Part Thirty-Four

"Problem?" he asked. "What kind of a problem, Buffy?"

Buffy removed herself from his embrace. "First of all, my mom found out about last night. When I didn't come home at all, she kind of put two and two together. She figured that we...you know, had sex."

"Oh, Buffy, I'm sorry. I know you wanted to break the news to her yourself."

"Yeah, I did."

"What did she say? Was she upset? No, never mind. If it's too personal, you don't have to tell me."

She shook her head. "Nothing's too personal to tell you. Mom was a little upset at first. I got another lecture from her, this time saying that I'm too young and I have my whole life ahead of me. Then she went into overprotective mother mode and asked if you forced me into sleeping with you. She couldn't believe that two weeks ago I wasn't ready and that last night I was."

"It may take some time for her to process all the information," Angel told her.

"I know that. But she's going to have to accept it. I'm not a little girl who needs her mommy to protect her anymore, and she's not ready to deal with it."

"In her eyes, no matter how old you are you'll always be her little girl."

Buffy gave him a half-smile. "I suppose."

Angel laughed. "See, that wasn't such a big problem."

Her smile disappeared. "That wasn't the big problem, Angel."

"Tell me."

"Mom reminded me of something I promised her when we went to San Francisco. She made me promise that if something happened between us, we'd be careful." Buffy gazed into his eyes. "We weren't careful last night, or this morning for that matter. Neither of us used protection."

He slumped down into a chair. "I didn't even realize..."

Buffy pulled a chair next to him, sitting down. "Neither did I until she mentioned it. Both of us were so caught up in the moment that protection was the last thing on our minds. I know I didn't think about it; all I could think about, all I cared about was just being with you. And now I have this sinking feeling that it's going to come back to haunt us."

"You mean..."

"I could have gotten pregnant one of those times."

Angel put his head in his hands, his palms over his eyes. "I'm so sorry, Buffy. I never wanted this to happen; I never wanted to hurt you."

"Angel, you didn't. Last night was the best night of my life. I wouldn't trade having made love to you for anything in the world. I'm just afraid that my stupidity and carelessness might have gotten us into trouble. If I hadn't been so eager to do it, this wouldn't have happened."

He looked her in the eye. "What do you want to do?"

"I don't know. The only thing I can think of is to wait and find out if I am pregnant."

"No matter what, Buffy, I'll be here for you. Whatever you decide to do, I'm not going to leave you alone to handle this." He clasped her hands in his. "I want you to know that if you are pregnant and you want to raise our child, we'll be a family. I won't be a coward like my father and walk away. I'll marry you."

Buffy looked down, then back up at him. "You'd do that?"

He nodded. "Yes, I would. I don't want to be like my father. I waited until I found the girl I want to spend the rest of my life with. And I want to spend it with you, regardless of whether or not you're pregnant."

She hugged him. "Thank you, Angel. You've almost made me believe everything's going to be okay."

Angel stroked her hair. "It will be, you'll see."

********

Training ended at four-thirty, and Giles pulled Buffy aside while Angel put away the weapons. "Have you seen your mother? She called me this morning looking for you."

"Yeah, I didn't get home until this afternoon. She told me she called you. Hope you didn't worry."

"I did worry, Buffy. Your mother was afraid something horrible happened to you," Giles said to her.

"Nothing bad happened."

"Where were you?"

"No, offense, Giles, but it's none of your business. If you'll excuse me, I have to get dressed and eat dinner before I patrol tonight." Buffy walked past him and out of the library.

Giles headed for Angel. "Angel, Buffy tells me you were with her all of last night." It was only a guess, but he figured it was the truth. He wanted to find out what was going on.

"Um, yeah, she was," he admitted.

Now we're getting somewhere, Giles said to himself. "She also told me what happened." Another shot in the dark. It wasn't like Buffy to keep secrets from him, and he figured Angel knew what was going on.

"She did?"

"Yes. Buffy had to tell me; she couldn't keep it a secret for very long."

Angel sighed. "Look, Giles, you don't have to be worried. I told her I'd be here for her no matter what. If she did end up pregnant, I'll take care of her and the baby."

Giles tried to hide his shock. "Very well. You're taking responsibility for you actions, Angel. That's very noble of you."

"I love her. I wouldn't abandon her."

"I know you wouldn't. I can finish up from here. Go be with Buffy. But don't tell her about our discussion, though. She didn't want me to say anything to you."

"Okay." Angel left the room in search of Buffy.

As soon as he left, Giles went into his office. He picked up the phone and dialed the phone number he had memorized years before. "Hello, this is Rupert Giles. I'm sorry for calling at such a late hour, but it is a matter of extreme urgency. I need to speak to George Smythe, Head of the Watcher's Council."

