Part 31

On the crowded dance floor in the Bronze, Angel held Buffy in his arms, swaying slowly to the mellow music the deejay was playing. There was nothing he loved more than slow dancing with the girl he loved.

"Everything’s all set for a week from Saturday," he told her.

"What’s a week from Saturday?" she asked.

Angel laughed. "Homecoming. We *are* still going, aren’t we? Because I rented the limo and got my suit this afternoon."

"Oh, god, I completely forgot about it. I’ve had so much on my mind these past few weeks. Of course we’re still going together," Buffy said. "Looks like I’ll be going dress shopping this week."

He gazed at her with suspicious eyes. "Is everything okay at home with your mom? I know she’s been giving you hard time of it lately."

Buffy couldn’t help but frown, despite her boyfriend’s concerns. "She’s just been getting on my case these past few weeks. You know, about the late nights and the dirt and grass stains on my clothes. I think I might have to tell her about the whole ‘Slayer’ thing soon."

"Is that what you want?"

Shaking her head, she rested it on his shoulder. "I don’t know. Sometimes, I think it would be better if she knew. Then I wouldn’t have to sneak around so much. But then again, on the other hand, Mom might think I’m totally nutty and have me locked up in an insane asylum. And knowing my mom, she might do it."

Angel rubbed her back with the palm of his hand. "If you need me, I’m here. Day or night."

"Thanks. Speaking of which, Mom did give me permission to stay over your place Homecoming night. Provided the night’s activities remain at a PG-13 rating," she informed him.

"PG-13, huh?" he repeated, nodding. "Yeah, I can live with that." The song ended, much too soon for either of them, giving way to a more uptempo song. "That’s my cue. I gotta go home and study. Big test tomorrow in Psychology class."

She sighed. "You can’t stay another couple minutes? It feels like you just got here."

"I can’t, as much as I’d like to. I really need to study; the test isn’t going to be easy. But I’ll definitely see you tomorrow morning in homeroom."

He bent down to kiss her. No sooner had their lips touched when she wrapped her arms around his neck, Angel keeping his hands on either side of her waist. Her fingers danced along the nape of his neck, tickling the short hairs there as their kiss remained loving, never taking it too far or letting passion take over. The last thing either one of them wanted to do was cause a scene in the middle of the dance floor.

"Good night, Buffy," he said.

"Night," she replied sadly. She hated having to say goodbye to him at the end of the night. It was getting harder and harder with each passing day. In the back of her mind, she knew what was coming; it had felt the same way when she and vampire Angel started taking things to a new level.

While Angel headed out the door of the club, she walked over to the table where Willow, Oz, Xander, Cordelia and Amy were sitting, talking. "What’s going on?" Buffy wanted to know.

"Not much," Oz answered. "Very little action tonight."

"Watching all the people dance," Xander added. "How pathetic are *our* lives?"

Cordelia lifted her eyebrows and pointed to a couple on the dance floor. "Check out Slut-O-Rama and her Disco Dave."

A dark-haired couple moved along the dance floor, oblivious to the other dancing couples around them. The girl, a pretty brunette in a skimpy, low-cut black blouse, danced with a more contemporary style than her partner, a good-looking boy in out-of-date clothing. He was moving too fast for the music.

"What’s the last thing that guy danced to, K.C. and the Sunshine Band?" Cordelia commented.

The girl pointed to the door in the middle of the song, letting her date lead her out of the building. Suspiciously, Buffy watched them leave, feeling something slightly off about the boy as he said goodbye to his friend before exiting with his date.

"I don’t think that guy thrives on sunshine," Buffy remarked.

Putting down her purse, she followed them out the door, flanked by the rest of the gang. Checking quickly to the left and right, she found nothing. "Where’d she go?" Taking a few steps down the left side of the alley, Buffy looked around.

Cordelia sighed, bored. "I bet it’s nothing. They’re probably just making out," she complained.

"Hey!" they heard from the other side of the alley. Then they heard what sounded like something breaking. Grabbing a stake out of his jacket, Xander handed it to the Slayer.

"That’s not what making out sounds like," Willow said. She paused for a moment, pondering. "Unless I’m doing it wrong."

The group followed Buffy in the direction of the noises. They found the girl pinned against a chain-link fence.

"Stop struggling. This won’t hurt." The boy vamped into his game face, poised to bite her. She grabbed him by the neck and jabbed him in the face. With a stagger backward, he was temporarily out of commission, giving his victim a chance to jump on top of a crate. Wasting little time, she knocked him to the ground with a roundhouse kick to the face.

Just as Buffy arrived on the scene, the girl walked over, smiling. "It’s okay, I got it. You’re, uh, Buffy, right?"

Buffy was about to answer, but didn’t get the chance. The vampire came up from behind and grabbed the girl by the shoulders. With a head butt, she took hold of his arm.

"I’m Faith," the girl continued.

As the vampire and the girl fought, Oz leaned over to whisper in Willow’s ear. "I’m gonna go out on a limb and say there’s a new Slayer in town."

***

Sitting in the alcove off to the left of the Bronze’s entrance, the group – including Faith – sat down and relaxed after the night’s activities. They were listening to Faith as she recounted some of her slaying stories.

"The whole summer it was, like, the worst heat wave. So, it’s about a hundred and eighteen degrees and I’m sleeping without a stitch on." She paused as the waitress placed their order on the table, waiting for her to leave before continuing. "And all of a sudden, I hear this screaming from outside. So, I go tearing out, stark nude and this church bus has broke down, and there’s these three vamps feasting on half the Baptists in South Boston. So, I waste the vamps, and the preacher comes up, and he’s hugging me like there’s no tomorrow, when all of a sudden, the cops pull up and they arrested us both."

Wow," Xander said while Faith reached for a muffin. "They should film that story and show it every Christmas."

Amy, who was sitting next to him, elbowed her boyfriend in the ribs. "Watch it," she muttered so only he could hear her. "Or I’ll turn you into a toad. And you know I can do it."

Faith shoved a piece of muffin into her mouth. "God, I could eat a horse. Isn’t it crazy how slayin’ just always makes you hungry and horny?"

Everyone turned to look at Buffy, who shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "Well…sometimes I-I crave a nonfat yogurt afterwards."

For a moment, nobody said anything. "I get it," Cordelia blurted out. Off Faith’s confused glance, she gave the girl a dirty look. "Not the horny thing. Yuck! But the two Slayer thing. There was one, and then Buffy died for, like, two minutes, so then Kendra was called, and then when she died, Faith was called."

Faith nodded. ‘These people are loads of fun. Too much sunscreen seeped into their brains, I bet,’ she thought.

"But why were you called here?" Willow questioned.

"Well, I wasn’t," the brown-haired Slayer admitted. "My Watcher went off to some retreat thing in England, and so I skipped out. I figured this was my chance to meet the infamous Buff and compare notes." She took another bite of her muffin. "So, what was your toughest kill?"

Buffy smiled weakly. "Um, well, you know, they’re all difficult, I guess."

Faith sipped her hot chocolate, watching her sister Slayer, awaiting a story.

"Um…Oh! Oh, do you guys remember the Three?" They all looked at her with confusion in their eyes. "Never mind."

"Hey, Buffy. Where’d Angel go? Did he leave?" Willow wanted to know. It just occurred to her that he wasn’t there.

She nodded. "Yeah. He has a Psych test second period tomorrow and went home to study for it. Kinda cut our plans for the evening short."

"Who’s Angel?" Faith asked.

"Just another pretty boy," Xander mumbled. Once again, Amy elbowed him. "Ow!"

"Angel’s my boyfriend," Buffy informed her.

"Oh. Hands off, right?"

"You got it."

She stretched out her limbs. "The vamps, though, they better get their asses to DEFCON ONE, ‘cause you and I are gonna have fun, you know."

Buffy only smiled at Faith. She didn’t quite know what to make of the new girl. But one thing she did know, things in Sunnydale would never be boring with Faith around. Of that she was sure.

***

Part 32

"So, Faith is sticking around then, huh?" Angel asked the Monday before Homecoming. The couple sat underneath a tree on the front lawn of the school, making the most of their privacy.

"Looks like it. The Council appointed Giles as her temporary Watcher until a new one could be assigned. It’s so awful what she’s going through. Seeing her Watcher die…god, I know what that’s like. It’s not easy, especially if you don’t have anyone to turn to," Buffy said.

He looked at her with concerned eyes. "How did you get through it?"

"I gave up for awhile. Mom and I were getting ready to leave L.A., so I kinda kept myself busy with packing and stuff. Basically, I tried not to think about it. When we moved here, I figured that would be the end of the slaying; that I could leave all that behind when I left Los Angeles. But I was wrong."

"I’m sorry."

"Why?" she questioned him.

Angel shrugged. "Because I wasn’t here. I was off living my perfect little life back in New York. I had no idea how rough things were for you."

"Don’t worry about it. Things turned out fine; I lived to tell the tale."

He took her hands in his. "With Faith staying in Sunnydale, have you given any thought to what it means for you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Just that maybe she could take over the slaying. From what you have told me, she seems to enjoy it. Faith could be the Sunnydale Slayer and you could semi-retire," Angel suggested. "Help out once in a while when she needs you."

