Disclaimer: These characters don't belong to me. They belong to Joss Whedon, David Greenwalt, WB, Sandollar, Kuzui Entertainment , UPN, Fox Television, Mutant Enemy. Hope I didn't leave anyone out. Bottom line don't own, ain't mine.

This story is not written for profit. Strictly a non profit
venture.

Author: Bit-Bit
E-Mail Address: [email protected]

Not Sunnydale - Not L. A. (There is a place)

Angel - The Call That Started It All

I lean against my car, my longs legs crossed, arms folded over my chest. I arrived -- check my watch, exactly 43 minutes ago. It's been dark for almost an hour now. I left LA a little before dark. I was impatient. I didn't have time to wait for darkness. I have to see Buffy. I have to hold Buffy.

I can still clearly remember our telephone conversation in my mind.

"Hello," It's her voice.

I was so shocked to hear her voice I didn't say anything at first.

"Hello!" Then there's a pause for a few seconds. I heard her sigh. "If this is a crank call, believe me I've had a bad coupled of months and I'm really not in the mood," she said in her so flippant tone.

"Buff----Buffy, it's me. Angel." I finally get out.

"Angel?" There it is. I missed that so much. The way she said my name. Soft, breathy, part question, part wonder.

"Buffy, I need to see you. Now!" That's as much as I can get out.

"Where?" was her response. No questions. No delays. She understands my need to see her.

"Not Sunnydale. Not LA. There's a place. The Travel lodge between Sunnydale and LA. I'm leaving now. I'll be there in an hour, possibly less." I tell her.

"I'm on my way, Angel."

The telephone disconnects. I take time to throw blood, clothes, and a few other items in a bag and I'm out the door. I Ignore the questions from Cordelia, Wesley, Gunn and soft spoken Fred. I can't talk now my brain is functioning only on getting to Buffy.

I speed down the highway hoping not to get pulled over by some over eager highway patrolmen. The fates are with me. I don't get stopped. I check in at the lodge. They only have a room with a King sized bed. That will have to do. I know that I won't be able to just talk to Buffy for a few minutes and blithely let her walk away. I need time with her. I need time to hold her. I have enough clothes for at least 2 days. I'll buy more if I need to.

The room I'm shown is non-descript lodge. Everything's beige and tan. But it's clean. There's a small kitchenette with a fridge, microwave, a bar and two stools that serve as an eating area. The main room consists of a recliner, an armoire, an entertainment center with a radio and a TV set with cable, a night stand on either side of the queen sized bed. There's a bathroom with a bath tub and shower. Lots of clean wash cloths and towels. This will do.

I place my blood in the refrigerator. I've been this way before there's a butcher shop less than 15 minutes from here. I'll get more blood tomorrow night.

I walk back out to the car and wait for Buffy. I don't allow myself to think. I can't. I just need to see her face. I just need to touch her.

And then I feel her coming. She pulls up beside my car and parks, a little crookedly, but Buffy has never been the best driver. I'm walking towards the driver side before the car comes to a complete stop. She steps out of the car. And my heart, my senses riot. Buffy! Oh, thank the TPTB. It's Buffy!

She looks at me so hesitantly. As if she's afraid I'll rejects her or find fault in her. I look in her eyes and the pained, haunted expression looking back at me tears my soul. Without a word I open my arms and she walks into them wrapping her thin strong arms around my waist, laying her head on my chest, whispering my name over and over. I hold her close. I press kisses in her hair. Mutter words of love to her. I feel her silent screams. Oh, God! What have they done to Buffy? What have they done to my soul mate?

Buffy - On My Way Home

Giles and I are going over bills. The gang just took the broken furniture out to the trash. Dawn is sitting on the sofa. I hear the telephone ring. I don't know who could possibly call. I get up to go answer it. Everyone seems to pretty much be here. I hope it's not a creditor. I just got back from the dead and all of the bills and responsibility....hard, much.

"Hello," I say. No one answers. I get a strange feeling.

"Hello!" I say again. I pause for a few seconds. Then sigh. "If this is a crank call, believe me I've had a bad couple of months and I'm really not in the mood." I say in my most flippant Slayer tone.

"Buff----Buffy, it's me. Angel." My heart and my pulse race at the sound of his voice.

