Chapter 16: Strange Encounters with Old Friends

Angel cautiously neared her, both of them slowly caught in a muddy haze as they walked towards each other before awkwardly stopping, inches away from each other. Buffy stopped and paused, feeling her heart grow heavy with every step, and noticing how in her chest, an acute pain spread that only occurred in Angel's presence. He stood in front of her, looming and nervous, and for a moment, they just stared at one another. Spike stood on the sidewalk, inwardly feeling a mixture of coldness and bubbling rage. Dawn and Tara glanced over at his emotionless face nervously.

"Buffy," Angel replied, his voice lighter than Buffy remembered. They continued to stand like that for moments, much to the suspense of all observers around them. Finally, Buffy jumped towards him and gripped him into a tight hug that, if he had not been a vampire, would have crushed every bone in his body. Angel's arms slowly enveloped her as well. He could smell something on unusual in her hair, on her clothes, a mixture of smoke and masculine musk. He tried to ignore it.

Spike clenched his teeth. Angel saw him over Buffy's shoulder but gave him no sign of recognition. "Angel," Buffy whispered, clinging to his chest. She loosened her grip as she stepped away from him. It seemed strange that after that intimate moment, they still weren't entirely able to meet each other's eyes. "H-How are you?" Buffy's voice sounded strained, wavering.

Angel's voice sounded equally uneasy. "I-I'm good, Buffy." He turned around to gaze at the rising clouds of smoke and broken buildings off into the distance. "Wish I could say the same for old Sunnydale."

Buffy smiled awkwardly. "Destruction, endless damage, all go hand in hand with the Hellmouth." She stopped smiling. "What are you doing here anyway? A-are you okay?"

Angel looked at her quizzically. "Wha-I thought you knew Buffy. I'm here for the ritual."

It was Buffy's turn to frown confusedly. "Ritual? What ritual?"

Angel furrowed his brows. "The one for Willow? The one to stop this evil warlock guy?"

Buffy's eyes widened in recognition. "Rack. But how did you know about that?"

Angel scratched his head. "Well you guys called me, said that Willow was in deep trouble and that there was this warlock causing chaos in Sunnydale and that you would need my help for a ritual to stop him."

Buffy continued to stare at him confusedly. She turned to Tara. "What's going on? You guys found a ritual to stop Rack and you didn't tell me? You called Angel and you didn't tell me?!" her voice was growing with disbelieving anger. Tara walked up to her nervously.

"Well we were going to tell you," Tara paused and quickly glanced over at Spike who was darkly puffing on a cigarette. "But we . . . we didn't even know that Angel was coming today." She looked up at Angel. "Hi, I'm Tara," she said shyly, offering a hand. Angel smiled briefly and shook it.

Buffy was looking at a grave Spike, who leaned against a tree in his usual fashion. Was he in on this too? She wondered.

"Why don't we go inside," Angel said to break the ominous silence and inauspicious discomfort. He noticed the look Buffy gave Spike and was worried. He didn't make a reaction to it however, only motioned towards the door where Xander and Anya stood waiting. Tara and Dawn followed him as he went into the house, but Buffy remained behind, staring a little wistfully at a motionless Spike.

"Do you want to come . . .' Buffy's voice faded as she motioned towards the house. Spike's face met hers and she could find detect expression of tense anger and more unusually, fear. He pursed his lips and flicked his cigarette.

"Naw, I don't really think I'm down for swapping stories for Peaches and the old gang tonight. I think I'll head home and catch Dawson's."

Buffy's eyes burned into him worriedly and Spike felt his unbeating heart thaw just a bit. But he was determined as he gave her a reassuring smile and said, "Don't worry Slayer, I'll see you tomorrow." He then drifted back into the night, his duster sweeping behind him morosely. Buffy paused a bit, trying to find his shadow before he disappeared completely into the darkness, her heart aching. She then sighed and walked back into the house.