Chapter 4
2 nights later
Buffy and Angel are silent as they stand at the sink one washing dishes the other putting them in the dishwasher. "Here" Buffy hands a wet glass to Angel their fingers touching. Buffy looks at him her breath catching her heart pounding 'Get a grip Summers'
Angel looks at her awed by her wide eyes. Slowly he lower his head their lips inches apart when Joyce calls from the other room
"Are you two done with the dishes?"
Buffy jumps back "Uh yeah Mom we're almost done" Buffy calls her eyes on Angel
"Sorry" Angel mutters
Buffy shrugs "Lets just get this done" 'Damn it Summers why didn't you just kiss him.'
Later that night
Buffy sits at her window sill staring out at the stars 'He almost kissed me. I shouldn't have backed off like that.'
Meanwhile
Angel sits on his bed in the hotel room 'I almost kissed her.' he groans "Damn it" he grabs the bottle of whiskey taking a swig
Next afternoon
"Just a sec" Angel calls walking to the door he opens it to find Buffy standing there "Buffy" he says surprised
Buffy looks at him with a faint smile "Still sleeping?" she hands him a cup of coffee
Angel shrugs "Did paperwork all night. Come on in" he steps aside taking a drink
Buffy enters looking around
"Sorry about the mess"
"Seen worse. You should see my friend Xander's room." she laughs
"What can I do for you?"
"About what happened last night... or almost happened." she sets her coffee cup down
"Look I shouldn't have even been..." he's about to continue when Buffy steps infront of him her fingers against his lips
Buffy removes her fingers from his lips "Kiss me." she says her eyes searching his
"Buffy..."
"Kiss me" she repeats
Angel groans grabbing her he captures her lips in a heated kiss.
Tongues thrusting.
Teeth nipping.
Hands clutching.
As the kiss ends the two lean into each other their breathing ragged and hearts pounding
'He kissed me' Buffy stares at him
'I kissed her.'
"That was..." Buffy trails off
"Incredible" Angel finishes
"Intense" she adds. Suddenly embarassed she pulls back.
"What's wrong?" he asks confused
"We've only known each other a few days and that kiss was..."
"Explosive"
"Yeah"
Angel touches her cheek then suddenly they find themselves back in each others arms kissing with desperation and passion. After a moment Angel steps back "So why else did you come here?"
"Wanted to get that out of my system"
"Is it?"
Buffy lifts her brow "What do you think?"
Angel chuckles "Something tells me it isn't out of either of our systems."
Buffy smiles then shakes her head "I uh better get going." she goes to the door then pauses "You doing anything?"
"Not really"
"I told Dawnie I'd take her to the carousel. I know she'd love for you to come."
Angel grins "Sure. Just give me a minute"
Little later: Gallery
Buffy and Angel enter the gallery "Hey Mom"
Joyce looks up to see her daughter standing beside Angel. "Hey kids. Dawn's in my office."
"No I'm not" Dawn says "Hi Angel" she smiles brightly. "Are you coming with me and Buffy to the park?"
"As long as its OK with you and your Mom"
"Is it OK Mommy?" Dawn asks hopefully
Seeing the look on Dawn's face Joyce smile "Its fine with me"
"YEAH" Dawn says jumping up and down
"I won't be home for dinner tonight"
"Mom don't worry we'll be fine" Buffy assures
"Well I should be home by 8. If I'm not make sure your sister is in bed by 8:30. One bowl of ice cream if all her homeworks done."
"Ma I know the rules. I've been babysitting her since I was ten"
"I know. Just wanted to remind you"
"See you later Mom" Buffy kisses her mother's cheek "Got your stuff?" she asks Dawn
"Just a sec" Dawn runs down the hallway
15 mins later: Park
Buffy and Angel watch as Dawn goes around on the carousel. "She loves that carousel. I swear if she had her way she'd live on it."
Angel smiles "I knew two people like that. Whenever we went to somewhere with a carousel they both had to go on it."
"Girlfriends?"
Angel shrugs "One was for a while. But mostly we were friends... best of friends." Angel catches sight of Dawn laughing 'She's so much like Darla... and a little like Drusilla.'
"Who were they?"
"Darla and her cousin Drusilla. Darla and I dated for like two weeks... we realized that we were too close to date. The fourth was William... otherwise known as Spike." he smiles faintly "We were inseperable."
Hearing the sadness in his voice Buffy changes the subject "So you want to join us for dinner?"
