The Family Way- Chapter Three
***
Angel returned home later that evening after dinner with the Crocettis to find both Drusilla and Faith waiting for him.
"Uh, hi?" He asked.
"Sit down." Faith said. Confused, he complied with her request.
"We want to know what's going on. We know about you and the Crocetti girl." Drusilla said.
"The Crocetti girl?" Angel repeated.
"Sure."
"Fine. This doesn't leave this room, understand?" Angel said. They nodded.
"It's my job. I'm undercover. I'm posing as her boyfriend to infiltrate the organisation."
"How the Hell did she let you? Is she up on drug charges?" Faith asked.
"No. Buffy and her brother came to us for protection after the death of her eldest brother. You can't tell anyone. I mean anyone. If I'm discovered..."
"They'll kill you." Faith finished for him. He nodded.
"Are you insane?" Drusilla asked. Angel looked at her.
"It's my job."
"Yeah. It's not like you're actually in love with her." Faith said. Angel managed to keep his expression neutral, and said,
"Well, exactly." Inside, his heart was screaming, knowing it to be a lie. He was in love with her. He had spent a month almost constantly by her side and had given her his most precious gift. One day he would tell her where the ring came from.
***
"Hi," Buffy said softly. Angel jumped slightly. "Way to go, Stealth Boy."
"I didn't hear you sneak up on me." He said. They stood awkwardly for a moment, wondering what to do. Then Angel kissed her and all awkwardness was eradicated.
"Where's Spike?" Angel asked her with concern.
"New rules from Daddy. You can protect me." She grinned.
"I can?"
"Sure. You're one of the family now." She said, and Angel didn't miss the bitter note in that phrase.
"Buffy, it isn't real."
"I know. But..."
"What?"
"I'm scared."
"Why?"
"I'm scared that you'll get in too deep. I mean, heir to Anthony Crocetti's throne is a better paid job than the one you have at the moment. Power, money, they're pretty corrupting."
"I'm incorruptible."
"Don't be so sure." Buffy said.
"Buffy... I mean it. I'm there to do my job. To protect you and to find out who killed your brother."
"OK. Promise me."
"Promise you what?"
"That when you find out, you'll leave it all behind. Forever."
"I promise." Angel smiled and kissed her again.
***
The days passed somewhat quietly, although Angel found himself spending less and less time at home than at the Crocetti compound. Buffy had been right: The family was a seductive animal. When he met people, they showed him respect, even deference.
But it was getting difficult to refuse money. He couldn't accept money from Anthony in any manner, not until he had proof enough to convict the man. But Anthony was a generous man and kept trying to give him gifts. He had no idea how to turn him down again, and if it came to trial, and it would, these gifts would seem to be bribes. Angel did not take bribes.
Eventually Buffy herself came up with a solution. Angel would OK it with his boss at the FBI to receive gifts and a salary, all of which would be carefully documented and sealed away in the FBI's vaults as proof. Yet still Angel didn't sleep easy.
He still lived in fear of being found out. Then one day, on his way home, he was positive he was being followed. A thought hit him- what if they got to his family?
***
"I'm moving out." Angel said. Three mouths, two female, one male, hit the floor.
"What?" Faith demanded.
"Come again?" Gunn said, as if he'd been struck by temporary deafness.
"I'm moving out."
"Where to?" Drusilla asked him.
"Near the Compound."
"Are you insane?" Faith screeched.
"No. I was almost followed home this evening. I can't risk them discovering you all. They'd get to you first." Angel sighed. "I don't want to. But the sooner I discover who killed Daniella and Santino Crocetti, the sooner I can leave."
"Fine. Go get yourself killed." Faith said with a sneer.
"Faith..." Dru said comfortingly. "We're just worried about you, Angel. You spend all your time there as it is. If you live in the compound, how will you get out to give the Feds information?"
"I said near the compound, not inside it."
"But if they know where you live, won't the Mafia put in taps or bugs or something?"
"They don't suspect me." Angel said.
"Don't be so sure, man. They suspect everyone." Gunn said in bitter tones.
"No. They don't suspect the loving, devoted, loyal boyfriend of Buffy Crocetti." Angel told them.
"Oh, Buffy can do no wrong?" Faith said sarcastically. Angel nodded.
"In their eyes, that's exactly right."
"Except maybe go to the FBI?" Faith asked. Angel opened his mouth, but had no answer.
