The Battle

by Maygen

Disclaimer: All characters, etc. belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Fox, etc. I don't own them. I'm simply dreaming on paper...

Time Line: Read the firstpart and you'll be completely filled in...Feedback please!

Angel's office was dark except for the stream of sunlight that filtered through his side window, the blinds between his office and Cordelias desk were closed thus insuring his privacy. Angel heard the door of the reception area open as someone entered, he listlessly hoped it was a client. After 3 days of Cordelia coddling him, trying to mend his broken heart, he needed some action. Angel opened up his book to the place where Buffy's picture lay, he ran his finger along the picture. The memories of that forgotten day, the first time he turned human, ran through his mind. Angel closed his eyes and imagined the touch of Buffy's skin, the smell of her hair and the feel of her lips on his. He could almost feel her tongue parting his lips, teasing him, he sighed and opened his eyes.

From Cordelia's desk he could hear her voice raise and mixed with it he heard the voice of another man. Try as he might he couldn't recognize the voice. Angel put his book down and walked toward the door. He hoped Cordelia wasn't harassing a potential client. Cordelia's voice rose, "I told you that you couldn't go in!"

The next thing Angel knew his office door flew open and Riley burst in. Angel backed up in shock, "Riley?" Riley strode up to Angel and punched him in the face. Not expecting the attack Angel fell to the floor. From out of nowhere Wesley showed up and he and Cordelia each grabbed one of Riley's arms. Riley struggled but couldn't break free, the two sidekicks could have surprising strength when they wanted to. Angel got up and strode to Riley, rubbing his jaw. "Let him go." Wesley and Cordelia looked questioningly at Angel. "Riley if you try that again I'm going to fight back. You remember the last time we fought don't you? How successful do you think you're gonna be?" Riley stopped struggling and Wesley and Cordelia let him go but refused to leave the room.

Angel sat on the corner of his desk and looked at Riley. The man looked like he hadn't slept the night before, his clothes were rumpled, there were bags under his eyes and his skin was pale with rage. Angel started calmly, "Now would you mind telling me why you came all the way here to assault my secretary, barge into my office and hit me?"

Riley tried to sound calm but the fury in his voice wasn't masked. "You."

Angel looked at him exasperated. "I think we've covered that you don't like me. The question is why?"

"Buffy." With one word Riley captured the attention of all three investigators.

"Buffy?" Angel waited for Riley to pour out the rest of his story. He imagined a thousand horrible incidents that could have happened to Buffy, his heart began too beat faster. "What about her?"

"I love her. We were going to get married." Riley clenched his hands into fists, his knuckles turned white. "But she broke it off because she still loves you!" Angel's heart stopped beating for a moment and his breath caught in his throat. "I just wanted to let you know that I hate you, and that I am going to do whatever it takes to keep you two apart and win her back." Riley approached Angel in an effort to appear menacing. "I just thought you should know you're in for a fight."

Angel stood to achieve full height, he looked at Riley and spoke, a threatening edge was in his voice. "Think about it boy, I've stopped men much stronger than you are and reigned terror for over a hundred years. How much of a threat do you think you pose to me? I may be good now but I swear, if you do anything to Buffy, nothing will stop me from getting to you."

Riley looked Angel. "I'm just warning you Angel. You may have won the battle, but you won't win the war." Turning Riley strode out of Angel Investigations.

Cordelia stared after him. "Buffy was dating that?" She looked back to Angel, "What type of a name is Riley any way?" Angel smiled and turned to look at his friends.

Wesley cleared his throat. "Well Angel, what do you plan to do?"

"Duh?" Cordelia looked at Wesley in astonishment, "He's gonna go to Sunnydale of corse."

Angel started to laugh, "You're getting to know me too well Cordelia. I should leave as -" Cordelia gasped and grabbed her head, Angel caught her before she could hit the floor. After a few minutes the blinding pain stopped and Cordelia looked at them. "Well I guess I'll put off my reunion for a little longer."

Buffy patrolled, her senses honed, she was taking her work seriously tonight. The Slayer wore her hair back from her face in two french braids and was dressed in work out clothes and a wind breaker. She needed to relieve some stress after fighting with her mother and Riley, and there was no way better for her to relieve stress than to kick some vampire butt. In front of her emerged a pretty, blonde, leather clad vampire. The vampire looked Buffy over, "Well, well, well. If the little slayer hasn't grown up since the last time I saw her. I guess it should make me feel old shouldn't it?"