Buffy frowned at his suggestion. "As novel an idea as that sounds, I can’t. Giles and I already had that discussion. I can’t get out of it; he went on this tangent about fate and destiny. It’s my gig and I’m stuck with it until I die."

"It was worth a shot."

From seemingly out of nowhere, Xander, Cordelia, Willow and Oz plopped down on the grass in front of the couple. "Hope we’re not interrupting," Cordelia stated. "Oh, who cares if we are, we need to talk to you."

Buffy lifted her eyebrows at the brunette’s tactless words. "Angel and I were in the middle of a private conversation. What do you want, Cordelia?"

"We were talking…" Xander began.

"And we all decided…" Willow continued.

"I think we should get a limo," finished Cordelia. Amy was going out of town for the dance and gave Xander permission to go with Cordelia. She figured it was safe, considering how much Xander and Cordelia despised each other.

Buffy and Angel could only stare at the group. "A limo?" he asked.

"It sounds like fun! And it is our last Homecoming Dance, so maybe we should make a big deal of it," Willow told them, hoping it would convince the two.

Xander, on the other hand, wasn’t too fond of the idea. "You wanna talk fun? Public bus. You meet the funnest people." He saw Cordelia shooting him a dirty look. "Back me up here, Oz."

"Well, if it’s a dollar issue, we could all take my van," Oz offered.

"Van?" Cordelia scoffed. "The Homecoming Queen doesn’t go to the dance in a van. Use your head."

With a roll of her eyes, Willow shook her head. Xander wasn’t quite so subtle. "Well, technically, you haven’t been elected yet," he reminded her.

"I will be."

"Without a doubt," he replied in a thinly veiled sarcastic tone.

The redhead decided to change the subject. She wasn’t in the mood to listen to the two of them bicker. "Are you guys in or out for the limo?" she asked Buffy and Angel.

"Sorry, Will, we’re out. Angel and I already booked one for ourselves," Buffy answered. "If you’d told us sooner, I’m sure we would’ve loved to get a limo with you guys. Right, Angel?"

"Yeah. Sure," Angel agreed.

"It’s okay. We’ll figure something out."

***

The following afternoon, Buffy and Angel stood in front of his locker, talking about their plans for the evening. "Are we Bronzing it tonight, or what?" Buffy asked.

"I guess so. Unless you want to do something else," he answered.

"The Bronze it is."

Cordelia sauntered over to them. "Hi, Angel. You look good today. Well, you look good every day, but that’s beside the point."

Angel didn’t quite know what to say. "Thanks. I think."

She handed him a cookie and a flyer. "Here you go. Something sweet for a sweet guy. Don’t forget to vote for me." Without a word to Buffy, she walked away.

"Am I invisible?" she asked. "Can you see me?" She waved her hand in front of his face.

"Big as life."

"I can’t believe it. At Hemery, I was Prom Princess, I was Fiesta Queen, I was on the cheerleading squad. And the yearbook was, like, a story of me. Now it’s senior year, and I’m going to be one crappy picture on one-eighth of one crappy page."

Angel closed his locker door. "Uh, no, actually, you’re not. You missed the picture-taking. They did them yesterday. Or did you get them taken and I didn’t know about it?"

"What?! Why? How?" Buffy demanded.

"When you didn’t show up, I asked Cordelia to remind you during fourth period. Didn’t she tell you?"

"No." She stomped off in the direction of the campaigning girl, leaving her boyfriend standing there, confused. "Cordelia!"

She looked up, plastering a fake smile on her face. "Buffy, you look so cute in that outfit," Cordelia complimented.

"I’m not voting for you," Buffy stated curtly.

She sighed with annoyance. "Then make it snappy."

"How come you didn’t tell me they were doing the yearbook pictures yesterday?" Buffy crossed her arms. "Angel said he told you to tell me."

"Didn’t I? Oh, I guess I forgot. What’s the big?"

"It’s just…" She sighed. "You could’ve thought about somebody else for thirty seconds, that’s all."

"Hey, I am under a *lot* of pressure here."

Buffy almost laughed at her. "Oh yeah, campaigning. Rough gig."

"What would you know about it? Just because you were Guacamole Queen when you were three doesn’t mean you understand how it works."

She glared, shooting daggers at Cordelia with her eyes. "Obviously, it involves handing out entirely lame flyers."

"No," Cordelia disagreed. "It involves being part of this school and having actual friends. Now, if it was about monsters, blood, and innards, then you’d be a shoo-in. I’d like to see *you* win the crown."

"You would?" After Cordelia walked away, Buffy narrowed her eyes. "Then you will."

Angel came up behind her, putting his hands on her shoulders. "What’s wrong? Did you talk to Cordelia? What did she say?"

"I’m running for Homecoming Queen."

"What brought that on?" he wanted to know.

"She insulted me. I’ll show her who has no friends. Cordelia Chase has awakened the Prom Queen within. And that crown is going to be mine."

***

Part 33

Inside an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of Sunnydale, a dark-skinned vampire faced two other vampires; a tall, dark-haired male and a slinky, blonde female. "Competition. Competition is a beautiful thing. It makes us strive. It…makes us accomplish. Occasionally, it makes us kill. We all have the desire to win. Point is, you’re here for the same reason. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to SlayerFest ’98!"

***

The next morning in the library, Buffy stood before Willow, Angel, Oz and Xander. To her right was a white dry erase board with the pictures of Cordelia, Holly and Michelle; below each picture, a list of each girl’s strengths and weaknesses.

"Holly, Michelle, and our real competition, Cordelia, all have big head starts." Buffy almost laughed. "Speaking of big heads, if I had a watermelon as big as Cordelia’s, I’d be rich."

While she smiled at them, the four people sitting at the table fidgeted nervously. When they didn’t react to her comment, Buffy’s smile disappeared.

"Waits for laugh…" she deadpanned. Once again, they didn’t bother to respond, so she gave up. "Okay, you’re right. Making fun of the competition only makes me seem petty. Now, this is just like any other popularity contest. I’ve done this before. The only difference being this time, I’m not actually popular."

She took a step closer to them. "Willow, I need you to make a database. See who’s for us, who’s on the fence and where our real crisis areas are. Oz, you take the fringe; musicians, those not normally inclined to vote."

Willow raised her hand. "Buffy, I think maybe you’re taking this whole thing too far. It’s just a stupid contest."

"Too far? Cordelia insulted and offended me. I have every right to seek retribution, and it would serve her right if I won."

"Buffy–"

"No. I want that crown and I am going to win it on my own. Unlike Cordy, I’m not going to give out candy and fliers and money. Dammit, I want to be Homecoming Queen. And I’ll be damned if she gets in my way," Buffy stated.

Shaking her head, Willow frowned at her, leaving the room. Oz stood up. "As Willow goes, so goes my nation."

"What did I do?" she asked her boyfriend after Xander left the room with Willow and Oz.

"I’m inclined to agree with Willow on this one," Angel said. "Don’t get me wrong, Buffy, I love you, but you are taking it too far. It’s supposed to be fun and you’re turning it into a personal vendetta."

"I’m sorry you feel that way."

Angel shrugged. "I’m sorry I do, too. Look, you’ve got my vote, and I don’t care if you win or lose. Just try to make it fun, not vicious competition."

"Fine."

At that moment, Cordelia burst into the library. "What’s up with this?" she demanded, holding up a flier with her picture on it, sporting an ink mustache.

Buffy had to stifle a giggle. "Nice artwork, Cordelia. Angel told me you could draw."

"This whole trying to be like me really isn’t funny anymore."

"I was *never* trying to be like you, and when was it funny?" she asked.

Cordelia fumed. "I don’t see why your pathetic need to recapture your glory days gives you the right to splinter my vote."

Buffy couldn’t believe the things she was hearing. "How can you think it’s okay to talk to people like this? Do you have parents?"

"Yeah. Two of them…unlike some people."

"Your brain isn’t even connected to your mouth, is it?"

"Guys, stop it!" Angel shouted, though slightly offended by Cordelia’s comment about having two parents, considering he’d lost his over six months earlier. "Both of you need to stop this…this childish behavior of yours. Right now. Now, apologize to each other."

The Slayer sighed heavily. "Sorry," she said through gritted teeth.

"Sorry," Cordelia repeated.

Not for one second did Angel buy either apology.

***

"Limo’s here, Mom," Buffy announced Saturday night. "I’m going."

"Have fun, sweetie. And remember what I told you about spending the night at Angel’s place," her mother reminded her.

She nodded. "I know. You have my word. I’m not going to go off and do something stupid. Angel already knows."

"Okay." Mrs. Summers fixed Buffy’s bright red spaghetti-strap dress. "You look absolutely lovely. Have a great time."

"I will. Bye."

Buffy walked out to the limo, the driver opening the door for her. When she stepped inside, she didn’t find Angel waiting for her, but Cordelia. "What’s going on? Where’s Angel?"

Instead of answering, she handed Buffy the card she’d found on the seat when the limo had picked her up ten minutes earlier.

Dear Cordelia and Buffy,

We won’t be riding in the limo with you. We want you to work out your problems because our friendships are more important than who wins Homecoming Queen.

Your friends

P.S. The limo wasn’t cheap. Work it out.

