AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'M REPOSTING THE CHAPTERS BECAUSE I REACHED MY DOCUMENT LIMIT ON
I EDITED A BIT HERE AND THERE. HOPE YOU LIKE. X X
TITLE: RAGING MOON– SEQUEL TO DARK HEART
DISCLAIMER: I ONLY OWN THE STORY AND THE FICTIONAL CHARACTERS I MAKE UP.
DISTRIBUTION: PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF IT GOES ANYWHERE.
SUMMARY: SEQUEL TO DARK HEART - AU. BUFFY AND ANGELUS ARE WOLVES. NEW CHALANGES ARISE FOR BUFFY AND ANGELUS WHEN AN UNEXPECTED CHARACTER FROM ANGELUS' PAST SHOWS UP, HOW WIL BUFFY DEAL?
TIMELINE: SET ABOUT A YEAR AFTER THE END OF DARK HEART.
REVIEWS/FEEDBACK: YES PLEASE. IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. IT FUELS THE MUSE!
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
I'M REPOSTING THE CHAPTERS BECAUSE I REACHED MY DOCUMENT LIMIT ON
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO READ, REVIEWED AND SENT FEEDBACK ON DARK HEART!
I KNOW I HAVE BEEN PROMISING A SEQUEL FOR A WHILE NOW AND I'M SORRY FOR TAKING SO LONG AND KEEPING EVERYONE WAITING. I PLAN ON WORKING ON IT AS MUCH AS I CAN AND I HOPE TO HAVE IT FINISHED SOON. THIS STORY IS MY BABY AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT FINISHED SO NO WORRIES….THERE WILL BE A SEQUEL.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS ONLY A TEASER AND IT'S A VERY ROUGH DRAFT OF THE FIRST CHAPTER OF THE SEQUEL AND THERE ARE MISTAKES. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK. I LOVE FEEDBACK!
CHAPTER 1
LOS ANGELES, HYPERION HOTEL
Buffy slowly became aware of her surroundings. Rolling over in the plush bed she was sleeping in, she stretched her aching muscles. She reached over searching for the body that had been warming hers last night but her hand only met air.
A sudden fear crept into her soul. He had been next to her just a few hours ago. Feeling panic starting to rise she got up from the bed, wrapping the black silk sheet around her naked body to cover her naked flesh.
Moving into the bathroom she found it empty, the mirror was still fogged up signaling that the shower had recently been used. Turning around she made her way over to the bedroom door. Just as she was about to reach for the handle the door opened revealing Angelus with a tray.
"Up already my love? I wanted to surprise you with breakfast in bed?" Came his reply.
"I was looking for you" Buffy said relieved
"I'm right here, get back into bed then we can eat" Angelus reassured her. Angelus' voice in the morning was always husky and made her head spin. It was one of the most seductive sounds that were purely Angelus.
Settling back into his large poster bed Buffy tucked the sheet around herself. He set the tray down and joined her. "How did you sleep?" Angelus asked concerned as he looked at her delicate face.
Not looking at him and deciding to focus on a bagel instead Buffy replied off-handedly "Fine thanx, you?"
Quiet at first, Angelus regarded the petite blond next to him. He knew she didn't sleep 'fine'. Most nights he had to shake her awake. Her dreams had gotten more vivid, more real and it didn't just scare Buffy, he was now worried as well.
"No use in trying to hide it Buffy. I was next to you all night. I felt you shaking, I heard you talking and I felt your body dripping with sweat from the panic" Angelus stated in a flat voice. He couldn't understand why she didn't want to tell him about it.
Dragging her eyes up to Angelus she looked at him silently for a few seconds. Sighing she rubbed her hand over her forehead, she had a massive headache once again, like most mornings these days.
"It's very vague. I can't see the faces of the people in my dream. We were in your office at the Hyperion talking, then you said something that upset me but I couldn't hear what it was. We started fighting and just as I was about to leave another woman came storming into your office. She ran to you and grabbed you buy the neck then she jumped with you through the window and you both burst into flames. I woke up shortly after"
Chewing his food Angelus wasn't sure what to say at first. The dream sounded pretty upsetting to him, he could only imagine what the images of the dream would have felt like for Buffy. He couldn't help but think how he would react if the roles were reversed and something like that would have happened to Buffy while he looked on.
Shaking those thoughts from his mind he looked at Buffy once again. He lightly took her by the elbow and brought her close to him. He placed a soft kiss on top of her head and held her to him. "Don't worry baby. Nothing is going to happen to me, I promise."
Buffy just nodded but didn't reply. She was worried sick that something would happen to Angelus. But unlike him she believed her dreams were trying to tell her something.
"I was thinking, maybe we could get a shaman to read you. Maybe they can shed some light on theses dreams you keep having." He knew Buffy wasn't very fond of supernatural remedies but he was getting really worried about her. He can't remember the last time she had gotten a decent night's sleep.
The fact that he couldn't keep watch over her every night made it that much worse.
Despite things going great between them for the past year Buffy still hadn't agreed to move back to Los Angeles yet. She spent weekends with him and the pack but she still lived in Sunnydale. She was scared of moving too fast.
He felt like he wanted to shake her by the shoulders. Some nights he got so worried he drove to Sunnydale in the middle of the night, ending up on her doorstep at 2am. She never complained or said anything. Just took him to her room and fell asleep in his arms. The next morning he would beg her to come back with him. But she never gave in, claiming she was not ready yet. Although he wanted her with him, he didn't want to pressure her when she still wasn't ready.
"I was hoping you could spend the week with me here." Angelus said, hoping she would agree. Although he knew she might probably say no, he still kept trying.
Buffy gave him a small hesitant smile "Only this week?"
Angelus was silent at first then her words dawned on him. He couldn't keep the smile from spreading on his face. "You mean…?" he stuttered a reply between bites of food.
"If you still want me, yeah" her reply was silent, uncertainty evident in her voice.
Throwing his toast down on the plate he grabbed Buffy and hoisted her into his lap hugging her to him. "Yes! You know I want you to move back with me. You have no idea how happy you just made me" Angelus nearly shouted. He was smiling so broadly his face was starting to hurt. Not that he cared; all he wanted was to have Buffy back with him and the pack. After months and months of trying, she had finally agreed.
"Oh, I thought I made you happy last night…" she trailed off into a giggle kissing Angelus and pushing him down into the bed. He landed between the pillows with a soft thud. Placing his hand on her neck he pulled her mouth down to his. For the next few hours he showed Buffy just how happy she made him.
####
A few hours later, Angelus had yet to fall asleep. His mind kept drifting back to what Buffy had said earlier. After more than a year of pleading she had finally agreed to move back to L.A. After what had happened with Spike she had refused to rush back into things. He understood that she was still uncertain, he would have been too if he were in here shoes.
So they agreed to take things slow. He had no doubt that the pack would be happy to have her back as well. The kids asked him every day when she would return to them. Just like him, Morgan & Cooper were crazy about Buffy.
When she was visiting she often spent time with them when Angelus was working. He knew Buffy loved them to bits. She was always so gentle and careful with them and they loved it when she went out running with them in the forest.
Turning to lay on his side he looked at Buffy's sleeping face. To him she was still the most beautiful person he had ever seen. Her caring and compassionate nature touched everyone. He still had difficulty dealing with what happened last year. Spike had almost killed her, she would have been lost to him forever.
And that all out of jealousy. Angelus had never picked up on Spike's feelings. But he had been blind. Whenever Buffy was near Spike, his entire aura changed. He would look at her in a certain way that Angelus couldn't place.
Buffy had never said anything to him but he had known she felt uncomfortable around Spike. He found it odd because she was very comfortable with all the other members of the pack. He never gave it much thought as he figured that their personalities were just very different and that was the why of it.
If he had known how deep Spike's obsession had gone he would have stepped in and addressed the situation. Granted he wasn't sure what he would have done. At that time he had only know Buffy for a very short time while Spike had been part of the pack for a few years.
Angelus was still very ashamed of his reaction when everything happened. He had believed Spike over Buffy and had her thrown from his life, and he had almost paid the price. In the back of his mind he knew Buffy was innocent but Spike was a great manipulator and he had Angelus fooled. Luckily for them, Willow had seen right through him.
Angelus could not imagine his life without Buffy anymore. The joy he felt when she agreed to move back in with him could not be described. He vowed he would do whatever it took to make her happy again. He pulled her tiny frame against his own and snuggled his face in the crook of her neck and fell asleep peacefully for the first time in months.
###
"Good morning, glad to see you've decided to join us on this fine morning" Gunn said to Buffy and Angelus when they entered the kitchen the following morning.
Buffy blushed a bright shade of red and tried to hide the embarrassment on her face. Angelus ignored Gunn's remark and went to grab two plates for the buffet that Fred and Lark had prepared. Gunn often joked around with Buffy but she was still getting used to it. Her shy nature still made her blush at the faintest remarks, and he found that irresistible.
"Morning Gunn. Glad to see you slept well" Buffy replied in a friendly voice, her cheeks still burning from his previous comment. She knew he meant nothing by it and she was glad that he always made those jokes with her, even if she got embarrassed sometimes.
"Always. Slept like a baby. Here try this, Alyssa sure knows how to make waffles." Gunn said as he handed a half eaten waffle over to Buffy. She just giggled at him and took the offered food then stuffed it into her mouth.
"Wow, this really is good. I've almost forgotten how good a cook she is." A moan nearly escaped her mouth as the wonderful taste assaulted her taste buds.
"Yeah well if you lived here you wouldn't forget such valuable information." Gunn joked as he was filling his plate with food.
Before Buffy could utter a reply Angelus beat her to it. "Lucky for us, your fine persuasion skills have finally paid off. Buffy is moving back next week" He said with a smile on his face.
Gunn was shocked speechless at first then a broad smile broke on his face as well. "Hell yeah! Glad you came to your senses! Come here blondie…" Gunn said while grabbing Buffy and embraced her in a tight hug.
Buffy was surprised at first but then welcomed the hug and returned it with equal enthusiasm. Over the past year she had started to feel a special brotherly bond with the friendly man. He was always in a great mood no matter what. Often cracking jokes to get everyone else in on the good mood, and Buffy had to admit, it always worked.
"It's going to be great to have you back. Old Angelus over there was starting to work on my nerves with his constant brooding. Now we can all start to relax again. The kids are going to be delighted to hear this." Then Gunn disappeared into the dining room.
