The One I Waited For

Part 1

20

Angel stared at the man. Geoffrey Kensington was the last person he expected to see standing at his doorstep. "Oh." He motioned for his mother's Watcher to enter, knowing better than to invite anyone into his apartment after sunset.

Geoffrey entered. He stood just inside the apartment, leaving just enough room for Angel to close the door. Taking a look at the rest of the room, he found a pretty young girl sitting on the couch, smiling shyly. "Hello there. You must be Buffy Summers. I'm Geoffrey Kensington," he said with a slight British accent.

"Hi. Nice to meet you." 'I think.'

"It's not that I'm not happy to see you, Geoffrey, but why are you here?" asked Angel.

Geoffrey looked from Angel to Buffy and back again. "Oh dear. Am I interrupting something?"

Buffy shook her head. She could tell that Geoffrey wanted to speak to Angel in private. "No, I was just about to leave anyway." Standing up, she walked over to the door where Angel stood. "I will see you tomorrow, okay?"

Feeling he might be too embarrassed to kiss her front of Geoffrey, she gave his arm a squeeze and left the apartment.

"Have a seat," Angel invited.

Geoffrey did so. "Your shirt is on inside out, son," he informed.

Angel fixed his shirt, slightly embarrassed. "I pose the question again. Why are you here?"

"It occurs to me that you have been living in Sunnydale for months now and I have never seen your apartment."

Angel narrowed his eyes. "You drove two hours from L.A. just to see my apartment? Why don't I believe you?"

"To be truthful, that isn't why I came. Earlier today, I received a phone call from Rupert Giles. He was concerned."

"Giles called you? What exactly did he tell you?"

"Simply that you are treading some dangerous water with the Slayer. Buffy." Geoffrey laughed. "I will say this, son, you certainly have great taste in women. She's quite a looker."

"So he sent you here to read me the warning label attached to her? You don't have to bother, Geoffrey, I know what I'm getting myself into."

Geoffrey shook his head. "No, I don't believe you do. You couldn't possibly fathom how dangerous this is for you."

Angel, who had been pacing the living room, stopped in his tracks. "I love her; she loves me. How is that dangerous? Because she's the Slayer? I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself."

He shook his head again. "Being in love with the Slayer will only lead you to heartache. I don't want you to go through that kind of loss."

"Like you did with my mother?" shot Angel.

"Excuse me?"

"Please. I know you were in love with my mother. That's why you took me away from San Francisco so soon after her death. Geoffrey, you couldn't stand the memories. How certain places would make you think of her, every time you'd walk by the cemetery you'd think about how you found her body there. You couldn't stand to be plagued by the memories of how you lose the one you loved."

"Angel, Rupert and I are only looking out for you best interests. Neither of us want you to get hurt."

"I'm not going to get hurt."

"You may think so now, but what will happen when Buffy falls at the hand of her foe? A demon or vampire takes her away, what will you do, son? Give up on life as well? Have you even thought about it?" posed Geoffrey.

"I refuse to let anything happen to Buffy. I love her more than anything else. I'll protect her in any way I can."

Geoffrey smiled ever so slightly. "Had you said that about any other girl but the Slayer I would be happy for you and wish you both the best of luck. However, with this girl, I cannot stand by and let you make what very well be the biggest mistake of your life."

"Shouldn't that be my decision?"

"Son, sit down please." Angel sat on the black leather reclining chair across from Geoffrey. "I have never wanted anything except for you to be happy. Carolyn would have wanted me to give you the joyful, safe, normal upbringing she couldn't give you. And by taking you to Los Angeles, I thought I was doing that.

"But you were always a melancholy child, Angel. Nothing I did for you changed that. I raised you as best I could, bought you all the things you wanted, sent you to the best schools and universities in L.A.. Yet nothing made you happy. Carolyn took a piece of your heart with her when she died.

"I hoped that someday you would meet a young lady who could lead you out of this withdrawn, almost anti-social state you lived in. Four years of high school and six years of university gave me the highest hopes that you'd meet her. I even believed that Brittany MacKenzie might have been her."

Angel raised his eyes. "I went out with Brittany once, only because you asked me to."

"You looked happy that night."

"I fake it really well. She bothered me. All she talked about was shopping. She was insipidly boring."

"Yes, I can see how you might find that rather dull. You wanted a girl with whom you could have an intellectual conversation?"

Angel shook his head. "I wanted heat and passion. I wanted to look at her and just know that she was the one. And one look at Buffy told me she was the one."

"It was love at first sight then?"

"As cliched as it sounds, yes."

Geoffrey glanced at his hands. "As I said before, had this Buffy been any other girl, I would wish you well. But you are putting yourself at risk, son."

"You're repeating yourself, Geoffrey. Give me a valid reason as to why I shouldn't be allowed to follow my heart," demanded Angel.

"Want me to spell it out for you? Fine, I will. You'll be an easy target. Vampires and demons will see you as the Slayer's weakness. And they prey on weaknesses. They will do whatever it takes to make the Slayer powerless, and targeting you will do so. Using you as bait will possibly kill you both.

"Another reason is that you will be setting yourself up for a fall. Slayers are not notoriously known for living long lives. Angel, no matter how much you try to protect her, there will be something out there stronger than the both of you. What will you do when she dies? You're still a young man with your whole life ahead of you. Attaching your heart to a girl who will not live past her twenty-third birthday is not healthy. I don't want to see you broken hearted for the rest of your life. You deserve what every normal man deserves: a wife, a job, a home and children to fill it."

"What makes you think I want any of that? If I can't have that with the woman I love, I don't want it."

Geoffrey stood up. "I am only looking out for your best interests, son."

"Son," Angel scoffed. "For years I honestly believed you were my real father. You know, the one who got my mother pregnant. And that you never wanted to acknowledge me as your son because of your position. Then, years later, I realized you weren't my real father; that you only took care of me after Mom died so you'd have a piece of her to hold on to. You were only a few years older than I am right now and you gave up your livelihood to raise a Slayer's child and keep him safe. How can you have done what you did and not understand why I'm doing what I'm doing?"

"It's not the same thing."

"Isn't it? We've both been in love with the Slayer, even though it could cost us our positions with the Watcher's Council. The only difference I can see is that you raised her child after her death."

He sighed. "Angel, you cannot compare your relationship with Buffy to mine with Carolyn. Two different circumstances."

"Like the fact that Buffy loves me back?" Angel shot at Geoffrey.

"I didn't come here to argue with you, son. You needed someone to show you the path you're taking and where it will lead you. I've done that, but if you don't heed my advice, I'm sorry for wasting your time." He moved toward the door. "Good luck with Buffy. I have a feeling you'll need it."

Geoffrey exited the apartment, closing the door behind him. Once outside, he said, "I wish I could tell you the truth,Angel, but it'll hurt you too much."

********

"Did you explain to him the dangers of his relationship with Buffy?" Giles asked when Geoffrey returned to the apartment.

"I did my best to convince him that he is putting himself at risk, but he is too blinded by love to listen to me. Angel didn't want to hear it. I gave him my most logical arguments."

Giles paced a straight line in front of his couch. "Geoffrey, if you had seen what I saw this afternoon, you'd have been terrified. I'm worried that this will get them both killed. I cannot begrudge either of them from finding love; just the opposite. Had they found love with other people, I'd be happy for them. But together, they have no idea what they are getting themselves into."

Geoffrey nodded in agreement. "I know what you mean. I am glad that Angel found someone to make him happy. But why did it have to be the Slayer?"

"Did you tell him the real reason it's dangerous?" Giles wanted to know.

"No. And I'm hoping I'll never have to. He would never understand and it will hurt him too much. It is better to keep it between us and the Council. Angel doesn't need to know the truth."

********

21

With everything going on, Angel couldn't concentrate on anything. He felt claustrophobic inside his apartment and needed to get out for some fresh air. It was balmy, although it was eleven-thirty, but he threw on his duster over his sweater and black pants. It proved to be a good hiding place for his weapons.

He strolled through the streets of Sunnydale, deserted as they were. Very few people were brave enough to walk after ten o'clock. Even he didn't like to do so, but he just couldn't stay in his apartment any longer. Angel needed to get out and think about everything Geoffrey had told him. So many things were jumbled in his head that he needed to sort them all out.

Weighing the pros and cons of a relationship with Buffy was not something he wanted to do. There was no doubt in his mind that he loved her with every fiber of his being. He'd do anything to make her happy. But could he expect a long-term relationship out of it? He didn't know. Being with Buffy, if only for a short time, was better than not being with her at all, Angel decided. No matter what these so-called consequences were, he would stand by his love. He would never leave her.

Angel sat down on the bench in Wetherly Park, remembering how wonderful it felt to hold Buffy in his arms and kiss her sweet lips. He could still smell her favorite scent on him: vanilla. He smiled at the memory of them tangled on the library floor. No inhibitions, just the two of them and the passion they felt for each other. 'Yes,' he thought. 'I'm doing the right thing.'

Lost in his memories, Angel never heard the vampire approaching him from behind. He took a seat on the bench next to Angel, preparing for the kill.

"You look deep in thought," the vampire commented.

"Yeah."

He smirked to himself. 'This ought to be easy.' "Girl troubles?"

"Not really. Well, yeah, sort of," Angel told him.

"Let me guess. She dumped you."

Angel shook his head. "No. Everything's fine between me and Buffy. People around us think we're making a mistake."

'Buffy. Only one person around here is called Buffy. The Slayer.' The vampire came up with a plan. "What do you think? Are they right?"

"No, they aren't. I love her. She loves me. Everyone's wrong."

"You want to be with her forever?" asked the vampire.

"Yes, I do."

"I can easily arrange that."

The vampire leaned over, piercing his fangs into Angel's neck. Shocked at first, Angel didn't know what to do. All conscious thought left his body as the vampire continued to drink. Fight or flight instinct kicked in moments later, and Angel tried to push his attacker off. It didn't work, and more of his blood was being drained with every passing second. Remembering the stake in his pocket, he reached for it.

Out of the corner of his eye, the vampire saw Angel pull the weapon from his pocket. He blocked his victim's attempt at staking him, knocking the sharp wooden object from Angel's grip. Angel could hear his heartbeat slow down, knowing that this might very well be his last moments on earth.

'I love you, Buffy,' he said to himself, wanting his last memory to be of his true love.

The vampire retracted his fangs from Angel's neck, watching for a moment while the dying human took several shallow breaths. Smiling, he bit his wrist, drawing blood. He thrust his wrist to Angel's parted lips, forcing the man to swallow the red liquid that poured into his mouth. "Say nighty night, boy. Soon, we'll have the Slayer," the vampire vowed, carrying Angel's body into the woods.

********

Buffy had been searching for Angel for days. She had no idea where he went. Perhaps some kind of emergency had come up; the last time she'd seen him was Monday night at his apartment. Geoffrey Kensington had shown up, so Buffy assumed something had happened. That was Monday -- three days ago.

By the time Thursday rolled around, she still hadn't heard from Angel. She was worried about him; his safety. Giles didn't even know of Angel's whereabouts. He was surprised to hear that Angel disappeared without a trace. It certainly wasn't like him to be so irresponsible by not calling. Giles hoped the young man took his advice and ended his relationship with Buffy. But he never expected Angel to just leave town without telling anyone.

Patrolling had been uneventful for Buffy Thursday night. By nine she had only come across one vampire, and she considered calling it a night. One quick sweep through the cemetery then she would go home and wait by the phone in case Angel called.

Rustling in the bushes to her left caused Buffy to stand perfectly still in her fighting stance. Waiting a minute and hearing nothing more, she assumed it had been a bird or a rabbit. Sighing, she continued walking. But a minute later she heard the rustling again. This time it was coming from behind her. Buffy whipped around, raising her stake in her right hand. She stopped short when she saw who stood there.

"Angel!" she said, throwing herself into his arms. Buffy held onto him around his waist.

"Hey. Did I frighten you?" he asked.

Buffy looked in his eyes. Something was different, but she couldn't quite place it. "I've been so worried about you."

He placed a kiss on her forehead. "Something unexpected came up. It couldn't be avoided. I'm back, Buffy. For good."

Buffy relished in the comfort of his embrace. "You have no idea what was going through my mind. I thought something happened to you. I was afraid I'd never see you again."

"I'm right here. Nothing happened."

"I missed you, Angel. Do you think we can go somewhere private? It's dead out here tonight and I wanna be alone with you," Buffy said to him.

Angel smiled slyly. "I think it can be arranged. We can go back to my place."

They walked the half-mile to his apartment in silence. She held onto his arm with both hands, hugging it to her body. Buffy was so happy to see him, hold him and just be with him. She didn't let go of his arm until they stepped inside his apartment.

"It's been so long since I kissed you or touched you. It feels like a lifetime," Buffy admitted.

"I know exactly what you mean. Do you think we should continue where we left off when Geoffrey interrupted?" Angel asked.

Buffy nodded. "Oh yeah. Definitely." She took his hand and they both sat on the couch.

They stared at each other for what seemed like hours, neither one of them wanting to make the first move. His demon raging with want of her lips on his, Angel practically jumped on top of her. Buffy didn't resist him, instead, she invited it. She let him kiss her face to the point where he was attacking her with his mouth. Chalking it up to being away from each other for three days, Buffy welcomed his animalistic kisses.

Her hands were beginning to lift his shirt over his chest when Angel stopped her. "Not yet. Let's just do this first."

"Okay," she agreed.

His mouth moved from her face to her ears, then to her neck. Angel could feel her pulse, strong and rhythmic. His thirst for her became overwhelming. He needed blood, and Slayer blood, he knew, was the sweetest.

First licking her jugular vein, eliciting a moan from her, Angel fell into game face and bit into her.

The prick of his fangs caused Buffy to cry out. "What's going on? Why did you do that, Angel?" He looked up at her, letting her see his yellow vampire eyes. She screamed.

"What's the matter? You don't like my little surprise?" he asked with a chuckle.

"You...you're a vampire."

"Wow. You catch on quickly."

Buffy panted. She knew she was in deep trouble. "What do you want?"

He shrugged. "You, my love."

"Me?"

"We can be together forever. You and me, Buffy, we'll rule with our superior strength. And no one will be able to tell us that we don't belong together. Just say yes, Buffy. Just say yes."

Buffy shook her head adamantly. "No. I don't want to be a vampire."

"But it's so much fun. Not that I've had much time to find a down side to it yet. When I saw you a little while ago, I knew right then and there that I wanted to turn you; make you mine for all eternity. Come on, imagine the possibilities," Angel coaxed.

"No," she repeated.

Angel growled. "'No' isn't an option."

He bit her again, harder this time, her blood flowing into his mouth.

Taking only enough to sate his thirst, he cut himself and forced his blood down Buffy's throat. Angel laughed viciously at his conquest. On his first time out, he'd managed to kill the Slayer and bring his love across.

********

Angel bolted upright in bed, his body dripping with sweat. He breathed heavily, remembering every detail of his dream. 'Only a dream,' he told himself. 'It was a bad dream. A nightmare.' Closing his eyes again, he tried to dispel the images of what he'd done to Buffy. Turning her against her will, even the mere thought of it, much less the memory of it in his dream, made Angel sick to his stomach.

'I won't let anything happen to her. I will keep Buffy safe,' he vowed before falling asleep again.

********

22

He didn't get more than three hours of sleep that night, and Angel woke up angry. Angry at himself for letting his dream upset him so much, angry at Geoffrey for trying to convince him that he was making a mistake with Buffy, and angry at Giles for calling Geoffrey. Why couldn't the two Watchers mind their own business?

Angel took a shower, using the time under the excruciatingly hot water to think about his dream. What did it mean? That he wouldn't be able to protect Buffy from the evil that lurks throughout Sunnydale after dark? Or that his love for her made him easy prey for her enemies? That he might do what happened in the dream: become a vampire and kill her? Angel pounded his fist against the shower tile. "No!" he shouted. "It won't happen."

He got out of the shower, dried off and dressed himself in a black button-down shirt and jeans. Combing his hair in his trademark spikes and then grabbing his bag with books for his History lesson, Angel took off for Sunnydale High. Breaking several traffic laws on his five minute drive across town, Angel was determined to make it in time to have a few choice words with Giles. He and Buffy had a tutoring session at ten-thirty, so Angel wanted to be at the school by quarter after, giving himself fifteen minutes to confront the older Watcher.

Angel stormed through the empty hallway when he entered the building. Classes were in session, so only a few stragglers remained in the halls. He burst into the library and into Giles' office.

"How dare you?" accused Angel in a heated tone.

Giles put down his pen and glanced up at the angry young man standing before him. "Pardon me?"

"What gives you the right to call Geoffrey Kensington and invade my personal life?"

"When it involves the Slayer, I feel I have every right. Now take a deep breath, Angel, and calm down," said Giles.

"I will not calm down. I want an answer. A straight answer, not the runaround like I've been getting. Tell me why I shouldn't be with Buffy," Angel demanded harshly.

"Because you'll lose your job and I don't want to see that happen. I've known you since you were a child and I know how much you want -- have always wanted -- to be a Watcher. I would hate to see you lose that opportunity.

"And I care about both you and Buffy. You two are like the children I never had. If both of you were simply normal, average people, I would be thrilled and would give you my blessing. However, you're not. It's a dangerous situation for you to be in. There are things that you don't know; that you couldn't possibly understand. I don't want to see either of you get hurt."

"What is it that I wouldn't be able to understand? What thing?" Angel wanted to know, his voice nearing a shout.

"I cannot say. It isn't my place. But I will tell you that it is more horrible than you can imagine."

Angel sighed. When Giles started getting cryptic, he knew something was really wrong. "Fine, don't tell me. I would think you trust me enough to tell me, but obviously I'm wrong. Do me a favor, Giles. Stay out of my love life!"

"I'm doing this for your own good, Angel. I don't want to see you throw away everything you've worked for. The Watcher's Council does not take it lightly when a Watcher takes a personal interest in the Slayer."

"Then how do you get away with it? How did Geoffrey get away with it?" Angel asked.

Giles knit his eyebrows together in confusion. "I beg your pardon?"

"Geoffrey was in love with my mother. I've known it for years by the way he spoke of her. Did the Council ever find out about it?"

"I honestly don't know. Not to my knowledge did the Council find out."

"Then how could they find out about me being in love with Buffy?"

"Because the Council is watching you closely. Very closely."

Angel lost his temper. "How is this even fair to me? It's taken me twenty-seven years to find the woman of my dreams and I can't be with her? It's not right!"

"I'm sorry, Angel. I only wish that you could be with her, but unfortunately, you can't be with Buffy."

He shook his head. "I will be with her. You can send Geoffrey to try and talk me out of it, you can tell the Council and make me lose my job. Go right ahead, I don't care. Nothing is going to stop me from loving Buffy!"

********

Angel was already sitting at the table when Buffy came into the library. He heard her shoes clicking on the floor as she made her way over. One look at her and he smiled in spite of himself.

"Good morning," he greeted.

"Hi," she said cautiously.

"Look, I want to apologize for last night's interruption," Angel began. "Giles decided to call Geoffrey to talk some sense into me. He gave me this lecture about how dangerous it is for both of us, etc."

Buffy cast her eyes to the ground. What she had to say wasn't going to be easy. "Angel, I spent last night thinking. Maybe it was a good thing Geoffrey interrupted us."

"What do you mean?"

She bit her lip. "Last night really made me think. If Geoffrey hadn't shown up when he did, what would have happened, Angel?"

"I don't know."

"I do. We might have lost control. Would we have done something we'd both regret? It's all so new to me. Feeling this way, being with you...I just don't think I can do it all."

Angel stared at her, his heart breaking into a million pieces. "I see. You don't want to do this anymore. Us."

Buffy sat down in the chair next to him. "No, not at all. I still love you, I still want to be with you. But things are moving too fast for me. If this is going to work, we have to go slower."

"Slower. Okay," Angel agreed.

"I'm sorry."

"Buffy, it's fine. Slower is a good thing. I have no problem with that if it's what you want."

She looked at him closely. "Something else is bothering you, isn't it? I can tell."

"I had a rough night last night."

"Was it because of what Geoffrey said? Don't listen to him. You and I belong together, Angel. Even if we are moving slowly, I'm not leaving. I'm here for good."

