The gang had decided to take the night off of fighting. After that run in with a big hairy demon yesterday that almost whipped them, they seemed to need some rest. But, not Buffy. Nope. I'd like to be sleeping right now, but duty comes before fun... Since when did sleeping become fun? She thought, showing a questionable look. Oh yeah, when I became a slayer.

She gave the bartender the cup back and asked for another margarita. My life is trash... She thought, simply feeling sorry for herself. As the bartender did what he was told, she felt that chill again. It was undeniable, it wasn't because of the margarita. Buffy looked around the Bronze, thinking maybe some evil force of some sort may have been sending those chills.

As she looked on and found nothing, she turned back to her drink. "The alcohol is ruining my spidey senses." Buffy muttered, taking a sip. Her heart began to beat rapidly, making her pace of breathing speed up. Buffy could feel something creeping behind her as the music beat loudly in her ears. Something was up, and she regretted not sleeping tonight. Her green eyes flashed with worry as she awaited it's first move.

A cold hand grasped her shoulder and she whirled around. She noticed her breathing was fast and the chill was permanent on her spine. Without hesitation she attached the figure, all her moves attacking perfectly. As she had the thing on the ground she kept a hand on it's chest and looked at it's face.

"Angel." She blurted out.

Angel gave her a half smile. "You've been practicing your moves."

Buffy smiled and helped him up. "Well, the alcohol makes me work a lot faster."

"What brings you to the Hellmouth?"

Angel nervously fixed his duster and slid his hands into his pockets. He remained silent.

"What new catastrophe has arrived in Sunnydale?" Buffy asked, placing her hands on her hips.

Angels eyes glided over Buffy's and landed there. Buffy smirk was stripped away at the seriousness of his face. More serious than it's even been.

"What is it?" She said, moving a little closer to him.

"It's the end of the world."

Present Day

Buffy sat near the entrance of the Hyperion. It had been at least an hour since she came to LA. Buffy changed into some tight black jeans and a tank top, that she thought would be better for fighting.

She gripped her book and flipped through it easily, looking bored. "Ya know... I've never been researcho girl. I've always been...fighto girl. Hey, maybe to kill some time I'll go patrol?" She asked, hope written on her face.

Angel was too busy researching to hear Buffy's question. He looked intent of finding the woman in his dream. He read each and every word in his book, except he couldn't read... "Latin."

"Huh?"

"Latin. This is Latin. Do you know how to read it?" Angel questioned Wesley, who had heard their stories and joined them in some researching.

"Well, I do think that-" Wesley began.

Buffy stood up, and cut him off. "Hey, I read Latin. I mean, well... I took it in high school. I think I can do it. You think it has to do with the toga lady?"

Angel nodded. "Well, take a shot."

Buffy walked over to Angel and gracefully took the book. She traced the Latin words with her finger as she let out a confusing mumble of Latin words.

"Okay, maybe that sounded like mumbo jumbo, but I think-"

This time Wesley cut Buffy off. "You just said, 'The cheese has cows fought it's Tuesday'." His stare practically cut Buffy up. Buffy never thought Wesley could look so...well, depressing. He looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Buffy handed the book to Wesley, showing a sheepish grin. "I never said I was good."

Wesley looked intently at the book. Several moments passed by when Angel asked, "Do you think you can translate it?"

He nodded, slightly. "Yes, I do think so. This looks like very, very, ancient Latin. Before our time, and others before it. Millions and millions of years ago, I believe. It may has originated at the time-"

Buffy folded her arms. "We don't need the whole history of it, Wes, just the meaning."

"This may take a while."

"Okay, then I'll go patrol. It'll do me good to get out there. Plus, you guys don't need me here."

Angel stood up next to Buffy. "Fine, we'll both go."

"Hey, hey, hey. Come on. I'm a big girl. There's no need for back up. Mr. Pointy will protect me." Buffy replied, taking her beloved stake out.

"No, I need some practice."

Wesley looked up from his book. "What about Connor?"

