Cordelia rolled her eyes and tried to tune Kate out. The woman was just generally annoying, but now that she was trying to play "cute seductive blonde," it was downright sickening. Even Doyle, who loved bimbos, looked a little green. Cordelia couldn't see Angel's face from the backseat, since the rearview mirror did no good, but she was almost positive he had that annoyed look he had so often given her.

"I'm not nervous." Angel replied gruffly. Then Cordelia felt the car accelerate a bit.

She had the image of Angel speeding so that he could end this hellish ride. If he had to stop abruptly Kate, who insisted she not wear a seatbelt, so that she could plaster herself to Angel's side in the front seat of the car, would go flying out in the freeway and Angel wouldn't be able to stop in time to not run over her. Cordelia couldn't help but grin.

Doyle saw the look on her face and raised an eyebrow. "You seem awfully happy."

Kate turned her head sharply. "What?"

Cordelia shrugged. "I guess I am just looking forward to seeing everyone again. You know, I never realized how close Buffy and I were, but I miss her!"

Kate's face darkened, just as Cordelia had hoped. "Is that why you're nervous? You're going to see Her?"

Cordelia smiled, her comment had created the desired effect. Kate was extremely jealous of Buffy, and not without good reason. Angel still loved the slayer, he always would. It drove Kate crazy that no matter what she did, she could never compare to a teenage girl in Angel's eyes. It was Buffy that Kate held responsible for Angel's lack of romantic interest. He couldn't simply not find her attractive or something, as if Kate was such a catch.

She'd been obsessed with having him ever since they had discovered his soul was permanent around the previous Christmas. Cordelia wished Kate had kept the attitude she had had before of looking and wanting, but knowing better than to try to touch. At least then, they all hadn't been forced to endure Kate's attempts at throwing herself at Angel.

"I'm not nervous, I'm just.. trying to come up with some ideas about what we're going to do about this demon." Angel argued.

"A college professor. Sounds lame to me." Kate remarked. "Don't you think it sounds at all suspicious? Maybe Buffy made it up to get you here."

"Oh please, Buffy wouldn't do that. You see, unlike you, Buffy isn't manipulative." Cordelia replied.

"I'm not manipulative!" Kate argued.

"Don't worry, Kate. It's not your fault. People like Buffy and I have an advantage over you. We have looks and personality. Good ones...we don't need to manipulate guys."

"Knock it off, you two." Angel ordered, yanking Kate's arm out from where she had just wormed it behind his back. "Buffy didn't make this up to get me here, first of all, because I didn't even talk to her. Giles called me. Second, Cordelia is right, Buffy doesn't do things like that."

"Oh, of course not. Miss Buffy is so wonderful! Here we go again!" Kate exclaimed, slumping against the passenger side window.

Doyle made a strangling motion behind her, causing Cordelia to giggle and Angel involuntarily smiled as he saw it from the rearview mirror.

For the next hour, they drove in silence. At last, Angel pulled up in front of Giles' apartment building. The four got out and spent a moment stretching their limbs after the two-hour drive. Angel lost some of his initial tenacity, the anxiety of seeing Buffy for the first time in a year overpowering his desire to help the gang thwart the apocalypse.

"We ought to go meet with the watcher now, I suppose." Doyle suggested in his Irish accent before gesturing towards the building. Angel nodded, then reluctantly led the others to Giles' door.

As soon as he knocked, he felt Kate cling to his side once more. He looked down at her strangely and was about to ask what exactly she was doing when the door swung open.

"Oh Angel, you have perfect timing." Giles greeted, noticing a strange woman clutching the vampire.

"Hello Giles." Angel replied, peeling Kate off him.

Giles opened the door wider to let his guests enter his apartment. As the former May Queen passed him, he smiled and greeted. "Cordelia."

"Hey Giles." She replied, smiling as she sat on the couch.

"Giles, this is Doyle, I've told you about him." Angel introduced the former librarian to his business partner. As the two men shook hands, Angel gestured to the woman standing at his side. "This is Kate, she helps us. She's on the LAPD, so she has some very invaluable connections."

Giles nodded his head at the woman, who smiled in reply before trying following Angel to the couch. The vampire purposely sat between the armrest and Cordelia so that Kate wouldn't plaster herself against him again, so she sat on the arm of the couch.

Doyle sat in a chair, and Giles paced before them. "A few moments before you got here I was able to complete my translation of the ritual Aquilar is planning. I believe that everyone else was going to spend an evening at the Bronze, so we could go pick them up to plan our attack."

They found that Giles' Citroën had finally given up. He had opted to get a full size van as a replacement. It had proven repeatedly to be a wise choice; it could carry the entire group as well as quite a few weapons.

The five of them piled in the van and headed to the Bronze. Cordelia sat beside Doyle in the second row while Angel and Giles sat up front and Kate sulked in the third seat. Everything was the same but it seemed so much more special now. Cordelia realized how much she had missed her former life. She'd give almost anything to go back a few years. To when her biggest worry was that someone would be wearing the same outfit as her. To when she spent her days going to school, arguing with Xander, and helping the gang fight the demon-of-the-week.

However, she, more than most, knew that there was no going back. Past mistakes, no matter how much you paid for them, would never go away. Watching Angel on his quest to amend his past sins had shown her the only thing you could do was make your present and future better.

When Giles parked outside the nightclub, Cordelia felt a bit of trepidation. What would they think of her? Buffy, Xander, Willow, her old groupies? Smiling to herself, she decided all she had to do was stand next to Kate. In comparison, she'd look great.

They wandered through the club, looking for a familiar face. Giles led them to a table where Willow, Oz and Xander sat. Giles quickly introduced the teens to the newcomers and everyone made their greetings.

"Did Buffy and Spike already begin their patrol?" Giles asked.

Xander shook his head and pointed to the dance floor. Everyone looked and saw Buffy and Spike grinning and dancing quite enthusiastically to the music.

A fast-paced song, nothing slow and erotic would result in them rubbing themselves up against each other. Nevertheless, they seemed to enjoy dancing with each other. Angel had known that Spike had been forced into helping Buffy the past fall. The thought had made him nervous at first, but Giles had reported that they two were actually a well-matched team. The thought that they could be romantically involved had crossed his mind only once, and he was able to laugh it away immediately. He had spent more time wondering about Xander and Buffy. He spent an awful lot of time with her, knew all about her and would actually make a good match for her if he wasn't Xander.

