Though Lovers Be Lost

by Breathliss

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but this computer. Buffy and Angel and the rest of the gang belong to the WB networks and the God we know as Joss Whedon . Asia and Liam belong to me. I have given this story an R rating it contains Vilolence and mature content.Please don't sue.I simply am paying tribute to my two favorite characters on tv. Thank you for taking the time to read my story.......

Part 1

Buffy patroled the cemetary looking for vampires , after all she was the chosen one, creatures of the night were no match for her.. It was her job to make sure the people of Sunnydale were safe. She was in the cemetary about an our when she heard a voice call to her...

"SLAYER" someone hissed in the shadows.

" You guys should really come up with a new greeting for me . I'm a little bored after all this time. Makes dusting you kind of a payback thing . You know?"

Buffy said loudly as she started looking around trying to figure which direction the voice was coming from .She didn't even see the vamp jump out from behind the mosaleum . He grabbed her from behind wrapping it's cold hands around her neck lifting her off the ground . She kicked her legs and her foot made contact with the thing's groin.

It fell back clutching itself wallowing in pain . Before it could even think about how to retaliate she staked it through it's cold dead heart. She began to wipe the dust off her clothing and began to walk again.

She glanced at her watch she told Giles she would check in with him about 11:30 pm it was 11:10 already she walked a little quicker now . She glanced at the graves as she passed . So many people gone , I wish I could have saved them all " She thought silently to herself as she exited thru the gates of the cemetary..

She made it to Giles house rather quickly . She gently rapped on his oak door. He answered the door with a thick dusty book under his arm .

" Buffy . Good I'm glad you are here. We have a little problem "

Giles delivered his statement without even giving her a chance to take her jacket off.

" God Giles what are you babbling about now ? I've been patrolling all week and there hasn't been any sign of anything evil. One vamp tonight and unless you count the rat that ran over my foot in the cemetary.." she flopped down on his couch and waited for Giles to answer her.

" Buffy Willow found this note pinned to your dorm room door tonight." He moved closer to her so he could show her the note.

Slayer you will meet your end . I will make Angel suffer . You are the key. Soon I will hold your dead heart in my hands. Liam

She read the note over and over trying to figure out what it meant . Angel has been in LA for two years now . Why all of sudden would somebody want to get revenge on him.

" Giles who's Liam ?"

Buffy asked as she placed the note on his coffee table with a shakey hand..

" I've been researching in my books Buffy . There was a vampire named Liam who ran around Europe for about 100 years. . Liam was very feared . He was know for the way he would torture his victims before he would kill them .It says in the book no one knows what became of him after 1898 ."Buffy Angelus sired him" Giles was almost afraid to tell her what he read in the watchers diary.

" Great Angel leaves town and I have one of his old buddies stalking me . So what's the what Giles ? I have a midterm due for my english lit class tommorrow and I need to get some sleep . Can I look for this guy Liam tommorrow ?."

She rose from the couch and began to walk out the door .

" Buffy please be careful until I find out more about this Liam person. I need to call Angel and ask him who he is and what he might want with you ".

"You will do no such thing! I don't want Angel to know anything about this Giles . I don't need his help. I can take care of this guy on my own . "She was shouting now . The thought of Angel coming back was too much to bear. she knew he would leave again . That was one thing she couldn't handle.

"But Buffy we know nothing about him . You could get hurt this isn't a newborn vampire rising from the grave . He's been around for hundred's of years . Angel would be the only one with information about him. The police found 6 bodies last night dumped by an old factory here in town. I heard it on the news today and I'm assuming Liam is likely involved in this. This the reason I think it would be wise to allow Angel to help us with this.Giles was getting louder as he yelled at her.

She contemplated what Giles had just told her about the 6 bodies but it made no differnce to her Angel would not be involved . She would do it alone.

"I said no Giles" She screamed back at him.

"But Buffy I really think...... she didn't even let him finish his sentence ." I said I'll handle it Giles . I'll stop by Willy the snitch and see if he knows anything on my way back to campus. Please Giles don't call him . I'll be fine . I fought the master and won . How hard can this guy be to find and kill. "She nervously paced the floor pratically pleading with him.

She walked out the door without another word .Giles stood in the doorway watching her go . He wanted to run to the phone and call Angel but he had to respect Buffy's wishes and wait to see what happens . He closed the door when she was out of sight.

That was his job after all, to watch and protect his slayer . She meant so much to him. She was the child he never had , a true friend and the respect he held for her no one else could match .

"Dear god keep her safe" he thought to himself as he walked up the stairs to his bedroom. Tommorrow was another day . He would find a way to deal with this madman and protect Buffy no matter what.

Part 2

Buffy made her way through the seedy street's on the bad side of town she thought about what Giles had told her about the six bodies being found and her anger began to rage ."I don't need Angel " she spoke softly to herself as she walked up the street where WIlly resided.W illy's bar was closed already when Buffy got there . That didn't matter to her Willy would be inside counting the till from today's buisness . She rapped on the door loudly. Willy yelled

" God damnit . We are closed . Come back tommorrow."

"Let me in Willy " She called through the door.

Willy knew who it was right away . He began to unbolt the door allowing her acess to the bar.

"Oh sorry Slayer didn't know it was you . You are looking fine tonight and ....."Before willy could finish his sentence She grabbed him by the throat and pinned his back up against the bar.

"Hi Willy long time no see ."she spoke as she tightned her grip.

"Stop I'll tell you whatever you want to hear. Please I can't afford anymore hospital bills .Last time you put me in the hospital It cost me two grand " she pulled back her grip allowing him to fall to the floor banging his head on the back of the bar as he hit the ground.

"Who's Liam Willy? " she asked him.

"I don't know any Liam slayer. I'm an honest man running an honest buisness. I really don't talk with my clients long enough to find out theyr'e names. He shook in terror as he spoke to her.

She punched him in the face now loosening his front teeth.

"I suggest you think carefully Willy . I have all night .I'll knock your teeth down your throat if you don't tell me."Buffy smirked at him .

