Book Two - Promises In The Dark Series

Title:                Lay It On The Line

Author:            Zo

www:               http://www.warriorsandlovers.com

Email:               zoso37ba@gmail.com

Posted:           

Disclaimer:       You know who they belong to. It’s not me!

Rating:             NC-17/MA (contains non-con sex)

Pairing:            B/A, S/F

Timeline:          Six months after To Believe Again

Summary:        Secrets are revealed and pasts come back to life.

 

A/N:                 (1) If you haven’t already read Book One (To Believe Again) I recommend that you do. Characters are introduced and developed in the first book. This is a continuation of that story.

 

                        (2) It has been two years since Book One was completed, and that’s way too long to wait on such a cliffhanger, many, many apologies for that. And lots of thanks to everyone that sent feedback on Book One, and wanted to see the story continued.  I hope this book is well worth the wait.

 

                        (3) Many thanks to Kay – my beta beauty – for putting up with my babbling rambling quirks big hugs.  And to Bre, my rock in the otherwise whacky world of BTVS fandom and life, this book is dedicated to you – luv ya sweets!

 

 

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Chapter One

Hush

 

 

 

London

 

The sky was pitch-black and the rain fell rapidly as a dark cloaked figure stood on a rooftop overlooking the city.  His keen eyes peered through the thick fog that had suddenly rolled in, blanketing the city into even more darkness. 

 

Perfect, he smirked into the night.  To him there was nothing more beautiful then the fog that settled in.  It made his job much easier, in and out, just the way he liked it.   He didn’t want to stay here any longer then he had to. 

 

He checked his watch, ten minutes. He jumped up on to the edge of the roof and took out his crossbow.  He aimed for the gargoyle on the roof across the street and fired.  The wire flew across the sky then with a clank it wrapped around the neck of the gargoyle, locking into place.

 

He smirked, perfect shot.  He quickly moved to attach the other end to the clasp on the wall.  He grabbed his pulley and hooked it to the wire.  With a smile on his face he took a deep breath and jumped.

 

This was his favorite part. It always made him feel like Superman, flying through the sky.  It was a feeling of freedom. It was what made his job perfect. That and the fact that he got to kill people. He’d always enjoyed that too.  Maybe a little too much, at least the other members of the team thought so.

 

Nearing the building he lifted his knees and prepared for the soft quiet landing that he needed.  Without a sound his feet touched the concrete, his palms resting on the cold stone as he smirked proudly to himself.  Another successful flight, as he liked to call it.

 

Unhooking himself from the wire his eyes scanned the rooftop.  Seeing that he was alone, he quickly made his way to the door.

 

His keen eyes scanned the doorframe looking for any trip wires or alarms that might be present. Spotting one, he chuckled as he reached for his slim leather tool case in his jacket.  Did they really think that dinky thing would keep him out? That wouldn’t keep a crack head out.

 

Pulling out his wire cutters, he studied the small box in the upper left hand corner of the doorframe.  Taking a hold of the red wire he held his breath as he clipped the wire. He smiled broadly as the wire split into two and the door popped open without a sound.

 

Putting the cutters back in the case, he zipped it up and tucked it away.  Opening the door he stuck his head in and quickly looked down the stairs. Empty.

 

He stepped inside and closed the door, leaving it open just a tad, and made his way down the steps and to the apartment right below it.

 

“It’s a bloody shame mate. We was leading that match when the bloke hurt his knee.”

 

“Aye, I couldn’t believe it meself Deacon. It was as if those Manchester bastards planned it.”

 

He pressed himself up against the wall and quietly snuck up to the end of the hallway, where he heard the two men talking. He couldn’t help but shake his head in agreement. He knew exactly what match they were talking about, how could he not. He lost 2000 pounds on that game.

 

“Aye well, we’ll get him next time, we will.”

 

He looked around the corner and saw them. They stood guarding the wide double brass doors that were closed.  Two big burly men wearing the worst suits he had ever seen. He guessed they didn’t get paid much; either that or they needed some serious help in the wardrobe department.  Judging by the bulge in their jackets, they were both packing.  If he had to guess, he would say they were Glocks, but you never knew.  Not that it made a difference. Their fingers would never even touch the triggers.

