~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

In the meantime, Angel was chained to the wall in a storage room in the factory. He had no clue what was going on. Was this some sort of plot? To get him away from Buffy so there wasn't anyone to help her? Buffy. she'd been hurt. Had someone found her? Was she still unconscious? He wished he could see her, to make sure she was okay. He started trying to pull the chains out of the wall again, but as before, they wouldn't budge. Finally the door swung open and Spike and Drusilla stepped into the room.

"What do you want Spike?" Angel growled.

"Ah, ah Angelus. Curiosity killed the cat remember? Just wait, you'll find out eventually," Spike said.

"I won't let you get to Buffy," Angel said.

"This isn't about the Slayer. yet. It will be soon though, you'll see,"

"You won't be able to kill her Spike, she's different from the one's you've killed. She's stronger," Angel said.

"Must be stupider too, to get involved with the likes of you," Spike chuckled.

Angel growled.

"Tsk, tsk.. Shouldn't growl at your children! Shame on Daddy!" Drusilla said waggling her finger at Angel. She moved to stand in front of him. She ran her finger over his cheek and giggled insanely. "Daddy's coming home!" she gasped merrily, clasping her hands together, "We'll all be a family again!" she exclaimed twirling back over to Spike.

"Of course pet," he told her, pulling her to his side, before returning his focus to Angel.

"I don't know what she's rambling about Spike, but you won't kill Buffy. I won't let you," Angel said.

"I'm not the one who's gonna kill her Angel, ol' buddy," Spike chuckled.

"What do you mean?" Angel asked.

"What I'm trying to say is; I wonder how much your Slayer will still love you when you're tearin' into her throat," Spike wondered, smiling menacingly the whole time.

What Drusilla had been saying finally became clear to Angel, "No."

Daddy's coming home..

~*~

Buffy slowly moved down the stairs into the apartment. Using the furniture to support her she made her way into the bedroom and sat down on the bed. She ran her hand over his pillow. Where was he now? Where had they taken him? Was he safe, or had they killed him? Her pain worsened at the last thought. She felt empty without him, cold. so cold. She didn't know what to do without him; her live hadn't started until he'd found her all those months ago. What was she supposed to do without him there? She was alone now. She pulled his pillow to her chest, making her feel closer to him.

'Decide I was more comfortable than your pillow?'

She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to rid herself of the memories. Why had he been taken away from her now? After last night..

She lay down on the bed, curling herself around Angel's pillow and finally let out the gut-wrenching sobs she'd been trying so hard to hold in.

~*~

"You can't!" Angel growled at Spike. He wouldn't kill Buffy. Never. He'd kill himself first.

"And why the hell not?" Spike asked, pacing in front of him, while Drusilla was swaying back and forth beside the door, humming. "You think I care about what you think I should and shouldn't do? Well, I don't. And y'see, it's so much more fun for me this way! Not only do I get t'watch the Slayer die, I get t'watch you torture her first!" he said cheerfully.

"I'll never do it Spike, nothing in your power can make me," Angel answered.

Spike chuckled, "You think your willpower is stronger than the back arts? Someone's being rather optimistic for a brooding vampire with a soul,"

Angel simply glared at him.

Spike laughed again, "It'll be just like old times, you me, Dru. too bad Darla's not around but. oh yeah! You killed 'er to protect the bleedin' Slayer! Anyway, as I was sayin', it'll be just like the old days, the three of us, maimin', torturin', killin'. NO you can be the Scourge of Europe and North America!"

No, no, no.. Angel repeated inside his head.

"And just think. you'll finally be able to say you killed a Slayer,"

~*~

Buffy walked out of the bedroom groggily. She couldn't sleep. Not without him there, not while she had no clue where he was. She walked past the kitchen when she noticed someone in there. Everyone in the office had gone home, and it wasn't Angel, he was too short and his clothes were. too colorful. She snuck up behind him and grabbed him around the neck.

"Whoa! Whoa! I'm on your side!" he shouted out. Buffy dropped him and he turned to face her.

