A/N: I'm playing with the Angel timeline a little here because I wanted the whole gang to be there when the Summers girls turn up, so even though if keeping with the timeline from Buffy it would be Season One of Angel I'm making it the gang from Season Four minus Connor. Hope that's not confusing, basically the gang is Fred, Cordy, Gunn, Wesley, Lorne and Angel.
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"Are you sure we thought this through?" Buffy asked her mother as they watched an over-excited Faith literally bounce around the living room.
"I think it was your idea," her mother replied from where she was packing the last of Faith's things into a duffle bag.
"No I said maybe we could go and visit Angel, YOU said let's make it a road trip," Buffy said wincing as Faith let off another delighted squeal and broke into another round of the We're going to see Angel song.
"Now we're going to be stuck with hearing that for two whole hours in a tiny enclosed space, I'm going to go insane," the blonde Slayer groaned putting her head in her hands.
"You've only got yourself to blame, I suggested going early in the morning so she would sleep the whole way but you didn't want to get up pre-dawn so I don't want to hear any complaining from you," Joyce said zipping up the bag and placing it near the front door.
"Yeah well I might be re-thinking my decision because I think I might throttle her if she keeps singing that song," Buffy said putting her hands over her ears.
"Well it's up to you honey I can leave anytime so make up your mind quickly so I can plan our trip," Joyce said smiling at her eldest daughter's annoyance. Buffy seemed to be thinking about it clearly weighing up her options but when Faith started singing again it was clear her decision was made.
"Early, let's leave early," she groaned.
"Thought you might change your tune," Joyce laughed.
"You can't tell me the singing isn't getting to you," Buffy looked at her mother incredulously.
"She's just excited is all she'll get bored of her song eventually," Joyce said smiling as she watched her youngest dance around the living room.
"Isn't it about her bedtime anyways that would shut her up," Buffy said looking at her mother almost pleadingly.
"Well if you want her to sleep through the entire journey the chance will be higher if we let her stay up later so I'm afraid you're going to have to put up with her for a while longer," Joyce said heading towards the kitchen.
"Faithy could you maybe stop the song for a bit?" Buffy asked as her sister danced past.
Faith stopped in her tracks and came to stand in front of where her sister was sitting on the couch.
"But B we're going to see Angel tomorrow," she said matter of factly.
"I know baby but you've been singing for hours and it's giving me a headache," Buffy said running a finger down her sister's cheek. She was always amazed at the baby soft feeling of the young girl's skin.
"Aren't you excited to see Angel?" Faith asked hopping up onto the couch next to her sister.
"I am Faithy but things between me and Angel are complicated," Buffy sighed.
"Why are things compicated? Faith asked, Buffy smiling at her mispronunciation.
"You know how Riley and I are special friends at the moment," Buffy said waiting for Faith to nod before she continued, "well Angel and I used to be special friends and I loved him very much," she finished that familiar heavy feeling settling in her chest that always seemed to be present any time she thought of her ex lover.
"How come he isn't your special friend anymore?" Faith asked looking up at her questioningly.
"You know that feeling you get when Angel is around, the one at the back of your neck right here," Buffy said placing her hand on the back of Faith's neck. The toddler nodded and placed her own small hand over her sister's. "Well that feeling tells you that a vampire is near, and I told you that Angel was a good vampire, well vampires are immortal which means that they live forever, so we could never be together because he would never grow old and I would so it could never work," Buffy finished hoping she had explained it in a way that Faith could understand.
Faith contemplated what Buffy had told her sitting there with her hand still clamped over Buffy's at the back of her neck. She frowned a little as she tried to comprehend all she had been told.
"But you still wove him don't you?" Faith asked finally.
"Angel will always have a piece of my heart and I love him dearly but not like that anymore," Buffy said pulling Faith onto her lap.
"Okay," the toddler said nodding her head and turning so she was sitting across Buffy's lap her head resting on her chest. They sat in silence for awhile, Buffy lost in thoughts about her ex and current boyfriends. She knew she had a decision to make and she wasn't sure that spending time with Angel was going to make the decision any easier but somehow she couldn't stop the slight fluttering in her stomach when she thought of the brooding souled vampire.
"Your heart is singing," Faith said looking up at her sister.
"Singing?" Buffy said a little confused.
"Yeah it's going boom boom boom boom," Faith said placing her ear back to her chest.
"S'nice," Faith said yawning as she settled back down.
