Part Thirty-Nine

"How was your first day of classes, Buffy?" Giles asked the next week.UC Sunnydale began fall classes that day. Buffy, Willow and Cordelia were attending college there. The three had all applied there and, with the exception of Xander who was taking a semester off, they had attended their first day of classes as college freshmen.

"Good," she answered. She pulled out a sword to train with.

"I think you meant to say fine," Giles corrected.

"Whatever," she sighed. "I'm not an English major, Giles. Don't get on my back about my grammar."

He noted her unpleasantness. Buffy had been irritable ever since Angel left Sunnydale, snapping over the littlest incidents that didn't go her way. Her sarcastic comments were even more biting. Giles knew not to mention calling the Watcher's Council because Buffy would immediately mention Angel.

Giles had suggested to George Smythe that all contact be cut off between the two lovers. He whole-heartedly agreed, and then proceeded to let Giles in on his plan to get Buffy out of Angel's heart. Giles wasn't one hundred percent positive that the plan would work, but he was willing to wait and see how it turned out.

"What exactly are you planning to major in? Don't you think it's important that you decide?"

Buffy shot him an evil glare. "I don't know. Maybe History. Angel will help me with it."

"Buffy, you could barely pass it in high school. College is much more difficult. And I wouldn't exactly count on Angel's help if I were you," Giles said.

"What do you mean by that?" she demanded, twirling the sword in her hand.

"Nothing."

Buffy took a step closer to him. "No, you meant something and I want to know what."

"Only that it is possible that Angel may not be returning to Sunnydale."

"Why not?" she asked nervously.

"The Council may decide that his presence is needed elsewhere."

"Where elsewhere?"

"I don't know, Buffy."

"How could he be needed elsewhere? Shouldn't the Hellmouth have two Watchers?" It scared her beyond comprehension that Angel might not return to her.

"The Hellmouth already has a Watcher and a Slayer. There is no need for a second Watcher," Giles told her.

She shook her head. "You don't want him to come back."

"It's not that I don't want him to come back, Buffy. Angel is like a son to me. But if the Council decides that he is needed somewhere else, there is nothing either of us can do about it. I don't want to give you false hope. Perhaps it would be in your best interests to move on."

"Never. I will never move on. Giles, I love him, you know that."

"Yes, I do. But if you love something, you sometimes have to let it go."

Buffy didn't want to let Angel go. "I'm not going to let go of Angel. Until he says he doesn't want to be with me, I'll be here for him. With him. Waiting for him."

********

Mr. Smythe shook Angel's hand. "Congratulations, Angel. You passed all of your tests with flying colors. Never has a Watcher completed them in less than two months."

Angel smiled. The one thing he'd wanted since his childhood was finally his. He was a full-fledged Watcher. And with Buffy part of his life, Angel's dream life became a reality. He had so much to be thankful for.

"Thank you very much, sir."

"It's George, please. I wish I could have congratulated you earlier, but this is the first opportunity I've had."

"It means a lot either way."

"This party is in your honor, Angel. In a few minutes, I'll announce to everyone that you have completed your testing, therefore making you a Watcher in all respects. You are one of us now, son. I am certain that you are aware that as a Watcher, you are required to choose a field of study. Geoffrey Kensington, your mother's Watcher, chose to spend his life researching the territorial legions of demons and vampires in Los Angeles. I opted to study the lineage of master vampires. I'd like to discuss my findings with you someday soon," Mr. Smythe said.

"Thank you. I would really like to hear about it."

"Each Watcher is given a week to decide their field of study."

"I won't be needing a week. I already know what I want to concentrate on," informed Angel.

Mr. Smythe raised his eyebrows. "So soon? What is it, may I ask?"

"The Hellmouth. I want to study the attraction of it to demons. Why they are pulled toward it and the different types of demons that reside there," he said.

"Quite ambitious of you, Angel. I like that. The Hellmouth shall be your area of study."

Now nothing can come between Buffy and I. We'll be in Sunnydale fighting together, Angel thought.

Mr. Smythe motioned for Daniella to come over. "You remember my daughter Daniella, right?" he asked Angel.

Angel nodded. "I certainly do. Although it's been two years since we've seen each other."

"Yes, she was leaving for Oxford to finish her final year at the university. She has since graduated and gone on to be a great help to the Council."

"Father, stop it," she said, blushing. "He likes to gush about me."

