The Longest Summer
by Anat

I

"That's very interesting", Giles hummed, digesting Buffy's story.

"So we can't touch anything", Willow asked.

"No. It appears that Larius can possess you if you touch him". Said Giles.

"So no touching", Said Xander. Willow and Oz exchanged stares. "We can't afford losing our advantage... we need to trust each other. The only way is to stay out of reach. Don't even brush against people by accident".

Xander raised his hand. Giles looked at him, surprised. "Ye.. Yes?"

"How do we know if one of us is not already infected?" he asked.

"Because we were here all the time and Larius was out?" asked Willow rhetorically.

Buffy still couldn't relax. She was lying in her bed. What would have happened if Larius had touched her? She couldn't believe Angel, -No, not Angel. Angelus- saved her. Was he returning a favor? Was there still some good left deep inside of him? She thought how painfully she find out almost two years ago, that there was no humanity left in him, when he killed Miss Calendar. Angel's voice echoed in her brain. 'You have to know where to look'. She sighed and closed her eyes, but sleep never came.

"Buffy, you look terrible!" Willow said worried and lifted her hand to touch Buffy. Buffy stepped backwards.

Willow dropped her hand. "Oh. Right. No touching", She said quietly. "Sorry".

"It's okay. I just didn't sleep", Buffy smiled slightly and turned to Giles. "Any progress?"

"Well, if you're calling opening the hellmouth and sliding inside without any of the demons sliding out a progress, you got yourself one". Said Xander.

Buffy eyed Giles. "Can it be done?" She asked.

"It's very dangerous, Buffy. Even if we do succeed at opening the gate for a short while, and fight all the demons that are trying to come in... there is only a slight chance you'll survive the way to the north and find Coralancus. Let alone kill her. I'd say there are no chances at all".

Xander coughed. "Why even bother? Angel should stay in hell. In fact, if you want to give him any kind of peace, you gotta kill him".

Buffy huffed. "You'll never understand that, Xander".

She pondered for a second, then turned to Giles. "I don't think you need to open the hellmouth, Giles. I think I know where the answer lies".

He took off his glasses and gazed at her. "Wh.. Where's that?" he asked. "Angel. Or Angelus, to be exact. I think the answer I'm looking for is inside of him, and I think he will help", She said.

Xander puffed. "You're crazy. He'll kill you without having second thought".

"I don't think so", She said.

"I tend to agree with Xander on this matter", Giles said quietly.

Willow frowned. "Well.. He is kind of a... a... vampire..."

"If he wanted to kill me he would have already".

"Gee, let me try and count the times he tried", Xander smirked.

"He saved my life last night. And he never harmed me in... well, he did harm me in some ways, but he never killed me".

"Only cause you kicked his ass first", Xander shrugged.

"It doesn't matter. I know there's something different this time. I know it".

"Well, I'm with you, Buffy!" declared Willow. "I'm sure she knows what she's doing", She explained to Xander. Buffy smiled at her. "Thanks, Will. I wish I could hug you".

Willow smiled back. "When this is over, big bearhug coming your way".

II

Buffy entered the mansion slowly. She tried to be as quiet as possible. When she entered the next hall, Angel sent a blow to her face, knocking her to the ground. "You know it's really impolite to visit people without calling first", He said, his face reverting to human. She turned around, still on the floor, looking at him. "I thought you saw me as family", She grimaced, rubbing her jaw. "You really don't want to be in my family. I killed them all", He said.

She stood on her feet. "They weren't your family. They were Angel's family".

He smirked. "You'd like to think that, wouldn't you?" he paced towards her and she backed off. "I've noticed that about you. You're trying to convince yourself that me and Angel are two different individuals", He clasped his fingers. "We're not. There's only one Angel and it's me. The other one died two centuries ago, because of his whoring", He smiled. "The boy had wild life".

"You're lying", Buffy hissed.

"Did he ever tell you how he became a vampire?"

"Darla".

"Darla..." It seems like Angelus was drifting to other places, but he was soon to recover. "Too bad the bastard killed her. We had a lot of fun together".

"I bet".