***
"A toast!" Anthony said at dinner. "A toast to our new neighbour!"
"To Angel!" Buffy echoed. The entire family was sat around the table, including Xander on one of his visits home. Since Sonny's death, the visits had become more frequent.
"To the Buffster!" He now toasted. "For choosing a good boyfriend at last!" They all laughed and both Angel and Buffy blushed slightly.
"Thank you," Angel said modestly. "For bringing me into your family." They all murmured approval, except for Buffy, who looked at him with worry.
He sounded sincere. That worried her. She didn't want him to get caught up in her father's tangled web of intrigue, lies and murder. She didn't want him to die too.
***
Time passed rather quickly for the family and their new paisan, Angel. The family was busy with the olive oil business and its other concerns. Buffy and Angel, meanwhile, spent most of their days at UCLA and their evenings either at the cinema or some such other typical date locations.
And all the while, Angel was pretending to be a part of the family business and having to look for clues as to who could possibly have killed Daniella and Santino.
***
He was almost 99% sure that it wasn't Anthony. Anthony had, in fact, too much to lose. For one thing, Angel realised that Anthony had loved Daniella. That much was clear from the reverential but sad tone he spoke in when talking of his wife. It was more plausible that Anthony would consider killing Sonny, even if he was the boy's father.
Sonny had been a loose cannon- a dangerous young man who was prone to fits of extreme anger which had, on at least one occasion ended in death. Angel knew that Santino had been arrested once, for the killing of another student at the prep school he was at. There was no evidence, however, and Santino was off the hook.
Angel rather suspected that Anthony had allowed him to be arrested to give Sonny a shock. But, at the same time, Anthony had much to lose from Sonny's death, besides the obvious grief and pain. Santino had always been groomed as Anthony's successor, and now it was not as clear cut.
Angel knew that he himself was in line, Xander being more interested in art and New Orleans, and Danny's absolute refusal to follow in his father's footsteps. No, Anthony had too much to lose from the deaths of his wife and eldest child to have it ordered himself. It was somebody else. The problem was, Angel had no idea who.
***
"Angel! Where have you been?" Buffy said mournfully. She and Angel were once again sitting in the garden as the sun set.
"Busy." He sighed. "Your father really knows how to make a person earn his wages."
"He didn't..." She trailed off not wanting to ask if her father wanted him to murder someone.
"No." Angel understood what she was saying. "So far everything I've done is legitimate. But I have been finding out an awful lot about the illegal stuff."
"And who killed my mother?" Buffy said, an edge in her voice.
"Buffy..."
"Don't Buffy me! You promised!" She jumped up, but Angel pulled her back down again.
"I'm looking. I really am. But you should know better than to expect it to be written down anywhere. I have to make friends with everyone and then weasel it out of them in a subtle manner." He smiled so charmingly she relented.
"Fine." She sighed once again. "Now, what else was there?"
"No idea." Angel lips curved up slyly. Buffy grinned, planting a kiss on his lips.
"That was it." He remembered now, leaning in to kiss her more.
"Angel..." Buffy sighed. He pulled away.
"What's the matter?"
"Nothing. I just..." She looked at him coyly, suggestively, even seductively.
"Not on your life!" He exclaimed. She looked taken aback and rather hurt. Then he laughed.
"What! Come on, what's so funny Angel?" She demanded. He stopped laughing and saw how hurt she was.
"Oh Buffy baby, I didn't mean it like that."
"Well," She asked haughtily. "How did you mean it?"
"I meant that your father is usually here too. And I don't think he'd appreciate me defiling his daughter. And we have only been dating a few months. And you're..."
"How do you know that?"
"You told me Buffy. You said and I quote 'Nobody ever loved me before. Not like that.' That's what you said."
"Oh. Well. Yeah. But..."
"Buffy..." He paused briefly to take her hand in his. "I love you. More than I ever thought possible. But, like your father says, I am older than you, and I don't want to rush you into anything. I'll wait until you're ready. Because I wouldn't want it to be anything but perfect. All right?"
"Fine. I personally think that..." Buffy began, but was cut off by his mouth upon hers.
"I'm ready?" She said breathlessly. Angel smiled.
"Maybe soon. But not when your father's even in the same zip code."
"He's not here. He's in New York."
"No he isn't. He got back an hour ago."
