Series: Death Is Her Gift
Pairing: B/A
Rating: R
Summary: Buffy rises...
Disclaimer: Do I look like Joss Whedon to you???
Notes: Sequel to 'Goodbye' and 'Uh...Hello!'...
Dedication: To those who asked for more stories...Sara-Lee, Emma, Audrey, AngelicVampyre and Adidas Freak.

Angel laid down on the bed beside his beloved Buffy. She was as still as death. Probably because she was dead. He closed his eyes and rested his head on her shoulder. He knew that he would pay for his selfishness when it came to choosing to keep her with him. Buffy Anne Summers was dead and all of her friends and family knew it. It wasn't like before where she'd only been gone a few minutes. Buffy had been dead for three days.

The vampire felt his newest childe stir. Angel opened his eyes and watched as her snapped open. It reminded him so much of when Darla had awoken for her second rising. Only, Buffy didn't shoot up in confusion. She smiled and closed her eyes once more, feeling her way to his hand and covering it with her own. "Angel..." she murmured.

A wealth of feeling echoed in her voice. There was no confusion, no hatred, only love. He could feel her soul, it shined like a beacon and called to his own, asking for him to be gentle with it...and maybe warm it with his own. The vampire smiled at the words that floated through his mind. He remembered when he had told her that two years ago. They had both been incredibly moved by the words, but also extremely repulsed by the visual imagery.

Her voice dragged him out of the fog of memories that held him. "It's different," she whispered in awe.

He angled his head slightly and looked at her. "What's different?"

"Being a vampire." Buffy looked at her chest. "No movement. No breathing. Last time it didn't register much, when that kid had the nightmares, I mean. It was just like I was human, except I could change my face and wanted blood. Speaking of...I'm really, really hungry..."

Angel frowned as she looked up at him expectantly. "I don't have anything with me, Buffy. I wasn't expecting to be here past tonight."

Buffy shrugged, then grinned. "We could always order take-out. I hear that delivery people are really tasty..."

"Buffy..." Angel admonished.

The vampiress grinned. "I'm kidding! I'm sure we can go wherever you used to go and pick up some blood."

Buffy moved to follow Angel when he got up off the bed and picked up his duster and put it on. "You're staying here, Buffy."

"What?!?" Buffy glared at her former lover in disbelief.

Angel cupped her cheek, rubbing the pad of his thumb over her full, yet pale, lips. "Everyone thinks you're dead, Buffy. We don't want anyone thinking otherwise until we decide what we're going to do."

Buffy sighed. "I know that you're right, as usual, but I'm not a little kid anymore and I am dead this time, Angel."

"I know." He pressed a tender kiss to her lips. "I just don't want to have to share you ever again." Angel pulled away and walked out.

"You won't have to," she whispered after him.

*~*~*

Angel gave the man a handful of cash, mainly tens and ones and took the plastic bag he offered. Four containers of blood were inside, two cow and two pig. He wanted to start Buffy off on the cow's blood because pig's blood was pretty rich if you weren't used to it.

"Angel?"

The vampire spun around at the familiar voice. He'd just gotten back to his car and was about to open the driver's side door when he'd been called.

It was Giles. "Giles..." Angel looked around, hoping that none of Buffy's other friends were around. They weren't. He wasn't sure what to say.

"I take it that you've spoken to Willow."

Angel nodded. "That's why I'm here. I just wanted to say goodbye in person..." his gaze drifted to the pavement.

"Yes, of course..." Giles spoke mostly to himself. "It was the only way for Buffy to save Dawn, you know. After Joyce...then Glory taking Dawn, well-"

"I know," Angel said softly.

"Oh?"

Angel looked at him. "I-I...after Joyce's funeral I came to pay my respects. Buffy and I - well, we talked about our problems and our issues. We made our peace...the other...Glory and Dawn...it came up," the vampire stammered.

"Yes, I suppose it would," Giles said as he removed his glasses and began cleaning the lenses with his handkerchief. "Well, I had better let you go." The former Watcher replaced his glasses, then stuck out his hand.

Angel took it hesitantly and shook it. Giles nodded approvingly, then walked off. Angel got into his car and headed back to the mansion...and Buffy.

*~*~*

Buffy growled and transformed as the scent of blood hit her. She rushed down the stairs and searched it out, only to find Angel in the lounge area with several open containers of the thick, rich liquid.

Angel handed her a container. It took one sip for her to discover an aversion to it. She spat it out and made a face. "Angel! You really drink this stuff??"

"It was your choice to become a vampire, Buffy. You'll have to learn to like it, unless you want to starve." Angel took the container and handed her another. "See if this one is more to your liking."

She took a tentative sip, keeping her eyes locked on his the entire time. Buffy grimaced, taking another sip, then gagged and handed it back to him. "Is there anything else?" she asked hopefully.

"Fresh, human blood is better, but you're not touching the stuff," he told her. Angel frowned as he thought of something else. "There is one option..."

Buffy was curious. "What?" she asked, running her tongue over her fangs. Anything had to be better than that other stuff.

Angel studied his beloved's yellow eyes and ridged forehead. The dark-haired vampire drank the entire container of blood he held and waited a few seconds. He then brought his own wrist up to his mouth and bit into the vein and offered it to his childe.

She stepped closer and held his wrist, slowly bringing it closer to her lips and taking a sip. Buffy moaned at the taste. It was nothing like the others. There was a sweet, yet tangy quality to his blood that took her taste buds by storm. The former Slayer sank her fangs into his wrist and took her first lesson in how to fully appreciate one's food...

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