Part Nine
*****
There's no vamps around. Weird.... Angel thought as he patrolled the silent streets and cemeteries.
There were no vampires around. He had been patrolling for hours and yet he never saw one, not even *one* vampire around.
I thought I'd never live, no pun intended, to see the day where I wished for vampires.
Making his way silently through the streets, Angel decided to patrol for a little more.
Turning around, Angel walked. His thoughts wondering around. Angel was so lost in thought that he never saw the figure in front of him until he ran into it.
"Ahh!" he screamed.
"Ommph." the figure exclaimed when she hit the concrete.
"Ow. That hurt." She said.
Angel went over to help her up. He was standing in front of her, hovering over her as a shadow, when she looked up.
It made him gasp. Not exactly *it* but she.
"Buffy...."
"Angel...."
Angel reached out a hand to help her up.
Buffy just looked questioningly at it and got up without his help.
Angel retracted his hand a bit nervously. He was hurt that she didn't want him to help her up, irrational he knew.
Buffy looked at him, curious as to why he was outside at this hour.
"You know, it's not safe to be outside at this hour. What are you doing here?" She asked.
"I can take care of myself." Angel told her.
"I never doubted that."
"I was out patrolling, seems like you killed all the vamps." Angel said, trying to find a conversation for them to be talking about.
"Except you, of course. And Spike, can't forget Spike." Buffy told him coldly.
Angel flinched, that stung him. Angel tried to ignore her tone of voice, she was so cold.
"Spike, huh? Why didn't you stake him already?" Angel asked, curious.
"Because he's just a toothless puppy. It's not fun to kill when they can't fight you back. Takes all the fun out of it." Buffy said, matter-of-factly, bitterness creeping into her voice.
It unnerved him when she said that. Now she was looking at him like he was a predator.
The cold look in her eyes, her stance, the way she was talking. She was so cold, bitter, and distant.
Angel was scared silly. The way she was looking at him made him want to run.
Buffy could see Angel's fear. She could see it clear as glass.
Giving him a little smirk, Buffy turned to leave.
"Remember Angel, you're in my territory. I can kill you if I wanted to." Buffy called over her shoulder.
Oh boy. He thought, Look what you did know.
It was going to take forever to change her back into the Buffy he knew and to get her to trust him again.
***
As Buffy was walking home, she let out a sigh.
Glad that was over. she thought.
She had put up a brave front. She was glad that she could keep all emotions from her voice when she was talking to him.
She missed him, but she would be damned if she ever admitted that to herself or to anyone for that matter.
Walking onto her front porch, Buffy opened the door to her house.
When she made it to her livingroom, Buffy stopped dead in her tracks.
Buffy did what she hadn't done in years.
She screamed.
Part Ten
*****
When Buffy had left, Angel stood there thinking. When he could no longer see Buffy in the horizon, he followed her.
He just wanted to make sure she got home safe.
Not that she shouldn't. She killed all the vamps already, except me and Spike.
He watched as she stepped onto her porch and took out her keys. He saw her enter her house.
He moved closer, he saw her stop dead in her tracks. Fear apparent on her features.
He heard the most bloodcurdling scream ever.
Angel ran as fast as he could to her house, he wanted to help her but there was a barrier that he could never pass unless he received and invitation.
"Buffy!" He screamed. He watched as she turned, her face as white as a ghost, she was shaking like a leaf.
***
Blood. It was everywhere. Everywhere. Blood. And from the ceilings hung the owners of the blood.
So much blood, all she could see was red. She couldn't breathe. Buffy was loosing her grip on reality when she heard someone call her name.
Already hyperventilating, she turned to see Angel. The simple movement made her dizzy and she passed out. One word escaped her lips as she fell.
"Angel...."
***
Angel watched as he saw her collapsed when he heard her call his name. It was an invitation, he knew.
As the barrier was removed he rushed to Buffy's side. Checking for her pulse and her breathing.
When he looked up, he was about to faint as well.
Oh god.
On the walls were writings. A warning.
"Slayer, your time is almost up."
Picking Buffy up, supporting her head and her feet, he carried her out of the house and towards the mansion.
There was so much blood. In all his years he had never seen that much blood. The innocents who were obviously the ones who were taken of their own blood, hung from the ceiling.
Angel had to fight to keep his sanity as well. He wanted to faint, take comfort in the darkness that sleep would provide.
Looking down at the bundle that he carried her features were nothing but peaceful. She looked so beautiful asleep and he would do anything to keep her safe.
She looked so innocent.
He walked all the way to his mansion. After ten minutes he came upon the mansion.
Opening the door and closing it with the back of his feet, he made his way to the bedroom.
Placing her on the bed and covering her up with the satin red sheets, he made sure she was comfortable and left to make a phone call.
When he was in the next room, he picked up the phone and dialed the number he knew by heart.
"Hello Cordelia. Bring the others down to Sunnydale, no arguments. I'm at the mansion." With that he hung up and called another person.
"Hello, Giles."
Part Eleven
*****
Angel was sitting on a chair near the bed where Buffy slept. He was holding her hand.
She looked so peaceful and innocent.
A little while ago Wesley, Gunn, Cordelia, and Giles had arrived at the mansion. He had to explain to them what he saw in Buffy's living room and the message that was left for her.
Everyone had paled, even Gunn, when he told them about the people hanging from the ceiling and the blood.
It was no surprise why Buffy had fainted.
They were still in the living room when Angel left to check on Buffy. After a few moments of sitting there, looking at her, she began to stir.
Groaning, Buffy opened her eyes. She didn't know where she was.
What happened? And then she remembered and paled once more.
"Buffy." Angel said.
Turning her head, her hazel eyes met with chocolate brown eyes.
"Angel?" She asked as if she was uncertain if he was really there.
Nodding his head he replied, "How are you feeling?"
"Like I've been ran over by a truck, several times I might add." She groaned again. She had a headache, opening her eyes had been a difficulty.
"Do you want some aspirin or something for you headache?" Angel asked, concerned that she had hit her head too hard on her floor.
"That would be helpful."
As soon as Angel left the room, Buffy studied her surrondings.
The room was decorated with several paintings. The windows were covered with thick curtains that appeared to be black. By the bedside was a telephone a glass of water. And lastly, the bed was adorned with red silk sheets that looked like the appartment Angel had once lived in.
Thinking about the appartment brought back some memories of the times they spent there. The night of her birthday. One of the most perfect and horrific days of her life. Not only did the appartment remind her of that night, the bed sheets were doing a great job on her mind....
The sheets were also red and silk on that night.
Before she could think any further, Angel entered the room carrying a bottle of aspirin in one hand an another glass of water in the other.
"Hey." Angel greeted Buffy when he was by her side. Taking a seat on the bed, Angel helped her get up.
When Angel's hand made contact with Buffy's skin, she shivered, wanting more contact with him.
When Buffy was sitting against the headboard, she shrugged his hands away. Holding back a whine at the loss, Buffy held ou her hand. Silently asking for the water and the aspirin.
"Thanks." Buffy said, politely when he handed her the water and aspirin.
Opening up the aspirin, Buffy took out two pills and gulped it down.
"So...where are we?" She asked.
"The mansion." Angel told her.
"Oh. Can I leave now?"
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine. I don't need you looking out for me."
Angel flinched inwardly, noticing her cold tone.