"How am I supposed to trust you?" she asked.

"Cause I can give you some information on Angel," he replied.

Buffy grabbed him by his collar and pinned him to the wall.

"Tell me where he is or I'll tear out your ribcage and wear it as a hat," Buffy threatened.

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa there Chiquita! Don't kill the messenger!" he told her cautiously, trying not to make her any angrier. She dropped him and he walked away from her a bit. He started looking through the cupboards and the fridge.

"Y'know, we didn't see it comin'," he said finally, as he picked up a practically empty bottle of Vodka, Doyle had drank it all.

"Didn't see what coming?" Buffy asked.

"What's happenin'. He was supposed to finally find you, help you fend off all those demons that were after you, then you two could live happily ever after."

"Well, maybe if you told me where he was I could stop this from happening," Buffy replied.

"I don't think so," the man said uncertainly, "I think you'd better get as far away from Angel as you possibly can,"

"Why do you think that?" Buffy asked, irritated.

"Cause he's not gonna be much like Angel for very much longer,"

"What do you mean by that?" Buffy asked.

"You're about to come face to face with the scourge of Europe,"

"The Scourge of." what he was saying finally hit her like a ton of bricks, "Angelus.." Buffy whispered. She'd read up on Angel those three months they were apart, she wanted to know whether everything he'd told her was true.

"Bingo. And trust me, he's not a pleasant fellow to be around," the man answered.

"How do I know you're not lying? How do I know you weren't sent by Spike?"

"Name's Whistler, work for the Powers. Ask Doyle about me," he told her.

"Okay, I'll believe you, now tell me where Angel is,"

"If I tell you, one of you may not come out alive. and if that one is you, them Angelus would be free to scour the countryside,"

"I don't think LA has much countryside. and I'm willing to take that chance," Buffy answered firmly.

"You know you may have to kill him," he finally stopped looking through Angel's things and turned to her, "Can you deal with that?"

Buffy glared at him, as if trying to tell him she would, but the extreme sadness was still evident in her eyes.

~*~

"NO!"

Angel's scream echoed through the factory. He had to hold on, he had to. He couldn't let his demon out. He knew what he'd do to Buffy, the same thing he'd done to Drusilla. He couldn't let that happen. Buffy meant too much to him. He felt himself slipping, his soul being ripped out of his body. He struggled to keep control, almost as if his soul was clawing at his body. The warlock finished the last line of the spell then slammed the book shut. The candles in the room flickered out and it was all over. One last shot of pain ran through Angel's body before he slumped to the floor.

Forgive me Buffy.. Was the last thing he thought before he finally felt himself slip away.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When Cordelia, Doyle and Wesley walked into the office the next morning they were surprised to see Buffy sitting on the couch waiting for them. Cordelia opened her mouth to speak but Buffy cut her off; "I know where Angel is."

The other three's eyes opened wide in shock and Cordelia lunged onto the couch next to her. "Where?" she asked.

"An abandoned factory, it's on , Spike has him."

"How do you know?" Wesley asked.

"Had a little visitor last night. Gave me some information," Buffy replied.

"Who?"

"Angel's old buddy, Whistler,"

"Well? What are we all waitin' for? Let's go find Angel!" Doyle announced.

"No. You're not going. Just me," Buffy answered.

"Why not? He's our friend too," Cordelia asked.

"If we don't get there in time he may not be," Buffy answered quietly. She was having a hard time digesting all this. Angel evil? He'd never hurt her, never.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Cordelia snapped. She got that Buffy had been hurt, and had just lost someone she loved, but she was going to help Angel whether she liked it or not.

"They're going to try to turn him back into Angelus," Buffy whispered.

"What?!?" the other three gasped. "How? Why?" Cordelia shouted.

"I don't know how," Buffy sighed. Trying to fight tears again, "It's how they're gonna kill me… they're gonna get him to do it,"

"No. Angel wouldn't hurt a fly… unless it was a demon fly…. He wouldn't kill you though. He couldn't kill you!" Cordelia exclaimed.

