TITLE: RAGING MOON

DISCLAIMER & NOTES: SEE PREVIOUS PAGES

A/N: A HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO SENT FEEDBACK AND TO ALL THE READERS. ANY THOUGHTS ARE HIGHLY APRECIATED SO PLEASE KEEP THEM COMING! IF ALL GOES WELL I'LL SEND OUT THE NEXT PART BY THE END OF THE WEEK. X X

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

WOLFRAM AND HART

Angelus had been in meetings with clients for the better part of the day. His office was starting to look like a revolving door. Not that he minded, he needed all the help he could get to keep his mind off Buffy and his current situation.

Looking at his watch he saw it was well after three and decided to take a step out of the office and stretch his tired limbs. His legs felt like concrete blocks after sitting for so long. He left his coat hanging over his chair as he informed Harmony he was heading out for a few minutes.

When Angelus arrived back at the office it was well after four and he wanted to get a few more stuff done before he left for the day. Just as he was about to get into the elevator he heard a commotion at the reception. People were gathering outside the doors but he could not make out what was happening. Two security guards rushed past him and disappeared into the crowd

Angelus made his way over to the group of people and was surprised to see three of the security guards were restraining Riley Finn. He was putting up a huge struggle but the guards were not letting up. One of the guards tried reasoning with Riley but his pleas were falling on deaf ears. Riley must have forgotten what happened last time he entered the building.

"Hey! Hey! O'Rourke, I have to speak to you." Riley yelled as soon as he saw Angelus. When he arrived at the office he was not surprised that the guards wouldn't let him through. No matter how he tried to explain how important it was, they ignored him.

Angelus was surprised at the manner Riley called him. After the beating he gave the younger man he didn't expect him to formally address him as he did now. It was obvious that Riley still didn't like him. It seemed like Riley was very stressed and he could see the pleading in the younger man's eyes.

Riley slipped his one arm free of the guard but didn't struggle or push against him. "Please, it's real important that I speak with you." Riley pleaded once again. Angelus could not turn him away. He would want to hear what Riley had to say.

The guards looked over at Angelus and he nodded to them that they should let him go. Riley sneered at the guards but wisely kept his mouth shut. As he was approaching Angelus, one of the guards stopped him, padded him down for any weapons and when they found none, stepped out of the way. Riley thought it was totally unnecessary but didn't voice his opinion.

"What are you doing here Finn? I thought I made myself clear the last time we spoke?" Angelus' tone was not friendly and Riley rubbed his nose unconsciously at the reminder. Yes, he remembered what Angelus told him the last time he was here.

"I'm not here to make trouble, I swear. I just need to talk to you…about Buffy." Riley knew by the look on Angelus' face that he did not appreciate what he was hearing. When the older man just stared back at him Riley questioned himself, maybe this hadn't been such a good idea after all. Riley would be very grateful if he came out of this without any bruises or broken bones. But he needed to say his piece and he was not leaving until he did.

"Listen, I know you don't like me very much and I assure you the feeling is mutual but this has to do with Buffy. I know I've been a huge asshole to her but I still care about her. Please just give me five minutes of your time and hear me out."

"Talk, I'm listening." Angelus answered as he folded his arms over his chest. Riley didn't miss the way the fabric of his shirt strained to accommodate his huge shoulders.

"I'd prefer it if we could do this somewhere private." Just as he spoke the words, a man dressed casually in jeans and sneakers arrived and stood next to Angelus. He remembered the black man from the previous time he had seen Angelus, Gunn was what Angelus had called him.

Angelus turned on his heel, not waiting for Riley to follow him. Gunn on the other hand, ushered him towards the building. They walked into the lobby of the huge building and he was escorted to a small office that only had a large table and a few chairs. They probably used it as a consulting room for clients. He took a seat, relieved Angelus was going to hear what he had to say.

Angelus took a seat and motioned for Riley to do the same. "You better make it quick Mr. Finn. I'm not a very patient man and I'm in no mood for trouble today." The threat did not go undetected. Riley swallowed once then cleared his throat. He was just going to tell Angelus the truth and then he was going to get the hell away from him.

"A few weeks ago I got a visitor up on my parent's farm in Iowa. It was a blond woman claiming to be friends with Buffy. She told me that Buffy missed me and wanted to see me. I was overjoyed to hear that as I missed her and tried to get in contact with her but was unsuccessful. She offered to pay for my flight to L.A and said that I could stay with her while I sorted things out with Buffy.

She said she'd been friends with you and Buffy for a long time and she wanted Buffy to be happy again. From the way she talked about you it was obvious that she had strong feelings for you but I chose to ignore it. She said there were some complications and that it would take some time to convince Buffy.

I said yes and came to L.A. with her the next day. She's very secretive and no matter how hard I tried she wouldn't tell me anything. I mean I was not about to look a gifted horse in the mouth. When she finally said that I should go and see Buffy I was so relieved. However, she did warn me that she was dating someone and that it might take a bit longer to convince Buffy to come back to me.