"Angel?" I always say his name sorta like I can't believe it's him.

"Buffy, I need to see you. Now!" He doesn't have to say anything more. I can hear the stress, the pain in his voice. He needs to see me.

"Where?" was my only response. I have no questions. I will make no delays. I understand his need to see me. It's my same need to see him.

"Not Sunnydale. Not LA. There's a place. The Travel lodge between Sunnydale and LA. I'm leaving now. I'll be there in an hour, possibly less," he tells me.

"I'm on my way, Angel."

I hang up. I have no thoughts other than getting to Angel. Finally, a light in the dark tunnel I've been traveling through for the last coupled of days. I hear his voice and some of the pain subsides. I can feel a little.

I'm walking fast. I have to get to the Travel Lodge as soon as possible. I'm back in the living room with Dawn and Giles. I tell Giles that I have to go. Angel needs to see me. I have to see him. Giles doesn't understand. He thinks it can wait. I tell him no. I can't wait. I have to see Angel now! I believe I thank him for handling something. I'm not sure. I don't really remember. I don't really care. I ask that they take care of Dawn for me. I think I did. It's sorta blurry really. I head to the car. I get to the car and I've left my purse and keys in the house. I have to go back.

While I'm back in the house Giles convinces me to take a few items with me because it's late and I might have to stay over night. I reluctantly take a few minutes to throw some clothes and toiletries in my slay bag. I grab jeans, sun dress, tee-shirt, sandals, sneakers, my purse and keys. I'm back out the door. This time I don't have to go back in the house. I've remembered everything. I'm on my way to see Angel. I'm on my way home.

It's dark when I pull up to the Travel Lodge. I see Angel before I park. He still looks the same. Same handsome, tall, muscular, dark and brooding man, or maybe vampire is the better word. As usual he's wearing black. Standing against his black car. In the black of night. Angel knows how to make a statement.

He's walking toward the car before I can get the car parked. I cut off the ignition and take a deep breath. For some reason I'm afraid. I'm afraid that Angel will see the newly brought back Buffy and find me lacking. I look at my hands on the steering wheel. I'm still embarrassed about the bruises and cuts on my hands. I don't know why, but I'm ashamed that I had to fight my way out of my coffin. It just reminds me too much of what I've lost being brought back here.

I step out of the car. Angel is right there in front of me. I brace myself and look him in the eyes. He stares at me for a few seconds and opens his arms. I almost fall into them. And I'm back HOME. In Angel's eyes I see what I have always seen when I look in his eyes. Love, caring, devotion, friendship, but tonight most importantly, acceptance. Angel loves and accepts Buffy. For the first time in days I can truly feel. I am at home.

Angel - In my Arms

I've been holding her in my arms for a while now. She doesn't want to let go. She's not ready to look at me yet. Right now she just needs comfort.

I stoop down, put my arms under her knees, pick her up and walk to our room. She's still holding me tight. She hasn't lifted her face. I open the door step in our room and head for the recliner. I settle back with Buffy in my arms. She feels so good. I love the temperature of her body. Every human has a different body temperature. Sure the temperature may read 98.6, but every human body temperature differs. I love Buffy's body temperature. It's warm; welcoming, it's comforting. Not too hot or clammy. Just right.

I lay my face on her hair. Her hair smells like vanilla. It's so soft. I open my senses to her and I feel. I feel her confusion, I feel her anger, I feel her fear, her pain and anguish. Buffy has not been in hell. There is nothing about her scent or her emotions that scream hell. Where ever Buffy has been it was a sanctuary for her. It was peace. It offered rest and contentment. It gave her closure. Now I understand the haunted look. Buffy wasn't brought back from hell she was brought back from peace, tranquillity.

This world is too much for her senses. Too bright, too loud, too confusing, too demanding, too violent, too physical, too emotional, too painful. She is in pain. I hold her tighter and whisper words of love and support to her. I know. She squeezes me. She understands that I have felt her pain. That I know her anguish. She knows she doesn't have to speak. If she feels it, I will feel it and I will understand. I lightly caress her body. I gently soothed her. I offer her the comfort of my embrace.

