TITLE: The Salem Series I: The Beginning
SUMMARY: A woman from Angel’s past appears...
AUTHOR'S NOTES: I was really intrigued by the appearance, well, mention of Salem in my first Buffyfic, Sins of an Angel, and she demanded I start (what will hopefully be) a series about her. This fanfic is in no way related to Sins of an Angel. I would also like to apologize for any lame fight scenes, that’s just not my specialty.
DEDICATION: To David Duchovny and David Boreanaz who add an extra pleasure to watching The X-Files and Buffy. Also to the rest of the cast and crew of XF and Buffy. I truly admire your work.
TIME LINE: First season, the gang know Angel’s a vamp, but Buffy and he aren’t together.
RATING: A possible R, I guess, I dunno.
DISCLAIMER: Read my lips: I don’t own them.. Except for Salem. And Aurelius. But he’s not that important. And besides, if you would sue a 14-year old girl, you’re sick. ;)
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Part One
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Angel groaned when he came to. As he rose, he detected someone approaching.
"Well, well, lover, fancy meeting you here."
Angel spun around at the sound of the oh-so-familiar voice.
"Salem Littlejohn.", he hissed.
"Oh, come on, darling. Not need to be so formal! Whatever happened to...what was it? ‘Love’? ‘Pet’? ‘Kitten’?"
The woman smirked.
"You blood sucking little *bitch*!", Angel spat out.
She trailed a hand down his chest, pouting.
"Oh, come on now, Angel, don’t pretend you’re... *better* than little old *me*? Just because *you* have a soul, and I don’t? That’s not very nice, is it?"
He pushed her away.
"I can’t believe I ever..."
"What? Loved me?"
She snarled, slashing his face with her sharp fingernails. Salem snapped her fingers. "Come on, boys, get him outta my sight." Her men grabbed Angel, and she leaned over. "It isn’t over yet, lover. Not by far." She moved closer. "You see, I miss you. I miss the good old days, you know, torturing mortals by candlelight? I want you back." She snapped her fingers again. And before it went black, he heard her add, "There’s a new sheriff in town! Watch out, Sunnydale..."
Buffy backhanded the vampire. Then, another one pulled her off him.
"For Salem!", he cried.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever.", she sighed as she planted the stake into his heart. "Now you see...", she continued, doing a roundhouse kick on number 3. "You vamps just don’t understand how *hard* it is to be a Slayer. You break nails, mess up your hair, God, and you just get *so* dusty!" She brushed off her jacket and directed her attention at the first one. "Say, nice tattoo you got there! I agree, "Mother" is *so* out nowadays." He growled at her. "Oh yeah.", she sighed, "*That’s* scary." Buffy got him into a headlock. "Now you be a good boy and run off to whoever it is you’re working for and tell them this isn’t over yet. Not by far." She released him and he took off. "Living on the Hellmouth can be *such* a drag. Well, I have some trig homework to do." She looked around one last time and walked away, unaware of the shadowy figure watching her.
"Hello Giles!", Buffy said cheerfully as she came into the library. "So, what’s up?"
Giles turned around. His brow furrowed, he sighed and put down a book.
"Busy night yesterday, I’ll tell you that! I slayed like five of our little toothing buddies!"
Giles took on a shocked look.
"T-that’s what, seventeen this week? My Lord, Buffy! Something’s definitely going on."
"Gee, tell me something I *don’t* know." Buffy muttered.
"Y-yes, quite. I-I must consult my books."
"Kay! So you won’t be needing me? Great! I’m off Bronzing with Will and Xander! See ya tomorrow, G!"
"Yes...", Giles answered distract, already leaving through a book, determent to get to the bottom of this.
Willow let out a breath as she watched Xander weave his way through the crowd.
"Hey, Xander."
"Hey, Will! So, where’s the Buffmeister?! Ooh! Cupcakes!"
She giggled at the sight of Xander stuffing his face.
"I don’t know, but...Oh, hey, here she comes! Buffy!"
Xander quickly turned around, spitting out the rest of what were once cakes.
"Hi Will, Xand! Ew!" Buffy gave Xander a disgusted look. He merely shrugged.
"So! Any major vamp action tonight?"
"Nah, just a quick patrol I guess."
Xander’s eyes narrowed. "With Dead Boy?" Buffy looked at him, confused.
"Ouch! Will, don’t kick me!"
Willow glared at him. "Xand’s just jealous. Don’t mind him."
