Summary: What if Buffy had stayed in L.A. and didn't move to Sunnydale?
Disclaimer: I don't own `em. So blah!
Timeline: Pre-4th season. No worries about the bastard R(iley... I wish not to type his name. Its not worth the effort unless I wanna pummel him in a fic or something.)
Rating:Same as the show.
Notes: This is a response to a challenge. I forgot where I found the challenge, it was on a website. But, whoever it is, thanks for the challenge and the great idea. The challenge is at the end of this fic.
Notes2: Um... I can never follow a whole challenge correctly, cuz I usually end up thinking `hey! what if i change this into that! oh wow, that looks neat, i wanna keep it like that. i think peeps will like it!' so the fic may not follow the challenge entirely, but its
pretty close.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"I understand that Giles," Angel said to the resident Watcher of Sunnydale. He still couldn't understand why Giles was having such a difficult time excepting that he needed to move on. Sunnydale no longer needed him. After he defeated the Master, stopped Darla from raising Acaltha, and got rid of the Mayor, there was no need for him to stay anymore. The Hellmouth was closed forever after the explosion in the local high school. After the previous Slayer, Kendra, died, Faith took over last year and now she could take care of everything.
She was a nice girl. So was Kendra when she learned to except that he was a vampire, and nothing could change that.

He did miss the gang back at home at times. Willow had been the most excepting toward him. So was Oz, considering he was a werewolf. Cordy had been afraid at first but learned to except him when she dated Xander for a month. That boy had strangely excepted him after he
killed the Master. But he had matured as the years went by.

Now, Angel was standing in his brand new office. He, Cordelia, and Doyle, (a part-demon he had met in Sunnydale just before he decided to move to L.A.)had opened Angel Investiagations a week ago. And the office was starting to feel like home to the three.

"Yes," Angel said, sighing, "Cordelia's taken care of that. She's sending you the book by mail." He paused, then said, "She is? Why would Faith come here?" He listened, "A friend? Who?"

There was a small ring outside his office and he recognized it as the bell to the front door. He looked outside his office and gestured to Cordelia and Doyle to see who it was. They nodded, and moved to the door.

"A Slayer?" Angel said, "I thought you said she--oh. So, she died before Kendra was called?" He moved over to his desk, "Yes. Okay. Her Watcher? Wesley Wyndham-Price? You want me to contact him? Why?" He paused and listened as the Watcher explained. Angel sighed, "Because the Slayer in L.A. is said to be very powerful? She's--really? She's came across Wolfram and Hart? Several times. Alright. Yeah. When will Faith be here? Okay. Thanks. Bye." Angel hung up the phone and moved out of his office.

"Angel!" Cordelia said pleasantly, flashing the 240-some vampire a smile, "This is Wesley Wyndham-Price. Wesley, this is Angel."

Angel shook the man's hand. It was weird to him, that this before him was a Watcher... who looked a lot like a younger version of Giles... it was very odd.

"Ah, yes," Wesley said pleasantly, "Angel. Mr. Giles has told me much about you."

"As he did you," Angel said, "Is there something I can help you with?"

"Yes," Wesley said, sounding a little down, "I'm afraid there is an... a dier need of your help. I am, that is. You see, my Slayer, Miss Buffy Summers--"

"Buffy?" Doyle repeated, looking as if someone had shot him with a gun, "The Buffy Summers? The Slayer?"

"Yes," Wesley replied, "You've heard of her?"

"Hell, yeah," Doyle exclaimed, "I've lived here most of my life, and she's damn right popular in the demon comunity. They keep talking about her as of she was God's gift. I heard she's good."

Wesley smiled proudly, "She is. From what I have learned from the council, one of the best they have seen in years."

"Wait a minute." Cordelia interrupted, "I thought that whole rif about the Slayer was that its just the Chosen, *One*, now their are two?"

"Yes," Wesley replied, "You see, when Buffy was sixteen, she fought the Master's counter part, his mate. Heinrich Joseph Nest's lover--"

"Helen," Angel said, remembering her. She had been just as dangerous as the Master when the roamed together. But they had some how split apart. Last he heard of her was that she had visited him once when he had been confined below the school of Sunnydale, to tell him that she was ruling L.A. as a Master vampire, and she no longer wanted that title of mate.