The feel of her back in my arms is a shock. I had forgotten the tingling sensation I get when she is near, when she is close, but when I am touching her....I can't touch her enough, I can't smell her scent enough. I can't get close enough to everything that makes Buffy......Buffy. Her heart beat and breathing are music to my ears. The blood flowing through her veins soothes my nerves. It relaxes me. It assures me that she is real. That she is here. With me.

It 's been almost two hours. Buffy has been asleep some time now. She was tired. She was running on adrenaline. Her breathing is rhythmic and comforting to my ears. Her mouth is open on my neck. Her warm breath heats a patch of skin just below my jaw. I gently loosen her hands from around my waist. That's when I see her knuckles and hands. They are bruised and torn. Cuts are all over them. I can't believe this cruelty. My anger and blood lust flash so quickly. I'm ready to kill Xander and all of those responsible for this cruelty. They brought her back to life and left her to fight her way out of her casket! How could Willow have been so stupid, so blind, so careless! I'll rip their throats out!

Buffy mutters. She can feel my anger my bloodlust. It disturbs her sleep. I calm down and soothe her. Rubbing my hands over her back. She tries to pull her hands away. I won't allow it. I Bring her hands to my mouth and kiss each bruise, each cut, each abrasion, each scratch. She's ashamed of her hands. I can feel it. Looking at her hands reminds her of what she had to do to get back to this place she thought she had left forever.

I try to keep my anger under control. Buffy can feel my anger when it rages. It agitates and disturbs her rest. More than sleep, she needs rest. She is resting peacefully. I won't do anything to disturb that. I concentrate on how my soul soars to be near her. To have her back. I take comfort from that.

I understand her pain. But I can't help but rejoice because she is back. There are no words to explain my joy. My soul mate is here in my arms. I kiss her hair, and inhale her essence. No odor of death clings to her. There is another smell attached to her essence that is unfamiliar to me. I don't know what it is just yet. Right now it doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is Buffy. I'll give her peace of mind and contentment. I'll give her a chance to rest.

We'll talk later.

Buffy - Rest for the Weary

I wake up rested. It's the first time I've woken up rested since I've been back. I know where I am. At least I know who's arms I'm in. I'd know Angel anywhere. My body, my senses are attuned to his. I remember him carrying me in here. He picked me up and carried me like I was a child.

My mouth is pressed against his neck. One of my hands is wrapped around his waist, the other is held in his hands. His lips are pressed against it. I remember him taking both of my hands and kissing the cuts, the scratches and bruises and telling me everything was okay. It wasn't my fault. I had nothing to be ashamed of.

The coolness of his skin feels like home. That's the part about Angel that I love. The coolness of his skin. His smell. Dark, dangerous, mysterious. I can smell the candles and incenses he likes to burn clinging to him. I flick my tongue out and lick his neck. He inhales a breath he does not need. My touch still has the power to move him. This is the man I love. This is the man I will always love. We've been apart for almost three years and still he has the power to move me mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically. No other man or demon has ever been able to do that. No man or demon ever will.

I now understand. I can give of myself physical and even mentally, but another man will never touch me spiritually, or emotionally. Never touch my soul. Only Angel. Parker, Riley and other man I have sex with or love with never ever have all of me. I don't have all of me to give. Angel has all of me and I want to keep it that way.

Seeing Angel walking towards me. His duster flapping around him was like watching my salvation come forward to save me. And that's how I feel now. I am safe. I'm with Angel. I'm home.

Angel and Buffy - A new beginning?

He realizes that she is awake. She licked his neck. A bolt of lust goes through him. He doesn't think that she even realized what she'd done. He looked at the clock it's 10:17 p.m. Early for him. There's a diner attached to the lodge. Buffy needs to eat. She's too thin. Way too thin. She had always been small, but this was unacceptable. He could feel her ribs. Buffy had been so busy taking care of everyone else she had forgotten to take care of herself, but he'd remedy that. For the next few days he was going to take care of Buffy.

He lifted her head off his chest and looked at her. His breath caught at the look that she gave him. He had missed seeing her look at him like that. No human or demon had ever looked at him the way Buffy did. She loved him. Demon, human wanna be. Good, bad and evil she'd seen it all. And she still looked at him with wonder and love. He wasn't sure how he, a demon could be so blessed. And today when he pulled her in his arms she looked on him as her salvation. He felt so unworthy, but so blessed.

