* * * * * * * * Part Six * * * * * * * * Buffy woke up the next morning to find herself in a familiar embrace in a strange bed. Angel. She remembered and came to LA to confront Angel. This was his bed and his arms. Willow would be so happy to hear that they'd gotten beck together. Oh Gods, Willow. I just ran out yesterday, or was it the day before? Trying not to wake Angel, she got up from her comfortable haven, to call the gang and let them know that she was ok. Better than OK actually, she got her memories back, her boyfriend...Oh No. Riley. What the hell am I going to do about Riley. I don't want to lead him on, but. and if I broke up with him right after I got back from running off to LA with no reason he'd know something was up. Oh, what am I going to do? She felt Angel's arms wrap around her once more. "Morning. You want breakfast?" "You cook?" she asked incredeliously. "Yeah. I cook for Wesley and Cordelia all the time." At her look he added "Cordy's not allowed to cook in my house anymore." "Bad experience?" she sympathetically asked. "Yeah. So you want?" "Uh-Huh. I'm starving. You start cooking. I've gotta call the guys, they're probably worried sick." "Alright." * * * * * * * * Willow jumped to grab the phone as soon as it rang. "Hello?" she answered expectantly. "Will?" "Buffy!" She shouted. "Not so loud Will. Are you alone?" "Yeah, why? Where are you? Why did you leave so fast? What did you remember? What was the demon like?" "OK. One at a time." "Where are you?" "L.A. I told you that when I was leaving." "Where in LA?" "Angel's" she mummbled incoherently. "Where? Did you just say you're at Angel's?" "Yeah. Some stuff happened that I remembered that I wasn't supposed to. I had to talk to him about it." "What do I tell Riley? He's been calling like every hour to see if you've called yet." "Tell him I'm at my dad's or Cordy's or one of my old friends from Hemery." "You're gonna talk to me when you get home. When are you coming home by the way?" "I'll be home n a day or so. I'll spill all of the gory details when I get home." "Gory details? What about the curse? Do we have to worry about Angelus coming to kill us?" "Never again." "Never a - The clause is gone?" She heard Buffy's murmur of ascent "Oh My God" she shreiked. "I'm so happy for you. For you both. Wait, what about Riley?" "I haven't figured that one out yet. Will, promise not to tell anyone anything 'til I get there and explain it to everyone. OK. Please?" "No problem." "Thanks so much. You're the best friend ever. Oh, I gotta go. Angel made me breakfast." "Bye." "See you in a day or two." Willow hung up the phone, waited a minute, and picked it back up. She dialed Giles number first. He loved Buffy like a daughter and was going mad with worry. "Giles. Yeah, she just called. She's fine. She'll be home in a day or two. She said she'd explain it when she got home. Ok. You too. Bye Giles." Next she called Xander and Anya. Well actually Anya didn't care, but Xander was like her brother and was really worried. After Xander she called Mrs. Summers, and finally Riley. She called Riley last because well, he was really bugging her lately, calling so often, even though she said she'd call as soon as she heard from Buffy, but no. It's not that she didn't like Riley. He was great really. A nice guy. Made Buffy happy. But Angel made her shine. Riley would never be able to do that, she knew. She also knew that in a few days Riley would be history, and she felt truely bad for him. He was a good guy, but he'd never be Angel. * * * * * * * * Doyle watched as Buffy sat down to eat the breakfast that Angel had made her. He was glad that Angel finally found happiness. "There's nothing you and her deserve more. I wish you all the best. I wish I could be there with ya, man" Suddenly the scene before him switched to one of Cordelia sitting on her couch, watching the commercial that he'd made. "Oh, princess. I never meant to make you so sad. I wish I hadn't had to go, but it was worth it to make sure you lived. I died to give you a better life, and I'll never regret it. I just wish it didn't make you so sad. I never meant to make you cry." Just then Doyle heard a voice saying that he was to meet with the higher powers. (Not to be confused with the Powers That Be). He went to see what they wished of him. These powers were unpredictable, and could request anything of him. He stood before these all powerful beings, and waitedd for them to acknoweledge his presence. The looked and acted much like the Oracles, but posessed a greater power. "Allan Francis Doyle." It was a statement, not a question. "That would be me." "Do you know why yo have been summoned before us?" "No. I was only told that I was to come before you." "We know how you feel about the messanger." "Messanger? Crodelia??" he whispered "Yes, the human, the messanger. Cordelia Chase." "What does Cordelia have to do with any now? I'm dead. She's still of the living." "You love her." "Yes," he replied, with some hesitation. "She loves you. We have seen her reaction when your your name is mentioned, since your death" "She loves me," Doyle whispered in awe. "Yes. Love is the way of humans. Their purpose if you will." "What does this mean?" "We know of your life Allan Francis Doyle." The other Power elaborated. "You have given you life so that theirs may continue. Now even in your death, you worry only of how their lives have progressed. You care naught of your after life." "But what does this mean? How does this affect me?" "The Powers That Be, beleived that you have earned you redemption, but also that you should be rewarded for you selflessness." "A reward? What kind of reward?" "You have been granted the oportunity to return to your life." "You'd send me back? I get another chance?" "Yes." 