DISCLAIMER: Yada, yada, yada, I don't own them, please don't sue.
TIMELINE: About a month or so in the future.
SPOILERS: All of season five, Buffy and two, Angel. Plus a certain main character leaving. Cuts off right after Listening to Fear and Darla, and though I am interested where Joss is going to take Riley's crazy night habits, I am choosing to ignore them.
SYNOPSIS: Riley has left Buffy in shatters. Angel comes to give comfort. First in the Darkness series.
DISTRIBUTION: Let me know where it is, I probably will have no objection.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Warning: a little B/R. I am definitely a B/A Shipper, but I am also fond of Riley. I'm trying to create a story centered around the men who love Buffy. And, as I am tired in the obsession Angel has manifested over Darla, I don't pay so much attention to it in the beginning. I finished writing this whole first story before Christmas, things were much different then. Oh, ~~~blah~~~ is a flashback.
FEEDBACK: I would like to know whatcha think, .
RATING: R. I'm not saying don't read it if you're 15, but use your discretion. The f-word is mentioned a few times, a little bit of...chough...romance. Nothing graphic though.
DEDICATION: To my roommates, who from time to time have no choice but to put up with my sometimes constant Buffy-babble, and to my boyfriend who got me hooked.

Buffy closed her eyes, smelling, feeling the air around her. The vampire had dogged, but she knew he hadn't gone very far. Calming her breathing down she concentrated, allowing her senses to see without sight. He was still there, all right. Reaching out into the night, she felt the disturbed energy.

The vampire was stunned. Never before had he fought a slayer, and this was the last thing he expected. He had planned to confuse her by hiding in a nearby tree but instead of confusing her, she had managed to pull one over on him. All of the sudden she stopped, closed her eyes, and began to--what looked like--meditate. Curious, he slowly climbed down from the tree, inching closer to the slayer. Seeing no immediate response, he continued to stalk her. He almost laughed out loud as he lunged forward and took her with his right arm grabbing around her body. Not to waste any time he plunged his face to her neck and suddenly stopped. He looked up, just in time to see the look on the slayer's face as he turned to dust.

Buffy said nothing. Noting her win, she turned and headed out of the cemetery. Her work was finished for the night.

"Not a bad kill, slayer." A voice pierced through the night and Buffy's eyes closed.

"He was too eager. He doesn't know what it really means to stalk, to become one with the prey. It looks like you are learning pretty well though." Spike emerged from the shadows confronting Buffy.

"You don't want to mess with me. Not tonight. Goodnight, Spike." All Buffy wanted was to get home and dream.

"I was trying to compliment you, you know. You don't have to act all defensive about it." Buffy turned around to face Spike, her face shouted pain. The last two months had been quite a bitch for the little slayer. "Listen, I know you are going through a hard time. If you ever want someone to talk to, I'm--"

"Please. Shut up, Spike." Buffy said. She slowly turned around and headed home.

Spike lit up a cigarette. God, he loved that woman. And she was about to break.

***

Buffy quickly changed into her pajamas and headed to bed. Sleep seemed to be the only comfort that existed anymore. For the first time in her life, Buffy's dreams were peaceful. Ironic, real life was a massive nightmare. Looking back on the last two months, Buffy shuddered. She remembered when all there was to worry about had been her mom's illness and the sudden appearance of Dawn in their lives. How complicated things had become in a few short months.