"Angel, no. Angelus… he's revel in it," Wesley said. He didn't want to upset Buffy anymore, but she deserved to know the truth.

"You know something Wes?" Doyle asked.

"Quite a bit actually. Angel was not a vampire you'd want to cross."

"Which is why none of you are coming. I'm doing this alone," Buffy said.

"You'd better go soon. Before they lift his curse," Wesley told her.

"I know, I'm going tonight… I'll bring him back, I'm counting on it.

~*~

"LET ME OUT NOW SPIKE OR I'LL RIP OFF YOUR HEAD AND PLAY SOCCER WITH IT!" Angelus roared as he pounded against the door of the room he was being held in.

"Well, it looks like the Poof's good as new," Spike chuckled as he listened to the racket Angelus was making, "Think we should let 'im out now Pet?" he asked Drusilla.

Her eyes grew wild and she nodded furiously, "Yes! Daddy's come back! Let him come out to play!" she squealed.

"Open the door," Spike ordered his minions.

The door clanged opened and Angelus stormed out, "Took you long enough," he growled.

"Daddy! You've come home to us! You were all filthy with a soul! You were fighting with the naughty slayer," Drusilla said.

"Don't worry Dru, the soul's all gone," he told her, "Now, not that I'm not thankful that you got rid of that pesky conscience problem, but why'd you bring me back?" he asked.

"Ah, that's simple really. The slayer. We want her dead, and you're gonna do it,"

"Ah yes, good little Buffy… quite a sexy little thing, too bad I'm gonna have to get rid of her…."

"So you'll do it then?"

"They didn't call me the Scourge of Europe for nothing," Angelus chuckled.

"Perfect," Spike replied, smirking, "What are you gonna do?"

"Well, you see… Buffy's different than the others. She's smarter, stronger… you won't kill her with force," Angel told Spike.

"And…?"

"To kill her, you've gotta love her,"

"Well, that's great. Get to it then," Spike said.

Angelus grabbed him by the collar and growled. "Don't treat me like one of your worthless minions Peroxide Boy. Or I'll leave you to kill the Slayer yourself. And trust me, when she's through with you there won't be enough of you left to fit in an ash tray." "What the hell does that mean?" Spike asked.

"It means you don't have what it takes to get rid of her."

"I could kill her before she landed a punch on me."

"Which is why you brought me in to do your dirty work?"

"The stars are angry!" Drusilla exclaimed.

"What is she rambling about now?" Angelus sighed.

"The stars are angry! They want him back! She's going to get it for them!"

"Who's getting what for who?" Spike asked.

"He'll be all filthy again," Drusilla whimpered, staring up at the ceiling.

"There aren't any stars up there Dru, it's a ceiling. Besides, it's the middle of the afternoon," Angelus sighed. Sometimes he wondered why he turned her.

"He's right Dru. No one's getting dirty again… Now, back to the Slayer," Spike answered.

"Don't worry," Angelus said smiling, "I've got it all worked out…."

~*~

Buffy reached for the crossbow, then pulled her hand away. She opened and closed her hand a few times then reached for it again. Her hand dropped to her side. She couldn't do this. She just couldn't. If he was evil, there was no way she could end it. Not when it was still his body, his face, his eyes…. She sighed in frustration.

"You okay Buffy?" Willow asked walking over to her.

"I can't do it Will. I can't kill him," she sighed.

"Don't worry about it. You probably won't have to," Willow tried to comfort her.

"I hope so," Buffy murmured, she bit her lip, "It's just… what if I get tehre and it's too late? What if I have no other choice but to kill him? I can't handle that Willow. I can't look him in the eyes, knowing that they used to be his, and pull the trigger on this…." She gestured to the crossbow. "I don't have it in me."

"You will if you have to," Xander piped up. He'd been sitting next to Buffy, sharpening a stake.

"What do you mean?" Buffy asked.

