Title: Redemption
Author: Racheal Owens
Rating: 13 - 15
Summary: Post Buffy Season 7 and before Angel Season 5. B/A with a little Spike thrown in.

Spoilers: End of Buffy Season 7 and Angel Season 4
Disclaimer: All characters and settings taken fom either 'Buffy' or 'Angel' are Joss Whedon's creation. They belong to him, not me.

Angel turned a corner into one of the alleys near his new apartment; Los Angeles hadn't been so quiet in the last few months, and now all was silent, at least for the time being, leaving Angel alone with his thoughts. Although it was a relief not to have to worry about some immediate danger or apocalypse, Angel was far from calm. Not only had he given Conner a new life without him in it, accepted a deal from Lilah and the all evil Law Firm Wolfram and Hart, he hadn't heard from Buffy. The world hadn't ended as far as he could tell, due to the fact that Los Angeles was still standing, but he couldn't say the same for Sunnydale. Buffy might have stopped the Hellmouth from opening and the world from ending, but that didn't necessarily ensure her safety. The last time Buffy had been in a fight to the death, she had done it; saved the world. But at a cost: her own life.

Angel shook his head and with it all thoughts of Buffy's death left his mind, last time, yes he had coped, but he'd got her back…and he wasn't prepared to lose her again. Especially not now there was some hope that they'd be reunited.

Before Angel carried on walking he paused, albeit for a moment, sensing that something wasn't right.

He could've sworn that he'd heard something, but the noise had disappeared as quickly as he had first heard it. Frustrated he sighed; at least a bit of action might take his mind off things. There it was again, Angel followed the sounds, which, as he got nearer, he realised were the sounds of a struggle.

In a rush now, Angel reached the scene of commotion just in time to see a vampire become a cloud of grey dust, and as the cloud began to clear, Angel recognised the face behind it: it was the face of the woman he loved.

"Buffy." Angel breathed a sigh of relief.

"Angel…I…uh…world didn't end." She smiled a little shyly.

Angel couldn't help but let a smile creep onto his lips, "So I see… and you decided to celebrate by slaying more vampires?" he asked amused.

"Actually I was planning a long break from…slaying."

"Aha…"

"Okay," she began, looking a little sheepishly at the stake she still held in her hand, "I'll give you that it doesn't look too convincing now, but that was the original plan." She sighed, looking down at her now ruined clothes. "So…got somewhere I can change?"

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"It's nice…" Buffy began, shifting her weight a little nervously from one foot to the next, feeling more than a bit uncomfortable in Angel's home.

"Yeah," Angel replied while turning the lights on in the living room of the apartment, "I er got it from a…well an evil dead lawyer actually…it's kinda complicated…"

"Okay," Buffy nodded, "and from your face I'm guessing that this is one of those things where you really don't want too many questions, so, I'll just not." Upon seeing Angel's apologetic look Buffy quickly broke eye contact, choosing to take another look at the curtains; their sea of black material suddenly becoming very inviting.

"I'm sorry."

"No, Angel. Look, we haven't lived in each other's lives for a long time now."

"Right," he replied, his voice becoming a little older, but only for a second. "So…the bathroom…is that way, second door on your left." He continued, looking her up and down noticing the dirt and blood marring her skin and clothes, and the weariness hidden deep in her eyes.

"Erm…I …er, have a slight problem in that I have no clothes to change into…"

"Here let me get you something," Angel said disappearing into a room, which Buffy presumed was his Bedroom, he emerged carrying a black shirt. "You can just wear this for now, I can get you some clothes tomorrow." Then off her look he added, " I won't ask now, I'll get us some coffee and then we can talk."

"Angel? Thank you." She said taking the clothes before walking into the bathroom and closing the door.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Buffy stepped into the living room to see Angel carrying over two steaming cups of coffee. "Please," he said handing her a black mug while motioning to his leather suite, "make yourself at home."

As Buffy sat down she suddenly winced and clutched her stomach. Concerned Angel put his coffee down and sat next to her, gently moving her hand away to reveal blood. "What have you done?"

"Oh, ... um... I was sort of...stabbed."

"God Buffy, why the hell didn't you say anything?" He said getting up.

"It was fine, I must have just knocked it in the shower or something."