Chapter Thirty-Three
E-merging Struggles
“Do I want to know why you have magically enhanced chains in your crypt?” Angel asked.
Spike shrugged, “Well, if you want the 411 on my perverse yet highly arousing sex life…then yeah.”
Angel shook his head as he attached the final manacle on Riley’s left wrist with a jovial smirk on his face. Taking a step back, his short-lived cheer fled as he looked at the still unconscious vampire.
Obviously he had made a very bad decision in not killing Riley himself but at the time it had seemed like the perfect solution. It was poetry really, something that Giles should add to those stuffy old books the Council kept on him. It was conceived in the heat of the moment but held such beauty and such depth behind it that he would in fact consider it to be one of his best works of art. Too bad it didn’t work out the way he planned.
His thoughts were diverted as he continued to stare at Finn and deep feelings of desecration coursed through him. Rage bubbled to the surface, his face shifted and he promptly grabbed Riley’s head viciously yanking it to the side and baring his neck.
Pure hatred spewed from his lips as he feverishly spoke to the lifeless vampire. “You’re not good enough for her Finn. Not as a human and not as a vampire. What you did deserves death followed by a long and agonizing existence in hell, and you will get it I promise you that. But you won’t be taking her with you.”
Spike nodded his agreement, his face shifting with excitement as he watched Angelus sink his fangs into Riley’s throat, taking back that which belonged to them. He really wanted to watch Angelus drink him dry but he knew that he wouldn’t. He would leave him with just enough blood to keep him alive. Considering how gung-ho Angelus was with his deed Spike wasn’t sure if he’d be able to stop so he concentrated on Riley’s life force. The second he sensed death approaching he lifted his hand to touch Angelus on the shoulder but the older vamp suddenly pulled back, his hand rising to the back of his head as he shouted in pain.
“OUCH!”
“What is it?”
Angelus shook his head, his hand gingerly rubbing the back of his head. He stood still as a feeling of deep serenity entered his soul. His face shifted back and he looked up at Spike. “It’s Buffy, she’s…I don’t know, it’s like she’s…sleeping?”
Puzzled brown eyes looked into blue orbs that stared back at him like he had two heads. “Sleeping? She can’t be sleeping.”
Then Spike’s eyes sparked like a light bulb. “She’s unconscious.”
Angel’s face turned murderous as the demon came forth once more.
“Damn it Buffy why didn’t you wait for us!” he shouted out with all the frustration he felt from his mate’s actions. Fear and concern entered his soul as he thought about her alone and unconscious somewhere, and at the mercy of a Hell Goddess.
“Oh she’s going to get it for this so bad. Making me worry about her! Not waiting for us to go with her! God she is so damn stubborn!” He ranted as he stalked around the crypt kicking up all the pebbles on the floor and sending them ricocheting off the walls.
“Sounds like someone else I know,” Spike mumbled as he ducked from the flying projectile that almost hit him in the head.
Angel heard him and he turned around growling at him with his eyes glowing red. “What did you say?”
Spike put his hands up as a peace offering. “Nothing, I’m just saying she’s got a mind of her own. You know that. Did you seriously think she was going to wait for us when Dawn’s in danger?”
Angel turned away from Spike his face shifting back as he tried to calm down. Of course Spike was right but that didn’t matter. He was still having a hard time controlling the anger he felt at being disobeyed. And that was when he realized that he felt more like a vampire now than he ever did before, even when he was soulless.
In the past he had always felt empty, like nothing was ever enough, always searching for that one kill that would complete him. It was probably the reason Angelus became known as the Scourge of Europe. It was the demon’s subconscious searching for inner completion. He had pillaged and killed hundreds of people just like a good vampire should but that sense of totality never came.
Now bonding with Buffy, making her his life mate, had in essence completed his turning. He might have a soul but inside the man was gone, and the demon now pulsed with life. Of course with that all of the demon’s baser emotions were now at the core of his being. Obsession, possessiveness, the hunger for dominance and control, the need to punish his mate for disobeying him, were his driving force now. And he completely understood what Whistler meant when he said they would struggle with their darker sides, because he did so now.
Buffy was his property, it was her duty as his life mate to obey his commands and follow his lead. And if she should falter it was his duty to correct her. To make sure she knew that she was never ever supposed to disobey him.
That was logical and natural to his evil side, but the good side recognized that Buffy was not full demon, and therein was the problem, what made accepting what Spike said so difficult.
