Chapter 4
Buffy had never really said her and Angelus were dating, but they were. She knew it and he definitely knew it. Willow asked several times and Buffy always said she liked to hang with him. Willow was sure they were dating, but was just glad that her friends nightmares seamed to cease. Willow didn't mention it and neither did Buffy. Buffy mainly stayed in her dorm room, but every once in a while when she was feeling particularly vulnerable she would stay with Angelus. Angelus had let their three month anniversary pass without mention. He was afraid to bring it up less Buffy insist they weren't dating or something along those lines.
Angelus and Buffy had been dating for six months and Angelus had decided he wanted to celebrate their anniversary. He had everything set up and ready. He just needed to get Buffy on the bandwagon. He nervously knocked on her door and waited. He smiled when her red headed friend answered the door. "Angelus? Buffy's still at work," she stated with her brow furrowed. "I know it's just tonight is well sort of our six months anniversary and I wanted to surprise her," he explained. "You can wait here, but I have to go to class. See you later," she called out as she headed down the hall. Angelus nervously paced around the room. He was nervous about the way she would react to his presence in her room as well as the evening he planned. He sat the bag containing the dress and shoes he had purchased for her on her bed then continued to pace.
Buffy unlocked the door and was startled to find Angelus pacing back and forth in her room. "Angel?," she squeaked out when she calmed a little. "Buffy, I know you weren't expecting me, but well tonight is sort of our six months," he burst out. Buffy shook her head in agreement, "I know." Angelus was surprised that she had kept up since she still didn't refer to them as a couple. Secretly Buffy had been hoping they would do something, but she hadn't said anything. "I planned something, but if you don't want to then we don't have to," he rambled on. Buffy shook her head, "I… well… I would like that." Angelus smiled wide and walked toward the bed grabbing the bag. "They should fit I did some snooping," he said smiling nervously. Buffy took the offered bag and scurried to the bathroom. Angelus waited anxiously for the girl of his dreams to return. Finally he looked up hearing the door knob jiggle. He held his breathe waiting as the door opened. He couldn't believe how gorgeous she looked.
Buffy stood apprehensively before the man of her dreams. The black spaghetti strapped dress hung just below her knees. She had fixed her hair atop her head. She felt nearly naked and she was scared beyond belief. While she had taken to wearing more revealing clothing in the past few months she hadn't worn anything this revealing in over a year. Angelus sensed her nervousness and quickly stood and walked over to her. "You look gorgeous Buffy," he stated adoringly. Angelus smiled as her cheeks painted that familiar shy red she showed so well. "I have something else for you," Angelus said as he pulled a gold necklace with a single tear drop diamond hanging from it. Buffy's eyes widened, "Th… thank you, but it's too much." Angelus gazed intently into her eyes, "Nonsense," he whispered as he draped the necklace on her and clasped it behind her neck.
Buffy marveled at the tiny restaurant at the end of the pier. She had never known it existed and Angelus informed that not many did and they liked to keep it that way. The restaurant was small with all the tables near the windows overlooking the vast pacific ocean. There was a bar on the end of the restaurant that didn't face the ocean. In the center of the room was a small intimate dance floor. They had just finished their salads and Angelus longed to get Buffy out on that floor. "Dance with me," he stated as he held his hand out to her. Buffy reluctantly accepted and followed him out to the floor. She rested her head on his chest and entwined her hands around his neck. Angelus enveloped her small waist in his large hands. The two made quite a striking pair dancing slowly to the music. Finally they returned to their tables and ate their entrées.
The waitress quickly whisked their empty plates away and asked about dessert. Angelus shook his head no as he glanced at Buffy who didn't look like she wanted it either. "I thought you would enjoy a walk on the beach," he stated as he guided her out onto the pier and down towards the beach. The two walked hand in hand silently on the beach. "Buffy you know I care deeply about you right?," he asked stopping suddenly. Buffy shook her head yes and turned to stare out at the black shimmering ocean. She marveled at the way the moonlight softly caressed the gentle waves. "What do I have to do for you to except that we're a couple now?," he asked. Buffy continued to stare out watching the slight ripple of the ocean. She knew this was coming eventually. "I accept it, I just, I've been hurt before Angel. It just scares me," she explained never once moving her gaze from the ocean. Buffy shivered a little from the cold wind blowing in. Angelus quickly took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. "Buffy I would never hurt you. I promise," he said turning her so he could stare into her eyes. Buffy closed her eyes and shook her head yes and fell easily into his arms.
Angelus was just going to take Buffy home, but she wanted to sleep with him. She seemed to need to sleep with him every now and then to keep the nightmares at bay. She always felt safe wrapped snuggly in his arms. Angelus lead her up to his room and pulled out a pair of her pajamas she kept there. Finally dressed for bed Buffy wrapped the blankets around her tightly waiting for Angelus to come to bed. Finally Angelus emerged and snaked under the duvet with her. Angelus couldn't help but kiss her. He didn't want to kiss her on the top of the head as usual, but those luscious lips. Gently and slowly he bent down towards her and kissed her. He waited to see her reaction. She closed her eyes and let out a breathy sigh her lips slightly parted begging him for more. Angelus was all too happy to oblige and bent in and began devouring her lips. "Angel," she sighed as he brought his hand up and into her hair and gently laced his fingers in it. Angelus continued his assault on her parting her lips with his tongue. Buffy stared into his eyes relishing in the feel of his tongue dancing with hers. Angelus finally pulled away catching his breath. He stared down at her petite form and smiled at her. Slowly he bent his head back down and began to devour her with kisses. He began to kiss his way down her neck and back up the other side relishing in her taste. Buffy closed her eyes and suddenly had a flash of her nightmares flash before her eyes. Instead of Angelus gentle caresses and kisses she felt and saw the rough hands and lips of another man falling upon her. "No! Stop! Please," she screamed suddenly frightening Angelus. Angelus immediately pulled off of her, "I'm sorry baby I thought…" Buffy scrambled out from under him and off the bed falling in the process.
Angelus watched as Buffy slipped on her shoes ready to bolt out of the room. "Let me drive you," he said gently not wanting her to walk by herself. Buffy searched quickly through the room until she found her jacket. Angelus jumped up from the bed and stood in front of the door not letting her leave. "I said I'll drive you, I don't want you walking out by yourself," Angelus said again. Buffy looked up at Angelus tears flowing freely from her emerald pools. Angelus immediately left the door and pulled her into his arms. "What's wrong baby? What'd I do?," he asked as he stroked his fingers through her golden tresses. "I don't… will you just hold me?," she asked sounding so fragile that Angelus couldn't deny her. He walked her back to his bed then watched silently as she pulled off her shoes and jacket and slid under the blanket. Angelus slid in pulling her tightly against him. "I'll always stop baby, know that I wouldn't force myself on you," he whispered into her hair.