A/N: Wow! The sheer amout of reviews, I've recieved for this fic is amazing! Each and every one of you are amazing, and really keep me writing. I don't write for reviews, but they sure are nice (lol)! I've never recieved so much response for a story this quickly. It usually takes me eighteen or so chapters before I get 100 reviews for a fic, so you guys are just amazing! Gah, I just can't express my gratitude!
Okay, I'll stop babbling and let you guys read...
Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy. If I did...Angel would have punched Xander more, had more lines, and would have NEVER left. I also believe that penquins have the distinct possibility of ruling the world; that aliens exist; I have a locket with no picture in it; I want to get a dog and name her Kitty; I am terrified of hand puppets; I think that Kirk beats Picard anyday; I think that vampires should NOT sparkle; I think that seagulls are strange creatures; I have a dog named Kono; And I'm terrified of spiders...still think I own Buffy
Buffy inhaled the fresh, crisp night air with a small smile on her face. They'd done it. The thrill of victory coursed through her, and her adrenaline still masked the pain of her injuries. She didn't mind, even though she would eventually feel the pain. Angel stood beside her, a slight smile on his face as he took in her victorious expression.
It was odd really. The thought that Adam was gone. No one else was there to cause mayhem. Wait, they still had Andronikos to deal with. Crap. Just when she thought she was getting ahead. Buffy sighed and shrugged mentally. At least Andronikos was only after her and Angel. No one else to worry about…yet…
"Whew," Willow said breathlessly, a lazy smile on her face. "Let's not do that again for a while. Tiring stuff, fighting."
Buffy giggled, "Yeah, fighting tends to require some effort."
"You're not even breathing hard!" Willow joked, yet she was partially serious.
Buffy simply smiled, not willing to tell her friend that every breath she took hurt like hell. That would be the reason for the controlled breathing. "Slayer," Buffy replied easily.
Willow just nodded and glanced at Oz, "Did you wolf-out back there?" she asked curiously.
Oz shrugged, "Not completely…it's getting easier to control."
This seemed to perk Giles interest, "Really? Has this occurred gradually?"
"Yeah." Oz was back to one word answers.
Giles turned to Angel, who was digesting this new information about Oz, "Have you ever heard of a werewolf being able to control his shifts?"
"There was one, I think," Angel replied after some thought. "I think I killed him though."
"Oh," Giles said uneasily, but taking the information in stride turned back to Oz. "If you wouldn't mind, Oz, I would like for you to keep me informed. This could help you greatly."
"Sure," Oz said completely stoic once more, but he eyed Angel warily.
Angel saw this and grinned slightly, "Don't worry. I have nothing against werewolves."
"Good to know," Oz replied.
He still didn't know why everyone was so wary of Angel. Oz had always thought the vamp was an okay guy. None of the gang held anything against himself for being a werewolf, why should they hold something against Angel for being a vamp? Oz realized that Angel had the whole, "moment of true happiness, equals Angelus" thing to deal with, but Oz knew that neither Buffy nor Angel would ever let that happen again. Didn't everyone else see that?
Riley stood a little outside the group, not knowing quite what to do. What should he do? No one else realized that he and Buffy were no longer together, but somehow he thought that maybe Giles suspected something. Maybe Willow? But no one had said anything, and it was plain to see that Angel and Buffy weren't going to say anything at the moment. Of course they wouldn't say anything…they knew what everyone else would say! They knew what they were doing was wrong! Why would they risk it? They were just asking for Angelus to be set free!
Xander walked over to him then, "Hey man, what happened to you?" he asked, motioning to Riley's bloody shirt.
"Just a scratch," Riley shrugged nonchalant.
Xander eyed the large blood stain, "You sure? Don't you want to get that checked out?"
"I said it's just a scratch," Riley snapped and Xander raised his eyebrows.
"Hey man, chill," Xander said confused. "Just being a friendly observer here."
