To Tame a Demon

A fic by: Jen (Angel's blue eyed girl) & Vix (Vixangel)

Rating: M

Disclaimer: Joss owns them, but we own this fic and we like our Angelus better! So nah-nah-na-na-na!

A/N: Check out me and Vix's fave's to see some great authors of some amazing B/A/Aus fics. Finally there's some awesomne B/A fics out there again.. I was getting so sick of everything Spuffy! Grr. Okay, I'd like to dedicate this chappie to Amber who's home sick with the flu. Love you babe, hope you feel better soon so you can update 'Your No Mr. Smith' I miss that fic. :(

As always thank you to everyone who R&R's. You feed the musie beast and she feeds me so I always want you guys to know how much your feedback means. Thank you.

Okay on with the show...

Jen

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Chappie 10

The Compound:

The crowd roared its approval when they realized she was the Slayer. Angelus growled in frustration. Great, they wanted blood. How the hell was he going to get out of this without giving them what they wanted? He glared up at Darla. Bitch! He knew she had something to do with Buff being here. Fuck. This wasn't how he'd envisioned tonight going. He'd planned on coming clean to Buff later, but not like this. Now he'd be lucky if either of them made it out of this alive. He couldn't kill her, just the thought of her lying dead—especially by his hand, made him sick. But if he didn't fight…he'd be branded an outcast, a traitor to his kind, and best case scenario, he'd be banished—worst—executed.

"You bastard!" Buffy screamed at him, interrupting his musing. She ran across the space separating them and smacked him upside the head so hard; he swore his ears might never stop ringing. "Did you think it was funny—getting me to fall in love with you? Did you?" She spun on her heel and delivered a punishing kick to his chest that sent him flying.

He bounced off the wall of the ring, and landed on his face with a thud. Angry, he went into demon face as he staggered to his feet.

Buffy stepped back a hand to her chest as she got her first look at his vampiric visage. "You tricked me--used me..." She narrowed her eyes. "You make me sick," she snapped.

She looked so murderous, for a split second he felt a frisson of worry that she might go all Slayer on him and actually dust him. He had to get her off balance, make her react like a jilted lover instead. He shifted his face back to his human guise. "I never lied to you, and before you sign up as a martyr...why don't you remind yourself of how you loved every minute of my courtship," he taunted. He rubbed his chin. "I seem to remember you screaming my name as I took your virginity."

The crowd howled with laughter at the Slayer's downfall. He winced inwardly at humiliating her like this, but he had to keep her emotional. If the fight got too serious, no matter who won, he'd lose. That wasn't going to happen, even if it meant breaking her heart.

His words sliced through her like a knife and Buffy felt sick. She blinked as tears flooded her eyes. "Why are you doing this?"

"Come on, babe. Don't get all weepy on me." He wanted to say he was sorry, but bit back the words. She already looked like she wanted to just curl up and cry. That wouldn't do. The crowd would rip her apart if she showed that kind of weakness. "Fight me, Buff." He winked. "I'm still sporting the scratches you gave me when I was fucking you, so I know you're a wild-cat—show me what you've got!" The crowd laughed with him and Buffy felt her face flame.

"You're evil," she said, hating him and the fact that she felt more like crying than fighting.

He shrugged. "I'm a demon." He waved her forward with his hands. "Come on, show me what you got, lover," he said and attacked her. He grabbed her shoulders and yanked her to him. "Forgive me," he whispered and kissed her. But it wasn't like their previous kisses. This kiss was meant to dominate her. She whimpered as he brutalized her mouth, splitting her lip in the process. He licked the blood from her mouth. "You taste perfect," he said, before he tossed her across the ring.

Buffy landed on her rear and skidded across the dirt. Her fingers went to her lip and she winced at the cut there. That did it. He'd used her—was using her still. She sprung to her feet and her whole body seemed to freeze as she studied him. She was the predator now, and it sent chills down his spine and his cock sprung to life. He marveled at the bad timing of his arousal when she advanced on him with fire in her eyes. "You're gonna pay for that," she growled.

"I already am," he said mysteriously and prepared himself for her attack.

She paused—he was throwing her off her game. What did he mean by that and how had she been so wrong about him? Her momentary lack of focus gave him the opportunity to land a solid blow to her cheek that sent her spinning. He had to make this look good. He grabbed her hair and tilted her head back. "They want me to drain you," he growled. "Listen to them…" The crowd was chanting 'kill her'. Buffy shivered. His lips were so close all she had to do was lean forward an inch and they'd be kissing. "Fight me, or I'll make you wish you had..." he whispered.

