DISCLAIMER: I own nothing, everyone belongs to Joss Whedon.
SPOILERS: Buffy season 5 and Angel season 2.
TIMELINE: Season 5
SUMMARY: Buffy's mom dies and Giles calls Angel to come and help her.

"I'm sorry, Miss Summers, I am afraid your mother died during surgery."

The words still rang in Buffy's head. She was still in shock and felt guilty. If she could have found some way to help her mother, she would still be alive.

Her mother had only died a few hours ago, but already she missed her. Buffy was plagued with worry. Where would Dawn go? Would she have to take care of her, or better yet could she take care of her? She was in college, she knew nothing about taking care of teenagers.

Buffy just sat in the hospital chairs. She hadn't left yet, she couldn't get herself to leave. She didn't cry when she found out her mother died and she wasn't crying right now either.

The only time she had cried was when she was on her porch with Spike. He was the only person she let see her cry.

When she found out her mother had died, she shunned people away. Riley and Willow were the first people who tried to talk to her. Then Dawn and Giles, eventually Xander tried. Refusing to talk to anyone or let them comfort her, Buffy pushed them away. She hadn't said anything since her mother died.

She knew everyone was worried, but she didn't care. This is how she grieves her mother's death. Being alone is her comfort, that is how she deals with things.

Buffy is the Slayer, she is supposed to be the strong one. People go to her for help, when she needs help she goes to herself. No one else.

Slowly getting up, she trudged towards her house.

*****

"Giles, I'm worried about Buffy. She hasn't even said a word to anyone since her mother died. I can't get through to her, you can't, Dawn can't, Riley can't, and neither can Xander." Willow complained.

"Yes, Willow, I fear everyone is worried about her. Give her some time, eventually she will come around. If she isn't talking by the funeral we need to do something, but I have no idea in the heavens on what to do." Giles answered the wicca.

"I think I know someone who will be able to get her to talk. I just don't know if it is a good idea for him to come."

"I assume you are talking about Angel?" Giles asked.

"Yeah, I am."

"If anyone can get her to talk, Angel should be able to, but what happens when he leaves again? That is the only fault."

"Well I was looking at his curse and I noticed it was changed. The happiness clause was taken out. Buffy told me that was one of the reasons he left, he couldn't control the demon. Maybe if we tell him it is permanent he will stay."

"That is a good idea, Willow. I shall ring him now."

*****

Angel was sitting in his office, tracing the outline of the blonde who had his heart. He was holding her picture in his hands while he thought about her, as usual.

It was the telephone that brought him out of his thoughts.

"Hello," he answered.

"Yes, Angel, this is Giles. We have a bit of a problem."

"What's wrong? Is Buffy ok?"

"Physically yes, emotionally no. Her mother just died."

Angel gasped, "Oh god."

"Yes well, Buffy seems to have taken it very badly. She hasn't talked to anyone and her mother died last night. Everyone has tried to make her say something and comfort her, but she just pushes them away."

"I see, but if you don't mind me asking, what does this have to do with me?"

"Willow and I were wondering if you could possibly come to Sunnydale and try to get her talking. We know it is a lot to ask, but its for Buffy's well being. It's not good for her to just sit on the couch and stare into space and not talk to anyone."

Without hesitation Angel answered, "Sure, I will be down tonight."

"Thank you, Angel. I must tell you that the funeral is tomorrow, we are holding the reception at Buffy's house. Could you possibly come to that."

"I will be as much help as I can to Buffy during the funeral and reception."

"Again, thank you, Angel."

Angel hung up the phone, put Buffy's picture on the table, and quickly started packing.

He waited until sunset and then headed for the door when Cordelia started with the questions.

"Where are you going?"

"Sunnydale."

"Oh no you're not. The last time you saw Little Miss Slayer I had to pick up the pieces of her mess and I don't intend to do that again. Get your butt back in here mister."

"Cordelia, Buffy's mother just died. Giles asked me to come down and see her. It's an emergency. I have to go." Angel answered slightly angered.

"Oh my god, her mother died. That's horrible. When is the funeral?"

"Its tomorrow. Now I have to get going."

"Tell Buffy and everyone I will be down tomorrow," Cordelia yelled as Angel made his way out of the office.

*****

Buffy was sitting on the couch in her living room during the reception when she felt a slight tingling feeling start to stir in her stomach. She hadn't had this feeling in a low time and just shook it off.

