Chapter Nineteen

Buffy opened her mouth to answer.

"Yes," was the response. Angel closed his eyes, and smiled.

"Then there's nothing more to say," he told Buffy as he grabbed the tray of medical supplies.

Buffy smiled as she watched Angel walk.

"What are we going to do?" Buffy looked at Angel, a worried look in her eye.

Angel looked down at his tray, and contemplated what Buffy meant. They had both just admitted that they would go through the same hell all over again, just for one chance to be in each other's arms. Both of them had too much respect for the other, and if they let things get any further, the world may not get sucked into hell, but Buffy would be.

Whatever her feelings for Brian were, Angel knew that she had too much respect to just throw it all away, just to sleep in Angel's bed. Which, come to think of it, she was. It was Angel's bed that he was letting her sleep in while she healed. They just had to take things slowly.

"Let's just take things one day at a time," Angel told Buffy.

"And Brian?"
"What about Brian?"
Buffy motioned around her. "How are we going to explain to Brian that I'm here?"
Angel walked over and sat down on the bed.

"What do you want to tell him?" Buffy thought for a moment.

"I don't know," she said taking note of the pattern on Angel's comforter.

Angel stood and walked over to the foot of the bed. He standing at the foot, he picked up Buffy's coat. He patted the pockets, searching for something.

"What are you doing?" Buffy asked.

"Looking for your cell phone."
"Why?" Buffy asked, slightly alarmed. "Who are you going to call?"
Angel just looked at Buffy.

"Oh, no!" She said, moving her wounded arms to stop Angel, but he moved out her way. "No! You can't call Brian! He doesn't need any fuel to feed his suspicions!"

"Hush," Angel pointed to Buffy, who began to pout as he placed the phone to his ear. "Just play along."

Buffy watched Angel pace across the room. "Hey, Brian, this is Angel," he began. "Um, I don't quite know how to tell you this, but um, Buffy's a little drunk. Apparently, she and Xander had some big fight, and she came to a bar. The bartender's a friend of mine and he called me. She's safe." Angel put a finger to his lips, as he continued to leave his message. "She's passed out, but safe. She's at my apartment. I'm going let her stay the night, and bring her home in the morning. If you need to call, here's my number." Angel left his number, then hung up the phone, and turned to Buffy.

"There," he said, closing the phone. "Now he has no reason to suspect."

"You're good." Buffy said with a smirk. Angel simply smiled and made his way towards the bedroom door.

"I'll be back in a few minutes," he said as he picked up his tray, and walked out the door. Buffy just smiled to herself, and carefully tried to lay back down.

When Angel returned, he saw Buffy asleep, her head turning back and forth. Angel watched as her movements told him she was dreaming. Or a nightmare to be more accurate. Buffy turned from side to side, moaning as she did so. Angel made his way quietly over to the bed. He listened, and heard not only her moans, but her heartbeat rising. She's running from something, he thought, as he touched her shoulder.

"No, don't hurt me," she cried, and tossed to one side. Angel bit his lip. He really didn't know how to handle this. He knew she was scared, and rightly so. But he also knew that as vulnerable as she was right now, one wrong move could have dire consequences.

"Please! Stop," Buffy cried out again, and Angel winced, as if in pain. Buffy began to thrash around, flailing her arms, making Angel concerned about her injuries.

So, he pushed himself up from the bed, and walked around to the other side. He placed his knees on the bed, making his way across to Buffy. Buffy continued to thrash about, as Angel lay down beside her and, without hurting her arms, wrapped his own around her.
"Can't - breathe," Buffy said, still trying to get away from her attacker. "I can't breathe."
"Shh," Angel whispered in her ear. "It's okay, Buffy," he said, moving her closer to him, "I'm right here."
"Angel?" Buffy said in her sleep. "I can't breathe."
"Yes, you can," he told her, hearing her heart rate decrease. "I'm right here."
Buffy snuggled closer to Angel, and took a deep breath.
"Angel," she said sleepily. "I'm so glad you're back. I love you."

Angel leaned his head against the back of Buffy's. He took a relaxing breath, and inhaled the vanilla conditioner. God, how she felt so right.
"I love you, Buffy," he said as he kissed the back of her head before closing his eyes.

