Disclaimer: I own nothing, Buffy and CO belong to Joss Whedon.
Author's note: I started this series last year, but I put it off for a while, so here it is revived for you. B/R at first, but later on that will change,
Summary: Slaying brought Buffy and Angel together and it tore them apart. Now it will bring them back together again.

In the quad of U. C Sunnydale, a vampire landed with a thud. "That looked wicked painful." Buffy said, tapping a stake against the palm of her hand. The vamp growled at her pun and lunged at her, only to be tackled by someone from behind.

"You're late." Buffy yelled, realizing who it was.

Riley made one last punch, before finally shoving a stake into it;s heart. He got up, dusting himself off, and turned to his girlfriend. "Sorry, lost track of the time."

Buffy smirked at him and walked away, Riley ran to catch up with her. Grabbing her arm gently, Riley looked her in the eyes. "What was the smirk for?"

"Nothing, come on Giles wanted to see us, well me."

Ever since the fiasco with Adam and the destruction of the Initiative, Riley became a full fledged member in the Scooby gang, he often helped Giles with research, but mostly he patrolled with Buffy. They had become even more closer over the past 2 years, their was some tension and trouble between them, but over time it was left in the past. Buffy was now a junior, and thinking about her future, of course their was slaying, but now she was wondering what she was gonna do when she eventually graduated. She had Riley and he supported her in everything she did or wanted to do. Buffy and Riley looked like the common all-American couple, as the held hands making their way to Giles' apartment.

***********************

Giles was pacing back and forth in his living room. He, Willow, and Spike were waiting on Buffy. He'd been researching and had found another catastrophe was coming, now he was waiting for Buffy to get here so he could explain everything; and most importantly to start preventing it. Giles was about to glance at his watch, until Buffy walked in with Riley. "It's about bloody time."

Rolling her eyes. "Giles, chill out."

"Well, now that you are her we can begin, the hellmouth is going to open."

"Again." The gang moaned.

"Yes." Giles said, sighing. "It seems, that in 4 days it will be the anniversary of the hellmouth's existence and gathering demons are planning to celebrate."

"And you know this how?" Buffy implied

Giles simply held up a book, and continued. "The next 4 days will consist of earthquakes." He pause for a second. "And uh, sacrifices, to prepare for the opening."

"What kind of sacrifices?" Buffy asked.

Giles sucked in a breath. "Just sacrifices, they.. They're not important, but there is a counter spell that can prevent all this from happening." He said quickly, trying change the subject.

Buffy hadn't noticed, and she pouted. "There's a spell, that means I don't get to kick some demon ass." She said sarcastically.

"Well, there always next time." Willow jumped in.

"Pet, it was a joke." Spike said, stroking her hair, the two had gotten close over the past couple of months, at first it was for companionship; but eventually they began to seriously date.

Giles cleared his throat nervously, his way of telling the gang that there was more. "One more thing, the book that contains the spell, I don't have it, but I know who does."

"Well, call the wanker up, have it brung here." Spike said, rolling his eyes.

Everyone laughed, except Giles. "I did call, and he's on his way." Giles looked directly at Buffy, she knew that look and knew who "he" was. Breathing deeply, "When does Angel get here?" She said, looking down.

Everyone in the room glanced at Giles. No one really spoke about Angel, he moved on with his life and they moved on with there's. But mostly because Buffy didn't want to hear about him, she developed an anger towards him, and it still resided in her. The subject of Angel wasn't brought up, Willow and Spike on the other hand still kept in touch with him, to Willow he was still a good friend, to Spike he was just an informant to report to.

Riley looked at the emotions running over Buffy's face, he knew all about Angel, and from what he heard, he hated him for hurting Buffy; not matter the reason he did it.

A knock at the door caused everyone to look, Angel stood in the doorway with a large book in his hand. "Hey guys."

Clearing his throat. "Angel come in." Giles said, extending his hand to greet Angel.

Shaking his hand, Angel glanced around the room, he saw Willow; who got up and gave him a big bear hug. She sat down next to Spike who gave Angel a nod. Angel's eyes resided on Buffy. "Buffy."

"Angel." She acknowledged, watching him with caution. No matter how much anger she held over him, Angel still had the power to make her heart pound, her blood rushing through her veins. He knew that as well, he could hear the coursing through her body, in sync with his own body.

Giles cleared his throat. "Angel may I?" He said, referring the book.

Angel nodded and gave the book to Giles.

