Ch.4 Catching up
The sun came up in a brilliant dance of reds, oranges and yellows. Angel didn't move from his spot on the chair, he dared not to wake the sleeping beauty in his arms. Angel could see the sun rise through the window of the living room and he took a newly necessary breath. Buffy didn't stir.
He moved his gaze from the sun to the blonde in his strong arms. He loved to watch her sleep, 'even more when she is sleeping in my arms.' He thought. The most peaceful moments of Angel's long existence were those that he spent with the Slayer in Sunnydale five years ago, as she slept in his embrace.
As the memories poured into his mind he gripped Buffy tighter, closer to his beating heart. He kissed the crown of her delicate head.
Angel regretted the act when the petite blonde stirred.
"I didn't mean to wake you." He whispered huskily, sleep still in his low voice.
Buffy didn't open her eyes yet, and was still not alerted by wakefulness until he spoke, "mmmm"
Angel couldn't help but smile, then Buffy pulled out of his arms and sat up, "Sorry. I shouldn't have..."
"Don't worry about it." He said as the peacefulness he experienced earlier crept from his conscious.
Buffy stood up and ran her hands through her hair, "I'll be right back." She left Angel still sitting on the chair; she flashed a small smile to him before heading down a hall to the bathroom.
She came back a few minutes later, her hair brushed into a ponytail, face washed and teeth brushed.
Angel gave her a warm smile, still powerful enough to make Buffy's knees a little shaky.
Buffy sat on the couch adjacent to Angel's armchair and sighed.
The room was silent until Angel spoke, "How did you sleep?" he asked politely.
Buffy looked up at him, "Good. Great. Thanks. You?"
"I think it was the most sleep I have had in a long time."
"Me too."
Quietness drifted into the room once more.
Angel chose to speak again, "I guess I should go." He stood and smoothed out his duster.
Buffy looked up and watched him move to the doorway of the living room, then she stood, "Angel...Um...If you wanted to come over later, we could get some dinner. Talk maybe. If you want, I mean."
Angel flickered another astonishing smile to the Slayer, "If you want too, sure. I'd like that."
Buffy nodded her head, "I promise not to cook."
Angel laughed, "We could go out. My treat."
"Ok. Can you meet me here at about 7? There's a little café just a few blocks down."
Angel nodded and then made his exit.
Buffy crashed on the couch, and took a deep breath. The air still lingered with the feel of Angel and she basked in it until she got up and took a shower two hours later.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Angel knocked on Buffy's door at precisely seven o'clock. He had wondered if he should buy her flowers or something, but decided he wouldn't. It wasn't like they were going on a date; they were just going to talk. Right?
His thoughts and questions were interrupted when Buffy cheerily opened the door. She wore her long, full hair down around her tiny shoulders. She had a dark blood red knee-length dress on, the only thing holding the flowy material up were two tiny straps over her delicate frame. The cut of the dress was amazing on her, accentuating every curve of her figure perfectly.
When they had been going out Angel had always thought, had he had a heartbeat or needed air, that he would stop breathing and his heart would stop when he looked at her. He was right, because at the moment that he saw Buffy in all her wonder, he was unconsciously holding his breath and felt as though his heart skipped a beat.
"Hi." She greeted, smiling at him.
It took Angel a minute to remember that he actually needed to breathe, "um...Hi. You look...wow."
Buffy laughed, "One of the perks of living in Europe...Amazing clothes."
Angel continued to stare at her until Buffy spoke, "You ready?"
"Yeah."
Buffy grabbed her purse and then walked out the door.
"Don't you want a coat?" Angel asked.
"It's pretty warm tonight. I'll be good."
Angel nodded and then led Buffy through the garden. He made his way to the limo. Buffy stared at it.
Angel opened the door to the limo, "After you."
Buffy smiled and then climbed into the black car.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"So Harmony is your assistant?" Buffy mused.
Angel nodded and took a sip of his wine, "It was Wes, I swear."
Buffy giggled, "My next question was going to be 'on purpose?' but I guess you answered that."
They laughed for a while and continued eating their dinners.
"Mmmm." Buffy purred after taking a bite of her dessert.
"Good?"
Buffy opened her eyes, "Very. How's yours?"
Angel looked down at his uneaten cake, "I don't know yet. I haven't tried it."