His words were like a bucket of ice water splashed across her face. She shoved him away. "I hate you."

"No you don't and that's what kills you. It's killing me too."

"Right, I can see how broken up you are."

He rushed her then, but she flipped over his head and landed behind him. "I-hate-you," she said, and kicked him in the lower back. He fell to his knees, but was up in seconds.

"No…you don't, but you're feeling the fire, aren't you?"

"Yeah, I'm feeling something alright. The need to kick your ass!" she snarled and went on the offensive again, but she was fighting with her heart, not her mind so her attack lacked her normal deadly skill.

He'd counted on that. He figured it was the only thing that was going to keep her from wiping the mat with him. A half hour into the match, both of them were bloody and bruised.

"Had enough yet?" he asked, wiping blood off his lip.

"Have you?' she taunted back.

He laughed and she took advantage, landing a kick to his ribs that sent him stumbling back. He landed on his knees. She spun and delivered a perfect circular kick, but Angelus rolled backwards and the blow glanced off his head, rather than taking it off. He sprang to his feet to ward off her next advance, when out of the corner of his eye he noticed Nest drop a stake and a sword into the ring. Figures…old bat-face wanted blood and he didn't care whose it was.

Buffy saw the weapons too, and her eyes shot up to his. They both froze for a heartbeat, before racing across the ring. They fell to the ground, scuffling for a weapon. She got a hold on her stake first. Buffy leapt to her feet with the deadly piece of wood in hand, while Angelus grabbed the sword, but he'd no sooner gotten to his feet when she backhanded him hard enough to send him staggering around the ring like a drunk. He dropped the sword and she kicked him in the chest. He sailed backwards and bounced ingloriously across the arena floor. He didn't have time to ponder his defeat because she was on him before he could even lift his head. She straddled his belly, one hand gripping his neck as she raised her arm, preparing to deliver the killing blow.

Was her face going to be the last thing he ever saw? Good—he wouldn't want it any other way. Suddenly his feelings—they were so clear. "I think I'm in love with you," he said softly.

Buffy froze, and all the color drained from her face. She trembled as tears leaked from her eyes. "Evil son of a bitch—I wish I could kill you!" she cried, and drove the stake into the ground beside his head.

The crowd was stunned into silence. Angelus lay there. He'd lost, but he'd won too. The fight was worthy of being declared a good match and he hadn't let Buffy live—she'd let him live. As far as the Council was concerned he'd done his duty. If anything her obvious love for him added to his reputation.

She pulled the stake from the ground and wiped an arm across her brow as she got to her feet. "I've fought your fight. Now let me out of here!" she snarled, looking up at the boxes where she knew the 'Higher-ups-who'd ordered this fight' sat. Her hand tightened on her stake. "Or I'm going to start staking at random—and I'll start with all of you in that box." She glanced back to where Angelus was getting to his feet. "I can't kill him, but I will dust you—trust me!"

La'ehah stood up and began to applaud. Almost immediately other Council members did too, then the whole arena was clapping…except Nest. He scowled. How had Angelus come out of this still looking like a damned hero? He took a sip of his wine, but it tasted bitter. He'd imagined this playing out differently.

"You thought she'd kill him, didn't you?" Darla purred, coming up beside him. Her blue eyes were hard as she studied her Sire. "You played this well, but as usual, it seems you've underestimated my boy's charms…" She arched a perfectly plucked brow. "I don't think I'll forgive you this time," she said tartly, and strolled away from him, her laughter at his defeat trailing behind her.

Nest glowered after her. He'd been far too lenient with Darla, he recognized his mistake now. He shrugged. She'd come under his thumb again once her 'darling boy' was off with Leah, and then he'd make her realize he was the one she'd be with for eternity, not her 'stallion'.

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Getting to his feet, Angelus watched her march out of the arena. She'd glanced at him that one time, but the ice in her eyes had frozen him in place. Where once her eyes had sparkled with love, now they blazed with hatred, and he wasn't sure how he was feeling. He put a hand to his chest and glanced down, almost expecting to see a raw, gaping wound there. The pain was so intense it seemed silly that he wasn't bleeding. Is this what heartbreak felt like? He decided he didn't like it. He glanced up at the Council box. Nest looked pissed, but La'ehah looked pleased. Why? There was a plot there—he was sure of it. He'd get to the bottom of it, but first he had to get Buff out of here.

He acted his part, bowing to the Council and the crowd, before he too made his way out of the ring and back to his rooms. His smile was deadly as he took the stairs two at a time. Hopefully his deceitful bitch of a Sire would be there and he could work off some of his rage by snapping her pretty little neck!

