Cordelia Chase screamed.

She would never get used to the incredible pain of a vision. Angel caught her as the force of this vision knocked her off her feet. She clutched her head and screamed again, her scream eventually turning into sobs as tears streamed from her eyes.

"No, no, no, no," Cordelia whimpered as Angel rocked her. The rest of the group had gathered, save Fred who was still locked in her room, to hear what their next battle would be.

"Cordelia, what did you see?" Wesley pushed gently. Cordelia struggled to sit up, turning herself in Angel's arms to look him in the eyes.

"Buffy," she managed to gasp. She felt the terror and confusion explode through Angel's body.

"What about Buffy?" Angel's voice was half hopeful, half broken as he asked about his dead lover.

"They're going to bring her back, but it gets messed up. She wakes up alone…all alone." Fresh tears started and Cordelia clung to Angel.

"When?" No one missed the growl in Angel's voice. If those insipid little Scoobies ruined Buffy, he would let Angelus tear their heads off.

"Tonight. You can make it, Angel. Not in time to stop them, but in time to help Buffy. Go. Now." Angel wasted no time. In the blink of an eye Angel had handed Cordelia to Wesley, taken a few stakes, and run out into the night.

# # #

Angel stared at the streets of Sunnydale in disbelief. Demons were running rampant, stores were burning, humans were running and screaming in terror. After a moment, Angel continued his journey, following the pull to Buffy's grave. His first priority tonight was his Mate. Sunnydale could burn for all he cared, as long as he got Buffy out.

He arrived just in time to see a motorcycle gang of demons chase Buffy's friends away. As soon as the scene was clear, Angel ran to the grave, sliding in on his knees and tearing at the dirt with his bare hands.

He dug for what felt like forever before his fingers finally brushed the smooth top of the mahogany casket. He ripped the top off and sent it flying, landing a few graves away, in his haste.

He found himself face to face with a terrified, but very much alive, Buffy Summers.

"Buffy," he whispered, reaching down a hand to help her out. After a spilt second she took it, recognition flashing in her beautiful eyes.

Angel swept her into his arms and ran for his car, parked just outside the gates. He felt her burrow into his arms as he flew through the night. He wanted to stop and take a moment, kiss every inch of her, rejoice that she was in his world once again. But he couldn't. They didn't have the time.

"Buffy," Angel whispered urgently as he set her in the passenger seat, buckling the seatbelt for her. "I'm going to take you away from here…if you want me to." His eyes met hers.

"Please Angel."

# # #

Buffy sat numbly in the front seat as Angel sped back to Los Angeles. He would take her away, far away and finally give her a life away from slaying. The life she deserved.

Angel snuck glances at Buffy every few moments. She had curled into a ball, but the confusion in her eyes was clearing. Cautiously, he laid his hand on the seat between them, palm up. It took a few seconds, but she reached over and laced her fingers through his. He gave her hand a light squeeze, and she returned it, holding on tightly.

They arrived at the Hyperion to find all the lights on. Angel knew everyone would be waiting. He turned to Buffy after shutting off the engine.

"I need to get some things from inside before we go. Do you want to come in, or stay out here?" Angel looked at the sky. Dawn was still about four hours away, they could make it out of California at least before they had to stop for the day.

"In," Buffy whispered.

Angel led her inside. Wesley, Cordelia, Gunn, and Lorne were seated in the lobby, talking quietly. The conversation stopped when Cordelia spotted them. They all stood as Angel sat Buffy down. He knelt in front of her.

"I'll just be a minute. Will you be okay?"

"Yeah." Angel reached up and pressed a kiss to her forehead. Then he pulled Wesley aside.

"How is she?" Wesley asked, casting a glance at his former charge.

"Confused, scared, but she's her. Wesley, I'm taking her away. We're going somewhere that the darkness can't follow, at least for a while. She needs it. She deserves it." Wesley nodded.

"I understand. We'll continue the agency until you come back…if you come back."

"Thank you. I'll call you when we get wherever we're going, but you can't tell Sunnydale anything. Let them think their spell failed."

"Of course."

Angel dashed up the stairs to his room. He pulled out two duffle bags and started throwing things into them. Clothes, books, his sketches and some knick-knacks that had particular meaning to him went into one. In the other he packed an array of weapons, just in case.

When he finally appeared downstairs, he noticed Buffy wasn't in her seat. Panic laced through him until he found her in the kitchen, nibbling on a plate of eggs. She had also changed into a green, long-sleeved t-shirt and jeans.

"I cleaned her up and gave her some of my clothes. They're a little big on her, but she's got a belt that works well enough," Cordelia said, coming up behind him.

"Thank you. I'll buy her some new ones once she's a little more adjusted." Angel went into his office, Cordelia following closely behind. He knelt in front of the safe and opened it, pulling out a smaller duffle and filling it with fistfuls of cash, as well as a few other priceless items.

"If you need anything, please call us," Cordelia begged. Angel stood and pulled her into a hug.

"You're a good friend Cordelia. Thank you."

And then the Slayer and her vampire were gone.

A/N: Okay, let me know how you liked it PLEASE!