"I mean, that you can't seriously say that you'd put everyone's lives' in danger just so you could have him around? I know you Buff, you've got a big heart, but you know the difference between right and wrong," he said. He really didn't care about Angel one way or another, it didn't matter to him whether he came out of this or not.

"Xander!" Willow said, shocked that he'd say such a thing in this sort of a time.

"No Will, he's right," Buffy sighed. She looked up at the crossbow again. She reached for it and shakily wrapped her hand around it. It was time to put her feelings aside again. It he was evil, it wouldn't matter how he used to be, people would die. And she didn't want to be responsible for that. She just hoped that Angel would understand why she had to do it.

"I can't let him kill anyone, I have to do this. If he's evil, there's no other choice."

"Buffy, you don't have to be brave," Willow told her.

Buffy inwardly winced at the words, Angel had told her the same thing once.

"Yes I do," Buffy answered, and for once, it was true. Her real feelings made no difference in this situation.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Buffy walked to the factory. With each step, wishing more and more that she was walking in the opposite direction. What would she do with him dead? He was her everything now. He'd given her a life, a chance to fix what she'd screwed up. And for what? So she could turn around and plunge a stake into his heart? No. He couldn't be evil. She would get there in time. She'd bring him back home, to his friends. to her. And they could go on from where they left off..

"Ooh, look at the big tough Slayer and her big scary crossbow! Wouldn't wanna be the person you're gonna put that through."

Buffy whirled around at the sound of the voice, Whistler.

"Maybe I should use you for some last minute target practice," Buffy replied.

"Hey! Remember what I told you before-"

"Don't kill the messenger, yeah, yeah.. What do you want?" She asked.

"Just wanted to see if you were actually gonna go through with it, and you are! Kudos to you! That takes strength," he told her, "And to wish you luck."

"Well, thank you for the strangest pep talk I've ever had. Now, I'm gonna get going. I've got someone to save," she answered before turning and continuing her walk.

"Be careful! Angelus likes mind games!" Whistler shouted to her.

She turned back one last time, "I think I'll be able to tell the difference between my Angel and a homicidal psychopath,"

She would be able to. right?

~*~

Dru gasped.

"No! The naughty Slayer is coming! She wants to take Daddy away!" she whined.

A wicked smile spread across Angelus' face. "Excellent. I thought it would've taken her a lot longer to find us!" he chuckled.

"Kill 'er now, kill 'er later, it's all the same right?" Spike asked.

"Timing is everything," Angelus answered, "Now, I want all of you out."

"What?! Hey man! I brought you back to kill the Slayer and I plan on watchin'!" Spike yelled.

"I don't need spectators! Don't worry, you'll get to see the body. Now get lost before she gets here!" Angelus growled.

They all filed out and Angelus made his way into the room they'd been holding him in. He ripped his shirt in several places then fell into the corner of the room. The Slayer would never know what hit her..

~*~

Buffy crept into the factory silently. She hid behind a stack of crates and peered into the middle of the room. it was empty. She stepped out into the open. nothing, there was no one there. This was impossible, too easy. Did they not know that she'd come for him? That couldn't be the case, they had to know that. Why else would they take him? Still, the place was still completely deserted.

"Angel?" she called.

No answer. Not even any vampires attacked her. Maybe she was in the wrong place, if Whistler had given her the wrong address she'd kill him..

"Buffy?" came a weak reply.

It was Angel. She looked frantically around the room, he wasn't there.

"Angel where are you?" she asked.

"Look for a door," he answered.

She turned around and found a large metal door on the wall behind her.

She forced it open and peered inside. It was dark, and almost completely empty, but she found Angel, his clothes torn, slumped over in the corner.

"Buffy? Is it really you?" he asked.

She hurried over to him, "Oh God, Angel what did they do to you!?" she gasped, cupping his cheek.

"I-I don't really remember." he answered, taking her hand.

"Where is everyone?"

"They went to find a warlock or something. I'm not sure why.." Angel replied.

"They're gonna try to lift your curse. Come on, we'll get you back to the office," Buffy answered, trying to help him up.

