Buffy awoke the next morning when the person laying beside her left the
bed. She squinted threw the darkness to see Angel closing the dark
curtains covering her window. She looked at the clock on the nightstand.
It was five thirty six. She rolled back on the bed and stared at the
ceiling as Angel joined her again. He moved under the covers and wrapped
his arms around her. His body was cool, but made her body heat up.
"It's almost morning," he whispered in her ear. He was so close.
"I know," she said back. Once again neither of them spoke. There was a moment when Angel thought Buffy had fallen back asleep, when she sat up, pulling the covers to cover her top. She didn't look at him as she spoke. "This is the first time you've ever stayed the night," she said. Angel thought he heard sadness in her voice. "I'm glad."
Angel sat up and kissed her bare shoulder. He moved his lips down her arm to her fingers. She entwined her fingers with his. They both looked at their hands for a second. "You should get dressed," said Angel. Buffy looked at him perplexed. "In case your mom comes in when she wakes up." Buffy's lips formed a little "o". Angel kissed her and Buffy placed a hand on his cheek. She moved her fingers down over his jaw and neck, to his broad chest. Angel broke the kiss and Buffy rose from the bed and walked across the room to the dresser.
She didn't even think twice about the fact that she was naked and that Angel had a full view. She moved as gracefully as she could, her body still sore from her accident, along with the normal soreness that followed sex, although she hadn't been that sore after sex lately. Angel leaned back against the wall behind the bed and watched her move. She bent and opened a drawer. His eyes followed her every move. He was pretty sure she had no idea how perfect she looked, how beautifully she moved. He watched her as she dressed and then climbed back into bed.
"Enjoy the show?" she teased him. There was a small twinkle in her hazel eyes he hadn't seen in a while. He'd like to see them like that more often.
"You're beautiful," he said. She blushed and he smiled. Angel kissed her on the forehead and said, "You sleep. I'm going to get some clothes on." Buffy nodded and closed her eyes. She was asleep by the time he laid down next to her.
~
When Angel heard Joyce wake later that morning, he quickly left the bed and hid in the closet. Minutes later she entered Buffy's room and woke her daughter. Angel watched the two of them from his hiding spot. Buffy slowly woke and the two talked for a little while. Angel heard Joyce say she was going to be leaving for work in a little while and won't be home until six. He smiled. They could spend nine hours in bed together without any interruptions.
When Joyce left the room, Angel waited for the door to click shut and then walked back to the bed. He kissed Buffy lightly, not making any noise; Joyce was probably back in her own room, and the walls were thin. She would be able to hear any loud noises. He slipped back into the bed and Buffy rested her head on his chest.
"We get to spend the whole day together," she said softly. Underneath the covers, she traced her fingers over his bare chest.
"Yeah," he answered. He slid his hand up her thigh, pulling her nightgown up as he did so. Buffy's eyes widened and he sexily raised his eye brown at her. She giggled and he laughed, a little too loudly. Buffy shushed him, placing a finger over his lips, but still laughed. Angel nodded and kissed her finger.
They stayed like that for another half hour or so, until they heard Joyce leave the house and the car pull out of the drive way. Then Angel rolled them over and kissed her deeply. Buffy giggled into his mouth and was glad that her mother was working later than normal today.
~
Buffy and Angel spent the rest of the day making love and falling asleep in each other's arms. Buffy would wake to kisses and wandering hands and fall asleep to hushed words. Angel would spend hours watching her sleep. He could look at her forever, never tire of her golden skin and hair, never mind gazing into her hazel eyes.
When he started thinking like that, he felt his heart tighten and forced himself to stop. Things were growing between them. Emotions he didn't want to feel were rising to the surface. He tried to push them away, but every time he saw her, he felt it. Love. Angelus was beginning to fall in love with Buffy Summers.
He was changing. He was no longer Angelus, the scourge of Europe. He no longer found pleasure in torturing, maiming, and savagely killing innocents. He didn't however feel remorse for the hundreds of people he had killed. He didn't have a soul. He wasn't the whipped puppy he had been. It had been almost a year since he had lost his soul- a year since Buffy lost her virginity to Angel. He hated the idea of Soul Boy touching Buffy and her finding pleasure in it.