"He's proud of you," Angel informed her.

Daniella gave Angel a half-smile. "It's embarrassing." She glanced at her father, standing nearby with a few other people. "Congrats on becoming a Watcher. Just think, this party, all these people are here for you."

"Lucky me," he replied half-heartedly.

"You sound like you don't want to be here," she observed.

Angel shrugged. "I suppose I don't. I hardly know these people and I'm not the most social person. Most of the time I'm happiest sitting in my room alone with a good book."

"I know precisely what you mean." She ran a hand through her long auburn hair. "What do you say we leave early and do something fun?"

"I don't know. This is my party..."

"And you just said that you hardly know anyone. We'll leave after the formal announcement. Come on, nobody will miss us."

Angel thought about it for a couple of moments before agreeing. "Alright. What do you have in mind?"

The young woman grinned. "Something very fun. I guarantee it."

********

Daniella unlocked the door to her apartment. "Won't you come in, Angel?" she invited.

"Okay."

"I just need to change out of this dress. It makes me feel like I'm a young girl playing dress-up. Make yourself at home while I am changing."She walked into her bedroom, heading for her closet. Her father wanted her to do whatever it took to get Angel to forget about his girlfriend. Daniella didn't see the point in beating around the bush, she decided to go right for the jugular and make her intentions known. She reached inside and pulled out a black nightgown from a padded hanger. He seems like the type who likes dark colors. This will be just the ticket, she said to herself.

Stepping out of her green dress, she hung it up and dressed herself in the black nightgown. She piled her hair seductively on top of her head, then adjusted her makeup in front of the mirror. Deciding she looked perfect, she went back into the front room.

Angel sat on the couch, staring at his hands. He felt uncomfortable being in Daniella's home. All he wanted to do was be at home in his own apartment, vegging on the couch with Buffy in his arms. When Daniella came out of her room and Angel saw her, he had never wanted to be home in Sunnydale more than right then.

"D--Daniella," he stuttered.

"Hi."

"What are you doing? Why are you dressed like that?"

"I told you I was changing. Don't you like my nightgown?" she pouted.

He kept his gaze on her face, not her voluptuous curves. "I don't know what you think is going to happen tonight, Daniella, but you are dead wrong if you expect me to sleep with you."

She slithered over to him, straddling him with her knees. "How about I change your mind?" She pushed his suit coat aside, unbuttoning a few of Angel's shirt buttons and ran her fingers over his chest.

He didn't know what to do, he'd never been in such a position before. His thoughts ran to Buffy and how much he loved her. There was no way he would ever betray her, not even to please the Watcher's Council. Angel pushed Daniella's hands from him.

"Get off me," he ordered.

"Don't be such a prude, Angel. You want it just as much as I do."

He shook his head. "No, you're wrong, Daniella."

She stood up. "Maybe I'm not."

"I have a girlfriend and I love her very much. I won't cheat on her with you."

"Ah yes. Buffy," she said scornfully.

Angel glared at her. "What do you know about Buffy?"

"Only that she's the current Slayer and that you're screwing her."

Anger flared within him. Who was this girl to make comments regarding him and Buffy? "Who did you hear that from?"

"My father." Daniella couldn't see the point in lying to him. She felt bad for him. Everyone was working against him. She didn't want to be one of them. "Everybody knows about you two. Why do you think you are here? Because her Watcher wanted you out of her life. He told my father to find a reason for you to leave Sunnydale and he did. So here you are."

"Where do you fit into all this?" Angel wanted to know.

"Daddy enlisted my help. He wanted me to help you forget about your Buffy. His previous plans didn't seem to be working."

"What plans?"

"I'm not sure. I've heard him mention something about intercepting letters."

Angel got up from the couch and put his coat back on. "Thank you, Daniella, for being so truthful with me. It's nice to know that there is somebody out there willing to tell me the truth." He moved toward the door.

"Angel, I am very sorry for everything. I only did what my father asked me to," Daniella apologized.

"I know."

"Are you in love with this Buffy?"

Angel nodded. "Yes, I am."

Daniella smiled at him. "Then I wish you all the happiness in the world. Good luck, Angel."

********

Angel didn't bother knocking on the door before entering George Smythe's office the next day. He looked up at the young man who had just entered.

"Angel, hello. What can I do for you?"

"I demand an explanation."

