A Solution in Blood
by Pantherstrike

Willow and Giles were in the library, AKA slayer central, one night (no suprise here) researching prophecy books to be sure they'd be ready for any preordained killing sprees. All of a sudden, Whistler walked in the door.

"Buffy?", asked Giles as he looked up. Then, "I'm sorry, who are you?"

"I'm a-ah....friend of Angel and his girlfriend," answered Whistler, "and I come bearing a gift." As he said this, he held up a book with a Latin title Giles recognized as 'Romani Curses'.

Just then Willow stepped from the shelves and said "Well Giles, I don't see-who's this?"

"The name's Whistler, and I've spent the longest time looking for 'dis book for Angel. The kid can't do what I sent him to do if he's not happy," answered Whistler with a smug smile.

"Buffy told us about you," said Willow, "or at least as much as she knew. What book is that?" she asked, full of curiosity and interest.

Whistler explained that, a while back, he had heard that there was a way to alternate Angel's curse in a way that he'd still have a soul, but if he experienced the one moment of true happiness it wouldn't leave him. For a while he searched for the book that held the spell, but its location was well guarded by the Romani. Just as he was about to give up, he found a copy and rushed to Sunnydale with it.

"That's the book? How awesome! Thank you, thank you!" exclaimed Willow.

"Yes, I'm positive Buffy and Angel will appreciate this.", added Giles.

"Yeah, well I'm afraid what you have to do to make it work ain't so cheerful, but certainly doable.", said Whistler.

"Really, why?", enthusiasm more than slightly diminished but curiosity still in full force.

"See for yourself. I gotta go, I'm afraid. Give the two love birds my hellos...and-ah good luck.", answered Whistler before waving and turning away.

"Thanks, I think," said Willow (muttering the 'I think').

The next day, Willow and Giles recounted the story to the rest of the gang and Buffy was simply ecstatic. "Really?! An altering spell?!", she practically screamed, but was set back by the insignificant action Angel had to perform, "What is it?".

"We don't know actually, we wanted to wait until you and Angel got here to check.", answered Giles.

"I'll get him here tonight.", Buffy retorted defiantly.

That night, everyone (including Angel) was in the library. They told him the whole long story and his face showed his surprise at Whistler's involvement, also his overall hope and amazement. At the story's end Angel was in complete shock, "To make it permanent...," he reveled with a dreamy smile," but what's the catch ?".

"Let's find out right now.", suggested Giles as he picked up the book. After about 20 minutes of searching in the book, while everyone else sat silent around the library, he broke the silence with "Oh dear."

"What!?", shouted six Slayerette voices.

Then Giles read aloud, "To alternate the curse of a soul after it has been broken and restored once before, the beast cursed with a soul must drink one pint of blood from everyone present during the original curse breaking that is still alive. While this is done, someone else must follow the directions below and read the incantation."

"No," said Angel, "I won't hurt anyone else."

"Yes," argued Buffy, "it'll only be me. Besides, I've been bitten before! And you'll only take one pint!"

"I don't want to hurt you anymore," said Angel.

"You'll hurt me even more if you don't do this, so Angel, and forgive me for this," Buff said. Then she took Angel by the lapels and held him against the wall, "do it." Angel gave a sigh. He would like not worrying about losing his soul, and wouldn't hurt Buffy much to take one little pint.

"All right," he said, resigned, "with your permission."

"Of course!", exclaimed Buffy and gave him a kiss.

Giles smiled and asked Willow if she could get the ingredients. "Sure! With a ride I can get them by tomorrow night."

"Do you need our help?" asked Xander speaking for the first time since 'What?!',

"You and Cordelia may be able to help with the spell casting but nothing else for the moment," answered the Watcher. They decided to meet there tomorrow at 8:00 P.M.

Angel walked Buffy home and they said goodnight. Buffy walked in her house as happy as any slayer could be and calling, "Mom! Great news!".

"What is it, Honey? Did you defeat another demon?", Joyce asked.

"That's one way to put it!", Buffy answered with a giggle. She explained about all the weird happenings of the last couple days and Joyce seemed a little confused but otherwise happy for her daughter. She even decided to attend the spell casting out of curiosity. "Are you sure, Mom?", asked Buffy.

"Of course, I find the whole concept interesting. By the way, what broke the curse the first time?"

"Oh...just something."

It's 8:00 P.M. in Sunnydale and all of the Slayerettes, including Joyce and even Faith, are in the Sunnydale High School library. Willow and Giles are setting up a table with all kinds of plants and such, with help from Oz and Xander. Everything's ready and the casting starts, with burning incense and incantations. It's time for the climax of the ceremony and Angel puts up his game face and Buffy turns her head to expose her neck. With pain Angel finally bites his lover and drinks the pint of blood needed. The incantation is completed and Angel is altered. He and Buffy leave the room attached at the lips and Joyce asks where they are going.

"Just to be alone, no doubt." Willow answers with a teasing face.

You can say whatever you want happened after that with Buffy and Angel, but I will tell you they were happy to have that whole curse problem off their shoulders.

This is my first official fan fiction so I'll accept any feedback even flames. If you want me to write more, I'll need a little support, and maybe constructive criticism to make it better!

Go here for more of Pantherstrike's stories.

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