She kind of felt bad beating up on him but then again he was the one who handed Angel over to Druscilla and Spike all those years ago. So she felt a little better about beating him up.

"Alright slayer alright ."Liam is a vampire that came to Sunnydale this week He has been asking around this place about you and Angel . I told him Angel left town . I told him you were no longer together anymore. Told him I didn't know where you were. That's about it"

Willy was wiping the blood off his mouth with the back of his sleeve now.

He was petrified of her she beat him up before he didn't feel like getting his ass kicked tonight. He thought about telling her what she wanted to know, but he knew he would die if he told her the truth.

" Where is he staying Willy?" she asked.

"I don't know he was talking to a few of the vampire's that were in here the other night. They got up and left with him . They were mumbling something about working for the guy".

" OK Willy , you better have told me the truth or so help me I'll beat you to death." she turned on her heel and left.Willy waited until she was out of sight.Then went to the back room of the bar and opened the door.

" You can come out now Liam she's gone ."

Willy called out. .A dark figure emerged dressed all in black . His raven black hair flowing down his back as he walked. He was dressed all in leather. He walked with a cane .It's handle had a strange symbol etched into the medal.

"So that's her huh? She is tiny to be a slayer . Too skinny but the again Angelus never had great taste in women . This will be too easy . He laughed a hearty laugh .I will enjoy killing this girl .. Ah but first I will have a little fun with her."

Liam chuckled and gave Willy a look that was pure evil . He slipped a wad of cash in Willy's hand and went out into the night.

Buffy finally made it home to her dorm room . She sat on her bed leaned back and drifted to sleep. Her dreams were haunted by visions of a man with blace eyes so black they could see into your souland evil to the core . He kept hitting her in the dream . She wasn't able to fight back it was as if she was frozen . She awoke to Willow shaking her .

"Buffy, Buffy are you okay?"

"Alright Wil ,I'm up .Im okay".

She stretched her arms above her head and glanced at the time on her alarm clock. She got up grabbed her bathroom bag and her robe and went to take her shower down the hall.She returned to the room after her shower and found Willow talking on the phone to somone . She could tell from the conversation the person on the other end of the phone was Giles. She hung up the phone and walked towards Buffy.

"Let me guess Willow that was Giles . He want's us to come over to his house and research Liam ?." Willow nodded unsure of what to say . After all she was the one who found the note and was worried about her best friend .

"Buffy they found 6 bodies behind a factory today. All with the blood completley drained."

"Don't worry Will I'll find this guy and pummel him " She looked away from willow trying to hide her true fear . She didn't want to worry her.

"Buffy why didn't you let Giles call Angel ? He could help us figure out what to do . You.. You know he still cares about you . He still calls every once in a while to find out how you are."

Willow never told Buffy Angel called her to check on Buffy . She felt bad about keeping it a secret from her . She knew Buffy had Reilly now. She also knew deep down in side Buffy still loved Angel more than life itself.

"Willow Angel gave up any rights to my life when he decided not to be apart of it . I'm not involving him. I don't want him coming here . It will be too awkward with me and Reilly . I dont want to hurt him either."

Willow just stared at her she could tell Buffy hurt every time they mentioned Angel. She would repect her wishes and not bring it up again.

Buffy walked over to her dresser and took out tearaway pants and a clean tank top. She grabbed her cosmetic bag and went down the hall to take a shower.

Willow didn't need to ask why she was taking a shower now . She knew she was going to go out and look for Liam . Her thoughts were interputted by the ringing of the phone.

"Hello" she spoke into the reciver.

"Willow it's Reilly tell Buffy I'll pick her up in 30 minutes." Reilly spoke on the other end.

"Sure Reilly .... but where are you two going it's two in the morning ? she asked.

"Wer'e going on patrol. Buffy called me an hour ago and asked me to join her .Tell her I'll see her soon.Okay?"

Willow heard silence at the other end of the line . She put the phone down and waited for Buffy to come back in. Buffy returned to the room freshly showered and dressed her hair up in a pony tail she smiled over at Willow lying on the bed. She was happy they were best friends at times like these.

"Buffy are you sure you want to patrol for this guy tognight , You look tired ?" Willow asked her.

"It's not that I want to Wil I have to .Giles said this guy is bad news. Besides I won't be alone Reilly is coming with me .I called him on my way back from beating Willy the snitch up". She spoke to willow as she laced up her nikes.

"Oh Reilly just called he's on his way.I can't belive you beat Willy up again .Did you put him in the hospital?"

"Nah not this time I just smacked him around for the little demon that he is" That made Willow laugh. With that Buffy waved and walked out the door.

Part 3

Reilly and Buffy walked through the night searching for Liam. Giles told her six bodies were found on Oak Street behind some vacant industrial warehouses last night. She wanted to find him so that no one else would loose their life to this animal. They walked together in silence neither really felt any urge to carry on a coversation .

"Buffy it's not your fault this people died! You can't save eveyone ." Reilly spoke as he kept his eyes focused on his surrondings.

"Yes Reilly it is my fault .If this guy wasn't here in Sunnydale on his little revenge mission those people would be alive right now. I'm the slayer it's my job to keep them safe ,and I...II failed them" She glanced over at him tears evident in her eyes.

"I know it's your job Buffy ,But... your only one person against a world of monsters . No one could have predicted where Liam would strike first not even you" He stopped walking turned her around to face him and put his arms around her waist.He wanted to reassure her.Make her feel safe for once .He loved her more than anything in this world.He'd be damned if he would let anything happen to her.

She leaned her head back and stroaked his cheek with her hand .

"Thank's Reilly I'm really lucky to have you in my life not many men can stay around with the life I lead" She allowed a small smile to cross her lips wrapped her hand inside his and they began to walk down Oak Street.

He glanced over at her as they walked together .She was so charming and beautiful almost like a little girl. His heart swelled with pride knowing she loved him and she was his .Even in this dark time her love was enough to sustain him.

They came to a large delapitated factory . It's windows were broken and there was no light . The only sound Buffy and Reilly could hear were theyr'e footsteps as they connected with the pavement . Buffy glanced to where the main door stood and noticed a pool of blood in front of it . She walked over to it to get a better look.

