Chapter One ~ Chapter Two ~ Chapter Three ~ Chapter Four ~ Chapter Five ~ Chapter Six ~ Chapter Seven ~ Chapter Eight ~ Chapter Nine ~ Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven ~ Chapter Twelve ~ Chapter Thirteen ~ Chapter Fourteen ~ Chapter Fifteen ~ Chapter Sixteen ~ Chapter Seventeen ~ Chapter Eighteen
Still My Girl?
Written by Akay
Digging her keys out of her pocket Buffy slid one into the lock to open the front door to her apartment. She was so tired after spending a long day at the mall, watching Dawn try on shoes after shoes only to end up purchasing a pair that in Buffy's opinion were completely the wrong kind for her younger sister to be wearing. Granted her little sister was eighteen now. But the fact that her sole purpose for buying that particular style, was only due to the fact that they gave her that perfect swing when she walked past an unexpecting male. Dawn was too young to be thinking of things like that. To be wanting men to look at her body and the way she could make it move.
At that age it was the last thing on Buffy's mind. Why couldn't Dawn be more like her in that way? You know hanging out with a guy that was over two and a half centuries older than she, but not having sex in case he lost his soul therefore turning into the vicious demon inside. Ahhh the good old days, why couldn't Dawn find someone like that?
While pulling the keys out of the lock, Buffy's eyes fell on the blinking light coming from the answering machine. As she placed her bags on the floor next to the hall table that held said machine, she clicked the button to listen to her messages. As the voice on the machine noted that she had five new ones, Buffy made her way back to the front of the apartment to close the door she'd only just entered. Her thoughts trailing back to Dawn, and Buffy finally realised that it wasn't so much what she'd bought, more the fact that her little sister had grown up so fast and become a woman so quickly, that Buffy couldn't help wondering where she was when that was happening.
Then her thoughts drifted to Angel and the girl she was when she was eighteen. Her life filled with so many burdens, and always so much to do. But it also held her time with her best friends Willow and Xander and the fun and silly things they used to do. Things they never seemed to have time for anymore. Oh she wasn't laying it all on them she was as much to blame if not more.
Nothing was the same since the hell mouth swallowed itself, especially Buffy. She'd become so preoccupied with living that normal life she'd dreamed about for so long, she'd forgotten about everyone else. And instead of letting everyone share it with her, she'd pushed them away, of course not intentionally. But they never seemed to understand how much the simplest things in life meant to her now, they had had it all along, but Buffy had felt like she was living real life for the first time.
But one thing was missing in all this living life she'd been doing, she was never really loving what she was living as much as when she was that naive eighteen year old school girl.
Angel, he had been the hardest, yet the simplest thing in her life, he'd been her true love, the only other that really understood her on a level no other could ever reach. And there had been others but they were just insignificant, but Angel well he was once her everything.
But things had changed since then. Buffy was older, wiser and so far apart from his world that she'd just closed it off. Of course closing it off doesn't mean she never thought about it.
The first message was from Dawn, telling Buffy she was waiting for her at their favourite cafe Venus, and to hurry up otherwise she'd start spending her money without her. Buffy smiled to herself Dawn had become as bad as she was at that age, when it came to fashion the summer’s girls were good at spending their pay checks.
The second message was from Willow letting Buffy know she had ended up moving to LA to take that job offer and was just ringing to leave her new number. The third was Willow again actually leaving her number this time as she'd forgotten to on her last call. Buffy smiled to herself, it was good to see some people were still the same.
The forth was Giles ringing to thank Buffy for the Christmas present she'd sent him over a week ago now.
And the last message was silence, then “Are you busy?” came from a voice in the background. Then the line was dead.
“Okay....” Buffy said to herself out loud.
Buffy simply chose to ignore the last message. It was probably Xander, wanting to talk to her but not knowing why he had called, he often did that. And that voice in the background that sounded female would have been Anya waiting for him, probably to give her more attention.
With that Buffy dismissed the last call and went about getting dinner ready as it was Dawn's last night visiting Buffy as she had to return to UCLA. Buffy loved having her there, it felt like old times the fighting, the screaming, and the hogging of the bathroom. Oh how she missed that. Dawn had been pleading with Buffy to move closer although she was only a couple of hours away. But Bakersfield was the first place she'd been able to call home outside of Sunnydale. And L.A., well she had her own reasons for not rushing back there.
Dawn was due back at any second. Wanting to say goodbye to a friend she'd made during her visit to Bakersfield as she wouldn't have enough time in the morning before her drive back to L.A. She thought about asking Buffy once again to move back there with her, but knew it was pointless. Buffy would not move to be that close to well a certain someone from her past. Dawn brushed the idea out of her mind as she hugged her friend goodbye and made her way out of the busy cafe that she and Buffy had met at this morning. As she made her way home she started to think about L.A. and what was waiting for her when she got back.
Did Buffy know that Willow had accepted a job with Wolfram & Hart and was now working with Angel? Buffy hadn't mentioned anything on the subject so Dawn guessed no. She knew she should tell Buffy but thought maybe it was Willow's place too, not that Buffy would mind, would she?
Realistically Buffy and Angel were each other's past, but Dawn always thought they'd find there way back to each other. And the idea of her once best friend working with the only man she has ever loved might be a bit too much for Buffy. Willow seeing him everyday and Buffy, well not.
As she made her way up the stairs leading to Buffy's apartment a conversation she'd had with Buffy just after they made it out of the sunken Sunnydale on the school bus, nearly three years ago now, came to mind.
***************
“Sooo, Buffy?” said Dawn.
Buffy's eyes were now trained on her view of the crater she'd once called home, as she looked from her seat at the back of the bus. Realising Dawn had asked her something she snapped her eyes shut while a single tear escaped her lashes and rolled down her cheek. She shook her head slightly while wiping away the tear and turned her body slightly so as to face Dawn, who was now sitting on the seat beside her.
“Huh?” replied Buffy in a soft whisper.
Dawn sensing her sister's unease, thought it best not to ask her why she was crying, instead she asked her what she wanted to in the first place.
“Well, In case you haven't noticed that big hole you're looking at back there, it kinda had our home in it, and your job.........except you were fired. Okay then getting back to my point here. I guess what I'm trying to say is Sunnydale was your whole life...........well old life anyway. With the spell Willow performed you do realise everything's different now, and in a good way right?”
Still in somewhat of a trance Buffy looked up at Dawn and replied “Right.”
“So why do you have the ‘Oh my god another apocalypse’ look on your face?” asked Dawn
Buffy was still trying to come to terms with everything that had just happened. Loosing her home, some of the SITS actually slayers now, and Spike. She let out a long deep breath then turned to look at her sister again, who was now deeply concerned.
“I don't have that kinda look on my face, see I'm happy." Forcing herself to give Dawn a wide convincing toothy grin.
Dawn giggled before pleading “Buffy stop it, you look like a crazy person. Now tell me what's wrong.”
Smiling slightly at her younger sister's reply, Buffy placed her hand on Dawn's “Nothing I'm fine, really.”
Shifting slightly so she could face Dawn properly she continued. “My emotions are just kinda everywhere at the moment...........alot has happened in the last few day's.”
“Now that's an understatement!” said Dawn
“I just never thought that I would ever be free. You know get to live my own life. I never thought I'd have something outside of demons and darkness.” said Buffy with a sad smile.
Dawn a little shocked by Buffy's expression pushed a strand of Buffy's golden hair behind her ear, something Buffy always did to her when ever she was upset and they were talking. Buffy smiled at the gesture, thinking to herself how odd it was that she and Dawn had switched places. Dawn now resting her hand on Buffy's arm tried to reassure her.
“Well hey that's where you're supposed to be celebrating, and having one of those ‘Yay I'm not the only slayer in the world anymore, and I'm free to do as I like, and have everything I want’ parties.”
“But that's just it Dawnie. What do I want to do with my life? There's only one thing I've ever wanted, ever whined about. A normal life, and now that I've got it; it just seems so........well nothing. It feels empty; I still want my demons and darkness. Well I mean I could do without the whole patrolling every night. But there are some things that are a part of that world that I still want.” Replied Buffy
“Well you could still have those things. I guess, if you want them that bad. I just figured that when you got your normal life, nothing else would matter.”
“That's just it Dawnie, yay for me I have a normal life. I had to fight and kill to get it. I had to watch innocent young girls give up their lives to get what I want. I had to watch Spike give up his.” Buffy said the last bit so quietly Dawn could barely make it out.
“I told him that I loved him, right before he died and he knew, he knew I did it because I thought it would make him feel better, he knew my heart was never gonna love another.”
“Angel.” Dawn said as though finally realising. “That's what this is about isn't it?”
Buffy looked up at her younger sister, her eyes welling with tears. She let go of Dawn's hand and started to fidget with her own as she broke her gaze with Dawn. Seeing Buffy's eyes filled with tears, Dawn let out a soft little breath and tried to calm her older sister.
“Buffy I'm sorry, I didn't mean to just bring him up like that, I didn't know this was about him. I mean I knew you had seen him the other night when he had given you that amulet thingy for Spike to wear. But I didn't realise, did he say something to upset you........"
“No........” Buffy snapped her head up quickly, coming to Angel’s defence when she heard what her sister was saying. "He wanted to know if I could see him, US in the future, together……..”
Buffy was stopped half way through her sentence as Giles had pulled the school bus into a gas station. He turned and told everyone that this was the last stop for a while. Buffy rose to her feet and made her way down to the front of the bus passing Willow as she was trying to wake Xander who was sleeping next to a snoring Anya. Dawn reluctantly followed her sister wanting to know the rest of what happened the other night with Angel. She caught up to Buffy and ran around to stand in front of her.
“And.......” Dawn said her voice full of suspense.
“And what?” said buffy jokingly
“Buffy!” Dawn was getting angrier by the second
Buffy let out a soft laugh then looked at her sister's serious face and gave in.
“Well I told him I wasn't done, you know baking.”
Taking in the look of confusion on Dawn’s face Buffy changed her direction.
“Okay let's see, it went something like, I'm cookie dough and I still haven't baked.” Getting serious now Buffy looked her sister right in the eyes. “I also kinda said that I do see him in my future, but like years from now.”
Dawn's features softened a little “Well that's good right, I mean you guys get to be together in like a couple of years or so?”
“Yeah, great.”
Dawn confused now “What that's not good? I don't get it, why is that not good?”
Buffy tried to stop herself from answering that question; she was so used to bottling things up. But she'd learned long ago that sometimes, you just had to say what was on your mind.
“Cause I don't want to wait.” Buffy blurted out, a sad tone to her voice.
“Oh.” Replied Dawn. “Well in that case why aren’t we on our way to L.A.?”
“I can't, not yet. I'm not ready, I mean look at me Dawnie what do I have to show for myself, a few bruises, no job, no idea what I want out of life..........”
“Except Angel” Stated Dawn cutting Buffy off.
“Yeah well, I kinda want to go back to him with a bit more to offer than just this.” Buffy gestured at herself.
“Buffy don't be stupid. Angel doesn't care about all that other stuff, he never did, he believed in you for who you were and are now and for what you can be, if anything he'd help you. He’d want you just like this, and he’d still think he didn’t deserve you.”
“But he does! And I know he’d help me, but I think maybe I need to do this on my own.” Smiling to herself she added “I think I need to be the only one in the kitchen while I'm baking.”
Dawn laughing at her sister's reply understood what she was trying to say.
***************
Dawn hadn't realised she'd been standing on the steps so long thinking about the past till she heard Buffy's voice.
“Hey I was about to send out a search party.” Said the blonde smiling at her sister from the now opened front door.
“Very funny” said Dawn smiling while rolling her eyes. “Besides I wasn't that long.”
“Dinner's been on the table for half an hour so you’re a little late.” Yelled Buffy, as she made her way back into the apartment and down the hall.
Following behind her Dawn wondered if anything had changed. Buffy obviously had her own place and a great career ahead of her, but was she ready to think about that other part of her life. Was Buffy baked yet? Dawn thought not to ask and just leave things the way they were 'maybe it's better if Buffy comes to that conclusion in her own time'.
***************
"Hey you've reached Buffy, well I'm guessing you already knew that since you dialled my number, and I don't know why I just said that. Anyway I can't take your call at the moment so leave me a message and I promise I'll try to get back to you. Bye."
Buffy's chirpy voice was being played down the phone line and into Angel's ear. He had toyed with the idea of calling her all day since Willow had given him her new number. He was nervous as to what Buffy would say about him calling her; she would probably wonder how he had gotten her new number as they had usually only kept in touch via emails. But just hearing her voice and her cute ramblings she was so famous for was well worth the call. When the tone sounded as his que to leave a message, Angel was at a loss for words, still playing her sweet voice over and over in his mind. Slowly working up the courage to say something, anything, he was interrupted.
“Are you busy?” asked Fred as she walked into his office.
Immediately Angel hung up the phone, then looked up and yelled “Don't you people knock around here?”
Fred totally taken aback by Angel's harsh tone replied in a shaky voice “I-I'm sorry Angel, I-I just wanted to deliver this to you from Willow, she told me to give it to you in person, she would have done it herself but she’s busy working on a case with Wesley.”
Angel feeling a bit guilty at bitting her head off apologised to and thanked Fred before she placed the envelope on his desk and made her way out of his office a little faster than usual.
Angel played with the envelope in his hands, deciding whether or not to open it, considering all the luck they’ve had with things arriving in them. Dismissing the thought as it was directly from Willow and he had been expecting it. He ripped it open to find a piece of paper with Willow's hand writing on it. Willow had written down the spell she had used on Angel to restore his soul nearly three years ago now. She had already told Angel the news but he insisted that he see it for himself just to be sure.
After reading the paper for the hundredth time Angel smiled to himself.
They pulled into the campus car park around 9am, Dawn wanting to stop there quickly to drop off her bags before spending the day with Buffy. She had managed to convince her to stay in L.A. overnight. Although Buffy only needed to stick around for one photo shoot she'd had scheduled just after lunch. It would only take a couple of hours, and Buffy really didn't want to stay any longer than was necessary, but with Dawn's persistence she couldn't do anything but agree, if only to shut her up.
After Dawn had securely placed her bags in her dorm room, she came back outside to meet Buffy who was still waiting in her car. Buffy had done so well for herself in the last three years, and had alot to show for it. The day she had gotten off the plane in Europe she had bought an expensive camera to capture the sights with. In Rome Buffy started making money by taking photos and selling them. They ended up on postcards, and that's when Buffy decided to do a short course and learn more about photography as she already had a liking for it.
In the end the postcards got her recognition, and one day she was asked to fill in for another photographer who was to drunk, and a model was refusing to work with him. Everything just grew from there. Buffy didn't love photographing models as much as everything else she had done. There bitching and whining got so annoying, but most of them had alot of respect for her now, they could see she knew what she was doing. Eventually she moved back to the states and was just as popular here as she was in Italy getting endless opportunities.
She managed to lease a beautiful apartment in Bakersfield; the walls now displayed alot of her work, mostly sceneries. Dawn had pleaded with her to move to L.A. everyday for like a month, but Buffy kept on refusing saying that she would prefer someplace quiet, even if she did have to travel into L.A. for shoots. The idea of having someplace to come back to that was quiet and not overflowing with demons, she liked that.
She also went out and bought herself a black convertible Honda S2000. Dawn had paid her out on that, making fun of the fact that Buffy was one of the world's worst drivers and seeing her behind the wheel of that car, especially in a town where you pretty much got ran off the road, was worse than any demon they had ever faced. Buffy didn't take that to well, but laughed anyway, knowing it was the truth. Most importantly she also managed to send Dawn to college.
**********
Willow made her way to Angel's office, getting in the morning after her mission with Wesley to dispatch a nest of Braqin demons. Her spell had gone a little wrong, although it had worked to some degree. Instead of killing the demons in a nice clean kind of way, they had exploded into tiny pieces leaving Willow and Wesley covered in their sticky green blood, which didn't have the nicest aroma to it either. She spent most of night washing it out of her hair and clothes, now she knew what Buffy had dealt with pretty much every night. It just wouldn't come out, lather rinse and repeat x 100 and she swore she could still smell that awful blood. She knocked on the big wooden door leading to Angel's office, then opened it slowly and popped her head in around it.
"Angel?"
"Hey Willow, come in." Angel's voice came from the chair as he swung around to face her.
Willow flashed Angel a warm friendly smile as she walked towards his desk.
"Hey. So what was so important you couldn't talk to me over the phone?" asked Willow, scrunching her nose slightly at the smell of her hair.
Angel returned her smile before his features grew serious.
"I need to know something about the spell that you got Fred to drop into me last night."
Willow inspecting Angel closer now could tell that the vampire hadn't slept properly last night. Maybe it was because she had given him Buffy's new number yesterday. Had he called her, is that what this was about? In all honesty he probably hadn't slept since she first told him about the whole spell thing last week. That was the first thing she had taken care of as soon as she had seen Angel on her first day, still kicking herself for forgetting about it years ago.
"Shoot. What did you want to know?"
"Well, Last week you told me that my soul is bound and that there's no longer any clause." Angel paused for a second before continuing "Is that right?"
"Yeah Angel, it is." The Wicca stepped forward and picked the spell up off the desk. She had handwritten it yesterday before going out last night. "It's all here. This is the spell it's pretty much like the old one I just kinda Re-wrote it a little, to fit in or remove something’s."
"Like the loosing it again part." whispered Angel a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Yeah and Angel I know what you're about to say......"
Willow was getting anxious she had been waiting for this moment since the day she told him about the clause in the curse or lack thereof, and knew that things were not about to go smoothly. She contemplated making a run for it, turning her head to the side and peering back at the door, but it was pointless he'd be in front of her in a second. So she continued.
"I should have told you about this three years ago, and believe me I'm sorry I didn't. It just, it totally slipped my mind." Angel leaned forward as if to say something, but Willow put up a hand to stop him. "And I know what you're thinking how does someone forget about something so big, and I can't answer that because I honestly don't know. We had so much going on back then, with The first and then you turning into Angelus. I knew the moment the spell was cast that if it worked and your soul was returned to you that it would be permanent. But by the time I seen you after that, I was so anxious to get back to Buffy that I just forgot and I'm sorry."
Angel made another move to say something but Willow stopped him again.
"The next time I thought about it after that, we were in Rome and Buffy and I were talking about you and I realised I still hadn't told you. I was going to call but I thought this isn't the kind of thing you tell someone over the phone. So I thought it best to wait until I was back in the states and I didn't think it would be this long. And I'm sorry."
Willow finished quickly. She started stepping back a little and scrunching her features waiting for the explosion, she was surprised to say the least by Angel's reply.
"You and Buffy talked about me?" Said Angel a bit surprised but happy at the same time. He then stood up from his chair behind his desk, as he could see Willow stepping back away from him. He took a few steps around his desk and towards her then said.
"Well what did you talk about? Why were you talking about me? What did she say?"
Willow couldn't help but smile at Angel acting like he was a sixteen year old school boy. Angel caught her smile and urged her to continue.
"Well not much, she ummmmm..........well we sort of drifted apart after the big fight in Sunnydale, and it was just before she left Rome to come back to the states so she could be near Dawn, about five or so months ago now." Taking note of Angel's expression Willow got back to the point. "She said she'd finally made a life for herself and Dawn, and She felt like she was done and ready for the next step. She told me a little about your conversation the last time you seen each other. And that's when I remembered that I hadn't told you yet, which I am so sorry for Angel."
Taking another step closer Angel placed his hand on Willow's shoulder. "It's okay Willow really, I understand."
"There was another reason that I didn't tell you over the phone too."
Angel looked up at the red head's face with a puzzled expression. "What do you mean?"
Releasing a long breath Willow continued "Well when Buffy was telling me about your conversation with her in Sunnydale, I asked her if maybe the next step in her life involved you? Angel I wanted her to be the one to tell you."
Angel raised his eyebrows slightly, a little unsure about why Willow had asked Buffy that, but also grateful. "And? Why wasn't she, what happened?" he said urging Willow on.
"She said maybe it was too late, she thought that you and Cordelia were together, meaning that you were already happy now with someone else. That's when I thought that maybe I didn't need to tell you after all, maybe you already knew. If it was true and you were with Cordelia than maybe you had already found out your soul is permanent."
Angel couldn't believe what he was hearing, did Buffy really think that? He was angry now and through clenched teeth he spat out "She thought I was with Cordelia? And you thought that if I were, I would loose my soul, had the clause still existed, to Cordelia." Pacing now and trying to make sense of everything Angel turned back towards Willow his features softening as he spoke his next words. "Willow the curse clearly stated one moment of true happiness. I could never have that with any one other than Buffy. Why would she think that? I mean I told her I wanted her and that I was going to wait for her. Forever if I had too?" he said the last part quietly almost to himself.
Willow couldn't have been happier with his answer, she had thought as much the day she had started at Wolfram and Hart seeing as there was no Cordelia around. Where had Buffy gotten that idea from?
Willow took a step closer to Angel and looked up at him and said. "Well maybe you're telling the wrong person."
Angel looked at Willow a little confused hadn't she just heard him say that he had already told her.
Willow had an idea of what was going through Angel's mind placing her hands on his shoulders as if to shake him. When she moved closer Angel thought he could smell something , something terrible he was sure he'd smelt it before, he chose to ignore it as hard as it was and listened to what she was saying "Maybe you need to tell her again. That is if you still love her." She added the last part just to get a reaction.
Willow then let go of him and stepped back a little. Paranoid that Angel could smell her hair. Angel held her gaze, and with a little smile on his face he answered "Well maybe I need to go to Bakersfield tonight."
**********
Trying to erase the thought of the lusty stares and awful one liner's she'd received from her first male model today. Buffy set the scene up for the next. Apparently she was going to be taking pictures of some up and coming new star. 'Great' she thought to herself let's just hope this goes smoother than the first.' Buffy was startled out of her thoughts when she heard a female voice coming through the entrance to her studio. She had bought it in L.A solely to work from. She turned to face the woman the voice belonged to, and was surprised to say the least to see Cordelia standing there.
"Cordelia...uh.....what are you doing here?"
Cordelia relishing in the look on Buffy's face replied "What you didn't think you were the only star from Sunnydale now did you?"
Buffy took her eyes off Cordelia and continued setting the scene. "I'm not exactly what you'd call a star Cordelia."
"No. Well that's not what Time magazine thinks. But then again Time magazine internet geeks and boring old bald men in business suits, so you’re probably right."
"Wow, now you haven't changed at all have you?" said Buffy turning to face her all the while thinking what is it that Angel sees in her?
Buffy walked straight past her and out the back where wardrobe was, Cordelia followed. Buffy introduced Cordelia to Tony who dressed the models. He reached for Cordelia's hand to kiss it. Buffy stood there rolling her eyes while Cordelia giggled.
"Oh I love what Melanie’s done with your hair it looks great." Said Tony, sucking up to the brunette. He then made his way over to the clothes and started to pick out certain items and hold them up against her.
Buffy hated the idea of Cordelia being here, the woman that had won Angel's heart. But its not like she could blame it all on her, Buffy had her chance and she decided to wait and get her life together. But Angel despite what he had said to her on their last meeting didn't. Other than that Buffy really had no regrets, she was happy with her life, a little lonely maybe, it's not that she didn't date she just never found anyone interesting enough. She had lost alot of her close friends over the last few years, to focused on herself and her career. But she still had Dawn her little sister and Tony her colleague, that was okay for now. Besides with Willow moving to L.A. maybe Buffy could do something about fixing that friendship after all. She missed her once best friend so much and her moving to L.A. must be a blessing.
As Tony was going through more items that would look great on Cordelia, Buffy was tempted to switch the yes and no piles he had, and make her look ridiculous for the photos. A small smile crossed her face at the idea, but she dismissed it right away as she had worked to hard to blow it all on petty revenge.
Cordelia a little unhappy at some of the things Tony threw in the no pile sifted through it and pulled out a short white skirt that really left nothing to the imagination.
"This is nice, this is me." said Cordelia holding said skirt in the air.
"Sure if you’re trying to say that you’re a hooker then yeah that'd work." Buffy grabbed the skirt off her and held it against her.
Tony looked at Buffy and gave her a half smile trying to stop himself from bursting into laughter "With the cut of this skirt, and considering how tight it is your thighs will look..............uh......"
"Fat." Buffy finished for him. She never would have thought saying something like that to Cordelia miss fashion queen would make her feel so good.
"My thighs aren't fat!" spat Cordelia. Now really angry at the blonde.
"No but that's how they would look in that with the camera and all." Said Buffy crossing her arms across her chest, and just enjoying the moment.
"Whatever." sighed Cordelia as she threw the skirt back into the no pile and started rummaging through the rack. She pulled out a another white item this time a knee length dress with a long slit up the left and a plunging neck line.
"Oh this for sure, you have to agree this is me." said Cordelia her eyes taking in the dress.
"I really would." smiled Buffy, so what if she looked a little sluty. "Now put that one on first, and come out when you're ready." Buffy walked back out into the studio and made some last minute adjustments on the lighting.
Cordelia emerged wearing said dress. And Buffy had to admit as much as she hated to, that the brunette did look good. Buffy got her into position and then started to tell her how to pose.
"Put your arm up like this, and tilt your head to the right. Okay good now look at the camera, great." Buffy continued asking for different poses and clicking away.
Cordelia hated doing as she said, but she had to admit she had seen alot of her work, and the blonde knew what she was doing.
As Cordelia made her way back out in another outfit, she started a conversation about something Buffy really didn't want to talk about.
"Sooo Buffy." The Brunette begun "Have you seen Angel since coming back to the states?"
"No." Buffy answered quietly
"Really huh, and why is that?" Cordelia had expected her to say something more along the lines of yes and were so happy. Although the brunette had feelings for Angel she had to know either way if the slayer was back in the picture.
Buffy really not wanting to talk to his girlfriend about why she hadn't seen him or called him and why she had blocked all his emails, thought that the best thing to do was end this conversation as soon as possible. "Cordelia, I'm not a threat okay, you're with Angel now and you’re obviously the one he wants." Buffy said realising that since saying his name out loud her hands had started trembling.
Cordelia couldn't have been happier with the small blondes reply. This would keep her away long enough for Cordelia to secure him. Whoever had given Buffy that idea, Cordelia owed them a big thankyou.
"Well as long as you know it, then I'm happy.....we're happy." She just had to add that last bit.
At Cordelia's words Buffy could feel her stomach turning, wanting to bring back up what little lunch she'd had with Dawn. The idea of Angel with someone else, making love to someone else that is if they could, maybe she never gave him true happiness, either way it made her so sick. But she fought it just like everything else that had ever eaten away at her. There right in front of her was the confirmation she never wanted to hear. The first time she'd heard about it she wasn't sure she should believe the source, but now she had no reason to doubt it. 'Angel was happy, with someone else.' God life sucked.
**********
Angel was in his apartment packing an over night bag. He wasn't sure if Buffy was even going to talk to him but he had to try. 'Why would she think I was with Cordelia' Angel thought to himself. He had gotten Harmony to book him a hotel in Bakersfield for the night, even though it was hours before he could leave Angel was more than ready to go. He couldn't wait to see her again, it had been so long. He finally had an idea now of why the emails had stopped about six months ago. He had kept sending his only to find out they had failed to go through. Angel spun around when he heard the door to his apartment open. He took one quick look at who was walking in, and then returned to packing his bag.
"Get out!"
"Now Angel that's no way to talk to me is it?" Questioned Eve as she made her way over to where he was standing.
Angel turned to face her. "Talk no, I was telling you, now get out." Snapped Angel
"As much as I'd love to leave you to whatever it is your doing I can't. We have a situation........." Eve's eyes fell on the lounge; she noticed a bag with some of Angel's belongings in it. "Going somewhere Angel?" She asked her eyes still on the bag.
Angel still focused on his packing replied. "Is it any of your business?"
"Well, something that is my business and yours in fact is a vampire running around the streets of L.A. He's killed three school girls so far, says he's looking for you."
Angel changing his expression from annoyed to serious changed his tone as he spun around to face her. "Me?"
"Yeah apparently you guys have a history, the name Adam ring any bells?"
With that Angel stormed out of his apartment only to re open the door and walk back in to grab Eve by the arm and yank her out. As he closed the door behind them, he realised the sun had yet to set, and that he'd have to wait a couple of hours before he could go out and find the other vampire. 'Damn' he thought to himself he was getting ready to go see Buffy. Oh well looked like he'd just have to show up late.
**********
Getting in the car after having had dinner with Dawn, all Buffy wanted to do was curl up in her bed in her hotel room and get some sleep. Her Conversation with Cordelia that afternoon had not only made her a little sick, but tired to. She wanted nothing more than to get back home and not have to spend the night in L.A. But she just didn't have the energy needed for the drive back. She pulled the car up out the front of the fancy hotel. Then got out of the car and handed her keys to the valet.
Making her way into her room after soaking in the tub for over an hour Buffy eyed the bed longingly. She turned of all the lights bar the lamp beside the large queen bed. Pulling back the spread she climbed in under the covers and spread her small form to take up the entire size of the bed. Finally she could get some rest; she felt she so desperately needed.
She reached over and flicked the switch on the lamp. It hadn't even been a tiring day, not physically, she felt drained emotionally. Being here in the same city as he, but having to stay away, was one of the hardest things about working in L.A. When she first bought the studio it did occur to her that she could bump into Angel at any moment. But that's why she never stayed past sunset and if she did, than she was in the hotel and never walking or driving the streets.
Why did it bother her anyway? Why had it become so important for her to live her life around wether or not he seen her? Did she still love him? 'Is that really a question?' she thought to herself. In the end it had gotten easier though, she stopped thinking about him all day and kept concentrating on building her career. And being located in L.A. had helped in that, it made her twice as well known and wealthy for that matter in the short six months since she had moved. So why now then, after all she had done to forget, why couldn't she get him out of her mind. "Cordelia." she said in a harsh whisper. The brunette had gone out of her way to tell Buffy just how happy she was..........with Angel.
As much as she tried Buffy just couldn't let go of the thought and the more she thought about it, the angrier it made her. The idea of her getting a good nights sleep went out the window. Now sleep was the last thing on her mind. Tossing and turning she tried to shake away the thoughts, eventually she gave up and got out of bed. There was only one way she was going to get this out of her mind or at least deal with it. The way she always dealt with her anger and matters of the heart. Reaching into her overnight bag she had always carried in the trunk of her car, she pulled out her jeans and a black top. She changed quickly and grabbed her jacket on the way out. Nothing a quick slay wont fix.
**********
Smelling the blood from miles away, Angel made his way over to the body of another slain school girl. She was so young maybe fourteen or fifteen, her life ended in such a meaningless way. He picked up the scent of a male vampire, 'Adam' he thought. Following his scent Angel walked into a small park surrounded by lots of shrubs and greenery.
Buffy didn't expect to see the young girl’s body lying there lifeless; she checked the girl’s body for any clues to her death. Tilting the girls head she spotted the two puncture wounds on her neck. 'Damn vampire’s' she thought. Buffy set out to find the blood sucker who had killed her, while making her way over to the park she felt a sharp pang rip through her. Looking back at the dead girl, she dismissed the thought before it had the chance to take form in her mind. 'No Angel wouldn't have done this, he has a soul and if he had lost it well then I wouldn't be able to feel him.' That brought her to the thought of why could she feel him? Was he near, oh God what if he was? This is why she avoided L.A at night. The last thing she needed was to hear about his happiness with that bitch, from him too. ‘It’s not him’ she thought to herself while approaching the first bit of greenery separating her from the park.
Angel made his way through the small park and into a patch of deep bush. Pausing at the pang cutting threw him; he glanced back eyeing the park before dismissing the thought with a simple 'No she couldn't be' and emerging himself deeper in the scrubs.
Buffy slowly walking to the park, heard the rustles from the bushes just over the other side. Quickly but quietly she cleared the distance of the small playground. She could only just make out a large framed male’s figure in the pitch black darkness, but not his face. But something about the man just screamed vampire or so her spider senses where telling her. Not hesitating at all Buffy ran and tackled the vampire rolling through the bush before straddling him and pinning him to the ground.
"Got ya." Said the slayer in triumph.
Angel surprised at seeing Buffy, yet trembling slightly from being pinned under her in such an intimate position, smiled and replied "You sure do."
Buffy's eyes widened when she heard his voice.
“Angel?"
"Buffy" Angel whispered back, smiling up at her, moonlight shining on her honey blonde hair. The way she said his name just before, had affected him in a way no other could.
Buffy was stunned, looking down on him she suddenly realised the position they were in. Rising quickly and trying not to blush, she dusted herself off and tried to apologise, but the words just wouldn't come out. As Angel rose to his feet she slowly looked over him, starting at his feet and making her way up his body only stopping to look him in the eyes, Oh God those eyes were always so mesmerizing. From what she could see from the faint light the moon was providing, he looked good, too good. Pushing the thoughts out of her head, her expression hardened as Cordelia’s words from earlier on in the day echoed through her.
Angel just stood there, looking at her, taking her in. God she was so beautiful, just like he remembered but even more so, if that was possible. Her eyes still gem like, so hypnotising he could drown in them. Trying to say something anything he opened his mouth but the words just wouldn't find there way out. Finally he managed to form a sentence.
"What are you doing here?" he asked softly, curios as to why she was in a dark park in L.A. yet also pleased that she was.
Buffy's head shot up when she heard him speak. "What do you mean? In L.A. or in the park?"
Angel still unable to takes his eyes off her smiled and said "Both."
"I work in L.A. Angel. Have for awhile now, and I was just out for a walk." She finished quickly.
"Ahhh...." Angel wasn't really buying the last part, but didn't want to push his luck. Going off the look on her face he had the feeling that maybe seeing him wasn’t exactly what Buffy wanted.
"You look good." Oh God did she really just say that, 'yeah good one Buffy tell him how much being with Cordelia agrees with him.'
"You too, really good in fact." Angel replied giving her one of his half smiles, whilst looking her up and down.
They stood there not saying anything for what felt like an eternity, until Buffy finally broke the gaze. Her eyes fell to her hands as she pulled out a stake from her sleeve. Looking back up at him Buffy said "Well it's been fun, but I gotta go hunt down this vampire."
"I thought you said you were just out for a walk." smirked Angel.
Buffy's face hardened even more if that was possible as she replied. "Yeah well I am, doesn't mean I can't dust a few vampires at the same time."
Angel’s smile faded as he looked at Buffy's face. She looked so angry at seeing him, or even worse she looked as though she didn't care. All he wanted was to see a smile from the blonde beauty. Okay so he wanted a lot more than that, but a smile would be a nice place to start. Instead cold eyes met his before she turned her back to him.
"Goodbye Angel." With that Buffy made her way out of the bushes in the opposite direction from the park. There was a small clearing, and on the other side of it a few run down old buildings.
Angel on Buffy's heels reached out and grabbed her hand. "Buffy wait." She shook him off, and continued walking. "Look I just want to find this vampire okay, in case you didn't know there's a dead girl back there. And I kinda want to kill the vampire that did it to her."
In a few quick strides Angel was beside her, he took a step in front of her to stop her in her tracks. "I know I seen her, and there's been others.”
"How do you know all this? Oh wait, is this another one of your cases?"
"Yeah, something like that."
"So what you want me to leave, so you can handle it yourself? I'm sorry Angel, but I'm not about to do that."
"I wasn't saying that. I-I mean, I'd like your help, if you want to that is."
Buffy looked up at him and resisted the urge to kiss those beautiful lips. With a small smile she said. "Sure."
