Buffy, Willow, and Tara decided to have a movie night after Bronzing it.  So, they were all gathered together in the living room with their popcorn, pillows, and blankets, as they watched Dirty Dancing and Pretty Woman for like the hundredth time.

 

"I just love this movie!"  Buffy said, in an almost reminiscent tone.  She used to watch these movies with her mother when she was a younger girl.  Although it brought back those memories, this was one of the first nights she didn't want to cry about it.

 

"Me, too!"  The two witches said, in unison, before breaking out in laughter.  They were really pleased to see Buffy enjoying herself.  It was one of the first times since her return that she wasn't distracted or distraught about anything.

 

When the second movie finally ended, two bowls of popcorn and a lot of chocolate later, the girls were all teary-eyed and very happy.  "Thanks so much, you guys.  I really needed this.  Besides, I had a great time tonight!"

 

"I'm glad."  Tara said, feeling optimistic with the smile gracing the Slayer's features that night.

 

"Speaking of which, what did you think about the hottie at the club tonight?"  Willow pried, knowing what her friend was thinking.

 

"What hottie?"  Buffy questioned, a slight blush covering her face.

 

"Oh, come on.  We all saw how you looked at him!!  All googly eyes!!"  Her friend was really trying to make her say it, wasn't she?

 

"Alright.  He was a hottie.  More than a hottie.  But that doesn't mean anything.  He's probably got a girlfriend.  Besides, I kinda bring a lot of baggage to the table.  I mean, I just got back from Hea- dying."

 

"That is true," Tara admitted, seeing the hesitation of the other blonde.  "But maybe it would be good for you to get out some.  And we didn't see a girl there with him tonight."

 

"Yeah, but."

 

"But what?  There is no good reason that you two shouldn't try to hook up."  Willow was definitely trying her hand at matchmaking.  But it was Lindsey McDonald.  It's not like she could need a lot of convincing.

 

"Well, there is one reason."  Buffy started, thinking of a particular vampire she met up with in a little cabin only a few weeks ago.  But he said it would be better to stay apart for a while.  He was worried about being too happy around her, especially with her coming back and his inability to let her go.  "Maybe it's not that important, though.  I don't know.  I'll think about it.  Besides, we may never see him again."

 

* * *

 

Saturday night caused massive crowds at Sunnydale's only club.  The local favorite, Lindsey, was playing again, and had drawn a large following during his debut performance. 

 

When Buffy and her friends walked into the Bronze again that night, the blonde immediately spotted the guitarist on stage.  He was looking right at her, as he sung the most beautiful love song.

 

So let them say it's wrong

For me to love you.

They could never feel

The way I do when we kiss,

When we're close like this.

 

They can't see inside my soul,

They can't know the love we know,

All they do is waste their time,

They can never change my mind.

 

It's what my heart says,

That is what I listen to.

It's what my heart feels

That tells me what to do

It's what my heart knows

That's the only truth

I know it's real.

All I hear is what my heart says to me.

 

* * *

 

Lindsey looked up just in time to see the enchanting blonde girl and her friends walk into the crowded, smoky club.  It was a pity that she was so nice and pretty.  He really wasn't going to enjoy killing her, but kidnapping her would definitely be a plus.  Besides, if everything went according to plan, he may not even have to kill her.  The shady former attorney might actually get to work with her, one-on-one.

 

* * *

 

Buffy could almost feel her heart melting at the words that were flowing from his perfect mouth.  She had never heard anything so beautiful in her entire life.  It was almost as if it was made just for her heart at that very moment. 

 

When the song unfortunately ended, the tiny blonde watched as Lindsey made a bee-line right for her table.  Right for her.  She took a long drink of her coke, trying to save the severely dry throat she was suffering from at that moment.  All she wanted was to make pleasantries and then get back home so she could brood for awhile on why she didn't want to go out with such a honey.

 

"Hello, Miss Summers."  The musician greeted, taking a clammy hand from the girl.  "I don't know if you remember talking to me last night."

 

"I do.  Hi, Lindsey.  Please, call me Buffy."

 

"Okay, Buffy.  I finally remembered last night, where I knew you from.  Do you know Angel?"

