Disclaimer: Joss owns everything to do with BTVS. Not me, sadly. Although I'd like to, I'd be rich and could be having fun with the cast of my show. Not wishing. *Sigh*

Title: Tired Hearts

Chapter 1: desperate need for a break

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Joyce looked her daughter who was curled up into a ball. Never had Buffy been so quiet, she had been though a tough week. Joyce hated seeing her eldest daughter like this. She shut the door quietly and walked downstairs. Her youngest daughter was staying at a friend's that night, making the house seem silent. She made herself a cup of coffee and sat down to think of a way to make Buffy happy again.

Buffy awoke as her mother closed the door, as she turned, she looked at the clock. It was seven o'clock. At this time on a Friday night, she would usually be getting ready to go out Bronzing with Angel. The though of him made her wince. A pain shot though her stomach and she began to sob quietly. Her face was bruised and her arm was sore. Buffy's heart ached as she went though the other night in her head.

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Buffy was wearing her little red dress. She brought it especially it was her 1 year anniversary with Angel. She wanted to look as sexy as she could, and she had succeeded. Her hair was up with loose strands hanging down in small curls. Her make-up complimented her complexion. She smiled as she thought of her plan; Angel would take her to the Bronze then after they would go back to his new apartment and she would finally give up her virginity to him. She chuckled to herself; she must be the oldest virgin in Sunny Dale. She was snapped out of her thoughts when she heard the doorbell. She walked calmly downstairs, checked herself in the mirror and opened the front door.

Angel looked gorgeous

"Hiya Buff." He said casually, He lent past his blushing girlfriend and looked over her shoulder

"Hey Mrs Summers!" he shouted towards the kitchen.

He always was polite to Buffy's mother. Such a charmer as Joyce had once called after him. He turned his back and walked towards the car ignoring Buffy's obvious beauty. Slightly embarrassed Buffy got in the passenger seat as they headed towards their destination. After the car had been started up and they had been driving for a few minutes Buffy leaned over and kissed her handsome boyfriend. He swatted her away and mumbled something about concentrating on driving.

"Happy anniversary honey." Buffy tried again. Something seemed wrong. Angel was often like this though; distant and mysterious.

All her friends from school (which weren't many) were jealous of the couple so obviously made for one another. Buffy turned her head to look outside at the other cars behind them, trying to keep herself occupied in the awkward silence. At the back of the car something pink caught her eye. She leaned over and pulled the cloth from its position jammed in-between the car seat. Angel didn't once look to see what his girlfriend was doing.

"W-W-What the hell are these!" Buffy exploded. This made Angel jump causing the car to swerve into another lane of the road and a pissed off driver honk his horn violently.

"Well, What the hell are they!" she yell twice at loud, angered by Angel ignoring her first question. Angel pulled the car over and put it into park.

That's when he turned around and faced her.

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Buffy was snapped out of her thought as her mother for the second time that night entering her room. Buffy let out a sigh as she watched her mother's expression.

"I'm really not up for a pep talk thanks mom. Anther time yea?"

"I'm not here to give you a hard time. Buffy I'm worried." Joyce said with concern.

"Mom." Buffy cut in "your always worried."

"Buffy" Joyce continued, "I've been thinking. Maybe you need a break."

"What?" Buffy asked in a confused voice.

"I want you to get away. Away from Sunnydale, away from boys and away from family." Joyce said carefully. She didn't want to upset Buffy. She was in a fragile state.

"I think you need time to yourself." Buffy seemed interested so Joyce continued,

"Mr Giles from the art gallery has just brought a apartment block, he said he could rent one to you for very cheap. You could get a job in a local café then you could stay out there until you feel ready to come back." Joyce smiled as she waited from a reaction from Buffy.

"Where is it?" L.A? New York?" Buffy asked. She actually really liked the idea of getting away for a while.

"Umm well actually its England." Joyce answered nervously,

"England?" Buffy repeated

A/N please let me know what you think so far I like reviews!