Hello all, I apologize for the delay... Have some things going on, but anyways... So here's the next chapter, I think we're finally getting to the good parts.

Hope you like :) Please Review and Enjoy!

Happy Reading...

Chapter 9

Her silence was making him uneasy, he really liked her possibly loved her, and he'd never gone out of his way for anyone like this before, he'd put out his big ego target up for her to take shots at, but then again… he understood the look in her eyes… it was fear.

The reason he understood that emotion was because he'd felt it too.

So he pulled her into his arms, gazing at her with their foreheads pressed together. She'd dropped her unsure gaze and he waited till she stared back into his eyes.

She glanced up wanting to answer him but nothing was coming out. The moment he wrapped his arms around her though, she felt like she was in the safest place in the world; and as his eyes felt like they could see into her soul with such affection that… she whispered, "Deal…"

With some hesitation of ruining their back almost together moment, he closed the distance between them pressing his luscious lips to her taunting ones. He could feel how his heart opened up completely and entirely to her… to take in all of her. Just as she felt like the dam of emotions erupted within her for him…

There was no going back now…

The kiss grew with an intensity that only seemed to spark between them… their lips fused together was like lighting a match that burst into flames. The feel of each other and their unique scent pushed their hunger further for more…

They both pulled back in pants… their lips hovering and grazing over each other…

"I…" she spoke softly, "I have to get ready…"

He took her lower lip nibbling carefully and she hummed delighted…

"What is it about you that makes me want to lose control…?" he asked containing himself.

"Me?" she accused equally affected, "You… god you…" was all she could say.

She pressed one final searing kiss to him… and said, "You need to go or I won't want to leave this room and I can't not make my performance…"

"Okay…" he smiled with lust in his eyes, "I'll see you tonight… after of course…"

She read the look in his eyes and she almost dammed the show she had to be at tonight, she wanted to be like 'the hell with it'…

"Go!" she demanded, couldn't he see that she was barely holding it together?

He snickered devilishly pecking her with a full body hug then went to the door, "Something to think about while your dancing…" he winked at her.

"Ugh! I hate you…" she pouted. He'd pay for that soon enough; but for now she needed a cold shower before she left for her performance.

/

Angel, Will, and Riley were in line to get into the university's theatre…

"So… you're together now…?" Will asked practically jumping up and down.

"Yes…" Angel answered with the memory of her lips still on his mind.

"About time man…" Riley patted him on the back, "you were becoming insufferable to deal with…?"

He punched him playfully on the arm, "Shut up…"

Will laughed, "Don't worry… you weren't the only one. Buffy wasn't in better shape… you both are dorks…"

"Alright, alright…" Angel said.

When a woman's voice broke through their conversation, "Riley, Angel darling, what are you guys doing here…?" She gave them a hug.

"Kate…" Riley faked a smile, "We're here for the show, this is Willow Rosenberg, my girlfriend." He introduced.

Willow smirked politely as she said, "Pleasure…" seizing her up.

"Hello, Kate…" Angel said hugging her back while taking in Will's bothered expression, "I'm here to watch my girl perform…"

"Your girl!" she asked surprised, "What… flavor of the week?"

"Not at all…" he answered truthfully, "I think she might be it for me…"

"Well I doubt that, but I'd love to meet her at your family's dinner party… I mean if she's it for you she'll be there right…?" She probed for him to fumble with this new information.

"You probably will…" he said confidently, "say hello to Gunn for me…" he added quickly to dismiss her.

She caught the hint, "Will do… bye guys…" she nodded strutting off.

Will turned to Riley, "What the hell…" anger in her tone.

"Babe… she's just like that… big snob and all. She and her husband are in our circle of friends from the club, we have to tolerate them…" he shrugged.

"Ugh… I just hate her…" she said exasperated.

"Everyone does…" Angel added trying to lighten the mood.

Will looked to Angel suspiciously. Something he'd told the annoying blonde woman had caught her attention, "What you said to her… about Buffy being it… do you mean… the one?"

"Babe… what kind of question is that?" Riley told her of the imprudence.

Angel smiled at her curiosity, but he wasn't about to have that conversation with her.

"I know it's none of my business really, but I'm very protective of her and…" she continued before Angel interrupted.

"Well… If I mean that, I think she should be the first to know… don't you agree?"

Willow smiled at him.

"Come on guys, let's enjoy the show…" Riley said as they were let in.

/

The show had been a complete success and apparently a huge deal for Buffy. This event was not only about it being part of her class final, but there were important people in the audience that were scouting for prime dancers of their dance companies. This was Buffy's opportunity to secure a dance job before graduating.

