"Riley, can you fix um tea? Giles should have tea. I need to talk to Angel," Buffy asked as she led Angel into the next room.
Buffy moved to cover the windows. She moved about the room making sure no light could get in. He moved to help her, but she pulled back.
"Just in case you want to get some books," she stammered idly as she fingered a book.
Angel looked around the darkened room knowing she was taking her time, gathering her words. "It won't be dawn for a while."
He kept quiet a moment longer, watching her bustle about nervously, before saying, "Enough evading. You wanted to talk to me?"
She moved to him searching his face, "I wanted, wanted to say I was sorry. You shouldn't have met Riley like that and..."
"When were you planning on telling me about him, or him about me?"
"Never?" she shrugged hopefully, "I was just trying to avoid the topic. It still hurts, you know, to think about you and Riley didn't need to see that. Angel I never wanted to hurt you and telling you about Riley, well there would be no avoidance and..."
"I like him."
"You what?"
"I like him, he seems to really love you. He cares for you and hey he's mortal, human even." Angel smiled as he reached out a hand and cupped her face, "I told you to move on and you found normal. He can be with you when I can't, how I can't."
Tears began to streak slow paths down her face. He brushed them away with his other hand. "Don't. It's a good thing Buffy. We both want it, both need it," his voice trailed to nothingness as his lips fell on hers. They both succumb to a long, slow passionate kiss. It deepened and turned frantic as they pulled each other as close as possible. Then as suddenly as it started it ended and they jumped back from each other.
"You have a boyfriend."
"I have a boyfriend."
"I'm, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that." Angel brushed her face with is hand before pulling her to his chest.
He rested his chin on top of her head as she snuggled against him, "It won't happen again. As soon as this is over I'm going back to L.A."
"Yea, until they send you back to me. Angel this is so hard. If your need in LA why do you keep getting sent back to me?"
"I suppose you still need me."
"I'm with Riley."
"I know."
Riley stumbled back from the doorway, he'd seen enough. He jumped as the kettle on the stove began to whistle. He reached over to slam it off and pour Buffy her cup of tea. How could she kiss him? Didn't she realize he was in the next room?
He choked back his pain and poured another cup of tea. He searched the kitchen quickly and collected a tray. He stopped in the doorway on his way upstairs, they were still in each other's arms talking over their situation. How to deal with me, he thought bitterly as he went up the stairs to Giles' room.
"How are you?" he asked.
Willow shifted her gaze to smile at him tightly, "About as comfortable as I can get squeezed between these two."
She slowly untangled herself enough to sit and took the cup he offered her, "Thanks."
"Willow, I...Can I asked you a favor?"
"What is it?"
"Tell me about Buffy and Angel."