"Of *Angel*? Mister "Hi-you’re-in-it-deep-bye" ?"
"Oh, come on, Buffy! Angel doesn’t act like that!", Willow scolded. Buffy frowned.
"You’re right. He usually doesn’t say "Bye". But still..."
Willow took on an eager expression. "But what?" Buffy smiled.
"When he’s around...I get...I just get warm all over." The girls giggled. Xander made a gagging sound.
"Well, excuse while I go outside and barf!" He got up and left the busy room. Buffy and Willow looked at each other and started laughing again.
Xander had made it up to the counter when he heard a scream. He looked back at Buffy, engrossed in conversation with Willow. "Hm...Sounds like a job for SuperXander!" He stepped outside. "Yeah! I’ll prove to Buff *I* can an enigmatic hero just as well as that girly-named Angel guy!" He looked around. The second punch stopped the scream that had started to form in his throat.
The next day, all the Slayerettes had gathered in the library, Buffy leaning against the table where a bruised Xander clutching a broken arm and Willow looking on worried, were seated.
"Giles! Tell me what’s going on!", Buffy demanded as Giles returned, clutching a heavy book.
"W-well, to be honest, I think it’s probably a new sire’s idea of a quick way to fame. Going after the Slayer’s friends and ultimately herself." Buffy slammed her fist on the table.
"Well, I’m not gonna stand by and watch my friends get hurt!"
"Buffy! Calm down! It’s okay, we’ll get whoever did this.", Willow said.
"Yes, now, Buffy, think, did any of the vampires have markings? Scars? Ta-"
"Tattoos!", she exclaimed. "They all had um, red crosses, funny shape, kinda crooked!"
"The Buffster in action!" Xander raised his good fist. Giles paled.
"Oh no! T-the Brotherhood! Oh dear."
"Giles? Talk to me, Giles, you’re wigging me!"
He slipped on his glasses. "Y-yes, well, t-the Brotherhood of the Crescent Sword. A very powerful, English band of vampires, roving and plundering the land. Also work as mercenaries, occasionally. They have an extremely violent history. I must refresh my knowledge of them."
"Not exactly Boy Scouts. Well, looks like they’re about to become history too." Buffy grabbed her bag and was on her way out of the door when Giles called after her.
"Buffy? Be careful. Many people have met the Brotherhood never to return."
"I’ll see you tomorrow, Giles.", Buffy said with a pointed glance at her friends. Willow smiled weakly at her.
"Bye, Buffy."
Standing in an alleyway near the Bronze, Buffy tapped her foot. "Come on, Angel, turn up already! God, you’re always here when I *don’t* need you, but now..."
"Buffy." A cold hand rested on her shoulder. She gasped.
"God! You don’t just do that to someone! Especially not in Sunnydale!" She expelled a breath.
"Sorry." Angel shrugged.
"Never mind. Listen, I need some information. Last night Xander was attacked. We think there’s a new guy in town. Do you..."
"Her name is Salem. She’s...she’s one of Spike ex-girlfriends."
"Spike? Who’s that?"
"You’ll meet him sooner or later. I’m sure of that. Salem’s very dangerous, she was never exactly...stable. Not even before she was made."
Buffy looked down for a moment. "How do..." Her voice trailed off as she realized she was alone. She stamped her foot. "God, I *hate* it when he does that!". She shivered. "Well, *Salem*, seems like we should have a girl-to-girl talk..." After she’d gone, a light laugh resounded through out the alley.
Damnit! Why had Salem come back? And now, of all times? Angel swiped at the papers resting on his desk. He froze when he heard a key in the lock. "Angel dear? Are you in?" Salem stepped inside. "Hello, darling. Your landlord was kind enough to invite me in and give me his keys." She dangled them from her fingers. Salem licked her lips. "He should’ve been more careful though. All that cholesterol...Yuck." She sadly shook her head. "That’ll kill you off anytime. Right, my sweet?" She smirked. "So, I heard you were looking for me. Change your mind about...us yet?" She pulled out a tube of lipstick. Angel approached.
"Listen to me! There is no ‘us’! There hasn’t been an ‘us’ for 217 years!" Finished touching up her make-up, Salem looked up.
"Oh darling! How delightful! You remembered our anniversary! Did you get my present?"
His eyes narrowed. "So you *were* behind that!" She nodded proudly.