There were people walking around eating, talking, and mourning her mother's death. Riley had come and some of his friends had come also, even though they didn't know her mother. They had only come to be nice and because Riley had asked them to join him. Buffy didn't care that he was here. He was paying vamps to suck his blood because she couldn't satisfy him.

Screw him. He even tried to talk to her after her mother died, doesn't he get it. I don't want to talk to him. Why can't he leave me alone, she thought.

Giles, Willow, Xander, Anya, and Tara were all sitting in the living room with Buffy while her father was tending to Dawn.

Occasionally, people would make their way over towards Buffy to tell her how sorry they were about her loss. She didn't pay any attention to them, not caring if she was hurting their feelings or being rude.

She was grieving her mother's death god damnit and they couldn't take the hint that she didn't want to be bothered. Why couldn't people leave her alone.

Deep into her own thoughts, Buffy didn't notice when Angel and Cordelia walked into the door. Cordelia made her way towards the Scoobies.

Angel slowly made his way over towards her, not caring about the glances Riley was sending his way.

Sitting down next to her, he gently took her into his arms. She quietly started crying for the first time since her mother's death.

Gently picking her up, Angel carried Buffy up to her room where she started crying even harder.

Eventually she started beating against his chest, "Why did you come? I was strong, being the strong one like I was supposed to be. You come along and I break down. I wanted to be the strong one for once, I'm the slayer. I'm supposed to be strong."

"Buffy, calm down. Shh..Shh. I know its hard, but you need to calm down. Its ok to cry, you need to cry and get your emotions out. If you want to hit me, then go ahead. Beat the crap out of me if it will make you feel better."

Finally, she calmed down and looked up into his eyes.

"Its not ok. I want to be strong. I have to be, its my fault she died. I couldn't protect her and its my job to protect her. Its my fault."

"No, your mother died from a disease, cancer. Not you, it is certainly not your fault she isn't here right now. You couldn't have done anything to prevent this, it happened for a reason."

"I'm the damn Slayer. I protect people and I let her go," she said as she buried her head in his chest.

He wrapped his arms around her and continued, "You protect people Buffy from vampires and demons, not cancer. It is not your fault. I promise you it is not your fault."

"I just, I just miss her so much. I should have been able to find a cure or, or find a spell that would make her get better. She needed me and I couldn't help her."

"It wasn't your job to help her, that is what doctors are for. I know you miss her, but you have to get that it wasn't your fault."

"Angel, how did you know she died? Who told you?" she asked after a while of quietness.

"Giles and Willow called me. I came down last night but I couldn't attend the funeral because of the sun."

"Thank you," she said as a new batch of tears started.

Angel walked her over to her bed and laid her down. He was about to walk out of the room and let her rest when she called out to him, "Stay with me, please. Just lay with me for a while. I- I need you right now."

"Sure."

Walking over towards her bed, he laid down next to her. She moved her head from the pillow and laid it on his chest.

Wrapping his arm around her, they both fell asleep.

*****

Buffy awoke to find a cold body under her head. Then it all came back to her. Angel had come to the rescue during the reception, letting her get all of her pent up emotions out.

She didn't want to get up so she just pretended to be asleep.

Before long Angel woke up also, noticing Buffy was awake and trying to pretend he decided to play his own games.

He lifted her arms from off of him and placed her head on the pillow.

"Hey," she said angrily.

"Morning," he answered, "I knew you were faking it so I had to get you up."

"You're evil."

They both lay in silence until Buffy spoke, "Angel."

"Hmmm."

"Do you think my mom is up there watching me right now? Do you think she is mad at me?"

"Of course she's watching over you, she loves you. I told you already, it wasn't your fault. She couldn't be mad at you, its not possible."

"How do you always know the right things to say to make me feel better?"

"Because I know your soul inside and out. I love you, even though we can't be together, don't ever forget that."

"I love you too. I could never stop. I want you so bad and I hate it that you won't give us another chance."

"You know why we ca-"

Buffy jumped out of bed and cut him off.

"Don't give me that crap. You wanted me to have a normal life and do you know what happened. Do you really want to know. Guess what Spike had to show me last night. I found Riley paying a vamp to suck his blood because I couldn't satisfy him. He felt like I didn't need him and they did. That is what you get when you have normal. Is that what you wanted for me? Huh is it?"

"Oh God, Buffy, I'm sorry. I didn't think he was that type of a person. I didn't think my leaving would hurt you so much."

