The Buffster and Captain Peroxide never touched skins.  Takes place a year after Angel left Buffy at the end of Season Three.  You know the one…with the fire engines and the long pained glances between the two while you going through two boxes of tissues because you're crying so much.  Joyce moved back in with Hank, but Dawn chose to stay with Buffy.  Everything is the same except for Willow…who's married. 

Usual disclaimers: if I owned…Buffy and Angel would be married and pregnant with their fourth kid by now!  Don't sue because the only thing of value I have is my cat and she's only worth vet and food bills!  :-)

PS. Cara is mine

Buffy stared at the woman in front of her.  She was beautiful; at least that's what her ex had told her.  Her blonde hair tumbled down her back in ringlets framing her heart shaped face and setting off her hazel eyes.  Her red sheathe dress clung to her figure emphasizing her now womanly curves.  How could a woman like this be in need of a blind date?

I can't believe I let Cara talk me into this! 

Buffy sighed and turned away from the mirror.  Her date with Liam McGregor was in half an hour and she still had to see to Dawn.  Stopping to grab a red shawl with a beaded fringe and a beaded red evening bag, she trudged out the door. 

A whistle greeted her as she entered the den.  She glowered at her friend and tenant Cara.  It was her fault she was in this mess.  The fiery haired woman grinned back unrepentantly.  "Smile!  You look like you're going to a funeral."

The blonde grimaced, "I'd rather be out fighting demons than go on this date."

Cara laughed then sobered as she saw the look of abject fear and panic on the Slayer's face. 

"What's got you so scared?"

"What if he turns out to be like Riley or Parker or even Scott?"

"You mean he's not Angel."

The tiny Slayer froze like a deer caught in the headlights.  Tears threatened to fall from hazel eyes.  Even after all this time, his absence still wrenched her heart. 

"I never said that,"

"You didn't have to.  Speaking of, I still can't believe you guys went out for so long and you never had any pictures taken together."

"Did Dawn call?"

"Way to change the subject, hun."  She winced at Buffy's glare. "Yes, she called and said she was babysitting for Willow and Spike,"     

"Okay.  Wish me luck," she inhaled deeply as she walked out to the red convertible that Giles had loaned her. 

"Smile!  You want him to like you, not run in fear of his life."  She laughed as Buffy flipped her the finger before driving off.

***********************

Red high-heeled sandals followed the black ones of the maitre d' as he led Buffy to where her dinner companion was sitting.  Unbeknownst to her, every male eye followed her as she glided elegantly through the room. 

She glanced around the room searching for a familiar face.  Thank god, no one I know will be around to see me sink so low.  She ignored the familiar flutter that told her Angel was near.  He was hours away in LA.

Her eyes came to rest on him.  He was sitting with his back to her staring out the window at the fountain across the road that was lit by what seemed like a million candles.  He wide shoulders were encased in an expensive jacket. 

Secretly impressed by his obvious expensive taste, Buffy plastered a bright smile on and walked around to meet her blind date.  Her eyes widened and her breath left her body as she saw her date's face.

He caught her before she hit the floor.

*************************

Angel smiled down at his Slayer.  Part of him was jealous that she was going out on dates.  The other part of him was astounded at the coincidence.  What were the odds that his blind date would be the love of his life?  Maybe it was Kismet.  Maybe it was the Powers way of telling him that he should even be thinking of another woman. 

Whatever it was he was no longer fighting it.  He carried his Slayer out into the night.