She still remembered his words, the pain he made her feel as he told her he was leaving. So similar to another man she had given her heart to. He tried to tell her it wasn't her fault, but she knew he was lying.

~~~

"You're leaving?" Buffy asked. She had been distracted lately. Realizing how supportive Riley had been, Buffy decided to surprise him with a visit. What she found shocked her. Boxes. Packed boxes.

Riley looked guilty. Obviously his plan to break the news to Buffy quietly wasn't going to work. Unable to think of anything else to say he answered, "Yes."

"Were you planning on telling me?" Buffy's eyes were welling up with tears. "Or were you just going to leave? What the fuck is going on, Riley?"

"I've been trying to tell you for the last week. But you have been too busy, or had to spend some time with your family, or had to go patrol." The floodgates were open, and there was no holding back now. "Buffy, I'm not your boyfriend anymore. I don't even know what I am, what I'm supposed to do! What happened to the relationship we had? You used to want to spend time with me, now you make me feel like a chore. You don't need me, Buffy; we never spend any time together anymore. I can't even remember the last time we made love! You come to me when you feel you need me, but what about when I need you?"

Riley's words hit Buffy hard. She realized what he was talking about, how everything he said was true. But that didn't mean he had to leave. She paused before she spoke while Riley looked on waiting for her to talk. A single tear rolled down Buffy's cheek. "Look, Riley, I'm sorry. I know I've been ignoring you, but it isn't because I don't want to spend time with you. I'm just confused, and I'm going through a lot, and you have been so supportive, I really appreciate it. I'm sorry I've made you feel this way. But please, don't go. You don't have to go. I need you. I need you here with me."

"No, you don't. You need to figure out who you are just as much as I do. I *need* to go as much as you need me to stay." Riley moved closer to Buffy and attempted to wipe her tears away. Buffy crushed him to her. Frantically she reached up and pulled him into a kiss. Riley's head began to cloud as he lost himself in her kiss. He felt Buffy's arm crawl up his back under his shirt. Soon his shirt was off and Buffy was kissing his chest.

Lost in the moment, they made love. Buffy's tears stopped as Riley comforted her the only way he knew how. Soon Riley wondered how he was going to manage to live with out her. Without this feeling of her body. They were frantic, each so full of need. It was a long time before the both had enough. After, Buffy laid on her side, one leg thrown over Riley's body, his arm around her back for support.

"I'm still leaving." Riley told her.

"I know." Buffy thought and then looked up at him. "Not that this will change anything, but I want you to know...I do love you."

Riley smiled. That was the first time she had ever said that. "Thank you. If you need me, I'm only a phone call away."

"Where will you go?" Buffy asked him. It was hard, but she wanted to make sure they parted on good terms. She wasn't going to cry anymore. At least, not in front of him.

"Home for a bit. From there, I don't know. I'm thinking I might travel some." He didn't tell her he was really considering joining the army again.

Tired, the both began to drifted toward sleep. "Promise me something." Buffy said, just before she fell asleep.

"Anything." Riley said without a second thought.

"Promise me you will say goodbye." Buffy said, hugging Riley closer.

"I promise," Riley said. "I love you, Buffy." And they were asleep.

~~~

Buffy began to cry thinking of the encounter. He had left the next day, early in the morning. Having dropped Buffy off at home he drove out of Sunnydale and out of Buffy's life. And she broke down. Depressed, she had thrown all her time into training and patrolling. Things had taken another dive when Joyce had slipped into a coma after her operation to remove the tumor. Now she had to console Dawn as well as protect her from Glory as she attempted to open the hellmouth, Dawn being the key. Buffy and Spike worked together and in the end, Willow came up with a spell to bind Glory's powers. They knew she would be back, after somehow finding a way to regain her lost strength. Hopefully by then she could be ready.

Joyce had recovered in time for Buffy's 20th birthday, which for the first time in years passed rather uneventfully. However, Buffy just kept slipping. The gang was worried about her. Each had noticed the withdrawn Buffy becoming much like a pod. Buffy refused any help of any kind. Her friends were left to wonder which would happen first: if Buffy would succumb and ask for help, or if the depression would cause her to make a mistake that would prove fatal.

***

Angel set the ax down covered his nose. The stench that emitted from the dead Doeirk demon was one he wouldn't soon forget. The smell was caused by the rapidly decomposing body of the demon. Angel couldn't decide which was worse, cleaning up the result of a slime demon or this smell.

"He's dead." Angel said. Gunn, also standing over the demon's body, gave a snigger.

"Angel, my man, he's decapitated. It's safe to assume he's dead. Damn, this smells nasty!" Gunn made sure to breathe through his mouth.

"Well, at least we don't have to worry about the clean up. Makes for a short night of work. Thanks for the help." Gunn and Angel headed up the subway tunnel, arriving at their respective vehicles.

