Don't Fear the Reaper

Buffy Summers sat on her bed, deep in thought. She only had one stake in the entire house, and she wasn't positive that it was sharp enough. Buffy hated the practical side of Slaying. It reminded her far too much of school.

Sighing deeply, she eventually decided to look for a pencil sharpener. A girl could never tell whether a vampire could be lurking about. As she got up, she paused. A distinct rustling sound seemed to come from her bedroom window. Spidey-sense a-tingling, she silently moved over to the window, fearing the worst.

Suddenly, a figure leapt out at her from the darkness. 'Aihhhhh!' she screamed, leaping backwards.

As her heart slowed down to a more normal rate, she smiled faintly at her unexpected visitor.

'Angel, what are you doing here? You scared me half to death'

Angel smiled crookedly, as he effortlessly climbed into her room. 'Sorry, I just needed to see you for a second…'

Buffy stared at him in awe, ashamed of the doubts that nagged her from within. Since Angel had become evil those few months ago, she couldn't seem to shake off a distrust of his motives. Every time she looked into his face, she saw the pain and suffering that it was capable of. But he had a soul again now. He was beginning to atone. It was Buffy's responsibility to give him his much deserved second chance - despite her misgivings.

'You know my Mom won't approve of you being in here', she whispered harshly, 'she still insists Spike is more gentlemanly than you! You better-'

'Buffy?' Joyce Summers called from outside her bedroom. 'Are you okay? I thought I heard screaming…'

'Buffy shot Angel a withered look, as she shot towards the bedroom door. She opened it slightly, and smiled reassuringly at her anxious looking mother.

'I'm fine Mom. I just saw this uber-icky stain on my new jacket, and-'

'Are you sure', frowned Joyce, opening the door a crack. Buffy spun around.

No leather coat clad vampire in sight.She let out her breath slowly.

'Seriously, Mom, you worry about nothing sometimes', Buffy laughed nervously.

Joyce looked dissatisfied. 'Well, if you're sure nothing's wrong…'

Buffy gave her an extra bright smile as reassurance.

'Buffy, you know I worry about all this Slayer nonsense. I just can't relax knowing the danger you get yourself into', Joyce confided. 'Are you sure you'll be alright for a few days when I stay-'

'At the Hilton', Buffy finished impatiently. 'Mom, I know the number. I know the drill. You've done this before. I can take care of myself.'

Joyce shuffled uncomfortably, 'well, there's cash on the table, and I won't be back till Sunday…'

Buffy smiled. 'And I'll miss you right until you come back.'

Her mother gave her a knowing glance. 'Are you sure you're…'

'I'm fine', Buffy insisted, closing her door a bit more. 'Goodnight Mom'

'Night sweetie'.

As soon as her mother was out of earshot, Mr Gordo sprung out from beneath the bed. 'Close call', the pig rejoiced.

Buffy grinned despite herself. 'Angel, what are you doing here?'

Angel stood up from beneath the bed, a serious expression on his face. 'The television scared me'

'Angel, you don't HAVE a television, how-'

I saw a film, and it got me thinking of you', he continued soberly, 'The Exorcist'.

Buffy wrinkled her nose in bemusement. 'It did?'

'Yeah', he continued, moving closer, 'I remembered that time the witch - I mean Jenny Calendar - was possessed, and I had to host the demon to save her. And you. And I remembered how easy it was back then, how everyone respected me, treated me like a person…including you'.

Buffy looked thoughtfully at him for a moment, biting her lip. 'So you thought you'd just climb through my bedroom window and make me easy again?'

Angel raised his eyebrows, and Buffy burst into giggles, 'Oh my god, am I lame', she spluttered, 'I mean…'

Angel put a finger to her lips, and drew her closer to him. She kissed him urgently, reclaiming all the good memories that they had shared a year ago. When she reopened her eyes, she found them both sprawled on the bed, Angel's hand up her shirt…

She pulled away as if burnt, 'okay, time's up…'

Angel widened his eyes in realization. He smiled awkwardly. 'You see what you do to me?'

'This was a bad idea', she muttered, straightening her hair.

'Okay, I'm going,' Angel grumbled.

As Angel climbed out the window, Buffy pulled him in for a goodbye kiss.

'We have to take it slow from now on', she murmured softly. 'We're just not ready with each other yet.'

Angel pulled away, and looked at her sincerely.

'I completely understand', he insisted, taking her hand.

'Thanks', Buffy sighed gratefully.

Angel grinned mischievously, then unbuttoned his shirt, baring his muscular chest.

Buffy turned away and broke into hysterical giggles, as he closed his shirt again.

'Slow enough? he winked.

As she wiped the tears from her eyes and gathered her composure, Buffy spun around to face the vampire. But she was too late.

Angel was already gone.