Angel looked at her again. His blonde Goddess. There was a pleasant smile on her lips. He kissed her forehead and laid down next to her. He wrapped his arms around her and she curled into his embrace. Buffy sighed in her sleep and Angel closed his eyes.
~
Buffy woke with a start. She'd been dreaming. Willow and Xander had stolen a diamond from a museum, but everyone thought Buffy had done it. Then a giant cop/demon thingy tied her up and forced her to do dishes. Then she had woken up. Although strange, she didn't think the dream was prophetic. She took a deep breath and looked around her room. Angel still lay dormant beside her. She looked at the clock. It was close to three and she hadn't eaten all day. Her stomach growled. A part of her was glad that she was hungry again for the first time in a month.
She slid out of the bed, careful not to wake Angel. She grabbed her robe and shut the door behind her. Once in the kitchen she made herself a sandwich and a cup of tea. As she ate she thought about the vampire sleeping in her bed up stairs. She loved him, that much was clear. But he didn't love her. She knew that there was something between them, something strong, but it wasn't love. Buffy closed her eyes and tried not to think about them. When she thought about them, she had an intense need to throw something. And she didn't think her mother would enjoy her plates being turned to shards. Buffy clenched her jaw and tried to relax.
~
Buffy climbed back into bed a half hour later. Angel slowly began to wake. Buffy leaned over him and ran her fingers over his eye brow. She traced her fingers over a small scare on his forehead. She'd never noticed it before. She suddenly wondered where he got it. As she moved her fingers, Angel began to open his eyes. He blinked a few times and the smiled at her. She smiled back.
"Hey sleepy head," she said. Angel slid an arm around her and pulled her down on top of him. Buffy squealed as she was pulled down on to his chest. She braced her arms on either side of his shoulders, her face only inches away from his.
Her lower body pressed into his. Angel slid his foot up her leg and she shivered in anticipation. They had already had intercourse four times, with plenty of orgasms in between. But she still wanted him. She could feel her body tighten with need and she ground her hips into his. She knew he wanted her, but he made no move to take her.
"Angel," moaned out. Her breath escaped her lips in harsh pants, her heart beating like a drum in her chest. She wanted him, so much, she didn't know how much longer she could stand it. "Please."
"Shhh," he whispered into his ear. He rolled them over and soon they were both moaning in pleasure. They looked each other in the eye as they reached their peak. Buffy breathed out his name.
They collapsed in a heap of exhausted limbs. They were both sweaty and tired. Rolling onto their sides, encircled in each others embrace. They stayed like that for a while when Buffy started to laugh.
Angel's brow furrowed in confusion, which caused Buffy to laugh harder. "What?" he asked, brushing her hair off her shoulder. He noticed her hair was stringy and matted. She would need a shower later. He smiled inwardly at the thought of bathing her.
Buffy took a deep breath. "It's nothing. I'm just going to be a little sore in the morning."
Angel's face was suddenly filled with compassion. He touched her cheek and asked, "Did I hurt you?"
Buffy shook her head. "No, no. It's just," she paused and blushed a little, "that people tend to be a little sore after that much sex." She giggled and kissed Angel lightly. Her lips tingled when he pulled away.
Angel's eyes took on a far away look for a moment, then he asked, "Your birthday is coming up isn't it?"
Buffy was taken a little aback. Her birthday was just under a month away. That meant it had been almost a year since Angel and her had first made love. and he had lost his soul. Her eyes clouded over for a second, but she took a deep breath and looked him in the eye. Now was not the time to morn him. While Angel had been her first love, and he still held a place in her heart, she knew he wasn't coming back.
And part of her was glad. She had admitted to loving Angelus, both to herself and to him. She had always known that Angel hated the demon part of himself, and he would hate that Buffy was able to love it. She doubted that, if he came back, their relationship would ever be the same.
After a moment she answered his question. "Yeah," she said. "I totally forgot."
"Oh," Angel urged her to lay her head on his chest. She curled up against him and he pulled the blankets around them. "well," he said, "don't plan anything big."
