Disclaimers, See Part 1
Email: LunarMyth


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Angel sensed, rather than heard, her approach. He knew it was her because that tightening in his stomach and that nervous flutter that he always got when she was around began with a maelstrom.

"I hear you know me," he heard her soft voice say. It pained him that he could not see her. But she rectified that quickly, and he had to suck in a useless breath.

Her skin was luminescent in the dark shadows of the cell. Her hair was so straight compared to earlier; it was like spun gold. There was no air in the dank prison -- which attributed to the horrible stench of death that surrounded him -- and yet she seemed to float towards him, a breeze blowing through her silken locks and the shimmery, sheer fabric of her "dress". It left nothing and everything to the imagination.

"I do," was Angel's hoarse reply.

"And I beg to differ. I don't know you at all."

"I think you do," Angel said, gaining a bit of his power of speech back. "I know you felt it before. Maybe you don't know me by sight, but our souls would recognize each other no matter what."

Buffy laughed as she moved closer to him. Again she was struck by his physical beauty. Spike was alluring and had more than his share of sexual prowess, but the man before her was...well, beautiful. "In case you've forgotten, I'm a vampire. Vampires don't have souls." Her gaze raked over him scathingly. "Though it would seem that you have been denied that privilege. What an odd one you are," she said mockingly, pacing in front of him.

"I think you do," he said quietly. "You're different, Buffy. Different from all of the others. You were once, and always will be, a Slayer. There's a part of you still in there. I won't believe otherwise."

"Poor you then. So sorry to have to crush your hopes and dreams." Buffy paused in front of him and held out a hand. "I hear you like to dance with me?"

Angel looked up suspiciously, noting the other hand that was still behind her back. She grinned down at him and brought forth the other hand. In it was a Walkman. "No. I loved dancing with Buffy. But, as you say, you're not Buffy."

She shrugged. "Perhaps. But I can feel you. You can't deny me, can you? Your brave, righteous soul may be your "redemption", but it still won't save you from me." Angel tried to reject her words, but he knew she was right. It occurred to him that this must have been how Buffy felt when he was Angelus. The thought sickened him.

But as she switched on the music -- soft through the earphones so as to not draw unwanted attention, yet loud enough to be heard by their sensitive ears -- he was powerless. "Dance with me," she entreated him. The undulations of her body beneath the flowing robe was his undoing. Angel stood up and pulled her into his embrace, satisfied just to be holding her body once again.


I gave you all the love I got
I gave you more than I could give
Gave you love
I gave you all that I have inside
And you took my love, you took my love
Didn't I tell you, what I believe
Did somebody say that
A love like that won't last
Didn't I give you, all that I got to, give baby


"You know, I can't help but think that if your story holds any truth at all, this is a song that my alter-ego would take to heart," Buffy told him as she held him close, her body writhing provocatively against his. "I mean, you have to admit, the fact that I would still love you is amazing. You treated me pretty bad." Her voice held a slightly chastising tone, but he knew she was mocking him.

His hands caressed the smooth skin of her back, and once again Angel was stunned at the icy feeling. How could the real Buffy love him if this was the way he felt to the touch? Yet, he also had to admit it was rather erotic. "You're right," he said aloud. "I wasn't the best thing for Buffy, and that's the reason I left her. I could never give her the life she needed. She didn't need me."

Vampire Buffy laughed again, the brittle sound scraping to the ears. "Riiiight," she said harshly. "And I suppose you know what I need in my life, vampire or not? That's the thing about men -- whether they're dead or alive, they always think they know what's best."

Angel chuckled. "Maybe. But I did know -- do know -- that I couldn't make her happy."

Buffy ran her hands over his chest, secretly delighting in the way the muscles jumped and tensed at her softest touch. "And are you sure that was the problem? That you felt you couldn't make her happy? Or was it more selfish than that?" she whispered. "Did you know that she couldn't make *you* happy?"


I gave you all the love I got
I gave you more than I could give
Gave you love
I gave you all that I have inside
And you took my love, you took my love


"I couldn't risk it," Angel said through clenched teeth, recalling the damned curse. "And I love Buffy so much that every moment I spend with her, I risk being truly happy."

"Mmmmm. Sounds like I did a lot of giving, and you did a lot of taking."

"Well maybe I did," Angel said, becoming annoyed. "And that's yet another reason I couldn't stay with her."

"I still think you're a deranged nut -- and not just in the vampire sense of the word. You speak so nobly of your love for me. For Buffy. And yet you don't seem to care how much you hurt "us". That's a sure way of showing you care -- right up there with FTD."


I keep crying, I keep crying
I keep trying, for you
There's nothing like, you and I, baby
This is no ordinary love, no ordinary love
This is no ordinary love, no ordinary love


"I left because I *do* care. I couldn't put Buffy in any more danger. Especially not if my demon took control again. That would have killed her."

