Stars

Buffy's come to L.A. to escape, but will this bring back some memories long lost and unwanted?

Buffy stood at the bus stop, dripping wet from the rain. She remembered the last time she had stood at the same bus stop, but that time she had been unsure of where to go next. This time, she knew exactly where she was going, but she didn't know if it was a good idea. She highly doubted that it was. But still, something drew her to L.A., the home of her lost love.

Angel, she thought, and the name made her shiver. She remembered the last time she had seen him, after her mother's funeral. That was just 2 weeks ago, but it felt like decades. He had come to comfort her, and he had helped her make it through the first few days with his kind words. But soon the pain had become too much. And she had come here to hide from that pain.

She started walking, hefting her duffel bag on her shoulder. She knew the way without even thinking, even though she had only been there twice. She had commited it to every fiber in her being, wanting to be able to imagine what he was doing at the exact moment she was thinking of him.

But over time, she had gotten caught up in her new life, and had almost forgotten the sacrifices her beloved had made for her along the way. Almost. She still thought of him, of how his gentle hands stroked her cheek and wiped away her tears, of how his cool lips on hers made her tingle from head to toe. She knew she still loved him, would probably always love him, but she put that behind her now. All she needed was protection from her cruel world, and if he couldn't offer her that, then she would go home. Alone, and unready to face the challenges of protecting Dawn and all her friends from the dangers they faced daily.

She got to the street Angel lived on, where he worked and slept and hung out with Cordelia and Wesley. Okay, so maybe he didn't hang out; to busy saving the world.

Wait a minute, could this be the wrong street, she couldn't see the Angel Investigations building anywhere. No, this was the right street, she remembered the building next to Angel's. All that was there, in the place where Angel's building should be was an empty, charred spot. Buffy was horrified. Did something happen? Was Angel...dead? No, it couldn't be. Buffy and Angel had such a strong connection that they would be able to feel if the other was hurt or even dead. Or at least they used to.

Well, there was only one way to find out. She would go to that cop, Kate Lockley, and have her tell Buffy that everything was fine.

As Buffy found her way to the police station, she said a prayer.

Buffy walked the strange street curiously. The buildings were all old, most of them partially destroyed from an earthquake. They were neglected, and anyone could be hiding out from the world in them.

When Buffy had gone to the police station, the policemen all looked at her strangely when she asked for Detective Lockley. A kind officer had told her Lockley had been fired, then let Buffy look through the things she left behind in her desk to see if she could find anything. And she had. A picture of an old hotel, an address, and a note that read "He's moved".

Now she stood in front of the hotel. It was beautiful, in an old way. But Buffy couldn't really enjoy it. Her mind was to filled with worries that Angel would turn her away, not offer her help because he was afraid to get to close to her. Buffy took a deep breath. She walked.

"Angel, would you calm down!?" Cordelia said as she watched him pace back and forth. "I can't help it. Darla's out there. I should be hunting for her." he replied. Cordy got up and put her hand on his shoulder. He let her walk him over to the couch, then push him down. "You are case-less and fancy free, now would you just enjoy it?" she said, smiling. "Okay." he agreed. But as soon as she backed off, he was up again, pacing with renewed vigor. Cordelia sighed and flopped down on the couch.

Gunn and Wesley came out of the back room. "No way! Carmen Electra is still totally da bomb." Gunn said, as he and Wesley sat down across from Cordy. "You are so wrong!" Wesley disagreed, "She has no dignity. You should crush on someone more tasteful, like Ashley Judd." Gunn scoffed. "Ashley Judd, dignity? What world are you livin' in, bro?" Wesley shook his head in mock pity. "What are they talking about?" Angel asked Cordelia. "Oh, who's more good-looking and lovable in show biz. They've been having this little discussion ALL DAY." Cordy replied.

"And I am obviously right, but Gunn here is too blind to see it." Wesley added, grinning. "Poor, poor, misled boy." Angel smiled faintly. He was so greatful that his friends had let him back into their lives after the things he had done. Especially Cordy, who had hated him with a fiery vengence.

Suddenly, a demon jumped out from the basement door. Angel dropped into a fighting stance. Gunn silently tried to creep over to a battle ax that was leaning against the counter. Wesley braced himself for a fight. Cordelia sighed in exasperation.

