Part Thirteen

Angel put his hand on Buffy's elbow as they walk through the elegant lobby of the opera house.

"Some people say that opera is an acquired taste," Angel said to her, "but I don't believe it. You can always tell when someone goes to the opera for the first time. They either love it or hate it. Those who love it will always love it; those who hate it might come to appreciate it, but they'll never truly love it.

Buffy was wide eyed as they walk past a beautifully lit fountain with several graceful statues in its center. Everywhere she looked she saw elegantly dressed women and prosperous looking men. It made her nervous. Without realizing it, she raised a protective hand up to her necklace. She looked as if she suspected someone was going to step up and steal it.

"Buffy"" Angel chuckled. "I really doubt if anyone here is going to try and grab it."

She reluctantly lowered her hands.

****

A crowd of people milled around the lobby, heading toward their seats. Buffy was aware of the looks she drew as she passed -- curious, even envious looks from the women, appreciative glances from the men. Her hands again rose nervously to her necklace.

"They all think you look very beautiful, Buffy," Angel whispered softly in her ears.

Buffy gave him a grateful look. Relaxing, she lowered her hand from the necklace. With a flourish, he offered his arm. She took it and they start forward.

****

"If it's in Italian, how will I know what they're saying"" Buffy whispered to Angel as they took their seats in a box high above the stage.

"I'll whisper some of the main parts of the story to you," Angel told her. "But you'll be surprised how much you understand. The music conveys the story more powerfully than any words."

"But don't they have it in English""

"Buffy, don't be afraid of what you don't know." He smiled at her. "That's the fun of it."

"Okay," Buffy resigned. "Even if I hate it, I'm glad you brought me."

The lights dimmed and the orchestra began to play. Buffy"s eyes focused intensely on the stage, as if a new world was about to be revealed to her.

****

The lights from the stage danced across Buffy's face. Angel leaned over to translate the tenor's aria. "What am I" I am a poet. Not a man of wealth but one rich in dreams. You have come to replace my vanished dreams. I dwell now only in your eyes."

The music ebbed and swelled. The sets and costumes changed. The story continued.

Angel once again leaned close to Buffy. "And now she asks Rudolpho if he still thinks her beautiful --"

Buffy rose a hand and gently covered his mouth. Her eyes were fixed on the stage. She didn"t need his help anymore.

The emotions building inside Buffy swelled as the music reached its tragic climax. Her lips trembled and her eyes filled with tears. Angel glanced at her, studying her for a long moment, watching the emotions play unashamedly across her face. Strangely moved, he reached over and took her hand.

****

As the lights came on and the curtain went down, Buffy wiped off her tear-ruined mascara with Angel's handkerchief. She sighed happily.

The older women in the next box smile at her. "Did you enjoy the opera, dear""

"It was so beautiful I just about pissed my pants," Buffy told her tearfully.

Angel smiled at the now shocked looking older woman and he and the still misty Buffy exit.

****

Later that night, back on the jet, Angel and Buffy sat side by side on couch

"If you'd gone on about how much you liked it, I'm not sure I'd have believed you," Angel smiled.

"I more than liked it," Buffy gushed.

"I know. I'm glad."

"Did you""

"Yes." He looked at her. "I've never enjoyed it more. Thank you."

Buffy looked at him a moment. And then, leaning slowly forward she kissed him gently on the mouth. He looks at her surprise, then put his arms around her and kissed her back. It is the first time they had really kissed.

****

After returning home, they made love. Equally giving, equally taking. No masks, no shields.

Later, in the darkened bedroom, Angel and Buffy lie together. He cradled Buffy to him, her back resting against his chest, his arm over her body.

She took Angel's hand in her hands and carefully examined it; marveling at the fingers, the tiny hairs on the back. She gently kissed the palm. "Love you..." she mumbled, his hand tightly to her breast and closing her eyes.

His eyes opened. Buffy's whispered endearment filled him with sudden confusion and uncertainty. He stared into the dark, wondering what to do with the woman in his arms.

****

The phone rang. Angel, dressed in a robe, immediately reached out and picked it up. Breakfast was on the umbrella'd table in front of him.

"Yes""

Lindsey, not yet dressed, paced around his desk. "Did I wake you""

"I'm up."

