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Kindred Spirits-- by Katie

Rating: PG

Description: Sequel to Soulless.

Disclaimer: Joss owns all except for plot, and made up characters.

It all began three thousand years ago in the Nile River valley. The great Nemesis, who was a wealthy landowner and friend to the pharaoh, was in the marketplace when he saw her. Her name was Anuck and she was just sixteen years old. But right then Nemesis was in love with her. He found out that she was the youngest daughter of the priest of Horus.

So Nemesis went to him and asked for his daughter's hand in marriage. The priest was honored and readily agreed. So Nemesis and Anuck were married. They had many children and live long and happy lives together. When Nemesis died Anuck was heartbroken. So to assure she would meet him again she cast a spell. A spell that would bind them in love in all the lives they would live. But in midst of casting the spell she forgot one ingredient. She forgot the ingredient that would make them happy in every life as well.

Their love was forever, but was their happiness? There was only one way the spell could be changed. That was if their love could overcame the challenge that it faced.

Anna sighed. She hated hosting parties for her father. But she knew she had to/ She knew that all the men here were only looking for her dowry. She was after all the daughter of a Norman lord. So in spite of her feelings she continued to smile and nod and let them believe they may have a chance.

William looked at the dancers. Not a single girl did he see that was worth his time. All of them fake, he thought. But he was engaged, so he really couldn't pursue a girl he might like if she did exist. Nothing stops me from looking though, he thought.

"Anna please dance." He friend Matilda begged. Anna looked at her.

"And give these boys the pleasure of my company?" She asked. Matilda sighed.

"Then just tease them." She suggested. Anna smiled.

"All right let's go quick, before I change my mind." Anna said. Matilda grabbed her hand and they joined the dancers.

William danced with each of the girls, politely smiling at them before moving on. Each he found just like the last. The same common girl tries to please a prospective husband with a fake smile. All just for money and title, he thought. The dancers switched in one graceful sweep and William faced his next partner. He was speechless. She was beautiful.

Anna looked at the boy she was supposed to be dancing with and was instantly enchanted. She and the boy stared at each other for a few moments before they remembered they were supposed to be dancing. So they began to dance never taking their eyes off of one another. There was a connection between them that neither one could have explained. Finally William spoke.

"I do not believe we have met." William said. Anna nodded.

"I am Anna Winsingham and this is my father's house." She said. William smiled.

"William Oxford," He said, "My brother Henry is one of your suitors tonight." Anna smiled.

"Well if he is at all like you then he shall have no competition." She said. Then she sighed. "I really hate this." William looked at her in amusement.

"I thought all ladies enjoyed these affairs." He teased. Ana smiled and shook her head.

"Then you truly do not know me sir." She replied. This girl captured William. She did not care to impress him at all. He also found her to be the most gorgeous creature he had ever met.

Anna found William most handsome and he seemed not at all impressed by her status. Then she came upon an idea.

"Would you like to go somewhere else?" She asked. William nodded.

"More than anything." He answered. Anna smiled and grabbed his hand. They dashed out of the ballroom and down the main corridor to a sitting room. When they got there the raced in. Then they looked at each other gasping for breath.

"Do you run from your parties often?" He asked. Anna shook her head.

"No, not really." She said. She looked around the room to make sure they were alone and she shut the large wooden door. The she sat down on the sofa in front of the fire. William sat beside her.

"So why do you hate them?" He asked. Anna sighed.

"Because I know that this is all I shall do for the rest of my life; run a house, attend parties, and take care of children." She said. She looked into his eyes. "I want an adventure before I resign myself to this." William saw the passion in her eyes and it caught him.

"I know how you feel." He said. Anna laughed.

"No I bet you love this kind of thing and this life." She said. William remained serious and shook his head.

"This is all a joke. The only reason I even come to them any more is because my brother begs me. I would do anything to give up this life and just run free." He said. He looked at Anna. "So what will your adventure be?" He asked.

"I'll know it when I find it." She said. William was again amused.

"And what if you miss it?" He asked. Anna looked at him.

"I won't." She said simply. William smiled.

"Then you'll be watching carefully." He said. Anna got mad.

"If you're going to make fun of me then I'll just leave." She said. She got up but in her anger she stepped on the hem of her gown and tripped. William caught her as she fell and they both tumbled to the ground. William looked down at her and they were both silent for a moment, Then he kissed her. For a moment Anna was shocked. Then she pushed him away. William looked at the ground ashamed.

"I'm sorry." He said. "I didn't mean to do that." Anna just remained quiet. You fool, William thought. He decided she was angry so he got up and began to walk away. Anna stood up.

"William wait." She said. He turned to her. "I didn't mind." She said. William smiled. Then she added, "Just don't do it again."

Over the next few months William and Anna became close friends. He would visit her every chance he got and each time he did he would greet her with the same line.

"Have you found your adventure yet?"

Each time Anna would just smile. One day he came over but didn't greet her in the same manner. Anna knew something was wrong.

"William what's the matter?" She asked. William looked at her.

"Oh nothing. Happy Birthday Anna." He said. Anna smiled.

"You remembered." She said.

"Of course I did. I brought you something." He said. Anna smiled.

"What is it?" She asked. He handed her a small box. Inside was a small gold ring with a red stone. She smiled at him. "I love it." She said. William smiled.

"I thought you might." He said. Anna put it on and gave him a hug.

"Thank you." She said. William then looked away. "William what is it?" She asked. He turned back to her.

"I...I love you Anna." He said. Anna looked at him in shock. "I'm sorry. I know we are just friends but I can't help it. I have loved you from the first time I saw you." Anna just remained silent for a moment.

"You don't know what you're talking about." She said. William sighed.

"But Anna I do. You talk all the time of adventure; well here it is right in front of you. The greatest adventure in the world is to love someone and I love you." He told her. Anna looked at him.

"I love you too." She said. William looked at her. "I have loved you since that night when you kissed me." William smiled. He took her into his arms and he kissed her. At first the kiss was soft and then in moments they were lost in each other's arms. Then she looked up at him.

"Will you love me forever?" She asked. William kissed her hair.

"With all my heart." He said. And he kissed her passionately. That was the beginning of their affair.

William and Anna's affair continued for the next few weeks until the day when it all came to an end. William arrived at Anna's door and she greeted him with a troubled look. Anna caught his mood at once.

"My love what is it?" She asked. He came in and took her hand.

"I have something to tell you." He said. Anna looked up at him.

"You can tell me anything William." She said. He sighed.

"I leave in two days for France." He said. Anna was confused.

"What do you mean?" Anna asked.

"I leave to be married." He said. Anna jerked away.

"Married?" She whispered. "But you can't."

"I have to Anna." He said. "Everything was arranged before I met you. If I had known..." He couldn't finish his sentence. Anna slapped him.

"You knew the whole time and you never even told me?" She said as tears spilled down her cheeks.

"Anna please..." He said. Anna turned away.

"Go, I don't want to hear another word." She said. William hated himself at this moment. The only thing he wanted to do was comfort her. He stood and looked at her. She turned away. "I said go."