********

Buffy tossed and turned throughout the duration of her dream. It was more like a nightmare.

She sat in the hospital bed, holding the tiny baby in her arms. A little girl, Buffy thought. We have a daughter. Buffy counted out ten fingers and ten toes while the baby slept peacefully in her arms. A button nose and dark brown hair. She's so tiny and perfect.

Buffy looked up from staring at her newborn daughter. Standing in the doorway of the hospital room was Angel. "Hey, you. Come on in and say hello to your daughter," she said.

Angel took a few steps inside, keeping his distance from the bed. "How are you doing?"

"I'm a little sore, but that's to be expected."

"It'll pass."

"What do you think we should name her?" Buffy asked.

He shrugged. "I don't care. Name her whatever you want."

"Angel? What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Why are you being so cold? Don't you want to hold her?"

"Not particularly. Buffy, I came by to tell you that I don't think we should see each other anymore."

"What? But you said you waited for me. You said you'd stay with me and the baby."

He smirked at her. 'She's so naive.' "If I were you, Buffy, I wouldn't be so quick to believe everything a man tells you after having sex. I was only in it for the sex. And let me tell you, for your first time out, you were magnificent. My best yet."

"You don't mean that," Buffy said, tears forming in her eyes.

"Actually, I do. It's so cute to see that you thought I was in love with you. You're just a kid, Buffy. I don't want a little girl, I want a woman. But you were fun. Good luck, maybe I'll see you around." Angel turned and walked out of the room.

"Angel!" she screamed.

Buffy opened her eyes. The dream scared the hell out of her. "It was just a dream. Angel would never do that to me," she whispered.

********

The two vampires walked into their lair, finding their sire waiting for them. "Boss, we have some news."

"What is it?" she asked, putting another piece of wood in the fireplace.

"We came across that Slayer tonight. She's here in Sunnydale, you were right."

"Of course I was right, you idiot. What can you tell me about her?"

"She's short. Don't look like much. Blonde hair, maybe five-two. Very strong. Took out Carlisle without even breaking a sweat," one vampire told her.

She raised her eyebrows. "What about her technique?"

"It isn't structured. She's big on improvisation. There's no precise flow to her fighting, no pattern."

"Any weaknesses that you might have noticed?"

"There was a man with her. She was protective of him."

"Her Watcher, no doubt," she wagered.

"I don't think so," the other vampire disagreed. "The Slayer was pretty hot and heavy with him before we attacked. I'm thinking boyfriend."

She smiled. "Good. We'll have to use that to our advantage."

"Are you going to take her out?"

"Not yet. First I want to study her. Then I'll kill her."

Part Thirty-Five

The following two and a half weeks were pure torture for Buffy and Angel. They spent a lot of time talking about what they would do if she was pregnant. Angel had told her that he'd stand by her, no matter what her decision regarding the child; that he'd support her and the baby, and marry her if she wanted. Hearing his promises made Buffy feel a little bit better about their situation.

When she told Angel about her dream, the dream where he abandoned her and their baby, he swore that he would never let that happen. Buffy cried in his arms the next day when she described how real it seemed, how she could feel his hatred and rejection when she woke up.

"You just left. You said you made all of it up, said that you were only in it for the sex. God, it felt so real, Angel," Buffy had said to him.

"It wasn't real, it will never be real. I swear," he'd promised her.

On a Saturday night, eighteen days after their night together, Angel agreed to meet Buffy at the Bronze. She had called earlier that afternoon, saying she had something she needed to tell him. His curiosity piqued, he said he'd meet her.

Sitting at a table in the middle of the club, alone, Angel felt more than a little out of place. He seemed like the oldest person there, surrounded by teenagers. So he sat there, watching Oz's band play and the people dancing, sipping his soda, waiting for Buffy to arrive.

Small hands covered his eyes. "Guess who?" Buffy asked.

Angel smiled. "Cordelia?" he guessed jokingly.

"Nope. Guess again."

"Hmm. Willow?"

"Wrong again."

"There's only one other person I can think of, but Jessi's in New York."

Buffy removed her hands. She moved to stand in front of him with an astonished and disappointed look on her face. "Hey!"

"I knew it was you."

"Who's Jessi?"

He shrugged. "An old friend from UCLA."

"Girlfriend?"

"I went out with her a few times. She meant nothing to me, at least not as anything more than a friend," Angel said.

Buffy put her hands on her hips. "Should I be jealous?"

He pulled her down onto his lap. "What do you think?"

"I think if you're still thinking about her, I should be a little jealous of this Jessi girl."