"Just a little warning for that darling little Slayer of yours. Think she liked it?" Angel vamped out and grabbed her arm. She gasped in ecstasy.
"Call off your boys, Salem! Leave her alone!" Salem smirked and cupped his cheek.
"Sorry, Angel, no can do. Guess what?" She giggled. "They listen to *me* now. Only *me*. And I’m not calling them back." Her hand drifted over his chest. "Still a creature of passion I see. Too bad you won’t reconsider, sweet. We made such a cute couple. Remember that old lady who said so? Right before you ripped out her throat? How we laughed! How we danced! How we feasted!" She sauntered out of the room. Angel ran his hands over his face. This was bad. This was very bad.
Giles saw Buffy, Willow and Xander going to class. "Um, Miss Summers? About that book you returned yesterday?" Buffy looked at him, knowing it was serious.
"Tell Ms. Derson I’ll be right in, okay guys?" She jogged over to Giles as the others entered the classroom. "So, what brings you here, Giles? Very unlike you, you know, coming out of your library and all." Her smile faded when she saw the heavy look on his face.
"Buffy, I have something to tell you." She followed him to the library where he pulled out a book.
"Oh, I just remembered! God, I’m so challenged! One of the vamps said something about "Salem"! Right, "For Salem"! Clichéd or what? I mean, even "In Salem’s name" would have been more original than that. But I can’t really blame them, I mean, who knows how having an evil demon inside of you affects your literary skills?...Giles?" She looked up at him and followed his blank stare to one of the stacks. For a moment his eyes rested on a particular shelve, then he got up to get a book.
"Here we go, no Watcher goes without it." Buffy looked at the front page.
"Ew! Gross!"
"Hm? Oh, Acathla? Nothing compared to...well, let’s not get off track here." He leafed through the book, spreading dust from the Middle Ages as he went, and finally pointed at an old etch of a woman in eighteenth century garb with very long hair and a mischievous smile. "This lady is Salem. She has quite a history, from..." He trailed off at Buffy’s impatient look. "Um, right, to get to the point, this is Salem, Salem Littlejohn, she is very strong, plain evil. Ranks an ‘eleven’ on a scale from one to ten."
"So that’s what that Spike guy likes in a woman...", Buffy interrupted. Giles gave her a confused look. "Spike! You know, one of her boyfriends? Come on! Angel told me! You should know, you’re the Watcher around here!" He put down the book.
"Buffy, Spike has nothing to do with Salem. She was made by...by A-Angelus, and is reported to have ‘hung out’ as you kids today tend to say, with him for decades."
"He lied to me.", Buffy said softly, shock apparent in her voice. Giles didn’t know how to respond to that, so he went on.
"She has risen to the rank of Sire of the Brotherhood of the Crescent Sword, something only done by killing all rivals."
"Well, I must say I’m impressed: that Brotherhood really knows their women’s lib.", she said dryly. She turned to go, but Giles stopped her.
"Buffy? I checked one of my other chronicles and Angel used to be one of the Sires. Then h-he suddenly broke off all contact with them and lived alone for quite some time." Her mood sunk even lower at this, but with forced brightness, she shrugged.
"So? I never told anyone I wanted to join the chess club at Hemery." With a smile that quickly faltered, she left, oblivious to Giles’ concerned look.
"Guys, this loud music is getting to me. I’ll take a rain check, ‘kay?" Buffy smiled.
"Bye, Buff!" Willow grabbed Xander’s arm and pulled him onto the dance floor. He gave her a scared look. "What? Can’t I be impulsive from time to time?" Cordelia, on her way to one of her new boys, overheard.
"Oh, like the time you bought a new shirt? That must have taken a lot of guts, Willow!" She gave the pair a snide look.
Seeing Willow hurt, Xander replied loud enough for Cordy’s date to hear, "Hey, Cordelia? I found your earring! Like you said, it got stuck between the seat! If you meet me here tomorrow I’ll give it back...and then some!" Horror crossed Cordelia’s face as she realized the implication.
"Ew! Nasty!" She ran-walked to her date, who gave her a disgusted look. Willow and Xander looked at each other and smiled.
"Now how about that dance, Will?"
Buffy sensed someone watching her. She grabbed the stake she kept hidden under her jacket. "Come out, come out, wherever you are!" A slight pause. "Look, I *really* don’t have time for this, so what say we just get it over with?"
"You know, you could really hurt someone with that thing." She turned, letting out a breath and put her stake down.
