Note: Instead of writing it in.. I'll just say right now that Buffy now has a walking cast and doesn't need crutches anymore.

Reviews:  Thanks all of you loyal readers for sending so many reviews. I really appreciate what you have to say. I'm glad you're enjoying it and I enjoy reading your reviews!  =)

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"Buffy, do you have any nice dresses?" Angel asked opening his closet door where she kept some of her things.

"Um, I have some nice things... how nice?" She asked.

"Very nice... slightly fancy, but it doesn't have to be to fancy." He replied.

Buffy squinted and in a low voice she said, "What for?"

He grinned and pulled her to her closely by her waist. Buffy gasped and giggled. "Because I'm taking you out tonight for dinner. Just you and me."

"Just you and me?" She grinned.

"You and me." He repeated giving her a half smile. "After everything that's happened I just wanted to take you out some place nice. What do you say?"

"Count me in." She wrapped her arms around his neck and put her face closer to his. "Where are we going?"

"Well, that's a surprise. Now about the dress... Should I buy you something today?"

"I'm sure I have something... nice. You just tell me if it's appropriate for where we're going tonight." Angel nodded as Buffy pulled out a red chiffon and satin dress. It was knee length and had spaghetti straps.

"It's perfect. I bet you'll amazing in this dress."

Buffy grinned, "Well, duh. What else did you think I bought it for?"

Angel laughed and looked at the clock, which read four o'clock. "We'll leave in about two hours. Now I know how you girls love to take forever to get ready for a date, so I'll just be downstairs watching TV."

"What about you?" She smirked.

He squeezed her arm lightly, "I'll be fifteen minutes at the most, but I do need to take a shower first.  Ok, so I'll take a shower downstairs if you need the bathroom up here."

Buffy suddenly kissed him passionately on the lips, wrapping her arms around his neck again.

"What was that for?" Angel smiled blinking.

"When you think out loud about something your face just looks really cute. I just had to kiss you." She chuckled. "You liked it right?" smiled seductively.

"Oh, yeah. I liked it a lot." He wrapped his arms around her waist, returning her an equally passionate kiss. "Now, go do that girly stuff you do before dates." He picked out a navy silk button down shirt and black dress slacks. He gave her a peck on the lips before leaving the room to the bathroom downstairs.

Buffy closed the door after him. She started humming to herself as she put red nail polish on her nails. She felt really happy at that moment and she had a feeling that this night might be the best night of her life or at least one of the best nights. When she was done with her fingers she painted her toenails the same color. After it dried she undressed completely, then she put on a robe. She figured Angel would be downstairs the whole time, so it would be ok to out like that. She went into the shower. When she got out she dried herself off, put her hair in a towel and put on the robe just as Angel was walking up the stairs. She opened the door and stepped out only to bump into Angel who swiftly caught her by the arms. Buffy chuckled, "Heh, sorry. I didn't expect anyone to be up here."

"I so wouldn't want my dad to see you like this... I bet you're practically naked under there." Angel smirked.

"You look handsome and actually... I am naked under here." She chuckled, "Wanna see?" She flirtatiously smiled and slowly started to pull at the strings of the robe teasingly.

Angel grabbed her hand, stopping her, "Hey... not in the hall. Also I don't want to see anything till we're ready...to you know."

"Right." Buffy then smiled, "But that doesn't mean we can't play. We can play without seeing the goods."

He tightened the strings of the robe, "Sweetie... as much as I want to, so badly. I want to wait to do all that fun stuff till after we make love. I know we've fooled around before, but now that I think about it... It'll be more amazing if we just wait."

She kissed his lips, "Thank you for being such a sweet gentleman. I'm going to go get ready now."

Angel smiled and watched her turn into her room, shutting the door after her. He walked back downstairs and called a restaurant. "Hello.... Yes, I'd like to make reservations please. . . No smoking for two in a secluded area please. 45 minutes? Perfect. Thanks, bye." He hung up and sat down on the couch sighing happily.

