22nd of AUGUST 2002
 

"Hey Cordelia," Angel said drinking a cup of blood and walking through to her desk.  "Got anything?"

"Anything on what?" She asked glancing at the computer screen.

"The Songai demon.  Killed couple dozen last week.  You saw it in your vision.."

"Oh the Songai demon."

"Yeah because there are so many you see in your vision."

"Well you could have found a completely different one out and about.  I don't know do I?  There could be millions of these critters swanning about."

"There are only three hundred and nineteen in the world," Wesley says passing by, slipping a file into the cabinet.

"Great. here comes Mr-Save-The-Endagered-Demons.  Should we not killed the mass murdering creepo because he's on the endagered species list?  Let him roam free to procreate more killer demons ensuring the survival of the species?"

"I'm not saying that!  I'm just saying we should fi--" Wesley started to argue before Gunn swept by Cordelia's desk and leant over it.  She moved up to meet him and they kissed tenderly.  "Some way of restraining it," Wesley muttered to himself turning away from the two.  Angel chuckled at Wesley's jealously.

"Mmm," Cordelia smiled reluctantly sitting back down.  "So how was the sweep?"

"Nothing demonic," Gunn said to everyone as well as his lover.

"That was until you came in here and seen Cordelia," Wesley smirked.

"Ah ha," Cordelia said dryly.

"Yo English," Gunn laughed.  "We all appreciate your humour but anything else against Cordelia and you know I'm gonna have to put you down boy," he said mock punching his arm.

"Cordelia was just done chewing us up and spitting us back out before you came in," Wesley shrugged.  "You seemed to have tamed the beast."  Cordelia shot him a withering glare.

"Wesley, there's plenty of beast left, OK?  I kept some Endagered Species beast just for you.."

Angel turned around and went back to his office before he heard the chair collapsing and papers flying everywhere.

He ran back to Cordelia to see she was having a vision.  She was spread out on the floor with Gunn supporting her.  When the pounding in her head lessened, she sat up and held her head.

"Are you OK?" Angel asked her.  Gunn rubbed her shoulders and told Wesley to get her some pain killers.

"It was.. the Oracles..." She squinted.

"The Oracles?  Cordelia, they died.  Vocah killed them."

"Not in this.  They were alive and kicking," she said gratefully grasping the painkillers and washing them down with water.  "Both of them... and a baby."

"Anything else?  Anything going to kill them?" Angel asked puzzled.  Didn't sound as if there was any danger.

"No.  That was it.  I got the feeling like you were supposed to go.  I tasted... I tasted ice cream if you believe that.  And peanut butter.  Then again I did have a Hagen Daz last night and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich at lunchtime," she said thoughtfully.  "It tasted important."

"What flavour?" Angel asked.

"Ice cream?  Um, I know it.  I do. It's on the tip of my tongue," She said squeezing her eyes shut.  "Nope, can't remember."

"I'm sure it doesn't matter anyway," Gunn said gently.

"No, probably not," Angel absently agreed.  He took his leather coat off the chair and unhooked the painting from the wall.

"Hey i like that painting!" Cordelia said.  "Oh, it's a gift."

"Gift for what?  Good paintings?" Gunn asked as Angel left.

"A gift for the Oracles," Wesley informed him.

"Oh.  Well I feel stupid," he said helping Cordelia up.

"I beseech access to the Knowing Ones," Angel said lighting the herbs in the bowl.  The doorway glowed and became transparent.  He walked through and saw the Oracles there, as if nothing had touched them and Vocah had never been into their realm.

"Warrior.  We sent for you," the Brother noted.

"Why, you look as if you've seen a ghost," the Sister commented almost gleefully.

"Have I?" Angel asked.

"No we're as alive as y--  Well not as alive as yourself, Warrior, but as alive as a mortal on the street," the Brother deadpanned.

Never knew these Oracles had a sense of humour.  I guess that's what happens when you die.  Well, I'm dead and it's done nothing for my humour..

"What have you brought us?" The Sister enquired.

"Painting," Angel said holding it out.  The Sister moved it across to her and see looked at it.  "Lovely.  Two years has not tainted your talent for gifts."

"I guess so," Angel nodded.  "So, why did you call me?"

"Warrior, something unforseen has happened.  The Natural order and being of things was disrupted.  By your fault," the Brother said.

"My fault?"

"Cast your mind back two mortal years and nine months," the Brother challenged.  "November 1999.  Do you remember?"

"You've seen to it that I'm the only one who does," Angel deadpanned.

"Your Forgotton Day with the Slayer, the fighter.  The Girl who holds your heart," the Sister said gently

Angel nodded and stared down.  What was that to do with anything?

"Well it seems out decision in granting you a reversal of that such day was ill-judged," the Sister continued.

"The Higher Powers were most upset when they found out.  By the time they knew, as their time is different to ours, it was irreversible."

"What are you saying?" Angel asked, frightened by where this was going.  Buffy...

"We were wrong.  Your humanisation; It was supposed to happen.  It was pivotal to the destiny of the human race that you and the Slayer were together that day and you were to become human," the Sister said rubbing some blue powder in her hand.

"We however, we kept out of the loop on such a thing.  And now, we must do what we can to reverse it," the Oracles said angrily.

"You can't take away three years," Angel pointed out.

"No.  That we can't do," the Brother sighed.

"So wait.  I'm here because, you were.. wrong?" Angel half smirked.

"This is amusing?" The Brother fumed.

"Semi. I just thought that the almighty-channel to-the-Powers-That-Be-aka-The-Knowing-Ones wouldn't get something wrong."

"Yes we've all had a good laugh," the Sister cocked an eyebrow.

"I haven't even started," Angel muttered.  "So what was supposed to happen?"

"The Slayer.  Her child was concieved on that day," the Sister said.  Angel stopped and looked at the female Oracle.

"W-what?" He stuttered, unsure of what he heard.  "That means..."

"You erased the day, you erased your daughter," the Brother said.

"This wasn't just your child.  She's important to the world."

"A Slayer?" he guessed cautiously.

"More so.  She would be more powerful that the Powers That Be.  She was to change the fate of the world when the End Of Days began.  She is the Saviour."

"My.. daughter?" Angel said his face softening.  "I was going to be a father?"