"Sorry baby but you can't go to sleep yet you get to stay up late tonight so we're going to play a game to keep you up," Buffy said lifting Faith up and taking her up the stairs. Going into Faith's room the two sat on the floor with Faith in between Buffy's lap and started to do one of the puzzles Faith loved so much. Pretty soon Faith was leaning back against Buffy and yawning. Buffy noticed her mother watching them from the doorway to Faith's bedroom.
"I think we should be alright now," she said indicating Faith who was beginning to nod off.
"It's your call but I will be getting out and taking a taxi if I hear any part of the We're going to See Angel song," Buffy said standing up and gathering Faith in her arms.
"B are we going to see Angel?" Faith asked looking at her sister with half lidded eyes.
"When you wake up tomorrow baby we'll be at Angel's okay," Buffy said tucking her in.
"Kay," Faith sighed as Joyce came over and kissed her daughter on the forehead.
"We'll have to leave at about four I think to get there nice and early, you definitely okayed it with Angel didn't you," Joyce said as the two walked out of Faith's bedroom.
"Yeah he said that's fine he usually gets in from patrol around that time and he's set up rooms for us at the hotel as well," Buffy said stopping at the doorway of her mother's room.
"Sleep well honey," Joyce said kissing her daughter on the cheek.
"You too, see you bright and early," Buffy said going into her own bedroom.
She felt like she had just laid her head on the pillow when she found herself being shaken awake by her mother. Groaning she buried her head into her pillows, "seriously it's still dark," she said.
"The cars all packed we're just waiting for you to get ready and then we can go," Joyce said.
"Okay fine I'm up," Buffy said.
When she made it downstairs she saw the front door open and walked outside seeing her mother loading a still sleeping Faith into the car seat. Noticing the keys hanging from the front door she closed it behind her and locked it suddenly getting the feeling that she was closing the door on one chapter in her life and heading towards another.
"Huh, that was weird," she said shaking off the odd feeling that had taken residence in the pit of her stomach.
"Ready to go?" her mother called as she closed the side door of the jeep. Buffy nodded and settled herself in the passenger seat, sparing a glance to Faith who was snuggled under a blanket in her car seat, Mr. Darcy poking out over the top.
"Los Angeles here we come," Buffy said softly as they passed the sign announcing that they were now leaving Sunnydale.
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She must have dozed off because the next thing she knew she felt the car come to a complete stop and she opened her eyes groggily and looked out the window to see where they were.
"Are we there yet?" she asked her mother, her voice sounding rather gravelly after her nap.
"No honey but I need some coffee and you two could probably use some breakfast," Joyce said.
"That would involve waking her up right, which means risking the return of the song from hell," Buffy said wincing inwardly as she thought back to last night.
"I think she'll go back to sleep once we get back on the road it's still rather early," Joyce said getting out of the car, "can you get her while I get my purse out of the back."
Buffy went around to Faith's side of the car and reached in and unbuckled the seatbelt and gently lifted the dozing toddler out of the car, dropping the blanket and Mr. Darcy back on the seat. Faith who was still dressed in her striped footsie pyjamas stirred and readjusted her head on Buffy's shoulder.
"Baby you have to wake up for a while so we can have something for breakfast," Buffy said rubbing her back soothingly.
"No," Faith mumbled hiding her face in Buffy's neck.
The trio walked into the fast food restaurant and went up to the counter with Joyce ordering for the three of them. Settling themselves at the table Buffy stroked her hands through Faith's hair as the toddler began to doze off again.
"Are you worried about spending time with Angel?" Joyce asked Buffy.
"A little, I have all this stuff to sort through with Riley and seeing Angel is always difficult 'cause there is still something there but I'm excited as well, I dunno what to do I really don't," Buffy sighed taking a deep breath and lying her head back against the booth.
"Angel knows that you two could never work, but I know that he will probably always care for you deeply so even though it's going to be hard I think the most that you can ask of each other is a deep friendship and be there for each other when you need it," Joyce said smiling as the waitress delivered their food.
"Faithy breakfast is here," Buffy said lifting the toddler up and turning her around in her lap. Faith grumbled something but opened her eyes reluctantly giving her mother a dirty look as she did so.
"Buffy and Angel are going to have fun with you today aren't they," Joyce laughed as she cut up her grumpy daughter's pancakes.
"Are we at Angel's yet?" Faith asked her mother brightening considerably.
"Not yet sweetheart we've got another hour to go yet," Joyce said pushing the plate back over so Buffy could help her sister eat.
