Title: Only Time (4/?)

Author: Doc; OnlyTime@eternal.ws

Disclaimer: I don't own anyone! Joss own's the Scoobies and the A.I. gang. (He better have Xovers or he's gonna be getting a little suprise from me in the mail...if ya get my drift...JK...don't send out the secret police or anything...Pretty please)

Dedication: To all my loyal feedbackers...You like me, you really like me! hehe..

Feedback: Repeat after me...I (state your name) solemnly swear to send Doc feedback, and I accept the fact that if she doesn't get feedback from me, she will not be held responsible for the rash acts she may do (I.E. Not ever writing again) Do you get it? I want Feedback...Pretty Please w/ nekkid Angel's on top?

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Buffy looked over at Angel and saw him standing awkwardly in the doorway.

"What are you doing?"

"Well, um, you have to invite me in."

"Ok, well, come on in." *Odd much*

"Make yourself at home. It won't take me long to pack."

Angel sat down in the chair that was in the corner. He watched her move around the small room. She hadn't changed much. She still walked the same, talked the same, but her eyes looked tired, and weary. He was torn between his head and his heart. When he'd seen her lying on the doorsteps, he had wanted to take her in his arms and hold her so that she wouldn't disappear. Wouldn't just vanish like she had before. One minute she had been in the world, and the next, she was in some portal having the life sucked out of her. He rubbed his eyes.

"You ok?"

He looked up at her angelic face. God how he'd missed her. He wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her breathless and make her see how much he had missed her and how his life was miserable and meaningless without her, but he just sat there in that chair, staring at her beauty.

"I'm fine. How are you doing? I know its all a lot to take in."

She looked into the chocolate pools that were his eyes. She had the sudden urge to run into his arms and let him kiss her breathless. She had missed him, she realized. The way he looked in the moonlight. The way he moved, like a panther through the night. The way he could look straight into her soul and always knew exactly what she was thinking. She missed him. Her Angel. She smiled.

"A little tired, but I'm holding up. What's the story with Dawn?"

Angel's expression changed from content, to worried. In the years that she been living under the same roof with him, he had come to think of her as his little sister. They shared problems, and gave one another advice and he acted like the over protective brother. He loved her, and every time he looked at her, he had been reminded of his love. Her spirit, her perseverance, her sense of humor. She was all he had had left of Buffy, and he clung to her like a life preserver. She had never gotten over the fact that her sister had died to save her. She cried herself to sleep every night, that he knew. Giles had taken her to a shrink about a year after it had happened and she'd been on anti-depressants ever since. She went on with her life, but the spark that she had once had, went out when Buffy had died. When they had been talking with Buffy earlier, he thought he had seen that spark return.

"Angel?"

"Oh, sorry. Buffy, Dawn's hard to read. If you're worried that she's upset or something that you're back, she's not. She happier than I've ever seen her. She's been so depressed ever since your death. She has the idea that it was her fault. She caused it some how. I've tried to tell her a million times that its not, but she just won't listen."

"I don't understand, why would it be her fault. I thought Giles was saying, well, I don't really understand anything that comes out of his mouth, but, that like it was my choice."

She sat down on her bed and began folding clothes.

"Buffy, there's a lot you don't understand about who you were. Do you remember anything? Any of the battles you fought, the great things you did for this world? When you died, you saved the entire world from being taken over by Hell."

Buffy looked at him blankly. She remembered bits and pieces. She remembered her graduation. Blowing up her high school. Oddly enough, a really big snake. She remembered the feel of wood in her hand, and the need to hunt. The high she got after a good kill. Mostly, she remembered Angel. Their make out sessions behind gravestones or mausoleums. The night they had made love. When he was Angelus, and the sound of steel scraping against bone as she sent her beloved to Hell. She remembered not being able to breath when he told her that he didn't want his life to be with her. And the feeling of his fangs piercing her throat and her blood being drawn out of her body when she had forced him to drink. She remembered the one perfect day they had together. The Mohrah, the pier, that kiss, the kitchen table.

"Angel, you're not like, normal are you?"

She already knew what the answer would be. She just wanted it confirmed. She was having a hard time dealing with all these supernatural whosits.