 

She almost swallowed her tongue at that word.  Angel knew him??  Oh, God.ANGEL knew him??  Trying to pull herself together, she just nodded at the man in front of her, who was still holding her hand.

 

"Well, he and I go way back, and I recall seeing a picture of you that he had in his office."  Knowing her weakness, Lindsey went right for the kill.  She would trust any friend of Angel's, which was perfect for him.

 

"Strange.  He must have mentioned you, one time or another."  Buffy wasn't so sure about all of this, but a friend of Angel's couldn't be bad, right??

 

"I'm sure he did.  Anyway, I was wondering if you wanted to get some coffee or something later on.  I have one more set to play, but I'm usually really wired, so I could use some company."  He was trying his best to be the innocent musician, and it seemed to be working.

 

"Yeah, I think that would be great."  She said, after getting Willow's elbow in the arm several times.

 

Smiling at her friend, he said, "Great.  I'll meet you here, then?"

 

"Sure.  See you later."  Buffy forced a smile, and then gave an evil glare to her best friend.  Something definitely wasn't right.  Her 'spider-sense' was freaking out, but he seemed relatively harmless.  Scanning the room, she saw the faint outline of a shadow in the corner, smoking a cigarette.  Getting up, she decided to check it out.  But by the time she got the other side of the Bronze, the shadow was gone.  Yet, she couldn't shake her feeling of being watched.  Shrugging it off, Buffy returned to her friends and waited for her upcoming date with they sexy musician, clad in leather pants and a partially unbuttoned white shirt.

 

* * *

Derek walked outside, just after he saw the Slayer's recognition of a demonic presence in the room.  Quickly, he dialed his boss's number on his cell phone.

 

"Miss Morgan.  Yeah, this is Derek.  He's taking her out for coffee afterwards.  Yeah.  This is going to be too easy.  Don't worry.  By the end of the night, Lindsey McDonald will be dead, and Angel will be on our side."  He hung up and placed the phone back in his duster pocket.  Taking another drag off his cigarette, the demon grinned in anticipation for the fun activities to come.  Throwing the butt on the ground, he didn't even bother to stomp it out before leaving to get his plan in order.

 

* * *

 

When Lindsey's set was over, he returned to Buffy's table.  He gave her a small kiss on the cheek just for good measure before getting introduced to the cluster of friends she had with her tonight.  After meeting and talking shortly with her friends, he led her out to his convertible, and took her out for a harmless cup of coffee.   Unfortunately, they didn't know what was awaiting their arrival at the nearby café.

Part 3

As Lindsey peeled out of the parking lot, Buffy got a strange feeling about this guy.  Granted, he was VERY attractive, he knew Angel, and he was obviously human, but did that necessarily make him a good person?  When he looked at her with a big smile on his face, she decided she could take her chances.  She was the Slayer after all, so protecting herself from a human, should prove to be very easy if any problems arose.

 

"Nice car!"  Buffy said, trying to break the uncomfortable silence that fell over them.

 

"Thanks.  It's new."  Lindsey answered, again giving her a sexy smile.  This guy definitely knew he looked good.

 

"Cool.  When did you get it?"

 

"Last month, actually.  I used to have an old truck from the '50's but it was getting to be a piece of shit.  Everything seemed to be breaking down.  I lost the rearview mirror, the windshield had a crack in it from a rock, and I even had to use a rag for the gas cap."

 

"Sounds bad!"  Buffy commented, imagining the car he was describing.  She could just picture a rickety old truck that had 3 different colors, and rust all over it.  It reminded her of a great song, "Piece of Shit Car" by Adam Sandler.  The blonde had to suppress a laugh at the thought.

 

He laughed.  "It was pretty bad.  Everyone kept yelling at me, telling me that I had money and should get something decent.  They were right too.  Although I loved that truck, I was an attorney, and should have something more.respectable."

 

"So you bought a cherry red convertible?"

 

"Well, I am a guy, you know."  She laughed at his statement, as he pulled into the lot for the café. 

 

Lindsey got out of the car first, and walked over to open Buffy's door and help her out of the low car.  She thanked him, and they walked arm-in-arm into the small coffee shop.  He led her over to a booth in the corner, and ordered a cup for them both. 


