Part Nine

Angel's face was pensive and thoughtful as he stared out of the glass window down at the city lights. He quickly drained his champagne glass. Buffy moved to stand next to him. She refilled his glass from the bottle.

"Thank you." He smiled, taking a drink.

"You're upset, huh?" Buffy noted, her voice filled with concern.

"Upset," Angel snorted. "No. I never get upset about business."

"You liked the guy, though."

"Whether I liked him or not is irrelevant," he said. "It's business. There's no emotion involved in business... if you want to survive."

"We're the exactly the same!" Buffy cried, excitedly. "Faith keeps telling me don't get emotional when you turn tricks -- that's why no kissing -- it's too personal. The key is like you're saying, stay numb, don't get involved " when I'm with a guy, I'm a robot, I just do it." Buffy winced realizing what she'd just said and quickly recovered. "Except with you. At your price I give my all..."

Angel laughed. "You'd better..."

"Let's not talks about this heavy stuff," Buffy continued. "Come on, relax." She moved behind him and began to rub his shoulders.

"That... is very good."

Buffy turned him around and unknotted his tie and unbuttoned his collar. "Know what we're gonna do in a little while then" We're gonna call Domino's and have'm deliver a bigass pizza. We're gonna eat it in bed. We're gonna veg' out and watch television."

"Television?"

"Yeah, it's this box, it has pictures, sound," Buffy explained to him like she was talking to a child, making a square with her fingers. "You don't have to use your brain at all."

Angel shot her a look. "I have work to do."

"Uh-uh," Buffy wagged her finger at him. " No work." Smiling, she softly kissed his throat. "See... what you haven't figured out yet..." She kissed his neck and reached down to fumble with his belt. "Is that while you're the boss everyplace else... I'm the one in charge here." She kissed his chest. "You... just think you are."

She started to kneel down and he stopped her. They stared at one another for a moment before he released her. She smiled and continued to undress him.

****

Buffy turned over in bed, slowly waking. Her hand reached out to touch Angel and encountered nothing but empty bed. She came awake with a sudden start, looking around momentarily frightened, not sure where she was. Sighing with relief, she lied back down. She saw Angel's American Express card on the pillow next to her.

"Wake up, Buffy. Time to shop." Angel came out of the bathroom and walked toward the bed, tying his tie. Buffy sat up and tied it for him.

He smiles at her. "I still don't understand why you only bought one dress."

Buffy frowned thinking about her encounter with the rude salesclerk the day before. "I wasn't as much fun as I thought it was going to be."

"Why not?" Angel asked, noticing her frown.

"Well, you know those cold bitches that work in those stores and try to intimidate you?" she asked. "It works."

Angel's brow shot up. "Was someone rude to you?"

"I had a little problem in one store," Buffy explained. "I wasn't dressed right. I don't know what to say. I don't belong there. Maybe I'll just go back to Cordelia. She was cool."

"Buffy, you belong wherever you are. I don't care how you were dressed, they were the ones who were wrong, not you." He sat on the bed, looking her in the eye. "People aren't going to respect you unless you respect yourself. "The next time someone is rude to you, you stare at them right here." He softly touched her, right between the eyes. "It's an old trick I use, especially with bankers. Works every time. Will you try it?"

"Okay," Buffy nodded, confidently.

"Good."

"Come with me?"

Angel looked at his watch.

Buffy reached over and covered it with her hand. "Please."

****

Inside a beautiful, chic women's shop, a haughty salesgirl approached Buffy near a rack of dresses. Angel hovered in the background.

"Hello," Buffy said nervously. "Can you help me?"

The salesgirl looked Buffy up and down.

Buffy gave her 'the stare" and straightened up. "I'm looking for a dress, nothing too flashy, not too sexy, conservative. In a size six," she told the woman confidently

"Do... do you have a charge account with us?" the saleswoman asked, uncomfortable under Buffy's stare.

