The Chronicles of Angel Book 7 Chapter 9: Lover's Quarrel, a buffy: the vampire slayer fanfic

Chapter 9 Lover's Quarrel

A/N: You guys will love this chapter I know it. It's a tease kind of chapter but you'll still love it. And it's a pallet cleanser because I know you need it after chapter 8. Hope you like it, enjoy.

I'll be your light, your match, your burning sun,
I'll be the bright, in black that's makin' you run.
And we'll feel alright, and we'll feel alright,
'Cause we'll work it out, yeah we'll work it out.

I'll be doin' this, if you had a doubt,
'Til the love runs out, 'til the love runs out.

I'll be your ghost, your game, your stadium.
I'll be your fifty-thousand clapping like one.
And I feel alright, and I feel alright,
'Cause I worked it out, yeah I worked it out.

I'll be doin' this, if you had a doubt,
'Til the love runs out, 'til the love runs out.

I got my mind made up, man, I can't let go.
I'm killing every second 'til it saves my soul.
(Ooh) I'll be running, (Ooh) I'll be running,
'Til the love runs out, 'til the love runs out.
And we'll start a fire, and we'll shut it down,
'Til the love runs out, 'til the love runs out.

There's a maniac out in front of me.
Got an angel on my shoulder, and Mestopheles.
but mama raised me good, mama raised me right.
Mama said, "Do what you want, say prayers at night,"
And I'm saying them, 'cause I'm so devout.
'Til the love runs out, 'til the love runs out, yeah.

Oh, we all want the same thing.
Oh, we all run for something.
run for God, for fate,
For love, for hate,
For gold, for rust,
For diamonds, for dust.

I'll be your light, your match, your burning sun,
I'll be the bright, in black that's makin' you run.

I'll be your light, your match, your burning sun,
I'll be the bright, in black that's makin' you run.
And we'll feel alright, and we'll feel alright,
'Cause we'll work it out, yes, we'll work it out.
And we'll start a fire, and we'll shut it down,
'Til the love runs out, 'til the love runs out.
'Til the love runs out.

Love Runs Out by OneRepublic

Buffy sat on the bed as Angel told her everything he saw in his dream. Was it real? Was it a future that can happen? Angel was now in silence as he looked to the vampire.

"Well," Buffy started as she was processing the information. "So, it was an alternate reality but parallel…" Angel shrugged but nodded. Buffy sat up looking to the time. In about half an hour the mansion will be awake. "We should find Michael,"

"I don't think we will, he said he was helping me and the PTB wouldn't like that." Angel added and Buffy nodded. They can count Michael out on this one.

"But we have a timeline," Buffy didn't want to think about the dream as something horrible but as something useful. "I mean we now know more about the Beast and the Eye of Fire before the dream."

"So, Michael is…cheating…" Angel thought about it.

"More like a shortcut to win the race." Buffy had another point of view.

"That's…cheating." Angel stated and Buffy nodded a little.

"I think, what you saw Angel is what would have happened if you stayed dead." Buffy went on. "What if you coming back is a new…timeline?" Buffy asked and that was a good suggestion. "I mean you were supposed to die but coming back really did change everything."

"The PTB know what the future is going to be like. Me being here threw everything off. The entire future has completely changed." Angel wasn't sure if that was good or bad as stated seeing what was saying.

"We're changing it right now, changing the way it goes just by you and me talking about it." Buffy looked to the slayer.

"I hate time travel, time traveling change and the time loop." Angel confessed and Buffy smiled a little. But it's true. What he saw is what would have happened had he not come back. Angel then looked up to Buffy. "I'm not going to let it happened…" He trailed off still seeing the bodies of his dead friends. It was going haunt him for a long time. "I won't let anyone die, I'm tired of losing my people." Buffy just listened. She was told what he saw but she'll never feel like Angel is now. "You guys are my family, I won't lose any of you." Seeing Dawn's dead body made Angel sick. "The First and the Beast are not going to win this."

Right now the A-Team has a head start. But they needed to stay ahead of this. There were still a lot to do and a lot is still unknown. That reality unfolded in a different way. This one will have different turns but at least they have some sort of map. Buffy reached out and put her hand on Angel's cheek. "You're going to be with me on this?"

"Shoulder to shoulder." She answered and Angel's heart dropped to the floor. Angel had to brush it off. That reality was not this one. He won't let it happen. His friends are not going to die, his sister isn't going to die and he won't leave Buffy again. Buffy leaned in and hugged him knowing he needed it. They held each other for a few moments and then pulled away. They were very close now, it wouldn't take much to connect. "We…we should probably go downstairs." Buffy suggested in a whisper and Angel nodded but they continued to sit there. Now would be a good time for someone to knock on the door.

After what he went through in the dream he didn't want to leave. Buffy was broken in the dream and she had every right to be. But here this Buffy before him was not broken she was strong. He wanted her to stay that way. But they were both about to become weak and succumb to emotion. Their lips connected for the first time in months. They can never really think straight when they're around each other. The kiss started to get heated quickly but it stopped.