Angel ran up to the demon and delivered a awesome roundhouse kick. Then he backhanded the demon twice, followed by a side-kick. But before the kick could connect, it grabbed Angel's foot, and flipped him over. Gunn had finally reached the ax and rushed the demon with it. He connected with the demon's arm. The arm fell off, but was quickly regrown. "Eew." Gunn said, grossed out. The demon shoved Gunn into an oncoming Wesley and they tumbled to the floor. Angel was back up by then and drop-kicked the demon. The demon dodged perfectly, and the blow didn't connect. The demon pulled a crossbow from behind him and took aim at Cordelia.

"NO!!!!" Angel shouted as the bolt went flying through the air. But suddenly a petite figure leaped in front of Cordy. The bolt hit her in the arm. Buffy! Angel realized as she rolled to the floor. "Buffy!" Cordy and Wesley voiced his surprise in unison. Buffy smiled weakly at him as blood poured out of her wound. "Hi." she said.

The demon took advantage of the confusion and ran.

"What are you doing here?" Cordelia asked. "Um, right now, dwelling in pain." Buffy said, clutching her arm. "Oh!" was all Angel could say as he went behind the counter to get the first aid kit. "Here." he said, leading her to the couch. He gently washed the blood off of her arm. "Thanks." she said softly. "I'm the one who should be thanking you!" Cordy exclaimed. "You saved my life!" Buffy looked down, embarresed.

"Okay, could somebody explain what the hell is going on?" Gunn asked. "Gunn, this is Buffy, Buffy- Gunn." Cordelia introduced. "Why are you here Buffy?"Wesley asked, sensitive to her fellings. He remembered that her mother had died. "Actually, I was hoping I could explain that to Angel in private?" Buffy requested shyly. Angel looked at her lovely face thoughtfully. Something must be wrong, he decided. "Look, girly, anything you say to Angel, you say to us too. We're his crew." Gunn said. "I'm sorry, it's just-" Buffy began, but was cut off by Angel, "Buffy, why don't we go into Wesley's office to talk." Buffy was confused. "Wesley's office? Don't you have your own-" Buffy was cut off again. "I'll explain later." Angel promised.

As Buffy followed him into the office, he decided something was definetly wrong. Buffy usually wasn't so weak against someone who tryed to push her around like Gunn just did. He tryed to hide it, but Angel knew he was very anxious to hear what she had to say.

Buffy sat in a chair and pushed her still wet hair behind her ear. "What's up?" Angel asked as he leaned against the desk. "I really don't know how to say this." she admitted. "Just say whatever you need to." Angel said. "I came here to get away." Buffy was embarresed that she couldn't say it any other way. "From a demon? 'Cause if something's chasing you-" Angel began. "No, no, it's not that." Buffy interrupted. "I came here to get away from my life." "What do you mean?" Angel asked. "Everyone in Sunnydale expects me to be the Slayer, and the sister, and the friend, and I have to take care of Dawn since Mom's gone, and I'm still grieving and I'm just not strong enough." Buffy's explaination came out in a rush, as tears tracked down her face.

Angel came over to her and gently put his arms around her. "Shh, it's okay." he comforted her. "You can stay here." Buffy's tear-streaked face looked up at him. "I can?" she asked. "On one condition." Angel said. "What?" she asked. "You go back home eventually, when you're ready." he said. Buffy nodded. She leaned her head on his shoulder, trying to stop the small amount of tears that wet her cheeks. Being in Angel's arms again felt so right. Like coming home. She relished in his closeness, but tryed to do it conspicously. He's got a new life now, he doesn't need me screwing everything up for him, Buffy thought.

Angel stepped back from the embrace. "Why don't we find a room for you to stay in?" he suggested. "Okay."

"Most of the stable buildings are on this side of the building." Angel told her as they walked down the hall, Angel checking for rooms that didn't have pieces missing. "Good to know." Buffy said absently. "Why did you come to me?" he asked out of the blue. "Huh?" she asked. "Why did you come to me for help? I mean, why didn't you just ask Riley to hide you out for a few days?" he clarified.

