"Angel!" Nina threw her arms around Angel's neck. Angel just blinked, his body stiffened, but Nina didn't notice his obvious discontent. Buffy gave a jealous look, glaring daggers at Nina. If looks could kill, Nina would be six feet under. And when Nina's lips pressed against Angel's, Buffy was gone too fast to see Angel pulling away almost as soon as Nina had kissed him. He pulled away from her lips, and her arms, stepping away, making sure she stayed at least six inches away from him, and his lips. And Nina still didn't notice. "Angel, when you didn't call I-I thought you died!"
"Yeah… about that—I meant to call… but I—got busy. Sorry…"
"It's alright. I'm just glad you're alive! Oh, Angel." She moved in to kiss him again, but he stepped away. She stumbled a little; she hadn't been expecting him to move. "Angel?" She gave him a look. "What's wrong?"
"Did you see that girl? The one that I was with?" Angel asked looking down at Nina, who gave a small nod. "That was Buffy. I told you about Buffy, didn't I?" Nina gave another nod, realization flushing over her features.
"Oh-I-Are you with her?" Nina asked, her eyes now on her feet. But she caught Angel's nod. "I'm so sorry—I didn't—I didn't even think. I'm sorry. A-Are you happy with her?"
"As happy as can be."
"What are you waiting for?" Nina suddenly asked, looking up at him.
"Huh?" Angel gave a dumbfounded look down at Nina.
"Why are you still here? Go after her, stupid!"
"Oh! Right." He leaned in quickly, kissing Nina on the cheek, before he walked out. Nina's hand touched her cheeks, where his lips had touched. She let out a small sigh.
"I'm never gunna find another guy quite like him…" She stated solemnly to herself. A waitress, who had been watching the scene, patted Nina's back comfortingly.
"Buffy! Buffy wait up!" Angel called; jogging after Buffy, who had gotten to the car, realized she still couldn't drive, and was now walking towards home. She didn't wait, even though she heard Angel. But he caught up quickly enough anyway. He walked beside her now. "You left without me." Angel stated quietly, looking at her.
"Why aren't you with Nina?" Her voice was like venom, stinging Angel's ears. He snatched her hand in his. She tried to pull it back, but he didn't let her.
"It hurts, doesn't it?" He inquired, though it was more of a statement. Buffy gave him a quizzical look, before she realized his meaning. Was this how he felt? This tearing feeling in her heart, had he felt that when he saw her with The Immortal. "Well I'm willing to bet it hurts even more when the kiss lasts longer than a second."
"A second?"
"You didn't stick around long enough to see me pull away from her. Buffy, if I wanted to be with Nina, I would've called her, instead of flying all the way here to be with you."
"Oh." Buffy suddenly felt stupid. Why had she ever doubted Angel's love for her? She was just being dumb, thinking that he might have feelings for someone else, when she could tell just by looking into his eyes that she was the only one in his heart. She stopped walking, and let go of his hand. He stopped beside her, staring down at her. She wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face in his chest. "I'm so sorry." She muttered, her voice muffled by his chest. He smiled, pulling out of her embrace, cupping her cheeks in his hands, staring down into her eyes.
"Don't be." He whispered. "I love you."
"I love you." Buffy replied, her hands over his. He leaned in and kissed her. They stayed like that for a long while, before they had to pull away, to breathe.
"Let's go home." He suggested, Buffy nodded. She wrapped her arms around his waist again, and they walked back towards the car. Once in the car they got in the same position they'd been in before they'd stopped for breakfast. Angel reached for the radio, to turn Barry Manilow back on. But Buffy's hand caught his.
"We listened to what you wanted to on the way; we get to listen to what I want to now." She grinned. Angel gave a fearful look, afraid it might be something really loud—or Britney Spears. She turned on The Cure. Angel gave a relieved sigh as he started the drive back to their home.
They reached home, smiling brightly, happy as ever. But their smiles faded as they walked inside, only to find the home in shambles. Angel deducted, after going through everything, that nothing was missing. But Buffy didn't hear him. She was staring down, horrified, at a small note that she now held in her hand. Angel slowly walked up next to her. As soon as he put his hand on her shoulder, she'd turned around and hugged him tightly. He hugged back, holding her, as she slowly began to cry.