"We'll, uh, call Connors parents tomorrow and...see what we can do." He said, staring at Wesley and giving him a 'I had to lie' look.

Wesley nodded. "Oh, uh, yes. I will do that." He rolled his eyes at Angels lie.

"Okay, then it's settled. Let's get going. The sun'll be up in about 5 hours." Buffy said, strolling half way out the door. <p align="center"><img src="../../../block.jpg" width="10" height="10"> <img src="../../../block.jpg" width="10" height="10"> <img src="../../../block.jpg" width="10" height="10"></p>"Pretty normal, isn't it?" Buffy asked, sitting at a bar of a club with Angel. They had just arrived and nothing was unseemly. Well, so far atleast.

Angel nodded as the bartender approached them. "What'll you have?"

Buffy wasn't in the mood for alcohol, but she didn't want to seem little girl-ish. She almost ordered a Shirley Temple. "I'll have a margarita."

Angel secretly raised an eyebrow at Buffy, he'd never seen her drink anything with alcohol in it before. "Nothing, thanks."

The bartender handed the drink to Buffy, in which she slowly took a drink of. "How's the business going?" She said, trying to make conversation.

"As good as can be expected."

Buffy glanced back at the dance floor, listening to the intense music. "Do you come here often?" Angel had picked this place to check out.

"No."

Buffy sighed at the failed conversation. He was never really a big conversation guy. "So..."

"So, how's Dawn?" Angel asked, now trying to get into something.

Buffy smiled at a memory. "Oh, she's fine. She hounded me on why I was going to L.A, but I thought I really shouldn't tell anyone else until I knew the facts."

Angel nodded. He thought for a moment on a next question. "How's Riley?"

She looked at Angel, who's eyes were at a mirror above the bar, starring at empty seat he sat at. "Riley's... well, he's married."

"You're married?!" Angel said, turning to Buffy and raising his voice.

Buffy chuckled. "God, no. He...he left last year. More private soldier stuff or whatever. Plus, we got into a fight."

Angel frowned at Buffys remorse, but inside he smiled. He knew Riley wasn't there when Buffys mother died. That's why she needed him. Angel figured Riley left, he just needed to know for sure.

"I'm-I'm sorry." He said, with about an inch of heart.

Buffy smiled at his trying sympathy. "Thanks."

She knew Angel could be *too* sympathetic, after all...he told her herself that he hated Riley. In some ways, she did too. Mostly because the vampire thing. But, how can she blame him? He needed to feel...needed. Buffy always held herself responsible for their break up. Riley had been that guy who she could really lean on. She knew he couldn't just magically loose his soul after a moment of happiness and she felt comfortable with that. But she always knew Riley was just second best in the love line. Angel was the one she'd do anything for. She gave him her blood, her heart, and her innocence. But more importantly, her trust. Buffy came to grips that Angel was a vampire. And she accepted him. Buffy looked at his real face lovingly and shared a deep kiss with that face. Angel would never get over that. She was the only one that truly accepted him though she knew what he was and what he did to others...and what he did to her.

Then Buffys senses went off the wall. She looked at Angel with a hard, worried stare, in which he returned. Buffy shifted around, looking at the crowd. Her eyes darted from person to person, looking for something unusual. Then, a strange glow came from the middle of the room. She saw her. The woman in the image she saw.

Buffy immediately raced toward the middle of the dance floor following and watching the woman run through dancer to dancer. As Buffy, and Angel in tow, began to close in on her, she disappeared. At the end of the dance floor where there were people dancing was scarce, there was a small piece of paper. Intrigued, Buffy crouched beside it, picked it up, and just noticed Angels presence behind her. She unfolded it and in a beautiful cursive that glowed golden, the words 'Langaria' were written.

Standing up Buffy folded it again and placed it in her pocket, sharing a small content gaze with Angel.

"Wes, we've found something." Angel said, trotting in front of Buffy into the Hyperion.

"What is it?"