"God, Angel! Do you *have* to do that every time we meet?! You’re like a...a...a...scary creeping thing!"
"Gee, thanks.", he answered sarcastically.
"Angel. Who is Salem?" He raised his eyebrows.
"I told you..."
"No! I’ve heard your little bedtime story! Now I want the *truth*!" He sighed.
"Okay. 217 years I made her. She stuck around, I left, and now she’s here." She glared at him.
"I know that. Why is she here? Why is she going after my friends?" Angel put his hands on his hips.
"How the hell am I supposed to know? I haven’t seen her in ages! Quite literally." He chuckled at the unintentional pun. "She’s probably just here to kill you." Buffy grit her teeth at the nonchalant way he said that. "It’s something we vampires like to do. You know, having a pint, bragging to your friends about how you’re gonna kill the Slayer’s friends and then herself. About how you’re gonna rip her spine out and keep it as a conversation piece. That kind of thing." His eyes stared off into space, as if reliving fond memories. He grinned. "Those were the days. I remember once, one of my friends had bagged a Slayer and used her head..." Seeing her horrified look, he added, "Well, you had to be there I guess."
"You bastard", Buffy hissed. She pushed him out of her way and angrily walked off. Angel’s grin faded. He shouldn’t have lashed out at her like that. No, it was for her own good. She wouldn’t know. And besides, it wasn’t as if a 16-year old could stop a 217-year old vampire.
"And then he just smirked at me, so I left." Buffy recounted sadly. Willow put an arm around her friend’s shoulders.
"I’m sure he didn’t mean it like that. Angel would never act like that." Xander, delighted at Buffy’s disappointment in Angel, scowled.
"Oh, no, suuuure, he may look human, and act human, but he’s still a vampire. It would be good not to forget that, Buff." He made a slight stabbing gesture.
"Did you tell him about the Brotherhood being in town? I mean, they are mercenaries." Buffy stood up, wide-eyed. Xander patted her back and pulled her back down.
"Come on, I’m sure Dead Lying Guy can fend for himself. And anyway, it’s day. You see, the *sun*? Bright light?"
She relaxed and smiled slightly. "I’m sure you’re right, after all it’s not *my* job to baby-sit him, is it?" She jumped up. "Come on, gorefest at my place? My mom’s out. Some kind of seminar in LA, I think."
"Uh, yeah, Buffy, that would be great, but...we’re kind of at school right now, remember?" She whined.
"It’s not easy being Chosen."
"You know, I really don’t understand why people think The Shining’s a scary movie. I mean, even the praying mantis substitute was scarier that that!"
"Hey! I resent that! I think.", Xander said with a mock-glare.
"Well, we have to go! Bye Buffy!"
"Bye guys!" She waved and Xander and Willow left. Buffy sat down and grabbed the remote to rewind the movie. Then the doorbell rang. She got up. "Xander Harris,", she said, opening the door. "Don’t tell me you forgot your Snoopy *again*!" Her voice trailed off at the sight of the stranger in front of her. The girl was clad in sweat pants and a denim jacket. Her face was hidden by a baseball cap that proclaimed: ‘FBI’. "Oh, hello. Sorry, I thought you were some else..."
"Hi! I’m Mel. Are you Buffy?", the girl cut off. Buffy frowned.
"Uh, yeah. What can I do for you?"
"Huh. I’m sorry, I was just expecting someone a little older. Listen, Angel sent me." Buffy stepped back.
"Come on in." Mel followed her into the house.
"Thanks.", she grinned.
Buffy returned from the kitchen with two glasses of coke. "Have we met? You look familiar." Mel shrugged.
"I don’t think so. Actually, I’m quite sure." She smiled and Buffy gestured at the couch.
"Have a seat. So, you know Angel?"
Mel looked at her, surprised. "Of course I do! I’m his girlfriend!"
Buffy nearly dropped the glasses, but she recovered quickly and set them down.
"Oh. I’m sorry, it’s just that...well, he never mentioned you."
Mel laughed. "Yeah, he does that. Not exactly talkative, my Angel." Buffy chuckled uncomfortably.
Mel crossed her legs. "Angel wanted me to tell you that he checked with some of our sources," Buffy couldn’t help but notice the way she emphasized ‘our’. "...and they all said Salem’s suddenly skipped town. So you really don’t have to be worried about her going after you or your friends." Buffy smiled.
