For disclaimer, See Part 1.
Mail:LunarMyth@yahoo.com



The Scooby Gang walked into The Inferno. It's dark lighting and hot ambiance mixed well with the tribal beat of the band on-stage. Oz took Willow's hand and led her to the dance floor immediately.

"Impatient much?" Cordelia asked.

"They've been getting rather hot and heavy recently," Xander explained to her. They hadn't really patched things up from earlier, but they were on speaking terms.

"So you think if Buffy's with this Angel guy, this is the place they'll come?" Aidan asked her.

"Yeah. We were here the other night. Be glad you weren't. This one skanky ho decided - HEY!" she stopped and pointed to a girl on the dance floor. "There's the slut right now. I swear. You'd think people'd have more decency around here. After the show she put on, I'd think she wouldn't show her face here ever again."

Xander perked up. "Show?"

Cordelia rolled her eyes. "God. Aren't you ever on anything BUT Hormonal Overdrive?"

Xander shrugged and looked towards the dance floor, but he couldn't tell to whom Cordy was referring. As they made their way to the bar, Xander noted Spike's unease. His eyes were practically rolling back in his head. Xander got the distinct impression that Spike would have loved to bolt from the club, but he stood his ground and moved with them to a table on the balcony. Xander also observed Aidan, noting that the older guy was watching the door intently. *Poor sap* he thought. *Doesn't have a chance around Angel. I should know.*

As if on cue, Buffy and Angel walked into the club. The hauntingly melodic sound of a tolling bell came from the stereo system. Xander couldn't quite keep himself from drooling over the sight of her, but then his attention was drawn to the tall man standing next to her. "That's Angel," he told Aidan, nodding towards the doorway. Aidan didn't reply, merely smiled.

Buffy looked around and spotted the group on the upper level. She tugged on Angel's hand, but he was staring onto the dance floor as if he were seeking something extremely important. After a moment he turned and walked up with her.

She smiled as she saw Xander and Cordy. "Xander? What are you doing here?" However, her face lost her smile when she spotted Spike. Then Aidan. "Woah. What are you doing here?" It was unclear as to which one she meant.

"We're on a recon mission," Xander told her. He could see that Buffy was none too pleased that Spike and/or Aidan were here. She seemed to be enthralled, however, at Spike's condition.

"Is he gonna be OK? And what do you mean 'recon'?"

"We're here to bring you back, dear," Aidan said as he stood up and wrapped his arms around her. "I was worried about you," he whispered as he lowered his lips to hers.

Buffy drew back with a wary smile, barely containing a shudder at his kiss. *What am I doing?* she thought. *This is my boyfriend. I'm supposed to crave his smoochies. Why am I not loving this? Angel.* Yet she knew it wasn't his fault. It was her own. "I told Willow where I'd be if anyone needed me."

Aidan looked at her disapprovingly. "A note hidden in a text book can hardly be called 'telling', love."

"A wha-?" She noticed Xander's manic hand motions. "Oh. Yeah. Well. I, uh, I didn't wanna wake her. She was so tired from the night before. And, uh, you know Will. Always a bookworm. I figured it'd take her no time to find it. You know - most logical place to put it if you want Willow to find it."

Aidan looked at her suspiciously, but then smiled. "Yeah. I suppose. Besides, she did find it, didn't she?"

Buffy nodded weakly. "Oh, um, Aidan this is Angel," she motioned to Angel. "Angel, this is my *boyfriend*, Aidan."

"A pleasure," Angel murmured with concealed dislike as he extended his hand to shake.

"Likewise," Aidan replied slyly.

Spike stood up, bumping the table. He looked extremely sick. "I've got to get out of here," he mumbled, dashing out of the club.

"What's his sitch?" Buffy asked, looking after him.

"I think his hangover finally caught up to him." Xander told her.

Buffy quirked a brow and looked at him.

"Drusilla," he said in explanation.

