Disclaimer: Could I be as evil as Joss? Certainly not. Result: I do not own them. The title is a song of the great Seàn Keane, my favourite Irish Singer from his album "No Stranger".
Distribution: If you want it, take it. But please tell me where it goes to.
Rating: I am not good at that, but I think pretty much like the show
Spoilers: The whole BtVS- and Angel-series
Timeline: sometime after season 5 / 2 (or maybe in these seasons - I don't really know)
Summary: Giles brings Angel back to Sunnydale to help fighting the slayer's last battle.
Feedback: please!!!!
AN: Sorry for any incorrectness about the slayer's last battle. I try to keep this story to the Buffy verse as much as possible. The slayer's last battle has only been mentioned, so I do not really know what is going to happen there. Probably something really dramtic and horrible - let's not forget Joss is writing it. But this is my universe and so I will write my idea about that battle.
AN 2: None of us knows what will happen between Darla and Angel in the future. So I made my own story about the whole confrontation and it's solution.
AN 3: I have left Dawn out of the story as I have never seen an episode with her so far and cannot really relate to her. So sorry to all of you who like her.
AN 4: For this story the Spike - Buffy relationship is pure friendship! Otherwise it would be much too complicated although I might get Spike dreaming about the slayer.

Part 1

"Angel, phone," Cordelia cried through the closed door of Angel's new office.

The vampire looked up to get an idea who would call him, but the brunette did not look at him. The blinking of the red button on his phone told him that the call had already been directed to him. Sighing he took it: "Angel here."

"Oh, good. I am glad you are there," the voice on the other end sounded urgent.

"Giles?" Angel sensed an uneasy feeling rising in his guts. "Is something wrong?," he asked.

"I ... uhm ... yes, you can say that. Buffy is fine," the watcher told him quickly , answering the unasked question. "Well she is at the moment. This is difficult to explain on the phone. Angel, could you come to Sunnydale?"

"I ... don't know," the vampire answered honestly. "Buffy and I have promised to keep our distance. I do not want to intrude on her privacy."

"I know, but this is different. She is in great danger, Angel. I think it is more we can handle. Plus her mother is very ill, so she is distracted."

"Her mother is ill?," Angel asked with an alarmed voice.

"Yeah, she's got brain cancer. The prognosis is not good. But I would really like to explain that in person. So, can you come?"

"Of course I'll come, but I want Buffy to know about this. I am not going behind her back again," he replied. "I also want her involved in any decision."

"That's fine with me. But you'll be aware that Riley will be there too then."

"Of course, he is her boyfriend. He is supposed to be involved too." Angel shortly closed his eyes, hoping the wave of pain would wash over him quickly.

"Could you be there at nine - tonight?"

"I will be there - oh, and I will bring Wesley and Cordelia."

"Fine. See you then ... and Angel."

"Hmmm."

"Thank you."

*********

"You did what?" Buffy shouted.

Giles sighed and leaned back in his chair: "I already told you. I called Angel to come to Sunnydale. He will be there tonight with Wesley and Cordelia."

"And you decided to do that without asking me, right?" She had the sudden urge to smash something on his head. Why on earth did everyone think they could make her decisions.

"We are facing something very dangerous Buffy. Something you will not be able to handle on your own. You do not have to come tonight. I mainly wanted Angel here to discuss this with him and Wesley. Honestly I am only telling you this because Angel insisted on it."

The slayer's eyes went wide: "Angel insisted on it?"

"Yes. He said something about never doing anything behind your back again." Giles told her, getting up and pulling another book from the little shelf behind him.

"Wow. He really has improved," she said sarcastically. Seeing her watcher's look she apologized: "Sorry, I didn't mean it that way. I am glad he did. It's just. I am not sure if I am looking forward to face him. I haven't seen him for over a year and I honestly don't know how we will act around each other. Plus Riley still has problems even thinking about him and I don't want to hurt his feelings. He is insecure enough the way it is, you know, the fact, he is loosing his strength and all."

"Then he has to get over it," Giles answered angrily. "He is not a teenage boy, Buffy. This is a serious danger for your life. Angel is your best shot for surviving it. If he can't see it ..."

The slayer sighed: "Fine. We'll come tonight."

******

"I cannot believe you said yes," Cordelia shouted standing in front of her boss, hands at her hips.

"They need my help," Angel replied for the sixth time. "Maybe you remember. I am supposed to help people."

The former may-queen rolled her eyes: "That is not helping people. It means helping *her*. Angel, you had a hard time with the whole Darla-deal, Wolfram & Hart are still on your back. Seeing Buffy won't help you to feel better."

"I appreciate your concern," he said, smiling at her. "I really do. But Giles would never call me, if this wasn't big. You do not have to come."

"As if I would let you come near her alone. No way, mister. I am your friend and someone has to pick up your pieces after she shatters them on the floor - again. Pick me up at my apartment at seven." She headed out of the office but turned again in the door: "I am leaving now. After all I will see the gang again, that means I have to pack carefully." With a last grin she was gone.

Angel leaned back in his chair and sighed. He desperately hoped he was strong enough for this and it was not his physical strength he was concerned about.

*********

"Riley," Buffy said, when she saw her boyfriend coming towards her. She and Willow were sitting on the lawn outside, enjoying the warmth of the sun.

He sat down beside her. Grinning he leaned over and kissed her gently on the lips. "Hi," he greeted her. "Hi Willow."

"Hi Riley," the red-head greeted back.

The slayer took his hand: "It is good you are there. I was looking for you before. There is something I have to talk to you," she turned to Willow. "And to you too." When both looked expectantly at her she continued: "I spoke with Giles before. You know we were researching about the slayer's last battle and stuff." Both nodded. "Obviously Giles has found something last night. He thinks it is going to be big and ... he's called Angel."

"WHAT?" came Riley's angry shout. Willow only looked at her with big eyes.

"Please calm down. I didn't know about it and I was angry too. But I have to admit he might be right. If this is big, we might need Angel's help."

"I do not trust him," the ex-commando hissed through gritted teeth.

"But I do," Buffy told him quietly. "He will come tonight - only to talk to Giles, but maybe he might stay."

"Oh man," Willow said. "If Giles calls Angel this has to be big. Somehow I do not like this."

"The same here," the blonde replied. "He didn't tell me what he found out, but I am sure he will do tonight when we are all together." She turned back to her boyfriend: "Riley, are you okay?"

He swallowed hard: "I am fine. You are not going without me."

She smiled at him: "That was never my intention. I just want you to be civil around Angel. He is only coming because Giles called him. Try to remember that."

He tried a slight smile: "I promise to try."

"Good," suddenly the slayer grinned. "Didn't you say something about ice-cream yesterday?"

He grinned back and looked at Willow: "You coming?"

"Oh no," she said with a smile. "You two go. I am just staying here enjoying the sun. Have fun." She was glad Riley could distract her friend for a while. She was sad enough all the time with her mother in the hospital.

The couple stood up, their hands entwined and waved goodbye to her. When they were out of sight, she sighed heavily: "Oh boy!"

Part 2

Giles almost jumped out of his chair when he heard the knock on his front door. He glanced at his clock, 8.30 it said, so maybe it wasn't ...

"Angel, Cordelia, Wesley," he nervously greeted the three persons standing before him. Wesley and Cordelia greeted back with a simple nod, while the vampire smiled: "Hello, Giles."

"So, do come in," the watcher invited them and stepped back. He followed his guests to the living-room: "Can I get you anything, tea, coffee?"

"Tea would be great," Wesley smiled. Giles nodded and disappeared into his small kitchen. While waiting for the water to boil he looked over to the vampire who was sitting on the sofa talking to his employées, also laughing from time to time. This was a new side of Angel, Giles had never seen before and he could not stop but wonder what else was different now in him. There was also a certain look in his eyes... It would be interesting to talk to him tonight, that was for certain.

The door to his apartment opened again and Willow's voice sounded in his ears: "Hello, anybody there? We're here!"

Giles had given up the hope they would ever knock on his door again. It seemed as if his apartment had become everybody's home. The watcher stepped out of the kitchen to see Willow, Anya and Xander standing in the living room. All of them staring at the three guests. "Hello," he greeted the three of them.

"Cordy," Xander exclaimed looking at his ex-girlfriend, who only raised an eyebrow:

"Xander," she said. "It's good to see you. Willow. Anya," she greeted the others.

"Hi Angel," Willow smiled at the vampire, who had gotten up when they'd entered the room.

He smiled back: "Hi Willow. It has been a long time."

"It has," she replied and surprised everyone by stepping over to him and embracing him in a warm hug. The bigger surprise however was that the vampire returned the hug without hesitation.

"I am just getting the tea," Giles told them and returned into the kitchen.

"Tea," Xander's voice was full of disgust. He followed the watcher and opened the fridge: "I remember having seen some juice here. Anya honey, can you look for some pretzels and stuff?" he asked his girlfriend.

"Sure," she replied walking over to a small cupboard, opened it and was looking through the junk-food they kept in store for sessions like these.

"I am sorry," Giles said, when he returned carrying a tray. "It seems that my apartment has become the official gathering place."

"I know what you mean," Angel replied with a grin while giving Cordelia a certain look.

"Hey," she said in mocked offense, but a huge grin was on her face. "You better be good or you have to look for another one who removes the bullets from you or chains you to the bed."

The vampire only laughed which made the others look at him in astonishment.

"Besides," she added. "Wesley eats twice as much as I do."

"Hey, that is not true," the ex-watcher said.

"Yeah," Angel replied, still laughing. "But at least he doesn't leave wet towels where they aren't supposed to be." Suddenly he felt the familiar tingling in his gut and tried to concentrate where it came from.

"Who leaves wet towels?" came the question from the door and everybody turned to stare at Buffy and Riley who had entered without notice, well everybody except Angel, who had sensed her presence before and was already looking in her direction.

"Buffy," Cordelia exclaimed and glanced nervously at her boss who's grin had disappeared almost immediately.

"Cordelia sometimes leaves them on my leather chair," he explained, surprising the others again with his now calm and collected attitude. "Hi, Buffy."

"I see," she replied. "Hi Angel, Cordy, Wesley," she said almost casually and turned back to her boyfriend who was glaring at the vampire. If looks could kill Angel would have been reduced to a pile of ash. "Riley, I think you don't have met Cordelia and Wesley?"

The ex-commando's head snapped up: "No. I haven't. Nice to meet you."

"Fine," Giles looked around. "As we know each other now, why don't we all sit down and I can explain this little gathering."

"That would be a good idea," Riley said in an icy voice, while taking his seat beside his girl-friend.

While everybody found a space and Giles served tea Buffy could not help but stare in Angel's direction who didn't seem to notice her at all. He was laughing with Cordelia and Willow and seemed totally comfortable. He was so different. One of the last times she'd seen him he had told her she wouldn't know him anymore. She had been hurt but now she had to admit it was true. He seemed much better in the company of people and an unfamiliar air of self-confidence was around him. The most interesting detail were his eyes. They still showed the haunted look, but it was more hidden now and Buffy could swear he had smiled more in the last two minutes then he had in his three years in Sunnydale. She almost started when she felt Riley's hand on her arm. She turned to him: "Sorry, what?"

"Do you want some juice?" he asked smiling at her.

"Oh. Sure, thanks." Stop that, what is the matter with you, she asked herself. Here you are with your boyfriend, you lo... like and all you can think is about Angel. It's normal another voice said in her head. You haven't seen him for a while, you both were involved. It is completely normal you are interested in him. Buffy shook her head to clear her mind and then looked at Giles expectantly: "Now, Giles, why don't you tell us what you have found."

"Yes, uhm," the watcher began, settling his gaze on Angel. "I guess you have heard about the slayer's last battle."

The vampire nodded: "I've read about it."

"Good. It seems it is something Buffy has to face very soon. It's called the last battle because only very few slayers ever lived through it," he explained for the others. "It's when a huge demonic energy is directed onto the slayer in order to destroy her."

"Like the ultimate confrontation between good and ... well, evil?," Willow asked in a tiny voice.

"Exactly," the watcher answered. "It's sort of an ultimate test for the slayer. If she survives she is safe from demons for the rest of her live. She is also free to decide if she wants to go on as a slayer or not. If her choice is not to go on a new slayer is called."

"You mean, she could live a normal life after that, no more patrols. Just a normal girl?," Riley asked with a happy expression on his face.

"If I survive," Buffy said, not really liking the expression on her boyfriend's face. What the hell was going on in his head? And what was going on with her, a normal life, that was what she'd always wanted. All of a sudden this option didn't look as promising as she'd thought it would.

"You will survive." Angel's voice interrupted the both of them. He stood up and paced the living room. "That is the reason we are here, right?"

"Right," Giles replied. "I think you will need all the help you can get. Maybe we can also count on Spike."

"Spike?," Angel quirked his eyebrows in surprise.

"Long story," Xander said with a smile. "Short version: he cannot hurt humans anymore, but can fight demons."

"He cannot bite?," the vampire could not help but grin.

The same moment the front door burst open again and the blonde vampire entered the apartment. "Sorry I am late, but my mate ... hey Peaches," he greeted Angel.

"Spike," the dark vampire greeted back.

"Back on the slayer's lap, mate?"

"I hear you are on a hunt-free diet these days," Angel replied, ignoring the other vampire's last comment.

Spike only raised an eyebrow at him, then shrugged and took the seat his grand-sire had abandoned before, causing Cordelia to move away from him. The blonde vampire grinned: "I don't bite."

She gave him a disgusted look: "You don't think I will touch a ... thing that tortured my boss."

"Cordelia!" Angel's angry shout came at the same moment when the slayer yelled: "WHAT?"

"Let it go, Buffy," the dark haired vampire said. "It was a long time ago."

"Long time ago," Cordelia snorted. "You were half dead when we found you. And all this only to protect that stupid 'Gem of Amarra'. Wait a moment," she turned her head at the slayer. "If I think about it, it was all your fault, sending the damned ring, without a note as I want to recall, although you knew Spike was after it."

"That's enough," Angel interrupted her, his voice low and dangerous. He turned towards the other's: "I am sorry. That is really not important, we should go back to the matter at hand." He shortly gazed at Buffy who gave him a sharp look as if to say 'this is not over', but then her concentration was back at Giles.

He saw the expectant eyes resting on him and cleared his throat: "Yes, well. I was just saying that Buffy will need protection for the ultimate fight. That is the reason I called Angel. With he and Spike fighting with the slayer her chances are certainly up."

"I will fight with them too," Riley told him, squeezing his girlfriend's hand in assurance and giving her a smile.

"Well," the watcher began, when Spike interrupted him.

"Sorry, fishboy," the vampire said. "But I don't see you in a fight for life and death. See the truth, without the drugs you are just a plain, weak human boy. Time out for playing the super-hero." He grinned in contentment when he saw the anger in the blonde man's eyes.

"I am trained fighter," Riley replied. "I was trained to fight demons. I am fighting with Buffy and I will certainly not follow orders from a hostile."

Spike shrugged and raised his hands: "Sorry, mate. I just wanted to give you a good advice, who am I to hold you back when you go to get yourself killed."

Riley jumped up and glared at the vampire: "I will fight with Buffy and you will see I can protect her."

"Shut up, both of you," came Angel's angry voice. Everyone looked at him taken aback. Cordelia and Wesley grinned inwardly but none of the Sunnydale gang had ever seen him like that. "This is no time for childish games or bickering. We are discussing a serious matter. If you cannot leave your personal problems at home then we do not need you here." He glared at Spike and then at Riley who wanted to give him a reply but was too surprised to say something adequate. So he just glared back. "Good," the dark haired vampire said, his voice now quiet again. "Giles would you please go on?"

"Thank you, " he gave Angel a grateful look. "Well. The problem of the whole situation is that we will not know what we are going to fight. We do not know which demons we are going to face, maybe also witchcraft." He saw Willow's face lighten up and smiled at her: "Yes, maybe we will need your help," he assured her. Giles reached behind himself and put a book on the table to show the group the different possible demons that would maybe come to Sunnydale.

Buffy looked at Angel again. He leaned at the doorframe, his eyes closed. He really never ceased to amaze her. The way he had been able to command the whole group was another new side of him and she liked it. She liked the whole new attitude. The broken, guilt-ridden man was almost gone and there stood someone who surprisingly seemed comfortable with himself, it was amazing. She could not help to compare him to Riley, who sat beside her, holding her hand and staring into the book on the table, sometimes commenting a demon he had seen during his time at the Initiative. No, stop that. It will do no good, to nobody. Angel is the past and he can ever only be a dream. Riley is reality, he is nice, caring and he loves you. When this is over, if it is, Angel will go back to LA, out of your life. You must not feel for him again, it will only lead to heartache. Besides you don't even know if he still cares for you. Sure, he came to help, but that's his job, it's his *job* to help people. She swallowed and squeezed Riley's hand who looked at her lovingly. He was such a nice guy, but oh when just her soul would stop crying out for it's other half.

Part 3

I was quiet on our way to the mansion. I still owned it and so we were heading there although I didn't really know if it was clean enough to use it. I could just imagine Cordelia wrinkling her nose in disgust and smiled inwardly.

The rest of the time I thought about *her*. Buffy. God she was still the most beautiful woman I had ever seen, she's even more beautiful than before. Aging gave her more female maturity. Her face had lost the expression of the innocent teenager she's been.

There was no more innocence her eyes and most of it was taken by me or my demon. I think we both did our fair share in her. He broke her heart by being cruel and torturing her, I did mine by leaving her without really explaining my reasons. I had planned to talk to her again and explain but after I drank from her I couldn't be near her anymore, somewhere in a small room, the demon inside craving for her blood, the man in me for her love. I would not have been sure which one would have won the battle. I also knew than my doubts and guilt were something I had to deal with on my own, I could not burden her with this. But this was only a part of the reason. The bigger part was my fear, the fear one day she would be fed up with the brooding vampire hanging at her feet, keeping her back from life. The mere thought of Buffy hating me was worse than all the centuries in hell. So I left. And broke her heart.

And then there was the totally unimportant fact that I wanted her and she wanted me, the day I was human was proof enough that we weren't able to keep our hands from each other. A simple touch had been enough to jump on a kitchen table.

I have always doubted if I'd made the right decision for us by erasing the day, but not anymore. I see Riley in my mind and know it. I would have been him, sitting beside her, holding her hand and insisting on helping her only to get pitying glances from our friends because they knew I would not be able to. This would have killed me, inside. I would have never been able to forgive myself for this and it would have killed our relationship, our love. Whatever I do it always comes back to my own insecurity or to be frank to my father who did nothing but tell me how disappointing I had been for him.

This way I can fight beside her, protect her ... and leave her to be happy with Riley. It really sucks. But then I think about the alternative of sitting there and holding her dead body in my arms - no, there was no alternative at all.

I was interrupted in my thoughts by Cordelia: "I just knew it," she told me, her voice sounding slightly angry. I looked at her with a questioning gaze and she smiled slightly: "We are back in Sunnydale for only an evening, you have seen Buffy for only two hours and you are brooding non-stop already. I told you she is not good for you."

I smiled back: "I can handle this, don't worry."

"But I worry, I am your friend. Friends worry," she insisted, looking back at Wesley who had been dozing off in the back.

"And I appreciate it. I really do, Cordelia. I admit it is hard to be around her, but I can deal."

She sighed loudly: "Fine. Fine. Hopefully this battle will be over soon and we can go back home. The sooner the better."

I smiled at her when I pulled the car up to the mansion.

********

"Why are you so angry?," Buffy wanted to know. She and Riley had just come back from Giles and they were now sitting on the bed in his room.

"I am not angry," he replied averting his eyes.

"Don't lie to me," her voice was rising. "I can see it. You barely talked to me on our way over here. I don't understand you. The evening went smoothly I think." Too smoothly, she thought. Angel hadn't even once tried to talk to her in private. Will you stop that, she scolded herself.

He stood up and began to pace his room: "It's him. He deeply annoys me. This way to think he is in charge of everything. He is arrogant, he is here to help not to tell us what to do."

She looked up at him: "He is used to give orders, Riley. He runs his own agency. I am sure he didn't mean it that way."

"Oh, now you are taking his side," he turned and stared at her. "I really dreamed about this."

Buffy jumped up and put her hands on her hips: "What the hell is wrong with you? Why are you behaving like this? We met at Giles for a business meeting. It wasn't as if I went on a secret date with him."

"Would you have preferred it?," he shot back.

"What? Are you crazy? I think, I'll better leave now," with this she turned and was about to go when she felt his hand on her arm. She looked back: "What?"

"I am sorry," he apologized. "It's just. I am not comfortable around a hostile and your friends. How they were looking at me, especially Giles. As if he thought I would not be able to fight with you. It drives me crazy. But it gave me no right to behave like this towards you. Can you forgive me. I don't want you to leave tonight."

She was studying his face for a while, then she smiled: "Alright. But you have to come to terms with this. Angel will be here for a while."

"I will. I promise," he said, pulling her in his arms.

*********

"This was an interesting evening for sure," Xander said while he, Anya and Willow were walking away from Giles' apartment.

"I can think of many things more exciting," his girlfriend replied, rubbing the back of her hand up and down his arm, making him blush immediately.

"Uhm ... well, maybe," he stuttered.

"No, you are right. It was. Interesting I mean," Willow assured him. "Especially meeting Angel. He sure has changed. I never thought he could be like that."

"You mean all tall, dark and gorgeous," Anya remarked. Xander shot her a look.

"That's not what I mean," the witch shook her head. "He is so different. First of all, he talks to everybody. Some time ago he would hardly say a word to us, he would only talk to Buffy. And now he smiles. A lot. And he laughs, it is almost scary. But in a good way," she added.

"Scary in a good way?," Xander asked his friend. "Now was that a sentence that makes any sense?"

Willow playfully hit her friend's arm: "Oh, you know what I mean. And Cordelia has changed too. She's so ... mature. And she really seems to care for Angel."

"As much as Cordelia can care," Xander replied. "Yes. I guess you are right. They seem to be friends. Who would have ever thought. Riley on the other hand was behaving like an idiot."

"Xander!," the red head explained.

"But it is true," Anya supported her boyfriend. "All this talking about fighting with Buffy. I almost laughed out loud."

"There you see," he looked at Willow. "He has to get over this. He is only going to distract Buffy in battle. She cannot fight if she has to worry for him."

"Yeah, you are right," the witch sighed. "He really seems to get more and more insecure. And I think Angel being around Buffy doesn't help. Have you seen the look on his face when Giles told us, Buffy might be able to retire from being the slayer after the battle? I didn't like it and she didn't too. I could tell."

"I really thought he was good for her, you know, moving on, getting dead boy out of her head, but I am not so sure anymore. They seemed happy, but if this whole thing endangers Buffy..." he trailed off.

"Well, then we have to have an eye on him," Willow looked at the others who nodded in response.

********

When Buffy woke up the next morning she was a little bit disoriented until she realised she was laying in Riley's bed. She sighed inwardly and looked to her side, he was still soundly asleep. Good, she thought. She got up from the bed, still fully clothed and slipped out of the room. He had been a bit disappointed when all she wanted was lie down beside him the previous night, but understanding as he was he did not press.

She looked at her watch, it was only seven and her first class was not before ten, so enough time to get back to her room, to shower and change. Her mind was going back to the previous night. Just as Riley had started to unbutton her blouse something in her head had snapped. This is not right, a voice had shouted out loud. A voice she had never heard before. What was wrong with her? She cared a lot for him, he had given up so much to be with her, he had touched her before, more than once and all of a sudden it felt wrong?

Willow was still asleep when she entered the room. Buffy sat down on her bed and pulled her shoes off. Sighing she laid back and stared at the ceiling. She could feel Riley's doubts about himself. With his strength dwindling more and more his doubts seemed to grow. Just two nights ago she had to save him from a vampire he had attacked obviously overestimating his own abilities. The slayer could also see his jealousy towards Angel. Ever since their confrontation more than a year ago it had been there. Deep inside, buried in the depths of his soul, but now with Angel being so near it seemed to surface. It was a bad moment for this. She had to face a battle and no time to deal with the problems of her boyfriend.

Plus there was her mom, still laying in the hospital in a coma after her brain surgery. The doctors had removed the tumor, but Joyce was not waking up. They didn't know what was wrong with her. The surgery had been without problems, the tumor had been benign. The only explanation was that the pressure the tumor had caused before it's removal had damaged more than expected. All they could do was wait. Buffy saw her mother once a day and talked to her. It had become a routine over the last four weeks, sometimes Riley came too.

"Hey, you are there," Willow said from behind her and Buffy started a little bit.

She turned to lay on her stomach and faced her friend: "Morning, Willow. Yes, I came some minutes ago."

The witch smiled: "Nice night with Riley?"

"Not really," the slayer sighed. "We only slept, nothing else. He wanted ... but ... all of a sudden, well never mind."

Willow sat up in her bed: "No, come on. Tell me. What all of a sudden?"

"I don't know Wills, it just didn't feel right anymore. Being near him, I mean. I cannot explain."

"Does a certain vampire have to do with this?"

Buffy rolled her eyes: "Don't be ridiculous. He is here to help. We didn't even talk. It is over between us."

"Sure," her friend smiled.

"What are you smiling at?," the slayer asked.

"Oh, nothing. I know you two are over, mainly because there can never be anything, but that doesn't mean you don't have still feelings for him, does it?"

"I thought you were happy I was with Riley," Buffy exclaimed. "Why are you bringing Angel up again?"

"I am not bringing him up, you do, as much as you refuse to accept this. However, you two will have to work together the next days, for your own sake mostly. Enough of this," she changed the subject. "When do you have the first class?"

"Ten," the slayer replied.

"I have to be there at nine, so I shower first." Smiling she got up and disappeared in the bathroom.

********

"I am heading for Mr. Giles now," Wesley told the others while getting up from the breakfast table. "What about you two?"

"I am going to see my parents," Cordelia said. "I am not sure if they will be happy, but while I am here I can stop by. Then I am going to join you, help with some research. What about you Angel," she turned to her boss.

He shrugged: "Working out mostly. It's not that I can run around anyway. And I will look through the books I brought with me."

"Can I have your car?" she asked with a pleading look.

He sighed: "Fine, but be careful."

"Thanks," she grinned and jumped up. "Come on, Wes," she laid her hand on the ex-watcher's back. "I'll give you a ride. Have a nice day. See you at Giles' later." She gave Angel a last smile and then both left.

The vampire was glad to have the mansion to himself for a while. He really cared for Cordelia and Wesley, but having them around for 24 hours a day could be a bit exhausting. He stood up and went for his bag with books he had brought with him from LA. He looked at his watch, he should call Gunn at the agency, see if everything was alright, but then the boy had the number of his cell phone and could contact him in any case of emergency.

Angel carried the bag to the great hall and put it onto the sofa. After opening it he put the books on the table. The slayer's last battle. He had heard rumors about it, but never seen one in all his years. All he knew was that it was going to be tough and that it could be deadly for the slayer. But no, Buffy was not going to die. After all he had sacrificed his humanity for her life. To be able to fight by her side and keep her safe. With this thought firm in his mind he sat down and opened the first book.

Part 4

The room was white and sterile, the typical hospital room. Buffy came here regularly but she'd never get used to the atmosphere. Hospitals scared her, now more than ever.

Her mother was laying in her bed, hooked to several tubes, one of them pumping air into her lungs. Joyce was pale and Buffy sometimes had the feeling she was smaller now, but that was certainly only her imagination. She was so still, almost like dead and she was pale. Buffy had never been very close to her mother, mostly because of the slayer thing. It didn't help a relationship when you always had to hide something. It's a little bit like Riley and you. Where did that come from? she asked herself. He knows all my secrets. Does he really? the voice said again. She took a deep breath and blocked the voice out.