She looked at him and gave him that shy, sweet smile that stole his heart. No one could smile quite like Buffy. He couldn't resist. He leaned down to place a kiss on her lips. She met him half way. Cool lips pressed against warm lips. Her warm breath heating the coolness of his lips. This was not an open mouth kiss. No, it was a sweet, gentle kiss. An I love you with my heart kiss.

She lifted her hands up and placed them on the inside of his open shirt. She pressed her warm palms against the coolness of his skin. Her bottom was pressed into his hard muscled thighs. She loved the feeling. She was luxuriating in just being close to her love. Just being able to touch him, to feel his cool skin beneath her finger tips. She thought that she would never feel him again.

They hadn't spoken a word to each other. They we're still exploring. She ran her hands through his hair, over his shoulders, under his shirt to touch his bear skin. Her fingers instinctually traced the tattoo on his shoulder. She heard him draw in a breath he didn't need. For some reason Angel's tattoo was one of his erotic spots. She placed a kiss on his throat, his jaw and tilted her head back to look in his decadent chocolate brown eyes. Death by Chocolate. That's the color of his eyes.

He looked down into her silver green eyes and he was lost. Buffy's had the most beautiful eyes he's ever seen. He leaned down and touched his forehead to hers. He was savoring every touch every breath, every movement. His senses we're on over load. She instinctually traced his tattoo. He can still feel her tongue tracing his tattoo when they made love before. Buffy touching his tattoo a hot spot for him. He was going to have to get her off his lap or in a few minutes she would find out just how happy he was to see her. She didn't need his lust right now, she needed his support.

The intimate moment was broken. Buffy stomach rumbled. She blushed.

Angel smiled ruefully. "As much as I want to keep you here in my arms I think we need to feed you."

"I'm surprised," Buffy said sitting up on his lap. "I haven't really been that hungry since I got back. You'd think I'd eat up everything in sight, but it's the opposite. I can't find anything interesting to eat."

"Not even Cookie-dough-fudge-mint-chip ice cream and chocolate candy bars, dipped in crunchy peanut butter. I thought that was the perfect yum?" he teased.

She smiled at him. A genuine smile. It tugged at his unbeating heart. "You remembered." Then a little puzzled. "How do you know. I don't remember telling you."

"I remember and know a lot of things, Buffy," he said mysteriously. He never tell her about the day that wasn't.

He gave her that slightly tilted smile. The smile that she thought was oh, so sexy. She called it his heartbreaker smile.

"Come on lets find a certain Slayer something to eat. And guess what you won't have to slay your own meal," he joked.

Angel was in a teasing mood tonight. It was the first time Buffy had seen him in such a playful mood. She looked at him a thoughtful expression on her face. She didn't know if she could get use to a not brooding all the time Angel. What the hell, everything changed. Maybe her coming back would make a lot of changes in all their lives and hopefully for the good.

Just being around Buffy was making Angel light hearted. After all the dark months he'd been through since her death. To find out that she was alive......She was the sunshine in his darkness. He wanted to tease and lift her somber mood.

Angel stood up and lifted Buffy by the waist set her down in front of him. "Go wash your face and we can go hunt you up something to eat."

"Hunt my own food, huh?" Buffy smiled and walked off toward the bathroom. "That's really funny."

"What can I say, I'm a funny guy," Angel said with a dead serious face.

Angel and Buffy - Dinner Time

They were sitting in the diner. Buffy had ordered a grilled cheese sandwich, French fries, a slice of double chocolate cake and a cola. She had eaten a good portion of it. Angel had ordered a hamburger, rare and a cup of hot tea. He had barely touched either.

Angel was trying to coax Buffy into ordering something else.

"Enough, Angel!, Buffy protested laughing. "If I eat anything else I'll burst!"

"Are you sure, you don't want anything else to eat?" He asked for what seemed to Buffy like the umpteenth time.

She smiled reassuringly and playfully rubbed her stomach. "All full. Can't eat another bite."

