Willow's POV:

Oh goddess, they are going to have sex right in front of me again! When Angel awakes he's so aimless and bewildered. I don't think he can understand where he is, or who we are. I've never seen a vampire awaken like this. They crawl from their graves and attack the nearest living human thing. Angel is disorientated, but the other vampires pounce on him. I was suddenly reminded of wolves in the wild, killing an injured member of their pack.

"Angel!" I scream. Angel doesn't hear me, or doesn't understand. Spike grabs my friend and presses Angel's fanged teeth to his neck. Angel drinks from each in turn, Spike, Angelus, and then Drusilla, while the other human - Lindsey watches on. He's so close to them, his eyes never leaving Angel's body. How can he want that! To be used and abused as Angel is.

I've never seen anyone lose clothing as quickly as these vampires do. They undress and then press their bodies to Angel' naked one. I can't help but stare, shocked as Spike impales Angel on his cock, making him howl. Then Drusilla takes Angel into herself. The worse part occurs when Angelus fucks Angel's mouth with this huge penis.

"Their raping him," I cry, unable to hold back my distress. I swallow my sob. I try to look away from this blood thirsty dance, but I can't. It's like it goes on endlessly, each one taking their pleasure from Angel's body. At length, one after the other, the vampires scream their orgasms and this terrible, frightening dance comes to an end.

"You are ours!" proclaims Angelus.

"Yes," Angel answers, "I am yours."

I weep as he says those words. How could he be with them when they use him shamelessly? He is their toy, nothing more, can't he see that!? I wish Buffy were here, I wish I had a stake - anything to stop his degradation. He might be a vampire again, but he's still a soul-ed one. He deserves better than that.

"Leave him alone," I scream. "You're raping him!" I struggle in my bonds, gasping with the tears. Angelus turns to me, finally hearing my cries. He pulls on his jeans and approaches. I swallow nervously, and rear back in my chair in terror. Behind him, on the bed, Angel and Spike cuddle together, biting each other softly.

I gasp as Angelus kneels before me, and he grasps my chin. "Be quiet, little Witch. Be a good girl and you'll go free when you complete the second soul spell for Lindsey. Just as I promised."

"You raped him!" I cry, "I won't do fuck all to help you now!"

Angelus laughs at me, and I swear I'll rip his eyes out. "Humans!" he scoffs. "You don't understand. Angel liked what we did to him, he felt whole, complete - his family surrounded him. Do you know how special he is?"

"What?" I gasp. What is he talking about? They hurt him, fucked him every way possible.

"Angel doesn't need to feed from humans now, he feeds from us. This ritual binds him to us - his clan - forever. We gave of ourselves to him, vowing our protection, blood and family forever to and for him. He is favoured Childe, protected Childe of his clan of three master vampires. None will ever touch him again, not human, vampire, or lawyers from hell." Angelus' voice rises and she cowers before him. "None will touch him ever again... not even your precious Buffy. He is Childe, lover, brother, mate, and beloved to us all." Angelus smiles, "You do know why vampires feed from the first human they encounter? They do it to adjust their senses to find human blood again; it's like an imprint for them to develop their hunting skills. They will know the next time how to find their next human prey. Angel was fed vampire blood; consequently he will feed only from vampires. You think I don't care about my soul-ed Childe - I do. I couldn't bear to see his spirit die, needing the necessity of human blood, so we gave him ours. He'll live off of us forever. So never think you'll have a reason to kill him, Witch, he'll be no murderer."

Angelus turns away from me and continues dressing. I can't believe what he's said. Why? Why would he care about what Angel felt? Why would he take away Angel's need to drink human blood? Why would he avow protection towards Angel forever? Then the awful truth hits me - Angelus loves him!

Spike's POV:

My gorgeous mate curls his body into mine, his head resting upon my chest. For the first time in my long existence I feel whole. It's a strange sensation, especially when it's all thanks to Angel of all people. It would seem that he has become my strength, my heart. It the most incredible feeling, knowing he loves me with every fibre of his essence, just as I love him. It's even more powerful than the love I had with Drusilla. Deep down, I knew I wasn't foremost in her emotions. I've always come after Angelus. Well now she can have him all she wants. I have Angel - forever.

I slide my hands over my mate's body and I want to fuck him again with a most potent, almost painful urgency. Or have him fuck me. Although, I don't think he's up for that yet. He feels too insecure and lacking in self-confidence at the moment. I can sense it through the mating bond. He clings to me as if he cannot bear to let me go.

"Angel, luv? We have to get dressed or the humans will be getting frisky around you," I murmur into his ear. He stinks of cum and sex, a most alluring scent.

"Need you," he says brusquely. His hand grabs my hardening member, and rolls his hips up, then urges me into his slick entrance. His hips ram forward and I sink inside of him.

"Angel," I sigh, "So fucking tight." I feel his body tremble in my embrace. I can smell his frantic need to be touched and held. In a way it frightens me. What if there's something wrong with him - when he awoke - I've never seen a fledgling act as he did. Then again I've never known a vampire feed from two Sires, and then have vampire blood as his first and most defining meal. I know he won't hunger for human blood anymore, but for ours. Nevertheless, I don't want Angel all obedient and subservient to me. I still want to fight him, argue with him, and have to force him to my bed at times.

"Spike," Angel howls as he covers my chest.

As the last syllable of my name leaves his lips, I fill his passage to overflowing and collapse on top of his hard body. His arms clasp me to him and he cuddles closer.

"Childer, get dressed!" Angelus shouts at us.

Angel's POV:

Oh god, I just got fucked in front of everyone! For the first time I realise where I am. The red clouding my vision is quickly fading, but I almost wish it hadn't. Over in the corner of the room, Willow's scandalized face stares at me. Beside me, I can smell Lindsey's shock... and arousal. Oh Lindsey! I turn to face him, my dark eyes find ice blue.

"I want him," I whisper to my mate, as he leans over me. Spike presses onto my naked body, stroking my lean form again. We're both hard again, and I want Lindsey. He's going to be mine... no - our childe. Spike's and mine. I grin up at my lover, and he smirks back.