"Why is Buffy dancing with Spike?" Giles asked, leaning in close to Willow's ear since the music was so loud.

"It's a dare." She replied.

Xander watched with amusement as Angel's jaw clenched tightly at the sight of his ex-girlfriend dancing with the vampire he sired. He knew he should be decent and tell him that they had been dared to dance...but who had ever accused him of being decent?

Giles grew impatient and moved out on the dance floor to get their attention. He realized it might have been a good idea if he'd called Buffy to warn her that Angel was coming to town after he had gotten off the telephone with the vampire. He feared what seeing Angel after all this time would do to her. She'd had such a hard time in the months after he had left.

"Buffy."

Buffy and Spike both looked at him in surprise, immediately stopping their movements.

"Giles, what's going on?" Buffy asked.

"I've translated exactly what this ritual Professor Aguilar is planning entails and I called Angel for help." Giles explained, pointing to the rest of the group standing back at the table.

Buffy locked eyes with Angel and the world around them disappeared. Their gaze was almost a palpable entity. Buffy felt it hard to breathe; he was even more beautiful than she'd remembered. Angel felt much the same way. How could he ever think time away would make him love her less?

Buffy followed Giles slowly, with Spike close behind her. The blonde vampire wasn't looking forward to this. First, he would have to deal with the angst between Buffy and Angel, the brooding of his sire and the bitch Buffy would be after he left her again. A tiny part of him that he tried to squelch reminded him that he would also hate seeing her heart broken again.

"Angel." Buffy softly greeted, giving him a small smile.

Angel smiled back at her, wanting nothing more than to take her in his arms and hug her tightly. "Hello Buffy.... Spike."

"'Ello Mate." Spike replied.

Kate pushed her way to Buffy. "I guess I will introduce myself to you, since some people don't seem to have the manners." She said, looking pointedly at Angel before shaking Buffy's hand. "I'm Kate."

Angel came back to reality. "Sorry... Kate's a police officer and she helps us."

"Oh, is that all I do?" Kate replied, winking suggestively at Angel and making sure Buffy caught the innuendo.

"Yeah, Angel. Don't forget to credit her for annoying me on a daily basis." Cordelia added, rolling her eyes before smiling at the slayer. "Hey Buffy."

"Hi Cordelia, you look good." Buffy replied, smiling at her friend and trying to give the impression that her heart wasn't aching.

"You too." Cordelia replied as the two of them embraced. In the time that Cordelia had been in LA they had exchanged letters on almost a weekly basis as well as telephone calls quite a bit. They'd realized just how much they had in common and grown a lot closer.

"Why don't we all go somewhere a bit more intimate and quiet." Giles suggested that before shooing them all out the door.

Angel didn't trust Kate not to trap him next to her, so he made a beeline for the front passenger seat. Buffy wondered if it was his idea of avoiding her. She was a bit insulted that he seemed to think she couldn't control herself and was going to molest him or something.

They arrived at the university library and Giles quietly let them in. There were several long tables, since college students, unlike high school ones, actually did visit the library. Everyone besides Angel and Giles sat down. Giles paced in front of everyone while Angel stood in a darkened corner.

When Spike saw his sire lurking in the corner, he couldn't help but laugh. "Some things never change."

Giles cleared his throat. "If we're all ready, I'll begin." When everyone silenced and focused their attention on him, Giles continued. "Now, to reiterate... Professor Aguilar is planning to perform the Ritual of Varconis the in two nights. The ritual will allow Varconis, a very powerful demon that was forced into Hell in 1670, to rise again using Aguilar's body as a vessel. I can't stress enough how much we need to defeat Aguilar before he is possessed by Varconis. If he succeeds... between Varconis' immense power and Aguilar's abilities as a warlock... he would be nearly undefeatable."

"That's what they always say." Buffy replied, smiling on mock confidence.

"Slayer, I wouldn't be so happy about it if I were you. Sabotaging your teacher's plans on becoming a big bad demon tend to make them want to flunk you." Spike teased.

Giles sighed, giving up. Once they started, their verbal sparring there was no stopping them.

"Was that all of it, Giles?" Willow asked.

Giles nodded. "Now all we need to do is make a plan to defeat Aguilar. He has at least twenty minions, according to Buffy and Spike's surveillance. That's why we needed extra help. Xander, Willow and I are adequate at fighting vampires, but only Spike and Buffy can work on the offensive, not just the defensive. For an undertaking like this, we'll need your help, Angel."

Angel nodded. "Doyle can hold his own as well."

"If you can find a good spot for me where no vamps can find me, I'm pretty good with a crossbow." Kate offered, before smiling at the dark-haired vampire. "Angel says I'm the best he's seen."

"Second best." Angel replied with a smile.

Kate rolled her eyes, she'd always assumed he had meant himself. She didn't notice that he and Buffy shared a secret smile.

"From what I can tell, he will be performing the ceremony in the auditorium he lectures in. Kate, do you think you could use your credentials to get us a blueprint of the school?" Giles asked.

Kate nodded. "No problem."

Now that she was focused on the mission, she was much more bearable. This was the whole reason Angel put up with her constant advances; she was an excellent police officer and an essential member to their team.

"All right then, tomorrow Kate can go get the blueprints and as soon as the sun sets we can all meet at my place to come up with a plan of attack." Giles announced.

"So, we're done for the night?" Buffy asked, then smiled when Giles nodded. "Good, this dress is binding."

"I doubt anyone here will disagree if I tell you that you can just take it off now." Xander grinned.

Doyle and Spike nodded, while everyone else shot the boy dirty looks.

"Where will you all stay?" Willow asked.

"That's a good question." Angel replied.

"How about that mansion Angel told me about?" Kate asked. She'd had many fantasies about what she and Angel could do in an extravagant mansion. "I know he sold it, but is it occupied?"

Buffy nodded. "It's been converted to a bed and breakfast. I heard it's really nice, but after the stuff I know has happened there...it would feel odd."

"I'm guessing in a town like Sunnydale finding a place at this hour where Angel will be safe from the sun is difficult?" Doyle asked.

"I know! Angel can stay with Spike!" Xander suggested with a grin. With any luck, they'd kill each other.

"No bleeding way!" Spike argued vehemently.

"Spike has a place?" Cordelia asked.

"I wish he had a place. He lives in my basement." Buffy informed them.