"What? He got back and didn't even deign to say hello to me? Well..."
"Sit down." Angel said calmly. "He had to go straight into another meeting. He said he'd see you at dinner."
"You see him more often than I do." Buffy pouted.
"Sorry." Angel's lips curved up into that curious half-smile. "Anyway, more importantly, what do you want for your birthday?" Her eyes lit up like a Christmas tree.
"My birthday! My birthday is next week. Interesting." Buffy grinned. She liked the direction that the conversation had taken.
"What might Miss Buffy want for her birthday?"
"Oh, I don't know. Let me think about it, maybe check the latest Tiffany catalogue..." She joked. She opened her mouth to speak again, but Spike poked his head out of the window.
"Oi, Buff! Dinner time!" He called to them. "Come on. Dinner time." She said, taking Angel's hand and leading him inside.
***
"Did you have a nice time in New York, daddy?" Buffy asked sweetly as she passed pasta around to everyone seated at the table.
"A quick time." Anthony said, yawning. He had only left Los Angeles that morning, and had returned that evening.
"I have to go back next week." He said. Buffy slammed the bowl down.
"Daddy!" She said sharply.
"I know, Bella. I know. I'm going back on Monday. I'm hoping I'll be back in time for your birthday on Wednesday. I'm sorry." Anthony told her sincerely.
"Fine." Buffy said, not wanting to appear the spoiled child. But inside she was hurt. Her father had never missed her birthday. Not ever before. And this would be her twentieth birthday. Perhaps not as big a deal as her 21st, but still...
"How are classes going?" Anthony asked her.
"OK."
"Buffy..." He began, sighing.
"It's OK, really. And my classes are just OK. Life is fairly non descript at the moment." She paused. "And I like it like that."
"All right." Anthony decided to let it lie.
***
On Monday morning, Anthony said his farewells, leaving behind a small present for Buffy.
"Daddy bought me a car! Daddy bought me a car!" Buffy bounced around the compound.
Finally, her father had caved in to her pleas for a car of her own. And the daughter of Antonio Crocetti was to travel in style, so Buffy Crocetti's first car was a Jaguar X-Type. The baby Jag everyone wanted.
"Isn't it pretty?" She cooed over the car. Angel and Spike watched, amused grins on both faces.
"Oh, by the way..." Spike began. Buffy turned.
"Yeah?" She said, distracted by the leather interiors.
"You can't drive it."
"WHAT?"
"Angel will drive you."
"Let me get this straight..." Buffy said, the genetics she shared with Santino flaring into anger.
"I have my very own car, a thing of extreme beauty... And I can't drive it?"
"No." Angel said.
"Why, pray tell?"
"Because we've seen you drive." Spike said dryly. Buffy's face fell.
"Oh. I only scratched that car."
"A scratch does not cost $3000." Spike told her. "Danny's car needed a new side panel after Buffy's little trip to the mall. " He told Angel, who tried in vain not to laugh.
"Buffy..."
"No, I don't want to hear it."
"Buffy," He said in a velvety voice in her ear so that Spike couldn't hear. "I'll teach you to drive."
"I already know how to drive."
"OK, I'll teach you how to drive better." Angel said. "It'll be fun."
"Fine." She relented. She knew how bad a driver she was. She just didn't like the idea that Angel knew too.
***
"How is the new boy, Antonio?" Roberto 'Giles' Crocetti asked.
He was sitting in the most luxurious suite on offer at The Flamingo Hotel. It was one of the original big five casinos on The Strip in Las Vegas and had been built by Bugsy Siegel himself. Now, it was practically a Vegas Historical Monument. But more importantly, it was own (albeit indirectly) by the Crocetti family.
Giles was in charge of all of the family's casino interests in both Las Vegas and Reno. This meant that he spent most of his time away from the family itself in Los Angeles. In many ways he liked the independence, but it was also frustrating to rarely see his family. He had become especially fond of Buffy, his only niece, and the person who had coined his Giles nickname.
"He's fine, Roberto, fine. He's coming along nicely." Anthony's voice crackled slightly, indicating to Giles that his brother was on a cell phone somewhere.
"Where are you, Antonio?"
"New York. Business with some Arabs."
"Oh. Good."
"How are the casinos?"
"Good. The Flamingo's profits are up 35% since you persuaded Frankie to play in the theatre."
"Very good. I have to go Roberto. Come to LA soon, we all miss you." Anthony said. Giles smiled.
