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After the session with Giles and Angel she felt like a weight had been lifted off of her shoulders, for the first time in a long time she felt strong. When her mind drifted back to Riley and even the baby she didn't get as upset.
The baby part still hurt a little but she knew that she would more than likely have another chance with someone she would love. She kept her head held high as she went to the mall by herself; she bought a full new set of clothes and shoes.
Her mind had been cleansed in a sense, refreshed; so now it was time to treat herself to shopping and a spa day. When she entered the salon one of the girls who had always been a bit of a bitch to her, tried to look down her nose but her newfound confidence shot her down.
Buffy read through a magazine as the stylist applied some highlights to her dull hair then waited on it developing; one of the articles was about how that one man from the friend zone could be a potential honey in your life "That's for sure"
Flinching, she looked around to see who had caught her speaking to herself, luckily no-one had. Reading through the drabble her mind automatically pictured Angel; sure they were close again, could say that they were friends but they had already gone there.
Would it be wise to dig up the past? As far as she was concerned their relationship had been perfect, each day was like the first moment that she realised she was in love. It broke her when he left, she knew she should have tried harder but she was only seventeen.
Being older now, being responsible for more than just a gig-a-pet, that she unfortunately sat on, she knew that she wouldn't let another chance slip from between her fingers; if by some freak chance that Angel was interested she wouldn't hold back.
Angel had driven her home that night from the appointment and had stayed over for dinner, although she wasn't a fantastic cook, she had managed to rustle up some burgers and a salad. They had talked a bit more about her past then had begun to talk about what she would do next.
Willow had come home and suggested that a night at the bronze would be good, get out of the house; have a dance and maybe a drink. Unease worked its way through her body at the thought of being out for the first time in over a year but the expectant look on his face chose the answer.
He had stayed till late that evening chatting with them both and when it came time for him to leave she escorted him to the door then stood on the porch chatting for another ten minutes. Eventually when her eyes were struggling to stay open he had kissed her cheek and wished her a good night.
Butterflies flapped away in her tummy but in a good way, her hair was freshly cut and coloured, she had a killer outfit; tonight would be the first night of her new attitude and improved life. Buffy made it home in time for some lunch then began the long task of getting ready.
Oooooooooooooo
Angel shrugged on his leather jacket then rechecked his hair in the mirror, never before had he been this anxious on a night out. Even when he was younger he was full of confidence, even a little cocky – this was different, things HAD changed.
Giles had opened his eyes, he knew that he still had feelings for her, hell the feelings he had never went away; all his past relationships were just to pass the time, try and make it look like he wasn't pining for his first love; in the end it didn't work.
That night he spent with her he picked up on the subtle signs that she cared for him more than just as a friend, each light touch, the way her smile got wider or as she blushed when he would say something sweet to her; she liked him and he loved it.
Before he came back and found out about what had happened he said he would settle as her friend, being a friend of Buffy's was better than nothing at all – if there was a chance for them to start afresh; rekindle their romance; he would give it his all.
The girls said they would be at the bronze for around eight which in realistic terms meant they would should up closer to nine, by the time he had reached the Bronze, as suspected he could only see Oz and Xander at the table.
He greeted his old friends and grabbed a drink as they got to talking; he was very thankful that they had all slipped back into their old habits and felt as if there hadn't been an eight year gap in their friendship.
As soon as she walked through the door he knew that she was there, it was like a warm tingle up his spin; he turned round to face her and his mouth dropped open. His eyes ran from the heeled sandals up her shapely legs and over the body hugging strapless dress then up to her face.
She smiled widely and done courtesy, he gulped audibly then smiled widely. She was beautiful, her hair was sun kissed and bouncing around her shoulders and she had the biggest smile on her face that he hadn't seen in such a long time.
"Well? What do you think of my dress?" she picked an imaginary piece of lint off of the bust of the dress then smoothed her hands over her stomach. She was there to impress and by the dumbstruck look on his face she was successful.
He ran his hand over the back of his neck and grinned "You look beautiful" she blushed from his words and looked to the ground "Come, I'll get you a drink" he tipped her chin up with his forefinger and thumb to look into her eyes.
All she could do was nod, now it was her turn to be struck silent. Just like always he was looking like a complete honey; the dark pants and dark shirt complemented him well – his trademark spiked hair was still as lush as ever.
