Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

(O.O)

Angel

This was by far one of the worst night of my unlife, second only to the night I had my soul returned to me. So many terrible things have happened that I lost track of the count.

First there was Darla threatening to hurt me if I left Dru to die.

Usually I didn't mind being threatened. But the way she did it, using her demon to scare mine and force it into submission, was not a pleasant experience for me. I'm nearly three hundred years old and a master vampire. I shouldn't have to feel that way. Especially because it was coming from the Sire who'd abandoned me. I hated that she was still able to force my hand like that.

The second unbearable thing was Spike's little speech about my destiny followed by having him accompany me to see Buffy.

I could deal with the latter since I'd already spent the last two days getting reacquainted with William's annoying tendencies. I knew for certain that as long as I keep the peroxide idiot from looking better than me in front of Buffy then there'd be no problems. So it was really just his pontification that'd bothered me.

Even as a fledgling Spike had always been an insightful bastard. He had a talent for seeing the truth of things. And with that silver tongue of his he'd used those truths to either hurt his victims or distract his opponents. Tonight I'd gotten to be his victim, though whether he was using his words to spite me or to actually help me, I couldn't tell. Still I'd heard a lot of painful truths and it'd practically turned my current world upside down.

He'd called me out over my destiny, saying that there was no point to it and that the Powers were probably lying to me. He'd told me that despite everything I did to help Buffy, I'd still have to pay for all the evil I did as Angelus, that I was only fooling myself by thinking that the good I am currently doing would be my salvation someday. Finally, he'd told me that I wasn't doing my job right because I was only focused on the girl and not on actually helping people.

I didn't understand why Spike was upset about the last part. My entire mission was to help the girl. It was only natural that I would be focused only on her and not the rest of humanity. I just couldn't ignore that the rest of what he said made so much sense, even though it pains me to admit that he might be right. Actually I was terrified that he could be right, because it would mean that I'm never going be the kind of man my grandfather predicted I would be. I'd carried that piece of who I'd been as a man with me my entire existence. It was just devastating to imagine I'd never live up to his words considering it had been one of the most important things in the world for me.

I just denied Spike and everything he just said and had even gone as far as insulting him and telling him that he was jealous of me and my destiny because I didn't want any doubts planted in my psyche that would take away what I'd believed in for so long. Only it was too late and the sowing had already been done.

Finally, the worst part of the night had been my encounter with Buffy.

Don't get me wrong, I'd been happy to see her, but I'd still been reeling from my stay with my family and my conversation with Spike, so I'd lost control and had accidentally showed her the side of me I had been suppressing since I met her. She'd obviously not been impressed with what she saw. Her hand had even gone for her steak a couple of time. Spike appearing and derailing me into that stupid argument with him hadn't helped my case either. Buffy had lectured and scolded me and in the end and the disgust I saw in her eyes as she looked at me, had broken my unbeating heart.

I'd wanted to explain my behavior but I hadn't been able to since we'd had an audience. It galled me that for whatever reason I was the only one she was upset with. She wasn't mad at Spike, and he was the one who'd started the 'no I'm more evil' conversation in the first place. Buffy was furious with me because I'd been unable to stop myself from falling for his barbs. Slings and arrows. The whole mess was unfair but I couldn't do anything about it since we all still had to finish patrol. It was the Night of Saint Vigeous after all.

We didn't get three steps before a bunch of vampire hopped up on the Ritual of Vigo attacked. Now, we were outnumbered and possibly outclassed. Spike's failed attempt to kill their leader had only enraged them further.

"This night just kept getting better and better," I thought bitterly as a vamp hit me square in chest and sent me flying into a gravestone. It was like being hit by a truck. As I sagged to the grassy ground I realized that this was a battle we were going to lose.

Excluding the leader, who stood a few meters away an simply watching the fight, there were still five of the bastards left. The three of us: Buffy, Spike and I, were having a hard time keeping up with them. It wasn't just because these vampires were stronger than usual, they were also much more skilled than they looked.

Buffy had been fighting a guy that looked like an Elvis impersonator. He was fast and had these crazy moves that I knew my Slayer couldn't keep up with. Spike opponents were using some form of martial arts on him and were showering him with one attack after another, not even giving him time to adjust to their style of fighting. My opponents were good fighters too, but what was the distracting crud they were wearing that was going to be my downfall.

The cowboy costume was one thing, though it did make me wonder where the rest of the Village People were, but the guy in the full-body latex suit was just downright disturbing. I was so caught up in the spectacle that latex-guy was able to hoist me up from the ground and hold me in place with a surprisingly strong grip. I looked up to see his cowboy companion with stake in hand, and I knew I was going die. I couldn't help but be comforted by the thought.