Looks like bitch Buffy is back. he thought.
When Buffy had first woken up he had hoped that his Buffy had returned. But most of his hopes were dashed when she pushed him away. Looking into her eyes, he saw nothing. No emotions, a big fat nothing. He couldn't even sense her thoughts.
He knew that the eyes were the windows to a person's soul, he knew from personal experiences, her soul was empty.
"If you're ready to leave, I'm not stopping you. But I thing it's better if you stayed her."
"Now why would I do that?" She asked sharply.
"Well, for one thing, we still don't know who was in your house."
"And the other?"
I want you here with me. Angel almost said it out loud.
"It's safer, besides Giles is downstairs. Do you want to talk to him?" He asked.
"Not unless I have to."
"Come on." Angel urged her out of the bed.
Sighing, she complied.
Part Twelve
*****
When Buffy went downstairs, Angel closely behind her, she was surprised to see more than Giles sitting in the living room.
Nodding as a greeting from all the 'heys' and 'hellos,' Buffy took a seat on the unoccupied sofa. Angel sat down hesitantly next to her, afraid of her reaction.
Noticing his hesitation, Buffy smirked. Leaning back so she was sitting comforta;b;u. Buffy retold the gruesome story of her living room. She also said that she was going to stay with Angel until they find whatever demon or vampire that had access to her house.
By the time everyone left, it was already three in the morning. Yawning, Buffy went upstairs and into the bedroom she had just left. Angel took the room next to hers.
Even with a wall between them, Buffy could feel Angel's presence. Sighing, she closed her eyes and tried to sleep.
Tossing and turing, she tried not to think of him. She *refused* to think of him.
Finally, trying meditation she once more tried to sleep.
Unfortunately for her, sleep finally overtook her an hour and a half later.
Part Thirteen
*****
Angel woke up to the sounds of a fight. Opening his groggy eyes, Angel left the room, shirtless.
The sounds were coming from somewher downstairs. Checking Buffy's room, seing that she wasn't there, he went downstairs and into the basement.
Going down the steps slowly until he was at the bottom of the stairs, he looked around. He saw Buffy training with only a pair of sweatpants and sports bra. He stared, amazed at the way she was fighting. It was like an endless dance that she was dancing too and only she could hear the music. Noticing her toned muscles, her taut stomach, her strong arms, and her beautiful face lost in concentration, he was filled with desire.
The longer he watched, the more desire he held until he was stiff. Looking down he could see it protruding from his pants.
Cursing softly, he knew that it was going to be painful to move.
"Morning, you enjoying the show?" Ange was startled when he heard her speak. Looking up into her smirking face, he would've blushed if vampires had circulation.
"Well, I...I woke up to noises and I wanted to see what was making it." Angel stammered.
"Hmm..."
"Um...Do you want any breakfast?" Angel asked, mentally slapping himself for acting like a teenager.
"No thanks. I'd like to train some more, if that's okay with you."
"That's fine with me." Angel told her.
Smirking, Buffy went back to her training.
Angel was making his way upstairs when he heard her call out for him.
"Hey, Angel?" She asked.
"Yeah?"
"You wanna do some one on one?" She said, smirking. Smirking was the closest to a smile he'd ever seen from her nowadays.
"You think you can take me on?" Angel teased her.
"Anyday anytime." she replied, playing in his game.
"We'll just see about that."
"Whatever."
Coming back down the stairs, Angel made his way over to Buffy.
"Ready?" He asked her as they both got into their fighting stance.
"Hell yeah."
"Okay."Angel said before he lashed out. Throwing a punch at her.
She easily ducked, seeing it coming for her before he even moved. She kicked him, which he barely blocked. Throwing another punch at her, ducking when she did the same, he kicked her. She blocked it easily. They kept on fighting, once in awhile Buffy would land in a blow or two. Angel never gettin one hit in.
Looks like she's been training pretty hard. redoubling his efforts, he managed to throw Buffy over his sholder when she tried to punch him again. Straddling her thighs and pinning her hands abover her head so that she couldn't move, he smirked.
"Looks like I won." Angel told her.
"Looks like, but you forgot one thing."
"And what's that?"
"You're dead." She told him right before she kicked her leg up and flipped them over so that she straddled him. Grabbing a nearby daggar, she raised it and striked. About a milimeter of and inch before it made contack with his chest, she stopped.
Angel was breathing hard, even if he didn't really need the breath.
"I won."
Angel remained silent, looking at her smirking face. She could see the annoyance in his eyes. Obviously he wasn't used to being beat.
Having her so close was having a major effect on him.
He was going to ask her if she was going to ever let him up, not that he wanted her too, when she jumped up and went upstairs.
"I'm taking a shower." she called down to him.
Sighing, he got up.
Looks like I'll be having a cold shower this morning.
Part Fifteen
*****
When Buffy woke up again it was already half past noon. Stretching and yawning, she lay there for a few minutes.
She smiled when she remembered what had happened earlier in the morning. The training, the shower, and the whole Angel nakedness.
It would be wonderful if she could wake up to every morning like that. Some good training with Angel, a hot shower, and a very naked Angel.
Bad bad bad Buffy!
Buffy hadn't meant to have fallen asleep, especially so early in the morning, but when she had lay there on the bed, thinking of Angel, she dozed off into her own dreamland where there was her own Angel awaiting her.
The Angel that never left. Buffy was subconsciously dreaming about him. In reality, she didn't want to think of him.
Well that was then, this is now. Seeing Angel shirtless, twice, brought back old memories that were better left in the past. There was no need to reopen old wounds, expecially when hers wasn't quite healed yet.
She didn't think they'd ever heal. The pain that she had harbored ever since Angel left her went so deep it was impossible to reach the very end of it.
Sighing, she got up. Her hand reaching up to her hair to make sure there wasn't any misplaced hair anywhere. She wasn't doing it on purpose. It was pure habit of her to check her hair before leaving the bed.
The old Buffy would've cared, but the new and improved Buffy didn't really care. Her hair was always in a bun when she went to train.
Walking across the room, Buffy left for more training. But first she needed some lunch.
*****
Angel was awake long before Buffy woke up. He had been laying on his bed, thinking of Buffy earlier in the morning.
It still made him blush everytime he would remember the way she was looking at him and the way he had acted around her.
He had tried in vain to get her out of his mind, albeit he didn't want to. Sighing, he had gotten up and left his room. Leaving for his private library where he was still trying to concentrate on the book that he held in his hands.
Placing the book down, he left the library for the kitchen. Deciding to make Buffy and himself some lunch.
He was finishing up the sandwich he was making when Buffy walked in on him.
"Afternoon." She greeted him. He was somewhat disappointed that she wasn't affected by his presence that he was with her.
"Afternoon. I'm making us lunch, you want some?" He asked her.
"Sure, you didn't have to do that you know. I could have just drank some water."
"It was nothing. Why don't you have a seat while I finish this up?"
"You sure you don't need any help?"
"Yup, now go on." Angel ushered her out of the room.
Buffy left and went into the living room, sitting on the couch. Her legs were folded underneath her.
It had been hard to be in the same room as him, even if she had tried her best to show him that she was not bothered by his presence, she couldn't help but wanting him to be standing there sans shirt again.
She was somewhat disappointed when she had seen him wearing a white shirt and black slacks.