"Not before I say one thing." He said. She turned to him.

"What else could you possibly have to say?" She said angrily.

"You are the most stubborn and headstrong girl I have ever met." He said, "But you are also the most beautiful and intelligent. I don't care if you hate me for the rest of my life. I deserve it. But all I do know is that I will love you for the rest of mine." He said. Anna rushed into his arms.

"I could never hate you." She said. William kissed her.

"I'm sorry Anna." He said. Anna nodded.

"I know." She said. He took her hand and kissed the ring he had given her.

"Don't ever forget me." He said. He kissed Anna's cheek. "Goodbye." He whispered. Then he turned away and left. Tear flowed down Anna's cheeks.

"I'll never forget you William." She whispered. "You were my adventure."

Anna and William never saw each other again. At least not in that life.

Thomas Barber hurried along the small path to his best friend's house. A route he had traveled every day since he could remember. But today was different. He knocked on the door.

"Good day Thomas." Goodwoman Moore greeted him. He smiled.

"Good day." He said. Goodwoman Moore smiled.

"I trust you have come to see Sarah." She said. Thomas nodded.

"That I have." He said. She smiled.

"Well come in then." She said. Thomas stepped in the door. He waited in the sitting room. Sarah's mother turned to the stairway. "Sarah, Thomas is here." She called. Thomas heard footsteps above him. Then he saw her come down the stairs. Sarah raced over and hugged him.

"I thought you may have forgotten." She said. Thomas shook his head.

"Here I am. What little faith you put in me." He said. Sarah smiled.

"We'll be back by nightfall, Mother." Sarah said.

"You had better be." Her mother replied. Thomas and Sarah walked outside. Sarah put her cloak on.

"So where to first? Shall we go to get my book?" She said. She had been waiting for months for a book from England to arrive at the general store. Thomas nodded.

"Then I have something to show you." He said. Sarah looked at him mysteriously.

"What is it?" She asked. Thomas just smiled.

"I will show you after we get your book." He said. She sighed.

" 'Tis no use fighting with you." She said.

"That's because you always lose." He teased. Sarah pushed him playfully.

"I could beat you if I wanted to." She said. Thomas frowned.

"We are a little old for that young lady." He said in a deep voice mocking his father. Sarah laughed.

"You sound just like him." She said. He nodded.

"I know." He said. She sighed. She knew Thomas hated his father, the sheriff of the town. They got to the general store and walked in. Mr. Hunter, the shopkeeper smiled.

"Good day children." He said. Sarah and Thomas smiled. "I have your book Miss Moore." He said. He took it off of a shelf behind him and handed it to her. Sarah took it and smiled.

"Thank you." She said as she handed him money from her purse. Thomas smiled. Sarah loved her books more then anything. They walked outside and Sarah looked through her book. Then she looked up at Thomas.

"So what is it you wish to show me?" She asked. Thomas smiled. He took her hand.

"Come with me." He said. He led her through the street and then on a path which led to the woods.

"Where are we going?" She asked. Thomas just smiled. "You and your mystery Thomas." She said. They walked through the woods and then they got to a clearing. There Sarah saw a river and a waterfall. She was amazed.

"Thomas, it's beautiful." She said. Thomas smiled.

"I knew you would like it." He said. Sarah walked to the river.

"I love it." She said. She looked back at him, "How did you find this?" She asked. Thomas smiled.

"I was hunting through here the day before last." He said. "It's just like those stories you are always telling me about. You know with the knights, ladies, and such." He said. Sarah nodded.

"Yes it is." She said. She hugged him. Then he looked at her. In the twilight to him, Sarah looked beautiful. They looked at each other silently for a moment and then Thomas kissed her softly. She looked at him.

"What was that for?" She asked. He smiled.

"It was for you." He said. Sarah smiled and wrapped her arms around him. He kissed her again. Then Sarah suddenly looked up at the sky. She grabbed his hand.

"We have to go!" She said. They ran through the woods and then through the town. Sarah and Thomas laughed the whole way. But when they got to Sarah's house there was a mob in front of it. Thomas grabbed Sarah's hand and they made their way to the front of the crowd. Thomas saw his father.

"Thomas! What are you doing here?" Sheriff Barber asked. Thomas looked at him.

"I was walking Sarah home, Father." Thomas said. The sheriff nodded.

"Well that is enough of that." He said. Sarah was still confused.

"What is going on?" Sarah asked. The crowd was suddenly quiet. The sheriff looked at her sternly.

"Your mother has been arrested for witchcraft." Thomas's father said. Sarah looked at him confused.

"What do you mean?" She asked. He looked at her sternly.

"She is at the courthouse. Her trial shall be tomorrow." He said. Sarah looked at everyone in shock. Thomas could see the tears begin to come down her face. He slipped her hand into his.

"How can you believe this?" Thomas asked. His father looked at him.

"Silence boy!' He said sternly. "It is not your place to question." He said. Thomas didn't saw anything. He led Sarah into her house. One of the deputies walked over to Sheriff Barber.

"So your boy has taken a liking to the witch's daughter?" He asked. Barber stared at the door stonily.

"So I've seen." He said. The man nodded.

"That could be a problem." He said. Barber nodded.

"I know." Barber said.

"We need this land." The other man said. Barber glared at him.

"I'll take care of it." Barber said darkly.

Thomas led Sarah to a chair to sit down in.

"Are you okay?" He asked her. She shook her head and looked up at him.

"She's in jail Thomas. I can't believe it. She's all I have in the world." Sarah said tearfully. Thomas crouched down beside her.

"It's going to be all right Sarah." He said. Sarah looked at him.

"How could it be all right. I'm all alone." She said. Thomas brushed her tears away.

"You have me." He said. Sarah looked at him. Then she hugged him.

"Thank you." She said. Thomas smiled.

"It's all right. Now you should get to bed. Don't worry. The Lord will watch over your mother." He said. Sarah looked at him gratefully.

"You'd better get home. Your father will be wondering where you are." She said. Thomas looked at her.

"I really don't care what my father thinks." He said quietly. Sarah took his hand.

"But I do." She said. "And I would rather you didn't get in trouble over me." She said. Thomas nodded.

"All right then I'll go." He said. Sarah smiled. He kissed her on the top of her head and he walked to the door.

"Thank you Thomas." She said. Thomas looked at her.

"Anytime." He said. Then he left.

Sheriff Barber waited until he was sure his son was gone. Then he crept up to the door of the Moore hose and opened the door. Sarah was sitting in the chair waiting for him.

"You do not knock Sheriff?" She asked. Barber glared at her.

"You are an evil girl." He said. Sarah smiled.

"No you are the evil in this village." She said. He continued to glare.

"You have bewitched my son you witch." He said.

"No I have not done anything of the sort." Sarah said. Barber grabbed her hands.

"I saw you. Therefore I am arresting you." He said. Sarah did not fight.

"I was waiting for this. How much is our land worth to you and the town council?" Sarah asked.