"Share," said Buffy, intrigue laced her voice.
"It's a surprise," he said. Angel kissed her on the top of her head. "Just don't plan anything that takes up that night."
~
It was nearing 6 o'clock-Joyce was do home at any minute- and Angel still hadn't left. He and Buffy were wrapped in each other's embrace, lost in a passionate kiss. Hands roamed under clothes, lips fluttered over skin. Angel's mouth moved from hers to trace her jaw line up to her ear as Buffy fount to regain her breath. Angel ran his tongue over the edge of her ear and nibbled. Chills ran over her and she giggled.
Buffy hadn't really done this with Angel before. Before he had lost his soul, they'd made out a few times, but they never lost control or got to deep into it. And after he had lost his soul, they were either fighting or fucking. But, since after the accident, he had been different towards her, and things had been more relaxed between them. He was being so nice to her, so loving. They'd been having fun. While most of the time was spent in bed, they could wake up next to each other-he had never spent the night before- and smile, rather than Buffy shying away. It felt nice. It felt like it should have if Angel hadn't lost his soul.
But Buffy was afraid that once she was back to full strength- and she would be soon- he would turn on her. Things would go back to the way they had been before. Part of her was afraid he was just building her up, only to break her down again
Buffy was forced to push that thought out of her mind when she heard the front door open. Her mother was home. Buffy pushed Angel away from her and sat up in bed, pulling the blankets around her.
"Shit," she said loudly. Angle swore in Gaelic and quickly scouted out of the bed. He gathered his clothing and pulled back Buffy's blinds. It was dark out. He pulled up the window. "I'll come by tomorrow at sundown." And then he was gone.
Buffy didn't have time to think. The minute Angel was out the window, Joyce opened Buffy's door. Buffy quickly laid down and pulled the covers around her tighter. "Hey," she said and calmly as possibility.
"Hi, Honey," said her mother. She sat down on the edge of the bed and stroked a piece of hair out of Buffy's face. "How are you feeling?"
"Better," said Buffy. She was feeling much better. She was still very sore-but she was pretty sure that had something to do with the sex- but she wasn't as stiff and her bruises and cuts were fading. She knew she would be able to go back to school tomorrow, but she was sure her mother wouldn't let her. Joyce had made it clear she wanted Buffy to stay home and rest for the rest of the week. Buffy was pretty sure she'd be getting more rest if she was at school.
"That's good," said Joyce. "I'm going to make us some dinner. Are you hungry?"
"Starved." And she was. Sex burns a lot of calories. Buffy watched her mother walk out the door and as soon as Joyce shut the door behind her, Buffy sighed. She rose out of bed, quicker than she should have, and she felt a small twinge in her side. She sat back down, holding her abdomen. Even though she and Angel had spent most of the day having sex, her body had been in a mostly horizontal position for the last four hours, even if she had been moving a little. So standing up so quickly had caused more pain. She took a deep breath and then rose to her feet slowly. After carefully pulling a baggy tee and crawled back into bed.
~
It was Sunday afternoon. The day was overcast and rainy. Joyce was out with some of her friends from the gallery for the day, and since the sun wasn't shining very brightly, Angel had come over. Buffy was going to be going back to school tomorrow.
Angel looked down at Buffy who was still trying to catch her breath. They'd both come at least three times. He smiled as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she looked at him again, she smiled back. "We're not going to get to do this as much any more," he said. His voice was soft and low, unlike the commanding, harsh tone she was used to.
"Yeah," she said. She raised her hand to run her fingers over his chest. He shifted his shoulder, and his muscled rippled. It was amazing that this creature could have so much power, but not be alive at all. There was no heart pounding in his hest under her fingers. Sorrow began to fill her at the thought that no love for her would ever make that heart beat, and she pulled her fingers away.
Angel sensed her mood change. He took her fingers and kissed each one. In between kisses he said, "You're getting stronger."
Fear began to build up in Buffy. A part of her had been afraid that after she was strong again, he would turn on her, begin acting like he had before. Hesitant, she pulled her fingers away and picked absently at her nailpolish that was in need of being redone. "Yeah, I am. I'll be able to patrol again next week, hopefully."
