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Buffy arrived back at her dorm in Sunnydale and took her jacket off, before falling down onto the bed. Willow wasn't home and Buffy felt somewhat thankful that she wasn't there. She didn't quite felt like talking about her recent trip to Los Angeles. She couldn't believe what she had come across there. Angel had protected Faith fiercely, even striking Buffy, but not only that; Angel had somehow impregnated Cordelia and was now happy with her. Buffy didn't quite understand it. She had always thought that some day in the future, she and Angel would get back together. But Angel didn't want anything to do with her. He'd rather be with Cordelia than her. She had lost him to the former cheerleader, all because he knocked her up
A silent tear ran down Buffy's face as she curled up into a foetal position and snuggled up against her pillow
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"We need help. Request immediate reinforcements. There's something here and it's kicking all our asses. Repeat, request – aarggh!"
The static voice cut out on the radio with a scream, as Riley Finn grabbed what he could. He was still dressed in his military gear, even though he was on the run from the Initiative for his role in helping Buffy and Oz escape from the facility
Following the rest of the radio message, or who else managed to survive long enough to get a message through, Riley left the destroyed Sunnydale High School, coming out into an alley, where several commandos were lying around, all knocked unconscious, as someone stood amongst them. The man whirled around when Riley played his flashlight over him, anger blazing in his eyes. He was tall, with spiky black hair and wearing a black coat over a black shirt and pants
"Riley Finn," Angel growled
"Do I know you?" Riley asked, flicking his light off
"We have a friend in common"
"Angel"
Buffy had once mentioned Angel to Riley, while Xander explained to Riley about Buffy and Angel's complete history. That Angel was a vampire with a soul and that he could lose his soul, thus becoming all-evil, something which actually had happened two years ago, which is why Angel left Sunnydale and went to Los Angeles after getting his soul: to prevent him losing it to Buffy again
"Welcoming committee your idea?" Angel asked, looking at the downed commandos
"The way I heard it, you were all peaceable now," Riley said, "You didn't happen to lose that pesky soul of yours now, did you?"
"Don't push me, boy," Angel growled
"Now what could have possibly happened with Buffy that'll make you lose your soul?" Riley asked, his face contorting into anger
"That'll be between me and her"
Angel went to walk past him, but Riley flicked out his baton, stepping in front of him
"Where do you think you're going?" Riley asked
"To see an old girlfriend"
"I don't think so"
"You gonna stop me?"
"I surely do hope so"
Riley lashed out with his left fist, but Angel blocked and struck him, as Riley smacked him in the face with the baton. He then whirled around, but Angel blocked his move and got him into a half nelson, swinging him towards the wall. Riley pushed off against the wall, before dropping and throwing Angel over his shoulder
The vampire was swiftly onto his feet, kicking at Riley's face, as he blocked and rose up, smacking Angel twice in the face with the baton. Angel growled, as he grabbed Riley's arm on the third strike, kneeing him in the ribs, then punching him in the face, before spinning around and throwing Riley through the air
Riley lost hold of his baton when he landed in a pile of garbage. He quickly climbed up onto a ledge, just as Angel landed, having jumped from about twelve feet away. Riley kicked out at Angel, who grabbed his leg and lifted him up, slamming him against the wall. Angel grabbed him by his vest and lifted him up, as Riley punched him, breaking out of his grip and striking him against with a fast blow. Angel went to punch, but Riley dodged, throwing Angel against the wall, blocking his backhand and kneeing him in the ribs. Angel grabbed Riley and shoved him against the wall, forcing him down. In desperation, Riley grabbed his taser and jammed it against Angel's chest
Angel flew through the air, landing in the garbage. He growled, vamping out, as Riley jumped down and shoved the taser into his face. Snarling, Angel grabbed Riley by the wrist, making him drop the taser, before lifting him up and over his head, dropping him on the ground. Riley quickly got to his feet, grabbing a glass bottle and smashing it upon Angel's face. A few cuts appeared on Angel's right cheek and eyebrow, as he punched Riley, before picking him up and slamming him against the wall. Riley fell down, as Angel picked him up again, carrying him on his shoulder as he threw him onto a pile of large tubes, denting them. Riley groaned, as Angel saw a truck coming and swiftly climbed up the side of a building, disappearing over the roof, as Riley took off, turning the corner before the truck's lights caught hold of him
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A knock came at Buffy's door. She got up from the bed and headed over, thinking it would Xander or Riley. However, she was quite surprised to see Angel standing before her, a few cuts on his face
"Er, hi. Can I come in?" he asked
"I guess," Buffy replied, not looking at him
"Need a little more than that"
"Come in"
Angel entered the dorm, as Buffy closed the door behind him
"Uh, nice place," Angel said
"So, wanna tell me who ran your face into a brick wall?" Buffy asked
At that moment, Riley burst into the dorm, aiming a handgun at Angel. He looked worse for wear, as Buffy looked between them in shock
"I don't believe it," she cried, "You came here to beat up my boyfriend?"
"No, this was a misunderstanding," Angel said
"Misunderstanding my ass," Riley said, clicking the safety off
"Wanna lower that gun?"
"All I got left, so no"
"You can barely stand"
"Trigger finger feels good"
"Think you can get a shot off before I disarm you, by let's say, breaking your arm"
Riley smiled slightly as he withdrew a wooden stake
"How are you liking your chances, Angel?"
"You actually sleep with this guy?" Angel asked Buffy in disbelief
Riley punched him in the face. He went to stake, but Angel grabbed his arm and punched him back, as Buffy shoved them apart. Riley hit Willow's desk, while Angel fell upon Willow's bed
"Any more display of testosterone and I'm personally putting you both in hospital," Buffy threatened
"He started-" Angel started
She held up her hand and gave him a look
"Riley, I need to speak with Angel"
"I'm not leaving the room," Riley said, crossing his arms
Buffy motioned to Angel and they left the dorm
"Not moving a muscle," Riley said
"Wanna tell me what's going on?" Buffy asked
"Came to apologize," Angel replied, "I couldn't leave it like that"
"Apologize? That's all? What about Riley?"
"Got jumped by some military guys. He came in the middle"
"Oh my God. You have got to be kidding me," Buffy said
"Yeah, I know. Crazy, isn't it?" Angel said with a smile, "Also came to let you know that what I do in Los Angeles is my business. No matter whom I with"
"I suppose I've got Riley. It's only fair that you should be with someone you love"
"Yeah, I love Cordelia. At lot. And I'm excited about the birth of our child"
"She means something to you, doesn't she?" Buffy asked
"She does," Angel replied, "More than I thought possible"
"Well, now that's all said and done. I think I feel a little better"
"Yeah, same here," Angel said
He turned to walk away, before looking back at Buffy
"Oh and Riley? I don't like him"
He smiled and got one in return, before turning away again and walking off
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