"Ciao, paisan." He said before hearing the click of Anthony hanging up.
***
"Happy Birthday Buffy!" They all called. Xander had come back from New Orleans with a girl called Anya, Danny had a blonde chick on his arm, and most of the family had turned out for her birthday. In fact, with the exception of Sonny, everyone was there. Except her father, still in New York.
"He promised." Buffy said. She and Angel were now sitting alone in the garden as they always did before he headed off to his own home.
"No, he said he'd try." Angel reminded her. "And he also told you he'd be bringing back more presents."
"I don't care! I don't care if he brings back a hundred blue boxes, I just wanted him to be here." She said a little despondently. Angel sympathised. Her father was the only parent she had now, and for him not to be here... He planted a kiss on her lips softly. She sighed.
"You know... Daddy isn't here." She said suggestively. Angel smiled at her.
"Are you sure?" He asked seriously. She looked at him, searching his face for a moment.
"Yes." She smiled. "Yes I am." She kissed him softly before taking his hand and pulling him into the house. Yes, she was ready.
***
The figure trod carefully. The house had a good security system and it was imperative that the system was not tripped. The figure wound the wire expertly. Explosives were a tricky business, but a specialty for the figure in black. The detonator was set right by the front door. The figure pressed the buttons and then ran off into the night.
***
Angel lay with Buffy, entirely contented. He looked down at her now slumbering form and marvelled at her beauty, which seemed to envelop her now. Asleep, she looked so very delicate, like a china doll.
Once again, he felt an overwhelming urge to protect her. Protect her. How could he do that now he loved her? How could he have allowed himself to fall in love with the girl he was meant to be protecting? He had probably put her life in more jeopardy. And yet... He loved her with his entire being. He would die for this girl. He would protect her now even better. Not just with his head, but with his heart.
She sighed a little in her sleep and snuggled even closer to him, burrowing her head into his shoulder.
***
BLAM!
***
Angel shot up out of the bed as the explosion caused the room to shake. He could see the fireball rise up into the night sky.
"What?" Buffy sat up. She looked in horror- the fire visible even from her position in bed.
"An explosion." Angel said. She grinned at him and he was suddenly very aware of his naked state. He went back over and pulled on his boxer shorts.
"Where?" She asked. Angel paused. He hadn't even thought of that. But he knew that it was close. He went back to the window. It seemed such a familiar view.
"Angel!" Buffy screamed as, wrapped in the sheet, she joined him by the window.
"That's your house!" She said, beginning to panic.
"Well, I know I didn't leave the gas on." He said dryly, maintaining a cool exterior for her sake. He threw on the rest of his clothes as he heard the Compound wake up on full alert.
"How are we supposed to explain this one?" He asked, suddenly very aware of what they had done.
"Uh..." Buffy blushed. "I don't know?" She finished.
"I fell asleep on the floor." Angel said. "But naked Buffy might make that less credible."
"OK."
"Not that she's not dazzling." He added. Then he kicked himself. Not the time, Angel. As she slid back into her clothes of that evening, she looked at him in unbridled panic.
"Did they find out?" She asked.
"I hope not." Angel told her honestly.
"No. It can't be. They wouldn't do it like this." She said.
She was now dressed and grabbed his hand, dragging him downstairs and outside. The fire department had already arrived outside Angel's home and were battling to get the fire under control.
Angel was suddenly glad he hadn't moved much of his stuff out of the Martin house. Had he done so, it would all be destroyed now.
"Who did this?" Danny asked, emerging from the Compound.
"I don't know." Angel told him.
"How did you get out?"
"I didn't." Angel said. "I wasn't in there." Danny looked confused.
"Where were you?" He asked. Then he narrowed his eyes as he looked at Angel, then at Buffy.
"Get your mind out of the gutter, Danielo." Buffy said. "He slept on the floor. It was so late that he just slept in my room." She lied easily. She didn't really want to see the Angel-Danny fight any time soon.
"But it's nice to know that you'd protect my honour if the need were to arise." She smiled sweetly, innocently at Danny.
Xander, who was currently standing behind his brother, had an amused smile on his face which told Buffy that he'd heard all of it, and believed none of it. She just glared at him.
"Your secret is safe little one." He whispered in her ear.
"Back to important issues," Angel said, eager to change subjects. "Why did my house just explode?"
