Angel knew his way around Sunnydale. It was still his town. The thrum of the hell mouth called to the darkness in him. He took a deep breath taking in the scents of modern life and the hints of warm blood filling the air. He knew Sunnydale intimately, up and down, inside and out.

He knew a safe way into the Bronze in bright sun and a couple of other ways involving various degrees of acrobatic skill. Ditching Xander provided more of a challenge, but he had risen to it.

Standing backstage watching Buffy play pool with some shifters felt odd. He shouldn't be on the outside looking in. His place was beside her.

She was so beautiful, young and lovely. Her hair moved like a silken curtain, catching the light and reflecting it back. Life flowed around and through her. It was tantalizing.

He missed being the center of her world. He wanted her eyes locked on him, worshipping him. He wanted her under him, writhing and moaning. Her life should be in his hands, his choice. He could feel the demon surge within him. The thought of pressing her against wall and fucking her until she begged him for mercy flittered through his mind. Her heat, her breath, her blood, all his to command.

He adjusted himself in his pants. The images of hurting her should have repulsed him, but they never did. His demon had a taste for her, and it was on the tenuous soul to hold firm against it.

Moving to Los Angeles had been the right thing to do. His soul was too precious to risk, and being around her was taking a huge chance. He had left, but Buffy was still his girl. She always would be.

He watched Spike move around her, supposedly guarding her back. It was too ridiculous. Spike was probably trying to win Drusilla back by making a big public scene before killing Buffy. Angel smirked. It would never work. Spike would never truly hold anything that belonged to him, and Drusilla and Buffy were definitely his girls. One for his demon and one for his soul.

Buffy rested her hand on Spike's arm as she conversed with her watcher. Giles looked between them. The watcher would discern the truth of the situation. Everything would return to normal soon. He took a deep breath and stepped out into the dancing crowd.

He took a deep breath and was hit by her scent. It was changed. She was a woman now. The soft fragrance of youth and innocence was gone.

"I know for a fact your bloody name was not on the list." Spike sneered. "Peaches."

"After my scraps again, Boyo?" Angel tilted his head and met William's gaze steadily. "Can't find a woman of your own?"

"I'm not yours." Buffy stepped back pressing her body against Spike's. "Quit the macho crap and get out."

Angel blinked. He could sense the bond tying Buffy and Spike together. He clenched his fists against his thighs. Buffy would intervene in any fight between them, and pissing Buffy off was never a good idea.

"Buffy, I'm not here to cause trouble." Angel unclenched his hands and raised them up placatingly. "I heard you were in trouble. I had to come. I still love you."

"Yeah." Buffy smirked. "You love me. That's why you ran for the hills. Your love isn't worth it."

"I left because my soul is too weak. The temptation of you is too strong." Angel forced his crooked, charming smile to the fore.

"So, you've found a way to lift the curse? You've found a way to be with me?" Buffy tilted her head and smiled, but he could see the trap in her eyes.

"I've been trying to find my place without you." He took a deep unneeded breath.

"You haven't even considered looking for a way to lock your soul in place." Buffy giggled. "Your love doesn't amount to much."

"And what is the measure of Spike's devotion?" Angel sneered and rolled his shoulders.

"He's standing with me against all comers. Even you." Buffy pulled Spike's arm around her. "If I die he'll be going with me."

"Right you are, Love." Spike murmured.

"And he adores my body. The things he can do with his tongue." Buffy shivered dramatically and cuddled back against Spike.

"He doesn't love you." Angel stepped closer to the pair and dropped his voice. "No soul. He can't love."

"William loves me just fine." Buffy smiled. "I haven't a single complaint."

"Well, there was the one." Spike smiled and licked his lips. "Had a bit of a tight squeeze the first few times. Didn't we, Love?"

Buffy blushed a deep rose. The scent of her arousal filled the air around them. The sweet familiarity of her was tainted by the scent of their bewildering bond.

Angel closed his eyes and held his breath. Counting to five hundred wasn't going to alleviate his urge to rip William bloody.

"He's a liar, Buffy. You'll never be able to trust him." Angel opened his eyes and stared into her green eyes, trying to convey his concern. "When Drusilla comes for him, and she will, he'll leave you. It's a simple fact. William the Bloody belongs to Drusilla."

"I'm done with the crazy bitch." Spike smirked. "You'll need to find her a new keeper. She's taken up with a chaos demon, but it won't last. It takes a steady hand to control her, not slimy antlers."

"You can't be done with Drusilla." Angel crossed his arms across his chest and stared down his nose at the couple. "I forbid it. You will serve your purpose or you will be dust."

"I've fought the both of you." Buffy smirked. "William won't be the one blowing in the wind. I think you need to leave. This is my town. This is my hell mouth. This is my life. If I need you in any capacity, I'll call."

Angel watched as the pair of blondes turned and stalked away from him with their hands entwined. A hollow feeling settled in his gut. He'd been dismissed, treated like yesterday's garbage. He snarled and stalked out of the bar.