Author's Notes: I shall say it again: thank you guys for the reviews and alerts. I'm pleased to say that it's been really great writing this story. This chapter was a bit difficult to write, but not because of lack of inspiration. As strange as this sounds, as I was writing this, there was a couple of times that I had to swallow a lump. As always, feedback is encouraged. The song inspiration for this chapter: Running by No Doubt. I definitely recommend it. Buffy will meet Angel in this chapter. All places and streets mentioned in this chapter are absolutely real. Now, on to chapter four. Enjoy guys!

Chapter Four

My eyes fluttered rapidly as I sleepily took in the surroundings that, all at once, were familiar to me. We had arrived in Los Angeles, and not a moment too soon as night was slowly approaching. My stomach filled itself with dread and trepidation as my fingers clutched the back seat with a resolve that I hadn't felt in more than a year's time.

"Finally. I'd thought we'd never get here," Cordelia exclaimed with a sigh of exaggerated relief as she made a right towards the La Brea tar pits. "I rather go back," I retorted under my breath, leaning my head against the passenger window as the outlines of numerous tourists passed on by in a distorted blur of colors.

"Do we have to be here?" I continued with a soft pout to my lips, my eyes peering against the corner of Hollywood and Vine, scouting out a group of young women who were brazenly entrenched in Angel and the Bad Men merchandise, albeit in inappropriate attire that were gaining obvious stares from passing yuppie tourists.

No doubt in my mind that they were going to desperately try to win a night with Angel Liam himself. At realizing this, I snorted in a sense of disapproval. He wasn't worth lowering one's self-esteem over. Not even if you had inexplicably confusing feelings for him.

"I don't think it'll be that bad, Buffy. You'll be okay. We'll get our pictures taken, go to the show, grab a bite to eat, and then leave. Nothing to it. We don't have to meet them backstage if you don't want to," Willow announced in a comforting manner.

I shrugged nonchalantly before plastering a grateful smile on my face, pinching the bridge of my nose that had suddenly gone cold. "Thanks, Will. Really." That aside, I absent-mindedly plucked a slim hand towards the inner pocket of my jeans, reaching for a piece of jewelry that Angel had given me before his career had skyrocketed.

Fingered protectively between the thumb and index finger, it was a silver Irish claddagh ring that had been pass down the family line. Glancing at the craftsmanship, I couldn't help but choke back a sob at its significance.

"Buffy, there's something I would like for you to have. It's not much, but it's been a tradition in my family for generations. Since my great-grandparents had arrived from Ireland, actually. At least that's what my mom and dad keeps telling me. It's a claddagh ring. I kept it in my jewelry box, but never really bothered to give it to anyone due to the fact that it's supposedly used as a engagement and wedding ring. From what my parents have told me, it's also to give it to that special someone who holds a place in your heart. These past few years, there were a few women that I was in love with, but the relationships had never lasted for long; two years or less. I know things right now are starting to become a bit crazy, but I wanted to give you this ring; to let you know how much you mean to me. I'm hoping that when all of this comes to an end, you'll be on the other side waiting for me. I wanna spend some time with you. I want to see where you and I might end up. I want to let you know that I want you in my life, no matter what happens between us."

"Don't tell me you still have that old thing with you?" Cordelia queried, a single eyebrow raised. "I'm not going to throw it away, if that's what you mean. Never in a million years," I stated, my gaze never leaving the jewelry I still held between my fingers, my mouth firming into an oppressive line. "Angel gave it to me before he became the big rock star. He wanted me to keep it."

"Yeah, yeah, we all know that, but seriously, I thought you threw the damn thing in the garbage long ago," Cordelia sniped, making a left towards the direction of the Sunset Strip. "As if. I didn't tell you that he gave the ring to me because he wanted us to spend more time together when things died down. Or, at least, I thought he did," I began without interruption, my eyes haunted at the reminder of his words.

Both Cordelia and Willow were startled into silence as the car drooped to a red light, both sets of eyes widening on me.

"You're kidding!" Willow gasped. I shook my head furiously, silently wishing that I was. "I wish I was, Will," I muttered in misery. Even Cordelia couldn't believe it. When I looked into her serious facial expression, I couldn't help but flash a grim smile of amusement towards her.

"He told me that when his career was over, he was gonna settle down and get to know me better. He told me that he was developing these feelings for me, and that he never felt them the same way as he did with the other women..."

"What kind of feelings?" Both Cordy and Willow pressed, intrigued despite the fact that cars were honking from behind as we entered the parking lot of Pink's. Cordelia opened the window to express her frustration to the drivers with a blunt flip of the finger.

I exhaled a breath before continuing. "Even to this day, I'm still not exactly sure. I've been wondering that myself almost every night for the last five years. All I know was that he wanted to get closer to me. I guess he was afraid that someone would take me away from him, but who the hell knows at this point?"

I settled into a deepening position of the cushion, my eyes now looking out towards the small hot dog establishment. I felt a warm hand patting my knee in a soothing motion. "I'm sorry, Buffy. I didn't know," Willow conceded, her eyes soft. "Yeah, me too. I didn't mean to be such a conniving bitch, yadda yadda. You get the picture," Cordelia joined in, turning off the ignition as she puckered her lips over the rear view mirror.

"Don't worry, Cordy. You'll always be the selfish bitch in this family," I nodded with a gruff laugh, tucking the ring safely into my pocket. "I'll get the grub. You guys can say," I announced suddenly as I opened the passenger door, heading into the cool night air.

It was fortunate that there were only two customers waiting in line in spite of the place getting much notoriety for its' food and service. As soon as I made my way towards that said line, a sleek, black limousine drove up to the left side of the parking lot, making a grand entrance as if it owned the place.

"I wonder what ass hole their bringing in now?" I spoke to myself, rolling my eyes as I turned my attention back towards the stand, which was moving in a swift precision, fortunately. But not before I heard the heavy thump of construction boots coming forward as my attention shifted its focus, noticing that the back limousine door was slightly ajar.

Before my eyes stood a tall, lean, elegant man adorned in Affliction apparel, a pair of jet black Ed Hardy sunglasses obscuring his eyes from me, two chains dangling from the pockets of his destroyed two hundred dollar denim jeans as he made his way forward, attempting to cut me in line. I stood straight still, my mouth agape.

"Excuse me. Do you mind? You're cutting me in line," I scoffed, my lip furling. The man made a reluctant glance towards me, both eyebrows raised. Somehow, he looked familiar, but I couldn't place where I had seen him. "Don't you know who I am?" he demanded. "A wolf in douche back clothing?" I suggested in a rude manner.

He ripped off the sunglasses from his head as his chocolate eyes angrily burrowed into mine. For the second time that day, my mouth widened in shock.

"Angel?"