When she woke up in the morning, as expected, Angel was gone. He'd left her a note, saying how he didn't want to wake her and he'd see her in the morning. She opened her jewellery box and slipped on the claddagh ring he'd given her the previous day. The heart was for love. She could feel joy fizzing inside of her. He'd given her a ring, part of which symbolised love. Did that mean he loved her? She knew he cared about her, but love? She could only hope.

She, Willow, Cordelia, Xander and Oz rode in Oz's van as usual. But when they got to school and found Faith and Spike, Willow and Cordelia made excuses and slipped away from the group, going to the toilets. They checked they were empty before beginning the conversation. "I'm telling you Willow, something's going on between them two."

Willow didn't look convinced. "I don't know Cordy. Buffy and Angel? They've always hated each other."

Cordelia shrugged it off. "Love, hate, what's the difference? Besides, it all makes sense, don't you see? They both got love bites on the same night. Don't you think that's a bit of a coincidence? And as soon as I suggest inviting Tom down for a visit, she says she's broken up with him. I don't think Tom exists. And whenever Buffy's not around Angel says he's 'working at the store' or 'going out'"

Willow shook her finger excitedly. "Ooh! And at her party did you see? They were getting pretty close when they were dancing"

Cordelia slapped herself on the forehead. "I can't believe I didn't notice this sooner. God I am so mentally challenged! Angel's my twin brother, why didn't I see it earlier! I mean they both had love-bites a few weeks ago, so it must have been going on for a while." Willow looked thoughtful. "But how do we prove it?"

Cordelia grinned conspiratorially. "I've got an idea."

They got their chance three days later. They asked Buffy to hang out with them but she said she had too much work to do. Buffy? Work? No way. Angel told her he was going in to town for a while, so her and Willow decided to follow him in Cordelia's car. Secretively of course. They'd seen all the cop programmes, they knew how to tail someone. Ish.

Well, wherever Angel was going, he seemed to be too interested to notice Cordelia following him two cars behind. When he pulled up at a park on the other side of town, Cordelia stopped around the corner, parking up then hurrying out with Willow, hiding behind some bushes. Not long after they saw a taxi pull up and Buffy get out. As soon as the taxi disappeared, Angel grabbed Buffy and kissed her urgently.

She broke away and trailed a finger down his cheek. "I had trouble getting away."

"Why? Your mom?" Buffy grinned wryly. "No, your sister and Willow. They wanted me to hang out, and I know they were suspicious of the 'I'm doing work' story. I've given it them so often now, since when do I do so much work?"

"Don't you think I'm worth it?"

He gave her such a puppy-dog look that Buffy couldn't help but kiss his pout. "Of course you are."

Angel hugged her tightly for a moment, then led her to the swings, sitting down on one and pulling her into his lap. He nuzzled her neck and wrapped one arm around her stomach, holding her to him. "How are you? Any more letters from the creep?" Buffy smiled. "Nada"

She turned her head to the side so the tips of their noses were touching. He looked down and noticed, with a smile, that she was wearing the ring he gave her. "You're wearing your ring."

"Of course I am. I told you, I love it."

He smiled at her again and leaned in to kiss her, their lips moulding as he deepened it, putting all his emotion into the kiss. Suddenly he heard a cough and they broke off to see Cordelia and Willow standing there with broad grins on their faces. "Oh you guys are sooo busted."

Buffy quickly stood up, but as she did so, the swing overbalanced, sending Angel flying backwards on to the grass. Cordy and Willow burst out laughing while Buffy hurried over and knelt by him, helping him up. "God, I'm sorry. You okay?"

Angel stood up, embarrassed. "I'm fine. But I'd like to know what the hell those two are doing here." Cordelia still had a chesire-cat grin on her face. "We followed you."

"Why?"

Cordelia gave her a 'do you think I'm stupid?' look. "Come on. I saw you two talking in the library a few days ago. It was obvious something was going on between you."

Angel rolled his eyes. "Took you long enough to work it out" Willow looked surprised. "How long's this been going on?"

Buffy and Angel looked at one another, doing mental calculations, as Angel's hand slipped around her waist. "About two months"

Cordelia froze in shock. "Two months! You kept it a secret all this time?" Buffy looked indignant. "Hey it wasn't easy."

Cordelia shook her head, annoyed at herself. "I can't believe I didn't work it out after the love bites." Buffy elbowed Angel in the stomach. "That was his fault."

Willow saw Angel's hand around her waist, and how Buffy lent slightly towards him, as if seeking comfort from him. They were so comfortable with each other, how had none of them noticed it?

Angel chuckled. "I can't believe you didn't realise we were both sneaking off at the same time at school." Willow looked confused. "What do you mean?" Buffy grinned and raised her eyebrows suggestively. "Supply closet Will."

Cordelia stepped forward. "Let's see the ring then"

Buffy shot a look at Angel, then held out her hand towards Cordelia and Willow, showing them the ring. Cordelia looked impressed. "Wow Angel, didn't know you had it in you." Willow gushed. "That's so beautiful"

Buffy grinned happily. "I know." She turned her head to Angel and pressed a sloppy kiss on the side of his neck. "See this was what I meant when it was hard keeping it a secret from them. Girls have to talk about stuff like this."

Cordelia gave them a little shove. "Can I just say, just cos we know, does not mean you have to go overboard with the PDA's."

Angel just grinned and, to annoy his sister, bent down and met Buffy's lips in a passionate kiss. Buffy wrapped her arms around his waist. "Looks like it's out then"

"Do you wish we didn't know?"

Buffy thought about it. "I don't know. It's kind of a relief not having to lie anymore." Angel grinned down at her. "I thought you said you found that sexy."

Buffy blushed slightly and elbowed Angel in the stomach. Cordelia looked slightly sick. "Oh please. Like I really wanted to know that."

They both just grinned.