CHAPTER 4<\/b><\/p>\n
BANG! BANG! BANG!<\/p>\n
Giles went over books and rug, tripping and nearly dropping his mug of tea as he pulled the door open to greet a huffing slayer, a stake in her hand, as she ran past him into the house. \u201cWhere is he? Where is the vampire?\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles frowned. \u201cDo come in Buffy.\u201d<\/p>\n
The blonde turned and blinked at the sardonic twinkle in her watcher\u2019s eye before dropping her fighting stance and clearing her throat. \u201cYou\u2019re calm. He\u2019s not bitey.\u201d She gave him a forced, bright smile. \u201cI didn\u2019t panic.\u201d<\/p>\n
He couldn\u2019t help smile at the bright smile on his slayer\u2019s face. \u201cHe\u2019s quite tied down Buffy, and weather-beaten to be exact. Hardly any threat; as I already recall telling you over the phone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pulling her bag off her shoulder she tucked the stake away, as he closed the door behind her before leading her into the den. \u201cI can\u2019t believe Cordelia found him. What was she doing with him anyway?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI doubt she was doing anything, Buffy. She sort of stumbled across him.\u201d<\/p>\n
When she didn\u2019t answer he looked over his shoulder to see green eyes trained on the slumbering brunette on his couch. \u201cWhat\u2019s she doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n
Pulling his glasses off, he took a deep breath to tell the first lie he would speak to his slayer. \u201cShe\u2019s staying with me for a couple of weeks. Her family is moving.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy Summers regarded the sleeping girl on the couch then frowned up at Giles incredulously. \u201cWith you? Why!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI offered.\u201d<\/p>\n
An eyebrow shot up. \u201cLike the constant pain in your backside; don\u2019t you Giles?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy,\u201d his tone was admonishing as he looked at the beautiful blonde gazing at the girl with confused curiosity, \u201cher parents asked me. It seemed she told them a lot of the times that she was doing research for me, helping me out and they assumed I was a good choice. They have no immediate family in Sunnydale and I was only happy to help. Besides, we have more pressing matters?\u201d<\/p>\n
He nodded towards the open bathroom door.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight. Evil bad guy takes priority over bitchy May-queen. You know she\u2019s been really mean to us this past week. More than usual which is not saying a lot, but still.\u201d Striding across the living room she peered into the bathroom and stared.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel!\u201d She jumped back her green eyes wide with shock. \u201cYou didn\u2019t tell me it was Angel!\u201d She glared at the older man with accusation etched across her pretty face.<\/p>\n
Ducking her head back into the bathroom she stared at the prone figure of her boyfriend as she bent down to touch his forehead.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s Angelus, Buffy.\u201d Instantly, she jerked her hand away nearly jumping back. Giles sighed before stepping inside. \u201cI decided it would be better to have you panic here rather than at Willow\u2019s house.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gathering her screaming pulse and the insane need to stake the Scourge of Europe before she got answers out of her watcher, she turned and glared at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia was out gallivanting around town with Angelus?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy, she found him. And after establishing the vampire really wasn\u2019t able to bite and almost dying, I think it was excellent judgment that she called me. Whoever did this to him is a force to be reckoned with.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe got out?\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles looked down at her. \u201cFrom hell?\u201d The pain chased guilt across her features and he shared it. \u201cApparently.\u201d Squatting down beside the tub, Giles turned the vampire\u2019s head to point to the now healing wound on his forehead.<\/p>\n
\u201cI got a chance to examine him before the wounds closed. It seems that whatever is keeping from being able to bite is physically present inside his head. He had seemed to try and pull it out of his flesh, but failed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy winced. \u201cYou\u2019re telling me he did that to himself?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPossibly. I wasn\u2019t able to ascertain what it is that is hindering his feeding, but from what I can tell, it seems to be some sort of electrical device.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd this Initiative group is out putting dog tags on vampires for what? A tally? I\u2019m not complaining then.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t be sure Buffy.\u201d Sitting back on his heels he took a deep breath. \u201cBut it would make me feel better if we had the answers to this one. Angelus isn\u2019t an easy target.\u201d<\/p>\n
