"Ok, Ok, I was just trying to help. Xander told me to at least try to care."

"We know, we know. It's just not possible......."

"Maybe we should call Angel, just incase she shows up. She looked kinda upset when she left here. She might not be as careful as normal." Willow suggested

"Good Idea" Giles suggested, picking up the phone

* * * * * * * *

Angel barely stirred as the phone rang. Even if he had been awake, he couldn't answer it. He was, of course, chained down to a bed. It rang, and rang until the answering machine picked up. Giles voice leaves a message on the machine, but no one is around to hear his worried plea. "Angel, if you're there, please pick up. Buffy, she's run off. She said she was going to LA then ran out of the room. We are afraid, something might happen to her. She's not paying attention. She seemed upset. Please take care of her......."

* * * * * * * *

Buffy bent down to look behind a dumpster. "Dru" she called. "Here, Dru."

"I know she's around here somewhere"

Buffy bent over once more, before feeling a bunt object smack the back of her head. The world went black. Before she passed out she called out. "Angel..........."

* * * * * * * *

Penn Picked up the broken baseball bat, and smacked the slayer in the back of the head. He was going to just kill her but then decided it would be fun to torture her for a bit first. He watched her crumble to the ground. Just before she passed out her heard her call out a name. "Angel."

* * * * * * * *

Angel lay still sleeping in his bed. All of a sudden his head shot up. There was a panic in his eyes that could be noticed be even the most perception-lacking person. "Buffy!!!!!" He shouted. He strained against his bonds. The chains not budging. "Buffy!!!!!!!"

* * * * * * * *

Part Three

* * * * * * * *

Cordelia collapsed onto the ground. Writhing in pain. Some people say that a paper cut was the worst kind of pain. They were wrong. Really Wrong, THIS was the worst kind of pain. Images flashed infront of her eyes.

Willow doing a spell

Buffy

L.A.

Angel

Weapons

Buffy again

Giles and the gang in Sunnydale

A phone

Usually she knew something or felt it when she had a vision. This was just pictures. She picked up her coat. Yelled out for Dennis to lock the door, and raced to the office. Her first instinct was to check the machine. She had seen a phone, and the gang. Maybe they had called.

When she got to her desk, she saw the red number flashing "1". She pressed play and heard Giles voice from the small speaker.

"Angel, if you're there, please pick up. Buffy, she's run off. She said she was going to LA then ran out of the room. We are afraid, something might happen to her. She's not paying attention. She seemed upset. Please take care of her......."

"Oh god" Cordy gasped, her vision coming together. She had to go unlock Angel. That's when she noticed the screaming coming from the basement apartment. Specifically Angel screaming from his room. "Buffy!!...........Buffy!!!"

Cordelia rushed down the stairs. "Angel I'm coming." She shouted

She rushed down to find Angel desperately trying to escape his bonds. She looked into his eyes and they both knew that the other knew. "I'm so glad you're here. Unlock me!"

"OK, OK....Oh Shit. Wesley took the keys home with him"

"What!!!"

"Wesley has the keys. We weren't expecting this to happen. We thought we'd be unlocking yo-"

"I don't care what you have to do, just get me out of here, NOW!"

"I'll call him" As Cordelia rushed up the stairs she muttered under her breath "Little creep. If Buffy dies, I'll kill him, cause Angel will drive me to the funny farm"

"Hello." Came a stuffy British voice.

"No time. Bring chain keys to the office NOW!!!!"

"Cordelia??"

"I SAID NOW!!!" She yelled before hanging up the phone. She went back down stairs.

"Wesley is on his way he'll be here any second." Cordy told him, running down the stairs.

"He'd better be. How do you know what happened?"

"I had a vision."

"Oh"

They sat in silence until Wesley arrived a minute later.

"Gimmie the keys." Cordy ordered

"You see the thing is. I lost them"

"WHAT!!!" Angel bellowed "I don't care what you do, Just get me out of these damn chains!!!"

They began trying to find something with which to break the chains.

* * * * * * * *

Penn dropped the girl on the floor. She was still out cold. He brought a sturdy wooden chair to the middle of the room, put her on it, and began to tie her there. As her was tying her, he noticed a scar on her throat. It was a bite mark. She had been bitten and she was not dead. What vampire would not finish her off. To have the prestige of having killed a slayer, was the best kind of pride. He disregarded it, she probably killed him, before he had a chance to drain her. That vamp was dust long ago.

She began to stir. "Angel?" he heard her mumble.

* * * * * * * *

"Angel, why don't you just sleep, try to reach her, give her your support while we work on these chains. Don't worry, she's strong. She'll be Ok. I promise" Cordy soothed.

As Angel fell asleep, Cordy heard Wesley ask. "Who? What's going on?? Who?"