Angel pulled away and got up. He can't do this not without knowing where they stand. Yes they stand together on keeping the end from happening. But he has no idea where they stand as two people. They've been apart for months, he became a drunk and she didn't deserve that. Buffy continued to sit there and looked up at Angel as he stood at the door. He then turned and faced her. She shouldn't have let it happen, they might have just taken ten steps back.

"I need, I need to go to school," Angel stuttered and he left. Buffy let out an unnecessary sigh. That should not have happened. But when it comes to Angel a lot of logic and rational thinking just seems to not be there.

The day went as normal as any other dull day could go. Angel and Buffy didn't know what to tell the group or even how to tell them. But for now another problem needed to be solved. Angel needs to watch Spike more closely now because of what he saw in his dream. Spike can go either way even though he has a soul.

"I'm trading one basement for another." Spike grumbled as he was in the basement of the mansion. The rest of the A-Team was here and Spike just wanted to talk to Buffy although she didn't have anything to say to him.

"Yeah, but this one isn't sitting over the Hell Mouth," Angel explained why this basement is better.

"I was doing just fine," Spike didn't want to be here.

"You were seeing things, that's not fine, now listen," Angel was on a tight schedule these days. "You stay down here unless we call for you." Angel laid out the rules.

"Why? You work at the school," Spike didn't know why Angel wanted him here.

"I want to keep my eye on you." Angel answered and the tension in the room was so thick. Angel then walked over to Spike. "You have a soul but that doesn't mean I trust you at all. You don't go out of your way out of the kindness of your heart." Spike then looked to Buffy. "You don't look at her either,"

"I would never hurt her." Spike insisted but that's hard to believe after what he tried to do last year.

"I'll decide what is and what isn't hurting anyone." Angel continued stand there. The entire A-Team was here listening and none of them liked the plan. They understood it but they didn't like it. Spike looked around as the team was behind Angel and he had no one behind him. "All of them are my family, my only family and if you hurt them in any way I will kill you Spike and I'm keeping my word on that. I don't trust you." At one point Spike was one of them but now he was an outcast. The only reason why he was still here is because of the soul.

The team started to leave and Buffy looked to Spike and he looked to her. He hoped she would stay and they talk but instead she left the basement with the others.

"I don't like this plan Angel." Xander stated as they filed into the study. "What if he slits our throats at night?" Dawn rubbed her neck thinking about it.

"I need to know where he is at all times ok, if he's here then it makes me feel better." Angel didn't like his own plan but Spike needed close watching. "The Hell Mouth is doing something to him and as much I can careless about the guy I rather have him on our side when the sky starts to fall." The whole team knew something was up with Angel, he seemed on edge. Yes the end of the world has started but he was on more of an edge than normal. "No one goes down there alone." And the slayer walked off.

The next day came about and Angel was at the football field with Dawn. She wanted to talk to Angel before cheer practice so they had sometime.

"Is everything ok?" Dawn started as they walked the track. "I mean ever since Buffy came home…"

"We got a lot thrown at us and I'm trying to sort through it." Angel explained himself and Dawn nodded but there was more.

"You were pretty quick to get Spike to the mansion." Dawn added.

"I was told by Lorne that sides are going to be drawn, I want to know what side Spike is going to pick." Angel and his sister continued to walk the track.

"He has a soul so…he's with Team Angel." Dawn thought that was logical enough but it wasn't. "His soul is torturing him isn't it?" Angel nodded and because of the torture he can go either way. "How did Buffy get through it?" Just then the two sat on the bleachers together. Angel didn't know and shrugged. Dawn then looked to Angel. "You still love her." It was a statement not a question. Angel looked off to the football team as they practiced. "You do right?" Dawn wanted to be sure.

"I do," He looked over to Dawn.

"Then how come you two aren't together doing it like bunnies?" That escalated quickly and things just got really awkward.

"It's," But Dawn cut her brother off.

"Complicated I know." Dawn sounded annoyed. "I don't get love. I mean Spike loves Buffy so he went out to get a soul to prove it. But then again he tried to rape her so that doesn't make sense. Xander left Anya at the Alter but still loves her." Angel hearing all this out loud really put everything in perspective…his people were messed up. "And then you and Buffy have been separated for months and you do nothing."

"Dawn," Angel wanted to cut her off.

"I don't get it." She repeated herself. "All this chasing and brooding and swooning. Then the situation you put yourselves in and then you cry and have sex and then cry again." Dawn was ranting and Angel couldn't help but smile a little. Dawn seems to have love down path.

"Alright, I'm out see you after practice." Angel stood up as he saw some other members of the cheer squad making their way over.

"Then there's yelling and the crying and more sex," Dawn continued to rant and she looked up to Angel.