Biting her lip, Buffy watched the angelic face of her boyfriend as still as the day she sent him to hell. Telling herself he wasn\u2019t the same man. Wasn\u2019t the man she loved. Wasn\u2019t the man who loved her. Just a demon who threatened her family and other innocents and she\u2019d made a choice.<\/p>\n
The welling emotion in her belly brought fresh memories to front and she had finally been able to regain some emotional control on her life.<\/p>\n
She never got a break. \u201cWhere did she find him?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the alley behind the Bronze.\u201d<\/p>\n
She frowned. \u201cMaybe he was looking for me. Are you sure this isn\u2019t Angel?\u201d She looked up with more hope in her voice than she would have liked.<\/p>\n
Giles didn\u2019t miss the softness in those eyes and wondered if Cordelia had indeed read the vampire wrong. But the vision of Cordelia\u2019s bloodied kitchen and the brutally mangled dog didn\u2019t leave much doubt in his mind. \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
She sighed. \u201cAlright, I\u2019ll call the others and we\u2019ll get to some answers.\u201d She wanted to reach out and touch the healing flesh on his forehead, but it wasn\u2019t Angelus she wanted to soothe. Rising to her feet she rubbed her temples.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe should wake Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLet her sleep until the others arrive.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re all parental suddenly.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy.\u201d<\/p>\n
She rolled her eyes. \u201cOh come on Giles! This is Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes I am aware of that. Cordelia is\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAwake.\u201d Both pairs of eyes spun around to land on the groggy girl shuffling into the bathroom. \u201cCan you not talk about me as if I\u2019m not in the next room?\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles cleared his throat after a moment of heavy silence. \u201cSorry about waking you. Buffy, why don\u2019t you call up the rest while I try and bring round Angelus; it seems he\u2019s the only one who might have some answers.\u201d<\/p>\n
The slayer eyed the brunette suspiciously once before leaving the bathroom to call the cavalry and to tell Xander to be prepared to face the wrath of one Cordelia Chase.<\/p>\n
Cordelia stifled a yawn as she stretched, fists lifting high above her head in cat like grace. She blinked as Giles stood above the tied corpse deep in thought. \u201cPlanning the Spanish Inquisition?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThinking on a course of action.\u201d<\/p>\n
The brunette rolled her eyes as she stepped past him. \u201cYou know your problem, old man?\u201d She leaned over Angelus. \u201cYou think too much.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before Giles could protest she\u2019d turned the shower on at full icy blast and the vampire jerked, sputtering and cursing worse than an angry sailor.<\/p>\n
She smirked smugly at the struggling vampire while he found his bearing before his eyes snapped up to hers with precision. \u201cPresto.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cStupido!\u201d Angelus snarled as he glared up at the feisty woman towering over him, her fists stuck on her hips haughtily. Coughing up water, he watched her with gold-rimmed eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I get my bite back, Hazel, You\u2019re the first one I\u2019m coming after.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia grinned at the indisposed man-eater and winked. \u201cPromises, promises.\u201d Turning on her heel, she let out a wicked chuckle.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey Giles? You got any ice-cream around the house?\u201d<\/p>\n
Caught between hilarity and shock, the watcher blinked out of his stupor and stared down at the glaring vampire.<\/p>\n
What just transpired here?<\/i> It would certainly take a while before he got used to having her around. He made a mental note to buy ice cream.<\/p>\n
\u201cWatcher?\u201d<\/p>\n
Clearing his throat, Giles met flashing ochre eyes. \u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTurn the fucking water off; will you?\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the love of Hades Chase, did you have to try and drown me!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou were getting more sleep than me. I was overcome with jealousy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOvercome my ass! If I wasn\u2019t \u2013\u201c<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? Such a pathetic excuse for a vampire? Fangless? Biteless? Impotent?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am NOT fucking impotent!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood. Your next victim; Angelus? Maybe you can lick them to death.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles took a deep controlled breath as he raised his eyes to Buffy\u2019s.<\/p>\n
