Rememberance

© Marleena

Chapter One

Somewhere in Romania-1892

He sensed her before he saw her. It was a rush of feeling flowing through him as he walked down the street of the small town. It wasn’t the same as what he felt when he first saw Drusilla. It was different somehow, but just as strong. He didn’t stop as he looked around his surroundings.

Darla was to his left as she always was. A blonde beauty of noble stance even if she wasn’t one of birth. She had her hair up in her favorite hairstyle and was wearing a cream colored gown trimmed in white with white ruffles. She seemed to enjoy dressing as a noblewoman. Just as much as he liked to dress as if he was a nobleman. She looked at him and smiled, touching his cheek with her pale soft hand. He covered her hand with his, but his eyes were elsewhere. She could see that and she turned in the direction of his gaze.

“What do you see, Angelus?” She whispered as she tried to see what he could.

“A new playmate perhaps,” he answered her as he stared into the shadows of a house as they passed. The feeling was stronger now and he stopped, bringing their group to a halt.

“What is it now?” Spike asked, his impatience grating at Angelus’ nerves. “Can’t we pass by a house without seeing if there is something-someone inside to torture?”

“We stop when we want to,” Darla said, her voice musical even when she was angry. “If Angelus wants to see this house, we will see this house.”

“Someone’s inside,” Drusilla said, her voice a whispered that even sent chills up Angelus’ spine. “He’s interested in the person inside. A girl.”

Angelus could almost sense Darla’s intrigue at that. He continued to stare into the house, ignoring her growing jealousy. After he sired Drusilla, Darla had grown more possessive of him. It was almost as if she didn’t want him to forge a bond with his own childe. It irked him at first, but he had found a way to sneak a roll in the hay with Drusilla when Darla wasn’t around. She must have found out, for after a few times with Drusilla, Darla had grown more possessive than ever. He grown used to it after awhile and soon, Darla was the only one in his head. It seemed to have irked Drusilla, though, but after she found Spike, they were one happy family again.

He shook away the memories as he drew closer to the window of the house. He felt as if he was being pulled to the house even as he walked toward it on his own free will. It was a strange feeling, but he didn’t want to protest it. He ignored the voices behind him, one telling him to come back, another telling him to hurry up. The third, he could sense was enjoying it all. He wanted to laugh at that. Instead, he looked through the window and saw a fire going in the fireplace, causing the shadows to dance against the walls. He moved his gaze to take in the living room. He saw a small couch, an entrance to another room. He couldn’t see what it was, for it was blocked by a wall and the frame of the window interrupted his vision. He went back to the living room and looked in the other direction. He saw a wall with a picture on it. In front of it a chair and a pallet on the floor before it.

“Where is she?” Angelus asked himself. He hadn’t seen anyone in the living room, but the feeling was strong. So strong, he could almost taste it. He narrowed his eyes and stepped closer to the window, almost going through it if he could. Sometimes, he hadn’t t hat he had to be invited in before he could enter a home. It was so frustrating that he could scream.

Angelus froze when he saw movement coming out of another room off to his left. He turned in that direction and saw her. He stared at her in awe as the feeling rushed through him and around him. He forgot about everything around him as he looked at her.

She crossed the room and sat down in front of the fireplace. She sat so that he could see her profile being lighted by the fire. She was a vision as she sat in front of the fire. The light of the flames casting her in a fiery glow. Her dark brown hair shown as if the sun was setting on it. She was wearing a nightrail of light blue silk. It covered her from head to toe and he knew then that she hadn’t been touched by a man. He smiled wickedly as he realized he could be her first. The idea sent him into action. He left the window and went to the door where he knocked.

“What are you doing?” Darla asked him, coming up behind him.

He could hear Drusilla’s smile even though he couldn’t see it.

“He’s going to give me a sister. Aren’t you, Daddy?”

Angelus turned his dark gaze to his childe and couldn’t keep the smile off his face. He knew it irked Darla and it made it all the more wonderful.

“You know me so well, Dru.”

Drusilla’s glee couldn’t be contained and she reached out to pull Darla back before the door opened. She didn’t want grandmother ruining such a great idea. Now, she could have someone to talk to. Someone to share her thoughts and feelings with. Spike was a good listener, but all he wanted to do was kill slayers or feed. That grew boring after awhile.

She pulled Darla and Spike off to the shadows, her smile brightening her face as she told them to be quiet and watch. It was almost like watching a kitten or puppy being born.

“He shouldn’t do this,” Darla protested. “The family is fine. No need to bring in someone else.”

“As you said before, luv,” Spike said, his voice on the verge of laughing. “What he wants, he gets. If he wants to sire someone, he’ll sire someone.”

Darla gave him an evil look that would have sent mortals running. Instead, he smiled at her as Drusilla covered her mouth to stop her laughing.

The door opened, bringing all conversation to a halt. They stared at Angelus as he bowed to the girl and smiled at her.

“Greeting, lovely lady,” Angelus said. “I noticed the way you look in the window and thought I’d come by and admire you close up.”

The girl raised an eyebrow at him and cocked her head to the side. He looked at her and saw that she had green eyes. They were so dark that they reminded him of a forest at night. He suddenly had an urge to draw her face, the eyes included.

“Who are you and what do you want?” She asked, staring at him as if he was the lowest life form on earth.

He raised an eyebrow at her and was suddenly hit the notion that she wasn’t afraid of him. Most people would cower that the sight of him. Of course, they knew who he was. This girl didn’t know anything. She was probably kept at a convent before now. Of course, she wouldn’t know anything about him. He smiled anyway, enjoying the challenge.

“My name is Angelus,” he said with a low bow. “I was passing through when I noticed your beauty.”

The girl stared at him in surprise this time. She looked as if she was searching his face for something before she stepped back. Her eyes narrowed as if debating something.

“I’m Tasia,” she said as she looked at him in both curiosity and worry.

“A lovely name it is, Tasia,” he said, taking hold of her hand and giving it a kiss. He kept her gaze with his and he saw that they brightened at the action. He smiled at her, glad that he could bring such light to her eyes.

“Why don’t you come in,” Tasia said as she moved further back into the house. “I’m sure it’s cold out there.”

“Yes, it is,” Angelus said as he stepped into the house, his dark eyes suddenly black. He would make her his this night. His forever.

“I can’t believe it,” Darla said, her ire not hidden from her voice. “The little witch let him in.”

“He does have his charm,” Drusilla said, the smile hadn’t left her face since Angelus went to the house. “And he isn’t afraid to use it.”

“Looks like you might have some competition, luv,” Spike said as he leaned against the wall. “He did look quite charmed by her, even as he put the charm on her.”

Darla glared at Spike as he smiled his humor. She wasn’t about to let those words come true. She’ll let Angelus have his fun for now. She’ll let him sire another childe if that was his wish. In the end, though, he always came back to her. Even when he had his fling with Drusilla, he came back to her. His sire, his world. They were inseparable and she liked it that way.

“If he wants to sire her, let him,” she said at last, her blue eyes blazing at the house. “Drusilla can have her sister if that will please both of you. He’ll be back to me after he’s finished with her. He always has.”

Drusilla and Spike looked at their grandsire then at each other. They looked back at the house, wondering what was going on inside. They didn’t have to wonder, though. They knew. Drusilla knew this than any of them. Her smiled widened and her eyes darkened as she felt her sire turn on the charm to the girl. She also felt him being charmed as well, just like Spike had said. She doubted that Darla would get Angelus back. It seemed that the tables were going to be turned and she would be the one left out in the cold this time.

Revenge was sweet.

Chapter Two

Angelus looked around the small living space with interest. It was cozy even if it wasn’t large and impressive. He sat down in a chair as he watched Tasia put more wood in the fireplace. The light from the fire reflected off her hair, making it shine with its own inner fire. He watched her as if mesmerized even as he wondered what he was doing. He already knew that he was going to turn her. She would make an excellent vampire. He would also be persevering her beauty. He smiled at that thought. It was the first time he remembered even thinking of such a thing. He doubted he sired any other vampire for that reason. He knew he didn’t sire Drusilla, though he had to admit that her beauty would be persevered as well.

He shook the thoughts away as Tasia came to him. Her green eyes seemed to glow as the fire reflected in them. He didn’t know if he was being bewitched or if he was imagining the things he was feeling at that moment. He blinked to break the spell and looked at her again. The fire still shone in her eyes and in her hair, but they didn’t have any effect on him now. He relaxed as he sat back in his chair and regarded her.

“You don’t sound as if you’re from around here,” Tasia said, her voice full of curiosity and worry.

Angelus smiled, sensing her feelings as if she had told them to him herself. He didn’t want her to run away just, yet. Actually, he didn’t want her to run away at all.

“I’m from Ireland,” he mentioned. “I’ve decided I want to see the world.”

Tasia smiled shyly and looked at her hands. He stared at her hands as well and wondered if they were as soft as they looked. He could see that they were dry from hard work, but that didn’t stop him from imagining the soft touch they would probably give.

“You’re lucky,” she whispered as she looked back up at him. Her eyes had changed. This time they were filled with sorrow instead of fire. “The only place I’ve seen was the inside of a convent after my mother died. My father didn’t think he could raise me, so he gave him to the nuns until I turned eighteen and could marry.”

Angelus raised an eyebrow at this. Why was she telling him this? Did she tell her life story to every stranger she came across? Or was it something else that made her tell him? Did she somehow think she could trust him? He shook his head as she continued.

“My father died two years ago. He had spent my dowry on gambling and drink. I have nothing to give any husband, so I have to work, scrubbing someone else’s floors.”

He stared at her as she finished her story. He still had no idea why she was telling him this. Maybe she just needed someone to talk to, for she appeared to live here alone. Almost like she had lived in the convent. Alone.

“Tasia,” he said, his voice soft and his dark eyes boring into her. “You can leave, you know. Go somewhere else.”

Tasia shook her head as she stood up and went to the fireplace. She poked at the wood in the fire, not looking at him for several minutes. He looked at her, though. She had a nice round backside and he smiled. She would make a lovely vampiress. Probably more than Darla. He kept his laughter to himself as he imagined Darla snarling at his new childe. He doubted his sire would accept Tasia. He didn’t care, though. She would have to learn that no one controlled him. He would take what he wanted and turn whom he wanted. He would show that to her and relish in her protests.

“I barely have enough money to keep myself fed,” she answered him, bringing him back to the present. “I can’t go anywhere.”

Angelus shook his head. This girl was so miserable, turning her would be a blessing. He wasn’t one for mercy for anyone, yet something about this girl made him want to turn her even more. If not as a blessing then for himself. He stood up and went to her, putting his hands on her shoulders.

“You can leave,” he whispered again, his voice soft and hypnotic. “I’ll come with you. We can see the world together.”

She turned around and looked up into his dark eyes. She searched his face and must have found what she was looking for, because she smiled. She reached up and touched his face, not recoiling when she found that it was cold. She frowned, though thinking that he must have been colder than he let on.

“I’ll get you a blanket,” Tasia whispered, “You might have caught something. You’re still cold.”

He caught her hand, stopping her from turning away from him. She looked up into his eyes, but saw nothing that would tell her what he was thinking.

“I’ll warm up eventually,” Angelus told her as his hand moved from hers and down her arm. “You’re probably cold as well. I shall warm you up.”

He felt her shiver and it wasn’t from the cold. He smiled at her as he gently pulled her toward him. He kept her gaze with his as he lowered his head down to take her lips with his. She stiffened, but soon relaxed as he began to move his mouth against hers. It seemed that the fire had gone from her eyes to her body. She had passion that was for sure, locked away just waiting for someone like him to come along and open the door. He would make her his, forever.

Angelus pulled away from her, allowing her to breathe for one last time. He smiled at her, yet his eyes were dark as pools at night. He felt her shift in mood as she looked into his eyes and he smiled wider. She tried to pull away from him, but he held her tight.

“Let me go,” Tasia whispered, fear growing inside her. For some reason that smile of his made her afraid. It didn’t reach his eyes, but made them darker more sinister.

“I won’t let you go,” Angelus whispered as he pulled her closer to him once again. “I’ll never let you go. You see I am going to take you away from here. We will see the world together.”

She looked into his eyes once again and saw them change. The dark brown now became yellow and the fear grew more pronounced as did her efforts to get away from him. She saw his fangs and she screamed, but his mouth on hers muffled it. She tried to push him away, but the kiss and his strength made her protests weak. For some reason she didn’t want to break away from him. She wanted his touch, his embrace and she relaxed against him. Something was telling her that he would make everything right. She wouldn’t want for anything as long as he was with her. It seemed to comfort her even as his face scared her.

“That’s better,” he whispered as he brushed her hair from her neck. “I don’t want you to fight me. It’s much better if you relax. Trust me.”

Tasia stared at him, but she didn’t fight him anymore. He smiled at her, his fangs bared. She whimpered as he drew near her neck, but she didn’t move away from him. She stiffened as she felt his fangs sink into her neck, but she didn’t scream. She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around him, bringing him closer to her. She tilted her head back as he drank from her, a soft sigh escaping her lips. An odd sense of ecstasy went through her as her life drained from her body.

Angelus felt her relax even more as he continued to drink from her. Her taste was pure heaven and he couldn’t get enough. He slowly lowered them to the floor in front of the fireplace. To anyone who was passing by, they looked like lovers making out on the floor.

He listened to her heartbeat and stopped when he sensed that she was near death. He watched her as he slit his neck. Her eyes were glazed over, but she seemed to be watching him as her life was ebbing away. He smiled at her as he lifted her to his neck.

“Drink,” Angelus whispered as he stroked her back. “Drink and all will be well.”

He moaned as he felt her drinking from him. It was the most erotic thing he ever imagined. He had done it many times over when he sired his past childer, but this time seemed different. This time it meant something, besides just torturing someone or for the hell of it. This time, it went deeper, but he couldn’t put his finger on it. He would have to deal with it later, though. At the moment, Tasia was drinking deeply from him.

“That’s enough,” he whispered as he gently pulled her from him. He looked at her and saw that her eyes were closed and blood was covering her lips. He smiled as he wiped it away and placed her back on the floor. He ran a hand through her hair, smoothing it out. She looked like a dark angel lying there, her hair fanned away her face. She looked even more beautiful than before.

“My angel,” Angelus whispered as he watched over her. “You’ll be free of all this. Free to go where ever you want. Free to be with me.”

He stood up and went to sit down in his chair to wait.

The door to the house opened not long after wards. He didn’t bother to look up for he knew who they would be. He could sense excitement from one and jealousy from another. The third, he could sense something close to contempt. He smiled at that. Spike never cared what he did as long as it didn’t interfere with himself and Drusilla.

“You turned her, didn’t you?” Darla said, her voice angry. “You could have just fed from her, but you had to turn her.”

“He told you he was going to, Grandmother,” Drusilla said, her eyes gleaming with the excitement of a new sister. “He was going to do it whether you liked it or not.”

Darla growled and stalked over to Angelus. She looked down at Tasia and sneered. She loathed the girl already, sensing that she was going to be a thorn in her side for a long time to come. Snarling, she turned her gaze to her childe. She touched his cheek, but he didn’t move. He continued to stare at the girl, even as Darla stroked his face.

“Let’s go,” she whispered to him, her face calm and serene once again. “She doesn’t need you. She can survive on her own. I know a lot of vampires that have done so.”

Angelus glared up at her, his dark eyes boring into hers. He removed her hand from his face and dropped it.

“I want you to get out,” he said, his voice calm, but his eyes storm clouds. “I won’t leave her to fend for herself. You didn’t abandon me and I didn’t abandon Drusilla. I won’t abandon Tasia no matter how much you hate the idea.”

Darla stared at him in surprise. She took a step back and looked at the girl lying on the floor. She wanted to kick her then. Stake her before she even wakened. Her eyes narrowed as she realized that this girl would be more than a thorn in her side. She would be competition for Angelus’ affections. She hated the girl, but knew that Angelus would protect her from any harm.

“Go,” Angelus growled, his eyes flashing to yellow. “Now.”

Drusilla, sensing her sire’s growing impatience, went over to Darla and took her by the hand. She pulled her grandsire away from Angelus and her new sister.

“Daddy is watching and doesn’t want to be disturbed,” she told Darla as they left the house.

Darla looked back at the house as the door closed behind them. It was almost as if he was closing the door to her forever. She narrowed her eyes and pulled away from Drusilla. She would wait, but not for very long.

~~

Angelus sat in the chair, waiting. He didn’t know how long he had been sitting here, but he must have guessed for an hour. The three vampires had left him alone and for that he was grateful. He couldn’t explain why he was angry with Darla, but he knew it had something to do with the way she reacted to him siring Tasia. He felt protective of her already and he didn’t question it then and he wouldn’t question it now.

Movement brought him out of his thoughts and he looked down to see Tasia stirring. He smiled as he moved to sit beside her, helping her to sitting position.

“Where am I?” Tasia asked as she looked around the room. “What happened?”