Looking at her mother she began to speak: "I hope you are not in pain. I truly hope so," she said. "The doctors say you feel comfortable, they say your heart-rate is a proof of it and I want to believe them. Classes were boring today, psych isn't really what is has been. Pro Walsh was a loony case but she knew how to teach. I have a battle ahead of me. Angel came to help. He has changed a lot. I like it." She let out a short laugh. "Maybe it is good you cannot hear me, because you would freak if you could. I am talking to you about a vampire, and *that* vampire of all means." She leaned forward and kissed her mother gently on the cheek. "I have to go now. I want to see a friend. Will be back tomorrow."

With this she stood up and left the room and headed for her car. She opened the door and slid inside, breathing deeply. She had to go and see him. Talk to him. About the battle of course, she told herself. Maybe she could spar with him for a while. She'd only worked out with Riley the last months and he really wasn't a match for her anymore. Starting the ignition she was heading for the mansion.

********

"Oh dear, oh dear," Giles muttered absentmindly, sipping at his cup.

Wesley looked up from the book he was reading: "Found anything interesting?"

The other man stared at him for several seconds and then shook his head as if to clear his mind: "Pryce, oh sorry. Yes, I have found a passage. Here in a watcher diary. He describes the last battle of his slayer." He paused for a moment. "She died."

"Oh," the dark haired man replied. "Did you find anything about a slayer surviving it?"

"Besides the one we found before? No. And that really worries me." He took his glasses off and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"If a slayer can survive this, it is Buffy. She is the strongest slayer ever and she has Angel by her side. He would do anything to protect her," Wesley assured his colleague.

Giles nodded: "I know. That is the reason I called him. I know Riley is her current boyfriend and he would do anything, but I am afraid he will be more a liability to her than a help. He used to be strong and has difficulties to deal with his new state."

"New state?," the other man asked.

"He used to work for this organisation called The Initiative. They gave their fighters drugs and stuff. Dangerous stuff. The organisation doesn't exist anymore and the drugs seem to loose their effects more and more. He is a normal human boy now and cannot deal with it."

"I see. Then maybe we should talk to him," Wesley suggested.

"I talked to Buffy about this, but she didn't let me. She says she doesn't want to hurt him," Giles sighed deeply.

"This is irrational," his colleague exclaimed. "If I am reading all of this right it is not only the slayer's life that is endangered by the battle. I mean losing a slayer like Buffy could have unpredictable consequences."

"Exactly," came the reply. "But then I don't want to act behind Buffy's back here. After all he is her boyfriend. Well, we should really go on reading and try to get as much information as possible."

Wesley gave the other man a last look, then he put his eyes back on the book.

*******

Angel was surprised when he heard a knock. He didn't expect anyone and Cordelia wouldn't knock. She'd just come in as she did it in LA. He stood up and moved to the door, he was about ten feet away when his gut told him who was waiting on the other side. He took two deep unnecessary breaths and opened.

She looked at him and was lost in his eyes. Yesterday night it didn't happen. She had been able to neglect it with all the people in the room, but now she was alone with him, nobody she had to fool. His gaze was unreadable, friendly but more in a business sort of way. A gaze you would trust at once. No wonder his agency runs so well, shot in her mind. I bet all the women fall for him, the handsome, caring stranger. She snapped out of her thoughts and tried to smile: "Hi."

"Hi," he greeted back, but no smile was on his face.

"I am sorry to disturb you, but I wanted to talk to you," she said, feeling suddenly insecure.

"I see," he replied, stepping back to open the door completely for her.

She entered the house and was immediately flooded with memories. Good and bad. In her mind she saw the spot where Acathla had once stood. She saw the wall she had chained him to after he'd come back from hell and the spot where he had drunk form her. She swallowed hard and tried to collect herself not to get lost in the past. She looked up and saw Angel's eyes looking at her with concern.

"Are you alright?" he asked. "Maybe you should better sit down?" He pointed to the sofa, the same sofa he had told her on he'd only loved her in his long life. She shook her head and immediately regretted coming here. She should have met him somewhere else, somewhere without memories. But then they were almost everywhere in Sunnydale. "No, I am fine," she replied, taking a seat. "I just. I was with my mom."

"How is she?," he asked taking a seat opposite to her. Seeing her questioning gaze he explained: "Giles told me about the brain cancer."

She nodded: "She had an operation about four weeks ago, but she is in a coma and nobody knows if she's going to wake up again."

"I am sorry," his voice sounded truly compassionate. "But she is strong," he smiled at her. "After all she is your mom. I am sure she will make it."

Buffy could not help but smile back. The first time in four weeks she was really believing her mother might survive. "Thank you," she said.

He looked at her for a moment and then asked: "So. What did you want to talk about?"

Her gaze wandered to her lap where her hands were playing nervously with each other: "I am not sure," she admitted. "Maybe I just wanted to see you. Talk to you for a while. We haven't seen each other for over a year."

"What should we talk about?," he wanted to know. His voice sounded casual and curious. "We do not really share things anymore, but if you want to know anything, just ask."

Buffy stared at him as if he was a complete stranger. She couldn't believe what he had just said. Was this really Angel? Was this the man who could see in her soul, who always took her in his arms and made her feel better. This stranger who was treating her like a client. She felt tears threatening and closed her eyes. No, she would not cry in front of him. Never. "I shouldn't have come," she said hoarsely and was about to get up when he reached out with his hand and caught hers. A shock went through both like fire and Angel let go of her hand immediately.

"Don't go," he pleaded. "I would enjoy talking to you."

She nodded and settled down again. "I just. I thought it would be good to talk a while, in private, you know. We have to fight together again and maybe it is good to get rid of the ... tension."

"Okay." He smiled again, this business smile she wanted to punch his face for it.

Why was he acting like this? He moved on you idiot, a voice said to her. Like you did, with Riley. "So, how have you been all this time?"

"Good," he answered, leaning back on the sofa. He couldn't believe how cool he was able to act. It really pays to be that old, he thought, and to have played poker for so long, he added silently. "You?"

"Fine," she smiled. "I hear your business goes well. Giles talks to Wesley sometimes," she explained.

"I know," he told her. "You had some tough demons to face."

She nodded, slowly they seemed to be able to talk with each other: "Yeah. But you too, I guess."

"Some," he shrugged. "It wasn't too bad." Liar, think about Darla. That was more than tough. Far more. But he wouldn't tell her. How could he tell her that he'd actually dreamed of making love with another woman. No, not making love, having sex, he corrected himself immediately. And he hadn't been dreaming it, his demon had. He was glad, he hadn't lost it during this little episode.

"You have changed," she said suddenly.

"That's what Cordelia tells me," he grinned. "But I am still brooding too much for her taste."

"Brooding, you?," she joked.

He laughed. It sounded wonderful, it sounded relaxed and ... human. It sounded good. She couldn't remember having heard it ... ever before. Or maybe she had? Somewhere in the back of her mind she remembered something, she shook her head: "How is Faith," she asked.

He looked surprised: "You really want to know?" The last thing he'd ever expected was her asking for Faith. After the last confrontation he'd expected her screaming at the mere mention of the name.

"Yeah," she nodded. "I can deal with it now."

"She is good. I think she will make it. I see her from time to time."

Suddenly she became serious: "Angel, how tough is this battle going to be? I asked Spike about the two slayers he killed, but it wasn't really conclusive."

He grinned: "I wouldn't expect Spike saying something smart or conclusive for that matter, although he had hidden depths. Honestly, I don't know. I have only heard stories about it. I never participated in any of these things. My demon never had a thing for gatherings like these."

She looked surprised. He had spoken about his demon without hesitation and he didn't seem to have a problem with separating it from himself. "How are my chances," she asked.

"You are not going to die," he answered firmly. "I am here to watch your back."

"Angel, I am the slayer. Slayers die. I've read about it - recently. They die when their time comes. It was freaking me out for years but now I can live with it." Her voice was quiet and firm. "I have to accept my destiny."

He shook his head emphatically: "No, you are not going to die. I swear. It wasn't the deal," he added and then stared at her in shock.

"What deal?", she demanded.

"Nothing," he stood up and walked over to the wall. She stood up as well and followed him.

"You have a something face, Angel. What deal?" She wouldn't let him get away with it.

Slowly he turned round: "I sometimes talk to the Oracles," he explained. He couldn't tell her the truth. He hated to lie to her, but hadn't he told her once that some lies were necessary. "They are dead now, but some time ago they told me I could protect you in a final confrontation."

Now it was her turn to stare: "You talked to them about *me*?"

He nodded: "I did."

"Why?" Buffy was totally confused. She didn't really understand who the Oracles were and what this all was about but she had a very uncomfortable feeling in her gut that there was much more to it Angel would admit.

"I wanted to know about my fate," he lied. "So they gave me a hint."

She wasn't really content, still having a very odd feeling, but nodded nevertheless: "I see. So you are my protector, hmm?" She smiled at him.

He smiled back: "Sort of," he answered and both went back to sit down again.

"It's like old times," she joked and looked at him. She was astonished to see a sad look cross his face, but it was gone quickly.

"Where is Oz?" he asked suddenly.

"Oh, well, he left over a year ago. First he wanted to learn to control the werewolfe thing. It's a long story. Willow and he separated over it and she fell in love with a girl, Tara. But she wasn't what everyone thought. So they separated some months ago. But coming back to your question, I don't know where Oz is."

"It's a pity. He was a nice guy," Angel commented. "But I can understand his urge to control his change."

She nodded: "I guess you can, better then anyone else. Do you still have your old office?"

He shook his head: "No, some demon blew the building up."

"What?," she asked shocked. "But you were not hurt, I hope."

"No, only Wesley was there. Fortunately it was not serious. However, we had to find a new place. We are now at an old hotel. It kinda serves the purpose."

"A hotel?," she asked incredulously. "Isn't that ... well, too big?"

He chuckled: "You would think so. No, but seriously, there are some people living with me now, they are kids, hunting demons. Speaking of it, one of them, named Gunn is in charge of the agency at the moment and I truly hope it still exists when we come back."

Buffy felt a pang in her chest at his words. 'When we come back', of course he would go back, that was part of the deal. Why would she even think about him staying here. Riley, her head said. You have Riley now, stop thinking about Angel all the time. He doesn't seem to be interested anymore. He is friendly but distant. Suddenly she remembered something: "What was the story Cordelia was talking about. With Spike coming for the Gem of Amarra?"

He shrugged: "He was looking for it, but we managed to keep it away from him. One of the reasons I destroyed it. Too many vampires would be interested in it."

"You destroyed it?," she asked with a rising voice. "But I wanted you to have it! I sent it to you."

"Well after I was tortured with hot pokers for about a day it lost it's attraction for me," he replied quickly only to realise that he had told her the whole story.

"Spike was doing that," she whispered and looked at him fearfully.

He nodded: "Yeah, well, actually he hired someone. But thanks to Oz everything went fine. So no need to worry." He studied her face for a moment: "Don't go against Spike now, Buffy. We will need him in the battle. Obviously he wants to fight with you. This is more important now than personal problems."

She nodded: "I know. Riley wants to fight too," she suddenly blurted out. "I worry about him."

Angel took a deep breath, he *so* didn't want to talk about her boyfriend, but she cared about him, Riley was important for her, so he asked: "I thought he was able to fight." He would never let her know that Cordelia had already told him about Riley's problems. Willow had told her in a phone call. And Spike's remarks the last night had been more than obvious.

"Not anymore. Well, technically he has learned to do it, but his strength was not natural. It was induced by drugs and they seem to wear off. He is almost normal now but he still wants to protect me." Her voice sounded worried.

"You have to talk to him, Buffy. When we fight you could be distracted, it would be dangerous," his voice now sounded worried too.

"But he is so touchy about it. I don't want to hurt him," she told him.

She was started when he suddenly slammed his fist on the table: "Dammit Buffy, this is a fight for life and death. It is no time for childish behaviour. We already had enough of it yesterday. If he cannot be mature he'd better stay away." He took a deep breath: "I am sorry," he lowered his voice again. "I didn't want to shout."

"It's okay," she smiled. Actually it was more then okay because for the first time it seemed like he did still care for her. His emotional outburst was enough of a proof. "I ... I feel the same," she admitted hesitantly. "But I just don't know how to tell him. He really is a nice guy, Angel. And he loves me." The same moment the words were out she wished she could take them back. The look that crossed Angel's face was almost more then she could bare. It came only short and was hidden immediately but it was a look of despair, pain and longing, so deep, she wanted to cry.

The vampire's voice was almost cold when he replied: "If he really loves you he'll understand. He would not want you in danger."

She looked at him for a long time. His eyes were bare of any emotion now, but there was something behind that wall, she didn't understand. Something she had seen only for a second before. It was the look of someone who had lost everything, all his dreams and wishes. Angel's eyes had always looked pained and guilty before, but this was new too and Buffy had no explanation. "I guess you are right, but not all people are so reasonable."

"He should be," Angel replied coldly. "He is old enough."

"You still don't like him," this was more a statement then a question.

But he felt about to answer nevertheless: "No," he simply said.

"There was something else." She decided to change the subject and continued when she saw his eyes resting on her. "I wanted to know if we could have a work out. Together. If you want that is."

He nodded and was about to get up when his phone suddenly rang.

Part 5

Riley greeted Giles with a short nod when he entered the watcher's apartment around seven. He looked around and saw Wesley, Cordelia, Spike, Xander and Willow already assembled there. Anya was missing and ... "Where is Buffy?"

Xander shrugged: "Don't know. She didn't call. She'll probably come a little bit later."

"Maybe she is with her mom," Willow suggested.

But Riley shook his head: "No, she isn't. I am coming from the hospital."

The red head looked at him for a moment, frowned, but didn't comment it.

"It is good you are here," Wesley turned at the ex-commando. "We can need every pair of eyes we can get. We are trying to read through all the watcher diaries to learn about the slayers who survived the battle."

"I hope she is alright," Riley said, mostly to himself. Wesley sighed loudly and Giles gave the boy a sharp look:

"Buffy is the slayer. She can take care of herself."

"Maybe she is with Angel," Anya suggested innocently. She was just coming back from the toilet.

The room fell silent almost immediately and everyone looked at her and then at Riley, who seemed to have frozen. Only Cordelia tried to suppress a giggle, but unsuccessfully. She pressed her hand on her mouth, but everyone could hear it. Spike looked up and grinned at the brunette.

The ex-demon looked around: "What?," she exclaimed. "Buffy and Angel are not here, so they might be together. Why don't you see the obvious?"

"Honey," Xander took his girlfriend's arm. "Why should she be with Angel? They will only fight together, there is not need for them to meet. I am sure she is somewhere else."

She shrugged, not at all realising Riley's boiling anger: "If my ex would look like that I would try to meet him."

Riley tried to suppress his anger and not to yell at Anya. As a result his face contorted and it was enough to bring Cordelia over the edge. She began to laugh out loud and everyone turned to stare at her. She saw the looks, but wasn't able to stop.

The same moment the front door was opened and only a second later Buffy and Angel stood in the living-room. Both seemed a little bit exhausted. Buffy greeted them with a smile: "Sorry guys, we are late, but we ... got a little bit distracted." She looked at Angel, who smiled back.

Everyone turned to the ex-lovers except Riley, who simply stood in the middle of the room, his body shivering in anger.

Anya turned at her boyfriend and said: "See," which made Cordelia laugh even harder. Spike grinned smugly, the look on the commando's face was priceless.

Buffy and Angel who had no idea what was going on looked at each other and shrugged. The slayer turned at her former watcher: "What is the matter? Did we miss something? I am really sorry we are late, but Angel gave me a work out. I thought it would be a good idea regarding the next days." She seemed oblivious to the fact that her boyfriend was still standing in the middle of the room.

"It was a very good idea," Giles told her and looked at Angel: "I think he is the best choice to work out with."

Suddenly the slayer seemed to realize Riley's presence and went over to greet him with a kiss, but he pushed her away, slowly turning around. She was taken aback by the look on his face. "Riley, are you alright? Did something happen," she asked.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he hissed at her.

"What?," she tried to take his hand but he pulled back.

"Was there a reason you didn't tell me you would go and see your ex?" His voice was rising now.

Buffy sighed: "Why should I tell you? I went to see Angel, we talked a bit, then he gave me a work out. No big deal," she shrugged, trying to sound casual. She didn't see the worried look Cordelia directed at her boss. But his face was unreadable.

Riley took a deep breath: "I was worried for you. Please let me know where you go in the future."

She looked at him for a moment: "Fine, I'll try to think about it." Then she turned to gaze at the others: "So, any news?"

"Not really," Willow answered, glad that the tension seemed gone. "We are reading through the watcher diaries, but they are not a great help."

"Why?" the slayer wanted to know.

Silence settled over the room once again and everybody was looking to the ground.

"Why?" she repeated her question. "Come on, I can handle it." She looked at Wesley, somehow knowing that he wouldn't lie to her. He did not disappoint her:

"I am very sorry, Buffy. But it seems that most of the slayers didn't survive the battle, so far we have only found one. A girl in the middle of the sixteenth century named Mathilda."

She nodded and closed her eyes for a moment. When she looked up again she seemed relaxed: "Fine, so you are reading through the books. It's not really my cup of tea. I could go on patrol," she suggested.

"Yes, that is a good idea," Giles said. "But I don't want you to go alone. Why don't you take Angel?"

Cordelia began again to giggle but was silenced by a sharp look of her boss. She only rolled her eyes and shrugged.

"I am coming too," Riley exclaimed and was already heading for Giles' weapons. No way he would leave his girlfriend and her ex on their own again.

"We could really need more help with the reading," Cordelia said, not liking the idea with Riley, Buffy and Angel on patrol, especially with a crossbow in the ex-commando's hand.

"She is right," Wesley supported her. "I think Angel and Buffy are capable of patrolling on their own."

"It's not as if they didn't do that before," Spike muttered, but Riley didn't hear him. He felt great seeing the blonde boy fume. It was almost as good as the image of beating him up. Almost.

"No, he can come with us," Buffy said. "Maybe we will meet some nasty demons and we can use a hand," she smiled at her boyfriend who came back with two crossbows and several stakes. Angel on the other hand was busy with fixing something on his wrists, the slayer couldn't see it clearly and wondered what he was doing.

"Ready?" she looked at both men. "Fine, then lets go."

*********

"I would give something to be a little mouse on that patrol," Spike grinned.

"Oh, that boy is priceless," Cordelia exclaimed. "Did you see his face when Buffy and Angel burst in?," she asked, a broad grin on her face.

"You mean all worked up and sweaty," Anya grinned smugly.

"How can you enjoy this?," Willow exclaimed. "Poor Riley, that was so embarrassing."

"We enjoy it," Spike explained. "Because we don't like fishboy. Don't expect me to feel sorry for him. He put the chip in my head."

"And this is bad because," Xander wanted to know.

"He hunted demons," his girlfriend told him. "I was a demon once. I see the looks he gives me from time to time. No, I don't like him."

"Honey, you are human now."

"I know, but still I feel connected to the demon population. I have to be supportive." She sat down and poured herself a glass of juice.

"Children, please, can we go back to research," Giles tried to get their attention. "This is a serious matter and we need any information possible."

They gave him apologetic looks and put their eyes back on the books.

******

Buffy could feel Riley was still tense and angry, although Angel did everything to make him feel safe. He stayed behind them and didn't talk at all. He just watched her back, she thought. As he had so often done before. It was strange, but she felt absolutely safe with him by her side. She had not felt that safe for a *very* long time. And as a result she was relaxed almost against her will.

"I was at the hospital today," Riley broke the silence. They had reached the first graveyard and were walking in between headstones.

She looked at him in surprise: "You were?"

"Yeah. Actually I was looking for you," he explained.

She only nodded and was about to answer when she heard a noise. She felt Angel tense behind her and knew he'd heard it too. Her eyes were wandering around when Riley said: "Buffy, I just wanted to tell.."

He was interrupted by the slayer's angry whisper: "Be quiet."

"Buffy, what," he began again.

"Shhh," she hissed at him giving him an angry glare. She looked over at Angel who had turned in the same direction. "How many?" she whispered.

"Five or six," he whispered back.

"Vampires or other demons?," she wanted to know.

"Both," he told her and she nodded. She knew he could smell the difference.

She turned to her boyfriend: "You stay here. Wait," she commanded, while she and Angel started to approach the noise.

Riley was angry. She'd never told him to stay behind. He was supposed to help her, not that vampire, although he had to admit they worked fluently with each other and seemed to have a sort of silent understanding he had never seen before. He checked his crossbow and followed the pair.

******

"Oh, I have found something," Willow exclaimed happily. "There is another one. A girl named Sophia. She survived. She was severely wounded, but survived."

Giles nodded at her: "Very good. Could you please write down as much as possible."

"I will."

"I hope they don't kill each other," Cordelia suddenly said.

"Why should they kill each other?" Wesley sighed.

"You never know," the brunette told him. "If he hurts Angel I am going to kill him, painfully," she added with a destined look on her face.

"Maybe they could kill fishboy," Spike suggested. "Purely by incidence of course." Seeing Xander giving him a look, he shrugged: "Can't a vampire hope?"

Giles only shook his head, but suddenly he had a bad feeling.

*******

When Riley arrived the others they were already in the middle of a fight. For a short while he simply watched them, both moving fluently and he could see they were used to fight together. It seemed so natural and familiar. As if the one always knew what the other would do. He felt a little pang of jealousy in his gut.

Buffy and Angel each dusted a vamp almost simultaneously, when two big ugly demons jumped from behind and a vampire approached them at the same time. Riley aimed him with his crossbow and the vamp was dust in no time. Angel killed the one demon after a short while with his axe, he had taken with him, but Buffy seemed to have more trouble. Riley could see Angel watching her but not helping. He became angry, the vampire was supposed to watch her back not standing by her side to see her butchered. He was so furious he didn't realize Buffy didn't really have a problem with her demon. She had the thing in a firm grip and was about to pull a knife when her boyfriend decided to intervene in the fight. He loaded the crossbow again, aimed and fired, the second the demon spun around.

Angel's eyes widened in shock when he realized what was about to happen. "Don't fire!" he yelled but it was too late. The moment Buffy killed the demon the arrow left the crossbow.

Part 6

The moment the demon was dead and let go of her Buffy felt herself pulled down by a force she easily identified as Angel's body that came flying through the air. Both fell to the ground, Buffy lying on her stomach, Angel on top of her. For a short moment she was just laying there enjoying the feeling of being so near to him, but then her senses kicked in and she muffled: "Okay, I think we can get up now."

That was exactly the second she realized Angel didn't move.

*******

"I have another one," Xander raised his head and grinned. "It was about eighty years ago. She was called Emma."

"So we have five now all together. Maybe we can find something they have in common. We have to go through their cases very carefully," Giles said. "I want everyone of you to read every case. We must not miss a single thing."

"Aye, aye G-man," Xander grinned back. Giles only glared at him.

*******

Riley was frozen. He only stared at the scene before him. His girlfriend was laying on the ground, the vampire on top of her, the arrow he had fired protruding from Angel's back. Riley couldn't move, one picture played again and again in his head, he had almost killed Buffy.

"Angel," Buffy tried again. "I really want to get up now. As nice as this is," she tried to joke, but still no reaction. Then she heard a pained moan and fear was rising in her. "Angel," she said, this time a bit louder while she tried to wiggle herself out from underneath him. "Riley," she cried, now almost in panic, but he didn't answer too.

When she finally managed to free herself from Angel, she sat up and looked around. Riley stood some feet away, his arm hanging down still holding the crossbow, staring at her but not really seeing her. His body shook. Then she dared to look down and gasped loudly. The vampire was still laying on his stomach with an arrow in his left shoulder. "Oh god," she whispered and reached out for him, stroking the back of his head his head: "Angel, can you hear me." When he didn't respond, she looked at her boyfriend: "What happened," she demanded, then immediately looking back down. "Angel, please talk to me," she pleaded. Getting no answer from Riley she faced him again and yelled: "Will you now tell me what happened."

His head snapped up: "Buffy, are you alright?" he asked.

"I am fine," she yelled. "But he is not," she told him, tears were now running down her face. "Tell me what happened," she demanded again.

"I ... I thought the demon w-would kill you and t-then I-I fired. Oh god Buffy," he suddenly rushed forward to her side, clenching her arm with his hand: "I almost killed you."

She angrily shook his hand off: "And you almost killed him instead," she shouted.

"I am sorry," he told her in a broken voice. "I could only see the demon that had you in his grip."

Buffy didn't listen to him anymore. There was no time for this. Instead she turned her full attention at the vampire: "Angel, please hold still. I am going to pull the arrow," she informed him, hoping he could hear her. "Riley, you will have to hold his shoulder, while I remove the thing."

He nodded and put his hands left and right of the arrow. Buffy carefully touched the front of Angel's shoulder to see if the arrow had gone through and swore when she didn't feel anything. "Angel listen to me, this will hurt a lot, but I cannot cut off the front, as the thing doesn't come out. Do you understand?"

"It's okay," came his whispered reply and the slayer sighed in relief to hear his voice again.

"Okay Riley," she looked at her boyfriend. "Press the shoulder to the ground." She held the arrow firmly in her hand, closed her eyes and pulled. Tears sprang in her eyes when she heard Angel's muffled cry of pain. She took a deep breath and slowly turned him around so that she could look in his face: "How do you feel?" she asked.

"It will be okay," he assured her and tried to sit up, his face contorted in pain and his hands were trembling.

"Easy," she said and tried to support him as good as possible. When Riley stepped forward to help she hissed: "Stay away from him, I think you did enough for one night."

"Buffy, he only wanted to help," Angel remembered her while he was looking at the confused boy.

"Angel, we have to get you to the mansion," she told him, ignoring his last comment. "Can you walk?"

"I am not sure." He closed his eyes for a second when he felt another wave of pain running through his body. He felt weak and realised he had lost a lot of blood. Then he looked at her again: "We could call Cordelia." When he saw her puzzled look he smiled: "I have my cell phone." With his good arm he reached for the pocket and pulled the phone out handing it to the slayer.

She gave him a short look and grinned: "Wow, Angel is living in the modern times, who would have guessed." He could not help but grin as well, ignoring the pain for a moment. Riley only stared at them.

Buffy dialed Giles' number and waited: "Oh Xander, hi. Could you get Cordy on the phone... Thanks. ... Hi Cordy. Could you take Angel's car and come to the 'last rest'-cemetery. ... Angel was shot ... NO ... he will be fine, but we have to get him home ... Cordy please, can you just come and pick us up? I'll explain then. Thanks." She looked at Angel: "She's on her way." Then she saw that there was still blood coming from the wound in his back and she turned at Riley: "Remove your shirt," she told him, her voice cold.

He only nodded, pulled it off and handed it to her. She ripped it into strips and pressed the first on the bleeding spot, which made Angel hiss again. "Sorry," she gave him an aplologetic look. "But I have to stop that."

"It's okay," he assured her. "I just have to feed, then it will heal quickly."

"Angel! Buffy!," they heard Cordelia's voice.

"Over here," the slayer yelled back. Only seconds later the brunette and Willow had reached the little group.

"Oh god," Cordelia exclaimed, seeing her boss laying on the ground his head and chest leaning against Buffy. "How is he?," she demanded to know.

"A little bit better," the slayer informed her. "He needs to feed."

"What happened?" Willow asked and kneeled down to check the wound.

"Riley shot him," Buffy told them, her voice sounding cold and angry.

"WHAT?," Cordelia shouted, glaring at the ex-commando.

Angel reached out for her hand: "Easy, Cordy," he said. "He didn't want to do this, it was an accident. He thought Buffy's life was in danger."

"Did he think you were about to kill her or what?" she asked sarcastically.

The slayer sighed and saw she had to explain the situation: "No, he thought this demon," she pointed at the dead body laying some feet away: "was about to kill me and shot. The same moment the demon spun me around. The arrow would have hit me, but Angel decided to play the hero and jumped in between." Her voice sounded angry but then she looked at the vampire and gave him a grateful smile, silently telling him that her anger wasn't directed towards him.