"Well…" Buffy began.

"This is *so* not how I wanted to show up at the dance tonight," Cordelia stated. "With you on my arm."

The blonde groaned. "Oh please. You think this is my dream come true? No way. I wanted to walk in there with my boyfriend."

Cordelia rolled her eyes. "Whatever. I still don’t know what it is he sees in you."

"Would you shut up?" The window separating the driver from the back of the limo rolled down, and a remote control came flying toward them. Buffy caught it. "Press play," she read.

After she did, a face she vaguely recognized popped up on the television screen. "Hello, ladies. Welcome to SlayerFest ’98."

***

For the millionth time in the past two hours, Angel checked the time on the clock on the south wall of the Bronze. ‘Where is Buffy? She and Cordelia should have gotten here a long time ago,’ he thought.

"Hi there," a pretty brunette in a form-fitting black dress said, standing in front of him.

Angel looked up. "Hi. Do I know you?" he wanted to know.

She shook her head. "No, I don’t go here, but one of my friends does and I thought I’d surprise her. But you looked so lonely, I just had to come over."

"Oh. I am actually waiting for someone," Angel told her.

"Want some company?"

He shook his head. "Thanks anyway, but she should be here any minute. She probably got held up."

"Girlfriend?"

"Yeah."

Buffy saw them talking as she walked into the club after the battle was over. She looked trashed, but didn’t particularly care. All she wanted to do was see her boyfriend and fall into his arms. She didn’t even care if she won Homecoming Queen anymore.

"Do you have a name?" the girl asked.

"It’s Angel," Buffy answered, making her presence known.

The girl widened her brown eyes. "B, I didn’t even see you there. My god, what happened? Did you run into some vamps?"

"SlayerFest ’98, hosted by Mr. Trick and one of the Gorch brothers," she informed the girl, who happened to be her sister Slayer, Faith. "They thought Cordelia was you and tried to kill us. They’re dead now."

"And Cordelia?" Angel asked.

Buffy pointed to the concession stand. "Still breathing. I see you met Faith," she addressed Angel.

"I didn’t…" he started.

"This is Angel? Your Angel?" Faith looked him up and down with appreciation. "You were right, he is tall, dark and studly."

"Excuse me?" Angel said.

"Now you’ve met."

"Sorry, Buff. I didn’t mean to come on to your boyfriend," apologized Faith. "If I’d known who he was, I never would have even tried."

"Don’t worry about it."

Faith nodded. "Guess that means we’re five by five. Cool. Well, good luck with the Homecoming Queen thing. See you later." She strolled away from them toward the dance floor.

"So that’s Faith, huh?" Angel asked.

"Yep."

"What happened?"

She took a sip of the soda her boyfriend was holding in his hand before beginning her story. "We got ambushed on the way to the dance. A couple of vampires kidnapped us and tried to kill us. Nothing overly exciting, and Cordy kicked some butt. They’re dust, so all’s well that ends well."

"I’m glad you’re okay."

"That makes two of us."

"You know, they are announcing the winner of Homecoming Queen in a few minutes," he told his girlfriend.

Buffy shrugged her shoulders. "Who cares. All I care about at the moment is dancing with my handsome boyfriend."

***

Part 34

"Are you sure you want to stay over?" Angel asked after he opened the door to the empty apartment.

"I’m positive. I thought you and I were going to do the campout thing in the living room," Buffy said. "Unless you changed your mind and think I should just go home."

He shook his head. "No, not at all. Of course I want you to stay, Buffy. But given your run-in this evening with those vampires, I guess I figured you’d feel safer in your own bed."

"SlayerFest ’98 was a huge bust, and I’m feeling perfectly fine. Did you have fun tonight? I mean, even though your date showed up close to two hours later?"

"Yeah, I did. It was definitely an eventful evening. Did you have a good time?"

"Yes, for the most part. Aside from the getting kidnapped part." Buffy grimaced. "I’m sorry I didn’t win Homecoming Queen for you. I know how much you wanted to say you’ve dated a beauty queen."

"I already told you before, Buffy, that stuff doesn’t matter to me. Michelle and Holly won, so what?" Angel commented. "Besides, I am dating a beauty queen."

"A former beauty queen."

He smiled at her. "It was Fiesta Queen, right? That’s better than Homecoming Queen, isn’t it?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "I guess so. Remember how I told you winning didn’t matter? I was wrong. It was majorly disappointing to know all my hard work was for nothing. For all I know, I didn’t even get one single vote."

"I voted for you. And I can think of a few other people who did, too. In my mind, you are the Homecoming Queen. Even though you don’t have the crown to prove it."

"Thanks. You know just how to make me feel better."

"It’s my job. Wait right here for a minute," ordered Angel. "I’ll be right back."

While Angel went into his bedroom, Buffy sat down on the couch, her hands folded in her lap. ‘What is he doing?’ she wondered. When he returned a minute later, he was holding a square black box in his hands.

"What’s going on?" Buffy wanted to know.

Angel sat down on the couch next to her. "I wanted to wait another two weeks, but you seem like you could use some cheering up." He handed her the box. "This is for you. Happy anniversary."

"Anniversary?" she repeated.

"Yeah. Two weeks from Wednesday is the six month anniversary of our first date," he told her. "I had to get you something nice."

Flabbergasted, Buffy could only stare at the box she held in her hands. "You didn’t have to."

"Yes I did. Are you going to open it?"

Returning to reality, Buffy slowly opened the box. She gasped out loud when she saw its contents. Inside was a gold locket in the shape of a heart, dangling from a delicate gold chain. "Oh my god," she whispered. "Angel, it’s beautiful."

"I’m glad you like it."

"Would you put in on me?" she asked.

Angel took the box from her and carefully removed the necklace. Unlatching the clasp, he stood up, making his way behind her to place the necklace around her neck. Once he secured it in place, he placed a soft kiss where the chain touched her skin.

"All done," he announced, returning to his spot next to her. "It looks perfect on you."

She fingered the locket. "You know, you shouldn’t have done this. It probably cost you a fortune."

He shook his head. "It was my mom’s. My dad bought it for her on their five year wedding anniversary. I wanted to give it to you."

Buffy gazed at him in amazement. "I don’t have anything to give you."

Leaning over, Angel moved a stray hair from her cheek. "Yes you do."

She knew what he was implying, but didn’t reply to him. Instead, she felt her eyes closing and her head moving closer to his. A rush of warmth flooded her body the second their lips met, and she welcomed it. She loved the feeling of comfort she got from being near him, and feared the day it went way.

His tongue grazed over her lips, pushing forward into her mouth in an effort to seek its mate. The two appendages danced and dueled between their mouths, while their hands roamed endlessly each other’s bodies. Angel’s suit coat had been thrown on the back of the reclining chair shortly after they’d arrived, and before they knew it, his shirt was unbuttoned, pushed over his shoulders. Buffy honestly couldn’t remember if she’d done it or if he had. Everything seemed so fuzzy.

Her hands ran over the warm, exposed flesh of her boyfriend’s chest, feeling the muscles ripple beneath her touch. Her fingernails scratched his nipples, causing him to moan into her mouth. Angel wasn’t sure if it surprised him or not that she knew just where to touch him. Every caress drove him closer to the edge; closer to taking her right there on the couch, not caring if his sister walked in and caught them in the act.

He glided his right hand from her waist up to her back, finding the zipper of her dress. Pushing it all the way down to the end of its track, he slid his hand inside the opening to touch her. She hadn’t worn a bra, and for that Angel was grateful; it meant one less obstacle to deal with. He wanted to feel her without limits; he wanted to join with her in the most intimate showing of love.

As he began to lower the straps of her dress off her shoulders, Buffy knew she had to stop him before they went too far. "No," she said, breathless from their passionate kissing.

"You feel so good," Angel told her, his lips grazing along her neck to her shoulders. "And smell and taste wonderful, too."

"We have to stop," she begged him. "Please."

"I don’t want to." He looked her in the eye, caressing her cheek with his fingertips. "I want to make love to you tonight, Buffy."

Buffy shook her head. "Angel, we can’t. I promised my mother."

"She doesn’t have to know."

"What if Cathy comes home?" she tried to reason.

"She went to visit some friends and promised not to be home much before two o’clock. If that’s what you’re worried about, we can go into my bedroom for privacy."

"No, that isn’t what I’m worried about. Please, Angel, can’t we just wait a little bit longer?"

He sighed. "I don’t understand. I thought you wanted to."

"I do. And if I hadn’t promised my mom I wouldn’t do anything tonight, I would. Believe me, Angel, I want to be with you so badly I can’t hardly think straight. But I don’t want to lose my trust with my mother, either. Things are already kinda strained between us as it is." Buffy frowned. "I hope you understand my reasons for not wanting to tonight."

Angel nodded. He did understand, but his body didn’t like it. "Yeah, I understand, I guess. I’m sorry for putting you in an uncomfortable situation."

"It wasn’t uncomfortable, trust me. It’s been a long time since I felt like that. And I promise you, we will make love one day," promised Buffy. "Just not tonight."

Angel gave her a sweet, gentle kiss. "Whenever you’re ready. Why don’t you go take a shower."

"Don’t you want to take one first?" she asked.