Everything was finally over. I didn't have to live this life of regret, guilt, and lies anymore. I smiled and closed my eyes, awaiting my end.

Only the killing blow never came.

"Bastard!" Latex guy screamed from behind me. I opened my eyes just in time to see Spike finish staking the cowboy.

"What the hell are you doing Angelus?! If you think you can welch your way out of helping Dru by dying, think again!" he yelled at me. "I'm sure Darla knows a few spells that can haul your arse out of hell and have you tortured by her inst–ugh!"

He was cut off as one of his original opponents tackled him to the ground. I didn't waste my time on watching him fight, because I'd finally decided to do the same. I struggled against the grip on my body but it wasn't easy getting out of latex-guy's hold.

"Hehehe, you can't do a thing, traitor. I'm stronger than you now. And since Winston's gone and I don't have a stake on me, I'll just crush your bones and then finish you off later after I've killed the Billy idol wannabe."

He tightened his grip on my upper body and I could hear and feel my bones cracking as his grip got tighter and tighter. I screamed in pain. If this kept up he'd crush my arms, ribs, and spine. I wouldn't be able to move and I really would be dust.

I heard Buffy's pained scream and knew dying was no longer an option. Her opponent had one of her arm twisted behind her back and ready to break.

"Buffy!" I yelled, terrified for her.

"Aw, don't worry. Slayer's not going to die alone. You and Billy will be joining her soon!" My captor laughed. I struggled harder and but he just kept tightening his hold. "Of course, we're probably goin to make her suffer first. Hmmm, I wonder if she's a screamer when she's being bedded? Once we're done with her she'll no longer be called the Vampire Slayer but the Vampire Layer. We'll all take a ride and I'll even let you watch. I bet you'd like that. Hmm?"

After hearing his words, I simply saw red. A possessive rage overcame me at the thought of Buffy being violated by these lowly vampires. My face shifted from its human visage as I lost all control of my demon. I growled angrily and flexed my suddenly stronger muscles. Surprising my captor, I easily broke away from his grasp. Turning to face him I slammed my fist into his fangs. He stumbled backward. I swung again, connecting with nose, sending blood gushing down is distorted face. I didn't stop there. Immediately I rushed him, giving him a combination of powerful punches that he barely had a chance to deflect or counter. They fell so fast his boosted strength was rendered useless. He was staggering and clutching and his broken ribs with blood still dripped down his face. It was obvious that he could no long fight, but I couldn't stop, not when he'd threatened Buffy in such a vile way. I grabbed him by the throat and slammed his already weakened body to the ground, raining more blows down on him. I kept hitting him until he sagged, unconscious. Still angry, my demon wanted to wake him up and torture the bastard for even fantasizing about doing something like that to my Slayer. And I would've indulged had I not remembered that I was not alone. My companions were still fighting. Reluctantly, I ended the vamp's existence with the stake I kept hidden underneath my jacket.

After he crumbled to dust I shook off my demon and rose to assess how the battle was going.

Spike's opponents were really giving him a hard time. Their added power up was obviously a huge problem for him. He was taking a lot of hits and looking worse for wear. But despite the disadvantage it looked like William was also giving the pair a run for their money. Though in obvious pain, the boy was still smiling and performing some amazing moves, that even I couldn't help but admire. For now he was holding his own.

As I watched his battle I couldn't help but remember the young fledge that William had been a long time ago. He'd been so new to the outside world that Angelus had needed to show him everything. Hunting, fighting and even basic self-defense. Angelus had taken him under his wing not only because Dru couldn't do it but also because the boy had shown a lot of potential. Angelus became his unofficial Sire and the boy became his responsibility. Though there'd been a lot of times he wanted to kill the boy, Angelus hadn't because in his own way he loved Spike and thought of him as part of his family.

Now, as the fight continued and it looked like Spike was finally getting the upper hand, the demon inside me roared with pride, one of the few good emotions it was capable of. William had come far from being the weak, ignorant little fledge he once was. Now he was a warrior. My eyes narrowed as I realized that while I'd been struggling with my soul for years to just maintain who I was, Spike had used that time to change and grow, apparently all for the better. I couldn't believe how my demon was acting.

I resented how unfair it was that William had seemingly one upped me.

"I was older than him and the one with a destiny, a great future, and a higher purpose. So why was he the one getting the praise from my demon?" I thought childishly.

The monster within seethed and raged at me.

I hated feeling this way, torn between my soul and demon. So I stopped watching the bastard as he kicked his enemies' asses and instead focused my attention on Buffy.

