Rating: PG ish
Summary: Buffy and Angel hate each other. Well we can't have that could we?
Disclaimer: Not mine. Belongs to the evil god Joss and companyAuthors notes: This is an AU fic. ( yes, another one! They are my fav to write!)
Feedback: Yes please!!! Just tell me of you like it, and I'll keep on writing!

Buffy Summers pushed the doors open to Lingo Networking clutching her resume in her hand. This was the last job interview she had today, and hopefully this one wouldn't turn her down.

She was walking so fast, that she tripped on a bag that was lying on the floor and toppled over it.

Lying on the ground face down, Buffy took a deep 'calm down before you kill the idiot that left that bag there' sigh.

She calmly picked herself up and started walking again. She was just pressing the button to the lifts when she realized she hadn't picked up her resume.

*Oh crap.* Buffy thought, turning around and heading back the way she had come.

*This day has been just perfect.*

And her day just got even better when she saw a man picking up her resume and smirking at it.

" Excuse me, sir, but may I have my resume back please? I am already late for an interview, and I really need this job." She said impatiently in mock politeness.

" Oh, it's yours?" The man said, raising his head from the piece of paper in his hands, but still not wiping the smirk off his face.

" Yes, it's mine." Buffy said coldly. She didn't like the way this man was looking at so she couldn't be bothered with niceties.

" Well, I wouldn't be bothered, if I were you. I just got the job you are trying to get."

Buffy didn't believe a word he was saying. After the way he treated her so far, he was in her bad books, and it would take a lot for him to get out of it.

" Can I PLEASE have my resume." She repeated. It wasn't a question. It was order.

" Yes sir!" Said the man, even giving her a salute.

He handed her the resume then disappeared outside the doors Buffy had entered just a few minutes earlier.

" Jerk." She said under her breath, and headed for the lift again.

She entered the lift and pressed the little round button that said 13 on it. While she was waiting to get to her level, she straightened her crumpled resume and once again thought about the rude brown haired, brown eyed, man that had crumpled it up in the first place.

When she had first seen him looking at her resume, she thought he was quite handsome. He was well built and was well dressed in a black suit and a blue silk shirt. Oh, but her reaction had certainly changed.

She finally arrived at her floor, and went left, just as her directions had said.

She saw a reception desk with the words " LINGO NETWORKING" in gold metal behind a kind looking secretary.

She walked up to the reception desk and stared expectantly at the secretary whose head was currently looking downwards at a stack of papers.

" Excuse me? I'm Buffy Summers, I'm here for a job interview?"

The secretary's head looked up at her and gave her a warm smile. " Yes Mr. Parish is waiting for you, go right in."

Buffy went in to the interview, and aced it. The man she had met a few minutes ago had not been lying, but they decided she was too good to refuse.

" Ask the secretary, ahh, Nelly her name is, to show you to a person who will show you your desk and such." Said Mr. Parish, then turn on his lap top and began typing like crazy.

Buffy thanked Mr. Parish, and quickly left his office and went back over to Nelly, who was more than happy to show her around instead of getting somebody else to do it.

" -And finally I'll show you where your desk is Ms. Summers." Nelly said cheerfully.

" You'll like where who you're sitting next to. A charming young man called Angel. You'll love him. He already works here so if you need any more questions just ask him!"

" Thank you Nelly so much! This Angel sounds nice!" * I wonder what he looks like? * Buffy thought. After all, she hadn't had a boyfriend for ages.

Nelly left her just a few meters away from her desk telling her she was needed and directing her to her desk which was just around the corner.

Buffy happily watched her go, then headed for her desk. And sure enough, Buffy reached it, and saw the same man she had met downstairs sitting at a desk she presumed was his, which was right opposite hers.

She went and sat down at her desk and stared daggers at him.

" You again." He said with the smirk still on his face.

" I am going to chose to ignore you for now, but since you are the only person I fractionally know, could you tell me where Angel is?" She said this while still shooting daggers at him.

His smirk was instantly wiped off replaced by a mischievous grin.

" Why, miss. That's me." Angel said.

Part Two

From that day on, both Buffy and Angel treated each other like dirt. They were perfectly nice people, maybe even the nicest, but to each other, they were vile.

By this time, they had been working for the company for a year together, and every singly day of that year, Buffy and Angel played vulgar jokes on each other.

Take for instance, Buffy's Birthday. Which, in fact, was a few weeks after her first day.

Buffy had become great friends with nearly everyone in the office, and so everyone remembered her birthday. She got presents, cards and even a birthday cake baked by Nelly.

And to surprise her even more, Angel gave her a gift toO.