Buffy looked down at his plate and then back at his face, "So I see. Here." She put her fork down and then took Angel's out of his hand, then got a piece of his cake and fed it too him.
Angel lavished at her attentions and soaked it in; afraid he may never see them again. He let the taste of the chocolate linger in his mouth and he too purred, "Mmmm."
Buffy giggled and she took a little bite of his cake for herself.
"Yummy."
Buffy gave Angel his fork back and then finished her cheesecake.
"So..." Angel said, finishing his last bite of cake, "We've had dinner, desert and still haven't talked."
"I know. I was kind of hoping we could just do this. Like I have always wanted."
Angel looked at her quizzically.
"We've never really done this. Gone out to dinner, no demons, monsters and no vampires, not even you. It's...normal."
Angel smiled, "It is. It's nice, but to hopefully have more of these, we should probably talk."
Buffy sighed and after a moment, "Tell me about Connor, or...Benjamin."
Angel smiled; he had often wished that it had been Buffy that had given him the miracle of fatherhood. He also thought that maybe if she had be his mother, he wouldn't have been taken away from Angel by Holtz, "Well he goes to UCLA. He's really smart and strong."
Angel went on about Ben for another half an hour, and Buffy just listened. She loved that if she wasn't ready to go back to Angel yet, that he would at least have his son to be happy. She was relieved by it; it took some of the pressure off.
Angel finally finished telling the woman about how he got Connor back after the memory wipe went bad.
"It sounds like you are really happy Angel."
"I am. There's just one thing I want first."
Buffy blushed and smiled uncomfortably, she knew what it was and then the pressure of having to becoming cookies was back on. How could she deny him happiness? It wasn't like she didn't want to be with Angel; she had wanted to be with him forever, 'then what's stopping you?' she thought to herself.
Buffy stood up, "Let's go for a walk."
Angel joined her as she walked out of the restaurant. The sky was dark and the stars shone brightly. Vendor's stood on the streets, selling candies, flowers, anything they could really to make some money.
Angel nodded to the Limo driver waiting outside, telling him that they wouldn't need the car. Buffy walked down the little block, looking at the decorations outside of them. Many had white Christmas lights hanging, even though it was June. She smelled food in the air, the unique smell of Rome.
Angel caught up with her. She wrapped her arms around her middle and Angel could tell she was cold.
He took off his blazer and set it over her shoulders, "I told you to bring a coat." He played.
She shot him a look that softened as she got a better look of him, the soft white lights warming his skin. He beamed at her and she returned his smile.
They continued walking when Angel asked, "So you haven't really told me about to the Watcher's council. I heard from Andrew that Giles and you are putting it back together."
"Yeah. Not too much to report there. Giles, Willow, Xander...They all spend their time looking for new slayers. The one's that fought with us in Sunnydale are grouped in different cities around the world. Faith is in Cleveland with Robin."
"And you?"
"I stay here in Rome, Giles keeps me informed on what's going on. When Dawnie goes to college I am going to probably help out more. Mostly I just want to raise her, like mom would have. I don't have a lot of money left after putting it away for Dawn, but we're ok."
"That's good. It's important. What about slaying?"
"I don't do that much. Maybe a patrol a week, but there really isn't too much big bad here. It's nice."
Angel nodded.
They walked in quiet for a while longer.
"I'm sorry."
"For what?" Angel asked.
"About not helping you with Fred. About Cordy. About what Andrew said."
Angel furrowed his brow.
"I heard about Illyria taking over your friend Fred. Giles told me. I asked him if there was something we could do, or Willow but he said no... I'm sorry."
"You don't have to be. There was just...nothing you could have done."
"And about Cordy. When I told Xander, I could hear him crying over the phone. Giles told me, I don't know how he heard. I know she meant something too you."
Angel didn't notice the tear running down his face, but Buffy did. She stopped walking and faced him. She wiped the tear away with the pad of her thumb.
"And Andrew told me what he said to you. About me not trusting you, how we all don't trust you."
"It wasn't true?" He asked hopefully.
"It was...but not how he meant. I trust you Angel, with my life. With Dawn's life. But that place. Giles told me what it was, what it represents. I don't understand how you could work there. It was your choice though, I can't change that." Buffy lowered her gaze from his and turned to continue walking.
"No. You can't. I wish I had a different choice though, where I didn't have to make that one. I only did it...to save Connor. He was going to kill Cordy and himself. I couldn't let him. So I let Wolfram and Hart erase everyone's memory, so there would be no more pain. Especially for him."