"Has this whole experience taught you nothing? You say she doesn't need you...." Buffy pushed away from him. There were feelings rushing through her that she didn't want to examine. She felt...soft. Emotions were thrumming through her and she hadn't felt that in almost six years. When she turned around, she couldn't hold back the glimmer of tears in her eyes. "Don't you see that this is how your *true love* would end up without you?"


When you came my way
You brightened everyday
With your sweet smile
Didn't I tell you, what I believe
Did somebody say that
A love like that won't last
Didn't I give you, all that I got to, give baby


Angel faltered at her words. Could she be right? Was this the way Buffy would end up if he left her alone? But this Buffy wasn't finished.

"Your love for me is so bright and pure, is it? Then tell me, how are you here? And furthermore, why didn't show up here earlier? Obviously things didn't go to plan. Why? With your righteous and just causes, what could have kept you away from me?" Her words stabbed him like knives.

"I...I don't know." Angel searched the memory of *this* existence. "I think it...it was...." his eyes opened wide as he thought about it. "Kate," he murmured.

Buffy crossed her arms over her chest. "Another true love?" she queried.

Angel shook his head, confused. It was odd that he would have met Kate so early on in this "dimension". How had it happened? Why?

Buffy sidled up to him once again, her body causing his to react without reason. "Not exactly the prince you thought you were, huh, luv?"


This is no ordinary love, no ordinary love
This is no ordinary love, no ordinary love
I keep crying, keep crying
I keep trying, for you
There's nothing like, you and I, baby


"There has to be an explanation," he said wearily.

"Sure there is," she whispered. "You're just like the rest of us. You just don't want to admit it." She raised her arms above her head and swayed against him. Buffy grinned when she heard his low snarl, his eyes trained on the way her breasts strained against the thin fabric.

"I don't think so," Angel said, grabbing her wrists and pulling them around his neck. He saw the shock in her hazel gaze as he rocked his pelvis against hers. "I think it's that something terribly wrong happened where I'm from and caused this whole mess here. Simple as that."

Buffy rolled her eyes. "Yeah, real simple, babe."


This is no ordinary love, no ordinary love
This is no ordinary love, no ordinary love
Keep trying for you, keep crying for you
Keep flying for, keep flyin', And I'm fallin'
And I'm fallin'
Keep trying for you, keep crying for you
Keep flying for, keep flyin', And I'm fallin'
And I'm fallin'


"Well, I'm afraid I've got to figure it out. And though the accommodations here are swell, I'll have to be leaving." Angel smiled slightly.

"I'm sorry. I don't think I can let you do that."

"And I don't think you have a choice in the matter," he told her.

"Excuse me? You really are crazy. If you haven't noticed, I'm the one in charge here. One word from me and you're dust. And I have no qualms about that," she lied. Well, she was in charge, and if she wanted him to fit into an ashtray it would happen. The thing was, she didn't want him gone.

Angel smiled. "That's fine with me. We'll just have to do this the hard way." He nodded almost imperceptibly, but Buffy caught the movement. She spun around, ready to attack, but Angel captured her hands behind her back. Her eyes widened as Madeleine emerged from the shadows with a pair of shackles.

"You wouldn't," Buffy hissed. Obviously they would, because moments later her hands were securely restrained. "I will kill you both, mark my words," she said calmly.

Madeleine shot a worried glance to Angel, but he shook his head. "Don't worry. It's all hot air. By this time tomorrow, she'll have forgotten all about it."

"By this time tomorrow," she ground out, "I'll be dancing on your ashes."

Angel smiled at her and she cursed herself for being attracted to the seductive twitch of his lips. "Here," he said, draping his leather jacket over her. It gave him a perverse sense of satisfaction to see it in its "rightful place" again.

"Ready?" he asked Madeleine. It had been easy to persuade her to help him. Too easy. Angel wondered again if she was working for Spike. It had appeared that his story had caught her sense of romance, but you could never tell. For now, they were headed to Giles.


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Part 6:


"Come out, come out, wherever you are," Angel called out into the abandoned building. Almost abandoned. Giles was sure to still be in his office. Angel had swiftly gotten used to the camaraderie between himself and Giles and Xander. If he got back -- when he got back -- it would be hard to let go.

"Angel? Is that you?" Willow cried out, running from the Watcher's office. Kate, Xander and Giles were not far behind him.

"Oh God, you're safe!" Kate cried, launching herself into his arms. "I was so worried about you!"

Angel heard a snicker behind his back and winced. Chalk another one up for the new and improved, cynical and undead Buffy.

"Where were you?" the tall woman continued her tirade. "Dammit Angel, why didn't you come back?"