"It doesn't look too bad," Willow informed the others after inspecting Angel's back. "It should heal quickly. Hopefully. For the coming battle we need him at full strength, not laying in bed." She shot Riley a look.

"I - I am really sorry," he spoke up for the first time now. He was still in shock but deep inside he was getting annoyed with their behaviour. He never wanted to shoot him and after all he was just a vampire for god's sake.

"That doesn't help at all," Cordelia didn't care at all how he felt. All she saw was that Angel was wounded and that Riley was still standing without a single bruise. She looked at Buffy: "We should get him up now and to the car."

The slayer nodded and slowly they managed to get the vampire into a standing position. They waited for a moment, so that Angel could get used to it. He was swaying a little bit, but straightened after some seconds. "I am okay," he told them.

"You are not okay," Buffy said firmly. "But we have to get you to the car, then into bed and soon you will be okay - hopefully." She handed Willow the cell phone she was still holding in one of her hands. The witch took it and followed her friends who were supporting the vampire, one on each side. Riley looked at them for a short moment and then followed as well.

When they were near the car, Willow opened the door, Buffy let go of Angel and slipped in the back seat, Cordelia managed to get Angel in and the slayer pulled his head in her lap. He tried not to show his pain, but could not help but hiss or moan from time to time.

"You do not have to play the hero, Angel. We all know this is painful," Cordelia scolded him gently. "I sometimes think he has a thing for pain. He refuses to take pain killers when I remove bullets," she tried to joke and cover the anger she felt towards Buffy's boyfriend.

The slayer's eyes widened: "Do you get shot a lot?"

"It's not too bad," Angel tried to comfort her.

Taking care that her boss was safely in the back seat, Cordelia closed the door and run around the car to slip behind the wheel, Willow got in beside her. That was when the former may-queen noticed Riley still standing with them. She shrugged: "It seems the car is full. You have to walk."

"But I want to help," he insisted, getting angry again.

"Yeah, you wanted that before and we've seen where that led to," she shot back. Angel was wounded because of Riley and that was enough to score thousand bad points in her book. "You better stay far away from us," she shouted and drove towards the mansion.

Buffy had heard all this and it came like a shock to her that she didn't care at all how Riley felt at the moment. She didn't care anymore that he felt guilty or bad or insecure. The only thing important for her was the wounded man who's head was laying in her lap and who was in pain for saving her life, not from a demon but simply because Riley had fired a crossbow when he should have stayed out of the fight. Reality hit her full force. It was her fault, she had insisted Riley could come with them.

She started when she felt Angel's hand squeezing her own gently. She looked down: "How do you feel?"

"Okay," he said, but his voice was trembling from pain and exhaustion. "Don't."

"Don't what?" she asked confused.

"Don't blame yourself. He fired the crossbow. He was trained to fight demons, he should have known what to do and what not." He took an unnecessary breath, he really needed to feed soon. His voice was weak and tired.

"I should have told him to stay at Giles'," she argued. "I should have seen he felt this way." Dammit Angel could still read her mind, she made a mental note to be more careful.

"As much as I like to see you feeling guilty at least for something," Cordelia's voice came from the front: "but I have to go with Angel this time. It's not the first fight he's been into. He should have known."

The car stopped - they had reached the mansion. As carefully as possible they helped Angel to his bedroom. Willow and Cordelia stripped him from most of his clothes while Buffy went to get some blood he had brought from LA. When she returned he was already laying under the covers looking paler than usual.

"The wound is closing already, the bleeding has stopped," Willow told them. "I think we don't need to tape it. All he has to do is feed and sleep. I think he will be at full strength again by tomorrow night."

Buffy nodded and approached the bed. The whole situation was only to familiar to her. She could clearly remember another night where he had been laying in the same bed and felt a shudder run through her body. The slayer took a deep breath to get rid of these painful memories. There was no time for this now, this was about Angel and he had to feed. She gently touched his arm and when he opened his tired eyes she handed him the cup while supporting his back to help him to sit upright. She turned to her friends: "I am staying here for the night."

"You don't have to. I am perfectly capable of caring for him. It's not as if I've never done that before." Cordelia sat down at the other side of the bed and looked at her boss.

"No, I am staying," Buffy insisted. "I am not questioning your capability, but I cannot leave."

After drinking the blood Angel felt still tired but also a little bit stronger. He took the slayer's hand: "There is no need for you to stay, Buffy," he told her gently. "I will be okay in the morning." Seeing the sudden pain on her face he added softly: "But if you want to stay ... I would be happy if you did, although I am not going to be a good company. I guess I will sleep the whole night." He gave her a warm smile.

It felt so good having her by his side and he wanted her to stay, also if it was only for a night, also if it was only because he was wounded. It didn't matter. All that mattered was that she was here and not with Riley. He knew that she was angry with her boyfriend at the moment, but he also knew that she'd come around. She would go back to him, but for one night she would be his, at least he could dream about it, could smell her scent near to him.

"Fine," Cordelia stood up and sighed. "I will drive Willow to her room, get Wesley from Giles and then go to bed. I can do with some sleep." She nodded at Buffy and Angel, the red-head gave them a smile and then they were gone.

Buffy smiled at the vampire: "You should sleep now," she told him gently.

"I am going to," he replied. "I am so tired, I couldn't fight sleep even if I wanted to."

"I will stay here in the chair. You know - to keep an eye on you."

"You could also sleep here," he patted beside him on the bed. Seeing the look on her face he smiled: "It is really safe. As I said before, I will be asleep in no time." He sighed when she still didn't move: "Buffy, you also need your strength, the bed is large and much more comfortable than the chair. If you insist on staying then I insist on you sleeping in the bed."

"Okay," she finally gave in, stood up and laid down in her clothes. "Satisfied?" she looked at him.

"That's not the word I would use, but it is much better," he told her before the sleep overwhelmed him.

Buffy smiled and made herself comfortable on her side of the bed. He was right, there was no reason why she should feel bad sleeping like that. She was tired and needed her strength. And it was a welcome excuse to spend a night by his side.

Part 7

There was a knock on the door. Willow muffled something into her pillow and pulled the covers over her head, it was too early and who would come anyway. Then it knocked again. She sighed deeply and wiggled herself out of the sheets, blinking into the bright morning sun which was streaming into the room. A look at the clock told her it was already nine, but her mind told her it was Saturday and for that no need to get up. She yawned, no she wasn't a morning person at all. It knocked a third time and a voice said: "Please, open the door, I know you are angry with me, but I am really sorry. Please I want to talk to you."

Riley.

I shouldn't be bothered at all, Willow thought and was about to wake her obviously ignorant room-mate when she suddenly remembered that Buffy wasn't there.

Oooops.

The slayer was in the mansion, with Angel, with her ex, and the present boyfriend was standing at the door, demanding entrance.

"Buffy, please, I am so sorry. We have to talk about this. I am not leaving until you will talk to me," Riley said through the closed door.

Willow sighed again, oh, Buffy owed her one for this. Now she had to deal with him. What should she tell him? It could be such fun to be a best friend, she thought sarcastically. She looked down at herself, pyjamas, well, Riley had to deal with that. "I am coming," she shouted and patted over to the door.

********

When Angel woke up the first thing he realised was that his shoulder didn't hurt anymore. Good, he thought. He was positive, that he would be at full strength again tonight. He slowly opened his eyes and blinked. The face of the woman he loved was only inches apart from his. Was this a dream? He searched his mind and suddenly remembered that Buffy had insisted to stay over for the night and he had invited her into his bed.

Her eyes were closed and she was still fast asleep. She looked relaxed and a small smile played around her lips. She was so beautiful and immediately his mind went back to the last time they had spent a night together in a bed. They had been so happy then. Angel smiled and without thinking he leaned over to catch her lips in a kiss.

********

"Buffy, I..," Riley started when the door finally opened. When he realised it wasn't his girlfriend standing before him, he was surprised. "Willow," he said lamely.

"Morning Riley," Willow didn't mind that her voice sounded annoyed. "What do you want, it is early."

"I have to talk to Buffy, I couldn't sleep the whole night. I am so sorry about what happened." He craned his neck, only to see that Buffy's bed was empty. "Is she in the bathroom?" he asked the red-head.

She sighed and stepped back: "Why don't you just come in," she invited him. "But I have to disappoint you, Buffy isn't here," she informed him.

"Where did she go?" he wanted to know, closing the door behind him and suddenly realising that the bed hadn't obviously been touched the whole night. "Maybe I should rewind that and ask where did she stay?," his voice was a little bit rising now.

Why lie to him, Willow thought. "She stayed with Angel," she said matter-of-factly.

"She did what?," he asked disbelievingly.

"She stayed with Angel," the witch repeated. "She wanted to be sure he was alright. Maybe you remember, you shot him," she added in a sarcastic voice. There was no need to be nice, she decided. He had interrupted her perfectly peaceful slumber only to ramble about his guilt to his girlfriend. No, no need to be nice.

"And so she decided to hold his hand? The whole night?" His voice was truly angry now.

Now Willow had had it: "Hey, I am the wrong person for this. If you want to yell at someone then go and find Buffy. Personally I think you have no right to yell at all. It was your own stupid fault you shot Angel."

He took a deep breath and tried to calm down: "I am sorry, Willow. You are right. I should not have been so angry with you. But how would you feel if you hear your girlfriend spent the night with her ex?"

"God dammit, Riley. He was wounded, what do you think they are doing? He is weak and she takes care of him, he took an arrow that would have hit her. Besides the fact that he is still cursed, she is with you now. What do you think, that they will seize the moment and give in to passion? Grow up," she shouted the last words, not sure if she wanted to convince him or herself.

********

Her body felt as if it was on fire. The only thing she could feel were the cool lips on hers and instinctively she opened her mouth to invite his tongue. She moaned happily, this was the best dream she'd ever had. The dreams about Angel had been vivid, but never like this. She reached out and found his head, pulling him closer, not willing to let go of this overwhelming feeling.

Angel moaned as well, all he had wanted was to kiss her good-morning but it immediately run out of control. He should have known and resisted, but having her so close had been too tempting, a chance to feel her, he could not let pass. Deep inside he knew it was wrong, not because of the curse, but because of the pain it would cause afterwards. He tried to pull away, but then her hands found his head and he was lost in the feeling being so near to her, holding her and so he continued kissing her.

*********

"Morning Cordelia," Wesley greeted the brunette, when she entered the kitchen of the mansion.

"Wesley," she greeted back. She looked around: "Angel been up?" she wanted to know.

He shook his head: "No, he's still asleep I guess. Buffy too and I don't want to disturb them. They must be exhausted."

"Hopefully that's all," she muttered under her breath and then said aloud: "We didn't really talk yesterday night. Did you find anything helpful by now?"

"Indeed, we did. We found five slayers who survived their last battle, which aren't many, I fear. But still. The fact there are some who survived gives us hope. Buffy is very strong after all. Mr. Giles wants us to cross-check the diaries now."

"Wesley," she said, her voice sounding a little bit annoyed. "I knew about the five girls, remember, I was there! What I wanted to know is if you found anything else after Willow and I left."

He stared at her for a moment: "Sorry, yes. I forgot. Well, we didn't do a lot. We were too concerned about Angel, to be honest."

Cordelia gave him a small smile: "You are actually going to tell me Xander was concerned?"

"Well, I wouldn't go that far," he replied grinning. "No but honestly, he seemed to care, if not for Angel then for Buffy, because he sees how important he is to help her."

The former may-queen poured a cup of coffee and seated herself opposite to the ex-watcher: "Buffy better get this boy-toy of hers to stay away from us or I'll guarantee for nothing. He tempts me to remove the chip from Spike's head and leave Riley to him."

"Cordelia," Wesley exclaimed.

She waved with her hand: "I am not saying, that I will do that. He just annoys me. Buffy and I never got along well, but I would have thought she'd show better taste in men."

"We hardly know him, Cordelia. We shouldn't judge this."

She shrugged: "Maybe." Then she looked at her watch: "I give them another ten minutes and then I am going to wake them up."

********

Reality kicked both at the same time and they abruptly pulled back, staring at each other in shock. The room was still dark but they could clearly see.

"Oh god," Buffy breathed.

"Buffy, I..." Angel began, but she held up a hand to stop him.

"Don't," she whispered. Her heart was racing and she could still feel the shivers running down her spine.

"I am sorry," he said, ignoring her last request. "I shouldn't have done this." He was sitting up in the bed.

She swallowed hard: "You didn't do anything I didn't want to do too," she replied honestly. "And that is the problem. I have a boyfriend, I shouldn't enjoy kissing you and it certainly shouldn't leave me breathless like this." She stood up and paced the room. "That is always the problem. I try to move on, I try to live my life, the way you wanted me to and then you come back and I see it's all a lie. We cannot go on like this."

Angel looked completely stunned. He could only stare at her. This was certainly not what he had expected.

"Don't think I do not appreciate your help in this and I am perfectly aware of the fact that you only came because Giles called you." She paused and took a deep breath. "But that is not important. The fact is you are here and all I want is to kiss you and be near you."

Angel was completely confused. She had told him, she'd moved on, she'd told him, she loved Riley: "What are you trying to say?" he asked cautiously.

"I am trying to say, that I can fool myself for a while, obviously I have become quite a professional in this, as it seems I have also been able to fool you. But every time you are near me, I can feel I am lying to myself, unless I can be angry, but even then it is hard."

The vampire ran his hands through his hair: "I am so sorry, I never meant to bring so much confusion in your life. I should never have come, I should never have kissed you. I had no right to do this. It seems all I can do is hurting you," he sighed desperately.

"Did you even listen to me?" she shouted angrily, came over to the bed, sat down and looked him straight in the eye. "I am not angry with you. The only person I am angry with is myself. Because I gave in to your stupid request of keeping our distance, because I let you walk away from me without fighting. Because I tried to move on and fell for someone like Riley although I didn't love him, because I will have to hurt him and he does not earn that, because he is a nice guy."

"Buffy," he sighed again. "What are you talking about. Nothing has changed." Suddenly it was to him as if he was repeating an old record and somehow it did not feel right anymore. As if he was saying the words because it was habit and not because he believed in them anymore.

"Oh, but everything has," she objected. "Can't you see that? I told you before, we cannot go on like that. There are only two alternatives. One is you leave now and never ever come back, two is you will stop being so stubborn and noble and see what's right in front of you and try to make it work."

"I-I," Angel was a loss of words. He had kissed her and now he found himself in the middle of a hurricane he was not able to stop. He had not understood her at the beginning, but now her words began to sink in. And surprisingly all he could feel was joy.

"Obviously you are not able to make a decision," she went on. "So I am the one making it and looking back on our relationship it is is only fair, because until now you have been the one to make all the important decisions. I am not willing to choose number one, because the idea of never seeing you again makes me feel cold and lost and I know I cannot live like that. That leaves us with number two. All you have to say is 'yes'." Suddenly her voice became pleading: "Angel I know we can make it work. I know it because we love each other. I am not saying we should live with each other, I know the temptation would be too strong. But we could phone and mail and see each other from time to time. And we could kiss, I could stay in LA sometime for a weekend. I remember having seen a sofa there and you could come and stay in mansion. We could spend time..."

He stopped her rambling with pulling her in his arms and kissing her. His mind was crying out this was wrong, his mind was telling him, that she should have a life with a normal, human boyfriend, with a boyfriend who could make love to her, but it was of no use. All he could hear was the little voice that was consistently telling him she wanted to be with him, that she loved him and that she said all these things after she had tried said normal relationship. And the same voice was telling him he was worth being with her. Surprisingly he suddenly felt he was much better for her than Riley, because he could be her adequate in battle and in life and because he could truly understand her feelings. He pulled back and smiled at her: "You are the most amazing woman I have ever met," he told her.

She smiled back: "Is that a yes?" she asked hopefully.

"You know they are going to shout at us," he said instead. "Well maybe not all of them but Xander and Giles won't be happy, I can say that."

She waved her hand: "Details. After all this is my ... our ... life. It's time I am making decisions for myself and stop listening to all my friends telling me what is right." Suddenly she stopped and stared at him: "You are not going to fight this?"

He laughed: "No, I am not."

"I cannot believe it," she laughed now too. "But why?"

"Because I think you are right," he replied matter-of-factly.

"You really have changed. Maybe it wasn't wrong to be separated for a while, maybe we both have grown up. I would have never said something like that to you a year ago. And I am sure you would have never reacted like this."

Suddenly he became serious: "Buffy there is something else you should know. Some time ago Wesley translated an old prophecy for me. It says that if I continue helping people, saving souls and things like these, well that I will become human." He looked at her and carefully watched her reaction, would she be angry?

"Human," she whispered. "Oh god, Angel!," she exclaimed and threw her arms around his neck, holding him close. He hugged her back. Then she pulled back again: "Don't think this would change anything. I am happy for you, because I know you hate your immortality and all but I would take you any way I can get you, vampire or not."

"I know," he replied smiling again. "But it would help, don't you think. I mean we could be an *almost* normal couple."

"We will never be a normal couple and you know that."

"You are right," he answered. "And I also don't want you to dream about it, because nobody knows when this will happen. The prophecy doesn't exactly give a time table."

"Angel," she changed the subject. "I have already told you I will take you any way I can get you, but there is one thing. Could we maybe try to find a solution for your curse, I mean for the clause in your curse. Take it out, get rid of it, something like that."

He grinned: "You are only thinking about your pleasure, Miss Summers."

"Well," she grinned back. "What can I say. It is really depressing to have such a nice boyfriend and not being able to use him properly."

He laughed out loud and kissed her again. "Maybe we should get up now. I mean go down and have a cup of coffee or something. As much as I like being with you this way, but the curse is still there and ..."

"Yes," she stood up. "You are right." Suddenly she sighed loudly: "And then I have to talk to Riley."

"Is there anything I can do?," he offered.

She shook her head: "No. This is something nobody can do but I. And after this we need to work out, because I am desperate to survive that battle now." With a last loving smile she left the bedroom.

Part 8

Buffy shut Angel's bedroom door behind her and paused for a moment. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes and leaned her back against the door. Her mind was racing, but her soul was completely at peace. It was one of the most confusing experiences she'd ever made.

She had told Angel she loved him, that she wanted to be with him. Was she out of her mind? She had a nice normal (ex-)boyfriend, she was at peace with her watcher and friends, even her mother liked Riley and she threw it all away. She had to be crazy! As far as slayers went she had an almost normal life ... and that was the problem. For such a long time she had wanted nothing but a normal life. Sure she had told her friends again and again she would never have something like said normal life, but deep inside she'd hoped. It had been this tiny little voice that prevented her from fighting for her love, because deep inside she had believed his words that she earned something beside darkness and slaying, that she earned light and life.

The result had been anything but nice. More than ever she had tried to prove that she could be Buffy the slayer by night and Buffy the normal girl by day and she had found Riley, the perfect match for that plan. The blonde, smiling, *normal* boy with the hidden identity.

But the picture was askew, Willow would say. What had Kendra once told her, slaying isn't a job, it is what you are. And she was Buffy the vampire slayer 24/7. Period. It was her destiny and now she had accepted it. She knew this had not happened over night, it had come on gradually. Thinking back she could almost grasp all the little signs by now, but the final push had been Giles' telling her about the last battle. This is when every slayer faces her destiny, he had said. But it was wrong, the slayer faced her destiny the moment she was called, the final battle was only something like the ultimate test.

And with accepting her destiny it had suddenly become so clear that Angel and her belonged together. Honestly she had to admit that his kiss had cleared the last clouds in her head, but deep inside she had known it before.

But the most amazing thing was that Angel wasn't fighting it, he wasn't arguing. Obviously he had learned something as well. Growing up was the key word. Yes, they both had done the growing up and found each other in the end.

Buffy smiled and with a song on her lips headed for the kitchen.

*******

Willow could not believe her eyes when she came back to her bedroom. Riley was still sitting on Buffy's bed staring into space. The red head was completely dressed now and had a towel round her head: "You are still here," she stated, her voice not sounding very friendly.

First he didn't seem to hear her, then he suddenly shook his head but he still didn't look at her: "Oh, Willow. I didn't hear you come in. Sorry, I was just thinking."

She wasn't really interested, but talking was better then to stare at each other, so she asked: "What about?" She bowed her head, loosened the towel and began to rub her hair.

"About Buffy," he answered.

Willow sighed inwardly, she had known the answer in advance: "Anything special or only in general?"

"Both. I feel so sorry for my fault yesterday night, but on the other hand he is only a vampire for god sake and they treated me as if I shot a human being - purposely." He made a desperate gesture with his hands and sighed loudly. "Look what Buffy has done to me. Riley Finn talking about a vampire as a person," he added with a short laugh.

"He is a person," the witch's head shot up and she shortly glared at him. "He is Angel, he has a soul and for this he is a person. And he is a friend." She thought for a short while and added: "Most of the time." Then she thought again: "But what you told me is about Angel and has nothing to do with Buffy."

"No. I mean yes. Well." He tried to collect his thoughts and then he continued: "I know they have been together, as hard as it is for me to accept it, but everyone has a past and Buffy's is just more colourful, but then she is the slayer and it explains a lot."

Willow groaned inwardly, this was really not what she had dreamed for her Saturday morning. Buffy already owed her much more than one.

"But why on earth did she have to go and hold his hand?" He turned round and finally faced the red head: "Can you explain that to me? He wasn't dust so he was going to heal, what could be so important that she spent the night by his side and not... I mean, we should have talked about last night." He looked at his watch: "It is half past ten and she didn't even show up. I am not sure how I should feel about this."

And I am not sure how I should feel about spending one and a half hour with you, Willow thought, searching for her hair-dryer. But she didn't tell him, instead she said: "Riley, you should really go and talk to Buffy about this. Why don't you just go to the mansion?" When she saw his disbelieving eyes she sighed: "Look, you feel bad about the whole thing and I am sure she does too. You both need to talk. Obviously you have already realised it is up to you to make the first step. The only thing you have to do now is knock on the right door."

********

Cordelia looked a bit taken aback when she saw the slayer coming into the kitchen, humming quietly. "I take it he is alright," the brunette said, frowning a little bit.

Buffy flashed her a glorious smile, which made the former cheerleader raise her brows. "He is fine. The wound is closed," the Chosen One informed the two people sitting at the table. "Morning Wesley," she added greeting the ex-watcher.

"Good morning," he gave her a slight smile. "Did you sleep well?"

"Oh, like a rock," she informed him and poured herself a cup of coffee. Then she took a chair and sat down with the others. Sipping at her mug she looked at Wesley: "I would have thought you were at Giles' already. I doubt he has done anything but reading the whole night."

"We will leave in a few minutes," he replied. "We just wanted to know about Angel." He looked at her seriously: "You should train, Buffy. This is a serious matter."

She sighed: "I know. And I will. Angel and I will work out later on."

Cordelia nodded: "What is your boyfriend going to say about the fact that you spend all the time with your ex, not forgetting you stayed for the night." The former may queen gave the slayer her most innocent smile.

Buffy frowned: "Well technically he is my ex, although he does not know yet."

"Buffy, Angel knows he is your ex," Cordelia reminded her with a sigh. "Has something happened with your head. Do you have amnesia?"

"Not Angel," the slayer replied impatiently. "I'm talking about Riley. I have broken up with him, all I have to do is tell him," she smiled a bit sheepishly.

"What happened?," the brunette seemed really interested now.

"I.." she began, but was interrupted by Angel who entered the room, wearing sweat pants and a white shirt, his hair still wet from the shower and ... a huge grin on his face. He also poured himself some coffee and then casually leaned at the counter. "Morning Wes, morning Cordelia," he greeted his friends.

"Okay. Will anyone now tell me what happened?," Cordelia asked slightly annoyed. "I haven't seen that sort of grin on you since ... ever, to be honest. No, wait. It is not what I think," she looked back and forth between the couple. Then her eyes widened: "But you are not evil, are you?"

Buffy and Angel burst out laughing simultaneously while Wesley looked completely confused. The vampire was the first to calm down and still smiling he said: "No I am not evil, Cordy." He exchanged a looked with the slayer. "If I was you would be already dead," he added dryly.

"Well that is a relief," she replied. "But if you and her are going to be together that means constant danger which means," suddenly her face lightened up in a sweet smile. Angel rolled his eyes, this could never mean anything good. "Increasing danger," she continued. "You have to give me a raise."

Buffy almost choked in her coffee and raised an eyebrow looking at Angel: "Is she always like that? How much do you pay her?"

"Too much," he sighed.

"Hey," Cordelia shouted, but they could clearly hear the amusement in her voice. "Only because you are all mush-mush with each other now does not mean you can insult my great work for Angel's business. I am an important part of Angel Investigations." She turned at Wesley: "Go on. Tell them."

The ex-watcher was still in total confusion: "Could anybody tell me what is going on here?"

This time Cordelia laughed as well.

*******

"Hey G-man," Xander greeted, when he and Anya entered the apartment of the ex-watcher.

Giles groaned inwardly but did not comment Xander's use of his "nickname". There was no time for this. "Good you are here. Has anyone of you heard from Angel?"

"No," the boy shook his head. "But he is dead-boy, he will survive," he said matter-of-factly. "Where is Buffy?"

"I don't know," the former watcher replied. "Maybe with Riley. I wish the mansion had a phone so I could reach Angel."

"He has a cell phone," Anya reminded him. "Remember, yesterday night. Buffy called from the cemetery."

"I know, but I do not have his number," Giles told her. "Well, Wesley and Cordelia promised to be here around noon, so we will soon know. I truly hope Angel's injury wasn't too serious. Buffy will need him, I have discovered the date, Buffy's last battle will be coming soon, probably tonight or the night after."

Xander's eyes widened: "So soon? Then we should really hope Riley did not hit any important vampire parts."

********

Riley stopped in front of the door of the mansion. He had never been to the home of a vampire before. It was a strange feeling. He truly hated Angel, because he was a vampire, because he was trained to hate them, but mostly because he knew that his girlfriend still had feelings for Angel. He also knew that she did not love him, certainly not the way he loved her. A fact that did not make him feel safe. He knew Buffy and Angel could not be together, not completely, but he would feel much better if she'd been the one who dumped him and not the other way round.

He took a deep breath and knocked.

********

"She spent the whole night with Angel?," Giles asked disbelievingly.

Willow nodded: "Yeah. She decided to stay and watch him. Don't look like that, Giles. He probably saved her life yesterday."

The ex-watcher frowned: "When will she be here?" he asked changing the subject.

"I don't know," the witch told him, taking a seat on the sofa beside Spike who had his full concentration on the television screen.

"She didn't show up until now," Giles' voice was sounding angry by now.

"Calm down watcher," Spike looked up. "Peaches is too much of a softie to endanger anyone. Bloody fool, I'd say, I would not hesitate to shag her."

"Shut up," Xander yelled at him. "Nobody has asked for your opinion."

The vampire shrugged and turned back to his favourite soap opera.

"Maybe we should go there and check if they are already dead," Anya suggested.

Giles and Willow sighed, while Xander only leaned back and closed his eyes.

*******

Cordelia opened the door and raised her brows: "Riley. What a surprise. What do you want?" She did not step back. She had no intention to invite him, she would never forgive him for shooting Angel, and Buffy had dumped him, well technically, so in her eyes there was no reason for him to be here.

"Hi Cordelia," he greeted. He hesitated for a moment, then he straightened up: "I would like to talk to Buffy. I assume she's around?" He tried very hard to sound casual, but the former cheerleader could hear the jealousy in his tone.

"Buffy?," she asked innocently. "Yes she stayed the night. Angel needed a lot of care, you know," she told him, shooting him a certain look.

