Disclaimer: they're not mine, blah, blah, blah, so don't sue
Distribution: Take it, but tell me where it goes
Rating: see the show, you can read this
Spoilers: the whole B/A-cannon, to be sure; the previous parts of this series which can be found at
Summary: meeting some new friends
Feedback: is begged for
Dedication: to Anna, who celebrates her 21st birthday today and begged me to write another one of these - happy birthday!!!

When Buffy woke up that particular morning she knew there was something she should remember, but couldn't get her mind straight. There was something nagging at the back of her mind, but as hard as she tried she couldn't put her finger on it. So she just yawned and patted to her side only to find the space empty and cold already. Well technically it was always cold where he lay but it was just the feeling that he'd been up for a while.

She bolted upright in bed. What the hell was happening? She never woke up alone in bed!

Never!

Grabbing her robe she didn't bother to look for her shoes just bolted up the stairs only to come face to face to a woman who was a little bit taller and not as tiny as herself, but also blond and with a certain look in her eyes. The typical look one had when been face to face with demons ... or bad guys.

"Uhh," Buffy gave her a sheepish smile and extended a hand. "Hi, I'm Buffy."

The other woman took the offered hand and shook it: "Kate Lockley," she introduced herself. I'm a ... well, I know Angel."

"Ohh, Kate," the slayer nodded. "Angel's told me about you." Buffy wasn't sure if she liked the look in the other woman's eye at this statement. She glanced around, the office was empty, neither Lily nor Doyle were to be seen. Looking at the clock, she frowned. Half past nine and nobody there? Noticing Kate's gaze resting on her, she smiled again: "Sorry," she motioned at her pyjamas and the open robe, "for this. I just got out of bed. We worked late yesterday," she explained as if the other woman had to understand the deeper meaning of her words. "Do you want some coffee?," she asked frowning again upon seeing the fresh coffee. Someone had been there..., definitely.

"I can come another time," Kate said. "If it's ..."

"No," Buffy raised a hand. "Stay. It's just, that nobody seems to be here, except me of course." She wouldn't let the cop-lady slip from her grip. She'd tried to hit on Angel, Doyle had told her so, and the slayer would use the possibility to check her out through and through. "I'm sure Angel will be back any minute." It's day anyway, so where in God's name was he?

The same moment the office door opened and Doyle stepped in only to freeze dead in tracks on seeing the scene before him. Kate with her hands at her hips and the slayer smiling sheepishly in her pyjamas. "Mornin'," he greeted both and flashed Buffy a warm smile. "Happy Birthday, I say." He added.

It was her birthday! She was 18 today and had forgotten all about it.

The same minute her frown deepened. Even more a reason for Angel to be there. Leaving her alone and cold on her birthday. Oh, he would pay for this. A wicked grin spread across her face and now it was Kate's turn to frown. Buffy snapped out of her thoughts and smiled at Doyle: "Thanks."

"You're welcome," he hugged her and kissed her on both cheeks. "This is for you," he held a wrapped box out for her.

"Oh," the slayer's face lit up: "A present. My first today."

"The first?," the half-demon tilted his head. "I thought Angel would give you the first."

She sighed loudly: "Angel. Good subject. Do you know where he is?"

Doyle shrugged: "I just came in. How would I know?"

Hearing someone clearing her throat they both looked at Kate: "Happy birthday from me too," she said.

"Thanks," Buffy smiled at her. "I'm sorry everything is so terribly unorganized this morning."

"No worries for my sake," the cop-lady shook her head. "I just take a cup of coffee and wait for Angel in his office if it's okay."

The slayer nodded: "Sure. Go ahead." Then she tore the paper off of her present and gave Doyle a warm smile: "That's beautiful." It was a framed picture of her and Angel taken one evening in the office.

"Glad you like it," he smiled back and then leaned to her to whisper: "What's the cop-lady doing here?"

"Don't know," she whispered back. "Said she wanted to talk to Angel."

"Did you tell her you and Angel," he gestured with his hand.

"No," she shook her head and then suddenly grinned. "But she'll know soon enough."

"Happy Birthday, Buffy," came Lily's voice from the door. She was carrying flowers in one arm and a huge cake in the other.

"Lily," the slayer beamed. "That's so sweet. Thank you so much."

"I made the cake all by myself," Lily told the others and then on seeing Kate sitting in Angel's office she asked: "Who's this? A new client?"

"That's Kate," the slayer replied. "Kate?" Lily frowned. "Oh the cop-lady that hit on Angel."

"Tried to," Buffy corrected her. "It was a try, that's all."