When Buffy sat down, she happened to notice a dark figure in the far corner of the room.  It seemed to be almost a shadow in the dimly lit café.  Whatever it was, it gave her the creeps and set her 'spider-sense' blazing through her.  'Maybe this wasn't such a good idea,' she thought, her gaze wandering between the mysterious figure and her date.  'What the hell is wrong with me??  This honey asked me for coffee, and I'm trying to turn him into some bloodsucking devil-worshipping evil creature??  Damn, I definitely need to lay off the metaphorical crack!'

 

"Is something wrong?"  Lindsey asked, almost sensing the inner-monologue going on in his date's head. 

 

"No, everything's fine.  I just need to use the Ladies' Room.  Excuse me."  He nodded, and she got up and headed to the small bathroom behind their seat.

 

* * *

 

When Buffy had gotten to the sink, she splashed some water on her face, in an attempt to calm her nerves and settle her mind.  It had been awhile since she 'went out' with anyone.  Maybe that's why she was freaking out.  Buffy hoped that's what it was.  Things were going well so far, and she didn't want her slaying to get in the way of another relationship.  It had already helped to break up two of them.  Well, only one to be honest.  Riley left her for a reason other than her strength and strange late night habits.  He left her because she didn't love him.  That was the truth.  So far, she had loved only one man in her relatively short life.  Maybe this was a new start for her.  Maybe she could finally move on with her life and be happy for once.  Drying her face off, the blonde made her way back to the booth and her date.

 

* * *

 

When Lindsey saw his date disappear behind the bathroom door, he pulled out a small vile from his leather jacket.  Popping the cork off, he dumped the contents into Buffy's coffee and stirred it up really good.  He had tested this mixture once before, just to make sure that it would be strong enough to take care of business.  It had been able to take down a 300 pound man for 10 hours.  Taking his napkin, he wiped her spoon off carefully, making certain that no trace of the white powder were visible.  Once that was finished, he placed the utensil back in its proper place and waited for the girl to emerge.  Lindsey knew this would be the perfect plan.  He was determined to get himself back into his position at Wolfram and Hart.  But if everything went accordingly, the senior partners will be begging him to take over as president of the division.  Chuckling inwardly, the former attorney sat back into the red cushion of his seat.

 

* * *

 

Derek sat patiently in the corner of the dingy coffee shop as he waited for the happy couple.  Fortunately, he realized that his job was going to be much easier when Lindsey slipped the drug into the Slayer's drink.  Inconspicuously, the demon got up and went to the payphone outside. 

 

"Yes, Miss Morgan.  I have some great news.  Lindsey slipped the poison into her drink.  Yeah, it was easier than I had expected.   He shouldn't have trusted that pharmacist that much.  Uh-huh.  Uh-huh.  Yeah, the job will be completed tonight.  Don't worry, Miss Morgan.  Everything is going according to plan.  Okay.  See you at the hotel, then."  He hung up and strolled out to his black van.  Thanks to his extraordinary vision, Derek was able to see the couple from his vantage point in the vehicle.  Thus, drawing less attention to himself.  Lilah was on her way, and Buffy and Lindsey were about to get to the good part of the date.  Life couldn't get any better than this.

 

* * *

 

A few hours earlier:

 

Things were pretty ordinary in the City of Angels.  The occasional demon to kill, but other than that, the days were slow.  Angel seemed to be doing somewhat better since Buffy's return to the land of the living.  He wasn't so broody or sad anymore.  Well, okay, so he was ALWAYS brooding, but the moments seemed to be fewer and farther between.  Wesley was still constantly researching.  Does that guy ever have a life?  Anyway, he just found a scroll that was in some ancient language he couldn't decipher, so he and Fred were working on it every day.  Gunn was still pestering Cordelia.  He seemed to like her, but she always blew him off.  Like was not good enough for her.  But there were always moments when she needed him, and he was there.  Like right now.

 

Out of no where, Cordelia's head began to spin.  She screamed and dropped to the floor.  Well, she would have, except Gunn was there to catch her and gently cradle her through the vision.

 

"ANGEL!"  Cordelia yelled, as the pain finally subsided enough to speak.  Looking up, she saw the African-American man holding her and for a moment, felt joy.  But then her head began to throb again, and she had to close her eyes to the pain.