"Anyway, the point is, your boy had his time. He did no good, then he vacated his place for me. And if it weren't for those gypsies, I wouldn't have to live with all these remains of humanity that make me wanna vomit".

Buffy nodded. "Boy, do you like to blubber".

"Isn't that funny you send him to hell instead of me? Unfortunately, he couldn't make the fun out of the place", He smiled evilly. She frowned. "You bastard", She huffed.

"Really, Buff. I would have showed him around and all, but you know how your friends interfered in the middle".

Buffy nodded. "Isn't that a shame?"

Angelus looked out to the garden. "Well, sorry I have to bail on you, kiddo, but I'm getting hungry. Unless you're offering to sit on my table..."

"I won't let you go out and kill people", She cut him off.

He laughed. "So you pick the second choice".

"You know, I came here with good intentions", She said.

"Well, I'm not that great thinker on empty stomach", He said.

She rolled her eyes. "Drink a pig".

He vamped out. "I'm an animal lover, what can I say?" he smiled.

"That's nice to know", She stepped forward.

"So what did you want from me? To find out more about Coralancus? Larius? How you can bring back Angel?" he asked.

"I see you are a good thinker, even when you're hungry".

"Awww, you make me blush".

"Well, I'll make sure to keep you flattered if you help me".

He huffed. "Why would I wanna do that?"

"Because you want a good fight. And Coralsomething and Co. would be great opponents". She said. He brushed his fingers over his lips, pondering.

"Well, it is a challenge. Coralancus is very powerful", He turned to look at her. "And I end up human again. I don't think so", He started walking, pushing her out of his way.

She just watched him leave.

"Oh, you will help me, Angel. I'm not quitting on you so soon". She whispered.

"Well, how did it go?" Willow asked, when Buffy sat in front of her.

"Very slowly. He doesn't want to cooperate". She said, playing with her glass.

Willow frowned. "But you still think he will?"

"Yeah. He talked with me. Of course he welcomed my jaw with a fist first and was awfully obnoxious to talk with... but at least he didn't pull out any sword".

"Oh. Good".

"I mean, that's a progress, right?"

"Of course".

"He could have drink me if he wanted, but he didn't". Buffy rested her chin on her hand.

"That's very thoughtful", Agreed Willow.

Buffy grabbed her head with both her hands. "Argh! Who am I kidding? I'll never turn him good. He's evil". She sounded desperate.

Willow sent out her hand to touch Buffy's back in comfort, but pulled out at the last minute. "I'm sure you'll find a way. Everyone has some good inside of them. Uh, even... even demons..."

Buffy eyed her. Willow sighed. "Well, if it weren't for him Angel wouldn't be who he is... or was... or... and vice versa".

Buffy sighed. "Oh yeah, that's comforting". She raised her head. "He did mention he has to fight with remains of humanity left in him".

"See?" Willow smiled. "All you need to do, is stimulate those good pieces to fight back".

Buffy bit her lower lip. "Yeah, real easy... piece of cake".

Buffy climbed on the tree, hopped to the roof and entered her room through her window. She stopped at once, seeing Angel standing there, looking at her bookstand.

"What are you doing here?" She asked. Then she frowned, she rushed to her door and opened it. "Mom!" she called. "Mom!" he laughed behind her. "Your mom is out of town". He said.

She turned to face him. "What did you do to her?!"

He raised his eyebrow. "It's nice to know you believe me. She left. I saw her drive away".

Buffy sighed. "If you lie... and I find you did something to her..." she pointed her index finger at him.

He laughed again briefly. "You can trust me. Joyce is fine".

"You're a really trusty person", She mocked him.

"Dear Buffy. I really think we should have more fun and less pressure. It will be good for you".

She crossed her arms. "So what are you doing here?"

He brushed his hand slowly over her desk. "I came to warn you". He said.

"Warn me?"

"Coralancus is aware of your ideas to come after her. You better know who is your friend".

Buffy sighed. "What are you saying? She's sending Larius to get me?"

He smiled evily. "Larius is just a tiny whiny demon. She has others a lot more scarier than him".

"Oh joy".

"Your friends will be the first victims".

"Over my dead body".

"That too".

She huffed. "How do I know you're not possessed by this Larius fiend?"

