CHAPTER FOUR
Buffy hesitantly went into Angel's suite. She hadn't seen him all day and she was getting worried. Yes, it was day light but that didn't mean much. Angel could come out in his light-proof house and he wasn't much of a sleeper. All she could think was his sudden turn around had been a convincing fake. She tried to put her paranoia out of mind and get some much needed relaxation.
Wes, Willow and Cordy had taken Sorcha to the beach, giving her a chance to unwind. Spike had corralled Connor, taking him to Lorne's new demon Kareoke bar that was necro-glassed as well. She left strict instructions with Spike not to give Connor any alcohol because it didn't go with his medicine. Buffy took advantage of her aloneness to take a two hour bath in Wes' claw-footed tub that could easily fit two people. She took one of Willow's books with her, reasoning it would be more interesting than anything on Wes' bookshelf. Who knew Willow was into British detectives? She made it a good way into Abbot's Touching Evil before she could no longer justify floating around in a warm, watery paradise.
Her leisurely bath over, her toes like raisins and her skin smelling or rose oil, she went looking for company but the house was still empty. Worry set in. What if Angel had reneged on his promise and took off on them? She had to find him just to put her mind at rest.
His austere living room was dark and empty, making fear kick up her heart rate. She padded softly into his bedroom and sighed. He was curled up on his side, hand press to his mouth like he might have been sucking his thumb in his sleep. It wouldn't surprise her. Vampires were all about the sucking.
She studied his muscled body in the dark. His large form had it all over Spike's wiry one and Buffy tromped on those comparison thoughts before they got off to a roller coaster of estrogen highs. She couldn't see Angel's strange tattoo at this angle and was suddenly overcome by the desire to join him in that bed and just study the blue ink chastely, reverently. That kiss over Caleb's fallen body nearly four years ago had proved one thing, she still had a torch for Angel; screw torches, it was a freaking bonfire.
That's what had scared her so much. Buffy knew she could get lost in Angel and never find herself again. She couldn't allow that to happen. She turned to go and heard him moving on the bed.
"Buffy?" His voice was dazed and thick with sleep.
"Sorry, Angel. I didn't mean to wake you. It's nearly four in the afternoon and I hadn't seen you."
"So you came to make sure I didn't take off," he said without rancor.
Her lips twisted into a wry smile. "Yeah."
"I promised I'd stay." He brushed at his hair, still sleepy. "You gave me the kick in the ass I needed last night."
"No kicking today," she promised and an image of what she'd like to do to that ass blipped into her mind. Given most of the ass she had seen in the last few years consisted mostly of Connor's skinny one, Giles' old one and Xander's slowly widening one - all thankfully clothed views, with a few exceptions made for Connor - she figured she was currently butt-obsessed because she was plain, old-fashioned horny. It had been three years since the last time she had sex. He had been a young Watcher in Italy, his Latin words of lust slipping into her ears, making the romantic setting that much more enticing.
Since then it was slaying by night, official Watcher-type stuff and training new Slayers in the day. The rest of her time was crowded with diapers, baby bottles, colic, fights over nap and bath time and then there was the distance-learning degree she was working on just because Joyce had been so proud of her being in college that she wanted to earn that degree to honor her mom's memory. She was spread too thin. There just wasn't time for a boyfriend or even meaningless sex.
"I can't believe it's that late." Angel flopped onto his back. "It was like I hadn't sleep in years."
"You probably haven't, at least not well," Buffy said, sympathetically. "Trust me, I know. You probably needed it. I shouldn't have woken you up."
"It's fine. You're only here for a few days and I'm sleeping it away." He scrubbed his face with a big hand, trying to wake up.
"You didn't miss much, just me taking a long, long bath," she said and he smirked. "Okay, so maybe you would have liked to see that." Her cheeks pinked up.
The smirk grew. "I wouldn't have said no."
"Men." She grinned, flattered.
He tilted his head back into the pillow, drinking in the air. "Nice bath oils, rose and a hint of sandalwood."
"I guess this time it's okay to be sniffing me." She tried to wipe the grin off her face. "Sorcha is at the beach which meant you couldn't go anyhow. Spike took Connor to Lorne's club."
Angel sat up straight. "You let my son go somewhere with Spike?"
"I promised to break Spike if Connor didn't come back whole."
"You do know Connor's of the mind the only good vampire is a dusted one," Angel said, bunching the sheet around his waist as he swung his legs over the edge of the bed.