Her words nearly echoed his words in the dream. It made him shudder. "I know that. It was this dream I had last night. More like a nightmare, really."

"How bad was it? Did it scare you?"

"Yeah. More than any other dream I've ever had. Even as a child, with all the demons I've seen and heard about, nothing scared me like that."

Buffy grasped a hold of his hand. "Tell me about it. What scared you so much?"

"I can't. It's too horrible. So real, it seemed so real."

"Angel, you can tell me anything."

He shut his eyes tightly, then opened them again. "I couldn't think in my apartment, so I went for a walk. When I sat down on a bench, this guy sat next to me. He and I started talking and before I knew it, he was biting me. The man was a vampire and I never knew it. He -- he bit me and made me feed off of him and he turned me into a vampire."

"Oh my god," commented Buffy. "But it was only a dream."

"No, there's more to it than that. After I was turned, you found me. It was a couple days later and you'd been worried about me. We were in the cemetery when you found me. We went back to my place and we kind of continued where we left off last night. And I bit you. I bit you...and drained you...and turned you. Then I woke up."

"It wasn't real. You have to remember that."

He nodded his head. "Yeah, I know. It seemed so real, Buffy. I couldn't protect you and I became the thing you hate the most. And I turned you. I hurt you so much and I never want to do that. That's what I'm afraid of. Hurting you."

"You won't. You couldn't."

"Love hurts, Buffy."

"Not our love. We'll never hurt each other." She kissed his trembling hand, still being held by her. "What happened in your dream will never happen in reality. Trust me on this. And whenever you start thinking that it might come true, keep saying to yourself that I love you and it was only a bad dream."

He smiled, having been reassured by her words. "Maybe we should get to work on studying. Your History final is in two weeks."

"Studying. Got it. Let's get to work." ‘Yeah. Slower is definitely better,' she thought.

********

23

Thanks to all of her tutoring sessions with Angel, Buffy's History exam was a snap. She passed with flying colors, getting a ninety on it and eased her average up to an eighty. She ran into the library after school to tell him the good news.

"I did it!" Buffy exclaimed, throwing herself into his arms, giving him a chaste kiss on the lips.

Angel held her close to him, not wanting to let her go. "Did what, Buffy?"

"Aced my History final."

He grinned. "Congratulations. I knew you could do it."

"I couldn't have done it without you. If you hadn't made me study all this weekend, and for the past two months almost, I would have failed for sure. Thank you." She gave him another kiss.

"I'd love to take credit for it, but you're the one who took the exam," reminded Angel.

"You're too modest. Most of this is your doing, so shut up and take some credit for it."

Giles exited his office, seeing Buffy and Angel in an embrace near the book counter. He sighed, thinking that perhaps they'd reverted back to the lust-driven teenagers they were only two weeks earlier. It didn't go unnoticed by the Watcher that things between Buffy and Angel cooled down considerably. No longer were they making public displays of affection on the library floor. He began to feel comfortable letting them train together. But seeing them holding each other so intimately, Giles became worried once again.

He cleared his throat. "Am I interrupting you?"

Buffy pulled herself out of Angel's embrace. "Giles, I just got my grade for my History exam."

"You did well, I presume." `At least I'll know she did some studying with Angel.'

"I got a ninety! All that tutoring paid off big time."

"That's wonderful news, Buffy. So you won't have to worry about not graduating, correct? I remember you telling me that you feared disappointing your parents by failing to graduate on time."

A huge grin plastered itself on Buffy's face. "I'm graduating. No summer school for Slay Gal. Next week, I'll be walking across the auditorium stage with my diploma in hand. You'll be there, won't you, Giles?" she wanted to know.

"Of course. All Sunnydale High staff is required to be there," her Watcher informed her.

"Cool. And as for you," she said, directing her attention to Angel, "you *so* have to be there. I only graduate once and I want you there to see me. Not to mention, you'll get to meet my father."

Angel groaned inwardly. Buffy had told him some stories about her father that made him a bit leery of the man. Most of all, Angel feared Mr. Summers' reaction to the nine year age difference between him and Buffy. `He'll think I'm taking advantage of her. I just know it.' "I wouldn't miss it for the world, Buffy."

Buffy was delighted. Everybody important in her life would be there on her graduation day. "And don't forget the party afterward at my house. I'm going to visit Mom at the gallery to give her the good news. Bye!" In a flash, Buffy left the room.

Giles turned to Angel. "I guess I should congratulate you as well, Angel. You did a good job with Buffy. She's really turned around since you began helping her. In a good way."

Angel was touched by the compliment. "Thank you, Giles. It means a lot coming from you. But I wish you could accept us as a couple."

"I have learned to accept it. While I still believe it is a dangerous state of affairs, I realize nothing I can say or do will change your minds."

"Thank you for understanding." Angel walked toward the door.

"Where are you going?" asked a curious Giles.

"To see about Buffy's graduation presents."

********

"Is this what you were looking for, sir?" the sales clerk asked, holding the box open in front of Angel.

"Yes, it is." Angel explained to the man what he wanted done. "Can you guarantee it by this coming Monday?"

He nodded. "Most definitely. As per your instructions, I can imagine that it will be exquisite."

"I hope so."

"A present for your wife?"

Angel shook his head. "My girlfriend, actually. It's a graduation gift. I want it to be a surprise."

The man smiled broadly. He saw the look of love in Angel's eyes. "This will be a most pleasant surprise for your young lady. Any woman would be very lucky to receive such a present. It is quite a show of love."

"I love her very much, so it works out perfectly."

"I shall call you when it is ready, Mr. Reilly."

He watched as Angel walked out of the store. `Whoever she is, she's quite lucky, to be loved that much. Ah, young love,' the man thought.

********

Graduation day was upon them before anyone knew it. Buffy woke up to a cloudless sky that Tuesday morning, eagerly anticipating the day's events. She would finally graduate from high school.

Willow came over at two, and Cordelia arrived at two-thirty so they all could get dressed and do each other's hair and make-up. Buffy wore a white sundress, white heels and left her hair straight, flowing past her shoulders. Willow wore a green dress, leaving her hair down as well. Cordelia chose a short black dress and curled her long brown hair into soft ringlets. Wearing their caps and gowns, the three girls stood in front of Buffy's mirror.

"I'm so excited. We're graduating," Willow said.

"Me too," agreed Buffy. "I am glad to have made it this far. I never thought I'd live to graduate from high school."

Cordelia put her arm around Buffy's shoulder. "Well, you are. Just think, this is the beginning of the rest of our lives. From here on in, we're adults. Living in the real world."

"Going to college," added Willow.

"Finding jobs," chimed in Buffy.

"Getting married to rich, handsome men," Cordelia said with a grin. "Well, unless you're Buffy."

Buffy raised her eyebrows. "What's that supposed to mean?" she demanded jokingly.

"Only that you've got the market cornered with your handsome hunk of man boyfriend. And if his apartment is as nice as you say it is, Angel's probably got money, too." She laughed. "You're luckier than most of us."

"I feel really lucky." Buffy glanced at the clock on her nightstand. "God, it's four already. My Dad is going to be here any minute."

"We should get going," Willow said. "Right, Cordy?"

The brunette nodded. "Right. I have to stop at Xander's house for pictures. See you at school, Buffy."

The two girls left. Less than five minutes later, Hank Summers pulled up. Buffy waited on the front porch to greet him. She hadn't seen her father in almost six months.

"Hey, Princess!" he said, giving Buffy a kiss and a hug.

"Hi, Dad. I'm so happy you could come. I know how busy you are with work."

He smiled at his daughter. "Miss my little girl's high school graduation? Not on your life! It's a big occasion."

"Come on inside. Mom wants to see you."

Buffy led him inside the house. "How have you been? It feels like forever since I saw you. Did you have a good time at Prom with Kevin? I remember you telling me how much you were looking forward to it," Mr. Summers asked.

"I didn't go to the Prom with Kevin. We broke up over a month ago, Dad," she informed him.

"I'm sorry to hear that. I liked Kevin. May I ask what happened?"

Buffy shrugged. She couldn't tell her father all the details of her break-up with Kevin. It had been hard enough telling her mother. "We wanted different things. He and I weren't meant to be together."

"Oh."

"But I have a new boyfriend. You can meet him after graduation."

"Really? How long have you been seeing him?" Mr. Summers wanted to know.

"Close to a month now. We went to Prom together as friends and we started dating afterwards."

He smiled. "I can't wait to meet him."

Buffy knew that tone of voice. Angel was in for the third degree from her father. `Uh-oh. Better warn Angel.'

********

24

"I didn't like the way he said it," Buffy told Willow, Cordelia and Xander before the graduation ceremony. "He went into over-protective dad mode. Now I'm worried about what he's going to say."

"It'll be fine, Buffy," reassured Willow. "I felt the same way when my parents met Oz. I thought my Dad was going to demand a written biography of Oz's life. Turns out I was only overreacting, because they were totally cool."

Buffy shook her head. "There's a big difference between our boyfriends, Willow. Oz is nineteen, Angel's twenty-seven. I know my dad is going to bring up the age difference."

"So?" Cordelia asked. "What's the big deal? It's only a couple years. It's not like it's a problem for you guys."

"Angel and I don't care how much of an age difference there is, but Dad will. Nine years. He was born in `seventy-one, me in `eighty-one. My father's going to flip."

Xander snickered. "It never occurred to me until now, but Angel's really robbing the cradle with you."

Buffy silenced her friend with a glare. "Shut up, Xander."

"Buffy, maybe your Dad will surprise you and not bring it up," Willow said.

"Maybe. But I won't hold my breath. One look at Angel and Dad's going to know he's way older than me."

"Think of it this way," Xander started. "At least he's not as old as Principal Snyder."

The three girls groaned. "Like, eww. That was a mental image I *so* didn't need," commented Cordelia.

********

The auditorium of Sunnydale High was already packed with relatives of the graduates by the time Angel arrived. All the front rows were filled, not an empty seat to be seen except in the back half of the room. He looked around for Mrs. Summers, needing to ask her a question and having promised to sit with her during the ceremony, but found her sitting with an older man he assumed to be Hank Summers. There was not an empty seat around them, so Angel sat himself in the closest aisle seat he could find.

Graduation began precisely at six o'clock. The chords of "Pomp and Circumstance" filled the auditorium as the one hundred graduates walked down the aisle. Angel grinned as Buffy walked by him, mouthing an "I love you" to her boyfriend. When they were all seated, Principal Snyder took the podium.

"Congratulations to the Class of 1999. You've all proved more or less adequate. This is a time for celebration, so sit still and be quiet," he addressed them.

Angel raised his eyebrows in wonder. Giles had told him that the man was very straight-forward, but Angel never expected this. `Now I can see why Buffy calls him a troll.'

He listened with interest as Mayor Richard Wilkins III gave his keynote speech and as the valedictorian gave her take on the past four years and on the future that lay ahead. Finally, after what seemed like hours, the graduates lined up to receive their diplomas. Student after student walked across the stage, holding up their diplomas as a sign of victory. Angel laughed out loud when Xander danced his way across the stage.

"Buffy Anne Summers," Principal Snyder called with a hint of disdain in his voice.

Buffy shook his hand, using her strength to make the short man wince in pain. She took the diploma out of his other hand and glided across the stage, searching the audience for Angel. Upon finding him, she winked and pointed to her diploma with a delighted grin. `I made it,' she thought. `I survived high school.'

********

Mr. and Mrs. Summers made their way through the crowd of people outside the school after the ceremony ended. They were in search of Buffy, and Mrs. Summers wanted to see Angel. He had called earlier that morning, informing her that he needed to ask her a question.

Mr. Summers tapped his ex-wife on the shoulder. "Why don't you go on ahead and find Buffy. I'll be there in a minute. I see someone I want to say hello to."

She nodded, having caught sight of Angel talking to Giles. "Fine. I'll tell Buffy you'll be right over."

He headed to his left, reaching his intended. "Hello, Kevin."

Kevin Matthews looked at the father of his ex-girlfriend. "Mr. Summers. It's nice to see you again."

"Same here. How have you been doing?" Mr. Summers wanted to know.

"Very well, thank you. And yourself?"

"Good. I was sorry to hear that you and Buffy broke up."

Kevin shrugged. "She didn't want the same thing I did. Buffy wasn't mature enough to handle the kind of relationship I wanted."

"Really? That's interesting," he commented, hoping Kevin would divulge more information. Buffy hadn't given him the specifics on the breakup.

"You're a man, Mr. Summers. How would you feel if you dated a girl for over a year and she refused to have sex with you? You'd break up with her too."

Mr. Summers balled his fists at his sides. "So what you're saying is that you broke up with my daughter because she wouldn't have sex with you?" Kevin nodded, not realizing his mistake. "Good for Buffy."

"Huh?"

Mr. Summers glared at the boy. "You bastard. Kevin, I used to think you loved my daughter, but I'm guessing you were only using her. I'm glad Buffy had the common sense to say no to you. And you should consider yourself lucky I'm not pounding you into the ground for using my little girl like that."

"Mr. Summers, it wasn't as bad as you're making it sound," he tried to explain.

"If I catch you within five feet of Buffy, or hear that you caused her even an ounce of pain, I will put you in the hospital." Without another word, Mr. Summers walked away.

********

"Do you think she'll like it?" Angel asked.

Mrs. Summers smiled. "Buffy is going to love it. I know she will."

"You don't think it's too much too soon? Because Buffy wants to take things slow. I don't want to scare her with this present."

"Not at all. She'll be thrilled, if I know my daughter. And I want you to know that I trust you, Angel."

"That means a lot."

"I can see how much you love Buffy, and I can tell that you respect her enough not to push."

"I'd wait forever for her." Angel glanced at the love of his life, standing fifteen feet away talking to Willow and Cordelia. "She's everything to me, and I'm not going to ruin it by forcing her into something she's not ready for."

"Well, I better go congratulate Buffy. Will you be coming to the party?" Mrs. Summers wanted to know.

Angel nodded. "I just have to stop at home and pick up Buffy's presents."

********

He was the first one to arrive at the Summers' house, showing up at quarter to eight. The presents he bought for Buffy sat in the inside pocket of his jacket, waiting for the perfect moment to be given. Angel rang the back doorbell.

Buffy ran to the door, seeing him through the window. When she opened the door, she wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing his head down so she could kiss him softly. "Hi, you. You're the first to get here."

"Lucky me. Congratulations."

She smiled at him, flashing her white teeth. "You already said that today, silly."

"I wanted to say it again."

Shaking her head, Buffy laughed. "You're crazy. Come on in, Mom and Dad are in the dining room."

A lump immediately formed in Angel's throat at the prospect of meeting Buffy's father. He followed her into the dining room. He saw Mrs. Summers sitting at one end of the table and a large, dark blonde haired man sitting at the opposite end. His heart rate rapidly increased.

"Dad, I'd like you to meet Angel Reilly. Angel, this is my dad, Hank Summers," introduced Buffy. She silently prayed that her father behaved like a civilized human being.

He extended his hand to the young man standing next to his daughter. "It's nice to meet you, Angel. Buffy has told me a lot about you."

Angel shook the hand offered by Hank Summers, noticing that the man clutched it tightly. "Nice to meet you, too, sir." He smiled at Mrs. Summers. "Hello, Joyce."

"Nice to see you, Angel. Please, have a seat," she offered.

He did, Buffy taking the seat across from him.

"Where are you from, Angel?" Mr. Summers asked.

"I was born in San Francisco, but moved to Los Angeles when I was six."

Mr. Summers nodded. "Are you still in school or do you have a job?"

"I'm a tutor right now, which is how I met Buffy. But I graduated from UCLA three years ago with a Master's in History."

"Really?" He looked searchingly at Angel. "Exactly how old are you, Angel?"

The dreaded question. `Don't show your fear,' Angel told himself. "I'm twenty-seven."

"That makes you nine years older than Buffy. Don't you feel that that's a big age difference?"

Angel shook his head. "No, honestly, I don't. Age isn't important to me. What matters to me is who Buffy is, not how old she is."

"Still, it concerns me. That's almost a decade."

Buffy groaned. "Dad..." she warned.

"Mr. Summers, I want to let you know that I'm not setting Buffy up for a fall. I want to be with her for as long as she'll have me. No matter what happens, I'll be by her side. I love her."

Mr. Summers softened. He could feel that Angel's words were genuine, and could see how happy Buffy was with him. "You make Buffy happy; she's told me that. After what Kevin Matthews pulled, you had better keep her that way."

"That's exactly what I plan to do."

Mrs. Summers stood up. "Now that that's finished, why don't we go sit outside and wait for the guests."

"Fine with me," agreed Mr. Summers.

Angel shot Mrs. Summers a conspiratory glance. "Buffy, why don't you and Angel go up to your room until the guests arrive. I'm sure you two want to be alone for a little while."

"Alright."

They went upstairs to Buffy's bedroom, sitting next to each other on the bed. "Are you and my mom up to something?"

"Sort of. I wanted to be alone with you when I gave you your graduation present," Angel told her. "I got you two, actually. One for now and one for later."

"You didn't have to do that."

"I wanted to." Angel pulled out a flat, black velvet box from his pocket, handing it to her. "Open it."

Buffy took it in her hands. She slowly opened the box, gasping when she saw the contents. Sitting in the box was an emerald necklace adorned with diamonds. The emerald had been carved into the shape of a heart, crowned by a diamond larger than the others. She touched it, fearing it might disappear if she didn't.

"Angel," she whispered. "This is so beautiful. It looks expensive. You shouldn't have."

"I wanted to get you something special. When I found out that you'd be graduating on time, I went to the jeweler's to have it specially made for you. The necklace has twenty-seven diamonds on it; one for each year I waited for you. And the emerald is the May birthstone, standing for the month I finally found you," Angel explained.

She let the tears fall out of her eyes. "Nobody's ever given me something so beautiful. I love it; I'll cherish it forever."

Angel removed it from the box, reaching over to place it around Buffy's neck. When he clasped it, making certain it was secure, he kissed the nape of her neck.

"Buffy! Some of your friends are here!" Mrs. Summers called.

"Guess that's our cue," he said.

Before leaving the room, Buffy stopped to look in the mirror. She couldn't believe Angel had given her such a perfect, thoughtful, loving gift. "When do I get my other present?"

"Not until later, love."

********

25

"Oh my god," exclaimed Cordelia. "Where did you get that necklace?"

Buffy placed her hand over it, still unable to believe it was there; that it existed at all. Smiling, she said, "Angel gave it to me as a graduation present. Do you like it?"

"Like it?" she asked. "I love it." She took a closer look at it. "It's real, too. With that emerald and all those diamonds...geez, how many are there?"

"Twenty seven."

"You're kidding. Twenty seven diamonds -- real diamonds at that -- and one emerald, this necklace must have cost him a fortune."

Buffy shrugged. "He didn't say. Just said he had it specially made for me. And I didn't want to ask him, I would have sounded ungrateful."

"Well, if I had to take a guess, I'd say it cost close to two grand," guessed Cordelia.

Buffy almost choked on her potato chip. "Two thousand dollars? Are you serious?"

"Well, it's a ballpark figure, so I'm only guessing. But it wasn't cheap, Buffy. Man, how did you ever get so lucky? I was lucky to get a bracelet from Xander for my birthday, much less a two thousand dollar necklace as a graduation present. I'm willing to bet Angel's loaded and you're going to be getting some nice presents from now on."

"He said he got me two gifts."

Cordelia's eyes widened. "Angel got you something else? Christ, gorgeous, rich and generous. Does he have a brother? Better yet, can I just have him?"

Buffy laughed. "Hands off my boyfriend."

"I was only kidding. I wouldn't dream of taking him. For as much of a loser as Xander is, I would not trade him for the world."

Willow ran over to them, flushed and out of breath. "Hi, guys. Sorry I'm late. Oz and I got a little tied up."

"That's okay. You didn't really miss anything," Buffy told her.

"Are you crazy? Angel gives you the mother of all graduation gifts and you say that she didn't miss anything?" demanded Cordelia.

"What?" Willow asked. "What did Angel get you, Buffy?"

She pointed to her necklace. "This."

"Wow. It's beautiful."

"And expensive," added Cordelia. "And he got her something else too."