Giles took the book, and flipped toward the marked page that contained the spell. He read over the text, and looked toward everyone. "The spell is quite simple, but it cannot be performed until the full moon, which is 3 days from now." He said, regretfully.

"Giles that's the night before the hellmouth opens." Willow imputed.

"We have only one chance." Giles stated.

Everyone glanced at Giles, understanding the seriousness of the situation.

"Well, it is getting late so perhaps we should get some rest." Giles suggested. He could feel the room growing more tense with each second. "We cannot do anything until tomorrow, so you all should go home."

Everyone nodded and got up to leave. Buffy walked over to Giles. "Are you sure there's nothing else we can do?"

"I'm sure." Giles nodded, he pressed his lips to her forehead. "Go on home Buffy, and be careful." He looked at Buffy with love in his eyes as she agreed and left his home, with Riley behind her; not even speaking a word to Angel, she was afraid that if she even looked at him, it was cause a scene, and she didn't want that.

Angel pushed off the wall he was leaning on and sat on the couch that was also occupied by Giles. "She seems fine."

"Buffy's OK, she's living."

"Is he good to her?" Angel questioned, wondering about the one who has now captured Buffy's heart.

Breathing a sigh. "Yes, Riley is good to her, he loves her very much."

Angel nodded.

"She's going to need all the love she can receive after all this." Giles whispered.

"What do you mean?" Angel asked, hearing what Giles had whispered. Giles turned to him, and his eyes spoke for him; anger flared in Angel's body. "You didn't tell her?" He growled.

Giles shook his head no.

Angel jumped out of his seat, and took off; hoping he would catch up with Buffy in time.

Part 2

Buffy and Riley walked through the park, doing another sweep before going there separate ways. It was unusually quiet, and Buffy wanted to make sure it stayed that way for the night. A few minutes later, after not seeing anything, Buffy and Riley decided to call it a night, he kissed his girl goodnight, and walked toward his apartment. Buffy didn't leave, she sat down on a nearby bench and watched the stars twinkle. She needed a moment to herself, alone, and think about the occurrences of the day. Not only was it the end of the world, but Angel was here, and that plagued her thoughts; until the snap of a twig caught her attention.

Buffy got up from her seat, and looked around, with her stake drawn. "Come out, come out wherever you are." She sang.

Buffy looked around more, until a blow smashed into her back. She straightened herself quickly, not to put herself in a more vulnerable position, and retaliated with a blow of her own. The vamp and Buffy continued a battle, that would leave one of them dead, until Buffy was struck from behind again by another assailant. Buffy grunted from the blow to her head, and tried to get up, but found herself nearly falling into a pit of darkness, she slumped back down to the ground. Before she passed out, the last thing she heard was. "We've got her."

****

Angel ran as fast as he could, he was searching for Buffy, and could not find her anywhere. He neared the park, and caught a whiff of something familiar; Angel walked around, trying to get closer to the scent, as it got stronger Angel knew for sure, it was Buffy's blood.

Angel followed the scent and hoped that it lead him to Buffy. He found his way into a tunnel, and was not surprised that it lead to the Master's old lair. Hidden in the shadows, Angel held position so he could gather information and think of a way to get her out of here alive.

Demons of all shapes and breeds gathered into the musty cave, each taking what space they could find on the floor or near the wall. Finally a loud gong sound filled the room, forcing everyone into silence. A dark figure moved into the room. "We gather tonight, for a reason. The key to the world is among us, in 3 days hence, the key will unlock our salvation; and plunge the world into darkness."

The figure moved toward the alter in the center of the room, and pulled back a black cloth. While the demons cheered at what they saw, Angel's eyes widened in fear. Buffy laid on the stone alter, chained, and a large post hung above her with a pointed end, aimed at her heart. She was struggling to get out of the chains, but they would not budge. The leader of the group, the dark figure reached out a hand to stroke her cheek, Buffy moaned through the gag in her mouth as she tried to keep it from touching her.

Angel sat and watched Buffy lie there in fear, and tears in her eyes, he had no way of getting her out of there with all these demons surrounding her. Reluctantly, Angel got up from his hiding place, and crept out of the cave, but not before he silently prayed to Buffy that he would come back for her; but he needed help.

