Buffy stared at the moonlit water, before looking at her watch with a frown. It was almost 11, and after a night of being the main entertainment for Angel's friends, she was more than ready to go home. Not to mention she had to open the diner at five. The dull ache in her stomach seemed to grow stronger, and she closed her eyes tiredly.

"Buffy!" Her eyes blinked open and she found herself looking at Cordelia. "We've been having a discussion." The brunette's eyes gleamed darkly in the torch light as she motioned to Dru, Darla, and Lindsey. "Jeremy Winters has a total skank he's been seen with, and we were wondering how much he's paying her to sleep with him."

"Yeah," Darla smiled coolly. "What's the going rate these days?"

Buffy looked away knowing that once again, all eyes were on her. There weren't as many people to watch as there had been earlier, just Angel's closest friends were left. "Maybe you should ask your mom," she answered as she turned back to meet the brunette's stare. "I mean, how much cash do the guys you date have to have before she'd welcome them into the family?"

"You know Buffy," Lindsey broke in, "I've heard some pretty disgusting things about that diner you work in... like someone found a roach in their soup. Is that true darling?"

"No, they didn't."

"Oh..." Dru clapped her hands. "I heard that too... and didn't someone complain about rat droppings in the kitchen?"

"No," Buffy answered uneasily. "There hasn't been..."

"You'd think they'd shut the place down." Cordelia stared at her meaningfully, and she looked back helplessly. She knew it wasn't an idle threat, it had been whispered around town for years what the elites wanted, the elites got. Her gaze went to the flickering flames of the bonfire.

"There haven't been any complaints," she murmured before shifting to her feet and turning toward the beachfront mansion on the cliff. "I have to get up early. I think I'll go." Without waiting for comments, she took five steps toward the mansion, and the Jeep parked in the drive before a hand clamped onto her arm.

"Not yet," Angel told her before looking at his friends. "The party's not quite over." He winked at Lindsey who gave a faint smile and shook his head. "Be back in a while," he called before turning to drag Buffy down the beach.

"Angel," she hissed as soon as his friends were out of sight. "What are you doing?" She tugged back, and he released her.

"The contract says 'with sex expected'," he stated as he spun back toward her.

"But I have to be at work in six hours."

"If you want to speed it up, I advise you to take your clothes off."

"No. After what I've been through tonight..." she broke off. "They're threatening my job, and what they're saying... It's all lies."

"I don't care," he told her quietly. "Now strip."

Buffy slowly started to move. Her shoes came off before she peeled off her shirt and followed it with her bra. Her jeans and panties were next with a single smooth slide over her hips.

"Get on your hands and knees," he ordered gruffly as he worked on taking off his pants. She did as he ordered, and he instantly blanketed her back, expecting to feel satisfaction that she was once again where he'd *dreamed* of having her. Instead, all he felt was irritation that it was his shirt caressing him instead of the satin of her skin, and he quickly pulled it off before moving back to her.

Gods... she felt incredible, and he closed his eyes and breathed in her scent as his head dropped down to rest against hers. It wasn't right, he decided savagely, hating his need for her even as he couldn't deny it. He wanted to kiss her, feel her thighs wrap around his hips. He pulled away. "Over," he hissed when she hesitated. "On your back Buff."

Flipping over, she only had to wait a couple of seconds before he covered her, his mouth claiming hers hungrily as his hips settled between her thighs.

Quiet sobs sounded through the door, and Tara listened to them worriedly as she waited for her turn to use the bathroom. "Buffy," she called. "Are you alright?" Silence fell, and she frowned as she listened to the sounds of quick movements. The door opened, and she couldn't stop from looking at the other blonde with concern. "What happened?" she asked quietly. "Did he hurt you?"

Buffy sighed tiredly. "I'm fine."

"You don't look fine."

Silence fell as Buffy looked at Tara and felt a fresh wave of tears gathering. "The guy I went out with is Liam's father."

"What?" Tara broke off, tucked hair behind her ear. "Did... did you tell him he has a son?"

"N...no. We um... we broke up before he knew I was pregnant, and... I don't want him to feel like he has to..." she wiped at tears. "He can't find out."

