Cordelia stood in Buffy's room, unsure of which of her friends to tell. Angel deserved to know what was going on with Buffy, but Buffy was her sibling and the SLAYER. That one word caused so much trouble. Buffy seemed genuinely sweet, and for that matter, Slayers were on the home team and she did help in the research...
No, she wouldn't blow her sister's cover yet, but she would talk to her as soon as she could. Racing back to the gang, she realized Buffy was probably going to back up their small force. As soon as the gang stepped into view, she noticed that Angel was looking around in directions he knew Cordielia wouldn't be coming from. Brushing off a few impatient remarks, she thought, what about Angel? He's obviously in love with the girl, didn't he deserve a heads up? Wasn't it her duty as a friend to tell him that the girl he was falling in love with had a sacred birthright to kill him? She had to admit, she was jealous of Buffy, for having so much of Angel's time, respect, attention, you name it. But she was, after all, family. And she could have killed him a long time ago, the sensible voice in her head told her.

Still, she saw Angel's head spin, as if being annoyed by a fly and her heart went out to him. So, pushing open the door, Angel was suddenly yanked back and everyone turned to look as Cordelia asked, "What are you looking for?"

Angel looked shocked and sheepish. He should have known something was up when Cordelia came back with a thoughtful face and let Doyle's teasing lie. "No one, I just have this feeling someone is watching."

Cordelia nodded, at least he wasn't totally off his game, "I have a feeling it's Buffy, she wasn't at the house and I'm wiling to bet she's not the kind to sit at home twiddling her thumbs."

"Are you sure?" Angel asked desperately, "Maybe it's a demonic scout or something. Have you seen her?"

He's really got it bad, she thought sadly, "No, but I'm betting she won't be found unless she wants to be."

Buffy watched as Cordelia joined the others and was once again reminded of her own friends when she was greeted by a number of scolding remarks. She moved a little higher when Cordelia yanked Angel back, and even higher at the pained expression on his face.

His eyes flickered up, meeting hers at last, if only for half a second, and she felt a number of emotions in that one look. Caution be damned, she thought in a typical Willow fashion before jumping off the skyscraper.

Falling ten stories, she landed with a soft thud and walked easily to where everyone was staring at her.

"I sort of have something to tell you guys," Buffy started meeting Cordelia's smiling face. She gave her a grateful smile in return before looking at Angel. "I'm the Slayer."

Angel watched as Buffy dropped down and it was like his worst nightmare come true. Even so, he couldn't make his legs move or mouth yell. He simply watched in a state of shock as she hit the ground as graceful as only Buffy could. The millisecond before she hit would have made his heart stop if it hadn't already. A flurry of belated connections were being made as he thought of all the weird feelings he had around her and everything clicked. By the time she had said those few words, he had already guess something like that.

Of course, he was thinking along the lines of half-demon, not the mortal enemy of his species. Mostly, he was just mad at himself for not realizing it sooner. Although the biggest hint was her skill with a sword at such an early age. It took him nearly a year to get accustomed to a sword and another year to acquire the skill of a master.

Numbly he realized he had walked back into the ally where he had originally waited for Cordelia. Buffy was the Slayer?

Said Slayer was standing there a little more than hurt Angel had just walked out like that. It was understandable, a lot better than her reaction, but it didn't stop the pain.

Hesitantly she peered around the brick wall and the gang decided a raid could wait and made their way back to the agency to process the new found information individually. "Angel?"

Slowly, he lifted his head up and looked at her, his face blank and emotionless eyes peered back at her.

He's in shock, she thought, "Are you ok? You kinda just walked out."

Angel seemed to snap out of whatever stupor that had clouded his mind when he heard the genuine concern in her voice, but most importantly, he heard fear. Fear for him, and fear he might not be able to accept her.

Thinking back to that night she had let him vamp out and place his fangs just centimeters away from her neck. The trust she had shown him that night hit him harder than before and to see her watch him so anxiously after what she did for him...it just broke his heart.

"Angel?" she repeated, the quaver in her voice more noticeable. After looking at her and while the stony expression left his face, it was replaced with so many emotions that she couldn't read any of them.

Giving himself a visible shake he answered, "Yeah?"

Letting out a sigh of relief she said, "I was worried about you."

Angel managed a small smile and said, "Give me a break, it's not everyday you find out that the woman you love has a duty to kill you."