There it was the smile he’d been waiting for. It was only small but he could work with it. They made their way through the clearing and had a look through some of the run down old buildings. Angel made conversation asking what she'd been doing in the last six months. Buffy replied in short answers and asked him how things were with Wolfram and Hart. The whole time Angel spoke he never mentioned a word about Cordelia, as glad as Buffy was not to hear her name, she was also angry. ‘Why was he ignoring the fact that he was with Cordelia? Was he trying to spare her feelings? Did he just think that she sat around all day moping over the fact that they were together?’
As she entered the last abandoned building, the thoughts that were running through her head were driving her mad. She turned around to face Angel as he stepped through the door.
"Look there's nothing in here either. Maybe we should just split up, get more ground covered that way."
"Ahhh... I don't think that's a good idea. Adam's pretty vicious, he’s stronger than most vampires, you wouldn't want to face him alone." replied Angel not liking what Buffy suggested. Adam was not any average vampire, and besides he hadn’t seen Buffy in years, and he wasn’t about to let her out of his sight that quickly.
"You know him?"
"It's a long story."
"Yeah well I'm a big girl Angel; I can take care of myself."
"I'm not saying you can't, I just don't want you facing him alone, please Buffy for me." Angel begged.
Buffy couldn't believe her ears, was he for real; he wanted her to do him a favour, yeah right!
"You've got to be kidding me right." Planting her hands on her hips and looking up at him in disbelief Buffy continued. "Why would I do anything for you?"
Those last words sent Angel over the edge. What the hell was her problem, why was she being so cold to him; he couldn't stand it any longer.
"What is wrong with you?"
"Excuse me."
"You heard me, what is your problem. Have I done something to upset you?"
'No not something, someone.' Oh how badly she wanted to say it, but didn't.
"You now what Angel, forget it, I don't have time for this, I'm outta here."
Walking towards him to get to the door, Angel stepped back to block the exit and stop her from leaving "Make time." he spat back.
"You know you can't stop me, don't you?"
"I can try." smiled Angel
"Oh come on Angel, do you really want to return to Cordelia all bloody and bruised?" teased Buffy.
Now he was getting somewhere. Now he was about to find out the truth, and who put all these lies in her head in the first place.
"Cordelia? Buffy what are you talking about?"
Buffy enraged now spat out. "You know the girl your screwing, forgotten her name already huh. That's not really nice now is it?"
"You can talk."
"And what the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"Well in case you've forgotten you were screwing Spike for a while there." Oh God he didn't mean to say that, but it had been eating away at him for so long now, he couldn't help it.
"You're unbelievable Angel, you know that." Shoving him aside and making her way out, back into the alley. Buffy was furious.
Angel following her, stopped her again and spun her around to face him. "Are you saying that you weren’t?"
"No, I'm saying that has nothing to do with you. You weren't a part of my life back then. You left me remember, so what I did and with who after you left, doesn't involve you."
Sadly Angel replied "No, but it still hurts.” Letting go of her arm which he still had a hold of, Angel continued. “Look I'm sorry, your right I had no right to say what I just did.” Now looking down at his hands briefly. “I just, I want to be a part of you're life again Buffy." He said as he slowly met her gaze again.
'What.' Was Buffy hearing right, he wanted to be a part of her life. Yet he was with Cordy. The bastard not satisfied with the woman he had was now looking for something else.
"Go home to Cordelia, Angel, and leave me alone." Buffy said and turned to walk off.
"There is no Cordelia, Buffy." Angel said not moving an inch to try and stop her this time.
Buffy stopped dead in her tracks, and turned her head back to look at him.
"What?"
"There is no me and Cordelia, never was. There could have been, but that was before I seen you in Sunnydale, and after that well…….I didn't want anything else. So I waited and waited, and then we lost touch, but I never gave up, still haven't." He said giving her a warm smile.
Buffy taking everything in, and trying to fight back the tears, turned towards him. "That's not what I heard."
Angel stepped towards her and placed his palms on the curves of her shoulders. "Then tell me, what did you hear? And who told you?"
Bitting on her bottom lip, her tears nearly spilling past her lashes, Buffy looked up at him. "It doesn't matter Angel, alot has happened in my life. Things have changed." Buffy fought back the urge to let her tears fall, and got herself together.
"Buffy some things never change; you know that as well as I do." Letting her go so as not to pressure her, he continued. "I was thinking, that maybe I could call you sometime."
There that was easy, and a good place to start from.
"Angel I don’t know, maybe that’s not such a good idea." replied Buffy all the while wanting to say YES.
Just as Angel was about to ask why, Adam jumped down on the two of them from the building they had just exited, knocking them both to the ground. Buffy got up quickly only to receive a high kick to the face knocking her over again. Angel charged at Adam tumbling with him onto the rough pavement, they wrestled there for a while, and then Buffy came to her feet and strode over to where the two men were fighting. With her hand on the collar of Adams shirt she pulled him off Angel and threw him.
Adam slammed into the wall, Buffy then threw her fist at him, hitting him right in the nose. Then when attempting to kick him he grabbed her foot and pushed her back. When Buffy hit the ground, her head struck one of the steps to the entrance to the old building, and her stake fell out of her hand. Angel realising he had dropped his axe when Buffy had tackled him to the ground earlier, came to his feet and ran to pick up the stake. As he knelt down to pick it up Adam kicked him in the face, which sent Angel back down to the ground.
Adam now grabbing the stake walked back over towards Buffy who was now coming to stand again. He threw a punch at her but Buffy ducked. Buffy still a little disoriented from her blow to the back of her head, threw one of her own connecting with his jaw this time. She ran at him and they tumbled to the ground. After struggling for a while Adam eventually got the upper hand rolling on top of her, and raising the stake to her heart. Buffy trying to fight for control with the strong vampire, yet feeling as though she was seeing double, eventually managed to push Adam back. But it was too late; he had already lodged the stake just below her shoulder. Adam got up and walked away from the slayer smiling in triumph.
"Buffy." Angel yelled, standing again and running to her side.
Buffy gasped at the pain and covered the wound with her right hand. Angel kneeling beside her lifted his hand to stroke the golden strands away from her face. Looking first at her wound then into her green eyes he murmured "Stay with me Buffy." before turning on Adam.
Shifting into his game face Angel ran at the other vampire and grabbed him by the throat, holding him up against the old building. Adam started raising the stake trying to lodge it into Angel's chest. Angel freed one hand and grabbed the stake off him. “You’re gone.” Growled Angel, as he drove the stake straight into the vampire’s heart. Turning towards Buffy, and dropping the stake to the ground that still had her blood on it, he shifted back to his human visage. Angel made his way back to her.
Buffy was trying to sit up, still grabbing at her wound, and grimacing at the pain.
"Angel." she whispered, her eyes searching for him in the dark alley.
"Shhhhhh, I'm here and I'm going to take care of you." Said Angel, placing his palm on her cheek, trying to reassure her.
Picking her up and carrying her, Angel made his way back home with his girl in his arms.
Angel makes his way threw the lobby and heads towards his office, Wesley spots him carrying what looks like an injured Buffy. Catching up to him and opening the door to his office, he rushes ahead and opens the lift doors. While riding in the lift with Angel and Buffy, Wesley turns to face Angel.
"What happened?"
"Vampire." is all Angel manages to say, his eyes on Buffy whose head is snuggling into the crook of his neck. Angel glances over at Wesley realising he needs bandages and peroxide and many other items to fix her wound. Wesley’s already thinking the same thing.
"I'm on it." As Angel enters his apartment Wesley stays in the lift and returns to Angel's office to fetch the desired contents out of the first aid kit.
Making his way to his bed slowly and carefully Angel lays Buffy down on it. He then retrieves a small towel to compress against the wound till Wesley gets back. As he walks back towards the bed he notices that Buffy is now sitting up, he looks at her disapprovingly.
"What are you doing?"
"Getting up to fix this, what does it look like?"
"It’s taken care of, now relax."
He can see she isn't about to lie back down anytime soon, so he steps closer to her and carefully removes her jacket. Sliding it down her arms Buffy lets out a soft hiss of pain at moving her shoulder.
"Sorry." Says Angel, feeling her pain as if it were his own.
"It's okay, it's not like this hasn't happened before anyway."
A little confused by her words he asks "What you get staked often then?"
She looks at him as he sits next to her, on her left between her and the pillow's to get a better look at her wound. "No not often, but it has happened before."
Now deeply concerned he takes his eyes off her wound to look at her. "When?"
"Oh years ago now, a vamp got the upper hand and staked me in the stomach." Angel's concern clearly evident on his face. "Hey, I'm here aren't I? I obviously lived to tell the tale, thanks to Riley."
"Riley." Angel growled.
"Yeah he patched me up last time, and look slayer healing took care of the rest." She slid her top up slightly to show him the spot she had been staked on her stomach. "See no scar." The sight of the bronzed flesh of her abdomen sent wave of desire threw him. "Anyway I suppose he did a good job."
Angel growled again at the last remark, its funny how the thought of another touching Buffy, even if it was to help her, made him so damn..........jealous.
Buffy could sense Angel really didn't like the subject of her ex boyfriend. Looking at him and for the first time since seeing him tonight, she gave him a warm smile.
"It’s different this time though."
"How's that?" Angel replied.
"This time, it’s closer to the heart."
Hearing those words sent a rush threw his body, and he returned her smile with one of his own. He was about to say something more on the topic of her heart, when Wesley made his way back into Angel's apartment, carrying the things Angel needed to fix her wound. Angry at the once watcher for interrupting, he was also grateful for his help. Wesley smiled at Buffy while passing Angel the contents he'd retrieved out of the first aid kit, then looking back at Angel, Wesley spoke.
"Angel, did you need anything else?"
"No Wes, I pretty much got it from here." He said looking up at him briefly while getting the dressing ready. "And thanks."
Wesley only smiled in reply and made his way back out the way he entered, leaving the slayer and vampire alone.
Slowly Angel pulled down the strap of her black top, so he could clean the wound properly. Buffy flinched as the material had stuck slightly.
"Sorry." Angel said again.
"It's fine, and you don't have to keep on saying that every time I feel a little pain you know."
"Okay, sorry."
Buffy stared at him in a 'you're doing it again' kind of way. Going off her look he realised what he had just said.
"Sor- I mean I won't do it again."
"Good, I'll hold you to that."
After cleaning and dressing the wound Angel got up of the bed and instructed her to lie back down. Buffy feeling better as her slayer healing powers were kicking in, really didn't feel as though she needed to and just shifted to sit back against the pillows, while stretching out her legs. Taking a look around at Angel's apartment Buffy couldn’t help the smile that crossed her face. Standing next to the bed now, he was wondering what she was thinking.
"What?" He said, a small smile playing on his lips.
Buffy eyes still inspecting the apartment eventually fell back on him.
"Nothing, nice place actually, the mansion was more you though. You know dark and broody."
He laughed at that. "Yeah well alot has changed.” Looking at her and how beautiful she looked, even with the pain she was in he continued “But I guess some things are always the same."
"Wow Angel you need to do that more often, it really suits you." Hearing his laughter and seeing his smile was one of the best things Buffy had ever witnessed.
"What?" He asked smiling at her.
"Laugh." She simply replied.
Angel smile grew wider. "Well you have that affect on me." He replied holding her gaze with his own.
Buffy could feel herself getting lost in his eyes, and quickly looked away, letting her eyes fall on the spread. The conversation they had earlier before Adam attacked them came to mind. 'Did he say he wasn't with Cordelia? And that he wanted to call me?' So everything Cordelia said was a lie, everything she'd believed for the past six months when it came to Angel was too. God why did she believe it in the first place? It's not like Angel had ever brought it up with her.
No he had sent her emails nearly every day; he had never pressured her into coming back to him. He had told her he was proud of what she was doing with her life, and was always thinking of her. Every time Buffy would open her inbox her eyes would light up when she seen an email from Angel. Blocking his emails was so hard, but she just couldn't bring herself to read them knowing that he was with Cordelia. He still had no idea why she had blocked them.
"Angel." Buffy bringing her face up to look at him. "About the emails, I blocked them. I only did it because I figured that you were with someone else now, and us keeping in touch didn't seem like such a good idea." 'Yeah right, I did it cause I was totally pissed at you for being with Cordy' She kept that to herself though.
"Buffy, I know it doesn't matter."
Scrunching her brow Buffy said. "You know what exactly."
"Well Willow told me that you thought that I was with Cordelia, so I figured that's why my emails never went through."
A little confused she asked "When did you talk to Willow?"
Realising now that she had no idea Willow was working for him, he tried to change the subject. "That's not important, besides I'll let Willow tell you."
"Okay......." Not completely satisfied with his reply she still decided to leave it at that. "Well Angel, I'm tired, and I'd better get going if I want to get some sleep. So thanks for everything." said Buffy as she started to rise from the bed, the pain she was in evident.
Angel stepping directly in front of her said "Where do you think you're going?"
"Back to my hotel room."
"No, you're not going anywhere." rather demanding than requesting.
"Angel I'm fine, the wounds already starting to close, slayer healing and all." Said Buffy although she wanted nothing more then to sit back down, her legs feeling as though they were about to give way.
"You don't look fine." He said deeply concerned for her.
"Gee thanks."
Smiling at her reply he asked her simply "Buffy please, you look as though you can barely stand on your feet.”
“Angel, it’s really not that bad.”
“Indulge me."
Buffy noticing that he wasn't about to let her out of his sight, resisted the urge to fight and did as she was told. She lay down on her back relieved to be off her feet. Angel standing next to her was deeply affected by the sight of her on his bed looking up at him. Angel turned off the lamp and made his way over to the lounge, only turning back to look at her when she called his name.
"Angel."
"Yeah."
"What are you doing?"
"Getting some sleep, which you also need to do, now."
"You're sleeping on the lounge?" Buffy questioned.
"Yeah."
"Angel, don't be stupid, it’s not like we’ve never shared a bed before."
"I just thought that-" Angel was cut off from her soft plead.
"Please."
How could he refuse that? How could anyone refuse her anything? Angel made his way back to her settling on the right side of his bed. Buffy wanting nothing more than to just feel him near her, even if it was only for one night. She wasn't sure about a future with Angel, but one thing she was sure of was that she needed him beside her tonight.
Angel felt so self aware lying next to her in his bed, so nervous that if he had a heart beat it would have been going at a hundred miles per hour, easy. Looking at her lying next to him she couldn't have looked more beautiful, just then Angel realised just how much he had missed her. Her smile, her laugh, the way she rambled, the feel of her and her lips. Oh god her lips and the kisses they had shared. Still staring at her he finally relaxed, wondering why he was so nervous in the first place .Buffy feeling Angel's stare, opened her eyes.
"What? Do I have something on my face?" Buffy raised her right hand to it and started searching.
"No." smiled Angel grabbing her hand to hold it in his. Buffy laced her fingers threw Angel's and within minutes feel asleep. Angel lay her hand down beside her, yet still holding it in his, and stroking it with his other fingers. He lay there and watched her sleep for a while, inhaling her warm vanilla scent, and watching her eyelids flutter only just, and the smile play on her lips as she emerged herself deeper in her dream. For the first time in a week Angel feel asleep, and for the first time in years with a smile on his face.
**********
Early the next morning Dawn decided to stop by the hotel after Buffy failed to meet her for breakfast. She made her way into the lobby of the Hotel, stopping at the front desk she asked the concierge if her sister was currently in her room. Knowing that at such an elegant place they keep an eye on there guest’s comings and goings, trying whenever they can to offer assistance, even if it is only for the tips. Dawn was startled to hear that Buffy had gone out last night and still hadn't returned. She also discovered that Buffy's car was still at the Hotel.
Panicking now Dawn dialled Buffy's cell phone number from her own not knowing that Buffy had left her cell in her room. When no one answered and the phone rang out, she rang Willow and told her that Buffy may be missing and to let her know if she heard anything, Willow working for Wolfram and Hart and all. She then decided to skip classes and see if she could find her sister, maybe Buffy was at her studio. But the fact that Buffy was without her phone only made Dawn worry the more. When was the last time Buffy went anywhere without her cell, Dawn honestly couldn't remember.
**********
Angel had gotten up early showered and changed, and just before he was about to leave he made his way back over to the bed where Buffy still slept. She looked so beautiful sleeping in his bed. Slowly he pulled back the spread and the strap on her top. Carefully he changed her dressing trying hard not to wake her. Buffy usually a light sleeper, slept right through it, not flinching at all. Angel smiled as he watched her through the corner of his eye, glad that she had felt no pain. When he finished changing her wound, he slid the strap of her top back up over her shoulder and covered her again. He didn't want to leave her side, he wanted to be here when she woke, but he had work to do, and besides he had to get her something to eat.
A couple of hours later Buffy woke from her deep sleep. She hadn't slept so well in years, smiling to herself she had an idea of why. She made her way to the bathroom to freshen up and as she returned the phone rang from the night table. Hesitating at first she eventually picked it up.
"Hello." She answered almost a question.
"Hey."
"Oh Angel, hey."
"Who'd you think it would be?" He joked.
"Some girl ringing to speak to you." Buffy joked back.
"Oh yeah well if one does ring, tell her I'm busy having breakfast with a beautiful woman."
"Okay, so who are you having breakfast with?"
"I'll be there in twenty minutes okay."
"Angel….. umm….. I kind of have-."
“See you soon Buffy.” She smiled before hanging up unable to say no to him, not that she really wanted to.
Buffy couldn't help her mood, aside from the fact that she had been stabbed in the shoulder with a stake last night, she couldn't have felt better. And know Angel was about to have breakfast with her, things really were looking up. "Oh God Dawn" She suddenly realised. It was now 9:30 and Buffy was a little late for her breakfast date with her sister. And knowing Dawn she would have went to the hotel looking for her and would be panicking about now.
Knowing that she had to leave as soon as possible, and that Angel wouldn't let her out of his sight until she had been fed and had enough energy, Buffy tried to plan an escape. Just then the phone rang again. Knowing that whatever excuse she gave Angel he wouldn’t let her leave she resisted answering the phone, only to pick it up anyway unable to go without hearing his voice. She was surprised when she answered the phone to hear a female’s voice.
"Willow?"
"Uh........ Buffy, is that you?" Surprised to hear the slayer.
"Yeah what are you doing ringing Angel, is everything okay?"
"Huh........Oh yeah everything’s fine, uh......... what are you doing in his apartment? Are you guys-."
"It's a long story trust me, I'm actually trying to get out of here without him seeing me, if that's even possible."
"Well Buffy I might be able to help you with that."
Now really confused "What? How?"
"I'll be there in a second."
"What are you talk-." Willow had hung up cutting Buffy off.
Now pacing the slayer was wondering what the hell was going on, and how the hell would Willow be there.
**********
Willow made her way through the lobby and over to Harmony. Walking up to the ditzy blonde Willow hoped she had no idea where Angel was before she ordered.
"Angel said he wants to see you, he's in Fred's lab, and now."
Without a word the Blonde rushed off thinking why it was that her boss wanted to see her. Willow a little relieved made her way into Angel's office glad that he wasn't there. Where was he? Willow had been ringing him the past hour, to find out why it was that he was in today and hadn't gone to Bakersfield like he had planned too. 'Maybe Buffy being in his room had something to do with it.' Slapping herself in the head at that last part she realised well of course Buffy had something to do with it.
**********
As the doors to the lift opened Buffy just couldn’t believe Willow was standing right there in front of her.
"Okay now you have to tell me what’s going on." Stated Buffy
"Well you said you needed to get out of here, and Dawn is looking for you, you know. And I have alot of explaining to do, and you look like you need my help, and if I help you than you might not be as mad at me." Willow said all in the one breath.
"Okay so start explaining." Buffy said still trying to understand what was going on.
"First we get you out of here."
"Okay, just give me a sec."
Buffy rushed around the apartment looking for a pen and paper to leave Angel a note. When she finally found them she scribbled on the paper quickly, and then placed it on his bed. Following Willow into the lift they made there way first to Angel's office which thank god he wasn't in, then through the lobby and out the front doors. Getting in her friends car Buffy turned to face Willow.
"Okay now explain."
Willow swallowed the lump in her throat then started to tell the slayer of the last two weeks. As shocked to say the least as Buffy was, she was also grateful that Willow was there to help her, she did want to have breakfast with Angel, but she was just so confused and was still trying to piece everything together. And being around him right now might just confuse her too much, even though she wanted nothing more than to run back inside and throw her arms around him. The note she had left said everything that she needed to say, and if anything were to happen it was a good place to start. Besides she had to let Dawn know she was okay. She could have called Dawn from Angel's place but knowing her sister would want an explanation, she was in too much of a hurry to give her one. She asked Willow to use her Cell phone and called her sister to tell her she was fine, giving her a summary of the past ten hours, she also told her she was going to spend the morning with Willow. Then she demanded that her sister get back to class.
**********
Angel made his way out of the lift and into his apartment, stopping only when he realised that she was gone. He put the food he had brought up for her down, and made his way over to the bed where he spotted a note lying just where Buffy's petite body had been the last time he was in here. He leaned down and picked up the piece of paper than sat in that spot. In Buffy's hand writing the note said.
‘Thank you for everything, and call me sometime.’
She had scribbled her number underneath. Lying down he could still smell her scent on his sheets, 'oh god she smelt sooo good' Angel smiled at the letter as he still held it in front of him. As disappointed as he was that she had left, he was glad that at last everything was starting to come together.
Willow drove Buffy to the Hotel she was meant to stay at last night, to pick up her things, her car, and to shower and change. Collecting her keys off the valet Buffy hopped into her car and pulled in behind Willow to follow her to her new place. After driving around in busy L.A. traffic and loosing Willow twice only to find her again, Buffy finally pulled her car into the driveway behind the read head.
The two once best friends spent what was left of the morning chatting about the old days, and just catching up on each others lives. Buffy still couldn't believe the fact that Willow was working for Angel, and that Dawn knew as well, yet never told her. Her little sister had no reason to keep this from her; she would have to have a word with her. At first she was a little upset at Willow for not having told her a fortnight ago. Even though they didn't talk as much, they still used the phone to call each other occasionally. Her anger subsided quickly though, as Willow had helped her get out of Angel's building this morning. So she couldn't stay mad at her long.
Willow on the other hand couldn't understand why it was that Buffy was in a rush to get out of Angel's apartment. It wasn't as though the vampire had lost his soul had they well.......uh; she couldn't help but blush at the thought. Turning to the slayer she asked.
"So Buffy, you and Angel slept together." She couldn't believe she had just said that, the thought made her blush yet she seemed fine saying it out loud, Willow was now wishing she hadn't asked.
"What, Willow are you crazy? Do you really think I'm that stupid, that I'd just walk into Angel's place and jump into bed with him. Yeah right as tempting as that sounds, I don't have a death wish."
"Huh." Willow questioned a little confused.
"Hello, Angel nice vampire, has sex, turns into Angelus, not so nice vampire. You forgotten that already?"
"Oh, yeah right." She realised Buffy still didn't know about Angel's soul. Why hadn't he told her yet? Willow would have thought that would be the first thing Angel would have said to her. As her eyes ran over Buffy she could see the corner of what looked like a bandage sticking out of her blue top. "Buffy, what happened?" asked the Wicca gesturing at her wound with a worried look on her face.
"Oh this, its nothing, just got staked by a vamp last night is all."
"Oh and that's nothing."
Smiling at her friends concern "Really Willow its fine, Angel was there luckily and he fixed me up." Buffy eyes widened when she realised what she had just said. "Uh...... fixed me up in a bandaging kind of way." corrected the slayer.
The red head was trying not to giggle at her friend. “Okay so what exactly happened last night other than Angel fixing you up?" she said quirking an eyebrow.
"Nothing, we just slept next to each other, that's all."
"Oh that's all. Nothing important, just you and Angel, in the same bed, sleeping right?"
"Right." Nodded the slayer.
"Buffy who are you kidding? I can't tell by the look on your face that it was more than that."
"What are you talking about?" questioned a seemingly innocent Buffy.
"We may have drifted apart over the last few years, but when it comes to Angel I can read you so easily. So stop with the pretending okay." Willow said trying to bite back the smile on her face.
Buffy finally giving in as her friend knew her so well, even though they had not been as close of late. "Okay, okay you caught me." dropping her eyes from willow's face to stare at her coffee cup sitting on the table she continued "It was nice, kind of like old times." Shifting to face Willow again "I never realised till I had him beside me, just how much I had missed him."
"Was there kissing?" Willow blurted out not meaning to let it escape her lips, but the red head was anxious to know.
Buffy a little surprised at her friends question, smiled remembering her saying similar words years ago. "No, but there was a bit of hand holding."
Willow getting excited couldn't help the giggle that escaped her lips. 'She's still the same' Buffy thought to herself before she spoke.
"God I've missed you Will."
The red head stopped laughing and looked at her friend again. "Me too, I'm sorry we aren’t as close anymore."
"Don't be it's my fault too, anyway I'm hoping to change that, what do you think?"
Willow nodded in reply.
"Good, cause I was thinking that after work we go out and have a few drinks. But hey I don't want you getting any ideas this isn't a date." Laughed Buffy.
Willow burst into laughter before finally replying "That would be good." Then looking back at the Bandage just below Buffy's shoulder she continued "Buffy wait, do you really think that work is a good idea, I mean your hurt, maybe you should get some rest."
"Will, I'm fine, and I don't need you being another Angel."
"Oh come on you love it."
"Yeah right, the over protectiveness, the caring, the making sure I'm all right with all the pampering." Buffy smiled at the thought of last night, "Yeah your right, I do love it."
"Oh no." Willow suddenly realising.
"What?" Buffy asked a little concerned.
"I'm supposed to, kind of be, at work right now."
The two best friends burst out into laughter. "Well what are you waiting for, get to work, I have to drop by the studio to get some things organised anyway."
"Your sure."
"Yes positive, besides you've only been working for Angel for like what, two weeks now. Do you really want him to fire you? Although if he did you could just do one of those memory spell's on him."
"No to much bad luck with them" Willow smiled.
**********
When Willow made her way back into the building she hadn't expected the outburst from Harmony. Rising from her seat behind her desk the ditzy blonde gave the Wicca an ear full.
"Angel never asked to see me; he wasn't even in Fred's lab. Next time don't send me out on a wild goose chase for nothing, I have more important things to do with my time."
Willow had stopped dead in her tracks, and could not for the life of her find anything to say. Angel was standing at the now opened door to his office as he had heard the commotion. Taking a few steps towards the pair, Gunn and Wesley close behind, he gave Harmony an aggravated look.
"Harmony is there a reason why you’re yelling so loud, or at all." He asked.
"Ask her." pointing her finger at the red head.
The vampire clearly annoyed with his assistant said "I'm asking you."
"Well she sent me running to Fred's lab this morning looking for you, saying that you wanted to see me. And all I could think was that I had done something wrong, and that you were going to fire me." Looking back at Willow now she added "And I don't care if she is this all powerful Wicca, she shouldn't be wasting my ti-."
"Shut up Harmony." Angel said cutting the annoying vampire off. Harmony clearly surprised did as she was told, and then slumped back down in her seat. Angel then turned his attention to Willow who was now smirking at his blonde assistant.
"Willow can I speak to you?" Glancing back at Harmony he added "In my office." The Wicca nodded and followed the three men back into the vampire's office.
Closing the door behind her she walked closer to the vampire who was now half sitting, half leaning against his desk with his arms crossed in front of him.
"Is something wrong?" Willow questioned a little nervous.
"Where have you been all morning?" Angel asked.
"I..... Uh........ I was getting some things I need for a spell I've been working on."
"Try again." He said not at all believing her excuse.
"I had an errand to run." Willow changed her story.
"Oh an errand, would that errand involve you sneaking Buffy out of the building?" He asked not once taking his gaze off her, he could see how nervous she was.
"Ah....... Well it might have." The Wicca’s eyes now falling to her feet. What was with her? The last couple of times she had spoken to Angel, she had done something wrong. She couldn't see this job lasting for very long. But it’s not like she had done something to be ashamed of, she had helped her best friend and she wasn't about to apologise for that.
"Gunn, Wesley you can go now I want to talk with Willow, alone." The two men followed his orders and walked out of his office closing the door behind them. Still looking at the red head Angel continued. "So what was all that about with Harmony?"
Willow returned her gaze to Angels face and spoke "I wanted to get into your office, so I could get to Buffy, and Harmony was in the way. So I told her you wanted to see her."
Well at least she was being honest, the vampire thought. "So why did you need to get to Buffy?" Angel knew she had gone into his apartment and led Buffy out through the front of the building, he'd found out after viewing the security tapes that showed the two girls coming out of his office and walking straight out. But that wasn't until after they had already been gone at least half and hour.
"Well..." Willow began, how was she supposed to explain this one. 'Be honest, he would respect that, and hey he might not fire me.' she thought before continuing "I was looking for you all morning, after I found out off Gunn that you were in today. I thought that you were in Bakersfield, so when I heard that you weren't I thought that maybe something had gone wrong, and I wanted to see if there was anything I could do." Taking a step closer to Angel she continued "So after a while I decided to ring your home number I thought you might be there, only Buffy answered the phone."
"Okay, then what?"
"Well Buffy wanted to get out of here without you seeing her, so I helped her."
Angel a little hurt that Buffy didn't want to stay, and that she had snuck out with the help of Willow, spoke in a soft voice so soft the Wicca barely heard it.
"Why?"
"Why did I help her, or why did she want to leave." Willow questioned, although she already knew what he meant.
"Willow" Angel said in a flat voice.
"She had her reasons Angel, I didn't really ask. But I can tell you that I don't think she really wanted to leave."
Angel's mouth curved into a small smile "She didn't?"
Willow only smiled back "Oh and I'm sorry I snuck into your office, but Buffy's my best friend and I'll do anything to help her." she said the last part more to state a point, but that didn't mean she wasn't still nervous.
"I respect that."
"So you’re not mad at me?" questioned the Wicca
"No Willow I'm not mad at you, I understand why you did what you did." He could also understand why Buffy may have left, if anything she would be a little confused after last night, he sure was. They needed to take things slowly if anything was going to happen, maybe he'd call her later. No actually there was no maybe about it, He would definitely.
"Sooo...... can I go now?"
"Huh" Angel still lost in his thoughts about Buffy "Oh yeah sure."
Willow made her way towards the door, then stopped as Angel called out. "Wait." She turned to face the vampire who was now walking towards her. Angel stopped in front of her and asked "Where is she now?"
"Buffy?" 'Oh course Buffy who else would it be' "Ah, she's at her studio, said she had some things to take care of. And before you say anything I already told her she shouldn't be working today cause of what happened last night, but you know Buffy."
"Yeah." He sure did she was head strong and stubborn and if anyone told her no, she'd do it anyway, he loved that about her.
"Angel. Just so you know I'm meeting her tonight for drinks. I was thinking that maybe you'd like the address of the bar."
Angel only smiled in reply.
**********
After sitting around making calls to schedule shoots, something her assistant was supposed to take care of, Buffy was ready to get out of there. Finishing up a phone call about a shoot in New York, she dialled Willows cell number and asked her to meet her early so they could grab some dinner. After putting the phone back in its cradle she reached for it again, contemplating wether she should ring Angel, at least just to hear his voice. Picking it up, she then slammed it back down. 'What am I doing, I told him to call me. Besides it's not like I haven't seen him in years, I seen him this morning.' she thought and left it at that as she made her way out back, picking something off the rack where the clothes that dressed the models were kept.
After much debate she finally settled on jeans that hung just on her hips, and a matching denim jacket on top of a tan top that matched her shoes and belt. Grabbing her purse she locked up, and made her way to her car.
**********
"So what did Angel say?"
"Hey to you too." Replied Willow as she sat down in the chair across from Buffy. The slayer had called her not long ago and asked to meet her for some Italian.
Blushing slightly the slayer realised how forward she was "Oh, hey."
Willow smiled back at the slayer before speaking. "As for Angel, well I can't tell you about any discussions I have with him, it's confidential, because he's my boss. The Wicca teased.
"Willow, don't be mean."
Willow had every intention of telling her best friend but that didn't mean she didn't like making her squirm. "He asked about you, and why you left, I told him you had your reasons."
"Well, what did he say?" asked an eager Buffy.
"Not much, but I think he understands them, not that I do."
"I'm finding it hard to understand them myself." replied Buffy a little disappointed that she had left his apartment that very morning.
The waiter came to a stop at the girls table, taking there order and helping them select a wine. Not until he had left with there menu's did Buffy continue.
"I know what I did was right, I do want to take things slowly to see if anything does happen between us. It's been years since he was a part of my life and I don't want to rush it this time. But sometimes doing the right thing really sucks."
"I kinda see your point." the Wicca agreed.
"So anyway what else did he say?"
"Nothing." replied Willow, not wanting to tell Buffy that she had given Angel the address of the bar they were going to tonight, she'd let him surprise her. It's not like the two of them bumping into each other while they are out is classified as rushing things anyway.
**********
After arriving at the bar and securing a place to sit, Willow excused herself to use the ladies room while Buffy walked over and stood at the bar and waited for the bartender to ask her what she wanted. She could feel the presence of the vampire sit down on the stool next to her, something a slayer could always do. Still staring straight ahead waiting for the tender’s attention, she spoke.
"What do you want?"
"Hey that's not the kind of welcome I got last time." teased Spike
"Yeah well last time I was a bit surprised to see you living, or not dead dead anyway."
"Any reason why you're angry at me?" questioned the blonde vampire.
"I'm not angry at you Spike; I'm not anything when it comes to you."
"Okay, what the hell's gotten your knickers in a knot? "
"Gee let me think, I came here six months ago, seen you when I was out with Dawn and you told me a little white lie." said Buffy a little sarcastically.
"I never lied to you slayer." Spike defended himself all the while trying to figure out what it was that she was talking about.
"Whatever Spike." The bar tender made his way over to where Buffy stood and asked her what she would like, Buffy asked for two apple martini's and waited for him to return with her drinks.
"So slayer...." Spike began trying to make conversation. "Seen peaches since you moved back to the states?"
"Is it any of your business?" Buffy spat back.
By the hostility in her tone Spike had a feeling that maybe Buffy had seen his grandsire, and maybe things didn't go so smoothly. "Well pet, can't say I didn't warn you. But he and Cordelia are pretty serious even his little shag with Eve didn't deter him."
Just then the bar tender placed the drinks in front of Buffy.
"Spike, I've spoken to Angel there is no Cordy......Who is Eve?" The slayer asked just now realising what Spike had said.
"Well why don't you speak to Angel about that one too then pet.” Spike smiled then took a gulp of his beer.
'Don't believe him' she thought to herself. There was no way Spike was telling the truth, he'd already lied about Cordelia. Angel had told her everything there was to know, but if that was so then who was Eve?
**********
As Angel climbed the stairs to the entrance of the trendy bar, he froze at the doorway when he seen Buffy standing at the bar talking to Spike. Jealousy and hurt clearly clouding his features, all he could think was that she had left him this morning and was now in a bar with him, and Willow was nowhere to be seen. Stepping back out of sight so Buffy wouldn't see him he made his way out the way he came. When he reached the last few steps, he moved to the side to let a young couple pass him by, balling all his anger, rage and above all jealousy into his fist, he slammed it into the wall.
About two hours later the girls emerged from the bar and made there way to Buffy's car. The slayer was driving as she only had the one drink, Willow on the other hand had a few too many, or so it seemed as she couldn't stop laughing at just about anything. Spike not far behind them walked over to the car. As Buffy was about to close the door, he reached out and grabbed it to hold it open. An annoyed Buffy looked up at him. Spike sweetly smiled back.