"Alright, but are you okay? I mean, he didn't hurt you did he?"

"No." Buffy looked down at the wad of toilet paper in her hand. "It just wasn't a good night. His friends don't like me, and... he doesn't either." She took a few cleansing breaths before wiping at her nose. "I hurt him," she murmured, "but I was hurt too." Tara pulled her into a hug and Buffy gave a slight shake of her head. "I don't even feel like I know him anymore."

"Do you want me to come home early and help with Liam?"

"No. I'll be fine," Buffy lied. She could still feel Angel's solid weight on her, the feel of his skin, hair... and the orgasm that had ripped her heart to pieces.

Angel glanced up from the file he was looking at as Holtz lightly knocked on his office door before walking into the room. "How'd it go, Angel? Did you get the land Wilson was going to give to the state?"

"Bought and paid for."

The older man smiled broadly as he took a seat in front of his nephew's desk. "And the price?"

"Three hundred thousand."

"I offered him twice that three years ago." Holtz gave a shake of his head. "The man's mind is clearly failing." He thoughtfully settled back in the chair. "I suppose he didn't know who you were?"

"He would have," Angel answered. "He's an art lover. He spent time at Joyce Summer's gallery, and so did I. That's why I sent Cordelia to buy the land."

"Cordelia?"

"She convinced him she wanted it for a rental property." Angel gave a cool smile. "She told him we certainly didn't need a gambling casino in town."

"Did she now?" Holtz's eyes sparkled with amusement before he laughed. "Maybe it's a good thing Wilson's in that nursing home in Los Angeles. It might keep him from finding out about our next project in little ole Sunnydale."

Angel nodded. "Cordy said it didn't look like he had much time left."

"He's held up my project for over three years," Holtz informed as he stood up. "I personally will not miss him." Silence fell, and he walked over to sit on the edge of Angel's desk. "There's one more thing I wanted to discuss with you. I was at the bank today and Mrs. Chase said you were seen over the weekend in the company of Ms. Summers... that she was your date at Cordelia's birthday party."

"Problem?" Angel's eyes turned icy.

Holtz studied him before meeting his eyes. "You're a smart boy Angel... I worked hard to get into Harvard... and was proud and grateful to be there. You *turned down* their acceptance until your annulment, and even after attending the school, didn't think enough of it to continue your education there. You got in without even trying." He shook his head regretfully. "I respected your decision to stop your schooling early, but in this, I need to know you'll be careful. I do not want to see you in pain again over that girl."

"And you won't." Angel set back in his chair and eyed his uncle frostily. "Buffy's unfinished business. I promise you, there will be no diamond rings this time around."

"Good." Holtz gave a satisfied nod before slapping Angel's shoulder as he slid off the desk. "That was all I needed to feel okay with the situation. Sometimes it helps to get perspective when you have a chance to work out your frustrations on someone who lied to you, who hurt you."

Angel's eyes flickered up to Holtz's. "Is this conversation over? I'm supposed to meet Cordelia in about an hour to finalize our deal."

"Consider it done, and I need to talk to the construction crew and see how soon they can get started."

"Wait," Angel stopped him, and Holtz turned. "Are you using Harris's construction company?"

"Do you have another suggestion?"

"No. It's fine."

"Anytime you change your mind, let me know." Holtz took a moment to look at him knowingly before turning to leave.

A few days later:

"I think our families will be pretty happy with our choice," Lindsey spoke up as the dusk to dawn lights flashed by.

Angel silently agreed. He and Lindsey had spent the last three days in L.A. interviewing potential 'renters' for the property in Los Angeles. They had settled on the Klines, a family of four that were being evicted from their current home. The father was a motorcycle enthusiast who enjoyed throwing parties for his similarly inclined friends, and who had told them the fenced in lawn would be perfect for his two coon hounds... who Angel was sure would have the beautifully manicured yard torn up in no time. His wife, Mary, was a drug addict who had a tendency to scream at her husband and kids when things didn't go her way. The oldest boy was 9 and had been in trouble with the law for theft, keying cars, and breaking out his neighbor's windows. The youngest was a year old infant who Angel had little doubt would have a rough life, but that wasn't his problem. Another street light shot by, and he glanced at Lindsey. "I think they will be too."