The blond girl was still sitting there in shock as insults were hurled from one corner of the living room to the other where Angelus sat sprawled languidly in a chair his hands cuffed in his lap while they watched silently and waited for the others.<\/p>\n
Irate beyond belief, Angelus finally looked at the watcher. \u201cYou know, I prefer the company of those commandos, even you tweed-boy. HELL was more fun than having a two word conference with that HARPY!\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles swallowed and prayed for patience as he opened his mouth to speak. And that is how Willow and Xander found them when they entered the little house.<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo words are all you can manage vampire eunuch.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFUCK YOU!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI rest my case.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEnough.\u201d<\/p>\n
Two pairs of furious eyes swiveled to the usually calm man who was now spitting with fury. \u201cMouths shall remain closed and ears shall be open! My fault I asked a simple question.\u201d He glared at Cordelia.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou rescued him, nursed him and kept him alive; your decision. Live with it.\u201d His eyes snapped to the smirking vampire. \u201cAnd you! If it hadn\u2019t been for her, you\u2019d still be having luncheon with the devil and I believe you said love wasn\u2019t what you felt at the time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Taking a deep breath he fixed his glasses more firmly on his nose. \u201cNeither of you are allowed to speak to each other. All your conversations will be directed to me. Is that clear?\u201d<\/p>\n
The living room was silent.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood,\u201d Giles nodded and looked up at the two very shocked Scoobies standing at his door. \u201cWillow, Xander \u2013 thank you for coming. Please have a seat.\u201d<\/p>\n
Turning to the sulking vampire tied up in the chair he took a deep breath. \u201cAngelus, now tell us what happened after you returned from hell.\u201d<\/p>\n
A petulant finger stuck up.<\/p>\n
The watcher raised an amused eyebrow. \u201cBesides that?\u201d<\/p>\n
Amber eyes narrowed in contempt. \u201cWould you like a play-by-play of what hell was like kid?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia didn\u2019t once raise her eyes to register the two new presences in the room as she stood leaning against the table a few feet away from Angelus and pretended to look over the titles of the old musty books.<\/p>\n
She had to clamp down the urge to attack the guilty looking young man now occupying the seat between the slayer and the witch on the couch. A lovely threesome they made, she concluded.<\/p>\n
Giles would have felt chastised if it weren\u2019t a 200-year-old vampire called Angelus he was speaking to. \u201cJust how you got back and this Initiative group found you would suffice.\u201d<\/p>\n
The vampire feigned a yawn. Wouldn\u2019t they like to know<\/em>, he grumbled to himself. So the next time they decided to send him back, they\u2019d know who to bribe. \u201cHow I got back is unimportant.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be the judge of that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFraid not little boy.\u201d Angelus leered at the presumptuous man. \u201cYou should worry about those commando wannabe\u2019s. Personally? I hope they kill you all and every other demon they catch. More room for me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen they\u2019d come after you, you idiot.\u201d Buffy rolled her eyes as she leaned back to settle against Xander\u2019s outstretched arm. Having her friends close by almost made up for having to stare into the face of her soulless ex-lover.<\/p>\n She\u2019d made a choice. And she\u2019d make it again if it meant ridding her friends and innocents of the Scourge of Europe. Now all she had to do was keep reminding herself.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d be off to Europe Slayer. Kind of hoping to meet old friends. So if you\u2019d just let me go\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey almost killed you once,\u201d Giles pointed out. \u201cWhat makes you think they won\u2019t do it again?\u201d<\/p>\n Technicalities. Technicalities. Didn\u2019t these people like things simple anymore<\/i> \u201cI got away.\u201d He snorted smugly.