Buffy carefully studied the vamps features, she knew she had seen her before. Suddenly she remembered. Sophomore year the vampire had fed off her mother and tried to kill she and Angel, Angel had killed her at the Bronze. "Darla? Well this look is definitely better for you than the last one. I don't know how you came back to life but it doesn't matter," Buffy pulled her stake out,"you won't be here long."

"Oh come on Buffy. I came all this way to see you, do you really think I came alone?" From the hedges around the cemetery over twenty vampires emerged. Buffy looked around her, she didn't know how she was gonna get out of this. With a signal from Darla the vampires attacked, Buffy fought as best she could, taking out a few of them but there was too many and soon Buffy's world faded into blackness. Darla laughed and clapped her hands, "Okay boys, that's enough. Tie her up and load her in the van, we have a long trip ahead of us."

It was early morning and Angel enjoyed the light from the sunrise as it drifted into his office. Angel finished bandaging Wesley's arm and the two joined Cordelia by her desk. Angel looked at her, "So another vision, another dead demon." He paused hopefully, "You think it's okay for me to take off?"

"Well I wouldn't say that Angelus." All three spun around to see Darla standing in the door way.

Wesley looked at the vampire, "Who are you?"

Darla laughed, if there was one good thing about Angel staking her it would have to be that it gave her the element of surprise now. "I'm Darla," she pointed to Angel,"I made him." Cordelia and Wesley looked from Darla to Angel wondering what to do. Darla walked around the room, pausing to look into Angel's office. "You've done good for yourself Angel. I like it when my children do well. Of course I still have to pay you back for killing me."

Wesley and Cordelia's attention turned to Angel in questioning. Angel cleared his throat, "I killed her during your sophomore year Cordelia. I don't know how she's back."

"Let's just say I have some powerful friends. You now for all these years I think I've had the wrong opinion about lawyers." Realization hit all three of them at once, Darla was the demon Wolfram & Hart had called forth. Cordelia took a stake out of her desk and handed it to Angel.

"Wolfram & Hart, I hate those guys."

"Well the feelings shared Angel, they don't like you much either." A wicked smile crept over Darla's face.

"It doesn't matter though. I killed you once," Angel raised the stake, "I can kill you again." He started towards Darla and grabbed her arm.

She pushed him away and wagged a finger at him. "No, no Angel. You kill me now and you'll never be able to save her."

Angel lowered his stake a little, "Save who?"

"Oh she's about 5'3", blonde, green eyes, spunky, likes cemeteries. Am I ringing any bells?"

Angel's eyes widened - Buffy. "You're bluffing." He hoped to God she was.

"Am I?" She reached into her jacket and pulled out a small, thick envelope, "I somehow knew you'd need proof." Darla threw the envelope onto Cordelia's desk and turned to stride out of the office. At the door she paused, "It was good to see you lover." She left and closed the door behind her. No one in the room made any move to follow her, instead they all stared at the envelope.

Cordelia picked it up and handed it to Angel, "She has to be lying, right Angel? She could never take Buffy." Worry was etched across Cordelia's delicate features.

Angel studied the envelope, dreading what he'd find inside. "I don't know." He opened the envelope, taking out at least ten Polaroids. Each of them was a picture of a very wounded, unconscious Buffy.

All of the color drained from Angel's face. Cordelia put her hand on Angel's arm. "What is it?", she asked. Angel handed her the pictures, she gasped as she saw what they were of. "Darla wouldn't be stupid enough to kill her Angel. You know that." Angel stumbled over to the nearest chair and sank into it in shock. He couldn't believe this was happening. He had done this to people for centuries but never had he believed it would be happening to him.

Wesley looked over at Cordelia who also stood in shock. "Cordelia. Cordelia," he finally got her attention, whispering Wesley continued, "I'll take care of Angel and get him downstairs." The girl nodded. "You get on the phone, call Mr. Giles."

Cordelia turned her attention from Angel to Wesley, "Why?"

