Rating: PG
Timeline/Spoilers: S5 Buffy/S2 Angel, Darla was never brought back, Riley's left already, and Buffy hates him.
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Distribution: Want it, take it :)
Dedication: Shirl Ujest, Leonie, Always Luv, Adia, Emma, Kathryn, Meghan (from N.S!) and all B/A shippers out there!
Author's Notes: This is a response to a challenge issued by Kathryn, the challenge is below! p.s this wasn't beta'd either!
Correct time line... (Buffy 5, Angel 2) Riley left, Buffy hates him (stupidstupid, letting vamps feed off him) Darla is gone, Angel and Gunn are for some reason in a "Fredrick's" (or other lingerie store ie: Victoria Secrets).I don't know the reason, maybe Cordy dragged them in there. Angel and Gunnsee (kinda eavesdrop, or spy) on Buffy. Spike can be with her, but only asher friend. He could be suggesting things (ha ha) Gunn makes a remark on howhot she is, which pisses Angel off immensely and he also gets worried on whySpike is with her while she is going on a sexy undies shopping spree (verypossessive). Humor, and Buffy and Angel screwage, make it fluffy. ooo shecan be buying some red and black silk corsets...

Angel sat there in his darkened room, staring out the window, all the bright lights of L.A greeting him, and his thoughts running rampant, he was dreaming of her again, his sunshine in the rain, his reason for living.

Buffy.

That one word, with only two syllables made his heart stir. Scolding himself mentally for thinking of her, he walked to the elevator, coming down to the main lobby, where Cordelia, Wesley, and Gunn were all chatting heavily.

"Okay, the guy said his hideout was at 2257 Main street, you get Angel, I'll make the java." Cordelia said to Wesley, as she was about to leave the room.

"What am I hunting?" Angel asked, his predatory face back in check as he came fully into the room.

"A vampire nest, downtown, your casual vampire, the master vampire is believed to have special defining features, but that's all the text says." Wesley replied from the computer console, looking up to Angel. "Oh wait, one more thing, his name is Max." Wesley finished.

"Man, I heard of him, he's one nasty-lookin' brother." Gunn exclaimed as he examined the fighting axe in his hands.

"Gunn, you're with me. Wes, you stay here, look up some more info, and Cordelia, have the med supplies out for when we get back." Angel advised, pulling his leather jacket over his shoulders.

"On it." Cordelia replied, disappearing into another room.

* * *

Angel and Gunn left for the address, when they came to the place, Angel's eyebrows knit together.

"Did they give me the right address?" Angel asked, looking up at the big building with the bright gleaming sign that read 'Fredericks: Lingerie for every past-time.'

"I'm willin' to find out." Gunn said with a smirk as he opened the door, he looked back to Angel. "You comin' man?" Gunn asked, as he noticed the frightened look on his face.

Angel gulped, then walked in.

Rack over rack of lingerie, it was displayed on the walls, scantily clad Mannequins everywhere.

A young girl dressed in leather walked over to them. "How may I help you? Shopping for that extra special girl before Christmas?" She asked in a sweet voice, her cleavage sticking out as she smiled.

"Nah, we're looking for some freaky lookin guys-" Gunn started, but Angel cut him off.

"G-strings." Angel finished, his fist clenched for Cordelia getting him into this mess. If Angel could turn red, he would.

"Oooh, we have *plenty* of those, follow me please." The girl said with a wink as she turned and walked, giving them the full view.

Gunn looked to Angel. "Damn girl, back that thang up." Gunn said with a smirk. Angel just shook his head and rubbed his temple as they walked down the white aisles.

As they were coming up to where the g-strings were located, the girl left, giving them a more than polite smile. Angel heard an ALL too familiar voice and did a double take when he saw who the two were in front of him.

"The silkier and softer the better love. Men love having that to come home to on cold nights." Spike said with a boyish grin as he looked through all of the piles of underwear.

Buffy rolled her eyes and her gaze caught Spikes. "You know as well as I do that *no* men are coming home to this slayer, I'm having big fun by myself." Buffy said a little too unconvincing.

"Right ducks.. You keep telling yourself, maybe one day you'll believe it." Spike said as he arched a brow, but saw something that caught his eye and all of his attention focused on it, forgetting Buffy, he held it up.

Angel backed up and dragged Gunn with him behind a mannequin with a red lather bodice on.

"Angel, calm yourself, what's the deal?" Gunn asked as soon as they were hidden from the two blondes.

Angel silenced him with a look, and gave him to motion to quiet down. "It's Buffy." Angel whispered and nodded in her direction.

Gunn raised his eyebrows and looked to her, giving her the once over, he whistled. "Damn, that girl is *hot*. That's the one you 'wham, bammed, thank you, mammed?'" Gunn asked as he turned to Angel.