'I'll take it. I can't thank you enough for another chance to be with Cordelia." "Thank us not. It is you who have have earned this gift." * * * * * * * * Buffy sat in the circle of Angels arms after finishing the wonderful breakfast that Angel cooked for her. "When are you going home?" "Another day or two." "How is this relationship gonna work?" "Why are you asking me?" "Well. I've decided that all of our decisions are going to be equal from now on. You are gonna have a say in ever decision in this relationship from now on." "OK. So, for now, I have school during the week, and you have the agancy, but we can commute on the weekends." She smiled up at him. "And maybe for next year, I can transfer to UCLA. Mom wanted me to go away to school after all. And I'll still be close enough to the hellmouth for when there's prophecies of demons. The guys can handle the run of the mill usual vamps." "Hold on a second," Angel pushed Buffy up from her comfortable position so he could get up and retrieve something from his desk. He came back and held out Buffy's missing Claddagh. "I found this when I was packing up to leave. I figured that maybe you'd want it back now that we're back together." He slid it on to her ring finger. "There's, ah, something that I never told you about this ring..." He looked up to see the tears pouring from Buffys eyes. Her smile however assured his assumption that these were tears of happiness. "These rings are, well, they're wedding rings. Technically, they marry us." * * * * * * * * "Technically, they marry us." Buffy gasped at this revelation. "They - They marry us?" He nodded. "We - We're married?" At his smile and nod, a grin broke on her face and she threw herself into the arms of her Angel. "We're married, you're my husband. Oh My God. Oh, Angel. I've never been so happy in my life." * * * * * * * * The Next Day Riley sat in his room, reading, when his mind wandered to Buffy. His girlfriend. She was visiting her father, but she said that she would be home in a day or two. Or so said Willow, her best friend. Willow WOULD know. So, here he was. Waiting for his girlfriend to return from her impromptu vacation. He wasn't worried about her persay, she was the slayer after all, he didn't know what exactly a slayer was, but he knew that she was REALLY strong, and could without a doubt take care of herself. * * * * * * * * Cordelia sat on her sofa, flipping through a cosmo magazine. She had just watched Doyle's 'Angel Investigations' commercial and wanted to get her mind off of him for a little while. Angel was really starting to rub off on her and she was almost brooding. So far, it was doing nothing for getting her mind off of Doyle. He was pretty much all she ever thought about. Just then there was a knock at the door. She tossed the magazine on the table and went to answer it. She opened the door, looked at the person on the other side, and promptly fainted. * * * * * * * * Doyle walked up to the door to Cordelia's apartment and knocked somewhat timidly. He heard her get up and walk to the door. He watched as the door opened, Cordelia looked him straight in the face, and fainted. He rushed to pick her up and carry her into the living room to lay her down on the chesterfield. "Cordelia. Wake up, Princess, You gotta wake up, please." Cordelias eyes slowly flickered open slowly. She looked up at him dreamily. "Doyle? Oh, god. I must be dreaming." "No Darlin', you're very much awake. I'm here, I've come back to you princess." "Oh My God, Doyle." Now fully awake, Cordy was gathered into Doyles arms, where she cried her heart out and held onto him for all that she was worth. "Oh, you were dead, and I was alone, and... Promise that you'll never leave me again?" "I promise. I'll never leave. I promise you darlin'. I'm here to stay." "But How?" "My reward. And I see that our boy Angel, has gotten his reward too." "Yeah. And so have i. I got you back, and now I can tell you how much I love you, and all of the other things that I never got to say before you died." * * * * * * * * Part Seven * * * * * * * * Cordelia lay sleeping in the circle of Doyle's arms. They had talked for a bit, about his dying, her visions, his demon half, and all the things they had been afraid to say before he died. There were many tears and Cordy had cried herself to sleep. So here they lay, Doyle had promised to stay the night with her so that she could make sure that he was still there in the morning when she woke