A/N: So I know that in the show, we don't see Angel talking Gaeilge, at least not that I remember lol. But from what I've researched, Gaeilge was the only language spoken in Ireland until the 17th century. After that, while it wasn't the only language, it was still the main language until the 18th century. Of course people still speak it today but the numbers are dwindling down as time goes on. But when Angel was human, while he might not use it as his primary language, I do think he would have learned it and he'd probably still remember some of it.

—-

Angel moved swiftly through the shadows of the street. The only illumination coming from the moon and the occasional streetlight. While everyone was still all hands on deck with the Kat situation, they still had other things to be doing. Other bad guys that needed to be stopped. And Angel was on the tail of a coven of witches who were causing chaos, and he didn't take too kindly to that in his city. He'd been asking around and found out the witches might be shacked up in a run down mansion on the outskirts of town. The place was abandoned, practically falling down as nature started to reclaim it. He didn't bother going back to base for back up. There were only three of them. They might have magic but he had strength and speed. If he couldn't take down a few witches then his ego would take quite the hit.

He glanced up at the crumbling structure. The roof was none existent as vines covered the walls on the outside. He could see a few trees poking out from the hole where the roof used to be. It was a mess and he had no idea why anyone would hide out here. Why they didn't just use magic to make it a little nicer. He stepped through the archway that he was sure used to have a door attached to it, walking inside the building. The rotting and worn down furniture was still here but there were vines and leaves all over the place, making it look like a jungle. He tried to listen, tuning in his vampire senses to figure out if anyone was here. He frowned at the unsettling quiet, stepping through a doorway which led to some kind of courtyard in the middle of the house. There was a stone fountain, no longer in use in the middle, a few stone benches along the walls. There were more plants and vines everywhere much like the inside of the house. He felt dejected that no one seemed home, his eyes darting around. He turned around ready to head back through the door he came out of, but he stopped still in shock at the unexpected figure lounging on one of the stone benches in the corner.

"Kat…" he muttered, his voice quiet and getting carried off by the wind. She didn't look much different than he was used to. High waisted shorts, a black crop top and her boots. Her hair was a little wilder than she usually let it get, but it was her face that perturbed him. Her usually warm eyes were cold and a dark smirk was painted on her lips.

"Hello, Angel… I've been waiting for you," she flashed him a toothy grin, hopping to her feet like a graceful cat. She sauntered over a few feet, stopping as she looked at him. He felt his whole body tense up, being in the midst of a threat. His hand flexed, wishing he had a stake on him. Not that he wanted to use it, but maybe he could intimidate her a little. It wasn't like he'd needed to bring one though. Witches typically didn't explode into a cloud of ashes when they got jabbed by one. He watched her for a moment, a million and one emotions hitting him.

"Everyone's been looking for you," he said carefully, trying to figure out a way he could grab and subdue her all on his own. He hadn't really expected to find her here. Bringing her back now would be great for everyone who had been worrying about her. It would be good for Buffy. And of course it wouldn't hurt that he'd be the one to do it. She tilted her head and smiled in a condescending way, looking amused by him.

"I bet they have," she snorted.

"Kat… this isn't you. You need to come back with me, get your soul back," he implored, a frown on his face.

A harsh laugh left her lips and she took another step towards him.

"Silly little Angel. This is exactly who I am," she smirked wickedly. She took another step and he found himself taking one backwards. This wasn't any vampire, this was Kat. He didn't want to have to fight her, to hurt her.

"So… I was thinking…" she mused softly, starting to circle him like a shark. He kept moving, never letting his back be turned to her.

"What would be the worst thing to happen to you? I mean, death wouldn't. I kinda think you'd like that. The sweet release of death. Finally being rid of all that pain and suffering you force yourself to carry around," she mocked, holding a hand to her chest.

"Torture wouldn't work either. I mean, you'd probably see it as some kind of penance," she scoffed a laugh. She finally stopped circling him then, standing in front of him with a predatory grin.

"No… the worst thing to happen to you is for you to lose your soul. To have Angelus come back and take the reins," she murmured gleefully.

He scrunched his face up at her implications. Sure, she was attractive but he saw her like a sister. Not to mention she'd been with Spike. He'd done enough of sharing women with the bleached vampire.

"I'm not gonna sleep with you," he scoffed, making her laugh again.

"That's not the only way to lose your soul now, is it?" She asked, blue eyes dancing with mischief. His brows furrowed, looking at her warily, wondering what the hell she had up her sleeve.

