###############

Buffy gasped as Angel’s fangs sank into her neck. The sharp pain brought tears to her eyes. But soon the pain faded and reality began to shred. She was suddenly completely focused on his ear. Each tiny detail assaulted her senses. Her vision swam and she began to panic. This wasn’t right, he needed to stop. Her fist beat futilely against him but she had no strength behind the blows. She could feel her life drifting away, drifting into him and there was nothing she could do to stop it. Calmly, dreamily she realized that she was going to die. “Angel,” was her last thought as she slipped into unconsciousness.

Angel tasted the sweet coppery blood as it entered his mouth. The raw power electrified him with an overwhelming burst of pleasure. Vainly he fought against the hunger and was swept underneath it. The pleasure, the hunger, the demon took over. He silently screamed her name as he felt himself overwhelmed. The power surged through him, causing each nerve ending to explode with feeling. He felt her heart beat weaken as his grew stronger. He felt her life, her strength seeping into him. He felt them become one and he felt her begin to die. With each drop of blood the hunger grew stronger. With each heart beat the power flowed though him like a giant wave, dragging him underneath. He wanted more than anything to give in to it. To let the power, the pleasure sweep him away. He held on to her name like a drowning man, repeating it over and over to himself.

The blood throbbed through his body, filling his ears with a dull roaring. Dimly, as if from a great distance he could hear voices. Screams. Slowly he fought to regain control. Her name echoed in his mind like an accusation. It took all his strength to pull his teeth from her neck. He grimaced in pain as he denied himself the satisfaction of her blood. Before he could lose control again, he laid her on the ground and turned away. The hunger beat against his brain, the power sang through each of his veins, setting each nerve-ending on fire. He smashed his fist against the wall until the wall crumbled a little, until the pain began to drive away the haze of hunger. He shook his head trying to clear the last vestiges of the demon's control from his body. When he was sure that he could keep from attacking, he turned to face the others. They were crowded around Buffy's body, and his heart stopped. He hadn't regained control in time.

"Is she dead?" he asked, his voice breaking with anguish.

"Actually, she's not," said Giles a little warily. "Are you sure you are under control?" Angel nodded silently. "She's lost a lot of blood. If she were anyone but the Slayer...she would be dead."

"I lost it," said Angel,"when I felt that blood on my tongue, in my veins. It's like no other feeling on earth. I was so close to killing her." He covered his face with his hands, feeling the ridges. Feeling the shame of his beast.

"But you didn't," said Giles. "That's the important thing. Right now you need to focus on the fight. You need to be able to concentrate. You need all your strength."

"Did it work, though?" asked Xander peering at Angel for some evidence of change. Angel could still feel the power as it flowed through his veins, as it swept him along on a wave of energy.

"Oh yeah, it worked," he said. "We'll just have to see if it's enough."

"You don't look any different," said Xander.

"A vampire's strength doesn't come from muscles. Our strength is in direct relation to our power. It's the same for a Slayer. Buffy doesn't look that strong, but she has enough power to tear you apart."

"So can you beat Lily?" asked Willow, looking up from where she sat on the floor, cradling Buffy's head on her hands.

"I don't know." Angel answered dully, his eyes locked to Buffy's still form. He inhaled sharply as her eyelids fluttered and she worked her way back into consciousness. She groaned and opened her eys.

"Is Angel..?" she began to ask.

"I'm here," he said, wanting to hold her but afraid that she would rather he stay as far away from her as possible.

"Come here," she whispered. He slowly approched her body as she lay on the floor. He hovered uncertainly over her body, unsure of what she wanted from him. "Hold me," she said. He knelt beside her and lifted her easily in his arms. She rested her head in the curve of his shoulder and draped one arm weakly around his neck. "Take me with you?" she asked.

"Buffy, you're too weak. If I lose.."

"If you lose they'll hunt me down, Lily's not one to mess around. And she's not trapped underground like the Master was. If you win, they won't threaten me tonight." She tilted her head up to look into his face. "Please?" she asked.

"All right, " he sighed. He wanted her near him, wanted to reassure himself that she was alive. That he hadn't killed her after all. "I love you," he whispered softly into her ear.

"I know," she whispered back.

Angel looked at Giles, and the librarian nodded. It was time. Gently Angel carried Buffy through the graveyard, as gently as a husband carrying his wife to bed for the first time. Lily and Colin were waiting in the center of the graveyard. A dozen vampires formed a half-circle behind them.

"I'm surprised you came, Angelus. I didn't think you'd be able to kill her. I thought your feelings would get in the way." said Colin mockingly.

"Isn't it past your bedtime?" Angel asked. "I didn't come for you, little boy. And I didn't come to bring the Slayer to you." He pointed to Lily. "I came for her." Lily responded with a hiss, but Angel wasn't finished. "I challenge you, by my right to fair combat," he screamed. Lily growled deep in her throat.

