"Want to explain why you're here and for how long for?"

"Because I love Buffy and forever." Then more quietly, he added, "That's the whole point" and looked straight at Buffy. Her eyes widened

"You know about that?"

"Of course I do – I was there wasn't I?"

"B-but I was dreaming … it was a dream, right?"

"I thought I was dreaming."

"Oh God, Angel. How can you even think of forgiving me?" He just wrapped his arms around her.

"How can you forgive me?"

"It wasn't you! I love you!"

"And I love you – that's how."

Throughout the entire exchange, Willow was looking suspiciously between the pair, mostly at Angel. Now, she pointed a finger at him, and said in a no-nonsense voice which one wouldn't usually associate with her,

"I'll speak to you later. Now! Go dance!"

Angel looked at her for a moment, then shrugged and walked with his other half towards the dance floor. There, they proceeded to ignore the fast music and 'rocking' teenagers around them, and swayed to their own rhythm. Buffy put her arms around her Angel's neck, and he bent down to press their foreheads together. Most of the kids just ignored them, leaving a wide berth out of respect to Buffy and the older man whom they knew had also helped save their lives several times over.

To anyone not familiar with the couple, they were just another pair dancing to music only they could hear; Willow knew better. How they did it was anyone's guess, but the vampire and the Slayer seemed to talk with each other using only their eyes, and the occasional nod. They knew each other so well, that a simple glance could send Buffy into fits of laughter, and leave Angel with a small grin on his face.

He and Oz were quite alike, Willow mused. Both creatures of the night, and yet both helped the Slayer in her 'sacred duty'. Both men rarely showed emotion, and when they did, it was a big deal. She shook her head and then held out her hand to Oz. With a barely noticeable sigh, he took it and allowed himself to be towed to the floor, where they too started to sway to their own rhythm. More couples followed their example, and soon only a few people were actually dancing t the music. The DJ looked at them exasperated, and changed the music; clearly it was time for a few slower songs.

Angel moved his hand from the small of Buffy's back up to stroke her hair softly, as if afraid that it would disappear and her with it.

"You are so beautiful."

"I love you, Angel. Don't leave me again."

"Never."

They danced for what seemed like eternity, but when the song ended, Buffy raised her head for a kiss.

"I'm going to patrol – I've got another hour till my curfew, and then I'll sneak out again. Coming?"

"I'll meet you later – I think Will still wants to yell at me." He winced slightly, and looked at Buffy. "In case I don't case out of it alive, I need you to know I love you, and I wont leave you, and –" Angel was cut off as Buffy kissed him once more.

"I'll meet you at eleven thirty."

"Bye, love. Wish me luck." Buffy giggled and walked out of the Bronze.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Oz." Willow kissed her boyfriend and turned to her best friend's boyfriend. Newly re-instated boyfriend. "Come on, Angel. Walk me home."

The vampire in question looked at her, gulped, and then swept his hand in front of him.

"Ladies first."

"So nice to know that you didn't lose your good manners at the same time you lost your good sense."

They walked in silence for a while, before Willow broke it again,

"What were you thinking? You broke Buffy's heart just before the Prom, and then showed up to dance with her; you said you were leaving, and then stuck around to help; you said you wouldn't say goodbye, and then stared at her through the smoke at graduation; and finally, you actually left, and now you're back one week later! You need to make up your mind Angel and stop screwing with hers. I know you love her, but I'm not prepared to support this relationship again if you're just going to break my best friend's heart all over again. So, do you love her enough Angel?" They had reached Willow's house without any conscious decision. "Are you here for good?"

"I will never leave Buffy again."

"Good." Then, surprising even herself, Willow gave Angel a quick peck on the cheek. "Because I have w really nasty curse in one of my books that I'm sure even with healing abilities you would not be able to recover from."

Getting the point, Angel gulped and made a mental note to never get on Willow's bad side – ever!

"I'm glad we understand each other. Now, didn't I hear that you are meeting Buffy in" she paused, "ten minutes?"

"Bye Willow." And the vampire walked rather quickly out of harms way and into the night, where he belonged.

I managed to write this while at my grandparents house, and then got home a day before I thought I was going to – so viola! A new chapter!