"I had to call. I jus got off the phone with James Finn. Get this," Lindsey said excitedly. "He wants to see you. Today."

"Why""

"He wouldn't say. Angel... I think we got him. His nuts are on the block and we got him." There was silence on the other end. "You there""

"Give me twenty minutes."

"We'll be there," Lindsey stated. "Listen, if he's really caving in, we'll go from there down to the office. I want him to commit his stock to us this morning."

Angel hung up, his mind on other things.

****

Buffy was still asleep, face down on the bed, the sheets just covering her to her waist. Angel stared down at her. He gently reached out and ran a finger down the soft line of her spine.

She murmured contentedly. "Mmm." She opened her eyes, looking up at him. "Hi."

Angel smiled at her softly. "Better get dressed. We're having guests."

****

Buffy stared at herself in the bedroom mirror, wearing her yellow dress. Her hair... her make-up... she realized how different she was now, realized that she liked it.

Angel came out of the bathroom and crossed the room to the closet for a tie.

"Here. Let me." She walked over to him and started to tie his tie for him.

He was very aware of the closeness of her. She smiled at him. He smiled back, puting his hand on hers, stopping her for a moment. Looking up, she saw that he was serious. He released her hand.

"One more night and you're finally rid of me," he whispered quietly.

"Yeah, you've been pretty tough to take," she teased.

"I have to go to New York tomorrow." When Buffy said nothing, he continued, "But I'll be back in Los Angeles. Soon. I'd like to see you again. I thought we could work out something... An arrangement."

Buffy was silent.

"I'll get you an apartment, buy you a car --"

Buffy sighed, letting something go inside. Finished with his tie, she turned away.

"What is it""

"What else"" she asked, not unkindly. "You gonna leave some cash by the bed when you pass through town""

"It wouldn't be like that," Angel swore. "I want to get you off the street. You'll have a different kind of life. What's wrong with that""

"I'm sorry. That's very sweet, Angel, and I know you mean it..." she trailed off.

"Buffy, I've thought about this a lot," he told her. "This is the best solution."

Buffy shook her head 'no,' then untied his tie and started retying it again, just to keep herself busy. "When I was a little girl, my mother locked me in the attic when I was bad, which was pretty often. I'd stare out the window up there and make believe I was a princess trapped in the tower by the wicked queen. Then suddenly a knight on a white horse with his bright colors flying would ride up. Rescue me from the tower, and then we'd ride off... but never, ever in all the times I had that dream did the knight say, "Come on baby, I'll put you up in a great condo."" She finished his tie.

"Buffy, life's not a fairy tale."

"I know," she said softly to herself. "Hey, don't mind me. I'm being stupid." She paused. "I'll think about it, okay" It's a real good offer for a whore."

"I've never treated you like a whore."

"You just did."

part Fourteen

There was a knock at the penthouse door, Angel walked into the living room, with Buffy slowly following behind him. He opened the front door and James Finn slowly entered. He suddenly looked very old and tired; so much so that Angel had to mask his surprise.

"Mr. O' Rielly," he greeted politely.

"How are you, Mr. Finn?" Angel asked.

"Not bad for a man who hasn't slept in four nights," the older man replied. "I'll get used to it."

An angry, reluctant looking Riley Finn was behind his father. Lindsey brought up the rear. Angel and Riley gave one another perfunctory nods. Lindsey smugly winked at Angel. Angel closed the door and lead them all down the stairs.

Buffy was very troubled at Jams? tired appearance.

He gently nodded at her. "Young lady."

"Hello." She turned to Riley. "Hi."

"Hello, Buffy," he greeted with a small smile.

"Let's not waste time here, shall we?" Lindsey broke in. "Mr. Finn, you said this morning, you wished to speak with Mr. O' rielly. Mr. O?Reilly is now listening."

James had to fight down his humiliation at Lindsey's tone. He turned to Angel. "I'm here to tell you that I've reconsidered my position on your acquisition offer."

"Expected... offer."

"Of course, yes. After the expected filing period is over, I'm going to recommend to the board that we accept your bid."

"You're making the right decision, sir," Angel replied after a moment.

Lindsey glanced triumphantly at Angel. He was surprised to see that there didn?t seem to be any victory in Angel's face.