"Cordelia, who is it?," came the slayer's voice from behind her and the brunette stepped aside to allow her to look at the visitor.

"Riley," Buffy said simply. "Why are you here?"

He was still standing in the garden, somehow Cordelia's attitude prevented him from just stepping in although all he wanted was to embrace his girlfriend. But the look on her face wasn't inviting too. He sighed inwardly, she was still angry. "Buffy I want to talk to you, please. I have already been at your room. I am so sorry for yesterday night." His voice sounded pleading now.

She sighed: "Fine, why don't we talk outside. There is also something I have to tell you." Buffy had hoped she could wait a little bit longer with breaking the news, but maybe it was better to do it now. She gave Cordy a small smile and closed the door when she stepped outside into the bright sunlight.

Part 9

When Cordelia returned to the kitchen she saw two questioning gazes looking up to her. Angel was now sitting on the chair Buffy just had left: "Who was it," he wanted to know.

"Riley," she gave him a smile. "Buffy is going to talk to him."

The vampire nodded: "I see. I wish I could help her. This will be hard."

The brunette shrugged: "Well, I would be glad to get rid of him. Just look at him, I mean he is not too bad, but his clothes, that's just no taste." She looked at her boss: "Besides the fact that yours are mostly dark they are at least fitting."

He grinned: "Thanks Cordelia, that means so much to me."

"You're welcome," she gave him a nod. "On the other hand she can have sex with him," she paused for a while. Seeing the look on Angel's face she quickly continued: "It's nice to have sex and all, but what do you with someone like Riley the rest of the time? Hide him, so that he will not embarrass you? No sex can be that good."

Wesley rolled his eyes and looked at the vampire: "I am waiting for the day when she will actually think before she talks."

Angel gave him a slight grin: "But then she would not be Cordelia anymore and what would life be without her."

"Damn right," she replied.

********

Buffy looked at Riley for a moment and then pointed to the old fountain in the middle of the garden: "Why don't we just sit down there."

He nodded and they walked over. The moment they sat, Riley turned to her taking her hand: "You have to believe how sorry I am. I never wanted to shoot him. I behaved like a fool."

"You did," she replied, looking at his hand on hers which made him pull his back quickly.

"Buffy please. All I could see was that demon who held you, I thought he was going to kill you. And he didn't even try to intervene. I was so angry that he only stood there watching you fighting that creature." His voice pleadingly first became now louder and more angry.

The slayer raised her head and looked him straight in the eye: "I think it would have been appropriate if you would have asked about his well-being first." Her voice sounded cold, and she actually was angry that he started to ramble about his feelings and didn't think about the man he had injured.

His gaze wandered down, then he met her eyes again: "You are right. That is unforgivable. How is he?"

"He is fine, thank you," she replied coldly. "We should be happy he is a vampire, otherwise he would now lay in a hospital fighting for his life. And for the rest, Angel did not intervene because unlike you he has faith in my skills, he could see I didn't need any help. This special kind of demon is not very strong. You have no right to be angry with him, no right at all."

Holding her gaze for a moment he stood up and began to pace the garden: "So you are still angry with me." He threw his hands in the air: "But what else can I say but I am sorry. I acted like a fool. My only excuse is that I love you so much and I feared for your life." He returned to the fountain and got seated again.

Buffy took a deep breath: "Yes, I am still angry. But I will get over it eventually."

He flashed her a brilliant smile: "I am so happy. And I will also go and apologize to him," he promised.

"You should do that. But Riley..."

"No," he interrupted her. "You do not have to say anything. I have seen that I am not as good as I have been anymore. In combat I mean. So I will try to stay out and promise to be content with helping like Xander and Willow do." He smiled and went on: "And then, when this is over and done you will be able to have a normal life, the life you have dreamed of. We can just be a normal couple in love." He took her hand and kissed it.

She closed her eyes for a moment. He looked so happy and she had to hurt him, but there was no way out of this. Especially after his last comment. How could he know that she no longer dreamed of the normal life, he was offering her. "Riley, this all sounds very tempting...," she began and was again interrupted by him.

"But it will be true. I promise. You will survive that battle and then..."

"Will you just shut up?" she yelled at him and jumped up. "Shut up and listen."

His head snapped up and he simply stared at her. She took a deep breath and now it was her who was pacing the garden: "Riley, I did a lot of thinking," she began again. "I know I told you I wanted something normal and safe. And I really thought that would be my dream, but I have changed. I am not sure what changed my mind, but the fact is I am no longer looking for a normal life." She stopped and faced him: "I. am. the. slayer," she said very slowly, pointing each word with a pause. The she repeated: "I am the slayer. This is not some hobby or something I do because I am bored. It is part of my life, it is part of my personality. It made me the person I am today. Without it I would be a spoiled little girl only caring for shoes and dresses."

"And I love the person you are," he said, but became silent again when he saw her glare.

She cocked her head: "Do you really? Do you love the fact that I am the slayer? I don't think so. Did you even accept it? I don't think so. Remember what you said just before. That we will be a normal couple then. But we will never be. Because I will still be the slayer. Sure they have offered me to retire and some years ago I would have been thrilled by the idea, but not anymore. I know what happens in the night, Riley. I will never be able to just lay down and ignore that, especially when I have the power to help. How can I lead a normal life when someone might die because I am not out there to prevent that. It would drive me crazy."

"You think that now," he said, standing up as well and walking in her direction. "But think of the relief. You could marry, have children."

"I know. But I can't," she sighed. "Nobody ever accepted my calling, Riley, not my mother, not Willow, not Xander. I didn't accept it for a long time, I felt betrayed and hated it. The only two people who did were Giles and Angel. They both just knew there was no way out." She broke his gaze and went back to sit down again: "I have accepted it now and finally I feel at peace. I know who I am and that feels great. All the time it was as if I was fighting a part of me. So what I want to say is: If I am going to survive this, I will not retire as a slayer. At least not completely."

Riley stared at her for a long moment. Then he came over and sat again by her side: "I understand. I really do. And if this is important for you, I will support you. It's not as if I am totally ignorant about what goes bump in the night."

She slightly shook her head and then looked at him: "That sounds nice, but it would not work. And that leads me to the second part of this conversation. Riley, if I am the slayer I cannot have a normal relationship. It would never work." She saw him opening his mouth but silenced him with a movement of her right hand. "It would not work, believe me. I would endanger the person I am with and I could not live with that either. But more importantly," she paused for a moment trying to delay the final blow. Then she took another deep breath: "I am not in love with you Riley. I will never be. I like you, I care for you. You are a great guy, but I do not love you. Not the way it should be. We would end up hating each other and this is the last thing I want. I would never be satisfied in such a relationship and you would get hurt. So in short: I am breaking up with you, Riley. It is over."

He shook his head in disbelief: "No, you don't mean that." His voice was pleading now: "You are still confused. I love you and ..."

"I am not confused," she interrupted him. "Actually I wasn't that clear for a long time. Suddenly it seems as if I know what I want. And I don't want to be with you anymore. You have to accept that, because I will not change my mind." She thought for a while and then she added: "I am in love with Angel, I have ever been and we both have decided to give it another try." She had not been sure if she would tell him, but he would find out anyhow and so it was better she would be the one breaking the news, she decided.

He jumped up: "WHAT?" he shouted. "You are back together with ... with ... that thing."

Buffy flinched slightly by his last word, but it made her only more positive about her decision. She would never ever be happy with Riley. Riley with his narrow-minded head, she thought in disgust. Her voice was firm and quiet when she said: "That's what I said. And I would appreciate if you would not call him a 'thing', for he is none. He is a person. He is a vampire with a soul which makes him very special and I love him. He understands me, he is my adequate and he can back me up. I will never have to worry for him in a battle and he believes in me. He is my other half and nothing you will say will change that." She closed her eyes for another moment and then she looked at him again: "I am very sorry you got into this and got hurt. I never wanted that and will have to live with the guilt, but by ending it now I do the only reasonable thing." She stood up and put a hand on his arm: "Maybe someday we will be able to be friends again. Until then, I wish you only the best." Then she turned and walked away. Closing the door of the mansion from the inside she began to smile. She was free.

Part 10

After Cordelia and Wesley had left for Giles' to help with research Buffy and Angel were finally alone and looking at each other while sitting opposite on both sides of the kitchen table.

"Are you okay?," he asked after a while.

She nodded: "Yeah. I am fine. Surprisingly much better then I'd thought." Seeing his disbelieving gaze she admitted: "Okay, yes it was hard. I mean he is hurting, but there was no way. Even if you'd rejected me I would have broken up with Riley. You know, when I came back from LA, after Thanksgiving I talked to Willow about this. I was just on the edge of a relationship with Riley and I liked him a lot." She paused and took a sip from her coffee. "Willow asked how it had been to see you. I told her it was painful."

"I am sorry, I never..."

She raised a hand: "No, it's not that and I know you never wanted to cause me pain. But that's not the point. I told her, that my feelings for you were so intense, although we had only talked for five minutes."

Angel inhaled sharply and he swallowed hard and Buffy looked at him worriedly: "Are you okay?"

He closed his eyes for a moment, but opened them when he felt her hand on his: "I am fine. Sorry. Go on."

"Well, I asked her if love wasn't meant to be this way and if pain wasn't a part of it. I mean secure and safe is nice, but I felt dead inside or at least not as alive as I do today," she smiled and looked at her hand which was still lying on his: "Holding your hand is more intense then having sex with him. Other people might think this is ridiculous, but I know you understand."

"I do," he replied, caressing the back of her hand with his thumb. "When I left you I truly believed you would earn something better, more solid, more normal." He suddenly laughed: "When I saw Riley at Thanksgiving talking to you," he looked to their hands for a moment and then back into her eyes: "I thought he was a solid guy although I was so jealous. Later when I came to see you I began to have my doubts, of course I didn't like him, but I also doubted he was the right partner for a slayer. He was clearly overestimating his skills and I just knew this could be dangerous. It was the first time I thought, I might have been the better choice for you."

She grinned: "I cannot believe you just said that. It took you quite some time to see it. I knew it all along."

"Yeah, well. You were so young when we met and maybe I couldn't believe that someone so young could be so wise," he grinned back.

"Wise, hm?," she joked. "I suppose Giles would not agree. He thinks I am still behaving very immature," she stood up and without letting go of his hand she came over to his side and placed herself in his lap, looking deeply in his eyes: "so I say we behave immature for some minutes before we go all wise again and start to work out. What do you think?." She gave him a seductive smile.

"Sounds like a plan to me," he replied, catching her lips with his.

*******

Willow was surprised to see Riley standing in front of Giles' door. She raised her eyebrows: "Riley," her voice sounded annoyed. "Can I help you, Buffy is not here?"

He shook his head: "I know, I just talked to her. I need to talk to you."

Oh no, what have I done to earn this? she thought, but said: "Didn't we do this before?"

"No, I mean I want to talk to all of you. I need to talk to Giles too," his voice was sounding urgent now.

"Fine, come in," she invited him and closed the door again.

The others looked up and Spike grinned: "By the look on your face, I'd say the slayer's still angry with you, mate."

Riley shot him a look but ignored his comment: "I have to talk to you, all of you. I need to know why they broke up. Buffy and that vampire."

"Hey, you're talking about my yoda, be careful," Spike warned. He didn't like Angel, but everything was okay to give Riley a hard time.

Willow coughed slightly: "I think it is not our place to tell you that. You talked to Buffy, why didn't you ask her?"

"Because she would never tell me, but I need to know."

"Why?" Willow's voice sounded sharper than she had intended.

"Because she broke up with me," Riley said with apparent pain.

The group stared at him while Spike began to laugh: "The slayer came to her bloody senses. I never understood why she took you in the first place." He studied the ex-commando's face for a second. The boy wanted to know about Buffy and Angel that could only mean: "She dumped you for him," he suddenly shouted. "Hell, this is much better than anything. Commando-boy is dumped for a vampire." He couldn't stop laughing when he saw the others now staring at him in complete shock.

Giles was the first to find his voice again: "What do you mean?" he glared at the vampire, who had tears in his eyes because he laughed so hard.

"Look at him," Spike pointed at Riley. "Look at his face, oh, bloody hell it is priceless."

"Stop that," the ex-watcher shouted. Then he looked at the former commando: "Is it true?"

Riley nodded: "Yes. And for that I need to know what happened. She told me that she's always loved him. Is that true?"

Willow was about to answer him, she wanted to tell him that this wasn't his business anymore, especially after Buffy had dumped him, but she get no chance to speak as Xander's outburst stopped her: "They are together again," he yelled. "Giles, we have to do something. I mean, is she crazy? Will she ever learn? He broke her heart and she takes him back, besides the fact that we will all die if they get pelvic again."

"Xander Harris I cannot believe you are still the idiot you've ever been," came a female voice from the doorway. Unbeknownst to anyone Wesley and Cordelia had entered the apartment and the former cheerleader was now staring at her former boyfriend with her hands at her hips. "And let me add that it is none of your business, what Angel and Buffy do together." She closed the door behind her and came to stand beside Willow: "Riley, I really thought you were a looser, but you are worse. You are a grown up man and go to Buffy's friends to whine in their ears. You are a pathetic little wimp. And now I think we have more important things to discuss then our *friend's* lovelife or did you forget about the reason you called Angel in the first place." She stared at Giles now.

Everyone stared at her, Xander and Giles in total shock, Willow smiled, she'd never thought she would like Cordelia one day, Anya looked bored, while Spike and Wesley had an amused smile on their lips although their reasons for it were obviously different. Riley on the other hand was ready to kill the brunette girl standing before him: "I think," he began. "You are misjudging the situation. Buffy is *my* girlfriend, I have a right to know."

She turned her head to look him straight in the eye. Her voice was like ice: "No you haven't. Buffy dumped you, you almost killed her last night and you would have succeeded if it wasn't for Angel. You all," she gazed around: "should thank him on bended knees that she is fine." When she still saw anger in Giles' and Xander's face she waved her hands: "God, I cannot believe you. He came to help her, he would die for her. What the hell is the matter with you, you all know they love each other, he even..." gave humanity up for her, she wanted to say but stopped the last possible second. There was no need these people should know about it. She sighed dramatically: "Can we now stop that nonsense and research?"

Giles took his glasses from his nose and rubbed them with his shirt, a true sign that he felt not very well at the moment. He had been shocked to hear about Buffy and Angel and he still didn't like it, but he was embarrassed that a girl like Cordelia, who he'd thought to be immature and superficial had pointed out the most important thing, the upcoming battle for Buffy and Angel. He put the glasses back and cleared his throat: "Cordelia is right. We should concentrate on the matter at hand. The situation is too serious to get distracted."

"I wish Buffy would see that," Xander snorted, but shut up when everyone (except Riley) glared at him.

"Uhm," Giles continued. "I have found out the exact date of the battle." He paused for a moment and then said: "It is tonight."

Everyone's eyes widened and even the grin on Spike's face disappeared.

********

"You've improved," Buffy told her boyfriend with admiration in her voice.

He grinned: "Well, I had some tough calls. This way you stay in shape." He took the water-bottle from the near by table and took a large gulp. They had been working out for about two hours now and Angel had managed to win most of the times.

"Yeah. And I trained with Riley who didn't even tell me his strength was decreasing until three weeks ago." She took the bottle from him and grinned: "It's a shame Spike's that chip in his head, he would be a good partner."

Angel stepped closer to her, giving her a certain look: "I hope you mean for training."

She raised her eyebrows: "What else could I mean?" Her grin grew even wider.

"Well, Spike has a special way with women," he replied, now only inches away from her. She could feel her body responding immediately to his closeness. "They always liked that bad boy look."

"Did they?" she asked. She closed her eyes a little bit and looked at him through her lashes: "Maybe I should try it."

He reached out and pulled her to him, she giggled when she heard the slight growl escaping his lips: "Don't do this."

"What?," she gave him her best innocent smile.

He took a deep breath and grinned: "You shouldn't do this. If there wasn't this damned curse you would pay for it, immediately."

She felt her heartbeat quickening and she pulled his head down for a kiss. Before their lips met, she breathed: "God, I really hope Willow will find that spell soon."

Part 11

Angel put his cell phone aside and gave the slayer a concerned look. Cordelia had just told him the news about the battle. Buffy was sitting on the sofa in the hall of the mansion, flipping through one of the old books Angel had brought with him. She wasn't really interested, but needed something to entertain herself for the time her boyfriend was on the phone. She smiled to herself, it sounded so right, so natural to think of him as her boyfriend again.

After visiting her mother in the afternoon, she'd come back to the mansion instead of going to join the group at Giles'. The doctors had told her that they did not have much hope for Joyce ever going to wake up again. After that she knew she could not be anywhere else then in Angel's arms. He held her and she cried in his arms for what felt like hours, actually it were only twenty minutes, but she'd never felt so safe and understood. She could strongly feel his love wrapping around her and consoling her and she knew she would live through anything with him by her side. How could she've ever lived without him, she wondered now. How could she ever forget how alive she felt when she was near to him. Well, now she would never ever forget again, she vowed.

"That was Cordelia," his voice interrupted her thoughts and she turned to face him.

"Any news?", she wanted to know.

He nodded slowly and approached the sofa, his eyes never leaving hers: "Giles has found out about the exact date. The battle will be tonight."

He could hear her drawing in a sharp breath and he could almost feel her beginning to tremble. In an instant he was by her side: "You do not have to worry about this, I promise. Buffy," he took her face in his hands: "I will be with you every minute. You will never be alone, never be unprotected."

She smiled weakly: "I know. It is funny, I wasn't really afraid when I first heard about it. But it is different now."

He smiled back: "It is very near now, very threatening, I understand."

But she shook her head: "It's not that. Actually I read quite a bit in Giles' books," she smiled: "Don't look at me like that. I can read. However. I began to understand that a slayer is going to die, sooner or later. That's just fate. And I began to come to terms with that. BUT now it is different. I don't want to die, because we just got back together, I am afraid to lose what we've just gained again."

He leaned forward and kissed her tenderly: "You will not lose it, Buffy. Do you trust me?"

"I do, with all my heart."

"I promise, you will live through that. Even if..."

"No," she replied shaking her head frantically: "No, I don't want you to protect me with your life. My life is worth nothing if it's not with you." She took his hands and squeezed them tightly: "Promise me you will survive too. Promise me," she almost shouted the last words.

"I'll do what I can," he answered honestly.

She took a deep breath: "Okay," she tried to smile.

"We should go to Giles now, they are waiting for us." He gave her a last look and then got up to check his weapons. After deciding for an axe and a sword he turned back to her. She was still sitting on the sofa, but she seemed much calmer now. He smiled at her: "Ready?"

"Yeah," she replied getting now up as well and reaching out her hand for him: "Let's go."

*********

When they arrived at Giles' apartment, the whole gang was assembled there and Buffy raised her eyebrows in astonishment to see Riley sitting beside Xander on the couch. They all looked up seeing the couple enter the living room, Giles slightly shook his head seeing their entwined hands but did not comment it. He remembered Cordelia's words, it was certainly not the time for discussions.

"Hey my favourite slayer finally arrived," Spike exclaimed with a grin on his face. He did not share the watcher's feelings and most of all he wanted to see pain on Riley's face which would be there soon, he was sure of that. "And with the great poof. Did you have a nice shaggin' day, you two?"

Buffy only shot him a look while Angel growled deeply in his throat. It was almost inaudible but Spike shut up at once, he'd heard that sound only once and from Angelus and he knew it was dead serious. He could not help to look a Riley though and seeing his face contorted in pain put the grin back on the vampire's face. This boy was just too predictable.

"Uhm," Giles began. "I am glad you came. Cordelia has informed you the battle is tonight. What we have to do now is go through all we've found out about the slayers who survived and about the demons that probably will come forward." He looked at Angel with a little bit concern: "How are you? Are you sure you're back at full strength?" he asked giving Riley a look, that stupid little jealous boy, he thought.

Angel nodded: "I am fine," he suddenly grinned. "I think Buffy can assure you of that."

The watcher looked uncomfortable: "Uhm .. I really don't ... want to know, I mean."

Buffy giggled: "Oh Giles, you are so cute when you look like that. No, we had two work outs today and Angel is really strong, he's much improved," she gave the vampire an admiring look. "He won five out of seven."

Gazing at Riley, Cordelia shrugged: "Well maybe you just didn't have the right partners to train with for a while. But as this has changed I am sure you'll beat him very soon regularly."

"Yeah," Spike joined in. "Humans just aren't the right match for slayers."

Riley jumped up: "Shut up," he yelled. "Hold your dirty tongue. This is none of your business, hostile." He approached the bleach blonde vampire, raised his hand and was about to punch the hated face when his fist was caught in the air. He whirled around to look into his ex-girlfriend's face. Staring at her he dropped his hand again. "Why did you stop me?," he asked. "He earned it."

"Maybe," she replied, her voice sounding calm but very cold. "But he cannot defend himself. Why don't you just try to beat me?"

He continued to stare at her, then slowly, sadly shook his head and went back to his chair.

Buffy took a deep breath and then looked at Giles: "Now, can you tell Angel and I what we are going to expect?"

"And me," Spike added. "I am going with you, remember!"

The slayer grinned at him: "How could I forget that."

********

The three of them stood in one of many cemeteries of Sunnydale, the one Giles had found out was meant to be the battlefield for tonight. It had been agreed that the others would stay away. All but Willow and Giles who sat in the watcher's car with spellbooks and some herbs so that they might be able to help magically if needed. Wesley had told the three fighters that he'd expect some vampires and different sorts of demons and had shown them some pictures. There were Mohra demons expected as well and when Wesley had opened the book to let them look at the sketch of one Cordelia had given Angel a short look only to see him shake his head ever so slightly, while Buffy had told the group about the one she'd seen in Angel's office some time ago and explained how to kill it.

Now they were standing there and the slayer could feel her body hum in aticipation of the battle: "I can feel it in the air," she whispered.

"I know. I do too," Angel replied, taking her hand and smiling at her.

Spike rolled his eyes: "Can you just stop with the googely eyes for a while. This is bloody serious and I don't want my unlife to be finished so soon."

Buffy tried to suppress a giggle: "Why did you come anyhow?"

"You know me slayer, nothing to please me more than a good beating up."

"You will get a lot of that," a new voice came from behind them. They turned and saw a large group of vampires approaching. There were at least 30 of them. The leader stepped forward and grinned: "I see, a slayer with some friends. Now that is new, but it just adds the fun, although it makes me gag to see our own folk fighting against us."

Angel quirked an eyebrow: "You will come around," he said sarcastically. "On the other hand," he added. "There will be no time left for heavy dreams, with being dust and all."

And then he jumped the leader which was followed by a loud growl from the other vampires of the group and soon they were all in the battle, staking vampires left and right. They were desperately outnumbered and it was hard but they managed to kill all but five and they finally ran away.

Buffy shook her head in disbelief: "That's it? It was so easy."

"It was a good fight," Spike grinned, trying to get the dust from his shirt.

Angel looked around and suddenly discovered something: "I think the vampires were just the beginning, I would say," he informed them, pointing towards a crypt.

The slayer followed his gaze and her eyes widened in shock. One after one a large bunch of different demons came into view, Buffy only recognised some of them. She could see the Mohras, four of them and suddenly an image was in her head of the demon she'd once seen in Angel's office added by another disturbing memory of her and Angel lying on the floor on top of each other. Where did that come from? She could not remember ever been in such a situation. She shook her head and focused back to the demons that were now very close. And then she saw nothing for while but demon after demon approaching her and the others, she fought almost unconsciously, purely on instinct.

They were three formidable warriors and demon after demon lost it's life. After a while the ground of the cemetery was scattered with bodies and there were only some left alive.

When Buffy was able to see something else than the battle she saw a huge green demon coming on her. From the corner of her eye she saw Spike decapitating a slimy yellowish creature and Angel with a Mohra, but they seemed to hold their own and so she concentrated on the one right in front of her. He was much stronger than she'd thought and Buffy was tired after all what had happened before. She received a hard punch to her head and stumbled backwards, falling down on her bottom and hitting her head on a head-stone while she could also see Angel hitting the ground very hard, being attacked once again by the Mohra, but hen he raised his hand and smashed the jewel. She sighed in relief, he would get up soon, after all he was a vampire and strong. Feeling still slightly disoriented she saw the demon in front of her rising a sword when suddenly a body flew through the air and Buffy let out a shocked gasp when she realised who it was.

The demon spun around and punched his attacker hard in the face. Riley fell to the ground, the demon raised his sword again. Buffy tried to get on her feet but a dizzy feeling prevented her. And then it happened very fast. She saw Angel sitting on the ground, staring at Riley with wide eyes but barely moving, *why doesn't he move, he looks fine*, she thought, Spike coming up behind the creature and stabbing it with a sword while the sword of the demon sunk into Riley's chest the very same minute, killing him in an instant.

The large demon fell to the ground beside the human he'd just killed while Buffy slowly stood up. She was not able to think, she wildly gazed around for some seconds and then with a sob broke down beside her dead ex-lover, cradling his lifeless body in her arms and rocking him. Riley was dead, he had tried to help her and now he was dead.

Spike looked over to his grand-sire who was now standing as well. He sensed something different about him, but he couldn't put his finger on in. All of a sudden the strength radiating from him was less and Spike was wondering why. He shrugged, he could think about it later. Suddenly he heard footsteps and saw Willow and Giles running towards them, the witch kneeling down beside her friend who was still holding onto the dead body.

Angel looked at Buffy. He felt nauseous all of a sudden, he knew what it was, but there was no time to think about it. All he saw the pain coming in waves from Buffy and as soon as he was able to walk again he approached her and laid a comforting hand on her shoulder.

The same second her body seemed to come to life, her head shot around and she screamed: "Don't touch me!"

Angel jumped back and stared at her as if he'd been slapped right into his face. He slightly shook his head, he knew she was upset, of course she felt dreadful with Riley dying right in front of her. So he kneeled down and said: "Buffy, I am..."

"Don't," she screamed again and Angel was taken aback by the disgust he found in her eyes. "Why didn't you help him?," she demanded.

He stared at her: "W... What?" He did not know what she was talking about.

"Oh, don't play dumb. I saw you. I saw you sitting over there and just looking at him. Why didn't you try to save him? Did you hate him so much for having been with me? God, I never thought you could act so low." Buffy knew she was confused, but she'd seen it, she'd seen him just watching Riley to be butchered. It was a deep shock to her.

Angel wanted to explain it to her, but how could he now, how could he explain to her that he could not move, that it just not had been possible. "I --- I couldn't," he just said. "I could not get up so fast."

"What?" she spat at him. "All of a sudden you cannot use your vampire speed. Humor me! I think you better leave now, Angel. Go back to LA, save souls. I will never forgive you, what you did today. He would not have been a threat to you, I had made my decision, you know that. But now, all I know is how disgusted I am, all you wanted was your revenge. Are you happy now? Go away, I don't want to see you ever again." Then she turned her head back to the dead body still laying partly in her lap.

Angel stumbled backwards, he felt as if he would faint any minute. Her words hit down to his core. How could she think of him like that, how could she think he would watch someone die deliberately. How could she think so low of him. He felt hurt and he felt pain, more pain he'd ever thought possible. If she thought him capable of acting like she'd told him, he felt there was nothing more to say.

Suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder. When he turned he looked into Cordelia's concerned face. He hadn't even noticed the others entering the graveyard. "She's to upset right now," she tried to comfort him. "She'll come around."

He shook his head and Cordelia was taken aback by the amount of pain she saw hin his eyes: "But I won't. How can she think of me like that? How can she believe I would let him die if there had been a way to prevent it?," he asked his friend.

"Angel," she began. "She just needs time. She loves you, I know that."

"No," he shook his head again, this time more violently. "Cordelia, are you very tired?"

"No, why?"

