A/N: I am SO sorry it has taken me so long to update this fic. There's a ton of rl stuff going on and I just haven't had a lot of time. The updates will hopefully come faster from now on. As always, PLEASE read and review. It really does make my day!

Chapter 4

In the three weeks that Angel had been working for Buffy, he'd fallen for her. Fallen for her in a 'butterflies in the stomach, triple your normal heart rate when she's around' kind of way. Not only had he fallen for her, but they'd become friends. Good friends. And he liked the people that she worked with, except for Riley who had glared at him every time they crossed paths since the restaurant incident. He'd even taken to spending time with Buffy and her co-workers outside of work.

Buffy had fallen asleep on the short ride home from the restaurant where she, Angel, Giles, and Anya had been having dinner, and Angel couldn't bear to wake her. He pulled the car into the garage, thankful that there were no paparazzi around, and then went around to the passenger side.

Lifting Buffy from the car was easy, she weighed next to nothing, but opening doors and navigating the house with her in his arms was not. She stirred for a moment as Angel opened the door, but settled back in his arms, snuggling into his chest. Angel paused, his heart fluttering. She looked so young and innocent, perfect really.

He made it to the bedroom without incident and laid her out on her large, king sized bed. He started to move away, but Buffy's hand reached out and fisted in his sleeve, unwilling to let go. Angel knew she hadn't woken up, and looked for a way to extract himself. These were not the circumstances under which he wanted to sleep in her bed for the first time. Not at all.

He tried everything, but Buffy's tiny little hand would not release him. So finally, with a sigh, Angel gently levered himself onto the bed next to her. He didn't hold her, didn't touch her, but as soon as she felt his weight on the bed, she curled her body against his, draping her arm across his chest.

It was nearly an hour later before Angel finally succumbed to sleep. He couldn't stop thinking about the last time he'd been in bed with a blonde, his ex-wife, and how different this was. Still, Angel didn't embrace Buffy. He knew that she might be mortified in the morning. Hell, she'd probably fire him in the morning, but Angel couldn't make himself get off the bed.

He could feel himself smile as he slipped into sleep.

*

Buffy stirred a few minutes before her alarm was set to go off, something her body had done for years. She snuggled against the body behind her, feeling warm and safe for a moment before she realized that there shouldn't be a body in the bed with her. Her eyes went wide and she tried to shift enough to see who was behind her.

Angel's face was more peaceful than she'd ever seen it. He looked easily ten years younger than usual and she couldn't resist turning all the way over. He didn't wake up, but his arm did tighten around her waist.

Buffy watched his face for a few minutes. She watched as he dreamed, his eyes moving beneath his closed lids. A small smile played at the corners of his mouth and before Buffy could stop herself, she was leaning in and pressing a kiss to his full, gorgeous lips.

She expected him to wake up and jump away from her. She expected a look of revulsion to cross his features. Instead, still asleep but waking quickly, he returned the kiss. Buffy squeaked in surprise as his tongue flicked out to trace her lips and his arm pulled her even closer. He woke fully and his knee insinuated itself between her legs as he simultaneously rolled them so that he was slightly on top of her.

The kiss ended and Angel pulled back, his sleepy eyes gazing into hers. She smiled up at him.

"Good morning," she whispered.

Some of the light happiness faded from Angel's eyes and Buffy's worst nightmare came true. He rolled off of her and out of the bed, running his hands through his hair and pacing. He took a step towards the door and then a step back towards her. Finally he settled for the door. He paused just before disappearing and took a deep breath.

"I'm going for a run. I'll be back in time to leave."

Then he was gone.

Buffy sat up and fought back tears. How could she have been so stupid? Angel was older, he'd been married. What in the world would make him want her? She was just a little girl. A silly little girl.

Once Buffy was sure her tears were under control, she got out of bed and started her morning routine. She ran her frustrations out on the treadmill and then showered away a few tears. As she dressed, she put her Blackberry on speaker and dialed Willow.