"Buffy I'm...a vampire. I killed a girl, a gypsy. Her clan cursed me with a soul. I haven't killed a human since that day. And now I'm having deja vu."

She smiled at him. He was cute when he babbled. Hell, he was cute all the time.

"Well, I'm almost done here. Where is that bell boy."

They heard a knock at the door.

"Speak of the devil. Will you grab the two bags that are in the bathroom?"

Angel nodded and got up. Buffy went over and opened the door.

"Hello Ms. Summers. Got your bags ready?"

"Yep. Angel, you ready?"

He walked out of the bathroom and handed the bags to the bellboy.

"Yeah."

Angel helped Buffy with her coat and after all the bags were loaded onto the cart, they headed out the door.

~~~~~~

Dawn was in her room lying on her bed staring at the ceiling. The events of the night had been sinking in for the last 2 hours. The one person who had uberly screwed her life over was now back and the part of her that wanted to scream, "Why did you have to put me through this hell," was being drowned out by the part of her that was overjoyed her sister was back. Tara had come up to check on her earlier, but when she asked if she was ok, Dawn had stayed silent. She didn't want to talk to anyone. She was suppose to meet him over an hour ago. She knew he'd be worried, but she didn't really give a damn. She got up and threw on a pair of jeans and her favorite black, backless top. She put on her leather jacket, which was oddly enough the one that Angel had given to Buffy. She had adopted it after her death. It smelled of both Buffy and Angel, her family. Angel had taken her under his wing after everything had happened, and she'd come to think of him as a big brother type. Whenever Giles was being overly logical, or Willow and Tara were too caught up in their own relationship to talk, she knew she could always go to him. She loved him. She had always loved him, and it had hurt her deeply when he had left Sunnydale. She had secretly called him every once in a while just to talk. She never told Buffy because she knew she'd blow up and go overboard about it. She grabbed her bag and walked out of her room and downstairs.

"Dawn. Are you alright."

"I'm going out. I'll be back later tonight."

"Dawn, would you pl--"

"I have my cell if you need me. I'm meeting some friends at Caritas."

She walked out into the night. She walked the 6 blocks to Caritas and paid the bouncer.

"Hey Dawn. Long time no see."

"Hey Bud."

She walked into the club and was welcomed by a really hairy looking demon singing a Shania Twain song. She saw Lorne sitting at the bar talking to someone. She could feel him watching her, and she started looking in the shadows for him. She felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist.

"Hello pet. Looking for some action?"

Her stomach did that familiar flip-flop that it always did when he was around.

"I'm meeting someone. Tall, peroxide and handsome, seen him around?"

"Doesn't sound like you're type."

"That's why he's so perfect."

She turned around and looked up into his icy blue eyes. It was so good to see him again. They'd been talking on the phone for the past few weeks while he'd been in Sunnydale. He'd been traveling back and forth between Sunnydale and LA ever since the gang had moved. He'd promised the Slayer that he'd take care of her little sis and he always kept his promises; well, most of the time.

"I'm thirsty, let's get a drink."

She led him over to where the Host was sitting.

"Dawn. Looking beautiful as ever. How are you?"

She hugged him.

"I'm hangin in there. Some new developments in the works, but I'm dealing."

"Who's Blondie?"

"Spike's the name, and if you ever call me Blondie again I'll rip your tongue out."

"Oh, you'd enjoy that wouldn't you chip boy."

"How'd he.... what are you psychic?"

"To a point. I read people well. Dawnie, where's Angelcakes tonight?"

"Out. Just like us. I'll talk to you later."

"Dawn, whatever you're up to I don't think Angel, or anyone else in that little family of yours is going to like it."

"I don't care if they like it. It's my life."

"Just promise me you'll be careful."

"Always."

Spike and Dawn walked out of the bar.

"I'm so sick of everyone knowing what's best for me. I wish they'd just let me live my own life."

"What's up with you Nibblet? You're all tense and angrier than usual."

He stopped walking and pulled her to him. Her pulse was racing and her cheeks were flushed.

"It's nothing."

"Doesn't seem like nothing. Seems like a big something. Come on, we tell each other everything."

Her lower lip started trembling and her eyes brimmed.
"Can I ask you a question?"

He nodded.

"What would you do if Buffy came back?"

She saw pain flash in his eyes, but it was only for an instant. He let go of her and turned away.

"Buffy was...she was like you. No matter what you or Will, or even Xander thought, I did love her. It hurt me bad when she died. Hell, I even thought about greeting the sun a couple of times. But, then I started getting to know you more, and I started falling in love with you. Bloody hell, I sound like my poof of a sire. Why are you asking me this?"

"Because...because she is back. Here. In LA."

He stared, dumbfounded at her for a long moment.

"What?"

"She doesn't really remember, its like she got amnesia, really bad amnesia. She says she's born and raised in New York. She's here on business. It's all so confusing. She saw a guy from High School about a week ago and she started having like memory flashes. We found her on the front doorstep of the Hotel today. She had fainted because of the visions. Spike, say something."

She had been debating on whether or not to tell him all night. She was afraid that if he knew Buffy was back, then he'd stop loving her and go back to his old ways. She started crying. He turned around and pulled her into a hug.

"Don't cry luv. It's going to be ok. You've got big sis back now. Which, well, for me isn't so good, but its great for you. Don't fret. It'll work out. I'll be there for you if you need me."

She looked up at him.

"I was scared. Scared to tell you."

He looked at her, puzzled.

"Why?"

"I thought you'd realize that you didn't really love me. I was afraid I would loose you."

"Dawn, look at me."

He turned her face up towards his and locked eyes with her.

"You will never loose me. I love you more than I ever loved Buffy. With Buffy, it was about...it was about physical love, I guess you'd call it. I loved her because I knew she was the one thing I couldn't have. She was a challenge. But you. Dawn, you. I love you because you make me happy. You love me for who I am. You accept me for me."

She smiled at him and pulled him into another hug. She pulled away from him and their lips were centimeters apart. She closed the gap and felt his cool lips on hers. Their tongues dueled and she knew her lips would be bruised tomorrow, but she didn't care. All she cared about was having the man she loved kiss her right then and there. She tried to put all her love for him into that one kiss. He pulled back to give her air.

"Would you like to walk me home?"

"Um, I'm not exactly welcome."

"They've gotta find out about us sooner or later. Maybe it'll jog Buffy's memory and she can yell at me, just like old times."

She smiled sweetly at him.

"It's your funeral pet. Possibly mine if Peaches gets angry enough."

They started walking towards the Hotel.

