Timeline

Chapter 28


Gunn and Illyria were training in the lobby , Angel and the rest of the team were watching them. Buffy was feeding Layton , finally getting some time with him while Angel went over some techniques with Gunn.Faith and the girls came back in through the lobby doors, laughing and chatting.
"Hey , thought you said those lawyers were big and scary A, never had a glich or anything" Faith said
"Good news then " Angel answered.
Giles and Wesley came out of the office and called Angel over. Angel looked at Buffy holding Layton and walked over to them.
"We think we have found a way to remove the soul from Liam , but , he will have to stay in this dimension for nine days , as the soul stays in the ether for that long.If we send him back before then, it will take the part of the soul that you have, with it."
Angel punched the desk , making everyone jump and Layton cry. "Is there any other way?"
"There's one other way, but you won't like it yet alone agree with it"
"What is it ....." it sunk in and he looked straight at Buffy " No way"
" You guys ok ?" Buffy asked , still cradling her son
"We're fine Buff " He didn't look at her
"Now I know there's something going on , tell me"
Giles and Wesley took that moment to walk away and leave the two of them alone.
"Look Buffy , it's about Liam and I don't want you involved."
"Let me help , even if it's just for you to talk it over, but I need to know whats going on"
"There's a way to get the soul away from him but it means having him here for nine days, without it. If we send him back to the other dimension before the nine days I lose my part of the soul as well . I die"
"Then we can't risk it in case someone who really dislikes you finds out. Is there any other way?"
Angel just looked at her and she knew. Buffy looked up at the ceiling and walked away.
Willow heard the conversation and walked over to Angel " What if I could do a memory spell ? I mean one that makes You , Liam and Buffy forget it happened. Oh and me afterwards of course."
Willow stood there waiting .
" While I appreciate the offer but no, he could hurt her or worse , he's obsessed , there's no telling what he would do. We'll find another way , it's what we do" his voice was soft and had an edge Willow hadn't heard before. It sounded alot like defeat to her.
" And if I could do a protection spell on her, so he couldn't hurt her or turn her or anything like it .I could get Illyria to zap him straight out of this dimension after the memory spell. "
Angel rubbed his forehead " I'm not pimping Buffy out to him, got it" he shouted.
Everyone turned around and stared.
"Guess the memory spell will be for everyone now" he snapped at her as he went up the stairs.
" Great going Will" Buffy said as she slapped her arm gently. Buffy went up to her room .
Angel was pacing the room .Buffy put Layton in his crib and sat on the bed. After a while Angel sat next to her.
"Want to discuss this?" she said
"Not really , there's nothing to discuss" He took his shoes off and put them in the armoire.
"I don't think having him locked up downstairs for nine days is that bad. He's been locked up or around anyway's, for longer than that. Not that much of a danger is there , I mean you could always just, unno ,die if anything did happen to him" she said sarcastically.
"Buffy ,I don't care if Willow did spells to make us forget and protected you with a spell , somehow I just know I'd know"
" Like you said there's bound to be another way" Buffy got undressed and got into bed.
Angel sat on the bed watching Layton sleep.
It wasn't long before Buffy was sleeping .Angel couldn't sleep. He went downstairs and sat in his office going through book after book , looking for another way to release the other part of the soul from Liam.All of the books said the same thing, nine days yada yada yada.It was the lesser of two evils. Angel threw the books across the room. Illyria had been watching the monitor and came into the office when she heard the commotion.
"The half breed is sleeping , why are you not sleeping?"
"Not tired and working late , trying to find a way around this soul thing"
" You struggle with your choices "
"Yes Illyria , one means I have him down there without a soul and a chance I'll die if he is sent back to his dimension too early, and the other is to let Buffy give him perfect happiness"
" Perfect happiness? I do not know what you mean"
"Perfect happiness for him , and me , is well , Buffy"
Illyria tilted her head and looked at Angel " Explain , I am intrigued"
" When I was a vampire and I had my soul, I could lose it by having a moment of perfect happiness , and that came in the form of Buffy , we made love and I lost it.We assume the same is said for Liam"
"And if the half breed lost his soul in that way it would be easier ?"
"Yes , the soul wouldn't be trapped in the ether for nine days and I would get it back straight away. But it can't happen that way"
"Because of your mortal feelings for the slayer"
"Yes"
" Your feelings are a weakness."
" Weakness or not , I won't let Buffy do it"
"Then you risk death ."
"Yes" Angel was growing tired of Illyria's constant questions.
" You are angered because you know your choice already and it is not the choice you like"
Illyria left Angel and went back to watch the monitor.
Angel kicked the door shut. He sat at his desk and cried.He fell asleep in the chair , his head on the desk.

