Hey everyone! So many of you seem to love this story, but it was such a mess, I began it so many years ago. My writing style has developed and changed so much over the years, that I felt I had backed myself into a corner with this one. With that being said, I want you all to know that I am re-writing the entire thing! It's a process, and I wasnt going to post it until it was complete, but as I read through old chapters they were just so awful... Yall deserve better, I hope you will love this new and improved version even more!

Chapter 1:

Buffy and Faith slowly walked down the boarding bridge bound for Los Angeles. She hadn't been expecting see California again so soon. Taking their seats, the second row in, she was once again grateful Giles had given her access to council funds.

Per usual Faith pushed passed her to snatch the window seat."Hey, I'm the one doing you a favor" she said shrugging her shoulders, as she pulled earbuds from her carry on.

Knowing she wasn't wrong, and not having the energy to argue, Buffy rolled her eyes as she took her cramped seat along the aisle. The day had already been a hectic one, in the early morning hours before sunrise, she had been awoken by the non stop ringing of her cell. Glancing at the caller I.D. she really had contemplated letting it go to voicemail, but it was Dawn, and she might have felt guilty if she ignored an emergency… Sisterly duties and all.

"This better be damn important, and I swear to god if this is about some boy, then you better go eat a pint of ice cream and call me when the sun is out...In this hemisphere."

Turned out she was calling about a boy, two boys to be exact. Only they weren't exactly boys, and they certainly weren't boys that Dawn had been involved with.

Nope.

She was calling about her boys. Angel and Spike, who had been there looking for her.

In Rome...

Dawn was totally spazzing, she had been out so she hadn't seen them, but Andrew had been home, because of course he had.

Buffy was certain that he wasted no time filling their head with a bunch of garbage, especially now that Dawn was screeching something about Angel and Spike believing she was dating the Immortal.

The Immortal! Just the thought alone made her stomach feel queasy. She had met him once, briefly when she was in Rome helping to get Dawn settled.

Of all people...err vampires. They actually believed she would become involved with that pompous, self righteous, womanizing man whore.

'Who the hell did they think she was, did they think that she was jumping any vampires bones with clean teeth, and a defined jaw structure!? Jeez give a girl some credit...'

Faith had found the entire situation hilarious, nearly doubling over as Buffy recounted what Dawn had told her.

"Faith, this serious! I don't understand what part of this you find so funny, they're going to blow our cover. We have to do some serious damage control. Now!"

It took Faith several moments to pull herself together, just as she seemed to have it under control, another fit of laughter would erupt from her. Clutching her sides she somehow managed to form words. "Listen B, why don't you just call him? It's just Angel, I've been telling you to call him for months now. Maybe if you had, then you wouldn't be in this pre.. predicament." Another fit of laughter erupted, annoyed Buffy left her to hyperventilate alone while she frantically began packing for Los Angeles.

She couldn't just call him, this was a conversation they needed to have in person… Besides, there were some other things they needed to talk about as well, best to just clear the air while she was there.

Since Sunnydale was destroyed she had been living under the radar in Cleveland. The government had obviously caught wind of you know... an entire city imploding, which ultimately led them to her. There were many questions, security clearances, and classified information lectures she had been required to attend. Riley and Sam had both been part of process, and honestly it was nice that there was a familiar face.

Cleveland was home to another Hellmouth, which meant that it was yet another epicenter of evil in need of protecting. There were dozens of slayers now all across the world, and they were still discovering more thanks to Willow and the coven.

Destroying the Hellmouth had caused a ripple effect, that not only sent shockwaves through the government, but the underworld as well. There was a price on her head now, a steep one.

Even though she had help, she was the one that got the credit. She was the one that every demon, every monster, every single thing that went bump in the night, wanted as their trophy. She was the most successful slayer in all of history.

The bounty on her head raised some problems early on, the things that were after her, had followed her from California to Europe, and back. Eventually Willow came up with yet another solution to one of her problems. With the help of the coven in London she cast a glamour.

Using two of the most well trained potentials they had, Willow cast a spell to make each of them appear as Buffy herself. It didn't solve her problems, but with two decoys in place, it certainly helped take some of the heat off her.

Except in situations like these...

Buffy looked to her left, Faith sat with her headphones on listening to what she swore was music. They were in a better place than they had been... well ever really. They shared an apartment, not that money was really an issue now that Giles had the Councils funds on hand, but she was nice company since all of her other friends were scattered across the globe.

When Dawn called this morning, it hadn't taken Faith long to "volunteer" to tag along. Buffy wasn't sure if she just missed L.A. or if she wanted to make sure one of her best friends didn't turn the other one into a big ole pile of dust.

A few weeks earlier a rogue slayer was tracked to Los Angeles. Giles had sent a team to recover the girl, but at the time they weren't fully aware of her situation. Dana ended up being way more than a rogue slayer, she was a very abused girl who should have never been activated. She was the physical embodiment of the consequences to their actions in Sunnydale.

Once Andrew called and informed them just how dangerous she was, Buffy and Faith had planned to go pick her up themselves. They rushed to book flights, throwing what they could grab into a bag, they jumped in a cab making a mad dash for the airport. They were just about to board their flight when Giles called reporting that Dana had been safely apprehended and was enroute to him in England.

Oh, and he also mentioned that Spike was alive.

Buffy nearly lost her shit. She wasn't sure who she was more pissed at, Angel for taking over Wolfram & Hart, essentially becoming public enemy number one, or Spike for well… For being Spike, and alive, and not once reaching out to her.

She was going to kill them.

Both.

Thankfully Faith had stepped in before she could actually act on any of her impulses. "If the big guys working for the other side like you say B, then he obviously has some sort of plan. Now, you go down there storming into his office demanding answers you may blow his cover. I don't think you would be considered a low profile visitor, and hey its Angel. If anyone has this under control its him." Throwing her hands up in mock surrender, she took a step back...just in case.