Angelus growls at us, but we don't wait. I dive across the bed, and grasp the warm form of my companion, the one who helped me though the end of my humanity. Lindsey, yelps and then gasps, wrapping his arms around me.

"I want you, Angel," he whispers into my ear, "forever." He runs his hand through my hair, and drags my mouth to his. He moans as we kiss, my tongue forcing it's way deep inside him. Our tongues entwine, and we grasp each other tightly. I want more. I pull Lindsey, across the bed, and dump him into the pile of pillows.

"I love caveman Angel, don't you, Lindsey?" Spike purrs in his ear.

Lindsey grins, and allows Spike to kiss him harshly. I snarl at them both, grabbing my mate's hair, and pushing my mouth into a three-way kiss. It's wet, sloppy and damn good. As soon as we part, both Spike and I strip Lindsey of his clothing, throwing scraps of material in all directions. My next desire is to be within him. I want to be one with him when I take his life, and turn him into my Childe.

Spike has the same idea, and kneels behind me on the bed. I guess he's going to have some too... from me. I grab Lindsey's legs, kissing him almost continuously. The young human is lost in the height of passion. He moans into my mouth, writhes against me, and his beautiful body begs for the taking. My stomach is wet from his dripping cock, as he thrusts his hips towards me, and I rub my hand into his warm seed.

Lindsey screams when my fingers breach his tight muscle. For a moment, I wonder if he's untouched... just as I was. I hope so, I hope he's virginal for me, that's he's never had a male lover. I want him to bond with us, to be able to understand this attachment to Sire and Family. I prepare him quickly, but thoroughly. I thrust three fingers in and out, listening to his cries turn from pain into desire. I scissor my digits, stretching him, and then his muscles give. He lets me in.

I howl with desire, breaking my mouth from his lips, and sink my fangs into his neck, just as I thrust my length into his dark tunnel. Lindsey screams, and I taste passion in his blood. The next second, a second thrust rockets through both our bodies. Behind me, Spike had spread my legs, and plunged deep within my rectum. With a free hand, he grabs Lindsey's arm, and bites into his wrist.

My poor beloved human screams in fulfilment. He thrashes under me, as we both thrust into his delicate body. He orgasms, covering my chest, screaming almost loud enough to shatter glass. His heart begins to flutter, so my mate and I stop drinking, and I rip my throat open with a nail. Lindsey latches on automatically, suckling my blood as a starving child hungry for it's mother's milk. He holds me so tightly, pulls me so deep inside, that I fear I'll lose myself in this heavenly creature.

I feel Spike tugging on my hair, and I pull Lindsey from my throat, and Spike shoves his wrist forward. The smell of blood calls to our future Childe and he grabs Spikes arm. Spike laughs joyously as Lindsey sucks.

I howl suddenly, the intensity of our joining is too much, and I climax within the dying body. Spike's not far behind, he felt my orgasm and was unable to control his own, our mating bond will combine our emotions more and more with time. Soon, I will feel everything Spike does, and he the reverse.

"Asa sa fie! Acum! Acum! Acum!" Willow screams over our howling orgasm. She's binding my Childe's soul. He'll be like me... a soul-ed Childe. A vampire that can understand how I feel, unlike Spike. Spike is my lover, my Mate, my forever, but he's fully demon, and I wouldn't want to change that, but he can never know what it's like to have a conscience.

At last, Lindsey's mouth goes slack, and his heart gives one final beat. Spike withdrawals from my ass and collapses against me.

"Never thought we'd have a kid so soon, Luv," he laughs, stroking Lindsey's fair hair from his face. "Beautiful too. Just like his dad." He kisses my lips, and I growl at him.

My body is sated, and I feel a deep purr rising from my chest. Spike pulls me down onto the bed, wrapping his arms around me, and snuggling into my back. With my free arms, I pull the dead body of my ex-friend, now Childe, to me, and close my eyes, letting the purring lull me to sleep.

Angelus's POV:

Damn, friggin Childer! They have no fucking patience! I turn my back and what to they do? Turn another bloody human, another pretty boy. I ordered them to dress, to get ready to leave, but no Angel had to turn Lindsey. He had to defy me. Well, they will both be punished, they are a mated pair - he and Spike - they can share the pain.

I managed to get Willow to do the spell in time to prevent Lindsey losing his soul. I hate soul childer, but what choice do I have? I have no desire to lose them. I cannot be alone again. I need to keep Angel close, which is where my Childe Spike comes in. To keep Lindsey close, his soul will bind his love to Angel. Perfection. And then there's my delight. My Drusilla, my devil childe. Her dark passion will keep her close to me. She laughs at Angel's impatiance, rubbing her body up against mine.

I can leave Willow to cast the Spell, and while my mated pair of childer turn their childe, I fuck mine into the nearest wall. She's such a joy. She screams and hollers, tears and bite. Damn, I have missed my family. They will never be allowed to leave again.

The last line of the soul-inducing spell is finished, and the three men collapse onto the bed. They are so tightly entwined; limbs wrapped around each other, their bodies losing identify. I kiss my daughter, and pull her towards the bed. It's time to rest. Spike opens one eye as I climb onto the bed behind him. I press my body to his, Drusilla curling behind me.

"You are all my Childer," I tell them, "forever."

Finally, I let sleep take me, though they had better remember that I'm still pissed!

~*~*~*~*~

Heartbeats! I hear heartbeats! I jump out of the bed, disturbing Drusilla as I go. She wails out loud, but I quickly slap her face. The sound wakes my other Childer, and they scramble from the bed. Spike finds my eyes in the darkness, but I have no idea what's happening. Angel is still on the bed, his body wrapped around his sleeping Childe.

For the longest moment, all is still. I concentrate on the sounds. Men's heartbeats, coming near... stopping... turning away. I sigh, and finally relax. Spike returns to his Mate, and lies down beside him. That was too close. I am not ready to fight humans yet. Two of my Childer are far too weak at the moment. Angel is but a day old and Lindsey hasn't even awakened yet. This is not the best position to be in.

Suddenly, there is a growl from the bed, and Angel coos at his struggling Childe. The small fair-haired main writhes in his grasp, but Angel brings the fledge to his neck and he bites. Great, another vampire dependent on vampire blood.