"It doesn't matter. Just get those chains off of him."

"WHY??"

* * * * * * * *

Angel began to see through Buffy's eyes. Feel her pain, her anger, her sadness. He saw Penn in front of, her? Him? Them? He noticed a glint of something. He gasped when he saw what that was. Penn turned around and had a VERY sharp knife in his hands.

* * * * * * * *

Cordy and Wesley looked up as they heard Angel gasp. His head shot up.

"Buffy!!" He looked over to them. "HURRY!" He began, once more pulling on the chains in a desperate attempt to free himself. "Hold on love, hold on" he whispered, although Cordelia and Wesley both heard.

* * * * * * * *

Part Four

* * * * * * * *

Buffy awoke to find herself tied to a hard wooden chair, in the middle of a room that she couldn't identify. She saw the 'man' with the lost puppy, yeah right, over in the corner. He turned around and held a knife. She pulled on the ropes a little. Good thing this guy tied a shoddy knot. She couldn't get out right away, but given time. Time she didn't have. She would just have to stall him while she loosened the ropes.

"So, who are you?"

"What?"

"Well, usually well known vampires try to kill me. You know. They consider themselves strong enough to kill the Slayer. You got lucky. I was upset, I wasn't paying attention. You knocked me out to get me. Also, I like to know the names of the 'famous' vamps who try to kill me. I'll add you to my list."

"You have a list? Penn, remember that. I'll be the one to kill you off. Just how many 'famous' vamps have tried to kill you, and let you get away, anyway?"

"Do you want them listed by size? Age? Date they tried to kill me? Alphabetical order?."

"Whatever"

"Well first there was Lothos. Darla. The Master. Spike and Drucilla. Kakistos. The anointed one, but he wasn't really a vamp. Zachary Kralic. The three."

"And which one gave you that scar?"

"Oh, that would be my personal favorite..Angelus" She noticed the look of shock come over his face. "Oh, Did you know Angelus? Oh yeah, He and I were good friends. Until, I stabbed him through the stomach and sent him to hell with Acathla." That got his attention. As long as she kept him occupied just a little bit longer. The ropes were almost done.

"You Killed Angelus?!" He was outraged

"Oh. You did know him! How? Were you his friend in life? Was he your sire?" She saw the light flash in his eyes. That was the key. Angel was his sire. "He was. Oh, poor, what was it. Oh yeah Penn. Poor Penn!!"

* * * * * * * *

Cordelia fell against the bed. When she finally got back up, the first words out of her mouth were. "Two visions in one day. That's totally not fair."

"What did you see, Cordy?" Angel asked.

"She's OK. Or rather, she will be. She's gonna escape. Who is that guy anyway. That guy who has her captured. Was that Penn?"

"Yeah?"

"For the last time. Who has captured whom and why are we trying to unchain Angel?"

"Penn captured Buffy. We are trying to unchain Angel so he can go save her. But now he doesn't have to so we can leave now Wes."

She and Wesley walked up the stairs and out the door. All the while giggling as they heard Angel scream. "Cordy? Wesley? It is not OK to leave your boss tied to the bed. Get down here and get me out. Guys?!"

Cordy laughed out loud as they left the building. "Buffy's gonna have fun when she goes down and finds him there. Oh! I forgot something. Go home and try to find those keys. I'll be fine."

"Alright"

She walked into the office, scribbled a note for Buffy and taped it to the door where she would not miss it.

'Buffy, Had a vision. No more clause. Angel is downstairs. Have fun. Call me later, Cordy.'

She laughed a little more. "Bye Angel" she called, closing the door and beginning to walk home. Sometimes she wished Doyle was still there with them. He was a good guy. So much better than Wesley. She thought about how he would have laughed at Angel and made some sexist comment. She would have smacked him, pretending to be insulted. She missed him, he was a good friend. Given time, he could have been more. You never know what you have until it's gone.

* * * * * * * *

Buffy pulled at the ropes on last time. Loosening the ropes enough to get her hands out of them. She released her hands. "So, since you're so sure that your gonna kill me, why keep me waiting. Come over here and get started. I'm getting impatient"

"In a hurry to meet your maker?"

"Well. You've heard the song. I'm in a hurry to get things done A slayers life."

Penn moved closer, when he was standing directly infront of Buffy she dropped the rope she was holding and punched him in the stomach with all the force that she could muster. He flew backwards, and hit the wall, sliding onto the ground. Before he had a chance to get up, she untied her legs and stood. She took the chair and smashed it on the floor, taking a piece of the splintered leg as a stake. She sauntered over to Penn, looked down at him and, collapsed as his leg shot out at her.

* * * * * * * *

"Where the Hell is Buffy? Don't you think she would have called by now or Angel. We left him a message!" Willow cried. She was getting impatient and was really worried about Buffy.