"It's worth enough." Barber said simply. Sarah looked at him straight in the eye.

"Is worth enough to kill for?" She asked. Barber did not answer her.

The next morning all of the people in the village were in the town hall waiting for the trial to begin. Thomas sat in the front row. When he had woken up that morning he had learned of Sarah's arrest. He would never forgive his father. Then the town council entered and sat behind a long table and Sarah and her mother sat in front of them.

"Fanny and Sarah Moore you are charged with the crime of witchcraft. How do you plea to this crime?" They asked. Sarah's mother stood up.

"We stand before you and plea our innocence." Fanny said. The council nodded.

"It is noted." The head council member said. "We have heard from all the witnesses. They will not be appearing in front of you because they fear their lives if they do. We have made our decision. This town finds Fanny and Sarah Moore guilty of witchcraft against members of this town. You sentence is to be hung by the neck until dead two days from now. This court is adjourned." The council members stood up and left. Sarah and Fanny looked at each other in shock. The deputy came to lead them away. As Fanny walked by Barber she spit in his eye.

"So this is how far you will go." She said. Then the deputy dragged her away.

"You will die witch." Barber called. Thomas walked over to his father. His father looked at him. Thomas punched him and he fell to the ground.

"I am going to kill you." Thomas said. His father looked at him in disbelief. Then Thomas left.

Sarah sat in her cell praying to God. The door opened and Thomas entered. She rushed into his arms. He kissed her forehead.

"Are you all right?" He asked. Sarah shook her head and tears spilled down her face.

"No I'm not. I don't want to die Thomas." She said. Thomas held her.

"I know Sarah I know." He said. "I am going to do everything I can. You won't die if I can help it." He said. Sarah smiled.

"I know you will." She said.

Two days later Thomas had found know way to save her. He walked into her cell that morning. She knew it was all over. He held her.

"I love you Sarah." He said. Tears spilled down Sarah's cheeks.

"I love you too." She said. He kissed her.

"I'm so sorry." He said. Sarah shook her head.

"It isn't your fault. You tried." She said. "I am so scared." She said. Thomas touched her cheek.

"I know Sarah but don't be. Please don't be." He said. He held her again. Then the deputies entered with his father. Thomas stood up in front of Sarah.

"You Sarah Moore are sentenced to death. Do you repent before God?" Barber asked. Sarah stood tall.

"I am not a witch and God knows it." She said. The deputies grabbed her.

"No!" She screamed. Thomas grabbed her hand and kissed her one last time.

"I love you." She whispered. Then she was dragged away. Thomas pushed passed his father and ran. Sarah and her mother were lead to the gallows and the nooses were placed around their necks and their hands were tied behind their backs. Barber stepped up in front of them.

"The witches have refused to repent. Therefore they shall be executed as ordered. Do you have any last words?" Barber asked. Sarah looked at the crowd and shook her head. Her mother looked right at Barber.

"I hope God makes you suffer." She said. Barber shook his head.

"May God forgive you." He said.

Thomas ran through the woods and got to the river. He fell to his knees and looked up at the sky.

"Why her God?" He cried. "Why can't you take me?" He asked and he fell to the ground crying.

Sarah and her mother were dead and the crowd began to dissolve. Then Barber fell to his knees. He gasped for breath and then he fell to the ground. A man ran over to him and rolled him over. Then he looked at the bodies of Sarah and Fanny hanging.

"He's dead." The man said.

Thomas never married. He lived a long life in Salem though and he helped all the people in it. He built a library in Sarah's honor. The first book he bought for it was the book Sarah had bought the day she was arrested. It was a tale of star-crossed lovers by some Englishman called Romeo and Juliet. In his last breath he whispered her name.

Happiness?

Angel stood in the hospital and looked around. He had all ready had some blood he was just looking to see how people acted these days. It had been a long time since he had actually talked to anyone. He walked around trying not to be seen. He was doing a good job. He wandered into the waiting room and saw a man pacing back and forth. Angel watched him. Then a doctor came out. The man rushed over.

"Is Joyce OK?" He asked. The doctor nodded.

"She and the baby are just fine." The doctor said. Angel smiled. He was a new father. "Would you like to see the baby?" The man nodded. The doctor disappeared. Then he reappeared with a pink bundle. Angel could see the baby. The man held her.

"My own little baby girl." He said. Angel smiled. He then got angry with himself. He didn't deserve to see this. He turned away. He would never know any kind of love. He didn't think he deserved it.

It was fifteen years later that he was proven wrong. That was the first time he ever saw Buffy Summers. She was the new Slayer. He didn't even actually meet her until a year later but to him it didn't matter. She was the reason he helped people. He had given up his soul to be with her and gone to Hell for it. So here he left her when he realized that he couldn't be with her. Then Thanksgiving came and The Powers That Be decided to torture him some more. That was when he had decided that no matter what he was going to be with her.

Buffy sat in her room thinking about him. She was thinking about him a lot lately. She really didn't know why. She thought about the first time that she had ever seen him. She had told Giles "He was cute in an annoying way" but she had lied. She thought he was gorgeous. When he had left her it had been the saddest day of her life. Then she had seen him over Thanksgiving. It had been even more painful. All she had wanted to do was throw herself into his arms. But there was something bugging her lately about that day. She felt as if there was something she couldn't remember. Then there was the dream she kept having. All that was in the dream was she saw Angel in the sunlight and he kissed her. Then there had been the night that Spike had become human. Buffy remembered how she had felt seeing him breathe. It gave her a feeling of sadness and pain all at once. She knew she was saw because she desperately wished it had been Angel but she couldn't understand why it had been painful. All the sudden she had decided she was going to be with him no matter what.

He walked into Sunnydale and looked around. So this is where his lovers had ended up. Interesting place. Well it was time for him to put things right. The thing that he had screwed up three thousand years ago. He had seen them together just a few weeks before when the other vampire had been made human. But this was the time for them.

Cordelia walked slowly into Angel's office. Angel looked at her.

"Yes?" He asked. She looked at him.

"Oh nothing." She said. Angel looked back down at the file he was reading and Cordelia continued to look at him. Angel looked back up at her.

"What?" He said. Cordelia shrugged.

"Nothing." She said. He went back to reading the file. Cordelia didn't move.

"OK what is it?" He asked forcefully. Cordelia looked at him.

"I had a vision." She said. Angel sighed. She was saying it like it was a bad thing.

"OK what was it?" He asked. Cordelia looked at her shoes.

"Well see that's the part I can't tell you about." She said. Angel stood up.

"Cordy if you had a vision I have to know what it was!" He said. Cordelia shrank and nodded.

"Um, well there was this demon." She started. Angel nodded,

"Yeah?" He said.

"And well he may or may not have killed Buffy." Angel looked at her. She hurried to take back what she had said. "But I mean it may not have been Buffy it could've been any blonde Slayer in Sunnydale." She said. Angel looked out the window and saw it was just sunset. He walked out the door and saw Wesley waiting. He grabbed his coat.

"Let's go." He said. Wesley nodded.