"How long do you think it'll be before the neighbors start moving out?"

"Hard to say," Angel murmured, "but if this family isn't enough, we can always move in some in-laws."

Lindsey shook his head before smiling. "Sounds like a plan." Silence fell before he glanced at Angel. "Did you notice how Doyle followed Cordy around at her birthday party?"

"Yeah." Angel grinned. "I think he's a goner."

"It's just too bad she's not interested in a steady relationship." Lindsey glanced up as headlights flashed past.

"I know that's how she used to feel. I was hoping for Doyle's sake she'd changed her mind."

"Well... I'll put it this way, if Cordy found a good looking man in her bed, I doubt she'd kick him out."

Angel nodded. "And I suppose you'd be willing to give up the single life for Lilah?"

He shook his head. "Lilah and I have an understanding."

Angel didn't need to ask what kind of understanding. It wasn't unusual to have open relationships in his circle of friends.

A comfortable silence fell before Lindsey broke it. "I suppose you saw Luke when you were in Colorado?"

"Yeah." He shook his head at the mention of his cousin. Luke was Holtz's only son and ran the family ski lodge. "Do you remember the White Mountain Lodge that was about five miles from ours? It was owned by the Hinkles."

Already knowing where his friend was going Lindsey smirked. "It burned down last year didn't it?"

"So I'm told."

"Well, accidents happen don't they?" Silence fell as Lindsey leaned back. "You know the Hinkles almost had Luke arrested for arson don't you?" He turned to look at Angel. "Dad, Ripper, and Holtz were all up there trying to stop the thing from going to trial."

"I heard."

Lindsey lazily turned to look back at the windshield. "I hear it's working out well for Ski Trails," he mentioned the name of the lodge Luke ran, "since Triad purchased the land the Hinkles used to own."

"And Luke won't let you forget it," Angel stated. "He's actually expanding the lodge due to an increase in customers."

Lindsey laughed. "How's Ethan doing?" he asked about Rupert Giles's son.

"Still at Harvard," Angel answered. "And I don't think he'll be graduating any time soon."

"So he's still changing his majors?"

"Oh yeah." Angel turned off the interstate and headed for Sunnydale. "He definitely likes school better than I do."

Lindsey stared out the window. "Well I've got four more years and I'm done with it." He gave a shake of his head as Angel pulled up to a stop sign. "And speaking of ways to make money... It looks like your ex is working hard."

Angel looked out the side window and easily spotted Buffy's Jeep parked at the lower end of the Bronze's parking lot. He didn't have a problem with her going back onto the weekend shift but was a little surprised it happened so soon after he'd told Snyder that. He glanced at the glowing clock on the dash. It was almost 1:30 am and he pressed a little harder on the accelerator as he drove Lindsey home. Maybe tonight they could have another 'date'.

"Sorry. We're closing in ten minutes." Buffy looked sympathetically at the man trying to beg her out of a last beer as she continued to wipe off the bar. It had been a long night, and Marge, the bartender, had said her goodbyes five minutes ago.

The tall blonde shot her a friendly smile in return. "Maybe I can buy you a drink someplace else?"

"Sorry again," she murmured. "I've got a date waiting for me at home."

"Lucky guy." Riley eyed her appreciatively before pushing away from the counter. "Well... see you around."

She nodded, a hint of amusement in her eyes as she looked up to see Faith's knowing look. "A date waiting for you at home?" Faith hissed quietly as she pushed a tray of empty glasses across the bar and watched Buffy unload it. "I think you forgot to mention it's with a one-year-old."

The blonde shrugged and slid the tray back. Her night with Angel had left her emotionally raw. If she'd been thinking about trying to date a few months ago, she was no longer interested. "I do have to babysit tonight Faith. Tara's spending the weekend in Los Angeles, and the Dingoes are playing the Starlight this weekend. Willow's going with them. They're planning to leave after I get home tonight."