Buffy woke up to Laytons crying. She took him into the kitchen and did his bottle. Once his bottle was warmed she came into the lobby.
"Any trouble with fang boy Illyria?"
"None, the half breed slept, unlike the human"
" Where's Angel?"
"He is in the office making noises with his thoat "
Buffy went into the office and saw Angel asleep on his desk.
Layton gurgled and Angel woke up.
"You know pillows are more comfy"
"Sorry, I had some research to do and I must have fallen asleep down here"
"This research have anything to do with the soul?"
"What else is there?"
"Find any new info?"
Angel took Layton and fed him while they talked.
"No , just the same way all the time"
"Are you O.K with him while I go and get showered and dressed?"
"Of course"
They kissed and Buffy went upstairs.


Buffy knocked at Willows bedroom door.
"C'min"
Buffy went in and Willow greeted her with her usual warm smile. They sat in the kitchenette and Willow made Buffy a coffee.
"What's with the early morning call ?"
"Layton had me up and Angel didn't come to bed last night , nothing bad , just researching the whole soul thing"
"So he still won't budge on the perfect happiness moment?"
"No , and I don't blame him , I'm not exactly all in favour of it "
"But I'd do the spell and no-one would ever know"
"It's the knowing before hand I think that's worse"
" I guess there's only that one way then"
"Yup, I think we all need some fun, let our hair down , be funky party weasels"
"Ooo good idea Buffy , Lorne can organise it and invite his friends , Angel can do the food too".
"I'll talk to Angel about it , I don't know what he'll say, I don't think I've ever known him go to a party . That will be a new experience . "
"He used to just stand in the shadows and watch you at the Bronze, I can't remember seeing him dancing or anything"
" It was ' your in terrible danger , apocalypse coming' , or we made out til our lips were sore , no dancing."
"Do you think he's ever done anything that wasn't classed as brooding?"
"Hellooo , we witnessed the drunkness that was Angel as a human before " The two girls laughed.
"I best go , I told Angel I was going for a shower and to get changed, that was an hour ago ."
"I'll chat to Lorne and see what he says" Willow said.
"O.K, Later's "
Buffy went and got showered and changed .

Angel was showing Layton pictures of demons he had fought against "Daddy had a really big sword stuck through his ribs cos the big mean demon was quick , but daddy blind sided him and managed to chop his big nasty head off, yes he did"
"Way to go giving jr nightmares" Buffy said as she walked in .
"Hey ," Angel smiled , got up and walked over " Feel better now?" He bent over and kissed her.
"Yeah , you look happier too".
" I am I guess , I went over all the books and research and it all says the same thing , I wasted years , decades even , brooding and being miserable, like you said , he's been here all this time and it's only another nine days , we'll be O.K ."
" Seen as your in this good mood , how do you feel about us all having a party. Just , we all have been so tense lately and not really socialised much , I thought it would be a good moral boost too"
"I don't think that's a good idea right now Buffy, maybe once we have sorted the soul thing out . Everyone will be too distracted and it would provide the perfect opportunity for an attack "
"I guess your right"
" I need to go out later , alone , just some business I need to take care of , I won't be long"
Buffy looked at Angel " Why alone. you know it's not safe for any of us , especially you."
"They won't know and I won't be long"
" Back to cryptic guy "
Angel huffed and walked to the desk and leaned against it , next to Buffy. She stood in front of him and laid her hands on his chest.Angel pulled her close to him and tucked a loose bit of hair behind her ear.
"I'm not being cryptic, Buffy , I just need to do this one thing alone. I'll be back before you realise I'm gone. I'll get Willow to do a cloaking spell, would that make you feel at ease?"
"Yes , your pretty adamant so it doesn't look like I have a choice. Get Willow to do the spell though , that way I'll feel better about it"
"I'll go and see her now " Angel leant down and kissed Buffy and handed his son to her.
Buffy followed Angel out of the office, she sat next to Spike , Angel went up to Willows room.

"So what's soul boy up to now?" Spike asked
"I don't know , he won't say , just that he's got business he needs to take care of and needs to go alone"
"And your letting him go, are you crazy slayer?"
"It appears so , but he has agreed to get Willow to do a cloaking spell "
"That's good then" Spike said stroking Laytons head , the baby gurgled , happily sucking on his fist.
" The caged monkey is getting restless , I best take him his liquid lunch." Buffy said as she stood up.
"Do you want me to do it?"
"No it's O.K Spike , just keep an eye on the monitor "
Buffy went into the kitchen and prepared Liam's blood . Layton wiggled in her arms .
She went back to the lobby and placed Layton in the crib "Keep watch over him for me Spike"
Spike sat next to the crib and nodded at the slayer.


Buffy turned and went to the basement door, pausing as she gripped the door handle.She was nervous . 'Get a grip on yourself Buffy , he's in a cage , he can't hurt you' . She turned the handle and descended the stairs.Gunn went upstairs , taking a break to get food and a change of clothes.
"My girls come to give me lunch, so to what do I owe this honour?"
"Don't talk to me " Buffy said as she approached the cage. She put the mug of blood on the floor in front of the cage and stepped away. She reached the bottom step and paused, just out of sight of the camera.
"Just a fleeting visit then, not stopping ?
"Why would I want to stay in your company"
Liam came to the front of the cage . " I was wrong to take those lives, I feel it now , I want to repent , but I can't do it alone , I need you to guide me"
Buffy turned and walked back to the cage "Why don't I believe you?"
Liam shrugged and sank back into the darkness at the back of his cell "I can't make you believe in me"

Spike was watching the monitor. What the hell is the slayer playing at?