"No, you first. Ladies before gentlemen. I’ll set up the sleeping bags and stuff out here while you’re in there."

"Okay."

As he heard the shower go on three minutes later, Angel hoped she made it a quick shower, because he needed one. A long, cold shower.

***

Part 35

Faith and Buffy were on patrol a week later, stakes in hand, waiting for some action. It was Faith’s first patrol through the area with Buffy. "Nice place," she commented. "Do you ever catch kids doing the diddy out here?"

"Nah. There’s a smooch spot up by the woods. That’s usually where the kids go."

"Yeah? I bet you and Angel have been up there kicking the gearshift."

"Hardly," Buffy scoffed. "Neither one of us has a car, not that we would be up there anyway."

Faith smiled mischievously. "But you like him. When you think about him, you get that good, down low tickle, right?"

She shrugged slightly, unable to stop from smiling at her sister Slayer’s comment. "Yeah, I guess." Buffy paused for a moment and thought. "How low?"

"You tell me," Faith laughed.

"How about not? But he is nice and he’s funny."

They continued their patrol through the graveyard. "And quite a muffin," the brunette added.

"Blueberry, with that crunchy-munchy stuff on top. It’s hard to explain, but Angel’s perfect. Everything I’ve ever wanted in a boyfriend and never thought I could have."

"Have you two done the nasty yet?"

"Faith!" Buffy exclaimed.

"Come on, you can tell me. You’re the only friend I’ve got around here. Who am I gonna tell?" Faith pleaded. "I’m dying to know how far you’ve gone with Mr. Tall, Dark and Gorgeous."

The blonde Slayer sighed. "All right. Technically, Angel and I haven’t slept together."

"What do you mean by ‘technically’?"

"Just that we haven’t physically made love. We’ve fooled around a little, like after Homecoming, but we never went all the way," Buffy divulged.

"You’ve done it before, haven’t you?" Faith asked. When Buffy didn’t respond, she stopped, grabbing the blonde by the arm. "Oh my god, don’t tell me you’re still a virgin!"

She shook her head. "I really don’t want to talk about it. It’s not something I feel comfortable discussing."

"Come on, a simple yes or no would suffice."

Buffy sighed, innately knowing Faith would not give up until she had an answer. "The short answer is no."

"Who was he?"

"No one you know."

"Was it Xander?" Faith questioned, desperate to hear all the information.

"Ew! No way!" the blonde exclaimed once again. "Xander is just a good friend. It happened before I came here." ‘I suppose that’s not really a lie,’ she thought.

Faith nodded in understanding. "I get it. A goodbye screw…never thought you had it in ya, B."

"It wasn’t like that. Look, can we drop the subject?"

"Sure. So tell me, you planning on sleeping with you current studmuffin anytime in the near future?"

Buffy laughed. "You never give up, do you?"

***

It was well after midnight when Buffy returned home from patrol; she and Faith had come upon a nest of vampires in a mausoleum and it had taken them a good forty-five minutes to dust them all. As she climbed through her bedroom window, she didn’t notice her mother sitting on her bed, her arms folded under her breasts.

"Exactly what do you think you’re doing?" demanded Mrs. Summers.

Buffy glanced up, shocked to see her mother in her bedroom. "Mom. I didn’t see you there. Sorry."

"You didn’t answer my question, young lady. What are you doing crawling through your bedroom window at twenty after twelve on a school night?"

"I was out."

"Doing what?" her mother wanted to know. "Because it must have been really important for you to sneak in an hour after curfew."

"I’m sorry, Mom."

Mrs. Summers glared angrily at her daughter. "You’re sorry? I was worried about you! Where were you? Out with Angel, perhaps?"

"No. I was out with Faith."

"That brown-haired girl with the tight clothes? She’s the reason you purposely disobeyed your curfew? I always thought you had more sense, Buffy." She took a deep breath, trying to control herself. "What exactly were you two doing?"

"We went for a walk," she answered.

"At midnight? Give me a break." Mrs. Summers paused, seeing a red spot on her daughter’s powder blue t-shirt. "Is that blood on your shirt?"

She nodded solemnly. "Yes." She knew this was it, no more lying to her mother. Mrs. Summers needed to hear the truth.

"Why is it there? Did something happen to you? Were you mugged?" A million different scenarios went through her mind, none of which she liked very much.

"I’m fine. But I have to tell you something. And you’re probably going to think I’m completely loony and will want to have me put away in a mental hospital after you hear it."

"What is it?"

Buffy made eye contact with her mother, who was anxiously awaiting an explanation. "Mom, I’m a vampire Slayer."

"A what?" she asked after a lengthy pause.

"Vampires are real and I kill them. One girl is chosen in each generation to be the Slayer, and back in L.A. two years ago, I was called. Every night, I go out on patrol through the streets and kill the vampires. Staking, beheading, etc.…you know, like you read in the horror novels, only real. Sunnydale is located on a Hellmouth, so a lot of supernatural creatures flock here. It’s my job to save the world on a nightly basis. And Faith is my sister Slayer. See, I-I died last year for a few minutes and she was called." Buffy hesitated, gauging her mother’s reaction. "Mom? Are you okay?"

"Are you on drugs, Buffy?"

Her jaw dropped. "No! Look, everything I told you was the god’s honest truth. If you don’t believe me, you can call Giles."

"Your school librarian? Is he your supplier?"

"He’s my Watcher. Giles guides me, looks up the demons I have to fight on a nightly basis," she explained. "He can explain this whole Slayer gig better than I can."

Mrs. Summers stood up. "No. This is just some outlandish lie you cooked up to keep yourself out of trouble."

"Mom, open your eyes! What do you think has been going on with me for the past two years? How many times have you had to wash blood out of my clothes and you still don’t get it? I’m not on drugs, nor am I in a gang. If you looked hard enough, you’d see that!" she exploded.

"Don’t use that tone of voice with me, young lady. I’m your mother, not some kid at school. And consider yourself grounded until further notice."

"Mom!"

"Good night. We’ll talk about this in the morning." Mrs. Summers said before leaving her daughter alone in her bedroom.

***

Angel groaned when he heard the telephone ringing on the bedside table. With a yawn, he looked at the clock; it read twelve thirty-five in the morning. ‘This had better be important.’ "Hello?" he answered when he picked it up.

"Angel? Is that you?"

He immediately recognized his girlfriend’s voice. "Buffy? Is something wrong?"

"I’m sorry for calling so late. I just needed someone to talk to, and you were the only person I thought of," she said.

"It’s okay. What do you need to talk about?"

Buffy sniffled, still upset about her conversation with her mother. "My mom…she’s mad at me because I told her everything. She knows the truth about who I really am and doesn’t believe me."

"That’s awful, Buffy. God, I don’t even know what to say. Maybe you should give her some time to cool off. It *is* a lot to swallow all at once. Believe me, I know."

"What if she hates me?"

"She’s your mother. Trust me, she doesn’t hate you. She’ll get past it and learn to accept that slaying is a part of who you are."

Laying under the covers, Buffy smiled at her boyfriend’s reassuring words. "You always know the right words to say, Angel. I love you."

"I love you, too."

"Would you talk to me until I fall asleep?" she asked.

"It’s almost one in the morning," Angel pointed out. "We have class in seven hours."

"Please?" she begged.

In that tone of voice, Angel knew he couldn’t say no. And he didn’t. He stayed on the phone with her for another half-hour, giving her soothing words to fall asleep to.

***

Part 36

"You know, I’m surprised your mom let me even come over tonight," Angel commented one night in the middle of November, several weeks after her grounding. "Even if all we’re doing is studying."

Buffy nodded in agreement. "Yeah, tell me about it. Ever since I told her about the Slayer thing, she’s been acting all overprotective and stuff. But I guess since all we’re going is studying, she doesn’t mind." She sighed. "What I really want is for her to un-ground me. I hate having to stay in every night while you guys get to go out and have fun."

"I told you it would take some time for her to get used to the idea."

"I know. Maybe I feel a little guilty for leaving all the slaying to Faith while this thing blows over with Mom. It’s not fair to her."

Angel reached across the table to grasp his girlfriend’s hand. "Don’t worry about it, Buffy. Faith isn’t too upset about it; the girl loves slaying. In fact, I bet if she were here right now, she’d tell you everything’s okay and not to rush back into it. Maybe she’ll even let you retire."

"Angel…"

"I know, I know; wishful thinking. But you never know, it could happen."

She frowned. "Only in my dreams."

To help cheer her up, Angel pressed his lips to hers. Buffy responded to the feel of him touching her; his right hand lightly stroking the back of her neck, his left hand still holding hers, caressing the knuckles on her right hand. It was a loving, yet erotic motion to her on his part.

As quiet as a mouse, Mrs. Summers entered the kitchen, seeing her daughter kissing her boyfriend. "I thought this was a study session," she stated, announcing her presence. "And I’m not seeing a lot of studying being done."

Buffy removed her lips from Angel’s. "Sorry. We were taking a break."

"Well, whatever your excuse is, I think it’s time for Angel to leave. It’s nine-thirty."

"Mom!" Buffy exclaimed.

He stood up, gathering his books. "No, Buffy, it’s okay. It is getting kinda late, I should go home." Giving her a quick kiss on the cheek, Angel headed for the door. "Night, Mrs. Summers. Buffy, I’ll see you in the morning."

