A Place for Us.
A Complicated sequel.
Part One.
Running away from Los Angeles had seemed like a good idea at the time but, after hours of driving in uncomfortable silence, Buffy Summers began to wonder if her impulsive decision had been a good one after all.
As the black convertible left the old Hyperion Hotel, all she could think of was hiding Angel from the outside world until she knew more about his miraculous resurrection. Angel had amassed more than his fair share of enemies over the years, and it would be safer for all concerned if they continued to believe he was dead.
Buffy briefly considered calling Giles but quickly dismissed the idea. In reality, she didn't trust Giles or his new council enough to share such dangerous information. Until Angel could explain what had happened to him and where he had returned from, their only choice was to disappear and hide.
But keeping him safe would not be her only problem.
Buffy knew from her own painful experience just how hard the transition from one dimension to another could be. Being forced to deal with the depression she experienced after returning from heaven had nearly destroyed her. Friends who had claimed to love her most had been totally unaware of her distress, and with that, they had failed her.
While Angel would need the physical support of The Slayer, Buffy secretly worried if she alone was strong enough to support him emotionally.
You are the only one left that loves him.
The thought almost broke her heart. Although they were almost strangers now, she could still sense the emotions she had buried so deeply when she looked up into his familiar face. All it would take was a spark and... Buffy closed the thought down and added another in its place.
Why does everything have to be so complicated?
Her troubled mind continued to run wild as she drove silently out of the city.
Where had his soul been all this time?
Though it was almost too painful to think about whether his soul had been in heaven or hell, the second thought came easier. If Angel had come back from the depths of hell, he would not only have returned as a vampire, but he would have returned as a crazed animal, tortured and completely insane.
With one glance at her broody companion, Buffy dismissed the notion that he had been in hell. Returning as a human being had to be a reward, not a punishment.
When they stopped at a set of traffic lights, she reached over and gently squeezed his hand, hoping her touch would provide some small comfort, but still locked in a world of his own, Angel just continued to stare silently out of the window.
At the lack of response, Buffy felt a dull ache start to grow in her chest. She hated seeing him in so much pain, but she was happy that he had returned to the world. Her mind drifted back to a memory of her friends and wondered if they had felt the same feelings after they unknowingly dragged her out of heaven.
The traffic lights changed colour, and the sound of a loud horn forced her attention back to the road. As Buffy pulled away from the lights, she let the uncomfortable memory of her own resurrection slip from her mind. She tried to concentrate on the road ahead, but a slight uneasiness continued to whisper in her ear.
She was letting her mind run away with her again.
Was it possible that someone had used witchcraft to bring Angel back? And if the answer was yes, who would have been powerful enough to do the deed?
Willow.
Before the thought had fully formed in her head, she dismissed the strongest witch she had ever known. The redheaded Wicca had learned that lesson a long time ago, and the slayer was certain her best friend knew better than to repeat the mistake.
After driving for hours, Buffy needed to make a quick stop, not only to fill up on gas, but her bladder reminded her she also needed to use the restroom. The sudden thought that Angel might also need the same facilities almost made her blush with embarrassment. Without having to say a word, Angel opened the door and got out of the car. As if sleepwalking, he filled the tank with gas and returned the nozzle when he had finished.
Buffy smiled at the first glimpse of his memory returning.
Their eyes met, and they looked at each other for a long moment.
Buffy looked away first.
Every cell in her body yearned to reach out to him, to offer him the reassurance he so clearly needed. But she wasn't brave enough. Once she held him in her arms again, she knew she would never let him go. It had been so long since she had felt that way. The idea that they could finally have a future together sent butterflies hurtling through her stomach that she hadn't felt in years.
I want my life to be with you.
Turning her attention back to the present, Buffy pushed her thoughts of a future to one side.
"Do you need to use the restroom?" she asked as she reached inside her bag for her wallet. Angel seemed to think about the question for a second, but then he shook his head. "Okay, just stay in the car." She gave him a reassuring smile, and as she stepped back, she added an afterthought. "I won't be gone for long." Buffy could have sworn she saw a look of relief on his tired face as he returned to the car and climbed back into the safety of his seat.