"He won't hurt, Spike. Sorcha likes him too much," Buffy said, heading for the door. "I'll let you do what you have to." She gestured at the bathroom with a hint of a blush on her cheeks. "I'll be in the living room."
Buffy didn't go to the living room. Instead she went into the tiny kitchen and took out some pig's blood. She microwaved it in a mug for him. It was ready when he joined her, fully dressed. "I thought you might be hungry but I wasn't sure if you wanted a straw or not. I don't see any."
"No straw." He took the mug from her. "Thanks, Buffy."
"Everyone should be back soon." Buffy sat on the broken down couch.
He didn't join her, keeping his back to her, shyly drinking. "Angel, I don't mind if you eat in front of me. You eat in front of the rest of your friends."
He looked over his shoulder at her. "I always feel self-conscious."
"Come, sit. I don't care." She patted a wide, orange flower in the hideous couch pattern.
"You probably saw Spike eat. He's not shy about it." Angel grumped, sitting down.
"He can be down right gross about it, when he has a mind to be." She wrinkled her nose.
"You don't have to tell me. I've had to put up with Spike since the 1800's, Buffy. The nicest part of being off on my own for most of the twentieth century, it was Spike-Free." Angel grinned broadly.
She elbowed him lightly. "Spike's not so bad."
Angel gave her the hairy eyeball. "Last month, he put that hot pepper arthritis stuff in my hair gel. Luckily I could smell it but not until after I got it on my hands."
Buffy pursed her lips. "Do I want to know why?"
"I'd be lying if I said I knew." Angel shrugged. "Probably his idea of a joke. He always did love pulling the tiger's tail." He took a long drink. "Is Sorcha liking it here?"
"She's having fun. She's still a little sleepy with all the time changes and I think we lost a day." Buffy's brow creased. "Or did we gain one? Anyhow, she's been playing with all her new toys. She loves the doodling thing you got her."
"Good." Angel sighed in relief then a hint of panic touched his eyes as he struggled to find a safe topic. Buffy could see he was walking on eggshells with her. "And now Sorcha's at the beach you said."
Buffy relaxed, knowing they were both feeling the same tension and was glad to remain in calm waters. "Yep. She likes the beach. She likes going on nature walks more. Connor's into it, surprisingly enough, which usually leaves him with Giles who I guess used to hike and kayak and all that jazz which I just can't see it but... Giles is sort of a slow hiker with his busted up leg but so's Sorcha so it works out."
Angel took another sip of blood. "Connor probably feels at home out there. It's doubtful Quor-Toth had cities. Maybe you or Faith should go out with Connor someday, get in a good hike."
"Do I look like a country girl?" Buffy rolled her eyes.
Angel eyed her. "There's got to be one Slayer who likes to hike."
"I'll check into it." Buffy sighed. "I suppose one hike with him won't kill me."
Angel set the mug aside. "Thanks, Buffy for all you've done for Connor. I can't pay you back for you being there to help him."
"You don't have to pay me back, Angel. Your son needed help. He is family now." She brushed her hair out of her eyes. It had gotten long. She had grown it Dawn-length without even realizing it. Even in a pony tail it was becoming a liability on patrol. She'd have to get it cut. "Not sure I was ready for a brother, mind you, but he's not so bad." She smiled softly.
"I should have..." Angel trailed off.
Buffy scooted closer to him on the couch, resting a hand on his knee. "Maybe but you didn't and now you have to let that go because you can't change it."
"Easier said than done but I'm trying." His face was mobile with the effort needed to hold his emotions in.
Buffy leaned in to kiss him but Angel slipped a hand up, stopping her. She gave him a hurt look.
"I taste like blood," he told her. If vampires could blush, she was sure he would be.
"I don't care."
She moved his hand aside and kissed him. His lips did have a metallic, salty taste and she didn't mind. She had meant the kiss to just be comforting but that gave way to ravenous hunger. Her arms slid around his neck, her tongue plunging into his blood-warmed mouth. Angel's grip tightened around her, pulling her into his lap. It was like it was 1998 and they were two innocent lovers, lost in each other to the exclusion of all else. The smell of him over powered her senses, leaving the core of her hot and dewy. She could feel his interest pressing against her hip, which was a change since high school days. He used to be in better control of himself but she didn't care. She wanted it, no needed it and he couldn't give it to her.
She broke the kiss, laying her cheek on his shoulder. "I think we're getting into the danger zone."