"Bastard Vampire probably Killed her" Xander replied

"HEY!!" Willow and Spike both cried

"He's our friend"

"That's my sire you're insulting there" Spike cried in his (gorgeous) british accent.

"Sorry"

* * * * * * * *

Buffy jumped back up, lowering into a fighting stance. Knees bent, fists up, head straight. Looking her opponent straight in the eyes. "You think that you can take me?"

"No, I know that I can"

"You sire couldn't do it. Angelus was a master. You're just...Well look at you. You think you can acomplish what hundreds of vamps and demons couldn't?"

"Yeah"

She threw the stake at his heart when he wasn't paying attention. Just before he crumbled into ashes he heard he say. "Yeah right. Say hi to the master for me"

She walked out of what she now realized was an apartment building. She noticed that she was still not far from Angels office. She ran the rest of the distance trying to avoid any vamps she might meet along the way. She got there in no time at all. She noticed a note on the door. 'Buffy, Had a vision. No more clause. Angel is downstairs. Have fun. Call me later, Cordy.'

She walked into the office, picked up the phone, and dialed Cordelia's number. Expecting to hear 'hello' or 'hi' she was, suffice to say, more that a little shocked when the answer was. "Yes I'm sure. Now get downstairs before he goes crazy."

"How - "

"Caller I.D. Bye" Buffy barely had time to say good - bye before Cordy hung up the phone.

Tentitively Buffy walk towards the stairs to peer down. She began to slowly walk down, knowing the place, but not. She got to the bottom of the stairs and looked into the bedroom, where she swore she could see Angels legs, chained to the bed.

* * * * * * * *

Angel felt her presence the moment she walked into the building. He sighed with relief. She was OK. After about a minute and a half he heard her descend the stairs. She paused in the outer room for some reason. An panicked thought came to Angels head. 'Did she remember. No she couldn't. The Oracles promised. She couldn't remember. Could she? But if not, why was she waiting? And why was she even here?'

* * * * * * * *

Part Five

* * * * * * * *

Buffy paused, looking at Angels legs, chained down to the bed. He couldn't have done this by himself. Cordy must have known about this the whole time. That was why she was so anxious for her to get downstairs. She would have to have a talk with little Ms. L.A. actress later on. Right now, she had a Angel, chained down to his bed, to attend to.

* * * * * * * *

He waited for a few moments and was about to call out when his beloved entered the room.

"Buffy?"

She looked at him, chained to the bed, completely at her mercy, and couldn't help but giggle. "Angel, Why are you chained to your bed?"

"You see, this way I won't roll off in me sleep." He replied sarcastically.

"Seriously"

"Seriously. I've been having dreams - about killings. The victims all bore a mark, on their cheek that I used to leave. We thought that it might be me, doing it in my sleep, so I have no memory of it. They tied me in my bed to find out. But in my last dream, I saw, a vampire who I sired, who also left the same mark, so it might be him, if he's in town. His name was Penn. He was the one who."

"No problem"

".Kidnapped you"

"I already killed him."

"Ok, good. Cordy said that you would escape, but that's all she told me. Not if you would be ok, or if you would kill him. Anything. I'll have to get her back for this."

Buffy looked at him with a question in her eyes.

"You know she has visions now, right."

"Yeah, I'm really sorry about your friend Doyle. I only met him for a minute. But he seemed like a really nice guy. And I could tell he really loved Cordy. You could see it in his eyes"

"Yeah, he did. Anyway, I was asleep. I started dreaming of the killings again. But this time, I saw you. I was so worried. I saw him come up to you and tell you that sob puppy dog story, and I saw him hit you. I was so afraid that I'd never see you again. I saw through your eyes when you were tied up in his apartment. Then Cordy had a vision and said that you would escape, so they left me here."

"Why didn't they untie you?"

"Well. She had a vision of you being in trouble and came here to unchain me, till we remembered that Wesley had the keys. But he lost them. We were trying to get the chains off until she saw that you would be ok. So they decided to leave me here until they found the keys."

"Nah, I think she left you here as a gift to me."

"Yeah, Why are you here any way? Why were you in LA to begin with?"

"I came to see you."

"Why?"

"I Remember."

"You.But they told me that you wouldn't. I was supposed to be the only one."

She purposefully straddled his stomach, and stared him straight in the face. "I remember. What does it matter why, or how. I do and that's all that counts. I want that happiness again." She slowly leaned over and kissed him tenderly, but with a longing that was clearly there.

"Um, you've put us in a rather interesting position here" Angel noted once Buffy had pulled away.

"Oh, you know you love it"

"Much as I hate to mention it, we can't do anything here."

"And why not. Do you have a cute little blonde on the side? Are you worried that she'll get jealous?" Buffy teased

"The, Uh, Curse."