Buffy shivered inside her coat. "One word: Langaria. It sounds like a country. One of them third world types."

Wesley nodded, thinking deeply. "I see. How did you find it?"

Angel handed Wesley the note. "The woman in my dream was at that club. She left this, it must be some sign."

"I should say so." He said, studying the word.

"Ever heard of it?" Angel asked, sitting near him.

Buffy plopped down at a seat, leaning against the wall, she rubbed her eyes. The whole tiring day was catching up to her.

"Never. I'm still trying to translate this Latin."

Angels face frowned. He was too worried about this whole thing. "Got anything yet?"

Wesley shook his head, bearing a depressed look he said, "Nothing."

"How's Connor?"

Wesley gave a tight smile. "Just fine."

"Is Fred or Gunn here? They might be able to-"

"No. Neither."

Angel sighed heavily. "Well, I guess right now it's just us..." He glanced over at Buffy. "...two." He finished, seeing a sleeping Buffy. Her eyes were closed drowsily and her breathing was soft and soothing, since he had the vampire ears, he could hear it from ten feet away.

Angel scooped her up in his arms, deciding to give her a cozy bed to sleep in. She was getting skinnier each time he saw her. Buffy was so light Angel could have carried her with one finger. Pushing the thoughts from his mind he gently placed Buffy in the bed and covered her with blankets, seeing she was almost frozen.

Buffys eyes opened a little. "Thank you." She whispered, as her eye lids fluttered down again and she drifted off into a pleasant dream. Angel gave her a half smile and returned to Wesley.

Gunn and Fred approached the Hyperion, just coming from some nice breakfast. It was pleasant and peaceful, pancakes and all. "Mmmm...I'm full. I ate too much of those pancakes. I don't think I've ever eaten that much before in my life."

Gunn smiled at Fred. "Be ready for that tomorrow morning."

"Oh Charles..." She said, dreamily.

Gunn opened the door to the hotel, seeing a worried Angel, looking a little frantic, and a deep in thought Wesley.

"Somethin' going on?" Gunn asked, puzzled by them.

Angel looked up at them. "You could say that again."

"What is it?"

Angel let out a deep sigh. "Long story short: I had a dream. Buffy saw an image... they were the same thing. We both saw the future. The world's going to end unless we perform some ritual. We're still trying to find that out."

Gunn shoved his hands in his pockets. "So, Buffy's here. I'd like to see the girl you lost your soul too."

Fred's face mirrored confusion. "Buffy? Wha... Oh yes! *Buffy*! That girl! Cordelia told me the whole story. I have to say, I cried." She smiled sweetly.

Angel winced at their talk. They were just the reminders of how much temptation Angel felt around Buffy. Too much. He knew this time he couldn't give in to it. He had to focus. "Um, could you guys help us research? We really need to find out something about this."

"Just give me some details. I could check up stuff on the Internet."

Angel handed her the note. "Langaria. Try looking that up."

"Got it." Fred snatched the note and skipped to the computer.

Gunn scratched his head. "Anything you got for me?"

Angel nodded. "Research."

"So, where's Buffy?" Fred called out, eager to see the girl Angel had to rush out of the Hyperion to see.

"Sleeping." He said, glancing upstairs.

Fred smiled, returning back to her internet search.

Buffy's eyes flew open suddenly. A soft cry calling in her ears. She sat up and placed her feet on the floor while running a hand through her smooth hair. Curious about the cry she got up and followed it. Buffy landed upon Angels room. Sheesh, is this impersonal or what? She thought, looking at the almost empty room. The crib near Angels bed called out to her. She heard Connors small cries.

"Hey, buddy." Buffy said, leaning over to see Connors slightly upset face. She reached in and picked him up. "Now, what's wrong? Too many anxieties getting to ya? Yeah, I know teething can suck..." Buffy held him in her arms, feeling drawn to him. She looked over at Angels disheveled bed. Smiling, she made it neatly with one arm. "Hey, I'm becoming really talented." Then she felt her head sting, almost a piercing headache. But, shook her head, turning toward the door. She thought about Angels new life in LA and shuddered. Buffy felt like giving in completely and staying in LA, and secretly dreamed about kissing him again. But, Buff knew she couldn't. There was a task to be taken care of.

