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In the following weeks Angel done his best to be there for Buffy, his busy work schedule meant that he couldn't spend a lot of time away from his desk. If he wasn't at work he was eating or sleeping, getting back into the habit after a long time off was hard to get used to.
They spoke on the phone during his breaks at work, even if just for five minutes, each day he could hear her confidence coming back, each day she was more animated and even said that she had ventured out for the day.
She had confessed to him that she found it difficult going out by her own, scared that she would have a panic attack and burst into tears; the day that she first saw him Willow was waiting outside for her.
Knowing that he was a part of her healing journey meant something to him; even her family openly accepted him back in the picture. Dawn used him as an outlet for emotions that she hadn't even told her mom – that she felt helpless to see her sister hurting.
This day however when he got her call it was late, she wasn't herself, he asked her what was wrong to which replied that she was okay, it was nothing to worry about. She was spending time with Willow that day so she wasn't alone.
He said goodbye to her and frowned as tapped his thumb off of the table repeatedly then slammed his fist; not liking the feeling in the pit of his stomach.
Oooooooooooooo
When he came home he slammed the door shut and closed his eyes, he had stressed out all day, had a meeting from hell with the guys from LA, all he wanted to do was chill with a beer. He trudged through to the kitchen the tapped his head off the wall when he heard the doorbell.
He whipped the door open, ready to cuss up a storm then stopped as he saw her shy smile "Hi" he stood back to let her inside. Buffy looked around the living room before turning back to him "I hope you don't mind, Will had to run off to work…"
She whispered so quiet he barely heard her words he smiled politely "No that's okay, make yourself comfortable" she wrung her hands together and sat on the edge of the sofa. She looked uncomfortable for a minute before relaxing into the cushions.
Angel sat down on the recliner across from her and switched the TV on "Are you hungry? I could whip up some food if you'd like?" she twitched her nose but the rumble of her stomach gave her away, she blushed furiously then nodded yes.
As he went into the kitchen he yelled "What would you like?" he jumped as he came face to face with her, she'd silently followed him into the kitchen and was sitting at the breakfast bar "I'll eat anything"
He nodded once then opened the large refrigerator and pulled out some chicken and vegetables, as he prepared the chicken salad he felt her eyes on him the entire time; each time he would catch her eye she would smile lightly.
Angel grabbed some soda's and placed the plates down on the breakfast bar, Buffy dug in straight away making adorable noises, enjoying the meal that he had prepared. He took a sip of the soda then cut apart the meat.
Buffy cleared her plate then patted her tummy contentedly, even just looking at her he could see that she had lost weight. She wasn't dangerously unhealthy but the curves she once had, were now softer with some bones protruding.
It pleased him that she had ate the full plate and looked to enjoy it; he had noticed that she was gradually eating more. She was staying true to her word that she was trying to get better, to get back to how she used to be.
Once the dishes were put into the dishwasher they retreated into the living room, when she spied his movie collection she stared idly at one of the titles; when he seen what she was looking at he groaned; it was the only romantic movie he had; of course she wanted to watch it.
Reluctantly he placed it into the DVD player and pressed play; she looked at him gratefully then snuggled into the sofa holding a cushion against her chest. He smiled gently back at her then got comfy on the recliner.
Despite this being sickeningly sweet he had to admit that the movie was okay – being in her company was a plus as well.
Once the movie finished he looked over to find Buffy fast asleep, the cushion in her arms was now hanging half off the sofa. She was snoring lightly, every once in a while her nose would twitch endearingly then she would pout; she was beautiful.
He hated that he had to wake her up, it wasn't appropriate for her to stay the night – not that anything would happen but how would she feel at waking up here? He ran his hand over the side of her face; she leaned into his hand and sighed.
"Buffy?" he stroked her cheek lightly, when she mumbled something he leaned closer to hear. She scrunched her eyes before blinking to get the sleep out of her eyes.
Feeling disorientated from sleep, all she could see was a blur in front of her; fear gripped her, she let out a sob and pushed herself into a sitting position, trying to get as far away from him "No! Please no"
Seeing her flee from him hurt him more than he would have liked, the panic in her face tugged at his heart "Buffy, it's me… Angel" he remained in the spot so not to startle her. She took a few deep breaths and wiped away the few tears that had trickled down her cheeks.
"Angel?" she looked at him like she hadn't seen him before, her wide eyes calmed instantly "Angel…" she launched herself at him and wrapped her arms around his neck, her head nuzzling into his chest as she sobbed.