"There's more?"

"Uh-huh." The brunette caught sight of Xander waving to her from the other side of the yard. "Xander wants me. See you two in a bit." Under her breath, she mumbled, "Lucky bitch."

Buffy turned to Willow. "So, how come you're late?"

"I told you, Oz and I got tied up."

"Willow..."

Willow sighed. "Okay. You're my best friend, Buffy, so I should at least tell you. Can you keep a secret?"

"You know I can, Willow. Spill it already."

"Alright. After graduation, Oz and I went back to his place and...we...well, we..." She struggled to find the right words.

"What is it? Did something--" Then Buffy realized what her best friend was saying. "Willow, you and Oz...?"

Willow nodded. "Yep."

Buffy grabbed her hand, dragging her into the privacy of her own bedroom, closing the door behind them to insure nobody would overhear. "You slept with Oz?"

"Yeah. It wasn't like we planned it or something. I didn't wake up this morning and say ‘I'm going to have sex with Oz after graduation today.' It just sort of happened."

"Come on, I want details. Not *all* the details, but some details. How did it happen?"

"Like I said, we went back to his place and his parents weren't home. He said he wanted to give me my present. It was a song, a slow, beautiful song he wrote for me. So I kissed him and it just went on from there."

"How did you know, though? That you were ready?" Buffy wanted to know.

Willow bit her lip. "Do you know that voice in the back of your head that tells you to stop?"

Buffy nodded. "I'm on close, intimate terms with that voice."

"Well, when I started kissing Oz, it wasn't telling me to stop. Instead, I heard a voice that said, 'You love him. Show him how much; show him what he means to you.' That's when I knew I was ready."

She stared in awe of Willow. "Wow. What was it like?"

"It wasn't the way romance novels make it out to be. At first, it hurt. A lot. Like someone was ripping me apart from the inside. But it started hurting less and less, and then it started to feel good. I won't lie, Buffy, I cried, it hurt so much. It was worth it in the end to feel that close to Oz."

Amazed, Buffy shook her head. "I wonder if I'll ever get to experience something like that," she pondered.

"You mean you've never even thought about it?"

"Sure I have. I just don't know if it's ever going to happen."

"It will, Buffy."

"I don't know." Buffy grimaced. "Maybe I'm a prude for wanting to wait."

"You have to wait until it feels right," Willow said.

Buffy exhaled. "I could be dead and gone by the time I'm ready to sleep with someone. Right now, I'm living vicariously through my fantasies."

Willow grinned. "Would a certain tall, handsome Watcher-in-training play a starring role in those fantasies?" she teased.

"Perhaps. We better get back to the party before they start wondering what happened to us."

As they were walking down the stairs, Willow asked, "Didn't Cordelia say Angel got you something else?"

"Yeah. But I don't get it until later. The suspense is killing me."

********

The party ended at two in the morning, leaving the backyard filled with cans of soda, paper plates and napkins. The four remaining people -- Buffy, Angel and Mrs. and Mr. Summers -- spent an hour cleaning it all up.

"Let me help with the dishes, Mom," offered Buffy.

Mrs. Summers waved her away. "Your father and I can handle it. Don't worry. You two can go into the other room."

"Okay." Buffy knew Angel would be giving her the other present, and she couldn't wait. She was definitely excited.

"Looks like your party was a success," Angel said to her once they sat down in the living room.

"Seems so. I got a lot of compliments on the necklace you gave me." She giggled. "Cordy wanted to know if she could borrow you. I said no way."

He smirked. "I take it that means you're not ready to get rid of me yet?"

"Not by a longshot. You're stuck with me for a long time."

"Good. I can't think of anyone I'd rather be stuck with." He planted a kiss on her cheek. "Which reminds me, I believe I owe you another present."

"Angel, you really didn't have to. The necklace was more than enough," Buffy said.

He shook his head in disagreement. "I've already gotten the okay from your mother and Giles. Now all I need is your approval."

"My approval?" she asked. "For what?"

Angel took the two pieces of paper out of his pocket. "Remember when I told you how I wanted to visit my mother's grave and you said you'd go with me when I go?"

"Yes."

"How does this weekend sound?"

"What? What are you talking about, Angel?"

"I have in my hands two first class tickets leaving Friday evening for San Francisco."

Buffy's mouth fell open. "You want me to go away with you this weekend?"

"Only if you want to go, Buffy. I've arranged for the entire weekend. We'll leave Friday at seven and come back Monday at noon. I booked a room at the Sheraton with two double beds. But if you are at all uncomfortable with that, I'll book you a private room. Your mother already said yes, and Giles has agreed to take care of patrol. What do you say, Buffy?"

"It's too much. You shouldn't have done all of this."

"I told you already. I wanted to. Will you go to San Francisco with me this weekend?"

Buffy nodded. "Of course I will."

********

When Angel left half an hour later, Buffy ran into her bedroom to call Willow. She had promised to call when she received Angel's final gift.

"Will, it's me. Is it too late to be calling?" Buffy asked over the phone.

"No, I'm still up. Well, what happened?"

"Angel left a couple minutes ago. You wouldn't believe what else he got me."

"What?" Willow wanted to know.

"He's taking me to San Francisco this weekend."

"That is so awesome. So that means you'll be sharing a hotel room with him, right?"

"Uh-huh. I love the present; a weekend away from Sunnydale is so thoughtful of him. But I can't help wondering..."

Willow had an idea of where Buffy was headed. "You think he might expect something of you beyond kissing?"

"Yeah. We've been taking things slow since the incident with Giles and Geoffrey Kensington. And it's been working out great; getting to know each other without worrying about what the other might think. I love him, no doubt about it. But what if this trip is his way of saying he wants to speed things up?"

"Do you think it is?"

"I don't know. I trust Angel, and most of me says no, he wouldn't do that. And a smaller part of me says he's only taking me to San Francisco so we can sleep together," Buffy told her.

"Do you want to sleep with him?"

"A little bit personal, don'tcha think, Will?"

"Buffy, with everything I told you about me and Oz, I would think you could confide in me. Do you?"

Buffy thought she'd need time to think about her answer, but she didn't. "Yes. I want to make love to him. But I don't know if I'm ready for that this weekend."

"The only thing I can tell you is to wait and see. When you're ready, you'll know it. And if Angel expects it this weekend and you don't want to, maybe he isn't the man you think he is."

"You're right, Willow. I won't know until we get there. I'm just going to have to wait and see."

********

26

Cordelia and Willow dragged Buffy into the store. They were at the mall helping her shop for clothes for her weekend in San Francisco. Buffy and Angel were leaving later that day, but Cordelia insisted on a last-minute shopping spree.

"I've packed more than enough stuff. I'm only going for two days," Buffy admonished.

"Yes, but you need something special to wear," Cordelia said.

"I don't think I'm going to find it here." Buffy looked around. "No, I know it."

"Buffy," Cordelia started. "You're going away with Angel for an entire weekend. Three nights in a hotel room with a man whose bones you *so* obviously want to jump. And you're going to wear flannel pajamas to bed? No way."

Buffy sighed. "Cordy, I'm not wearing one of these things to sleep. God, they don't even cover anything."

Cordelia laughed at Buffy's naiveté. "I believe that's the whole point. It's not supposed to cover anything."

Willow held up a see-through garment. "Check this one out. It's so short."

"I hardly doubt these could be considered bedtime wear."

"Come on, live a little, Buffy."

She shook her head. "Not in that thing."

Cordelia gave up. "Fine. Look, you guys go off and I'll meet you in the food court in twenty minutes."

"Okay." Willow and Buffy left the lingerie shop, heading for the music store.

"Are you excited about tonight?" Willow wanted to know.

"Yeah, I am. Two whole days away from Sunnydale is just what I need."

Willow smiled. "Actually, I was talking about spending the weekend with Angel."

"Yeah, like I don't know what you're getting at, Will. Yes, I'm excited. But I'm nervous, too."

"About sleeping in the same room with him?"

"Kinda. I mean, I've slept in the same bed with him before, but that was before the whole 'us as a couple' thing."

"So you'll be uncomfortable?"

"I don't know. He did say two beds, so we'll see what happens, and Angel told me if I felt weird he'd book me my own room."

"See, at least he's accommodating. Buffy, do you think that...have you thought about...sleeping with him?"

Buffy shut her eyes. "Yeah."

"Yeah as in 'yes, I've thought about it' or as in 'yes, I'm going to sleep with him'?"

"The first one. I still don't think I'm ready yet. But who knows, maybe things'll change this weekend."

Fifteen minutes later, Cordelia joined them in the food court. "I'm back."

"We missed you," commented Willow.

"Yep, we did." Buffy looked at the package Cordelia was carrying. "What did you get?"

"Something for you, actually."

"Me?" Buffy asked with raised eyebrows. "What is it?"

Cordelia handed her the bag. "Open it and find out."

Buffy opened the box, unwrapping the tissue paper around the contents. She held it up, finding a light blue satin nightgown so thin Buffy could see Willow through the material. "Thanks, Cordy, but I don't think I will be getting any use out of it this weekend."

"Bring it with you."

"It was a nice thought, but I don't think so."

********

Buffy and Angel landed in San Francisco at seven-thirty, and he rented a black convertible for the weekend. The Sheraton was located only a few miles from the airport, so they arrived at the hotel by eight. With their suitcases in hand, Angel led her to the lobby. He put their bags down when they reached the reception desk.

"Hello, Sir. Do you have a reservation?" the man behind the desk asked.

"Yes, I do. Angel Reilly."

The man searched the computer screen. "Ah, yes. Three nights." He eyed Buffy suspiciously, but said nothing. "That'll be nine-fifty. Credit card only."

Buffy's eyes widened with shock. 'Nine hundred and fifty dollars? That's insane.'

Angel placed his Visa card on the counter. He glanced at Buffy, who stood a few feet behind him, and flashed her a smile. She returned it.

The man returned the credit card to Angel. "Everything's all set, Sir. Your room is ready, here is your key. Your young lady and yourself will be staying in room 503. Do you need assistance with your suitcases? I can ring for a bellhop."

"No, thank you. I can carry them myself." Picking up the bags once more, they walked to the elevator.

The doors closed in front of them after they stepped inside. Angel pressed the button labeled 5. "Angel?" Buffy asked.

"Yeah, Buffy?"

"How much does this room cost a night?"

"Why?"

"I want to know. I'm curious, I guess."

"A little over three hundred a night."

She coughed. "It's so expensive for a hotel room. Why would you spend so much? And can you even afford it?"

"Buffy, please don't worry about it. Everything's taken care of."

They didn't say anything until Angel opened the door to their hotel room.

Buffy gasped out loud when she saw the room.

"It's huge! This room is bigger than my entire house."

"So you like it?"

"I love it."

She walked around the room, which had its own kitchen, couch, walk-in closets and a private balcony with an unobstructed view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Two double beds sat near the entrance to the balcony, with a TV and VCR, small refrigerator and two dressers.

"I'm glad you like it," Angel said to her.

"This is so great. Thank you."

"Is there anything special you wanted to do tonight?"

The question threw Buffy. 'Oh God. He does expect something this weekend. What am I going to do now?' "Nothing I can think of. What do you want to do?" She really wanted to hear what he had to say.

Angel shrugged. "I was hoping you had an idea. Truthfully, I wouldn't mind just sitting here in the room and relaxing and watching television."

"That's fine with me. Relaxing is good."

"That is why I brought you here. So you could relax."

Buffy took her bag and lifted it off the bed. "I'm going to take a shower, okay?"

"Sure. I'll find something for us to watch."

"Okay."

Buffy walked into the bathroom and undressed herself. She took a towel off the rack, carrying it into the shower with her. Under the hot water, she began to wonder what the weekend held for her, for them. They were going to visit Carolyn Reilly's grave Saturday morning, but Buffy didn't know what Angel had planned for them after that. It finally dawned on her that she was alone with him for over two days. More than forty-eight hours to learn more about each other. 'But how much?' she wondered.

'Stop it, Buffy. You need to stop worrying so much. If anything happens that you don't want to, all you have to do is say no. Angel will understand,' Buffy told herself. 'I think.'

She got out of the shower, thoroughly cleaned and ready for the relaxing night ahead of her. Opening her suitcase, she pulled out a tank top and a pair of flannel pants. "Oh, what the hell," she said, grabbing the nightgown Cordelia bought for her, putting it on. Taking a look in the mirror, Buffy felt self-conscious. She could see right through the material. It was too embarrassing to wear in front of Angel. Searching through her suitcase, Buffy found the robe she'd packed. Quickly, she put it on.

"All done," Buffy said when she returned to the room where Angel sat on the couch.

"I found something we can watch. How do you feel about Sleepless In Seattle? It's on at nine," Angel suggested.

"Works for me."

They walked over to the bed and Angel turned on the television while Buffy sat down.

"Do you mind if I sit next to you?" he asked.

She smiled. "Not at all. It's a big bed. Plenty of room for one more."

Angel sat next to her. He stayed at least half a foot away, wanting to give her some personal space in case she felt uncomfortable. He was pleasantly surprised when she moved over, her arm pressed against his.

Neither one moved in the course of the two hour movie. They sat with their backs against the headboard, holding hands. Buffy tried her best to keep her eyes opened. She leaned her head on his shoulder, her robe falling off her shoulder, revealing the thin strap of her nightgown. Noticing, Angel reached over to fix it.

She had fallen asleep by the time the movie ended. "Buffy?" Angel whispered. "Buffy, wake up. The movie's over."

"Umm," she moaned, opening her eyes. "What's going on?"

"You fell asleep," he told her with a loving smile. "The movie's over. Why don't we go to sleep."

"Okay," she agreed, yawning.

He climbed off the bed and went into the bathroom to change. Buffy removed her robe and hung it in the closet, returning to her bed, covering herself up to her chin. She moved to the far side of the bed, expecting Angel to join her.

When he came out of the bathroom, he turned off the light and laid down in his own bed. Buffy was disappointed, but relieved at the same time. "Good night, Angel."

"Good night, Buffy."

********

27

Buffy awoke to the sound of running water coming from the bathroom. Turning her head, after rubbing the remnants of sleep from her eyes, she found the bed next to her empty. The clock on the bedstand read eight thirty-four, making her moan. She liked sleeping in on weekends, not waking up before nine.

"Ugh," she said, getting out of bed and putting her robe on over her revealing nightgown.

Buffy pulled her suitcase onto the bed, deciding to unpack while Angel showered. She kept a pair of black jean shorts, a white blouse and a sweatshirt aside for her to wear that day. Just as she finished hanging up the last of her clothes, Angel entered the room. She was more than a little surprised to see him walking around wearing only a towel around his waist. Her heart raced.

"Morning," she said, stepping out of the closet.

He was caught off-guard. "Buffy, I didn't realize you were up. I thought you would still be sleeping."

"So you thought you'd walk around the room in a towel while Buffy was asleep?" she commented with a laugh.

Angel's cheeks turned a bright red. "I forgot my pants and thought I could sneak in here without waking you."

"Well, I'm awake. But I won't look." Buffy moved to face the other way, the image of him wrapped in a towel burned into her memory.

He found a pair of pants and went back into the bathroom. Sighing a breath of relief, Angel dropped the towel and began to get dressed. After shaving and combing his hair, he returned to the room, finding Buffy fully dressed. He frowned slightly. ‘What did you expect to find? Buffy waiting on the bed and begging you to touch her? Don't be stupid.'

"All done in the bathroom?"

"Yeah. Sorry I took so long," Angel apologized.

"Well, I'll forgive you this time," she joked. "I won't be long. Just have to fix my bed head. My hair is probably doing wacky things."

"You look fine."

She shook her head. "Trust me, no I don't. I'll be out in a few minutes."

"Would you like me to order some room service?" Angel asked. "They've got eggs, bacon, pancakes, french toast and omelets. What would you like?"

Buffy laughed. "How about all of the above? I'm starving. But seriously, anything is fine. I'll be out in a few minutes."

Angel picked up the phone, calling for room service. He ordered a little bit of everything: scrambled eggs, pancakes, french toast, muffins, bacon, sausage and juice. He'd finished ordering mere seconds before Buffy left the bathroom.

"So, what did you order for me?" she asked.

"You'll have to wait and see."

She crunched up her face in an expression of annoyance. "I hate that."

"What?"

"When people say that to me. I don't like surprises."

"You said you were starving," Angel pointed out.

"True. How long until it gets here?"

Angel shrugged. "They didn't say. But I would assume twenty minutes or so."

"Alright. Do you mind if I give my mother a call? Let her know I'm here and still alive."

"You don't need to ask me."

"I was being polite."

She dialed her home phone number. Mrs. Summers picked up on the third ring. "Hello?"

"Hi, Mom. It's me."

"Buffy. How's your trip so far?'

"So far so good. You should see our hotel room. You could fit our entire house in here."

Mrs. Summers laughed. "Angel informed me the hotel would be nice."

"It is."

"How is Angel?"

"Good. We chilled out here last night."

"Honey, I don't want to ask you this, but I feel I have to. Are you being careful?"

Buffy glanced at Angel, who sat on the couch reading a magazine. "Mom!"

"Sorry, but I want to make sure."

"You don't have to worry, my virtue is still intact. Angel hasn't even attempted to kiss me since we got here," she whispered.

"Well, that's a load off my mind. Not that I don't trust you two, but..."

"I know what you mean. He's not like other guys, he didn't bring me here to have sex, Mom."

"Yeah, I know. I told him I trusted him and I do. But I know how things can get out of control, Buffy."

"I'm a big girl, Mom. If he tries anything I can kick his ass." There was a knock on the door, and Angel returned a minute later with a cart of food. "I gotta go, room service is here. I'll see you Monday. Bye, Mom."

Before hanging up, Mrs. Summers replied. "Bye, honey. Be careful this weekend."

Buffy met Angel at the table in the kitchen area. "God, how much food did you order?" she asked, looking wide-eyed at all the food.

"A little of everything."

"You weren't kidding. There's enough food here for an army."

"Or for a hungry Slayer."

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's dig in."

********

"You must have a great sense of direction if you can remember how to get here after three years," commented Buffy.

They drove slowly down the narrow path through the cemetery. Grave after grave, they all looked the same to Buffy. But she remained keenly aware that each one was a lasting reminder of a lost life.

"I don't think I'm likely to forget how to get here. It's only a little further down the road. We'll be there in a minute," said Angel.

She nodded, staring at all the gravestones, knowing that one of them held Angel's mother. The car came to a stop and he cut the engine. Buffy opened the door, clutching her purse and several red carnations. She linked arms with Angel, him leading her to his mother's grave.

A marble carving of an angel jutted from the ground. It read CAROLYN ELIZABETH REILLY. DAUGHTER, MOTHER AND PROTECTOR. December 27, 1957 -August 7, 1977.

"She was killed on my sixth birthday."

"Oh, Angel. How horrible."

"I've always hated celebrating my birthday. Geoffrey used to make me celebrate the day after because I'd associate August 7th with the day she died. Now, I haven't even bothered in three years. It's just another day to me," Angel told her.

"I'm so sorry, Angel. I didn't realize."

He smiled at her. "That's okay." He placed half a dozen red roses on the grass in front of the headstone, saying a silent prayer. Buffy did likewise, but instead of praying, she thanked Carolyn for giving her the man she loved.

Angel wiped away his solitary tear with the back of his hand. He'd expected to be emotional, but didn't want Buffy to see his tears. However, she saw.

"Angel? Are you okay?"

"Yeah. A little overwhelmed is all."

"Do you want to stay awhile longer?"

He shook his head. "I think I'm ready to go."

They walked back to the car hand in hand. He held the door open for her like the gentleman he was. When they reached the road once again, Buffy asked him what he had planned for the rest of the day.

"It's a surprise."

"You know I hate surprises."

"You'll love this one."

********

Love it she did. Angel took her to dinner at a fancy Italian restaurant, remembering that it was her favorite type of food. He topped it off with a sunset boat ride through the San Francisco Bay. Nothing made him happier than seeing Buffy stand behind the railing, the wind blowing her blonde hair around her face. He had instructed that several pieces of blank drawing paper and a pencil be left inside a box for him. With it, Angel drew a picture of Buffy, capturing the essence of her joy on the paper. He handed it to her when they returned to the hotel room that night.