“You’re one of us now,” Angelus answered her as he drew her close to him. “You don’t have to worry about dowries or food every again.”

“What?”

He smiled down at her as he placed a kiss on her forehead. “The only food you have to worry about is the liquid kind. You also don’t have to worry about getting ill or dying.”

Tasia stiffened as the meaning of his words came clear to her. She stared at him in horror and began to look at her body as if searching for the truth there.

He chuckled softly and brought her face up to look into her eyes. The realization was in her green eyes as was the uncertainty. He would make that go away, though. He would make all doubts and fears go away until she learned to enjoy what she had become. She will enjoy it, for he would teach her.

“I’m a vampire,” she whispered as he brought his lips down to cover hers. It would be heaven to teach her.

She moaned into his kiss and he felt warmth wash over him. It wasn’t just her blood that did it, but her touch and her taste. It electrified him and he wanted more. He deepened the kiss as her hands went up his chest and over his shoulders, bringing him closer to her. His tongue entered her mouth, searching out hers for an erotic dance of desire.

He went onto his knees as he took off his coat and waistcoat. She smiled up at him as her hands moved over his chest and began to unbutton his shirt. He tossed aside his clothes as he took her mouth again. Soon, his shirt joined his other clothes as his hands roamed down her body and clutched at the hem of her dress. He pulled the skirts up to her waist as he deepened the kiss. He couldn’t get enough of her and he wanted all of her. Every kiss, every moan, every taste to be his. He was going to be her first and he relished the idea. He was also going to be her only. No one else, but him was going to touch her. He’d kill anyone who even looked at her with interest. He was hers and no one else could have her.

“Angelus,” Tasia whispered as her hands roamed over his back, her nails scraping along his bare skin. “I need you.”

Indeed she did. He could smell her arousal and it drove him insane. He pulled down her bodice until her breasts fell out. He took one into his mouth hungrily. She gasped in surprise then sighed and moaned with pleasure as he teased and tasted her breasts. He smiled as she arched up against him, giving her more of him.

Suddenly, he lifted himself up on his knees again and began to take off his pants. She lay before him, a vision in blue and dark hair. The sight made his arousal nearly painful. He wanted to sink himself deep inside her, take her to heights that she never dreamed of going. He smiled as his pants joined the rest of his clothes. He covered her once again and took her mouth with his, driving his tongue into her mouth as he slowly entered her.

Tasia gasped as she felt him thrust inside her. She tensed and cried out as he broke through her barrier. The pain then became pleasure as he slowly began to move inside her. He deepened the kiss, as his thrusts grew longer and quicker. She began to meet his thrusts and she moaned her pleasure as he increased his movements. She never thought it would be like this. She had dreamed of it before when she was lonely, but this was better. This was passion and erotic pleasure. This was what she wanted and nothing else. Her legs went around his waist, bringing him deeper inside her. She could feel a strange sensation building inside her and it grew and grew until it exploded, sending her crashing against waves of pleasure and pain. She cried out his name as she went flying over the edge.

Angelus thrust deeper as she cried out her climax. He smiled as his lips moved to her neck and shoulder. He was soon joining her over the cliff as he released into her, crying out her name.

After they came down from their peek, Angelus pulled her close to him and kissed her forehead. He would show her how to feed later. Right now, he wanted to bask in the after glow of their passion.

He didn’t see or seem to sense that Darla was staring at them through the window.

Chapter Three

Angelus came out of the house with his new childe in tow. Drusilla at once went to her new sister and hugged her, laughing in her excitement. He smiled at his two childer then turned to face Darla, her blue eyes dark as she regarded him.

“Tasia is hungry,” he said, not caring that his sire was jealous. He reveled in it actually, glad that she was finding out that he wasn’t one to be put on a leash and obey like a dog. “I think I’m going to take her and fed her.”

“You do that,” Darla said, seeing the desire in his dark eyes. Desire for his new childe and it irked her all the more. He was supposed to be hers. They were going to paint Europe blood red together and make their mark on the world. She glared at him, her hands clinched into fists around her skirts. It angered her even more that her glares didn’t bother him. She could sense that he thought it was all amusing. She growled low in her throat, but he just smiled.

“You are charming when you’re angry,” Angelus said, his voice calm and soft as a breeze. He touched her cheek, his fingers running along her smooth flesh. He then turned and walked away toward Tasia and Drusilla.

“Tasia, let me show you the best place to grab a bite. You’ll love it.”

Darla watched Angelus walk away with Tasia, his arm around her waist as if they were the best of lovers. She growled again, her eyes narrowed.

“Oooo, grandmother is jealous,” Drusilla said, a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eyes. Clearly she was enjoying this as much as Angelus had.

Darla stared at the younger vampire, “He better enjoy her, for he won’t be with her for much longer.”

Drusilla and Spike looked at each other and knew that Darla wasn’t going to let this rest. At that moment, they knew that things were not going to go well for Angelus and Tasia.

~~

Angelus led Tasia down the street away from his sire and childer. He wanted to be alone with his new childe, teach her the ways of the vampire and enjoy her company. She was innocent in a way, almost like Drusilla once was and it was refreshing. She saw things in a new light, just like she might have in life. Taking it all with wonder and excitement. The only difference between her and Drusilla was that Tasia wasn’t insane. He didn’t see the reason to drive her crazy. There was something about her that he wanted to preserve, keep clean. It was strange, but it was what he wanted.

He smiled at her as he drew her closer. He could see her green eyes sparkle as if she was seeing this town for the first time and found it fascinating. In a sense, she was and he relished in the sight of her face.

“Everything is different,” Tasia whispered to him as she looked around her. “I can hear things I didn’t before, smell things I hadn’t.”

Angelus chuckled to himself and placed a kiss on the top of her head.

“You’re senses have increased, Tasia,” he told her. “You can hear better and smell better than any human. You can also see better.”

“I think I’m going to like this,” she said as she rested her head against his shoulder.

Suddenly, a young woman ran out in front of them and down another street. Tasia felt her hunger pangs grow as she watched the woman run. She didn’t care who the woman was running from. What she cared about was there went dinner.

Angelus could sense this in Tasia and he smiled, “She did look appetizing. Let’s go after her.”

Tasia nodded and took off after the woman. He followed after her, smiling all the way.

It didn’t take long for the two vampires to catch up to the woman. They could sense that she was growing tired and was probably running for quite some time. They closed in on her as she slowed her pace. Tasia slowed her pace as well, eyeing the woman as if she was a full coarse meal. The woman turned around and saw Tasia’s vamped out face. She screamed and tried to run again, but was caught by the female vampire.

“No fair running,” she said as she pushed the woman against the wall. “I think you’ve ran enough, dear.”

Angelus came upon them, his own eyes glowing yellow as he eyed the woman. He could smell her fear and it only made him hungrier. He put a hand on Tasia’s shoulder as flicked his tongue at her earlobe. The action caused the woman to whimper and shake. He smiled at her, his fangs bared.

“Take your time with her, Tasia,” he whispered to her. “I think she’ll give you more than enough.”

Tasia smiled, showing her own fangs. The woman whimpered again, to afraid to actually scream. She stared at the two vampires and nearly fainted as Tasia sank her teeth into the woman’s neck. She dank deeply, yet took her time in savoring the wonderful taste of a mortal. It was the most erotic sensation she had ever felt. It could only be topped by the eroticism she had experienced with Angelus only moments before.

Angelus went over to the other side of the woman and lifted her wrist to his mouth. He sank his fangs into her and drank deeply of her life’s blood. It was a great feeling, feeding with his childe. It was arousing and he felt himself harden from the fact.

Tasia let go of the woman at the same time that Angelus did. They watched her drain body fall to the ground with a thump. They looked at each other, clearly aroused from the experience. They both growled and embraced, their tongues tasting the blood of the woman and they own unique tastes.

They parted, though when they heard footsteps near by. Angelus moved Tasia behind him as he stared out onto the street. His eyes narrowed and his face flashed between demon and human. He took a step toward the corner of the building, tensing for a fight.

“You wouldn’t attack me, would you, Angelus?” Darla’s voice came out before she appeared from around the corner.

Angelus raised an eyebrow and relaxed somewhat. He kept Tasia behind him, though, sensing his sire’s jealousy over his new childe.

“Of course not, Darla,” he answered her, his hand going to Tasia’s in a s how of possessiveness and protection. “I thought you were someone else.”

Darla smiled at him and touched his face with a cool hand. She saw that he had fed and sensed his arousal. She looked him over as her hand moved from his face to his chest. She moved closer to him, putting her body against his.

“Why don’t we turn in for the night, Angelus,” she whispered to him as her hands moved down his body. “I can take away all that tension you’ve been feeling.”

Angelus growled low in his throat as he realized what she was trying to do. He took a step back, his eyes hardening like black coals.

“Don’t try anything with me, Darla,” he said, his voice harsh and firm. “I come to you when I want to, not the other way around. You should know now that I am not something you can control.”

Without another word, Angelus left the alley, pulling Tasia along with him. Darla spun around and stared after them, her blue eyes where storm clouds. She snarled as her childe left with another woman.

“Damn you, Angelus,” she hissed to herself. “You are not going to leave me for her. I’ll make you come back to me. I’ll see to it that you do.”

Angelus and Tasia walked down the street together, hand-in hand. They took in the sights of the town, watching the people walk by and deciding who would be the most appetizing for the next meal, or even for torture. The two laughed like two people in love, causing those that walked by to smile or stare. They ignored it all as they made their way to an inn that was half way out of town.

It was a charming building, only two stories tall with small windows. The name of the inn was in Romanian, but the picture of a white rabbit translated it perfectly. Angelus smiled as he opened the door for Tasia.

“Thank you,” she said, touching his cheek as she walked passed him. He followed her inside and headed for the front desk.

“A room for two,” he said. “Mr. and Mrs. Talsky.”

The innkeeper nodded as Angelus wrote their names in the book. He handed over the money in coins then led Tasia up the stairs after they received the key. Most of the time, he would just have eaten the innkeeper, but he was full already and there were too many people about in the main room. It was best just to pretend that they were a wealthy married couple.

Angelus unlocked the door and followed Tasia inside. The room was cozy, but small. One bed was pushed up against the wall while a tall dresser was against another. A third dresser held a water basin and picture for washing. He shut the door and locked it, smiling to his new childe.

“I’m getting strange vibes from Darla,” Tasia mentioned as she slowly began to undress for the night. “I don’t think she likes me.”

“I don’t care if she doesn’t like you,” Angelus said as he watched her get undressed. “You’re mine and she’ll just have to accept it.”

“What if she doesn’t, Angelus?”

He sensed the slight fear that came from her and she went to her, wrapping his arms around her. He kissed the spot behind her ear as he whispered soothing words to her.

“I’ll protect you from her, Tasia,” he whispered as he swayed with her. “I will make sure that she won’t harm you in any way.”

Tasia smiled as she turned in his arms. She stared up into his eyes and saw that he would do anything for her. She reached up and cupped his face as tears of joy fell down her cheeks. She had never felt so protected and wanted in all her life. She wanted to be with Angelus and by his side forever.

“Mine,” she whispered as she brought his face down for a passionate, yet gentle kiss.

Angelus answered with a growl as he finished undressing her.

Chapter Four

Darla watched as the two came out of the inn the next night. She narrowed her eyes at them as they walked; arm in arm down the street. She snarled as she saw Angelus give the girl a kiss on the lips. One that was so passionate that she felt herself stiffen as she watched. Her hands clinched into fists as they continued on their way.

“Damn him,” she whispered to herself. “Damn her.”

“It’s not nice to spy on Daddy,” Drusilla’s voice came to her ears.

She spun around to see the brunette vampire arm in arm with Spike. Just seeing the two made her want to scream. She growled at them to no avail. Drusilla only smiled and pulled Spike closer to her.

“He won’t like that you were watching him,” Drusilla continued to say. “I think he’s smitten with her.”

Darla fought to keep from screaming. She looked down at her hands and saw that blood was flowing from where her nails had dug into her skin. She turned around and licked the blood from her hands. She glared at the backs of her childe and grandchilde. She was furious that he would toss her aside for someone else. It aggravated her to no end and she was going to put a stop to it.

“He’ll be back to me before the night is out,” she vowed as her eyes narrowed. “I’ll have him back where he belongs.”

“I hate to break it to you, Darla dear, but I think he’s not coming back tonight,” Spike said. “I think he’s on his way out of town without you.”

She heard the two laugh behind her, but she ignored them. She would prove them wrong. Angelus would be back with her before the night is through. She knew just how to do it as well. She smiled wickedly and began to laugh herself.

Angelus and Tasia made their way out of town and into the darkness of the night. They didn’t care where they were going, just that they were going there together.

“It’s a wonderful night,” Tasia whispered as she looked up into the night sky. It fascinated her that she could see more clearly than she had ever seen before. When she was human she could barely make out shapes in the darkness. Now, she could see forms moving against the blackness of the night. She could see a deer in the forest running through the brush. She could see an owl flying through the night after a rodent. It was so amazing and so exciting that she could see in the dark like a cat.

“It is indeed,” Angelus said, sensing the wonder that was flowing over her. He smiled down at her, enjoying the look in her eyes and the expression on her face. He had never seen such a look before and it thrilled him that he was giving her pleasure of a different kind. He was enjoying himself as well and he wanted to make it last.

He looked up as he caught movement through the trees. He pointed toward the forest as he spotted a fox trotting through the brush.

“See there,” Angelus whispered as they stopped. “Can you see it?”

Tasia stared into the dark forest and spotted movement. She narrowed her eyes and could make out the shape of a fox. She smiled and gasped as she saw it, nearly as clear as day. She grabbed Angelus’ hand in her excitement.

“It’s a fox!” She whispered to him. “Oh, Angelus, I can see in the dark! It’s wonderful.”

She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him passionately on the lips. He returned it, his arms wrapping around her. He wanted to show her all the wonders of the night. He wanted to show her what it was like to stalk someone like a wolf. He wanted to show her what it was like to make love in the rain after a feeding. He wanted to show her how to torture someone slowly. He also knew he had to teach her how to defend herself. There were slayers about, who wouldn’t think twice about staking her. First, though, he wanted her to enjoy the wonders of being a creature of the night.

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered as he stared into her eyes. “My own lady of the night.”

Tasia smiled up at him, her dark green eyes drawing him in, beckoning to him like the forest itself. She reached up and touched his cheek as stinging tears threatened her eyes.

“My own lord of the night,” she whispered to him. Her smile shining in her eyes even as tears of happiness fell down her cheeks. “I’ve never been so happy.”

Angelus pulled her close to him and kissed her deeply. It felt strange that he had actually made someone happy. Even as a mortal, he hadn’t made anyone happy. It thrilled him to no end and he wanted to continue making her happy.

“I’ll make you happy for all eternity,” he whispered to her as he pulled away. He smiled at her and felt the joy wash from her and over him. It was a wonderful feeling, even better than watching someone die slowly.

“Let’s go,” Angelus said as he took her hand in his. He brought it to his lips and brushed her knuckles with a kiss. “Let’s go to France and I’ll show you how the nobility play in the night.”

Tasia smiled at him, lighting her dark eyes. She squeezed his hand and the two walked together in the darkness.

Darla sneered as she watched them head into the forest. They weren’t going to go very far this night. She would make sure of that. She growled low in her throat as she picked up her skirts and followed them into the darkness. She would be the one he’d take to France. She would be the one that he will spend eternity with. She would make him forget Tasia and her awe. She will have him back where he belonged and they could leave this forsaken country.

“I’ll have you back, Angelus,” she whispered as she walked after them. “You’ll forget her and come back to me. I’ll see to it that you do.”

She drudged after them, growling as she heard their laughter. She cursed the night he had seen her. She cursed the night he turned her and decided to run off with her. She cursed Tasia as well, for sparking even a hint of interest in him for her. She’ll make sure Tasia got what was coming to her.

“You’ll get what’s coming to you, tramp,” Darla growled as she saw them disappear into the forest. “I’ll make you pay for taking Angelus from me. I’ll make you pay dearly.”

She heard their laughter and the rustling of leaves as she headed into the forest. Her eyes caught their forms not too far from the entrance. She narrowed her eyes as the forms melded together. She snarled as she watched them kiss. Her hands tightened into fists and she picked up her pace. This would be the last time, Angelus kissed anyone but her. She’ll see to it.

Angelus deepened the kiss as his hands moved lower down Tasia’s body. He heard her moan softly and he pulled her closer to him. She molded against him nicely like to puzzles pieces. Her body felt wonderful to his touch and her soft moans aroused him greatly. Just touching her was enough to get him aroused. He would have to learn to control it if he was ever going to teach or show her anything else. They couldn’t spend their existence in bed. Although the idea was nice in and of itself.

“What you do to me,” he whispered as he nibbled on her earlobe. “At this rate, we might not make it to the next town.”

