TITLE: RAGING MOON

FEEDBACK: DO I EVEN HAVE TO ASK? THE MORE I GET THE SOONER THE PARTS GO OUT….SO PLEEEEEEAASE FEED ME.

DISCLIAMER: SEE PREVIOUS PARTS

CHAPTER NINETEEN

HYPERION HOTEL

Angelus was about to lose his mind. After her had spent the night in the guest room he had wanted to go and speak with Buffy but decided to give her some space. He knew she was still very upset and didn't want to bother her. He figured he would give her a few more hours then go check on her and hopefully she would speak to him.

He knew he would not be forgiven easily but he would do everything in his power to rectify what he had done. Buffy had been so upset the previous night that he didn't even have a chance to tell her what else had happened with Darla after she left. He wanted to tell Buffy that he had her thrown Darla out of the building but he never got the chance.

He had woken up at six am and had trouble keeping still. The bed felt cold and empty without Buffy next to him and he just hoped she could forgive him for what he had done. After he had tossed around for another hour, he got up and went to the gym, hoping to relieve some of the tension in his body. He hoped he would be alone and it was as if his prayers had been answered when he entered and the gym was empty.

He spent over an hour working out but he still felt no relief. Angelus knew it was useless trying and the only way to feel better was to go and speak to Buffy. After he took a shower he went over to his and Buffy's room, but got no answer when he knocked softly on the door. He thought she might be in the bathroom and went inside.

To his surprise the room was empty and the bed made. It was obvious that she had not slept in the bed and when he looked into the bathroom he saw that was empty as well. A sickening feeling crept into his stomach. He knew Buffy wasn't down stairs and when he rushed into the garage, his suspicions were confirmed when he saw her car was gone. He immediately tried her phone but it went directly to voicemail.

Phoning Gunn, he told him to activate the tracking device he had installed in her car. After 35seconds Gunn had located her and Angelus was not pleased to hear that she was not in L.A. According to Gunn she was in Sunnydale. He slammed the phone shut while Gunn was still talking and then dialed her number again. It went straight to voicemail which angered him even more.

"Buffy. I know you're in Sunnydale. Look, I know your upset but I don't feel comfortable with you being there unprotected. Please just call me…I love you."

All his instincts screamed at him to jump into his car and go to Sunnydale to get her, but he pushed it down. Buffy needed time and he knew she would not forgive him any sooner if he forced the situation. It would kill him to give her the space she needed but he would do that for her. Sighing to himself he glanced at his phone again. Dialing her number again he left another message as he strolled back into the Hyperion.

####

SUNNYDALE

Buffy listened to the message Angelus left for the fifth time. She hated not speaking to him but she couldn't forgive him that easily either. Deleting the four messages he had left she sent him a quick text telling him she was fine and staying at a friend's while she took some time to think things through. She immediately shut her phone off afterwards incase he decided to phone again. She wasn't ready to speak to him yet. His betrayal hurt her so much and her wounds were still raw.

Faith had returned a few hours ago but she was taking a short nap before they went out to the supermarket. Buffy didn't feel like going out but didn't want to leave Faith to go alone so she took a shower and watched TV while she waited for Faith to wake up.

They went to the supermarket a little while later and Buffy was very glad that they only had one stop to make. She was in no mood to see people and just wanted to get back to Faith's so she could crawl under the covers and hide. Buffy knew she shouldn't be like that but she couldn't help it. She just wanted to be left alone for a few days.

Luckily for her Faith seemed to understand and didn't ask her to talk about what happened. Faith gave her space for a while and left Buffy to get own devices. Every once in a while she would bring her hot cocoa and something to eat. When Faith came home that night after her shift she found Buffy on the coach watching a late night movie.

She gave Buffy one look then left to the kitchen and came back with a huge tub of ice cream and two spoons. Buffy laughed at her through her tears and the two ladies sat together while watching lame movies, gorging themselves on ice cream and chatting. It was exactly what Buffy had needed and was very grateful for having a friend like Faith.

She felt a bit better the next morning and took a shower to freshen up then decided to wake Faith and tell her that they should go and have breakfast at a nearby restaurant. Faith didn't say a word as she was pulled from her bed and told to take a shower. Buffy knew Faith could function without lots of sleep and she was happy that Faith didn't complain.

