When they got into Wesley's place Wesley told Buffy where to look for the diaries while he went to go take a quick shower and to change. Buffy started going through a bunch of boxes and narrowed the search down to the last box. When she looked throuh it she found four full books of the smallest writing ever. She couldn't believe how much Wesley wrote in the little time he was there. She didn't want to start looking through them now because she told Wesley she wouldn't so while she waited she started to really look around the place. Then just like the first time she was there she was drawn to the closet with the bars. It wasn't even just the fact Wesley had bars in his closet, it was the bars in general. They gave her a feeling she couldn't figure out. She knelt down and was about to touch them until Wesley walked out.
He saw Buffy eyeing the closet and sighed, "That's where i kept justine."
Buffy stood up and hid the feeling she just had, "It's cool. I'm not a stranger to the light going dark for a while."
Wesley shrugged, "What if it's not for a while Buffy? What if once the light is out it stays out?"
Buffy walked closer to him, "Wesley, if your light was out you wouldn't be standing in front of me trying to help me save me, slayers and possibly the world. I know you want your friend's approval again but I can't help you if you won't admit it. You don't even have to say it out loud because i know you have two choices in your head right now. You can turn out the light or brighten it. Neither is going to happen if all you can do is stand there and think this is useless."
Wesley actually smiled, "Once again, the slayer has surpassed the watcher."
Buffy nodded, "Yeah well, speechy people have a tendency to rub off on me."
Wesley nodded and sighed while he searched for a different topic so he could change the conversation, "So you found the books?"
Buffy nodded, "Oh yeah. All four. You wrote a little too much for the little time you were in Sunnydale. How much did you hate me? Or how much did you love Cordelia?"
Wesley shook his head and grabbed the books Buffy had picked up, "We should get back to the hotel."
Buffy nodded and smiled at Wesley while swaying the keys, "You want me to drive?"
-Hyperion-
When Gunn and Fred walked down the stairs all ready for the day out they stopped at the lobby. They looked at each other and Fred gripped his hand, "Where'd everybody go?"
Gunn smiled and started leading her out the door, "Maybe people finally found dates, like us."
Fred shook her head and followed her Charles out.
-Training Room-
Dawn was in the midst of taking her break when she heard the main door close. She stared at Angel, "What was that?"
Angel shrugged, "Probably Gunn and fred or Xander and Cordy."
Dawn nodded and took a sip of her water totally out of breath. She sat down next to Angel and Conner, "So you and buffy used to train like this? All the time?"
Angel nodded, "Yeah. She was never much for the bag or that wooden thing Giles used."
Dawn grinned from ear to ear, "Don't I know it. The only thing she showed me was basics before she let me patrol. Experience is her thing."
Angel nodded, "Yeah."
Dawn sighed and stood up, "You ready for another round?"
A woman's voice sounded from the door, "That won't be necessary."
Dawn turned around a little whiny, "Did you have to interrupt? I was so sure I could beet him this time."
Buffy shook her head, "You couldn't beet Angel if your life depended on it Dawnie." She thought about it for a while, "Which we should change, just in case."
Angel stood up and smiled at the enterence of buffy, "Yeah, good plan. In case I go evil."
Buffy nodded and turned to Angel, "Wow, I haven't seen you in workout mode for a long time. You still look the same."
Angel half smiled, "Yeah, well, some things never change."
That's when Wesley entered the room followed by Cordelia, "Seriously Cordy, i don't know where he is."
Buffy sighed at the broken moment between her and Angel before turning around to face Cordelia who had obviously returned, "Who you looking for?"
Cordelia smiled, "Xander."
Buffy winked at Dawn when replying, "Check in front of the mirror. He doesn't look it but he takes longer to get ready then I...you do."
She nodded and walked out of the room after giving Angel a once over which buffy reluctantly picked up on. Angel noticed her obvious discomfort so he changed the subject instantly, "Did you guys find what you were looking for?"