Tasia giggled as she tilted her head back to allow him better access. She didn’t mind if they never made it to the next town or the next country. She just wanted to be with him. She had never felt so wanted or needed in all her life. It was a great feeling and she wanted to go on feeling it.

“Angelus,” she whispered, her fangs gently scraped the skin of his neck. “I just want to be with you. I don’t care where we are.”

“We’ll be together,” he whispered to her as his hands slipped inside her dress. “I’ll make sure of that.”

“I’ll make sure you won’t,” Darla’s voice came out of the darkness.

Angelus lifted his head and before he could stop her, Darla brought her hand down against Tasia’s back. He stared in horror as she turned to dust before his eyes. A scream caught in his throat as the dust fell to the ground. He stared unblinkingly at his sire, who smiled at him, a stake in her hand.

“You’re mine, Angelus,” she said to him as she dropped the stake. “You will always be mine.”

Angelus stared at her, completely shocked by what she had done. She walked over to him, stepping in Tasia’s ashes as she did so. She reached up and touched his cheek, her blue eyes showing concern. Concern, Angelus knew she didn’t have.

“You’ll get over her, my boy,” she whispered as she ran her hands over his chest. “You’ll forget her and we’ll be together forever.”

Darla reached up and brought his head down for a passionate kiss. Angelus closed his eyes and returned the kiss, all the while cursing her for taking from him something wonderful.

Chapter Five

Los Angeles-108 years later

Angel sat in his darkened room at the hotel. He rested his head back against the chair and closed his eyes. He couldn’t get the taste of blood out of his mouth or the fact that he could barely control his demon the whole time he had held or been around that shroud. Worse, he had enjoyed it. The taste, the feeling of sinking his fangs into Kate’s neck, everything. This fact made him brood all the more.

He tried to rationalize the act of feeding from Kate by telling himself that he did it to save her life. She was in danger of being attacked by those demons and the only way he could save her was by pretending to kill her. Still, it did nothing to ease his mind. He had fed from a human. Something he hadn’t done in over a hundred years. Something he didn’t think he would do ever again. He cursed himself and Kate for being there.

Angel got up from his chair and began to pace. He had to get his mind of what he had done. It wouldn’t do for any of them if he continued. Still, it bothered him that he had gone too far. He had drained enough to send her to the hospital. He didn’t want to think about his demon wanting to drain her completely. After all, she blamed him for her father’s death.

He shook his head before his thoughts went further down that road. He ran a hand through his hair and continued pacing. He had a feeling that he was making Cordelia and Wesley worried. He had told them that he had fed from Kate and they saw how it effected him. He also saw the expression in their faces: worry, concern and even fear. He didn’t like the fear he saw in their eyes. It made him brood all the more. He knew what they were thinking or at least thought what they were thinking. It irked him, but he understood. He would be afraid himself. In fact, he was. What if that shroud really did bring out his bloodlust? What if it came back stronger than before? What if he couldn’t control it?

Frustrated, Angel tossed himself on the bed. He closed his eyes and tried to get his mind off the shroud and what it had done to him. He tried to relax, but all the while, he remembered the taste of blood and what it felt like to drink human blood again. It was exhilarating. It was refreshing. It was like he had been starving and the blood stopped the hunger. It had felt alive while he was drinking for the detective. Every nerve was alert and he felt as if he was waking from a long sleep.

Angel shook his head, bringing himself out of those thoughts. Thoughts that made his demon rise to the surface. He made his mind relax and cleared it of every thought. He pushed the memories out of his mind, the feelings out of his mind. He felt himself relax and his mind float. Soon, he was drifting off into sleep.

Angel woke to the sound of voices somewhere in the distance. He slowly opened his eyes and sat up. The room was empty and still dark. He looked at the clock he had on the bedside table. It was three in the morning. He narrowed his eyes at the door and got out of bed. The voices grew louder as he reached the door.

Growling, he flung it open to stare at the startled faces of Wesley and Cordelia.

“What is it?” Angel snarled, taking delight in the fact that he had startled them.

Wesley and Cordelia looked at each other then at him. He raised an eyebrow and cocked his head to the side, waiting.

“We just wanted to see if you were all right,” Cordelia said, her voice sounding concern, but her face betraying the fear she felt. “Are you?”

Angel smiled at her, his dark eyes flashing dangerously, “I’m fine. In fact, I was sleeping.”

Cordelia smiled and looked at Wesley, who was giving Angel a strange look. She nudged him with her elbow, causing him to jump.

“Good,” the ex-watcher said, his voice surprised and irritated, obviously at Cordelia. “We’ll let you go back to sleep then.”

Angel nodded, smiling at them as he shut the door. He shook his head and headed back to the bed. The fear he felt from them worried him, but he was too tired to bother with it at that moment. He would ease their fears in the morning. Right now, he wanted to sleep. To dream about blood and the feeling that came over him as he tortured his victims. He smiled as he closed his eyes, he could almost taste it, smell it. He was soon asleep.

The next morning, Cordelia entered the lobby of the hotel and headed for the front desk. She tossed her purse onto the top of the desk and turned on the computer. She was humming a song to herself as she went into the kitchen and started the coffee. She was getting good at making the coffee. It didn’t taste as strong as it had when she began. She was proud of herself for that. Maybe down the road she could try her hand at making cappuccino. She smiled at the thought as the coffee maker began its work.

She headed back into the lobby and stopped when she saw Angel coming down the stairs. She smiled up at him, glad to see that he was ready to face the world again.

“Morning,” she said as she turned her gaze to the computer. “Did you sleep well?”

Angel grumbled a response and headed down the stairs. He went into the kitchen and stared at the coffee maker as it made coffee. He grumbled and went back into the lobby.

“No, I didn’t,” he answered as he stared at the screen. “I had strange dreams.”

“Not again,” Cordelia grumbled, her eyes narrowing as she glared at the screen.

Angel chuckled to himself and shook his head. He went around the desk and turned to face her.

“Not those kind of dreams,” he answered, his voice low and husky. “Different. Much better, too.”

“Good,” Cordelia said as she began typing. “Maybe you can tell me during breakfast.”

Angel smiled at her. He knew she wouldn’t like the kind of dreams he had. Then again, maybe he would tell her just to see her reaction. His smile turned wicked as he thought about it. He could already see what she would do. First of course, she would be worried then she would try to rationalize it as his experience with the shroud. Then of course as reality set it, she would become afraid. Just like last night. The smell of fear coming from both of them, turned his senses, aroused him to no end. He wanted to sense it again and again.

He looked up at Cordelia, his dark eyes sparkling with dark ideas. It was then that he noticed something about her. Something that he had never seen before. He narrowed his eyes at her as he looked at her closely. He took in her dark hair that curled around her face seductively. He looked at the clothes she was wearing, how they fit nicely around her body. He stared at her breasts that rose and fell with each breath she took. His eyes moved upward to her face. Her lips were formed in a line of concentration. They were a natural red, and it caused something to flash in his mind. Another pair of red lips from a long time ago. He narrowed his eyes more and lifted them to her eyes. He stopped there and stared at them.

They were hazel, but something about them pulled him toward them. He looked at them for long moments as something flashed in his memory. Another pair of eyes that pulled him in. He blinked and looked again and saw a flash of green. Instantly, a memory came to him. It came so fast that he was nearly knocked over in shock. He stared at Cordelia, but it wasn’t her he was looking at it. It was another girl. A girl with dark green eyes and nearly black hair.

“Tasia,” he whispered as he looked at Cordelia. They looked almost the same. Same body type, same face structure. Nearly the same eyes. He didn’t know why he had never seen it before.

“Tasia,” Angelus whispered again. He had gotten her attention that time. They both stared at each other in curiosity and mild surprise.

“What?” Cordelia asked as she looked at him.

Angelus blinked several times before he could find his voice. He was so stunned to see his Tasia before him. Of course, she was in another body, but that didn’t matter. She was here again, maybe he could continue what he had started.

“I said Tasia,” he answered her. “A name I remembered from a long time ago.”

Cordelia raised a perfect eyebrow at him. She then shook her head and went back to the screen.

“You dreamed about her? If it is a person that is.”

Angelus smiled. He could sense the jealousy coming from her, but he ignored it. It would change. He would make sure it changed into passion.

“It is a person, but I didn’t dream about her,” he said as he looked at her, taking in her form for the first time again. “I’ll tell you about her sometime. When you’re not so jealous.”

He laughed when he saw the look on her face. It was worth it to see the surprise there. It would be even more so when it was replaced by desire. He smiled at her then turned away from the desk. He will have Tasia again. He would see to it. Then he will rub it in Darla’s face and laugh at her. He would then make her pay for taking Tasia away from him. He would make her pay dearly.

His hands clinched into fists as he remembered that night. It turned into the worst night of his un-life. He had to hide his dismay from Darla and the others, but always in the back of his mind was plans for revenge. He hadn’t forgotten Tasia as much as Darla wanted to believe so. He was buying his time until he could pay her back. If only he hadn’t been cursed with a soul.

“You will pay,” Angelus whispered to himself as he stared at the couch. “I will make sure you feel every pain I felt from that night on. If it wasn’t for you bringing that gypsy, I would have made you pay earlier.”

“Angel?” Cordelia’s voice broke his dark thoughts.

Angelus turned around and saw concern in her eyes. Eyes that were so much like Tasia’s. He kicked himself for not seeing it sooner. He cursed his soulled self for not seeing it. He then cursed himself. They had both been obsessed with Buffy when they could have been spending their time with Tasia. He wouldn’t make that mistake again. He would rather die than have another obstacle placed between him and his true mate.

“Nothing, Cordelia,” he said a slight smile on his face. “I’m just talking to myself.”

“That’s what I was worried about,” she said, teasing him. She shook her head and returned to her screen.

Angelus stared at her as memories of a happier time came to him. He remembered the look of awe in her dark green eyes as she realized she could see and hear better than she ever could in life. He remembered the feel of her in his arms, the look of passion and desire in her face. The way she felt beneath him. He closed his eyes and clinched his hands into fists.

“You will be mine again, Tasia,” he whispered. “And I’ll kill Darla again if she dares to interfere.”

Chapter Six

Angelus watched Cordelia from the top of the stairs as she came through the doors of the hotel. She had gone to lunch at a nearby restaurant. He had paced most of the time she was gone until he told himself he was being foolish. He still couldn’t get over the fact that Cordelia was Tasia. He still couldn’t get over the fact that it took him this long to figure it out. He chuckled to himself as he vowed never to let anything else to get in his way. It was the third time he had made that vow in an hour. Everytime, he would ask himself why he would make that vow. It was almost a chant now. He chuckled afterwards as he realized what he was doing. He shook his head and watched as Cordelia went back to the desk and the computer.

“Afternoon,” he said as he made his way down the stairs and over to her. “How was lunch.”

“Boring,” Cordelia said as she placed her purse on the top of the counter. “Not one single stupid vision. I’m telling you, I think the powers forgot I’m supposed to be getting some visions. How else are we to help the hopeless if I don’t get visions?”

Angelus chuckled and leaned against the desk, watching her. She was fascinating to watch. He had forgotten the innocent awe that was in her face and eyes. Even as a vampire, she was still innocent. Almost like Drusilla. Now, though, there was fire and spirit. He liked that even more as it mingled with the innocence that he knew was underneath all that spunk.

“Maybe there’s no one that needs saving,” he suggested.

Cordelia raised an eyebrow at him and he felt himself hardened. That one look aroused him like nothing before. He couldn’t explain it and it surprised him.

“There’s always someone that needs saving, Angel,” she said, her hazel eyes sparkling. “It’s just that we don’t know who until I get a stupid vision.”

Angelus cocked his head to the side as stared at her. Her words went around in his mind, chasing each other. He then shook his head before a headache could come on. He didn’t want to get into this conversation.

“Now that I have a headache, I think I’m going to go upstairs.”

Cordelia rolled her eyes and sat down in front of her computer. He could see the small smile that played on her lips and he fought down a groan. He would have to find a way to make her his and soon. Even little things were making him aroused.

“I’m almost done categorizing all these demons into the computer,” she said before he could take another step. “I think I’ll had the ones in Wesley’s books just for fun.”

Angelus raised an eyebrow at her, “You’re almost done? When did you start?”

Cordelia stared at him as if he had lost his mind. She then turned back to the screen.

“A couple of months ago, Angel,” she answered. “I though we would need our own database. The one on the Internet is sort of behind. It doesn’t have all the demons that existed listed. I checked.”

She smiled at him and he felt warmth flow through him. That smiled practically lit up the room and set him on fire. He would have to do something soon. He would go mad before too much longer.

“Good work, Cordelia,” he said, nodding. She smiled again before turning back to the computer. He closed his eyes and fought down the sudden urge to take her then and there. It was too soon.

He watched her a moment longer before he turned and headed up the stairs. He growled to himself as he realized that he was not prepared for the reactions she would cause him. He would have to plan a way to make her his.

Cordelia watched Angelus walk up the stairs to his room. She frowned as she turned back to the computer. There was something strange about him, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. She stared at the screen, but she was seeing the scene that played out this morning. He had mentioned a name and told her it was someone from a long time ago. She frowned harder as she remembered that name.

“Tasia,” she whispered to herself. It sounded foreign, maybe European. She shook her head and put it in the back of her mind for later. She wanted to find out who this person was and why Angel would say the name now. Who was she to him and why hadn’t he said her name before now?

“Too many questions,” she said as she began to type away on the computer. “But, I’ll find the answers. Even if I have to pull them out of Angel.”

~~

Darla stood in her apartment, staring out the window. She was waiting for Lindsey to arrive so that they could move on with their plan. She had to fight down her growing impatience of their slowness in doing things. She was more of one of action than plans. Angelus had been one with plans, but she barely had the patience for it. Oh, she came up with some good ones herself, but they were more manipulative where as his were more torturous mind games.

She laughed softly to herself as she remembered Angelus’ mind games. They were a delight to witness and even more fun when she participated. She wanted those times again and she was going to have them. Just as soon as Lindsey arrived and they could get started with the next part of their plan.

Darla snarled and turned away from the window. She hated waiting. She paced the floor of her living room as she thought of ways to make Lindsey pay for making her wait this long. If only she was still a vampire, she would do so.

She was about to wear a hole in the carpet when the door opened. She spun around to see Lindsey walking into the apartment. She frowned at him and crossed her arms over her chest.

“What took you so long?” She asked, her eyes narrowed. “I’ve been waiting for two hours for you.”

Lindsey smiled at her, glad to see that she had waited for him. He closed the door behind him and went to the table in the kitchen. She followed him as he set his briefcase down and opened it.

Darla stared at the papers that he set out on the table, “What’s this?”

Lindsey looked at her and smiled, “These are the next phase in our plans. We will drive Angel insane and with it bring Angelus to the surface. You will have you boy back, Darla and we will have a powerful ally.”

Her eyes glazed over as memories of Angelus came back to her. She smiled as if she could feel his arms around her and his lips on hers. She closed her eyes and touched her mouth and sighed.

“He’ll be mine again,” she whispered. “My boy will come back to me.”

Lindsey smiled, glad to see that he could make her happy. Now, they would just have to get on with it.

“I want you to try one last time to go into his dreams,” he remarked as he put the papers back into the case. “It should give us the boost we need to continue with the next phase.”

Darla smiled, “I’ll make it one that he won’t forget.”

Lindsey nodded and closed the case. He reached out and touched her cheek. He looked into her blue eyes for several minutes, wondering why if even though he knew it couldn’t be. Still, one couldn’t deny him for trying.

“Sweet dreams, Darla,” he said then turned and walked toward the door. He paused then looked at her. “You will start tonight?”

Darla laughed, her voice sweet and pleasurable, “I plan to. I know when he sleeps now and it’s easy to get into his dreams.”

Lindsey smiled and nodded. He opened the door and walked out, knowing that everything was going according to plan. Soon, they would have Angelus and Angel would be out of their hair for good.

Chapter Seven

That evening, Angelus felt more tired than usual. He narrowed his eyes, for he knew what was going on. The feeling to sleep was too familiar, and he had slept quite well the morning before. He growled low in his throat as he realized that Darla was at it again. He wondered why she would try again now. He shook his head, fighting the urge to sleep. He wasn’t going to give into her like Angel did. He was much stronger than that. Besides, he had someone else to look at. Someone he had wanted for over a hundred years.

He smiled as he looked at Cordelia from his position on the couch. She was reading a magazine by the computer. It had been a slow day for them all. She hadn’t had a vision all day today. She took it as a good sign that she wouldn’t be getting a headache. He chuckled at that and she had smiled at him. His heart nearly turned over at the sight. Tasia has smiled at him like that. Right before Darla had killed her.

Angelus closed his eyes as that memory came over him. He had wanted to strangle Darla right then and there, but something had held him back. He had thought revenge would be sweeter if he made her think that she had gotten him back. He wanted to prove to her that she didn’t hold him. No one held him, but the curse took that away from him. He growled, but in some way the curse proved that she didn’t have a hold on him. He had left and been miserable ever since.