"You don't know what you're getting into," she spat. "You're not ready to take me on."

"Do you refuse the challenge?" he asked.

"I accept," she hissed angrily. He nodded grimly in respose, and lay Buffy's body down under a conveniant tree. Then he turned to face his opponent.

#############

Angel watched Lily warily, as they circled each other, testing each other. The other vampires backed out of the way. Once the battle was begun they could not interfere. Not that they would want to anyway. The power rolled off the two warriors, electrifying the air around them. Where their aura’s met, sparks flew.

Angel moved suddenly, faster than sight and struck at Lily’s chest with his foot. She felt him coming and side stepped easily, returning with a kick of her own that forced him to scramble back. They circled each other once more. She leapt at him, arm outstretched. He dodged out of the way, grabbing her arm and twisting it behind her. She struggled against his grasp and swept his feet out form under him. As he fell to the ground he threw her away from him. They both jumped up and began to circle again, feinting at each other. Lily sent a bolt of power flying, as she tried to entrap Angel’s mind. Her power was a crushing weight against his will and he felt her thought, her commands invade his brain. He warded off her mental attacks with an attack of his own. He sent her power flying back at her with a bolt of his own. She staggered slightly and he used his advantage, pressing forward to leave a long scratch along the length of her face. She shrieked in anger.

“You can’t be this powerful,” she screamed.

“Says who?” asked Angel as he leapt at her again. This time she was ready and she turned his blow aside, answering with a blow of her own. Her fist sent him reeling as stars exploded in his vision. He blinked once to clear his eyes and rolled out of the way of her kicking foot. He rose to his feet in one smooth motion, grabbing her foot and sending her flying through the air to land on her back. He licked the blood from the lip she had split with her fist. She growled and dove through the air. He tried to side-step her attack but she caught him in the shoulder, driving him to the ground with her. They rolled on the floor, biting and scratching at each other. Lily attempted to gouge out Angel’s eyes but he quickly moved his head out of the way while using their momentum to end up on top of her, straddling her struggling form. He pulled his fist back and smashed it into her face with all his strength. Bones snapped but she clung to consciousness, using her legs to throw him off her. Dripping blood she came at him, grabbing his throat and squeezing as hard as she could. He laughed weakly. Vampires didn’t breathe. Understanding her mistake she changed her grip to tear out his throat. Realizing her intentions, Angel punched through her chest with his claws. His hand emerged from her chest, holding her heart. Blood sprayed in every direction, coating Angel in gore. Lily stared in disbelief at Angel’s hand, still squeezing her heart. Blood burbled up her throat and she sank to the ground. With a casual movement, Angel tore out her throat.

He had won. He stood over her, and watched as her body exploded into dust, adrenaline still surging through his system. Without thinking he licked the blood from his hand. His lip curled in distaste. There was power in it, but evil too. Overwhelming evil. He could still feel the battle rage, the heat of combat. He shook slightly as he forced himself to slow his heart. As he forced his body under control. Then he looked out at the world. The other vampires had run, and Colin was gone with them. A sudden wave of panic broke over him and he searched frantically for Buffy. She was still right where he had laid her, leaning against the tree’s supportive trunk. He limped over to her, shaken by an irrational burst of fear that somehow she had died.

She lay against the tree, her eyes closed. He sat down beside her and tenderly moved an errant strand of hair from out of her face. Slowly responding to his touch, she opened her eyes. She smiled when she saw him sitting beside her, staring worriedly into her face.

“I’m fine," she said. He smiled in response and she reached up to touch his face. “We’re a fine looking pair, you’re completely covered in blood, and I’m sitting here with barely any left.”

“Do you feel any better?”

“Actually I kind of do. I guess we won, huh?”

“I’d say so. Did you sleep through the whole fight?” he asked teasingly.

“Just the boring parts,” she said grinning. “To tell you the truth, I felt like I was fighting too. I felt like I was a part of you.”

“You are,” said Angel softly, leaning towards her to kiss her mouth softly. She returned the kiss, tangling her fingers in his hair. Then she lay her head on his shoulder.

“I got blood on my dress,” she said. “I really liked this dress.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I was worth it,” she said with a grin. “It was worth it all for that kiss and the look on Lily’s face.”

“Which look?”

“The one where she saw you holding her heart in your hand.”

“You saw that?” Angel asked cringing.

“I saw.” Buffy answered simply. She thought about the bloodlust she had felt during the fight, the joy of battle, the viciousness. The feelings that she had shared with him as if they were her own. That could wait, she’d tell him later.

“Can you walk?” he asked, standing up slowly.

“Yeah, no problem.” She pushed herself up off the floor. “Witness me walking. The great vampire slayer thinking being able to walk by myself is a huge accomplishment. What’s wrong with that picture?” Angel smiled at her lighthearted comments and swept her up into his arms. “Put me down,” she said. “You’re not in any shape to carry any one.”