"Gone."

"Huh?"

"Cordy. Vision. Gone" She explained, punctuating each word with a kiss.

"In that case." He brought his head up as much as he could under the circumstance, and captured his beloved's lips in a passionate kiss, full of all of the love and longing that he felt.

* * * * * * * *

"Hey" Cordelia answered the phone, noting Angels number on the Caller Id. "How come you're calling already. Shouldn't you be keeping Angel company?"

"Yeah, about that. You sent me down here, knowing that he was chained up."

"Well.Ok, so sue me if I want a happy boss. If he wasn't chained up, you know you wouldn't have gotten within three feet of him and he would have been broody and depressed for the next few weeks, and It's just not good for business. Plus you guys are my friend, I want you to be happy, together, and you know chains, it's kinda kinky."

"Cordy, you can stop now!"

"Ok. Why are you calling?"

"Have you guys found the keys yet?"

"Oh, yeah I meant to call but. Actually no I didn't, I didn't want to be the one to interrupt anything. But Wesley called and told me that he remembered that there's an extra set of keys, in the desk, in Angels living room."

"Thank-you. You and I have to have a talk later."

'Duh. Bye"

"Bye Cordy. And thanks. For everything"

"Anytime. Bye" With that they both hung up the phone and Buffy went to retrieve the extra set of keys.

* * * * * * * *

He watched his beloved walk back into the bedroom holding a set of keys. 'You think you've been good enough for me to let you out?"

"Well, I don't think you'd be very comfortable for you to bee on the bed if the chains are here."

"Maybe I won't get in the bed."

"I could make it worth you're while, later on"

"In that Case." She replied moving to remove the chains. After the chains were gone, Angel got up from the bed to take his clothes off all of the way. '"So I guess this means that we're officially back together. For good this time" Angel stated as Buffy crawled back onto the bed with him, both of them getting under the covers. She smiled and whispered "Forever. I love you" Before falling into peaceful sleep filled with her and Angel, together.

Everything was finally the way it should be.

* * * * * * * *

Part Six

Buffy woke up the next morning to find herself in a familiar embrace in a strange bed. Angel. She remembered and came to LA to confront Angel. This was his bed and his arms. Willow would be so happy to hear that they'd gotten beck together. 'Oh Gods, Willow. I just ran out yesterday, or was it the day before?' Trying not to wake Angel, she got up from her comfortable haven, to call the gang and let them know that she was ok. Better than OK actually, she got her memories back, her boyfriend... 'Oh No. Riley. What the hell am I going to do about Riley. I don't want to lead him on, but. and if I broke up with him right after I got back from running off to LA with no reason he'd know something was up. Oh, what am I going to do?.'

She felt Angel's arms wrap around her once more. "Morning. You want breakfast?"

"You cook?" she asked incredulously

"Yeah. I cook for Wesley and Cordelia all the time." At her look he added "Cordy's not allowed to cook in my house anymore"

"Bad experience?" she sympathetically asked

"Yeah. So you want?"

"Uh-Huh. I'm starving. You start cooking. I've gotta call the guys, they're probably worried sick."

"Alright"

* * * * * * * *

Willow jumped to grab the phone as soon as it rang. "Hello?" she answered expectantly.

"Will?"

"Buffy!" She shouted.

"Not so loud Will. Are you alone?"

"Yeah, why? Where are you? Why did you leave so fast? What did you remember? What was the demon like?"

"OK. One at a time."

"Where are you?"

"L.A. I told you that when I was leaving."

"Where in LA?"

"Angels" she mumbled incoherently

"Where? Did you just say you're at Angels?"

"Yeah. Some stuff happened that I remembered that I wasn't supposed to. I had to talk to him about it."

"What do I tell Riley? He's been calling like every hour to see if you've called yet."

"Tell him I'm at my dad's or Cordy's or one of my old friends from Hemery."

"You're gonna talk to me when you get home. When are you coming home by the way?"

"I'll be home in a day or so. I'll spill all of the gory details when I get home."

"Gory details? What about the curse? Do we have to worry about Angelus coming to kill us?"

"Never again"

"Never a - The clause is gone?" She heard Buffy's murmur of ascent "Oh My God" she shrieked. "I'm so happy for you. For you both.Wait, what about Riley?"

"I haven't figured that one out yet. Will, promise not to tell anyone anything till I get there and explain it to everyone. OK. Please"

"No problem"

"Thanks so much. You're the best friend ever. Oh, I gotta go. Angel made me breakfast."

"Bye"

"See you in a day or two"

Willow hung up the phone, waited a minute, and picked it back up. She dialed Giles number first. He loved Buffy like a daughter and was going mad with worry.