"Actually that does sound like a good idea. Joyce has sun-proofed the basement and Spike always has a nice supply of blood." Giles said thoughtfully.

Buffy had to admit it was a good idea, even if it did mean sleeping in the same home as Angel. She laid a hand on Spike's arm, trying to calm him. "Chill, Spike. It'll just be for a few days. We have an extra cot I can bring down for Angel."

"But…" Spike began to protest.

"Maybe I can get Mom to make you some hot chocolate tomorrow... in the afternoon." She tried bribing him.

"Fine." Spike replied, pouting.

"So, I'm stuck in the same room as Spike during all the daylight hours?" Angel asked.

"Oh like I'm looking forward to it myself!" Spike shouted at him.

"What about the rest of us?" Kate asked, looking at Buffy. "Do you have room for us as well?"

"Well, someone could stay in my room with me." Buffy answered.

"As long as you don't snore, I'm fine." Kate replied. There was no way in hell she was letting Angel sleep so close to Buffy unless she could be there to monitor it all.

Cordelia laughed. "Very funny, Kate. You and Buffy don't even know each other. I'll stay with Buffy, it can be like a sleepover."

"I have a guest bedroom." Giles offered. "One of you could sleep in there and one could sleep in my room while I sleep on my couch."

"Actually, I have a friend near here that I could stay with, so Kate could stay in your guest room." Doyle told them.

"Well, then it's settled." Giles smiled.

Everyone piled back into the van so Giles could drop them back at the Bronze with their cars. As Angel headed off with Spike, Buffy and Cordelia, Kate smiled at him and grabbed his arm.

Being sure to be loud enough that she was heard by all, Kate asked "Are you sure you don't want to stay with me at Giles'? He says he has a double bed."

Angel looked at her and replied in a low voice. "Nah… wouldn't want to make you sleep on the floor."

Unfortunately, he said it so low that nobody heard him besides Kate, so Buffy was left wondering what his reply was. She was pleased he wasn't getting back in the van with Kate, but she still felt a bit insecure. Kate was older; probably more mature and experienced. How could she ever compete?

When Buffy reached the car, she was surprised to find Cordelia sitting in the front seat with Spike, but shrugged it off and sat in the back. Once Angel was seated next to her, Spike tore off. The drive was made in silence. Buffy and Angel felt awkward, Cordelia was plotting, and Spike was sulking.

Spike pulled the car in the driveway then opened the door quickly, before stomping into the house. The other three followed at a slower pace.

"What is his deal?" Cordelia asked.

"He didn't get his way, so he's probably being a big baby right now. My mom loves mothering so much that she'll sit there and baby him. They are both happy; I am nauseated by it." Buffy explained.

Angel smiled, that didn't sound like Buffy and Spike were too close. He still annoyed her!

They entered the house and found Spike sitting at the kitchen table, with Joyce fixing him a cup of hot chocolate. Seeing her guests she turned and smiled. Angel could tell she wasn't exactly happy to see him.

"Well, Spike tells me we'll be having some houseguests for a few days. Hello Cordelia, Angel." Joyce greeted.

"Hi Ms. Summers." Cordelia replied as Angel politely nodded his head.

"You don't mind, do you Mom?" Buffy asked.

"No, of course not!" Joyce smiled thinly. The microwave beeped the water for Spike's hot chocolate was done. "Anybody else want some?"

"Angel doesn't." Spike practically growled.

Buffy grinned and bent down so she was face to face with the platinum vampire. "Does Spikey-poo not like sharing?"

"Shut your bloody hole!" Spike replied.

"Buffy, don't tease him." Joyce scolded, placing a mug in front of Spike. "Well, it's my bedtime, I have an early day tomorrow. You four have a good night and don't kill each other."

"We promise." Buffy smiled as Joyce kissed her daughter on the cheek and headed up the stairs. Buffy sighed and sat next to Spike at the table. "We really should patrol."

"Sounds good to me." Spike replied.

"I'm in." Angel added.

Cordelia shrugged. "Me too."

Buffy looked at her in surprise. "You don't mind patrolling?"

"He makes me go all the time." Cordelia told her, gesturing to Angel before she sat beside the slayer.

Angel crossed his arms. "It's good practice for you to learn how to defend yourself."

As soon as Spike finished his drink, the four of them loaded up on stakes and headed out the door. Spike and Buffy were quite a team. In the time they had worked together they had practically created a routine when they slayed. Angel's heart yearned for the days he had been the one at Buffy's side every night. He wondered if Buffy and Spike did the same sort of thing Buffy and Angel did while patrolling. He really had no right to be jealous; he'd told her to move on. Although, technically, his soul issue wasn't the only reason he'd left. Buffy deserved better than a vampire. She deserved better than Spike. If he'd wanted her to be with someone who would stay young forever, could never give her kids, and could never take her in the sun, he'd have come back to her himself.

An hour and eight vamps later, they headed back to Buffy's. Angel decided to stop driving himself crazy by wondering and to just come out and ask Buffy, so as soon as they came through the door, he asked if he could talk to her alone in the kitchen.

Cordelia smiled as the retreated. As soon as the door was closed, she turned to Spike, who was lounging on the living room couch. "Do you think they'll get back together?"

Spike shrugged. "I'm actually hoping they do, though."

"Me too." She smiled.

"Why?" He asked.

Cordelia sat in the chair across from him and leaned forward conspiratorially. "Well, first of all, Kate really wants Angel. I doubt she'd ever get him, but if he were to start going out with Buffy right now it would drive her crazy! In addition, you know they have both been good friends to me and in the past few years I have learner how lucky I am to have friends like that. I really want them to be happy. What about you?"

Spike shrugged again. "I just figure the slayer won't be such a bitch if she's getting laid."

Cordelia raised her eyebrow; she was positive that wasn't the only reason.

Spike sighed. "Plus the little twit has grown on me, it'd be nice if something could go right for her just once."

Cordelia smiled. "What would you say if I suggested we team up to help them along?"

"I'd say sure, pet." Spike purred.

"What's wrong?" Buffy asked as Angel shut the door behind them.

"Nothing, I hope." Angel replied. When Buffy raised her eyebrow quizzically, he continued. "Well, I still care about you Buffy and I worry when I think you might be opening yourself up for heartbreak."

Buffy could see where he was going and she wanted to reply that her heart was broken the day he left her, but she remained silent.

"Are you and Spike seeing each other?" He asked.

Buffy took a deep breath, trying to find the exact words to express her thoughts. "That's none of your business."

