Love Hurts

A/N :- Sorry it's been a while since I last updated but RL has been a l'il rough. But I'm back, and though this is only a short chapter, I'm working on the next one now. So.... Lets find out what Angel has up his sleeve next and what the F.B.I are doing about it....

Chapter Sixteen.


"We'll be in touch soon. Thank you again for your help and for the evidence. We will find her. "

Spike stood at his front door and shook Agent Matthews hand before turning and closing the door. The waiting was killing him. He scrubbed at his face with his hands and yawned. It had been a long night, not just because of the F.B.I. Even while answering questions and going over evidence, his mind had been on Buffy.

Dawn was fast approaching as he made his weary way up to his bedroom. Spike kicked off his shoes, not caring where they landed, and climbed up the bed. As his head hit his pillow, his arms drew the one opposite to him and hugged it close to his body. He leaned into it and breathed in deeply.It still had her scent, her shampoo and perfume lingering from the night before. With a final yawn, Spike closed his eyes and fell asleep.


Agents Matthews and Stone sat at a long desk, other agents sat across from them, listening to the briefing. When Matthews threw them each a copy of the evidence, theirs as well as Spikes, they opened the manila folders and read. Stone looked at his partner and raised his brows and leaned in to talk privately.

"This is bigger than just O'Connor. If we catch him there is a chance the rest will go underground. "

Matthews nodded. "So we use him to draw them out. "

"How? We have to get the girl back. How the hell can we get her away from Angel without compromising the rest of the investigation? "
"We get her to help. "
Stone snorted, "Hasn't she been through enough? You saw the state of the boyfriend, do you really think he'll go for it? Would you? "
"No, I would want her as far from Angel as I could get her. " After a pause he said, "Let me work something out. "

Stone looked around at the other men and women, still nose deep in the substantial file. He needed to catch everyone involved and fast.


Buffy had been woken by Angel coming back into the room. It wasn't that he was noisy, just that she had that sensation that rouses you from sleep, when you can feel eyes on you and it stirs something in your sub conscious...

She sat up on one elbow, looked at him with sleepy eyes and groaned.

"Morning, " he held up a store bag and smiled. "I took the liberty of going shopping for you. Only fair as I was the one that ruined your clothes. I hope you like them. Get up and shower, get dressed . I'll be back in a hour. "

He left without saying anything else, leaving Buffy confused and staring at the designer bag that sat just outside the bathroom door. Alone and knowing that Angel wouldn't return until her hour was up, Buffy got her phone out and dialed.


"Hmm? "
"Spike? Did I wake you up? "
"Buffy? That you? " He sat up and rubbed at his sore eyes.
"Yeah, yeah it is. "
"Are you all right? The F.B.I. are looking for you. We'll soon have you home now. "
"I'm fine. " Buffy's voice wavered, enough that Spike doubted her.
"Has he hurt you? " His voice was harsh, angered.
"No, no worse than usual. It's what he said. Spike, I'm not sure he will let me go. Angel said he loves me. That is why he's done this. I'm scared he will do something drastic if you find me. "
"The F.B.I. know what they are doing, they've done it countless times. You'll be safe Buffy, I promise. "
"I still don't know where I am, but he went shopping for me this morning and the bag is from a boutique called Dante's. I hope it helps. I have to go. He wants me to get dressed for some reason. I love you. "

Spike choked back his emotions, clucked his tongue as he held back tears. "I love you too. " The line went dead.

Spike got up and went to the bathroom. He hoped that the boutique was a good lead and that it wasn't a chain. At least then the F.B.I. would have an area to search, narrowing it down so they could find her faster. Angels confession to her bothered him. Buffy was right, the man was unstable and they couldn't trust him not to do something out of desperation when they caught him.



Buffy sat on the bed, dressed in what Angel had bought her. She had to admit to liking the clothes and accessories. It was probably what she would have chosen herself. The door opened and Angel held out his hand.

"Come. I want you to meet someone. I know how you must feel about me and I know I have no right to ask, but please, when you meet her, could you act as though we are in love? "

The raw nerve of this guy! After everything....

"Please, " he pleaded. His usually harsh brown eyes softened.

" I guess, who are you taking me to see? " She was worried, nervous.

"Just come with me, you'll see. " He led her through the house and into a large drawing room. In a chair beside the fire, sat an elderly woman. Her grey hair was brushed smooth, her face was kind and her brown eyes were warm and homely. She wasn't frail, Buffy realized, as she stood and walked to meet them.

"Liam has told me so much about you, my dear. How lovely to finally meet you! "

Buffy stole a quick glance at Angel , mouthing his birth name. He smiled shyly and put an arm around her waist. His fingers dug into a rib, it was a warning.