<\/p>\n \u201cPfft! Yeah!\u201d Cordelia finally scoffed as she crossed her arms. \u201cCoz of me. Duh!\u201d<\/p>\n Angelus fixed her with a lecherous smile. \u201cYou\u2019re right Chase. You should have left me in that alley.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2019d they catch you in the first place, Angelus?\u201d<\/p>\n The vampire turned to the watcher\u2019s curious question with a grin. \u201cMid-feed if it really matters. But I\u2019d had my fill.\u201d<\/p>\n His eyes found the disconcerted slayer. \u201cThey\u2019re doing your job for you, Buffy? What\u2019s the matter? Still can\u2019t walk?\u201d<\/p>\n The young slayer bristled slightly at the callous reference and averted her gaze. She wished Giles had warned her about his return. She would have been better prepared.<\/p>\n \u201cI got dragged to a facility; kicking and screaming I might add. Shabby by human standards if you ask me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe didn\u2019t.\u201d Xander pointed out sourly he watched the rigid line of his best friend next to him. Slayer or no slayer, she deserved so much better.<\/p>\n \u201cWe did.\u201d<\/p>\n Xander Harris looked up startled at the sharp retort from the brunette; her hazel eyes a dull brown as she regarded him with deathly stoicism. The chill in every contour of her usually warm bronzed body took any further comments from him.<\/p>\n Angelus didn\u2019t miss the animosity in the room as he grinned up at Cordelia. \u201cCareful Chase, you sound like you\u2019re on my side.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. Just the opposite of his.\u201d She turned her gaze away as if she\u2019d never even looked elsewhere.<\/p>\n Every nerve in her body taut. This had to happen. She would have had to face him. And she wasn\u2019t a coward. Now or later made very little difference in her life. Besides, her life couldn\u2019t get worse.<\/p>\n \u201cSo what happened after they interrupted dinner?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLunch actually. When hell spit me out, I landed in the middle of a seedy warehouse. Typical. Next time you send me to hell, Buffy, make sure to book a good travel agent in my package.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd your lunch probably dropped on you, right?\u201d Buffy shot back with brewing anger.<\/p>\n Giles took a deep breath. The tension in the air was starting to border on palpable.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I work for my food, Slayer.\u201d Angelus couldn\u2019t help take another jibe. \u201cMy effort paid off on you, didn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey knew you were going to be there,\u201d Willow mused out loud, the wheels in her head finally turning as the story was spun on so eloquently around them.<\/p>\n The handsome face donned an exaggeratedly shocked mask. \u201cThere is more under that skin than a flat chest.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat would mean they\u2019ve got a link to hell?\u201d Willow bit her lip as she met Giles\u2019 eyes, antsy. They\u2019d barely just gotten over the whole Mayor\u2019s ascension business.<\/p>\n And then there was the kiss. Embarrassed pink tinged her cheeks before she leaned away from the warmth of Xander\u2019s arm guiltily.<\/p>\n \u201cThe admin up there, I gotta tell ya \u2013 not so current with firewalls.\u201d<\/p>\n This time he caught the witch\u2019s attention. \u201cYou\u2019re informed with technology?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI keep with the times Witch. And in 200 years, I\u2019ve seen enough come and go. Hey,\u201d he snorted, \u201clook at disco.\u201d<\/p>\n Buffy took a deep breath. \u201cAn army that works for hell and hunts demons?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd who remembers Chubby Checkers in the grand scheme of things?\u201d<\/p>\n Cordelia couldn\u2019t hold the slight tilt of her mouth as she watched the smirk on his face. \u201cOr plaid.\u201d<\/p>\n Giles sighed as he rubbed his temples. \u201cAngelus, back to topic if you can? What happened after?\u201d<\/p>\n The vampire with the face of an Angel took on a thoughtful grimace. \u201cHmmm, there was the episode of X-files when Scully was abducted by aliens. Lets see\u2026\u201d amber eyes flashed with seedy masochism, \u201cbesides being impregnated with alien spawn, I\u2019d say \u2013 everything.\u201d<\/p>\n He finished with flair and a smirk. Waiting for the uneasy silence to follow.<\/p>\n The occupants of the room fidgeted with disquiet. All except one.<\/p>\n Cordelia Chase wrinkled her nose as she regarded the smug vampire. \u201cEyow. Especially what you said about the needles.\u201d She shuddered, rubbing the rising gooseflesh on her arms.<\/p>\n Already been subjected to the slurred and rather detailed descriptions previously, she could more than imagine how he\u2019d felt.