"Anytime. Give me a call if anything comes up." Angel nodded as he drove off.

Angel began the drive back to Angel Investigations in a pensive mood. Things had been, more or less, back to normal for the past few weeks. Angel still couldn't stop thinking about Darla and Drusilla, out there somewhere causing up a scare. But it wasn't in Los Angeles, that was for sure. Wesley and Cordelia researched the vampire activity on a regular basis now with orders to report any irregularities to Angel. The two at first refused to be of any help but made a deal with the boss; if they research, then he will do his best to get his life back on track. Angel agreed knowing full well that it was time for him to get back into the action. Wolfram and Heart had done their job keeping him preoccupied over the last two months and now Angel was after them with a vengeance.

Before Angel knew it, he was home. Cordelia and Wesley were quick to notice the entrance. "I'm back."

"The Doeirk demon?" Wesley asked.

"And hello to you too," Cordelia began. "Jeeze, Wesley, say hello before you begin the interrogation."

"Thank you, Cordelia. I'll remember that next time--" Angel shot them both a look.

"Is dead." Successfully managing to quell their argument, Angel took off his coat. "Did I get any calls?"

"Yes," Cordelia began. "We got two calls from pending cases, which I arranged a meeting for you tomorrow. One is at 1, the other at 3:30. Let's see, Kate called. She said nothing has come up on her end, but she will keep her eyes out. David Nabbit called. I hope you don't mind, but I accepted his invitation to a party that he's having Saturday night. That is tomorrow, for all those who live in Angel- land. I guess James Cameron is on the guest list. Wesley's taking Virginia, so you get to be my date. Oh, and Giles called."

"Wait a sec, we're going to a party tomorrow night? And Giles called? What did he say?" Angel asked adamantly.

"Listen, buddy, there is no way you are getting out of this invite. Giles wants you to call him back." Cordelia looked over at Wesley, urging him to help her.

"I'll be in my room." Angel said quickly and departed leaving Wesley and Cordelia standing alone in the lobby.

"Well, thank you again." Cordelia raged, looking in Wesley's direction. "You could have helped me out. I thought you wanted to go to the party! Angel needs to get out of the Hotel." Cordelia started as Angel walked up the stairs. He and Giles had stayed in contact on a need basis only. The last few months he had been concentrating on Darla so much there had hardly been any time to think of Buffy. Giles' call worried Angel. If anything ever happened to Buffy, Angel didn't know what he would do.

Angel stared broodingly at the phone, ready to dial. The thought of Buffy in trouble scared him more then anything. God, he loved that woman.

***

Giles sat on the couch, the latest research strewn all about the floor and coffee table. Though Buffy had faced only a few vampires in the last week, he sensed something in the air. Research had always been the one area Giles excelled at. In a way he was looking after Buffy. When he looked in her eyes she just looked so lost, so helpless.

After Riley had first left Buffy threw herself into life as the slayer. She trained longer, fought harder, and had become stronger in those two short months. But while Giles was excited for Buffy's dedication he also worried that she was running. She hardly spoke about the breakup, which was understandable being that Giles never really consoled her on such issues. However, Willow confided in him that Buffy had yet to reveal her feelings. Giles worried that the slayer was becoming buried. Her mother's illness had been a major blow, but fighting Glory all the while keeping Dawn in the dark had taken the last ounce of strength Buffy had left. She just seemed to have the life sucked out of her. And so, he did the one thing he knew he shouldn't. Buffy would kill him if she knew.

He called Angel. And so, now as Giles sat sipping his tea he wondered if Angel could help, or if he may be too late.

When the phone rang, there was no question who it was. Giles again questioned if he was making the right choice. "Hello?"

"How is she?" Giles had to give Angel some credit, he got right to the point.

"Troubled." Giles started. "She has been under so much stress lately, I'm afraid for her. I wouldn't call..."

"I'm glad you did. I'm always here for her." Angel replied.

"I won't go into details," Giles said. "But she needs to talk to someone. You see, Riley left. They broke up."

