Beta'd... sortof by me. Thanks ever so much to
Marianne!!! S warning!

*******************************************************
The Missing Piece
by Christina and Marianne

Angel was sitting in the corner of Joe's listening to
the music and enjoying a drink when she walked in. He
didn't need to be a vampire to be drawn to her, it
helped though.

She was immortal, he could tell that. Gorgeous too.
Blonde, tall, body to die for. Heaven on two legs.
Letting his eyes wander over her, the vampire leaned
back in his chair to drink in the view.

Gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous.

Grace nodded to Joe as he handed her her usual and she
chose a table close to the stage. It was off in the
corner, sort of out of everyone's view. But she could
lean her chair up against the wall and rest her head
on it, still watching the door. She sipped at her
drink and watched as men flirted with other women, and
most of them left together. It was definitely an
interesting place.

She was close now. He could almost smell her. In fact,
he could, not her perfume either. The scent that was
uniquely her. He inhaled again, analyzing the scent.
Heather. She smelled like heather but with a hint of
jasmine underlying it. Inhancing it. Delicious.

She finished off her drink and Joe brought her a beer,
again without her asking, before he touched her cheek
and took the stage to sing. She rested her chin in
her hand and leaned on the table. She knew she was
being watched, knew the man was particularly gorgeous,
but that was all he was doing was watching. She'd
wait patiently and see what happened next.

Leaning forward, Angel set his drink down. This was
Grace. Jasa's daughter. She'd been talking about her
for days, hinting that he'd definitely want to meet
her.

The vampire grinned slightly. Jasa was right on that
one. He most definitey wanted to meet Grace.

Getting to his feet, he approached her table slowly.
"Mind if I join you?"

She looked up into his beautiful eyes and smiled.
Normally, she'd be coy or hard to get, but there was
something about this one, something that told her that
there was more to this one than a one nighter.
"Please do," she said softly.

The vampire seated himself and smiled. "I'm Angel."

Grace opened and closed her mouth and then smiled.
She was almost positive that she had her mother to
thank for this one. Extending her hand, she said,
"Grace Hammond. It's a pleasure."

Taking her hand, he held it lightly, his thumb
stroking across her soft skin. "Definitely. I hope you
don't mind my saying, Jasa's descriptions do not do
you justice."

She laughed. "I could say the same for you. She's
been working hard to get us to meet. She's nothing if
not persistant." Grace was reluctant to drop his
hand, it was cool to the touch but she could imagine
the heat he could generate. She stifled a shudder.

As if sensing her relunctance, Angel turned her hand
in his slightly, fingers stroking along her palm
gently. "The lady's a good judge of character. And
yes, quite persistent."

"You should have had her as a mother." She rolled
her eyes and chuckled. "I love her though." And I'll
definitely have to thank her, she thought.

Angel laughed. "Glad to hear it." He leaned forward
again, his voice lowering softly. "I'll have to thank
her for suggesting I go to Joe's tonight."

Grace used her free hand to rub her forhead. "The
woman can't help herself, can she? This is one of my
favorite places to relax. I love Blue's music
and was just telling her the other day that I was
planning on coming here tonight." No doubt about it,
the woman was good. She smiled at him and lightly
squeezed his hand.

"She can't," Angel agreed with a laugh. "Devious too,
I didn't catch on till just then." He grinned again.
"Guess my subconscious decided to play
along."

"And I didn't put it together as to why she was
drilling me so intently. I thought she was just
playing nervous mother. She has that role down to
an artform." It was then that the music began to fill
the room. The sad strains always struck a chord with
Grace. "So, do you enjoy Blue's or are you just here
on Jase's encouragment?"

"Oh I like them." Angel nodded. "Especially Joe. He's
got the gift for it."

"It's in his soul. He was born to sing the Blue's.
Very few people really get it, you know? The true
meaning behind the Blue's. It's more felt than
sang." She gave the topic of this conversation a
glance and a smile before turning back to him.

"Yeah, very few." Angel nodded, he paused -- mulling
over what she'd said, chosing his words carefully
before he spoke. "We feel it more than they
do." He inclined his head toward the mortals moving
around the room. "Vampires, Immortals, we understand
it in a way they can't."