I didn't care as long as I got to see Buffy. I was so sure she would run back to me after she saw me. I told her about what happened with me and Buffy, about that alleged animal attack. It seemed to me like she was really enjoyed hearing that. She said that if Buffy rejected me I should come to you with the information about what happened to her.

I went to see Buffy and I was totally taken aback to see the shock and contempt in her eyes. Buffy had always been a sweet mannered person and I couldn't believe she didn't want me. I was so angry after seeing her and then getting a beating from you so I went back to the hotel and told Darla what happened-"

"Wait…what? Did you just say Darla? Are you saying that Darla was the woman who came to you?" Angelus asked alarmed, he couldn't believe what he just heard. It was possible that the boy was lying, but the look on his face told Angelus that he was telling the truth.

"Yes, Darla Delaney she said her name was. I'm not even sure if that's her real name." Riley shook his head. He still couldn't believe he had fallen for her lies and tricks.

"Carry on." Angelus encouraged him wanting to hear what else he had to say.

Riley swallowed then went on, "When I told Darla what happened and she got angry. Started throwing a huge fit. The hotel room was trashed when she finally calmed down. After a while she got this smirk on her face, like she was planning something really bad. Now I don't know Darla all that well, but the look in her eyes kind of creeped my out.

She had a new plan alright. She wanted me to find Buffy and drug her...She even gave me the GHB tablets she wanted me to give to Buffy. I know GHB is some powerful stuff, I've seen stuff like that on TV. Then Darla wanted me to take Buffy to a nearby hotel and …well you know…" Riley said as he looked down at his hands, ashamed to even admit it.

"What Riley? I want to hear the words." Angelus insisted as he slammed his hand down on the table, causing Riley to jump in his chair.

"Darla wanted me to have sex with her while she was unconscious and take pictures of us together as proof. So when she woke up the next day and saw that she had slept with me. Darla then wanted to take to photos to you."

"Son of a…" Gunn just shook his head. There were some real sick people on earth. Why would someone what to do that to Buffy and Angelus? They didn't deserve it.

"I can't do it. Buffy doesn't deserve to be treated like that. I want her back and all but not like that. I can't force her to be with me if she loves someone else, it just 'ain't right. Sure I'm upset over how things ended between us but that is not the way I was brought up."

"How do I know you're not lying?" Angelus voiced his doubt.

"I may be from a small town but I'm not stupid. I've got proof. I recorded Darla on my cell when she was talking. I also got some pictures of her while she was passed out." Riley said as he withdrew his cell from his pocket and handed it over to Angelus.

Angelus was deadly silent as he first looked through the photos then listened to the recording. There was no mistaking Darla's voice. He could not believe the measures she would go too to get what she wanted.

"I didn't do it, I swear on my life." Riley said as he drew a small plastic bag from his other pocket. "Here's the drugs Darla wanted me to use on Buffy. I don't even know where she is I swear." Riley said, he didn't want to offend Angelus any further and hoped his honesty gained him some points.

Gunn took the bag from him and smelled the substance inside. He pulled his face as he closed it and nodded it Angelus. Gunn was an expert and he handled lots of cases dealing with drug abuse. He knew the products when he smelled them, confirming Riley's story.

"Why are you doing this now? Why come to me with all this information when you clearly want Buffy back?" Angelus asked him in a gentler tone. He tried to calm his anger but he was having trouble. He wanted to ring the man's neck for plotting against his Buffy. The only thing saving Riley was the fact that he came clean and admitted what happened.

"Like I said, Buffy's a sweet girl. She's never mean to anyone and she's had it rough. I don't believe in forcing my way onto others. If Buffy wanted me back she would be with me. But she loves you, and I can't compete with that." Riley admitted. He didn't like it but he wasn't stupid and he wasn't going to be a part of something that would destroy an innocent person's life.

Angelus knew it took a hell of a lot of courage for Riley to say that. He still disliked Riley a lot but he was grateful that he had come to him. Angelus couldn't imagine what would have happened if Riley had gone through with Darla's plan.

"Does Darla know you haven't seen Buffy yet?" Gunn asked.

"No, She's been drinking up a storm at the hotel. She wakes up, drinks, showers and then drinks some more till she passes out. She's got some serious issues and I'm not the babysitting kind. She's been pressuring me to go to Buffy since yesterday. I told her I couldn't get Buffy alone and it seems like she's buying it, I just don't know for how long she will believe me before she gets suspicious. She thinks I'm looking for Buffy right now." Riley told them.

Angelus nodded as he absorbed all the information Riley had just given him. He was so angry at Darla he felt he could strangle her. Darla had always been a bitch but he was amazed at the lengths she had gone through. She was obviously a very sick person.

"Do you know if Darla was taking any drugs or med's?" Gunn asked before Angelus got the chance. They needed something to nail her on.

"Uh, I'm not sure. She didn't allow me into her room but I did notice a few prescribed drugs on her bed stand one morning." Riley said, he just hoped they didn't find out he slept with her.

"That's good. If she was taking anything then we can get her arrested." Gunn spoke to Angelus.