"Yes," Wesley said, adjusting his glasses, "You see, before Buffy could kill her, Helen had fed off of her, and thrown her into a pool. Luckily, her boyfriend at the time, Pike, had found her and done CPR. Her dying had activated the neext Slayer, Kendra, and so fourth to
Faith."

"Oh..." Cordy said, then looked at Doyle, still a bit confused. He merely shrugged. She sighed.

"You were saying earlier.." Angel prompted.

"Oh.. ah, yes," Wesley explained, "Buffy is a very exceptional girl. She does not follow the council's orders all the time. Not when the situation could be done in a better way. Anyway, I have recently discovered a prophecy of, well drastic porportion."

"I haven't heard words like that since Giles," Cordy muttered, "What does that mean in American?"

"It means something bad." Doyle said.

"As I was saying, its very vague and confusing, but the prohecy is very direct that the Slayer, the original will fight a creature not of man, nor demon. A creature that is constructed to learn and to kill. A creature that will be created from the hands of no demon. This creature will roam the earth. Without the help of the fighters of light, she shall fall." Wesley sighed, "Its all really vague. So, I spoke with Giles and he suggested that I speak with you--and, if needed, he bring his... ah, team along to help."

"Makes sense," Cordy said, "Scooby's work better in larger groups. I`m gonna go call Giles and give him the heads up."

"Right," Angel looked at Wesley, "What exactly would you like me to do?"

"Well," Wesley sighed, "Ah, Buffy, she has found a place, I am unaware if you know of it. It is called The Caritas, I belive. There is a demon there, known as The Host. He sometimes gives Buffy information about certain demons that have been giving his customers a hard time. Anyway, she usually goes to the place an hour or so after nightfall. She should be there tonight. I would like you to watch her. Just for tonight. I know she will not be too pleased with me for asking someone to watch her, but she is still awfully young..."

"I understand," Angel said. Remembering how difficult it had been to deal with Faith. She had never liked asking for help, and didn't like too much company when she was out slaying. But, eventually she became used to it.

Cordelia came back in the room, "Giles said to let him know the minute we need helpl. You already gave the alert to the others."

"Alright," Angel said. Wesley reached into his coat and pulled out a small card. Angel recognized it as one of their business cards, the onees Cordelia had made. Wesley handed it to Angel, "I wrote my number. If you find anything that could be threatening Buffy's life,
please contact me."

Angel nodded, "I will."

"Thank you." Wesley said.

"Your welcome," Angel thought quickly, "Oh, wait. What does she look like?"

"Oh, Ah," Wesley stumbled, "She's... well, er, she's barely above five feet, perhaps five two. Uh, she's blond, with green eyes. Petite."

Angel's brow furrowed. Petite? A Slayer? He hadn't known one petite slayer since.... well, never.

"She may, or may not be with a boy, Pike. He's two years older than she. He's about my height." Wesley glanced down at his watch, "I must be going. I have to train with Buffy." He nodded, thanking Angel again, then left.

Cordy eyed Angel, "I thought Slayers were big, y'know? Like... all mean and tough, like Faith, or all quiet and strict-like, just like Kendra."

"I didn't know that either." Angel admitted, "Doyle, do you know where this Caritas place is?"

Doyle nodded, "Yeah, I've been there once or twice. Its a big place for demons and vamps."

"Okay, your coming with me tonight. Cordy, I want you to stay here, just in case something happens, alright?"

Cordelia nodded.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Caritas was just ahead of her. The place was as familiar as the stake she had hidden in her leather jacket. She wasn't exactly sure why, but she dressed in a snug black top and a pair of leather pants that she hadn't touched since 1998. It was something in the air that night that seemed to call out to her.

I'm thinking like a weirdo, Buffy thought as she rounded into an alley way. She sighed. She had felt it alright. And `it' was right behind her. Jumping onto a bar above, she briefly thought, Why do they always follow me into alleys? Don't they get that the whole alley thing is so old?