"Easy solution, don't fall in love then." Angel suggested as he walked away with Dawn still sitting there. Just then she saw one of the football players take off his helmet and it was like time slowed down as Dawn stared at him. Angel caught Dawn looking at RJ Brooks. Angel then looked to the football player as he grabbed a bottle of water. He then looked to Dawn as her eyes were glued to RJ. The kid did help with the Witnesses but that won't save him. Angel knows who will die next on the Hell Mouth and yes he can make it look very accidental if needed.

Angel stood before a door and knocked and then waited. It took a few minutes and then Anya answered. The slayer hasn't seen her in a few days not after stabbing her. Anya looked rather shocked to Angel.

"Hi," Angel greeted her but it was rather awkward.

"Uh…hi," Anya responded. Angel couldn't help but think that in his dream Anya was dead long before he showed up. "Can…can I help you?"

"Are you ok?" Angel asked and Anya opened the door a little more. From what he could see yes she was ok. "Something is happening and I…I don't want my people out there by themselves." That last part made Anya's eyes widen.

"Your people?" She asked and Angel nodded.

"I'm sorry for what happened it wasn't your fault." Angel meant her returning to vengeance. Anya nodded accepting the apology. Angel did what he was supposed to do and she knew if he did kill her he wasn't going to walk away from it lightly. It would take its toll on him if he did. He almost had to kill Willow, he sent Buffy to Hell. "Buffy's back and…we're still not the full team." Anya smiled a little and then reached out and hugged him. Angel hugged her back letting her know things were ok.

At the school Dawn was in cheer practice and usually the football players lose focus when that happens. Dawn was hopping RJ would look to her. Angel came by knowing that the practice should be over soon. He saw how the cheerleaders were dancing and he wasn't sure if they should dance like that. Did they dance like that when he went to school?

Dawn was one of the better dancers. She made the team because he was the one who taught her to do the back flips and cartwheels. But the slayer couldn't help noticed the quarterback of the football team was watching his little sister. Why was she growing up? She's not supposed to grow up.

Angel and Dawn were back at the mansion as the teen headed upstairs to drop off her bags and change. Angel however smelt something in the air and followed it. It led him to the kitchen where he found Buffy. She really was home again and he leaned up against the entrance to the kitchen as the vampire wiped her hands. She then looked up at him.

"How was school?" Buffy asked and Angel smiled a little.

"Normal, but I think Dawn likes a boy." Angel was finally going to admit it. He has noticed she's been looking at him since the Rise of Witnesses. That interested Buffy.

"Is he cute?" Buffy asked with a big smile.

"I don't know." Angel didn't and he wasn't ready for Dawn to be in love. Just then Dawn came in and she smiled seeing Buffy was still here and it was like everything was normal again.

"Don't know what?" Dawn asked as she reached for a piece of candy.

"Is he cute?" Buffy asked and Dawn knew what they were talking about.

"Yes, and," The teen turned to Angel. "If he comes over or anything you'll be nice." Angel started to straighten up.

"What? I'm not nice?" Angel asked and Buffy smiled a little.

"You can get all…up tight and scare people." Dawn explained and Angel looked like he had taken offense to it.

"I don't scare people, vampires yes and if he is one I don't want you near him." Angel went on.

"Because you never dated a vampire." Dawn fired back and Angel couldn't say anything. The two just looked at each other. "I'm sixteen." Dawn declared.

"I'm twenty-one what's your point." Angel wanted to know and all the while Buffy was just highly amused by this.

"I can date, you dated at sixteen." Dawn was trying to prove a point.

"I actually," He then looked to Buffy and she cocked an eyebrow. "Yes, I dated at sixteen. But that was then, this is now."

"I'm not allowed to date?" Dawn asked and Angel nodded. "Who died and made you king?"

"Well, I died twice," Angel thought about it. "I'm the boss." He stated and then Dawn turned to Buffy. The vampire picked the best time to come home.

"Buffy," Dawn was asking for support and she wasn't sure if she should get involved. The world could be ending but this was the important conversion.

"If you could date me at sixteen," Buffy started, she got two looks. Dawn looked happy, Angel not so much. "What? She can take out a vampire I think she can handle one little boy."

"Thank you," Dawn was very thankful for Buffy being back. But Angel saw what was happening here.

"I hate it when you two gang up on me." Angel admitted and yes everything was right with the world again. "I'm the boss," Angel muttered a little.

"Well, I'm the boss of the boss so," Buffy stated and Dawn smiled a little more. "Let her date and if he messes up you can kill him." Angel liked that part but Dawn looked a little nervous about that. "There, see peace can be achieved." Just then Xander walked over catching the end of the conversion.

"Who's going to be the unlucky guy at the wrong end of Angel's crossbow?" Xander asked as he sat down at the table.

"No one important." Angel brushed it off grabbing a glass of water.

"Hey," Dawn scold her brother.

"It's the jacket." Xander started as Buffy looked to Xander. "It's that fuzzy jacket with the giant letter. Saw it all the time in school, girls went crazy unless you were Angel and just had the black leather jacket." Buffy thought about it and when the slayer was sixteen the black leather jacket was very sexy. And still is.

