This is a tad short and has a bit more Buffy/ Brian interaction, but Angel makes one more appearance in Miami! Enjoy!

Chapter Seventeen

Later that afternoon, after Angel had left, Brian took Buffy to a movie and an early dinner. Then, for the first time in ages, Brian told Buffy to get dolled up. Brian awaited her appearance at the bottom of the stairs, dressed in a crisp white shirt, black slacks, and shoes. Finally, Buffy emerged at the top of the stairs, and Brian gasped for air.

Buffy came down, wearing an aquamarine, chiffon dress. Her hair was in curls on the top of her head. The rhinestones on her clear heels, reflected the light in such a way, that it made Brian believe the stars themselves were adorning her. Brian held out his hand, and Buffy took it saying, "I think you have seen Titanic with me, one too many times."

Brian smiled back. "Yes, but you give Kate Winslet a run for her money."

"Flatterer."
"Always." Brian smirked, kissing Buffy's hand.

"So why did I get all dressed up? And where are we going?"
"Ah," Brian helped Buffy into her jacket. "That, my dear, is a surprise."

"A surprise?" Buffy's eyebrow raised. "What are you up to?"
"Me?" Brian mocked being insulted, "Up to anything? Now where would my wife get that idea?"

Buffy smirked as Brian led her to a waiting car. They got in, and Brian instructed the driver.

"So, where are you taking me?" Buffy inquired, slipping her arm around her husband's.

"Nope," Brian shook his head, "No matter what you do, I will remain tight lipped."
"Oh, Come on, Honey," Buffy pleaded like a spoiled child, "please?"

Brian laughed. "You never did grow up, did you?" Buffy smiled and placed her head on his shoulder. "Nope. Life never really gave me a chance."

"Well perhaps, now you have that chance." Brian hugged his wife, as the car turned a corner.

The car stopped a short time later, and Brian got out of the car.

"Welcome, Milady," he said extending his hand. Buffy took it, and as she got out of the car, she was taken aback by the scene in front of her.

They were on a dock, and a table was set with fine china, glittering sliver, and lit candles. Off to one side, stood a violinist, and guitarist. Buffy's eyes became wide as she saw the scene before her.

"Oh, my god, Brian," she gasped, with Brian leading her to the table. "This is beautiful. How did you do this?" Brian watched as his beautiful wife's eyes sparkle like diamonds in the soft glow of candle and moon light.

"I have a friend who runs a restaurant, and he pulled some strings."

"It's beautiful," Buffy said as she looked out at the ocean. "I can't believe you did this."
"Nothing's impossible for my angel," Brian took Buffy's hand and gave it a squeeze. "Something wrong?" Brian asked, as Buffy stared at the water.

"It's hard to believe, that you won't be here much longer," she answered with tears forming in her eyes.

"Buffy," Brian looked at Buffy, concern on his face.

"I'm sorry," she said, wiping her eyes. "It's just that I have spent the most wonderful five years of my life with you, and I don't want that to end!"

By now, Buffy was in full blown tears, and Brian had come to kneel beside her. He pulled her close to his shoulder, and let her cry.

"I don't want it to end either," he said stroking Buffy's golden hair. "But sooner or later it will."

"But does it have to come so soon?"
Brian wiped her eyes. "You're getting mascara all over your pretty face."
"I'm sorry," Buffy sniffled. "I got all pretty, and now look at me! I'm a mess!"
"But you're a beautiful mess," Brian said, as he looked to the musicians. "Come on, dance with me." Buffy took his hands and followed him to the dance floor.

Brian placed his hands around her waist, and Buffy wrapped her around Brian's neck. As the music played, Buffy looked into Brian's eyes, and seized the moment. She swayed with Brian as the music swirled, filling the night with its song. Laying her head on Brian's shoulder, Buffy looked out at the waves as they danced back and forth on the pier, the waves dancing and ticking away the time she had left with Brian.

"Ow, ow," Brian said as he suddenly hunched over.
"Brian? Are you okay?" Buffy held Brian as he limped over to the pier railing.
"Yeah, I think so," he groaned, holding his stomach. Then he began to cough harshly, making Buffy concerned about his health.
"I think maybe we should go home," Buffy said, as the severity of Brian's coughing worried her.

