BrandiIndigo: Thank you for the feedback. I tend to have the vast majority of my stories plotted/written out before posting so I have made tweaks to future chapters. I do love a non-linear story, hope you enjoy.


Two Years Ago

The giggle that escaped her lips as they crossed over the threshold filled the empty apartment. She wrapped her arms around his neck and jumped up so her thighs could grip his hips. Angel let out a lusty chuckle and nipped at her neck before grazing his teeth off her jugular, making her moan.

From the corner of his eye he could see the red flashing light from the answer machine on the landline that Giles insisted he have installed. He told his stepfather that he didn't need one, his cell would do but the stiff upper lip grumbled about being able to lose a cell and not have an alternative option for if he needed him. Although he probably should listen to the message, he decided for now that whatshername in his arms was more important.

Hearing the landline ring he growled and shook his head, wanting nothing more than to ignore it, before he could move another inch the machine beeped and his stepfathers sigh echoed throughout the room. Angel. Please answer. Angel closed his eyes for a moment but then halted when Giles continued. Its about Buffy…

Turning his head fully towards the machine, he urged the woman wrapped around him to stand back on the ground and shooed her hand away when she reached for the zipper on his jeans. Buffy is in a spot of trouble and was picked up by the police earlier. Please do call me back.

Angel glowered at the machine, the last time he had seen her she was a little bratty but he just assumed it was her just being a typical bratty teenager. What had she done? When his zip was tugged down he batted her hand away "Leave. Now" he sent a glare in her direction making her almost hiss in annoyance and call him a jerk as she left.

Paying no attention to her, he straightened himself up and reached for his cell that had been powered down during the movie when they had been out on their date earlier. When he reached Giles number he pressed the call button and brought the phone up to his ear, waiting to get a better explanation of what happened.

Oooooooooooooooo

The next day Angel set off back West in the hopes of speaking to Buffy and finding out what in the hell she had been thinking. He had tried to call her foster moms house and thankfully didn't receive a reply as he was still angry at that point last night. He had tried calling again before he left and was told she was out and that they had no idea when she would be back.

By the time he had arrived back in Sunnydale it was dark out but he decided that finally getting a hold of her would be his first move. When he called Giles, the older man stated he hadn't heard from her that day either. Shaking his head he parked up outside of the park, knowing that that's where everyone whose anyone hangs on a Friday night.

Looking through the crowd he spotted that orange puffer jacket that she sported lately and made his way over. The surprised smile on her face grew wider as he got closer but it faltered when she could sense his anger "Buffy"

She stood up and brushed her long locks to the side, twirling a stray section with her finger "Angel! You came home" when he continued to look at her in a way that made her want to throw up she nodded for him to follow her to one of the empty gazebos that lined the clearing "Whats with the face? You have something face"

Angel leaned against the frame and held her gaze "Whats with you breaking the law"

Buffy flinched, she should have known that he was back because of that and not because he wanted to see her "I didn't do anything" when he quirked his eyebrow she screeched in annoyance "We snuck over a fence into the zoo, no damage, no harm, no foul… hardly breaking the law" she folded her arm's over her chest and smirked.

Pushing off from the wood, he stopped right in front, towering over her "Still breaking and entering on private property, Buff. They may have let you off this time but you might not be so lucky next time and you could end up with a criminal record"

Rolling her eyes she smiled sweetly up to him "You need to relax…" when his eyes darkened and snapped to hers she shrunk under his gaze, putting a stop to her line of thought, she was going to make a funny, clearly he didn't appreciate it.

"Go home Buff"

Buffy stomped her foot in annoyance "I am fifteen years old, You cant treat me like a child!"

Angel threw a harsh glare at her and shook his head in disappointment "Well stop acting like a fucking child" he continued to shake his head and stomped off towards his car, leaving her alone in the gazebo.

Tears streamed down her face and her lip wobbled at his harsh words, never had he ever raised his voice at her or be as mad at her, as he was in this moment. Shame burned through her, she tried to repeat that she had done nothing wrong but to see the disappointment in his chocolate eyes made her want to heave.