"You should have fucking fed him human," I scream at Angel. My counterpart snarls, but continues to feed his childe. It is well known that the first meal a newly risen vampire feeds upon will forever dictate their feeding habits. With Dru, Spike and I, it was human. With Angel, and now Lindsey, it will be forever vampire. They will yearn for vampire blood, and be dependent upon me and family to provide it.

I growl in disgust as Angel pulls Lindsey's head from his throat and passes him to Spike. The young fledge latches on and continue to feed on his second creator.

"We have to leave here," I command. This time they better obey or there will be hell to pay! I do not take kindly to being ignored. "All of you get ready."

Lindsey has finished his feed, and snuggles into Spike's chest. Angel just glares at me, not moving. I stalk across the room, and grab his arm. I pull him, expecting my superior strength to throw him from the bed. Angel doesn't move. He is just as surprised as I am. Even Spike is startled. My position was being threatened. I knew that. What if Angel was as strong as I... what if he returned to that vampire strength we once shared?

I felt as though I would burst with fury, but I had to remain in control. This was a pivotal point. If I lost it now, I would lose influence over my Chider and Grandchilde.

"Angelus, Lindsey isn't read to travel..." Angel starts, holding firm against my hold.

"Angelus?" I snarl. "Maybe you should rethink that address, Childe."

*****
Part 12:

Angel rips his arm from my hand, and turns back to his Childe. I snarl loudly, but he does nothing. I have to make a stand. I won't have my position in this family questioned. I am the patriarch here, and no one will friggin' disobey me without good reason.

"Spike get up!" I growl at him. My elder Childe doesn't move he just turns and glances at Angel. Ahh, so that's it. If I control Angel then I will have control over the rest. I make a choice.

I grab Angel's arm and pull with all my strength and fury. My young Childe is dragged from the bed, and lands with a humph on the floor.

"You are not my Master!" he bellows up at me. He jumps to his feet, and charges towards the bed. I grab his arm, and for a moment we struggle, testing our strength - seeing who can hold back and who can break free. I let my features change and using the full force of my demon, succeed in holding Angel away from the bed. I growl at him, and fling him backwards. He falls away, striking the wall and falling again to the floor.

I'm still dressed in my leather jeans, with belt, but without a shirt. I start to unbuckle the belt. "Angel, you need a lesson in whose master here. I am lord of my fucking family, and no one will ever question my position." I wrap the belt around my hands, and stare down at him. "Now remember your place, and kiss my fucking feet."

"No!" Angel refuses, getting to his feet. He prepares himself, his feet apart and his fists ready. I laugh, my self-confidence returning full force. I won't ever let a fledge beat me. He's naked - his skin so available to feel the kiss of my belt. Angel's eyes widen as I raise the belt, giving him a fang filled smirk.

My young Childe's attack is quick and would have been effective, if I had not been able to predict his moves. We share the same past, the same memories and teachings. He's controlled by the rules of combat, the positions of his kicks, his body, everything. Then there is me - rules of combat and positions of correct marital arts mean nothing. Not when I want to win. When I know I can, I like using the finesse of martial arts at its best. With Angel I need to let loose every dirty tick I can think off... and a few new ones.

My Childe can't win. He cries out as my belt whips his back. I have him on his knees, blood flowing from his nose and mouth. He has a broken an arm, a few ribs, and I've given him many beautiful red welts across his back, buttocks, and thighs. I've even slashed his face; a lovely cut that highlights his defined cheekbones. I snarl at the sight off my gorgeous childe - cowering before me.

"Are you re-thinking that form of address, Childe?" I ponder, hitting him with my belt again. He whimpers, as the rough leather cuts into his strong shoulders.

"Forgive me, Sire," he moans, bending over more, and oh gods, what an ass!

My other Childer haven't interfered with this war of wills. They know when the fight is from anger or for position. They hoped that I would lose mine. They shan't underestimate me again. I am Master here. Father and keeper of my family. I unzip my jeans, and start pushing them down my hips. Now Spike snarls.

"Angelus! He's my mate!"

"He's my Childe," I holler back. I grab Angel's hips, and guide my hard cock to his opening. He pants, moans, and I smell a hint of fear. I stop. Angel is my Childe, and truthfully I have no wish to break him. I quickly cover my length with my blood and then sink into his tight channel. I pull his hips higher, making me able to fuck him on my feet. He cries out as I enter, his body clenching around me, but I smell his arousal too. He can't help but be aroused by his Sire. He can't fight my claiming of him. I plunge harsh and deep, I don't tear him, but he's going to be sore after.

I start to growl under my breath with each thrust. I pound into his open body, feeling him tighten and relax around me as I move in and out. For a virgin when we took him, he has learned quickly; he'll be my beautiful little whore.

I scream as I cum, "Childe!" and bury my fangs into his firm shoulder. He yells in orgasm, and I fill his heated hole. Finally, I pull out, delighting in the sight of my seed leaking from his reddened hole. Angel turns slowly, eliciting a soft moan, before bending down and kissing my naked feet.

Yes! I am god! With my childer loyal to me, none can stand against me - ever!

"Angel, beloved Childe," I reach down and pull him to his feet. His lips taste of his superb honeyed blood as I kiss him, and then slap his tender ass. "Go get dressed."

He obeys, as I turn to my second errant Childe. Drusilla has already left the bed, and is helping clean Angel's back with her tongue. She will help him heal quicker.

"Spike, come here."

Spike swallows nervously, and slides off the bed. Lindsey quickly scampers off too, and attaches himself to Angel. He's a normal fledge, clinging to his Sire and family. I won't be getting any trouble from him for the next 10 years or so. He clings to Angel, licking his Sire's face and mouth. Angel calms his new childe, and then starts to dress him. Finally, I'll get some respect around here!

"Err...Sire?" Spike mumbles.

"Angel is our Childe, Spike. You are still my Childe. Are you questioning that authority too?" I smirk at him, making him shift his feet uncomfortably.

"Sire... Maybe he's just worried that you might start acting a little irrational with too much... err power?" Spike replies, cringing as if expecting me to strike.

