Part 6

Buffy sighed loudly and took the seat Dr. Sefton offered her. She hated doctors and she hated being here, but her mother had almost forced her to go. Ever since her exhibition she was having dizzy spells and so Mrs. Giles had insisted for her seeing a doctor.

Dr. Sefton was a practical doctor, Buffy knew her almost all her life and she was now smiling openly at her, "Now, Buffy, I'm glad you could come. I've got all the test results now."

"I still don't know why you couldn't have told me on the phone," the blonde muttered. "Alright," she sighed again, "what is it? Not enough iron? My blood pressure is too low? Just tell me, I take some pills and..."

"Actually," Dr. Sefton interrupted her, "it's nothing that can be cured with pills, only time will help in this special case." She grinning in seeing Buffy's puzzled gaze, "You're pregant, Buffy."

The blonde paled visibly, "What?," she asked incredulously.

"Yes," the doctor confirmed. "You should be about 7 weeks pregnant. I'm surprised you didn't notice it yourself. When did you have your last period?"

"My last ..., oh boy," Buffy rubbed her forehead, "there was so much going on, I had another exhibition and all, but ... I can't really remember when I had my last." Suddenly she frowned, "But I'm on the pill."

"And you take it regularely?," Dr. Sefton wanted to know.

The blonde smiled a sheepishly, "Yeah, well ... sometimes I forgot, being so busy and all." She leaned back in her seat, "Wow," she said more to herself.

"Buffy, I understand that you had reservations about another pregnancy after your miscarriage, but ...," she stopped when she saw a smile creeping over her patient's lips. "What?"

"I'm happy," the blonde smiled, "God, I think it's great news and I'm happy. Only some weeks ago my mom said I would know when I'm ready to have another baby. It seems I am. Ready, I mean. Thank you Dr. Sefton," she jumped up. "I have to tell Angel. He will be so happy."

She was almost out of the door, when the doctor's voice stopped her, "Wait! Buffy, please call me tomorrow, I'll give you the number of a good OB. You need to have some tests run."

The blonde looked instantly worried, "Is there something wrong with our baby?" "No," Dr. Sefton shook her head, "it's just to make sure everything is alright. You need to have ultrasounds later on and these things."

"Alright. I give you a call tomorrow, but now I need to see my husband. I hope you understand."

"Of course," the doctore smiled at the closed door.

*******

"This is really strange," Angel frowned at the police report in front of him and looked at Spike who sat in his office. "Did you read it?"

"Yes," his friend replied with a nod. "It seems Mr. Benton was right. They won't do anything about his daughter. It just isn't priority. But this," he pointed at another file lying on Angel's desk, "is what has me worried. Dru is talking to the parents of the girl now that we speak."

"Hmmm," Angel made deep in thoughts. This morning they had learned that only three days ago the police had found the dead body of a girl in an alley. She was blonde too and about the same size and shape as Denise. "It can be a conincidence," he said after a while.

Spike shook his head, narrowed his eyes and licked his lips, "I have a bad feeling about this," he said. "I can't explain it, but they are too alike. I mean, look at their pictures, they could've been sisters. Somehow my gut tells me it'll be only a matter of time until they find another body. Denise's."

The dark haired man closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair, "Pray you're wrong. I don't know how to tell her father if you're right." He opened his eyes again, "I won't tell him about your suspicions, not now. Although they sound very likely. We just have to look at the facts. Denise is a dutiful daughter, she's reliable at work, visits her friends regularely and all of a sudden she's gone. Tells noone, nobody has seen her ... this sounds too familiar, too damned familiar."

"Yes," his friend nodded gravely, "I ...," he stopped when a motion at the door caught his attention, "Buffy, hi," he greeted his friend's wife, who was beaming at her husband.

"Buffy," Angel stood up quickly and walked over to her, "are you okay? I didn't expect you." He rubed her arms in concern and looked at her.

"No, I'm fine. Actaully...," she gazed at Spike, "would you mind letting us alone for a moment?" she asked.

"Sure, Angel, we talk later. I'm going to talk to officer Garvey about this," he said and closed the door behind him.

"So tell me," Angel demanded. "What is the matter?"