Angelus came over and handed a plate filled with food to Buffy. "There is no way I can eat all this." She said to him as she stared in wonder at the plate stacked with food. Stacked didn't fully describe it, it looked more like a mountain of food that was about to spill over at any second.
"Nonsense. You've eaten a lot more at times, I've seen it. Come on let's get to the dining room. You've made me work up a huge appetite." Angelus grinned mischievously at her and gave her bum a squeeze to emphasize his point.
When they entered the dining room Buffy was suddenly embraced by Morgan and Cooper. Grabbing her plate Angelus just smiled and moved to take his place at the large table. He had seen the two kids running up to them before they even entered the room. Buffy was a strong wolf but there was no way she could handle the two kids embracing her and keep her plate off the floor.
"Were so glad you're moving back here Buffy." Embracing them in return, Buffy smiled down at them, "So am I kids, I missed you guys very much and I couldn't bear to be away from everyone."
Angelus carefully watched the exchange between Buffy and the kids. She was great with them, everyone could see it. She always had this certain air about her when the kids were around. He had no doubt that she would be a great mother one day.
As the day went by each member expressed their joy that Buffy was moving back. She had been somewhat uncertain about her decision in the beginning, but not anymore. She was starting to feel a certain sense of peace settle over her. She was back where she belonged.
Later that night Buffy regarded Angelus as she lay on his bed. He had just gotten out of the shower and was busy putting on a pair of boxers. They hadn't gotten much time to talk during the day.
"Angel?" Buffy said in a sweet voice trying to get his attention.
"Yes my love?" Angelus knew that tone of voice very well and a grin spread over his face as he waited for her to continue
"Are you sure you want me to move back here with you? Maybe I should get an apartment first and then we can take it from there."
Angelus was slightly taken aback at what she was saying. He moved over to the bed and got in next to Buffy, pulling her into his lap. "No. There is no way I'm letting you stay at some apartment building. I want you here with me, next to me every night" Angelus said with certainty in his voice.
Buffy smiled then moved to kiss him. Angelus' eyes drifted shut at the sensations she caused in him. He quickly flipped them over and settled above her. Placing feather light kisses from her jaw to her neck, he heard Buffy utter a soft moan of enjoyment. "Do you still have doubts that I want you here with me every night?"
"Well, it's getting less. Maybe you should just continue a bit more just to fully erase any doubts I might have" Buffy panted between breaths. It was very hard for her to concentrate on anything when he was kissing her.
"Whatever you want my love." Angelus grinned and continued to do just that and much more. He had no problem at all with that suggestion. A smiled tugged at the corners of his lips as he placed soft kisses farther down her body.
END CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
HYPERION HOTEL
"Good Morning Buffy. I can't tell you how excited I am that you're moving back here. It was getting pretty lonely without you here you know. And Angelus was grouchy, well…more than normal." Fred rambled on. Buffy just smiled and nodded at the dark haired girl.
Fred was very sweet and also a very intelligent human girl. She started working for Angelus about six months ago, running the science division of Wolfram and Hart. Although Fred was very shy and insecure she sure had a few of the male members of the packin a twist.
Both Wesley and Gunn were taken with the mousy girl even though neither said anything. These days Wesley conducted most of his work near the science wing, which also happens to be were Fred was working. When Lark and Groo teased Wesley about this he would just smile and gather his things then head back to his office without uttering a word.
Fred was also a very calm and understanding person. Buffy remembered not too long ago Fred stumbled upon Gunn late one evening and saw him change into his wolf form. Everyone suspected that she would run screaming and blast it out for everyone willing to listen. She did neither.
She cautiously approached Gunn and studied him through her glasses. Gunn, who was still reeling from the shock of being discovered stood still as she peered at him. One moment she was looking at him the next she got up and dragged him to the lab. Fred talked and talked but no-one understood a word what she was saying.
When all the excitement had finally died down she explained that she was going to study his biology and his "inner workings." Angelus arrived later from a meeting only to find everyone going nearly insane. As he approached Fred she spun around and asked him the last thing he would have thought "Are you one too? This is amazing. I can't believe it. Come look at this Angelus. His DNA samples changed when he changed. The molecular structure totally re-arranged itself to accompany the change. Amazing!"
Everyone feared that they had a crazy woman on their hands but had not needed to worry. The next day Fred came to see Angelus in his office. She could not conceal her excitement at all. "Can I research this farther please? I promise to take your secret to my grave. Do you know how exciting this is? Wow…it's just…wow. Werewolves, who would have thought that my boss is a wolf? It's amazing!" She finished with a shout.
After a while Angelus couldn't help but join in on her excitement. He knew he could trust Fred with the secret they all shared. He agreed to let her research them, but each pack member was to decide on their own if they wanted to be studied. So far everyone had joined in except Buffy. Fred sometimes joined them out in the woods when they were out running and studied their behavior.
The pack welcomed her with open arms. Although Buffy and Fred were not best friends they got along great. Just like Buffy she didn't have any family in L.A. so the pack was the closest thing to a family she had.
"What do you think about Gunn? I've been studying him and I must say…he's a real interesting specimen." Fred said and blushed
Buffy was silent at first. Had Fred just expressed her interest in Gunn to her? "I think he's great. A real gentleman."
Once again Fred smiled and moved close to Buffy "Don't tell anyone but I think I have a crush on him."
Crush? Buffy hadn't heard that word since she had been in junior high. "I'm pretty sure the feeling is mutual Fred"
"Really? Oh my. Really? I have to get back to work. See ya" and just like that she was gone. Buffy laughed to herself then left to go find Willow.
####
WOLFRAM & HART
MEDICAL WING
"Buffy, hey. I was wondering when you were going to drop by." Willow smiled as she placed a folder in the filing cabinet. Willow believed in organized chaos and her office was a great reflection of that. Her desk was littered with papers and her filling cabined was getting too small.
"Hey Wills. Sorry I haven't been around to see you earlier, things have just been a bit crazy" Buffy said trying to explain why she hadn't been around to see her friend yet.
"You're telling me. So what's up?" Willow knew that all too well. She herself was being buried under all the work.
"I was wondering if you would go to the mall with me tonight. Angelus said we're going to some ball and I need a dress" Buffy asked not sure if Willow would be able to join her. She didn't want to go alone and she needed another woman's opinion. It was common knowledge that women needed their friend's approval before buying anything.
"Oh the charity ball for the homeless shelter. Now that you mentioned it, I still have to get a dress as well. Sure thing we can leave after work." If Buffy hadn't reminded her she would have completely forgotten about the ball. Tara would not be happy with her if she forgot again because it would then mean that she would have to go looking for a dress for Willow.
"Great. Thanx Will. See you after work then" Just as she was about to leave Willow called her. "It's good to have you back" She said sincerely. She had missed Buffy terribly and was very happy that Buffy had decided to move back.
"It's good to be back" Buffy smiled at her then left her.
####
Buffy had probably tried on seven dresses and still not found what she was looking for. She was getting tired and almost wanted to give up on the search for the perfect dress. Feeling frustrated Buffy was on the verge of telling Angelus that she would not join him to the charity ball.
Cordelia had overheard them speaking about dress shopping and joined them. Her crazy shopping addiction was driving Buffy and Willow insane. Cordelia found no less than four dresses for the ball. Willow was looking at a stunning dark blue off the shoulder dress and by the looks of things she had just found her dress for the ball.
Sighing with irritability Buffy hung back the yellow dress she had just tried on. She was never going to find anything. It wasn't like she could wear something in her closet because she didn't have those types of formal dresses.
She had never even been to anything resembling a formal dress function, much less a charity ball where all the richest people of L.A. we going to be. Buffy knew she was going to stick out from all the beautiful people who would be there and then Angelus would be ashamed to been seen with her. It would probably be better if he just went on his own.
"Buffy. Look at this dress. It would look perfect on you! You have to try it on." Cordelia called from behind her. Buffy was not in the mood to try on another of Cordelia's unusual dresses. Buffy had gone along with it in the beginning but not anymore. Cordelia acted as if Buffy was her own personal dress up doll.
As she turned around she came face to face with the most stunning white dress she had ever seen. It was plain yet every elegant with white silk fabric. It's was long, asymmetrical design with one shoulder hugged her slim figure in all the right places and sloped at the rear, stopping a few inches above her bum.
Cordelia didn't even have to march her to the dressing room to try on the dress. Once Buffy tried the dress on she fell in love with it. She could hardly stop looking at her reflection in the mirror. The dress was gorgeous, she almost felt like a fairy princess in the dress.
"See. What did I tell you? I'm a genius. Come look how gorgeous she looks Willow" Cordelia said as she poked her head into Buffy's dressing room. Cordelia couldn't see Willow from where she was standing so she decided to shout in hopes of locating the redhead. It caused a few heads to turn in their direction. Not that Cordelia cared, she just went back to looking what else the boutique had.
"It looks perfect on you. Angelus will love it" Willow voiced her approval once she emerged from the other dressing room.
Looking at her reflection in the wall to wall mirrors Buffy just smiled and turned to look herself over once again. Her delicate back was on display in a tasteful manner and the slit showed only a hint of her creamy upper thigh. She most definitely wouldn't look out of place at the ball now.
####
WOLFRAM & HART OFFICES
"No. There is no way I'm asking him Cordelia so just forget about it" Buffy said in a stern voice as she glared at Cordelia, hoping to stare her down.
"Why the hell not? You're supposed to ask him. Well not ask really, just take. I do it all the time and Groo doesn't mind one bit. He never complains. Why can't you just do the same?" Cordelia was at her wits end. She didn't for the life of her understand what Buffy was going on about.
"I just can't ok? Look I don't have to ask him anything, I'm going to do it myself anyway. What's the big deal?" Buffy said as she turned and walked back to the lobby. Try as she might she didn't know why Cordelia could not just drop the subject. Her mind was made up and nothing Cordelia said would change it.
"What's the big deal? Are you kidding me? You can't wear that gorgeous dress and do your hair and nails yourself. It's just morally wrong. Tara please explain to Buffy that because I'm not getting it thorough to her" Cordelia threw her hands into the air and looked over at the shy woman in hopes of getting some help.
"What are we talking about exactly?" Tara asked attentively. From the looks of things Buffy and Cordelia were in a rather heated argument. Both women were very strong willed and she didn't know what was going on.
"Buffy has this great dress for the charity ball, it's beautiful Tara you should see it. But now she doesn't want to ask Angelus for money so that she can go do her hair and nails. She wants to do it herself. Pfft!" Cordelia replied in a huff before Buffy could even get a word in.
