Chapter Two

Buffy hums to herself as she patrols her third cemetery for the night. After a moment she realises what she is doing and stops humming, "Damn that song is catchy."

She continues to patrol but considering that she is on a Hellmouth, everything seems pretty…well, dead. She decides to leave the cemetery and move on to the next on her list. At first it looks like her night is going to be wasted but soon she hears the sounds of a fight. She looks skyward and mumbles "Thank you." She takes off in the direction of the sounds, weaving in and out of the gravestones.

She is instantly greeted by the sight of a dark man fending off four vampires. He seems to be holding his own, much to her surprise. Buffy watches him fight, admiring his graceful moves and his strength. He stakes two of the vampires, one after the other, and turns to dust the third. But he is unexpectedly attacked from behind by the final vampire, and they force him to the ground.

Buffy immediately runs to his aid and rips the fourth vampire off him and stakes it by surprise. The man pushes the other off him, jumps to his feet, and stakes it. He whirls round to face Buffy.

Buffy finally looks up at the man's face and freezes. He was the most beautiful man she had ever seen, and yet there was something about him that was off.

The man stares across at Buffy, and she stares back, not saying anything. After a moment she realises what she's doing and breaks their gaze, as the man continues to stare. Buffy notices his unwavering gaze and frowns at him, "What? Do I have something on my face or what?"

The man blinks, seemingly not hearing what she said, then he snaps out of it, "Who are you?"

Buffy shakes her head, "Nobody important. Forget it." She turns away and starts to leave. The man immediately moves to stops her, "Wait!"

Buffy stops with a sigh and turns to face him again, "What?"

The man stops and stares at her, interestedly, "You never told me your name."

Buffy sighs and rubs her head, "It's Buffy."

The man nods, "Buffy. So how do you know about vampires?"

Buffy flashes the man a mock shocked look, "That was a vampire! Oh my god!" The man doesn't respond, and Buffy rolls her eyes, "It's kinda my job. Sacred duty, special birthright, whatever."

The man frowns, "You're the Slayer?"

Buffy sighs and rolls her eyes again, "Yes, I'm the Slayer. Oh look! You know so much about me, and I don't even know your name." She raises an eyebrow, hinting.

The man nods his head, having temporarily forgotten his manners, "It's Angel."

Buffy raises an eyebrow, "Angel? Pretty name"

Angel ignores the comment and, curious, decides to pry further, "So, how old are you, Buffy?"

Buffy crosses her arms, "And that is your business, how?"

Angel sighs, "Okay, you don't have to tell me."

Buffy nods in agreement and frowns, "So how do you know about vampires?"

Angel falters and is silent for a moment, trying to figure out how to tell the vampire Slayer that he is a vampire, "Well, this might seem strange, but you need to understand something. I'm not like the others-"

Buffy interrupts Angel's babbling, very impatient, "Not like other what's?"

Angel sighs and decides to just come out with it, "I'm a vampire."

Buffy just stares at Angel, "Okay...and how long have you had this delusion?"

Angel frowns at Buffy, "I am a vampire. Look." His face slowly morphs into his game face, making Buffy jump back in surprise,

"Oh! Okay, so you are a vampire." She frowns suddenly, "Hold on. So you're a vampire who hunts his own kind? What's up with that?"

Angel sighs, "It's a long story."

Buffy cocks her head, "How bout you shorten it for me?"

Angel frowns, "Long story short, I'm a vampire with a soul."

Buffy frowns, confused, "A what?"

Angel paces as he explains, "My human soul was returned to me a hundred years ago as a punishment for all the horrible things I did after I was turned."

Buffy frowns at the unfairness, "Oh. Rough gig." Angel nods but doesn't say anything. Buffy purses her lips and gestures behind her, "Nice meeting you and all, but I really gotta book."

Angel nods, "Where do you live? I'll walk you back. Not that you need a vampire escort, but you know."

Buffy gives Angel a small smile and shakes her head, not really wanting anyone to see where she lives, "Thanks, but no. I gotta go." She quickly starts walking away before Angel can say anything.

Angel watches her leave, curiously. He decides to follow her home at a distance. He follows her through the bad part of town and he frowns, 'surely she doesn't live here'. She keeps walking and Angel continues to follow. After several minutes walk, Buffy finally arrives at her makeshift home and goes inside. Angel frowns, not happy with Buffy's situation. He makes a note of her 'address' and goes to his original destination; Angel Investigations.


To be continued...

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