Faith whistled. "They're going to get a late start."

"Yeah." Buffy gave a slow smile. "I've got good friends. I'm not sure what I'd do without them." She glanced over the room. There were still a few people milling about, finishing drinks and dances or using the bathrooms. "I'll get started on the glasses."

Faith nodded. "I'll clean off the tables and take care of the chairs."

"Thanks," Buffy replied as she put a few empty bottles away. It was her night to straighten up, not that there was a lot to do. It pretty much consisted of washing the glasses, upending the chairs on the small tables so Marlene, the cleaning woman could vacuum, and making sure the place was locked. Moving back to the sink, Buffy started to run a sink full of warm water. She didn't notice the brunette enter and begin looking over the bar.

Faith did notice. "Angel," she greeted with a seductive smile. "What brings you here?"

He turned to her slowly, his cool eyes sweeping over her figure before going up to her face. "Faith," he murmured. "I'm looking for Buffy."

She shifted uncertainly. His gaze held nothing of interest. If anything it held a hint of disdain. "She's at the bar."

"Thanks," he brushed her off without a second glance as he headed farther into the room.

Buffy quickly washed the glasses, the warm water almost covered in mounds of suds. She gave a mischievous grin as she heard footsteps coming up to her. Faith was taking next weekend off because Wed. was her birthday, and she said she was going to celebrate in style. Tonight was her last night, and the blonde kept her head down before giving an evil smile. "Faith can I..." she scooped a handful of suds out of the sink and flicked her hand at the person standing across the bar from her. "Angel," she froze as she watched him stare down at his now soap speckled silk shirt. "I'm sorry," she quickly glanced over the bar and grabbed a nearby towel, and held it out. "I thought you were Faith."

"I figured that out," he told her dryly as he took the towel and wiped at the suds.

"Um... what are you doing here? We close in..." she looked at the clock, "5 minutes."

"I'm bored. I thought we could have another date." He locked eyes with her meaningfully.

Buffy stiffened before turning back to work on the glasses. She knew there would be three more 'dates', but that didn't mean she was looking forward to them, it hurt too much, in more ways than one. On the other hand, the sooner she dealt with them, the sooner she could try to pull her life back together... she frowned and continued to clean glasses before taking a breath and giving the only answer she could. "I can't. My house mate's in L.A. this weekend and I have to," she swallowed thickly, "babysit."

"Babysit?" he asked irritably. "What..."

"B," Faith quickly cut in as she set another full tray on the bar beside her. "That's the last of the glasses." She eyed Angel warily. "Will you be okay if I..."

"Yeah." Buffy glanced up at the brunette grateful for the interruption. "Go ahead and get out of here... and Faith, I hope your birthday's great."

"Thanks." She grinned. "I might stop by Saturday night and you can buy me a beer."

Buffy gave a soft laugh and did her best to ignore the annoyed man standing across the bar from her. "You got it."

Faith hesitated but there wasn't any more she could do. She knew Buffy didn't like Angel, although she didn't know why. The guy was a jerk, but an attractive one. Maybe leaving the two together would be good for her. She frowned before starting toward her locker to pick up her coat and purse.

"Damn it," Angel hissed angrily as soon as they were alone. "You said you were okay with this."

"Okay with it?" Buffy reprimanded as she locked eyes with him. He gave a slow smirk, and she looked back at the glasses she was washing. He was trying to hurt her, and she didn't want him to know how much he was succeeding. "I have an obligation tonight," she stated carefully. "You can't just expect me to drop everything and be at your beck and call."

His eyes narrowed. It was exactly what he expected with the exceptions of her jobs. He silently contemplated his options, going home alone, or spending some one on one time with the girl in front of him. "Fine," he spat. "I'll go with you."

Buffy blinked and looked up, uncertain she'd heard him right as she watched him stride across the bar as he headed for the door.

She took a slow breath as she parked the Jeep in the driveway and slid out, only giving Angel a glance as he parked his car in front of her house. Stepping onto the porch, she hesitated long enough for him to join her before opening the door and walking inside. "Hey Wills," she greeted the redhead with false cheer before looking at the green haired musician sitting next to her. "Oz," she nodded and tried to ignore their surprise as they looked at the man that entered behind her.

