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Roses for Lucifer	By : charlemagne4ever Category: -Buffy the Vampire Slayer > Threesomes/Moresomes > Angel(us)/Buffy/Spike(William) > Angel(us)/Buffy/Spike(William) Views: 13202 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer (BtVS), nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 3
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Chapter 4

Credits: The song Buffy performs at CARITAS in this chapter is Annie Lennox, "Love Song for a Vampire".

The room was dark. Buffy's eyes were used to darkness, as a slayer she spent a considerable part of her time fighting in the dark. When she entered Faith's quarters, she had hoped the apartment would be bright, white walls, scarcely furniture. It wasn't. Buffy had to remind herself that this was not Faith, nor was it the universe she belonged to. Yet Buffy had issues killing a living, breathing enemy who was not a demon. She had tried to kill Faith after her attempt to poison Angel, yet the other Slayer had ended up in a coma. She tried to persuade herself she was not doing anything wrong. All she was doing was getting back to her own world, her place in the order of things. She would do what she knew must be done.

"Faith?" she asked as she pushed the door open.

"Thought we wanted to patrol!" she asked into the emptiness.

The other slayer was nowhere to be seen. However, a scent was in the air, striking Buffy the very moment she entered the rooms.

The first feeling of relief about the fact that she would not have to put her plan into action right now gave way to a far greater tension as she now realized clearly she was not alone.

Angelus switched on the light. It was only a single, blinding spot in the middle of the room, now directed straightly at Buffy, so bright she had to cast her eyes down and almost completely lacked orientation. "Faith asked me to tell you she went to patrol alone because she thought you could use some rest. She said you looked extremely pale in the morning."

"She shouldn't have gone without me." Buffy drew back from the spotlight she was standing in and slowly moved towards the door.

Angelus called her back. "Want me to patrol with you?"

Buffy smiled enigmatically. "I wouldn't want you to be embarrassed or depressed."

"Don't worry, I'll be fine."

*

Angelus was an uncompromising fighter. The way he fought depended entirely on his whim. If he wanted torture, he allowed his victims the illusion of escape, just to kill them the very moment they fancied their chances best. If he wanted the quick kill, he had many ways to make a sudden death as painful as a slow one. Demons could sense his presence; however this fact did not improve their chances of survival. During the whole patrol, Angelus showed an amazing range of fighting skills, which Buffy could not help but admire, though she was ever conscious that the creatures he killed were not the evil demons that were part of Buffy's personal nightmare, but in this world the beings she should support. She had to get out of this world. But before she could do this, she would have to stop the slaughtering.

Another vampire turned up. A young woman. Too na�ve to sense the danger.

Angelus walked up to her with a broad smile. "What time is it?"

The girl looked at her watch. "Ten thirty."

"Wrong. Time to say good-bye! Didn't your mom tell you never to talk to strangers?" A stake snapped out from under his sleeve and turned the girl to dust.

Buffy tried to hide her emotions. "I'm getting bored," she said, cautiously avoiding making him realize how much his conduct disgusted her.

Angelus frowned. "Getting bored," he repeated thoughtfully. "You're getting bored with killing." He approached her with an icy look. "Do you know what Faith would say? She would say that you've become good, that killing is repugnant to you, and that you want to stop me."

Buffy felt the chill. Her face did not betray her. "But you know better."

He laughed, but the laughter did not reach his eyes. "Of course". His voice had a dangerous notion when he added: "So you are getting bored, you say. All right. No more slaying. I have a game for you that you will enjoy."

*

"I don't understand why Buffy did not reply to my e-mail," Sam complained to Riley, "It's very impolite! Why am I always the only one trying to keep in touch?"

Riley sighed. "It's the same with all my friends. They haven't exactly been eager to write."

"But still," Sam said, "It's so unlike Buffy."

"Well, I forgot to tell you, Dawn called today and asked if we had heard of Buffy. She doesn't seem to keep in touch with her more regularly either."

Sam nodded absently. She hesitated for an uncomfortable moment. "Honey..."

Riley looked up from the latest copy of Men's Health. "Yes, love?"

Sam's face showed concern. "You don't think anything has happened to her, do you? I mean, with the... business she is in."

Riley opened his mouth to reply when the door bell saved him an answer.