Buffy looked away. "Riley left me a couple months ago. And I came to you because, whenever I felt scared, you were the only person who made me feel safe." "Oh God, I'm sorry Buffy." he apoligized. "No, it's, it's okay. You know, he outdid you. You left town to get away from me, he went as far as to leave the country." Buffy tried to make light of the breakup that had shattered her heart. Hey, just another heartbreak for the Slayer that's incapable of love, Buffy thought bitterly. "It's not like that Buffy. I wasn't trying to get away from you." Angel replied solemnly. "Weren't you?" she asked. "I just wanted you to be happy." he looked down. "Angel, I'm sorry." Buffy said tiredly, "It's just, how much heartache can one person take before they completely dive off the deep end?"

Angel stopped walking and looked at her. "Less than you've been through. That's one of the things I love about you, Buffy. You're strong. No matter what life throws at you, you still go on." Buffy chortled. "Yeah, and running away from the pressure is strong?" she scoffed. "No one can be strong all the time." he said softly.

Buffy looked up at his dark features and realized something. "Wait a minute. You said "love". Not past tense! You said, 'That's one of the things I LOVE about you'!" she exclaimed. Angel looked at her without surprise or embarressment on his face. "You think I ever stopped loving you?" he whispered. Buffy was silent. Angel pointed to a door of a room that was whole. Buffy looked at him gratefully, then ran into the room.

She ran right to the big bed and buried her face in the pillows. Maybe I shouldn't have come.

"So, what does Buffy want to do to you now?" Cordy asked. Angel looked at her. "Does she want to rub in your face the fact that she's moved on? Or maybe she wanted to nearly get you killed again." Cordelia contiued. "She came because her life in Sunnydale is too hard for her. She's scared that she can't take care of Dawn, and be able to save the world. So I wouldn't be saying those things about her, especially since she saved your life." Angel said. "Sorry." Cordy said softly.

"So, what exactly is this big history Angel and the little girl have?" Gunn asked. "Well, Angel and Buffy, they-" A stuttering Wesley was cut off by Cordelia. "Buffy was Angel's honey until they got all little groiny and Angel lost his soul 'cause Buffy gave him a happy and Angelus was all evil and badness ensued." she explained. Angel stared off into space. "She was the only person who made me truly happy. I loved her more than life itself. I still do." he said quietly.

Gunn waved his hand in front of Angel's face. "Yo, Angel." he said. Angel snapped out of it. "I'm fine." Angel said. "Never asked ya that, but it's good to know." Gunn said slowly. "Hey, am I interrupting anything?" Buffy asked quietly from the bottom of the stairs. "Of course not." Angel said, gazing at her. She had changed from her wet raincoat to a pair of jeans and a biege sweater. Gone was the teenager she used to be. This Buffy was a beautiful woman. A woman he needed to help if she was ever going to go back to her home.

Suddenly, Cordelia had a vision.

Buffy watched intently as Cordelia fell to the ground, Angel catching her in the nick of time. They sat there, huddled on the floor for a minute as Cordy whimpered. Angel held her close, letting her head rest on his knee. Then, when the vision was over, they got up, and Angel helped her to the couch. And it occured to Buffy that Angel loved Cordelia. Not in the tingling, head-to-toe, seeing stars kind of love, but in the way Xander loved Willow. As his dearest friend.

Wesley brought Cordelia some Aspirin. "What did you see?" Angel asked softly. "So much pain, I, I can't really tell you right now." Cordelia said. She looked at Angel intently, and Buffy realized it was because she was in the room. "Oh, I'll just... leave in curiousity." Buffy said and walked outside.

Outside, Buffy waited, wondering what was going on in there. Gunn walked out and stood next to her. "So, you and Angel were, like, seeing each other?" he said awkwardly. "Yeah." Buffy wasn't very forthcoming. There was silence for a minute. "Look, girly, I just really think of Angel as a good friend. And the last time the name Buffy was mentioned, he kinda dove off the deep end. I sorta had a lotta anger built up against the faceless Buff, so when I finally met you..." Gunn trailed off. "Join the club. I'm pretty sure Cordelia hates me too." Buffy said ruefully. "Well, we're all kinda protective of Angel since he slept... Well, I won't go into detail." Gunn realized Buffy might freak if she heard about Darla. Buffy was suspicious. "Since he what?!" Gunn was majorly in trouble, and he knew it. "Nothing." he said. Buffy slammed him up against the wall. "My life has been majorly sucking lately, so tell me or I'm liable to do anything!" she said.