"That’s a relief. Everything’s back to normal then, I guess."
Mel grinned. "Just normal vampires from now on! Oh, and he wanted to know how um...Willow was. Is she okay?"
Buffy narrowed her eyes. "Willow’s fine. Xander’s the one who got attacked. Angel knows that."
Mel gave her an innocent smile. "I guess he meant to say Xander, then."
"Yeah, I guess he got mixed up." Suddenly Buffy reached under the seat and pulled out a cross. Mel took on a terrified look and backed up, Buffy cornered her. "Oh no! Now I’m scared! Oh, please don’t hurt me, Slayer." She smirked, knocked the cross out of Buffy’s hands and grabbed her by the throat. "Ah. So much to learn, so little time to learn it in." She pulled out an injection needle and tapped it. She tested it and jammed it into Buffy’s arm. Mel roared, putting on her face. "Hah! See how easy it is to get your little girlfriend, Angel!" She grabbed the unconscious Slayer and slung her over her shoulders. "Weapon of the future...Tada! No signs of a struggle. Perfect. *So* much more sophisticated than a simple club."
Buffy woke up to a cold room, full of old junk. She struggled at the ropes tying her hands together. "Mel?!", she shouted, still groggy. "Why are you doing this?! Who are you?!" A door swung open and a striking young woman came in, dressed in a leather cat suit. Her stiletto heels clicked as she made her way over to Buffy.
"Dear, dear Buffy.", she cooed. "So young and weak." She pulled out a nail file and started a manicure. "Still haven’t figured it out yet?" She leaned forward, her face illuminated by the only lamp in the room. The light reflected off the blood red streaks in her close cropped, dark brown hair. Lipstick of the same color made her face look even paler. She tapped her nails against her thigh. "God! Take a guess! I guess what they say about blondes really *is* true."
"S-salem?", Buffy asked weakly. Salem applauded slowly.
"Good! Well, Buffy, you’ve won a prize! Aurelius! Show the girl what’s behind door number two!", she called out. Immediately, a hidden door opened, and out came a vampire, pushing someone out ahead of him. He handed her the end of the rope the person was tied with. She giggled. "Good. And no, I *still* haven’t decided whether to let you live or not, so just go now, you bloody fool!" Aurelius swallowed and left his sire quickly. Salem slowly walked around the figure, like a predator circling its prey. She jerked at the rope and moved towards Buffy, with her ‘prize’ behind her. "So, darling, be polite and say hello." The figure remained quiet. "Say hello goddammit!!!" She ran her sharp nails over his face, causing a muffled cry. "There’s a good boy." She patted his head. Grabbing the gag, she pulled him towards the light. Buffy gasped.
"Angel!" She struggled against her bonds. "You leave him alone, you *bitch*!"
"Now, now, Buffy, that’s no way to talk to a lady.", Salem replied in a sing-song voice. "*Angel* knows how to treat a lady, don’t you?" She untied the gag. He gasped.
"Buffy!"
"Shh...", Salem shushed him, putting a finger on his lips. She laid an arm around his neck. Playing with his hair, she said to Buffy, "We used to be so close, you know. Always had a laugh. You could never find the one of us gutting someone without the other a few feet away. And the sex..." She winked playfully at Angel, pulling him closer and sighed. "Wow! The sex...That was great. I would sell my soul for another night, day, whatever with him." She laughed. "Not like I have one *to* sell, of course! But I’m getting off the subject here. Did you know he has the most amazing body? Wow..." Her smirk faded. "But I guess you already know that, don’t you?!" She kicked Buffy in the face. Helpless, the Slayer sobbed, which only served to amplify Salem’s pleasure. "Oh yes! Cry your pathetic little mortal heart out, *Buffy*!" She turned again to Angel. Throwing a glare Buffy’s way, she encircled his waist with her arms and slanted her mouth over his. Angel tried to resist, but her grip on him was too powerful. She pushed him into a wall, effectively trapping him and walked her fingers over his chest. Reaching the barrier of his t-shirt, she broke off the kiss. He vamped out, growling at her. Salem did the same. "Ooh, I love it when you get kinky, lover." She untied the rope and buried her face into his neck. She tentatively licked the throbbing vein and then sank her teeth in. Angel’s head fell back, intense pleasure coursing through his body. Salem threw her head back and howled. Licking her lips, she yelled at Buffy, "I knew we still had chemistry! *Our* kind of love never dies!" She licked the bloody drops off his chest before they could reach his shirt. "I’ve always loved the way you dress, pet. Wouldn’t do to spoil your delightful shirt." She stroked his face and ripped open his shirt. "Oops! Sorry! Now look what I’ve done!" She made a horizontal slash in his chest and started lapping at the blood like a kitten. The two vampires moaned in ecstasy. Salem released Angel and he sank to the floor. She wiped her mouth on her hand and glanced at Buffy. "It’s a good thing this lipstick doesn’t smear, don’t you think?" She feigned a look of remorse. "Oh, I’m sorry. Now there’s nothing left for you!" She giggled again, and crouching beside Angel, she gave him a sloppy kiss. "Bye, lover. See you soon." She gave Buffy a little wave and left. The lock fell into place. Buffy’s shoulders slumped as she wondered how she was going to get out of this one.