Buffy smiled and drew out Angel's American Express card. The salesgirl nodded and quickly moved to a rack of dresses to find Buffy's size.

****

Buffy came happily out of the dressing room wearing a low cut, spangled and fringed outfit, twirling around for Angel's approval. He shook his hand. The salesgirl held a classic tweed ensemble over Buffy's outfit.

Buffy scowled. "I look like fucking Nancy Reagan," she sighed.

The salesgirl showed Angel clothes by Ann Taylor. He turned to find Buffy happily holding up a tiny, low cut leather dress. Angel shook his head in mock disapproval. Buffy scowled, again.

A little while later Buffy came out of the dressing room wearing an elegant pastel dress. Angel was standing at the store's bar, watching and talking on the telephone.

On the other end of the phone Lindsey and Xander were pouring over stock reports, talking to Angel on the speaker phone.

"Finn came out of his corner swinging," Xander said. "He started buying up all available stock as soon as the market opened."

"He's a tough old son of a bitch..." Angel mumbled to himself, while watching Buffy. She pulled the hem of her skirt up to mid thigh. She looked hopefully over to Angel and shook his head.

"It's up to ten and a quarter," Xander informed him of the price of the stocks.

"Offer nine and a half," Angel ordered. "Bring them back down to earth."

"Goddamit!" Lindsey swore. "Where is he getting the money to fight?"

"Someone's loaning it to him. Get on it right away."

"Our contract guys are working on the Kross pension funds. There's another forty million there. We can bleed'm dry."

There was a sudden hesitation in Angel's eyes. He watched as Buffy tried on a hat. She preened for him and he smile at her. "Put the pension funds on hold until I say otherwise," he told Xander and Lindsey.

"We're letting them slide?" Lindsey asked, surprised.

"I want the treatment plant licenses to be top priority right now."

"But, Angel..." he protested.

"Do it." Angel hung up and took a long look at Buffy. She noticed him looking and walked over to him. He looked at his watch. "You're on your own now, Buffy. I've got to get to work. Be sensible and you can keep everything. Spend too much and it all goes back."

Buffy nodded and leaned in, hugging him.

****

Buffy walked along Rodeo Drive. She looked lovely in the pink dress and new, white shoes. A pretty, white hat was the final touch. She carried a bag containing her old clothes. She stopped at a trash can and ceremonially threw the offending items away.

Later that afternoon, after stopping in nearly every store she saw, Buffy's arms were filled with clothing boxes and bags. She felt like she owned the block. A well- dressed man passed by, smiling politely. Buffy's nose lifted as she happily ignored him.

Suddenly Buffy stopped, she was about to pass the shop she was thrown out of the day before. She took a deep breath and entered the shop.

The moment she stepped into the shop, her courage left her. She had to stop herself from turning and bolting out of the shop.

The saleswoman who had there the day before was there, waiting on a customer. "Isn't this lovely" I think it would look wonderful on you."

Buffy mustered her courage and took a deep breath, before stepping forward.

"Would you like to try it on?" the woman asked her customer.

"Excuse me," Buffy called.

Both the saleswoman and her customer looked up at her. The saleswoman smiled pleasantly. "Yes?"

"Do you remember me?" Buffy asked.

The saleswoman thought for a moment. "No, I'm sorry, I don't."

"I was in here yesterday." Buffy slowly held up her had and raised her middle finger.

The recognition started to dawn in the saleswoman's eyes. Buffy's courage began to return.

"Yeah. That's right," Buffy told her. "It's me. I want you to know something. You made me feel terrible. I wasn't dressed right and you said I didn't belong here. Well, I do. You're the one that was wrong, not me. And I want to tell you something else. I'm never gonna shop here again as long as I live." And with that, she turned and stalked out the door.

The saleswoman was stunned. The customer thrust the dress into the saleswoman's arms as if offended by Buffy's speech and left the store also.