"Why are we talking about my love life?" Dawn asked as Doyle, Cordelia and Willow walked in. They were interested in this one.

"You don't have a love life." Angel reminded her and if he had his way she will never have one.

"No one asked you." Dawn snapped and Cordelia smiled.

"Is he cute?" Cordelia asked as everyone gathered at the table to see what Buffy made and started to set the table as well.

"So cute and hot." Dawn sounded like she was in a dream. Buffy could see this was making Angel uncomfortable.

Down in the basement though Spike could hear some of the conversion. He sat in the corner alone. There was no one talking to him at the moment. It was quiet, no sound…it seemed to make everything worse.

Patrol was over and the mansion was going to sleep. Angel did his walk through of the mansion making sure everything was locked and safe. He then saw a light coming from the study went to see who was awake at this hour and found Buffy reading. She was going through the notes that Wes made copies of and she had a bible, Torah and the Qur'an opened.

"Hey," Angel walked in as she looked up at him. Angel sat at the table across the way. He pulled the Qur'an over and looked through it.

"Different end of the world ideas." Buffy answered the question before he asked. "The Qur'an says basically we will be annihilated and the dead will rise and there will be a final judgment."

"Great," Angel deadpanned leaning back into the chair. It meant the end is coming in some sort of fashion. Angel rested his elbows on the table looking tired. It's been a long few days but they haven't told the group anything about his dream. They didn't know if they should or even how to sit down to tell them. They all died…how to you talk about that? "You know," Angel started. "We'd get something that had to do with the end of the world and…up until Glory I didn't think anything of it. We always won somehow."

"But this one, feels like it might be the one." Buffy agreed and Angel nodded. There were so many things happening that right now there was no way to pinpoint anything. There is that saying that you win some you lose some, this is one they didn't want to lose. "We're all back though, everyone is home, I'm home and if it is the end then we all go down together." That wasn't comforting but it's true. They all rather die together than alone.

Angel stood up seeing the time knowing he needed to get to sleep to wake up tomorrow. Buffy would stay up a little longer. She was happy to be home but she wasn't back in her normal routine yet.

"Don't stay up to late." Angel told her and she nodded as he walked over to her, stood behind her, placed both hands on her shoulders and kissed her cheek. It was just a friendly kiss goodnight. But before Angel walked away Buffy placed her hand over his that still rested on her shoulder. She looked up at him for a moment and they both said goodnight with their eyes and Angel left the study.

Spike saw the whole thing and when he saw the slayer walking his way the vampire hid in the shadows until he heard the slayer's footsteps disappear. Spike then looked in seeing Buffy had gone back to reading. He needed to talk to her about everything that happened so he straighten himself up and walked in.

Buffy felt someone was in the room and looked behind her. She stood up quickly ready to defend herself but Spike held up his hands showing he meant no harm. He knew Buffy was ready to call out to Angel for back up and the slayer would appear out of nowhere. He wouldn't stand much of a chance between the two.

"Can we talk?" Spike asked as Buffy continued to stand there. She knew if Spike did return they would have to. Buffy slowly sat down at the table and Spike walked around to the back of the study looking at the all the books they have gathered over the years. "Why are you so afraid of me?" He asked with his back to her.

"Really?" Was the answer as Buffy sat there and Spike faced her. "I don't know, you tried to rape me." She reminded him and Spike looked away in some shame. He couldn't say sorry that wasn't going to make it better. "You went out to get a soul, to say sorry and hope it make it all better?" Yes, that's what he did. "Why? Why get a soul?"

"Because it's what you wanted." Spike looked up to her. How does he know what she wants? "I went through hell for you."

'Spike walked across the desert, it took days, lots of asking around, getting kicked and punched to find this place. He had to wait in the shadows until the sun went down. Finally he was here. He was out in the middle of nowhere in the desert. At first there was nothing but sand under his feet until he came to some rough terrain and now stood before a cave. The cave was guarded by two men wrapped in dark robes and only their eyes were showing.

"I've come to seek my true self." Spike stated to the two men. They stared at him, judging him. Was he worthy enough? Could he survive the test? Many come seeking themselves and many do not come out. The two men stepped aside allowing Spike to walk in. Spike looked into the dark cave but down the way he could see some fire burning and they were torches. Spike kept walking wondering where this was going to take him. He could turn back now but it's what he wanted.'

Spike looked up to Buffy as she sat there listening. He did take the time to find his soul for her so she'll give him a chance to tell the tale. It is ironic that there are now two vampires with a soul that happened to be both blonde.

'Spike kept walking and kept thinking about turning back. But he needed this, he wanted to be himself again without the chip. Just then he came to a huge opening in the cave lit up with torches. Spike looked around the place seeing it has been here for a long time.

"There are seven trials." A voice spoke out and Spike looked for the source of the voice. But it appears the vampire is alone.

"Why seven?" Spike asked as he continued to look around.