Gunn sighed. "Do not kill the messanger, yo? Darla, Angel's sire chick, is kinda back from the dead. Angel sorta went postal a little while back, and, uh, had sex with her." Buffy's aggresive stance went to shell-shocked in about a millisecond. Her huge green eyes got even wider. "Darla's... back?" Buffy asked weakly. Gunn nodded.

Buffy sunk into her thoughts. Her love. Her Angel. With Darla. He gave his love to another woman. Someone evil, Buffy thought. She couldn't keep a tear from trickling down her cheek. Gunn looked at her sympatheticly. "You okay?" he asked. Buffy nodded. After all that crap about how he never stopped loving me. She wiped the single tear away.

"So, what did you see?" Wesley asked. "Buffy and you, Angel. It didn't seem recent though. Like maybe when Buffy stopped by for Thanksgiving last year." Cordy explained. Angel remembered that day better than any other. Of course, the day he remembered never actually happened. He had become human, and him and Buffy had made love. It was the happiest day of his life. But, since he was human, he couldn't protect the person that mattered to him the most. So, he had asked the Oracles to swallow the day.

"The lost day you told Doyle and I about." Cordelia had come to the same conclusion. "I'm afraid I don't understand." Wesley admitted. "I'm afraid you don't want to." Cordy replied. "I should let Buffy in now." Angel said. "You really should." Cordelia agreed.

He went outside to where Buffy and Gunn were standing there wordlessly. "You wanna come back in?" Buffy asked. "Yes." Buffy said crisply. Angel wondered what was wrong. What have I done now? he asked himself. Buffy walked past him silently. Angel looked at Gunn curiously, then followed Buffy in.

It was about 5 o'clock in the morning, and Angel was standing in the doorway of Buffy's room. Watching her sleep. He watched her chest move rhythmically as she breathed. So peaceful. So beautiful. Suddenly, Buffy started tossing and turning. Then she started screaming. "Mom!! MOM!!" Angel ran to her side and shook her. "Buffy, wake up." he said. She shot awake. "Angel." she whispered, and fell into his arms. She trembled against his chest.

"It was just a dream." Angel assured her. Buffy looked up at him. "No, it wasn't." she whispered. "It was real. I dreamt, I dreamt about the day I found Mom's body." she couldn't stop shaking from terror. "Why couldn't they give me something I could fight? Something I could protect her from?" Buffy asked. "I don't know." Angel replied. He wished he had the answers. He wished he knew exactly what to tell her to make it okay. But there wasn't anything to say at times like this. And it made Angel madder than hell.

"Go back to sleep." he told her. "Stay with me? Just until I go to sleep?" she asked. "Of course." he said. She layed back down, and he tucked the covers up around her chin. Then he knelt by her bedside, holding her hand. He silently said the Serenity Prayer for Buffy, as he had so many times in the past.

God,

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;

the courage to change the things I can;

and the wisdom to know the difference.

Amen

Buffy was sleeping peacefully again.

Buffy was in a deep, deep sleep. No prophetic dreams, or horrible nightmares. Just rest. Such nights were rare and few. Suddenly, a familiar voice awoke her. "Rise and shine, Sleepyhead." Buffy opened her eyes and saw Angel, dressed and standing over her. "Huh?" her foggy brain asked. "Even if you did run away from home, the Slayer still has to train." he said. "I came here to get away from Giles." she whined sleepily.

"Haha." Angel said dryly, "I'll see you in the basement in 20 minutes." he said, then left the room.

Buffy got up grudgingly. Angel better be ready for her. 'Cause a tired Slayer was a very angry Slayer.

When Buffy got downstairs, she tackled Angel to the ground. While she had him in a headlock, she said, "This is what you get for waking me up." Angel flipped her off of him. "I guess that means you're ready." he deducted. "Yup." she replied. "Fight me." Angel said simply. "That's the master training plan. Fight you?" Buffy asked, "I could wipe the floor with you." Angel chuckled. "I'd like to see you try." he said.