"Ahhhh." She smiled slightly in the ensuing uncomfortable silence. She pretended she didn't feel Angel's hand in the small of her back.

"Wanna dance?" Aidan asked her. She jumped at the opportunity to escape and he led her downstairs.

Cordelia and Xander noticed Angel's glower. "Jealous?" Xander asked, somewhat gleefully.

Angel glared at him. "I don't trust him."

"Would that be because he *isn't* a bloodsucking Hellbeast?"

"Cool it Xander. Can't you grow up for one nanosecond. If Angel says he doesn't trust him, maybe we should look into him."

Xander looked at her disbelievingly. "What? You're on *his* side?"

"Well I'm certainly not on yours. Besides, Angel's saved my life plenty of times. I trust him."

Xander threw his hands up in disgust and stormed off.

"I have to say this isn't a very Brady reunion," Cordy said as she and Angel were left all alone.

However, his attention was on the slim girl on the edge of the dance floor. She looked up at him and for a brief instant dark eyes met light. Then she vanished in the shadows.

"Earth to Angel," Cordy sang out.

"What?" Angel asked, dazed.

She threw him a disgusted look, similar to Xander's, and looked down at the floor. Angel followed her gaze to where Buffy and Aidan were dancing close together. Cordelia picked up his hand. "Come on. We're going dancing." He followed as she walked down the steps. He couldn't help but admire the poise with which she moved. She sidled up next to the cozy couple and he noticed Willow and Oz were on the other side. With a meaningful glance to Buffy, she wrapped her arms around Angel's neck and drew him close.

Buffy's grip on Aidan tightened as she watched Cordelia lead Angel into a particularly close dance. Her eyes flashed and she tried hard to restrain herself from jumping the tall girl. She looked up at Angel. He was bent down to listen to something Cordelia was whispering to him. He threw his head back and laughed. Buffy had never really seen him that carefree. She turned her jealous gaze from the pair and lost herself in the music.

"Just pretend you don't notice them," Cordelia was whispering. She looked out of the corner of her eyes. Indeed they had a captive audience. "Now laugh," she told him.

Angel looked down at her. "Excuse me?"

"You want her to want you, don't you?"

"I just want her to be happy."

"Yeah. Ok. Now try telling that to someone who can't see the look in your eyes. Now laugh. Or I'll step all over your feet." She gazed at Xander. "And believe me, I learned from the best," she muttered.

Angel automatically threw his head back and began to laugh, a rich baritone sound. He knew far too well what Cordelia's stiletto heels could do.

The dance ended and the couples split apart. The group moved to the side in order to resume their conversations. A slow ballad began and Angel looked at Buffy. Her face was downcast and she wasn't paying attention. He saw Willow ask her something, but she didn't even hear her. He moved to her side.

"Dance with me." It wasn't so much a question as it was a command.

Before she even knew what was happening, she'd placed her hand in his and they were moving back out onto the dance floor. It was pretty vacant, as most patrons wanted to dance to the fast songs. Cordelia smirked as she watched the two. Aidan watched on, no appearance of happiness or anger marring his handsome face. The talk between the members died out as they watched the two dance.

Without any guidance but instinct, Buffy slipped her arms around Angel's waist and pulled herself close to him. His hands were cool through the thin material of her camisole. He slid them slowly, up and down her back, in a soothing manner. She rested her head on his chest as their bodies moved flush together in a rhythm that was older than time. He bowed his head, her sweet scent intoxicating him.

All night you'd lay asleep
Enfolded in my arms
Breathing slow and sweet
I never understood
How it would prove to be
Such a luxury to feel
Your hand warm in my hand
Your kiss on my cheek

For Buffy, the world seemed to disappear within the circle of his arms. She never wanted the moment to end. She wanted to spend eternity in his embrace.

Angel rested his forehead against the top of her head. He didn't care who was watching them. He listened to the music, to her breathing, to her heartbeat. He wanted to hold her forever.