"The perfect number." The voice answered. "You enter the trials with nothing." Spike stood in the center of the hallowed out cave. "If you pass I will give you what you seek."

"And if I fail?" Spike wanted to know.

"You die." The voice answered and Spike either could accept and begin or decline and walk away.'

Buffy could see that he accepted the trials otherwise he wouldn't have a soul. Spike leaned back in the chair as Buffy continued to listen to the story. He did it all for her.

'Spike took a moment to think. He can try and win the trials or just leave. If he really wants Buffy he will stay.

"I accept." Spike declared and then a shadow formed from the ground and started to gather around to the center. Spike took a step back as the shadow took form before him. Whatever it was that was in front of him stood tall, cloaked in all black robes, face covered except his eyes like the guards outside. Although his eyes were a different color. The ones outside had white eyes this one had yellow.

"You must successfully pass each trial, there is no second chance and if you die it's over." The being told him. "You must strip of all you have. You must prove the pain, the suffering is all worth it." Spike stood there and nodded and then took his shirt off just to prove he can do this. The being lifted his hand showing where Spike needed to go. Spike looked down the tunnel. "Each trial you pass you will continue to walk." Spike couldn't turn back and he didn't know what was down there.

Spike straightened himself up and started to walk. He wasn't sure what would come out at him. What where the seven trials? Just then Spike stopped walking feeling that the place got extremely hot. Just then Spike ducked as something swung at him. It looked like a man but he looked burned and smoke was rising from him. Just then fire came from the thing's fist.'

"It was flame on after that." Spike was telling the story.

"Let me guess fire, then earth, metal, water and wood." Buffy finished and Spike looked disappointed.

"It was harder than that." The new vampire with a soul protested. Buffy shifted a little. "You forgot two other trials,"

"Trust and forgive." Buffy finished and Spike looked frustrated. "You had to pass the elements two of which are deadly to you. The others you had to trust yourself and forgive." Spike looked Buffy directly in the eyes. "You haven't passed them yet." Yes Spike got through the first five but the last two is what he was enduring now. "The soul is the trial."

"How did you do it?" Spike asked. "Your soul, you…you're normal."

"I'm not Spike. I'm still paying for my crimes, I still see the pain I caused." Buffy then stood up. "Let me guess you only have so much time before the soul is taken and whatever it was you saw takes you." Spike didn't answer but he didn't have to. "I can't save you Spike. You went out to get a soul for me but you never really did think of the price did you?"

No, he didn't. He thought the last two trials would be easier because it would be Buffy that saves him. He did it all for her. "I can't love you Spike, I can't save you." Spike looked away. "I've done worse than you know. But it's not about what I have done, what you've done. You've only proven to me you are here to save you and you alone." Buffy then started to leave and then looked to Spike. "I never went out to find my soul but I've earned it, you still haven't earned yours." And then she left leaving Spike sitting there.

Buffy made it to the stairs and stopped looking back to the study. Spike really went through trials for her? Maybe he did, maybe he'll regret it. Right now though he needs to stay here to be safe. Buffy headed upstairs and walked down the hall but stopped at a door. It was the room Angel was in while she took the master room that was hers before he even moved in. Buffy so wanted to open the door, crawl into bed with him and just sleep. But instead she continued to down the hall. The vampire walked into the room, shutting the door behind her and walked to the balcony to just get some air.

Buffy looked around the night and leaned against the side of the balcony. She looked out to the woods and then up a little. It was a cloudy night, the stars weren't out. But something else caught her attention from down below. It was a shadow. Buffy quickly headed back inside and down the hall quietly and knocked softly on a specific door. Just then Angel opened it.

"I saw a shadow outside." Buffy stated and Angel left his room as they walked down the hall together. Angel had just started to get ready for bed, he still had his boots, pants and tank top on. They didn't want to wake anyone else or alarm them. It could just be that a shadow. First Angel headed down to the basement making sure Spike was still here.

"Spike?" Angel asked in a loud whisper as Buffy was standing at the base of the steps. Spike then came from the shadows and he could see a look of concern on Angel and Buffy's faces. "Stay here," Angel ordered and the two left but whatever was happening interested Spike. Angel and Buffy made it to the training room and Angel grabbed his crossbow while Buffy grabbed a sword.

First they checked all the locks around the mansion. Once that was done they met back up to the entrance to the mansion. There was nothing inside the mansion so the two left and looked out into the night. It was quiet, you just heard the sounds that the night makes. Angel looked around and while splitting up would cover more ground they decided to stay together. Buffy owned a little bit of land so they would be out here for a while.

Well that's what they thought until they both saw a shadow move off near the entrance path that leads to and from the mansion.

"You've kept this place up right?" Buffy asked and she looked to Angel. "Spells, prayer, salt, holy water the usual?" Angel nodded but all that doesn't actually keep out your more determined and/or powerful demons and evil spirits. But there was an unwelcomed visitor lurking around. Angel and Buffy walked together knowing weapons won't do much at this point. They made it to the path way and then heard something.