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Buffy paced in her cell. She wasn't surprised they'd captured her rather than letting her go, but despite the very real danger she was in, she couldn't seem to focus on coming up with an escape plan. All she wanted to do is confront Angel. She supposed it was because she was still reeling from what she'd found out tonight. Her heart ached so badly she feared it might laterally burst from her chest in a grotesque spray of blood and torment. She leaned against the wall. "Angel…" she said softly, sliding down the wall. She brought her knees up to her chest and pillowed her head on them as she went over every second she'd been with him. How had she not seen—felt was he was?

Simple. She hadn't wanted to. She'd even been warned about him, but she hadn't heeded that warning. He was so sexy…so charming, she'd jumped right in and given her heart to a monster. "Oh God," she whimpered. She still loved him…loved him so much that it felt like a fist was squeezing her heart in a vice grip of raw agony. She could still hear his words of love echoing in her head—beguiling her with the sweet promise of having his heart—that is until she remembered he didn't have one, and then the torment would start all over again. She buried her face in her hands and finally gave in to the tears.

"Are you crying for him, little Slayer?" A voice asked from the shadows.

Buffy scrambled to her feet, wiping at her eyes. "Who are you—where's Angelus?"

"Oh he's fine. He was declared the loser of the match, but he'll recover…trust me, I'll make sure of that." A woman stepped forward and Buffy gasped at her exotic beauty. Her skin was a golden bronze and she had long, waist length black hair, full lips, and eyes that seemed to glow like brand new pennies. Buffy felt vampire, but since her face wasn't ridged, only her eyes gave away what she was.

"So…who are you—the welcoming committee?"

La'ehah smiled. "Not exactly," she said, stepping closer to the cage, curious to get a good look at the girl who'd captured Angelus' attention so thoroughly.

Buffy noticed she didn't come too close. "What no hug? You're not scared of little ol' me, are you?"

"Clever girl—you distract your opponents with your wit, right?" She smiled when Buffy shrugged. "It's a good tactic, one I've used a time or two, myself, but to answer your question…no, I'm not afraid of you." She shrugged. "But you are the Slayer of my kind, and an emotional one at that," she said, laughing softly. "I haven't lived for over a thousand years by taking foolish risks just to prove my ego." She waved a hand negligently. "I'll leave that to the males of my species, thank you."

Buffy almost smiled. "Whatever," she said instead.

"Foolish little Slayer. I warned you about him, but no, you just had to touch the fire didn't you?" She made a tsk-tsk sound. "Well, you have no one but yourself to blame for getting burned."

"Huh? What are you—?" Buffy stopped, and she gasped. "It was you! You're the one who sent me his picture, aren't you?"

"I was hoping you were smart enough to see past his looks, but you weren't, so here we are. Now you will die and Angelus will suffer until he eventually gets over it and moves on."

"Oh and let me guess…You want to be the one helping him to do the 'moving on' right?"

"I will make sure he achieves what he's always craved—power."

Buffy scowled at the intimate way she talked about Angel's desires. "Maybe he doesn't want that. Maybe you don't know him as well as you think," she said, scowling.

The vampire laughed softly. "Oh I know Angel…" She licked her lips. "I know him very...very well as a matter of fact."

Just the way she said that made Buffy's skin crawl and a bitter wave of jealousy swept through the Slayer. It didn't take a genius to realize this woman had fucked Angel. It made Buffy sick, but she plastered on an arrogant smirk of her own and fought fire with fire. "Really? Then why didn't he kill me? Killing a Slayer adds to your power, right? Especially me, because I am the strongest Slayer ever…" Buffy's smile broadened when the vampire's finely arched brows drew down in a scowl. "He had several chances you know?" she said, leaning against the bars, like she was bored. "But he didn't do it." Buffy gripped the cage and leaned forward. "Tell me…if you know him so well…why did he spend more time making love to me than trying to kill me?" she asked, flashing a cheeky grin.

Buffy saw her words strike home, but the vampire quickly recovered and smirked back at the Slayer. "It doesn't matter anymore," she said briskly. "Angelus lost tonight—against you." A cunning smile graced the woman's sensual features. "My Champion," she said, winking at Buffy. "I guess this is the part where I should thank you for giving him to me."

"You're—what do you mean 'giving him to you'?"

"I entered you into tonight's games—you fought for my Clan and because Angelus lost to you, he belongs to me." She grinned and this time she flashed fangs. "At the end of the 'Gathering', I will take him as my mate."