“Look slayer just keep what I said in mind, talk to your boy about it. Maybe I'm wrong.”
“Yeah maybe you are.”
Placing his hand on her cheek, Buffy flinched slightly, but he kept it there as he spoke. “Buffy I don't want to see you with him, I’ll admit it, that’s why I let you know every time he slips up, but I don't want to see you unhappy either.” he let his hand fall back down beside him and stepped back. Buffy then closed the door and put the keys in the ignition starting the car.
Watching from a short distance, Angel had been waiting in his car for the past two hours. His knuckles bruised sitting on top of the wheel, he sees the two girls leave the bar and walk towards a car. Seeing that Willow is in fact with Buffy calm's him a little, until he sees the platinum blonde vampire following them.
He watches as the girls get into the car, and then sees Spike stop Buffy from closing the door. His rage rising a notch is nothing compared to the glimmer of gold in his eyes and the growl in his chest, when Spike touches her face. Starting the car as the girls drive away, he hits the gas and directs it at Spike at full speed. After a few seconds Spike sees the car and tries to jump out of the way, Angel anticipates his move and veers the car a little. Spike is sent tumbling over the hood of the car and back onto the road. Angel drive’s off in the direction the girls went with a satisfied grin on his face.
Sitting up Spike shakes off the people who came to his aid. Looking off in the direction of the viper that had charged at him, and putting a smoke in his mouth he retrieved out of the pocket in his duster, Spike chuckles “Look's like peaches finally grew a pair.”
**********
Angel followed the girls back to Willows house and parked a fair distance away so as not to be seen. He watched as the girls went inside, Buffy directing a very happy Willow.
When willow sat down on the couch, she thanked Buffy as she grabbed the glass of water out of her hand. The Wicca hadn't even had that much to drink yet she felt as though she had, the headache she expected tomorrow already setting in. Taking a sip of the water she then looked at Buffy who had sat down across from her. She could read the slayer's mind.
“Don't listen to him Buffy.”
“Huh.” Buffy said coming out of her thoughts.
“Spike, and what he said, don’t listen to him.”
“It’s kind of hard not to.” Said the slayer a little disappointed in herself for letting him get to her again.
“Buffy didn’t you tell me that Spike told you that lie about Angel and Cordelia?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, there’s your proof. That turned out to be a big misunderstanding right?”
“I don’t know Willow; I really don’t know what to believe anymore.”
“Spike just doesn’t want Angel to be happy and even more so if it’s with you.”
“Yeah maybe your right.”
“Oh course I’m right.” The Wicca smiled
Buffy returned her smile “Is it just me or did he seem different towards Angel? Okay like before he use to get so mad at the mention of his name, now it’s like, like-”
“Like he has something over him?” Finished the Wicca.
“Yeah.” Said Buffy meeting her friends gaze. “What's that about?”
Willow sat forward and placed her glass on the table “Well from what I've heard from Wesley, it's this Shanshu prophecy.”
“Bless you.”
Willow smiling continued “No Shanshu, it means to live and die, which therefore means-”
“He gets to be human.” Buffy said as though all the pieces came together.
“Yeah.”
“So Spike gets his humanity.” questioned Buffy a little confused.
“Well that's the hard part, everyone’s certain that it's about Angel, he found out about it a year after he left Sunnydale. The prophecy says that the vampire with a soul, will Shanshu, well after he beats a hell of a lot of evil. Angel being the first and for a while there the only, it kinda seems like it's about him. Although Spike knows it grates on Angel when he claims it's-”
Willow paused as she looked at the expression on Buffy's face “What?” Asked the red head.
Buffy's gaze fell on nothing in particular and a smile had crossed her face “Angel gets to be human.” She couldn’t believe it, oh how many times she had dreams of the day and now there really was a chance. The odd thing was that it all seemed too familiar.
Buffy didn't hear Willow's reply instead she heard what sounded like her own voice somewhere in the back of her mind You know it's a good thing I didn't fantasize about you turning human only about 10 zillion times, because today would have been a real let down 'What the hell was that, and where did it come from?' Buffy glanced behind her as if the words had come from someone else, even though she clearly recognized the voice as her own. But how can that be. ‘Oh no not this again’ She had starting hearing voices, her own and Angel’s in Rome, once she even had a vision of some sought and the pain that came with it was pure agony. Not just physically, but the image itself made Buffy’s heart ache, although there was no way it could be real.
“Buffy are you okay.”
A little confused from the noises in her head she tried to shut them out as she spoke, but it wasn’t working. “Um... Will, would you be okay if I take off, I kind of beat and I really need to get back home.” Said the slayer confused from the voice, her voice that was being played through her mind.
“Yeah I'll be fine, are you sure you need to go?” Asked Willow a little concerned from the expression on her friends face.
“Yeah I'll call you tomorrow.” She said as she opened the front door.
“Okay, bye.” Called Willow from the couch as Buffy walked outside. Willow knew something was wrong, but what she had no idea.
**********
Angel noticed Buffy walk back out of Willow's house and make her way to her car. What was he doing, was he stalking her, was he crazy? Of course he was, she did that to him all the time. He was about start the car and just take off when he noticed her gripping her head in pain and fall against her car door.
Buffy fought back the pain the images where giving her, and opened her car door. Climbing into the car she fastened her seat belt then started it. She pulled out of Willow's driveway and started her drive home.
What the hell was that? From what Angel could see it looked like she was in pain, a soon as he seen her stumble, he was out of the car. Only not fast enough as Buffy was now driving down the street. If something was wrong why had she just gotten in her car and driven off, what was going on? Was there something seriously wrong with her? He couldn't wait to find out, he got back in the car, and he once again started to follow her.
In the two hours that it took to get home, Buffy had many images and voices flashing through her head, and they had all started when Willow had mentioned Angel’s Shanshu. She seen images of her and Angel on a kitchen table giving into there passion and sharing food in bed. She thought they were just day dreams, but day dreams didn't hurt and these visions if that's what they were, were painful, very painful.
Wracking her brain she tried to come up with an explanation, she knew it had something to do with the vision she'd had in Rome. After her talk with Willow that day, just before she had moved, she'd had images of kissing Angel in broad daylight. They were so real and painful, much like these ones. What the hell had happened? She could not for the life of her remember sharing those moments with Angel. How was this possible, maybe it was just wishful thinking, if so why did it have to hurt so much. The only thing Buffy knew was that this had happened some time ago, if it had happened at all.
She pulled into her drive and got out of her car, rubbing her head with her hand she made her way up the front steps to her apartment. Unlocking the door she stepped inside stripping off her jacket as she walked down hall to the living room. Tossing her jacket on the lounge, she walked into the kitchen and desperately went about searching for something to kill the pain.
Angel parked his car across the road; he couldn't help but drive the two hours to make sure she was all right. Sure he could have called, but he couldn't see her face over the phone, so that was a no right there. She would tell him she was fine even if she wasn’t; he had to see it for himself. Locking his car he walked over to her apartment and up the front steps, stopping at the front door to knock.
After swallowing two of the pain killers with a glass of water Buffy continued to rub her head. Leaning against the sink she looked up when she heard a knock come from the front door. Trudging back down the hall to the door, she grabbed the handle and opened it, not even stopping to think who it might be knocking at her door at 2am in the morning. When she opened the door the last person she had expected to see was standing there.
With a shocked expression on her face she looked up at him “Angel, What are you doing here?”
“Are you all right?”
“What? Of course I'm all right, I mean it hurts when I touch it but it's healing pretty fast.” Buffy obviously thinking Angel meant her shoulder as he couldn't know about her visions.
He hadn't actually meant her wound, but now he was kicking himself for not thinking about it. For whatever other reason Buffy was in pain she wasn't about to tell him, which really annoyed him. And if he pushed, he knew he wouldn’t get anywhere. Not knowing what to say, he just stood there. “Can I come in?”
“Angel it's a little late or early for that matter, what's going on? Why are you here?”
“I saw you with Spike.”
'He what, he saw me with Spike, is that what he just said?' Buffy was a little confused by what Angel meant when he said it, had he meant that she had done something wrong. That she was with Spike and not with him?
“And.”
“And, Well I uh.........” Why was she making this so hard, she was the one that was with the other vampire?
Buffy looking down at his hand noticed the bruised knuckles “And you thought what Angel, that going a few rounds with Spike would help.” She said gesturing at his hand. “Or maybe you thought that I was with him.”
“I don't know what to think, I walk into the club and see you and spike together, and no I didn't hit him, I took it out on the wall instead. Then I saw you leaving and him touching you.” The last part came out as more of a growl.
“And what, you thought I wanted him to?”
“I don't know Buffy, all I know is it stirred something inside of me, it made me so....... jealous and angry.”
Buffy softening a little at his words, finding some comfort in the fact that she affected him like that. “Well maybe you should have taken it out on him and not me; you guys really need to sort this out, and maybe a few rounds might be a good thing.”
“Uh......”
“What did you do?” asked Buffy thinking what it could be that he had done to Spike.
“He'll live, well not really but you know what I mean.” Looking past her for a brief second he asked again “Sooo can I come in.”
Buffy stepped to the side and ushered him in, when he didn’t move she realised he needed and invitation. “Come in.”
He walked into the hall of her apartment; the walls were white and plastered on them were what looked like some of Buffy's pieces. Angel recognised quiet a few he'd followed her career from day one, and found her pieces to be extremely good. He walked behind Buffy following her into a large spacious living room. She sat down on the lounge still a little dizzy from her head ache. Angel sat beside her.
Buffy looked at him and then spoke “So I'm guessing you followed me home then.”
Angel dropped his gaze from hers bowing his head and feeling a little embarrassed. “Yeah, Willow told me that you two were going out so I went to the bar, when I seen you with Spike I walked out and waited for you, then I pretty much followed you from there.”
“So you're stalking me now?”
“No I was just well..... Yeah I guess I am.”
Buffy wanted so much to smile at him, and take him in her arms and feel his soft lips on hers. But once again something Spike had said was stopping her. She knew it shouldn't because whatever had happened was in the past, but she couldn't help feeling hurt.
Angel had slept with someone else, although she'd thought as much with Cordelia, when Spike had told her about them. But with this Eve it was the fact that it was someone he'd never mentioned, and that really hurt. She knew she had no right to feel like this, but it couldn't be helped. Sure she had slept with other's but that was after Angel left, and yeah things were the same in Angel's case, but he left because he couldn't make love to her, and the thought of him making love to someone else was sickening. Knowing she had no right to ask, she did anyway.
“Angel.”
His raised his head to look at her.
“Who is Eve?”
Angel was stunned, how did Buffy know about Eve? Come to think of it what made her think that he was with Cordelia? ‘Spike, that's what.’ He wanted to kick himself for not thinking of that in the first place. Maybe hitting him with the car wasn't enough; maybe he'd really have to teach him a lesson. Focusing his attention back on the matter at hand, how was he going to explain this one to Buffy? 'Hey Buffy there was this thing with Lorne, he's a green demon that works for me. Anyway we had to do everything he said, and he told me to sleep with Eve so I did.' Oh yeah that would work. Realising that he had to say something and fast as Buffy's patience was wearing thin, he tried to dismiss the subject.
“Eve is my business.”
If Buffy was mad before, it was nothing compared to what she was feeling now. “Oh I see, so you leave me cause you cant have SEX with me, and the next thing you do when you get to L.A is what, screw this Eve?” tears started to well in her eyes 'No I'm not gonna cry' She thought as she pushed them back.
Angel was shocked 'How could she think that? I left her so she could have a better life, the life she deserved, although I tend to think I made the wrong decision, I never did it because I couldn't be with her intimately.'
“No.” he snapped “And don't you ever put it down to that, it was never sex with you Buffy. I never thought of it as just that, it was about making love to you, it was the only time I've ever felt complete.”
She didn't want to cry but she couldn’t help the tear that rolled down her cheek. Rising to her feet to turn away from him she wiped the tear away. “So this Eve, it was just sex with her?”
“Buffy it's not what you think.”
“So what is it Angel? Tell me.” She pleaded, with her back still turned to him.
Angel remained silent, he couldn't put it into words, and every time he tried he could just imagine the hurt in her eyes. Buffy thought that maybe the fact that she had calmed down and asked him instead of demanding an explanation would help him talk. The fact that he remained silent was the last straw. Turning to face him, still standing she let it all out.
“You know what Angel; I don't know why I bothered. I should never have stayed last night and I should never have left you that note.”
“Don't say that.” Angel pleaded.
“Why not? It just seems pointless to even try anymore; I wish I still thought that you were with Cordelia, and that I had never seen you last night. At least I wouldn't be feeling like this.”
“Buffy no.” Rising to his feet he took a few steps towards her, and tried to take her in his arms.
“Don't.” She pushed him back; she was so hurt that even if she tried she couldn't stop the tears from falling. “You came here because you seen me talking to Spike, and how did that make you feel Angel, huh?” She was almost yelling now. “I know that what you did with this Eve may just be in the past.”
“It is” he said interrupting her.
“So why is it so hard to tell me?” Buffy asked softly
Angel looked her in the eyes. “Tell me about Spike.”
“What?” She was a little disappointed by the change of topic.
“Well if he's in the past, tell me about him. You expect the same from me but I don't see yo-”
Buffy cut him off “When the gang brought me back, Spike was the only one I could talk to, it felt like we were on the same level, maybe it was the rising from the dead thing, I don't know. All I knew was that I hated myself, and I couldn't understand why. Spike was the only one I could stand to be around. It was never about feeling loved, it was just about feeling something other than emptiness, only thing is it made me hate myself more. So I broke it off, and at first he was okay with it, but then.........” Buffy paused shuddering at the thought.
“Then what?” Angel growled.
Her attention back on Angel she said “It doesn't matter anymore; it was a long time ago.”
Grabbing her by the shoulders he demanded. “What did he do Buffy, what did he do to you?”
Looking into his eyes, she was a bit scared of what his reaction might be, but if she didn’t say anything he wouldn’t let it go. And she wanted more than anything to be honest with him, considering that’s what she was asking of him. Letting out a deep breathe she told him. “He tried to rape me.”
This time his rage sent him over the edge, shifting into his demon visage he growled so loudly Buffy felt the vibration. Realising he had a tight grip on her, and that she was now really crying he loosened his hold on her, and let his demonic appearance slip away. Looking into her tear filled eyes he pulled her to him wrapping his arms around her. She tried to resist but couldn't, circling her arms around his waist she clung to him, resting her head on his chest.
“I'll kill him.” growled Angel threw clenched teeth, while still holding Buffy in his arms.
She pulled away from him slowly as she spoke “Angel no, like I said it was a long time ago, I'm okay with it now. I was scared when it happened, but he's changed now, he has a soul.”
“I don't care Buffy, that means nothing to me.”
“Are you kidding me? If that were true than what is the whole point in your redemption? Spike's in the same field here, and if you can say that about him, that's like saying you don't deserve a second chance either.”
“I don't.” Angel whispered dropping his head and staring at the floor.
“I have never known anyone to deserve anything more than you deserve this Shanshu thingy.”
Angel's head shot back up. “How do you know about that?”
“Does it matter?”
“No, I guess not.”
“So one day after you've fought the big fight I'm guessing, you get to be human.” Buffy smiled
“Or Spike.”
“Nah this prophecy has Angel written all over it.”
“What if it doesn't? Would it matter?” Angel asked a little scared to hear her answer.
“That's really up to you Angel, you were the one that always seen the vampire thing as a problem, not me I loved you anyway.”
Angel couldn’t help but smile. ‘She loved me’ he always knew she had, the question was, did she still? Seeing his smile, she couldn’t help but frown as she continued.
“But right now that's not really the issue, when you can't even be honest with me, when I have done that much for you, then I don't think we have anything else to talk about, ever.”
Dropping his gaze back to the floor as he couldn't look at her, he spoke. “Eve is our liaison to the senior partners, this one time Lorne a friend that works for me, had the power in him to say something and people would do as he said. He didn't even know he was doing it, I couldn't stand Eve, still can't, anyway he told me to sleep with her, so I did. As soon as the spell was over I regretted it, but it happened, and it's in the past.” Oh god how was he going to look at her again after telling her that.
Buffy burst out into laughter, Angel looked up in surprise. “What.” He smiled
“No really Angel, what happened?”
“What are you talking about, I'm serious.”
Buffy stopped laughing. “Oh.... okay, I'm sorry that just sounded like an excuse Xander would use. Anyway what happened after that?”
“Nothing, I can't stand her Buffy, if I didn't have a thing against killing humans, she’d be dead by now.”
“Wow........... Well I can't say it doesn't hurt, you know you being able to sleep with someone else and it being meaningless and all, yet we can’t…..uh….you know” She was blushing at the thought. “But hey what we had was always more than that. I can get past it, or just forget.” she smiled at him.
“Buffy about tha-”
As Angel was about to tell her about his soul, and that he could make love to her if he was lucky enough to have the chance, Buffy grabbed her head in pain as she fell. Angel reached out and grabbed her just in time. Images going through Buffy's mind started to come together remembering the day she was in Angel's office her own words rung in her ears. Yeah. So, I'm gonna go, start forgetting. Angel picks her up in his arms and sits down on the couch, Stroking her hair he doesn't know what to do, so he just holds her. He can’t understand what is happening, her reaction looks like that of Cordelia’s when she used to have her visions, but Buffy didn’t get visions so that was impossible. Buffy still clutching at her head, burries it in Angel's chest as if some how it will help stop the pain. When the next flash comes this time its one she has no memory of. Buffy sees herself crying and kissing Angel who is also crying. No. I'll never forget. I'll never forget. I'll never forget. I'll never forget.
And in an instant the visions are gone, Buffy sits up straight and shaking her head keeps saying “No, no, no this can't be real.”
Angel has his palm flat on her back rubbing it trying to sooth her. “Buffy what's wrong? Tell me.”
“No, it’s nothing, I'm fine.” trembling she snuggles back into Angel, “I'm just tired.”
“Don't lie to me buffy.” He says as he rests his cheek on her head.
“Angel please, just hold me.” wrapping his arms around her tightly he does just that.
“Okay, but sooner or later I want to know what is going on.”
“I don't know yet myself.” She said, thinking that maybe there was a chance that a lot more had happened in L.A. that day, when she had come to tell him not to see her anymore around Thanksgiving. She slowly slipped out of his grasp and rose to her feet. Angel already feeling empty without her in his arms stood up and walked over to her.
“Buffy who told you I was with Cordy?” he asked gently, he hadn't wanted to change the subject but since Buffy wouldn’t tell him about what just happened he thought it was a good idea. That and the fact that he needed to know who told her. Well he already knew but he wanted to make sure.
“Does it really matter?” she asked softly, still nursing the pain the visions had brought, looking him in the eyes she could see it did, so she told him. “Well I came to L.A. about six months ago to shop for a place to set up a studio, anyway one night I was out with Dawn and I seen Spike. I was so shocked that he was alive, I mean you'd told me in emails, but seeing him was different. So anyway we sat around talking all night, he asked me why I came to L.A. to set up shop of all the places in the world. I told him it was because I had two things waiting for me back here. Anyway he said if one of them was you, then I should give up and move on because you had; he said that you and Cordy were very happy together. By then I had already purchased the studio and it was too late, so a month later I moved. That's about it I think.”
“And you believed him?”
“I had no reason not to; I thought he would never lie to me. Clearly I was wrong.” Said Buffy disappointed in herself for believing Spike and not trusting in Angel. “I'm sorry Angel.” She whispered looking away from him.
He placed a finger under her chin to tilt her head to face him “You don't ever have to be sorry Buffy, ever.”
They held each others gaze for the next ten seconds or so, Angel’s fingers tracing from her chin up across her jaw, until Buffy finally peeled her eyes away from him. “You should go if you want to get back to L.A. before sunrise.” 'Stay, stay, stay' she kept thinking to herself.
“I should.” He wanted nothing more than to kiss her in that moment, but decided against it, they were taking things slowly. Heading back down the hall Buffy following closely behind he opened the door to leave. He turned around to face her, while still clutching the door knob in his hand. ‘I don’t want to leave’ he thought to himself. Buffy stepped towards him and hugged him, he held her so tightly he was afraid he might be hurting her, but she didn't seem to mind.
“Goodnight” She whispered pulling away from him.
“Goodnight” he whispered back.
And he closed the door behind him, leaning against it he sighed. She felt so good in his arms, she fit and moulded to him so perfectly. Buffy's back hit the door as she smiled to herself 'Damn, I should have kissed him' she thought.
Angel had made it to the bottom of the steps, when he turned back around and ran back up the flight, stopping to knock on the door again. Buffy opened it in an instant, and in the blink of an eye Angel’s lips crushed against hers in a powerful kiss. Bringing her arms up around his neck, she parted her lips letting his tongue in, and then started out exploring his mouth with her own. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her up off her feet and pressing her against his body, kissing her with a passion that for so long had been denied. Buffy felt dizzy from the kiss, there tongues mingling while tasting and rediscovering each other. Reluctantly they broke it off, both panting, Angel for air he didn't even need.
"Call me" said a breathless Buffy as she slipped out of his strong embrace.
"I will" he replied before leaning down and brushing her lips once more with a soft kiss.
Closing the door, Buffy couldn't have been happier with the way the last two days had turned out, going from Angel not being a part of her life, to that incredible kiss they had just shared.
As he opened the door to his car Angel couldn't wipe the smile off his face, he thought he'd lost her only days ago, and now he'd just felt her beautiful soft lips against his.
Over the next week Angel and Buffy spent alot of their free time together. He would call her every night before she'd go to bed, his voice the last thing she heard before emerging herself deep in dreams about him. On one occasion he dropped by the studio to check on her, knowing that she was working late and also knowing that she had been struggling with migraines, as she had put them. Yet for some reason Angel just didn't believe that's all that it was.
When he'd walked in that one night he'd interrupted Buffy who was in the middle of a shoot, he stayed out of her way and just watched. He wasn't amazed at how good she was at her job; she could do anything if she set her mind to it. No for him, it was more like he was happy as he could see her passion for it, and it made him extremely proud. They had also gone out to dinner a couple of times in the last week, trying to do the sensible thing and take it slowly, no matter how hard that was proving to be. Nothing had happened between the pair apart from many heated kisses. Angel had yet to tell her about his soul, not wanting to seem pushy.
The next night Buffy stayed back late and was packing up after a shoot. The phone started ringing and Cindy was no where to be seen, she had already had a word with her assistant about her unreliability, and now as much as Buffy hated doing it she knew she would have to fire her. Finding the replacement was going to be the hard part, but anyone would be better than Cindy. Picking up the phone, she was a little disappointed to be greeted by Anthony Reed who claimed to be Cordelia's manager. Mr Reed wanted to know if Buffy would be able to fit in her client and her client’s co star for a shoot tomorrow, as he was very pleased with the last lot of photos. Buffy wanting nothing more than to say no way forget it, reconsidered thinking to herself that if Cordy gave her any crap, she’d have to share her good news with the wanna be star.
After packing everything up, and turning off all the lights she locked up and headed towards her car. Being a Monday night and knowing she had an eight am shoot the next morning, she considered staying overnight, maybe at Angel's. She smiled at the thought of sleeping next to Angel again, it had felt so good last week when she was injured and he had taken care of her. But now things were different, they were together again and this time for good. Still it was going to be so difficult to sleep with him, yet not really be able to sleep with him. But that wasn't important, it didn't matter to her wether they could be intimate or not, just as long as he was hers that’s all that mattered. Anyway there was plenty of time for that sort of stuff once he turned human, even if it wasn't 'for years to come, if ever. None of it mattered when it came to the way she felt about Angel.
**********
Angel sat at the long desk in the meeting room going over a stack of paper work with Wesley, Fred, Gunn, Lorne and Willow who sat at her laptop surfing the net for research. Spike hadn't been around in the last week, which was a good thing for the blonde vampire, as Angel would throw him out into the sunlight the second he seen him, if a stake weren’t handy. Letting out an annoyed groan the vampire threw the file he had been holding in his hand onto the stack that had been sorted in the middle of the table. Fred could see his irritation as could everyone else in the room.
"Angel, is something wrong?" asked the shy brunette.
"Yes." he grumbled "I'm still here, with you guys, working."
Everyone looked up at him, a little disappointed to the fact that Angel really didn't appreciate their company. Going off their looks he realised what he had just said, and how it must have came across. Picking up the next folder, and frowning when he opened it, he looked back up at his friends and continued speaking.
"It's not that I don't enjoy this time that we spend together working and fighting, it's just, it's a little."
"Boring?" Willow finished for him. Meeting her gaze, Angel nodded in reply.
"Well." Fred spoke up "Maybe we could make a night of it, you know order take out or something like that." she suggested.
Willow still looking in Angel's direction, came to the vampire's defence. "I don't think that's what he had in mind; I think that maybe Angel is wishing he was somewhere else right now, or with someone else." Said the Wicca smiling as she teased Angel. He only smiled in reply, his thoughts drifting back to Buffy; he missed her so much already when he had only seen her last night, when they had gone out for dinner.
"Who else?"
Angel's head jerked up in surprise, his smile widening when his deep brown eyes met with those intoxicating green ones of whom the voice belonged to. As surprised as he was to see her considering she hadn't been to Angel's since the night she was hurt, he was happy more than anything else.
"Hey." she said smiling at him, from her position at the door.
"Hey." he said smiling back before coming to stand in front of her, and lean down for a quick kiss.
"I'm guessing this is Buffy." Asked Gunn watching the couple. "Unless Angel here just goes around kissing all the girls."
Looking over at the black well dressed man, then back at Angel, she teased "Well he better not be."
Angel smiled back at her; he seemed to do that alot when she was around. Turning to face his friends he realised how rude he was being "Sorry, Guys this is Buffy, Buffy this is Gunn, Fred, Lorne. Wesley and Willow you already know.”
"Hi." she said, as they said it to her.
"Good to see you again Wesley, at least this time I haven't been staked." She joked
"You too Buffy" The once watcher smiled.
"Hey Will." she smiled at her friend as they walked towards each other for a hug. "Dawnie tells me she stayed at your place this weekend, and something went a little wrong with a spell."
Willow tried not to laugh "Well you know how eager she is to learn."
She smiled at her best friend, then made a promise to call her soon and get together. Then she turned her attention back on Angel who was still standing beside her, smiling, and just happy that she was there.
"I was wondering if maybe you want to, go for a walk?"
"Yeah, a walk would be good, I have a bit of work still left to do but-"
"Angel its fine, you go, everything's under control here." said Wesley
Angel didn't need to be told twice, grabbing Buffy's hand he walked her out of the room. Their friends just sat and stared happy to see there boss and friend with a smile on his face, God knows it's been a while.
**********
Walking along the pier holding hands, staring out at the ocean and star filled sky they looked like the perfect couple in love. Like everything was right in the world now that they were back together.
"Not that I'm not happy that you did, but why did you stop by, you know so late." he asked.
"Well, I was hoping for a place to stay." she smiled at him, receiving a smile in return.
Angel didn't know it yet but Buffy had a motive to bringing him to the pier, they weren’t just out for a walk, no there were something’s Buffy needed to talk to him about, but she couldn't say that back at his office, she didn't want to scare him. The slayer stopped walking and turned to look at him.
"Angel."
"Yeah." He said coming to a stop beside her.
"I.....umm..........." She didn't know where to start or even how.
Angel noticing her hesitation tried to reassure her. "Whatever it is, you can tell me." He smiled at her while tracing her jaw with his finger.
Feeling as though she could tell him anything in that moment, she started to talk. "It's just well......... I know that we've been honest with each other and I realised that there’s something I still haven't told you that you need to know."
Angel swallowed audibly "What is it?" He was a little nervous to what she was about to say, as long as she wasn't reconsidering being with him he could deal with just about anything.
"Dracula bit me." She whispered
"What." he growled as he ripped at her top pulling it aside to look for a mark, but all he could see was his. "Where?"
Running her fingers across his mark on her neck, she said "Here."
"But that's my mark." he said a little confused.
"I know I'm not saying it scarred, I'm just saying he bit me."
"And you let him?"
"Of course not, unless you call being under his thrall letting him." she replied annoyed that he would think that.
Replacing her fingers on his mark with his own he smiled "At least when I bit you I left a scar."
She smiled back at him "Well you were a little rough with me."
Angel dropped his head to stare at her feet "I'm sorry."
"Don't be." she teased, giving him a wicked grin.
The look in her eyes sent a jolt through him. God she was beautiful and so damn sexy, he wanted to take her right there and then, but he still hadn't shared the news with her.
"Anyway I just wanted to get everything out in the open, you know no more secrets. So I know you knew about Parker, Riley and Spike, and I just thought that you had a right to know about Dracula. Even if it was a long time ago."
"I'm glad you told me." he whispered
"Yeah but there's one more thing I have to tell you."
"What?" he asked looking into her beautiful eyes.
"Well it's more something I have to ask of you."
"You can ask me anything Buffy." he said, still holding her hand he reached down and took her other one in his.
"Kiss me Angel, right here, again." She looked around her as she spoke. Following her gaze Angel realised for the first time, that they were standing on the pier where he had kissed her in the sunlight, that day he had become human.
"You remember." His features in total shock before his face changed and a wide grin was plastered across it.
"Yeah vaguely, hence the migraines." She said looking up at him "It was real wasn't it?"
"Yeah......best day of my life."
"I wish I could remember it clearly." she said upset that she didn't have her full memory of that day back.
"You will. I'm just glad that you remember any of it."
"Hey I said I'd never forget."
"You did." He smiled at her, realising just how much he loved her and needed her in his life.
"Angel."
"Mmmm."
"Is there anything else you need to tell me, you know about anything that's happened, that you think I should know about? Last chance if there is."
He looked right into her green eyes, there was something else, but she had just remembered that day and she was happy. He didn't want to spoil things, rubbing her hands that he held in his, with his thumbs he simply replied "No, you know everything there is to know."
She smiled at him, that was it, everything was out in the open, no more surprises, they could start their life together and everything was going to be fine.
"So are you gonna kiss me."
Leaning down towards his beautiful blonde, he pressed his lips against hers in slow kiss. Smiling against her mouth he grabbed at her waist and lifted her, she replied by wrapping her legs around his waist. Begging for entry Angel sucked at her lips until they parted letting him in. With her fingers running through his spiky brown locks, she pulled his head towards her deepening the kiss as their tongues dulled with each other fighting for supremacy. With one hand on her hip and the other creeping up her back he found the ends of her hair, and started playing with them, his fingers grasping at the strands. Eventually Buffy was the one to pull away from the kiss fighting for air, while his lips crept across her cheek, behind her ear and down her neck. Running her hands from his hair down to his shoulders she reluctantly pulled away panting and flushed. She could feel Angel's arousal through his pants pressing against her; she untwined her legs and slipped down. Knowing that they couldn't really takes things any further.
"We should head back."
Still with his arms around her he nodded, grabbing her hand they began their walk home.
**********
After retrieving her things from her car, they ventured into his empty apartment, her hand still laced in his. Buffy excused herself to change for bed as it was late, yet she wasn't tired, but with an early start tomorrow she was going to need some sleep. She came out of the bathroom wearing only a pair of short pale pink satin boxers and a white camisole top. Angel's jaw clenched and he swallowed hard at the sight of her silky bronzed legs; his eyes still creeping up her body were fixed on her cleavage, visible from the cut of her top. Meeting her gaze he tried to think of anything other than how enticing she looked. Sitting herself down on the lounge, she patted the seat next to her asking him sit down. Angel willingly followed her lead, sliding down next to her on the lounge, he slips his arm around the back of her head and starts to stroke her hair, smiling at her and looking into her eyes.
"What?" she says as she returns his smile.
"You're so beautiful, and you here with me. It's all a little hard to believe."
Nodding in agreement "Tell me about it, I'm still pinching myself."
"Let me do that for you." he says with a wicked gleam in his eyes.
"Down boy, we don't need to get carried away here."
"Oh yes we do." he says as he leans in and starts laying kisses on her neck and collarbone.
Giggling at the feel of his lips on her flushed skin, she pushes him away. "Angel as much as I'd love to we can't, the curse."
Pulling himself away from her, yet still his fingers are entwined in her hair. "We can." Angel gave her a wicked smile before leaning in to capture her lips with his own.
Reluctantly pushing him away she says "Angel I want you, you know that. But that doesn't mean I am willing to bring out Angelus just so I can have what I want." His features becoming serious as the smile drifts away from his face. Letting go of her golden strands he picks up her hand in his "Buffy there's something I need to tell you."
"Oh boy, this isn't good is it?" She says afraid that her fears are about to come true and Angel is about to walk away from her again.
"Well I think it is."
Buffy's looks at him totally confused at his words. 'Okay so he thinks it's good, so does that mean I do too.' She thought.
'Oh god this is it, what if it doesn't make a difference, what if she doesn't want to, or worse want me. No she does, she just said she does. Than why do I feel like she might not......Stop doing this to yourself, and just tell her.'
With a smile on his lips he spoke "My soul is permanent."
Buffy's eyes widened and her breath caught in her throat, as she just froze on the spot. 'What the hell.......did he just say........OH MY GOD!'
Amazingly she was speechless she didn't know what to say, how to react; it was the last thing she had expected. This changed everything. How was her first question, than when, but nothing seemed to come out.
'Oh god she's not saying anything, I was too pushy, I need to tell her that I'm sorry I need to tell her how I feel about her, I need to tell her that I need her more than anything.’ Just as Buffy was about to form a sentence Angel beat her to it.
"I thought of you everyday, and missed you every night, I never stopped. I knew one day that I might be the one, to earn that so called redemption and have my piece of humanity. But in the end I always knew that you were my humanity. I waited for it and it never came. And I thought well was there any point to it, really was I going to get anything out of it, if you weren’t here to share it with me. So I would be able to walk outside into the sun, and enjoy the taste of food, so I could die one day and not be stuck here forever. But then I realised I'd rather live forever and be with you, while your still here, than have my humanity without you. You’re all I want, all I ever wanted. I realise now that I haven't told you yet. I still haven’t told you that I want nothing more than you in my life; I can’t understand why I have failed to say those words. Buffy from the first moment I saw you, I knew I would love you always, I knew that I could never share you, or stand the thought of you with another. I knew that you were the piece that I had been missing for over two hundred years. And that night I made love to you, and you gave yourself to me completely, it wasn’t just true happiness or bliss, to me it was my meaning, making you happy is my meaning.”
Tears escaped her lashes and cascaded down her cheeks, she wanted to tell him everything was okay and that he didn’t need to do this, because she knew. He didn’t need to explain things to her she just needed a second to process what she had just heard ‘His soul is permanent, and he thinks that I’ve changed my mind, NO WAY. When she finally opened her mouth to speak, Angel silenced her with his gaze and continued speaking.
“The only thing that got me through all these years was you; you’re the only person that ever really understood me. The only person who ever truly loved me at all. Buffy I can't walk away from you again; I'm not that strong, I never will be. There has to be a reason that you became a part of my life, and the only one I can think of is destiny. I know it sounds corny Buffy but it’s real. So I found out from Willow that my soul is bound for good, and all I can think is that I can make love to you, that I can give you at least a few things a normal girl should have. But to be honest even if I couldn’t I’d still fight to have you. I feel you inside and it hurts when were apart, so much that I can't keep going on without you-”
"Angel shhhh" Buffy places a finger on his lips to silence him. New tears fall from her lashes as she says the two words he's prayed to hear "I'm cookies."
Those two words were two of the best words Angel had ever heard in his entire life as man and vampire, it made him so happy, when he thought that maybe she’d changed her mind. After all these years, she was his forever.
