Disclaimer: I own nothing that you recognise. Joss is God.

A/N Sorry for not updating, it was partially because I had exams, but mostly because I didn't know where to go from the last chapter. This chapter is a bit longer than the last two, and hopefully I will be quicker with the next chapter. As always, reviews and ideas are not only appreciated, but also shamelessly begged for.

Part 4 – Begging

Willow took a seat on one of Buffy's armchairs and dropped her handbag on the coffee table.

"Do you want some tea or coffee or something?" Buffy asked.

"Sure, tea would be good."

"I'll get it." Angel said, already moving towards the kitchen. Buffy looked after him with an expression that hinted at surprise and slight amusement.

"Do you think you can find the cups and things?" she called after a moment. From the kitchen there was a pause then the sound of cupboards opening.

"I'll be fine, this is exactly the same as your old kitchen." Angel's voice was ever so slightly amused, "so you can sit down and relax."

Buffy flopped onto the couch, a smile twitching at the corners of her mouth. Then she looked up at Willow and saw her smiling her you-know-what-I'm-thinking smile, which caused them both to burst into laughter.

When they had recovered sufficiently to speak, Buffy asked Willow

"So what brings you by at this time of the morning?"

"Oh!" Willow said, "I'm here to beg you again. Please, you've got to come!"

"To that party? The one I told you I didn't want to go…?"

"You said that almost a week ago," Willow interjected pleadingly, "you were brooding. I was hoping you'd got over that."

"Brooding?" Angel queried as he re-entered the room, carrying a tray with their drinks.

"I was not brooding!" Buffy protested, then said under her breath, "It was more like moping…"

Angel looked at her querulously as he sat next to her, setting the tray down on the coffee table.

"And if this isn't 'over it'," Willow continued gesturing at them both, "I don't know what is." With that she smiled and picked up her tea. Buffy glanced at her recently returned soulmate and couldn't find a comeback for Willow's argument.

"Fine," Buffy replied reluctantly, "I'll go." Then with a small smile she added, "As long as Angel comes with me."

"You think I'd let you go alone?" Angel asked, one eyebrow raised. Buffy's smile spread into a grin as he wrapped an arm around her.

"Yay!" Willow said happily, and went on to give them the details of when, where and what to wear.