"Angel," with tears in her eyes she slung her arms around his neck and locked eyes with him, "I ... I'm pregnant."

He was speechless, he could do nothing but stare at her. "P...," he cleared his throat, "pregnant?" Was that really his voice he was hearing? It sounded so strange.

"Yes," she nodded happily. "I'm coming from the doctor right now. It's certain. I'm seven weeks along, but with all the things going on I never thought about it. Angel, are you okay?," she asked and touched his cheek, "You look so strange?"

He exhaled a breath he hadn't even realised he was holding and shook his head, "I'm okay, just ... oh heavens, Buffy, you're pregnant," he began to grin, "we're going to have a baby."

"Yes!," she said again. "Angel. I'm so happy. Are you happy?"

"Happy? I'm delighted, thrilled, exited," he laughed. Then suddenly he became serious, "And you're sure you're alright. You need to be careful now, no heavy lifting or anything, do you understand, and then you need to see a doctor regularly, they have to do ultrasounds and ...," he was interrupted when she pressed her lips on his.

"You're very sweet when you babble," she said afterwards. "I'm calling my doctor tomorrow and she'll give me the number of a good OB. And I will be careful. Angel," her voice was suddenly thin, "you think this will be alright? I really want that baby and I'm happy, but still..."

He held her tightly, "I'm sure. It was an accident the last time, my love."

"I know," she nodded and smiled again, "This is so exciting. Only some months and then we'll have our baby. Oh Angel," she sighed happily and leaned her head against his chest.

"Hey are you okay," Cordelia had opened the door and looked at the couple, her forehead wearing a frown in seeing her best friends in tears.

"Yes," Angel nodded and tried to blink his tears of happiness away, "Actually," he looked at his wife and when he saw her aproving smile he said, "you can be the first to know. Buffy and I are going to have a baby."

"Oh," the brunette smiled brilliantly. "That's... that's wonderful. Oh Buffy, Angel," she walked over and embraced them in a group hug. "Congratulations. Oh hell, now I'm crying too," she sniffed.

"I thought this was the office of a PI and not the 'Crying Game'," Doyle grinned at the group. "What's going on?"

"Oh," Cordelia pulled back from her friends and looked at her husband who was immediately concerned. But she smiled, "Buffy's pregnant, Doyle. They're going to have a baby."

Her husband began to grin, "I see. God, this agency will be flooded with children soon."

"It seems," Angel nodded. "You know, I think we've done enough for today. How about a spontaneous celebration?" When he saw his wife and his friends nod he grinned and took his keys, "then let's go. You're all invited."

Part 7

"This restaurant is nice," Buffy sighed and smiled at her husband lovingly.

"And good food too," Cordelia informed her.

They'd started celebrating Buffy's pregnancy at afternoon with some drinks (non-alcoholic for the expecting mothers of course) in a coffee-shop near by and now continued with dinner in a four star Italian restaurant.

"And we can really afford it," Doyle grinned. "I mean it's a good thing we're here to celebrate. Only some years ago we started the agency and were almost starving the first months. And look at us now," he took his glas in his hand, "we needed more staff because the work is almost too much, both our beloved ladies are expecting," he winked at Angel, "aaand, Mrs. Giles is watching Camille for the night," now he winked at his wife.

At Buffy's and Angel's puzzled gazes Cordelia explained, "Just recently she's developed a thing for mommy's and daddy's bed. Preferably in the middle of the night and between us. She insists that green monsters are following her to eat her alive," she sighed dramatically. "It really cools down your love life."

Angel chuckled at that, "Must be something. Just imagine," he grinned at Buffy, "to be in the middle of... and then the door opens and your daughter's standing there."

"Yeah," Doyle didn't seem to share their amusement, "Now you know what's going to happen to you soon."

"Never," Buffy shook her head emphatically. "Our child will behave her- or himself." Gently she patted her belly.

"Ha, ha," Cordelia made, "wishful thinking, I promise. The little ones have a talent for these situations. I can't even count the times anymore when Camille interrupted a kiss or something like that. And the worst thing is, you can never be mad at her, because she just smiles sweetly. At least that's what's she doing now. I can clearly remember the time when she would cry 'kissy face' all the time." She rolled her eyes but laughed at the same time. "Thanks to Doyle she's too spoiled."

