DISCLAIMER : The characters in this fic are the property of Joss Whedon. 20th Century Fox et al. No copyright infringment intended.

TIMELINE: This story follows on from Second Chances and is part of a long running saga, so lots more to come!

Dedicated to all B/A shippers everywhere but especially to those wonderful guys at Buffysearch who keep me going.

I love you AW xx Thanks again. AW x

"Oooh He's so cute I could eat him!" squealed Willow.

"Will, that is so gross." laughed Buffy.

"You know what I mean don't you Davy." said Willow gently rocking the baby boy in her arms. "I want one just like you."

Buffy looked at her friend who was completely enthralled by her newborn son.

"You'll make a great mother someday." she said.

"Maybe Tara and I could adopt." Willow said. "Or maybe I'll just steal this one!"

"I think maybe Angel might have something to say about that!" laughed Buffy.

"Something to say about what?" asked Angel strolling in to the room.

"Hi Willow, good to see you." he said and planted a kiss on Willows head.

"Hows my family today?" he asked, kissing Buffy.

"Look out Will, big bad daddys home, we won't get a look in now! laughed Buffy.

Angel gently picked his son out of Willows arms.

"Come on Davy, you and me are going for a walk while mom and Auntie Willow talk girlie things. Won't be long" he called.

"I can't get over you two." smiled Willow.

"I know, sickening isn't it!" laughed Buffy.

"So who chose the baby's name?" asked Willow.

"Well, I wanted to call him Liam, but Angel said it brought back too many bad memories. We both liked David so it kinda stuck." smiled Buffy.

Angels seems to like being a dad" said Willow.

"Yeah, its something he thought he'd never be, and I knew how much it meant to him. Thats why we decided to have a baby so soon. I think he had waited long enough!" Buffy replied. "He's very protective of him, its like he can't really believe he's here. He's a bit of a fusspot as Giles would say!"

"What about your Slayer duties, and Angel's ' help the hopeless ' thing. Will you be able to give that all up?" asked Willow.

"Unfortunately thats a job I can't resign from, neither can Angel. He still has this atonement gig going on, and thats something thats never gonna change either. In a few weeks time its back to business as usual. Angel has a lot of friends here now so babysitting should'nt be a problem." replied Buffy.

"If I lived nearer I'd help out." said Willow.

Suddenly she started laughing. "What?" asked Buffy.

"I'm just trying to imagine Cordelia babysitting!". replied Willow.

"Hey, Auntie Cordelia has already offered-on the one condition that we promise he won't throw up or need changing whilst in her care!" laughed Buffy.

"Kinda makes the offer void then doesn't it?" grinned Willow.

They both laughed together.

"Grandmas hatching a plan" said Dru to her doll."Miss Edith had better cover up her ears so she cannot tell anyone even if they torture her." Mmm, I miss that. Angelus used to love it" she whispered dreamily. "Spike used to watch, but he was jealous and always used to leave before the best part. Oooh, I can feel it now.....

"Dru shut up, I'm trying to concentrate" exclaimed Darla.

"You miss him too, I know you do. Now he's torturing The Slayer instead of us" Dru said.

"Don't be stupid Dru, he's human now. He's not torturing her, he's making love to her. Its disgusting, and I don't want to think about it ." spat Darla.

"Lets turn him back" cried Dru. "Bite him and then make him drink. I can taste him now. Hot and spicy and...she moaned.

"Dru, you don't get it do you. I want revenge for what he did to us, I want to make him suffer, and I want to make that Slayer slut suffer too. Turning him would be too easy, too clean. I want to see them squirm, drown them in anguish, cause them so much pain it splits them in two." cried Darla.

Dru clapped her hands. "I want to play too!"

"This is no game Dru, it has to be carefully planned. First of all we remove the one thing that they love more than anything in the world." said Darla. "Better get ready Dru, were going to have a baby."

"Down will come baby cradle and all" sang Dru dancing round the room."Oh, but daddy will be so cross with us."

Darla smiled. "I'm counting on it Dru."

Angel stood by the window watching the sunrise. It was one of the most beautiful things in his new found life. The other two lay sleeping nearby.

He had woken with a start from a bad dream, the remnants of which still clung to him and filled him with a sense of foreboding. He could sense a chill in the air, even though the room was comfortably warm. Returning to their bed, he looked in to the crib where his baby son lay in peaceful slumber.