During this entire time, Spike had been sort of out of the way of the group. What was he going to do now? He still had the bloody chip in his head, and now there was really no hope of getting it out. What to do in the meantime? Annoying the Slayer and her little pals was always fun, but with Golden Boy here it might be slightly more difficult. Peaches always had to spoil the fun, didn't he? Sometimes Spike didn't know which was worse…Angelus who was crazy, but bloody entertaining; or Angel, who was not crazy, but ridiculously boring and broody all the time.
But Spike had noticed a change in his grandsire. He was more open than before, showing a bit more of his just peachy personality. Spike had already seen some of the reactions from the Scoobies, and some were just damn funny. Yes, the sod had a personality! He could get mad! Surely they hadn't believed that the blighter was that calm all the time? Spike could have snorted. Angel was just about as angry and broody as they came, he just hid it well.
But where did this leave Spike? He didn't have Dru anymore. Darla was dust, though that really didn't bother Spike. She'd always been a crazy bitch. Angel was the only family he had left. Great. This is what his existence had become. Spike lit a cigarette, using a discarded blowtorch he'd lifted in the Initiative to light it. Guess he was stayin'.
"Well, it's past my bedtime," Spike announced as he walked through them, clapping Angel on the shoulder as he past. "See you sods tomorrow."
Buffy raised her eyebrows, and Angel was just as confused. Had Spike just clapped him on the shoulder? No jab. No joke. Just a simply good-bye? That was Spike that just passed them, right?
"Well," Giles sighed. "I do believe that Spike is actually right. I think we all need some rest."
"Wonderful idea," Willow said taking Oz's hand. "See you guys tomorrow!" she said as she and Oz began to walk in the direction of Willow's dorm.
"I better go before Anya thinks I got kidnapped by the Energizer bunny or something," Xander muttered, seeming torn between amusement and annoyance. "See you later Buff," he waved.
"Tomorrow, well, actually the next few days, I think you should spend your time healing Buffy," Giles said to his charge, who for once nodded in agreement.
"I'll be up and running in no time," Buffy joked, able to hide her wince from her watcher's ever observant eyes.
"Yes, well, I guess I shall see you then," Giles said placing a hand on her shoulder. "Take care Buffy," he said, but he glanced ever so slightly at Angel as he spoke. Angel merely nodded in reply and Giles took his leave.
This left Angel, Buffy, and Riley. The two former wanted to go back to the mansion and sleep. The latter was tired of staying quiet. "You haven't told them?" he asked accusingly.
Angel's eyes narrowed, and Buffy sighed, "This wasn't exactly the best time to tell them."
"In other words, you know how they'll react?" Riley snapped. "You know they won't like it!"
"And I don't really care," Buffy retorted frustrated. "It's my life."
"Yeah, and you're wasting it on him! What can he give you?" Riley asked angrily.
"Everything you can't and more," Buffy replied honestly, and Angel didn't bother to hide his smirk.
"You can't even touch!" Riley argued exasperated. How did Buffy not see?
Buffy raised her eyebrows, and pointedly poked Angel in the arm, "Really? Cause I don't see a problem here."
Riley rolled his eyes at her childishness, "You know what I mean!"
"Well, if you think sex is the key to a relationship, then I don't know why I dated you in the first place," Buffy snapped angrily.
"I'm trying to make you see what's best for you!" Riley retorted exasperatedly.
Buffy's eyes widened incredulously. "What's best for me? Only I know what's best for me Riley. And to be honest, I'm sick and tired of you and Xander telling me what's best for me! You two know nothing about what's best for me!"
Riley grabbed Buffy's arm, and Angel snapped. He growled and yanked Riley's hand off of Buffy before punching Riley in the face. Riley stumbled, but managed to stay on his feet. He went to charge Angel, but Buffy stepped in between the two of them.
"Stop it!" she shouted angrily. "Both of you!"
"Move out of the way, Buffy," Riley said through gritted teeth, glowering at Angel.
Riley took a step forward, and Angel put an arm around Buffy's waist, ready to yank her out of the way if Riley decided to come at him again.