Buffy delivered a bad-ass roundhouse. Angel stumbled back but didn't fall. "That the best you got?" he taunted. Buffy punched him in the gut. Then another kick. "Crying for mercy yet, Angel?" she asked. "No." he replied. Buffy was so caught up, she didn't notice Angel was taking all the hits, and not even bothering to block her blows.

"Buffy, you've been kinda quiet since Cordy had her vision." Angel observed casually, "Anything wrong?" Buffy hit him just a little bit harder. "Of course not." she replied, backhanding him. This time, he blocked her easily. "You sure?" he probed, hoping to God his plan would work. Sweat dripped off of Buffy, while Angel wasn't even out of breath. He was in pain though. Buffy seemed to hit harder when she was grieving.

"Why would anything be wrong? I mean, nothing you do should bother me, we have seperate lives now. God knows you've had to deal with some pretty stupid decisions that I've made!" Buffy pounded Angel, not even thinking about what was coming out of her mouth. "But I can't believe that in a few short years you went from staking Darla to sleeping with her!!" She fell to the ground, exausted. "You said you still love me!!!" she choked out.

Angel sat down next to her, with a grim look on his face. So far, fase 1 of his plan had worked. "So Gunn told you." he said queitly, silently damning himself for hurting Buffy even more. She nodded. "Buffy, I don't love her." he told her. "Yet you came to L.A. to get away from me, and run straight into Darla's arms? I don't understand it! Darla is dead. You killed her." she cried, hugging her legs to her chest. "It's a long story, with a bad ending. Suffice it to say lawyers in L.A. are evil, have access to resurrection spells, and they kinda drove me nuts for a while." he explained quietly.

Buffy was silent. Angel gently lifted her chin so he could look into her piercing green eyes. "Darla was just there. I thought she would help me loose my soul, so I slept with her. But she didn't make me happy, Buffy. Only you can do that." Buffy searched his dark eyes. "You wanted to be evil?" she asked. "I wanted the pain to stop. I wanted to stop caring about all the stupid mistakes I've made." he admitted. He took his hand away from her chin. He had a fierce desire to kiss her, but he knew once they went back, they would stay there. He couldn't do that to Buffy.

"So you don't care about Darla?" she asked. "I care about all the people she's killed, and I'm gonna shamefully enjoy killing her, but other than that, nothing." Angel replied lightly. Buffy smiled. The first real smile she had shown since Mom died. And she felt herself healing.

Later that day, Buffy asked to speak with Gunn, Wesley, and Cordelia. She was considerably happier than she had been since she got there, it was like seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Wesley and Cordy sat on one couch, Gunn and Buffy on the other. Angel watched curiously and hopefully from behind the counter.

"Okay, I have something to ask you. Angel said that he controlled nothing, and all my requests have to go through you guys, so here it goes. I wanted to work for you guys while I'm in L.A. No money, just doing whatever you guys need so I can kick a little demon booty, and thank you for letting me stay here for a while." Buffy said, then took a deep breath, waiting for the answer. "Well, girly-" Gunn was cut off by Buffy, "Call me girly again and I'll beat you within an inch of your life." Angel smiled. He was so happy that her confidence was returning.

Cordelia laughed. "Hey, she insulted Gunn, I say she's in." Wesley smiled. "Well, under the circumstances, Buffy being the Slayer and all, and with all-" "Yeah, whatever, g. Is she in?" Gunn asked. "Yes." Wesley answered. "Yes!!" Buffy cried, and hugged Gunn. "Thank you so much." she said. Angel smiled. Some things never change, he thought, Buffy still reminds me of an excited little girl whenever she's happy about something.

That aside, the improved Angel Investigations team got to work.

The few people who controlled the lives of everyone in L.A. walked quickly through the night. Angel in front, Buffy and Cordelia slightly behind him, Gunn and Wesley behind them. They were like a flying V of power. Adrenaline rushed through Buffy's veins. We're unstoppable, she thought. She had been with the Angel Investigations team for 3 weeks now, and she never wanted to leave. Here, there was no challenge she couldn't face. No demon she couldn't stop. No family she had to protect. Here, she wasn't the only strong one. She was on a team.

