Disclaimer: Nothing but the original characters belong to me. All songs quoted through-out the story are owned by their respective artists.

Rating: M-ish, overall (for violence, mild language, maybe some sexual innuendo in later chapters, but there will be absolutely NO smut!)

"Come as you are, as you were
As I want you to be
As a friend, as a friend
As a known enemy
Take your time, hurry up
Choice is yours, don't be late
Take a rest as a friend
As an old
Memory"
- "Come As You Are" by Nirvana

Chapter 25: Something Old, Something New

When Buffy arrived at the bookstore the following evening, Angel was already there, conversing softly with Giles and Willow. Willow's face was pale again, and her expression uneasy, Giles' was equally sombre. They all turned towards her as Buffy approached the table.

"You all look like someone just died..." she quipped as she sat with them.

"A-Angel was just filling us in on what occurred last night." Giles stuttered.

"It's lucky you got there when you did Bu-" Willow snapped her jaw shut quickly, and her eyes bulged slightly. Giles glanced at Angel out the corner of his eye, however if he'd registered Willow's slip-up he didn't let it show on his features.

"Well, if you hadn't been doing what you were doing Willow, I never would've known." Buffy interjected swiftly.

Willow cast Buffy an apologetic look before continuing, "So what do we do now? It seems the Romani aren't very forgiving people, I don't think they'll be giving up very easily."

"Well, they won't be doing much without this;" Buffy announced, pulling the small velvet-wrapped orb out of her pocket and placing it gently on the table in front of the others.

"Have you had that on you the whole day?" Angel asked as Willow lifted the bundle of velvet off the table, and unwrapped it with a small gasp.

"Yeah, so?" Buffy answered.

"What if she'd come looking for you? You should have left it somewhere!" he exclaimed.

"Um, Slayer." Buffy replied, pointing at herself, "I'm sure I can take down one little Gypsy woman." however Buffy's affirmation didn't seem to change the concerned expression on Angel's face.

"This is an Orb of Thesulah! They really were after Angel's soul!" Willow gasped.

"Yes, but why?" Buffy asked.

"This is extremely puzzling..." Giles wondered aloud, "Why on earth would the Romani try to lift a curse they themselves placed on you?"

"I'm as lost as you are Giles." Angel replied, "But I figure as long as we have the orb, I'm safe for at least a little while."

"Yes, I suppose you are quite right... perhaps Willow should hold onto it for safe keeping?"

Willow nodded in agreement, then wrapped the orb once again in its cloth and placed it gently in her purse.

"So, is this something we need to worry about? Or should we be focusing on what I found in the tunnels?" Buffy asked.

"Er, well, if Angel doesn't object, I think we should do whatever we can to gain some ground on Dustin, while staying on guard for this Romani sorceress, yes?" Giles looked to Angel, who nodded in agreement.

"So what are we working on here?" Angel asked.

"I think I may have found where Katarina was killed, there were markings on the ground that looked like a spell." Buffy explained.

"Maddy, if you take me down there, I may know a way to figure out what spell she cast for them... if there's enough of that drawing left, that is."

Buffy nodded, "We could go down tomorrow, during the day."

"I'll come too," Angel interrupted.

Buffy shook her head, "No. You need to lay low for a little while, we don't know when that gypsy is going to show up again."

"The tunnels are dangerous, you shouldn't be down there alone." Angel argued.

"We'll be okay Angel. I can take care of myself, and so can Willow. You need to worry more about keeping yourself safe." Buffy answered.

Angel looked apprehensive, but didn't press the matter further.

"Well, if we've figured out what our next move is, I have a stack of exams to grade as high as Mount Everest. Maddy, you want me to give you a lift home?" Willow asked.

"Sure, thanks Will." Buffy replied as she rose from her seat and hoisted her bag over her shoulder. Willow grabbed her purse, and they headed towards the door.

"Maddy," Angel called, rising from his seat.

Buffy stopped, and couldn't help but smirk slightly before turning around. He'd never called her 'Maddy' before, it was always Madeline. She looked back towards him but didn't say anything.

"Be careful tomorrow."

"I will," she promised.

"Meet you afterwards?" he asked.

"Same time, same place." she replied with a smile, before following Willow out to her car.

Giles regarded Angel silently as Buffy left the store, he recognized the expression he saw on Angel's face as he watched Buffy step into the passenger side of Willow's car and drive away. The look on his face became darker and more pensive as he pushed himself out of his chair.

"I guess I should get going as well,"

"Yes, very well then," Giles replied absent mindedley. Angel had only taken a few steps towards the door before he interrupted him. "Angel?"

"Yes?" he replied, turning back to the Watcher.

"I, um, I hope I don't have to worry about your, erm, your relationship, with Madeline."

Angel pressed his lips together in a tight line, he looked conflicted, "What do you mean?"

"Well, I, er, I just mean that you seem rather... close." Giles continued awkwardly. He felt as though he were lecturing the vampire, something that felt odd to him considering Angel was far, far older than himself.

"I... I... no, it's not like that at all Giles." Angel stammered, causing Giles to cock an eyebrow in disbelief. "She's a good kid, I'm just protective I guess..." he continued.

"Yes, she is." Giles agreed, "Which is why I want to make sure that she isn't going to have any more... complications... in her life than absolutely necessary."

Angel shook his head, almost violently in comparison to the vampire's normal composure, "I swear Giles. After Buffy..."

Giles felt immediately guilty for bringing the subject up as Angel's voice broke when he spoke her name. He was visibly fighting tears as he continued, "I couldn't... I couldn't."

Giles cast his eyes towards the floor, "Of course, I understand Angel. I'm sorry."

"It's alright, I don't blame you for wanting to scold me." Angel smirked after he regained his composure.

The corner of Giles' mouth twitched in a slight grin at his attempt to lighten the situation, he had certainly changed over the years. He turned back towards the door.

"It's hard on me as well, you know. Having Madeline here... I think about her too."

Angel glanced back one last time, his tortured eyes filled with loss, "I know you do." and he left the shop.

Giles exhaled a sharp breath he hadn't been aware that he was holding in. He sunk back down into his chair, and tossed his glasses on the tabletop, rubbing his eyes. He thought of going upstairs to brew a pot of tea and making it very, very Irish, and prayed to whatever Powers might be listening that Buffy never hear of the exchange that just occurred. He was hoping this time around he would be knocked unconscious on her account a lot less, and he knew this wouldn't help.

~o~

I thought the Nirvana lyrics would be fitting in light of Angel and Giles conversing.
As far as their relationship goes in the little world I've created here, it's been 18 years since Angelus killed Jenny Calendar, and I feel that Giles would be able to bury the hatchet. However, I still think he'd be weary about Buffy and Angel getting romantically involved again, and would probably use the fact that Buffy is trying to hide her identity as a justification for warning Angel.

So, I've decided I'm going to post a third- yes, THIRD chapter today! I'm still in the holiday spirit, plus I didn't want to post Chapter 26 and 27 together at the same time, you'll see why once I post them...