"By that smile, I take things went well with Angel last night."
Buffy smiled at her father. It had been rare to see her so happy about anything in the last two years. The one source of joy was Michael, but even then Hank could see the hurt and pain hiding behind her eyes. Yet this morning, for the first time, her eyes held nothing but happiness and hope. Hank prayed she would keep that look for years to come.
Buffy was almost giddy as her father teased her. "Yes, things are good. Angel left early this morning. He's going to Sunnydale tonight, but will be back in a day or so. He wants to spend time with us. He's going to get an apartment or something here so he can see us more often."
Joyce was overjoyed with the news, but not surprised. From the little she knew of Angel's character, she had few doubts he would want to be in Buffy's life and she didn't see any reason why he shouldn't be. She knew his being a vampire would cause problems, but the look of joy and contentment on her daughter's face threw out all the doubts. "Honey, just make sure you're careful."
Buffy sighed. "Mom, don't worry. He's not going to hurt me."
Joyce gave her daughter a long look. "He better not, but that's not what I meant. I love Michael, but I do not want another grandchild just yet. You need to be careful."
"Mom!" Buffy was shocked to say the least. The thought of sex with Angel hadn't crossed her mind. Well, truthfully, it had, but she had no intentions of following those impulses yet. There were too many wounds to heal still and Buffy was going to need some time before she could trust Angel so intimately again. Intellectually, she knew it was Angelus who caused her all the pain and who could never return, but her heart needed some time to adjust to Angel's presence in her life. "You don't need to worry about that yet. Besides, now that I'm no longer the slayer, I'd like to be a bit older before having anymore kids and maybe married."
"Well, that makes three of us!" Hank could only marvel at how mature his daughter had become in just a few years.
"Michael, eat up. We'll go to the park after breakfast, okay?"
"Yeah!"
"Michael," Buffy decided to bring up Angel to her son. "What did you think of Mommy's friend Angel last night?"
"He was nice. I'm done. Can we go?"
Buffy shook her head. Michael would refuse to do anything now until after their visit to the park. "Okay, go play until I'm finished and then we'll get you dressed." She couldn't stop herself from laughing as he ran into the family room and to his toys.
It had been too late the night before when he arrived in Sunnydale to see Giles. Now as the sun finished setting, Angel threw the last of the bags he packed earlier that day into his car. After his visit to Giles, Angel was heading straight to LA. He was hoping to see Buffy before it got too late. In his desire to see Buffy, he pushed the speed limit and ran up to Giles' door.
"Ah, Angel. Come in please." Giles stepped back allowing the vampire to enter. "I hope your business went well."
Angel felt guilty lying, but for now, it would have to do. "Uh, yeah, things are okay. I have your books here." As Giles began to browse through the titles, Angel explained his plans. "Giles, I've heard some new rumors in the demon underground. I'll be gone for a while checking it out. If there is an emergency, give me a call and I'll try to get back." Deciding a quick exit would be best, Angel turned to leave.
"Angel wait." Giles couldn't bear to see Angel wasting his existence on a fruitless search. "About that Angel, why don't we sit down. I wanted to speak with you." Giles waited for Angel to settle down on the couch before being seated across from him. He stared at his hands, attempting to approach the delicate subject with tact and sensitivity. "Angel, I think it would be best if you remained here for a while. Activity has increased recently and Faith could use a break. We could use you here."
"Sorry Giles, but I can't. If something major comes up, you know how to reach me."
"Angel," Giles wasn't getting through as he hoped. Taking off his glasses, he cleaned them briefly before placing them back on. "Angel, its time to move on. It's over. We need you here and you need to being living your life again."
Angel held back his anger. He couldn't believe he had allowed Giles and the others to believe that Buffy was dead when every fiber of his soul had told him differently. He had never wanted to give up, but the others had slowly found excuses to detain him or force him to stay in Sunnydale. Now that Angel knew he had a family to return to, nothing would keep him in Sunnydale and away from Buffy and Michael. "Giles, this lead is extremely credible and accurate. I have to follow up on it. As for the recent activity, if there is an emergency, I'll help out, but I'm not the slayer. That is Faith's job."
"And it was Buffy's before she ran away!" Giles began raising his voice. A few drinks of scotch and his frustration over Angel's stubbornness were taking their toll. "Are you going to continue to run?"
The demon inside him screamed as Giles reticuled his mate, his beloved, and the mother of his child. "You don't know what she went through. She needed time."
"Time, she needed to be here. She was the slayer."