"What?!" Buffy glared at the devious creature. "Okay, first off—I'm not your anything, Grannie, and hello? Doesn't he get a choice in whether he wants to…" she waved a hand, "mate with you?" Visuals of Angelus and this woman tortured her mind, and Buffy grimaced in pain. "You set him up. If he killed me—you win—if he didn't—you win."

Le'ahah gave a small shrug. "Hmmm, maybe you are smarter than you look, but that's beside the point. Tonight you'll die and I'll have what I want." Her laughter was like nails on a chalkboard to the Slayer. "Ciao," she said, and turned to leave.

"Wait," Buffy cried. The vampire turned back, a brow raised in question, and Buffy hesitated.

"As interesting as I find you—I do have a mating ceremony to get to…" the copper eyed vampire taunted.

Buffy bit her lip—she wanted to tear every strand of hair from the bitch's head, but she wanted to know the truth more. "Just tell me…does he really love me?"

"Now why on earth would I tell you that?"

"Why not? You say I'm going to be dead soon, just think of it as added torture." Buffy shrugged. "You vamps like that, right?"

"Funny, but I'm thinking it would be incentive for you to escape. No, the real torture here would be to leave you wondering if he did or didn't," she said with a smirk, and left.

Buffy scowled at her retreating back. Bitch. She detested her and the thought of her touching Angel. The woman was beautiful in a way Buffy had no experience with. She moved like she was royalty, but at a thousand years, guess you learned how to be cool. Is that the kind of woman Angel wanted? Buffy felt physically ill at the thought of them together. No—it so wasn't going to happen—she had to get out of here.

Something the vampire said niggled at her. She'd said the answer would be incentive to escape. Did that mean he did love her? Why else would the answer make her want to escape? Well, unless he'd only used her, then she'd want to escape just to kick the crap out of him again. Buffy huffed out a frustrated breath. She didn't know what to think. He hadn't really attempted to hurt her. He'd hit her, yes, but he'd never unleashed his full strength. Why? Her heart began to pound. Maybe he really did love her—did that make a difference? Buffy sighed. Yes. It made a hell of a lot of a difference. It made all the difference in the world…

More determined than ever to get out of here so she could talk to Angel, Buffy started eyeing her guards—looking for the weak link. If she could antagonize just one of them into opening up the door…she smiled. She knew she could take them.

She had to see Angel. At the very least so she could spoil that woman's plans. There was no way Buffy was going to just sit back and let that bitch waltz in and just have him—especially if there was even a chance he loved her.

She wrapped her hands around the bars and called out to her guards. "Hello…?" Nothing. "Hey dead-guys…" she yelled out. Still nothing. She laughed. "Oh c'mon…you're not really scared of one tiny little girl, are you?"

She heard a few growls then, and laughed. "Well, why don't you come and try me…" Two of the three guards showed themselves.

"Shut up—we were told not to talk to you."

"That's only because they're saving me for themselves…" She saw their simple minds cloud with confusion and bit back her smile. "Seriously—I'm in a cage…haven't you ever wanted to mack on a Slayer—tasty powerful blood here…" she taunted, brushing her hair aside and showing her neck. "Dinner bells ringing guys...come and get it..."

She could almost see the drool as they as they stepped closer to her cage.

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Angelus was buttoning his shirt when a knock sounded at his door. "What?" he snapped.

The door opened and Penn and Spike stepped into the room. Angelus raised a brow. "Did I say come in?"

Spike knew that look and stepped back. Penn accepted he was probably getting a beating and stayed where he was. He preferred to just get it out of the way rather than wait. Angelus sped across the distance separating them, grabbed Penn by the neck and tossed him across the room. The smaller vampire crashed against the wall and slid to the floor with a dazed look on his face. Angelus stalked over to his childe and placed a booted foot on his chest, keeping him pinned where he was. "Didn't I tell you to keep her out of my hair?"

"I tried," Penn said, grabbing Angelus' ankle and trying to remove his foot from his chest. "She wants you," he growled, giving up on removing his Sire's boot. He sat back and sighed. "What the hell was I supposed to do—chain her to the bed?"

"You might have tried that—she'd have loved it, you moron," Angelus snapped. He took his foot out of his childe's chest, leaned down to grab Penn by the collar and hauled him to his feet. "I told you I needed her distracted," he griped as he dusted his favorite off. Penn scowled and pulled back, straightening his clothes. Angelus raised a brow. "How is it that you couldn't manage that, boy?"

"Bloody hell," Spike said, putting two and two together. "You sent him after Grand-mum, didn't you?"