“Hey it’s my fault you can barely walk and you’re the reason why I won. Besides it’s so much faster this way.”

“Okay, just this once.” Buffy relaxed in his arms, hugging him around the neck. He bent his head to kiss her and began to carry her to Giles’ house where the Slayerettes were waiting. “Oh I almost forgot,” Buffy said suddenly. “You have to come over to the house tomorrow and meet my mom.”

“Oh God,” groaned Angel. “And I thought it couldn’t get any worse than facing the most powerful vampire alive and almost killing my girlfriend in the process. “ “Just try not to let the vamp pop out while you’re talking to her.”

“Gee, thanks for the advice.” Laughing, they continued down the street.

Giles winced as the loud music that filled the Bronze assaulted his ears. He had agreed to come in a fit of joy over their triumph. Now he was beginning to regret that decision. He should have stayed home and re-read one of his favorite books. That was more his kind of celebration. He sat down at a table, drink in hand. He would need several more to get through the night. He stared out at the dance floor, searching the gyrating bodies for a familiar face. His gaze finally settled on Xander and Willow, dancing together. He smiled at the look of rapture on Willow’s face. It was almost worth it just to see her so happy.

Watching Xander dance, Willow giggled a little. It was kind of endearing how he threw himself into the dance, not caring what anybody else thought. She felt a sudden rush of affection for his total lack of rhythm.

“C’mon Will,” he screamed over the music. “Cut loose. We saved the world remember, so boogie down.” Willow shook her head doubtfully. She would feel too ridiculous. She watched as his face fell slightly at her refusal, and she immediately regretted her decision. The guy of her dreams was asking her to dance and she refused because she was afraid of a little embarrassment. Well not tonight, she decided. Tonight she just wouldn’t care what the rest of the world thought.

“All right!” she yelled. “Let’s get funky!” She abandoned her traditional dance, which consisted of bouncing from one leg to the other, and began to gyrate wildly.

“Whoo hoo!” Xander replied grinning, and the two shook and shimmied to the music.

Buffy laughed as she watched the pair’s wildly flailing limbs. “I can’t believe it,” Buffy said to Angel. “Willow has never danced like that in her life. She looks like she’s having a seizure...I mean in a good way.” Angel glanced over at the pair and chuckled.

“That’s what love’ll do to you,” he said. They were sitting at one of the many tables that filled the Bronze. They had cleaned themselves up as much as possible. Angel’s jacket had been completely ruined so he was wearing one of Giles’ tweed numbers. It was amazing, Buffy thought, he even managed to make Giles’ clothes look good. They had washed her dress in the sink, but it hadn’t dried in time; so she was wearing an over size T-shirt and boxers. She covered the outfit with the leather jacket Angel had given her. It wasn’t her best look, but right now she couldn’t care less about fashion.

“Tell me again why we can’t dance too.” She whined.

“Mainly because we both almost died tonight.”

“Oh yeah,” Buffy said. “But I feel so much better.” Angel shook his head forbiddingly, just as Jewel’s Foolish Games came on. “Oh, please!” she begged. “Slow dancing is just swaying anyway, there’s no exertion involved.” Angel looked into her pleading eyes and couldn’t resist.

“Just one.” They walked to the dance floor and wrapped their arms around each other. Buffy lay her head against his chest. Feeling his strength; drinking in his heat, his smell. She looked up as she felt him shift in her arms. He kissed her forehead lightly and she raised her face. Their lips met tenderly, then again more passionately. She ran her hand up his back, inside his jacket and he shuddered a little. He twisted a strand of her hair on his finger, and drew her closer. Buffy knew that they still had issues to work through. She had felt his blood lust during the fight, and it scared her. And there was still the sex thing. Xander had been cruel when he brought it up, but it was a valid point. She let all their problems slip to the back of her mind. There would be plenty of time for problems later. Right now they were together and tomorrow would never come. She smiled up into his beautiful eyes. Tonight problems didn’t matter. All that mattered was being in his arms. Xander caught her eye as he danced with Willow. He grinned and Buffy couldn’t help but grin back. Everything would work out, she just knew it.

Xander hugged Willow a little tighter. He liked the feel of her in his arms. This was nice, really nice. He smiled down at her head and let the music carry them.

Angel leaned his head on top of Buffy’s. She pulled back to give him a kiss on the nose, which he returned. He smiled at her, and his fangs peeked out of his mouth glinting in the dim light. Quickly he shut his mouth, hiding them. He was suddenly very aware of the blood, the life in the room. He could fell the heat of the bodies that surrounded them. He could hear the heart beats that pumped blood through each of their bodies. The sound filled his ears, pounding against his skull. He licked his lips nervously and his glance fell on the girl nestled in his arms. Her look was questioning, but her eyes were full of trust. He forced his heart to stop racing. Gradually he recovered his calm. He was in control. He touched her lips lightly, and kissed her hand. She was enough.