Disclaimer: I don't own either show. I'm just not that cool

MASS CHANGES FROM ORIGINAL VERSION POSTED

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Fred was standing in the doorway looking at Buffy. It was decided that she would stay at Cordelia's apartment for the time being and Fred would stay with them. She was getting ready to go in and check on Buffy. Angel had been right to assume that the First had Buffy taking something. Her body, with the help of the medicine Cordelia injected into her neck, was fighting it. Buffy had a fever that easily would have killed her had she not been the slayer. Fred walked in and sat on the edge of the bed as she saw Buffy start to shake. She grabbed the cloth from the tub of water on the night stand and gently wiped Buffy's face. She got up and walked over to the mini fridge turned freezer and pulled out some ice packs. She laid them all around Buffy's body. After she did that she went back to the living room where Cordelia was sitting.

"How is she?"

"Fever hasn't died down yet but that's the worst of it at the moment."

"How are you Fred?"

"I'm fine not sick at all."

"That's not what I meant. You've barely slept since we got back three days ago. Besides don't forget who you told about your little crush. It must be killing you to see her this way."

Fred sighed, "It isn't easy. I mean I know I don't know her half as well as you, but what we saw when we were in Sunnydale didn't seem like her. I want her to be able to be herself."

"It definitely wasn't her. They had to have destroyed her. The Buffy I knew would have never let them kick her out."

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Two days later found Fred and Cordelia in the living room again. "Her fever broke last night."

"That's great news." They heard a sound and looked up. "Hey Buffy, you shouldn't be up right now. Your body's still weak. Here come sit down." Cordelia got up and led Buffy over to the couch. Fred immediately went into doctor mode checking Buffy out to make sure everything was as it should be.

"Cordy? What happened? Why am I here? Last thing I remember is getting kicked out of my house." Cordelia told Buffy what had happened. Buffy started sobbing. She couldn't believe that she did that to her friends and family. Fred awkwardly started to rub her back not entirely sure what to do. Buffy immediately curled into her and held onto her shirt tightly as she cried into her shoulder. Fred just continued to rub her back.

After she calmed down a little bit she turned her head so she was looking at Cordelia but managed to keep it on Fred's shoulder. "What am I going to do now? I mean I obviously can't go back but I have nowhere else."

Cordelia sat on the couch next to Buffy and gently placed a hand on her leg. "We were hoping you would stay here in LA. Angel is in charge of Wolfram and Hart now so you can have a job there. Also help with diminishing the demon population will always be welcome."

"Really? I mean you want me here? After everything that I did?"

"You didn't do anything. They betrayed you causing some prophecy to go into effect. Then the first manipulated you. You didn't do anything wrong." The steel in Fred's voice left no room for question.

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A few weeks later found Buffy completely settled in. She started working at Wolfram and Hart with everyone. Buffy was working as head of security for the law firms. She knew all the ins and outs of the place. A week or so after she finally stopped blaming herself Fred went to her seeking a relationship and Buffy eagerly accepted. It turned out that Fred seemed to be exactly what she needed. She was caring, calm, smart, a little quirky, and a complete beast in the privacy of their apartment. Even though they were a new couple they were more than ready to take that step. They actually bought a penthouse apartment near Wolfram and Hart.

Buffy decided to surprise her girlfriend with lunch. "Hey Fred," Fred smiled as she saw her girlfriend walk into the lab.

She decided to meet her half way, "Hey baby. What are you up too?" She gave Buffy a quick peck on the lips.

"Today's really nice so I figured if you could spare an hour or two we might be able to have a small picnic." Buffy grinned at the look of surprise that passed Fred's face. Fred immediately pulled her lab coat off and pulled Buffy to the door.

Angel stood on the upper floor grinning as he watched them leave. He was so happy for Buffy. She was finally able to find someone she could truly be happy with. Angel wasn't able to go there quite yet with Cordelia but he was working on it. He was so proud of Buffy's ability to let go of the past and move on. So much had been lifted off her shoulders. She was truly herself again.

Angel's pondering was interrupted by one of the secretaries. "Sir, there's someone who wants to meet with you. They refused to leave without seeing you so I put them in your office." Angel nodded and followed behind the secretary.

"What can I d-" Angel growled. They had some nerve to show up there.

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