"Giles.Yeah, she just called.She's fine.She'll be home in a day or two.She said she'd explain it when she got home.Ok. You too. Bye Giles"

Next she called Xander and Anya. Well actually Anya didn't care, but Xander was like her brother and was really worried.

After Xander she called Mrs. Summers, and Finally Riley. She called Riley last because well, he was really bugging her lately, calling so often, even though she said she'd call as soon as she heard from Buffy, but no. It's not that she didn't like Riley. He was great really. A nice guy. Made Buffy happy. But Angel made her shine. Riley would never be able to do that, she knew. She also knew that in a few days Riley would be history, and she felt truly bad for him. He was a good guy, but he'd never be Angel.

* * * * * * * *

Doyle watched as Buffy sat down to eat the breakfast that Angel had made her. He was glad that Angel finally found happiness.

"There's nothing you and her deserve more. I wish you all the best. I wish I could be there with ya, man"

Suddenly the scene before him switched to one of Cordelia sitting on her couch, watching the commercial that he'd made.

"Oh, princess. I never meant to make you so sad. I wish I hadn't had to go, but it was worth it to make sure you lived. I died to give you a better life, and I'll never regret it. I just wish it didn't make you so sad. I never meant to make you cry."

Just then Doyle heard a voice saying that he was to meet with the higher powers. (Not to be confused with the Powers That Be). He went to see what they wished of him. These powers were unpredictable, and could request anything of him.

He stood before these all powerful beings, and waited for them to acknowledge his presence. The looked and acted much like the oracles, but possessed a greater power.

"Allan Francis Doyle" It was a statement, not a question.

"That would be me."

"Do you know why you have been summoned before us?"

"No. I was only told that I was to come before you."

"We know how you feel about the messenger."

"Messenger? Cordelia??" he whispered

"Yes, the human, the messenger. Cordelia Chase."

"What does Cordelia have to do with any now? I'm dead. She's still of the living."

"You love her."

"Yes" he replied, with some hesitation.

"She loves you. We have seen her reaction when your name is mentioned, since your death"

"She loves me" Doyle whispered in awe

"Yes. Love is the way of humans. Their purpose if you will."

"What does this mean?"

"We know of your life Allan Francis Doyle." The other Power elaborated " You have given you life so that theirs may continue. Now even in your death, you worry only of how their lives have progressed. You care naught of your after life."

"But what does this mean? How does this affect me?"

"The Powers That Be, believed that you have earned you redemption, but also that you should be rewarded for you selflessness."

"A reward? What kind of reward?"

"You have been granted the opportunity to return to your life."

"You'd send me back? I get another chance?"

"Yes."

'I'll take it. I can't thank you enough for another chance to be with Cordelia"

"Thank us not. It is you who have earned this gift."

* * * * * * * *

Buffy sat in the circle of Angels arms after finishing the wonderful breakfast that Angel cooked for her.

"When are you going home?"

"Another day or two"

"How is this relationship gonna work?"

"Why are you asking me?"

"Well. I've decided that all of our decisions are going to be equal from now on. You are gonna have a say in ever decision in this relationship from now on."

"OK. So, for now, I have school during the week, and you have the agency, but we can commute on the weekends." She smiled up at him. "And maybe for next year, I can transfer to UCLA. Mom wanted me to go away to school after all. And I'll still be close enough to the hellmouth for when there's prophecies of demons. The guys can handle the run of the mill usual vamps. "

"Hold on a second" Angel pushed Buffy up from her comfortable position so he could get up and retrieve something from his desk. He came back and held out Buffy's missing Claddagh. "I found this when I was packing up to leave. I figured that maybe you'd want it back now that we're back together." He slid it on to her ring finger. "There's, ah, something that I never told you about this ring..." He looked up to see the tears pouring from Buffy's eyes. Her smile however assured his assumption that these were tears of happiness. "These rings are, well, they're wedding rings. Technically, they marry us."

* * * * * * * *

"...Technically, they marry us." Buffy gasped at this revelation.

"They - They marry us?" He nodded. "We - We're married?" At his smile and nod, a grin broke on her face and she threw herself into the arms of her Angel. "We're married, you're my husband. Oh My God. Oh, Angel. I've never been so happy in my life."

* * * * * * * *

The next Day:

Riley sat in his room, reading, when his mind wandered to Buffy. His girlfriend. She was visiting her father, but she said that she would be home in a day or two. Or so said Willow, her best friend. Willow WOULD know. So, here he was. Waiting for his girlfriend to return from her impromptu vacation. He wasn't worried about her per say, she was the slayer after all, he didn't know what exactly a slayer was, but he knew that she was REALLY strong, and could without a doubt take care of herself.