Angel's blood boiled at that comment, he was becoming green with jealousy, for the fact that Buffy was underwear shopping with *Spike* and that Gunn was eyeing his past lover like a four-course meal. And a little pissed off that Gunn called their relationship a 'thank you mam,' fling.

"There was *little* bamming." Angel said uncomfortably. "We had a bond." Angel finished as he put his hand in his pockets (ooc: *grin, Simply Irresistible anyone?) .

"Yeah..more like bondage." Gunn said with a smirk, just egging Angel on, he loved to see the vamp like that, tried to get a rise out of him.

Angel gave him another look and returned his attention to Buffy. His thoughts also circled around her 'no men' comment...

* * *

"Buffy, I found something horribly naughty that you'd look delicious in, decision's made, you're getting these." Spike said as he held up some red and black silk corsets and waggled his brow.

Buffy eyed them, then groaned. "Remind me again why I brought you with me? Oh yeah, you hid in the back of my car and I promised not to stake you if you behaved. Suddenly I'm not feeling like such a friend." Buffy said in a fake-friendly voice as she pointed to her stake in her jacket.

"Yeah right love, you don't have the stones to stake me, you never have and you never will." Spike said matter-of-factly as he scanned the aisles looking for some more naughty-nightwear.

Buffy sighed and put the corsets down, then when Spike wasn't looking, she picked them back up noting to herself how much she liked them.

"Ready to go, pet?" Spike asked, getting bored seeing as the slayer wasn't likely to buy what he wanted her to anytime soon.

Buffy didn't answer and just walked up to cash. She paid for them, and they left, Spike smiling gleefully when he noticed the corsets in the bag.

* * *

Angel stood paralyzed. "Buffy...and Spike..lingerie shopping?..Together?" Angel muttered, dumbfounded. How good of friends had Buffy and Spike become after he left? But the 'no men' comment popped into his mind again, and he sighed with relief. He had to stop thinking of her as his..even though she was. With the master dusted and gone, Buffy was his, Angel's mark was on her neck, proving that he was the one who had claims on her. Only Buffy didn't know that..

"No vamps here, why don't we call it a night bro?" Gunn suggested seeing his face, Angel obviously had some attachment issues going on..

"Yeah..good plan. Maybe Cordelia was just having a false alarm." Angel offered, trying to cover up his feelings as they left. But Gunn, and Angel's thoughts were interrupted with the sound of fighting down the dark alley.

A big pile of vampires were circling something in the middle of a circle, there was fighting inside it, it could be heard up and down the streets.

Angel and Gunn jumped into action, pulling his ax out of his jacket Gunn knocked a blonde scraggly female vamp down and as she was just getting up, he sliced her head off, rewarded with a 'poof' sound he continued.

Angel leapt on top of a male vampire, pulling out his stake, he jumped down and pinned him, sending the final blow to his heart.

They both continued at this rate until there was only one blonde vampire left standing, with a scar on his eyebrow and an impish grin.

"Peaches?" Spike inquired. "Been too long mate, how goes the brooding?" Spike asked pulling a cigarette out of his pocket and lighting it up. "Who's the friend." Spike asked, taking a long drag off of his smoke and looking at Gunn.

"Name's Gunn, and you're who, Billy Idol?" Gunn asked, frowning in distaste at the blonde vampire's ensemble.

"Very funny mate." Spike said sarcastically, taking another haul off the cigarette, then flicking it.

"Buffy?" "Angel?" They both said simultaneously, noticing their bad, and forgetting about their friends, they gave each other a small smile.

"Why are you here?" Angel asked, kicking himself for being so direct. "I mean, how are you?" Angel covered, giving her a look of apology.

"So much for the niceties huh? Doesn't really matter anyway, I was here, uh.. shopping, Spike just tagged along. Since we're playing the why game, what's your reason?" Buffy asked, wrapping her arms around her, noting the breeze.

On impulse Angel took his coat off and offered it to her, for the same reason, Buffy accepted it and wrapped it around her, she gave him a look of thanks.

"My reason?.. I kind of live here." Angel said quietly, giving her a small smile.

Buffy put a hand to her head and smiled. "Right, sorry, my total lack of sleep lately has been having the uber bad effect, hence my stupidity." Buffy offered.

Spike cleared his throat and turned to Gunn. "Best to leave the love-birds alone, why don't you tell me all about what soul-boy has been up to." Spike stated as they began to leave. "Oh and Fluffy? Better not wear the corsets around poof-wad, might make his body a little less soul having." Spike finished with a sinister smile as Angel growled.

Buffy blushed and sent daggers to Spike's retreating form.

"Sorry about Spike, he's just....well, Spike. You know what I mean." Buffy said with a little laugh. "Would you maybe want to go for coffee? Except this time, I wont bail, promise." Buffy asked with a little smile.