I did think about it... well, doing more than just hitting him. Flogging, skinning him alive - came top of that list. Then I reconsidered. I could just explain to him... I used to do that before the soul, before shagging Will raw for his indiscretion of course. My cock becomes erect just at the thought.

"Ever thought that it was the loss of my family, the rejection by Darla, the betrayal of my Childer that affected me? My family could be the thing that keeps me from dragging the world into hell."

Spike steps back, looking totally baffled. He doesn't know what's happening. Hey, Angelus is talking to him. I could almost laugh because he's terrified by me just talking to him!

"You are Angel's Sire along with me. Spike, I'm entrusting you to keep him in line, and remember your place." I grin even more. "Now hands against the wall, and let me fuck you."

Spike's jaw hangs open. Angel throws him a glance, holding his dressed Childe to him. Drusilla dances around him, kissing his soft hair. Spike looks back at our Childe, and leans against the wall. I don't prepare him, he should have known better. He should have taken Angel in hand. He screams with the first thrust, making Angel cry out too. I throw him a glance, and he keeps quiet. At last!

I pound into my Childe, revelling in the feel of the eternally tight butt and the smell of his blood. He smells new, like me, Angel and Lindsey. He smells of my new family.

I climax inside him, allowing him to come against the wall. He kisses me when we're done, on the lips, and turns to dress. Finally, I have my Childer in line. About fucking time. Now I can concentrate on more important things like the slayer and Wolfram and...

*CRASH*

Willow's POV:

"Angel!!" I sob. My whole body shaking, as I cuddle in the corner. Only an hour ago, Angelus' vampire family was getting ready to leave. Angelus ordered me to be set free. I was amazed that he had kept his word. Spike freed my bonds, and thanked me for saving his lover and mate. Angel was his everything I could see that. Spike looked at Angel and melted. Just as Angel looked at him and you could see his soul sparkling in his eyes with the joy of Spike's affection. Angel was cuddling his new Childe, Lindsey, who clung to his beloved Sire like glue.

Suddenly, all the windows in the warehouse was shattered, and a horde of demons charged in. Behind them were men dressed in black commando suits. Spike shoved me into the nearest corner, telling me to keep low. Angelus and his kin fought tooth and nail against the monstrously large demons. They knew who they wanted, and I guessed they are were from Wolfram and Hart. They wanted Angel. They kept singling him out, slashing him with long vicious claws. The others tried to protect him. They surrounded Angel defending him, but there was so many. They couldn't hold them off any longer.

They took him. They took Angel.

The way Angelus protected him, what Lindsey told us about Angel's soul, I know they are going to kill him. They'll release his damned soul and the gates of hell will open. I start to sob and scream.

The other vampires are gone, chasing after Wolfram and Hart as they took Angel away. I'm alone and I don't know how to save him.

"Willow? Willow!?"

I look up from my corner. It's safe to move - everyone has gone. I know that voice. Its Buffy.

"Tara, are you sure she's here?"

"Yes, both locator spells indicated this warehouse."

I cry out, hearing the voice of my lover. I jump to my feet and run, my body trembling with the sobs.

Seconds later, I'm in the arms of Tara and Buffy. They hug me tight; terrified I'd been hurt.

"Oh goddess, Buffy. Wolfram and Hart have Angel. They want to release his soul. They want to bring on Armageddon, and now they can do it!"

Spike's POV:

"The Slayer is the only answer, the stars don't lie," Drusilla whispers.

"No fucking way!" I scream. I will not have Slutty anywhere near my mate! I stamp my foot, and hold my sobbing Childe closer in my embrace. Angel is gone, but I won't have that bitch finding him. "We don't need her. Just tell where my fucking mate is I'll get himself myself!"

"No, you go we all dust!" she sobs in a broken sentence. I'm surprised that my dark goddess is so devastated with the loss of Angel. But I refuse to believe we need the fucking slayer to help him. I won't let her take him from me. He's mine!

"Dru is right, Spike." My Sire approaches calmly and rests his hands on my shoulders. He leans down and kisses my lips, his fingers stroking Lindsey's soft hair. He's only a fledgling, not even a day old. He's distraught because he's not strong enough to save his Sire. "Angel is ours, my Childe - your mate; she cannot take him from us, Childe." Angelus' kisses become more forceful and he gropes heavily at my ass. Lindsey's sobs subside as he's crushed between us.

I know he's trying to get me to see his way, but I won't trust Buffy ever. I spent the last few months getting to know her, and I've seen how determined and stubborn she can be. I've recognised too the love she will always have for Angel. That won't change because he's my mate, she'll always love him. My greatest fear is that Angel will love her more than me. Once again I'll end up losing my lover to the Slayer. Anyhow, we're fucking vampires! We should stand against a bunch of human lawyers without her! We can suck them dry and save Angel ourselves!

"Sulking will not help us, Spike," Angelus reprimands. "I want my Childe back, and if that means an alliance with the Slayer - then so be it!

Angelus's POV:

Finding the Slayer is easy. Stupid girl has made her base at Cordelia's old apartment. Well, I guess she'll never need to use it again, considering she's very much dead. I sigh, feeling my cock harden at the though. She was fun while she lasted.

My Childer wait not far away and I can feel their misery and pain. Lindsey is inconsolable with the loss of his lover and Sire. He is but a baby. At one time such a young fledgling would never leave his Sire's side for the first week. I need to find my beloved Childe. I won't let Wolfram and Hart kill him. He's mine and no one ever takes what belongs to me.

I stand outside the door to the apartment and wait. I know she'll come soon. She always knows when I'm near. Not a minute later does she open the door and gaze out. She's such a petite little thing. Tiny boned with fine features. My soul-ed counterpart once... no still loves her. She's special to him because she made him feel. She's special to me because of the same reason. Except instead of fucking her, I'd rather be dancing in her intestines and sucking her dry.

"Hello, Lover."

She's pale and drawn. No doubt she knows what's happened to Angel, and what will happen if he's not found. Or it could be finding her watcher hung, drawn and quartered. Damn - I think I just might be getting to her. I smirk, my eyes glowing with glee. I've hurt her and deeply too.