Buffy sighed, "It's not worth you getting beat again, Riley," she said causing Riley to gap at her. Angel didn't even bother concealing his smug smirk.
"Buffy—," Riley began, but Buffy held up her hand.
"Go home Riley," Buffy said flatly.
Riley stood his ground for a few more seconds, before spinning on his heel and stomping off towards his car. The moment he was out of sight, Buffy turned on Angel. "Why'd you hit him?" she asked angrily.
Angel shrugged, "He had it coming."
"That doesn't mean you punch him in the face!" Buffy argued. "You're two hundred and forty-four years old for God's sake! Act like it!"
Angel grinned a little, "Almost like old times, isn't it?" Despite herself, Buffy snorted, her anger abruptly fading. How did he manage to do that? "Let's get you home," Angel grinned and in one quick motion, he'd swept her into his arms.
Buffy sighed contentedly in his arms. It had taken all of her energy and self control not to have the pain she felt show on her face before the Scoobies had left. After all the adrenaline had left her system, she felt every pain she had…which was a lot. She was sure that some of her ribs were busted, and she had still yet to completely heal from her little chat with Andronikos.
It seemed as though she had mended the bridge between herself and Willow. Buffy knew that Willow would probably be the most supportive of her and Angel's relationship. She had been before, and Buffy's reaffirmed faith in her friend led her to believe that Will would be the same way again. And oddly enough, Buffy suspected that Giles already had a sneaking suspicion of what was going on. There was a knowing look in her father figure's eye…well, more so than usual. All of them had parted on good terms, except for Riley.
But Buffy wasn't going to think too much about Riley. She was tired, she was in pain, and she wanted to go back to the mansion and sleep for days. She did not need to listen to him basically tell her that she was incapable of deciding who she wanted to be with. They'd parted both furious at the other, though Buffy was more saddened than angry. It was her fault that Riley felt the way he did. She had hurt him deeply, and knowing that made her feel incredibly guilty. If she hadn't been so blind to her own subconscious intentions, maybe they could have been great friends. But that was past, and there was nothing she could do about it. Angel was back and they had worked out their differences.
Buffy smiled slightly. Angel was back. It really hadn't hit her until right before she'd fainted after killing Adam. When he was there to catch her when she fell after the magic of the spell left her…it was just like it had been before he'd left. He had always been there for her. Of course, Buffy knew that he would leave. He'd said it himself. They both had their own destinies. Buffy had to deal with the Hellmouth, and Angel had his own destiny unfolding in L.A. But that didn't mean that they had to face their battles alone. They had both grown up a little bit since their parting, and Buffy knew that they were stronger for it.
During the actual fight in the Initiative, Buffy had basically stood behind Angel the entire time. She'd landed a punch or two, killed a few demons. But all the really heavy fighting, Angel had done. She'd had practically nothing to do. Part of her was grateful for it, because she was having a hard enough time simply breathing. Another part of her, the Slayer part, had been thoroughly annoyed. After all, she was the Slayer. The title sort of implied some amount of slayage. Buffy closed her eyes and laughed a little, ignoring the pain the action caused.
The corner of Angel's mouth twitched in amusement, "What?"
"I was just thinking about how bored I was during the fight," Buffy explained as she leaned further into his chest.
"Good," Angel replied smugly. "That was the plan."
"That was your plan," Buffy corrected playfully. "It wasn't mine."
"You were in no condition to fight and you know it," Angel said as they entered the mansion, Angel shutting the door behind them with his foot.
"Hmpf," Buffy snorted disbelievingly, Angel shook his head, a wry smile on his face.
They were both quiet as he carried her upstairs. For a second, he debated whether to put her in her room or his. He glanced down at her and made up his mind. His room it was. Was he being selfish? Yes. Was he feeling guilty about being selfish? No. Was that a bad thing? Yet to be determined.
Angel gently sat Buffy on her feet, and made sure she was going to stay upright before moving away. "You go take a shower," he said gently. "Then we'll see how bad those ribs are."
