Disclaimer: Don't own nothing
Rating: PG
Time-zone: Future
Spoilers: Yes, up to end Season Four and A:ts Season One
Feedback: Always wanted :)
Authors note: I wrote this short, fluffy/depressing short story a few months ago, but haven't posted it on BA_Fluff yet as I only found it again today on my disk. I had to change the name from 'Roller Coaster' to 'Fire Demon Cupid' though, because I have loads of fics which start with the letter 'R', and didn't want to continue the trend! It's a one off fic, hope you enjoy! Adia X
Teaser: Angel and Buffy reconsider their 'off-relationship'.

"Being stalked isn't a great turn-on for girls" Buffy muttered to the shadowy figure watching her.

"You said that once before." Angel said, stepping into the clearing. "And even then, you were mad at me."

"I'm always mad at you" she retorted, and Angel heard her voice crack slightly, as if in pain. She turned around and stared into his eyes with her own. In the artificial street-light, Angel could see tears forming on her face.

"Why are you here?" Buffy asked. Softly. Hesitantly.

"You're in danger" he replied, trying to focus on the business reason he had returned to Sunnydale, rather than how he melted inside when her eyes penetrated into his soul. His body ached for her, to rush forward and kiss her as if she could breathe life back into his body.

He wanted to do that, but he didn't.

Buffy waited for an answer, but Angel didn't continue. It seemed as if he was thinking about something. Impatiently, she turned away and looked across the street, anywhere but where he was.

"That's a big surprise. That's all you ever come here for" she spat bitterly.

"No it's not."

Buffy turned to him again, caught off guard. Angel hastily tried to re-direct their conversation back to the business. He calmed himself enough to continue.

"There's a fire-demon in Sunnydale. Cordelia has a vision. It attacked…Riley…almost killed him"

"And you came all this way to warn us? Even though you hate the guy?" her voice trembled with respect.

"I came because of you. Because of what he means to you."

Damn. Shouldn't have said that. Business, not emotion…

Buffy just stared at him, making Angel feel nervous. He hadn't felt nervous like this for a long time. Scared, sure. Angry, of course. Nervous? Like how he felt when they went on their first date. Nervous like when he followed her to the bronze when she first moved to the area and he was finally going to talk to her. Nervous like today, because she wasn't reacting to what he'd accidentally admitted to her.

"I tried to call, but couldn't reach you" he added.

This shook Buffy out of her trance.

"I was at the hospital" she confided. She took a few steps forward and closed the gap between them.

Angel's shoulders slumped. He was too late. Riley was dead and Buffy was devastated and it was his fault for being too slow. He should have been quicker, should have contacted Giles instead of travelling down here…

Buffy titled her head.

"He's alive" she said, as if she could read his thoughts after all.

Sparks of chemistry and tension flew between these two figures as they stood alone in the dimly it area.

Angel visibly showed relief. "But hurt?"

"Yes." Buffy answered in a small voice. "Although he'll live intact. Not that I deserve credit after what happened."

"Why?"

"The demon attacked us as we were walking to the Bronze. It nearly killed Riley, I tried to stop it, draw its attention on me. It was easy to kill once I had control. That doesn't bother me. But… what does was.. when I saw Riley near dead…all I could think of was…"

"Yes?"

"He's… not Angel. Riley might have been dead by now, but who cares? Not me, as you're still alive. I thought he was dead, and I felt *relief* because it wasn't you…"

She was crying hard at this point. Angel gave in to his struggle of 'emotion vs. business' and held her, comforted her.

"I hate myself" she sobbed into his shoulder. "My boyfriend and I was relieved"

Angel slowly and gently cocked her head with his hands so it faced his. They were close enough to kiss.

"Don't feel guilty, Buffy" he said. Despite himself, his heart had become elated with the news that she still cared for him. "He's alive and you saved him"

And then she said it.

"I still love you Angel. I've tried, but it's too hard. Don't leave me again. I'll die…" her eyes pleaded with him to stay, her grip on his body tightened. If he tried to leave now, she'd probably hold on strong enough to tear him apart. "Promise me"

"I promise." Angel whispered back to her.

Because he loved her more than ever, and because she loved him. Because he too would die if he left. And because they were soul-mates. Angel didn't even re-consider his decision once.

"I'll stay. I love you, Buffy."

Ecstatic beyond words, she kissed him passionately

He broke away for a second to be able to speak once more.

"I always will"

Buffy grinned, tears now of joy. Angel grinned too.

They kissed again.

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