"Well guess what, it did. I still want you so much even after all that happened. Why can't you just give us another chance. I'll give you two options. The first is you leave here and never contact me again because whenever you come back I realize how much I love you all over again and it ruins my life, the normal one you wanted for me. The second is you let us try it over again, I know we can make it work. We love each other so much."

Angel was stunned. He didn't know what to say.

"No comment, huh? Do you mind if I help you make the decision?"

Buffy walked over towards the vampire and lowered her lips to his, catching them in a sweet, passionate kiss.

"Made up your mind yet?" she asked.

********

"I think I'll let you make the decision for us, since I usually make them," Angel answered.

"Well, that's a tough one....hmm...I guess I'll take you back because I might need you for fights or something," Buffy answered playfully.

"You guess?" he asked before crushing his lips against hers.

"Actually, I kinda like you."

"I kinda like you too."

"Really?"

She leaned in for another kiss, "Hmmm," she moaned.

"I think Giles, Xander, Willow, Cordelia, and Dawn might be worried about us. We should go down stairs and see them because we have been up here for about 12 hours," Angel said.

"Do we have to?" she pouted.

"Unfortunately, yes."

*****

Willow was the first to hear giggling noises coming from the stairs. When she turned around she saw Buffy and Angel trying to descend them but neither could keep their mouth's away from the others.

She cleared her throat, trying to get their attention.

Buffy looked up from Angel's mouth, "Hey guys," she said.

"Buffy," Willow whispered and ran to hug her friend, "I didn't think you were going to talk again. I was so worried when you wouldn't talk to anyone, so we called Angel and as I can see I guess you're not mad," she started rambling.

"Thanks, Will. I know you were trying to what is best for me. Guess what? Angel and I are back together. We had a little talk upstairs."

Buffy left Willow's embrace and went back to Angel's.

"We're getting back together," Buffy announced to everyone who was sitting in her living room.

Angel and Buffy received numerous congratulations and a huge hug from Dawn. She had never really liked Riley, she had favored Angel.

Giles and Xander were not pleased at all, but when they each got to thinking about it they figured Angel was better for her.

He knew what she was going through and he could get through to her when others couldn't.

If it hadn't been for him, Buffy would still be mourning her mother's death and not talking to anyone.

When everything had quieted down, everyone was sitting in the living room quietly talking.

"Vision," Cordelia screamed before she threw her hand up towards her head to grab it from the pain.

"Pain killers," she screamed when she was done.

When Buffy returned with the medicine, Cordelia explained what she had seen.

"It wasn't exactly a vision, it was a message for Angel. The Oracles want to see you," she explained.

"They're dead," he said.

"Replaced, actually, and they need to talk to you pronto."

"Angel, what are the Oracles," Buffy asked.

"Messengers for the Powers That Be," he answered," I wonder why they want to talk to me. I don't want to leave you, Buffy. Will you come with me to LA to see them?"

"Sure," she replied.

She ran upstairs and within 20 minutes she was back downstairs packed and ready to go.

"You didn't have to pack, we are only going for a few hours," Angel told her.

Leaning in, she whispered in his ear, "I thought maybe we could have some us time at your place."

"Good Idea."

They said their good-bye's to everyone, promising to be back in about a week, and left to go to the City of Angels.

*****

"What have you brought us warrior?" the new Oracles asked Angel.

He thought it was odd that they had called him warrior, the last time he had talked to them they referred to him as a 'lower being.'

Holding up a vase he answered, ''18th century vase."

"Why am I here?" he asked.

"You are here, warrior, to collect your reward. The Powers That Be have been watching you and the Slayer, noticing that you have decided to get back together. They don't want to risk Angelus coming back, so they have decided to make your soul permanent and you are to be given your Shanshu."

"They're making me human?"

"Yes, warrior, your time has come. This time it will be different. You will have your vampiric traits of healing and strength. We also have a message for the Slayer from her mother. Tell her that she loves her and it wasn't her fault. Now go."

With the flash of a bright light he was laying on the ground under the post office with a pulse.

"What happened?" Buffy asked.

"They..they made me human."

He didn't get an answer, instead he received tears from Buffy.

"What's wrong," he asked.

"I'm just so happy. I can finally see you in the sunlight and have all those things you said you couldn't give me. I love you so much."

"I love you too. Buffy, I have something to tell you. The Oracles told me to give you a message from your mother. She says she loves you and it wasn't your fault."