<\/p>\n Noticing the look of sympathy on the young girl, he decided to remove any misconceptions she might have. But somehow, Angelus had a feeling this one, had none.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah that was rather fun. I really should have thanked them. Then again, I could do with thanking Buffy. After all, she did start this.\u201d He fixed his wicked eyes on the slayer. \u201cComere and let me thank you properly, Buffy.\u201d<\/p>\n But Buffy was watching Cordelia. \u201cHow\u2019d you know\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n The brunette rolled her eyes. \u201cHe yammers a storm when he\u2019s drunk.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou got him drunk!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd she undressed me.\u201d<\/p>\n Hazel eyes whirled around to settle on the snickering vampire, a smile threatening her lips.<\/p>\n Did he just imply?<\/i><\/p>\n She should have pummeled the man, but the look on the face of the Scoobies had her rooted to her spot next to the table. Let them wonder. She owed them no explanations.<\/p>\n \u201cOh dear,\u201d Willow cleared her throat as her friend\u2019s fists tightened beside her.<\/p>\n Angelus delighted in the quiet thunderous glint in Buffy\u2019s eyes, as his mouth twisted up in a lustful smirk. \u201cRight before she had her hand up my\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd then what happened?\u201d Giles interrupted, hoping to steer the conversation back towards the topic at hand.\u00a0He could gauge that Cordelia\u2019s hostility was directed towards Xander more than the others, and Angelus wasn\u2019t helping matters.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen? Before or after she was straddling me, Giles?\u201d<\/p>\n Buffy was about to rise before Giles fixed a glare at the vampire and Xander placed a comforting hand on the slayer\u2019s arm. \u201cI meant with the Initiative Angelus.\u201d<\/p>\n Cordelia sent one scathing glare towards the boy. Always concerned about his slayer. How could she have missed it before? A twinge of conscience pricked at her. Was it just ego that made her wish Xander Harris had taken a walk off the cliff rather than cheat on her?<\/p>\n Had she really felt so much for the boy? She took in his baggy pants and the Hawaiian print shirt. With his fashion sense? Yeah. It had to be more than like and she wasn\u2019t going to forgive him.<\/p>\n Not when it still stung.<\/p>\n \u201cAs much as I enjoy a good bout of torture and pain Giles, it got old fast without the sex, so I bailed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo what did you do to let them let you leave? Offer free sex?\u201d<\/p>\n At that quip from Xander, Angelus figured he\u2019d tell them the truth after all. \u201cThey had little choice in my offer, Xapper.\u201d He smirked. \u201cI do so love a good chase. Gets the heat going you know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow did you escape?\u201d<\/p>\n Angelus shrugged at the watcher\u2019s question. \u201cI seduced my torturer. What else?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBefore or after you killed\u00a0her?\u201d Buffy retorted with venom.<\/p>\n Angelus turned his head to fix her with an apathetic eyebrow. \u201cWho said it was a her?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh dear,\u201d Willow took an audible swallow as they others fell silent, looking away to wipe the inappropriate pictures suddenly swirling in her head.<\/p>\n Bad willow. Remember! Gay willow!<\/i><\/p>\n Giles had hoped Angelus wouldn\u2019t be quite as descriptive but the vampire had always delighted in others discomfort.<\/p>\n He sighed. \u201cYou obviously escaped by night. Think you can find your way back?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I build up my strength and hunger for fresh meat, yeah; I probably will.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn other words you don\u2019t remember.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou ever tried walking blind, Slayer?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cToo old for vampire vision Angelus?\u201d<\/p>\n He raised a mocking eyebrow. \u201cWith my eyes closed?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t tell me.\u201d Xander chuckled. \u201cYou were scared of the dark.\u201d<\/p>\n Flashing gold-rimmed eyes trained on the cocky young man before narrowing with hatred. \u201cEven vampire healing takes a while with your eyes sewn shut.\u201d<\/p>\n The boy swallowed visibly.<\/p>\n Buffy frowned. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo he can\u2019t see in the dark.\u201d Willow provided meekly.<\/p>\n \u201cBright girl!\u201d Angelus couldn\u2019t help smirk.<\/p>\n Giles adjusted the glasses on his nose before taking a deep breath. \u201cDisturbing. This sort of testing doesn\u2019t imply demon eradication, it rather leans towards research.