RATING: R (for angst, language and darkness)

DISCLAIMER: Not my characters. The copyrights belong to Joss & Co.

TIMELINE: After "Are You Now Or Have You Ever Been", but before "First Impressions". (early S2/S5)

SUMMARY: Buffy comes to Angel for help after being attacked by a deadly, rare demon. Angel is in a race against time to find a cure. He will do anything. even if it means using forces of darkness, or just lawyers.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I wrote most of it before the finales, actually all the first few parts I wrote last summer after To Shanshu In L.A, so I had to make some changes when the new season began.

SPECIAL THANKS: My plot beta reader- cim, and my beta reader Kim

DEDICATION: To the B/Aers. Keep the dream alive, yeah?

Goodnight, my love,
the tired old moon is descending,
good night my love,
my moment with you now is ending.
It was so heavenly,
holding you close to me,
it will be heavenly,
to hold you again in my dreams.
The stars above,
have promised to meet us tomorrow,
till then my love,
how dreary the new day will seem,
so for the present dear,
we'll have to part,
sleep tight, my love.
Good night, my love,
remember that you're mine
sweetheart.

(Good Night My Love - From the 1936 musical "Stowaway")

The moon above was the only light source in the street. Downtown L.A was not a good place to hang around at night.

There were several street lamps, but for some reason none of them were working. There was no one walking in the street. Well, no one human anyway.

Angel strolled down the street alone. He wasn't in his usual mood, whatever the hell that meant.

He felt weird. He knew something was going on.

The streets were oddly quiet.

Then he saw someone moving in the shadows.

A normal person wouldn't be able to notice such a small movement there in the dark, but Angel had sharp senses and he knew the thing he saw moving was not human.

Angel walked inside the alley which was even darker than the street.

He saw the horror on the homeless man's face, as the vampire whose back was turned to Angel, pierced his neck.

"Hey!" Angel called and the vampire turned to him. The vampire smiled and blood dribbled from his mouth.

The homeless man was holding his neck, his wound already dry, and collapsed to the floor.

The vampire, still smirking, walked towards Angel.

Angel sighed and vamped out. The vampire was stunned for a minute. "What's the problem, brother?"

Angel roared and pulled out a stake, before the vampire could react, Angel staked him and he exploded into dust.

Angel shrugged. "No problem".

He was about to go check on the homeless man to see if he was still alive, though he seriously doubted it, when some other vampire jumped on him and threw him to the ground.

Angel got up fast and raised his hand, blocking the vampire's blows. He kicked the vampire away, but the vampire was quick to get back to him.

Angel ducked and rolled on the ground, trying to grab the stake he used on the first vampire. He grabbed the stake, still on his knees, when he saw the vampire burst into ashes.

He was puzzled for a moment. Then he saw the person who dusted his attacker.

His jaw dropped in shock, as the young girl threw her stake in the air and grabbed it with her other hand.

"Hi", She said.

Angel got up on his feet.

"Buffy." He whispered.

"What are you doing here?" Angel approached her.

"It's nice to see you too", Buffy smiled nervously.

He looked down and smiled shyly. Buffy glared at him and laughed shortly.

Angel looked back at her, smiling more confident now.

She stopped smiling and just stared at him.

"We better go some place safer", He said after a bit.

"I went to your office. I understand you had quite a wild party there".

"I just live in some hotel now".

Buffy walked over to him. In the dim moonlight he could still see her face. He knew she was in some kind of trouble. Her face was weary and her eyes were shining, pleading for help. And he knew she didn't just come to pay him a midnight visit, she was looking for his help.

He wanted to grab her right there and then, embrace her and assure her that whatever it is, it will be fine.

But he didn't make a move towards her. Better stay away where it's safe.

He started walking and she made a few quick steps to catch up with him.

"So." She tried to start a conversation with him as they entered his car. "Who blew up your office?"

"Um. lawyers."

"Why? Didn't pay the rent?" She giggled.

He smirked but didn't say a word.

An awkward silence surrounded them. They weren't living in each other's worlds anymore. Just what they wanted, what was best for them.

"So. did you beat what's his name in Sunnydale?" Angel asked.

"Adam. yeah, dead". She answered shortly. She was feeling uncomfortable as well.