"I can do it myself if I want to and that's the end of it. I'm not going to ask Angelus anything." Buffy shot back with equal fever.
"Fine!" Cordelia seemed to be giving in. Obviously it was too much trouble arguing with Buffy further about.
"Fine then." Buffy shot back, relieved that Cordelia was finally letting up. She was worried at one point that Cordelia would never give in.
Both women turned on their heels and walked in separate directions. Tara stared at the two women walking in opposite directions with wide eyes. What the hell just happened? Tara thought to herself as she shook her head.
Just as Buffy neared the exit she heard Cordelia say in a raised, stern voice, "I'll ask him for you then"
Buffy's hand halted above the door handle as she heard the words. Looking over her shoulder she saw Cordelia make her way over to Angelus' office. Buffy turned and started to sprint in her direction although she knew that she was going to be too late. Cordelia was only a few feet away from Angelus' office and she was nearly out of the lobby. "Cordelia don't!" But she was already inside Angelus' office.
Cordelia threw open his office door, not caring if he was in a meeting with clients or not, "Angelus you have to give Buffy some money so that she can do her hair and stuff for the ball next weeeek…" The last word came out in a howl as Buffy nearly tackled her to the ground.
Angelus could not believe the scene before him. Cordelia and Buffy were grabbing and pulling at each other like two school girls. Buffy was breathing hard and wasn't wearing any shoes, obviously having lost them while chasing after Cordelia. Seconds later Tara entered into his office as well. As her eyes made contact with his, Tara halted and grabbed the door to keep from topping over.
He was silent at first then he shook his head to clear the confusion that was forming. "What the hell is going on?" He said in a stern voice and both females halted their struggles to look at the alpha male before them. They let go of each other and stood up straight at the sound of his voice..
Angelus looked to Gunn and Wesley but they both just shrugged and kept on staring wide eyed at the two ladies.
"Buffy doesn't want to ask you for money so that she can do her hair and nails for the ball next week" Cordelia quickly answered.
"Cordelia! I swear I'm going to get you for this" Buffy mumbled softly but Angelus' keen hearing picked it up.
"Guys, would you excuse us for a minute please" Angelus asked the other members who were sitting in his office. Everyone except Cordelia quickly left the office.
"This is insane Angelus, you should see the beautiful dress she got for the ball but now she doesn't want to ask you so that she can get her hair and nails done. I'm not saying she's not going to look good but come on, it's all part of the experience. Talk some sense into her please." Cordelia said exasperated
"Thank you Cordelia. I can handle it from here" Angelus just wanted to talk to Buffy alone. Cordelia was usually a drama queen and he never paid her much attention when she acted like that. But if she had gone through all the trouble to come see him he knew it was a 'serious' matter, in her eyes anyway.
"Great. Ok, I'm out of here. My tanning appointment starts in 15 minutes and I hate to be late. See you guys later" Cordelia said as she rushed out of his office. By the look on her face she was unfazed by what had just happed, as if it was a normal everyday occurrence.
"Baby?" Angelus asked as he approached Buffy slowly, she looked about ready to bolt from his office.
"Ok I don't know what just happened but just forget her little outburst and then I will see you at home tonight. Bye." Buffy made a dash for the door but didn't make it. Angelus moved at a speed she rarely saw him use. He wasn't about to let her get away that easily.
His fingers softly gripped her elbow stopping her movement and then she felt his strong muscular arms circle her waist, effectively halting her escape. She looked up at the man towering over her. As her eyes met his dark brooding ones she couldn't help but fall in love with him all over again.
Angelus felt all resistance leave her body as she became soft in his embrace. "Please tell me why you don't want to ask me for money." He said as he nuzzled the soft area where her neck and should met. Buffy's head fell forward and she closed her eyes at his ministrations but placed her hands on his chest, pushed lightly and tried to dislodge his embrace.
Feeling her pushing at him he tightened his grip slightly and pulled her body fully against his own. If only she would give up and tell him what was going on. No matter, he had some very good persuasion skills that he loved using on her. The feel of her soft skin against his lips made his body respond in kind.
She felt his arm around her waist pulling her more fully against him and then he was lifting her into the air and straight into his waiting arms. As he cradled her against him he moved them over to the plush leather coach in the corner of his office and sat down with Buffy straddling his waist.
After making himself comfortable he looked up into her emerald eyes and asked her again. "Tell me please." He had some trouble concentrating on the matter at hand. With Buffy straddling him he could only think of taking her body against his and having his way with her. Now was not the time and he forced himself to regain control.
Buffy sighed and kept quiet at first, not daring to look at him. She was too embarrassed and didn't know what to say. She felt Angelus' hand move from her hip and down her thigh. He slowly inched his hand under her sundress and cupped her firm bottom in his large able hand. Squealing in delight she braced her hands on either side of his head then placed a slow, lingering kiss on his lips.
Angelus smiled at her attempt to draw his attention away. "Hmm, a very effective tactic but not working in your favor at the moment I'm afraid" Angelus said as he drew back to look at her once again. He didn't remove his hand from her bum though, he liked the feel of it in his hand way too much to let it go now.
"I just don't feel right asking you for money" Buffy said in a small voice as she once again looked away from him. She couldn't bare to see the look on his face right now.
"Why? You know I would never deny you anything." Angelus answered, still not really understanding what the problem was.
"It just feels strange. I don't like asking for things. I have no problem doing things for myself so why should I waste your money on unnecessary things like that. It's not right." The words just rushed out of her mouth. She tried getting up but he held her firmly in place.
Angelus frowned at her. Finally, the answer he had been waiting for. Buffy never asked for much. In fact, she never asked for anything at all come to think of it. She never went out shopping with the girls and didn't go out for cocktails with them either. All his previous female companions had done that quite often but Buffy never did, he just thought she didn't like those kinds of stuff. What an idiot he had been.
Angelus wanted to slap himself as it dawned on him. He knew Buffy didn't have lots of money. She worked at a small restaurant back at Sunnydale and he knew she didn't make much except for tips. After agreeing to move back to L.A. she quit her job and had yet to get a new job.
He didn't expect her to work, wouldn't mind if she didn't want to work again but he knew she wanted to. Her money must have run out rather quickly especially when she had to pay for a dress for the ball.
It never occurred to him to give her his credit card before they went. He had been so absorbed in work that he only realized afterwards that she had gone dress shopping after she came back from the mall with Willow and Cordelia.
Knowing Cordelia she must have taken them to the most expensive boutiques in L.A. No wonder she wanted to do her preparations herself, she didn't have money to spend on stuff like that. Buffy would die before asking anyone for anything. She had too much pride and self respect for her own good.
Feeling like a total idiot he closed his eyes and mentally kicked himself. /Nice going Angelus. She moves all this way for you but you neglect to care for her. What a great partner you are.\\
"Baby, I'm so sorry I didn't think of this before. You should have told me you needed money. I'm still new at this whole thing so you have to help me when I forget or don't do the right thing. Or we will have another repeat of Cordelia's performance."
"I can't ask that of you Angel. I'm going for a job interview tomorrow and if all goes well I'll be employed by the end of the week." Buffy told him, proud of herself that she might get a new job so quickly.
"I don't care if you never work again. You don't have to work Buffy. I want to take care of you. What's mine is yours, I've told you this before. You can take my credit card till yours is delivered. And please, don't be shy to use it ok?" Angelus said as he looked into her eyes. He wanted her to know he meant every word.
Buffy smiled and nodded at him thankfully, once again counting her blessings.
"Now why haven't you told me you have a job interview tomorrow?" Angelus said getting serious again.
"They just phoned me. That's why I was here, I wanted to come tell you but Cordelia ran into me in the lobby and that's when this whole fiasco started." It was getting harder for her to concentrate on the current conversation. Angelus had gently started to knead her bum again and it was having an effect on her.
"Where is it? What position?" He could tell he was making it hard for her. Her breath came out in shallow gasps and she was taking rather long to reply. He could not get enough of the woman on top of him. Looking past her to make sure the door was closed he returned his attention back to Buffy. As much as he liked playing games he didn't want any other males to see her during the throws of passion or her naked body. That was his and only his right.
And that was exactly what he was planning on doing…get her naked and ravish her right there on the couch. He didn't mind that it was in his office, people didn't dare to just barge in without knocking.
"It's at Urban Dynamics, it's for an assistant research position…" Buffy trailed off. It was becoming very obvious what Angelus had in mind and she would prefer if they ended this discussion very soon, there were more important things to deal with right now.
"Oh…?" Angelus' reply was muffled by her neck. He started to trail kisses all over and was now reaching her collar bone, paying attention to the delicate soft skin there. Her creamy skin tasted sweet and had a hint of vanilla, no doubt the body lotion she used. Try as he might he just couldn't get enough of her.
"Maybe I should…." Buffy tried to move, she wanted to make sure the door to his office was locked but his hands held firm around her hips, effectively holding her in place. From the bulge she felt beneath her she was sure she wouldn't be leaving his office anytime soon. Perfectly fine with her.
"No…stay still…" Angelus growled. If she dared to move… His control was very close to snapping. Buffy always did that to him. Where she was concerned he had trouble keeping himself under wraps. He heard her speak but the words didn't register in his brain. Nothing did for the next hour…
END CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
The week passed in a blur. Finally the night of the ball arrived and everyone was running around making the last arrangements and getting ready. Cordelia had been out all day, Willow and Tara were no-where in sight and Fred had also left earlier to go to the salon and start preparing for the ball later that evening.
Fred had been very excited when Gunn asked her to accompany him to the ball. Although Wesley was disappointed, he met a young, sophisticated woman named Virginia on a recent case and asked her to join him, it was their first official date. Wesley had never been a huge fan of dates but he was actually looking forward to their 'date' that night. Neither Lark nor Groo and dared to make fun of him again.
The men were all relaxing in the lobby of the Hyperion while the women were getting ready for the big night. One by one the girls emerged to meet their partners. Buffy was starting to get nervous. She had never been to anything resembling a fancy dress party and this was one of the most talked about events in L.A. At least she knew that Fred was just as nervous as her so she felt somewhat better. They could be nervous together.
Standing at the top of the stairs Buffy took a deep breath to try and steady her racing nerves. Making her way to the lobby she felt Angelus' eyes on her. She looked up to see the most handsome man. Angelus wore a tailored black suit with a deep crimson shirt and black tie. He was busy adjusting the cufflinks on his jacket and she could see the suit stretching to accommodate his muscular arms and back. Smiling at him she hopped he approved of the dress she wore.