The blonde slayer could not help but smile in hope. It was early days, but she knew her Angel was still somewhere inside that tired-looking man, and no matter how painful it was to watch him suffer, she would do everything in her power to bring him back to his new life.
As she wandered along the food aisle, Buffy felt her stomach growl, reminding her that in all the excitement, she hadn't eaten in two days. She picked up a sandwich and an apple for herself and wondered what she could get for Angel.
After careful consideration, she figured his first meal should be something simple since the ex vampire hadn't eaten human food in almost two and a half centuries. Suddenly a memory of Spike and his Weetabix popped into her head, but she was ready for it and quickly pushed it aside. Spike was part of a past she needed to leave behind. Her future, she knew with sudden certainty, was sitting in a car right outside the door... and probably starving to death by now.
Buffy returned her thoughts to the task at hand. She quickly searched for a plain cheese sandwich and added a second apple to her purchase.
Once she reached the cashier, she added two large coffees to her order, hoping the caffeine would keep her awake until she decided where they would stop for the night.
Angel looked up when she entered the car, and for the second time that day, she saw a flicker of emotion in his dark brown eyes. He didn't speak, but she could see he was pleased to see her return.
"Hey." Buffy passed over an apple and a sandwich, and when he accepted them, she offered him a large container of coffee. She smiled. "I didn't know what you would like, so I bought you what I got for myself." Buffy didn't care that she was babbling -she was just glad and relieved that Angel was still waiting for her when she returned to the car.
Buffy ate her sandwich in silence and tried not to make Angel feel too uncomfortable with his first human meal.
She watched from the corner of her eye as he handled the sandwich with a look of bewilderment. The food in his lap held little interest, but he lifted the coffee cup to his lips and took a small sip.
After finishing her coffee, Buffy placed the empty cup back in the bag that once held their food. She smiled at Angel, started the ignition, and pulled away from the gas station.
As she drove along the highway, she felt her fear of the unknown wane slightly, and she relaxed into her seat. Angel may be taking baby steps, but they were definitely moving in the right direction.
WEST BEACH MOTEL.
VACANCY
From the darkness, Buffy noticed a bright neon sign, and with a sigh of relief, she turned in its direction. It wasn't the most attractive looking motel they had passed, but she knew she had pushed herself to her limit. If they continued their journey without rest, it would be dangerous.
As soon as she parked the car, she slipped out of her seat. Buffy stretched her aching limbs as she waited for Angel to exit the vehicle. Despite not once complaining, his tired face revealed his pain better than any words could.
The look of vulnerability in his eyes made her want to throw caution to the wind and clutch him tightly, but she hesitated, and the moment passed. Angel looked away, and her heart sank at the missed opportunity. Sometimes Buffy really hated being the responsible one.
Even though the parking lot was empty, she asked Angel to wait by the car while she booked them in. The last thing they needed was any unwanted attention, and unfortunately, the ex-vampire looked like he had been in a war zone.
Buffy opened the door and turned on the light.
"Home sweet home," she joked tiredly as her eyes took in the small motel room. There was only one bed, and the room itself was dreary, but it was clean and, for one night, it would suit their basic needs.
At first, Angel hesitated in the doorway as if waiting for an invitation. But after a few seconds, he realised invitations were no longer necessary and slowly entered the room.
He remained silent as his eyes adjusted to the artificial light. Seeing his discomfort, Buffy switched on a table lamp by the bed and turned off the bright overhead lighting.
"Is this better?" she asked with concern as the room dimmed into a soft, warm glow.
He blinked a couple of times and then nodded his head.
Keeping herself occupied, Buffy checked out the minibar and frowned at seeing its empty shelves. A trip to the store would be needed sooner rather than later, she thought.
"How are you feeling?" she asked as she opened the bathroom door and popped her head inside. From behind her, she just made out the words "I'm tired," and on turning, she noticed Angel yawn loudly, almost as if to prove his point.
Buffy picked up two large towels from the clean laundry pile and placed them on the bed.
"You could use a hot shower and a good nights sleep," she said, as she looked between his exhausted face and filthy clothes. Angel glanced towards the bathroom and once again only nodded.