"Angel, this is beautiful. I didn't know you could draw," Buffy said.

"I used to do it a lot as a kid. Kept me busy."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course. Anything."

Buffy swallowed, trying to find the right words. "I don't want to seem ungrateful or rude, but how can you afford all this? Unless the Council pays you guys more than I thought they did."

"Money isn't an issue. It never will be. My grandparents died when I was two. They were large percentage shareholders in several big corporations, and when they died, it all went to my mother. And when she died, it was passed on to me. I officially inherited it all, all three hundred million of it, when I turned eighteen," he explained.

"So, you're rich. Very rich, actually. Cordy was right."

"How?"

"The necklace you gave me. She could tell it cost a fortune."

"I told you, money isn't an issue. My life isn't an extravagant one. And if I have it, I can't think of anyone I'd rather spend it on than the woman I love."

"That is me, right?"

He smiled. "Who else?"

They stayed up until one in the morning. Angel suggested they get some rest for tomorrow and they retired to their separate beds. Buffy lay there for half an hour listening to the sounds of his breathing. Hopping out of bed, she made her way over to Angel's.

The covers covered him only to his waist. Buffy lifted them before joining him. She covered herself, then planted kisses along his strong jawline. He stirred in his sleep, awakened by Buffy's kisses. Moaning from the disruption, he opened his eyes, staring right into Buffy's.

"What's going on?" he asked.

"I'm kissing you."

"Why?"

"Because I want to thank you for tonight." She brought her lips to his, fulling awakening him. He rolled to the side, facing her.

Angel pulled her close to him, returning the kiss with a hunger and need all his own. He felt her hands stroke his back, up and down from his neck to the waist of his boxer shorts. His did the same to her, only when they reached the waistband of her pants, he lifted the shirt she wore with his hand. It slipped under the cotton material, making contact with the warm skin beneath.

He lightly touched her skin, moving his hands along her sides, molding to fit every last curve. Angel closed his eyes when his hands reached the curves of her breasts. His fingers took on a life of their own, wandering over the flesh to feel her, for more contact with her exquisite body.

Moving on from her lips, Angel trailed across her cheeks to her ears and then to her neck. He sucked and licked and bit softly at the tender skin, becoming more than aroused by the affect her body was having on him. He wanted to make love to her.

Buffy exhilarated in what he was doing to her until she realized what it was doing to him. She became aware of his arousal and got scared. "Angel?"

"Hmm?" he asked, his face at the column of her throat.

"I want to stop. Please," she begged.

"What's the matter?"

Tears rolled out of her eyes and onto his arm. "I'm scared."

He wiped the tears away with his thumb. "It's okay, you don't have to cry."

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to do that to you," she said through her tears. "You probably hate me for leading you on like that."

"No. You didn't lead me on."

"Angel, you're lying. I felt it, just like you felt it."

He brushed the stray hairs from her face. "Honestly, Buffy, I did feel it. I wanted to make love to you; I still do. But if it's too soon for you, I'll wait until you're ready."

"I don't know if I'll ever be ready." A fresh batch of tears fell.

"Today isn't the day. Maybe tomorrow isn't either. But when you are ready, Buffy, I will be here."

She found it unbelievable that he said that; that he'd still want to be with her after all she had just done. "You'd wait for me?"

"Forever, Buffy. I'll wait forever." He took her in his arms and let her cry until they both fell asleep.

********

28

Angel didn't want to wake her up. She was sleeping so soundly, he couldn't bear to rouse her. His right arm still lay across her side, his palm flat on her stomach. He smiled, but it turned to a frown, recalling the events of last night. They'd been so close to gaining everything they wanted -- closeness with each other. The closeness they could only attain through true intimacy.

But watching Buffy sleep made Angel realize how close he felt to her right then. Maybe they weren't ready for that kind of intimacy yet, but that didn't mean they couldn't be close. He wanted closeness with Buffy, and he was willing to wait until she was ready.

She stirred, as if she knew what he was thinking. Her back pressed harder against his chest, her legs stretching out. She turned her head to the right, seeing Angel watching her. It reminded her of waking up next to him the morning after Prom. "Hi," she greeted with a tinge of nervousness.

"Good morning." Angel removed his hand. "How did you sleep?"

"Okay."

Buffy got up from the bed and brought her eyes up to look at him. When she saw his face, she couldn't help but remember the night before. How she'd felt him pressed against her leg, his hands under her shirt, his mouth all over her head and neck. Suddenly, she couldn't look at him, despite his soothing words. Casting her eyes to the ground, she moved toward the bathroom.

"I-I'm going to get dressed."

"Buffy? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, sure. Why do you ask?"

"Because you won't look at me. Is it because of last night? Buffy, I told you I'd wait. For however long it takes," Angel said.

"I'm fine."

Buffy walked into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror, seeing the girl with the puffy eyes and red cheeks. Trying to keep the tears out of her eyes, Buffy turned on the water, bringing a handful to her face. She felt so sick, like she might throw up.

'What am I going to do? I can't even look in his eyes without remembering last night. How am I supposed to spend the next twenty-four hours with him after what we did? Or almost did?'

Drying off her face, Buffy decided to act as though nothing had happened between them. She got dressed and went back into the room. Angel sat on the couch, watching her out of the corner of his eye.

"What's for breakfast?" she asked.

Angel was relieved. She was talking to him. "Whatever you like."

"I'm in the mood for a ham and cheese omelette."

He nodded. "Alright. I'll order room service. Are you sure you're okay?"

"Peachy. Just hungry."

"Do you want to talk about it? Last night?"

She shook her head. "There's nothing to talk about. We talked last night, remember?"

"No, Buffy. You need to understand that I didn't mean to scare you."

Her lower lip trembled. "I know. It was my fault. I knew I wasn't ready, but I came into your bed anyway and started something I knew I couldn't finish. I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize. I played a big role in this, too. I shouldn't have done what I did."

She closed her eyes, then opened them. "Where does that leave us? Back where we started? ‘Cause I liked the slow thing, but not that slow. But last night was too fast."

"You're right. It was. We need to find some kind of middle ground," agreed Angel.

"'Kay. Nothing too stimulating."

"That works for me."

"We're in agreement. And, Angel?"

"Yes?"

She gave him a half-smile. "When I'm ready, you'll be the first to know."

********

"What do you think they're doing?" Xander questioned. "Wonder if they're getting horizontal."

Cordelia slapped her boyfriend on the arm. "Xander! Is that all you think about?"

"Well, she's away with him, in a hotel room, mind you, and you think nothing's going to happen?"

"He booked a room with two beds," Willow informed him. "And if Buffy doesn't want anything to happen, nothing'll happen."

"What if he pressures her?"

Oz sighed and laughed. "Remember Kevin? He pressured her and look where is now."

"Buffy-less and miserable," Cordelia said with a chuckle. "How appropriate for him."

"Xander, don't worry so much about Buffy. She can take care of herself. And Angel's too honorable to try anything. He strikes me as the type to wait until it's right for both of them," Willow said, trying to comfort Xander.

He wasn't convinced. "He may be honorable, but Watcher Guy is still a guy. Which means he's still gonna want to...well, get it on."

Cordelia stood up. "Do you want to get horizontal? Get it on? Because if you keep this up, it won't be happening with me."

"Cordy!"

"Can't you let Buffy make her own decisions without making it your personal business?" she shot at him.

"It is my business."

She shook her head. "No it's not. It is Buffy's personal business if she sleeps with Angel. Not yours." Cordelia tried to imagine her friend in a passionate kiss with Angel. I get Xander, scrawny boy nightmares are made of. And Buffy gets Angel, the type of man girls have sexual fantasies about. How unfair is that?' She took off.

"I guess I should go apologize to Cordy for acting like a..."

"A guy?" Oz suggested.

"Yeah. Bye, guys." He went off in the same direction as Cordelia.

Oz glanced at his girlfriend. "Well, that was interesting."

"Oh yeah." She bit her lip. "Oz, do you think that they did?"

"Did?"

Willow laughed. "I shouldn't be thinking about this. She's my best friend, she'll tell me. But I wanna know now! Buffy said she might...you know...sleep with him if she felt ready. I'm dying to know."

"Will, don't you think that's exactly what Xander said?"

"No. Yes. Maybe. I can't wait until she gets back and I get to find out what happened."

********

"Are you dressed?" Angel asked from outside the bathroom, later that day.

He and Buffy had spent the day shopping. Although they felt comfortable with each other, Angel wanted to make it up to her, and he had arranged for the perfect evening.

The bathroom door opened, and Buffy walked out. During their shopping trip, Buffy saw a dress that she loved, and Angel bought it for her. She beamed with delight when he handed her the package. He'd never seen a more beautiful sight then when he saw Buffy leave the bathroom wearing the dress he bought for her.

She wore a strapless white dress, made of satin and lace, with a sweetheart neckline. It floated to the floor, where her feet were fitted into a pair of white sandals. Her hair cascaded past her shoulders, straight and glowing.

Angel's breath caught in his throat. "Buffy, you look...words can't describe how lovely you look. You take my breath away."

"I'll take that as a compliment. And you look very handsome."

He did. Angel wore a suit similar to the one he'd worn on their first date. Black trousers, white shirt, black suit coat and a navy blue silk tie. "Thank you. Ready to go?"

She nodded her head. "Yep. Where are you taking me, anyway?"

"You'll see."

Groaning, she gave Angel her hand. All he had told her was that he had something special planned. And as much as she hated surprises, she trusted Angel.

It took twenty minutes to get to the restaurant Angel made reservations at. Taking one look at it, Buffy knew it was an expensive restaurant, and that she was, indeed, in for a special night.

They approached the maitre'd "Reservations for Reilly," Angel told him.

"Yes. Table for two in our most romantic spot. Please follow me," he told the two, flashing them a genuine smile.

Buffy and Angel followed him, and upon reaching the table, Angel held out her chair for her. He took a seat and took the menus from the maitre’d.

"May I bring you the wine list, sir?"

"No, thank you. We'll have two waters, please," Angel told him.

The maitre 'd nodded once and left them alone. "This place is beautiful," Buffy said.

A waiter came over and placed two long, white candles on the table, lighting them.

"What's this about?" she asked.

"The gentleman requested a candlelight dinner," the waiter answered.

Angel grinned. "I hope you like it. This is my way of apologizing for last night. You deserve a special night."

"Thank you, Angel."

"You don't have to thank me. Just forgive me."

She grabbed his hand, holding it in the middle of the table. "It's okay. You don't need my forgiveness. I love you, Angel. Don't worry about what you did, you didn't do anything that doesn't come naturally. I only want you to love me."

"I do."

Dinner was as romantic as Angel hoped it would be. He wanted to show Buffy how much she meant to him; that he didn't need to make love to her to show her how deep his love went. It was a perfect evening for both of them.

"Thank you again. Tonight was so special to me," Buffy said to him when they got back to the hotel.

"It was special to me, too." He lifted her chin and kissed her. The kiss held the promise of something more, but Angel held back the passion, not wanting to frighten her again. She put her arms around his neck, keeping him close to her.

Angel felt that it was going too far. "We should stop," he said.

"Why?"

"Because I don't want to repeat last night's mistake."

"We won't."

He disagreed. "Buffy, pretty soon things will get out of control like they did last night. And I'm going to unzip your dress and I will want more than you're ready to give. I won't be able to stop myself."

"I'll stop you."

"No. I'm not going to put you through that again."

Buffy relented, seeing that nothing she could say would change his mind. They got ready for bed on their last night in San Francisco. She asked him if she could sleep in his bed and Angel agreed. They just thrilled in falling asleep in the arms of the one they loved.

********

29

By two the next afternoon, they were standing on the Summers' front porch, locked in a heated kiss.

"I could get used to this," Buffy said between kisses.

"I hoped you already had," Angel replied.

She smiled. "Well, I have. But I still can't get over that I can."

"Can what?"

"Kiss you." She gave him another one. "Tonight and tomorrow morning are going to be really hard, you know that?"

"Why's that?"

Buffy wrapped her arms around Angel, pressing her cheek against his shoulder. "Because I won't be able to fall asleep in your arms and wake up next to you. I like having you be the first person I see in the morning."

"It'll be hard for me, too, Buffy. We knew this was only for a weekend."

"Why couldn't it be forever?"

"We're not ready for forever yet." He hugged her close. "Maybe someday soon," he whispered, barely audible.

She looked back up at him. "This was the best weekend of my life. Thank you so much, Angel."

"You're welcome." He leaned down to kiss her quickly on the lips. "I should go home and unpack."

Buffy frowned. "Do you have to go? We just got here."

"I'll be back for dinner. Remember, your mom invited me over?"

"Alright, if you have to go. But be back here at six o'clock sharp," Buffy ordered.

"Wouldn't miss it. I'll see you then." Angel stepped off the porch and got into his car. He blew Buffy a kiss before pulling out of the driveway.

Buffy entered the house. "Mom! I'm home," she called.

Mrs. Summers came down the stairs. "Welcome home, honey. How was San Francisco?"

"It was nice. I had a really good time."

"Did you and Angel do anything special while you were there?" Buffy's mother wanted to know.

"Yes we did. But, do you mind if I put away my stuff first?"

Mrs. Summers nodded her head and smiled. "I'll help you. Want me to take one of your bags?"

"If you want to."

They walked up the stairs to Buffy's bedroom, each carrying a suitcase. "How much did you buy while you were there?"

"Some stuff."

Mrs. Summers held up the white dress Angel bought. "This is a beautiful dress, Buffy. This must have cost a fortune. Did your father give you money and not tell me about it?"

"No. Angel bought it for me yesterday."

"He must have had a reason."

Buffy hung up two blouses. "He did. Last night he took me out for a romantic candlelight dinner in a fancy restaurant."

Mrs. Summers narrowed her eyes. "Exactly how romantic, Buffy?" she asked suspiciously.

She sighed. "Not *that* romantic, Mom. Nothing happened. And before you ask, yes we slept in the same bed and no, I didn't have sex with him."

"I'm just concerned, Buffy. I want to make sure you're being careful."

"I am not some hormonal, lust-driven teenager. Angel and I know what we're doing."

"Did he try to pressure you at all this weekend?"

"No!" Buffy exclaimed. "God. I thought you trusted him."

She tried to put her arms around her daughter, but Buffy backed away. "Honey, I do. Angel promised me nothing would happen and I took his word for it. But I know how things can happen. Things get out of control, Buffy, and sometimes we can't stop it."

"Well, I did stop it."

"So something did happen?"

"Almost. But I said no and he acted like a perfect gentleman and didn't try to push it. He held me and we fell asleep. Are you happy now that you know? Does it please you to know that I got scared!?" she yelled at her mother.

Mrs. Summers hugged her daughter. "I'm sorry to upset you, Buffy. I should have more faith in you, but I'm still a mother. And you're still my baby. The thought of you being in such a serious relationship to the point where it could become sexual scares me, too."

"Believe me, not as much as it scares me. That's why Angel and I stopped. Because I got scared. He told me that it was okay, that he'd wait until I was ready. And he just held me all night. Angel's not like Kevin, he loves me and wants to be with me. If he didn't love me, he would have forced it."

Mrs. Summers nodded. "Just promise me that when you are ready, you'll be careful."

Buffy hugged her mom back. "I promise."

********

"Did anything supernatural occur while we were gone?" Angel asked Giles at the elder Watcher's apartment later that afternoon.

"Nothing to speak of. A few vampires, but nothing out of the ordinary," he informed Angel. "How was your weekend?

Angel smiled. "It was great."

"You and Buffy had a good time, I take it?"

"Yes we did."

"What did you do there?"

"Friday night we stayed in the room." He saw Giles raise his eyebrows. "Don't even think it, ‘cause I know you are. Saturday afternoon we visited my mother's grave and left her flowers."

Giles averted his eyes to the floor, away from Angel. "Carolyn, yes. I visited her shortly after I came to Sunnydale. Paid my respects."

He nodded solemnly. "I did that before I left for England. Anyway, Saturday night I rented a boat and took Buffy for a sunset cruise." He neglected to tell Giles of the events that night also held. "Sunday we went shopping and had dinner at an expensive restaurant I found there."

"And nothing happened between the two of you?"

Angel was offended. "I don't believe that's any of your business. What Buffy and I do on our personal time doesn't concern you. Particularly that kind of personal business."

"Angel, need I remind you--"

"Don't remind me. I don't want to hear what you have to say. It's dangerous, there are things I don't understand...fine. Until you give me specifics, don't give me generalizations," Angel told him angrily.

"We don't want you to get hurt."

"Forget it, Giles. Mind your own business where Buffy and I are concerned. I may have to learn from you as a Watcher, but you don't run my life. I may want you to see Buffy and I as a couple, as soulmates, but I won't let you tell me what to do."

"I cannot stand by and let you do this."

"Learn to." Angel left the apartment, slamming the door behind him.

********

"So it almost happened?" Willow asked, amazed.

Buffy shifted the phone to her other ear. "Yep. I got into his bed and started kissing him in his sleep. I don't know what came over me, I did it without thinking."

"Then what?"

"Angel woke up, he kissed me back and it started getting really...I don't know, I guess passionate. I wanted to be close to him, just be with him. He started to put his hand up my shirt, and, Will, I liked it, having him touch me. It made me feel beautiful and desirable," she explained.

"To him, Buffy, you are."

"I never felt like it. And I wanted to feel like that forever. But then I got scared. He...I felt him poking me with...I felt him, you know?"

"Yeah, I know what you mean."

"Sorry, I'm still a little uncomfortable around the subject. Willow, it scared the hell out of me. I wasn't ready and I asked him to stop. And he did. He was so sweet about it; said that he wanted to make love to me, but he'd wait and I love him for it."

"Angel's a stand-up kind of guy," Willow said.

"Uh-huh. Mom kinda flipped when I told her, but she's cool with it now. She understands that I need to make my own decisions and when I'm ready to sleep with Angel, I'll do it carefully."

"Wow. My mom would never be that cool with it."

Buffy chuckled. "I wonder what she really thinks. How she'll react when I finally do it."

********

After patrol, Buffy and Angel relaxed on the loveseat at her house, her legs resting on his lap. He ran his hands over the smooth skin. Buffy tried to pay attention to the movie they were watching, but she kept thinking about how his hands felt on her legs.

"That feels good," she said to him.

Angel smiled. "I guess you don't want me to stop then."

"Hell no."

Mrs. Summers came into the living room. "I'm going to bed, you two. Try not to stay up too late. Angel, it was nice to see you again."

"A pleasure as always, Joyce. I'll see you soon. Good night," he replied.

When Mrs. Summers disappeared from view, Angel continued stroking Buffy's legs. She liked it; if they couldn't be together physically, she'd settle for this.

"Did you talk to Giles?" she asked.

"Yes I did. We didn't miss anything earth-shattering."

"Did he want to know what happened, too?"

He snorted. "Of course."

"What did you tell him?"

"That it wasn't any of his business. Which it isn't. What goes on between me and you doesn't concern him."

Buffy sat up, swinging her legs off of him. "Have I told you how much I love you?"

"Not today."

"Why don't I show you." She straddled him, lowering her lips to his.

********

30

The whole gang sat in the lounge at the Bronze. They were enjoying a laid back Saturday night of dancing and just hanging out. Two weeks had passed since Buffy and Angel returned from San Francisco, continuing successfully with their middle-of-the-road relationship. Everything was working out fine.

"Don't those two ever stop?" Xander commented, pointing to Buffy and Angel, sitting on the couch engaging in a passionate embrace. "I mean, don't they know it's not polite to make out in a public forum?"

Cordelia smiled evilly. "Think of it this way, they have to come up for air sometime."

"Ha ha. Real funny, Cordy."

"Jealous much?"

Xander gave his girlfriend a strange look. "Of their prowess? I don't think so."

"Actually, I was thinking of you being jealous of Angel. Considering his lips are all over the object of your obsession," Cordelia told him.

"Hardly. I'm way over Buffy," he scoffed. "I find it disgusting in a public place, that's all."

Willow laughed. "I think they're cute. Look at them. They probably think they are the only people in the room. It is so adorable."

"Then you're obviously not seeing it from the angle I'm seeing it," said Xander.