Angel spun around holding his crossbow up while Buffy held the sword in a ready stands. But the person they saw standing before them made them drop their defenses.

"I told you to stay inside." Angel lowered his crossbow and Buffy brought the sword back to her side. "What are you doing out here?"

"Should ask you the same question mate." Spike answered. "Something's out here," Spike looked around and something told Angel to use Spike. He needs as many people on his side and he needs Spike.

"Sense anything?" Angel asked and Buffy was unsure if she was comfortable about this.

"Whatever it was," Spike made two semi circles and then faced the two. "It's gone now." That unsettled Buffy and Angel. The three then headed back inside locking up. Well, Angel won't sleep tonight he just knows it as he put his crossbow away and headed upstairs. Buffy started for the stairs but watched Angel ascend up. Spike was about to go back to the basement but caught Buffy's stare.

"I might be losing my marbles," Spike walked over to Buffy and she looked to him. "I'll probably go insane if I'm not already but," The vampires were looking at one another. "But you still love him. And if the end of the world is coming and it's one we can't stop…" Spike paused for a moment. "You don't want any regrets." Then Spike turned away and headed for the basement. Buffy looked upstairs and walked up the steps. And like before she went to the master room she stopped at the bedroom door Angel was is. She wanted to go in but it didn't feel right, not yet.

The vampire walked down to the master room, quickly changed and then crawled into the bed and laid there. The bed was so big and she forgot how much she hated it. Until he came back from death she would find herself reaching out and got nothing but emptiness and a cold space. Buffy rolled over and once again the space was cold and empty. She couldn't stand it but she continued to lay there.

Angel did the same thing, just laid there thinking. He wanted to get up and see Buffy. But he wasn't sure if he was ready. Yes he's sober, he doesn't drink or smoke anymore. Yes he wants to live and save lives and cares now. But after what he did to her he wasn't sure if he deserved her. He took her for granted and lost her. He couldn't lose her again so if he has to he'll start over with everything down to 'Hi, my name is Angel.'

Another day, another dollar started for everyone. Angel sat in his little coach's office getting the list ready for the next class and giving grades to the students in this class. If they dress out they all get a B and then it's based off of participation. He works his gym class. If you're going to live on the Hell Mouth might as well get strong. Today was self defense day. Angel got up and went to the gym seeing his class was dressed and ready.

Like clock work the girls smiled seeing him. He won't admit it but he does like it. In this class was RJ Brooks, the boy who is right now the apple of Dawn's eye. He just had the urge to strangle the boy. Oh god, what's going to happen if he has a daughter? He'll lock her in a box that's what he'll do.

"Alright class," Angel looked to the youth. This was the first time for the self-defense lesson and not everyone will like it. But he had his reasons why it was to be done. But he wanted to know what they think about this. "Today we're doing self-defense." He got some groans. "Why?" He looked around and they all looked confused. "Why would I do that?" No one had an answer. "I went to this school myself and it's ok to say, strange things happen around here. You've all seen something right?"

The kids looked to each other. "You were all here that day when the school locked itself up." Again everyone was a little uncomfortable. "It's ok, its normal to try and pretend it didn't happen or pass it off as some weird thing. But this town has strange things, people go missing and some die." The kids seemed interested in Angel as he spoke. "I want to come here everyday and see all of you. I don't want to hear that one of you was last scene somewhere or worse they find a body." The teens then looked around at each other again.

Angel looked to them and the interest went away and a look of thanks and concern were seen. "I'm doing this so none of you become a victim. It's to build you so you stay strong. Once a week we will be doing this. And yes, I know what I'm doing. This isn't so you can become Bruce Li, this is so you have a chance. And if something does happen, I want to know that you put up a hell of fight first." A few people smiled. As Angel gave his reasons why, Principle Wood was off to the side listening. He nodded slightly in approval to Angel's words even though Angel could not see him.

The class was in two rows each paired off as a team. Angel had mats set up and everyone had their shoes off. Angel walked down the mat making sure everyone was ready. There was only one person that didn't get paired off and that was RJ, oh the slayer is going to have some fun.

"Ok, the first move I will teach is how to just get away. I will show you later how to subdue and take down but for now let's learn the basics." Angel then reached over grabbing RJ with a little bit of force and making him stand where he wanted to. "Typically your stalker will come up from behind, choke hold or any other method to knock you out like so." Angel came right behind RJ, put his arm around his neck. Angel wasn't pulling hard but RJ did feel it. "Sometimes they go for the back of the knees," Angel kicked the back of one knee and again not hard but enough that RJ went down. "Now they are in complete control." Angel then released RJ letting the kid regain himself.

Some of the girls smiled mostly because what Angel did. Some of the guys chuckled because RJ, the star quarterback was taken out rather easily. "So what do you do?" Angel asked. "RJ, get up," Angel ordered and the kid did. "When someone comes around like that there's one thing you can do. You elbow them in the stomach and I mean hard. We won't do that here but that's one thing to do. Usually they will release you and we'll talk what to do next when they do. The other thing they might do is still hold on. By then you do have enough of a shock on them that you grab their arm that's holding you, tuck yourself under, pull and yank them so they fall forwards."