"Correction.  You are a father," the Sister told him as she waved her hand, sprinkling the blue dust into the air.  A servant girl, similar to the Oracles came in, hand in hand with a blonde haired girl, abour two years old.

"Her name is Julia.  In your mortal world she was born on the 29th of August 2000.  We managed to save her Soul when we realised our error in judgement.  She will remember nothing of her first two years with us here. Time moves quite differently.  Two years here is equivalent to a day on earth," the brother informed him.  Angel nodded quickly, trying to take it all in, but he couldn't stop staring at her.

"She is under your protection now.  She is incredibly strong already and a fast learner.  I dare say you have your work cut out for you Warrior," the Sister said her eyes shining.

"Buffy.. the Slayer.." Angel stumbled.  She can't remember!

"Knows nothing.  We leave it to you to decide how to proceed.  As I said, she is under your protection now," the Sister replied.

The little girl let go of the hand maidens hand who dispeared back through the arch behind the Oracles.  She walked slowly forward to Angel, who bent down on his knees.

"Daddy?" She tried.  A huge smile spread across his face and he nodded.

"Yeah."

Without anything futher, she ran forward and wrapped her arms around his neck.  Angel clutched onto her tightly and kissed her fair hair.

"Can we go home now?" She asked.  It was as if she'd been with him for years.  Angel nodded and stood up, holding her.  He turned to leave but he stopped and went back to the Oracles.

"My Soul.. the Curse..  If I feel Perfect Happiness.." Angel started.  "With her..."

"Already taken care of," the Brother nodded.  "You have no Curse.  You have a Soul that shall leave your body when you pass into the final Underworld of this life."

Angel smiled and nodded.  "Thanks.  Hey, you guys make pretty great mistakes."

He looked at Julia and kissed her head again.

Then again, so did Buffy and I.

Angel drove up in front of the Hyperion with Julia strapped in, holding a teddy bear she brought with her.

"Is this home?"

"Yes it is," Angel said turning to his daughter, switching off the engine.  "And work.  I'm a detective."

"Like with a hat and gun?"

"Yeah like that," he smiled.  "So.  you wanna go inside?"

She nodded and yawned.  She stuck out her arms for Angel to lift.  Angel smiled and undid her seat belt.  She jumped up on him and he shut the door and locked it.  Angel walked into the lobby of the hotel to find everyone was still at work tracking the Songai.

"Hey guys," he said stopping in front of the desk holding Julia.  She touched the top of his head, giggling when she feel the crunchy hair.

"He he,  Spikey hair," she whispered into his ear.  Wesley, Gunn and Cordelia didn't look up from what they were doing.

"Hey Angel," Gunn said fixed to his page.

"Any turn up?" Cordelia asked, staring at her computer screen.

"Yeah, actually," Angel laughed.  "There's someone I'd like you to meet."

"Who?" Wesley asked looking up.  "Oh!"

"Oh what?" Gunn asked.  "Oh."

"What are we flapping about?" Cordelia asked typing, and glancing over.  She did a double take at the blonde two year old that was whispering in Angel's ear.  "OH?!?"

"Everyone, this is Julia," Angel said.  "Julia this is Wesley. Gunn.  And Cordelia.  They work with me."

"Are they 'atectives too Daddy?"

"They try to be," he grinned.

"Hey!  We.. What?  Daddy?" Cordelia blurted out.  Wesley shot her a look.

"There's obviously some explantion for this other a name, Cordelia," Wesley pointed out.  "Let's not jump to conclusions."

"Actually Wesley the conclusions are right.  Julia is my daughter.  She'll be two years old next week."

"Are we on Candid?" Gunn asked, faking looking around for cameras.

"You remember I told you about the day I was mortal?  Well, I erased the day but I couldn't erase Julia.  The Oracles saved her Soul and gave her to me."

"Oh," Cordelia nodded.  Gunn came round to meet them both.  He smiled and held out his hand.

"Hey Julia, I'm Charles Gunn."

She smiled back at him and took his hand in her little one.  "Julia.. Um.. Julia.."

She turned to Angel and whispered in his ear.  He whispered back to her.  She turned to Gunn again.  "Julia Summers."

"Hey Julia Summers," he teased tickling her tummy.  She giggling.

"Stop it!"  He kept on tickling and she tried to tickle him.  Cordelia was leaning her chin on the heel of her palm.  Gunn was so good with kids.  She was going cry or be wanting a baby of her own at the end of the day.  Angel kissed Julias cheek and put her down on the couch.

"I'm just gonna go talk to Wesley for a moment OK?"

"OK.  Gunn you can sit next to me," she told him.  Gunn nodded.  They started palying hand games.  Angel grinned over his shoulder and turned to Wesley.

"So what happened?  Buffy was at the Oracles?"

"Well, no.  I went there.  They made this big mistake in letting me rewind the day because Julia, she's," he lowers his voice to a whisper, "she's pretty important.  Powerful.  Saves the world or something.  But i just know she's here with me now.  I've missed two years Wesley.  It's a miracle I've got her at all."

"Yes, quite," Wesley agreed.  "So Buffy wasn't there?"

"No," Angel said looking back at his daughter.  He shook his head to confirm it.

"So one assumes you're going to call her now?"

"If one would be totally stupid to think that or want to," Angel said cocking his eyebrow.  "What am I supposed to say?  Hey Buffy, it's Angel.  Yeah the guy you were passionately in love with for a coupla' years, yeah the vampire.  Hey listen, when you came down one Thanksgiving this whole big thing happened.  I was mortal, we made love and I realised it couldn't be so I rolled back the day so only I remember.  Well guess what?  Now we have a child preserved from that day!  Funky weird huh?  Did I disturb you?  No?  You were only screwing Riley.  Oh, OK.  So see you at her second birthday, bye."

"That was a rather long, sarcastic diatribe," Wesley rolled his eyes.

"Did it make the point Wesley?  How am I supposed to start explaining she has a child that she didn't carry for nine months or give birth to?  She doesn't even remember concieving!"

"So you won't tell her she has a daughter because the situation wuld be uncomfortable for you?"

"No, I'm doing it because it'll be uncomfortable for her.  She's 21 Wesley.  I can't just tell her she's got responsibilities she had no control over.  Plus the Slaying.  She has to stay in Sunnydale and there's no way Julia's living in Sunnydale."

"What?"