They turned down an alley. Five demons were backing 2 victims against the wall. "Yo! Ain't you guys ever hearda self-control? 'Cause I gotta tell ya, 6 victims in 1 week. A little overly ambitious, dog." Gunn said, getting the demons' attention. "Forget self-control. What they really need is a little self-defense." Buffy said, then launched herself at the first demon. She tackled him to the ground, then started ramming her fist into its face, over and over again.

Angel swung a battle ax at a demon, slashing its chest and arms. Gunn charged at a demon with a sword in hand. Wesley attack one with a sword while Cordelia jumped on its back to distract it. They were an awesome team and soon the demons were gone. Buffy went up to the 2 victims. "Hey, are you guys okay?" she asked kindly. Angel saw the compassion in her eyes. The guys stared, shocked, at the place where the demons once were. "Why don't we get you home?" Buffy suggested, leading them down the alley.

Angel followed, silently loving the woman who was caring for people she didn't even know.

"Well, that was... tiring." Cordelia stated, as they walked into the hotel after getting the guys home. "That was rather strenuous." Wesley agreed. "You know what, I'm not tired yet. I'll go patrol." Buffy said. "Have a ball." Cordy said, flopping down on the couch. Buffy went out the door. After a moment, Angel followed her. Gunn and Wesley looked at each other, worried.

Buffy strolled along the park walkway. When she got to the hill, she layed down on it and looked at the stars. When she had lived in L.A., she had come to this place a lot. Mostly to get away from her first Watcher, Merrick. He had pushed her hard, but he had been dead for a long time now. When she had run to L.A. after sending Angel to Hell, she had come here to get lost in her thoughts, or to cry.

Now she was here to make one of the toughest decisions of her life. She could go home. She could deal with Dawn and the loss of Mom. But she didn't want to. Angel's hotel had become her sanctuary. Angel had protected her from her world, and she wanted it to stay that way. Now she had to choose between the right thing, and the safer thing.

She felt his presence. Angel's. She knew he had followed her. "Angel, you wanna come and talk, or do you prefer lurking?" she asked. Angel arose from the bushes. "Sorry." he apoligized. "I really don't mind." she answered. He layed down on the grass next to her.

They stared up at the stars for awhile. They were far away from the city, so they could see them clearly. "These stars always made me feel safe. My only regret about going home for my senior year was leaving the stars. Mostly 'cause they couldn't hurt me. They couldn't break my heart. If I fell in love with them, they wouldn't become evil or leave me the way everyone else seemed to." Buffy said earnestly, sharing a small piece of her heart with Angel.

Angel remained silent. Buffy wandered off in her thoughts. It seemed that if she ever got close to anyone new, they would be taken from her. Angel had lost his soul. Riley had been re-accepted into the Initiative, which was more appealing than staying with Buffy. Faith had decided evil was better than being Buffy's friend. Jenny Calendar had died before Buffy could say that she forgave her for betraying the group. Kendra had also been killed. Now she might loose Dawn.

Stop thinking about her, she chided herself, You're safe from having to deal with that ever again. Here, in L.A., you have problems you can handle. That whole thing with Dawn is hopeless.

Angel turned over on his side to look at her. "You're going to have to go home someday." he said. It's almost like he read my mind. But she knew that sometimes they were so close, one knew what the other was thinking.

"I'm not ready." Buffy said shortly. "Yes, you are." Angel said with a gentle smile. Buffy looked back up at the stars. "I'm so scared that I'm not going to be able to protect Dawn. I can't be what Mom was to her. I don't think I can fight Glory." Angel was slightly confused. "Who?" Buffy realized he hadn't been in that part of her life. "Glory. She's a god, Angel! I can't fight a god." Buffy cried. "Why would you need to protect Dawn from Glory?" Angel asked softly. "Dawn isn't really my sister. She's this thing called the key, and these monks sent her to me so I could protect her. They gave me fake memories. It's like they invaded my mind." Buffy explained.

"Wow." Angel whispered. "Tell me about it." she replied. Angel looked at her. She gazed back at him. Suddenly, she remembered that when he had come to Sunnydale at her mom's funeral, he had kissed her. She felt an intense desire for him to kiss her again.

"So, how did Darla come back?" Buffy asked, trying to keep her mind off of THAT subject. "Evil lawyers. They did a resurrection spell." Angel answered, aware of how funny his explaination sounded. "Lawyers and magic. I'm guessing un-mixy things." Buffy chuckled. "Yeah." he sighed.

