Disclaimer: Characters are property of Joss. If I owned them Buffy & Angel would be happily together
Rating: PGish I guess.
Distribution: My site . If you want it take it, and tell me where it's going.
Spoilers: Season 4 of Buffy & Season 1 for Angel
Authors note: This is only my second attempt at fanfic so please be nice. I just finished reading the book Where the Heart Is, that's where I got the name Americus
Feedback: Please, it will make me write faster, and I'll know that what I write is actually kind of good.

Part 1

Angel walked the dark rainy streets of L.A. He'd been out patrolling for the last couple of hours, and things had been pretty quiet. Walking to his apartment, he heard muffled crying. Following the sobs, Angel saw a child huddled next to the building in the alleyway. Walking closer, he could tell that it was a little girl. Her blond hair was matted to her forehead.

"Hey," Angel said softly. "Where are your parents?"

A small hand pointed to further down the alley. Angel went in the direction she pointed. He saw a man and woman. Looking closer, he saw that both of them had marks on their necks. "Vampires," he muttered.

Angel walked back to the girl. She looked up at him with frightful eyes. Angel spoke gently to the girl, "It's okay, I'm not going to hurt you." She reached out her arms to Angel. He delicately picked her up.

She clung to him as he carried her to his apartment. He took her to his bedroom. He laid her in the bead, covering her with the covers. She had been shivering, cold and wet. Now she was almost asleep. She curled up under the blankets.

Angel wasn't sure as to what he should do. In the morning he would call Kate, and see if the girl had any family. It just occurred to him that he didn't know her name.

Looking into the bedroom, he could tell that she was sound asleep. He didn't have the heart to wake her. It would just have to wait to morning.

Angel noticed he had a message on the answering machine. It was probably Cordelia, complaining about something or another. Pressing the play button, he heard the soft voice of his love.

"Angel, I'm coming to L.A. I have to talk to you," she paused as if unsure of herself. "I…I…I'll be there soon. Please, I need to see you." Angel heard crying before she hung up.

Part 2

Angel awoke to the sound of footsteps. He had fallen asleep on the couch. He looked up to see Buffy coming down the stairs. He stood up, and walked over to greet her. Buffy threw her arms around him, and hugged him. Angel was caught off guard by her action, and hugged her back.

She pulled away. Her face was soaked with tears. She looked miserable. "Sorry," she spoke softly.

"For what?"

"Hugging you. Just showing up like this. Did you get my message?"

"I got it. What do you need to talk to me about?"

"I don't know where to start," she stated.

"It's alright. Take your time." Realizing they were still at the stairs, he guided her to the couch.

" I can't-" She was interrupted by a cry from the bedroom.

Angel shot up from the couch and ran to the bedroom, followed by Buffy.

The girl was thrashing in the bed. She was obviously having a nightmare. Angel wrapped his arms around her, and shook her awake. She hugged on to him. "Shh, it was just a nightmare," Angel comforted her. "Try to go back to sleep." She shook her head. Her bright green eyes looking into his. Those eyes, they were exactly like Buffy's. They were so gorgeous.

Angel looked back at Buffy, who was standing there confused. She walked into the bedroom, and sat next to Angel on the bed. "What was your nightmare about?" She asked.

"Scary things."

"Like what?"

"My mommy and daddy screaming, when those bad men hurt them."

Buffy looked at Angel. Vampires, he mouthed.

"Where's my mommy and daddy?" the girl asked.

"They went to heaven." Angel said gently.

"Heaven? Will they be happy? Can I see them?"

"They'll be happy. I'm sorry but you can't see them." Angel explained to her that they were dead.

Buffy watched as he spoke to the child. He was so delicate and soft towards her.

"What's your names?" She asked.

"I'm Angel, and this is Buffy."

"Angel. Buffy." She repeated. "Those are pretty names. My name's Americus."

"That's a beautiful name." Buffy told her.

The girl beamed.