"Hey, not fair," he defended himself, but shut up when he saw his wife raise a brow. "Okay, okay, what can I say. She's just irresistable."

They were interrupted by the waiter who brought their plates and soon they started eating.

"Hmmmm," Cordelia closed her eyes in pleasure. "This tastes delicious. But then, Angel choose the restaurant. Always trust a masterly cook to find his own kind."

"I could never produce something like that," Angel refused the compliment.

"Not true. Your catfish in cream-sauce," Buffy licked her lips. "I've never," she gestured with her empty fork in the air, "never, I say, eaten anything that can compare to that." Suddenly she narrowed her eyes and tilted her head, "I'm sure you made it that first evening especially to seduce me. See, I've found out your secret, Angel. Now there's nothing you can hide from me anymore," she grinned.

"Only fair. Husbands shouldn't have secrets with their wifes," the brunette took another fork of her noodles. "But wifes can have secrets with their husbands, am I getting this right?," Doyle exchanged a look with Angel.

"Exactly," his wife nodded. "Women need to have secrets, that's half of the fascination. Secrets make a woman attractive and mysterious. Just think about Buffy and Angel. When they met ... well, there were certainly a lot of secrets around Buffy."

"Not really," the blonde said looking at her husband. "I told Angel right away." She gave him a smile and he took her hand to kiss it lovingly.

"Stop this," Cordelia scolded them. "No PDA in a restaurant of all places. We're here to eat, not to do things better done in one's bedroom."

"Cordelia," Angel chuckled. "I was just kissing my wife's hand. That's certainly nothing to make anyone blush."

The brunette pointed with her fork at him, "You never know. Things can get easily out of hand. I've seen you two. I've got experience. You've always got problems to keep your hands off her."

"That's mutual," Buffy muttered between two bites of her meat.

"I've heard that," Cordelia grinned smugly. "And let me tell you, comments like these don't give you any points in my book. We're grown up adults, no hormone driven teenagers."

"But hormones can be so very nice," Angel gave Buffy a mischievious grin and pressed another kiss on her palm. She giggled in response.

"Oh God," the brunette groaned. "If anyone asks, we're not here together."

"Come on, 'Delia," Doyle squeezed his wife's arm, "They've just heard they're going to be parents soon."

"Talking about parents and hormones," Buffy smiled sweetly at the brunette, "How come you're already expecting your second if you never listen to your basic instincts?"

"At least we're doing it privately."

"Oh yeah? That reminds me of all the times I found Doyle drooling over your desk in the office or even one special time...," Angel trailed off, grinning devlishly.

"Shut up," Cordelia gave him a murderous look. "You promised never to tell anyone about that special incident or call it accident."

"Accident?," Buffy perked her ears and gave her husband a curious glance.

"Angel," the brunette warned.

"Hey, she's my wife and just before you said I'm not about to have secrets with her."

"Hmph," Cordelia made and concentrated on her meal. For once she had no argument against that. "So here it goes," Angel said with a smug look in his eyes, "It was the second year we had the agency. Cordelia was with us for about three or four months when we had our first big case. A murder. Anyway, it was an ugly story. In the end we found out that our client - whom our pretty secretary found deadly attractive - had been the killer and just hired us as a distraction. Grant, that was his name, mostly ignored Cordelia which made her furious. She couldn't imagine why he wouldn't be attracted to her." He exchanged a short glance with Doyle who looked amused, knowing exactly what was coming now.

"So that evening we found out about Grant, Miss Chase decided to take the matters in her own hand and visited him at his hotel room. To her great luck, Grant wasn't a man who would kill anybody. He'd only wanted to get the money from his grandmother, the lady who had been killed. At the time Cordelia showed up in his apartment he was already aware of the fact we knew about him and thought, she did too, which wasn't the case.

"To make a long story short, he forced her to remove all her clothing and left her in his hotel room with nothing to replace what he'd taken from her, cutting the phone so she wouldn't tell or warn us he was leaving town. But Doyle, almost insane with jealousy had spied on her and," Angel had to chuckle, "found her like this only two minutes after Grant, he was gay by the way, had left. He brought her back to the agency wearing nothing but a sheet around her body. He couldn't bring her home because we'd agreed to meet at the office at a certain time.