This just made her cry even more. Angel pulled her to him and gently stoked her back, soothing her cries.

*****

When Buffy and Angel got back to his apartment they went straight to his bed, to sleep. They had each had an exciting day.

Angel snuck out of the bed to get something, but then got back in with his love.

Around 10 o'clock Angel leaned down towards Buffy catching her lips in a kiss.

"Hmm...morning," she said.

"Hey. Sleep well?"

"Yes, very," she said as her stomach rumbled.

"How about I make us some breakfast," Angel suggested.

"You can cook?"

"Yeah, I do all the time for Cordy," he said as he got out of bed and walked towards the kitchen.

Buffy followed.

"So, what's for breakfast?" she asked.

"Do you like eggs?"

"Yeah."

After a few minutes Angel was done making breakfast.

"Its ready," he said.

Buffy took a bite, "Hmm..thats good. Where did you learn to be such a good cook?"

He shrugged, "I was wondering if you brought any nice dresses with you?"

"Nope, I didn't, why?"

"Because I am taking you out to dinner tonight, your gonna need something dressy. How about I take you shopping today."

"Wow, I never thought I would hear a guy say that, sure. Where are we going for dinner?"

"Its a surprise," he answered.

******

Buffy and Angel were walking through 'GAITANAS' when Buffy spotted a black pair of pants and a nice light blue casual button down shirt.

"Angel, come here," she motioned, "I found these for you. I think you should go try them on, you know spice up your color collection a little bit."

"Buffy, we are shopping for you not me," he answered.

He wasn't really a shopping person, Buffy got lucky that he was actually taking her. If he had to try on clothes he thought he would die.

"Oh come on. You're being such a baby. Maybe you can wear these tonight, if they're dressy enough; but I don't know since you won't tell me where we are going."

"I already have a suit to wear tonight. If I told you where we were going then it wouldn't be a surprise and as I said before it is a surprise. Your just going to have to wait."

"Fine," Buffy said in defeat.

After walking through a few other racks of dresses Buffy spotted the perfect dress. It was light pink tube top with tiny sequins scattered throughout the dress. The sequins were made so that when the light hit them only a few would reflect light, giving it the nicer effect.

"Angel, I found the perfect dress," Buffy called out to her lover.

He made his way over towards Buffy.

"I love it, you're going to look great in it," he commented.

"Let me go try it on. Then we can find me some shoes to go with it,'' she said as she walked behind the dressing room curtain.

After a few minutes she walked back out.

"Ok, it fits me. Now, shoes," she announced.

"I wanted to see it on you," Angel argued.

"Yeah, well I want to know where we are going but its a surprise. I decided to make my dress a surprise too. So, shoes," she said as she made her way towards the part of the boutique with shoes.

"These will work," Buffy declared as she walked up to the counter with a pair high-heeled sandals. They were pink with sequins also. She wanted to have sequins on everything tonight.

"Angel, come pay," Buffy said innocently.

He paid for the dress and shoes then the happy couple made their way home.

*****

"Buffy, come on we're going to be late," Angel yelled from the living room of his apartment.

She had been in the bathroom for over an hour trying to get ready for Angel's surprise. They had reservations for 6:30 and it was almost 6:15.

"Alright, I'm done," she announced as she walked out to see Angel.

"You look gorgeous," Angel commented while leaning in to kiss her.

"Come on, lets go," Buffy said when the kiss ended.

They walked out the door hand in hand.

*****

Buffy and Angel walked into Commander's Palace and were quickly seated.

"So, Mr. Surprise, are you going to tell me why we are out in such a nice restaurant tonight and what the occasion is?" Buffy asked.

"I have a surprise for you that is the occasion. Later we are taking a carriage ride through the park. Thats all I can tell you," Angel answered.

"Thats so sweet."

After a few minutes of silence Angel asked Buffy what she was thinking.

"Honestly?" she asked.

"Honestly."

"I'm trying to figure out what this surprise is."

"You will see soon enough."

When dinner was finished, there was a carriage waiting outside of the restaurant for Buffy and Angel.

Angel helped Buffy up and then joined her. When Angel was situated Buffy buried her head in the crook of his neck.

"This is so wonderful. I've never had this much fun in my life. Thank you, I love you so much," Buffy told him.

"Only the best for you, my love."

"I never go to thank you for coming to my rescue when my mom died. I was falling apart and I would've died if you hadn't had come. You don't know how much it means to me," Buffy said while tears trickled down her face.