"I guess this is the place my senses are crawling .There is definately some bad vibes here ". Buffy told Reilly as she bent down to look at the pool of blood .

"So what's the plan ?Do we knock on the door and wait for Lerch to answer? Reilly retaliated.

"No I think we should sneak up on them . We need to find a back way in somehow." Buffy stood on her feet and started walking around the factory looking for a back entrance.

"She looked up and noticed there was a fire escape leading up to the roof she jumped up and brought the ladder down so they could climb it easier.

She went first every one of her senses on full alert. She could feel her heart beating a mile a minute. Reilly followed behind her . He had a feeling if they went in there something bad would happen But, talking Buffy out of something her heart set on was impossible . He simply followed her up the fire escape hoping and praying things would be okay.

They reached the roof and walked on to it .There was a large door closed with a very large padlock . They examined the lock .

"Buffy we can't open this . " Reilly held up the lock to show her.

"Reilly move back She kicked the lock with her foot and it cracked in 2 pieces releasing the door . The opened the door and went in . As they stepped inside they were enveloped in complete darkness .Buffy pulled a flashlight out of the pocket of her leather jacket.

"A good slayer always comes prepared to a battle " She shined the beam to give them a better view of where they were going .Reilly nodded his head at her and they began to walk down a long catwalk . They saw pipes with water settled on them in beads. The place was damp and cold no noise nothing .

"Creepy huh?" Buffy glanced at Reilly who was practically on top of her .

"Buffy ,are you sure we shouldn't call for some type of backup ?.I have a bad feeling about this place.

"Reilly I will not endanger the lives of my friends again. I can handle it don't worry he's just another vampire right? As long as his not immune to wooden stakes we are good to go." She tried to reassure him.

"They came to another door at the end of the catwalk . The door was steel with a wheel in the center . Kind of like a pressure door you would see in a submarine movie. She gripped the wheel with both hands as Reilly held the flashlight to give her some light to see. The door released and together they stepped into the entrance. They heard the door slam behind them as they walked thru. It made Buffy jump but she forged ahead.

As they walked they heard whispers Buffy looked up and saw hundreds of yellow eyes staring down at her .Like little stars in the sky.

"REILLY RUN" she screamed.

All at once lights came on and vampires were surrounding them . They grabbed both of them , But Buffy was a worthy apponent and had stashed her new crowssbow Giles had given her in a harness inside her jacket. Arrows strated flying . She managed to take out at least ten of the vampires .Reilly was holding his own with the two that encircled him. He too had brought a couple of stakes and some holy water for good measure. He dusted the last of the two and started to walk over to Buffy.

She had one of the fiends in a choke hold and cracked it's neck it fell to the floor in a dead heap. The battled raged on the more they killed the more they came at them . Buffy was begining to tire she kicked jumped punched with Reilly fighting beside her .

"Well well what do we have here? Miss Summers I presume? The thing walked stepped out of the shadows and approched them silently laughing to himself along the way.The vampires that encircled them parted and made way for their new king.

Buffy looked at him approaching sheer terror etched across her face .He was about seven feet tall with long raven colored black here that shone across his perfectly chisled face. He was dressed all in black . His eyes were as blue as ice . Cold with no dimension . He looked at her and chilled her to the core. He was terrifying and yet on of the most handsome creatures she ever laid eyes on .

"So let me guess .Liam right? Ya know I would have brought more of my friends if I knew you were going to ambush me" Buffy tried to sound confident but it was hard given the situation.

"You have fire girl . " He gave a heart chuckle as he looked her up and down . "No wonder Angelus liked you . You trully are captivating" He walked around her grabbing the crossbow from her grasp then he approached Reilly.

"So why are you here boy? The almighty slayer needs no partners. She fights alone . Ah ... he rubbed his chin . I know you must be the new boyfriend picking up where Angelus left off. Your unworthy of her though".He signaled to the two vampires behind Reilly .They grabbed his arms and began to restrain him.

"You hurt her and I kill you ." Reilly screamed at the demon.

"This matter need not concern you . BOY! He punched Reilly in the face knocking him out cold .The vampires caught him as he fell backwards.

"REILLY" Buffy screamed and ran over to where the vampires were holding him.

"Enough !!!" Liam screamed Buffy stopped in her tracks.

"Take him away " He raised his hand and grabbed Buffy's arm . His grip was like a vice .She watched in horror as the creatures carried Reilly away into the darkness.

"You better no hurt him Liam .Or I'll make it more painful when I kill you" She grabbed a stake out of her pocket and gabbed him in the chest . But it didn't penetrate his heart. He made a fist and punched her with such force it sent her flying into a pile of wooden packing crates.

"Tisk tisk slayer I wouldn't do that again if I were you. You just arrived you shouldn't kill your host until we get to know each other a little better."He bellowed at her.

She stood up an wiped the blood from her eye .

"Your just full of yourself aren't you Hercules ? You think you can take me .Your minions couldn't kill me .What makes you think I'll let you?"

She remained standing five feet in front of him.

"Stupid Girl ... They weren't meant to kill you ! Just tire you out . Your my prize . He drew a gun out of his coat pocket and shot it at her . She felt a burning pain in her chest as she fell to the ground.

As she slipped into unconsciosnes she thought of her mother .God i'm going to die and never told her how much she loved her. And she thought about Angel , since he left she hadn't really made peace with him. He was her last thought as everthing went black.

Part 4

Reilly awoke laying in the street his head resting against the concrete curb. His body aching all over . He tried to stand but he had a broken leg

The vampires must have worked him over while he was passed out and dumped him afterward. He grabbed a tree and managed to pull himself up blood seeping from the wounds on his face as he stood.

"Oh god BUFFY" He screamed into the predawn morning . He started to walk he knew he needed to see a doctor but he needed to get to Giles and tell him about Buffy . He walked on Giles lived about two blocks from where he was. He hobbled on the one leg grabbing poles and trees for support. He made it to Giles house and collapsed on the landing at the top of the stairs. He laid on the landing pounding on the door.