She'd gotten out of the arm lock and it looked like she was finally getting a handle on her opponent. It was obvious that she could now read the vamp's next move by how swiftly she was evading and countering his. The vamp lunged at her with his fist leading, and she simply took a side step and let the punch hit a headstone. After making a quip on his opponent's wardrobe and how he wasn't as good of a dancer as Elvis, she closed in on her opponent and blindsided him as he was recovering from his overreach. They continued exchanging blows until the vampire got frustrated and reckless. He was no longer using his speed or skills in the fight, instead he was relying solely on his newly acquired strength by focusing on hitting Buffy as hard as he could. It worked at first as Buffy took a couple of painful hits to her body, but my Slayer wasn't that easy to defeat. She shrugged off the pain and barreled into the vampire with a combination of punches and kicks while continuing to duck or parry her opponent's wild swings. It wasn't long before she finally got a good shot at him, right below his ear, that left him disoriented. Buffy launched a final strike. She picked up a stake from the ground and shoved it almost clean through fake-Elvis' chest. Both him and his blue suede shoes turned to dust.

"Buffy!" I called as I ran to her side.

"Angel, are you alright," she asked, trying to touch my forehead.

I subtly avoided her hand and cautiously raise mine to examine what had caught her attention. I felt something wet and pulled back my hand. Blood was streaked across my fingers.

"Huh, I didn't even notice that I was injured. Must've happened when I hit that gravestone," I muttered.

"Does it hurt?" she asked, making me look at her. Concern was shining in her eyes.

It made me happy to see that worried look, because it meant that I hadn't screwed up everything between us tonight.

"Don't fret about me, Buffy, I'll be fine."

"Are you sure?" she asked, looking as young and innocent as she's always been. It made my demon rattle in its cage. It really wanted me to take her here and now. Possess her so that no other could ever touch her.

I shoved the thought at the back of my mind, ignored the demon's taunting, and answered my Slayer's question. "Yeah, I'm sure. It's just a cut."

For a second she smiled at me, but it was so fleeting that I didn't have a chance to smile back before it was gone. She gave me a curt nod before turning to William's fight. I had to bite back the growl that was threatening to come out as I watched her stare at the battle before her. Emotions flicked across her face. Awe and admiration along with an underlining hint of worry. I hated seeing that it they were all being directed to Spike. And why was she looking that way at him? It's not like she knew him. Didn't she?

I then remembered that night at Buffy's school and how surprised and worried she looked when Spike, Xander, and I had appeared to help her after she'd been taken captive. I'd thought that the appearance of Xander and I, coming to her rescue, had been what had garnered those expressions. But maybe that wasn't it at all. I remembered her eyes landing on Spike for a moment and widening with some unreadable emotion. But that didn't answer my questions about why and how she knew him. When would they have had a chance to meet?

I desperately wanted answers but William had just finished dusting his last enemy.

"Well, that was fun! Remind me to thank Darla for letting me out tonight. Seriously Angel, if this is the kind of fights you get to have every night here on the Hellmouth, I'm definitely staying after Dru's cured. This is the best rough and tumble I've had ever since bloody Prague!"

"Oh please, no, he couldn't stay."

"Think about that later," Buffy told the overly enthusiastic Spike. "We're not done here yet."

The three of us turned to face the leader of the vampire group we had just slain.

"So, bulky, looks like you're the only one left. How about you come over here and we finish this. I have a hot shower with my name on it once this is all over." I tried to ignore the mental images my sweet, innocent Slayer was painting and focus instead on appearing mean and threatening to the large vampire in front of us.

Something was wrong. He didn't look scared, despite the fact that he was now the one at a disadvantage.

"Shit!" Spike cursed out loud. "How many of these bastards does this wanker have?"

Buffy and I shifted our attention to the bleached menace beside us. He simply nodded in the direction of the woods behind the vampire leader. We followed his gaze and my eyes widened as twelve more vampires came out from under the trees. Every last one was obviously powered boosted

"Your sister told us to check on you," one of the new arrivals told the bulky leader.

"I know. She's always looking out for me," the leader said. "And it's a good thing too. The slayer and her companions are stronger than they look." He pointed to where Buffy, Spike and I were standing.

"They won't be a problem for us." Another minion said. "They look weakened from fighting your men." I couldn't help but agree with him. My ribs were cracked and the head injury I had sustained was worse than I'd initially thought. Judging from the pain, I probably had a concussion. If I'd been injured during our little skirmish, then I was sure both of my companions were also nursing their own set of injuries.