"Oh, let them be, Xander."

"Not when it's right in front of my virgin eyes."

"Ha!" Cordelia turned his head and forced his lips on hers. "Better?"

He nodded. "Yeah." Glancing at Buffy and Angel, he groaned. They were still at it. "Hey! Isn't oxygen becoming an issue yet?"

They broke their embrace. "What?" Buffy asked.

"Get a room. Sheesh, didn't you guys have to breathe at all in the last twenty minutes?" Xander wanted to know.

"I'm a nose breather. Don't need to stop for air too often," Buffy explained with a mischievous grin. "Now that I think about it, it's probably a good thing we stopped."

"Why?" Angel asked.

"I was getting thirsty."

Cordelia laughed. "Not enough saliva between the two of you to keep you from dehydrating?"

"Cute. I need something to drink. Do you want anything, Angel?" Buffy asked her boyfriend.

"How about a hot chocolate? I could go for something sweet."

She nodded. "One hot chocolate coming up. Save my seat."

Buffy got off the couch and walked through the crowd of people to get to the refreshment counter. The line wasn't very long, so Buffy got the drinks -- a hot chocolate for Angel and a Dr. Pepper for herself -- in under five minutes. On her way back to the lounge, she felt someone tap her on the shoulder. She turned around to see who it was.

"Hi, Buffy," Kevin said.

She put on a fake smile. "Hello. What do you want?"

"I just wanted to say hi and see how you've been," he told her.

Buffy relaxed a little, not realizing that she had tensed up. "I'm doing good. How about you?"

"I'm okay. Been enjoying summer vacation so far?"

‘Why is he being so nice? Last time we talked he was hell-bent on humiliating me,' Buffy thought. "Yes, I have. I took a little vacation to San Francisco, but nothing out of the ordinary. Yourself?"

"Nothing special," Kevin answered. "Look, Buffy, the main reason I'm here is to apologize."

Buffy almost dropped the two drinks she held. "Apologize?"

"Yeah. For the way I treated you. It was wrong of me to assume that you'd have sex with me. I never should have given you an ultimatum. I don't know what was going through my head at the time," he apologized.

She showed no emotion. His apology meant nothing to her. Had he done it two months earlier, it might have made an impression, but not now. "I couldn't answer that, Kevin."

"I can't even answer it myself. And I also want to say I'm sorry for hurting your feelings. I said some things I didn't mean, things that I'm sure hurt you. You have to know that I never meant them. That was my anger talking, not me."

Buffy shrugged her shoulders. "Fine."

"Buffy, I was hoping this would make everything right with us. Can you forgive me?"

"I've put what you said and did behind me."

He sighed. "Good, I'm glad. Is there the remotest possibility that we could pick up where we left off before I became a colossal jerk and blew things between us?"

This shocked her. Kevin wants to get back together?' "I don't think so, Kevin. I can't forgive and forget."

"But you said you did."

She shook her head. "No, I didn't. I said I put it behind me. It's not something I dwell on every night before I fall asleep, but it hurt me a lot. So forgiving and forgetting is not an option. And even if we had a regular breakup without the hurtful words, I still wouldn't go out with you again. See, I found someone who loves me for me, not because he thinks I might put out for him. I love him, and no amount of apologizing will ever make me leave him."

"Who is he?" Kevin wanted to know the name of the man who snagged Buffy's heart when he could not.

"Angel."

"Your History tutor? You said he was pushing thirty."

"He's not that old," Buffy said between gritted teeth. "We love each other."

Kevin couldn't think of anything to say. He wanted Buffy back so bad he could taste it. And now he'd lost the only girl he'd ever cared about to an older man. "I wish you happiness, then. He's very lucky."

"I'll tell him you said so. Bye, Kevin."

She walked away from him. Her mind was spinning. ‘Kevin wanted me back. I can't believe it.'

"What took you so long?" Willow asked when Buffy re-entered the lounge.

Buffy handed Angel his hot chocolate. "I got sidetracked by Kevin."

"Matthews?"

"The one and only. And get this, he apologized for what he did before Prom. Claimed he didn't know what he was thinking," she told them.

"What did you say?" Angel wanted to know.

"That I've moved past it." Buffy laughed. "I haven't even told you guys the funniest part yet."

Cordelia leaned forward. "What's that?"

"Kevin wanted to get back together with me. ‘Pick up where we left off,' or so he said. I almost laughed in his face. Told him I'm in love with Angel and that I wouldn't be forgiving and forgetting anytime in the near future."

"Go, Buffy," cheered Xander. "Nice to see you've finally gotten over him."

She glanced lovingly at Angel. "I have. I've moved on to more mature things."

********

Sunday morning Buffy woke up from a fitful sleep with one thought in her head, one name that kept chanting through her mind: Angel. The conversation with Kevin the night before in the Bronze made her see how wrong their year-long relationship was. It had been merely a stepping stone to finding the perfect man for her. Being with Kevin proved how immature their relationship had been, now immature she was and how she had found the right man to spend her life with. Buffy awoke with the realization that she wanted more.

Throwing on shorts and a t-shirt, Buffy skipped downstairs to the kitchen. "Hey, Mom. Good morning," she greeted cheerfully.

"Morning, sweetheart. You're awfully cheery this morning."

"Guess I woke up on the right side of the bed today."

Mrs. Summers laughed. "I guess so. Any particular reason? Had a nice dream, maybe?"

"Nope. I'm just in a really good mood."

"Well, I'm glad to hear it. Will you and Angel be watching the fireworks tonight?"

‘Independence Day. How fitting.' "Yep. He hasn't been in the U.S. for the Fourth of July in three years. He misses seeing the fireworks."

"They don't have fireworks in England?" joked Mrs. Summers.

"Not today they don't."

"I suppose you're right."

Buffy inhaled deeply. "Willow is having the gang over after the festivities, so I might not get home until really late. Don't wait up for me."

"Alright, honey. Have a good time."

She grinned. "I'm going to."

********

The fireworks exploded above them. Extraordinary explosions of color: red, white, blue, green and purple. Buffy sat on Angel's lap on the picnic blanket he'd set up for them on the lawn of Sunnydale High. The entire town came to the high school to watch the annual fireworks display.

"It's such a beautiful night for fireworks," Angel commented, wrapping his arms around his love.

"Yes it is." Buffy knew that this was the moment she'd been waiting for; the one she and Willow had talked about. She was ready. "Angel?" she asked.

"Hmm?"

"I love you."

"I love you, too." He placed a kiss under her left ear.

Buffy took a deep breath. "I want to show you how much."

Angel turned her body around to face him. "What?"

"I'm ready to love you in every way possible. Emotionally, spiritually and physically."

"You mean you want to..." He couldn't even finish the sentence.

Buffy nodded. "I'm ready, Angel. I want to make love to you."

His mind flashed back to a night two months earlier, when he comforted Buffy in the aftermath of her breakup with Kevin Matthews. The words she said entered his conscious thoughts. "I want to be in love when I make love to a man. It has to be right, it has to be with someone who loves me as much as I love him." ‘Me? Buffy wants her first time to be with me?' "Buffy, are you sure this is what you want?"

She brought her lips to his in a sweet, loving kiss. "Absolutely. I want to be with you; I don't want to wait any longer."

********

31

Angel fumbled while unlocking the door to his apartment. So many things were coursing through his mind about what Buffy had said to him. She wanted to make love to him, wanted to share her first taste of intimacy with him. He felt so blessed that Buffy loved him that much. Never had he been so honored in his whole life.

He'd asked how she wanted to go about it. This was so new to him and Angel wanted everything to be perfect for Buffy. It had to be an experience she would remember; things had to be on her terms. However she wanted things to go, he would oblige. She wanted it to be in his bed, where she first came to the realization that she was in love with him.

It seemed like forever before he managed to get the door open. He glanced down at the beautiful girl standing next to him with love and complete trust in her green eyes. His whole being -- heart, body and soul -- ached for her touch. And there she stood, offering her very innocence to him. Love poured out of her through that one glance.

Buffy took a step forward to walked through the door, but Angel swept her up in his arms instead. He carried her into the apartment as if she were a bride being carried over the threshold. In both of their minds, they had already pledged their hearts to one another for all eternity, so to Buffy and Angel, this was their honeymoon. The next possible step after the binding of their hearts -- the binding of their bodies.

Angel kicked the door closed with his heel while Buffy draped her arms around his neck, kissing him with a love and passion like she'd never felt for anyone else, reserved only for him. He responded with an equal amount of passion, thrusting his tongue into her open and awaiting mouth. He ran it over her tongue, along the roof of her mouth and over her teeth.

He carried her through the living room, past the kitchen and down the hall to his bedroom. Both were too occupied with kissing each other to bother turning on the light. Not that it mattered, the full moon shone into the room through the open window. Outside, the crickets chirped and owls hooted as the two lovers made love to each other with only their mouths.

Without breaking their loving embrace, Angel gently placed Buffy on her feet again, mere inches from his awaiting bed. His hands became tangled in her long blonde tresses, shining like a halo around her face in the moonlight. Buffy Summers truly was his angel, sent from heaven to show him the true meaning of love.

The kiss lasted until they were dizzy for air. Panting, they stared at each other in silence for a few moments. "Are you sure about this, Buffy? Once we pass this line, there's no going back. I just want to be positive that this is what you really want," Angel asked.

"I've never been more sure of anything. In San Francisco I wasn't ready. But now I am. Make love to me, Angel."

He leaned down to capture her lips again. Her kisses had become an addiction, he was an addict who desperately craved his next taste of the drug her kisses provided. Buffy removed his shirt from his pants, taking her time in unbuttoning it. With each button she undid, she placed a kiss there on his chest. She could feel his heart beating and watched as his chest contracted with every breath he took.

When she unbuttoned the last of the buttons on his blue shirt, she slid it off him, letting it fall into a wrinkled heap on the floor. Angel sucked gently on her earlobe while Buffy decided to do something she'd read about in a romance novel she's read years before. She put her hands on either side of his waist and brought her lips to his nipple. Tenderly, she bit it, then swirled the tip of her tongue around it. Angel moaned in her ear, and Buffy knew she had found a way to bring him the same pleasure she felt when he touched her.

She experimented, using a counter-clockwise motion with her tongue before moving on to his other one. He gave the same reaction as before, only this time he bit down on her earlobe when she bit him. Ending her attention to his nipples, Buffy ran her hands along his muscled chest, wanting to feel his every muscle as they rippled under her fingers. She kissed the hollow of his throat, moving up to place a gentle kiss on his adam's apple before sucking hungrily on his neck. Licking the skin first, she kissed it then licked and sucked again.

Their lips found their way to each other again, their tongues dueling in a heated war for control. Angel caressed her bare arms, lifting them over her head so he could discard her white tank top. They were forced to break their kiss when he lifted the shirt, but they engaged in another steamy kiss as soon as the garment was out of the way. Instead of returning her arms to her sides, Buffy wound them once again around his neck, running her fingers through his short brown hair.

Angel began to fear Buffy thought he wasn't doing anything to make her feel desirable; that he didn't want to make her feel the things she was making him feel. Not wanting Buffy to think she was doing all the work, or so it could be said, Angel slipped his hands along her thin waist, gliding them up and down. Gooseflesh formed when he touched her, but it quickly disappeared as her body heat increased.

Buffy's fingers trembled as she trailed them to the waist of his pants. She focused her attention on trying not to seem nervous and scared at what was inevitably going to happen between them. Unbuckling his belt, she slid it from the loops. Feeling slightly nervous, embarrassed and timid, Buffy unbuttoned his pants, unzipping the fly. She pushed them from his waist, and he stepped out of them, now wearing only his boxer shorts.

"I love you, Angel," Buffy said to him.

He smiled back at her. "I love you, too." Angel glided his hands back to her waist, sliding his fingers under the waistband of her khaki shorts, unbuttoning them with only two of his fingers. He bent down slightly, making it easier for him to take them off of her. Standing up again, he looked into her eyes, then kissed her with all the passion he could muster into one mind-blowing kiss.

Angel brought his arms to her back, finding the clasp of her strapless bra. He struggled for a minute with the clasp, but he eventually unhooked it. The bra dropped to the floor in puddle along with their other clothes. He pressed his palms flat on her shoulders, slowly running down the front of her naked chest.

Buffy moaned in his mouth when his hands reached her breasts. She pressed them harder against his wandering hands, craving more contact. It felt good when he had done it in San Francisco and she wanted more. Only this time she was ready for it. His index fingers brushed her nipples, causing her to jump slightly from the added pressure. Abandoning her breasts, Angel's hands continued to explore. He stroked her strong abdominal muscles, tickling her skin with feather-light touches. He caressed her sides, brushing his thumbs along the undersides of her breasts. She was a goddess, and he wanted to worship her.

Buffy practically ripped the boxer shorts from his body. He did the opposite with her panties, reverently taking them off her. They stood facing each other, naked. Their eyes glazed over their bodies, each taking in the beauty that stood before them.

"You are so beautiful," Angel said to Buffy. "I've never seen anyone so beautiful. You literally take my breath away."

"And I can't believe you're mine; that you want to be with me."

He took her hand in his, placing a kiss on the back of it. Removing his lips, Angel pressed it over his beating heart.

"Do you feel that?"

Buffy nodded. "I do. Your heart is racing."

"It's because of you, Buffy. You do that to me every time you walk in the room. I feel alive because of you."

A tear of happiness fell from her eyes. Angel kissed it away. He then grabbed her around the waist, lifting her so her lips were even with his. Her arms wound around his back, holding him tightly to her as he eased her down on the bed. Lying gently on top of her, he said her name.

"You don't need to ask, Angel. I want to. Please," she told him.

He nodded, feeling the same way. Their lips met again and Buffy pressed his body to hers, skin to skin. She felt his heart beating against her breast, beating for her. She waited to hear the voice in her head that told her she was making a mistake. But she heard nothing. She sighed happily, she knew she was doing the right thing and that she was ready for it.

Slowly, almost reverently, Angel entered her, his hips cradled by her bent knees. He closed his eyes, burying his face in her neck, murmuring words of love and devotion to his beloved. Buffy bit her lip hard and scratched his back, digging her nails into the skin. She whimpered in pain, a single tear falling from her closed eye.

Angel heard her moans of pain, feeling the pinch from her nails in his back. "Are you okay? Do you want to stop?"

She didn't answer right away, pain soon giving way to unspeakable pleasure. "No, don't stop."

He kissed the tear away, staring into her eyes. "If it's hurting you, I'll stop."

"Don't. It doesn't hurt anymore. Just kiss me, Angel."

He did as she requested, pulling out of her body and easing himself back in slowly. Buffy cried out, wanting him to push harder and add to her pleasure. Her hands eased up on his back, running up and down in time with his thrusts. She'd never felt so whole, so complete as she did right then. They were one, as if it was meant to be that way.

Angel felt her pleasure building, his along with it. He thanked God for giving him Buffy's love and for this opportunity to show her how much she means to him. Moving faster, he showed her.

They reached their peaks simultaneously, their hips slamming into one another in midair. They screamed each other's names, clutching the other as if they'd never let go. And neither one did, even as they calmed down from their highs. Angel remained inside her for as long as he could, not wanting to break their connection. When they had to, he rolled off of her, then scooped her into his arms, letting Buffy fall asleep with her head on his chest. With her in his embrace, he fell into a fitful slumber as well.

********

32

In the middle of the night, Angel woke up to the sensation of warm lips caressing his neck. Smiling pleasantly, he opened his eyes to find Buffy leaving small kisses over his neck and jaw, her left pointer finger drawing circles on his chest. Noticing that he had awakened, Buffy smiled apologetically.

"I'm sorry. Did I wake you?" she asked.

"I am glad you did, don't apologize," replied Angel. "Are you okay?"

She nodded her head. "Everything's perfect."

"You don't have any regrets?" It was the one thing he feared the most: Buffy regretting her decision. He wouldn't be able to take it if she rejected him. Not after what they had shared.

She placed a kiss on his shoulder. "Not one. Do you?"

"I can't regret it, Buffy. This was something I'd only dreamed about. Never, not even in my most realistic dreams, did I imagine that you'd let me make love to you," he said to her.

"Me neither. After what Kevin said to me, I didn't think I would live long enough to experience it."

Angel brought his lips to her forehead. "I am going to see to it that you experience everything you should experience. Everything from making love to getting married, having children and living to be an old lady surrounded by her family."

"Only if you promise to be there."

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

Buffy's head rested in the crook of his shoulder. "Thank you so much, Angel. Looking back on everything, I don't know why I was so scared. It was amazing. I'm glad you were my first -- my only."

"And I'm glad you were mine."

She raised her head to look at him. "What did you say?"

He gazed at her with utter love and devotion in his chocolate brown eyes. The confusion and questions were apparent in her green ones. "This isn't some kind of line, Buffy. Until a few hours ago, I'd never been with a woman before."

"You've never made love before?" Angel shook his head.

"But I thought...with you being twenty-seven...you'd have been with someone before me. Why did you wait?"

Angel took a breath before beginning his story. "For almost the same reason you did. Not because I was scared, but because I wanted to make sure I was with the right person."

"Me?"

"You, Buffy. Had I never met you, I would never have made love to someone."

"That's beautiful."

"No, it's not," he disagreed. "I didn't want what happened to my mother to happen to some other girl because of me. I couldn't do what my biological father did."

Buffy hugged him to her. "What did he do?"

He looked away, ashamed of the story he was about to tell her. His background wasn't something he was proud of. "My mother was fourteen when she was called to be the Slayer. And to say she didn't take the news too well would be an understatement. It was just before her fifteenth birthday when she was called, and she was distraught. She met up with one of my grandfather's employees. One thing led to another and they had sex. I won't call it making love because no love existed between them. It was a one night stand and I was the result of it. When she found out that she was pregnant, my mother told him about it, but he didn't care, didn't want anything to do with her or me. See, he was young and on his way up the corporate ladder, not to mention married with another baby on the way. Impregnating the boss' daughter certainly wouldn't have helped his status any.

"I didn't learn of this until much later, maybe in my mid-teens. But I decided right then and there that I would never put some poor girl through the same hell my mother endured. I made a conscious decision not to have sex until I met the girl I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. Someone I loved with my heart and soul. And I've kept that promise, Buffy. I waited until I found you."

Buffy kissed him on the cheek. "We waited for each other."

********

She reached her arm across the other side of the bed. It was empty. Buffy squinted in the bright sunlight of the early morning. Her body was exhausted from the night before; muscles she never knew existed ached. But it was a good ache, stemming from the satisfaction of having been one with her soulmate. Groaning, she sat up, looking around the bedroom for Angel.

The realization that she was naked came quickly. Buffy covered herself with the white bed sheet, still feeling modest. She wasn't used to sitting naked in a man's bed, it had never happened, but she was still nervous even after what she and Angel did.

"Angel?" she called.

"Just a minute!" his voice came from the other side of the apartment.

Buffy wondered what he was doing, but didn't have to wonder for too long. He walked in a minute later, wearing his boxer shorts, carrying a tray full of food.

"What did you do?" asked Buffy.

He smiled. "I'm bringing you breakfast in bed."

She laughed. He was so sweet and thoughtful -- everything she had ever wanted in a man. And there he was, standing next to the bed, the morning after making love to her, bringing her a home-cooked breakfast in bed. She knew she was lucky, most girls never got this kind of treatment after giving up their virginity to an older man. But Angel was different from other men. He loved and worshipped her, and wasn't ashamed or afraid to show it.

"You didn't have to do that," Buffy said.

"I wanted to. You must be hungry."

"I am. Food's only part of what I'm hungry for, though," she told him in a seductive tone.

He placed the tray in front of her. "Well, you're going to eat now."

"What did you make?"

"French toast, eggs and bacon. All of which I know you love," he informed her.

She picked up a fork and took a bite out of her french toast. "It's delicious, thank you."

Angel followed in suit. They sat on the bed devouring the breakfast he made for them. Buffy tricked him into leaning over for a kiss and when he did, she shoved a piece of bacon into his mouth. He chuckled, then stuffed a whole piece of french toast into hers. They did this until all the food was gone. Then Buffy allowed him to kiss her for real.