Thirty minutes later Buffy came into the living room with rosy lipstick, blush, a bracelet Angel had given her a long time ago and the dress. To top it off she had on killer shoes. They were red of course and showed off her nicely painted toenails. Angel gasped and stood up, "Buffy, wow... You look radiant... glowing."

"Thank you." She whispered, blushing.

Giles and Jenny came into the room. "Buffy you look wonderful."

"Thanks, Giles."

Giles quietly said to Angel, "Remember, no later than 1 o'clock. Don't forgot to pull out the chair for her, don't let the waiter do it."

Angel chuckled, "Thanks, dad. I promise, no later than 1 o'clock."

"Also... please, if you're going to drink wine.... no more than one glass. I don't want you to get into an accident."

"Ok. Thanks, dad."

Giles smiled, "Well, then.. have a great evening."

Jenny smiled, "You look great Buffy." She hugged her. "Have a great time tonight!"

Buffy gave her a wide smile, "Thanks so much for buying me the dress. I'll give you all the details tomorrow."

Angel put his arm around Buffy, "Well, shall we be going now?"

She grinned, "Yes, we shall."

Jenny shouted, "Oh wait hold on!"

She ran out of the room and came back with a camera. "C'mon... smile for me?"

They did and she took the picture.

       Angel put on a leather jacket and then the lovely couple drove off to the restaurant. Walking in Buffy looked around, "Angel, this place is amazing. This must have cost you a fortune."

"Don't worry about it, baby." He said to the host, "Reservation for Mr. O'Conner."

He looked through the book and said, "Ah, yes sir. Right this way." And with that he lead them to candle lit table in an area farther away from other people. Angel pulled out the chair for Buffy, "Thanks." She said as Angel pushed it back in as she sat down.

He in turn sat down in his own seat and a waiter came over.

"May I get you and the lovely lady a drink?" The waiter said, smiling.

"Buffy?"

She thought for a moment. She thought about asking for coke, but wine would seems like it would be better for this romantic setting. "Red wine, please." She smiled at Angel.

"I'll have the same."

The waiter nodded and left.

"Angel, this is so wonderful. How'd you get us this nice spot?"

"Dad is a friend with the owner." Angel smiled, "You like it?"

"I love it. I've heard so much about the food here. I can't wait to try something... hey can share a dish of spaghetti... like in Lady and the Tramp... maybe we'll get the same string and then we can kiss." Buffy grinned.

"Whatever you want, but I don't want you leaving this place hungry, so we're getting an appetizer."

Buffy smiled, "Sure thing boss."

"Here are your drinks." The waiter announced as he placed the wine in front of Buffy, then Angel. "May I take your order now or do you need a few minutes?"

Angel looked at Buffy who nodded. "We'd like the large portion of spaghetti with tomato sauce. We'll be sharing it. For an appetizer I'd like the muscles. Buffy?"

"I'll have a salad with vinegar."

"You're dinner will be hear shortly." The waiter said and left.

Buffy scrunched her nose; "I think the waiter was looking at me funny."

"He was probably looking at you funny because of your glowing beauty." Angel replied taking her hand in his and kissing it.

Her cheeks flushed from the sweet comment. Buffy then slipped off her shoe on the good foot and started rubbing Angel's leg sensually. She managed to get her foot inside his pants, moving it up and down. He could feel the heat rising in him slowly. He gave her a half smile. Buffy smiled innocently, "My shoe was bothering me, so I decided to take it off... You don't mind right?"

Angel let out a low chuckled, "No as a matter a fact I don't. But you know two can play at that game, missy."

With that said Angel untied his shoe with one hand, releasing his shoe. He then extended his leg to Buffy and started rubbing the side of her bare leg. She sighed because of the good feeling it gave her inside. She in turn moved her foot higher up her leg and landed between his thighs just below his groin. Angel felt him harden instantly. "You are something else." He smirked.

She smiled sweetly, "Yeah, I know.... it's just so hard to keep my hands off you." She smirked.

Angel laughed and then the waiter came. "He grinned."

"Here's your salad miss." The waiter said, putting Buffy's dish in front of her.

