Bound

Chapter 6 Return To Chaos


The drive home was a quiet one. Dawn huddled up to Buffy and they both fell asleep. Willow and Spike conversed over the confrontation. She was surprised that Angel survived , knowing how Spike felt about him anyway. Just proved how much Spike had grown as a person... er vampire. Willow watched as Buffy grimmaced in her sleep and tears fell silently from her eyes. Spike told her that Giles had set the whole thing up and that took Willow by complete surprise. Although she knew he wasn't keen on Spike, she never thought he would willingly put Buffy at risk, or risk bringing forth Angelus again. Truth was, she didn't like Spike that much, he had tried to kill her many times in the past, but getting to know him over the last few days had shown her the depth of love for the Slayer and that he had changed. Willow would trust him and would stand up for the vampire, supporting the relationship between him and Buffy wouldn't be a problem either.
Dawn stirred and opened one eye.
"How far from home are we?"
"Not far now Niblet, be about half hour"
Dawn settled back down, pulling Buffy tight to her.
"Can you take her somewhere and hide out for a while, let her get over this and come to terms with it before she confronts Giles"
"Good idea, but knowing your Sis, I'll bet she's ready by the time we get back"
"She'll kill him"
"Nah, but he'll wish she had by the time she's finished"
Buffy shifted and moaned "She is here unno and with hearing too"
"Sorry pet, did we wake you"
Buffy stretched and yawned "No"
Dawn sat silent, looking into Buffy's eyes
"I'm fine Dawnie, and no I'm not going to hurt Giles, just want him to explain why he felt he had to do that to me , and to Spike"
Spike looked at her in the mirror , she was putting on a brave face, he'd deal with the backlash later, but for now, his girl was all work.He put the signal on and took the exit off the freeway.
"Sunnyhell , home sweet bleedin' home"

Willow took Dawn home while Spike and Buffy did a quick patrol. Buffy needed to do this . It was her way of getting the tension out of her system before she confronted her Watcher.Spike walked behind her, letting her get her ya-ya's on with the nasties, but backing her up if she needed it. Not once did he initiate the conversation, preferring to wait for Buffy to open up. One thing he knew about her, don't push the bint if she was irritable or else!It hurt to think that Angelus had put another claim on her, whilst she didn't feel its pull, it was there as a warning for other vamps to back off fast, she was his.Before this mess had started, she was willing for him to claim her for himself, he doubted that was the case now. Angelus had royally screwed up his chance of that, the wanker.Spike was insecure about their relationship now and it felt like he was walking barefoot on broken glass.

"That's it for now , not many out tonight but I'm tired and need to get Giles out the way"
"If your tired luv, why not leave the Watcher til the morning"
"I won't be able to sleep if I don't do it tonight, even though I'm exhausted. "
"I'll be right there with you pet, got my own issues regarding the matter"
She turned to face Spike , taking his hands in hers, looking up into his eyes. "Thankyou William"
"Hey now.... what's all that about?"
"I want to say thanks for coming and saving me ... again. That's what you do, every day , you save me"
Spike was gob smacked
"S'alright , it's what I'm here for and it's no big thing... "
He shrugged and looked down at her. She looked so fragile, certainly didn't look like the Slayer, a powerhouse designed to stop the end of the world and fight the forces of evil. This girl thanking him was all Buffy, the girl.
"Can we go and get this night finished "
"Lead the way " Spike followed her, her hand tight in his.