Buffy sat in her dorm and realized she really should go and patrol but she really wasn't in the mood to. She groaned and got off of her bed. Time to go to work.

Angel got to Sunnydale and he, Cordy, and Wesley split up to find Buffy. Angel knew that now she would be patrolling so he headed through the park. He had wanted to see her since a few weeks ago but he hadn't had an excuse to come back. In a remote section he heard a fight. He saw Buffy kicking a vamp's but. The guy didn't have a chance against her. Angel just watched her. Then he saw the second vampire come up from behind. Just as the vampire went to punch Buffy from behind Angel grabbed his fist and twisted his arm. The vampire fell to his knees and Angel staked him. Buffy turned and looked at him then kicked the vampire she was fighting.

Riley was walking through the park when he saw Buffy beating on a vampire. Then he saw another one watching her. He decided to back her up and attack the second one. He crept up behind it and went to stake it but he turned and blocked Riley's stake.

"Hey!" The vamp said. "Hold up." Riley wasn't going to listen. He and went to punch him but the vampire blocked him. "Will you hold on?" The vampire asked.

"Not until you're dead." Riley said. But every move Riley made the vampire blocked. But the vampire didn't try to fight him. Riley was confused but it didn't stop him.

Buffy staked the vamp she had been fighting and looked back at Angel. She saw Riley trying to stake him.

"Riley stop!" She yelled. Riley looked at her. The vamp didn't make a move. Buffy and the vampire looked at each other silently. Riley realized he was missing something.

"Angel." She said. The vampire looked at her.

"Hi Buffy." He said. Riley looked at the both of them. They knew each other.

"What are you doing here? I thought you guys like just left." She said. Angel shrugged.

"I was looking for you." He said. Buffy blushed. Angel still had that effect one her.

"What the hell is going on?" Riley asked. Buffy remembered he was there.

"Oh Riley this is Angel he is...an old friend of mine." Buffy said. Angel realized that this was Buffy's new boyfriend. Rile looked at Buffy.

"Buffy you do know he's a vampire right?" Riley asked. Buffy sighed.

"Of course I know but he has...circumstances." She told him. Angel admired the way she was able to avoid the main facts. Riley was just jealous. He knew there was more going on then she was telling him.

"Yeah well vamps are no good unless they are dead." Riley said pulling out a stake. Buffy looked at him angrily.

"You have no idea what this is about." Buffy argued. Angel understood how this guy felt. But he was jealous. Riley had something the he couldn't have. Riley had Buffy.

"Look Buffy," Angel said, "I can talk to you later if I need to." Angel said. Buffy shook her head.

"I think that's a good idea." Riley said. Buffy glared at him.

"No it isn't. If Angel needs to tell me something I am going with him to talk about it." Riley started to protest but Buffy looked at him. "And that's final." Riley sighed and watched Buffy grab Angel's arm and they disappeared into the dark.

"So that's your new boyfriend?" Angel asked quietly. Buffy looked at him.

"We're kind of in an off phase right now." She said. Angel nodded.

"He seemed kind of protective." Angel said. Buffy smiled.

"I can remember a few times you were worse then that." Buffy said. Angel smiled. Angel noticed the way her hair swayed in the moonlight. He never got tired of looking at her. Buffy realized he was watching her and she blushed. He always had that affect on her.

"Yeah that's kind of the reason I'm here." He said. Buffy sighed.

"On business?" She asked. Angel nodded. She sighed again. She was hoping it hadn't been that.

"Yeah but I'll tell you once we get to the mansion." He said. Buffy nodded trying to hide her disappointment. Angel heard a crackling behind them. Buffy didn't seem to catch it. He realized Riley was following them. I don't blame him, Angel thought. He looked at Buffy and realized how much he missed her. Even in just walking together.

They got to the mansion and walked in. Buffy sat on the couch. She looked around. The whole place brought back memories. She could see it in Angel too.

"So what's up? Why are you back in Sunnydale." She asked. Angel sighed.

"Cordy she had a vision that you are going to get killed by some kind of monster." Angel said. Buffy sighed.

"Angel I fight monsters every day." She said. Angel nodded.

"But it must be important if she had a vision." He said. Buffy looked at him.

"So is that the only reason you came?" She asked. Angel didn't get a chance to answer. Just then she heard a crash outside. She jumped up to go see what had happened. She walked outside and saw Riley.

"Riley? What are you doing here?" She asked. Riley looked at her in disbelief.

" I am covering your back." He said. Buffy was fuming.

"I said to leave me alone. I mean it. I don't want to deal with you right now. Angel is a friend and I don't need my back watched." She said. She pushed Angel in the door and slammed it behind them.

Riley was at a loss. He had to find out who this Angel was. He knew just who would know.

"Riley's going to get a little suspicious don't you think?" He asked. Buffy was still mad.

"I really don't care." She said. "And you always just show up to make things harder!" She yelled. Angel looked down. She was right.

"I'm sorry Buffy. I just came to warn you." He said. Buffy sighed.

"I didn't mean it like that Angel. It's just that how am I supposed to get over you if I see you all the time and think about you and even dream about you." She said. Angel smiled.

"You dream about me?" Angel asked. Buffy got red. Whoops, she thought. She always said more then she wanted to when he was around.

"Ummm...yeah." She said. Angel looked at her expectantly. "Don't look at me like that." She said.

"Like what?" Angel asked.

"You know like what. The "tell me your innermost desires" look that works every time." She said.

"Only on you." He said. Buffy smiled.

"All right! I am out on the beach or something and you walk out into the sun and you don't even say anything...you just kiss me..." Buffy looked at him. Suddenly she realized the dream was a memory. Angel realized what she was talking about. "It wasn't a dream was it Angel?" She asked. Angel avoided her eyes. "Angel answer me." Buffy said. Angel nodded.

"Your right it was real." He said. Buffy looked at him hurt.

"And you did walk in the sun and kiss me didn't you?" She asked. Angel swallowed hard and nodded.

"Yeah I did. I'm sorry." He said. When he said that Buffy remembered sitting in his kitchen and he said the same thing.

"And you apologized for kissing me." She said. Angel nodded.

"You weren't supposed to remember. But you promised you'd never forget." He said. Suddenly Buffy saw everything. A thousand memories hit her at once. Right down to the final minute when she cried in his arms.

"I can't believe you did that." She said. Tears spilled down her cheeks.

"You remember everything don't you?" He asked. Buffy nodded. Angel put his arms around her. He cursed the powers. They had promised him that she wouldn't remember. "I'm sorry Buffy." He said. Buffy felt safe in his arms.

"It's OK. I understand." She said, They looked into each other's eyes. For a moment neither one of them moved. Then Angel kissed her. He couldn't stop himself. Buffy kissed him back. The kiss became passionate and they were lost in each other. Angel led her into his room and they sank into his bed. The kiss grew and then Angel broke away.

"Wait we can't" Angel said. Buffy nodded.

"Right." She said. They looked at each other again and they grabbed each other at the same time. They kissed each other passionately and full of longing. For both the temptation and the need for each other was too much to resist.

