Disclaimer: I don't own anything. They belong to Joss and a lot of other people.
Spoilers: Previous parts in my series. Other than that completely AU.
Synopsis: Angel's in New York. Buffy's in LA. Mopey-ness and stuff happens.
Timeline: A few weeks after previous fic.
Authors notes: I'm sorry for taking so long to write this, I've just been really busy and I had a huge case of writer's block!
Dedication: To Beth cuz she's the greatest and to Carol Anne cuz she has been waiting for this for quite a while
Rating: PG
Feedback: I live for it! But I dont want flames!!! Send it to someone else

Prologue

"This day positively sucks," Buffy whined as she and Cordelia piled the dishes into the dishwasher at @ Café, Wednesday afternoon.

"Would that be because Angel has been gone for three days?" Cordy asked with a knowing grin.

"Maybe," Buffy muttered then she groaned aloud, "This is ridiculous cuz he's been gone for only a few days and it's not like I haven't spent time away from him."

Cordy frowned slightly, "When was the last time you spent time away from each other? I mean, other than a weekend."

Buffy thought about this for several long moments, "Summer of '91"

The brunette's eyes widened slightly, "That was like a gazillion years ago! How is that possible?"

"Mitch had a gotten a huge promotion at work and to celebrate he took Diane and Angel to France for the summer."

"Dammit, I can already tell this next month is going to be utter hell. I wonder how Angel is faring in New York."

"He's probably having the time of his life!" Buffy muttered then gasped. "What if he loves New York so much that he decides to stay there?! What if he meets some hussy and wants to spend the rest of his life with her and he forgets all about me?! What if he blames me for making him attend UCLA when he always secretly wanted to go to NYU and he'll hate me for the rest of his life!"

"Paranoid, much?" Spike observed, having overheard the blondes ramblings. "The whole bloody country knows that damn Nancy boy will never forget you as long as he lives. He could move to the other end of the world and somehow you bloody face will always be tattooed in his goddamn brain!"

Buffy glared at him, "Spike, incase you didn't notice, we were having a private conversation. And I did not want your opinion!"

The peroxide blond Englishman rolled his eyes, "Like I care. I came in here just to tell you some hot older woman is lookin' for you."

Buffy sighed, "If you make me go out there for no reason I swear to God I'm going to kick your ass.and if that 'hot' older woman happens to be my mom, you're a dead man."

"I'm petrified," he retorted.

Stepping into the main room, Buffy scanned the room before gasping in delight, "Jenny!"

Chapter One

"Buffy! How beautiful did you become!" Jenny Calendar exclaimed as she embraced the blonde.

Buffy blushed slightly as she stepped aside, "You remember Cordelia, right?"

"Of course I do. Who could ever forget always-elegant looking Cordelia Chase. How are you?" The older woman hugged the former May queen.

"I'm good, how are you?" Cordy asked.

"I'm great." Jenny replied as Buffy led her to a table and the three of them sat down.

"What are you doing here? I thought you would still be backpacking through Europe." Buffy said.

"Well, I was but a few days ago I spoke to my sister and found out some very interesting news. Why didn't you tell me you're sleeping with my favorite nephew?"

Buffy blushed again, "Well, you know it was all very sudden and I didn't know if you were in Italy or in Switzerland and I had know way of contacting you."

"'All very sudden?' Please!" Cordy huffed, ignoring the glare Buffy shot her.

Jenny grinned, "I know all about your 'casual' relationship with Angel."

"I'm so going to kill Diane." Buffy muttered under her breath.

"Where is Angel anyway?" Jenny asked, glancing around the restaurant. "I thought you two would be joined to the hip."

"Don't get her started." Cordy said and let out a yelp when the blonde kicked her.

"He's in New York." Buffy said, smiling sweetly at Cordelia's glare.

"Why is he in New York and why are you not with him?"

"He's doing some father/son bonding with Mitch," the blonde made a face. "I think the only reason Mitch came up with the idea is because the 'rentals were freaking out that Angel and I were spending too much time together and after the whole pregnancy scare they thought it would be best to separate us for a month or so."

"Pregnancy scare?" Jenny repeated, her eyes widening. "I knew Diane was hiding something! I want details now!"