 

Silently he pulled his dagger out, his favorite weapon, and pressed himself further against the wall as he turned the corner and slinked up to the men.

 

“I think I need some tea.  You want some Deacon?”

 

Before Deacon could answer, he was grabbed from behind and felt the pressure of a strong arm under his throat. All he saw was the slight glimmer of silver before its sharp blade slid effortlessly across his throat, slicing the flesh neatly and cleanly.

 

The other man turned around to answer, but no words came out as a knife flew through the air and embedded itself in his throat.

 

The figure held on to Deacon and grabbed the other one by the collar before he fell to the floor with a loud thud.

 

Quietly he laid them both down then pulled his knife out of the one man’s throat.  After he wiped it on the man’s jacket he put it back in its sheath and turned his attention to the closed doors.

 

Scanning the hallway one more time he slowly turned the knob and opened the door.   Stepping inside the room he looked to his left and then to his right.  There was the sound of a pot being placed on a stove, as a shadow moved around. The kitchen.  Not what he was interested in even though he was a little hungry. 

 

His ears picked up the sound of the shower being turned on and he looked to the left.  The bathroom. Now that he was interested in. But first there was something else that he needed.

 

Peering straight ahead was the living room and the large Van Gogh that hung on the wall. His eyes twinkled gleefully and his heart lurched with anticipation.  He crept up to it; his feet not making one sound as they crossed the marble floor then touched the shaggy carpet.   Reaching the painting he grabbed the frame. Pulling it, he swung it wide open to reveal the safe behind it.

 

Placing his ear on the cool metal safe, he leaned in and his nimble fingers began to turn the lock, listening intently for that small little click. Twenty seconds later the safe quietly popped open. He smiled; damn he was good. 

 

Reaching inside he quickly filtered through the papers that were stacked neatly in the front, pulling out a photograph that was hidden beneath them. Well, well, well…it appeared that the bloke had more to hide than they knew. 

 

The photo was of two men.  The bloke was on his hands and knees; he had a ball in his mouth with a leather strap keeping it place, and a chain around his neck.  Behind him was another man. He wore a black mask and tight black shorts and in his hand was a whip.  The figure shook his head at the absurd image, what some people were into these days was beyond him.  Shrugging he put the photo aside, to each his own, he always thought.

 

He reached all the way into the back of the safe when his gloved hand landed on something round.  Smiling he pulled it out and held it up. Deftly he opened the black velvet pouch and looked inside.  

 

He was almost blinded by their sparkling beauty as he stared at the diamonds.  It was a small fortune and he couldn’t contain his excitement.  No matter how many times he held some in his hands, no matter how many he owned in his own private vault, he still never got tired of staring at them.  They were just beautiful little pieces of nature.

 

Hearing a door slam from the kitchen he closed the pouch and tucked it securely in his pocket. Quietly he closed the safe.

 

Walking back over the marble tile he silently crept to the left and down the hall. 

 

Steam came out from under a door filling the hallway with moist heat. He walked up to it and peered inside.

 

The shower was running, and there was a man inside washing himself. He was happily humming as he did, completely unaware of the black figure that watched him.

 

He looked back down the hallway and to the kitchen. Seeing nothing amiss he slowly opened the door and crept inside the bathroom.

 

It was a huge opulent bathroom and he couldn’t help but admire it.  Not that it was his style, it was a little too flashy for his tastes, but still it was something to see.  The entire bathroom was black marble and trimmed with gold leaf. Even the glass shower walls that enclosed the shower were lined with gold.  Hell even the shower itself was amazing. It was the size of a walk in closet and had four water jets strategically placed on every wall. He could only imagine what that must feel like.

 

His eyes darkened. He had traveled all over the world, he had stood in some of the richest homes in the world, even his own home wasn’t too shabby, yet it still amazed him as to what a lot of money could buy.  What really riled him was the fact that some people had nothing and other’s like this scumbag, who didn’t deserve to share the same air as those good people, had everything.

