to keep everything flowing properly. They needed to stay grounded and they could help each other. Willow told them the more anchors the better.

They preparation was daunting and Willow thought she heard Dawn complaining a few times about how slow it seemed to be going. Angel seemed very nervous and kept walking in circles with his normal brooding look on his face. Buffy on the other hand was looking eager and tried to help move things along. She wanted to get started as soon as possible. She kept asking if they were ready. Every time she asked, Angel would flinch and shake his head. Buffy finally looked at Angel, "Don't be such a worry wart, everything is going to be fine. You do have the bestest Slayer here with you." She walked over and pulled him into a hug. She reached up and gave him a kiss, very soft and full of love.

They stared into each others eyes and tried to convey all the feelings without words. They blocked all the others out and focused on each other. Buffy tried to show him her love and devotion and her strength. She needed him to feel more at ease with what they were about to do even if she was scared as hell. There was no way she was going to let him feel that and she turned her gaze to one of lust. She knew she got the reaction she was looking for when she heard him let out a growl. That gave her shivers up and down her spine and at that moment she didn't think she had ever heard a sound more sexy.

That was when she heard the sounds of chanting begin behind her. She and Angel to that as their cue and began to move to the cage to start. Willow walked in and handed her the potion. She didn't want to think about what she was doing too much and she grabbed the glass and drank it down. Dawn followed behind Willow with the syringe of mystical drugs. Buffy didn't look at her sister as she grabbed her arm and prepared the shot. She tried not to flinch when she felt the needle pierce her skin but as soon as it did she felt the bile begin to rise in her throat. 'Oh sure, blood, guts, and demon parts no problem, but come near me with a needle and I freak.'

Angel watched her every move. He saw her drink down the potion and then Dawn came to inject her and he saw the fear in her eyes for the first time. It almost made him want to run from the room and stop this madness but then she looked at him again with those eyes and the fear was gone. She was so brave, and he didn't know how he could ever deserve such a woman. Then he remembered it was his turn. He had a part to play and now it was time for him to do it. His thoughts of running had returned and he didn't think he could do it. All those years ago when he was sick she just punched him until the monster took over. Would she have to do that again? He thought she just might. The thought of drinking from her and possibly killing her was something that scared him more than the thought of Angelus being set free. No way could he just walk up and dink his fangs into her neck. He looked at her with panicked eyes and she knew instantly what he was thinking.

Buffy leaned into him with a smile. Just as his mind began to settle he saw her fist coming in contact with the side of his face. She landed several blows before he finally showed his game face. She grabbed him swiftly throwing them both to the ground and pulling his head to her neck. He resisted the urge for as long as he could but when he heard her mummer as lustfully as she could into his ear, 'what are you waiting for baby?' he bared his fangs and bit down. She felt that first draw of her blood being sucked out of her, and at first it stung but then she felt something different. Like ecstasy, he was drinking slowly and she could feel the gentle nudges on her flesh. When he pulled away they both fell flat to the floor in a coma like state.

All they could do now was wait. It was up to them to do the rest. The gang walked out and locked the cage. They got in their circle around the candles on the floor and began chanted a protection spell.

When Buffy finally opened her eyes, she felt like everything had been just a dream. She stretched her body out and sat up to take a look around. She wasn't sure were she was. It looked like her old bedroom at her house in Sunnydale. Then she began to remember what they had done and why she was here. She changed her cloths then set out to find Angel. Since she was in Sunnydale, the most logical place to go would be his old place at the mansion. She left the house and set off in that direction.

She had traveled that road so many times in the past she knew the route by heart and reached the entrance to the mansion soon after. She slowly walked in and glanced around quickly. "Angel. Are you here? Um, is anyone home? Hello, anyone."

She rounded the corner of the hall to Angel's old bedroom hoping to find him asleep in his old bed. She had found herself in her old bed and it was only logical that Angel would be in his. She moved the curtain aside that blocked the entrance and stepped inside. As she surveyed the room she noticed a figure lying in the bed. She walked over and moved the sheets back to reveal his face. It was Angel, and he looked to still and beautiful lying there sleeping. She then noticed his lack of clothing and she could feel herself blush at the sight of his bare skin.

She ran her hand across his back and traced the outline of the tattoo on his shoulder. She thought maybe she could get a little snuggle time in since they were in la la land anyway. So she shook off her shoes and jacket as she slipped under the covers and spooned him. His body felt slightly cold but his skin was soft to the touch and she could feel his body warm as she rubbed her hands over his back and shoulders. She thought the warmth of her body and the sound of her heart beat would roust him from his slumber.

She wondered if there was something wrong with him when her light petting had not woken him yet. He had not moved an inch and didn't act like he was even a little conscious. She then started to whisper in his ear, "Angel, wake up…….please. We need to find Angelus and get this show on the road. Hello, sleepy head are you there?"

Nope, nothing, he didn't move. She guessed he was really out of it. She figured it was going to take more than light caresses and soft words to wake him. She started to nudge his arm lightly then harder, and finally she started shaking him really hard and yelled his name.

She looked at his face, his eyes did not open but he began to smile. Her worry began to diminish. He reached up and grabbed her around the waist and pulled her up and over him drawing her closer.

She smiled and wrapped her arms around him. It felt so good to be there, just lying there enjoying the warmth they created together.

She reached her hand up to stroke the side of his face. He finally opened his eyes and gazed deeply into hers. He grinned wide, and not just that loving smile he usually has but a full faced toothy grin that sent shivers down her back when he began to laugh out loud.

Oh god she knew that laugh, she knew it quit well. It finally dawned on her that she was not snuggled in bed with her beloved Angel. She was lying next to his other half, the monster, the murdering demon himself. He lifted himself up to get a better look at her. He could see it now, she knew he wasn't Angel. He reveled in that for a moment. The look she gave him then was deadly and he could feel her fear beginning to build.

He took in an unneeded deep breath savoring the smell of her arousal and the new smell of fear that had just sparked, and with his grin firmly in place and a sparkle in his eye he finally spoke. "Hello lover. By the look on your face I guess that's not happiness to see me but since you're here anyway how about kisses?"