"How old are you Americus, honey?" Buffy questioned.

Americus held up four fingers, and proudly said, "Four."

She stifled a yawn.

Buffy said, "Sweetie. Why don't you try to get some more sleep? Don't worry, you'll be safe."

"Will you stay with me?" Americus looked at both Buffy and Angel.

"We will." Angel replied.

Americus curled up between them, and fell asleep, with her head in Buffy's lap.

"Buffy," Angel spoke quietly.

"Hmm?"

"What did you need to tell me?"

"It's not important."

"Yes, it is. Tell me."

She looked into his chocolate colored eyes. "Oh, Angel." Her eyes filled with tears. She whispered, "I can't have kids."

"What?"

"I went to the doctors, for a regular check-up, and I was told I can't have kids. I guess I got hurt during some fight. Anyway, I didn't think that it would really matter to me because I don't want kids, unless they're yours," she paused. "But it did matter to me." She looked up at him. "You're the first person I've told about this. I haven't told anyone else. Not Willow, not Mom, not Riley-"

"Riley?"

She looked down, "My new boyfriend."

"Oh." Angel gently moved away from Americus, and sat down next to Buffy. He pulled her close, and kissed her forehead. "Don't worry. I'm here for you."

Buffy didn't know how long she was in his arms. After awhile she drifted off into sleep

Part 3

Buffy woke up all alone in Angel's bed. Neither Angel nor Americus was there. She heard laughter coming from the kitchen. Rising out of bed she stretched out her tight muscles. Brushing the hair out of her face, she looked around for a mirror. Of course Angel didn't have one. "I probably look horrible," she muttered.

Entering the kitchen she saw Angel cooking breakfast. Americus watched him, with eyes wide. It was as if she was entranced by him.

Americus was the first to notice Buffy's presence. She leapt out of her seat, and hugged Buffy.

Angel turned away from the stove, and smiled at her. Buffy's lips slowly curled into a smile as well. Americus finally let go of Buffy, and returned to her seat at the table, where she had a book open in front of her.

"Good morning," Angel greeted her. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah, actually I did."

"I thought so. You were snoring. Right Americus?" Angel said making Americus giggle.

"I was not." Buffy walked over to Angel and playfully punched his arm.

Angel turned off the stove and announced, "Breakfast is ready."

They ate in silence. Every once in awhile. Americus would look at Buffy. Finally she broke the muteness. "You're pretty," she said to Buffy. 'Isn't she Angel?"

"She's very beautiful," Angel replied making Buffy blush. They returned to silence.

Once they were finished eating Angel cleared the table. Then a sly smile crept across Angel's mouth. He whispered something to Americus, and she chuckled. They both looked at Buffy.

"What?" Buffy asked.

"We're going to tickle you." Americus declared.

"Huh?"

Both Americus and Angel came after her. She ran with them chasing her through the small apartment. Angel caught her, and pulled her down onto the couch. He and Americus tickled Buffy. Tears of laughter formed in her eyes. "Stop it, stop it." She scolded. They didn't let up. Buffy laughed and laughed.

Americus was enjoying her self and laughed along too. Then she turned to Angel, Your turn." Little Americus began to tickle Angel causing him to laugh.

This gave Buffy a chance to break free from them. Looking at Angel, she apprehended that this was the first time she really saw him laugh. She loved it. "Now, how do you like this?" she said joining Americus in tickling him.

Kate and Cordelia interrupted them.

"Hey, you guys. Cool it!" Cordelia exclaimed.

They stopped at once. Americus looked at them and ran into the bedroom. Buffy realized that she was on top of Angel. "Sorry," she murmured as she pulled her self off of him.

"Buffy. What are *you* doing here?" Cordy asked.

"I'm…um…I'm-"

"Here on business." Angel finished for her. Buffy shot him a thankful smile.

"Some business." Cordelia replied. "Kate said you called her."

"Yeah."

"Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?" Kate questioned.

"Kate this is Buffy. Buffy this is Kate." He said quickly.

"Nice to meet you." Buffy said.

"Likewise," Kate answered. "So would did you need to talk to me about?"

"Why would he need to talk to you?" Buffy snapped.

"Buffy, Kate here is an officer for the L.A.P.D. I called her about Americus."

"Oh."

"Kate, last night I came across a little girl. Her name's Americus and her parents were murdered. It happened around here."

"Yeah, young male and female. Severe wounds to the neck area. Sound familiar?"

"Those were her parents. I took her in because it was raining outside and she was cold."

"You did the right thing. We've been looking for their daughter."

"Is there any family she can go to? Friends?"

"Not a single person."

"What's going to happen to her?" Buffy broke in.

"Well, I'll have to hand her over to social services, where she'll be placed in a foster home."

"Can I stay here," said a small voice from the bedroom door.

Angel looked at Kate, with a pleading look.

"For now," she answered. "If it's okay with Angel."

"It's fine by me." Angel replied.

"Yay!!" She ran over to them and jumped into Angel's arms. "Are you and Buffy going to be my new mommy and daddy?"

Buffy and Angel just looked at each other.

Cordelia on the other hand was not thrilled. "Funny. Angel and Buffy as parents. They can't even be in the same room together without getting pelvic causing Angel to go grr, or fighting with each other. Just so you to know either way, I'm not staying to pick up the pieces. I don't fancy getting killed by psycho boss." With that she turned and left. "I'll be at home complaining to phantom Dennis."

"What was that all about?" Kate asked.

"That's just Cordelia for you." Angel answered.

"Oh. Anyway, I got to go. I'll call you once I have more info on this case."

After she left Buffy stated, "Cordy sure didn't like seeing me here…. with you."

"Don't worry about her."

"But what she said, it is true."

"It doesn't have to be you know. We can act-"

"Like civilized adults," she finished. "I know."

Americus still clung to Angel. He looked at her; she had sticky remnants of breakfast on her face. Her hair was wild, "I think someone needs a bath."

Both he and Buffy took her into the bathroom. Bath time.

Part 4

It had taken some struggle, but they got Americus out of her clothes and into the tub. Buffy watched as Angel gently washed the child's hair. Careful not to get any soap in her eyes. They were both kneeling next to the tub. Americus thought it would be fun if she got them wet. Once Angel was finished washing her hair, Americus started splashing.

"I'm going to get you wet." She laughed.

She splashed at them. Buffy hid her face against Angel's chest. They were all laughing and having a good time. Buffy pulled her face away from Angel just a little. She looked up into his eyes. When he looked down into hers, she felt like she would melt. He slowly lowered his head. His lips brushed against hers. She felt herself kiss him. It only lasted a few seconds, but it brought back years of memories.

Buffy turned away from Angel and looked at Americus, "You better get out of there before you turn into a prune."

Angel handed her a towel, and Buffy wrapped Americus in it. She lifted her out of the tub, and dried her off.

_________________

A few hours later, Buffy and Angel put Americus down for a nap.

"About that kiss before.." Angel started.

"It shouldn't have happened." Buffy finished.

"We've gotten good at finishing each other's sentences." Angel joked.

"Yeah."

The phone rang. Angel answered it.

"That was Cordelia."

"What did she want?"

"She had a vision."

"A vision? About what?"

"The Powers That Be wish for me to go and speak to the oracles."

"Oh….whatever." she was confused.

"I'll explain later. Will it be alright for me to go and leave you and Americus here?"

"We'll be fine."

His arm gently brushed against Buffy's as he walked past her. He felt the urge to kiss her. But he let the moment pass. "I'll see you in a bit," he told Buffy.

As he walked out the door, he felt a longing for her. He wanted and needed her so badly. Focus. He scolded himself. The oracles need to speak with you. "I wonder what this is about," he thought to himself.

