Ch. 9

2 ½ hours later the gang pulled up in front of the mansion on Crawford st. Buffy got out and ran into the waiting arms of her best friend. Angel had called Willow on the way down and told her what happened. Willow, Xander, Dawn, Spike and Anya were waiting for them with every single magic book that held the words 'End of Days' or 'the mind'. Buffy hugged each of her friends in turn. Every one looked up at the gang from LA. Suddenly Dawn gasped.

"OhmyGodOhmyGodOhmyGod."
"Dawn, what I it?"
"No flames. Or dust, or well vampire."

Spike fainted in his position at the door and everyone watched the last few rays of light pass over Angels face.

"That's my Angel. My very human Angel."

Dawn gave Buffy a bone-crunching hug.

"I'm so happy for you two."
"I'll be happier when we find Ora. Who in their right mind would kidnap a 17 year old girl?"
"Especially the daughter of the slayer." Xander said.
"Okay everyone, we need to get everything unpacked and inside. The LA gang will stay here and get settled. My crew go back home and bring clothes food and anything else. The mansion will be HQ until this is over. I want you all to be safe."

Angel stared at Buffy and found he had to smile. His little girl had grown into a fine young woman. Everyone stood where they were not used to this very demanding Slayer.

"Today people."

13 people moved at once. Willow stayed where she was with Buffy.

"Come on Will you have to co-operate here."
"And I am. Anyas getting my stuff. I'm not moving until you and I have a talk."
"What about?"
"No one except you and Angel know exactly what has happened the last 24 hours. Now Tara and I can help but you know the spirits. They prefer if things flow naturally. So you need to tell me what's going on."

Buffy sat down on the step outside and held her head in her hands.

"Ora was meant to come back from the airport hours ago. When she didn't I got really anxious. Angel did a great job keeping me distracted. A rock came flying through the window and it had this message on it."

She handed the letter to Willow who read it in silence.

"Buffy we will get Ora back. I love her too much not to. What else has happened?"
"I think I want the rest of the gang here. I don't want to tell twice."
"Alright. Lets go in and sort out the living arrangements."

The two girls walked in and stood back while Gunn Fred and Doyle stood with their mouths open.

"Whose pad is this?" Gunn wanted to know.
"It's Angels. He hasn't lived in it for at least 18 years."
"But it's so clean." Doyle stated.

Buffy looked down.

"I stay here sometimes. Whenever it got too much to be away from him I would stay in his bed and use Willow or Xander as an alibi for Riley. I kept the place pretty clean."
"So," Cordy turned to buffy, "Where are we sleeping?"
"That's up to Angel. It's his place."

They looked up at him as he came back in from the bedroom.

"Sweetie, this place is as much yours as it is mine."
"Still."
"Okay. Doyle and Cordy, you two can have the room up the stairs four doors to the right. Gunn and Fred the same but to the left. Giles and Wes can have the room two down from you. Willow, you can have you one opposite that. Xander and Anya can share. And spike can share with Dawn."
"That was easy." Cordy replied and started to carry a few bags up stairs. Angel turned to Buffy.
"Would you mind sharing the main bedroom with me?"

Buffy let a tear roll down her cheek.

"For the last 17 years I haven't wanted anything else."
"Good." He whispered and gave her a kiss. At That point the rest of the gang came in.
"So un dead boy, where are we sleeping?"
"Up stairs and could you not call me that?"
"Fine fine."

Everyone went upstairs to settle in while Giles and Wesley sat on the floor in front of the fireplace and started to sought the books into piles. Over the next half hour everyone joined in. With in three hours, with only a small break to eat doughnuts and Chinese, all the books were sorted. Cordelia sat back and rubbed her eyes.

"I think it's past my bedtime."

Angel suddenly sat up looking around.

"Where are the kids?"
"There with my mom." Cordy smiled. "I figured she could spoil them for a while. We dropped them off on the way down."
"I got worried. Ok that's enough for tonight. We can start fresh in the morning. Goodnight everyone."
"Night" they all mumbled as they went up the stairs. Angel turned to see Buffy asleep on the couch. She let out a little sniffle in her sleep. Angel bent down beside her.

"Oh my love. I'll take care of you forever and our daughter as well. She will be returned to you safely I swear." He picked her up and carried her to their bed. He placed her under the covers and got in next to her. She automatically got as close to him as possible. Angel put his arms around her and sighed in contentment.

= Those bastards are going to pay. =