Angelus was at a loss for words. Never had he seen Buffy look as stunning as she did tonight. The white silk dress caressed her body as she moved and the slit moved slightly higher on her leg revealing the smooth, tan skin underneath.
Her hair was styled in loose curls that fell softly around her subtly made up face. Her neck was bear and the dress emphasized her ample bust even more. Buffy came to a halt just a few feet before him and looked lovingly at her date. "You look very handsome tonight Mr. O'Rourke." Buffy said as she smiled up at him.
Angelus was silent at first, unable to wipe the grin off his face. "I'm most definitely the luckiest man at the party tonight. You look absolutely gorgeous Buffy." Angelus smiled at her. He was awestruck at her beauty.
Taking her hand in his, he led her out to the waiting limo. The other pack members had already left in their own rides. Once settled inside, the driver eased the car into the busy streets. Angelus moved slightly back and looked into her eyes. "I have something for you" He then reached to retrieve a medium sized square black box.
Angelus opened it to reveal a diamond encrusted necklace that took her breath away.
"Angel…I…" Buffy stammered, at a loss for word. She had never seen a piece of jewelry as stunning as this before.
"Don't say anything. Here let me put it on for you." He removed the necklace from the box and placed it around her neck. After fastening the clasp he moved his hand softly over her shoulder. "Beautiful"
"Angel, I don't know what to say…" Buffy moved her fingers very lightly over the piece of jewelry that was now adorning her neck. She still couldn't believe that he had just given it to her. It was obviously a very expensive piece and she couldn't help but worry that she might lose it.
"Well, you could tell me if you like it or not. I could always exchange it if you don't like it…" Angelus' eyes traced the movement of her fingers. He could see the disbelief and worry in her eyes and wanted to wipe it away right away. This was a gift and it fitted her beautifully.
"I love it. It's beautiful. Thank you." Buffy placed her hand on his thigh and gave a soft squeeze.
Instead of saying something he kissed her passionately.
####
CHARITY BALL AT THE HILTON HOTEL
They had been at the ball for nearly two hours and Buffy was having a great time. The food was define and the company even better. The auction had started a while ago but everyone was taking a short break to re-fill their drinks.
Angelus had left with Groo to get them more champagne and Buffy was chatting with Fred and Tara. The conference room was tastefully decorated in an 1800's theme, with the waiters dressed in matching clothes.
"There sure are a lot more people here than last year" Tara said as she looked at all the people around them. The charity ball usually attracted a lot of wealthy people and it just seemed to grow every year. She wasn't a fan of these events but as it went for a good cause she was more than happy to be a part of it.
"Oh? I thought this was the average size crowd." Fred answered also overlooking the crowd. Her eyes were big and taking in everything in the room. Gunn had enjoyed her amazement very much but wouldn't say so to anyone. He liked that Fred was so down to earth and easy-going.
Even though he was now a successful man, he was still grounded and never forgotten his roots. He had grown up on the harsh streets of L.A after his parents died when he was sixteen. It was only after the death of his parents that he found out he was born with wolf genes. His sister was normal but had stood by him during his first transformation.
Suddenly he was forced to grow up and look after his younger sister of twelve. Gunn had a few run-ins with the law but quickly decided that he had to be more responsible, not only for his own sake but his sisters as well.
He started doing some delivery work for people he knew. His reputation had gotten him more and more clients and soon he was offered a position at a security firm. After working for them for nearly a year he was assigned to work a case with the well known Angelus O'Rourke.
No one wanted to take on the case because Angelus was such a ruthless business man and an 'asshole' as some revered to him. Gunn had heard of him but never paid the rumors much mind. His goal was to do the job and do it well. After a run in with a very angry client, Gunn had handled the situation with ease and calm. Angelus offered him a job the very next day. Gunn was now running the security division on all of Angelus' businesses.
Angelus had always been a bit secretive but Gunn didn't mind, he had his own secrets to hide. When Angelus called him into his office one day, Gunn had expected to discuss a case with him. When Angelus asked him about his wolf status Gunn had been shocked into silence. How the hell did he know?
Angelus explained that he knew from the first time he saw him and that was why he wanted him. Gunn was the best at what he did and Angelus would settle for nothing less. They had been like brothers ever since and Gunn had never looked back.
Looking at Fred now, he felt like his life was starting to head in a new direction. He no longer lived for his job, Fred had changed that. She had opened his eyes to a whole new world. A world he didn't even know existed. Fred had shown him love and he would be forever grateful that he now had her in his life.
Buffy scanned the crowd and saw everyone chatting with enthusiasm. Willow and Tara were chatting with people a few tables away from her. Cordelia was posing for photos while Groo silently stood by and chatted with the photographers. Gunn and Fred were obviously lost in the conversation they were having with each other. Wesley and Victoria were dancing to the soft music and by the look on his face they were enjoying each other's company very much.
Her eyes soon landed on Angelus and a blond woman talking. They were standing at the bar and Angelus had two champagne glasses in his hands. The blond woman was leaning into Angelus and casually touched his arm.
Buffy felt her heart lurch into her throat. She didn't like the way she was touching her man. Who the hell was she? Angelus didn't look very uncomfortable and was allowing it, which made her even more upset.
Tara was talking to her but Buffy didn't hear a word she said, she hadn't even noticed that she and Willow were back at the table until she touched her arm. "Buffy?" Tara asked worriedly.
"Huh? Oh sorry Tara. Who's that woman with Angelus?" Buffy asked not taking her eyes of off them.
Tara looked to where Angelus was standing and recognized the woman right away, "That's Kate Lockley. She's a…acquaintance of Angelus'. She's a detective with the LAPD." Tara knew the reason Buffy wanted to know. She had seen the look on Buffy's face while she was watching the interaction between Angelus and Kate.
Acquaintance? It didn't like an acquaintance from where she was standing. The woman looked much too comfortable with him. She even took the one champagne glass from his hand and was now casually sipping on it. Feeling her agitation grow, Buffy made her way over to the two people.
"Angel, there you are. I was looking everywhere for you." She stood on her toes to give him a soft peck on the lips, making her presence known. Out of the corner of her eye she was glad to see the other woman's eyes bulge from their sockets.
A feeling of satisfaction settled in her stomach. Who did this woman think she was feeling Angelus up in a public place when his girlfriend was just a few feet away? The way she had touched Angelus' arms a few seconds earlier just seemed too…comfortable.
Angelus looked bewildered at Buffy then back to Kate. Buffy's scent had taken on a husky tinge which he didn't recognize and that worried him a bit. He hadn't smelled it on her before. Quickly coming to his senses he regained his voice. "Buffy this is Kate Lockley, she's a detective with the LAPD. Kate, Buffy." The introduction was short and to the point, Buffy gathered that he didn't want to elaborate more.
"Nice to meet you Kate." Buffy said extending her hand out to the other woman. Still reeling from shock, Kate just extended her hand and shook Buffy's offered one. Looking up questioningly at Angelus, she got no answer from him and settled her gaze on the smaller woman standing next to him.
"I'm sorry, Angelus has never mentioned you before. How do you know each other?" Kate asked with sweet but a biting tone. That ought to get a response from the little wench. There was no mistaking what she meant whit that comment.
Buffy waited for Angelus to answer but he didn't, fueling the flame burning inside her. He obviously worked with Kate often but had failed to mention to her that he had a live-in girlfriend. What angered her even more was that it seemed he was trying to hide it from her.
"Oh?" Buffy answered in a sweet voice and turned her head to look at Angelus. He had a somewhat guilty look on his face. Facing Kate once more Buffy was just about to answer her when Angelus finally spoke up. "Buffy is my girlfriend, she just moved here from Sunnydale." He said as he slipped his arm around her waist, Kate caught the movement of his arm but couldn't help looking down at it.
Kate could not hide her amazement at his reply. "Really? I didn't know you were into monogamous relationships Angelus." She then turned to Buffy and smugly said "I've know Angelus for a long time and he never came across as someone who would settle down with one person." The evil smile that graced her face made Buffy want to smack her. She was absolutely boiling inside but she would not show her feelings.
Kate would never admit it to anyone but she was jealous. Jealous because this scrap of a girl had Angelus. Something she had had once. She would never wake up next to Angelus like this girl did each morning. She had Angelus to warm her body with his while Kate slept alone each night.
It was no secret that Kate and Angelus had once shared a physical relationship. But he never took her out on dates, he slept over at her place once or twice but he was gone the next morning when she woke up. Kate had lusted after Angelus for years before he noticed her and acted on the attraction.
She tried to get him to commit to her but he never did. Kate was very upset when Angelus shot her down a few months ago when she called him up and tried to meet with him. Now she knew why he discarded her. He obviously had something new to play with. No matter, she believed he would tire of her soon enough then she could have another go at him.
Anger coursed through Buffy's blood like wildfire. She felt she could throw her champagne out in Kate's face. "Well, looks like you don't know Angelus as well as you thought." Buffy answered sweetly and then smiled politely to Kate then she excused herself to the bathroom. She needed some space to clear her head otherwise she might do something she would regret later.
Angelus could tell Buffy was furious. He could smell the anger vibrating off her. She all but wrenched herself from his grasp and left. Her sweet reply and polite excuse didn't fool him, he knew her better than that. He knew he probably should have handled the situation better but he was totally caught off guard by both Kate's suggestive hints and Buffy's sudden arrival.
Angelus realized Buffy was jealous…and he liked it. Not that she had anything to be jealous about. Kate paled in comparison to Buffy and he had never given Kate a second thought. Not until she approached him at the bar. He and Kate and never shared anything special, Gunn and Lark revered to her as his 'Booty call' and that was the extent of their 'relationship'. Kate was a warm willing body when he needed relief and nothing more.
Without looking at Kate he retrieved another glass of champagne for himself, muttered a polite "Excuse me Kate" without sparing her another glance. Then he turned in search of his distraught girlfriend. He had some explaining to do and hopefully he didn't receive a slap in his face. After looking everywhere for nearly 15minutes he gave up and returned to the table.
He flopped down in his seat, "Have any of you seen Buffy?" Everyone shook their heads but did keep an eye out for the missing blonde. Moments later the auction started again but Buffy was still nowhere in sight. Angelus' eyes roamed the room but to no avail. Taking his champagne glass he downed the entire contents in one gulp. Gunn cocked his eyebrow at him but didn't say anything. The grin on his face said he knew Angelus was in big trouble.