"If you need any help, I -"
He cut her off mid-sentence. "I'll be fine"
Buffy's eyes widened a little in surprise, but she showed no other sign of her excitement. This was only the second time Angel had replied with more than one word, and her joy at hearing such a small sentence was overwhelming.
Those baby steps kept on coming.
After rummaging through her luggage, she found what she was looking for and handed Angel a large bag of toiletries.
"There is shampoo, conditioner, and deodorant, but unfortunately no hair gel," she offered with a bright smile.
Angel hesitated for a moment before reaching out to accept the bag. When he suddenly raised his other hand to Buffy's face, he took her by complete surprise. Her breath caught in her throat as his long fingers gently caressed her cheek, and when he leaned in closer, she stopped breathing entirely. "Thank you," he whispered the words so softly that Buffy almost missed them.
Time seemed to slow as they exchanged a long look, but before she could say a word, Angel had turned on his heel and disappeared into the bathroom.
The butterflies in Buffy's stomach wouldn't go away as she paced back and forth, waiting for Angel to finish his shower.
What on earth could be keeping him in there for so long?
Her mind was working overtime. After dismissing a dozen ways he could injure himself in the bathroom, Buffy finally settled on something realistic. He had probably just seen his reflection for the first time in over two hundred years, she thought, trying to reassure herself. That was bound to slow things down.
Ten minutes later, Angel emerged from the steam-filled bathroom wearing only a towel wrapped around his waist. Tiny beads of glistening water covered his dark hair and pale chest, and Buffy caught her breath for the second time that evening.
Her cheeks flushed, and she licked her suddenly dry lips as she watched one droplet of water separate from the rest and trickle slowly down the length of his muscular chest.
In her mind, Buffy knew she was playing with fire, but just for a second, she wondered what it would be like to get burned. A familiar shiver of longing ran right through her body.
The years without him had left her increasingly disillusioned, as every new relationship she entered ended in disappointment.
She had never wanted the normal life he had left her for, all she had ever wanted was him, and now he stood within touching distance, not only human but also naked and wet. Buffy swallowed the lump in her throat. If she just reached out she...
He barely remembers you.
The thought snapped her back to reality, and she quickly turned her head away. It was definitely not the time or place for those thoughts. Her purpose was to help him, not seduce him: she reminded herself. Buffy took a deep breath and mentally threw a bucket of cold water over her hormones.
Unaware of the effect his semi-naked body was having on her raging hormones, Angel cleared his throat. He looked uncomfortable. "My clothes...," he nodded to the only belongings he owned and knowing that they were beyond repair, he looked unsure of how to proceed.
Buffy glanced towards her luggage and knew straight away that there was nothing inside that would fit him. The thought of driving again made her shudder, but there was no way he could put those filthy clothes back on.
"A couple of miles back, we passed a supermarket. They should have something to fit you in there." Buffy picked up the bundle of charred and torn clothing and looked around for somewhere to place it. She finally dropped it on a chair and then opened up a cupboard to see if she could find any extra linen.
Her options were limited, but she eventually pulled out a thin blanket that had seen better days and shook it open. Even though it wasn't much larger than the towel already draped around his lean hips, it was at least dry.
Angel accepted the blanket with one hand and dropped the wet towel with the other. A faint blush coloured her cheeks as she pulled her gaze away from the abandoned towel and looked up into his innocent face. Confusion marred his features briefly before realisation struck, and he wrapped the blanket the same way as he had the towel.
Buffy turned away, giving Angel his privacy. She understood that being so close to him would be difficult, but after only two days, she already felt like she was out of her depth.
She really needed to get out of the room before she did something stupid and totally humiliated herself.
When she turned, Angel was adequately covered, and her heartbeat returned to a normal rhythm.
A grumbling stomach reminded her that she had only eaten a sandwich and one apple in days, while Angel had eaten absolutely nothing.
"Are you hungry?" She asked with a look of concern.
Buffy was disappointed when he just shook his head and replied, "I'm just tired. "Deciding it was wise not to push him on the subject, she pulled on her jacket and grabbed her car keys.
"I'll be back as soon as I can."