"That's so long," Faith grumbled again accepting a bite from Buffy.
"It's not that long Faithy we'll be there before you know it," Buffy said.
The three Summers girls finished their breakfast and prepared to hit the road again. Putting Faith in her car seat Buffy offered her the blanket which she refused but took the stuffed cow from her sister.
"B are you gonna sit with me?" Faith asked her sister looking up at her as she yawned.
"Yeah I guess I could sit back here with you," Buffy said finishing strapping Faith in and then getting in the other side of the car settling herself in the middle seat.
"Are we ready to go ladies?" Joyce called from the front seat.
"Yeah let's go and see Angel," Faith said and Buffy braced herself for another round of the We Love Angel song but surprisingly it didn't come, the toddler grabbed her sister's hand and held it tightly in her lap. Buffy stroked her thumb softly over the younger girls hand and pretty soon the toddler's eyelids were drooping as she fought to stay awake. The constant movement of the car eventually lulled both girls to sleep with Faith never loosening her grip on Buffy's hand.
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"Buffy honey we're here," Buffy woke feeling her mother shaking her knee. Struggling to open her eyes she groaned as she looked at the clock that seemed to be mocking her from the dashboard.
"I cannot believe we've made it all the way here and it's not even seven in the morning," Buffy whined stretching her arms above her head frowning when she felt some resistance on one of her hands and looked to the side where a still dozing Faith was still holding onto it tightly. Prying her hand from the small girl's grasp she got out the side door stretching trying to get rid of the kink in her neck.
"Look at it more like making good time, besides the plan worked there was no verses of that dreaded song," Joyce smirked.
"Aha see I knew it annoyed you, you pretend to be all unaffecty but really you're just like the rest of us," Buffy said passing her mother and tweaking her on the nose as she walked round to the other side. Opening up Faith's side she reached in and carefully unstrapped the toddler from her carseat lifting the sleeping girl up and into her arms resting her head carefully on her shoulder. Faith shifted in her hold mumbling something unintelligible as she wrapped her hands up in Buffy's hair.
"Why do buildings always feel so scary when you're a little worried about what's going to happen on the inside," Buffy said stopping to stand in front of the Hyperion.
"Just your mind playing tricks on you, don't worry honey I'm sure everything is going to be fine," Joyce said coming to stand next to her daughter placing her hand softly on her sleeping youngests back.
Buffy sucked in a deep breath and nodded her head finally making the move towards the front door of the hotel. She apprehensively pushed open the huge front doors to the hotel opening them up to the enormous lobby. A sweeping staircase flanked them on either side as they walked into the lobby their footsteps echoing creepily off the walls. They came to stand at the circular sofa that stood in the middle of the lobby looking left to right looking for any signs of life in the building.
"Hello, Angel?" Buffy called softly knowing the souled vampire could hear her if he was anywhere near.
"Buffy," she heard from the top level and looked to see the dark haired vampire descending the stairs, an unhappy Cordelia Chase in tow.
"You know I thought moving away from Sunnydale meant the end of me ruining my life for Buffy Summers," Cordelia sniped coming to the bottom of the stairs.
"Gee Cordy it's great to see you too," Buffy rolled her eyes sarcastically at the former cheerleader.
"Wow she looks so less psycho and more cute when she's little," Cordelia said walking closer to where Buffy held a slumbering Faith.
"You better be nice to her Cordy or I swear to god," Buffy said taking a step back from the former Sunnydale resident.
"Like I would be mean to her she was so much cooler than you before she went all blood lusty," the brunette replied giving Buffy the reassurance in a very Cordelia like way that she was okay with the toddler being there.
Joyce watched the interaction with mild amusement sharing a look with Angel who stood on the stairs. He walked gracefully down the stairs and joined them in the middle of the room smiling softly at them in greeting.
"How's she doing?" he asked placing a hand on the back of the sleeping toddler's head.
"She's doing great, unbelievably excited to see you Angel," Joyce said.
"Yeah if I hear another bar of the We're Going to See Angel song I'm going to scream," Buffy added.
"Angel rates a song this I have got to see," a voice joined them from the front door. They all turned to see a tall dark skinned man standing in the doorway a homemade axe slung over his shoulders.
"Buffy, Joyce this is Gunn," Angel said as Gunn walked further into the room wiping demon grime off his hands before offering them to Buffy and Joyce to shake.
"Is this the Slayer kid?" he asked indicating Faith.
"Slayer kid," Buffy said looking a little offended.