"I'd like that" Angel smiles
Week later
Angel looks at Joyce as they unpack some crates "Joyce can I ask you something?"
Joyce looks at him "Sure"
Angel leans against the crate "I want to tell Buffy the truth of who I am."
"As in Dawn?"
Angel shakes his head "She doesn't need to know that. But does Buffy know who Dawn's father is?"
"Oh that... no I never mentioned it."
"I don't lying about who I am to Buffy. I care about her too much. But telling her everything"
"You aren't ready for that whole truth"
"Its not that. Its that I don't want who I really am to interfere with her relationship with Dawn. I didn't come here for that."
"I know. If you want to tell Buffy I'm sure she'll understand"
Angel smiles "Thank you Joyce"
"Lets get back to work shall we."
Angel nods
That night: Angel's hotel room
"Thought you... ooh" she sighs as Angel sucks on her earlobe
Angel pulls back "Sorry" he apologizes
"Its OK." she grins "So what do you want to talk about?"
Angel combs his fingers through his hair. "There's something I need to tell you. I didn't tell you at first because I don't really get along with my father"
"What is it?"
"My name isn't Liam Angelus." he frowns "Well it is its just my first and middle name."
"OK so what's your last name?"
"Sullivan. Angelus is my Mom's maiden name."
"Liam Angelus Sullivan" Buffy tests it "I like it" she grins "Big deal. I can handle it." she kisses him
"You aren't mad?"
"Nah" she shakes her head "Not lets get back to making out"
"Sounds good to me." he grins
* * * *
Chapter 5
Month later
Buffy, Willow, and Cordelia are sitting in the school's courtyard talking. "How are things with you and Angel?" Willow asks
"Great" Buffy grins happily "He's so sweet. Mom and Dawn adore him."
"He is great" Willow agrees
"Yeah" Cordelia nods "He's also rich" she remarks her eyes widening as she stares at a picture
"What?"
"Look" Cordelia hands the magazine to Buffy. "I found it on the kitchen counter"
Buffy's eyes widen at the picture of Angel "'Liam Angelus Sullivan, son of business tycoon John Sullivan and his wife Moira. Young Sullivan is set to take over his father's business upon the elders retirement. Sullivan, 23, is a graduate of Harvard with a degree in Art. He has been linked with many of the business societies women. His dark good looks will make him hot and powerful in and out of the boardroom.'"
Buffy pales jumping up "I uh.." she takes off
"Heading to Angel's no doubt." Cordelia remarks
15 mins later
Angel opens the door to find Buffy standing there "Buff aren't you supposed to be at school?"
"Why didn't you tell me?" Buffy demands
"Tell you what?" Angel asks hoarsely
Buffy hands him the magazine
Angel scans the article paling "Buffy I'm sorry"
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Angel tosses the magazine aside rubbing his neck "Because when people find out who I am it makes them like me for my money."
"How could you think so little of me?" she yells
"Its not you Buffy. Its me and my issues"
Buffy puts her fingers over his lips "I love you Angel... no matter who you are or how rich you are."
Angel looks at her surprised "What?"
"I love you Angel" she repeats giving him a shy smile
Angel grins taking her face between his hands kissing her passionately "I love you too"
Buffy kisses him back
Later
Buffy lifts her head from Angel's bare chest "I missed the rest of school" she remarks
Angel caresses her cheek "Regret what happened?"
Buffy shakes her head "No" she moves up kissing him lightly "no regrets. You?"
"Never"
A week later
Buffy watches as her lover talks with Willow 'He's so special. If I lost him I don't know what I would do.'
"Hello Angelus."
Angel stiffens at the voice. He looks up to see a tall blond woman standing there wearing a red dress. "Darla" he says standing. "What...? How...?" he looks her over "Its been a while."
"Ten years." Darla says "You look good."
"How'd you find me?"
"Spike."
"Angel?"
Angel looks at Buffy "Buffy guys this is Darla. Darla this Buffy, Willow, Oz, Cordelia and Xander."
"Nice to meet you" Buffy smiles
Darla nods in response looking at Angel "Can we talk?"
Angel glances at Buffy then nods "Sure." he looks at Buffy apologetically "I'll call you later"
Buffy nods "OK"
Angel kisses her cheek and follows Darla through the crowd
"Wow" Xander says stunned "She is gorgeous."
"Who is she?" Willow demands
"Angel's best friend growing up." Buffy says "He doesn't really talk much about his childhood or his past."