Buff supported Connor with her small yet strong arms. She carried him down the long steps, concentrating on not dropping him. After all she never really took care of a baby before. Buffy tickled him and he giggled softly, making cute baby sounds. She stepped right in front of Angel who grinned pleasantly. "He, uh, was kind of fussing so, I got him."

"He likes you."

Buffy smiled brilliantly. "I like him."

Angel stepped to the side a little to reveal an African American man starring at her. "Buffy, I'd like you to meet my coworkers."

She smiled, a little bit nervously. "This is Gunn. Gunn, Buffy." Buffy leaned forward and shook his hand.

"Wow, Angel... no wonder you-" But, Fred stopped him.

Fred beamed a little. She nodded at Buffy. "Buffy, this is Fred. She's the brain, along with Wesley."

Fred nervously shook Buffy's hand. "No, no, no...I-I'm not the brain... I just like to look up stuff and ...well... learn things. It's fascinating."

Buffy smiled at her obvious shakiness. "You should meet my friend Willow sometime. She's one of them real learnin' types."

Buffy, then remembering the gang back in Sunnydale, walked toward the phone. "Speaking of Willow, I better call her. They're probably worried...or having a celebration at my non-presence." She handed Connor to Angel.

She picked up the phone and dialed, listening to the long rings. "Hey, it's me." Angel could see the cheer written on her face. It must have been Dawn.

"Yeah, I'm in LA... No! Why?" Buffy placed her hands on her hips, drawing in breath. "Can you put Willow on? I need to talk to her..... Yeah. Love you too. Bye." A few moments later Willow had reached the phone.

Buffy sighed heavily. "Will? ...Yeah. Did Dawn tell you? ....I figured. I need you to look something up.... No, I'll explain later." Buffy gave Willow the name on the note. "Thanks, Will....A-huh. Sure.....Bye."

Angel rocked Connor as he reached for a book. "What'd she say?"

Buffy came out of her own little thought bubble and sighed. "Oh, uh, nothing really. Stuff like 'Are the tissues in the bathroom?'" Angel could see Buffys disappointment. "But, Willow's going to look up stuff. She said she'll call if she finds anything."

He nodded, handing Connor to Fred and exchanging a few words in which Buffy couldn't hear. "I see," Fred said, looking at Buffy with a guilty face. That was all Buffy could hear out of their conversation. Buffy slowly massaged her temples, feeling the sharp sting again.

Buffy sighed, leaning on a chair before she sprang up, thinking of something good. "Hey, maybe I can help without having to be in the way over here."

Angel shook his head vigorously. "You aren't in the way, you know that."

She shrugged, approaching him. "Yeah, but... I have an idea. You have an snitches here in LA? I mean maybe, for the sake of this job, that I could, you know, beat him up. Of course, getting some information too."

"There is one place I know about. The guys name is Jeff." Angel answered.

"Jeff? Isn't it usually Willy? Or some sort of snitchy name?" She looked at Angel and saw his confusion. "Nevermind... I'll go find this guy."

Gunn spoke up, feeling the boredom too. "I know where it is. I can show you. Plus, I was never big in the research department."

Buffy smiled, knowingly. "I know what ya mean."

Angel felt a little jealousy run through his veins, but he jerked it away. Although he tried to push it away his face reflected it slightly. Turning away from them he said, "Sure. You guys go."

Gunn smirked, walking toward Buffy. "Then it's just you and me, little lady."

She grinned back, both walking to the door. He opened it for her, while grabbing a knife just in case. "Why thank you, kind sir." Buffy said, playing along. They both laughed quietly as they stepped out of the hotel.

They entered the scarcely populated bar, looking around for the bartender. On their ride up Buffy and Gunn bonded a little, sharing stories their best battles. Buffy noticed Gunn had fun cleaning the streets of the big bads. She was glad Angel had a friend like him.