"I don't want you doing anything that might hurt you," he said softly. Angel leaned on his arm and looked at her. Her skin hard begun to glow again, and most of her bruises had faded. He didn't want to see her get hurt anymore.
"I'm sure I'll be fine," she said. Buffy rolled over and stroked his chest. She could see the clock behind him. It was just past three and her mom said she would be home late, since her friends and her were planning on going down to LA. She wanted Angel to spend the night again, but she really did need some sleep if she had any hope of returning to school tomorrow. But that didn't mean Angel had to leave right away. "How many times do you think we've had sex in the past week?"
Angel laughed. "Probably more times than we could count on both our fingers and toes." Buffy giggled and they kissed. Buffy let him roll them over. "Do you want to add to that number?"
"Yes," Buffy said breathily.
~ When Buffy walked into the library the next morning, tired, but happy, she was greeted by Willow and Giles. Xander was sitting at the table, looking at a comic book, seemingly uninterested in her return. She knew he was still upset about Angel. She doubted he would ever get over it. But she knew he wouldn't be mad at her forever. They were best friends, and she didn't think a thing like this would tear them apart.
"How are you feeling?" Giles asked.
"I'm good," she said. And she was. Her muscles had stopped hurting every time she moved and there were only a few open wounds left on her body. "I think I can start patrolling again."
"I think you should wait a little bit," Giles said. Buffy was about to argue, but she knew she would get nowhere.
"Well, I'm glad you're feeling better," said Willow. The redhead hugged her friend gently, afraid to that she would hurt her.
Buffy knew her friends would be gentle and hesitant with her for a while until they were sure she was fully healed. Buffy just sighed and looked at Xander. He was still looking at the comic book, still uninterested. "Hey Xand," Buffy said.
"Oh, hey Buf," he said, not looking up. He said nothing else.
"He's been like this since he found out about Angel," Willow said quietly. She felt bad for Xander, but she also felt like he was acting childish. He should get over his hatred for Angelus enough to be happy for Buffy. He should be glad that she hadn't died, and that she had possibly found happiness again.
"It's ok," said Buffy. She understood that it must be hard for him, and she figured only time would change his feelings toward Angelus. In fact, they all needed some time to adjust to everything that had happened.
"It's almost morning," he whispered in her ear. He was so close.
"I know," she said back. Once again neither of them spoke. There was a moment when Angel thought Buffy had fallen back asleep, when she sat up, pulling the covers to cover her top. She didn't look at him as she spoke. "This is the first time you've ever stayed the night," she said. Angel thought he heard sadness in her voice. "I'm glad."
Angel sat up and kissed her bare shoulder. He moved his lips down her arm to her fingers. She entwined her fingers with his. They both looked at their hands for a second. "You should get dressed," said Angel. Buffy looked at him perplexed. "In case your mom comes in when she wakes up." Buffy's lips formed a little "o". Angel kissed her and Buffy placed a hand on his cheek. She moved her fingers down over his jaw and neck, to his broad chest. Angel broke the kiss and Buffy rose from the bed and walked across the room to the dresser.
She didn't even think twice about the fact that she was naked and that Angel had a full view. She moved as gracefully as she could, her body still sore from her accident, along with the normal soreness that followed sex, although she hadn't been that sore after sex lately. Angel leaned back against the wall behind the bed and watched her move. She bent and opened a drawer. His eyes followed her every move. He was pretty sure she had no idea how perfect she looked, how beautifully she moved. He watched her as she dressed and then climbed back into bed.
"Enjoy the show?" she teased him. There was a small twinkle in her hazel eyes he hadn't seen in a while. He'd like to see them like that more often.
"You're beautiful," he said. She blushed and he smiled. Angel kissed her on the forehead and said, "You sleep. I'm going to get some clothes on." Buffy nodded and closed her eyes. She was asleep by the time he laid down next to her.
~
When Angel heard Joyce wake later that morning, he quickly left the bed and hid in the closet. Minutes later she entered Buffy's room and woke her daughter. Angel watched the two of them from his hiding spot. Buffy slowly woke and the two talked for a little while. Angel heard Joyce say she was going to be leaving for work in a little while and won't be home until six. He smiled. They could spend nine hours in bed together without any interruptions.