Angel couldn't stop the involuntary growl that was forming in his throat. He couldn't believe the boy! Here Riley was living Angel's dream and he threw it away. "I don't know the conditions surrounding the break up, but Buffy has not been the same since. Riley's leaving is not the only burden she has, there are many others."

"I'll be there in an hour and a half." Angel was about to hang up the phone when Giles' voice stopped him.

"Angel, there is one more thing." Giles stated worriedly. "I'm afraid there may be a new master in Sunnydale. It seems the vampires have started to ban together. Buffy has done her best to protect, but I'm afraid the casualties are adding up."

Of course, Angel thought. It was all so clear. He wondered why he didn't see it before. "I think I may have an answer there. I'll explain tomorrow."

"I will be expecting you then." Giles heard a click on the other end. Knowing Angel, he was halfway to his car by now. Maybe this is what she needs, Giles thought. Having Angel in town to help banish the growing vampire population would also help. Though Buffy wasn't family, he loved her like a daughter. Giles couldn't think about what he would do without her.

***

"I'm leaving for Sunnydale." Angel began rushing down the stairs and across the lobby. Cordelia and Wesley looked up in shock.

"Excuse me?" Wesley managed to squeak.

"Buffy's in trouble. And what's worse, I think I may have found Darla. I should have known she would try to hit me where it hurts most. I'm leaving tonight, but if I think I need you there, I'll let you know. Reschedule my appointments tomorrow. Cordelia, if you have a vision, call me on my cell. Keep in touch." While he informed the two he was walking about, packing up odds and ends.

"Just wait a gosh darned minute, mister." Cordelia commanded, stopping Angel with her palms. "Come again?" Cordelia asked demanding an explanation.

"Buffy is in trouble, I'm leaving tonight to help her."

"Now what is this about Darla in Sunnydale?" Wesley asked, positioning himself next to the two.

"I'm not sure but I believe she may be there. Giles said something about a new master. Maybe this was Wolfram and Hearts plan all along. To draw me away from Los Angeles."

"Well, it's working." Cordelia pointed out. Angel, ignoring the comment, moved to leave and was henceforth blocked by his two friends.

"Thank you, Cordy. But I'm not just going to ignore a friend in need. If something happens, let me know." Angel held up his cell phone. "Call Gunn and ask him if he can sign on for a permanent basis until I'm back."

Angel grabbed his bag, ready to leave. "Look guys, I'm sorry. It is just something I've got to do." Wesley and Cordelia glanced at each other and separated.

"Be careful," Wesley commented.

"And if the next time I see you I'm armed with a stake, I reserve the right to say `I told you so.'" Cordelia threw in. "You better be back for the party!"

With that, Angel was off.

***

Even in sleep, Buffy felt him. His presence surrounded her like a familiar coat, the one you wait all summer to put on. At first she thought she must have been dreaming, Angel had comforted her many times before in her dreams. But this wasn't a dream. It was real. As surprised as she was to feel his presence, Buffy's heart sang as she saw him outside her window watching.

Slowly she climbed from her bed, she was still sleepy. As she opened her window to admit the vampire Buffy wrapped her arms around herself, the shivers slowly crawling up her spine as her skin felt the gentle breeze now circulating through her room.

"Hey," Buffy said.

"Hey," Angel replied.

"What are you doing here?" Buffy asked. God, it was good to see him.

"I heard you may be in some trouble." A look of anger quickly passed over Buffy's face. There had been so much for so long, she couldn't deny her pain any longer. The two were locked in a gaze, Angel still sitting patiently on the tree outside. As their eyes held one another, Buffy felt relief for the first time in months.

"May I come in?" Buffy moved aside, toward her bed as Angel crawled in. Buffy sat, suddenly feeling the strain of the last year.

"Did Giles call you?" Buffy wondered out-loud.

"Yes. He's worried about you. So is Willow. They all love you so much." As do I, Angel added silently.

"I guess I didn't have them fooled." Angel had to smile at Buffy`s comment. "So they send in you. I'm fine, really I am. I'm sorry you wasted the gas, but you can go back to LA. I can deal." Buffy suddenly didn't want Angel to see her so vulnerable.