***
***
Angel returned home later that evening after dinner with the Crocettis to find both Drusilla and Faith waiting for him.
"Uh, hi?" He asked.
"Sit down." Faith said. Confused, he complied with her request.
"We want to know what's going on. We know about you and the Crocetti girl." Drusilla said.
"The Crocetti girl?" Angel repeated.
"Sure."
"Fine. This doesn't leave this room, understand?" Angel said. They nodded.
"It's my job. I'm undercover. I'm posing as her boyfriend to infiltrate the organisation."
"How the Hell did she let you? Is she up on drug charges?" Faith asked.
"No. Buffy and her brother came to us for protection after the death of her eldest brother. You can't tell anyone. I mean anyone. If I'm discovered..."
"They'll kill you." Faith finished for him. He nodded.
"Are you insane?" Drusilla asked. Angel looked at her.
"It's my job."
"Yeah. It's not like you're actually in love with her." Faith said. Angel managed to keep his expression neutral, and said,
"Well, exactly." Inside, his heart was screaming, knowing it to be a lie. He was in love with her. He had spent a month almost constantly by her side and had given her his most precious gift. One day he would tell her where the ring came from.
***
"Hi," Buffy said softly. Angel jumped slightly. "Way to go, Stealth Boy."
"I didn't hear you sneak up on me." He said. They stood awkwardly for a moment, wondering what to do. Then Angel kissed her and all awkwardness was eradicated.
"Where's Spike?" Angel asked her with concern.
"New rules from Daddy. You can protect me." She grinned.
"I can?"
"Sure. You're one of the family now." She said, and Angel didn't miss the bitter note in that phrase.
"Buffy, it isn't real."
"I know. But..."
"What?"
"I'm scared."
"Why?"
"I'm scared that you'll get in too deep. I mean, heir to Anthony Crocetti's throne is a better paid job than the one you have at the moment. Power, money, they're pretty corrupting."
"I'm incorruptible."
"Don't be so sure." Buffy said.
"Buffy... I mean it. I'm there to do my job. To protect you and to find out who killed your brother."
"OK. Promise me."
"Promise you what?"
"That when you find out, you'll leave it all behind. Forever."
"I promise." Angel smiled and kissed her again.
***
The days passed somewhat quietly, although Angel found himself spending less and less time at home than at the Crocetti compound. Buffy had been right: The family was a seductive animal. When he met people, they showed him respect, even deference.
But it was getting difficult to refuse money. He couldn't accept money from Anthony in any manner, not until he had proof enough to convict the man. But Anthony was a generous man and kept trying to give him gifts. He had no idea how to turn him down again, and if it came to trial, and it would, these gifts would seem to be bribes. Angel did not take bribes.
Eventually Buffy herself came up with a solution. Angel would OK it with his boss at the FBI to receive gifts and a salary, all of which would be carefully documented and sealed away in the FBI's vaults as proof. Yet still Angel didn't sleep easy.
He still lived in fear of being found out. Then one day, on his way home, he was positive he was being followed. A thought hit him- what if they got to his family?
***
"I'm moving out." Angel said. Three mouths, two female, one male, hit the floor.
"What?" Faith demanded.
"Come again?" Gunn said, as if he'd been struck by temporary deafness.
"I'm moving out."
"Where to?" Drusilla asked him.
"Near the Compound."
"Are you insane?" Faith screeched.
"No. I was almost followed home this evening. I can't risk them discovering you all. They'd get to you first." Angel sighed. "I don't want to. But the sooner I discover who killed Daniella and Santino Crocetti, the sooner I can leave."
"Fine. Go get yourself killed." Faith said with a sneer.
"Faith..." Dru said comfortingly. "We're just worried about you, Angel. You spend all your time there as it is. If you live in the compound, how will you get out to give the Feds information?"
"I said near the compound, not inside it."
"But if they know where you live, won't the Mafia put in taps or bugs or something?"
"They don't suspect me." Angel said.
"Don't be so sure, man. They suspect everyone." Gunn said in bitter tones.
"No. They don't suspect the loving, devoted, loyal boyfriend of Buffy Crocetti." Angel told them.
"Oh, Buffy can do no wrong?" Faith said sarcastically. Angel nodded.
"In their eyes, that's exactly right."
"Except maybe go to the FBI?" Faith asked. Angel opened his mouth, but had no answer.