up. They were going to take the relationship slow of course. They had both been hurt before, but she felt better just being with him. * * * * * * * * Buffy and Angel lay on the bad, making out heavily. Angel broke away suddenly, trailing kisses along her jawline, and down her neck, in the same manner as she had, the night before, well, minus the chocolate frosting. She arched up against him, reveling in the touch. She wore only one of his shirts, rushing here from Sunnydale, she had not thought to bring any clothes with her. He slid his hands down her side, and up under the loose shirt. Cool hands making contact with searing flesh. She tangled her hands into Angels hair, bringing his mouth back up to meet hers. He started unbuttoning the few buttons she had done up, effectivly leaving the shirt hanging loosely off of her shoulders. He lifted her slightly, sliding it down her arms, and throwing it onto the floor. She began to unbutton his shirt as he started to unbuckle his pants, their lips never seperating. The pants hit the floor, and only moments later, the shirt joined the rapidly growing pile of clothes. They moaned simultaniously, as he slid his length into her dripping heat. A great feeling of fulfilment overwhelmed them both, a feeling of comming home. Their lovemaking was slow and sweet and passionate. Angel kept up a slow steady rhythym of pulling almost all the way out and thrusting back in. This wasn't like their last time, when it had been about need and lust. This was about love, pure unadultered joy and happiness. Afterwards they lay comfortably in a tangle of limbs. They fell asleep in each others arms, each had a smile lighting their face. * * * * * * * * The next morning Cordelia walked into the office with Doyle to find Buffy and Angel talking to Wesley. "Hey, Cordy." Angel greeted "Hey Doyle." Then he did a double take. "Doyle!?!" He got up in a rush and gathered Doyle in a hug. Then, releasing him, looked him in the face. "How are you alive? Are you alive?" "Yeah, man. I'm here. I'm alive. It was my reward from The Powers That Be. I get another chance." He looked from Angel to Buffy and back to Angel again. "And I see you two have gotten another chance as well. Good for you Angel. Couldn't have happened to a more deserving fella." "So, since everybody's happy, an I have to go back to Sunnydale in the morning," Buffy suggested. "Why don't we go out to supper tonight as a sort of celebration. I mean, how often is it that your friend comes back from the dead?" "Great idea," Cordy agreed. "Yeah," seconded Doyle. "Sure," followed Angel. "I don't beleive that I'll attend. I have other matters to attend to." "Are you sure?" "Yes. You four go. I'll be fine." "Cool, Then it'll be like a double date." "Buffy, do you even have anything to wear?" Cordy asked. "No I kinda came here in a hurry." "Then, we have to go shopping and find some clothes for you." "Ok. Sure." She turned her eyes toward Angel gave him an imploring look. "Fine," he surrundered, handing her his credit card. "You two, go buy yourselves each an outfit. But DON'T go overboard." "We won't," the replied innocently, before turning and walking out for an afternoon of shopping. They left the guys there to talk aboutwhat had happened since his 'death'. * * * * * * * * The girls returned later that evening, each beaing bags from several different shops. After talking for a few minutes, they decided to go to a new french resturant not far from both the office, and Cordelia's apartment. "Come on, Doyle," Cordy announced. "We have to go and get ready. We'll see you two in an hour. Don't get distracted." "We won't. That's whats supposed to happen AFTER dinner at the fancy resturant, Cordy." Cordelia and Doyle left, both laughing. Buffy and Angel went downstairs, to change and get ready. Wesley had left earlier, with claims of 'Unavoidable prior engagements'. * * * * * * * * Buffy stepped out of the bathroom wearing a spagetti strap, shimmering, midnight blue dress, with matching shoes. The dress reached the floor and had a slit up the side that reached her mid-thigh. He was dressed, not suprisingly, in black pants, a black blazer and a white shirt. They made a stunning couple. They walked up stairs to wait for Cordelia and Doyle. When the pair entered, Buffy was amazed, their friends looked so happy together. This was the happiest she'd ever see Cordy. Cordelia was dressed in a strapless, emereld green dress that was the same legnth as Buffys, and had a slit on both sides, that reached just above her knees. "You ready to go?" Cordy asked. "Yeah, just let me grab my purse," Buffy answered. With that the two couples went and got into Angels black convertable. They drove the short distance to the resturant. And went in. Angel had made the reservations, seeing as he was a friend of the owner. (By friend I mean, the owner owed him a favor). They drew quite a number of stares as they were led to their table. They ate their meals with comfortable conversation. And once they had finished their supper, and desert, they left and drove to the office where Angel and Buffy went downstairs to