Half hour later: Angel's hotel room
"Why are you here Darla?" he asks handing her a glass of scotch
"Came to see yu" she shrugs taking a sip she goes to the window. "The blond Buffy... she's your girlfriend"
Angel nods "Yeah"
"She's pretty." she looks at h im "You always could attract beautiful women."
Angel looks down "How have you been?"
"Good. You?"
"Fine"
The two remain silent when Darla groans "Why are we having an awkward moment?"
Angel looks at her "We haven't seen each other in such a long time. Things have changed."
"I don't know why is should be like this. We grew up together. We were best friends."
"We've grown up" Angel shrugs
"Did you ever get my letters?"
Angel nods "Mom gave them to me one night after I found one of your letters in Dad's desk. She also gave me the journals you left."
"Good." she sighs "I wish I had told you myself."
"I wish that too but we can't go back."
"Too bad... things might have been different."
"I know."
The two ex-lovers/childhood friends spend the night talking, laughing and crying over what happened as they grew up together and apart.
Next morning
Buffy smiles walking towards the hotel where Angel is living. As she nears the hotel she sees Angel walking beside the blond from the night before.
Angel walks Darla to her car. As they reach her car they hug. "It was good to see you Darla"
"You too darling Angel" she kisses him lightly
Buffy watches horrified as Angel kisses the blond. 'Angel' she covers her mouth with her hand turning she hurries away tears falling
"Goodbye Darla"
"I hope Buffy knows how lucky she is to have you"
"I'm the one who's lucky" he smiles. He opens Darla's door "Darla...?"
"Don't worry Angel... its our secret"
"Thank you"
Darla nods "Give me a call and we'll get together"
"Sounds good"
Summers home
Buffy stumbles into the empty house sobbing. She drops her backpack on the floor running upstairs. She collapses on her bed sobbing uncontrollably "Angel... why?!"
Afternoon
Buffy stares at her reflection in the mirror ignoring the ringing phone. Grabbing a wet washcloth she dampens her face trying to relieve the swolleness of her face. 'I don't want to lose him but I can't have him if he's in love with someone else.' she straightens up reapplying her makeup.
Hour later
"Buff" Angel grins stepping aside to let Buffy in "Its good to see you. Sorry about last night"
Buffy looks at him seeing the smile she swallows "Angel I uh..."
"Something wrong?"
"I can't see you anymore." she blurts out. "I'm sorry" she moves to the door when Angel stops her
"Buffy honey what's going on?"
Buffy wrenches her arm out of his grasp "I can't Angel... I'm not ready for this"
"What brought this on? We were fine last night"
"I'm sorry Angel" she opens the door running out
"Buffy"
Buffy ignores him and keeps running
Evening
"Buffy sweetie Angel's here" Joyce says
"I don't want to see him" Buffy says staring out the window
"Honey he's been calling all afternoon. Talk to him"
"Tell him to go away. I don't want to talk"
Joyce sighs walking downstairs where she finds Angel pacing. "I tried. She's not talking. Angel what happened?"
"I don't know" he runs his fingers through his hair "Everything was fine then this afternoon" he sighs
"Angel give her some time"
"Maybe she's right... we were getting too serious. She's 17."
"Angel"
Angel opens the door "Thanks for trying Joyce"
Joyce watches as Angel walks out the door 'Poor Angel'
Buffy wipes away a tear watching as Angel walks away "Bye Angel" she whispers
Next Morning
Joyce enters Buffy's room to find her staring out the window. "Honey did you get any sleep at all?"
"No"
"Do you want to talk?"
"No"
Joyce sighs "I'll call the school and tell them you won't be in." she kisses Buffy's temple. "At least think about talking to Angel" she walks out of the room
Buffy goes to her bed curling up she allows her tears to fall.
That Evening
"Why didn't Angel come to dinner tonight Mommy?" Dawn asks curiously
Joyce sets her fork and knife down "Actually that's what I wanted to talk to you both about."
"Mom please" Buffy says softly
"Its something else Buffy" Joyce says. She takes a deep breath. "I spoke to Angel this afternoon he wanted me to tell you both goodbye."
"He left" Dawn says her lower lip trembling
"He had to go back to New York to start his new job" Joyce explains. "He gave me his email address I'm sure he'd like to hear from you both."
Dawn grins "Can I email him after dinner?"
"Sure" Joyce smiles "I'm sure he'd like that"
"Excuse me" Buffy jumps up running out of the diningroom
'Oh Buffy.'
