Hey thanks to all reviewers, will list u in a second. Just a few recommendations for stuff to read because I am reading them at the moment and they are great.

Read becks89's stories, I like Per Celare and the Youngest Evans. Also read, as I sed before, Marz1's the basement which is so funny.

And also a new fic which I am helping get onto the net but is written by DevilsHope called 'Bound by Loyalty' which is also really great!

Okay, so thanks to:

Charmedfanatic3000

Becks89- here's the update, now you have to update! And make TYE Buffy-Sirius because you know it makes sense!

Jubee1

Alexandra the half-wolf – was wandering around reading old reviews and looking at peoples profiles. Went to you live journal and u mentioned my story which made me so proud!!! Thanks so much!!

Kyra2

CharmedChick – glad you gave my fic a chance and glad you liked it

Sorry but this is going to be the last chapter for about 2 weeks. I'm going away for a while to visit family, but while I'm gone I'll write so I'll have lots to type up when I return.
Sending me lots and lots of reviews will keep me very happy and leave me a nice present for when I return…hint hint. Thanks!

Chapter 17 – Finding Sirius

Late into the night Buffy sat in the kitchen, her elbows resting on the worn table. A fire crackled, small sparks sometimes jumping out and Buffy gazed unseeingly into the flames.

Sirius had been gone for a long time now, it was the early hours of the morning and there had been no word from him. Buffy was worried and tired and the combination made her irritated. Her eyelids drooped occasionally, but she forced them open every time.

The flames died and a soft glow filled the room.

Sirius entered the kitchen at dawn the next morning. He had been out wandering round all night, thinking, planning and wondering. He had needed time on his own after what had happened. Everything could have come together if he could have just thought…. Meanwhile Pettigrew was still in place, still potentially able to harm Harry. The thought made Sirius furious.

He transformed as soon as he closed the door behind him and he saw Buffy, sitting in one of the rickety wooden chairs, head resting on her arms on the table, deeply asleep, a small frown line creasing her brow. He surveyed her, and then carefully lifted her from the chair and carried her to her room.

He placed her on her bed and made to leave but she was stirring from her sleep.

She mumbled slightly and he paused in the doorway and turned. Slowly her eyes opened and she sat up sharply.

 "Huh?" she said and then her eyes fell on Sirius and she relaxed slightly.
 "Sorry I disturbed you," he said, smiling at her. "I thought your bed would be more comfortable than the kitchen table." Buffy didn't return the smile.
 "Where were you?" she said, eyes hardening.
 "Out," Sirius answered vaguely, not picking up on he anger. "Just wandering around, you know."

 "No, I don't," she said coldly. "You left abruptly, and I had no idea what you might do. I thought you'd been caught or something. I was waiting for you."

 "I was just getting my head together," Sirius said stubbornly. "I said I'd be back by morning."

 "That's not the point," Buffy interjected. "I'm putting a lot on the line for you, giving up my life in Sunnydale to come and be here with you. The least you could do is show me some gratitude by not abandoning me in this shabby place." She got up, though her height wasn't much of an advantage.

 "Well if it's such a pain for you then why don't you just go back to Sunnydale," Sirius said angrily. "I can do this by myself."
 "Fine, I will!" Buffy yelled. "Just because you spent time in Azkaban, it doesn't mean you get the prize for most tortured soul ever!"
 "Twelve years is a little more than time," Sirius said bitterly. "You have no idea what I went through."
 "No, I have no idea," Buffy said sarcastically. "Right, I don't know you at all. We've been together for months now, and all we've done is talk. Sirius I know you, I know exactly what you've been through. That's why I was worried because I know what you might get yourself into. But of course, you don't need me." She began to throw things into her rucksack haphazardly and Sirius watched her silently.
 "Look I'm sorry you we're worried," he said quietly and Buffy stopped. "I just had a lot to go over that's all."

 "So why didn't you come and talk to me?" Buffy asked, her eyes searching his.
 "I don't know," he said helplessly. "I just felt so foolish, I mean I ran in there expecting everything to go fine and it was my fault it got messed up. Stupid really."

 "Hey, it's understandable," Buffy said. "You're right – twelve years is a long time. Something like that would really get your hopes up. But it isn't over yet."

 "Does that mean you won't leave?" Sirius asked her. "I want you to stay."
 "Why?" Buffy said stiffly.
 "Because I do need you," Sirius said, wanting to walk to her but his feet wouldn't move.
 "Why?" Buffy said, also standing her ground. "Because I'm the slayer?"

 "No," Sirius said, his feet finally working. "Because you are you." He stood in front of her impassively and Buffy looked up at him.

 "Buffy," Sirius said nervously. "I-I'm in love with you." Buffy's eyes widened but she didn't say anything. "I understand if you don't feel like the same way, I mean I'm older than you for a start and then I'm a fugitive and-" Buffy placed a finger on his lips.
 "Stop," she said gently. "You don't have to completely trash our relationship before it even begins."
 "You mean?" Sirius said, his eyes widening too.

Buffy smiled at him and so he kissed her.

Much later, they were lying on the dusty sofa, Buffy wrapped in Sirius' arms.

 "When did you start feeling it?" she asked him, smiling up at him, earning herself a kiss on the top of her head.

 "It would have to be ever since you came out of Sunnydale High covered in mayor," Sirius said gravely, earning himself a playful swat on the arm. "Just joking! Ever since you enter Azkaban and I saw you, a little ray of sunshine in that place. You lit it up Buffy." He kissed her again. "What about you?"

 "When you carried me out of Azkaban?" Buffy said. "You didn't have to save me, but you did." She kissed him this time.
 "So I win," he teased, tickling her ribs. "I felt it longer."

 "But my feelings are obviously more complex," Buffy insisted sitting up. "I mean you're just a man."

 "You're gonna regret that!" Sirius exclaimed and he being tickling her mercilessly. She laughed and wriggled away from him, falling with a thump onto the floor; he slipped too and carried on tickling her. Quickly she got the upper hand, using her slayer strength to trap his hands. He rolled over, squashing her and she flipped him so she was sitting atop him.
 "I win!" she exclaimed. He laughed and she kissed him again. "That's my prize," she explained. He grinned at her, but his eyes were serious.
 "You know you mean a lot to me don't you?" he said earnestly. "I love you, you know that right?"

 "Of course, you dope," she said, but her eyes were serious too. "Just don't hurt me. I don't think I could take that again." Her eyes filled with pain, scars from her past.

 "I promise I never will," Sirius said gently. "But I think you might hurt me if you don't let go of my arms!" She released him reluctantly and they both got up.
 "I'm going to bed," Buffy said tiredly. "I've barely had any sleep. Alone," she added to Sirius. He nodded to her and she kissed him again and headed up the stairs.