"Angel? Are you ok?" asked Buffy sleepily. "Is Davy awake?"

"No, everythings fine, go back to sleep" he said kissing her cheek.

She twined her arms around his neck and sighed deeply. "You won't ever leave me Angel, we'll always be together?"

"Always." he breathed "Nothing can ever keep us apart again."

She kissed him then, and soon nothing else mattered.

"Angel, are you sure you don't mind me going out?" asked Buffy.

"Course not, you girls go and enjoy yourselves. Me and Davy will be fine. Gonna share a few beers....watch the game" he grinned.

"Funny!" laughed Buffy. "Hey, guess what, Cordelia is taking me to Caritas."

"Just don't let the Host push you into singing, if he reads you he may tell you to leave me for another guy. He has a weird sense of humour." laughed Angel.

"Theres no chance of that!" laughed Buffy."Are you sure you'll be ok on your own?" she asked.

"Well, Wesley is in the office doing some research, I'll call him if I get stuck." grinned Angel.

Buffy shook her head and smiled.

"See you later then" she said leaning down to kiss him. "Be good for daddy" she said and kissed her son on the head.

"Buffy!" called Angel.

"Yeah?" she replied.

"Be careful" he said in a low voice.

"You too!" she laughed.

Caritas was buzzing when they arrived, but the Host had reserved them a table, and was sat with them trying to talk above all the noise.

"So, hows my favourite ex vamp, and what was he thinking letting his delicious lover out on the town?" he said whilst kissing Buffys hand.

Buffy laughed "He's fine, which is more than I can say for some of your clientele. I seem to be making them nervous"

"Thats ok, sweetie, it means I'm in for a trouble free night!" he grinned.

"Or maybe not" groaned Cordelia as she grabbed her forehead.

"Cordy, what is it?" cried Buffy.

"She's having one of her mind blowing visions" the Host replied as he quickly went to support her.

"Oh no! Oh God!" Cordelia cried out. "Buffy we have to get back to the hotel now"

"But Cordy, what is it, whats happened?" Buffy asked.

"Its Angel".

Cordelia and Buffy got back to the hotel to find Wesley slumped on the floor in the lobby.

"Wesley are you ok? Wesley wake up." Cordelia shouted as she shook him. Wesley, wheres Angel?"

Buffy had not waited to find out, and had made straight for the lounge. The door was open, the TV set still blaring out, and a figure she recognised well was laid face down on the floor.

"Angel" she cried and ran to him. He was not moving, and a large pool of blood which surrounded his head was slowly soaking in to the carpet. Buffy was shaking as she gently turned him over.

"Oh God Angel, what happened?... Angel?"

She checked his breathing. It was shallow but he was alive.

On the floor next to him was a folded piece of paper.

She picked it up, opened it, and read it.

Your dear boy for my dear boy.

D.

Waves of nausea swept over her as Buffy ran towards the crib in the bedroom. It was no longer there.

Frantically she ran round calling her sons name, as Cordelia appeared in the doorway.

Buffy was sobbing and screaming, and Cordelia had never seen her like this.

Soon she would learn what a mothers love really meant.

Buffy sat at Angels bedside, having him admitted to hospital was not something she was happy about, but she had no choice. She knew his restored vampiric healing abilities had saved him, a mere mortal would have died from such a severe blow to the head. The doctors were surprised at how quickly he recovered, but his blood count was still very low and they wanted to keep him under observation.

Buffy felt like her whole world was crumbling around her. In the space of a few days she had gone from sheer hapiness to downright despair.

Despite Cordy, Wes, Gunn and even the Host researching round the clock they were no further on in tracing her baby. Of course they knew who the note was from. Darla's nickname for Angel had made it obvious. She had made no further contact with them, and despite numerous bribes and beatings, none of the local demon lowlife could give them anything on her whereabouts.

The decision to bring Kate Lockley into the picture had not been taken lightly either, but she was familiar with Darla from past events, and Buffy said they needed all the help they could get.

A warding spell had been cast around the hotel and Angel's hospital room just in case Darla paid them an unwelcome visit.

"Buffy is that you?" asked Angel.

She took his hand "Yes Angel, I'm here."

"Take me home please?" he murmured "I can't do anything in here and I can't stand it any longer."

Buffy stifled a sob as she stroked his cheek.

