Part 7

Author’s note: I said at the beginning that this story takes place before "I Only Have Eyes for You", however in my universe Angel has already moved to the mansion that was shown in that episode because Giles destroyed the warehouse. I also want to say that I love feedback, so please send me your comments and suggestions at Aspacia23@yahoo.com.

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As the daylight started to fade, Buffy stirred languidly, relishing the memory of another day spent in Angel's arms. When she opened her eyes it didn't surprise her to find Angel sitting in his chair, watching her like he always did.

What she saw in his eyes sent a small shiver down her spine. The intensity of his gaze was overwhelming and she knew that Angel found the same intensity in her eyes. What they saw in each other's eyes was a product of something neither one of them could completely understand.

The connection that they shared was the most powerful pull towards another being they had ever experienced. Nothing could compare to that connection, not the thrill of the hunt and not the ecstasy of the feed. It went far beyond lust or passion.

Being with each other was a necessity for their very existence. Being a separate entity was not an option any more. For better or for worst, they were destined to be one.

Buffy rolled onto her side and propped herself up on one elbow. Gazing into his eyes she called him to her side. Putting aside the cup full of blood he had been drinking he came to her side knowing exactly what she needed and wanted, words were not needed between them.

"I was wondering when you were going to wake up," said Angel with his cocky smile. The smile Buffy found so sexy and made her weak in the knees, as her mother would say.

"Were you missing me?" she asked in a husky whisper.

"You can say that, my love," said Angel as he sat down on the bed right next to Buffy. "What I really want to do is to show you just how much."

As he leaned closer to her with maddening slowness, Buffy licked her lips in breathless anticipation. Gathering her in his arms, he finally claimed her lips. She reached up to wind her arms around his neck.

Their kiss was gentle and seductively sweet at first, but it quickly escalated into a violently needful possession of each other’s mouths. It was full of desperate longing and wanting.

Buffy moaned in delight at the blood she could still taste in his mouth. Slowly she racked her fingernails down his bare back, evoking a deep rumble underneath her hungry lips. She felt drunk on the power she had over him and the ability to evoke such an uninhibited response.

Caught up in the moment, they both failed to hear the steady knocking on the door until the guard’s efforts could be heard in the whole mansion. Angel reluctantly lifted his lips from hers and with violent swiftness got up from the bed.

Buffy once again turned to her side and watched him walk towards the door. She bit her lower lip, loving the fierce animalistic aggression emanating from his body as he strutted towards the door and the way his leather pants fitted him like a second skin.

"This better be dammed good or I’ll kill whoever is behind that door," Angel snarled as he opened the door.

"I’m sorry to disturb you sir," said one of Drusilla’s new toys with a shaky voice. "But I was ambushed in the sewers by the other slayer. She told me to bring you this."

A mocking smile curved Buffy’s lips seeing the stark terror in the eyes of the newly made vampire. However her smile quickly vanished when she looked up and saw the expression on Angel’s face.

"Angel what’s wrong?" she asked once the young vampire had silently slipped out the room and closed the door on his way out.

"It is a note from Kendra," he answered with a deadly quality in his voice. "Buffy you are in danger."

A disbelieving laugh escaped her lips. "What, she wants to fight me? Please she is no match for me."

Angel didn’t respond to her remark, his dark eyes burned into hers. His fists were gripped tightly by his sides. Buffy then knew something was very wrong.

"Just tell me what’s going on," she said as she sat up on the bed.

"The Watcher’s Council ordered Kendra to contact the Order of Taraka and put a contract on your life," he said as he held out the note. "She says that she rather kill you herself and that she is challenging you to a fight."

"Yeah right," said Buffy with a mocking voice. "Since when does the Order of Taraka work for pathetic Xena wanna-bes?"

"The Tarakan bounty hunters will work for any mystical creature, which she is, as long as they get paid," he stated, trying to stay calmed. He wouldn’t let them take her away form him. She was his for eternity.

"What are we going to do?" she asked, knowing that Angel would find a way to keep them together.

"We’ll fight her," he answered as he came to sit next to her. He gently started caressing her face with the back of his hand.

Her eyes went wide. She hadn’t expected him to say that. Last time they had faced the assassins he had opted to hide. "Why would we do that?"

"We have no other choice but to fight her. You know that nobody can escape the bounty hunters," he answered. "The last time they came after you, we were able to cancel the contract only because everyone thought Spike was dead."

"So in other words, to cancel the contract I have to bag the slayer," said Buffy with a smug look on her face. "That should be easy enough."

"I’m glad to hear that you have seen things in a positive light." A malicious gleam sparkled in his eyes. "Just think what ‘bagging’ your first slayer within a week after been brought across, will do for you reputation. It will definitely affirm the hold we have on the vampire community. Think about the power."

"Power, I love the sound of that word"

"After tonight our lives will never be the same!" said Angel before gathering her in his arms for a passionate kiss.