"You know the witches you've been looking for? They're doing a spell as we speak to rid you of that pesky little soul," she grinned. He wasn't sure if he should believe her or not. For all he knew, the witches were long gone and she was just saying this to get under his skin, to mess with his head. He squared his shoulders, knowing he'd soon lose his chance to capture her if he kept playing into her little games. He needed to get it over with.

"I'm done talking. You need to come with me," he demanded, not liking how despite how tense and on alert he was, she seemed relaxed and amused. She clearly didn't see him as a threat. His hand darted out to grab her but she dodged it effortlessly, her laugh bouncing off the brick walls of the courtyard. He needed to get his head in the game. Seeing Kat like this had him all upside down but it wouldn't do him any favors. If he was too worried about hurting her because this was Kat, he'd never be able to stop what she was doing. He growled, moving to lunge at her when he suddenly felt a searing pain in his chest. He collapsed to his knees, gripping his chest as his eyes turned to hers frightfully.

"No," he whispered pleadingly. He knew what was happening. He'd experienced it before. Her dark and malicious grin spread wider, her eyes widening with excitement as she watched him.

"I told you," she sang teasingly, moving to crouch in front of him but out of reach. She was watching him with rapt interest like she was watching some kind of TV show or an animal in a zoo. Watching as he cried out, the pain feeling like it was spreading through his veins like fire.

"Kat… please," he begged tearfully. He couldn't go through this again. He couldn't let the beast out to wreak havoc here. He couldn't cope with the grief again. She shushed him softly, moving over to him on all fours. She took his face in her hands, her touch surprisingly light as she looked at him. She looked almost like her normal self for a moment like this.

"It'll all be over soon. And then you'll be free," she murmured with a bright smile on her face. The pain got worse and he yelled, his head falling onto her shoulder. He barely registered her hand stroking his hair as she shushed him again.

He was free. Finally and at long last. A grin worked its way onto his face as he moved his head back up, coming face to face with Kat.

"Haven't you changed, little Katherine?" he mused, taking in her face. She'd aged a bit since he'd last seen her but that wasn't what was so striking about her. He knew from being trapped inside Angel that the girl was a vampire now. First with a soul, but now… He smirked, his hand gripping her jaw as he tilted her face like he was inspecting her.

"It's been a while," she murmured, looking at ease as she smiled at him. She was more beautiful than he remembered, the darkness inside of her was alluring to him. He'd heard the snippets of the things she'd been doing and it made him feel proud.

"You brought me back," he raised a brow in question, releasing her face. She gave him a crooked grin, licking her lower lip and his eyes were drawn to the motion. He'd been trapped for what felt like forever, even though he knew it hadn't been that long in reality. But being locked away and having to deal with Angel being such a goody two shoes was torture for him. His own personal hell.

"I was bored and you know how to party. Thought it might be fun," she shrugged. He hopped to his feet easily, holding a hand out to where she still sat on the floor.

"What are we waiting for, then? Let's paint the town red, A leanbh (my child)," he smirked darkly. Her blue eyes lit up with glee, grasping his hand and allowing him to pull her to her feet.

"I already have some ideas," she beamed, looking like a kid at christmas. He had no idea what she had planned, but he guessed he'd enjoy it.

—-

Buffy rubbed her temples with a sigh, her unfocused eyes on the map laying on the meeting table. There were little red pins pushed in where Kat had been. They were hoping they could make sense of it, find some kind of pattern. Anything that could help them predict her next moves. Spike was their best bet, knowing her inside and out. But as he'd stated, this wasn't the Kat he knew. She glanced at the vampire then. He looked as lost as she felt, staring at the map. He flipped between weirdly quiet and withdrawn and just downright nasty and mean these days. But she couldn't blame him. She wasn't doing much better. And to make it all worse, now she was also worried about Angel. He'd gone out four days ago to get intel on some witches he'd been hunting. He'd never come back. No one at Wolfram and Hart had heard even a peep off him. It was weird and she didn't like it. The foreboding feeling building up inside her stomach. He was probably off just chasing a lead, but he'd arranged to meet her the day before, before he'd left. Things with them had been changing, shifting to the possibility of a relationship again. And maybe it was selfish and egotistical of her, but she figured that was pretty darn important. She didn't think he'd miss that. So where was he?

