Several months passed and Angel and Buffy still haven't seen or spoke to each other. It broke Angel's heart everyday, knowing she was out there, and she wasn't in his arms. Angel stood in his office looking out his window, and down at the streets wondering if Buffy was down there, and what she was thinking. His door opened and Gunn came in. "Hey. What's up?" Angel turned to him and gave a half smile. Angel went over to his desk and sat down. Gunn knew what clouded his mind. "So. What new case do we have?" Gunn asked. Angel nodded. "Do you think I should just go up to her and just--" "No. No. Man. Not a good idea. Do you remember when you sent all those stuffed bears? And flowers? She shredded all of it. I don't even want to know what happened to the kitten you sent her two weeks ago." Angel stood up. "Nah…maybe. Maybe she's over it." Gunn shook his head. "I don't think so. And what if she finds out you have agents watching her?" Gunn whistled. "She's going to rip you a new ass." Angel shrugged. "It would be a start."
Buffy and Cordelia stood in the swimsuit store of the mall. Buffy put on a plum racer back halter top and bottom with jeweled ring hardware on the sides. Cordelia had picked her black bikini already. Buffy looked in the mirror and looked at herself she turned to see what it looked from behind. Buffy smiled. "Yeah. This is the one." Cordelia nodded. "Yeah…so do you ever think about Angel?" Buffy turned to Cordelia. "We're not allowed to say his name." Cordelia shrugged. "Buffy. You never talked about it. I know you love him and miss him." Buffy nodded. "I don't know I just thought I'd finally found someone who'd like me for me" Cordelia walked over. "So how do you know his feelings for you weren't real?" Buffy shook her head. "He was just doing his job." "That's crap!" Cordelia quipped. "He wanted you." Buffy nodded "I--"
Out of nowhere came a huge crash inside the store glass went everywhere. Buffy saw a Riley with a gun. Cordelia ran and hid in the dressing room. Buffy looked around for a place to hide but couldn't find any. Riley then found Buffy and walked over to her. "What's up baby?" Buffy tried to cover herself up. "I never thanked you for sending me to jail." Riley cocked his gun. "Better yet, how about another go?" Buffy was about to respond. When Riley was brought to the ground by what Buffy could see FBI agents. Buffy took a step back and gasped she couldn't believe it. He had people watching her? Buffy was then dragged out of the store by the agents and put in the car.
When they arrived at the station Buffy rushed out of the car and stormed inside. When Buffy entered everyone who was in there turned and saw that all she was wearing was her bikini. I'm sorry. I'd have more on.. but I wasn't exactly given time to, I don't know, get my things" Buffy walked and was about to go into his office when Gunn stood in front of her. "Buffy! Wow! You look--" "Where is he?" Buffy asked crossing her arms. Gunn nodded. "Wait. I'll see if has a minute." Buffy followed. "He better have two." Gunn opened up Angels door and stormed in. "You have a--" Buffy then ducked through so she could get in and stood in front of Gunn. Angel stopped and just starred. "Visitor." Gunn finished. Buffy and Angel stood there just starring at each other, Angel was mesmerized by Buffy, she was more beautiful than he could remember. Buffy couldn't let go of his eyes. Gunn saw how uncomfortable the situation was. "Okay. I'm going to go arrest somebody." Gunn then stepped out of the room and closed the door.
Angel smiled. "You know I have that one in blue. But you make it look so much better." Buffy smiled. "Angel. Is there a reason you have your little boy scouts following me?" Angel nodded. "Well. You're not exactly the careful type so I wanted you safe." Buffy walked over to his desk and grabbed his jacket and out it on. Angel nodded. "Yeah. You can have that." Buffy walked over to Angel and placed her hand on his chest. "Sweetie Baby. You need to back off. Stop lying to me." Angel pushed her away gently. "You and Riley have a nice conversation when he had a gun to your head?" Buffy stopped and didn't say anything. She hadn't had time to think about it. She almost died today. Again. When Angel placed a hand on her arm, Buffy felt a lot safer. Despite their personal situation, she knew he would do anything possible to keep her from harm. Maybe it was only a job to him, but she was glad he was by her side again.
"It didn't hit me until now how easy it would be for someone to hurt me," she told him, a shiver making her arms shake under his fingers. Angel let go, and looked at her. Once again, he felt an overwhelming urge to protect her. Protect her. He was in love with her. Every part of her he adored. Her life was in more jeopardy. And yet... He loved her with his entire being. He would die for this girl. He would protect her now even better. With his whole heart. Buffy stepped away. She couldn't do this with him. Not again. "I have to go. Please stay away from me." Buffy then rushed past him and out the door. Angel quickly followed and watched Buffy get into the passenger seat of a car driven by Lindsey. Angel looked at Lindsey who looked back and then drove away.