"That's bullshit and you know it, Buffy. I can feel you, you know. I know exactly how you feel. And the way I see it you have two options. You can go on, piling all the shit up until it hurts so much you break, or you can talk to me. I'm your friend and I'm here for you. It hurts me to see you like this."

Buffy's eyes filled with tears as she heard Angel's impassioned speech. "Thank you."

Buffy didn't know how to feel. It was so painful after graduation when Angel had left, Buffy didn't think she was going to survive. But she did, and then she found Riley. Then she fell in love with Riley. And now, in the wake of Riley's departure, Angel suddenly appears to give her comfort. Where did that leave Angel? The big brother always looking after her? She had to deny that because her feelings toward Angel went far beyond big brother. Was it possible to love two men at the same time?

Angel and Buffy stood like this for a while, Buffy staring down pretending that the carpet was oh-so-interesting while Angel looked down on her. She had changed a lot in the last 10 months. Her hair had grown some and her manner was definitely older. She seemed to be ready for the world now, if the world could get passed the broken heart.

"You want to talk?" Angel finally asked.

"No! Yes...I don't know." She began quickly. "What is this Angel? You find is so easy to just walk out on me almost two years ago, yet when I *seem* to be in trouble, here you are. Back! You know, yeah, some times life's a bitch. In fact, right now it pretty much couldn't get any suckier. But do you really think you can just make it all better?" Buffy was going for the cheep shots. She wanted to hurt him.

Angel flinched. He knew Buffy was talking out of pain. "No. And for the record, you aren't the only one going through a hard time."

Buffy paused. She forgot how Angel viewed her as an equal, for the most part. It was what Riley could never understand. Even though he claimed he did, they were too different to ever see eye to eye. Buffy decided she could open up to Angel. Spike was right, she did need to talk to someone.

"I guess it all started with Dracula..." At the sound of that name, Angel's ears perked. Dracula? Buffy continued and related the past few month's experiences to Angel. She told all about her mom's illness and how Dawn was somehow bestowed upon her for protection. Buffy told how a vampire managed to stake Buffy with her own stake, and how she sought out Spike to hear his tale. Riley's break up came next, followed with the torment she had been feeling since. She explained to Angel how it felt, as her mom lay in the hospital with a brain tumor, to console a young girl who six months before didn't even exist. She told of Glory, Tara, and the other people who had come into her life effecting it in harmful and wonderful ways. And when she was finished, tears were in her eyes. "...And to top it off, last month I turned 20. 20, Angel, can you believe it? Giles tells me I am the longest living slayer in recent history. Recent being since 1811. I just feel like death is there, looming around the corner. My mom came so close this year, what's to say I'm not next on the list."

By now, Buffy was crying. Angel brought her to him as they sat on her bed. "Shh...you're not going to die. I won't let you."

"Spike says every slayer has a death wish. I denied it at the time, but maybe I do. Sometimes I just wish it would all end!"

"Buffy..." Angel said loudly. When she didn't respond, he tried again. "Buffy, don't say that. You are the strongest person I know. You have defeated demon after demon, the master, and a few other vampires hell bent on destroying you. Are you really going to throw all that away?"

"I don't mean it. I mean, I won't deny that I have thought about suicide. I just...Dawn needs me. My mom needs me. From time to time, the fate of humanity rests on my shoulders. And I've been carrying around this burden for five years." Buffy took a deep breath and calmed down. Angel looked down at her. She continued to hiccup and sniff.

"I made Riley promise me he would say goodbye." Angel tried hard not to react. How the boy could leave her in such a state was beyond him. "I got a letter from Iowa. He's taking the semester off, working on the family farm. Finding himself, he says. I was so jealous. You know what I would give to take a semester off from slaying? Just to breathe, you know?" Angel nodded, he did.

"You're exhausted. Lay down." Angel didn't want to talk any more of Buffy's ex. Fortunately, Buffy did as he asked. Her eyes closed upon hitting the pillow. Angel ran his hand up and down her back, comforting her as she still had the hiccups.

Buffy realized she had yet to ask after Angel. "So, how has your year been going?"

He about laughed. "I will explain all tomorrow. I have to meet with Giles. I was hoping you would come along." Buffy was silent in affirmation, an unspoken agreement. Angel continued to stroke her back.