Angel shifted slightly wanting nothing more than to get closer to her. Buffy moved her finger from his lips and with the palm of her hand lightly brushed his cheek. Pulling his face up to face her Buffy whispered "I've missed you." Even more tears spill free and she can't hold anything back anymore. Angel raised his hand to hers, and turned to face her properly. He brings the palm of her hand to his mouth and kisses it once, and then once more. Buffy still crying just watches him. He looks up at her and sees her crying, still holding her hand; he returns the half smile she still has on her face. "Buffy." He says her name so softly it stirs something inside her, reminding her of when she was sixteen and he was her world. With her hand in his, he starts pulling her towards him, he closes the distance between them as he leans in for a kiss. Cupping her face with both his hands he kisses her. Only pulling away to look her in her eyes "You still-"
"Always." She answers in a heartbeat, cutting him off. He leans in to catch her lips again, kissing her softly at first, content just sucking on her bottom lip. She moans softly into his mouth, and her lips part inviting him in. He slips his tongue into her warm mouth exploring her, tasting her, she tastes just like vanilla, God he loved the taste of her, he'd been living without it for years now.
Buffy is just as eager wanting to make up for lost time, she swoops her tongue across his, then sets out to rediscover his mouth, something they had been doing alot of over the last week. He tastes so good just like mint and something else she could only describe as Angel. She pulls away only to come up for air, still cupping her face in his hands; Angel brings his lips to just under her eyes. Kissing away her earlier tears, he then moves across her jaw to her ear. Buffy tilts her head slightly as Angel spreads his soft and now open mouthed kisses down her neck. In the darkened room the only light is that of the city streaming in through the window, which helps him notice something, his eyes widen as he realises what it is. His mark, he loved that it was still so noticeable after all these years and it hadn't faded at all.
The sight aroused him and his eyes flickered as he ran his wet tongue across the beautiful white scar. Buffy moaned at the feel of his tongue on her neck, and especially right there. Angel stood and pulled Buffy into his arms carrying her to the bed, sitting down on it he placed Buffy in his lap, and wrapped his arm around her waist trying to get as close to her as was possible. Buffy could feel his arousal through the material of his pants, straddling him now she slowly started to push her herself down on it and rock her hips. Angel growled deep in his chest the sound only turning Buffy on more.
Sliding his hands down her back they came to rest on her hips. Grabbing at the hem of her top, Angel slowly pulled it over her head with Buffy's help. Taking in an unneeded breath he stares at the sight of her bare skin only covered by her bra. Leaning back in to kiss him Buffy starts to fumble with the buttons on his shirt. After undoing it in between passionate kisses she slides it off his shoulders and runs her hands back down his chest. Angel shrugs out of his shirt and then pulls Buffy to him making the kiss deeper, his tongue searching out her throat. His body is aching for her, for her touch, her kiss, for the feel of her surrounding him. Turning her and himself he comes to his knees on the mattress and slowly lays Buffy down on the bed. With one hand behind her back he unhooks her bra and gently pulls it away from her.
Looking down at her beautiful breasts, he smiles at her before planting a soft kiss on her lips. Buffy moans against his mouth as she feels her taut nipples lightly brush against his chest. Feeling her bare upper body brush against his, he tenses, she feels so good against him. Breaking the kiss he slowly makes his way down her throat to her collarbone planting butterfly kisses everywhere. He reaches her luscious mounds and plants a few kisses on them before turning all of his attention to her right one. At first he blows gently across the nipple, and watches as it hardens even more so. Buffy now arching her back to meet his mouth moans his name.
"Angel."
The way she said his name was enough to send Angel over the cliff himself. He runs his tongue across her right nipple, while taking her left breast in his hand, kneading it gently at first, until Buffy places her hand over his instructing him to go harder. At her deep breathing and moanful pleads, he takes her nipple into his mouth licking and sucking, running his blunt teeth across it. Buffy enjoying the attention he is laving upon her breasts is a little disappointed as he removes his hand from her left, until she feels his large hand sliding across the tight skin of her stomach and under the satin fabric of her boxers and panties.
His hand comes to rest between her thighs. Lightly at first Angel traces patterns across her sex, Buffy lifting her hips pleading with him gets her wish, as he slides a digit into her wet center. He stroked her slowly, then sped up and slid a second one in, as Buffy moved her hips to the same rhythm. Angel continued tormenting her nipple, darting his tongue out across the bud, then licked his way back up to her lips. His fingers now settling on the sensitive bud of her clit, and his lips place kisses on hers, before moving to her jaw and throat as he rubs her sensitive spot with such skill. Arching her neck as her head hits the mattress, she climaxes against his hand. Angel continues stroking her as the last remains of her orgasm die down. Bringing her hand to his face she pulls him forward for a kiss, planting a soft one on his lips she then starts to lick them with her tongue. Opening his mouth for her, he lets her tongue inside and what started as a gentle kiss suddenly becomes so rough and hungry. Buffy finally pulls away, only for air.
Angel’s hand slides out from under her panties to slowly remove them and her boxers. Skimming them gently and seductively over her hips he reveals her sex to his lustful eyes. The sight of her completely naked before him sends a bolt of desire, longing and pure love through his body. Looking up at her again he leans towards her lips and places a gentle kiss upon them.
"I love you Buffy."
Tears surging forward again buffy replies "I love you too Angel."
There mouths meld together once more in a most passionate kiss, lips and tongues trying to tell each other of there wants, needs, desires and love for the other.
Buffy reaches for Angel's pants quickly undoing the button and sliding down the zipper. She places one of her hands inside his pants to stroke the length of his rigid sex, Angel groans at her soft touch. Returning her hand to her previous task she tries to pull off the pants. Angel unable to wait stands and removes all his clothes before returning to her once more. Buffy then holds her hand out, reaching for him to lie back down on top of her. Taking her hand Angel eases himself back on top of her supporting his frame on his elbows. Kissing her lips while sliding his hand to rest on her thigh, he instructs her to part her legs for him. Buffy obeys in an instant.
"Buffy, I need you" He whispers in a deep husky voice, as he pulls away from her lips.
"Me too Angel, I need you inside me." she whispers in a breathy voice, while grasping at his shoulders.
With that Angel slides his length inside her. He goes slowly at first then thrusts in and out a little faster, Buffy wrapping her legs around his hips and lifting her hips to meet him with each thrust. They continue the rhythm for a while longer, Angels hands roaming all over her body needing to feel her every inch, every second, just to make sure she’s real, Buffy’s hands are doing the exact same. Angel then slides a hand between them to brush the spot where their bodies are so intimately joined, his thumb finally settling on her swollen nub, strokes and pinches it sending wave after wave of pleasure through her body. There eyes lock, as he moves inside of her, digging her nails into the skin of his back Buffy lets ecstasy overtake her as her climax washes over. Her breath hitches in her throat yet she still manages to call his name, bringing Angel to his own release. His head comes to rest on the pillow beside hers. Buffy leans her head to the side searching for Angels lips. He turns his head to face her and smiles as he kisses her with a kiss that tells her of his love, while gently stroking her hair.
Content and spent they fall into a deep sleep in each others arms, no need for dreams to overtake them as all their’s had just come true.
With the sunlight streaking through the necrotempered window and dancing over her skin, Angel stares at the beautiful sight in his bed. Running his fingers up her arm, to her shoulder and back down again, he smiles as she stirs and her eyes slowly flutter open, squinting at the light of day.
As she opens her eyes she finds it a little hard to believe the sight in front of her. Yeah he is a gorgeous man especially with the sunlight highlighting his features, yet not turning him to ashes, but its not that. It's the fact that he's there beside her. As hard as she tried she couldn't stop the tears that surged forward and began to spill free.
Bringing his fingers back up her arm, then along her throat to her face, and finally settling just under her eyes, he wipes away her tears as he speaks.
"Hey, why the tears?"
Smiling up at him, she still can't believe it's real "Angel, I've only ever dreamed of this moment."
"I know last night was pretty amazing."
"No not that. Not that it wasn't, I mean this, waking up and finding you here lying next to me, and not gone."
Hating himself for deserting her the only two times before that they had made love, he swore he would never do it again.
"Buffy, I'm sorry I could never give you that before. But everything's different now, and I give you my word that I will wake up next to you every morning forever."
"Every morning huh?" She replied quirking an eyebrow.
Staring at her with such a passion he never ever thought he would get to do anything about, he covered her lips with his. Devouring her mouth with a hunger only she ever managed to bring out in him, he moved his lips across her cheek and down her neck as he blanketed her body with his own. As Buffy tilted her head, she noticed the time on the clock on the night table.
"Oh no." she said reluctantly pushing Angel away.
"What?" he said disappointed to take his lips off of her skin.
"If I don't get up, I'm gonna be late."
Returning his lips to her neck and throat he mumbled "So call in sick."
As tempting as that sounded she knew that it was impossible "I can't, I have alot of work to do before I leave for New York tomorrow."
"New York?" He questioned as he rose and sat on the bed letting her get up.
"Yeah I told you about it a few days ago, how I'm going there for a shoot."
Staring at her naked form as she walked to the bathroom, it took a little while before her words registered. Rising to his feet then following her, he Stepped into the shower behind her and asked "How long?"
"About a week." She said as she leaned back against his chest.
"A week! What?"
"Angel I swear I told you." she said as she turned to face him.
"Yeah I think I remember you saying something about it, I was just hoping that it wasn't for a while." He said as he gazed down at her body and the water running down her curves.
"Well it is only a week, unless I finish early then I might be able to rush back." she said smiling up at him.
"That would be good" he said as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "So are you sure you want to go? I mean is there nothing I can do to convince you to stay?" he teased with a wicked smile on his lips.
Returning his smile, she ran her hands up his arms and joined them around his neck "You can try." she said as she pulled his head down to hers for a kiss.
**********
As she dried herself and got dressed her gaze never left Angel and how delicious he looked wearing only a towel, and a smile on his face as he noticed her gaze. After their little episode in the shower she was going to be very late for work. She knew she had to get out of there as soon as possible, before she found herself stripping away his towel and pushing him back in and under the water, so that he could please over and over and over again. Walking towards him she came to stand in front of him, her hands coming to rest on his chest, tracing lazy patterns across it, before she circled his waste and pressed her cheek against his firm body.
Dropping a kiss on her head as he wrapped his arms around her, he didn't want to let her leave. If anything he wanted to pull her back into the shower or the bed or anywhere that was handy. Letting out a deep unnecessary breath he tightened his grip on her and rested his cheek against her beautiful damp hair.
"So, dinner tonight?"
She stepped back and looked up at him "Dinner would be good, but I'm gonna be working pretty late so, I'll meet you here after I'm done."
"Okay." He said as he leaned down to kiss her once more before letting her slip out of his grasp. Throwing his clothes on he went to walk her out as far as he could.
When they walked out of the lift and into his office, Angel noticed a letter on his desk. Stopping to read it he noticed it was from Willow asking him to meet them in Fred's lab when he came down. Buffy peaking at the letter realised she still had some things to ask the Wicca herself.
"Maybe I should come with you; I wouldn't mind having a word with Willow myself."
Placing the letter on the desk he turned to face her. "No you need to get to work you're already late."
"This coming from the guy who was asking me to cancel a shoot only minutes ago."
"Well I don't want to have to go without seeing you or touching you for a whole week."
That was enough to make Buffy reconsider herself; maybe she should just blow off New York and stay here with Angel. It was certainly more tempting, but she had a job to do. Speaking of which she really had to get going; she'd have to have a word with Willow later.
"Well you can do some of the touching tonight." she smiled.
"That sounds good." he smiled back already counting down the hours till he would see her again.
"Oh and don't think that I'm not going to have a word with Willow for not telling me about your soul, I just don't have the time right now."
"Buffy, no don't. The only reason she didn't tell you herself is because she wanted me too. She has done nothing but try to help us and I keep attacking her for it, I don't think that she needs it from you too." He smiled, knowing that Buffy would give Willow an ear full if she had the chance. "If it wasn't for her.......well what I'm trying to say is that we kind of owe her."
"Oh God you're right." Said Buffy as if finally realising it herself.
"As always." he teased
Buffy rolled her eyes and smiled at his last comment.
"Well the longer I stay the later I'm gonna be, so I'm gonna go now." She said as she leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to his lips.
With his brow against hers, he smiled at her as he spoke "Walk you out."
"Okay" she smiled back
Crossing the lobby holding hands with Angel she wasn't looking forward to a long day at work, but thoughts of their plans for the night brought a smile to her face, and she was eager to get her job done and get back to him.
Walking towards them Willow froze as she saw Buffy and Angel walking holding hands, and being this early in the morning meant that the slayer had stayed the night. "Oh my God he told her' she thought, 'well it's about time he did......Oh crap she is going to be so mad at me for not telling her' Willow shrugged the thoughts away and continued walking, changing her direction she made her way towards the lift in the lobby, hoping to avoid the couple.
When she seen Buffy turn and head towards her she was a little disappointed, disappointed to see her best friend yeah that made sense. She was so sick of this, all she tried to do was help and she kept on screwing things up for herself, she needed to learn to keep her mouth shut, because really it was the only way she was going to keep this job. She braced herself as Buffy stopped in front of her, blocking her from entering the lift. When the Slayer threw her arms around her Willow was relieved, unable to understand what made her think for a second that Buffy was going to be mad at her. But when Angel hugged her too, well that was just plain weird, he saw her everyday it's not like she was leaving or dieing, all she had done was make his soul permanent therefore allowing him to make love to Buffy....... and their was her answer.
As the newly reunited couple headed into the lift, Willow and Harmony watched.
"Well it's about time he got laid." Said the blonde assistant.
Willow just smiled, happy for Angel yet somehow happier for Buffy, she finally found him again, the girl needed some happiness in her life, and he was the only one that could ever give it to her.
Releasing her out into the sun with a kiss, he stood at the door and watched her. The sunlight truly giving her the appearance of a goddess, and that she was, she was his goddess. He loved her so much and he would never let anything tear them apart again, he would never leave her even if it was for her own good.
**********
Stopping by with lunch in her hand Willow walked into Buffy's studio, placing the lunch in front of the slayer who was engrossed with something on her laptop.
"Busy?" questioned Willow
"Very." she replied, taking her eyes off her work long enough to give her friend a thankful look for the food.
"Well you need a break, at least to eat."
"Yeah I could take a break, anything but working on these photos all day. You have no idea how many of these models need air brushing."
"I can imagine." Smiled the Wicca pretending she had an idea of what Buffy was on about.
Realising that her friend had gone out of her way to get her lunch and personally deliver it to her, she stopped what she was doing to face her.
"I'm sorry Will, what brings you by?"
"Nothing, just wanted to see my best friend is all."
Smiling at her and just happy for the company on what was proving to be a hectic day. "So you're not here to check on me then?"
'Busted' "No of course not, why on earth would you think that." she joked.
"Cause I know Angel, he worries when he doesn't need too."
"I told him I might drop by, Angel pretty much insisted that I do, and to bring you lunch, and make sure you eat it. So since he signs my pay check, I'm gonna stay until my job is done."
Buffy smiled from the moment Willow had mentioned his name; it was so like Angel to make sure she was looking after herself. She loved it though, him looking out for her.
"So what's next?"
"Huh." said Buffy coming out of her thoughts "Oh, I have a shoot after lunch, and you'll never guess who it is."
"Who." said Willow dying to know; if it was anyone famous she wanted all the Goss.
"Cordelia." said Buffy with a groan.
"What?"
"Yep apparently she is the star of some new big budget film."
"No way." the Wicca was shocked, Cordelia an actress, well stranger things have happened.
"Way." replied the slayer "And can I just say, she hasn't changed at all."
Willow didn't find that hard to believe. "Well we are talking about Cordy aren't we?"
**********
As much as she didn't want to Willow decided to stay a little longer and see the so called movie star for herself, it's not that she didn't believe Buffy when she told her, she just knew what Cordy was like, famous or not the word bitch described her perfectly. Strength in numbers was always a good idea when someone got involved in a conversation with her. Not that Buffy couldn't handle herself, but after she had filled the Wicca in on what had happened at the last shoot over lunch, she thought that it would be better to stick around, besides what are best friends for.
When Cordelia and her co-star walked in, she put on a fake smile and greeted the two girls. "Buffy, Willow it's nice to see you two are still friends, but then again losers always stick together."
The girls simultaneously rolled their eyes at her comment, 'yep, she really hasn't changed' Willow thought. After introducing herself to Cordelia's co-star, Buffy directed them out back to where Tony was waiting to dress them.
After taking many photos of the couple both together and individually, she instructed Cordelia to change into her last outfit for some more individual snaps, and let her co-star go. Willow and Buffy chatted quietly until the brunette emerged. "So Buffy, Angel and I had a great time last night." lied Cordelia
The slayer looked at her in amazement trying not to burst into laughter. "Oh really, funny I can't remember seeing you, when I was with him ALL NIGHT." she said with a smirk on her face.
'What? That bitch was with Angel, I thought she had the idea in her head that Angel and I were together. Oh my god she's talked to him, and found out it was a lie. So what are they together now? Oh no way over my dea-.'
"What's wrong Cordelia? You look like you've been caught out lying, how could that be?” Willow said interrupting her thoughts.
"Whatever." she replied. "So you and Angel are back together huh?" she asked the slayer in between poses.
Adjusting the lens she peaked a look the once cheerleader "Yeah, we are, is that a problem for you?"
"Yeah right, like I'm afraid of a little competition, from you." she said looking Buffy up and down.
Bringing the camera down so she could see her properly she said "Cordy there is no competition, Angel loves me, I'm sorry if that hurts you, but there's nothing I can do."
'Oh this dumb blonde was going to pay.' "He loves you does he, oh right. Well if he loves you so much and you’re so sure of that, then why don't you ask him about what happened when I woke from my coma Buffy, ask him about the plans we made. Then maybe you'll see just how much he loves you."
"You know what Cordelia, I think I have enough photos." she said trying to ignore the brunette’s harsh words.
"Oh you can dish it out, but you can't take it huh. Yeah well truth hurts doesn't it?” she spat as she walked out the back to change and grab her things.
"I wouldn't believe a word that comes out of her mouth Buffy." Willow said
"I don't." replied the slayer, if only she wasn't lying. She had to talk to Angel, to see if it was true.
As Cordelia passed by the girls on her way out she stopped and turned "Oh and Buffy, he's a great kisser isn't he?" With that the brunette continued her walk out of the studio.
With rage boiling inside of her, she stormed out of the studio, Willow following close behind. When she was outside she jumped in her car, she needed to talk to Angel, she needed to know if there was any truth to Cordelia's words.
(AN: The lyrics used in this chapter are from the song “Angel of mine” by Eternal)
On the drive over Buffy tried to calm herself, but she found it impossible to as Cordelia’s words played over and over again in her mind. When she crossed the lobby she ignored Harmony's greeting and marched towards Angel’s office, with Willow following her. The Wicca had tried to calm her friend but everything she said went ignored, Buffy choosing to take Cordy's words to heart.
She burst through the office doors; Angel rose to his feet in an instant. When he realised it was Buffy he smiled, but that faded when he noticed the look in her eyes. Coming to stand in front of his desk, she let him have it.
"So there was never anything between you and Cordy huh?" Buffy spat, only then realising that Fred was in his office, the two girls looked at each other awkwardly. Willow walked towards Fred and grabbed her arm
"Fred I'm sure you can come back later." She said hinting that they needed to be alone. When they walked out the office closing the door behind them, Buffy turned to face Angel again.
"So tell me, what happened when she woke up from her coma Angel?" she said as she placed her hands on her hips.
Angel couldn't believe what he was hearing, how did Buffy know about that? He didn't know what to do, or what to say to make things better. "Buffy it's not what you think."
"Oh it's not, did you kiss Cordelia?"
Lowering his eyes as he couldn't bare to look at her, he answered. "Yes."
Buffy felt her heart breaking into a thousand pieces. 'Why had he lied to her about it, why didn't he tell her, maybe it really meant something to him, and that's why he never brought it up.' she thought.
"But it was a long time ago, and the circumstan-"
"I don't care if it was a long time ago Angel, I told you about Dracula when I had done nothing wrong, and that was a long time ago. I gave you the chance when we were at the pier last night to tell me everything, and you.....you.....lied to me. You said I knew everything, but hey I guess guys will say anything when they want a fuck."
"No, that's not why." he said as more of a growl, how could she think that. Looking her directly in the eyes he could see that she was about to cry.
"Buffy I'm sor-"
She put her hand up to stop him as she backed away "Forget it, just forget everything, it's not only that I don't trust you, but I can't even look at you." She said, then turned around and ran out his office.
"Buffy wait." he yelled as he ran after her.
She was already in the lift in the lobby by the time Angel made it out of his office. He ran towards her but he was too late, the doors closed before he got to her. Banging at the doors with his fists, he kept yelling her name, then gave up and decided to take the stairs. When he reached the bottom step, he saw her walking through the front doors.
"Buffy." he yelled as he came to the door, stopping only from the sun.
She didn't even turn when she heard him call her name. She just kept walking and got in her car.
Watching her leave he knew in that instant that he should have told her when he had the chance, now he didn't know what to do, was she even going to talk to him again?
When he walked out of the lift and into the lobby everyone was waiting and just staring at him. "Don't we have jobs to do." he spat as he walked to his office and everyone went about their work.
When he was standing behind his desk, he picked up a glass and hurled it against the wall, smashing it into tiny little pieces.
**********
Trying to stop the tears so she could see where she was going in traffic, Buffy pulled her sleeve over her hand and wiped at her eyes, her cell was ringing constantly but knowing who it was she refused to answer and listen to anymore of his lies. When she got back to the studio she went in search of Tony, she found him in his usual place sorting through new clothing he had brought.
"Tony can you reschedule all my clients; I'm leaving for New York early." She said before walking into her office to grab the phone.
Tony was confused, Buffy had alot of people coming in today why on earth would she want to reschedule, ‘maybe it has to do with her red eyes’ he thought. "Yeah sure, but isn't that Cindy's job?" he said as he followed her into her office.
"Yeah, but I fired her. I have people coming in next week to interview for the position, but till then can you do this for me?"
"How can I say no to you." he said smiling at her.
"Thank you." she said as a single tear escaped her eye.
"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked noticing her tear.
"No, I'm okay; I've got a flight to book anyway."
Taking her hint, he left her alone as Buffy rang to get an earlier flight. She was in luck one left for New York in two hours.
**********
Dialling her cell number, then hanging up when she didn't answer to start again, Angel kept trying to get through to Buffy. He wanted to tell her she was over reacting, and that he had done nothing wrong, but if that was so then why did he feel so guilty. If only she had of stayed and listened, he had a perfect explanation for what had happened with Cordy, but he knew it wasn't enough, he knew that it was his lie that hurt and made her leave. He had to find her before tomorrow, when she'd leave for New York, he couldn't bare the thought of not knowing where they stand for a whole week, and he couldn’t bare the thought of losing her when he had finally gotten her back. He would leave as soon as sunset, and sort this all out.
**********
With her bags already in the trunk of the cab, which she'd packed nights ago and left at the studio, she was on her way to the airport.
Sitting at LAX and waiting for the call for her plane to board, she could hear a song playing through the speakers, and it reminded her of him, everything seemed to.
When I first saw you I already knew There was something inside of you Something I thought I'd never find Angel of Mine
I look at you looking at me Now I know why they say the best things are free Gonna love you till the end of time Angel of mine
She notices a young couple hugging and kissing saying their goodbyes. She wished for a moment that Angel was there seeing her off, until she realised he was the reason she was taking an earlier flight. How could he do this, how could he lie to her? Was Cordelia right did Angel really make plans with her, and if so what were they? Damn it why did he lie to her, if he wanted Cordy than what was the point of this last week, and last night, which was the best night of her life.
What you mean to me you'll never know Deep inside I need to show You came into my life sent from above Better than a dream such a perfect love And I'll adore you till the end of time Angel of Mine
She knew she had to stop thinking about it, but couldn't help it if only she hadn't of let Angel back into her life, if only she had never went out patrolling that night, then her heart wouldn't be breaking. If only she wasn't so in love with him, she could have dealt with it. She did it when she caught Riley, if only she could do the same when it came to Angel. But it was impossible she never loved Riley, where as with Angel that's all she ever did. How could she be with him when she didn't trust him? She wished she could forget the last week, and let him go, but she couldn't the last week was everything she had dreamed for, as for the last few hours, they were a nightmare.
Nothing means more to me than what we share No one in this whole world could ever compare Last night the way you moved is still on my mind Angel of Mine
When a tear escaped her eye as the lyrics of the song caused a painful reminder of their night together, and rolled all the way down her face, she spat "Oh, can you just turn this song off." Everyone stared at her, but she didn't seem to care, she didn't seem to notice anything except her heart breaking even more.
Finally a minute later the call came for passengers to board the flight. Grabbing her carry on and her ticket she headed towards the attendants to board the plane.
I look at you looking at me Now I know why they say the best things are free Gonna love you till the end of time Angel of mine
**********
When the sun finally set Angel was on his way over to Buffy's studio. When he walked inside he was greeted by Tony, the man he had met when he had dropped by to see Buffy days ago. When he found out that Buffy had already booked an earlier flight and was on the plane he panicked. He was so upset that she hadn't stayed and given him the chance to explain himself.
When he got back to Wolfram and Hart he had the jet ready and waiting in twenty minutes. He was going to New York, he hadn't been there in ten years, since the night that Whistler had found him in the Alley. He had to find her and make her understand and he just couldn't wait a whole week to do that.
**********
Five hours later Buffy arrived in New York, an hour later after waiting forever for a cab, she was checked into her room at the Plaza Hotel with instructions that no one was to know she was there. Setting her watch forward three hours, she noticed that it was just on midnight. She wasn't even tired and since she didn't have to work until the day after, she decided she was badly in need of what ever pay-per-view had to offer, and lots of ice cream.
The next day she woke early unable to sleep pretty much all night, and decided that while she was in New York she may as well look Xander up.
Knocking on his front door she was a little worried about what his reaction was going to be, hopefully he would be happy to see her and wouldn't ask too many questions.
Opening the door to their home Anya was a little disappointed to see Buffy standing there. "Oh great now we can't have sex." She yelled as Xander came to see who was at the door.
"Buffy?" he said with a smile on his face.
"Hey Xand." she couldn't believe how happy she was to see him, she needed a friend at the moment who wouldn't bring up Angel, and she knew she could find that in him.
"Oh my god what are you doing here." he said as he drew her in for a hug. "Not that I'm not glad that you are."
"I'm not." said Anya as she folded her arms across her chest, it's not that she didn't like the slayer, she was just hoping to get a bit from her boyfriend, and they couldn't exactly do that now that she was here. Unless of course Buffy didn't mind waiting.
"So can I come in?" asked Buffy who was still standing at the front door.
"Fine." Anya said as she moved out of Buffy's way.
"Now Anya remember what we talked about, when we have guests I need you to be nice, or not talk at all." Said Xander as he followed Buffy into the living room and sat next to her on the couch. Buffy could see that Xander had really done well for himself, their home was amazing.
"I know I just wanted to have a quickie before work, but now that she's here I don't see that happening."
Buffy cringed at the thought of her two friends having sex, really that was a visual she could have gone without. Coming to his feet Xander put his arm around her shoulder to usher her out and into their room. "Really An, Buffy doesn't need to hear about our sex life."
"Or lack thereof." She said before grabbing her things and walking to the front door.
As he placed a kiss on her lips he promised he'd make it up to her, only if she would try and behave herself in front of his friends. After he seen Anya out he walked back into the living room to find Buffy standing by the fire place and looking at the pictures on the mantle.
A smile crept across her face as she seen the picture of the three of them from their high school days, she knew Xander had gotten alot of things out of Sunnydale before the big fight, she just didn't know that this was one of the items. She smiled and wished that things were as simple as they were back then, sure high school was a hard and painful part of her life, but nothing was as bad as things were right now.
"Earth to Buffy, you okay?
"Huh." she said as she turned to face him with the picture still in her hands. "Oh yeah I'm fine, just thinking about some stuff."
"Oh, would that stuff you’re thinking about be Angel?" He'd known, and he was expecting a visit from her as Willow had rang him yesterday saying that Buffy would be in New York, and to keep an eye on her, but she never told him what Angel actually did.
"What?" she said dropping the picture and shattering the glass in the frame. Bending down to her knees to pick it up she apologised "Oh Xander I'm so sorry."
Helping her pick up the pieces he didn't seem to care "Hey, don't worry about it; I'm sure I can afford a new frame."
Rising back to her feet and taking another good look around his home before her eyes fell back on the picture in her hands "Yeah I'm sure you can."
"So you wanna talk about it." he asked
"No, I just wanna hang out with my best friend."
Xander smiled really liking the idea of spending some time with her.
They ended up going out for lunch then to shoot some pool. "I'm so gonna kick your ass." said Xander as Buffy broke and got two in. "Maybe not." he smiled.
She smiled back; she had such a great time having lunch with him that she just wanted to be around him all week instead of working. Whenever something was wrong Xander seemed to know how to cheer her up, that and the fact that Xander wasn't exactly Angel's biggest fan so he never really brought him up.
But that didn't mean that she managed to escape what had happened, Willow had rang her to make sure she didn't. She had also rang to tell Buffy that what she did was wrong, that she should have given Angel a chance to explain, and that the vampire was a mess after she left. However the Wicca never told Buffy that Angel was in New York, knowing how stubborn Buffy was and that she'd do just about anything to avoid him.
Buffy didn't really appreciate Willow's call, she bit her friends head off telling her it had nothing to do with her, and it wasn't anyone else’s business. Willow was so hurt, that she told Buffy that she had done nothing but try to help, and be there for her and it was all pointless, then she hung up on the slayer. Buffy didn't want to fight with her best friend but more than anything she just didn't want to think let alone talk about Angel, and Xander seemed to be the only one to understand that.
**********
When Angel arrived in New York the other night he had tried just about every hotel he could think that she may have been booked into. But everywhere he went no one had a Buffy Summers staying with them. He assumed that maybe she had signed in under another name, so he tried giving a description, yet still had no luck. He didn't know whether to believe some of the hotel staff, but he couldn't afford to make a scene. After three days and still nothing, he gave up and headed back to L.A. Hoping and wishing that by the time Buffy returned she had calmed a little, at least enough for him to be able to talk to her.
**********
Snooping through Angel’s files in his office and his belonging’s in his apartment Eve couldn't find anything of use, until she decided to take a look through some of his drawers. Grabbing at some books and flicking through them a picture fell out. The picture was of a beautiful young blonde, Eve smiled to herself realising it was the slayer.
"Well if I can't find any dirt on him, I'll just have to get to him through his heart." she said as she kept smiling at the picture.
**********
Another day passed and Angel couldn't take it anymore, she was still not answering his calls, and he had to do something other than sitting around thinking about her. Deciding on sending her an email he made up a new addy, as Buffy had blocked the other one. After attempting to type it over and over he finally decided that it should come from the heart, and to just type what he felt.
When Buffy opened her emails that day, she hadn't expected to see one from Angel, and as much as she didn't want to read it she did.
Buffy,
Where do I start? Maybe I should try to explain what happened with Cordelia two years ago, when she woke up from her coma. I would have liked to have done that but you ran out on me, and left, and even when I tried I couldn't find you. I'm scared to think that I may have lost you over something that happened in the past. What happened with Cordelia doesn't even come close to what I have with you, you’re my girl, and I love you so much, and I need you Buffy. And most of all I hate doing this by email. I don’t know how to explain things, I don’t know how to reassure you, when I can’t even see you. And I just don't know what else to say.
Angel
She sat there with tears in her eyes, re reading his words 'he said he loved me, and needed me' that was enough to make her want to pick up the phone and call him, but the fact that he still hadn't told her why he had lied to her annoyed her too much. She clicked the reply tab and went about typing an email to him.
Angel,
I never needed your reassurance I need your honesty, I thought we had cleared everything up, I thought there were no more surprises. I was wrong, and I hate that I was because I still love you, I know now that I always will. But love just isn't enough, when we don't have honesty we don't have trust, and without that there's no point. I'm sick of hearing all of your deep dark secrets from everyone else, had you have told me yourself that would have been enough, but now it’s just too late. Please don't email me again.
Buffy
When Angel read her reply, he felt his undead heart break. She was so hurt and he had caused it, that hurt him more than anything. But she still loved him, that was something, she may not trust him but he would gain that back. He wasn’t about to give up, he would get her back no matter what it took.
**********
Finally after a tiring six days, Buffy was ready to head home and one day early which was even better. First she had planned to meet Xander for lunch one last time before her flight. The two had spent alot of their free time together catching up on each others lives and just hanging out like the old days, the only thing that was missing was Willow. Buffy had deep regrets about the way she had spoken to her best friend on the phone, and was hoping more than anything that she would forgive her.
**********
That day Angel was a nervous wreck, he knew Buffy was coming home and that she didn't want anything to do with him. As much as it hurt that didn't stop him from putting together a plan, he went to see Dawn and managed after alot of questions and the use of one of his cars to get the spare key to Buffy's apartment. Tonight he was going to sort things out; tonight he was going to win her back.
**********
After they ate their lunch, Buffy was feeling a little scared as to what was waiting for her upon her return. She hoped that Angel would just leave her be, it's not that she didn't love him she did more than anything. But she was so confused and hurt and six days away hadn't helped in restoring her trust in him. Xander knew that this was the right time if any to bring it up, he didn't want his best friend with dead boy, but the truth was he couldn't see her being happy with anyone else.
"All right, I've had it with you, tell me what happened."
"What?" she asked coming out of her thoughts, "Nothing."
"Buffy why is it that I think you're lying to me? I want to know what he did to you, to upset you so much. And don't say nothing because I wont believe you." he said as he folded his arms across his chest.
"Xander I don't really want to tal-"
"Nope wrong answer, and don't think you're getting on that plane without telling me."
Buffy paused for a moment she had been so happy that Xander had never brought it up, and now what she was going to do? Confide in him about how hearing Cordy's harsh words made her feel. This was wrong. Very wrong, so why was it that she started telling him.
"I had a shoot with Cordelia." going off Xander's look "Yeah she’s some new big Celeb, anyway she told me that she had kissed Angel, and that they had made plans for the future or something like that. The night before I asked him to tell me anything that he thought I might need to know, I didn't want anymore surprises, and he said there was nothing. Then when we went back to his place, we ah......"
"You guys slept together." Xander yelled outraged, that everyone in the restaurant turned to look in their direction.
"Xander shhhhh, you don't understand, his soul is permanent now."
"Oh." looking around him at the attention he had attracted "Oops."
"So anyway after Cordy told me I went to confront him about it."
"And."
"He admitted it, he basically admitted that he'd lied to me and he tried to tell me that he had a reason for it." Buffy said anger rising inside her as she relived that day last week.
"And what was it." he asked dying to know
"I didn't stay to find out." she said
"Oh, I see." Xander said as he leaned back on the chair
"You see what?" she said looking him in the eyes
"That Willow was right."
"Oh great you too." she said
Leaning forward and changing his expression he took Buffy's hand in his. "Buffy I'm really not the right person to be giving you advice on Angel, but I’m going to anyway. I really think that you need to listen to his side; maybe he has a good reason for not telling you. I can't imagine what it is, but I can tell you that I'm sure he didn't mean to hurt you. So what I'm saying is that I think you need to get back to L.A asap and talk to him, and if his reason isn't good enough than I will personally stake him." Xander said the last part with a smile.
