Previously: Ally had looked just like she had years ago. It was amazing, though no surprise. That's what being a vampire meant; no aging.

Carly rolled over and faced the ceiling. She just hoped that she hadn't been spotted by any of the vamps. If so… Uh oh!

She was going to be in so much trouble…

Chapter 35

Their day had been pretty good as far as Angelina was concerned. Lorne and herself had shopped around with Willow, who after coming back from the funeral seemed a lot better. 'At least she wasn't a crying wreck anymore' Angelina had thought. She had been amazed to actually see Willow smile and laugh just like any ordinary girl.

Her and Lorne got along really well, and his jokes and remarks seemed to make her happy and chirpy. It was something Angelina had missed seeing.

Angelina had promised a day out with Willow and Lorne had decided to come too, so that he could quickly duck into this one shop, where he'd seen something really nice. What is was, he wouldn't tell.

Willow had met them both at their apartment. Angelina gave up on calling it 'her' apartment, when Lorne had no intentions of leaving. His clothes were always stacked in draws, his washing always done with hers and he was always wearing a smile. How could she throw someone out who smiled and sang so much? It would be like denying a child their favourite food.

Together, the three of them had caught a cab to the mall, Lorne didn't want to attract too much attention on the street. Willow had been glad, she didn't exactly want to walk for several blocks. Angelina didn't mind, she'd run blocks in impossibly high heels thanks to Lorne.

They had gone from shop to shop, Lorne disappearing every now and then, and when he appeared always had some bright piece of clothing in his hand. The most recent one being a red dress he thought Angelina might like. She did like it; it was a nice shade of red. It cost way too much however. Lorne could see that she had taken a liking to the dress and had said 'Sometimes it pays to look good honey' but he had put it back anyway.

Willow had found a green shirt that she had tried on and bought. Angelina thought it looked a lot like the green of Lorne's skin. Actually everything green looked like his skin.

Lorne complained that he was hungry and so they headed off to the food court.

They found a secluded corner and sat down at a table. Lorne would have been with the girls, had some shiny object not distracted him. He explained he'd find them; Angelina would just have to hum a little ditty. Willow laughed and Angelina blushed slightly. Was he trying to give her the hint that she sung too often? He sang more than she did.

Will and Angelina sat; glad to be off their feet for now.

'So how was New York?' Angelina was a bit unsure of what she had just gotten into, but she guessed that Willow would appreciate the question.

'It was good. A nice funeral, lots of people…' she smiled a sad smile. 'Sorry Ange, but could we not talk about this?'

'Sure' Angelina understood. It was something Willow wasn't ready to talk about yet. She did it all the time back home, when someone had tried to bring up her father. Of course she understood.

'So what's new with you?' Willow bounced in her seat. 'You and Lorne seem pretty 'cosy'' she giggled as she used air quotations on the word 'cosy'.

'We're just friends Will' Angelina laughed. Willow could jump to conclusions sometimes.

'I heard the story… About the club' she smirked.

'Which bit?' Angelina asked. 'The falling into Buffy's apartment or the 'before then' bit?'

'I heard he uses your lap as a pillow and takes you out at night' Willow admitted.

So she didn't know the whole story.

'What was the other night like? You know, before Buffy's?' she asked.

'Where would you like me to begin?' Angelina teased.

'Start from the start!' Willow exclaimed. 'It's no good to me being halfway through!'

Angelina shook her head and laughed 'Ok. You see, it went a bit like this…'

~**~

Lorne headed back towards the shop where he had picked up the red dress. He knew how much Angelina had liked it and was going to surprise her for her birthday. It was soon he knew that much, but couldn't remember an exact date. He'd have to get her to sing sometime, he supposed.

He poured through the racks, looking for the dress again. But it was gone. Lorne was kicking himself for not buying it when she wasn't looking, and was about to leave when something white caught his eye.

It was a beautiful white dress; a strapless beauty that was ankle length, had a sparkly diamante brooch in the middle of the bust and looked as though it would float gently with your movements once on.

Lorne didn't waste any time with this one. Rushing over to the dress, he checked the size; 12, good. He picked it up and then looked for something else to buy, hoping not to arise Angelina's suspicions. He found a blue shirt that he probably wouldn't wear, but one that would do with a cover story.

Lorne bounced over to the cashier and paid for his garments. He did get a funny look at first when he presented the dress, but he brushed it off. He always got looks, whether from his skin or his clothing. For all he cared, this girl could think he was a cross-dressing hulk wannabe. He was past caring.

The girl handed over his bag and wished him a 'nice day'. He returned the favour and told her that the green she wore helped bring out her eyes. She blushed and wasn't quite sure what to say, other than a polite 'thank you'. Lorne left the store feeling accomplished, he'd just found the perfect birthday present.