His fingers trailed up her neck, lingering over the scar he put there once. "Not really. It's not the sex, it's the happiness. I don't think I'm in danger of being happy any time in the near future. Just knowing the risks is enough to spoil true happiness...at least I think so."
"But you don't know." Buffy leaned into his touch, sounding miserable.
"It's kinda worked in the past," he admitted reluctantly.
He shifted under her and Buffy saw the embarrassment in his eyes. "Darla," she said for him.
"I was thinking of someone else but yes, Darla."
"Wait." Her eyes narrowed. "Someone else?"
"I don't want to talk about it. It wasn't my idea. It was a spell." He looked at her curiously. "Spike didn't tell you? I thought for sure it would be the first thing he did, since he's the one who caught us."
"No, he never told me a word. Well, he let slip about him and Harmony once and thought I'd be mad. I told him I didn't care. You're both grown men. I've never expected either of you to sit on the shelf waiting for me," she lied. She had expected it, at least of Angel.
He turned his head away, crossing his arms protectively. "Like I said, I don't want to talk about it. Working with her was bad enough. Lorne's spell forcing us to sleep together was humiliating and made me want to clean my skin with fire."
Buffy cupped his chin, making him look at her. Lust had dissipated and she wasn't sure if she was relieved or upset. "You wouldn't be this upset over Cordy, Fred or Harmony. I guess there're hundred of women working at Wolfram and Hart." Her blood iced. "Was it Eve?"
His chin slipped out of her grip. "It was a spell. I'd sooner kill her than touch her. And don't think it didn't occur to me. Angelus is inside me rattling his cage begging for just one kill and I was thinking, 'who'd know'?"
"I'd have forgiven you that kill," Buffy said, cold, almost approving of the idea. "And what happened wasn't your fault. I don't blame you."
"Thanks. Just don't tell Connor." Angel touched her cheek. "He might not be so rational."
"I won't tell him. Believe me, Angel. I thought coming here now was too soon for him but he seems to be doing okay." Buffy shifted on Angel's lap. "Did we show you the pills you have to give him if he has a wig out?"
"No, and you'd better. If he freaks out, it's just me you and Spike who can handle him." Angel rubbed her shoulders.
"I know. Sorcha has his strength." Buffy leaned into his hands. "It makes me nervous leaving her in the Watchers' day care but since all the other girls there are tiny Slayers, I guess it's okay."
"It looks like you're doing a wonderful job with her, Buffy." Angel kissed her neck.
Buffy purred her thank you as her mouth hunted his down. They had almost returned to the crest of their lust when Angel pulled away. "What?" She nipped his adam's apple.
"Spike and Connor are back."
"You can hear them?" she asked, disappointed.
"Not what they're saying but I can hear their voices." He looked at her with a little pout. "And that means they can hear us."
"What? They couldn't stay at the bar a little longer," she whined, getting off his lap.
"Lorne's with them?" Angel cocked his head, getting a better listen.
"That's not a problem, is it?"
"No, we're still friends with Gunn and Lorne. We just have differing agendas now." Angel got up.
Buffy slipped her hand into his and they headed into the main part of the house. Spike, lolling on the couch, took one look and said, "Oh great. Is he evil again?"
Angel flipped him off. "If I were, you'd be the first to know."
Connor sniffed the air. "Maybe you better check and make sure he isn't, Lorne."
Buffy let Angel's hand go. "Okay, ground rules. It applies to all of you, no sniffing me. The next person who sniffs like a dog gets to do his next bout of sniffing with a broken nose." She wagged a fist for emphasis.
"Pushy," Spike said.
"I don't mind," Connor said, grinning.
"Faith's right, you do like us to crack the whip on you, don't you?" Buffy rolled her eyes.
"That's probably why Angel's staking out his territory again. Probably worried what you and the kid are up to, what with you living together raising a baby and all." Spike grinned wickedly.
"Spike!" Buffy growled.
"See?" Angel pointed at the blond vampire. "You're always emailing me and telling me not to be mean to Spike when I complain about him. He starts it. Tell him to stop being mean to me."
"Ooo, look, you can get angry and whiney." Spike's eyes danced. "I was beginning to wonder and let me tell you, it's a bloody sight better than you wandering around here like an empty shell of yourself. I was ready to just put you out of your misery. I'll take anger any day."
"I see. You irritate me out of love and concern for my feelings," Angel said then cuffed Spike on the back of the head like an errant child.
Spike rubbed the back of his head, looking at Connor. "Does he treat you like this, too?"