Angel smirked as he moved his foot up her thigh and lightly touching the sensitive area between her thighs. Buffy gasped and blushed, grabbing the edge of the table for fear of toppling over from the sensation. It was having the effect Angel was hoping for. "Are you all right dear?" Angel asked, grinning.

She closed her eyes tightly for a few seconds and squeaked, "Mmm-hmmm..."

"And here are the muscles sir." The waiter put the dishes in front of them. "I'll be back soon with your main course."

"Thank you." Angel said and then the waiter left.

Buffy hissed at him, "You, Angel O'Conner are so evil! Doing that in front of the waiter..." She lowered her leg down to his ankle.

He smiled, "I know, but you love me." He moved his foot to play footsies with hers.

"I do love you. So much that whenever you're not around I feel like I'm going to die." She said with a sparkle in her eyes.

"Every second away from you is a killer. I'm always wondering how you're feeling and what cute facial expressions you're making. You are a piece of my heart. My heart isn't whole unless we're together."

Buffy's eyes were glassy, "Me too... I only feel complete when I'm with you."

Angel smiled and kissed her hand.

Ten minutes later after having finished their appetizers, their main course came. "Enjoy." The waiter said. Buffy grinned, "Mmm...this looks good. She took her fork and swirled spaghetti, then eating it. "Angel?" She said softly after a few more portions of spaghetti.

"Hmm?" He looked at her.

"This is pretty random I know... and I'll understand perfectly if your answer is no, but I just feel this sudden need to ask... I don't if maybe it's the romantic setting or what that's made me think of this question. I just love you so much and I just need to know where this is going sides possibly making...Uh, I'm babbling."

"You look cute when you babble." He smiled, "Now, spill. What's your question."

"Do you think maybe one day... in the possibly not so far away future... You might want to marry me? I mean after all we're technically living together... we're a couple in high school and we share a bed. How many teenage couples do you know share the same bed in their parents' home? I mean we're practically married right now."

"You're babbling again." Angel said, quietly and Buffy smiled.

"Yeah... So?"

"I do want to marry you Buffy. When we're out of high school and the time is right I will surprise you. And one day we'll move into a place of our own where. A nice cozy place with a pool and a backyard... you know like the house we live in now." He smiled.   Then he pulled a velvet box out of his pocket.  "There's something I want to give you." He opened it. "It's not an engagement ring... It's a Claddagh ring.  The hands represent friendship, the crowns represent loyalty, and the heart... well, you know. It represents my love for you. You wear it with the heart pointing towards you. It means you belong to somebody.  Like this." He showed her his hand which now wore a claddagh ring. I'm yours, forever."  Angel put it on her finger.

       "And I am yours forever.  Thank you...it's so pretty and thoughtful."  Buffy smiled, "Wow, I am the luckiest girl in the world to have met a guy like you. To grow up with you in my life."

       Angel smiled, "Well, I'm pretty damn lucky to have met you too."

       "You've done so much for me... I don't know if you fully realize what an amazing and caring person you are.  You were always protective of me since middle school.  Then all this horrible stuff happens to me and you are right by my side... you take me into your home and my sister." She smirked, "You make me breakfast.  I don't know how I can ever make it up to you."

       "You don't have to do anything, Buffy." He smiled and caressed her cheek.  "You're a beautiful, caring and graceful woman who deserves to be cared for.  After seeing what Hank did to you, I just had to make sure that whatever damage was done wasn't permanent. You know mentally... sometimes people are just scarred because of being abused."

       She frowned slightly at the serious topic, "Angel, I'm not really fully healed yet. My scars haven't really vanished yet."

       "I know... and part of the reason is probably because Hank is still a threat.  There is still a battle to be won. And Buffy once it's won you'll probably begin to heal a lot faster. Plus you have me to keep you safe at night." He smiled.

       Buffy smiled, "I know. You'll keep me safe and warm in every possible way." After taking another bunch of spaghetti strings, she shivered.

       "Are you cold?" He asked concerned.

       "Just a little, but I'm fine." Buffy said rubbing her arms.