Angelus rolled his eyes. "Did you really think he'd fuck her if I hadn't?!" He snorted. "Spike, unlike you…Penn follows my orders to the letter!"

"Hey, I follow orders. Who told you she was plannin' on putting a tail on you when you were out shagging your Slayer? Me. Who watches over your hen-house because you can't be bothered with the mess you've made of them all? I do. So don't bloody well tell me I can't follow orders, ya soddin' ponce."

"Are you looking for the beating I was going to give Penn, William?" Angelus asked in a deadly soft voice. "Because if you are, you might want to re-consider…the way I feel right now—you might not survive it."

Penn shook his head in warning when Spike looked like he might smart off again. "No," he finally mumbled. "But I don't think your 'golden-boy' over there deserves a beating either—it's not his fault your bleedin' she-bitch of a Sire wants no one else between her dimpled thighs, but you. That's your fault mate, and you bloody well know it."

Penn rolled his eyes. "Spike will you ever learn to just shut up?"

Angelus laughed. "No, he's actually right this time. It is my fault—I've let this happen…" He ran a hand through his hair. "Now she's suffering for it," he added softly.

"So it's true," Penn whispered. "You've fallen in love with this girl, haven't you?"

Angelus looked away. He clenched his jaw so hard a muscle ticked there, but still he remained silent. "I don't know what that is," he muttered. "But if it makes your chest ache and you feel sick whenever you're not with her, then…fuck!" he cursed. "How the fuck would I know, Penn?" They both turned to Spike.

"What?"His smile was innocent, but had a distinct 'I told you so' look to it. "Angelus, do you want to spend every minute with her?"

Reluctantly he nodded.

"Do ya feel like you're heart is actually alive and beatin' in your chest again when you're with her?'

"Okay, I get the picture," Angelus growled. "How did this happen to me?" he growled and stormed past them and into the bathroom.

Penn watched him go with a stunned expression. "Son of a bitch."

Spike smirked and held out his hand. "I told ya. Now pay up."

Penn growled, dug in his pocket, pulled out his wallet, and handed Spike a hundred dollar bill.

Angelus stood in the doorway and watched the exchange—he narrowed his eyes. "You made a bet—about my sex life?"

Spike ignored his angry look--it wasn't too bad, Spike knew the difference. "Not your sex life, mate," Spike said, taking the money Penn gave him and pocketing it. "We made a bet about your 'love' life. I said you were tipped head-over-arse for the chit, but Penn here disagreed." He chuckled. "Judging from your performance at the Challenge tonight, I think it's safe to say you've gone and bloody well given your black heart to the Slayer. It's perfectly sick."

Angelus grabbed Spike by the collar of his duster and hauled him up until they were at eye level. "You're going to be perfectly dissected if you don't shut your trap, Will. And I mean right this fucking minute," he snarled, shaking the smaller vampire. "One more word about me being in love and I'll drag your ass down to the basement and introduce you to the new staple gun I got last week, are we clear?"

Not wanting to have any part of a nail-gun lesson, Spike nodded. "As bleedin' crystal," he said, forcefully biting back his smirk at Angelus' predicament. The prick had never felt anything, but lust and hunger for violence—he almost felt sorry for his old sire—almost, but not quite.

Angelus studied him a moment before nodding. "Good," he snapped and grabbed his boots off the floor. He sat at the foot of his bed and pulled them on. "Listen—whatever I feel or 'don't' feel…" He glared at them, "…for Buff, I'm not going to let her die." He finished fastening his boots and stood. "So here's the plan, and since I'm going to need both of you to pull it off…listen up."

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Giles' Apartment:

"I can't imagine what's keeping her. She promised to be here over an hour ago," Giles said as he took his glasses off, polished them and then replaced them.

Willow's grin was sly as she said, "Maybe she's with her 'Angel'." She grinned and gave Cordy a knowing smirk.

Cordy shot the red head a look. "I'm thinking if Buffy wants to broadcast her love life—she'll do it herself, so can you can put your mega-phone down, kay?" she said giving Willow a falsely sweet smile.

Willow frowned. "You're just jealous 'cause I knew about him first."

Cordy rolled her eyes. "What-ever. I'm so not jealous of you…as if," she muttered.

"Children, please…" Giles said with a sigh. "As fascinating as I find you're one-upping of each other—" He stopped. "Who is this Angel, you're speaking of?"

Cordy looked away. "That's for Buffy to tell you," she said.

Willow gave the brunette a dirty look and went on to tell Giles about all about Angel. Giles frowned. Why hadn't Buffy told him she had a new boyfriend? She usually told him everything—which was more than he wanted to know at times. Like when it got too personal—he began tuning out when Willow mentioned Buffy having dreams of the Angel fellow.

