Timeline

Chapter 10


Willow was the first to come through the portal and apart from a headache , was fine. Faith ran and helped her up. Wesley glanced in her direction and nodded at her.She stood up and brushed herself down.
" Nice threads Will , where did you end up anyway ?"
Willow was about to start to explain when Angel fell through the portal almost landing, on the two of them.
Angel stood up and the three of them walked over to stand behind Wesley , Willow looked over his shoulder and started to chant with him. Faith took note of Angels sombre mood and his clothing.
"Hey champ ... wheres B"
"She'll be through in a few minutes.... with ....."
He didn't get the chance to finish his sentance as the portal crackled loudly and Liam and Buffy fell through the portal together , Buffy landing on top of him.
"Any chance while ye there ye could wiggle" Liam said with a laugh
Angel lifted Buffy clear of him and set her to his left.He reached down for Liam's collar and lifted him, throwing him to his right.
"Now I'm wigged, what the hell is this " Faith exclaimed
Willow and Wesley slowed the chanting and slowly , the portal began to close.
"Well , we all made it back in one piece , so thats good.Time for explanations back at the hotel.Whats the time Wes ?"
"Ummm , it's about a quater past 4 am. I suggest we make our way back as soon as we can, if I suspect that is who I think it is " He said aiming a limp arm towards Liam.
Angel aided Wesley to the car and Buffy stayed with Liam.Faith and Willow had both agreed to drive Wesleys car back.

They all pulled into the underground parking at the hotel just as the sun had started to rise over the horizon.Liam had said he could smell it , Angel understood it and had explained a few more things about his new way of life to him on the drive back. Liam , for the most part had sat quietly taking the new information in.
"So I can't go out in the day and I wont need food , I will need blood which I can get from a butchers or slaughter house. I will have super human strength and will have heightened senses.I can be killed by a stake to the heart , crosses burn me, fire kills me, holy water burns .Slayers hunt my kind, wait aren't you a slayer Buffy?"
"Sure am..... Your point?"
"I ... He's me and you two are in love.Isn't that strange?"
"He's a vamp..... WAS ... a vampire with a soul ... it's different."
Liam was left with a puzzled look on his face and his mouth open .

Angel helped Wes to his room and got him settled.Faith went to the foyer and met up with the few that had not retired, Buffy slumped on the circular seats in the foyer , Liam sat with her. Willow retired to her room. Angel came bounding down the stairs after Wesley had fallen alseep.He headed down to the basement and set up a bunk in the cage, he himself had used as Angelus. He called up for Buffy to bring Liam down.