Buffy nodded and Wesley held up the diaries, "We're going to have to read them to know what we found, if my hunch is right."
Dawn sighed, "Looks like training's out and research is in."
Buffy instantly sounded irritated, "Dawn, not now. We haven't needed to do any of this research stuff all summer and it would be really nice if I could say I found something and you not complain about something else."
Dawn looked instantly mad, "Are you serious? You're accusing me of being the downer? All you do is work now, even if you're training me."
Buffy smiled sarcastically, "Maybe because there's more important things going on then what you want."
Dawn walked right up to buffy so she was in the slayer's face, "How about nothing I want matters? This is all you are now buffy, the slayer and nothing else."
Buffy shook her head, "I can't believe this. All of high school I was ragged on about how I should take slaying more seriously and now that I'm older I'm being told to take it less seriously. Pick one Dawn, do you want a mom or a slayer?" Dawn went speechless so buffy calmed her voice down and spoke to everyone, "Start research on the diaries. I need a shower."
Before Dawn or anyone could say anything Buffy was out the door. Wesley sighed, "Well, looks like a long night."
Angel nodded and stared at him, "Set the books up in the lobby. We all need to get cleaned up."
Dawn shrugged, "Buffy's probably hogging the shower."
For the first time Conner actually spoke up, "You know if you don't start looking at what your sister really is there's going to come a day when she's not there Dawn. Think about how bad you're going to feel about what you just said."
Dawn couldn't help but get defensive, "You know I have lost her before right?"
Conner nodded and started walking towards the door, "Yeah and she came back. One of these days she's not going to come back. Nobody ever understands that until they lose someone."
With a quick glance to Angel Conner was out the doors. Dawn looked down awkwardly until Angel walked up behind her, "Don't worry Dawnie, he just doesn't understand the sister thing."
Dawn nodded and then looked up to Angel, "Where did he go?"
Angel shrugged, "Who knows? He can take care of himself though and he's always around when we need him."
Dawn nodded and quickly changed the subject, "Well then I'll be in the kitchen. I'm starved."
It was silent until Dawn was out of the room. Wesley cleared his throat and was about to leave too until Angel sat down again and started to speak, "You and Buffy talk about Conner?"
Wesley nodded, "We did. She has a gift of making people feel better."
Angel agreed, "Yeah well..." Wesley was about to leave again until Angel spoke again, "You know this is really hard for me to say."
Wesley only nodded again, "Yes well, it would help if I knew what you were trying to say."
"Despite our current demon problem things turned out okay...with Conner. I think most of my anger came with the fact I blamed you for him hating me."
Wesley looked a little confused, "Okay. I thought it was because I stole him."
Angel clenched his fists to hide his anger, "My point is the fact things turned out okay makes it somewhat easier for me to put all of this in the past. I'm never going to forget what happened and wheather you want to hear it or not we're on okay ground."
Despite the fact Wesley didn't want to smile he did. "Okay then. You might change your mind when you read about how much i hated you and buffy back in Sunnydale."
Angel smiled when he also didn't want to, "Don't worry we all probably hated you a little more."
Wesley nodded, "Fair enough."
Angel nodded and after a small silence Wesley did finally leave. Angel un-clenched his fists and actually smiled. Things seemed to be going back to normal in some ways ignoring the demons and girls dying.
-Buffy's Room - 20 Minutes Later-
Buffy finally got out of the shower and walked into the room she shared with Xander while using a towel to dry her hair. When she opened the door she jumped and dropped the towel because she saw Conner just sitting on the bed. When Buffy calmed down she picked up the towel and walked over to sit beside him. She smiled, "What's going on?"
Conner just shrugged, "I like being around you."
Buffy's smile widened, "I like being around you too."
After the silence started Buffy stood up and walked to her bag for a brush. Conner sighed and made conversation, "I like your sister but you two are so different."