"I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Then let me refresh your memory. Taking my letters to Buffy, telling your daughter to seduce me, keeping me away from telephones. Etc. Does any of this ring a bell for you?" Angel asked.

"We only did what we thought was best for you."

Angel took a deep breath. "We? As in you and Giles?"

"Yes. Angel, I have taken it upon myself to secure you a job on the Hellmouth in Cleveland," Mr. Smythe told him.

"Cleveland? No, my life, my home is in Sunnydale."

"Not anymore. You leave for Cleveland in two days."

Angel pounded his fist on the desk. "No! Everyone I care about, everyone I love is in Sunnydale."

"I'm sorry. You asked to be stationed on the Hellmouth and I arranged for it."

He shook his head in disbelief. "You know, I never thought I'd be forced to choose between the life I've always wanted and the woman I love. I've always wanted to be a Watcher. My whole life, I grew up knowing about what goes bump in the night and wanted to help in the fight against those things. And the Watcher's Council took care of me growing up. But now that I have fallen in love, you think you can tell me that I can't be with her? No, I don't think so. If you force me to choose between the two of you, you may not like my choice."

"Don't do this, son."

"Son? Don't call me that. I'm not your son. The only parent I have ever had is dead," Angel spat.

"We know of your relationship with Buffy Summers. And while I do not believe it's a good idea, I don't want you to waste your talent and intellect. If you want to be with the Slayer, the Watcher's Council will not interfere," Mr. Smythe promised.

"You're serious?" Angel couldn't believe it.

Mr. Smythe nodded. "I am. You are quite an asset to us. We don't want to lose you over a petty difference. Angel, you may return to Sunnydale and study the Hellmouth there. I shall make the arrangements."

Angel sighed with relief. "I appreciate your cooperation."

"I wish you well. We all do."

Part Forty

Buffy, Willow and Cordelia were sitting in the Student Center eating their lunches during their hour break before Psychology class.

"Did you check out our T.A. for Psych the other day? My god, he's so gorgeous," Cordelia said. "I mean, have you ever seen bigger muscles on a man before?"

"No," Willow answered.

"I have," Buffy replied.

Cordelia looked at Buffy. "Excluding Angel. We already know he's built like a god."

Buffy raised her eyebrows in amusement. "And how do you know that, Cordelia? I'm the one who's seen him naked, not you."

"Have you forgotten the day after Prom? He came into the kitchen while I was eating. And he was wearing Xander's shorts and nothing else. Buffy, he's got the perfect body," commentd the brunette. "And our T.A. comes in a pretty close second."

"What's his name?" Willow asked.

"I don't know. I wasn't exactly paying attention when he was talking," Cordelia admitted. "Staring was more what I was doing."

"His name is Riley Finn," Buffy told them.

Willow was astonished. "Buffy, you were actually paying attention?"

"Hey! It happens once in a while. But not in this case. I was at the bookstore the day before yesterday and dropped a pile of books on his head."

Cordelia laughed. "Real smooth."

"Yeah, I know. He introduced himself after I almost comatized him. He seems like a nice guy."

"And he's on his way over," said Willow.

"Oh my god. How do I look?" Cordelia wanted to know.

"Fine. Perfect as usual."

A tall blonde-haired man stopped at their table. He rested his eyes on Buffy and smiled. "Hi. Buffy, right?"

"Yep. How's your head, Riley?"

"Suddenly painless."

He's blatantly flirting with her! Why do all the hot guys always fall for Buffy? When did I become chopped liver? Cordelia thought. She cleared her throat in an effort to gain Buffy's attention.

It worked. "Riley, these are my two best friends. Willow Rosenburg and Cordelia Chase. We're all in your Psychology class."

Riley smiled. "How are you liking it so far?"

"Can't complain yet," flirted Cordelia.

"Well, I hope you continue to feel that way. It won't be an easy class."

"I like a good challenge."

"Great. Willow, Cordelia, it was a pleasure meeting you. Buffy, maybe I'll see you around campus. We can get a coffee or something," said Riley.Buffy nodded and smiled. "Sure."

When Riley was out of earshot, Cordelia turned to Buffy. "'We can get a coffee or something,'" she mocked. "He was totally flirting with you, Buffy."

"No, he wasn't. Riley was just being friendly."

"How many older, gorgeous guys ask you out for coffee?" Seeing the look on Buffy's face and remembering Angel, Cordelia took back her question. "Never mind, don't answer that."