"I don't know Xand, the way Cordy said it, it sound-"
"Buffy, have you ever dated Cordy?" he asked cutting her off.
"No and ewwww."
"Well take it from someone who has, she has the knack for overdramatising things, you know making out like its something but really its not."
"Hence the whole actress thing."
"Exactly." Xander agreed even though he still couldn't believe she was actually starring in a movie.
On the plane trip home Buffy took what Xander said to heart, and really started to think that maybe she had been a little rash, maybe she should have let Angel explain himself.
**********
After Angel had gone to Bakersfield and gotten into her apartment thanks to the key he get from Dawn, he waited patiently for Buffy.
After dropping by the studio to pick up her car and finally pulling into her drive, Buffy was exhausted and couldn't wait to get some sleep. Letting herself inside, she walked down the hall and was about to go straight to her bedroom until she felt him. Walking over and switching the lights on she turned around to see Angel standing in her living room.
Angel stood there looking at her, with his hands clasped in front of him
"Hey." he said in a soft voice
Buffy just looked at him, she was tired and trying to figure out how he had gotten into her apartment, and how he knew that she was back early, 'Xander must have told Willow' she thought. Still looking at him just standing there she wanted to give him a chance to explain, she wanted to throw her arms around him, and tell him she was sorry for running off. But she couldn't, because she didn't feel like she should be the one that was sorry, he was the one who lied, he was the one that kissed Cordy. So what if they weren't together, this was Cordy she was talking about, the girl who had set out to try and make her life a living hell. 'How could he want her? How could he kiss her? How could he lie to me about it, if it was meaningless? Maybe because it wasn't.' She knew she had to say something, she couldn't just stand there in silence, and as much as she knew that Xander was right, and that she should take his advice, something inside her just told her not to.
"Get out." She spat as she walked towards her room.
He caught up with her and grabbing a hold of her arms he spun her around to face him "No Buffy, no more running away. You’re finally going to listen to what I have to tell you."
"Finally, what is that supposed to mean? Wasn't I listening when I asked you if there were any more secrets that night at the pier?" She yelled as she grabbed his hands and peeled them off her.
Taking a step back away from her, he spoke "Buffy' please, I'm sorry I didn’t say anything about Cordelia when you asked if there was anything I needed to tell you that night, but you had just remembered that day years ago in L.A. and I didn't want to hurt you."
"Oh so you thought lying to me was a better idea." she said as she folded her arms across her chest.
"No, I was going to tell yo-"
"Yeah right." she said, and was about to turn and walk away.
"Damn it Buffy listen to me." he yelled and it made her stop in her tracks, returning her gaze to his face, he could see how cold and angry her eyes were.
"Listen to you, so what? So you can tell me how good it felt to kiss her and to fuck her. So you can tell me all about the plans you made." She mimicked
"What? Cordelia has obviously over exaggerated."
"So what you didn't kiss her now, is that what your saying." she spat
"No I did, but you don't understand, Cordy woke up from her coma and she helped me put my life back together. I was ready to give up, to just throw it all in, but she stopped me. In the end she made the decision to leave, she didn't want to be apart of Wolfram and Hart, when she was about to go she kissed me, and yeah I kissed her back, why? Because I was angry at you."
"Me?" questioned a hurt Buffy.
"Yeah not long before that Andrew told me you didn't trust me anymore, since I had taken over Wolfram and Hart, and it hurt."
"I never said that Ang-"
He cut her off "All I wanted to do was forget you, as I thought you had forgotten me. But it didn't work my head was just filled with you, so when Cordy asked me to uh.... I said no. I didn't even know my soul was bound, but I knew I could be with her if I wanted to, but I couldn't do it. So she left and told me she'd come back for me one day, I told her not too, I told her to live out her dreams and not include me, because I had my own."
Buffy couldn't help herself when she tried to fight the eagre to cry; her tears slipped free and didn't stop. "So why didn't you just tell me?"
"I was scared of what your reaction would be. I thought maybe I’d lose you if I did"
"Angel I need to you to be honest with me, I can't have you keeping things from me all the time, cause it just hurts so much more when I find out off someone else."
"I know." he whispered
"So are there any more secrets?" she asked, dreading the answer.
Taking a step towards her and cupping her cheek with his palm he whispered "No."
She looked into his eyes and some how just knew he wasn't lying "Good."
"But there is one more thing." he said stepping in a little closer.
"What?" she asked starting to worry again.
"Don't ever run away again. I went crazy thinking I'd lost you, and I never want to feel like that again."
"Okay." She smiled "Only if you never lie to me again."
"Deal." he whispered before leaning in to catch her lips with his own.
When they pulled apart Buffy looked into his eyes as she spoke "You know you really owe Xander."
"Huh?" he said a little annoyed at the mention of his name.
"Well if it wasn't for him and his making me see your side of things, I wouldn't have even bothered listening to a word you said."
"You nearly didn't."
"Yeah well Xander's voice was ringing in my ears"
"Wow, so I owe Xander one huh, gee that sucks."
Smiling she couldn't help but kiss him.
"Are you tired?" he asked as they broke apart.
"Very, I ended up missing my flight, thanks to Xander, he made me stay a little longer, I was almost going to spend another night in New York but I wanted to get home, so I caught the later one."
"I'm glad you did" he said wrapping his arms around her. "I missed you."
"I missed you too." she whispered
"It's late; you need to get some sleep."
Looking up at him and wrapping her arms around is neck she asked "Stay with me?"
"Forever." he said before leaning in to kiss her, parting her lips with his tongue he slid in into her warm mouth. They kissed for a while before eventually breaking apart to move to her bedroom.
When she opened the door to her room, she was so surprised. Angel had lit some candles and scattered rose petals all over her bed and floor. Fresh tears started to well in her eyes, how could she have ever of been mad at him, it was so clear how much he loved her, he had gone to so much trouble just for her. Turning to face him, she smiled.
"Expecting to get laid huh?" she teased
"Well......but you’re tired, I just wanna hold yo-."
His last word was interrupted as she kissed him, kissed him so fiercely, that when she pulled away for air, there lips were swollen and red. Putting his hand behind her head he pulled her back to him, kissing her with a desire and lust that had been building over their week apart.
They stood there with their arms wrapped each other kissing for a while, and suddenly Buffy felt like sleep was the last thing she needed, she felt her heart beat speed up at the feel of his arousal pressing into her. She wanted him so badly, she started getting rough, tugging at his jacket and ripping it off him.
He wanted to stop to tell her again that she needed rest, but the thought was pushed to the back of his mind when she reached for his belt. Helping her and quickly ripping at each others clothes in between kisses, they made their way to the bed. Laying her naked body on top of the rose petals, he began his journey kissing every inch of her warm skin only to return to her lips again.
Buffy could feel his naked form pressing against her and a moan escaped her lips only to be caught by his. Everything was moving so fast, she needed him, and she needed him now. Her body yearned for his touch, for his lips. Kissing her with an animalistic hunger he moved his lips down her body to her breasts, as his hands held a tight grip on her waist and pushed her frame down into the mattress.
The silky feel of the petals felt so cool against the skin of her back, but it was his wet cool tongue suckling on her aching nipples that sent a shiver through her body. She moaned as he bit down on her nipple, then drew in a deep husky breath as his hand teased her inner thigh. Parting her legs quickly she begged for his touch, she didn't need to beg for long as the second she had shifted Angel's fingers were inside her, teasing and stroking her.
Leaving her breasts he licked his way down to where his fingers where building up her orgasm. Removing his thumb from her clit and replacing it with his tongue, Buffy gasped as he continued stroking her and letting his tongue explore her intimately, before finally drawing her nub between his teeth and biting down on it softly. Her head fell back as she arched her neck. With her body pushing down on him, her orgasm set every nerve in her body into action, trembling with ecstasy.
He always seemed to know just the right way to touch her; he was the only one that could ever send her over that cliff over and over again. He continued his torment as the last of her tremors subsided. Then smiling up at her as she caught her breath, he licked his way back up her body, stopping to give her navel then breasts some attention, before finally settling on her lips.
Kissing him with a fierce hunger and nibbling on his lips, she grasped at his hair pulling his head down and pressing his lips more firmly against hers.
He was so painfully hard and he wanted nothing more than to be imbedded deep inside her, and she wanted it just as much as he. They were trying so hard to make up for the last week, that they were a little rough with each other, but neither seemed to mind, time away could sometimes be a good thing.
Reaching for her left leg and putting it over his shoulder, he slid inside her, tracing his fingers up and down her leg as he withdrew them slammed back inside, receiving a moan from Buffy. Slowly he started to build up speed and eventually his hand found her clit, and roughly he teased it. When her second climax hit, she lost all sense of reality thinking she was dreaming and that there was no way anything real could feel so good, lifting her back off the mattress and closing her eyes as her mouth opened yet no words could be formed. He continued rubbing her sensitive nub, although he was finding it difficult to concentrate on anything as he felt her inner muscles spasm around him, he pleaded with her to open her eyes as he was nearing his own release.
She did as he asked and looked at him, right in the eyes and for the first time ever she seen it, not the love he had for her, but everything that she did to him, every feeling she evoked in him. She returned his look and in an instant he knew to, he knew everything that was his Buffy. Calling her name he stumbled into the depths of bliss. Dropping down beside her she snuggled against his chest placing a kiss against it.
**********
When she woke the next morning, she quietly got out of bed and went about making some coffee. Coming back into her room with her coffee in hand she couldn't help but smile at the sight in her bed. There was Angel asleep, the sheet covering him from his waist to his knees, he was turned on his side facing Buffy and many crumpled scattered rose petals lay in disarray around him.
Placing her cup on the dresser, she reached for her camera, taking the cover off the lens she focused, and then started taking a few pictures, after about the fourth picture Angel's eyes slowly opened. Smiling at her, then noticing the camera in her hand he was puzzled.
"What are you doing?" he asked, still half asleep
"Making a model out of you." she giggled.
"Oh no." he said as he rose, securing the sheet around his waist as he struggled with her for the camera. Buffy couldn't help herself it was just to tempting, she held the camera out of his reach and pulled at the sheet wrapped around him, he turned and walked away trying to find his discarded clothing, but wasn't quick enough for Buffy who took a few snaps of his naked retreating form. When he walked back towards her now wearing his boxers, he noticed that Buffy still had her camera in focus and was ready to take more photos.
"Oh no you don’t." he said, managing to get the camera out of her hands.
"Hey." she laughed
Reaching out and undoing the tie on her robe he aimed the camera at her "Now this is what I call a model." he said taking in her naked flesh through the lens.
"Angel stop it." she said trying to get the camera back off him, and re-tie her robe.
"Sorry can't the camera love's you to much." he said as he managed to stop her from her task, and kept the camera away from her.
"Oh right so what are you gonna do with the photos, frame them and put them on your desk?" she teased
"Hey that's not a bad idea." He said teasing her back. She didn't find it to amusing
"I'm kidding, they can be our private stash." he said raising an eyebrow at her, she smiled back
"Well in that case let me take some more of you." she said reaching for the camera again.
Instead he put the camera back on the dresser and swooped her up in his arms, taking her back to the bed. "No I can think of better things to do." he said as he laid her down on the bed.
"Like what? She asked innocently as Angel removed her robe.
"Like this." he said as he took a rose petal from the pillow and softly placed it on her brow. Then touching it barely with his index finger he slowly traced it down her nose, across her lips, down her neck and then straight between her breasts.
Buffy closed her eyes, and enjoyed the silky feel of the flower, guided by Angel's finger. He smiled as he watched her, he loved that she was so responsive to him, he loved that he could please her so, but mostly he just loved her more than anything is this world or any other.
Buffy's breath caught in her throat as he glided the petal over her now hard nipple, and swirled it around it so softly it drove her crazy, she gasped and Angel's lips closed over hers in a lustful kiss, she slid her tongue inside and sucked at his. Reaching down and removing his boxers he positioned himself on top of her, slowly sliding inside her, he made love to her.
**********
When she woke from her nap after there long and pleasurable love making she smiled. She couldn't believe that anyone in the world could be this happy let alone her. Looking around and not seeing Angel anywhere she smiled as she could hear him making noise out in the kitchen.
"Angel."
"Yeah, don't move I'll be right in okay."
"Okay." she replied as she got up and slipped into his shirt then went to use the adjoining bathroom to freshen up.
Getting back into bed and under the covers she sat and waited patiently, wondering what it was that Angel was doing. When he walked into her room she was so pleased at the sight. He carried a tray with breakfast, even if it was the middle of the day.
Feeding her mouthful of pancakes and strawberries, he didn't want the day to end, he loved being with her, and he still found it hard to believe that she was a part of his life again. Bringing another strawberry to her lips, she took a bite then leaned in to kiss him.
"Happy Birthday." he said as he pulled away from her kiss.
"What?...Oh my God, I totally forgot." she laughed.
"Well I didn't." He said smiling at her.
"Really, what did you get me?" She said as her eyes sparkled with excitement.
Angel leaned over and picked his duster up off the floor, reaching into one of the pockets, he pulled out a black case with a ribbon around it.
"What is it?" she said as he placed it in her hands.
"Open it."
When she opened the case, tears welled in her eyes. Sitting against the black velvet was a silver cross just like the one he had given her upon their first meeting; only this one was slightly different; it had a beautiful pink stone imbedded in the middle.
“I knew that you lost the other one when Sunnydale was destroyed.” he took the necklace out of the box and placed it around her neck. “The stone in the middle is a rose quartz, it has alot of meanings tied to it, and one of them says that it is the stone of love and it’s supposed to bring peace and calm to relationships.”
Letting go of her hair which she'd held up as Angel placed it on her neck she placed her hand on the necklace and turned to face him, her tears now falling. "Angel it's beautiful, I love it." she said, and then kissed him. "Thank you."
He smiled at her, he was so glad that she liked it. "There's something else in there."
She picked the box back up and removed the little piece of velvet, underneath was a key. Picking it up she looked at him.
"It's to my apartment, I want you to feel at home there and to feel like you can come by whenever you like, there's a few drawers waiting for you too."
This time instead of just kissing him she pretty much jumped him "Now it's time for you to get your present." she said as she sat on top of him.
"But it's not my birthday." he said returning her smile.
"Doesn't mean you don't get anything." she said smiling wickedly at him.
He just looked at her; never in his life could he have imagined he’d be so happy.
“I love you Buffy.”
“I love you too.” She smiled before leaning into his kiss.
By the time they had showered and Buffy had had something to eat, it was almost sunset, they had spent the whole day in bed, not that she was complaining, it was a pretty good way to spend her birthday.
She was now packing a few of her things, so she could spend what was left of her birthday with Angel. She wasn't needed back at work tomorrow, so she thought that some quality time alone in his apartment was a good idea. Walking out into the living room where Angel was waiting, she handed him a key.
"Here, I want you to have one too." She said as she placed it in his hand.
He smiled, he'd been hoping that she would give him one but didn't want to ask.
"Actually now that I think of it, how did you get in last night?" she asked
"Uh....well, I went to see Dawn" he said pulling Dawn's set of keys to Buffy's apartment out of his pocket, and handing them to Buffy.
"And she gave them to you just like that? Well I can't say I'm not glad she did." She said as she wrapped her arms around his waist and gave him a quick kiss.
"Well not exactly." he wrapped his arms around her "I kind of had to lend her one of my cars."
"What, are you crazy? Angel, Dawn is a worse driver than I am, and that's really saying something."
"Oh right, I never thought of that.....Oh well it was worth it." he said smiling at her.
"Yeah it was." She smiled back before kissing him again.
**********
When they walked into the lobby of Wolfram and Hart everything was oddly quiet, Buffy hadn't frequented the building, yet she still had a bad feeling about it, but at Angel's insistence followed him into his office.
"Surprise." Yelled Dawn, Fred, Wes, Gunn, Lorne and Willow. To say she was surprised was and understatement, shocked seemed to describe things a bit better.
“Oh my God” She raised a hand to her mouth “Angel did you have something to do with this.” She said looking up at him.
“Maybe a little.” he smiled, and gave her a peck on the cheek.
“Happy birthday Buffy” Dawn said walking up to her sister and giving her a hug.
"Thanks Dawnie." she said as she hugged her.
Everyone wished her a Happy Birthday after that, except Willow who still hadn't had a chance as everyone was crowded around the slayer.
"Hey Will." said Buffy as she walked towards the red head.
"Hey." said Willow
"Look I'm sorry for the way I spoke to you over the phone while I was in New York, I was just so angry and it wasn't your fault, actually it had nothing to do with you. And I just wanted you to know I'm very sorry."
"Don't be, I stuck my nose in where I shouldn't have, it was between you and Angel, and I shouldn't have gotten involved."
"No don't say that, I'm so glad you did, don't you see the kind of friend you have been to the both of us. You have done nothing but see to it that were happy and look at how I thank you. I finally have my best friend back and I treat her so badly." She said as she lowered her head.
"No, Buffy its okay I understand, I just want you to be happy."
She looked up at Willow and smiled "I am, and I'm sorry that the only time we ever seem to talk is when I'm having a problem with Angel, I want to change that."
"Hey I don't mind."
"Well I do, now tell me what's happening with Willow, cause I'm dying to know."
Dawn and Fred had joined the two girls in their conversation, all talking about the latest happenings in their lives. After awhile of watching their friendly chat, Wes made his way over asking Fred if he could drive her home, she blushed and gladly accepted his offer. When Gunn and Lorne said their goodbyes, Dawn wondered over to where Angel was sitting on one of the lounges.
"Angel."
"Mmmm." he said taking his eyes off Buffy to look at her sister.
"I need to talk to you." Said Dawn, as she sat down beside him.
"How bad is it?"
"Huh?"
"The car."
"Oh the car, well that's not what I wanted to talk to you about but its okay, it was only a minor accident, which totally wasn't my fault. Some jerk backed into me while I was still parked."
Angel just smiled, not really even caring about the car, as he snuck glances at Buffy through the corner of his eye.
"Angel hello, you there?"
"Sorry Dawn, uh don't worry about the car, by the sounds of things it can be fixed."
"Okay, I don't get it."
"Get what."
"Why you're not going off at me or biting me or something."
Angel just smiled at her reply "Well you did me a favour yesterday, and then you recked my car, so I guess were even."
"Oh you mean the key to Buffy's."
"Yeah." he smiled sneaking another glance at her.
"Well that's kinda what I wanted to talk to you about, not the key, but Buffy."
Angel's gaze fell back on Dawn "What about Buffy?" he asked a little concerned.
"Oh nothing I just wanted you to know that if you hurt her again, I'll kill you." she said smiling at him.
Angel smiled back at her, she had become so much like Buffy always looking out for others it amazed him "You don't have to worry about that, all I want to do is make her happy."
"Good answer." she said before she got up and walked over to Willow and Buffy.
The two girls had been talking about how Willow had been settling into Wolfram and hart among other things, Buffy was so engrossed in the details Willow could tell that the slayer must be missing the whole demon fighting part of her life.
"Willow can we go now, I'm kinda beat and I have classes tomorrow. And I think that Angel is getting jealous of you and Buffy" she giggled
Buffy glanced over at Angel and he gave her one of those looks she’d recently become so familiar with, Buffy shivered just from the look alone. "You know what you guys, I'm kinda beat to." she said faking a yawn.
"Of course you are." smiled Willow knowing instantly what brought on her friends sudden so called fatigue.
"So I'll see you guys for lunch tomorrow?"
"Yeah, definitely." smile Dawn, before the two girls headed out the office.
As soon as Buffy closed the door behind them, Angel spun her around, and locked his lips on hers, while slamming her body against the door with a thud.
As the girls headed towards the lift, they heard the thud. "God do they ever stop?" said Dawn
Angel couldn't get enough of her, he had been sitting there for hours talking to Gunn, Wes and Lorne yet he'd never taken his eyes off Buffy. He had so badly wanted to force everyone to leave early at one point, and hike her skirt up as he took her on his desk. The pain in his groin was unbearable and was getting worse the whole time he watched her either flick her hair, lick her lips or simply just smile, everything about her turned him on, and when finally Willow and Dawn had decided to leave he couldn't have been happier, even if it did make him feel slightly guilty.
Probing his tongue deeper and deeper into her mouth, he kissed her with a hunger that always took control whenever she was around. Slamming her against the doors again, this time as he hiked up her skirt and ripped away her panties. Buffy pulled away from his kiss and let out a husky moan when he ripped at her clothing like that, it sent a wave of fire through her right down to he part of her that was aching for him.
Angel wanted to take his time to savour the taste and feel of her, but couldn't wait a second longer when he felt her hands settle on the button of his pants undoing it with such haste and quickly ripping down the zipper. Still kissing her his hands roamed down from her shoulders along her back then down under her skirt and firmly grabbed her ass pulling her up and into him, feeling his erection press against her she wrapped her legs around his hips, then slowly and teasingly slid down on it.
She twined her arms around his neck as Angel pushed her more firmly against the door, with one hand firmly gripped on her hip, guiding her movements and his other hand supporting them on the door.
Returning his lips to hers, he ravished her mouth, fiercely kissing her as he thrust in deeper and deeper each time. Buffy clutched at him pulling him closer and closer as she could feel her climax approaching, panting and thrusting down on him as she rocked her hips.
Arching her back she pulled him even closer and deeper inside her. Angel freed one hand and tore at her shirt, a few buttons broke and hit the ground, it was the only sound that could be heard other than their panting and Buffy calling his name.
"Angellllllll." she moaned as he yanked down the strap to her bra, and closed his mouth over her exposed nipple, drawing it into his mouth and grazing his teeth over it. That feeling was the last thing that registered in her mind, as she once again threw her head back, hitting the door when her peak hit, struggling for breath and frozen still she closed her eyes enjoying every quiver raging through her body.
Feeling her climax around him, Angel kept thrusting inside her faster and faster while he moved his lips up her body to her neck, kissing and drawing her flesh in between his teeth. Opening her eyes she kissed the top of his head as she dug her nails in his back, while the last remains of that ecstasy rushed through her body.
Lifting his lips to hers he kissed her, then moved his lips across her cheek to her ear, nipping and sucking on her lobe. Hearing her short breaths in his ear he thrust inside her once more and his own climax came. While spilling his cool seed inside her he bit down on the spot just behind her ear with blunt teeth, muffling a groan into her sweet skin. They held there position for a little while longer both sated, before Angel pulled his head back to kiss her, it was a sweet short kiss filled with love.
Short moments later Buffy untwined her legs from around his hips and dropped them to the floor, and they fixed their clothing. Buffy finding it a little difficult as she'd lost a few buttons, when Angel was in such a rush to get her shirt off. He noticed what she was doing and looked at her feeling a little bad.
"Sorry." he said, brushing the back of his hand across her jaw.
"What for?" she asked looking up at him.
"For being so...rough, I ruined your clothes." he said frowning at his haste in removing her clothing.
"Hey did you hear me complaining? Besides I can easily buy new clothes." she said as she came to her toes and pressed a kiss on his lips.
He smiled against her mouth as he kissed her, before picking her up and carrying her upstairs to his apartment.
**********
The next day Buffy met the girls for lunch, Willow had brought Fred along telling her that she needed a break from the lab. Dawn sat there most of the time on her cell phone arguing with her boyfriend, as the other three looked on trying to understand the situation. When she finally hung up on him she turned to the three girls.
"I have to go." she said as she put her cell into her bag.
"Is everything okay?" asked Buffy a little concerned for her sister.
"Yeah everything’s fine, he's just trying to pull out of our date tonight so he can hang with the guys." she said as she leaned over and kissed Buffy on the cheek.
"Okay well if you wanna talk about it, then make sure you call me okay."
"Okay." she said as she hurried out the restaurant.
"Oh my God teenagers." said Buffy "Was I like that?"
"Well....." said Willow thinking back to days she used to wine about Angel not being at the Bronze or the graveyard or anywhere he wasn't when she missed him.
"Don't even say it." she said, giving Willow an evil stare.
"What I'm not saying anything." she said smiling mischievously
"Yeah only cause I stopped you."
"Well hey at least I didn't have to sit through it for nothing I mean look, your still with Angel." she said noticing the smile on the slayers face at the mention of her bosses name.
The three girls finished their lunch and sat there for a little while longer enjoying each others company. Buffy didn't have to return to work until the next day, so she decided to let Willow show her around Wolfram and hart, as she was only really familiar with Angel's apartment and his office. The thought of his office reminded her of their little interlude last night after the party. As much as she tried she couldn't wipe the smile off her face the whole time Willow talked about the spells and demons they fought and showed her around.
**********
Walking into his office later that night she found him sitting at his desk tired and rubbing his head as he looked over some papers. When he looked up and seen her approaching immediately his expression changed.
"Hey." she said smiling at him while running her finger across his desk before settling in his lap. Instantly he circled his arms around her waist.
"Hey." he replied as he kissed her lips.
"Hard day?" she asked as she caressed his cheek.
"Yeah."
"Anything I can do?' she asked teasingly, as she wiggled her bottom against his groin.
"Maybe." he said as he seized her lips again.
Pulling away from him, she heard him growl at the loss of her lips, she slipped out of his lap and fell to her knees on the floor "I was thinking more along the lines of............" she didn't need to finish her sentence as she tugged his zipper down.
Angel gazed down at her with dark lustful eyes as he watched her reach inside his pants and grasp at his erection. Lightly she ran her nails along his penis; she traced the tip with her fingers, looking up at him as he drew in a husky breath. She brought her head down and took him into her warm mouth, using her lips and tongue to relieve his stress, Angel's head fell back as he revelled in the feel of her mouth teasing and bringing him extreme pleasure.
Buffy took great satisfaction in the pleasure she made him feel, digging her nails into his firm thighs as she took him deeper in her mouth. Angel was so lost in the feel of her mouth surrounding him he grasped her hair in his hands as she brought him to the heights of ecstasy.
"Ohhhh Buffy." he groaned as he came, she happily swallowed his release. Kneeling back and gazing up at him she slowly licked her lips, before coming to her feet. Angel just stared at her, the simplest thing like watching her tongue sneak out and run across her lips managed to get him so worked up.
"Soooo, what do you wanna do know?" she said raising an eyebrow.
"Test out my desk." he said in a husky voice as he quickly flew out of his chair and grabbed her, seizing her lips as he bent her over it.
**********
The next day it was an effort for Buffy to climb out of bed and get ready for work. It was even harder for Angel to let her go, but the fact that she had a busy few days and he had alot to do himself, made him let go of her. Leaving the building with a kiss form Angel that was guaranteed to have her thinking about him all day, not that she wouldn't be anyway, she got in her car and headed to work.
After a day filled of interviews with countless women and some men applying for the position of Buffy's Assistant, she was ready to give up. No one really had what she wanted, most of them had little to no experience, and as much as she wanted to give one of them a start, she really couldn't to afford to at the moment.
Since moving to L.A. she had become so busy, bombarded with non stop work and even Cindy, Buffy's previous assistant found it difficult to cope under the pressure. She needed someone good, someone with experience and that was what she found in her next applicant.
Her name was Grace; she looked young but had a fantastic resume and alot of experience from previous positions, with glowing recommendations. Being the only person Buffy had seen all day that came even close to what she was looking for, Buffy decided to put Grace on a week trial to see how things went.
**********
Three weeks later and Grace was doing a great job, Buffy had been so pleased after the first two days she gave her a permanent position and a higher salary then agreed upon.
That was the only thing that was going right at the moment though, as over the last three weeks she had hardly seen Angel at all, so busy making up on alot of work she’d missed during her time in New York. But most things where now under control, and if she put in alot of work over the next three days she would be able to take the weekend off and spend some much needed quality time with Angel.
When the phone rang Grace answered it in an instant, hoping it was for her and not for Buffy as she had been expecting a call from her boyfriend.
"Eve?" asked the caller. "Why are you talking like that? You sound weird."
"It's Grace remember. I don't know who could be answering the phones around here, and I don't really need my cover being blown okay. As for the voice what if you were Angel?"
"Okay, okay, I get it."
"So has he been around yet?"
"No and I'm hoping that he wont be anytime soon, I really can't afford being noticed if we want this plan to work." she said as she doodled on a piece of paper.
"So, when are we putting this plan into action?"
"Soon Linds, very soon." she said. When the other line started blinking Eve ended her call with Lindsay and clicked the blinking button. It was Angel calling to speak to Buffy, she quickly transferred the call to Buffy, not wanting to get into conversation with him, he made her nervous just by being on the other end.
"Hello."
"Buffy."
"Angel." she smiled, tearing her eyes away from her laptop and leaning back in her seat. "Hi."
"Hey. I was just calling to see how you where doing, I miss you." He said as he sat back in his chair flicking his pen between his fingers.
"I miss you too, Angel."
"So, what time will you be home tonight?"
"Late." she frowned, as did Angel.
"I feel like I never get to see you, with you busy at work through the day and me out at night."
"I know what you mean." and she did, the only chance they ever got to see each other was as he would be coming into the apartment in the morning, as she would be leaving for work. "I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault." he said
"Well, what if I make it up to you anyway?"
"What do you have in mind?" he asked already having an answer yet wanting to know a little more.
"I was thinking that if I work really hard the rest of this week then I should have the weekend free, and we could spend it together." she paused for a second "In bed."
A wide smile crossed his face "I'll be counting down the hours. Now get to work."
Buffy giggled at his reply, the sound only making it even more difficult for Angel to be away from her. "You too okay, cause I'm not letting you out of the apartment the whole weekend." She said
"I can handle that." he smiled as he thought of the upcoming two days that he would have her to himself.
"Oh and Angel."
"Yeah."
"Be careful, I love you too much and I worry tha-"
"Buffy, nothing will ever happen to me when I know that I have you to come home too." he said not letting her finish.
She smiled at his reassurance as she put the phone down, God she loved him, how on earth she had spent the last few years of her life without him, was beyond her.
As Angel entered his office after a gruelling night out with the team, fighting a gang of vampires that had been recruiting new members, the only thing he had on his mind was Buffy.
He needed to get upstairs and see her before she went to work, otherwise he'd be unable to sleep, and he had a feeling he was going to need any sleep he could get for this weekend. A smile crossed his face at the thought, he couldn't wait to have her bed bound an entire two days. As he walked into the lift he heard someone stroll into his office calling out to him.
"Angel, hello Angel. Oh great first he hits me with his precious viper, then when I come all the way over here to see the great punce he ain't even here." muttered Spike.
Angel recognised the voice immediately 'Spike.' Suddenly images flashed through his head of the conversation he had with Buffy that night at her apartment in Bakersfield. He remembered how Buffy told him that Spike had tried to rape her. Seeing nothing but red, he reached out and stopped the doors from closing. Stepping back into his office he noticed Spike turning to head out not having seen him.
Walking over to his desk, he grabbed a weapon that hung on the wall behind him, the closest one just happened to be a Morgenstern.
**********
Buffy had gotten out of bed early that morning and headed straight for the shower. After she had dried her hair and dressed, she waited a few minutes before getting her things and heading off to work. Angel still had not come upstairs, there was never a time in the last few weeks that she had been staying with him, that he had not been there to share a few kisses before she went to work.
She started panicking 'Why isn't he here yet? Did something happen while he was out, oh God what if he's.......No Buffy don't think like that' She told herself.
**********
Spike heard Angel detach the object from the wall. Spinning around he seen Angel who was now heading towards him. "Oh good your here, look peaches I need some cash, figured since you ran me over a few weeks back, you owed m-"
Angel swung the weapon hitting Spike across his face. Grabbing his head in agony he looked up at Angel
"What the Hell?"
Angel swung again hitting him once more in the same spot. He then dropped the weapon all together and started pounding on the blonde vampire with his fists.
"You bastard." he spat "You thought you could touch her and I wouldn't kill you, huh?"
Rising to his feet and stumbling back slightly, he looked on in astonishment. Sure they had their issues, but they had come to some sort of agreement, why had Angel suddenly turned on him? And who was he talking about Spike having touched. 'Buffy' it suddenly dawned on him.
"Are you talking about Buffy?" asked Spike, he knew that's why Angel had charged the car at him that night, but he had only just reached out and touched her face, and it wasn't as if Angel never knew that he and Buffy where alot closer than that at one point. What the hell had gotten into his grandsire?
Angel charged at him, picking him up and slamming him against the wall "Don't you ever say her name again." he spat, before once again he started laying punches into him, he then threw him so he tumbled across the floor.
Walking through the lobby to drop something off to Harmony for Angel, Willow heard the vampire yelling in his office. She rushed through the already opened doors only to find him kicking and constantly yelling at what looked like a bloody Spike on the floor.
"I'm gonna kill you, you bastard."
Spike rose to his feet and threw a punch at Angel connecting with his jaw and splitting his lip. Angel blocked his second attempt and grabbed him by the collar again throwing him back up against the wall, only to pound on him some more.
Willow focused all her energy on the two and separated them, pulling Angel off him and slamming him against the wall on the other side of his office. Both unable to move were glued to opposite sides of the room. The Wicca stood between them, looking back and forth form one vampire to the other.
"What is going on?" Willow asked still looking from one to the other.
"Let me go Willow." Angel yelled wanting to hit Spike some more, but unable to as he was under Willow's spell.
Spike was also struggling, trying to get off the wall. He still couldn't believe he'd only got the one hit in. Angel had gone completely mad; it was almost as if he were facing Angelus.
"I'm not letting either of you go until you explain this." she said glaring at them both.
"He fucking touched her." Spat Angel, his eyes flickering gold as he looked at the other vampire.
Willow realised it was about Buffy. "Angel." she said walking closer to him "I thought you and Buffy put all that behind you." she said softly.
"No I mean he tried to......" the thought alone drove him insane "I need to kill him, NOW!" he yelled, struggling to break Willow's hold again.
Willow thought she had an idea of what Angel meant, but wasn't going to say anything afraid of angering the vampire even more so. Instead Spike was the one to confirm her thoughts.
"I tried to rape her." he mumbled softly, meeting Angel's cold gaze as he realised what this was all about.
When he admitted it, it sent Angel further over the edge. A deep growl escaped his lips and he yelled again at Willow to release him. Before turning back to Spike
"You fucking jerk" yelled Angel "I am gonna torture you first, believe me."
"Angel what happened had nothing to do with you, it was wrong, I know it and Buffy and I have spoken about it. Were past it." he said still not sure he would ever forgive himself for what he did to her, or at least almost did.
"Don't you tell me your past it, and what did I tell you about saying her name."
The two vampires continued to hurl abuse at each other while struggling to break free as the lift doors opened. From her view from the lift Buffy noticed Angel yelling at someone on the other side of the room. Not even checking to see who it was, she rushed over to Angel noticing his split lip.
"Angel." she whispered, raising her hand to touch his bleeding lips "What happened? Are you all right?"
Taking his eyes off Spike briefly he looked down at her, there was no way Spike was going to live after what he tried to do to her. Looking back over at Spike he growled again.
Buffy followed his gaze and noticed Spike against the wall on the other side of the room, straight across form Angel. She could barely make out his face, as it was all bloody and bruised. Leaving Angel she walked over to him.
"Spike." she said as she stood in front of him. She placed her hand on his shoulder, tilting her head so she had eye contact with the blonde vampire. "Are you okay?" she asked, she had a few issues when it came to Spike and the lies he had fed her, but she didn't hate him, he had been there for her during some of the hardest times of her life, sure he had been the cause of a few of them, but he still fought beside her in one of her biggest battles.
"What?" Growled Angel, he couldn't believe she was actually asking him that, and seeing her touch him was just too much.