“Enough,” he growled to himself, shaking away the memories. “She’s not getting me this time. I will have Tasia and I’ll kill Darla if she even looks at her the wrong way.”

At that thought, Angelus looked at Cordelia. He wanted her like never before. He didn’t care if she was someone else. Tasia was still there. Still with him and his to take. If only, he could get her to see that.

Cordelia looked at the vampire across from her. He was staring at her with a strange look in his eyes. He had been doing that all day today, and she wanted to know what was wrong with him. He had never looked at her like that before. Oh, he looked at her with affection and concern, but never with red-hot desire.

You’re imagining things, Cordelia, she thought to herself as she turned the page of her magazine.

Still, she also felt the burning gaze whenever she wasn’t looking. It was unnerving, but a part of her was thrilled. He was finally noticing her! Even her inner voice couldn’t deny it. No one could imagine the burning sensation she was feeling when she knew he was looking at her. It sent a thrill down her spine and she squirmed in delight. Now, if only she could get him to admit it to her.

She looked up and saw that he was no longer there. Her eyes narrowed. Where did he go?

“Angel?” Cordelia called as she put her magazine down and stood up. She went around the desk, calling his name.

She then headed up stairs when she didn’t find him in the lobby or the kitchen. She grumbled as she went down the hallway to his room. She knocked on the door and quietly pushed it open.

“Angel?” She asked as she stepped into the dark room. She looked around and narrowed her eyes. He was lying on his bed, his eyes closed. She folded her arms across her chest and glared at him.

“Just like a man,” Cordelia growled as she turned around and left the room. “Gets a girl all ready for him and then goes to sleep.”

She shut the door and went down the hallway, still complaining.

~~

Angelus smiled as he entered the hotel lobby. He took off his coat and tossed it on the back of the couch. His dark eyes scanned the room until they fell on a woman coming down the stairs. His smile grew wider as he watched her almost float toward him.

“I’ve been waiting for you, Angelus,” she said, her voice soft and musical. “What took you so long?”

He shrugged as he wrapped his arms around her and stared into her eyes. He loved her eyes. He felt as if they drew him in and would never let go. He placed a kiss on her full lips, tasting her as if he had never kissed her before. He then pulled back before she had a chance to respond in kind.

“I’ve been pre-occupied with other things,” he answered with a chuckle. “I’m back now and ready to start again.”

She smiled at him and ran a finger along his cheek. She felt him shudder and her smile grew. Her finger went down to trace along his jaw then his neck to his chest.

“I’ve been waiting a long time for you, Angelus,” she whispered as she looked up into his dark eyes. “I don’t want to wait anymore.”

He smiled at her, his hands stroking her back as he swayed with her as if they were dancing. He kissed the top of her nose and breathed in her scent.

“You won’t have to,” he whispered to her. “I’m not going to let you. We’ll be together forever. Just like I promised.”

She smiled at that and rested her head against his chest. They continued to dance to their own music as they held each other in their arms. She then looked up at him, her eyes shining with emotions. Her hands moved up and buried themselves in his hair, bringing him down for a kiss so passionate that it would have left them breathless had they still lived.

Angelus wrapped his arms around her, bringing her closer to him as he deepened the kiss. His tongue ran along her lips as she opened them for him. His tongue thrust into her mouth and she met his with daring. He growled into the kiss and she returned it with passion. His hands moved down to cup her rear and she moaned softly, arching her body into his. He growled in response as he moved her toward the couch.

The backs of her knees met the couch and she sat down, taking Angelus with her. She broke the kiss and began to lick and kiss his neck as she unbuttoned his shirt.

“I want you,” she whispered as she tossed the shirt aside. “I can’t take it anymore.”

“I won’t make you wait anymore,” he whispered to her as he removed her top. He took a breast into his mouth, smiling as she cried out and arched herself against him. His hands roamed lower as he laved at the nipple. She tasted as good as he remembered. Better even.

“Angel,” she moaned as her hands buried themselves in his dark hair.

Angelus growled as he nipped at her breast then moved to the next one. He couldn’t get enough of her as he tore away her bra with his fangs. Without the cloth in his way, he could really taste her now. He scraped his fangs across her flesh, causing her to cry out again. He smiled as he licked up the small beads of blood.

“Yes,” he whispered as he took her lips once again. She was his and would always be so. It thrilled him and he thrust his hips against hers, causing her to moan against the kiss.

He pushed himself off her and removed his pants, tossing them aside. He stared into her eyes and saw the passion he felt reflected in them. He helped her take her pants off, wanting to feel her body against his for the first time in nearly a century.

He stared at her in all her glory and he felt overcome by awe. She was beautiful as she waited for him, looking up at him with passion in her eyes. He had never wanted her more than at that moment. Without waiting, he took her mouth with his again in an aggressive, though no less passionate kiss. He wasn’t surprised when she returned it. Her hands buried themselves in her hair as he buried himself in her. She cried out then moaned in pleasure as he began to move inside her.

“Angelus,” she moaned as she returned his thrusts. It felt good to be with him again. She felt free and beautiful and wanted all over again. She tilted her head back as he licked at her throat then kissed it. It was a wonderful feeling to be joined with him. She had waited forever to be with him again. At least, it felt like forever to her. She wouldn’t have to wait anymore for her Angelus.

Angelus thrust deep inside her as the passion between them grew. It was amazing what she could do it him and he would come back for more. He knew he would and she knew it as well. He just hoped that she would be there when he did come back for more.

“I wanted you for so long,” he whispered in her ear as he drove into her. The passion built between them and around them until he thought that the whole place would go up in flames.

Before she could answer him, she cried out her climax and bucked against him. She held onto him as she road the waves of pleasure.

He looked at her and her expression of pleasure. It was enough to send him over the edge, calling out her name. He shuddered against her as he filled her with his cold seed. He then collapsed against her, both of them sated.

“Tasia,” Angelus whispered as he looked down at the brunette with the green eyes. He kissed her on the lips as he held her against him. “Come back to me.”

Tasia ran her hand through his hair, soothing him. “You know where I am, Angelus. You can reach me. I know you can. She’ll know soon enough who she is. Just have patience.”

Angelus looked at her and saw her eyes change to hazel. His breath caught as he watched her change into Cordelia. It was startling to see, but he knew that somehow Cordelia had to remember.

Darla glared at them, her hands clinched into fists. Her eyes narrowed as she saw the two wrapped in each other’s arms. For months it had been her with Angel, coaxing him, soothing him. How the hell did Tasia come into his dreams?

I thought I killed you, she thought to herself as she watched them. You should have been gone from his memory.

But she wasn’t. Tasia was here with her Angelus. Her eyes narrowed again as she watched the vampiress turn into the secretary. She couldn’t stand it anymore. She turned and walked out of the dream before they realized that she was there.

“Tasia,” Darla snarled as she picked up a lamp and through it across the room. “Somehow she’s back. Somehow she’s tied with that secretary.”

She paced the floor as she thought. He couldn’t have found the spell to that had brought her back. Not unless it was still attached to the scroll. She shook her head as she dismissed that idea. No, she would have felt Tasia if she were back.

That secretary. Tasia had turned into the secretary.

Darla froze as an idea came to her. Could vampires be reincarnated? If humans could be, why not vampires? Tasia was Cordelia! She shook her head as she continued to pace. She would find out if that was true. She would just enter Cordelia’s dreams.

A wicked smile formed as an idea came to her. She would entered the girl’s dreams and learn if she was indeed Tasia. Then she would kill the girl and Angelus would be hers once again.

Chapter Eight

Angelus came down the stairs late the next evening. He felt as if a weight had been lifted off of him. He had dreamed of Tasia and it was the most wonderfully erotic dream he had ever had. He smiled slightly to himself as he entered the lobby. He stopped and saw that Cordelia was again at the computer cataloging. He narrowed his eyes as he looked at her. He had to do something about her. He had to find a way to make her realize who she really was. Then make her accept it and him.

“Cordelia,” he said as he went over to the desk. “You’ve been working way too hard lately.”

Cordelia looked up from typing on the computer and narrowed her eyes at him.

“You’ve been sleeping too much,” she said as she turned her gaze back to the screen. “I wanted to talk to you last night and you were in bed. I thought you were over with that, Angel.”

Angelus cursed to himself. The need to sleep was too overwhelming for him that time. Still, something good came out of it this time, and he wasn’t going to give up. Not when he was so close to getting Tasia back.

“I know,” he said, hoping he sounded apologetic. “I’ll make it up to you, though. I promise.”

She looked at him again, skepticism in her hazel eyes. He smiled softly at her and she raised an eyebrow. She then sighed and moved away from the computer, her arms folded across her chest.

“How are you going to do that?” Cordelia asked, the skepticism now in her voice.

Angelus almost didn’t hear what she had said. He was staring at how the shirt she was wearing formed her breasts nicely. It was a cotton blouse, brown in color that brought out her eyes. Her dark hair curled under her chin, bringing attention to her jawline and her neck. His gaze traveled up to stop there and he felt his hunger pangs begin to eat at him. He could smell the blood flowing in her veins and nearly saw her pulse throbbing against the skin of her throat. He looked away at once before hunger over came his desire.

“I’ll take you out to dinner, my treat,” he said, raising his gaze to her eyes. “You decide where you want to go.”

Cordelia didn’t move for several moments and Angelus thought that she would refuse. To his surprise, she smiled and jumped out of her chair and around the desk. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him before he could do anything to stop her. He stared at her in surprise, but she continued to smile.

“You’re on,” she said, her eyes dancing. “I know of this new Italian restaurant that opened up and I been dying to try it out.”

Angelus smirked at her, an eyebrow raised. “Let me guess, it’s expensive.”

She laughed lightly and smacked him on the arm, “It’s not that expensive. You can just put it on you credit card.”

He rolled his eyes and shook his head, but he smiled. He couldn’t refuse her just a little bit of spoiling. Besides, it looked like she hadn’t been spoiled in a real long time. Especially not by his soulled self. He would just have to remedy that.

“All right,” Angelus said. “I’ll give you an hour to get ready.”

Cordelia’s face couldn’t get any brighter, but it did and the shine in her eyes would have made his heart stopped had it still beat. He watched her race up stairs to get ready.

“Looks like my plan is in motion,” he said to himself as he went to the couch and sat down to wait. Now all he had to do was get her to remember who she once was. Then maybe he would have Tasia once again.

The only problem, though was getting her to remember. He narrowed his eyes as he thought of how he could accomplish that. He could talk to her about Tasia. He could ask about her dreams and if a strange, yet familiar woman was in them. He was still thinking of what to do when Cordelia came down the stairs. He looked up and his eyes widened at what he saw.

She was wearing a long black dress that hugged her curves. A deep red shawl was wrapped around her arms as she came into the lobby. Her lips were painted a deep red that sent his senses racing. He had no idea where she had gotten the dress, but he didn’t care at the moment. He stood up and went to her, his eyes roaming over her body.

“You look lovely,” he whispered as he took her hand in his and gave it a squeeze. “A feast for the senses.”

Cordelia smiled at him, her eyes a light with the comment. She felt like a giddy school-girl, but she wasn’t going to let him know that. Besides, he could probably sense it anyway. He was a vampire after all.

“You’re not so bad yourself,” she returned as she took in the sight of him. She could feel her blood race through her veins, heating her with desire. She didn’t suppress it, though. He could probably sense that as well.

Angelus chuckled and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She smell wonderful and his desire grew until it was nearly overwhelming. He closed his eyes to get himself under control as they made their way to his car. It would do no good now if he acted on his passions. He would probably end up scaring her away from him. He couldn’t let that happen. Not now.

He opened the car door for her and helped her inside. He stood there for awhile, taking in the sight of the dress and how it hugged her thighs. He closed his eyes and softly groaned as he shut the car door. It was going to be a long night, but he was up to it. He started the car and drove onto the street, following Cordelia’s directions to the restaurant.

They arrived at the restaurant ten minutes later. Angelus gave the valet his car keys then led Cordelia into the building. Conversation bubbled everywhere and there was an occasional laugh. It wasn’t crowded for this time of night and he was grateful. He wanted a private moment with Cordelia without having to worry about someone over hearing.

The hostess led them over to a corner of the large room by the window. The table was for two and in a part of the room that was semi private. Only one other table was occupied and they were three tables away. It was perfect.

“We’ll have red wine,” Angelus said as he helped Cordelia sit down.

The hostess left as Angelus took his seat across from Cordelia. He smiled at her, his dark eyes boring into her.

“This place is wonderful,” she said as she looked around them. There were several chandeliers overhead through out the restaurant. The smell of Italian food floated through the air, causing her stomach to growl. It was romantic and cozy and perfect.

“You picked it out,” Angelus whispered to her. “You had an idea what it would be like.”

She turned to look at him, her eyes alight, “I had no idea it would be this great. It’s so romantic and warm and cozy. I love it.”

He chuckled and reached across the table to take her hand in his. He stared into her eyes and could see Tasia’s green eyes looking back at him. He squeezed her hand as he thought of a way to get Cordelia to realize that she was Tasia. First, though he wanted to get her comfortable around him before he broached that subject. He didn’t want her running out on him right before dinner.

The wine came a moment later, and Angelus took a sip of it. He smiled and nodded as he set the glass down. It was just right. The hostess poured the wine into Cordelia’s glass then left the bottle in the ice bucket.

“It’s great,” Cordelia said as she took a sip of wine. “I think I’m going to like this place.”

He chuckled and shook his head. She was impressed with the place and he could already see himself coming here again in the future. He looked at her, his expression turning serious. It was now or never.

“Cordelia,” he began, gathering his thoughts. “Have you had any strange dreams recently?”

She looked at him, a frown on her face. What was he asking her? Did his most recent dream being this about? Was she too loud in her own erotic dreams of him? She shook her head at that. Their rooms weren’t that close together.

“I’ve had very personal dreams,” she said, a blush forming on her cheeks. “I don’t know if I would call them strange, though. Why?”

Angelus looked at her, his dark eyes so serious that she wondered what he had dreamed and why it concerned her. If she didn’t know him so well, she would have been afraid of that look.

“The dream I had last night was strange, yet wonderful,” he answered as he lowered her gaze, sensing that she was nervous. “It was the best dream I ever had.”

“Please, I don’t want to hear about a sex dream you had with Darla. I’m tired of you obsessing over her.”

Angelus raised an eyebrow and smirked at her. He then chuckled as he reached out and grabbed her hand.

“I’m not obsessing over her anymore, Cordy. In fact the dream didn’t even have her in it.”

He felt her relax and his smile became more sincere. He didn’t want to scare her neither did he want to make her angry. He squeezed her hand as she looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

“The dream was erotic, yes, but Darla wasn’t in it. I don’t know how to say this, but you were somehow in it.”

Cordelia’s eyes widened at this even as she felt her heart sore. He dreamed about her? He dreamed about making love to her? It was almost too good to be true, yet she waited for the rest before she got her hopes up too soon.

“What are you saying, Angel?” She asked as she leaned closer to him.

“Something is trying to tell me something about you,” he explained. “That’s why I asked you about having any strange dreams.”

Cordelia raised an eyebrow at him, but before she could say anything, a waiter came over to them and asked for their order. She sat back in her seat as she opened the menu. She wanted to tell the waiter to come back later, but she had a feeling that this was going to take most of the night for the vampire to explain. Besides, she was getting hungry.

Once their orders were taken, Angelus looked at her, his expression serious.

“Can you remember any strange dreams, Cordelia?” Angelus asked.

She looked down into her lap as she tried to recall any dreams she had recently. Her brow furrowed and she shook her head. She couldn’t remember any of them.

“No,” she said, looking back up at him. “I can’t remember.”

He sighed and nodded. He would just have to try some other way.

Chapter Nine

They arrived back at the hotel an hour later. Angelus had wracked his brain on the way back, trying to come up with a way to make Cordelia remember who she was. He finally decided that he would let nature take its coarse and hope that she would remember on her own. He just hoped it wouldn’t be too long.

“I’m so tired I think I’ll sleep here tonight,” Cordelia remarked as she dropped her purse on the couch and yawned.

Angelus smiled and picked up her purse as she headed upstairs. This was the second night she had stayed at the hotel to sleep. He was glad that she was going to sleep here tonight, where he could watch over her. He had a strange feeling that she was going to be in danger. He had felt more than aroused during the dream last night. He had felt that he was being watched and he knew by whom.

“You’re not getting her, Darla,” he whispered, his eyes narrowed. “She’s mine.”

“Did you say something?”

He looked up to see Cordelia on the stairs, looking at him as if he had grown another head. He smiled slightly at her and shook his head. He held up her purse and walked over to her.

“I think this would be safer with you,” he told her as he handed the purse back to her. “You never know who might wander into the hotel at night.”

Cordelia smirked at him and took her purse, “Thanks.”