~~~~~

"Geez Buff, you never did travel light."

Willow elbowed him.

"Ow. I was just sayin."

"Yes, well, Buffy, just make yourself at home. You're among family here."

Giles smiled at her. She was starting to remember more and more.

"Where's Dawn?"

"Um, she went out. She was meeting some friends at Caritas."

Angel looked up.

"Giles, I told you I didn't want her going there without one of us."

"I called Lorne and told him to keep an eye on her."

Angel grabbed his duster.

"I'm gonna go get h--"

"Hey, I'm back."

Angel looked over at the door, stunned.

"What are you doing here?"

"What? Not happy to see me Peaches? Heard the Slayer was back, thought I'd drop in and say hello."

"Dawn, explain. Now!"

"Keep your fangs on. First, all of you, especially Angel, have to promise not to go stake happy on Spike."

Everyone nodded and a few 'sure's' and 'yes's' were heard.

"Well, ever since Buffy's death and the move to LA, me and Spike have gotten really close, as in dating and stuff. I love him and he loves me. I know that none of you like him or will ever approve of this, but I'm happy. We're both happy."

Angel just stood, speechless. He couldn't believe that Dawn was doing this. *What is it with the Summer's women and vampires?*

"Spike, do you have anything to say?"

Willow had always been the rational one, but when it can to Dawn she always put on her 'Mother-Knows-Best' face.

"Well, I do love Dawn and like she said, we make one another happy."

"Anything else?"

"Um, please don't kill me?"

He heard Angel growl and he looked over at Buffy. Buffy was staring at him.

"What?"

"You're Spike."

"Oh, yeah, Nibblet here tells me she's gone all amnesia on us. How ya doin Buff."

She looked at him disgusted.

"Stay away from my sister."

"Buffy."

"Dawn, don't argue with me. You don't know what you're doing."

"So it's ok for you to be in love with a vamp, but it's not for me? Someone's a hypocrite. I knew none of you would understand."