"I don't k-" Angel started, but seeing her expression, thought the better of it. "Sure. I know a place just around the corner." Angel said, getting a smile from the slayer.

* * *

"So..this is us, getting coffee. Wow, I never thought I'd see this day.." Buffy trailed off, looking into her dark brown coffee, her reflection greeting her. Angel made a small smile.

"How are things?" Angel asked, knowing something was irking her.

"Living the single life, mom's all better, things are good." Buffy said, sipping her coffee, then wrinkling her nose, remembering all the time she wasted with Riley.

"Good..wait a minute, single life? What about Riley? Not that I care.." Angel trailed off, knowing he was caught.

Buffy grimaced. "Riley is of the past, he betrayed me." Buffy said, thankful he was gone. "Concubine wannabe." Buffy muttered under her breath. "And you, are you seeing anyone?" Buffy asked, looking at him.

Angel chuckled, his vamp abilities hearing what she said. His gaze turned serious again. "In the dating sense, no, you should already know that. But I do see someone, but I can't have her." Angel said sadly locking eyes with her.

"I wouldn't be so sure of that.. She may have a few tricks in her bag, that could bring them together.." Buffy stated, pulling her bag on the table. She pulled out an old book and placed it in his hands. "This is another reason I had to see you." Buffy finished quietly, biting her lip, waiting for his reaction.

Angel's eyes scanned over the front page. It was the curse. Angel was about to say something when Buffy pointed to a paragraph in the text. 'nicci morte, nicci el fiente, transvestoo, achestoo'

"Until he dies, until the dust, soul be binded, permanent" Angel translated. "What does it mean?" Angel asked, hoping it was what he thought.

"Your soul, Willow did a different curse, it yours now, forever." Buffy finished, a bright smile on her face, and a yearning in her heart so terrible..

"So this means I can-" Angel said to himself, but was cut off.

"It means everything Angel." Buffy finished, so hopeful.

Their eyes locked.

They both stood up, advancing on the other, eyes still locked. Angel pulled her into his arms and brushed his lips with hers gently, Buffy moaned softly, pulling him closer. The kiss deepened, the long-since bottled passion coming out into the open. They both pulled away, smiling.

Applause showered the cafe, hand in hand they left, walking to Angel's hotel, enjoying the others presence, Buffy's head resting on his shoulder.

Once to the doors of the hotel, Angel did the unexpected and picked her up, carrying her into the hotel. Buffy laughed as they entered.

Cordelia, Wesley, Gunn and Spike greeted them. Well, except for Spike, he just stood there smoking.

"Angel? Buffy? What's going on?" Cordelia asked, putting her hands on her hips.

Angel just ignored them and carried Buffy up the stairs.

"Someone's getting shagged." Spike said in a sing-song voice, then smiled.

"But-" Wesley started.

"Even though I hate to say it, Angel knows what he's doing, so fag off." Spike interrupted casually as he walked out the door. "Tell ducks that I've left for home." And with that he was off, laughing to himself.

* * *

Buffy walked out of the bathroom sporting her new blood-red silk corset, and not much else. She turned around in a circle, giving Angel the full view.

He eyed her appreciatively from the bed and a low growl started in his chest.

Buffy jumped on him, much to his surprise, pinning him down. She traced a path down his jawbone. "You like?" Buffy asked innocently. Angel replied by flipping her over and taking her position. "I more than like." He growled, plundering her mouth with his, savagely kissing her, while Buffy ripped the shirt open, needing her hands on his flesh, to feel him close, like she needed for so long.

They continued like that until all the clothes, including the corset was lying in a heap on the floor. They loved one another like it was the first time, taking time to please, and satiate, it was a night to remember..

* * *

Buffy sighed contentedly as she traced circles on Angel's bare chest, a smile from ear to ear. The same was mirrored on Angel's.

"Is there anything you regret?" Buffy asked, looking up to him.

Angel cocked his head to the side, then smiled. "I only regret one thing, that we didn't find out about this sooner." He said with another warm smile.

Buffy nodded her head happily. "Right answer. You now get to participate in the Buffy Summers bonus round." Buffy exclaimed, sitting upright.

"And that would mean?" Angel asked, suppressing a chuckle.

"You get the pleasure of having me as a girlfriend. Only clause is, you're stuck with me." Buffy answered.

"Oh no, how horrible." Angel said in a fake voice, pulling her in close, and kissing the top of her head lightly. "I love you, you know." Angel whispered.

"And I love you." Buffy whispered back, giving him a gentle kiss on the lips.

***

An hour later, Cordelia practically kicked the door open, her arms crossed.

Buffy pulled the covers tighter over her and Angel, laughing mentally at her expression.

"You guys got groiny, didn't you?" Cordelia asked, arching a brow.

"Cordelia-" Angel started to say, in a warning tone.

"Don't Cordelia me, Angel, or should I say Angelus?" Cordelia said, taking a step back.