He froze and the smile faded away. Bowing his head in shame he didn't see Buffy's face.

"What? You love me?" she managed to choke out. Her voice was so shaky it almost gave out all together.

What have I done? Angel thought, I guess that fall shook me up more than I thought. Angel didn't' trust he voice and could only nod.

He was surprised when he felt a soft hand gently tip his chin up. He met her teary eyes and smiling face with more than just surprise. "Really?"

Angel whispered a guilt laden, "Yes." Dropping his face as soon as Buffy's hand fell away in shock of the pain in his eyes, he closed his eyes against the rising ache in his chest.

Buffy stared at the huddled body and could practically taste the misery surrounding him like a cloud. He loves me, she thought over and over, he loves me. And he's sad about it, does he not want to be? Fighting tears and clearing her hear, she realized it was the guilt making him bow his head, not the other emotion he so clearly felt.

Setting her jaw she bent down to take his chin again before planting a kiss firmly on his stubborn mouth.

Quirking her lips up, she declared, "Me too."

Angel felt a number of things that moment, but there was one that peeked through, previously buried under years of guilt; hope.

Sensing he wasn't ready to speak yet, she said, "At first sight too, although I thought you were Cordelia's boyfriend. Of course when I found out you were a vampire my brain went into overdrive and it was like a nightmare. Then I realized it might actually be a good thing because you're really fun to fight with and I don't have to watch my strength as much. Afterwards I wanted so bad to tell you I was The Slayer and that I knew where the Hellmouth was and that I knew who the demon was talking about, but my Watcher would kill me because I didn't tell him. Plus I couldn't put my friends in danger and-"

Buffy sighed into the mouth that stopped hers yet again, melting into his hesitant embrace.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner," Buffy finished after a moment.

Angel looked at her incredulously, "You're asking my forgiveness? When it's beyond me to even know someone like you? I'm the sorry one, the one for bringing you into all this. The one who can't make himself stop loving you-
Angel paused, took a deep breath and continued, "I tried you know. So hard. But I couldn't seem to get you out of my head, it was driving me crazy. Out on patrol, I let a fledgling land a punch."

Buffy clucked her tongue in sympathy.

"Even with all my reminders of the differences, I could never give you a normal life, I was the 240 year old fantasizing about a 16 year old, none of that stopped me. And you loving me back just make it harder for us to stay apart."

"But why do we have to?" Buffy objected, "I know you're big on the guilt thing, but what better way to redeem yourself than by being the best boyfriend a girl could have. I mean, I gave up everything to be a Slayer, a popular, but annoying boyfriend, a group of popular friends, my life, not literally." Buffy added seeing the look on his face, "None of that matters, but I put my life on the line everyday for no reward, the least I could get is the only guy I ever wanted ot go out with me."

Angel just sat there, a little stunned by her speech. then he raised an eyebrow and asked slyly, "The only guy?"

Buffy blushed and corrected, "Well, the only guy I'll ever want now."

Angel nodded with understanding and said, "I could hardly deny you anything, you know."

Squealing with joy, she jumped into his arms and squeezed him tight, thrilled with the fact he didn't need to breathe.

"Stay with me?" Buffy asked.

"Forever," Angel promised, "Now, what was that about you knowing about the Hellmouth and that demon?"

"Trust you to ruin this perfect moment by worrying about dying. Right, business mode Buffy. Uh, ok, I live on the hellmouth, lots of baddies are always trying to open it and I always come to the rescue. I know their vampire general because I..."

"...ran him out of town. Apparently he's no more than a few months old," Angel explained to the flabbergasted gang, "Any question?"

"So these guys are under the influence of some egotistical fledgling with half a brain more than the other dimwits?" Cordelia summarized.

"That's about it."

"And Buffy just knew all this?" Doyle inquired.

"Pretty much. I guess this is a fairly regular occurrence. She's calling her friends so they can get ready. I'd pack, it's pretty likely we'll be going to Sunnydale. Her house is empty and her friend has an empty basement if everyone can't fit," Angel told them, Pack light, and no, three suitcases is not light. Just one or at most two, we'll be there for a week tops."

"I'm not sure if the demon was stupid or mean," Buffy called bringing the dispersing group back together. "It turns out that particular ritual he was running from gives more power to one person with every death his minions kill. Giles says 'hi' by the way," Buffy nodded to Wesley who turned a bright red.