Angel then got in front of RJ. The teen was shorter than Angel. He'll hit his growth spurt later he's only a Junior. He wasn't that much shorter though. But so everyone can see Angel took a knee. "RJ, wrap one arm around me." The kid did as he was told Angel was about to demonstrate. He elbowed RJ not too hard but enough the kid reacted. "Elbow to the stomach," Then Angel did as he said he tucked, grabbed RJ's arm and threw him over. Angel did throw him with a little bit of force.

Everyone smiled as RJ laid there. Everyone clapped but RJ just laid there for a moment. "Everyone get into your pairs, ladies you won't be helpless." Meaning they were going first. Angel has five women that have followed him in this war and they are anything but helpless. He wants these girls in his class to be able to fight for themselves, to not be the damsel in distress, to not wait for a man to rescue them. "Elbow, tuck and pull."

Dawn was in Angel's little office and the two were eating lunch together. One perk to having your brother working for the school was the good lunches he can get for you. They were eating tacos at the moment.

"You beat him up?" Dawn asked and Angel finished chewing his food.

"I did not." Angel protested as he took a bite of a chip.

"Everyone said you threw him to the floor." Dawn was a little upset.

"Not my fault the kid's a weakling." Angel went on as he sipped his bottle of water.

"He's a quarterback, he's not a weakling and plus he takes hits all the time." Dawn added to prove RJ is strong.

"Hits with padding," Angel reminded her. "I don't, I've been shot at, kicked, punched, thrown at the wall, broken through glass, jumped out a window." Meaning RJ has nothing on the slayer. Dawn didn't have a rebuttal on that one. Just then there was a knock and Wood poked his head in. "Yes sir?" Angel asked.

"Bad time or can I come in?" Principle Wood asked and Angel shook his head no and he came in. "I want to say Angel I caught a glimpse of the self-defense course you have been teaching today." Angel hoped he wasn't going to get in trouble for it. "I'd like to see how it progresses," So far that was good. "If it's successful and the students like it…might make it into a separate course altogether." Wood had a slight smile as he left the two alone. Angel then looked to Dawn with a smile but she looked un-amused.

"Shut up." Dawn said and Angel shrugged.

"I didn't say anything." Angel knew Dawn wasn't happy about this but the slayer was. He just took out Dawn's crush without having to take him down or even get in trouble.

It was Friday night and the high school stadium was filling up. Last night and the night before Angel and Buffy checked for the shadow but there was nothing. Tonight was the first football game of the season and a home game on the new campus. After the game the A-Team decided to hit the Bronze before patrol. They were at the game to see Dawn as she was a cheerleader.

Angel, Buffy, Willow, Xander, Doyle and Cordelia all sat on the bleachers together. For four of them this brought back many memories. Even though Sunnydale had a lot of deaths the football team always did well. Just then the cheer squad came out.

"Look it's Dawn!" Cordelia pointed and was excited probably reliving her glory days. Doyle smiled as did Buffy. "Although…" Cordelia noticed something. "The uniforms, the skirts must have gotten shorter." They probably did. Just then the band started to play as the football team was ready out on the goal line while the cheerleaders lined up to form a tunnel. The war chant started as the Sunnydale fans swayed. For Angel, Cordelia, Willow and Xander it brought back a wave of memories, three years of hell and yet three amazing years they would never trade in.

Angel was right back where he started first coming to this town. To see Dawn out there, to still be with his friends he first met, to be here with Buffy a full circle was made. And right now he didn't want to change this moment as the fans were getting excited for the first game of the season. Angel then looked to Buffy and she smiled a little at him. He fell in love with her in high school and it seemed like that was a long time ago. She fell in love with a sixteen year old boy, with him on these very grounds. They could be considered high school sweet hearts to a degree. But for now it was time to cheer on the Razorbacks and cheer Dawn on.

The Bronze was packed as Sunnydale won their opening game of the season. Angel and his group sat a table but Dawn was missing. She was with the cheer squad and she should be. She can be a normal teen for once. Angel set down some drinks for his friends as they were just normal young adults.

It was nice, it made it felt like there was no end coming. Although Angel hasn't told his team about the dream just Buffy knew. He knows he needs to say something but thinking about it, seeing them all dead, he couldn't do it. He didn't want to think or even see it in his mind. Angel pushed the unwanted thoughts out his mind as he continued to talk to his friends.

"Well, check that out," Willow pointed to a guy dancing. It was RJ dancing with a girl. "Isn't that Dawn's boyfriend?"

"Yup, the quarterbacks get all the goods." Doyle added.

