It was almost 3 in the morning when Buffy snuck through the front door. Buffy was feeling sick to her stomach, she couldn't grasp what just happened. She couldn't even hardly walk as she climbed up the stairs. Buffy prayed Angel wouldn't be awake. Buffy sat on her bed and tears started to fall down her cheeks. She covered her mouth so she wouldn't be so loud. Riley took what she treasured most in this world, and now she could never get it back. Her shirt and skirt was torn in many places and the dried blood would stain it forever.

Angel sat downstairs at the kitchen table the next morning reading the paper. He took a sip of his black coffee and sat it down. He worried about Buffy all night last night. Deciding finally it was time to put all this aside he got up and went upstairs o Buffy's room. Angel knocked. "Buffy" he said gently. No answer. He twisted the door knob and quietly entered. He saw she was no where. He then heard the shower running. Angel knocked again. "Buffy. You okay?" There was still no answer. He knocked again and again. Still nothing. Angel then opened the door and went in.

Buffy didn't even hear Angel as he came is. She felt surrounded by the ice water as it hit her body. She felt frozen in one position, she couldn't master one thought. In this moment in her life she hated herself and more than anything just wanted to die. She wanted to run to Angel, but couldn't imagine it. Buffy didn't even feel Angel as he grabbed and pulled her out. He felt her cold body as he wrapped her robe around her and sat her on the toilet, and kneed in front of her.

"Buffy. What happened to you?" Buffy looked up into his eyes and started to cry. Angel caressed her face as he pulled the strand of hair out of her face. Angel didn't know what to think as he waited for her to answer. "Angel" she managed to get out as she shivered. "Please. Help me. Make it go away." Angel nodded as he came to understand what was going on. Angel closed his eyes. "Did somebody hurt you?" Buffy nodded as she broke down and cried onto his shirt. Angel put his arms around her and brought her back up. "Baby. Baby. Who?" Buffy shook her head. "Was it Riley?" Angel asked. Buffy was about to speak when she heard someone on the other side of the door in her room. "Buffy." she heard. It was Riley both her and Angel recognized it. Angel looked at Buffy who looked back at him with pleading eyes. That's the answer Angel was looking for and Buffy knew. Angel stood up. Buffy could see the anger in his eyes. Buffy got up with him. "Angel. No. Please. Just--" Angel placed a finger on her mouth.

Angel looked at the door and saw the knob slowly moving, Angel gently put Buffy against the wall so she would be behind the door as he opened it. Riley was standing there with a smirk on her face. "Where is she?" Riley asked. Angel just looked at him as he put his hands in his pocket. "Look. This is something you really don't want to get involved in." Riley continued. Angel smiled. "That's true. Which is why you're going to turn around and get hell out of here." Riley stepped closer. "Sorry. Can't do that. I know you're hiding her in there." Angel wanted to kill him right then and there. "you're not coming anywhere near her." Riley gave a short laugh. "It must eat you alive that I hit it first. Because I know you got a little thing for her. Now if you don't mind…move so I can come in and get her myself." Angel, finally he lets go of the door. Riley saunters into the room - only to have Angel slam the door against his face then stumbles back holding his nose, groaning in pain.

Angel looked over at Buffy and whispered for her to stay. Angel picked Riley up and threw him out the door, Riley tumbled down the stairs, and agonized in pain. Angel walked down the stairs and kneed next to Riley. "Gee. I guess I do mind." Angel then picked Riley up and pushed out onto the pavement, then slammed the front door.