Buffy sighed, "About a month or so ago I thought I was pregnant. Angel and I then went back home to tell our parents and chaos ensued. Anyway mom or Diane, I can't remember who, suggested I go to the doctor to see if I really am, since I took a home-pregnancy test and it turns out I wasn't."

Jenny eyed her carefully, "Something tells me you're disappointed by that."

"I am, I guess but I also know I don't want to have a kid now. I'm too young but I do want a baby, or more specifically I want Angel's baby."

"I do agree with you being too young." Jenny said, "But I also know for a fact that you and Angel will have a baby one day."

"How do you know?" Cordy asked, curiously.

"My psychic said so." Jenny replied and both Cordy and Buffy groaned.

Jenny Calendar was a modern day hippy, who lived her whole life based on what her prophet tells her. She was superstitious but not the overly obsessive kind.

"Somehow I won't get my hopes up." Buffy said.

She wasn't into psychics.

Chapter Two

"Where's Jenny staying?" Willow asked that night as she placed the plate of chili fries in front of a customer.

"At my apartment," Buffy responded. "I'm so glad she's here. It helps me get my mind off of Angel, at least for a few moments."

Willow grinned slyly, "How long till Angel comes home?"

"Seven hundred and thirty three hours and fifty four minutes. That is if his flight isn't delayed and he decided not to stay a few extra days." Buffy responded, automatically

"You are completely insane." Willow said, giggling.

Buffy grinned and decided to change the subject, "Where's Oz?"

"Band practice," the redhead replied. "He's picking me up as soon as my shift ends. You want a ride home?"

Buffy shook her head. "Thanks for the offer but Jenny's going to pick me up after her as soon as she's done shopping."

"Something tells me she's not clothes shopping." Willow responded.

"She found this store that sells wind chimes and candles and incense and all these other funky things."

"Cool." Willow responded.

"Girls I'm paying you to wait on people not yak all day." Their boss said as he stepped into the main room.

"Right. We're on it." Willow said, picking up some menus and going to a table.

Chapter Three

"That's Angel!" Buffy said excitedly when she heard the telephone ring and she hurried to unlock the door.

Dropping her purse on the couch, the blonde quickly picked up the phone. "Angel?"

"Hey," Angel replied, relieved she was home.

"Hey," she grinned. "How are you? How is New York?"

"I'm fine and New York is.lonely."

Buffy heard Mitch groan and she giggled. "Your dad is annoyed with you whining and moping huh?"

"How did you know?"

"The gang's annoyed with me cuz I've been mopey and whiny all day." Buffy replied.

"We're pathetic, aren't we?" Angel said.

"Totally pathetic. We should start a club to honor our pathetic ness." Jenny giggled, shaking her head as she put the vegetarian pizza on the coffee table.

"You having a girls night?" Angel asked, hearing the giggle.

"Soughta. Jenny's staying with me for a few days."

"Jenny's back from Europe when did she arrive?"

"Today, and she came to LA cuz she found out about us and she wanted details."

"When you say she fund out about 'us' what exactly do you mean by that?"

"She knows about our 'casual' relationship, she knows we got arrested and she knows about your parents walking in on us."

"I'm going to kill my mom."

Buffy giggled, "So seriously. What's New York like? What have you and Mitch been up to?"

"We went to a baseball game today and a strip club last night."

"Oh, that's nice.WHAT?!"

Angel laughed, "I'm kidding honey. I just love to hear you freak out."

"Just for that, I'm hanging up now."

"No! Don't!" Angel begged. "I'm sorry, honey. Please don't hang up."

Buffy giggled again, "Okay. I won't. Can I use your jeep?"

"No, absolutely not!" Angel said firmly.

"Why not?" she whined.

"Because you can't drive." Angel responded. "And I want my jeep to be in one piece when I come home."

"I so can drive!" Buffy argued.

"Well you can't drive well. When you borrowed your mom's car, you crashed into a tree!"

"It was an accident and it was 2 years ago! Honestly, am I ever going to live that down?"

"No." Angel replied and chuckled at her audible huff. "And anyway I took my keys with me."

"But I know where you hid the spare one."

"You do?"