Angelus smiled and watched as she walked up the stairs and to the room where she was sleeping. He leaned against the railing, his eyes closed as he remembered the dream he had. He opened his eyes as he felt himself hardened and he pushed himself away from the stairs.

He needed to think and get his mind off Tasia for awhile. He didn’t want to push Cordelia into remembering and the best way to do that was to get away for a moment or two. He closed his eyes and took a deep unneeded breath before he headed out the door. He didn’t know where he would be going, but he didn’t much care.

~~

Cordelia tossed her shirt onto a chair in the corner and slipped on her nightgown. She smiled as the cool satin melded around her body. She closed her eyes as she savored the feel she thought she would never sense again.

“I’ll just have to write him a thank you note,” she remarked as she looked at herself in the mirror.

The nightgown had come yesterday. There was no return address, but a note was inside. She read the note and had to smile. It had come from Angel as a way of thanking her for all she had done for him. She had thanked him with a huge kiss the next day. It was a nice surprise and she wanted to thank him for it. Of course, the dinner they just had was thanks enough for both of them.

She couldn’t stop smiling as she felt the satin with her hands. It was a beautiful mahogany color and fell to above her knees. It made her feel wonderful and she knew that she would always wear it.

After brushing her hair, she pulled down the bedcovers and climbed in. Yawning, she turned out the light and closed her eyes.

She found herself in the lobby of the hotel. It was dark and eerily quite. She looked around her, a strange feeling coming over her as she stepped further into the room.

“Angel?” She asked as she walked through the lobby. “Are you here?”

“He’s not here, dear,” a voice came out of the darkness. “He left. You’re all alone now.”

She stared into the darkness, trying to place a face with the voice. She narrowed her eyes as she remembered.

“Darla,” she said, her voice a hiss of hatred.

Soft laughter out from the darkness, causing anger to come forth.

“What do you want?”

“Simple, my dear,” Darla said as she came into the light, “I want Angelus. He’s mine and you can’t have him. I made him and he will always be mine.”

“You are demented. What makes you think he would want you. He hasn’t thought of you until you entered his dreams.”

Darla smiled a wicked smile at the girl’s intelligence. She shrugged and sat down on the couch. She slithered into a comfortable position as she regarded the woman before her. Her blue eyes narrowed with contempt.

“No, he hasn’t,” she said, her voice dripping with anger. “I thought to come back to him again, but he had someone else there. Someone, I thought I killed long ago.”

“You mean Angelus was interested in someone other than you?”

Darla growled low in her throat as she sat forward, staring daggers at Cordelia. Her hands clinched into fists and she slammed them against the couch.

“He was supposed to be with me!” She shouted, her anger and jealousy coming through. “He was just supposed to turn her and come back to me. I would have let him have his fun, but no, he wanted to be with her.”

She sat back in the cushions, a smile on her face as she twirled a blonde strand around her finger.

“I killed her, so that he could be with me once again,” she whispered, her eyes looking back into the past. “I wanted her out of his mind for good. Then the gypsies gave him a soul.”

She growled at the memory then glared at the woman in front of her. She stood up and faced Cordelia, her blue eyes narrowed.

“I entered his dreams, so that he would remember me. I want him back, deary. He will be mine again. No one will keep him from me. Especially not you, Tasia.”

Cordelia stared at Darla in surprise. She then laughed and shook her head.

“You are demented. You can’t even remember my name.”

Darla smiled wickedly and shook her head, “I know your name. I know who you are. I saw you in his dreams last night. I saw him with you, Tasia.”

Cordelia’s eyes widened. She backed away from the blonde, shaking her head in denial.

“You’re lying. He doesn’t dream about me.”

Darla laughed and stepped closer to Cordelia, “He’s dreaming about you now. He knows who you are as well. He knows that you used to be Tasia in another life. I saw her face change to yours, just as he did. You’re Tasia, dear. You the slut that nearly took him away from me!”

She came at Cordelia with a stake in her hand. Cordelia cried out and grabbed the woman’s wrist. The force of the strike knocked her off balance and she fell to the floor, Darla on top of her.

“He’s mine!” She shouted as she tried to push the stake into Cordelia’s chest. Cordelia pushed back.

“I don’t think so,” she said as she shoved Darla away from her with all her strength. She then kicked her in the stomach and took off for the stairs.

She heard the footsteps behind her and she ran faster. She had to get to her room and safety before the crazy woman caught up with her. She stumbled on the last step and fell to the floor. She struggled to get up, but Darla was on top of her, grabbing her hair and slamming her head into the carpet.

“I will kill you!” Darla shouted with each slam of Cordelia’s head. “You will not get him. Never!”

Growling, Cordelia reached behind her and pinched Darla hard. She cried out and Cordelia took that moment to elbow her in the ribs, knocking her over onto her side. She scrambled to her feet, turned around and kicked Darla in the stomach.

“No one is yours, Blondie,” she said, her eyes glowing with anger. “He never was yours to begin with. He was just humoring you. He hates you and has ever since you killed me.”

Darla looked up, her eyes wide as she stared into Tasia’s dark green eyes. She sat up slowly, her gaze with her rival’s.

“No,” she whispered as she slowly got to her feet. “I killed you. You should be dead.”

“Haven’t you heard of reincarnation, Darla?” Tasia asked, before she punched the blonde in the face. “Besides, if they can raise you from the dead, why not me.”

Darla surprised face made Tasia smile. She punched her again and again, until the blonde fell to the ground in a heap.

“Sweet dreams,” Tasia said, smiling. She turned around and headed down the hallway to her room. She had a surprise for Angelus and she wanted it to be perfect.

Cordelia sat up in bed, her eyes wide and her breathing shallow. She felt as if she had just ran a race and came out on top. She ran a shaking hand through her hair as she tried to calm herself. She closed her eyes and took shallow breathes until she was breathing normal again.

She climbed out of bed as the memories of the dream came back to her. She went into the bathroom and turned on the light. She looked into the mirror and stared at her eyes. Hazel. She sighed as she relaxed. She couldn’t be the reincarnation of a vampire. It was just some crazy dream. She shook her head and was about to turn away when something caught her eye.

“What?” She said as she turned back to the mirror. She looked closer and saw something that made her cry out.

Her eyes weren’t hazel as she looked at herself in the mirror. They had become a dark forest green.

“No,” Cordelia whispered as she took a step back from the mirror. “It couldn’t be.”

Chapter Ten

“Couldn’t be what?” A voice came from behind her.

Cordelia spun around to see Angelus standing behind her. He leaned against the doorjamb of the bathroom, an unreadable expression on his face. She stared into his dark eyes, and could see that he was curious at to what had gotten her upset. She ran a hand through her hair and stared at anywhere, but him.

“I had a bad dream,” she answered, her voice unsure. “I thought I saw something in the mirror that had to do with my dream.”

Angelus raised an eyebrow at her and pushed away from the door. He went over to her and put his hands on her shoulders. He stared into her eyes as she looked up at him. He could see the fear in her eyes and it concerned him. What had she dreamed about that would make her react like this? She was hardly afraid of anything and when she was, she wouldn’t show it. He ran his finger along her jawline, enjoying the shiver that went through her.

“What did you see, Delia?” He asked as he looked into her eyes. He would know if she was lying to him. He wanted to help her, but not if she was going to lie to him.

Cordelia closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She should have known that he would want to know what had upset her. She shouldn’t have said anything. Yet, there was something in his eyes and in her heart that wanted him to comfort her. She opened her eyes and looked up at him.

“My eyes,” she said, feeling silly. “They weren’t my color.”

He raised both eyebrows at her. He looked at her eyes as if they would change right before him. His own narrowed as he began to wonder the implications of what she was saying.

“What color?” Angelus asked, his voice gruff. Could she be remembering? Did she now know who she was? Could he hope?

“Green,” she said, getting worried about the look in his dark eyes. She took a step back, but he held onto her arm.

“What was your dream about?” He asked as he pulled her toward him. His grip was lax, but the expression on his face held her still.

Cordelia closed her eyes and swallowed. She didn’t want to tell him what she dreamed. She didn’t know what his reaction would be that she had dreamed of his sire and that Darla had attacked her. She ran a hand through her hair and leaned into his embrace. She gathered strength and courage as he wrapped his arms around her.

“I dreamed that I went downstairs into the lobby looking for you,” she whispered. “You weren’t there, but Darla was.”

Angelus stiffened at that name. It seemed that Darla has invaded her dreams like his sire had invaded his. His jaw tightened at the thought of what his sire had done to his Cordelia. His eyes narrowed as he envisioned several punishments he could give Darla for hurting Delia.

“What did she do?” He asked when he noticed that Cordelia had stopped. He could sense that she was afraid and he began stroking her back, letting her know that he was there for her.

Cordelia wrapped her arms around him, bringing him closer to her. She had felt him stiffen and she didn’t want to continue, for fear of what he would do. With the stroking of her back, though, she knew that he wanted to comfort her. She relaxed and with her eyes still closed and the memory fresh in her mind, she continued.

“She attacked me. She thought I was some woman named Tasia. She said that I would never have you. That you would always be hers.”

Angelus growled at that. Darla was going to pay dearly for what she had done. But at least, Cordelia now knew who she was. Who she used to be. He pulled away from her and saw the confusion and fear in her eyes. He ran his hands through her hair, wanting to soothe her, to comfort her. To make her understand.

“I am not hers, nor will I ever be,” he said softly.

“Who is Tasia?” Cordelia asked, wanting to know. “Who was she?”

Angelus closed his eyes as he remembered his lost childe. He took a step away from Cordelia and leaned against the wall. He opened his eyes and stared at the floor, though he really wasn’t seeing anything of the present. It was all focused on the past.

“She was one of my childer,” he answered, his voice soft and wistful. “I turned her two years before I received my soul. She was alone in a house and something drew me to her. I couldn’t resist her, so I had her invite me in. I didn’t waste anytime with her. I turned her immediately.”

“Darla didn’t like that, did she?” Cordelia asked quietly. She could sense that this Tasia meant something to him, even as Angelus.

Angelus chuckled to himself and shook his head. He looked up at her, a half-smile on his lips.

“She didn’t like Tasia at all,” he answered. “She didn’t want me to even look at Tasia, much less turn her. I didn’t care, though. Tasia was a rare beauty that I just had to have. It was almost if we were bonded before I even turned her. She seemed like she would have liked being a vampire. She was amazed by all that a vampire could see and do.”

“Sounds like you cared about her.”

Angelus chuckled again as if he couldn’t believe it himself.

“I more than cared for her,” he told her as he went over to her. He ran his hand through her hair, loving the silkiness of it. So much like Tasia’s. “I loved her. The bond was that strong. Even stronger than Darla’s and mine.”

Cordelia stared up at him. She could see the emotions in his dark eyes and knew that he was telling the truth. Even if he didn’t have a soul, something about the woman had made him care about her deeply. It was enough to make Darla angry. She then remembered what the blonde vampire had said. She swallowed before she spoke.

“What happened to her?” She asked, wanting to hear it from him.

Angelus looked at her, the memory fresh in his mind as if it was yesterday. He turned away from her and went to stare at the wall. He slowly turned back to her.

“We were walking in the forest away from town. She was enjoying the sights and sounds of her rebirth. We were about to celebrate together when she vanished before my eyes.”

He stopped for a moment then shook his head. His anger couldn’t get the better of him. Not, yet. Not until he found Darla and released it on her.

“Darla had killed her,” he continued, his voice strained from the leashed anger. “She had staked Tasia right before me. I wanted to stake her in return, but I thought I could let her think she had me back. I made plans all through the next two years.”

“Then you were cursed,” Cordelia finished for him.

Angelus nodded and leaned against the wall, “I never got my revenge. All I got was pain and dispair. Memories of victims and the guilt. I had to get away. Away from all of them.”

“Now Darla thinks I’m her. She said that you dreamed about her. Tasia.”

Angelus stared at her in surprise. He was speechless for several moments before he found his voice again. Darla was there? Darla saw him with Tasia. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the cool tiled wall. No wonder she attacked Cordelia in her dreams. He ran a hand through his hair and looked at her. Worry in his dark eyes.

“Yes. I did,” he told her, his voice soft. “Her face became yours, Cordelia. You are Tasia. She was you in a previous life.”

She stared at him, surprise evident in her hazel eyes. She shook her head, backing away from him. She didn’t need this right now. She didn’t want to be told that she was someone else. Someone that a cold hearted killer had once cared for. Someone that another cold-blooded killer destroyed because of jealousy. She didn’t want to be that person, hunted by and jealous vampiress.

“No,” she whispered as her back hit the wall. “I’m not her, Angel. I’m not.”

Angelus could see the fear and disbelief in her eyes. It pained him that she refused to believe that she was Tasia. He looked at her, trying to find a way to make her understand. To make her accept who she was and who she used to be.

“Cordelia…”

“No, Angel!” She shouted at him, her fear turning to anger for defense. “I’m not her. You can tell Darla that I’m not her rival. Tasia is gone, Angel. You both have to see that. I’m not her! I can’t be her!”

Angelus shook his head, letting her angry words slide over him. It didn’t matter that she didn’t believe she was Tasia. All that mattered was that Darla believed it and would come after her. He went to Cordelia and pulled her into his arms. He wouldn’t let that happen, though. He would kill Darla no matter what.

“It’s all right,” he whispered to her. “I won’t let her come near you. I’ll protect you.”

Cordelia closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around him. She knew what he was saying. It didn’t matter what he told Darla. The vampire wouldn’t believe him. She would still come to kill her.

Chapter Eleven

Darla stood by the window, her gaze drawn inward. Entering Cordelia’s dream was a success. She now knew her suspicions to be true and she knew what to do. She couldn’t kill the girl in her dreams, for Tasia was there. Tasia could fight her when Cordelia could not.

“I’ll find a way,” she said to herself as her eyes narrowed. “This time I will make sure you stay dead.”

She pushed herself away from the window and went to the bar in Lindsey’s apartment. She poured herself a drink as she thought of how to remove the thorn in her side. She took a sip as plans ran through her head.

Cordelia knew who she was and would identify her before she had a chance. Then again, if she didn’t know Darla was there it would make it that much easier. A smile formed on her lips as she thought of how she could sneak into the hotel and kill Cordelia before the girl even knew she was there.

“Of course,” Darla whispered as her smile grew. “She’ll be too busy wondering about that dream to know I’m there. It’s perfect.”

“What’s perfect?” A voice asked, bringing her out of her thoughts.

She looked up to see Lindsey standing in the room, taking off his jacket. He tossed it on the couch as he walked toward her. She smiled softly at him as she offered him a drink.

“I was just thinking of how to rid myself of that girl, Cordelia,” she said as she leaned against the bar.

Lindsey took the offered glass and sip on the wine. He nodded as he looked her up and down t hen at the liquid in the glass. He took another sip before he spoke.

“How are you going to do that? I doubt Angel would let her out of his sight.”

Darla laughed lightly as she took the glass from him. She stepped closer to him, her eyes dark with desire. She took a sip from the wine before she answered him.

“He’ll be asleep when I show up at the hotel,” she said as she ran a finger along his chest. “His secretary will arrive afterwards and when she’s distracted, I’ll kill her.”

Lindsey raised an eyebrow at the idea. He ran it through his mind and nodded. It could work, provided Angel slept like a log and Cordelia was too distracted to notice someone else in the room. He smiled slightly as he turned his gaze to Darla.

“Of course, there is the problem of Angel finding out and retaliating,” he mentioned lightly. “He could come after you.”

Darla smiled and turned away from Lindsey, her hips swaying as she walked. She turned around, her blue eyes boring into his.

“That’s what I’m hoping for, Lindsey,” she said, her smile wicked. “Because, that’s when I’ll make him mine once again.”

~~

Angelus sat in the couch as he watched Cordelia work on the computer. He thought she was taking the revelation well and he was grateful for that. Of course, it could just be that was so focused on her work that the truth wasn’t allowed to come through. He closed his eyes and rested his head against the back of the couch. He hoped that she was taking it well. The incident in the bathroom wasn’t much to go on. She was scared then and now that it was sinking it, she could deny it.

He shook his head and opened his eyes. It didn’t matter if she denied it or not. Darla knew the truth and as sure as he was a vampire, she would come after Cordelia. He vowed that she would not come near his mate again. He would kill Darla if she so much as set a foot inside the hotel. His hands clinched into fists just by thinking about it.

“What’s wrong?” Cordelia’s voice brought him out of his thoughts.

He looked up to see her staring at him in concern. He forced himself to relax. She was safe with him and they both knew it.

“I was worrying,” Angelus answered her as he stood up and went over to her. Maybe if he was closer to her he wouldn’t think about Darla hurting her.

“Worrying about your sire coming after me,” it was a statement and they both knew it. “I know you’ll protect me, Angel. I also think she knows it and she won’t come.”