Xander pulled up outside the hotel, reaching behind him, he grabbed the battle axe and stepped out onto the curb. Anya picked up her stake and followed her man in through the garden. Xander stopped just inside the doors .
"Xander.. that you?"
"Cordy.. where's fang face?"
"Sleeping off the hole in his chest Spike left him with... what's been going on?"
"Didn't he tell you?"
"Just said that bleach boy came with a bad case of attitude poisoning and tried to stake him"
Xander laughed. He may not like Spike but his hatred of Angel ran alot deeper. He seriously wished he had witnessed the event.
"Angel kidnapped Buffy, he's not Angelus is he?"
"No, Buffy was here?"
"You didn't know?"
Anya yawned.
"Nope, he kinda keeps us lot in the dark these days, been a little more broody lately, now we know why. Hurricane Buffy struck"
Xander rolled his eyes, typical that she would see blame Buffy.
"Come and sit down, you want anything to eat or drink?"
"Wouldn't say no"
Anya just smiled and nodded.
"Oh sorry , Cor this is Anya, my fiancé"
"Xander's all grown up eh? Never thought I'd see the day"
"Gee ... stroke my inner ego much. What's going on with you then?"
"Oh .. the usual. Visions, fighting the baddies and oh ... in love with the broodster , thought he loved me too"
A touch of sadness played on her face and rang out in her voice.
"I'm sure he does Cor, your being careful aren't you" Xander put his arm around her.
"Big stake under my pillow and holy water in my bedside cabinet... no moment of happiness for him, 'specially not now"
They heard his footsteps come into the kitchen
"Cordelia is that you? Put some blood through for me"
They held their breath
"What the hell are you doing here Harris?"
"Came to back up dead boy jnr"
"Leave.. Buffy's gone and your not welcome here"
"Excuse me...... They are my friends and I want them here"
"Forget the blood ... I'm going out"
"Joys of spring much?" Anya said before she could stop herself
"Anya.. want to sit outside a while?" Cordy pulled her out of the way " Get the blood yourself" And they left the two men there.
Angel glared at Xander . Xander kept his eyes locked on Angel
"Blame the Watcher not me . He's the one that set this up."
"Giles wouldn't"
Angel raised an eyebrow
"Why?"
"To get her away from Spike. I was just following his orders"
"Since when do you work with him and take orders? Buffy's a big girl, she can take care of herself. Spike's no longer a danger to her"
Angel laughed
"He's still a vampire , is he not?"
"Yeah, what's that got to do with it, she's still a Slayer"
"Spike has killed two Slayers and fought many more, all with a devastating fury. Do you think he could go from killing them, to loving one?"
"He's changed" Xander stood there defending him, he couldn't believe his own ears!
Angel looked down at his hands "Really ? How?"
"You'd think that being as you had one , you would be able to sense it in another vampire"
"A soul, William has his soul... well well ...... he doesn't seem to be suffering... or is the love of the Slayer making it easy for him"
"No, his isn't a curse like yours , he went and fought for his, he wanted it, welcomed it even"
Angel raised his brows again. It would seem today was getting even more interesting.
"Look I best go, if Buffy and Spike are safe and on their way home then I should be getting back too. Wish I could say it was a pleasure seeing your broodiness again but well ... we both know it would be a lie"
"Tell Spike I'll see them soon, I still have unfinished business there"
Xander left the kitchen in search of Cordy and Anya.

Buffy hovered outside Giles' apartment. Nerves were getting the better of her. She silently cursed herself for it and wiped her sweaty palms down her pants.Spike stood beside her , watching as all of her emotions played out over her face. Finally , anger set on her face and she knocked , hard.
Giles jumped at the loud knock and thought it was Angel.
"Did she put up much of a fight?" he swung the door open as he said it, not looking back to see who was stood there.
"Not much , but kicking his ass after was pretty good therapy"
Giles shot round as Buffy landed a punch on his nose
"And kicking yours will just be the icing on the cake"
Spike came in and shut the door, a smirk on his face .
"The Poof told us a right good story ... said you set him up to do this to my girl. All this to get her away from me. Now why I wonder ,why would you want to do that? "
Buffy stood silent.
"Because you idiot, your a vampire , one that kills her kind"
"Not anymore, last one was over thirty years ago, an I can't kill her you git, love her, she's mine"
Buffy smiled at his proclamation.
"How long for?"
Buffy watched Spike, eager for his answer.
"S'forever. I stayed with Dru for over hundred years an' this is deeper than what I felt for her" Spike looked down at the floor and then looked up at Buffy through his lashes .
Buffy walked forward and held his gaze " I love you too " She turned to Giles. "Maybe you should consider going back to England, I trusted you beyond anything and anyone else. You were my surrogate father and you used that trust to hurt me. Your drunk most of the time and I think it hinders your judgement. Now I'm warning you the same as I warned Angel, you touch one one hair on Spikes head, hurt him or cause him any problems , I'll come down on you so hard.... just go back to England and get yourself sorted. I can't be around you til you accept my relationship with Spike."
With that said, the two of them left the Watcher sat on his couch, drink in hand, crying.