Connor shook his head then smiled one of those huge manic smiles of his that always made Buffy worried. "I get slammed into walls. I'm the threat. You're just the bad grandson, not really something to worry about it."
"You think?" Spike growled.
"I know. Just ask Dad. I'm Oedipus and he's Laius," Connor said.
Buffy saw Angel grimace and she tried to remember if she had actually bothered to read Oedipus in high school or had she cheated and bluffed her way through. It was the latter she decided since all she could remember was Oedipus married his mom and she didn't see how it applied.
"I guess you get Angelus' jibes now," Angel said with all the air of a man ready to self-flagellate.
"A classical education was one of the bonus' of Wolfram and Hart's tampering," Connor said. "Don't worry, I'm not ready to run out and blind myself. I'll settle with showing Spike which of us is the alpha male."
"That would be me," Angel said, with a wide goofy grin.
Spike snorted. "Sonny boy and me would be happy to prove you wrong."
"That's right, boys, get it all out of your systems now before Sorcha gets home." Buffy gave them all the evil eye. "And Lorne, it's nice to see you again."
"Thanks, Honey-cakes. It's nice to see you, too. Hope you don't mind me just inviting myself over but I couldn't wait to see the little tyke," Lorne said, giving Buffy a hug.
"It's fine but she's still at the beach with the others. They should be back any minute." Buffy glanced at the clock.
"I hear the Suvie in the drive now," Spike said.
"Angel, Gunn wanted to come tomorrow to dinner and see the little one," Lorne said. "Think that'll be all right?"
"I don't know what Buffy and Connor have planned for her, but if that's okay with them, sure." Angel looked to his son and Buffy for an answer.
"No plans," Connor said, getting up off the couch to meet his daughter as she ran in, all oily, sandy and tanned.
"Daddy," she screeched as he lifted her up in a hug. "Down, Daddy."
At her insistence, he let her go and she raced over to greet Buffy, then bounced on Spike's lap, finally attaching herself to Angel's leg. She looked up at Lorne then at her grandfather, her little fingers tightening on the cotton of his pants. "Good demon?"
"Good demon." Angel scooped her up and took her closer to the green-skinned demon. "Sorcha, this is Lorne."
"Hi Sugar-Kitten, aren't you the sweetest thing?" Lorne smiled at her.
Sorcha reached out and pulled Lorne's horns.
"Sorcha, don't be pushy," Buffy scolded but her niece gleefully ignored her as her little fingers kept a death grip on the red spikes.
"It's okay," Lorne said, patting Sorcha's arms. "That's a type of greeting among my people."
Sorcha let go and shifted so she could put her arms around Angel's neck. "Horsie back ride," she insisted.
"Not just now, young lady," Buffy said, plucking Sorcha away. "You need a bath first. You're still covered in sun tan lotion."
"We did our best to wipe her off but that stuff just doesn't want to come off. It's the water-proof stuff," Willow said, her nose still white from the zinc she put on it. She looked exhausted. Wes even more so. Cordelia was as coifed as usual.
"How'd you get roped into this, Wes?" Angel asked. "You're not really a day at the beach kinda guy."
"I'm the only one with a car big enough for everyone and a baby seat," the Watcher said, slumping into a chair, wilting like he had heat stroke. "And I can be the beach kind of guy."
Cordy and Willow tried not to snicker at that.
"You're lobster red," Angel said, biting his bottom lip so not to smile.
"Yes, I think I miscalculated the SPF required," Wes said, woefully.
"Should have borrowed Willow's. She makes Spike look dark" Cordy said and Willow looked offended. "And speaking of that, Spike, don't forget you have that appointment with the tanning salon. You are not taking me to Harmony's wedding looking like that."
A horrified look crossed Spike's face, "Bloody hell woman, we've talked about this."
"You can tan?" Connor raised an eyebrow.
"Airbrush tanning," Cordy said and Angel burst out laughing. Buffy looked at the elder vampire, surprised. Had she ever heard Angel laugh so openly and full heartedly?
"Thanks, luv," Spike said, taking out his cigarettes. He headed out the door.
"Did you train him not to smoke in the house?" Buffy asked, around her own giggles at the idea of an airbrushed Spike. "How'd you do that?"
"Superior hen pecking techniques," Wesley put in, ignoring Cordelia's glare.
"Dare I ask who Harmony is marrying?" Buffy asked.
"David Nabbit. You don't know him. We helped him out a few times. Xander and he had all the geeky stuff in common," Angel replied.
"I can't see Harmony going for that type," Buffy said.