"I would like to go back to LA tonight," he looked again at the blonde girl still sitting on the ground. "She doesn't want me here anymore and honestly I cannot stand to be near her at the moment." Then he turned and left. His shoulders were sagged and he was moving like an old man. Cordelia just looked at Wesley and they both followed him without another word.

Nobody did understand what had happened, but none of them had seen the deep cut on Angel's right arm.

Part 12

Buffy stood in front of the fresh grave staring into space. It was almost dark and all except Willow had left the cemetery by now. The last two weeks she'd lived a nightmare. After she'd recovered from her first shock, she had realised that Angel and his friends had left Sunnydale and went back to LA. Then Xander and Spike had brought Riley's dead body to another place and called the police. Only one day later his family came to Sunnydale and took the body with them to bury him in Iowa.

Buffy felt nothing, she was numb. She was still not able to digest what had happened in the graveyard. Why wouldn't Angel come and rescue Riley. Why? Why? Why? She knew the only person who could answer that was a certain vampire but she was not ready to face him. She did not hate him, but her trust and belief in him was shattered and she was afraid all she would feel by seeing him would be disgust, while everything she wanted was to feel save and secure in his arms.

On top of all this, Joyce had died only a week after the fateful night in the cemetery. She did not regain consciousness. And again all Buffy wanted were the two strong arms around her body, but she couldn't go for him. Deep inside she felt by then that there had to be an explanation. Angel would never behave like that way.

And with the realizations the guilt came. What had she done to him, how could she accuse him like that. She now remembered the look is his eyes and she knew she'd hurt him more than anything. How could she ever face him again? After all she'd said. She had vowed never to be separated from him again, but the question was if he still wanted to be with her. And his last words echoed in her mind 'I cannot stand to be with her at the moment'. Oh god, what had she done.

She stared at the headstone in front of her, it read 'Joyce Summers', beloved mother. She felt Willow's hand on her arm and looked up. The witch smiled at her: "I think we should go. You need rest, Buffy."

The slayer only nodded and followed her friend never noticing the figure standing behind a tree and watching the whole scene.

*******

Angel shut the door of his room behind him and let his exhausted body fall on his bed. A mortal body really was something to get used to again. On the day that wasn't he had lived as in a dream, it had been almost unreal and more so when the time had been swallowed, but now he was human for three weeks and there was a lot he had to adjust to.

He had felt it at once when it had happened in the cemetery fighting the Mohra demon. After that he was weak and that had been the reason he could not get up and help Riley. He'd felt even weaker then the first time and now there were no Oracles anymore to tell him the meaning of all this.

But by the time they had arrived LA he had found Whistler in his room telling him, that this was his reward. Defending the slayer in her last battle had been the last task and now he was free. Cordelia hadn't had a vision since then. He had not told anyone about his new mortal state so far. Not even his friends and they did not suspect it. He just kept his usual routine of being up all night and going out to patrol, which was not difficult as he was used to it. And he was also still brooding. This time the regaining of mortality had nothing of the happiness of the first time. He felt empty and more dead than ever.

He had all he'd ever wanted and it was worth nothing without her. He would never forget the look in her eyes. How could she think of him that way? How could she believe he would sink so low? And that after all that had happened in Sunnydale, after they had decided to try again, after everything seemed fine at last. It would have been hard before to live with her disgust, but now it was unbearable. Closing his eyes for a moment, he tried to suppress the pain that was washing through him. Then he got up again and left the hotel.

He was still in overbrood when he walked through LA at night. His thoughts this time were at the cemetery where he had seen Buffy standing at her mother's grave. She'd looked so lost and sad. His whole being had cried out for her, he wanted to hold her, but he couldn't do it, he was to afraid she would reject him again. That would have been the final blow because this time she would not be in shock and would not be able to find an excuse to make him feel better. Better, he laughed sarcastically, would he ever feel better again? That was his last thought, because he never saw the figure coming up behind him and then his world went black.

*********

"I am going to phone her," Cordelia looked at Wesley, her hands at her hips.

"He wouldn't want that," the ex-watcher replied.

"I know. But he is missing since four days, Wes. And it is her fault! How could she treat him like that. Ever since we came back from Sunnydale he was like a wreck. Even after ... nevermind, I've never seen him like that before. I know he's been dead for a while, but now he truly is. And I am scared." Tears welled up in her eyes: "He is my friend, Wes and I care for him. If something's happened to him it is her damned fault and she should help us."

He sighed and looked at Gunn, who was leaning at a wall. Seeing the ex-watcher facing him, he shrugged: "Don't look at me. I am not a part of all this. But if you ask me, Angel looked like shit the last weeks with the bags under his eyes and he was so pale. No stop, he's always pale."

"Thanks," Cordelia glared at him. "You are a great help." Then she took the phone and dialed.

********

Buffy looked at the phone ringing at her nightstand, she sighed and then answered it: "Hello?"

"Buffy? It's Cordelia. I will come right to the point. We need your help. Angel's missing. Get your bloody ass up and come to LA. ASAP."

"Cordy, wait, what do you mean he is missing?," the slayer asked alarmed.

"He didn't come back the last four days. But I will tell you the details when you come here. And don't you dare not to come. It's your fault that this all happened," she cried into the phone.

"Cordy..." Buffy began, but then she heard a click, the brunette had already finished the call.

Her whole body shivered and she was still holding the phone when Willow entered their dorm room. With a concerned look she sat down on the bed beside her friend and gently touched her hand: "What is it?" When Buffy didn't react, she tried again: "Who was on the phone?"

Now the slayer seemed to come out of her daze: "Oh sorry, Will. It was Cordelia." Suddenly tears were welling in her eyes and she grabbed her friend's hand: "Oh god, Willow. Angel's missing. They haven't heard from him for four days."

The red head's eyes widened: "What? What happened?"

Buffy's tears were falling freely now: "I don't know. They don't know. Oh god, Will, what if..."

"No," the witch shouted. "Don't even think that."

But Buffy didn't seem to hear her: "It's my fault, Will. The horrible things I said to him."

"You were in shock, Buffy. He should not have left that night."

"I cannot blame him," the slayer replied, reaching out for a Kleenex on her nightstand. "I hurt him so much, so much, I was even afraid to go to LA to apologise, out of fear he would reject me. If something should have happened to him...", she couldn't speak anymore and Willow pulled her in her arms to let her cry on her shoulder.

After some minutes Buffy pulled back and straightened: "I have to go to LA."

"Of course, I understand," the witch nodded. "We can all go tomorrow."

"No," the slayer shook her head: "I have to go NOW, at once. You all can come tomorrow if you want, but Cordy said it was urgent and I cannot lose another minute."

"Alright. I will tell Giles and the others." She took her friends hand and squeezed it tightly: "Buffy, I am sure he is alright."

The slayer nodded and gave her a faint smile then she stood up, took her duffel back and left.

********

"Is there any news?" Buffy asked when she entered the hotel in LA. She had needed more time she'd thought, because she had to search for the new address.

Cordelia stood up from her chair and looked at the slayer: "So you came," she raised her eyebrows: "I'm glad that you see it's your fault. I swear to god, if something should have happened to him, you will pay for it."

The blonde stared at the brunette for a moment, then she said: "If something should happen to him, I don't want to live, Cordy. I know it is my fault. I know I hurt him," she was crying by now. "I would do anything if I could rewind time, but there is nothing I can do to make the words unspoken."

"Then why the hell didn't you come and apologise? He came to Sunnydale to save your life. He was doing alright you know." She waved her hand in the air: "In LA and with his friends. Of course he would go to Sunnydale to save your ass, god he would do anything for you. On top of this you had to wiggle your ass back into his life, only to smash his heart on the ground again. He's sacrificed everything for you, even humanity and don't have the time to apologise!"

"Cordelia," Wesley tried to step in, but the two girls weren't listening to him.

"I was scared, okay. I know this, I know what I did. And I know I should have come and ... hold on, what do you mean he gave up humanity for me?"

The brunette looked to the ground: "Nothing. It just slipped."

Buffy stepped forward and took the other girl's hand: "No," she shook her head. "I don't believe you. Tell me!," she demanded.

Cordelia sighed, she knew Angel would kill her for this: "Okay. So when you came at Thanksgiving, you know."

"I know, when the Mohra demon jumped through the window."

The former cheerleader nodded: "Yeah. Listen I don't know the whole story, Angel told it to Doyle and he thought I should know too. All I know is, that the demon's blood mixed with Angel's and he became human. You were together in his apartment for the whole day. Then the demon came back, Angel went to fight it and was almost killed. You saved his life. After that he felt he would only be a weakness for you. So he went to the Oracles."

"The what?"

"The Oracles. They are dead now. They were working for the Powers That Be," seeing the confused look on Buffy's face, she sighed. "Nevermind. They told him that you would die, if he stayed human and so he asked them to turn him back. They couldn't do that, but they turned back time for 24 hours. So the day never happened and as he knew how to kill the Mohra demon now he could do it before the whole blood-mixing thing. He was the only to remember, so it would not happen again."

Buffy had listened to the whole story and when Cordelia ended, she felt as if she would faint any minute. She swayed and Wesley stepped forward to steady her: "Do you want to sit down?" he asked full of concern.

She shook her head: "No. I am fine." Her hand flew to her mouth: "Oh god. He gave humanity up for me. That was the reason he was so sure, I would survive. He told me about the Oracles, I remember. But he just said he'd sometimes talk to them."

"Look. You were not meant to know that," Cordelia said impatiently. "I only told you because I know you would not have given up until you'd know. However. It should tell you he'd do everything for you."

"I know," Buffy whispered. "I - I," she could not talk anymore. Then she took a deep breath and tried to recollect herself: "We have to find him. *I* have to find him. He has to know that I was wrong. He has to know," she paused for a moment. "How much I love him." She looked at Cordelia: "I really love him, believe me."

The brunette gave her a slight smile: "I know. I know how much you both love each other. God, I once wanted a love like that, but I am not sure anymore."

"I don't want to spoil the whole reunion thing," Gunn's voice interrupted them. "But I think first of all we should find Angel."

They all looked at him and Wesley introduced: "Buffy, this is Gunn. He works with Angel sometimes. Gunn, this is Buffy, she is..."

The boy waved his hand: "I know, the slayer. He cries your name in his sleep, all the time," he added, now looking at Buffy.

She only nodded. "But where can we look? I mean, does he have any enemies?"

Wesley, Gunn and Cordelia looked at each other and then almost unison said: "Wolfram & Hart."

"What?"

"It's a lawyer firm. But not the usual kind. They have to do with demons and stuff. Really heavy people," Gunn began to explain, but was stopped by Wesley, raising his hand.

"Buffy," the ex-watcher continued. "They are connected to vampires and demons. And Angel interfered with them more than once. They tried a lot to get rid of him. Just recently," he paused for a moment. "They resurrected Darla."

"What?," the slayer asked incredulously. "But Angel staked her, I've been there."

"I know. But somehow they collected her ashes and brought her back. She came to Angel in his dreams, later he found out she was really alive, as in human alive. It almost drove him insane. But finally he managed to deal with her."

"Where is she now?," Buffy wanted to know.

"She's dead," Cordelia replied. "She suddenly became very ill and she found out she'd cancer. Obviously she'd already had cancer before she was turned. And with being mortal again the illness continued. I never understood why and how, but it was a fact. First she was afraid and asked Angel to turn her again to prevent her from dying but he wouldn't do that. Finally she seemed to understand why he could not do it, that he would not interfere with fate. I think she was at peace when she died."

"Oh god," the blonde whispered. "He didn't tell me."

"I think it is still hard for him, but that is not the point," Wesley tried to get back to the matter at hand: "We just wanted to show you that they are the only ones who are really interested in destroying him. Maybe we should try to check out their places first."

"Okay. We better spread out," Gunn suggested. "I go with Wesley and Buffy and Cordelia can go together."

The slayer nodded: "Okay. So, let's go. But if you find anything, please don't go on your own. Inform me," she took a piece of paper and scribbled something on it: "This is my cell phone number. Call me."

Wesley took the paper from her: "We will. And now let's get going. We've already lost too much time."

Part 13

Angel was walking between clouds. There were bright colours, the colours of the sun he realised. It was so bright he had to close his eyes sometimes. He wasn't used to sunlight, he was a vampire. How could he be here. No, but he was no vampire anymore he remembered. But that still didn't explain why he was walking between clouds. And then he saw her, she looked like an angel with her golden hair and the white gown she was wearing.

He began to smile and approached her. She was so beautiful. She slowly turned round and smiled too. His smile grew even wider and he was only some steps away from her, when her expression suddenly changed and she spoke: "Ah, it's only you."

"Did you expect anyone else?"

"I did," she told him. "I was waiting for my lover." Then her eyes were cold all of a sudden: "The one you didn't save. So I had to come here to be reunited with him."

He stepped back, hurt.

And then a hand reached out behind one of the clouds, she turned her head and took the hand, pulling the person to her side. Now she smiled again. It was Riley. He turned and looked at Angel: "You see," he said. "I've got her at last."

"No," Angel screamed. "NO!"

*******

"How is he?," the man asked.

"Still unconscious," the woman replied.

"You hit him too hard."

She shrugged: "How could I know that he is no vampire anymore? When I hit him, I thought he would heal quickly."

"Well, if he dies, it's just bad luck. It's not that I care."

"Of course not. But it would make fun to see him suffer. I am sure she'll come and when we've got her, we could use them against each other."

The man gave her a certain look: "You like pain, don't you my darling?"

She shrugged again: "Whatever. I think I earn some of this. I played this little comedy far too long. And to be frank, I hope he'll wake up, just to see the look on his face when he realises that he cannot save every soul." And then she laughed and pulled her long brown hair on her back.

They never saw the two pairs of eyes that were watching them through a window.

*******

"I cannot believe this," Cordelia whispered. "Angel was so sure she would be alright."

Buffy shrugged: "Usually Xander would say it, but this time it is me. I told him so. I was sure she wasn't to be trusted. First she tries to kill my lover, then she switches bodies and sleeps with the next."

The brunette's head snapped around: "What?"

"Nevermind. Maybe another time. Do you think they have him here?"

"I'd bet. If Faith is here, then only to watch him. He is a vampire, don't forget that. They need a strong guard." Cordelia thought for a moment. "I think we should call Wes and Gunn. We will need them."

The slayer nodded: "Agreed." She reached into her pocket and turned when she saw that the former cheerleader had her own cell phone already.

"Wes... yeah. We are at the garden house. Yes, the one ... I think he is here. How long... five minutes, great. We're waiting for you." She turned back at Buffy: "They'll be here in no time. There are only two of them, but I think we need a plan."

"The plan is you three take care of the man, while I will go for Faith and finish this once and for all." Her face was determined: "She'll never hurt him again."

"Buffy," Cordelia warned her.

"No," the slayer replied sharply. "Angel tried it with the jail, right? This time I will have my way. Besides as I see it, it is the only chance to get him. She will not just hand him over."

The brunette sighed: "Alright, I see the point. But don't get sidetracked. First of all we need to get Angel."

"Of course," Buffy replied quickly: "I just hope he's alright."

"Me too." And this came deep from Cordelia's soul.

********

This time he was on a green field. It was peaceful and sunny, there were trees, flowers, birds and butterflies. He smiled and thought of Doyle. 'This is no butterfly you idiot', he had said when Cordelia had brought the first business-cards. Doyle, he missed him. He had been a good friend and the time had been too short.

Suddenly the scenery changed. The flowers disappeared and were replaced by eyes, her eyes. These accusing, disgusted eyes. They were everywhere. Angel turned round and ran, but the eyes seemed to follow him. And now he could hear her voice 'Don't touch me', she screamed. 'Don't talk to me', oh god. Stop, please stop, it screamed in his head.

********

"Listen to me," the slayer whispered. "We go in, you take care of the man. I am sure Faith will be only interested in me." She looked at Gun: "We are old friends," she told him and smiled.

The smile made Gunn wish he would never be one of her old friends. "Okay," he whispered back. "Then let's go."

Buffy gave them a last checking look and then she opened the door with a kick. The two people in the room jumped from their seats and Faith grinned when she was her sister-slayer entering the room.

The blonde slayer saw another door behind them open and there was Angel lying on a bed. A wave of relieve washed over her. He was still alive, he was not dust and then she focused back at her opponent, just in the moment when Faith landed her first punch on Buffy's face.

While the two slayers began to fight, the three others were busy overwhelming the man, who they'd never seen before. First they had been afraid he might be a vampire but he was pure human and so they didn't need a lot of time. When he was bound and lying on the floor, Cordelia got up to check on Angel.

The two slayers encircled each other now. Both had landed heavy punches. Faith grinned evilly: "Now B., you want your boy-toy. I am surprised, I thought you'd only take vampires. Well, maybe Riley has showed you the possibilities in a man, although I doubt it. He wasn't too great. But hey, maybe it was your body that could not really turn him on."

"Dream on, Faith. Riley would have never touched you, if you had not been in my body and Angel," she laughed. "You were so stupid you didn't even notice he only played you." She jumped forward and landed a roundhouse kick in the other slayer's stomach.

"Umph," the brunette slayer made. "Not bad. Well..."

That was exactly the second when Cordelia yelled: "Finish this, Buffy and then come over here, quick."

Faith tried to use this moment to get her opponent off guard but she'd forgotten about the other people in the room. And when she was about to jump at Buffy a hard object hit her head. She fell to the ground, unconscious. Wesley stood there holding a wooden object: "I know you wanted to finish this, but I think we have more urgent business," he told Buffy pointing at Cordelia who was standing beside Angel.

The slayer ran over to her lover, while Wesley and Gunn bound Faith as well.

"What is it?" Buffy asked breathless when stormed at Angel's bed.

"I cannot believe this," Cordelia whispered. "Look," she said, pointing at the ex-vampire's chest. At the same time she pressed the slayer's fingers on his wrist.

Buffy's eyes widened: "Oh god," she breathed. "He is..."

"Yeah," Cordelia replied. "Alive. The only question is how long," her voice sounded slightly angry.

"What do you mean?" the blonde asked confused.

"You remember what I told you about the Mohra demon," the brunette said and when Buffy nodded she continued. "Well he fought one in the graveyard, that night. And then he was to slow to help Riley. I just do the math."

"Oh god," the slayer said again. "And I accused him. He couldn't help Riley. He told me he wasn't fast enough and I yelled at him." Suddenly a thought came to her mind: "Did you call an ambulance?"

"Of course, and the police. I called a friend of ours. Her name is Kate. We sometimes help each other," Cordelia told her.

But Buffy did not really listen to her. The only thing she saw was Angel lying on this bed. He was so pale and so quiet. A cut was on his forehead, it was barely healed. The blood of the demon had made him human. He must have been weak, she thought, and I ... He had been missing for four days. Had he been unconscious the whole time? she wondered. Why didn't he wake up? Gently she took his hand and kissed it. "Angel, can you hear me? Please talk to me," she whispered almost inaudibly. "I love you, do you hear that? You have to come back to me. I am so sorry. I never meant to hurt you. I was such a fool."

Then she heard the noises of the ambulance and the police.

********

She stayed with him the whole way into the hospital and the stuff had problems to separate her from him at the EU-entrance. But with Cordelia's help they managed to make her understand she would only be in the way.

Buffy was now in her own personal hell. She didn't even want to begin to imagine what he had to live through since she'd treated him so badly in the cemetery. And now he was unconscious, maybe he was seriously wounded ... Her life definitely was a mess. First Riley had been killed and Buffy realised in surprise that she hadn't really mourned him. He had been her boyfriend for more than a year and she didn't miss him. Was she cold, was she heartless now? Was this part of being the slayer, learning to live with the fact people around you died?

Then they had buried her mother, Buffy hadn't really mourned her either. Was it because she had never been that close to her? Or was there another reason? Yes, there was she had to admit. She had loved her mother, she had cared for Riley and still her whole being had been captured in the feeling that Angel wasn't near. That she had treated him so badly, that he had looked so desperate at her, that she'd hurt him so much.

More than ever she realised that Angel was *the* important person in her life. It was not that she didn't care about the deaths of her mom and Riley, it was just that she was able to live without them. It hurt, deeply, but she could go on. Without Angel nothing made sense.

And now he was in EU in a hospital and it was her fault. And suddenly she knew that if he'd die she would too. Maybe not literally, but she knew that she would die inside. And she also knew that her real death would follow soon. A slayer without a heart was a dead slayer.

She was disturbed in her thoughts when a hand gently touched her shoulder. She looked up and saw Cordelia standing beside her: "Do you want some coffee? Wesley will go and get us some."

The slayer shook her head: "No. Thanks. I couldn't drink or eat."

The brunette nodded understandingly: "Alright." She paused for a moment, then she asked: "I wonder, should we call someone in Sunnydale?"

Buffy thought for a while: "I don't know. I mean it's not that they care," her voice sounded frustrated. "Giles has never forgiven Angel for what he hasn't done and Xander still hates him." Tears were now spilling from her eyes, but she didn't really realise it. "Maybe Willow. Yeah, call Willow."

Cordelia gently squeezed her arm: "I am sure they care. And Xander is an idiot, you shouldn't care for what he thinks."

The slayer gave her a weak smile: "Who would've ever thought that we both are the ones who care most for him."

The brunette nodded: "Well, life goes mysterious ways. But he is a good friend. Maybe the best I've ever had. Once I thought ... well, that is over now." When she saw the other girl's questioning gaze she explained. "You remember Doyle? We were on the edge of something, I am sure of it, but then he had to play hero and die," she wiped a tear away.

"I am so sorry," Buffy replied honestly. "I didn't know him, but ..."

Cordelia raised her hand: "No, it's okay. It was his decision. I just hope the boss remembers that and fights for his life." Then she turned and headed for the phone.

********

He met her again, again these eyes, again that smile, that told him, she didn't care. That his love for her meant nothing. How could she be like that?

She wore a blue dress, it was satin and it was beautiful.

"You look great," he told her.

She turned and grinned, evilly: "Riley gave it to me," she told him, obviously enjoying the pain in his eyes. "But you should see my wedding gown." And then she laughed and Angel ran.

********

Buffy's head snapped up when the doctor came into the waiting room. Her body began to tremble when she saw the sad look on his face.

"Miss?," he gazed at her.

"How is he?" she asked, glad that Cordelia was coming back at that moment and stood by her side. Both girls reached out for each other and their hands entwined almost unconsciously.

"Well, he had a severe head trauma some days ago. The rest of his body is fine, but I am afraid I have to tell you that he's slipped into a coma."

"No," Buffy whispered, shaking her head frantically. The last person she knew who slipped into a coma was her mother and she was dead now.

Cordelia tightened her grip on the slayer's hand. "And?," she asked looking at the doctor.

He shrugged: "It is difficult to say. It almost seems as if he does not want to wake up, as if he has a reason to stay where he is. All we can do is wait."

"Can we see him?" the brunette asked.

He nodded: "Of course. It's room 511. If you have any further questions just ask for me." He nodded again and then left.

The moment he was out of the door Buffy broke down on a chair and began to sob. Cordelia gathered her in her arms: "Shhh. I am sure he will be alright," she said again and again.

"No," the slayer clutched to her friend. "You don't understand. If he does not wake up it is my fault. *I* did this to him. Oh god, Cordelia, if he dies I am going to die with him."

The former cheerleader only held the other girl and for the first time in years she began to pray.

Part 14

When Willow arrived at LA the next morning she was not entirely sure she'd done the right thing in asking Xander to drive her. She didn't even know what had happened. Cordelia had phoned her at some time during the night and told her Buffy needed her help and she should come to the LA-General hospital. The former cheerleader had sounded very concerned but hadn't explained the situation any further. So the witch concluded it might have something to do with Buffy's father. She knew Buffy had left Sunnydale for Angel but as he was a vampire he would certainly not be in a hospital, would he.

Xander pulled his car into the parking space and glanced to his friend: "I hope she is alright? Why didn't you ask Cordy what this is all about?"

"For god's sake, Xand, I told you before, she was very upset and just asked me to come and not to tell the others." Willow was now sure it had been a fault to ask Xander, but it was too late and honestly she did not know whom else to ask.

"I still think you should have informed Giles. He is her watcher and should know about it and more importantly if this has to do with her father, she might need his support. Especially after her mom died only some weeks ago." He sighed: "She gets it tough these days. And now she doesn't even have Riley, damn Angel."

"Stop it!", Willow shouted. "Stop it now. Whatever happened she needs our support now and not your selfish accusations. I told you she blames herself for attacking Angel that night. And I understand it. Angel would never fail her this way, there must be a reason. And now you shut up or you stay here and wait." She planted her hands at her hips and showed her resolve face.

He raised his hands in surrender: "I will be good, I promise. Now let's go."

*******

He recognized the mansion in an instant and wondered why he was standing outside his own house in the morning. The sun was shining brightly, Angel looked up to the sky and smiled hearing the birds singing to greet the new day. He opened the door and entered. The house was very dark and very quiet. He wondered if Buffy was there waiting for him.

Then suddenly he heard a noise coming from above and he froze. It almost sounded ... no, that could not be. He stormed up the stairs and pushed the bedroom door open. His heart stopped and his whole body began to tremble. There she was with Riley, they were smiling at each other. Buffy looked up and smirked at Angel. "Hey lover," she grinned evilly. "I was waiting for you. You came to kill him, right?"

He couldn't speak, his mouth was dry. All he could do was shaking his head again and again. He couldn't move and suddenly blood appeared on Riley's shirt and a sword was sticking in his chest. He turned round and looked at Angel: "You," he whispered. "You've won the battle, but lost the war." And then he laughed.

Angel turned and bolted down the stairs.

*********

Buffy woke up by a hand that was gently touching her shoulder. She raised her head from it's place on Angel's bed and rubbed her sleepy eyes. Turning round she looked into Cordelia's face.

"Morning," the brunette gave her a weak smile.

The slayer yawned: "What time is it? I fell asleep." Then her head shot around to face her lover again. He was still laying in his bed, hooked to several tubes and being unbelievably pale. Even as a vampire he had not looked that pale.

"It's almost seven in the morning. I think you fell asleep sometime around two, so it was not too bad."

"Did you stay here as well?" Buffy wanted to know.

Cordelia nodded: "Yeah. I could never go." She gave Angel a tender look. "I just stayed outside in the waiting room. And fell asleep on one of the chairs. I am glad I haven't come up a mirror," she tried to make a joke. "No change I presume?"

"No," the blonde shook her head. "None. He is so quiet, Cordy, and so pale. And he is weak. I can feel it. The only other time he was like that..." her voice broke.

"When he was poisoned," Cordelia suggested.

"Yes," came the whispered reply. "And that's what frightens me most. I could do something for him then, but not now. He is human and there is nothing, absolutely nothing I can do to help him."

The brunette squeezed the other girl's hand: "You can. Be with him. He's always known when you were near. I am sure it will help him."

Buffy nodded but didn't take her eyes from the man on his hospital bed. Of all possible scenarios she'd never thought to find Angel here. As long as she knew him he'd always been a vampire and vampires did not have to go to hospitals. Seeing him as a human was new and confusing. Had the circumstances been different, she would be excited she knew that, but now the only thing she felt was deep fear.

"Oh my god," came a female voice from the door and both girls looked up. Willow and Xander had entered the room. "Angel," the witch whispered and gazed at the slayer: "What happened?"

"He was hit, obviously some days ago," Cordelia explained. "He is human," she added then.

"Human," Willow's voice was full of disbelief. "But how?"

"It was the blood of the Mohra demon," Buffy said without turning. "The one he fought in the cemetery. It made him human. He was very weak when it happened and that was just before..."

"The demon attacked Riley," the red head finished her sentence. "Oh Buffy," she approached her friend at the bed and Cordelia stepped aside to give her better access. "That was the reason, wasn't it?"

The slayer only nodded and Willow could see that she was holding the ex-vampire's hand tightly.

"Will he be okay?" Xander whispered.