Once he had left the house, Buffy whirled on her mother. "I can’t believe you did that! You practically threw Angel out on his ass!"

"The purpose of him coming over was to study, not make out with you at the kitchen table. Now that he’s left, perhaps you’ll get more studying accomplished," her mother said.

"Why are you acting like this?"

"Because you need to start behaving more responsibly. I’m your mother and it’s my job to make sure you stay safe and out of trouble."

"I *am* safe, nor am I getting in trouble. We were just kissing!" Buffy stared at her mother with astonishment. "You’re not acting like my mother anymore, you’re acting like a tyrant. Ever since I told you I am the Slayer, you’ve become this other person."

"Your Mr. Giles may have explained things to me, but I still don’t like it. I don’t want you to be the Slayer. I want you to be Buffy, the sweet little girl I raised. Not some super hero with special powers."

"Do you think I wanted to be the Slayer?" she asked. "I didn’t. But it is a part of who I am. And you know what, Mom? No amount of grounding me is going to change that!"

"You should let Faith do the slaying. Think about it, you’ll be starting college in the fall…you could be a normal girl again," Mrs. Summers told her. "There’s a whole new world of possibilities out there for you to explore."

"I can’t. It’s not like I can wake up one morning and stop being the Slayer. It would be like you waking up and not being a mom; what would you do? Truthfully, I wouldn’t know where to begin. Slaying is too much a part of me, I’m sorry," Buffy apologized. "I wish you would stop being my mother for a little while and try to understand that."

***

Mayor Richard Wilkins stood behind his desk inside City Hall, his arm draped comfortably over the back of his leather chair. "I appreciate you coming." He began walking toward his visitor. "I realize it’s early…for you…but I think you’ll agree that this matter is urgent. Also, delicate."

Mr. Trick didn’t back up, despite the very close proximity of the Mayor and his intimidating stature. "I’m a very delicate person."

"So you feel you can handle this?"

The dark-skinned, well-dressed vampire took an unnecessary breath. "It’s a little out of my element, but I can get you what you need. I know a beast who knows a guy."

Mayor Wilkins made his way over to the large oak cabinet on the other side of the room. "Are you sure that subcontracting is the way to go here?"

"Well, this guy’s worked your town before, and if he lives up to his rep, this place’ll be in flames," Mr. Trick promised with a smile.

"I’ve made certain deals to get where I am today. This demon requires his tribute." The Mayor opened the cabinet. "You see, I *keep* my campaign promises."

***

The next morning at school, Buffy, Willow, Angel and Xander walked into the cafeteria for something to drink before their first period classes.

"Did you guys study for the English test today?" Willow asked Buffy and Angel. "It’s going to be killer."

"Yep," the blonde replied. "Angel came over last night after dinner and we did the study thing."

Xander laughed. "I’m willing to bet a lot of studying got done, too. Between the smooches." Angel smacked him over the head with the palm of his hand. "Hey, that hurt!"

"Good."

"For your information, Xander, we got a lot accomplished. Well, before Mom kicked him out in a fit of motherly rage," Buffy informed them.

Willow gazed at her best friend sympathetically. "She’s still not happy with you being the Slayer, huh?"

"That would be a big fat no."

As the four of them approached the soda machine, they came across Principal Snyder, who was handing out boxes of candy bars to nearby students. Willow’s face lit up. "Ooh, candy bars! Lots of ‘em!"

The Principal handed a box to Xander when he tried to walk around him. "Principal Snyder, thank you! You weren’t visited by the Ghost of Christmas Past, by any chance?" the boy jokingly asked.

"It’s band candy," the Principal dryly replied.

"Let’s hear it for the band, huh? Very generous," Buffy commented.

"You will sell it to raise money for the marching band. They need new uniforms."

Xander almost burst into a fit of laughter. "Yeah. Those tall, fuzzy hats ain’t cheap, huh?"

Angel shrugged, happy that Principal Snyder didn’t hand him a box like he had Xander. "But they go with everything."

"I’m sure we love the idea of going all Willy Loman, but we’re not in the band," Buffy pointed out.

Principal Snyder remained nonplussed by her remark. "And if I’d handed you a trombone, that would’ve been a problem, Summers." He shoved a box of candy into her arms. "It’s candy. Sell it. All of you."

***

"But you’re not in the band," Mrs. Summers reminded her daughter as they ate dinner at the island in the kitchen later that night.

Buffy made a face. "And yet."

"Buffy, what would I do with forty chocolate bars?" she asked.

"You could hand them out at the Gallery," Buffy suggested. "’Buy something Pre-Columbian, get a free cavity.’"

Mrs. Summers considered for several moments. ‘It *is* for a good cause. I suppose it wouldn’t do any harm to help.’ "Twenty."

"You’re a good mom."

"I’m the best," she agreed.

Buffy took a sip of water. "No, I’m pretty sure the best moms would un-ground their daughters for one night so she could go out with her friends."

"I want you home. I like knowing you’re safe."

She sighed, giving up. It looked like she wasn’t going to be going to the Bronze with Angel the next night. Despite her promise to him otherwise.

***

Part 37

"I heard there was a secret rule that if a teacher’s more than ten minutes late, we can all leave," Cordelia said during third period study hall Friday morning.

Buffy, who had been studying with Angel at the table in front of Cordelia and Xander, looked up. "It’s Giles’ turn to watch study hall. He’ll be here. He’s allergic to late."

Cordelia sighed heavily. "He is wound a little tight. I had this Philosophy book checked out from the library for, like, a year, and he made me pay the fine, even though it was huge. I was sad to return it. It was perfect for starting conversations with college boys."

To Buffy’s right, Angel silently asked her, ‘Is she for real?’ When she smiled back at him, he placed his hand on her right leg, rubbing it from the knee to the thigh. Buffy put her hand over his to make him stop, afraid someone would see them.

"I like chocolate," Xander stated. "There is no bad here."

"You still have some left?" Cordelia asked, astonished. "I went to, like, four houses, and they were gone. My mother bought seven and locked herself in the master bedroom."

"At least we’re raising a lot of money for the band," Angel added.

"The band. Yeah. They’re great. They march," rambled Xander.

A few seconds later, Ms. Barton walked into the room, clapping her hands in order to quiet the rowdy students. "Hey! We’re all stuck here, okay? So now let’s just sit quietly and pretend we’re reading something." She indicated to a book sitting on her desk. "Until we’re sure that old Commandant Snyder’s gone. Then we’re outta here!"

Xander stared in amazement as the teacher smiled wickedly at the students. "Does anyone else wanna marry Ms. Barton?"

"Get in line," agreed the brunette sitting next to him.

"I guess Giles isn’t coming?" Angel asked Buffy.

Something wasn’t right, she could feel it. "I guess not."

***

"It was the weirdest thing," Buffy began as she, Angel and Willow walked into the Bronze that evening. "I told my mom I want to be treated like an adult and she said okay. Although it was a bit strange to see her sifting through my closet for something to wear."

"That’s good, I suppose," Angel said, holding her hand. "I mean, at least you got to come out with us tonight."

She nodded. "Yeah. But I wonder if this is some sort of mid-life crisis thing she’s going through. It’s like she totally forgot she grounded me. Not that I’m complaining."

Willow put out her arm to stop the other two. "Then your mom isn’t the only one, Buffy. Look." She pointed to the crowd inside the club. It was full of dancing and singing adults.

"Let’s do the time warp again," Angel commented sarcastically.

"Maybe there’s a reunion in town, or, or a Billy Joel tour or something," Willow suggested.

A woman walked by them; she seemed strangely familiar to the three. "Ms. Barton?" Buffy called incredulously.

She stopped. "Buffy? Whoa!"

"Are you okay, Ms. Barton?" the redhead wanted to know. Their teacher was the last person they had expected to see there.

Ms. Barton widely smiled. "Oh, I’m cool, Willow. Willow…that’s a tree." She giggled like a little girl. "You’re a tree. And Angel…a heavenly body." Without bothering to conceal it, the teacher looked him up and down with appreciation. "Yep, definitely a heavenly body."

Buffy’s breath got caught in her throat. "A-Are you sure you don’t need some air, Ms. Barton?"

"Okay," she said with a hysterical laugh before disappearing into the crowd.

"Hey, this is not normal," Willow stated.

Angel stood in place, dumbfounded. "Ms. Barton was checking me out. She’s, like, sixty. It’s sick." He caught the look on his girlfriend’s face. "Uh, w-well, maybe that goes without saying."

From seemingly out of nowhere, Principal Snyder came up behind Willow and Buffy, putting his arms around their shoulders. Once again, Angel couldn’t seem to move. ‘What is going on here? First Ms. Barton, now Principal Snyder?’ he thought. "Principal Snyder?"

The principal smirked. "Call me Snyder. Just a last name, like…Barbarino." He let go of them, dancing around so he faced them, standing to the left of Angel. "Hey, did you see Ms. Barton? I think she’s wasted. I’m gonna have to put that in her next performance review ‘cause…’cause I’m the principal!" he said, smiling.

Willow leaned toward Buffy. "I don’t like this. They could have heart attacks."