"And Doyle was so angry with her that he yelled at her, one thing led to another and when I finally showed up at the agency they were all over each other over Cordelia's desk," he finished the story with a grin.

"That's a great story," Buffy grinned as well. "If you're ever going to write your memoirs this has to be a special chapter, like I and the gay killer after whom I lusted," she held her stomach she was laughing so hard.

"Ha, ha, this is so funny," Cordelia said and found great interest in her fingernails. They needed painting, didn't they.

"I could've strangled her," Doyle said remembering that night. "Running right into the hotel room of a suspect. She hadn't known he was the killer, but he was after all a suspect and yet," he ran a hand through his hair. "I'm sure this night costed me five years of my life."

"Poor baby," his wife had found her sense of humor again and patted his leg. "But think about the fact you could play the white night in shining armour. I was so glad when you came to that room. I honestly didn't know what to do. And about Grant being gay. I was glad to hear it," her face wore a content expression now, "because otherwise I'd thought I had lost my attraction for men."

"Still, thinking about Cordy in a white sheet running around in a hotel," Buffy giggled.

"It wasn't fun," Doyle told her. "She was yelling at me all the time. First she seemed really glad to see me, but then she was angry, because I had followed her, then she almost hit me when I told her Grant was gay."

"But why were you jealous when you knew about him being gay?," the blonde asked.

"Because I couldn't imagine a man resiting Cordelia," he said honestly.

"Oh, I love you Doyle," his wife had tears in her eyes. "Did I ever tell you how sweet you are?"

"You can show me later," he winked at her.

Their easy conversation was suddenly interrupted by the sound of Angel's cell-phone. With a laugh he answered it but his face became instantly serious and his eyes locked with Doyle's. "Yeah," he said. "Thanks Dru. See you then. Yes, thanks again." He disconnected the line and took a deep breath, "Bad news. They found the body of a girl. It's Denise." 

Part 8

Angel had hated mortuaries from the day he'd started to work as a private investigator. The first few months his stomach would heave each time. It wasn't the blood or the dead bodies but the despair and grieve of the people left behind. Death was so final and there was nothing he could do anymore to change the facts. All that was left was finding the one who'd ended a promising young life and help justice being performed. Still it left you with a feeling of failure and helplessness.

"God, I hate this," Doyle rubbed the back of his neck and leaned himself against the wall.

Angel quickly glanced at him and both exchanged a short look of understanding. Both turned when they heard a door open and shut and then saw Kate Lockley heading their way.

"Angel, Doyle," she greeted both men. Over the years of Angel's marriage to Buffy Kate had managed to get over her feelings towards the PI and now they were able to act at least civil around each other. "I left the Bentons with their daughter. They insisted on staying with her for another while," she told them. "My partner, Barney, is with them. He'll take care of them." She took a deep breath and motioned to the chairs.

When all of them were seated she shook her head, "As long as I'm working as a police officer, I will never get used to this. She was so young, it's so senseless." She locked eyes with Angel, "She was murdered brutally. But there are some things you should know." When she saw Doyle raise a brow she gave him a sad smile, "Mr. Benton told me he would hold on to you to help to find the killer. And for this you should know the facts." She had to laugh, "I know it doesn't sound like me, openly passing information on to PIs, but I want that bastard as soon as possible. The way it looks...," she paused and rubbed her eyes. "Let's get some coffee first. I had a long night and it's still early."

They all stood up and moved over to get some coffee. When they were seated again, Kate continued, "It seems as if this could be a serial killer or become one. Only some days ago we found another girl." When she saw the PIs nod she realised that they'd already heard about it. "I should've known that nothing escapes you both," she had to laugh, "anyway. The girls are very much alike. If it was only that it wouldn't give us a sleepless night, but there's more. Both were murdered the same way, strangled with a scarf the doc says, both wore an identical mark on their stomach. He tatoos them when they're already dead. Both had sex before they were killed," she closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead, "but of course our killer is smart and used a condom, so there are no traces. He even cuts their fingernails and cleans their hands. This bastard it very clever. And he's obvioulsy after a certain type."