"Please Buffy, I don't want us to be apart like this, not when...." he couldn't finish.

"Ok" she murmured. "Lets go home"

Later that night, as they lay in bed, Angel asked Buffy again about the contents of the ransom note.

She had not told him the truth, for fear of what he might do. She knew he would willingly trade himself for his son, but Buffy had no intention of losing one to gain another.

Darla would have neither of her ' Dear Boys ' and Buffy would make sure of it.

But it was hard. She felt like she had lost an arm, the pain of being seperated from her baby was almost too much to bear. If she lost Angel too, how could she carry on?

She turned towards Angel and stroked his cheek, but he turned away.

"Don't he whispered.

"Angel, please , don't turn away from me. I can't do this alone, I need you" Buffy wept.

"Its all my fault, I let this happen. I let that monster take our son away. How can you bear to be near me? We have to find him Buffy. First thing tomorrow I am going out and I won't be back till I have him safe again" he said.

"No!" cried Buffy. "She has to be in contact soon, she's just making us suffer. We have to stick together, its our only chance. You go, I go too"

Angel turned and looked into Buffys face.

Then they were clinging to each other. Angel held her so tightly she thought she would break. She stroked his hair, and kissed him, and they found comfort in each other.

Later, when the sun rose, Angel watched, but saw no beauty there. Knowing that sleep was no longer an option for him, he quietly went downstairs, brewed some coffee and sat down to think.

Buffy and Angel lay in each others arms. She felt so safe when he held her close like this, and they shared their love for each other slowly and gently.

Angel was stroking the small scar on her neck where once she had made him drink from her in order to save his life.

Buffy lay back dreamily and closed her eyes.

Angel bit down.

Buffy screamed and her eyes flew open in amazement.

Angel's hand covered her mouth, and his body weight was pinning her to the bed.

Buffy struggled to get free, but it was useless.

Angel drank deep, and Buffy found herself heading towards velvety blackness.

Just as she was teetering on the edge of the abyss he stopped.

He brought his face close to hers.

She had seen Angel 'vamped out' so many times that it had hardly any effect on her, she accepted it as just another part of him. This time it was different.

"Hello lover." smirked Angelus. "I have to say Buff, not only do you smell good and feel good, you really taste good too, I could easily get used to this. Lets go again, but this time be a bit more adventurous huh? Oh, and don't worry about the noise, the baby won't wake up" he laughed.

The baby, oh God the baby, thought Buffy suddenly remembering.

"Where is he, tell me? I need to find him" she wept.

"Well ya see, I kinda got hungry earlier so I......."

Buffy woke up covered in sweat and shaking. Tears were pouring down her cheeks and she ran to the bathroom and heaved.

Downstairs, Angel was deep in thought when the phone rang.He was on it in a second.

"Hello?" he blurted.

"Angel, its Kate, I think you'd better come down here."

"What? why?. Have you found Davy?" he asked as his heart pounded.

"We don't know whats going on Angel. Someone brought a baby in and......"

Kate never got chance to finish before Angel put the receiver down.

He pounded up the stairs to the bedroom.

"Buffy? Buffy get dressed, they may have found Davy!" he shouted.

In the bathroom, the glass of water that Buffy was holding slid to the floor and shattered.

Where is he" cried Angel stumbling into Kates office.

"Angel, its not what you think" shouted Kate as Angel and Buffy headed towards the crib which had been placed on a spare desk. A female officer was standing over it re-arranging the coverlet.

Angel lifted the infant up and passed it quickly to Buffy. She gently removed the cover which was obscuring her vision of the baby.

The colour drained from her face."Its not him Angel" she cried.

"You didn't give me chance to tell you Angel. I'm so sorry" said Kate.

"I don't understand" said Angel, trying to support Buffy who was now sobbing.

"Somebody left him in the mens room with a note adressed to me, unfortunately no-one knows who fetched him in" said Kate.

"Whats in the note?" asked Angel as he led Buffy to a chair.

"Read it" said Kate "I think you might recognise the handwriting".

My Mummy has found another dear boy to care for. I am an orphan till Daddy comes home.

Buffy snatched the note "That bitch" she screamed. "What game is she playing now?"

The baby had woken at the sound of raised voices and was now crying pitifully as the female officer rocked him.

The sound tore at Buffys heart.