* * * * * * * *

Cordelia sat on her sofa, flipping through a cosmo magazine. She had just watched Doyle's 'Angel Investigations' commercial and wanted to get her mind off of him for a little while. Angel was really starting to rub off on her and she was almost brooding. So far, it was doing nothing for getting her mind off of Doyle. He was pretty much all she ever thought about. Just then there was a knock at the door. She tossed the magazine on the table and went to answer it. She opened the door, looked at the person on the other side, and promptly fainted.

* * * * * * * *

Doyle walked up to the door to Cordelia's apartment and knocked somewhat timidly. He heard her get up and walk to the door. He watched as the door opened, Cordelia looked him straight in the face, and fainted. He rushed to pick her up and carry her into the living room to lay her down on the chesterfield.

"Cordelia. Wake up, Princess, You gotta wake up, please." Cordelia's eyes slowly flickered open slowly. She looked up at him dreamily.

"Doyle? Oh, god. I must be dreaming."

"No Darlin', you're very much awake. I'm here, I've come back to you princess"

"Oh My God, Doyle." Now fully awake, Cordy was gathered into Doyle's arms, where she cried her heart out and held onto him for all that she was worth. "Oh, you were dead, and I was alone, and...Promise that you'll never leave me again?"

"I promise. I'll never leave. I promise you darlin'. I'm here to stay."

"But How?"

"My reward. And I see that our boy Angel, has gotten his reward too."

"Yeah. And so have i. I got you back, and now I can tell you how much I love you, and all of the other things that I never got to say before you died."

* * * * * * * *

Part Seven

* * * * * * * *

Cordelia lay sleeping in the circle of Doyle's arms. They had talked for a bit, about his dying, her visions, his demon half, and all the things they had been afraid to say before he died. There were many tears and Cordy had cried herself to sleep. So here they lay, Doyle had promised to stay the night with her so that she could make sure that he was still there in the morning when she woke up. They were going to take the relationship slow of course. They had both been hurt before, but she felt better just being with him.

* * * * * * * *

The next morning Cordelia walked into the office with Doyle to find Buffy and Angel talking to Wesley. "Hey, Cordy." Angel greeted "Hey Doyle." Then he did a double take. "Doyle!?!"

He got up in a rush and gathered Doyle in a hug. Then, releasing him, looked him in the face. "How are you alive? Are you alive?"

"Yeah, man. I'm here. I'm alive. It was my reward from The Powers That Be. I get another chance." He looked from Angel to Buffy and back to Angel again. "And I see you two have gotten another chance as well. Good for you Angel. Couldn't have happened to a more deserving fella'"

"So, since everybody's happy, an I have to go back to Sunnydale in the morning," Buffy suggested. "Why don't we go out to supper tonight as a sort of celebration. I mean.how often is it that your friend comes back from the dead."

"Great Idea" Cordy agreed

"Yeah" Seconded Doyle

"Sure" Followed Angel

"I don't believe that I'll attend. I have other matters to attend to."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. You four go. I'll be fine."

"Cool, Then it'll be like a double date."

"Buffy, do you even have anything to wear?" Cordy asked.

"No I kinda came here in a hurry."

"Then, we have to go shopping and find some clothes for you."

"Ok. Sure." She turned her eyes toward Angel gave him an imploring look.

"Fine" he surrendered, handing her his credit card. 'You two, go buy yourselves each an outfit. But DON'T go overboard."

"We won't" the replied innocently, before turning and walking out for an afternoon of shopping. They left the guys there to talk about what had happened since his 'death'.

* * * * * * * *

The girls returned later that evening, each bearing bags from several different shops. After talking for a few minutes, they decided to go to a new french resturant not far from both the office, and Cordelia's apartment. "Come on, Doyle." Cordy announced. "We have to go and get ready. We'll see you two in an hour. Don't get distracted."

"We won't. That's what's supposed to happen AFTER dinner at the fancy restaurant, Cordy"

Cordelia and Doyle left, both laughing. Buffy and Angel went downstairs, to change and get ready. Wesley had left earlier, with claims of 'Unavoidable prior engagements'.

* * * * * * * *

Buffy stepped out of the bathroom wearing a spaghetti strap, shimmering, midnight blue dress, with matching shoes. The dress reached the floor and had a slit up the side that reached her mid-thigh.

He was dressed, not surprisingly, in black pants, a black blazer and a white shirt. They made a stunning couple. They walked up stairs to wait for Cordelia and Doyle.

When the pair entered, Buffy was amazed, their friends looked so happy together. This was the happiest she'd ever see Cordy. Cordelia was dressed in a strapless, emerald green dress that was the same length as Buffy's, ajnd had a slit on both sides, that reached just above her knees. "You ready to go?" Cordy asked

"Yeah, just let me grab my purse" Buffy answered. With that the two couples went and got into Angels black convertible. They drove the short distance to the restaurant. And went in. Angel had made the reservations, seeing as he was a friend of the owner. (By friend I mean, the owner owed him a favor). They drew quite a number of stares as they were led o their table.

