Summary: Angel and Buffy run into each other at a party in LA.. Angst, arguing, and happy B/Aending ahead. (Of course)
FEEDBACK: Please? With Angel on top?
Spoilers: Most of the stuff that has happened to Buffy and Angel since they broke up.
Disclaimer: To roughly quote Ducks; `They're in the same room together...smoochieshappen...does seem like Joss would write this?
Authors Notes: ** means it's a thought.
Authors Notes2: This might become a series, I'm already working on a sequel.
Dedication: To Ryan, who has given me feedback every time I've written something. AndKristine, my beta-ee, I know its not a word, but you get what I mean...
'There's Lindsay,' Cordy murmured. She nodded her head toward the direction where Lindsaywas standing.
Angel glared through the throng of people to where Lindsay stood with Lilah. He hated thesethings. Some rich guy threw a fancy party, Wolfram and Hart was there, so he had to be there.
'So, what's the plan?' asked Gunn.
'To get you to go on a shopping spree with me again. I never realized how good you could look,'Cordy replied. Gunn, Angel and Wesley were wearing tuxes, bought especially for the occasion.While she wore a tight navy blue gown, with a string of pearls.
'According to my sources, Wolfram and Hart are planning to bring forth a Tolosh demon intothis world in the basement of this extraordinary mansion.' Wesley said looking around theenormous ballroom.
'Why here?'
'Well, apparently this was a sacred demonic-'
'Whatever,' Cordelia cut in, 'all that matters is that I'm here, in the company of great lookingguys.' The rest of Angel Investigations grinned. 'Not to mention rich.' She said staring at the mennearest to her.
'OHmphsd-' Wesley choked on his champagne and then desperately tried, without success to hidebehind Gunn.
'Wesley! What the hell are you doing?'
He laughed weakly. 'What am I doing? I think we may of stumbled into a Council operation.' Hepointed toward a man dressed in tweed.
'Hey! That's the guy who fired Giles!! ' Cordelia said loudly. 'Wait a minute, that would mean......He's the head of the council!! Angel you may have to be the one that has to hide!!' Wesleyshushed her.
'Ok, could we rewind a little here? What's the Council?' Gunn asked bewildered.
'I think we shall explain it to you after we're out of here.' Wesley said as he watched othercouncil members enter. 'We shou- oh bloody hell'
Angel felt someone had just hit him with a sledgehammer.(And he knew what it felt like fromexperience.) On the arm of none other than Rupert Giles, was a dazzling blonde. Buffy. Heslowly took in the sight of his beloved. She was wearing a slinky red gown, with a plungingbackline. It clung to her every curve and had a slit on the side exposing a tanned leg to his view.Her silky blonde hair is curled around her shoulders and curved over the swells of her breasts.
Men's heads turned toward her as she entered the room. Angel felt jealousy rising from the backof his throat and threatening to consume him. He repressed the urge to growl because of theother men checking out *his* mate. No, she's not mine anymore. Not mine. Not mine. Not mine.He repeated trying to convince himself.
****
`I can't believe I'm doing this,' Buffy muttered under her breath. I'm in LA and when LA isthought of, Angel is thought of, which equals badness. The constant ache in her heart wasmultiplied when she came to LA to visit her father. Something she hated even more had broughther here this time, the Council. Tweedy British men bent on making her life hell. They act likeshe's not even a human being , that is, until they need her. And that little fact made her rathercross. She detested being treated differently because of who she is.
`Now,' Quentin said quietly, `make t-`
`We know,' Buffy interrupted, `make annoying small talk with people we don't know or like andbe at the basement doors at quarter to one.' He just glared at her and didn't bother to reply.
`So, which gold digger we gonna talk to first, or maybe we should talk to a cradle-robbingGrandpa?' Buffy asked with false cheeriness.
`Buffy.' Giles said warningly. He glanced around him and smiled apologetically to the peoplewho'd overheard her.
`Why, did I let you talk me into this?' Buffy questioned her anger and frustration getting thebetter of her.
`So 500 guests wouldn't get eaten by a demon.'
`Minor details.' Buffy replied rather sulkily.