Looking back and forth between Angel and Spike, Buffy noticed Willow had done something to separate them, she turned her attention towards her best friend "Willow let Spike go, get him patched up, I need to talk to Angel."
Immediately the Wicca did as Buffy said, and took her hold off Spike. Stepping forward the blonde vampire walked off. When he was far enough away from Angel, Willow let the other vampire free, then followed Spike to tend to him closing the doors behind her.
The second he was free he charged after Spike only to be stopped by Buffy who grabbed his arm. He turned to face her forgetting Spike for a moment; looking down at her hand on his arm he shook it free.
The gesture wounded Buffy deeply “Angel.” she said not allowing the tears to take form in her eyes.
“Shouldn't you be out there with Spike instead of standing here with me?” he spat
“What the hell is this all about?” she asked hurt and confusion evident in her voice.
"You Buffy, what do you think?" he yelled stepping closer to her.
"Why are you yelling at me?" she asked in a soft whisper.
"Well what do you expect Buffy, that bastard almost raped you, and you run to his side the minute you see he's hurt."
"Angel you weren’t there when it happened, you have no idea what’s happened since. I might have a few problems with Spike but he doesn't deserve to be beaten to a pulp by you, over something that has nothing to do with you."
"How can you say that." he yelled "If anyone ever tries to hurt you it damn well has something to do with me."
"Yeah now, but not then." she whispered.
"Oh right, so this is about me not being there for you then, is it?"
"Yes Angel everything is about you, about what you’re feeling, not about what went through my mind when it happened, it was all about you."
"Buffy don't make out like I'm trying to say that, you’re the one who was all over him, that's what this is about."
She stared at him for a second unable to believe he just said what he did. "Okay, well I'm gonna go now, someplace that's no where near you." she said as she walked past him.
"Yeah why don't you go make sure he's okay." he smirked
"What?" she said spinning to face him. "Are you trying to accuse me of something, oh no wait, you already did?"
"Well......"
"Oh your unbelievable." she spat.
"Oh really"
"Yes really, what do you think is going on? Do you think I'm screwing him or something?"
Angel was silent for a moment; no he didn't think that, he was just so hurt from the way she acted around Spike. How could she be so understanding after what he did to her, he knew that Buffy loved him and not Spike, but things like this made him question that. No actually he was being stupid he knew she loved him, she’d proved it time and time again, "I'm not saying your screwing him, but...."
"But what?" she asked merely inches from his face.
"I hate that you give a damn about him after what he did to you." he whispered.
"He's different." She whispered
"Oh come on Buffy, I didn't believe you the first time you told me."
"Well if that's so, why is it that you two have been fighting side by side over the last two or so years."
"Well........."
"Yeah just what I thought, you’re mad at him for what he did pre-soul, when you of all people should know that's not fair." she said raising an eyebrow.
"I know but he just gets to me, and the lies he told you as well."
"Yeah well Cordy lied to me too, I don't see you beating her to a pulp, which Ohhh if you ever want someone to, I would like to offer my services."
"You're right I know you are, but that doesn't really change the way I feel about him."
"I don't think anything ever will." she said smiling up at him.
He smiled back, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. "I'm sorry I........."
"Don't be I understand."
"Well I am, I just love you so much Buffy, and sometimes it makes me do crazy things."
"I know what you mean. And if it makes you feel any better I think it’s sweet what you did, but that doesn't mean I support it, or ever want you to do it again okay."
"I can't make any promises but I'll try." he said as he raised her hand to his lips.
Buffy smiled at him, he could be so sweet, and when he gave her one of those half smiles she had no other choice but to forgive him.
"Ughhh I better go." she said glancing at her watch. "I'm gonna be so late."
"Okay well hurry back, only nine hours till our weekend begins."
"I can't wait." she said before disappearing out of his office, only to turn around and run back in.
"Angel" she said as she threw her arms around him and pressed her lips against his, it was a rough and passionate kiss, their arms where wrapped so tightly around each other, it was hard to tell where one began and the other finished. Pulling away from his lips yet still in his tight embrace she mumbled "Let's never fight again, I can't stand it."
"I know, I hate too." he said before letting her go, and trying to pull himself back together after their kiss.
**********
"No, she's taking the weekend off, so if it's gonna happen soon then Monday is our next chance." Eve said, as she spoke to Lindsay over the phone. No one was in yet, and she was making a few last calls to put her plan into action.
"Well then Monday it is." Said Lindsay, wanting the plan over and done with. That way with Buffy dealt with, he would be ready to make his move on Angel, and take the vampire out.
"Look I'm not sure about this guy you suggested, I mean if he's human he's not going to stand a chance, she is the slayer. I mean even Adam failed."
"Adam failed because the slayer wasn't alone, as for this other guy, well she'll never see it coming that’s the beauty of it all." he said once again congratulating himself on his genius plan. Sure Eve helped but it was he who put it all together. Eve was just the insider working for Buffy and keeping Lindsay informed, when she said the word, that’s when the plan could be put into action. And by the looks of things Monday was the day.
"All I know is once this is over with, and Angel's out of the picture, the senior partner’s won’t know what hit them." he said as he took a gulp of his beer.
Buffy walked through the door still smiling knowing that the kiss she had shared with Angel just before she left was a taste of what was to come tonight when she got home. They hadn't made love in so long, she was seriously thinking about quitting her job all together and making Angel do the same, so they could do nothing but spend all their time in bed together.
As good as it all sounded she knew it wasn't an option, and that if she didn't get around to getting some work done then she would have to go another week without having Angel inside her, and that just wasn't an option.
When Eve heard Buffy approaching she quickly ended her call to Lindsay and went about looking busy, so as not to look suspicious. On her way in Buffy smiled and greeted Eve, before locking herself in her office with instructions not to be disturbed until some of her clients had arrived.
Sitting in her chair and switching on her laptop, she couldn't help but pick up the phone and dial Angel's number, as her computer warmed up.
"Hello." said a half asleep Angel.
"Hey baby." said Buffy in a seductive voice.
"Buffy." he groaned, she knew how much it affected him when she spoke like that.
"Uhuh, were you asleep?"
"No not yet."
"Oh, soooo.......what are you wearing?" she asked still using her seductive tone.
"Nothing." he said his eyes still closed and a smile on his face, as he held the phone to his ear.
"Really? Well I wish I was there."
"I do to baby." he replied in a husky voice.
"You do huh, and what would you want me to do to you if I was?"
"Well shouldn't you be asking what it is that I would be doing to you?" he replied, knowing the effect it would have on her. Not that hearing her speak the way she was, wasn't having an effect on him, it was, a painfully hard one at that.
"Okay then baby what would you do to me if I was right there lying next to you nak-" Buffy didn't get to finish as she was interrupted by Tony bursting into her office.
"Buffy I uh....." he stopped suddenly having heard the last part of her phone conversation."
"Angel I uh, have to go" she said then slammed down the phone, blushing the deepest shade of red there was.
"I uh……can come back later." he said closing the door, behind him.
Buffy couldn't have been more embarrassed; she'd just been caught talking dirty on the phone in her office, oh God how was she going to face Tony again. But that wasn't her biggest problem, no her biggest problem was that she was now incredibly aroused and not even Tony interrupting was enough to change that. It had been to long since she and Angel had had any sexual contact and tonight couldn't come soon enough.
When the line went dead Angel hung up the phone with a sigh, he heard that they had been busted, but the way Buffy had spoken to him, it was just too much. He needed her and he needed her now, how he had gone so long with out making love to her, he couldn't understand. One thing he did know was that wether he fell asleep now or not, today was definitely going to drag on.
Still cursing herself for not thinking to also lock the second door that was adjoining to the actual Studio where all her work was done. Buffy sat at her computer, hoping that her clients would call in to say they would be unable to make it for their sessions.
But to her dismay she had to deal with the fact that they had actually arrived early, and since she would always need to approve what the models wore, she had to go out the back and try to act like nothing had happened. No matter how hard that was going to be.
Eve directed Buffy's clients in to the studio, then knocked on Buffy's door to let her know they where heading out to see Tony. When there was no reply she tried turning the knob, only to find that the door was locked. 'Damn' she thought, she needed to get into her office and have a good rummage through her things, to see if there was anything useful for Lindsay.
She soon realised that if the slayer was that precautious when she was actually at work, then it was going to really be a task when she left.
She decided that maybe it would be a better idea to wait until the slayer had finished for the day; maybe she could find another way in, like purposely make sure that the second door wasn't locked. So she would wait till everyone left. She would give them the excuse that she had a few phone calls to make, and that way would get to lock up for the evening.
As far as she could tell, the blonde had no reason not to trust her. Yet still she hadn't risked that same idea of sneaking into her office this morning. She wasn’t sure what time Buffy was coming in, especially of late she noticed that the blonde was coming in early and leaving late. But she knew that Buffy had a weekend planned with Angel.
She smiled at the thought 'If only that little bitch knew about my little interlude with her precious Angel, maybe I'll have to let that one slip on Monday, just before she's dealt with once and for all.'
She couldn't wait for it all to be over with, working for Buffy was driving her crazy, because she was actually required to do work, and was unable to be at the senior partners beckoning call. Not that they seemed to need her much of late, but it would all soon come full circle, and on Monday she wouldn't be taking orders from anyone anymore. Well except maybe Lindsay, but they had more of a partnership, as she seen it. If only she knew that he didn't share her views.
**********
"No I can't let you, you can't go, I just found you again." Angel said as tears welled in his eyes.
"I have to." She whispered, dropping her head unable to look at him, seeing only pain when she did.
"NO. I won't let you go." he said taking a step closer to her, as if it might help to stop her.
"Angel it's what I have to do, it doesn't mean that I don't love you, I just can’t be with you when you feel like this." she said looking up at him as her tears spilled free.
"Damn it Buffy, I love you, that’s how I feel. You can't do this to me; you can't just walk back into my life and show me how much better it can be with you here, only to leave. If you truly loved me than you wouldn't do this." he said practically begging, he couldn't lose her now.
"Does that mean you never truly loved me?" she asked afraid to hear his reply.
"WHAT? How can you ask that? When I left I did it because I thought it was best…..I thought you deserved more than this, I thought you deserved better."
"And, do you still?"
He couldn't say anything, and when he tried it was as if his mouth was glued shut. ‘Do I think that I deserve her, really? Has anything changed since the day I walked away from her in Sunnydale? Granted alot has changed, but one thing still remains the same, she’s too good for me. So what does that mean? Is she going to leave because she can’t understand why I feel like this?
"Yes." she whispered having heard his thoughts.
"What?"
"I'm leaving."
"I...I don't understand."
"You still feel as though you don't deserve me, after all this time you still feel like I can do better, and if that's the way you see it then I should go out and find someone who does deserve me."
"No Buffy, you're mine, no one else’s, your not leaving, I won't let you." He said blocking her from leaving.
"You can't stop me."
"Why? Why are you doing this?" He asked stepping in closer only to have her step back.
"Because you can't see what you're doing when you think that you're not good enough for me. Your saying that were not right for one another, and if that's the way you feel then you wont be able to......" her expression changed and instantly he could see that she was afraid. Grabbing her arms he shook her.
"What's wrong Buffy? Tell me, and I'll fix it."
"Do you deserve to?" She said looking up at him with teary eyes.
"What?"
"Fix it"
He couldn't understand her, she wasn't making any sense, none of this was, but he still knew his answer.
"Yes."
"Do you deserve me?" she asked as her tears spilled free
He paused for a moment unsure of his answer, until it dawned on him, for the first time since the night he met her in that darkened alley so many years ago, he truly believed that no one deserved her more than he. Why? Because no one would love her like he did, sure they would profess they would, but they wouldn't have that fire, that passion burning inside them eternally like he would for her. And no other would be worthy of her love.
"Yes, Yes Buffy I do." he said gripping her arms tightly.
"Then help me."
"What?" he asked confused.
"Help me." she whispered but he barley heard it as he sat up in his bed in shock. He shook his head trying to wake himself properly, it was a dream, all just a dream, but what did it mean? Something was coming, something bad was about to happen, the big fight was coming and it involved Buffy, his Buffy, and she would need his help.
He leaned over and reached for the phone dialling her cell number.
**********
"Hello." Buffy answered her cell as she tried to set the scene just the way she wanted it for her next client.
"Buffy?" asked a desperate Angel.
"Angel, hey baby what's up?"
"Are you okay?" he asked deeply concerned.
"Of course I'm okay, why do you ask?" she said as she shook her head at the actress who had just popped out of the back to show her what she wanted to wear for the shoot.
"No reason, I was just worried, that's all." he said not wanting to tell her about his dream, thinking that if he voiced his concerns then they would come to pass.
"Angel, is everything all right?" she asked growing a little worried that he had called her on her cell when he should be asleep.
"Yeah, I'm just missing you that's all." he said trying to dismiss the subject.
They talked for another five or so minutes, before Buffy instructed him to get some sleep as she didn’t want him falling asleep on her when she got back. When she clicked off her cell, Buffy went about her job unaware that her assistant had heard every word. Eve knew now that Angel was worried about Buffy, but she doubted that he knew of their plans. She returned to her desk in the reception with a smile on her face.
**********
"Buffy, before you try to sneak out of here can we talk?" asked Tony, sticking his head out of the back room as she packed up a few things.
Oh how she wasn't looking forward to this conversation, she had made it through the whole day without looking him in the eye, and now he wanted to talk, this couldn't be a good thing. "Okay" she said, dropping her gaze to the floor as she walked out to where he was.
"All I wanted to say was that it sounds like you and your man haven't gotten a bit in a while so-"
"Tony." she exclaimed, blushing a deep red.
"What? Let me finish." he said throwing her a wicked glance. "Anyway I have an idea that might cheer the both of you up." he said as he rummaged through a few new items he'd bought today, after Buffy let him have an extra long lunch break. Pulling out something he'd bought her, he held it in the air and asked "There your size, take it or leave it." he said with a teasing smile on his lips.
Looking at him unable to believe he could be so embarrassing, she shook her head "You’re crazy."
"Is that a no?" he said about to pack the garments away.
"No." Buffy reached out and snatched them from his hands. "That’s a yes, now go home." she said throwing him a smile.
Tony returned the smile before grabbing his things and leaving work for the day. Looking at the garments, Buffy smiled thinking of the reaction on Angel’s face when he seen her wearing them. She quickly stuffed them in her bag when she heard someone approaching.
"Grace, hey I didn't realise you were still here." she said as her assistant walked through the opened door.
"Yeah I've got a bit more work to do before I can go home, so I can lock up if you like." She offered.
"No, no it's okay you go home, I'm sure what ever you have to do can wait till Monday." She said
"Oh no really, I don’t mind." Eve said, getting into the slayers office was proving to be harder than she initially thought.
"Well I do, now go home and have a great weekend." she insisted and Eve reluctantly left.
'Oh well, I'll just come in over the weekend.' she thought to herself as she returned to her desk, slipping the spare keys into her bag.
**********
After Angel had spoken to Buffy he had tried to get back to sleep but found it to difficult. That dream was still on his mind, and no matter how hard he tried he just couldn't let it go. He sat at his desk leaning back in his chair with the prophecy book in his hands. He tried mumbling a few different things into the book before opening it to try and find anything useful on Buffy. Like what that dream was about, and what he would need to help her in.
It just didn't make any sense, how was this right? Buffy wasn't the only slayer anymore, she had a whole new life. In fact the whole time they had been back in each others lives, she had only been patrolling with him once, and that was the night that they ran into each other again after so many years.
'So what could it be that she needs saving from? What do I have to do to help her?' he was brought out of his thoughts when he heard the door to his office open. Quickly throwing the book in the draw of his desk, as he stood up and seen Buffy enter his office, wearing a long and thick coat, he wasn't even aware that it was cold out.
"Hey, you finished work early." he said as she slowly walked around the desk and towards him.
"Disappointed?" she asked pouting slightly.
"No actually, the opposite." he said giving her one of his half smiles.
"Sooooo, wanna go upstairs?" she said as she placed the palms of her hands flat on his chest, and leaned in to nip at his neck.
Closing his eyes and chuckling softly, Angel reminded himself that he had to do a bit of research to look up this dream, and what it meant. Slowly he pulled her away "Give me twenty minutes and I'm all yours, I've just got a few things to do." he said before kissing her lips softly.
"Okay." she said with a frown "But if your not there in twenty minutes, I might have to start without you." she said teasingly, before prying herself away from him and heading for the elevator.
Instantly her seductive words had an effect on him, as the tent formed in his pants, and the images of her pleasing herself flashed through his mind. He tried to think of anything else to cool himself down, before he gave in to his urges and took her right there in the elevator. Thinking of just about any unpleasant thing he could, he managed to regain some self control, but Buffy wasn't about to let him get away that easily.
Slowly untying the tie on her coat she opened it and slipped it off her shoulders, she stood there in a black lace bra that was extremely generous giving her the perfect cleavage, a pair of matching black tiny panties and garter that clipped to her pantyhose.
vv Angels jaw dropped, he was speechless, and his erection was painful. Any research he thought of doing went out the window, in fact everything did he couldn't even move. But when Buffy hit the button and the elevator doors began to close, he ran towards them only for them to close in his face. He tried to open them but it was pointless.
When he eventually got into the elevator, Buffy was gone and all that remained was the coat she had been wearing. Seeing it lying there discarded on the floor he groaned as her sexy image flashed through his head.
When the elevator eventually reached his apartment he rushed through the doors the second they began to open. He came to a halt when he found her spread across his bed, laying on her back waiting eagerly for him.
“Hey that wasn’t twenty minutes.” She giggled
He licked his lips subconsciously as his eyes roamed over her body “Your so hot.” He said looking down at her, from where he stood at the end of the bed.
He went to lie down on top of her, but using her leg Buffy stopped him, placing her foot flat against his chest. “You think so?” she said as she slowly scooted down to the end of the bed then rose to her feet. She let her hand fall down to stroke his erection through his pants.
“Yes.” He groaned as her hand teased him.
“Do you want me?” she said as she removed her hand from his groin and slowly began unbuttoning his shirt.
“So much.”
Roughly pulling off his shirt, she spun him around and pushed him on the bed. Climbing atop of him and settling herself down on his groin, she rocked her hips slowly.
“Do you want to be inside me?” she said before leaning forward and placing kisses on his chest, then teasingly running her tongue across his nipple.
“Yes” he huskily replied.
Sitting up and looking down at him eventually her hands found their way to his pants, undoing the top button and sliding down his zipper. She moved so she was kneeling beside him, then reached up gripping his boxers as well as his pants and pulled them down and off him.
Angel couldn’t take it anymore, seeing her kneeling there, wearing what she was and being unable to touch her was too much. Sitting up he pushed her down on the mattress so that he was on top of her. Buffy only giggled at his actions, she had a feeling that he really did appreciate what she was wearing.
It looked like she owed Tony a big thank you after all; maybe him catching her out talking dirty on the phone wasn’t such a bad thing.
Bringing his lips down to hers he kissed her, begging for entry with his tongue. Parting her lips she let him in, surging forward with her own tongue dulling with his. The kiss seemed to only intensify with each passing second, until Buffy pulled away gasping for air.
He moved his kisses down her throat, across her shoulder until he came to the outer curve of her breast. He moved his mouth over the lace and closed it over her bra clad pebble, sucking on it through the material, as Buffy arched her back.
Buffy wasn’t to happy when Angel pulled away and rose to his knees, in fact she gave him a very displeased look. Angel only smiled at her, he wanted to take in the sight of her. He could not believe he could be so lucky as to have the most beautiful woman in the world in his bed.
He grabbed her leg and lifted it off the bed. Slowly he unclipped the garter from her pantyhose, and as he slid each one down and discarded them, he followed his hands with his lips, laying soft kisses across the silky skin of her legs.
Buffy watched him intently as he worshiped every inch of her legs. Eventually he found his way back to her breasts; slowly he slid down the straps to her bra as the lace scraped over her nipples exposing them to his lustful eyes. Leaning forward he took one into his mouth, kissing, licking and sucking it before moving onto the other.
“Angel” she moaned as she dug her nails into his shoulders. “Please.” She begged as she felt his hand slipping under her panties and settling on her sex.
He brought his head up to look at her, smiling before he kissed her lips. Buffy moved her hands from his shoulders to his head, pulling him firmly against her mouth. She suddenly tensed when she felt him sliding a digit inside her.
“You’re so wet.” He groaned, taking satisfaction in the fact that he got her so aroused. Then he leaned forward and began peppering kisses on her neck.
Buffy melted at his words, and moaned as she felt him exploring her. Pulling his lips away from her neck he looked at her as her slid yet another digit inside, stroking her and bringing his thumb to her clit.
She certainly was a sight lying there drawing her bottom lip into her mouth, as she enjoyed the pleasure he was unleashing within her. His gaze travelled to her exposed nipples, then he moved himself down to where his hand was bringing her close to the brink, suddenly he pulled it away.
“Angel?” she questioned, lifting her head off the bed and looking down at him frustrated.
He didn’t respond, instead he peeled her panties off completely, then spread her legs further apart. Buffy lifted her hips in anticipation, before Angel leaned in lapping at her, delving his tongue inside and tasting her.
Buffy let her head fall back down on the bed as he found her clit with his tongue. Returning his fingers inside her, he stroked her as he took her clit into his mouth bringing forth the explosion of ecstasy.
Buffy froze as the tremors rushed through her body, and Angel continued his task right up until the last quiver.
“Angel.” She whispered, trying to fight for air.
“You taste so good.” He said as he kissed her inner thigh.
Buffy groaned at his words, he always made her feel as though she was on fire. He found his way back to her nipples as he closed his mouth over one he reached behind her back unclipping her bra, and removing the garment completely.
Angel needed to be inside her, now. He didn’t now if he could take it any longer, and he was glad that she seemed to feel the same, when she reached for him bringing his lips to hers.
“Now baby” she whispered in between kisses as she reached down grabbing his erection and guiding him inside her.
They both moaned as he slid inside her wet center. It had been weeks since they had made love and just feeling each other, Angel inside her and Buffy surrounding him, was something that reminded them that they wouldn’t be able to go that long without this again.
At first he slowly withdrew only to thrust back in deeper and deeper each time. Buffy hooked one of her legs around his hip as she lifted her own meeting him with each thrust. Eventually Angel built up speed, and their panting got louder. Finding her clit he pinched it bringing her to her peak. Buffy’s nails dug into his back, drawing him closer as she reached her climax.
Feeling his own nearing Angel moved his hand to just above her hip, to grip the material of her garter the only thing she still had on. He somehow managed to unfasten the remaining item and pull it free. Buffy lifted her hips as he dug his fingers into her ass pulling her closer still, and thrust in one last time as his climax came. He spilled his seed inside her, before dropping his head against hers.
Their sweat covered brows brushed one another’s, and their lips met in a kiss, before he fell down beside her, taking her with him as her hair sprawled out across his chest.
“That was fun.” She whispered still trying to get her breath back.
“Yeah.” He smiled, as he plant a kiss on her head.
After lying there for another five minutes, they couldn’t find anything to talk about, still only having the one thing on their minds.
“Wanna go again?” she smiled as she looked up at him.
“I thought you’d never ask.” He said, and before he knew it she was on top of him, easing herself down.
“I don’t want to go to work tomorrow.” She pouted as she lightly traced Angel’s arm with her fingertips.
“Then don’t.” They had spent the entire weekend in bed, in each others arms and now he to wasn’t happy that it had come to an end. It was Sunday night and they were soaking in the warm bath, his arms around her waist as she rest her head in the crook of his neck.
“I have to.” She really wasn’t looking forward to five days away from Angel, especially after the weekend they had just shared.
“No you don’t, you have to stay here with me.” He said as he placed a kiss to her temple.
“I wish.” She said as she grabbed his arms wrapping them even tighter around her. “Monday’s suck” she sighed as she closed her eyes pressing herself more firmly against him.
“I know.” He whispered.
“But this is nice.” She said tilting her head up to face him.
“It is.” He smiled, as he looked down at her, his eyes trailing down even further, gazing over her perky breasts and abdomen, till they drifted even lower to her nest of curls. Unwrapping one of his arms from her stomach he let his hand follow his eyes. Buffy smiled as she felt his hand slip lower under the water and she parted her legs a little further apart.
Teasing her clit he asked “Are you sure your going to work tomorrow?” Buffy didn’t even bother replying; instead she gave herself up to the sensation sweeping through her.
**********
“Hey Grace, what’s it looking like today?” Buffy asked her assistant as she walked into the building. She had no idea how her day had been planned out, but she was at least hoping that since she had spent the last three weeks catching up on a lot of work, that finally things were back to the usual nine to five.
“Pretty good actually, you only have the one, a ten o’clock.” She replied smiling at her boss.
“That’s it?” Buffy was finding it hard to believe, not that she wasn’t happy about it. It meant that she could go home early, if only she wasn’t actually going home to Bakersfield to pick up some more of her things to bring back to Angel’s that night.
“Yep.”
“So after that I’m done?” She was still finding it a little hard to believe.
Eve smiled to herself, if only the slayer knew just how done she was.
“Yep you sure are.” She smiled trying as hard as she could to play innocent.
“Okay well great, buzz when my ten o’clock is here then.” She said before walking away from her assistant and towards her office.
**********
“So you had a dream where Buffy was asking you for your help?” Wes asked holding the prophecy book in his hands. He had been searching for it the entire weekend; he even alerted security thinking that someone had stolen it. But as it turned out Angel had borrowed it and forgotten to return it later.
“Well yeah, that’s what she said….among other things.” Angel said as he raised his mug of blood to his lips.
“I see, what other things?” he asked curiously
“Well she asked me if I thought I deserved her.” He said, placing the mug back on his desk and rising from his seat.
“And?”
“And what?”
“Well do you?” We asked, watching the vampire walk around the desk and pick up a folder.
“Were kind of getting off track here aren’t we?” He said looking at his friend and throwing the useless folder back on the desk. Not a thing they had in the entire building had anything useful on the slayer that hadn’t already happened. And it was driving Angel crazy.
“Uh right, sorry. So why the book then?” Wes asked as he looked down at the book he still held in his hands.
“Well I thought if she needed my help in something, then maybe the answers would be in there. I guess it’s just this feeling I have, that what ever it is, it’s big.” He said and by the look on his face Wesley could tell that it really had him worried.
“So you’re thinking research?”
“Yeah, big time.”
“Okay” Wes turned around and started towards the door, then realising something he turned around to ask “Oh and Angel.”
“Yeah.” Angel said looking back up at his friend.
“Does Buffy know about this dream?”
“No, and that’s how it’s going to stay okay.” Angel demanded he didn’t need Buffy worrying about this as well; he worried enough for the both of them.
Wes only nodded before returning to his office and getting stuck into his books.
**********
“Yeah.” Buffy answered the phone as she kept her eyes on the computer screen.
“Buffy, your ten o’clock is here.” Said Eve as she twirled the phone cord around her finger.
“Okay Grace, just send them through to Tony, I’ll be with them in a second.”
“Okay.” Eve replied, before putting down the phone. “Okay do you know exactly what it is you have to do?” she asked the good looking man in front of her.
“Yes Lindsay ran threw it with me about a hundred times. I mean really, it’s pretty simple.” He smiled
“I’m glad you think so, because if you manage to screw this up” She inched forward to get her point across “Well let’s just say; only one of you will walk out of here today, alive.” She smiled leaning back into her seat again.
“Don’t worry, I know what I have to do, and before you tell me again, yes I know she’s a slayer.” Colin said, for the first time feeling a little afraid of the skinny woman, well afraid of her boyfriend was more like it.
When he walked away Eve smiled at his retreating form, hoping that everything would go to plan.
“Uh excuse me.” Eve looked around to see a young brunette enter the building. “Hi I’m here to see Buffy.” Dawn said looking Eve up and down. If she had of known Buffy had been hiring someone so young, then she would have applied for the position herself. This girl sitting right in front of her couldn’t have been anything more than a high school student.
“I’m sorry but Buffy’s with a client.” She said putting on a fake smile.
“Well I know my way around.” Dawn said returning her smile with her own fake one, as she turned and started to head into her sister’s studio.
“And you are?” Eve asked quirking an eyebrow at the young brunette that seemed to think she owned the place.
“Not that I feel I have to introduce myself, but my name is Dawn……Buffy’s sister, so bye now.” She said with a little wave of her hand.
Eve wanted to slap herself for being so rude, that was until she remembered that it didn’t really matter, because as she seen it in about an hour, she wouldn’t be calling Buffy her boss anymore.
“Hey Buffy.” Dawn smiled as she walked towards her sister.
“Hey Dawnie, what brings you by?” She asked as she finished playing with the focus on her camera and let it dangle around her neck.
“Well I thought I could use some sisterly advice on Alex.” Dawn said, lately she hadn’t been seeing eye to eye on a lot of things when it came to her boyfriend, and it made her second guess what they had, and think that maybe it wasn’t the real thing after all.
“Okay what do you want to know?”
“Well I love him at least I think I do, it’s just…well, I just want to know, how can you….umm…how did you know Angel was the one?” She asked not wanting to tell her sister that she was thinking about taking her relationship with Alex into the serious category, but wasn’t sure if he was serious material.
“Honestly Dawn, I don’t know. I can’t explain it, I just did. I guess there’s just something deep inside you that tells you, and you just know that you can’t live without the guy and that you’d do whatever it…….” Buffy paused noticing that Dawn was no longer paying attention. “Dawn?”
“Uh huh, that sounds great.” She mumbled absently. Buffy followed her little sisters gaze and opened mouth expression only to find her staring at Colin, the model Buffy would be photographing. Sure they guy was great looking with his short black hair, tanned skin, green eyes and muscular physique, but he was no Angel.
“Dawn this is Colin.” She said smiling.
Colin took Dawn’s hand and shook it “It’s nice to meet you.” He smiled showing a set of perfect pearly whites.
“It is.” She replied still in a daze “I mean it’s nice to meet you too.” She corrected shyly, before she let go of his hand and took a seat off to the side, out of Buffy’s way. There was no way she was missing this shoot.
Buffy just smiled at her sister before positioning Colin and getting the lighting just right for the shoot.
Dawn sat there the entire time watchingdrooling at the gorgeous model. Eventually when Buffy told him to go out and change into the next item, Dawn fought everything inside her not to follow.
When he was out of sight she rushed over to her older sister and immediately started begging “Oh My God, you have to get me a date with him.” She said holding Buffy’s arm, jumping up and down giggling.
“What about Alex?” Buffy asked.
“Who? Oh Alex, no he doesn’t look like Colin.” She said the models name with a sigh.
Buffy just rolled her eyes; well it looked like what ever Dawn had initially come over to talk about was the last thing on her mind now.
When the new object of Dawn’s affection’s reappeared, the smile on her face grew wider, but it quickly disappeared when Tony asked for her to join him out the back.
“This better be good.” She muttered as she walked over to him pouting.
“Well I got this in for you about a week ago now.” He said showing her the black dress that she had seen one of the models wearing not so long ago, and had fallen madly in love with.
“Oh Tony I love you.” She exclaimed as she held the dress up against herself, he only returned her smile glad that she was pleased about it.
**********
“And here.” Gunn got the next page ready as Angel signed “And here, and then one more……here.” He said before collecting the freshly signed papers from his boss.
“Is that it?” the vampire asked.
“Yeah, for now anyway.” Gunn said as he stacked all the papers together then slipped them into a folder.
“Good because I have to drop by and see how things are going with Wes.” Angel said as he got out of his seat and started for the door.
“This dream really has you freaked out huh?” Gunn asked following close behind.
“Yeah it really does.”
“I’m sure she can take care of herself, I mean she is a slayer.” Gunn said nodding at Fred as they passed her in the lobby.
“I know but when it comes to Buffy, I can’t help but worry more than usual.”
“Well I gotta go see Willow, see if she can use a bit of her mojo on one of our clients.” He said taking a different turn to head towards the Wicca’s office.
“Why what’s goi-.” He stopped suddenly not knowing what it was that made him do so, something about him just felt off, something bad.
“Angel are you okay man?” Gunn asked heading back towards his friend.
“Yeah I’m fine, what was I saying?” He asked not at all realising that it was one of those pangs shooting through him that only ever meant one thing. Buffy was in trouble.
**********
“Okay that should be all I need.” Buffy said as she slipped the camera back on around her neck, she noticed he didn’t move “So you’re done now.” She continued hoping he’d get the point and leave.
“Not quite.” He said as he reached behind his back.
“No really I’ve got all I want.” She reassured, starting towards her office.
“Well I haven’t.” he said as pulled out a gun and held it up to her. “Bye slayer.” He smirked before firing off the first shot.
Buffy didn’t really have enough time to react, yet the moment she seen him pull the gun out she was already backing up; When his finger squeezed the trigger she was diving for the floor. Still somehow the bullet did hit, but fortunately for her it shattered her camera which was still dangling around her neck.
“Buffy.” Dawn screamed, making Colin turn the weapon in the slayers little sister’s direction. He fired the gun again, but once more luck was on their side as it hit the wall leaving Dawn unscathed. Buffy had now risen to her feet and charged at the man knocking him to the ground, and the gun out of his hands.
Tony pulled Dawn from out of the doorway, while he tried to think of what to do to save Buffy. There was only one thing that her little sister could think of, and she now had her cell in her hand, dialling Angel’s number.
“Hello.” Angel answered.
“Angel.” Dawn whispered not sure why as Colin already knew she was there.
“Dawn, is that you?” He asked.
“Yeah.”
“What’s wrong?” He asked a little concerned.
“It’s Buffy, she’s in trouble.” She said her voice increasing in volume slightly.
“What’s happening?” he asked concern gone and panic replacing it.
“There’s a guy here at the studio, with a gun, he shot at her but luckily it missed……there still fighting.” She said as she snuck peaks at what was going on in the studio.
“Okay stay by your phone, I’ll be there right away.” He ordered.
“But how, the sun?” she asked, once again hiding behind the door.
“I know a way.” He said before ending the call.
When Dawn looked out at her sister again, she noticed that they were still on the floor, Colin struggling to grasp for the gun that was half a meter away from his hand, and Buffy trying to keep him from it. She was now sitting atop of him, laying her fists into his face each time he made a move for the gun.
“Who sent you?” she asked and when she received no answer, it just made her hit him some more.
“Okay we’ll try this again, who sent you?” she asked, Colin looked at the door way that lead to the reception where Eve was standing. Eve noticing his gaze quickly took off before Buffy managed to see her.
“I’m a free agent.” He muttered, knowing what Lindsay would do to him when he found out that he had failed was bad enough, but if he also let it slip that he was working for him, then he’d be in alot of trouble.
“Well Mr free agent, say hello once again to my fists.” she said as she kept laying into him. “Tony I need something to tie him up.” She yelled as she kept on pounding into his face, it was as if hitting him was a drug and she just couldn’t get enough.
Tony ran out with Dawn beside him and a few scarfs in his hands “It’s all I could find.” He said apologetically.
Buffy didn’t’ even notice he had come out as she was still working on Colin’s face.
“Uh Buffy hello, I think he’s out cold.” Dawn said tapping her sister on the shoulder.
“Oh right.” She smiled, before climbing off him and rolling him on his stomach to tie him up.
Short moments later Angel and Wes arrived by helicopter, and made their way into the studio only to find Dawn, Tony and Buffy standing around a beaten up man on the floor.
“Buffy.” Angel said as he ran towards her and took her in his arms “Are you okay?”
“Yeah I’m fine, this guy on the other hand….” She said as she slipped out of his embrace and pointed at Colin, who was tied up on the floor and coming to again.