Suddenly, before Buffy knew what was happening, she was in Angel's arms, and he was kissing her, and everything was right with the world. He ran his hands through her hair. He held on to him, wanting this moment to go on forever. Tears almost ran down her cheeks. She had forgotten how much she missed him.

He broke away from her gently. "I'm sorry." they said at the exact same time. Buffy got up and ran away from him, her Angel, mostly because she was afraid of what she might do next.

She ran through the country side. Through L.A.'s busy streets. She was the Slayer; she could run very fast. She burst into the hotel, where Gunn, Cordelia, and Wesley were still sitting. "What's wrong Buff?" Gunn called after her as she ran up the stairs. No answer. Angel ran in after her, and bounded up the stairs, trying to catch her. Buffy reached her room, and slammed the door behind her. Angel's momentum carried him right into the door with a huge BANG! "Damn." Angel said under his breath.

Downstairs, a very confused Gunn muttered, "What the hell?" as an also very confused Wesley and Cordy looked on.

Buffy was dreaming. In her dream, everything was perfect. Her and Angel were together. Her mother was there, smiling at her. Dawn was safe, and the rest of the gang was happy. Buffy smiled in her sleep. Perfect.

Suddenly, Darla and Glory swooped down and destroyed everything. They killed Dawn and Mom, took Angel away, and ripped the Scoobies to shreds.

Buffy awoke with a start. God, she hated dreams. She heard a knock on the door. "I know, Angel, you're sorry. Couldn't you just let loose once and call me a bitch?" she called to him. Gunn opened the door. "Sorry to disappoint ya." he replied. "Sorry, I-" Buffy began, but was cut off, "Thought I was Angel. I got that. And, by the way, the he's so hooked he would never call you that." Gunn said. Buffy looked down. "Way I see it, he's weakened by love. He never stopped caring. He's got this major thing with losing the people he cares about." Buffy smiled fondly. "He hasn't changed." she told Gunn.

Gunn got right to the point. "Look, I really don't know what happened in your and Angel's past. I can tell that it ended badly. But I don't know why you guys still act civil to each other. I broke up with my girlfriend a year ago, and let me tell ya, I'll never do that in a restaraunt again. To many sharp objects." Buffy gave a little laugh-sigh as Gunn showed her his scar.

"We were really close." Buffy murmered. "He's in the basement brooding if you wanna go talk to him. Hint, hint." Gunn said, smiling. Buffy smiled thinly back. "Thanks Gunn." she said, and quickly hugged him before walking out of the room.

Downstairs, Angel was battering a heavy bag when Buffy got down. "Hey." she said quietly. "Look, Angel, I have to say something. And if you interrupt, I don't think I'll have the guts to say it, so here it goes." Buffy sucked in her breath, then continued. "I know that I should go back home, but I don't think I can. If you need me to go home because you think we're getting too close, then just say so. I don't want to hurt you. Again. And there's one other thing I need to say. I love you. Always will. Riley didn't leave me because he didn't love me anymore. He left because I was treating him like the rebound guy. And I was. There's only one person I could ever really give my heart to, and that's you. I know you left so I could move on, and be happy. But I can't love anyone else. So in that sense, I can't move on."

Angel looked at her, shocked. "I love you too." was all he could say. He was shell-shocked at the fact that Buffy realized now, two years after the fact that she couldn't move on. "My heart will always be yours." Buffy said softly. Then, Angel's memory took him to a place he hadn't been in such a long time.

>>Angel: You still my girl?

Buffy: Always.<< -Enemies

"You kept your promise." he whispered. "What?" Buffy asked, confused.

Suddenly, a slim figure walked into the light. "Well, isn't that the sweetest thing." a voice snarled. Buffy looked over. "Darla!" she gasped. "In the happily undead flesh." Darla said sweetly. Angel's sire turned to him. "So you decided to get back together with your cheerleader. Is it the grieving? Does that turn you on, Angelus?" she walked provocatively toward Angel. "You need to be there to wipe away her tears. To hold her and take advantage of her while she's vunerable." she continued.