"Well, David has like millions and millions of dollars," Cordy said.
"And he likes demon women," Angel added and Buffy's eyes widened at the idea.
Cordelia looked a little dreamy at the idea of marrying money. "She's getting married in the park here on Watcher's grounds next weekend. David wanted a Renaissance styled wedding. You should see my bridesmaid gown."
"Vampires marry?" Connor looked dubious.
"Not usually but this is Harmony we're talking about," Angel said.
"I almost wish I could see that," Buffy said.
"It's being put on DVD. They're sending us a copy," Willow said brightly, "Here, I'll go take Sorcha for her bath."
"After you're done, Red," Spike called in from his spot under the living room window where he wouldn't miss a word. "Go look up that re-souling spell. You're gonna need it."
"I told you we should plant something with thorns under that window, Wes," Angel growled.
"Ewww, not you two again," Cordelia said, eyeing Buffy.
"We foolishly left them alone in the house," Spike jeered.
"I have an orb of Thesula, should you need it Willow." Wes smiled.
"You do?" Angel asked. Buffy heard the slightly crushed tone in his voice. "Where?"
"I'm not telling you that." Wes shot Angel a look that said, 'Don't be stupid.' "If you know, then Angelus will know. Just know that I do have one hidden out."
"Don't let them tease you." Willow held out her arms for Sorcha. "And I'll be ready."
"You're a help, Will." Buffy rolled her eyes again, turning over her niece.
"Don't wanna bath." Sorcha squirmed.
"Sure you do. And when you're done, we'll put in the Tweenies and you can sing the Hokey Pokey with them." Willow kissed the girl's cheek.
"Hokey Cokey," Sorcha corrected her for the Tweenies version of the song then sang a few licks of it loudly and off key.
Buffy saw Lorne's eyes narrowing as Willow carried the girl upstairs. Connor slithered off the couch and she knew he had seen it, too. Angel was already at Lorne's side.
"You saw something," Angel said.
Lorne shook his head. "No."
"Liar," Connor growled.
Lorne bristled, moving so Angel was between him and Connor. "Look, kid, it's not that accurate with children. They have such unformed minds, it's hard to read them. She's happy being here, though."
"And the bad part, tell us Lorne. We'd rather know than not," Angel insisted.
The green demon shook his head. "I don't know if it's bad or not. I just see this big nothing around her. Like there's something I should be seeing but can't."
Connor's lips skinned back in a ferocious predatory manner. "I don't like that."
"Neither do I, kiddo, but that's all I got." Lorne tried to look supportive. "There's enough fire power in this house to keep anyone safe," Lorne said.
"We'd better hope so," Angel said.
Buffy suddenly wanted to pack them all up and head back to London, put Sorcha in the dungeon of the Watchers' complex and guard her until she was old enough to fend for herself. Instead, she went upstairs to check on her niece. She heard Connor mumbling something but she ignored it. She couldn't ignore that Angel was right behind her.
"I know she'll be okay, Angel. I just have to check," she said without looking.
"I'm not arguing. Connor went into the kitchen to get a pill bottle." Angel sighed heavily. "I guess he knows which ones he's supposed to take."
"He knows. He's gonna get sleepy, Angel, just so you know. Those pills wipe him out." Buffy went into Sorcha's room. She indicated for Angel to wait in the bedroom area while she went into the bathroom. She whispered a warning to Willow so not to alarm her niece then went back out to Angel. "Willow knows. Believe me, an angry Willow is a scary thing. Sorcha will be fine."
Angel looked up from Doodles, which he had in hand. Buffy realized he was drinking in his grandchild's scent from the toy. "Good. This is kinda cute."
"You sent it to her," Buffy said, knowing he hadn't. He gave her a puzzled look. "Spike sent it and forged your name."
Angel hugged the stuffed animal, burying his face in it. "I'm sorry, Buffy. I've been a terrible man to you since it all happened."
"I haven't been very good to you myself." She took his arm, leading him out of the room. "Someone should have made sure you were getting help and we didn't. We left you alone in your darkness, Wes, too."
"We wouldn't have let you take us out of our darkness," he assured her, pulling her to him.
Buffy snuggled in. "All I wanted tonight was some time alone with you, or at least get in some patrolling. I think Faith's right. If I don't get out there, I get all this energy with nowhere to put it."
"We could still go. Willow's magic is better protection than you or I could be. Connor might not be up to par on his fighting skills after being in the hospital for so long but I know how he'll fight for his family. Cordy, Spike, Wes, any of them, Lorne and Gunn, too. Sorcha will be safe here. There's a sanctuary spell on the house. It works a little like Spike's chip did. No violence can happen inside these walls," Angel assured her.