Angel let go of Buffy and took the few steps over to the beaten man on the floor, gripping him by the hair he pulled his head up, and then raised him to his feet. “Who’s behind this?”
“Fuck you.” He spat.
Angel smiled “You know what Buffy I think you were a little easy on the guy, it’s my turn know.” he said as he picked up his favourite axe.
“Lindsay, Lindsay McDonald.” He muttered looking at the axe, he was more afraid of the vampire then his boss.
“What?” Buffy spat stepping forward clearly upset about something. “You give it up for him that easily, but I spend how long making you bleed and you don’t say a thing to me.” Buffy frowned.
“Lindsay.” Angel growled.
“Yeah I was supposed to take out the slayer, I don’t know why.” He mumbled.
Angel dropped him to the ground and kicked him once in the face, not believing him for a second.
“I swear man I don’t know why, they just told me to do it.” He said as he tried to catch his breath.
“They?” Buffy asked stepping forward
“Lindsay and……Eve.”
Angel scoffed, of course Eve, it’s not like he ever trusted the annoying brat.
“Eve? As in Eve, like you and Eve?” She said as she looked over at Angel.
“There was no me and Eve.” Angel snapped, causing Buffy to look at him confused. “Sorry I-“
“So how would you get in contact with these people?” she asked Colin interrupting Angel.
“They would call me, go over the job I had to do, and that’s it.” Then as if he suddenly realised he added “Oh and Eve…..she works for you.”
“The senior partners, not me.” Angel spat, kicking him once more.
“No I mean, for the slayer.”
“What?” Buffy and Angel said in unison.
“Your assistant, that’s Eve.” He said as he tried to sit up, only to have Dawn kick him this time.
“Sorry but it just looked like fun.” Dawn whispered receiving a smile from Angel.
“Grace is Eve?” Buffy questioned “Damn it, she was really good.”
“I knew there was something up with her.” Dawn said, not liking the girl from the moment she met her, all of sixty minutes ago.
“What else can you tell us?” Angel asked, wanting to know as much as possible about what the pair was planning on doing, and why it involved Buffy, even though he knew it was to get to him.
“Nothing man that’s it, I swear.”
“I don’t think he’s lying.” Buffy added
“Okay.” Turning back to Buffy “I’m taking you home now.” Angel insisted.
On his way out he kicked Colin in the face once more before asking Wes to arrange someone to take care of him. He trusted the once watcher with handing out the perfect punishment for the man who tried to hurt his love.
Other than Wesley, Dawn was the last one to leave. But first she walked over to Colin who still lay in a heap on the ground. “You know we could have had something really special, if you weren’t a psycho who tried to kill my sister.” She said before turning around and walking out, leaving Wes behind smiling at her.
**********
That night when Buffy returned to her apartment in Bakersfield with Angel she found it trashed. Clothes lay scattered everywhere, most of her furniture broken to pieces, and her photos thrown on the floor like they were meaningless.
“I’ll kill him Buffy, I swear.” Angel growled looking at her possessions having been treated as if they were garbage.
“That’s if I don’t get my hands on him first.” She muttered.
“No Buffy I don’t want you going anywhere near him.”
“Angel, I’m a slayer remember, I can take care of myself.” She said as she tread softly through the apartment trying not to step on anything of significant sentimental value.
“I know you can Buffy, but this has nothing to do with you.” He said slowly following her.
She spun around to face him “Hello, look around, I think that whatever it is, it officially has something to do with me.”
“Buffy, this isn’t open for discussion.” He said walking past her and out of her bedroom.
“Well bad luck, cause I’m opening it, in case you didn’t notice it was me that was almost killed today.” She yelled as she came out into the living room where he was now standing.
“Exactly Buffy, and I’m not going to risk that happening again, so let’s pack your bags. You’re moving in with me, where I can keep a close eye on you.” He demanded.
She just stared at him for a moment before retreating back into her bedroom and slamming the door. Angel waited for a while until finally he realised that she wasn’t coming back out.
Turning the handle on the door he tried to push it open but she had locked it. “Open the door Buffy.” He demanded but when she didn’t move, he simply kicked the door in.
Buffy stood at her bedroom window looking out into the night sky.
“I’m not coming back with you.” She whispered.
“What? Why?” He asked striding over to her.
“Because you treat me like I’m a little kid, in case you hadn’t noticed I did handle the situation.” She said arms crossed and still not looking at him.
“I know but I worry about you.” He said as he stood beside her and turned her in his arms.
“Yeah well I worry about you too, but that doesn’t stop you from going out every night and fighting the next big evil.”
“Buffy I’m sorry.” He said as her gripped her shoulders.
“What for?” She asked, wanting to know if he even realised what it was that had her so upset in the first place.
“Well why don’t you tell me.” He spat, not understanding why she was so upset with him.
“Do you know what it felt like to stop that guy today? I haven’t really been doing the whole slaying thing in years and well, it felt good. It felt like I’d found a part of myself again. I’m not saying I want to go out and do it every night, but sometimes when I have to, yeah I want to. But instead I’m being treated like I’m so fragile all the time.” She said looking up into his eyes.
“I didn’t realise.” He said now realising that he was treating her like she was his daughter rather then his lover.
“I didn’t expect you too, and look I love you for wanting to take care of me, but I am capable of taking care of myself.”
“I know.” He whispered
“Then why?”
“Because I can’t lose you Buffy, I can’t risk anything happening to you, it would kill me.” He said almost pleading with her.
“I know the feeling.” She whispered, staring at him with a look that said just how much he meant to her.
“Fine you win, I won’t be so overprotective.” He said hating that he had given in.
“Promise?” She asked inching herself closer to him.
“On one condition.” He said moving his hands down to grip her hips.
“What’s that?” she asked as she brought her hands up around his neck.
“You move in with me, and it’s not because I want to keep an eye on you, it’s because I love you and want to be around you as much as I can. Besides you practically live there anyway.”
“True.” She smiled.
“So what do you say?”
“Okay.” She said before placing a quick kiss against his lips. “Oh and Angel.”
“Yeah.” He said wanting to kiss her again.
“Maybe I could handle you being just a little over protective.” She said, she really did like the lengths he would go to for her, funny how things like that really did seem to arouse her.
“Good.” He smiled “Now let’s put this bed to use one last time.” He said eyes glimmering with lust.
“Oh you’re insatiable.”
“Like you can talk.” He growled before he locked his lips with hers, allowing her tongue entry. He kissed her slowly at first, then as the seconds ticked by he lured her tongue in deeper and deeper, enjoying the feel of it run along the inside of his mouth. When he broke the kiss he moved his mouth down her throat to lay kisses along her smooth neck. Sweeping her off her feet, he lay her down on the bed, showing her just how happy it made him that she was going to be moving in permanently.
“You were amazing.” Angel said as he pushed himself of the tree he was leaning against while he watched her in awe, one thing for sure she still had it.
“Yeah I know.” she sighed dusting herself off and slipping her stake into her pocket as she walked up to him then jumped into his arms.
It was his idea they go out for a quick slay in one of the near by graveyards, but he didn't think that she would want to manage all three vamps on her own, insisting that he stay back and not lift a finger to help her. It was hard but somehow he managed to do just that. And truth be told, watching her really was an aphrodisiac.
She was still a little out of breath, but that didn't stop the thoughts that seemed to be taking over her mind. Her arms still wrapped around his neck, she leant in a little closer “So you wanna know what Faith told me once?” She asked merely inches from his lips.
“What's that?” he whispered, eyeing her strangely, what on earth was Buffy on about, and what did the other slayer have to do with it.
“Well she said that slaying always made her hungry and horny.” She pressed herself against his firm body as she gazed up at him with lust burning in her eyes.
“And....what about you?” He asked in a husky whisper “What does it do for you?” A wicked smile displayed on his face, as he looked from her slightly parted lips to her eyes.
“Well I'm really not thinking about non fat yogurt.” She said slowly closing the distance between their lips, but just as they met she suddenly brought her hands up to his shoulders and pushed him down on the ground, then fell to her knees above him, straddling him. “So.......you willing to find out?” she questioned before she leant forward and pressed her lips to his.
They fumbled with the buttons on each others pants, trying to undo them and get them off as quickly as possible. Buffy managed to get out of hers, pulling her thong off at the same time. She then pulled Angel's down to just above his knees, taking his boxers with them, and then teasingly eased herself down on his rigid erection.
She began to rock her hips slowly, closing her eyes and gasping each time she took his hard shaft deeper inside, causing him to groan in satisfaction. Digging her knees into the green lawn and placing her hands on his shirt clad chest she started her rhythm, going achingly slow at first which seemed to drive Angel crazy. Then picking up her speed as he reached down and dug his hand into the flesh of her ass, and with the other finding her clit, pinching it and watching her as each tremor built into that something more she would give anything to reach.
Not long after she reached that height in ecstasy, it felt as though her whole body was on fire, and she couldn't move for fear of putting it out. Angel continued pinching her nub as he started losing control himself feeling her inner walls pulsate around him.
She resumed her task, as Angel had now dug both hands into her ass and slowly she built up speed again and as Angel's climax neared, Buffy’s second did too. Thrusting up inside her each time she came down on him he lost it groaning as he came, reaching that height that he always did with her, Buffy joining him as well.
Long blissful minutes after she had fallen against his chest, she climbed off him and put her clothes back on. Then just when they were about to rush home and have a bit more fun, there was a rustling in the bushes nearby.
Angel groaned knowing instantly what it was. And grabbed Buffy's hand as she stalked closer to the soon to be dead vampire.
“This time, I can take care of it?” He insisted as he pulled her back a few steps, thinking she’d had a bit too much fun for one night.
“I think you might have too, cause if you don't..........well once again non fat yogurt isn't going to do it for me.” It wasn't as though she had a one track mind, but really after a slay it was either food or sex, and since the sex was with Angel, there really wasn't any other answer.
Angel paused at her words “Right so you can handle this one yourself then.” he said as he stepped aside and let her have her fun once more, which in turn only lead to his own. He really was liking the fact that Buffy had started slaying again.
**********
“Where are you going?” He asked her as he sat up on the bed and watched her dress.
“Work.” she replied giving him a strange look as she put on her jacket, wondering why he was asking when that was the reason she usually got out of bed each morning.
“You can't.” he insisted jumping out of bed and grabbing her arm as though it would stop her from leaving.
“Yes I can.” she said not entirely understanding what he meant.
“No I need you here........there's ummm.......... this demon thing....” He said already wishing he'd thought of a better excuse.
“A demon thing?” she repeated looking at him and trying not to laugh.
“Yes, it's big and scary and will kill..............look just don't go to work okay.” He gave up on his lame excuse and tried using his sad chocolate eyes to plead with her. There was something telling him that something big and probably of the bad variety was going to happen to her at work today, and he really didn't want to take anymore chances.
“Angel how many times do I have tell you that it's okay for me to go to work? I mean it's been almost two weeks since it happened, and you have installed those stupid surveillance cameras, so everything will be fine.” she said cupping his cheek and not falling for his look.
“But...”
“But nothing, I'm going now.” She smiled as she pulled away from him and picked up a brush and ran it threw her blonde locks, before setting it back down “So I'll see you for dinner tonight, right?” She asked.
“Yeah I'll pick you up after work.”
“Angel hello, the sun, I'll just meet yo-”
“No I'm picking you up, no questions okay.”
“Okay.” She smiled then pressed her lips against his in a quick kiss. “I'll see you then.” she said before she walked through the door.
**********
She eyed the dress for a while before gazing at the next one, as she held both in the air. “I don't know which one?” she said looking at Tony who stood in front of her.
“Well if I was a guy........which I am.” Tony started before taking another direction “If I was a guy, who liked girls.” he smiled wickedly. “Well I would say the black one, I'm sure Angel would just love it.” he said grabbing the red one and throwing it back on the rack.
“But it's a bit....well.....” she paused looking at the dress, the neckline that didn't leave much to the imagination, and well the back to, well lack thereof anyway, and it was only being held up by that tiny strap around the neck “Revealing.” she finished handing the dress back to him.
“Revealing huh? So Angel doesn't like you in revealing clothes then?” he asked.
“No its not that, I would just feel naked in something like that.” She said not accepting the dress he was trying to force back into her hands.
“Well fine be boring, wear the red one.” he said placing the black one on the rack and walking past her. “But you know I'm right, I mean don't tell me Angel didn't like the lingerie.” he said smiling.
“You now what, I'm wearing the red one end of story, so I'm gonna let you go home now, before you start asking me what the sex is like.” she smiled, thinking it was a good idea he left before he did actually make her wear the revealing dress.
“Hmmm that reminds me, what is the sex like?” he asked flashing her a mischievous smile. “I mean he looks like the typ-”
“Okay bye, time for you to go now.” She said not letting him finish.
“Fine, but you and I both know your going to end up wearing the black one.” He smiled before leaving; he was right though he knew Buffy wouldn't turn down the chance to get a reaction like the one she would get from Angel if she wore that dress. Just like last time with the lingerie and for the same reason.
“Am not.” she yelled after him.
“Are too.” he yelled back, before saying goodbye to Emma the slayers new assistant, and walking outside.
“Looks like I'm wearing the black one.” She said to herself putting the red dress back on the rack and retrieving the black one. This time she was getting changed in the back room as last week she had made the mistake of changing in her office not realising that the camera was pointed on her, and Angel had been watching her the whole time. Fortunately he was the only one that had access to viewing them. It really was pointless having the cameras installed, but if it kept him happy then she was happy.
It wasn't that she didn't really like Angel watching her change; it was just that he had rushed over to pick her up that night, and then the next morning she had spent a good half an hour straightening her desk. And now having thought about that night again, she was actually regretting not getting changed in her office.
“I'm telling you its today.........and who are you anyway?”
“I'm sorry Miss Chase but your appointment isn't scheduled until tomorrow." Emma said a little afraid of the brunette.
“Well you have scheduled it wrong then, haven't you?” she spat and turned her back on her walking straight into the studio.
Buffy who was about to undress, quickly rushed out of the back room and into the studio and was about to head out to see her assistant; she was wondering what was going on, she had no idea who it was that had stopped by. Melanie her hair and make up girl had left hours ago and she had no other clients coming in. She paused when her eyes fell on Cordy.
“Cordelia, ahhh...........what are you doing here?”
**********
Angel was just about to head out and make his way over to pick up Buffy, but he decided to glance at her once more before doing so, switching on the monitor he was surprised to see Cordelia in the studio talking to Buffy. If only Buffy had of let him install microphones as well, but she had said no as she didn't want him to hear her rambling all day.
But it wasn't as if he would watch the cameras all day anyway, they were there just in case they had another situation like the one a couple of weeks ago. The dream he’d had still had him a little shaken up and he didn't think that the incident with Colin two weeks ago was what it was about. The funny thing was though, that as much as he protested the idea of watching her at work all day, that's all he actually did, he really was obsessed with his slayer.
He watched for another minute before deciding to head over there and see what this was all about; Buffy never said anything to him about Cordy dropping by today, no he thought that was tomorrow.
**********
”These pictures, there terrible.” she said as she withdrew them from her bag.
“Okay, and didn’t your manager already ring and say that, isn’t that why your coming in tomorrow?”
“No, today, your assistant said five o’clock.”
“I think you have your days mixed up Cordy.” She said walking away from the annoying star.
“No you do, God you call this a business you guys are hopeless.” She spat.
“You know what Cordy, fine…..I have somewhere to be, but because this is so much more important why don’t you tell me what’s wrong with them.”
“Look.” She said as she threw them at the slayer “My skin is so orange.”
“Well that’s what fake tan does to you.” Buffy glanced at the photos.
“I don’t use fake tan.” She spat, Cordy had come to do a bikini shoot the previous week wearing so much fake tan that even Buffy wasn’t good enough to hide it.
“Cordy, your manager said you did, and that he wanted me to work around it. I told him that maybe if they were in black and white I could have done something with them, but he wanted colour ones.”
“Jason never said that to me.” She stated.
“I thought your manager’s name was Anthony.” She said a little confused.
“I fired him last week Buffy, please keep up.” She said flicking her hair behind her shoulder.
“Okay well go talk to him about it, if not than I can do the shoot again, but right now. Okay so I have to go, so you can leave now.” She said as she walked out the back.
“No you can do the shoot now.” She demanded stomping her foot on the polished hardwood floor.
“Excuse me?” The slayer turned to face the star that seemed to be acting like a five year old.
“You heard me.” She said crossing her arms across her chest. “Or do you have someplace better to be?”
“Well not that it’s any of your business, but yes actually I do.” She stated.
“Oh let me guess, you have a date with Angel.” She said making fun of the slayer.
Buffy couldn’t take it anymore she’d had enough of the spoiled star and decided that she wasn’t going to put up with her attitude “Jealous?” she said with a smirk on her face. She had tried being nice to her and it had no affect, so maybe if she gave her some of her own medicine she’d start acting appropriately.
“Yeah right me jealous of you……Angel will come to his senses.” She muttered.
“Grow up.” Buffy said placing her hands on her hips and looking at the once cheerleader in disgust. “Seriously Cordy, stop acting like your in second grade.”
“Oh, you want to talk about being mature?.............”
Cordelia kept talking but Buffy didn’t seem to notice a word she was saying, everything was blurry, and so many things were running through her head. All she could think about was trying to distinguish one thing from the other.
“Oh, you want to talk about being mature? Maybe it's time that *you* grew up and realized that you can't have everything. You can't have Angel and save the world. And anyway, it's your fault that he went to fight that thing by himself without…….”
She knew what was happening, it was those visions, the ones of the day she had shared with Angel but had just barely started to remember, they were back. And somehow Cordelia was the trigger. Once again they didn’t seem to stop, but they weren’t painful anymore they were just clear; all the pieces were fitting together.
“Together you were powerful. Alone, you are dead.”
When one finished another started and she couldn’t keep up, but somehow she knew she had to and just let them all run through her mind.
“Where have you been?” ”I went to see the Oracles. I asked them to turn me back.”
“No, I won't just stand by and let you fight, maybe die, alone." “Then we fight together.”
……..So face it Buffy, in the end Angel’s gonna see what he’s missing. Don’t think that what you guys have now is forever, it’s not. What Angel and I had that was real, and this…….well this is just a freak show.”
“You’re wrong.”
Cordelia spun on her heels when she heard the familiar voice coming from behind her, within seconds she had cleared the distance between them and had her arms outstretched trying to throw them around Angel, not even actually having listened to what it was he had said. To her disappointment, Angel stepped out of her way and caught Buffy as she fell to the ground. He was now sitting on the floor with her in his lap a dazed and confused look on her face, it really looked as though she was in a trance.
“Buffy, baby are you okay?” He whispered into her hair.
She didn’t respond it was as though she couldn’t hear anything and that only frightened Angel, and made him think of his dream, what if this was it the thing that he was supposed to help her with.
“Buffy, can you hear me?” He asked a little louder this time.
“I couldn't tell you. I wasn't sure if I could do it if I woke up with you one more morning.”
“I understand. So, what happens now?”
“Buffy, can you hear me, please Buffy answer me.” He begged not understanding what was happening, he couldn’t lose her, not now, not like this.
“How am I supposed to go on with my life knowing what we had? What we could have had?”
“You won't. No one will know but me.”
“Everything we did.”
“It never happened.”
“It did. It did. I know it did!............I felt your heart beat.”
“Buffy..”
“No! Oh God. It's not enough time.”
“Shh, please. Please.”
“Buffy come back to me baby, come back.” He whispers as Cordy stares on with a little smile on her face, if this was how she was going to get Angel than this would do fine. That smile faded as soon as it appeared when the slayer finally gave some sign of life.
“Angel.” She said looking up at him with tears in her eyes.
“Oh thank God.” He whispered pulling her tighter into his arms.
She pulled away to look at him “Buffy what is it, what’s wrong?” he asked
“I remember.” She whispered. “Every thing you did, you did it for me……..I’m so sorry I forgot Angel, I’m so sorry.” She sobbed as she caressed his cheek.
Angel knew instantly what she was remembering; she finally had her entire memory of that day back. “Don’t be, you remember now, that’s all that matters.”
“Well I did say I would never forget.” She whispered with a smile on her face.
“You did.” His response the same of that night that she had first told him about the visions, at the pier. He slowly leaned forward and softly kissed her lips.
“Uh hello, standing right here.” Cordelia waved her hand in front of the pair who seemed to be in a world of their own.
“Oh great, I thought she had gone.” Buffy said as she pulled away looking at Angel.
“Funny.” Cordy said picking the photos up that Buffy had dropped before when she had fell and Angel had come to her rescue. Cordelia really didn’t want Angel to see the pictures.
“I wasn’t trying to be.” Buffy smirked as she got up off the floor with a little help from Angel.
“Well are we going to take these pictures or am I just going to wait around all night?” She said as she glanced at her watch as though she had some place more important to be.
“Cordelia for the last time, we can do it some other day, I have plans tonight.” Buffy insisted.
“I don’t care, you can just break them.” She snapped.
“Cordy?” Angel questioned, not having seen Cordelia be so rude since she was a senior at Sunnydale high.
“What?” She asked him softly
“Buffy said she has plans so………”
“Well I need these photos, and I didn’t think you’d mind.” She said giving Angel a sad smile. Years ago it would have worked but now it did nothing, Angel could see she had clearly reverted back to the girl she used to be in Sunnydale.
“Well we do.” He said gripping Buffy’s hand.
“Oh, well I need them.” She said annoyed that he was taking the slayers side over hers.
“You know what Cordy; you want them so badly find someone else to take them, because I don’t think I want to be taking your pictures anymore.” Buffy said wondering why it had taken her so long to say it in the first place.
“What? Oh yeah as if you’d pass up the exposure.” She smirked.
“Wow you’ve starred in one movie Cordy, In case you hadn’t noticed I don’t really care.”
“You bitch.”
“Hey.” Angel said stepping between the pair. “That’s enough.” He snapped at Cordy.
“Me? What about her?” Cordy said pointing the accusing finger at the slayer.
“Cordy I think it’s time you left.” He said
“Why, I haven’t done anything wrong.”
“Oh you haven’t, well then who told Buffy all those lies and led her to believe that there was something between us?” He said changing the subject slightly. He had wanted to ask her since the day Buffy told him what Cordy had said, but for some reason always had a soft spot for Cordy, having been one of his closest friends for so long. But now he could care less, all that concerned him now was Buffy.
“But there was something between us.” She whispered.
“Cordy we kissed.” Buffy cringed when he said it. “But that was it, you and I both know it and now you seem to have this idea that I wanted or even still want something more…….well I don’t. I want Buffy, I always wanted Buffy.”
“You know what I don’t care, I never wanted you anyway.” She snapped trying to hide her bruised ego. “You’re a vampire for gods sake, and your with a slayer………you guys are freaks.” She spat, before storming out upset that she had lost Angel, and once again to Buffy.
They watched her leave Angel feeling a little guilty yet knowing he had done the right thing, Buffy well she was finding it hard not to laugh.
“I’m gonna go change okay.” She said once Cordelia had disappeared.
“Okay.” He smiled, and let go of her hand watching her as she walked away from him.
“I won’t be long.” She said as she walked out the back.
When she eventually emerged Angel’s jaw dropped when her took in the sight of her.
“Y……yo……you look amazing.” He stuttered
“You think so.” She said feeling a little self conscious in the revealing dress.
Angel only nodded in response, as he eyes continued to sweep over her. “But I don’t think you’ll be wearing it for long.” He said smiling at her.
“Is that a promise?” she said as she walked closer and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Yeah it is.” He said as he kissed her, running his hand over the exposed skin of her back.
**********
After Dinner Buffy thought they were going to head home but Angel decided to head in the other direction which only seemed to confuse her.
“What are we doing here?” She asked as Angel took her hand helping her out of the car, then leading her over to a blanket spread out in the middle of the graveyard with champagne and strawberries waiting for them.
“Well I know it’s not that romantic, but it kind of suits us don’t you think.” He said as they walked a little closer.
“Yeah it really does.” She agreed, and she thought it was romantic even if it was a graveyard, her being a slayer and Angel a vampire, well it started to make sense just why she thought it was such a sweet thing for him to have done.
“We can go somewhere else.”
“No I don’t want to, I like it here. It really is so us.” She laughed, remembering all the nights they used to spend in the graveyards back in Sunnydale, doing nothing other than just spending time together, okay and some making out, but mostly just enjoying each others company.
“Yeah that's why I wanted to do this here.” He said smiling at her.
“Do what?” she asked as he brought her hand up to his lips, brushing a soft kiss against it.
“Buffy I love you so much; I've never done anything in my life that meant anything other than love you. All I want is you, forever. I know that there's alot of things that make it hard for us to be together, the whole I can burst into flames if I walk out into the sun thing, but there's so much more holding us together. Like our love, the way you make me feel. I don’t know if I'll ever get to be human and really I don’t care, because you’re the one that makes me feel alive. Your all I want nothing else means anything to me but you. And that's never going to change. So I was wondering if you'd make me the happiest ma- vampire aliv- undead and......."
He dropped down to one knee retrieving a little box out of his pocket.
“Oh my god.” she whispered as he opened the box for her and she found a beautiful gold claddagh ring with a diamond in the shape of a heart staring back at her.
“Will you marry me Buffy?” he asked gazing up at her with so much love in his eyes.
“Oh my god.” she said repeating herself, “I mean yes.........yes Angel yes.” she said tears streaming down her face as he slipped the ring on her finger.
He smiled up at her as he did, then quickly rose to his feet to kiss her.
“God I love you Angel.” she whispered, taking her eyes off her new favourite piece of jewellery to look at him.
“I love you more.” he whispered before kissing her again.
“Show me again.” Tony burst into the slayers office and reached for her hand.
Buffy smiled holding her hand up showing off her engagement ring, she just couldn't get over the fact that she was engaged to Angel, and by the looks of things neither could Tony.
Since Angel had proposed to her three days ago the slayer was on a high, she had never felt so happy in her life, and she owed it all to the tall dark vampire that she loved more than life itself.
“Can I get back to work now?” she asked her colleague lowering her hand back to the laptop in front of her.
“Well I'm sorry for being all excited then.” he smiled before leaving Buffy to her job. He couldn't believe everything that had happened to the tiny blonde in the past two months. She was just so happy and she really deserved to be. Tony really cared about Buffy, she was the sister he never had, and all he ever wanted was the best for her.
He still remembered the day they were introduced through a friend in the fashion industry that they had in common. When he heard that Buffy was in town shopping for a studio, he told her that if she was ever looking for hired help in wardrobe to look no further. The two had an instant repour, and from day one she knew she wanted to work with him. That night when she was returning to her car after having gone out with Dawn and putting up with her ‘I swear I'll be all right if I only have the one drink remarks’ she heard something in one of the near by alleys, and went to check it out. She wasn't startled to find it was a vampire; no it was the victim that startled her.
She had just met the man and seeing his blood being drained was heartbreaking for her. Fortunately she hadn't gotten there to late and with a quick stake through the vamps heart she saved her potential friend. That night after Buffy tended to him, while Dawn slept on the hotel bed, she told him all her deep dark secrets and the funny thing was he didn't freak out. She had found someone she could open up to, granted he wasn't Willow or Xander, but he was still someone.
When she had told him about running into Angel again only eight weeks ago, he was a little weary about her seeing him. He worried that her heart would be broken, but after seeing the pair together he just knew that that was the last thing on the vamps mind.
He truly was happy for her, and all he could talk about was shopping for her dress, and the numerous designers she should be considering. Hence why Buffy had locked herself in her office. It wasn't that she was not into the whole wedding thing; it was just that she had work to do.
But she and Angel had decided to rush their wedding plans, both being unable to wait to be married, so this all had to be done. She felt like telling Tony he could plan the wedding, she knew that's what he wanted as he had been dropping hints all day, reminding Buffy that he would never get married as he would never find Mr right as she had. He tried just about anything, but started giving up and just going on and doing it without convincing her that he was capable.
All that Buffy wanted to do in that moment was go home. She had been sick all day, which wasn't really that long as it was only one in the afternoon, but it felt like forever, her day just seemed to be dragging on and now she was also coming down with something, just what she needed.
Angel even noticed it and asked her if everything was all right, earlier in the morning he noticed that she had felt a little off but she just dismissed it, telling him everything was fine and that she just needed to get to work. He didn't believe her, she could just tell, but she insisted that everything was all right because she knew that Angel would make her stay home and do nothing, and Buffy really wasn’t the do nothing type. Where as he felt that he had to help her with everything, he was so cute sometimes.
After rubbing her head and trying to concentrate on the blurry screen, she striped off her jacket and got up to get herself a glass of water. As soon as she rose to her feet the room started spinning and she couldn't tell if she was either going to be sick or pass out. On unsteady legs she slowly walked to the cooler and it turned out to be the latter, as her legs gave way and she fainted.
**********
Swinging his axe he neatly sliced the demons head off, and it fell splashing through the shallow water in the sewer. He had another two coming at him and then another one that was keeping Gunn pretty busy. Once again he decapitated the next demon, and when the third ran at him he brought the axe to just above his shoulder, and swung it sideways slicing through the Kalof demons midsection.
Griping his wound in pain the demon looked up at the champion, eyes glowing red with anger, slowly he mumbled something to Angel and the vampire froze staring at the dieing creature.
Suddenly he turned to look for his friend and just as Gunn drove a sword through the demons heart Angel yelled “Gunn noooooooo...........”
“What?” Gunn dislodged his sword and walked over to the distraught vampire. “Aren't we supposed to kill the bad guys?” he asked looking around to see if there were anymore coming.
Angel scanned the dank sewer hoping that another would resurface, but luck didn't seem to be on his side.
“Angel man, are you okay?” Gunn asked a little concerned about his friend.
“No Gunn, I'm not.” he admitted before going off to see if he could pick up the scent of the rest of the demons, hoping there were more somewhere.
“What did that freak say to you?”
Angel turned back around to face him “You can't help her...........she'll die.” he whispered.
**********
He just wanted to see it one more time, and then he would leave her alone. He just loved diamonds, so he couldn't help it. “I swear this is the last time.” he said laughing as he opened the door to Buffy’s office, only to find the unconscious slayer on the floor. Rushing to her side Tony began to shake her, “Buffy can you hear me?” he didn't get a reaction so the first thing he could think of was to call an ambulance.
**********
Waiting outside and pacing frantically all Tony wanted to do was see Buffy and when the nurse finally told him that it was okay to go in, he practically ran into the room.
“Buffy.” he whispered a smile crossing his face, seeing her awake again.
“That's me.” she said absently trying to digest everything the doctor had told her.
“I've been waiting out there for two hours, they wouldn't let me in.” he said upset and also concerned that the slayer was sitting up as the doctor got her discharge papers ready. “I don't get it, your going now.........am I missing something?” he asked, looking from Buffy to the doctor.
“I hate hospitals.” she said agitated and wishing the doctor would hurry up.
“Really I wouldn't have known.” he remembered the way Buffy had reacted the time not so long ago when Tony made her come to the hospital to see his friend. She hated every second of it, except maybe eating his friend’s hospital jelo; she didn't seem to mind that part. "But what's wrong, why did you faint?" he asked walking closer to her.
She avoided his question and slowly eased herself off the bed and onto her feet. “Can you drive me home?”
“Sure.” he said taking her arm to help her walk, noticing that she wasn't all there, something was going on, and for some reason Buffy didn't want to talk about it. That only worried him more.
**********
“Well do something, a spell……….something to make me understand what is going on.” Buffy pleaded with her best friend.
Willow looked on not sure what to say, she wanted to help Buffy, but she wasn’t sure how to go about it, none of it made any sense, how could this be happening? “Buffy with what’s going on with your body, I…….I wouldn’t want to risk it.” She whispered, the one time Buffy needed her help, or at the least somewhat of an explanation magic or the internet couldn’t help the Wicca with this one.
“I don’t understand it Will, how could this be happening?” she sobbed trying her best to be brave, but it was hard when it was just so sudden and so unexpected.
“I don’t know Buffy, I really don’t know.” She said taking her friend in her arms.
**********
“I'm telling you man you need to talk to Wesley about it......see what he thinks.” Gunn said to Angel as the emerged from the elevator and walked out into the lobby.
“I will, but for now I need you check up on the Kalof demons, see if Wolfram and Hart have anything on them in their files. I need to know who they might be doing business with, something tells me that this-”
“Relates to your dream?”
“Yeah.” He was about to head for Wesley’s office but turned to face Gunn again.
“I don’t want her to know about this, got it?”
“Who?” Gunn asked, then almost instantly realised who he meant, who else would it be but…….
“Buffy.” Angel whispered when he saw the blonde walk out of Willow's office.
“She won’t find out from me.” Gunn said thinking the vampire was still talking to him.
Buffy didn't notice him she was to distracted, she needed to go and see Wesley and find out what the hell was going on. Willow was no help at all.
“Buffy.” Angel yelled out to her as he stepped around Gunn and took a few quick strides over to her.
She paused looking up at him, dazed and confused. “Buffy, what are you doing here so early, are you alright?” he asked, his worried eyes skimming over her as he noticed that it was only just after three o'clock and the slayer usually got in around six.
“I'm fine, I just uh............I need to talk to Wesley.” she whispered not looking him in the eyes.
“What about?” he asked placing his finger under her chin and tilting her head to look at him, something was wrong and it was something that Cleary had Buffy upset and even if she wasn’t willing to admit it, he could just see it in her eyes, the ones that were fighting the tears that were on the verge of spilling free.
“It’s personal.” she whispered looking away from him again.
'Personal' that hurt Angel more than he thought possible. He and Buffy had no secrets, and now something was suddenly personal, he didn't like the sounds of this.
“I thought we made a promise of no more secrets.” He whispered wanting to know what had her so distant.
Buffy was about to say something all long the lines of ‘I’ll tell you later.’ But she was interrupted.
“Angel.” Came a voice from behind him, Angel turned to see Nina standing there. “Hey how have you been?” She asked dreamily smiling up at the vampire.
“Uh…..” he looked back at Buffy, then once again in Nina’s direction.
Buffy stood there looking between the pair, she was obviously missing something, but what that something was she had no idea. But the look on Angel’s face was telling her just how guilty he was. It hit her almost instantly “No more secrets huh?” she snapped
“Buffy………..”
“Don’t bother; I’m so over all the lies Angel.” She said looking between Angel and Nina. Before her eyes settled on her “So lets see, he either kissed you or made plans to have a future with you, hmmm which one could it be?”
“Buffy it’s nothi-”
“We went out once.” Nina smiled, she wasn’t sure why Buffy was asking but was still more than happy to tell anyone that wanted to know.
Buffy looked up at Angel, biting her tongue trying not to say anything, but she just couldn’t keep it in “Nothing huh? You just tell one lie and then you can’t stop can you?” she spat then took off heading towards Wesley’s office. She had more important tings to take care of than to listen to any more of his lame excuses.
He wanted to go after her but he knew she wouldn’t give him the time of day right now. Something was obviously going on, and she wasn’t willing to tell him. And he had a lot of making up to do, that was if she would even consider letting him in again.
“Gee what’s her problem?” Nina said watching Buffy take off.
“Is there something you want Nina?” Angel asked not wanting the girl around him any longer than was necessary, sure he had a thing with Nina before but it was all a mistake, it was all because he had done anything to forget Buffy, he knew it was an innocent breakfast, but now he was paying for it. Or rather he was paying for once again forgetting to tell her something she had a right to know.
“Yeah to be locked up, full moon and all.”
“Well it’s still kind of early.” He said annoyed that she had shown up already.