"You Okay pet?" Stupid question , but what else was he meant to say?
"I'll be better once this is all over with. Lets just go home"


Giles search the internet for the first flight out of L.A . He left a note pinned to the door , letting the rest of the Scoobies know that he wouldn't be returning and that the apartment would be let by the new Watcher.His cab pulled up outside 1630 Revello drive in time to see Spike take Buffy in his arms and the bedroom light go off. Shaking his head , he gave the driver the nod to drive off.


Angel pulled his rental car up to the mansion. "Been a few years but still empty" He walked in through the front doors, it was dusty and a few cobwebs adorned the dark corners. A huge indentation in the floor marked where the statue of Acathla had stood and the scorch marks were still visible , a permanent reminder of his time in hell, thanks to the woman that loved him. How things change. Now that girl was a woman and she was in love with another, who just so happened to be a vampire with a soul. Angel threw his bags down in the bedroom and opened up the French doors. His room looked exactly the same as it did the morning he left. The covers on the bed were still messed up, his leather pants and dress shirt hung in the closet and the bathroom still had all of his toiletries and some of hers still on the shelves. Anger swelled in him and he threw the glass shelves across the room, smashing everything . The scent of her perfumes and her soaps hit him. Angel sunk to the floor crying.


Buffy snuggled up to Spike, his arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her into him. He kissed her neck gently, shivers ran through her system.Her Slayer senses were heightened and she couldn't shake off this strange sensation that pooled in the pit of her stomach. It wasn't Spike she knew that. He could tell she wasn't completely with him and he pulled back. A combination of hurt and worry washed over him.
"Wha'sup luv?"
"Nothing .... something , I'm not sure"
"Explain"
"I got this really weird feeling in my stomach and it's not of the good, it's not like something I've felt before, not like the usual Slayer , vampire tinglies"
"Sounds like an early warning system for something , unless...... it couldn't be..... he wouldn't be that ..... what am I saying course he would! He's just egotistical enough to come back"
Spike was pacing the bedroom now and muttering to himself.
"Spike? Your worrying me... who?"
"Angelus"


Dawn was tucked up in bed and snoring gently when Spike checked on her. At least she was safe. Willow woke up when she heard Spike pacing about, so she joined them downstairs.
"We need to stop him before things go heywire around here. He'll stay close by, the mansion?"
"Most probably pet, you sure you wanna do this now, your tired"
"I'm game, he shouldn't of come back, God why doesn't he just leave me alone! "
"He could never leave what was mine alone, like an obsession of his"
Buffy looked at Spike and saw his insecurities.
"Hey, you know I'm yours , right?" She wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head against his chest
"Not according to that" he brushed his fingertips over the new claim mark.Spike hated it and pushed her away from him. Turning his back to her, he picked up a battle axe and walked towards the door. "We doin' this then, personally I hope I get to dust the pompous git"

Buffy followed him out of the house, armed with her trusted stake and crossbow. She hadn't been to the mansion since Graduation night, the night Angel left her.The memories that were held in that building were a mix of happy and tortuous for her and she was not looking forward to going back. Especially when she wasn't sure if Angel had his soul or not.One thing she did know , was that he was unhinged and that in it's self could make the vampire extremely dangerous.She watched Spike as he climbed into the Desoto, the varying emotions that played across his face , made her feel even worse, she wished she could make him feel better, that he could trust in her feelings for him. Buffy knew that wouldn't happen until Angel was taken care of once and for all.She got into the car and watched as Willow came running up to to meet them.