"You don't have to thank me for coming, If I had known I would've come to Sunnydale without Willow or Giles calling me; but that is all in the past, I'm here now. To take care of you and make sure you never hurt again," he assured her.

Angel took the pad of his thumb and wiped away Buffy's tears.

"Can you stop here," Angel told the man driving the carriage.

He gave Buffy his hand so she could step down then started walking towards a fountain with benches on each side.

Angel guided Buffy towards the bench and then proceeded to get on his knees.

"Buffy, you're my life, I love you. Leaving you was the biggest mistake of my life, but it was worth it. Being without you made me realize how much I love and need you. I may not be able to go out into the light, but you are my light. I wouldn't have survived all these years without you to love me. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Buffy Summers will you marry me?"

"Oh god, Angel, Yes. Yes, of course," she screamed.

She launched herself into his arms and cried for the second time that night.

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

The carriage dropped Buffy and Angel off back at the hotel. They were barely in the door when they started tearing at each other's clothes. Hitting the bed, the world was lost; only the two of them existed.

When morning came Buffy awoke to have something tickling her stomach. She looked down and realized that Angel was tracing patterns along her belly.

"Morning," she said.

"Hey. Sorry if I woke you," he apologized.

"No problem."

Buffy snaked her fingers into Angel's dark hair, twisting and playing with it.

"Angel," she asked.

"Hmmm.."

"Just wondering, but what is your last name?"

"Whitfeild, why?"

"Because I wanted to see what my new last name was going to be," she was quiet for a moment, "Buffy Whitfeild, I like it."

"Glad you do, because if you didn't we would have a problem."

"No we wouldn't. You could just change your name to Summers," she giggled.

Angel stuck his arm over Buffy's stomach and then under her back, pulling her on top of him.

She laughed and bent her head down for a kiss.

"I need to call everyone and tell them about us," Buffy said when the kiss ended.

"Good idea."

Buffy walked into the lobby of the hotel, watching Cordelia and another blonde talking at the front desk.

"Hey Cordy," Buffy greeted her, ''Guess what?"

"You didn't turn Angel evil did you?" she asked, ''By the way this is Kate."

"No, I didn't. Actually I have two things to tell you. One, Angel is now human and two, we're engaged," she answered happily.

Cordelia ran towards the slayer and pulled her into a huge hug, ''That is so great. Congratulations."

At that moment Angel entered the room in a pair of boxers and a white pull over shirt.

"Congratulations," Cordelia screamed before running towards her boss and doing the same as she did to Buffy, "Buffy told me everything."

"Thanks, Cordy," he answered. Noticing Kate was here he asked, "Kate, can I help you?"

"Yes. Last night there was a note left at the station from Darla and Dru," Kate said handing him the note.

"Wait, Darla is dead. I watched Angel kill her," Buffy said confused.

"Long story, short. An evil law firm brought Darla back human and Dru turned her evil again. Now they are going on killing sprees," Cordelia answered for her.

"Oh, Angel what does the note say," Buffy asked.

"Nothing," he answered solemnly.

"Don't tell me nothing, I see it on your face. What does it say?" Buffy demanded.

"That they know about my humanity and they are coming after you."

"Me?" she asked not believing him, "Well I am not waiting around for them to come to me. I am going to kick Darla's ass when I find her."

"Excuse me, but if you don't mind me asking, how can you hurt Darla?" Kate asked Buffy.

"I'm the Slayer. Its my sacred birth right to kill vampires. I'm stronger than Angel," she answered simply.

"Oh, yeah. I read about you."

"You read about me?" Buffy asked, ''Where?"

"When I was looking up things on Angel there was something about the Slayer."

"Anyway," Cordelia interrupted, ''What are we going to do?"

"Cordelia you go research and see if you can find out where Darla and Dru are staying. Kate could you possibly find me some details on how people were killed or where they were killed. Buffy, you and I can spar and get ready for the fight," Angel ordered.

"Also, Cordelia, could you call Gunn and Wesley and get them to come in," he added.

"Sure thing boss," she replied and saluted with her hand.

"So, do you have like a training room in here or do you just train in the lobby?" Buffy asked.

"The Lobby. Want to get started?"

"Hold on. I need to go change into some more trainy type clothes," Buffy said as she looked down at her attire, Angel's long button down t-shirt.

Buffy ran upstairs and in 5 minutes she was back down.