It was a medium sized red box, and when Angel handed it to her, she thought that he had come around, and was apologizing for the way he had been treating her.

Boy, was she wrong.

She opened the lid of the box, and saw that there was nothing in it.

She looked to Angel with a baffled look, but when he gave her an encouraging look, she looked even closer, sticking her head right into the box and her hand as well.

But then suddenly her face and hands shot out of the box, and with her nose scrunched up she ran straight to the women's bathroom.

Everyone was confused. " What was in there Angel?"Asked Nelly.

" Oh, nothing. I just needed to pee this morning, and I had nothing else to do it in." Everyone laughed at this thinking it was just a harmless joke.

While Buffy was washing her face and hands trying to rid her self of the foul smell she thought to herself *All right. If he wants a war, he'll get one.*

From then on, people knew not to get in Buffy or Angel's way if there was a practical joke in action.

All people that is, except for the Boss, Mr. Parish.

Back to the present now, it had been and past lunch already and no gag had yet been done. Every one was relaxing and just doing their work when the boss came in.

Every one ignored him as usual, so he just kept walking towards Buffy and Angel's desks. He needed to ask one of them something.

Meanwhile, Angel was preparing a flour bomb to throw over at Buffy. It was already, and checking that the coast was clear, he threw it to an unsuspecting Buffy.

And it landed right next to her on her computer.

" Bastard, you are a jerk and you can't throw. BONUS!" Buffy said, then turned back to her work.

Angel had a plan B. An EXTRA flour Bomb. He picked it up and threw it just before he realized the boss was right in front of him. It was to late to stop it. The flour bomb hit, and exploded in Mr. Parish's face.

Angel was dead.

But before he could be buried, it was time for groveling.

" I'm so sorry Mr. Parish, I wasn't aiming for you, I was aiming for Buffy. Honest."

Immediately Buffy, who had watched all this with a smile on her face, quickly wiped it off as the boss looked at both Angel and Buffy.

" Angel. Buffy. My office. NOW." And with that, Mr. Parish stormed off.

Buffy stood up and walked over to Angel's desk. " Nice one 'Angel'" Buffy said, then followed the now retreating form of Mr. Parish.

*Great, look what I've gotten myself into* Angel thought, then followed Buffy.

Buffy and Angel walked into Mr. Parish's office and sat down guiltily awaiting Mr. Parish's sentence.

Mr. Parish sat there, still covered in flour, and stared at Buffy and Angel.

Finally he spoke.

" I am very disappointed in both of you. You both are the best workers here, and you do this." He said towards him.

Buffy couldn't take this. She was getting the blame when she didn't do ANYTHING.

" Mr. Parish, I didn't do any-"

" No, Ms Summers, I am fully aware of you and Mr. Healy's actions everyday."

" Oh" Buffy said,. Averting her eyes and looking at her hands which were in her lap.

" Now, I am a patient man, so, instead of firing two of my best workers, I have decided to give you a chance-your ONLY chance."

" Yes sir. What is it?" Asked Angel.

" You and Buffy will have to stay in the same house with only each other for seven days. No one will be able to go in or out. All food will be accounted for, so all you need to bring is yourselves and some clothes."

Mr. Parish smiled at the reactions he saw play out on each persons face.

"It will start on Monday, so I suggest, Ms Summers and Mr. Healy, that you get packed and meet me at this address on Monday. And don't worry, you won't miss out on any pay."

Handing them each the address on a piece of paper, he dismissed them, and Buffy and Angel walked gloomily out of the room.

Part Three

On Sunday night, Buffy started to pack her suitcase for the week to come . * The week of HELL more like it* Buffy thought as she packed the last of her clothes.

Buffy had packed all the necessities she would need, plus a few gags she could play on Angel if he got even more mean and annoying then he already was.

And not for the first time that night, she played the flour bomb accident that had happened on Friday in her head over and over again. If only she had just pushed the boss out of the way or if only Angel had threw them quicker so the boss didn't see anything.

There were to many 'if only's'. She just had to face the hard fact, that tomorrow she would have to start the first day of her seven days of torture.

Buffy's mind finally had peace as she drifted off to sleep.

***

Buffy arrived at the address that was written on the piece of paper at a little over 8 o' clock. And to her absolute disgust, Angel was there too.

" So you're here bright and early to beg the boss for forgiveness too??" Buffy quipped. She knew it was impossible to change the boss's mind, after all the begging she did to him on Saturday night., he still hadn't changed his mind.

" Happy to see you too 'Bunny' " Angel said. He decided to make the time he had with her hell, so at least he'd get one kick out of this stay.