"You didn't tell 'him' that we made love did you?" Liam said softly
"That wasn't love making , that was you taking what you wanted from me"
"Left you with an itch though didn't it"
"No!"
"So why can't you stay away from me then? You could have got anyone of the others to bring this to me" he held up the mug and took a mouthful.
Buffy cringed . He had been right about that. Buffy looked at Liam . " I won't have to deal with you much longer. We're taking the soul from you and then we're sending you back"
"Really ? And don't you think once 'he' gets the soul back he'll know what we did?"
" Doesn't matter , Angel will know you forced me "
Liam laughed "Your not some average girl, your the slayer , you could have stopped me . You chose to lay there and let me use your body and you enjoyed it!"
"Don't flatter yourself" Buffy knew there was truth in what he just said .She is the slayer and yes she could have stopped him if she had wanted to . Did she use 'the keep him occupied and keep everyone safe' as an excuse?
"See , your deep in thought and probably analysing it as we speak" He said with laughter in his voice.
Buffy ran up the stairs and out into the lobby.

"What the hell were you doing staying down there with him" Spike said in a stressed tone.
"He was just trying to get me rattled thats all"
"Looks like it worked "
"No I'm fine "Buffy said
Spike handed Layton back to Buffy and went to his room.

Buffy followed him up and went to see Willow. Willow was sat at the desk going over some spells on her laptop.
"Hey Buffy"
"Hey Will , I need your help with something and I kind of need to talk to you"
Willow shut her laptop and turned towards her best friend. "What is it Buffy?"
Buffy sat on the bed and sighed deeply "It's Liam"
Willow got up and sat next to Buffy . They both stared at Layton.
" When Liam escaped and I went after him , he was in the hotel still . He was in one of the empty rooms, I followed him in there and it was dark , he stalked me and tormented me and then he came out of nowhere and overpowered me. He forced himself on me."
"God that's terrible Buffy " Willow said as she hugged her friend.
"He morphed and drank from me. "
" I don't know what to say Buffy"
"Not much you can say . I just took him his mug of blood and he said something to me and now it has got me thinking"
"What did he say?"
"He said I'm the slayer and I could easily have stopped him , he's right , I could have , I thought it would keep you guys safe if I let him , I'm not sure if it was just an excuse and I wonder if I'm attracted to him. He said once Angel gets his part of the soul back , he'll know what happened " Tears streamed down Buffys cheeks.
Willow was shocked and hugged Buffy. "Angel will know you didn't want to do it and that Liam forced you, he knows you love him"
" I'm not so sure , things have been strained lately , most of that is because of Liam"
" Angels probably picked up on Liams crush on you. And it's been a very stressful time for you both, and Laytons here, there's the prophecy , and so many other things going on."
"Your right , and I know all of that , but Angels been keeping his distance from me. It's like he was just before he left Sunnydale and I'm scared he'll leave me again"
"So how do you want me to help you?"
"Can you do a memory spell on Liam , just erase the memory of that night , of what happened "
Willow hated to see her friend in this pain. She knew how possesive Angel was when it came to Buffy. Liam had been right about the effect it would have on him once he knew . " O.K. I'll do it tonight once everyone's asleep "
"Thankyou Will " Buffy hugged Willow and then turned the conversation to a happier topic.
"I asked Angel about the party and he seems to think now isn't the time. I tend to agree with him. Once this is all over we shall sort it out. "
"That's fine Buff, I hate to be rude but I need to get working on the spell for later and then go and see Giles and Wesley"
"Oh , O.K. I'll stop by later and see how your doing "
The girls hugged again and Buffy left.


Spike went down into the basement and stood in front of the cage.Liam laid on the bed reading a book , trying to ignore the fact that he had company.
"What's the game Liam"?
Liam sat up and put his book down. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and huffed. " What game would that be?" His tone was one of boredom.
"The one your playing with the slayer"
Liam smiled " Jealous are we Spike?"
"No, just concerned"
Liam stood up and came to the front of the cage, mere inches seperated the two vampires.
" There's no game , the slayer can't stay away from me. She likes the danger and excitement , something soul boy's missing now."
"That's a load of bullshit and you know it"
"It's true , ask her yourself. She likes the feel of my fangs in her flesh as I take my pleasures out on her body"
Spike grabbed him through the bars and morphed "Your lying!"
Liam laughed "You'd like to think so wouldn't ye, look at her neck , you must have noticed the new mark there. Wasn't your heroic Angel , was it , he's human. Have to say though , I thought you would have had a try at her."
Spike let him go and stood back from the cage .
Liam sat back on the bed and picked up his book . He was still laughing. "Now go ask that slayer , I know that's what ye want to do"