 

"What is it, Cordy?  What's the trouble?"  Angel asked, as he knelt down beside the couple on the ground.

 

Still clutching her head, Cordy opened her eyes, and looked at her friend.  How could she explain what she saw.

 

But somehow, he already knew.  That look in her eyes.  It was the same thing he saw the night Willow showed up in the hotel.  That look of sympathy, pain, and regret.  "It's Buffy."

 

At his simple answer, she nodded.  "I saw her.  She was at the Bronze with the gang.  And then at this small café thing with." She closed her eyes again, trying to see the man across from her.  "Lindsey?  She was with Lindsey McDonald."

 

"LINDSEY!!"  Angel roared, standing up and beginning to pace in front of his secretary, who was sprawled out behind the counter.

 

"Yeah.  She was drinking coffee, I think, and then she just fell over.  It's unclear what happens, except there's also a shadow.  Someone's watching him, or her."

 

"When?"  He asked, trying to figure out a course of action.  The last time they spoke, he told her it would be best to stay away from each other.  He wanted so much to comfort her, to have her comfort him.  But that led to happiness, and there was no way he was going to put her through that again.  He couldn't.

 

"Tonight.  A few hours from now."

 

"Fine.  Let's go."  He headed out towards the car, grabbing his coat on the way.

 

"But Angel, man, it's still daylight."  Gunn pointed out, surprised that the vampire didn't notice.

 

"Right.  You drive."  And the AI team headed down to Sunnydale to hopefully save Buffy's life, again.

 

* * *

 

Angel and his team arrived at the Bronze about two hours later.  After searching around, and sniffing (if you include Angel), they found out that she was gone.  However, just as they were about to leave, Cordy spotted Willow and Xander sitting at their usual table.  Motioning to the others, she made her way over to the gang.

 

"Hey you guys!!"  She said loudly, waving at them as she approached through a cloud of people.

 

"Cordy, to what do we owe the honor?"  Xander played his sarcasm card early on.

 

"Xander, I-"

 

"Actually," Angel cut her off. "We're looking for Buffy.  Do you know where she is?"

 

"She went to the coffee shop near the movie house.  Why, is something wrong?"  Willow asked, suddenly worried about her friend's safety.

 

"We don't know.  Maybe.  Did she happen to leave with anybody?"  Angel was silently holding his breath as he awaited an answer.

 

"Yeah, she did.  She left with the sexy guitarist who played here earlier."  Anya filled in.

 

Angel could feel the green-eyed monster trying to take over, as he listened to the other woman describe the man HIS Buffy left with.

 

"-He was wearing this skin tight leather pants that accentuated his perfect ass, and."


"AN!"  Xander complained, as he listened to his girlfriend. 

 

"But he's not as sexy as you are, honey.  Anyway, let's go.  Thinking about all this sexiness makes me want to copulate."  She grabbed his hand and led a blushing Xander out of the club.

 

Angel didn't wait to hear anymore.  Immediately, he turned and headed out the door, leaving his team to hustle out after him.  He couldn't believe that the slimeball Lindsey McDonald was trying to make a play for HIS mate. Not only that, but she was going to die?  The vampire figured maybe it would be the other way around, once he got a hold of the new musician.

 

* * *

 

When Angel finally reached the small coffee shop, he stood outside to watch through the dirty window.  He wanted to have a reason to kill the man.  Looking at the couple, he saw them lean in close for a kiss, as Lindsey caressed the hand of his mate.

 

* * *

 

Buffy and Lindsey were sitting in a peaceful silence for a long time after she returned to the booth.  At one point, he took her hand and began to rub it with his thumb.  Although he really did seem to like the girl, his main reason for doing that was to make her fidget and take a drink of the now-poisoned brew in front of her.  Instead, it just seemed to heighten the intimate moment they were sharing.  Suddenly for no apparent reason, they both leaned into each other across the table.  Their lips met in a gentle, tentative exploration.  It only lasted for a brief moment before both parties broke away.  Buffy wiped at her lips, and Lindsey took a long sip of his black coffee. 

 

"I'm sorry."  He said, genuinely feeling sorry, since now his stomach was trying to wedge its way up his esophagus.