The phone rang, and a young male officer answered it "Detective Lockley, its for you" he said.

After a brief conversation she replaced the receiver and turned to Angel.

"Someones reported their neighbour missing, a single mom." Kate said.

"And?" said Angel.

"She took her baby for a walk 2 nights ago and didn't come back.

Back at the hotel, Cordelia was on the phone talking to Gunn.

She was scribbling on a pad whilst Wesley stood over her, trying to decipher what she had written.

"Thanks Gunn, we'll try and get hold of them, but we have no idea where they went. Yeah, see you later." Cordelia said replacing the handset.

"Well thats interesting, and also a little confusing." she said to Wesley.

"Some low life finally spilled, after a little persuasion, but its not really the information we were looking for. Apparently, he and his friends were paid well to find and deliver unharmed, a mother and baby, to an address downtown"

"Has Gunn checked it out?" asked Wesley.

"Yeah, its no go, just an abandoned store." replied Cordelia. "Do you think there's any connection?"

"I'll call Detective Lockley, see if a missing persons report has been filed. I suppose they could have been taken for some kind of ritual, I'll have to look in to that. Meanwhile...."

Wesley was cut off as Angel and Buffy entered the hotel lobby.

"Buffy, what happened? Where have you been?" cried Cordelia.

"I'll tell you in a few minutes" replied Angel. "I think Buffy needs to lie down.

Later, while Buffy slept, Angel, Wes and Cordelia were deep in discussion, trying to fit together the pieces of an impossible jigsaw.

Angel remembered something Buffy had said on their way back.

"The baby Angel, the poor baby. Who's going to care for him, and hold him, and love him. Who?"

He thought she had been talking about the baby in Kate's office, but he suddenly realised it applied to their baby too.

Oh God he thought. Darla. The only thing she knew about babies was how to kill them.

If Davy was still alive, someone would have to be looking after him, someone who knew what they were doing, and that person was not Darla. Her patience would have soon run out.If this woman had been taken to care for Davy, would she be in any fit state to do so after being robbed of her own child?

"Angel?" said Cordelia."What are you thinking?"

Angel shared his theory with them, and both agreeed he was probably right.

The phone rang and Angel picked it up.

"Angelus" breathed Darla. "How are you? Suffered enough yet?"

"Where is he Darla" growled Angel.

"Your Dear Boy is fine, he has a much nicer mommy now, but if your slut wants him back, you know what you have to do" she drawled.

"I don't do mind reading Darla" Angel spat.

"So you didn't read my little note then? Did she keep it from you? I thought you shared everything.....just like we once did. Why don't you ask her Angelus? I'll call soon so we can arrange our little family reunion" smirked Darla "Bye lover".

The phone went dead, and Angel sat staring at the receiver.

"You should have told me." said Angel"

I couldn't" said Buffy "I knew you would react like this, that you would go to her."

"I am not going to 'her' Buffy, I'm going to get our son back" he shouted.

"So, you just walk in there, have a quick fight, and everything is hunky dory?" she cried.

"Whatever happens, I will not do anything that might endanger his life" he replied.He has to come first Buffy, you know that." Angel murmured.

"I know....but I also know that once Darla has you, she will never return Davy to me."

"She'll kill you both." she whispered. "Then I'm as good as dead"

That night, Angel slept fitfully, whilst Buffy lay by his side wide awake.

It was hot and humid in the room, and Buffy felt as if she couldn't breathe.

Leaving the room quietly, she made her way downstairs and outside into the cooler night air.

The grounds at the back of the hotel had been neglected, and Angels plans for restoring them had not yet come to fruition.

She stood staring up at the night sky, unaware that she was being watched from the shadows.

The blonde haired vamp stood very still admiring the view.

Motherhood suited her he thought. Angel did not deserve such a beauty.

He knew he could never have her, but that had not stopped him trying in the past. They shared a love-hate relationship which had turned into one of mutual trust and respect for each other. He had fought by her side before, and would willingly do so again.

There was no love lost between himself and Angel, but if she needed his help, that was enough.

Being an unwelcome but often neccessary member of the 'Scooby gang' meant that he was kept in the loop, and he knew what was going down.

He also knew how Darlas mind worked, and who she was working with. Spike hardly dared to imagine what they planned to do with Angel, but he had a pretty good idea.