Buffy simply nodded and went into the bathroom. A minute or two later, Angel heard the running water of the shower. Taking the time to change out of his own battle stained clothes; Angel shrugged out of his torn shirt, tossing it into the trash. He changed into a pair of sweatpants, and went next door into the other suite to get the medical supplies he'd left there the night before. Returning to his room, he took out the bandages that he would need to wrap Buffy's torso with, and just as he was putting up the supplies, he heard the water shut off.
Buffy appeared a minute later, wearing the same shirt of his that she'd worn the night before. Upon seeing him in his shirtless state, Angel heard her heartbeat speed up. He fought a self satisfying smirk. It was good to know that he still had the same effect on her that she had on him. But then maybe he should have put on a shirt…
Buffy sat down on the bed, seeing the bandages already laid out. She knew that some of her previously cracked ribs were probably broken, as they hurt a whole lot worse than they had before. It was like she was being stabbed in the chest after every breath, and she wondered how long it would take for them to heal. Maybe with Slayer healing, about a week? Could she be out of action that long?
She looked up at Angel, who seemed to be torn and…embarrassed? "Uh, Buffy?" he asked hesitantly, motioning to her shirt pointedly.
"Oh," Buffy said realizing what he meant. "Right," she mumbled, looking down to let her long hair hide her blush that only deepened when she realized that Angel could probably still see it. In order to look at her ribs, she would have to take off the shirt, or at least unbutton it. Deciding it would be best to just get it over with, Buffy unbuttoned the shirt, revealing her bruised torso.
Angel regarded the bruises grimly, and knelt before her on the floor in front of her. His eyes met hers for a moment, almost as if he was asking permission, before he gently began to poke and prod at her ribs. Buffy closed her eyes the moment his hands touched her bare skin. She opened her eyes after a few seconds and looked down at him, but his eyes were on her torso. She let her own roam over his bare, sculpted chest and his broad shoulders, then down his toned stomach. Here she was, in Angel's bedroom, on Angel's bed, wearing practically nothing. Angel's touch was feather light, the gentlest caress. It was ironic how the same hands that had killed hundreds could be so gentle. Angel touched one of her injured ribs then, and she gasped in pain.
"Sorry," Angel murmured. "Though if it's any consolation, that's the first one that's broken."
Buffy snorted, "Wonderful."
"Five are cracked though," Angel added.
"Lovely," she replied dryly, before gasping again when his hand slid over a lower rib on her left side.
"Make that two broken," Angel amended quietly before removing his hands and beginning to wrap the bandage around her torso.
Buffy lamented the loss of contact, but stayed still as Angel wrapped the bandage around her aching ribs, wincing every now and then at how tightly the wrapping was. Pinning the bandage in place, Angel looked up at her.
"It's not too tight, is it?" he asked seeing her expression.
"A little snug," Buffy replied with a sigh, "But I figure it's supposed to be like that. They feel better though, thanks."
"Anytime," Angel said with a smile, "Though I'd rather not have to do this too often."
"Me either," Buffy said as she redid the buttons on her shirt and eased herself back to lay down.
Angel stood up and went over to turn off the lights, trying to get a handle on his control. Wrapping Buffy's ribs had been harder on him than he'd thought it would be. He'd been on his knees in front of her, his hands roaming all over her torso. Every time he'd touched her, her skin would warm and it was like a little jolt of electricity shot through him. He hadn't missed her eyes roaming his bare chest and shoulders, and he hadn't missed how her eyes had darkened.
Taking an unnecessary breath, Angel turned back to the bed and slid under the covers. For a few seconds both of them laid there, acutely aware of the fact that they were both in the same bed. It wasn't the same as when Buffy had snuck in the night before. This time they both knew that the other was there. Just when it was becoming awkward, Buffy scooted closer to him and laid her head on his shoulder, wrapping her arm around his torso. Instantly, Angel wrapped his arms around her, pulling her even closer, all the awkwardness gone, both of them finding solace in the other's embrace.