 

Taking a step closer to the edge of the wall, he smirked to himself.  It didn’t matter.  Soon this guy wouldn’t have jack shit.

 

He looked around the wall; the man stood with his arms braced against the wall, his back to the figure that stepped up behind him.  Without hesitation he grabbed the man from behind, leaned his head back, and slit his throat.  The body fell to the floor, making no sound except that of a small splash as it hit the water that slowly started to turn red.

 

Rinsing his dagger off, the figure placed the cold weapon in its sheath and headed out the bathroom and back down the hall. Taking one more glimpse to the right, he silently left the apartment, closing the door softly as he did.

 

He made his way up the stairs and to the roof, when he heard the sound of glass shattering and a shrill cry of fright echoing throughout the building.

 

Casually he walked up to the edge of the roof.  Grabbing the wire that was still around the Gargoyle he attached the motor pulley and clamped it into place.  Turning the small but powerful motor on, he took one last look over his shoulder.  Smiling at the emptiness that he saw, he turned around and walked off the building.

 

The pulley pulled him along the cable and up the slight grade assuredly. Once more he was flying like Superman through the sky, and he couldn’t suppress the smile that shone on his face.

 

His feet slammed down solidly on the roof of the adjacent building. He looked back to the roof he had just left, still empty.  Quickly he collected his equipment and put it in the small black bag. 

 

He pulled out a blue shirt and black blazer. Swiftly he tugged off the snug black mask and shirt that he currently wore, and tucked them away inside the bag zipping it closed.

 

He opened the door and headed down the long stairwell checking his watch.  It was exactly ten minutes later.  Damn he WAS good!

 

He began to whistle happily as he walked down the stairs.  He should just make the eight o’clock flight back to Los Angeles.

 

Five minutes past and he was on the bottom level.

 

“Thank you luv.” He said to the woman that held the door open for him.  She smiled back at him. She was cute, but she wasn’t what he hungered for. She didn’t have big brown eyes, and she most definitely did not have a sexy sassy mouth.

 

His feet hit the pavement and walked over to the waiting cab. Opening the door he jumped in and closed it.  “Heathrow airport mate and make it quick.”

 

 

**********************

 

 

Los Angeles

 

 

“OH GOD, ANGEEELLL!” 

 

“Shhh you have to be quiet.”  Angel admonished his lover quietly. He didn’t want an audience. But it was a hard feat to accomplish considering his lover was a screamer. Thrusting inside her tight sheath he moaned blissfully, he wouldn’t want it any other way. 

 

Of course he could use a little more room. The closet that they were currently occupying was a tight fit for a man his size.  And it didn’t leave much room for some good strong hip action but he didn’t care. He was just glad that he found an empty room in a busy movie theatre on a Friday night.

 

They came to see the midnight show of some foreign movie. It was something that he had wanted to see, of course at the moment he couldn’t remember what the hell it was.  Buffy on the other hand, didn’t.  She said any movie that required her to read for two hours wasn’t worth the effort.  She said if it wasn’t filmed in English then it couldn’t be that good.  He chuckled at her, Americans. 

 

She came only because she had dragged him to see some girly movie that he didn’t want to see last week. And he made her promise that she would go to see a movie that he wanted to watch. She had reluctantly agreed.

 

But Buffy was Buffy, and half way through the movie she started to tease him by running her hand up and down this thigh squeezing it along the way. Then when she got to his crotch she slowly grazed his length with her fingernails as she moved closer and rested her head on his shoulders. 

 

It annoyed Angel because he really wanted to see the movie, but it seemed that the Beast didn’t want to watch it either because his pants quickly became very tight. 

 

He tried to ignore it. Why should she always get what she wanted?  Make her suffer a little bit he said to himself. She shouldn’t be able to always seduce him in to doing what she wanted right?

 

But that sentiment quickly fled the moment she turned her head and stuck her tongue in his ear, breathing shallowly and lightly she whispered, “I want you Angel.”

 

Damn it he couldn’t resist her.

 

He growled and stood up abruptly grabbing her hand and proceeded to drag her out of the movie and into the nearest closet, which is where they currently found themselves.