"She's a person first. You don't know what happened!"
"And you do?"
"Yes! I did it to her!"
Giles quickly backed down and began to understand Angel's reluctance to accept the truth, guilt. "Angel, it wasn't your fault. You had no way of knowing what would happen. It was Angelus, not you."
"It doesn't matter Giles. I'm going to find her and fix things. It never should have happened this way. She deserves so much more." Angel had his chance. He would prove his love to Buffy and make up for missing the first years of Michael's life.
Giles understood his need to cling to hope and believe that Buffy would still be alive. However, reality deemed there was only one slayer now, Faith. "Angel, you were here when the Watchers Council came. You heard them say there was only one slayer." While his faith in Buffy was admirable, it was also foolish. It was time for Angel to accept the truth and move on.
Angel shook his head and tried to calm himself. It was hard not to reveal his discovery already. However, he had promised Buffy he would keep her presence to himself. "Bottom line Giles, I'm free to so as I please. I've never believed she was dead and I don't now. I would have felt it. I can still feel her. She's alive. I don't care if the world has given up on her, I'm not going to stop until I find her. Besides, there is nothing here for me."
Maybe he was right. Maybe there was a possibility that Buffy was alive. Angel and Buffy had always shared a deep connection that Giles never understood and left him in awe. Just maybe there was hope, or maybe they were fools. Either way, Angel was right. There was no way to stop him from leaving. With a sad smile and sigh, Giles resigned himself to Angel's decision. "You will keep in touch, right?"
"Of course, I'll be close by if you need me. Just give me a call." Angel shook hands with the man he had grown to respect immensely. "LA is not far. Take care Giles."
Watching the souled vampire leave, Giles wondered what leads he had discovered. This was the happiest Giles had seen him and Angel spoke with such conviction. "Keep in touch and Angel, good luck. I hope you can bring her back, but no matter what, you are always needed and wanted here."
After a small nod to acknowledge Giles' acceptance, Angel hurried to the car and began the drive back to LA. With some luck, he still could see Buffy tonight or at least talk to her for a while. Listening to the soft music playing on the radio, Angel couldn't help but feel that a new chapter of his life was beginning. For the first time in 200 years, he was looking forward to it.
"Is he asleep?"
Buffy spun around to see her father standing in the doorway. Pulling out a bottle of juice and a pair of glasses, she motioned for her father to join her at the table. "Yep, he was exhausted. He loves the park so much. He wore himself out today and me while he was at it."
"Just wait, it only gets worse." Hank laughed at the horrible expression on his daughter's face. "So, have you heard from, what did you used to call him, cryptic guy?"
She smiled and slightly blushed at her father's teasing. However, she was too happy to care. "Not yet. He may not even be back in LA. He had mentioned something about delivering some books to Giles before packing up some more of his belongings. He's really serious about this daddy. Angel's going to get a place in LA so he can see us more often."
"Buffy, you don't have to convince me. As long as you're happy, I'm happy." Hank was cut off from speaking further by the phone.
Buffy jumped up and answered the phone. "Hello."
"Hello beloved." Angel didn't know if he was being too forward, but he couldn't help it.
"Hi Angel. Are you back in LA?"
Hearing it was Angel on the phone, Hank quietly slipped out of the room. He began to wonder if there was a game on television.
"Yes, I just returned a little while ago. How are you doing? Did you and Michael have a good day?"
"Uh, he exhausted me running around the park. He went out like a light when we came home earlier. I'm fine, just tired. How was your trip? How is Giles?" Buffy couldn't help but inquire about her ex-watcher and the man who was a father to her for two years.
"He's doing fine. I delivered his books. He was reluctant to see me leave, but I convinced him I had a lead and wouldn't believe you were dead. I think he has some hope of seeing you again." Angel was slightly nervous as he asked his next question. "Buffy, what are you and Michael doing tomorrow evening?"
Buffy thought for a moment before answering. "Nothing, it's usually movie night at home. Mom and dad go out on a date and Michael and I spend the evening watching television. Why?'
"That's perfect. I was wondering if we could spend the evening together. I could bring over some dinner and a few movies. It might be more comfortable for Michael to get to know me in a familiar surrounding. Also if he gets too tired, you don't have to worry about him falling asleep." Angel had thought of taking them out to dinner, then he realized that although Michael was advanced for his age, he was still only 2. He wouldn't really enjoy a restaurant. Spending the evening at Buffy's, especially without her parents would be more comfortable for everyone.