"Are you really interested or do you just want to know so that you can celebrate after his death?" Cordelia snapped at him. "Why did you come anyhow?"

He was taken aback by her harsh words: "I," he began and then paused. "Okay, I never liked him, but I don't want him to die either."

The brunette raised her eyebrows: "Really?"

"Cordy, please. He saved Buffy's life, right. Yes, I thought she was better off with Riley, but that doesn't mean I was blind. I know she loved Angel and I also know that Riley was only a desperate try to forget him. How about a truce for some time?" he gave her an expecting look.

She sighed and nodded: "Fine. For Angel's sake. But if you should insult him. In any way, I swear I am going to kill you."

"Okay," he replied. "I already promised Will to be good. You will see a completely new Xander."

"I truly hope so." With this she turned back to the bed. "Buffy, you should at least eat something and drink some coffee. I know you don't want to leave the room, but can I get you something?"

"I am not hungry," Buffy replied.

"Go and get her something," Willow said firmly. "She will eat."

Cordelia nodded and left, pulling Xander behind her.

"Willow he is so quiet," Buffy whispered to her friend, repeating the words she'd already said to Cordy.

The witch pulled another chair and sat herself beside the slayer, stroking her back: "He is strong."

"I don't know. He's not a vampire anymore. He is a normal human being. God Willow, I cannot lose him. I would die, I swear."

"Shhh," the red head whispered. "He will not die, you have to believe it. Angel's a fighter, he's always been one. He loves you and he'll never leave you. You have to believe that."

Buffy turned in her chair: "But I told him, I didn't want to see him again. What if he lost his will to live because he thinks I don't want him in my life anymore?"

The slayer then turned back to her lover and Willow suddenly had a very bad feeling, because she couldn't answer that question.

*********

Angel ran out of the mansion, back into the morning sun. No, he was not guilty. He didn't kill Riley. Why would she accuse him? How could she? He had sworn to keep her safe, but not him. They had told the boy to stay out of the fight. Buffy was wrong. She was wrong, but it didn't matter. She didn't want to see him again, she'd sent him away.

He spun around when the door behind him opened. "You ran away," she asked, giving him a sarcastic look. "Well guilt is hard to face."

"I couldn't help him, I swear," he replied.

"Sure," she shrugged. "But it isn't important anymore, you know. I don't love you, so why don't you just leave and I can start a new life. I am sure I'll find someone to love again."

"Buffy, I," he started, suddenly feeling as if he was falling into a deep hole, but he was interrupted by a voice from the stairs in the garden.

"I see the great love story is over."

Darla. And she was holding a gun again.

"I think I should be content with it, but I have to be sure, she's gone for good."

She raised her hand holding the gun.

The same moment Angel began to move in Buffy's direction. He was here to keep her safe. If she wanted him as a lover or not did not matter. His first duty was to keep her safe, he loved her, no matter what. He heard the shot and jumped.

The same moment something happened and the scenery disappeared.

********

Buffy drank the coffee and eat a muffin Cordelia had found in the hospital. She was not hungry, but her friends almost forced her to eat, so she sighed and gave in. Then she assured them, they could go for an hour and so was again left alone with the still form in the bed. Only the beeping sounds of the monitors kept her sane as they told her he was still alive.

A doctor had come in to check on Angel but he had left again ten minutes ago, giving Buffy a compassionate look.

She looked at the man she treated to badly: "Angel please, don't give up. I know I said horrible things, but I never meant them. Come back to me, I need you," she cried now. Then she took his hand and kissed it softly. She almost fell out of the chair when she suddenly heard a whisper:

"Buffy?" The voice was weak and it was hoarse, but it was his voice.

Her head snapped up and she saw his eyes were open. "Angel," she whispered back. "Oh god, Angel. You're awake."

He looked at her for what seemed an eternity: "Why are you here?" he asked then, the voice still very weak.

"Why? Because I love you, because I ... oh Angel, I am so sorry. I never meant what I said. I would do anything to erase that night, but I can't. I accused you of things you'd never do and I should have known it." She reached out to touch his cheek and was glad he didn't flinch.

Tears welled in his eyes: "I thought, I'd lost you," he said. "I dreamed about you. You said I killed him and you would not love me anymore."

Her hand flew to her mouth and the tears were running freely now: "NO," she replied, her voice sounding desperate. "Please never think that. I knew almost immediately after you'd left that I wronged you. There had to be an explanation, but then I was so ashamed. I didn't know if you would reject me and that was something I was not able to face."

He didn't say anything for some minutes, only looked at her, she looked tired and exhausted, but her eyes were filled with love, pure love. He smiled: "I love you," he simply stated, reaching out for her cheek. "We should really try and stop to hurt each other that way."

She nodded: "Yes." She now tried a smile as well. "We should. God, I love you. I was so scared."

"I am going to be okay, although I have to admit that my head aches beyond belief." He gave her a sheepish grin.

"You have a huge lump, I wouldn't wonder."

"What happened?" he suddenly wanted to know.

She looked to the ground for a moment, because she knew what she'd say now would hurt him: "I don't exactly know. But Cordy and Wesley think it had something to do with Wolfram & Hart."

He nodded and winced immediately: "Being a human sometimes isn't really fun," he smiled. "My head feels horrible. But back to the subject. Wolfram & Hart. Yeah, they could be right. But seeing your face I'd say there is something else?"

"Yes, you are right. Angel, when we went there, to get you, I mean." She took a deep breath and squeezed his hand: "Faith was there."

His eyes widened in surprise: "Faith? But she is in jail."

Buffy shrugged: "I don't know where she was, but she was definitely one of your guards." She stroked his cheek: "I am so sorry. I know you thought you could help her."

"I did," he looked disappointed. "She seemed so much better. I wonder what happened."

She felt anger rising in her: "You are still defending her. Angel, she almost killed you - again, if I may say so."

"I am not ... nevermind," he looked at her. "Why don't we skip that for a while," he suddenly grinned and tried to ignore the feeling in his head the best he could: "If you don't mind, I would like to kiss you."

She smiled broadly: "Let's see what we can do about this." She leaned forward and their lips met in a gentle, loving kiss.

Part 15

"Can I just say you look like hell," Xander smirked at his ex-girlfriend sipping from his coffee.

"Thanks, you're a great help," Cordelia rolled her eyes. "I've been here the whole night, you know. There are some of us who really care for a friend."

"Who'd ever thought Cordelia Chase calling a vampire her friend," now it was Xander's term to roll his eyes.

"He's Angel, okay," her voice was sounding angry now. "He's not just a *vampire*, he's the best friend I ever had."

"But you have to admit it is surprising," Willow jumped into the conversation. "I mean for us, of course. As we haven't met you for a long time, except the few days some weeks ago, but they don't really count." She paused for a moment. "Sorry not enough sleep and too much coffee already," she looked down at her third cup.

Cordelia shrugged: "Of course I have changed. You too, Buffy has, Angel, he laughs more you know. He is more ... well, human. Which is good, as he is truly human now." Then she smirked at Xander: "The only person who hasn't changed is sitting next to me."

"Hey," he said trying to sound offended. "Some of us just are the steady types or they are just too perfect to change anything. Besides if you ask Anya, she likes me the way I am."

Again the former cheerleader rolled her eyes: "Oh please. A former vengeance demon, I don't think she is a reliable source."

"Maybe we should check on Buffy." Willow was about to get up when the brunnette laid a hand on her arm:

"No, just give them some more time alone. I think it is good for him to ... feel her, you know. He was really bad the last weeks. I thought it was only what she said that night, I had no idea." She sighed: "Just think you are longing for something and then when you could have it it pushes you away." She suddenly clenched her teeth: "If he dies, I will kill her."

Willow and Xander exchanged a concerned glance, then the red-head squeezed the former cheeleader's hand: "But she loves him, you know that right. And he loves her."

Cordelia sighed loudly: "I know. It's just. I feel so helpless. Buffy's right, he's so quiet, I am not used to that." She looked at her watch: "Where the hell is Wesley. He said he'd be here in the morning and no sign. He was meant to check at the police and find out anything about Faith."

"FAITH," the two others shouted unison.

She shrugged and smiled sheepishly: "Oh sorry, I forgot. When we rescued Angel, Faith was there."

Willow jumped up and paced the visitors room: "I knew it, I knew it," she repeated again and again. "I just knew she was evil. I never liked her, she was trouble from day one."

Cordelia only stared at her, surprised by the sudden outburst and Xander looked to the floor. The same moment Wesley walked into the room: "Morning Corde..., oh Willow, Xander, good morning," he greeted the others. "How's Angel?"

"No changes," the brunette informed him. "So what did you get? Did you talk to Kate?"

He sighed: "Yes I did. It is the most amazing thing and I truly hope Angel's going to wake up soon."

"Spill," Cordelia demanded.

He took a deep breath: "Well, it seems Faith is still in prison."

"What? Hey you are fine, right. We saw her yesterday, you remember. Do you have amnesia?" The brunette approached the former watcher and was waving a hand in front of his face.

With a gesture of his hand he pushed her arm away: "I am perfectly fine. As soon as they got to the police station Kate phoned the jail to ask why they had not been informed about Faith's escape. Only to find out she's still there. To make a long story short, it seems there are two of them.

*******

Breaking the kiss Buffy looked down at Angel lovingly: "I still cannot believe you are back. I was so afraid, the doctor said you would not want to come back and I thought it was my fault."

He took her hand, pulled it to his mouth and kissed it softly: "I will not lie to you, Buffy," he said, his face very serious. "Your words haunted me. And they also haunted me while I was unconscious. I am not going to tell you about the dreams I had, because I'd rather forget them," he shortly closed his eyes. "But whatever I saw in my dreams they made me understand one thing. That it was my destiny to be at your side whether you want me or not. So you see, I had to come back ... for you."

She smiled through her tears: "I love you. And I am such an idiot."

He reached out and softly caressed her cheek: "No you're not. I was hurt, but I should have been able to understand that you were in shock." He paused and an almost embarrassed look flickered over his gaze: "The biggest problem is my low opinion of myself, my problems to believe someone could actually love me or to turn it round I am only too eager to believe someone's not loving me, that I earn to suffer."

"I know," she replied, taking his hand and kissing it's palm: "You could never see what a precious man you are. You once tried to kill yourself because you thought you're worthless."

"I am better in that department now," he gave her a half-smile. "I didn't try to kill myself again. But the thing about my uncertainties, well, it's deeper. Maybe I am going to tell one day." He became very serious for a moment and locked eyes with her: "You'll stay, right. I mean with me, I know you have college and all, but I would ... I mean."

She placed a finger on his lips and smiled: "Shhh. You talk too much."

But he pulled her hand away from his face, holding it in his: "Buffy, I am not going to take chances again. The last weeks were enough. I want you to." He took a deep breath: "I know I am human now, I know I cannot back you up as I used to do, but I love you and I cannot go on without you, again. Buffy, I want my life to be with you."

Buffy felt tears welling up again, she would never forget these words, the words she'd once said in a sewer and the answer that had broken her heart. "I want my life to be with you too," she answered with a smile. She leaned down and kissed him softly. Pulling back she continued: "And for the backing-up-part, well, you already heard that I am free to retire, so I just thought about it and I am going to retire."

"But I thought. You told Riley, you couldn't ..."

"I know. And I won't, not completely. But officially in Sunnydale." Seeing his confused face, she grinned: "Well I thought I could move to LA, transfer to UCLA and earn some money by working for you?" She tilted her head a little bit.

He chuckled slightly and winced again: "Ow, I shouldn't do that. These sudden movements are not good for a headache," he grimaced. "About your plans, you've given that quite some thought."

She nodded: "Yeah, especially after ... after mom," she paused and took a deep breath: "I don't have family in Sunnydale anymore. Of course there are my friends and all, but we all grow up and change and honestly nothing could be as important as you. So maybe you could employ me?"

He grinned: "I have to think about it." She looked slightly hurt and he quickly added: "You know, because of the permanent distraction during work. I am not sure how efficient the office would be if the boss is always drooling over one of his employées."

"Oh, you're impossible," she playfully smacked his arm.

"Buffy," he said, suddenly serious again: "I am so sorry about your mom."

She smiled softly: "I know."

"I was there," he told her.

"You were? But..."

"I saw you standing there with Willow, but I was not sure, if you would want me there. I am only telling you this so you know I thought about you, I didn't forget..."

"God, I love you," she breathed. "After all I said to you, you came for me." Then something suddenly hit her: "About forgetting. Actually *I* did forget, but Cordy told me. You know about the day, the erased one."

"Oh god," he paled slightly. "She. You'd ... I am sorry."

"For what? Saving my life, sacrificing everything for me? God, Angel. You gave up everything you ever wanted, being mortal. And you gave it up for me. And to top that you were carrying all the memories by yourself so that I could go and screw..", she broke up, now entirely embarrassed. "I don't know why I ever was with Riley."

"Don't," he replied, squeezing her hand: "I am not going to tell you that I was happy about it. I was so jealous, just the thought of anybody else touching you... But it is a part of your life and I am sure you cared for him. Don't push a part of your life away, you have to accept it, because otherwise you'll never going to feel whole."

She rolled her eyes: "There you go again, all wise and knowing." She sighed: "But you are right, I know. He is a part of my life and I am sad he died. He was not entirely a bad guy. I know you didn't like him, but..."

"I was terribly jealous, Buffy. I wouldn't have liked anybody, who had his hands on you," he smiled. "And you had just thrown into my face that you loved him."

"Oh god," she groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Don't remind me. I was such a bitch then. Can we just put that somewhere and never ever talk about it again."

"Deal," he replied, grinning now. It felt so good to talk about it now that everything felt like a bad dream. Then a thought hit him: "Buffy, what about Cordelia, Wes and Gunn. Are they okay?"

"Shit," she exclaimed, jumping up from her chair and heading for the door: "I forgot all about them. Cordy is outside, she was here the whole night. I have to go and tell her, I'll be right back."

********

"There are two of them," Cordelia asked incredulously.

The former watcher nodded: "Yes. Right after the phone call Kate drove there by herself to check it out and Faith was there and completely shocked about what had happened. Kate says she's really concerned about Angel."

"Who's concerned about Angel?" a voice came from behind.

Wesley turned around: "Oh Buffy. Well, I was talking about Faith."

"Bite me," she replied sarcastically. "Faith never cared for anyone but herself."

The ex-watcher raised his hand: "No, you don't understand..." he began, but was cut off by Cordelia:

"Explain that later. How's he?" she demanded to know grabbing the slayer's arm.

A smile spread across the blonde's face: "He's fine. He woke up some minutes ago. He talks and he... uhmph."

Cordelia was hugging the other girl so tightly that she could not speak further on: "Oh thank god," she exclaimed. "How about we go and see him and then you can tell your story, Wes. I am sure, Angel wants to know that too."

The former watcher nodded and the small group headed for Angel's room.

*********

"What do you mean you can find him nowhere?", Giles asked staring at Anya.

"What I said. Xander's missing. He's not at home, he didn't came to see me. We had a date this morning and he never came." The former demon sounded concerned, which was a new experience, but it showed that she really seemed to care for the boy.

"Anya, did you try Buffy or Willow?"

"Yes, and they aren't there too. The room is empty, but I found a message on Willow's answering machine. It was from Xander and said, will be there at five to pick you up. I don't understand it. What is going on, Giles?"

The watcher shook his head: "I don't know. I wish I would, but I don't." Then suddenly his face lightened up: "Wait, Buffy has her cell phone, I am going to call her now. Maybe she can enlighten us."

********

Angel looked up when the door of his room opened, when he saw Buffy entering with the rest in tow he smiled: "Where have you been so long?"

"I've only been gone for five minutes," she replied, sitting next to him on the bed and kissing him softly on the forehead.

"Too long," he stated and pulled her down to kiss her properly.

"Oh please, I can't believe it. You've just come back from the land of dreams and have your hands all over her already." When they didn't break the kiss, she yelled: "Hey, you two are not alone."

Reluctantly they pulled away. Angel licked his lips and raised an eyebrow: "I am still hearing perfectly fine, Cordelia. You do not have to yell."

"Well, you seemed distracted," she replied rolling her eyes. Then she stepped nearer and looked at him: "Do you really feel alright?"

He nodded and winced again: "When I can forget about my head I am great."

"He's a headache," Buffy explained.

"That's a pretty nice description," he grimaced. "Nevermind. It'll go away. While you're away a doctor checked on me and he said I am going to be fine. They'll let me go tomorrow if nothing out of the ordinary occurs."

The slayer beamed: "That is great! I am so looking forward to that."

"And we all know why," Xander ginned.

"Shut up," Buffy yelled at him but returned her gaze immediately back to the former vampire: "Don't listen to him, he's again behaving like an idiot."

Angel grinned back: "I won't. It's not that anything Xander says is important."

"Hey," the boy yelled. "I resent that."

"Xander please," Wesley stepped in. "I am glad you are better Angel. But there is something I have to tell you. Did Buffy tell you about the fact we found Faith when we were searching for you?"

The former vampire nodded: "She did. It's hard to believe, I was so sure..."

"That's just the point," the ex-watcher interrupted him. "It wasn't her."

"What do you mean it wasn't her?," Buffy asked angrily. "I saw her, you did too. I was neither drunk nor taking drugs. She was there."

Wesley nodded: "She was and she wasn't. See, it appears that Faith, the real Faith is still in jail and she was completely shocked about all this. The other Faith or whatever you want to call her isn't the real one."

"A clone?" Angel asked confused.

Wesley shrugged: "We don't know yet. They are keeping her at the police station. It seems she's all of Faith's memories, it is more than strange. I have talked to her, I would've never guessed. The only difference is that she seems to enjoy the evil deeds she's done while the real Faith wishes to make amends."

It was silent for a moment. Everyone seemed to digest the information for a moment. Buffy was the first to speak: "Okay, so that we get that straight. There are two Faiths or a good," she grimaced for a moment," and a bad one. A good Faith, god, I never thought I'd say that."

Angel squeezed her hand and smiled: "I am glad. I could not understand it. But we need to find out what's going on and then we have to decide what to do with the second edition."

"True," Wesley agreed. "And I think Wolfram & Hart know everything about it, I would bet my life on it."

The former vampire nodded: "You'd win it. I am also sure. We have to get in there."

"No," came Buffy's sharp reply. "You're not going anywhere, you just woke up from a coma and besides you're human now, no vampire strength anymore, honey."

"I know," he sighed. "But I know the place. I've already been there. And I never said I'd go alone. I was counting on you to go with me," then he looked at the red-head: "And while you're here you could come too. We might need some magic to be successful."

The witch nodded enthusiastically: "Of course I'll come. Count me in."

"They release me tomorrow, so I say we go in tomorrow night," Angel looked at the others.

"Are you sure?" Buffy asked concern evident in her voice. "What about your headache?"

"Don't worry. I'm sure it'll be better by tomorrow and if not we still have Cordelia's painkillers. As the PTB have released me they obviously have done that with her too, so she will not need them anymore." He gave the brunette a smile.

"Thank god," she replied.

"No but seriously, we have to act quickly. Something's going on there and I doubt it was all about me. They are up to something bigger. And I want to see that other Faith." He looked at his lover: "You should see her too, maybe you can sense something."

"Agreed," she said smiling at him. "I've learned a lot about being a slayer, I am sure I would sense the difference. I was just too concerned last night to pay attention."

"Tomorrow night then," Wesley looked around and when everyone nodded he crossed his arms in front of his chest.

Part 16

Angel was released from the hospital the following day and ignoring Buffy's and Cordelia's protests he insisted on going to see Faith #2 at once. So the whole group (meaning himself, Wesley, Buffy, Cordelia, Willow and Xander, while Gunn had some other business to take care of) were entering the police station and approaching Kate's desk who was looking very oddly at the gathering in front of her. "Angel," her voice sounded cold. "I was told you were in the hospital," her eyebrows raised in doubt.

The ex-vampire shrugged: "It wasn't really dangerous, I was just unconscious for some days." He could hear his lover slightly coughing behind him but ignored her purposely. He felt good and the headache was only minor today.

"You do not have to lie to me, Angel," she shot back. "But I do not care what really happened."

"You never told her," Cordelia whispered.

The ex-vampire only shook his head: "Why should I've done that?"

Kate looked at him for a moment and then stood up: "I guess you are here to see that clone or whatever it is." Then her face wandered over the group: "She must be quite something when you bring a whole bunch of spectators." Then she shrugged and faced Angel again: "I have to disappoint you. She's disappeared."

"What?," Wesley almost shouted. "How could you let her go?"

"I thought a police station would be safe," Cordelia muttered.

"Do you have any idea how dangerous she is?," a blonde girl beside Angel asked. Kate had the feeling she'd seen her before but couldn't really place her.

"I can assure you. We didn't *let* her *go*. She just disappeared. Just like that," Kate told them slightly annoyed, snapping her fingers in the process to demonstrate what had happened to their prisoner. She glared at the blonde: "Do we have met?"

"What do you mean by that," Angel asked softly trying to soften the tension that had built up by know. "She just disappeared."

The police officer snapped her attention back to the ex-vampire. "What I said. We checked the cell this noon and she was gone. The cell was still closed, the window was perfectly in order." She lowered her voice. "It was quite a shock to everybody, but now they are convinced someone paid off an officer or so to let her go."

"I see," Angel murmured, putting his thumb and index-finger under his chin. Then he turned to Wesley: "Could she be disintegrated?"

"I don't know," the former watcher replied. "We have to look it up, but it might be possible. I mean, nothing is truly impossible."

The ex-vampire nodded: "A solid body that disappeared," he stated more to himself.

"Witchcraft?," Willow asked from behind. "I mean, maybe a spell or something." When she saw everyone looking at her, she raised her hands: "I have never read something like that, but maybe ..." She thought for a while: "We are sure she was solid, right?"

"Absolutely," Buffy spoke for the first time. She'd been uncharacteristically quiet. First she was still a little bit angry with Angel because in her eyes he acted unreasonable by storming from his hospital bed right into the police station and secondly she couldn't get over the feeling that police chick was checking her out the whole time and unlike Kate Buffy remembered their last meeting very well. "I can guarantee she was solid."

Kate was becoming more and more annoyed and confused. Who were these people and more importantly who was the girl whose hand was still on Angel's arm. She seemed so young and ... innocent. But then she apparently knew Faith, who was a criminal. She had to know: "Could maybe someone of you enlighten me?" she asked, putting her hands on her hips.

"Sorry, Kate. We were just thinking aloud," Angel replied, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "We are guessing she's something to do with Wolfram & Hart."

"I see," the police lady nodded. "I have seen you before," she suddenly said, looking towards Buffy, who was about to answer, when Angel said:

"Oh, sorry, Kate. That is Buffy, my girlfriend. Buffy, that is Kate, a," he paused and studied the officer's face for a moment: "We know each other," he finished his sentence.

"Your girlfriend," Kate's eyes widened in disbelief. Then she leaned forward and whispered: "Does she know what you are or do vampires have a thing for innocent little girls?"

Angel decided to ignore her comment and touched his head instead which immediately got Buffy's attention: "You should be in bed, you know," she told him firmly. "And you will go there now. The doctor said, you had to rest." She turned and smiled sweetly at Kate: "You do not need to whisper. We all know what he is or better was." She took Angel's arm and the group turned to leave, then Buffy looked again at Kate: "And I only look innocent."

******

"Why in bloody hell does she have a cell phone when it is not working?" Giles shouted for about the hundredth time. They had been trying to locate Xander, Buffy or Willow for two days without any success.

"Come on watcher," the bored English voice came from the sofa. "She's the slayer, she can watch out for herself."

"Thank you for your comment, Spike," the watcher snapped. "I needed that!"

"Buffy might be the slayer, but Xander isn't one and he is missing too," Anya said.

"Maybe he's found another bed to warm himself," the blonde vampire grinned. When he saw the former demon glaring at him, he shrugged: "What? Girls cannot find their boyfriends? The usual cause is they are with another. Come on girl, it has been your business for a thousand years, you should know that."

"Shut up," she shouted back. "Xander would never do that. He loves me!"

Spike shrugged again: "Sure." He thought for a moment and then grinned: "Probably you're right. Who would want him anyway?"

Anya was about to yell at him, when Giles stepped in: "Shut up! Both of you," he shouted. "This doesn't really help. The slayer has left her duty for two days without a trace. This is serious."

The vampire rolled his eyes: "I cannot believe you, watcher. And I thought you were intelligent. AND I hate to state the obvious, but if I were you I'd phone the big poof."

"Angel?," Giles looked at Spike for a moment. "But they haven't spoken for weeks. I understood they had serious problems."

The blonde vampire sighed: "I never said, that she went there, but maybe he can locate her. God, humans are so dense."

"You are right," the watcher turned a took the phone. "Maybe Angel can help."

*******

"You are laying down now," Buffy said firmly when she and Angel entered his room.

"Yes, sir," he joked. "I will do it, for your sake. But I feel alright. I was just slightly dizzy."

She raised an eyebrow: "Dizzy? Well you definitely should rest."

He gave her a smile, put off his shoes and laid back on his bed. "You could join me?," he asked hopefully.

She eyed him for a moment: "But you have to rest and I am not sure if I can keep my hands off you."

"I wouldn't mind," he grinned.

"Yeah, well, I wouldn't either," when she saw him making an inviting gesture with his hand, she raised her arm: "under normal circumstances. But you are injured and have to rest. So rest and I will go downstairs. Talk to the others."

"But I will feel lonely," he pouted.

"You're a big boy, you can handle it," she grinned and blowed him a kiss. "See you later." She was about to leave the room but turned in the door: "Angel, do you think she's still out there? Because if she is, she is really dangerous."

He sighed: "I don't know. I hope not. A homicidal Faith-copy is nothing I would want to face. We really have to check out Wolfram & Hart, the sooner the better."

Buffy saw that he was about to get up again: "No. You lay down. At least for some hours." She looked at her watch: "It's four o'clock, say until seven. During this time we will make a plan and enlighten you later. Deal?"

"Okay," he nodded and closed his eyes. "I am really a bit tired," he murmured. "Being human is still something I have to get used to."

Buffy smiled, his head had just touched the pillow and he was already sound asleep.

********

"It is a mess," Lindsey repeated again and again pacing back and forth in his office. "She was perfect and they got her. How could this happen? We had everything planned so perfectly."

The girl sitting on his chair shrugged: "Not so perfect after all. We forgot about the slayer. But," she paused, stood up and grinned: "he is human now. That means he's no real threat anymore."

"Maybe," the lawyer replied thoughtfully. "but it is still a loss. It took us so much preparation to make this Faith and now we had to disintegrate her, do you have any idea how much money we lost."

"Come on! It can't be that much." The girl sat down again, putting her legs on the desk. "The firm will survive."

"That is out of the question," he crossed his arms in front of his chest. Then he suddenly grinned: "I think you should take care of him. Darla failed, but you could do it." He paused and approached the desk, leaning forward with his hands on the surface he said: "I want you to re-vamp him. Bring back Angelus!"

Part 17

"Buffy, phone," Cordelia yelled when the slayer came down the stairs.

Buffy cocked an questioning eyebrow and while the brunette was handing the phone to her she whispered: "It's Giles and he's really angry."

"Oh dammit," Buffy whispered back. "I forgot to tell him where I am." She put the phone to her ear and chirped: "Giles, what a surprise."

"Quit that, Buffy," he practically yelled. The slayer held the phone a little bit away from her ear. He continued yelling: "Where the hell have you been. You cannot just leave the hellmouth unprotected."

"Spike's still there," she replied.

"Very funny," came his biting comment. "You are the slayer for how long now? You should know that you have to tell me when you leave."

"Yes, Daddy," she snapped back, angry as well now. "Sorry, that the fact that a friend of mine was laying in hospital in a coma wasn't emergency enough. Maybe I should have asked for a holiday before."