On cue the waitress walked over and laid the check on the table. She was in her early thirties, a tall, straight out of the bottle redhead with heavily made up blue eyes, glossy red pouty lips, and enormous breast. She leaned over and gave Angel a very good look at her cleavage. "You didn't touch your food at all, sugar." She gave him a seductive smile. "Maybe you need another kind of nourishment."

"You have no idea how close to the truth that is," Buffy said sarcastically.

The waitress ignored her. "Maybe when you drop off your little sister you can come back by. I get off at 12:30 a.m. Maybe I can offer you the nourishment you need."

Buffy was seething. This diner tramp was making a play for her man, in her face. Without even thinking Buffy stood up leaned over the table, grabbed the lapels of Angels coat pulled him to her and kissed him passionately.

She heard the waitress gasp. She deepened the kiss. She wanted Miss Boobs Bigger Than Her Brains to get the 'deal'.

Buffy broke the kiss, without releasing Angel's lapels she turned her head to the waitress. "If the kiss didn't clue you in let me. He is not my brother. The things I think about doing to him and the things that we do with each other has nothing to do with brother/sisterly love."

At that moment Buffy had more in common with the green eyed monster that just the color of her eyes.

Angel laughed. He gently pried Buffy hands off his lapel and taking her hand stood up. "Come on sis," he teased. "Let's get out of here." He didn't look at the ticket. He placed a bill on the table and they left. Buffy's eyes shot daggers at the waitress as Angel pulled her out of the diner.

Buffy and Angel - A Moonlight Walk

The beach was pretty deserted at that time of night. It was so peaceful. Buffy and Angel walked together hand in hand. Buffy's head on Angel's shoulder.

This is what she needed. Just to be around someone who wasn't constantly asking her 'How are you doing." Angel hadn't asked her that once. She felt.....felt comfortable with him. No pressure to be okay. No pressure to show emotion. Angel was letting her adjust. No rush.

They walked along the beach just content to be together. No pressure. No expectations. Finally she had found a little peace on earth. She turned and looked up at him. He was looking down at her. He caressed her face with his finger tips. A touch so light she barely felt it. Just a moment of gentle coolness along her cheek bones. She stopped walking, tip toed and kissed his lips. A quick kiss. A thank you kiss.

He understood. He touched her lips with his fingertips and they walked. He was content. To walk down the beach hold her hand. Her head was on his arm and he was content. He had forgotten how special these quiet moments with Buffy could be. Undemanding. No stress. No need to talk. It felt so good just to feel. And he felt good to have her in his arms. To have her by his side. To be in her company. To know that she was here.

She hadn't told him that she loved him. He wondered if she still loved him or if he was just her friend. He didn't care. He would accept whatever Buffy could give him. Love, friendship. She could put any label on it she liked. She was his soul mate and death or other relationships would never change that. He hugged her closer to him. If possible she snuggled closer to his side.

A moonlight walk. They shared emotions. They shared memories. They shared love. There was only a quarter moon tonight but to the lovers it was the most beautiful moon either had seen in a long while. They were together.

They had walked the beach and sat and watched the moon reflect on the water for hours. When Buffy had shivered Angel took off his coat and wrapped in around her and pulled her back between his legs to lay against his chest. They sat silently.

Angel looked down at Buffy in his arms. She wasn't sleep, but her eyes were closed. Her head was leaning back against his chest. This is the best night he'd had in two years.

Angel and Buffy - Night, Night

Angel had drew the curtains and threw a blanket over the curtain rod for extra protection against the rays of the sun. In less than an hour the sun would be up. He and Buffy had returned to the room a little while ago. Placed the DO NOT DISTURB sign on the door. He had taken a shower and changed first because she insisted. For modesty sake he had on a pair of black sweat pants and a white t-shirt. He heard the door creak and looked up. Buffy walked out wearing a peach colored tank-T-shirt that barely covered her thighs.

She smiled apologetically. "I packed in such a hurry I didn't bring pajamas. This is the best I could do."

He had to swallow several times. She looked absolutely sexy. He had to try to get his lust under control. At the rate it was raging he wouldn't keep his soul pass the next hour. He inhaled deeply and looked at her. Her hair was loose hanging down her back a little damp on the ends. Even her feet we're pretty. Her toenails we're painted a soft shade of pink. Her legs we're a little pale. She was so thin, but Damn still so sexy. Her chest was a lot bigger than he remembered. He swallowed again. The last time he was with Buffy he hadn't notice how much she had filled out in certain areas. Even with the weight loss he was noticing Buffy had grown up. Boy did he notice.

