AN: Thanks for the reviews...just a couple more to reach 100!

Chapter 20

8 months later...

Angel walked down the streets of London in the late afternoon. Luckily there was so much cloud cover, that Angel was in no danger from the sun. To be safe, he did carry a blanket with him in the small bag that had been his constant companion for the last few months. He looked around at the people and smelled the air. This was certainly not the London he remembered. It had been over a century since his family was chased out of London because of Spike's exploits. 'Spike.' Angel thought sadly. His heart ached whenever he stopped to allow himself to think of his Grandchilde. It was easier to focus on finding her. This kept his brain busy. It was at night, that he allowed the emptiness in his heart to overwhelm him at the thought of her and how he treated her. Angel would not give up the search.

He stopped in front of the mammoth, gray stone centuries old structure for a moment. He reached into his pocket to confirm the address. He looked for a sign indicating that he was in the right place, but there was none. He slowly made his way through a grand archway and entered the building. He looked around and saw a directory on the wall. He found his destination and proceeded up the elevator.

When he exited, he saw many people bustling around. He walked up to a secretary who was engrossed in her work. He cleared his throat to get her attention.

"Oh, I am sorry." The gray haired middle aged woman answered. "May I help you?"

Angel attempted to smile. "My name is Angel and I'm here to see..."

She stood immediately. "Yes, Mr. Angel. She is expecting you. Please follow me." Angel waited as she came around her desk and led him down a well lit corridor. Finally, they reached their destination. She knocked lightly on the door. "Go on in." She said quietly as she left him to walk through.

The large office was decorated in mahogany furniture and had large windows on three sides. On the shelf were many pictures both past and present. He heard a noise coming from a side room and turned to it. A woman yelped when she stepped out and saw him. She rushed over to the dark vampire. "Oh my Gods, Angel, you scared me!" She said as she embraced him.

"Um, hello, Buffy." Angel answered as he stiffly returning the gesture. The Slayer picked up on Angel's body language and as she stepped back she looked worriedly at him. She noticed how gaunt his face was and how thin he appeared.

"What's wrong, Angel?" She asked with concern.

"Well, I'm just surprised at your greeting. You seem happy to see me." He paused. "Not that long ago, you thought I was evil and did not want my help with the Dana situation."

"I know." The Slayer responded. "But things change, don't they? Do you want to talk about it? Is that why you came here?"

Angel shook his head. "I was here in London, and I heard whispers that the Watcher's Council opened up again. I was taking a chance to see if you here." He sighed. "I wanted to see how you were. Last I heard, you were in Rome."

Buffy sat down behind her desk. "Yeah, I was in Rome for a time. I was happy for a time. I got to live the 'normal life' for awhile. But, I think I had an identity crisis. I know I sometimes bitched about being the only Chosen one, but after Willow's spell in Sunnydale, I was no longer special." She chuckled bitterly as she removed a long blond lock from her face. "I know, what a brat , huh? I finally got what I wanted, but it did not suit me. I missed helping people. I missed the crunch, the rush I got. It made me feel alive." She paused as she heard Angel chuckle. "What?"

Angel smiled sadly as he took a seat on the couch in front of Buffy's desk. "I've heard those words before." Buffy watched Angel as he looked to be caught in his memories. He definitely was changed from the last time she saw him. Not only was his appearance slightly altered, but he seemed more sad than she had ever seen him before.

"Anyway, I tired of Rome after a few months. Dawn stayed behind and attends University there. She is happy." Buffy smiled. "Giles found money that the Council had stashed away, and he bought this building and reformed the group. And bonus! I'm a paid employee. There are so many Slayers to train now. We educate them here in regular school work and in their enhanced abilities."

"That's great, Buffy." Angel was genuinely happy for her. "How are the others?"

"Well, Will is our head witch of course. She is way powerful and has learned to control her magic. Xander goes around the world finding new Slayers. His home base is in Cleveland with Faith and her boyfriend Robin Wood." She saw Angel raise his eyebrow. "Cleveland is home to another Hellmouth. I think he likes the travel and such; it keeps his mind off of his girlfriend Anya. She died in the Final Battle with the First." She saw Angel drop his head as his thoughts returned to Spike. He wanted to change the subject.

"You seem happy, Buffy. I'm glad." He said sincerely.

"I am. A-And…well…I'm going to be married." Angel's eyes widened a bit in surprise. Not because he still loved her, but he thought she would never live long enough to see her wedding day.

"That's great, Buffy." Angel said as she saw the Slayer get up and join him on the couch. She showed him her engagement ring. "Very beautiful. Who is he?"

"Well, his name is Alex. We met a year ago." She said as excited as a school- girl. "He's a rogue demon hunter and now a part-time Watcher. We're getting married in 2 months." She paused as she looked down for a moment. "I hope you will come to our wedding. It's an evening ceremony, so hey, no burning!"

She laughed, but Angel did not join in the revelry. "Enough about me, what brings you to London?"

Angel stood up and paced the room. He ran his hands through his hair. He wanted to ask her where Spike was, but for some reason he was scared to. He had searched for the blond vampire for 4 months and he had no leads.

"Angel, you can ask me anything."

He looked at her with pained eyes. "I'm looking for Spike." He said quietly as he waited to see some expression on her face; there was none. He was not even sure she knew he was resurrected. He kept talking. "I've been looking for months and I need to see Spike. I really fucked up and…" He trailed off when he realized that Buffy still hadn't said a word. "Spike means so much to me and I don't think I can ever get another chance. I've looked so many places." Angel sounded desperate as he allowed his emotions to show. Buffy looked stunned by his revelations.

"Angel, I don't know what to say." Buffy looked surprised as she stood up. She stood in silence as she watched the dark vampire sit down again and placed his head in his hands.

Angel looked up at Buffy. "Did you know Spike came back from the dead?"

The Slayer continued to appear tongue-tied. Her eyes watered slightly. Her head turned suddenly when a young man barged into her office.

"Buffy!" The foppish, blond hair boy screamed as he walked towards her.

"What is Andrew?" Buffy said in an annoyed tone. He handed her some papers. "Spike said that you better get down to the gymnasium before he strangles Meghan's…what was his words" He paused while looking up. "He said he'll wring her scrawny, bloody little girly neck…yeah, that's it!" He backed off at the exasperated look on her face.

"What?" He said as he turned to see Angel sitting on the couch. The dark vampire sat with wide eyes and his mouth was open. "Oh." Andrew said as he scowled. "What are YOU doing here?" He said petulantly as he crossed his arms.

Buffy turned to Andrew. "Get out, Andrew."

"What?" He said surprised.

"Leave, Andrew. And keep your mouth shut for now." She practically growled.

"Fine." Andrew pouted as he stomped out of the office. The Slayer slowly turned to a dumfounded Angel.

AN: FOR STORY PURPOSES: Episode 'The Girl I Question' never really happened and 'Damage' happened in between Destiny and Spike changing into a woman...minus the hands being cut off..'You're Welcome' happened before Spike's change as well...

TBC…