Buffy watched the blinking lights as she shuddered rapidly. Her head ached in pain of a coming migraine. Gunn noticed her recent shudder and turned to her, "You okay?"

Buffy smiled weakly. "I'm just getting one of those 'gotta save the world or you will die' headaches."

They approached the bar, both of the plopping on a seat. Buffy cleared her throat, thinking maybe the snitch would pop up. Fortunately, he did. "What can I do for you?" He said in a confident tone.

Jeff was a muscly guy, not looking like a snitch at all. "Some information would be nice."

He smirked almost evilly. "You know that stuff is addictive, you should give it up."

Buffy glanced at Gunn and they chuckled at his failed joke. "Langaria: what do you know about it?" Gunn asked, menacingly.

The snitch shrugged. "Depends on what you got for me."

Before he could choke out those words Buffy punched him, giving him a bloody nose. Gunn smiled in amazement, he knew slayers were strong but not that strong.

"Wanna rethink that answer?"

Jeff held his nose, his eyes revealing his insecurity. "A woman, she-she came in the other night. Talking drunkenly about some prophecy. Langaria was mentioned."

"A-ha! So toga lady's a drunk!"

"Buffy, maybe we should focus on the mention of a prophecy."

"Right, well.. I was getting to that. So what about Langaria?"

He smiled again. "Dunno..."

This time Gunn threw his fist at his face, colliding with his bad nose. "Fine! Fine! She was talking about books. I wasn't really paying attention, honest!"

They looked at each other and back at him. "He doesn't know anything." Gunn muttered.

Both got off their seats and went out the door. Jeff cursed under his breath and held his nose.

Lorne glided through the Hyperion door, whistling a small tune. He walked in and stared at a busily researching Angel, Wesley, and Fred. He cocked his head to the side, walked down the steps.

"Something wrong?"

Angel didn't even look up from his book. "Research. Want to fill him in Fred?"

Fred turned from her computer and fixed her glasses. "Oh, well, Angel and Buffy saw some sort of image and it was from the future. They're supposed to perform a ritual and save the world."

Lorne smiled and said, "Hmm...Buffy."

Fred turned back around. "She's the slayer."

Lorne nodded. "Yeah, I know. I've heard a lot of about her from Angel...mostly from karaoke. There were volumes of her. I mean, volumes. I could write millions of books. In fact, I'm writing one called "Buffy: Journeys from Dead To Living"..." His joke fell flat at Angels annoyed stare. "Jeez! Tell a joke and get an icy glare!"

The door of the Hyperion were awakened with the sound of two light voices. Gunn walked in first, sporting a sharp knife, in which Buffy marveled at. "...see, I was never a big weapon lover, but that's just-"

Angel stopped her, immediately asking a question. "What'd he say?"

Buffy smiled, brightly. "He said that dream woman was a drunk! ...But, uh, getting to the serious part, he said notta. She came to the bar and talked drunkenly... ya know, I never thought-"

"Anything else?"

Gunn put his knife back. "The guy said she was talking about a prophecy."

"Yeah, those things never end up well." Buffy said.

Wesley's eyes traveled to Gunn and the others. "Nothing else?"

"Nothing."

Angel nodded, drawing in a restless breath. He noticed Buffy and Lorne already chatting. He knew Lorne would've said the first word. "Lorne this is Buffy. Buffy, Lorne."

They bobbed their heads at him and continued their conversation. Lorne made gestures and Buffy would giggle lightly. Angel didn't listen to their words since he knew Lorne would be talking about him.

"And then Adam Sandler said-"

"Lorne, do you mind?"

"What? I was just sharing my meetings with the rich and famous with Buffy."

Gunn sighed thoughfully. "She doesn't want to hear it."

Buffy shook her head, shoving her hands in her coat pockets. "No, I don't mind," Her head rung loudly, feeling as if a thousand drums were ringing in her ears. "Oooh..." She said drowsily. "But I do have a major headache. Got any pills? Headache stuff?"