They remained in tense silence for over a minute before Buffy sat straight up and leaned her elbows on the table, placing her chin onto her hands, trying to look as innocent as can be "So what brings you here Angel, thought you were still at College, don't tell me you came home just because of lil old me?"

Angel inhaled a sharp breath to let his anger dissipate before he would berate her. He saw amusement twinkle in her eyes "No, I was on my way home for winter break and Giles called to tell me you ended back in here"

Buffy rolled her eyes "Ah, so Giles sent his lapdog, is he really that mad at me?" Ever since she was picked up earlier and had called him, she was thrown by the fact that he hadn't stormed down here and cursed her until his glasses fogged over.

"Giles is in LA for the weekend, if you'd bother to answer his calls you would know that" he gave her a pointed look. Recently she had became good at ignoring both Giles and his own text messages and calls. He saw a brief look of guilt before she brought up the walls again "Why you here, Buff?"

Hearing the nickname that he specially reserves for when he's pissed off at her, she frowned and looked at the table "Glory, Faith and I were at the factory but we weren't doing anything" seeing him not budge she added "well they were drinking… but I wasn't!"

Angel cleared his throat "Is that all?" He had come to know these two friends were trouble but they were never seen without the ringleaders. The factory was abandoned but it wasn't off limits so they must have done something to grab the attention of the cops.

Buffy shifted uncomfortably in her seat, although she had got good at deceiving, she could never lie to Angel, he always managed to call her out on it "Parker and Luke were there, and they started a small fire"

He felt the fire burn through his veins at the confirmation that those two dickheads were with her. Luke was a new kid who towered over his classmates, automatically making him the leader through fear and Parker was a shithead that fooled naïve girls into bed with promises then bragged about it afterwards.

Seeing how mad he was she shrunk in the seat, Angel wasn't her parental figure, but he cared for her in more ways than one, so making him upset always weighed her down "Angel" when he looked at her she pouted "I promise, I didn't do anything"

Angel sighed, she was never able to lie to him, he could always read her like a book "Okay, I take it the rest of them bailed on you?" When she nodded, he looked to his watch "Is your foster mom home?"

Buffy frowned "No, the wicked vampire is away to Vegas this weekend" her foster mom was 'married' until not long after she went to live with them, they wanted the extra cash but no responsibilities, so she got away with murder and that's why her friend group was less than to be desired about.

"Don't talk about Darla that way" he had met her a couple of times, each time she had threw herself at him. He politely declined and she would state that she would be available any time he desired, she was older and could show him a thing or two.

Buffy snorted lightly "What, ever since Jesse left, she lures in another man, takes him for all his money and bleeds him dry before hunting for someone else" she shrugged then laughed as Angel tried his best not to laugh at her description of Darla.

"Once I get this sorted out you can stay with me this weekend" She thought she was Miss Independent with an attitude and done her best to rile him up, so it wouldn't surprise him to hear her say no. As he turned to leave he saw a small nod of acceptance which he wasn't expecting.

After having a chat with the cops, they said they knew she wasn't the one causing trouble tonight but being underage, she needed a guardian to pick her up. Thankfully, Detective Finn was still around and vouched on behalf of letting her go with Angel, rather than waiting on Darla. They had skipped over the part about her being out of state as that would complicate the matter.

Buffy climbed into his SUV and blushed when her tummy rumbled loudly "Can we get some take out?" Thinking about it, she couldn't mind the last time she had ate something today. Her friends were more of a drink and take drugs group, rather than grab a meal type group.

Noting that she did look a little on the thin side lately, he kept his thoughts to himself but nodded and drove in the direction of the burger joint en route to Crawford Street. They ate in silence in the parking lot before heading back home.

Angel headed on in and watched as Buffy slowly entered, looking around the place. Although this was her home for a brief period of time, she had always stated that from time to time she would feel like an intruder, making her way through this loving family home.

He smiled kindly at her as she removed her boots and came further inside. Without asking she grabbed a soda from the fridge and threw one to him too, he caught it in one hand and opened it, taking a long drink "It's getting late, just help yourself and I'll see you in the morning okay?"

