Second time lucky? Part Two

Buffy looked up to see Angel; she could have cried out in disappointment. She hastily forced herself to her feet, vehemently not wanting his touch.Angel had a slightly wary expression on his face, and Buffy knew her anger was irrational, but at this moment she really didn't care; at the moment Buffy wanted nothing more but to stake him there and now, simply for being himself, and not being Spike...

"Er…Buff?Look I need to show you something." Buffy looked at him uninterested. "And I've got a lover to find, so..." She watched in uncharacteristic satisfaction as hurt flickered through his brown eyes. "What's Captain Peroxide got that I ain't, huh?" The satisfied look fell from Buffy's face, her green eyes narrowed, not liking Angel's mischievous smirk.

"How do you know about Spike?" Angel smiled, but it was evil, he looked more like Angelus. "Oops, guess I gave too much away." Buffy felt alarm rush through her. "Who are you?What are you?" Angel chuckled humourlessly. "So many questions, so little answers."

Buffy charged at him, but she just hit the sand.She leapt to her feet, confused as to how he had managed to side step her attack.It took her awhile to realize Angel was gone; she was about to leave when Spike suddenly appeared on his knees in front of her. His hair was badly ruffled and messy, his naked chest was adorned in purple and black bruises, and when he lifted his head, she saw he had a right black eye and a badly spilt lip.

"B-Buffy!" Spike rasped his voice weak, Buffy felt herself shake. "Stop it.Stop being him." Spike looked at her imploringly.

"Luv? Buffy?" Buffy was trembling violently, tears streamed down her face.

"Don't cry Luv, I'm not worth it." Buffy felt herself fall to her knees. "S-Spike?" Buffy asked disbelievingly, but with a tremor of hope in her voice. Spike's face twisted into a cruel smirk, and when he spoke it was Angel's voice. "You never learn Buffy. You hurt me, you sent me to hell, then you broke Spike, and thanks to you he's in his own virtual hell.But he deserves it doesn't he, after all 'he's dead inside', 'there's nothing good in him';'He's a thing'." Buffy shook her head, the guilt over her words was overpowering. "The world would be a better place with you dead in it." Buffy closed her eyes and shook her head, trying to block out the words. 'It's not Spike, it's not him.Christ that's not even his voice!'

Screaming made Buffy open her eyes.Spike was squirming on the sand, screaming.Buffy instantly forgot it wasn't Spike, her nose and eyes were running. "Oh Spike, thank God!" She went to wrap her arms around him, but once again she met face first with the sand.Buffy pulled herself to her feet, her emotions spent.Angel looked at her lovingly, but when he spoke, a deep English voice came out. "Later Luv." And just like that he vanished, leaving a numb Buffy to walk back to Sunnydale.Alone.

How many of you thought it was actually Angel ?! Anyhow please review and I'll update asap