TBC….
Buffy smiled at her father. It had been rare to see her so happy about anything in the last two years. The one source of joy was Michael, but even then Hank could see the hurt and pain hiding behind her eyes. Yet this morning, for the first time, her eyes held nothing but happiness and hope. Hank prayed she would keep that look for years to come.
Buffy was almost giddy as her father teased her. "Yes, things are good. Angel left early this morning. He's going to Sunnydale tonight, but will be back in a day or so. He wants to spend time with us. He's going to get an apartment or something here so he can see us more often."
Joyce was overjoyed with the news, but not surprised. From the little she knew of Angel's character, she had few doubts he would want to be in Buffy's life and she didn't see any reason why he shouldn't be. She knew his being a vampire would cause problems, but the look of joy and contentment on her daughter's face threw out all the doubts. "Honey, just make sure you're careful."
Buffy sighed. "Mom, don't worry. He's not going to hurt me."
Joyce gave her daughter a long look. "He better not, but that's not what I meant. I love Michael, but I do not want another grandchild just yet. You need to be careful."
"Mom!" Buffy was shocked to say the least. The thought of sex with Angel hadn't crossed her mind. Well, truthfully, it had, but she had no intentions of following those impulses yet. There were too many wounds to heal still and Buffy was going to need some time before she could trust Angel so intimately again. Intellectually, she knew it was Angelus who caused her all the pain and who could never return, but her heart needed some time to adjust to Angel's presence in her life. "You don't need to worry about that yet. Besides, now that I'm no longer the slayer, I'd like to be a bit older before having anymore kids and maybe married."
"Well, that makes three of us!" Hank could only marvel at how mature his daughter had become in just a few years.
"Michael, eat up. We'll go to the park after breakfast, okay?"
"Yeah!"
"Michael," Buffy decided to bring up Angel to her son. "What did you think of Mommy's friend Angel last night?"
"He was nice. I'm done. Can we go?"
Buffy shook her head. Michael would refuse to do anything now until after their visit to the park. "Okay, go play until I'm finished and then we'll get you dressed." She couldn't stop herself from laughing as he ran into the family room and to his toys.
It had been too late the night before when he arrived in Sunnydale to see Giles. Now as the sun finished setting, Angel threw the last of the bags he packed earlier that day into his car. After his visit to Giles, Angel was heading straight to LA. He was hoping to see Buffy before it got too late. In his desire to see Buffy, he pushed the speed limit and ran up to Giles' door.
"Ah, Angel. Come in please." Giles stepped back allowing the vampire to enter. "I hope your business went well."
Angel felt guilty lying, but for now, it would have to do. "Uh, yeah, things are okay. I have your books here." As Giles began to browse through the titles, Angel explained his plans. "Giles, I've heard some new rumors in the demon underground. I'll be gone for a while checking it out. If there is an emergency, give me a call and I'll try to get back." Deciding a quick exit would be best, Angel turned to leave.
"Angel wait." Giles couldn't bear to see Angel wasting his existence on a fruitless search. "About that Angel, why don't we sit down. I wanted to speak with you." Giles waited for Angel to settle down on the couch before being seated across from him. He stared at his hands, attempting to approach the delicate subject with tact and sensitivity. "Angel, I think it would be best if you remained here for a while. Activity has increased recently and Faith could use a break. We could use you here."
"Sorry Giles, but I can't. If something major comes up, you know how to reach me."
"Angel," Giles wasn't getting through as he hoped. Taking off his glasses, he cleaned them briefly before placing them back on. "Angel, its time to move on. It's over. We need you here and you need to being living your life again."
Angel held back his anger. He couldn't believe he had allowed Giles and the others to believe that Buffy was dead when every fiber of his soul had told him differently. He had never wanted to give up, but the others had slowly found excuses to detain him or force him to stay in Sunnydale. Now that Angel knew he had a family to return to, nothing would keep him in Sunnydale and away from Buffy and Michael. "Giles, this lead is extremely credible and accurate. I have to follow up on it. As for the recent activity, if there is an emergency, I'll help out, but I'm not the slayer. That is Faith's job."
"And it was Buffy's before she ran away!" Giles began raising his voice. A few drinks of scotch and his frustration over Angel's stubbornness were taking their toll. "Are you going to continue to run?"
The demon inside him screamed as Giles reticuled his mate, his beloved, and the mother of his child. "You don't know what she went through. She needed time."
"Time, she needed to be here. She was the slayer."