Riley walked into Willow's room.

"I need to talk to you." He said. Willow nodded.

"OK what about?" She asked. Riley sat on Buffy's bed.

"About Angel." Riley said. Willow looked at him in shock.

"What about Angel?" Willow asked. Riley sighed.

"Why is he such a secret. I've never even heard of him until I met him tonight." Riley said.

"Angel is here?" Willow asked. Riley nodded.

"All Buffy said is that he is a friend. A vampire friend? Come on Willow what is the story?" Riley asked. Willow sighed. Riley still hadn't found out about Spike yet. The whole Angel thing was too much to keep from him anymore. Buffy please forgive me, She thought.

"Angel isn't Buffy's friend." Willow said. Riley nodded.

"I knew it!" He said. Willow sighed.

"He's her ex-boyfriend." She said. Riley looked at her in disbelief. Then Willow began the tale of her best friend the slayer and her love the cursed vampire.

Buffy blinked and opened her eyes. Then in horror she remembered what she and Angel had done. She turned over and looked straight into the eyes of Angelus.

"Morning Buff." He drawled.

"Oh my God." She whispered. Angelus smiled.

"So how did you manage to do this again?" He asked. Angelus touched her arm. She jerked back.

"Don't touch me." She said. Angelus laughed.

"Now that isn't what you were saying last night now is it?" He asked. Buffy felt sick. "Don't worry I'm not going to do anything to you. Well not right now any ways. But I do know me and you alone in this great big mansion is going to be a lot of fun." Buffy could see the pure evil in his eyes and it scared her.

It had taken all night for Willow to tell Riley about Angel. She had done a little bit of editing, like her fish but she didn't leave much out. Riley had been silent for twenty minutes since she had finished and she was a little worried.

"Riley are you ok?" She asked. Riley looked up at her.

"So you guys forgave him after all that?" Riley asked. Willow nodded.

"Yeah we did. I mean he saved our butts a few time so we kind of had too but I mean he hasn't done anything mean since." Willow promised. Then there was a knock at the door. Willow went to answer it. She saw Wesley holding Cordelia up.

"What's wrong?" Willow asked. Wesley picked Cordelia up and carried her into the room. Cordelia was in pain.

"She's having a vision." Wesley said. Suddenly Cordelia sat up.

"We've got trouble." She said.

"What is it?' Wesley asked. Cordelia looked at them grimly.

"Angelus is back." She said.

Buffy was now chained to the wall in Angel's mansion. Angelus had disappeared and since Buffy had been trying to break free. Suddenly he walked in.

"Well this certainly brings back memories." Angelus said. Buffy remained silent. "What's wrong Buff? Is it Faith? You know she really was a good kisser." He said smiling.

"It's not going to work. You aren't him." She said quietly.

"Yeah but it's you that brings out the best in me." He said smiling. "And you two did it this time knowing the consequences. It just amazes me." He said. He brushed her hair out of her face and touched her cheek. She turned away. "Poor Buffy. You'll never learn." He said. Suddenly he stumbled backward. He grabbed his chest and doubled over in pain. He looked back up at her in game face. Then he roared and threw a vase into a wall. It smashed to pieces. Buffy was at a loss. Then he fell to the ground. Suddenly he looked back up at Buffy in human face. His eyes were different.

"Buffy help me." He whispered. Buffy could've sworn it was Angel. But that's impossible, she thought. Then he growled and looked back up at her. His eyes were evil again. Buffy was confused.

"What is going on?" She asked. Angelus growled at her.

"Guess your boyfriend didn't leave after all." He said. Buffy looked at him confused. Then it made sense. Angel's soul hadn't left this time. His soul and the demon were fighting for control.

"He's going to win." Buffy said. Angelus looked at her and smiled.

"We'll see." He said. "If he doesn't I'm going to kill you. I just thought you'd like to know."

"It didn't work the last time you tried." She said. Angelus smiled.

"Well I may not of been here but I still made an impact. He left you didn't he?" Angelus asked. Buffy looked away and remained silent. "So in the long run I guess I did beat you." He said. "I still made you miserable." Buffy couldn't look at him. She knew deep down he was right.

Wesley, Cordelia, Willow, and Riley were in Angel's car heading for the mansion. They all were just hoping they were in time to help.

"So are your vision things always right?" Riley asked. Cordelia looked at him haughtily.

"Of course they are always right." She replied. Willow smiled slightly.

"Just making sure." Riley said. Willow looked at Wesley.

"So what are we going to do when we find him?" She asked. Wesley and Cordelia looked at each other.

"We have to kill him." Cordelia answered.

"Couldn't we just curse him again?" Willow asked. Cordelia shook her head.

"No I promised him…Angel that if this ever happened again I would…kill him." Cordelia said.

"But what if there's a chance I can help him?" Willow protested. Riley grunted.

"Why would you want to?" Riley asked. Cordelia glared at him.

"Because he's our friend." She retorted.

"I don't see how he can be anything but a monster." Riley shot back. Cordelia gave him an icy look.

"You are so lucky I am a good person. Or else I'd come back there and…" She went to finish but Wesley put his hand on her shoulder.

"Now Cordelia we're here to help Angel. Not to kill little idiots who don't know what they are talking about. All right darling?" He asked. Cordelia smiled at him sweetly.

"OK." She said. She gave Riley one more deadly look. Riley remained silent.

He walked through the town. Eros all ready knew he was too late. The Powers had let him know that the vampire had reverted. But he also knew about the twist. Now it was his turn to help them. Something he should've done to begin with. But he had been scared. It had been his job to watch them. First of all they weren't supposed to fall in love. He had known but he let them anyway. Then he was supposed to use his power to separate them but that hadn't worked either. Eros had used everything in his power to stop their love but it hadn't worked.

Then he wasn't supposed to come back from Hell but Eros had allowed him. He got into a lot of trouble for that little stunt but it had been worth it. He also remembered the Oracles screaming at him when he let it snow in Sunnydale. But when the vampire had left he couldn't do anything to get him to come back. The Powers were too strong and the big guy had say in that so Eros was stuck. But Thanksgiving had been good. Until his stupid cousins told Angel there was a way too change it. But he had let the Slayer remember. So now here he was again. Just weeks ago the Slayer had watched her love almost die. Eros knew the powers wanted to remind the both of them how much they loved each other. He was going to get into trouble again. He had gotten a lot of slack for letting Spike become human but it had been worth it after he had seen how much they loved each other. But this time he had the OK too help. He had no idea how it was going to turn out but he knew that not everyone would be happy with the results..

Buffy watched Angelus from her position on the wall. He had remained still on the couch watching her. Then he slumped over.

Angelus was in pain. This time his little soul had decided to stick around. Every time Angel fought back Angelus felt a pain rip through him. It was the little Slayer chained to the wall. She was the reason he fought back. This wasn't exactly putting Angelus in a good mood. Suddenly Angel gained control.