"Of course I do I've had three days alone explore this apartment and I have to say I'm very upset with you for having dirty magazines but I'll deal with you when you come home."

Angel gulped, "You know on second thought, you can use my jeep. I mean we are a living together and we are a couple and whatever is mine is yours and vice versa."

"I knew you'd give in. I gotta go now. Pizza's getting cold."

"Okay. Give my love to Jenny."

"Okay. Do the same for me to Mitch. I love you."

"I love you too. Bye."

Chapter Four

"I have to ask," Cordelia said, the following morning as she placed the box of doughnuts on the kitchen counter in Buffy's apartment. "Are you seeing anyone?"

Jenny grinned, pouring herself a cup of coffee, "Why do you want to know?"

"Because the last time we saw you, you announced that you are giving up on men because all men are evil." Willow responded.

"Let's not forget while you said that you were making googley eyes at any man that walked past you," Buffy added.

"Well, to be honest I have to make a retraction to that statement I made two years ago and I do have someone special in my life." Jenny said.

"And that someone special is.?" Buffy prodded, as she searched for a glazed doughnut.

"I can't tell you."

"Why not?!" three voices demanded simultaneously.

"Because I'd rather not discuss my love life with a bunch of nineteen year olds.no offense."

"None taken." Willow said.

"Speak for yourself," Cordy cut in and Buffy nodded.

"We had to spill the juicy secrets on the guys we're dating. Now it's your turn." Buffy said.

Jenny sighed, "I met him when I was in England. His name is Rupert Giles."

"What is it with brunettes and English men?" Buffy asked herself as she glanced from Jenny to Cordy and then back again.

"Hey. Spike was rebound guy and that relationship is so in the past." Cordy protested.

"So what's he like?" Willow asked.

"He's a complete bookworm, hates computers or rather hates anything to do with computers and technology."

"A match made in heaven." Buffy joked.

"He's also a complete romantic but I suspect that he has a bit of a dark sid e and I can't wait for it to come out." Jenny sighed as she thought of her man.

"You always did like your men to be a little dangerous." Buffy commented.

"I do not!" Jenny objected.

"Then how do you explain Lindsey? Or Penn or Wesley-"

"Have you been talking with my sister?" Jenny questioned, a smile playing on her face.

"Who are all these people?" Cordy asked.

"The exes from hell." Buffy answered.

"They weren't that bad." Jenny said.

"Lindsey broke into a clothing store for you because you happened to mention you like a dress. Penn beat up one a bouncer in at a club because you were talking to him and Wesley.well I can't remember what he did."

"Definitely been talking with my sister." Jenny confirmed. "And for the record I dated Lindsey in high school and that was like a decade ago. I dated Penn towards the end of college and Wesley didn't do anything wrong, he just cheated on me with that bitch Lilah Morgan."

"And that doesn't count as doing something wrong?" Willow asked.

"Okay so it does. But Rupert isn't like that. He's sweet and caring and everything I hoped for in a man." Jenny said.

"That's great. It's about time you found someone who" Buffy said sincerely as a knock sounded on the front door.

"Are we expecting anyone?" Jenny queried as Buffy went to go answer.

"Just Anya." Willow replied.

"Anya?"

"Xander's girlfriend." Cordy filled in.

"She's dating Xander?! I didn't think anyone would be as desperate as you Cordy." Jenny joked.

"I resent that!"

Chapter Five

"Is she still moping?" Xander asked, as he stepped past Jenny, entering the apartment two weeks later.

"What do you think?" she asked with a smile.

"But I thought with you being here she wouldn't be mopey."

"Well, she was fine the first few days but I'm no Angel-substitute. Cuz for one thing I'm a woman and for another, the girls got it bad. However, I think the source of her mopiness is to do with the fact that he hasn't called in almost a week and he hasn't been returning her phone calls."

"Really?" Xander was surprised.

Jenny nodded, "It's a shocker, I know. She has stopped leaving messages on his voice mail though. She muttered something about not wanting to be the co-dependant girlfriend."

"If I was his height and had more muscle, I'd kick your nephew's ass for doing that to her." Xander said.

"So would I." Jenny grinned.