Lovers and friends are all that matter
You'll never know how much you came to mean to me
To have you by my side
Through battles lost at war

Willow sighed sadly for her friend. This was not working out the way she'd planned. Buffy was supposed to be with Aidan. Of course, deep down she knew Buffy would never love anyone as she loved Angel. Soulmates. Yes, that term fit them beautifully. As long as Angel was around, Buffy wouldn't have a chance of moving on with her life. She leaned back against Oz and felt his warm arms encompass her. She smiled to herself, then felt guilty. What right did she have to enjoy the safe, loving embrace of her boyfriend, when her best friend was out there being torn to shreds? She sighed again and hoped it would all work out right.

And now I understand
These things can never be guaranteed
I wish I could recall
Each mundane tenderness
Remember every look
Each word
Preserve every breath
Each kiss
Each caress...

"This isn't right," Buffy whispered against his chest. Her fingers were buried deep within the folds of his dark burgundy sweater.

"It feels right," he murmured softly into her hair.

"Because you and I....." she sighed. "What I want from you, you can't give me."

He stiffened at her words. "You're right."

They continued to dance in silence.

...Lovers and friends are all that matter
And now when all I have of you
Is a memory
I raise my hand to touch my cheek
Imprinted with your love.

They lingered as the music faded. He was the one to back away. He touched her cheek lightly. "I'll always love you, Buffy." With that, he turned on his heel and disappeared into the crowd that was already gathering for the next dance.



She stood in the shadows and watched as Spike clutched at his head, trying to cease the endless pounding. As she sauntered up behind him, she felt only a twinge of guilt as he doubled over from the pain, the closer she got to him. She laid a hand on his shoulder and felt his body go rigid at her touch.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't William the Bloody," Kiara drawled.

Spike looked up to her, his eyes wild with pain. "What are you?" he practically screeched.

Kiara took pity on him. For the moment. She knelt down beside him and rested her hands on either side of his face. She gazed deeply into his eyes, forging a tentative mindlink.

Immediately he sagged in relief, the pain becoming a hazy memory. When he looked up at her, he'd morphed into his game face and was ready to pounce on her.

"Now, now, Spike. Don't forget what I can do to you." She twisted the link mentally and he growled at the sharp jab of pain. She backed off and stood up. As she turned around to face the club he ran his hands through his hair and stood shakily. His gaze roamed over the mysterious woman, and though she'd caused him much anguish he had to smile. She was small. She was only a child. She reminded him of a sane Dru. Of course, thinking of Dru sent him back to his melancholia.

Kiara turned around to face Spike. She looked up at him and it was the first good look at her he'd had. She could have taken his breath away, if he'd been breathing. She watched as his eyes roamed hungrily over her. "You're pathetic, you know?" she told him.

"Excuse me?" he asked menacingly.

"Thinking of your poor lost Drusilla and then standing there looking ready to devour me. And I don't mean that in the vampy sense of the word. It's really sad. I mean, what's that say about your *eternal love*?"

"What would you know about love, pet?"

"More than you could ever imagine," she whispered huskily.

His eyes darkened and he once again looked her over. Her skin looked so smooth, even beneath the glaring white light of the street lamp. Her hair cascaded over her shoulder like a black silk veil. He sucked in the useless air as he took a gander at what she was wearing. The silver silk shimmered as it clung to her body. He supposed this was what would be called a "slip dress", but he didn't know if the piece qualified as a whole dress. The silver fabric was only about 15 inches long, trimmed with about 3 inches of black scalloped lace at the top and the bottom. It barely covered anything, and his fingers itched to slide an errant slim strap back upon her shoulder. Or to run up that disgraceful slit on the front left side. In truth, he doubted there was anything under the thin piece of cloth. He took in the silver stars of her eyes, sparkling with amusement as she watched him watch her. But she pulled off the daring outfit and he had to admit she looked magnificent. *Like a panther on the prowl* he thought as he took in her sleek grace. The fact that she'd brought him to his knees only moments earlier had not escaped him.