 

Buffy was precariously sitting on a makeshift shelve.  Her legs were spread wide and she was holding on to a towel rack as Angel pounded into her. 

 

“ANGELLL” She keened.

 

Shhhh

 

With one last powerful thrust the shelf splintered and cracked just as they both achieved their release.  She quickly wrapped her legs around his waist for support as he grabbed on to her so she wouldn’t fall.

 

“Who’s in there?”  The doorknob started to rattle and Angel silently thanked God that there was a lock on the door.

 

“Shit!”  Buffy whispered. 

 

With one quick kiss to his lips her legs unwrapped from around his waist and landed on the floor. They quickly adjusted their clothes smiling at each other like idiots.  When they were decent once more they opened the door to the angry red face of the manager.

 

 “What are you doing in there?”  He craned his neck around the couple trying to see if something was amiss.

 

Pushing Buffy through the door Angel reached into his pocket and took out a hundred dollar bill. “Here that should pay for the damages.”   He slapped it in the manager’s palm and smiled at him.

 

Giggling they strolled out of the movie theatre holding hands.  “For some reason I don’t think we’ll be able to go to that movie theater again.”  He said happily.

 

Buffy pouted, “But I like that movie theatre they have those cushiony soft seats.”  Angel looked at the pout and knew he could never deny her anything.

 

“Okay we’ll sneak in next time.”

 

 “What do you think happened to Spike and Faith?”  Buffy asked as they walked down the Sunset strip.  They were supposed to meet them at the movie theatre but they never showed up. 

 

Angel knew exactly why they didn’t show up but he wasn’t about to share that information with Buffy.  Instead he just chuckled and grabbed her by the waist hauling her up to him. He lowered his face to hers rubbing his nose against hers. “Probably the same thing that we were doing.”

 

She giggled back, “Yeah but I bet it didn’t cost Spike a hundred bucks.”

 

“I’d pay a million bucks to have you wherever I want, even if it was in the pits of a sewer.”  He started to nuzzle her neck, nipping on her throat.

 

She ran her fingers through his hair and clung to him wrinkling her nose at his suggestion. “A sewer?  Angel I love you, I really do, but I don’t think I will ever get naked in a sewer.”

 

He stopped his ministrations and looked up at her. “I didn’t say you had to be naked.”  His hands moved to the hem of her skirt inching it up. “You just have to be there and accessible.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

 

She laughed at him while trying to stop him from lifting her skirt up any higher.

 

“Disgusting what you young kids think is appropriate public behavior these days.”  A woman snorted as she passed them on the street.

 

Angel looked up at her and winked. “Well ma’am perhaps you could come over here and show me exactly what appropriate public behavior entails?”

 

The lady gave him the nastiest look Buffy had ever seen from an old lady then she walked away huffing and puffing, mumbling about rude young men.

 

Buffy slapped Angel’s hands away and stepped out of his embrace, laughing at his playfulness.  “You are so bad teasing little old blue haired ladies.”  She started backing away from him.

 

He followed with a sinister smirk on his face. “Well how about you come back over here and I’ll tease you instead?”  He started to walk faster.

 

So did she.

 

“I don’t like to be teased Angel you know that.”  She gave him her sexiest smile. “When I want it, I want it. No waiting for Buffy, it makes me cranky.  Now you better hurry up because I want it now.” 

 

She turned around running as fast as she could.  They were only two blocks away from The Graveyard so she thought she might have a chance.

 

Angel gave her a ten second head start before he dashed away after her.

 

 

**********************

 

 

The loft was dark except for the soft glow of candles that cast a shadow on the lovers lying on the floor.  Buffy was resting her head on Angel’s chest thinking about how amazing he was and how after six months he still evoked incredible feelings of longing and love inside of her. 

 

She remembered what it was like with Parker; to her it seemed that after six months it was clear that she didn’t love him.  He would touch her and she would feel nothing, no spark, not longing or lust, just nothing.