"Tell him what happened, and to bring the others here. We're going to need all the help we can get." Cordelia nodded and began to flip through her address book, Wesley moved over to Angel and struggled to help him up. Angel allowed Wesley to help him to the elevator and down into his apartment. Cordelia picked up the phone and began to dial.

Anya, Xander, Willow, Giles, Riley, Spike and Tara sat impatiently in Giles apartment waiting for Buffy to arrive. They had a few choice words for her regarding her break-up with Riley. Anya sighed annoyed, "I don't know why you guys are trying the intervention thing again. I mean you've done it before and it's been nothing but a big failure each time."

Xander looked at his girlfriend, "We're doing it again because you now, we care."

Spike looked up, "Then why am I here?"

"Because you're a big mooch that refuses to leave."

"Well that and I love to see the girl in pain. You can never get enough of that." Everyone in the room looked at Spike. "What are you expecting people? I am evil remember? I'm not all soul-having like some vampires who were in your aquitance."

The rest of the group shook Spike from their minds, as sad as they were to admit it they were used to him by now. Tara spoke nervously, "Um question." All attention turned to her, "As much as I like you Riley, and I do, why is it such a big deal to us if she doesn't marry you? I mean it is her life, her discesion."

Giles cleared his throat, "Because she's throwing it away for something she can never have. You did tell her to come Willow didn't you."

"Yup, I told her last night before she went out on patrol and I left for Tara's. She probably just over slept if she was out late." Willow looked at her watch, "After all it's not like she ever actually shows up on time any way." Xander laughed to himself.

The phone rang and Giles picked it up, "Hello? Cordelia? I - ah...." The group watched as Giles countenance changed, his expression went from it's usual casual annoyance to one of worry. "We'll be there as soon as we can." Giles hung up the phone and looked around the room.

Xander looked at his friend, "What's wrong G-man?" He knew there must be something very wrong since Giles didn't immediately scold him for using that name, Xander's expression changed to one of deep concern. "Oh God what's wrong."

Still stunned Giles finally spoke, "B-Buffy. She's in trouble, we need to get to LA now."

Buffy awoke, slowly she raised her head and took in her surroundings, the room she was in was dark and damp, it was no bigger than a few feet wide. The only light shone in through some bars at the top of the door. The events from patrol came flooding back to her, Buffy tried to bring her arms in front of her and was rewarded with a sharp pain from the right side of her body. Turning her head she saw that her hands and feet were tied. She struggled to rise but a wave of dizziness came over her and she fell back to the floor. The door squeaked and opened, a murky light fell across her as a rather large vampire stepped in.

He looked the slayer over, bruised and bound she hardly looked threatening. He could smell the sweet aroma her blood gave off and he vamped out, reaching for Buffy. From behind him Darla walked up, "Now Thomas we can't kill our guest...yet."

Thomas turned and looked at his boss, "I wasn't going to take much."

Darla looked at Buffy and smiled, "If you're half as good a slayer as people say you are then I guess you've figured out why you're here darling."

Buffy struggled to sit up. "That depends where here would be."

"Los Angeles."

Realization hit Buffy and her breath caught in her throat. Angel, they had brought her here because of Angel. "You want to hurt Angel."

"Smart girl, well at least in one sense." Darla dropped down next to Buffy, "I'll tell you a secret..." Her voice dropped to a whisper, "Something wonderful happened that will make my plan even sweater. The Powers That Be made Angel human, just a few days before I kidnaped you." Darla paused and Buffy turned to face her, shocked. "So now if he looses you he just doesn't have to go on with out you, he looses everything he's ever wanted in his entire immortal life." Darla gave a wicked grin and stood up, she looked at Thomas. "Just don't take too much Thomas, we need her alive for a bit longer yet." Darla turned and left the room, closing the door behind her.

Thomas licked his lips and kneeled down next to Buffy, he caressed her neck with his hand and leaned over and licked the right side of her neck. Buffy tensed and spoke, "You realize if you do this you'll be the first one Angel kills." Thomas growled and bit into Buffy's neck, she gasped and arched in pain.