Groaning, Angel sat up. He licked his dry lips. "Buffy?" He got up and went over to her. She was curled up, clutching her left arm, apparently asleep. "Buffy?", he said again, and shook her. With a cry, she shot up. Buffy screamed at the sight of Angel’s face. He frowned for a moment, and then realized what had startled her. "Oh. Sorry.", he chuckled and took on his human guise. Buffy averted her eyes. "So, that was Salem, huh?"
"Yeah, one and the same. She hasn’t changed a bit."
"Yeah, much like her fashion sense. I mean that outfit is so...Well, never mind that. Are you okay?" He let out a laugh.
"More than okay, I should think! God, it’s been ages since someone did that with me! It’s so incredibly erotic! And with Salem, well, we were always very intense..."
"Well, it looked like it had one hell of an ick-factor, so spare me the details. We’ve gotta find a way out of here!" She gingerly stood up, but winced when stabs of pain shot through her left arm. Angel looked concerned.
"What is it?" She hissed.
"I think I broke my arm. Your girlf certainly likes playing with her food. Can you try and untie me?" Angel tugged at the rope. Finally, he gave up.
"I’m sorry, the knot’s too tight and the ropes are too thick to snap."
"Okay...plan B. Find something to cut the ropes with. Oh, wait, why don’t you just gnaw them through?" He gave her an incredulous look.
"What?"
"Vampires do *not* gnaw!", he answered indignantly.
"Gee, sorry if I hurt your feelings.", she spat out. A small muscle in Angel’s jaw twitched and he stepped back. Under her breath, Buffy muttered,
"Big baby." He spun around.
"What did you say?!"
"Nothing.", she huffed. Angel folded his arms.
"Look, Buffy, it’s obvious we’re not going to get out of here on our own, so why don’t we cut the crap and work together on this, okay?"
"I don’t understand why you don’t just ask your girlfriend to let you out, since you obviously get along so well." Angel’s eyes narrowed.
"You’re jealous." Buffy flushed and barked a laugh.
"Don’t flatter yourself! Jealous?! Of a 217-year old ho in a leather suit? To quote a famous movie: as if! You know I’m not one of your little "Ooh-you’re-a-real-live-undead-vampire-take-me-now!" sluts!" She stomped over to another corner.
"I have had it with you!", Angel yelled back. "Bitch.", he whispered.
"Bastard.", she said to herself.
The door slammed open and Salem stormed in, muttering obscenities under her breath. She grabbed an old chair and smashed it to pieces against the wall. Now screaming her curses, she continued to kick the pathetic remnants. She stopped when she saw Angel. Her scowl turned into a thousand Watt smile. "Angel darling! Oh, you’ll know what to do! You always had the greatest ideas! Tell me, you send a vampire to kill a girl. Instead, not only does he *not* kill the victim, he beats up the wrong person! A boy! Why must I have IDIOTS surrounding me! Oh, Angel, I do miss the old times." She pulled him up by his collar, leaning in for another kiss. But Angel grabbed her by the neck, roughly pulled her close and yanked her head up by her hair. He put his face on and growled at her. Buffy smiled triumphantly. Her mouth fell open though, when Angel slammed Salem against a wall, much like she had done to him not so long ago, and planted his lips over hers. Salem groaned as he continued to plunder her mouth ferociously. Minutes later, he released her. She turned to Buffy and smirked. "Vampires don’t need oxygen , *Buff*." She gasped when Angel pulled her against his hips.
"You know, Salem, pet, I really don’t understand how you could think I was fucking a Slayer. That would be pretty sick." Salem turned around, giving him a dazzling smile.