"I understand."
Angel knew that she really did. He knew that Buffy would do anything to save her sister; she had died for her, and knew all about making hard choices. Her whole life was about making those choices.
They were nearing Buffy's house when Angel spoke again, "I'm leaving tomorrow."
Buffy snapped her head up, and looked at him, "What? Why so soon?"
"You said...you're not ready, and I shouldn't be here until you are and you come to your decision on your own."
There was hurt and disappointment in Buffy's eyes, something Angel was all too familiar with.
"Will you come back?" she asked.
"Maybe. If you ask me too."
"Is this goodbye?"
"No. This is 'see you later.'" He answered as they reached her gate.
She opened her door, but didn't go inside. She turned to him and smiled.
"See you later then." She reached up and pulled him to her. She wrapped her powerful arms around his neck and kissed him.
Angel put his hands on either side of her abdomen and pulled her closer until her warmth met his own.
Angel's jacket fell off of Buffy's tiny shoulders and neither of them seemed to notice.
The kiss could have lasted forever, if neither of them had to breathe.
Buffy was the first too pull away.
Angel smiled at her, "See you later."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Angel stood on the runway where his private jet was. He let the last of the Rome air fill his lungs and exhaled. The sun shone on his face.
He picked up his suitcase and climbed up the stairs when he heard, "Angel! Stop! Please stop!"
He whirled around to see Buffy running as fast as she could towards him. He saw tears running down her face as she collided into him and she grabbed onto him desperately.
"I was so afraid that you'd be gone!" She cried; she kissed his face, as he held her, "Don't go without me. Please! I'm ready! I'm Cookies! Just don't leave me again. I'll do anything."
Angel tried to calm her frantic cries, "Shhh. I'll never leave you." He kissed her cheek as tears streamed down her face.
"I ran all the way here." She told him.
Tears were falling down Angel's face as well and he choked out a laugh, "You could have called."
"Mr. Angel. We're ready." The pilot said from the door.
"You want to go?" Angel asked Buffy, gesturing to the plane.
"I'll go with you anywhere." She said and grabbed Angel's warm hand as he guided her onto the plane.
R&R
The sun came up in a brilliant dance of reds, oranges and yellows. Angel didn't move from his spot on the chair, he dared not to wake the sleeping beauty in his arms. Angel could see the sun rise through the window of the living room and he took a newly necessary breath. Buffy didn't stir.
He moved his gaze from the sun to the blonde in his strong arms. He loved to watch her sleep, 'even more when she is sleeping in my arms.' He thought. The most peaceful moments of Angel's long existence were those that he spent with the Slayer in Sunnydale five years ago, as she slept in his embrace.
As the memories poured into his mind he gripped Buffy tighter, closer to his beating heart. He kissed the crown of her delicate head.
Angel regretted the act when the petite blonde stirred.
"I didn't mean to wake you." He whispered huskily, sleep still in his low voice.
Buffy didn't open her eyes yet, and was still not alerted by wakefulness until he spoke, "mmmm"
Angel couldn't help but smile, then Buffy pulled out of his arms and sat up, "Sorry. I shouldn't have..."
"Don't worry about it." He said as the peacefulness he experienced earlier crept from his conscious.
Buffy stood up and ran her hands through her hair, "I'll be right back." She left Angel still sitting on the chair; she flashed a small smile to him before heading down a hall to the bathroom.
She came back a few minutes later, her hair brushed into a ponytail, face washed and teeth brushed.
Angel gave her a warm smile, still powerful enough to make Buffy's knees a little shaky.
Buffy sat on the couch adjacent to Angel's armchair and sighed.
The room was silent until Angel spoke, "How did you sleep?" he asked politely.
Buffy looked up at him, "Good. Great. Thanks. You?"
"I think it was the most sleep I have had in a long time."
"Me too."
Quietness drifted into the room once more.
Angel chose to speak again, "I guess I should go." He stood and smoothed out his duster.
Buffy looked up and watched him move to the doorway of the living room, then she stood, "Angel...Um...If you wanted to come over later, we could get some dinner. Talk maybe. If you want, I mean."
Angel flickered another astonishing smile to the Slayer, "If you want too, sure. I'd like that."
Buffy nodded her head, "I promise not to cook."
Angel laughed, "We could go out. My treat."