"Hey Xan. What's happening?" Buffy asked, stepping out of her bedroom, still in her pajamas. She seemed to be oblivious to the fact that it was three o'clock in the afternoon.

"I come bearing videos," he replied.

"Cool. What'd you get?" Buffy questioned.

"Lady and the Tramp; Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast. I figured you wouldn't want anything serious."

"Figured right," she agreed. "But I think you got those for you and not for me."

"Why would you think that?" Jenny asked.

"Those are his favorite movies." Buffy grinned and Jenny gasped slightly. "It's amazing, huh? You'd think he'd be more into action movies like Terminator or Rambo like normal guy. But not Xander, he's into the girly movies."

The dark haired man blushed and thrust the videos into the petit blondes hands. "Now that you've humiliated me I'm going to go and throw myself off a cliff."

"Stay Xander." Buffy said. "You and I both know you really want to watch this. Besides, Jenny will need some company cuz I'm rather.emotional right now and she won't want to deal with my crying alone."

"You got that right." The young hippy muttered.

Chapter Six

//I'm going to kill Angel// Cordelia thought to herself as she watched her best friend put on a fake smile as they sat on the sofas at Club Skunk.

Despite Buffy's cheerfulness, Cordy and Willow could see the blonde was in pain. Angel hadn't called in two weeks and everyone who really knew him, knew that it wasn't like him.

"Buff, wanna dance?" Doyle asked and the blonde smiled and nodded following onto the dance floor.

"I'm really worried." Xander stated. "Why hasn't he called?"

"Maybe he's really busy." Willow offered weakly.

"Doubtful. He's probably turning into a typical male and cheating on her." Anya said heatedly.

"But he loves her." Willow protested.

"That's why this is so unusual." Cordy said.

"Maybe Mitch has been keeping him from calling Buffy." Oz suggested.

"Mitch may not want to be grandpa soon but he wouldn't do anything that might jeopardize his son's relationship." Cordy dismissed that idea.

"I hate to be the one to say this but.maybe Angel has met someone else." Xander said, and winced, preparing to be yelled at.

But silence only met this statement and he knew the others thought about that idea.

Cordelia finally spoke, "He wouldn't do that. He's not the type."

"Xander isn't the type either but he cheated on you." Anya pointed out, bluntly. Xander shook his head at her as Willow shifted uncomfortably and Cordy frowned. Oz's passive face remained in place.

"Yeesh, who died?" Buffy joked as she and Doyle returned to the group.

When she got know response, she asked, "You were talking about me and my sad, pathetic life huh?"

"No." Xander said quickly. "I just told them that I won't be able to eat junk food for like a month and they giving me sympathy."

Buffy raised an eyebrow, "And you won't be able to eat junk food why?"

"Anya is putting me on a diet." Xander replied and his girlfriend nodded. "He's becoming too fat and that means he's gonna become lazy and that will be the end of our sex life."

"O-Kay," the blonde said slowly and shot Doyle a confused look.

He shrugged in reply.

Chapter Seven

Several Weeks Later

"There he is!" Buffy squealed excitedly as her boyfriend came into view at the airport.

"Shouldn't you be running into his arms by now?" Diane asked.

Buffy smiled and shook her head. "I'm going to be cool, calm and collected."

"That squeal you made wasn't cool, calm and collected." Jenny pointed out and Buffy shot her a look.

As Mitch and Angel came closer, Buffy exchanged a look with Cordelia; who had offered to come with Buffy; and then slowly walked towards them.

"Hey Buffy." Mitch greeted cheerfully and hugged her quickly.

"Hey," she replied quickly glancing at Angel before asking. "How was New York?"

"It was great. But I'll let my son fill you in on the details." Mitch replied and went over to the others.

Buffy turned her gaze to Angel and smiled hesitantly, "Hey."

"Hey," he replied.

Uncomfortable silence.

//Where's the 'it's so great to finally see you?' or 'I missed you?'// Buffy thought to herself.

"So, uh, I guess we should, um, join the others,"

"Yeah," he replied and walked past her.

Buffy blinked back tears and followed him.

"Hey mom! I missed you." Angel embraced his mother and pecked her on the cheek.

