:: Hey! Sorry for the not-updating. But it was my 16th birthday on Saturday, so I was busy. We stayed at a hotel =0) Ok, so it was just ten minutes away, but c'mon, hotel. lol. Anyways, back to the story.

Sorry, apologizing, but now I'm back and big with the updates =0) So you best like it.

Thank you so much to all the people who are reviewing =0) It's good to read the reviews, especially on your birthday, lol. Yay. Keep 'em coming. ::


A few days later Buffy was released from the hospital and free to go home. Angel had stayed by her side for three days, only leaving occasionally to go and check on Katie. He had really been there for her, and Buffy appreciated it.

"I'm so glad to be getting out of here," Buffy said, as she slid into the wheelchair. "But I'd rather walk, then ride."

"We know honey," Joyce said. "But we're not going to risk it."

Buffy sighed. "I'm beat up mom, and healing exceptionally well. See, barely any bruising left."

"Which is very odd for someone with so many," she said. "But you're my strong girl."

"I can take her out Joyce," Angel said, walking up behind the wheelchair. "You can go ahead and get the car ready."

"Thank you Angel," she said before walking out.

Angel leaned down and kissed the top of Buffy's head. "You're free."

"And the first thing I plan to do once I'm out of here and out of my mother's sight is run. Run as fast as I can," she said, smiling.

"Why?"

"Because I'm sick of being carried, pushed and lying down. I want to walk."

"You're still too weak for that Buffy," he said. "I don't want you to get hurt again."

Buffy smiled. "Fine, I'll roll out."


Buffy laid on her bed, Angel's arms wrapped securely around her. She rested her head back on his chest, her eyes shut.

"Mmm, it's so good to be back in my own bed," she said. "I don't ever want to leave it."

"That can be arranged," Angel said.

Buffy smiled. "Do you ever think that there's something better out there? That you're meant to do something else?"

He thought for a minute, before planting a kiss on the top of her head. "What is it you want to do?"

"Nothing, I just... Never mind," she said, turning to face him. "I love you."

"I love you."

She sighed and rested her head back down on him. She wanted to tell him about her slaying, about why she was beat up and why it wasn't his fault he hadn't walked her home. But she knew she couldn't, it'd put him in risk of getting hurt. And she couldn't live with herself if that ever happened.

Buffy could hear voices coming from the hallway, and looked up at Angel who seemed to be oblivious to them. She heard her mother's voice, and instantly knew who it was she was talking to, Ted.

"Oh great," Buffy said, pushing herself off of Angel.

"What?" he asked.

"Mom's home," she said. "And she's brought a friend."

Angel's eyes seemed to fill with hatred at the mention of Ted, and Buffy saw it. She took his hand and he followed her off the bed. It wouldn't be safe for them to stick around while Ted was here, a fight was bound to happen.

"Buffy, what did I tell you about boys in the house when I'm not home?" Joyce said, as Buffy and Angel appeared in the living room.

"I just figured since you could do it, why couldn't I? I mean, that's kind of hypocritical of you, don't you think?"

"What did we tell you about using that tone? I don't care if you just got out of the hospital or not, that doesn't mean you can't respect your own mother," Ted said.

"Don't act like you know me or know what our family is like. You're not a part of it Ted, and you never will be, so get used to it."

"Buffy," Angel said, squeezing her hand.

Buffy looked up at him, then back to her mother. "We're going to leave you guys alone. I'll be home at ten."

Joyce watched as Buffy walked out of the aparment, Angel behind her. What had she done by bringing Ted back? She knew how much Buffy disliked him.

"She'll be ok," Joyce said. "Angel's with her. I'm sorry about her outburst."

"Don't worry about it, she's a teenager. She just needs a little discipline."


Angel pulled Buffy under his arm as the two stepped onto the elevator. He knew she didn't like to fight with her mother, but with Ted around, there wasn't any other way.

"Where do you want to go?" Buffy asked, looking up at him.

"The Bronze?"

She nodded. "Ok. I just need to get my mind off things."

"A few dances and I promise the only thing you'll be thinking of is another dance."

Buffy smiled. "I'd say stop being so conceited, but I know you're right."


:: Sorry. I know it was bad and short. But, I'm trying to update. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. ::