Buffy was still human and she had a mind of her own. Like him she was a leader not a follower and she would do what she thought she had to do in order to protect someone she loved, and regardless of what he said.
He hated that but in all honesty it was a part that attracted him to her in the first place. Her strength and loyalty were honest and true. Qualities that he never had as a human being, qualities that he had, since he met her, strived to reach for himself and he loved her for that.
Still, although he admired that trait in his mate this was not the time for her to run around by herself. She wasn’t alone anymore. She didn’t need to do everything on her own. He thought she understood that but in the heat of the moment she had forgotten. She needed to be reminded of that fact and he was damn sure going to do that when all this was over.
His eyes hardened as he walked to the door that led to the sewers. “I have to go to the mansion. Stay here and watch him, I’ll call you when it’s time to go.”
Spike nodded at him then called out to his retreating back. “Oui’ Sire, can I…play with him?” he respectfully asked.
Angel looked back at him and couldn’t hold back the smile that graced his face. Spike looked so excited, like a kid with a new toy that Angel couldn’t say no. “Alright but don’t kill him.” He sternly said.
Spike evilly smiled his thanks as Angel turned and headed down to the sewers.
****************
It was the touch of a warm gentle caress on her cheek that woke her up. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked up and into a pair of soft brown eyes. The face looked familiar but it took her a moment to place the name. “Ben?”
Ben smiled at the beautiful girl as his hand continued to stroke her skin. The same feelings that she invoked in him before resurfaced now as he watched her sleep. Feelings of desire and yearning were strong, and he wished to God that he had the chance to pursue them.
“You remember me, I’m honored.”
Buffy was confused as she lay there on the soft bed feeling his warm hand as he gently touched her. It was nice and comforting at first but then she remembered what happened and where she was. Her eyes hardened and she jumped up and off the bed, away from the kind intern.
Ben watched her scramble off the bed and press against the wall. Her actions reminding him of their situation and where they were and that realization filled him with dejection. She was not his lover just waking up from a beautiful night of love making; she was his enemy. Well actually she was Glory’s enemy. Still he wished things were different. But as he felt the restless energy inside of him boiling to the surface, trying to regain control, he knew things could not be different. His fatalism was heavy in his heart but he had no choice.
He had thought long and hard on the conversation he had with Dreg. While he hated to admit it, he knew the demon was right. He had to give up his fight for his life. If he didn’t Glory would only make things worse and he didn’t want that. He had had too much heartache and disappointed pain in his life and all he wanted was peace and serenity. He knew the only way to achieve that was to just let go and so he had. He had finally relented and gave Glory full control but when he heard the sound of Buffy’s voice, he knew that before he left for good that he had to help her any way he could. If he was going to go out without a fight the least he could do was try to help her and save her sister. If he could do that he would be happy, he would feel a sense of deliverance and hopefully give Buffy the edge she needed to take Glory out too. Then maybe, just maybe the actions of his good intended deed would bestow upon him the honor of resting for eternity in heaven and not in hell.
“It’s okay, please…don’t be afraid.”
“I’m not afraid, I’m confused. What are you doing here? Where’s Dawn?”
Ben smiled at her he had not been wrong about her. She was strong and held such faith inside of her he knew she would succeed. “She’s okay, she’s…in another room.”
Buffy walked over to the door and grabbed the knob but it was locked. With all of her strength she forcefully tugged on the knob but it didn’t budge.
“They put a spell on it, you can’t get out.”
Buffy closed her eyes her hand gripped the doorknob so strongly that the knob started to bend inside itself until the bolt that held it in place snapped and the knob jerked off. She looked down at the knob that was in her hand and then she bent over and looked through the hole in the door where the knob use to be. Instead of seeing a room on the other side she saw a bloodshot eyeball staring back at her. Smirking she jammed her finger in the hole. A yelp was heard on the other side and when she looked back the eye was gone, she smiled.
“I’m so sorry you and your family had to get involved in this. “ Ben softly said.
Her smile disappeared and she dropped the bent doorknob as she stood up and faced him. “Yeah I bet you are. You didn’t answer my question, what are you doing here?
“That’s a rather long and complicated story.”
Buffy took a step closer flexing her fingers. “Then you better start talking before you can’t anymore.”
He smiled at her, he really did like her.
“I’m afraid I don’t have much time to go into details. She’ll be back any minute.”