"Lift the. why?" Angel asked in shock. Angelus was glad it was dark in there, it would be harder for Buffy to notice he was smiling if he couldn't control this anymore. He couldn't believe she was buying all this. It was too good to be true. Killing her would be better than he thought it would. But he'd just lead her on a bit longer.

Buffy lowered her eyes, "They were gonna use Angelus to kill me." she whispered.

Angelus tried his best to look shocked, "No." he gasped.

"Yeah. so we really gotta get out of here before they get back,"

Angelus put his hands on either side of Buffy's face. He had to restrain himself, just a little twist of her head and he'd have the job done..

"I'd never hurt you, you know that," he told her.

She stroked his cheek, "I know,"

Angelus pulled her into his arms, he could feel her heart beating against his chest. It was driving him mad. He wanted to rip into her throat right there and then. "I'm so glad you got here in time," he said through clenched teeth, all this lovey-dovey stuff was making him sick. Timing is everything. he reminded himself.

"I'd never let them take you away from me," she answered, she sighed in relief, "I'm so glad you're still you! I was so afraid I wasn't going to get here in time! Everyone kept saying that I would've had to kill you! I could never picture hurting you, ever!"

"Shhh, don't worry! Everything's fine. We'll go back to the appartment and we can get on with our lives alright?" Angelus told her, trying his best to think of what Angel would say to comfort her.

Buffy pulled back and smiled at him, she was so relieved that Angel was all right.

Angelus stared at her smile, how Angel loved that smile. how Angelus was going to love wiping that smile clean off her face. This would be a day he'd remember forever.

"Come on, I'll help you up," she said.

Angelus let her help him off the floor then let her support him as they started to walk to the door.

"We'd better get out of here before they all come back," she told him.

"Oh, I don't know Buff. I kinda like it here, it has a certain. je ne sais quoi," Angelus chuckled.

Buffy span around to face him, "What?" she asked in shock.

Angelus grabbed her by the neck and slammed her against the wall, growling.

"Angel?" she stammered, something wasn't right..

"Sorry lover, Angel's left the building.."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Be careful, Angelus likes to play mind-games.. Whistler's warning suddenly echoed through her head. "No.." she whispered. She was too late. How could she be too late? How could she not have noticed the difference between Angelus and Angel?

"Oh yes, I 'm afraid so Lover," he chuckled.

"They-they already did the ritual, this was all a set up.." She hissed, trying to cover up the fact that she was totally broken inside. She'd lost Angel, she was too late. Now she'd have to kill him, or be killed herself. And she wasn't going to let Angelus kill all the people she cared about. It wasn't going to happen.

"See, that's just one of the many things I love about you Buff, although you're a little naïve, and definitely gullible," he chuckled, "You've actually got a brain up there! Guess it goes against the usual blond stereotype,"

"You don't love me," Buffy spat, appalled that this. demon would associate the word 'love' with her, "Angel loves me, you're just a monster,"

"Gee Buff, I didn't realise there was a difference between the two of us! I mean, you certainly couldn't tell that I was back in control," he chuckled.

Buffy head-butted him and sent him reeling back, clutching his nose. She turned and ran into the main room of the factory. Angelus quickly recovered and caught up with her. He roughly grabbed her arm and spun her around to face him.

"Come on babe, that wasn't very nice! How would you like it if I did that to your nose?" he asked before punching her in the face and sending her flying across the floor.

Buffy propped herself up by her elbows, trying to make the world stop spinning, and to make her head stop throbbing. She didn't get a chance because Angelus hauled her up off the floor, his fingers digging into her arm, bruising her.

"Not to much fun now is it?" he asked.

"You're a sick bastard," she muttered dizzily.

Angelus threw her into one of the large cement pillars holding up the ceiling. Buffy smashed her head into it, re-opening the cut she'd gotten a few nights ago. Angelus pulled her up again and pinned her to the pillar.

"Y'know, I was gonna get pissed for that, but, I figure, it is kinda true, I did kill my father after all," he chuckled. He brought his hand up to the cut on Buffy's forehead, touching the blood that was seeping out of it.

