Summary: As before

Chapter 12

The evening wasn’t as bad as Buffy had expected. She had fun, if not as much fun as she used to have.

Giles was fairly silent, unsure what he should say or do. Willow was over compensating, being nicer and a lot more careful with her words. Xander seemed to be in denial. Buffy guessed Willow had told him because he was acting jumpier than usual and avoided all talk of sex, kissing, anything remotely relationship based.

Angel kept out of the way. He returned from shopping and made himself scarce. He had also bought blood while he was out. He couldn’t remember the last time he had eaten and it wasn’t something he wanted to do in public. After drinking took the opportunity to call Wes and Cordie.

The trickery way of getting information had proved fruitless and Wes and Cordie intended to break in later that night. Angel advised them to be careful.

The gang left early and Buffy took her sleeping pill and went to bed.

Angel asked tonight if she wanted him to stay in her room.

Buffy considered it for a few moments. “I know I should say no. I should be strong but I do want you to.” She answered in a small voice.

Angel smiled. “It’s not a problem.” Inwardly though he knew he had to get Buffy to be stronger. Tomorrow he would try training with her. Perhaps that would give her some confidence back.


Leonard was angry. His plan wasn’t going as it should.

After killing the bearer of bad news, one of him minions, he pondered what to do next.

His plan had been to keep Buffy weak. He would then attack her again and again until he broke her. She had taken Angelina from him and he would make her pay for that.

His thoughts drifted to Angelina. He had made her over 50 years ago. She was his favourite of all his children. In life she had been sweet and caring. In unlife though she had been the fiercest creation he had ever seen. He had been with her since she was turned, usually he tried of his creations after 40 years or so, but not this one.

She had been cruelly taken from him a month ago by the slayer. It had been a long fight from what he had been told. She had suffered but fought well. That was no consolation to Leonard though.

Buffy would pay for what she had done. But not being at her dorm room meant she wasn’t drinking the poisoned milk. His desire for revenge wasn’t suicidal though and he wasn’t going up against a full strength slayer. Add to that that her friends had been coming and going, looking after her. And she had Angelus with her.

Leonard heard himself growl as he thought of that name. He and Darla were the master’s favourites. Even though Angelus took Darla away from him he still respected Angelus, revered him almost.

It didn’t matter what Leonard did, he could never live up to them. And now Angelus was protecting the slayer.

Leonard had heard the rumours about his soul but he hadn’t really believed it.

Taking Buffy from Angelus was an added bonus he hadn’t expected.

Leonard got himself a brandy and pondered his next move.