Buffy nodded and walked back to sit with him on the bed, "Yeah well, Dawn hasn't had to save the world since she was sixteen so she doesn't know so much about what it's like on my side of the world. It's a good thing really, to be attached to the normal way of doing things. It just get's annoying sometimes."
Conner nodded, "What do you mean normal way of doing things?"
Buffy shrugged, "Like going to movies, the mall, dating, school, hanging out with friends and she still thinks she can save the world at the same time."
"Why shouldn't she think like that? I would give anything to have grown up here."
Buffy thought about her answer for a few seconds, "I used to think it was possible, to have the normal life and still be the slayer but I grew up. Even when I was dating Angel I always pictured him as a normal boyfriend but I was kidding myself. My life belongs in the shadows with demons and darkness. That whole normal life thing though is good for Dawn. She shouldn't have been dragged into this world."
Conner wrapped his hand around Buffy's, "You're just a girl Buffy, don't let anyone tell you different."
Buffy smiled and let a happy tear fall out of the corner of her eye, "For someone who wasn't around too many girls you sure are a sweet talker."
Conner smiled, "Probably something I got from my father."
Buffy giggled a little, "That's the first time I've seen you smile when you mentioned Angel." Conner just nodded so buffy continued, "So how's that going anyway? You and Angel."
Conner shrugged, "I don't want to kill him anymore."
Buffy moved her hand from Conner's and petted his head, "It's going to take some time. I promise everything will be fine eventually."
Conner nodded, "I believe you." Buffy smiled and stood up to put away her brush. Conner stood also as he continued, "What about you? How are thing's going?"
Buffy stood frozen still, "I'll be fine eventually. It's not L.A. I'm worried about, it's Sunnydale."
"When do you go back?"
Buffy shrugged, "Probably tonight or tomorrow if we don't find anything but if we do find something then a little longer then that. Either way I'll be gone in less then a week." When Conner went silent buffy stared and felt important knowing he was saddened, "You could always call me or visit sometime."
Conner nodded, "Yeah."
Buffy had to lighten the mood so she smiled, "We should do something non slay-like before I leave. Like a movie."
Conner looked a little scared, "Last time Angel brought me to a drive-in we were attacked."
Buffy smiled, "Well I'm talking movie theatre. Entirely different."
Conner smiled, "We can go now."
Buffy shook her head, "I have to get to work on slayer stuff but if you want to do the whole normal thing I won't blame you."
Conner shrugged, "I've never really done the whole normal thing."
Buffy was instantly pitiful but brightened as an idea popped into her head. The slayer grabbed her purse and then she grabbed Conner's hand and started running out of the room as fast as she could dragging Conner behind her.
-Lobby-
Angel, Wesley and Dawn sat around the table all looking extremely bored. Angel finally spoke, "How long is she going to take?"
Dawn smiled, "Twenty minute shower plus no blow dryer, this waiting thing is to be expected."
Wesley was about to chime in but Buffy and Conner suddenly came running down the stairs. Buffy ignored Angel's surprise and walked right up to Dawn. Letting go of Conner's hand she pulled out her credit card and handed it to Dawn, "Look Dawnie, I'm sorry about before but I need a favor."
Dawn looked curious, "What?"
Buffy winked at Conner and then stared back at Dawn, "I want you to take Conner out. The movies and maybe dinner. Plus you and me can't come to L.A. and not shop."
Dawn was suddenly excited, "Oh my god, you're serious." She looked at Conner, "She must of totally went all normal life on you huh?"
Conner smiled because his answer was cut off by Angel who stood up and walked so he was directly in front of Buffy. Pulling her a little ways away from everybody he finally spoke, "You're sending them to the mall? Now?"
Buffy smiled, "Come on Angel, they're teenagers. Conner knows how to take care of himself and it would be nice if he found out that this whole world isn't demons and darkness. Plus he thinks my sister is cool."
Angel shook his head, "Since when did you and my son get friendly?"