Angel was silent.

James interpreted his silence as a thought hit him. "I'll see you on one condition. I'm not so concerned for me but the people who have worked for me..."

Buffy was disturbed watching Lindsey and Angel with the tired looking man.

"They'll be taken care of," Lindsey jumped in a little too quickly. "Won't they, Angel""

James ignored Lindsey and he looked to Angel. Angel slowly nodded.

"I'll sign anything you want then."

"Today," Lindsey said.

James nodded tiredly. His voice was very soft. "Today."

Buffy abruptly turned and disappeared into the bedroom, obviously upset. The men all watched her go.

Angel hesitated before turning to James and excusing himself. He then headed into the bedroom after Buffy.

****

Buffy sat on the bed, the phone to her ear. "Hello. Is Faith DeLuca there" When she comes in will you have her call Buffy Summers at 560-3000. Yes. Okay.

She hung up as Angel entered to room.

"What did you do to him?" she hissed.

"What do you mean?" Angel asked confused.

"Last time I saw him he was this strong guy. Now he's beaten," she said, traces of anger in her voice. "And you liked him."

"Buffy, I want you to listen to me," Angel ordered. "The man realized that it would be better for his future and his son's future, if he cooperated."

"Right."

"It's not your concern. It's... business, that's all."

"Business."

"Yes," Angel replied. "The man made a business decision."

"It's all just business to you, isn?t it?" she asked. "Him. Me. Your life. Everything's business."

"It's what I do for a living. It's how I make money," he defended.

Silence.

"I'll be back in a few hours. We'll talk about this later," he said before leaving the room.

****

Buffy stood at the railing, unhappily looking out at the city beyond. The phone inside the penthouse rang. She turned and hurried inside to answer it. "Lo?"

****

Giles stood behind the front desk, a rather strained expression on his face. "Rupert Giles here. Miss Buffy, I wonder if you might come down to the front desk. There's someone here to see you."

"Me?"

"I'd send them up," he told her, "but sadly, I don't trust the young lady to find you on her own."

A hand reached out and wrenched the phone away from Giles. Faith, with her heavy made-up, skimpy outfit, and chewing gum, kept her voice just below a bellow. "B" Where are you, babe?" She glared at Giles. "The sphincter-police won't let me through."

****

Faith finished her big, frosty ice cream soda with a slurp. She smacked her lips like a happy, little girl.

"I glad you're clean," Buffy told her, "but I've been calling and calling."

"Was that you?" Faith asked.

"Who did you think?" Buffy grumbled.

"Spike. I still owe him two hundred bucks..."

"Faith," Buffy groaned, "I left that money for you days ago."

"Yeah. I just got it," she answered in a care-free tone.

An older couple walked past the table the two were sharing. They stared at Faith.

"Fifty bucks, grampa," she called to the old man. "For seventy-five, the wife can watch."

Horrified, the elderly couple hurried away.

"Faith..." Buffy said in a warning tone.

"Everybody keeps starin' at me."

"Yeah... I know what you mean." "What do you know? You look good," Faith said with approval. "All dressed up. You clean up real nice." She giggled, "You sure don't fit in down on the Boulevard, lookin' like you do. Not that you ever did anyway."

"You think I fit here where they just about chew your food for you?" Buffy asked.

"Where do you fit?"

Buffy was silent, then she suddenly blurted, "I kissed him, Faith. On the mouth."

"Honey," Faith frowned, "you're not supposed to do that." "I know," Buffy groaned, burying her face in her hands. "I stopped pretending and started liking it with him for real."

"Oh, my god, you mean it was good?" Faith gasped.

"It was great," Buffy answered miserably, peeking at her friend from between her fingers.

"Dummy."

"He wants to set me up in a place, give me some money."

"I pray for that."

Buffy nodded. "All I'm doing is feeling lousy about it. I don't know what to do. What do I do, Faith?"

"Go for the bucks," Faith nodded with a big smile.

"I don't care about bucks." After a moment, she added, "I might love this guy."

"Wow, are you in deep shit." Faith sighed. "You know he'll break your heart."

Buffy was silent again.