"I'm coming with" she said breathlessly " I might be able to help" Without anything more being said , Willow climbed into the back and shuffled . Looking up at the raised brows coming from both the Slayer and the vampire , she shrugged "What?If he's lost his soul again I can just curse him again.... that's if you would want me to , and if you don't , I found this nifty portal that leads to a world where Vampires are slaves ..... " she drifted off, not knowing if Spike would appreciate that or not. As it happened he just laughed at her.
"Now that I would like to see, though not from the ... oh bugger"
He shut up once he saw the look on Buffy's face, making Willow snigger in the back of the car.
"Shall we just get this show on the road?" he asked as he started the car and pulled away.


Angel pulled himself up from the floor after regaining some of his composure.His face was emotionless and he walked back into the main room . The thick drapes that covered the windows were moth eaten and ragged, barely concealing the moonlight. His face was in shadow as he took in an unneeded breath and sighed loudly.'What the hell am I doing?' he asked himself. His hands rested on his hips . The sound of a car pulling up outside drew his attention. 'That boy never did know when to quit' he thought to himself. Angelus moved into the shadows and waited.

"You sure he's here?" Willow asked, looking around and not seeing any signs of life or rather unlife coming from inside the mansion.
"My Slayer senses say ya huh, just keep behind Spike and I'll cover you from behind"
Spike twisted his neck and the audible cracks made Buffy cringe
"Ready pet?"
"He knows we're here.... The bites burning"
"He's trying to connect with you and make you back down luv"
"All he's doing is pissing me off"
"Good to know" Spike kissed the top of her head and spun the axe in his hand as he threw the door open
Willow followed Spike into the main room and waited for her eyes to adjust to the dark room.Buffy stood behind her and scanned the room.
"He's in here, I can feel him"
"Well , well lover" his voice seem to reverberate around the room, making it impossible to pinpoint his location " Didn't expect you so soon"
"You should know by now , I was never one to sit and wait for the fight to come to me"
"Hmm so there's going to be a fight..... can't say I want it but well, now you mention it, could be fun, didn't get to finish the one we started here before, you had an advantage over me then didn't you lover?"
"The soul ... how?" Buffy frowned "How did you lose it this time?"
"I haven't, the souls still here" he slapped his hand to his chest " Just isn't working right now... turns out even without bedding down with you, you can affect it. Heartbreak, oh how sweet it is, poor little Angel's heart bleeds for you and he's decided to go catatonic, leaving me at the reigns so to speak"
"Oh god no"
Angelus laughed , in fact he roared
"C'mon Buff..... where's that feisty l'il girl ? The one that threatened to drag my ass to hell?"
"Right here" Buffy sneered "And with the same two people that helped my win last time, still not liking your odds"
Angelus froze. "Ahh that's right, William was helping you wasn't he, I remember the tyre iron ..... and taking Dru out of the fight too.... " he looked at Spike " So going to make you pay for that once I drain the Slayer , make you into the subservient little shit you always were"
"Not bloody likely you arrogant bastard"
"Willy's grown a backbone? Well what do you know.... took you long enough.Or did Angel just not bother to keep you in line boy?"
Spike smiled "Can't keep me in line if I never was mate"
Buffy huffed " Bored now" raising the stake she walked forward " And I really have a yen to hurt you"
Angelus opened his arms wide "Feel free "