       Angel got up and took his jacket off the chair.  He went around to Buffy and placed it over Buffy's shoulders. "Here... How's that?"

       "Better, thanks." She smiled up at him as he went back to his seat.  "I love this jacket."

       "Keep it." Angel said.

       "No, I couldn't... it's leather and it's your favorite jacket."

       "Nonsense... If you like it, it's yours..." He smiled, "As long as you promise to share it."

       Buffy gave him a beautiful smile, showing all of her teeth. "Of course."

       "How is you leg." He asked.

       "It's doing much better. The doctor said that I can have the cast off by next week! I can't wait. The thing is so annoying, especially when I shower.  I try to keep it from getting what, but sometimes it does.  My leg is probably going to have a major case of mildew." She said, giggling.

       Angel smirked, "Yeah... mildew can be pretty tough to get rid of.  Hey, I forgot to tell you. Last week I go a job at a bookstore.  I work with a really cool Irish guy. His name is Doyle. I bet you'd like him."

       "That's cool, but now I'm going to see you less." She pouted.

       "Aw, don't worry, sweetie.  I'm only working on Mondays and Wednesdays, so you'll still get to see me plenty of times.  Plus don't forget you get to see me every night before you go to sleep." He raised an eyebrow.

       "You're right. It's no big.  I can live two days without seeing you... Hey, how come last Monday and Wednesday you weren't at work...because you were definitely with me."

       "I started with training on Sunday.  It wasn't very long.  Doyle called me on Wednesday to tell me my schedule."

       "How'd you get such an easy schedule?" Buffy asked.

       Angel smirked, "Two reasons.  1: They aren't very busy  2: I told him that I had a high maintenance girlfriend who required a lot of tender loving care."

       Buffy playfully slapped Angel's shoulder. "Hey..."

       "I'm sorry, I was just kidding. I didn't tell him that." He smiled.  Then his gaze softened and his face became serious. Buffy smiled.  "I just have this sudden need to kiss you... Can I please kiss you now?"

       "What were you waiting for... kiss me." She smiled.

       They both leaned over and their lips locked in a passionate kiss.  When they pulled apart their eyes slowly opened.  "That was sweet." She whispered.

       "Mmm... it was. Did I mention I love you?" He asked, grinning.

       "Oh, about a zillion times.  I love you too."

       Just thirty minutes later they were done eating and had Cookie Dough Fudge Mint Chip ice cream for dessert.  Then they were out the door to head home.  During the beginning of the trip home Buffy was looking out the window dreamily.  Then at some point she leaned her head on Angel's cushioning shoulder and fell into a peaceful sleep.

       Arriving in the driveway of his home, he shut off the engine and opened his door.  He positioned Buffy to be in a position sitting up straight, carefully so as not to wake her. He got out, closing his own door and opened hers.  Gently he scooped her into his arms and shut her door.  To him, Buffy looked like an angel and she was incredibly cute when she yawned in her sleep. Smiling to himself he opened the door to their house and went up their room, shutting their bedroom door.  Angel wasn't sure if Buffy would be okay with him undressing her even though they were pretty close to making love. He picked one of his really large t-shirts and put it over her head and pulled it down over her.  Then he slowly slid the straps off her shoulders and down her arms.  Then he put her arm through the sleeves of his shirt and pulled the shirt down and then pulled the dress down and off of her.  

       He laid the dress on a chair carefully. Then he pulled back the covers and laid her in them.  He smiled at her.  She looked so peaceful. He was surprised she didn't wake up before.  "Hmm." He murmured. Maybe it was the wine.  Angel sat down on the bed and unbuttoned his shirts and kicked off his shoes, then pulling off his socks.  He stood up, pulling off his pants, leaving them on the floor. Now only in his boxers he put an undershirt on and slipped into bed beside sleeping beauty.  Angel kissed her cheek, "Goodnight, beloved. Sweet dreams."

       Slowly he dozed off as Buffy still asleep, turned towards him and put an arm over him.  She sighed happily with a big smile on her angelic face.

TBC. :)  Hope you liked the date.

Found the dress at:

  = dresses.com - Smooth Operator/A