 

"No, I'm sorry." She insisted.  "It's just that, it was like kissing my brother.  Or worse, Xander!"  Lindsey didn't even get a chance to reply or feel insulted.  Because that's when she picked up her coffee and took a drink as well.  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a figure in black running towards them.  The last words she heard was his terrified scream.

 

"NNOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

Part 4

Derek smiled broadly as he watched the events unfold before him.  It was even better than he could have planned it to go.  The Slayer and Lindsey were going to die, and Angel would finally be a new member of the firm!  Damn, this was good.

 

* * *

 

"NNOOOOOOOOOO!!!"  Angel rushed over to the now unconscious girl and picked her up carefully.  He could still feel her heartbeat, but it was dangerously low.  Using their link, as weak as it was, he could sense her life force, her very essence, slowly slipping away.  Turning his amber eyes toward her date, he roared, "What the HELL did you do to her???"

 

Lindsey, shocked by the pain and fury in the other man's eyes, just slumped down in the booth in a vain attempt to escape the vampire's wrath.

 

"ANSWER ME!!"

 

"I - I didn't know it would do this to her."  The musician tried to placate his anger, but it just made it worse.  He could see a vein in the vampire's throat bulge out, pulsing with his rage. 

 

However, just as Angel was about to respond, the rest of the Scoobies arrived.  Willow was the first to speak.

 

"Angel, what happened?"  She questioned, looking down at her friend's lifeless body.  At the inquiry, the witch noticed how he seemed to clutch at her tighter, as if he was trying to transfer his life into her small body.

 

"Take her to the hospital."

 

"But-"

 

"NOW, DAMMIT!!!  She's dying!"  His last words were so quiet, Willow was barely able to make them out.  Carefully, Xander took Buffy's body into his arms and led her out to the car.

 

Once he was sure that they were on their way, Angel turned his gaze back to the cowering man in the booth.  With one swift movement, the vampire's hand was around Lindsey's neck, and he dragged the man outside the cafe. 

 

* * *

 

The minute the two men were outside, Angel turned and gave a hard punch to Lindsey's face.  The vampire in him rejoiced at the feel of the nose breaking under his hand.  Angelus was just as possessive, and the demon was raging inside Angel's head, begging for the chance to torture, maim, and eviscerate the filth in front of him.  As much as Angel wanted that, he had some information to force out of the musician first.

 

"What did you do to Buffy?"  The vampire's voice was so low and dangerous that Lindsey was seriously wondering if his opponent still carried his pesky little soul.  When the former attorney didn't answer fast enough, he received a steel-toed boot to the gut, hard.  Doubled over in pain, Lindsey tried to force his words out.

 

"I-I d-didn't know.  I thought.ugh. it was just some.sleeping powder."  He coughed up some blood, and realized that he had some serious internal damage already.  And it only took one swift kick. 

 

"Well, it definitely did the trick."  Angel kicked him one more time, this time in the groin.  "Where's the rest of it?  What was in it?"

 

"I don't know what was in it.  I.(cough).I have the bag right here."  Reaching inside his pocket, Lindsey pulled out the small plastic bag.  Throwing it at Angel, he pulled out a tazer gun and zapped the vampire in the gut.  Stunning the opposition for a moment, Lindsey was able to make a run for it. 

 

Unfortunately, he wasn't fast enough.

 

Angel quickly recovered, and ran over to the other man.  He jumped, landing on Lindsey's back, causing him to skid across the pavement.  The musician was only able to scream for a moment, before Angel whacked him on the back of the head, knocking him out.

 

* * *

 

Derek smiled, as he drove toward the hotel where he was supposed to meet Lilah in an hour.  Angelus was definitely back, Lindsey was as good as dead, and this time, there would be no pretty little blonde Slayer to mess everything up.  Angel would willingly give up his soul, or die right along side his lover.  Derek chuckled again, as he turned down another dark street.

 

* * *

 

Angel ran over to the hospital, as soon as he had taken care of things with Lindsey.  When he reached the emergency room, he spotted Willow and rushed to find out what was going on.

 

"Sorry, I'm late.  I had some business to finish.  What's going on?"

 

"We still don't know."  The witch replied.  "The doctors aren't sure what's wrong with her, but they're trying to get her stabilized."