He had looked good in it, he would look good in anything.
Or nothing. she added.
Very naughty thoughts. she scolded herself.
After a few minutes of waiting, Angel entered the living room carrying two plates of sandwiches and a can of Pepsi.
Placing one of the plates in front of her and the Pepsi, Angel sat down next to her. Keeping a safe distance between them. Although any distance between them would never be considered safe.
Buffy looked at the sandwich as if it was some alien out of space, it's head served as her food.
But in truth, she had never eaten a full meal in a long time and she wasn't about to start.
"Go ahead, I promise you it won't bite you." Angel told her.
Buffy smiled.
"Are you sure?" she asked him.
He chuckled.
Hesitantly, Buffy picked up the sandwich. Eyeing it with suspicion. Slowly, she brought it to her mouth and bit into it.
She was surprised that it tasted so good.
"This is good. When did you learn how to make sandwiches?" She asked him after another bite.
"I had to make them for Cordelia, Wesley, Gunn, and Doyle when they came over for lunch."
"Hmmm." biting into her sandwich again, not knowing that there was mayonaise at the corner of her mouth.
Angel smiled.
"You have something right here." gesturing towards her mouth.
She reached up to wipe it away, but instead she managed to smear it onto her chin.
"I'll get that for you." Angel told her as he leaned slowly in.
Buffy's heartbeat was beating furiously.
When they were just a few centimeters apart, Buffy leaned in for the kiss.
The kiss was something she'd never expect. Kissing Angel made her feel safe. No kiss could ever compare to his.
The kiss was growing to be passionate. Buffy was loving the feel of his lips on hers when reality intruded.
This is wrong. her mind screamed.
And before Angel knew what was happening, Buffy broke the kiss and ran upstairs leaving a still stunned Angel on the couch.
Part Sixteen
*****
Angel broke out of his reverie when he heard the bedroom door slam closed.
Taking a glance at the room where Buffy was, he couldn't help but blame himself.
Shoulders dropping, elbows on knees, and head in hands, Angel thought of ways he can get Buffy to forgive him and start to feel again.
Running his hands through his hair, Angel sighed.
He had wanted to go after her, but he knew that she needed time to think things further. Not knowing what exactly Buffy was doing at that moment.
*****
Buffy had spent the past few minutes garthering up her things and placing them in a suitcase that she knew Angel had brought over when he was at her house.
She was leaving. She didn't want to have to deal with having Angel under the smae roof. It was just to difficult. She hated not having control of her feelings. She couldn't handle it anymore.
Being close to Angel was dangerous for her. It made her vulnerable and she knew from experience that it could get her seriously hurt.
When she got most of her stuff, Buffy opened the door and walked down the stairs. From her place on the stairs she could see Angel sitting on the couch.
He looked miserable. No doubt that he was blaming himself for what had happened.
Buffy descended the rest of the way down before Angel looked up to see her holding a suitcase in one hand.
Is she leaving? Angel was in panic.
"Where are you going?" Angel asked her, panic clearly in his voice.
"Anywhere that is not here. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be leaving." Buffy told him.
"Leave? You can't leave." He said as if it were a fact.
"And why not?" She asked him angry that he wanted to control her actions, being as irrational as it is.
"Because....because it's not safe. We don't even know what it is that was in your house."
"I can take care of myself, thank you very much." Bufyf told him as she started making her way out of the living room.
Angel got up to intercept her, standing right in front of her and holding her by the shoulders. His eyes were begging her to not leave, to not leave *him.*
Buffy tried her hardest to ignore the look in his eyes when she had moved to leave. It was utterly pathetic but she couldn't help but feel a tinge of happiness because Angel wanted her to stay.
Shaking away his hands, she began to move again. Only to be stopped by him.
"Please, Buffy. Don't leave."
"Oh right, that was your move right? You know, maybe it's time I'm the one who leaves. Always loved a good change." She watched as he flinched, pain flashing across his features only to disappear as fast as it came.
"Look, I know I made some mistakes in the past, but I want us to start over." Speaking his true feelings.
"*Some* mistakes? I don't think so. There is no *us* as you've said before and I really don't want to bring everything back. There is no starting over for this chick. There's only continuing on from here, no looking back, no looking forward. Now, I *really* have to get going now." Buffy said before moving a bit more determindly out of his grasp.
She was halfway across the room, when Angel could move again.
Panicking, he ran towards her turned her around and crushed his lips onto hers.
He could tell she was surprised but after awhile she started to respond.
A part of him knew that a part of her didn't really want him to hold her and caress her like this but a more larger part of her was rejoicing with the feel of his lips upon hers.
The new Buffy would have rejected this but the old one was coming onto the surface. Fighting and internal war, she wasn't sure which side was winning.
Screw this. Buffy thought before deepening the kiss by placing her arms around his neck while he placed his arms around her waist, pulling her closer.
Buffy was in heaven. It was such a wonderful feeling. The feel of Angel's lips upon hers, her body molded with his, and the caresses of his hands on her back tracing small circles in a calming way.
Buffy would have stayed in this positon longer if she could but the need to breathe was becoming a problem. Angel, sensing that she needed a little break, pulled back a little so he could see her face.
He had expected to see fury all across his face, but he found himself looking into a panting and smiling Buffy.
Her first smile in a long time. Her face hurt because it wasn't used to such strain.
"Wow." Buffy breathed.
"Yeah." Angel said.
This time, Buffy moved to kiss him. Angel was a bit surprised but responded when her tongue slipped into his opened mouth.
Their tongue danced, rubbing against each other.
Angel could feel the passion between them getting stronger. His hands began to roam he back, feeling all the new muscles that she had developed over the years.
Buffy was playing with the hair at the base of his neck. She felt him move forward stopping when her knees hit the couch. Angel gently pushed her onto the couch, all the while their lips never detatched.
Buffy was lying on her back when she felt Angel lie on top of her. Angel stopped and looked at her face.
Buffy was flushed, panting, and content. She didn't want things to move to fast, she wanted to take it slow from now on.
Angel, sensing that she wasn't ready yet, moved in to hug her. Flipping them around so that Buffy lay sprawled across his chest.
Giving Angel a longer kiss. Pulling back she rested her head in the crook of Angel's shoulders. Smiling contentedly, she fell asleep.
Angel watched as she slept. Never had he seen a person more beautiful and more content. And to think it was in the arms of her Angel.
Angel slowly got up and carried her into her bedroom, lying down next to her and scooping her up in another hug, he too fell asleep.
There were more steps to take before they could finally be together in every way.
But it was worth the wait.
Part Seventeen
*****
Buffy woke up around noon the next day. It was the best bit of rest she had ever had in a very long time. Being in his arms felt so right, like nothing could get to her if she stayed there but she knew she couldn't stay there too long.
Angel might leave after all this is done, leaving her broken hearted once more. She wouldn't be able to survive it if he were to leave another time. The first time had been bad enough and she didn't need another repeat of their break up.
He better not leave me or I will swear I'll kill him the next time I see him.
Craning her neck to look at Angel, she smiled. His face was close to hers, their foreheads were just barely centimeters away. He was sound asleep, sleeping like an Angel.
Moving closer until her lips touched his, she gave him a small kiss. That was what she had intended on giving him, but he tightened his hold on her waist and pulled her closer, deepening the kiss.