 

But Angel, Angel made her feel everything.  He made the tiny hairs on her body stand to attention waiting for his slightest touch.  He made her toes curl with the pleasure that he incited in her.  He made her heart feel so full of love that at times she thinks it will just explode. With Angel, when she’s away from him, it’s just the mere memory of a word spoken or a look given that gets her hotter then a five alarm fire.

 

“What’s your plan for tonight baby?”  Angel asked as he rubbed her back. 

 

Buffy purred under his touch still lost in her own thoughts. “Mmmm…if I suggested you, me, a bottle of champagne and a bubble bath would you stay?”  She asked.  She was a little annoyed that he had to work tonight. It seemed that he was working a lot lately either at night or on the weekends.

 

Angel sighed into her hair blowing loose strands over his face; he hated being away from her too. There was no other place in the world he would rather be tonight than in the arms of his Goddess, but at the moment he had no choice. 

 

“I’m sorry baby I know I’ve been working a lot lately but the Director is yanking all our chains to finish this project.”

 

She sighed, her breath tickling his skin. “I know, I just miss you when you’re not with me.”

 

He tugged on her hair and she looked up at him. “And I miss you.”  Their mouths met in the middle leisurely nipping at the corners of each other’s mouths.

 

“I am behind in doing the books for The Graveyard so I guess I’ll be doing that tonight.” She pouted.  “No fun for Buffy.” 

 

Angel held her tightly and nipped at her ear. “Well I can’t help with the books.” His hand slid over her smooth back and to the curve of her butt. Covering the soft globes he squeezed them. “But I can give you a little something to think about while doing the books.”

 

She laughed. “Angel there is nothing little about you.”

 

He smiled against her neck. “Well that is true,” he proudly declared.

 

Buffy chuckled at his conceit. “Besides like I would really be able to concentrate on math if all I’m thinking about is you and your little…” reaching down she squeezed his not so little package, “…something.” 

 

Reaching back up she reached for his head, her hands sifted through his brown locks and brought his mouth to hers for a kiss.

 

Just as the kiss got hotter and hands started to wander, their peaceful shroud of love was interrupted by the loud banging on the front door. “OUI’ ANGELUS…you in there?”

 

Angel moaned under Buffy’s mouth. “Why can’t they just leave us alone! 

 

She giggled at the exasperated look on this face and started to rise.  He pulled her back down growling at her, “Where are you going?”  He placed kisses down her neck. “Ignore him, he’ll go away.”

 

She held his head to her neck enjoying his attention and giggling at his playfulness.

 

BANG. BANG. BANG.  “I know you’re in there I can smell the sex out here for god’s sake. Don’t you people have any shame, shagging on the living room floor!”

 

Angel growled into Buffy’s neck while she flat out laughed at Spike’s outburst.  She pushed off of him and stood up.  Angel placed his hands behind his head and looked at her in all of her naked glory.  God she was beautiful and she’s mine he thought as a smile spread across his face.

 

“I’m going to take a shower.  You…” she poked him in the stomach with her toe, “Will take care of your friend who is obnoxiously banging on my door.” 

 

He grabbed her foot before she walked away and brought it up to his mouth.  Taking her toe in his mouth he sucked on it lightly, staring into her eyes. “Maybe I’ll meet you in there after I get rid of said obnoxious friend.”

 

BANG. BANG. BANG. “C’mon mate I can’t stay out here all day” BANG. BANG. BANG. 

 

“ALRIGHT ALREADY HOLD ON!”  Angel screamed out, mad that a loud-mouthed Brit was disturbing his sexual play! 

 

He let go of Buffy’s foot and she helped him up.  She kissed him on the lips then turned away, walking towards the bathroom.  Angel was unable to resist smacking her on the ass.  “Ouch!” She rubbed her derriere giving him a look that promised payback but he just winked at her.

 

Putting on his pants he walked over to the door and opened it. “Have I ever told you that the sound of your voice grates on my nerves?”

 

“All the time.” 

 

Spike came barreling in pushing Angel aside and looking around the room. He was hoping to get a glimpse of naked Buffy skin, but she wasn’t there. 

 

Angel rolled his eyes. “She’s in the shower.” 

 

Damn, well maybe next time Spike thought.