the apartment, while Cordy and Doyle left in her car. * * * * * * * * After changing, Buffy and Angel decided just to go to bed and go to sleep. She would be leaving in the morning, driving back to Sunnydale in Angel's car. He would drive down with Cordy or Doyle if he needed it, if not, she would be brining in back when she came up for the weekend. At the end of the weekend, someone would be giving her a ride home. As they lay, on the verge of slumber, Buffy whispered to Angel. "I love you. You make me feel like a normal girl." Through the haze of sleep she thought she heard him reply "Falling asleep in the arms of her normal boyfriend." * * * * * * * * Part Eight * * * * * * * * Buffy turned on the radio as she drove on the highway, in the direction of Sunnydale. She was so glad that her mother had let her get her licence a few weeks back. As she drove she thought of the past few days she had spent with Angel. It had felt wonderful to be back in his arms again, and she could hardly wait until next weekend. Willow would be so happy to hear that she and Angel had gotten back together, her only problem was how to break up with Riley. She couldn't just break up with him as soon as she got back...he would know that something happened in L.A., she didn't want to break his heart like that. She would wait a day or two first, then break the news to him. She would tell him that she was married. She loved the sound of that. Her husband Angel. She would love to intruduce him as that. * * * * * * * Willow looked out the window of her and Buffy's dorm room and saw her roommate drive into the student parkinglot in a - black convertible? She rushed out of the room and down to the lobby to meet her. When she saw Buffy, she ran over and hugged her, before looking her straight in the eye. "I want details.And an explanation would be nice. What? There's no clause? You back together?" "Let's go up to the room and I'll spill it all." Buffy suggested. * * * * * * * * Once in the room, Buffy and Willow sat on the witches bed and Buffy began her story. "You remember a while back when I went to L.A.? Well I was at Angel's and a demon broke through the window, it got away and we had to go kill it. He went through the sewers looking and I went around town. He found the demon and fought it, some of it's blood mixed with his and made him mortal. Don't say anything just yet." She explained, interupting Willow before she had a chance to cut in. "He found me on the pier walked over to me in the sunlight, and he kissed. Oh, Will, It was the most amazing kiss. We went back to his place and talked about taking it slow. Then I got up to leave and I touched his hand. There was so much feeling in that one touch, we both lost it. Anyway, as it turned out the demon wasn't actually dead, and Angel went to go fight it only to discover that he had only mortal strength. The demon almost killed him, but, then I showed up and killed the demon. He went to see the Oracles, and they told him that if he stayed mortal then I would die so he asked them to change him back. They turned time back, and only he was supposed to remember so that we could kill the demon without their blood mixing. I wasn't supposed to remember but, that spell made me remember so that's why I have to leave." "He gave up his humanity so that you could live?" Willow asked with tears in her eyes. "That's the most romantic thing I've ever heard." "Yeah. So now were back together and there's no clause." "What about Riley? You should at least call him and let him know that you're back in town. He has been calling all day to see if you've gotten back yet." "Okay," she said, picking up the phone and dialing Rileys room. * * * * * * * * Riley hung up the phone after talking with Buffy. She had just gotten back from L.A. He had asked her if she wanted to do something, but she said that she was tired and would see him tomorrow. I know, he thought. I'll go surprise her. And with that thought he left his room. * * * * * * * * "Ok. So I want details.You've been gone like three days." "Will, It was so wonderful. Well I had a hard time getting there but. I got kidnapped by someone that Angelus had sired and after I had killed him, I went straight to Angel's apartment. When I got there, there was a message for me from Cordy. She gets visions now, so she knew I was comming and she knew that there was no happiness clause in the curse. So went downstairs to find Angel tied to the bed, which I will explain later. Oh, but Willow, it was...umm...exquisite. We made love and the next morning I woke up in his arms...It was like a dream come true. These past few days have been the greatest days of my life." * * * * * * * * Riley walked down the hallway, holding a small bouquet of dasies, when he got close to Buffy and Willow's room, he heard vioces from within. He assumed that Buffy was telling Willow about her visit with her father, and that Willow was telling Buffy about what had been going on in Sunnydale while she was gone. Once he was in front of the door he could hear exactly what was being said. "...and after this semester I'm gonna move in and