`Just try to enjoy yourself, it is a party.' Giles said. `You can start enjoying yourself by acceptingthat man's proposal to you to dance.' Buffy sighed and gazed at the young man coming towardher. *Just what I need, yeah, right.*
The guy smiled at her when he caught her looking at him. He approached her and asked, `Wouldit be inappropriate if I asked you to dance?' Buffy searched his sparkling blue eyes for any signof evilness. Then as an afterthought, *He's a man, of course he's evil.* But seeing Giles lookwarning her to be polite, she smiled and gracefully accepted his outstretched hand.
`I'm Ryan.' When Buffy didn't say anything in return he prompted, `And you are..??'
`Buffy.' she said quietly.
`Buffy...'he replied testing it out, `unusual, but beautiful. Almost as beautiful as you.'
*Geez where does this guy get his lines.* Still, she couldn't help but grin at him shyly in return.Ryan nudged her back closer to him and she mentally sighed and laid her head on his shoulder,staring at the people around her..Her eyes traveled through the gathering of people. Women withtoo much make-up flirting outrageously with undoubtedly sinfully rich men, males watchingprotectively over there wives and daughters, and friends getting reacquainted.
Buffy exhaled as Ryan spun her around the dance floor and continued to observe the manyguests. Three men and a woman in a tucked-away corner caught her eye. They lookeduncomfortably familiar... She squinted and urged Ryan to dance closer to the group, he smirked,pleased she was paying attention to him and the dancing. *No, it couldn't be..Of all theplaces..No way..* But alas it was *him.* Angel. Of all the places in all the world he had to behere..Buffy felt bitterness clawing through her..*Well, isn't it ironic.*
`Buffy?' Ryan asked. The music was slowing to a stop. `Oh, sorry, uh,' she paused trying toremember his name. `Ryan.' he said. `Right, Ryan, I knew that. Again sorry, I just kinda zonedout there for awhile.'
`That's okay.' He muttered forgivingly.
`Well, thanks for the dance,' Buffy asserted.
`Right, um, maybe we could do it again sometime. Tonight I mean.' he replied.`Yeah, maybe.' Buffy smiled at him. She had to admit, she found his insecurities about herliking him cute and charming.
`See ya,' she murmured. *Okay, now its time to find Giles and warn him about Angel beinghere.* She groaned at the thought. *And he can help me hope that the Council doesn't recognizehim.*
*****
*Of all the places in all the world why did she have to be here?* Angel thought despairingly.*Isn't it ironic.* He stifled a growl as he saw a young man approach her , knowing his intentions.*He's gonna put his arms around my Beloved, and sweep her off her feet.* But that's what youwanted for her, a nice normal guy to take care of her. An annoying little voice in his headwhispered..I go-
`Dear Lord.' Wesley muttered under his breath. *Just what we need. After Angel just got overthe whole Darla fiasco.*
`Angel!! Would you SNAP out of it! Its not like you haven't seen her at all in the past 2 years!!!'Cordelia snapped in a typical Cordelia fashion. Intending to just put him out of his misery and toprevent major brooding she continued on, `She's moved on, she looks great - which means shehappy - and she's with a normal guy. She's moved on!! She doesn't need you and - wait asecond, that guy is gorgeous and looks RICH too!! What the hell is he doing with her??' Outraged, Cordelia stared open-mouthed at Buffy and her companion. Fortunately she seemed tocalm down when the couple went their separate ways.
`Cordelia.' Wesley glared at her and looked pointedly at Angel. Conflicting emotions were evident, as if written across his face. Betrayal. Sorrow. Anger.Jealousy. *I can't do this..*Angel thought desperately. `I, uh,- I just, I-I can't...' he choked outand blindly escaped the room by going out to the balcony on his right.
`Nice job, Cor.' Gunn said in annoyance. `Just when he's sane again, you have to open your bigmouth and ruin it!'
`Hey! Its not my fault he's........sensitive!!' Cordy finished lamely. `Well okay, `she relented atthe look of her co-workers, `maybe I could have been a little more sensitive..'
`No shit, Sherlock.' Gunn snapped.