They ate their meals with comfortable conversation. And once they had finished their supper, and desert, they left and drove to the office where Angel and Buffy went downstairs to the apartment, while Cordy and Doyle left in her car.

* * * * * * * *

After changing, Buffy and Angel decided just to go to bed and go to sleep. She would be leaving in the morning, driving back to Sunnydale in Angels car. He would drive down with Cordy or Doyle if he needed it, if not, she would be brining in back when she came up for the weekend. At the end of the weekend, someone would be giving her a ride home.

As they lay, on the verge of slumber, Buffy whispered to Angel. "I love you. You make me feel like a normal girl."

Through the haze of sleep she thought she heard him reply "Falling asleep in the arms of her normal boyfriend"

* * * * * * *

Part Eight

* * * * * * * *

Buffy turned on the radio as she drove on the highway, in the direction of Sunnydale. She was so glad that her mother had let her get her license a few weeks back. As she drove she thought of the past few days she had spent with Angel. It had felt wonderful to be back in his arms again, and she could hardly wait until next weekend. Willow would be so happy to hear that she and Angel had gotten back together, her only problem was how to break up with Riley. She couldn't just break up with him as soon as she got back...he would know that something happened in L.A., she didn't want to break his heart like that. She would wait a day or two first, then break the news to him. She would tell him that she was married. She loved the sound of that. Her husband Angel. She would love to introduce him as that.

* * * * * * *

Willow looked out the window of her and Buffy's dorm room and saw her roommate drive into the student parking lot in a - black convertible? She rushed out of the room and down to the lobby to meet her.When she saw Buffy, she ran over and hugged her, before looking her straight in the eye. "I want details.And an explanation would be nice. What? There's no clause? You back together?"

"Let's go up to the room and I'll spill it all." Buffy suggested

* * * * * * * *

Once in the room, Buffy and Willow sat on the witch's bed and Buffy began her story.

"You remember a while back when I went to L.A.? Well I was at Angels and a demon broke through the window, it got away and we had to go kill it. He went through the sewers looking and I went around town. He found the demon and fought it, some of it's blood mixed with his and made him mortal. Don't say anything just yet." She explained, interupting Willow before she had a chance to cut in. "He found me on the pier walked over to me in the sunlight, and he kissed. Oh, Will, It was the most amazing kiss. We went back to his place and talked about taking it slow. Then I got up to leave and I touched his hand. There was so much feeling in that one touch, we both lost it. Anyway, as it turned out the demon wasn't actually dead, and Angel went to go fight it only to discover that he had only mortal strength. The demon almost killed him, but, then I showed up and killed the demon. He went to see the Oracles, and they told him that if he stayed mortal then I would die so he asked them to change him back. They turned time back, and only he was supposed to remember so that we could kill the demon without their blood mixing. I wasn't supposed to remember but, that spell made me remember so that's why I have to leave."

"He gave up his humanity so that you could live?" Willow asked with tears in her eyes. "That's the most romantic thing I've ever heard"

"Yeah. So now were back together and there's no clause"

"What about Riley? You should at least call him and let him know that you're back in town. He has been calling all day to see if you've gotten back yet."

"Okay" She said, picking up the phone and dialing Rileys room.

* * * * * * * *

Riley hung up the phone after talking with Buffy. She had just gotten back from L.A. He had asked her if she wanted to do something, but she said that she was tired and would see him tomorrow. 'I know' He thought. 'I'll go surprise her' And with that thought he left his room.

* * * * * * * *

"Ok. So I want details.You've been gone like three days"

"Will, It was so wonderful. Well I had a hard time getting there but. I got kidnapped by someone that Angelus had sired and after I had killed him, I went straight to Angel's apartment. When I got there, there was a message for me from Cordy. She gets visions now, so she knew I was coming and she knew that there was no happiness clause in the curse. So went downstairs to find Angel tied to the bed, which I will explain later. Oh, but Willow, it was.Umm.exquisite. We made love and the next morning I woke up in his arms...It was like a dream come true. These past few days have been the greatest days of my life."

* * * * * * * *

Riley walked down the hallway, holding a small bouquet of daisies, when he got close to Buffy and Willow's room, he heard voices from within. He assumed that Buffy was telling Willow about her visit with her father, and that Willow was telling Buffy about what had been going on in Sunnydale while she was gone. Once he was in front of the door he could hear exactly what was being said.

".and after this semester I'm gonna move in and transfer to UCLA. I mean mom wanted me to leave Sunnydale anyway. Plus, I'll be close to dad and Cordy, and Well, I'd have a job that works with my schedule." He never heard the rest of the conversation. Buffy was leaving, switching schools? Why? When did she decided this? He stood there, thinking about what he had just heard. So lost, he was, that he never saw the door opening.