"It's nothing personal, just well , I need to sleep easy . The only way we know that we will be safe is if you stay in here.Tomorrow we will get you up to speed on the way it's going to work.Now , I've left a bag of blood here for you, and there will be a slayer on watch , so if you need anything just shout.Night Liam" Angel said
"Goodnight Liam"Buffy said
Angel slid his arm around Buffy's waist and ushered her up the stairs.
"Goodnight to the both of you"
He settled on the bunk and thought about the nights events.That woman in the alley hadn't been wrong about the new world she would show him.Although technically it wasn't her.The small blonde slayer wasn't displeasing to him though,Buffy was with the human me , how on this earth was he human again?Questions would all be answered and explained tomorrow he told himself.He could feel them all and hear their blood coursing through their veins. His hunger grew , urging him to take on his animalistic guise.As his features changed he growled loudly and covered his ears , trying to block them out. His eyes fell on the bag of blood and he grabbed at it and sank his fangs into it , gulping the thick crimson liquid with a vast hunger. Liam finished the blood and threw the empty bag across the basement. Feeling a little sated ,he settled on the bunk and his human features returned.
Upstairs the foyer was still humming with the chatter of slayers and the A.I team , going over the course of events that had transpired that evening. Giles stood with a perplexed look on his face , while cleaning his glasses. Gunn was sat cleaning his custom axe, just in case he got a lil demon action tonight.Faith and Buffy were going over the events , Angel was stood behind Buffy with his arms around her waist.
"I assume we will be using 'Liam' to keep up your own demon appearance"
"Thats the idea Giles.We didn't have enough time to think it through thoroughly." Angel turned to face the Watcher , rubbing his forehead. "I know it isn't something you personally wouldn't have recommended but , he is ensouled , we managed to do that before we came back"
" Yes , yes , it ease's the situation a little.How do you know it worked and that Liam will comply. You know yourself, what a formidable foe you were back then, can you really be sure."
"Can this wait til the morning Giles .I'm beat and I'm sure the rest of you are as well.Faith said she will take first watch on Liam"
"Sure will , looking forward to getting to know Angel's alter ego." She was balling a fist up and cracking her knuckles as she said that." Can't see him causing me any probs tonight though, he looks , well , dead to the world , excuse the pun."
Buffy and Faith stood at the door to the basement and were deep in conversation.As Faith opened the door , Buffy stroked her arm.Angel wondered how the two slayers had formed a bond , after all , Buffy and Faith usually fought.
Giles said his goodnights and headed to his room, still cleaning his glasses. Angel gave a small laugh under his breath.How there's still any lens in the frame of his glasses I'll never know.
Angel wrapped his arms around Buffy's waist and nuzzled into her neck .He kissed her softly,Buffy closed her eyes and leaned into the kiss. It felt so nice to finally be in the arms of her Angel again.The two of them walked upstairs hand in hand.They entered his room and Angel pulled Buffy into his embrace.They kissed with so much passion.His hands reached down to her hips and pulled her into him, his body engulfing her tiny frame.Buffy's hands reached into his hair, as he lifted her ,she wrapped her legs round his waist.Angel walked to the bed,laying her down gently. The two lovers lay there engulfing each other for what seemed like eternity.Finally Angel rolled off her and sat up, running his hands through his hair.
"Maybe we shouldn't, not that I don't want to , cos I do , more than anything."
"So why not, Angel we have waited so long for this"
"I know , I ..."Buffy knelt between his legs now and looked up into his dark eyes.
"Whatever your thinking , don't." She started to kiss him , climbing onto his lap.
Angels hands ran up her back and into her hair.Buffy grabbed at his shirt and slowly eased it off , breaking the kiss so that she could remove the garment. Angel tore her tee off her and grappled with her bra, finally the clasp gave and he threw it .He flipped Buffy onto the bed and removed the rest of her clothing.Finally he got undressed and climbed under the sheets.He pulled her into him and reigned kisses down on her .
They made love ferociously for hours before falling asleep wrapped in each others arms.

Everyone started drifting downstairs at about midday .Faith came up from the basement and stretched as she closed the door.Wesley and Willow were talking ,Giles was talking to a few of the potentials. Buffy went straight down to check on Liam.Angel headed for the kitchen, since being human his hunger had grown ten fold. He raided the fridge and shut the door to it clumsily, his arms full of produce.He started to prepare the food for everyone. Taking another pouch of blood out for Liam, he heated it through and poured it into a mug, grimacing as the thick liquid glooped out of the bag."I never realised how disgusting this really is" He said to himself. Content that breakfast was on the go and could be left for a while, he headed towards the basement. He paused at the top of the stairs as he heard Liam and Buffy talking.
"So you and my human self got it on last night, I can smell him all over you"
"God , you vamps have some really creepy skills, and hey it's rude to sniff"
"I don't have to sniff , the scent rolls off you."
"How Hannibal lecter of you , want some nice chianti with that" Her pop culture lost on him, he stood looking confused."
"How long do ye intend to keep me locked up for."
"Til you prove your trustworthy and we need you.Today we will get you cleaned up and get your hair cut."
"Will you be bathing me , I wouldn't say no to the pretty one that watched me all night either."
"You really are full of it aren't you , and no , no-one will be bathing you.I think you'll find that your big enough to do that yourself now."
" I know you are drawn to me, you say you love the human , but I can smell your arousal.You thinking of me last night as you made love to him."
Angel slammed the door hard and headed down the stairs.He pushed past Buffy and thrust the drink through the bars at Liam.
"Touch a raw nerve did I " Liam said as he took the mug and devoured it.
"Leave her alone"
"Angel , take no notice , I wasn't"
"You keep telling yourself that darlin' but I know better"
Angel grabbed at Liam and smacked his head on the bars. "I SAID LEAVE HER ALONE" Angel let Liam go "Any more from you and I will stake you myself"
Buffy went to Angels side and wrapped her arms around him. "Don't, we have to get breakfast for everyone, I'm starved , especially after last night" She looked into his dark eyes , a mischeivous grin on her face.
"Don't push your luck Liam, I meant what I said " With that said Angel turned and left the basement , Buffy in tow.
Liam sat down on the bed and smirked " Oh I won't be pushing anything but ye girls buttons, you wait and see if I don't" He laid back, his own arousal evident .