It held the taste of sweetness, not only from the love their shared, but from the syrup they'd poured on the french toast. They licked the remainder of it off each others' lips. It turned passionate the moment their lips touched, her hands around his back, her one hand moving up to brush across his cheek, stubby from the fact he hadn't shaved in twenty-four hours. His hands gripped her waist, which was covered by the thin white sheet.

Buffy ended the kiss by pushing him away. "I think we better get this tray out of the way before it falls and the plates and glasses break," she said.

Angel threw the tray off the bed, shattering the breakfast plates on the hardwood floor. "I'll buy new ones," he told him, forcing his lips on hers.

His forcefulness surprised her for a split second, but she chalked it up to him just wanting to be with her again. She wanted to be with him just as badly, and couldn't wait any longer.

She kissed him back with just as much ferocity. This time wasn't going to be about need and love, this time would be about getting as close as they could to one another; about bringing each other to the highest peaks of passion.

Angel moved the blanket from her left leg, raising her foot off the mattress, bringing his lips to it. He placed small, soothing kisses up to her bent knee. Buffy watched him, feeling the air leave her lungs when he licked behind her knee. She giggled from the sensation of his tongue against the sensitive skin. He pulled her legs toward the foot of the bed, forcing her back to the mattress, looming over her, bringing his hand to where the blanket was knotted. Undoing the knot, Angel pushed the sheet from her body, leaving her naked underneath him.

He started by kissing her forehead, her nose, both cheeks, and then her mouth. But he abandoned them, heading to her neck and throat. Once again, he abandoned them. His mouth found her breasts, placing tender kisses all along the outsides of them before moving his way closer and closer to her nipple. When he found it, he sucked greedily on it. It wasn't something he'd ever tried with a woman, but his old college buddies had assured him years before that it drove women crazy. That's what he wanted to do -- drive Buffy crazy.

It worked. She put her hands on the back of his head, holding his face to her breast. It felt so good, and she felt her heart flutter, her breathing became erratic, and a tingling feeling found its way from the tips of her toes to the pit of her stomach. She'd only felt this way once before: the night before when she and Angel made love. It was an explosion that made every nerve in her body sing with joy, causing her to grab his hair in clumps as she convulsed beneath him.

"Oh god," she moaned when he turned his attention to her other breast. This time he held back, not wanting her to have another orgasm until he could come with her, until he could see her face and share the pleasure with her. He brought his lips to hers again and she held him tightly to her, using her strength to flip him over so she was on top.

"Buffy, what...?"

She pressed her finger over his lips. "I want to touch you now."

Buffy kissed his neck, sucking as greedily on his skin as he had done with her nipples. She took his arm, trailing her lips over his bicep muscles, down to his wrists and fingers. She put each finger in her mouth individually, swirling her tongue around them.

Sitting up, she moved herself to his feet, leaving over him above the waist. Her hands peeled the boxer shorts from his strong body. She threw them across the room. Buffy crawled up him, her breasts barely brushing the skin. On her way up, she slid her hand along his leg, her long nails scraping his erection. Angel purred.

"I've always wanted to do that, you know. Touch a man," she confessed.

He flipped her over, unable to keep himself out of her lithe body. Without prelude, Angel thrust his way inside her. Her hips met him halfway, meeting each powerful thrust with a need all her own. Their joining was fast and furious, thrashing around the bed, the complete opposite of the night before.

Their hips smashed together so hard that a normal person might have had a broken bone. But not Buffy and Angel, with the strength of almost two slayers between them. They continued their furious pace, their hands and mouths exploring each others' bodies. To push him further inside her, Buffy wrapped her legs around his waist. Neither held back when they reached their climaxes, Buffy's third bringing forth Angel's. When their lovemaking was done, Angel spooned her into his embrace, raining kisses on her cheek and running his hands through her hair.

********

33

At noon, Buffy decided she'd better get home before her mother started wondering where she was. Crawling out of Angel's embrace, she climbed out of bed. Standing on the floor, careful of the broken dishes that lay there, Buffy surveyed her sleeping lover, the sheets tangled about his waist from their lovemaking. She grinned at the image. He seemed so helpless and so handsome sleeping there with his head resting on one of his fluffy white pillows.

'He's no longer just my boyfriend,' she thought happily. 'He's my lover. I like the way that sounds.' She bent down to pick up her clothes, which were wrinkled from being haphazardly thrown on the floor fourteen hours earlier. Buffy didn't care, she'd learn to live with wrinkled clothes if she could have another night like that with Angel. Dressing herself, she didn't hear Angel wake up.

"You weren't going to leave without saying goodbye, were you?" he asked, sitting up.

She turned around. "Of course not. I didn't want to wake you right away. You looked like you could use a couple more hours of sleep."

"Well, you did wear me out. But I've lived on less sleep," Angel told her. "Do you really have to go?"

"Yeah. If I don't get home soon, Mom is going to go nuts." She pulled her tank top down, covering her bra-clad chest.

Angel stood up, unashamed of his nakedness. "Let me drive you. I don't want to leave you yet."

She watched as he walked over to her. He's so perfect. And he's as in love with me as I am with him.' "I don't think that's such a good idea. If Mom sees you, she'll know something happened. I don't think I'm ready to fill her in on all the details. I got the mother of all lectures when I told her I almost slept with you in San Francisco, I can only imagine what she'll say when I tell her we finally did it," Buffy explained.

He nodded, understanding her decision. "Alright." They walked to the front door, and once they reached it, Buffy faced him. She kissed him, her arms around his shoulders.

"I should go before we get sidetracked," she told Angel. She opened the door.

Angel shut it again. "Don't leave. Don't ever leave."

"Angel, I have to. Believe me, if I could stay, I would. And besides," she said, opening the door once again, "it's not like you won't see me in three hours for my training session."

"It seems like a lifetime."

She laughed at him. He looked cute when he scrunched up his nose in defeat. "Read a book or watch some TV. I hear the History Channel's doing a special on the Titanic."

"You're real funny, Buffy."

She gave him one last kiss. "That's why you love me. I'll see you in a little while." Buffy left the apartment before Angel could stop her.

********

She opened the door to her house and closed it silently behind her. Buffy intended to make it up the stairs to her bedroom before her mother saw her. Looking around the kitchen she saw no one. Mrs. Summers was nowhere in sight. Sighing in relief, Buffy walked up to her bedroom.

Stepping inside, she found her mother sitting on her bed with a scowl on her face. Buffy made note of the fact that she didn't look too happy.

"Mom. Hi," she said cautiously. "What are you doing in here?"

Mrs. Summer tapped her foot on the floor impatiently. "Waiting for you, Buffy. Where were you all night?"

"I told you yesterday that I was going to Willow's house after the fireworks. She had a bunch of us over and I spent the night."

"Is that the truth?"

Buffy nodded. "Yeah. Why are you acting like this, Mom? I said I might not be home until late. You didn't wait up, did you?"

"Buffy Anne Summers, I don't appreciate being lied to," her mother said in a harsh tone.

"I'm not lying to you."

Mrs. Summers glared at her daughter. "Is that so? Then explain to me why, when I called Willow this morning, she told me you'd never been to her house yesterday."

"You were checking up on me?" Buffy shouted.

"I was worried. You never came home last night, Buffy. And you never called to let me know. I thought something had happened to you."

"I'm here. I'm standing in front of you, alive, thank you very much. You don't need to worry."

"Oh, I think I do. Tell me where you were." Buffy never got a chance to answer. "No, wait. How about I guess? Let's see, I called Willow, who said you weren't at her house. Mr. Giles hadn't seen you all day, and when I spoke to Xander, he said he'd seen you leave the fireworks display with Angel last night. So, I'm going to wager a guess that you were with Angel all night. Did I guess correctly?" demanded Mrs. Summers.

Buffy nodded slowly. "Yes."

"Why didn't you tell me the truth?"

"Because I knew you'd wig out like you just did," Buffy told her.

"I'm upset because you didn't have the decency to tell me the truth about where you were. What was so urgent, so time-consuming that you didn't have the time to pick up a telephone and call me?" she asked.

She lifted her eyes, making eye contact with her mother. "Nothing."

"Why can't you tell me the truth? Why didn't you call?"

"I-It slipped my mind. I'm sorry," Buffy apologized.

"It slipped your mind? What could you possibly have been doing that you'd forget to call me?" When Buffy wouldn't meet her gaze, and the guilty expression on her face, Mrs. Summers knew the real reason. "You had sex with Angel, didn't you, Buffy?" Once again, she didn't give Buffy a chance to answer. "Tell me the truth!"

Buffy raised her head. "Yes, Mom. I had sex with him."

"How could you? Buffy, you're still so young."

"What?" Buffy exclaimed. "Mom, don't ask questions if you can't handle the answers. And what do you mean, 'how could you?'?"

"Just that you're a young girl and --"

"I'm eighteen! Old enough to make my own decisions."

"Did he force you?"

That was the last straw for Buffy. "Why are you turning Angel into the bad guy here? He's not. It was my decision. Did you hear that? Mine! Never in any way has Angel pushed me."

"Honey, I know what you told me two weeks ago. You said you weren't ready for sex. And now you're telling me that last night you decided you're ready?"

"Yes! I wasn't ready then because I wasn't sure if I loved Angel enough to make love to him. But I woke up yesterday morning and knew that I did, and that I was ready. You've always trusted my judgement before, why can't you trust it now?"

"Because before, sex was simply an idea. Now it's a reality. A reality I don't think either of us was prepared for."

"Mom, I'm a big girl. I fight demons and vampires on a nightly basis."

"I'm very aware of that. But can you handle what you're getting yourself into with Angel?" Mrs. Summers wanted to know.

Buffy nodded. "I think so."

"Did he hurt you in any way? Did he do anything that you weren't ready for? Anything that made you feel weird?"

"No, Mom. It was nice."

"I don't think I need to tell you that Angel's older than you and more experienced. He might do something that some other girl liked but you may not."

"Not likely."

"Excuse me?"

Buffy sat down on the bed next to her mother. "We were each others' firsts. Neither of us had ever had sex before."

"Buffy --"

"Don't say it. Angel has never lied to me. He told me why he waited. His mother had a one-night stand and she got pregnant because of it. Angel's father didn't want anything to do with them. When Angel found out, he decided to wait until he found the right girl. Me, Mom, he waited for me. He doesn't want to do what his father did," Buffy explained.

Mrs. Summers sighed. "Okay. There's no reason for Angel to lie to you if he loves you. As for his reasons for waiting, I find them very noble. I like him, honey, you know that. If I didn't trust him, I wouldn't have allowed him to bring you to San Francisco. I honestly hope you are prepared to handle this new...level in your relationship with him." "I am. Very prepared. All the bases are covered, Mom."

She smiled and hugged her daughter. "I'm happy for you, then. If Angel makes you happy, then I'm happy. And I'm glad that I can take comfort in knowing you two are being careful when you are together."

Buffy's smile faded when she realized what her mother was talking about. "Yeah. We're being careful."

********

Angel stood in front of the weapons cabinet, pulling out the different weapons Buffy would need to train with him and Giles that afternoon. He smiled to himself, remembering last night and that morning. Being so intimate with her made him come alive. Before her, he walked around as if he were a mere shell of a man with nothing and no one to bring him the kind of love he wanted. Then when he met Buffy, he slowly came alive. And making love to her was like a rebirth. Angel's life had begun.

He placed the weapons on the table, looking up when the door opened and Buffy stormed in. He noticed that she looked upset. "Buffy, what's wrong? You look like you've been crying."

She launched herself into his embrace. "Angel, we have a big problem."

********

34

"Problem?" he asked. "What kind of a problem, Buffy?"

Buffy removed herself from his embrace. "First of all, my mom found out about last night. When I didn't come home at all, she kind of put two and two together. She figured that we...you know, had sex."

"Oh, Buffy, I'm sorry. I know you wanted to break the news to her yourself."

"Yeah, I did."

"What did she say? Was she upset? No, never mind. If it's too personal, you don't have to tell me."

She shook her head. "Nothing's too personal to tell you. Mom was a little upset at first. I got another lecture from her, this time saying that I'm too young and I have my whole life ahead of me. Then she went into overprotective mother mode and asked if you forced me into sleeping with you. She couldn't believe that two weeks ago I wasn't ready and that last night I was."

"It may take some time for her to process all the information," Angel told her.

"I know that. But she's going to have to accept it. I'm not a little girl who needs her mommy to protect her anymore, and she's not ready to deal with it."

"In her eyes, no matter how old you are you'll always be her little girl."

Buffy gave him a half-smile. "I suppose."

Angel laughed. "See, that wasn't such a big problem."

Her smile disappeared. "That wasn't the big problem, Angel."

"Tell me."

"Mom reminded me of something I promised her when we went to San Francisco. She made me promise that if something happened between us, we'd be careful." Buffy gazed into his eyes. "We weren't careful last night, or this morning for that matter. Neither of us used protection."

He slumped down into a chair. "I didn't even realize..."

Buffy pulled a chair next to him, sitting down. "Neither did I until she mentioned it. Both of us were so caught up in the moment that protection was the last thing on our minds. I know I didn't think about it; all I could think about, all I cared about was just being with you. And now I have this sinking feeling that it's going to come back to haunt us."

"You mean..."

"I could have gotten pregnant one of those times."

Angel put his head in his hands, his palms over his eyes. "I'm so sorry, Buffy. I never wanted this to happen; I never wanted to hurt you."

"Angel, you didn't. Last night was the best night of my life. I wouldn't trade having made love to you for anything in the world. I'm just afraid that my stupidity and carelessness might have gotten us into trouble. If I hadn't been so eager to do it, this wouldn't have happened."

He looked her in the eye. "What do you want to do?"

"I don't know. The only thing I can think of is to wait and find out if I am pregnant."

"No matter what, Buffy, I'll be here for you. Whatever you decide to do, I'm not going to leave you alone to handle this." He clasped her hands in his. "I want you to know that if you are pregnant and you want to raise our child, we'll be a family. I won't be a coward like my father and walk away. I'll marry you."

Buffy looked down, then back up at him. "You'd do that?"

He nodded. "Yes, I would. I don't want to be like my father. I waited until I found the girl I want to spend the rest of my life with. And I want to spend it with you, regardless of whether or not you're pregnant."

She hugged him. "Thank you, Angel. You've almost made me believe everything's going to be okay."

Angel stroked her hair. "It will be, you'll see."

********

Training ended at four-thirty, and Giles pulled Buffy aside while Angel put away the weapons. "Have you seen your mother? She called me this morning looking for you."

"Yeah, I didn't get home until this afternoon. She told me she called you. Hope you didn't worry."

"I did worry, Buffy. Your mother was afraid something horrible happened to you," Giles said to her.

"Nothing bad happened."

"Where were you?"

"No, offense, Giles, but it's none of your business. If you'll excuse me, I have to get dressed and eat dinner before I patrol tonight." Buffy walked past him and out of the library.

Giles headed for Angel. "Angel, Buffy tells me you were with her all of last night." It was only a guess, but he figured it was the truth. He wanted to find out what was going on.

"Um, yeah, she was," he admitted.

'Now we're getting somewhere,' Giles said to himself. "She also told me what happened." Another shot in the dark. It wasn't like Buffy to keep secrets from him, and he figured Angel knew what was going on.

"She did?"

"Yes. Buffy had to tell me; she couldn't keep it a secret for very long."

Angel sighed. "Look, Giles, you don't have to be worried. I told her I'd be here for her no matter what. If she did end up pregnant, I'll take care of her and the baby."

Giles tried to hide his shock. "Very well. You're taking responsibility for you actions, Angel. That's very noble of you."

"I love her. I wouldn't abandon her."

"I know you wouldn't. I can finish up from here. Go be with Buffy. But don't tell her about our discussion, though. She didn't want me to say anything to you."

"Okay." Angel left the room in search of Buffy.

As soon as he left, Giles went into his office. He picked up the phone and dialed the phone number he had memorized years before. "Hello, this is Rupert Giles. I'm sorry for calling at such a late hour, but it is a matter of extreme urgency. I need to speak to George Smythe, Head of the Watcher's Council."

********

Buffy tossed and turned throughout the duration of her dream. It was more like a nightmare.

She sat in the hospital bed, holding the tiny baby in her arms. A little girl,' Buffy thought. 'We have a daughter.' Buffy counted out ten fingers and ten toes while the baby slept peacefully in her arms. A button nose and dark brown hair. 'She's so tiny and perfect.'

Buffy looked up from staring at her newborn daughter. Standing in the doorway of the hospital room was Angel. "Hey, you. Come on in and say hello to your daughter," she said.

Angel took a few steps inside, keeping his distance from the bed. "How are you doing?"

"I'm a little sore, but that's to be expected."

"It'll pass."

"What do you think we should name her?" Buffy asked.

He shrugged. "I don't care. Name her whatever you want."

"Angel? What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Why are you being so cold? Don't you want to hold her?"

"Not particularly. Buffy, I came by to tell you that I don't think we should see each other anymore."

"What? But you said you waited for me. You said you'd stay with me and the baby."

He smirked at her. She's so naive.' "If I were you, Buffy, I wouldn't be so quick to believe everything a man tells you after having sex. I was only in it for the sex. And let me tell you, for your first time out, you were magnificent. My best yet."

"You don't mean that," Buffy said, tears forming in her eyes.

"Actually, I do. It's so cute to see that you thought I was in love with you. You're just a kid, Buffy. I don't want a little girl, I want a woman. But you were fun. Good luck, maybe I'll see you around." Angel turned and walked out of the room.

"Angel!" she screamed.

Buffy opened her eyes. The dream scared the hell out of her. "It was just a dream. Angel would never do that to me," she whispered.

********

The two vampires walked into their lair, finding their sire waiting for them. "Boss, we have some news." "What is it?" she asked, putting another piece of wood in the fireplace.

"We came across that Slayer tonight. She's here in Sunnydale, you were right."

"Of course I was right, you idiot. What can you tell me about her?"

"She's short. Don't look like much. Blonde hair, maybe five-two. Very strong. Took out Carlisle without even breaking a sweat," one vampire told her.

She raised her eyebrows. "What about her technique?"

"It isn't structured. She's big on improvisation. There's no precise flow to her fighting, no pattern."

"Any weaknesses that you might have noticed?"

"There was a man with her. She was protective of him."

"Her Watcher, no doubt," she wagered.

"I don't think so," the other vampire disagreed. "The Slayer was pretty hot and heavy with him before we attacked. I'm thinking boyfriend."

She smiled. "Good. We'll have to use that to our advantage."

"Are you going to take her out?"

"Not yet. First I want to study her. Then I'll kill her."

********

35

The following two and a half weeks were pure torture for Buffy and Angel. They spent a lot of time talking about what they would do if she was pregnant. Angel had told her that he'd stand by her, no matter what her decision regarding the child; that he'd support her and the baby, and marry her if she wanted. Hearing his promises made Buffy feel a little bit better about their situation.

When she told Angel about her dream, the dream where he abandoned her and their baby, he swore that he would never let that happen. Buffy cried in his arms the next day when she described how real it seemed, how she could feel his hatred and rejection when she woke up.

"You just left. You said you made all of it up, said that you were only in it for the sex. God, it felt so real, Angel," Buffy had said to him.

"It wasn't real, it will never be real. I swear," he'd promised her.

On a Saturday night, eighteen days after their night together, Angel agreed to meet Buffy at the Bronze. She had called earlier that afternoon, saying she had something she needed to tell him. His curiosity piqued, he said he'd meet her.

Sitting at a table in the middle of the club, alone, Angel felt more than a little out of place. He seemed like the oldest person there, surrounded by teenagers. So he sat there, watching Oz's band play and the people dancing, sipping his soda, waiting for Buffy to arrive.

Small hands covered his eyes. "Guess who?" Buffy asked.

Angel smiled. "Cordelia?" he guessed jokingly.

"Nope. Guess again."

"Hmm. Willow?"

"Wrong again."

"There's only one other person I can think of, but Jessi's in New York."

Buffy removed her hands. She moved to stand in front of him with an astonished and disappointed look on her face. "Hey!"

"I knew it was you."

"Who's Jessi?"

He shrugged. "An old friend from UCLA."

"Girlfriend?"

"I went out with her a few times. She meant nothing to me, at least not as anything more than a friend," Angel said.

