Chapter 10

"Buffy, I'm really sorry and I understand your need for independence. Really I do, but you cannot be serious. This is just suicidal." Kate tried to reason with the young girl, who was currently standing with her hands on her hips and glaring at her.

"Detective Lockley, I have been in this hospital, under constant watch, for way too long. And I honestly cannot take anymore of this. I am taking my boyfriend and we are going home. You can set up people to watch outside the house." Buffy waited a moment before continuing on, her head slightly dizzy. "Please, I can't stay her any longer. I can't move on if this is how I am forced to spend my time – locked up a place that constantly reminds me of what happened. Angel needs to sleep and eat and take care of himself too, and you know as well as I do that he will not unless I get to go home and do the same. Please, Kate." Buffy's voice was quieter, more desperate. She couldn't stay here any longer. She knew that her captor, Clyde, was on the loose, but if she stayed at this hospital another night she would go insane.

Her wounds wear on their way to fully healing, but she was still prone to bouts of dizziness and exhaustion. Angel had been by her side every step of the way and she knew that it would be better for both of them if they were allowed to go home.

Kate sighed, nodding her head in defeat before she left the room. Angel, pushing past Kate came into the room to see Buffy. Buffy was swaying on her feet as she looked at Angel; it was a mix of her wounds and her love for him she knew. He hugged her and kissed her forehead. They were going home.

At home...

"Angel, really – stop pacing. You're wearing a hole in the floor, and you're making me feel nauseous." Buffy remarked, curled up on the couch with her arms around her knees. Angel stopped pacing and turned to face Buffy, his expression pained and angry.

"I just can't stop playing it all in my head and if that fucker tries to touch one hair on your head, I swear I will rip him to pieces." He knelt down in front of Buffy who took his face in her hands.

"Baby, please. I don't want to think about that, ever again actually. I just want you to hold me as we watch the lame movie I picked and then have a smooch-fest. Okay?" She looked into his eyes and she watched as they melted and softened as he looked at her, soon he was grinning.

"You know, you are amazing." He stated, placing a kiss on her lips.

"I know! I'm surprised more people don't know, I mean honestly." They laughed and Angel got onto the couch, pulling Buffy on top of his chest in one swift motion. The two lay curled up watching some chick flick, and before drifting off to sleep they both murmured an 'I love you' to each other.

Outside the Summers' house there was a non-descript cop car, with two men casually watching their surroundings. The cops hadn't noticed a dark figure watching them, figuring out their patterns, and any openings that he could use to get inside the Summers house.

Four days later...

"There's been no sign of him, Angel. I think we can go out for one night. I'm sick of being cooped up in here – I'm seriously getting a nasty case of cabin fever." Buffy scowled at Angel as her mother was making them breakfast. Joyce had given up on trying to talk Buffy into staying into the house and had looked helplessly at Angel who had looked mortified at having to deal with an angry Buffy.

"Buffy, sweetheart-"

"Don't 'sweetheart' me, Mister! I am not spending tonight in this house, now are you coming with me or not?" She was standing straight, drawing herself up to her full height of 5'3. Surprisingly, Angel found her slight frame intimidating – cute, but intimidating none the less.

"Uh-I-oh-uh, Fine! But, we will be back by eleven. No complaints, 'kay Buff?" Angel gave in, wanting to appease her, but wanting more to keep her safe. Grinning, Buffy threw her arms around him and kissed him on the cheek before she dug into the plate her mother handed her with vigour and excitement.

Joyce smile faintly as she watched the two. They were so young, so inexperienced and yet they had been through so much that it made my heart ache. Made her weep for their pain, her beautiful daughter had been through so much pain, and Angel had gone through so much to rescue her. She hoped that they could finally be happy.

Later...

"God, that was such a good night!" Buffy squealed with delight as her and Angel walked up the porch steps, waving at the cop on duty who nodded curtly back. Angel laughed, tonight had been a really good night. They had laughed and danced with their friends, joking and falling into old patterns and Buffy had felt whole. And Angel had felt so too by just watching her.

They entered the house, their laughter echoing throughout the house. They weren't worried about waking Joyce because she had left for a two day business trip to LA. Angel shut and locked the front door, pausing when he heard Buffy gasp. He slowly turned around.

He faced the man who had been the staring role of his nightmares, as well as Buffy's. He was holding a gun in their direction, the look on his face murderous.

Angel pulled Buffy behind him, placing himself in front of her and protecting her. He would protect her with his dying breath if he had to. He tensed and readied himself for what was to come.

"Hello Angel...Buffy." Clyde sneered.

***

Okay guys, I am soooo sorry for how long this took! I can't believe how swamped I got with Uni work! I hope you guys enjoy this chapter: it's kind of a transition piece, we're nearing the end of this story. Btw, I'm thinking of starting a new fic with Buffy and Angelus. With him as a vamp and her as a damphire and I'm think I would like someone to edit it for me, possibly co-write. If you're interested, I would love to hear from you and we can talk about it in detail.

REVIEW PLEASE!