Chapter Sixteen
Buffy's eyes became wide, as she broke her kiss with Angel. Swiftly, and quietly, Buffy stood up to resume her nursing, just as Brian pushed the door aside.
"Everything going okay in here?"
"Yeah, everything's fine," Buffy answered quickly. "Angel here is just being a baby about sterilizers."
"Strong arms and weak stomach huh, there Angel?" Brian joked, as Buffy applied the swab to Angel's head.
"Ow, yeah," Angel said as the wound stung, "Something like that."
"So, uh, where are you staying here in Miami?" Brian questioned, making conversation, as Buffy continued to treat Angel.
"I'm not staying anywhere really," Angel said as he flinched again. "Ow, Buffy. That hurts."
"Well, hold still so I can put the bandage on," Buffy said in a huff. Angel rolled his eyes, and sat straight.
"So you flew in for the day?" Brian asked as Buffy placed a bandage on Angel's cut.
"Yeah, I was following a lead on a case I'm working on, when I ran into Buffy here." Buffy smiled at Angel as he told his lie. Buffy put the cap back on the bottle and placed it and the box of bandages back in the medicine cabinet.
"Why don't you stay the night?" Brian asked, as Buffy grabbed Angel's shirt from the towel rack.
"What!? No!" Buffy spun around, and losing her balance, fell backwards. Angel reached out and was able to keep her from falling.
"Why don't you want Angel to stay here?" Brain asked, curious.
"Yeah, Buffy," Angel said as helped her on her feet. Buffy looked at Angel, then Brian, and then Back to Angel.
"Because," Buffy said trying to think of something. "I- I just think it would be very awkward." Brian looked at his wife, while Angel raised an eyebrow. "Well, I mean it's just- Well, I- You're stressed enough as it is without having a house guest," Buffy said walking towards Brian. "And having my ex-boyfriend, staying here, even overnight could prove too stressful for you."
"You're not going to sleep with him, are you?" Brian asked.
Buffy's mouth fell open in shock. He did not just ask me that! Buffy thought to herself, as she heard Angel stand there, in bare chested glory, holding back a laugh.
"Of course not!" Buffy answered incredulously as though sleeping with Angel would be like sleeping with Xander. "Granted," Buffy said as she stroked Brian's chest. "Angel and I have shared a bed, once," Buffy looked at Angel, pleading to keep the other one secret. "But Angel has always been there for me. He's more of a best friend than Xander is."
Brian's suspicions got the better of him. "You sure do have a lot of good male friends."
Angel sensed the tension in Brian's voice, and stood tight lipped.
"Angel and Xander were there, during the roughest times in my life," Buffy defended. "And it's not any different than Michelle!"
"But Michelle was my business partner," Brian began to defend.
"Who tried to get you to sleep with her!" Buffy accused as Angel scratched his head, trying to melt in with the wallpaper.
"Okay, okay," Brian said as he signaled defeat with his hands. "You win. I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry too," Buffy said as Brian pulled her into a hug.
"Uh, guys?" Angel finally asked, now that the air had cleared.
"Oh yeah," Buffy walked over to Angel. "Come on, Angel," she said taking his wrist. "I'll set you up in a room."
"There's clean shirts in the dresser in the next room," Brian called after Angel.
"Thanks," Angel yelled back, as he was being dragged down the hall.
"Oh! The nerve!" Buffy said as she opened the door to the bedroom, and ushered Angel inside. "To think that I would actual cheat on Brian! Especially, in the next room!"
Buffy began to angrily fluff a pillow.
"Buffy," Angel cautiously asked.
"What?" Buffy snapped back, looking at Angel.
"You thought about it didn't you?"
Buffy stood and crossed her arms. "I have no earthly idea what you are talking about."
"I'm talking," Angel said as Buffy returned to fluffing pillows, "about the fact that you thought about cheating on Brian."
Buffy stopped in mid fluff, and walked over to the linen closet, that was inside. "You're crazy," Buffy said grabbing a large blanket from the closet and walking back over to the bed.
"Am I," Angel replied as Buffy spread the blanket.
"I am a faithful wife," Buffy told her self, more than she did Angel.
"Then why did you take so long to answer Brian's question?"
Buffy continued to even out the blanket, which slowed as Angel's words sank in. Then her knees buckled and Buffy slid to the ground, crying on the edge of the bed.
"You were right," she said, he voice muffled as she cried in the sheets.
"What," Angel asked, as Buffy pushed herself back.