They all walked out into the greeting hall were all the dance students had changed into more comfortable clothes while people congratulated them of their performance. It was a way to interact with the crowd and maybe even network if possible.

Buffy had felt proud; the first show was more nerve wracking than the following performances. It was to set the tone for the coming ones, though this one had had the extra pressure because of the scouts, but it had all gone well.

She made her way through the crowd and in the distance, she saw Will, Riley, and a very tall attractive man looking around in search of her. She smiled and walked towards them, she'd almost reach them when someone got in her way. Black shirt, skinny, yet muscular chest almost collided with her, "Excuse me… I'm sor…" she began when she recognized the platinum hair, and pale man's face.

"Spike…" she said in a stressed tone, she was about to make a rude comment when a woman in suit approached asking.

"Buffy Summers…?"

"Yes…" she confirmed a slight edge to her voice, "And you are…?"

The woman smiled, "Sorry, Winifred Burkle…" she extended her hand out, "Representative of the National Dance Association…"

God she felt stupid, here she was using a tone with someone that had most likely her future in her hands and she couldn't have shown up in a worst moment than right now with Spike by her side.

Spike was amused, "William…" he began to introduce himself.

/

Willow spotted Buffy from a distance; dread and anger filled her stare, "Oh god… Spike!"

At her words… Riley and Angel turned to followed her gaze. There was Buffy standing nervously in front of woman whose attire screamed importance and a pleased man who he recognized from before. He'd wanted to beat him senseless at that time.

Angel tensed at him touching Buffy lightly on the arm as he could tell that she wasn't going to pull away from him in front of this person.

Willow was about to say something when she noticed Angel had already crossed half the space to them. Willow made a gesture to move, but Riley held her.

"He's got this…" He smiled to her taken expression. After a second, she gave him a small nod.

Angel reached Buffy and pulled her to him by her waist; deliberately away from Spike and kissed her lightly on the cheek, "Sweet love…" he began pretending that he hadn't noticed anyone else as it was crowded with people around anyways, "We've been looking for you everywhere…"

"Angel…" she whispered relieved and yet scared, the love word hadn't registered to her now, but she'd think of it later. "This is Ms. Winifred Burkle, Representative of the National Dance Association…" she gestured to the woman in front of them for help.

Fred stared at the intruding man questionably but then offered her hand, this whole situation was awkward and she didn't know what was going on. All she wanted to do is tell Buffy that they were interested and that they'd be calling her for an appointment if she was willing to except.

Angel stared daggers at Spike who was not amused by his affection towards Buffy, and that pleased him. He turned to the petite brunette, "Angel O'Donnell…" he turned his business charm on, if this was important to her, then he needed to make a good impression.

"You can call me Fred…" she stared at the man stunned, he looked so familiar. Silence reined for a moment. Then she noticed three pairs of eyes wondering what had made her stop so suddenly… "Oh I'm sorry… this is very unprofessional but you look so much like… you… you wouldn't happen to know a Liam O'Donnell would you?"

Angel gazed at the woman oddly, "Uh… that depends…" he said, "Senior or Junior?"

"Junior…" She answered. Buffy and Spike began to stare at them funny. Could this conversation get any weirder?

"Winifred, Fred?" Angel said obviously now recognizing her.

They reached each other for a hug, "I knew it, Liam… it's been a long time…"

"Yes it has…" he pulled away, "and please… its Angel, Liam is more my father…" he began when Spike butted in.

"Yeah look mate, you and kitten here can walk away and have your private get together…" he said nearing Buffy, "Me and Buff here are gonna…"

He didn't finish as Angel had crossed the space between them; he was up in his face glaring dangerously at him.

"You can leave now…" He said menacingly. Spike stood his ground when he suddenly noticed security approaching.

"This isn't over…" he let out and backed away as the officers were standing around them now, "Congratulations on your show love…" he winked at Buffy and left. She felt a chill run through her.

The moment Riley and Willow saw security move in their direction, they decided to join their friends.

"Fred…" he nodded to her apologetically.

She understood, "I'm going to make some rounds…" she smiled, "be back in a second…"

Angel turned to Buffy, holding her by her shoulders, "You okay sweetheart…?" she moved her head up and down.

"I am now…" she tried to grin at him. He bent his head down to meet her lips. He was all the therapy she would ever need to take on life full force, she thought.

/

From a far, Drusilla watched the couple with a wrath that could be only interpreted as extreme hatred. If looks could kill, well... they'd be dead…

She began to walk to the exit, if Angel thought that he could just toss aside Drusilla Kinsley… Then he had no idea who he was messing with…