What did they see in Angelus anyway? Spike hated the way he referred to Dru and Darla as 'his women'. Hated the way Dru acted so silly around him, and the way they whispered together and kept disappearing. Torture was fine, hell, he got a kick out of it too, but Dru belonged to him, and it sickened him to listen to Dru and Angel together. If Darla turned Angel again, there would be no chance of him persuading Dru to return, and he would have lost her for good.

Spike was roused from his thoughts by the sound of Buffy weeping. Oh God, not that, he hated it. It always had a profound effect on him. He wanted to crush her to him and stifle her sobs with his kisses. Before he could show himself, she turned suddenly, and ran back into the hotel.

Sod it! thought Spike and disappeared in to the night.

"Shut that thing up" screamed Darla."Its been crying for ages, and its driving me crazy!"

"I....I think he has a temperature." replied the woman nervously. "And he won't take his feed, maybe he's used to a different brand? He might have some sort of infection, that happened to my baby once" she said beginning to weep. The baby screamed even louder.

"I've had it" screeched Darla and she headed towards the phone.

Angel woke with a start when the phone rang.

He wondered where Buffy was as he picked it up.

"Hear that?" yelled Darla's voice on the other end of the phone. "Thats your brat screaming for his daddy who had better get himself over here before I change my mind and shut him up for good." she screamed.

"If you lay a finger on him I will track you down and stake you once and for all." snarled Angel.

"Meet me at the docks in thirty minutes, and you know the routine.You come alone..no police, no Slayer, no nothing. I on the other hand will not be alone and my henchmen have not had a decent feed tonight. Any tricks, you the woman and the baby all die"

The line went dead, and Angel had to make a decision that he would probably regret forever.

When Buffy returned to their room, he was already gone.

Angel was jumped as soon as he got out of his car. He did not bother to put up a fight, it would have been useless and he needed to conserve all his energy for the battle ahead.

"Steady boys, don't damage the merchandise" sneered Darla as the semi conscious Angel was bundled into the back of a van.

A blanket was placed over his head and his hands were bound behind him. After a short drive he was dragged out, pulled up some steps into a building and taken into a disused room.

He was propped up against a wall and his arms roughly pulled outwards.

He felt the cold steel against his skin as the manacles bit down into his wrists and ankles.

This was so not looking good he thought.

"Well Darla, I have to say, some things never change" Angel drawled.

"Go!" shouted Darla.

The gang of vamps left the room, grumbling about not being able to watch.

Darla removed the blanket covering Angels head.

"Hello my love, its been a while" she purred.

"Enough of the foreplay Darla, lets get down to business" Angel snapped.

"Now thats what I like to hear" she breathed.

"You keep your end of the bargain, and I'll play your little games. Let my son and the woman you are holding here go, or I'll....." said Angel

"Or you'll what?" she laughed. "You're in no position to call the shots Angel. I'm in control here, and I have to say its a real turn on"

She took a knife and ran it down the front of Angel's shirt, splitting it open and leaving a thin red trail of blood trickling down his chest.

She held the knife near his throat.

"Kiss me" she teased.

"Sorry Darla, I think I'm allergic to that brand of lipstick you're wearing." said Angel in disgust.

"Come on, you know you want it" murmured Darla. "Have you forgotten what it used to be like? I bet she doesn't let you do even half the things to her that you used to do to me"

"I wouldn't want to Darla. I'm not Angelus anymore, I respect Buffy. As Angelus I never respected anyone, including you. I used and abused you and you did the same to me in return" he replied.

"God, I don't know what you see in her. I know what you're capable of, she could never satisfy an appetite like yours" she grinned.

"You don't get it do you Darla" said Angel shaking his head.

"Enlighten me my love" said Darla all the time making patterns on his skin with the knife "Tell me all about your little whore"

Angel was trying to keep his cool, but it wasn't working, and hearing Darla talk about Buffy like that enraged him.

"Let me put you in the picture " he said. "She's the Slayer, perfectly toned body, muscles in places you could never imagine. She's plugged in, switched on and tuned to all frequencies. She leaves you standing Darla" he spat.

Darla paled "Theres nothing she can give you that I never could" she screamed.

"Wrong Darla, she already has" he replied.

"When I turn you back, you won't even care wether she lives or dies, and all you'll want will be me" she shouted.

