Dedication: I would like to dedicate this part to all the wonderful people who gave me such excellent reviews on Part 1: missbliss, angel-andbuffy, Kendra3, airforcebrat529, Cursed2, crazy4b/a2,Telpe Nar Roccar, and of course, Tara and Pillow Willow :-D. Thank you so much for all your kind words. I hope enjoy Part 2!!
Author's Note: The italics are Angel's thoughts.
Part 2
Los Angeles, California
Friday February 15, 2003
Angel walked down the stairs of the Hyperion Hotel rubbing his head. He hadn't slept very well, due to yesterday being Valentine's Day and all. Plus he hadn't heard from Connor in a few days and was worried about him on top of everything else. But he had agreed to give him his space, which meant no more following him.
"Good morning sleepyhead," Cordelia Chase said from behind the computer. Angel jumped a little, unaware of her presence until a moment ago.
"You're here early," Angel commented as he made his way over to the coffee machine. Since he had become human he had taken a liking to the stuff.
"Well I was up so I figured I may as well get a head start on that case from yesterday."
Angel frowned, trying to remember and failing. "Which case was that again."
Cordelia gave him a look. "This human aging thing is really getting to you. The case with the Petersons, remember, unidentified demon broke into their house, killed their son?" She paused.
"Oh yeah that case. Weren't Wes and Gunn going to take care of that?" Angel poured his coffee.
"Well it's not exactly that simple. They went to the family's house last night but no demon. They suspect that it's still stalking the family though. Where were you all day yesterday?"
Angel sipped his coffee. "Sorry I've just been kind of out of it lately." He walked over to the couch and sat down heavily. A few moments passed in silence. Then Cordelia spoke.
"Hey Angel, you'd better take a look at this."
Angel groaned. "Can't it wait?"
"Sure, guess I'll just delete this email from the guy who saw a blonde girl fighting vampires."
Angel jumped up and ran over to the computer. "What?"
"A guy in Buffalo sent this. Says he saw a girl that matched your description fighting off a group of vampires."
Angel quickly skimmed the email. "Well, guess I'm going to Buffalo." He began heading up the stairs. "Call and get me a flight okay? The sooner the better."
"Angel," Cordelia said. But he was already gone.
She sighed and picked up the phone. "It's pretty sad when you have the number for the airport on speed dial," she muttered to herself. About halfway through the phone call Wesley, Gunn, Fred, and Lorne walked in.
"Thank you," Cordelia said and hung up the phone. She sighed. "Hey guys."
"Hi Cordy. Where's Angel? We have to talk to him about the Peterson case," Wesley said.
"Well in exactly," Cordelia looked at her watch, "1.5 hours he will be en route to Buffalo in search of a young blonde runaway whom we have all come to know and love."
Fred groaned. "Again?"
"Yeah, we got some mysterious email from some dude that claims to have seen a little blonde gal fighting off vamps in lovely Buffalo New York. Angel is flying there in an hour and," she checked her watch again, "28 minutes."
Gunn spoke up. "But what about the Peterson case? These people are big clients with big moneybags with our...no wait, Angel's name on them."
Cordelia threw her hands up in the air. She started to speak, but at that moment Angel came running down the stairs, suitcase in hand. "Cordy?" he asked.
"Your plane leaves at 10:30 am from Gate 12."
He nodded and headed for the door. Then he stopped and turned around. "If Connor stops by...make sure he's okay and tell him I'll be back soon." Cordelia nodded.
"Angel, what about the Peterson case?" Wesley asked.
"You guys can handle it. I'll call you if I find her." And with that he was gone, leaving his staff standing around helplessly.
Later that night
Buffalo, New York
"Damn!! Damn damn damn damn damn damn!!" Angel stormed into his hotel room and threw his suitcase across the room. It hit the wall with a loud thud.
After investigating the lead, he had realized that the "vampires" had been muggers, and the girl a potential victim that was a black belt in martial arts. He had been very disappointed and had taken out much of his frustration on his "source," who also happened to be a demon.
He flopped down on the bed. He knew he should call the office, but he couldn't bring himself to right now. He felt kind of stupid, running all over the country following up bogus leads. But he had to try.
Sighing, he reached for the remote. He flipped channels and paused when he came upon one of those "I Love New York" commercials. He sat in silence as it showed a few groups of happy people expressing their love for their hometown. Then the camera showed four girls, walking down the street, yelling, "we love New York!" Angel froze. He bolted upright, but the picture had already changed.
"Oh my God," he said, frozen.
It was her. The second girl from the left was Buffy. He was sure of it.
He rubbed his head, eyes wide. He had to see that commercial again.
He grabbed the TV listing and saw that the channel he was watching was one of the local channels. Channel 9, Buffalo News.
He grabbed the phone book and looked up the address. He muttered it to himself and ran out the door.
Twenty minutes later he walked into the headquarters of Channel 9 Buffalo News. He walked up to the desk.
"Excuse me, but I need to see something that was just aired on your station again," he said. "It concerns a missing person."
This got the woman's attention. "Oh, you should talk to Jim in Broadcast. He should be able to help you."
Angel thanked the woman and followed her directions to the Broadcast department. He walked through the doors and walked up to another, smaller desk.
"Hi, I need to speak with Jim," he said.
"Sure. Do you have an appointment?"
"No, but this really can't wait."
The girl shrugged. "Alright then. This way please."
She lead him down a hall and into the third door that they passed. There a young man sat in front of a row of TV screens with headphones on.
"Jim, this man asked to see you." The girl said.