Angel woke up with a start, there were people upstairs. Angel yanked his dresser drawer open and quickly changed his clothes. He opened a small jewelry box and pulled out his necklace, underneath it lay Buffy's chalgadah. Picking up the ring he turned it over in his fingers, he had found it sometime after he had returned from hell when he was living in the mansion. He stared at the ring in awe, even as a human the only thing he could do to the one person who loved him was cause her pain. Angel took the ring and slipped it on his necklace, placing the necklace around his neck and under his shirt. He prayed for strength and headed upstairs.

Angel emerged from the elevator to find the entire scooby gang plus Riley sitting in the office, they were attentively listening to Wesley. Willow held the Polaroids of Buffy in her hands. Angel's heart went out to the red head, she looked as bad as he felt. Willow shifted, trying not to cry, "Oh my God."

Cordelia saw Angel at the door of his office, he was leaning on the doorpost, arms crossed. "How are you doing?", she asked, concerned.

All attention turned to Angel. "I don't want to share my feelings."

"But Angel -"

Angel looked at his assistant, unbridled anger raced through his veins. "I don't want to share my feelings. I want to find the demons that have Buffy and -"

Riley piped up, "And what you're gonna do? Plead with 'em?"

"I'm gonna find them, and then I'm gonna share my feelings." Xander turned to look at Angel. He was angrier than Xander had ever seen him before, it was practically vibrating from his being. In that one sentence Xander realized how much Angel truly loved Buffy, and how stupid he himself had been for years. "Darla thought taking Buffy would make me weak, so I figure I'll foil her plans by getting really pissed off instead."

Xander turned to Angel, "What do we do?"

"Use our resources, find out where they're holed up."

Wesley and Giles poured over the volumes in Angel's library looking for some clue or prophecy that would tell them what to do. The others were busy getting Angel's weapons together, sealing bottles of holy water and sharpening stakes. Angel watched Kate nervously as she took notes from her phone conversation. Kate hung up and turned to face the group, "We've got an address. A warehouse near the warf has just been leased to someone named Darleen which I'm guessing would be Darla. Guess who actually owns the building?"

Wesley pushed his glasses up his nose and peered at Kate, "I'm guessing that would be our good friends at Wolfram & Hart."

"Score one for the British. Wolfram & Hart must be getting sloppy, that or they wanted us to find them."

Angel stood up and strode across the room. "No. They thought I'd be too distraught to do this and," he looked around the room, "they're under the impression that I work alone." The team gathered their weapons and headed for the garage.

Darla waited patiently for Thomas to emerge from Buffy's cell. He came out and smiled at his boss, "Don't worry boss I haven't taken any more since you let me this morning."

"Good because the rest is mine. If I really want to get back at Angel for killing me, then I need to be the one that kills her." From across the room an alarm began to beep and one of the other vampires called her over. She looked at the small security monitor, someone was lurking in the shadows outside. "It's probably a bum. Why don't you go take care of him Thomas." Thomas left in search of the intruder.

Outside Angel waited in the shadows watching for any sign that they would be noticed before he signaled the others to come. From a door about fifty feet away he saw a figure emerge, it was a vampire. The vampire approached, he stopped just a few feet from Angel and spoke, "I don't know who you are but you're not gonna be here long."

Angel stepped out of the shadows and the moon lit up his face, the vampire recognized him immediately. Thomas took a step back in shock. Angel could smell Buffy's blood on the vampire, he let off a soft growl and pulled out a stake. Lunging forward he plunged his stake into the vampire's heart.

Darla watched on the small security monitor as Angel stepped out of the shadows and then as Thomas exploded into dust. She vamped out infuriated that Angel would come here. "Go!" She shouted, "Bring him here, don't kill him!" A dozen vampires fled the room. Darla turned back to the monitor and continued to watch as Angel struggled to fight the vampires. He staked a few but in the end they dragged him inside the building.

Angel struggled trying to get away from the grip of his captors. He prayed that Giles would take the lead and get the slayerettes in here. His heart raced as he saw Darla standing before him. The vampires stopped and turned Angel to face Darla. She walked forward and fingered the buttons on Angel's shirt. "I guess it's kind of romantic, you coming here alone to rescue you're beloved, hoping desperately that you can stop her pain. But guess what lover?" She paused and grabbed Angel's face, drawing blood with her fingernails. "You can't save her. In fact you're coming here is merely going to speed up her death. While you wait here knowing she's so near, that you were so close, I'm going to drain her. It's a little different than what I had planned but it'll do." Darla laughed menacingly and let go of Angel, licking his blood off her fingers. "Tie him up and make him wait here." The vampires moved to obey, "I'll bring his Buffy out to him when I'm finished with her." Darla turned and strode off through the hallway, leaving Angel screaming and trying to break away from his captors.

