Its a case of, i'm gong out, and wanted to post something. i'm away for the weekend, but i should be able to put something down on paper, and when i get home, i'll type it up.

The Bronze had many chairs and tables surrounding the dance floor, not to mention a balcony and the bar table and stools. All the young people of the former Sunnydale High School knew there was one table that from eight till eleven on a Friday night belonged to Buffy Summers and her friends. It was out of respect for her that she had this table (even if she didn't actually notice that that particular table was always free when she came in). She was the class protector, and everyone knew that her friends helped her. On this particular Friday night, it was just Willow and Oz at that table. Xander was on his ridicules USA tour and Buffy hadn't got there yet.

"Hey, Will." Willow was always amazed at how well her friend could sneak up on people. Not as good as … some people, but still quite fantastic. Then again, she was the Slayer, so it was in her nature to be sneaky – a predator.

Willow knew that Buffy was still getting over Angel, but thought she was healing quite well. Usually, she was happy, and was still going strong with the slaying, but today, there was something strange about her friend.

"Oh, hey Buffy. You seem …" Willow paused for a moment, and then looked at Oz for help.

"Cheerful." And that was the most Buffy knew he would say for about 30 minutes.

"Aren't I allowed to be happy? I mean, that's what you're all after isn't it? You want me to get up on the horse again, pluck another fish from the sea and date again. Well, I have."

She ignored Willow's shell-shocked face and Oz' slightly raised eyebrows (more emotion than she'd thought he would show).

"I was out all day yesterday with him; I'm so in love."

Buffy really wanted to allow herself an evil grin, but that would ruin the whole charade. She probably should have told Angel though …

"Um Buffy. We wanted you to be happy, but not to just go out with the first guy that asked! I mean you're still suffering from … Angel."

"No. I'm moving forward like you and Xander want."

"I meant 'Angel' as in 'look – Angel's over there looking really nervous by the door' not as in 'Angel who made you suffer' 'Angel'. Although the second also applies."

"Well of course he's standing by the door. He probably tracked by scent here or something equally vampirish (no offence Oz)"

"None taken." Was Willow getting him to speak more, or was it just her?

"How else would he know where I am? And he's looking really nervous because he doesn't know how much you're going to hurt him for leaving."

"But Buffy! He left Sunnydale, and – and you don't seem very shocked, surprised or any of the other 'S' words that I cant think of right now, but I will soon. See, there's two more already!"

"Why would I be shocked, Will? I can feel him whenever he's near."

At a barely noticeable nod from Buffy, Angel's nervous look became terrified, and he began to make his way across the dance floor to the table. When he got there, he swallowed, and looked at Willow. His face was now like a mask, but his grip on Buffy's hand told her that he really was terrified of Willow's reaction. She didn't know why – it was simple. Willow wanted Buffy to be happy, Angel made her happy, ergo Willow would be happy that Angel was back. Oz wouldn't really care all that much either way, but he would be happy that Willow was happy. Everything was simple.

"Hi Willow"

"Angel." Was it just him, or did the temperature just drop rapidly?