(Reminder: Angel has the Gem of Amara so he's not going poof in the sun)

Chapter 3

March 20, 2008; 3:45 p.m.

San Francisco

Hot water cascaded down his strong tanned back when he heard the doorbell ring. Groaning at the irritant little chime he washed off the rest of the soap in his hair, stepped out of the shower, dried off quickly and eased into a pair of black slacks he had laid out. He stole a fleeting glance at the clock; the only company they were expecting wouldn't be showing up for a few more hours.

Cole shimmered out of the bathroom and into the quiet entryway, whoever interrupted his shower had better pray to whatever deity they pray too because he was not a happy demon. He'd returned from the office early and sent the babysitter back to her lair. Normally Spike or Drusilla would stay with the children but Spike had some business in the Underworld and Dru was too tired to sit with his and Buffy's two youngest Serena and Mason.

While Serena and Mason stayed home with one of their many babysitters the twins, Byron and Logan went to school. Their boys were currently in the first grade, Byron was the more outgoing of the two and had a classroom full of friends, while Logan tended to like to be off by himself more and only had three or four close buddies.

A few feet from the doorway he ran his fingers through his hair slicking back the wet brown locks keeping them away from his face. Wiping the excess water onto his slacks he reached for the doorknob and turned it.

Outside

The Scooby Gang, that had grown and dwindled throughout the years, were impatiently waiting at the house Joyce had brought them too. It was a nice, what looked to be a three-story home, light blue, with a perfectly attended garden, and two cars in the driveway, one black Mercedes and the other a silver Mustang convertible.

Joyce hadn't told any of them anything about Buffy except that she was happy and continuing her Slayer duties. Normally she would have relished the chance to rub her daughter's greatness in the faces of everyone that had hurt her, but she thought that them finding out on their own would be much better.

"Are you sure she's even home right now Joyce?" Faith asked, not happy at all that the Council said she wouldn't be able to defeat the upcoming evil without the help of a runaway slayer. What could Buffy do that she couldn't?

Joyce sent Faith a comforting glance, she wasn't a bad kid, and she hadn't set out to break Buffy's heart all those years ago but the protective mother in her couldn't forget the pain Buffy thought she hid when she came back. Sighing out in frustration she nodded. "Well, I know someone's home, since the Mercedes is Cole's car." Plus she called Cole yesterday informing him of what was to come, she didn't want her daughter to surprised.

"Who's Cole?" Angel's jealousy coming out. He thought Joyce was fibbing when she said Buffy had a husband.

Before Joyce could tell him the door opened and standing there his hair still wet from his shower, was Cole Turner, attorney at law, half-demon, husband to the Slayer, and father to their four children, in nothing but a pair of black slacks. "Joyce, I didn't think you'd be here till tonight?" He embraced his mother-in-law warmly.

"Well, we took an earlier flight, is Buffy here?" At this time in the afternoon it wasn't likely but it didn't hurt to ask.

"No, she's working undercover with Darryl, she's the only woman on the force that would wear the outfit they needed the U.C. to wear." Cole smiled at her, but then his dazzling grin changed to a frown at the sight of whose behind Joyce Summers. Primal instincts flare up at the sight of the strangers on his doorstep, he had a desire to growl at them, to let it be known that this was his castle and he'd kill anyone who stepped out of line.

However before he could give into his protective nature Joyce captured his attention. "Darryl, isn't that the young man that was here with his wife and kids during Thanksgiving?" Having a little trouble putting the name with the face, she'd only met her partner once but she'd heard many stories about the man.

"Yea. That's him. Inspector Morris."

"He is such a polite young man. I'm glad Buffy has him as a partner, he makes sure she's taken care of." Joyce smiled, although she knew Buffy was well equipped to look after herself it made Joyce feel better that she had someone to watch her back.

"Why don't you all come inside. Buffy should be home in a little while anyway. And it will give me a chance to finish getting dressed." He moved back inside not waiting for the group to come in, Joyce knew the way around the house she'd show everyone to the living room, as he walked upstairs to his and Buffy's room. Normally he would have shimmered but Joyce requested that he keep his demon status hidden…at least for a little while. And he was happy to oblige.

"Right this way everyone." Joyce acted like she's leading a tour group. They enter the living room, which was bright and cheery, the furniture was set up so there's a big open space in the middle between the chairs and sofa and the big screen TV. Across the room near the fireplace and a small window stood a piano with a vase full of flowers on top of it.

Pictures of Buffy with different people were scattered around the room. One that caught Angel's attention right away was what appeared to be Buffy's wedding photo. Standing there was the man they met at the door in a tux gazing down at Buffy like she was the most precious thing in the world, which was exactly what she was, even after this time, to him. Buffy was gazing up at the man with such devotion and love it made Angel envious of the life he wanted with her.

It didn't surprise him that he could still recognize her scent as if he'd only seen her seconds ago. While her smell had disappeared from her mother's house in Sunnydale it permeated through this house. A sweet, delicate scent of vanilla sent him back to a time when they were inseparable.

Mrs. Summers sat down in her favorite chair, it also happened to be Buffy's chair, and motioned for the others to sit on the two couches. "She should be here soon." Was all she told them.

Angel who couldn't help it asked. "Who is that guy?" He pointed in the direction that the shirtless man left. His scent was also everywhere and it drove him and his demon insane with jealousy. Buffy's and the shirtless man's scent of musk and sex combined in every nook and cranny.

"That was Cole, Buffy's husband of almost nine years. He's such a good man." She set her purse down on the coffee table.

"Now come on Joyce, let's not be telling lies about me." He smirked and leaned against the wall separating the entryway and the living room.

Giles being the English gentleman tried to engage Cole in a bit of friendly conversation. "How long have you known Buffy?" But Cole wasn't having any of it.

"Since a month after she moved to San Francisco." Cole simply told him.

"How long ago was that?" Giles tried to get more out of him. He needed to feel this man out, see if he was suitable for Buffy. It didn't matter that his Slayer had been gone for years, he considered himself and would always consider himself to be her father figure. At times he may be upset, saddened, even disappointed by her actions but he'd love her unconditionally.

The first few years Faith came to town he didn't attempt to get closer to her, he still hurt from Buffy leaving and not letting him know that she all right. The last thing he wanted was to lose another Slayer and go through the same pain. Later when he felt he was ready to let Faith in he came to realize that she didn't want a father figure. She had one in the Mayor for a brief time but in the end she turned to the Scoobies to stop him.

"Long enough to not be any of your business." No reason why any of these people should know anything that Buffy didn't tell them herself.

Faith stood irritated at the way this Cole guy was treating everyone. "Hey, would it kill you to be nice?"

"Yes, it would."

Before Faith could come back with a snarky comment the front door opened revealing a woman in a long black trench coat and sunglasses on the top of her head speaking very angrily at a tall, handsome man.

"Darryl I'm serious, we've got to get some other women doing this kind of U.C. work. I can't keep being the one wearing these 'come fuck me' outfits." The blonde growled. Yes, it's part of her job to go undercover in various outfits but pretending to be a hooker so they could catch some big-time drug-dealer wasn't her idea of a good time.

"Tuner you're undercover as a hooker of course you have to wear these 'come fuck me' outfits." He chuckled at his friend and partner.

"Ugh!" She took her sunglasses off her head and set them in the small wicker basket on the table in the entryway that held various keys and knickknacks. Buffy glanced up and saw her husband leaning against the living room entrance looking oh so lickable. "Hi honey."

"Hey baby. We have company."

TBC