 

Angel closed the door and went into the kitchen with Spike trailing behind. “How did it go in London?” 

 

“Piece of cake mate.”  He threw a black pouch down on the table.  “He wants to see you, tonight.  He said and I quote, ‘I don’t care if he’s fucking the Queen of England I want to see him tonight!’”

 

Angel smirked, typical crudeness. “Yeah well I was planning on it anyway.  Buffy’s got to do the books tonight so she’ll be busy with that.”

 

Spike walked up to Angel and whispered, “Are you ever going to tell her?” 

 

Angel thought on that, he had contemplated telling her but he was afraid of her reaction.  Not because he thought she would be stuffy about it, but because he lied to her.  It had taken him a long time to get her to trust him and he was loath to do anything that would break that.  “Have you told Faith?”

 

Spike leaned against the counter. “Yes I did.” Proud that he had bucked up and told the truth.  Well at least the majority of the truth.

 

“And what did she say?”  Angel was curious because Faith and Buffy were so much alike and maybe if Faith took it all in stride then Buffy would too.

 

“She didn’t say anything at first.  But then after she drop kicked me clear across the room for lying to her, she said she understood.”  Spike said rubbing his stomach remembering the force of that kick and how much it hurt.

 

Angel smirked at that picture but then his smile quickly faded as another image came into his mind, that of him flying across the room in the same manner by a pissed off Buffy. Unconsciously he rubbed his belly.

 

“She understands the need for keeping that bit of information to herself, right?” Angel asked, even though he already knew the answer.  Faith like Buffy knew all about keeping secrets.

 

“Of course mate - no worries.” Spike said confidently and Angel nodded at him.

 

Angel walked over and poured a cup of coffee.

 

“So?”

 

“So what?”

 

“So are you planning on telling the girl?”

 

Angel turned to face him, “I’m hoping that I won’t have too.” 

 

Spike sighed, shaking his head. “You know he’s just going to say no again.  You’re his money maker there’s no way he’s going to let you walk away from a profitable relationship. “

 

Angel nodded, his eyes darkening because he knew that was true.  He had already tried a few months back after Vienna when he went to him and told him he was out.  And what did the bastard too, he threw more money at him and he couldn’t resist. 

 

Actually it wasn’t so much the lure of money that made him agree to stay but rather it was the fact that he really didn’t want to walk away.  He actually liked what he did very much.  It made him feel alive.  It was damn better than playing the role of stuntman for a living.  Although that wasn’t too bad either, it was the perfect cover for a man in his occupation, but it still didn’t fill him with adrenaline like his real job did. No he loved what he did. It made him feel invincible and he didn’t want to give it up.  There was only one other thing in this world that gave him the same feeling and she was currently soaping up that tight body in the next room. Something else that he never wanted to give up.

 

Spike knew Angel’s thoughts because he thought them too.  He loved his job and wouldn’t give it up for anything in the world.  Lucky for him Faith didn’t ask him too, she actually seemed quite excited to learn about it and his adventures.  Of course he didn’t tell her everything he wasn’t stupid.  There were just some dirty details of his job that he didn’t know what her reaction would be too. So he was better off keeping his mouth shut.  But honesty does have its rewards, after he told her what he really did he was rewarded with some of the best sex he ever had. Umm…maybe he should tell her more.

 

“Maybe you don’t have to walk away? Maybe she won’t care.” 

 

“I’m sure she won’t care, well too a point at least.”

 

Angel eyed Spike, “Did you tell Faith everything?”

 

“Angelus you insult me.” Spike said taking offense.

 

Angel nodded and then continued, “Well knowing Buffy she’d probably want to join me.  But that’s not the point, the point is that I’ve been lying to her for the past eight months and I don’t think she’ll thank me for that.”

 

“Well you’re going to have to tell her sooner or later before she finds out on her own and believe you me that would be way worse.” Spike said.

 

“Who says she’ll find out?”

 

Spike shook his head, “Look you know as well I do that a secret this big cannot be kept undercover for long, especially from a woman like Buffy.  She’s not stupid Angelus, in fact sometimes her astuteness scares me. It’s almost like…”

 

“She’s in the business herself?” Angel said, thinking the same thing.