Angel placed a kiss on her nose. "And I think you should think about the Fourth of July. Think very hard about that night, and that should answer all of your questions."

"It does."

"So, Buffy, why did you ask me to come here? What's going on?"

"I've got news."

"Good or bad?" Angel knew what the news regarded.

Buffy grinned. "Very good."

"Seriously?"

She nodded. "I wanted to be one hundred percent sure before I told you. That's why I waited until today, even thought I knew on Tuesday. Angel, I'm not pregnant."

Angel closed his eyes and sighed. It was a load off his mind. "You're positive?"

"Yep. I won't give you all the details, but let's just say that it ended today. No worries."

"I'm so sorry for putting you through that."

"It's okay. I do want to have a baby, but not yet." Buffy put her arms around his neck, leaning her forehead against his. "And now that we know I'm not pregnant, and my period's over, I'm thinking we should stock up on some protection. Like tonight."

He understood what she was implying. "So soon, Buffy? We just got through this pregnancy scare, are you sure you're ready to go through it all over again?"

"There won't be as much of a worry this time, Angel. It'll be a lot safer than before."

"Nothing's an absolute one hundred percent."

"Stop sounding like a commercial, I know all this. I've had the sex lecture and I've taken sex education. Believe me, I know what I'm getting into. And I want to again."

"If you're sure," agreed a reluctant Angel.

"I'm very sure." She stood up, grabbing his hand to guide him up as well. "But first, we dance."

Buffy led Angel to the dance floor as the Dingoes began playing a ballad. She recognized it as the song Oz wrote for Willow as her graduation present. It was a beautiful song about finding your true love and doing everything you can to keep that special person in your life. No truer words were ever spoken, thought Buffy.

Willow, Cordelia and Xander watched the couple on the dance floor. "Check out the lovebirds," Willow said.

"I think they look cute," commented Cordelia.

"Oh, gag me. If they got any closer, they'd be having sex right on the floor," Xander told them.

"They wouldn't do that in public."

"Or in private, for that matter."

"What are you saying?" Xander asked.

Willow looked at them. "Just that if anything had happened between Buffy and Angel, she'd have told me about it. We tell each other everything."

"Will, some things you keep private."

"You think they..."

"Rode the pleasure pony?" Xander said, crudely. "Hell yeah."

********

Angel stood in front of the shelves, looking over the different boxes. How do I know which one to buy? They all look the same to me. He picked up a box. Trojans. These are supposed to be good. Reliable. Grabbing another box, Angel turned down the aisle. He wasn't paying attention and walked right into a young man.

"Excuse me," apologized Angel. He looked at the young man. "Kevin."

"Hello, Angel. Doing a little late night shopping?" Kevin asked.

"Something like that."

Kevin glanced at the two boxes of condoms Angel held in his hands. "Apparently you're expecting a big night tonight. Hope you're not expecting it with Buffy. She's waiting for Mr. Right," he taunted.

Angel took a step closer to the young man. "She found him."

"You and Buffy? You slept with her?"

"That's none of your business. Kevin, let me give you some advice. If you leave Buffy alone and you leave me alone, your life will be a lot easier. She told me all about what you said when she wouldn't sleep with you. And she told me about how you want her back now. It's not going to happen, boy. Buffy's with me. So just stay out of her life."

Angel brushed past him. He headed for the cashier to pay for his purchase. Without glancing back at Kevin, he left the store and drove back to his apartment, where Buffy was waiting for him. Kevin left the store shortly after. Upon reaching his car, he punched the door.

"God dammit!" he shouted. "She was mine, not yours! Mine! I'll get Buffy back if it's the last thing I do."

********

"How is the situation in Sunnydale? Has it changed at all from the last time we spoke?" George Smythe asked over the phone.

"Unfortunately, no."

"I know of your fears, Mr. Giles, and I agree with you. All of the information you sent me verifies your claims. I can see where you would be concerned. After discussing your concerns with a small committee of Watchers, we have decided to grant your request."

Giles sighed. "Thank you, Mr. Smythe."

"Separating the Slayer from Mr. Reilly -- Angel -- is best for everyone concerned. If their relationship has become as personal and as intimate as you say, separation is the best idea."

"How long of a separation are we talking, Mr. Smythe?" Giles wanted to know.

"As long as it takes, Mr. Giles."

********

The ringing of the telephone stirred Angel from his sleep. Buffy lay in his embrace but didn't wake up. He reached over, hoping his movement and the telephone wouldn't rouse her. They'd fallen asleep an hour earlier, after an incredible round of sex that left them both exhausted.

"Hello?" he asked softly and tiredly.

"Is this Angel?"