"It's too dangerous there Wesley.  At least in LA you can be anonymous.  There's no where to hide in Sunnydale.  Then there'd be the custody battle.  Buffy and I can't see each other and she'll find it hard to have to see me with Julia everyday.  Which I intend on doing.  Being with Julia everyday."

"You've given this a lot of thought haven't you?"

"Some would say ample thought," Angel shrugged.  "She's got the life i wanted her to have.  I won't be the one to take it away again."

"You do know that Riley and Buffy have split up don't you?" Wesley queries.  Angel looks at him lop sided.

"When?  Why didn't you tell me?  Why?  How?  When?"

"A year ago.  Before her twentieth.  He left her for a military mission.  Giles informed me.  I thought you knew."

"No.  Thanks for keeping me up to date," Angel said dryly, half angry.  He turned to Julia and Gunn.  Gunn was pretending he had hidden something in her ear.

"Daddy!  Daddy!  Gunn put a quarter in my ear!" She calls across to him.

"He's just getting change sweetie," Angel jokes.

"C'mere Munchkin," Gunn growls softly, tickling her and turning her upside down.  She's laughing uncontrollably and trying to run away shyly.  Angel chuckles and turns back to Wesley.

"Under no conditions do you tell Buffy about Julia.  None."

"Angel.  Buffy is the Slayer.  She could die before ever seeing her only daughter."

Angel stared at him for a second.  "Don't tell her.  If she ever knows, it'll be because I told her.  Tell Cordy the same too."

Wesley nodded and as Angel went to join the tickle-fest.

23rd of AUGUST 2002
 
 

At 9am, Julia turned over in Angel's bed to see her father still sound asleep.  He seemed quite pale to Julia and a little chilly.  She pulled up the velvety blankets up to make him warmer.  Hesitantly, she shook his shoulder.

"Daddy," she whispered.  She got up onto her knees and used her two hands to shake his back.  "Daddy!" She said in a louder voice.  "Dad-day.."

Angel stirred and opened his eyes.  He saw Julia in one of his old t-shirts, kneeling above him.

"Hey pumpkin."

"Morning," she chimed slipping down from the bed.  She went over to the window clothed in heavy drapes and pulled them back.  Angel gasped and rolled off the bed, onto the floor and under his bed as the romm became engulfed with light.

"Julia, close the drapes for daddy," he pleaded, lying low on the ground.  She shut them and went over to where he was lying and lay down herself and shimmied under the bed.

"Why are you under here daddy?"

"I'm.. allergic.  To the sun.  It's hurts Daddy very bad," Angel told her.  "I can't go out in sunlight so I can't open the curtains in the morning OK honey?"

"OK.  I closed them so you could get up."

"Right," Angel nodded and rolled out.

Angel and Julia came down the stairs about 45 minutes later after finding her something to wear and washing her.

"Good God what it she wearing?" Cordelia said in shock.

"My boxers and a shirt knotted at the waist."

"No god-child of mine is gonna wear that."

"God-child?  You don't know whether I'm gonna christen her and you've already occupied the godmother spot," Angel said.

"Hey here's a nifty idea.."

"Why don't you take Julia out to shop for clothes, underwear, PJ's, anything basic she'll need.  Take my credit card, spend without care.  Have fun.  Do what you do best Cor," Angel smiled, ruffling his hair and handing her his plastic.  Cordelia's eyes lit up as she took it and put it in her purse.

"Hey you," Cordelia said bending down.  "Wanna do a little, well a lot, of shopping.. all for you.  At Daddy's expense?  God it's like old times.  I may cry."

Julia smiled and nodded.

"We'll go to McDonalds, get ice cream.  Have a girls day out."

"Sounds fun," Julia said taking Cordelia's hand.

"Want me to come?" Gunn offered.  Angel waved a hand and went to his fridge to pour himself some blood.

"Cool.  We all assembling in the Gunn mobile?" He offered.  "This should be fun.  A whole day with my two favourite girls."

"You like me bestest but?" Julia asked, a cheeky twinkle in her eye.

"You bet I do," Gunn laughed.  Once they had gone, Angel leant against his chair and sipped his O+.

"I've been looking for reference to a prophecy about Julia and I can't seem to find one."

"Well the Oracles didn't know what was happening so I'd say it's either someplace extreme, a rare book or scroll or not at all," Angel guessed.

"Angel.  I wish you would reconsider telling Buffy about this," Wesley started.  "It doesn't matter what arguments you put up or anything you could--"

"My Soul's permanant," Angel cut him off, staring at the ground.

"Sorry?"

"My Soul.  It's stuck.  It can't be removed.  Not with Perfect Happiness, or Magick.  Anything."

"Well that was the problem wasn't it?"

"Wesley it wasn't that I couldn't make love to her, it was that I was a vampire.  Even without the curse and with a Soul, I can't give her ageing, or sunlight or chi--"

"Children?"

"Although that reason is sort of defunct now.  It's the simple fact I am what I am and she is what she is.  Nothing'll change that."

"But a run in with a Mohra demon.  And a prophecy that you will Shanshu."

Angel glared at him.  "I'm not telling her.  It wouldn't be fair.  Or right."

"What's not fair is keeping a daughter for her mother!"

"Wesley please, this is hard enough."

Wesley nodded and went back to research.

"Daddy!  Look what we gotted!" Julia squealed running into the foyer and jumping into Angel's arms.

"Hey.  What did you get?"

Cordelia and Gunn brought in bags and bags from kid GAP and other places.

"Lotsa stuff!" She giggled.

"I also went shopping in Wal*Mart.  Twinkies. cookies, Oreos.. kid junk.  Y'know, she won't be chowing down on your blood supply," Cordelia grinned.

"Guess not."

"Also I got Lucky Charms, little yoghurts--"

Angel made a face remembering how he disliked yoghurt.

"--bread, sandwich fillers, jelly, jello, peanut butter.. The usual.  Oh Angel, I remember that taste in my mouth at the vision."

"What?"

"Cookie dough fudge mint chip."

"Shoulda guessed as much."

"I'm gonna go try on all my clothes!"

"Again," Cordelia added.  Julia took one bag and ran up the stairs squealing with joy.  "She reminds me of me," Cordelia mused.  Angel shot her a look.  "Well with the shop-happy attitude.  She's definetly here to stay."

"That's what Angel and I were just discussing," Wesley said.