"Well, love, you know me, always a tad insecure." She licked his cheek. Angel lifted her up into his arms.
"And about your little problem with Aurelius, well, he always was a washout , if I remember correctly. Might as well let him entertain us." He nipped at her neck playfully. "Why don’t we lock him in a room with the Slayer here? And just let nature take its course? Doesn’t this room have a one-way mirror?" Salem threw her head back and laughed.
"What a show! I was worried you had changed too much, but I guess the Feasting served more than one purpose! Tonight we party!" Angel left the room, still cradling Salem. Buffy cried out in frustration.
A foot prodded her side. Buffy looked up, bleary from lack of sleep. "Hello, Buffy.", Salem greeted her cheerfully. "Whew! For a second there I thought you’d gone and skipped out on all the fun! Sleep well? I remembered it’s right about breakfast time for you now, so, eat up! You have a big day coming up! It has...extra protein in it!" She giggled and threw an apple at Buffy’s head. She didn’t even try to avoid it, and it landed a few inches off. Salem pouted and left the room , muttering something about "having to start target practice with Angel again". Buffy bit into the fruit. She choked and immediately spat the piece out. It was as sour as anything and as she looked, worms and maggots started crawling out of it. She gagged, and her shoulders slumped as she realized there was no way of getting out of this one.
Aurelius entered the grand room fearfully. His sire was spread out decadently on a sofa, with Angel sitting on the floor, looking up at her, talking about old times. She rose slightly when she saw him, and her robe slipped down a bit. She was wearing Angel’s black silk shirt. Angel gave him a lopsided grin. "Hey Aurelius. How’re you doing, man? Not so good I think, from what Salem’s been telling me. She’s very disappointed in you. Isn’t that right, love?" Salem, smiling back at him, nodded.
"That’s right, darling." She sauntered towards her minion, hips swaying, Angel gazing after her appreciatively. She put a small hand on his chest. "What am I going to do to...sorry, I mean, *with* you?" Looking back at Angel, she added, "I think I know what Angel wants, right, sweet?" Angel nodded eagerly. "But ask yourself, what would you do in a situation like this?" He sank to the floor, pleading for his life. She patted his head. "Yes...I know, I know, shh..." Looking up at her with uncertainty in his eyes, he rose. Salem turned and gracefully walked back to the sofa. "Still, you have to be punished...And I’ve been so bored lately..." Her hands trailed over Angel’s chest. "We’re really looking forward to a good fight, aren’t we?" Angel licked his lips and nodded again. She stared at Aurelius. "Go now. Get out of my sight! I grow sick of your IMCAPABILITY! You imbecile!" He hurried away. He knew what things Salem was capable of when she was in one of her moods. She hissed and sank back into the cushions. Angel gave her a smile.
"That’s the way to treat Aurelius and his kind, lover. Threats and brute force." She tugged at his sleeve, indicating she wanted him to join her on the couch. He got up and enfolded her in an embrace. She scrutinized a nail and looked up at him pleadingly.
"Tell me another story?" Salem made a mewling sound. He grinned.
"Sure, kitten."
Salem entered the room where Buffy was again. "Buffy! Hi. I was thinking, I really have to thank you." She smiled. "You essentially brought Angel and I back together again. So, thank you, Buffy. Thank you very much." Buffy grimaced.
"I don’t suppose you could show your gratitude by letting me go?" Salem laughed.
"Of course not! But, I’ll make you a deal. You fight Aurelius, stake him, and I let you go. For now. Then everybody’s happy, right?"
"Let me go?", Buffy repeated suspiciously. "Yeah right."
"No, I mean it. I *like* you, Buffy. You’re fun to play with. I bet that if...*when* you’re turned, we’ll be great friends. If you win, you can go. If you lose, I’ll kill you myself. But don’t worry! Aurelius really can’t do *anything* right! Oh, I’m looking forward to it already!" She came closer and winked. "Angel always tends to get...excited during a fight, if you catch my drift..." She patted Buffy’s head. "If you need anything, just gimme a call!" She paused in front of the door. "I guess I must be going soft..." Salem headed back to Buffy and studied her. Then she headbutted her. "Sorry, Buffets. Can’t let go of my principles!" She sighed, "Ah! I feel better already!" She locked the door, leaving Buffy to prepare herself for the one of the most important fights of her young life.