"I blame myself here," Faith continued. "First time I laid eyes on ya', I knew you were too complicated to be a whore."

part Fifteen

Angel stood at the window of the Brokerage House conference room, looking out. There was something about his somber demeanor that reflected the look on Buffy's face during his meeting with James Finn in the penthouse earlier.

Oz entered the room, a pile of papers under his arm. He began laying them out on the conference table. "Congratulations, sir."

"What?" Angel asked, turning his attention from the window.

" Mr. Finn is just getting off the phone with his stock broker. It's finished. You've won."

Angel said nothing.

"Who are you going after next, sir?" Oz questioned.

"Who indeed..."

He turned as Lindsey, James and Riley Kross, and Xander entered the room. They surrounded the conference table. James sat, the papers laid out in front of him. Lindsey handed him a pen. A secretary laid out finger food. They waited for her to leave before they spook.

"If we can get these letters of intent out of the way now... Mr. O'Rielly and I would like to ask you some questions about your company," Lindsey said.

"Dad, excuse me, but that's inappropriate," Riley stated. "You're under no obligation to answer any questions at all.

"Could we at least wait till after the filing period?"

Lindsey glanced to Angel for help. He was silent; feeling as if something was twisting inside of him. Lindsey plunges ahead. "Mr. O' rielly is preparing a bid based on our speculation of the corporation's net worth. The price he ultimately pays for your father's stock will be based on that bid. The more we know, the higher our bid can be."

"It's in my best interest to cooperate, Riley," James reluntantly told his son.

Riley stared at Lindsey. "If he throws himself on your sword, you promise to take care of him and his family, huh?"

"That's unfair!"

"You bet it is." He turned to Angel. "You're everything he said you were." To his father he said, "Do what you have to do, Dad. Just don't expect me to watch it." With that he left the room.

James looked at Angel with a resigned smile. "He's young. He hasn't learned how to lose gracefully yet. I'll sign your papers. And I'll answer your questions. Whatever you want." Sighing, he picked up the pen.

"Stop," Angel said just as he was about to sign. "For just a moment. Mr. Finn, I'd like to ask you a few questions before you sign. You realize that you're a target. If you weren't mine, you'd be someone elses, correct?"

"Yes," James replied.

"If you had a... reprieve, what would do?"

"I don't think there's any sense in --" Lindsey said, jumping in quickly.

"Let him answer," Angel ordered.

"I... I would take advantage of it," James answered, a bit confused.

"How?"

James looked uncertain. He groped for an answer. "I... I don't know. There... there wasn't time..."

"I suppose you'd find out soon enough that you have assets you presently don't seem aware of, wouldn't you? The waste processing licenses at that abandoned shipyard of yours, you'd certainly find out about that," Angel said, looking James Finn in the eye.

Surprise flared in Lindsey's eyes. "Oh, my god... Angel, no!"

"I suppose you'd use them as collateral on new loans, wouldn't you?" Angel continued.

"Have you lost your mind?" Lindsey demanded.

"Quiet." James said to Lindsey. He turned to Angel. "Would I get the loans?"

"This time I imagine you would, yes," Angel paused, as if thinking about it. "Hmm... With all this in mind, Mr. Finn, I can't logically make a formal bid on your company, can I?"

"You'd be initiating a financial battle you'd ultimately lose, Mr. O'Reilly," James answered with a small smile.

"You're very right," Angel agreed with a smile. "I think the best thing we could all do is go home."

"What!?" Lindsey cried outraged.

"Have a good day, gentlemen," Angel called over his shoulder as he exited the room.

****

Angel was walking down the hall when Lindsey came out of the office, calling after him. "Angel, what happened? What kind of move was that?"

Angel silently walked into the elevator, ignoring him. The doors closed in Lindsey face.

"Dammit Angel, speak to me," he yelled through the closed doors.

****

His chauffeur leapt to open the limo door as Angel came out of the building..

"No...," Angel said stopping him, "take the car back to the hotel. I need to walk." He set off across Century Park East.

****

Buffy paced the living room, feeling edgy. The doorbell rang, startling her. It rang again.

She hurried to opened it. Lindsey was standing outside with a small briefcase. He looked agitated but tried to hide it.

"Well, well... Hello again," he greeted with a sneer. "I'm looking for Angel."