" Ha , ha I think your mouth has run away again, or maybe it's because you don't have a BRAIN!" She rebounded, then wheeled her suitcase to the front door, and checked to see if it was locked or not.

It was open, so she walked inside.

It was a small single story house, and as Buffy looked around it, it seemed to have only 3 rooms- Lounge room, Kitchen, and bedroom.

*Wait a sec* Buffy thought. * The is only ONE bedroom. She went back to the bedroom to make sure that it had two beds.

It only had one.

A double bed.

" Oh crap." She cursed aloud. " Not only do I have to be around you all the time, I have to SLEEP with you to!!" This must truly be hell.

Angel heard this, and joined her in the bedroom.

" Oh, sweet, I didn't think I'd actually be sleeping with you till at least the second day." He said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

" In your dreams." Buffy said and walked out of the room.

" Yeah, I wish it wasn't only in my dreams though." Angel yelled, then fell on the bed and sighed a big sigh. This was going to be a long week.

***

For the rest of the day, Buffy read a book, and Angel just stared into space and played solitaire. They had no TV and no radio. They had absolutely no connection to the outside world.

They ate dinner in silence and far away from each other, Angel in the lounge room and Buffy in the kitchen.

Finally the time came for when they had to go to bed.

They both ran to the bedroom and stared at the bed.

" As long as you don't try to kill me, and stay on your side of the bed, I'll be fine." Then she got into bed and immediately closed her eyes, wanting to get the look of him out of her system.

" My pleasure." He said as he got into the other side of the bed.They both scooted away from each other, which left a wide gap in between them.

*God, how am I going to last this week * Angel thought before he went to sleep.

***

And strangely enough, they both slept the most peaceful sleep that they had slept in their entire lives.

Part Four

Day Two.

Buffy didn't want to get up. She knew she had to go to work, but she was just so comfortable and at peace with herself, she didn't want to escape it.

She nuzzled herself deeper into the chest she was lying on and subconsciously stroked it.

She was about to go back to sleep when she realized something.

She didn't even have to go to work today. She was stuck in a house for seven days, with nothing to do and worst of all she had to sleep with .

Angel.

The thought finally struck her. She was lying in a bed pressed up close to Angel with her head on his chest. She opened her eyes to check if it wasn't a nightmare.

She opened her eyes quickly, and looked on Angel's face to see if he had seen anything. Surprisingly, he had this half smile on his face. And his eyes were closed. * Y'know he looks kinda cute with that smile on his face* Buffy thought without thinking.

*Whoa, where did that come from!* Buffy quickly hopped off the bed, grabbed some clothes to change into, then sped out the room.

Buffy got dressed had a shower. While she was doing this, she thought about what she was going to do today. She could have fun by staring at the floor but, oh gee she did that yesterday after she had finished her book.

Suddenly it came to her.

This house had a pool in it's backyard!! Lucky she brang her swimmers!!!

Buffy walked out of the bathroom with a spring in her step. She finally knew what she wanted to do, and not even Angel could bring her down from her happy mood.

She put her PJ's under her pillow, then went to the kitchen to have breakfast.

" Have a nice sleep Bunny?"

Angel.

" Don't call me that." Was all she said as she snatched the piece of toast he was about to eat and put it in her mouth.

*That's for calling me Bunny.* She thought, and then went to sit outside to check if the pool was fit for swimming in.

Sure enough, it was, and after finishing her toast, Buffy went back inside and changed into her swimming costume.

Angel had watched her all this time and caught the drift to what Buffy was going to do.

*Well, if she goes in before me, she won't let me swim. we can't have that!* Angel thought. He had to beat her to it.

As soon as she grabbed her swimmers and closed the bathroom door, he went into the bedroom and quickly slipped on his board shorts, then went and jumped in the pool.

He paddled around a bit, then he heard the back door opening . He stood up (He was in the shallow end, ) and turned around to face Buffy.

Buffy was definitely not ready for the scene that stood before her. She never knew that Angel had such a hot body, maybe even the hottest one she had ever seen.

She gasped and looked at Angel, stunned.

Angel meanwhile looked on in amusement.

Part Five

Buffy was in a daze. She completely forgot it was Angel she was staring at, and just lost herself in his muscles. *How does he get that many anyway? * Buffy thought.

Meanwhile Angel still stood, staring at her in amusement.

" Earth to Bunny? Bunny? Can all the rabbits around the world please bite her on the leg in unison to see if that can her wake up?" Angel was trying to tick Buffy off so he could snap her out of her daze.

And for the first time it wasn't working.

So he stepped out of the pool and headed towards Buffy. All through the supposedly long walk from the pool to Buffy, panic rose out from Angel. * What if she's dead? What if she passed out?* Angel didn't know where all this was coming from, but all he new was that he had to go check if Buffy was okay.