"Now the whole Spike situation, if he doesn't want you to know that he's back. I say that's his business..."

At that point, a few blows were traded but on the bright side no broken bones. At least none that didn't heal after a few days. Her and Faith were always ones to punch out their differences, some things really didn't change.

OoOoO

Stepping out of the cab Buffy looked at the building, her eyes stopping on the letters that read Wolfram & Hart. Why did she suddenly feel so intimidated?

Taking a deep breath, she glanced up the steps to where Faith stood holding the door. "You just going to stand there and stare?"

Straightening her shoulders, Buffy's features settled into a firm look of determination. Ignoring the electric tingle in her body, she told herself that she would remain calm. She was a grown up now, not some little school girl. "Can we just hurry up and get this over with?"

Faith playfully nudged her shoulder into Buffys, "What's the hurry B? I know at least one Vampire who…" Buffy held up her hand, she did not want to venture anywhere near that road. "Don't go there, were not here socially."

Faith looked at her strangely from the corner of her eye "Uhhh B. We're literally here to explain to BOTH of your ex boyfriends that you don't have a new boyfriend… Sounds pretty personal to me."

Buffy pressed the button signaling the elevator, if she didn't know any better she would think this was just your regular run of the mill law firm. "We are here to trade information, that's it. As soon as we explain some things, and get a few answers of our own then were boarding the next flight out. It will be like we were never here."

Faith just shook her head "Right, in and out... Got it."

The elevator ride to the main floor was spent in silence, which Buffy was beyond grateful for. She needed those few precious moments to compose herself, briefly she wondered if she would ever outgrow this. If there would ever be a time that seeing Angel wouldn't make her stomach flip flop.

When the bell chimed signaling their arrival, Buffy seriously considered pressing the button for the lobby. That phone call was making a lot more sense right about now.

Faith glanced back over her shoulder, "Yo, B. You coming?"

It was now or never, taking a deep breath Buffy stepped off the elevator. She had to admit the space was impressive, you know for Hell Incorporated.

For once she let Faith take the lead as she followed her up to what appeared to be a receptionist. Buffy had to do a double take, she couldn't believe her eyes. "Oh, you have got to be kidding me. Harmony!? Aren't you supposed to be evil?"

Harmony looked up, he eyes nearly popping out of head at the sight of not only one, but two slayers. Attempting to hide her shock...and fear, she forced a giant smile. "Umm, Buffy, Hi, How have you been? I'm reformed now. At least as reformed as a vampire can be, you know without a soul. I've learned a lot from Angel and Spike though, about controlling my urges, and working as part of a team. I even help you know, fight the good fight, so there is absolutely NO reason why you should kill me. Because I'm good you know like you and..."

"Faith?" Ignoring Harmony, Buffy and Faith both turned to the sound of voice. Buffy stood shocked at what she saw, this was definitely not the man she remembered. Buffy noticed the brief look of shock that crossed his features once he noticed her. "And Buffy. I must say this is a surprise, is there something we should be concerned about?"

On the surface it was a simple question, but each of them knew the meaning behind it. Wes was feeling them out, he wanted to know if they were here for a fight. Buffy couldn't blame him, there was confusion all around. "We come in peace Wes, we just need to talk to Angel and then we will be out of your hair."

"Ahhh, yes. Well it seems that you have picked the perfect time." Wes said as he nodded towards a door that had just begun to open.

Suddenly Angel was there, walking out of the doorway, commanding the attention of the entire room, he looked good. She was just about to open her mouth to speak, to call out to him, when she noticed another woman was beside him. They were interacting in a way that didn't make her seem like a client. Buffy felt someone's arm grab onto her, she would only later realize that it was Faith's.

"B…"

Faith didn't know what to do, but she could see what was about to happen and there was no way to stop it. Angel had yet to notice them, too wrapped up in some blonde chick to look up. Faith grabbed onto Buffy's arm in an attempt to distract her from what she was about to witness.

Angel had spent the last several hours with Nina in an attempt to distract himself. He had forgotten how nice it was to just enjoy someone's company, without the weight of the world hanging over their head. He wasn't sure exactly where their relationship stood, but they had definitely surpassed the physical barrier last night...and this morning. Leaning down, he pulled her to him, gently placing his lips on hers, he had no hesitation with the public display of affection.

Buffy felt faint, like someone had sucked all the oxygen out of the room. Now grateful for Faith's steadying arm, she tried to look away, she tried to speak, but it was like she was paralyzed. Faith was right, this was a fucking terrible idea.

At the sound of someone clearing their throat Angel looked up, the shock on his face evident as he stared at the last two people he expected to see. Frozen for what felt like an eternity, he briefly wondered if this was some weird nightmare.

It certainly couldn't be reality, there was no way Faith would show up here without calling to let him know. As for Buffy, she was in Rome with The Immortal. Dancing, drinking, living her life to the fullest, and not baking, no she certainly wasn't baking.

Cocking an eyebrow, Faith nearly laughed out loud at the expression on Angel's face, he looked like a fish out of water. It was like he wanted to say something, but couldn't figure out what, so his mouth just kept opening and closing.

"What, no hug?" Taking pity on him, Faith stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him. He was the closest thing to a brother that she would ever have, she really had missed him.

His mind was reeling, he made a mental note to have Harmony tortured after work. He was glad to see Faith, but after the Dana incident and Rome, he wasn't exactly sure why these two were here.

Not to mention he had just kissed Nina in front of Buffy. Releasing Faith, he looked passed her, finally meeting the gaze of the green eyes that were pinning him in place.

"Buffy."