"Buffy, it IS my business when I am your friend, only caring about your well-being."

Buffy shook her head. "You're my friend?! You care about my well being?! You didn't even bother to call or write or make any contact with me, but you are such a close friend that I am expected to divulge all the details of my private life when you ask?"

"Come on, Buffy, I was doing it that way so it would be less painful for you!"

"Oh yes, I forgot that I am talking to Angel, the man who knows what is good for me so much more than I do!"

"Please, do we have to rehash this?!"

"No, let's not go there!"

Angel sighed. "Buffy, I am so very sorry for how much I have hurt you. I'd do anything to take the pain away. But you know as well as I that it's impossible. So now I would like to do all I can to prevent you from being hurt again."

Buffy crossed her arms over her chest. "And Spike's all wrong for me?" She felt a bit ridiculous, arguing that she should continue dating a man she wasn't dating, but that wasn't really the point.

Angel nodded. "Buffy, he can't give you a normal life! Don't you remember all the times you wished your life could be normal? You'll never have that if you are dating a vampire."

"Oh please! Yeah, I used to spout off about being normal, but that was me, being immature. You were supposed to know better." Buffy argued. "I tried normal for a while and it sucked massively. I'm not normal. I'm abnormal. Hence, I need a mate that is abnormal."

Angel nodded, conceding to her good point. "But Buffy you and Spike… you two can't be a match made in heaven. Maybe you don't realize it, but the only reason you are seeing him is... me."

Buffy looked at him incredulously. "Excuse me?"

"You probably are only with him to hurt me." Angel explained.

Buffy rolled her eyes. "Could you be any more full of yourself?!"

With that, she left him standing alone in the kitchen, feeling like an ass.

"What's wrong, Luv?" Spike asked as Buffy stormed out of the kitchen.

"Him! He started reading me the riot act for dating you!" Buffy fumed.

"Pet, you aren't dating me." Spike replied.

"I know!" Buffy replied, rolling her eyes, as if saying 'duh!' "The point is, if I was dating you, he has no say in the matter. He's not in control of my life!"

"You don't think it's sweet?" Cordelia asked hopefully.

Buffy shook her head. "A few years ago, I might have. But now, I pretty much hate it when Angel gets in his head that I am incapable of making any decisions about my own life!"

Spike stood up from the couch and walked over to Buffy, pretending not to see Angel walk out of the kitchen. He started rubbing the slayer's shoulders. "Luv, you're so tense. You know what you need?"

"What?" Buffy asked in a low voice, his fingers kneading the tight muscles in her upper back felt so great.

"A long hot shower. It'll wash all the stress away."

"Mmm…that does sound good. I think I will." Buffy replied before she walked slowly up the stairs, oblivious to the look of pain on Angel's face as he saw the woman he loved being touched in such a way by another man.

Cordelia watched on in amusement. When she'd suggested that he mess with Angel's head to make him jealous, she'd figured she'd have to continuously give him little nudges, but he was doing pretty well on his own.

Spike turned and feigned surprise at seeing Angel seething a few feet away. "Angelus, Buffy tells me you know about our little liaison."

Angel shot a glance at Cordelia, who was suddenly very interested in her nails, before replying. "She told me how you've taken advantage of her naivete."

"Naivete?" Spike replied, laughing. "Buffy is a lot of things, but naïve isn't one of them! And I can't believe you never mentioned she was a screamer, you dog, you!"

Angel immediately vamped out, causing Cordelia to jump out of her chair. She'd never dreamed Angel would react so extremely. "Okay, let's calm down."

Angel remained where he stood. After a moment, he spoke, still in game face. "I will kill you for this."

"For what, screwing your woman? You lost your claim on her when you went to LA." Spike replied snidely.

"She is vulnerable, she wants to feel loved. You took that insecurity and used to your own perverted advantage."

Spike shrugged. "Maybe I did, but whose fault is that? If I dump Buffy tomorrow, deep in her heart, who will she blame?"

His words hit home. The older vampire turned and left through the kitchen door.

"Whoa...that was tense." Cordelia stated.

"How do you think it went?"

"A little too successful. I was wigging for a second there."

"Relax, Pet. We just planted a seed in Angel's mind. Every time Buffy's heart gets broken now... it will be his fault because he left her so vulnerable."

Cordelia nodded. "Also, he now has the idea that Buffy needs him to save her, something he loves to do."

"What about Buffy? She really needs a push now."

Cordelia bit her lip. Trapping people was hard!

Buffy came back in her bedroom in her favorite pair of pajamas. It was a black silk short set and it felt so nice and cool on her skin. She was surprised to see Cordelia on the side of her bed.

"Hi." The brunette smiled. "Feel better?"

Buffy nodded. "Much more relaxed."

"Good." Cordelia replied, then grabbed Buffy's hairbrush and patted the bed. "Sit down, I'll brush your hair."

Buffy raised an eyebrow that Cordelia Chase really wanted to have a slumber party, complete with hair brushing, but complied.

Cordelia knelt behind her friend and began to run the brush through Buffy's wet strands of hair. "So you're pretty mad at Angel, huh?"

"Cordelia, he treats me like a child!" Buffy exclaimed, then added humbly, "And by saying that I sounded like a child."

Cordelia smiled. "I can imagine that if I had someone always acting like they knew what was best for me more than I did, I wouldn't like it very much."

"Plus this whole Kate thing… I can't believe he started seeing her so soon!"

"What about Parker?" Cordelia asked, with an amused smile.

Buffy put her face in her hands. "Am I ever going to live him down? It's not even like it's worth the constant guilt and shame... one night of sex... and it wasn't even good sex."

"I'm just teasing you." Cordelia told her. "You know, you might actually want to consider telling Angel about Parker."

"Oh yeah, because he doesn't have enough doubts about my judgement already!"

"No, I'm serious. If you tell Angel that you were all psycho about him leaving, desperate for male attention, slept with some guy you thought was special... only to have him dump you and tell every guy who would listen how you were in bed... he'd feel guilty. It's Angel's fault!"

"That is some demented logic." Buffy replied dully.

"Makes perfect sense to me."

"That's because you're demented."

"Whatever..." Cordelia replied, beginning a French braid in Buffy's hair. "Angel will see that his going to LA was a mistake and he should just come be with you...he'll think that he's the only decent guy you'll ever find and now his soul is permanent so there is nothing stopping you!"