"Yeah," Doyle nodded. "We already realised that. It was what made us wonder if we'd find Denise alive."

"I see," Kate took a sip from her coffee. "Oh, there is another thing. The way it looks Denise was killed before the other girl."

"Oh God," Angel leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. When he opened them again he looked at the police officer, "so there'd be a possibility to find more. Girls, I mean?"

"I don't want to imagine it, but yeah," she replied. "The moment we realised the fact that the girls were killed the same way we hired a psychologist. At the moment she tries to form a profile of the killer. So far she thinks he's after a certain woman but couldn't get her. So he looks for look alikes. When his sexual hunger is satisfied anger takes over that they aren't her after all and he kills them."

Angel felt nausea rising in his stomach and he had to swallow hard. It wasn't the first time he doubted this was the right job for him. "So he doesn't intend to kill them at first."

"That's what the psychologist says," Kate confirmed. "What makes him even more dangerous. I'm sure to the women he just looks like a charming date. The profile even says that he might date some women and let them go. There's no way saying what triggers the kill."

*****

"Oh Baby," Joyce Giles hugged her daughter tightly, then pulled back and smiled at her with tears in her eyes. "This is wonderful news. I'm going to be a granny soon."

"Yeah," Buffy smiled back. They were standing in her mother's office in the gallery.

"What did Angel say?"

"Oh, Mom. He was struggling to keep his happy tears from falling. I think I've never seen him so happy before." She had to smile at the thought of her husband.

"Where is he by the way," Joyce asked, finally releasing her daughter. "I'd think he wouldn't let you out of his sight."

Buffy laughed, "You know him too well. But there's this case they're working on. Obviously the daughter of the client they are working for was found dead last night."

"How horrible," her mother shook her head, "I don't even want to think about something like that. You being gone for six years was bad enough, but we got you back. To think...," she had to take a deep breath.

"Yeah," Buffy nodded and unconsciously rubbed a hand over her belly. "They are at the mortuary at the moment. He and Doyle. The parents of the girl are there ...," she paused remembering how her husband had held her close the whole night in need of being near to her. She looked at her mother, "Angel took it hard." She sighed and shook her head, "maybe that's the reason he's so good, but it throws him. He feels helpless."

The two women were silent for a while, then Joyce cleared her throat and changed the subject, "You should tell your father," she smiled at her daughter and then had to laugh, "He will be happy for you. Oh wait," she clasped her hands together, "we could have a baby-announcement-party. What do you think?"

"Mom," Buffy bit her lower lip. "I don't want to spoil your fun, but I don't want everybody to know at the moment. Maybe a bit later when we can be sure...," she trailed off, looking to the ground.

Joyce took her hand and cupped one cheek to make her look at her, "No heavy thoughts, honey. Nothing will happen to your baby this time. I know there's always a risk the first three months and I'm alright if you don't want to announce it right now, but you have to think positive."

"I do," her daughter smiled again, "really I do. Still I can remember all the sad faces and the condolences last time. It was almost as hard as loosing the baby."

Mrs. Giles squeezed Buffy's hand, "I understand. Alright, but you should tell Rupert, because I can't keep it from him. I just feel too happy about it." She grinned widely.

"I will. Can I use your phone?"

******

"Mr. and Mrs. Benton," Angel, Doyle and Kate stood up when they saw the couple coming towards them. Mr. Benton had introduced his wife to the PI this morning. He'd told them she had a weak heart but at the moment she was holding herself together admirably.

"Mr. Finnegan," Laura Benton gave him a quick smile. "My husband and I have decided to hire you further on. We," she narrowed her eyes at Kate, "lost our faith in the police. They did nothing in the first place and we're not so sure they're capable of finding a killer."

"Mrs Benton," Kate began but was stopped by the woman holding up a hand. "Detective Lockley," she said, "I'm sure you will try, but I also know how busy the police is. You won't tell us we aren't allowed to hire a PI, will you?"

"No of course not," Kate said with a sigh. She knew the couple had already made up their mind and there was no way changing it.