###
Looking into her reflection Buffy tried to calm down. Her hands were still shaking. Closing her eyes again she clenched her hand to her chest. A sudden burning had flared up in the spot where her scar used to be. Try as she might, nothing stopped the burning sensation ripping through her faded scar. Buffy had no clue what to make of it. At times she even forgot she ever had a scar there once, not now though.
She was very upset at what had just happened. Angelus had just stood there saying nothing. How could he? She didn't understand why he didn't tell Kate the truth. He didn't even say anything when Kate made that insulting remark about his personal life. Did he not care or was he hoping to rekindle something with Kate? By the look of things he had enjoyed chatting with her until she came along and spoiled the moment. The bewildered expression on his face was proof of that.
Regaining her composure as best she could, she went back to the table. She saw Angelus scanning the crowd. Was he looking for her or Kate? She eased into her chair then ignored Angelus' questioning gaze which gave her a little bit of satisfaction. When she didn't acknowledge him at all he took matters into his own hands.
Pulling her chair subtly closer to his, he leaned towards her and placed his arm around her shoulders then whispered into her ear "Where were you?" His voice was hoarse, not that she cared.
At that moment she hated that he could tell in what mood she was by just smelling at her. No matter how hard she tried she could never do that. Her senses were enhanced when in her wolf form but even then she couldn't tell his mood. Sometimes Angelus was a closed book and try as she might, she couldn't pry him open.
"Ladies room." Buffy answered shortly, still not looking at him. Angelus wasn't being very subtle. When he pulled her chair closer to his it made a screeching noise against the floor but he didn't seem to notice as a few people looked over at them.
Pressing his lips together he tried to keep his temper in check. He understood why Buffy was reacting the way she was. He would have felt and reacted the same if the situation had been reversed. If he had seen her chatting at the bar with an old flame he would be consumed by anger and jealousy. Luckily for him Buffy had no old flames in L.A that he had to worry about. Still, he could have handled the situation a lot better.
Taking her hand in his he clasped it and brought it to his mouth, placing a soft kiss on her knuckles. Her eyes shot too his surprised. What was he doing? There was no way she was going to forgive him that quickly. Buffy looked away from him again and instead tried to focus on the auction.
"Baby, I'm sorry for what happened. I should have said something." Angelus said sincerely. His eyes searched her face but he saw nothing. Her eyes usually told him so much but her shields were firmly in place now. Angelus knew he was in the dog house for good reason.
Buffy remained silent, she didn't look at him either. She could feel his eyes boring into her. There was no way she was giving in that easily. She was too upset and hurt by his actions. Ignoring him was her tactic for the time being.
The night continued with Buffy ignoring Angelus for the most part. Talking with Willow, Tara and Fred kept her mind occupied. Although Buffy felt slightly bad for ignoring him it didn't outweigh the hurt she was feeling. Angelus could handle the silent treatment, no hair of his back.
####
HYPERION HOTEL
When they arrived back at the Hyperion Hotel Buffy was still not speaking to Angelus and he felt his guilt shift into overdrive. Before he could say anything to her when they entered their room, she had shut the bathroom door in his face and locked it for good measure. He could easily break it down with a slight nudge but he decided to give her some space. Sighing to himself Angelus started to remove his tie and jacket. Deciding to take a quick shower in the room next to theirs, he hoped Buffy would have calmed down a bit when he got back. Not likely, his inner voice screamed at him.
Twenty minutes later Buffy was still in the bathroom. Angelus was already in bed but Buffy had yet to emerge. He was just about to go break the door down when he heard the lock turn and a freshly showered Buffy emerged. Silently she got into the bed next to him and turned her back to him.
"Buffy, please. You can't keep ignoring me." When he got no reply he tried again. "Baby, I'm really sorry about what happened with Kate. I should have told her we were dating and I should have warned you about her. I didn't handle the situation accordingly, I'm sorry." He was expecting her to remain silent but was surprised when he heard her soft reply.
"What would you have said? How would you have warned me Angelus?" Her voice sounded hard…and wounded, he think it had affected her that much. Obviously the encounter with Kate held more meaning to her than he initially thought.
Unsure how to answer he tried to gather his bearings. "I…I would have told you she might be at the ball. I should have told you I had a brief relationship with her. I was only physical but I ended it shortly after we met. She never meant anything to me." Angelus knew it wasn't the best explanation, but it was an honest one.
Buffy turned and looked at him. She had guessed that Kate and Angelus had a history. It just felt so much worse and real when he said it out loud. She's not naïve, she knew Angelus had lots of lovers before her, it didn't mean she had to be comfortable with it.
She turned back and stared ahead of her into the bathroom. Buffy had cried silent tears while in the bathroom over this whole situation. The stream from the shower had erased the tears but she still felt the effects. To her relief, Angelus hadn't come in after her when she locked the door in his face. She knew the door lock wouldn't keep him out but she used it as a clear sign that she didn't want to see him right then.
"Kate and the firm sometimes work together but I swear to you that I have never overstepped the bounds since I met you. I don't want Kate. I've wanted you from the first moment I saw you, I just didn't know it right away. Kate could never compare to you love.
I told Kate you're my girlfriend, not to make you happy, not to ease the tension but because it's the truth and I want everyone to know it. You're the only one I want." Angelus hoped his small speech would soften Buffy up. It didn't. Her back was still turned on him.
He knew it was useless trying to force the situation anymore at that moment. Buffy was hurt and she would only feel better after she allowed herself to. Females always worked themselves up more and more when they had some time to think the situation through. Angelus was very sure that the wheels in Buffy's head hadn't stopped turning yet.
Angelus took a deep breath and settled down into the pillows. Buffy still hadn't answered him, he didn't expect her to either. Switching off his bed lamp, he looked up at the ceiling mentally kicking himself once again.
What had he been thinking talking to Kate? When she had approached him at the bar he was a bit shocked. After he ended their 'relationship' she had been distant and a total bitch. Angelus didn't care, her feelings didn't matter to him.
He just wanted to keep the relationship professional. They still worked together sometimes and he wasn't going to let that affect his work. If Kate couldn't keep things professional, that was her problem.
Angelus glanced at the bedside clock and saw that he was staring at the ceiling for more than an hour. Looking over at Buffy she was still curled up on her side, away from him. His eyelids were starting to droop when he felt Buffy scooting closer to him, she wiggled around then settled down. She was still on her side facing away from him but she was pressing her back and bum against him. It wasn't much but subconsciously she was starting to forgive him.
He would take whatever he got. He turned into her and placed his arm around her, pulling her tight against him as he fell asleep.
END CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
Over the next few weeks things at Wolfram and Hart were crazy. New cases ensured that Angelus and most of the male members worked late most nights. Angelus sometimes worked till the early hours of the morning leaving Buffy to her own devises.
Willow and Tara went on a short vacation to Dubai. They both needed the break from the hectic life. Just before they flew to Dubai, Willow said goodbye to all the pack members, sad that she was leaving but also happy and looking forward to spending some much needed quality time with Tara.
Thankfully Tara was a very understanding person. She never minded when Willow had to work late. Willow met Tara when she was still working at the one of the Los Angeles Private Hospitals. Tara was admitted after suffering severe migraines. Willow had been her attending doctor. Tara, ever the shy young woman had liked Willow but was too unsure to say anything.
Willow, being a wolf, had picked up Tara's signals and her aura. She also liked Tara and decided to make a move. Tara immediately said yes when Willow asked her if they could go for coffee sometime. Things progressed quickly after that.
When Willow was offered a position at Wolfram and Hart she didn't even think twice. When would she get another chance to run the entire medical division of a company as big as Wolfram and Hart? Never. Tara hadn't known Willow was a wolf and she desperately wanted to share the secret with her.
After dating for six months, Willow took Tara to the medical wing and told her the secret. Tara was stunned and it looked like she wasn't going to believe her so Willow had shown her. Willow was scared senseless, she loved Tara and didn't want to lose her but she didn't want to continue lying to her.
Tara took one look at Willow then rushed over and gave her a hug. She accepted Willow, wolf form and all. Willow was relieved beyond imagination. They had been dating for four wonderful years now.
Fred was also working late with her new research. It was no secret that Gunn and Fred were an item. Research was not the only thing Gunn was helping Fred with. On top off her usual work load she was also conducting the research on the pack. It kept her busy till late most nights but she loved it. Gunn also didn't mind in the least as he was also working most nights. They didn't get to spend all that much time together but they made it work.
Buffy stared work at Urban Dynamics a few weeks ago and her work was keeping her busy as well. Since Angelus had been very busy with work lately, Buffy decided to put in over-time at her job too. Figuring that Angelus would most likely not be home until much later, she threw herself into her work.
When Buffy arrived at the Hyperion she was met with silence. Everyone was either not there or already sleeping. Craning her neck she tried to ease the tension a little by rubbing it. It had been weeks since they had gone for a run in the forest and she was starting to feel the tension all the way to her bones. No one's schedules allowed time for running in the woods. They were also too tired after work to out anyway.
Hoping things would change, or at least slow down a bit soon Buffy tiredly made her way up to their room. She was dead on her feet. She didn't get much sleep either and it was catching up to her now. Closing the door behind her she turned and started to make her way into the dark room when she walked into a hard unyielding chest.
Startled she jumped back and switched on the light. There stood Angelus, with nothing but a pair of boxers. His face and hair was sleep -rumpled, indicating that he had been fast asleep just a few minutes ago. She hadn't even smelled or sensed him. Usually she could sense when he was in the hotel. That was a clear sign that her senses were also suffering from her lack of sleep.
"Buffy? What time is it?" His voice was groggy but she loved the sound.
"Angel, you scared me. I didn't know you would be home already. It's nearly eleven. When did you get here?" Buffy asked as she placed her bag on the nearby chair.
"Sorry. I tried phoning you but your cell was off. Were you still at work?" Angelus said as he moved closer to her to give her a kiss. When he got home he was surprised to see that she wasn't home yet. She left a message with Harmony earlier that day saying she was going to be work late so he knew where she was. He hadn't thought she would be working that late though.
"Yeah. I thought you were going to be at work till late so I figured I'd put in some extra time at work too." Buffy explained
Angelus got back into bed and waited for Buffy to join him after her shower. When she finally got in next to him he pulled her closer, "I know work has been keeping me pretty busy lately but I was thinking we could go for a run tomorrow night. I cleared my schedule because I want to spend some time with you. We haven't been seeing that much of each other lately and I miss you" Angelus said as his eyes started to drift closed again.