"Ok. Can you meet me here at about 7? There's a little café just a few blocks down."
Angel nodded and then made his exit.
Buffy crashed on the couch, and took a deep breath. The air still lingered with the feel of Angel and she basked in it until she got up and took a shower two hours later.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Angel knocked on Buffy's door at precisely seven o'clock. He had wondered if he should buy her flowers or something, but decided he wouldn't. It wasn't like they were going on a date; they were just going to talk. Right?
His thoughts and questions were interrupted when Buffy cheerily opened the door. She wore her long, full hair down around her tiny shoulders. She had a dark blood red knee-length dress on, the only thing holding the flowy material up were two tiny straps over her delicate frame. The cut of the dress was amazing on her, accentuating every curve of her figure perfectly.
When they had been going out Angel had always thought, had he had a heartbeat or needed air, that he would stop breathing and his heart would stop when he looked at her. He was right, because at the moment that he saw Buffy in all her wonder, he was unconsciously holding his breath and felt as though his heart skipped a beat.
"Hi." She greeted, smiling at him.
It took Angel a minute to remember that he actually needed to breathe, "um...Hi. You look...wow."
Buffy laughed, "One of the perks of living in Europe...Amazing clothes."
Angel continued to stare at her until Buffy spoke, "You ready?"
"Yeah."
Buffy grabbed her purse and then walked out the door.
"Don't you want a coat?" Angel asked.
"It's pretty warm tonight. I'll be good."
Angel nodded and then led Buffy through the garden. He made his way to the limo. Buffy stared at it.
Angel opened the door to the limo, "After you."
Buffy smiled and then climbed into the black car.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"So Harmony is your assistant?" Buffy mused.
Angel nodded and took a sip of his wine, "It was Wes, I swear."
Buffy giggled, "My next question was going to be 'on purpose?' but I guess you answered that."
They laughed for a while and continued eating their dinners.
"Mmmm." Buffy purred after taking a bite of her dessert.
"Good?"
Buffy opened her eyes, "Very. How's yours?"
Angel looked down at his uneaten cake, "I don't know yet. I haven't tried it."
Buffy looked down at his plate and then back at his face, "So I see. Here." She put her fork down and then took Angel's out of his hand, then got a piece of his cake and fed it too him.
Angel lavished at her attentions and soaked it in; afraid he may never see them again. He let the taste of the chocolate linger in his mouth and he too purred, "Mmmm."
Buffy giggled and she took a little bite of his cake for herself.
"Yummy."
Buffy gave Angel his fork back and then finished her cheesecake.
"So..." Angel said, finishing his last bite of cake, "We've had dinner, desert and still haven't talked."
"I know. I was kind of hoping we could just do this. Like I have always wanted."
Angel looked at her quizzically.
"We've never really done this. Gone out to dinner, no demons, monsters and no vampires, not even you. It's...normal."
Angel smiled, "It is. It's nice, but to hopefully have more of these, we should probably talk."
Buffy sighed and after a moment, "Tell me about Connor, or...Benjamin."
Angel smiled; he had often wished that it had been Buffy that had given him the miracle of fatherhood. He also thought that maybe if she had be his mother, he wouldn't have been taken away from Angel by Holtz, "Well he goes to UCLA. He's really smart and strong."
Angel went on about Ben for another half an hour, and Buffy just listened. She loved that if she wasn't ready to go back to Angel yet, that he would at least have his son to be happy. She was relieved by it; it took some of the pressure off.
Angel finally finished telling the woman about how he got Connor back after the memory wipe went bad.
"It sounds like you are really happy Angel."
"I am. There's just one thing I want first."
Buffy blushed and smiled uncomfortably, she knew what it was and then the pressure of having to becoming cookies was back on. How could she deny him happiness? It wasn't like she didn't want to be with Angel; she had wanted to be with him forever, 'then what's stopping you?' she thought to herself.
Buffy stood up, "Let's go for a walk."
Angel joined her as she walked out of the restaurant. The sky was dark and the stars shone brightly. Vendor's stood on the streets, selling candies, flowers, anything they could really to make some money.
Angel nodded to the Limo driver waiting outside, telling him that they wouldn't need the car. Buffy walked down the little block, looking at the decorations outside of them. Many had white Christmas lights hanging, even though it was June. She smelled food in the air, the unique smell of Rome.