"Well, thats not quite true now is it Darla?" Spike drawled as he strolled in to the room." Sharing can be such a pain, and as I remember, Angelus liked to share, but he always made sure he got the biggest part. You'll never have him all to yourself , not while Dru's around. She's back there, trembling in anticipation, just waiting for Big Bad Daddy to return.

"What the hell are you doing here" Darla snapped.

"Never like to miss a good floorshow" replied Spike. "This one has Broadway potential I think. I really enjoyed the first act..who writes your scripts?" he laughed.

Dru came fluttering into the room. Noticing Spike she jumped up and down clapping her hands.

"Its a party!" she cried. "There'll be tea and cakes and..."

"Shut up you idiot, I told you not to come in here till I sent for you" screamed Darla.

"Come on pet, Darla wants to play with her puppy. We'll find another game just for us shall we?" Spike said to Dru.

He turned to Angel and sneered at him.

"Have fun Nancy boy, and if your Slutty the Slayer turns up, do let me know. Hurting her would give me so much pleasure" said Spike, looking directly into Angel's eyes.

He pulled Dru out of the room and she looked at him expectantly.

"Ooh, Spike, can we really play a game?" asked Dru. "Will we get prizes for winning?"

"Prizes for all my pet" Spike grinned "Prizes for all""

What game is it?" asked Dru excitedly.

"Hide and seek" said Spike.

"Thats not much fun with only two" moaned Dru. "Why don't we just hide somewhere together and play a different kind of game" Dru breathed kissing him.

"But I know someone else who wants to play" said Spike.

He grabbed the woman who was cowering in the corner, holding Davy tight to her chest.

"Now you come here Dru, and I'll blind-fold you" Spike said.

She ran to him, eagerly wanting to join in.

He placed a scarf over her eyes and twirled her round.

She giggled like a little child.

"Count to three hundred, and then come looking" said Spike, who was already pushing the terrified woman out of the room.

"Its ok" he whispered. "I won't hurt you, I'm going to get you out of here, but you have to keep very quiet"

She nodded and hurried along beside him.

"Coming ready or not!" shrieked Dru.

"Go!" hissed Spike, and don't turn back" he pointed her towards the stairs.

She looked unsure at first, but then began to climb down them as fast as she could, still clinging on to the baby in her arms.

Spike crouched down behind a chair on the landing and waited for Dru to appear.

"Its ok, we're here to help you" said Cordelia in a low voice as the woman appeared at the bottom of the stairs.

"You'll be all right now" whispered Wesley. "We'll take care of you.

"Its Sarah isnt it?" he asked smiling at her.

She nodded "W.wheres my baby? Is he alive?" she asked trying not to cry.

"He's fine, and we'll take you to him real soon. I know it seems unfair to ask you to wait any longer, but we just need to know if our friends are ok" whispered Cordelia "This little ones mother is one of them"

"I understand" Sarah murmured. "I can wait"

"Spike? Peek a boo where are you!" shouted Dru.

Spike leapt out from behind the chair and grabbed her, putting his hand over her mouth.

"Sorry pet, but we have to be quiet" murmured Spike "If the others find you I won't be able to stop them from dusting you, and thats not part of my plan. I'll take you anywhere you want to go, but we have to go now"

"But what about Darla and Angelus?" she mumbled against his hand.

"They'll follow us later pet, and we'll all have lots of fun" he whispered.

"And wheres my prize for finding you?" she pouted.

"Later my sweet, later" he grinned.

Buffy and Gunn had despatched the last of the henchmen and quietly made their way back to Wesley and Cordelia.

Buffy looked across at Sarah who was still holding on to Davy protectively

"Sarah" said Cordelia. "This is Buffy, she's the baby's mother"

Sarah looked at Buffy then reluctantly held out the baby towards her.

Tears fell slowly down Buffy's face as she held her baby son close and kissed his forehead. She reached out a hand to Sarah's shoulder.

"Thankyou, thankyou so much for keeping him safe" she whispered.

"Buffy, I know this isn't a good time, but we gotta go find Angel" urged Gunn.

Buffy passed her son back "Please, could you look after him for a little while longer? I have to find his daddy.

"You didn't really think I'd ever give him back did you Angel?" purred Darla. "And you must have had the sense to realise that if you came here, I'd never give you back either. Angelus would never have been so stupid. He was so strong, so in control. He could have anything and anyone he ever wanted."