Buffy weakly strained at the rope that bound her hands and feet but she couldn't get it to budge. She gave up and struggled to prop herself up against the wall. She was so tired, it hurt more to move with every passing moment. Buffy closed her eyes and pictured Angel's face. She imagined his touch on her skin, his lopsided smile, and the way it felt when he kissed her. A lone tear trickled down her dirty, blood stained cheek. Silently she prayed that Angel would find her, would rescue her before it was too late. The door opened and Buffy looked up, not Angel but Darla was standing in the door way. Darla shut the door and grabbing Buffy by the arm threw her onto the ground. She straddled Buffy and vamped out, using her hands to pin Buffy's shoulders down, Buffy tried to struggle but couldn't. Darla gave a wicked laugh, "It's time to say good night Buffy." Darla reached down and bit into Buffy, she had never had a slayers blood before, it tasted so good, sweet. Buffy screamed in pain.

Angel was still struggling with his captors, hearing Buffy scream in the distance he yelled, "Giles!" An instant later he heard the splintering of wood and glass as the others entered the room. Angel used the distraction to free himself and all hell broke loose. Angel assured himself the slayerettes were good at their job, and reminding himself to stick to their plan he ran off in search of Buffy.

Buffy struggled under Darla's weight but it was of no use, she could feel her strength slipping from her. The room around her began to get dimmer until it finally went black.

Darla could feel Buffy loose consiouness beneath her, she took advantage of the moment to pull Buffy deeper into her jaws. She was going to drain her of every last drop before she presented Angel with her corpse. Suddenly the door burst open and Darla was flooded in light. Dropping Buffy she turned to see who had invaded her privacy.

Angel stood facing Darla. With one swift movement he plunged his stake into her and she exploded into dust. Angel ran over to Buffy, he took her pulse. Buffy was alive - barely. He scooped her up and ran, he had to get her to a hospital now.

Angel held a limp Buffy in his arms as he burst through the doors of the emergency room and shouted for help. He lay her down on the nearest bed and a doctor came rushing forward. The doctor took Buffy's pulse, "What happened to her?"

Angel backed up, "I don't now, I found her like this. Something must have bit her, she's lost a lot of blood."

"What's her name?" The doctor pressed a button and an alarm sounded to call help to the room.

"Buffy." Angel watched as several more doctors and nurses raced into the room.

The began to work on Buffy. One of the doctors shined a pen light into her eyes, "Buffy, Buffy, can you hear me?" He turned to the doctors and spoke, something about it looking like a wild dog attack then he turned back to Angel, "I'm sorry sir you're gonna have to wait outside.

Angel paced outside the hospital waiting for the others to arrive, he debated returning to the warehouse to make sure they had gotten out. When they had planned their attack Giles had assured him that the slayerettes could take care of themselves, and had told him to let them fight while he got Buffy to the nearest hospital. Riley had protested but Xander had quickly shut him down. Angel had been surprised that Xander came to his aid, but that guy always surprised him. He noticed a van approaching in the distance and watched as it pulled up to the curb. He recognized the van - it was Oz's. The door opened and out they all came including Oz. Angel looked at the man in shock, "Oz?"

Oz shook Angels hand in greeting, "I had a gig in LA. I saw them coming out of the warehouse and thought well that's interesting. Gave 'em a ride." The group collectively shrugged.

Xander spoke up, "Yeah and I have a policy to never question a blessing."

Oz looked Angel over, he looked tired and worn. "How's Buffy?"

Angel sighed, "They took her up to surgery. They wouldn't let me up. But we should go in now." They all turned to go in. Angel paused, "Can one of you call Joyce?"

They group waited impatiently in the I.C.U. waiting room. Joyce sat in a chair at the far end of the room talking to Riley. Angel surveyed the scene, he couldn't take it any more and left to wander the halls. With out anyone noticing Xander went to follow him.