"I missed you too." Diane replied, confused by her son's behavior towards Buffy.

Jenny and Cordy were too.

"Are you okay?" Cordelia asked softly.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Buffy lied, plastering a smile on her face.

Chapter Eight

"No hug? Kiss? Nothing?" Willow asked, incredulously, the following morning at @ Café.

"Zilch. Nada." Buffy replied, as she poured coffee into two mugs.

"And what happened afterwards? When you got home?" the redhead asked.

Buffy sighed, "We made small talk and basically he avoided me. I think he's grateful Jenny's staying with us cuz he made sure she was with us at all times."

"And when you went to bed?"

"He went to bed before me and I spent most of the night talking to Jenny, who is just as stumped as I am." Buffy placed a chocolate muffin on a dish.

"If you want I'll beat him up for you."

Buffy forced a smile. "I appreciate the offer, but I'll have to pass on it."

She positioned the two mugs and the muffin on a tray and carried it over to the waiting patrons.

***

"God, this day positively sucks." Buffy muttered a few days later and felt a strange sense of de ja vu.

"I have to agree with you there." Anya said, as they handed their orders to Spike, who was working the grill. "Table five says their burgers aren't cooked properly. Table eight says her salad has way too much dressing on it and it seems like everyone in this goddamn city has decided to come here for lunch!"

"And it just has to be our luck that we're understaffed today." Buffy added.

"Why aren't the others here?" Anya asked, refilling the sugar shakers.

"Because Will and Cordy are not answering their cell phones. When I called Doyle and Xander they point blank refused to come stating they would and I quote 'much rather scope out the babes on the beach' and Oz is at Dingoes practice." Buffy answered.

"What about Angel? Last time I checked he was still working here."

"I'm certainly not gonna ask him." Buffy responded.

"Still avoiding you?" Anya asked sympathetically.

Buffy nodded nonchalance.

"He's such a man." Anya muttered.

Buffy grinned, despite herself. "The was I figure. He wants to avoid me he can, it's his loss."

"It's whose loss?" Angel asked, sitting at the counter.

Both Buffy and Anya jumped in surprise.

"The new girl that moved into our apartment building." Buffy replied at the exact moment Anya said. "The girl working at club Skunk."

Angel raised an eyebrow.

"The new girl at our apartment building who works at Club Skunk." Buffy covered.

"Excuse me, Miss? I've been waiting for my ice-cream sundae for almost an hour." A large man, stated in annoyance from the other end of the counter.

"Yeah like you need 90 grams of fat." Buffy muttered under her breath as she moved to make the sundae and Anya giggled.

"What are you doing here Angel?" Anya asked when the blonde was out of earshot.

He shrugged, "Jenny just left to meet her prophet, so I came looking for everyone."

"Cordy and Willow are somewhere unknown. Doyle and Xander are at the beach. Oz is at practice and as you can see, your girlfriend and I are here waiting on irritating people." Anya said, then paused for a moment before asking, "What's wrong with you?"

Excuse me?"

"Why are you avoiding Buffy?"

He sighed, "Did she put you up to this?"

"No, I put me up to this and I don't like that fact that you've became a complete asshole."

Angel glared at her and she continued, "The silent treatment you are giving her is tearing her up inside. Why are you acting this way?"

"I have my reasons," he shot back. "And this is none of your business."

Chapter Nine

One week later

//Sleep\\ Buffy thought as she searched her purse for her keys. //Lots and lots of sleep\\

Grinning in triumph, she pulled the keys out and unlocked her apartment door. A gasp escaped her lips at the sight before her.

Rose petals were scattered on the floor leading to dining area and a candle lit dinner was set up. "Angel?"

"Hey," she spun around and found him leaning against the doorframe.

"What's going on?"

Angel slowly walked towards her, saying, "Well, I've been a real asshole lately and I want to make it up to you.I also want to explain why I've been that way."

Buffy swallowed hard, not knowing how to respond, but a faint smile passed her lips as he produced a red silk rose for her. "Thanks," she whispered.

They stood staring at each other for several minutes before Buffy turned to the dinner table, "So what's for dinner?"

"Uh, pasta."

"Great.is it ready?"