She waited patiently until her attacker came into view. Quickly she swung down and her feet conected with the back of his should blades. He fell onto his back, about to get up when she slammed her booted foot onto his chest.

"Is there a problem, ma'am?" He asked from the ground, looking at her in a odd way. She didn't realize she was returning the look as she said hostily, "Yeah, there's a problem. Why are you following me?"

He smiled up at her slightly, thinking, Not bad... "I know what your thinking. Don't worry. I don't bite." Which is sort of true... He thought as he watched her catiously move her foot off of his chest and take a step back.

They both studied each other for a brief moment before he said, "Truth is, I thought you'd be taller. Bigger in muscles and all that." He rubbed the back of his neck, "You're real spry though."

Buffy rolled her eyes, "Look, I'd love to continue this friendly chit chat, but I've got places to be.... demons to kill." She added as she started back out of the alley.

"Y'know," He started, "Turning your back on someone isn't the smartest thing to do."

She stopped, sighing. Not turning around she replied, "Why's that?"

"You could end up dead." He answered simply, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Buffy sighed again, whirling around on her heels, "Is that so?" She put her hands on her hips, "Thanks for advice, but trust me when I say, I don't need it. I've got enough people poping up out of nowhere on me. I don't need to addd you to the list."

"You really don't know what's happening do you?" He asked.

What was it with this guy? He wouldn't get it through his thick skull that she wanted him to go away. She had serious business to get to with The Host, and she wasn't going to get there if he kept asking questions and telling her what to do.

"Let me see," Buffy said, looking up as if she was checking off a mental list, "Werewolf, check. Returning the little boy who was the werewolf, check. Telling his parents to be more careful with the boy, check. Learning that a big evil is coming to kill me... ooh! Wait. That hasn't happened and its not gonna happen."

"Are you always this sarcastic?" He asked.

"Are you always this cryptic?" Buffy returned.

Angel smiled. He was getting to her. Now, if he could only distract her long enough. Doyle was inside the bar, getting information from The Host about any demon that was planning on taking her life. He wouldn't show it, but he had been taken back by her beauty. Her blond
hair was like sunshine, falling down her small shoulders, slightly curled in a way that reminded him of the women in Galway. Her eyes were a sparkling green, filled with life, yet slightly hardened by something he couldn't quite read.As Wesley had told him, she was
tiny. Her shoes giving her at least one foot of extra height.

Buffy sighed again, and he watched as it esacped her soft pink lips, "Can you please tell me what you want so I can leave? Or at least so you can leave me alone?"

Angel was about to reply when she heard that all too familiar snicker come from behind her. She noted, quickly, the way Angel seemed to stiffen at the sight of something. Buffy lifted a brow, turning, then sighed when she saw the peroxide blond, taking a drag of his ciggerate.

"Why if it isn't the Slayer." Spike said, blowing out the smoke.

Buffy rolled her eyes, "What the hell do you want Spike?" So, this was where William had run off to after he came to Sunnydale, balling about Dru. Angel calmed his nerves down. He didn't go into good terms when it came to Spike.

"Just out enjoying the night air, Blondie." Spike, for the first time, noticed her companion, "Well, if it isn't the great Poof! Ha, what brings you `ere?"

"Um, excuse me, what are either of you doing here?" Buffy asked, not taking her eyes off of Spike. For some strange reason, she found herself trusting the stranger she just met, more than Spike.

"Told you Slayer," Spike said, while rolling his eyes, "I'm out for a walk."

"Sure you are," Buffy said, "And Dru's sane."

Spike inhaled sharply, "Don't you dare talk about her."

"What?" Buffy said, mockingly, "Dru? The ho that left you again. Sorry angel, but, I guess you were to sane for her liking."

With that, Spike attacked and Buffy was ready for him. She grabbed him by his arm and threw him into the wall. Buffy pulled out her stake, "Spike, why don't you just crawl back under that rock you came from?"

"Funny Slayer," Spike said, his face changing, distored. Buffy sighed, "Isn't that a little over dramatic?"