Buffy looked at him crossly, “What are you doing here Ben, do you work for Glory? Are you one of her spies?” She fixed him with a hard stare. “You are aren’t you? She sent you to the hospital to spy on me.” She took a step closer. “It was you that told her Dawn was the key.” She was two steps away from wrapping her hands around his neck when he jumped out of her reach.
“No it’s not like that I swear. It’s much more complicated than that. You have to believe me I never wanted any harm to come to you or your sister.”
Buffy looked at him, snorting her disbelieve. “Yeah right and I’m Glenda the Good Witch of the North.”
Ben was about to reply but instead of words coming out of his mouth his face morphed into Glory and then back to Ben’s.
Buffy watched with stunned wide eyes as this went on a few more times. It was the strangest thing she had ever witnessed; it was almost like watching a video tape as you rewound and then fast forwarded a scene in fast motion. Watching it was making her a little dizzy. What was even more dizzying was trying to make out what Ben was trying to say whenever his face appeared.
“Ki…m…then you ki…gl…NO!”
He was gone in a flash and Buffy looked on in bewilderment as Glory stood before her and not Ben. Her mind went fuzzy and she closed her eyes and took a deep breath trying to decipher the confusion she felt. When she opened them back up her mind was clear, she remembered where she was but she was completely lost as to how Glory got there too.
“How did you get in here?” she asked taking a step closer.
Glory looked blankly at the Slayer then she looked around the room, and then back at Buffy’s angry perplexed face. Her lips pursed in surprise as her eyes hardened, she seemed completely shocked and exasperated to be in the same room with Buffy. When she opened her mouth to speak it was a deafening roar that rattled the room. “DREG!”
The door was thrown open and ten demons stormed inside the room.
Buffy backed up against the opposite side of the wall her body immediately falling into fighting mode.
The demons surrounded her, snarling and smiling.
She could read the excitement in their eyes and she felt her own. She was pumped and ready to dish out whatever pain she had to too get out and get Dawn.
Glory smiled and smoothed out her hair as she walked over to the now opened door. “You know Buffy I have to say that I really admire your persistence. Look at you, standing there so valiantly ready to take on all the demons of hell to save your sister. But sweetie it’s not going to help nor matter in the end because you’re not as strong as you think. And your sister, well she really isn’t your sister at all is she? So why even bother? Why risk your life for someone that shouldn’t even exist?”
“You’re wrong. She is my sister.”
“Sweetie I don’t think you’re really listening to me. What I’m offering you is the chance to just walk out of here with no harm to you. You can go and live your life with that sexy vampire of yours with no more interference from me. Isn’t that what you want? After seeing that demon it’s what I would want if he were mine. You can have it Buffy. All you have to do is forget about my Key, and walk away.”
“She’s not a key; she’s my sister and you’re not getting her!”
Glory’s voice hardened and her eyes were like steel as she stared back at the defiant girl. “Fine have it your way.”
She walked out waving her hand up in the air. The door slammed shut and the first swing of a demon’s fist connected with Buffy’s chin.
****************
He was almost at the mansion when he felt her surge of rage. He stopped walking and leaned against the damp sewer wall. Now that she was awake he could use the time alone to concentrate on her and pinpoint her exact location. Darkness would soon fall and he had to be prepared for when it did.
He closed his eyes and concentrated on her. As he connected to her he felt the strongest link that he had since the bond kicked in. He could feel her tapping into Angelus’ powers and as he connected to her at the same time it opened up a direct line to her.
It was the most intimate he had ever felt with her, and as before, her life force seemed to fill his dead body bringing it to life. Her pulse felt like his own, her heart beat in his chest, her blood flowed through his veins. He could no longer distinguish where she started and he began. They were one unit…one powerful entity.
He could see her perfectly. She was in a closed room fighting three demons at once and the dead bodies of seven other demons were scattered all over the floor. He could smell her scent and he could hear her mind as she quickly strategized her next move. He was literally in the room fighting side by side with her.
A smirk graced his face as he watched her fight the demons. Pride and deep love filled him and he pushed it toward her so she would know that he was with her. The second he did, he felt her smile and felt the love that she pushed back to him. He knew that he didn’t have to worry about her. Of course he still would, he couldn’t help that, but at least he was granted the gift of actually being able to see and feel her when she wasn’t with him. It was an opportunity to reassure himself that she was indeed okay and that it was just a matter of time before she killed the remaining demons.
Comforted with that knowledge he looked around the room. His face crinkled with irritation as he noted that Dawn was not there.