Buffy nodded "Goodnight, Angel" he came over and kissed the top of her head as he said goodnight back to her. She felt a flutter in her tummy as he done this then longing as he vanished out of sight and up to his room. Although she had been a complete bitch to him earlier, she was thankful that he was still Angel, still charming and kind.

Feeling tired herself she took a quick shower and made her way to the guest room, thankfully over the years she had came back here for a time or two, so she had a stash of clothes that were hers. She slipped on an oversized t shirt that was Angels once upon a time and hesitated at the bed.

Closing her eyes, she said a silent pep talk to herself before heading down to Angels room. Opening the door fully she crept over to him silently and slipped under the dark sheets. Automatically he rolled over and pulled her closer, over the years this was how they slept, pure innocence of a guardian angel protecting that orphaned little girl.

"Night Buffy" he squeezed her tight for a moment before relaxing as he closed his eyes again. Buffy gave a goofy smile as she pressed her face against his chest and closed her eyes, grateful that he was here and that she felt safe and content for the first time in months.

In the morning when her eyes fluttered open, she looked around the room in a moment of fear before remembering that Angel had came to her rescue once again and that she was safe. His strong arm was still around her waist but at one point she must have rolled over as she was now facing the door.

Closing her eyes, just wanting to be in this moment, she snuggled into the pillow and smiled. After a few moments she felt him pull her tight against him "Good morning" his voice was all heavy with sleep, making him sound that way that made her weak in the knees.

"Good morning, Angel" she rolled over and got comfortable against his body, placing her head against his chest. Buffy walked her fingers up his bare chest in thought, she had come to realise lately that he was more than her protector, from when she first started noticing boys, he was her first crush and nothing or no one had managed to take that title from him.

Angel tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, gone was all the eyeliner and neat hairdo, fresh faced and beautiful as always "Whats on your mind, Summers?" As she stared at his chest, he ran his fingers through her wavy hair and twirled it gently.

"Thank you" her eyes flickered to his as she blushed "I know I haven't given you or Giles much reason to keep me around, but I don't know where I'd be without you two" he rolled to his side and his fingers tilted her head up so she couldn't hide from his gaze, making her blush deepen.

Angel smiled kindly at her "I'll always be here for you, even when you're being a pain in the ass" she tried to nudge his shoulder in playful protest, but he caught her hand in his, making her rise up to fight back.

"Pain in the ass, huh?" She tried to tickle him and giggled when his fingers tickled her ribs through her t shirt. Managing to push his hands away, she swung her leg over and sat astride his waist, trying to tickle him back. Angel laughed and arched his back, the moment she felt him press against her in nothing but the thin material of his boxers she left out a silent gasp.

The playfulness escaped the room within an instant, the tension between the pair was palpable. Her heart thundered in her chest as she looked into his dark chocolate eyes, the intensity she saw there thrilled her. Deciding to take her shot she leaned down and pressed her lips softly to his.

The moment she felt him kiss her back she twined her fingers through his messy hair and held tight, letting her tongue swipe against his. His hands caressed her thighs gently but the moment she pressed down against his hardness she felt him pull back. Sitting up on him she pulled her t shirt off and raised his hands to cup her naked breasts, giving them a squeeze.

Almost as if a light went off in his head his hands snatched away from her, and he shook his head from side to side "We shouldn't have done that"

Buffy rolled her eyes and ground against his hardness again as she bit her lip "Why not?"

Angel would have been lying if he said that he hadn't noticed just how much of a pretty girl she was. She was always adorable but had grown into a beautiful woman… an underage woman "I'm older than you…" before he could finish his sentence she butted in.

"You're not that much older, eight years is not a big difference" she leaned over to pepper kisses over his chest and neck but was stopped when his hands gripped onto her upper arms and pushed her away. Buffy growled in frustration "Angel!"

He shook his head "You're only seventeen, Buff, under Californian law, that's illegal…"

Buffy rolled her eyes "Please, that's such a lawyer thing to say" when he gave her a pointed look she mewled in frustration "You told me you lost your virginity when you were fifteen" she rolled her hips against him again "Besides i'll be eighteen in a matter of weeks"

Wrapping his arms around her, he rolled them over so he was on top "No, we're not doing this"

She shrieked "What, its not like I haven't done it before" as soon as the words escaped, she wish she could take them back. She hadnt told him as she knew he would disapprove and the fact that his full body was tense, yep, she called it.