Spike changed back, lit another cig, and took a long drag. He sneered at the little Slayer, and growled softly, "Y'know what? I think I should find that little friend of yours. What's his name?"

"Spike," Buffy started, "You're annoying the hell out of me. Why don't you go off, find yourself a little vampire ho, and get wasted. At least that way I can enjoy my life for a night."

Spike shrugged, "Ah, well, you've never been one to let yourself have a little fun, now have you?" With that, he was gone.

Buffy sighed, then turned to look at Angel, but he was gone. Her curiosity, getting the best of her as she glanced around the alley. She looked down, then squinted at the small box that was laying where the man once stood. She picked it up, glanced around the area one last time, then opened the box.

Inside was a perfect silver cross. She traced her finger lightly over the cross, then looked around for the stranger again. She took the necklace out, put it on. She adjusted the cross, and smiled faintly at it. She moved from the alley, taking her time. When she passed by a open trash can, she dumped the box into it.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When Angel finally made it back home, he was taken aback by the set of eyes that landed on him. He walked in, Doyle following after explaining everything the host had to say.

"Guys... what are you doing here?" Angel asked.

Willow smiled and waved, slightly, "Giles said that you might need our help. So we all decided to come down." She shared a small smile with Oz, then frowned, "It is okay, isn't it?"

"Its fine." Angel said.

"This is a nice place, Dead Boy," Xander said as he squeezed Anya's hand. She smiled at him and returned the squeeze.

"Don't call me that," Angel said through gritted teeth.

"I tried to stop him Angel," Cordy said, walking over to Doyle, "But he wouldn't listen to me." She turned to Doyle, "He's never listened to me."

"I beilieve that Wesley should be here soon," Giles said, "I contacted him and asked him to come here, if it isn't too much of a trouble Angel."

"No, that's fine," Angel said.

"Good," A voice said from the door, "Because he had better tell me what's going on."

Angel turned, his jaw almost dropping when he saw Buffy standing there. Her arms were crossed over her chest. And she looked a bit annoyed. Maybe just a tad mad.

"B!" Faith cried, moving away from Giles to met her sister Slayer. Buffy grinned at Faith as she embraced her in a hug, "God, I haven't seen ya since last summer,"

"I know," Buffy said smiling, "How've you been?"

"I've been good." Faith said, "What about you? You still with Pike?"

Buffy frowned a bit, "Nah. Broke up. Too many complications."

"In other words: Demon?" Faith said.

"Yeah. One that nearly took his life." Buffy sighed, "He's in the hospital now, but he's getting better."

"Mind if I make a move on him?" Faith asked to which Buffy laughed. Same old Faith. "Why not? Might do him some good. Likes the danger and all."

"Awesome," Faith said, then looked back at the others, and at Angel, "Hey, Angel man. I think you let B. here track you down."

Buffy smiled, "And may I add, it was pretty damn easy. I think you're not as stealthy as I thought you were."

Cordy smiled, taking a liking to this girl... whoever the heck she was, "She's right Angel. You have been stealth less lately."

Angel sent an annoyed look at Cordy, then looked back at Buffy who had taken three steps toward him while Faith moved back to stand by Giles. Buffy sighed, "You know, I don't like it when guys pop out of no where and just leave. Its really rude."

Angel started to speak, but then stopped as if his mouth couldn't form words. He hadn't expected to see her so quickly. He had been completely un prepared for it. She smiled at his lack of words, and took another step toward him, "So, I'm guessing the name's Angel,
right?"

Angel nodded.

Buffy smiled, "Its a pretty name." She suddenly reached up and touched the cross around her neck, "Thanks for the cross. Saved me from a vamp attack on the way over here."

She watched as he remained silent. Buffy broke out into a smile, and laughed softly, "Did a cat take your tongue on the way here? Cuz, I'm seeing lack of words, and from what I remember, your quite the talker."

"Buffy." Angel finally managed.

"Yes?" Buffy said sweetly.

"Giles," Angel said, turning to the Watcher, "Uh, this is Buffy."

"Yes," Giles said, remembering the name, "Miss Summers. Its a pleasure to meet you."