Sure they saw each other at night but it wasn't real quality time they spent together. Like all the other members of the pack he was eager to go out for a run in the forest again. His body ached with the need to transform and let loose some tension.
"That would be nice." She murmured as she snuggled into him. She thanked the heavens, she couldn't even remember when last they transformed and went for a run together. Whenever she got off work early she would take Morgan and Cooper out for a short run. It helped to release some tension but she missed going out with Angelus.
Those moments they spent together in the forest were wonderful and she missed it very much.
She cuddled into his welcoming warmth and closed her eyes. She was bone tired and the stress from work was only adding to the load. "I missed you too" Buffy whispered before she also fell asleep.
####
HYPERION HOTEL
Angelus woke up at 4:15am the next morning feeling rested and full of renewed energy. Deciding to get a short workout before heading to work he eased out of the bed. Buffy was still fast asleep and he didn't want to wake her up. Her dreams were still plagued with nightmares but it seemed to be getting better.
It had been a while since she woke up screaming and it seemed like her nightmares were easing up. He was really relieved because it worried him and he hated seeing her suffer like that even though she acted like it wasn't bothering her.
Gunn and Groo were also hitting the gym when he entered a few minutes later. "Morning boss. Didn't expect to see you here?" Gunn said with a smile on his face. Angelus had been punching in the hours with their most recent case. Thank goodness they were closing the case today. Fred had also complained that he didn't spend any time with her.
It was one of their more recent high profile cases and they were all working hard and trying to get a good outcome. The judge and jury had been a hard bunch but with all the right evidence, they were leaning in their favor.
"Yeah. Everyone has been pretty busy the last couple of weeks. I can't wait for this to be over." Groo added as he threw a right hook into the punching bag. Fred usually lost herself in her work but even she was complaining that they never saw each other anymore. Gunn missed spending time with his lady and work was making it difficult the last couple of weeks.
"At least it ends today" Angelus said as he started on the bench press. He breathed a sigh of relief at the thought. The case was driving him up the wall. When the firm took on the case he knew it was going to be a long a tedious process. He couldn't wait to get to the court and finish it up. The judge was a real tough guy but he was known to rule fair and honest so it looked to be in their favor.
"You can say that again." Gunn for one was very eager for things to get back to normal.
They all finished their workouts and started getting ready for work. Today's court hearing would take up most of their day again and they still had to review a few things before they went in. After taking a hot shower he gave Buffy a quick kiss and reminded her of their outing that night then he was out the door and on his way. He still had one stop before going to work.
####
Buffy finished work early for once, she wanted to get home as soon as possible and take a hot bath before she and Angelus went out for their run. To say she was surprised to hear that none of the other pack members was joining them was an understatement. Since everyone had been so busy she thought they would all be jumping for the chance to go out for a run. Maybe they just couldn't make it tonight.
Willow and Tara were only due to arrive back from their latest trip much later that night and she was sure that they would be too tired to join them anyway. Lark was away on business and Alyssa was taking the kids out to see a movie at the cinema. They had been nagging her to go see the newest animated movie and Alyssa couldn't say no when they pulled their famous 'puppy eyes' on her.
Cordelia told her she and Groo were going to have dinner with her parents so that meant that they would also be a no show for the run. She told Buffy that it was her parents wedding anniversary and she was planning on taking them out to a nice restaurant to celebrate.
Groo and Cordelia's parents got along very well. It's hard to believe that they didn't approve of Groo when he and Cordelia first started dating. They thought he was the typical 'bad boy' and that he would only break her heart. Cordelia luckily didn't pay them any mind.
Groo was a the sweetest person with the biggest heart she had ever met and she didn't care if they didn't approve. It was her live and she would decide whit whom she would spend it. Groo had worked very hard to prove himself to them and it finally paid off when they heard him and Cordelia fighting one night.
Actually it was Cordelia fighting and Groo taking everything in stride. He was used to her moods and handled the situation like a pro. Where most men would have screamed and argued their point, Groo listened and talked calmly and lovingly.
He was really the only person who knew how to handle the very hard headed Cordelia. Her parents were astonished at what happened and then realized what a great person her was, they gave their blessing and ever since they loved him to bits. It was actually his idea to take them out and celebrate together.
Buffy didn't mind in the least. It had been ages since she and Angelus had gone out for a run alone and she would love to have her man all to herself. She had to share him with the pack and with work so she was going to enjoy every single moment when she had him to herself.
The ever tactless Cordelia had once told her that she and Groo often went out alone to the forest, things usually got very heated very quickly and soon she and Groo were making love under the stars. Buffy didn't know what to make of that. It was common knowledge that Cordelia spoke without thinking but she had never expected the other woman to share details of her sex life with her.
She and Angelus had only ever made love in their human form, never while they were transformed. Cordelia said it was a total different experience and something Buffy should try very soon. After all, it was their truest form and it's only natural that they should embark on the finer things that came with being a primal creature.
That thought had been running through Buffy's mind more and more often ever since Cordelia had told her. She couldn't deny that the thought of making love with Angelus in his wolf form turned her on. To be with Angelus in his most primal state was a very appealing thought.
Buffy hadn't said anything to Angelus; she felt he had to make the first move. She wasn't even sure if he liked it or not. Had he even tried it before? Who was she kidding, of course he had. The thing was… did he want to do it with her? He obviously knew she had never done it like that before and she didn't know what he thought of that.
Angelus was a very open minded person, he was laid back and spoke his mind, not caring who was near or what they thought. He was sometimes very verbal when they got intimate, another of his traits that she found irresistible, and sent her over the edge very easily. Angelus voiced whatever he was thinking in times of passion so she figured she would ask him about it next time they were together. Angelus was always brutally honest, even more so when they were making love so she could be sure of a honest answer.
Going into the bathroom she started to draw a hot bath and lit a few scented candles. Vanilla candles always relaxed her and she needed to relax. Throwing her clothes into the nearby basket she got into the bath and settled back into the soothing heat. Her muscles immediately started to loosen up.
As she lay in the warm bath soaking she wished Angelus was there to join her. It had been a while since they had made love and Buffy's hormones were starting to kick into over drive. Having a desirable man like Angelus O'Rourke next to you every night did things to a girl.
They both had very healthy sex drives and she wasn't ashamed to admit that she missed being with him. Maybe she should stop by Victoria's secret sometime. Angelus was a sucker for lingerie and she used that to her advantage every change she got.
Angelus never complained though, he loved that she knew how to lay on some of his 'weaknesses'. With that thought in mind Buffy closed her eyes and drifted off to a light snooze.
####
Angelus arrived at the Hyperion a while after five and found Buffy soaking in the tub. The bathroom was fogged up from the warm water and candles created soft lighting. Her body was hidden from his hungry gaze by a mountain of foam and her eyes were closed and she had earphones on. She enjoyed relaxing with good music and a hot bath.
It was obvious that she was still unaware of his arrival. Angelus liked that her sensed weren't as advanced as his was. Most times she would pick up his scent and know her was near but it still slipped past her sometimes. Sneaking up on her from time to time filled him with playful joy.
She looked utterly delectable laying there. Bubbles covered most of her body but the peaks of her breasts poked out teasingly. Deciding it was too good an opportunity to let it pass by, Angelus quickly took of his jacket and unbuttoned his shirt. He toed off his shoes and removed his socks but left his pants on at first.
Buffy's eyes were still closed as he quietly kneeled behind the tub. With slow movements he raised his arms and slipped them into the water right above her shoulders. He felt her jump slightly at the contact but she quickly realized it was him and settled back down with a smile spreading on her face.
Smiling into her hair he kissed her cheek. Moving over her shoulders with his strong hands, he gently massaged her muscles then he moved lower, over her chest then back slowly to her arms, purposely avoiding her breasts. Buffy loved massages and he enjoyed giving them to her.
"Hmm, that feels nice." Buffy whispered into his ear before taking it in her mouth and played it with her tongue.
The sensation made his eyes drift shut. His answer was to move his hands to her lower abdomen then up again to cup her breasts in his palm. Goosebumps rose all over her skin instantly at the contact and he smiled at the reaction. He loved feeling the weight of them in his hands, they fit perfectly.
It pleased him tremendously to see the effect he had on her. Male pride swelled in his chest to know that he could cause such a powerful reaction in such a beautiful woman. Buffy was very a very responsive lover. She gave as good as she got and he had loved teaching her. That first night they spent together was still fresh in his memory.
He would never say anything but he was very proud to say that he was her first and only lover. Before they had gotten intimate he often wondered how many lovers she had before him and that thought instantly made him jealous. He craved Buffy with a need he had never felt before.
Sure he had his fair share of lovers before her but they paled in comparison to Buffy. When he was with Buffy he could feel her loved reflected through each move and every breath. Each time with her felt new and different, like he learned more and more about her. The fact that she knew just how to drive him wild with a slight touch or a certain sound made the experience so much better. No one had ever caused the reactions he got when he was with Buffy.
He took her earlobe into his mouth and gently sucked it. A breathy moan escaped her parted lips and he felt his groin tighten at the sound. Moving down again he trailed his hands over her stomach and into her belly button, then settled one hand on her hip bone where her faded scar lay.
She was sometimes still very self conscious about the faded scar but he loved paying extra attention there to ease her mind. He accepted and loved each part of her and he would show her that every single day to easy her mind about her insecurities.
Kissing her fully then, her tongue snaked into his mouth and massaged his. One of her hands also trailed up his arm and settled on his shoulder. Using her momentary distraction to his advantage he moved his hand down to her center and inserted a finger into her tight opening.
Her mouth was ripped from his as a gasp of surprise rose from her. Nails dug into his shoulder as she ached up closer to him. His thumb stroked her into a frenzy as his finger pumped her closer to the edge. Her eyes were tightly closed and he loved watching her face as she reacted to his touch. She was beautiful when in the throws of passion.
"Angel … please…" When she spoke in that lust filled tone Angelus thought he was going to loose all control. Kissing her again he removed his hand from her nether regions. Ignoring her moan of protest he stood up and quickly took off his trousers.
Getting into the large tub with her his skin tingled from the warmth of the water. As he settled back against the side of the tub, Buffy smiled at him and straddled his waist but didn't settle down just jet. Standing on her knees she circled her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately.
Evidence of his arousal was pressing insistently into her soft folds. He gripped her hips with delicate persistence and tried to guide her where he wanted her but she remained suspended above him. A groan from deep in his through made its way out.