Part Ten Giles looked up from the desk and stared. Buffy and a bellhop strolled through the hotel entrance and across the hotel lobby to the elevator. The bellhop's arms were packed with boxes and shopping bags. As he noticed the bright smile on her face, he couldn't help but smile to himself.

****

Buffy opened the front door for the bellhop who carried in her packages. She motioned for him to place them on the couch. She happily tipped him with a five dollar bill as he left closing the door behind him.

"Wheee!!!" Buffy yelled with a giddy spin before falling backward onto the couch with her packages.

****

Lindsey entered the Brokerage House meeting room. Angel was there, standing at the end of a long meeting table, serving himself coffee from a tray.

"You were right," Lindsey gloated. "Finn mortgaged everything he has down to his grandson's college tuition to secure loans from a bank. Not just any bank. One we do business with."

Angel just sipped his coffee.

"It goes without saying that your business means a great deal more to them than our friend Finn's," he continued. "All you have to do is make a call."

Angel was silent..

"Excuse me for saying this but what is wrong with you this week?" Lindsey demanded. "First, you go soft on the pension funds. Now, you're giving him the chance to get away" As of two minutes ago, you are committed to the tune of over fifty million dollars --"

"Come on, Lindsey," Angel snapped, "don't talk to me about how much money's involved. It's my money."

"And some of it's mine," Lindsey argued. "Angel, his jugular's exposed."

Angel hesitated before saying, "Get the bank on the phone for me."

****

Angel entered the penthouse and closed the door. He turned and saw that a beautiful, candlelit, food laden table has been set up in the middle of the room. Champagne and wine chilled in a bucket. A fire burned in the fireplace and music was playing.

"Hi." Buffy stood in the bedroom doorway, wearing an exquisite silk dressing gown, looking incredibly beautiful. "I thought maybe you'd like dinner."

"Thank you," Angel smiled, walking over to her. "I would." He fingered her gown. "Nice."

"Wait till you see what I have on underneath," she whispered in a seductive tone.

"Please," Angel requested.

Buffy pulled open the dressing gown. What she had on underneath was absolutely nothing. Angel took her in his arms and he lifted her up so he could kiss her breasts.

"What about dinner?" she whispered.

"Dinner can wait."

****

The bathroom was lit by candles. Buffy and Angel were in the marble tub filled with steamy water and lots bubbles. Buffy sat behind Angel as she lazily washed his shoulders and back with a large sponge.

"You always been rich?" she asked.

"No."

"Seems like it. I guess it's easy to get used to, huh?"

"Easier than learning how to be poor." He paused for a moment before continuing. " My father's family was wealthy. When I was young there were cars and houses, private schools, nannies. But then my father divorced my mother to marry another woman. And he took his money with him."

"Keep talkin'," Buffy urged when he stopped. "I like hearin'."

"Not much to tell," he shrugged. "I went to public school. Went to university on scholarship. Went to work for an investment firm. In eight years I owned it." Then growing very quiet, he added, "My father was chairman of the board of the third company I ever went after. I swallowed that company and shit out the pieces. One of the pieces was him."

Buffy softly traced small patterns on his shoulders with a finger. "You still mad at him?"

"He died a long time ago."

She sadly leaned forward and gently rested her head on his back. "I'm sorry."

****

The pool was surrounded by people sunbathing. Overweight... lobster red... old and stretch-marked... fishy white... and then gorgeous. Gorgeous was Buffy. She was wearing a minuscule bikini and sunglasses, stretched out on a lounge chair, her back to the sun.

"Miss Buffy?" a waiter called as he approached.

She looked up. The young waiter, looking a little dry-mouthed at the sight of her, was holding a telephone.

"You have a call. Mr. O'Reilly."

Buffy grinned and took the phone from him, nodding her thanks. "Hi, baby." She listened for a moment. "I'll be ready. Bye."

She hung up and handed the phone back to the waiter, looking confused. "What do you wear to polo?"