As they walked to the bar their hands brushed off of each others, giving them both a thrill, like they were doing something they shouldn't be doing. Angel flagged down the barman and asked for a whiskey, Buffy pursed her lips together in thought then asked for the same.
She took a small sip of the amber liquid then grimaced at the taste, she hadn't touched alcohol in years; it was something that Riley didn't approve of but now she was free – she could do what she wanted, of course drinking this slow, it was helluva strong.
Angel smiled at the face she pulled as she took a sip then downed the contents of his glass and ordered another. They made their way back to the table to join their friends, although they had joined in on the conversation; they couldn't help but look at each other.
At one point Willow had begged her to go up on the dance floor with her saying that it would be fun, reluctantly she followed the red head and began to shift uncomfortably. Willow shook her hips excitedly and grinned at her friend "So… Angel?"
Rookie mistake of looking at him, he caught her glance and raised his eyebrow at her; she flashed him a smile then looked back at Will "Yeah?"
Willow gave her a knowing look "Come on Buffy, you've been making googly eyes at each other all night – do you feel any spark-age?" she had met Oz and subsequently Buffy a few months after he had left but Oz had filled her in when one night Buffy had cried her heart out.
Buffy shrugged lightly, she definitely felt something; before his demeanour was that of a friend – in the past couple of days it had shifted, it felt like he was more open to her and was watching her every move with fascination.
"I think it would be good, I've not known him long but he seems like a good guy" they shifted in their position on the dance floor so that Buffy could look at him with ease, she bit her lip as her eyes ran over him as he laughed at something Oz had said.
"Yeah, he's the best" he looked over at her with that half smirk of his causing her knees to go weak, she looked back at Willow and nodded "I'd like something to happen… we haven't talked a lot about how things ended… if he's still interested in me that way"
Willow chuckled "Buffy it's obvious that he feels something – I mean he wouldn't have been there for you the way he has, that's only something that someone would do if they had feelings for you!"
Buffy nodded slowly, that was true, either he had feelings for her or he was an idiot; Willow looked past her in awe then grinned as Angel came up from behind and slid hand over her stomach "Mind if I cut in?" Willow shook her head then scampered off.
Angel pulled her flush against him "Having a good time?" Buffy nodded then turned around in his arms to smile at him "Yeah" her breath caught in her throat as she looked into his chocolate eyes, it was the same look he always gave her when he told her how much she meant to him.
Due to the volume of the music in the club they were dancing close to each other, close enough that their others body heat kept them comfortably warm "Angel, I want to thank you so much for what you've done…"
He shook his head and smiled down at her "You don't have to thank me, this was all you, you wouldn't have done this if you didn't believe in yourself" she flushed again and looked to the ground with embarrassment.
Buffy took a deep breath to steady her nerves, it was now or never "It was you Angel, you are the one thing in my life that made sense, made me feel like I wasn't lost or was truly pathetic…" she blinked back the damp in her eyes as she looked at him.
Angel cupped her face with the palm of his hand - that was more than he needed to know and it made his heart swell that she was open to the idea of him being in her life "I'm always going to be here for you, you're smart and beautiful"
The song in the club changed tempo, he took the opportunity to slip his other arm around her waist to which she immediately wrapped her arms around his neck. They swayed to the beat of the song, the words washing over them.
Nights in White Satin
Never reaching the end
Letters I've written
Never meaning to send
Beauty I've always missed
With these eyes before
Just what the truth is
I can't say any more
'Cause I love you
Yes I Love you
Oh how I love you
Oh how I love you
The moment he took her back in his arms, the look in her wide jade eyes and the blush the spread over her cheeks – he felt it all rush back, the first moment he realised that he was in love with her, that same giddy feeling hut him like a truck.
He ran his thumb over her pouty lips; wasting no more time he leaned down to kiss her. Buffy reached up on her tip toes to get closer to him; she sighed against him then swiped her tongue against his as it entered her mouth.
Buffy melted against his body, loving the feel of being in his embrace. One of her hands went to his cheek to caress him softly and the other went to his hair, her fingers winding in his unruly locks pulling him down to meet her.
Angel pulled her flush against his body then tightened his grip as his arm circled her waist to keep her close.
Time stood still, all the people, the sound, the smell of the alcohol all went away when their lips touched. He had missed her beauty, and deep down, the truth was that even though they had been apart for many years it still didn't diminish her beauty or his love for her.
*Nights in White Satin by The Moody Blues, love that song.