"Coming would you wait a bloody minute" Giles answered the door wiping the sleep from his eyes. He wasn't ready for the sight laying before him. Reilly was in a broken bleeding pile in front of his door .

"Reilly good god what happened to you?" He bent down to pick Reilly up off the ground .Reilly screamed in pain as he did.

"Buffy" was the only word Reilly could speak as Giles carried him in to his home.

"Where's Buffy Reilly?" Giles almost was afraid to ask.

"He's got her Giles" Reilly answered as Giles ran to the phone.

Reilly heard Giles speaking on the phone "This is Rupert Giles I need an ambulance right away" The desperation in his voice was evident.

"Help is coming Reilly just remain still." Giles called to him .

Giles dialed Willow's number frantic . "Willow it's Giles I need you to come right away bring Xander with you Buffy has been kidnapped . Please hurry." He put the phone down and ran over with some rags and warm water to clean Reilly's wounds.

The blaring of the sirens could be heard blocks away . The paramedics came in and took Reilly out on a stretcher. Xander and Willow pulled up just as the ambulance pulled away.

"Giles who was in the ambulance?"Willow shouted .

"It was Reilly Willow . He's been seriousley injured . He will be ok they assured me ". Giles voice barely above a whisper.

"G man where is Buffy? Xander chimed in .

"Reilly said Liam took her we need to hurry and formulate a plan before he kills her." Giles ushered them up the stairs to his apartment .

Giles explained everthing to them that Reilly said . How they went patrolling in the warehouse and Buffy was taken . He rushed around his house in a frenzy dragging down books and folders trying to make some sense of the situation. Willow sat on his couch crying in Xanders arms . Xander was fearing no better his tears were flowing to . He loved Buffy even if only as friends. He would give his life for hers.

"Giles who are you calling ?" Willow asked.

"I'm sorry to betray Buffy ,Willow ..But I must call Angel he is needed here now". He turned his back to them and continued to dial the phone.

For once in Xanders short life he had now smart remarks about Angel. He knew in his heart Angel was Buffy's only hope . He only hoped he would come in time to save her. Willow simply stared at Giles as he waited for an answer as he clung to the reciever.

RING RING...................

Part 5

Angel sat in his office glancing through some case folders Cordelia had left sitting on his desk. Buisness had been slow this past week and he was a little bored. Bordam in his life led to brooding ,and usually brooding had to do with Buffy . He tried to keep his mind occupied as much as he could . He began to take another folder from the top of the pile when he heard the phone ring.

"Hello Angel Investigations we help the hople.... Oh hi Giles! Sorry about that ..What? He's here . Oh my god how? Cordelia's face turned completely pale as the phone dropped from her hand.

She yelled out Angel's name and he came running.

"What is cordy???" Angel was almost afraid to ask.

"It's Giles on the phone he needs to talk to you". Cordelia walked out of the room to give him privacy.

"Hello Giles"

"Angel we have an problem here . We need your help"

"A problem with what Giles . Is Buffy alright?" He was starting to speak louder now.

"Angel I'm afraid Buffy has been kidnapped ."

"WHAT?" BY WHO? Angel was in a blind panic now. He began furiously pacing around the room.

"The demons name is Liam ,Angel, the same Liam you knew In Ireland.Um, Im afraid"

All Giles heard on the other end of the phone was silence.

"Angel! ANGEL! Are you listening to me? ... Hello" . Giles words were in vain Angel already ran out the door . The phone was still hanging off the desk the sound of Giles voice echoing in the empty office.

He jumped in his car in a blind panic never even to bother taking a bag of clothes with him.His soul was being ripped to the very core. Liam had Buffy his Buffy. He's heart was crying scattered tears. He drove as fast as he could .

"I'll get her back " he mumbled to himself as he passed the cars on the freeway that would take him back home to Sunnydale. Sunnydale where it all began so long ago. The memories of Buffy lingered in his mind he could still smell her and picture her smile if he closed his eyes . She was he's sunshine that brightned his dark existence.

He tore away from his memories as he pulled up in front of Giles house . He walked up the walkway that would take him to Giles with a vengence in his heart. He needed a plan fast. The longer they waited the better chance they would find Buffy dead. A thought he just wouldn't except ..

Giles answered the door . He's face was etched with sadness.

"Angel... Thank God ,Im so happy you came ." Giles face was destraught and his pain showed in his eyes.

"Hi Giles " Angel glanced around .This house brought back so many memeories . Some sad.He scanned the room quickly and noticed a man with sany colored hair lying on the couch his leg was in a cast theyr'e were crutches beside him . His face was beaten pretty badly his eye was stictched at the brow .His nose was broken.

Willow came running at Angel throwing her arms around him .She was crying her tears soaking Angels shirt."Thank god your here Angel . If anyone can find her it's you" Willow spoke with a hoarsed voice.

Xander simply extended his hand and shook Angel's hand .He was glad he came .

"Thanks for coming man . She needs you now" Angel stood there staring at him he couldn't believe he left Xander a boy ,He now grew into a man. Angel respected that.

"Thanks Xander .I'll find her " They nodded silently to each other they used to be enemies but now they would have to work together to find Buffy.

The man with the sandy colored hair approached him now . He was leaning on his crutches he managed to extend a hand for Angel to shake."Name's Reilly Finn. I'm uh Buffy's boyfriend. Thank's for coming to help us ."

Angel just nodded He stood there for a minute stared at him with a fire in his eyes . He felt the jealousy rising within him . He turned and walked away from him toward Giles.

"Ah.. Yes.. .well now that we are all here we must figure out where Liam is keeping Buffy.Angel I need a little background on this . You will have to tell me all you know about him" Giles spoke softly.

"We went back to the warehouse to see if she was still there but she was gone all they left of her was this " Reilly held up a bloody leather jacket .Angel recognized the jacket .It was the one he gave her so many years ago. He wanted to grab it out of Reilly's hand but he refrained instead he faced Giles ignoring Reilly.

"Lets go in the other room and talk Giles " Angel wanted to talk to Giles alone .

