Chapter 5: 3894378

A/N: I hope you likies … scurries away under the rock PLEASE REVIEW!!!!

Buffy played with the paper in her hands. Call him. Willow's voice echoed through her mind, disrupting her thoughts. She looked down at it, unfolding it again. Angel. 389-4378. 3984378. The numbers were imprinted in her brain, refusing to disappear. 3. 8. 9. 4. 3. 7. 8. What in the world was she going to do?

-----

Alexander Harris walked around the building, looking for his best friend. He was tired and smelled (a whole month wearing the same clothes did that to you) … bad, but he needed to find Buffy. Looking around, he spotted a blonde head. For the first time since he left he smiled. He walked up to his best friend, tapping her on the shoulder.

"Boo!"

Buffy shrieked and jumped. Xander laughed loudly and wrapped his arms around Buffy. She wrinkled her nose and pushed him away, crossing her arms across her chest. Neither noticed the slip of paper slowly floating towards the ground.

"So … did you miss me?" Xander asked, scratching his head. Buffy didn't say anything; instead she jumped up and gave him a huge hug. Xander laughed, "I thought I was too smelly for your hugs."

"My gods Xander, don't ruin the touching moment we are having right now." Xander rolled his eyes, but he stayed quiet. They stayed like that for a moment before Buffy jumped out of his arms.

"Okay, moment over." Slap!

"Damn girl! What the hell was that for?" Xander asked, rubbing his shoulder.

Buffy slapped him again, "That was for leaving Anya at your wedding, and THAT was for leaving without saying anything. Fuck Xander, you scared us. We didn't know where you were for a whole fucking month! You could have at least called us!"

"Buffy, I'm so sorry. But … I need some time to think."

Buffy nodded, "Right yeah. So, have you gone by to see Anya yet?"

Xander sighed and looked at Buff sadly, "I went to the shop, but it was closed and her clothes were gone, all her stuff too." He looked at his feet, spotting the slip of paper. Bending down, he picked it up, examining it.

"I wonder what this is?" Xander slowly unfolded the paper. Buffy gasped when she realized it was her paper. She grabbed it out of his hand, hoping that he didn't read it. Xander looked at her, surprised.

"Woah, sorry."

Buffy chuckled nervously, mentally shaking herself for loosing her cool. She stuffed t he paper into her pocked and focused her attention back on a confused Xander.

"So, where were you exactly for a month?"

-----

Angel examined his recent painting. It wasn't really anything special, just colors on a canvas, but he guess there was potential.

"What happened to that one of Buffy?" Angel jumped at Spike's voice. He turned to face him, accepting the beer that was shoved in his face. Angel raised it in a thanks and took a sip.

"I finished it."

"You did? When?" Spike looked around the room, looking for the painting that he had fallen in love with. He found it, under a pile of junk.

"What the bloody hell is this doing under all that crap?!?"

Angel didn't answer, Instead he grabbed the painting and threw it into the closet, slamming the door.

"What the fuck?" Spike moved towards the closet, but Angel blocked his way.

"Get out," his voice was cold, his face blank.

Spike looked confused, he moved towards the closet again.

"GET OUT!" Angel screamed. Spike looked at him, confused.

"What the fuck? Are you okay mate?" Angel didn't answer, he didn't even look at Angel. He looked past him, staring into nothingness. Spike stood there for a moment before giving up. Walking out, he turned around one last time. Angel was in the same exact position. He slammed the door behind him.

As soon as the door shut, Angel opened the closed door and fished the painting out. He slid to the floor, tears in his eyes as he traced the features of the woman. She was so beautiful … so … so beautiful.

The tears continued on flowing, Angel didn't bother to wipe them. He screamed in frustration and threw the painting across the room. He buried his head in his hands, sobbing. He missed her so much, ever night he stayed awake wondering how life would have been different if he hadn't gone to stupid London.

Groaning, Angel banged his head against the closet, running his hands through his hair. Even though ten years had passed, Buffy still plagued his mind night and day. Damn, he missed her so fucking much.

-------

Buffy sat in the armchair, staring at the telephone.

Call him. Willow made it sound so damn easy. Just pick up the phone and dial the numbers.

"But what would I say?"

"Hi works well."

"Smartass."

The telephone was mocking her, it had to have been, just sitting there so innocently. Call him! Willow's voice was also mocking her.

"Screw this!" Buffy stood up and walked away from the phone. She was almost out of the room before something stopped her. She turned back around, and glanced at the phone. Should she, or should she not? She should. It's been ten years after all, a phone call wouldn't hurt. It's not like she still had feelings for him … right. Right?

Shaking herself mentally Buffy walked towards the phone and picked it up. She dialed the numbers which had been committed to her memory for a while before she could stop to think about it.

The phone rang once, twice, three times before the answering machine picked up.

"'ello there! It's Spike and Angel. We're not here right now so leave a bloody message and Angel, I mean WE will call you back as soon as possible."

Buffy sighed, her hopes slashed. She was about to hang up the phone when she heard a familiar voice.

"Hello?"

tbc