"Yes. Who is this?"

"George P. Smythe of the Watcher's Council of England. I apologize for calling at such a late hour, but I need to speak to you."

"What about?" Angel wanted to know.

There was a pause on the other end of the line. "I'll cut right to the chase, Mr. Reilly. Your presence is required in England at the end of next week."

"Excuse me?" Angel didn't know what was going on.

"Part of your training for becoming a Watcher is that you spend some more time in England studying more about the very things you'll be aiding the Slayer with."

"With all due respect, sir, I'm learning plenty here on the Hellmouth."

"There are tests we have yet to give you, Angel, that you must take. They are only given once every year. All of the arrangements have been made. Your flight leaves this Thursday at eight a.m.," Mr. Smythe informed him.

"I can't leave Sunnydale," Angel argued.

"You can and you will. I shall see you Thursday evening, or possibly Friday afternoon. A car will meet you at the airport. Goodbye, Angel." George Smythe hung up the phone.

Angel replaced the receiver. He sat in silence, thinking about the conversation he'd just had, never hearing Buffy awaken. "Angel? What are you doing awake?"

"The phone rang."

"Who was it?" Buffy asked.

"The Watcher's Council," Angel answered. "George Smythe."

Buffy gazed at him. "Who's he?"

"He's the Head of the Council."

"What did he want?"

"To tell me that I have a bunch of tests to take. I have to be in England by Friday."

"For how long?"

Angel shook his head. "I don't know. He didn't say. Buffy, he didn't make it sound like a quick trip. It sounded like a long time."

Part Thirty-Six

Buffy took a swing at Giles, who ducked it, only to be toppled by her floor kick. He landed hard on the tiled floor of the library.

"Are you okay, Giles?" she asked out of concern for her Watcher.

He stared at her from where he fell. "As soon as my back stops throbbing I shall feel much better."

Buffy extended her hand. "Here, let me help you up," she offered.

"Thank you, Buffy."

She looked at the clock. 'Four-thirty. Angel leaves in thirteen hours. Where did this week go? It still seems like yesterday that he got the phone call.' "Hey, Giles, can we call it a day?"

"We still have another half-hour of training left."

"I've got stuff to go today."

Giles nodded his head in understanding. "Ah, yes. Angel leaves in the morning. I suppose you want to spend some time with him before he heads off for England."

"You suppose right."

"Fine, I'll let you leave early, but Monday you're to give me an extra half-hour."

"I promise." Buffy had one more question before she went to change. "Giles, what kind of tests does Angel have to take in England?"

"That all depends."

"Well, what kind of tests did you have to go through?"

"That was nearly twenty-five years ago, Buffy. I believe the Watcher's Council has changed their requirements since I have completed them," Giles answered.

Buffy shrugged. "Humor me."

"I had to undergo severe psychological testing to prove that I could handle the job. There I had a slight edge because my parents were Watchers. I knew how things worked, and I knew how to keep myself focused and objective."

"Angel's mom was a Slayer and he was raised by her Watcher, so he shouldn't have a problem with that."

"Perhaps not. But as I said, that was twenty-five years ago. I'm sure the criteria have changed."

"What else?"

"The Council needs to see if Angel is physically fit enough to be a Watcher. Have you ever heard of a stress test?"

She nodded. "Yeah. My dad had to have one last year. Running on a treadmill or something like that."

"It is very much like that, only more extreme."

"How extreme? Will he be hurt?"

"That all depends on how fit he is. If Angel is in good shape and has been exercising every day, he'll come out just fine."

I can guarantee he's been getting exercise, but I don't think that's the kind of exercise Giles is talking about, thought Buffy. "Okay."

"There's only two more that I recall with certainty. One is a test that involves knowing the different demon species and being able to identify them. That part is usually simple memorization. The last test I remember is the one for fighting skills."

Buffy waved her hand. "That should be easy for him. We fight together all the time."

"This is different, Buffy. He'll be locked in a room with a vampire, or possibly a lesser demon. Angel will have one weapon with which to kill his opponent. If he makes it out alive, he'll have passed the test."

"I don't like that one. It's dangerous."

"It is. But he has to go through it."

"Angel might die! He can't die, I need him."

"I'm sorry, Buffy, but it is all part of becoming a Watcher."

Her lower lip quivered. "Can't you call the Watcher's Council and tell them that he's needed here in Sunnydale?"

Giles shook his head. "I'm afraid not. He's not needed here at the moment. There aren't any unstoppable demons in town and we have the vampire community under control. We don't need him."

"I need him!" Buffy shouted.

"For what?" he shot back. "Sex?"

Buffy was taken aback by his words. "What?" she asked sharply.