"It's not what you think." Buffy said, almost laughing.

"Really? Because It's looking really bad from where I'm standing." Cordelia replied.

"Yes, and you're standing in the hallway." Buffy started as she walked over to the door, sheet wrapped around her. "And this is Angel's room." Buffy finished as she closed the door in her face.

"I don't know what game your playing Angel, but I want *no* part of it." Cordelia ground out as she stomped away.

"She's mad." Angel stated. "Maybe I should go talk to them, tell them what happened." Angel added.

"Nah, I'm liking things the way they are. It's my time to shine." Buffy said with a grin as she joined Angel on the bed and snuggled into his lap, resting her head on his shoulder. Angel ran his hands through her hair, smoothing it back.

"As bright as a star." Angel said softly as he memorized the feeling of her in his arms, the softness of her skin, the silkiness of her golden locks. He sighed, un-life was good.

As soon as the thought passed through his mind, a knock was on his door.

"Angel? It's Wesley, it seems we have a little problem, well a rather large problem." Wesley exclaimed, his breathing short.

Angel jumped out of bed with a frown, he knew it couldn't have lasted long. Pulling some pants on, he opened the door.

"What is it?" Buffy asked worriedly, buttoning her shirt up, a frown on her face as well, sad to have their moment ruined.

"Max. You killed his minions, but he escaped, and some others did too, and they're here." Wesley answered. "Come quickly, I don't know how much longer Gunn can keep them busy." Wesley added.

They all hurried down the stairs, no time for the elevator. What they saw was a very badly bruised Gunn, getting his ass whooped.

"Hey Angel, man, can you give me a hand, or a stake or somethin'" Gunn exclaimed as the red-haired demon with a face that was so badly burned it looked like a chewed up tire kicked him across the room, Gunn fell to the ground, unconscious. All the while Cordelia was struggling to get free of the grip of two other vampires.

Buffy and Angel jumped into action.

Just as one of the vamps holding Cordelia was about to have a snack, Buffy staked him from behind.

Elbowing the other vamp in the face, Cordelia got free and cleared out of the way as Buffy kicked him in the gut, sending him flying, landing where Gunn was.

Angel advanced on Max, circling him. Max's fist shot out, but Angel was quicker and grabbed the fist before it hit his face and punched Max with his free hand. Taking the opportunity, he bent down and rammed the stake home.

"Master vampire. When did things get so pathetic." Angel mumbled with a sigh.

"You know, I was having an awesome day, got my boyfriend back, got some nice p.j's and then what do I get? A pathetic excuse for a vamp trying to interrupt. You're going to *so* wish you didn't." Buffy exclaimed as flicked her wrist and a stake slid out of her sleeve, with expert aim she threw the stake. A perfect ten, right in the heart. Buffy didn't even look, all she heard was the 'poof'.

Grinning at one another, they dusted themselves off.

"Gunn!" Cordelia exclaimed, noticing for the first time that he was unconscious, she rushed over to his side and slapped him hard.

"Ow! Geez Cordelia, did you have to be slappin' me?" Gunn answered tiredly as he rubbed his face and sat up.

"Since I'm not seein' any bloodsucker's roamin' around it's a safe bet to say that they're taken care of, right?" Gunn added.

"Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, yadda, yadda, yadda." Buffy trailed off, moving to Angel's side and wrapping her arm around her waist, he did the same.

"Another good point, why are you two all snugly again?" Cordelia asked, arching her brow.

"I would have to second Cordelia on that one." Wesley added. "The consequences of you two-" Wesley started.

"Things are different, the curse is permanent. Willow was looking some things over, and apparently it's true." Angel interrupted, pulling Buffy in closer and smiling.

"We tested out that theory, many, many times..." Buffy added with a sinister grin as she rested her hand on his chest, loving the feel of his muscles through the material.

"Okay, ew.. Keep your sex life to yourself." Cordelia exclaimed, shuddering as she pulled out the first aid and bandaged Gunn up.

"It's true then, you two.. uh, tested the waters?" Wesley asked, amazed.

Angel gave him a look that said it all. "I see.." Wesley finished, giving a very british polite smile..

"I don't know how you went without for so long man, how'd you do it?" Gunn asked. Cordelia slapped him on the arm.

"Memories." Angel said simply, looking down to Buffy. Buffy gave a small smile and squeezed his arm.

Gunn shook his head.

"Hey Angel, how about we go look at that um.. busted pipe in your room, maybe I could help fix it or something." Buffy asked, giving him a pat on the bum.

"For the love of god just go. I have too many scary mental images as it is." Cordelia exclaimed as she closed her eyes and rubbed her temples.

Laughing like giddy children, they scrambled up the stairs, and as Spike said, they shagged. A lot.

Send feedback to Emily

Back to the FanfictionArchive