"He wanted me, he'll want me again. "The Slayer will be all alone in the world. No lover, no baby, nothing" she sneered. "The time has come my love, lay back, relax, enjoy!"

Darla's face changed, her fangs elongated and she licked her lips in anticipation.

"Whatever happens Darla, know that my true self loves only one woman, and will do so for all eternity. I am her's, heart and soul" Angel cried.

"No problem there then" grinned Darla. "Soon you won't have either!"

Darla bit down, and Angel screamed Buffys name.

Darla drank deep and Angel felt himself slipping away.

Images from his past flooded over him and he felt the darkness reaching out towards him.

Suddenly, Darla stopped, and began to choke on Angel's blood.

She clutched her chest, and fell heavily to the floor.

Angel shook his head against the blackness and looked down at her in amazement.

Darla's lips were red and blistered and she writhed in pain.

She looked up at Angel, but she could no longer speak, her throat had been burnt away. She crawled over to the window and opened it.

Glancing back tearfully at Angel, she launched herself through it and Angel heard a dull thud as she landed heavily outside.

"Angel!" Buffy shouted as she flew into the room.

She rushed over to him, and began to release him from his chains.

"Darla" he mumbled "She....she.."

"Oh God, she bit you" shrieked Buffy looking at his neck."Did you drink from her? Angel? Did you drink?" she yelled in panic.

"No" he replied.

"Where is that bitch anyway" asked Buffy.

"She got out through the window" he murmured.

"I'm on it" called Gunn as he ran from the room.

"Is Davy alive Buffy?" whispered Angel

"Yes, he's alive. We need to get him checked over by a doctor, but I'm sure he'll be fine" she replied.

"Buffy will you do something for me?" asked Angel.

"Of course, anything" Buffy said.

"Next time let me go out on the town, and you babysit, ok?" he said.

She smiled at him, and holding on to each other, they made their way downstairs.

"Well I must say, all's well that ends well" said Wesley. Everyone looked at him.

"Yes, well, um....crackers and cheese anyone?" he asked handing a plate around.

"So, whats the deal with Darla, Angel? You said she seemed to have been burnt from drinking your blood. What ya got in them veins? Battery acid?" asked Gunn laughing.

Angel frowned "I have no idea what happened, but whatever it was it saved me" he replied.

"Still no sign of Spike then?" asked Cordelia.

"No" replied Buffy. "And we couldn't have done it without him"

"I still don't understand why he was so willing to help us, I really can't believe it was just to get Dru back" said Wesley.

"He's got a thing for Buffy" grinned Angel.

Buffy blushed "He has not!" she exclaimed "Ok, maybe he has, but its unrequited. It is, honestly" she cried.

"Well, at least he has good taste" said Wesley "Oh, that sounds a bit off doesn't it he gushed "Sorry" he mumbled.

"Changing the subject" said Cordelia glaring at Wesley. "I see you all seem to have omitted my little part in all this"

"Cordelia, I'm so sorry!" said Buffy.

"Yeah, three cheers for vision girl!" laughed Gunn.

"If you hadn't had that vision when Angel went missing, I don't think we would have ever found him" said Wesley. "Well done Cordelia".

"So, does this mean I get a raise?" she asked hopefully.

"We'll see!" grinned Angel.

"Well, I think Davy should be in bed now" said Buffy. "So I'll say goodnight.

Angel picked up the crib, said his goodnights, and followed Buffy to their room.

Angel let the shower wash over him, leaning against the wall and lifting his face towards the jets.

Washing her away from every part of his body that she had touched. Ridding himself of her perfume, which still seemed to linger on him.

"Want me to scrub your back" asked Buffy grinning wickedly as she joined him in the shower.You've been in here ages, are you trying to drown yourself?"

"No, just washing away a few bad memories" he replied.

"Then maybe I can replace them with some good ones" she smiled as she reached up to kiss him.

In Sunnydale, Willow was just replacing the receiver on the phone after talking to Cordelia for what seemed like hours.

"Hey Tara, you remember that spell we did for Angel?" she shouted.

Tara emerged from the bathroom "You m..mean the one to restore his vampire strength?" she asked.

"Yep, thats the one. And do you remember that extra ingredient we added to safeguard him from ever being turned again?" she gushed.

Tara nodded "Well it worked" grinned Willow.

On to Darkness and Light