Buffy kissed him. "Once she's in bed, we'll go patrol."
"She's escaped!" Willow cried. "Heading your way, Buffy."
Buffy turned and saw a wet, naked toddler dashing down the stairs. Angel scooped her up and Sorcha giggled. Angel head back up the steps.
"You need clothes, young lady, we've been over this." Buffy looked at Angel. "She's big on streaking. I think she inherits that from her daddy."
Angel's eyes widened as he smiled. "Uh-huh."
"No, really. There were times when he wouldn't wear clothes in the hospital." Buffy shuddered. "Usually when he was in his 'turning his room into a barricaded maze' phase. Sometimes it spilled out into the wooden hospital grounds. He liked living like Tarzan. I never told you since he was safe out there. They have a spell on the place that works like an invisible dog fence."
"Oh." Angel's face fell. "Sorry you had to see that."
"No sorrier than me." She shrugged. "I look at Sorcha and realize she's gonna grow up a skinny little weed. I mean, Connor and Dawn together barely weighed a hundred pounds."
"My son weights more than a hundred pounds." Angel shifted his slippery grandchild on his hip. "He does, doesn't he? I know he looks like a ninety pound weakling. Here you go, Willow." Angel surrendered Sorcha into the towel Willow held.
"You're a naughty girl," Willow chided, standing Sorcha on the bed toweling her off. Sorcha giggled and danced.
"Wills, I might go out on patrol tonight," Buffy said. "Can you keep an eye on Sorcha?"
"You bet. Cordy and I were gonna have a girls night and look at all the stuff she's done for Harmony's wedding."
"Oh, gee that sounds..." Buffy trailed off, looking to Angel for help.
"Dull, but she's excited about it so I figured why not?" Willow shrugged.
They all returned to the living room. Connor was draped over the love seat. Buffy could see the drug already kicking in, the young man's eyes glazed. She felt Angel stiffen beside her at the sight of Connor's vacant expression and she gave his hand an encouraging squeeze.
"We ordered pizza," Cordy said. "No one felt like going out."
"Works for me," Buffy said.
Sorcha grabbed Angel's hand and dragged him over to the kaleidoscope thing Wes had bought her. "You play."
Buffy smiled as Angel sat and obeyed. Sorcha rounded up Spike and planted him next to Angel. "You play, too."
"Oh boy, I get to play with Angel, a dream come true." Spike hugged Angel.
"We will be alone again some day, Spike. You wouldn't want to rue that day, now would you?" Angel's voice was light but Buffy saw the fire in his eyes. Spike just laughed, letting him go.
Sorcha ran over to the couch then stopped short, looking at her father's eyes. "Daddy's sick."
"I'm fine." He stroked her hair, struggling to get up. "Just sleepy. I can play, too though."
She pushed him back. "Sleep, Daddy."
Connor settled back down. "Thanks, sweetie."
"Aunt Buffy, put on the Tweenies," she demanded then after a few beats remembered the magic word. "Please."
"Don't you want to play with Granddad and Uncle Spike?" Buffy asked.
"They play. I watch," Sorcha said.
"Okay."
"Dad, Spike, a word of warning, do not look directly at the tv," Connor said with exaggerated solemnness
"He's not kidding. It will give you brain damage." Willow tried to look stern and authoritative but she couldn't stop the little grin pricking at her lips.
Buffy sat back, once the DVD was going and Sorcha plopped down, and watched the two vampires trying to out build each other with plastic gears.
Wes leaned over and said, "I'm going to have to go out and buy those two the big Lego set."
Buffy laughed and wagged a finger as both vampires snapped upright, death in their eyes. "Spike, you say something that I have to work hours to remove from Sorcha's brain, I'll beat you."
"Once wouldn't hurt," Spike said.
Connor snorted. "Did she tell you the daycare pageant story?"
Angel set aside a blue gear, looking up curiously. "No."
"Me and Connor are at the parent's night pageant thing they had for the kids. The teacher was doing the A is for Apple, kind of thing trying to show how much the students know. We get to B and Sorcha pipes up with 'B is for boobies'." Buffy felt her face burn as she remembered the incident.
"Buffy beat on Faith for about an hour for teaching her that one." Willow grinned.
"Hey, at least she knew B is for boobies. That's pretty smart," Angel said.