 

"Where are they?  I know what was in her coffee."  Willow pointed the way, and Angel swiftly walked towards the double doors, his duster swaying behind him.  When he was stopped by a nurse, he yelled at her explaining the bag he had, and told her to fix Buffy.  She wanted to get the information on her, and told him to go fill out the necessary paperwork.  Angel glared, his eyes a brilliant amber, as the nurse only nodded and headed off down the hallway.  From the look in the young man's eyes, he was certainly not one to take rejection or dismissal well, so she hurried to show the doctors what he had given her.

 

* * *

 

About three hours later, the same nurse returned to give the man an update about his wife's condition.

 

"How is she?"  He demanded to know, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides.

 

"She's stable now, but still unconscious.  The drug in the bag was a type of rat poison, although it had obviously been technologically modified.  Do you know where she could have gotten it?"

 

Of course he knew, but Lindsey was going to pay for hurting Buffy.  Not by the law, but by his worst nightmare because nobody messes with his girlfriend.  "I'm not sure.  All I know is someone put it in her coffee.  I saw her pass out at the cafe.  Can I see her?"

 

The nurse nodded.  "Okay.  But only her husband.  She needs her rest right now, if she intends on recovering any time soon.  I'm sorry, but I'm sure you understand."  The Scoobies and the AI team all nodded their head.  "Well, Mr. Angel, follow me."

 

She led him down several corridors until she stopped at room 005 which had Buffy's name on the outside of it.  As the nurse walked away, Angel stepped inside the tiny, sterile room.  He moved a nearby chair closer to the bed and picked up one of her delicate hands to hold.  Even though so much as changed, he still saw the innocent 16 year old that he met, and the less innocent 17 year old he gave his undead heart to.  After tenderly placing a kiss on her palm, Angel closed his eyes and did something he had not done in centuries.  He prayed.  He prayed to any god or being that was listening to save his true love.  He offered his life, if only they would keep her from dying.

 

When he was finished, Angel looked down at Buffy.  Her strength was still there, even in her unconscious state.  It was then that the vampire realized what he had to do.  Standing, he bent over and placed a soft, tender kiss on her lips.  "I love you."  Angel whispered, as he slowly made his way out of the room.

 

Willow barely heard his words to watch over Buffy, as the dark vampire stealthily walked out of the hospital and headed for the mansion.  He had some 'business' to attend to.  And Angelus was more than happy to oblige the man's will.

 

Part 5

Angel strolled into the mansion with one thing on his mind.  REVENGE.  When he entered the great hall, he saw Lindsey chained to the wall, his shirt was ripped along the back where he skidded on the pavement.  Lucky for him, the musician was able to roll over when the vampire charged him earlier that night.  Otherwise, his perfect face might have been marred.  Then what would his audience think?

 

When the determined vampire approached him, Lindsey looked up in fear.  The demon's eyes were colored an amber so bright that they were almost gold.  He was pissed.  Just as the musician was sure he was in for another beating, Angel turned away and headed for the fireplace.  Lindsey's eyes widened.  There were several rods and one (rather large) shovel sitting in the blazing flames.  This is *definitely* not good, he thought, as the larger man grabbed one of the rods and stalked his way back to the musician.

 

"Hey, Angel.  Maybe we can talk this out, man."

 

"Talk?" The vampire growled, his fangs starting to protrude.  His face still held his human guise, but just barely.

 

"Yeah.  I'm sure this is just some kind of misunderstanding."  Lindsey said quickly, not liking the flaring nostrils and the increased volume of the sound emanating from the much larger demon.

 

"MISUNDERSTANDING?"  Angel nearly screamed, his vampire visage coming to the front.  "Buffy is in a COMA because of YOU.  Now PLEASE tell me what kind of MISUNDERSTANDING could there POSSIBLY BE?"  Lindsey gulped.  Okay, so he hadn't thought of it that way.  But it wasn't his fault.  Maybe it was his evil hand?  Yeah.  No, that wouldn't work.  All he knew was that he better think of something fast before the impaling and torture part came.  And looking at the extremely pissed of vampire in front of him, it could be any second.

 

"Look, Angel, I really didn't know what was in that powder.  I thought it was some kind of crushed up sleeping pills, which is what I paid for.  I just needed her to." The musician broke off, not knowing how to finish.  Whatever he said would get him killed, so maybe it would be best to say nothing.