He reached her ( finally) and tapped her on the shoulder.

Buffy ( whose head was focused on his chest ) immediately snapped awake.

"- Nothing" Buffy said quietly, because half of her was still in a daze thinking about Angel.

" Okay then." Angel said, masking his relief that she was okay by quickly turning around and diving into the pool.

*What's wrong with me? * Buffy thought as she took off her bathrobe and proceeded to the shallow end of pool.

Buffy and Angel then spent the rest of the morning, and half of the afternoon swimming. Each occasionally commenting on the others lack of swimming ability, or in one case, Buffy's lack of brains because of her daze earlier.

It was now 3:oopm and Buffy was getting bored, so she decided she'd swim one more lap, then go back inside the house. The only problem was, that Angel was currently swimming across the pool in kind of a zigzag pattern.

Buffy decided that she didn't care if collided with him, it would just have to be up to him to move out of the way.

Watch out Angel, bulldozer Buffy was on her way.

Buffy quickly pushed off the side of the pool and torpedoed her way towards the end of the pool.

Angel never saw her coming.

He just felt a sharp a sharp pain in his head, and was about to blame it on Buffy's killer laser eyes, when he looked down to the bottom of the pool.

For there was Buffy, lying at the bottom, face down.

And she wasn't moving.

Without a second thought , Angel took a deep breath and headed towards Buffy.

Part Six

Angel's life slowed down to slow motion as he descended towards the drowned Buffy. All he could think was that it was his fault, and that if he hadn't moved when she was swimming.

But after taking Buffy in his arms all thoughts were to her safety as he swam back up for air and carried her out of the pool to lay her down on a wooden table. He immediately checked for broken bones, then checked her wrist for her pulse.

She had none.

Frantically, Angel tried to remember what he learnt in high school when they were teaching CPR. He remembered most o it, so he just had to make to with that because Buffy's life was at stake here.

Angel put his two hands on where he thought the heart was and pumped them., then brought his mouth down to hers and breathed some of his air into her. He then checked to see if she was breathing, which she wasn't and then repeated the whole thing again.

He did this for a full minute was nearly going to give up. He was in full breakdown mode. His hands were shaking every time he went to pump her chest and tears were coming out of his eyes. He could bear it no more. He was going to try one more time, then he was going to call the hospital.

" Buffy please, please come back to me!" Angel sobbed while doing CPR for the last time. He put his lips on hers and breathed his air into her for the last time. After checking that she still wasn't breathing, he collapsed over he hugging her desperately.

" I'm sorry I treated you so badly Buffy, I didn't know how to react when you were around. You were so- so different. I'm so sorry Buffy, I just hope that you will forgive me." He sniffled and then went to kiss her on the lips lightly.

He touched his lips to hers for a few seconds, then a new wave if sobs overcame him, and he pulled back.

What he didn't notice behind al the noise he was making was Buffy. She had faintly heard what he had said to her earlier , and she had just came back to life after some coughing. All that gone, Buffy looked over at the humped up weeping Angel and thought to herself why she ever hated him. He had just saved her life for God sake! And he had just unknowingly told her his feelings or her. In her eyes he was the most perfect person on earth.

"Angel." Buffy rasped out. After all she was still getting her voice back.

Angel sob's started to die down as he looked up to the now sitting form of Buffy

"..Buffy?"

Before she could say anything else, Angel had crushed her to him in a hug, and he was sobbing again.

" Ssshh, ssshhh, its alright, Angel I'm here and I won't go." She comforted him by saying things like that for the next few minutes and rubbing his back.

Suddenly Angel pulled back and brought his lips down on to hers. It was the most magnificent kiss Buffy had ever had in her whole life. She kissed him back, and it went on for what seemed like eternity.

Angel pulled out of it slowly an looked straight in her eyes.

" I've been wanting to do that for a long time."

" You too huh?" Buffy confessed. And it was true, she just didn't want to admit it to herself at the time.

Angel smiled and not for the firs time she marveled at how his eyes twinkled when he did it.

" I forgive you Angel. For all the things you've done to me. But can you forgive me?" She asked hopefully.

" Oh, Buffy I forgive you. An I'm very grateful that you forgive me."

And with that, Angel carried the still shaky Buffy into the house to get patched up.
Part Seven

After Angel carefully put Buffy to rest, he decided to leave her alone and think through with himself what had lead to the moment him and Buffy had just had.

From the first time he had seen her, he felt immediately connected with her. * But why did I treat her so badly?* He asked himself. The truth was, he had been so mean to her because he was scared of the feelings he got when he looked at her , or even if she just walked in to the same room as him.