"Uh, well…ma-maybe there’s a doctor here."

When an older, shirtless man climbed onstage, Willow’s eyes widened with shock. "I think that *is* my doctor. He-he’s usually less…topless."

Principal Snyder threw his arm around Angel’s shoulder as if they were best friends. "Whoa! There are some foxy ladies here tonight! Don’t you think Buffy looks foxy tonight, Angel?"

"Yeah. She always does," he replied, perplexed by his behavior.

"What’s happening?" Willow asked her best friend.

She shrugged her shoulders. "I’m not exactly sure, but one thing I *do* know is that it’s one wish I didn’t make. There’s no grownups; they’re acting like…like a bunch of us."

***

In a warehouse not far from the Bronze, Mr. Trick and Ethan Rayne walked past the assembly line, still cranking out the chocolate bars. "Demand’s high," Mr. Trick stated matter-of-factly.

"I thought it might be," Ethan added in his thick British accent.

"That’s the reason I love this country. You make a good product, and the people will come to you. Of course, a lot of them are gonna die, but that’s the other reason I love this country." He checked his watch. "We’re getting close. It’s almost feeding time."

***

While Willow headed in the direction of Xander’s house to do some research on what was going on, Buffy and Angel walked through the center of town in search of her Watcher.

"So where are all the vampires?" Buffy asked. "Soup’s on, but no one’s grabbing a spoon."

Angel caught sight of a couple in the middle of a heated embrace on the hood of a police car. His eyebrows lifted nearly to his hairline when he saw who they were, and pointed. "Buffy…"

She looked in the direction he was pointing to, and her jaw dropped. "Mom? Giles!?"

"Go away," Giles demanded. "We’re busy."

Running over to them, Buffy pulled her Watcher off of her mother. "Mom!" Her mother ignored her, instead she was staring at Giles. "Mom! Look at me. Do you know who I am?"

Mrs. Summers smiled as Giles lit a cigarette a few feet away. "Of course. You’re Buffy. And that’s Angel," she said, pointing to the young man standing behind her daughter. "Hey, look. They’re, they’re giving away candy. You want some candy?"

"No, I don’t! And you don’t need any more, either."

"Screw you! I want candy!" Mrs. Summers shouted.

"Mom!"

She stood up, towering over her daughter in her heels. "You wanna slay stuff, and *I’m* not allowed to do anything about it. Well, this is what *I* wanna do, so get off my back!"

"Mom, please, this is…"

Giles interrupted her, reaching for Mrs. Summers. "Oh, for god’s sake. Just let your mum have the sodding candy. C’mon, Joyce."

"Listen to me!"

"No, you listen to me! I’m your Watcher, so you do what I tell you. Now, sod off!" Giles yelled at her.

Buffy watched helplessly as her mother and Giles began kissing and touching one another. "Angel, now what?"

He shook his head. "I have no idea."

"Ever since we started selling that band candy…" Buffy stopped. "That’s it. The chocolate is making them act like teenagers. It has to be the reason. Nothing else makes sense."

"But why? Who would do that?" Angel asked.

Just then, she saw Ethan Rayne walk out of the telephone booth across the street and go into a nearby warehouse. "You stay here and keep an eye on my mom and Giles. I think I know who’s behind this."

***

Part 38

Buffy followed Ethan into the warehouse, innately knowing he was the one behind the tainted chocolate bars. He sat himself down on a cardboard box, watching out the window as the adults down below rioted for more candy.

"Ethan Rayne," Buffy said, crossing her arms across her chest and glaring disapprovingly at him. "I should have known you were behind this."

He turned around to face her. "I love this town; just can’t seem to stay away." Giving her a longer, harder look, he smiled charmingly. "I remember you. Halloween last year; seventeenth century noblewoman. The costume looked absolutely stunning on you."

"Shut up," she ordered. "I almost died thanks to you and that stupid costume."

"But you looked wonderful. My my, aren’t we testy. You’re here now, aren’t you?" Ethan asked.

"I am, but in a few minutes, you might not be. Unless you tell me what I want to know. And you better not lie to me, because I’ll know if you are. And believe me when I say one wrong answer will cause you to lose all your points." Buffy took several steps closer to him, successfully cornering him. "Who’s behind this? The real brains, because I know it’s not you."

"Easy there, girlie. I’m not out to hurt your precious Watcher. Though I’m seeing it as an added perk. It looks like Ripper came out to play." Off her look of surprise, he smiled. "Oh, don’t seem so surprised that I know who you are, Slayer."

She practically growled at him, extremely upset. "You’re starting to piss me off, Ethan. I’ll ask again, and this time you’d better answer me. Who is the mastermind? You know, the man behind the curtain."

The older British man shrugged his shoulders. "I couldn’t tell you; I’m just the middle man. All I know is that there’s an offering of some kind tonight and I was hired to…incapacitate the adults of this idyllic little town."

"An offering? What kind of offering?" Buffy demanded.

"Not quite sure. But it’s big. And it’s starting in a few minutes, so you’d better hurry," he taunted.

"Where are they?"

Ethan smirked. "You’ll have to kill me first."

"What a loss that would be, too," she said. Without any warning whatsoever, she punched him in the nose. "Feeling ready to tell me now?"

***

Angel, Giles and Mrs. Summers did their best to keep up with Buffy as she led them through the sewers beneath the town. She hadn’t told them what was going on or why they were going down there, but Angel could tell it was something big by the look on her face.

"Buffy, slow down," he pleaded with her, running to her side.

"I can’t. If I slow down, people could die. Innocent people and lots of little, helpless babies."

"Then at least tell me what’s going on. Why are we down in the sewers?"

"There’s gonna be a sacrifice tonight; that’s why all the adults were acting like…like us. The candy bars we’ve been selling for the band were laced with some kind of drug to make them act that way. Apparently, a demon named Lurconis requires a ritual sacrifice of babies. And if we don’t hurry up, we won’t be able to stop it," she told him.

He touched her shoulder. "What do you want me to do? I want to help in any way I can."

Reaching into the waistband of her jeans, Buffy pulled out a long stake. "Keep my mom and Giles safe while I stop this. And be careful with this thing if you have to use it."

"I know how to kill a vampire. Don’t worry about me."

After another minute of walking, they reached a cavern filled with demons and vampires, along with babies in swaddling blankets. "This is it," she whispered to Angel. "Let’s get ready to rumble."

***

"Here we are, Mom," Buffy said an hour later. "Safe and sound at home."

Mrs. Summers made a disgusted face as they entered the house. "What was I thinking when I bought the Geek Machine?"

From behind her, Angel had to stifle a giggle. To him, hearing a forty-something year old woman talk like that was just too funny. He couldn’t imagine his mother saying the stuff Mrs. Summers was saying when she was alive.

"Three years ago," she reminded her mother. "And it’s not *that* bad."

"I always thought I’d be driving a Ford Mustang. But I suppose Hank never let me buy one. Figures. Make him buy you one, Buffy. So I can drive it."

"Sure, Mom. Once you let me get my license."

Mrs. Summers made another face. "So go tomorrow and get it. I’m surprised you don’t have it already. You *are* seventeen."

"I failed the written; they wouldn’t even *let* me take the road test. Besides, you grounded me indefinitely," Buffy told her mother.

"Pfft!" Mrs. Summers spat as she made her way up the stairs to her bedroom. "As if I ever listened to my mother when she grounded me. Go out and have fun while you’re still young enough to have it."

"Yeah, Mom. Want me to help you get into bed?"

"I’m not in a nursing home yet, Buffy. Geez, it’s a Friday night, go out. Your good-looking boyfriend is downstairs waiting for you."

Buffy smiled. "I’ll go walk him home. What time do you want me back?"

"You mean you actually expect me to tell you when to come home? You never paid attention to your curfew before, why start now?"

"Okay…" She didn’t quite know what to make of her mother’s behavior. ‘It has to be from the candy. Oh well, I might as well take advantage of it while I can.’ "See you later, then."

When Buffy began to exit the room, her mother called out to her. "Honey, remember what I told you before. Have fun."

***

Fifteen minutes later, when Buffy and Angel entered the apartment he shared with his sister, he just couldn’t stay still. He had been wound up from the battle earlier that evening, and had more energy than he knew what to do with.

Buffy couldn’t help laughing at him. "I’ve never seen you this wound up before," she commented.

"I don’t know…maybe it was all the excitement tonight. I feel like I could do just about anything right now. I have all this extra energy to burn," Angel told her.

"Yeah, it was a pretty exciting night."

"Is it always like that?"

She shook her head. "No, not always. It’s usually a couple vamps and maybe a stray demon on a good night."

"I killed four vampires, Buffy. Four! A stake through the heart and poof, they were gone. I loved it; I loved slaying!"

"It can be an exhilarating feeling. A total rush."

"Better than sex. Well, almost."

Buffy laughed. "I wouldn’t necessarily say that."

She gazed deeply into his chocolate brown eyes, and finally understood what Faith had meant that first night they met; about slaying making her both hungry and horny. Only this time, she wasn’t hungry. Her heart pounded in her chest like a sledgehammer, and a tingling sensation made its way through her body before settling in her stomach. This was to be their night.

Her gaze caught Angel’s attention. "Are you okay?"