`Would you two stop your bickering and concentrate at the matter at hand!!NO ONE deservesthe blame - except Cordelia - but even when we have someone to blame it makes no solution tothe problem!!' Wesley said.
`WHAT!! Cordelia shouted. The people surrounding them within a ten foot radius stared at her.Cordelia glanced around herself, smiled sheepishly and whispered, `What?'
`I'm merely saying if you hadn't gone on your pointless tirade, we wouldn't be in this situation.'Wesley stated matter-of-factly. Before Cordy could retort, he turned around and started walkingin the direction Angel had gone.
`Ass-pansy.' Cordelia muttered.
*********
`You're positive they're here?' Giles asked worriedly.
`Yep. Angel and his three associates.' Buffy replied, her eyes anxiously glue to the spot whereAngel and company were standing..
Giles observed his slayer with sad eyes. `How are you holding up? Considering thecircumstances..'
Buffy affectionately half smiled at him. `Bordering on good. But also bordering on suicidal.What should we do?' She lowered her voice and leaned closer to him. `If someone from theCouncil recognizes him. What would they do?'
Giles put a comforting hand on her shoulder. `I'm not sure. I don't even know if they'd knowwhat to do. Its not everyday they meet the slayer's vampiric ex-lover.'
Buffy looked at him seriously and stared at a troubled-looking Angel. Seeing him again...sostrikingly handsome, with his dark and brooding looks, it also brought back a lot ofmemories..Stolen kisses while perched atop a gravestone in the moonlight, Angel lookingadoringly at her while he recited his favorite love poems, snuggling in bed...But there were alsobad memories, him kissing faith, breaking up, not mention when he tried to kill her. Buffyclosed her eyes. *Buffy this not time to go down memory lane, I've moved on, he's moved on.Get over it.*
`Buffy.' Giles voice held a precaution of warning. She quickly looked to the place where Gileswas, she just caught Angel Walking briskly out of the room looking like he was about to crack.She glanced back to Cordelia, Wesley and Gunn who seemed to be arguing about something. *Ibet I could guess why.*
`I-I have to go,' Buffy started to weave her way through the crowd to where Angel had gone.
`Buffy, wait.' Giles protested.
`Just stop it, ok?' she snapped. Giles backed off looking hurt. In a much more gentle voice sheadded, `I know you're trying to protect me.. But I'm gonna have to talk to him sooner or later.' Giles sighed and nodded his head telling her he understood.
She quickly proceeded through the mass of people to the little balcony in the far corner. Buffyslowed to a stop when she reached the door. Angel was in there. She could feel it in every fiberof her being. She didn't know why. They just had this....connection . She steeled herself for whatwas to come.
****
Buffy slowly pushed the door open and walked onto the moonlit balcony.
`I was wondering what was taking you so long.' Angel stated without emotion. He was leaningagainst the railing that was attached around the terrace and staring at the dark sky.
She crossed her arms and asked, `You okay?'
`Right as rain.' he replied.
`Whatever that means,' Buffy said with a little smile, thinking of that day before the prom.
`Why are you here?' His words were simple, but the sudden emotions; frustration, anger- in hisvoice gave him away.
Buffy laughed without humor, `Typical. I could say the same to you.' She flipped her hair back.
`I live here! This is my town, remember? But yet you come barging in again.' He took severalangry sides toward. Her heart beat quickened. God, she forgotten how tall and muscled he was.His large frame beared down on her. `Why, do you torture me like this?? Why?' Desperation wasnow the prime factor in his voice. He dragged a hand through his chocolate brown hair inaggravation.
`I'm not doing anything, Angel!! Buffy shook her hands in front of her in frustration and herdress dipped down farther so more of her luscious breasts were exposed to his view. Yelling ather was definitely not what he wanted to do to her now. He wanted to throw her down on theground and-
`LISTEN to me!!' Buffy was beyond angry. `I didn't come here to just barge into your life, okay?I'm the slayer,' she said those words with pride and for a second he was so proud of forexcepting who she was. `It's MY job to rid the earth of life-sucking demons and if they're inyour territory, TOO FREAKING BAD!! I've finally excepted who I am. Why can't you?'