"She's a person first. You don't know what happened!"
"And you do?"
"Yes! I did it to her!"
Giles quickly backed down and began to understand Angel's reluctance to accept the truth, guilt. "Angel, it wasn't your fault. You had no way of knowing what would happen. It was Angelus, not you."
"It doesn't matter Giles. I'm going to find her and fix things. It never should have happened this way. She deserves so much more." Angel had his chance. He would prove his love to Buffy and make up for missing the first years of Michael's life.
Giles understood his need to cling to hope and believe that Buffy would still be alive. However, reality deemed there was only one slayer now, Faith. "Angel, you were here when the Watchers Council came. You heard them say there was only one slayer." While his faith in Buffy was admirable, it was also foolish. It was time for Angel to accept the truth and move on.
Angel shook his head and tried to calm himself. It was hard not to reveal his discovery already. However, he had promised Buffy he would keep her presence to himself. "Bottom line Giles, I'm free to so as I please. I've never believed she was dead and I don't now. I would have felt it. I can still feel her. She's alive. I don't care if the world has given up on her, I'm not going to stop until I find her. Besides, there is nothing here for me."
Maybe he was right. Maybe there was a possibility that Buffy was alive. Angel and Buffy had always shared a deep connection that Giles never understood and left him in awe. Just maybe there was hope, or maybe they were fools. Either way, Angel was right. There was no way to stop him from leaving. With a sad smile and sigh, Giles resigned himself to Angel's decision. "You will keep in touch, right?"
"Of course, I'll be close by if you need me. Just give me a call." Angel shook hands with the man he had grown to respect immensely. "LA is not far. Take care Giles."
Watching the souled vampire leave, Giles wondered what leads he had discovered. This was the happiest Giles had seen him and Angel spoke with such conviction. "Keep in touch and Angel, good luck. I hope you can bring her back, but no matter what, you are always needed and wanted here."
After a small nod to acknowledge Giles' acceptance, Angel hurried to the car and began the drive back to LA. With some luck, he still could see Buffy tonight or at least talk to her for a while. Listening to the soft music playing on the radio, Angel couldn't help but feel that a new chapter of his life was beginning. For the first time in 200 years, he was looking forward to it.
"Is he asleep?"
Buffy spun around to see her father standing in the doorway. Pulling out a bottle of juice and a pair of glasses, she motioned for her father to join her at the table. "Yep, he was exhausted. He loves the park so much. He wore himself out today and me while he was at it."
"Just wait, it only gets worse." Hank laughed at the horrible expression on his daughter's face. "So, have you heard from, what did you used to call him, cryptic guy?"
She smiled and slightly blushed at her father's teasing. However, she was too happy to care. "Not yet. He may not even be back in LA. He had mentioned something about delivering some books to Giles before packing up some more of his belongings. He's really serious about this daddy. Angel's going to get a place in LA so he can see us more often."
"Buffy, you don't have to convince me. As long as you're happy, I'm happy." Hank was cut off from speaking further by the phone.
Buffy jumped up and answered the phone. "Hello."
"Hello beloved." Angel didn't know if he was being too forward, but he couldn't help it.
"Hi Angel. Are you back in LA?"
Hearing it was Angel on the phone, Hank quietly slipped out of the room. He began to wonder if there was a game on television.
"Yes, I just returned a little while ago. How are you doing? Did you and Michael have a good day?"
"Uh, he exhausted me running around the park. He went out like a light when we came home earlier. I'm fine, just tired. How was your trip? How is Giles?" Buffy couldn't help but inquire about her ex-watcher and the man who was a father to her for two years.
"He's doing fine. I delivered his books. He was reluctant to see me leave, but I convinced him I had a lead and wouldn't believe you were dead. I think he has some hope of seeing you again." Angel was slightly nervous as he asked his next question. "Buffy, what are you and Michael doing tomorrow evening?"
Buffy thought for a moment before answering. "Nothing, it's usually movie night at home. Mom and dad go out on a date and Michael and I spend the evening watching television. Why?'
"That's perfect. I was wondering if we could spend the evening together. I could bring over some dinner and a few movies. It might be more comfortable for Michael to get to know me in a familiar surrounding. Also if he gets too tired, you don't have to worry about him falling asleep." Angel had thought of taking them out to dinner, then he realized that although Michael was advanced for his age, he was still only 2. He wouldn't really enjoy a restaurant. Spending the evening at Buffy's, especially without her parents would be more comfortable for everyone.
TBC….