Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own anything! Wish I owned DB (who doesn't?)!

Thanks again for the kind reviews. Glad you're enjoying my version!

Buffy was in the lobby, talking to Spike and Dawn, when Angel walked in, Eve following behind him.

"What the bloody hell is she doing here?!"

Buffy followed Spike's gaze. "Eve."

Spike looked at her curiously. "How do you know Eve?"

She didn't answer, just made her way across the lobby to the two of them. Spike and Dawn followed her. "Angel?"

Angel turned to them, and Eve hung back, looking lost. "You brought her here? Have you lost your bloody mind?!"

"Not now, Spike!' Angel turned to Dawn. "Dawn, could you help Eve find a room?"

Dawn looked at the two vampires. She didn't know what was going on, who this woman was, but she sensed that it was best to just do what Angel wanted. "Sure." She took Eve's arm. "Come with me." She led the way up the stairs, Eve following along, still not saying anything.

Buffy watched for a moment, then turned to Angel. "I thought you said she couldn't help us?"

"She probably can't, but I couldn't just leave her there."

Spike turned on Angel. "What the bloody hell is going on here? How.."

"Buffy found her at Wolfram and Hart."

"That doesn't explain why you brought her here!"

Angel was slowly getting angry. "Look, Spike, I don't have to explain anything to you! This is MY hotel, and I don't need you sticking your nose where it doesn't belong!"

Buffy stepped between them. "Wait!" She looked at Spike. 'What's going on?"

"Gee, I don't know, pet. Eve and her boyfriend brought me back, to play with my mind, and Angel's, then tried to kill him! Not that it would bother me, but..."

"Shut up Spike! You don't..."

"And then you brought Lindsey into this fight, and while I thought you were a ponce for doing it, he did follow through, amazingly enough. But Eve? She's a direct link to the Senior Partners!"

"Exactly! She claims to know what's next. I'm not sure I believe her, but it's worth a shot!"

Spike shook his head. "And why would she tell us?"

"Because she's got nothing left to lose."

Buffy had watched this exchange warily, ready to step in if it came to blows. She knew that no matter what they were actually fighting about, some of the tension between them was because of her. She hated that, wished she could do something about it, but she knew she couldn't. They would either work it out, or they wouldn't. It was something they would have to do own their own.

Spike shook his head. "Fine, but it's your funeral." He walked away, but couldn't resist a parting shot. "Don't expect me to weep for you, Peaches!"

Buffy sighed and watched him go, then turned to Angel. "What did Spike mean? Eve and Lindsey tried to kill you?"

He shook his head. "Don't worry about it." He turned and walked up the stairs toward his room.

"Don't worry about it?!" she echoed, following him up the stairs, and down the hall, stopping at his door. "Angel?" She waited as he opened the door, then followed him inside.

Angel turned to her. "Look, Buffy, there's nothing to worry about. I promise." He pulled her into his arms.

"But..."

He stopped her words with a kiss. She wrapped her arms around him, losing herself in his kiss. In her whole life, noone else had ever made her feel this way. His kiss made her feel alive, his touch set her on fire. When she was in his arms, she could actually believe that everything would work out okay. That they could one day be happy.

Angel felt her surrender to him, and he pulled her closer. It amazed him how much she loved him, trusted him. After all that he'd done to her, she still wanted to be with him. God, he loved her. The only happiness he'd ever found in his long life had been with her.

He finally broke the kiss, and gazed into her eyes. They were clouded with desire, and he stepped back, dropping his arms to his sides. They couldn't afford to lose control.

Buffy felt the loss as he moved away from her. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. It would be too easy to get carried away. "Angel..." Her voice trailed off, she didn't remember what she had been about to say.

He reached out and ran his fingers down her cheek. "Please don't worry. I'm pretty sure that Lindsey's dead, and I can take care of myself." He smiled slightly. "I'm not quite as strong as you, my love, but I can hold my own."

She smiled back at him. "I know. It's just..." She didn't finish, just stepped back to him, wrapping her arms around him, and laying her head on his chest.

His arms went around her, and he held her, wondering, not for the first time, what he had ever done in his life, that made him deserve her.