The same moment a voice came from downstairs: "Buffy? Are you up there love?" And then Angel appeared at the top of the stairs, grinning on seeing his girlfriends unusual outfit. "Nice dress."

"Ha, ha," she came over to him. "Where did you go?"

"Happy birthday," he replied instead. "I had to get your present," he added.

She raised her eyebrows: "At this time in the morning?"

"They waited for a cheque, and I had to bring it there. Unfortunately you have to come with me, if you want to see it."

"You mean downstairs?" she gave him a seductive smile.

In response he simply rolled his eyes: "It's not actually what I had in mind." Seeing her frown he quickly added: "Not that I don't want, I mean ..." he broke off in embarrassment while Lily and Doyle burst out laughing. God this was ridiculous, he was an over 240 year old vampire and couldn't manage to give his girlfriend her present without completely embarrassing himself. Slightly shaking his head he took her hand and pulled her with him.

Doyle and Lily exchanged a glance still grinning.

The next thing they heard was a loud squeal. Then nothing and then Buffy came back up the stairs: "Oh god, Doyle, Lily," she said almost breathless. You wouldn't believe it. Angel's given me a car, a wonderful, red sports-car," suddenly she stopped and frowned: "Now all I need is a driving license."

"I could give you some lessons," Doyle offered.

Chuckling Angel appeared behind his girlfriend and encircled her waist: "No way, Doyle. You just want to have her alone in your car."

The half-demon grinned: "How did you know?," he joked. Suddenly a far away look entered his eyes.

Angel nuzzled at Buffy's neck and whispered in her ear: "What's the matter with him?"

"That's the Cordelia Chase face," the slayer replied with a grin. "Dreaming about what's out of reach."

The vampire chuckled again.

Lily cleared her throat: "Uhm, I don't want to disturb all this, but there's still the cop-lady in the office."

"Cop-lady?," Angel gave her a questioning look.

"Kate came this morning," Buffy told him. "She's waiting for you in your office."

"Oh, well, then I'll better see her, and you could maybe find some clothes?," he joked.

"Thank you mister," she replied. "I thought you liked me that way?"

"Normally yes, but at the moment it's not the kind of thoughts that help to improve my work."

Flashing him a brilliant smile she disappeared down the stairs.

Angel took a deep breath, he wasn't really interested in work today, all he wanted to do was go back into the apartment and celebrate with Buffy, and he wasn't sure at all if he was looking forward to a meeting with Kate. Opening the door of his office he gave her a smile: "Kate," he greeted her and sat down in his chair. "Can I help you?"

"Yes," she nodded. "That's why I came. You said I could..."

"Of course," he interrupted her. "It's just a bit ... well, it's Buffy's birthday and all," he said apologetically.

"I've noticed. Is she your sister?"

The vampire almost choked on his coffee, not because of her words, but because he saw the flash of hope in Kate's eyes that made him feel deeply uneasy. "No, she's not. She's my girlfriend. Actually we live together here."

Kate raised an eyebrow: "Don't you think she's a bit young for you?"

"And you would be right then?," came a voice from the door. Buffy smiled at the cop-lady sweetly. "I mean not you in person of course," she went on and walked over to place herself in Angel's lap. "I was just talking about your age bracket."

Kate blushed and the slayer thought, bingo! The police officer began to stutter: "Uhm, I ... I, well it's really none of my business. I'm sorry," she said, but was not really meaning it. That little girl was obviously much too young for a grown up man like Angel.

"Kate just asked for our help," the vampire tightened his hold on his girlfriend's waist.

"Our," the police officer echoed. "Do you mean you both work here ... together?"

"In fact we do," Buffy's smile was even sweeter now. And it clearly told any other woman, hands off my boyfriend. "Hiring Angel means hiring Buffy. We're a package deal."

"I see. Well, it's not really something urgent. And as I see this is a special day I'll come back tomorrow." She stood up glancing at Angel.

"You don't have to...," he began but was interrupted.

"It's okay," she said. "The case can wait 24 hours. Have a nice day." With this she turned and left.

Buffy gazed at her lover: "She came to hit on you again."

"No way," he shook his head.

"Yes way. Believe me, I'm a female too, I know these things."

"So you're a female too," he teased, his lips only an inch apart from hers.

"I am," she nibbled at his lower lip.

"I never would've noticed," his tongue ran over her teeth.

"Do tell me," she whispered and then they lost themselves in a breathtaking kiss.

In the outer office Doyle exchanged another glance with Lily and laughing they took the day off. It was not as if something was going to happen today.

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