Giles felt immediately guilty: "I am sorry, Buffy," his voice was concerned. "Who is this friend and how is he?"

She took a deep breath to calm down: "He is better now and it was Angel."

"Angel? Why would he be in a hospital? Really Buffy, you shouldn't make up stories just to..."

"He's human Giles. Angel is human, it happened the night Riley died. He was captured by some enemies of him who seem to have produced a sort of Faith-copy to commit the crime."

"Excuse me?," he asked back in disbelief. "Oh dear."

"You can say that. So you can see that I have to stay here for a while, help Angel to solve that problem as I'm the only one with preternatural strength now." She looked at Cordelia, who rolled her eyes. Buffy gave her a grin.

"Do you need our help?" Giles wanted to know.

"No thanks. I think we are fine. Xand and Willow are here as well, they came with me. So with Cordy and Wes and some friends of Angel who are demon hunters too, I think we'll manage," she assured him.

"Alright. But if you should need any help..."

"Well, you could read in your books about making a copy of a person, a clone or something like that. Giles it was so weird. That copy was exactly like Faith, I would have never guessed it wasn't her. Not in battle that is. Maybe I would have if I'd gotten the opportunity to talk to her. But somehow the copy disappeared from jail." Buffy had an uneasy feeling in her stomach. This was just creepy.

"Oh dear, oh dear. I will look up my books and call you again. And Buffy, please put your cell phone on!"

"Oh," she blushed. "Sorry, Giles. I'll do that right now."

"Could you put Xander on the phone now? Anya wants to talk to him."

"Sure. Bye." She looked at her friend: "Xand, your girlfriend wants to talk to you." She handed him the phone and turned to Cordelia.

"He's sometimes a bit intense," she said and grinned.

"I remember that," Cordelia sighed. "How's Angel?"

"Exhausted. I think he's still to get used to this whole human thing. He forgets he isn't a vampire anymore and overestimates his strength." She let herself sink on a chair. "I am tired too."

"Then why don't you sleep for one or two hours? We all had hard days and nights. With all the worry and stuff. I will go to my apartment now and meet you back here in some hours. I need a shower and some new clothes." She wrinkled her nose a little bit. "What about you Wes?"

"I'll stay. Read stuff up. Willow has offered her help and Xander too. So you two go and have some rest, especially you Buffy. After all you will need your strength tonight." He gave her a sharp look. "Angel knows the place but he won't be able to help you fighting."

"Alright," the slayer raised her hands in defense. "I'll go. Keep Angel company."

"Oh I see a lot of sleeping done in that scenario," Xander exclaimed, grinning. "Oh sorry honey, I didn't mean you," he told Anya quickly.

Buffy made a face at him and left in the direction of Angel's room. He was fast asleep when she entered it. She approached the bed and looked at him for a moment. His face wasn't as pale anymore and she was glad. The dark bruise on his forehead and the still healing cut reminded her of the fact that he had could have died from the impact. Would she have been able to go on without him? Maybe, but her life would have never been the same. She would never have gotten over the guilt of accusing him for Riley's death. She smiled, pulled off her shoes and laid herself very carefully, so she would not wake him, at his side. She snuggled her head to his chest and yawned. Almost immediately she was asleep.

******

"So the slayer is with her favourite vampire," Spike grinned and leaned back in his chair.

"He isn't a vampire anymore, but yes, she's with Angel," Giles informed him, while Anya was still chatting at the phone.

The blonde vampire sat up straight in his chair: "What do you mean, he's no vampire anymore?" When Giles didn't react at once, he yelled: "Watcher, can you explain that to me?!"

"Geez, can you turn down a little bit?" Anya rolled her eyebrows in annoyance. "I'm trying to talk to my boyfriend here."

"If you don't quit that soon, I'll be ruined," the Englishman muttered under his breath.

"Will you now answer my question?," Spike was ready to kill Giles, if it wasn't for that pesky chip he'd done it already.

"Sorry, what was the question again?," the watcher asked absentminded while he was looking for a book to find anything about cloning or copying a person.

The blonde vampire jumped up and stomped his foot on the floor: "Bloody hell, you said my grand-sire wasn't a vampire anymore. What does that mean?"

"He's human," Giles said, his eyes still scanning the titles of the books. "Why does it matter to you anyway?"

"Hell, he's my grand-sire, watcher! And now he's ..." he almost choked on the word, "human. God that is a disgrace. The vampire population is already laughing at me because I cannot hunt anymore, but now," he groaned loudly and let himself fall back into his chair, "now I cannot go out anymore. A vampire whose grand-sire is a human. That is beyond..." he was a loss of words.

Giles turned at looked at him for a moment, then he shook his head and chuckled slightly. "You're pathetic, Spike."

"No, I am not. It would be the best if I'd stake myself. This so humiliating!" His head was buried in his hands.

"You are free to use one of my stakes," the watcher offered and then said "ah" when he found what he was looking for.

"Very funny," the vampire groaned. Then he stood up and looked around: "Where is that bottle of Gin I saw some days ago?"

*******

"Buffy," she heard a familar voice calling her name, but didn't want to wake up. She didn't want to leave her wonderful dream where Angel and her were laying on a beach, the sun shining down on them and she wore the tiniest bit of a bikini she'd ever seen.

"Buffy. It's almost half past six." the voice came again.

"Mmmmm," she moaned, the voice had to be wrong. The sun was still shining and so she didn't pay attention to it and snuggled closer to the warm body beside her. Wait! A warm body beside her? Her eyes shot open and she saw the familiar face: "Angel?"

He chuckled: "Whom did you expect?"

She rubbed her eyes and yawned, then she planted a kiss on his cheek: "I had the most wonderful dream," she said happily.

"Do you want to tell me?," he asked stroking her hair.

"Hmmm. We were on a beach and I wore a bikini, that wasn't really one. It was very sexy."

He cocked an eyebrow at her: "And you call that a wonderful dream?"

She turned her head to look at him: "Don't you think it is wonderful to be at a beach with me?"

He grinned: "I wouldn't say that. And I also like that dream, but only if it's private beach. I am not really liking the idea of you in a tiny, sexy bikini so that every male can set eyes on you."

"You're too old-fashioned, my love," she giggled. Seeing the look on his face, she added quickly: "But I love you the way you are. I think you're cute and adorable when you're jealous."

"Ha, ha, very funny. Ow," he touched his forehead. "I hate that. Don't understand me wrong, I do not mind being human, not at all in fact. But I have to get used to the fact that everything is more real now, even pain." He rubbed his forehead again. "And that it doesn't heal as quickly anymore."

She leaned over and kissed him gently on the healing wound: "There," she kissed the bruise: "and there. Does it feel better now?," she whispered in his ear, while she capturing his earlobe between her teeth.

He inhaled sharply: "Buffy, if you don't stop, we're never going to get something done tonight."

"Well," she trailed her fingers over his chest. "Cordy won't come until seven, I am sure of it. So I'd say there's enough time." She gave him a wicked grin and looked deeply in his eyes.

He looked at her for a long moment, as if he was considering her words, but then he captured her hand in his: "No," he said firmly. When he saw the disappointment and frustration on her face, he planted a kiss on her palm: "Buffy, we haven't been together for a long time and as much as I want to make love to you right now, and believe me, I couldn't think of aynthing I would like to do more. But I want this to be right. The first time was beautiful but the consequences were the quite opposite. And you do not even really remember the last time, although I can assure you it was like heaven. When I make love to you this time I want it to be right. And I want to fall alseep and wake up with you in my arms with nothing to interrupt us it this time, no prophecy, no demon and certainly not an evil lawyer firm." He looked deeply in her eyes: "Can you understand that?"

"Yes, I can. But I do not have to like it, right?"

He chuckled: "I do not really like it either. I just want it to be perfect, for both of us."

"Fine, fine," she sighed and pulled back from him. "Then let's get up." She leaned down to get her shoes, while Angel did the same at the other side of the bed. "But after we're over with this I am going to remind you about this being perfect thingy."

He grinned: "It's not very likely for me to forget about it." Not if I cannot think about anything else every time I look at you, he added in his thoughts. He stood up and held out his hand for her: "Come one."

*******

"Hello! I'm back," Cordelia yelled, when she entered the office at seven.

"We're not deaf," Xander rolled his eyes but didn't look up from his book.

The brunette ignored his comment and gazed at Wesley: "Are the love-birds up yet," she nodded pointedly at the stairs.

The former watcher shook his head: "I don't think so. Haven't heard a noise from there."

"No moans, no cries?," Cordelia asked incredulously.

"Cordy," Willow exclaimed while she blushed furiously.

The former may queen shrugged: "What? I can ask!"

"God, how can you work with her?," Xander asked looking at Wesley.

"Usually she isn't that bad," came Angel's voice from the bottom of the stairs. "Sometimes her fantasy is a little bit too colourful."

"Oh please," Cordelia shot him a look, "as if I need fantasy when it comes to you both."

"We slept," Buffy said matter-of-factly. "And now can we concentrate on our tonight activities. Otherwise we will never live up to Cordelia's fantasies."

"Oh god," the brunette groaned. "I SO do not want to hear this."

Buffy giggled and planted a kiss behind Angel's ear. The ex-vampire was chuckling as well.

"Well, uhm," Wesely began, opening a plan: "Willow has found that on the net," he explained and the red-head came closer to the desk. "It is the plan of the Wolfram & Hart office building. Angel already knows it, but I think it would be good if Buffy and Willow do also have a clue before they go in."

"Good point," the ex-vampire replied and began to explain the plan. They didn't really know what they were looking for, they just wanted to search the place and maybe find something that could help to understand what was going on, when suddenly the phone rang.

Part 18

"I'm tired, it's late and it was all for nothing," Cordelia complained when they finally reached the door of the hotel again. They all looked at each other. They'd been all around Wolfram & Hart's building but found nothing. Not one stupid thing, nothing that could've told them what the lawyers were up to.

"I was so sure we'd find something," Wesley leaned against the house wall with his left arm and looked at his employer, who just shrugged.

"All we can do now is wait for their first move, dirty bastards," Gunn snorted and looked at his watch. "It's almost three in the morning and I'm beat." He yawned loudly. "So why don't we just go in, have a nap and plan more in the morning." When none of the others moved, he sighed: "What? Is the urge to sleep a little bit to much already."

"I don't like this," Buffy said suddenly, looking up at Angel. "The whole place was just crying out evil. My slayer senses were in override, my guts were knotting all the time."

"I know," he sighed. "I can clearly remember the first time I was there. I could feel it too. But Gunn is right. We can't do anything else tonight, so let's sleep. Cordy, do you want to stay here? You can take any room you want."

She nodded: "Thanks for the offer. And yes, I really love my apartment but I'm so tired, I couldn't drive now."

Angel nodded and opened the door to let them in. Buffy was the first to enter and she'd made two steps when she stopped dead in her tracks: "Stop," she hissed. "Vamp alarm!"

"What?," Cordelia asked confused.

"I can feel them. I'm not sure if there's one or more but there's one in there," Buffy informed her, her voice a whisper. She turned round: "Whatever happens, be careful." She looked at Angel: "Especially you."

He smiled slightly: "I promise. Now, let's go and see who's visiting us at this uncommon hour."

They didn't need to search for the intruders because the moment everybody was in the house the lights were turned on and a voice came from the shadows: "Hello, Buffy."

The slayer whirled round, no, that was not possible, her mind was racing. "That's not possible," she whispered to nobody in particular.

Angel reached out and touched her arm: "What do you mean?"

"That voice," she replied. "The person the voice belongs to is dead."

Her boyfriend looked at her quizzically when the figure emerged from the shadows: "No, you're not crazy, Buffy. It's really me," she laughed evilly. "Or not me actually." She let out another laugh and changed into her game face.

Five pairs of eyes went wide and five mouths said unison: "Kendra."

She stepped more into the center of the room and grinned with her pointy teeth: "That's right. You remember me, I feel so flattered."

"I do not understand," Willow's face showed confusion. "I saw you die."

"And I thought you were all shy and withdrawn," Xander muttered under his breath.

"Who's the chick?," Gunn whispered.

"She's ... she was a slayer," Wesley explained. He'd never seen the girl before but of course read about her fate. "She's supposed to be dead. Well, she is, but on the other side she's ... not."

"It's alright, Wes. I've got you," Gunn replied with a slight grin. The former watcher truly was a stiff.

"What you saw," Kendra stared at Angel for a moment, but then her eyes lost their focus again, "was my mortal body which died. I on the other hand, did not die."

"You did," Buffy commented. "News flash, you're dead."

The former slayer put a hand on her now unbeating heart and then gave the others a glance in mocked surprise: "Devil," she laughed. "It seems you're right." She made a move with her hand: "Well, that obviously means I've to live with that." She giggled. "Oh wait, not live actually."

Angel crossed his arms in front of his chest and watched her for a while, then he asked: "Does this lead anywhere?"

"Yes, good question," his girlfriend added. "Because we're tired and all. So would you explain yourself."

"You were such an evil creature," Kendra continued and stepped closer to Angel. "Angelus is a legend. Do you know that?" She stopped and looked in his eyes while her face changed back to normal: "The Scourge of Europe," her eyes looked almost dreamily. "That sounds so right, so promising. And now look at you, a little pathetic human. A laugh."

The ex-vampire's face didn't show any emotion and Buffy asked herself for the ten millionth time how he always did that. He eyed the former slayer for a long time and then he said: "I think you're the laugh actually. I mean, look at you. You call that life, you can't even face the sun, because you're afraid."

If it was his intention to make her furious, Buffy thought, he'd succeeded right away. With a howl her game face was on again and she launched herself at Angel. Obviously he'd expected it, because he stepped aside and she flew through the air, landing on Gunn and both fell, the boy under the vampire and they hit the ground with a loud thumb. Buffy was about to comment Kendra's carelessness to come on her own, when the door flew open and more vampires entered the hotel.

Buffy rolled her eyes: "Oh great, there's really nothing better than a late night fight."

Then the first vampire approached her.

Part 19

Buffy did a roundhouse kick and the vampire before her fell back on a desk. All the paper work on it flew around.

"Oh no," Cordelia exclaimed. "This was a two days work - and now look."

"Sorry Cordy," the slayer gave her a quick smile, then turned back when the next vampire tackled her.

Angel swore under his breath, it was hard work to fight a vampire as a human. While he was holding it, Xander drew a stake through the demon's heart. "We make a nice team," the boy grinned when the dust had settled on the floor.

"Behind you," the ex-vampire shouted and Xander turned right in time to see another vampire attacking him. But Wesley had seen it and held a cross into it's face. It hissed and stepped back.

Willow and Cordelia were fighting with Gunn and the three of them managed to stake three or four vampires.

Most of the vampires were quite young and stupid and Angel began to wonder why Kendra had disappeared when he suddenly felt a strong, cold hand grabbing his neck and holding him in an iron grip. Kendra.

"Now Angelus," she whispered. The others were still too engaged in fighting the remaining vampires they never saw what was happening between Kendra and the ex-vampire. "How does it feel to be human? Did you enjoy it? Let me tell you, it's over now." And with this she sank her teeth into his neck.

Angel felt the teeth piercing his skin and nausea overcame him, images flooded his mind, images of the first time he had been turned. He saw himself again in that dark alley, all these years ago in Ireland and Darla who had promised him a new life. He tried to scream but no sound came from his mouth and horror filled his soul when he felt his blood being drained from him. "I will not kill you," she whispered, stopping the sucking for a moment and licking the wound almost gently. "I never intended to. I'm just giving you your power back. And I will be famous. The whole vampire population will honour me for that, I'm sure. And then we will rule the world." She chuckled and was about to drink from him again when Angel heard a noise behind them and then he was free. He spun round and saw Xander standing there with a stake in his hand: "Poor choice for a vampire's last words," he said, grinning.

Angel smiled at him: "Well, vampires aren't usually famous for their cleverness. Thanks, Xander," he added.

"I thought you could do with some help," he said and looked at the ex-vampire. Then his eyes wandered to Angel's neck and his eyes widened: "Are you okay?," he wanted to know.

"Yeah," the former vampire answered and touched the wound with a hand. "A little bit weak, but nothing serious."

"Oh god, Angel," Willow came to stand beside Xander and stared at him. Her eyes were wide.

"Are you all alright?," came Buffy's voice from behind them. She had just dusted the last remaining vampire and wanted to check for her friends.

"We're fine," Wesley assured her quickly.

"Angel?," came the slayer's voice again.

"I'm fine," he said, now turning to face her.

Her eyes widened in shock when she saw the mark on his neck. "What happened?," she demanded to know.

"I suppose Kendra was sent to turn me into Angelus again. But thanks to Xander she's history now." He gave her a smile.

"Oh god," Buffy launched herself into his arms and held him tightly. "Are you really okay? Are you sure?"

He hugged her back: "Yes. I am sure. She drank only a little. No serious damage," he assured her. Over her head he looked at his friends: "I think we should sleep now. We clean the mess up tomorrow."

"Sounds like a plan." Gunn looked around: "But at least they leave only dust."

"Only dust," Cordelia snorted. "It looks like a battle field in here."

"Oh Cordy," Xander patted her shoulder. "It could've been worse."

"Yeah," Wesley looked at the brunette. "Think about it, there could've been some slimy demons...," he trailed off.

"What are we going to do about Wolfram & Hart?" Willow wanted to know. "I mean, they've got still that resurrecting box, right. I don't like them having a dangerous thing like that."

"Willow's right," Buffy nodded, slightly pulling back from Angel. "We have to find that. But how and where? And I want Spike and Giles here." She looked at her boyfriend: "And you stay out of this." She pointed at his neck: "This was a close call, again. No mister, no more risks. You're too important for me."

He smiled slightly: "I agree," and when he saw her face lighten up in joy, he added: "with Willow." He gave Buffy a quick kiss on the frowns on her forehead. "We need to get this box. Wait," he looked at Willow. "Could you do a location spell or something?"

"I could try. But I'd need my books, but if Giles is coming anyhow then he could bring them."

"Are we going to do that tonight?," Cordelia's annoyed voice came from behind. "Because if not, then I say we'll sleep.

Nods from everyone were the answer. "Good," the brunette nodded and disappeared on the stairs.

"Okay, I'm going as well," Xander announced and looked at Willow, who nodded in response.

"I'm driving to my apartment," Wesley said and turned. "I'll see you all tomorrow."

"Night you two," Gunn grinned and left as well.

Angel cupped Buffy's face and looked deeply into her eyes: "Tired, my love?"

"Yeah," she whispered. "You?"

"Mmmm," he murmured and caught her lips in a kiss. "But are you too tired?"

She giggled: "Are you up to this?", she cocked her head. "I mean you're all injured and, oh, Angel," she shrieked. Without a warning he bowed down and gathered her in his arms.

"I'll show you," he grinned and raced up the stairs, holding her firmly in his arms.

Part 20

When Wesley entered the hotel the next morning he was highly surprised to find everything neatly cleaned up and Cordelia sitting behind her desk staring at the computer screen. He looked at his watch, ten o'clock, and then back to the brunette he thought so attractive, but who was treating him like a piece of shit. Once she'd lusted for him, what had changed he wondered. "Good Morning Cordelia," he greeted her. "Were you cleaning up here? What time did you get up then? I thought you'd sleep until noon the least."

"Yes and eight and no," she answered quickly not looking at him.

"Is something wrong?," he asked her with concern in his voice. "Don't you feel well?"

Finally she pushed her chair back and her eyes rested on his face. Her arms were crossed in front of her chest: "You remember this is a very old building, right? Well, obviously they didn't really take much material in making the walls."

"Excuse me," he asked confused. What the hell was she talking about?

"The walls in this hotel are very thin. I didn't know that when I was choosing the room next to Angel's. I took it because I kinda like the bed." When she saw he was more confused than ever, she rolled her eyes. "Nevermind. Just remind me never to do that again when Buffy's with him, okay!"

"Cordelia," he shook his head. "What is this all about? Did something happen?"

"Oh god," she groaned. "You're so dense. They were in the same room tonight. Okay. They were all over each other. I could ignore it tonight, because I was dead tired, but then at eight it started again, the screaming and moaning. So all I could do was go as far away as possible. So I ended up here and worked away my frustration."

Wesley stared to the ground, highly embarrassed by her words: "I see," he murmured. Then his head shot up: "Frustration?"

"Yeah, well. It's one thing listening to it, but the whole situation gets mighty frustrating when you know you're alone in your bed."

"Well," he began and gave her a pointed look which made her roll her eyes again.

"No thanks, I'm not that desperate. However. Maybe we should call Giles, so he can come over and bring Spike. Only god knows when those two upstairs are going to get enough of each other," she paused and then added: "If ever."

"Good idea, I mean calling Giles" Wesley replied, glad to have another subject. Cordelia was really strange sometimes, beautiful but still strange. Might be the upbringing on a Hellmouth he thought.

"Alright, you call Giles, I'll go and get something for breakfast, because after that night, they'll be hungry," with this she turned and stormed out of the hotel.

All Wesley could do was shake his head.

********

When Angel opened his eyes again he found his girlfriend's head still laying on his chest, her eyes were closed, her mouth opened slightly and little puffs of breath came out of it in a steady rhythm. He smiled by sight of her, enjoying the feeling of their bodies so near to each other again. The night had been heaven, there was no other way to describe it. They'd been fallen asleep shortly after they'd made love the first time. Then Buffy had woken him two hours later for another round and they'd fallen asleep again. And when it was already day they'd melted together again.

Every time had been more intense, every time he felt closer to her soul, felt more and more complete afterwards, felt more of his deep fear washing away, his fear that this was only temporary again, that something would happen to destroy their new found happiness. Was she feeling the same? He was feeling complete and utterly happy at the moment of their union, the moment their souls were touching, then he would forget about everything out there, then there existed no evil, no prophecy, nothing that could tear them apart.

Would this feeling ever leave, he wondered? Would he ever be able to let go completely? Buffy would always be a slayer, even when the next one was called, they both knew what was out there at night, they both would always live with it. Would there ever be a time to relax, to be normal? He groaned inwardly. It had to be a side-effect of being human, he was already thinking like Riley.

No of course they'd never be normal. What had she said? She didn't want normal. She'd always be the slayer. They both knew it and they both accepted it. Funny enough, he'd accepted it long before she did and now he was the one questioning it. But was he really? Or was it just his fear for her life and as a consequence his fear to lose what they'd just found again? Being together.

He'd fallen in love with her the moment she was called and he was sure he'd also fallen in love with her if she hadn't been the slayer. But she'd never fallen in love with him. Being the slayer was part of her personality, was what made her Buffy, was what made her so damned special, so strong and not only physically. And it was the reason they'd a chance for love at all. It had taken away a part of her youth, and there had been a time he'd wished he could take away all the pain she was facing every day.

He remembered a day, the day Giles had injected her and she'd thought she'd lost her powers. What had she said? 'Before I was called I was shallow, call the person Spordelia' or something like that. No, Buffy was Buffy because she was the slayer, because she, they both, had suffered. But it had given them a chance. How could he ever be with someone else, with someone normal, who wouldn't understand his past, the monsters he was still carrying inside of him. Sure the demon was gone and he was human now, but his past would never leave him completely. And only someone like Buffy could understand him and live with it. And as human as he was now, he'd certainly never be normal.

He startled slightly when he felt her warm lips touching his chest and he looked down at her. Her eyes rested on his face and she smiled: "A penny for your thoughts."

He smiled back and kissed her forehead: "I was thinking about our future."

"Future," she snuggled closer to him and tightened his arm that lay around her body. "I like the sound of that."

He chuckled: "I like it too." Suddenly his voice was serious: "Buffy?"

"Hmmm?"

"I love you and I..."

She giggled: "I love you too. I think we've established that."

"No please let me finish the sentence. I love you and wanted to tell you that I will always support you, whatever you're going to decide, about being the slayer, about your future. I love you the way you are and whatever your plans are it is okay with me."

She looked at him for a long moment, then she reached out and touched his cheek: "You're the best thing that ever happened to me," she said with a loving smile on her face. "I'm afraid too, you know." When she saw the surprise in his eyes, she laughed softly: "Never forget how close we are. I can feel it when I'm laying next to you. Tonight. After we made love. I could feel it, your body talks to me as does your soul. I'm afraid too, to loose this. And I love you even more knowing this. Knowing about your fear and hearing your words. It only proves how much you love me and that you respect me."

"Buffy I...", he wanted to tell her that she was giving him too much credit, but she interrupted him immediately.

"No, don't say anything. I just want to tell you that I understand. I'm not going back to Sunnydale, I already told you that. I don't want to risk loosing what we have by going out there every night. Not anymore. That doesn't mean we won't fight evil, because I know we will. We both have seen too much to just close our eyes for the rest of our lives. But I've saved the world again and again and now it's time for someone else to take care of it. Besides if the big bad evil comes up I'm sure Giles'll give us a call."

He chuckled: "I love you Buffy Summers. So you're not going back to Sunnydale. Are you sure?"

"Hundred percent," she answered without hesitation.

"Well, then we should maybe find another place to live, a nice, sunny apartment for example."

"Is this an invitation to move in with you? Because if it is, I'm saying yes."

"It is. I mean, you do?"

She grinned: "Of course I'm going to move in with you. I'm not going to let you out of my sight again."

"Good," he said grinning happily. "Because I intend to do the same."

They kissed gently and lay together for a while without words. After some minutes she looked at him again: "Angel?"

"Hmmm?"

"Don't you think we should get up at some point?"

He sighed: "Yeah. I guess you're right. Unfortunately there's still this damned box we've to take care of.

She quirked an eyebrow and pouted a little bit: "But we could have a shower first?"

He grinned widely: "That we could."

She jumped from the bed and grabbed a towel: "The last has to do what the other wants."

*******

When Cordelia came back after half an hour she found Wesley in a conversation with Xander, Gunn and Willow, but there was still no sign of a certain couple. She walked over and placed a bag with donuts between them on the table. "Still no sign of our heroes," she asked nobody in particular.

"No, but I heard the shower running in their room," Willow informed the former cheerleader.

"Some progress," the brunette said while she was pulling a chair to the desk for herself.

"But there were noises too," Xander added, giving Cordelia a pointed look.

"No," she raised her hand. "I don't want to hear it. I'm already mentally damaged for the rest of my life thinking about the last night. Wes, did you get Giles?"

"Yes. He, Anya and Spike are coming tonight. And he said he'd bring a surprise."

She quirked an eyebrow: "A surprise? Whatever Giles calls a surprise." At Wesley's look she shrugged: "He is a stiff Brit, I'm not really expecting something special."

Gunn and Xander laughed out loud.

Wesley ignored her last sentence and turned to Willow: "So, what were you going to tell me about that Corish demon before we were so rudely interrupted."

Willow's face lit up and she continued her story.

Cordelia didn't understand a word of it because she'd missed the beginning of the story. She snorted, grabbed herself a donut and put four spoons of sugar in her coffee. Maybe sugar would kill the frustration inside of her.

Part 21

When Buffy and Angel finally came down the stairs it was almost noon. The shower had taken longer than intended.

Cordelia looked up from her desk while Wesley stared to the ground in embarrassment. The brunette saw it and grinned inwardly, how could a grown up man act like that.

"Morning Cordy," Buffy smiled seating herself on the edge of the former may-queen's desk, while Angel went to the big leather sofa and sat opposite to the ex-watcher.

Cordelia glanced at her watch and raised an eyebrow: "I don't think you can call this still morning." She nodded at the bag on the desk: "There are some donuts left, if you're hungry and you can warm the coffee in the microwave."

The slayer grinned: "Wow, Angel's got a microwave." Her lover turned his head at her and grinned back.

"The microwave was my purchase," the brunette said, while Buffy got up and went to warm two coffees.

Angel looked at Wesley: "Where is the rest of the group?"