Dawn grabbed Spike's hand and turned to leave.

"Dawn, wait."

She stopped and turned to look at her sister.

"Look, why don't we sit down and talk about this instead of just having a yelling match. I want things to be ok between us. I don't wanna loose my sister again."

Dawn's eyes brimmed and she walked over and hugged Buffy. Buffy turned to look at Angel.

"Now, let's sit down and talk this out like adults, ok Angel?"

He still looked angry, but he nodded and took a seat. Dawn told them how after Buffy's death Spike had been the only one she felt she could talk to. He listened to her and didn't treat her like a child. Angel got a little angry when she told them that when she had said she was going out on dates with Brice, she had actually been meeting Spike. They talked for the next few hours, and after everyone had said their spill, Buffy and Angel decided that even though they didn't agree with Dawn's decision, they would permit it under many, many conditions.

Later that Night

Dawn heard a soft knock on her door.

"Come in."

Buffy slowly opened the door.

"Hey."

"Hey."

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. You know, you're totally different."

"How so?"

"Well, three years ago you would have pulled your stake out and staked Spike right when he walked in the door with me. Can I ask you something?"

"Sure. Anything."

"Do you remember our mom?"

Angel had showed Buffy a picture of her mother earlier and she had gotten some flashes. Flashes that she wished she could forget, and some that she would cherish.

"A little. I remember the way I felt when I found her and that entire day. I also remember how she use to make me pancakes and fudge. Why do you ask?"

Dawn let out a sigh and lay back on her bed.

"The other day I was sitting in Angel's office looking through some spell books and I was trying to remember what she smelled like, and how she looked when she laughed, and Buffy, I couldn't. I remember what she looked like, I mean, I have pictures for that, but I can't remember the sound of her laugh or, you know, just simple things. It's just getting harder."

"Dawn, I know I don't remember a lot about our mom, but, what I do remember, is wonderful."

"Tell me about your family."

"Well, I was an only child, but with Wilson around I always felt like I had a brother. My parents were great. My dad had a heart attack about 2 years ago and died. I was devistated. But, I grieved and I got on with my life. It was hard though, not having my daddy around."

"Our dad doesn't really give a care about me. He came to mom's funeral and then left me with Giles. I wouldn't wanna live with him anyway. Ever have any serious boyfriends?"

"Well, in High School, I didn't date a lot. I was hell bent on being a lawyer, so my life mostly consisted of schoolwork and grades. I've dated a little over the years, but not much."

"You're already back in love with him."

Buffy looked at her, puzzled. She wasn't really though, she knew exactly what she was talking about.

"Who?"

"Don't play dumb Buffy Anne Summers. You know full well who. Angel ya big dummy. You're totally making gaga eyes at him."

Buffy smiled and blushed.

"Well, I suppose some girls might think he's a hottie...if they have eyes, alright, he's a honey."

Both girls giggled.

"So, who's this Wilson guy you're talking about?"

"Oh, he's my best friend back in New York. We grew up together. He's like my brother. I love him to death."

"Maybe I can meet him sometime."

"Oh, I totally forgot to call him to tell him I was moving. He'll be worried."

"Well, go call him. I need to get to sleep anyway. I have school tomorrow."

She kissed Dawn on the forehead.

"Goodnight Dawnie."

"It's been a long time."

"What?"

"Since you called me Dawnie."

"I love you."

"Buffy, I'm so glad you're back. I love you too. Promise me...promise me you won't leave again."
"Promise."

Buffy walked out of her room and shut the door quietly. She walked downstairs and headed for the phone.

"She asleep?"

She jumped.

"Getting that way. What are you doing up? Oh, the whole creature of the night thing?"
"Old habits die hard. Who you gonna call this late?"

"Wilson. He doesn't know where I am. He'll be worried."

"Oh. You two ar..."

"We're just friends Mr. Jealous."

He did that little half smile that made her pulse speed up about 20 paces.

She picked up the phone and dialed his number.

"Hello?"

"Hey Wilson, it's Buff. Listen, I've had a weird occurrence happen and I'm stay somewhere else."

"What? Where are you Buffy?"

"I'm at the..."

She whispered to Angel.

"What's this place called?"

"Hyperion."

"...Hyperion Hotel in LA."