"Alright, I'm ready," she announced.

"Angel, Gunn and Wesley are on their way," Cordelia yelled.

"Thanks, Cordy, " he replied.

Buffy and Angel got into position, each one circling the other. Waiting for the other to make the first move.

"Want me to go easy on ya?" Buffy asked.

"Give me all ya got,'' Angel challenged.

"Whatever you say."

Buffy launched into battle.

For a while both Angel and Buffy blocked the other's punches and kicks. Neither one winning or losing.

Buffy faked a punch then took her leg and knocked Angel to the floor. Immediately she was on top of him.

Instead of punching him, she planted a kiss upon his lips.

The kiss left both of them panting for air.

Angel flipped Buffy over onto her back and kissed her roughly. Buffy locked her legs around his waist, trying to get even closer to him, not breaking the kiss.

Each one of there hands were roaming, searching, and exploring he other one's body.

"Ok, I am here. What is wrong?" Gunn's voice echoed through the hotel.

Angel and Buffy didn't pay attention.

Gunn noticed the two lovers on the ground and added his comments, ''Someone's getting hot and heavy on the floor with a little blonde."

Buffy and Angel stopped their actions and straightenned their clothes out. Buffy slid from under Angel and stood up, Angel following her.

"Gunn," Angel greeted him, slinging his arm around Buffy's waist, "This is Buffy, my fiance."

"Whoa there, your fiance?"

"Yes," Angel answered before walking towards Cordelia.

"Cordelia did Kate call with the information I asked about?" Angel asked.

"Nope, not yet. She said she would bring it over here instead of telling us over the phone," Cordelia turned towards Gunn, ''Angel might have forgotten to tell you the part where he is now human and that blonde over there is Buffy, I think I have told you about her."

"Congratulations man."

Wesley walked into the hotel, followed by Kate.

"Good, everyone is here," Angel said, "Here is the plan."

*******

"Kate, can I have the address of where Dru and Darla are located?" Angel asked before starting to tell everyone about the plan.

She handed the paper over to Angel.

"Alright, here is the plan," he started. "Buffy and I will go in the front door, while Gunn and Cordelia will arm the door. No one is to come in and fight with us," Angel paused for a moment, thinking things over, "Wesley and Kate will hide out in the rafters and take out any fledgings. Do not attempt to shoot at Darla or Dru; Buffy and I will take care of them. Does anyone have any questions?"

Everyone nodded their heads from side to side, indicating no.

"Good, now I was thinking we could go down tonight around 9 or 10. So, for right now everyone just get ready and be prepared."

Angel turned to Buffy, "I think you and I should train some more."

"I'm all up for it," she replied.

"I bet both of you are," Gunn chided, "I mean look what happened last time you two started training. You ended up on the floor all hot and heavy."

"Yeah, well, that's Buffy and Angel for you," Cordelia reminded.

"It is not like that," Buffy tried to convince them and herself.

She walked over towards where Angel was, each of them circling the other; waiting to make the first move.

Buffy, noticing the glances Kate was throwing over towards Angel, decided she would be the first to make a move.

Flipping over Angel's head, she landed on her feet and delivered a punch to his face. Angel recovered and punched at Buffy, but it was blocked. Buffy did a round off backhand spring over towards Angel and ended it with a kick to his midsection.

Angel was ready for her kick, grabbed her leg and flipped her. Landing on Cordelia's desk, Buffy stood up. Angel kicked at her legs, she jumped above him and landed on the floor.

Buffy kicked Angel's feet from under him and, as before, he was on the ground with her above him; except this time she didn't have enough time to go in for the kiss. Angel kicked Buffy off of him and proceeded towards her.

The blonde slayer, thinking he was coming in for the attack, had an evil smile on her lips. She thought she was ready for what he had coming, but she was caught off guard. He grabbed her around the waist and threw her over his shoulders. Running up the stairs of the hotel, Angel quickly pushed the door of his room open.

Lowering her down off his back, Buffy stared at Angel with lust filled eyes.

Before either could say anything, he had Buffy on the bed, tearing her clothes from her body.

*****

"Well, look who decided to join us," Cordelia said as Angel and Buffy descended the stairs of the Hyperion Hotel.

"I was helping Angel fix something," Buffy replied trying to hide what they were really doing.

"Sure you were," Gunn said not believing her alibi.

"Ok, so is everyone ready?" Angel asked.