Buffy just stared at him. "Angel's not back. I thought he was with you."

Lindsey walked past her and down the steps into the living room without being invited. "So, I'll just have to wait then, won't I?"

There was a bar set up in the corner of the living room. He set his briefcase down and crossed to it.

" Mind if I have a drink?"

"No," Buffy said, not taking her eyes off him.

He poured liquor into a glass and fired it down. It seemed to calm him a bit. "Do you want to know what he did? Do you want to know what the crazy son of a bitch did? He handed the whole thing back to Finn! On a silver platter. For no reason! What was he thinking, I mean, what was going through his goddam head? Why?" He poured himself another drink. "What was all that benevolent crap? What are we going to become, a philanthropic foundation? I'll probably be the director of several worthwhile charities."

"I think it's great." Buffy said, with smile.

Lindsey glared at her. "I bet. A lousy whore and you're the gum in a hundred million dollar deal."

"Aw, come on, Lindsey," Buffy mocked. "It's just business."

He looked at her a moment. "But what do I know, maybe you're worth it. Come on, show me. Let's see your act." He reached out and grabbed her wrist.

"Get out!" she shouted, trying to pull her away from him.

"Don't worry. I'll pay for it. What a you charge? Huh? Twenty, thirty, fifty bucks, maybe?" he smirked. "Are you a fifty dollar whore?" He tried to kiss her and pulled her down on the couch on top of him.

"Are you crazy?" she shrieked.

She bit his hand and Lindsey slapped her. Buffy started flailing back, but Lindsey was too strong. Buffy staggered back at the force of another slap. He grabbed her and slammed her up against a wall and stareds rubbing up against her.

"You got a mean streak in you, don't you." He tried to kiss her again. "Is that what he likes about you? Huh? Answer me!"

Suddenly a hand grabbed Lindsey's shoulder. He turned his head, startled to see Angel, murder in his eyes. Angel's fist smashed into Lindsey's face, sending him staggering across the room.

Lindsey fell to the ground and Angel rushed forward, berserk with rage, to hit him again. His fist hit the top of Lindsey's head, hurting his hand more than Lindsey's skull.

Buffy rushed out of room to the bathroom. Again Lindsey tried to rise. Angel kicked him in the butt, sending him headfirst into the bar. Glasses and bottles crashed to the floor. Lindsey tried again to rise and collapsed. Angel rubbed his fist. Niether was used to violence and both stared at each other panting.

"You broke my nose," Lindsey accused.

"I?ll break more then that if I ever see you again," After a beat, he added. "You're fired."

"Angel, we've been together ten years," Lindsey protested.

"And I don't like what we've become. I'll cover any losses you have on this one. Now get out, you asshole!" he shouted.

"All this because of that whore!"

Angel pushed Lindsey out the door and threw his briefcase after him. "Don"t ever call her a whore again."

"Angel, think about what you're --"

Angel slammed the door in his face, cutting him off. He stood there, reflecting on what he had just done.

"Well, I didn't plan that!" he mumbled to himself, almost proud.

Part Sixteen

Later that night Buffy sat in a chair in the corner of the bedroom while Angel knelt in front of her holding an icepack to Buffy"s cheek.

"Why do guys always know how to hit a woman"" Buffy complained. "Right across the cheek, wham, so it feels like your eye is gonna explode. What do they do, take you all aside in high school and show you how" It pisses me off!"

"Not all men hit," Angel told her. "And no one is going to hit you anymore."

"Right," Buffy said softening. "You're quite the Sir Galahad today, aren't ya'"" She paused a moment. "I heard what you did with Finn."

"It was a business decision."

Buffy looked at him, knowing it was something more.

"I got tired of hating my father," he admitted.

"It was good," Buffy replied with a small smile.

"It felt good." Angel glanced toward the bed, which was covered with her suitcases. "You're packing."

Buffy nodded. "I'm leaving." After a moment, "Don't ya see" If I stay with you like you want me to, there'll always be some guy, your friends even, treatin' me like that... thinkin' they're allowed to. What are you gonna do, fight'm all" No. I'll take my money now, please."

Angel stared at her for a moment before reaching for his wallet and counting out the bills. He placed them in Buffy"s suitcase, then reached out and pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind.