"Mr. Finnegan. Denise was our only child. Some sick bastard killed her without mercy." She had to take a deep breath to hold herself together. "She was the most wonderful daugher, so talented, so bright ... I want him behind bars for the rest of his life and I want him fast." Her voice was like steel now. "I don't want any other parents feel the way we do right now." She reached out and took the hand of her husband who hadn't said a world so far. "Nobody can imagine what it means to lose a child that way. It's...," she wasn't able to continue because her rigid control snapped and tears began to fell. With a sob she turned and burried her head in her husband's chest, who held her tightly.

"Will you do this for us," he asked Angel and Doyle. "Will you continue working for us and help finding her killer?"

"Of course we will," Angel assured him quickly. "I didn't have the pleasure meeting your daughter, but you can be sure that I want him caught as well." He had to think of Buffy's pregnancy and the baby they'd lost already. He hadn't experienced the same as the Benton's but he could clearly remember his own anguish. "But you should go back to your hotel now and rest. I'm going to contact you in the afternoon."

"Thankyou," Mr. Benton held out his hand and Angel took it. "See you later than."

As soon as the couple was gone Kate looked at the two men, "Maybe we can keep in close touch about this. They might not trust the police anymore, but I won't rest until we have him." They exchanged a short look and she nodded. "Good. See you then." 

Part 9

A week later they still hadn't found out anything. The Bentons had returned home, Angel had persuaded them to leave L.A. plus Denise was to be burried in her hometown. Angel lived in a permanent rollercoaster of emotions. There was the fact he and Buffy were expecting a baby, a fact that made him almost burst with happiness but then there was still a killer running wild. When he returned home exactly ten days after the police had found Denise he was particulary depressed because the body of another dead blonde had been discovered. This girl seemed to have been murdered after the others ... so the killer was still active.

Rubbing his tired eyes and fumbling in his pockets for his keys Angel looked up when the door of the oposite apartment opened. Paul Cook, he thought groaning inwardly. Buffy had told him that this man had made the moves on her, flirting constantly and then more obvious in the gallery some weeks ago. He wanted to punch him for this but knew it would be childish to act that way. Buffy had put him in his place and there was nothing more to say about it. At least at the moment, although Angel couldn't help but feel his fist itching.

"Hi Angel," Paul greeted him with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. They were cold as ice.

"Paul," Angel nodded at him for a greeting. "Didn't see you for a while."

"Yeah, lots of work you know."

Angel didn't comment on this, but opened his apartment instead realising that Buffy wasn't at home yet. Paul had noticed it as well.

"Buffy not at home?"

"No," Angel shook his head. "It's the late evening at the gallery, they're open until nine tonight."

"Oh, I see. She seems to be very devoted to her work."

"Yeah," Angel said shortly. He didn't want to talk to Paul Cook. He was tired and beat and in no mood for any small talk. "Have a nice evening," he said then and just closed the door not waiting for an answer. Somewhere in the back of his mind a thought stirred, but he couldn't get a hold on it. Too tired to evaluate he pushed it away. If it was important it would come back to him, he thought. The thing he needed now was a long shower and then he would prepare dinner for his pregant wife.

*

Outside his door Paul Cook fumed. Not only that Buffy was treating him like a bug, no now her husband was behaving all haughty towards him. Oh, he would show them. They would learn not to treat him like that. Late gallery evening, he thought. Well, maybe a short visit was in order.

*****

"Eileen?" Buffy looked around in the gallery and when she couldn't find the secretary she gazed at her watch. Only 15 minutes to go. She hated these late evenings. Fortunately it was only once a week and every other week her mother would be here. The gallery was empty already and she was praying that nobody would decide for a late evening shopping trip. People should buy art in daylight anyway, she decided.

"Did you call me?," Eileen came around a corner and smiled. "I thought I heard your voice."

"Oh, yeah," Buffy smiled back. "I just wanted to check if we're ready to close at nine. There's nothing I forgot, is there?"

"No," the secretary laughed. "Nothing. I gave you all the correspondence to sign it. Oh, but by the way. I made a date with Noel Lansing tomorrow. He'll be coming to L.A. and wants to meet you."

The blonde rolled her eyes, "Oh no," she groaned. "He's the most boring guy in the universe." Looking at Eileen she gave her a smile, "But it's alright. He wants to exibit my photos in New York."

