Angel was the first to wake up after their confrontation with Spike "Perfection" he said aloud, smugly satisfied that no one could love Buffy like he did. Gazing lovingly at the petite blonde sleeping soundly in his arms, he smiled. Just as quick, the smile vanished "perfection is getting to be with the one you love" he said bitterly.
When do I get to earn my humanity? He thought, remembering the prophecy he, Cordelia and Wesley once read. That was years ago, I've saved many people since then. Buffy stirred in his arms, snuggling deeper into his embrace. The clock on the nightstand read 2:00. He was much to rested to stay in bed, but his reluctance to let her out of his arms was stronger than his reserve to get up.
At knock at the door jarred his thoughts "what?" he asked, wishing everybody would leave him alone and let him enjoy this time. "Angel" Fred peered around the door. "Come in Fred" he said "what's up?"
Fred had worked for him for several years now "sorry to interrupt boss," she said meekly "but there is a phone call for you, someone named Xander".
"I'll get it, tell him to hold on" Angel instructed easing away from Buffy. Replacing the covers over her, he followed Fred out of the room, quietly closing the door behind him. Buffy had always been the strong one, he wasn't used to her being incapacitated like she was currently.
"So that's the slayer" Fred said "I thought she'd be bigger". Angel laughed "that's exactly what I told her the first time I saw her". Angel remembered the first time he actually met Buffy, she was a 16-year-old bit of nothing, that knocked him for a loop. "surprised me too" he chuckled "but there's a lot of power in the little body".
When they reached his office, Angel turned off "thanks Fred" he said, picking the phone up "Xander" he spoke into the base, "what can I do for you?"
"Have you seen or heard from Buffy" Xander asked, skipping the usual hey dead man comment "we haven't heard from her since she left New York". Angel could sense the concern in Xander's Voice. "She's here with me" Angel told him "but she is sleeping right now, doctor's orders".
"Doctor's orders" Xander questioned "did something happen to Buffy?" Angel told him about finding Buffy in a feverish condition and of her stay at the hospital. "The doctor let her come home with me" Angel told the other guy, "but she is in no shape to travel".
"you..uh you guys didn't..ya know.." Xander trail off. Angel drew an exasperated breath "of course not Harris," he said "if she's too sick to travel, do you really think she's healthy enough for that?" Angel sat down in his chair, shaking his head "how is Dawn?" he asked.
"we're fine" Xander answered sarcastically "thanks for asking". Counting to ten before he spoke again, Angel responded "Harris, I figured you were fine, and Buffy would want to know about Dawn". Before Xander could respond, Dawn grabbed the phone from him "Angel" she said softly "you're Buffy's Angel, right?"
Angel acknowledged that he was "You're going to keep her there right?" she asked. "Yes, she has been really out of it, so she isn't going anywhere for awhile" Angel said. He could hear the relief in her voice "good, because we're coming to you guys."
Angel heard Xander protest that thought, but like her sister, Dawn knew how to handle to Scooby gang "we'll be there tomorrow" she said. "call me when you get in, I'll send someone for you" Angel instructed. After a few moments of reassuring her that Buffy was fine and would be here tomorrow, he hung the phone up.
"who was that?" Buffy spoke from the doorway. She looked unsteady and ready to drop, so Angel bolted from his chair and caught her just as she began to sway "What are you doing up?" he demanded. "I'm tired of being in bed" she protested "being in bed is for sick people."
"And for those who can barely stand because their immune system is being attacked by a virus" Angel said pointedly. With a resigned sigh, Buffy leaned against him, she was feeling weak. Angel didn't trust that she would be able to make it back to the room, so he scooped her up into his arms and carried her.
"who was on the phone?" Buffy asked again. "your sister" he told her "she and Harris are coming to L.A. tomorrow". Buffy relaxed against the headboard of Angel's bed "she needs to stay in New York" Buffy protested. "that's what Xander tried to tell her, but it seems she is a lot like her sister" Angel grinned "handles him well".
Buffy smile a wan smile "she learned from the best". Angel thought about that for a moment "what does she know about me?" he asked. "I told her some things, but not everything" Buffy admitted "most of it was "G" rated".
Angel looked concerned "don't worry, she knows you're a vampire and she knows that I love you, that's all she needs to know to like you". Angel smiled "that's all I need to know too" he said "now rest, maybe you'll feel like eating later."
Angel covered her up and started for the door "Stay with me" she held her hand out to him. Angel retraced his steps to the bed "always" he said, taking her into his arms. Buffy instantly fell asleep, her head cradled against his chest when will I be free to love her? he thought to himself because I am ready now!