She was feeling a little insecure. She'd lost a lot of weight during the months after her Mom past and then the Glory thing. Most of her clothes didn't fit her right. She was so self conscious about stepping out in this shirt. She definitely needed a little sun. She was so pale. Death would do that to you, she thought.

She was thin. Way too thin. Well it couldn't be helped, she thought. She couldn't change this late so she stepped out of the bathroom and waited Angel's reaction to her appearance. It was not what she expected. He swallowed looked at her like he always did. With passion, lust and longing. She knew she shouldn't want him to look at her like that. It was wrong. It could cost him his soul. Damn it. It felt good to know that Angel STILL desired her. Angel still found her sexy. Back from the dead. Rail thin and he still found her sexy!!! What was there not to love about this man!

Angel walked over lifted her up in his arms and carried her to the bed. He inhaled her unique scent and smiled. She smells of vanilla, mint and Buffy. He placed a kiss on her lips. Nothing passionate. He had it under control. Just a gentle, tender kiss.

She was nervous only for a minute. Angel settled them under the cover. She snuggled close to him placed her head on his chest wrapped her arms around him. Secure and safe. Finding comfort in the coolness of his skin.

"This is home," she muttered warming his throat with her breath.

"Yes it is," he agreed and placed a kiss on her vanilla scented hair. He gave her a gentle squeeze. "Buffy not now. But when we wake up. If you're ready to put it in to words. I'm ready to listen."

Her answer was a squeeze and a kiss on his throat.

He knew this was her way of saying okay. He caressed her body and felt her as she relaxed. Pulse slows, body temperature decreased, rhythmic breaths, muscles relaxed, a soft snore. She was sleep. Most importantly it was a restful sleep.

Angel - Reflections

The night, the day had been magical. I couldn't have dreamed of a more beautiful day. I smile a little wickedly. That waitress didn't know how close my little green eyed monster was to the surface, but I knew I felt and smelled the jealousy on her before she reacted to it. The memory of that scene will give me many smiling moments.

It's like we never left. I can still communicate with her without talking. The walk on the beach. Just sitting for hours. Content in the knowledge that we are together. No need for words. We just feel.

I look at her snuggled up to my side. Her body warming mine. Her legs entwined with mine. I try to focus my mind away from lust. Away from the small, soft, shapely body laying against mine. She isn't wearing a bra and I can feel her nipples pressed against my chest. Her t-shirt has ridden up almost to her waist. She's wearing a pair of white lace thongs. She might as well not have on any panties. They are so, pretty, so feminine, so sexy, so lust inducing. I smile wryly. I told her that I can handle it. At the rate I'm going my soul with be taking a flight in less than 10 minutes. No less than one minute. Buffy's not wearing that much. It should only take me about a minute to rid her of her clothes, bury my hardness in her soft, wet, heat. Hear her screams........

I try to focus again. This time on something other than Buffy. It's going to be a long morning.

Buffy - Reflections

Tonight was beautiful. Just what I needed. Angel and I walking down the beach holding hands. No words. None were needed. Sitting down watching the moon reflect on the water. I shivered and like the gentleman he is Angel took off his coat, wrapped it around me and pulled me back between his legs, to lay against this chest. Beautiful. Just Beautiful.

Of course, there was the incident with that obnoxious diner 'Ho who was trying to flirt with my man in my face. I couldn't believe the balls on that woman! Or the breast for that matter. Angel's little sister! I'm not that little! I put her in her place. She just better be glad Angel got me out of there. A cat fight was in the making!

I miss lying close to Angel like this. Feeling his skin. It reminds me of marble. Hard, smooth, cool. His body is the most beautiful, sexiest body I've ever seen. For all his good looks Parker was sorta soft and pasty. I'll admit that Riley was in great physical condition, but nothing can compare to Angel's body. His sleek, hard, large muscles. I'm getting a little hot and bothered just thinking about Angel's body. I am so turned on. I wonder if he feels how hard my nipples have gotten. I want to feel him bury his hardness in my soft, wet, heat. I have to concentrate on something else. What I'm thinking about is dangerous.