"If you have anything to say about him I'd like to know . He has the woman I'm going to marry". Reilly stood up from where he was sitting and confronted Angel.

Angel just stared at him . Buffy is marrying this guy. He felt like waiting for the sun to come up this way he could end his own pain he felt. The thought of Buffy being with someone else was more than he could take.

"If you were so worried about Buffy how come you were not protecting her FINN?" Angel sneered at him as he spoke.

"Excuse me ?. I have been protecting her . They ambushed us and knocked me out . She was gone before I came to . So you have no idea what your talking about Angel . Your the one who left her remember. So don't walk in here accusing people . " Reilly was shouting in Angel's face .

" Enough you damn wankers " Spike shouted as he walked in giles front door. He moved in between the two men prying them apart."The Slayer is in big trouble and your little screaming match isn't helping her. So lets try to get along boys."

"Hello Angelus" Spike moved across the room and went into the kitchen to get some blood from the fridge.

Angel began to tell Giles the story of Liam."I sired Liam . He was only 25 years old at the time . I mad him a vampire on the eve of his wedding . I killed his fiance in front of him ...... Angel hung his head ashamed to be talking about this in front of them.

"Giles we have to get Buffy back as soon as possible he will make her pay for what I did he will torture her . Angel spoke barely above a whisper.

" We will find her Angel " Giles put a hand on his shoulder .He could see the grief etched all over the vampires face. He knew Angel loved Buffy. He had to respect Angel .He left to give her a better life.

"We traveled all over England and Ireland together . One day Liam became infatuated with a servant girl who worked in a home in England .He followed her at night . He never wanted to kill her .I believe in his own way he loved her. Angelus found this amusing and started getting annoyed with his preoccupation with this girl. He killed her and left him on Laim's bed for him to find when he came home . He ripped her throat out and layed her across his bed , fresh blood flowing from her wounds . Liam found her when he came home from hunting took one look at the girl and went mad . Angelus had already left but he could here the screams of pain and agony. I never saw Liam again."

"Great so because your a visious animal my Buffy has to suffer" Reilly said to Angel.

"Excuse me?" Angel stood up and walked over to confront Reilly .

"YOUR BUFFY? She's never been your's . I love her with all my being . I will love her till the day I perish from this earth. I never would do anything to hurt her. I'm not Angelus nor have I been him for a long time . I suggest you sit down boy before I show you what Angelus was like. " Angels eyes were yellow now .He began to change into vampire form.

"I'm not the one who let her get taken you moron " Angel bellowed at Reilly.

"I din't let her get take we were ambushed you blood suckin fiend" Reilly retaliated.

Angel jumed on him and began beating him with every emotion he was feeling .He punched Reilly in the face He fell to the floor in a heap {crutches and all].

"You bloody arses sit down . None of this will help Buffy . " Spike was jumped in between them he would like to see Angel beat Reilly to a bloody pulp, he knew now wasn't the time .

"Spike is right Angel .At least now we now a little more about Liam . What we need now is a plan to get Buffy back . We know Liam was staying in the warehouse over on Hillside Avenue that's where he abducted Buffy . We went there as soon as we found out she was gone but there was no evidence of them .The place was cleared out completly.

Giles said as he poured himself a cup of tea.

"He probably is staying somewhere fancy a mansion or something . He liked luxury when I knew him. " Angel added.

"Willow anything yet?" Giles asked her.

"I've been looking up any real estate recently purchased .Nothing has come up but let me check into mansions around Sunnydale and see if any have been vacated recently . This will only take a minute . Here we go The mansion's in Sunnydale. There's only two here one occupied by the new mayor and your old place on crawford street Angel. You dont think he would be holding her there do you?" Willow looked up from her laptop at Angel.

Angel didn't even aknowledge Willow's question . He flew out the door in search of his love.

Part 6

Angel ran jumped in his car and took off racing . He heard everyone calling him as he left Giles house. He couldn't wait .He was fully aware of what Liam could do . He pulled up in front of his old mansion. He looked at it and felt a pain in his heart. This was the place he spent so much of his time with Buffy. God how he missed her . He ran out of his car ripping the enormus front doors from they're hinges. They fell to the floor with a loud crash. His senses were on full alert now .The mansion was lit by candelight. He knew Buffy was near he could feel her presence in the house. He smelled the scent of her blood.

His walked silently through the house in search of his love . He heard a creaking noise and turned around .Liam stood before him proud and tall.

"Why Angelus if I knew you were coming I would have baked a cake" The vampire laughed at him staring Angel down with each word he spoke.

"Where is she Liam ?" Angel already changed to his vampire features .His eyes blazed yellow fire.

"She's here Angelus , But I have to be honest there isn't a whole lot of her left"

"Give her to me NOW" Angel lunged forward grabbing Liam by the throat he ripped at his skin letting blood trickle from the wounds.

"Give it up Angelus... he said as he freed himself from Angel's grasp ."The slayer has fallen she will die tonight .She's lying in your old bedroom as we speak near death ." He lunged forward and knocked Angel to the floor. Pounding his fists into Angels face .Angel jumped up and threw him against the wall.

"You still got momento Angelus But it won't save her it's too late .See you around Angelus. Paybacks a bitch isn't it." Liam yelled as he dissapered in a cloud of purple smoke . Angel stood and stared at the spot where Liam vanished . It was amazing he just dissapered . Angel turned on his heel and ran up the stairs to his bedroom . He pushed open the door the room was completly dark the only light came from the door as he pushed it open.He could see a small figure sprawled across the bed .

"Buffy" He called to her but there was no movement .He turned on the light switch and the room illuminated . He wasn't prepared for the sight set before him . Buffy laid naked and beaten . Caked up blood stuck in her hair and all over her body. Her face was so bruised and swollen she had a hole in her chest which appeared to be a gunshot wound it was hard to make out that this person was really Buffy. Angel ran over to her Bloody tears flowing from his eyes. He placed his hand on her wrist to feel for a pulse . She had one but it was very faint.

"Oh Buffy what did he do to you ?" He sobbed loudly as he gathered her broken body in his arms . He fell to the floor overcome with emotion stll cradling her to his chest.