"We weren't discussing.  I told you I wasn't telling Buffy and I wasn't letting her stay on the Hellmouth.  There endeth the discussion."

"You're not telling Buffy.. ever?"

"Maybe one day.. or not.  Cordelia, I don't know."

"What about Julia?  Doesn't she have the right to a mom?"

"Of course she does.  I'll tell her about Buffy one day too."

"You're putting this off until one day when you fail to realise Buffy hasn't got all the "One Days" you have," Wesley pointed out. "Will you think about it?"

"It's all I think about."

Angel lay in bed with Julia in the crook of his arm with her wearing her new nightdress.

"Ready to go to sleep?"

"Could you read me a story?"

"Sure.  Um.. I don't think I have any good.. books," Angel said picking up Blood Rites and Rituals from his  bedside table.  "Mostly all yucky boring stuff," he shrugged flicking through the pages to demonstrate.  Then a picture fell out.

Julia picked it up carefully and studied it.  "She looks like me Daddy."

"Yeah, she does," Angel agreed quietly.

"Who is she?"

"She's.. she's someone very important.  She makes the world a safer place.  She's strong and beautiful and courageous and.."

"Do you like her Daddy?"

"Yeah.  Yeah I do," Angel nodded.

"What's she called?"

"Buffy."

"Buffy?  Buffy?" Julia said puzzled.  "It sounds like a brush or something."  Angel chuckled and kissed the top of her head.

"Maybe I'll tell you about Buffy when you're older."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"You won't forget."

"Trust me, I won't forget."

"Good.  Now just maked up a story to tell me."

"Aw, I thought you forgot about it."

"Nope."

That night after work, Wesley sat at home, relaxing in his foot massager when the telephone caught his eye.  Buffy deserved to know.  She deserved to hear it from Angel.  he sighed and picked up the phone.

"Hello?  Giles.  It's Wesley... No I'm fine... Angel's fine, we're all fine.. Yes.. well I called because I need you to make sure something doesn't happen... I wish I could explain fully.. You must stop Buffy from coming to LA.. There is a very good reason... Which I can't tell you.. Please trust me.. Thanks, Giles... Must go.. Bye."

Wesley sighed again and replaced the phone.  Buffy never did as her Watchers told her when she was in the Councils employ, why now?  Wesley grinned and shut his eyes.

Giles put down the phone and looked at Willow and Buffy sitting on his couch.  "That was Wesley.  The strangest phone call I've ever got from him.  Hmm."

"Hmm What?" Buffy said sitting forward.  If it was Wesley, then it would be about Angel.. what if Angel was hurt.. and they wouldn't tell her..  "Giles, hmm what?"

"He told me to tell you, not to go to LA."

"What?  Why?" Buffy asked standing up.  "Is Angel hurt?  Is he too much of a baby to.."

"Buffy, Angel is fine."

"So why is Buffy getting her Access All Areas card revoked?" Buffy quizzed him.

Giles shrugged.  "That was all Wesley said."

"Sure?"

"Positive."

"Right," Buffy said picking up a jacket.  "I'm going to LA."

"Wait, Buff, think about this," Willow stood up in front of her.

"I have.  They're hiding something.  I go seek."

"So what are you gonna say then?  It'll just turn into one big awkward moment between you and Angel.  You haven't seen him for two years.  He's probably changed a lot.  Um, not in a physical way."

"Obviously.  So what?  You think I shouldn't go because he's not in love with me anymore?"

"That's not what she said Buffy," Giles jumped in.

"But it's what you meant Will."

"No Buffy it's not.  You and I both know Angel will never fall out of love with you. Just like you with him.  Which is why Riley left.  He shouldn't get a little piece of Buffy.  He should get the whole package.  You didn't give him that."

Buffy stared down at her feet.  "Will, if Angel's in trouble.."

"Sleep on it.  Y'never know.  You might have a weird dream thing.  But sleep on it.  See how you feel in the morning.  And anyway, by the time you get to LA tonight, even Angel will be in bed."

"You're right," Buffy nodded.  "So I sleep.  I'm taking off."

"OK.  But not to LA right?" Willow teased.

"No LA Woman for me tonight."

"I'm sorry i kissed you like that.."

(tea)

"You are?"

"I better go.."

"Right, remove the temptation.."

(he smells so good..  Vanilla.. and warmth)

"God I love food.."

(he feels so warm.. like a Utopia)

"Food is good.."

(chocolate.. peanut butter.. cookie dough fudge mint chip)

(*Thump-thump* *thump-thump*)

"We'll make this work right..."

"We will.."

(he smells like vanilla and ice cream)

"So what?  You took twenty four hours to weigh the ups and downs of being a regular Joe and decided it was more fun being a superhero?"

(salt tears)

"You know that's not it..."

"I didn't think I could do it if I woke up with you one more morning..."

(despair)

"I'll never forget, I'll never forget, I'll never forget.."
 

Buffy woke up, breathing deeply.  She was surprised at the sheets sticking around her.  She slid out of bed and paced the floor.  Walking through to the bathroom, she turned on the shower and waited for it to warm up.

That was some funky weird dream I had..

"I'm going to LA today."

"Hey Cordy, I was thinking," Angel said leaning over her desk.  "Should I get a tv or something?  For Julia?"

"Yeah.  Where is the little terror?"

"Up in my room.  She thinks the mirror's a trick because this morning she couldn't see me in it."

"OK, tv, sure.  Y'know since her dad can't take her down the beach or to the park," she joked.  "Her mother could.."

"So could Aunt Cordy," Angel said changing the subject.

"Is anyone here?"

Angel froze.  He knew that voice anywhere.  Oh God..

Angel closed his eyes.  "Cordy, go keep Julia upstairs," he asked her.  Cordelia nodded.

"Hey Buffy!" Cordelia greeted walking by.  "I like that thing you've done with your hair."

"And you.. with yours," Buffy complimented looking around for Angel.  "So this is Angel Investigations now?"

"Chase Investigations.  Y'know when the rest of them come round," Cordelia grinned climbing the stairs.  "You'll find Angel hiding in his office."

"Thanks."  Buffy walked past the reception desk and into the double doored office.  "Hi."

"Hi," Angel greeted leaning on the desk.

"Angel I think I've found the Songai's nest so we can.. oh Hello Buffy," Wesley said after seeing her there.

"Hi Wesley."

"I thought you'd come."