Angel nodded and led her over to the table before going to the kitchen for the meal.

"Where's Jenny?" Buffy asked as he poured red wine into her glass.

"She's staying at a friends place for a few days." Angel replied.

"A few days." Buffy repeated.

"Yeah, um, I, uh, figured we needed some alone time."

"Oh.well, that's nice but um, I'm working tomorrow and the day after that and-"

"I spoke to Kate and she has someone else covering your shift." Angel cut in gently.

"Great," she mumbled.

***

Dinner was spent with uncomfortable silence and very little small talk, and by the time dessert rolled around Buffy was getting impatient.

"So weren't you supposed to be explaining your behavior?" she asked as he passed her a bowl of chocolate mousse.

Angel nodded and swallowed nervously, "Yeah, um, I guess I should start from the beginning huh?"

"That would be best," she replied.

Angel sighed, "When I was in New York, I missed you like crazy and Dad was on the verge of killing me because I was in major brood made."

//Surprise. Surprise.\\ Buffy thought to herself.

"Anyway, we were at some baseball game we bumped into some of Dad's old high school buddies. We ended up spending time with them and I was introduced to Matt's - Dad's best friend in high school- daughter, Faith. And I want to be completely honest with you so I have to admit, I liked her."

Buffy swallowed back tears as he continued, "She's the polar opposite of you. A brunette, wild child from New York and I think what I liked about her was that she didn't remind me of you."

"You know what, I really don't want to hear this." Buffy began to stand but he gently caught her arm.

"Please. Let me finish," he begged.

She sighed but sat down again and he carried on, "She took me to club's and introduced me to all her friends and I basically had a great time. Then I started feeling guilty because I didn't think you'd approve of me hanging out with another woman."

"Got that right." Buffy muttered under her breath and he shot her a look.

"Then I started getting angry because I didn't think I needed your permission on who I should and shouldn't hang out with."

"But you don't need my permission!" she cut in.

"I know. It's just that I was guilty because part of me knew that 'hiding' her from you was wrong, and I didn't want to hurt you."

"Well you did." Buffy muttered under her breath again.

He seemed to have not heard her. "The night before Dad and I were going to come back, was when the guilt hit me full on and then we did come back, I avoided you because of that guilt and-"

"Angel, if you want to date her then you don't have to tell me this life long story,' Buffy cut in snappishly. "Just do us both a favor and break up with me."

Angel sighed and got up from his seat, kneeling in front of her instead. "I don't want to break up with you, Buffy. I love you. More than anything."

"Then what do you want to do?"

"Well, for one thing I want to kiss you," and before she could do anything he caught her lips with his own in an achingly tender kiss.

At first she didn't respond.then slowly, very slowly she began to kiss him back and soon the kiss turned from sweet and gentle, to hot and passionate.

Breaking the kiss, though every part of him protested not to, Angel gazed up at her unsurely and sighed in relief when she smiled at him.

But he wasn't done.

"There is something else I want to do," he continued as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black box.

Buffy's eyes widened and her breath quickened when he opened the box to reveal an exquisite diamond ring.

"Buffy Anne Summers. Will you marry me?"

She was still staring at the ring.

"Buffy?"

No response.

"Buffy?" he gently touched her cheek.

"Huh?" she looked at him, wide-eyed. "I'm sorry did you ask me something?"

Angel chuckled softly, "Yeah. I asked you to marry me."

She unexpectedly leaped into his arms, sending them tumbling to the floor as she breathed out, "Yes. I will definitely marry you."

Epilogue

Angel smiled in complete contentment as he watched his girlfriend - fiancée - sleep peacefully.

Life was good. No it was better than good and he did not want anything to ruin Buffy's happiness or his own.

He noticed how adorably cute she looked, wrapped up in only the bed sheets, her blonde head resting on his bare chest, a look of utter delight and satisfaction on her face.

He was not going to let her go.

A knock on the front door startled him and he groaned in protest as he glanced at the clock to see that it was almost 3 in the morning.

Carefully slipping out of bed, so as not to wake his love, he slid into a pair of slacks and rushed to answer the door.

"Oh My God," he whispered in complete shock.

Faith grinned, "Hey Angel. Miss me baby?"

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