He pulled back from their connection not wanting to distract her and started walking again. He had to get back to the mansion and touch base with everyone else. After he did that, he would connect with Buffy once again and find out exactly where she was.
****************
With a satisfied grunt Buffy snapped the last demon’s neck and then threw his body against the door where it landed with a dead thud. She brushed herself off and took a deep breath, letting the low warm hum in the core of her being sooth and relax her.
She looked around at the carnage of dead bodies that littered the floor and she smiled evilly. She knew that was a new record for her, ten demons in as little five minutes all skillfully and expertly taken out. Yes she was definitely enjoying this bond.
She sensed the moment when Angel had fully connected to her because the bond erupted into one hot vibe that took control of her. She had felt him everywhere inside of her and around her. In that one moment as they joined to each other simultaneously they were one. It was a very, very nice sensation.
Who was she kidding?
Nice could not even begin to describe how euphoric it was. It was pure stimulation, pure addictive power of the most sinful kind eclipsing her mind, body and soul…totally and completely. It was an unadulterated aphrodisiac that sent her body into a heated overdrive. She tingled and burned in all the right places. An image of being scaled by his long hard length plundering her anxious and quivering body was all she could think of. Her heart raced, her pulse became rapid and her eyes closed as she tried to control the animalistic urges that ravaged her core.
Yet underneath her heightened sex-dive she was slightly disgusted with how easy her lust took control of her mind and body, and a battle ensued inside of her.
One side wanted to leave this place, leave Dawn to her demise, and run to her sweet tormentor. That part didn’t want to fight; it wanted only to consume him, take him deep inside of her body and hold him there as sublime ecstasy rippled through her.
But the other side of her, the more human and rational side knew that now was not the time to be sexed up. She had to be prepared to fight whatever came next through that door next, not jump their bones
On a shallow breathy sigh, she allowed herself just one more minute of naked yearning. There was no doubt in her mind that linking together so intimately with one another as they made love would be an earth shattering experience. She also knew there would be no controlling her desires when she saw him. They were too strong, too deep, and too carnally attached to her soul.
But until that moment arrived she had to divert her lusty thoughts so she concentrated on Dawn. After a few elongated seconds, her passions finally slowed to a deep purr that settled low in her body. They lingered, sweetly reminding her of the pleasures she would soon enjoy but were not so strong that they hindered her reason.
She stepped over the bodies and walked over to the door, kicking it with her left foot. But instead of her foot hitting wood it hit a magical force field that sent her flying back and into the wall across the room. She landed on the bloody body of a dead demon.
“Ewe…gross.”
Quickly getting up she resigned herself to the fact that she was stuck in this room until they let her out or came back with more demons.
Unable to resist the fervent enticement of their bond, she climbed on the bed and sat Indian style. Closing her eyes she took deep breaths and once more reached for Angel.
****************
The door from the basement swung open then slammed shut. Angel walked briskly into the living room to find everyone there waiting for him. They each hit him with a barrage of questions all at once.
“Did you find Dawn?”
“Where’s Buffy?”
“Where’s Spike?”
Instead of answering them he turned, walked into the kitchen, and pulled out a pint of blood, sinking his fangs into the plastic cover he quickly drank it down. He noticed right away the consequences that pulling away from Buffy had on his strength, it had waned. It wasn’t that he was weaker than usual but more along the lines that his connection with Buffy had been that much more powerful. Now that they were no longer linked together at the same time he felt a little anemic.
He was also stalling.
He was unsure of just how much he should tell them. He knew that Giles and mostly Wesley were concerned with the fact that he and Angelus were one now. And if he explained to them about Riley then what would they say? Would they be afraid of him? Would they not trust him anymore? Of course they wouldn’t that’s why he knew that the less he said the better.
Throwing the empty pint in the trash he walked back out to address the eagerly awaiting faces.
“Angel, what happened? Where’s Buffy?” As he figured, it was Giles that spoke the second he walked into the room.
“Glory has Dawn,” he quietly said.
Giles sat down dejectedly, as Wesley responded. “What do we do now Angel?”
“Where’s Buffy?” Willow asked and Angel looked at her.
“She’s with them. She followed Glory to wherever it is she’s hiding out.”
“Wherever it is she’s hiding out?” Xander exclaimed as he jumped up from his seat. He was in a foul mood. After hearing Cordy’s explanation of what had happened to his friend he was full of righteous anger and it was all aimed at the vampire standing before him.