Buffy smiled faintly, "Likewise. Wes has told me a lot about you. He says your one of the top Watchers apart of the council today." She watched and giggled softly when she saw the Watcher blush. It was weird that Wes had never told her that he looked a lot like Giles.

"Hi." Xander said, looking at the blond, "I'm Xander. You're a Slayer, right?"

"Give the man a prize," Buffy said.

"Sense of humor," Xander said smiling, "I like that in a Slayer."

Buffy shook her head, "Well, if I didn't have one, I'd probably be dead."

"I'm Anya," The girl next to Xander said, tightening her hold around his hand, "Xander's `girlfriend'."

Okaaay... Buffy thought as she brought her gaze toward the next couple; a red head and a blondish strawberry haired guy. He looked over at the girl who was looking back at him, before he said, "Willow." he pointed to her, "I'm Oz."

Buffy smiled, then thought something over, "Wait a minute. Oz? As in, Dingo's Ate My Baby Oz?"

Oz frowned as did Willow, confused as to how she knew him. Oz nodded. Buffy laughed softly, "You have a cousin named Jordy, don't you? Oh my God. Get this, two nights ago, I tracked down the little guy, when he was all wolfy and I brought him home to his parents."

"He's alright?" Oz asked.

"Oh, yeah," Buffy said, "He's a rough little guy, but nothing I couldn't handle. But when I got him to wake up the next morning he kept mumbling something about Oz. So, figured you'd be that Oz."

"That's amazing," Willow said, "How could you just tell that?"

Buffy shrugged, "Well, Oz's a werewolf."

"How'd you know that?" Willow asked.

"Its sort of my new Slayer ability," Buffy said, "I can tell what some creatures are. I mean, if they look human." She stepped forward, "Like, the fact that you, are a witch, or perferably Wiccan. She moved on, looking at Anya, "I think you used to be something, but your not it anymore."

"Vengence demon," Anya said.

"Right," Buffy said, looking at Doyle, "You are part demon."

Cordy raised a brow, then looked at Doyle and smacked him, "You're part demon and you didn't even tell me!" "Hey!" Doyle said. "Doyle." Cordelia growled, grabbing him by his arm, "Come with me. You are so in trouble buster..." She dragged him toward the stairs as Doyle
protested, "'Delia..." "Don't Delia me!"

"Okay." Buffy said, "I think I just gave out the big secret."

Angel shook his head, "No, you didn't. Everyone knew, except for Cordelia."

"Oh," Buffy said, beforing turning to him, "And you, Angel. She sighed as she covered the cross around her neck with a hand, "You're a vampire."

"But a good one!" Willow cried, worried that her vampire friend would end up dust in the next ten seconds.

"I know," Buffy said.

Angel frowned, "You knew...?"

"You didn't act like a vampire," Buffy said, "You were confusing in that alley way. But... the way you moved, the way you talked. I knew that you couldn't be human. So, then... what's the deal?"

***

"Cursed huh?" Buffy said.

It had been almost an hour or so after Angel had explained his life's story with her. The basic changes in his life that led him to be what he was today. He had been a little surprised at Buffy's understanding manner. Her expressions comforting when he couldn't seem to put into
words what he had felt at certain moments. Her body language letting him know that she was really paying attention.

"Yeah," Angel nodded, "Its not an every day thing."

Buffy giggled, "If it was, then I'd say I'd be out of the job."

"True." Angel said.

"So..." Buffy started, clasping her hands in front of her.

"Well..." Angel continued, glancing from Buffy and to his hands.

"I think that..."

"Yeah... that would be..."

"Okay..." Buffy stood, "Uh, it was... uh, nice meeting you."

"Yeah," Angel watched as she moved toward the elvator, "If you need help with anything..."

"I know what vamp to find," Buffy said before going down.

Angel sighed, moved to his room, stripped off his clothing, and went to bed.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It had almost been a month since Buffy had entered Angel's life, and he found her quite helpful. Her quick fighter's mind came in handy. And she wasn't at all tough to be around. Surprisingly, they got along quite well. Always looking out for one another whenever in a
fight. She even helped cracked a case or two. She was a beautiful girl...