Jim smiled. "Thanks Ashley. Will you please excuse us?" The girl left. Jim approached Angel and shook his hand. "Jim Mayers. How may I help you? Are you interested in advertising here, Mr...."
"Angel. I need to see a commercial that you aired about a half an hour ago. It was one of those 'I love New York' ones, and I need to see one of the girls in it again."
Jim sat down and began pressing buttons. "Are you conducting an investigation of some sort?"
Angel sat down also. "No, but it is imperative that I find this girl."
Jim scanned through the tapes that Angel assumed were from a half hour ago. "Stop there!!" Angel had seen the beginnings of the commercial. "Play it."
The commercial began to play. Finally it got to the part with the 4 girls. "Pause it!" Angel said. Jim obeyed.
Angel leaned in closer to the screen.
It was her. The second girl from the left was Buffy.
He leaned back in his chair, in a state of shock. He had done it. He hadn't quite found her, but he had an excellent lead. And proof that she was alive.
"These commercials, do they film them all in New York City?" he asked Jim.
"Yup. And they air throughout the whole state."
Angel rose. "Do you think you could print that for me?" he asked, gesturing at the freeze frame of the four girls.
"Sure," Jim said. He pressed a few buttons and the printer began to whir. "So, is this girl liked wanted or something?"
Only by me, Angel thought. He shook his head to erase the thought. "Um, no but there are a lot of people that have been wondering where she is for a while now."
Jim nodded. He grabbed the photo off the printer and handed it to Angel.
Angel dug in his pockets and handed Jim a twenty dollar bill. "You have no idea how much I appreciate it. Thanks." And with that he was gone.
Jim shook his head. "Strange guy," he muttered to himself.
Angel walked into his hotel room, still in a state of shock. He sat down on the bed and looked at the picture. He traced her face with his finger.
Okay snap out of it. Look for clues that can help you find her.
He already knew she was in New York. But millions of people were in New York. He needed something better.
He looked at all four girls. The one on the far left had very dark hair, medium height, cute round face. Then there was Buffy. Then another girl, this one smaller, very short and petite, with reddish hair. The one on the far right was the tallest of the group, with light brown hair with blonde highlights. Angel noticed writing on her sweatshirt. He leaned in closer.
"Columbia University Cheerleading," he read. He sat up straight.
Buffy at Columbia University? That can't be right. But a lot can happen over four years. And if these four girls are as close as they seem, they probably all go to the same school. At least he knew where to start.
He grabbed the phone book again, and dialed the airport through which he had arrived. "I need a flight to New York City as soon as possible please," he said.
He was beginning to regret beating up that demon. Coming to Buffalo turned out to be the biggest break he'd had so far.
The next day
Saturday February 16, 2003
New York City
The taxi pulled to a stop in front of Montgomery Hall, the largest Columbia girls' dormitory. Angel stepped out and took a deep breath. He looked one more time at the picture in his hand.
This could be it, he thought. The moment he'd been waiting 4 years for.
He walked in the doors of the big brownstone building. He was standing inside a large room. A big counter-like desk stood in the middle, and an older woman was behind it. Around the room were couches, televisions, snack machines, and coffee tables. It looked like a very homey place. However there weren't many students around. Two or three girls lounged on one of the couches, but that was about it. He walked up to the desk.
"Excuse me, I was wondering if you knew this girl." He pointed to Buffy in the picture.
The woman pulled her glasses up onto her head and took the picture. She smiled. "Yes, that's..." she frowned. "I'm afraid I can't tell you. It isn't my business to give out information about our students."
Stay calm. "Please, this is very important. I need to speak to this girl."
The woman began to shake her head again, when Angel heard a voice behind him. "That's okay Rita, I can take care of this."
Angel spun around and saw a tall slim, brunette. The same girl from the picture.
"Hey, you're.." he pointed to the photograph.
"Yup, that would be me. So tell me, who are you and what do you want with Lynn?"
Angel could have leapt for joy. "You know this girl? Where is she?"
The girl held up her hands. "Whoa, hold your horses. Who the hell are you?"
"I'm Angel. I'm...a friend. Who are you?"
"Kristen Fowler."
"Look it's very nice to meet you. But can you please help me? I need to speak to this girl. I promise, she'll want to see me."
Angel regretted the words as soon as he spoke them. After all I've put her through I wouldn't be surprised if she slapped me in the face.
Kristen looked at him suspiciously. "Okay, well if you insist, I can take you to her room. But I
am not leaving unless Lynn really does know you. And if you are some pervert stalker, you will have to deal with me. Okay?"
Angel smiled. "Okay."
"This way."
Kristen lead him into the elevator and pushed the 4th floor button. They rode about halfway in silence.
"So, are you a friend from North Dakota?"
Angel was puzzled. "North Dakota? Um, no...we're old friends." He frowned. "Really old friends." Old friends from a life you probably don't even know about.
The elevator stopped and they stepped out into a long hallway that had two smaller hallways coming off of it, one at each end. Kristen turned right and then left down the mini hallway. They reached the last room on the right- 418. Kristen knocked.
"Lynn, it's Kris. There's some guy here who wants to see you." She looked dubiously at Angel. "Claims he's an old friend."
Angel's heart pounded as he heard footsteps near the door. This is it.
The door swung open. The small blonde girl's smile vanished when she saw her visitor.
"A-A-Angel."
It wasn't a question but a statement. As if at the back of her mind she had spent the past four years bracing herself for this moment.
And now it was here.
"Buffy."
For the first time in four years he was looking into the stunned eyes of the only woman he had ever loved.