"He was flirting, Buffy. And you were flirting back," Willow said to her best friend.

Buffy shook her head. "No."

Cordelia nodded. "Yes. You agreed to have coffee with him sometime. Buffy, you made a date with the guy." She laughed. "I know it's been a few weeks since you had sex, but you do have a boyfriend."

"How can you even say that, Cordy? I love Angel and I would never in a million years cheat on him."

"You had better tell that to Riley before he thinks he's got a chance with you," Willow suggested.

Buffy took a sip of her Dr. Pepper. "I will. God, I wish Angel would comed home soon. Everything would be better if he were here."

********

After leaving the Sunnydale airport, Angel's first stop was the high school library. He was positive that Giles would be there preparing for school to begin the following week. Angel pushed the double doors open, finding the older Watcher standing at the table with his back to him.

"Hello, Giles," Angel said.

He turned around to see a red-faced, angry Angel standing five feet away.

"Angel. What are you doing here?" Giles was shocked to see him.

"Surprised to see me?"

"A little. I thought you were still in England. When did you return?"

"About twenty minutes ago. I thought I'd come and see you first."

Giles raised his eyebrows. "Really? What for?"

"I brought you back a souvenier from my trip." Angel balled his right hand into a fist and punched the Watcher in the jaw.

Giles stumbled backward. Rubbing his jaw, he asked angrily, "What the hell was that for?"

"You deserved it after everything you've done to keep me away from Buffy. I came by to give you that and to say your plan didn't work. You honestly believed that one month away from Buffy would make me forget about her? It didn't. Oh, don't me wrong, it was a good plan, and the Council tried real hard. Gave it the old college try, but they failed."

"George Smythe and his daughter Daniella explained everything. How you explained to him my relationship with Buffy; that you wanted me out of Sunnydale and her life. You came up with the idea that there shoudl be no contact between us whatsoever. I couldn't even pick up a phone to call her and let her know that I was alright. My letters to her were stolen by Mr. Smythe. God only knows what Buffy must think right now. It's been a month since I left and no word from me. She probably thinks I found someone else, that I moved on. And I'm sure you did nothing to dissuade her thinking."

"You want to know what the best part of this plot of yours was? When Daniella Smythe tried to get me to have sex with her." He noted the look of surprise on Giles' face. "Yeah, that's right. She was offered up as a sacrifice for the good of the cause. Invited me over to her apartment and attempted to seduce me. When it didn't work, she filled me in on everything. And two days ago, George Smythe did the same. Then I gave him an ultimatum -- either leave me and Buffy alone or I leave the Council. So he agree, and here I am. Back in Sunnydale permanently."

Giles' eyes widened. "You quit the Council?"

Angel shook his head. "No he said that he would let me live on the Hellmouth and study it and the Council would no longer interfere in my relationship with Buffy."

"George Smythe agreed to this?"

"Yes. See, unlike you, he believes in me. He didn't want me to quit the Council. He wants me to be happy. With Buffy. And there is nothing you can do about it, Giles. I'm a Watcher now; you're no longer my boss and I don't take orders from you. So stay out of my personal business."

"No, not as long as your personal business includes having sex with my Slayer."

"Then why don't you take that up with George Smythe? What you want is no longer my concern, Ripper."

Giles visibly paled upon hearing his former nickname. "Where did you hear that from?" he asked.

"I did a little research while in England, including learning about the past histories of current Watchers. You may act all high and mighty now, but you certainly weren't when you were summoning up demons in college, were you, Giles?"

Giles gritted his teeth. "Angel, you are never to bring up that name again. Is that understood?"

"I'll make a deal with you. I won't mention Ripper if you leave me and Buffy alone. No more calls to the Watcher's Council and I don't want to hear how dangerous it is. Are we agreed?"

"We are agreed."

"Good. Now, I'm off to unpack and see my girlfriend. Always a pleasure to see you, Giles." Without another word, Angel left the library.

********

Buffy had finished her patrol early and sat at a table in the Expresso Pump, lost in her thoughts. She conjured up an image of herself and Angel standing at a church altar saying their vows in front of friends and family. Her dress was of the purest white satin and lace while Angel wore a black tux. They needed no words to state the depth of their love, their eyes said it all. Buffy smiled at the image. I want that to be reality; I want to marry Angel. He's changed my life so much, showing me what true love is, and giving me a reason to believe in a future. He's the only person I want to grow old with. And without him, I don't want to be alive.