Her eyes locked with his, and she saw it. The spark
of age. "It's the longevity. The fact that, at least
for me, I've had to watch loved ones grow old and die,
while I never aged a day... at least biologically."
She was having a hard time reconciling herself to the
fact that this man could easily be a killer, a taker
of innocent life. She'd definitely seen her fair
share of killers, and this man just didn't seem
to have it in him. "How old are you, Angel?" she
couldn't help but ask.

He paused to think. "About 250."

She smiled. He definitely understood then. Generally,
anyone over 100 knew the deep sense of loss..
perpetual loss. "It's hard to open yourself
up to it... the chance of loss. But then again, the
rewards are so wonderful, how can you not?"

"Its definitely worth it," Angel agreed, his eyes
locked on hers. "Especially when it's someone who can
be, who is, important to you... like that."

"Or maybe even someone who could be," she added.
"It's something you can't make a conscious decision to
do or not do. It just happens. When it does, you
have to decide whether to go with the flow or against
the current." She paused and then smiled. "It has to
be the music. I'm not normally this 'deep'."

He returned the smile. "Possibly. I know it's a
combination of that and the company bringing it out in
me."

She squeezed his hand again. "I didn't mean to bring
you down. It's my angst-ridden nature." She might
have felt bad, but somehow it didn't seem to really
bother him.

Laughing, Angel shook his head. "I've been told I
corner the market on angst. It'd take a lot more than
a fascinationg conversation with a beautiful woman to
upset me."

She breathed a sigh of relief. She had to admit that
knowing he was as capable of angst as she was was
actually something that made her feel better. Leaning
in, she said, "Could I ask you something?"

"Of course."

She felt almost silly asking this, but she honestly
was curious. "Why did you... did you decide to become
what you are? A vampire? I mean, I'm sorry to pry
but you just don't seem like the stereotypical
vampire. Jasa said you definitely weren't. But it
wasn't something I could fully process until I met
you." She hoped it didn't bother him too much to talk
about it. It honestly bothered her at times to tell
the story of her first death.

"I didn't really *choose*." He quirked a wry smile. "I
was your typical Irish male, early twenties -- only I
spent more time in the pubs with the girls than I did
in the fields. One night I met this gorgeous blonde.
Darla. She made me." He paused. "The thing of it is,
the kind of vampire I am, a demon takes over your body
but it doesn't get your soul. So, for about a hundred
years or so I was *dead* as it were. Angelus, the
demon, became one of the most feared vampires in the
world. Brutal. Then one night he fed on a gypsy girl.
Beautiful but dumb as a post. Unfortunately for
Angelus, she was a favourite in her clan and they
cursed him. Put me back in my body... my soul.
Suddenly, I had to live with the memories of what
Angelus had done using my body, my mind. Using me. So,
no, I'm not a normal vampire."

She sat there and looked at him, soaking all of it
in... processing it. It was a story that was so
similar to Jasa's in a lot of ways, it was almost
scary. But it also explained a lot to her... why Jasa
held him so closely to her. Taking his hand with both
of hers, she smiled reassuringly and said, "No, you
are not the normal vampire. That much is true. And
I'll tell you like I told Jasa... the path that
brought you here was truly a rough one, but it's made
you who you are today." She inhaled deeply and
continued, "And for that... I am grateful."

He was quiet for a very long time then smiled in
self-deprecating manner. "It's I who should be
grateful, that it brought me here."

She looked down at their joined hands and smiled.
"Our paths brought us both here."

"Lucky for us," Angel noted softly. Meeting her gaze
for a long moment, the vampire stood. "Perhaps, our
paths are bringng us to somewhere else?"

She looked up into his eyes and smiled. Whether that
new path led them to the dance floor or someplace more
private, she'd willingly follow. "I do believe it
is."

Holding her hand, Angel led her from the club and into
the night.

She couldn't help but immediately scan the area. Last
thing she needed was a confrontation. But she saw and
sensed nothing, so she relaxed and walked closely to
him, letting their path lead them to wherever it
would.

"Relax," her vampire companion chided with a grin.
"Unless they're Immortal I'll probably notice them
first. There's no one around."