Sam rose. "I'll go and see who's there."

*

"Wolfram & Hart, Angel's office, we help the helpless, my name is Harmony, how may I help you today?"

"This is Riley. Riley Finn." The line was noisy and full of static. Probably a cell phone.

Harmony frowned. The name seemed familiar somehow. "Riley...? Oh, Riley FINN, sorry, I had completely forgotten, Blondie Bear told me all about you... you were the loser who was with Buffy once, weren't you?"

Riley cleared his voice. "That'd be me, I guess."

"Oh, this is a surprise! What can I do for you?"

"Is Willow with you?" Riley asked sourly.

"Yes, she's here."

"She called us and asked for Buffy."

"Riley, could you speak up, the connection is poor, I can barely hear you!"

"Sorry... the cell phone... tell Willo... Buf... on the way... flight... do nothing till... wait..."

"Riley! Riley! RILEY!!!!" Harmony shouted into the receiver, but the line had broken down. She shrugged and hun. ". "That was Riley Finn," she announced.

"I thought so," Angel replied sarcastically. "What did he want?"

"I have no idea, I could hardly hear him. But he said something about Willow and flight." Her face suddenly lit up. "Perhaps he didn't say flight, but RIGHT, and he meant she should remember to drive on the RIGHT, now that she has been to England for lecturing."

"Thanks for sharing your wisdom, Harm," Willow replied, "He also could have meant I should remember to turn on the LIGHT when it's dark outside."

Harmony frowned. "Possible. But you would know that, wouldn't you?"

Giles looked at her, frowning. "She's kidding, Harmony."

"Oh. Of course. I knew that."

"Faith, do you have Riley's cell phone number?" Angel asked.

"Why should I?!" Faith burst out, almost offended, "If I had the cell phone number of every guy I slept with in my life, I would have..." she broke off and colored.

".n tin times the bloody New York City phone book?" Spike asked helpfully.

"Thanks, where would I be without you!" Faith retorted.

"Don't worry," Willow said quickly, "I have Sam's cell phone number; I can try to call her back."

*

"Where are we going?" Buffy asked uneasily.

"You'll know in a minute," Angelus assured her, "We are there."

Buffy was led through a back entrance into a building she had never been to. Her gaze fell on a sign near the door: "CARITAS � Staff only."

"I've been here before, with Faith," Buffy said sourly, shuddering at the thought.

Angelus chuckled a bit at that. "Don't worry, this is gonna be a new experience. A friend of mine runs this business, I arranged for us to go through the back entrance," Angelus explained briefly. "I told you we were to play a game. Trust me," he added with a smile, "You'll like it."

Buffy was more than skeptical to trust Angelus.

From the dark in front of her, a horrible version of "Let me entertain you" could be heard, in unison with amused shouts such as "Stop it!", "Go home!", "Shoot him!", "Drain him!"

Buffy gave Angelus a questioning look, which he ignored, and he pushed her to the foot of some stairs.

"To make things easier, I've picked something for you, just go up the stairs and push the curtain aside," Angelus said.

Buffy was confused. "You've picked WHAT for me?" she asked suspiciously.

She slowly went up the stairs and peeped through the curtain. What she saw struck her with horror. They were in the backstage area of a karaoke bar, a karaoke bar full of people, some of them clearly belonging to Angelus's minions, and before her, the poor, narrow-shouldered man who wanted to become the second Meat Loaf was just finishing his song.

"No," Buffy refused, "I am not gonna do this!"

Angelus's eyes did not leave any doubt he would not accept this answer. "You have no choice, lover," he replied, "You don't have trouble singing musical songs when you're under a spell, so why not try a karaoke bar?"

"I didn't sing alone on a stage!" Buffy protested. "There's no way I'm gonna do this!"

Angelus smiled at her, but it was an evil smile, condescending and cold. "Yes, you are. Believe me, the alternative is MUCH MUCH worse." The threat sounded from every word he said.

"I'm not afraid of you, I told you before," Buffy said.

"You said I had your loyalty. Prove it."

Buffy sighed. She did not know what he was up to, but she realized that upsetting him in a bar full of his minions was probably not the best idea. Her legs were shaking, and she felt she was about to make a complete fool of herself, but she had no other choice at this very moment.