I try to focus on sleep. In Angel's arms I'm finally able to do something I haven't done since I've been back, get a restful sleep.

Angel - Talk To Me

She's pacing the floor. I'm sitting at the bar. She's been trying to put her feelings into words. She's hasn't said anything yet. I told her to take her time. We had all day. No hurry. Besides, I like the view. She doesn't have on a bra. Her breast are moving beneath her tank top her nipples clearly visible beneath the fabric. She can't wear that outside. I won't allow it. The jeans are a little loose around the waist, they hug her round shapely rear end. She looks good. She looks good enough to eat. Now that's not a bad idea. Who said this had to be a hands off meeting.

Buffy's voice cuts through my lusty thoughts.

Buffy - Confessions

Does Angel have any idea how hard it is to concentrate with him sitting on that bar stool looking so sexy? He's in his trade mark black. Black jeans, black pullover hugging his muscles. Dark, sexy eyes. His arms are folded over his chest. He's leaning back against the bar. One leg propped up on the bar stool the other on the floor. A sexy pose.

Okay, Okay concentrate. Angel has no idea how hard it is to put my feelings into words. Hell, I'm not even sure I know how I feel. I just feel out of place. I don't even think I can really feel anything. I can't seem to adjust. I try to explain.

Buffy and Angel - The Story Is................

Buffy stopped pacing and turned to face Angel.

"I don't know if I can do this Angel. You already know I wasn't in Hell. I think I was in heaven."

Angel heard the wistfullness in her voice. He wanted to reach out to her but he didn't. She had to finish.

"I felt warm and safe. I didn't have any worries. I was loved. I didn't have any more fights or battles. No desires. I was a free spirit. Happy, safe, warm. I was........I was complete. "Yes," she said with absolute certainty, "I was complete. My life on earth was done and I received my gift. My gift was Peace in Death."

She walked and stood in front of him. Tears shimmered in her eyes but none fell. Her voice shook, "They took my gift from me Angel. My friends tore me out of the first peace I've known in years and pulled me back in this world that's Too. Too loud, Too bright, Too demanding, Too physical, Too emotional, Too painful, Too violent."

Buffy paused. Her bottom lip trembled, "And Willow says I'm not big with the emotions since I've been back. I can give emotions right now. Right now anger is the only emotion, I feel for them. Anger. I'm angry! Damn it, I'm angry!! I'm angry that they did this to me!"

And then she was in Angel's arm. She'd moved so fast he almost didn't have a chance to brace himself before her small compact body fell against his. He was glad she couldn't see him. The demon had control. The pain and anguish in her voice. The world was Too. He growled deep in his throat. They did this to her. And he was angry because of the pain she was in and he was angry with himself. Selfish bastard that he was he was glad that she was back alive. It emphasized with her pain but he was glad she was back. He was more than glad his heart soared.

She lifted her face from his chest. She looked on the demon face, framed it with her hands, nudge his thighs apart, stepped between his legs, kissed his face and holding the stare of his yellow glowing eyes she lowered her mouth to his.

Buffy was the only human he knew who could look at his demon face and still see a man. He wrapped his arms around her tiny waist pulled her closer. He was blessed. No man or demon could be more blessed than to have a woman like Buffy in his arms. He tasted her pain, her anguish, her frustration, her passion, her lust and he answered her kiss with love, understanding and comfort.

Angel and Buffy - Out of Control

Buffy still lay in the bed. Naked. Angel stood by the window with only his pants on. They couldn't face each other. They had almost lost control. The kiss had started out as only comfort and then clothes were falling away. Kisses trailed from lips to throats, shoulders, chests, breasts stomachs, navels. Buffy traced Angel's tattoo with her tongue and he was almost lost. He kissed the sensitive spot behind her knees and she screamed.

They didn't know what stopped their spiral into disaster. Maybe the TPTB stepped in. They didn't know. But Angel had rolled off Buffy at that last minute.

Angel spoke his back still turned to Buffy. "We need to get out of this room. We need to go. We're both too needy right now."

"You're..." Buffy's voiced cracked, "You're leaving me again."