Angelus shook his head, his eyes dark, “She’ll come, Cordelia. I just want to make sure I’m here when she does.”

Cordelia smiled and brought out a stake from under the counter. She placed it on the counter top as he stared at it in surprise.

“I’m ready for her as well. She tries anything and she’s dust.”

He couldn’t help, but smile. He should have known that she would do anything to protect herself. She lived on the Hellmouth after all. He shook his head and looked at her. Her smile made her more beautiful than ever. He reached out and stroked her cheek with his fingers.

“I should have known,” he said with a smile. “Especially after being here for a year.”

Cordelia laughed. The sound was music to him and he wanted to hear it forever.

“After all the demons and vampires we fought you’d think I’d learn a thing or two.”

Angelus shook his head and chuckled. Still, he wanted to be nearby in case Darla did get pass her stake and holy water.

“You never cease to amaze me,” he said, smiling.

She smiled as she ran a hand through his dark hair, “Neither do you.”

Her smile faded suddenly and she grabbed her head as pain shot through her. She fell back into Angelus’ arms as the vision flashed through her mind. She felt herself being lifted up and carried as she fought back the need to cry out.

Angelus placed her on the couch and knelt beside her, stroking her hair as the pain slowly ebbed. He hated seeing her like this, and wished that he was the one that had the visions. He continued to stroke her hair and whispered to her as the vision slowly went away.

*You picked a fine time to have a vision,* he thought as he stroked her hair. He didn’t want to love her alone. He didn’t want to chose her over some measly mortals.

“Are you all right?” He asked as she relaxed.

“What happened?” Wesley’s voice came to their ears.

Angelus looked up to see the ex-watcher coming toward them, concern in his brown eyes.

“She had a vision,” the vampire said as if the watcher should know that by now.

Wesley nodded and went to get a glass of water and pills. Angelus turned his attention back to Cordelia as she slowly opened her eyes.

Wesley came back with the glass and aspirin. She took the pills and washed it down with the water before handing the glass back to him. She closed her eyes and took deep breaths before she spoke.

“A building,” she said, her voice soft. “Two boys are about to be sacrificed to a demon.”

“What’s the address?” Wesley asked, handing her a pencil and paper.

She wrote down the address as the ex-watcher went to get weapons. She handed the paper to Angelus, who stared at as if debating on going or not. She folded her arms across her chest and glared at him.

“You need to go,” she said when she had his attention. “I’ll be fine.”

The look she gave him told him that if he didn’t go, she wouldn’t speak to him again.

“I don’t want to leave you alone, Cordelia,” he said.

“I’ll be fine,” she said again, her hand on his wrist. “I can take care of myself remember? I lived in Sunnydale as well.”

She placed a kiss on his lips that sent a jolt flowing through him. He suddenly didn’t want to go at all. He wanted to forget about the vision, take her in his arms and carry her upstairs. He wanted to make her his forever.

“We have to go, Angel,” Wesley said, two swords in his hand.

Angelus looked at the watcher and nodded. He kissed Cordelia then stood up and took a sword from Wesley. He followed the watcher out into the tunnels.

~~

Cordelia stared at the computer screen as she typed away on the latest demon information. She looked up at the clock and saw that it had been thirty minutes since her vision. She narrowed her eyes. They should have been back by now.

Not wanting to worry, she turned her attention back to the screen. They were probably more demons than she thought. Maybe there were guards there to make sure no one interrupted. A dozen things could have happened to make them late.

She refused to think that they were dead. They were better fighters than that.

Her thoughts were in such turmoil that she didn’t see the front doors open and close. She didn’t see someone walk into the lobby and head straight for her.

“That’s it,” Darla said, an evil smile on her face. “Stay focused on that screen.”

She quietly crept up toward the desk, keeping to the shadows, making sure that Cordelia wouldn’t see her if she happened to look toward the doors. She didn’t want anything going wrong this time around. She would make sure the girl stayed where she belonged. Angelus was hers and would forever be hers.

Her eyes glowed with a wicked gleam when Cordelia looked at the clock. It was a moment she had been waiting for. She pulled her hand back over her head and stalked up to the desk. She was poised to strike Cordelia when the girl turned and cried out. She missed the Seer’s head as the girl moved out of the way.

“Darla!” Cordelia shouted as she dashed out of her chair. She looked frantically for her weapon as she tried to keep away from the crazy blonde.

“You’re not getting away this time,” Darla growled as she moved around the desk toward Cordelia, the dagger raised high. “I’ll make sure you stay dead! Angelus is mine!”

“So you said before,” Cordelia mumbled as she grabbed the nearest weapon. It was a stake and worked just as well on humans as vampires. She stood up and used it to block the next attack from Darla.

Darla stared at the weapon and laughed. “Are you trying to be a slayer, girl? You’d do better to use it on a vampire.”

“You’re worse than a vampire, Darla,” Cordelia said as she took a step back for a better aim. “You’re just plain evil.”

Darla growled and charged Cordelia. She side stepped the blonde and brought an elbow done upon Darla’s back. She cried out and fell to the floor. Cordelia used that moment to run for the doors. She could call Angel from outside. Hopefully, she got far enough away from Darla to do so.

Darla got to her feet in time to see her rival heading for the doors. Her eyes narrowed she pulled back her arm and let her dagger fly. She laughed wickedly as the dagger hit its mark.

“You thought you could get away,” she said as she walked toward the fallen girl. “Let that be a lesson to you, deary. I always get what I want.”

She pulled the weapon from Cordelia’s back, stepped over her and walked out of the hotel. Now all she had to do was convince Angel to return to her.

Chapter Twelve

Angelus and Wesley made it back to the hotel nearly an hour after they had gotten the vision. The vampire could sense that the ex-watcher was beyond tired. He couldn’t blame him. The fight was long and brutal. It seemed that there were more demons than they had first thought. Guards mostly and they each were large and strong. It took them nearly thirty minutes to kill each demon before they were able to destroy the main one. Once that was done they took the boy back to his parents.

“I have never fought so hard in my life,” Wesley said as they entered the building from the tunnels. “I don’t care if she ever has a vision again.”

Angelus chuckled and shook his head. He had his own share of bruises and cuts and he couldn’t wait to take a nice warm bath, hopefully with Cordelia. The thought made him ache to have her. He thought it was too soon, though. She had to get used to the fact that she used to be someone else that he had loved dearly. He wasn’t going to push her, though. She had to learn and hopefully accept what she once was.

They opened the door that led back of the building. Angelus stopped short when a strange feeling came over him. Wesley stared at him strangely.

“What is it?” Wesley asked, his hand already gripping the sword hilt. He was about to drop from exhaustion, but if something had gotten into their building then he was going to make sure it never got out.

Angelus walked slowly through the kitchen, testing the air with his senses. Something wasn’t right and it was causing him to be on edge.

“It’s too quiet,” he answered as his dark eyes scanned the area. “Something’s wrong.”

“Cordelia!” Wesley shouted as his thoughts were given a voice. He took a few steps toward the lobby when the vampire took hold of his shoulder.

“What ever was here might still be here,” he said, moving in front of the mortal. He then called Cordelia’s name again and growled when there was no answer. His hands clinched into fists, he hurried toward the lobby.

“Cordelia!” Wesley shouted as he followed Angelus into the lobby. He nearly ran into the vampire, who had come to a sudden stop. The hairs on the back of his head stood on end as he felt the tension in the room. He looked around Angelus and gasped at what he saw.

Cordelia was lying face down in the middle of the lobby. The back of her shirt was dark with blood and she was so still that they were both afraid that she was dead.

“Cordelia,” Angelus whispered as he went to knell beside her. The smell of blood was nearly overpowering. He wondered why he hadn’t smelled it before. He closed his eyes as he checked for a pulse then relaxed in relief when he found one.

“She’s still alive,” he whispered. He looked at Wesley, his dark eyes boring into the human. “We have to get her to a hospital.”

Wesley nodded and went to the phone as Angelus picked Cordelia up in his arms and went to the couch. He lied her down gently, noticing that she was getting cold. He rubbed her hands together then rubbed her arms to get the circulation going again.

“Stay with me,” he urged, his voice rough and husky with emotion. “I’m here now. You have to stay.”

“The ambulance in on its way,” Wesley said, going back to them. “We have to stop the bleeding if we can.”

Angelus nodded and gently pulled her into his arms. Wesley went into the kitchen and came back with the first aid kit. He knelt by the couch and brought out bandages and gouge. He found it ironic that Cordelia was being the one patched up this time. He closed his eyes and held her to him as the ex-watcher pressed the bandages to the hole in her back.

“Who did this to her?” Wesley asked as he wiped the blood from the wound. “Who would do this?”

“Darla,” Angelus answered, his voice a mere growl. “She must have come by when we were gone. I knew I should have stayed.”

“She did threaten to never speak to you again,” Wesley reminded him. “You never did like the cold shoulder treatment from her.”

“She may not talk to me again anyway,” the vampire said, his voice dangerous. “I should have stayed.”

Wesley nodded. He knew what the vampire was thinking. It might have made a difference if he had stayed, but then a boy would have been sacrificed to a powerful demon. Cordelia understood what was more important. He doubted the vampire was thinking that now, though. He could almost see the vampire brooding over this one for a long time.

The ambulance arrived twenty minutes later. Angelus didn’t want to give Cordelia up, but with firm urging from Wesley, he finally let the paramedics look at her. He hovered over Cordelia making sure that she was going to be all right. He even followed the medics and Wesley to the door before he realized that the sun would bake him if he went any further.

He watched the ambulance drive away with Wesley and Cordelia. He closed his eyes and rested his head against the doorframe. He hoped that she would be all right. He hoped that he would see her again. He hoped that it wasn’t too late for them.

Angelus walked up the stairs to his room, closing the door behind him. He stared at the dim surroundings and realized that he had more in common with his soulled self than he had first thought. He shook the thought away before he could dwell on it much longer. His dark eyes narrowed as his hands clinched into fists. He had a feeling that Darla would be back, for him no doubt. He would be ready for her and he would show her just who she was messing with.

“She’ll get more than she bargained for,” he growled as he went to the closet and opened the door. “She’ll rue the day she ever messed with me and mine.”

~~

Darla arrived at the hotel an hour after the sun had set. She smiled as she got out of the cab. Somehow the building looked different than when she came to kill Cordelia. It seemed foreboding almost, sinister. She paid the cab driver and went into the building. She didn’t mind. She liked the feeling of sinister. Just the kind of mood she needed to make Angelus hers again.

She stepped into the lobby and noticed that Cordelia’s body was no longer there. She smiled as she looked at the spot where she had left the girl. Obviously, they had her taken to the hospital. She chuckled to herself as she walked on to the couch. She figured that Angel wouldn’t give up on the seer until it was confirmed. She shook her head and sat on the couch. He was probably feeling guilty for leaving her. She laughed softly at that. Soon, he wouldn’t care one way or another. Angelus would be hers once again, just like before.

A presence made her look up toward the staircase. Anticipation went through her as the figure moved from the shadows into the light as he descending the stairs. She smiled and stood up as she admired what was before her.

“My boy,” she whispered as she took a step toward him. She looked at him with wonder, adoration and lust. Her darling boy was back and she was going to keep him this time.

“Darla,” Angelus said, his voice a low growl. He stopped at the bottom step and stared at her. His eyes were dark as they regarded her. He wanted to rip her throat out right then and there, but he had other plans for her. Plans that would make her wish she never saw him.

“I’m here, my boy,” she whispered as she walked to him. “I’m going to be here forever now. We’re going to be here forever.”

Her blue eyes roamed over his body. He was wearing black leather pants and a dark red silk shirt. He wasn’t wearing his coat, but he still looked menacing, especially as he stood in the shadows of the staircase.

“What do you mean about forever?” He asked as he took the last step down. He was nearly body to body with her. He could strangle her if he wanted, but he refrained himself. There would be plenty of that later.

Darla ran a hand over his silk covered chest. She smiled and moaned softly as she felt the muscles underneath. She looked up at him, wanting to kiss him and take him in her arms. Wanted to run away with the passion she felt for him.

“I want you to turn me,” she whispered as her hand went up to cup his face. “I want us to be together again like we were. Just you and me. We can wreck havoc in this city just like old times.”

Angelus stared at her, wanting to turn away from her, from her touch. His dark eyes glittered with anger, but he held back from every impulse. Later, he kept reminding himself. He would destroy her later.

“You want to be turned?” He asked as he turned his cheek away from her touch. He regarded her with interest as he thought of what he could do to her if she was a vampire. He raised an eyebrow as his thoughts chased themselves.

Darla nodded as she stepped closer to him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and rubbed her cheek against his chest.

“I want to be with you, Angelus,” she whispered. “I want us to be together forever. You can feel it, can’t you? The passion we used to have. The wonderful tortures we performed on our victims. The nights we shared together. We can have that all again.”

Angelus closed his eyes as he remembered those nights. They all came to an end when he had found Tasia and made her his. It all ended when Darla killed the only thing he had ever loved. He wouldn’t have that again. Never.

“We can have that all again,” he said as he stepped out of her grasped and went toward the couch. He kept his back to her as he spoke.

“Yes,” Darla said, wondering why he didn’t sound excited. Of course, he rarely was excited about anything except when he was torturing or planning. She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him again. “This city is large enough. We can find endless things to do. Endless people to torture and feed upon.”

“Of course,” Angelus said, his voice deadly. “I can torture people again. I can feed upon them without having to worry about a conscience.”

He turned around and stared at her then. His dark eyes bored into hers. She wasn’t afraid, not yet. She wanted him to turn her. She wanted to be a vampire again, so that she could be with him. He wasn’t going to let that happen, though. He was going to make her pay for nearly taking Tasia away from him again.

“Yes. You can have all that and more,” Darla said as he walked away from her. She followed him, wondering what he was thinking. What was going on in his mind?

“I have to say that I was surprised to learn that you were here earlier today.”

Darla shrugged even though he couldn’t see it, “I needed to visit someone here. She wanted to leave, though. I had to stop her.”

Angelus slowly turned around, his eyes burning. If it were possible, Darla would be on fire by now. He walked over to her, his eyes flashing yellow. He grabbed hold of her arms and shook her.

“Do you know what you have done?!” He shouted at her as he shook her.

“I killed my rival,” Darla said as she glared back at him. “She was going to take you away from me. I had to stop her. I had to.”

Angelus growled, his fangs cutting into his jaw. He shoved her away as he turned, his hands clinched into fists.

“I see that I got here just in time. You were falling for her, weren’t you?”

“You’re too late, Darla. I already fell.”

“No!” Darla shouted as she ran to him. She spun him around and stared into his eyes. She could see it plain as day. He was in love with her.

“She’s not dead, Darla,” Angelus said, his voice growling. “I found her just in time. Even if I didn’t I would have turned her. She means too much to me.”

Darla shook her head in disbelief. There had to be a way to salvage this. She could do what she did when she had killed Tasia. She could make him forget.

“You have me, Angelus,” she said as she stared at him. “We’ll always be together.”

Angelus shook his head as he put a hand around her arm. He drew her close to him as they stared into each other’s eyes. He shook his head again as his grip tightened around her arm.

“That is where you are wrong,” he mentioned. “When you killed Tasia, I was just playing you for a fool. I was waiting until the right time to make my move against you. I would have, if it wasn’t for that damn curse.”

Darla’s eyes widened in disbelief. She shook her head, trying to find something to say that would dispute what he had told her. He hadn’t played her for a fool. He was as passionate with her as always.

Angelus chuckled and shoved her away. Let her think differently. She will know soon enough that he was waiting to get revenge. Now was the time and he wasn’t going to waste it anymore.

“I know you were upset for awhile, but you got over it.”

“I never got over it,” he countered as he glared at her. “I was waiting to seek revenge, but I had to wait until now to do it. You tried to kill Cordelia and I now I will get my revenge.”

“Angelus!” Darla shouted as he sprang toward her. She tried to fight him off, but he was stronger than her.

He tossed her onto the couch where she landed with a thud. She looked at him with pleading eyes, but he ignored it. He doubted that she bothered to look at Cordelia’s pleading eyes when she attacked the seer.

“Please, Angelus.”

“Don’t please me, Darla,” he said as he grabbed her by her hair and yanked her head back. He could smell the blood flowing through her veins as it called to him. He wanted to sink his fangs into her neck, but she would probably get a rise out of it. He wanted her to be afraid.

“She would have been in my way,” Darla tried to rationalize the reason she attempted to kill Cordelia.

“She was never in your way. You never had me to begin with, Darla. I broke from you the moment you killed Tasia. I was never yours.”

The truth of those words finally sank in. She closed her eyes as gave way to her fate. She opened her eyes when she didn’t feel the fangs in her neck. She looked up at Angelus to see him smiling at her. Laughter in his dark eyes. Cruel laughter.