 

"WHAT?  What did you need her for?  Is this another ploy from your firm to get to me?  Cuz it's working!!"  Angel swung the searing iron rod perilously close to Lindsey's partially bared chest.  He inched back, barely missing contact with the metal torture device.

 

"NO.  This doesn't involve them.  Not directly anyway.  Look, I wanted my job back, but that would be quite impossible unless I did something worth hiring me back for.  So, I thought I would kidnap her and make a deal with Wolfram and Hart.  I promise I wasn't going to hurt her."  Lindsey did his best to show honesty in his eyes.  Okay, so it wasn't totally true, but if it kept him alive, did it really matter?

 

"I think you're lying."  Angel held up the rod, and very slowly ran it down the side of Lindsey's face.  The former lawyer howled in pain as the metal singed the tender skin of his cheek.  "And I really hate liars." 

 

The vampire drew his arm back, preparing to thrust the poker into the man's side, when a sharp pain ripped through his arm.  Growling, Angel turned to see an arrow lodged between his shoulder blade and the top of his arm.  Whipping around, the vampire saw a dark figure out in the atrium, armed with at least a crossbow and a sword.  Dropping down behind the sofa, Angel grabbed a couple of his weapons out of the nearby chest, and prepared for a fight. 

 

* * *

 

Derek received the word from Lilah just minutes before he reached the mansion.  He was to eliminate the traitor and bring Angel back, alive.  He chuckled.  It was just going to be too easy.  The vampire had already chained up Lindsey right out in the open, and then he ducked out of the way after his handy arrow pierced his back.  Motioning to the vamps on either side of him, he took another look at the former attorney on the wall.  Yes, this was going to be way too easy.

 

* * *

 

Another arrow came right at Lindsey, slicing right into his thigh.  After his screaming ceased, he turned to the crouched vampire.  "Angel, man, let me out of these things.  Come on, I'm like a sitting duck out here."

 

"Maybe this will show you what it's like to be on the receiving end of pain, Linz."  Angel turned his focus back to the shooter.  Taking a small dagger, he aimed for the doorway, and the hurling weapon shattered the glass.  That should make his target a little easier to hit.  Granted, it made it a lot easier to get hit too, but it was a calculated risk.  Besides it was only one-on-one anyway.

 

Suddenly, a large growling sound came from one of the back rooms.  When Angel turned his head to check it out, five very large vampires were charging right at him.  Dammit.  There goes the 'only one' theory.  This was almost as bad as that one fight scene in that ridiculous Anne Rice novel Buffy made him read one summer.  Well, if Lestat could beat those odds, so could he. 

 

Jumping out from behind the couch, Angel charged at the group of vampires.  He blocked one punch and staked the first one quickly.  The second and third ended the same way.  A couple of punches, one block, and a stake through the heart.  The fourth caught him by surprise and kicked Angel across the room, his weapons went flying.  Landing near the hearth, the older vampire picked up the hot shovel from the fire and began swinging it at the two remaining demons, as if it were a quarterstaff that he held instead of a gardening tool.  The smaller of the two attacked first, and received a nasty blow to the back of the head with the blazing iron, which left a partially bald spot where it hit.  Angel swung around and after blocking a few kicks and punches, managed to decapitate the demon with the shovel.  Swiftly turning, he drove the wooden handle of the tool into the unconscious vampire's chest, watching as the dust cloud vanished.  See, easy as pie. He thought to himself.

 

When he turned to get back to Lindsey, a large, rather fat, blue demon was coming straight for Angel, a net in hand. 

 

"What the.?"  But he never got a chance to finish, because he jumped out of the way of the net and back kicked the demon right between the shoulders, sending him sprawling to the ground.  As Angel got into a fighting stance, the ugly blue guy disappeared, bolting out of the mansion and into the night.

 

Shaking his head, Angel finished making his way over to the bound musician.  He ripped the arrow out of the other man's thigh, and tied the sleeve of the man's torn shirt over the wound.  Since he was too immobile to get away, Angel dragged Lindsey to his car, where he chained him to the door and drove back to the hospital.