"I’m fine. Better than fine, actually." ‘Who would’ve thought slaying could be such an aphrodesiac?’

"Did you want to go home? I know you are still grounded."

Buffy shook her head. "I don’t want to go home tonight, Angel. I want to spend the night here with you."

"What about your mom?"

"I’m sure she won’t even notice if I don’t come home."

Placing her hand on the back of his neck, Buffy pushed her boyfriend’s head down for a kiss. She practically shoved her tongue into his mouth the moment their lips met, not that he cared. Never in all their months together had she come on to him like that, and he loved it. He was seeing a new side to Buffy, one that threw her cares to the wind and lived for the moment.

But his better sense kicked in. As much as he wanted to keep going, he simply couldn’t. The way he was feeling – extremely aroused – he knew it would be too hard for him to stop if Buffy decided she wasn’t ready to take the next step. So he had to stop it before it went too far.

"Why did you do that?" Buffy asked when he broke their kiss.

Angel took a deep breath. "Because if I don’t stop this now, I won’t be able to later."

"Angel, I don’t want to stop. I’m ready for this. Please."

"Are you absolutely sure?" he asked her.

She nodded. "Yeah, I am. As long as you want to and if you still have the…the condoms you brought on the camping trip with you, I think we’re all set."

Buffy took his hand and led him to his bedroom, quietly shutting the door behind them. When Angel saw her looking at his bed, reality set him. They were going to make love.

"I want you to be sure about this," he said. "We’re going to reach a certain point where we can’t go back."

"Why do you keep asking me that? I’m totally ready. Are you saying you don’t want to?" Buffy wanted to know. "I thought you said you had energy to burn."

"I do, and believe me, I want to more than you know." ‘One look should make it pretty obvious to her that I *do* want to.’ "Buffy, I want you so much I can’t think straight at the moment."

She put her hands on his chest, running them down to the waist of his jeans. "Then what’s the problem?"

He had to close his eyes as she slipped her hands under his shirt, the heat from her fingertips scalding his skin. Her touch was so loving and gentle that his jeans suddenly felt too tight around his groin. "I’m not him, Buffy."

"What are you talking about?"

"When we make love tonight, I want you to know who I am. Who is holding you and kissing you and everything else we’ll be doing. I’ll be doing all those things."

"I already know all that."

Angel frowned, despite her affirmation. "I just…I guess I don’t want you to expect me to do the same things he did. Because the last thing I want to do is disappoint you because I’m not him."

"I know who you are, and I don’t expect you to do anything the way he did. Be yourself; don’t try to do what you think he might have done. Even though I loved him, I love you just as much, maybe more." She smiled. "And believe me, you’d never disappoint me. I love you, Angel, no matter what happens between us tonight."

Her words reassured him. No longer did Angel have a single doubt in his mind as he lowered her to his bed and made love to the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.

***

Part 39

An awkward silence filled Angel’s bedroom after their lovemaking had come to an end. All that could be heard were the sounds of heavy breathing and the ticking of a nearby clock. The two of them lay on their backs next to one another, not quite knowing what to say.

‘Something must be wrong,’ Buffy mused. ‘Angel’s always been sort of quiet, but this is quieter than usual. It’s scary and I don’t like it.’ "Angel?" she said, turning her head to look at him. But he didn’t reply. Instead, he continued staring at the ceiling. "Angel, please say something. You’re scaring me."

It took him a few seconds to answer. "I’m sorry. I just…it’s like my body is still humming."

"Really?" Buffy’s face lit up with a smile. She never thought she could make anyone feel like that.

Angel nodded. "Really. What we just did…words can’t even begin to describe it. No wonder he lost his soul that night."

The smile immediately left her face. His thoughtless words cut her like a knife, bringing back nearly-forgotten memories of her seventeenth birthday and the day following. Suddenly, the hurt and rejection returned, taking the place of the joy she had felt only minutes before. Rather than say anything to her boyfriend, Buffy turned on her right side to face the wall. Hot tears burned her eyes and a lump the size of Rhode Island formed in the back of her throat.

He knew he’d made a huge mistake the very second the words left his mouth. The hurt in Buffy’s eyes was evident in the moments before she turned away from him, and it caused his heart to break. Hurting her was the last thing Angel ever wanted to do. He rolled over and put his hand on her upper arm. "Buffy, I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. It was insensitive of me to say what I just said."

"Uh-huh." But she still felt hurt. How could he say that after what they’d shared?

"No, I’m really, truly sorry. Making love to you was the most beautiful experience. I feel like the luckiest man alive to have shared that with you."

"Me, too."

He nuzzled his face in her neck, moving his hands under the blanket to wrap them around her waist. "Do you forgive me?"

"You hurt me. I never thought you could, but you did."

"I know. And I’m sorry. I promise I’ll never do that to you again. What I said was wrong and uncalled for," Angel apologized. "Will you please forgive me?"

"Yeah, I can do that. But could you do me a favor?"

"Aside from never bringing it up again, sure. Anything you want."

"Would you make my body hum, too? And then hold me all night long?" she requested.

Angel rolled her body on her back and carefully laid himself on top of her, his hips cradled between her bent knees. "I definitely think it can be arranged."

***

It was shortly after nine o’clock when Buffy woke up the next morning. Strong arms held her and one leg was thrown over hers. It made her grin and sigh; waking up in Angel’s loving embrace was like a dream come true for her. A dream she never got to experience the first time around.

"Are you awake?" he whispered.

She nodded. "Yeah. How long have you been up?"

"A few minutes, but I didn’t want to wake you; you looked so peaceful. How did you sleep?" Angel wanted to know.

"Better than I have in a long time," Buffy replied. "I’ve always imagined what it would feel like to wake up in your arms. And it feels absolutely wonderful."

"You’ve woken up in my arms before."

"But never like this. It feels like a life-long dream has finally come true. Like nothing else could feel more perfect. Does that make any sense at all?"

Angel placed a kiss on her earlobe. "It makes perfect sense. Last night was incredible, wasn’t it?"

"It was more than incredible. It was illegal in at least forty-eight of fifty states. And I can’t wait until the next time."

"Buffy, I want you to know how sorry I am for what I said last night. It’ll never happen again, you have my word."

Buffy caressed his cheek with the palm of her hand. "It’s okay. I guess I should take what you said as a compliment."

"It was. But seriously, you made me feel so free last night, and I don’t think I will ever find the right words to describe it," Angel told her.

"You don’t have to. Actions speak louder than words, and believe me, you showed me."

He blushed at her words. "Do you want to take a shower first?"

Buffy shook her head. "It’s your apartment, I don’t want to put you out. I’ll have something to eat while you shower. I can take one when I get back home."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

"Okay. I’ll be out in a little while. Feel free to help yourself to anything in the kitchen," Angel offered.

He climbed out of bed, quickly throwing on a pair of sweatpants and grabbing jeans, a gray t-shirt and black boxer shorts. Flashing Buffy a smile, he left the room, heading for the bathroom. On his way there, he passed by his sister’s bedroom as she was stepping out of it.

"Good morning," Cathy greeted him.

"Morning."

"You got in awfully late last night. I’m surprised you’re even up this early."

He nodded, throwing his clothes in a pile on the bathroom floor. "Uh-huh. It was an interesting night."

Cathy smirked. "So I heard."

"What? What are you talking about?"

"Nothing. Just that I heard what happened last night, and I’m not talking about every adult in Sunnydale embracing their inner teenager. I know what went on between you and Buffy."

Angel visibly paled. His sister knew. "How much do you know?"

"Enough. All right, pretty much everything. Our bedrooms are right next to each other, Angel. And when I hear a headboard hitting the wall, along with the sounds of moaning, I can pretty much put two and two together." Cathy laughed at the horrified expression on her brother’s face. "Don’t look so shocked. I’ve had sex before, I know what goes on."

"I-I can’t believe you heard."

"I’m not judging you, nor am I condemning you. As long as you’re happy and as long as Buffy’s happy, then good for you."

Angel stood in complete shock. "You mean you aren’t going to give me a lecture about safe sex?"

Cathy shook her head. "Nope. I assume Mom and Dad already told you about all that. So I’ll spare you the boring lecture. But there is one thing I do want to mention."

"What’s that?"

"You love Buffy, don’t you?" He nodded his head. "Then why the hell are you out here while she’s still in your room? Didn’t I tell you to at least wait until she wakes up? Let that sweet little girl wake up in your arms. Any considerate boyfriend would know enough to do that without being told."

"She is awake. Buffy’s getting dressed," he told her. "And she did wake up in my arms, Cathy. I made damn sure of it."

She didn’t say anything right away. "Oh. Okay then."

With a shake of his head, Angel walked into the bathroom to take his shower. Cathy trodded to the kitchen to make herself a cup of coffee and a bagel. After having settled down with the Saturday morning newspaper, she heard the sound of her brother’s bedroom door opening.

Fully-dressed, though her hair was still slightly messy from sleeping, Buffy entered the kitchen. She stopped dead in her tracks when she caught sight of Angel’s sister sitting at the kitchen table. "Hi," she said tentatively. All the blood in her body rushed to her face in fear of what Cathy would say to her.