"Aw, don't... no..."

"Stay with me tonight," he whispered in her ear. "Not because you're being paid to. Stay with me because you want to."

"I do. I do want to. That's why I'm leaving." She turned in his arms so she could look at him. "That's what you given me, see" I know what I want now. I want a guy like you for real. Not because you buy me things and give me money. The nicest thing you ever done for me is hold my hand. You gonna give me that""

Angel was silent.

"I didn't think so."

"Buffy..."

"It's not your fault. You're right. Faith"s right." She looked him right in the eye. "But I want the fairy tale."

****

Buffy came out of the elevators, struggling to balance her luggage. A bellman standing near by saw her and jumped forward to help her, reaching for her bags.

"Let me take those, miss."

Buffy smiled at him. "Thanks." She looked toward the front desk and saw Giles sitting there. "I'll be out front in a minute. I got a cab comin'."

The bellman left with her bags and Buffy walked to the front desk. "Hi, Giles!"

Giles looked up. "Miss Buffy."

"Look I just, uh, wanted to say goodbye."

Giles frowned. "Mr. O"Reilly doesn't check out until tomorrow."

"Yeah, well, I check out today." Buffy told him.

"You're not accompanying him to New York""

"Come on, Giles, you and me live in the real world," she said lightly. "You don't know how to treat a girl like anything but a lady, Giles."

"Certain ladies make that very easy... Buffy." He turned to the desk clerk. "John, call a limousine for our guest, please. Have it take her anywhere she wishes to go. Bill the hotel." He turned back to Buffy. "See you again sometime soon."

Buffy smiled softly at him and surprised him with a quick before turning and walking for the door.

****

A long silver limo drove down Hollywood Blvd. The limo driver pushed the button that rolled down the screen between back and front seats. "You're sure this is the right street, ma'am""

"Yes.1312. It's a big apartment building," she told him.

The limo pulled to a stop in front of a rundown apartment building on a dirty Hollywood side street. The limo driver, a large Latino man, stepped out of the car and walked around to the passenger door. As he walked, he surveyed the surroundings uncomfortably. It looked to be a rough neighborhood. He opened the door and Buffy stepped out.

"Maybe I should go with you," he offered. "This doesn't look like a good place

for a lady to be alone."

Several people passed by. All of them stared at the car, at the driver, and at Buffy in her lovely new clothes.

"I'll be okay," Buffy assured him. "I'm home. Thank you."

The driver, looking confused, watched her hurry up the steps to the apartment building. Shaking his head, he got back in the car and drove off.

****

Buffy entered the building and started toward her apartment. The landlord was sitting at the front desk in a dirty undershirt. "Hey, we announce guests here. You a relative of somebody""

Buffy lowered her sunglasses and looked at him.

"Buff -- is that you"" he asked in disbelief.

"Yeah, it's me." She answered and kept walking.

"You lookin' good, Buff'. Nice threads. I gotta find time to shop."

****

Angel stood at the penthouse window, looking out. He was dressed now, ready for travel. His expression was somber as he stared down at the busy street below, deep in thought.. A bellman entered from the bedroom, rolling a luggage loaded dolly along in front of him.

"Is that everything, sir""

Angel turned from the window. "That's everything."

The Bellman exited, closing the door behind him. The maid entered seconds later, looking around as if she were searching for someone.

"The lady, she go"" she asked Angel

"Yes. She go."

****

Buffy, looking fresh scrubbed without make-up, was wearing clean jeans, a nice looking shirt and a suit jacket. Her bureau"s were open and she was packing. Faith was standing nearby, watching. She took a photo of her and Faith dressed up hot in hooker clothes off the top of the bureau and placed it in the suitcase.

"So whatta' you going to do in San Francisco"" Faith asked.

"Get a job and probably go back to school," Buffy replied. "Figure out what I'm gonna be."

"What kind of school""

"School, school. Regular. I used to get pretty good grades in school, you know."

"So did I.. I made it with the principal," Faith laughed. "Study hard And get a "B." Lift your dress and an "A" you'll see," she recited.

Buffy laughed "Want a pair of boots""

"Do I!"" Faith cried excitedly. "Momma!" Taking them, she sat on the bed and put them on.