"I wanted to cheat on Brian." She wiped her face, as she tried regain her strength. "He's been so sick, and I've been so lonely, I just want to feel life again." Her tears began to return as she walked away from Angel. "I'm so sick and tired of being around death my whole life!"
She turned and faced Angel. "Um, can you do me a favor?"
"Sure," Angel said without hesitation, "Anything."
"Put a shirt on? You're not exactly helping, with the biceps." Angel smiled, and walked over to the dresser and grabbed a white t-shirt from the drawer.
"There," He said, as he smoothed the shirt. "Better?" Buffy nodded.
"I can put a another blanket on the bed," Buffy asked, as she wiped her face again.
"I think I'll be fine," Angel said, watching Buffy.
"I guess that's it, then," Buffy said as she swung arms beside her. "Good night."
Buffy turned to go, But Angel grabbed her arm and spun her around, kissing her softly.
There was no passion, no lust. Just comfort. Buffy could feel the tears returning as Angel let her go.
"Good night, Buffy." Buffy just looked at Angel as she walked towards the door, and right into the table by the bedroom door.
"Oh, uh, good night, Angel." Buffy closed the door behind her, and leaned against the wall. Softly, Buffy touched her lips, before walking back to her bedroom.
"You okay," Brian asked as Buffy slid in bed beside him.
Buffy was silent a moment before she looked over at her husband. "I'm sorry," she said as Brian looked at her.
"You don't have to apologize, Sweetie," Brian said patting Buffy's leg.
"No, you don't understand," Buffy said as she sat up on her knees. "I do need to apologize. I've been so stressed, and I'm worried about you."
Brian shifted in the bed, so he was sitting more upright in bed.
"Buffy," Brian sighed, "I don't expect you to go through this with a smile on your face. I'm going to die. That's fact. And I'm not surprised if you find a little emotional comfort in an old friend." Buffy looked at her husband.
"You didn't think I knew?" Brian said with a knowing smile. "Buffy the way you fumbled all over, when I was talking to Angel in the bathroom, it was kinda obvious that you still feel something for him, besides the friendship. And Angel still feels the same.
"But Angel and I are just friends." Brian smiled and cupped his wife's face.
"You may be friends, now, but that doesn't mean things won't change when I'm gone."
"No, Brian," Buffy said, tears running down her face. "Don't talk like that. You're going to get better. You're going to beat this. We are going to beat this."
Brian brought Buffy's head close his, and placed a kiss on her forehead. "I have always been in love with your optimism."
Buffy smiled and laid back down on the bed. Brian placed an arm around her as she snuggled closer.
"I love you," Buffy said to Brian. Buffy looked up, and saw that he had already fallen asleep.
888
The next morning, Buffy awoke early and made her way downstairs, to the Kitchen. Tying her yellow robe around her, Buffy opened the fridge door, and grabbed a carton of eggs, some milk, and the butter. She closed the door with her foot, and turned to place the food on the counter. Taking a breath, Buffy turned towards the entryway.
"AH!" She screamed, clutching her chest. "Next time, warn me, Angel. Geez!"
"Sorry," Angel smiled, and he stood in the doorway. "What are you fixing to cook?"
"French toast," Buffy replied, looking though the cabinets. "That is, if I can find the nutmeg." Buffy grunted in frustration, and Angel pushed her aside.
"Here," he said, pushing Buffy out of the kitchen and into the dining area. "You just sit here and enjoy the view, and let me handle the cooking."
"You? Cook?" Buffy raised a eyebrow. "Since when did you cook? You were on a strictly liquid Diet."
"Yet another thing, you forgot about "that day".
"You cooked? Food?" Angel nodded. "Man, I always miss the fun stuff."
"Would that have been before or after you broke my table?"
"Me?" Buffy stood and walked over to where Angel was cracking eggs in a bowl. "Um, granted I remember it as a dream, but I think it was you who placed me there!" She began poking Angel's side.
"Okay, stop it," Angel said, beginning to giggle. "Buffy, stop. Now, cut that out!" Buffy continued to poke, until Angel began to poke back causing her to laugh as well. They were both busy tickling each other, they did not hear Brian approach.
"Looks like someone's having a good morning!"
Angel had Buffy, in a headlock, giggling. Angel released her, and went over and gave Brian and hug and kiss. "Good Morning, Brian," She said helping him to his seat. "You must be doing really well. You're actually out of bed today."
"Yeah, I guess I'm getting a reprieve today," Brian joked.
"Angel's going to cook for us," Buffy said, smiling at Angel.