When the kiss ended, Buffy looked into Angel's still sleepy eyes.
"Morning." Buffy whispered.
"Hmmm. That's a great way of being waken up in the morning." He told her with a small smile playing on his lips.
Not responding, she snuggled closer, not allowing an inch of space between them.
Buffy was thinking of what might happen if he leaves her again. Would she cry? yell? or just plain nothing? Would she even survive? She doubted the last one because she knew that she would be dead if he ever left her again. She had been dead the first time he left. She was nothing but a shell of what she once was. There was no longer that brightness about her, or her happy moods, or her complaining. She just existed, doing whatever she was told until two years ago. She had decided it wasn't worth it if she went around living, existing, her life the way it was. So she changed her tactics only a little. From moping to training, from crying to patrolling, from eating to reading some demonology books. Giles would've been proud if she wasn't so thin and lifeless.
No, she wouldn't be able to survive, she was sure of it.
Angel, sensing that something was bothering her, turned his head to gaze at her face. She was lost in thought. Lines of concentration marring her face.
Bending down to give her a little kiss on her forehead he watched as she slowly came out of her reverie.
Buffy turned her head towards Angel and gave her a small smile.
"Buffy, what's wrong?" He asked.
"Nothing." She lied, she didn't want to tell him for fear that he would laugh in her face.
"Come on, you can tell me." Angel persuaded. He was getting worried.
"It' nothing, really."
"You're sure? I know something's bothering you."
Buffy sighed, he knew her too well. At least he knew the old Buffy, he didn't know anything about the new Buffy.
"It's just that.....when this is over....are you.....you know.....leaving?" She stammered. She dreaded the answer, if he said yes she would die right on the spot, but if he said yes........
Angel knew that the question was going to come up sooner or later but he was hoping it would have been later.
Looking at her face, he watched as she turned away. She was afraid of what his answer might be, he knew, and he wanted to give her some kind of hope. A hope she had lost all those years ago when he had turned his back on her.
Taking his hestitation as a sign, she turned away from him and got up off the bed. She was foolish for thinking that he would stay. She had to get away from here before she could get hurt more than she already had.
Angel felt a pang in his heart when she got up. Mentally slapping himself, he reached out for her hand. She pulled away from him.
Angel sat up and grabbed a firmer hold on her hand, making her turn around. She refused to meet his eyes. Searching her face, Angel reached out his other hand and grabbed her chin in a gentle hold, making her eyes meet his.
"I'm staying." He told her softly.
Part Eighteen
*****
He's staying. Buffy thought happily as a smile graced her face. Angel smiled back at her before pulling her into a hug.
"Did you think that I would leave you again? I wouldn't even think of it, knowing what it would do to you. And me." Angel whispered in her ear.
Buffy only responded by snuggling in his embrace deeper. Burying her face in the crook of his neck as he did the same to her. Buffy breathed in his scent. It was a combination of the outdoors and a smell made uniquely for Angel. Closing her eyes, she was pulled down by Angel. Making it so that she was lying on top of him.
His hands were on her waist, pulling her even closer. Sitting up so that she was straddling his stomach, Buffy looked into Angel's eyes.
She could see the love, the trust, and the desire for her burning in his eyes. She knew that the same were reflected in hers.
Reaching out a hand, Buffy traced his features. Remembering every curve and lines of his beautiful face. Tracing her fingertips on his neck with featherlight touches, she watched as he shivered a little. Her fingers ran down his arms. He had developed new muscles, making him look tougher than he was three (?) years ago.
His hand that were wrapped around her waist were interlaced. Tracing circles on her lower back, making her in turn shiver.
Leaning down slowly, she softly touched her lips with his. Pulling back so that he couldn't have a chance in deepening it. Buffy smiled when he let out a small whine at the lost.
Placing her hands on either side of his face, she leaned down to kiss him again. Only this time she let him deepen the kiss. Opening her mouth so that he would have entranced to her mouth.
She was teasing him, he knew. Everytime she placed her tongue in his mouth and he would go after it with his own she would pull back and retract her tongue from his mouth, making him chase her tongue. She continued to do that for a few minutes before she moved away to catch her breath. She giggled when she heard him growl.
Smiling down at him, knowing what she was doing to him. Before she could completely catch her breath, he pulled her down. Buffy was surprised when he pulled her down. She gasped when his tongue traced her lower lip. Taking the opportunity, Angel's tongue was inside her mouth before she could even react.
Finally, he was able to kiss her thoroughly and Buffy responded eagerly.
Angel brought his other hand up her sides, when his hands were near her armpits he felt her jump.
Looks like the slayer is ticklish. Angel inwardly smiled.
Making sure that she was occupied with his lips, Angel moved his other hand to the other side of her. Without warning, he tickled her.
Buffy was surprised at first before the tickling caught up to her. Laughing and pretending to try to get away from, she was flipped over by Angel. Lying on her back so that Angel was on top of her. Now she couldn't go anywhere.
Laughing felt good, she thought. It was a relief to laugh again.
Angel smiled when he heard her laugh, he watched as tears began to fall because she was laughing so hard. Her wriggling was having a major effect on him and he had to stop he before it could get anymore bigger.
Buffy mangaged to talk through her laughter. Telling him to stop because now her stomach was hurting from laughing so hard.
Finally, he stopped. Buffy took the time to breathe again. A smile still on her face.
When her breathing had somewhat calmed down, although her hearbeat was still pouniding furiously, Buffy looked into Angel's smiling eyes.
"You're gonna pay for that." She warned him playfully.
"Let's just see about that." He told her equally playfully.
Leaning down to kiss her again.
This time there was no teasing. If they could, they would have gone on and on without breathing but Angel knew that Buffy was still human.
Pulling back so that she could catch her breath. He placed butterfly kisses on her face before trailing down to her neck. He's kissing stopped at her jugular. He could hear the blood pulsing inside of her. The demon inside of him wanted a taste.
But instead, he placed an open mouth kiss where her vein was. Sucking and licking at the skin. He heard her gasp.
Pulling away from that peice of skin, he trailed to the other side of her neck where his mark lay. Marking her as his. His and only his.
Buffy probably didn't know what that mark meant but he didn't to tell her for fear that she may get scared or something like that.
Giving the scar a kiss, he could feel her shiver, he moved further down.
Through the haziness of her desire, reality intruded. Telling her that if he went too far things would go wrong.
Grabbing a hold of his head, she pulled him up.
Angel looked at her with questions in his eyes. Looking into her eyes, he saw the fear of what might happen to them if he went too far.
He just smiled before kissing her softly. Answering her unasked question with his eyes.
"How?" She asked him softly.
"A gypsy women. I saved her son from a demon and in return she gave me my soul." He told her.
"When?"
"A few weeks ago."
A few weeks ago. She was about to ask him why he didn't tell her when she remembered.
Several weeks ago she had received a phone call from Angel. As soon as she learned who it was, she hung up on him.
"Oh. You were going to tell me that day, weren't you?" She asked him.
Nodding his head as an answer.
"I'm sorry." She told him.
"Don't be. I understand why you didn't want to talk to me then. Let's not dwell in the past." Angel told her before he kissed her again.
Buffy responded, pulling him fully on her.
They spent the whole day, touching and caressing each other. Forgiving at the same time for the pain that they've caused to each other.
It was a time for healing for the two lovers.