"Which song did you pick?" she asked.

"If I tell you, the fun will be spoiled," he replied. "See you later."

Angelus made sure she would go out to the stage, and then he took a place at the bar, next to a green-skinned demon.

Angelus, with a demon-friend? Buffy had not much time to be surprised, for there was an announcement. "This is a classic! Live on stage --- Caritas presents Buffy The Vampire Slayer� singing Annie Lennox�s Love Song for a Vampire."

Buffy shot Angelus an angry glance. How could he force her to do this?

The audience was cheering.

Sighing, Buffy took the microphone and stepped out into the limelight.

*

"Still nothing on the cell phone?" Angel asked Dawn impatiently.

"Sorry, it�s still turned off," Dawn replied.

"Still nothing from the books about the disappearance of a slayer?"

Kennedy shook her head apologetically.

"It's over," Willow said compassionately, I'm very sorry."

"This is not the end," Angel said.

"Why, she's dead! Again!" Harm blurted out.

"She's not dead," Angel and Spike both disagreed in unison, for a change.

Harmony sighed. "Denial is not a big river in Egypt!"

Spike did not even bother to cast her a disapproving glance. "Something's wrong with her. I know it."

At that moment, there was a knock at the door.

Harm rushed to open it. "You must be Riley!" she exclaimed in surprise.

"Can we come in? We're bringing you someone," he said.

Harmony's eyes opened wide. She was speechless, which was very seldom, and stepped aside.

"Riley!" Angel shot from his chair, fully alert.

Spike rolled his eyes and lit a cigarette.

"We have a strict non-smoking policy in this building," Harmony reminded him.

Spike shrugged. "Sue me."

"Hi everybody," Riley said. "I tried to call, but the connection broke down."

Sam entered behind him. "We got two visitors today, and they asked us to take them here," she explained.

Willow could not believe her eyes as Buffy and David entered.

"Buffy, thank God! We were worried!" she yelled and ran up to her, embracing her friend.

Buffy ignored her and looked around slowly, fixing every one of them with her gaze. "I'm sorry. I had important things to do. Some of you don't know David yet, he's my new Watcher." Her voice was calm and sounded unfamiliar somehow.

Then she saw Angel.

"Buffy," the vampire said. "Are you okay?"

Buffy's eyes had a wet shimmer as she walked up to him and reached for his hand, squeezing it tightly. "I thought I'd never see you again," she whispered.

Spike cleared his voice.

She turned to look at him. "Hey," she said softly, "Good to see you again, Spike." She reached out to touch his face, yet without letting go of Angel's hand.

Spike was not so shallow as not to notice, and it worried him. The bitter recognition stole over him that despite the affection Buffy had come to have for him, he was still second choice. He was fighting the thought. He had no right to blame her for what he felt. He had known her 'I love you' had in fact been a 'Thank you for dying to save us'. Yet an irrational part of his soul had hoped it was more than that. And there she was, alive, healthy... and still in love with Angel.

David coughed audibly. "We are here for a reason," he reminded her. "I, as Buffy's Watcher, have to inform you of an important matter. We have to... prevent the end of the world."

Dawn let herself fall onto a chair with a sigh. "Not again!"

*

Come into these arms again

And lay your body down

Th' rhythm of this trembling heart

Is beating like a drum.

It beats for you, it bleeds for you

It knows not how it sounds.

For it is the drum of drums

It is the song of songs.

Once I had the rarest rose that

ever deigned to bloom.

Cruel winter chilled the balm,

And stole my flower too soon

O loneliness, O hopelessness

To search the ends of time,

For there is in all the world

No greater love than mine.

Love....Still falls the rain.

Be mine forever...

Let me be the only one

To keep you from the cold.

Now the floor of heav'n is laid,

Its stars of brightest glow.

They shine for you.

They shine for you.

They burn for all to see.

Come into these arms again

And set this spirit free.

"It's difficult to read her," the Host whispered to Angelus, "her Slayer personality is so strong it overshines everything else."

"What do you see?" Angelus demanded impatiently.

"Well, what is very prominent in her mind is the picture of you and that other guy, Spike... the three of you are at a cemetery, and... eww, what are you doing...???"

"Don't get any ideas," Angelus snapped. "What else?"