Angel turned to Buffy. "Don't believe her." he pleaded. Buffy, still shocked, shook her head. "I would never." she said. Darla turned to Buffy. "You little slut." she rasped. "I could have made Angel happy if it wasn't for you. He worshiped the ground I walked on until you came along. He was mine." Buffy looked determined. "Things change. Being as old as you are, I wouldn't expect you to keep up with everything." Buffy said. "Bitch!" Darla screamed before she brutally backhanded Buffy, sending her to the ground.

Angel spun, and delivered a roundhouse kick to Darla's back. He followed up with a side-kick, and a stinging punch. Darla got up quickly. "She'll just leave you." she said to him. "She'll hurt you again. She doesn't care about you! Never has. And you still chase after her like a little puppy, praying for table scraps." Angel glowered at her. "Buffy is stronger than you, smarter, and I will always love her. I never loved you. I wasn't capable of love." Surprisingly, Darla was near tears. "I gave you eternal life." she cried. Angel shook his head. "You damned me." he corrected.

He punched her. She stumbled, but didn't fall. "Go to hell." Darla whispered to him. But she didn't see Buffy come up behind her and shove a stake into her back. "You first." Buffy said softly. Darla crumpled into dust. For good.

Buffy looked at Angel. Angel looked at Buffy. "Now we've both killed Darla." Angel said with a half-smile. "For each other." Buffy replied. Angel was silent.

A day later, Angel walked down the stairs of the hotel. "Where's Buffy?" he asked. Cordelia shrugged. "Just went somewhere. She didn't say where." she told him. Angel nodded. "Thanks." he said, and grabbed his coat before striding out the door.

Buffy looked up at the stars. Those comforting stars. She sucked in her breath with determination. She knew what she had to do. She felt Angel's presence behind her. He walked over to her and sat down beside her. "Hey." he said quietly. "Hey." she replied. There was silence for a moment.

"I need to tell you something." they said in unison. Buffy laughed. "Go ahead." Angel said. "I've decided to go back home." Buffy announced. "When?" Angel asked. He was torn between happiness that she was stronger, and grief that she was leaving. "Tomorrow." she replied.

"What did you want to say?" Buffy asked. "Oh, nothing." Angel said. He was going to tell her that if she wanted to stay permanantly, she could. He loved having her near him. He loved HER.

Buffy sighed. "I think I'm finally ready to face Glory. And Dawn." she said. "If you need any help with that..." Angel offered. "Thanks, but I think I'll be okay." Buffy replied. "Besides, you have your hands full with the evil lawyers." she smiled.

"I love you." Angel took her hand, "I always will. Remember that, no matter where life takes you." "I love you, too. No matter what." she said. And they kissed, a long, tender kiss. They both knew it would be the last. A single tear slipped down Buffy's cheek. Angel broke away softly. He gently kissed the tear away from her cheek. Then he put his arm around her, and they sat there, staring at the stars, until it was dangerously close to sunlight.

Buffy slowly walked down the street, towards Sunnydale's magic shop, which Giles owned. She was partially afraid of what her friends would say to her when she came through the door. But she wouldn't know until she fould out.

She tentively pushed the door opened, as the noisy bells announced that she was home. "Buffy!" Dawn cried when she saw her. She ran over and hugged her. "Hi, Dawn." she said softly, hugging her back. "Buffy!" Willow said, as she saw her long-absent best friend. She also hugged her. Soon, Buffy was surrounded with her dearest friends. They weren't mad at all, just happy she was back.

That night, while Buffy was unpacking, Dawn came into her room. "Can I come in?" she asked. "Of course." Buffy replied. Dawn sat on the bed. "Dawn, I'm so sorry that I left you. I was just scared." Buffy told her. "It's okay." Dawn assured her. "Now that your back, we need to get working on kicking Glory's butt." Dawn joked. Buffy laughed. She was so glad to be home.

"I need to go do my homework. I have a bok report due, and I haven't even finished the book." Dawn whined. "Okay." Buffy said, and bit her lip as the only family she had left walked out of the room.

She turned back to her unpacking. Wait a minute, she thought, I didn't put anything in this pocket. She unzipped the pocket and took out a letter. She opened it. It was from Angel. Buffy smiled fondly as she read it. Then she sat on her window seat and held the letter close as she looked up a the stars.