"'Lo?" Willow's sleepy voice asked, muffled, probably by her pillow.

"Hey Wills," Buffy said. There was a pause on Willow's end and Buffy heard her best friend shuffling around.

"Buffy? Are you okay?" Willow asked. Buffy smiled at the concern evident in Willow's voice.

"Sort of. God, Willow, Angel and I made out this morning." Buffy felt tears welling in her eyes again and bit the inside of her lip, praying she could keep it together.

"You what?" Willow squeaked.

"We made out."

"Why don't you sound happy about it? And I need more details!" Buffy laughed and took a deep breath.

"Last night he stayed over. It was totally innocent; he drove me home after dinner and I fell asleep in the car. He carried me inside and put me to bed, and I don't remember everything but I remember half waking up and not wanting him to leave. So, I just held on until he climbed into bed. I think he thought I was asleep or he wouldn't have stayed. Anyway, when I woke up this morning I kissed him and we started making out, and then he freaked. And that's why I'm not squealing in delight."

"Oh no, Buffy. I'm sorry. Did he say anything?"

"No, he bolted. Well, he told me he'd be back in time to take me to work. Then he bolted." Buffy picked up her phone and started downstairs so she could grab breakfast. A glance at the clock told her she only had fifteen minutes before Angel would be back.

"Are you going to try to talk to him?" Willow asked.

"I don't know, Will. I want to. God, I don't know what it is about him but I haven't felt this way about a guy in forever. Or ever, actually. But he looked really spooked."

"Maybe he just needs time. Didn't you say he's divorced?"

"Yeah, and I know his wife hurt him, but I'm not her!" Buffy heard Willow sigh.

"I know, but he's probably still hurting. Just give him some time. Now, on to the juicy stuff, was he a good kisser?"

"Oh my God, Willow, he was an amazing kisser! I want to kiss him again, but that will probably never happen," Buffy laughed as she rounded the corner into the kitchen. She knew that Willow would be able to make her feel better.

"Seriously, Buffy, just give him time."

Buffy wasn't hearing Willow though, she was staring at Angel, who was sitting at the breakfast bar with a cup of coffee in his hands, looking mortified. Buffy felt a hot blush spread over her cheeks, knowing that Angel had just heard her critique his kissing skills.

"Willow, I gotta go." Buffy hung up the phone and stared at Angel, who stared back.

"Buffy, I need to apologize for kissing you," Angel said softly, looking down into his coffee. Buffy swallowed thickly.

"You didn't." Angel frowned and looked up at her.

"I'm sorry?"

"You didn't kiss me. I kissed you. I took advantage while you were asleep and vulnerable and I'm a horrible person and it's me who should be apologizing," Buffy said quickly. She sucked in a deep breath and spun around, heading back upstairs.

"Buffy, wait! Look, it happened. You aren't a horrible person. Can we just, put this behind us?" Buffy nodded, not trusting herself to speak.

*

The ride to work was long, silent, and tense. Buffy couldn't look at Angel, and Angel kept his eyes on the road. When Angel pulled into the parking lot, Buffy jumped from the car nearly before he had put it in park.

She made her way quickly to hair and make-up, plopping down in a chair. Riley appeared by her side moments later.

"Riley," Buffy groaned, in no way prepared to deal with the security man.

"Buffy. So, I like to think that we've gotten pretty close since you started filming here and I've been waiting a long time to do this…"

"Do what, Riley?" Buffy asked, rolling her eyes. Riley blushed and a ball of dread settled in the pit of Buffy's stomach.

"Well, Buffy, what I'd like to do is ask you to go out with me." Buffy was surprised at how calm and confident his voice sounded, even though she could see his hands shaking. She smiled at him.

"I'm sorry, Riley, I can't." His face fell. Buffy tried not to wince at the look in his eyes.

"Is it that guy? Your bodyguard?" Buffy shook her head.