Just like him, Buffy enjoyed playing and making him wait sometimes. She never thought that she would be able to have some sort of power over a strong man like him but she did and used it to her advantage, reveling in the knowledge that she could cause such a reaction in him.
One moment they were kissing passionately and the next she sank down on him, effectively embedding him in her soft flesh. A harsh groan escaped Angelus' throat from the surprise of her sudden movement.. Both closed their eyes at the wonderful feeling of fullness. The emotions that coursed through him were indescribable.
This small woman did things to him that he couldn't describe. No-one had ever captured him the way Buffy did. She was unselfish and gave her entire being over to him, she trusted him totally. Her love for him shone through everything she did. Her acceptance of him was undeniable. In moments like these he felt complete.
/This is where I belong, right here with this women in my arms. Everything is as it should be. Perfect./ Angelus thought to himself as he felt her inner walls quiver and surrounding him.
Buffy shuddered above him, signaling that her climax was fast approaching. Gripping her hips tightly with barely restrained power, he slammed her down on him then lifted her off him a few more times and felt her walls gripping him more tightly. He enjoyed it slow just as much as he enjoyed with when they where a little more rushed.
Just as their climaxes washed over them, Angelus bit down on the delicate column of her neck and drained blood. Effectively marking her as his. Buffy shook as another climax shot through her body at his bite. Her blood flowed freely into his welcoming mouth, filling him with a sweet, coppery taste that tasted purely like Buffy. She moaned as she bit her lower lip at the pleasure overtook her entire being.
When his teeth made contact with her flesh Buffy lost all thought. Her mind went totally blank as the pleasure overtook her. She had never experienced anything so erotic before. The feeling of Angelus filling her core then biting her was mind blowing.
Soon she slumped against him after she calmed down from her high. Both she and Angelus were fully sated. They stayed like that for a while as neither spoke a word, just enjoying the silence and feel of each other. When the water started to cool down and he felt Buffy shiver Angelus stood up with Buffy still cradled against his chest.
Placing a large fluffy towel around her shoulders he moved into their bedroom. After depositing her on the bed, he strolled back into the bathroom to get a towel for himself and wrapped it around his waist, then started drying Buffy off. Picking her up again he placed her naked body in the bed then joined her. Looking into her eyes he knew he had never been happier.
A smile slowly graced her features. "That was …amazing. Different, but amazing." Her eyes wanted to drift shut just thinking about how wonderful it felt.
"I love you" Angelus said truthfully.
"I love you too" Her heart always swelled when he spoke those words to her.
An hour later Angelus was the first to speak. "Buffy?" Unsure if she was asleep he kept his voice low.
"Hmm?" It was only a mumble but an answer not the less. "You still want to go out for the run?" If she was too tired he would let her rest, although he hoped she still wanted to go.
"Yes, if you don't mind?" She said as she looked up at him.
"I don't mind at all, whatever you want to do is fine with me." In his mind Angelus smiled. Time to get this show on the road. Satisfied at her answer.
####
Twenty minutes later he and Buffy were running around in the forest. It felt good to be out again. Buffy was still stretching her limbs getting used to the change but Angelus wasted no time in doing a few laps, pushing his powerful body forward. His body and wolf delighted at the change it was long denied.
They strolled slowly along the borders of the forest doing a quick sweep of the area. Buffy followed Angelus as he led her to the meadow. To her wonder there was a large blanket spread out near the small pond of water.
Angelus reached it first and then transformed back into his human form. Buffy looked on unsure. When she changed back to her human for Angelus motioned for her to lie down next to him. She could not hide the amusement and wonder on her face. His naked body brought naughty images into her mind and she could think of many ways to satisfy her curiosity.
They both lay down naked on the blanket. "What's all this?" Buffy asked him surprise evident on her face.
"I wanted you to see how clear the sky is tonight" Angelus said as he settled comfortably on his back. Buffy lay down next to him and looked up at the sky. The sight that greeted her was amazing. Every single star could be seen. The full moon gave the atmosphere a clear glow.
"This is beautiful. I've never seen the sky so clear before." Buffy said in amazement.
They stayed like that for a long while, both admiring the scene. Soon Angelus got up and retrieved a bottle of champagne and two glasses. Handing one glass to her he poured himself one and quickly drained it.
Amused Buffy asked "Thirsty?" At his bewildered expression she giggled.
"Buffy I …" He trailed off. The look on his face was making her nervous. Getting up she looked at him worried. Before she could ask he went on "I love you. I realize it more and more every day. You have brought something to my life that I hadn't realized I'd been missing.
Before we met, I was only focused on two things and that was the pack and running Wolfram and Hart. Work kept me busy and my mind occupied but, I never realized that I was longing for more.
That day we met in the Hyperion, after I chased you down in the woods, I started thinking farther ahead. You opened my eyes to a whole new world. A world I didn't know existed. I have never felt loved, or given it unconditionally until I met you.
What I'm trying to say is… I can't imagine my life without you there with me. Will you do me the honor of marrying me?" His mouth was dry. Looking up into her eyes he was scared for her reply. Shock clouded her face but was quickly replaced with joy.
A huge smile broke out on her face then she threw herself onto him saying, "Yes! Yes I'll marry you Angel!" Words could not describe how happy Buffy was at that moment. Everything in her life had fallen into place. She never imagined she would be so lucky to find such a wonderful man who understood and accepted her fully.
Angelus kissed her passionately. He was scared she would say no, he realized now how silly he had been to doubt her love for him. They loved each other, he had no doubt about that anymore. He wanted to spend the rest of his life making her happy and he could see the same in her eyes. They still had a long way ahead of them but they loved each other unconditionally and that was all that mattered.
END CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
WOLFRAM AND HART
"Harmony, can you please let Wesley know I want to see him in my office." Angelus buzzed Harmony early the next morning.
"Sure thing boss. He's down in the lab with Fred and Gunn. I'll let him know right away." Harmony's cheerful voice answered. She was in a surprisingly good mood today. Usually she was a bit grumpy until she had her decaf fat free latte. If the fresh flowers on her desk were anything to go by, Angelus was sure she had a new boyfriend.
Looking down at the mountain of paperwork on his desk he wondered if he shouldn't get another assistant. Sure he had Harmony but she didn't count, there was no way she would be able to handle the paper load he had alone. Most people at Wolfram and Hart had two assistants, maybe he should also join the bandwagon, it would most probably make things much easier for him in the long run.
Writing another note on the notepad beside him he mentally checked it quickly. A soft knock at his door informed him Wesley had arrived and was waiting to be let in.
"Come in." The door opened to reveal Wesley dressed in a fancy new suit. Cocking his eyebrow at the sight he didn't say anything. Seeing Angelus eyebrow at his new suit Wesley offered an explanation. "Virginia said I needed some…color. She took it upon herself and took me out shopping a few days ago. I was totally exhausted by the time we were finished." By the look on his face Angelus knew that wasn't a total lie.
"Color…? It suits you Wes. Virginia sure knows her brands." It wasn't easy for Angelus to stifle his laugh. Wesley was very 'old school' and believed only in neutral colors. Before Virginia came along he wouldn't be caught dead wearing color. Cordelia and Harmony had tried to give him a make-over once. They failed miserably.
Wesley caught on and offered a small laugh in return. "It's Armarie …or something or other." Wesley said as he settled down in the chair across from Angelus smoothing his tie down. He hated when his clothing was creased and was constantly smoothing his clothes down.
"Armani?" Angelus offered. Wesley sure was totally clueless it seemed.
Wesley's face lit up at the name. "Yes that's the one."
Still smiling Angelus regarded Wesley. He had been pretty upset when Fred and Gunn announced their relationship. Everyone knew Wesley secretly liked the shy scientist. At least he found Virginia a short while later. They were equally matched and Wesley was totally taken with the outspoken redhead.
She was totally opposite from Wesley but they balanced each other out well. It was a good thing because he was now very more sociable. Virginia dragged him to almost every event and Wesley was starting to enjoy it. It seemed Wesley was starting to get with the twenty first century. Kudos to Virginia.
"I proposed to Buffy yesterday." It wasn't exactly how he planned on breaking the news but it just fell out of his mouth before he could stop himself. Angelus rubbed his eyes in frustration with himself. He was usually not so idiotic.
An unmistakable smile spread over Wesley's face. "Well, I'd say congratulations are in order." Wesley said as he stood up to shake Angelus' hand eagerly. Wesley was surprised it had taken Angelus so long to propose to the tiny blond. He was obviously head over heels in love with her.
"I'm sure everyone will be delighted to hear. It's been a long time coming. We were wondering when you were going to pop the question, well actually the girls were all wondering, they placed bets. Have you set a date yet?" Wesley laughed as he saw Angelus' eyes grow big. It was typical of the girls to do something like that.
"No not yet. We decided to take things slow for now. Enjoy the engagement and then start planning a bit later." Angelus answered.
"Good. I must say, you couldn't have chosen a more suitable partner Angelus." Wesley was very fond of Buffy like everyone else. She wasn't shallow and mean like the previous girlfriends Angelus had. She treated everyone with respect and kindness. He knew Buffy hadn't had an easy life and understood and respected that about her.
Sobering up again, Angelus looked at the desk pad in front of him. "The other reason I wanted to see you was I want to set up a trust fund for Buffy. Just to make sure she's taken care of, should anything happen."
"Of course. How much do you want to start the fund with?" Wesley took out a note pad and was vigorously scribbling away. Making notes of everything.
"Let start with 15milion then deposit 1 mil every month starting next month. Could you also please set up a bank account in her name? She doesn't have any credit cards so get her one and link it to my accounts. Wait, rather make that two credit cards. You know how woman can be." Angelus chuckled.
Buffy wasn't like any other woman he had ever met. She didn't go on wild shopping sprees like Cordelia and he sometimes wondered how Groo put up with her. She could spend an entire pay check in one afternoon. The modeling world was very good to her and she obviously made lots of money if her spending was anything to go by.
Looking up from his notes Wesley nodded, "Ok then. I'll bring the paper work around later for you to sign. Buffy will have to sign also, are you going to have her come in or will she sign at home?" Wesley asked as he made sure he didn't forget anything.
"I'll let her sign at home tonight. She's been working pretty hard these last few weeks and doesn't really get time to take a break." Angelus frowned at the thought. Buffy was putting in lots of time at work, it just showed how determined she was and he respected that. He just wished she was free more often to do things with him.