"What do you want? No maggots to grab your attention?" she snarls.

"You know when Wolfram and Hart finally release hell on earth, you will be the one thing I'll miss," I tell her sincerely.

"Can't you get a new line, Angelus," Buffy answers back. She's suppressing her emotions well, but not well enough. The hand that grips her stake trembles so much I doubt she'd even manage to kill me. I've nearly destroyed her. I killed her mentor, friends, and lover... I nearly killed her closest friends, but now I have to save her from me. I need her to fight at my side against our combined enemy.

"I didn't come to fight, Slayer. Even though I would love to revel in your blood, and one-day I might, but..."

"Can't you get to the fucking point?" she screams.

"Language, young lady. Whatever will your mother think?"

Buffy screams in fury and rushes at me with stake raised. She's so out of focus, I only have to step aside and she misses me easily, landing on the ground beside me. She thumps the ground with an angry fist, and then jumps back up again.

"Nice moves," I compliment. "Unfortunately, I haven't come to kill you. We both have a problem. A problem shared is a problem halved, isn't that what they say?"

"What do you want Angelus! If you want to kill me just get on with it!" There are tears of anguish in her eyes and a part of me would love to push her over the edge. Of course with my current predicament I can't kill her...yet.

"Angel is alive... No, sorry he's un-alive now, but I'm sure Willow has already told you that. You should be glad. He was dying, which you clearly refused to accept. He was never meant to be here. His redemption was to be reincarnated into another life without the knowledge of yours, truly. But nooo... you do-gooders brought him back, and along with him - Me. Unfortunately, that's created another problem. Angel has been expelled from Heaven, and now Wolfram and Hart can use him to open the gates of hell here on earth. For once, neither of us wants that. I want my Childe and you want to save the world. For the first time, we're on the same side."

*****
Part 13:

Buffy's POV:

I can't believe this is actually happening. Here I am sitting in the same room as Angelus and the rest of the Scourge of Europe. Drusilla sits upon her Sire's lap, singing of the stars, while Spike is at his side, comforting that young man Lindsey. He's a vampire too, with a soul so Willow tells me. He sobs for his Sire, for Angel, the other soul-ed vampire. He loves him, needs him as only a fledgling can. Bastard!

I stare at him and Spike. I can't take my eyes off them. They have taken what I have always wanted. Willow told me in simple terms how they raped and used my Angel. He doesn't want to be with them. I'll make him see that when we find him.

"Why should I trust you," I snarl again at Angelus. He fiddles with Dru's hair and just grins at me.

"I returned Xander and Willow in good health to you, didn't I? I showed I could play fair when I want too."

"You killed Angel."

"I turned Angel. He was dying of Cancer. He didn't have long to live, since it was you foolish humans that brought him back to have his soul condemned."

I snarl again, jumping to my feet, ready to stake him. Willow catches my arm and drags me back.

"Buffy, please. I saw Angel; he couldn't survive as human. But what Angelus says is true. If we don't work together and find Angel quickly; we will all die when Wolfram and Hart open the gates to hell."

I sigh and sit back down.

"Look Slayer, all we have to do is work together to find Angel," Angelus answers smartly, "One might conclude that our best chances, no matter how much it disgusts me, is to join forces. We kill this Lilah, stop Wolfram and Hart from hurting Angel, and then everything goes back to normal." Angelus pauses and gives me a smirk while feeling Drusilla up. "Then I kill your little friends, and your mother mourns over your ruined body. Sound good to you?"

My greatest fear is that Angelus is telling the truth. It's important to note that my nightmares are usually the ones that come true. This is my worse nightmare. Can I trust Angelus not to kill everyone close to me before we face Wolfram and Hart? Can I trust myself not to kill him when I see Angel? My beautiful dead Angel. The prevalent dilemma I have is: I don't really have a choice. Angelus has killed half my team; alone I cannot defeat Wolfram and Hart, at the same time as protecting us from Angelus' clan. I never thought my ally would one day be Angelus himself.

"Okay," I sigh. If this is my biggest mistake, at least I won't live to regret it.

I wish I could have seen Angel for myself though. I still can't believe he's dead - a vampire again. I had so many dreams. I dreamed of a wedding, me in a white dress - touching him, kissing him, saying I do. I might not be able to have that now, but if his soul is secure then we could have something. I only have to convince him that this path he has embarked on is wrong.

"My Angel... My Angel..."

I try to shut out the voice of the sobbing Childe. Angel can't want him. He's a man! I turn away from Angelus to Willow. I know I'm right in Angel's feelings for me. He loves me.

"Willow, can you and Tara do a locator spell on Angel?" I ask, remembering the way we found her.

"I doubt it would work," she replies, "we can try, but a company that knowledgeable in magicks would most likely have safeguards around Angel."

"Do it!"

"Why haven't they just staked him?" Xander asks suddenly. He's standing at the edge of the room, the furthest away from the vampires as possible. He stares uncomfortably at Spike and Angelus. He told me that they had raped Angel before him, how my Angel had died. He also knows what happened to Cordelia. I'm surprised he's so calm. At his side Anya presses a comforting hand on his arm. "I mean, why wait around. Why not just go for the old stake in the heart - and hello end of the world."

"The senior partners..." We all turn to Lindsey with the sound of the whisper. It's the first time he's spoken anything illegible since he arrived. Most of the time he's just moaned about my Angel. "The senior partners want to lead the army of hell. Angel will have to be killed in a certain place and time so they can prepare. Otherwise any hell demon could come through first and claim this realm. They will..." he swallows back his tears, "kill him only when they are ready to attack." Lindsey catches my eye, the bright blue of his orbs shining in the dim light. I see a soul there, but also a terrible jealously - of me.

"Do you have any idea where that could be?" I snap. My voice sharp with anger - at him.

"When we have the 75-year review, they always hold it at the main office. They say that land has been Wolfram's and Harts since even before the city was built. When the review comes around, a gateway is opened between dimensions. Unlike any other place, they only need to use simple magicks there."

"That can't be right," Willow interrupts. "To open a portal between this and the hell dimension takes a lot of power, the right spells, and certain talismans. I mean it took the First Evil to bring Angel from Hell last time."