She laughed lightly. "This one can become the tree
he's standing behind. He has an unbelievable sense of
smell too. But I know he's not around. Good thing
is, I'm not even wondering about where he is. And
that, Angel, is a first. Gotta be the company I'm
in."

"Good, I'm glad to hear it. But remember, even Riddick
wouldn't get past me." Angel shrugged. "Vampire
thing."

She hoped she hadn't offended. There were times when
the large man had to be her main concern. "I think
wherever he is, he'll not bother us anyway." She
really wanted to put him out of her mind and relax
in the company of someone who she believed truly
understood her.

"Not if he knows what's good for him." Angel grinned.
"Angelus may be gone but I can be just as scary."

With a wink, he took the turn that led them to Jasa's
house where Angel occupied the basement apartment
she'd set up for him.

Grace couldn't help her habit of reaching out for her
mother's signature. "Jasa must be out," she started
before stopping abruptly. Shaking her head sadly, she
continued, "Sorry, I forget sometimes that she's not
immortal anymore. You do have your own entrance,
don't you? She'll occupy us for hours with
questions... if she's home."

"I do. But I doubt she would." Angel winked at her as
he pulled out his key. "She'd wait till tomorrow then
corner us seperately and interrogate us that way.
Keeps us honest."

"True. I think she's wanted us to meet since she knew
I was coming to town. Seems like you were one of the
topics she brought up first."

Arriving at the house and unlocking his door, the
vampire nodded. "Definitely. I know she brought you
up in conversation as soon as she knew you were coming
here. I've heard a few *interesting* stories to say
the
least."

"Oh dear Lord in heaven, I almost shudder at what she
could have told you. What did she tell you?" There
were times when Grace wished Jasa wouldn't so
proudly tell stories about her... especially the ones
about her childhood. They soooo embarassed her, but
then again, wasn't that why Jasa told them.

"I'm sworn to secrecy," Angel informed her, turning on
the lights and moving to take her coat. "But it was
enough to fascinate any man, even an undead one."

Her cheeks tinged slightly as she moved about the
room, taking in the decorating. "She told you about
the fact that I hated taking baths, didn't she?
That's her favorite story. She tells EVERYONE!"

He chuckled. "No she didn't, but I bet you were cute
when you protested."

She looked at him in surprise. "She didn't! Oh dear,
what have I done?! You don't want to hear any of
those. Believe me. They're boring." She looked
around some more. "So what about you? Tell me,
are you ticklish?"

"I would love to hear it." He paused to consider it.
"I don't know. Its not something anyone's tried in a
while."

"Hmm..." she said as she moved to the couch and sat
down, patting the space beside her. "You can sit
down, right. I promise I won't bite," she teased
lightly. She was really considering the possibility
of being the one to find out if he was ticklish or
not.

Sitting down, he winked. "Should I promise the same?"
Man, if he thought she'd smelled delicious in the
smokey atmosphere of Joe's, here at home --her scent
was divine.

Her eyes went a little wide at that, but she knew a
tease when she heard it. "Well, how's this? We won't
ignore the possibility. I can be very open to a lot of
things, inhibited is not really my style."

"Glad to hear it," Angel informed her, adjusting his
posture on the couch so she was close to him.

She fit next to him perfectly, finding that she was
very comfortable here. She was also glad that he
didn't move on her right away. She was getting
the distinct impression that this was more than sex
for him too. Somehow she felt connected to him.
Whether it was through Jasa or this underlying
sadness and angst they both carried, she didn't know
and didn't care.

"Would you like something else to drink?" he offered,
reaching out to lightly touch her hair. It was
wonderfully soft and silky, as beautiful as the rest
of her.

She leaned into the touch and smiled. "I'm fine,
really." Reaching up, she touched his cool hand with
hers. There was something else she wanted though.
His eyes were soft and beckoning and she felt herself
getting lost in them.

Looking hesitant, Angel moved forward slightly --
clearly intending to kiss her.

Her hand went to his cheek and she caressed it softly.
She couldn't help but wonder what it would be like.

Not picking up on any resistance from her, Angel
gently captured his lips with hers and gently stroked
her hair as he kissed her.

She leaned into the kiss, as was her usual, she put
herself into it fully. Besides, he was divine at it.
Very few men curled her toes with just a kiss.