"You know, I've heard rumours that Slayer blood is supposed to be the sweetest the most powerful," he said before licking the blood off his fingers, "I think I'll need a better taste to test that theory," he growled before lowering his face to her neck. Buffy's eyes grew wide in panic. She wouldn't die this way, no. She kneed him in the groin and he fell to his knees. She tried to run, but only stumbled to the ground. Before she even had time to try and get up Angelus pounced on top of her.

"Bitch," he growled. Buffy only glared at him in response. He ran his fingers over her neck. Buffy somehow found the strength to push him off her and shakily stand up.

"Come on Lover, let me have a taste," he taunted.

"Don't call me that," Buffy growled as she backed away from him slowly. She had to get back into that room to get her crossbow.

"Call you what, Lover?" he asked.

"I'm not your lover," she hissed, disgusted.

"You know you are. I mean, well, you could use a little improvement. that was your first time wasn't it?" he asked, chuckling. Buffy stared at him, hurt and horrified, he chuckled again. "It was pretty obvious."

Buffy bit her lip and tried to keep the tears from forming in her eyes. He couldn't think that could he? But what if he really did?

Angelus noticed she was on the verge of tears and smirked, "Aw, come on Buffy, how about we take a roll in the hay, I can help you out a bit.."

Buffy glared daggers at him, "I hate you,"

"Come on lover, don't be that way," he answered, faking a pout. Buffy suddenly turned and dashed into the room they were in before and picked up her crossbow, pointing it at him.

He smirked again, "Gee, I'm sensing some déjà vu here Buff, aren't you?" he asked.

"Shut up or I'll kill you," she shouted, but her hands were trembling..

"You'll be dead before the arrow leaves the bow," he growled (AN: Yes, I know that's Spike's line, but it fit!).

Buffy's hands still shook but she didn't lower the bow.

"Come on Buff, you really think that you can kill me? You love him too much to,"

Buffy started to have doubts, she lowered the bow slightly.

"You really think that after everything you two have been through together, you can just pull a trigger and end it all? Without saying goodbye?" he asked as he inched closer to her. Suddenly he kicked the crossbow out of her hands and grabbed her, "No, you're not strong enough to," he laughed.

"Angel, please," Buffy begged.

"Sorry Buff, it's Angelus now,"

"No, he's in there, somewhere, I know it,"

"Face it Slayer, your boyfriend's gone," he growled.

"No, he's in there, he can fight you.."

"Yeah.right. which is why I've had control for the past couple of days. Really buff, I thought you knew better than that! He's gone now, and there isn't anything that can bring him back," Angelus answered.

"Youre' wrong! I know you're wrong!" Buffy shouted.

"Come on Lover, you're making this harder than you have to," he said before transforming into his game face, "Just give up already, it won't be as painful,"

Buffy struggled against him but his grip was too strong.

"Shhh, don't worry. I mean, the dying is a little rough, but afterwards it's great! You can do what you want, kill who you want, no more of this 'Sacred Duty' crap,"

"I will not become one of you! I'd rather die!" Buffy answered in disgust.

"You don't mean that Buff, just stop being so brave, let it go!" he finally managed to get near her neck. "I told you I wouldn't let them hurt you." he chuckled before finally sinking his fangs into her neck. Pain shot through her body and she felt her heart steadily pumping blood down Angelus' throat. How ironic, that the one man who'd given her a life, was the same one who was now taking it away. Just as she started to feel her heart begin to slow Angelus pulled away,

"No!" he shouted as they both sunk to the floor. "No, no.. What have I done?! Buffy? Buffy answer me please!" Angel begged frantically.

"Angel?" Buffy asked quietly, feeling dizzy, and on the verge of passing out.

"Oh Buffy! I'm sorry, I'm so sorry! I couldn't stop him, I couldn't get control back until now, I'm sorry!" he almost sobbed.

Buffy smiled slightly, he was back. She shakily raised her hand to his face.