"Check out the skirt though." Xander added. "Daddy likes what he sees." Buffy raised an eye brow to the outfit. Tight jeans, boots, form fitting tank top. Just then the girl turned around and everyone's eyes widen and Xander choked on his drink. "I mean, daddy doesn't like it, holy shit I'm going to hell but damn Angel,"

"You finish that sentence," Angel looked to Xander. "I'll kill you."

"Wow, Dawn," Cordelia wasn't sure if she should be concerned. She was dressed up and dancing with a cute boy. Angel wasn't sure if he should stop it but when he looked to Buffy he knew the answer. The slayer just had to suck it up. His sister was growing up and she was very beautiful and smart. That attracts the boys. He should know better because he was once a boy and girls all of sudden around sixteen get pretty and then you can't think straight. And if you do think it's not with your brain. He was guilty as charged and Buffy will call him out on it. He would nearly lose his mind when Buffy would come around. He still somewhat loses his mind.

Buffy did have an idea though to help Angel. The team for one turned around to look the other way. It's hard to believe Dawn was growing up. Buffy walked over to Angel while everyone was talking.

"You use to dance." She stated and he gave a small half smile. She smiled a little more. "You were pretty good at it even for sixteen." Angel felt his face get a little hot. How can she do that? But instead of thinking with his brain Angel held out his hand meaning he accepted. Buffy placed her hand in his and they walked away. The team caught it and all

The two found a spot and started to dance. Buffy was always pleasantly surprise that Angel knew how to dance. He spun her out and then into him and they started. It was just a dance among friends. But from a distance Dawn saw it and smiled a little. It's been a long time since she's seen them like this, together and everything felt like it was ok, that it was all going to be ok. Angel brought Buffy in closer and she smiled more. It's strange that we can fall into our old ways, fall for that same person. But something told Angel that no matter what he and Buffy were meant for each other either as friends or something more. He wasn't going to let her get away again.

And that's it. What Angel and Buffy still aren't together? I know, I'm evil, very evil. But it makes for a great story right? And then Dawn and RJ…it's getting steamy over there isn't it? I hope you like my version of the episode. No review in the forum as you can see what is happening here. Angel and Buffy are falling back into love and then Dawn's got a boyfriend. There is a small story arc of RJ and Dawn and you'll see it in the coming chapters.

So what does the future hold for the slayer and the vampire? Guess you need to wait and see. I know you don't like waiting but I'll post chapter 10 soon enough. Chapter 1-7 reintroduced everyone and gave you an idea of the coming storm. Chapter 8 shows us that an end is coming, one that will prove difficult to overcome and sets the tone for the rest of the story. Chapter 9 is that pallet cleanser because 8 was intense and sad. Chapter 10 and on is a mix of Season 7 and my own spice. I have a sneak peek for you guys and I hope you like it. Until next posting thank you for reading, commenting, messaging, the encouragement and sticking it out this far. You readers are awesome. Once more comments and reviews are always welcomed.

Chapter 10 Demons

"How many?" Buffy asked as Angel looked around to make sure the dead were asleep for the night.

"Three vamps." Angel answered and that seemed strange. "Hunting season has started right?"

"You'd think with the Hell Mouth being all…Hell Mouthy there would be more." And Buffy was right. The two then started to walk together to met up with the rest of the team and call it a night. "Was wondering," Buffy walked with the slayer as they still kept their eyes open for anything. "Have you seen our priest?" Angel then looked to her.

"I stopped by the church earlier and he was out." Angel answered meaning no. They haven't seen Michael since LA.

"You think he's with the PTB?" Buffy asked.

"If he is and he's 'helping'" Angel emphases the world help and they continued to walk together.

"The PTB aren't the nicest, met them once." Buffy started and Angel looked to her. "Went to the Oracles and they're like the middle man. Anyways went to there to beg for your life before you died. They said sorry can't help but have a nice day." Angel then stopped walking and Buffy looked to him.

"You tried to stop me from dying?" Angel asked and Buffy was silent for a moment.

"I did, I cried when they said no. I did everything I could, I didn't want you to leave." She was honest. Angel wanted to hug her. She has done so much for him and he feels like he hasn't done much for her. Buffy then fully faced him. "I wasn't afraid of losing against Glory or losing the world, I was afraid of losing you. I couldn't see past anything else. You were all I had." Buffy knew she needed to stop or she might get sentimental and cry and then that will lead to hugging and other things they might not be ready for.

"I'm not going anywhere, not leaving you again." Angel made a mistake last year with his drinking. Buffy could see he turned it all around, he was himself again. You really never know what something means to you until does disappear. They stared at each other for a moment but then Angel held up his crossbow and Buffy stepped aside as he pulled the trigger and killed another vampire. "Four." Angel announced and Buffy smiled a little but there was another flash of lightening.

They looked up and Buffy felt the quick temperature change meaning it was going to rain any minute. And just like that the rain fell.

"This jacket's dry clean only." Buffy sounded sad as Angel stood there in the rain and smiled at her. She didn't want to smile or laugh but she did. Angel ran up to her, took off his jacket and covered her with it. They stared to run together to get to the cars and get out of the rain.