Holding her gently, Angel nipped lightly at her lower
lip as he felt her respond. It'd been a while since
anyone had captured his attention this fully this
quickly. Not since Buffy, and this was better if
possible. This wasn't out of duty or a need to help.
This was fascination with an incredibly beautiful
woman.

Her hands moved to his back, feeling the muscles
through his shirt before moving to his neck and
massaging it as the kiss continued.

Realizing things were moving to a new level, he pulled
away and looked into her face. "Are you sure about
this?"

She pulled away slightly and smiled. "I have to be
honest here. I don't think I've ever been so sure so
fast. Most of the time, I'm a bit slow on the uptake,
but yes... I'm sure." She reached out and traced his
jaw with her thumb. "I'm sure about all of it,
Angel."

He nipped lightly at her thumb when it crossed his
lips and smiled. "You're beautiful," the vampire
noted in a soft tone.

She blushed again. "There are those who would
disagree. But thank you." She wasn't quite used to
compliments.

"They're blind obviously... No, not blind, stupid.
Even
a blind man could see your beauty, feel it."

She really blushed then. "How about if I say that the
majority of men who I've known have been more apt to
kill me than to love me. It's my lot in life."

"We'll have to work on improving that," Angel noted as
he leaned forward, lips seeking out her earlobe and
neck.

She shivered in anticipation. Being an immortal, her
neck was extremely sensitive... definitely an
erongenous zone. She used her tongue to trace
the outside of his ear before taking the entire thing
into her mouth. Ears... ears were good too.

He groaned slightly at the touch and his hands
wandered down off her hair to roam over her form while
his mouth paid extra attention to her neck -
delivering gentle nibbling kisses, perhaps a hint at
what was to come.

She couldn't help the moan that escaped her throat or
the goosebumps that appeared on her arms. She was
finally understanding what Jasa was referring to. She
was finding herself anticipating the bite... wanting
it. Holding him tighter to her, almost asking for it.
Parts of her were responding with more desire than
normal. How could one kiss be so unnerving?!

Feeling the same things, Angel forced his nature under
control -- determined to make sure she enjoyed
anything that passed between them before even thinking
of asking that of her.

Removing her shirt, he paid gentle and loving
attention to as much of her soft skin as he could
while running his cool hands over her curves,
memorizing them.

Her hands were doing much the same, though they were
now trying to expose as much of his pale skin to her
as possible. The coolness of his hands causing
her to shiver as he touched the more sensitive parts
of her body.

Lifting her into his arms, the vampire carried her
from the living room into his bedroom where he set her
on the bed, leaning over her and tracing her features
with one fingertip.

She squirmed when he touched her ribs. Most of the
time, she wasn't touched tenderly enough to notice she
was ticklish. His attentions were stirring more
things inside of her than just physical, though
she wanted him almost beyond reason and would
willingly give him whatever he asked.

Moving over her, Angel helped rid her of the rest of
her clothing then the rest of his joined hers on the
floor. "Are you sure?" he whispered one more time,
sliding a hand along her skin.

There was absolutely no hesitation in her voice.
Grace Hammond was not one who gave her trust easily.
But she knew she could give it to him, felt
something of a kindred spirit here, and knew she'd be
fine... protected even. It was a wonderful feeling.
Touching his face, she said, "Oh yes! About all of
it."

"All of it?" He looked at her intently, knowing she'd
know what he meant. "Are you sure?"

She led him in for a deep, more intense kiss before
releasing him and saying, "I never say anything I
don't mean. I'm absolutely positive." Her voice was
soft and calm, but the intent was clear. She doubted
nothing... a bit nervous yes! But she trusted him.

Nodding, Angel moved forward to worship her body again
with his mouth, ensuring she was ready to accept him.
He wouldn't push her into the feeding right off. That
was something that had to be eased into.

She was definitely ready to accept him. She wasn't
one who generally gave up control, preferring to lead
rather than follow, but it was a nice change...
comforting. And what he was doing with his hands...
she moaned in appreciation.

At her moan, he knew she was ready and eased into her
gently, setting a slow and easy rhythm --
concentrating on her pleasure first and foremost.

She moved with him, unbelievably touched by his
thoughtlessness. Wrapping her legs around his waist,
she squeezed herself around him, thereby increasing
the tightness and his pleasure. Her nine hundred
years had to be good for something.