"You think I don't know that you've been...carrying on with Angel behind closed doors? I'm well aware of your pregnancy scare, Buffy. I think this time away from Angel would be most useful."

"You arranged this, didn't you? You called the Council," Buffy accused him.

"Listen to me. Angel has to go through these tests eventually. It is better for him to go through them now while things are quiet. To answer your question, yes, I called the Council. But that was before I knew of your intimate relationship with him," lied Giles.

She exhaled loudly. "Fine. But if I ever find out that you set this up to keep us apart, I'll never forgive you, Giles. Never." Without bothering to say goodbye, Buffy left the room.

********

"Are you coming to the Bronze tonight?" Willow asked Buffy when she called on the telephone after dinner.

"I doubt it," Buffy said to her best friend.

"Oh, come on, Buffy. You have to come. Xander and Cordy already have plans and I don't want to sit there all alone. The Dingoes are playing tonight. Oz said they're going to be playing their new song. Please," begged Willow.

Buffy felt bad for having to say no. "Sorry, Will, if it were any other night, I'd say yes. But I've already got plans with Angel. He leaves tomorrow morning and I want to be with him as much as possible before he goes," Buffy explained.

"I see."

"We'll do the Bronze thing some other time," she promised.

"Okay. Buffy, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

Willow paused before beginning. "This is going to sound really weird, but bear with me. If something had happened between you and Angel, would you have told me?"

"What brought this on?"

"Something Xander said about how some things are private."

"Willow, I'm really sorry. I've been so busy these past few weeks that I didn't tell you what happened. I feel like a complete moron."

"Something did happen?" Willow asked.

"Yeah. I finally decided I was ready. It happened on the fourth. And it was great. I don't want to get into all of it right now, but I'll tell you that now I don't know why I was so scared to do it."

"Buffy, that's great." Willow was happy for her.

She heard the doorbell chime. "He's here. I have to go. But I'll give you all the gory details next time we get together."

"Okay. Tell Angel I hope he has a safe trip."

"Will do. Bye." Buffy hung up the phone and ran downstairs to greet her boyfriend.

********

Buffy giggled as Angel tied the scarf around the back of her head. "Why are you blindfolding me?" she wanted to know.

"You'll see. Stay right here until I get back. Okay?"

She reluctantly agreed. "Fine. But make it quick, I've got a surprise for you, too."

Angel opened the door to his apartment, then closed it again, leaving Buffy standing in the hallway outside. A few minutes later, he returned. "Give me your hand."

Buffy did so, and he led her inside. "What's going on?"

"Take off the blindfold," Angel instructed.

She took it off. The entire apartment was illuminated by white candles. A single rose in a crystal vase adorned every table, setting the scene for what looked like an elaborate seduction. "Angel, my god. Why did you do this?"

"This is our last night together for I don't know how long. I wanted it to be perfect," he said to her.

"You didn't have to go to all this trouble. One candle would have been fine."

"Not for you."

Buffy reached up to push his face to hers. "It is perfect.

********

"I'll miss you," Buffy whispered as they lay sated in his bed.

He caressed her naked breast. "I'll miss you, too."

"It's going to be hard, being away from you for so long," she admitted.

"I know. But I promise to call you every day and write as often as I can," Angel promised.

"Sometimes, I think you're going to forget all about me when you're over there. That you'll find someone else."

"Hey." Angel forced her to look at him. "That'll never happen. I love you, Buffy Summers. There's nothing on God's green earth that'll ever make me forget you. Especially after that going away gift you just gave me."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

Part Thirty-Seven

"Spill it already," demanded Cordelia. "What's this big thing you came over to tell us?"

Cordelia, Buffy and Willow sat around Cordelia's bedroom Friday afternoon. It was the first time Buffy had set foot outside her house since Angel left over twenty-four hours earlier. She'd been miserable and depressed all day Thursday, just wanting to spend the day alone. Angel had promised to call her if he got to London before midnight, but he never called. Buffy assumed he'd gotten there later than anticipated and didn't want to bother her.

"You guys are my best friends and I want to share this with you, just like Willow shared it with me," Buffy began.

Cordelia didn't have a clue as to what her friend was saying. "Share what? Buffy, you're not making any sense."

Willow grinned, knowing exactly what Buffy was talking about. "Tell her."

Buffy took a deep breath. "Okay. Angel and I have been...together."

"That's it? God, that's such old news. You two have been together for months."

"No, Cordy, we've been sleeping together." Buffy was trying to say it without coming right out and saying it.

"Yet again, old news. Remember after Prom? You guys slept together then."

"That's not how I meant it."