"Why? Why? " he let out anguished cries.

Giles , Willow,Xander and Spike entered the mansion carefully.Each one armed for battle . They looked around and found nothing .Then the heard Angel's inhuman cries. They each ran and took off in search of him.They ran up the stairs leading to the bedroom . They found Angel with blood streaking his face. He was clinging with every inch of his being to Buffy's broken form . He didn't even see them enter the room .

"NO!!!" Willow screamed as she dropped to her knees crying beside Angel and Buffy.

"Angel is she alive?"Giles asked. Angel simply nodded and pulled Buffy closer to him.

"Giles placed his hand on Buff'ys chest and felt a faint heartbeat. He noddoed at spike and Xander.

"Xander go down and start the car we must get her to the hospital" Giles told him. Xander and spike sprinted down the stairs to the car.

Giles moved forward and went to tke his fallen slayer from Angel's protective embrace. Angel pushed him away from her.

"DONT TOUCH HER" Angel yelled at him.

"Angel we need to take her to a hospital .You have to let her go.They will help her " Giles spoke softly to him .He had never seen anyone look so grief stricken .

Angel simply nodded he took his coat off and wrapped it around her He stood up and began to walk out the door with Buffy in his arms. The rest of them followed behind him .They were afraid he was so emotional he would drop her at any moment. He laid across the back seat of his car and started the engine . Giles went with Xander and Spike .Willow rode with Angel cradling Buffy's head in her lap as Angel made his way to the hospital.

WIllow whispered prayers as she rubbed Buffys head. Her on tears fell on Buffy's head like a waterfall.

"You have to make it Buffy .We need you . We love you ." WIllow whispered as they pulled up in front of the hospital doors. Buffy remained still the whole time .

Part 7

Buffy awoke in a cold room cloaked in darkness .She tried to ajust her eyes to make her surrondings , but it was to dark .The only light she could see was a strip of light undrneath her . She relized she was upside down and tied up she couldn't move her arms or legs the pain was increasing as she tried to free herself. She was in a blind panic when she felt freezing cold invading her body . Liam not only tied her up he tied her up naked.

"Oh this is great I'll die in the buff " she sopke as she attempted once more to free her hands.

"Buffy you finally are awake . What joy I'm getting bored waiting for you my love." The vampire called Liam chukled at her.

All of a sudden the room was illuminated and Buffy was able to see where she was . She was up against the celing naked and tied to some ancient sort of torture rack .The kind you would see in the old medevil king Arthur movies . As she looked down she saw Liam smiling up at her . The rack beagan to move and she felt herself being lowered to her fate. She hoped it would be quick and painless .

"Hello Liam I didn't know you were a preverted vampire ? I thought you just wanted to kill me . I hope my body is giving you a good show". Buffy said trying to sound brave .She thought she would die of the embarassment of being naked in front of this animal.

"No Slayer what I plan on doing with you has nothing to do with perversion . I wanted Angel to find your naked dead body when he comes home .What a treat it will be for him when I place your corpse in his bed .The same way he placed dead Annabel in mine ."

Liam walked over to Buffy who was now lowered down to the floor facing him.

"Reality check ASSHOLE , Angel dosn't live in Sunnydale anymore he left . He has no idea you are here and that you are holding me prisoner . " Buffy spoke the rage coming out of her mouth with every syllable that passed her lips.

"I do admire you fire slayer !!! ha ha But Angel is here in Sunnydale .He is searching for you as we speak . But I'm sad to say . Well really not sad ..BUT, it will only be a matter of hours till he figures out we are in his basment of his old mansion ". Liam answered arrogantly .

Buffy was quiet for a moment taking in all he had said. Angel here in Sunnydale ? Could he be lying to give me false hope of being saved ? Will he figure out where I am before it's too late? Angel her Angel she missed him so much, but she had Reilly. Angel would only leave again . She pulled herself away from the thoughts as she saw Liam walking over to a cabinet and open it's doors. She feared what he might be searching for but there was nothing to be done she was restrained .

"Where is Reilly Liam ?" she shouted out to him.

"Oh the boy. Yes slayer he lives . We dumped him off in front of your watchers house a little while ago . I wouldn't count on him saving you though. He's just a mere mortal not much of a fighter you know?". He approached her carrying a whip and a few other things that looked painful if used.

"You better not be lying to me Liam . He better be alive ." She looked away as he appoched her carrying his weapons.

"First lesson .. You are in no position to make demands GIRL". "Second lesson" ... he belted her across the mouth with something metal she could feel warm liquid flowing out of her mouth as the blood started to stream from her lips.His face was gleaming with pride at the site before him the slayer bleeding from a wound he himself had inflicted.

"Why don't you untie me Liam ? We can make this a fair fight " Buffy tried to show him she wasn't afraid. But the truthfully,she was .

She felt his fist slam into her chest and could feel her ribs crack . The pain riddled her body as he continued to beat her . She couldn't even fight .She tried to block the pain out and think about getting out . But this time she new there was no escape .

"Slayer I'm so sorry .But I want to make you almost unreconizable for your true love .I want to ruin the face and body he loved . He dosn't deserve to look at anything beautiful. Laim caressed the side of her face as he spoke .She felt like biting his fingers off but she was beggining to weaken .She hadn't eaten or drinken in hours . Her strength was starting to diminish.

"I'm going to untie you now slayer . I will remove you from this rack and place you on a bed . I'm sure the bed will be familiar to you . You and Angelus must have made use of it quite often . He began to untie her . He freed her wrists first she waited for him to untie her legs and she made her move .She kicked him in the face while he was removing the ropes from her other leg .He went flying across the room . She jumped up and took a fighting stance .This bastard would pay for the beating he gave her . Liam stood up and came running back at her his fingers flared open like the talons of an eagle swooping down to catch it's pray.

He grabbed her hair she punched and kicked him with all the strength she had in her .She made contact a few times but so did he . He knocked her onto the cold cement floor grabbed her head and banged it hard about 5 times. She felt herself once again slipping into oblivion.