"You mean.."

"I'll leave you two alone now," Wesley grinned leaving out the side door.

"Bastard," Angel hissed under his breath.  "Did he ask you to come?  Is that why you're here?"

Buffy was shocked and thrown by Angel's tone and volume of voice.  "No. And yes.  He called Giles last night telling him to tell me not to come here.  Of course that was reverse psychology and I feel so stupid now considering I majored in it last year.  And hi to you too after two goddamn years.  Is it so hard to pick up the phone?"

"And say what?  Hi I missed the sound of your voice so I thought I'd call with some lame excuse to speak to you and hurt me more?"

"Us both more," Buffy corrected.  "So why did Wesley say that?  Why now?  Why was -slash- wasn't I supposed to come here?"

"No reason," Angel lied.

"Angel I can pretty much read you like a book OK?  Don't lie to me.  I can tell almost everytime when you've done that.  In the sewers.."

Does she remember?

"Sewers?" Angel said, almost too panicked.

"Yeah.  The sewers.  Before the Prom.  Our Prom.  When you said you didn't wanna be with me.  I knew you were lying."

"I was.  And wasn't."

"I had a dream. Last night. It was very blurry.  But I felt things.. tasted things.." Buffy trailed off.  "It was just a dream.  It felt real.  But it couldn't be. Could it?"

"Huh?"

"You were human.  Or I think you were.  We fought and did stuff and ate ice cream.  It was clear and opaque at the same time."

Angel watched her mouth move, the way her lips made the sounds of the words so perfectly and mesmerisingly.  Like poetry or Shakespeare.  She wasn't 16 anymore.  She was beautiful woman in her own right.  Strong, graceful..

"So was it..." Buffy asked as Angel walked closer to her.  She leaned back a little, afraid of what he would do.  Then she stopped and Angel halted right in front of her.  He brushed a stray hair back from her face and traced her jaw.  He was about to reach down and kiss her when a hurtful cry split the silence and echoed through the hotel.

Angel looked to the side as did Buffy as they heard a series of bumps down the stairs and then loud thumps.  There was a bang on the side door and Julia flew in and wrapped herself around Angel's knee.  She sobbed into his pants and Buffy stood back, dazed.

Angel picked her up and dried her tears.

"Hey munchkin, what's wrong huh?  Whadyou do?" He soothed as she hiccuped.

"My kneeeeeee.. I hurted my knee Daddy," she sobbed into his chest.  Angel smoothed her hair.

"It's alright now.. OK? It's OK.  Just a little bump, see?" Angel offered her pulling up her denim dungaree leg.  It was red and a bit swollen but no bleeding.  "See no blood?  You're fine.  Just a little bruise OK?"

"OK," she said her bottom lip trembling.

"Maybe we could get Aunt Cordy to take you out for lunch?" Angel offered his daughter.

"OK," she brightened.  "OK.  Hot dog?"

"You got it," Angel smiled kissing her cheek.  Julia tried to tickle under his arms but Angel tickled her back.

"C'mon that's not fair, you known daddy's tickly under there," he laughed.

Buffy stood watching Angel, oblivious to her presence, tickle the tiny two year old.  She stood with her mouth open and tears silently falling down her cheeks and onto her top.  Julia turned to her, an arm wrapped around Angel's neck.

"Daddy, I know her," she whispered.  Angel looked to Buffy crying and his face fell.

"Oh," Angel said softly.  "Oh."

"Buffy's her name," Julia whispered.

"Yeah," Angel nodded swallowing.  He put Julia down.  "Hey why don't you see if Aunt Cordy will take you out for lunch.  Ask her nicely.  Say the magic word."

"Ok Daddy," she agreed.  She kissed his knee and then ran through the door again calling Cordelia.

"Daddy?" Buffy repeated.  "You're a... Dad?" Her voice cracked and filled with pain.  How?  When?  How?

"Yeah," Angel nodded carefully, inching towards her.  He reached out and brushed her arm.

"Don't touch me!" She screamed violently letting  more tears out.  Her face was red and she was shaking.

"Buffy.."

"Don't!  Don't try to explain!  How did this happen?  You told me, you said you couldn't!  Who is she?  The woman?  What has she got that I haven't got?  Why couldn't it have been me?!  You know how much I wanted this from you and you gave it to someone else?!"

"Buffy.."

"I can't believe you would do this to me! Why Angel why?  Why not me?"

It was you.  It is you

"I'm sorry, Buffy, I should of told you.."

"Why?  To gloat?  Hey Buffy you can't give me kids but I've found someone else who can so screw you!?"

"Buffy you're hyperventilating."

"I goddamn know I am!" She screamed at him.  Angel took a strong hold of her, resisting her feeble attempts to break free.  He sat her down in his leather chair.

"Deep breaths Buffy.  Deep breaths.."

"Don't talk.. to me.. like I'm.. I'm a child Angel!" She said between hiccups and breaths.  "You already.. have one!"

"Buffy will you let me explain," Angel sighed sitting down on his desk.

"No I will not.  How does she know who I am?  What sick game are you trying to play!?"

"I'm not playing Buffy."

"I'm going back to Sunnydale.  Seeing it's daylight, I don't think you'll be following," she snapped getting out of his chair.  Angel held her arms and she tried to wriggle out.

"Buffy let me ex--"

Buffy pushed him back and as he tried to get up again, she right hooked him, sending him flying over his table and into the bookcase.  She looked at him and then ran out of the hotel.

A few minutes later, Julia came in, nervously pushing the door open.  "Is she gone?"

"She's gone," Angel said putting some of the books back up that had fallen.

"Are you OK?"

"I'm fine, munchkin fine."

Julia carefully descended the stairs, with a thoughtful look beyond her years on her face.

"Hey Jules," Cordelia said to her from her place on the couch.  "What's wrong?"

"It's my daddy," she sighed climbing up next to Cordelia.  Cordelia helped the little girl to rest her head on her knee.

"What about him?" Cordelia asked softly, stroking her hair

"He's... crying.  Kinda loudly into his pillow."

"Crying?  Crying?!  Godammit, Buffy," she hissed under her breath.

"It's.. Buffy's fault?" Julia guessed.

"Most likely."

"What's up with that?"