"Cordelia, his soul wasn't his only reason for leaving. He wants me to meet a normal guy, he wants me to have babies and all that." Buffy replied, toying with a loose thread on her bedspread.

"But he thinks you're dating Spike." Cordelia grinned. "Which means that Angel thinks if you were dating him that you would be better off."

"What about Kate? I seriously doubt Angel would dump her for me. I mean, look at her. She's pretty and tall, whereas I'm short and not very pretty. They suit each other well when it comes to looks. She's older and more experienced than I am. And judging by the fact that I always get dumped as soon as I sleep with a guy, I'd say I'm bad in bed."

"Buffy, none of that matters, Angel loves you. He can barely stand Kate. Even not counting that, you're being nuts, guys like innocence, and when it comes to sex, you're innocent. You aren't bad Angelus was being mean. And Kate is dogly!"

"But do you see how they are always so close?"

"They aren't close. She is close to him, but he isn't to her. She just takes any chance she can to grab him and become Angel's newest appendage."

Buffy sighed. "I know you don't like her. You're just trying to get me to compete with her for Angel to piss her off. I'll end up looking like a fool."

"You will not! Buffy you are my friend and I promise I will not let you look like a fool." Cordelia assured.

Buffy carefully considered what Cordelia said. "You really think there is a possibility that Angel will love me again?"

Cordelia shook her head. "For him to love you again he would have had to stop loving you at some point. He never did. We just have to convince him that he is good enough for you."

"And we have two days to do it." Buffy bit her lip; this wasn't going to be easy.

"Then we need to start planning, stat."

"Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"It will work, trust me. I spent my childhood learning how to manipulate guys for when I started dating. Angel will go nuts!" Cordelia reassured as she coated Buffy's hair with hairspray.

After their little talk to night before, Buffy had gotten the cot set up for Angel while the vampire was still out, cooling off after his confrontation with Spike, while Cordelia and Spike plotted to make Angel jealous.

The next day Cordelia had gone through Buffy's closet and picket out a sundress that Angel would love. It was sexy, but left quite a bit to the imagination. In the pale pink fabric, Buffy looked very innocent, which Angel would be very attracted. Cordelia had then given Buffy a French manicure before spending over an hour curling Buffy's hair into ringlets and meticulously positioning them in a pile on the top of her head.

"Am I ready?" Buffy asked as she stood before Cordelia.

The brunette looked at the girl's feet and approved of the white sandals before scanning up her body. She definitely looked sweet and pure in the dress. The ringlets that cascaded from the top of her head framed her face perfectly, making her look positively angelic. She then took in the light coat of make-up they applied, going for the no-make-up look.

Cordelia nodded. "You're flawless!"

Buffy sighed nervously. "This is ridiculous! All so I can go flirt with Spike in the basement."

"And drive Angel wild." Cordelia reminded her.

Buffy gave her a pained look.

"You'll be fine!" Cordelia told her confidently before she pushed her out her bedroom door and down the hall. Buffy slowly walked down the stairs and over to the basement door. She took a deep breath and opened the door.

Spike's ears perked up as he heard the basement door open. Showtime! He glanced over at Angel across the room. He hadn't even noticed the sound; he was so engrossed in the book he'd been reading for the past two hours. Both of them had insomnia.

"Spike!" Buffy called, plastering a grin on her face as she bounded down the stairs.

"'Ello Luv." He replied, smiling at her as she jumped in his lap on the bed where he'd been watching the telly.

As they had planned the night before, they kissed each other fiercely. Spike had to run his hands over the back of her neck and down her shoulders and arms to keep her from appearing too stiff. After a moment, they pulled away, and Buffy prepared herself to face Angel.

"Angel." She greeted quietly.

He nodded his head politely at her before returning his gaze to Spike. Buffy felt chills when she saw the way he was looking at his childe. It wasn't a look she'd ever seen Angel give anyone.

It reminded her of Angelus.

Spike squeezed her waist. "And what are we up to, Pet?"

"I was bored... missed you." She replied, as they'd rehearsed.

"Mum at work?" He asked.

Buffy nodded, biting her lip. She hoped she appeared natural; she felt like her heart would explode right there in her chest. Buffy wondered why she was so scared. All they were really doing was putting on an act to get Angel to want to be with her again, which was important enough but she hadn't felt fear like this since her first ice skating competition when she was five. The way Angel was looking at Spike was freaking her out.

Spike gave Angel a dirty look. "Too bad we can't do what we normally do when we have the house to ourselves."

For a second there was agony in Angel's eyes and Buffy felt horrible for hurting him and a little relief at the thought that he did care.

"Buffy, could you do me a favor?" Angel asked, remaining as he sat on the edge of his cot.

"What?"

"Go upstairs."

"Why?"

"Please Buffy. I need to talk to Spike."

Buffy looked from one vampire to the other, not sure about what to do. Her instincts told her not to leave them alone.

"Anything you have to say to me, you can say it in front of the Slayer." Spike said, idly running his hand up Buffy's thigh.

Angel growled, startling Buffy, but only getting a smirk out of Spike.

"Angel, come on, calm down." Buffy sighed; this was a stupid idea. She climbed out of Spike's lap, deciding the jig was up.

Spike, however, was having too much fun, and pulled her back down on his lap. When she began to fight him, he laughed. "You're such a tease, wriggling in my lap."

Angel lost it, the sight of Buffy not having fun as Spike laughed and forced her to sit on him sent him into a blind rage as he slipped into his game face. He jumped up and stomped across the room in record time, pulling Buffy up and haphazardly pushing her out of the way so she ended up falling the hard cement floor on all fours.

Angel didn't even notice as he picked Spike up by the collar of his shirt. "You don't ever do that to her!" He growled as he shook the younger vampire.

Spike retaliated, shoving Angel back hard, forcing him to release his collar and fall on his ass. "She's a big girl, she doesn't need you being her 'Daddy'! What is it with you and being the Daddy anyway? You are one sick bloke!"

Angel jumped back to his feet and pulled his arm back, preparing to deliver a blow to Spike's face. Spike, however, was prepared. He grabbed Angel's arm and bent it back, kneeing his sire in the stomach. He too was now in game face, their fight was serving as excellent therapy for the months he'd been in a wheelchair and Angelus has been back.

"Spike, don't!" Buffy cried, tears streaming down her face as she already regretted their little game so tremendously.