***********************

Giles sat in his apartment, having another shot of whiskey. Trying to relax himself, and enjoy the moment; he needed to take his mind off the conversation he had with Angel. Giles never felt so stupid in his life, he should have told her more, and now she might never trust him again. This would be the 3rd time that Giles had betrayed her, and three times a charm said it all. A banging at the door jarred Giles from his thoughts, he quickly got up, and opened the door to see a guiltfull Angel. "They've got her." He said, storming into the apartment, and going over to Giles weapon truck.

"Dear God, no." Giles pleaded, pinching the bridge of his nose, he knew if anything happened to Buffy, he would be able to live with himself.

Angel growled, and walked toward him. "God isn't going to help her, only we can."

"We should call the others. We still have time, before they can perform the ritual." Giles implied, trying to help.

"You call them, I'm going to get Buffy."

"Angel at least wait for Riley, he can help you."

"We're wasting time talking here, besides what can he do?" Angel said, getting ready to storm out the door, running right into Riley.

Riley looked at the scene going on in the apartment. "What's going on?"

Giles and Angel remained silent for a moment. Until Giles spoke up, "Riley, Buffy's been taken."

Riley's eyes evident with worry. "Who? Where?"

Angel sighed annoyingly. "It doesn't matter, we need to get her out now!!"

"Then I'm coming with you." Riley demanded, going for a few weapons himself. Before Angel could protest, Riley cut him off. "Look, I know you have no feeling towards me, and to tell you the truth I don't have any emotion towards you either, I know you still love Buffy, but I love her too; and I am going with you." Riley stated

He stood next to Angel, daring him to say he could not come. But all Angel did was look at Giles, "Call the others, get the spell ready." He took one more look at Riley, and they walked out to save the woman they loved.

Angel and Riley came to the same tunnel, that Angel had departed from. They crept in and saw that the hurd of demons were gone, and Buffy was left chained to the alter

Riley leaned in closer to Angel. "What do they want with her?" He whispered.

"She's the sacrifice they need to open the hellmouth. Giles didn't say anything because he wanted to protect Buffy." Angel answered.

Anger shot through Riley, because of Giles, Buffy is lying on an alter scared to death. He pushed the hatred he felt at the moment down, it would come back later, right now they were trying to figure out how they were gonna get her out of here. Riley looked around to see if there were any guards around and did not see any. "Ok, you cover me, and I'll go down and unchain her."

Angel grabbed his arm suddenly, and nodded toward a little cornor by the alter. A guard stood in the shadows waiting to attack.

Riley looked at Angel like he was crazy. "It's just one guard."

"There maybe more." Angel told the child, but Riley was having none of that.

"Then we'll handle it, lets at least get her unchained." Riley made another attempt to move, and Angel grabbed him again.

"No, we wait. They can't do anything to her until the full moon, that'll give us some time." Angel rationalized.

"I don't care, I'm going to get Buffy." With that Riley swooped down, and crept toward the alter. He had the guard in his sights, and took slow deadly steps to him, when the guard was in his range; Riley grabbed him, and stabbed him in the back. Checking the perimeter, he rushed to the alter.

Buffy saw a flash of movement, and tried to move her head; she was too weak to even do that. Tears began to trail down her face, until she heard a soothing voice.

"Shhh, no more tears." Riley said to her, coming in her view of eyesight.

A small smile came upon Buffy's face, when she saw Riley, a sense of relief came over her. Riley began unhooking the chains that were wrapped around her, when that was done, he pulled the gag out of her mouth, and pulled Buffy into his arms; holding her bridegroom style. He knew she wouldn't be able to walk out, by the way she was wincing everytime she moved, Riley turned around to make his exit, and was confronted by a room full of demons.

Part 3

Riley was cornered. He had no where to go, and he knew it; and what made it worse, was that Buffy would have to stay here longer.

The leader of the demons, still cloaked in a dark cloth came up to the altar. "Did you really think that you could rescue her?"

Angel watched the demon taunt Riley, and could only shake his head as he moved to help. "Stupid boy."

Riley stood there with Buffy in his arms, she tightened them around him, she was more scared than before; but she knew Riley could not help her. The demons knew that, as half of them rushed toward Riley and took Buffy from his arms, and began to beat him. Riley fell to the floor in pain, the demons had no mercy, especially for him.

The leader, who now held a weak, and slightly unconscious Buffy; took the attention of his minions. "Kill him."

Just as the demons were about to attack once again. A light shined over the cave, a torch was thrown onto the altar catching fire to everything, the demons began to scatter to get away from the flames, the leader made his way out; with Buffy in his arms. Screams of demons got louder, something more dangerous than the flames was after them, the 'angelic one.' Angel made his way through the crowd, fighting his way to the leader, Angel reached the leader, and stood his ground. "Give her to me." He demanded.