"I'm sorry, Kate," he said as he reached behind his neck and loosened her grip on him. "I was a bit...tied up," he told the rest of the group.

"Not in a good way, I'm guessing," Xander said.

"Yeah, well...."

"What's that behind your back, dare I ask?" Giles spoke up.

Angel turned his head slightly and nodded to Madeleine. "This is Madeleine, she helped me escape."

"Escape?!?!" Kate began again.

"Yes. Needless to say, I found out who's behind all of the vampire risings, though I'm still clueless about why he's raising an army. But..." Angel contemplated not springing Buffy on them. It would be hard for them to accept. He sighed. It was something that had to be done. "I brought back something that's of importance to him. Also to me."

Willow and Xander looked at him. "What's up with the cryptic, dude?"

Angel threw Giles an apologetic glance and stepped aside, revealing a very pissed off Buffy cloaked in Angel's leather jacket.

"Who -"

"What -"

"NO -"

"I, uhhh, I see -"

"I'm thinking this isn't the best time for me to be here," Buffy said. "I'll just go. It's probably for the best." She turned, but Angel picked her up effortlessly and heaved her over his shoulder. "Put. Me. Down!"

Angel grinned and slapped her bottom. "Not until you promise to behave." He hadn't known it would be so much fun to do this to Buffy. He might have to try it when he returned home...not that *that* was possible.

"Excuse me? Is anyone else here not getting the whole picture? Or not loving the way you're acting around her, Angel?" Kate said icily.

"I'm just his love slave, nothing to worry about," came Buffy's muffled voice. "I've had him tied up for the past few nights. We enjoyed wild, kinky, nasty sex. But really, there's nothing to be jealous of, pet."

Kate screeched with fury, barely listening as Angel tried to calm her down. All in all, Angel had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing.

Giles stepped forward, a worried frown on his face. "Am I to assume that Buffy...is an...a...err....a vampire?"

Angel nodded. "Sorry to say it, but yes."

"No," Xander said simply. It was hard for the boy to accept that this was the same wonderful girl that had been in his life.

"Oh, but yes," she said. "And it's so much fun. Don't you want to join me, Xander? We could do all those things you used to dream about...."

Willow listened to her best friend and wanted to cry. But no, this wasn't her best friend. It was a demon in her best friend's body. She watched as Xander stalked out of the building. "I should -"

"No!" Angel said. "I...I think we might need your help."

"Is she safe?" asked Giles.

"Yeah, I've got her restrained," Angel answered. "I think we all need to talk. And I've got some more information for you, Giles, about that problem I told you about." He set Buffy down in a chair and told Kate and Willow to watch her while he talked to Giles.

After they sat down in Giles' office, Angel proceeded to tell him the same story he'd told Madeleine. Giles listened with interest, and a bit of horror, as he listened to Angel's tale. When he mentioned Jenny's name, the poor man looked as if he had tears in his eyes.

"Giles?" Angel asked cautiously. "I'm sorry. I forgot for a moment that Jenny was killed here also."

Giles nodded and removed his glasses, wiping them off. Angel continued, telling him how Buffy had sent him to Hell -- and how he'd returned. He spoke of the Ascension and of his and Buffy's relationship.

"That's quite a story," Giles said when he finished.

"It's the truth," Angel told him simply.

"Well, whether it is or isn't, tell me of the last things you can remember."

"I was with Kate, looking for Cordelia and Doyle. Speaking of Cordelia, where is she?"

Giles cleared his throat. "She was killed not long after Buffy."

"Oh. Hmmm. Well, I was with Kate and Cordelia and Doyle had just joined us after retrieving a book. They were rabid about some old crones fighting them for their "Bible". Then Kate took the book -"

"The book," Giles interjected. "What was it?"

"It was a book, I don't know the name, but it belonged to the Sisters of Djinn."

Giles paled. "Th-th-the Sisters of Djinn? Do you know the repercussions for taking that book from it's rightful owners?"

"It's not like I was doing it to piss them off, Giles," Angel said irritatedly. "We took it because we do not think those *were* the rightful owners."

Giles sighed. "So it was in Kate's possession, correct?"

"Yes."

"Do you know if she had any...ahhhh...wishes or desires that she wanted to be met, but say, weren't realistic?"

Angel squirmed in his seat as Giles stared at him. "Actually, I can think of one. She's really been wanting...a...a relationship with me."

"Enough to be willing to do anything for it?"

"I don't know about that," Angel started.

"But?" Giles prompted.

"But I can't give you a definite no," Angel conceded.

"That's not good," Giles said. "Legend has it that if the Book of Djinn lands in the wrong hands, it has a...a...protective mechanism, if you will. It is a very powerful book, containing the secrets of the Universe. The Sisters of Djinn have been compared to the Fates of Greek mythology. The book can sense it's owners' weaknesses. Upon that, it will conjure up a spell that appeals to the said owner -- a spell that seemingly is the answer to the owner's prayers. However, most times -- if not all -- the spell backfires. When that happens, the book becomes dormant until the spell is reversed...at which time the book itself reverts back to its rightful place."