Angel stood back up and grabbed Spike around the neck, flipping him so he lay on his back on the ground. Buffy ran up to him and grabbed his arm, forcing him to remember she was in the room. He looked at her with his yellow eyes.

"Angel, don't he didn't touch me. Ever. We were just trying to trick you." Buffy confessed as tears streamed down her face.

Angel looked at her in disbelief. How could Buffy ever do that? Why would Buffy want to hurt him so much?

Spike got back up and dusted himself off, accepting that the fight was over now.

"What? I just can't believe you would do something like this Buffy. I thought you were above cheap ploys to get attention!"

"Angel, I'm sorry I just I love you so much. I know that just because I do love you won't make you stay so when they said you might if you thought I was seeing Spike I was so desperate, I agreed." Buffy explained, as she still held his arm.

He shoved her away. "You lied to me. You used the fact that I love you to hurt me. You hurt me, Buffy! You're a liar and maybe you aren't the same person I knew and loved."

Buffy gasped, her heart breaking. He didn't love her anymore in fact he hated her. She saw Spike standing a few feet behind Angel, looking at her with pity. Deciding she could no longer be in the room, she turned and ran back up the steps out of the basement.

Cordelia has been standing in the front hall outside the door, annoyed by the fact that the basement had excellent soundproofing. When Buffy bolted out of the door, her hand over her mouth and her face wet with tears, Cordelia gasped.

"Buffy, what happened?" Cordelia asked as she ran after the slayer who continued running up the stairs until she got to her bedroom.

"Angel hates me!" Buffy blubbered as she lay on her stomach on the bed.

"That's impossible!" Cordelia replied, but simply sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing Buffy's back the way her mother had when she's needed comfort.

After a while, Buffy's sobs subsided. Cordelia decided to find out what happened.

"Now, what exactly happened down there?" Cordelia interrogated.

"Spike and I were very convincing. Too convincing. He yanked me off Spike and started kicking ass. I had to stop him so I told him that I wasn't really seeing Spike." Buffy explained. "And he called me a liar and he said I'm not the person he loves and he's right!"

"He's an asshole is more like it!" Cordelia exclaimed.

"No, I was being very underhanded and I wasn't playing fair." Buffy disagreed. "And now we don't ever stand a chance."

"Shh... don't say that... he'll cool down and probably beg your forgiveness."

"Yeah right." Buffy laughed sardonically.

A few moments later, she drifted to sleep and Cordelia headed down to the basement. She walked slowly down the steps, fearing what she might find when she got down there. When she found Spike sitting on his bed glaring at Angel, and Angel sitting on his cot, glaring at Spike.

As soon as he saw her, Angel shook his head. "Was this your idea, Cordelia?"

"Part of it. And it would have been a damn good one had you not mucked it up." She replied, crossing her arms over her chest.

"She lied to me!" Angel argued.

"She felt like she had to!"

"Why?"

"Well, mostly because we convinced her this was the only way." Spike answered with a shrug.

"Why did you two feel the need to lie?"

"Okay, we'll try honesty." Cordelia replied. "You love Buffy. Buffy loves you. The whole soul thing is a non-issue... get back together."

Angel sighed. "We can't."

Cordelia rolled her eyes. "That is why we didn't try honesty in the first place."

"I still can't give her children, I still can't go in the sun, and I still won't get old while she does."

Spike shook his head. "You're a bloody moron."

Cordelia got an idea. "Tell me what bothered you most about Buffy dating Spike, the fact that he was using her for sex or that he couldn't give her the same stuff you can't give her?"

"Honestly?" Angel asked. "The thing that bothered me most was it was Spike! But other than that that he was using her for sex and not giving her the love and respect she deserved."

Cordelia smiled conspiratorially with Spike. The blonde vampire caught on and nodded in approval.

"Ask her about Parker, Angel." Cordelia ordered.

"Who's Parker?" Angel asked.

"Just wait until you can get a chance to be alone with Buffy tonight. Ask her to tell you the story about Parker."

Angel looked at Cordelia strangely, but just shrugged. He was very anxious to know who Parker was, and what he had to do with Buffy, but he knew that Spike and Cordelia wouldn't tell him. After driving himself crazy with worry over it, he finally fell asleep.

Just past sunset, Angel was rudely awakened by Spike shaking him. "Get your bloody arse out of that bed you wanker!"

Angel rolled his eyes and decided to ignore his childe as he slowly sat up. The events of the day ran through his mind in a rush. Buffy sitting in Spike's lap and kissing him and finding out that Buffy had been lying to drive him wild with jealousy; Cordelia and Spike telling him to ask about Parker.

With that last thought, Angel scrambled off the cot to get ready faster. Hopefully he and Buffy would have a few moments to themselves before they left to go meet everyone else.

Unfortunately for Angel, Cordelia and Spike had already decided that it would be best if Angel had to wait until after they defeated Aguilar before he'd ask Buffy. That way he could focus totally on her. Seeing his sire hurry to get ready, Spike hurried as well so that as soon as Angel barreled up the basement stairs, Spike was right behind him.

They found the two girls at the kitchen table, finishing the dinner Joyce insisted they eat. Upon seeing the vampires, Joyce gave them a motherly smile.

"How about some nice pints of blood for you two?"

"No, thank you. Before a battle I have a nervous stomach." Angel told her.

Spike shook his head. "I don't want any either, Mum. I always feel a bit nauseous around Angelus."

Joyce shook her head in disapproval. "Buffy and Cordelia didn't want to eat either, but how can anyone perform well on an empty tummy? You two need to eat! Just a little. Make Mum happy?"

Spike smiled and nodded. "You know I can't say no to you!"

Joyce quickly handed them two mugs of blood she had warmed. Both vampires nodded graciously in appreciation.

As they both consumed the blood, Cordelia made a disgusted face and pushed her almost empty plate away. "Well, now I don't have any appetite at all!"

Buffy studiously devoured every bit of food on her plate, just so she wouldn't have to look up and face Angel.

As soon as they were all done, Spike announced it was time to go. He and Cordelia made a beeline for the car, forcing Buffy and Angel into the backseat again.

"You're late." Kate scolded as the Angel entered Giles' apartment, followed by Buffy, Spike, & Cordelia. Everyone else was already there plotting their moves.

"We woke up late, you got a problem with that?" Spike practically growled at her. Angel wasn't even dating the bitch, but she nagged like a wife.