He smirked at her. `That's what you think my problem is?? I don't care if you come here. I justwant you to stay away from me !!' He regretted saying that immediately, when her big greeneyes filled with hurt tears and she stepped back from him as if he carried a contagious disease.
`Wait, baby, I didn't mean that-' Angel tried to fix things.
`Don't. Just STOP IT! You-you,' she laughed somewhat hysterically. `All in all, you're tellingme its my fault! Let me see, you dump me in a sewer, saying you weren't good enough for me,because my MOTHER told you to!! Then you feed off me, nearly KILLING me and yet youdecide its still best to leave, because you're SO dangerous. And everyone knows that couldNEVER happen to me when you're gone. Not when you're NOT around to protect me. Did youever think about that Angel? When you're gone some vamp could sneak up behind me and thatwould be the end of it.' Her voices softened as she angrily wiped away the tears that had startedcoursing down her cheeks.
`I'm sure Riley does a more than good job protecting you.' His eyes were a mirror of pain. Hehated to think that Riley and Buffy did the same things on patrol that they used to do on patrol..Mainly make-out.
Buffy stared at him and shook her head, sort of in surrender, `Of course Riley patrols with me.Its not as if he was out paying sleazy vampire whores to get bitten, right? Its not as if he did itbecause he wanted fell needed for once. Its not as if right this moment he's in the jungle fightingdemons. Its not as if he betrayed me in the worst way he knew how.' Her voice was now reducedto a whisper as she sank to the floor with her face buried in her hands.
`There. Are you happy now? He left. Again. Everyone leaves me sooner or later.'She closed hereyes as if ashamed. Angel. Riley. Mom. Oz. Faith. The list could go on and on.
`Well, I'm really sorry, Angel. For coming here. And I'm sorry you're such a jerk.' She pickedherself up and hurried toward the ballroom.
`Buffy, wait.' He grabbed her arm and hauled her up against him. He crushed his mouth to hers.Their lips burned as their mouths devoured one another's. She clasped her hands in his chocolatebrown hair, and couldn't help but sigh in relief of finally being in his arms again. Angel groaned,savoring the sweet little sound. His hand tangled in her hair while the other one traveled downher bare back to dip beneath it and cup her firm bottom. Their tongues dueled an age-old fightand they grasped each other trying to get closer.
`WHAT IS GOING ON HERE!!' Quentin Travers' angry voice thundered.. Giles and theemployees of Angel Investigation hunkered behind him and winced. Buffy and Angel hastilybroke apart.
`Great time to have a reconciliation, guys.' Cordelia said.
`Go away, Quentin. I'm a little busy here.' And with that she slammed the door in his face. Theinterruption brought reality crashing down on them.
`What just happened?!' She turned to Angel.
`I-uh, kissed you... Look Buffy, I miss you so much I don't know if I can live without youanymore.' The words just seemed to tumble out of his mouth without him having any controlover what he was saying.
`I miss you too. I need you. Riley was right. I didn't need him, I need you. I was not only tryingto fool him but myself too. I love you. You're the only one that will ever be able to make mehappy.' Buffy whispered with tears in her eyes.
`I love you too.' He pulled her in for a sweet kiss. `Well then, now that you've yelled at me andgotten everything out I'd say this would be the perfect time to get back together.' Angel said thisso matter-of-factly she laughed.
`Really? No more, you deserve someone better.' Buffy asked softly.
`No more, you deserve someone better.' She could almost see him wince when he said that, *Hestill believes it. Oh well, as long as he doesn't change his thoughts into actions and words, I'mcool with it.*
He brushed a strand of silky blonde hair away from her eyes and she stared into his deep browneyes. The chocolate eyes she loved so much..She grinned playfully at him and said, `Its stillgonna be hard to be together. But you've got yourself a deal, buddy.'
He laughed and couldn't contain his happiness.
`I love you,' she murmured as she brought his head closer to hers.
`I love you too.' He sweetly kissed her in a seal of promise and new beginnings.
Now all they had to do was deal with the outraged people on the other side of that door and then they could live happily ever after.
Go to the sequel, You're Still the One