Authors Note: Sorry for the delay, my computer is being really crappy, 'cause apparently I ran out of space. I've been having a lot of trouble with it, and it kept deleting my chapters. So, sorry that its so short, but I don't have a lot of time before I have to go, and I just wanted to get this out finally. I'll try and update quickly. This place keeps not letting me log in, because of my computer, I think, so I'll just try to get out the next chapter as soon as I'm able to. On another note, since I've only got a good few chapters left, I'm going to start using lines from HIM songs, instead of titles. Not that anyone cares, I just thought I'd let you all know (:
"I love elevators!" Buffy squealed as she walked out of the elevator, both her arms around Angel's waist, her head resting on his shoulder. One of his arms was around her waist. She was trying to keep him from being nervous. But it wasn't working, she could tell by his shaking. She kissed his shoulder, frowning. "Angel, he'll love you, don't worry." Angel gave a frail smile in her direction, before his eyes shifted down. Buffy sighed, giving up. Angel was the perfect gentleman even in his nervous state. He opened every door for Buffy, and helped her into the car.
The drive was fairly short, and quiet. Well, no, it wasn't quiet, Buffy babbled the whole time about her old life, before the Slayer, when her parents were together, and Angel tried his hardest to listen to every word, but he kept spacing out. He didn't like hearing about how she'd been one of the most popular girls in her school, the Cordelia of her high school, and how she was sought after by most of the guys in school. But they arrived at Buffy's father's home, and she shut up. Angel, still the gentleman, helped her out of the car. She held his hand as the two of them walked up to the door. It felt strange, Buffy thought, knocking on her father's door, a door that had once opened up to her home. Buffy pondered for a moment; did she even have a home now? She was just staying in that hotel with Angel, was that her home? After a moments thought she decided, home was where Angel was. Home was safe in Angel's arms. At that thought, she moved her arms around him in tight hug, just as her father opened the door. Hank Summers looked at the couple for a long moment. Without a word he stepped aside, letting the couple enter. As they entered, Buffy detached herself from Angel to hug her father. The hug was short, lasting only a few seconds. As soon as it ended Buffy had latched herself around Angel again. Hank's eyes scanned Angel a moment, before he held out his hand. Angel shook Hank's hand, and then the two of them smiled, as if they had some strange agreement. "Nice firm handshake you got there." Hank said, the first words spoken since Buffy had shut up after the car ride. It shattered the awkwardness, for the moment, at least. As if having a firm handshake had made Buffy's father instantly approve of Angel. Buffy didn't understand it, but she was thankful for it. Hank's eyes suddenly shifted to Buffy. She couldn't help but feel like the girl she'd been before, before Slaying, before Angel, before her life really began. "How've you been, princess?" Hank inquired, the two hugged again.
"Great." Buffy replied, glancing at Angel, and then looking back at her father. "Really, really great."