"And your boyfriend.Uh, riley.?" He hesitated.

"He's okay. I." She swallowed her words.

"Does he know you're here?"

Angel stopped the car and turned to face Buffy.

"No. no one knows." She mumbled.

They got out of the car and Buffy followed him inside the hotel. She looked around at the big lobby.

"I didn't know this hotel was still open". She noted.

"It's not. I live here alone".

She gazed at him. "Really? A big hotel just for yourself? Must be lonely".

Angel shrugged. "It's just like the mansion".

Buffy lowered her head. "I suppose."

She followed him up the stairs to his room. He looked at the bed. "One bed. Two of us". He said.

She smiled bitterly. "Deja-vu".

"You take the bed. I'll sleep on the sofa". He said.

Buffy shook her head. "No, I can't take your bed. Don't you have other beds in this hotel?"

"The other rooms aren't really decent for. look, it's fine. I'll just change the sheets for you".

"No, it's okay". Buffy whispered and sat on the bed.

He looked at her, then his stare stopped on her hands. They were both in gloves.

She noticed he was looking and tried to hide her hands. He walked over and sat next to her.

"What happened?" He asked her, trying to grab her hands.

"Don't touch me!" She called out loudly and he backed off.

"I didn't mean to." He started to apologize.

She sighed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell", She said then took off the glove from her left hand.

Angel saw her palm was blood red, as if the flesh was completely eaten.

Buffy looked at his face. He frowned worried.

"It's just." She started, then changed her mind.

"Does it hurt?" He asked.

"No. Actually I have no feeling at all".

He rubbed his chin, staring at her hand.

"It's in both hands. It started yesterday, and riley." Angel flinched at the mention of the name.

Buffy noticed and stopped talking for a second.

"Well, he, uh, tried to see what's wrong with my hands and it burned him. It looked painful. I put the gloves on, so I wouldn't touch anyone." She explained.

Angel was still checking her hand. "It looks like the flesh was melted". He took her hand in his. She tried to protest, and pulled her hand back.

"I'm not afraid of being burnt". He told her softly and reached for hand again. She hesitated, then let him touch her palm.

"It has no affect on me", He said quietly, rubbing his thumb in circles on her palm.

"I don't feel your touch". She said looking down as his fingers caressed her wounded hand.

"Do you remember anything out of the ordinary you did?" He asked, still holding her hand.

She shrugged. "Let's see. Vampires, vampires, demons. Nope. Pretty much the usual".

"Any special demons?" He asked.

"Special? Um, slimy, ugly, big. I don't know! I don't exactly recite the kind of demons I kill".

Angel smiled. He missed her. He couldn't deny it. He missed listening to her voice, fighting by her side, holding her. kissing. he closed his eyes remembering the time he was human and she was in L.A with him. He opened his eyes and looked at her, still smiling. She didn't remember. She would probably never know. But she was here now.

"Angel, I'm scared". She said suddenly, her voice shaken.

"It will be all right". He said softly.

"What if." She sniffed and straightened. He looked at her.

"Remember when there was that demon that touched me and gave me his telepathic powers?" She asked. Angel nodded. How could he forget. It was his first experience of running around smoking in the sunlight. Now he was already used to it.

"What if I killed some demon that touched me and turned me into. some demon?" Her voice trembled.

"I have demon hands now".

"No", He said softly and pulled her closer, putting his arm around her. She rested her head on his chest and started crying. He moved his other hand and hugged her.

She sobbed into his shoulder and he held her until her sobbing subsided and just random shivering crossed her body.

"I'm sorry." She sniffed and pulled away from him. "I shouldn't have come here and throw my problems on you." She put her hand back in the glove.

"I will help you, Buffy. I'll always be here for you". He said quietly. She smiled relieved.

He got up. "Get some sleep. Tomorrow we'll talk to Wesley and see what's going on".

"Okay." She whispered.

Angel leaned over and kissed her softly on her forehead.

"Good night", He whispered and got up.

He turned off the light and opened the door.

"Angel?" Buffy whispered as she covered herself in the blanket.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you".

"Sleep tight". He said and closed the door behind him.