"Um…well, yes, so she likes this boy. That's—"

Suddenly the front door banged open and Xander sailed in carrying several pizza containers. "Yes, I am the man with the plan and the pizza."

Glad for the interruption Giles stood. "Let me get some more tea and some plates." He picked up his tea-cup. "Willow why don't you try Buffy on her cell phone again," he said and headed for the kitchen.

Cordy shot the witch a look and smirked. "You think you're the four-one-one on Buffy, don't you?" She smirked. "Shows how much you know. I've talked to him—he has a house on Crawford St. and he's not only rich, but dreamy hot too. Oh and F.Y.I…his real name is Angelus."

The sound of a tea-cup shattering made the Scooby gang jump and turn towards Giles. He was standing at the doorway to the kitchen staring at them in shock. "Did you…?" He cleared his throat. "Cordelia, did you say his name was…Angelus?"

"Yeah, I know—majorly hot, huh?"

"Good God," he gasped, and without bothering to pick up his shattered cup, Giles rushed from the room, leaving the rest of the gang sitting there stunned.

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Penn threw open the door to Faith's room. He stopped for a brief second, staring at her half naked body.

She shimmied into her leather pants. "Wanna try knocking first!"

"Sorry, no time to knock," he growled back, and went to her closet. He dragged out her suitcases and then headed across the room to her dresser. He opened drawers, grabbed armful of her clothes and tossed them into her suitcases. Over and over he repeated the process until he'd emptied the dresser.

Faith quirked a brow at him, "Mind telling me, just what the fuck are you doing, Jr.?"

He headed for her armoire. "Get whatever things you want out of your bathroom. The shit is going to hit the fan tonight and if you want to survive the fall out between Nest, Darla and Angelus…you'll come with me, now."

Faith's eyes widened. "But he's already got the Order—why is he—?" She stopped. "That fucking Slayer! It's because of her, isn't it?" She rolled her eyes. "He's really got a thing for them, doesn't he?"

Penn just snapped his fingers. "We can sit here and discuss Angelus' weird fascination for Slayers and get caught up in a blood-bath or we can get out of here…you're choice."

"You're going too?"

He sighed. "No. He's going to need me here, but I—" He looked away. "Just get your shit together Faith."

He never called her Faith. Her eyes widened. "You're worried about me."

"I'm about to leave you here if you don't get a move on."

Faith smirked. "No you won't—you have feelings for me," she said with a smirk.

He was across the room and grabbed her by the hair. "I don't want to see you dusted tonight. Now get your ass moving,' he snapped and pushed her towards the bathroom.

Faith laughed. "Whatever—you like me—you know you do,' she said, but she quickly gathered what she wanted and was ready before he could explode again. "Ready."

He looked down. She had a blow drier and a bag of make-up. "That's it?"

She shrugged. "Hey, I can travel light—Dru's the one who needs all her boxes and boxes of fucking dolls and china!"

He rolled his eyes. "I know, don't remind me, but…" He laughed. "That's Spike's problem—you're mine."

"What about Soon and Petra?"

"Spike can handle them," Penn said as he ushered her out of the room and down the hallway. He glanced around a corner. Obviously Angelus hadn't called Nest out yet. Good. "Okay, let's go." He took her down the back staircase to the kitchen. At the door to the garage he handed her a set of keys. "Take my car, and go to the Sunnydale Inn. I'll meet you there when I can."

Faith stopped him when he turned to go. "Why can't I stay here? I can fight, you know I can."

"Because I need someone smart to take care of things if—" He stopped. "Just make sure Dru and the girls get out of this alive, okay?"

"Do you really think it's going to go like that?"

He shrugged. "With Nest and Angelus…? Who knows? Plus Leah's involved too. I'm not sure how, but we all know she still wants a piece of him and she might rather see him dusted if he rejects her." He shrugged. "Either way, I just need you out of here, okay?"

Faith grabbed him and kissed him. "When this is over—you and me—we're so having a talk."

"If I make it out of this—talking will be the last thing I want to do, Faithy."

She returned his grin with a smirk of her own. "Can't threaten me with a good time," she teased and gave him another kiss. She twirled his keys and winked. "It's the red Camaro, right?"

He scowled at the look of mischief on her face. "Faith, I love that car—crash it and I'll chain you up and whip you."

She chuckled. "Again—why are you threatening me with a good time?" His brows drew down and she grinned. "Relax, Jr. I promise to keep it in one piece," she teased and left him standing there with a worried scowl.