*****
There's no vamps around. Weird.... Angel thought as he patrolled the silent streets and cemeteries.
There were no vampires around. He had been patrolling for hours and yet he never saw one, not even *one* vampire around.
I thought I'd never live, no pun intended, to see the day where I wished for vampires.
Making his way silently through the streets, Angel decided to patrol for a little more.
Turning around, Angel walked. His thoughts wondering around. Angel was so lost in thought that he never saw the figure in front of him until he ran into it.
"Ahh!" he screamed.
"Ommph." the figure exclaimed when she hit the concrete.
"Ow. That hurt." She said.
Angel went over to help her up. He was standing in front of her, hovering over her as a shadow, when she looked up.
It made him gasp. Not exactly *it* but she.
"Buffy...."
"Angel...."
Angel reached out a hand to help her up.
Buffy just looked questioningly at it and got up without his help.
Angel retracted his hand a bit nervously. He was hurt that she didn't want him to help her up, irrational he knew.
Buffy looked at him, curious as to why he was outside at this hour.
"You know, it's not safe to be outside at this hour. What are you doing here?" She asked.
"I can take care of myself." Angel told her.
"I never doubted that."
"I was out patrolling, seems like you killed all the vamps." Angel said, trying to find a conversation for them to be talking about.
"Except you, of course. And Spike, can't forget Spike." Buffy told him coldly.
Angel flinched, that stung him. Angel tried to ignore her tone of voice, she was so cold.
"Spike, huh? Why didn't you stake him already?" Angel asked, curious.
"Because he's just a toothless puppy. It's not fun to kill when they can't fight you back. Takes all the fun out of it." Buffy said, matter-of-factly, bitterness creeping into her voice.
It unnerved him when she said that. Now she was looking at him like he was a predator.
The cold look in her eyes, her stance, the way she was talking. She was so cold, bitter, and distant.
Angel was scared silly. The way she was looking at him made him want to run.
Buffy could see Angel's fear. She could see it clear as glass.
Giving him a little smirk, Buffy turned to leave.
"Remember Angel, you're in my territory. I can kill you if I wanted to." Buffy called over her shoulder.
Oh boy. He thought, Look what you did know.
It was going to take forever to change her back into the Buffy he knew and to get her to trust him again.
***
As Buffy was walking home, she let out a sigh.
Glad that was over. she thought.
She had put up a brave front. She was glad that she could keep all emotions from her voice when she was talking to him.
She missed him, but she would be damned if she ever admitted that to herself or to anyone for that matter.
Walking onto her front porch, Buffy opened the door to her house.
When she made it to her livingroom, Buffy stopped dead in her tracks.
Buffy did what she hadn't done in years.
She screamed.
Part Ten
*****
When Buffy had left, Angel stood there thinking. When he could no longer see Buffy in the horizon, he followed her.
He just wanted to make sure she got home safe.
Not that she shouldn't. She killed all the vamps already, except me and Spike.
He watched as she stepped onto her porch and took out her keys. He saw her enter her house.
He moved closer, he saw her stop dead in her tracks. Fear apparent on her features.
He heard the most bloodcurdling scream ever.
Angel ran as fast as he could to her house, he wanted to help her but there was a barrier that he could never pass unless he received and invitation.
"Buffy!" He screamed. He watched as she turned, her face as white as a ghost, she was shaking like a leaf.
***
Blood. It was everywhere. Everywhere. Blood. And from the ceilings hung the owners of the blood.
So much blood, all she could see was red. She couldn't breathe. Buffy was loosing her grip on reality when she heard someone call her name.
Already hyperventilating, she turned to see Angel. The simple movement made her dizzy and she passed out. One word escaped her lips as she fell.
"Angel...."
***
Angel watched as he saw her collapsed when he heard her call his name. It was an invitation, he knew.
As the barrier was removed he rushed to Buffy's side. Checking for her pulse and her breathing.
When he looked up, he was about to faint as well.
Oh god.
On the walls were writings. A warning.
"Slayer, your time is almost up."
Picking Buffy up, supporting her head and her feet, he carried her out of the house and towards the mansion.
There was so much blood. In all his years he had never seen that much blood. The innocents who were obviously the ones who were taken of their own blood, hung from the ceiling.
Angel had to fight to keep his sanity as well. He wanted to faint, take comfort in the darkness that sleep would provide.
Looking down at the bundle that he carried her features were nothing but peaceful. She looked so beautiful asleep and he would do anything to keep her safe.
She looked so innocent.
He walked all the way to his mansion. After ten minutes he came upon the mansion.
Opening the door and closing it with the back of his feet, he made his way to the bedroom.
Placing her on the bed and covering her up with the satin red sheets, he made sure she was comfortable and left to make a phone call.
When he was in the next room, he picked up the phone and dialed the number he knew by heart.
"Hello Cordelia. Bring the others down to Sunnydale, no arguments. I'm at the mansion." With that he hung up and called another person.
"Hello, Giles."
Part Eleven
*****
Angel was sitting on a chair near the bed where Buffy slept. He was holding her hand.
She looked so peaceful and innocent.
A little while ago Wesley, Gunn, Cordelia, and Giles had arrived at the mansion. He had to explain to them what he saw in Buffy's living room and the message that was left for her.
Everyone had paled, even Gunn, when he told them about the people hanging from the ceiling and the blood.
It was no surprise why Buffy had fainted.
They were still in the living room when Angel left to check on Buffy. After a few moments of sitting there, looking at her, she began to stir.
Groaning, Buffy opened her eyes. She didn't know where she was.
What happened? And then she remembered and paled once more.
"Buffy." Angel said.
Turning her head, her hazel eyes met with chocolate brown eyes.
"Angel?" She asked as if she was uncertain if he was really there.
Nodding his head he replied, "How are you feeling?"
"Like I've been ran over by a truck, several times I might add." She groaned again. She had a headache, opening her eyes had been a difficulty.
"Do you want some aspirin or something for you headache?" Angel asked, concerned that she had hit her head too hard on her floor.
"That would be helpful."
As soon as Angel left the room, Buffy studied her surrondings.
The room was decorated with several paintings. The windows were covered with thick curtains that appeared to be black. By the bedside was a telephone a glass of water. And lastly, the bed was adorned with red silk sheets that looked like the appartment Angel had once lived in.
Thinking about the appartment brought back some memories of the times they spent there. The night of her birthday. One of the most perfect and horrific days of her life. Not only did the appartment remind her of that night, the bed sheets were doing a great job on her mind....
The sheets were also red and silk on that night.
Before she could think any further, Angel entered the room carrying a bottle of aspirin in one hand an another glass of water in the other.
"Hey." Angel greeted Buffy when he was by her side. Taking a seat on the bed, Angel helped her get up.
When Angel's hand made contact with Buffy's skin, she shivered, wanting more contact with him.
When Buffy was sitting against the headboard, she shrugged his hands away. Holding back a whine at the loss, Buffy held ou her hand. Silently asking for the water and the aspirin.
"Thanks." Buffy said, politely when he handed her the water and aspirin.
Opening up the aspirin, Buffy took out two pills and gulped it down.
"So...where are we?" She asked.
"The mansion." Angel told her.
"Oh. Can I leave now?"
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine. I don't need you looking out for me."
Angel flinched inwardly, noticing her cold tone.