"I won't let him get me. I know who is possessed by him".

"So he can't possess vampires?" Buffy kept interrogating him.

"Only stupid vampires won't know where Larius is. They can't fight him. I can". He smirked. Buffy grimaced. "How can I be sure you're telling me the truth?"

"I'm the only one you got. The only one you can trust".

She laughed briefly. "That's very amusing".

He sent out his hand to touch her face. She stepped backwards. "I'm trying to help".

"It will help a lot if you keep your hands in a distance". He clasped his hand. Buffy stared at the claddagh ring he was wearing. Noticing the heart was pointing towards him.

III

Angel spit just after leaving Buffy's house. The feeling that her presence aroused in him confused him, and made him wanna peel his skin off his body. It's been over a century since he last stalked a woman. The last one was Drusilla. He had good times. He missed her. His time with Buffy was too short. But the first time he hanged around her had taught him she won't be an easy prey like Dru was. She was strong, young and passionate. Her scent made his blood boil and storm inside him. He wanted to taste her. To drink her. To kiss her so hard, that she would forget her stupid brooding lost boyfriend and concentrate solely on his demonic passion. Thinking how powerful she could be as his right hand, immortal connection of blood and passion, it made him excited.

He saw a girl in the park. Sitting alone on the carousel. She looked gloomy. He stepped closer. She raised her head when he approached. "Why are you so miserable on a beautiful night like this?" he asked softly. She sighed. "My life sucks. I wish I was dead".

Angel let out a small grim. "Well, on nights like this be careful what you wish for". He grabbed her and she looked at him horrified as he put on his game face.

He dropped her limp body and sniffed the air. "Nice, but not satisfying", He said. He sniffed the air again and turned around.

Willow was standing there.

"Well, hello Coralancus. I see you got yourself a cute fluffy young one", He said.

Willow stepped closer. "If you play her game, you'll lose. Angel will be back", She said.

"Gee, don't you underestimate the girl's chances just a bit?" he said sarcastically. She sent out her hand. He stepped back and roared at her, revealing his fangs.

Willow smiled. "You want her don't you?" she lowered her hand. "It eats you to the bone she wants Angel back".

He growled. "I won't let you kill her. She's mine".

She laughed. "I'll put her just where she should be. In my collection in the frozen garden". She looked down, then eyed him again. "Do you remember that place? We had such a good time there".

He rubbed his chin, and then crossed his arms. "Well, I found earth a much nicer place. I get to do so much fun here. Until you came, first making me human, then chaining me to a goddamn wall".

"I had to started the game somehow. It was interesting enough", She smiled. "Have fun now, before she kills you".

He laughed. "She would never kill me. I'll kill her long before she even tries".

"So you're playing on my side or hers?"

He sneered. "I play on my own side. I love being the fifth wheel".

"There's only one winner in this game. This is my game".

"That's why I like you so much, Cory. You're such a fair play".

She stepped backwards. "And however you look at it, there will be more than two losers". She turned and walk away.

Angel gazed down at the dead girl. Then back at the image of Coralancus walking away in Willow's body.

"Poor Willow. I hope she took a sweater with her. Hell could be so cold sometimes".

His face reverted back to normal. He started walking away, whistling.

"Willow, are you okay?" Xander lowered his head to Willow's face and scanned her face. "You look weird".

"I didn't sleep so well", She said. Oz approached them. They were sitting in Willow's room. "What's goin' on?" he asked.

"Nothing. I just... Angel was here last night". She sighed. Xander slammed his fist on the desk. "I knew it! That guy is just..."

"Did he do anything?" Oz asked, calmed.

"Well... well... he was a little aggressive... and..."

"That's it. I'm going to stake him". Xander stood up. Willow got up and looked at him. "Are you crazy? You're a... a... wimp. He will overcome you in seconds", She protested. Xander seemed insulted, but was soon to recover. "Well thank you for not questioning my strength and my ability. But I do have tactics". He moved to the window. "I can look at the sun wearing sunglasses .he doesn't have that advantage", He moved the curtain, letting in a little sunshine.

Willow touched Oz knee. "You gotta stop him", She said. He looked at her, than back at Xander. He got up.