"Trouble—that's what she is," he muttered and went back up to the rooms to make sure Spike was getting the rest of the girls ready.

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The Council sat around the huge mahogany table in the formal dining room of the compound. The mood was serious. Nest could feel the tension and it was directed at him. He wasn't happy. He snapped his fingers and fresh blood was brought to him. He sipped from his glass, waiting. He detested this whole ordeal—who were they to tell him how to run his Order?

Drake, the oldest vampire in the room, and the leader of the High Council leaned forward, placing his elbows on the shiny wood of the table. "We've reviewed your argument, Heinrich, but with everything that has happened—including tonight's events, we've decided that it would be in the best interest of Aurelious, if you step down."

Nest reclined in his chair, refusing to show how angry he was. "Oh really? And why is that?"

Lea smiled. "Well, for one, you were all-too-ready to betray one of your Clan members," she said, egging him further into rage.

He glared at her. "As were you."

She shrugged. "Angelus is not yet a member of my clan, and if he were…I wouldn't be trying to betray him. I'd be encouraging him to find his vicious demon again, but you try and hamper him—sending him on useless missions that you're too lazy to deal with yourself."

"Killing the 'Greatest Slayer' to ever live is hardly what I'd call a useless mission."

Drake slammed a hand on the table. "But you'd heard the whispers. You knew this particular Slayer was destined to be dangerous to him, yet you sent him anyhow. What does that say about you as a Grand-Sire? You should protect your family, Heinrich, not send them to their ruin."

The other Council members nodded and it was in that's second that Nest realized La'ehah had played him and he'd allowed it to happen. She'd known that Drake would see this as a betrayal and yet she'd not only encouraged it, she'd orchestrated it. Bitch. He sighed. Maybe he was too jaded to do this anymore. Years ago he would have smelled the double-cross, but in this he'd played right into her hands, now the Council was looking at him like a negligent leader who didn't care what happened to his Clan as long as he got what he wanted. He smirked, which was exactly what he was.

Just then the double doors slammed open and Angelus strode in. "I am Angelus, the Scourge of Europe. Grand-Childe of Heinrich Nest and I openly challenge him for the leadership to Aurelious," he said, his voice confident and assured.

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Buffy heard a commotion and looked up. A good looking guy with dirty blond spiky hair and blue eyes came in, twirling a set of ancient looking keys around his finger.

He glanced at the three piles of dust around her cage and rolled his eyes. "They were told not to come near you."

Buffy shrugged. "It's so hard to find good minions nowadays…huh?"

Penn giggled. She was hot—if she wasn't Angelus' he'd think of trying for a piece of that too—but, he liked his head where it was. "So you're the one who's got my Sire tied up in knots," he said, raking his eyes over Buffy's body.

She felt vampire and gave him a too sweet smile. "Okay, I'll play. Who's your Sire and why do I have him tied up in knots?"

"You know my Sire—quite well actually. Name Angelus ring any of your bells?"

He said that in the knowing kind of way that made Buffy's hackles rise. Did everyone know about her and Angel's personal life? "You know I've had a really bad day—are you going to say something useful or are we just making small talk?"

His jaw hung, and then he laughed. "Cute. You are different, I'll give you that."

"Great, so we've established I'm different…still waiting for the useful part."

Spike came into the room. "Penn, what's taking you—?" He stopped and smiled at Buffy. "Oh. Hello there."

Buffy rolled her eyes. "What are you two—the vamp version of dumb and dumber?"

Spike smirked at Penn. "She is cute when she's angry. I see why Angelus is all hot and bothered."

That got Buffy's attention. "I'll be cuter kicking your ass if you don't tell me where he is and now would be nice."

Penn twirled the keys again. "He's…busy, so he sent us to get you."

Buffy narrowed her eyes on those keys. "He's…busy? Yeah, I can see how hot and bothered he is…" she muttered. "He's a lying—evil son of a bitch is what he is," she snapped, without taking her eyes off those keys—she wanted out of here.

Penn's eyes flashed. "Considering he's upstairs challenging his Grand-sire and the Council to save you—which might get him killed by the way—you might want to cool it on the name calling."

As mad as she was at Angelus, the thought of him dying sent cold dread racing along her nerve endings. Her heart felt like someone was squeezing it in a vice and Buffy felt sick. "Let me out—I—he can't die."

That was the look Penn had been waiting for. He went to the cage and after a few tries found the key that fit. "Try and stake us and me and Spike'll eat you little Slayer," he warned before he actually opened the door.