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo they\u2019re not good-guys after all.\u201d Cordelia pointed to her face. \u201cThis is my not so surprised face.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd that\u2019s when I realized I couldn\u2019t bite,\u201d Angelus continued lamenting, shaking his head for good measure. For an insane moment he felt like throwing his head back and laughing. But he figured they\u2019d take him a lot less seriously.<\/p>\n \u201cLucky for me the bastard that used to bring me free drinks screamed in pleasure before he screamed in pain,\u201d he pointed out nonchalantly.<\/p>\n Xander swallowed the bile in his throat. \u201cI need a drink.\u201d He took a peek at the cheerleader, who was still standing aloof from the crowd and a little too close to the vampire before he walked into the kitchen.<\/p>\n Before this day was out, he\u2019d find a way to talk to the girl. He owed her an explanation.<\/p>\n \u201cSo you slept your way out of there?\u201d Buffy rolled her eyes, her anger finally simmering low. She wondered if she should feel guilt for the pain he\u2019d gone through, but he did look like he\u2019d gotten off on it.<\/p>\n After all, he was all-vampire now.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019d think that wouldn\u2019t you Buffy?\u201d Angelus snickered. \u201cI took the uniform off the body, remember? I made good use of\u00a0it.\u00a0It almost made up for the brain splitting pain; until they caught me at the fence,\u201d he grumbled. \u201cThen I ran like hell.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis does not bode well,\u201d Giles added, the apprehension over this new problem building slowly under his skin. But problems always did come without regard for time.<\/p>\n \u201cNo shit. They still have my leather jacket,\u201d Angelus grumbled low under his breath.<\/p>\n \u201cGenuine cowhide?\u201d<\/p>\n Angelus looked up at the appreciative inquiry and grinned at Cordelia. \u201cHundred percent.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey deserve death.\u201d Her hazel eyes twinkled with humor.<\/p>\n Buffy stole one glance towards the two before looking away with a frown.\u00a0\u201cThis is just great. As if we don\u2019t already have enough problems. Now hell\u2019s employing its own human army equipped with state of the art technology. Is it just me or did we step into a bad episode of Dark Angel?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey made a show about me and didn\u2019t tell me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDark Angel\u2019s a girl stuck in a post-pulse America with feline DNA and trust issues,\u201d Willow quipped helpfully with a weak smile.<\/p>\n Not so good with the whole correcting the vampire. Oh where was her mind?<\/i><\/p>\n And still Cordelia couldn\u2019t believe the winsome little witch had stolen her boy. Because calling Xander a man would just make Cordelia throw up in whole new ways. Instinctively, her hand went to the still tender flesh were the rebar had impaled her.<\/p>\n Forgiving easy was never one of her virtues.<\/p>\n \u201cShe, however, is flanked by loyal friends.\u201d Cordelia retorted at the redhead\u2019s willingness to provide information even if no one was talking to her. The room fell silent for a moment and even the vampire looked up at her with amusement.<\/p>\n She took a deep breath, her hand falling away from the ghostly scar on her stomach, before walking past Angelus to grab her jacket. \u201cI\u2019m going for a walk; don\u2019t wait up on my account.\u201d<\/p>\n Xander stood in the doorway to the kitchen, his eyes following her exit. He waited to draw a strengthening breath before following.<\/p>\n Giles pulled off his glasses to frown at the antsy looking young women on his couch when the door slammed shut.\u00a0\u201cUsually I\u2019m not one to interfere, but will someone tell me what\u2019s going on between you and Cordelia?\u201d<\/p>\n Willow winced at the question, green eyes flickering with anxiety. \u201cShe\u2026er\u2026caught us in a moment.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cXander and I.\u201d<\/p>\n Giles raised a surprise eyebrow when Willow whispered almost too softly for anyone to hear. Hoping to clear her position on the matter she looked up with guilt ridden green eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cWe thought the world was coming to an end!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood lord! When is it not?\u201d The watched leaned back in his seat; slightly caught off guard by the current development.<\/p>\n He could imagine it wasn\u2019t good news for the brunette who\u2019d lost her family, home and friends all in the same few weeks. No wonder she was filled with such sad bitterness.<\/p>\n He wished he could tell the other just how much it must have affected Cordelia after her parents abandoned her, but for that he would have to break his promise. And Giles had a sneaking suspicion he was the only one Cordelia believed to be on her side.