Angel stopped at a window in the I.C.U. He could see the doctors on the other side working on Buffy, trying to keep her alive. Angel silently started to cry, he felt an hand on his shoulder. "Xander?"

"Come on Angel." He glanced into the room and led Angel away from the glass, "I need to talk to you." He saw a door marked roof access and they went outside. Once on the roof Angel sat on a small wall. Xander shifted nervously and cleared his throat. This was harder than he expected it to be. He looked at Angel, he had never seen Angel look so messed up in his years of knowing him. "So human huh? That has to be exciting."

Angel looked at Xander suddenly exhausted. "Yeah, human." He sighed, "Listen if this is you typical stay away from Buffy speech then save it cuse I've heard it all before."

"No Angel this isn't."

"Well then what is it? You add a little bit of extra scarcasam? I've had a really long week and I think you better just tell me."

"This would actually be my you and Buffy are perfect for each other speech." Angel looked at Xander in shock. "Listen, I don't know you too well Angel but....if there's one thing I've learned in the past few days it's that - I thought this was gonna be easier. I've been stupid. You love Buffy and she loves you. So love her. I won't try to stop you two any more." Angel got up and stood next to Xander. Xander shrugged, "After all Riley's just a little too small town for me." For the first time in days Angel genuinely smiled.

Angel and Xander returned to the waiting room to find Joyce alone there. At Xander's questioning look she spoke up, "The others, uh, went to the cafeteria. I guess it's been a while since they've eaten."

Xander looked around, "Food would be good." He turned and left the room. Angel and Joyce were left facing each other. Angel took the chair opposite Joyce. They sat in silence.

Xander entered the cafeteria and found his friends. Willow looked at him, "Where's Angel?"

"With Joyce, alone, in a room with no sharp objects so he's safe." Xander looked at his tray of food. "You know after that whole rat poison thing I swore I'd never eat cafeteria food again."

Cordelia played with her food. "I know. Hence the not eating."

Riley threw his spoon down, "Why exactly do I have to stay out while they have this conversation about my fiancèe?"

Willow rolled her eyes and squeezed Oz's hand, "Because she's not your fiancèe Riley."

Joyce looked at Angel, he looked tired and worn. After counting the linoleum tiles on the floor and all of the leaves on the potted ficus next to her Joyce finally spoke. "I know you saved my daughters life," Angel looked at Joyce,"and I thank you for it."

Angel sat back in his chair and waited for the rest of Joyces speech to come. "But?"

"But I want you to stay away from her." Joyce looked away from Angel, unable to look at him as she broke his heart yet again. "All you ever do is hurt her. You don't mean to but you do. This is just one more example of that."

Angel's eyes filled with tears, he couldn't believe that Joyce had come to the same realization that he had. "I know. You don't have to worry, I won't come near her."

A doctor entered the room and drew Joyce's attention, she stood. "Doctor, how is my daughter?"

"It's all right Ms. Summer's she's going to be fine. It'll be a little while before she's out and about again but she should make a full recovery."

Joyce sank back down in her chair burying her head in her hands, "Thank God". Angel silently agreed.

"I know there are quite a few people here concerned about Buffy, is there a man named Angel among them? She's been asking to see him."

Joyce looked around the room, Angel was nowhere to be found. "No, Angel isn't here."

Lilah entered Lindsey's office and strode over to his desk. Lindsey turned his chair to look at Lilah. She spoke, "So any developments?"

Lindsey gave a disgusted snort, "Yeah. It turns out that Darla's plan had the opposite effect on Angel. Instead of weakening him it pissed him off and he was able to rescue the slayer."

"Please tell me you're joking." Lilah paced nervously.

"And he killed Darla - again." Lindsey drummed his fingers on his desk, he looked up at Lilah.

Lilah chewed her lower lip in worry. "The senior partners are not going to be pleased." Lindsey sank back into his chair in desperation.

From outside the cafeteria Riley watched as Angel left the hospital. Riley reached into his pocket and pulled out the engagement ring he had given to Buffy. He placed it in his palm and looked it over, he clenched it in his fist ignoring the pain it caused. Angel may have won the battle but Riley assured himself that Angel would not win the war for Buffy's heart.

On to Deeper Than Blood