Part 5

Angel was in utter shock over what the oracles had said to him. He walked back to his apartment, in the sunlight. He couldn't believe it. The Powers wanted him to be human. He had doubts after what had happened the last time that he was human. But the oracles assured him, that he could fight. He would be able to protect Buffy.

Entering his apartment he heard laughter. He saw both Buffy and Cordelia sitting on the floor next to Americus. They were reading one of his old books. Americus noticed him first.

"You're back." She screeched as she ran into his arms.

"What have you been up to?"

"Buffy and Cordy were reading me a story." She looked over at them. She pointed at Cordelia, "She's funny. She does voices."

"Okay Americus, I think it's time to do something else." Cordelia pulled her away embarrassed. "You weren't supposed to tell him that." Angel heard her say.

Buffy bent over to pick up the books that were sprawled out on the floor.

"Here. Let me help." Angel offered as he picked up a book. "You and Cordelia seem to be getting along better.

"Yeah." Buffy said as she put the books back on the shelf.

"Buffy?"

"Hmm?"

"I have to talk to you."

"Okay," she replied as she put another book on the shelf.

"It's important."

This caught Buffy's attention. "What about?" she asked. "Is it about Americus?"

"Sort of, but it's also about you and me…us." Angel briskly said. He took her hand and led her to the bedroom closing the door behind him. They sat on the bed. Buffy looked at her hand. He let go realizing he was still holding on to it.

"Angel, what's this all about? Just cut the cryptic, and get out with it. What did the oracles want?"

"They needed to see me about Americus."

"What about her?" Buffy worriedly asked.

"She's destined to become a slayer."

"No. I don't want her to have to lead that kind of life. Always being in danger."

"She might not be one."

"But you just said-"

"It all depends on when the slayer before her dies. If Americus is too old when the other slayer dies, then she won't become one."

"This is what the oracles wanted to see you about?"

"They want us to raise her, Buffy….together."

"Together? We are *not* together."

"I know."

"I mean, I have Riley now. It's not like I love him or anything, but still. We *can't* be together…the curse. Remember that?"

"I'm not finished. They changed me."

"Changed you? What do you mean?"

"They made me human."

"Human?" she gasped.

"Yeah, but I can still fight. They want us to raise Americus to be a slayer. Teach her all we know."

"I'm to young to be a mom. I'm nineteen and in college."

"I know that."

"What do we know about raising a child? Would be able to afford it?"

"Buffy, I know there are a lot of questions right now, and not a lot of answers. But…" He looked her straight in the eyes. "I'm leaving this up to you. You know what I want to do, but it's your decision. Whatever you decide, I'll support it."

Buffy turned away from him.

"Hey," he said gently turning her face towards him. Tears were falling from her eyes, soaking her smooth cheeks. Angel took her in his arms. "I love you." He gently kissed the corner of her mouth.

A sigh escaped Buffy's lips. "I love you too." She turned to face him. "I'm not sure what I want to do. But even if I decide to do this, what makes you think that we will be able to adopt or even get custody of Americus?"

"The oracles said that the Powers That Be will make sure it happens." Angel told her. "You don't have to make up your mind right now. I want you to think about it."

"I will. I do love Americus. How can you love someone so much you just met?"

"I'm not sure."

"Do you love Americus?"

"Yeah, but she's not the only one I've loved when I first met her." He looked deep into Buffy's eyes. "I loved you the moment I saw you."

"Oh Angel." She gave him a meek little push.

He caught her arms. Before Buffy knew what was happening, Angel was kissing her. She kissed him back passionately. They fell back onto the bed. Buffy started to unbutton Angel's shirt. The door opened, and light flooded the room.

"Umm…excuse me," came an angry voice from the doorway. Buffy and Angel sat up quickly. Angel started to hastily button up his shirt. "It's a good thing I intruded. Like I said before, I don't want to be killed by psycho boss."

"Cordelia, it's alright." Angel said.