She was so deep in thought that she didn't see Riley approach her table, carrying a cup of coffee. "Buffy, hi. I thought it was you."

"Riley, what are you doing out?"

"It's only nine o'clock. I came out to get a cup of coffee and saw you sitting her by yourself. Would you mind if I join you?" he asked.

"Go right ahead."

Riley took a seat. "How are you doing?"

"Alright I guess. You?"

"Good. Enjoying the beginning of the semester relaxation period. No tests or papers to grade."

Buffy smiled. "It only goes downhill from here, huh?"

"Oh yeah."

*

Angel walked in the coffee shop. He'd been unpacking and cleaning his apartment for three hours and was now about to begin grocery shopping before calling Buffy. First, though, he needed some caffeine in his system. He had been awake for almost twenty-four hours straight.

It wasn't very crowded for a Friday night, only half the tables were occupied. Angel wanted to sit and relax for a couple minutes, and knew he could find a seat without difficulty. As he neared the counter to place his order, he heard a familiar laugh. Glancing back, Angel caught sight of a girl with blonde hair sitting with another blonde-haired man. He'd know that laugh anywhere. It wa Buffy, having coffee with an attractive older man.

He was crushed. Gone a month and the woman he loved found someone else to love. Looking in the other man's eyes, Angel could see the love that shone from them. Angel decided to find out. Placing his order for coffee, he paid for it, then sat down at a nearby table where Buffy wouldn't see him.

"Have you picked a major yet?" Riley wanted to know.

"I haven't decided. I'm not what you would call the scholastic type."

"I'd like to help you in any way I can."

I bet, thought Angel.

"Thanks, Riley. We'll see how it goes," Buffy answered.

"Look, Buffy, I'm not going to beat around the bush here. I find you very attractive and I'd like to see more of you outside the classroom," Riley said to her.

Buffy didn't reply right away, which made Angel a bit nervous. "I wish I could say the same, but I can't. Riley, I have a boyfriend. He's out of the country right now, he has been for a month. And I love him very much, I want to spend the rest of my life with him. I'm sorry if I've led you on in any way, but I'm with Angel. I could never betray him."

Angel didn't stick around to hear what Riley had to say about it. He didn't need to, he knew that Buffy still loved and wanted to be with him. Tomorrow he would let her know he was back. For good.

Part Forty-One

It was another sleepless night for Buffy; her dream keeping her fromsleeping peacefully. She tossed and turned, kicking her blankets off the bed because of said dream. It wasn't one that any sane person would want toremember when they woke up. Unfortunately for her, she did.

She and Angel were on their nightly patrol through one of Sunnydale'scemeteries when out of nowhere a gang of vampires attacked. Three surrounded Angel and five surrounded her. Buffy easily dusted her five while Angel fought off his attackers. She turned around to help him, but a taller, blonde woman blocked her way. Even in her dream, the female vampire looked vaguely familiar to Buffy, though she couldn't quite place how.

"Stay away from my boy," she threatened before shoving Buffy against a mausoleum, the slayer crumpling to the ground. "He's mine."

Buffy awoke completely out of breath. The vampire had killed her, she knew that for a fact. Had killed her because of Angel. We couldn't protect each other…I couldn't save him and he couldn't save me. Was Giles right?Would we be better off if Angel didn't come back?

She shook her head. "My God, what am I thinking? Of course I want him to come back. I just hope he does soon. There's so much I want to tell him."

Buffy definitely wished that he had been there for her that first week of school. His shoulder would have been the one she'd leaned on when her creative writing professor kicked her out of class. And when she dropped three pounds of books on Riley Finn's head at the bookstore. Having Angel gone was like having her best friend gone. Only she didn't know when, or if, he'd be back.

**

Angel stood on the Summers' front porch, poised to ring the doorbell. He hesitated for a minute, wondering if maybe he should have called first.What if Buffy doesn't want to see me? Maybe she only said those things to that guy to keep him from asking her out. Will she slam the door in my face? He sighed. Only one way to find out. Pressing the doorbell, Angel waited.