"Very well then. I'll start arranging things right away." Wesley then stood up and left Angelus' office. He was a great accountant and handled most of the firm's financial matters, as well as several other companies Angelus owned. Wesley was the most trustworthy person Angelus knew and he knew he could trust Wesley with anything.
Picking up the receiver of his phone he dialed a familiar number. Soon he heard the sweetest voice. "Hey you, I was just thinking about you" Angelus could hear she was smiling.
"Oh really? Well I was just thinking about you too. Are you busy?" He asked Buffy turning serious.
"I'm always busy, but not too busy to talk to you" Came her sweet and honest answer. She laughed as she answered his question. Sometimes she was amazed at how he could change his tone from friendly to serious so quickly.
Smiling at that he knew she wasn't just teasing him. "Can we have lunch tomorrow? I want to go show you something." Angelus said as he thought about just what he wanted to show her. It brought a smile to his face.
"Sure thing. What do you want to show me?" She was always so curious.
"Can't spoil the surprise. See you at home baby. Bye" He cut the conversation short. He knew if she nagged him enough he might just give in and tell her and he didn't want that to happen.
"Spoil sport. Fine. See you later, bye" She knew he wouldn't tell her but she had to try. Angelus sometimes found it very difficult to say no to her.
####
Looking down at the ring on her finger Buffy smiled. She couldn't stop looking at it. Not only was it enormous but it was also the most beautiful and expensive piece of jewelry she had ever owned. Never in her wildest dreams did she think Angelus would propose to her. Sure she had dreamed about it, hoped, fantasized but none of her fantasies measured up to how he had proposed to her.
All her colleagues congratulated her on the fine catch. She was engaged to Angelus O'Rourke, the most handsome man in L.A. At least he was off the most eligible bachelor list. They were having dinner tonight with all the pack members to announce their great news. She was finally going to be one of them, a true member of their pack. Idly she wondered what Angelus wanted to show her. She liked surprises but sometimes they made her nervous as well.
When she arrived at the Hyperion after work she was nearly knocked over by a over excited Cordelia. Willow, Tara, Fred and the other ladies of the pack soon joined them in the lobby. They grabbed at her hand wanting to see the ring Angelus had gotten her. So much for waiting till dinner… No doubt Angelus had spilled the beans.
"Oh my god this thing is huge! It's gorgeous. Man Angelus has good taste!" The women all spoke at once, confusing and exciting Buffy at the same time.
"Have you guys decided on a date yet? Because you have to let me help you with the arrangements!" Cordelia stated.
Uncertainly Buffy answered "Not yet. We just want to take a slow for now, enjoy the engagement you know." She laughed nervously. If Cordelia got any ideas she was done for. It was no secret that Cordelia liked to go all out but Buffy had her own ideas. She would love for Cordelia to help with the wedding planning but they weren't that far yet.
"What a great idea. But don't enjoy it too long, planning the wedding is the best part." Once again all the females started talking together and Buffy could only smile at them. Over their shoulder she noticed Angelus enter. She cast a helpless glance at him but he ignored her with a smile and went to talk to the guys, leaving her to fend for herself.
Much later that night, after having dinner and discussing every detail of how Angelus proposed, Buffy flopped down on their bed. Feeling tired she hoped Angelus wouldn't take too long to join her. Soon after, he entered the room.
"Thank you for your help down there, I was nearly eaten alive and you didn't even spare me a glance. Traitor." She teased him.
Chuckling at her he answered "You looked like you were handling yourself just fine." Getting into the bed next to her he pulled her against him and snuggled his face in the nape of her neck. Her scent was the most intoxicating aroma he had ever smelled and he was not ashamed to admit he was addicted to it.
The feel of his strong arms encasing her set her mind at ease. Relaxing into him she felt her body give in to the tiredness. It had been a long day, but a good day none the less.
"I have some papers that I want you to sign tomorrow. We're still on for lunch right?" Angelus asked as he also settled down.
"Jip were still on for lunch." Buffy confirmed with a kiss. "Do I have to have a lawyer present when signing these papers?" She asked in a playful tone. Angelus' eyes were shut but she knew he was still wide awake.
Laughing softly at her playfulness "No, you don't need one, but I would be more than happy to stand in for you. It's just some papers from the bank but I'll explain everything tomorrow. Sleep, you've had a rough day." Placing a kiss on her temple he also settled down once again and let slumber overtake him.
####
The next day Buffy left work early to meet with Angelus for lunch. It wasn't a special date but she looked forward to seeing him. Because of work they haven't been able to spend as much time together anymore and she would use every opportunity they got even if it only was for a few minutes.
When she arrived at the restaurant she expected to be there before him, but he was already waiting for her sipping on a coffee. Standing up from the table he greeted her then pulled the chair out for her and motioned for her to sit down. A waiter brought her a skinny late Angelus had ordered when he arrived. Buffy missed the glances they got from the other people who were also sitting at the restaurant.
"You're early." Buffy smiled at him, he was always punctual but sometimes she tried to beat him, so far she had lost every time. They made idle chit chat for a while till after they had a small lunch. With their stomachs full, Angelus handed her the papers and showed her where to sign.
"Am I signing my life away or just a pre-nup?" Buffy asked with a light tone while signing where he indicated.
Angelus was slightly taken aback by her joking statement. "You think I would expect that from you?" He asked her seriously.
Looking up from the last document she signed she kept her smile firmly in place "I don't mind. I mean I understand, you have to look out for the well being of the company and the 'family' so I don't mind signing it." She leaved through the papers she had just signed Angelus noticed. Not saying anything he waited for her to discover the real reason.
A little while later Buffy looked up at Angelus with shock in her eyes. "Wait, this is a contract for a trust fund. Why would I be signing for a trust fund? I don't have one." she said as she went over the contract again, hoping to find out what they meant.
"You have a trust fund now. I had Wesley set one up for you. The other papers are for a joint bank account." Angelus said as he took the papers from her. From the look on her face she could not believe it and he had to pry the papers from her small fingers. "I said I would take care of you. You're going to become my wife soon, I'm just getting everything in place." Angelus explained. He finally got the papers out of her hands and frowned at the marks her fingers had left from gripping it so tightly. He could only laugh at her reaction.
"Angel…this is…" she started, not sure what to say.
"What is mine is yours, you have to start accepting, and enjoying it love." Smiling at the look on her face he took her hand in his and kissed it softly. "Now finish up, we still have one more stop."
Finishing up he paid the bill and escorted Buffy to his car. He drove through the busy streets with ease to their destination. When they stopped in front of a car dealership Buffy looked at Angelus questioningly.
Angelus just ignored the look she gave him, not wanting to spoil the surprise. He led her in and greeted some people inside. Together with an unknown man they walked over to a car covered with a huge red ribbon. Motioning to her he said "For you." then he stepped away and left her to check out her gift.
Before her stood a brand new, white Range Rover Sport. Buffy was unable to utter a word. She moved over to the car then the man handed the key over to Buffy. "Are you serious?" At his nod she turned back to the car.
Just as Angelus turned to nod at Derrick, the sales director he heard an ear shattering squeal. It was so high pitched, Derrick covered his ears and the people around them turned and looked at them with shock on their faces. The staff smiled and the women smiled approvingly at them.
Buffy jumped onto him and hugged him to her. "Oh my god. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!" She jumped off him again then ran to look at the car. Derrick gave her a quick run over of all the features of the car.
Angelus could only smile at the sight before him. He loved showering her with gifts at every opportunity. She always thanked him with enthusiasm but the look on her face was more than good enough for him. Although he had never gotten her anything like a car before he wondered if she could drive. Did she even have a driver's license? When they were seated in her new car alone he turned all his attention back to Buffy.
"I take it you like it. You can drive right? I never thought to ask." Angelus asked with a frown on his face. He was now actually second guessing his decision, wondering if it had been such a good idea to get her a car. What if she couldn't drive, or put herself in danger. What if she got in an accident?
"I love it, and yes I can drive. Thank you so much." She said as she kissed him again. All doubt left his mind after that. After all, the car was state of the art in safety…Buffy couldn't possibly hurt herself in this thing, she only had to be careful because with her anything was possible.
"Now you have your own car and no longer have to take those god forsaken cabs anymore. I really hate those things, crazy drivers. The thought of you driving in those things unnerves me to no end." Angelus said as he thought about how much he hated her taking those things. He offered to drive her or give her a driver but she always declined, insisting that taking a cab was perfectly fine with her.
"I don't know what to say. This is amazing. I can't thank you enough. Although…I can think of another way to thank you..." Buffy smiled mischievously. Angelus knew exactly what she had in mind and was not about to object.
"Hmm, I'm liking the sound of that very much. But It will have to wait for tonight. Unfortunately I have to get going. I'll see you tonight?" He gave her a quick kiss then ran to his car to make his next meeting. If he stayed with her a second longer he would take her up on her offer and then he would never get back to the office. Looking back at her new car Buffy smiled broadly and moved to get in and take it for a spin.
####
WOLFRAM AND HART
Arriving back at his office, Angelus took the file from Harmony. He ignored her stern look, he was already ten minutes late meeting his new client. Harmony phoned him a few minutes prior and reminded him of the appointment he had with Mrs. Delaney. For some or other reason Harmony was very uptight about being on time for appointments, which he couldn't understand.
The name sounded familiar but he couldn't place it. Must have been a former client of the firm or someone he must have represented at one time. Placing the folder under his arm he made his way to his office hurriedly. He didn't like making his client's wait but it couldn't be helped, traffic was terrible and even if he had left a few minutes earlier he still would have been late.
Stepping into his large office he saw a blond haired woman sitting with her back to him in the chair across from his table. He couldn't see her face as he moved to greet her. "I'm sorry I'm late Mrs. Delaney. My previous appointment ran longer than I indented." He apologized still looking at the information in the folder.
"That's quite all right. I haven't been waiting long." At the sound of her voice Angelus' head reared up and looked at her shocked, there was no mistaking that voice. She looked up into the handsome face she hadn't seen in nearly three years. Three years too long. At his shocked expression she smiled an evil smile, liking the effect she was having on him. Being unpredictable was one of her many traits, and she was sure Angelus hadn't forgotten.
"Hello Lover" She said in that seductive tone of voice she always used on him. Once upon a time he loved hearing that sensual voice, the same voice that once ran shivers up his spine and promised him hours of pleasure and enjoyment.
"Darla?"
END CHAPTER FIVE