What?...

Angel watched her from across the room as she stretched. She had insisted that they train together, explaining how it would help them for any big fights in the future. The search for that demon that was suppose to challenge Buffy, possible kill her was still no where to
be found. Giles had called and explained that Spike had shown up in Sunnydale, but Faith had taken care of him. He was still in Sunnydale, last he heard.

Buffy smiled as she caught Angel's eye. He was okay for a vampire. Better than most vamps anyway. What was beginning to bug her a lot was that the old vampire was starting to grow on her. She enjoyed his company. She liked that there was in fact, someone out there who
could watch her back.

"Are you enjoying the view?" Buffy asked as she stretched down to touch her toes, locking eyes with him as she looked at him.

Angel's jaw fell, and he started to stutter, "No-I wasn't trying-I mean I wouldn't look... not that you aren't-and I.."

Buffy giggled, standing up straight, and turning around to look at him, "I was just teasing, Angel."

"Oh."

"Well," Buffy walked out into the center of the room, standing on the mats that they didn't really need, "Guess we should start, huh?"

"Yeah," Angel said, moving toward the mat and taking off his shirt as Buffy tied her hair back into a more secure ponytail.

They both took fighters stances before Angel attacked. They fought with fast paced punches, kicks, and blokes. Each hit bringing on a new level of sweat and adreneline. Each bloke bringing on new anticapation on who was to win. Fire fueled with fire.

Buffy went in for the kill, hooking her leg behind Angel's calf and bringing him forward. With a satisfied smile, Buffy pounced on him, pinning him to the blue matt.

"Got'cha," Buffy smiled.

Angel sighed, "Guess you did." Then he smiled wickedly, causing Buffy to frown. In one quick, swift movement, Buffy found herself on her back with Angel looming over her. "Then again," He said, smiling down at her, "Maybe you don't."

Buffy breathed, "Sneaky. I like it."

He smiled. Then frowned. He could hear Buffy's heart beat. It had doubled in less than a minute. He felt one of her little fingers slowly tap his back from where she had placed her hands.

Oh... Angel thought, understanding now. He now realized, that if he had a heart, it would have been in the same situation as hers. Her face was so close... her breath on his face, fast and shallow. Her lips looked so soft...

Without a warning, Angel had seized her lips with his own. Though his mind had advised against it, another part of him screamed at him to kiss her. He was surprised at her instant reaction. Responding to the kiss by wrapping her arms around him and bringing him closer to her.

He smiled against her mouth when he heard her moan. Sliding one of his arms onto her waist, he started to get up, trying to break the kiss so she could breath. But she followed, wrapping her legs around his waist as he moved. Not wanting to break the kiss for the world.

But he knew that as much as he wanted the kiss to continue, that she needed that air just as badly. With a great deal of force, Angel pulled his lips away. He watched as the young women in his arms breathed in deeply, her cheeks flushed, lips parted as she panted.

"That was..." Buffy started.

"Intense..." Angel finished.

"Oh yeah," Buffy said.

Almost awkwardly, they both stared at each other. Then, without warning their lips fused together, yet again. Buffy giggled against his mouth as he lowered them back onto the mat, his arms dancing down her sides until they reached her tummy. His movements caused her to
laugh, as he pulled away from her, looking confused.

"Sorry," Buffy whispered, "You just found one of my tickle spots."

Angel smirked before he swooped down on her, tickling her until she cried for him to stop. When he did, he smiled down at her, leaning forward and kissing the sweat that beaded across her forehead.

Gently, Buffy pulled Angel back down, kissing his lips tenderly. He returned the kiss. Sweet and soft. Honey like, was another way to describe it. Gentle touches and soft brushes on backs, arms, shoulders, necks, and hair.

"Angel, I hate to be a bother but there`s a-holy monkey!" Cordelia cried when her eyes layed on the display before her. Quickly, she turned away and bumped into Doyle.

Angel and Buffy pulled apart, a bit sheepishly. Both of them got up, awkwardly glancing at one another until Doyle asked, "Uh... what's going on?"