* I was scared of her * Angel concluded. * I didn't know how to react around her. *

But why did he play all those pranks on Buffy, and why did she play them on him? This question caused Angel to think about this deeply, so he couldn't hear Buffy pad into the room and sit on the chair opposite him.

" Wakey wakey brood boy." She said, leaning over the table to gently tap him on the head which was currently looking at his lap.

Angel looked up to where Buffy was sitting, startled by her presence.

" Buffy, hi, I was just thinking about you." He admitted.

Buffy was a bit surprised by this, but acted cool.

" What were you thinking?" She asked curiously.

Angel stayed quiet for a moment, thinking if whether or not he should tell her. * She deserves to know this, even if she doesn't have the same feelings for me * Angel thought.He took a deep breath before he spoke.

He told her all about the first day he met her, and the feelings he experienced, he also told her how everyday, a little bit somewhere inside him died each time he did a prank on her.

Buffy listened, wide eyed at what Angel was admitting." - I think I did those things because I care about you Buffy. I care about you a lot, and the thought of losing you." Angel had to hold himself to stop him from crying. He never wanted to experience the emotions he had felt when he thought Buffy had died ever again.

" Oh Angel," Buffy whispered, getting all teary eyed and going over to hug him. " It's okay, ssh, ssh. It's okay Angel. I already forgave you- I - I care about you too, a lot." There, Buffy had finally got the words she had been practicing over and over in her bed .

Angel pulled away from Buffy to look at her face.

" You really mean that?"

" Yes I do." Buffy said firmly.

Smiling, Angel leaned in to kiss Buffy.

But they were interrupted by the doorbell .

A smile broke out on Buffy's face as a silent promise to Angel that they would continue what they had been doing later, and went to answer the door.

She opened it, and standing there with a smile on his face was Mr. Parish.

" Good day Buffy. Hope you haven't killed Angel yet." He said walking in carrying a box.

" Ah, hello to you too Angel." Said Mr. Parish putting the box on the table that Buffy and Angel had just been sitting around.

" Hi." He greeted, pulling out a chair for Buffy to sit on and then offering Mr. Parish a chair. But not accepting the offer and preferring to stand, Angel took Mr. Parish's chair.

" Well, I just came to see how you two are, and to give you this."

Mr. Parish pulled out a CD player and a couple of CD's.

" Wow. Thanks Mr. Parish! Really needed a touch of civilization in here!" Buffy said thankfully, then got up to inspect the merchandise.

Mr. Parish then turned his attention to the unusually quiet Angel, who was staring at Buffy with a strange look in his eyes. Clearing his throat to make himself known, Mr. Parish asked sternly, "Angel, what are your feelings in regard to Miss Summers?"

Angel didn't know what to do. He looked behind Mr. Parish for Buffy's help.

Buffy was violently shaking her arms and her head and mouthing the word "NO" at him.

Angel took the hint.

" Um, my feelings toward Buffy?" Angel had to struggle to get this out. "What feelings?"

"Hmmm, okay then, I have to go back to the office now, but I want you to get more feelings for her as the week goes on. That goes for you as well Miss Summers." He said, turning towards Buffy.

" Because I know they exist." He added, then walked out the front door to leave them alone.

"Something's up his pants" Buffy said, looking at Mr. Parish as he closed the front door.

Angel chuckled at this, and then Buffy remembered something.

" I believe we should continue what we didn't start before we were rudely interrupted, don't you?" Buffy said slyly, walking over to him and sitting on his lap.

" Oh but of course, we need to do what Mr. Parish said - get more feelings for each other."

" I agree, and I know just the thing that with help us do that."

Buffy smiled before closing her eyes and leaning in to kiss Angel.

Part Eight

The next four days flew past for both Buffy and Angel, and before they knew it, it was Saturday night- their last night, alone, in the house - together.

They had grown even closer since the day at the pool, and now both slept comfortably together in their bed, cradling each other in each others arms, though one of them had actually "done the deed" together yet.

Since tonight was so special, Angel decided to plan a surprise for Buffy. But of course, Buffy would't let Angel keep something from her for long.

" Come on Angel, tell me!!!" She screamed at him through the bathroom door. Angel was currently having a shower, but Buffy didn't care.

Hearing no reply, Buffy proceeded to bang on the door.

"ANGEL! COME OUT NOW OR I"LL -"

" You'll what?" Angel said, coming out of the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around his waist.

Buffy shut up as she watched Angel walk from the bathroom to their room. * He is so hot* Buffy thought. ( not for the first time!)