"Buffy," Willow slowly got to her feet, "and... Angel." She looked carefully at her friend. she hadn't thought Buffy wanted him to know about Liam, but maybe she'd had a change of heart. "Um... Liam's sleeping."

"Thanks," Buffy's voice held a nervousness that had Willow frowning at Angel. "Well..." she slid off her light coat and dropped it onto a chair, "you guys should get out of here, and," she turned to look at Angel uncertainly, "can I make you some coffee?"

He shrugged noncommittally before meeting Oz's eyes. "Hey."

The smaller man nodded. "You back to stay?"

"Yeah. The town doesn't amount to much, but it's home."

Oz nodded again as he got to his feet and pulled on his jacket. "We've got to go." He looked back at Angel. "Dingoes have a gig."

"We don't have to leave right away," Willow looked at Oz pleadingly, "do we?"

"The band's waiting, Will."

The redhead turned to her friend with a worried frown. "Buffy I don't have to go if..."

"No. It's fine Will. Go have fun."

Willow nodded slowly. "Alright... but..." she shot a glance at Angel, "just call me if you need anything."

"Promise," Buffy forced a smile as she watched her two friends leave. "Okay. Um... coffee right?" She started for the kitchen but stopped when he grabbed her arm.

"I didn't come for coffee."

She looked up and took a breath at the same time a soft wail broke through the house. "I've got to go." She extracted her arm and moved into the kitchen to warm a bottle. Looked up at Angel as it heated. "Maybe you should leave."

He crossed his arms as he leaned against the door frame. "I'll wait," he answered before watching her heat the bottle. It looked right somehow, even if it felt strange. He shook off the thought.

She brushed past him, this time heading upstairs, and he followed before watching from the doorway to the nursery as she settled into a rocking chair with a small bundle on her lap. The sight bothered him, and he looked away. The little scene he was watching wasn't real, it wasn't her baby... She probably wouldn't ruin her figure to have one, unless of course, the money was right. He scowled.

Buffy looked down into her son's chocolate eyes that were so much like Angel's before looking up at the real thing standing in the doorway. Her heart took another blow when she saw the scowl on his face. But... she thought as she glanced back down at her son, she had Liam, and one day, when he was old enough, she'd tell him who his father was. Tears pricked her eyes and she swallowed heavily before breaking the silence. "There's a pizza in the freezer if you want to put it in the oven."

"Fine," he muttered as he pushed away from the door frame and headed downstairs without looking back.

Angel walked into the kitchen and took a breath as he looked over the room without seeing it. If he didn't know better he'd think Buffy had set this up to try to... what? Win him back? He snorted and strode to the refrigerator, opened the freezer, took out the pizza, and set it on the kitchen table. Grabbing a knife from the butcher block, he cut the plastic and slid it off before moving to where he knew the tin foil was. He tore off a piece and put it in the oven, put the pizza on top of it before reading the instructions on the plastic and setting the temperature on the oven.
A moment later, he went still before running a hand across his face and scowling.

This wasn't how tonight was suppose to go. This wasn't how his deal with her was supposed to go. He wanted her out of his mind, nothing more than a despised memory. He dropped into a chair thoughtfully, only looking up when soft footsteps sounded as Buffy came in. She'd changed into pale blue drawstring pants and a white tank top, and he watched as she shuffled to the sink and cleaned the bottle before taking a carton of orange juice out of the refrigerator. She walked back to the table and picked up the plastic he'd cut off the pizza before dropping it in the trash and then walking to the cabinets. "Want some juice?"

"No."

She took out a glass and put a splash of juice in it before putting the carton back in the refrigerator and quickly draining the small amount. A moment later, she looked over at Angel and met cool brown eyes before taking a seat across from him. Silence filled the room before Buffy softly broke it. "I didn't marry you for your money." Her eyes dropped to the table, and she took a breath. "When Holtz came to me that day... He told me if I stayed married to you, he'd make sure you didn't get your inheritance. I... I asked him," she broke off, swallowed. "I told him I'd sign anything he wanted me to, anything that would make him satisfied that I wasn't after your money." She looked up helplessly. "He wouldn't allow it, and I didn't want you to..." her voice wavered, "come to hate me for taking your inheritance away."