The chime of the bell made Buffy lose her focus on the pages she was studying. She wasn't expecting anyone. Willow and Oz were in L.A. for a Dingoes gig and Xander and Cordelia had a family picnic to go to. The possibilities ran through her mind on the way downstairs, only to see it was Angel who stood on the other side.

At first, she wasn't sure it was really him; it had been so long. "Angel?  Is it really you?"

He gave her a nervous grin. "Yeah, it is."

She didn't waste any time, throwing her arms around his neck in what was practically a chokehold. "I can't believe it."

Angel smiled his first real smile in weeks. "You better believe it."

"Come on inside, we're letting all the bugs in." Buffy let go of him, stepping back to give him room.

"I'm not interrupting you, am I?"

"I was studying, believe me, you're not interrupting anything. When did you get back?"

"Last night."

She led him to the couch, sitting down close to him. "Why didn't you come by?"

"I had a lot to do."

"A lot to do? You didn't call or write to me for a month, and the day you come back from England you had too much to do?" The harshness was evident in her voice.

He looked both ashamed and angry. "I wanted to call, I tried to. The council said I couldn't call anyone in Sunnydale. Don't even get me started on the letters…they intercepted those, too."

"They know about us, don't they?"

He laughed bitterly. "I was sent there to get over you."

"Giles told them, didn't he?" She didn't really need his answer to confirm her suspicions.

"He told George Smythe to get me out of Sunnydale."

"Did they let you come back? Or…" She let the question trail off, unable to even contemplate that he could have come back only to leave her again.

"I passed all the required tests to become a watcher. All watchers pick an area of study; I chose the Hellmouth. They were going to send me somewhere else, but I convinced them to let me come here. Managed to get George Smythe to explain the whole arrangement between him and Giles. I convinced him it would be in their best interests to let us see each other, unless they wanted me to quit."

Buffy swallowed and took a deep breath. Her next question was one that she wasn't sure she wanted an answer to. "So you didn't forget about me? You still want to be with me?"

Angel took her into his arms. "Yes, Buffy. There's nothing standing in our way now. Not the Council, not Giles, no one. And I could never forget about you. I love you, remember?"

"When you didn't call, I thought you didn't want to see me anymore. Thought you'd found someone else."

"Buffy, you're the one I love, the only one I want to love. There could never be anyone else."

She lifted her head. "I wasn't sure I'd ever see you again. Giles told me to move on, that you probably wouldn't be coming back to Sunnydale."

"I'm here now."

"Why didn't you come by when you got back? Why did you wait until today?"

"I took the first flight out on Thursday night. When I got back yesterday, I went to talk to Giles, told him to leave us alone. Then I wanted to get everything situated before I saw you. I knew it would never get done if I came here first. But I did see you yesterday."

"When, where? I didn't see you."

"At the coffee shop with that guy."

Buffy looked down. "Riley…he's my T.A. for psychology."

"I heard some of your conversation. I'm sorry for eavesdropping, but I had to know if you'd found someone else; if maybe you were seeing him." He smiled reassuringly at her. "I heard you tell him about me…about how you feel about me. I left."

"You should have said something."

"I didn't want to shock you, wanted it to be private, just you and me. Not in front of half of Sunnydale."

"Here we are."

Angel nodded. "Yep, here we are." I'm not leaving you, Buffy. I'm back for good."

Buffy put her arms around him, resting her cheek on his shoulder, reassured by the warmth she felt through his shirt. Kevin was wrong…Angel still wants to be with me,. She kissed him softly on his neck, trailing a line of kisses all the way to his mouth. Their first kiss since being reunited was full of love and passion, need and want.

Angel placed his hands on either side of her face. It felt wonderful to be able to hold her, to kiss her, just to touch her again. Four weeks had been too long to go without. "I missed you so much," he said between kisses.

"It was torture," Buffy agreed. "Promise you'll never leave again."

"I promise."

She brought her lips to his again. Her hands made their way along Angel's sides, stopping when they reached the waistband of his jeans. She untucked his shirt, bringing her fingers into contact with his heated skin. They brushed across his abs, around his sides to his back. She loved touching him.

He broke the kiss when he felt her go for his belt. "We have to stop."

"Huh?"

"We can't do this here." He was out of breath. "We just can't."

She returned her attention to his belt. "Yes, we can." My mom won't be home for hours. She's at the gallery doing inventory."

"That's not what I mean. I wasn't expecting to be doing this tonight, I didn't bring anything."