“What the hell does that mean Deadboy? You don’t even know where she is?”
Without thinking he approached Angel, his body tense with his anger, his voice rising with every word he said as his fists curled.
“I guess your little plan to bond Buffy to you for eternity hasn’t worked out that good if you don’t even know where she is!”
Angel’s eyes turned murderous but he didn’t speak he was trying to control the demon’s desire to rip the boy’s insolent head off.
“Xander, shut up.” Cordy quietly pleaded with him as she also rose from her seat on the couch.
“You had us all fooled didn’t you? Making us all think that you were here to help her then sneaking behind everyone’s back so you could make her your slave! You don’t care about Buffy! You only ever cared about securing your soul! You used her!”
“Xander I think it would be best if you kept your comments to yourself.” Giles said slowly rising from his chair as he kept his gaze on Angel. As he stood he grabbed the baseball bat that was next to the chair and held it behind his back, just incase Xander found himself in a situation that he wouldn’t be able to get out of. And the more words he heard coming out of the boy’s mouth the more he knew he would need it. His hand tightened around the wood, he didn’t want to hurt Angel but he knew Xander would leave him with no choice.
“No Giles, I’m tired of keeping my mouth shut. You all have just let him back into our lives, back into her life, with no question about his motives. Look at him Giles, he’s not human, look at the red glow of his eyes he isn’t even a demon anymore.” He fearlessly took a step closer. “What the hell happened to you Angel? And what the hell did you do to Buffy? You know, you’re one selfish bastard!” He spat in his face.
Before anyone could react, Angel’s hand shot out to wrap around Xander’s throat as his face changed to the demon. He picked him up and ran toward the other side of the room.
Giles’ arm rose, the bat aimed at Angel’s head as he passed him. But Angel’s free hand came out and swatted Giles away like a fly. He went flying backwards and landed on the floor, the bat flew across the room as Angelus ruthlessly slammed Xander against the stone wall.
“If you were trying to set me off Boy, you’ve succeeded. You have no idea what you’re talking about. Even if you did, you of all people have no right to talk to me about being selfish! You think I don’t know what you did all those years ago?”
His grip tightened around Xander’s fleshy neck causing his eyes to become bloodshot and bulging. Xander’s hands griped Angel’s wrists as his feet dangled helplessly in the air.
“Buffy told me Harris. She told me about the time you were morphing into a hyena and how you tried to assault her!”
Willow’s eyes grew large as the memory flashed through her head. She remembered Buffy telling her that, but she never thought she would have told that bit of information to a jealous Angel who already hated Xander. She stepped forward wanting desperately to appease the vampire and halt his deathly aggression against her sometimes stupid friend. “Angel, please stop, that wasn’t his fault. He didn’t know what he was doing.”
Angelus didn’t even spare her a glance as he answered, “No, but he knew what he was doing when he didn’t tell Buffy that you re-souled Angel.”
Willow’s breath hitched, how did he know about that? She was sure that Buffy never discussed that with him. Her eyes were automatically drawn to Cordy who was red-faced and biting her lip. “I didn’t think it mattered anymore. We weren’t living here. I didn’t think he’d ever see Xander again.” When Willow just stared back at her with disbelief Cordy stood tall defending her actions. “I was trying to get him out of broody-Buffy-mood!”
“How? By making him hate Xander more?” Willow said.
“Well yeah. I figured anger was better than broodiness.” Cordy answered sheepishly shrugging her shoulders.
Angelus wasn’t listening to them, he had eyes only for the ashen faced boy that he held in his grip. “You know Harris Angel blames you for his little stint in hell, not Buffy. Buffy didn’t know that Willow re-cursed him because you were too selfish to tell her. What did you think? That with us out of the picture she would fall into your pathetic scrawny arms?”
He moved in, his hand squeezing harder as Giles finally made a move. He picked the bat up and ran over to them with his arm raised in the air. But like before Angelus knew he was coming and he turned his body ever so slightly. His hand connected with the bat and Giles’ arm was halted in mid-air. With a snarl he effortlessly pushed the Watcher away then turned his attention back to Xander.
“But she didn’t, did she? She only loved me more and for you she felt nothing but anger and resentment.”
“Angel stop it, you’re killing him!” Cordy screamed as she saw Xander’s face turn blue and his body’s once frantic movements slowly ceasing.