BBBBBBBBBB

The next few days passed uneventfully. Eve stayed in her room, refusing to talk. Angel was reminded of Fred, when they had first brought her back from Pylea. For 3 months she had stayed in her room, too afraid to venture out, until he had come back from his retreat.

Faith, Spike, Ilyria and Buffy had continued to train the slayers. Dawn and Xander were still taking care of the wounded, which was now down to just 2. 5 had been well enough to join the others training, and 1 had died.

Willow had stopped looking for a binding spell for Angel's soul, instead concentrating on her efforts on getting Buffy in touch with the Powers That Be. She still wasn't sure about this, but it's what Buffy wanted, and besides, maybe they could get some answers about the final battle, and what more was to come. She thought she might have found a way, but she hadn't told Buffy yet. It was dangerous, and Willow wanted to make sure she could do it.

Connor had stopped in a few times, talking to Angel, and watching the slayers. He joined in once or twice, wanting to learn to fight as well as Buffy and Angel. And Gunn was getting better. Angel had been so relieved the day before, when the doctor's told him he would probably be able to leave the hospital in another week.

BBBBBBBBBBB

Buffy's footsteps echoed down the hall, stoppping when she reached the last door on the right. Looking in the sterile, white room, she noticed the machines, sitting dormant in the corner, and the young black man lying in the bed, looking out the window.

He turned as he felt her presence in the doorway, taking in the petite frame, and long blonde hair. "Buffy, right?"

She nodded, stepping into the room. "The one and only."

Gunn smiled, waving her in. "Angel left a little while ago."

"Yeah, I know. I...I was kinda hoping I could maybe talk to you."

"Sure." He pointed to the empty chair by his bed. "Sit down."

She sat, struggling to put her thoughts in order. "You look good."

He laughed. "Yeah. You'd never guess that a week ago, I was on death's door."

She couldn't quite force a smile. "But you made it."

"Thanks to you."

She shook her head. "No, thanks to Willow."

He let it go, not voicing the fact that if she hadn't brought them, he would have died.

Buffy was silent for a moment, then took a deep breath. "You're probably wondering what I'm doing here."

Gunn shrugged. "I kinda figured you'd tell me when you were ready."

"The truth is, I'm not even sure I know. I mean, I guess it's just...you're the only one left from Angel's life here in LA. And it's hard for him."

Gunn understood. "He blames himself."

"Yeah."

He sighed. "I've never seen anyone pile on the guilt the way he does."

"200 plus years of baggage tends to do that to you."

"He didn't force us. We chose. He knows that."

"I know, but still...he feels responsible. For everything. Cordy, Wes. Fred." She paused, then smiled at him. "Thank God you survived. Your the only one he has left."

Gunn laughed. "Well, he's still got Spike."

She smiled and shook her head. "Yeah, that's a great comfort to him!"

When the laughter died, he looked at her. "I wouldn't worry too much about Angel, Buffy. I'm okay, and he's got you. And Connor."

Buffy looked at him, trying to read his face. "Connor...?"

"I know he's Angel's son."

"Do you remember?"

Gunn shook his head. "He told me. After Wes got his memories back, Angel told Lorne and I the truth."

"And you're okay with that?"

"Hey, Wolfram and Hart messed with my mind more than once. I'm okay with it, as long as it helped the kid. From what Angel told me, he was pretty over the edge."

She nodded. "So he tells me."

"Wes, he took it hard, remembering what he did, the part he played in all of it."

They both sat in silence for a few moments, then Buffy stood. "I should probably get going."

Gunn smiled. "It was nice to finally meet you, Buffy. You're a legend around Angel Investigations, you know."

She chuckled. "I think you've probably heard the souped up version!"

He laughed with her. "So, you're gonna be sticking around for a while?"

"Yeah."

"Good. I guess I'll see you when I get out of here, then."

Buffy reached out and took his hand. "I'm glad he had you." Her eyes filled with tears, but she blinked them away. "All of you. He deserves..." Her voice broke, and she took a moment to get herself under control. "He deserves happiness, even if he doesn't believe it. And I'm glad he had friends, people he could trust. People he could count on." Gunn just nodded. "Bye, Gunn."

She turned and walked out, and he watched her leave. It was no wonder Angel loved her. She was an incredible woman.