"What do you mean it's alright? Sure you'll have a happy but the rest of us will have to suffer the-"

"Cordelia, it is alright. Angel's human."

"Again?"

"What do you mean by again."

"Oops… nothing. I better go." They heard her say bye to Americus, and then leave.

"Angel, what did she mean? And don't tell me nothing."

Angel knew he had no way out of this one. He told her about the forgotten day. She looked at him with wide eyes. He thought she would be angry, but she wasn't.

"I can't believe you did that."

"Buffy, I had no choice."

"I'm not angry with you. Seriously, I'm not. I can't believe you gave up your mortality, your happiness, so I could live."

"You know I would die for you."

Buffy leaned into him, "But now we have this second chance."

"Does this mean that you want to raise Americus?"

"I'm not sure. But I do know one thing."

"What's that?"

"I want to be sure that she gets a nice loving home. And…"

"And what?"

"I want to be with you. I want us to be together."

"But what about Riley?"

"He doesn't matter. I love you, not him."

She kissed Angel gently on the lips. Pulling away she said, "You know things are a little too quiet around her. I wonder what Americus is doing."

"Let's find out."

They walked out of the bedroom, and saw Americus asleep at the kitchen table. They walked over to her, and saw that she had drew a picture. There was a man, a woman, and a little girl in it. Even though it was a four-year-old's drawing you could tell who the people were.

"She drew us Angel. She drew us."

Angel picked up the sleeping Americus, and carried her into the bedroom. Buffy stood there grasping the picture in her hand. She watched as Angel put Americus under the covers. "They could be a family." The thought raced through Buffy's mind as she looked down at the picture. Looking up at Angel and Americus, she whispered, "We could be a family."

Part 6

One Year Later

The three of them were at the beach along with Americus' new friend Nikita. They had been a family for over a year now. Buffy had moved to L.A. and started college at UCLA. Angel got a job at a detective agency as well as keeping things running at Angel Investigations. He had bought the three of them a small house on the beach. According to Cordelia, they were living the wealthy life. She, of course, was still trying to become an actress; she would never give up that dream.

Angel and Buffy watched as Americus and Nikita played in the water. The two girls would be starting kindergarten in the fall. Nikita's family lived next door to them. Once the girls had met, they had become inseparable.

The sun was beginning to set, making the ocean look so gorgeous.

"I can't believe this is real." Buffy said.

"What do you mean?" Angel asked her.

""Everything. It's like a dream come to true. You and me together. Americus. Look how happy she is playing with Nikita."

"It is kind of unbelievable. Especially this," he said placing his hand on Buffy's round stomach.

"Damn doctors don't know anything. If they did, we would have thought to use birth control, and I wouldn't be as big as a cow."

"You're beautiful. You're having our child. We created him or her." He leaned down and gently kissed her stomach. "You know, if you think about it. If you hadn't found out that you couldn't have kids, you wouldn't have came to L.A., and we might not be raising Americus."

"I know, but I still ache all over."

Angel moved himself so he was sitting behind her. He started to massage her back. "Better?" he asked.

Buffy let out a sigh of contentment. She leaned back into Angel, and he wrapped his arms around her. Americus and Nikita came out of the water and sat next to them. And together they watched the sun set over the ocean.

"Life couldn't be better." Buffy finally answered.

All I am, all I'll be
Everything in this world
All that I'll ever need
Is in your eyes
Shining at me
When you smile I can feel
All my passion unfolding
Your hand brushes mine
And a thousand sensations
Seduce me 'cause I

I do cherish you
For the rest of my life
You don't have to think twice
I will love you still
From the depths of my soul
It's beyond my control
I've waited so long to say this to you
If you're asking do I love you this much
I do

In my world, before you
I lived outside my emotions
Didn't know where I was going
'Till that day I found you
How you opened my life
To a new paradise
In a world torn by change
Still with all my heart
'Till my dying day//

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