“I’m not going to bite you, Darla,” he said as he pulled her to her feet. “That would be too easy. I want you to suffer as I have suffered. I want you to feel the pain that I felt. I want you to feel all those years of torment. I want you to feel the fear that you gave Cordelia. I want you to feel it all as I torture you.”

Darla’s eyes widened at those last words. She had been there when he tortured most of his victims. It wasn’t a pretty sight and it terrified her that she was now going to be on the receiving end of his game.

“No, Angelus,” she whispered as she tried to struggle out of his grasp. “Please.”

“I like the smell of fear on you, Darla,” he said, his grin showing his fangs. “It suits you well.”

Darla screamed as Angelus dragged her up the stairs. She could only guess what he had up there in his room.

Chapter Thirteen

Cordelia slowly opened her eyes to see Wesley hovering over her. She blinked a few times, trying to get him into focus. She looked around her room when she was able to see, searching for Angel. She tried to sit up when she didn’t see him.

“Don’t move,” Wesley said, pushing gently back down on the bed. “You were stabbed in the back.”

Cordelia looked at him, her eyes narrowed. She barely remembered anything. All she wanted was Angel. To see his brooding face hovering over hers, telling her that everything would be all right.

“Where’s Angel?” She asked.

“He’s back at the hotel,” Wesley said, hoping that she wouldn’t take him not being here the wrong way. “He knows who hurt you and I think he’s going to have a word or two with her.”

With her? Cordelia closed her eyes and groaned. Now she remembered. Darla had come into the hotel and tried to kill her. Her hands clinched into fists and a low growl escaped her.

“Darla,” she growled as she opened her eyes. “She came into the hotel and said that Angel was hers. She tried to kill me.”

Wesley looked at Cordelia in worry. He had never seen her like this. He had never seen her this angry before. He was learning more and more about her. She seemed to be full of surprises.

He rested a calming hand on her shoulder as she looked at him. He was surprised to see that her eyes were green. He shook her his head, thinking that he must be seeing things.

“Angel was just as angry about it as you were,” he told her soothingly. “He stayed at the hotel so that he could give him a piece of his mind. Or what ever he plans on doing.”

Cordelia smiled slightly at the image of Angel telling Darla off. She wished she could be there to see it. She bet she would have laughed her head off at the sight.

“You rest, Cordelia and I’m sure he’ll be here as soon as he can,” Wesley said, noticing her eyes drifting shut.

He rested against the chair back and closed his eyes. She had been unconscious for two hours after they brought her out of surgery. They had said that she was lucky to be alive. The knife missed her heart by three inches. He had felt a chill go down his spine at that news and it still gave him chills when he thought about it.

Wesley put his head in his hands as he tried to calm himself. Cordelia would be all right, he told himself. She was going to get better and would be good as new in no time.

~~

Angelus glared at the woman that was tied to his bed. She was naked and covered in burn marks, cuts and bruises. Her screams still filled the small dimly lit room and brought a smile to his lips. He had shown her that even she was not immune to his style of torture. He had laughed when she pleaded with him to let her go.

“You didn’t let Cordelia go when she begged,” he had told her as he slowly cut a long gash down her leg. “What makes you think I’m going to let you go?”

He stood in the shadows watching her ragged breathing. He could see her tears running down her cheeks, her bloody cheeks. He hadn’t ignored her face. He had cut them as well. He smiled at the thought of the tears stinging as they trailed through the open wounds.

He chuckled as he put down the knife and thought of what else he could do to her. He leaned against the wall as he stared at her. He had tied her to the bed with ropes that he had found downstairs. He knew that they would chafe her wrists and he smiled as he saw the rawness as she struggled against them.

“I must admit that this is my best session, in centuries,” Angelus said from the darkness. “I have to say that I’m actually enjoying this.”

Darla looked at him, her blue eyes filled with unshed tears. She had never felt such torment in all her life. Not even the disease that was slowly killing her could compare to this. The man she wanted to spend eternity with was torturing her. She could see that he wanted to kill her, but that would be too merciful. He wanted to draw it out and for the first time in four hundred years, she was terrified of him.

“I’m so glad that I could bring such happiness to you, Angelus,” she said, her voice weak and rough from screaming. “Just kill me and get it over with.”

Angelus laughed and stepped into the candle light that shown over the bed. He stared down at her and ran a finger along her cheek and jawline. He smiled as she closed her eyes and tried to move her head to press against his touch. He removed his hand before she could do so.

“You know I’m not going to kill you,” he answered as he turned away and looked at the many instruments on the dresser top. “That would be too easy and quick for you. I have other things in mind at the moment.”

He picked up a box of salt that he had gotten from the kitchen and went over to her. His dark eyes gleamed with delight as he saw her eyes widened. She struggled against the ropes, but Angelus kept coming. He chuckled as she shook her head.

“I must tell you that this is going to hurt like hell,” he said, a smile on his lips. He knelt down beside the bed, near the deepest wound he had inflicted. There he slowly poured salt into the wound.

Darla closed her eyes tight and tried not to scream as she felt the salt mixing with her blood. She tilted her head back as she pulled against the ropes in an effort to get away. Fresh tears fell down her cheeks, causing the wounds on them to burn.

“Go ahead and scream,” he said as he stood up and looked at her. “I know it must hurt. Too bad you’re not a vampire. I have some holy water that would have liked to try on you.”

Darla opened her eyes and stared at him. He didn’t look like the Angelus she once traveled with all those years ago. He didn’t look like the vampire that tortured others for fun. He didn’t look like the man that caressed her on late nights after a hunt. He looked darker, more dangerous now.

“Let me go,” she whispered, knowing that he wouldn’t.

“Stop asking me that when you know the answer,” Angelus said as he went over to the other side of the bed. He continued to stand as he poured the salt into her other wounds. He smiled as she heard her whimpers, her stifled screams. They were music to his ears. He didn’t think he would ever tire of the sound.

Once the salt was poured over all her wounds and she was screaming at the pain, he tossed the box into the trash can and went back over to the dresser. He would let her feel that pain for awhile. He looked at her, a wicked gleam in his eyes as she cried out in pain. She was stronger than he first thought. Most of his victims died from such torture by now. He didn’t mind, though. It just meant that he could use more of his technics on her. He had a lot of them that he wanted to use on her. If she lasted long enough, he might end up using all of them.

“I’ll be right back,” he said as he headed for the door. “I just remembered something that I might be able to use. Don’t go anywhere.”

Angelus laughed as he opened the door and stepped out into the hallway. He could hear that her screams where now whimpers as she was tiring out. He smiled as he headed for the staircase and the kitchen.

Wesley was watching Cordelia sleep when the nurse came in. He looked up and smiled slightly at her as she came in to check the vitals.

“Visiting hours are almost up,” she said as she wrote down the update. “You should go home and rest. She’ll be fine.”

The ex-watcher nodded. He needed rest just like Cordelia did. He also needed to check up on Angel and see what happened with him and Darla. He almost didn’t want to know.

“I’ll be back tomorrow,” he whispered to Cordelia as he squeezed her hand. He then followed the nurse out of the room.

Wesley arrived at the hotel a several minutes later. He looked up at the building and shivered as a sense of dread came over him. Something was not right, but he was going to go inside and check on Angel. He knew that the vampire would want to know how Cordelia was faring. Straightening his shoulders, he made his way into the hotel lobby.

“Angel?” He called as the doors closed behind him. The lobby was quiet and chills went up his spine as he looked around the darkened room. His sense of dead grew as he walked further into the lobby.

“Angel,” he called again as he stopped beside the computer. The vampire was nowhere to be seen and he was getting worried.

“Where is he?” Wesley asked himself and his gaze fell on the stairs. Of course, he would be upstairs. He shook his head and headed up, hoping that the vampire was still here.

He walked briskly toward the vampire’s room when he heard a muffled scream. He stopped in his tracks, frozen. He stared ahead of him, listening for the sound again. It came followed by laughter. The sound chilled his bones and leaned against the wall, hoping that he wouldn’t faint.

“No,” he whispered as he pushed himself away from the wall and went to the door. “It can’t be.”

Wesley put his hand on the knob and slowly opened the door. He saw a dimly lit room and a dark shadow near the bed. He pushed the door open further and saw Darla lying on top of it, bound to the posts.

The sight he saw was one that he wished he hadn’t. Darla was covered in blood and bruises while Angel was hovering over her, chuckling to himself. Wesley shook his head, not wanting to believe what he was seeing.

“Angel?” He asked, his voice unsure of what he was going on. “What are you doing?”

Angelus turned around, a piece of ice in his hand. On the dresser behind him was a bucket filled with ice. He narrowed his eyes at the intruder then dropped the ice onto Darla’s bloody skin. She whimpered, but he ignored it.

“I’m making her pay for what she did to Cordelia,” he said as he stepped closer to Wesley.

Wesley swallowed as he stared into the darkest eyes he had ever seen. He took a step back and ran into the door, shutting it. He stared at Angel and knew what he had stumbled into.

“Cordelia’s fine,” he said, glad that his voice didn’t betray what he felt. “She’s going to be all right.”

Angelus stared at Wesley. He could sense the man’s fears, but the news was better and sweeter than fear. He smiled slightly.

“That’s good to hear,” he said. “I have to admit that I was worried. Afraid even.”

“You’ll let me go?” Darla’s weak voice came to them.

Wesley backed up even further as he saw the vampire’s eyes darken once again.

“I haven’t decided that, yet, Darla.”

“Let her go, Angel,” Wesley said, hoping that he could reach the vampire. “You’ve done enough to her. Let her go.”

Angelus glared at the watcher, his dark eyes gleaming yellow at the thought. He raised a knife to Wesley’s throat.

“She doesn’t deserve to live,” he growled, his voice low. “She tried to kill Cordelia. She tried to take away the one thing that matters most to me. I’m not going to let her get away with that.”

Wesley was stunned speechless at the vampire’s words. He closed his eyes and tried to get his fear under control. There had to be another way to reach Angel. He took a deep breath and opened his eyes to look at Angelus.

“Cordelia wouldn’t want you to kill Darla,” he said, his voice soft. “She knows that this isn’t going to get us anywhere. It’ll be just another death on your conscience.”

“One I can live with,” Angelus said as he turned away from the ex-watcher. He glared at Darla, who was looking up at him with pleading eyes. He knew those same eyes regarded Cordelia with less contempt.

“Angel listen,” Wesley began, stepping into the room.

“You’re not talking to Angel, Wes.”

Wesley stopped walking and stared at the vampire before him. He blinked several times, trying to grasp what was said. Those fears came back to him as he realized what the sense of dread was all about.

“Angelus,” he whispered, not wanting to believe it.

Angelus turned around, smiling, “Got it on one try. Of course, you probably already thought that. You just didn’t want to believe it.”

“How? When?”

Angelus sighed, not wanting to get into such a discussion. He wanted to get back to tormenting Darla. Wanted to get back to making her pay for hurting Cordelia. His eyes narrowed as a low growl escaped his throat.

“I don’t know when or how,” he answered as he went to the dresser and picked up a lighter. “One moment I was trapped, the next I was free.”

He looked at Wesley as a thought came to him, “I do remember looking at Cordelia. Then I was looking at Tasia. I guess that’s when it happened.”

He shrugged as if it didn’t matter and went back to Darla. He flicked the lighter on and smiled as Darla shook her head, trying to get away. He lowered the flame to Darla’s cheek.

“Stop it!” Wesley said, rushing to Angelus. He grabbed the vampire’s arm, knowing that Angelus could toss him aside at any moment.

“Why?” Angelus growled as he glared at the watcher. “She would have done the same thing to Cordelia, if she had a mind to.”

“Then you’re no better than she is. If you care anything at all for Cordelia, you’ll let Darla go.”

Angelus growled and tossed Wesley into the wall. He bared his fangs at the ex-watcher then turned back to Darla. His eyes glowed yellow as he lowered the flame to her cheek.

Wesley closed his eyes, not wanting to see the flesh being burned off the woman. He wished he could shut out the screams as well, but knew he couldn’t. He just hoped that Darla would die from this before Angelus found something else to torture her with. How long had this been going on? Had he started torturing her the moment she walked through the door? He shook his head, not wanting to know.

When he didn’t hear any screams, he opened his eyes and looked up. Angelus was still standing over Darla, the flame poised over her face.

“What are you waiting for?” Darla whispered, fear and weakness in her voice. “Do it.”

Angelus turned off the lighter and tossed it back onto the dresser. He glared down at her, seeing what she really was for the first time. He shook his head in disgust and turned away from her.

“You’re not worth it anymore,” he whispered as he left the room.

Wesley didn’t want to be in that room any longer. He stood up and followed the vampire out into the hallway. He caught up with Angelus as the vampire walked down the stairs.

“What happened?” He asked, not believing that he was talking to the most vicious vampire that ever walked.

Angelus stared at Wesley, but said nothing. He stopped walking once they reached the front desk. He looked at the computer, trailing a finger along the surface.

“You said Cordelia will be all right?” He asked, ignoring the other question.

“She’s going to be fine,” Wesley said, not understanding this at all. “You didn’t answer my question.”

Angelus sighed and turned to face the ex-watcher. He folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the desk.

“I had a change of heart,” he answered, daring the man not to believe him. “I realized that she’s not worth the effort anymore. Cordelia’s more important.”

Wesley couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He shook his head, wondering if this was Angelus he was talking to and not Angel in a bad mood. He shook his head again and went to the couch and sat down. He put his head in his hands, trying to get rid of the confusion that was running through him.

Angelus chuckled, sensing the man’s confusion, “We should call the police and an ambulance for Darla. I want her out of here and away from us.”

Wesley nodded, too drained to move. He then looked up as a thought occurred to him.

“You’re going to tell her who you are?”

“Not at first. No. She needs to recover first.”

Wesley nodded at the answer. He doubted that she could handle such news so soon. He wondered if she could handle the news once she was better. He smiled to himself at that thought. He knew she could handle anything that was thrown at her. She could handle this.

Chapter Fourteen

Cordelia woke slowly, her vision blurry and a headache pounding inside her brain. She kept her eyes closed until the pain receded and she could open her eyes. When she did, the vision was still blurry, but she could make out a form standing over her. She blinked a few times until the image came into focus and she saw Wesley hovering over her.

“How are you feeling?” He asked as he sat down in a chair beside the bed. “We were worried.”

She smiled softly, feeling more tired than she ever had before. She looked around the room, but saw no sign of Angel.

“He’s at the hotel still,” Wesley answered her unspoken question. “He had some things to take care of.”

Cordelia nodded and turned her attention back to Wesley. Angel was probably giving Darla a piece of his mind. She hoped he staked the blonde whore, even if she wasn’t a vampire. She moved her hand to the back of her head and rubbed it. If he didn’t, she sure would, several times.

“Are you all right?” Wesley asked again, his voice tinged with concern.

“I’m fine,” she answered as she closed her eyes again. “I’m just tired. I never felt so tired.”

“You were stabbed in the back. You were in surgery. You’ve been unconscious for a couple of days.”

Cordelia narrowed her eyes at him. Stabbed? Then why did she have this monstrous headache? She closed her eyes and shook her head. Could she have visions when she was unconscious? That would be new if she could. She ran a hand through her hair and looked at the ex-watcher.

“My head hurts,” she said. “Why does it hurt if I was stabbed in the back.”

Wesley looked at her strangely, the concern on his face grew more evident. He leaned over to her and looked into her eyes. They were green. He sat back and stared at her in surprise.

“You eyes are green,” he said, his voice filled with surprise. “Have they ever changed colors before?”

Cordelia stared at him in both surprise and fear. The only other time they had changed was when she looked at herself in the mirror after that dream. Her hand went to her eyes and covered them as she took deep breaths.

“I had a dream,” she said, her voice soft. “I dreamed that I was someone else. Someone Darla didn’t like. Someone who had green eyes and was a childe of Angelus.”

She opened her eyes and looked at Wesley. He saw that they were still green and he began to wonder if her green eyes and Darla’s attack might be connected.

“Darla killed me,” Cordelia whispered, the green eyes darkening. “She killed me, because she knew I would take Angelus away from her. She was jealous that he was spending more time with me. She hated the fact that he turned me.”

Wesley felt his heart beating faster at what she had said. He stared at her both intrigued and frightened. If what she said was true then she was a reincarnation of one of Angelus’ childer. One that Darla still felt threatened from.

“Do you know her name, Cordelia?” He asked, his voice soft and calm. “Do you know who you were?”

“Tasia,” came the softer answer. “My name is Tasia.”

~~

Angelus paced the floor as he waited for news from Wesley. The ex-watcher had called an hour ago and said that Cordelia was fine. He also went on to mention the reincarnation of Tasia. He was surprised at that news, but also relieved. Tasia was becoming stronger inside Cordelia. Soon, maybe Tasia would control Cordelia.

He didn’t know what to think of that. He had grown to feel something toward Cordelia even while wanting Tasia. They were one and the same and it didn’t matter who was in control. Still, he liked Cordelia’s attitude and bravery. He also liked her intelligence. She also had an innocence about her that had attracted him to Tasia.