Angel knew that Buffy was staring. In fact, he had actually planned to bring nothing to change into in the bathroom just so she could be quiet for at least a second. Although he loved her, he didn't want her to ask him again, because he might accidentally let it slip to her what he had planned for them tonight.

That's right. He loved her. And he was going to tell her tonight.

" Angel!!"

If he didn't crack under pressure and tell her right now.

Angel emerged, dressed and went into the kitchen where Buffy was.

" Buffy for the last time I'm not going to-"

" No, not that, I just think that whatever you're cooking, it's probably extra crispy right now."

Angel turned towards the smoke that was coming from the oven.

" Oh Crap!!!" Angel quickly moved Buffy out of the kitchen and closed the door. He than opened the oven and pulled out his burnt chicken.* Great , just what I need* Angel thought.

He then spent the next hour cooking a whole different thing- he didn't want to wreck his and Buffy's night over a stupid chicken.

"Knock, Knock" Buffy was knocking at the kitchen door. " Angel, can I come in now? I promise I won't pester you any more." She said honestly.

Angel quickly covered up all the food, then opened the door to Buffy, who rewarded him with a kiss.

" I missed you." Buffy whispered, looking into his eyes.

" I missed you too, an hour away from you is too long." Angel agreed.

" Are you finished?" Buffy said after another kiss.

"Yes, just give me another few minutes and wait in the living room." Angel said, then closed the door reluctantly. * It'll all be worth it* Angel thought, as he put the finishing touches on their dinner.

***

"Now close your eyes and keep them shut." Angel said while looking carefully at Buffy's eyes to make sure she wasn't peeking. Confidant that she wasn't, he took her hand gently and lead her into the living room, which he had set up after locking Buffy in the kitchen.

After double checking that everything was perfect, he positioned Buffy so that she was right in front of the table with their dinner on it, and stood beside her to see her reaction.

" Okay, you can open your eyes now."

And when she did, what she saw took her breath away.

There were candles everywhere. And when I mean everywhere, I MEAN everywhere. There were candles making a pathway to the table, then moving out round the living room. There wasn't any electricity needed in the entire room, because of all the candles. And when she saw the dinner , she immediately turned back to Angel who was watching her carefully with a huge grin on his face.

" You like it?"

" Oh Angel, I love it!! Thank you so much!" She moved closer to him , and to fully express her feelings she leaned in and pulled him into a passionate kiss.

Things were really starting to heat up, when Angel slowly pulled out of the kiss. " I think we should eat before the food goes cold."

" I agree."

For the next hour and a half they ate the scrumptious dinner Angel had prepared, occasionally stopping to feed each other.

When Angel returned with desert, Buffy went and sat on his lap and fed him ice-cream.

**

" Hmm, that was perfect Angel, thank you." Buffy said while snuggling deeper into his embrace.

"Glad you liked it." He said, turning to face her.

They were sitting on the one-seater sofa- well technically Angel was sitting on it and Buffy was sitting on him.

" Buffy, I have to tell you something."

" What is it Angel?"

Angel gathered up all his emotion and tried to put it into what he was going to say.

" Buffy, I Lo-"

" I guess this is a bad moment to pop in and say 'hi' huh?"

Willow.

Part Nine

Buffy jumped off Angel in surprise, and then turned to face Willow with a look like she had just seen a ghost. She then collected herself, and stared at Willow expectantly waiting for an explanation for why she had just entered their house without knocking.

She was glad to see her room mate/ best friend and everything, but why did she have to pop up now of all times? A time which she felt Angel was going to say something important.

Willow took the hint.

"Oh, Hi, sorry for interrupting everything, I - you told me to stop by one day this week to try and save you from Angel." Willow said pointedly at Angel. " But as things are looking A-OK between you guys, I'll just go!"

Turning around and walking quickly towards the front door, Willow flashed Buffy the 'thumbs up' sign, before she disappeared into the night.

" She seems nice." That was all Angel could say about the redhead that had just visited and ruined his special moment with Buffy.

"Let's ignore her for the time being." Buffy said, taking her place back on Angel's lap. " What were you about to say?"

Angel thought about this, for this wasn't perfect moment he had thought to tell her.

" Nothing, it was just a spur of the moment thought." He would tell her later.

Not completely satisfied with Angel's answer, but not objecting, they continued with the night Angel had planned.

**

"Mmm, that was nice." Buffy sighed, as she pulled back the covers on the bed, then went to lay down next to Angel.

" Glad you liked it."

Buffy the proceeded to make herself comfortable, and laying her head on Angel's bare chest like a pillow.

" I could get used to this." Buffy whispered as she fell into slumber.