***
"A toast!" Anthony said at dinner. "A toast to our new neighbour!"
"To Angel!" Buffy echoed. The entire family was sat around the table, including Xander on one of his visits home. Since Sonny's death, the visits had become more frequent.
"To the Buffster!" He now toasted. "For choosing a good boyfriend at last!" They all laughed and both Angel and Buffy blushed slightly.
"Thank you," Angel said modestly. "For bringing me into your family." They all murmured approval, except for Buffy, who looked at him with worry.
He sounded sincere. That worried her. She didn't want him to get caught up in her father's tangled web of intrigue, lies and murder. She didn't want him to die too.
***
Time passed rather quickly for the family and their new paisan, Angel. The family was busy with the olive oil business and its other concerns. Buffy and Angel, meanwhile, spent most of their days at UCLA and their evenings either at the cinema or some such other typical date locations.
And all the while, Angel was pretending to be a part of the family business and having to look for clues as to who could possibly have killed Daniella and Santino.
***
He was almost 99% sure that it wasn't Anthony. Anthony had, in fact, too much to lose. For one thing, Angel realised that Anthony had loved Daniella. That much was clear from the reverential but sad tone he spoke in when talking of his wife. It was more plausible that Anthony would consider killing Sonny, even if he was the boy's father.
Sonny had been a loose cannon- a dangerous young man who was prone to fits of extreme anger which had, on at least one occasion ended in death. Angel knew that Santino had been arrested once, for the killing of another student at the prep school he was at. There was no evidence, however, and Santino was off the hook.
Angel rather suspected that Anthony had allowed him to be arrested to give Sonny a shock. But, at the same time, Anthony had much to lose from Sonny's death, besides the obvious grief and pain. Santino had always been groomed as Anthony's successor, and now it was not as clear cut.
Angel knew that he himself was in line, Xander being more interested in art and New Orleans, and Danny's absolute refusal to follow in his father's footsteps. No, Anthony had too much to lose from the deaths of his wife and eldest child to have it ordered himself. It was somebody else. The problem was, Angel had no idea who.
***
"Angel! Where have you been?" Buffy said mournfully. She and Angel were once again sitting in the garden as the sun set.
"Busy." He sighed. "Your father really knows how to make a person earn his wages."
"He didn't..." She trailed off not wanting to ask if her father wanted him to murder someone.
"No." Angel understood what she was saying. "So far everything I've done is legitimate. But I have been finding out an awful lot about the illegal stuff."
"And who killed my mother?" Buffy said, an edge in her voice.
"Buffy..."
"Don't Buffy me! You promised!" She jumped up, but Angel pulled her back down again.
"I'm looking. I really am. But you should know better than to expect it to be written down anywhere. I have to make friends with everyone and then weasel it out of them in a subtle manner." He smiled so charmingly she relented.
"Fine." She sighed once again. "Now, what else was there?"
"No idea." Angel lips curved up slyly. Buffy grinned, planting a kiss on his lips.
"That was it." He remembered now, leaning in to kiss her more.
"Angel..." Buffy sighed. He pulled away.
"What's the matter?"
"Nothing. I just..." She looked at him coyly, suggestively, even seductively.
"Not on your life!" He exclaimed. She looked taken aback and rather hurt. Then he laughed.
"What! Come on, what's so funny Angel?" She demanded. He stopped laughing and saw how hurt she was.
"Oh Buffy baby, I didn't mean it like that."
"Well," She asked haughtily. "How did you mean it?"
"I meant that your father is usually here too. And I don't think he'd appreciate me defiling his daughter. And we have only been dating a few months. And you're..."
"How do you know that?"
"You told me Buffy. You said and I quote 'Nobody ever loved me before. Not like that.' That's what you said."
"Oh. Well. Yeah. But..."
"Buffy..." He paused briefly to take her hand in his. "I love you. More than I ever thought possible. But, like your father says, I am older than you, and I don't want to rush you into anything. I'll wait until you're ready. Because I wouldn't want it to be anything but perfect. All right?"
"Fine. I personally think that..." Buffy began, but was cut off by his mouth upon hers.
"I'm ready?" She said breathlessly. Angel smiled.
"Maybe soon. But not when your father's even in the same zip code."
"He's not here. He's in New York."
"No he isn't. He got back an hour ago."
"What? He got back and didn't even deign to say hello to me? Well..."