 

“Yeah. It’s odd.  Very odd.  I’m telling you mate, if you don’t tell her she will find out herself, somehow in someway, and then you’re going to regret not telling her to begin with.”

 

Angel sighed and dragged a hand through his hand, he knew Spike was right. He hated when Spike was right.

 

“Listen mate I’ve got to go.  Go see him and talk to him.  While you’re at it use some of this...” He pushed the pouch that was on the table towards Angel, “to buy your girl something nice, you know soften her up a little.” 

 

Angel nodded lost in his thoughts as he stared at the black velvet pouch. 

 

Spike turned to walk out of the kitchen and instead walked right into Buffy. “Oh sorry pet I didn’t see you standing there.”  He looked at her warily, trying to figure out if she heard anything.  When she stared back at him blankly, he smiled at her then leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll see you later pet.”  Then he left the loft.

 

Angel walked over to Buffy and kissed her on the cheek, “Rain check on that fun time?  I have to get ready before I’m late again.”

 

“Yeah sure.”  She said sweetly smiling at him.  He smiled back but she noticed the tightness of that smile, as Angel noticed hers.

 

Buffy watched him walk into the bathroom and close the door.  She stared at the closed door her eyes small slits as she recalled what she had overheard. 

 

She had been on her way into the kitchen to join them when she heard their whispered voices.  She had stood stone still not wanting to make a sound that would alert them that she was there. What was it that he had to tell her before she found out herself?  And why would he need to soften her up? 

 

If she weren’t so perturbed about the fact that he was lying to her about something, she would’ve laughed at Spike and the way he had tried to read her.  That was pretty comical at least in her eyes because Spike was good, she would give him that, but she was better.  She was a pro at hiding her feelings and what she was thinking.  She could con a nun into joining an orgy if she wanted to. 

 

The problem was that even though she was better than Spike Angel was the master.  He could dodge a speeding bullet of questions if they pertained to something that he didn’t think you should know about.  It was going to be tough to get anything out of him. 

 

Walking over to the coffee pot, she poured herself a cup and pondered what her options were.  They were very limited to say the least. 

 

Option Number One: she could always just ask.  She quickly eliminated that idea because there was no way that he would tell her. 

 

Option Number Two:  she could follow him and poke around a bit and see what she came up with.  She left that option open because while that would take some time, it actually might be her only option. 

 

Option Number Three:  she could always kidnap Spike and torture him till he talked.  She smiled, she actually liked the sound of Option Number Three, but sadly she couldn’t do that because she didn’t think Faith would go for it.

 

So that was it…there were no other options. Unless, she smiled wickedly, she used…other methods?  She ran her hands down her sides as she mentally tallied a tempting list of erotic torture she could devise for her bad boy lover.  Her face crinkled with annoyance as her hands dropped to her side. She had to get serious that would never work. He could easily turn the tables on her, and then she would totally forget why she started it to begin with. No, she had only one option and that was number two.

 

She stared off into space, mentally kicking herself in the ass. For a while now she had suspected something funny was going on but she always pushed it aside not wanting to create any tension in their new relationship.  She also figured that she was just being jealous and paranoid.  Her feelings were obsessively strong when it came to Angel.  Even seeing him talk to another woman made her want to commit murder. 

 

Funny, she thought she had gotten rid of all those violent tendencies when she left the Brotherhood and started her new life. But apparently where Angel was concerned she hadn’t.

 

As she sat at the table her fingers tapping angrily on the wood, her mind thought of all sorts of things that he could be doing behind her back, and that made her see red.

 

Obviously, Spike knew about it, and was trying to get Angel to come clean with her, which made her wonder if Faith knew.  But she quickly dashed that idea away; there was no way that Spike would tell Faith if Angel was messing around behind her back. Guys just didn’t share that kind of information with their girlfriends. Especially when the girlfriends were as close as she and Faith were.

 

Standing up she drank down the rest of her coffee and placed it in the sink. She had a lot to do today. She was determined to get to the bottom of whatever was going on even if it killed her.

 

 

 

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