"We take the main office then." Angelus confirms, standing up and dragging Drusilla to his chest.

"Right, that's it then," I answer back sarcastically, "We walk straight into a lawyer's high rise building, having no idea what's in there, what magic protects them or even where Angel is. We kill everyone, and save Angel. Right fantastic plan. It's about as good as Spike's are."

"Hey!" Spike yells.

Angelus rests a hand on his Childe's shoulder. "She's right... about your plans too. They are crap." Spike snarls at his Sire. "So Slayer, just what have you got in mind?"

All eyes turn to me. Oh wonderful!

Lindsey's POV:

Oh Sire! Angel! I need him. I need my Sire. My body calls - begs - to be touched by him. I ache for his presence. Just the smell of him is the only thing that offers comfort. I smell him on Spike, his mate. I never dreamed that being a vampire would be like this. I knew about the immortality, the blood, and the limitations of sunlight and holy water, but I never dreamed about the other things. The way I yearn to taste my family's blood. The thoughts and feelings that are within. I feel their needs, and when they bite, especially during sex - it burns me. It's like an overdose of orgasm in my system making it feel like my brain is short-circuiting. Then there's the feel of them... I can tell they are near, when they are aroused, I can *feel* their desire...I think that maybe I touch their thoughts.

The one I feel most is Angel. Even though he shares Sire-ship with Spike, I yearn for him more. My heart - my soul - is empty without him being here. I can understand why Angelus went a little insane when Angel forced him to leave his vampire clan. I can't understand how he could do it; it must have taken so much courage to walk away. It must have hurt him so much to deny those needs and desires for your kin. When they touch you - you want to die all over again. Or maybe he left because of the mating urge between Angel (the soul) and Spike. It was so new to him, so frightening to be a human soul shoved into a vampire body, dealing with all those past crimes, and then to have this sudden - completely all-enveloping urge to physically and mentally mate with Spike. I know I could never leave Angel - I'm not strong enough, I love him too much.

I must have fallen asleep after Buffy laid out her plan. I'm only a fledgling; I don't have the strength and stamina of the rest of my family. Even Angel has somehow inherited his previous vampire strength. Maybe the Powers that Be decided to keep him strong, to help the fight against opening the gates of hell... I don't know. My mind is so full of questions at this moment. So many fears. Fears about Buffy's plans.

I told them all I knew about Wolfram and Hart. How Angel had entered before - he snuck in through the underground tunnels. I gave them all the codes I could remember to doors and locks. My cards wouldn't work even if I had them - they are changed every month. I drew a plan, and told them where events happened. They assume that because the 75 year review is done high up, on the 76 floor, that the same opening of the dimension might happen there. Angelus says to get an army though you'd need a damn big portal - that it would be done high above ground to open a bigger portal... Damn, nearly all our plan is guesswork. We don't have any real solid details.

Afterwards, Willow and Tara worked on spells to cloak and protect us. The others are getting weapons. They have decided to go in under the building, via the tunnels and work there're way up. There are so many problems with that idea...

Lilah! Oh fuck! Why didn't I think of her before? We could use Lilah.

I jump out of Cordelia's bed and head for the door. I can't remember getting here; Spike must have carried me in after I fell asleep. I open the door, and shout: "Lilah! That's it! We need Lilah!"

The others look up from their various jobs and stare at me. "What do you mean, boy?" Angelus snarls at me. I feel his tension and hatred at the mention of that name. She threatened his Childe and has had him kidnapped. "Lilah's going to die..."

"No! You don't understand. Lilah has the key cards and access to the whole building. If we could steal those cards before the partners find out, then we could break in. Those cards would operate the doors and lifts; it would open the way to get to Angel. Also Lilah would... well, I'm sure you could get her to tell you exactly where Angel is."

"Lindsey's right. We need Lilah and information. We can't just barge in to the lion's den without knowing where Angel is," Spike agrees, backing me up with Angelus

"Ah, a little persuasive torture. Right up my alley then," Angelus replies with a smirk. I shiver at the sight of his golden eyes sparkling at the thought. Though I cannot feel any sorrow for Lilah. She took my Sire and she deserves to be punished for that.

Angelus's POV:

Lilah is such a screamer! I almost wish I could cut that flapping tongue of hers, but I need her to be able to speak. She didn't do a lot to start off with - speaking that is - oh she did a hell of a lot of screaming of course. Couldn't fucking stand it. Spike had to physically stop me twice from ripping her friggin' throat out.

I sigh, leaning back on my chair, and wiping my hands on a damp towel. They are blood smeared... dirty with Lilah's secretions. She's started to whimper now, tied to a chair before me. Her legs spread wide, blood pooling on the floor. She's no virgin I can tell you that. In the end, I took her ass... still didn't give me much pleasure. Of course, I had to beat her afterwards.

She's started to babble now. Whimpering over some stupid idea of having a big corner office. Lawyers have no sense of priority. She should be begging for her life, not wondering what's going to happen to her career. Well... she could beg for her life... though I doubt I'll be mercifully. She took my Childe; I can never forgive that.

In the room beyond I can hear the humans whispering. Wondering what I'm doing. If they want the information then they should leave me to my methods. Pleading with the bitch to tell us wouldn't have got us shit. I've been at this job a long time. Buffy would have nothing, but me... I know what breaks the human body and spirit... and Lilah's damn close to the edge.

I stand up, cross over to a table with my toys and pick out a pair of pliers. Lilah finally looks up, noticing me move, her eyes following my hands. She moans as I pick the instruments up. She's so close to that edge now... so close... she just needs a little push. I pick up a long thin screwdriver.

"Please..." she murmurs, her broken body trembling in the chair. "Plea--se I can't... I can't tell..."

I laugh, a rough grating sound. "What? You think I'm more lenient than your bosses are? They aren't here Lilah, you have to deal with me first. Oh and believe me, I've only just started. The human body can endure so much more. I could keep this going for oh... days?"

"Oh god... oh please..." she whimpers blood flowing from broken teeth.

"God isn't listening, Lilah. I am."