Each person in the room nodded their heads in a yes answer.

"Then lets go."

*****

The 6 of them walked in 3 lines of 2. Buffy and Angel in the lead followed by Cordelia and Gunn, then Wesley and Kate.

They walked through dark alleys and dusty warehouses until finally they came to their destination.

Buffy and Angel peeked through the windows to see Darla, Dru and 5 or 6 other vampires.

Figuring they could take them on, the 2 lovers kicked the doors open and walked in.

"Grandmother, daddy's here," Dru cooed in her insane voice. "The stars tell me he isn't very pleased with us, grandmother."

"Yes, Dru, Angel's here. Oh, look he brought his cheerleader with him," Darla answered her.

"Darla, you know I would've thought that with you being human for a while you would've been able to see the bags that were starting to show under your eyes. I'm telling you, they are getting worse," Buffy told Angel's sire.

"Dru, she hasn't lost her spunk," Darla chided.

"Ok, we're here to fight. Let's get with it," Buffy said looking towards Angel.

"Is that what you want, daddy?" Dru asked Angel.

"Yes," he answered.

Angel landed a kick to Dru's midsection while Buffy took on Darla.

Buffy aimed a series of blows at Darla's face, knocking her to the ground. She proceeded to kick her in the side; each time flipping her over from her back to her stomach.

Dru ran from where Angel was fighting with her and grabbed Buffy, pulling her to the ground; giving Darla just enough time to get up.

Darla ran at Angel.

"I would've thought 150 years would mean something," she screamed, punching Angel in the face.

Kicking her in the stomach, Angel replied, "What can I say, I grew out of you. I like my women young." He plunged his stake into her heart.

Running over to help Buffy, Angel grabbed Dru from behind; holding her arms so she couldn't move. Buffy took the oppertunity to go in for the kill.

"Have a nice time in hell," she said before staking the insane vampiress.

Buffy and Angel looked around, checking to see if there was any vamps left. It seemed they had all run off when the fight had begun.

"That was fun," Buffy said turning to Angel.

Angel wrapped his arm around Buffy's back, tilting her head towards his face.

"I love you," he said.

"And I you," she replied leaning in for a kiss.

***********

Buffy and Angel arrived home from killing Darla and Dru only 2 hours after they had left. Both being tired, they headed for the bedroom for long needed rest.

When Buffy woke up Angel was missing from his place beside her. Figuring he was in the shower, Buffy dismissed it and went back to sleep.

Angel slipped back into bed, positing Buffy on his chest like before he left. Even though he was being gentle, he still woke her.

"Hey," he greeted.

"Morning," she replied. "Where were you earlier? I woke up and you were gone?"

"I was downstairs doing something," he answered, secretly hoping she wouldn't push it any further. He didn't want his surprise to be ruined.

"Doing what?" she questioned.

"I thought I heard someone at the door; I went to check and see who it was. Turns out no one was there."

Angel hated lying to her, but he wanted everything to be special.

"Oh," she answered.

"Yeah," he replied, stretching his arms above his head. "I'm going to take a shower, want to join me?"

"Definitely."

The couple ran to the shower, stripping their clothes off like wild animals.

Angel showered quickly and was out before Buffy could tell what happened.

Confused by his gesture, Buffy stayed in the shower a while longer to think of what she could have done to make him so distant.

Buffy stepped out of the shower, wrapping herself in a thick, fluffy, white towel. She quickly picked out her clothes for the day and made her way downstairs.

When she descended the stairs she found something she least expected.

The lights were off with the shades drawn. Vanilla candles were all along the tables and above the fire place.

Angel emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray of strawberries and whip cream.

"Does the lady like?" Angel asked.

"I like. Very much."

"Good," he paused. "Happy Valentines Day, I love you."

"MMM..I love you to," she said, biting into a strawberry. "I hope we stay like this forever. You, me and our love. I don't know what I would be able to do without you."

"I am always here for you, I'm here now and I will be here forever."

Buffy smiled and for the first time in a few years she was actually happy.

Up in the sky over the horizon was a proud mother, her daughter had finally been reunited with the man she loved. Although, she hadn't approved earlier in her daughter's life, she now realized he was what was best for her.

She smiled to herself and disappeared.

"Have a good life, Buffy," she whispered.

And those were Joyce Summers final words.

so did yall like? corny ending, i know!! but i had to come up with something.....i wil be sending a new fic I have started soon!!!

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