They had breakfast then decided to take a stroll through a nearby park. It was a sunny day and lots of people were out walking their dogs. Faith stopped and greeted people every once in a while, while Buffy stood back and appreciated the scenery.

It was obvious that people liked Faith a lot more now than they did when she first moved to Sunnydale. There had been lots of rumors about her running around town but Buffy had known that all of them were false. Some people had said she was 'skanky' and 'trash' but that couldn't be farther from the truth.

Sure Faith like going out and enjoying herself but she had a good balance between social and working time. She worked as a nurse at the Sunnydale General hospital and people had learned through time that she was a caring and passionate person. Faith never paid the rumors any mind and Buffy respected that about her. No matter what the people said about her, she had held her head high and showed them they were wrong.

Buffy wished she had Faith's courage. No matter what life threw at her she always stood up and carried on. They decided to go into a music store at a nearby shopping center and Faith headed in one directed while Buffy when her own.

"Buffy?" a man asked to her left. Buffy looked up into a handsome face and was surprised that she recognized the man.

"Lindsay?" She asked unsure.

"Yeah. How have you been?" Lindsay asked friendly.

"I'm good. Wow, I haven't seen you in a while. Where have you been all this time?" Buffy asked in wonder, a smile gracing her features.

Lindsay was a few years older than her but they had both attended Sunnydale High and he had purchased some artwork from her mother's gallery. They had always gotten along well and had started a sort of friendship. Lindsay had moved away to New York just a few months before her mother had passed on and they had lost touch after that. By the looks of him, New York had treated him well. His hair was longer than she remembered but it suited him. He was casually dressed in a white shirt and jeans and she could see he put on quite a bit of muscle.

Lindsay couldn't believe who was standing in front of him. Buffy Summers had been the source of every fantasy he ever had. He was taken by her the first moment they met. Unfortunately for him, Buffy seemed oblivious of the fact. They became friends and he once even contemplated telling her how he felt but decided against it at the last second. He didn't want to risk their friendship and he would rather have her as a friend than not have her in his live at all.

When he was offered a job in New York he felt unsure about going, he didn't want to move away from Sunnydale, he loved it here, plus Buffy was there. He knew Buffy might not return his feelings so he took the job and moved a few weeks later. He was sad to leave but knew he had to. He tried keeping in contact with her but work kept him so busy and they stopped talking, losing contact with each other. Maybe this was a sign…? They hadn't seen each other in ages and now they pitched up at the same place at the same time…

Before he could say anything else he heard a familiar voice approach them, "Well, well, look what we have here. If it isn't Lindsay McDonald...How've you been man?" Faith's loud voice rang out. Some people threw her annoyed glances but she didn't even notice. She moved over to Buffy and Lindsay and gave him a hug.

Buffy was surprised at that; she didn't know she and Lindsay got along that well. She didn't even know Faith and Lindsay knew each other. Just goes to show how fast things can change over time she realized with a bit of sadness. The three of them chatted for a while and when Lindsay invited them to dinner, Faith accepted before Buffy had a chance to think of a lame excuse.

"What are you doing?" Buffy ground out after Lindsay left.

"What?" Faith asked innocently

"You know what. I don't want to go out to dinner tonight. I don't feel up to it and you know it." Buffy complained. She knew Faith was well aware of the fact but she pointed out to her again, trying to make it clear to her.

"That's exactly why I accepted. You have to get out of the house and get some fresh air. You've been hiding in my apartment for nearly a week now, you're going to…die if you don't get out a bit. You're never going to recover if you just hide under your covers all day." Buffy rolled her eyes at Faith's statement and couldn't help but smile at her.

"I am getting air, in case you haven't noticed I came out today didn't I?" Buffy asked her. Faith was stubborn, just like her. But she was outside…getting air…breathing in the freshness…surely it was enough for a few days?

"One day isn't going to make a difference. I'm not saying go out and date the guy, just have dinner…"

"What? Faith? I'm totally convinced now…you live in your own world" Buffy joked as she shook her head. Faith made absolutely no sense.

"Oh come on. Are you seriously telling me you don't know that Lindsay has had the hots for you since the first time you met?" at Buffy's bewildered expression Fait laughed. "This is too good to be true. Ok let me explain it to you Buffy my dear… Lindsay McDonald has the biggest 'crush' on you. For years he's been trying to get you to go on a date with him but you have remained oblivious." Everyone with eyes knew that Lindsay liked Buffy, maybe Buffy should get her eyes checked…?