Kate shut her mouth with a snap. Cordelia looked wide eyed at Spike with an appreciation she held for a special few. He had shut Kate up!

Giles spent the next half-hour explaining the game plan to everyone. Once they all knew what their duties and all the questions had been answered, they piled into Giles' van and headed to the college.

Everyone was silent, their stomachs clenched in anxiousness, as they pulled into the deserted parking lot. The school was closed for the summer, save for a few summer courses being offered in the daytime.

As they headed into school, Angel grabbed Buffy's hand and held her still until everyone had entered. Having noticed what he'd done, Cordelia stopped just inside the door to watch through the window, praying Angel hadn't picked now to ask about Parker.

Buffy had been carefully avoiding looking or speaking to her former lover all evening. "Is something wrong?"

"I just want to tell you to be careful, because if you get yourself killed I will be pretty pissed at you and I may never even forgive you."

Buffy smiled, her heart warming at his concern. "Same here. If you did go and die on me, I would be annoyed with you. And you don't want to annoy a slayer."

Angel shook his head, mock fear on his face before his expression sobered. "Hey, after this is over can we talk, just you and I?"

Buffy nodded, trying not to hold too much hope for that to be a "let's try to get back together" talk.

It turned out that they had over prepared, Aguilar wasn't nearly as brilliant and ruthless as they had thought. His minions seemed to make the ones Spike had when he'd been playing for the other side look like rocket scientists. They'd easily surrounded Aguilar and the minions, then attacked.

Taken by surprise, they were easily overtaken by Buffy, Angel, Spike and Doyle. Giles and Xander worked together, doing their best to stake as many vampires as they could without dying. Oz, Willow, Kate and Cordelia assumed their position in the rafters of the large auditorium with crossbows and water balloons with holy water ready to go. They were primarily there to stay out of the way and to help distract or kill any vampires should their friends need the help.

Since both Spike and Angel weren't anywhere near directly beneath her, Cordelia dropped one of the balloons and giggled maliciously as the vampires below her hissed in pain.

Aguilar did his best to sneak away, using his minions as a distraction. However, he didn't notice the four people positioned above.

"Willow, what kills a warlock?" Cordelia asked, positioning the crossbow.

"Wait, we shouldn't kill him! He is human, after all just a bad human." Willow argued.

They need not have worried because one his minions noticed him trying to make an escape and were enraged. He quickly grabbed Aguilar and sank his teeth into his neck, sucking him dry and tossing his body to the ground.

"Um…nevermind." Cordelia replied.

As the crowd below began to thin, Kate began aiming her crossbow at the vampires and taking them out. After she's dusted three, she saw Buffy dust one more and realized that all the minions were gone.

Giles wiped the dust from his hands. "Looks like we're done. Good job everyone!"

As the four in the rafters began to climb down, Angel quietly led Buffy out of the room so they could find a private place to talk.

After he'd pulled her into a nearby classroom, Angel began. "Buffy, who is Parker?"

"Parker?" Buffy replied, stunned. "How did you hear about him?"

"Cordelia and Spike told me to ask you what happened with him." Angel explained.

Buffy shook her head and wrapped her arms around herself. "Just forget it. It's their attempt at making us get back together. They want you to see that I am an idiot and must rely on you for good judgement."

Angel looked at her with concern. "Buffy please tell me what happened."

Buffy looked down and took a deep breath. "I met Parker at the beginning of the school year. I was trying to adjust to college life and be normal and he was a nice guy. He paid attention to me."

Angel felt an ache deep in his gut, not liking where this was going.

"I missed you terribly. I missed the way you loved me and held me and I just needed to feel loved and wanted. And I wanted to forget you." Buffy explained, fighting back the tears of shame. "I slept with him. I slept with him so that I could have a good morning after and a life after because we all know how screwed up it was the last time. This time it was still fucked up because he didn't love me. He just wanted the sex."

"Oh, Buffy."

"Don't! Okay, don't pity me, and don't read me the riot act, because I have heard it all before and I already feel like an ass!"

Angel was silent, his heart broken. Because she had attempted not only to do what he'd asked her to do and move on but also because of the hurt, shame and pain she must have felt.

They stood in the small dim classroom in utter silence, except for Buffy's occasional sniffling as she wiped away her tears.

"I want to try again." Angel said quietly.

Buffy shook her head. "No, if you had said that before I told you this I would have done anything to be with you. Now I know you are only doing it because of him and not just because you love me so much you can't stand to be away from me."

"Buffy, can't you see? I wanted to be with you more than anything. Sometimes it was almost painful to be away from you. But I loved you so much that I put your best interest before mine. I thought that you could find happiness without me but you only have one soulmate."

Before Buffy could reply, the door flung open, the light from the hallway spilling in. "There you two are!" Kate exclaimed, not at all pleased to find them alone in there. "Come on, Angel, if we leave now we can be home before it's light." She didn't want him spending one more night at Buffy's.

The three of them walked down the hallway to find the rest of the group waiting by the doors.

"We're all ready to go." Kate announced pleased that they were leaving and going back to LA where there were no blonde vampire slayers that Angel had a thing for.

Unbeknownst to her, Cordelia and Spike had been talking to everyone about getting Buffy and Angel back together while she was gone.

"Actually, we need to check one more thing out." Willow lied.

"What?" Kate asked.

"Aguilar had a.. er.. box.. that contains great power. It wasn't in his classroom, but it is probably here on campus somewhere. We need to find it." Giles supplied.

Kate shrugged and began wandering down an aisle with Cordelia close behind. Buffy found Angel and Spike both following her as she wandered down another hall.

Cordelia smiled when they came upon the broom closet. She opened the door. "Will you go in first? I'm scared."

Kate rolled her eyes and walked into the small room. Cordelia grinned and slammed the door behind her. "Xander!"

On cue, Xander ran down to where she was holding the door closed with a furious Kate pounding on it from the other side. He placed a chair under the doorknob; successfully keeping her locked inside.

Spike had an easier time of it. As soon as Buffy and Angel went through the only unlocked entrance to the gym, Spike shut and locked the door behind them. The former lovers both turned and looked at the door before trying the knob.

"I don't believe it!"

Angel chuckled. "They don't give up easily, do they?"

"They're convinced we're being stubborn fools."

"We are being stubborn fools. I love you, Buffy, with all my heart. Do you love me?"

Buffy nodded immediately. "More than I thought it was possible to love another human being. I want to be with you, Angel."