"I..it's lovely to meet you to. "

"So shy. She is the beauty you told me she was. She will make a wonderful addition to the family. "

Oh my god! Buffy thought. She couldn't possibly be thinking that! What had he told his mum? The elderly woman carried on....

" At least you have stopped chasing that other woman, that... what was her name? Daria? "
"Darla mum. I was a fool. Not now though, got me a real treat here. "

His mum made her way back to her seat and sat looking at her son with narrowed eyes. Perhaps she knew more than Buffy originally thought. The womans eyes fell on her and she blushed under her scrutiny. Angel lead Buffy to the couch that sat opposite his mum, his hand pushing her towards it. She sat down, Angel beside her, leaning in so he could wrap an arm around her and pull her closer. His fingers went back to digging into her rib. She'd bruise, of that she was certain.

"Has Liam told you what is to happen later? I know he wanted it to be a surprise. "

Buffy whipped her head round to look at him, frowning, wondering what he had set up. Worried as to what it could be. He smiled down at her. His mother and anyone else might mistake it for affectionate, Buffy knew different. It was his smug, 'I got you now' look. Shit!

"I haven't let slip even one hint, mother. As you have brought it up though, maybe it's time to tell her. "
"A good idea if ever I heard one Liam. " His mother gave him a cold stare.

"Fine" he kissed Buffy's cheek and gave a quiet chuckle. She closed her eyes and held back the bile in her throat. That small laugh was one he used when he knew you would hate what came next, his triumph over you. " We're going to get married! "

Buffy couldn't believe it! Her ears rang, her head clouded and she had to shake herself to clear it.

"How, you're already married to... "
"I told she left, filed for divorce, she is history. "
"I can't... "

His mother sat and watched. Her eyes met Buffy's and there was knowledge there. An understanding. It was brief but Buffy had seen it. Here eyes pleaded with the older woman, but his mother just sat, not saying a word. This was what she had meant when she said that she'd make a wonderful addition to the family. Angels fingers dug into her arm and rib, making her whimper.

"I won't take no for an answer. You will do this or else. " He growled in her ear, "You think your precious lawyer is safe? I know where he works, where he lives, Buffy. One word from me and he'll end up dead. "

She felt sick, she paled and sat down, defeated. She knew that Angel always got what he wanted, by force if he had to. Buffy also knew his threats were rarely empty ones. Tears brimmed her eyes. She nodded and stood slowly. "When ? " Her voice was croaked and harsh, her throat threatening to choke her as she fought the tears and sobs.

"Now. Everything is set up. "

His mother stood again and followed them as Angel dragged her into the next room. The door opened and there stood Penn and another of his men, a woman in a yellow gown stood beside them, she turned her head, Faith.



The F.B.I. found the boutique, luckily it was the only one in the area and they now swarmed the small town. Spike was told and had driven up to meet them. They sat in a small diner, eating breakfast and discussing his part. Once they were satisfied, they got into their huge four by fours and drove off towards their rendezvous point. They had them, had him, at last.


Buffy shut out the room, shut out the noise, shut out the words the person behind the desk said. Angel increased the pressure on her arm and ribs and yet she couldn't care. Would her nightmare every end? She jumped as his voice echoed through her, his threat if she didn't say the words that the judge had asked her to repeat. Numbly, she complied. Buffy blinked slowly and looked across the room. Two large glass doors were opened out into the garden, she could see movement. Her eyes widened, the F.B.I. were there. Her heart sped and beat wildly in her chest. She looked up at Angel and then at everyone else. She was the only one that was aware of them. Buffy almost leapt out of her own skin as the small group started to clap and Angel gathered her in his arms. He picked her up, held her against his chest and kissed her neck.

"You're mine now. In every way. Now there is nothing your lawyer can do. "

A loud noise came from the front of the building and everyone turned in that direction. Angel gripped Buffy to his side and pulled out a gun. Penn and his other goon armed themselves and positioned themselves in front of their boss.

"Stay behind me, I'll protect you. " Angel pushed her behind him, closer to the glass doors.

Buffy looked behind her, saw her chance as the men swathed in black ran across the darkened lawn towards her. Angel ,Penn and the others were focusing on the assault from the front of the house, waiting for them to burst into the room. She hesitated, then with a burst of adrenalin and fear, she ran towards the F.B.I.

She looked over her shoulder, making sure that neither Angel nor Penn had noticed her absence, arms wrapped around her and took her down to the grass. The man in black told her to stay down and stayed on top of her, his gun trained on the group inside the house.

Buffy didn't know what was happening and wasn't sure if she even wanted to know. When the man above her whispered, 'keep your head down and cover your ears, ' she knew he had been given the all clear to fire.