"Are you joking? There is no way on earth Lindsay likes me in that way. Come on we've been friends for ages." Buffy denied, shaking her head as she thought about it.

"Friendship is the best way to start a romance" Faith said matter–of-factly. She hoped she was making some head-way with Buffy. Lindsay's a great guy and he could be exactly what she needs.

"You're out of your mind Faith. Have you forgotten that I'm engaged?" Buffy shrieked. If Faith thought that Buffy was just going to start dating someone else she was sorely mistaken. Ok so she wasn't wearing her engagement ring, but it just didn't feel right. She herself had no idea where she and Angelus stood at the moment.

"No I haven't. I just think that Angelus needs some…healthy competition. I'm not suggesting anything. It's merely a dinner date between friends who haven't seen each other a while. And I'm also going to be there so you have nothing to worry about.'' Faith left Buffy gaping after her as he went onto a clothing store.

"Come on, I need something to wear tonight. Just because he has the 'hots' for you doesn't mean I can't look hot tonight." Faith called to Buffy who was still standing in the middle of the walkway, gapping at her like a fish out of water. A few second later she followed Faith inside. Buffy realized that she was actually looking forward to the dinner 'date' they had.

####

HYPERION HOTEL

"Angel, man are you ok? I heard what happened with Buffy." Lark said as he entered Angelus' study. Angelus was sitting in his study alone nursing a glass of whisky. Everyone in the hotel just called it 'brooding' and steered clear when he was like that.

"Oh, hey Lark." Angelus answered. He was in no mood for chatting. He had wanted to be alone so he closed himself in his study whenever he felt that way. Usually his pack members left him alone but seems like Lark decided he didn't want to follow the rules today.

Lark threw himself a glass of whisky as well then took a seat across from Angelus; neither said anything for a long while. Lark decided to break the silence. "Want to tell me about it?"

"Not really." Angelus' answer was short and blunt, Lark should have known a dismissal when he got one but he ignored it. Lark wasn't one that shared much either usually and Angelus couldn't understand why he was here now.

"Might help" Lark suggested as he took a sip from his glass.

Angelus sighed and knew that the useless banter was helping no one. There was no need to be rude to Lark; since he had brought this situation over himself he knew it was his own fault.

"Buffy's in Sunnydale. I screwed up and we had a fight so she left. I don't know if she'll be back or not. I'm just don't know what to do to make her forgive me." Lark knew that would be the most he got from Angelus. Angelus didn't like to share a lot about himself or his problems.

Lark was silent a while as he contemplated what Angelus told him. The entire pack knew what happened by now but he wasn't going to tell Angelus that. Lark was just very happy that Angelus threw the trashy blond woman from his office. He knew Angelus loved Buffy but he couldn't understand why Angelus had gone and met with her at a private hotel. Even he would have been pissed of royally if it happened to him. "Buffy will be back. She loves you to death. Just give her some time." Lark assured his pack alpha.

"How can you be so sure?" Angelus asked. He didn't know how Lark was so sure of it when he himself doubted if Buffy would ever forgive him. This was bad…really bad…going to Darla's hotel, allowing her to lie to him and still going up to her room…then kissing her back and then lying to Buffy…that was cheating.

"Buffy took the car. She's got too much pride to take your car if she intends on leaving you." Lark said honestly. Angelus looked up at Lark when he said that. Everyone knew Buffy loved Angelus with her entire being. It was obvious by the way she looked at him, but she would never take anything from him if she intended to leave. Even though it was technically her car, she would return it to him if they decided to go their separate ways.

"Our females are very emotional creatures. Buffy just needs some time to work things through by herself. Maybe she didn't feel comfortable doing that while in the house with you. Don't put too much pressure on her but don't let up entirely either. Let her know that you're sorry and you love her. She'll come back." Lark placed his empty glass on the table and then left Angelus to ponder his thoughts alone.

What Lark said did make sense. Buffy would never take any of his things with her if she left. Sure he had bought her the car and it was hers, but Buffy didn't work that way. She'd give everything back he had ever given her if things between them were to end. Knowing that Angelus felt a little bit better but that made him miss her even more.

####

LE GRANDE MONDIOR HOTEL AND CASINO

"I thought you said this was going to be easy!" Riley said angrily to Darla as he paced up and down the room. He was just about wearing a pattern into the rug.