****

Horses and riders crashed and careened on the playing field. The enthusiastic crowd cheered. Down off the edge of the field a tailgate party using Cadillacs and Rolls Royces was in progress. Horses and riders thundered by the crowd of very well- dressed, successful-looking people -- celebrities, execs, socialites, aficionados -- most of whom were ignoring the game. They were there to see and be seen much more than to watch a polo match.

Buffy and Angel made their way toward the party. Angel was wearing a new tie, a very brightly colored tie, that Buffy had bought during her shopping spree. Buffy looked very chic and beautiful in one of her new outfits. Not that it was helping -- the place, the people, the wealth everything there suddenly had her overwhelmed. She suddenly stopped.

Buffy leaned close to him and whispered. "You're really pushing it, bringing me here."

"I think it's exciting."

"What if we run into someone I know?" Buffy worried.

"I really doubt anyone here frequents Hollywood Boulevard," Angel told her.

"You did," she reminded him.

"Angel!" a voice called out before he had the chance to reply..

They turn both turned in the direction of the voice. Lindsey was with a group of people waving them over. "Come on! Over here!"

Angel took Buffy's hand and lead her toward the group.

Lindsey grinned and shook Angel's hand. "Well, well, well..." Lindsey smirked, looking at Buffy.

Buffy immediately disliked the guy on sight, the way he was eyeing her like she was a piece of meat made her uncomfortable. The frosty looking woman at his side didn't look very friendly either.

"Lindsey, I'd like you to meet Buffy." Angel introduced the two.

"Lindsey McDonald, Buffy," Lindsey greeted, holding out a hand, smiling. He gestured to the woman, "My wife, Lilah."

"Hi," Buffy replied with a shy smile.

Lilah stretched her thin lips in a cold smile.

"Lots of fun people here. Let me get you two some champagne," Lindsey said, walking quickly away.

"Excuse me," Lilah said with another cold smile, moving to greet someone else.

"Real genuine guy," Buffy commented sarcastically.

"He's good at what he does," Angel defended.

"You could freeze ice on his wife's ass. She anything like your ex?" she asked.

Angel gave her a small smile. "Shall we mingle?"

****

Angel watched and guide Buffy as she sipped champagne and met and chatted and won over different people.

"I simply love your dress, Buffy," one woman gushed.

"This old thing?" Buffy beamed.

"Of course, a figure like yours can wear anything. You must work out constantly."

Buffy smiled. "I lead a very physical life."

"Are you into running, Buffy?" one man asked her.

Buffy nearly choked on her champagne. "I'm into walking. I walk a lot."

"You look awfully familiar, Buffy," another man told her. "Haven't we run into one another at the spa in La Costa?"

"Well, I do often spa there," Buffy lied.

****

Angel and Lilah watched Buffy laugh and chat with the group of people.

"Angel, she's marvelous," Lilah told him. "Warm and witty and down to earth."

"She is, isn't she," Angel replied with pleasure.

"So unlike your usuals. Where on earth did you find her?"

Angel smiled enigmatically. Taking an hors d'oeuvres off a passing waiter's tray, he started walking toward Buffy, without answering.

****

"We're good together," a woman was telling Buffy. "He has to admit it. I've been just what he wants me to be. I say the right things, I know the right people, I give wonderful parties. No question, no arguments, no embarrassments. It works for both of us."

That made Buffy think. Were any of these women actually happy" She looked up and smiled as she saw Angel approaching. She walked to him.

"Angel, these women here, I don't think any of'm like the guys they're with," she told him. "They're just into it for the money."

"I'm sure that's true for some of them," he replied.

"I thought I was the pro." Buffy shook her head. "These women make me feel like an amateur."

Angel smiled. After a beat, he asked, "Ready to stomp sod?"

Part Eleven

The crowd engaged in sod stomping. They drank champagne. They made a dance out of it. They laughed. Shoes got stuck in the mud. It was ludicrous -- those people in their suits and fancy clothes, replacing divots and stepping over the horse shit. In a corner of the field, grazing horses stared, seemingly in disbelief.