Buffy rolled her eyes. "Hate to disappoint you—but you two..." She eyed them up and down. "Not even on my radar right now."

Spike scowled. "Hey, I've killed two Slayers, I'll have you know."

Penn shot him a look. "Not really the time to tell her that Einstein."

Buffy took a better look at the Billy-Idol look-a-like. "Remind me again…you are...?"

"No one important," Penn said, narrowing his eyes at Spike.

Spike smirked. "Oh, you'll know me soon enough, cutie."

"Or you'll know the end of Mr. Pointy if you don't let me out of here."

Penn was putting all his faith in his Sire's prediction that Buffy loved him and wouldn't stake them first and ask questions later when he turned the key and let Buffy out.

"Where is he?" Buffy asked as soon as she was free.

Penn grabbed her arm and headed for the stairs. "That doesn't matter—he wants you out of here. You need to go to the mansion and wait for him there."

Buffy dug her heels in. Penn stopped and glared at her, but she simply rolled her eyes. "Well, that isn't going to happen, so you might as well tell me."

"I'm not arguing with you about this Slayer and I sure as hell don't want to deal with Angelus' temper because of you—now say thank-you and just get out of here, will you?"

She crossed her arms. "Tel me where he is or I stake the both of you…" She reached into her boot and pulled out a sharpened piece of wood. She pointed it at them. "You're choice."

Penn and Spike looked at each other, not really liking the position they were in. Piss off Angelus or deal with an armed and very emotional Slayer.

Buffy clenched her fists. "Look, you got me out and I appreciate it, but I will stake your asses if you don't tell me where he is and I mean…" She took a threatening step forward, "Now!"

Spike shrugged. "He's up those stairs. Make a right, go through the main hallway to the huge double doors. It looks like you're entering a bloody monastery, so you can't miss em...he's in there."

Penn glared at him, but Spike waved him off. Buffy took off at a run, but Spike stopped her. "Oh and when you find the big lummox…make you tell him you beat the information out of us, will you?"

She made a face, but nodded. "Right," she said and rushed up the stairs.

Penn glared at Spike after Buffy had left. "You do know he's going to strip the flesh from our backs if anything happens to her, right?"

"Well her immediate threat was a little more…immediate than his, don't you think?"

Penn had to agree there. That was one pissed off Slayer. "Did you get the rest of the girls to the Motel?" he asked, as they headed up the stairs.

"Yeah, Dru fought me the whole time, but I gave her Miss Edith and she was okay after that." Spike glanced at his 'brother' a question in his eyes. "Well, the rescue was technically completed, so you know what we need to do now…are you sure you can do it?"

Looking away, Penn sighed. "She never cared about me."

"Yeah, but you know what Angelus has planned for her…"

"Darla deserves it. She set him up."

"But that still doesn't answer my bloody question…can you do this, mate? Because if you can't—"

Penn's eyes were deadly as he grabbed Spike by the throat and pinned him against the wall. "I'd stake you for Angelus, Spike. Don't ever doubt my loyalty to our Sire," he growled.

"Get off ya tosser!" Spike snarled and shoved Penn away from him. "Always tryin' ta be him, aren't ya?" He reached in his jacket and grabbed his cigarettes. he lit one for himself and Penn. "Well give it up—you just ain't got the big scaries to make me quiver in me knackers," he said, blowing out a cloud of smoke.

Penn scowled, but accepted the cigarette. Together they headed up the back staircase. "Now as I was sayin…" Spike said, as he opened the door that led to the main hallway. "I'm thinkin' this might be hard on you because you got feelings for the bitch—I meant bint…" He smirked, but Penn wasn't reacting, so he shrugged, and went on. "I'm just thinkin' if ya can't handle it, let me know and I'll take care of her."

Penn took another drag of his smoke and flicked it at Spike, chuckling when the blond batted it away and scowled. "Don't worry about me, Spikey…I'll do it." His smile was eerily Angelus-like. "Hell, I might even take her someplace where I can take my time about it actually…" he said, moving past Spike to lead the way towards the bedrooms.

"Could you try to stop channeling Angelus?" Spike growled, following after him. "Gives a bloke the willys," he said as they paused outside the door. "If she even has a clue what we're up to--we're in for a fight."

Penn nodded and his smile widened "She has a lot of spunk..." His voice had gotten husky.

Just then the door opened and Darla stood there. Penn and Spike both wore equal looks of surprise. "Hello boys..." she said with a smile. "Don't tell me--you're here to bring me to Angelus..."

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Okay guys you know the drill--click the button--feed the musie and she'll feed me.