“No. I’ve earned my right to kill him and I’m going to finally take it!” Angelus snarled as his hand once more tightened around Xander’s neck sealing the deadly deed once and for all.
Just as the last breath was about to leave Xander’s body, he felt the hand around his neck slacken. His eyes opened and he looked at the demon that held him. His face seemed to relax slightly as his eyes flickered with acknowledgment. His hand stilled and Xander was finally able to take a gasp of breath. He didn’t know what interrupted the vampire’s lethal intentions but what ever it was he was grateful for it.
The second Angelus was about to give the final squeeze he felt Buffy’s ire. He was so attuned to his long unfilled yearning to kill Xander that he never noticed her tapping into his senses. But he did now.
She was there, seeing and feeling all that he was doing and she was not happy. She was literally yelling at him inside of his head, telling him that he could not kill the disrespectful whelp.
He stood there holding Xander staring at him arguing back that he had every right to do it and that he would. Sensing his stubborn determination Buffy switched tactics on him and started to softly cajole him into stopping his deed by telling him that no matter how angry she was with her friend, he was still her friend and that she would be hurt and upset if he died. And that she would be very disappointed if it were Angelus that committed the dead. She then went on to remind him of the dastardly deed he committed against Riley, and what that lead too.
With a deep sigh filled with disappointment and unhappiness Angelus finally gave in to his mate’s wishes. He leaned into Xander coldly whispering to him. “You better thank Buffy for your amnesty Harris. If it weren’t for her you’d be dead right now.”
Xander’s eyes showed the ease he felt inside at hearing his words and it angered Angelus again. His hand once more roughly squeezed the boy’s neck as he harshly spoke.
“I know you felt the last breath leaving you. I suggest you remember that feeling because if you ever disrespect me or mate again you will feel it once more, and next time…she won’t be able to save you.” Snarling with irritation he threw him across the room.
Xander landed on the floor, his eyes closed with pain from the hard jolt his landing caused. Yet it was pain welcomed with relief at being set free from the merciless grip of the demon.
As Willow and Cordy rushed over to him, his hands massaged his neck as he looked back at the demon that dismissed him, turning away and speaking to the others. “I’ll be right back.”
Angel had to get out of that room. He could feel Xander staring at him, hell he could feel all of them staring at him like he was an unstable time bomb just waiting to explode, and truth be told…he was. He knew if stayed in that room one for more second he would just walk right over and rip Xander’s head off. So instead he walked out of the room and toward his bedroom.
Walking inside he slammed the door shut and leaned against it. He could feel Buffy inside of him, soothing his anger, placating his disappointment with words of gratitude and love. And it worked, slightly…until he remembered that she was not in front of him. That her soft gentle touch was not caressing his taut cheek.
He told her of his disgruntlement and she retorted with a sigh and a mental roll of her eyes, which only made him snarl. He detested that dismissive action. She had a habit of it doing whenever he did or said something she thought was barbaric. He had in the past found it cute, now however it only pissed him off.
He stared to mentally snap at her, berating her for her trivializing of his emotions, but she quickly interjected once more, saying they could argue about it later and that he should get his ass over here as soon as the sun set. When he reminded her that he didn’t know where that was, she threw a mental picture of the building and the surroundings his way.
“Angel?” The knock and the quietly spoken question came from Wesley. “Angel?”
With a last mental word that he would be there as soon as he could his eyes opened and he turned around and opened the door. Walking past Wesley he walked back into the living room. “Get ready. As soon as the sun sets we move.” He walked over to the fireplace and pulled out his cell phone.
“Angel, where’s Spike?” Cordy asked.
“He’ll meet us there.” He answered as he dialed Spike’s cell phone number.
“And where is there, Angel?” Giles asked.
“An apartment building on the edge of town.”
Giles nodded then pulled Wesley aside to talk to him privately. Cordy stood by Angel’s side as she listened to him quietly talk to Spike, and Willow sat next to a still recovering Xander who couldn’t take his eyes off of Angel.
“Xander, leave it alone.” Willow whispered to him quietly.
Xander didn’t answer her. He was mad and embarrassed. He knew he had narrowly escaped death and he was grateful for it, but he was still pissed off with Angel. He still didn’t trust him and he believed every word he said to him.
His attempted murder by the bastard demon only intensified his deep determination to see him laid low. If it was the last thing he did he would make sure that Buffy and everyone else finally saw through the veil of lies and deceit the demon had spun, even if that meant feeling that last breath of life leave his body once more.