* * * *
2 nights later
Buffy and Angel are silent as they stand at the sink one washing dishes the other putting them in the dishwasher. "Here" Buffy hands a wet glass to Angel their fingers touching. Buffy looks at him her breath catching her heart pounding 'Get a grip Summers'
Angel looks at her awed by her wide eyes. Slowly he lower his head their lips inches apart when Joyce calls from the other room
"Are you two done with the dishes?"
Buffy jumps back "Uh yeah Mom we're almost done" Buffy calls her eyes on Angel
"Sorry" Angel mutters
Buffy shrugs "Lets just get this done" 'Damn it Summers why didn't you just kiss him.'
Later that night
Buffy sits at her window sill staring out at the stars 'He almost kissed me. I shouldn't have backed off like that.'
Meanwhile
Angel sits on his bed in the hotel room 'I almost kissed her.' he groans "Damn it" he grabs the bottle of whiskey taking a swig
Next afternoon
"Just a sec" Angel calls walking to the door he opens it to find Buffy standing there "Buffy" he says surprised
Buffy looks at him with a faint smile "Still sleeping?" she hands him a cup of coffee
Angel shrugs "Did paperwork all night. Come on in" he steps aside taking a drink
Buffy enters looking around
"Sorry about the mess"
"Seen worse. You should see my friend Xander's room." she laughs
"What can I do for you?"
"About what happened last night... or almost happened." she sets her coffee cup down
"Look I shouldn't have even been..." he's about to continue when Buffy steps infront of him her fingers against his lips
Buffy removes her fingers from his lips "Kiss me." she says her eyes searching his
"Buffy..."
"Kiss me" she repeats
Angel groans grabbing her he captures her lips in a heated kiss.
Tongues thrusting.
Teeth nipping.
Hands clutching.
As the kiss ends the two lean into each other their breathing ragged and hearts pounding
'He kissed me' Buffy stares at him
'I kissed her.'
"That was..." Buffy trails off
"Incredible" Angel finishes
"Intense" she adds. Suddenly embarassed she pulls back.
"What's wrong?" he asks confused
"We've only known each other a few days and that kiss was..."
"Explosive"
"Yeah"
Angel touches her cheek then suddenly they find themselves back in each others arms kissing with desperation and passion. After a moment Angel steps back "So why else did you come here?"
"Wanted to get that out of my system"
"Is it?"
Buffy lifts her brow "What do you think?"
Angel chuckles "Something tells me it isn't out of either of our systems."
Buffy smiles then shakes her head "I uh better get going." she goes to the door then pauses "You doing anything?"
"Not really"
"I told Dawnie I'd take her to the carousel. I know she'd love for you to come."
Angel grins "Sure. Just give me a minute"
Little later: Gallery
Buffy and Angel enter the gallery "Hey Mom"
Joyce looks up to see her daughter standing beside Angel. "Hey kids. Dawn's in my office."
"No I'm not" Dawn says "Hi Angel" she smiles brightly. "Are you coming with me and Buffy to the park?"
"As long as its OK with you and your Mom"
"Is it OK Mommy?" Dawn asks hopefully
Seeing the look on Dawn's face Joyce smile "Its fine with me"
"YEAH" Dawn says jumping up and down
"I won't be home for dinner tonight"
"Mom don't worry we'll be fine" Buffy assures
"Well I should be home by 8. If I'm not make sure your sister is in bed by 8:30. One bowl of ice cream if all her homeworks done."
"Ma I know the rules. I've been babysitting her since I was ten"
"I know. Just wanted to remind you"
"See you later Mom" Buffy kisses her mother's cheek "Got your stuff?" she asks Dawn
"Just a sec" Dawn runs down the hallway
15 mins later: Park
Buffy and Angel watch as Dawn goes around on the carousel. "She loves that carousel. I swear if she had her way she'd live on it."
Angel smiles "I knew two people like that. Whenever we went to somewhere with a carousel they both had to go on it."
"Girlfriends?"
Angel shrugs "One was for a while. But mostly we were friends... best of friends." Angel catches sight of Dawn laughing 'She's so much like Darla... and a little like Drusilla.'
"Who were they?"
"Darla and her cousin Drusilla. Darla and I dated for like two weeks... we realized that we were too close to date. The fourth was William... otherwise known as Spike." he smiles faintly "We were inseperable."
Hearing the sadness in his voice Buffy changes the subject "So you want to join us for dinner?"