Angel looked around in confusion. At first he wasn't sure where he was. Then it all hit him at once; Buffy, Angelus, his soul, the mansion. Then he saw Buffy chained to the wall. She was eyeing him suspiciously.

"Buffy?" He asked. She looked into his eyes and saw the pain in confusion in them.

"Angel?" She asked. She still wasn't quite sure it was him. He stood up and walked over to her. He immediately unlocked the chains and then took a step back. Then he turned away.

"It happened again." He said quietly. Buffy touched his arm lightly.

"No Angel. This time it's different. You are both fighting for control of the same body." She told him. He nodded.

"I know. I couldn't…" He turned back to her. "I couldn't let you get hurt again." He said. Tears spilled down Buffy's cheek as she nodded.

"I have to lock you up." She said painfully. He nodded. He touched her cheek.

"We'll figure this out. Don't worry." He said. He took her into his arms and held her. Then he kissed her hair. Then he suddenly fell to the ground in pain.

"Angel! Are you okay?" She asked. He nodded slowly.

"Quick." He said. Buffy nodded. She helped him stand up and locked his wrists in the steel manacles. She saw his eyes flash yellow as Angelus gained control again. He growled at her. She took a step back and tears fell from her eyes. She was sure she was going to lose him again. Angelus struggled against the chains.

"Damn it!" He exclaimed. He glared at Buffy with pure hatred. "Let me out." He said. In her state of utter despair Buffy had to laugh.

"Yeah sure." She said. Then the door opened. She turned and saw Willow, Wesley, Cordelia, and Riley walk in. Giles was with them. Buffy ran straight into Willow's arms. Willow hugged her as Buffy cried. Cordelia hugged her as well. Wesley looked at her.

"Take her into the bedroom." Giles said. Willow and Cordelia nodded. They led a sobbing Buffy to the bedroom. Riley looked at Angelus with complete loathing.

"I'm gonna kill him." Riley said as he pulled out a stake. Wesley grabbed Riley's arm.

"No." Wesley said. Riley looked at him in confusion.

"But I thought that's what we came here to do." He said. Wesley sighed.

"It is. But Buffy had a chance to kill him a didn't and we need to ask her why before we do anything." Wesley said. Riley was mad.

"The only reason she didn't kill him is because she slept with him." Riley said. Giles punched him.

"If you say one more word I'll kill you." Giles said darkly. He walked back to the bedroom and left Riley standing in complete shock. Wesley took the stake out of his hand and followed Giles.

Buffy was sobbing into a pillow with Cordelia and Willow sitting next to her when Wesley came in.

"Is she all right?" He asked quietly. Willow shook her head. He looked back at Giles. Willow stood up and Giles sat down next to her. He put his hand on her shoulder.

"Buffy what happened?" He asked gently. Buffy turned to him. Her face was all red and so were her eyes.

"Giles I am so sorry." She said in total shame. Giles hugged her.

"It wasn't your fault." He said. " So what happened?" He asked again. Buffy took a deep breath and nodded. She looked at all of them.

"We came back here after I was patrolling and saw him with Riley. He told me that Cordelia had a vision that I was in danger or something. And then I remembered something that I wasn't supposed to…" She closed her eyes and memories filed her from that day.

"What did you remember?" Giles asked. Buffy looked at him and didn't speak. Cordelia came to her rescue.

"It really isn't important. Keep going Buffy." Buffy looked at her gratefully and nodded.

"Well then…we…" She got red and decided to skip that part. "But he didn't lose his soul Giles. It's still there. The soul and the demon are fighting for control." She said. Giles looked at her in confusion.

"But that's impossible." Wesley said. Giles nodded.

"Yes he's quite right Buffy." He said. Buffy shook her head.

"No it's true. Angelus and Angel are fighting for control. It's like Jekyl and Hyde." She said. Giles looked at Wesley.

"Is it possible?" He asked. Then a man walked in.

"Yes it's very possible." He said. Everyone looked at him. Buffy sat up.

"Who are you?" She asked.

"I'm Eros. And I was sent by the powers to help you." He said. Riley walked in behind him.

"Yeah well the only thing that'll help is killing him." Riley said. Buffy looked at him as if for the first time.

"You have no idea what you're talking about." She said. Riley sighed.

"Yeah so you all tell me but I seem to be the only one who knows anything." He said. Buffy just ignored him and looked at Eros.

"How can you help?" She asked. Eros nodded.

"We have to cast the demon from his body." Eros said. Willow shook her head.

"No I thought that the Casting Ritual would kill the person the demon was cast from." She said. Eros was impressed.

"It can but there is another way to do it. An ancient way that can keep the person alive." He replied. Buffy looked up at him.

"What do you mean alive?" She asked. Eros faintly smiled.

"I mean a living breathing human." He said. Buffy thought about it. His way seemed to be the only way. Buffy looked up at him.

"But there is a chance he will die isn't there?" She asked. Eros nodded slowly.

"Yes there is." He said. Buffy stood up.

"Let's do it." She said. Everyone headed out to the main room but Riley grabbed Buffy's arm.

"Buffy he is a killer." Riley said. Buffy glared at him.

"So am I." She said quietly. Riley looked away and then looked back at her.

"Yeah well you don't kill humans." He said. Buffy shook his hand off of her.

"Neither does he." She said simply. Riley grabbed her shoulders.

"I am not going to stand by and watch my girlfriend save a homicidal vampire." He said. Buffy pushed him away.

"I don't see any girlfriend of yours here." She said. She turned and followed the rest into the room where Angelus was chained. Riley watched her walk away and decided he had to watch her. He didn't care whether or not she agreed but if it came down to it he thought he was the only one willing to kill Angel.

When he got to the room he saw everyone looking at the wall in shock. Then he saw why. No Angelus. Buffy shook her head.

"I don't believe this." She said. She looked outside. It was still just a few minutes before dark. He hadn't left yet. "Ok we have to find him." She said. Just as she turned around Angelus grabbed Riley by the back of the neck.

"Found me." He said. Buffy and the others just stared at him. Riley struggled to get loose but Angelus held fast. "Now isn't this a pretty little picture. All of us here just like old times." He said. Buffy glared at him.

"Let him go." She said. Angelus just smiled.

"Now Buff you know very well I can't do that. That would just spoil the fun." Angelus said. Angelus looked at Eros. "What are you doing here?" He asked. Eros smiled.

"Hey Angelus." He said. Buffy looked at Eros.

"You know him." She said. Eros nodded.

"Oh we go way back don't we?" Eros and Angelus looked at each other. Angelus didn't say anything. "See a long time ago I met him. It was about a hundred or so years. I told him that a girl would change his life. And you just laughed at me didn't you Angelus? You laughed when I told you that you would fall in love with a slayer." Angelus smiled.

"Yeah well in the end she helped me out I guess. But you were wrong. I don't love her." He said. Eros shook his head.

"That's what you think. Why is it you go through so much to torture her? You torment her and stalk her but never are you willing to kill her. Just to make her suffer. Tell me…tell us why that is?" They stared each other down.