"Shhh.. It doesn't matter anymore, everything will be alright," she murmured as she moved to rest her head on Angel's chest. He wrapped his arms around her tight.

"Everything will be alright.."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Buffy fidgeted uncomfortably in her seat in the kitchen as Angel placed the last piece of tape over the gauze on her neck. They hadn't spoken one word to each other since they left the factory. Infact, they'd barely even looked at each other since they left the factory. Buffy finally looked down at Angel who was kneeling beside her and their eyes met. She brought her hand up to her neck.

"Thanks," she murmured.

Angel looked away. Buffy tried to take his hand but he pulled back from her and stood up.

"How can you touch me?" he finally spoke.

"Angel-"

"How can you even look at me after what I did?" he asked in disgust.

"Because I love you," she answered.

"Don't say that!" he shouted as he turned and walked away, "You can't, I'm a monster,"

"No you're not," Buffy insisted getting up slowly and following him, "It wasn't you, you didn't do anything. None of this was your fault," she told him.

"Oh right. so it was the other Angelus who bit you," he answered sarcastically.

"It was! Because you'd never do the things he did! Or say the things he said.." She winced thinking of the things he said to her.

"We're the same person," Angel insisted.

"What do you want me to do?! Add to your guilt trip? Blame all this on you? Will it make it easier for you?! Just tell me already!" Buffy shouted.

"Yes! Because it is my fault! I could've killed you!"

"But you didn't!" Buffy interrupted.

"But I could've! This is why I have my soul, to feel guilt over the crimes I've committed."

"No, it's to make amends for them! Why can't you see that?" Buffy asked.

"Because it's a lie," Angel replied.

Buffy sighed, he was so stubborn, "fine, it's a lie, you're supposed to be feeling unspeakable guilt, you and Angelus are one and the same," she said, Angel turned away from her, his shoulders slumped. "So does that mean that everything that Angelus said to me is true?" Buffy asked.

You know you are, I mean, you could use a little improvement.. That was your first time wasn't it? I twas pretty obvious..

Angel felt sick, "Buffy.."

"Well? Is it?" she asked with tears in her eyes.

"Buffy no, don't listen to a word he said."

"He or you? You're gonna have to clarify that," Buffy sniffled.

"He.. God Buffy, I'm so sorry, I completely forgot about that, I was so worried about losing you,"

"Still doesn't answer my question,"

"No. None of it was true, not a word of it. He was just trying to upset you,"

"Well it worked!" Buffy cried.

Angel approached buffy hesitantly and wrapped his arms around her.

"None of it means anything. He was so unbelievably far away from the truth.. That night, it meant everything to me, it was the best night of my life."

"You mean that? Buffy mumbled into his chest.

"Every word. I'm so sorry you had to deal with that, if I could go back in time and fix things I would."

"I wouldn't," Buffy replied.

"What?" Angel asked.

"Well, so a lot of shit hit the fan but. I think we're stronger for it. I know I treasure having you around even more than I did before cause I know what it's like to think that I'm may never see you again. I know, it's kinda twisted. but, it's what I feel," Buffy answered.

"No, it's not twisted. I get it. And I understand it," Angel answered.

"Do you regret it?" she asked.

"Only that I nearly killed you, that if I hadn't gotten back control you might not be here with me right now."

"Well then, thank you for being strong enough to get back when you did. I appreciate it," Buffy replied smiling.

"Anytime," Angel answered, smiling back.

"What do you think will happen to Spike now?" Buffy asked.

"I don't know. I guess we're going to just have to wait and see."

"As long as I've got you to help me with it, I don't mind waiting," Buffy replied.

"Always. I love you, no matter what happens, remember that."

"I know, I love you too."

They were both silent for a moment, just comfortable being in each other's arms, and thankful that they were both alive. Finally, Buffy looked up at him.

"So. we're okay now?'" She asked.

"Yeah, everything's perfect," he answered.

The End

Think I should write a sequel? If you have any ideas e-mail them to me.

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