"You should be fine, now," she told him.

"What?"

"You know. To go back in," she said, nodding to the crowded club.

"Oh. Right. Well, I'm sure they're just awaiting my return with baited breath."

"Mmmmm. Well, feel free to stay outside. It'll be sunrise soon. See ya." She turned with a smile and strode back into the shadows, disappearing down the street.

Spike watched her walk, the sway of her hips hypnotizing him. He heard her voice in his head. *Thinking of your poor lost Drusilla and then standing there looking ready to devour me.* He grinned. Maybe she was right. Dru was out of his life forever. She'd made that perfectly clear. "Time for the predator to become the prey," he murmured. With a cocky smile, he strolled back into the club.



***




It was Monday morning and Giles hadn't heard anything from anybody. He'd planned on driving to L.A. shortly after Willow and the guys had left, but things with Joyce had escalated to a point where they'd had to sit down and talk everything over. But he never wondered if their hasty marriage was right or wrong. There was a child involved, and Giles was both overjoyed and horrified. Actually, scared might have been a better word. He was afraid of Buffy's reaction to the new situation. But he was also suffering major anxiety over whether or not he'd be a good father. He looked down at the slender woman nestled next to him in his bed and was overcome by a surge of protective feelings. They'd admitted to each other that they weren't in love. At least, not yet. But there was no denying the spark between them. He was very attracted to her - had been even before the whole....incident.

He laid his hand on her stomach. She was only yet beginning to show, he realized. He was going to be a father.

A knock sounded on his apartment door and he struggled to disentangle himself from her grasp. He slipped on a blue terrycloth robe and answered the door.

Whistler nodded to him. "I'm Whistler," he said.

Giles moved to allow him entry and watched as the demon walked in. He had to admit, he looked fairly harmless. "Is there, uh, something I can do for you, errr, Mr. Whistler?"

"Just Whistler. And I was thinking that there's something I could do for you."



Two hours later, Giles and Joyce were both dressed immaculately and seated on Giles' couch. They'd listened as Whistler told them of the true prophecy. Giles comforted his new bride as she cried on his shoulder.

"So you're telling me that no matter what, Angelus is back?" Giles had demanded.

"Yes. Most likely, he's already turned."

"What in the Hell where you thinking, bringing that monster back?" Joyce yelled.

Whistler answered her honestly. "I was thinking that your daughter would be able to prevent him from getting out of hand...." Giles shot him a dark look. "But I may have overestimated the amount of control she has over herself. I knew she loved him. As I know that they are destined to be together. But, before this is settled, I'm afraid Angelus may be able to commit quite a bit of damage. Also...."

Giles stood up. "Also what?!?!"

Whistler had enough sense to at least sound meek. "Spike is with him."

"Oh jolly good. Why don't we just bring Hitler back and invoke the bloody Trinity?" Giles asked sarcastically.

Whistler sighed. "I'm not sure what side Spike is playing for. Actually, Spike seems to have his own side where these things are concerned."

"So you're saying that Buffy is in Los Angeles with two evil vampires and she's probably unaware of what's really going on?" Joyce asked, on the verge of hysteria.

"I'm saying," Whistler told her, "that Buffy is in L.A. and she is aware of danger. But," he shot Giles a look, "I think she may have a misconception about from whence that danger stems."

Giles wrapped his arms around Joyce and she looked up at him. "What does he mean? she asked him.

"I think he's trying to say that Buffy isn't in any danger from outside forces, but from herself."

Joyce pushed away from Giles and straightened to her full height. She stalked determinedly over to Whistler. "What exactly are you trying to tell me about *my* daughter, Mr. Whistler?"

"I telling you," Whistler said none too kindly, "that your daughter is in danger from herself. She only sees what she wants to believe. She trusts those she shouldn't, and doesn't trust those she should. And if she doesn't wisen up soon, she might not live to regret it."





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