888

Buffy awoke the next morning, and as she opened her eyes, a shaft of morning sun came streaming through the room, illuminating the walls. Buffy smiled as she carefully tried to stretch. Wincing as her arms were pinched in pain, Angel came walking in from the adjoining room, a white towel wrapped around his powerful legs. Another towel draped across his shoulders, and Angel was using it to dry his wet hair.

"To think I could wake up to that, every morning." Buffy smiled wrapping her arms around her legs.

"Ow," she flinched, bringing them back.

"Arms still hurt?" Angel asked as he tossed the towel from his shoulders, to the bench in front of the bed, on his way to the closet on the opposite end of the bathroom.

"Yeah, a little," Buffy said, watching Angel disappear behind the door frame.

"Did you sleep well?" Angel's voice carried as he dressed.

"It started out a little iffy, but then it smoothed out."
"I'm glad you were able to get some sleep," Angel walked back into the room, slipping a navy blue sweater over his head.

Buffy titled her head and watched Angel, like the innocent high school girl she used to be. His navy sweater went well with his tan slacks and brown shoes.

"What?" Angel said, looking at Buffy watch him tie his shoes.

"Nothing," Buffy shrugged. "Just looking at you in all your human splendor."
"Splendor," Angel laughed. "You've spent too much time around Giles."
"Hey, I can't help it if some of the things he says rubs off on me."
"Yeah, well, it's just strange to hear you say words like 'splendor'." Buffy smiled as he walked over and took her arm.

"How are they looking?" Angel peeled back a small section of bandage, and looked down at the wound. "Looks, like the bandages can come off."
"I told you I still healed fast."
"Yeah, well, I won't know for sure until you've showered."
Buffy leaned away from Angel. "Eww, I hope it won't hurt too bad."
"It shouldn't," Angel said as he heard the phone ring in the other room. "Oh, I better go see who that is." He stood from the bed and told Buffy, "I want you to go take a warm shower, and when I get back I'll see to redressing your arms."

"Yes, daddy," she pouted, smiling at Angel as she walked over to the bathroom, wearing one of Angel's red silk shirts. Thank god the phone's ringing, Angel thought as he left the room.

Angel walked into his living room, and picked up the cordless phone as he walked into the kitchen.
"Yeah," he said opening his fridge.

"Hello, Angel," said a angry voice on the end.

"Xander?"
"Yeah," Xander scoffed as Angel grabbed the milk and an orange. "Where's Buffy?"
"She's in the bathroom, getting dressed. How did you get this number?" Angel asked, already annoyed by the Scooby's tone.

"Brian," he responded, hatefully. "He came over here wanting to know what Buffy and I were fighting about, that led her to end up drunk at your house. I heard the message."
"Yeah, okay, and you're point is," Angel snapped at Xander.

"Did you sleep with her yet?"
Ok, that's ENOUGH, Angel thought as he slammed his glass down. "Like it's any of your damn business, but no I did not sleep with Buffy. She was wounded while on patrol, and that's why she's here."
"Good," Xander's voice seemed pleased by the response.

"Anything else?"
"Yeah," Xander said trying to sound fatherly, "Have Buffy home in an hour."
Angel leaned against the counter, holding the phone. "Well, since Buffy's an adult, and you're not her father, I don't think that's going to happen. Buffy will go home, when she's good and ready." And with that, Angel ended the call, and set the phone down on the counter. Taking a deep sigh, Angel took the glass of milk and orange into his bedroom.

Buffy was just walking out of the bathroom, when Angel returned.
"Who was on the phone?" she asked, the light blue towel wrapped around her, and driving Angel absolutely crazy.

"Nobody," he said as he set the milk and fruit on the bedside table. "I didn't know how hungry you would be, so I just brought a little something."
"Thanks", Buffy said as she began to use Angel's comb. He watched as she pulled the comb through her long, blond locks, silently hating himself for the emotional gratification. After she finished, Buffy walked over to where her clothes lay on the French inspired bench, and sighed.

"Oh, man," she said holding up her torn shirt. "I really liked this blouse."

Just then the phone rang again, and Angel rolled his eyes. "Be right back."
"Take your time," Buffy grinned as she watched Angel stride into the living room

"What!?" Angel snapped at the phone.

"How bad is Buffy?" Xander had called back, after realizing what Angel had told him. Angel sighed and took deep breath.