Buffy was having a wonderful time, though she soon grew tired of stomping and moved toward the outside of the crowd. As she walked, she saw someone staring at her from over among some of the riders and grazing horses. Riley Finn smiled at her. She hesitated... and then crossed toward him.

"Hi," he called to her..

"Hi," she replied. "I never thought stomping in grass could be so much fun."

Riley laughed. "I like your hat."

"Huh" Oh... yeah. S'okay?" Buffy was pleased. "So... Uhm... how're... business things going?"

"Let's not talk about it, it's too depressing." Riley put his hand on her back. "Come on, I'll show you Thunder."

Buffy stared at him, shocked and slightly offended. "Please, we hardly know each other."

He looked at her strangely. "Thunder's a horse. Come on."

****

Riley caressed the horses muzzle. "Hey, big guy, you getting tired, yet" I am." He pointed towards Buffy. "This is Buffy." He paused a moment before asking, "You two been together long" You and Angel?"

She shook her head "No."

"Hope to be?"

To Buffy"s surprise, that question caused a pang inside. "It's... it's not like that."

"I see," Riley nodded. "Well, maybe that means you'd have lunch with me sometime then," he asked hopefully.

Buffy was suddenly silent. She looked away.

"I'm sorry, am I being too forward?" Riley asked.

"You don't know anything about me," Buffy said.

"I'd like to find out," he offered. "You don't know anything about me either. That's why people have lunch."

Buffy wanted to say yes but something inside of her, a feeling, held her back.

****

Lindsey turned to go find his wife and stopped and stared as he saw Buffy and Riley standing together. He stared, his mind racing, an anxious, angry look on his face.

He found Angel talking with a group of people and dragged him off to the side.

"Fill me in on this," he said to Angel in a low, earnest voice. "How'd you and Buffy meet?"

"We just did," Angel replied, not wanting to tell him the details.

"Come on, you can tell me," Lindsey persuaded with a grin. "I sure would like to know where a guy runs into a girl as attractive as this."

Angel sighed with annoyance. "The night I left your house, I was lost. I was looking for directions."

"And you just happened to run into her," Lindsey finished for him. "Great. What's she do" She work?"

"Yes...," Angel trailed off.

"Doing what?" Lindsey urged.

Angel thought quick. "Buffy's in sales." Technically, it was a total lie.

"Sales, really?" Lindsey was interested. "That's great. What does she sell?"

Angel"s eyes narrowed. "Why do you want to know?"

"Hear me out," Lindsey said. "I've known you a long time. I see a difference in you this week. Like that tie. I'm suddenly wondering if this girl's not the difference. Especially when I see her talking with Riley Finn.

"She met him at dinner last night," Angel explained. He looked down at his tie. "I like this tie. What's wrong with this tie. "

"So now they're best friends" Angel, this girl appears out of nowhere and now I see her talking to a guy whose company we're trying to buy. It's too convenient," Lindsey replied, worried.

" You're being ridiculous."

"Industrial espionage is not ridiculous," Lindsey argued. "Angel, how do you know she hasn't attached herself to you so she can bring Finn back information?"

"Christ, Lindsey, she's not a spy, she's a hooker," he blurted out. "I picked her up off Hollywood Boulevard."

Lindsey burst into laughter. "I swear to God, you are the only millionaire I ever heard of who'd go looking for a goddam bargain streetwalker!"

Angel looked up and saw Buffy coming, two glasses of champagne in her hand. "Let's drop it, shall we?" He turned and smiled gently as Buffy quietly approached and handed him his glass of champagne.

A man, from group of businessmen standing a short distance away, called out for Angel. "Angel! May we have your opinion on something?"

Angel looked to Buffy and Lindsey. "Excuse me a moment." He moved to join the group of men.

Lindsey gave Buffy a broad smile. "Having a good time, Buffy?"

Buffy smiled politely, uncomfortable under his gaze. "Yeah. Thanks."