His hand patted her hair soothingly "Buffy are you okay?" her frame went rigid in his arms, she pulled back and looked at him with no emotion "I'm fine" her voice was small, even as she cleared her throat it sounded just the same "Sorry… I have to go home"
Worried about her sudden change in emotions he stood up and grabbed his keys, when she started at him blankly he only shrugged "I'll take you home" she followed behind him till they reached the car and during the drive home she closed completely off.
"Thank you" she got out of the car and walked quickly to the house, he caught up with her in no time; she froze and kept her sight on the ground. Gently he tipped her chin up so he could look at her "Buffy, did I do something wrong?"
He wanted to know what caused her outburst earlier, he didn't want to push her into it but it would be nice to know if it was something that he had done.
Buffy licked her bottom lip then sighed, she was so used to handling panic attacks like this alone; most of the time she had to deal with it herself and didn't have to explain what happened "No, you didn't do anything, sorry I got a bit confused when I woke up"
His eyes narrowed, confused? Pleading? Had something happened to her before that she had remembered but rather have forgotten? "Is that all?" she flinched under his scrutiny, she wasn't sure if she could trust him with that information.
Standing tall and using the last of her strength she nodded "Yes, that's everything… thank you for dinner" she gave him one last glance as she locked the front door. He remained in place just watching the door being locked.
The strange feeling in the pit of his stomach returned with a vengeance, he was always one to trust his gut instinct and at this moment it was screaming at him not to ignore anything.
Oooooooooooooo
Willow had told him the next morning that Buffy was quiet just like always, his gut was screaming that something was going down and he shouldn't be ignorant to the signs. It was annoying that he couldn't call her directly but she shunned her cell since the hospital.
He dove into the pool to cool down then came back up to the surface feeling refreshed, his moment was over when he saw Darla walking down the steps to join him in the water; her barely there bikini looking scandalous.
"Angel, such a good idea" she swam around for a minute the bobbed closer to him "It's been a while" she smirked as she came closer to him. She ran her hands over his chest then up and around his neck, laughing wickedly.
Angel glared down at the blonde, she had been relentless in flirting with him, this week was especially annoying as Lindsay was working away; leaving her free as a bird. She leaned her head to the side and licked her lips.
"Mmm, feels good, the hot, the cold, our bodies being so close… why deny yourself what you know you really want?" she pulled his head down and planted her lips on his. Her demanding tongue thrust into his mouth to circle his tongue.
Angel grabbed her shoulders and pushed her back, she looked at him in surprise "Oh your hurting me" he was ready to apologise and let her go but her shock turned into lust "But I don't mind" he pushed her back and she elegantly swum backwards.
"Just face it, you want this… I want this; just get over yourself and fuck me" she pulled on the strings to the tiny bikini top and let it float on the water's surface. He glared at her, wanting to spit out the harsh taste of alcohol on her breath.
He climbed out of the pool and crossed his arms over his chest "Get out"
Darla rolled her eyes and climbed up the steps of the pool, she strut over him, her cold blue eyes burning into him "What? Don't think you could handle me? …I guess you just prefer psychotic little cheerleaders huh?"
It took all of his might not to strike her, his fury was reaching boiling point "Leave and don't ever come back" she ran her finger over his jaw then laughed when he flinched "See you around" she swung her bikini top around as she left to go back to her house.
Oooooooooooooo
Once Darla left he got dried off and headed out to the gym, he spent an hour beating the shit out of the punching bag. It infuriated him that she couldn't get it through her skull that he wasn't interested in her, even if she was single he'd still say no.
He took a shower then got redressed, walking out into the evening air he felt amazingly refreshed. He checked his cell and frowned at the six missed calls from Willow "Hey Will what's up?
He heard her intake of breath, her voice was shaking "Angel, have you seen Buffy? I've not saw her since this afternoon… she was supposed to meet Dawnie for a late lunch but didn't show, this isn't like her"
Angel closed his eyes, that feeling was now ringing alarm bells; this was what it was trying to tell him, he wasn't wrong; Buffy wasn't doing well "I haven't seen her… where would she go?" her friend let out a sob and told him that they'd checked all the usual places.
Thinking of only one other place she would go to, he hopped into his car and drove in the direction of the beach. When he got there, there were only a few groups of people lighting bonfires; he described Buffy but to no luck they hadn't seen her.
He spent an hour walking up and down the beach, even checked all the little shops on the boardwalk and still nothing. He called back to Willow to check if she had went home but they hadn't heard anything either; he closed his eyes and held back a sob.