"I'd like that" Angel smiles
Week later
Angel looks at Joyce as they unpack some crates "Joyce can I ask you something?"
Joyce looks at him "Sure"
Angel leans against the crate "I want to tell Buffy the truth of who I am."
"As in Dawn?"
Angel shakes his head "She doesn't need to know that. But does Buffy know who Dawn's father is?"
"Oh that... no I never mentioned it."
"I don't lying about who I am to Buffy. I care about her too much. But telling her everything"
"You aren't ready for that whole truth"
"Its not that. Its that I don't want who I really am to interfere with her relationship with Dawn. I didn't come here for that."
"I know. If you want to tell Buffy I'm sure she'll understand"
Angel smiles "Thank you Joyce"
"Lets get back to work shall we."
Angel nods
That night: Angel's hotel room
"Thought you... ooh" she sighs as Angel sucks on her earlobe
Angel pulls back "Sorry" he apologizes
"Its OK." she grins "So what do you want to talk about?"
Angel combs his fingers through his hair. "There's something I need to tell you. I didn't tell you at first because I don't really get along with my father"
"What is it?"
"My name isn't Liam Angelus." he frowns "Well it is its just my first and middle name."
"OK so what's your last name?"
"Sullivan. Angelus is my Mom's maiden name."
"Liam Angelus Sullivan" Buffy tests it "I like it" she grins "Big deal. I can handle it." she kisses him
"You aren't mad?"
"Nah" she shakes her head "Not lets get back to making out"
"Sounds good to me." he grins
* * * *
Chapter 5
Month later
Buffy, Willow, and Cordelia are sitting in the school's courtyard talking. "How are things with you and Angel?" Willow asks
"Great" Buffy grins happily "He's so sweet. Mom and Dawn adore him."
"He is great" Willow agrees
"Yeah" Cordelia nods "He's also rich" she remarks her eyes widening as she stares at a picture
"What?"
"Look" Cordelia hands the magazine to Buffy. "I found it on the kitchen counter"
Buffy's eyes widen at the picture of Angel "'Liam Angelus Sullivan, son of business tycoon John Sullivan and his wife Moira. Young Sullivan is set to take over his father's business upon the elders retirement. Sullivan, 23, is a graduate of Harvard with a degree in Art. He has been linked with many of the business societies women. His dark good looks will make him hot and powerful in and out of the boardroom.'"
Buffy pales jumping up "I uh.." she takes off
"Heading to Angel's no doubt." Cordelia remarks
15 mins later
Angel opens the door to find Buffy standing there "Buff aren't you supposed to be at school?"
"Why didn't you tell me?" Buffy demands
"Tell you what?" Angel asks hoarsely
Buffy hands him the magazine
Angel scans the article paling "Buffy I'm sorry"
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Angel tosses the magazine aside rubbing his neck "Because when people find out who I am it makes them like me for my money."
"How could you think so little of me?" she yells
"Its not you Buffy. Its me and my issues"
Buffy puts her fingers over his lips "I love you Angel... no matter who you are or how rich you are."
Angel looks at her surprised "What?"
"I love you Angel" she repeats giving him a shy smile
Angel grins taking her face between his hands kissing her passionately "I love you too"
Buffy kisses him back
Later
Buffy lifts her head from Angel's bare chest "I missed the rest of school" she remarks
Angel caresses her cheek "Regret what happened?"
Buffy shakes her head "No" she moves up kissing him lightly "no regrets. You?"
"Never"
A week later
Buffy watches as her lover talks with Willow 'He's so special. If I lost him I don't know what I would do.'
"Hello Angelus."
Angel stiffens at the voice. He looks up to see a tall blond woman standing there wearing a red dress. "Darla" he says standing. "What...? How...?" he looks her over "Its been a while."
"Ten years." Darla says "You look good."
"How'd you find me?"
"Spike."
"Angel?"
Angel looks at Buffy "Buffy guys this is Darla. Darla this Buffy, Willow, Oz, Cordelia and Xander."
"Nice to meet you" Buffy smiles
Darla nods in response looking at Angel "Can we talk?"
Angel glances at Buffy then nods "Sure." he looks at Buffy apologetically "I'll call you later"
Buffy nods "OK"
Angel kisses her cheek and follows Darla through the crowd
"Wow" Xander says stunned "She is gorgeous."
"Who is she?" Willow demands
"Angel's best friend growing up." Buffy says "He doesn't really talk much about his childhood or his past."