"Mmmhmm" Angel murmured as he drifted off into slumber with her.

Part Ten

The sun was out, birds were chirping, and everyone was already awake doing the Sunday chores.

All except Buffy and Angel, who were still asleep.

They were curled up together in their bed, with Angel's strong arms enclosed protectfully around Buffy, and she was using him like he was a big teddy bear, cuddling and clutching onto him tight.

Outside their house, a car puled up in the driveway, which made Buffy stir and slowly wake up.

She opened her eyes to see Angel still sleeping, but with a happy smile on his face. Buffy just lay there and gazed at him for the next few minutes, just admiring how the sunlight made his face glow.

But then, interrupting her thinking, came a knock on the door. Buffy jerked a little at the unexpected noise, which woke up Angel.

" G'morning Buffy."

"Morning Angel." Buffy leaned down to give him a good morning kiss, but was interrupted again by the knocking at the door.

"Oh jeez, who could be knocking at this time of the morning?" Asked Angel, already going back to sleep.

Buffy glanced at the clock, and nearly fell out of bed.

" Angel, it's 1:30, and I think Mr. Parish is at the door."

Angel was awake now. He quickly bounded out of bed looking for a shirt to put on and some respectable pants, not boxers.

Buffy watched this in amusement, and when she saw he was trying to fit his head into the arm hole of his T-shirt, she decided to stop him.

" Angel, Angel, we don't have to be all dressed respectfully around him, where not at work."

Angel looked up at her, then took off his shirt, giving up on it.

" I know, Buffy, it's just, what will everyone say when we're a couple?"

The truth dawned on Buffy. But she didn't care.

" Angel I don't care what they think! All I know is that this nice, sweet guy, is going to be my boyfriend whether he likes it or not." Buffy said this gently, but with a touch of anger so he would get the point.

Angel smiled. Buffy really was stubborn when she wanted to be.

" You're right." Angel said, throwing his shirt on the floor. He could worry about what would happen later . But now, he had Buffy.

" Am I really your boyfriend?"

" The one and only! C'mere you!" Buffy ordered, pulling Angel into her arms for a kiss.

But they were interrupted in the middle of it by the sound of their door opening, and by someone clearing their throat.

Buffy and Angel ignored the person, to wrapped up in each other to care.

" Ahh, excuse me. Miss Summers, Mr. Finnegan." Said Mr. Parish uncomfortably.

This snapped Buffy and Angel awake from each other.

" Mr-Mr Parish hi!" Buffy said a little too happily.

Mr. Parish couldn't help but notice that they were holding hands before he spoke again.

" Well, sorry to interrupt, but as you know your seven days are up, and it seems like they've gone.nicely." That was the only word Mr. Parish could think of about Buffy and Angel's situation.

Buffy and Angel just turned to look at each other, than smiled, the turned back to Mr. Parish.

" Yeah, they have." Angel said, speaking up for the first time.

" Well, good, then I'll see you two back at work, tomorrow then."

And with that, Mr. Parish was gone smiling to himself. " I knew it, I just knew it! They were too mean to each other." He said under his breath as he got into his car and drove home.

***

Buffy and Angel had cleaned up the house and packed all their things back in their suitcases by 3:oopm, and now the were heading out the door to go back to their homes.

" So, I'll see you tomorrow at work?" Angel asked hopefully.

" Yeah definitely! We both have to go there!" Buffy tried to make a joke to lighten up the situation . She didn't want to say 'bye' to Angel, she wanted to keep on waking up next to him forever.

" Well, I better go." Angel said reluctantly, knowing that eventually one of them had to leave.

"Yeah, bye." Buffy said than kissed him on the cheek, turned around, and started for her car.

Angel looked on after her, then as he watched her drive off, he turned around and headed for his own car.

" I love you." He said under his breath, then drove home, while repeatedly telling himself that he would see her tomorrow.

Part Eleven

Buffy woke up the next day at 9:30am. She was late.

" Oh CRAP!!" Buffy screamed, the jumped out of her bed grabbed some clothes, then had a quick 30 sec shower.

She was meant to be at work by 10am, and it took her half a hour to get to work. * Why did I have to sleep in TODAY!!!* Buffy thought as she grabbed some toast, the headed out her apartment door. She didn't consciously know it, but she had dreamed of Angel, and it was simply such a nice dream, her subconscious didn't want to escape from.

She barricaded through the doors of Parish Networking, and the frantically took the lift up to her office.She glanced at her watch while waiting for the elevator to stop at her floor. It was 10:28 am.

She heard the little 'DING" sound that indicated she was at her floor, and silently cursing slow elevators she ran out the doors.