Groaning slightly, Angel rested his head against her
neck as he moved. Her scent seemed to permeate through
the room, surrounding him entirely. She was without a
doubt intoxicating, and it had nothing to do with her
immortality. It was just her.

Her hands moved to the muscles in his neck, she held
him to her before urging him on with her hips. She
was determined that they do this together, wanting
nothing more than to give him everything he was giving
her.

She showed phenomenal control. Grace let herself
reach
the edge but couldn't fall without him. It was almost
as a plea that she called out his name.

Feeling -- and hearing -- it, Angel knew it was time.
He wouldn't let himself fall with her, moving with an
urgency he hadn't felt in a while.

She met him easily and when she felt him let go, it
was just a matter of letting go of her control. And
she did!

Riding it out together, Angel held her gently as she
came down, stroking her hair and whispering softly to
her. Soothing her energized body.

Grace was highly sensitized right now. Everywhere he
touched her felt phenomenal. Did he cause this in
every woman, or was it just her?

Easing from her, Angel reclined on one elbow, running
his free hand over her body in gently calming motions.
"You're beautiful," he noted again quietly.

"I could say the same for you." She wouldn't let him
move far from her though, as she eased snuggly into
his body. Another first. Grace Hammond
did not snuggle.

Sensing this was a first for her, Angel moved closer
to her, pulling a blanket over them and tucking it in
firmly. It was cold enough having to sleep next to
him, but he wouldn't have her getting a chill from the
basement air either.

She smiled and wrapped her arms tightly around his
chest. She wasn't necessarily tired, but she felt
very relaxed. She placed a soft kiss on his shoulder
before raising her eyes to his. "You ok?" she asked,
not sure if he would be able to finish the night here
or not... never having done this before. She honestly
had no intentions of leaving.

"I'm fine." He nodded. "You? Comfortable?"

"Perfect. Though still tingling. What is it you do
to me?" she said with a smile and a caress of his
cheek.

He chuckled almost playfully. "Nine hundred years old
and no one's ever explained the birds and the bees to
you?" Grinning, he kissed her hand. "Want me to break
out the finger puppets?"

She laughed and swatted his bare thigh. "Don't be coy
with me! My life has not been about romance and
roses. It's been hard... by my choice, of course.
But instances like this are rare. I've rarely
tingled." She paused. "One or two men. But it was a
long time ago." She had no idea where that honesty
came from and she now found it difficult to look in
his eyes.

He nodded. "I know. It's been that way for me too.
I've
only reacted like this once before and that was
nothing compared to tonight. Perhaps we... perhaps we
supply a piece of each other we'd thought we lost."

She held him to her and simply nodded. Had Jasa known
this all along? She must have. She'd definitely have
to thank her tomorrow for making sure this man came
into her life. "I think perhaps we have... yes."

Pulling her close again, Angel rested his head on his
pillow and watched her intently. "Feels nice," he
admitted in a voice that hinted at his vulnerable
side. A side almost no one saw.

They talked well into the early morning, surprised by
the depth of themselves that they shared. They told
one another things that they told NO one else. Angel
actually knew things about Grace now that her mother
didn't even know. They also explored one another
physically, emotionally, and intellectually. Angel
recommitted himself to his position at Nick's security
agency, and Grace was thoroughly pleased by his
announcement. She surprised him with the ease that
she accepted his need to appease his appetite. She
easily accepted everything about him, and understood
when he respectfully decided NOT to feed on her...
that night. She made it clear that the offer was
always there. She just couldn't believe how swiftly
and how much she was feeling for him. It was indeed
one of the most wonderful things that had happened to
her since arriving in the valley.

Angel, meanwhile, fell asleep in the early morning
hours with more peace than he was used to having in
his heart. The kind that comes from being accepted by
someone without question. He also held a determination
in his heart that she would receive the same from him,
as well as protection. As long as he could protect
her, no one would be allowed to hurt Grace. No
one. She was too important to be harmed. Too
important to him. He couldn't consider any other
option. That was just that. She was a blessing to
him. And blessings were to be treasured... Especially
one so rare.

 

 

 

=====
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http://www.oocities.org/grace_hammond/index.html