When Joyce left the room, Angel waited for the door to click shut and then walked back to the bed. He kissed Buffy lightly, not making any noise; Joyce was probably back in her own room, and the walls were thin. She would be able to hear any loud noises. He slipped back into the bed and Buffy rested her head on his chest.
"We get to spend the whole day together," she said softly. Underneath the covers, she traced her fingers over his bare chest.
"Yeah," he answered. He slid his hand up her thigh, pulling her nightgown up as he did so. Buffy's eyes widened and he sexily raised his eye brown at her. She giggled and he laughed, a little too loudly. Buffy shushed him, placing a finger over his lips, but still laughed. Angel nodded and kissed her finger.
They stayed like that for another half hour or so, until they heard Joyce leave the house and the car pull out of the drive way. Then Angel rolled them over and kissed her deeply. Buffy giggled into his mouth and was glad that her mother was working later than normal today.
~
Buffy and Angel spent the rest of the day making love and falling asleep in each other's arms. Buffy would wake to kisses and wandering hands and fall asleep to hushed words. Angel would spend hours watching her sleep. He could look at her forever, never tire of her golden skin and hair, never mind gazing into her hazel eyes.
When he started thinking like that, he felt his heart tighten and forced himself to stop. Things were growing between them. Emotions he didn't want to feel were rising to the surface. He tried to push them away, but every time he saw her, he felt it. Love. Angelus was beginning to fall in love with Buffy Summers.
He was changing. He was no longer Angelus, the scourge of Europe. He no longer found pleasure in torturing, maiming, and savagely killing innocents. He didn't however feel remorse for the hundreds of people he had killed. He didn't have a soul. He wasn't the whipped puppy he had been. It had been almost a year since he had lost his soul- a year since Buffy lost her virginity to Angel. He hated the idea of Soul Boy touching Buffy and her finding pleasure in it.
Angel looked at her again. His blonde Goddess. There was a pleasant smile on her lips. He kissed her forehead and laid down next to her. He wrapped his arms around her and she curled into his embrace. Buffy sighed in her sleep and Angel closed his eyes.
~
Buffy woke with a start. She'd been dreaming. Willow and Xander had stolen a diamond from a museum, but everyone thought Buffy had done it. Then a giant cop/demon thingy tied her up and forced her to do dishes. Then she had woken up. Although strange, she didn't think the dream was prophetic. She took a deep breath and looked around her room. Angel still lay dormant beside her. She looked at the clock. It was close to three and she hadn't eaten all day. Her stomach growled. A part of her was glad that she was hungry again for the first time in a month.
She slid out of the bed, careful not to wake Angel. She grabbed her robe and shut the door behind her. Once in the kitchen she made herself a sandwich and a cup of tea. As she ate she thought about the vampire sleeping in her bed up stairs. She loved him, that much was clear. But he didn't love her. She knew that there was something between them, something strong, but it wasn't love. Buffy closed her eyes and tried not to think about them. When she thought about them, she had an intense need to throw something. And she didn't think her mother would enjoy her plates being turned to shards. Buffy clenched her jaw and tried to relax.
~
Buffy climbed back into bed a half hour later. Angel slowly began to wake. Buffy leaned over him and ran her fingers over his eye brow. She traced her fingers over a small scare on his forehead. She'd never noticed it before. She suddenly wondered where he got it. As she moved her fingers, Angel began to open his eyes. He blinked a few times and the smiled at her. She smiled back.
"Hey sleepy head," she said. Angel slid an arm around her and pulled her down on top of him. Buffy squealed as she was pulled down on to his chest. She braced her arms on either side of his shoulders, her face only inches away from his.
Her lower body pressed into his. Angel slid his foot up her leg and she shivered in anticipation. They had already had intercourse four times, with plenty of orgasms in between. But she still wanted him. She could feel her body tighten with need and she ground her hips into his. She knew he wanted her, but he made no move to take her.
"Angel," moaned out. Her breath escaped her lips in harsh pants, her heart beating like a drum in her chest. She wanted him, so much, she didn't know how much longer she could stand it. "Please."