"So it seems." The leader turned to face our group yet again. "Fellow vampires, once again you are at a disadvantage. But because of what you showed me tonight, your skills in battle, I feel generous and have decided to spare both your lives in exchange for the pledge of your loyalty to me and for bringing me the head of your master, the Slayer."

From the corner of my eye I saw Buffy visibly tense as she cautiously took a step back from us. I felt hurt that she would even consider that I might take the offer, and anger boiled inside of me at the presumptuous bastard for making such an offer in the first place. Did he really think that I, or even Spike, would take him up on it? The asshole was stupider than he looked. Buffy wasn't my master as the idiot in front of me believed. She was my girlfriend and my charge that I was expected to protect. There was no way I would betray her for something so menial as my own pathetic life. She was worth so much more than Spike and I combined.

Not to mention that even without Buffy or the soul in the mix, there was no way I would pledge loyalty to another vampire. I was my own master. I was Angel, Master Vampire of the Order of Aurelius. I may have turned my back on my family, but the blood of The Master still ran through my veins and I would rather die than let an ambitious, moronic fledgling belittle me that way. I wanted to punish him for thinking that way and it didn't even matter to me how strong he and his small army currently were. I briefly shared a look with Spike, and saw that he felt the same way about the son of bitch. I gave him a nod before shifting my gaze to Buffy, who was still tense as she stared at our enemies.

"Buffy," I called, making her jump. She looked over at me with worried eyes. "You should go and see what the hell is keeping Willow and Xander from bringing Giles and your teacher here. Spike and I will keep these bastards busy until you get back to do that spell of yours."

Her eyes widened and she looked like she was about to argue but William stopped her.

"Best do what Peaches says, pet. Who knows, maybe your friends are in danger and is why they haven't showed their faces yet." Fear made her face pale and my heart bleed to see it. But I knew it was necessary. Buffy had to leave in order for me to do what I planned to do in order to beat these bastards. "I'm sure they're alright, luv," Spike tried to comfort her. "But it doesn't change the fact that they need your help. Go and find them, then bring whoever you need back here to do this spell you lot seem so keen on doing, while me and the poof will keep these wankers occupied."

She looked at us, creasing her brow as if she was trying to puzzle something out. I could see the moment she decided to act. Her body straightened and her chin rose and determination shone brightly in her eyes.

"She really was the Slayer," I couldn't help but thought as she nodded to us and sprinted in the direction her friends had gone. I let out a sigh of relief as I saw her disappear into the night.

"Well, now that she's gone, I hope you're gonna take these pillocks seriously, Angelus." Spike's voice with a growl as his face shifted into its demon's visage.

"You're the one who doesn't take things seriously, Spike. But you are right about one thing." I vamped out. "Now that the girl's gone, I can stop holding back."

"Still don't understand why you hide who you are from her. She's the Slayer, it's not like can't handle a little bit of a monster in her man."

"She's a sweet, innocent child, Spike. She can't handle the kind of monster I am."

"Are you sure we're talking about the Slayer here?" He looked at me incredulously. "She's a warrior, Angel, not some fragile porcelain doll. She handles stuff like that on a nightly basis, finding out about the monster inside you isn't gonna break her."

"Oh, and you can say that 'cause you're such an expert on Buffy, huh?" I said sarcastically while rolling my eyes.

"No. I haven't known the girl long enough to be an expert on her but I am an expert on Slayers I know exactly how their minds work."

"Buffy isn't just a Slayer," I snapped at him.

"Too right she isn't. But a majority of her life revolves on her Chosen One status, so it's obvious that her mind will most likely think like a Slayer."

"That's where you're wrong, Spike. Buffy isn't like any Slayer you've ever met. She's different, special, and a whole hell of a lot better than any Slayer that has ever been. It's because of that, her uniqueness, that the Powers sent me to protect her. She is destined for great things and I am dest-"

"Oh please spare me the details of your self-righteous destiny and self-imposed importance. We could end up arguing about it all night. We both know we won't agree with each other no matter what. And right now I no longer give a bloody rat's arse about your reasons for lying to the girl. All I care about is kicking these wankers' arses and getting home to Dru."

I stopped talking after that, because he made a good point. We rarely could agree on anything and I'm certain that wasn't about to start changing tonight. Also at the moment I was already tired of arguing with the bastard and didn't want to hear another one of his insightful explanations about my destiny.

"Are finished with your petty squabbles?" The leader sneered at us. "If so, then I guess you two are ready to die since you let your ticket out of here run off. You traitors will die like the dogs you are!"

"I'd like to see you try!" Spike yelled from beside me.

And then they charged, and the bloodbath began...

(O.O)