Angel grimaced as he watched Xander shove food in his mouth. Anya rolled her eyes at the whelp. A woman shouldn't be subjected to such behavior. The boy needed a lesson in manners. His loyalty to Buffy was his only redeeming feature and an iffy one at best. Why Anya tolerated him was a conundrum he didn't want to consider.

Angel considered his plan once more. Nothing was working the way he expected. Buffy seemed content with Spike. Hell, Buffy seemed to be damn happy with Spike. How in hell was that possible? His girl had changed so much. She wasn't the same person he'd left behind. His Buffy would have listened to him. She'd have been eager to set things right. This Buffy seemed set on her wrong course. He swallowed the growl that rose from his chest.

The slayer's choices left him with very few options. Her mother refused to take him seriously. Giles seemed more eager to research the mating than to protect his slayer. Willow smelled of the kind of magic that left him wary. Xander and his hatred of all things demonic had parted ways. How had so much changed in such a small amount of time?

Xander was his last hope. His former demon was a problem, but he could bide his time for a little while. Watching them from across the street was his best option.

Anya was too friendly with Spike. He needed to talk to Xander alone.

"You really should let them be." Doyle stepped out of the shadows. "This isn't your place any longer."

"Buffy is in danger." Angel glanced toward the half demon.

"Part of the job description, isn't it?" Doyle leaned back against the brick wall and shook his head. "You chose to abandon her. You chose to separate your destinies. Did you really think the Powers that Be would allow her to struggle through this morass alone?"

"She is my destiny. I changed for her." Angel glared down at the sidewalk.

"Yeah, yeah, she's your guiding light." Doyle rolled his eyes. "Redemption packed into a sexy, blonde package just for you. I know you've a thicker skull than most, but try to see beyond your fixation for a moment. You can't stay here. You have made promises to beings that make you look like a gnat. The trade you made, that day you took back, it was your last chance with Blondie, the super slayer. I'm sure she's a darling, but she isn't yours any longer."

"Spike doesn't get my destiny because I made a deal." Angel felt his face shift and shook it off.

"William won't have an easy time of it. Life with Buffy isn't a reward. It's a life." Doyle smirked. "There will be bumps in the road. Hell, he might make the same stupidly noble mistakes you favor at some point."

"I don't care about bumps in the road or mistakes. I care about Buffy." Angel glared down at his fellow Irishman.

"Then let the lass find her own way." Doyle clasped his shoulder.

"Spike?" Angel shook his head in disbelief. "You want me to believe that she belongs with Spike? That he's her destiny?"

"Destiny is a tricky bitch." Doyle shrugged. "I think the slayer and Spike have a road to travel. I think you weren't able to travel it with her. I think you chose not to travel with her."

"That's what you think." Angel leaned back against the red brick wall behind him.

"I'm fairly certain that the Powers that Be agree with me." Doyle shook his head sadly. "Come back to Los Angeles with me. Things are happening there that need your attention."

"Buffy needs me." Angel crossed his arms over his chest.

"Buffy hasn't needed you in a very long time." Doyle stepped back from the vampire. "Staying here won't change that."

Doyle turned and stalked away. Angel watched him disappear. The man had made some points, but he couldn't understand. No one understood the depth of his ties to Buffy. Loving her had made him good. He wouldn't allow her to be tarnished by the remnants of his dark past.

"You should have listened to your brachen friend." Anya frowned. "He knows a bit about lost love."

"How did you..."

"Sneak up on you? Know you were there in the first place?" Anya chuckled softly. "You can remove the demon from the girl. Turns out that part wasn't even hard, but little abilities remain. I'm not going to let you near Xander. You're unstable. Everyone sees it."

"I won't hurt him." Angel stepped toward her.

"Intimidation." Anya tossed her head back and laughed. "Try another victim. I maybe human now, but I spent a millennia chewing up bits of demons more frightening than you. Stay clear of Xander, or I'll dust off my witchy wiles. I can make that gypsy curse look like a walk in the park. Believe me."

"You talk a good game." Angel let his face shift.

"You're one step away from a rampage. You won't even have the convenient excuse of being soulless this time. Which of Buffy's friends will be taking on the part of Jenny Calendar this time?" Anya pushed her palm flat against his chest. "I am not scared of you. I grew up in a world aware of what you are. I know all sorts of little tricks."

He felt the burn and looked down to see smoke rising from his chest. He stepped back, but the burning continued. Anya smirked as he glanced up at her.

"Salt soaked in holy water. It burns into your flesh and just keeps going." She raised an eyebrow. "I bet that hurts. You'd better toddle off and rinse that wound thoroughly with clean water and blood. I wouldn't want to scar you too badly. This is the only warning you get. Mind it."

Angel heard her humming as he ran toward the mansion.