Buffy glanced at Angel whose eyes betrayed him. "Have I just been transported back in time?" She rubbed her temples and pushed the thought of the headache out of her mind, although it pounded in to her every minute.

"We might have something upstairs." Fred said, glancing back at them from her computer.

Buffy nodded, looking at Angel to show her the way. He began up the stairs, fidgeting at the light taps Buffy would make as she walked. Buffy managed to keep distance from Angel, knowing if she got too close then the tension would be more than she could bare. She shivered, almost thinking about Spike. That was a subject she was going to forget all together.

They went into Angels room, he muttered a few words as he looked around for advil or something. In the process he woke the baby who was sleeping deeply. Buffy sighed at the small cries and gave Angel a grimace. "Sorry..." He murmured. Seeing Angel was trying to reach for a pacifier Buffy, who was in a better position to get it, glided her hand over, involuntarily touching Angels hand. Immediately, their eyes locked. They didn't move and the sound of babies cry was drowned out by Buffys breaths.

Her breath was anything but steady as she and Angel approached each other, still seeing nothing but pools of brown and hazel. Angel took in a useless breath as he reached for Buffy's hand. They inched toward each other before finally kissing. Buffy's tiny hands were at her waste until the kiss deepened and Angel brought her closer. They had finally gave in to each other. Even though her headache was like a jack hammer in her brain she settled and was completely taken away but Angels touch. Connor had also felt the peace and harmony and fell back asleep just in time for them to break apart.

They looked at each other for a moment until Buffy backed away holding her head in confusion. "Sorry...it's, uh, the mission...ya know...making us needy."

Angel nodded, "Yeah. Yeah, it is. Um, and plus those images with the last moments together weren't much help. And...we aren't acting like ourselves."

Buffy turned back to him, feeling the denial in the room. She walked close enough and whispered. "No, that was totally me."

"Me too." He replied, walking towards her as well.

They stopped before kissing again even more passionate then before. A few moments later they released and Buffy started breathing heavily. "Okay, enough of that."

"We better go downstairs. Research."

Buffy nodded enthusiastically. "Good, good, good idea." She said quickly and nervously.

The night had passed and there was nothing concerning the woman or the Latin. Buffy and Angel avoided eye contact all night, banding themselves from talk of their kiss. Buffy's headache worsened each minute and she found peace in the little sleep she got.

Buffy got up, soaking in the past few days. She hadn't thought much about the mission...mostly about Angel. She was determined to kill the latest big bad and save the world but she was also thinking over issues with Angel. Finally releasing the thoughts from her mind she focused on her tasks. Buffy got changed and went down the stairs to find Wesley.

She noticed Wesley's disheveled looks. He was nothing like watcher Wesley. Now, he was big research Wesley. Buffy was still getting used to his new looks. "How's it goin'?" She asked, pulling out a book.

Wesley looked up from his own book, taking off his glasses and giving a small smile. "Buffy. You're awake."

Buffy nodded and relaxed in a seat. "Yup. And ready to research. What do we have so far?"

Wesley sighed, his eyes on the book. "I'm on the brink of what this says. It doesn't seem to be about the woman that Angel and you saw... It must be about something else."

Buffy pulled her hair up in a high ponytail, letting a few strands fall in front of her face. "Oh goodie. More puzzles."

"Precisely."

Buffy nodded, looking for Langaria in her book. Wesley gasped, mumbling a few words and looking at Buffy. She was holding her head as the headache had gotten worse. Wesley looked at his book, "It says..."

Buffy fell to the floor feeling as if someone locked a jack hammer in her head. "Oh God..." She felt her eyes drift slowly as Wesley's image was fading fast. Everything was blurring. Buffy could hear Wesley try to get her up and saying her name.

Then everything went black and the last thing she heard was Wesley's shuddering words. "It means Liosis... a prophecy saying two warriors must endure test to save the world."

To be continued...

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