Buffy just shook her head. "I don't care, Angel. I want you to touch me…to feel you inside me. I don't care about protection, I just want to be with you."

"No."

"We've gone without it before and everything turned out fine," she tried to reason.

Angel gazed into her eyes. "We were lucky. I'm not going to put you through that."

"It's my decision. And I want to make love to you, I don't want to have to wait. Please, Angel. Please."

He saw the desperation in her eyes. Despite his reservations, he couldn't deny her anything. He wanted to be with her just as badly. "Not here, though. Not on a couch."

Buffy stood up, taking his hands in hers. "We can go to my room…"

Part Forty-Two

"I think we broke my bed," Buffy said after they'd finished making love.

Angel laughed. "Sorry. I'll buy you a new one."

"Not that I'm complaining, because it was definitely worth it."

No words were said for several minutes. Both were reveling in being there with the one they loved. Buffy thought about how only four hours earlier, she wondered if it would be better if Angel never came back. It's almost like he never left. Except that he did.  Then she recalled the previous Saturday at the Bronze with Kevin.

"Angel, there's something I need to tell you."

"What is it?"

She bit her lip before starting. "Something happened while you were away."

"Did something happen to you? Are you okay?" Angel was suddenly concerned.

Buffy nodded. She rested her head on his chest. "I'm fine. It wasn't a vampire or anything demon-like. It happened last week at the Bronze. I was out with the gang and I was feeling really lonely." She took a deep breath. "Angel, I never meant to hurt you."

"Buffy, tell me what happened."

"Kevin asked me to dance, and I said yes. And he kissed me. You have to know that I never wanted him to and I pushed him away. He told me you were probably sick of me; that-that-that making love to me wasn't exciting enough for you and you found someone in England who was more fun." Tears fell down her face.

"You know that's not true."

"But I believed him. I hadn't heard from you in weeks and what he said made sense. You have to understand that I never meant to betray you by kissing Kevin."

Angel forced her to look at him. "You didn't betray me any more than I betrayed you."

Buffy felt relieved that he forgave her, that he didn't blame her. But his words held some other meaning she wanted an explanation for. "What do you mean by that?"

"You remember how I told you that the Council wanted me to forget about you?" Buffy nodded. "Part of their plan was to have me fall in love with someone else. Her name was Daniella Smythe, and she's the daughter of the Head of the Council. Wednesday night, the Council held a congratulatory party in honor of my becoming a Watcher. I didn't know anyone, so Daniella and I left early. To make a long story short, she tried to seduce me into bed, but I said no. Buffy, all I could think of was you, I wasn't even remotely interested in her. We never even kissed."

"But I kissed Kevin. I cheated on you."

"No, you didn't. He kissed you and you pushed him away. You're not to blame. And believe me, when I get my hands on him, he'll wish he never laid a hand on you."

Buffy snuggled closer to him. "I love it when you're protective."

Angel glanced at her alarm clock. "What time is your mom coming home?"

"Two o'clock, I think. Why?"

"Because it's one-thirty now. Maybe we better get up before she gets home," he suggested.

"Good idea. She doesn't need to know that we couldn't wait."

********

"When did you get back, Angel?" Mrs. Summers asked.

The three of them sat around the kitchen table. "Yesterday. Between having to unpack, shop for food and jet lag, I didn't have the energy to come see Buffy until today," he answered.

"Buffy says you had to take your final Watcher's tests. I take it you passed, then?"

He nodded. "Yes. I'm officially a Watcher. I'll be staying here in Sunnydale to study."

"So you won't be leaving my daughter anytime soon?"

"I'm here for good."

"Good. Buffy's been miserable this past month without you," she informed him. "Why didn't you call her?"

"I wasn't allowed to make any outside phone calls during my testing. Council's orders."

Mrs. Summers smiled. "Prevents cheating, I suppose. Well, I'm going to lay down for a little while. Angel, welcome back."

"Thanks, I'm glad to be back."

"Buffy, may I talk to you for a minute?"

Angel pulled out his car keys from his pocket. "I'll wait outside."

Buffy's mother waited until he was outside before she spoke. "Should I expect you home tonight?"

"No. I'm going to stay at the apartment with Angel."

"Don't think I don't know what you two will be doing. I don't mean to sound like a broken record, Buffy, but please, please be careful," reminded Mrs. Summers.

"We always are." Almost always.'