<\/p>\n \u201cTsk. Tsk. Not exactly exemplary humans you so called saviors of the Hellmouth are you?\u201d<\/p>\n Buffy\u2019s fiery green eyes riveted to the smug vampire. \u201cYou\u2019re making with the judgy very conveniently, Angelus former Scourge of Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBite me Slayer,\u201d his lips widened into a smirk. \u201cOh wait. You already did, didn\u2019t you lover?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBuffy,\u201d Giles\u2019 warning was ignored. The young girl let out an outraged growl before she was on her feet, her fist meeting the vampire\u2019s jaw as the previous cut in his lip split open again and his eyes tinged with gold.<\/p>\n Licking the blood on his bottom lip he looked up with the ridges rippling under his skin. \u201cI love a good romp.\u201d<\/p>\n Angelus reared up on his feet, his teeth bared before he realized his mistake and the blinding pain threw him back into the chair as he let out a howl of excruciating pain.<\/p>\n Buffy stopped struggling in Giles\u2019 grip as she watched the writhing vampire fall cursing and heaving onto the floor on his hands and knees.<\/p>\n The agony on his handsome features even took her breath away as Willow stood beside them a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide with shock.<\/p>\n \u201cGeez, what the hell is wrong with him?\u201d Buffy stared down at him.<\/p>\n Angelus panted, his vision blurring as the singing nerves finally dulled into a throbbing ache in his temples. The strength in his limbs nearly taxed to their limit as he slowly lifted bound hands to press into the bandage on his forehead, his eyes misty with the seizure.<\/p>\n And now he remembered how much he hated Buffy Summers. The stupid bitch was standing over him, cradled in her pathetic watcher\u2019s arms and looking down at him with frightened pity in her eyes.<\/p>\n The two-century-old vampire wished he were back in hell.<\/p>\n Giles answered his slayer\u2019s previous question. \u201cI have a vague idea. But I can\u2019t be sure until we get an X-Ray. I believe the electrical device I noticed before is tapped into his synaptic nerves. How it\u2019s specific to humans, I\u2019m not sure.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI want this thing out of me!\u201d The vampire snarled as he trembled on the floor.<\/p>\n Buffy held any biting retorts to herself as she saw him try to rise and sit back down into the chair, weaker than he had been a few moments before.<\/p>\n She looked up into Giles\u2019 worried face. \u201cWhat are we going to do?\u201d<\/p>\n The watcher let his eyes run over the vampire as he sat there with his head in his hands, his entire body shuddering still. \u201cWe\u2019ll keep him here until we can be sure.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNext you\u2019ll tell me I have a fucking curfew li\u2019l man.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d Giles met the vampire\u2019s eyes evenly. \u201cOne that spans 24 hours I\u2019m afraid. I suggest you get comfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n A defiant chin lifted as he held out his bound wrists with apathetic humor. \u201cYou can start with the cuffs and I prefer my blood 98.8. O+ if possible. And is it okay if I call 1-800-noblondes from your study? I like a little privacy.\u201d<\/p>\n For a moment Giles marveled at the vampire\u2019s ability to smirk while his eyes still blurred with pain. Then he remembered it was Angelus they were talking to.<\/p>\n Buffy gritted her teeth before grabbing her coat. \u201cI\u2019m going to\u2026kill something.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll come with you,\u201d Willow hurriedly grabbed her bag. Over her shoulder she gave Giles a worried glance. \u201cI\u2019ll get my laptop and see you back here tomorrow after school?\u201d<\/p>\n The watcher nodded. \u201cGood idea.\u201d<\/p>\n Angelus slumped in his chair. \u201cOh fine. I\u2019ll let you watch. Nothing to get your panties in a knot\u2026 Guys?\u201d<\/p>\n The living room emptied as he rolled his eyes. \u201cOh come on! Where\u2019s your sense of gratitude?\u201d<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n \u201cCordy!\u201d Xander had to run to keep up with the briskly walking brunette. \u201cCordy wait!\u201d Panting, he caught up the cheerleader as she walked down the sidewalk, her eyes held straight in front of her.<\/p>\n \u201cWait, please I want to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo talk,\u201d she threw over her shoulder as she turned the corner. \u201cIt\u2019s a free country. Likewise. I don\u2019t have to listen.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCordy, please. Will you just stop for a minute?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not what you think!