transfer to UCLA. I mean mom wanted me to leave Sunnydale anyway. Plus, I'll be close to dad and Cordy, and Well, I'd have a job that works with my schedule." He never heard the rest of the conversation. Buffy was leaving, switching schools? Why? When did she decided this? He stood there, thinking about what he had just heard. So lost, he was, that he never saw the door opening. * * * * * * * * Buffy looked up. "What is it?" Willow asked. "There's someone outside the door." Buffy and Willow both got up and went to the door, opened it, and saw Riley standing there, holding a bouquet of dasies in his hand. "Riley!? What are you doing here?" "I- uh" "Did you hear what we were talking about? You were standing out here for a while." "I- Yeah..." "How much did you hear exactly?" "You're getting a job, moving to L.A., and transfering to UCLA." "Riley, I think we should talk." "I should go," Willow, who had been silent up until this point, said. "No Will, stay." "Buffy, Why are you leaving?" "I have to tell you something. You might want to sit down for this." "What?" "Riley. It's over between us." "Why? Did you meet someone in L.A.? Is there someone else?" "I'm sorry to have to tell you this Riley, but you're the other man." She took a deep breath and looked him straight in the eye. "Riley, I'm married." She looked over at Willow who was about to say something and just gave her an 'I'll explain later' look and nodded. A grin broke out on Rileys face. "That was even better than last time. You REALLY had me fooled, that time." "Riley, this isn't a joke. Last time it wasn't either, but it was a fake engagement, kind of a side effect of one of Willow's spells. I was married then too." "Married? You're serious?" "Yeah. I'm really sorry." "How long have you been married?" "Since WAY before I met you." "Then why? Why did you let me beleive that. Was it a game? We're you trying to hurt me?" "NO! I honestly care about you. I would never hurt you intentionally. It's just that...well we were seperated, and...I don't know what to tell you." "That's why you're leaving. Your husband." "Yeah, we had some problems, but we've worked them out, and I'm going to LA to be with him," she explained, her face glowing. "I understand. Well, no I don't but...I can see that your happy, so, who am I to get in the way." He said getting up. He handed her the flowers before walking out the door. "That's an intracate lie you cooked up there," Willow said, once Riley was gone. "That's the thing Will, it wasn't a lie." "What?!?!?!" "It wasn't a lie. I really am married." "Of all the people in this room, who is your best friend?" "You are." "Why didn't I know?" "I just found out. Well, just after I got off of the phone with you, he told me. He explained that the claddagh rings were actually wedding rings. Will, I've been married since my seventeenth birthday." "Oh,WOW!" Willow jumped up and hugged her friend. "I am so happy for you guys. When are you gonna tell the gang?" "Well, I'm going up this weekend, and when he drives me back, we're gonna tell everyone together. Can you keep it a secret that long?" "Yeah. Whose car was that that you drove here?" "Angel's. Well, I guess mine and Angel's. Wanna go for a spin?" "Hell yeah," With that statement ran down to the parking lot and hopped into the sleek black convertible. * * * * * * * * Kate walked into 'Angel Investigations' and saw Cordelia at her desk talking to Doyle, who had planted himself on top of it. "Why princess? It's not like you're gonna you're do any work, either way." "Cordelia. Angel here?" Kate inturupted. "In his office." Kate walked into the office, after knocking on the door, to find Angel sitting at his desk, reading a book. "Busy day?" "Oh, Kate. Hi." "You too. I got that information you wanted." Just then Cordy poked her head through the door. "Angel, you have a call," she informed him sweetly. "Who is it?" She grinned widely at Kate. "B," she said remembering the name Faith had had for Buffy. Kate was sure she saw a smile light Angel's face as he picked up the phone. "Hey. You too. What did you do? Did you crash my car? Okay, just don't total my car. I'll call you in a bit. Love you too." He hung up the phone and turned back to Kate. "What were you saying?" "Got the Info you wanted. Who was that? Family member?" "No." "Girlfriend?" She asked, dreading an affirmative answer. She was breifly content with the answer. BRIEFY. "No." "Then it was...?" "My wife." He replied. Revelig being able to call Buffy that. "Wi-wife? You're married?" "Yeah. About two years now." "I see. I'm just ganna go now. If you need anything." * * * * * * * * Cordelia grinned as she saw Kate leave the office, blushing and stuttering. "Ha. She deserved that. Coming on to Angel the way she was." * * * * * * * * Buffy lay in bed that night, with a smile on her face. Were anyone awake, they would have heard her, in sleep, say her beloveds name. 'Til the end of the semester, untill she transfered to UCLA, she would only see her husband on the weekends. While she was asleep though, while not together, they would see each other. Inside Dreams... The End 