"Sit down." Angel said calmly. "He had to go straight into another meeting. He said he'd see you at dinner."
"You see him more often than I do." Buffy pouted.
"Sorry." Angel's lips curved up into that curious half-smile. "Anyway, more importantly, what do you want for your birthday?" Her eyes lit up like a Christmas tree.
"My birthday! My birthday is next week. Interesting." Buffy grinned. She liked the direction that the conversation had taken.
"What might Miss Buffy want for her birthday?"
"Oh, I don't know. Let me think about it, maybe check the latest Tiffany catalogue..." She joked. She opened her mouth to speak again, but Spike poked his head out of the window.
"Oi, Buff! Dinner time!" He called to them. "Come on. Dinner time." She said, taking Angel's hand and leading him inside.
***
"Did you have a nice time in New York, daddy?" Buffy asked sweetly as she passed pasta around to everyone seated at the table.
"A quick time." Anthony said, yawning. He had only left Los Angeles that morning, and had returned that evening.
"I have to go back next week." He said. Buffy slammed the bowl down.
"Daddy!" She said sharply.
"I know, Bella. I know. I'm going back on Monday. I'm hoping I'll be back in time for your birthday on Wednesday. I'm sorry." Anthony told her sincerely.
"Fine." Buffy said, not wanting to appear the spoiled child. But inside she was hurt. Her father had never missed her birthday. Not ever before. And this would be her twentieth birthday. Perhaps not as big a deal as her 21st, but still...
"How are classes going?" Anthony asked her.
"OK."
"Buffy..." He began, sighing.
"It's OK, really. And my classes are just OK. Life is fairly non descript at the moment." She paused. "And I like it like that."
"All right." Anthony decided to let it lie.
***
On Monday morning, Anthony said his farewells, leaving behind a small present for Buffy.
"Daddy bought me a car! Daddy bought me a car!" Buffy bounced around the compound.
Finally, her father had caved in to her pleas for a car of her own. And the daughter of Antonio Crocetti was to travel in style, so Buffy Crocetti's first car was a Jaguar X-Type. The baby Jag everyone wanted.
"Isn't it pretty?" She cooed over the car. Angel and Spike watched, amused grins on both faces.
"Oh, by the way..." Spike began. Buffy turned.
"Yeah?" She said, distracted by the leather interiors.
"You can't drive it."
"WHAT?"
"Angel will drive you."
"Let me get this straight..." Buffy said, the genetics she shared with Santino flaring into anger.
"I have my very own car, a thing of extreme beauty... And I can't drive it?"
"No." Angel said.
"Why, pray tell?"
"Because we've seen you drive." Spike said dryly. Buffy's face fell.
"Oh. I only scratched that car."
"A scratch does not cost $3000." Spike told her. "Danny's car needed a new side panel after Buffy's little trip to the mall. " He told Angel, who tried in vain not to laugh.
"Buffy..."
"No, I don't want to hear it."
"Buffy," He said in a velvety voice in her ear so that Spike couldn't hear. "I'll teach you to drive."
"I already know how to drive."
"OK, I'll teach you how to drive better." Angel said. "It'll be fun."
"Fine." She relented. She knew how bad a driver she was. She just didn't like the idea that Angel knew too.
***
"How is the new boy, Antonio?" Roberto 'Giles' Crocetti asked.
He was sitting in the most luxurious suite on offer at The Flamingo Hotel. It was one of the original big five casinos on The Strip in Las Vegas and had been built by Bugsy Siegel himself. Now, it was practically a Vegas Historical Monument. But more importantly, it was own (albeit indirectly) by the Crocetti family.
Giles was in charge of all of the family's casino interests in both Las Vegas and Reno. This meant that he spent most of his time away from the family itself in Los Angeles. In many ways he liked the independence, but it was also frustrating to rarely see his family. He had become especially fond of Buffy, his only niece, and the person who had coined his Giles nickname.
"He's fine, Roberto, fine. He's coming along nicely." Anthony's voice crackled slightly, indicating to Giles that his brother was on a cell phone somewhere.
"Where are you, Antonio?"
"New York. Business with some Arabs."
"Oh. Good."
"How are the casinos?"
"Good. The Flamingo's profits are up 35% since you persuaded Frankie to play in the theatre."
"Very good. I have to go Roberto. Come to LA soon, we all miss you." Anthony said. Giles smiled.