Buffy took a step towards Angelus and lunged for his chest, Angelus closed his arms around her extended hand and grasped her wrist, twisting it until it cracked. Buffy yelled out in pain, and took a step back before swinging her other fist up to catch him in the jaw.Angelus saw black and almost went down, he recovered just as a high kick landed in his chest, forcing him back against the wall.Buffy charged at him with yet another kick. Angelus caught her leg and Buffy fell to the floor, winding herself. Spike ran at Angelus with his axe raised.Buffy rose up and caught Angelus with a upper cut to the jaw, as Spike hit him across the shoulder with the blunt edge of the axe. Angelus fell to the floor, wiping the blood from his mouth and laughed. Spike hit him across the face and kicked him in the ribs.Willow , realising that she wasn't needed took a seat at the far end of the room, after all , she couldn't fight against a master vampire, or could she? Deep in thought, Willow was oblivious to the fight.
Buffy rested her hands on her knee's and looked Angelus in the eyes "Did you really think you could reinstate the claim you moron?"
Angelus still sat on the floor near the fireplace, bruised and breathless, "Yes.. 'he' hasn't made a claim on you so mine still stands"
"Correction, Angels does, you, haven't got one on me" Buffy stood now and kicked Angelus in the head. The vampire slumped unconscious.
"Get the chains"
Spike ran and got the chains and hung them through the hook above the alcove. Buffy dragged the unconscious Angelus to Spike, hauling him up so that the chains were taught and he had very little room to move. His body slumped over and his wrists bled where the cuffs dug in. Buffy cringed at the sight , Spike had a smirk on his face, much to Buffy's distaste. "What? I've waited years to see that ponce get what he deserves, don't look at me like that pet. Last time I saw him like that was when the soddin Immortal got us both an had his wicked way with Dru n' Darla, an I was right along with him for that bloody sordid ride"
Willow and Buffy shared a look and laughed
"Ain't funny" much as he tried to, Spike smiled " Got me wrapped round your pretty l'il Slayer fingers haven't you luv"
"Can think of better places to have you wrapped around"
Angelus stirred.
"Lets get him dealt with first pet, then you can tell me where you want me" his tongue was tucked behind his teeth in his trade mark smirk.
Angelus groaned and opened his eyes "Let me go!"
"I'm thinking not a chance" Buffy stood back a bit from him, keeping eye contact with the chained vampire.
The three of them had no idea how to bring Angel back to the front and to put Angelus back deep inside , they could really do with Giles right about now. Realising her mistake at sending her former Watcher home to England, she was stumped.
"What about Wesley and Angels team in L.A? Isn't Xander there now?" Willow asked
"Should be on his way back now.. but we could call him and see if he's able to turn back and get them" Buffy opened her cell phone and rang Xander.
Spike stood beside Angelus , seeing the tall, muscular frame of his sire chained up was a dream come true for him. "Seems a little payback is due , don't you think.....Sire"
Angelus looked at the younger vamp with amusement "Takes the girl to knock me out and chain me for you to be able to get your own back does it now Willy"
God how he hated to be called that, and the bloody ponce knew it. Spike was going to enjoy every minute of this.
"Tell me, have you written any of that bloody awful poetry for her yet?"
Oh yeah, he knew all of the right buttons to press. Spike kept his temper under check as Angelus had his fun.
"Has she improved since I had her? I doubt that soldier boy had the imagination to loosen her up, is that why she's with you now? Maybe your just the replacement for me, what do you think ?Have you taught her how a vampire really likes it or are you still too much of the human?Never could shake the humanity from you could I boy"
Spike was losing his battle. His jaw set and his fists were clenched tight at his sides. 'Who's bloody idea was it to chain the poof anyway?'
"Ah, Buff, I was just asking Willy here if he's given you any of his poetry. If you ever suffer from insomnia remind him to let you read some" Angelus laughed.
" Funny... If I really suffer from that I normally think back to our relationship, works a charm" Buffy said sarcastically, the hurt on Angelus' face was pure pleasure for Spike.Give the girl her dues, she really knew how to wound with her mouth.Spike was just glad he wasn't on the receiving end any more.
"Xanders going to head back and pick up the L.A crew and bring them straight here, least Wesley can help us now, and they have dealt with Angelus more than once since he left Sunnydale. " Buffy walked over to Spike and put her arms round him.
"Do you really think he can love you? Our boy is used to killing Slayers, not fucking them"
"Shut your crude mouth up Angelus!" Spike yelled at him then proceeded to land a fist to his temple, knocking Angelus out cold again.
"Boy , he hasn't changed a bit has he" Willow retorted.
"We have about an hour til they get here, so..... how do we kill an hour?"
"Well I can think of a few ways" Spike looked at the girls and then looked at Angelus."Lets hope he wakes up soon, I'm not known for my patience"
Buffy sat down and ran her hands through her hair. Looking at Willow she smiled sheepishly "If his soul is still there , how can we get him back?"
"He said Angel's having some sort of breakdown now that your in love with Spike... so it's different to last time, and the soul's still there. We need to wake up Angel, get him to help beat Angelus. Or... no , that might not work either."
"What are you thinkin' Red?"
"Separate Angelus from Angel"
Buffy watched Spike and Willow contemplate doing just that, her mind was telling her that this was a very bad idea. After all , if Angelus managed to kill Angel, there would be no turning back, she would have to dust his ass.No more Angel ... ever. Yet strangely, that didn't bother her as much as it should.Only guilt she felt was that the Powers that Be would be one champion down. Not that he was being much of a champion at the moment anyway.Spike could see her inner turmoil and sat next to her, looking up at her, with his elbows on his knee's.
"Pet?"
"Sorry, zoning, what do you think we should do?"
"Told you luv, I'm all for staking his sorry ass , but...... I'm thinking that the Watcher should get a chance to help before we go for the last resort"
She nodded her agreement "So, you wrote poetry then?" she smiled wickedly
"Don't go there pet" he smiled back at her , the tension in the room temporarily lifted.
Buffy went into her own thoughts again.
Angelus groaned and pulled on the shackles as he started to come round. Willow jumped at the feral growl he let out at seeing Spike so close to Buffy.
"Oh shut up you git. Not like the girls yours."
"I'm warning you Spike"
"That coming from the crazy vamp locked up in chains" Spike laughed "Not very threatened by you mate"
Angelus lunged forward growling deeply, Spike still laughing at him. Buffy huffed.
"You two quite finished with the testosterone poisoning?"
The two vamps looked at her.
"Spike, I need a minute alone with him. "
The look on Spikes face said it all , but he nodded and left with Willow. They stood outside the mansion and waited for the L.A group to arrive.