2

"So no one knows you're here?" Angel asked when Buffy walked out of the bathroom the next day.

"I. I didn't want to hurt them. I just took off. I was terrified." She said, lowering her eyes.

"I see. I'll call Giles later." he said as she walked over to him.

"I'm sorry. I have nothing to offer you. Maybe Wesley would have something for you to eat".

Buffy walked behind him to the parking lot.

"I love the car", she said. He smiled and entered the car himself, starting the engine, the roof closed on them, and Angel covered himself in a hood. He looked at Buffy.

"Could you just close the window, so I won't. you know. burst into flames while driving". He smiled and she couldn't help it and smiled back.

"You changed so much. you even smile more often now". She put her hand on his shoulder, lovingly.

Wesley opened the door. Angel, raising smoke, walked in fast and took off the hood that covered him.

Buffy followed him.

"Hello Angel, Buffy", Wesley started saying, then looked at Buffy amazed. "Buffy!"

"Hi Wes", Buffy smiled and walked in.

Wesley's apartment was a small one-bedroom apartment. Angel looked around at the miniature kitchen and back at Buffy.

"Maybe we should go over to Cordelia's", He said, pondering.

Cordelia was busy rehearsing for some audition when Angel, Wesley and Buffy entered her apartment.

Buffy watched her amused.

"Hi Buffy, long time no see", Cordelia flashed a smile at her, then looked over at Angel.

"So, what's going on? You're not planning on turning human again, are you?"

Both Angel and Buffy glared at her. "Huh?"

"Cordelia", Angel said in a low warning voice.

"Never mind!" Cordelia smiled again and turned away.

"What is she talking about, Angel?" Buffy asked.

"I don't know." Angel murmured. He left Buffy with Wesley and grabbed Cordelia's hand, pulling her inside the kitchen.

"What were you talking about?" He asked her when they were out of Buffy's earshot.

"Doyle told me".

"Told you what?"

"Duh. Everything?"

Angel eyed her. "So you know?"

"That Buffy was here for a whole day and you were human and you turned back the day yadda yadda yadda? Yes, I know".

Angel sighed. "Well, she doesn't. So don't mention it again".

"Um, okay. Sure. So, why is she here?"

"She needs our help".

"Is she gonna pay?"

Angel glared at her.

"I'm kidding! She's family, I know that!" Cordelia smiled and patted his shoulder in a friendly gesture.

Angel was more relaxed now. He looked around. "Could you, um."

"Breakfast?" She asked.

He nodded, smiling shyly.

"So, Buffy is a demon?" Cordelia asked after Angel briefed them. Buffy looked uncomfortably at her red hands.

"Wesley, I need you to do some search on demons that infect their killer with one of their demonic traits".

Wesley looked at Angel. "The same demon from-"

"No, I haven't encountered one of those ever since and thank god for that", Buffy said eliminating that idea.

"Hold on, I have brought some books that might come in handy". Wesley walked over to the pile of books he had left on Cordelia's floor. They still hadn't moved everything to Angel's hotel.

"Too bad *someone* didn't buy a new computer. Might be faster". Cordelia hummed.

Buffy was quiet, just looking at them, feeling somewhat out of place and not at all a part of their little family.

Angel was smiling at Cordelia more than he ever smiled at her. She remembered feeling so special every time she managed to squeeze at least half a smile from him.

'Admit it. He was so broody with you, just like your friends say, and now he's so much happier in an undangerous way' She thought.

"Buffy?" Wesley's voice made her snap from her thoughts.

"Yeah?" She asked, her voice barely heard.

"Could you look for a familiar demon here? This is the contagious demons chapter".

Wesley laid the book in front of Buffy. She flipped through the pages. "None of those. Ewww.. none of those either."

She sighed when the chapter ended. "Nothing".

"Are you sure? This book has every contagious demon known to the Council of Watchers". Wesley was surprised.

"I'm pretty sure", Buffy said, flipping through the pages in a furious attempt to discover what was wrong with her. Angel and Wesley exchanged worried looks.

"Oh God. I killed one of those last week". Buffy said and they both leaned over to see the picture her gloved hand pointed at.

Wesley took the book from her hand and started reading. "That's not a contagious demon, that's." His expression changed as he continued reading. "Oh lord." He put down the book.