"No thanks." He growled.

Angel vamped out, his patience was about to snap. "Give her to me now!!" He commanded.

The demon smiled at him, and threw her to him; when Angel's attention was on Buffy, the demon brought out a sword, and swooped at Angel's head. Angel rolled on his side and lunged at the demon, he grabbed the demons arm and dislocated it's shoulder, and took hold of the sword. The demon howled in pain, as the sword went through his heart.

Meanwhile, the other demons had taken off, leaving the cave deserted, not wanting to feel the wrath of Angelus; after watching their leader die in front of them. Angel dropped the sword, and rushed to Buffy's side, he rolled her over and looked at her worriedly. "Buffy.. Are you OK?"

"Angel." She whimpered, she was barely conscious.

"It's me, I'm here baby." He whispered, and lifted her up gently into his arms. He began to walk out, until Buffy said where was Riley, Angel looked around and saw him trying to get up off the ground. Angel walked towards him. "You all right?"

Riley nodded, and stumbled while getting to his feet. "Is..Is she OK?" He muttered.

Angel nodded, while looking at Buffy in his arms. Her arm was tightly wound around his neck, but she was unconscious. The three made their way out of the cave, and back to Giles' home, Angel sometimes had to hold on to Riley to make sure he didn't fall out, but they made it back safely.

*********************************

The next afternoon, the whole gang was held up in Giles' living room, Buffy sat in the chair wrapped in a blanket, still recovering from the night before, and the others were scattered around the room.

Giles kept his distance from Buffy, Riley, and Angel; especially Buffy, all 3 of them were very upset that he kept that information from her, if she had known, she would have been more careful when she went out last night. But they were trying to let it go and move on, since Angel killed the leader, and the demons didn't have Buffy to sacrifice; the hellmouth wasn't going to open, now everyone could breath.

Except Riley, after last night, he'd had a lot on his mind and needed to get it off his chest. He just needed to have a minute alone with Buffy. "Um, I'm gonna get home. Um, Buffy would you like to walk with me, I have to talk to you, alone." He stated.

Buffy smiled. "Yeah, the fresh air will do me good." She got up, with the help of Riley, and walked to the door, where Angel stood.

"Be careful." Angel said to her, and she smiled at him, she let go of her anger towards him, and now considered him a friend.

Buffy and Riley made their way to his apartment, the whole time Riley was on edge, he had waited long enough to do this and now it was the moment of truth. After letting her in first, Riley shut the door behind them and sat beside her on the couch, he breathed a sigh and looked at her.

Buffy noticed he was sweating hard. "What's wrong?" She asked worriedly.

Breathing a sigh. "Buffy, I asked you over because I want to tell you something. I've been thinking about this for a while now, and after what happened last night gave me the courage to say it now."

"Say what?" Buffy asked curiously.

"Buffy, after everything we've been through, I realize how easily I could lose you, and that would kill me. So, with that said." Riley dropped to his knees, and pulled a velvet box out of his pocket. "Elizabeth Anne Summers, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" He opened the box, and an imperial cut, 10 carat diamond ring sat in the middle.

It was breathtaking. Buffy gasped at the beauty of the ring, but the amazement of the ring only lasted for a moment. Buffy put a hand on his cheek. "Riley I need time to think about this, I didn't expect this."

"I understand, take all the time you need." Riley said, kissing her on the forehead.

Buffy nodded her head. She got up and walked to the door to leave.

"Are you sure you're OK to walk?" Riley asked, referring to last night.

"Yeah, I'll be fine." She said quickly, and walked out of his apartment.

****

Angel made his way through Sunnydale, the sun had just set, and he needed to get out. He was passing the park, when he saw a petite blond sitting on the bench, by herself. Angel knew it was Buffy, he headed toward the bench. "Buffy."

"Angel, hi."

"What are you doing?" He asked curiously.

"Just thinking, a lot has happened in the last few hours."

"Like what, tell me about, you know you can tell me anything." Angel said, sitting next to her on the bench.

Buffy smiled at his words, he was right, she always could tell him anything and he'd understand. "It's Riley."

"Did he hurt you?" Angel snapped.

"No! No, it's not that." Buffy chuckled for a moment at his outburst. "Riley..... He asked me to marry him."

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