"That's what your son said...must be a guy thing to be proud of that." Buffy glowered at him. "I was so embarrassed. Everyone was looking at me like I was a bad mother. Connor was too busy laughing his fool head off."
"It was funny." Connor protested. "Not as funny as the tea party story but funny."
"Don't you dare," Buffy threatened then the door bell rang. "Saved by pizza." She raced for the door, pausing only to grab the wad of twenties Cordelia passed her to pay for it. Willow shut off the Tweenies and all the noise that was associated with it and set Sorcha back at the coffee table. Wes helped Buffy with the pizza boxes. "I'm just setting it in the kitchen. Everyone for themselves."
Buffy got a slice of plain cheese for Sorcha. Her niece actually liked pepperoni but tended to gorge and give herself a bellyache so she was restricted to cheese alone. Sorcha settled, Buffy got the double meat, double cheese for herself after making sure Connor actually took enough food to live on. He had a tendency to ration it, a hold over from his hard life in hell. When she got into the living room Sorcha was trying to make Angel eat a bite of pizza. "Sorcha, Granddad doesn't like pizza. You eat that piece."
The girl pushed her lower lip out. "Why?"
"He just doesn't like it," Buffy said then added in a whisper "And for future reference, Angel, never eat something she hands you. Palm it. God knows where it was before she decided you need it."
"Which brings us back to the tea party," Connor said, brightly.
"Shut up, Mr. Big Ears," Buffy warned.
"Tell me," Angel insisted, leaning forward in anticipation.
"Buffy, Willow and Faith were having a tea party with Sorcha," Connor said.
"This is funny already," Spike interrupted.
"I know." Connor beamed. "Anyhow, they were letting Sorcha serve. They're all there in their little bonnets, not sure where they got them. Xander had to sneak in to take pictures for blackmail purposes, thank God. That's when he learned Sorcha was filling the tea pot and pouring them drinks from the toilet bowl." Connor's grin threatened to split his face in two. Cordy nearly choked on her pizza. Spike, Angel and Wes laughed until fat tears were running down their faces.
Buffy got up and slapped Connor on the chest. It echoed dully. "Thanks for nothing."
"Aunt Buffy! We don't hit," Sorcha said, parroting Buffy's oft-used reprimand.
"Yeah, we don't hit," Connor said, rubbing his chest, wincing.
"I'll get you back for this." Buffy grabbed his shoulders shaking him but Connor just smiled.
"Yeah, she and Angel will be...friendly where you can hear them." Spike said and Buffy hit him, too. Sorcha grunted angrily at her aunt.
"Ewww, how am I supposed to eat now?" Connor moaned.
"Just eat and I promise you that I don't want to be anywhere you'll overhear me,"Angel said
"That's the nicest thing you've done for me ever," Connor assured him and Angel's brow lowered.
"Spike, I'm going to stop telling Angel to be nice to you, but not until I ask a favor," Buffy said.
Spike didn't look concerned. "Ask away."
"Angel and I are going patrolling tonight."
"So that's what we're calling it," Spike said, a smarmy expression on his face. Cordy just rolled her eyes, executing the hair flip she perfected in high school.
Buffy shook a fist at him. "Would you stay here for a while tonight? Cordy and Willow are going to be watching Sorcha."
"Just until the wedding talk drives me nuts and I have to run away with Lorne and Wes," Spike said.
"Spike." She eyed him.
He waved her down. "Of course I'll stay."
"I don't mean for all night. Just until everyone's ready for bed. Connor looks ready right about now," Buffy said.
"Stupid medicine," he said. "I'll take the room with Sorcha tonight. I think both of us will be ready to go to sleep soon."
Buffy nodded, thinking Sorcha had far more energy than her dad at the moment. She finished her pizza, insisted on horseback rides from Spike and Angel, dragged every toy they had brought with them out to show to Angel, Spike and Lorne and finally when Buffy insisted it was bed time, she wanted Uncle Spike to read her bedtime story. Buffy took that opportunity to snag Angel and run.
He barely had time to get the keys to his 'new' car, a 1970 blue Super Bee. "Where should we start?"
"Just drive." Buffy slammed the door and didn't look back.
They put distance between them and the Watchers' complex where Angel lived. They wound up at the beach. It was cool and the sounds of the waves were calming. Angel got out and helped Buffy from of the car. They walked down to the surf.
"Not much demon activity here to patrol," she said, thankful for it.
He nodded. "Probably the closest thing was the time Connor jumped me and sealed me in that metal coffin."