"Shhh," he whispered into his ear. He rolled them over and soon they were both moaning in pleasure. They looked each other in the eye as they reached their peak. Buffy breathed out his name.
They collapsed in a heap of exhausted limbs. They were both sweaty and tired. Rolling onto their sides, encircled in each others embrace. They stayed like that for a while when Buffy started to laugh.
Angel's brow furrowed in confusion, which caused Buffy to laugh harder. "What?" he asked, brushing her hair off her shoulder. He noticed her hair was stringy and matted. She would need a shower later. He smiled inwardly at the thought of bathing her.
Buffy took a deep breath. "It's nothing. I'm just going to be a little sore in the morning."
Angel's face was suddenly filled with compassion. He touched her cheek and asked, "Did I hurt you?"
Buffy shook her head. "No, no. It's just," she paused and blushed a little, "that people tend to be a little sore after that much sex." She giggled and kissed Angel lightly. Her lips tingled when he pulled away.
Angel's eyes took on a far away look for a moment, then he asked, "Your birthday is coming up isn't it?"
Buffy was taken a little aback. Her birthday was just under a month away. That meant it had been almost a year since Angel and her had first made love. and he had lost his soul. Her eyes clouded over for a second, but she took a deep breath and looked him in the eye. Now was not the time to morn him. While Angel had been her first love, and he still held a place in her heart, she knew he wasn't coming back.
And part of her was glad. She had admitted to loving Angelus, both to herself and to him. She had always known that Angel hated the demon part of himself, and he would hate that Buffy was able to love it. She doubted that, if he came back, their relationship would ever be the same.
After a moment she answered his question. "Yeah," she said. "I totally forgot."
"Oh," Angel urged her to lay her head on his chest. She curled up against him and he pulled the blankets around them. "well," he said, "don't plan anything big."
"Share," said Buffy, intrigue laced her voice.
"It's a surprise," he said. Angel kissed her on the top of her head. "Just don't plan anything that takes up that night."
~
It was nearing 6 o'clock-Joyce was do home at any minute- and Angel still hadn't left. He and Buffy were wrapped in each other's embrace, lost in a passionate kiss. Hands roamed under clothes, lips fluttered over skin. Angel's mouth moved from hers to trace her jaw line up to her ear as Buffy fount to regain her breath. Angel ran his tongue over the edge of her ear and nibbled. Chills ran over her and she giggled.
Buffy hadn't really done this with Angel before. Before he had lost his soul, they'd made out a few times, but they never lost control or got to deep into it. And after he had lost his soul, they were either fighting or fucking. But, since after the accident, he had been different towards her, and things had been more relaxed between them. He was being so nice to her, so loving. They'd been having fun. While most of the time was spent in bed, they could wake up next to each other-he had never spent the night before- and smile, rather than Buffy shying away. It felt nice. It felt like it should have if Angel hadn't lost his soul.
But Buffy was afraid that once she was back to full strength- and she would be soon- he would turn on her. Things would go back to the way they had been before. Part of her was afraid he was just building her up, only to break her down again
Buffy was forced to push that thought out of her mind when she heard the front door open. Her mother was home. Buffy pushed Angel away from her and sat up in bed, pulling the blankets around her.
"Shit," she said loudly. Angle swore in Gaelic and quickly scouted out of the bed. He gathered his clothing and pulled back Buffy's blinds. It was dark out. He pulled up the window. "I'll come by tomorrow at sundown." And then he was gone.
Buffy didn't have time to think. The minute Angel was out the window, Joyce opened Buffy's door. Buffy quickly laid down and pulled the covers around her tighter. "Hey," she said and calmly as possibility.
"Hi, Honey," said her mother. She sat down on the edge of the bed and stroked a piece of hair out of Buffy's face. "How are you feeling?"
"Better," said Buffy. She was feeling much better. She was still very sore-but she was pretty sure that had something to do with the sex- but she wasn't as stiff and her bruises and cuts were fading. She knew she would be able to go back to school tomorrow, but she was sure her mother wouldn't let her. Joyce had made it clear she wanted Buffy to stay home and rest for the rest of the week. Buffy was pretty sure she'd be getting more rest if she was at school.