Angel caught up with her. She wrapped her arms around her middle and Angel could tell she was cold.
He took off his blazer and set it over her shoulders, "I told you to bring a coat." He played.
She shot him a look that softened as she got a better look of him, the soft white lights warming his skin. He beamed at her and she returned his smile.
They continued walking when Angel asked, "So you haven't really told me about to the Watcher's council. I heard from Andrew that Giles and you are putting it back together."
"Yeah. Not too much to report there. Giles, Willow, Xander...They all spend their time looking for new slayers. The one's that fought with us in Sunnydale are grouped in different cities around the world. Faith is in Cleveland with Robin."
"And you?"
"I stay here in Rome, Giles keeps me informed on what's going on. When Dawnie goes to college I am going to probably help out more. Mostly I just want to raise her, like mom would have. I don't have a lot of money left after putting it away for Dawn, but we're ok."
"That's good. It's important. What about slaying?"
"I don't do that much. Maybe a patrol a week, but there really isn't too much big bad here. It's nice."
Angel nodded.
They walked in quiet for a while longer.
"I'm sorry."
"For what?" Angel asked.
"About not helping you with Fred. About Cordy. About what Andrew said."
Angel furrowed his brow.
"I heard about Illyria taking over your friend Fred. Giles told me. I asked him if there was something we could do, or Willow but he said no... I'm sorry."
"You don't have to be. There was just...nothing you could have done."
"And about Cordy. When I told Xander, I could hear him crying over the phone. Giles told me, I don't know how he heard. I know she meant something too you."
Angel didn't notice the tear running down his face, but Buffy did. She stopped walking and faced him. She wiped the tear away with the pad of her thumb.
"And Andrew told me what he said to you. About me not trusting you, how we all don't trust you."
"It wasn't true?" He asked hopefully.
"It was...but not how he meant. I trust you Angel, with my life. With Dawn's life. But that place. Giles told me what it was, what it represents. I don't understand how you could work there. It was your choice though, I can't change that." Buffy lowered her gaze from his and turned to continue walking.
"No. You can't. I wish I had a different choice though, where I didn't have to make that one. I only did it...to save Connor. He was going to kill Cordy and himself. I couldn't let him. So I let Wolfram and Hart erase everyone's memory, so there would be no more pain. Especially for him."
"I understand."
Angel knew that she really did. He knew that Buffy would do anything to save her sister; she had died for her, and knew all about making hard choices. Her whole life was about making those choices.
They were nearing Buffy's house when Angel spoke again, "I'm leaving tomorrow."
Buffy snapped her head up, and looked at him, "What? Why so soon?"
"You said...you're not ready, and I shouldn't be here until you are and you come to your decision on your own."
There was hurt and disappointment in Buffy's eyes, something Angel was all too familiar with.
"Will you come back?" she asked.
"Maybe. If you ask me too."
"Is this goodbye?"
"No. This is 'see you later.'" He answered as they reached her gate.
She opened her door, but didn't go inside. She turned to him and smiled.
"See you later then." She reached up and pulled him to her. She wrapped her powerful arms around his neck and kissed him.
Angel put his hands on either side of her abdomen and pulled her closer until her warmth met his own.
Angel's jacket fell off of Buffy's tiny shoulders and neither of them seemed to notice.
The kiss could have lasted forever, if neither of them had to breathe.
Buffy was the first too pull away.
Angel smiled at her, "See you later."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Angel stood on the runway where his private jet was. He let the last of the Rome air fill his lungs and exhaled. The sun shone on his face.
He picked up his suitcase and climbed up the stairs when he heard, "Angel! Stop! Please stop!"
He whirled around to see Buffy running as fast as she could towards him. He saw tears running down her face as she collided into him and she grabbed onto him desperately.
"I was so afraid that you'd be gone!" She cried; she kissed his face, as he held her, "Don't go without me. Please! I'm ready! I'm Cookies! Just don't leave me again. I'll do anything."
Angel tried to calm her frantic cries, "Shhh. I'll never leave you." He kissed her cheek as tears streamed down her face.
"I ran all the way here." She told him.
Tears were falling down Angel's face as well and he choked out a laugh, "You could have called."
"Mr. Angel. We're ready." The pilot said from the door.
"You want to go?" Angel asked Buffy, gesturing to the plane.
"I'll go with you anywhere." She said and grabbed Angel's warm hand as he guided her onto the plane.
R&R