He always thought that they had an open relationship, she knew she could tell him anything and for the most part she did, but she had never gave him an inkling that she was ever serious enough with the very little boyfriends she had had "What?!"

Buffy stuttered, she thought she could say that she was joking and that she hadn't done anything but that would be a lie and he would call her out on it straight away.

Angel sat back on his haunches and watched the rise and fall of her naked breasts, the way she was splayed out in-front of him was testing the strength of his soul. He wanted nothing more than to touch her and taste her, but it was wrong on several levels "Who?" He didn't know why but he needed to know.

Buffy looked away and shook her head but when he whispered her name she replied "Parker" she kept her focus on the pattern on the duvet, not wanting to look back at him.

He felt the bile rise in his throat and spat out "You slept with him?!" Something inside wanted to snap, Parker of all people, surely Buffy should have known better than to be with him in that way.

Choking back a sob Buffy pleaded with him "He said he loved me"

His anger melted as he watched her crumble, he reached for the discarded t shirt and slipped it over her, helping her put it back on properly, he sat back against the headboard and pulled her in between his legs, cradling her against his bare chest.

Buffy wiped at her eyes and looked up to Angel "Once it was over, he said that it was fun but it wasn't serious, I promise, he's been the only one… he promised he wouldn't tell anyone if I do anything that he wants" she knew his reputation and the bragging he done, so was surprised when he gave her this deal.

Angel froze "What do you mean, do anything that he wants?"

Realising how it sounded, her eyes flew wide open "No, no, we've only slept together a couple of times, but he means like last night, getting into trouble and me taking the blame" she looked down to her hands sadly. Since joining the group he had talked her into a handful of idiotic situations.

Taking a deep breath to collect his thoughts he began "He hasn't pressured you in any way to do things you're not comfortable with?" She shook her head no "Have you been careful?"

Buffy blushed, despite the fact that she had just tried to seduce Angel not mere minutes before, having this discussion was a little embarrassing. Darla had the talk with her years ago, but they had little emotional connection. "Yes, always… are you ashamed of me?"

Angel sighed with relief and slung his arm around her waist, kissing the top of her head softly "No, Buff, I'm not… I know I'm not your mom or dad, but I would have hoped you would have felt comfortable talking to me about this" he couldn't fully blame her, he had done idiotic things at her age too.

Snuggling her head against him she felt the tears swell in her eyes as she remembered what happened after Parker made her feel used. Wanting nothing more than to tell Angel, she did try to come over but they had another sort of argument that week and her showing up didn't help matters any, so she kept quiet.

Buffy cleared her throat, she wanted to give him some inkling to her thoughts and feelings so she ran her fingertips over his cheek "I know I should have thought things through then, but I have been thinking lately… and maybe, I, uh… I am comfortable and at my happiest when I'm near you" there the blushing went again, she was always better with actions rather than words.

Angel watched as her big doe eyes sparked from unshed tears, they always were one of her defining features, her jade eyes always called to him. When a tear escaped, he wiped it away with his thumb and sighed "I care for you too, I always have but its wrong, I'm like your big brother"

Buffy stifled a cry and shook her head "No! We are not brother and sister, at all. I know we've been in each other's lives for so long and I know that it might seem wrong, but you are the only thing in my screwed up life that makes sense" she could see the battle of his mind through his eyes, so she held her breath.

Angel watched as her eyes filled back up with tears, he wanted to, more than ever admit that he had feelings for her too, but they couldn't. Not at this time. He knew the law better than most, he was studying the damn subject at College and was about to become a practising one by summer. Having an underage girlfriend, one who he grew up with would look bad.

He took her hand in his and when he sighed, she tensed, knowing what he was about to say would crush her "I'm sorry…" he didn't get to continue as she yanked her hand away and scrambled off the bed, running for the direction of the spare room. He was hot on her heels but by the time he got there she had locked the door and wouldn't let him in.