Angelus thought about his words. He didn't know why he tortured her. Once he had told himself it was all about passion but he wasn't sure anymore. He didn't know if he would kill her if it came down to it. He had told himself he would before he had gotten his soul back but he knew she would get out of it. She always could. He always let her. Then he shook the thoughts away as he realized the sun was down. Buffy saw it to.

"Now this is familiar. Why is that?" Angelus looked as if he was in thought. "Oh yeah that's right. Jenny. You remember don't you Giles?" Angelus smiled cruelly at Giles. Buffy couldn't look at him. She knew he had tears in his eyes. Angelus was enjoying it. Torture was his trademark.

"I'm gonna kill you." Riley gasped. Angel just smiled.

"No you're not." Angelus said. Buffy and Angelus looked straight into each other's eyes. Buffy knew what was coming. She also knew she couldn't stop it. "Times up." Angelus whispered. In a split second Angelus pulled out a knife and stabbed Riley in the back and he raced to the door.

Buffy rushed to Riley. He was crumpled and on the ground. She knew he was hurt. Angelus hadn't killed him though. Tears spilled from her eyes. He had done it again. He was hurting the people she cared for. Riley looked up at her.

"Sorry I couldn't help." He said. Buffy touched his face.

"It's Ok. You just stay quiet. We'll get you some help." She said. Willow knelt down beside her. Buffy looked at her and Willow hugged her.

"I don't want to kill him." Buffy whispered. Willow looked at her. Giles and Wesley helped the girls up.

"Wesley call the hospital please." Giles asked. Wesley nodded.

"Why don't we go back to your place?" Willow said. Giles nodded and they lead Buffy out the door. She looked back one last time and Riley. Then she walked out. Cordelia and Eros followed them. Buffy looked at Giles. She knew he was upset.

"I'm so sorry." She said. "This is all my fault. It is." She said. Giles looked at her.

"Buffy I know you want me to say that but I can't. It wasn't. This was going to happen. It was bound to. There was no stopping it." He said. Buffy looked at the ground. She didn't say anything.

"We just have to stop him." Cordelia said. Eros nodded.

"I don't know how this will turn out but she's right. If the powers decide that there is a way to redeem him then they will but we have to finish this." Buffy nodded.

"Ok. I'm ready." She said. Giles looked at her.

"Buffy are you sure?" He asked. Buffy nodded firmly.

"Willow I need you to get Spike." She said. Willow nodded. "We'll be at Giles'." She walked into the night. The night she had become so in synch with. Now that same night held her greatest enemy and her only real fear. Her own love.

Willow walked into Spike's apartment. He had fallen asleep watching a baseball game. She smiled at the sight of him. Then as if he sensed her he opened his eyes and smiled at her.

"Hello love." He said. Willow leaned down and kissed him and he pulled her into the chair with him. She giggled and kissed him again.

"Hey." She said. "I am supposed to be here on business." Spike nodded.

"All right what has the Scooby Gang gone and done this time?" He asked. Willow became very serious.

"Well you aren't going to like it that's for sure." She said. Spike sensed the fear in her. It was a trait he had retained from the last hundred years of vampirism. He brushed a piece of heir out of her face.

"What is it?" He asked. Willow sighed.

"Angelus is back." She said. Spike blinked as if he didn't believe her.

"But that means that he and Buffy…" Willow nodded.

"Yeah and he is out on the loose. We have to get to Giles' place." She said. Spike nodded and they both got up.

"Off to catch the big bad vamp." He said. Willow looked at him in amusement. "What?" He asked. She shook her head.

"Well a few weeks ago you were the big bad vamp." She said. Spike smiled.

"People change." He said. He remembered the time that Angel had told him that. At first he hadn't thought it was possible. But now he understood it was. But he didn't know if Angel would have another chance this time.

Angel stumbled through the streets. He had regained control just minutes before. He remembered what he had done. Now he knew Buffy was hunting him. He didn't know what to do. His soul was lost. That was all there was to it for Angel. This had become the point of no return. He knew he had to stop himself. But Angelus didn't give him a chance. He fell the ground and once again the demon resurfaced.

Angelus smiled and stood up.

"Free at last." He said. He heard a sound behind him and he spun around. He saw Faith appear out of the shadows.

"Oscar winning performance." She said. Angelus smiled at her.

"Why if it isn't the Slayer that wasn't." He said. Faith was caught off guard by his words. Angel didn't talk like that.

"What did you do, lose a soul?" She asked half joking. Angelus just smiled evilly.

"Actually I did." He said. Faith looked at him in surprise.

"Wow that's wicked." She said. Angelus smiled.

"And suddenly I find myself in the need of allies." He said. Faith smiled.

"Why should I trust you. I mean technically according to my calling and all I should just stake you right here." She said. Angelus sighed.

"Ah yes but see you're not going to and we both have a common enemy that we want dead. A little blonde named Buffy. Maybe you know her." He said. Faith and Angelus circled each other.

"Yeah so what if I want her dead. Who said you could help?" She asked.

"As I recall last time you tried on your own you ended up in a coma and I ended up in hell. So I figure if we join forces we might have a chance." He said. Faith nodded.

"I like the way you think." She said. She walked closer to him. "Is there any other partnership we might be able to form?" She asked. She ran her hand up his arm and smiled at him seductively. Angelus smiled.

"I open for suggestions." He said.

Buffy tuned out the sounds of everyone talking. They were trying to come up with a plan. Nothing seemed good. Eros said that he needed to have Angel or Angelus in the sacred circle in order to perform the ritual. No body knew how they were going to get him there. Wesley walked in the door with a grim look on his face.

"How is he?" Buffy asked. Wesley looked at her.

"The doctors say he'll be fine. Nothing major was damaged." Wesley said. Buffy nodded.

"I say we just find him knock him out and drag him there." Cordelia offered. Xander sighed.

"Why don't we just stake him?" Xander asked. No one said anything. They all just looked at Buffy. She looked at them.

"I am going to lead him there. I don't know how but I will. If it comes down to it I'll just kill him. It's the only way to go." She said. Everyone silently agreed. She looked at Eros and Willow. "You guys head to the circle and begin the preparations for the ritual thingy." She said. Willow nodded.

"I'll go with them." Spike said. Buffy nodded.

"If you see Angel no heroics. He's crazy enough as it is and seeing you won't make it better." Buffy said. Spike nodded and the three headed out the door. She looked at Xander, Giles, Wesley and Cordelia.

"What are we going to do?" Xander asked. Buffy headed to Giles' weapons trunk.

"We're going to find Angel." Buffy said pulling out a crossbow. She looked at it. This wasn't a battle any more. It was war.

Angelus walked through the center of Sunnydale. He knew Buffy was looking for him and he wanted to see her. So he wasn't hiding. The center of town was empty. Angelus strolled as if it were a day in the park.

"Oh Buffy!" He called. "Come out, come out wherever you are!" There was no answer. He knew she was close.