"I'm not sure. A strong emotion."

"What?"

Lorne shook his head. "I can't tell. It sounds strange, but it's somewhere between longing and... homesickness."

"Homesickness. That doesn't make any sense," Angelus said.

"I know," the Host sighed, "But it's all I can do for you at the moment. She is not wholly what she is pretending to be. I can't tell you more."

Angelus acknowledged the Host's efforts. The song was finished.

There was a wave of applause, whether genuine or pre-ordered by Angelus, Buffy was unable to tell.

The vampire assisted her descending from the stage. He kissed her cheek and gave her a black rose.

"Are you happy now?" Buffy hissed.

"Perfectly."

*
"The end of the world. The more often I hear it, the more it loses impact," Spike said.

"No," Faith disagreed. "It never does. What can we do?"

David sighed. "I got the news from the Watcher's Council today. Their telepaths noticed a shift in the time-space-continuum as we know it."

"Caused by what?" Wesley enquired.

"That is still an insecure factor. A shift could be a side effect of high supernatural energies. The only trouble is, usually, a magic that powerful cannot be wrought without sensitive, schooled magicians being able to locate its source. However, this time, something weird happened. They did locate a source --- here in Los Angeles. The center of its energy is Wolfram & Hart."

Angel shook his head. "That doesn't make any sense."

"I'm sorry, I'm a little slow today," Xander interfered (causing Spike to grin and ask: "Today?"), "Would anyone bother to explain what a shift in the time-space-whatever has to do with the-end-of-the-world and our Slayers?"

"Hear me out before you ask stupid questions," David said sharply, "This will save us all time and effort. Thank you. They located a second centre of the same energies: Buffy's apartment."

"Whoops," Spike replied. "Great coincidence, but I still don't see..."

"The prophecy," Wesley explained, "The old scripture says that the vampire with a soul is going to be Shan-shu when his mission is complete, when he has played his part in the end of days. And what we know about the Slayer's role in the apocalypse."

Willow's eyes flew wide open as she realized the consequences. "If we have these two strong poles of energy, it means that Angel's mission is coming to its end." She hesitated. "That's a good thing, isn't it?"

"The final battle," Wesley said solemnly, "His mission will end in the final battle. David is right. The apocalypse is at hand."

"So I'd better not buy tickets for the Sex Pistols concert next month?" Spike asked.

Faith frowned. "Are you sure there are only TWO centers of energy?"

"Yes," David confirmed, "Why?"

"Perhaps I'm just too full of myself, but one should expect that other Chosen Ones have a say in the apocalypse, too."

David shot her a glance of disapproval. "You are aware that you defied the Council, aren't you? Your behaviour does not allow you any claim to the title of a Slayer now."

Faith glared at him. "Being Chosen is not being the employee of the Council! You can't fire me! I've been called by the Powers That Be!"

David grinned. "And as there was no third centre of interdimensional energy, what does that tell us?"

Faith looked at the others for support.

"I'm afraid he is not altogether wrong," Wesley reluctantly agreed.

"It's stupid," Faith complained, "I'm a slayer, too."

"This is not about experience," Buffy said, "It's about destiny."

"Fine, destiny," Faith replied, "But I'm the most qualified person when it comes to..." She broke off. When it comes to Evil.

"Why can't you just be happy that it's not you who has to put herself into danger for the sake of a world not worth saving?" Spike asked. "Been there, done that. I know what I'm talking about, and I'm not sure I'd do it again!" He knew he was lying even while he was saying it. If he had to do the same again, he would.

"Because it's WRONG!" Faith exploded, "Think again! You've made a mistake!"

"No," David replied coldly, "You have."

"I'm not gonna listen to this crap any more." Faith walked up to him and slapped him so hard he fell to the floor. Then she ran out.

"Faith!" Angel was about to go after her, but Buffy's hand on his arm stopped him.

"Let her go," she said softly. "She'll understand. Give her time."

Angel noticed with surprise that Buffy did not look after her Watcher, it was Willow and Fred who had immediately made sure he was all right. "Are you hurt?" Fred asked.

"Just my pride," David answered sourly.

Spike pointed at the door. "Someone has to go after Faith."

Angel watched him leave.