"Angel?"
"Not home sweetheart"
"Right.So, can I ask you then?"
"Ask away Buff.... not like I have of a choice" he rattled the chains for emphasis.
"After Angel left me to go to L.A, has he had a relationship with anyone else?"
"No"
"Why not?"
"Because of the poor tortured soul act and the fact that despite better judgement, he is still in love with you, as much as that sickens me to admit"
"What about Cordy?"
"Nice rack , not that smart, and talk? That girl never shuts up! Would drain her within an hour after the deed. Not one to wake up to the morning after if you know what I mean"
"So not in love with her then?"
Angelus looked at her and laughed "Please. You do know Cordelia Chase? Annoying, self centred and controlling bitch, only person that could love her would be her reflection"
Buffy watched as Cordelia ran out of the mansion.
"I was trying to get your attention pet, by the way they're here"
Angelus laughed " That's made my night, couldn't have planned it better myself!"
"Shut up!" Buffy spat as she back handed him
Spike walked over to the couch and slumped into it, dust billowed out around him, for once he was glad he didn't actually have to breathe. "See the cleaners have been slackin' off since we were last 'ere then Angelus"
"I think that's because you ate them"


Wesley stood beside Willow and caught up with the latest goings on. He watched Angelus out of the corner of his eye as they spoke. Buffy sat on the edge of the fireplace opposite Spike.
"I can't wait til this is sorted and I can go back to normal Hellmouthy goodness, or badness"
Spike smiled at her
"Buffy , we would like to talk to you somewhere in private" Wesley cast a quick look at Angelus and then to Spike. Whilst Wesley knew that Spike sometimes aided the Scoobies , he didn't know the extent of the relationship between Buffy and Spike. So , he was cautious.
"There's nothing you can say to me that you can't say in front of Spike. He's totally trustworthy"
Wesley was still cautious " If you think that then fine, but I'm not convinced I'm afraid"
"It's okay Luv, I'll stay 'ere an' keep an eye on the poof" Spike turned away from her and watched as Willow and Xander talked to Cordy.

The ex cheerleader had stopped crying and was now telling them how Angel had been in a dark place for a while and how Darla and Dru were on a rampage in L.A, courtesy of Wolfram and Hart, a law firm that had a vendetta against the elder vampire.The news made Spike grin, except for the news that Darla was back from hell. 'Trust that bitch to get a get out of hell free card' . Maybe once they had dealt with this crap they should head over to L.A and help them out, after all , only manners to return the favour . Darla would love the chance to free her boy and no doubt drag his ass along for the ride, a few weeks ago, maybe he would of loved the chance, but well, now, he had Buffy and nothing could make him leave her. Always was Loves Bitch he said to himself.