"Your daddy loves Buffy very much and she tends to treat him like cr--trash because he left her for her own good a few years back.  When Buffy get's upset, she lashes out at Angel and blames everyone around her for her problems.  But she's saved the world a coupla' times so we give her slight break."

"Why does Daddy love her if she keeps hurting him?"

"He's stupid," Cordelia laughs stroking Julia's hair.  "And it's not something he can control.  He'll always be crazily in love with that Sla-- slut," Cordelia saved again.

"Why aren't they together?"

"Where to begin?   There's a lot of reasons.  I'm gonna go check on Daddy OK?"

Cordelia lay the girls head down in her place and ran up the stairs to Angel's room.  She opened the door softly and saw him huddled on the bed, crushing the pillow against his face to muffle his cries.  She walked over to him and sat on the bed.

Angel took the pillow away and his face was tear stained and blotchy.  Cordelia pulled him to her and she hugged him as he cried silently.

"Angel," Wesley greeted as he came downstairs, with Cordelia behind him.  "What happened with Buffy?"

"Your fault Wesley," Angel pointed out.  He looked at Julia napping on the seat.  "Doesn't matter.  I'm going to Sunnydale. Now."

"Now?  It's 4 in the afternoon!  You'll flake into Angel dust!" Gunn exclaimed.  "Not the drug of course."

"I'm driving," Cordelia grinned as Angel gave her the keys.  "The sooner Buffy knows, the sooner we get rid of broody boy here."

"Can I come?" Julia yawned rubbing her eyes.

"Yeah munchkin.  You can come."

Buffy sat in her room, squashing Mr Gordo towards her chest.  She remembered when Angel came into her bedroom and held Mr Gordo while he worried he was a "freaky thing."  He was.  Still is.  Whereas before, he made sense.  Now, he didn't.

Daddy?

Some demon whore with some gift to be able to give vampires children...

She didn't look demon-y, the little girl.  She looked almost perfect.

How did she know my name?  Did Angel tell her about me?  Why?  I cannot believe he's had a child for what 2, 2 and a half years and I never knew...

Buffy was woken out of her thoughts when then doorbell rang.  She placed Mr. Gordo down and glanced at the departing sun out of her window.  She sighed and went down the stairs and opened the door.

Angel rushed in, finding his invitation unrevoked.  He threw off the brown blanket saving him from the remains of the sun.

"Hey I didn't invite you!  It's polite dammit!" She yelled at him.  Angel shut the door and covered her mouth with his hand.

"Buffy, sshh.  You never hear me out.  So this time you're gonna have to."

"Angel godda--"

How do i tell her?  How can I tell her?

"You're cursing too much to be a mother."

I'm thinking that wasn't it.

"Say huh?  I'm not a mother.  Though you seem to be a father."

"Sit down," he said leading her to her couch.

"What Angel?  I don't think I.. I don't think I can stand seeing you after what you did," Buffy said shielding her eyes, feeling them well up again.

"What did I do?"

"You said you couldn't give me a family.  You gave it to some other demon whore!"

"Buffy, please let me explain."

"OK. OK," she calmed herself.

"Buffy.  Her name is Julia.  She'll be two next week."

"Oh god," Buffy's face crumpled.  She dried her eyes quickly and waved a hand for him to continue.  "Sorry. Go on."

"Her mother--"  Buffy bit her lip, not suring if she wanted to hear this.  "Her mother is someone I've known since she was 15.  She's beautiful and incredible and I love her so much.  Julia was concieved in November 1999.  Weirder still, she was concieved on a day that never happened.  Buffy, you're her mother."

Buffy's jaw literally dropped and words failed to materialise.  She felt a huge pit of confusion and overwhelming feelings of sacrifice and despair.

"You had a dream about me being human.  Eating ice cream, sunlight and making love.  You weren't wrong or crazy.  It happened.  I was mortal.  I turned back the clock and killed that demon in my office before.. well before our blood mixed.  I stopped it happening again because you would die.  So that's not just the it.  A few days ago I was called by the Oracles.  They made a mistake in granting the reversal.  Julia's gonna be someone very important.  So they gave her back to me.  I wasn't gonna tell you until.. well Wesley screwed with things.  So now you know.  I didn't want to burden you."

"Burden?" Was the first word she could sound out.  "You thought having a child, a family I always wanted with you would be a burden?  Sense to Angel?"

"You're twenty one years old Buffy!"

"Yeah, out of a possible twenty six!"

"Please don't talk like that," Angel pleaded.  She knew that her dying was a sore point for him.

"It doesn't matter whether I'll live to 26 or 96, I would want, need... I mean love to know.  About her."

"Sorry," Angel said, admitting defeat with his head down.  "I woulda have told you eventually, but you're right.  I shoulda done it straight off.  It's a little hard to explain though."

"I know.  Did, you.. um.. bring her?"

"She's in the car."

"What does she know about me?"

He chuckles.  "She kept talking about you all the way up in the car.  Saying she was gonna kick your ass for making her daddy cry."

"That's my girl," Buffy smiled shedding more tears.  Angel reached over and took her hand.

"You're really accepting this."

"Living on the Hellmouth does that for you.  Can I me--"

"I'll go get her," Angel smiled.  "Or.. I'll just shout from the door."  He opened it and motioned for them to come in.  Julia jumped out the car and ran towards her dad at the strange house.

"Aunt Cordy are you coming?"

"I think I'll hang right here," Cordelia smiled.  "You go ahead."

"Kay."  Julia ran up the path and jumped up into Angels's arms.  Angel shut the door and kissed Julia on the side of the head and took her into the living room where Buffy was standing with her back turned, looking at a picture.

"Oh hey," Julia said quickly.  Buffy turned round and smiled nervously.

"Hey."

"I thought you were gonna kick her ass Julia?" Angel teased his daughter.  Julia hide in his neck.

"Maybe later," she said quietly.

"That's a relief for me," Buffy laughed and sat down.  "You wanna come and sit down?"

Julia slowly nodded and slide down Angel, who placed her on the sofa.

"You want anything?  Juice.. or anything?" Buffy offered quickly, standing up.

"No thank you," the little girl said quietly.  Buffy gazed at her for a moment, seeing so much of herself in her.  Her nose, her hair..  Luckily she had Angel's mouth and his eyes.  His beautiful eyes.  She sat slowly down again, clasping her sweating hands tightly together.

"So what did your daddy tell me about me?" Buffy tried to break in the conversation.