"Xander, you shouldn't fight Angel. Leave it to Buffy". He said. Xander just waved his hand. "Buffy is the weak one when it comes to Angel". He moved to door.

"A man gotta do what a man gotta do". He said and closed the door behind him.

Oz and Willow exchanged looks. "Larius, dear..." she started saying. The door reopened and Xander slipped his head through it. "Do you have a cross?"

Willow sighed. Xander smirked. "And a stake. That would be good too".

Xander entered the darkened mansion, holding close his cross. He was scared, but wasn't willing to show it. He knew where Angel was sleeping, and started walking there, very quietly walking upstairs.

He entered the bed room, only to find out the bed was empty. The door was slammed shut behind him. He turned around, startled. Angel was standing there, his game face on.

"Well, well. The white knight is paying me a visit". He smiled wickedly. Xander lifted his hand, holding the cross high, in shaking hand. Angel let out a short laugh.

"Ooooh, scary".

"I'm going to kill you". Xander said firmly.

"Oh really? You should have told me that earlier, I would have made arrangements".

"Buffy!! Xander went to kill Angel!" Willow yelled, bursting into Giles' living room.

"What?" Buffy got up and dumped the milk carton she was drinking.

"He went to his mansion. They're going to fight. One of them will die". Willow was excited.

"Oh boy... stay here". She rushed to the door and was gone.

Willow layed her hand on Oz's shoulders. Giles looked at them.

"Willow, we agreed on no touching". He reminded her.

She smiled. "That was before. I like touching".

Oz hugged her back. "Isn't she cute?"

"You... you..."

"What's the matter, Giles? You don't trust us? We're Willow and Oz". Willow pouted.

Angel roared. "You've always annoyed me kiddo. But waking up to the smell of you isn't really a man's dream". He moved closer.

Xander smiled. "I'm sorry, I forgot to put on the new cologne Buffy bought me for my birthday". He said. "Yes, come closer..." he whispered to himself. Angel stepped forward. Xander jumped to the window and pulled the curtain, exposing Angel to the light.

Angel roared and ran backwards, to the shadows.

"Not such a big gun now, huh, dark knight?"

Angel growled. Xander took out the stake and moved closer to Angel, who was crouched in the dark corner. The door was kicked open. "Xander, no!" She said, looking at him.

"Go away, Buffy. You don't want to watch this". He said, looking at her.

"I won't let you do it".

"I'm gonna give this guy what he should have gotten a long time ago".

"Oh, yes. You're a real hero, huh?" She was furious.

"Angel needs to die!"

Buffy moved closer and kicked the stake from his hand. "Just go close the curtain". She said. He frowned and threw away the cross. It landed close to Angel and he hissed.

Xander closed the curtains. Angel got up on his feet. "Here. Happy now. He can kill us both if he wants. I don't care".

"Well, if that's your attitude, I'm willing to participate". Angel said moving closer to Buffy.

Xander crossed his arms, watching Angel approaching to Buffy. Angel grasped Buffy's shoulder moving her closer to him. She showed no fear. He kissed her hard on her lips for several moments. She moved her face away. "Don't". she whispered. He looked her straight in the eye. "Xander is your only friend right now. Watch him closely". He whispered.

She looked up at him. "Willow?"

He nodded slightly. "And the others".

"Angel..." she whispered.

"Well, are you coming or not? I won't stand here to watch you and your demon lover make out". Xander interrupt them.

Buffy let go of Angel.

They both left the room.

Buffy patted Xander's back. "Don't ever do such a stupid thing again!"

"If I won't do stupid things, who will?"

"Willow, Giles and Oz are in Hell Queen's control". She said after a moment. He stopped. "No, they're not".

"Yes they are. Angel told me".

He smirked. "Oh sure. HE told you. He probably just want you to hurt your friends and not trust them".

Buffy tilted her head. "No, he's different now. There's more humanity in him this time than he would like to admit. Call it side-effect. He told me you’re the only one unaffected now". Xander frowned. "How do we save them then?"

Part Four

End of part three.

keep reading for some surprises.. or so i hope ) and tell me what you think so far!

Go here for more of Anat's stories.

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