Angel came down on the bed. He lifted her chin up with his finger. "No, I 'm not leaving you. I promise that I'll come to Sunnydale next weekend. We will figure out what we need to do. You still my girl?" he was a little afraid of her answer.

She threw herself in his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck, the sheet she had covering herself falling around her waist. "Always."

He smiled in her hair. "Then will make this work. I promise you that we will make it work this time." He looked at their state of dress. "Tonight wasn't so bad. We stopped in time. Maybe with a little practice we can give each other pleasure with out stepping over that threshold."

"I don't care Angel! If we never make love, I don't care," Buffy professed. "I just want to be with you!"

He used her words. "How about forever. Does forever work for you?"

She lifted her head off his chest to look at him. For the first time since she had come back she was able to cry. Tears of joy spilled down her cheeks. She gave him a watery smile. "Forever sounds good to me."

Angel looked down at the beautiful picture she presented. He was really going to have to work on handling things a little better. He would. He wanted to be with Buffy forever. He'd learn to handle it better.

They stayed another night together. They were a little more aware of their passions. They spent time talking. Not talking. Just being Buffy and Angel, Angel and Buffy. Being together. Strengthening the bond that had been forged between them years ago. A bond that could be stretch to the point of breaking, but would never break. They were forever. They both knew that was the whole point. No matter what happened in their lives separately they would always end up together.

Buffy and Angel - It's So Hard To Say Good-bye

It was 9:30 p.m. Buffy had wanted to stay later, but Angel didn't want her on the road too late at night by herself. She sometimes wondered if he forgot who she was. She wasn't afraid of the thing that went bump in the night. It was her calling to fight those things. But still he cared and he worried about her.

They stood beside Buffy's car. She hugged Angel. Lifted her face for his kiss. A soft, gentle kiss. A kiss that held promises of the future to come. Buffy was content. She was happy. She could go back to Sunnydale and wait for the weekend when she and Angel would plan their future.

Angel tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Drive carefully. Call me as soon as you get in. I worry about you."

"Yes, daddy," she teased.

Angel playfully slapped her on her rear end. She laughed. He opened the car door for her and helped her in. She rolled down the window and leaned out to kiss him one more time.

"I'm going to really miss you, Angel," she said wistfully her heart in her eyes.

He tapped the tip of her nose with his finger. "I'll be in Sunnydale this weekend. We're going to make this work. Whatever it takes, we'll do it. If it means driving between Sunnydale and LA then that's what we'll do. I know this," Angel said forcefully, "I'm not going to spend any more time away from you."

He framed her face in his hands and kissed her passionately. He only released her lips when he felt her need to breath. He smiled ruefully and broke the kiss, leaning his forehead on hers. Listening to her raspy breathing. Their kisses could get out of control.

"I'll see you this weekend," he promised. And stepped away from her car.

Satisfied Buffy cranked her car. She looked at him longingly for a few more minutes. "I better go or I'll never leave." Reluctantly she put the car in drive and backed out of her parking space. She watched the rear view mirror until Angel could no longer be seen.

She had to get back and try to get her house in order. She didn't know what that meant. She smiled she and Angel were getting back together. She was definitely big with the emotions right now. She was damn near ecstatic. She'd wouldn't tell anyone anything until Angel came this weekend. They'd tell everyone together. If anyone asked about her meeting with Angel she'd tell them the truth it had been "intense." She cut up the radio and hummed to the song as she drove down the California Highway back to Sunnydale.

Angel stood watching her car until he could not see it. He walked over to his car and got in. The weekend seemed like a long time away. He had to wrap of some things at Angel Investigations. Make sure Fred was settled in. Wrap up any loose cases. He'd wait to tell the guy about his commitment to make things work with Buffy until after he came back from his weekend in Sunnydale. He and Buffy would tell them together. He knew there would be plenty of noise. Cordelia would make the loudest noise. She and Wesley would be the first ones to point out the danger of losing his soul if Buffy gave him a big happy. Well they'd just have to trust that he could handle it.

He pulled off and headed in the opposite direction from Buffy. He had a lot to do before the weekend. He turned on an R&B oldies station turned the music up and headed down the California Highway back to LA.