Chapter 2
Buffy sat bolt upright in bed. The nightmare had felt so real and she hated the feeling it gave her. She was alone in her dorm room and she quickly got up and checked to make sure the door was locked. Willow had left for winter break, but Buffy had no where to go. She had only been alone one night and already she was loosing her mind. She laid back down and desperately tried to find sleep, but it eluded her. Every time she closed her eyes images from her night mares flashed before her eyes. It frightened her how real the nightmares always seemed. She could feel every touch, smell every odor, and hear every sound as if she was actually there. She groaned and tried to settle back down, but sleep eluded her. She tossed and turned before finally settling into a restless sleep.
Angelus merrily made his way up the stairs and down the empty hall towards Buffy's dorm room. Willow had left several days ago Buffy had been hauled up alone in her dorm since her departure. Angelus had called every day trying to convince Buffy to go out and finally she had agreed. Angelus softly rapped on her door and waited for her to answer. Finally she came to the door wearing her trademark baggy flannel shirt and loose jeans. Angelus was taken back by her appearance. She looked like she hadn't slept in days. "Buffy? Are you alright?," he asked her full of concern. Buffy shook her head yes then dropped her hand from the door and walked back into her room. "I… I… well… I've just… been having trouble… sleeping," she stumbled out as she sat on the edge of her bed. Angelus sat down on the bed next to her. "You've been sick?," he asked not understanding why she wouldn't be able to sleep. Classes were over and the stress free winter break was upon them. Buffy shook her head no then uncharacteristically rested against his side. Angelus was shocked by the contact she had initiated. He quickly draped his arm over her and pulled her closer against him. "So tired," she whispered closing her eyes as she rested against him. Angelus knew something was wrong for her to be so willing to land into his embrace. Looking down at the small girl resting against him he felt the need to help her and protect from whatever it was that was causing her so much distress.
Angelus gently eased off his shoes and pulled himself up onto the bed bringing Buffy with him. Buffy let him position her head on his chest. "Sleep," he whispered as he laid there holding her close to him. Miraculously Buffy slept for hours. Not once did she wake in fright from the nightmares that plagued her. Satisfied that she was sleeping now Angelus smoothly and slowly pulled himself out from under her. Checking to be sure that she was asleep he gently placed a kiss on her temple then walked out of her dorm room to the restroom. Angelus figured Buffy would sleep for several more hours. He decided to go get them some Chinese take out. Looking at Buffy he figured she hadn't slept nor ate in several days.
Angelus nearly dropped the bags of Chinese food as he heard the screaming from with in Buffy's room. He quickly opened the door chastising himself for not grabbing her keys and locking it. He was semi relieved to see Buffy alone and thrashing on the bed. He stood staring for several moments as she thrashed in the bed screaming for some unknown assailant to stop. Angelus quickly sat the bags on Willow's bed and rushed to Buffy. "Buffy wake up. It's okay wake up," he said as he shook her awake. Buffy's eyes flew open and Angelus saw for the first time the sheer look of fear and tears streaming down her face. Without thinking too much into it he quickly pulled Buffy into his strong embrace, "Shhh, don't cry it was just a dream." Buffy let him hold her feeling safe in his embrace. After several minutes Buffy finally pulled away from him and stared down at her hands fidgeting with them. She was embarrassed for him to find her like that. Angelus gently grabbed her hands and rubbed them lightly. "Do you wanna talk about it?," he asked her. Buffy shook her head no and pulled her hands away wiping the tears from her face.
It was getting late and they had finished eating. Angelus stood not really wanting to leave, but he didn't want to push Buffy. Buffy bit her lower lip nervously as Angelus stood as if he was ready to leave. She didn't want him to leave. She wanted him to stay and hold her all night. She felt safe when he was around and she knew the moment he left that sense of dread would flood her system once again. Angelus shuffled a bit thrusting his hands in his pockets. "Well I guess I should go," he ventured in more of a question then a statement. Buffy already felt a sense of panic coming over her. "… or you could stay," she whispered. Angelus looked up at her and couldn't help the smile that spread across his handsome features. Angelus strode over to her and sat down beside her. "I'll stay with you Buffy," he assured her as he pulled her into a hug. Buffy stretched out of his embrace and stood up. "This is sort of embarrassing, but would you… well… sort of… stand guard while I shower?," she asked nervously. Angelus chuckled at her and agreed.
Buffy stood in the shower for what seemed like days. She realized she hadn't showered in several days. Her nightmares were really freaking her out and she didn't want to be alone. She finished her shower and quickly threw on a pair of sweats and oversized t-shirt before heading out of the bathroom. Angelus stood from the chair quickly when she exited the bathroom. She had tied her wet hair back loosely with a tie and he smiled appreciatively that her face wasn't covered in hair as it usually was. He followed her back to her room then sat on Willow's bed. "I guess I'll sleep over here," he said. Buffy hadn't really thought about that, but she figured it would be alright. "Kay," she said snuggling into her blankets. Angelus laid atop the blankets and soon fell asleep listening to Buffy's even breathing.
Angelus jolted awake as Buffy climbed into the bed next to him. He looked down at her and could see her covered in a sheen of sweat. Her cheeks streaked with tears. "Are you okay baby," the last word coming out so naturally. Buffy shook her head yes and pushed herself closer to him. "Cold," was all she said stifling back her tears. Angelus sat up and lifted her with him carrying them to her bed and nestling with her under the blankets. "Do you want me to sleep with you?," he asked. Buffy shook her head yes once again then soon fell fast asleep. Angelus stayed awake for a long time staring down at the small blonde girl nestled into his side. His thoughts filtered back to when they first met ten short weeks ago. Thinking back to that day he would have never thought he would have ended up in her bed. Maybe not in the traditional sense, but nonetheless here he was holding the small blonde.
Buffy slept soundly through the night. Not once did the nightmares slip back into her mind. She awoke being held tightly by Angelus. She pulled away from him quickly scared of what he might think. Perhaps he thought their relationship, if that's what you called it, was going on to the next step. Buffy knew she wasn't ready for any of that. Angelus jerked awake at the sudden loss of tiny girl. "Buffy? Are you okay?," he asked sitting up. Buffy bit her lower lip and shook her head yes. "I'm sorry, I well I …" Buffy began to stammer out. Angelus stood quickly and strode over to her. "Don't be sorry," he said. Angelus talked Buffy into getting dressed and going out for the day. He nearly gave up sensing she was very frightened at the prospect, but he continued to push and she finally gave in.