Thinking for a couple moments, Cordelia figured it out. "Oh my god, you two are literally sleeping together? Like, as in sex?"

Willow stifled a giggle. "Took you long enough, Cordy."

"God, I feel so dense for not getting it right away. For how long? When was the first time? Was it good? Is he good?" Cordelia was full of questions.

Buffy laughed. "One question at a time. The first time was the Fourth of July. Right after the fireworks display."

"What was it like? Was it what you expected?" asked the brunette. She remembered that her first time with Xander was nothing like she thought it would be.

"It was just like you said, Willow. At first it hurt, like to the point where I almost wanted to stop. I never told Angel that, though, but I think he sensed my discomfort because he asked me if I wanted him to stop. By the time he asked it didn't hurt anymore. After that, it was like nothing I'd ever felt before. The only word I can think of to describe it is amazing," she explained.

"Wow," Cordelia said. "You've definitely got an advantage over us."

"How?"

"Well, Xander didn't have a clue the first time we slept together. Buffy, you've been with a guy who must be like the walking Kama Sutra."

Buffy raised her eyebrows. "What makes you think that?"

"The man is gorgeous and is a world traveler. And he's twenty-seven," answered Cordelia.

"So?"

"So? Come on, don't be so naive. He's probably done it so many times that he knows things we've never even dreamed of."

"You think Angel's had a lot of women?" Buffy asked with a smile.

"Hasn't he?"

"No. Neither of us had ever had sex before, Cordelia."

Willow's jaw hit the floor. She'd known that Buffy was a virgin, but not Angel. "What?"

"Angel was a virgin?" exclaimed Cordelia.

Buffy nodded. "Uh-huh. I was too scared before I did it; I wanted to wait until I was ready. Angel, though, he was ready, but he just waited. He didn't want to do what his father did -- get a girl pregnant and then abandon her. So he waited until he found someone he would stick by if he did get her pregnant. Someone he wanted to be with forever."

"You?"

"Yep. So, Cordy, he's not exactly the walking Kama Sutra, as you put it. That isn't to say it wasn't great, or that he wasn't great. We learn something new, teach each other something new every time we make love."

"Have you tried anything...I don't know, different or adventurous?" Cordelia asked.

"Cordy!" Willow slapped her. "Don't you think that's personal?"

"I want to know."

"It's okay. Did you read last month's Cosmo? The one with the article '20 Ways to Please Your Lover In Bed.'"

Cordelia reached for the pile of magazines on the table next to her bed. Rifling through them, she pulled out the magazine Buffy asked her about. "This one?"

"That's it." Buffy took it from her, found the article and pointed to two of the twenty ways. "These two."

Willow and Cordelia read them. "You did that?"

"Wednesday night. I wanted to pull out all the stops. You know, give him a night he won't forget."

Willow swallowed hard. "I could never do that. I mean, I can't imagine ever doing that with Oz. I'd be too scared to."

"I think Xander would love it, but I won't do it."

"It's not that bad. Don't get me wrong, I was nervous about it, doing such a strange thing. I'd never dreamed of doing it. I wasn't even sure if Angel would like it."

Cordelia shook her head. "You're so lucky. You've got the perfect man. He loves you and thinks the world revolves around you."

"You still can't have him."

"When is he coming home?" Willow wanted to know.

Buffy shrugged. "I don't know. Soon, I hope. He's been gone for one day and I miss him like crazy."

"Have you talked to him yet?"

"No. But he promised to call me every day. He'll call tonight, I know he will."

********

"I hope you find your accommodations comfortable, Angel," Mr. Smythe said when he showed Angel to his flat in the building the Watchers Council owned. "Everything you can possibly need for the duration of your stay here in London has been brought here."

"Thank you, Mr. Smythe."

The man smiled. "Please call me George."

"Alright. Thank you, George."

"I shall leave you alone to unpack your bags and then to rest. The car will be here precisely at eight in the morning to take you to the Council's official headquarters."

Angel looked around. "Could you tell me where the telephone is? I need to make a call."

Mr. Smythe shook his head. "There is no telephone, Angel. You are not permitted to make phone calls during the duration of your testing."

"I promised my girlfriend I'd call her when I got here. She gets worried easily."

The Slayer, no doubt. "I'm very sorry, but no phone calls are allowed. When your testing is completed, then you may call. But until then, you are not to have any outside contact with anyone in Sunnydale."

Angel sighed softly. He needed to call Buffy, he didn't want her to worry. Mostly, though, he needed to hear her voice. He'd left her only twenty-four hours earlier and already it seemed like months. "How long will the testing take?"