She looked up from the article she was reading. "Morning, Buffy. Did you sleep well?"

"Like a baby."

"Are you hungry? I have waffles and bagels. If you want eggs or pancakes or anything that requires actual cooking, you’ll have to wait. I can’t cook, that’s Angel’s job around here."

"I can make myself some toast," Buffy said. "I don’t want to make you get up."

Cathy stood up. "It’s no trouble at all. Have a seat and I’ll get you some juice, too. I hope you like orange, it’s all I have in the fridge."

"It’s fine, thank you." Buffy sat down. She started wringing her hands on top of the table out of nervousness. "Angel didn’t tell me you were still home. I sorta thought you’d be at work."

"I have weekends off." She noticed that Buffy was avoiding her gaze, and knew what was going through the girl’s mind. "You don’t have to feel uncomfortable around me. I know what happened last night between you and my brother, and it’s okay with me. It’s not like I’m going to call your mother and tell her."

Buffy grimaced. "I can’t help it. I’ve never been in this situation before; it feels kinda awkward."

"Don’t worry about it. I know this may sound weird, but I’ve been expecting it for some time now. I’m just glad it happened here, instead of in the backseat of a car," she commented.

"Yeah, me too."

"Although my brother never seemed like the type who was into quickly little romps in a backseat. Angel always struck me as the flowers and candles type."

"He’s very romantic. But we didn’t get around to flowers and candles last night."

Cathy buttered Buffy’s toast, then handed it to her along with a glass of juice. "Takes after my dad. Lucky you."

"I am lucky." ‘This time around.’

"Do you want a shirt to wear?"

"Why?" Buffy asked.

"Because you don’t want to walk in the house wearing the same blouse you wore last night. Your mom might get a little suspicious."

Buffy looked at her with curious eyes. "Why are you doing this?"

"Because my brother is in love with you. Buffy, you make him happy; happier than I’ve seen him since our parents died. Not to mention, I never had a little sister. And I’m starting to think of you as one."

"I know what you mean."

The two burst out laughing, neither hearing Angel come in the room. "What’s so funny?" he wanted to know, upon seeing his sister and girlfriend laughing hysterically.

"It’s a girl thing," Cathy informed him. "You wouldn’t get it."

"Whatever," he replied softly, shaking his head in confusion. ‘I will never understand women. Especially those two.’

***

Part 40

With a heavy sigh, Cathy knocked on her brother’s bedroom door. "Mind if I come in, Angel?" she asked.

"Not at all," he replied.

She opened the door, seeing Angel sitting on his bed, reading a book with his headphones on. "You and Buffy aren’t going out tonight?"

He took the headphones off. "She has a test to study for." It wasn’t exactly the truth; Buffy had an intense training session with Giles, followed by patrol with Faith. But he couldn’t tell his sister that.

"Oh, okay." She took a deep breath. "I’ve got something to tell you, and I know for a fact you aren’t going to like it."

"What is it?"

"I have to go away. There’s an appraisal convention in New York City next week. *All* next week. And I have to go. It was scheduled months ago and I totally forgot about it."

Angel blinked before saying anything. "But Christmas is next week. So is my birthday."

"I know. Believe me, I’m not the least bit happy about it. But I have no choice in the matter. If I don’t go, I could lose my appraiser’s license. The last thing I want is to be away from you during the holidays. But I’ll be back before New Year’s, I promise."

"What do you mean, you’re going to be away from me?" he demanded. "Where am I going to be?"

Cathy grimaced, hating having to tell her brother he’d be alone for Christmas, as well as his eighteenth birthday. "You’ll be here in Sunnydale. I can’t bring you; it’s strictly a business trip, no time for shopping and sight-seeing. I’m sorry, I really am."

"I don’t get it. How can you fly off to New York for the holidays and leave me here by myself? This is our first Christmas without Mom and Dad; we should be spending it together, not on opposite sides of the country."

"We’ll have Christmas when I get back. And we’ll do the cake and ice cream thing for New Year’s. You can invite some of your friends over for a party," suggested Cathy.

He narrowed his eyes. "What am I, in third grade? A cake and ice cream party is for ten year olds. I’m going to be eighteen!"

"What do you want me to say? I’ve already told you I’m sorry. I want to have a family Christmas as much as you do; I hate the idea of leaving you all alone; I feel guilty as hell about it, but there’s nothing I can do. You can go ahead and hate me if you want, I’ll understand. Maybe I was wrong in thinking you’d rather spend Christmas in warm Sunnydale with your friends and the girl you love rather than cooped up in a hotel room in New York City. Where, by the way, it’s going to be very cold. And I know how much you hate winter in New York."

"I just don’t want to be alone for Christmas," Angel admitted. "Mom always loved Christmas; she’d be humming ‘Jingle Bells’ for weeks before it. She’d be up at the crack of dawn Christmas morning baking cookies or making a pie. Dad would be sitting in front of the tree, obsessively organizing our presents into neat little piles." He paused. "We’re never going to have that again, Cathy. Mom and Dad are gone."

She sat down next to him. "I know. Believe me, it’s hard for me, too. And I wanted so badly to make our first Christmas without them special, and I can’t do it. I feel like I am letting Mom and Dad down but not being here with you for the holidays. But there’s no other choice. I have to go, no matter how much I hate the idea of leaving you here."

"Just do what you have to do."

"Are you sure? I don’t want you to be mad."

"You swear you had no choice whatsoever?" he asked.

Cathy drew an X over her heart. "Cross my heart and hope to die. Stick a needle in my eye."

He felt slightly comforted. "Okay. But you have to bring me back something. I don’t care how lame or cheesy it is."

"How about a snowball?" she joked, playing on her brother’s hatred of cold weather and snow.

"Very funny."

***

It was an hour later when Buffy ran down the stairs to the kitchen in search of her mother. She had just gotten off the phone with Angel after her training session with Giles and was just about to leave for patrol with Faith. "Mom!"

"Buffy, what’s wrong?" Mrs. Summers asked when her daughter entered the room.

"I need to ask you a favor. Can Angel spend Christmas week with us, like, stay overnight and everything? I’d hate for him to be all alone. Please…" she begged.

"Your father is coming down for Christmas, you know that. Where would Angel sleep?"

"In my room." Buffy caught the look on her mother’s face. "Or…not. He can sleep on the couch. Mom, you have my word that nothing will happen. Cathy is going to New York for some convention or something like that, leaving poor Angel all by himself for not only Christmas, but his birthday, which is the next day. He sounded so depressed on the phone."

Mrs. Summers frowned. "I don’t know. It depends on how your father feels about it."

"But you can convince him, right?" Buffy asked hopefully. "Just think about how much it would mean to Angel to have a family Christmas. It’s his first Christmas without his parents. How would you feel if you were left alone for the holidays?"

She relented. "All right. Your father doesn’t have much say in the matter anyway. Angel can stay with us while Cathy is away. I completely forgot she was going away; the trip was planned long before her parents were killed."

"Thanks, Mom. It’ll mean so much to Angel. And to me."

"I will tell your father."

"Dad met Angel when I came back from L.A. over the summer. They seemed to hit it off. And besides, they have one important thing in common: they both love me."

***

Before homeroom the next morning, Buffy found Angel sitting in the student lounge, reading a book on one of the couches. She plopped down next to him, giving him a big smile. "Hiya. What are you reading?"

"’The Mayor of Casterbridge,’ Angel replied. "It’s for AP English. You’re awfully happy today. What’s up?"

"I’m happy to see you; I’m always happy to see you."

"That’s good to know." He put the book away. "Got any plans for tonight?"

She shook her head. "Nothing big. Dinner, patrol…same stuff, different day. Although I wouldn’t say no to some quality time with my boyfriend."

"I think that can be arranged, especially considering my sister’s working late in order to tie up some loose ends before she leaves. You can stop by after patrol. Burn some excess energy and release tension. In fact, I happen to know a great way of doing that."

"Sounds interesting." Buffy tickled the inside of his arm with her fingertips, eliciting a low moan from her boyfriend in the process. It was something she had recently discovered he liked; something she hadn’t known about him before, human nor vampire. "Speaking of Cathy leaving, I want you to cancel your plans for Christmas."

"What plans? I don’t have any, except eating a frozen fried chicken dinner and watching A Christmas Story over and over again."

"Good. Because you have plans now. Mom and I are inviting you over for Christmas. You can stay the entire time Cathy is gone."

Angel was floored by the invitation. He’d resigned himself to the idea of spending Christmas in front of the television. "I don’t want to impose on you and your family."

"You are not imposing. But there is one stipulation."

"What’s that?"

"Hands off. My dad is coming to visit for a few days and Mom just wants us to be careful around him. According to her, Dad still thinks of me as his little girl. I don’t think he’s ready to handle the idea of me in an adult relationship," she explained. "Truthfully, I don’t think my mom is, either. But neither one of them has to know we’re in one."

"So, what you’re saying is that I can’t touch you for forty-eight hours?"

"Maybe seventy-two at most. We just can’t be too…shall we say, obvious, if we do happen to have sex. But I think we can handle it. It’s only for three days, right?"

Angel smiled. "Yeah, we can handle it." ‘Easier said than done.’ "If it makes you happy, we’ll manage."

Go to Part 41