Los Angeles
Angel walked the dark streets of LA. He had a weird fluttery feeling in his stomach, but he ignored it and kept walking. He looked across the street and saw a women enter a darken alleyway followed by two vampires . He followed slowly trying to keep unnoticed.
When he got to the alleyway entrance he pulled out a stake and moved to help the 'helpless' young women.
At least that was his plan. When he moved however he banged into someone, or something and immediately moved into a fighting stance.
The figured seemed to be somewhere else and kept moving, muttering a quick and low, "Sorry".
Angel got this wired feeling of familiarity and reached for the women. "Are you ok?" Angel turned her around and let out a loud gasp.
"Buffy?"
"Angel"
"What are you doing here? Are you in trouble? Do you need help?" Angel was still having a hard time processing that his beloved was standing right in front of him. Especially because she looked different. Her hair was darker, and her eyes dark and sunken in. It looked as though she hadn't slept in weeks. Her body looked thin and unhealthy, she looked as though she hadn't eaten in a while too.
"I'm fine. Bye" Buffy ran off. The last person she wanted to see was Angel. The last person she wanted to see her was Angel.
Angel ran to catch up with her before she could get to far. She looked as though she was lost. *Buffy, lost? Nah*. "Buffy what happened to you?"
"Nothing happened to me. I said I'm fine. I'm just passing through", she said getting a bit angry with all the questions.
"Buffy, your obviously not fine. You look like you haven't eaten or slept in weeks. What's wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong. Now if you don't mind I have somewhere to be."
"Where are you going? Are you here visiting you dad?"
"No! What's with all the questions? Is this the fucking inquisition?", she yelled.
Angel was aghast. He'd never heard her use that type of language not even with vampires. Something was seriously wrong.
"No Buffy, this isn't an inquisition. I just want to help you." Angel didn't exactly know what she needed but he knew she needed something, and he would be dammed if he would just let her leave without helping her first.
"I don't NEED or WANT your help Angel!" Buffy yelled rather harshly. Then she took a deep breath when she realized how mean she had just been to him. *He's just trying to help.* " Thank you for the offer but I'm fine Angel. I really need to go. I'll talk to you soon." She began moving again when he stopped her.
"You need somewhere to stay?" Angel didn't know what had come over him but he refused to leave her to wander the city alone in the dark. *She used to live in LA and she's the slayer you idiot. She doesn't need you to protect her.*
Buffy stopped and faced him. Confusion clearly written across her now hard features.
"I own a hotel. You can grab a room for the night. Get a meal, a shower and maybe some sleep? You can leave in the morning if you want. Or you could stay as long as you need, or want to." Angel wasn't sure what he was doing but it seemed right.
" I don't know Angel."
" Listen. No strings attached. You can stay and eat, shower get some sleep and that's it. You don't have to talk to me or anyone else if you don't want, and I'm not gonna grill you on why you're here. Just put my undead heart to rest by staying with me. I need to know your ok."
"Angel I'm fine. There's no need to worry. I'm just on a short vacation from all things hellmouthy." *Ok so that was a lie. I left my friends and my duty, again. My sister is dead and so is my mom. I no longer have a reason to live and fight.*
"Come on Buffy. Please just stay. One night that's all I'm asking." Angel pleaded with her. He didn't want to leave her alone here.
Buffy just nodded and they walked to the hotel in silence.