Looks like bitch Buffy is back. he thought.
When Buffy had first woken up he had hoped that his Buffy had returned. But most of his hopes were dashed when she pushed him away. Looking into her eyes, he saw nothing. No emotions, a big fat nothing. He couldn't even sense her thoughts.
He knew that the eyes were the windows to a person's soul, he knew from personal experiences, her soul was empty.
"If you're ready to leave, I'm not stopping you. But I thing it's better if you stayed her."
"Now why would I do that?" She asked sharply.
"Well, for one thing, we still don't know who was in your house."
"And the other?"
I want you here with me. Angel almost said it out loud.
"It's safer, besides Giles is downstairs. Do you want to talk to him?" He asked.
"Not unless I have to."
"Come on." Angel urged her out of the bed.
Sighing, she complied.
Part Twelve
*****
When Buffy went downstairs, Angel closely behind her, she was surprised to see more than Giles sitting in the living room.
Nodding as a greeting from all the 'heys' and 'hellos,' Buffy took a seat on the unoccupied sofa. Angel sat down hesitantly next to her, afraid of her reaction.
Noticing his hesitation, Buffy smirked. Leaning back so she was sitting comforta;b;u. Buffy retold the gruesome story of her living room. She also said that she was going to stay with Angel until they find whatever demon or vampire that had access to her house.
By the time everyone left, it was already three in the morning. Yawning, Buffy went upstairs and into the bedroom she had just left. Angel took the room next to hers.
Even with a wall between them, Buffy could feel Angel's presence. Sighing, she closed her eyes and tried to sleep.
Tossing and turing, she tried not to think of him. She *refused* to think of him.
Finally, trying meditation she once more tried to sleep.
Unfortunately for her, sleep finally overtook her an hour and a half later.
Part Thirteen
*****
Angel woke up to the sounds of a fight. Opening his groggy eyes, Angel left the room, shirtless.
The sounds were coming from somewher downstairs. Checking Buffy's room, seing that she wasn't there, he went downstairs and into the basement.
Going down the steps slowly until he was at the bottom of the stairs, he looked around. He saw Buffy training with only a pair of sweatpants and sports bra. He stared, amazed at the way she was fighting. It was like an endless dance that she was dancing too and only she could hear the music. Noticing her toned muscles, her taut stomach, her strong arms, and her beautiful face lost in concentration, he was filled with desire.
The longer he watched, the more desire he held until he was stiff. Looking down he could see it protruding from his pants.
Cursing softly, he knew that it was going to be painful to move.
"Morning, you enjoying the show?" Ange was startled when he heard her speak. Looking up into her smirking face, he would've blushed if vampires had circulation.
"Well, I...I woke up to noises and I wanted to see what was making it." Angel stammered.
"Hmm..."
"Um...Do you want any breakfast?" Angel asked, mentally slapping himself for acting like a teenager.
"No thanks. I'd like to train some more, if that's okay with you."
"That's fine with me." Angel told her.
Smirking, Buffy went back to her training.
Angel was making his way upstairs when he heard her call out for him.
"Hey, Angel?" She asked.
"Yeah?"
"You wanna do some one on one?" She said, smirking. Smirking was the closest to a smile he'd ever seen from her nowadays.
"You think you can take me on?" Angel teased her.
"Anyday anytime." she replied, playing in his game.
"We'll just see about that."
"Whatever."
Coming back down the stairs, Angel made his way over to Buffy.
"Ready?" He asked her as they both got into their fighting stance.
"Hell yeah."
"Okay."Angel said before he lashed out. Throwing a punch at her.
She easily ducked, seeing it coming for her before he even moved. She kicked him, which he barely blocked. Throwing another punch at her, ducking when she did the same, he kicked her. She blocked it easily. They kept on fighting, once in awhile Buffy would land in a blow or two. Angel never gettin one hit in.
Looks like she's been training pretty hard. redoubling his efforts, he managed to throw Buffy over his sholder when she tried to punch him again. Straddling her thighs and pinning her hands abover her head so that she couldn't move, he smirked.
"Looks like I won." Angel told her.
"Looks like, but you forgot one thing."
"And what's that?"
"You're dead." She told him right before she kicked her leg up and flipped them over so that she straddled him. Grabbing a nearby daggar, she raised it and striked. About a milimeter of and inch before it made contack with his chest, she stopped.
Angel was breathing hard, even if he didn't really need the breath.
"I won."
Angel remained silent, looking at her smirking face. She could see the annoyance in his eyes. Obviously he wasn't used to being beat.
Having her so close was having a major effect on him.
He was going to ask her if she was going to ever let him up, not that he wanted her too, when she jumped up and went upstairs.
"I'm taking a shower." she called down to him.
Sighing, he got up.
Looks like I'll be having a cold shower this morning.
Part Fifteen
*****
When Buffy woke up again it was already half past noon. Stretching and yawning, she lay there for a few minutes.
She smiled when she remembered what had happened earlier in the morning. The training, the shower, and the whole Angel nakedness.
It would be wonderful if she could wake up to every morning like that. Some good training with Angel, a hot shower, and a very naked Angel.
Bad bad bad Buffy!
Buffy hadn't meant to have fallen asleep, especially so early in the morning, but when she had lay there on the bed, thinking of Angel, she dozed off into her own dreamland where there was her own Angel awaiting her.
The Angel that never left. Buffy was subconsciously dreaming about him. In reality, she didn't want to think of him.
Well that was then, this is now. Seeing Angel shirtless, twice, brought back old memories that were better left in the past. There was no need to reopen old wounds, expecially when hers wasn't quite healed yet.
She didn't think they'd ever heal. The pain that she had harbored ever since Angel left her went so deep it was impossible to reach the very end of it.
Sighing, she got up. Her hand reaching up to her hair to make sure there wasn't any misplaced hair anywhere. She wasn't doing it on purpose. It was pure habit of her to check her hair before leaving the bed.
The old Buffy would've cared, but the new and improved Buffy didn't really care. Her hair was always in a bun when she went to train.
Walking across the room, Buffy left for more training. But first she needed some lunch.
*****
Angel was awake long before Buffy woke up. He had been laying on his bed, thinking of Buffy earlier in the morning.
It still made him blush everytime he would remember the way she was looking at him and the way he had acted around her.
He had tried in vain to get her out of his mind, albeit he didn't want to. Sighing, he had gotten up and left his room. Leaving for his private library where he was still trying to concentrate on the book that he held in his hands.
Placing the book down, he left the library for the kitchen. Deciding to make Buffy and himself some lunch.
He was finishing up the sandwich he was making when Buffy walked in on him.
"Afternoon." She greeted him. He was somewhat disappointed that she wasn't affected by his presence that he was with her.
"Afternoon. I'm making us lunch, you want some?" He asked her.
"Sure, you didn't have to do that you know. I could have just drank some water."
"It was nothing. Why don't you have a seat while I finish this up?"
"You sure you don't need any help?"
"Yup, now go on." Angel ushered her out of the room.
Buffy left and went into the living room, sitting on the couch. Her legs were folded underneath her.
It had been hard to be in the same room as him, even if she had tried her best to show him that she was not bothered by his presence, she couldn't help but wanting him to be standing there sans shirt again.
She was somewhat disappointed when she had seen him wearing a white shirt and black slacks.