Some hours later, the door opened again. Salem and Angel came in, together with Aurelius and another vampire. Salem snaked her arm around Angel’s waist. "Honey,", he said. "Why don’t we stay here? Front row seats, you know..." Salem smiled at him.
"Sure, love, whatever you say!" She took his hand and bit his wrist, sucking at the fresh blood streaming out of the wound. Angel pushed her away gently.
"Come on, pet, we’ll never get to watch the fight if you do that..." She shrugged.
"Sorry, sometimes my self-control just...slips away!" Angel laughed.
"Like in Ireland that time! With the school class!" She pouted.
"Well, you weren’t so nice yourself back then..." She gestured at the vampire who was standing near Aurelius. "You, stay here, and make sure they don’t escape. Oh, and get us some chairs, will you?" He left and she walked over to Aurelius. "So, do you have any last wishes?" He opened his mouth but Salem cut him off. "Too late!" She giggled and pointed at Buffy. "Aurelius, meet your opponent! Buffy Summers the Vampire Slayer! Buffy, say hello to Aurelius...the...Idiot One!" She laughed cruelly. The other vampire returned, grumbling, carrying two heavy chairs. He set them down. "Oh, sorry, Chance, but we really only need one!" She looked at Angel. "Don’t we?" Angel sat down and Salem climbed onto his lap, leaning into him. "Okay, start the fight!" Buffy readied herself and her terrified opponent came towards her. He lunged at her, but she easily blocked him. She took him into a Nelson hold, but he struggled free and kicked her in the face. Buffy wasn’t fazed, spun around and kicked him in the chest, knocking him down. She pulled him up by his collar and rammed his head into the wall. Dazed, he turned around. Buffy was waiting for him and kneed him in the groin. Salem laughed and applauded. Angel winced. Aurelius tried a roundhouse kick, but Buffy ducked. She pulled his leg out from under him, causing him to fall flat on his back, giving her direct access to his chest. She reached for a piece of the chair Salem had murdered, and dusted him. Panting, she stood up and brushed away some of the dust on her shirt. Salem and Chance applauded. Buffy looked up at Angel. He calmly looked back at her.
"No help from that corner, I guess.", she said under her breath. She lunged at Chance standing by the door. He ducked and landed a punch on her face.
"Oh, Buffy?", Salem called in a sing-song voice. "Shouldn’t have done that. So you *really* think all of my men are idiots?" He grabbed Buffy, and slammed her against the wall. Leaning in for the kill, he stopped when Salem suddenly screamed. He looked at, still tightly holding Buffy, to see Angel gripping Salem by the throat, a make-shift stake from the chair Salem had trashed dangerously close to her heart.
"Let her go!", Salem squeaked. Angel whispered into her ear,
"Clever girl. But Salem, you really should watch immerse yourself into pop-culture. Ever hear the phrase "Trust no one"?" She growled. Angel pushed her over to the door. "Come on, Buffy.", he said tenderly. Still a bit out of it, she followed him, but not before looking back at Salem.
"You know, Salem, girl to girl? Leather’s *way* out this season." Angel pushed Salem back into the room. She screamed when he locked the door.
"You bastard!"
"Yeah, but you still love me, don’t you, *pet*?" He smiled at Buffy and took her arm, supporting her. "Let’s go." She nodded and croaked out,
"I think that would be a good idea."
Buffy and Angel stood in front of her house. He broke the silence. "I’m sorry I acted like that, Buffy, but in order for my plan to work, you had to believe I’d betrayed you." She nodded weakly.
"Well, you sure fooled me. I better go in, my mom’s plane arrives this morning, and the sun’ll be up soon." They stared at each other for a moment. "I’m sorry I acted like a little kid, Angel. It’s just..."
"You were jealous?" he filled in, jokingly.
"Maybe...", she answered seriously. He leaned over and kissed her forehead.
"I would never do that to you. I hope you realize that now." Angel walked away, looking back one last time, smiling. Buffy turned towards the door, taking out her key.
"Life on the Hellmouth..." She smiled sadly and went in.
The End.
* * *
This is quite possibly the longest fic I have ever written, and I must say, it came from the heart. I love it! So please, so mail me at: koper.johnson@consunet.nl And don’t worry; Salem WILL be back... I have already have one plot worked out in my mind...Wow, she’s so sick! And twisted. I’m surprised, actually.
Eternally yours,
Angelic Mulder
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