"I'm only a novice," Angel said as the first slice sizzled in the pan.
"I will be the judge of that," Brian said as he raised his hand.
"Have you taken you medication yet?" Buffy asked, as Brian opened the paper.
"Nope, I plan to after I eat."
Buffy stood and grabbed plates from the shelf and began to set three places. After the table was set, Buffy went for Syrup and the butter. Brian watched as Buffy and Angel performed a dance as he made room for her to come through.
I wonder if this is what they looked like when they were together, Brian wondered to himself.
Angel placing the plate of fried toast, broke Brian of his daydream.
"Hmm, smells, good," Brian said as Angel helped Buffy to her seat.
"I hope that you like them," Angel said, taking his seat.
All three sat back in their chairs and took a deep breath. They had all just stuffed themselves on Angel's French toast.
"That, my friend," Brian said looking at Angel, "has got to be the best food I have ever had the privilege of devouring."
Angel grinned at the compliment. "Thanks, Brian."
"Have you ever considered work as a professional chief?" Buffy asked standing, to gather plates. Angel laughed, "No, not really."
"You should," Brian said, a serious look on his face. "You would make a killing."
Buffy placed the dishes in the sink, and walked over to her husband. "I'm going to grab your meds, and get dressed right quick, okay?"
"Okay dear," Brian said as he gave Buffy a peck on the cheek and Buffy disappeared upstairs.
"She's some woman," Brian said dreamily as he watched her disappear upstairs.
"She certainly is," Angel responded.
"So tell me Angel, where all have you been since you left my wife?"
"Huh," Angel said, suddenly take back by the sudden change in Brian's voice. "I don't get it."
"Why did you leave my wife?"
"I really don't think that is any of your business," Angel said, taking sip of his juice.
"Well considering what you put her through, and then left us poor miserable saps with the pieces, I think is my business."
Angel set down his drink, and stared thin lipped, at Brian. "Buffy has been doing fine without you, and I don't want you coming back here, hoping she will drop everything and go running to you."
"That was not my intention at all," Angel said sincerely. Brian held up his hand.
"I just want you to understand; don't come back here if you just plan on leaving her again. I'm not going to be around much longer, and sadly, someone will need to be here to pick up the pieces." Brian leaned closer to Angel. "I'm going to need you to look after her when I'm gone." Brian leaned back against the chair. "You were aptly named, Angel."
"And why is that?" Angel asked remaining still.
"Because you came in the nick of time."
Angel was about to respond, when Buffy came down the stairs. Her flowing floral dress, making her look as though she were flying.
"Here ya go, Honey," Buffy said as she handed Brian his medication. "Is everything okay here?" Buffy asked, sensing the tension in the room.
"Everything is fine," Angel said as he finished his drink, and walked to the kitchen.
"Look, I really appreciate the room and all," he said holding his hand out for Brian. "But I really do need to get back to New York."
"Well, it was a pleasure finally meeting you, Angel," Brian said as she stood. "Allow me to walk you to the door?"
"Sure," Angel said politely.
"Brian, honey. Are you sure-," Buffy started to object, but Brian stopped her.
"I'm sure. I have more strength today anyway, so let me spend of it being a proper host."
"Um. Ok," Buffy replied as she gave Angel a hug. "Bye, Angel. And thanks."
"You're welcome," Angel said, catching her meaning about the demon. "Bye, Buffy."
Buffy watched as Brian walked Angel to the door, and wondered what had happened while she was gone.
End Chapter
So? Did you like? I didn't (lol) I keep thinking something is missing! This chapter was one of the HARDEST I have had to write for this fic, and know more are coming! LOL Speaking of which, it MIGHT take a while for another chapter to come you're way! I'm beginning to suffer from writer's block! Anyway, let me know what you think! PLEASE Read & Review!!!!!
Now for some notes to you!
AngelicEagle: I am glad you are liking it! And yes he knows, just not about the supernatural aspect of it. And about your ideas: I am playing with the possibilty! And I love B/A moments too! But I got to have B/B moments! LOL And finally, that is another part I am playing with, but as I said before, these chaps just kinda spill out! LOL So I don't know how this will turn out! LOL
Always Bangel Girl: I'm glad you are loving it! And Sorry for being so evil, but I just couldn't resist!LOL
Savannah: I don't know if I will, but we will see!
And lastly Mackenzie Creations: I COMPLETELY forgot what we had talked about! lol lol! I'm glad I am meeting with your approval though! LOL