Buffy put her hands on her hips. "Should I be jealous?"

He pulled her down onto his lap. "What do you think?"

"I think if you're still thinking about her, I should be a little jealous of this Jessi girl."

Angel placed a kiss on her nose. "And I think you should think about the Fourth of July. Think very hard about that night, and that should answer all of your questions."

"It does."

"So, Buffy, why did you ask me to come here? What's going on?"

"I've got news."

"Good or bad?" Angel knew what the news regarded.

Buffy grinned. "Very good."

"Seriously?"

She nodded. "I wanted to be one hundred percent sure before I told you. That's why I waited until today, even thought I knew on Tuesday. Angel, I'm not pregnant."

Angel closed his eyes and sighed. It was a load off his mind. "You're positive?"

"Yep. I won't give you all the details, but let's just say that it ended today. No worries."

"I'm so sorry for putting you through that."

"It's okay. I do want to have a baby, but not yet." Buffy put her arms around his neck, leaning her forehead against his. "And now that we know I'm not pregnant, and my period's over, I'm thinking we should stock up on some protection. Like tonight."

He understood what she was implying. "So soon, Buffy? We just got through this pregnancy scare, are you sure you're ready to go through it all over again?"

"There won't be as much of a worry this time, Angel. It'll be a lot safer than before."

"Nothing's an absolute one hundred percent."

"Stop sounding like a commercial, I know all this. I've had the sex lecture and I've taken sex education. Believe me, I know what I'm getting into. And I want to again."

"If you're sure," agreed a reluctant Angel.

"I'm very sure." She stood up, grabbing his hand to guide him up as well. "But first, we dance."

Buffy led Angel to the dance floor as the Dingoes began playing a ballad. She recognized it as the song Oz wrote for Willow as her graduation present. It was a beautiful song about finding your true love and doing everything you can to keep that special person in your life. 'No truer words were ever spoken,' thought Buffy.

Willow, Cordelia and Xander watched the couple on the dance floor. "Check out the lovebirds," Willow said.

"I think they look cute," commented Cordelia.

"Oh, gag me. If they got any closer, they'd be having sex right on the floor," Xander told them.

"They wouldn't do that in public."

"Or in private, for that matter."

"What are you saying?" Xander asked.

Willow looked at them. "Just that if anything had happened between Buffy and Angel, she'd have told me about it. We tell each other everything."

"Will, some things you keep private."

"You think they..."

"Rode the pleasure pony?" Xander said, crudely. "Hell yeah."

********

Angel stood in front of the shelves, looking over the different boxes. 'How do I know which one to buy? They all look the same to me.' He picked up a box. 'Trojans. These are supposed to be good. Reliable.' Grabbing another box, Angel turned down the aisle. He wasn't paying attention and walked right into a young man.

"Excuse me," apologized Angel. He looked at the young man. "Kevin."

"Hello, Angel. Doing a little late night shopping?" Kevin asked.

"Something like that."

Kevin glanced at the two boxes of condoms Angel held in his hands. "Apparently you're expecting a big night tonight. Hope you're not expecting it with Buffy. She's waiting for Mr. Right," he taunted.

Angel took a step closer to the young man. "She found him."

"You and Buffy? You slept with her?"

"That's none of your business. Kevin, let me give you some advice. If you leave Buffy alone and you leave me alone, your life will be a lot easier. She told me all about what you said when she wouldn't sleep with you. And she told me about how you want her back now. It's not going to happen, boy. Buffy's with me. So just stay out of her life."

Angel brushed past him. He headed for the cashier to pay for his purchase. Without glancing back at Kevin, he left the store and drove back to his apartment, where Buffy was waiting for him. Kevin left the store shortly after. Upon reaching his car, he punched the door.

"God dammit!" he shouted. "She was mine, not yours! Mine! I'll get Buffy back if it's the last thing I do."

********

"How is the situation in Sunnydale? Has it changed at all from the last time we spoke?" George Smythe asked over the phone.

"Unfortunately, no."

"I know of your fears, Mr. Giles, and I agree with you. All of the information you sent me verifies your claims. I can see where you would be concerned. After discussing your concerns with a small committee of Watchers, we have decided to grant your request."

Giles sighed. "Thank you, Mr. Smythe."

"Separating the Slayer from Mr. Reilly -- Angel -- is best for everyone concerned. If their relationship has become as personal and as intimate as you say, separation is the best idea."

"How long of a separation are we talking, Mr. Smythe?" Giles wanted to know.

"As long as it takes, Mr. Giles."

********

The ringing of the telephone stirred Angel from his sleep. Buffy lay in his embrace but didn't wake up. He reached over, hoping his movement and the telephone wouldn't rouse her. They'd fallen asleep an hour earlier, after an incredible round of sex that left them both exhausted.

"Hello?" he asked softly and tiredly.

"Is this Angel?"

"Yes. Who is this?"

"George P. Smythe of the Watcher's Council of England. I apologize for calling at such a late hour, but I need to speak to you."

"What about?" Angel wanted to know.

There was a pause on the other end of the line. "I'll cut right to the chase, Mr. Reilly. Your presence is required in England at the end of next week."

"Excuse me?" Angel didn't know what was going on.

"Part of your training for becoming a Watcher is that you spend some more time in England studying more about the very things you'll be aiding the Slayer with."

"With all due respect, sir, I'm learning plenty here on the Hellmouth."

"There are tests we have yet to give you, Angel, that you must take. They are only given once every year. All of the arrangements have been made. Your flight leaves this Thursday at eight a.m.," Mr. Smythe informed him.

"I can't leave Sunnydale," Angel argued.

"You can and you will. I shall see you Thursday evening, or possibly Friday afternoon. A car will meet you at the airport. Goodbye, Angel." George Smythe hung up the phone.

Angel replaced the receiver. He sat in silence, thinking about the conversation he'd just had, never hearing Buffy awaken. "Angel? What are you doing awake?"

"The phone rang."

"Who was it?" Buffy asked.

"The Watcher's Council," Angel answered. "George Smythe."

Buffy gazed at him. "Who's he?"

"He's the Head of the Council."

"What did he want?"

"To tell me that I have a bunch of tests to take. I have to be in England by Friday."

"For how long?"

Angel shook his head. "I don't know. He didn't say. Buffy, he didn't make it sound like a quick trip. It sounded like a long time."

********

36

Buffy took a swing at Giles, who ducked it, only to be toppled by her floor kick. He landed hard on the tiled floor of the library.

"Are you okay, Giles?" she asked out of concern for her Watcher.

He stared at her from where he fell. "As soon as my back stops throbbing I shall feel much better."

Buffy extended her hand. "Here, let me help you up," she offered.

"Thank you, Buffy."

She looked at the clock. 'Four-thirty. Angel leaves in thirteen hours. Where did this week go? It still seems like yesterday that he got the phone call.' "Hey, Giles, can we call it a day?"

"We still have another half-hour of training left."

"I've got stuff to go today."

Giles nodded his head in understanding. "Ah, yes. Angel leaves in the morning. I suppose you want to spend some time with him before he heads off for England."

"You suppose right."

"Fine, I'll let you leave early, but Monday you're to give me an extra half-hour."

"I promise." Buffy had one more question before she went to change."Giles, what kind of tests does Angel have to take in England?"

"That all depends."

"Well, what kind of tests did you have to go through?"

"That was nearly twenty-five years ago, Buffy. I believe the Watcher's Council has changed their requirements since I have completed them," Giles answered.

Buffy shrugged. "Humor me."

"I had to undergo severe psychological testing to prove that I could handle the job. There I had a slight edge because my parents were Watchers. I knew how things worked, and I knew how to keep myself focused and objective."

"Angel's mom was a Slayer and he was raised by her Watcher, so he shouldn't have a problem with that."

"Perhaps not. But as I said, that was twenty-five years ago. I'm sure the criteria have changed."

"What else?"

"The Council needs to see if Angel is physically fit enough to be a Watcher. Have you ever heard of a stress test?"

She nodded. "Yeah. My dad had to have one last year. Running on a treadmill or something like that."

"It is very much like that, only more extreme."

"How extreme? Will he be hurt?"

"That all depends on how fit he is. If Angel is in good shape and has been exercising every day, he'll come out just fine."

'I can guarantee he's been getting exercise, but I don't think that's the kind of exercise Giles is talking about,' thought Buffy. "Okay."

"There's only two more that I recall with certainty. One is a test that involves knowing the different demon species and being able to identify them. That part is usually simple memorization. The last test I remember is the one for fighting skills."

Buffy waved her hand. "That should be easy for him. We fight together all the time."

"This is different, Buffy. He'll be locked in a room with a vampire, or possibly a lesser demon. Angel will have one weapon with which to kill his opponent. If he makes it out alive, he'll have passed the test."

"I don't like that one. It's dangerous."

"It is. But he has to go through it."

"Angel might die! He can't die, I need him."

"I'm sorry, Buffy, but it is all part of becoming a Watcher."

Her lower lip quivered. "Can't you call the Watcher's Council and tell them that he's needed here in Sunnydale?"

Giles shook his head. "I'm afraid not. He's not needed here at the moment. There aren't any unstoppable demons in town and we have the vampire community under control. We don't need him."

"I need him!" Buffy shouted.

"For what?" he shot back. "Sex?"

Buffy was taken aback by his words. "What?" she asked sharply.

"You think I don't know that you've been...carrying on with Angel behind closed doors? I'm well aware of your pregnancy scare, Buffy. I think this time away from Angel would be most useful."

"You arranged this, didn't you? You called the Council," Buffy accused him.

"Listen to me. Angel has to go through these tests eventually. It is better for him to go through them now while things are quiet. To answer your question, yes, I called the Council. But that was before I knew of your intimate relationship with him," lied Giles.

She exhaled loudly. "Fine. But if I ever find out that you set this up to keep us apart, I'll never forgive you, Giles. Never." Without bothering to say goodbye, Buffy left the room.

********

"Are you coming to the Bronze tonight?" Willow asked Buffy when she called on the telephone after dinner.

"I doubt it," Buffy said to her best friend.

"Oh, come on, Buffy. You have to come. Xander and Cordy already have plans and I don't want to sit there all alone. The Dingoes are playing tonight. Oz said they're going to be playing their new song. Please," begged Willow.

Buffy felt bad for having to say no. "Sorry, Will, if it were any other night, I'd say yes. But I've already got plans with Angel. He leaves tomorrow morning and I want to be with him as much as possible before he goes," Buffy explained.

"I see."

"We'll do the Bronze thing some other time," she promised.

"Okay. Buffy, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

Willow paused before beginning. "This is going to sound really weird, but bear with me. If something had happened between you and Angel, would you have told me?"

"What brought this on?"

"Something Xander said about how some things are private."

"Willow, I'm really sorry. I've been so busy these past few weeks that I didn't tell you what happened. I feel like a complete moron."

"Something did happen?" Willow asked.

"Yeah. I finally decided I was ready. It happened on the fourth. And it was great. I don't want to get into all of it right now, but I'll tell you that now I don't know why I was so scared to do it."

"Buffy, that's great." Willow was happy for her.

She heard the doorbell chime. "He's here. I have to go. But I'll give you all the gory details next time we get together."

"Okay. Tell Angel I hope he has a safe trip."

"Will do. Bye." Buffy hung up the phone and ran downstairs to greet her boyfriend.

********

Buffy giggled as Angel tied the scarf around the back of her head. "Why are you blindfolding me?" she wanted to know.

"You'll see. Stay right here until I get back. Okay?"

She reluctantly agreed. "Fine. But make it quick, I've got a surprise for you, too."

Angel opened the door to his apartment, then closed it again, leaving Buffy standing in the hallway outside. A few minutes later, he returned. "Give me your hand."

Buffy did so, and he led her inside. "What's going on?"

"Take off the blindfold," Angel instructed.

She took it off. The entire apartment was illuminated by white candles. A single rose in a crystal vase adorned every table, setting the scene for what looked like an elaborate seduction. "Angel, my god. Why did you do this?"

"This is our last night together for I don't know how long. I wanted it to be perfect," he said to her.

"You didn't have to go to all this trouble. One candle would have been fine."

"Not for you."

Buffy reached up to push his face to hers. "It is perfect. Now, if you go wait in your bedroom, I'll go get your going away present."

While Buffy went into the bathroom, Angel entered his bedroom, carefully taking off his shirt and pants, folding them neatly on the chair. This was going to be their last time together for some time, and he didn't want to waste any time.

"I'm ready," Buffy called.

"So am I," he returned.

She walked into the candlelit room, nearly stopping Angel's heart in the process. She stood by the bed, wearing a short, red satin nightie which left very little to the imagination. He could tell with one quick glance that Buffy wore nothing underneath.

"Do you like your present?" she asked with a smile.

"Very much."

She strolled over, pressing herself to him, feeling his obvious arousal. "Why don't we lose the boxers and take it from there."

Buffy bent down to remove the last article of clothing from his body. Once he had stepped out of his shorts, she tilted her head up, licking her lips. She wanted to give him a night he'd never forget. When her mouth was level with his hard member, she placed a kiss on the tip of it. Then she brought her hands to it, moving them up and down the length of him before putting him slowly inside her mouth. She'd learned about this form of sex from another cheesy romance novel she'd read. Buffy wasn't sure if Angel would enjoy it, but the moans of pleasure he gave told her he did.

She continued to take in as much of him as she could. Swirling her tongue around his erection, Buffy brought her head back, then took in more. Angel wondered where she had learned to do that, but he didn't care enough to ask, as long as she kept on doing it.

Buffy stopped short of making him come. "How was that?" she asked.

"Amazing," he answered, breathlessly.

"I've got something else I want to do for you."

"I'm all yours," Angel told her. As far as he was concerned, Buffy could do whatever she wanted. If she wanted to set him on fire and put out the flames with her tongue, he'd gladly let her.

She reached over to the nightstand, pulling out a condom from the drawer. After unwrapping it, she rolled it over his erection, then placed her palms on his chest, forcing him backwards onto the bed. "Sit back a little bit so your legs are on the bed." Angel did as she requested. Buffy crawled on her knees to him, straddling him before wrapping her legs around his waist. Still wearing the satin nightie, she sheathed her body down on his erection.

Angel gave her a few moments to adjust to his size before he brought his hands to her hips, bringing her up and down on him in a steady rhythm. He lowered his lips to her neck, sucking and kissing gently. As their peaks became closer, their hips slammed into each other in a need to fulfill their orgasmic pleasure. Buffy threw her head back and screamed when hers came, followed immediately by Angel's.

Waiting until they had both calmed down, he lifted Buffy from him and lay her gently on the pillows. He ran his hands over the satin of her nightie, feeling every curve along the way. Hard once again, Angel was ready for more of whatever pleasures Buffy would want to give him. Removing his condom and replacing it with another one, he stripped the satin number from her body, taking her once again. As the evening wore on, as well as their lovemaking, the candles dimmed until the apartment became enveloped in darkness.

********

"I'll miss you," Buffy whispered as they lay sated in his bed.

He caressed her naked breast. "I'll miss you, too."

"It's going to be hard, being away from you for so long," she admitted.

"I know. But I promise to call you every day and write as often as I can," Angel promised.

"Sometimes, I think you're going to forget all about me when you're over there. That you'll find someone else."

"Hey." Angel forced her to look at him. "That'll never happen. I love you, Buffy Summers. There's nothing on God's green earth that'll ever make me forget you. Especially after that going away gift you just gave me."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

********

37

"Spill it already," demanded Cordelia. "What's this big thing you came over to tell us?"

Cordelia, Buffy and Willow sat around Cordelia's bedroom Friday afternoon. It was the first time Buffy had set foot outside her house since Angel left over twenty-four hours earlier. She'd been miserable and depressed all day Thursday, just wanting to spend the day alone. Angel had promised to call her if he got to London before midnight, but he never called. Buffy assumed he'd gotten there later than anticipated and didn't want to bother her.

"You guys are my best friends and I want to share this with you, just like Willow shared it with me," Buffy began.

Cordelia didn't have a clue as to what her friend was saying. "Share what? Buffy, you're not making any sense."

Willow grinned, knowing exactly what Buffy was talking about. "Tell her."

Buffy took a deep breath. "Okay. Angel and I have been...together."

"That's it? God, that's such old news. You two have been together for months."

"No, Cordy, we've been sleeping together." Buffy was trying to say it without coming right out and saying it.

"Yet again, old news. Remember after Prom? You guys slept together then."

"That's not how I meant it."

Thinking for a couple moments, Cordelia figured it out. "Oh my god, you two are literally sleeping together? Like, as in sex?"

Willow stifled a giggle. "Took you long enough, Cordy."

"God, I feel so dense for not getting it right away. For how long? When was the first time? Was it good? Is he good?" Cordelia was full of questions.

Buffy laughed. "One question at a time. The first time was the Fourth of July. Right after the fireworks display."

"What was it like? Was it what you expected?" asked the brunette. She remembered that her first time with Xander was nothing like she thought it would be.

"It was just like you said, Willow. At first it hurt, like to the point where I almost wanted to stop. I never told Angel that, though, but I think he sensed my discomfort because he asked me if I wanted him to stop. By the time he asked it didn't hurt anymore. After that, it was like nothing I'd ever felt before. The only word I can think of to describe it is amazing," she explained.

"Wow," Cordelia said. "You've definitely got an advantage over us."

"How?"

"Well, Xander didn't have a clue the first time we slept together. Buffy, you've been with a guy who must be like the walking Kama Sutra."

Buffy raised her eyebrows. "What makes you think that?"

"The man is gorgeous and is a world traveler. And he's twenty-seven," answered Cordelia.

"So?"

"So? Come on, don't be so naive. He's probably done it so many times that he knows things we've never even dreamed of."

"You think Angel's had a lot of women?" Buffy asked with a smile.

"Hasn't he?"

"No. Neither of us had ever had sex before, Cordelia."

Willow's jaw hit the floor. She'd known that Buffy was a virgin, but not Angel. "What?"

"Angel was a virgin?" exclaimed Cordelia.

Buffy nodded. "Uh-huh. I was too scared before I did it; I wanted to wait until I was ready. Angel, though, he was ready, but he just waited. He didn't want to do what his father did -- get a girl pregnant and then abandon her. So he waited until he found someone he would stick by if he did get her pregnant. Someone he wanted to be with forever."

"You?"

"Yep. So, Cordy, he's not exactly the walking Kama Sutra, as you put it. That isn't to say it wasn't great, or that he wasn't great. We learn something new, teach each other something new every time we make love."

"Have you tried anything...I don't know, different or adventurous?" Cordelia asked.

"Cordy!" Willow slapped her. "Don't you think that's personal?"

"I want to know."

"It's okay. Did you read last month's Cosmo? The one with the article ‘20 Ways to Please Your Lover In Bed.'"

Cordelia reached for the pile of magazines on the table next to her bed. Rifling through them, she pulled out the magazine Buffy asked her about. "This one?"

"That's it." Buffy took it from her, found the article and pointed to two of the twenty ways. "These two."

Willow and Cordelia read them. "You did that?"

"Wednesday night. I wanted to pull out all the stops. You know, give him a night he won't forget."

Willow swallowed hard. "I could never do that. I mean, I can't imagine ever doing that with Oz. I'd be too scared to."

"I think Xander would love it, but I won't do it."

"It's not that bad. Don't get me wrong, I was nervous about it, doing such a strange thing. I'd never dreamed of doing it. I wasn't even sure if Angel would like it."

Cordelia shook her head. "You're so lucky. You've got the perfect man. He loves you and thinks the world revolves around you."

"You still can't have him."

"When is he coming home?" Willow wanted to know.

Buffy shrugged. "I don't know. Soon, I hope. He's been gone for one day and I miss him like crazy."

"Have you talked to him yet?"

"No. But he promised to call me every day. He'll call tonight, I know he will."

********

"I hope you find your accommodations comfortable, Angel," Mr. Smythe said when he showed Angel to his flat in the building the Watchers Council owned. "Everything you can possibly need for the duration of your stay here in London has been brought here."

"Thank you, Mr. Smythe."

The man smiled. "Please call me George."

"Alright. Thank you, George."

"I shall leave you alone to unpack your bags and then to rest. The car will be here precisely at eight in the morning to take you to the Council's official headquarters."