"Angel?" Buffy sounded so young and innocent.

"Yes?"

"Stay here tonight? With me? I just need to be held." And so he did. For the first time in over a year, since the day that didn't exist, Angel took Buffy in his arms and held her as she slept.

***

"Buffy?" She woke with a start. It was morning, or rather late morning. She looked up realizing it was her mother who called her name. In a moment of panic, she looked around for Angel. Had last night just been a dream?

"I'm sorry to wake you, I know you have been busy lately, patrolling and all. But do you think you could watch Dawn today while I go to a doctor's appointment? I was planning on stopping by the gallery after."

Buffy rubbed her eyes, 11:08 her clock read. "Yeah, sure." She answered without thinking. Her eyes got wide, suddenly she was very awake.

If Joyce noticed Buffy's reaction, she didn't say so. "I should be home by 4:30, but just to be safe I left some money downstairs for Pizza or Chinese if you get hungry."

"Okay. How are you feeling?" Buffy asked sitting up and crawling out of bed.

"Not all that bad. I have a little headache, but the doctor has told me that is normal." Joyce answered.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive." Joyce smiled. "You seem like you are feeling better yourself."

Buffy smiled. "What can I say, I got a good night's sleep." Joyce walked out and Buffy shut her door. "Angel?"

"Yeah?" He said, emerging from her closet.

"It wasn't a dream." Buffy commented, not sure how to act. "That could have easily been a disaster."

"I heard her coming in time. Did you sleep well?" Angel wasn't too sure how to act himself. The night before she had bore her soul to him, now everything was awkward. She nodded. Buffy didn't feel like telling him the truth, everything always was right in the world when she slept in his arms. "Good. We should probably get going as soon as your mother leaves."

"Okay. Oh, shit! Dawn. I'm going to have to take her with me. Do you mind?" As if he had a choice, Angel noticed, but at least she had the foresight to ask.

"It may complicate things a bit. Does she even know who I am?"

As if on cue, Dawn burst into Buffy's room. "Buffy, mom said that--" Dawn noticed Angel's figure in her sister's room and looked as if she was going to scream. Buffy quickly raced over and shut her up, covering her hand over Dawn's mouth. As soon as she calmed down, Buffy released her grip. There was a tense moment in the room as Buffy looked from Angel to Dawn and then back to Angel. As far as she knew, Dawn had memories of Angel, but she wasn't certain.

"Uh...hi?" Dawn began.

"Dawn, you remember Angel." Angel marveled at the young girl standing before him. So this was the girl Glory was so hell bent on getting a hold of. As Buffy explained it the night before, Dawn had no idea who or what she was. In her mind she was just a normal teenager with a not-so-normal older sister. Buffy told Angel that Dawn had taken Joyce's cancer hard and the two had become close.

"Hello, Dawn." Angel finally managed to say.

Dawn considered the situation. She had just walked into her sister's room to find out the plan for the day and suddenly ran into Angel. What was wrong with this picture? Her mind started to turn as she realized the time of day and the fact that Buffy was in her pajamas. She looked at her sister and demanded an explanation. "It's a good thing I'm not Zander, or life would really suck right about now."

"Angel is here because he needs my help." Dawn raised her eyebrow. Buffy knew she would never be able to fully explain Angel's appearance so sudden in the morning. "We are going to head over to Giles' shop soon."

Knowing that was the best explanation she was going to get for the time being, Dawn made a quick exit and headed downstairs. "I should get dressed." Buffy said.

"Good idea." With that, the two were able to carefully avoid further conversation.

***

Giles had worried business at the Magic Box would hinder his appointment with Buffy and Angel, so he closed the shop for the day. Anya was a little tiffed that her income would be slightly effected but Giles conceded to give her a holiday with pay. With that, she quickly hung up, happy to be free to spend the whole day with Zander. Willow and Tara had decided to go on a Wicca retreat for the weekend leaving the store rather empty. Giles was slightly startled to see Dawn come through the door with Buffy (Angel, having entered from the back moments earlier), but Dawn had been tagging along with her sister a lot more in the last few months. Buffy's need to be overprotective of her little sister slightly overshadowed the fact that Dawn was becoming more and more of a Scooby member. Luckily, Dawn seemed to enjoy researching the most, hanging out with Willow and Zander. Not that she had a choice. So it was that Dawn was given a book to read through while Giles, Angel and Buffy headed to the back room to talk.