"I thought it would be. Angelus has no idea who that blond bimbo is. She…" Darla stopped, realizing her slip.

"What did you just say? I thought you said you and Buffy were friends?" Why would Darla be badmouthing Buffy when they were friends? Surely Buffy had better friends than that. "Darla?" Riley pressed when she didn't answer him.

"Oh please, like I would be friends with that little…girl. She stole Angelus from me and now he refuses to see reason. It was supposed to be easy. You turn up and she goes back to you while I get Angelus back. This is all your fault. You were supposed to convince her, looks like you can't do anything right!" Darla screamed at Riley.

She wasn't very impressed with Riley or Angelus at this moment. She was so sure Angelus would come back to her once he knew she and Jake were no longer together. Darla still regretted cheating on Angelus but there was nothing she could do about that now. What's done is done. She had hurt Angelus but he had also had affairs when they were together. She pretended that it didn't bother her but it did.

Darla was a jealous person and she hated that he was never jealous of her. Whenever she had tried to make him jealous he never seemed to notice, where she was aware of all his conquests.

"My fault? You said Buffy wanted to see me. You don't even know her do you?" It made sense to him now. Darla had plotted the whole thing. She had used him as a pawn to get what she wanted. He should have seen it sooner.

He turned on his heel and strode out of the hotel room he shared with Darla. He didn't know what he was going to do now. He figured he would let Darla cool down then he would return and they could take things from there.

He still wanted Buffy back, this had only been a minor setback. It didn't matter that Buffy had told him to leave her alone. She just didn't know what she wanted. She just needed to be reminded of what they had shared. Surely she would come to her senses soon enough. If only he could get her alone and talk some sense into her.

Riley just hoped that Angelus used the information he had given him. Maybe now that he knew about Buffy's past he would kick her out and then she would seek him out and return to him.

####

HYPERION HOTEL

Angelus sat once again in his study. He'd been there nearly the entire day. The door slowly pushed open and two small heads peeked inside.

"Angel? Mom is about to serve dinner. You have to come and sit with us. We saved you a seat." Morgan said to him. She knew he would probably say no but she still had to try.

Angelus looked up at the two youngest members of his pack. "I'm not hungry right now kids, you go on without me okay?" Angelus replied then went back to his work. He just didn't feel up to facing everyone right now.

Morgan and Cooper looked at each other with sad expression. Angelus hadn't eaten dinner with them all week and they were worried about him. "Please Angel, we miss you." Cooper tried once last time.

Angelus looked up into their expectant faces. One look at their expressions and he immediately felt guilty. It was true that he hadn't eaten dinner with the pack for a while. He just didn't feel up to the company. Buffy's seat was empty and he didn't want to face his pack. He understood why the kids had come searching for him. Morgan and Cooper usually sat next to him and Buffy during dinner and now neither one of them were there.

"Come on. Let's go see what your mom prepared for dinner." Angelus answered with more enthusiasm than he felt. He couldn't say no to them. They jumped for joy and ran into his arms and he carried them into the dining room. After they were seated Angelus could not help but glance at Buffy's empty chair.

"When is Buffy coming back Angel? Doesn't she want to be here with us anymore?" Morgan asked him sadly. He was shocked at the question.

"What? You guys know she loves being with you. She just went to visit a friend for a while." That was the only explanation he could come up with at the moment and he didn't want to lie to them either.

"We miss her. I wish she would come back. No one wants to play with us. Buffy always played with us…" Cooper said sadly as he thought about all the times they had played together.

"I know. How about the three of us go out for a run after dinner? I haven't been out for a while and I would like it if you two joined me." Angelus hoped that would cheer the kids up. By their excited smiles he was pleased.

Morgan and Cooper were not allowed to go running without supervision and he knew everyone had been busy lately so no one took them out. Buffy usually took them for a run when she got off work early.

His body was tense and sore and he figured he needed to take a run in his natural form to relieve some stress. If only Buffy was there so she could join them. Once again he felt his heart constrict at the thought that Buffy was away from him. It was no one's fault but his own.

After dinner he waited outside for the kids and decided to try and phone Buffy again. No surprise that it went straight to voicemail again. Buffy was clearly still upset and not ready to talk to him yet. He left a short message then ended the call when he heard the kids approaching.

Soon all three of them were transformed into their wolf forms and they took off at a leisurely stroll into the forest.

END CHAPTER NINETEEN