"No," Brian said emphatically, "I want you to have a romantic dinner."
"What I want," Buffy said helping Brian to the car, " is for you to get better. Now come on," she said, motioning to the driver to open the door. She helped Brian into the car, and held his head in her lap, as she told the driver to take them home.

Once home, she helped Brian up the stairs to the bedroom. Setting him on the bed, Buffy began to take off his shoes, unbutton his shirt, and slide off his pants. Carefully, Buffy turned Brian, and placed the covers over him. She then went to the bathroom, and grabbed the medicine bottle from the cabinet, and shook a few pills out into her hand. She poured a glass of water, and rushed back to Brian. Propping his back up, she watched Brian swallow the pills.

"How are you feeling now," Buffy asked after a few minutes.

"Better," Brian said, forcing a smile.

"I think maybe we should cut the vacation short."
"Don't," Brian said grabbing Buffy's hand. "You can still have some fun."
"Some fun," Buffy scoffed. "You're so ill you can hardly move."

Brian's eyes flashed the pain he knew was causing Buffy. Brian laid his head against the pillow, and sighed.
"Alright," he said to her, "Make the call. We will leave in the morning."

Buffy leaned over and kissed Brian's forehead. "Okay, I'll be back in a few."

Brian smiled weakly, as Buffy stood to make plane arrangements.

8888

The next morning, Buffy and Brian headed to the airport to return to the Winter wonderland that is New York. Buffy made Brian sit, while she dealt with the ticket counter. As they sat in the lobby, Brian was watching the Giants try for a spot in the Super Bowl, while Buffy read a book.

"Yes!" Brian exclaimed, and coughed as the quarterback made a touchdown.

"Easy honey," Buffy said as she patted Brian's back, "I don't need you going into the hospital before we get home."
"Oh, yeah. Sorry, honey," Brian said as he absently patted Buffy's knee. Buffy sighed and rolled her eyes, deciding she would get something to drink to help calm her nerves.

"I'm going to grab a drink," she said to Brian, "you want anything?"
"No, thanks," Brian said not looking at her, more focused on the TV than his wife's request. Buffy smiled and shook her head, as she left her seat and head to the Snack Bar.

She walked up to the bar and stared at the menu.

"Can I help you?" said a voice. Buffy looked at the counter, but the cashier had their back to her. So she turned to her side and saw a familiar face.

"Angel!" Buffy hugged him as he responded.
"Hey," he said hugging her back.

"I thought you went back already?"

"Something came up," he replied.

"Like what?" Buffy said as she ordered a diet coke. "You want anything?"

Angel shook his head. "So what did you do, miss your flight?"
"Basically," He answered, as Buffy took her drink. "It seems that demon we killed, had friends."

"Uh oh," Buffy said as she sat down at a table. "How many?"
"Five."
"Oh," Buffy said as if it were nothing. "That was easy for you then."
"Barely," Angel said, almost scared that he almost didn't make it. "It was close. I may have some of my vampire strengths, Buffy, but being human as also altered them somewhat. I was lucky to make it out of there."

The voice over the loud speaker announced the next flight boarding.

"That's my flight." Angel said, standing from the table.

"I guess I'll see you back in New York?"
"Uh, yeah," Buffy said, remaining seated. "Take care, Angel."
"You too," he said, picking up his duffle bag and heading for the gate.

Buffy walked back to the lobby, after she finished her drink. Brian was still rooting for the Giants who appeared to be winning.

"How are they doing?" Buffy asked as she back down beside her husband.

"Well, there's two minutes left in last quarter," he said tilting his head to towards Buffy, without taking his eyes off of the game, " but the Giants only lead by one, so if the other team makes a touchdown, they'll win."
"Oh," Buffy whispered, as Brian returned his attention to the game.

"Flight 769 is ready for boarding, Flight 769 is ready for boarding."
The voice on the intercom, caused Brian to cuss. "Damn it," he said, standing up. " Now I won't know if the Giants make it!"
"Yes you will," Buffy assured as she grabbed their bags and headed to the terminal. "If I know Xander, he's at our house right now, watching it on our big screen."

"Oh, yeah," Brian said as he walked with Buffy. "I knew there was something about that guy I liked."
Buffy smiled and shook her head as she and Brian headed for home.

End Chapter

Sorry it's soo short, but the next one should be longer! Now the fun REALLY begins! LOL

As always R&R! PLEASE! They are what inspire me to keep going!