"Hey no offence meant by it I think it's freaking cool," Gunn said.
"What's freaking cool?" a soft southern accent floated through the front door followed by a thin brown haired girl.
"Pint sized Slayer," Gunn said to her indicating Faith.
"Fascinating," she said looking at Faith in wonder, she then stuck her hand out to Joyce and Buffy as if she had suddenly realised they were there. "Hi I'm Fred Burkle you must be Joyce and Buffy, Angel has told us so much about you, well not so much you Joyce but Buffy he talks all the time about you, on and on and on sometimes we all sort of tune him out ya know but he gets this look in his eye when he talks about y'all that sometimes you just get caught up in what he's saying," Fred said stopping when Angel cleared his throat embarrassingly.
"No offense but are you guys all crazy, why on earth are you all at work so early in the morning?" Buffy asked looking around the room incredulously.
"Soul boy over there made us come in early; he even threatened to withhold pay if we weren't here," Cordelia said.
"Cordelia I'm happy to say that you haven't changed a bit since you left," Joyce said laughing.
"Do you want to put her upstairs in one of the rooms?" Angel asked his hand still placed on Faith's head, "I can take her up if you want."
"She'll be okay she'll probably wake up soon anyway and she'll be disorientated if she wakes up in a random room," Buffy replied she could see the longing in his eyes though and understanding what he wanted gently passed him the sleeping child. She stopped and looked at the way he gentled cradled Faith against him and instantly the warm feeling in her stomach returned. Cordelia noticed the soft smile that graced the small Slayer's face and rolled her eyes, "Oh god senior year flashback, this is so not going to end well," she muttered under her breath.
"Well if everyone is all caught up I should probably head over to the exhibition," Joyce said moving over to where Angel held Faith.
"Honey keep an eye on her, make sure she gets lunch and you'll probably want to put her down for a nap she should go down easily she'll be tired, I should be home for dinner but they sometimes provide it so I will let you know," she said to Buffy.
Brushing some strands away from Faith's face she placed a kiss on the young girls cheek causing her to stir and open her eyes looking groggily at her mother.
"Mama," she said reaching a hand out to touch her mother's face.
"Morning sweetheart did you sleep well?" Joyce asked her softly.
Faith nodded, "Mama are we going to see Angel yet?" she asked.
"Baby look who is holding you," Buffy laughed.
Faith seemed to suddenly realise that it wasn't her mother or Buffy whose arms she was in and looked up slowly a wide grin breaking across her face when she realised it was Angel's arms that were holding her. She shrieked and threw her arms around his neck, "Angel," she squealed.
"Hey Faithy," he smiled holding her out in front of him so he could look her in the eye, "how've you been kiddo?"
"I've been real good, but I've missed you this much," she said spreading her arms as far as they would stretch.
"You have well I've missed you lots too and we're going to have so much fun this weekend I can't wait," Angel said.
"I seriously cannot believe the Prince of the Basement just said we're going to have so much fun I can't wait," Cordelia whispered to Gunn.
"I know right I haven't seen him this excitement since that Manilow marathon was on the radio," Gunn whispered back.
"Well I really have to go, be good honey," Joyce said kissing Faith on the cheek again, "you too," she said kissing Buffy as well and giving her a pointed look.
"I'll see everyone later tonight, it was lovely to meet you two," she said to Fred and Gunn before waving goodbye.
"Bye Mama," Faith called after her mother.
"So what are we going to do today?" Buffy asked turning to Angel.
"I want to play games with Angel," Faith said grabbing onto the collar of his jacket.
"We can do whatever you want kiddo," he said throwing her up in the air and causing her to squeal with laughter.
"Careful with that man I did that once to one of my little cousins and I ended up covered in last night's dinner, it was not pretty," Gunn said moving out of the way.
Angel stopped placing a wet raspberry on Faith's stomach as he lowered her back onto his hip earning him a glance from everyone in the room.
"What," he said.
"Nothing just wondered when you turned into a big softy is all," Cordelia said a wide grin spreading across her face.
"I didn't," he pouted earning him another look.
"Ah well why don't I show you where you can put all your stuff and then we can decide what we're going to do," Angel said reaching down to grab one of the duffle bags they had brought with them. Buffy grabbed the other and together the three of them walked up the staircase Faith still firmly in Angel's grasp.
"One big happy family," Cordelia murmured as she watched them go.
A/N: More Angel fun to come. Hope you are all enjoying the story. Please review I'm missing my feedback hits.