"No, Riley. Angel and I are not dating. I just…I don't feel that way about you. I'm sorry."

Buffy watched as Riley's eyes darkened, as anger flashed in them. For a moment, she was afraid. Riley was a big guy and she was very, very small. How in the world could she hope to protect herself if he decided he would just take what he wanted? Angel…

But Riley didn't make a move towards her. He might have if Angel hadn't appeared at that moment, like an answer to Buffy's prayers. His frame darkened the doorway and his eyes narrowed at Riley.

"Riley, I need a minute with Buffy," Angel asked. Riley's jaw clenched, but he did turn around and walk out.

He didn't go far, however. He made his way across the hallway to a wall mounted phone that security used for random purposes. He picked it up, kept his finger pressed on the button just below the ear piece so that it would stay "on the hook" and proceeded to watch Buffy and Angel.

*

"Buffy, I'm sorry about how this morning went,' Angel sighed, rubbing his hand over his face. Buffy shrugged, avoiding looking him in the eye.

"Hey, no big. I mean, it's not like…"

"Buffy." She stopped talking and looked up at him. He was so close their toes were nearly touching. He reached out and traced his finger down the side of Buffy's face.

"Huh?" Angel's lips quirked in a smile and his hand settled on her waist.

"Buffy, I didn't "freak" as you say because I don't like you. I just…I wasn't quite prepared to be making out with you, and I certainly wasn't prepared to sleep in your bed. It just threw me off." Buffy blinked and gave Angel a small smile.

"So, you do like me?"

"How could I not? You're beautiful and sweet and funny, and so full of life. I just need to take things slowly." Angel's other hand came up to rest on her hip as well and he pulled her forward, closing the minimal amount of distance that had been left between them. His head dipped down and he brushed his lips over hers; softly, slowly. A breathy, soft moan escaped Buffy and Angel nearly came undone at the sound. He deepened the kiss slightly, teasing Buffy with quick flicks of his tongue.

"So, wait, what does this mean?" Buffy asked as they pulled away from the kiss. Angel's eyes searched hers.

"Well, I was hoping I could take you on a date."

Buffy smiled and, squealing with joy, jumped into Angel's arms.

*

Buffy and Angel didn't see each other for the rest of the work day. Angel had more fan mail to go through with Giles and Anya, and Buffy's shooting schedule was jam packed. When the day finally ended, Buffy wanted nothing more than to go home, take a bath, and curl up on the couch, preferably in Angel's arms. Angel agreed.

As they exited the studio, careful not to touch (even though they were both itching to), paparazzi swarmed around them. Flashes assaulted them and Buffy had to shield her eyes against the brightness. Immediately, Angel moved into action. His hand went to Buffy's back as he hurried her along, half in front of her and half beside her to shield her from the cameras. Buffy gave the photographers a smile and then ducked her head and quickened her step.

They dove into the car and Angel drove them home quickly. The only thing that stopped the paparazzi from following them inside was the gate across Buffy's driveway, which locked as soon as she and Angel were inside.

"How did you ever deal with that without a bodyguard?" Angel asked, jerking his head towards the front of the house, where they could still see a few paparazzi lingering. Buffy shrugged her shoulders.

"I'm serious when I say they weren't like this before. Most of them kept their distance, and the ones that didn't were still cool about letting me walk, or drive, away. They never crowded me like that until the night of the accident." Buffy went to the windows and drew all the shades so that the paparazzi couldn't use their zoom lenses to photograph her inside.

"We can only hope they chill out soon. You go have that bath you've been talking about since lunch. I'm going to head back to my place," Angel said with a smile. Buffy's heart sank a little. He must have seen it on her face, because he reached forward and pulled her into a hug.

"Not that I don't want to stay here, but it's like I told you, I need to take things slowly. Spending the night for the second time in a row would definitely not count as taking it slow," Angel laughed softly, pressing a kiss to her head. Buffy smiled up at him and nodded.

"Goodnight, Angel."