"All this must be quite a change from Hollywood Boulevard."

Buffy felt as if she'd been struck. "What?"

"It's okay," he told her. "Angel told me. Your secret's safe with me." He ran his hand up her arm. "What do you charge, Buffy?" he asked with a seductive smile. "Maybe you and I could get together after Angel leaves."

"Yeah. Sure." Buffy forced a bitter smile. "Why not. Call me at the Regent Beverly Wilshire."

"I just might do that." He turned and walked away.

Buffy turned and looked at Angel. He looked up from his conversation and saw her looking at him. He smiled and raised his glass in a small toast. After a moment, Buffy toasted him back.

****

Angel switched on the lights as he and Buffy entered the room.. Buffy walked down the steps into the living room.

"You're awfully quiet," Angel commented as he followed after her. "You haven't said a word since the party."

As he reached out to touch her shoulder, Buffy suddenly spun around, exploding with anger. "You asshole! I can't believe what a --!"

"Buffy, what the --"

Tears welled in Buffy"s eyes as she yelled at him. "Clean the slut up, take her out, huh"! What are you trying to prove!" I'm not a piece of meat for you to offer to your friends!"

"I don't know what you're talking about." Angel was confused.

"I've been with stinking old men who've made me want to puke but I've never had anyone make me feel as dirty as you did tonight," Buffy whispered tearfully.

"Would you please calm down?" Angel asked. "Tell me what happened."

"Lindsey!" she seethed. "He wants an 'appointment' with me after you leave. You my pimp now or did he think that up on his own?"

Angel looked away, guiltily. "What was I supposed to do" I told the truth. Why should the truth upset you" It's not as if you're from a convent."

"I want my fucking money," Buffy demanded. "I'm getting out of here. I don't want anything more to do with you."

"Can we talk about this?" Angel begged. "Can you just try to calm down?"

"Your goddamned friend, he thinks the only reason I'm with you is for the money." A tear fell from her eyes. "Well, it's true," she said defiantly. "Just pay me what you owe me and I'm gone."

"Buffy..."

"Pay me!" she yelled, grabbing a chair from the table. "Before I pick up this chair and smash your face in."

"Fine," Angel sighed in annoyance. "I'm only here a couple of more days and I'm not going to spend them fighting with you."

"Fuck off."

"I'll call you a cab. If you want the clothes, pack them up."

Buffy stood quietly for a moment before turning and walking into the bedroom.

Part Twelve

Buffy started roughly picking up her clothes in the dim light of the bedroom. Tears started falling as she did. With each item of clothing the tears came down harder.

Angel appeared at the doorway. The look on his face was genuine concerned. "Buffy... I'm sorry. I wasn't prepared for questions about us. It was an idiotic and insensitive thing I did. I should have known that it would hurt you."

"I'm not hurt," Buffy lied. "It doesn't hurt you when somebody pisses on you, it just pisses you off."

" I really am sorry," he whispered.

Buffy let the clothes fall from her arms. Sobbing, she stood limply. "You hurt me."

Angel went to her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. She touched his hand. He sat on the bed, pulling her with him and wrapping his arms around her even tighter. "I'll make it up to you."

****

Angel, carrying a briefcase, walked jauntily down the long hallway.

Lindsey trailed after him. "This is no time to disappear. We're in too far."

"Lindsey" Stop panicking," Angel smiled. "Finn isn't going anywhere and I don't need to spend the rest of the day watching his stock go down. I'll be in the office tomorrow."

"Promise me you'll read those contracts by then," Lindsey begged.

"Goodbye, Lindsey." Angel waved.

Lindsey stopped walking, but called after him. "Shit... By tomorrow, Angel!"

Angel hurried on.

****

Buffy came out of the bedroom into the living room wearing an elegant red sequined evening dress, looking incredibly beautiful. She glanced at the phone, a thought occurring to her. She walked over to it and picked it up, dialing a familiar number.

