As the brightness of his blood seeped across the mahogany floor, she gained control of her limbs and was at his side in a moment. Softly heading his name, begging him back to life, and crying. The dead weight of his body in her arms was what sent her to do it. It was crazy! She would be punished later, but later she would not care. As she drained the sweet life from his veins the salt of tears splashed and streaked across his skin and clothes mingling with the spilt blood. Tearing open the flesh on her wrist, she did not hear the sounds of yelling, of her sire forbidding her to save this man, to turn him. She did not hear the violent argument between Angelus and Darla all she knew was pain in that moment and needing to make it stop so desperately that she would die if need be. The pain must leave.

The pain was so familiar to her. All her life, or un-life may be it, was nothing but pain and suffering as far as she could recall. But if he were here, would the pain not stop? Or at least ease? She needed him.

Her blood dripped down her wrist and into his open mouth. It splattered and stained across the white lace of her dress, drying in harsh brown, red streaks. The knot of curls upon her head had begun to fall loose and limp strands whisped around her face and eyes. She didn't think to brush them aside. Right now they were only secondary, all that existed was he.

**~**~**

William became aware of something fuzzy in the back of his head. Like someone was reaching in to pull him back. To pull him out of the oblivion of blackness that hung about him. He felt nauseous. Was this death? Oblivion? He must follow the pull. Anywhere but oblivion.

He had no idea what he was getting into.

William grasped onto something to try out and make out what was real. A soft, familiar voice was speaking to him. He reached back to reality, away from the light, stepping into the dark.

Angelus seethed with anger. He lunged forward but Darla grabbed him, holding him back. His dark eyes burned with fire and hatred as he faced her. "Let go." He demanded, reigning his temper. She refused, a stubbornness gleamed from her eyes. He didn't think. His free hand lashed out striking her across the jaw. Stunned she released her hold on him. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth. Though he'd been angry before he'd never hit her. She was his sire. He needed to learn a lesson. She threw him a glare that could melt steel and turned, storming from the room.

William opened his eyes with much effort and glanced around as they adjusted to the darkness. Kneeling above him clothed in empire waist white, was something of an angel. He had searched for her for nearly three years, or her killer, unsure if she still lived.He smiled as he reached up to touch her, as if to convince himself she was indeed real. Her beautiful, pale skin, and her midnight tresses. Her dark blue eyes peered at him and he became lost in their depths. Her supple lips, like the petals of a new bud. He leaned up to kiss her, to claim as his once again. She came to meet him halfway when suddenly she was jerked away and forcefully pulled from him. She yelped as the dark man covered her mouth and hissed angry words into her ear. "You cannot have him" the man seethed "Go up to your room." When she hesitated, glancing longingly at William the man commanded "Now!" She scurried away quickly, unshed tears lining her eyes. William forced himself to stand and look the man in the eyes. "Who are you..." He breathed "to speak to her in such a way?!" Angelus growled and his face was suddenly hideous, unnatural. William blanched.