Angel's chair scraped across the floor almost violently as he stood and moved away from her to lean against the counter. "Let's say that's true," he told her in a carefully controlled voice, his eyes blazing. "That Holtz took away my inheritance and I came to resent you for it. Couldn't *I* have divorced you and gotten it back?"

Buffy paled. She'd never considered that possibility. She'd always considered the decision to be hers. "I... Angel..." Tears welled and spilled as she looked at him. "Holtz brought the papers to me. He told me it was my decision." Silence fell, and she looked at him with a sudden challenge in her eyes. "Would you have been willing to give up your millions to stay married to me? Did you love me that much?"

He stared at her with dark narrowed eyes before looking away. He didn't know the answer, had never even thought about it before. To give up his fortune for a woman was laughable, but to walk away from the only woman he'd ever wanted to marry was alien. No, he was too used to getting what he wanted for self-denial to come easily. Neither option was acceptable, and he crossed his arms as he looked back at her stubbornly. "We'll never know will we?"

Stricken she looked away. Ever since she'd signed the papers she'd been so sure if she could talk to him he'd understand, but she hadn't been able to before he'd left town, and he'd been so cold after coming home that she'd given up hope of ever reaching him.

Her gaze trailed almost absently to the oven and the pizza in it. It was golden brown, and she got to her feet to take it out before placing it back on the round cardboard Angel had taken it off of. She picked up the knife he'd used to cut off the plastic and began to cut slices before placing the knife in the sink. Going to the refrigerator she pulled out a large bottle of Pepsi before moving to get Angel a clean glass. She filled both glasses and picked up the pizza before looking at him. "I usually watch a little tv," she murmured before heading to the other room and setting the pizza on the coffee table. Angel silently joined her with the glasses of Pepsi, the tension rolling off of him as she switched on the tv and looked over the shows before settling on a comedy that was half over.

Silence filled the room as Buffy picked at the pizza. She was always hungry after a shift and tonight was no different, or it hadn't been before they'd had their talk. Sighing, she glanced at the leftover pizza, a little more than half was left. Flipping off the television as the credits began to roll, she got to her feet and picked up the leftovers and their glasses before heading for the kitchen. She'd just put the glasses in the sink when she turned around to see Angel standing in the doorway. They hadn't spoken since they'd moved into the other room, and she looked at him with regret. "I'm sorry."

He cocked his head before his lips twisted into a humorless smile. "So am I, but it doesn't change anything... In fact," he pushed away from the door jamb, "I'm waiting for more than my idea of a middle school date."

She studied him before walking out of the kitchen and up to her room with him following. She didn't turn on a light as she began to undress, the faint light coming in from the window highlighting her trim figure as he watched. Finishing her task she looked at him.

"You know what to do," he murmured huskily. She moved forward and undressed him with quick deliberate movements. Being with him like this tore at her, but she didn't know how to make things right. She slid back onto the bed, and Angel blanketed her, his body warming hers as he kissed her shoulder before claiming her mouth.

'Every time,' Angel thought several minutes later as he stared at the ceiling. It was like this with her every time. A faint stirring of nausea ran through him, a deep dull ache. He was a fool for letting her get to him tonight, and he swallowed bitterly before getting to his feet.

Buffy listened to the soft rustle of clothing as he dressed. She'd thought that maybe they could talk some more if there was anything left to say... "Angel." She listened as the rustling came to an abrupt halt. "You can..." She took a breath. "You don't have to leave."

He hesitated before straightening his collar and beginning to button his silk shirt. "Yes, I do." He finished with his shirt before making sure he still had his wallet. Tonight had brought back more pain than it had alleviated, and he needed to make sure it didn't happen again.

Buffy waited, listened to his movements, and when he quietly closed the front door she turned into her pillow and started sobbing.