Wesley walked around the back of the mansion with Buffy close by his side. They kept their voices soft , knowing that vampires have incredible hearing.Wesley informed Buffy of the situation back home and how dark Angel had become thanks to the law firms latest assault on him and Darla's return. He admitted that he expected Angelus to return but not because of her. He asked if she had slept with him and given him his one moment of true happiness, much to his distaste. He accepted the fact that she hadn't and that she and Spike were together that way, so Angel had reacted badly and in a very obsessive manner and that is how he came to behave irrationally and he had tried to claim her again. Buffy then went on to say that Angelus had returned because she would not succumb to the claim and had in effect, broken his heart when she revealed her true feelings for Spike.Wesley was baffled to say the least.


Angelus was hungry. His growls echoed through the vast room , causing the occupants to snap they're heads up at him .Spike was unaffected and just huffed his annoyance.
"Give it a soddin' rest will you, you aint gettin' any grub until the Slayer gets back.Growling like that s'not doin' you any favours either"
Cordelia looked at Spike and frowned "How comes your so cosy with Buffy now?"
"Me 'n' the Slayer are... involved now"
Cordelia chuckled " Oh that's just rich that is..... she's got the bleached menace wrapped round her finger and she still has Angel running after her losing his sanity over her... God that's such a Buffy thing to do... can't have him but neither can anyone else" Cordelia stormed off .
"Oi!" he yelled at her " Buffy doesn't want the bloody poof, he wants her an' it aint her fault he's like this! So don't you be going all girl interrupted on her!"
"Right , cos if she had to choose between you two, she'd choose you? Pfttt wise up blondie, what have you got to offer her?" With that said and off her chest... Cordy slammed the bedroom door on him.
Spike sunk into the couch again, her words echoing in his mind, the rawness of her little speech hitting him with an element of truth.
Xander smiled to see that Cordy had had some effect on him, Willow frowning at the thought of Spike hurting.Angelus took pleasure in the pain on his face and the pain Cordy was in.His hunger forgotten.For now anyway.


Buffy and Wesley came back into the main room and the first thing they noticed was the quiet, then the look of pain on Spikes face, and the look of pleasure on Angelus' features.Xander and Willow were talking quietly with their heads hung, and Cordy was missing from the group.This couldn't be good.
"Okay, anyone going to tell me what the hell's going on?"
Nobody spoke up.Well, apart from Angelus.
"It would appear that Cordy doesn't like competition and has hid in the bedroom having a tantrum, Spikes sulking because he's not worthy of you and he knows it and the two over there are trying to work out how they can dust the two vamps that are making your life hell, apparently"
Buffy raised her brows and Wesley cleared his throat.
"Spike?"
"What!"
"Come with me.... please"
He got up slowly and walked over to Buffy, his trademark swagger gone. "Buffy can we just not do this now, I'm tired and hungry, and not in the frame of mind to be dealing with whatever this is right now"
"Come outside and help me get the ice boxes in"
He walked out to the cars with her. Once they were outside she pulled him into her arms."What the hell has 'he' been saying to you?"
"Wasn't him, it was the cheerleader"
Buffy waited for him to continue
"She said that if you had a choice you'd choose 'him' and that I had nothing to offer you, S'true an all, I don't"
"Where the hell do they get off?Spike I want you because your you, I love you, believe it or not and I'm not about to let any of them ruin what we have. Once this is done, I'll prove it to you, until then just take my word for it, I love you and want to be with you, no-one else"
He smiled down at her and kissed her . Grabbing the larger ice box , he turned back to the mansion, Buffy bringing the other ice box in after him.

Spike dropped the ice box and Buffy came to an abrupt stop behind him. The sight that greeted them was devastating. Wesley was sprawled beside the couch, Willow and Xander in a heap by the fireplace , Anya half way up the stairs, unconscious and Cordy's bedroom door slightly ajar. The chains empty of their captive. A breeze caught the drapes of the patio doors at the other end of the room, signalling the escape route of Angelus.
He was free.