She was meant to meet Mr. Parish a Half-hour ago, and Buffy felt that if she missed it, her job might be in jeopardy.

She pushed opened the doors of the main office where everybody had their own desk, and headed for hers. She was about half way towards her desk, when she rammed into somebody.

She toppled back first towards the ground, when she was immediately scooped up a hairs length from the ground by strong arms.

Familiar strong arms. Arms that had held her for most of those glorious four days.

"Angel." Buffy breathed. He was leaning over her with his arms wrapped around her back to keep on falling anymore than she could.

His lips were just a few centimeters from hers, and she hadn't kissed him in 19 hours. Give or take a few minutes. But who was counting?

Angel was thinking the exact same thing as Buffy, and though he hadn't said anything , his eyes said everything.

When Buffy hadn't arrived at work at ten, Angel was worried it was something he'd done, that he had scared her away.

But now she was right in front of him, and the urge was too strong to ignore. He leaned his head closer and captured his lips with hers.

There, with everybody looking in, they poured all there longing and love into that kiss to show how they felt without words.

The whole office looked on speechless, completely awed at what these two people were expressing towards each other. Some eve stared to clap, an a few even shed a few tears at the beautiful sight infront of them.

By the time Buffy and Angel came up for air, they straightened up to a standing position. There was a uproar of applause. Buffy looked on, confused, but Angel pulled her out of it.

" Buffy, I've been wanting to say this since Saturday night."

" You can tell me Angel." Buffy reassured him lightly running her fingers through his hair for encouragement.

" I. I love you."

A tear rolled down Buffy's cheek in happiness as she kissed him again. It was a short kiss, but not meaningless, confirming that she had the same feelings for him. But needing to tell him, she looked into his eyes while more tears started flowing .

" I love you too."

Nearly everyone in the office was grabbing a tissue by this time.

Smiling, Angel leant in to kiss her again, when a familiar face stopped him.

"Marti." Angel said, wrapping a possessive arm around Buffy, then turned to face the blonde haired lady.

" Who.are you?" Buffy asked, trying not to sound rude, but failing miserably.

Looking proud of herself, Marti answered.

" I'm Angel's wife."

Part Twelve

"What?" Buffy whispered. As soon as Marti had said those words, an unimaginable amount of pain went through her. She could barely stand.

"That's right, I am his wife. Ask Angel." Marti said, fixing her cold glare on Buffy.

Buffy turned to face Angel. " Is this true?" She squeaked out.

While all this was happening, the whole office was looking on. " This is better than tv." Somebody whispered.

Angel looked down at the ground, then looked up to face Buffy.

" Yes, she was."

Buffy's pain heightened, and this time she couldn't keep herself standing. She went crashing to the ground, but was saved again by Angel.

" But Buffy-" Angel pleaded for her to listen to his explanation.

" Stay away from me!" Buffy shouted, then picked herself up and ran out the door.

Angel shot a cold glare at Marti, who was smiling, then ran off to catch Buffy.

Buffy was currently banging her head on a wall, blaming herself for being that stupid. Of course he had to be married!!! Look how handsome and nice he was!!! NO ONE could be like that unless they already belonged to someone else.

"Buffy." Angel said walking up to her slowly with his hand outstretched.

Buffy turned to face him, her hurt and pain evident in her eyes and her stature.

" What? Are you going to tell me you have children too?" * Please no. * Buffy thought. If he did, she was going to totally lose it.

" Buffy just let me explain."

Buffy stared at him, using her eyes to tell him to go on, but she didn't trust him.

" Marti, I got married to her when I was 21. I was young and foolish, she was the first girl I ever liked. About a week after the marriage, she showed her true colours and the I divorced her a month later. Ever since she's been after me."

So he was married to her, but divorced her. Made sense. But there was one thing that was still bugging Buffy.

" Did you love her?"

Angel seemed surprised by this question, but his eyes softened a little bit.

"No. I have experienced love Buffy. I know what it is now. It's when you can't stop thinking about them night and day, whenever the person you love is around, the whole room light up and there is no one in the room but them."

Buffy smiled a sad smile, thinking he was talking about someone else, and a tear trickled down her cheek.

" I have experienced love Buffy. With you."

The realization suddenly dawned on Buffy, and without thinking , she leapt into his arms, sobbing frantically .

Angel held tightly on to Buffy, thinking about how close he was to losing her. Gently pulling her head to face him, Angel said the words that he could ever get sick of telling her for the rest of his life.

" I love you."

Buffy smiled, but this time it was a happy smile, and she felt tears starting to come again as her eyes glazed over with love.

"I love you too."

They sealed their love with a kiss and a promise that they would ever let someone get between them again.

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