"There will be four major tests that you must pass in order to become a full-fledged Watcher. Once you pass them, you will have to remain in London for the meeting and greeting of all our Watchers in the form of parties and social gatherings. On average, about two months," answered Mr. Smythe.

Two months without seeing or talking to Buffy?  No way.  I will be back in Sunnydale by the beginning of September, a determined Angel decided. "Thank you."

"I'll leave you be. Get some rest, Angel. Your testing begins tomorrow."

Mr. Smythe left the apartment and walked down the hall, meeting up with another man while waiting for the elevator. "You are aware of what you have to do, right?" he asked.

The man nodded once. "Yes, sir. I am to monitor his comings and goings."

"Angel Reilly is an intelligent young man. He was not pleased when I informed him that he could not phone his lover back in California. He will try to call her from an outside phone booth, of that I am sure. It is your responsibility to prevent him from making that call. Also, I imagine that he will send her a letter. You are to intercept it and bring said letter to me. It is important that the letter is not sent," explained Mr. Smythe.

"Sir, may I ask a question?"

"You may."

"Why is he not permitted any contact with his lover?" the man asked.

The elevator doors opened. "Because he is here to forget about her. We do not approve of their relationship for many reasons. Just keep him in your sights, Mr. Headly. Let the Council do the rest."

Part Thirty-Eight

"I don't get it," Buffy said to Willow, Oz, Xander and Cordelia at the Bronze. They had dragged her there for '80s night. "It's been three weeks since he left. Angel hasn't called or written or anything!"

"I'm sure he's just busy, Buffy," Willow reassured her. "Giles told you about the different tests he has to take. He's probably studying. He'll call as soon as he can."

Buffy frowned. "What if he was in an accident? He could be in a hospital somewhere in England, nobody knows who he is and the Council doesn't know to contact me to let me know." Horrible scenarios were going through her mind. They had been for the past three weeks.

"You're overreacting, Buffy," commented Cordelia.

"I don't think so. All I want is for him to call me and say that he loves me and that he's fine."

"Shouldn't that be the other way around?" asked Xander.

She glared at him. "Not now."

"Can't Giles get in touch with the Council?" Oz wanted to know.

"He has," Buffy answered miserably. "Whenever I ask him about Angel, he says he forgot to ask. Truthfully, I think he's lying."

"Do you think Giles had something to do with Angel leaving?"

Buffy shrugged. "I asked him point blank if he did and Giles swears he didn't. But I don't know. He seemed pretty upset about me and Angel being together. But would he actually stoop so low as to call the Council to separate us? I wouldn't put it past him."

Kevin watched the gang from five tables away. It didn't escape his eye that Angel wasn't with them. In fact, he hadn't seen Buffy and the older man together in several weeks. He smiled. She looks upset. They probably broke up. Poor Buffy. She's probably distraught that she slept with him and he dumped her. This is the perfect opportunity. He made his way over to her table.

"Hi, Buffy," Kevin said to her.

She looked at her ex-boyfriend. "Hey, Kevin."

"How are you doing?"

"Okay, I guess. How 'bout you?"

"The same." A slow song blasted through the speakers. "Would you like to dance?" he asked.

Willow knew how depressed her best friend was over not having heard from Angel in weeks. A dance, even it if was with Kevin Matthews, might be just what Buffy needed to get her mind off of things. "Go for it," she whispered.

Buffy gave her a half-smile. "Alright, Kevin."

Yes! Now's my chance to win Buffy back. "Great."

Once on the dance floor, he tentatively pulled her into his arms. She gently rested her head on his shoulder, but didn't try to delude herself into believing she was in the arms of the man she loved more than life itself.

I'm alone
Yeah, I don't know if I can face the night
I'm in tears
And the cryin' that I do is for you
I want your love
Let's break the walls between us
Don't make it tough
I'll put away my pride
Enough's enough
I've suffered and I've seen the light

"I love this song," Kevin said.

"Yeah, it's nice. Really pretty," she agreed.

"Almost as much as you."

"What?"

"The song is almost as pretty as you are. You look lovely tonight, Buffy."

She didn't quite know what to make of Kevin's words to her. It remained in the back of her mind that a month-and-a-half earlier, he wanted her back.

"Thank you," she said.

You're my angel
Come and save me tonight
You're my angel
Come and make it alright
You're my angel
Come and save me tonight

Buffy heard him singing the words to the song. She glanced up at him and smiled. She didn't know that he was singing the song to her. She thought it was funny, as well as entertaining, that Kevin was attempting to sing.

Kevin took the smile to believe she wanted him back as much as he wanted her. One single smile was all he needed to gain the confidence to kiss her.

So he did.