“Yeah I know I was thinking maybe we could grab a bite to eat.” She smiled, running her hand up his arm.
“Nina, I’m engaged, that was my fiancée I was just talking to.” He said looking down at her hand as though it didn’t belong there.
“Wow good luck with her.” She pulled her hand away, thinking about the things Buffy had just said to Angel.
“You know what, I’m glad you came here early, Gunn I think maybe you should lock her up now.” He smiled as Gunn took Nina to the cage, so what if it was cruel; he didn’t have time for the attitude, all just because they never worked out. He had to try and explain things to Buffy, but this time around he didn’t’ like his chances.
**********
“Uh Buffy.....Angel isn't here.” Wesley said looking up from one of his books, when he heard the door to his office creak open and seen the slayer step inside. He was a little surprised to see her in this part of the building.
“I know, I saw him in the lobby.” she said pacing backwards and forwards in front of his desk.
“Okay.” he said looking up at the slayer curiously, wondering what had brought her in here "Is there something I can help you with?" he rose from his chair.
“I hope so.” she whispered, tears welling in her eyes.
“What is it, is there something wrong?” he asked walking around his desk and over to her.
“Well, not wrong exactly, but not really right either.” she said her brow creased as she fidgeted with her hands.
“Well why don’t you tell me what it is.” he tried to make eye contact with her, which was proving to be a difficult task as the slayer chose to look anywhere but at the once watcher, she looked almost afraid, which struck Wes as odd.
“Can Angel and I have children? I mean uh...........if we wanted to someday?” she blurted out, not knowing what kind of answer to expect.
“Uh.......well.” Wes was caught a little off guard, he knew that the pair were engaged and were getting married as soon as possible, but he had no idea that they were thinking about having children as well. “No.” he whispered, he hated that he had to give her that answer but he thought she already knew, so why did he feel like he was breaking her heart by telling her.
“There's no way?” she asked before losing herself in her own thoughts, about what the doctor had told her this afternoon.
“There's no way that a vampire can reproduce Buffy, its just impossible.” he whispered looking away from her. She looked like someone had just told her she had three days left to live and Wesley just couldn't stand seeing at her like that.
“No way.” she whispered almost to herself as she slipped out of Wesley’s office, walking through the halls of the building as though she was in a trance. Angel couldn't have children, there was no way, but she was pregnant at least that's what the doctor said. So how could it be if Angel couldn't have children? Slowly the room started spinning again and she felt the bile rising in her throat. It wasn't so much the fact that she was pregnant that was making her sick, no it was the fact that she'd more or less been told that there was no chance Angel could be the father. It didn't make sense, how could she be pregnant if it wasn't Angel’s?
That meant only one thing, that Wesley had no idea what he was talking about. So what if it was unheard of, the baby growing in her womb was Angel's, and no dusty old books in the once watchers office would convince her otherwise.
The funny thing was not matter how confused and scared she was, she couldn’t help but feel happy, they had created a life and that life was growing inside her. No matter how much it didn’t make sense to her or anyone else, she was going to have a little version of her and Angel.
The only thing left to do now was to tell the father. She kept walking down the hall, then paused her palm flat against the wall as she tired to steady herself 'I thought it was called MORNING sickness, not afternoon sickness' She stood there waiting for the feeling to pass, hoping it would anyway. When it felt a little better and she didn't seem to need to find the nearest ladies room, she slowly started walking again.
Angel hadn't left his spot in the lobby since Buffy marched off in the direction of Wesley's office, he wanted to burst in there himself and demand she tell him what it was that was so personal, but he didn't, no matter how much it ticked him off. But mainly it was because he knew she was more than a little mad at him.
He spotted her down the hall, holding herself up against the wall, he started running towards her unsure of what was going on, knowing only that she didn't look well.
By the time he got to her she seemed to have pulled herself together a little, but that didn't stop his concern “Buffy are you all right?” he asked gripping her hand in his.
She looked down at their hands and pulled hers free, she was so mad at him and didn’t really want him touching her. “We need to talk.” she whispered with a look in her eyes that scared Angel more than he thought possible. A million bad scenarios were running through his mind, he had no idea what was about to happen, but all he could think was that he couldn't lose her, no matter what.
On the ride up to their apartment in the elevator it was dead silent, Angel was too afraid to say anything just in case he upset her more than he already had. Even though he hadn’t really done anything wrong, apart from forgetting to tell her about a girl that really meant nothing to him.
Buffy was trying to clam herself; she was so enraged that once again, one of his stupid secrets was keeping them apart. When was he going to learn that he had to be honest with her, that he had to tell her everything if he wanted them to share any kind of a future, he obviously wasn't.
When the doors opened Angel waited for Buffy to walk in first, and then quickly followed her. She leant against the wall right near the now closed elevator doors, she felt so drained, sure she was a little nauseas but that wasn't it, it was Angel who was standing only a meter away from her that made her feel so hurt and physically sick.
“Buffy I....” Angel started.
“I don't think you should talk.” she hissed looking up at him “All you do is lie to me anyway……..I've had it.” she said close to tears.
“Buffy just give me a chance to get this out.” He pleaded as he stepped in closer to her.
“No you've had enough chances, I just can't do it anymore......you keep hurting me, it’s like you get off on it.” She pushed herself off the wall and walked towards their room.
“How can you think that? I love you Buffy.” he said following her into the room.
“Sure you do Angel, just like you love all those countless other girls, like the one downstairs.”
“Buffy I don't care about Nina, or Cordelia, or anyone else for that matter, your all I care about, you should know that by now.”
“Oh I should, should I? Well if that were true you wouldn't keep things from me.......I can't stay here.” she said reaching into the closet and picking up her case. Setting it down on the bed she found the zip and pulled it open.
Angel seen what she was doing and immediately stopped her, grabbing the case from her hands. “No Buffy, you can't leave, I won’t let you.”
“Fine keep all my things, I don't need them anyway, but if you think you can keep me here against my will, you’re sorely mistaken.” She said pushing him out of her way and heading back towards the elevator. Why on earth did she think that they could sort this out, sure she needed to tell him that she was pregnant he being the father and all but right now she couldn't even think rationally. She was just so damn mad at him that she couldn't stand being in the same room as he.
“Staying with me has been against your will?” he sadly questioned as he dropped the case he still held in his hands down to the floor.
She turned to face him, unshed tears in her eyes “Staying with you has been the happiest time of my life.”
“Then why leave?” He asked striding over to her.
“Because my feelings seem to mean nothing to you, you can’t be honest with me and it makes me feel it’s because you really don’t love me like you say you do.” Her unshed tears seemed to have a will of their own, because as hard as she tried not to cry it wasn’t working, and they found their way down her cheeks.
“That's not true.” He reached out wiping at her tears with the pad of his thumb, and for a second she gave into his caress forgetting that they were arguing and just wanting his comfort, wanting him to hold her. But she realised that it wasn’t as simple as that, right now she needed distance, so she stepped back.
“Well it’s the way I feel.” She insisted.
“Well don’t feel that way, it's stupid.” He whispered, wishing that they weren’t having this fight; it really was over nothing.
“The way I feel is stupid?” She looked at him hurt and upset that he seemed to be dismissing her feelings. “Yeah that would be right, me loving you *is* stupid.” She spat more tears finding their way past her lashes.
“I didn't mean it like that.” He was hurt by her words. “Look Buffy I'm sorry I didn't tell you about Nina, but there's really nothing to tell. We went out once that's it, nothing happened, it just wasn't worth mentioning........tell you the truth I'd actually forgotten all about her.” It’s not as tough he was lying to her; he really had forgotten about the werewolf, it had been two years since they had gone out and he’d had the most boring time of his life. And considering most of the times he had been out with the half wits back in his day before he was a vampire, it really was saying something.
“Really?” She tried to hide the smile that was tugging at her lips.
“Really……..Buffy I promised no more secrets, and I'm not about to go back on my word.” He insisted, finally he was getting through to her.
“She seemed to think there was a lot more going on between you.” Buffy had pretty much forgiven him, but she just wanted to be sure.
“She can think whatever the hell she wants, I know what I feel inside, and that’s all that matters.” He smiled stepping closer to her, reaching out and cupping her cheek.
“And what do you feel inside?” She asked looking up into his eyes.
“Do you really need me to tell you?” going off her look, he figured that maybe he did, for someone reason Buffy really needed his reassurance, he took her hand in his, the one that wore his ring “I love you Buffy, I want you to be my wife, I want to be with you always.” he whispered softly.
She fought the urge to kiss him, even tough she wanted to more than ever. She had something else that she knew they needed to talk about, and if she gave into him right now she couldn’t see them doing any talking at all. “Angel there’s something I need to tell you.” She stated bracing herself and trying to think of the best way to put it.
“What is it?” He wasn’t sure what to think, the look on her face was one that he’d never seen before, and it worried him a little.
“I uh, I fainted at work today.” She said tearing her eyes away from his; it was too hard to tell him why when they made eye contact. This just didn’t make sense, she would have thought that the day she told him she was pregnant would be the happiest and most exciting one of her life, but instead she was scared, because a vampire getting someone pregnant was just so unheard of.
“What? Are you okay?” He asked squeezing her hand and checking her for any physical signs of injury.
“I'm fine, I'm pregnant.” She said looking at the floor, anything but his face, which right now was paler than usual.
“What?” he asked shocked and letting go of her hand, stepping away from her.
“I'm pregnant.” she whispered again, hurt that he had backed off.
“I heard you, I just..........” He was shocked, there was no way, how could it have happened?
“Are you okay?” she asked slowly approaching him.
After what felt like and eternity of silence to Buffy, Angel sadly looked up at her “It can’t be mine.” He whispered his heart breaking as he did.
“What?” She asked shocked that he could have said that.
“I can’t have children Buffy, there's no way it could be mine.” But there was a way, he had gotten Darla pregnant after all, but he couldn’t say it, they were still peculiar circumstances, ones that couldn’t really be repeated. Not only that but no one knew, not Wesley, not Fred, not Gunn and most importantly not Buffy, and this would just be another thing he had kept from her.
“So you’re saying that I've been sleeping with someone else.” She asked feeling confused and hurt.
“I can’t have children.” He repeated.
“Oh wow Angel.” she said backing away. “I cant believe you, your the one that keeps things from me and then you accuse me of cheating on you, I love you, and this baby is yours, it cant be anyone else’s, and you think.......Oh god I need to get out of here.” She said her tears blurring her vision as she turned and headed for the elevator, stepping inside she hit the button.
Angel didn’t have an explanation for what was going on, but he couldn't let her leave, he couldn't live without her, and besides it’s not like he really thought that Buffy would have cheated on him, how would she have even gotten the chance to? He ran towards the elevator and this time unlike many times before, stopped the doors from closing and stepped inside.
“No Buffy, no more running away............we talk about this.”
“Well what do you want me to do? Stick around and listen to you accuse me of cheating on you.” She said as she hit the button again to take her down to Angel's office. When the elevator started moving Angel turned around and hit the emergency stop button, and the it came to a screeching halt.
“How, I don’t understand.”
“Well I don’t either, but I'm not accusing you of sleeping around am I.” She snapped
“Buffy I'm not accusing you; I just don’t get how this could have happened.”
“Do you want me to draw you a picture?” Why was it up to her to explain everything, just because the baby was growing inside her body it didn’t mean that she had all the answers.
He still couldn't get his head around it, Buffy was pregnant with his child, was it even possible? Well it did happen with Darla and he thought that there was no way, so maybe it could happen again.
She slowly slid down the wall and sat on the cool floor, all she wanted to do was escape him, it hurt her too much to have him pretty much accuse her of getting pregnant by someone else. But in the end they were stuck in the elevator together, which only meant that they had to work this one out. There was no more running off to New York, even though this time the situation was completely different and if she decided to take a stake to his heart, it was understandable.
“Angel.”
“Yeah.” He looked down at her sitting on the floor.
“Can you get this thing moving again, its making me feel all claustrophobic.” It wasn’t so much the confined space that was doing it; it was being trapped with him, any other time and she could of thought of a hundred and one things to be doing in this kind of situation, but right now they were the last things on her mind.
“You wont runaway the second the doors open?” He asked as though he was making a deal with her.
“I can’t make any promises.”
Angel hit the alarm anyway, alerting security that they were stuck in the elevator. “It should be moving again, any minute now.”
She looked at him as bell went off and hoped that he was right. “I don’t care if you don't believe me, its yours, I’ve never once even so much as looked at anyone else the whole time we have been together.......and it hurts so much that you think that I would go as far as to sleep with someone else.”
“Buffy I don't think that.” He really didn’t
“Well then what?” she asked rising to her feet.
“I just can’t believe it.........I mean were going to have a baby.” he smiled.
“You believe me?” She asked
“Yes of course I do.” he reached out placing his hand on her abdomen “I'm sorry for sayi-”
“It’s okay, just don’t ever do it again.” She demanded smiling at him as fresh tears welled in her eyes.
“I don’t understand how this happened Buffy, but I'm so glad that it did.” He was going to be a father, and Buffy was carrying his child, he couldn’t be happier. Thank God Willow had bound his soul.
“Me too.” she whispered tears in her eyes as she looked down at his hand.
“Besides it’s not like it’s never happened before.” He said looking at her stomach as tears welled in his eyes.
“It has? So some other vampire has had a child?”
“Not some other vampire, this vampire.” He knew he was risking his whole relationship telling her, but he had to, the only reason that he didn’t do it in the first place was because it still hurt that he gave Connor up, and no one else knew. But truth be told he didn’t want to keep anything from her anymore, he wanted their relationship to be completely honest.
“You what?” She asked, did she even hear him right; was he trying to say that he has a child? “So you have a child out there somewhere and never told me about it, is that what you’re saying?” she asked.
“Buffy there’s a reason I didn’t, it’s complicated.” He said slowly pulling his hand away and looking at his fiancée.
“I’m sure it is, God all you do is keep things from me……..anything else you wanna bring up while were at it?” She walked to the other side of the elevator to put some distance between them, all of two steps.
“Buffy…..”
She spun back around “No Angel screw you…….someone else has had your baby, but when I fall pregnant to you, you say it’s not yours, yeah I’m really starting to see how much you love me.”
“Buffy please let me explain, you don’t understand.” Maybe telling her was a bad idea. No, she had to know, he needed to be honest with her.
“No I don’t, I don’t understand any of this……..I don’t understand you anymore, so who’d you knock up Angel, that Nina chick?”
“What? No…..it was Darla.” He whispered waiting for the explosion.
“Darla’s dead.”
“Like I said, it’s complicated.”
Buffy couldn’t stand that that was his explanation for it all, ‘It’s complicated’ that’s all he could come up with. Slipping the claddagh ring off her finger she reached out and placed it in his hand “Once these doors open, I’m gone……..I’m not coming back.” She said breaking down in tears as she turned back around throwing her fists against the doors banging on them repeatedly, wishing for them to open.
Watching her take the ring off and put it in his hand was more painful than he ever would have imagined, she was really going to leave, unless he did something and soon. “No I won’t let you.” He stepped forward taking her fists in his hands.
“Yeah well I won’t let myself be hurt by you and your lies anymore.” She pulled her hands free of his as she turned to face him.
“Buffy I’m sorry….please let me explain.” He said as he pulled her into his arms.
“Let go of me.” She said throwing punches at his chest
“No…..I need to tell you how it all happened.”
“I don’t care Angel just get away from me.” She yelled, and then turned back around facing the doors, waiting for them to open.
“No.” He spat spinning her around to face him again.
Buffy snapped, and swung her fist at him, connecting with his jaw. She didn’t feel as though she had to listen to a word he had to say.
“If hitting me is what you need to do to get past this, than do it.” He insisted and he meant it, if that was the way that she was going to deal with her anger and disappointment then so be it, it was better than her doing nothing at all.
“Get past this? I’ll never get past this……..I hate you Angel, and I’m leaving, After today I never want to see you again.”
“So you’re just going to take off, with my child and not let me see it?” He asked not believing that Buffy had it in her heart to do such a thing.
“Are you sure it’s yours Angel, I mean it could be anyone’s because I’m such a slut.” She would never keep Angel from the baby, but that didn’t mean she would stick around either.
“Buffy I never said that.”
“I don’t care Angel, I just want to go.” She said bursting out in tears again.
Angel knew that she wasn’t joking, he knew that she would walk away and never come back, and he knew that he probably only had a few seconds maybe minutes if he was lucky before the elevator started moving and those doors opened. So even though she protested he told her everything, he told her about how Darla was brought back, and how he fell so low that he slept with her. Then he found out she was pregnant and he was the father, he told her how she died so his son could be born. Then he told her how Connor was taken away from him when he was just a baby, and then how he returned a man merely months later, and one that hated him at that. Last of all he told her how he had to give Connor up so he could have the life he deserved.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” was all she could say, feeling sorry for Angel and all he had been through.
“Because it just hurt so much to think about him, but I know he’s happy, I know I should have told you Buffy, but I was afraid and I know how stupid that is.” He dropped his gaze to the floor; he hated seeing her so hurt.
“Angel, I don’t know what to say.” She whispered.
“Say you forgive me.” He pleaded.
“I do…….but I don’t really trust you.” She turned her gaze to the floor.
“I understand, but if it helps no more secrets, I swear……..and I’m going to prove it to you.”
“How?” She asked curious as to what he meant.
“There’s this dream I had, it’s about you………..I think it might be a prophecy, anyway you told me you were leaving and that it was because I didn’t believe I deserved you. When I told you that I did, you asked me to help you. It was just before that model attacked you.”
“Angel it was just a dream, Colin didn’t hurt me”
“But today I was fighting a Kalof demon and he told me that I couldn’t help you, he told me you would die……..I can’t Buffy, I can’t let you die.” He whispered tears welling in his eyes.
She threw her arms around him. “Angel I’m not going to die, its okay it was just a dream, and if it was a prophecy, we’ll beat it, we’ve done it tones of times before.”
“I know, I just can’t lose you, you’re my whole world Buffy.” He chocked holding her tightly against him.
“And your mine.” She whispered bringing her head back to look at him.
“So you’re not leaving?”
“You’re too hard to walk away from…….And thank you for telling me, it helps with the whole trust issue.” So what if he had kept a few things from her, he had valid reasons. And now he had told her everything anyway.
“I swear Buffy I won’t keep anything from you again.”
“I believe you.” She smiled
He was so relieved to hear that, he couldn’t bear the thought of her never speaking to him again. He had made a lot of mistakes in their relationship but no more, from now on he was going to be the man she deserved, he was going to give her everything he could.
“I love you Buffy.........and sometimes I wonder what the hell it is that I did to deserve you.”
“I wonder the same thing.” She leant forward brushing her brow against his, tightening her grip on him as the elevator started moving once again.
“You shouldn’t, God Buffy you’re my light, your everything that’s perfect in my life and now you’ve made it even better…..if that’s even possible.” He said as he softly stroked her tummy.
“Angel.” She whispered unable to stop her tears from falling.
He brought his lips down to hers kissing her so passionately, and pushing her up against the elevator wall. He loved her so much and he swore he would never keep anything form her or hurt her again.
“Will you wear this again?” he brought the ring up to her hand, hoping she still wanted to marry him.
“Hurry up and put it back on already.” And he quickly slipped the ring back on her finger, heart facing her so all the world would know she was his again.
“Make love to me.” Buffy whispered, Angel responded kissing her again as he slowly slid her jacket off her shoulders, letting it fall to the floor, then starting on her top.
Suddenly the doors opened and one of the firm’s security guards was standing there watching them, thinking that there was a problem with the elevator. Angel Spun around not paying the guard any attention at all and hit the button, closing the doors again, before returning his lips to hers and letting her help him out of his duster. They both desperately needed to get back up their apartment, and spend a good few hours making up. undefined undefined More... undefined [Close] undefined [Close] undefined
“You can’t do that, it's wrong, really if you had a soul you'd see what I mean.” Tony demanded as he and Lorne argued over the fine details of the ceremony.
“Uh hello, but I do this kind of thing everyday.” Lorne said waving his sea breeze in Tony’s face.
“No you work in entertainment, and I work in fashion, so I think that I'm the one who knows what their talking about here.”
“No you don’t seem to have any idea; I'm telling you that we should go with the torches”
“How very survivor of you.” Tony smirked
“Well you know what, why don’t you just do it all by yourself then.” Lorne spat back hurt that the torches were being instantly dismissed; he knew they would look beautiful on the beach at night.
“Great, bye now.” Tony said it wasn’t that he hated the idea, he just wanted to do everything, they barely agreed on anything and planning the ceremony was taking forever.
“Oh no, I'm not leaving, if I do who knows what kind of circus this wedding will turn out to be.”
“Well it will be better than if you stay and help.” he smirked.
“What if we just eloped?” Angel asked watching the two grown men argue over the plans for *their* wedding.
“Really starting to like that idea.” Buffy replied looking between the arguing pair.
**********
“Errrrrrr, how about I just ignore them” She whispered lying in Angel's arms as she looked over at her ringing cell on the night stand. It was Willow trying to get her away from Angel, she just knew it.
“I don't think that will work, but you could try.” he reached over her, grabbing her cell and switching it off before finding her lips kissing them softly, his tongue licking them, begging for entry. Buffy slowly brought her arms up and around his neck playing with the hairs at his nape as she pulled him closer and parted her lips allowing his tongue in.
Angel could do things with that tongue that no other could even attempt, and that thought alone sent a rush of desire straight through her body pooling down between her legs.
“You know this is wrong, right?” She asked in between kisses.
“Not if we wind back the clock, to like an hour or two, or-”
“Slow down cowboy.” she giggled “Its tradition.” She simply stated.
“Well what can I say, I don't like to follow tradition.” he said as his lips made their way down her throat and across her perky breasts.
“Well I do.” she drew in a shaky breath as Angel kissed each nipple.
“Okay fine……I'll stop now.” He said pulling his lips away from her soft skin.
Buffy sat up frustrated, just as he was working his way down her body he stopped, no that wasn't allowed “Angel!”
“What?” he asked trying to hide the smile that was creeping across his lips, those same lips that Buffy wanted back on her body.
“Don't stop.”
“But tradit-”
“Fuck tradition.” she spat, not meaning for it to come out like that but in the heat of the moment she just couldn’t help herself, even though he had a soul sometimes Angel could be truly evil.
“No, I'd rather fuck you.” A little moan escaped her lips, the things he said truly having a strong effect on her.
Angel parted her legs, dropping his head down between them, and Buffy’s head fell back down on the pillow. So what if tradition said you weren’t supposed to see each other for twenty four hours before the ceremony, so what if it was considered bad luck. Buffy had a feeling that they had had enough of that, so much so that it would last them a lifetime.
Nothing else would happen, they would be fine, and if she was going to have to go an entire night without him, well then he was going to have to start making up for that now.
**********
“So you’re not going to try anything tomorrow?” Eve asked as she inched herself closer to Lindsay on the couch.
“No, too obvious. I mean Angel would be expecting us to do something at his wedding, so I'll wait........besides there's still that thing you have to take care of.”
“I know, I've almost got it down.......it’s a pretty big spell.” She said worried about performing the incantation herself.
“Only the best for our favourite couple.” Lindsay smiled, all these years of planning and he was finally going to have the power, have everything that should have been his all along.
**********
“What if she's not coming?”
“Angel calm down she's going to be here.” Gunn said as they stood on the beach waiting for the bride to arrive, it was a warm night and the waves were crashing on the shore and all Angel could do was panic, thinking that Buffy had changed her mind and didn't want to get married after all. She was already twenty minutes late, but Wesley who was his best man kept telling him to relax, until he got sick of saying it repeatedly and had to fetch Gunn, pleading with him to take over. The fact that Angel hadn't seen Buffy for almost twenty four hours was now weighing heavy on his mind.
“How do you know that, she might have changed her mind and decided she could have anyone else in the world, so why settle with me?”
“You idiot!” Willow exclaimed, the Wicca was standing just near the gentlemen as she was performing the ceremony.
“What?” he turned to face her, briefly taking his eyes off the direction Buffy would be appearing in, that is if she was coming at all.
“Do you know how crazy she is about you? Because if you don’t I could tell you.......Angel she's never been this happy in her life, there’s no way she is missing this.....unless of course this behaviour is all because you have changed your mind?”
“No!” He said in a heartbeat, I'm just really........”
“Nervous?” Willow asked
“Yeah, first time ever.” And wasn’t that the truth, he’d never felt the butterflies he was feeling right now, in fact it didn’t even make sense, Vampires getting butterflies. But his whole life and all the battles he’d fought, nothing had ever felt like this. It wasn’t scary; it was so much more, what he was feeling he couldn’t understand.
“Well you don’t have to be, because I think she's here.” she said pointing in the direction of the limousine pulling up. Angel turned anxiously awaiting the door to be opened and to see his soon to be wife. “Or maybe that means you’re even more nervous than before.”
Willow couldn't have been more on the mark, he was nervous, he had never felt this way before, only when it came to Buffy, how was it that no one else ever had such an effect on him, but this small blonde, the one that he was about to swear to love for always, not that that wasn't already established.
When the driver came around and opened the door, Dawn stepped out followed by Xander who held his hand out for Buffy as he was giving her away. Buffy did want Giles to be here and do the honour but with the short notice he was unable to make it. But he had still sent his best wishes for the happy couple, finally excepting that Buffy was happy and that was all that mattered.
Besides it was fitting to have Xander, he was her best friend and the one that had always put up a fight about her relationship with the vampire, constantly telling her it was wrong and that he would only break her heart. Now him being here represented so much, it showed that he was a true friend, that he had accepted them and their love, but mostly it showed that he was wrong and Buffy loved rubbing it in.
She loved him so much though, and even more so for that little pep talk he gave her in New York not so long ago. She knew that when she had asked him it totally freaked him out, and she was expecting a no, but as always he surprised her with the yes she wanted.
When she stepped out of the car, Angel took in a deep unneeded breath, she was so beautiful. Her long blonde hair slightly curled, little white flowers weaved through it, a long white flowing silk dress and her bouquet of white roses. She looked simply amazing, and all Angel could do was smile, because she was his, and she wanted to be forever, how had he been so blessed?
He still remembered the day it all started, when he first saw her, that innocent school girl sitting on the steps of her school, so beautiful, he knew from that day, he loved her and that he wanted her for the rest of his life. And now here they were ten years since the day she was called, and they were getting married, and expecting a child.
As she slowly walked towards him he felt the tears sting his eyes, tonight was the first night of their lives as husband and wife.
When she made it down to Angel and their small gathering of close friends, she tried as hard as she could but couldn’t stop the tears in her eyes from falling. He looked timely, so handsome in his tux, just like he did in her dreams, except even better because unlike her dreams this was real.
He instantly latched onto her hand and gripped it for dear life, from this moment he would never let go.
**********
“You could have made your move today; you know your crazy right?” Eve whispered as she followed Lindsay into the dusty little magic shop.
“Eve I’ve been through this already, I know when I’m making my move, and I’m not asking for your opinion.” He snapped, wishing she would just shut up about it.
“Fine but you do realise that that big old building you’re trying to get back is all on its lonesome tonight.”
“Eve, Angel's not that stupid, he’s stupid, just not that stupid.” He said as he walked past the countless jars on shelves searching for the hidden door. The moment he found it he put all his energy into one hard kick, splintering the door as it flew open.
“I hear you’ve been running your mouths.” Lindsay said as he held out his hand, chanting out a spell and holding the fire ball in his hand, smiling at the Kalof demons that had been so rudely awakened.
“I really don’t like Angel knowing my business.” He said before throwing the fire ball at the remaining Kalof demons. Turning and leaving the way he came he let the demons burn without so much as a backward glance.
Nothing and no one could stop him from his plan, especially the filthy creatures the seniors had looking for him. They really needed to review their battle plan, because if that’s all they had, Lindsay was more than ready.
**********
“Angel and Buffy now have some vows they have prepared themselves that they would like to share with one another.” Willow said to their gathered friends, and then she turned to Angel urging him to start.
He was nervous, they had made it half way through the ceremony and the whole time he was fine, all he did was look at her and it seemed to calm him, but to speak he couldn’t do it, he didn’t know what to do, everything he had memorised seem to have vanished from his mind, he had nothing to go on, all he could do was look at her and hope that that would be enough, and as always it was.
Holding her hand in his he caressed it, rubbing her palm gently with his thumb. “I look at you standing here before me tonight, and I see the one girl I've always wanted, you’re the center of my world Buffy, you always will be. When I think about all those years I spent loving you, there’s only one thing I regret, walking out on you. But Buffy you gave me another chance, you let me show you just how much I love you and need you in my life, and I still can't believe that it's led to this. The last seven years I've spent them searching only to find that I'm lost. That changed in one night, when I found you again.........you came back into my life and I knew I’d found what it was I was searching for. My redemption isn’t about me saving people that’s just a given, that’s just what I have to do and I will always. My redemption is in you, it always was and I left you only to find that out. Your the one that I have to prove myself too, Buffy you make me the man I am you give me strength, your are the one that made me believe in love. Even before I became a demon I never loved, I never cared, you made me who I am, you’re the biggest part of me, you’re more than just my soul mate. I can't even describe it properly, you just are. I love you Buffy............Always.”
Buffy gave up trying to fight the urge to cry as it was pointless, Angel always seemed to do this to her, only now it was always tears of happiness. She regained herself as best as she could and said her vows to him, ones she hadn’t memorised but had waited till now to think of, every time she had tried to write them they didn’t come to her, but right now she knew just what to say. Right now everything in her life was perfect.
“Angel, if someone would have told me two months ago that I would be here tonight, on this beach telling you that I love you and swearing to be your wife eternally, I would have thought they were crazy. Cause this is crazy, since when do my dreams come true? Angel the first time I met you, you bugged the hell out of me, but it was because I loved you, I knew it then, and I still know it now. You are the only person who has only ever wanted what was best for me, and who has gone out of their way to make that happen. Even when you left, you did what you thought was right, I've forgiven you for that Angel, I don’t even care about it anymore, all I care about is you, you’re my whole life, I’ve never wanted or loved anything in this life like I do you, and I will for always.”
Angel knew that this was one of those moments, the pure joy and happiness ones that he would always see as one of the highlights of his long life, the things she said, she really loved him like that, his whole life had meaning now, because of her love.
Willow smiled at the pair trying no to cry herself as Angel and Buffy both seemed to be in tears, she was so happy for them both, finally they had gotten something back out of that world they had given so much too.
“The rings.” Willow smiled knowing there was no need to drag the ceremony out, and it was time they said their I do’s and stared their lives together.
Wesley thought that maybe he would play a trick on Angel and pretend he had lost them but he knew that the vampire had had his emotions stirred enough for the night. Reaching into his pocket he passed them to the Wicca.
After quickly blessing the rings, the Wicca handed one to Angel and the other to Buffy.
“With this ring I give you my heart, my soul, my eternal love; you will always be mine.” Angel said staring into his brides teary eyes as he slid the claddagh ring back on her finger.
Smiling up at him Buffy repeated Angels words “With this ring I give you my heart, my soul, my eternal love; you will always be mine……my Angel.” She chocked sliding the ring onto his finger, the heart facing in much like hers.
He smiled at her, gently raising her hand the one that wore his ring to his lips and kissing the ring softly, the action was not lost on her she remembered so many years ago when the roles were reversed and she placed that tender kiss upon his.
They absently said their I do’s to each other, swearing to be there for the other through it all as they lost themselves in their gaze.
Her tears just didn’t seem to want to stop, as they fell past her lashes and trailed down her cheeks new ones formed in her eyes, this was without a doubt the best day or night rather, of her life. The past ten years she spent them dreaming of this moment, but they didn’t even measure, they weren’t even close, tonight she had gotten everything.
Angel also found it all a little overwhelming, two months ago his life was so close to empty even though he had his friends they didn’t fill that void, or that feeling of loneliness when they went about their own lives and he was left to his.
Now he had a wife and a baby on the way, and it wasn’t to just anyone, no it was to his girl, the one he never stopped loving, the only one he could ever love, the one that made the vampire feel alive.
“Angel.” Willow whispered and he briefly tore his eyes away from his bride. “You can kiss your wife now.” She smiled.
Taking a small step closer to her he leant in and gently brushed his lips against hers. Her hands crept up to his shoulders holding him close as Angel circled his arms around her waist. The kiss deepened, passion passing through them, and they didn’t realise that it wasn’t the short kiss most would expect.
Minutes later and Dawn was tempted to nudge Buffy to snap the pair out of it, but she figured that this was their moment and even thought it felt like it was going to drag on forever, this was theirs and no one could take it away from them.
**********
“If you don’t let me, well…………I’ll get my brother in law to kick your ass.” Dawn said trying to find a way to convince Gunn.
“I could take Angel.” Gunn shot back.
“Yeah right.” She said as she burst out in laughter at the idea of him beating the vampire in a fight.
“Either way, your not having anything to drink.” He said pointing his finger directly in front of her face.
“Here you go sweetpea.” Lorne smiled handing Dawn a glass of champagne.
Gunn looked at the pair as she took it out of the green demons hands.
“What? You didn’t think I’d have a backup?” she teased.
“Lorne what are you doing giving her alcohol, she shouldn’t be drinking.”
“Ease up; it’s a special occasion, so sweetpea can celebrate with the rest of us.”
“Yeah so…….” She stuck her tongue out at him.
“Here you go Dawn.” Tony said handing her another glass of champagne. Gunn looked at the two men; he couldn’t believe the nerve of them.
“Well it looks like you guys need to talk so I’m gonna leave you to it.” She smiled before sneaking off beverages in hand.
“I’m not done with you two.” Gunn said pointing at the pair before chasing after Dawn.
Ever since the first day he met her they instantly clicked, sharing a bond he hadn’t had with anyone since before his own sister died.
He watched out for her, making sure she was alright and that no one hurt her, but sometimes there was only so much one person could do. Last week he got a call from her, she was at a club and in tears, and he couldn’t understand what was going on.
When he got to the club he found out that she had caught her boyfriend kissing another girl, mainly because Dawn had realised that she wasn’t ready to be with him intimately, and he had decided that he couldn’t wait and that involved latching onto the first skanky female he found.
Gunn had walked straight into the club that night and did what anyone would do; he gave the jerk a broken nose. He listened to her cry all night and then held her hair back as she brought up all the alcohol she’d consumed since seeing her boyfriend with the other girl. He laughed when he heard her say that she would never drink again.
Funnily enough here she was only a week later, sneaking drinks, and why? Because it was something she wasn’t allowed to do, and when someone told her no, she found that she wanted to do it even more. Gunn was just the same at her age, maybe that was another reason why he wanted to look out for her.
**********
They’d never planned on a big reception, they were happy just to be married, but after Lorne brought out the bottles of champagne and insisted they move up to the pier, they couldn’t be as rude as to say no.
Now they had wondered off on their own, watching the calming water, his arms wrapped around her waist, laying a soft kiss on her bare shoulder, he pulled her closer, crushing her back against him as her hands rested on his.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked
She smiled tilting her head slightly to look at him. “You, us………were married Angel, were really married.” She said slowly turning in his arms.
“I know it’s pretty unbelievable.” He whispered.
“But its real Angel, it’s real.” She said tears falling from her eyes.
“Don’t cry.” He whispered wiping her tears away with the pads of his thumbs as his hands cupped her cheek.
“I’m sorry, happy tears.” She said trying to blink them away
“I know how you feel.” He said as his eyes to welled.
She quickly pressed her lips to his; it was a kiss with everything poured into it. Every emotion, every ounce of love that they had for the other over the last ten years passed through their lips.
The End