"I sawed your picture that falled out of his book and he said he'd tell me who you were one day.  Aunt Cordy said you were together with daddy and you.. um.. lash out at him.  And you saved the world few times as well."

"She doesn't lie," Buffy said under her breath.  "Julia, this could be a little weird but.. I'm your mom."

"It's not weird," Julia said swinging her legs out to stare at her new shoes.  "You're.. my mom?" She said softly.

"Yeah."

"Daddy?" Angel nodded at Julia.

"Yeah, Buffy's your mom."

Julia turned back to Buffy who sat expectantly, not sure what to do.  Buffy smiled and shrugged.  Julia grinned and threw her arms around her moms neck.  Buffy held her tightly and squeezed her eyes shut to keep out the tears quickly forming.  Angel bent down to eye level with Buffy.  She opened her eyes and looked at him.  Angel nodded and smiled, stroking Julia's hair.

Julia pulled back and yawned.  "I'm tired.. mommy," she tried on for the first time.

"You can sleep in my bed," Buffy grinned.  She lifted Julia up into her arms and went upstairs.  She tucked Julia in and gave her Mr Gordo.

"When I couldn't sleep, I used to hug Mr Gordo here and he'd help me dream.  He's protect me at nights.  He a pretty good pig.  I want you to have him," Buffy offered, helping Mr Gordo in with her daughter.  Julia yawned and closed her eyes.  Buffy put out the light and paused on the bed.  She leant over and kissed her daughter on the forehead lightly.  She stood up and went to the doorframe where Angel was waiting.

"She's so perfect Angel," Buffy said as he squeezed her hand from behind.

"I know."

"God she's so perfect," her voice below a whisper.  Buffy closed the door over lightly where she broke down in floods of tears.  Angel comforted her on his shoulder as she sobbed as loud as she could.  Buffy gripped onto him, afraid it was a dream and she couldn't hold onto him.

"Let's go downstairs," Angel suggested.  Buffy nodded, muffling her tears with a hand.  They went into the kitchen where Buffy absently tried to pour orange juice but her hadn was shaking and it spilled out fro the glass and over the work top.

"God look at me.  I'm shaking.. I've never.. God Angel what's happening to me?"

"You're scared and nervous.  It's gonna be alright.  Just give it time," he soothed.

"I'm suddenly a mother to a two year old with my vampiric ex-lover.  Things don't get any more.."

"I know.  It's a head spinner," Angel agreed wiping up the orange juice.

"I don't know how to act or what to do.. Angel I don't know where I am."

"In your house.  In Sunnydale.  You're the same Buffy you've always been."

"Am I?  God I'm so scared.  What happens now?"

("So.. What happens now?")

Angel blinked and cleared his mind.  He looked away from Buffy.  "She's not coming back to Sunnydale.  There's no way Julia should grow up with demons and monsters."

Buffy was outraged that Angel had given her a daughter and told her she couldn't see Julia.  "What's wrong with Sunnydale?  Is it any better than LA?  All my friends are here.. and hello?  Vampire for a father."

Angel shot her a look.

"You expect me just to give her up Buffy?"

"No.. No I... I want us to be a family.  Here."

"Is that the normal kind?  Where the fathers can go take the kids to the beach at weekends?  And get to watch them grow up, growing old with hsi wife?  That kind of normal?"

"Angel.."

"We can't ever be want you want.  You said it once.  What you want from me, you can never have.  I'm sorry."

"You don't wanna be with me?"

"Buffy.."

"So what happens?  We become weekend parents?  Angel it's stupid that two people who love each other in the way we do and have a daughter, stay apart!"

"So what then Buffy?"

"Stay here.  Bring Angel Investigations here."

"I have responsibilities in LA Buffy."

"You have a responsiblity to your daughter!"

"The Oracles called me.."

"Probably because you were the one that stole everything from us.  That and I don't recall Xander getting visions every now and then."

"I'm gonna patrol.  You stay here with Julia," Angel said going towards the door.

"Yeah Angel.  Run away since that's all you ever seem to do!"

Angel closed the door over quietly letting Buffy cry again.

A few minutes later Cordelia knocked at the back door and came in.  "Hey Buffy.  I seen scowly Angel leave and I figured you might need a friend.  And Willow's all the way across town so.. I came."

"Thanks," Buffy said drying her eyes and showing off a pathetic excuse for a smile.  "He just told me Julia's not staying on the Hellmouth."

"He wants the best for her I guess.  Well I thought he would with his curse being stuck on and all," Cordelia shrugged.  Buffy's eyes went wide and she blinked to make sure she wasn't hearing things.

"Curse what?"

"Oh God, it is possible you never had any idea?"

"Yuh I'd say so," Buffy said sitting down.  "So he can get a total happy and be.. non-Angelus?"

"Total happy."

"Bastard!" Buffy yelled.  Cordelia jumped a mile plus three.  "I don't believe him!  All this crap he can't give me a family - excuse me?  Two year old daughter up there.  He can't make love to me.  Uh, not anymore.  He so can!  So why hasn't he?"

"He was tired?" Cordelia suggested.

"He doesn't get that tired!  He's a damn vampire!  He's got stamina.  Trust me."

"I'll take your word for it."

"Could you.."

"Take care of Julia while you go and hunt some vamps, oops, I mean impale Angel.  Nope didn't mean that either."

"I beg you to stop talking," Buffy said as she went out the back door.  She came back in.  "If she wakes up and wants her dinner since it's still like 6 and I don't think you guys fed her, there's fish fingers and noodles.  Ice cream but don't let her have too much or it'll upset her stomach.  You can get me on my beeper if anything's wrong."

"Jeez you're really settling into the mom role."

Buffy took a brief moment to smile.  "I guess i am.  And I didn't even have to get fat and squeeze her out my thighs."

"Lucky you," Cordelia droned.

Angel threw back the door on Spike's crypt and walked in.

"You actually live here Spike?" He growled, sitting down.

"No this is my day care centre for the kiddies.  Of course I live here Angelus.  And just checking.. It's not Angelus is it?  Not because if it was you'd be beating my ass from here until Hong Kong."

"I thought I taught you to live in nice places."

"Here endeth the lesson Sire," Spike scoffed.  "Blood?"

"Please."

"So what are you doing back here?"

"Buffy.  It's complicated."