How did I ever let you slip away
Never knowing I'd be singing this song some day
And now I'm sinking, sinking to rise no more
Ever since you closed the door

As if on cue, a song began in the sound system. The two of them laughed.

"They never cease to amaze me." Buffy said with a grin.

Angel smiled and held out his hand. "Dance with me?"

"It would be rude not to." Buffy reasoned playfully allowing him to pull her into his arms so they could sway gently together on the gym floor.

If I could turn, turn back the hands of time
Then my darlin' you'd still be mine
If I could turn, turn back the hands of time
Then my darlin' you'd still be mine

Buffy closed her eyes and lay her head against his chest, loving how safe she felt in his arms. There was an ache inside of her that she'd forgotten. She'd had it since he'd told her he was leaving. Since she'd last been held in his arms as they danced on a gym floor.

Funny, funny how time goes by
And blessings are missed in the wink of an eye
Why oh why oh why should one have to go on suffering
When every day I plead please come back to me

So much had changed since then. Buffy's heart leapt with joy when she realized that now she had her Angel. She had a second chance to be with him. Most people weren't that lucky. She'd found her soul mate and they shared a love that surpassed anything the fates could throw at them.

Most people weren't that lucky.

If I could turn, turn back the hands of time
Then my darlin' you'd still be mine
If I could turn, turn back the hands of time
Then my darlin' you'd still be mine

Inside the security room, seven people watched as the monitor from the gym showed Buffy and Angel dancing slowly lost in each other.

"I am so proud of me." Cordelia grinned, shaking her head at how cool she was.

"What was I thinking? Now I have to endure them making googly eyes all the time! I'm going to be sick!" Spike exclaimed, trying to cover up the happiness he felt for the slayer and his annoying sire.

"I'm with you, man!" Xander agreed honestly.

Giles, Willow, Oz and Doyle just ignored them, smiling as they saw that Buffy and Angel were back in each other's arms.

And you had enough love for the both of us
But I, I, I did you wrong I admit I did
But now I'm facing the rest of my life alone

"Angel?"

"Hmm...?"

"You've got your business in LA. I have school and slaying here. Do we have to do the long distance thing?"

"Of course not. You think I'm going to let you spend one night not in my arms?"

Buffy smiled at that happy thought. "Then where will we live?"

"Buffy?"

"What?"

"Don't think so much."

"I think you'll have to shut me up." Buffy replied, grinning up at him.

Angel smiled. "Works for me."

He bent his head down and began kissing her, pouring every once of love into that kiss to let her know he wasn't kidding.

If I could turn, turn back the hands of time
Then my darlin' you'd still be mine
If I could turn, turn back the hands of time
Then my darlin' you'd still be mine

Angel walked tiredly into his new apartment. He'd just had a long night of tedious paperwork, as well as Kate, who still had not given up on him. Her little remarks about Buffy being too young and all the other ineffective reasons they shouldn't be together were getting to be too much. She was beginning to be not worth the trouble of having her around.

However, the hour long drive after nights like those were still worth it because he got to come home and find his own angel sleeping in his bed. He walked into the bedroom, unbuttoning his shirt so he could collapse into bed, expecting to find Buffy entangled in the sheets.

When he found her laying poised on the side of the bed in a red lace teddy his jaw dropped.

"Tough night at the office?" Buffy asked with a smile.

"Very tough." He replied, his losing his voice, as there was a strain in his pants.

"My poor baby." Buffy purred, then patted the bed. "Come here."

Angel did as he was told, sitting on the edge of the bed with his back to Buffy. She got up on her knees and began massaging his shoulders.

"You're so tense." She commented as she began kissing the side of his neck.

She quickly pulled his silk shirt off his shoulders and tossed it on the ground before getting up off the bed and standing in front of Angel, letting him take a nice long look at her cleavage.

"Lay back, Baby. I'll take care of you." She ordered, pushing gently on his shoulders.

Angel complied, relaxing on the bed as he got more and more turned on by the sight of Buffy pulling off his boots. He sighed in relief as she pulled his pants and boxers down at one time, releasing his straining erection. Buffy smiled demurely and crawled between his legs, taking his puckered head between her lips and teasing him with her tongue. She couldn't take her eyes off his face as he begged her for more; beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

When she slowly encased him in her hot mouth, sliding down until he hit the back of her throat, he hissed. She began sucking fiercely, but before he reached his climax, she released him from her mouth.

She got up on her knees and moved up so she was straddling his waist, the tip of his erection being teased as it touched her moist entrance.

"Buffy..." Angel moaned.

Buffy smiled and slid herself down on him. At first, she moved painfully slow, resting the palms of her hands on his chest as he placed his hands on her hips. After a few moments, Buffy could stand it no longer and began pumping her hips faster and harder. Angel began to buck up into her, wanting to get deeper inside her hot channel.

Feeling himself close to climax, Angel rolled so that Buffy was pinned beneath him. He hooked his arms underneath her thighs so they were opened wider and he could thrust deeper. Buffy arched her hips as she screamed in release.

She never looked as beautiful as when she was in the throes of orgasm. The sight of that, coupled with her tight walls clenching around him pushed him over the edge as well. He spilled himself deep inside her, capturing her lips in a hot kiss as he did so.

As he came down from his high, he rolled back onto his back, pulling Buffy with him. She began stroking her fingers in small circles on his chest. "Were you surprised?"

"Very.. surprise me more often." He grinned.

The month they had lived together had been magical. Buffy had just had to do a bit of adjusting so that she and Angel could keep the same hours. They both spend all day together, then when it got dark, Angel headed to work in LA and Buffy headed to slay in Sunnydale. She usually got back to their apartment in Santa Barbara- halfway between the two cities- a few hours before he did, so she was fast asleep when he got home.

"How was slaying tonight?" He asked, genuinely interested.

Buffy shrugged. "Average. Dusted three vamps and was annoyed by Spike."

"How is my obnoxious childe?"

"Loving it in my house without me. Mom is really over maternal now."

"Better him than you."

"Touché." She replied with a grin. "How was work?"

"Don't go there." Angel replied with a sigh.

"Okay where should we go?" Buffy teased.

"How about we go to where I tell you how much I love and adore you."

"Yeah we could tell each other how much we love each other, or we could *show* each other." Buffy grinned, a dangerous gleam in her eye.

"My love, I think you're a genius." Angel replied, returning the grin before she covered his lips with her own.

The End

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