"She got sliced pretty good, but she'll survive," he told the boy.

"Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Well," Angel looked to his bedroom, "Buffy's shirt got torn. Do you think you can bring her some clothes?"
"Yeah, sure. Where and when?"
Angel gave Xander the address and hung up the phone.

"So what did Brian want?" Angel turned around, to see Buffy wearing one of his dress shirts, tied in a knot at her waist. Her brown stained pants, looked great with the green of the shirt. The shirt was making it hard for Angel to concentrate.

"Um, Actually that wasn't Brian, it was Xander."
"Xander?" Buffy raised an eyebrow as she leaned on the couch. "What did Xander want?"
"First, to jump down my throat."
"Typical," Buffy said crossing her arms.

"Then, to ask how you were, and if he could help."

"He could help by butting out of my personal life."
"Buffy, he only did what he did, because he cares about you."
Buffy turned to face Angel. "Yeah, but he always acts like the world is going to end, if we even speak to each other."

Angel held Buffy at her shoulders. "And he may be right."
"He's just still pissed b/c his favorite teacher was killed because of us."
Buffy bit her lip, and Angel looked at the floor. Angel didn't remember a whole lot of what happened, being tortured for 500 years tends to do that to a person, but he knew Buffy remembered every heartbreaking second of it.

Instinctively, Buffy ran into Angel and he wrapped his arms around her, knowing she needed the comfort, more than anything else.

Buffy stood there, letting Angel smooth away all the bad memories of those painful few months. Angel placed his head on top of Buffy's and just soothed her back. The one time lovers just stood in Angel's living room, each holding on to the other, taking in the peace of the moment.

Buffy looked up into Angel's, and he smoothed her face.

"What," he whispered. Buffy stood on tiptoe, and cupped Angel's face. Softly, Buffy placed her arms around his neck, as she kissed him. Angel was little surprised by the act, but wrapped his arms around Buffy's waist.

Slowly, the kiss deepened, and Angel held Buffy's head, as she held his face. Carefully, Buffy began to step backwards, inching towards Angel's room. Realizing what Buffy was trying to do, he pulled back.
"Buffy, what are you doing?" Buffy placed a finger on Angel's lips.

"Shh," she whispered. "Just kiss me." Angel swallowed hard.

The last time he heard those words, he lost his soul. And a part of him was still afraid that he still might. Yes, Buffy was worth the hell(s) he had been through, but now, things were different. The gentleman in him, knew not to cross the line into adultery, but Buffy was making so hard not to. Looking into Buffy's eyes, Angel saw her pleading with him to make the pain go away.

"Please," she said, tears forming in her eyes, "just kiss me."
Angel leaned down to press his lips to hers, and not breaking the kiss, he scooped her up, and led her to the bed. Hell, I never cared about adultery the first time I was human, Angel thought, as he placed Buffy on the sheets. Their hands began to explore, and Angel found the knot in Buffy's shirt, that used to belong to him, and untied it, exposing her white bra.

Buffy rolled Angel over so that she was now on top of him. Buffy felt Angel's hands on her back, and smiled to herself as she remembered. He feels just like he did the first time, Buffy thought as she reached to pull off Angel's sweater. Angel raised his arms, and the sweater came up over his head. This is getting too dangerous, Angel thought as their skin touched. Buffy moaned as Angel wrapped his arms around her back, and reached for the clasp of her bra. Just as Angel reached the clasp….

The sound of the doorbell finally broke the lustful spell.

"Xander!" Buffy cried, as she looked towards the front door.

"Hurry, get your shirt back on," Angel told Buffy, as they hurried to get dressed.

Angel reached for his sweater only to find it was missing. "Buffy, you seen my shirt?" Angel looked up too see Buffy sliding the sweater over her head. "Oh, never mind."
"I'm sorry, Angel," Buffy said as Angel darted to his closet and grabbed the first shirt on the rack.

"No, no, its okay," Angel said as he frantically tried to button his purple shirt.

"God, if Xander finds out what happened," Buffy worried as she hurriedly brushed her hair.

"Don't worry Buffy," Angel said smoothing his hair, "He won't know a thing."
"I hope not," Buffy told Angel as she followed him to the living room.

Buffy sat down on the couch and pretended to read a magazine, as Angel opened the door.

"Angel," Xander said with a tone.