He had looked good in it, he would look good in anything.
Or nothing. she added.
Very naughty thoughts. she scolded herself.
After a few minutes of waiting, Angel entered the living room carrying two plates of sandwiches and a can of Pepsi.
Placing one of the plates in front of her and the Pepsi, Angel sat down next to her. Keeping a safe distance between them. Although any distance between them would never be considered safe.
Buffy looked at the sandwich as if it was some alien out of space, it's head served as her food.
But in truth, she had never eaten a full meal in a long time and she wasn't about to start.
"Go ahead, I promise you it won't bite you." Angel told her.
Buffy smiled.
"Are you sure?" she asked him.
He chuckled.
Hesitantly, Buffy picked up the sandwich. Eyeing it with suspicion. Slowly, she brought it to her mouth and bit into it.
She was surprised that it tasted so good.
"This is good. When did you learn how to make sandwiches?" She asked him after another bite.
"I had to make them for Cordelia, Wesley, Gunn, and Doyle when they came over for lunch."
"Hmmm." biting into her sandwich again, not knowing that there was mayonaise at the corner of her mouth.
Angel smiled.
"You have something right here." gesturing towards her mouth.
She reached up to wipe it away, but instead she managed to smear it onto her chin.
"I'll get that for you." Angel told her as he leaned slowly in.
Buffy's heartbeat was beating furiously.
When they were just a few centimeters apart, Buffy leaned in for the kiss.
The kiss was something she'd never expect. Kissing Angel made her feel safe. No kiss could ever compare to his.
The kiss was growing to be passionate. Buffy was loving the feel of his lips on hers when reality intruded.
This is wrong. her mind screamed.
And before Angel knew what was happening, Buffy broke the kiss and ran upstairs leaving a still stunned Angel on the couch.
Part Sixteen
*****
Angel broke out of his reverie when he heard the bedroom door slam closed.
Taking a glance at the room where Buffy was, he couldn't help but blame himself.
Shoulders dropping, elbows on knees, and head in hands, Angel thought of ways he can get Buffy to forgive him and start to feel again.
Running his hands through his hair, Angel sighed.
He had wanted to go after her, but he knew that she needed time to think things further. Not knowing what exactly Buffy was doing at that moment.
*****
Buffy had spent the past few minutes garthering up her things and placing them in a suitcase that she knew Angel had brought over when he was at her house.
She was leaving. She didn't want to have to deal with having Angel under the smae roof. It was just to difficult. She hated not having control of her feelings. She couldn't handle it anymore.
Being close to Angel was dangerous for her. It made her vulnerable and she knew from experience that it could get her seriously hurt.
When she got most of her stuff, Buffy opened the door and walked down the stairs. From her place on the stairs she could see Angel sitting on the couch.
He looked miserable. No doubt that he was blaming himself for what had happened.
Buffy descended the rest of the way down before Angel looked up to see her holding a suitcase in one hand.
Is she leaving? Angel was in panic.
"Where are you going?" Angel asked her, panic clearly in his voice.
"Anywhere that is not here. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be leaving." Buffy told him.
"Leave? You can't leave." He said as if it were a fact.
"And why not?" She asked him angry that he wanted to control her actions, being as irrational as it is.
"Because....because it's not safe. We don't even know what it is that was in your house."
"I can take care of myself, thank you very much." Bufyf told him as she started making her way out of the living room.
Angel got up to intercept her, standing right in front of her and holding her by the shoulders. His eyes were begging her to not leave, to not leave *him.*
Buffy tried her hardest to ignore the look in his eyes when she had moved to leave. It was utterly pathetic but she couldn't help but feel a tinge of happiness because Angel wanted her to stay.
Shaking away his hands, she began to move again. Only to be stopped by him.
"Please, Buffy. Don't leave."
"Oh right, that was your move right? You know, maybe it's time I'm the one who leaves. Always loved a good change." She watched as he flinched, pain flashing across his features only to disappear as fast as it came.
"Look, I know I made some mistakes in the past, but I want us to start over." Speaking his true feelings.
"*Some* mistakes? I don't think so. There is no *us* as you've said before and I really don't want to bring everything back. There is no starting over for this chick. There's only continuing on from here, no looking back, no looking forward. Now, I *really* have to get going now." Buffy said before moving a bit more determindly out of his grasp.
She was halfway across the room, when Angel could move again.
Panicking, he ran towards her turned her around and crushed his lips onto hers.
He could tell she was surprised but after awhile she started to respond.
A part of him knew that a part of her didn't really want him to hold her and caress her like this but a more larger part of her was rejoicing with the feel of his lips upon hers.
The new Buffy would have rejected this but the old one was coming onto the surface. Fighting and internal war, she wasn't sure which side was winning.
Screw this. Buffy thought before deepening the kiss by placing her arms around his neck while he placed his arms around her waist, pulling her closer.
Buffy was in heaven. It was such a wonderful feeling. The feel of Angel's lips upon hers, her body molded with his, and the caresses of his hands on her back tracing small circles in a calming way.
Buffy would have stayed in this positon longer if she could but the need to breathe was becoming a problem. Angel, sensing that she needed a little break, pulled back a little so he could see her face.
He had expected to see fury all across his face, but he found himself looking into a panting and smiling Buffy.
Her first smile in a long time. Her face hurt because it wasn't used to such strain.
"Wow." Buffy breathed.
"Yeah." Angel said.
This time, Buffy moved to kiss him. Angel was a bit surprised but responded when her tongue slipped into his opened mouth.
Their tongue danced, rubbing against each other.
Angel could feel the passion between them getting stronger. His hands began to roam he back, feeling all the new muscles that she had developed over the years.
Buffy was playing with the hair at the base of his neck. She felt him move forward stopping when her knees hit the couch. Angel gently pushed her onto the couch, all the while their lips never detatched.
Buffy was lying on her back when she felt Angel lie on top of her. Angel stopped and looked at her face.
Buffy was flushed, panting, and content. She didn't want things to move to fast, she wanted to take it slow from now on.
Angel, sensing that she wasn't ready yet, moved in to hug her. Flipping them around so that Buffy lay sprawled across his chest.
Giving Angel a longer kiss. Pulling back she rested her head in the crook of Angel's shoulders. Smiling contentedly, she fell asleep.
Angel watched as she slept. Never had he seen a person more beautiful and more content. And to think it was in the arms of her Angel.
Angel slowly got up and carried her into her bedroom, lying down next to her and scooping her up in another hug, he too fell asleep.
There were more steps to take before they could finally be together in every way.
But it was worth the wait.
Part Seventeen
*****
Buffy woke up around noon the next day. It was the best bit of rest she had ever had in a very long time. Being in his arms felt so right, like nothing could get to her if she stayed there but she knew she couldn't stay there too long.
Angel might leave after all this is done, leaving her broken hearted once more. She wouldn't be able to survive it if he were to leave another time. The first time had been bad enough and she didn't need another repeat of their break up.
He better not leave me or I will swear I'll kill him the next time I see him.
Craning her neck to look at Angel, she smiled. His face was close to hers, their foreheads were just barely centimeters away. He was sound asleep, sleeping like an Angel.
Moving closer until her lips touched his, she gave him a small kiss. That was what she had intended on giving him, but he tightened his hold on her waist and pulled her closer, deepening the kiss.