"So you're telling me that Kate made some wish...and now I'm here. Well, how do we reverse the spell?"

Giles pinched the bridge of his nose. "We have to know the spell -- and what it was for -- in order to reverse it."

"So you're telling me I'm stuck here?"

"No," Giles said. "No. I'm merely saying that we'll have to do a copious amount of research, as well as spending time with Kate to try to find out what would most appeal to her...if you weren't around."

Angel sighed. "Well, I guess it's the only choice. While I'm here I might as well make myself useful and put an end to Spike's -- AKA: William the Bloody's -- business. But...what should we do about Buffy?"

"What can we do?" Giles asked. "If she's useful for information, try to get it from her. If she can be used as bait, do it. Otherwise I see no choice but to stake her."

Angel gaped at Giles, trying to remind himself that this was not the same man who'd been so much like a father to Buffy. "I'll do what I can," he mumbled as he walked out of the room.


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Part 7:


"I don't know what you're talking about," Buffy said stubbornly for the fifteenth time. "Spike's not raising an army for anything, as far as I know. Maybe he just likes to eat a lot."

"You forget," Angel told her smoothly, "that I am the one who made Spike who he is. And I know he's up to something. So why don't you just tell me what it is?"

*Because I don't want to betray my lover, and I don't want you to get involved and possibly hurt, that's why, Mr. Smarty Pants.* "Because. I. Don't. Know. Anything," she said again.

Angel stood up and paced around his bedroom. Giles had insisted he take her away. He'd also required that Kate stay with him so that he could talk to her. Kate had not been happy at all. When he'd led Buffy into the bedroom, she'd fallen into a fit of giggles.

"Even Spike isn't this bad," she'd told him after her convulsions had slowed.

Angel had to admit, the room was a bit much. He certainly hoped that he had not been in on the decorating. He just couldn't remember everything this Angel had experienced. Which didn't bother him all that much.

So he'd been questioning Buffy for the last three hours, with virtually nothing to show for it. She either didn't know anything or was doing a very fine job of covering for her lover. Her lover. The thought sickened him.

"Look, I don't know how much more of this I can take without making any headway at all," he paused as Buffy began to smirk. "So I think we should go to bed. Now, if I trusted you as far as I could throw you -- which I don't -- then I would say you could take the bed. But since I don't," he stood up and raised her hands, undoing one of the shackles, "I'm going to have to insist we do this the old fashioned way." He snapped it closed over his own wrist.

"This is dumb," Buffy began. "You can trust me. Do you really think I'd run?"

Angel shot her a glance and she quieted down for a moment. He took the opportunity to slip the jacket off of her. Angel grinned as she began to resist him again when he picked her up.

"What do you think you're doing?" she screeched. "Oh-ho, Mr. High-And-Mighty has to resort to force to get his women, does he? Well let me tell you something, Buster, I'm not having sex with you!" Her voice was so haughty and commanding that Angel couldn't help but chuckle. He plopped her down on the bed and climbed in after her, leaving his pants on. Since his right wrist was connected to hers, the only way they could sleep comfortably was on their right sides, with Buffy using his arm as a pillow. Or she could have slept on top of him, but Angel figured she wouldn't take him up on that offer. His only concern was that she might cut his hand off during the night. However, it was a risk he had to take.

Angel rubbed his face against the soft strands of her hair. It felt right to be sleeping next to her again, even if it wasn't really her. As he slipped into oblivion, his left arm wrapped protectively around her small body, and he was only slightly aware of Buffy nestling her body close to his.


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"What the bloody hell are you telling me?" Spike yelled. "What do you mean Buffy and Angel are missing? I thought I told you to keep watch over him 24/7! I should kill you! No, I should do worse than kill you..." he strode forward and lifted his henchman by the lapels of his jacket. "If one hair on her head is harmed, you will endure a thousand years of torture before I let you die!" Spike dropped the boy to the floor and paced around his room. Where would he go if he were Angel? Most likely back to his chums. Red and the Boy Wonder, not to mention the Watcher.

Fine. Angelus wanted to play, did he? Well Spike was Master of the Game.


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"Coming!" Kate sang out. She'd just gotten out of the shower and found the apartment Giles-free. *Please be Angel* she thought as she answered the door. Of course, it wasn't.

"Hi. Can I help you?"

"Mmmmm. I hope you can. I'm looking for a Mr. Rupert Giles. Is this his apartment?"

"Yes. I think he just stepped out for a moment, if you'd like to come in and wait."

Spike grinned. "That would be lovely, pet."





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