Liam gathered her up into his arms and began to carry the broken slayer up the stairs from the basement of the mansion. Blood seeping from her wounds down to floor in puddles as he walked..

His plan was now in full swing . Now all he had to do was wait for Angelus to come ......

Part 8

Everyone gathered in the hospital waiting room .Giles had his arms wrapped around Joyce's weeping form . Xander sat comforting Willow . Reilly remained alone staring at the wall . Cordelia sat on a chair talking with Wesley. Angel stood in the hall outside the trama room where the doctor's worked on Buffy . He closed his eyes and thought about the first time he saw her in LA . She was called as the Slayer one beautiful sunny morning . He would never forget how beautiful she looked that day walking in the sun shine. He allowed a little smile to creep across his lips . Then he heard the frantic screms coming from Buffy's room .

"She's crashing CODE BLUE" he heard someone shout . He could see them putting paddles on her chest . Watching her body jolt as they sent the electricty thru her chest to restart her heart . He felt sheer terror invade his body.He didn't want to loose her . Not yet, he couldn't live in a world she wasn't apart of. He felt a sense of relief when he heard the doctor shout she's back. He remained outside the room for an eternity it seemed.Finally the doctor came walking out.

"How is she doctor ? Will she live?" Angels voice was barely audible at this point.

"Are you family ?"The doctor asked .

"I am" he answered.

"She's suffered major blows to her head. We were able to take the bullet out .We are lucky it didn't pierce any major organs. She has a broken rib and broken arm . She' s in a coma .We need to get the brain swelling down.Wev'e hooked her up to life support . I'm not sure she will survive the night . We have to wait and see if she wakes up" The doctor explained to him .

"Is her mother here ?" The doctor asked .

"In the waiting room" The doctor turned and walked down the hall toward the waiting room.

Angel entered her room slowly,he walked over to the bed where she lay. She looked so small .Her head wrapped in bandages . Her face was purple and swollen .There were tubes and monitors everywhere. He had never felt so desperate in his whole life. He knew he left her for her own good ,but this wasn't what he had planned for her life. He held her hand and brought it up to his lips he rubbed it gently against them . Tears started to fall down his cheeks. He watched as her chest rose and fell as the respirator breathed for her.He started to speak to her .His voice hoarsed from cying.

"Buffy you have to wake up.I need you to. I can't go on with my life unless I know your out there somewhere enjoying yours. I know you can hear me . So many people love you. It's hard not to your an addiction . I met your boyfriend Reilly he seems nice, I think he will take good care of you .I wish I could have been the man you needed and deserved . I can never be forgiven for what I've done but I will do everthing in my power to protect you from now on. Nothing will ever happen to you again. If you would just open your eyes give me a sign .PLEASE. I have so much to tell you about what's been happening the past year.I want to share it with you . You are my world my everything . I would die a thousand deaths for one breath of your hair .I need to see those georgous eyes shine once again . I love you ."

He stood up and kissed her cheek .He needed to go out and get some air seeing her like this was too much to bare. He started to walk towards the doorway and saw Reilly leaning against it. He heard everything .

Angel hung his head as he passed Reilly .Reilly extended his hand and touched his shoulder as if to let him know it's okay. Angel simply nodded his head and left the room.Reilly hobbled over to the bed and sat down on the chair Angel had just been in. He looked over at Buffy and was horrified of the state she was in he began to cry. He spoke to her softly.

"Buffy you have to wake up now . Everyone misses you so much . I miss you . I met Angel and he really is a nice person .He loves you so much Buffy more than I ever will .I've never seen anything like it . When you wake up I want you try and work things out between you and him .He needs you . I will let you go .I'm not the right guy for you I couldn't even prevent this from happening . I have been so blessed to know anyone like you in my lifetime . I'm going to go back home soon and try to make a life there .I can't be in Sunnydale anymore .Things here are too hard .I can't watch anything happen to you again . I love you ." He bent over her and kissed her forehead and hobbled out the door"

Angel never left the hall outside the room .He overheard what Reilly said to her word for word. He waited for Reilly to come out the door before approaching him.

"Why are you leaving her Reilly?" Angel asked.

"Come on man you know you love her .You will take better care of her than I ever could .Who am I kidding she needs someone stronger than me to fight these battles . I can't be that man I've come to relize that now. I'll go but you must promise me you'll stay here and look out for her" Reilly sopke close to tears.

Angel stood there his mouth wide open .This man was leaving her for all the right reasons . He had to respect him now.He understood his conflict, he himself fought with himself twentyfour hours a day when he thought about leaving her.

"She loves you Reilly .I hope you know that ?" Angel told him.

"I know she does but , never like she loves you.I will never have her whole heart and years down the line I won't have her hating me for not being you.I will love her till the day I die but I'm leaving now. I'm going to try and salvage somewhat of a normal life. See you around" He walked away toward the exit of hospital never looking back.

Angel stood there taking in all his words Reilly had just spoken to him. He understood how he felt. This would devastate Buffy if she ever woke up from the coma .Another man she loved walked out of her life. She was alone once again and he knew he must stay and help her through this now. He promised himself he would never leave her again.

Joyce and Giles came walking up the hallway towards Angel .The grief evident on both thier faces.

"Angel have you seen her?" Joyce asked.

"I did ,she's still not awake" It was awkward for to be near Joyce she had been the one who sent him away from Buffy .She wanted her daughter to go to college and have a noemal life . Not a life with a vampire existence.

"She will come back to us Angel don't worry" Joyce answered. Angel wasn't sure if she said that for his benefit or her own .It didn't matter now Buffy the only thing that was important right now.

Angel watched as Giles ushered her into Buffy's room . He could here Joyce sobbing loudly watching her only child fight for life. It was one of the most heartwrenching seen he was witness to. He decided to join the others in the waiting room.

"Angel how is she" Willow asked.

"I dont know Willow they have all these machines breathing for her.She's still not awake" Angel replied.He walked over to where Cordelia was sitting reading cosmo magazine . He approched her she looked up and saw her pain.

"Angel she will be okay" Cordelia spoke as she hugged him.