"What is it?" Angel asked.

"It's a Listis demon." Wesley said quietly. Angel frowned.

"What? What is it?" Buffy looked at them, becoming very alarmed.

Angel's expression looked too familiar now.

"I've never encountered one of those", Angel started saying, looking away from Buffy's worried face.

"But I've heard of them. They're a threat even to vampires. They're very rare and if a vampire finds their hiding place, he just leaves them alone".

"And this little story has a point, I assume?" Buffy asked harshly. "I'm sorry". She apologized right away.

Wesley stepped in. "Because these demons are very rare, they have a special defense mechanism. which is essential to their survival".

"I'm not sure I want to hear this." Buffy got up from the chair. Wesley and Cordy looked at Angel. He seemed disturbed.

Buffy took a deep breath. "Go on." She whispered.

"Once their blood touches their attacker's bare skin, they start a procedure of stealing, of sucking their attacker's life force". Wesley said, looking at the book again.

"Listis. Means Listim, a robber in Aramaic and ancient Semitic languages". Angel noted.

"That doesn't sound good." Buffy looked at Wesley. "What do you mean by 'life force'?"

"They suck all your senses, all your skills and strength until they suck your soul and revive themselves". Wesley explained.

"And Buffy dies?" Cordelia asked, shocked. Buffy's face turned gloomier.

"Not if I can help it", Angel said, determined.

Buffy looked at him and felt her heart flipping inside her.

She loved him so much. He was her Angel again, not a stranger anymore.

"Your hands. the loss of feeling", Wesley cut short her moment. "That's the first thing the demon sucked- your sense of touch".

Buffy looked at her gloved hands. "How long do I have?" her voice was husky.

Wesley looked in the book.

"It says here. um, the demon consumes its victim within 3 days".

"I killed it last week".

"It is also said here that beings with supernatural strength are being consumed approximately between 2 to 4 weeks".

"Oh God." Buffy murmured.

"Wow. good thing you're a slayer, eh?" Cordelia said, then frowned. "Or maybe if you weren't the slayer you wouldn't have found this demon in the first place." She bit her lips.

"Wesley, is it reversible?" Angel asked.

"I don't know."

"Look!" Angel raised his voice. Wesley nodded and picked another book starting to flip through the pages.

"I'll go to the library and search on the computer", Cordy said and left the apartment.

3

"Buffy?" Angel whispered softly as he entered his room.

He looked around at the empty bed, then his eyes wandered to the balcony. He stepped to the balcony that was lighted by moonlight.

Buffy was leaning on the banister. He watched her face for a moment, the moon giving her hair mixed dark colors, and the shades dropping on her body, the way he remembered. It was so long ago, but it felt like it was only yesterday that he held her in his arms, and...

"L.A is so beautiful," Buffy said quietly, not turning to him. She knew he was there even if he was sneaking behind her like a cat.

"Not everyone can appreciate the beauty. I remember..." She wiped her eyes with her gloved hand. "When I was a little girl and my dad took me to his work, downtown in a big building... I was admiring the views and I used to imagine I'm the princess, ruling the world from her big tower..." She wrapped her arms around herself and Angel stepped closer, taking off his coat and wrapping it around her slim shoulders.

"Then my dad was yelling at me, because I climbed on the window, and took me out to his secretary." Buffy wrinkled her nose letting a small smile on her weary face. Angel stepped closer, his body touching hers and he put his hands on the stone rail, trapping her between his arms. Buffy leaned onto him instinctively. "Was she evil?" He asked. Buffy let out a brief laughter. "She was! I was turning into the princess that was locked in the tower by the evil witch and I was waiting for the white knight to come rescue me."

"The princess can rescue herself, she doesn't need a knight." Angel whispered softly into her ear.

"And what if she's too weak? What if this is the last time she sees her world? What if she needs her knight?"

"She's stronger than any knight." Angel said after a moment of silence. He touched her hair softly, laying his hand reassuringly on her shoulder.

"I... I called Giles. I told him everything."

Buffy turned to face him. "Is he angry with me for running away?"

"He was worried," Angel looked away to the lights of the city. "They were searching for you all over Sunnydale and the surrounding area."