The secretary's eyes widened, "Oh, wow! In New York, Buffy you'll be famous in no time."

"Stop," laughing Buffy held up her hand. "You're exaggerating as usual. He just wants to make an exibition in his gallery. That doesn't mean anything."

"Oh but it does. Noel Lansing is one of the top gallerists in the country, Buffy." Eileen couldn't help but look at the tiny blonde in awe.

"He wants me to do it in half a year and...," suddenly she stopped and slapped her forehead, "Oh no, I can't do it."

"You can't?" Eileen looked puzzled.

"No," Buffy shook her head. "There's some really important family thing," she said cryptically which made her secretary raise a brow. "Really, really important," she went on. "I cannot run around shooting pictures. No way."

A slow smile spread over Eileen's face, "You're pregant, right?"

"What?"

"Come on, Buffy. I have two children of my own. I know this special look in a woman's eyes. Are you pregant?"

Reluctantly the blonde nodded, "Yeah," then she laid a hand on the other woman's arm, "but please keep it to yourself. After the last time I want to be sure everything will be alright before I'm going to announce it."

"Sure," Eileen gave her a warm smile. "I understand," she assured her. "I never lost a baby myself but the mere thought one of them could be...," she shuddered slightly. "But I'm sure it'll be alright this time. I mean it was an accident, Buffy. You were not ill or something like that."

"No," the blonde took a deep breath and put a hand on her flat belly. "I was so afraid to become pregant again, you know. But now, all I can feel is exitement and Angel is so happy. Each nicht he lays his head on my stomach and talks to the baby. He's so sweet," she wiped a tear away and reached in her pocket for a cleenex, "and I'm like a fountain."

"The joys of pregnancy," Eileen joked. "When I was pregant with my second child I was crying all the time. It drove Greg almost crazy. I would cry without any reason and he felt so helpless." She glanced at her watch, "Talking about husbands, it's nine and ours are certainly waiting. Come let's go."

Laughing the two women left the gallery never noticing Paul who watched them from a distance. He saw them climbing in their cars and drive away. He'd been near and heard everything they were talking about. So the bitch was pregnant. Uncontrollable rage rose in him and his foot connected with the door of a car. She should've been his and now she was pregnant. He needed a drink and quick. And then he had to think. He would have her, pregnant or not, she was his and nobody was taking her away from him. 

Part 10

When Buffy opened the door to her apartment she was surprised to find it almost dark, the only light was a candle burning on the low living-room table, soft classic music reached her ears, the atmosphere had her sighing instantly. It was coming home. Of course the smell of something coming from the kitchen added the secenery up nicely. "Angel?", she asked into the dim light of the room.

"In here," came the answer from the kitchen.

"Where else," she muttered grinning and joined him where he was standing at the oven and stirring something in a pot. She had to blink several times to get her eyes adjusted to the bright light in the kitchen after gone through the living-room.

"Hi," he looked at her and smiled, then reached out to pulled her to him for a sweet kiss.

"Hmmm," she made after their lips parted. "Hi too. What's this?," she asked craning her neck to glance into the pot.

"Minestrone," he answered. "It's late already, so I thought you needed something not too heavy."

"Smells wonderfully," she commented and sat herself on the counter, her legs dangling in the air. "How was your day?"

Instantly the smile was wiped from his face and his eyes clouded over. When he didn't answer, she reached out and touched his shoulder, "Angel?" "The police found another blonde woman," he replied, his voice tight.

"Oh God," she put a hand on her lips. "Was ... was it the same killer?"

"Yeah," he took a spoon-full of the soup and tasted. "It's ready, could you take two spoons and two glasses with you. I'll bring the food."

"Sure," giving him an irritated glance she took the things and left the kitchen. She'd known the case was hard on him but tonight it seemed worse. She watched him while he brought the soup and placed a bowl in front of her. They ate in silence for a while, then he asked,

"And you, are you okay?"

"Yes," she gave him a brilliant smile, "we're both fine. Eileen knows. She guessed it, said after having two children of her own she knew these things."

He had to grin at that, but it was only for a moment then he became serious again.

"I'm sorry," she said after a while.

His head shot up, "Sorry?"