* * * * * * * *

Buffy looked up. "What is it?" Willow asked.

"There's someone outside the door"

Buffy and Willow both got up and went to the door, opened it, and saw Riley standing there, holding a bouquet of daises in his hand.

"Riley!? What are you doing here?"

"I- uh"

"Did you hear what we were talking about? You were standing out here for a while."

"I- Yeah"

"How much did you hear exactly?"

"You're getting a job, moving to L.A., and transferring to UCLA."

"Riley, I think we should talk"

"I should go" Willow, who had been silent up until this point, said.

"No Will, stay.

"Buffy, Why are you leaving?"

"I have to tell you something. You might want to sit down for this"

"What?"

"Riley. It's over between us."

"Why? Did you meet someone in L.A.? Is there someone else?"

"I'm sorry to have to tell you this Riley, but you're the other man." She took a deep breath and looked him straight in the eye. "Riley, I'm married" She looked over at Willow who was about to say something and just gave her an 'I'll explain later' look and nodded.

A grin broke out on Riley's face. "That was even better than last time. You REALLY had me fooled, that time."

"Riley, this isn't a joke. Last time it wasn't either, but it was a fake engagement, kind of a side effect of one of Willow's spells. I was married then too."

"Married? You're serious?"

"Yeah. I'm really sorry."

"How long have you been married?"

"Since WAY before I met you"

"Then why? Why did you let me believe that.Was it a game? We're you trying to hurt me?"

"NO! I honestly care about you. I would never hurt you intentionally. It's just that.well we were separated, and.I don't know what to tell you."

"That's why you're leaving. Your husband."

"Yeah, we had some problems.but we've worked them out, and I'm going to LA to be with him." She explained, her face glowing

"I understand. Well, no I don't but.I can see that you're happy, so, who am I to get in the way." He said getting up. He handed her the flowers before walking out the door.

"That's an intricate lie you cooked up there" Willow said, once Riley was gone.

"That's the thing Will, It wasn't a lie"

"What?!?!?!"

"It wasn't a lie. I really am married"

"Of all the people in this room, who is your best friend?"

"You are."

"Why didn't I know?"

"I just found out. Well, just after I got off of the phone with you, he told me. He explained that the claddagh rings were actually wedding rings. Will, I've been married since my seventeenth birthday."

"Oh,WOW!" Willow jumped up and hugged her friend. "I am so happy for you guys. When are you gonna tell the gang?"

"Well, I'm going up this weekend, and when he drives me back, we're gonna tell everyone together. Can you keep it a secret that long?"

"Yeah. Whose car was that that you drove here?"

"Angel's. Well, I guess mine and Angel's. Wanna go for a spin?"

"Hell yeah" With that statement ran down to the parking lot and hopped into the sleek black convertible.

* * * * * * * *

Kate walked into 'Angel Investigations' and saw Cordelia at her desk talking to Doyle, who had planted himself on top of it. "Why princess? It's not like you're gonna you're do any work, either way."

"Cordelia. Angel here?" Kate interrupted

"In his office"

Kate walked into the office, after knocking on the door, to find Angel sitting at his desk, reading a book. "Busy day?"

"Oh, Kate. Hi"

"You too. I got that information you wanted."

Just then Cordy poked her head through the door. "Angel, you have a call" she informed him sweetly.

"Who is it?"

She grinned widely at Kate. "B" she said remembering the name Faith had had for Buffy.

Kate was sure she saw a smile light Angel's face as he picked up the phone.

"Hey. You too. What did you do? Did you crash my car? OK. just don't total my car. I'll call you in a bit. Love you too." He hung up the phone and turned back to Kate. "What were you saying?"

"Got the Info you wanted. Who was that? Family member?"

"No"

"Girlfriend?" She asked, dreading an affirmative answer. She was briefly content with the answer. BRIEFLY.

"No"

"Then it was...?"

"My wife." He replied. Reveling being able to call Buffy that.

"Wi-wife? You're married?"

"Yeah. About two years now" "I see. I'm just gonna go now. If you need anything."

* * * * * * * *

Cordelia grinned as she saw Kate leave the office, blushing and stuttering.

"Ha. She deserved that. Coming on to Angel the way she was."

* * * * * * * *

Buffy lay in bed that night, with a smile on her face. Were anyone awake, they would have heard her, in sleep, say her beloved's name. Till the end of the semester, until she transferred to UCLA, she would only see her husband on the weekends. While she was asleep though, while not together, they would see each other.

Authours note: No I am not that Cruel. There will be a sequel. This fic, started by a suggestion, will become a series. I already have some plans, but if you have a request or a suggestion...By all means...Let me know.

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