Angel looked around. "Could you tell me where the telephone is? I need to make a call."

Mr. Smythe shook his head. "There is no telephone, Angel. You are not permitted to make phone calls during the duration of your testing."

"I promised my girlfriend I'd call her when I got here. She gets worried easily."

‘The Slayer, no doubt.' "I'm very sorry, but no phone calls are allowed. When your testing is completed, then you may call. But until then, you are not to have any outside contact with anyone in Sunnydale."

Angel sighed softly. He needed to call Buffy, he didn't want her to worry. Mostly, though, he needed to hear her voice. He'd left her only twenty-four hours earlier and already it seemed like months. "How long will the testing take?"

"There will be four major tests that you must pass in order to become a full-fledged Watcher. Once you pass them, you will have to remain in London for the meeting and greeting of all our Watchers in the form of parties and social gatherings. On average, about two months," answered Mr. Smythe.

‘Two months without seeing or talking to Buffy? No way. I will be back in Sunnydale by the beginning of September,' a determined Angel decided. "Thank you."

"I'll leave you be. Get some rest, Angel. Your testing begins tomorrow."

Mr. Smythe left the apartment and walked down the hall, meeting up with another man while waiting for the elevator. "You are aware of what you have to do, right?" he asked.

The man nodded once. "Yes, sir. I am to monitor his comings and goings."

"Angel Reilly is an intelligent young man. He was not pleased when I informed him that he could not phone his lover back in California. He will try to call her from an outside phone booth, of that I am sure. It is your responsibility to prevent him from making that call. Also, I imagine that he will send her a letter. You are to intercept it and bring said letter to me. It is important that the letter is not sent," explained Mr. Smythe.

"Sir, may I ask a question?"

"You may."

"Why is he not permitted any contact with his lover?" the man asked.

The elevator doors opened. "Because he is here to forget about her. We do not approve of their relationship for many reasons. Just keep him in your sights, Mr. Headly. Let the Council do the rest."

********

38

"I don't get it," Buffy said to Willow, Oz, Xander and Cordelia at the Bronze. They had dragged her there for ‘80s night. "It's been three weeks since he left. Angel hasn't called or written or anything!"

"I'm sure he's just busy, Buffy," Willow reassured her. "Giles told you about the different tests he has to take. He's probably studying. He'll call as soon as he can."

Buffy frowned. "What if he was in an accident? He could be in a hospital somewhere in England, nobody knows who he is and the Council doesn't know to contact me to let me know." Horrible scenarios were going through her mind. They had been for the past three weeks.

"You're overreacting, Buffy," commented Cordelia.

"I don't think so. All I want is for him to call me and say that he loves me and that he's fine."

"Shouldn't that be the other way around?" asked Xander.

She glared at him. "Not now."

"Can't Giles get in touch with the Council?" Oz wanted to know.

"He has," Buffy answered miserably. "Whenever I ask him about Angel, he says he forgot to ask. Truthfully, I think he's lying."

"Do you think Giles had something to do with Angel leaving?"

Buffy shrugged. "I asked him point blank if he did and Giles swears he didn't. But I don't know. He seemed pretty upset about me and Angel being together. But would he actually stoop so low as to call the Council to separate us? I wouldn't put it past him."

Kevin watched the gang from five tables away. It didn't escape his eye that Angel wasn't with them. In fact, he hadn't seen Buffy and the older man together in several weeks. He smiled. ‘She looks upset. They probably broke up. Poor Buffy. She's probably distraught that she slept with him and he dumped her. This is the perfect opportunity.' He made his way over to her table.

"Hi, Buffy," Kevin said to her.

She looked at her ex-boyfriend. "Hey, Kevin."

"How are you doing?"

"Okay, I guess. How ‘bout you?"

"The same." A slow song blasted through the speakers. "Would you like to dance?" he asked.

Willow knew how depressed her best friend was over not having heard from Angel in weeks. A dance, even it if was with Kevin Matthews, might be just what Buffy needed to get her mind off of things. "Go for it," she whispered.

Buffy gave her a half-smile. "Alright, Kevin."

‘Yes! Now's my chance to win Buffy back.' "Great."

Once on the dance floor, he tentatively pulled her into his arms. She gently rested her head on his shoulder, but didn't try to delude herself into believing she was in the arms of the man she loved more than life itself.

//I'm alone

Yeah, I don't know if I can face the night

I'm in tears

And the cryin' that I do is for you

I want your love

Let's break the walls between us

Don't make it tough

I'll put away my pride

Enough's enough

I've suffered and I've seen the light\\

"I love this song," Kevin said.

"Yeah, it's nice. Really pretty," she agreed.

"Almost as much as you."

"What?"

"The song is almost as pretty as you are. You look lovely tonight, Buffy."

She didn't quite know what to make of Kevin's words to her. It remained in the back of her mind that a month-and-a-half earlier, he wanted her back. "Thank you," she said.

//You're my angel

Come and save me tonight

You're my angel

Come and make it alright

You're my angel

Come and save me tonight\\

Buffy heard him singing the words to the song. She glanced up at him and smiled. She didn't know that he was singing the song to her. She thought it was funny, as well as entertaining, that Kevin was attempting to sing.

Kevin took the smile to believe she wanted him back as much as he wanted her. One single smile was all he needed to gain the confidence to kiss her. So he did.

//Don't know what I'm gonna do

About this feeling inside

Yes, it's true

Loneliness took me for a ride

Without your love

I'm nothing but a beggar

What can I do?

I'm sleeping in this bed alone\\

The kiss took Buffy by surprise; it was the last thing she expected. And it was certainly the last thing she wanted. She'd been kissed by Kevin hundreds of times before, but they never held the passion and love that Angel's kisses did. There was absolutely no comparison between the two. Buffy broke the kiss almost immediately.

"What was that for?" she demanded.

"I thought you wanted me to kiss you," explained Kevin.

"What made you think that?"

He touched her cheek. "You smiled at me."

"That doesn't mean I wanted you to kiss me. I'm with Angel, you know that." Buffy was outraged.

"I want a second chance."

"Did you *not* hear me? Angel and I are together. We have been for two, almost three months."

Kevin looked around. "Then where is loverboy?"

"Angel's been out of town for three weeks, not that it's any of your business."

"Yeah, I was wondering why I haven't seen him around in awhile. Now that I think about it, I haven't seen him since I ran into him at the store. He was really stocking up on condoms that night. So tell me, Buffy, is he any good in bed? Not that I care personally, but I'm betting that I'd be much better. Wanna find out?"

Buffy was livid. "Don't *ever* talk about Angel like that again." To convey her message, she punched him in the stomach as hard as she could.

Clutching his hands to his throbbing stomach, Kevin had one more thing to say. "Then again, he might have been stocking up for his trip. Maybe he found someone else to have some fun with. Bet he's off doing her right now. Where's the fun in screwing a virgin? You're probably the last thing on his mind."

Buffy couldn't even think of a retort to come back with. His words hurt that much. But they struck something inside of her, something she didn't even want to think about. Leaving the Bronze, she thought, ‘What if Kevin's right? Did Angel find someone else? Is that why he hasn't called or written to me? What will I do?' With tears running down her cheeks, Buffy ran away from the club.

The vampire stepped out of the shadows. She watched as Buffy ran crying down the street. "Now, what on earth could have made the Slayer cry? Whatever it is, I'm going to find out."

********

Buffy used Angel's spare key to open the door to his apartment. He'd left her the key so that she could go there when she needed to be alone. Whenever she missed him to the point where she couldn't take it anymore, Buffy stayed there.

She didn't turn on any lights until she reached his bedroom. The candles he's burned the night before he left for England remained on the floor. She didn't have the heart to put them away, their presence reminded her of their last night together. Closing her eyes, Buffy remembered that night.

She went straight for his closet, pulling a black button-down shirt from a hanger. Stripping off her blue dress, Buffy put on the shirt. It smelled like him, and made tears come to her eyes. ‘Is he with someone right now? Is he telling her he loves her, just like he told me?' With thoughts of Angel's possible betrayal running through her mind, Buffy cried herself to sleep in his bed.

********

Mr. Headly walked into George Smythe's office. "I brought you the most recent letter Mr. Reilly sent out." He handed over the white sealed envelope.

"Thank you, Mr. Headly. Is anything out of the ordinary going on with Mr. Reilly?"

"Nothing that I have noticed. He's attempted daily to make a call, but each time I have found a way to stop him."

Mr. Smythe smiled. "Very good. I appreciate the work you've done. After next week, I won't be requiring your services, Mr. Headly."

"Should you be in need of my services in the future, please don't hesitate to call."

"I shall. Good day, sir."

After Mr. Headly left the room, Mr. Smythe used the letter opener to break the seal of the envelope. He read the address written on it. BUFFY SUMMERS. ‘The Slayer.' Taking the letter out, he began to read.

Dear Buffy,

These past three weeks have been hell without you. Every day I try to call, but I never seem to be able to. Something always comes up that keeps me from calling. Buffy, you are always on my mind, your face is the first thing I see when I wake up every morning and I hear your voice everywhere. I miss you like crazy. I love you.

My tests will be finished tomorrow. I'll be back home in another week. Home to you. Things will be the way they were before I left. I have a surprise for you when I get back. I know how you hate surprises, but this is one I hope you will love. Until I see you again, remember that you are always in my thoughts.

All my love forever,

Angel

Mr. Smythe folded the letter and placed it in the top drawer of his desk just as a young woman entered his office. She sat down on the corner of the oak desk.

"Hello, Daddy," she said.

"Daniella. I'm glad you could make it."

She flashed her father a smile. "Well, you did call me. You said you needed a favor. What do you want?"

"My little girl. Always right to the point," Mr. Smythe said with a grin. "Daniella, I have a job for you."

"What do I have to do, Daddy?"

"Whatever it takes to get Buffy Summers out of Angel Reilly's head. And most importantly, his heart."

********

39

"How was your first day of classes, Buffy?" Giles asked the next week. UC Sunnydale began fall classes that day.

Buffy, Willow and Cordelia were attending college there. The three had all applied there and, with the exception of Xander who was taking a semester off, they had attended their first day of classes as college freshmen.

"Good," she answered. She pulled out a sword to train with.

"I think you meant to say fine," Giles corrected.

"Whatever," she sighed. "I’m not an English major, Giles. Don’t get on my back about my grammar."

He noted her unpleasantness. Buffy had been irritable ever since Angel left Sunnydale, snapping over the littlest incidents that didn’t go her way. Her sarcastic comments were even more biting. Giles knew not to mention calling the Watcher’s Council because Buffy would immediately mention Angel.

Giles had suggested to George Smythe that all contact be cut off between the two lovers. He whole-heartedly agreed, and then proceeded to let Giles in on his plan to get Buffy out of Angel’s heart. Giles wasn’t one hundred percent positive that the plan would work, but he was willing to wait and see how it turned out.

"What exactly are you planning to major in? Don’t you think it’s important that you decide?"

Buffy shot him an evil glare. "I don’t know. Maybe History. Angel will help me with it."

"Buffy, you could barely pass it in high school. College is much more difficult. And I wouldn’t exactly count on Angel’s help if I were you," Giles said.

"What do you mean by that?" she demanded, twirling the sword in her hand.

"Nothing."

Buffy took a step closer to him. "No, you meant something and I want to know what."

"Only that it is possible that Angel may not be returning to Sunnydale."

"Why not?" she asked nervously.

"The Council may decide that his presence is needed elsewhere."

"Where elsewhere?"

"I don’t know, Buffy."

"How could he be needed elsewhere? Shouldn’t the Hellmouth have two Watchers?" It scared her beyond comprehension that Angel might not return to her.

"The Hellmouth already has a Watcher and a Slayer. There is no need for a second Watcher," Giles told her. She shook her head. "You don’t want him to come back."

"It’s not that I don’t want him to come back, Buffy. Angel is like a son to me. But if the Council decides that he is needed somewhere else, there is nothing either of us can do about it. I don’t want to give you false hope. Perhaps it would be in your best interests to move on."

"Never. I will never move on. Giles, I love him, you know that."

"Yes, I do. But if you love something, you sometimes have to let it go."

Buffy didn’t want to let Angel go. "I’m not going to let go of Angel. Until he says he doesn’t want to be with me, I’ll be here for him. With him. Waiting for him."

********

Mr. Smythe shook Angel’s hand. "Congratulations, Angel. You passed all of your tests with flying colors. Never has a Watcher completed them in less than two months."

Angel smiled. The one thing he’d wanted since his childhood was finally his. He was a full-fledged Watcher. And with Buffy part of his life, Angel’s dream life became a reality. He had so much to be thankful for.

"Thank you very much, sir."

"It’s George, please. I wish I could have congratulated you earlier, but this is the first opportunity I’ve had."

"It means a lot either way."

"This party is in your honor, Angel. In a few minutes, I’ll announce to everyone that you have completed your testing, therefore making you a Watcher in all respects. You are one of us now, son. I am certain that you are aware that as a Watcher, you are required to choose a field of study. Geoffrey Kensington, your mother’s Watcher, chose to spend his life researching the territorial legions of demons and vampires in Los Angeles. I opted to study the lineage of master vampires. I’d like to discuss my findings with you someday soon," Mr. Smythe said.

"Thank you. I would really like to hear about it."

"Each Watcher is given a week to decide their field of study."

"I won’t be needing a week. I already know what I want to concentrate on," informed Angel.

Mr. Smythe raised his eyebrows. "So soon? What is it, may I ask?"

"The Hellmouth. I want to study the attraction of it to demons. Why they are pulled toward it and the different types of demons that reside there," he said.

"Quite ambitious of you, Angel. I like that. The Hellmouth shall be your area of study."

‘Now nothing can come between Buffy and I. We’ll be in Sunnydale fighting together,’ Angel thought.

Mr. Smythe motioned for Daniella to come over. "You remember my daughter Daniella, right?" he asked Angel.

Angel nodded. "I certainly do. Although it’s been two years since we’ve seen each other."

"Yes, she was leaving for Oxford to finish her final year at the university. She has since graduated and gone on to be a great help to the Council."

"Father, stop it," she said, blushing. "He likes to gush about me."

"He’s proud of you," Angel informed her.

Daniella gave Angel a half-smile. "It’s embarrassing." She glanced at her father, standing nearby with a few other people. "Congrats on becoming a Watcher. Just think, this party, all these people are here for you."

"Lucky me," he replied half-heartedly.

"You sound like you don’t want to be here," she observed.

Angel shrugged. "I suppose I don’t. I hardly know these people and I’m not the most social person. Most of the time I’m happiest sitting in my room alone with a good book."

"I know precisely what you mean." She ran a hand through her long auburn hair. "What do you say we leave early and do something fun?"

"I don’t know. This is my party..."

"And you just said that you hardly know anyone. We’ll leave after the formal announcement. Come on, nobody will miss us."

Angel thought about it for a couple of moments before agreeing. "Alright. What do you have in mind?"

The young woman grinned. "Something very fun. I guarantee it."

********

Daniella unlocked the door to her apartment. "Won’t you come in, Angel?" she invited.

"Okay."

"I just need to change out of this dress. It makes me feel like I’m a young girl playing dress-up. Make yourself at home while I am changing." She walked into her bedroom, heading for her closet.

Her father wanted her to do whatever it took to get Angel to forget about his girlfriend. Daniella didn’t see the point in beating around the bush, she decided to go right for the jugular and make her intentions known. She reached inside and pulled out a black nightgown from a padded hanger. ‘He seems like the type who likes dark colors. This will be just the ticket,’ she said to herself.

Stepping out of her green dress, she hung it up and dressed herself in the black nightgown. She piled her hair seductively on top of her head, then adjusted her makeup in front of the mirror. Deciding she looked perfect, she went back into the front room.

Angel sat on the couch, staring at his hands. He felt uncomfortable being in Daniella’s home. All he wanted to do was be at home in his own apartment, vegging on the couch with Buffy in his arms. When Daniella came out of her room and Angel saw her, he had never wanted to be home in Sunnydale more than right then.

"D-Daniella," he stuttered.

"Hi."

"What are you doing? Why are you dressed like that?"

"I told you I was changing. Don’t you like my nightgown?" she pouted.

He kept his gaze on her face, not her voluptuous curves. "I don’t know what you think is going to happen tonight, Daniella, but you are dead wrong if you expect me to sleep with you."

She slithered over to him, straddling him with her knees. "How about I change your mind?" She pushed his suit coat aside, unbuttoning a few of Angel’s shirt buttons and ran her fingers over his chest.

He didn’t know what to do, he’d never been in such a position before. His thoughts ran to Buffy and how much he loved her. There was no way he would ever betray her, not even to please the Watcher’s Council. Angel pushed Daniella’s hands from him.

"Get off me," he ordered.

"Don’t be such a prude, Angel. You want it just as much as I do."

He shook his head. "No, you’re wrong, Daniella."

She stood up. "Maybe I’m not."

"I have a girlfriend and I love her very much. I won’t cheat on her with you."

"Ah yes. Buffy," she said scornfully.

Angel glared at her. "What do you know about Buffy?"

"Only that she’s the current Slayer and that you’re screwing her."

Anger flared within him. Who was this girl to make comments regarding him and Buffy? "Who did you hear that from?"

"My father." Daniella couldn’t see the point in lying to him. She felt bad for him. Everyone was working against him. She didn’t want to be one of them. "Everybody knows about you two. Why do you think you are here? Because her Watcher wanted you out of her life. He told my father to find a reason for you to leave Sunnydale and he did. So here you are."

"Where do you fit into all this?" Angel wanted to know.

"Daddy enlisted my help. He wanted me to help you forget about your Buffy. His previous plans didn’t seem to be working."

"What plans?"

"I’m not sure. I’ve heard him mention something about intercepting letters."

Angel got up from the couch and put his coat back on. "Thank you, Daniella, for being so truthful with me. It’s nice to know that there is somebody out there willing to tell me the truth." He moved toward the door.

"Angel, I am very sorry for everything. I only did what my father asked me to," Daniella apologized.

"I know."

"Are you in love with this Buffy?"

Angel nodded. "Yes, I am."

Daniella smiled at him. His love for the Slayer was written all over his face. "Then I wish you all the happiness in the world. Good luck, Angel."

********

Angel didn’t bother knocking on the door before entering George Smythe’s office the next day. He looked up at the young man who had just entered.

"Angel, hello. What can I do for you?"

"I demand an explanation."

"I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Then let me refresh your memory. Taking my letters to Buffy, telling your daughter to seduce me, keeping me away from telephones. Etc. Does any of this ring a bell for you?" Angel asked.

"We only did what we thought was best for you."

Angel took a deep breath. "We? As in you and Giles?"

"Yes. Angel, I have taken it upon myself to secure you a job on the Hellmouth in Cleveland," Mr. Smythe told him.

"Cleveland? No, my life, my home is in Sunnydale."

"Not anymore. You leave for Cleveland in two days."

Angel pounded his fist on the desk. "No! Everyone I care about, everyone I love is in Sunnydale."

"I’m sorry. You asked to be stationed on the Hellmouth and I arranged for it."

He shook his head in disbelief. "You know, I never thought I’d be forced to choose between the life I’ve always wanted and the woman I love. I’ve always wanted to be a Watcher. My whole life, I grew up knowing about what goes bump in the night and wanted to help in the fight against those things. And the Watcher’s Council took care of me growing up. But now that I have fallen in love, you think you can tell me that I can’t be with her? No, I don’t think so. If you force me to choose between the two of you, you may not like my choice."

"Don’t do this, son."

"Son? Don’t call me that. I’m not your son. The only parent I have ever had is dead," Angel spat.

"We know of your relationship with Buffy Summers. And while I do not believe it’s a good idea, I don’t want you to waste your talent and intellect. If you want to be with the Slayer, the Watcher’s Council will not interfere," Mr. Smythe promised.

"You’re serious?" Angel couldn’t believe it.

Mr. Smythe nodded. "I am. You are quite an asset to us. We don’t want to lose you over a petty difference. Angel, you may return to Sunnydale and study the Hellmouth there. I shall make the arrangements."

Angel sighed with relief. "I appreciate your cooperation."

"I wish you well. We all do."

********

Part 3

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