When the kiss ended, Buffy looked into Angel's still sleepy eyes.
"Morning." Buffy whispered.
"Hmmm. That's a great way of being waken up in the morning." He told her with a small smile playing on his lips.
Not responding, she snuggled closer, not allowing an inch of space between them.
Buffy was thinking of what might happen if he leaves her again. Would she cry? yell? or just plain nothing? Would she even survive? She doubted the last one because she knew that she would be dead if he ever left her again. She had been dead the first time he left. She was nothing but a shell of what she once was. There was no longer that brightness about her, or her happy moods, or her complaining. She just existed, doing whatever she was told until two years ago. She had decided it wasn't worth it if she went around living, existing, her life the way it was. So she changed her tactics only a little. From moping to training, from crying to patrolling, from eating to reading some demonology books. Giles would've been proud if she wasn't so thin and lifeless.
No, she wouldn't be able to survive, she was sure of it.
Angel, sensing that something was bothering her, turned his head to gaze at her face. She was lost in thought. Lines of concentration marring her face.
Bending down to give her a little kiss on her forehead he watched as she slowly came out of her reverie.
Buffy turned her head towards Angel and gave her a small smile.
"Buffy, what's wrong?" He asked.
"Nothing." She lied, she didn't want to tell him for fear that he would laugh in her face.
"Come on, you can tell me." Angel persuaded. He was getting worried.
"It' nothing, really."
"You're sure? I know something's bothering you."
Buffy sighed, he knew her too well. At least he knew the old Buffy, he didn't know anything about the new Buffy.
"It's just that.....when this is over....are you.....you know.....leaving?" She stammered. She dreaded the answer, if he said yes she would die right on the spot, but if he said yes........
Angel knew that the question was going to come up sooner or later but he was hoping it would have been later.
Looking at her face, he watched as she turned away. She was afraid of what his answer might be, he knew, and he wanted to give her some kind of hope. A hope she had lost all those years ago when he had turned his back on her.
Taking his hestitation as a sign, she turned away from him and got up off the bed. She was foolish for thinking that he would stay. She had to get away from here before she could get hurt more than she already had.
Angel felt a pang in his heart when she got up. Mentally slapping himself, he reached out for her hand. She pulled away from him.
Angel sat up and grabbed a firmer hold on her hand, making her turn around. She refused to meet his eyes. Searching her face, Angel reached out his other hand and grabbed her chin in a gentle hold, making her eyes meet his.
"I'm staying." He told her softly.
Part Eighteen
*****
He's staying. Buffy thought happily as a smile graced her face. Angel smiled back at her before pulling her into a hug.
"Did you think that I would leave you again? I wouldn't even think of it, knowing what it would do to you. And me." Angel whispered in her ear.
Buffy only responded by snuggling in his embrace deeper. Burying her face in the crook of his neck as he did the same to her. Buffy breathed in his scent. It was a combination of the outdoors and a smell made uniquely for Angel. Closing her eyes, she was pulled down by Angel. Making it so that she was lying on top of him.
His hands were on her waist, pulling her even closer. Sitting up so that she was straddling his stomach, Buffy looked into Angel's eyes.
She could see the love, the trust, and the desire for her burning in his eyes. She knew that the same were reflected in hers.
Reaching out a hand, Buffy traced his features. Remembering every curve and lines of his beautiful face. Tracing her fingertips on his neck with featherlight touches, she watched as he shivered a little. Her fingers ran down his arms. He had developed new muscles, making him look tougher than he was three (?) years ago.
His hand that were wrapped around her waist were interlaced. Tracing circles on her lower back, making her in turn shiver.
Leaning down slowly, she softly touched her lips with his. Pulling back so that he couldn't have a chance in deepening it. Buffy smiled when he let out a small whine at the lost.
Placing her hands on either side of his face, she leaned down to kiss him again. Only this time she let him deepen the kiss. Opening her mouth so that he would have entranced to her mouth.
She was teasing him, he knew. Everytime she placed her tongue in his mouth and he would go after it with his own she would pull back and retract her tongue from his mouth, making him chase her tongue. She continued to do that for a few minutes before she moved away to catch her breath. She giggled when she heard him growl.
Smiling down at him, knowing what she was doing to him. Before she could completely catch her breath, he pulled her down. Buffy was surprised when he pulled her down. She gasped when his tongue traced her lower lip. Taking the opportunity, Angel's tongue was inside her mouth before she could even react.
Finally, he was able to kiss her thoroughly and Buffy responded eagerly.
Angel brought his other hand up her sides, when his hands were near her armpits he felt her jump.
Looks like the slayer is ticklish. Angel inwardly smiled.
Making sure that she was occupied with his lips, Angel moved his other hand to the other side of her. Without warning, he tickled her.
Buffy was surprised at first before the tickling caught up to her. Laughing and pretending to try to get away from, she was flipped over by Angel. Lying on her back so that Angel was on top of her. Now she couldn't go anywhere.
Laughing felt good, she thought. It was a relief to laugh again.
Angel smiled when he heard her laugh, he watched as tears began to fall because she was laughing so hard. Her wriggling was having a major effect on him and he had to stop he before it could get anymore bigger.
Buffy mangaged to talk through her laughter. Telling him to stop because now her stomach was hurting from laughing so hard.
Finally, he stopped. Buffy took the time to breathe again. A smile still on her face.
When her breathing had somewhat calmed down, although her hearbeat was still pouniding furiously, Buffy looked into Angel's smiling eyes.
"You're gonna pay for that." She warned him playfully.
"Let's just see about that." He told her equally playfully.
Leaning down to kiss her again.
This time there was no teasing. If they could, they would have gone on and on without breathing but Angel knew that Buffy was still human.
Pulling back so that she could catch her breath. He placed butterfly kisses on her face before trailing down to her neck. He's kissing stopped at her jugular. He could hear the blood pulsing inside of her. The demon inside of him wanted a taste.
But instead, he placed an open mouth kiss where her vein was. Sucking and licking at the skin. He heard her gasp.
Pulling away from that peice of skin, he trailed to the other side of her neck where his mark lay. Marking her as his. His and only his.
Buffy probably didn't know what that mark meant but he didn't to tell her for fear that she may get scared or something like that.
Giving the scar a kiss, he could feel her shiver, he moved further down.
Through the haziness of her desire, reality intruded. Telling her that if he went too far things would go wrong.
Grabbing a hold of his head, she pulled him up.
Angel looked at her with questions in his eyes. Looking into her eyes, he saw the fear of what might happen to them if he went too far.
He just smiled before kissing her softly. Answering her unasked question with his eyes.
"How?" She asked him softly.
"A gypsy women. I saved her son from a demon and in return she gave me my soul." He told her.
"When?"
"A few weeks ago."
A few weeks ago. She was about to ask him why he didn't tell her when she remembered.
Several weeks ago she had received a phone call from Angel. As soon as she learned who it was, she hung up on him.
"Oh. You were going to tell me that day, weren't you?" She asked him.
Nodding his head as an answer.
"I'm sorry." She told him.
"Don't be. I understand why you didn't want to talk to me then. Let's not dwell in the past." Angel told her before he kissed her again.
Buffy responded, pulling him fully on her.
They spent the whole day, touching and caressing each other. Forgiving at the same time for the pain that they've caused to each other.
It was a time for healing for the two lovers.