"C'mon, Faith..." she whispered as she waited for her friend to answer.

She heard the doors opening and hung up the phone. Angel entered, carrying a small case. He stopped at the sight of Buffy.

"Do I look okay?" she asked nervously.

"Hmm... let's see..." he said with a small smile, "no, there's something missing." He held up the small case.

"What's that?"

"I don't want you to get too excited..." he told her. "These are on loan... however..."

Buffy's jaw dropped. Angel was holding a diamond and ruby necklace in his hand, as if it might melt if he breathed too hard. He moved behind Buffy and fastened the necklace around her neck.

"This is made for a princess. I think she'd approve of you wearing it tonight. There. Come look." He lead her to a mirror.

She stared at her reflection. "Angel, I can't."

"Shush. Of course you can."

"What if I lose it?" she worried.

"You won't," he assured her.

"What if someone tries to steal it?"

"I'll guard them and you with my life."

****

The limo pulled onto the tarmac at Burbank Airport. A pilot in a leather jacket and sunglasses hurried forward to open the door. Angel, now wearing evening clothes, and Buffy climbed.

"Your plane is ready to go, Mr. O' rielly," the pilot said.

"Very good."

"Plane?" Buffy gasped.

Taking her arm, Angel lead her across the tarmac. "You don't want to go all the way to San Francisco in a limousine, do you" I don't."

"Where are you taking me!?" she demanded curiously.

"To meet some friends," he told her. "Rudolpho, a poet... Benoit, a landlord... Mimi, a flower maker..."

"Huh?"

"The opera." She was speechless. Angel grinned, loving the look on her face.

****

Angel and Buffy sat alone in the passenger lounge of the jet. Buffy couldn"t believe the cabin. It was a comfortable room featuring a long couch that curved across two walls, built in bar, television and stereo.

"I've never been on a plane before," she said excitedly.

Angel was, once again, going over papers. "I'm glad you like it. Now be quiet, I've really got to read these."

A wicked gleam came into her eyes. Buffy fluffed her hair up, making a happy, excited growling sound, "Rrrrr!" She walked over to Angel and stood in front of him. He looked up. She parted the thigh high slit in her gown to expose silken quarters and began to unfasten them one at a time.

"Buffy, what do you think you're doing?" he asked, watching silk stockings slide down Buffy"s lovely legs.

"Being quiet." She reached out and gently caressed Angel's face.

****

"You ever been in love with anyone?" Buffy was at the window, looking out. The setting sun cast an incredibly glow over the city and the coast. She carefully put her earrings back on. She stared, mesmerized by the skyline, the golden gate bridge in the distance. Turning she looked at Angel who was buttoning his shirt. He was silent.

"Sorry," she apologized. "You're not paying me to ask you question like that."

"I'm paying you to be you. Be you," he told her. "Have you" Ever been in love with anyone?"

"You mean, besides Elvis?" She asked turning back to the window. "I'm a human being. Sure. Once. First time I ever ran away from home, I got as far as Atlanta. I met this boy. He'd been with his parents on their way to Chicago. They stopped at a gas station. He went to the john. When he came back they'd split. We sorta started looking out for each other," she remembered. "Aw, he was sweet. And boy, was he good looking, y'know, dark hair and eyes. The chicken hawks were on him all the time. He hated that. Sometimes we'd find a safe place to crash nights and we'd curl up together and we'd talk about all these crazy things. The two of us getting married someday. Having kids. Stupid stuff."

"What happened to him?" Angel asked.

Buffy shrugged. "My father found me. Dragged me home. I don't know why, he never seemed to like me much when I was there." She smiled a bitter smile. "'Cept when he was drunk, then he liked me a whole lot." After a moment, "I made it back to Atlanta a year later. Andy was gone."

Silence. Buffy stared out the window. "Aw, but things sure look fine when you're sitting way up high."

Angel moved close to Buffy and put an arm around her shoulders, staring with her out at the view. She rested her head against him.

Go to Part 13