"Ciao, paisan." He said before hearing the click of Anthony hanging up.
***
"Happy Birthday Buffy!" They all called. Xander had come back from New Orleans with a girl called Anya, Danny had a blonde chick on his arm, and most of the family had turned out for her birthday. In fact, with the exception of Sonny, everyone was there. Except her father, still in New York.
"He promised." Buffy said. She and Angel were now sitting alone in the garden as they always did before he headed off to his own home.
"No, he said he'd try." Angel reminded her. "And he also told you he'd be bringing back more presents."
"I don't care! I don't care if he brings back a hundred blue boxes, I just wanted him to be here." She said a little despondently. Angel sympathised. Her father was the only parent she had now, and for him not to be here... He planted a kiss on her lips softly. She sighed.
"You know... Daddy isn't here." She said suggestively. Angel smiled at her.
"Are you sure?" He asked seriously. She looked at him, searching his face for a moment.
"Yes." She smiled. "Yes I am." She kissed him softly before taking his hand and pulling him into the house. Yes, she was ready.
***
The figure trod carefully. The house had a good security system and it was imperative that the system was not tripped. The figure wound the wire expertly. Explosives were a tricky business, but a specialty for the figure in black. The detonator was set right by the front door. The figure pressed the buttons and then ran off into the night.
***
Angel lay with Buffy, entirely contented. He looked down at her now slumbering form and marvelled at her beauty, which seemed to envelop her now. Asleep, she looked so very delicate, like a china doll.
Once again, he felt an overwhelming urge to protect her. Protect her. How could he do that now he loved her? How could he have allowed himself to fall in love with the girl he was meant to be protecting? He had probably put her life in more jeopardy. And yet... He loved her with his entire being. He would die for this girl. He would protect her now even better. Not just with his head, but with his heart.
She sighed a little in her sleep and snuggled even closer to him, burrowing her head into his shoulder.
***
BLAM!
***
Angel shot up out of the bed as the explosion caused the room to shake. He could see the fireball rise up into the night sky.
"What?" Buffy sat up. She looked in horror- the fire visible even from her position in bed.
"An explosion." Angel said. She grinned at him and he was suddenly very aware of his naked state. He went back over and pulled on his boxer shorts.
"Where?" She asked. Angel paused. He hadn't even thought of that. But he knew that it was close. He went back to the window. It seemed such a familiar view.
"Angel!" Buffy screamed as, wrapped in the sheet, she joined him by the window.
"That's your house!" She said, beginning to panic.
"Well, I know I didn't leave the gas on." He said dryly, maintaining a cool exterior for her sake. He threw on the rest of his clothes as he heard the Compound wake up on full alert.
"How are we supposed to explain this one?" He asked, suddenly very aware of what they had done.
"Uh..." Buffy blushed. "I don't know?" She finished.
"I fell asleep on the floor." Angel said. "But naked Buffy might make that less credible."
"OK."
"Not that she's not dazzling." He added. Then he kicked himself. Not the time, Angel. As she slid back into her clothes of that evening, she looked at him in unbridled panic.
"Did they find out?" She asked.
"I hope not." Angel told her honestly.
"No. It can't be. They wouldn't do it like this." She said.
She was now dressed and grabbed his hand, dragging him downstairs and outside. The fire department had already arrived outside Angel's home and were battling to get the fire under control.
Angel was suddenly glad he hadn't moved much of his stuff out of the Martin house. Had he done so, it would all be destroyed now.
"Who did this?" Danny asked, emerging from the Compound.
"I don't know." Angel told him.
"How did you get out?"
"I didn't." Angel said. "I wasn't in there." Danny looked confused.
"Where were you?" He asked. Then he narrowed his eyes as he looked at Angel, then at Buffy.
"Get your mind out of the gutter, Danielo." Buffy said. "He slept on the floor. It was so late that he just slept in my room." She lied easily. She didn't really want to see the Angel-Danny fight any time soon.
"But it's nice to know that you'd protect my honour if the need were to arise." She smiled sweetly, innocently at Danny.
Xander, who was currently standing behind his brother, had an amused smile on his face which told Buffy that he'd heard all of it, and believed none of it. She just glared at him.
"Your secret is safe little one." He whispered in her ear.
"Back to important issues," Angel said, eager to change subjects. "Why did my house just explode?"
***