Buffy didn't want to lie so after a glance at Conner she stared at Angel and then to the ground, "When I said I went to go see my dad I actually went to the beach."
Suddenly it was clear in Angel's head, "You're the reason he came back."
Buffy shrugged, "Possibly."
Angel was still trying to understand, "What did you say?"
"Told him a few stories. He meant everything he said though Angel, I have no doubt. He was just really confused a...and..."
Angel cut her off, "I know buffy. You still didn't have to lie to me."
"Would you have believed him if I didn't?" Angel thought about it for a second and understood why buffy lied but now he had to decide wheather to be angry or grateful. Buffy couldn't stand the silence so she spoke again, "So can we let them go to the mall?"
Angel sighed, "Fine." They walked back to Conner and Dawn, "Just be careful."
Buffy smiled and looked at Dawn, "You know the rules Dawnie. Nothing too pricy but still fancy, buy something for your companion and buy something for me."
Dawn nodded, "I couldn't forget if I tried."
Buffy smiled and watched Dawn and Conner walk to the doors. When they were done putting on their shoes they were about to leave until Buffy giggled, "Oh and Dawn, try not to steal anything. I'd like to take you somewhere."
Dawn laughed sarcastically, "No more clepto but if we get kicked out of any stores it's because of your reputation not mine."
Buffy sighed, "I was 15."
Dawn nodded and opened the door, "So was I."
Buffy smiled and watched her sister walk out the door. Conner looked at Angel, "Do we have to have a whole laughing story right now?"
Angel shook his head, "No. Ruins the whole cool guy image."
Conner nodded and looked at buffy. After winking he smiled, "Thanks."
Buffy sighed, "Your welcome. We'll do our whole night thing later but please leave now."
Conner smiled and walked out the door. Angel looked at buffy and wasn't sure what to say so he started by thinking out loud, "So you come here and save my life, you lie to me about going to see my son, you start a whole Cordy conversation and get out of it, you just walked out of the other emotional conversation and now you're standing there like nothing you did was wrong."
Buffy shrugged, "Everything I do is justified in my own brain. You used to be smart in buffyworld."
Angel shook his head and looked down, "Things change, people grow up."
Buffy couldn't believe what he just said, "Did you just call me immature? How come everytime we fight you call me immature?"
Angel sighed and walked away to sit down, "I didn't mean..."
"You sure as hell did mean to."
Wesley finally stood up and intervined, "Please stop it. It's been a long time since I have had to understand you two and I don't much feel like trying right now. Plus we have girls dying, books to go through and a vampire we have to plan on seeing. We don't have time for your little fight now."
Both heroes looked down obviously embarassed. Murmered apologies were said but the first word came from buffy, "You know what Wes, you didn't even want me to read them and your writing is small so I'm going to go make soemthing to eat."
Despite the dissappointment Wesley smiled, "You cook?"
Buffy shrugged, "I do have some woman in me."
Wesley sighed, "Fine, but I don't know what I'm looking for."
"Start from your most recent entries, so when faith was evil entries and then work your way backwards. If it's something important it was probably close to the end of the year."
Wesley sat down, "How do you know there's something in here?"
Buffy started walking towards the kitchen while answering, "Just call it a slayer's intuition. Now please start looking, I have some food to cook."
When she was out of sight Angel sat down beside Wesley, "I pissed her off didn't I?"
Wesley smiled, "Well you must be excellent at apology speeches by now."
Angel grabbed the first book he saw and opened it to the back. He sighed when he read the last sentence aloud, "I fear the relationship between this vampire and Buffy will end but all will end well. A match that should never have been thrown together for if it hadn't we wouldn't be facing death in not more then a few hours."
Wesley looked as uncomfortable a spossible as he used his book to cover his face, "Well, please remember this was a long time ago."
Angel nodded and continued reading. After a smile he stared at Wesley, "This is going to be interesting."