The main gang were all huddled around the meeting table, putting pins in place as they all discussed theories on where Kat might go next. Buffy had nothing to say, too in her own head to make sense of the mess her life had become. Xander had been in the middle of trying to convince people he should go and gather intel at a strip club when Giles burst through the meeting room doors like the goddamn Kool Aid guy. Everyone turned to look at him. He was panting, trying to catch his breath as he took his glasses off and furiously wiped them.

"What is it?" Buffy asked quickly, knowing it was nothing good if the man had run to get to the meeting room.

"Well… I… Uh…" he stuttered, looking pale and spooked. Willow jumped from her chair, guiding him to a seat.

"Spit it out, Rupes. We don't have all day," Spike huffed, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I have… rather um… worrying news," he started, pushing his glasses back on his face with a frown.

"Right. Think we gathered that much from your dramatic entrance," Spike smirked patronizingly. Buffy shot him a look that told him to shut it.

"I've just got word that… dear lord," he muttered, grabbing his glasses again already as he once again started cleaning them.

"Giles!" Buffy bit out impatiently. She just wanted him to lay it on her. It couldn't get much worse than this. He nodded, looking apologetic and she felt her stomach churning about what it could be that had him wigged out so much.

"Angelus is back… and… and he's with Katherine," Giles finally revealed, looking unwell as he said it. The room suddenly went deathly silent and Buffy's head started to spin. Suddenly, Spike let out a roar, loud and full of rage. His fists hit the table and the thing cracked and splintered, everyone moving out of the way quickly as it fell to the floor in pieces. He remained seated and she looked at him warily. His chest was heaving even though she knew he didn't need to breathe. He looked murderous, his blue eyes unseeing in front of him. Everyone stayed silent, not knowing how to deal with the news and Spike's reaction.

All he could see was red, a loud ringing in his ears that rattled his brain. That buggering piece of shit. Of course he'd be with Kat. Of course he'd swoop in and try to take something he considered his once more. Couldn't he have anything to himself without that ponce trying to ruin it? He felt sick. She didn't have a soul now, for all he knew she didn't give a lick of a damn about him anymore. Not to mention she still thought he was dead and no one was putting up bloody signs to let her know otherwise 'cause they didn't know if it would make her worse. He felt his treacherous thoughts showing him a reel of all the times Dru had gone off to Angelus over him. All the times he'd found them laying in bed together. Why would it be any different this time?

"How… How did he lose his soul?" Willow asked, looking distraught as her girlfriend put her arm around her.

"Ew, don't tell me they slept together," Xander muttered, looking ready to throw up. A loud and harsh growl erupted from Spike's throat at the words and the whelp promptly closed his mouth. Buffy just looked shell shocked.

"I don't think that's what happened. Angel wouldn't go for that. He's all good, or at least he was, and Kat's all… murdery and soulless," Anya chimed in.

"I think Anya is right. I don't see Angel doing that, not knowing what he'd lose. My source seems to think it's magic related. Something Kat did," Giles sighed forlornly. Wonderful, so his girl was running around without a soul and had magic at her disposal and she was also palling it up with Angelus. Bloody brilliant.

"Magic… do you think that's why the normal soul spell didn't work on her? If she's protected by the magicks?" Willow wondered thoughtfully.

"Could be, it would make sense. Either way, it doesn't really matter how he lost his soul. He's lost it and now we have two very unhinged vampires on the loose," Giles muttered tensely.

"D-Does that mean the soul spell won't work on A-Angelus?" Tara asked anxiously. Another round of silence followed her question as the implications took hold. Wasn't a simple fix like the last times he'd been frollicking around without his soul.

"We'll get to work right away. There must be something we can do," Willow assured, grabbing Tara's hand, dragging her off with her.

"So… what do we do now?" Xander asked warily once the witches had gone.

"We wait," Buffy said softly, looking unsure. Couldn't say he blamed her. The solution to all of this seemed to rest on her shoulders as the leader of the whole gig.

"We wait?" Xander echoed incredulously.

"That's what she said, ain't it?" Spike growled. He understood why the Slayer wanted to wait and he wouldn't have any of them going against her words.

"Yes, we wait. Willow and Tara will find a way to soul them up, or at least Angel for now. We'll figure it out. There's no way we can face them both, not yet. They won't come without a fight and we can't afford that right now. We get the girls on alert, double the patrols. There's a chance they might come here and we need to be prepared. But other than that, we wait," Buffy said, firmly this time with a pointed look. The one-eyed boy held his hands up in surrender with a nod. Wasn't the best plan really but the only other solution was to declare war on the pair of blood thirsty vampires and he knew it wouldn't end well. He wouldn't take the chance of someone staking Kat. Waiting was never his specialty but he'd do it if it meant keeping his girl out of harm's way.