"So, unless we get moving, we're going to have one uber-strong vamp on our hands and after the Master and Spike, I'm through with them."

Angel went rigid. The Master and Spike?!

"I'm thinking we get to Sunnydale before day break."

Gunn looked around and caught Fred's eye. "Maybe Fred and I should stay here and hold down the fort. Unless you need us?"

Everyone looked at Angel who hid is emotions and managed a smile, "Stay here, someone should get to have fun. In fact, you can go home now, we'll be out in twenty minutes tops. Right Cordelia?"

Cordelia just glared and went off in a huff. Doyle chuckled and went after her.

Once they were all out of an earshot Angel turned back to Buffy. "You fought the Master and Spike?!"

Buffy nodded, unfazed, "Yup. It was kinda fun. Except that it really wasn't. I mean, dying? Really something you should try to avoid. But you'd know all about huh? Nevermind."

Angel looked pained, "You died?"

"Yeah," Buffy said sadly, "But I'm not now and now I have a sister slayer who's great if a little uptight. But after that, Spike was a cinch."

Despite her brave words, Angel saw her eyes told a different story. pulling her close to him, he wasn't surprised to hear small sniffles. "Shh, it's ok. You know, the Master was my Grandsire. You'll never believe this, but I'm Spike's Grandsire," Angel laughed bitterly, "I guess it's my fault that you had to face him at all."

Buffy shook her head vigorously, " No, don't' go all broody and start feeling guilty again. It was not your fault!"

Looking down she wiped her eyes and said, "Sorry, I got your shirt all wet."

Angel smiled a little, "It's ok, I have more. Now go pack, we need to leave for Sunnydale in a few minutes."

Buffy nodded and reluctantly trotted out of the room. Then she came back and looked at Angel. She jumped up to give him a kiss and whispered, "Thanks."

His only response was to give her a half smile.

She beamed back at him and walked out of the room with an extra bounce in her step. Angel watcher her go with his own heart a little lighter. These past few days had been the best of his very long life.

He made his way to his room with a faint smile on his lips. He couldn't scowl if he wanted to. Although in the back of his mind he was going over the current apocalypse problem, it didn't rest in the front of his mind as it normally would. It helped that his threat was more a joke that anything.

Gathering a few clothes into a bag, he slipped on his leather duster and hid a collection of weapons in carious places. Thinking of the car ride ahead, he took out a few weapons that might make it an uncomfortable trip. Stashing them in his bag, he laid it on the table and pulled a blood bag out of the refrigerator.

He sat down at his kitchen table and alternately ate and thought. It was still unbelievable that Buffy could love a monster like him. While he was sure that Buffy would come to her senses and leave, he was even more sure that if it happened, he could never live with himself.

Sighing, Angel turned his mind onto the less confusing and more familiar topic of saving the world.

Buffy would probably say world savage, he thought amusedly. Angel smiled at the idea than cringed, dammit!

Buffy frowned at her slightly disheveled room. She came in with a total of six bags, with the addition of several Cordy-Sprees which were much more expensive, vigorous and fun, she would never fit it all. I should've asked Angel about it before I left.

Gathering an overnight bag, she placed a weeks worth of clothes along with her own personal choice of weapons, including a few she bought during her shopping time away from Cordelia.

A few minutes later, everything was packed, just in case, with her bags in the middle of the floor. With a satisfied look at her room, she headed over to Cordelia's.

Opening the door, she found clothes carefully placed everywhere and one bulging bag on the bed assaulted by a frustrated Cordelia. "How can Angel expect me to bring so little? When did this bag get so small? I'll get this skirt in yet!"

Buffy laughing, but quickly turned it into a cough when Cordelia glared. "Cordy, stop popping the seams of your bag, I'll let you borrow some of my stuff, a lot fo them are the ones we picked when we went shopping."

Cordelia's eyes instantly brightened and she smiled, "Really? Thanks! I still need to get these shoes in though." She gestured to a row of 10 different pairs.

"Um, why don't you leave those here and buy more in Sunnydale?"

"Great idea! Oh, but..."

Buffy sighed, this could take a while.

Thirty minutes later, the gang had assembled, in front of the agency. Cordelia was the last one, puffing behind Buffy who was carrying two enormous bags.