"I just don't understand it Cordelia . Why her? She is such a good person she dosn't deserve this" Angel said as he stared out the window of the waiting room.

Cordelia moved away from him there was nothing anyone could say to him to relieve the guilt he felt over Buffy. She watched him stare out the window and wished Buffy would wake up and talk to him . He blamed himself she knew that . But they needed each other and him going deeper into depression wasn't the answer.

Xander was sitting in the other corner of the room talking to Spike. Angel thought it was ironic to see the two together .They were enemies brought together by the love of a friend. Giles had told Angel how Reilly and the initiative captured Spike and put a chip in his head .He was a friend of there's now .It was strange so much had happened since they left.He also told him of Willow's new life style. She was now seeing another woman. Angel shook his head in disbelief it was all so strange.He watched theses children grow into adulthood and now they were making theyr'e own mark in the world .Xander was dating Anya the vengence demon He had matured into a fine man Angel thought. But, it only reminded him one day he would watch them all die in turn.He would be once again be alone, left to walk the world for an eternity.He quickly dismissed those thoughts when Gile's entered the room.

"Everyone Buffy is still in a coma .The doctors say we must wait and see if she wakens .I want you all to go home and get some rest .We will come back tommorrow . I'm driving Joyce home now ." They all got up and followed Giles out. All except Angel he remained staring out the window.

"Angel aren't you coming?" Willow asked .

"I'm not leaving her I will stay here until she wakes up" Never turning around to face her.

"UH...ok... I'll bring you a change of clothes and food in the morning." Willow answered. She began to walk out the door and turned to him once again .

"Angel she never stopped loving you for a minute." she walked closer to him and kissed his cheek .He gave her a hug back.

"Thank you Willow .She's lucky to have you as her friend."

She finally left he was there alone .No visitors were allowed on the ICU floor past 8pm . He hid in a closet until the night duty nurse came on . He watched as she sat behind her desk talking on the phone . One of the patient's paged her she got up and went to tend to them.Angel took the opportunity and snuck into Buffy's room . He pulled her curtain half closed to hide himself from view. He climbed on her bad and sat there rubbing her skin ,talking to her softly .He watched her all night until the morning nurses came in to check on her. She glanced at Angel who fell asleep with Buffy's small hand still in his grasp . She shook her head and left the room .She wouldn't bother this man now.

Two weeks later there had been no change in Buffy's condition . She hadn't woke up but the swelling on her brain went back to normal . Angel never left her side except once Joyce had come to visit her .He decided to try and find Liam and make him pay for what he did to Buffy. He and Spike found him at the old warehouse on Oak street. They took turns beating him and hung him upside down from a church steeple they watched him burn to death the next morning when the sun rose.He deserved no less.

He had Willow bring some books so he could read them to Buffy. He doted on her night and day rubbing lotion on her skin so she wouldn't get bed sores. The doctor's had told him this helped .He had a lifetime to wait for her to wake up and he wasn't going anywhere .Cordelia and Wesley went back to LA to take care of buisness until Angel returned to himself . They knew if he returned it would be to pack everthing into boxes he wouldn't leave Sunnydale again.

Tommorrow would be Buffy's nineteenth birthday . He wished she would wake up he wanted so badly to speak to her .

"She will live you know" Angel heard a soft voice speak to him.He turned around to see a heavy set woman with a turban standing in front of him.She wore a violet silk skirt with a matching top .Beads encircling her thick neck .There was something familiar about this woman he just couldn't place where he knew her from.

"Excuse me? Who are you?" Angel asked.

"You don't remeber me do you Angelus . I am Asia you helped me about one hundred years ago .I owned a small fortune telling buisness in New york City." The woman replied. She moved closer to him now.

Angel pondered the thought .He did remember her it had been another time and place .He was in New York City living in alley's and abandoned buildings living off rats to survive. He used to sleep behind her building she would leave food by the backdoor for him .She even offered him a room which he declined. They would talk to each other at night while she told him stories of voodoo magic. She became a close friend of his then but she was so young then .It was a whole lifetime ago.

"It can't be you?" His face expressionless.

"Why not man ? Ju tink I not Immortal like you? Asia tis immortal.I have been looking for you for jeers? " She replied.

"Looking for me Why? " He asked.

"I remember you kept all the riff raff outta Asia's store . I told ju I would repay ju?" She answered .

"What do you mean Asia ?"

" Aye son I have found a spell to turn you human again . Ju and you lady love can be happy .I never forgot you Angel. I remember ju telling me all about how you became a vampire and you hated yourself for it. You have paid enough Angel I have been sent here by the powers .They helped me find ya . I couldn't believe you were still around . They told me all about your love of your slayer and how you left her . Asia know all .Indeed she do." she moved forward and whispered a prayer over Buffy's form .

She reached a hand inside her hand and took out a small satchel and pulled a small metal flask out of it.

"Drink this Angel all will be better in the morning " She handed him the flask .

He reahed out and took it from her hand . He began to drink as she closed her eyes and began to chant . He felt the power right away . waved e felt something ripping deep inside of him . He opened his mouth and a cloud of gray smoke came out .He looked in disbelief as a cloud of dust formed to look just like him . The figure soke to him . "I'm sorry Angel " it said as it vanished as fast as it had came. He could feel his heart beating in his chest he was human again .

Asia smiled at him " It tis done !!! " she screamed.

She put here hands in the air. "You will live and die as a human now .Your strength remains intact .Ju gonna need it to keep up with tis girl of your's "she walked over to Buffy once again rubbed her forehead and walked out the door.

Angel called to her but she never turned around.

he could here her saying "You welcome Angel good luck ".

He stood there in shock staring at the door where Asia had just stood . He couldn't believe what happened . Then he heard a small voice one he hadn't heard in so long.

"Angel? " Buffy called

He ran next to her bad .She was awake

"What happened? Where am I? " She looked so confused.

"It's okay now baby . I"m here " he gathered her up in his arms he cried but this time for a different reason .Buffy was alive and they could be together .The vampire and his slayer.

"Though Lovers Be lost love shall not death has no diminion"

END.