Don't know what I'm gonna do
About this feeling inside
Yes, it's true
Loneliness took me for a ride
Without your love
I'm nothing but a beggar
What can I do?
I'm sleeping in this bed alone

The kiss took Buffy by surprise; it was the last thing she expected. And it was certainly the last thing she wanted. She'd been kissed by Kevin hundreds of times before, but they never held the passion and love that Angel's kisses did. There was absolutely no comparison between the two. Buffy broke the kiss almost immediately.

"What was that for?" she demanded.

"I thought you wanted me to kiss you," explained Kevin.

"What made you think that?"

He touched her cheek. "You smiled at me."

"That doesn't mean I wanted you to kiss me. I'm with Angel, you know that." Buffy was outraged.

"I want a second chance."

"Did you not hear me? Angel and I are together. We have been for two, almost three months."

Kevin looked around. "Then where is loverboy?"

"Angel's been out of town for three weeks, not that it's any of your business."

"Yeah, I was wondering why I haven't seen him around in awhile. Now that I think about it, I haven't seen him since I ran into him at the store. He was really stocking up on condoms that night. So tell me, Buffy, is he any good in bed? Not that I care personally, but I'm betting that I'd be much better. Wanna find out?"

Buffy was livid. "Don't *ever* talk about Angel like that again." To convey her message, she punched him in the stomach as hard as she could.

Clutching his hands to his throbbing stomach, Kevin had one more thing to say. "Then again, he might have been stocking up for his trip. Maybe he found someone else to have some fun with. Bet he's off doing her right now. Where's the fun in screwing a virgin? You're probably the last thing on his mind."

Buffy couldn't even think of a retort to come back with. His words hurt that much. But they struck something inside of her, something she didn't even want to think about. Leaving the Bronze, she thought, What if Kevin's right? Did Angel find someone else? Is that why he hasn't called or written to me? What will I do? With tears running down her cheeks, Buffy ran away from the club.

The vampire stepped out of the shadows. She watched as Buffy ran crying down the street. "Now, what on earth could have made the Slayer cry? Whatever it is, I'm going to find out."

********

Buffy used Angel's spare key to open the door to his apartment. He'd left her the key so that she could go there when she needed to be alone. Whenever she missed him to the point where she couldn't take it anymore, Buffy stayed there.

She didn't turn on any lights until she reached his bedroom. The candles he's burned the night before he left for England remained on the floor. She didn't have the heart to put them away, their presence reminded her of their last night together. Closing her eyes, Buffy remembered that night.

She went straight for his closet, pulling a black button-down shirt from a hanger. Stripping off her blue dress, Buffy put on the shirt. It smelled like him, and made tears come to her eyes. Is he with someone right now? Is he telling her he loves her, just like he told me? With thoughts of Angel's possible betrayal running through her mind, Buffy cried herself to sleep in his bed.

********

Mr. Headly walked into George Smythe's office. "I brought you the most recent letter Mr. Reilly sent out." He handed over the white sealed envelope.

"Thank you, Mr. Headly. Is anything out of the ordinary going on with Mr. Reilly?"

"Nothing that I have noticed. He's attempted daily to make a call, but each time I have found a way to stop him."

Mr. Smythe smiled. "Very good. I appreciate the work you've done. After next week, I won't be requiring your services, Mr. Headly."

"Should you be in need of my services in the future, please don't hesitate to call."

"I shall. Good day, sir."

After Mr. Headly left the room, Mr. Smythe used the letter opener to break the seal of the envelope. He read the address written on it. BUFFY SUMMERS. The Slayer.  Taking the letter out, he began to read.

Dear Buffy,

These past three weeks have been hell without you. Every day I try to call, but I never seem to be able to. Something always comes up that keeps me from calling. Buffy, you are always on my mind, your face is the first thing I see when I wake up every morning and I hear your voice everywhere. I miss you like crazy. I love you.

My tests will be finished tomorrow. I'll be back home in another week. Home to you. Things will be the way they were before I left. I have a surprise for you when I get back. I know how you hate surprises, but this is one I hope you will love. Until I see you again, remember that you are always in my thoughts.

All my love forever,
Angel

Mr. Smythe folded the letter and placed it in the top drawer of his desk just as a young woman entered his office. She sat down on the corner of the oak desk.

"Hello, Daddy," she said.

"Daniella. I'm glad you could make it."

She flashed her father a smile. "Well, you did call me. You said you needed a favor. What do you want?"

"My little girl. Always right to the point," Mr. Smythe said with a grin. "Daniella, I have a job for you."

"What do I have to do, Daddy?"

"Whatever it takes to get Buffy Summers out of Angel Reilly's head. And most importantly, his heart."