I lean over, picking up her undamaged hand and placing it on the armrest. She moans, flinching at my touch. I show her the screwdriver and then drive it into her hand. She screams and sobs, her fingers clawing to break free.

"Now... I think we were discussing where Angel is." I whisper into her ear. She screams again as I twist the screwdriver around.

Oh, this is going to be a long night... but an enjoyable one.

Buffy's POV:

I'm sick. Sick of myself and the fact that I've allowed all this to happen. I could hear the screams of Lilah Morgan all day... I'll here those screams when I go to my grave. She's dead now. Angelus and his pack finished her off only moments ago. They tore her apart like rapid animals, gorging on the blood of one who threatened their own.

Angelus came out of that room, fleshly showered, and told us what he had learned. It's frightening. I had hoped we would have time. We won't. Tonight, Angel - my Angel - will die. 1am in the morning to be exact.

Lilah said that there should be a ritual. Angel's blood would be shed, and then he would be hacked to pieces. His limbs marking the 4 corners of the earth before they crumbled to dust. With the release of his blood and soul, the gates would open, and the horsemen of the apocalypse would surge through lead by the senior partners themselves.

Spike went into a rage after that. He tore through Cordelia's apartment, leaving nothing unturned. Only Lindsey was able to calm him, feeding him his blood, tainted with the taste of his Sire. Spike believes himself to be Angel's mate. That cannot be possible, a demon cannot mate and love a soul as pure as Angel's is.

When Lindsey had brought Spike to his senses, Angelus called a meeting. We made our plan. It's simple. We go in two groups. Human's through the front door, and vampires crawling through the sewers. Willow and Tara have designed a cloaking spell. It will hopefully last long enough, but they aren't sure. They have guaranteed that it should disguise the vampires presence from locator spells for at least 15 minutes. That should give them enough time to come in by way of the tunnels, up to the basement and into the elevators. We have Lilah's cards, and codes to open doors etc. The others and me will go through the front door, demanding to see Lilah and offer help in capturing Angelus. Anything to get their attention. Angelus's pack will attack the ritual, and we'll make our way to them.

It's going to be hard. Some of us might die, but all of us have agreed that we can't let Wolfram and Hart kill Angel. We can't let his soul be freed.

It's time now. I've set fire to Cordelia's apartment; I've already called the fire department. They I'll be here soon to save the adjoining apartments. I know it's wrong, but I just can't let anyone find what Angelus has done. The art of pain and humiliation he's left behind. It's sick and depraved. When this is done, I will stake him - with pleasure.

I take up my stake and push it into my jeans. I'm ready now. Ready to save my Angel. I put on my Slayer face, hold my head high, and join forces with my most evil and depraved enemy.

*****
Part 14:

Angel's POV:

Will this be the last sight I'll see? This past day has been full of pain and humiliation. I have become a object of show - something to be stared and sneered at by the whole of Wolfram and Hart. I am the answer to their prayers - the one who will fulfil their plans. They are fools. I am their executioner. With my sentence of death - I will bring theirs.

I know the end will come soon. Tonight they have dragged me up to the 67th floor. I'm chained, naked, bloodied and injured from their beatings. I can't fight them; they have drained me too much. I can only kneel here in the centre of the floor and stare up at my murderers. Men in black and red capes surround me. They chant in a language I'm sure has never been spoken for the last two millennia. I have been chained in the centre of twin circles with symbols between them. My blood drips onto the circles from slashed wrists, I'm too weak to heal. I know that when all my blood has been spilt, something more will come. I fear that it might be my death.

"Well, well, Angel we sure have come a long way, haven't we? You have died, been denied heaven, fought against us, saved Darla, and yet - here you are. At my feet, ready to fulfil the mission of Wolfram and Hart. You alone will bring about Armageddon. It's ironic isn't it, that you, the champion of the Powers that Be, will be our deliverer." Holland Manner laughs, and I cannot look at him. What he says is true - all the fighting, all the heartache and denial, the leaving off my family, meant nothing. I am the bringer of death and will be nothing more.

Blood tears fall onto the marble floor, and with shock I realise they are mine. I am going to die and no one can save me this time.

"Don't worry Angel, your death will be... very painful." Manners laughs, and takes a sip of his champagne. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go find our errant Miss Morgan, she must be thanked for bringing you to us."

He walks away, avoiding the growing puddle of my blood. I don't want to die alone. I want my life with Spike and my new Childe Lindsey. I want that chance at living again... I...

< Angel? >

What the fuck?

< Angel! >

Spike? I swear I can hear him... not with my ears but with my mind. Surely, I've lost it. The stress, the pain has become too much, my mind is...

< Angel, will you stop fucking analysing this? Damn, don't you ever stop brooding?! >

< Spike, I happen to be almost bled dry, am waiting to be beheaded and you want me to be happy? > I feel like laughing hysterically that the sound - thoughts - of my beloved mate. I send all my emotions to him - all the love and desire I have. One desire in particular. I want him - oh, how I am going to strip him bare and fuck him blind. I feel his desires flow back through the bond.

< Oh luv, damn I wanna feel you now! > I feel his mental shiver.

< How can you reach me? >

< The witches. They cast this spell for me. We're coming for ya, luv. You just have to hold on a few minutes. Do anything you can to delay them. We're in the basement...well, we will be when Angelus gets the blasted cutter to work. >

My brain is still stuck on that first part. Why the hell would Willow help Spike? < Willow is alive, isn't she? >

< Huh? Why shouldn't she be? Angelus and the Slayer made a deal, luv. We've joined forces to save that shagable ass of yours, which is mine by the way! >

Angelus and Buffy are working together? It's hard to believe; yet here I am having a conversation with Spike, via Willow's spell, waiting to be rescued by them. I feel hope grow within me. I reach out and touch his mind again, stoking those passionate thoughts of his.

< Come for me, beloved and you can tie me to the bed for a week. > I send to him. His mind caresses mine, sending me such feelings of love I could weep again. I close my eyes, just feeling the thoughts of my mate caressing mine, moaning softly as his passions suggest what he could do to me in another time and place. How he would touch me, fuck me, and then welcome me into his body.

