Disclaimers: Don't own BTVS, don't own the DVC

His Angel

By: Cousin Mary

The shrill sound of the phone ringing broke through to her after a few seconds. She clung to Silas, just breathing for a moment longer before pulling away to answer it. The phone was in the chaotic living room and she made her way there on unsteady legs. It was Dawn, of course, her sister always had the worst timing.

"Hello?" Dawn was repeating herself, probably because Buffy had just lost another second staring at the phone.

"Yeah, I'm here," Buffy shoved her hand through her already disheveled hair, Silas was watching from the bathroom. Still nude and statue still, but now flushed pink with emotion, "Dawnie, uh, don't panic, but we had a break in."

"Oh shit," Her sister repeated what Buffy had told her away from the phone, probably to Antonio, "Did they take the DVDs? Oh, they didn't get my laptop did they? I knew I should have put it in the safe!"

"Uh, no to the DVDs," Buffy glanced around, "I don't see your laptop, they might have taken that. That's not what they were after though."

On the other end of the line Dawn fell silent. Maybe she recognized the tone of her sister's voice, maybe on some level she'd always known there was a chance it would happen again, "They were looking for what Glory wanted?"

Buffy nodded, "Yeah."

"You want me to come home?" Dawn sounded unsure, but not completely wigged. Her little sister was growing up.

"Maybe if you could stay there awhile?" Buffy asked after a moment, "I could see what I can dig up here. I want you to check in every few hours though."

"Kay," Dawn sighed, "And Antonio?" She whispered the last part, wanting know what she should tell her boyfriend and his family.

"Tell him we were robbed and ask if it's okay if you stay with them a few days," Buffy frowned, she couldn't believe she was actually telling her sister to spend more nights with this kid, "Keep your eyes open."

"Always do," Dawn took a deep breath, not quite another sigh, but almost, "So, how are you? Did you make it to the market today?"

Buffy's eyes fell on Silas, who was still watching her with his unreadable pale eyes, "Uh, no, ran into a bit of trouble with that. Everything's fine now."

"Did you see that creepy monk again?" Dawn's tone was brightening. It was amazing how fast her sister could go from doom and gloom to gossip. Not that Buffy could claim to be much different, "He didn't have anything to do with this, ya think?

"Uh, no," Buffy bit her lip, her eyes lifting to Silas once more, glad he couldn't overhear their conversation.

"Oh he's so there now isn't he!" Dawn shrieked, then quieted herself. Buffy could hear her telling Antonio she was fine. There was a naughty grin in her voice as she went on, "I knew he didn't sound bad creepy, he's like hot creepy isn't he?"

"Uh," Buffy could feel herself go bright red. Luckily Silas had found the pile of clothes in the hall and had disappeared back into the bathroom. The conversation was slightly less embarrassing without him actually standing there.

"Buffy?" Dawn sounded a little worried now, "You still there?"

"Yeah, and yeah, creepy hot," Buffy glanced back up, making sure he wasn't listening, "Seriously creepy hot."

"What about 'The Immortal,'" Dawn was amused again, she knew how annoyed her sister had become with the probable-demon who ran a good chunk of Rome's underworld.

"Pfft" Buffy waved her hand dismissively. She was about to add something, but then bit back a gasp when Silas returned. He was gorgeous. He'd gone with wearing both shirts, the blue over the pink. All the clothes were on the pale side, the pastel shirts, the khakis, he practically glowed in the dim light of an unturned lamp. He stood there nervously, probably uncomfortable in the borrowed clothes, "Uh, listen Dawnie, I gotta go. Call my cell later, 'kay?"

She barely heard her sister agree, though she did make out one last giggle and a "creepy hot," before the line went dead.

"You look nice," Buffy blushed, she couldn't believe what had almost happened between them. She barely knew him!

He fidgeted, but managed a small smile before dropping his eyes. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but nothing came out. His lips pressed into a thin line and he screwed his eyes shut. He began to tremble.

"Oh, hey," Buffy started to go to him, but stopped just short of touching him, "Silas… I, uh, I'm sorry. About what happened, I mean, I shouldn't have-"

"Signorina Buffy," He breathed out, cutting her off, "I am ashamed of my weakness, I- forgive me, please."

"Uh, I was there too you know," Buffy stepped closer, brushing his face with her hand, he flinched away from her, "Takes two to tango and all that. But maybe we should go slower, a lot slower."

His pale eyes opened and turned to her. His expression was the opposite of empty, so many things flickered through his eyes and face that she couldn't keep up. Longing, loathing, love, everything mashed together 'til he couldn't speak with it.

Buffy swallowed and had to look away, "I have to find out who these guys were. Any ideas?"

He watched her, his face unreadable once again. He nodded once and started for the door.

"Ah, wait," Buffy called out a little embarrassed, "I kinda need a shower first too… and to, you know, sundresses and hunting really don't go together much."

He watched her as she babbled. He had stopped walking towards the door, but he made no move to sit on the couch and wait either.

"I'll just… hurry then," Buffy shrugged and disappeared back into her room. Well, this wasn't weird at all, was it?

Buffy dressed conservatively, well, conservatively for her. Everything, her black twill pants, boots and sweater were all still tailored tight, but for the most part she was covered. She was constantly surprised at how off-balance Silas kept her. She'd been sorely tempted to pack Mr. Gordo in the small backpack she'd decided to take with her. He had her that rattled.

He was leaning against the wall in the most shadowed corner of the apartment. He watched her through slitted eyes as she carefully stepped through the remains of her and Dawn's things. He didn't so much as blink when she almost tripped over an unseen remote control. He met her at the door without a word.

They walked in silence. Blocks turned into miles as the night wore on. Buffy could feel the Eternal City's secrets come out to play and their power danced over her skin as the marched on. She longed to break away and patrol, but she reminded herself she was after bigger things.

Eventually they came to an older section of the city, miles from the cosmopolitan center of the Summers' flat. Everything was old and worn, filled with history that stretched well past the United States. Rome had street corners that had witnessed the rise and fall of a dozen empires, houses that had hid secrets that stretched back millennia. Some still hid those kinds of secrets.

Silas led her into a dilapidated wood and stone building that didn't even seem to have electricity. She followed him around as he lit oil lamps and candles. Silas seemed to come into himself more without technology. Candlelight suited him. He sank into a rustic wooden bench that had been smoothed out by decades of use. As Buffy tentatively sat beside him, he turned and grasped her hands. His eyes closed and he bent his head in prayer.

Buffy watched him, once again at a loss. His hair was so pale she could nearly see through it. Like tiny prisms it took the flame light and played with it, breaking into tiny rainbows at each tip. His words were barely a whisper of Latin, but his body quaked and rocked as the prayers escaped him. He bowed his head deeper and kissed her hands.

She was uncomfortable, but she didn't pull away. Her phone began to vibrate, Dawn checking in, but she let it be. She'd call her back in a few minutes. Silas prayed as Buffy watched and the candles burned themselves out.

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