"Xander," Angel said as he stepped aside to let Xander walk in.

"Hey Buff," Xander said walking over to Buffy's place on the couch. "Angel said that your clothes were collateral damage from patrol last night. Here's a fresh set."

Buffy took the grocery bag of clothes and smiled at Xander as she stood.

"Thanks, Xander." Buffy said walking to the bedroom to change.

When she closed the door, Buffy set the bag of clothes on Angel's bed, and began to pull the shirt off. When she pulled it off, it was then that she noticed it came off, right side out. Which means… She had put it on wrong side out. OH GOD! Buffy thought as she looked to the closed door. I sure hope Xander didn't notice!

It was then that the guilt began to sink in. Guilt about what had just transpired, guilt about the truth. Spike was right. Angel and I can never be just friends.

But the truth was, there was never a time when Buffy didn't need Angel. Ever since she had been called, Angel had been there. Even if she never knew it. Her first kill, The Master's death, and strangely enough, even after she had sent him to hell, Angel was always there to comfort her, giving her the strength to keep going.

Meanwhile, in Angel's living room, after Buffy had disappeared into Angel's room, an unearthly silence filled the room. Angel leaned against the door, arms folded, and Xander leaned against the couch, also with his arms folded. A staring contest then began between the two rivals.

"You two just can't stay off of each other can you?" Xander finally popped off.

"What do you mean?"
"Well, I find it very interesting how it took you five minutes to open the door, and then, when I handed Buffy her clothes, the sweater she was wearing was turned inside out."
Angel tilted his at Xander. "What does that have to do with us not being able to stay off of one another?"

"If you guys didn't have a quickie, then you were about to."
Angel took a deep breath, before he spoke to Xander.

"I appreciate the fact that you worry for Buffy, I really do. But you are forgetting one important thing : Buffy's not in High School anymore, or College for that matter." Angel pushed himself off the wall, and walked towards Xander. "So she does not need some kid, who can't over the his school-yard crush, hovering over her like an overprotective father!" Angel was standing within inches of Xander's face.

"Back off, Angel," Xander warned, a fire in his eye, "Buffy's married, and I'll be damned if I just sit back and let you ruin the best thing that ever happened to Buffy!"
"And you think a dying man is the best thing for Buffy?"
"It's better than loving the undead."

Before Angel could stop himself, his fist went flying and made contact with Xander's face. Xander sailed backwards over the couch, and landed on the floor.

"I'm not a vampire anymore, Xander, so lay off!!"

"What the hell is going on here?" Buffy walked into the living room in her red checkered dress and boots, just as Xander stood up from the floor.

"He hit me!" Xander said pointing to Angel.

"He insulted me," Angel said pointing back.

"I don't care," Buffy said hands on her hips. "You are both acting like children! You two have never gotten along and I say enough is enough! Bury the stupid hatchet already!!"

Xander and Angel started to object, Buffy held up her hands as she walked over to Xander.

"What my business is with Angel, is my business, not yours! So butt out!"

"Yes Ma'am," Xander said hanging his head.

"And YOU!" Angel looked up in surprise. "Don't think for one second, you're off the hook! You need to quit antagonizing him!"

""I didn't do anything he just –"

"I don't want to hear it!" Buffy interrupted him, "Am I understood?"

"Yes, Ma'am," Angel said, hanging his head.

Buffy looked at her watch, and turned to Xander.

"Come on Xander," she said grabbing her coat. "Let's get home before Brian does."

Xander rubbed his face where Angel punched him, as he followed Buffy to the door.

"And you two are not to breathe one word about the fact that I was Slaying or what was discussed here to Brian. As far as he is concerned, I was drunk, I passed out and Angel let me stay the night. Is that clear?"

Both men nodded their heads in silent approval. Buffy then opened the door, and turning to Angel said, "Talk to you later?"
"Always," He answered. Buffy smiled as she exited Angel's apartment, knowing deep down, what Angel was really trying to say.

End Chapter

Ok, I hope you like it! It may take awhile for another chapter since My sis in the hopsital. So I tried to make this as happy a (temp) ending as i could.

Thanks to Mackensie Creations for dialog help! That A/X scene about KILLED me! LOL

As always feedback is a MUST! so PLEASE R&R so I can feed my muse!!!! LOL