 

* * *

 

When they reached the hospital, Xander was the only one left in the waiting room.  Willow was keeping watch over Buffy, and Giles left to take the others home, since they were going to let the AI members crash with the other Scoobies.  Angel strolled in by himself, leaving Lindsey in the car.

 

"Anything new?"

 

"Sorry, Dead-boy.  She's still in a coma.  Willow's been with her for a little while now.  We've been taking turns."  Angel, out of some strange moment of compassion, placed his hand on the boy's shoulder for a very brief moment.  He felt the same anguish, probably more so, than her friend, but it was nice to see that he cared.

 

"Where are the others?  Cordy and Wes?"

 

"They all went home.  Cordy is staying with Anya, and Wesley decided to stay with Giles.  He should be back here any minute now."

 

"Well, call them up, and get them to Giles'.  There's been a new development.  I was just attacked at the mansion from some people who work in LA.  They were the ones who helped poison Buffy.  We've got to start getting a plan together."

 

"Right.  No problem.  Should I.?"

 

"No, I'll get Willow.  I need to see Buffy anyway."

 

* * *

 

When Angel arrived at Room 005, he saw Willow reading some novel to his love. 

 

"Hey, Willow."  He greeted when he walked in.

 

"Oh, hi, Angel.  I was just reading to her."  She closed the book and placed it on the table beside the bed.

 

"The Mummy?"

 

"Yeah, it's one of her favorites.  She just loved the forbidden romance between Ramses and Julie."  Willow chuckled.  "Maybe now I know why." 

 

Angel just smiled.  "The gang's getting together at Giles' apartment.  There was an attack earlier at the mansion.  We're going to get a game plan together."

 

"Oh, okay.  But who's going to stay with Buffy?"  Her friend asked, staring down at the unconscious girl in front of her.

 

"She'll be fine.  And if anything happens, I'll know about it.  We share a.well, a kind of bond.  I can feel her in some ways."

 

"Yeah, Buffy told me that once too, but I thought it was just her imagination.  It's actually very romantic."  Willow smiled.  "Well, I'll go wait with Xander while you visit.  See you at Giles'." 

 

Angel watched as the red-head walked out into the hallway, before turning to his former lover.   Again, he held her hand and began to talk to her.  He explained what was going on and how much he loved her.  When he was ready to leave and went to kiss her palm, Buffy's hand twitched.  Eyes widened, Angel glanced up and saw her eyelids flutter.

 

"Buffy?"  He looked on hopefully, as he pressed the button for the nurses' station.

 

"Angel?"  She whispered, barely loud enough for even his sensitized hearing to pick up.

 

"Yeah, baby.  I'm right here.  Open your eyes."  She tried to, and the vampire smiled brightly when he finally saw her green eyes staring back at him.

 

"Hey."  She said in a little voice.

 

"Welcome back.  We were starting to get worried about you."  He said as the nurse came in.

 

"Really?  What happened?  All I remember was you coming into the coffee shop, where I was having coffee with Lindsey."

 

"You were poisoned.  But you're going to be just fine."  The nurse comforted.  "But we want to keep you here for observation, just to make sure all of the drug is out of your body."

 

"But Angel, I wanna go home!"  She said, in her best little girl voice.

 

"Sorry, baby."  He replied, kissing her hand.  "We want to make sure you're safe."

 

"Mr. Angel, I'm sorry, but visiting hours are past over, and my boss is going to be pissed if I let you stay."  The nice, tiny nurse said, while placing Buffy's chart back.

 

"That's okay.  Thanks for letting us stay this long."  He said, then focused on Buffy's face.  "We're going back to Giles' if you need anything.  And I promise to be back here first thing in the morning.  Okay?"  He gently skimmed her cheek with his finger.

 

"No, but I guess it'll have to be."  She squeezed his hand back, and yawned loudly.

 

"Get some sleep, beautiful.  I love you."  He placed a tender kiss to her lips.

 

"Mmmm.  Love you.too."  She closed her eyes, and drifted into a light sleep. 

 

Angel watched for a few minutes, until he was certain that she would be okay.  Then he headed out to his car.  There was some serious work to get done tonight, and a pain-in-the-ass firm to deal with.  And for his own sake, Lindsey had better not be lying.  Or Angel was going to enjoy getting the truth out of him.

 

TBC.