Cordelia looked up at him, giving him a, `DUH!' face, "Hello? Did you not just see the serious PDA action between our boss and the resident Slayer?"

Doyle looked at his boss, than at the petite Slayer. He smiled at Angel, "Way to go, man,"

Cordelia gaped at him before slapping his arm. Angel sighed, not wanting to explain what had happened between himself and Buffy earlier. He hadn't even gotten the time to speak with her about what she... felt. Did she carry the same feelings? Was it a mistake? Had she only kissed him back because she had been so worked up after training?

"Cordy." Angel started, "What is it that you want?"

"Oh," Cordelia said, "I was going to say, that you've got a visitor. Miss, cop bitca is here."

Buffy sighed, "God, not that Lockely cop again."

Angel looked at her, curious to know how she knew Kate Lockely, since he had never introduced the two. She shrugged, "Cop lady used to investigate some of the weird stuff that went on at Hemery. She was so snoopy."

"Anyway," Cordy sighed, crossing her arms, "She says she needs to talk to you about a case or something,"

"Tell her all be there in a minute." Angel said. Cordelia nodded before leaving the room with Doyle.

Angel turned to Buffy, about to speak when she blurted, "Yeah, yeah. I know. I'll see ya after?"

He smiled, leaning down and capturing her lips in a quick chaste kiss. She smiled just before he heading toward his office. Sighing, Buffy sat back down, curling her legs under her. Wondering about what was to be.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"What do you think their talking about?" Cordelia asked as she peered through the blinds into Angel's office. Doyle sighed as he watched Cordelia move restlessly. He swore that sometimes, she could be so noisy yet cute at the same time.

"I dunno," Doyle replied, "Probably business,"

Cordelia rolled her eyes, "Knowing cop lady, she's probably asking him out to dinner,"

Doyle frowned, taking a step forward. He gathered up his strength, and cleared his throat, "Ah, `Delia?"

"Yeah?" Cordelia asked, watching her boss move around his office.

"Would you... would you like to go to dinner with me?" Doyle asked, his voice steady, but soft.

Cordelia whirled around, "What?"

Doyle took a step back, mentally hitting himself in the head. What could he have been thinking? Cordelia was a classy girl. What would she want to do with him? Sheepishly, Doyle started, "Ah, you don't have to go... I mean, I'd understand if you didn't-"

"I'd like that," Cordelia said, interrupting his rambling.

His eyes bugged out, and he nearly fell over, "You... you would?"

"Yeah," Cordelia said quietly, "Um, it might be fun. Just you and... me."

Doyle grinned, "Well, uh, great. Um, how about tonight? Around seven?"

"Sure," Cordy said, smiling gently, before turning back to look throught the blinds.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Angel came walking down the steps almost twenty minutes latter. Buffy rose from her spot on the couch, looking up at him with a small glint of hope in her eyes.

"Hope you don't mind," Buffy said, gesturing to the shirt and sweats she wore, her hair damp, "But I kinda burrowed your cloths after taking a shower,"

Angel smiled, "Its alright."

"I guess we have to talk about us, huh?" Buffy asked sitting back down. Angel moved to sit at the other end, "I guess we do."

"Buffy-"

"Angel-"

They both chuckled. "You go first," Angel said. Buffy sighed, "Um... Angel, I know you're still trying to find your purpose in life. I know that, and I know that you feel guilty at times, because of everything you've done, but I just want you to know, that I care about you a lot. And, please, Angel, no matter what, don't push me away because I couldn't stand the thought of losing you-"

"Buffy," Angel interrupted, "I feel the same way,"

"You do?" Buffy asked.

"Yes," Angel answered, taking her hand, "I can't promise you everything-"

"I don't want everything." Buffy said.

"I know," Angel said, "But I can be there for you. Whenever you need me."

"That's all I want," Buffy said before curling into Angel's arms. He kissed her head, and gently let his hands trail down her back.

"Can I stay here the night?" Buffy asked in a sleepy voice. Angel smiled, "Of course." Buffy smiled, letting sleep take over. Angel sighed, "Sleep, my Slayer."

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