"You sure you won't come with me"" Buffy asked, turning serious.

"And leave all this" Not in a million."

They laughed together.

"What time's your bus"" Faith asked.

"Couple a hours."

"Yeah. Well... I gotta split. Goodbye's make me crazy."

"Cool your jets a second." Buffy order, going to her purse. "Here's some money."

"No," Faith said, shaking her head. "You took care of rent, that's enough."

"I want to. For food, got it"" Buffy argued. "Eat something before the wind blows you away."

"I'm gonna pay you back next time I see ya, babe," Faith promised. "Just wait, I'm gonna do something real nice for you some day." They hugged. "Shit, I'm gettin' all weepy now."

She began backing out of the room. "Take care of you, okay" Take care of you. Love ya..." Faith turned then and hurried out of the apartment.

****

Faith walked into the falafel stand on Hollywood Boulevard and took a seat at the counter. "Coffee, Chan. And maybe a grilled cheese on white, okay""

A very young girl was sitting just down the counter from Faith. Faith nodded at her. "Hey, how you doin'. You new, huh""

"Yeah. Got a cigarette""

"Sure."

She passed the girl down the pack. She struck a match and lit her cigarette for her. The girl inhaled deep, let it out with a sigh. She looked toward the window.

"Jeez, dig the wacko in the suit."

Faith turned to look.

Outside, across the street, Angel had accosted two prostitutes; one blonde, one a red haired black one.

Faith rose from her seat. "Chan" Keep the sandwich warm, I'll be back." She headed out the door.

****

Angel was still talking to the prostitutes. "I'm looking for a girl, Buffy, young, blonde hair, big eyes...""

They shook their heads.

"She's mouthy. Sort of difficult..."" he described.

"Ain't seen her, wouldn't know her," the first prostitute answered.

"What's wrong with us, man" Two for the price a one, what ya say"" the other offered.

"Thank you. No," Angel said disappointed.

They turned and walked away. Angel stood there, not knowing what to do next. He looked discouraged and lost.

"Angel O"Reilly, as I live and breathe!" a voice said behind him.

Angel quickly turned to find Faith staring at him.

Faith smiled, triumphantly. "Yeah. Boy, you're just like she said." She turned and started away. She stopped and turned back. "You comin' or not" I don't got all day, I got a grilled cheese waitin'."

****

Buffy sat on her bed, lost in thought. Her bags were packed, ready to go. With a sigh she rose and picked up the bags, heading for the door.

She stopped in the dreary living room, looking at it, taking it all in for the last time. She suddenly felt more than a little bit frightened to be leaving. She mustered her courage and started for the door again. She opened it and stepped out, closing it behind her.

A few seconds later, the door opened again and Buffy stepped back in. She put down her bags and crossed to the kitchen where she took a coffee can/piggy bank from the shelf. She put some more bills into it and placed it back where Faith would be sure find it.

She turned and started again for the door but stopped when she heard a strange sound. Music. She heard music. An aria from La Boheme. It was faint. Seemingly coming from nowhere. She dismissed it, thinking she was hearing things. She opened the door. Then stopped. The music was louder and kept getting louder. She knew it wasn"t her imagination. She hurried over to the window.

Buffy opened the window and stepped out onto the fire escape, stareing in wonder.

A snow white limo drove up the street. A necktie had been tied to the antennae like a knight's token. The music from La Boheme was blaring from the car's stereo. Angel was standing on the car's seat, his head and body up through the open sunroof. The wind blew at his hair. He was smiling.

Everywhere on the street people were staring; the bums, the pushers, the passerby"s, the tourists.

Buffy didn"t know whether to laugh or cry.

The car came to a stop in front of Buffy"s building. Her landlord came out the front door. His eyes went wide in disbelief.

Angel disembarked from the limo by coming up through the sunroof. He leapt nimbly to the ground and crossed to the entrance of the alleyway, looking up at Buffy on the fire escape.

"You are really lost this time," she joked with a grin.

Angel wordlessly held up a hand for her.

With a sudden cry of joy, Buffy ran down the fire escape. She stopped at the bottom stair. Angel came forward and swept her into his arms. They kissed.

He carried her to the limo as if she were weightless, her feet never touch the ground.

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