"That's good," said Joyce. "I'm going to make us some dinner. Are you hungry?"
"Starved." And she was. Sex burns a lot of calories. Buffy watched her mother walk out the door and as soon as Joyce shut the door behind her, Buffy sighed. She rose out of bed, quicker than she should have, and she felt a small twinge in her side. She sat back down, holding her abdomen. Even though she and Angel had spent most of the day having sex, her body had been in a mostly horizontal position for the last four hours, even if she had been moving a little. So standing up so quickly had caused more pain. She took a deep breath and then rose to her feet slowly. After carefully pulling a baggy tee and crawled back into bed.
~
It was Sunday afternoon. The day was overcast and rainy. Joyce was out with some of her friends from the gallery for the day, and since the sun wasn't shining very brightly, Angel had come over. Buffy was going to be going back to school tomorrow.
Angel looked down at Buffy who was still trying to catch her breath. They'd both come at least three times. He smiled as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she looked at him again, she smiled back. "We're not going to get to do this as much any more," he said. His voice was soft and low, unlike the commanding, harsh tone she was used to.
"Yeah," she said. She raised her hand to run her fingers over his chest. He shifted his shoulder, and his muscled rippled. It was amazing that this creature could have so much power, but not be alive at all. There was no heart pounding in his hest under her fingers. Sorrow began to fill her at the thought that no love for her would ever make that heart beat, and she pulled her fingers away.
Angel sensed her mood change. He took her fingers and kissed each one. In between kisses he said, "You're getting stronger."
Fear began to build up in Buffy. A part of her had been afraid that after she was strong again, he would turn on her, begin acting like he had before. Hesitant, she pulled her fingers away and picked absently at her nailpolish that was in need of being redone. "Yeah, I am. I'll be able to patrol again next week, hopefully."
"I don't want you doing anything that might hurt you," he said softly. Angel leaned on his arm and looked at her. Her skin hard begun to glow again, and most of her bruises had faded. He didn't want to see her get hurt anymore.
"I'm sure I'll be fine," she said. Buffy rolled over and stroked his chest. She could see the clock behind him. It was just past three and her mom said she would be home late, since her friends and her were planning on going down to LA. She wanted Angel to spend the night again, but she really did need some sleep if she had any hope of returning to school tomorrow. But that didn't mean Angel had to leave right away. "How many times do you think we've had sex in the past week?"
Angel laughed. "Probably more times than we could count on both our fingers and toes." Buffy giggled and they kissed. Buffy let him roll them over. "Do you want to add to that number?"
"Yes," Buffy said breathily.
~ When Buffy walked into the library the next morning, tired, but happy, she was greeted by Willow and Giles. Xander was sitting at the table, looking at a comic book, seemingly uninterested in her return. She knew he was still upset about Angel. She doubted he would ever get over it. But she knew he wouldn't be mad at her forever. They were best friends, and she didn't think a thing like this would tear them apart.
"How are you feeling?" Giles asked.
"I'm good," she said. And she was. Her muscles had stopped hurting every time she moved and there were only a few open wounds left on her body. "I think I can start patrolling again."
"I think you should wait a little bit," Giles said. Buffy was about to argue, but she knew she would get nowhere.
"Well, I'm glad you're feeling better," said Willow. The redhead hugged her friend gently, afraid to that she would hurt her.
Buffy knew her friends would be gentle and hesitant with her for a while until they were sure she was fully healed. Buffy just sighed and looked at Xander. He was still looking at the comic book, still uninterested. "Hey Xand," Buffy said.
"Oh, hey Buf," he said, not looking up. He said nothing else.
"He's been like this since he found out about Angel," Willow said quietly. She felt bad for Xander, but she also felt like he was acting childish. He should get over his hatred for Angelus enough to be happy for Buffy. He should be glad that she hadn't died, and that she had possibly found happiness again.
"It's ok," said Buffy. She understood that it must be hard for him, and she figured only time would change his feelings toward Angelus. In fact, they all needed some time to adjust to everything that had happened.