Giles was surprised at the way Angel had changed. Los Angeles had been good for him, Giles noticed. Angel seemed happier, the dark look in his eyes was still here, but now it was lighter. Giles could tell things were looking better. Angel's mood suddenly changed as pleasantries were given and it got down to the real work.

Angel hesitated, not sure where to begin. "I'm sure you have heard of the Scrolls of Aberjian." He decided. Buffy looked on inquisitively.

Giles nodded. "Prophesies. Said to have been lost many thousands of years ago. They speak manly of the End of Days." Giles wondered where Angel was going.

"Not quite so lost." Said Angel as he pulled the scroll out of his jacket. Giles drew in a large breath. Buffy just watched Angel, unsure of what he would say next. "I have managed to get a hold of the original copy."

Giles was stunned. "May I see it?" Angel handed the scroll to him. "I must ask, where did you find this?"

Buffy`s ears perked. Having decided to take a back seat in the conversation, she had been sitting listening with interest. Giles decided to take a seat as well. Angel took the floor, relating the story. "I've made enemies with a firm in LA. Wolfram and Heart. Lawyers, they have made it their business to delve into the darker goings on of our world. The people who work there are cold and heartless, you can imagine their clients. I have managed to ruin their plans more than once or twice. Wolfram and Heart hired Faith as an assassin to kill me, and you know how well that worked." Giles nodded, Buffy had related the story. Angel continued, "Every plan they have had to eliminate me has failed. So, they tried a different angle. The scroll not only contains prophecies, but spells as well. And one such powerful spell can bring a vampire back from the dust."

Giles listened with interest, but Buffy felt where Angel was headed. She gasped. No, it isn't possible, she thought.

Angel stopped walking and looked Buffy in the eyes. "They brought Darla back, to distract me and ultimately turn me. Make me Angelus again."

Rage passed through Buffy's eyes but she stayed silent. Giles was becoming more and more confused as Angel resumed. "But they made a few errors. First, Darla is no longer a vampire, she is human. They also failed to realize that now that she had a soul, she wouldn't be able to be as heartless as she once was. She plagued my dreams for weeks until I realized she had returned. She begged me to turn her, but I wouldn't. Then she found out she was dying and tried even harder. In the end, I managed to save her soul." Angel paused.

Giles almost dreaded to ask this question. "Where is she now?"

Buffy was still digesting the information. Darla was back? What did this mean for her. Darla and Angel had been together for 150 years, she had only been in his life for four years, two of which they weren't even together. Could Angel have chosen Darla over her? Were they now together?

Angel saw how Buffy was feeling. He wished more then ever that he could run to her, tell her everything would be all right and that it was still she that he loved. But he lost that right when he walked out of Sunnydale almost two years ago.

"It doesn't end there. Wolfram and Heart again intervened. Once they figured out I wasn't going to turn Darla back and fall into their trap, they brought in back up." Angel's voice was now monotone. The whole ordeal had been painful, but to now relate it to the two people who would judge him the most...he wasn't sure how they would react. "They turned her, using...Dru. And in doing so, made my sire my grand-childe."

The two sat, stunned beyond belief. "Drucilla?" Buffy managed to ask. All Angel could do was nod. Silence ensued for a few minutes. Angel finally spoke, to no one in particular.

"I haven't seen the two since the night Dru turned Darla. They disappeared. When Giles told me Sunnydale might once again be facing the wrath of a Master...Well, it makes complete sense. Darla knows how and where to hurt me the most."

A feather could have dropped in the room and all would have turned it was so silent. Giles sat, digesting the information he just heard. Buffy was angry. Angel should have told her about Darla the minute he knew she was back. She could stay silent no longer.

"So, Darla--the fang type--is back." It wasn't a question, more of a confirmation.