Suddenly, a sound interrupts my musing. I open my eyes and look up. I cloaked man is before me and I realise the chanting has stopped. Oh shit! In his hand he holds a dagger. I growl softly. I want to scream and shout but I won't give the bastards the satisfaction. He slashes my wrists again, and lastly slits my throat. I try to fight but I'm just too weak, I can't avoid the knife. I cry out through my mind as more of my blood is spilt on the marble effect flooring.

< SPIKE! >

Spike's POV:

< SPIKE! >

Arggh! Bloody hell! Angel's psychic scream almost burned out my fucking mind. The shock, fear, and sorrow hits me like a physical blow and I'm on my knees in seconds. The world fades as my sight blurs. I clutch my stomach as it turns over, my head swimming in an ocean of pain.

"Sire!" Lindsey cries from my side. He sounds so far away, as I'm lost in the pain of my mate. He's so afraid. Hands grab me and pull me to my feet. My eyes start to clear and I gaze into the exact copy of my mate's face. Oh god, I wish it were him.

"Spike!" he screams, I think he's been shouting at me for sometime now. "Have they started? Spike!" He shakes me violently, trying to get an answer.

I swallow back my tears, the cries of pain for my mate. "There've cut him, he's losing so much blood. Oh god Sire, we won't make it!" I'm screaming now, fear finally taking over.

My Sire flings me into the wall with a grunt of disgust. Pain rockets down my spine and helps bring me to my senses. I swear I'm becoming a blasted pansy since mating with Angel. I just need him; I'm so empty without him here with me.

"We move now! Nobody remains standing! Understand?" Angelus snarls at his three remaining Childer. His eyes are ablaze with an unholy fire. Everyone in this building has just signed his or her death warrant. Angelus is always true to his word. With a howl, he charges threw the corridors of Wolfram and Hart, Drusilla quick on his tail. My hand is caught by Lindsey, and I'm dragged along.

I reach out and touch the link with Angel; he's so weak he can't even answer back. In only minutes he's going to be drained... Then I'll lose him forever.

"NO!" I scream, my face changing. I lost Drusilla once and that almost destroyed me. Without Angel there will be little point in life or anything. I let the bloodlust take over me, let it rise up and consume every part that pretends to be human. My vision changes to red, my nose twitches with the smell of blood. Human blood - blood that will cover these walls.

"Angel!" I howl. I'm the beast now, totally lost within the demon. Fully vampire, and completely pissed.

Buffy's POV:

Getting into the Wolfram and Hart building was strangely easy. It seems our vampire comrades are in the process of causing more trouble than they can cope with. That certainly wasn't in the plan. Something must have happened. I fear for my Angel. Spike must have performed that spell Willow gave him - the one to temporarily link with his so-called mate. I move faster now, racing up towards the elevators, my friends struggling to keep up. I fear we are too late, that the vampires must have gone insane with grief... and yet, there is no sign of a portal.

No! Angel must still be alive. The whole of the lower building is filled with screaming, quickly moving upwards towards the 67th floor. Xander is the last to dive between the elevator doors just before they close.

"You think we're too late?" he gasps, looking around with wide frightened eyes.

"No," Willow answers, her face a mask of concentration as she tries to cast a spell. She moans, unable to complete it. "Damn ritual is still taking place - it's blocking all other spells. Angel must still be alive."

"We're running out of time," I tell them, my hand clutching my stake. "Spike must have linked with Angel to discover that. I think they have gone insane with the bloodlust."

"Oh great, now we have to avoid Wolfram and Hart and four insane vampires!" Xander exclaims as he slumps against the elevator wall.

We're all silent after his outburst. Xander has a wonderful way of just blurting out the truth. The elevator is taking us higher and higher, a mechanical voice counting up the floors. A voice that could be counting down to our fate.

"64...65...66...67...Doors opening..."

The doors open into chaos. People are screaming, demons are fighting our vampire allies. How the hell did they make it up here so quickly?

"Xander, Anya, try and get all these humans out of here. We'll try and cut the bloodshed by clearing them out. Willow, Tara, break that ritual." My friends only nod their agreement, frightened young eyes looking around the room, as Angelus's clan leaves nothing standing in its wake.

I fly out of the elevator with a flying kick, knocking aside the nearest demon. He's huge, with hundreds of horns covering his body. He gives me a quick grin, reaching out for the kill, and then I plunge my stake into his forehead. He's dead in seconds. Guess he didn't know I was the slayer. I turn my attention back to the fight. Down some steps, and at the far end of the room, I spot Angelus and Spike fighting side by side, trying to get through this bunch of red and black cloaked demons. That's where I need to be. I almost dance across the room, avoiding kicks, teeth, and tazers. Lindsey and Drusilla are making quick work of the remaining humans, and I feel a tinge of guilt. I'm on their side - allowing them to kill so many...

I push the thought aside and run towards Spike. He's broken through the ring of demons, while Angelus takes them all on. Spike is the one that will find Angel first. I take a flying leap at the nearest red cloaked demon, kicking it in the head, and using it's bulky body as a jumping board over the next row of enemies. I land on my feet, still clutching a bloodied stake. It's then I spot Angel.

He's kneeling naked on the floor, his arms and legs chained into position. The whole floor is covered in his blood, contained within a red circle. Before him stands a human male... oldish, but holding a wickedly long double edged board sword.

"Angel!" I scream. I run, trying to catch up to Spike. Angel looks up at his mate, his eyes pleading for someone to save him.

"Angel!" Spike screams, his voice hoarser because of a mouth full of fangs and the bloodlust. He dives into the human, instantly breaking his back. There are screams, and I can't look as Spike rips him apart. Human warm blood spatters everywhere.

Suddenly, there is a howl behind me and an Asian man ploughs past me, pushing me aside. I'm caught off balance by his attack and sent sprawling. I jump to my feet, grabbing the man from behind but...

"Angel!"

Oh god, I'm too late. Too late!

I drop my stake and fall to my knees. I was too late. The Asian had pushed a stake into my boyfriend's chest. It sticks directly into his heart. Tears fill my eyes, and I wait for the dust to cover me. Cover me in my lover's ashes...

*****