For the first time in years, Angel could not make sense of the flood of information. He had known for a long time the day would come when he would have to complete his missin tin the final battle of light and darkness, and he had known he might at last find peace afterwards. In his imagination of the day he had not dared to dream of Buffy fighting by his side. In his dreams, he had saved the world, for her, for them. But he had never thought beyond that day. When the battle was done... what would they do with their freedom?

"You don't say anything," Buffy addressed him.

"I'm sorry," Angel said, "It's just... it's too much for one day. I'm not sure what it is expected of me."

"We have a lot to talk about," Buffy agreed.

Fred nodded. She left the room quietly with Kennedy and Willow.

"I will cross-check what we've got about the final battle," Wesley said, "I'll be in the library if you need me. David, will you help me?"

The watcher nodded.

Wesley cast Harmony a warning look and gestured at the door, but the vampire did not react.

"Oh! Of course. Let's see if we can be of use, too," Dawn said, leading Xander, Sam and Riley out of the room.

Buffy cast Harmony an impatient look. "We have a lot to talk about," she repeated.

"Oh, she probably meant THE TWO of them," Harm concluded, closing the door behind her.

There was an uncomfortable silence.

Buffy finally broke it. "I'm sorry I couldn't break the news to you in a less scary way."

Angel tried a smile, but he did not manage. "Do you think there's still something to scare me, after all this time?"

Buffy shrugged. "I don't know. End of the world sounds pretty scary to me."

"We've both prevented apocalypses before. We've known it would never be really over."

Buffy sighed. "True. I just hadn't expected it to come so soon. Again." She made an effort to steady her voice. "It's such a big responsibility. I don't know if I... if I'm up to it!" She stood at an arm length's distance before him, her shoulders trembling, she looked tired and frail. Tears were welling up in her eyes. "You've lived for so long. But I... there are so many things I never got to do, I just don't wanna die no

Seeing her in this shape was too much for Angel. Trying to comfort her, he embraced her. "You won't if I can prevent it," he whispered.

"There are so many insecure factors," she replied, her tears burning hot against his shoulder, "So much I have to tell you before the world ends."

"I told you nothing can surprise me," Angel said. He felt her heart beat wild against his chest and could virtually smell the adrenaline shooting into her blood with the anticipation of what she was going to say.

"Nothing?"

"Nothing at all."

Buffy looked up at him, meeting his gaze. "Angel... I love you."

*

"Angelus, I hate you!"

"Thanks for the compliment." The vampire enjoyed her rage. "Admit it, Buffy, limelight is like a drug, and you desperately want to do it again."

"Absolutely not, and I still can't believe you made me do this!"

"I usually bring out the best in people."

"Of course," Buffy remarked contemptuously.

"My friend was very impressed at your performance; we agreed you have to sing again some time soon."

"Why don't you sing, for a change?"

Angelus laughed. "It would be no use, believe me." Seeing the questions in her eyes, he decided to change the subject quickly. He was not keen on her knowing now why he had brought her here. "By the way, have you had any dinner yet? Why don't you stay here and order a little something while I'm taking a quick bite outside?"

Buffy wished she had not been aware of the double meaning of his words.

"I'll be right back," the vampire said, not waiting for her answer, and was gone.

A massacre, threatening her into karaoke, then some fresh blood for dinner �another normal date with the Scourge of Europe, Buffy thought cynically.

A waiter put a huge tray on the table with a plate on it, covered by a bowl.

"I didn't order..." she began, then a look at the waiter silenced her. It was David.

Hesitantly, Buffy lifted the bowl. On the plate, there was a note:

AFTER SUNRISE AT THE DOCKS � ALONE.

Buffy saw David's entreating gaze and nodded.

"I apologize, this was for table no. 5," David said aloud, took the tray and disappeared, leaving Buffy in confusion. Yet she was not confused enough to be oblivious to the shadow behind her.

"Spike," she said in an irritated tone, "Will you stop stalking me?"

"That was an amazing performance," Spike said with a smirk, "Love Song for a Vampire. Guess you don't want to tell me if it was for me or for him?"

"Neither," Buffy snapped.

Spike shrugged. "So you're still fighting the good fight, pet? Be careful. Angelus is using you."

Buffy snorted. "And you aren't? Go away, Spike, before he sees you."

TBC...
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Roses for Lucifer