"I want to help, if I can. It's the least I can do." Riley said as he saw Gunn jump in motion. He really wanted to help. And if he had to help bring Darla down then he would do it. It was the least he could do after what he put Buffy through.

Gunn and Angelus looked over at each other, contemplating the idea. A smile crept up on both their faces as they turned to look at Riley. Suddenly he was felt like he was being surrounded by wolves. Maybe he shouldn't have jumped in so eagerly.

####

LE GRANDE MONDIOR HOTEL

Darla came awake slowly. He head pounded terribly and the best way to describe the feeling was to compare it with colliding into a brick wall head first. The drapes to her room were pulled open letting the warm rays enter the room. Hadn't she closed them the night before?

Her mind was all groggy and she wasn't sure where she was. Glancing around her she saw she was in her room at the hotel. It was quiet so that meant Riley was out. He better be out there screwing that little bitch if he knows what good for him. He was stalling and she knew it. There was no way he was getting out of it that easily. They had a deal and he had to follow through.

As she stood up from her bed the room started spinning and she had to sit back down before she fell over. Sitting helped a bit but what she needed was another drink. As she made her way over to the mini bar she grabbed her pills from the counter. Deciding to take three instead of the prescribed one, she threw them down her throat and didn't even bother looking for something to swallow it down with.

The mini bar was empty, which only angered her more. This hotel was supposed to be a five star establishment and they couldn't even keep the bar stocked. She would make sure the manager heard about this.

Darla staggered over to the bathroom and started the water in the shower. She just needed some warm water to clear the fogginess in her head then she would be ready to go. She had waited long enough, today she was going to reclaim Angelus and to hell with anyone that tried to stop her.

Once she finished in the shower, she brushed her teeth and applied some make-up. Riley had yet to call and check in, Darla hoped he had gotten to the little witch. Looking for her phone she saw it was not in the bathroom. Opening the door she came face to face with the hotel manager.

"What the hell are you doing in here? This is a private room." Darla screamed at him as she pulled the towel tighter around her naked body.

The hotel manager said nothing, just glanced at her with disgust. He turned around and looked at the trashed hotel room.

"Excuse me! Would you mind getting the hell out of my room before I call the police?" Darla screamed at the manager. He continued to ignore her as he surveyed the damage. She obviously had no idea how serious the situation was.

"No need miss Delaney, I have already informed the authorities and they will be here within the next…twenty seconds." He informed her as he glanced at his watch and Darla could only stare at him in disbelief. Was this man insane? She could have him thrown from her room and then call the owner about the poor service she was receiving.

Just like the manager said, the police arrived a few seconds later. She was arrested in her bathrobe and escorted off the premises, kicking and screaming. Not that it would do her any good. Her charges included damage of hotel property, possession of illegal drugs and abuse of prescription drugs. Those were some serious charges and she would not get off lightly.

She never saw Riley or Gunn standing just down the hall witnessing the entire event. Riley felt somewhat bad for her but pushed the though away. She had gotten what she deserved. She wouldn't be getting out of this no matter how good a lawyer she got.

Gunn didn't say a word as he walked out of the building and got into the car. Riley followed and climbed into the passenger seat. "Thank you for your co-operation Mr. Finn, Angelus and miss Summers appreciates it." Riley merely nodded his head as Gunn drove him to the airport.

Considering the circumstances Riley had gotten off scot-free. Angelus had offered to buy him a ticket back to Iowa and not file charges against him in exchange for the help he had provided. Riley was just grateful he got out of the situation in one piece. He didn't belong here, Iowa was his home and he was eager to get back to living his life.

####

WOLFRAM AND HART

"Angelus?" Gunn called through his door. As he pushed the door open he found Angelus looking out at the city beneath them. "Everything is taken care of. Darla has been arrested and Riley is sitting comfortably on a plane back to Iowa."

Angelus didn't reply, just nodded his head. Gunn wasn't sure what was going in his head but knew better than to ask.

"Thank you Gunn, for everything." Angelus said softly before Gunn could open the door to leave.

"Any time my man, any time." Gunn smiled at his boss and pack alpha. All in a day's work.

"What do you think I should do?" Angelus asked him.

Gunn was momentarily taken aback at the question. Angelus rarely asked for advice. He knew what Angelus meant but still asked the question, "About Buffy?" At his nod Gunn had to think for a few seconds before answering. "What do you want to do?" He asked him instead.

A sarcastic laugh escaped Angelus' lips, "I want to race down to Sunnydale and go get my mate. I want her back where I can watch over her and I want her safe. I never want to let her out of my sight again. I want her marked so that no man will ever come near her again. I want…I want her home where she belongs." Angelus confessed truthfully.

"Then what are you waiting for? I thought you'd be halfway to Sunnydale by now." Angelus rushed past Gunn in a blinding speed. Harmony was calling after him but he paid her no mind. The only thing that mattered now was getting to Buffy.

Gunn smiled as he watched Angelus go, it was about time the man came to his senses, he had wasted enough time. Harmony threw a questioning look at him but he just smiled at her as he left the office.

END CHAPTER TWENTY THREE