// When you look at me

My facsimile

Smiles and stolen sugar eyes

But you fail to read

Into disbelief

Frozen firmly to the lies //

What had she done? Mute, and oblivious to the guilt she felt inside, Buffy ran down the streets, trying to forget. She'd lied to her friends, to all of them, just by being there. She didn't tell them about the bet. About what had happened at the graveyard. She felt dirty for hitting Xander, and for screaming at the people she cared about the most. Her feet carried her swiftly to the only place she knew that she'd be safe-home. She almost stumbled up the steps, fumbling with the keys that she held in her hands. Suddenly.. "What?" Buffy mumbled, seeing a dark something curled up on her doorstep. She leaned down to pull away what seemed to be a black duster, and revealed a face that had haunted her dreams since the moment she saw him. Her eyes narrowed, and she stepped back, reeling over the fact that what had previously bet her earlier was lying in front of her door like a faithful dog. She jabbed a foot into his side, frowning when he didn't move. Again, she kicked him, and this time he awoke, a confused look on his face. Angel stood, and glanced down at the ground. "Buffy" She tilted her head to the side, a cruel look on her face. "Angelus. Thought you wouldn't show. Come to brag?" She opened the door, making sure it hit him in the back. Angel fell forwards, landing on the ground with a groan. Buffy turned, glancing at him. "What the hell is wrong with you? Not that I care, but beating you up is less fun when you're not fighting back." Angel just moaned again, rolling over to look up at her. When Buffy returned his gaze, she saw pain. She saw confusion. And she knew these were not the eyes of a monster.

// flowing nicotine

nutrient caffeine

alarming changes in discreet

picking up your gun

shoot them one by one

trading oxygen for heat//

Buffy moved closer, trying to figure everything out. "Angelus?" She murmured. Angel stirred, and sat up, glancing at her again. "My name's not Angelus.." He whispered with difficulty. Angel didn't know why Buffy was acting like this. What had he done? Why was she referring to him as Angelus? She'd never..before, and god this was so strange. "You know my name is Angel, Buffy." "Your name was Angel." Buffy countered. "I'm not him." Angel insisted. "Please, Buffy.." Buffy peered at him again. Something was wrong. Something was different. So, she mustered all her Slayer strength, and punched him. He went flying backwards into a bush, and stayed there. Buffy's eyes widened. "ANGEL!" She yelled. She jumped off her porch, and raced over to Angel. "Oh my god.I'm sorry!" She squeaked, trying to revive him. He opened his eyes and groggily looked up at her. "Where am I?" He mumbled, as the sun began to rise. Buffy glanced at the horizon and cursed, trying to drag him into her house. "Angel, it's me.Buffy." He tried to shake her off, but she wouldn't let him. "No, Angel. No. I have to get you fixed up." Angel twisted out of her grip, and then sat there shaking. Buffy reached out to touch him, and he suddenly clung to her. "Angel, please." "No. Can't leave. Need you." He mumbled. "Angel, the sun." He still didn't move. Then as the light inched towards him, she tried to move him back a few feet. To protect him. But he wouldn't move, his body was like dead weight. Beginning to panic, she tugged him quickly, making little animal noises as she tried. And then the sunlight touched him. But he didn't burn.