Angelus shook his head and continued to pace. He was confusing himself and making this more complicated than they really were. He could have both Cordelia and Tasia. He will have them both.

The phone rang again and he stopped his pacing. He went over to the desk and picked up the receiver.

“Hello?”

“Angel?” It was Cordelia’s voice. She sounded weak, but he sensed that she was better than when he found her.

“Yes,” he answered as he leaned against the desk. “How are you feeling?”

“Better. Did Wesley tell you about my headache?”

“He did. He said that your eyes were a dark green and you called yourself Tasia.”

“I don’t remember that part,” Cordelia said, her voice sounding confused. “All I remember was my head hurting and Wesley telling me that I was stabbed.”

“I think your past life was trying to communicate. Don’t worry about it, Delia. Get some rest and we’ll talk about it later. Did the doctor say when you’ll be home?”

“He said I have to stay two more nights then I can come home.”

Angelus felt relief flow through him. Two more nights wasn’t that long at all. He could make himself busy and the time would go much faster.

“All right. You get some rest and I’ll visit you tonight.”

He could hear the smile in her voice as she told him she would be waiting. He wanted so much to see her. He wanted to tell her all about Tasia. Maybe then she would realize why Darla tried to kill her. If she didn’t know that already. He was sure Wesley probably filled her in on that. He hung up the phone and began to pace again. He stared at the double doors to the lobby and cursed the daylight. Only a few more hours and he could see Cordelia. He wished he could make the sun set faster.

The night finally did come and Angelus didn’t waste anymore time getting to the hospital. He rode the elevator up to Cordelia’s floor and half-ran half-walked toward her room. He quietly stepped inside and closed the door. He walked over to her bed where he found her sleeping. He smiled as he ran a finger along her jawline and up to her hair.

He sat down beside her in the chair and watched her sleep. He wondered what she was dreaming and if it was of him.

She stirred then and he sat forward as he watched her eyes open. He smiled down at her as he brushed the hair off her forehead.

“Evening, Delia,” he whispered as he looked into her eyes. They were hazel once again.

“Angel,” she whispered and smiled at the sight of him. She missed him and was glad to see him. She felt safe with him nearby and the disturbing dreams went away.

“How are you feeling?”

“Better,” she answered as she touched his cheek. “I missed you.”

“I missed you,” he said, meaning it. “I was worried sick about you. When I saw you lying there..”

“Wesley told me,” Cordelia said, stopping him from saying anymore. “He told me that you wanted to get revenge against Darla. I knew you would want to put her in her place over this.”

“He didn’t tell you what happened?” Angelus asked, his dark eyes flashing in the dim room. He didn’t want her to know, especially not from Wesley. He feared that if she knew who he really was, she wouldn’t want anything to do with him.

To his relief, she shook her head, “He didn’t tell me anything about what happened. He just said that he went back to the hotel to let you know how I was doing. What did happen, Angel? What did you do to Darla?”

Angelus looked at her, looked at her lovely hazel eyes. He didn’t want those eyes looking at him with fear and hate, but he knew he couldn’t keep the truth from her. Better for her to know right now than to find out later.

“She came back to the hotel at night,” he told her. “I was there waiting for her. She tried to come on to me. I told her I knew what she did and I wasn’t going to let her get away with it.”

“What did you do, Angel?” Cordelia asked, staring at him with growing fear.

“I took her upstairs and tortured her,” he finished quickly.

“You what?” She said, her voice a surprised whisper. “You tortured her?!”

“She deserved, Cordelia. She nearly killed you. I couldn’t let her get away with that.”

“You could have called the police.”

Angelus narrowed his eyes at her. He didn’t think to call the police, because he knew how long it would take. He wanted justice done then and now. He wanted her to pay for what she had done and no jail would have done so.

“Where is she now?”

“Wesley took her back to her apartment,” Angelus answered, his voice soft.

“He saw what you did,” she said matter-of-factly.

“He convinced me not to kill her. I also didn’t want you angry at me or hating me. It wasn’t worth it.”

Cordelia looked at him. She could never imagine that he would hurt someone like that for what they had done to her. She remembered him being concerned, but did he hide a vicious angry behind it? She didn’t want to think about it. She shook her head and closed her eyes, wanting to block out her own relief that he had done something she wished she could do. Relief that he was no longer obsessed with Darla.

“I never thought you would torture anyone, Angel,” she whispered. “I didn’t think you had it in you.”

There was silence in the room and she opened her eyes to peer into the darkness of the room. The vampire was still sitting beside her, looking at her with an expression of both worry and something else she couldn’t quite name. A sudden chill went up her spine as she looked into his dark eyes.

“Angel?” She asked.

“I’m not Angel,” the soft voice told her.

Chapter Fifteen

Cordelia stared at Angelus in shock. She shook her head in disbelief as she back away from him. Her eyes were wide with fear and knowing as tears built up in her eyes.

“No,” she whispered as she shook her head. “It can’t be. How? You didn’t..?”

Angelus put a hand on her arm to stop her from hurting herself more. He could sense the fear in her and for the first time since his becoming, he didn’t like it. His dark eyes bore into hers as he held her from moving.

“Don’t,” he said softly. “You’ll only hurt yourself more.”

She yanked her arm out of his grip, surprising him with her strength. She stared at him, not wanting to believe that she was staring at Angelus. She shook her head again, fear being replaced slowly by anger.

“How did it happen?” Cordelia asked, keeping her distance from him.

“It just happened,” he answered. “It was after the shroud incident. It happened suddenly. I was looking at you and the next thing I knew I was seeing someone I had thought I lost.”

“Tasia,” she whispered in suddenly realization. He had felt true happiness when he thought he was seeing Tasia in her. She closed her eyes and rested her head back against the pillows. It must be true then. She was Tasia in a previous life.

“That’s why you asked if I had strange dreams,” she whispered as she looked at him. “You wanted to know if I remembered anything.”

Angelus nodded and reached out to touch her forehead. She moved away from him and he sat back down in the chair. He closed his eyes as he ran a hand through his dark hair. He shouldn’t expect her to accept it so soon.

“You tortured Darla,” Cordelia’s voice broke him out of his thoughts.

“She tried to kill you. I wasn’t going to let that go. She should know that I’m not going to let people walk over me. Especially her. I belong to no one and it’s time she realize that.”

Cordelia stared at him, surprised that he hadn’t killed Darla. Now that she knew who he was, it all made sense now. She shook her head and closed her eyes. She need to think, to absorb all that had happened.

“She tried to kill me, because she was jealous,” she whispered. “She even mentioned that you were hers and not mine. I guess she realized sooner than I did, who I used to be.”

“She always wanted me to herself,” Angelus replied. “She didn’t even like it when I wanted to be with Drusilla.”

Cordelia opened her eyes at that and saw him shake his head. She had to agree with him. She didn’t want to know either.

“I’m surprised you let her live.”

Angelus’ smile was more of a grimace as he spoke. “Thank Wesley for that. I would have killed her if he hadn’t convinced me otherwise.”

“How did he do that?” She was surprised that the vicious vampire let anyone let alone an ex-watcher tell him what to do.

“He said that if I cared anything for you, I wouldn’t kill her. It was then that I realized she wasn’t worth it.”

Cordelia couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Angelus had a change of heat over killing someone. She didn’t think she would have believed it if she hadn’t heard it from him. She shook her head, wondering if it really was Angelus that she was talking to.

Angelus smiled, “Don’t get used to it, though. The next person that tries to kill you won’t be so lucky.”

The wicked smile on his lips told her he wasn’t lying. A shiver went down her spine, but it wasn’t out of fear. She knew without a doubt that he would protect her with everything he had. It soothed her and at the same time aroused her. She smiled back at him, knowing that she would be safe with this vampire. Probably more safe than with anyone else in the world.

“You loved her, didn’t you?” Cordelia suddenly asked. She had to know or why else would he be acting this way.

Angelus stared at her in surprise. He hadn’t expected to be asked this question, but he should have known. It was strange to them for a soulless vampire like him to want to protect someone. He shrugged, but nodded in answer.

“She was a beautiful sight when I first saw her,” he said softly. “At that moment, I had to have her. I wanted to make her mine in all ways. I charmed my way into her house then turned her. I have never felt anything like what I felt with her. I wanted to take her places, show her everything, give her anything.”

“But Darla ended all that,” Cordelia summarized. She felt the sting of tears in her eyes and blinked them away. He suddenly sounded like Angel as he related the story. She had her answer at that moment. He had loved her or would have if Darla hadn’t ended it so soon.

“I wanted to kill Darla right then,” he continued, his dark eyes flashing yellow at the memory. “I thought that I could bide my time and strike when she least expected it. I never counted on being cursed.”

He shook his head and ran a hand through his hair. At least now, he proved to Darla that he wasn’t someone to cross. He knew that she wouldn’t be coming back and he was free to be with the one he wanted. He looked at Cordelia and stroked a lock of hair off her forehead. She didn’t move away this time and he took it as a sign.

“What’s going to happen now?” Cordelia asked, sighing against the sensation his movements were causing.

“Now you get some rest,” Angelus answered. “When you’re better, we’ll start over.”

She looked at him, an elegant eyebrow raised. She didn’t want to start over. She wanted to move on, ahead. She shook her head as she stared at him.

“We’re not going to start over,” she said, her voice firm. “We’re going to pick up where we left off. I’m not going two steps back when the future is right in front of me.”

Angelus stared at her in surprise once again. He then smiled and relaxed. He loved it when Cordelia took charge. He could see her potential even behind the smoke of a soul. He chuckled and shook his head. There wasn’t going to be a dull moment.

“I can’t wait,” he whispered, his dark eyes sparkling with mischief.

Cordelia was let out of the hospital five days later. Wesley had a party for her return to the office and a return to life. She smiled as she came through the door, Wesley helping her inside. She laughed when she saw the streamers and the banner hanging from the upstairs banister. She spun around and kissed Wesley on the cheek, her eyes sparkling with tears.

“I love it,” she said as she turned back around to look at the cake sitting on a table in the middle of the lobby. It was a beautiful square cake with “Welcome back, Cordelia” written on it. The white frosting looked tempting and she knew it had to have enough calories to make anyone sick, but she didn’t care. She was home with her friends and she was going to celebrate.

“I can’t thank you enough for this,” she said as she wiped a tear away before it could run down her cheek. She stared at the cake like a lion would stare at a zebra.

“Why don’t you cut it and I’ll get the music started,” Wesley said as he moved away from her.

He went to the desk where a boom box was sitting and pushed the play button. Soft rock music came through, filling the room with it soft melody. Cordelia stared at him and he shrugged.

“I didn’t think loud rash music would fit the mood,” he said as he came back to her.

Cordelia had to agree. She didn’t feel like listening to anything loud. She wanted to relax and forget about the near death experience she had. She smiled as she lifted the knife to cut the cake. It was then that she realized that someone was missing.

“Where’s Angel?” She asked, still not used to calling him Angelus. She looked around the lobby, noticing that it was dimly lit even though the sun was shining.

“He’s still getting ready,” Wesley said, staring up at the stairs as if doing so would make him come down faster.

Cordelia stared at Wesley, an eyebrow raised, “Still getting ready? What’s he putting on that would take so long?”

Wesley shrugged. The last time he had seen the vampire was when he told Angelus that he was going to pick up Cordelia from the hospital. They had already set everything up for the party and Angelus was getting dressed for it. That had been thirty minutes ago.

“I’m not cutting the cake until he gets his cute butt down here,” Cordelia said, holding the knife as if she was getting ready for battle.

Wesley moved away from her, eyeing the knife with dread. He was surprised she would want to hold such a thing after what happened to her. He shook his head and looked back up at the stairs. He heard a door open and close and he looked back at Cordelia.

“Here he comes.”

Cordelia moved away from the cake to stand at the foot of the stairs. She had her hands on her hips as if she was about to scold him. She tapped her foot as she waited for the vampire to appear.

All her motions stopped when Angelus did appear. She stared at him in amazement. He smiled down at her as he slowly came down the stairs. He was wearing a dark red silk shirt and black leather pants complete with boots. The clothes fit him snugly as she had to remember to breathe. She swallowed as he stopped in front of her, but she knew there was nothing she could do about the heat that became to form inside her.

“You look beautiful,” Angelus whispered as he ran a finger along her face. He could sense her arousal and it caused him to react the same.

“T-thank you,” she stuttered. She then blinked and shook her head. Stepping back she motioned with her knife to the cake. “Want to watch me cut the cake.”

Angelus chuckled, “I’ve waited all day for this.”

Cordelia laughed, one that filled him with memories and joy beyond. Tasia had laughed like that and he took it as a sign that she would always be with him.

“Come on,” she said as she pulled him after her. The touch of her hand was warm and soothing. He wanted to do more than just hold her hand. He wanted to love her and keep her safe in his arms.

Cordelia stopped at the cake and looked at Angelus. She could see the desire in his eyes and it made her shiver. Not with fear, but with a anticipation all her own. She smiled at him and turned her attention to the cake. She slowly cut the cake, making the action so erotic that she felt heat pulling between her thighs. She could only imagine what Angelus was going through and it caused her to drop Wesley’s piece on the floor.

“Oops,” she said, hiding her smile behind her hand. “Sorry.”

“That’s quite all right,” he said as he bent and picked up the slice. He put it on another plate to be tossed away. He looked up and saw the expression on both Angelus and Cordelia’s faces. He could only guess what they were thinking as they stared at each other.

“I’ll go throw this away,” he said as he picked up the plate and left the two alone.

“You did that on purpose,” Angelus said as he took a step toward her.

“What on purpose?” She asked as she looked at him. A wickedly gleam formed in her hazel eyes.

“Dropping the cake on the floor. You wanted him gone.”

“You know me so well,” she whispered as she stepped toward him and took his lips with hers.

The kiss warmed her like no other. Her hands went around his waist, pulling him toward her. She opened her mouth and his tongue slid inside, dancing with hers. She moaned softly as her hands moved up and down his back. He felt warm in her arms, solid and strong. She knew, though that he wouldn’t hurt her and she took comfort in that fact.

“Delia,” he whispered as his lips moved to her ear. She moved closer to him as he suckled on her earlobe. She was soft against his body, warming him like no fresh blood could. He held her tightly against him, letting her feel his arousal and the passion that was flowing through him. He wanted her and this time he was going to have her.

He began to walk over to the couch and gently brought them down upon it. He took her lips again, deepening the kiss as his hands moved under her shirt and cupped her breasts. He heard her moan as their tongue dueled and it aroused him even more.

Cordelia felt her shirt slipping up her body and over her head. The bra came next as she was gently pushed down onto the couch. Her hands explored Angelus’ bare chest after he had taken his shirt off. She smiled up at him as her hands cupped his face. She stared into his eyes. She could see the emotions dancing in his dark depths and it filled her with love and desire. She closed her eyes and gave in to the emotions she was having as he took a breast into his mouth. She arched up into his mouth, letting him take more of her. She moaned his name as he began to suckle first one then the other.

“Angelus,” she whispered, the urgency in her voice evident. She was on fire for him and she wanted a release before she exploded. She arched her hips up against his, feeling his arousal and knowing that he was ready as well.

“Delia,’ Angelus whispered as he looked up at her. He could sense her readiness and he smiled as he began to remove the rest of their clothes. Soon, there were clothes scattered over the lobby floor.

Angelus posed above her, looking into her eyes to see if this was what she wanted. He could see the desire in her eyes as well as passion and love. She opened her thighs for him and that was all the encouragement he needed. He took her mouth once again as he thrust inside her. They both moaned at the feeling of being one and held there for several moments, enjoying it. He then began to slowly move inside her as he deepened the kiss. The sensation nearly sent him over the edge, but he held himself back, wanting to take her to new heights.

Cordelia matched his motions with her own. She wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him deeper inside her. She arched up into him, giving more of herself to him. He answered with passion as he took a breast into his mouth and thrust deeper inside of her. She closed her eyes and moaned his name, not caring who heard.

He thrust faster inside her as he felt himself nearing the edge. He had thought that he was taking her to new heights, but instead, they were both going there. He felt himself going higher and higher with each thrust and moan. He could feel her muscles gathering tighter around him as they both reached their climax.

They both cried out at the same time, filling the lobby with echoes of their passion. They slowly both came back down to earth, wrapped in each other’s arms and feeling as if they were basking in the sun.

“Delia,” Angelus whispered as he lifted up and stared into her eyes. He smiled as he stroked her face with a finger. She smiled back at him, her face and eyes glowing with love.

“That was amazing,” Cordelia whispered as she ran her hand through his hair. She raised up to kiss him, neither one hearing the doors open to the lobby.

“Oh, my God,” a familiar voice came to their ears.

They looked up at the same time to see Buffy standing before them, her expression one of shock and disbelief. They all stared at each other in silence, too stunned to say anything.

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