Buffy looked down.

"He trusts us to help you. He said he'll help with anything, and asked us to contact him daily." Angel told her.

"Maybe I should go back... Maybe I should be there when I die..."

"You're not going to die. Wesley and Cordy are researching like crazy. They're on the brink of discovery. I'm sure they'll be here any minute. You should go get some rest now," Angel moved towards the room.

"I... I've lost my sense of smell..." Buffy half-whispered as Angel made a step into the room.

"What?" He returned to her side.

"I mean... what's a smelling sense? it's not all that important..." Buffy started to babble. "It can actually be an advantage... there are things that just... suck." She avoided his stare.

"When did it happen?" He asked, trying to sound calm.

"I noticed this morning..." She shrugged.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want to worry you." She admitted quietly.

"Don't worry about me, love." Angel said softly "I mean, Buffy..." Angel fixed his little slip up quickly. They looked at each other, embarrassed.

"I better go see what Wesley has found so far..." Angel mumbled, turning to leave. "You get some sleep."

"Angel..." Wesley was startled to turn around and see the vampire behind him. Cordelia lifted her head from the computer. "I'm so tired.." She yawned, looking away from the computer's monitor.

"Did you find anything?" Angel tapped on the back of Wesley's chair.

"Not really... I..."

"You have to hurry... We don't have much time."

"I'm trying my best, Angel, but I just..."

"Well, speed up!" Angel raised his voice, he took a book flipping through its contents and threw it away.

"Don't waste time on details... just find something!"

"This species is really rare, and there aren't a lot of cases... I saw only references..."

"Track those reference."

"It takes time!"

Buffy woke up in haste. She panted and walked into the bathroom to wash her face. Her vision turned blurry and she started to panic, holding herself close to the wall. She started walking slowly into the room.

"Angel..." she whispered, rubbing her eyes. She tried to look around and bumped into a chair. Her sight got foggier and she tried to make her way to the bed. "Easy... Easy girl..." She whispered to herself, navigating her way in the room. As the fog covered her sight, blacking it, her breath became faster and irregular. She was terrified.

She heard doors slamming somewhere.

"Angel..." She turned her head in the direction of the noises.

Her sight was brighter, until it cleared. Buffy looked around, feeling like she was seeing the world for the first time.

"They did it..." She whispered and walked out of the room.

"Buffy!" She was surprised to meet Xander and riley halfway through the stairs.

"Oh I think I found something!" Cordy said, straightening up.

Angel left his pile of books and moved behind her, looking into the monitor.

"That's a book reference..." Angel said quietly.

Wesley got up looking at the title of the book. "I'm familiar with this book. I don't think it's translated though." He said.

"Do you have it?" Angel asked, glancing over at the pile of old books.

"There's just one copy. Not translated. It's at the museum." Cordelia read the text aloud.

"Okay. We'll just break into the museum and borrow it then..." Angel said.

"It's The British Museum. In London." Cordelia said, pointing her finger on the text.

There was a moment of silence, when they all looked at the screen.

"I'll never get there in time..." Angel sighed.

"Wait, didn't Giles work there at the British Museum?" Cordelia asked, looking up at Wesley. "Well, him being all British.. and librarian.."

"That's right, he was a curator there before he was called. Maybe he knows the new curator." Wesley said.

"But how can we get it here on time? we don't have time to wait for it!" Angel brushed his hair quickly, frustrated.

"You're right... dear lord..." Wesley sighed.

"Hello? 21st Century? We'll have him send it with FedEx!" Cordelia called.

"I'll talk to Giles." Wesley said and started walking out of the library.

"I'll just..." Cordelia stopped in mid-sentence, glaring into space. It was registered in Angel's mind only a few seconds later that she was hit by a vision.

He grabbed her before she fell to the floor.

"God..." She whispered.

"What is it?"

"Buffy..." Cordy whispered between breaths.

Angel became alerted, his body tensed. "What's wrong?"

"She doesn't see... the demon behind her... she's..." Cordelia whispered.

"Where?"

"Near the hotel. Go there.. now!" Cordy raised her voice, and rubbed her forehead.

Angel sprinted out of the library with no further word.

On to Part Four