Clearing his throat the former watcher said: "Xander and Willow went to get us some snack for lunch, while Gunn declared there was some very important business he had to take care of. But actually I think they just tried to escape Cordelia's frustration mood."

"Frustration mood?," Buffy raised her eyebrows when she handed a coffee to her boyfriend. "Why should Cordy be frustrated?"

"Uhm ... well," Wesley stuttered, deeply embarrassed he had brought up the subject.

"Oh god," Cordelia groaned. "This is really nothing important. By the way, I called Giles and he'll come tonight with Anya and Spike."

"Good," Angel nodded, sipping from his coffee and taking the donut his girlfriend offered him. "There's still one problem though. We do not know where they keep this box."

"I've already discussed that with Willow and she and Giles are going to do a location spell. She's really improved as a witch. Little Willow," he shook his head as if he couldn't believe it.

"Yeah, well," Buffy grinned. "It's always a good thing to have your own supernatural team at hand." She moved to sit on Angel's lap and he wrapped an arm around her hip.

"Exactly," he said nuzzling at her earlobe. "My very own private slayer."

She giggled and Cordelia sighed loudly: "Do you two ever stop? You wanted to know why I was frustrated. Well, I accidentally took the room next to you both. And the walls aren't very noise proof in this hotel."

Buffy felt herself blush and she buried her head in Angel's neck in embarrassment: "She's heard us," she muffled into his hair, so that only he could understand her.

He only shrugged and whispered: "I really don't care," which made her giggle again.

"Hey," Cordelia yelled. "That's enough. You had the whole night and I do not even have a boyfriend."

The slayer raised a hand: "Alright, alright, we'll be good."

"Do we have to?" Angel pouted.

The brunette rolled her eyes: "I'm just discovering that I miss the old brooding, lonely vampire. At least he wouldn't play around like a love-sick teenager."

That made him laugh. Pushing his protesting girlfriend from his lap he stood up and laid an arm around Cordelia's shoulder: "Come on," he said. "Be good. I'm just happy."

"And I'm happy for you. I'm sorry, I'm a bit grumpy today. Not enough sleep I suppose and this surprising encounter with Kendra or whatever that was." She gave him a smile.

"A vampire," Buffy said looking serious. "How can they do it? I mean they resurrect people. And they got her back as a vampire? Does anybody else feel this is weird?"

"Darla came back as a human," Angel replied. "And then she appeared in my dreams." He sighed and sat beside the slayer. He took her hand and said: "These were some of the weirdest dreams ever. They tried to drive me insane to change me back into Angelus."

"Fortunately you're to strong though," Wesley added, seeing Buffy's shocked expression.

"Obviously," the ex-vampire sighed. "However they brought her back as a human and Kendra as a vampire." Suddenly he paused. "What if this box resurrects but changes the person. You know vampire into human, human into vampire."

"Talk about weird," Buffy leaned her head on his shoulder. "Whatever it does, we have to get it. It's much to dangerous in the hands of evil people."

The conversation stopped when the entrance door opened.

"Oh look the Buffster came up for air again," Xander grinned when he and Willow entered the hotel, carrying containers with Chinese take-away. "Anybody hungry?"

Giles was about to kill Spike and Anya by the time they reached LA. Their constant bickering was getting on his nerves, but there wasn't a thing he could do about it. Only the fourth passenger seemed to be untouched by the whole exchange. So the watcher was clearly relieved when he finally pulled his car in front of the Hyperion hotel and switched off the engine.

"So peaches owns a whole hotel now," Spike commented, climbing out of the car. "Seems he clearly saved some money from his old times."

"It looks old," Anya said, looking at the building.

"Of course it looks old," the vampire replied with a smirk. "It is old, pet, just like you."

The ex-demon decided to ignore him this time and go for the door instead, but inwardly desperately wishing for her powers to rip out his undead heart or pull his brain through his ears. Pushing the door open she shouted: "Xander, I'm here."

"I see you honey," came the reply and then he walked over to hug her. After her Giles and Spike entered and when the fourth person came in Willow's eyes went wide.

"Oz," she whispered. "Oh god, Oz."

"Hi Will," he said with a sheepish smile. "I came to see you in Sunnydale, but Giles told me you're gone."

Willow stared at him and everybody in the room seemed to hold their breath. Then with a muffled noise the witch bolted up the stairs.

After a silence Xander looked at the werewolf: "Hey Oz, long time no see."

"Xander," Oz nodded and gazed at the others in the room, resting his eyes on Angel: "I heard you went through some changes recently."

The ex-vampire smiled: "Well, yeah."

"Cool," the werewolf said with a lopsided grin. "What room is Will's?"

"Oz," Buffy stepped forward. "Maybe you should give her some time. You know to digest."

He looked at her for a moment and then nodded: "You might be right. I didn't want it that way actually. I came to see her in Sunnydale. Then Giles told me, she was here and that you're on a mission," he grinned. "Obviously nothing's really changed."

"Maybe we should just sit down and talk," Wesley suggested.

"Good idea," Buffy nodded and then looked at Angel: "I just go and talk to Will, alright?"

He smiled: "You do that."

She gave him a kiss on the cheek and left the room.

*******

"Willow, can I come in?" Buffy asked cautiously and knocked on the door.

"Sure," came her reply.

When the slayer entered the room, the red-head sat on the bed, her eyes puffy and red and she sniffled.

Buffy gave her a smile: "How do you feel?"

She shrugged: "I don't know. A little overwhelmed I think."

The slayer chuckled: "I guess. I'd feel the same. It's quite a surprise."

"I never expected to see him again." Willow looked up: "What am I going to do?"

"I don't know," Buffy replied, sitting down beside her. "What do you feel for him? Do you still love him?"

"I guess I do," the witch wiped her tears. "But he's hurt me Buffy. I can understand about his problems with the werewolf-thing and all. But I'll never forget seeing him naked with Veruca and then he just left me."

The slayer took her hand and squeezed it slightly: "Willow, I cannot tell you what you have to do. It's your life and your feelings, but one thing I know for certain. Don't let it pass if it's important for you. I almost lost Angel, first because I let him go and then because he nearly died." She looked at her hand and smiled: "Talk to Oz. First of all you have to know why he came back. And then you have to decide what you want. And only that is important Willow. Don't nurse pain and fear, because the result is loneliness. You can believe me, I've become quite an expert."

Now the witch smiled as well: "It was a pretty rough time for you, wasn't it. Do you," she paused and swallowed: "Do you regret your time with Riley?"

Buffy thought for a long moment: "I don't know. Angel says I shouldn't." She grinned: "When I said I regretted having slept with Riley he went all ancient-wise on me. You know, you needed the experience and all that crap. When he does that I don't know if I want to hit him or kiss him. But I think he's right. Riley was part of growing up. Why do you ask me that? Do you regret Tara?"

"Not really," Willow smiled. "I really liked her. It was nice with her, although the end was painful."

The slayer patted the witch's hand: "Talk to Oz and then make your decision."

The red-head smiled: "I'll do that. Could you tell him to come up?"

Buffy stood up and went to the door: "I'll send him to you. Don't worry, everything will be alright."

"I hope," Willow sighed and closed her eyes.

Part 22

As soon as Willow and Oz returned from upstairs the whole group gathered together. It was Wesley who explained them about the box. Giles eyes widened: "You were right, we really have to get that thing and destroy it at once." He sighed: "I would like to keep it, just in case, but it is far to dangerous. Everybody would be after it."

"I agree," Wesley nodded. "And it is even more dangerous if they can bring dead persons back the way they want to. They could try to kill other slayers and then resurrect them as vampires." His gaze wandered towards Buffy while Angel's grip tightened around her waist.

The slayer shook her head: "No thanks. I already had that. Being a vampire isn't my kind of life." Then she turned and kissed her boyfriend on the cheek. He smiled.

"So they could kill me and then bring me back as a human?" Spike looked around. When Wesley nodded he added: "I'm in the destroying team. Human," he snorted and shuddered.

"I cannot believe you're really enjoying that sorry excuse for a vampire existence," Anya mocked. "You can't even bite."

"And you can't pull on anyone's brains," the vampire shot back. "So spare me your comments. At least I'm still immortal. I'll stay young and I'm going to give you a little visit when you're old and wrinkled and feel sorry for yourself." He grinned evilly.

"God, I really hate you," the ex-demon turned to her boyfriend and leaned against his arm.

"By the way Spike," Cordelia smiled sweetly, "what happens to your reputation when the other vampires will know about your sire being human now?" She turned her head and looked at Buffy and Angel who grinned.

"Shut up," the blonde vampire glared at her.

"That's a real problem," the slayer leaned back at Angel's chest. "A chip in your head, the sire's human, couldn't keep your girlfriend. Doesn't sound like the most successful life-report."

Spike was about to reply when Giles shouted: "SHUT UP." Then he looked around: "Good. Willow, why don't we try to set up for that spell now."

The witch nodded and took a bag the watcher had brought with him from Sunnydale.

"How was it," Buffy whispered when she helped her friend to unpack the stuff.

"It was a good talk. He wants to come back and be together with me again," she informed her friend. "There's a way to go, but I think we'll make it eventually."

"Great," the slayer smiled. "I'm so happy for you."

"Yeah," the witch smiled back. "It seems things are going right after all." She glanced over to Angel who was discussing something with Wesley.

Buffy smiled dreamily and sighed: "Oh Willow, he's so sweet, so thoughtful and tonight," her eyes seemed to be far away. "I never thought it could be like that. So intense. It was great on my 17th birthday and all, but tonight there was no fear and it wasn't new, it was just beautiful. I still cannot believe we get this chance."

"It sounds great."

"It does, doesn't it." The slayer sighed again. "Oh, oh, and the best. Angel asked me to move in with him," she beamed.

Willow smiled but it was a little sad: "So you're leaving Sunnydale?"

Buffy nodded: "Yes. We're going to live here. I don't want to risk what I have with Angel by hunting evil every night." When she saw the red-head's doubting look she grinned: "I know. We'll always be connected with evil stuff and all, but I won't be responsible for everything anymore. We can be together, having children eventually."

Willow giggled: "I thought you didn't care about kids and a normal life or you told Riley so."

"It depends on the right partner," the blonde replied. "I want to have children with Angel. And I'm sure he wants them too. Eventually, as I said before."

"What about school?"

"I'm going to transfer to UCLA. No big," she removed the last item from the bag and wrinkled her nose: "God, that stinks."

The witch nodded: "Pretty much, yeah. But it's necessary." She turned and looked at the watcher: "Giles, I've got everything here. Could you get the spell book I asked you to bring."

"It's in the car. I'll be right back." He stood up and left the hotel.

"Willow," Buffy touched her friend's arm. "I'm only moving to LA. It's not far away from Sunnydale. We'll be in touch and visit each other - often."

The red-head sighed: "I know. It's just, you're my best friend and I like to share a room with you, I like to have you there to talk to you whenever I need a friend."

"There's still the phone. Willow, aren't you happy for me?" Buffy looked confused.

"Of course I'm happy for you. But I'm not very good with changes. I want things to stay they always were, but I also know that's not gonna happen. Alright." She smiled: "I'm happy for you. Do you know who's gonna be the new slayer then?"

Buffy shrugged: "No. I haven't told the council I'm going to resign yet. Will be interesting to see their reaction."

"Whose reaction?," Angel asked coming up behind his girlfriend and wrapping his arms around her waist.

"The council's when I'm going to tell them that I quit." She leaned back at his chest.

He planted a kiss on the top of her head: "Hmmm. They'll have to live with it," he said nuzzling at her earlobe.

Willow giggled: "Humanity really changes people. I can hardly believe you're the same person that was only lurking in the shadows and dark corners."

Angel looked up: "I'm not the same man anymore," he said honestly and turned Buffy to look deeply into her eyes: "Not at all." Then he caught her lips in a deep, loving kiss.

The red-head smiled, shook her head and joined the others: "They're so sweet," she sighed, nodding towards the still kissing couple.

"It's sickening," Spike snorted. "Makes we wanna gag."

"You're only jealous," Anya smirked. "I don't see your girlfriend around? Maybe Harmony heard about your sire already." She turned and kissed Xander on the mouth.

"Now, Willow," Giles returned holding the book and froze by seeing the two kissing couples now. "What's going on here?," he asked confused.

"Only an epidemic outbreak of PDAs," Cordelia rolled her eyes. "I'm almost used to Buffy and Angel and I have to admit they're cute somehow, but you two," she looked at her ex-boyfriend and the former demon, "that really makes me nauseous."

"You're jealous too," Anya broke the kiss. "But you cannot have Xander," she added quickly.

"As if I'd take him," the brunette replied. "Not even wrapped in a red ribbon."

"Didn't you like kissing me?" Xander looked hurt.

"Oh please! We were kids then. I'm more for grown up men now."

"Oh, really?," Wesley seemed surprised. "I cannot remember the last one."

Cordelia shot him a 'you're so dead'-look and crossed her arms in front of her chest while Xander and Anya grinned.

"Uhm ... well," Giles tried to get everyone's attention. "Can we now do the spell please." He looked towards Buffy and Angel who seemed to have forgotten about the rest of the world and were still kissing and whispering. The watcher only shook his head and smiled: "Come on Willow, let's do it. We don't really need them, do we?"

Part 23

Willow was speechless. It didn't happen very often anymore, but now she was.

"What did you see?," Giles demanded.

They had done the spell and the red-head had been the one whoes eyes had to follow the light which would locate the searched object. The light had been connected to her vision in a first spell. Holding on to Oz's hand she turned around, her face showing only helplesness: "We cannot get it," she said matter-of-factly.

"What do you mean?," Angel wanted to know. He and Buffy had stopped making out when Willow went into trance to follow the light.

"It's in a bank," she replied. "In a safe."

"Hell," Spike groaned and gazed at his grand-sire.

"That doesn't sound good," Wesley looked at his former collegue.

"What are we going to do now?" Buffy tilted her head and gazed at her lover.

He shrugged: "Anyone to come up with a good idea?" He looked around, as if he was waiting for the right answer, but was exchanging secret glances with Spike already.

"Well we could dress like Zorro and rob it. The bank I mean," Xander grinned. When everyone turned towards him, he raised his hands: "Hey that was a joke."

"It's the only way," Angel said, gazing at Giles, while he saw from the corner of his eye that his grand-child began to smile.

"You're right," the former watcher replied with a nod.

"Hey guys," Xander was truly confused now. "You're not really thinking what I think you're thinking, right? You do not really think about breaking into a bank."

"Yeah," Cordelia gazed at Angel. "You know that'll be a real crime and you're human and they could close you up and throw..."

"Cordelia," he shouted angrily.

"What?," she asked in typical Cordelia-fashion. "I'm only stating the obvious. I like my job and I'm not sure what's going to happen when the boss is rotting in jail."

"She really needs a man," Anya said with a smirk.

"Pretty urgently," Gunn grinned at her.

The former cheerleader threw her arms into the air: "You're all crazy. And keep your dirty thoughts out of my love life. Alright, so we're going to break into a bank. God, when I think I was coming to LA to become a famous actress and now I'll in the newspapers very soon, but not for the reasons I wanted. What?," she cried in frustration when she saw everybody's glare. "Okay. I shut up, but never foget that I told you so. And just for the record, I'm not visiting any of you in jail."

With a grin on his face Angel looked at his grand-childe: "Well I don't know, if that's necessary." Everyone turned towards the two of them: "Spike and I have our own experiences with banks."

Their eyes went wide when the blonde vampire's only answer was a wide grin.

******

"After what we've been through I'd never guess my hands could be wet from being nervous," Buffy whispered when she, Angel and Spike were tiptoeing through the hall of the bank.

The slayer had found out about another side of her boyfriend. He and Spike had managed to cut off the alarm system and open the door in less then 15 seconds. At her courious gaze he'd only shrugged and grinned, while Spike had given his grand-sire a knowing look. Buffy rolled her eyes, she didn't even want to know where they'd learned this. All that counted was that they were in the bank now with the electronics cut off, and heading towards the safe.

Reaching the massive iron door Spike swore: "Damn. This is pretty new technology."

"And?" Buffy whispered.

"You can speak aloud slayer," the blonde vampire said. "They cannot hear us."

"Fine," she sighed, putting her hands on her hips and looking at the door. "What are we doing now. Do you know how to open that too?" she gazed at Angel.

"I'm not sure. The last one I opened was about 100 years ago. Technology has certainly changed."

"The last one you opened?" Buffy asked, her eyes wide.

"Well the last I broke in was in Denver some eight years ago. That was a great night," Spike's eyes clouded dreamily. "Dru danced in the hall of that bank. And then we even found a guard..."

"What the hell is going on here?" the slayer demanded. "How are you so skilled in these things? And a general remark Spike, cut off the memory-lane. Work now, stories later."

"No pity for a poor vamp," he sighed dramatically but then began to inspect the iron door.

"I always thought vampires would just kill people and then keep their money," Buffy whispered looking at Angel. Confusion was written all over her face.

"Usually they do," he confirmed. "But I ... er ... I mean Angelus tried to entertain his childer. So we did some pretty weird stuff, even weird for vampires," he added seeing her raising an eyebrow. "Obviously Spike has kept a taste for this."

"Vampires robbing banks," she shook her head. "I wonder if Giles' has ever heard about it." She suddenly grinned. "Just think about it. I know something he doesn't."

"It'll cost him his sleep for a week," Spike said, while still inspecting the door. "There it is," he suddenly exclaimed. "That's the ... damn, it's a time-lock."

"Time-lock?," Buffy had the feeling she was in a bad movie. Here she was in a bank, robbing it and that with two obviously very experienced vampires or one ex-vamp for that matter.

"Yeah," Angel explained. "That means it only opens at certain times, but then there's always ways to change it." He reached in his pocket and produced a magnet. But it wasn't an usual magnet, it was shining bright blue and something seemed to move inside.

The slayer's eyes widened even more when she saw her lover handing it to Spike, who began to grin seeing the object. It needed only three more seconds and the door snapped open.

Buffy shook her head in amazement: "Boys," she looked back and forth between the two of them. "I think we better never tell anyone what happened here tonight."

The two men grinned at each other, then Angel looked around in the room: "We better find that box now and then let's go."

*******

When they entered the hotel an hour later, the box firmly in the slayer's hand the others looked up in astonishment.

"You're back already," Cordy asked surprised. "How was it? Are there any cops behind you?"

"Relax," Angel raised a hand. "It was quite easy."

"Very," Spike confirmed.

"Easy?" Giles raised an eyebrow. "You broke into a National Bank and came back with the desired object in less than two hours. I think an explanation would be very good."

"Let's just say, they knew what they're doing," Buffy told her watcher with a shrug. "Did you ever hear about vampires robbing banks to entertain their childer?"

"WHAT?" the Brit shouted.

"I thought so," she replied grinning. "But they obviously did. Ask my boyfriend." Changing the subject and ignoring Giles' confused gaze she looked at Willow: "Now, how about you destroy it magically now," she handed the box over. Then she yawned: "I'm tired and I want to get that over with." Leaning back at Angel's shoulder she smiled: "I am really looking forward to some quality time with my boyfriend."

"Yeah, I want to copulate with Xander too," Anya said with a smirk.

"Oh god," her boyfriend groaned in embarrassment, while Cordelia tried to suppress a laughter.

"Giles, Wesley," Willow looked at the two men. "That's your job now." She handed the box to them and they immediately began to set up for the spell. From time to time both glanced at the slayer, Angel and Spike as if they tried to understand what had happened in the bank. But the three didn't make the impression as if they would talk about it soon.

"Alright Willow, your chant," Wesley said with a smile and slightly bowed into the witch's direction. She nodded and opened her spellbook. After a moment a red light appeared above the box, then it lowered over it and when the light disappeared the box was gone.

"That's it?," Anya asked, her voice sounding disappointed.

"Yes," Willow replied with a smile.

The former demon shrugged: "Not very impressive. In my days I gave a better show."

"But we really don't want to hear it now," Xander interrupted her, not looking forward to stories about tortured men. Grabbing his girlfriends arm and pulling her to the stairs he said: "We're tired. See you guys tomorrow." With this they were gone.

The rest of the group shook their heads and laughed.

"Alright, I say we all need to get some sleep now and then we'll talk again tomorrow," Giles looked around and saw everyone nod. "I'm sure Wolfram & Hart will miss their box tomorrow."

"Yeah, and I think they'll have a pretty good idea who took it." Cordelia said while gazing at Angel.

Buffy tightened her hold on his arm: "We have to make sure they'll not try to hurt him again."

"We will," Giles said softly with an assuring smile. "We talk about it tomorrow."

"Alright, back into my lonely bed," the former cheerleader sighed dramatically. "But better lonely in my apartment than sleeping again in the room next to you two."

The slayer only grinned and snuggled deeper into Angel's arms that were encircling her from behind. It would be another interesting night.

Part 24

When Buffy came down the next morning she was surprised to find Giles sitting there on his own. What didn't surprise her was that he was reading.

He looked up when he heard her: "Ah, Buffy," he smiled and shut the book in his hands. "Did you sleep well?"

"Hmm," she made and sighed. "Very well." Giving her watcher a smile she sat down opposite to him: "I always sleep like a rock in Angel's arms."

Giles gaze moved to the book in his lap for a moment. Clearing his throat he made Buffy giggle: "You're cute when you're embarrassed."

He shot her a look: "Yes, and you seem to enjoy it a lot, as I see."

Now she laughed: "I just wanted to lighten the mood before I tell you something."

"That you quit the slayer-job to stay in LA with Angel?," he asked, smiling.

"You do know me well," she replied with a sigh, leaning back and pulling her legs under herself.

"Buffy," Giles rested his elbows on his knees and put his chin in his hands: "You've been in love with him since ... ever. The moment you told me he was human I knew this was going to happen. You've waited so long for this chance and I knew all you wanted was a normal life..."

She raised a hand to stop him: "No, Giles. That's not it. Actually I told Riley that I didn't want that normal life anymore, that I realised I was going to be the slayer, because it's an important part of who I am." She smiled: "Angel's seen that long before I accepted it. I will not stop slaying, Giles. I just want to be with him. And I don't want to have that constant pressure anymore, but whenever you need me, you can call. Angel's keeping the agency. He's good at his job." Seeing her watcher's eyebrows rise in doubt, she added: "Sure he cannot fight as good as before now, but I think if he will work out a lot, he'll be still good at fighting. He's a lot of experience and then he's got me."

"Yes," Giles nodded and leaned back as well. "That he surely has. And to be honest I'm glad you're quitting. Don't understand me wrong, I'm going to miss you, because it's like loosing a daughter, but because I feel for you like that I don't want you in constant danger anymore."

"Morning," Angel mumbled when he came down the stairs at the same moment interrupting their conversation. Walking over to his lover he kissed her softly on the cheek. "Anyone for coffee?" he asked.

"Yes, thank you," the slayer answered.

"What were you talking about?" the ex-vampire asked while he was pouring the coffee.

"About Buffy moving to LA," Giles informed him. "I told her I was expecting it."

"You did?" Angel raised an eyebrow coming back and handing on cup to Buffy. Taking the spot beside her he wrapped an arm loosely around her shoulder. "Anyway," he changed the subject. "Obviously our little trip to the bank was discovered this morning. It's all over the news." Seeing the shocked gazes of his lover and her watcher, he added with a smile: "But they seem to wonder why there wasn't anything on their supervision-cameras."

Buffy relaxed immediately and began to giggle: "Spike was just great," she said looking at Giles. "You should've seen him. And Angel." Turning to him she nudged him slightly in the ribs: "You never ever told me about that hidden skill."

"Well," he grinned, sipping at his coffee, "I never thought we'd need it. And Spike certainly enjoyed it. There isn't much harm he can do nowadays, so it was a nice change for him."

"Do you think that lawyer firm," Giles looked serious, "will realise who took their box?"

Angel shrugged: "Maybe. But there's no proof. No film, no fingerprints and most importantly no box. I mean Willow's destroyed it. It's gone. So you see, they can guess whatever they want. It's not as if it's of any importance if they suspect us to be involved in this or not. They won't ever like me and honestly I don't care. They've tried to get me out of their way and they might try in the future, but we'll deal."

"Yes, we will," Buffy said with a confidence she hadn't felt for a very long time.

Giles smiled, Angel was definitely good for his slayer.

"Good Morning," the door opened and Cordelia entered, a cheerful smile on her face.

"Uhm, Cordelia. It's," the ex-vampire looked at his watch, "not even nine?"

"And?," she gave him an innocent glance. "Where's a rule I cannot start working early?"

"You're awfully cheery this morning," Buffy eyed her suspiciously.

"I had an accident last night, with my car," she grinned.

"Alright," the slayer got up and walked over to sit on the edge of the brunette's desk. "You had an accident last night with your car, right?"

"Exactly," Cordelia started her computer and let out a happy sigh.

"And this caused such a good mood why?" Buffy's face was curious now.

"Malcolm," the former May-queen said as if everyone should know him.

"Malcolm?" Angel had turned on the sofa and was watching his employée too.

"Hmmm," she sighed again. "Tall, blond, athletic, rich and single."

"Uhm, Cordy," Buffy exchanged a glance with her lover. "How do you know that?"

"Alright, Buffy," Cordelia turned in her chair to look the slayer straight in the eye. "Let me give you a lesson for your life. Tall, blond and athletic is pretty much visible. The car he drove was a BMW and he wore Armani, so I think it's pretty safe he's not poor. As for being single, he didn't wear a ring and his apartment was pretty much the one of someone living on his own."

"His apartment?"

"I had to drive him home. His car didn't work anymore. Tonight we'll have dinner together." With this the brunette turned back to her computer, her whole body language telling that this chapter was closed for discussion.

"Okay, still everyone here, so can we say it's safe that the police doesn't have a clue about our bank-robbery," Xander grinned while he came down, Anya and Willow in tow. Only some seconds later Oz came as well.

"You got it in one sentence," Buffy answered him dryly. "No prosecution."

"What a pity," Xander sighed. When everyone looked at him he grinned: "I think Buffy would make a cute picture behind bars."

"You're sure you feel alright?" Oz asked, shaking his head.

"Perfectly," Xander laid an arm around his girlfriend's shoulder, giving her a pointed look.

"No," Cordelia held out a hand. "No scary pictures in the morning."

"We're not them, Cordy," Xander said nodding at Buffy and Angel who sat on the sofa, the slayer on her ex-vampire's lap.

"Hey," Buffy yelled. "At least we're not talking about it all the time."

"Okay, I think that's enough about the subject," Angel interrupted their bickering. "What do you all think about a dinner tonight? To celebrate."

"You're paying?" Cordelia asked hopefully.

"Yeah," he sighed. "I will. Buffy will move to LA, constantly. She's going to be a full member of Angel Investigations from now on."

"I see," Wesley said, just entering the hotel. "A slayer will be a good addition."

"But keep the PDA's to a minimum," Cordelia threw in.

"I know she will miss you all," Angel said to the Sunnydale-gang. "So whenever you want just drop in and stay for some days. There's enough room after all."

"What about breakfast?," Buffy looked expectantly at her lover. "We could start with a group breakfast now and finish with dinner and," her voice became low and husky, "some desert afterwards."

"Oh god, if this will be the way it goes from now," the brunette groaned. "I'm going to quit or ask for a raise."

"Alright, breakfast then," Angel gave his lover a slight push to remove her from his lap and got up. "Let's go."

He was at the door already when Willow asked: "What about Spike?"

"What about him?" Buffy shrugged. "It's day and he's still a vampire. Come on Willow, we can get him some Weetabix on the way back."

"Weetabix?," Angel asked stepping out into the morning sun, one arm around his lover.

She rolled her eyes: "I'll tell you later. I'm not even sure you want to know."

Their laughter sounded on the street and the others followed them. Whatever was coming next today they would celebrate and they had earned it.

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