~**~

'…And that's when we left and I rang you and we ended up falling through the door of Buffy's apartment' Angelina finished her story.

Willow had sat there quietly, bouncing on her seat, eyes bulging whenever the story required it. It was funny telling life stories to Willow. It was like telling a three-year-old that at any second Santa might climb down the chimney.

'Wow!' Willow said. 'I always thought the Bronze was a tad boring' she smiled then snapped back to her train of thought. 'He kissed you!' she squeaked. It was obvious to Angelina that Willow was a three-year-old girl at heart. She got excited over almost anything.

'Yeah Will, to save me from being sucked dry' Angelina laughed. It really was funny to watch Willow's expressions.

'What? And you didn't enjoy it?' Willow rolled her eyes.

'What kind of question's that? You don't get kissed by a singing green demon everyday you know'

Willow beamed 'So you did enjoy it!'

Angelina sat leant back in her seat. Where was Lorne? 'Yeah, guess I did'

'You guessed what?' a voice appeared just above her head.

Angelina froze and hoped to god that it was all in her head. That Lorne wasn't really standing there. Angelina glanced at Willow. She had the same expression. So it wasn't all in her head. Damn

'Mother fucker!' Angelina thought as loud as she dared. She'd been caught.

'Umm… Angelina guessed what my favourite colour is' Willow tried to cover up, but it was no good. Lorne didn't believe her anyway. Angelina wouldn't have either. It was plain on Willow's face that she was lying.

'Uh huh' Lorne took a seat at the table, then turned towards Angelina 'You eaten yet? Because I'm famished'

Angelina had to recover quickly and smiled as she shook her head. 'Will here was about to get something to eat…' she looked straight at Willow 'weren't you Will?'

Willow took the hint that she wasn't recovering fast enough and so nodded and said 'Yeah. What do you guys want?'

Lorne was happy with anything that didn't have egg or potato in it and Angelina stated she didn't care, as long as there was no egg. She wasn't a big fan of it, unless made into an omelette or baked in a cake.

Willow excused herself and ventured into the food court for lunch. Angelina breathed a silent sigh of relief, and then noticed the bag.

'What's in the bag?' she tried to pull it towards her but Lorne put on the ground between his feet. She wouldn't go for it then. Not when it looked like something else.

'The sparkly stuff wasn't my size, so I opted for a blue shirt instead' he lied.

'I get to see later ok?'

'If you want' Lorne was glad she hadn't pushed that further.

Angelina and Lorne talked for a while and soon Willow returned with sandwiches and salad. Angelina hummed a little tune at the sight of the food and that's when Lorne was let into her mind entirely.

Her aura was a light blue, one of peace and happiness, which was often normal for Angelina. She always sang and her aura was almost always the same. Once it had been a dark purple but only because she was nervous about patrolling with Angel; she didn't like him much.

Past her light blue aura, Lorne could see different images swirling around in the blue mist; One of her and Willow sitting at this very table, one of her falling through Buffy's door with Lorne, Willow's excited face and… An image of when Lorne had kissed her at the club.

Now he understood why they had become silent when he had sat down. And why Willow had such a crap cover up. He couldn't help the fact that a small smile appeared on his red lips.

'What's so funny?' Willow asked, thinking she wasn't in on something.

'Oh nothing'

'C'mon, tell us' Angelina pressed.

'Nope. Maybe later' Lorne took a bite out of his sandwich. He wasn't going to let this slide, but he wasn't going to bring it up here.

'Later when?' Angelina questioned completely unaware of the fact that she'd hummed.

'Later later' Lorne said.

It was obvious he wasn't going to tell, so this left Willow and Angelina to ponder.

A few hours later, they had left the mall, Willow walking back to her apartment, which was only a 10-minute walk away and Angelina and Lorne catching a cab back to theirs.

Lorne still wouldn't say what was so funny. Angelina thought it was something about Willow; something she'd said, or done. She wasn't sure.

Lorne still wouldn't let her look at the shirt either.

'What the hell is up with him?' Angelina thought.

Guess she'd find out later… whenever 'later' was.

~**~

Hey guys!

Hope you're enjoying the story so far.

A little heads up

1. The '~**~' symbol you see is now replacing the lines, for different characters (just in case you were wondering)

2. I need some costume ideas for Halloween in my story. Anyone wanna give some suggestions?

3. There might be a little delay in chapter updates, due to my birthday tomorrow, so sorry about that.

4. I'd love some reviews on whether or not I should write a sequel/ story ideas/ new twists/etc.

THANKS!