"Yes." Angel squeaked. He knew what was coming. Buffy stood and walked closer to where Angel was standing. For some reason, even though she stood almost a foot shorter, Angel felt as if she was looking down, not up.

"And, she's been around a while..." Buffy said, continuing to confirm.

"Actually, since the beginning of last summer, but I didn't know until October." Buffy fumed. Giles quickly made an excuse exit, claiming he needed to check on Dawn.

"And when exactly were you planning on telling me, Angel? When she was knocking on my door in full vamp form?"

Angel broke. He still loved Buffy, but now she was getting just a little too demanding for an ex. "Buffy, we live in separate worlds. You have had your hands full. We stay out of each other's lives. Do you honestly think me barging in on your time would have been a good thing?"

"Well, the least you could have done was call me when Darla went all fangy!" Buffy retorted.

"Now, Buffy. Don't over-react." Angel said, attempting to calm Buffy down. He realized too late that he had said the wrong thing.

Buffy paused. "Now I remember exactly why it never worked between us Angel, you always made decisions for the both of us. Don't you think having Drucilla and Darla, loose, *together,* was just a little bit of an important fact?"

Angel knew he wasn't going to win. "Look, I'm sorry. But it isn't as if I've been caught up in dealing with this. I've been working as hard as I can to get this solved."

"Well, it looks like your lawyer firm succeeded." Buffy almost yelled. She regretted the words as soon as she spoke them. Calming down, she said, "I'm sorry."

"No, you are right. I have wasted too much time on this. For a time I thought I might actually be able to help Darla. Now I just want to get on with my life! I feel responsible for her, for what she and Drusilla do."

Buffy and Angel stared at each other, speaking without words. Buffy could see Angel was close to losing it emotionally. She started laughing. It amazed Buffy how healing the laughter was. At first she was shocked, the sound was strange to her ears. Angel looked at her in horror. Why was she laughing? Why not, was all he could decide. Suddenly, Angel started laughing. Upon hearing Angel laugh, Buffy laughed harder. She could never remember hearing him laugh. Really laugh. Buffy laughed hard, for some reason though the danger she and Angel faced was evident, all they could do was laugh. Buffy's stomach was beginning to ache and tears were coming out of her eyes. Taking a few breaths she attempted to stop.

"God," Buffy told him. "How do we both manage to get in these fucked up situations..." Her mind was clearer than it had been in months. She felt as if she was waking up from a nightmare that began so long before. She realized it was Angel's friendship that was her beacon, anchoring her closer to real life.

"How does a vampire fall in love with a vampire slayer?" Angel said without thinking. Buffy sat shocked at his comment. Angel tried to cover his comment immediately. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean that."

"Yes, you did." Buffy countered. "Or, at least I hope you did."

Angel's gaze became foggy. Buffy decided to explain. "Angel, I love you and will always, but the world tells us time and time again that it is impossible for us to be together. I realize that now. I just heard you laugh--really laugh-- for the first time. She drew in a large breath. Buffy knew she would never be able to have what she really wanted from Angel. "I need a friend now, nothing more. And I think I should tell you this," Buffy's voice strained to say the words, "I understand."

Angel looked at her, questioning. "I understand why it is that you left. You have changed, grown. I now know how difficult it must have been for you to leave. You gave up so much for my happiness, and I thank you for that."

Angel looked peaceful. More then ever he wished it were possible to be with Buffy. The magic between them still existed. But he also knew that what Buffy needed right then was a friend, not a lover. He simply stated, "Thank you."

"Friends?" Buffy asked, offering him her hand to shake.

"Forever," Angel replied, accepting her hand. The touch between the two was felt in their souls. The urge to grab Buffy in his arms and tell her he loved her was strong. But when he looked in her eyes Angel knew she was still in pain, and in love with another man. Absence truly does make the heart grow fonder. Angel thought of his future and wondered if Buffy would ever fit into it. The wounds were just too fresh to be in a relationship.

For right now, her friendship was perfect.

The end of part one, the story. Kind of cheesy, but it needed to happen. I'm currently working on the next in the series, Breaking the Darkness.

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