"I can see how hard this is on you. The dead women, I mean. I wish I could do anything," she made a helpless gesture.

"Oh Buffy," he reached out, took her hand and kissed it's palm. "You do by just being there. Now, let's eat first and then sit down comfortably. I'll explain."

"Alright," she nodded and in silence they finished the soup. Angel cleared the table afterwards and then joined her on the sofa. For another while they were just listening to the music, but then she asked softly, "Maybe you could tell me now?"

He didn't reply first, but then he took her hand in his and entwined their fingers, "It's ... the women, they all ... they are all the same type."

"Well," she leaned her head against his shoulder, "you said he is a serial killer, isn't it ... I dunno ... logical. That they're all alike, I mean."

"Yeah," he said, his voice hoarse. She could feel a soft tremble in his hand when he continued, "But they ... you ... God ...," he cleared his throat and turned so that he could look into her eyes, "they're all your type."

"What?," she whispered.

"They're all about your size, have your colouring, your weight, two of them even had hazel eyes, only the last's eyes were green."

She stared at him for a long moment and then she began to understand, "You think I might be in danger too?"

He shrugged, but his eyes were never leaving hers, "It might be. Nobody knows how he picks them. The psychologist made a profile, but it doesn't help much." Suddenly he pulled her to him, holding her close, "If anything should happen to you," he mumbled into her hair. "I couldn't stand it."

"Angel," she gently stroked his head and back, "I'm here and I'm safe."

Another shiver run through his body before he slowly pulled back, "Promise me to be careful. As long as we don't have him, you have to promise me."

"Don't be paranoid, Angel," she said with a shake of her head, but he grabbed her wrists almost painfully, pinning her stare with his.

"Listen to me, Buffy. This guy is dangerous, he kills without remorse. Please, promise me, to watch out."

"I will," she assured him quickly and rubbed her wrists he released now. "You're really afraid, aren't you? And you have no idea at all what sort of person he could be?"

"No," he shook his head and leaned back again, but held her close. "Kate says they interrogated several men, but they haven't got a clue. All of them had an alibi," he sighed, "it drives you crazy. And then Mr. and Mrs. Benton. I talked to them today. They're so desperate, they try to go on with their life, but their daughter was everything for them, Mr. Benton told me that his wife had a minor heart attack. I don't even want to think what would happen if ...," he stopped and closed his eyes.

Buffy moved closer until she was sitting on his lap, her upper body leaned against his chest, her arms around his neck, while his arms encircled her waist. "How can they bear it, I wonder? If it was my daughter...," she squeezed her eyes shut. Loosing a baby she'd never seen had been like a nightmare, but how much worse must it be to lose a daughter one had known for so many years. They had certainly dreamt to see her happily married, maybe giving them a grand-child one day and now everything was destroyed. She was dead and nothing could bring her back.

What would happen when the police found the killer? It wouldn't bring their daughter back. Would it bring some sort of peace to know justice would be done? And how long would the emptiness Denise had left go on? Probably forever.

"I think I would go crazy, if you weren't here with me," he suddenly whispered into the darkness.

"I'll be always with you. Remember what we said the night of our wedding. That there would be bad and good times, but that we'll face it together," she covered his lips with hers for a long, sweet kiss. "I love you," she sighed afterwards. "And I'm glad we are able to share this."

"I'd rather not."

"I know," she replied softly. "And I agree. But I'm glad we are that close, Angel. That our relationship is like that, that we trust each other, we rely on each other. Of course I would prefer these things wouldn't happen, but obviously they do."

"I love you too," he said then and held her even closer, while one of his large hands came to lie on her belly. "You both," he amended and she could feel him smile against her cheek. "I wonder what it thinks right now."

"That it's parents love each other very much." When she heard him chuckle, she went on, "I read it in a book. Babies can feel their parents' emotions. They feel love, anger, frustration."

Slowly Angel's hand began to stroke her belly, "Well then," he kissed her on her cheek, "this baby is certainly swimming in love at the moment."

"Yeah," she sighed happily. "Are you very tired?," Angel asked while he began to nuzzle at her earlobe.

She giggled, "No, not really."

"Good," he replied, rose with her in his arms and carried her into their bedroom. 

Go to the Part 11