Half hour later: Angel's hotel room
"Why are you here Darla?" he asks handing her a glass of scotch
"Came to see yu" she shrugs taking a sip she goes to the window. "The blond Buffy... she's your girlfriend"
Angel nods "Yeah"
"She's pretty." she looks at h im "You always could attract beautiful women."
Angel looks down "How have you been?"
"Good. You?"
"Fine"
The two remain silent when Darla groans "Why are we having an awkward moment?"
Angel looks at her "We haven't seen each other in such a long time. Things have changed."
"I don't know why is should be like this. We grew up together. We were best friends."
"We've grown up" Angel shrugs
"Did you ever get my letters?"
Angel nods "Mom gave them to me one night after I found one of your letters in Dad's desk. She also gave me the journals you left."
"Good." she sighs "I wish I had told you myself."
"I wish that too but we can't go back."
"Too bad... things might have been different."
"I know."
The two ex-lovers/childhood friends spend the night talking, laughing and crying over what happened as they grew up together and apart.
Next morning
Buffy smiles walking towards the hotel where Angel is living. As she nears the hotel she sees Angel walking beside the blond from the night before.
Angel walks Darla to her car. As they reach her car they hug. "It was good to see you Darla"
"You too darling Angel" she kisses him lightly
Buffy watches horrified as Angel kisses the blond. 'Angel' she covers her mouth with her hand turning she hurries away tears falling
"Goodbye Darla"
"I hope Buffy knows how lucky she is to have you"
"I'm the one who's lucky" he smiles. He opens Darla's door "Darla...?"
"Don't worry Angel... its our secret"
"Thank you"
Darla nods "Give me a call and we'll get together"
"Sounds good"
Summers home
Buffy stumbles into the empty house sobbing. She drops her backpack on the floor running upstairs. She collapses on her bed sobbing uncontrollably "Angel... why?!"
Afternoon
Buffy stares at her reflection in the mirror ignoring the ringing phone. Grabbing a wet washcloth she dampens her face trying to relieve the swolleness of her face. 'I don't want to lose him but I can't have him if he's in love with someone else.' she straightens up reapplying her makeup.
Hour later
"Buff" Angel grins stepping aside to let Buffy in "Its good to see you. Sorry about last night"
Buffy looks at him seeing the smile she swallows "Angel I uh..."
"Something wrong?"
"I can't see you anymore." she blurts out. "I'm sorry" she moves to the door when Angel stops her
"Buffy honey what's going on?"
Buffy wrenches her arm out of his grasp "I can't Angel... I'm not ready for this"
"What brought this on? We were fine last night"
"I'm sorry Angel" she opens the door running out
"Buffy"
Buffy ignores him and keeps running
Evening
"Buffy sweetie Angel's here" Joyce says
"I don't want to see him" Buffy says staring out the window
"Honey he's been calling all afternoon. Talk to him"
"Tell him to go away. I don't want to talk"
Joyce sighs walking downstairs where she finds Angel pacing. "I tried. She's not talking. Angel what happened?"
"I don't know" he runs his fingers through his hair "Everything was fine then this afternoon" he sighs
"Angel give her some time"
"Maybe she's right... we were getting too serious. She's 17."
"Angel"
Angel opens the door "Thanks for trying Joyce"
Joyce watches as Angel walks out the door 'Poor Angel'
Buffy wipes away a tear watching as Angel walks away "Bye Angel" she whispers
Next Morning
Joyce enters Buffy's room to find her staring out the window. "Honey did you get any sleep at all?"
"No"
"Do you want to talk?"
"No"
Joyce sighs "I'll call the school and tell them you won't be in." she kisses Buffy's temple. "At least think about talking to Angel" she walks out of the room
Buffy goes to her bed curling up she allows her tears to fall.
That Evening
"Why didn't Angel come to dinner tonight Mommy?" Dawn asks curiously
Joyce sets her fork and knife down "Actually that's what I wanted to talk to you both about."
"Mom please" Buffy says softly
"Its something else Buffy" Joyce says. She takes a deep breath. "I spoke to Angel this afternoon he wanted me to tell you both goodbye."
"He left" Dawn says her lower lip trembling
"He had to go back to New York to start his new job" Joyce explains. "He gave me his email address I'm sure he'd like to hear from you both."
Dawn grins "Can I email him after dinner?"
"Sure" Joyce smiles "I'm sure he'd like that"
"Excuse me" Buffy jumps up running out of the diningroom
'Oh Buffy.'
* * * *