—-

Kat closed her eyes, relishing in the taste of the warm fresh blood gliding down her throat. Euphoria. That was all she could feel as she heard the heartbeat get slower and slower until it stopped completely. She dropped the body with a thud to the floor, looking around at the carnage she'd left behind.

"Didn't realize nuns could taste so good," she mused, licking her lips. Angel dropped his own body, the nun falling carelessly to the floor in a heap. They were both in vamp face, no need to hide it here.

"There's something special about the holy, am I right?" he smirked devilishly at her, making her grin. The convent was painted red, blood everywhere. The bodies littered the place like confetti, one of them ironically clinging to a statue of Christ. The screams were one of her favorite things. The pure terror that flashed behind their eyes as they did it. It sparked a thrill in her like she'd never felt before. Predator vs prey.

"You know… I can't say I've had this much fun in a long while. Even before I got all… souled up," he grimaced at the word in disgust.

"Darla was fun… but the others, Jeez. Dru being all crazy, babbling on about the stars. And Spike," he scoffed a laugh, shaking his head.

"Always trying to get my attention like an annoying little brother. All his pesky feelings. What a sad excuse of a vampire he is," he snorted.

"Don't talk about Spike that way," Kat hissed, a growl rumbling in her throat. Her golden eyes shined dangerously as she felt rage squeeze her like a vice. The urge to grab a piece of wood and ram it through his chest was smothering her.

How dare he talk about Spike that way. Her Spike. Spike who was gone and had left her all alone for the rest of her eternal life. She missed him. Missed him so much it made her want to burn the world down and watch everyone turn to ashes. She didn't like it. Didn't like feeling anything but the bliss that killing gave her. She kept up on her rampage in the city to fill the crater sized hole in her chest that Spike had left behind. Angelus looked shocked for a moment before he placatingly held his hands up with a chuckle.

"I'm just saying… this is fun. I like murdering with you," he shrugged casually. Her tense body eased at his words, her fists that she hadn't realized she'd been clenching, now unclenching.

"This is fun," she agreed softly, once again looking around at the mess they'd made. She tilted her head, closing her eyes for a moment before a vicious smirk painted her lips.

"And what do we have here?" she mused teasingly, walking over to a large ornate wooden cupboard. She yanked open the door to find a young nun, no older than 19 huddled inside sobbing.

"Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen," she whispered frantically through her tears, clutching a rosary in her hands.

"Cute," Kat laughed, making the girl finally look at her frightfully. Kat looked over her shoulder then at Angelus hovering behind her, watching her like he was enjoying the show.

"Wanna share?" she asked impishly. He grinned, his tongue swiping over his canines.

"Sounds good to me," he shrugged. Kat grabbed the woman by the arm and she screamed much to Kat's delight as she hauled her out of the cupboard. She was begging, pleading with them and to her God and all Kat could do was laugh.

"Oh, honey. There's no God here," Kat smirked. She sank her fangs into her neck, feeling Angelus move up behind the girl and do the same to the other side. She drank greedily, enjoying the copper tang to the blood, letting it fill her body with pleasure.

She felt so free. Free to be who she was meant to be. No inhibitions, no shitty soul weighing her down and trying to make her into a good person. This was who she was, what she was. No fighting the bloodlust or panicking like a frightened rabbit at the smell of human blood or hearing heartbeats. No. She'd been pathetic then. Too worried about morality, too worried about what others thought of her. She'd turned her back on her true nature and for what? Because it was expected of her? Because she was scared people would think she was a bad person? It made her sick. She'd been so upset to be turned when she should have been thanking them for making her stronger and faster. Better. And now there was no need to be at war with herself. Soul vs her true nature. She could just be who she really was and it was exhilarating. She didn't need her soul, didn't fucking want it. She'd never felt more at peace with herself than in that moment sharing some virginal blood with Angelus. When the girl was drained, she fell to the floor heavily.

"You look a little far away there," Angelus teased, his face now normal. Her face shifted too and she licked the blood from the corner of her lips.

"I'm just thinking," she mused, still relishing in the rush the blood gave her.

"About what?" he asked, stepping closer to him.

"How free I feel," she confessed with a content smile. He closed the gap with her then, his hands coming up to cup her face, making her look up at him.

"A stór (my treasure), It's us against the world," he grinned widely.