"Buffy! Here I am! Olly olly oxen free!" She heard Angelus call. He was standing in the center of the square out in the open. Buffy sighed. A tiger doesn't change its stripes, she thought. She walked out into the open. They stared each other down.

"How's your boyfriend?" He asked. Buffy felt a sting in her heart but she remained silent. Angelus shook his head sadly. "I'll take that as bad." He said. Buffy glared at him.

"I wanna finish this." She said. Angelus smiled.

"Good so do I. So we agree on something. I hear that it's the first step to building a strong relationship." He said. Buffy pulled out a stake.

"The only relationship you're about to get is between this and your heart." She said. Angelus threw his head back and laughed.

"Aren't you just Miss Tough Girl." He said. His face changed into the hideous vampiric features. "We'll see how tough you are in few minutes." He said. Buffy threw the first punch. Angelus ducked. He kicked her legs and she fell to the ground. He walked over and she kicked him in the face and jumped back up. He swung his arm and caught her in the cheek. Buffy spun and kicked him in the chest and he fell on his back. He growled and jumped back up.

"What's the matter?" Buffy asked. "Did you get hurt?" She asked in a baby's voice. Angelus smiled and looked behind her.

"No but you're about to." He said. Buffy turned and Faith punched her in the face. Buffy looked back at her. Faith wasn't in the mood for talk. Buffy punched her and Faith punched back. They matched each other's moves blow for blow. Angelus smiled. "I just love catfights." He said. Buffy ignored him. She knew she couldn't take both of them alone. She spin kicked Faith and began to run. Faith gave chase. Angelus followed them.

Buffy ran until she hit the woods and she kept running. She just hoped they were still following.

"Come on Buffy don't be a chicken." Faith called. Buffy shook her head and ran faster.

"Still following." She said quietly. Then she hit the clearing. She saw everyone all ready there. "They're coming." Buffy said. Giles glanced at her.

"They?" He asked. Just then Faith came into the clearing.

"Oh that they." Xander said. Faith smiled.

"This is just one big happy reunion." Faith said. Cordelia sighed.

"God girl you still can't dress." She said. Buffy and Faith stared at each other. Then Angelus walked into the clearing. He saw Spike.

"Why if it isn't my old traitorous friend Spike." Angelus said. Spike smiled.

"Hey Angelus." Spike said. They looked at each other. Faith and Buffy weren't waiting to see what happened. They began to fight again.

"I love it when they do that." Angelus said. Spike looked at him. Angelus punched him. Spike grabbed Angelus by the shoulders, punched him square in the jaw and threw him into the circle. Still have the moves, he thought.

Angelus stood up and tried to leave the circle but he couldn't. He was trapped. Eros and Willow began to chant. Buffy and Faith still fought.

"What's the matter Faith couldn't find a normal guy?" Buffy asked. Faith ducked a punch.

"What's the matter B couldn't keep outta Angel's bed?" Faith asked. Faith kicked her. Buffy kicked her back. Buffy got Faith into a headlock and Faith struggled to get out of it.

"None of your business F." Buffy said. Faith smiled tightly.

"Bet Riley's heart just bled." Faith said. She flipped Buffy over her head. Buffy got up to face her again.

"O Spirits take the demon from this body." Willow chanted. Angelus fell to the center of the circle in pain. Angel resurfaced. He looked around and realized what was happening. He watched in pain as Buffy and Faith fought with the chanting in the background.

Faith punched Buffy and She took a step backwards. Then she pulled out a knife. Buffy saw the knife in horror. Faith tried it get her with it but Buffy ducked she kicked the hand with the knife but Faith held on to it. Everyone watched in horror. Buffy punched Faith and Faith punched her back. They were only a few feet from the circle. Suddenly Faith grabbed Buffy's arm. She held the knife above her.

"I win B." She whispered. Buffy looked into Faith's eyes and only saw pure hatred.

"Buffy!" Angel called. Somehow he broke free of the circle and jumped in between Buffy and Faith just as she plunged the knife towards her. It hit its mark, Angel's heart. Faith and Buffy took a step back. Buffy grabbed Angel as he fell to the ground.

"Angel." She cried. Angel looked into her eyes.

"Buffy." He whispered. She looked into his eyes, "I'm sorry." He said. Tears spilled down her cheeks and his.

"I love you." Buffy said. Angel nodded painfully.

"I love you too." He whispered. Eros smiled.

"And so it is done." He whispered. A light shot down from the sky and enveloped Buffy and Angel. As suddenly as it appeared it was gone. Buffy looked at his chest and the wound was gone. He sat up. He felt the demon gone as well, Buffy touched his chest where the knife had pierced and gasped. She smiled as tears of happiness spilled down her face. He had a heartbeat. Angel smiled at her and kissed her.

Everyone gathered around them. By then Faith had disappeared. Buffy looked at Eros.

"Thank you." She said. Eros shook his head.

"Just doing my job." He said. "You two belonged together. I can't fight with love." Spike put his arm around Willow.

"Well this certainly has been interesting." Spike said. Angel looked at him.

"Oh I'm sorry about the whole punch thing." Angel said. Spike nodded

"It's all right mate. I kicked your ass as it is." He said. Everyone smiled. They all headed into the woods together.

"Now are we done with redeeming vampires?" Xander asked Eros laughed.

"Yeah I think the powers are all set." Eros said. Cordelia sighed.

"Good. And the visions?" She asked. Eros nodded.

"All gone." He said. She smiled and hugged Wesley. Eros smiled at them. Then they looked at each other quietly a moment. Cordy stepped back.

"Yeah Uh huh." She said walking away.

"Right of course." Wesley said. They got into town. Eros stopped.

"Well this is the end of the road for me." He said. "I've done enough damage in for this town as it is." He looked at Willow and Spike and then at Buffy and Angel. He nodded and turned around and began to walk away.

"How did you know about all this?" Giles called. Eros turned and smiled.

"Let's just say an arrow pointed the way." He said. He turned around and continued to walk. Buffy looked up at Angel and smiled. Spike heard Eros singing one of his favorite Sinatra tunes as he walked into the dark.

"That old black magic called love…" Eros sang softly. Spike smiled.

"I don't care how he knew." Buffy said. Angel smiled at her. Willow nodded.

"Yeah and in the end everything turned out all right." She said smiling at Spike. Suddenly it hit Giles.

"Oh my Lord." He said. Everyone looked at him.

"What is it?" Xander asked.

"Eros now I remember why I knew that name." Giles said.

"Why?" Cordelia asked. Giles looked at Buffy and Angel and then at Willow and Spike. Two couples that had been brought together by the power of love.

"Eros was the name of the Greek god of love. Also know as Cupid." He said. They all turned to where the mysterious man had been walking but he had vanished.

So that is the end of this tale. In the end they all live…happily ever after. Now I can tell you that Buffy and Angel, and Willow and Spike had many more adventures together for after all life is the greatest adventure of all. There is a lesson in this tale though. If you love someone no matter what the costs or the challenges don't let them go. For after all it only comes around once in a lifetime. I don't shoot these arrows for fun you know.

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