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoes it look like I care?\u201d The girl didn\u2019t stop. She didn\u2019t look up or even slow her pace. The knot in her gut tightened with every venomous word she threw back at him.<\/p>\n She\u2019d hoped that cutting him down would make her feet better, but now she just wanted him to leave her alone. To herself.<\/p>\n \u201cCordy, I care about you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFunny, I don\u2019t believe you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWill you just listen?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCordelia,\u201d unwittingly Xander reached out and grasped her elbow and she spun around, eyes flashing with cold fire as she wrenched herself free. \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not,\u201d she took a step back from him, and held her ground, her hazel eyes fixed on his without flinching.<\/p>\n The boy swallowed. \u201cI never meant to hurt you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLosers usually miss their targets. I can\u2019t even blame you.\u201d<\/p>\n He took a deep breath. \u201cWe were gonna die.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou didn\u2019t.\u201d Arms crossed across her chest in a clearly defensive manner. \u201cLuck comes with being a coward, doesn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n Xander Harris watched the rigid line of her body as she stood there apparently listening but all the doors of her mind were closed and he tried not to frown at her. It had just been a kiss.<\/p>\n Albeit an unjustified one, but she was reacting like he\u2019d slept with Willow.<\/p>\n \u201cCordelia, it was just two very brief kisses. Intense situations sometimes make you do things you wouldn\u2019t otherwise. And we do live intense lives.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. It makes you smooch witchy bitches. Me? I wouldn\u2019t touch her with a ten foot pole.\u201d<\/p>\n He tried not to glare. \u201cLeave her out of this, Cordy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy? Because from where I was standing, she was there too,\u201d she snapped and resisted the impulse to punch him in the nose.<\/p>\n Still defending his friends;<\/i> she couldn\u2019t help the fury that built in her belly. At least he was making it clear she wasn\u2019t one of them.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a mistake alright? I\u2019m sorry!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTough.\u201d<\/p>\n He took a deep calming breath. \u201cAren\u2019t you being a tad unreasonable?\u201d<\/p>\n She took a step forward and for a minute he thought she was going to hit him, but instead the brunette narrowed her eyes as she looked him squarely in the face.<\/p>\n \u201cNot yet. Promise to leave you a post-it when I am. For the time being Harris, just remember: once bitten.\u201d And she left him there on the curb, the soles off her shoes crunching gravel as she walked away.<\/p>\n \u201cForever shy,\u201d Xander finished with a sigh as he watched her fade away into the setting sun.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Willow closed the door behind her as they stepped into the early autumn evening. The wind hadn\u2019t chilled, but the sun had lot its intensity. The leaves were beginning to golden in the sunset.<\/p>\n She watched her friend standing on the front steps of Giles\u2019 house, a thoughtfully lost look in her green eyes.<\/p>\n Willow knew no matter how many times Buffy told herself the vampire inside wasn\u2019t her boyfriend anymore, the man she\u2019d loved, and still loved; Angelus would always prove her otherwise.<\/p>\n \u201cYou okay, Buffy?\u201d<\/p>\n The blonde met her friend\u2019s eyes without stirring out of her thoughts. \u201cFor a moment I hoped it was him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut it couldn\u2019t be Buffy. Angel would never\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCouldn\u2019t it?\u201d Buffy Summers lifted her gaze back to the slowly burning street lamps as the came on in the fading light. \u201cIf Angel was the one in there, do you think he\u2019d be less bitter I sent him to hell?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou did what you had to do. Angel always supported your decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n The young girl smiled ironically. \u201cNow I\u2019m not as sure, Willow. Once maybe.\u201d<\/p>\n Willow Rosenberg wrapped her arm around her friend\u2019s shoulder and looked up with a weighted sigh before she caught another figure walking up to them.<\/p>\n Eyes watching the tips of his shoes. Xander looked up with a deep breath. \u201cShe didn\u2019t give me a chance.\u201d<\/p>\n Buffy gave a short bark of sad laughter. \u201cThey never do.\u201d<\/p>\n Willow watched the boy stand there with his hands shoved in his pocket and realized sometimes apologies weren\u2019t enough.<\/p>\n