Buffy looked around the room a final time before walking out the door. She hated leaving him alone in his confused state, but she had no other choice. She just prayed he would still be there when she got back.
A little more than an hour later, she returned with several large shopping bags. She was extremely grateful for the credit card Giles had pushed into her hand on leaving the council, but she did feel slightly guilty of the large charge she had just added to it. As she placed the bags on the table, Buffy made a mental note to call London first thing in the morning and let them know she was taking a few weeks holiday.
She decided not to bring up the subject of Angel-the fact that he was alive, let alone human, was a concept that she was still trying to understand.
The council did not need to know that he had returned until she understood the reasons behind the resurrection herself. Many questions remained unanswered about the humanity of the ex-vampire. Until Angel was coherent enough to give his consent, the secret was hers to keep.
Buffy smiled softly on seeing Angel lying fast asleep on top of the bed. She walked over and pulled the covers over him, and then without thinking, she pressed a gentle kiss on the top of his head. A warm glow filled her from inside.
Angel was here. Angel was human.
Though she still felt the same way all these years later, the question was, did he still feel the same way about her?
As quietly as possible, she returned to her suitcase, pulled out a shirt and matching shorts, and headed to the bathroom.
Brushing her teeth after the quickest shower she had ever had, Buffy finally caught sight of her reflection in the bathroom mirror and frowned. Dark shadows framed her eyes, her skin was pale, and everything about her looked tired.
She was exhausted from driving and worn out from everything she had gone through in the past few days, and her body desperately needed to rest.
After closing the bathroom door, she was relieved to see Angel still sleeping peacefully and looked around for somewhere to lay her weary head.
Buffy looked at the bed and then at an uncomfortable-looking chair, and her heart sank. The last thing she wanted to do was make Angel feel awkward, so she chose the chair.
The moment Buffy sat down on the hard, worn-out chair, she realised she would not be getting any sleep if she spent the night there. After already missing two nights of sleep, she had no other choice but to slide into the bed with Angel and put as much distance between them as possible.
The moment her head hit the cool pillow, she let out a sigh of contentment and closed her eyes. After a few seconds, she heard a faint sound coming from the other side of the bed. Buffy smiled in the darkness as she remembered the first time they had shared a bedroom.
Do you snore?
I don't know. It's been a long time since anybody's been in a position to let me know.
Fighting the temptation to move closer, Buffy rolled onto her side. The room was dark, but there was still enough light for her to make out the ex-vampires timeless profile.
After a few seconds of watching him, exhaustion overtook her, and she followed him into a deep sleep.
Angel awoke to the gentle warmth of golden sunlight brushing his face. For a moment, he feared he was back in his suite at Wolfram and Hart, but the feeling of his heartbeat hammering in his chest calmed him, and it helped him overcome his anxiety.
His memories began slowly returning, and the reality that he was once again human was almost overwhelming.
He could not be human. It wasn't possible.
The memory of signing away the Shanshu Prophecy flashed before his eyes with perfect clarity.
On the day of the battle, he had not only accepted his fate, but he had made peace with it. There was no doubt in his mind that hell was waiting for him that night. His friends had fallen one by one, leaving him alone to hold back the minions of the senior partners. As he stood in the rain, blood dripping down his cheeks, he wished deep inside that it would be over.
When the dragon swooped down, scorching his skin with its fiery breath, he raised his sword in the air, and with an almighty roar, he had embraced his final death.
And that was where things got a little confusing.
Once again, his mind flooded with images that seemed impossible. A flash of brilliant light changed the scenery around him.
The dragon vanished, and the dead were no longer bloody and broken on the ground. There was silence where an army from hell had once stood.
The vision of him waking up in a dry, empty alleyway was soon replaced by him sleepwalking his way through the doors of the Hyperion Hotel.
"Show yourself."
A female voice demanded.
The vision of blonde hair and hazel eyes quickly followed.
"Angel. You're alive."
Angel took a deep breath and felt his rapid heartbeat start to slow down. There was no need for him to open his eyes to confirm who was sleeping alongside him. He didn't need supernatural senses because every atom in his body was crying out with one voice.
Buffy.