Buffy canted her eyes up at him. "This is where it happened?"
He waved a hand at the beach. "More or less."
Buffy wondered at what would make him bring her to such a place. "Why'd you bring me here?"
"You looked like you needed to just get away and unwind, Buffy. We both know we aren't going to do any patrolling tonight." He smiled gently in the moonlight. "Besides, it's nice here in spite of my bad memories."
She took his hand and started up the beach slowly. "I know."
They didn't walk far before falling into their old routine of kissing and exploring each others bodies all the while keeping an eye out for danger. It felt normal and right to them. Finally, Buffy pulled her lips away from his, pressing her body against his chest.
"Were you serious earlier about the loophole for the curse?" She hated the need in her voice but she couldn't help it.
"I was but I wasn't telling you that because...I know you want to go and find yourself, Buffy. I didn't mean to put on any...," he floundered.
"Oh, hush, Angel. I know why you told me." She pressed her fingers to his lips. "I've found myself. I'm a Slayer and an aunt to a precocious three year old Slayer and a friend to the oddest assortment of people ever to be found and that's enough. I might not be done baking but it's close enough. I need you. Spike told us once we'd never just be friends and he was right. I want you. I'm tired of waiting. I need you. It has been so long...."
Angel kissed the top of her head. "I feel the same."
"Only I don't...not here. I've never been a fan of sand on bare skin." She looked at him sheepishly.
He snorted. "The Hyperion is all fixed up now, better than the last time you saw it. Gunn gave me the penthouse for my own use since I more or less own the building. I never use it but we'll be out of ear shot of anyone...and there's the cage in the basement if things somehow go wrong."
"They won't," she said quickly. "You just keep worrying about the curse. That'll keep it from being perfect."
"You deserve perfect," he whispered.
"Yeah well, I'm happy with almost." She pulled him toward the car, feeling desperate now. She needed a release. Fingers and double A batteries only went so far. It took care of the physical but not the soul. She needed his love more than she needed his body.
Angel showed off the Super Bee's big engine, roaring through town to the Hyperion. It was mostly deserted as they went to the penthouse. Here, there were signs Angel lived a little. The artwork Buffy remembered him liking, the Asian flavor. Most of it went past her in a blur on the way to the bed. It smelled musty from disuse but she didn't care.
She knocked him down onto it, tearing her shirt off over her head. Angel didn't have to be told of the urgency. He was already naked by the time she climbed on top on him. Their coupling was fast, furious and raw. Buffy held him afterwards, holding her breath, fearing the worse but nothing happened other than his tender administrations slowly initiating round two.
They were both exhausted, having drowsed some when she shook him awake. "We should get back. It'll be dawn soon," she said, not wanting to leave the bed but not knowing if this room was safe for him.
"We have time," he said, pulling her on top of him. There were no signs of Angelus she was happy to note.
She showed him again that she had learned a lot of things about pleasing a man since their first time together then insisted they dress and go home. She fully planned on napping the morning away at his side, and to hell with any teasing she might have to hear about it later.
The sky was a purplish grey when they pulled into the drive. Cordy's mini-Cooper was gone so Buffy assumed it was just Wes, Willow and Connor inside.
"Think we can check on her without waking her up?" Angel said as they went inside.
"She'll be up soon enough but sure."
They crept upstairs. The room was cool, the window wide open. Buffy noticed the screen was gone before she realized Sorcha wasn't in the hump of bedding. A soft moan dragged her attention upwards. Connor was fastening to the ceiling in a webbing that glowed with magic, his mouth sealed shut by it. It put Buffy in mind of something she had seen Willow use once.
"Oh, Angel, Sorcha's..." Buffy felt her legs go weak.
"Willow!" Angel bellowed. "Wes, Willow!"
Angel ran into the room, jumping on Connor's bed, trying to grab his son down off the ceiling. He wasn't able to budge him. Willow came in, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Wes stumbled out of his room.
"What is it?" Willow asked then followed Buffy's pointing arm. "Oh Goddess! Teasairg!"
At the unbinding spell's utterance, Connor fell, Angel barely able to control his descent. They crashed on the bed. Connor spat, colorful glowing bits trailing out of his mouth. "They took her!" he moaned.
"Who took her?" Buffy crowded on the bed with them, grabbing Connor by his bare shoulders. "Who did this?"
"Magic hid them." Connor trembled violently. "Used it against me before I could move. Don't know the man. Eve was with him."
Buffy's perfect night turned upside down. "I'll kill her."