"I...need...to sit...down," Cordelia panted and Doyle rushed to relieve her of the chest she was towing.

Angel looking amused and said, "Wheels? I never would have thought of that."

Carefully laying the bags down, Buffy watched Doyle unload the chest and said, "I almost took it myself after I heard Cordy complaining and all the jolts from the sidewalk made me glad I padded my weapons before we left. Otherwise there wouldn't have been a straight arrow in there."

Angel smiled and loaded the car up. Buffy came to help along with Doyle as Cordelia called out orders.

They piled in the car as Buffy pouted in the back seat and later told them her adventures as a Slayer. By the time she had finished, they were at the border of Sunnydale and she was dying to know some of their own.

They made their way to Buffy's house under her directions and waited in the living room as she called her friends to secure an emergency meeting at the library.

Angel looked around in interest. So this is where Buffy lived. He roamed around the room looking at pictures of her childhood. Cordelia and Doyle, on the other hand, sat on the couch and bickered about something as usual.

"I used to love ice skating, but don't' look at that picture."

Angel set it down and without looking at her said, "How long since you went skating?"

"Oh," Buffy laughed, "I can't remember, years at least. or many it just seems that long." Her nose scrunched up in concentration.

Angel nodded making a mental note of it and asked, "When and where are we meeting?"

"The Sunnydale High School library. I told the gang to get there in 10 minutes. Had a lot of complaining though, only Willow knows that you're a vampire. i want to see their faces when I tell them," Buffy grinned wickedly.

Angel's face matched hers as he gave her a kiss. "Let's get going."

The car ride was silent and the halls empty. As they passed a classroom, a voice called, "Buffy! What are you..."

Jenny Calender's voice caught in her throat as she saw who Buffy's companions were. More specifically, one of her close companions. Their linked hands didn't go unnoticed.

"Jenny, what...oh! No! It's not like that!" Buffy rushed to explain, unconsciously pressing her body closer to his, protecting him.

"Buffy," Jenny said slowly, "I don't know what he told you, but you need to get away from him. He's more dangerous than you know."

"You're right, I don't, I just know how good he can be, and if he wanted to kill me, he could have. Angel came to help me save the world, not destroy it."

"So that's what you call yourself these days," Jenny said coldly, shocking Buffy.

"Hey, I don't know who you are, but Angel's saved more lives than you can count! So, if you have nothing important to say, then we have a world to save!" Cordelia spat vehemently.

They continued towards the library, Buffy only a beat behind, looking disapprovingly at her teacher. Angel took her hand once more and her calmed considerably. Smiling up again, she assured him she would be fine and threw Cordelia an impressed look.

"Why do you look so surprised? No one out-bitches me!"

"Don't I know it," Doyle mumbled receiving the anticipated jab.

Buffy and Angel shared a look, hiding smiles at the two.

The library was empty, a rare occurrence for Buffy and they sat down, waiting for the others. Xander was heard first, joking all the way down the hall. He was followed by Anya who was openly staring at his butt. Next came Willow and Oz, simply holding hands. Last came an exceedingly ruffled bundle of tweed.

"Buffy! A-and Angel I presume? Yes, well, it seems that this threat is more serious than you thought. There is a, a prophecy..."

Buffy and her friends blanched while Angel looked surprised. "What does it say," Buffy asked nervously.

"Well," he said, flipping through a book he had under his arm, "Y-you were supposed to go to LA...ah. Here it is. 'And the Slayer shall fall into the realm of Angels where she will find her equal. From the blood of the world the two shall rise and the weight of the world will rest on their shoulders.' There a-are some references to other books, I have to, um, look up more information. But the general idea is that you were destined to go to, uh, LA, a-and meet your equal, in this case Angel. I'm not so sure about the blood of the world and why the weight of the world is mentioned. I-I would assume that would be implied with you being a slayer."

"So, it doesn't say anything about me having a blast over in that other realm, does it? You know, they always leave those important things out," Buffy said trying to sooth his fears.

"Yeah, Buffy just got a taste of fated fun."

Looking up at Angel she said, "Works for me."

Whew, FINALLY updated. I do have the next chapter or so written out like I said before, I'm just working on finals and the like and haven't had the time to update or write anything new. I hope this shows people that I haven't forgetten them, I'm just putting them on hold. And hey, at least I'm up to SIX chapters! REVIEW!!! And you'll get more!