"Are you ok? Do I need to come get you?"

"No, I'm fine. Just met some old friends that I use to know."

"Who?"

"Wil, listen, I'm fine and I'll be home soon. How's Trinity?"

"Friskier than ever. She misses you I think."

"Give her a kiss for me. I'll be home soon. Love ya, bye."

"Love ya too, bye Buff."

She hung up and walked over to sit next to Angel.
"Why don't you go get some rest? You look beat."

She laughed quietly.

"What? And leave you all alone down here with your thoughts? I don't think so. Besides, I'm wired, oddly enough."

He laughed.

"That's new for you."

"What?"

"Laughing. Smiling too. I don't remember you doing that a lot. What changed."

"Tons. Cordy, Wes, Gunn. Then Dawn and Willow. We've all been through a lot, but together, we made it and stayed strong. You don't know how much you've been missed Buffy."

"I'm starting to get the impression, um, a lot. I don't wanna leave Dawn again. Or you."

She entwined her fingers with his.

"Buffy..."

"Don't be Mr. Logic tonight, just sit here with me. You know, I haven't been dating a lot. There's always been this mystery man in the back of my mind that I compared all the guys I ever met to. He was you Angel."

"Things can never be like they were in the beginning, before.."

"Before you went all evil, I know that. Believe me from what I remember I don't want that to happen again. And, it won't. But, there is a chance for us to start over."

"Buffy, I have something to tell you."

She moved from lying on his chest to looking at him.

"Last year, um, Willow and Tara were messing around with some spells. They had been researching some really ancient works, and they came across one that they thought might bind my soul. On a long shot, we performed it and it worked. I don't have to worry about Angelus any more."

She looked at him. He was afraid that she'd be angry, although he didn't know why.

"That's great. I wish we could have found out before, you know, everything happened. Things might have turned out differently."

"I should have been there that day. I should have been there helping you fight that bitch from Hell. But, I wasn't. I was off in another dimension enjoying the sun and being hap..."

She put her finger to his lips.

"Shhh. That doesn't matter now. If what Giles said was true and this was meant to happen, then there was no way you could have saved me anyway. You've been telling Dawn the past few years that it wasn't her fault, and I think you need to take your own advice."

"I missed you. More than I've ever missed anything in my entire life. Buffy, I don't want you to go away again."

He pulled her towards him and kissed her softly on the lips. She returned the kiss hungrily. She never wanted it to end, but, being a human and all, she needed to breath. This was what she had been waiting for all these years. He pulled away from her.

"Um, I'm sorry, I was.."

"Sorry?"

"Um, not for the kiss itself."

"Good because, well, as far as kisses go, that was pretty amazing."
"I'm sorry I just.."

"Angel, don't be sorry. It was nice. Felt like old times."

She smiled and lay back on his chest again.

"You know I was thinking that maybe if we wanna know what's going on, we could go visit the oracles tomorrow night. See what mischief they've been up to."

"You know about the oracles?"

"I remember that Thanksgiving Angel. Your heart beating. The ice cream. The passion. I remember it all. It was the happiest day of my life. Well, my other life. I'm so confused."

"Calm down. It'll come to you. You know I didn't want to do what I did. I only did it because I thought it was what was best for your future."

"I know. I knew that then. I just didn't want to except that to have a good future, I had to give you up."

"I know. Me too."

"Angel, do you think we could start over? Have a new beginning?"

"What about New York?"

"Don't worry about it. I don't want to leave you or Dawnie, or Willow, or any of you."

"What about Wilson and your parents."

"Well, maybe mom could move into a place with me down here. Wilson could deal without me."

"What about your da.."

"My dad? He died a couple years ago. Heartattack."

"I'm sorry."

"I grieved, I dealt, I'm over it. I still miss him though."

"Do you remember your mother?"

"Bits and pieces. Dawn and I were talking about her. She's scared because she's starting to forget her."

"I know. I hardly remember my family. They're just shadows in a long forgotten past."

"So, tomorrow night, oracles."

"Yes, and maybe they can give us some answers to whatever's going on. Why do you think they did this."

All he got was silence.

"Buffy?"

He looked down and noticed that she had dozed off. He kissed her forehead and settled down to sleep himself, his beloved back in his arms.

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