"When isn't it with you kids?  So what?  You hiding out here?"

"Looks like," Angel said swirling a glass of blood around.

"Don't you miss the corpses?" Spike said suddenly.  "It's been what?  Three years I've been clean.  I bloody hate it.  Just rip my head off.  Not literally."

There was another bang at the door and it flew open.

"Angel.  Did you think I wouldn't look here for you?" Buffy announced.

"Slayer.  What brings you here?"

"None of your business Spike.  Angel, outside."

Angel stood up and faced Buffy.

"Oh somebodies pussy whipped," Spike chimed.

"Shut up," both Buffy and Angel retaliated.

"Where's Julia?" Angel said before leaving Spike's crypt.  Spike listened closely.

"At home."

"Julia?  Who's she then?  Got a little bit to replace Buffsome?" Spike teased.  "Either that or Buffy's gay.  Which one?"

"I'm gay Spike.  Willow and I have been lovers since 10th grade."

"It's good you're so open about it.  No wait, you weren't," he smirked.  Buffy hauled Angel outside.

"Hey here's an idea, why don't you just do it.  Why don't we just.. do it.  Here.  In the middle of the graveyard."

"Do what?"

"Make love.  C'mon Angel," Buffy said in an almost bored tone.

"Buffy I can't.."

"Can't what?  Or is it you don't want to anymore.. with me.  Lost your passion for me?"

"Buffy.  You know that's not the reason."

"Well it must be.. Because as i hear it through a loudmouthed grapevine, you don't exactly have said curse anymore."

Angel's jaw dropped, his emotions betraying him.

"How do you know?"

"Loudmouth grapevine."

"Cordelia."

"So why don't you?"

"Buffy don't be ridiculous."

"Oh that's right., I forgot.  It ridiculous to even comtemplate wanting to make love with your lover and mother of your child.  How stupid of me."

"Buffy.."

"What?  Gimme a really great reason Angel."

"I've been back for what?  A few hours?  I was supposed to go 'hey, this kid is yours.  Let's go upstairs and make another?'"

"Funny Angel.  Hilarious."

"I was going to tell you."

"Just like you were going to tell me about my two year old daughter.  And the day That Never Happened."

"Um.. yeah.  In time Buffy."

"You didn't have to tell me anything Angel!"

"I should of what?  Swept you up in my arms and on top of the kitchen table?"

"Yeah!  Really Angel yeah.  I'd let you against the wall of Spike's crypt if you gave me half a glance."

"That was disturbing."

"Yeah well unlike you, I only have the memory of my 17th birthday to keep me going.  You have that and a full day. Do you know you haven't even kissed me yet?"

"I know."

"Why not?"

"I didn't know.."

"If you wanted me to?  Angel look at me.  Look at me.  I want you to."

Angel relucatantly looked in Buffy's eyes.  "Oh Buffy," he whispered taking her hand.  He edged closer to her and hunched down slightly to brush his lips with hers in a gentle kiss.  "There," he murmured.

"Maybe I should make all of your decisions from now on," Buffy suggested.

"That'd probably be best," Angel smiled leaning in for another kiss.  Buffy carressed his face and keep her lips lingeringly on his.

"You suck at making decisions," she grinned.  "You decided to leave me, erase a day, not tell me about our child, not tell me you're non-happiness bound, decide not to kiss me.. Look how that turned out.  We'll make a deal OK?  We'll never talk about all the mistakes we've made in the past if you take me back now," Buffy whispered above complete hush.  Angel smiled and wiped away a tear gently.

"You realise we have a lot of stuff to sort through," he told her.  "Do you think we should raise Julia on the Hellmouth when demons will be after her because of her parentage?"

"See when you put it like that.." Buffy murmured.  "I feel like I can't leave the guys.. but it's only a two hour drive.. and.. I am so not doing the weekend lover and mom thing," she grinned kissing the tip of his nose.  "I just want to be with you Angel.  I'll give up whatever you want me to."

"This is why I didn't want to tell you," he said softly.  "You're rearranging your life, possibly changing college and sacrificing your friends."

"Oh yeah, my Soulmate who i so badly wanna be with and the miracle child I never concieved of.. well concieving and raising and it's a real inconvience to my already jumpin life," Buffy drawled rolling her eyes.

"So it's not.."

"You wanna move to the Artic, I'm there.  Seriously Angel.  I will go anywhere for you, just to see you."

Angel smiled in relief.

"On one condition."

"What's that Buffy?"

"You hurry the Hell up and make love to me," she hissed before kissing him passionately and deeply.  She slipped her arms under his, holding him closer.  "Not here of course," she breathed.

"I never signed over the apartments lease."

"I know," Buffy whispered.  "I go there a lot of the time.  There and the mansion.  All your stuff's still at the apartment."

"So.. apartment?"

Buffy nodded, while kissing him again and moaning in need.

Angel took her hand and they ran off in the direction of his old apartment.

"Well.  this hasn't changed," Angel sighed shutting the door behind him.

"i know," Buffy smiled leading him to his familar bed.  Angel could smell Buffy in the sheets.  He could smell tears and after four and a half years, he could still smell their mingling scents on the untouched silken sheets.  Buffy sat down on the bed, still holding both of his hands.  She let go and pulled her band our of her hair, letting it be free around her shoulders.

Angel swallowed as he took in how beautiful she looked.  Buffy slowly undid each one of her shirt buttons until her shirt was open and Angel could see a glimpse of her lace bra underneath.

"Should I turn round?" he teased gently.  Buffy giggled and pulled his lips down to hers by tugging on his sweater.  Angel complied giving her a long tender kiss.  He sat down next to her and took her hand in his.  he kissed it and held it against his cheek, feeling how warm she was.

Buffy held his face and kissed it.  "God Angel, i missed you so much.."

"Me too," Angel agreed holding her face the same way.  "Before.. Maybe we should talk--"

"Don't," she smiled holding his face.  "Just kiss me."

Angel nodded and kissed her and they fell down on the pillow.

"Buffy do you know where Julia's left red sneaker is?" Angel shouted through.

"On the counter," Buffy said bringing a plate of toast through to the main hall and sitting it on the table in front of Julia and Angel.  Buffy turned and scanned the reception for the shoe.  It wasn't there.

"She's gonna be late for her toddler group," Angel reminded Buffy as she ran up the Hyperions stairs looking in her and Angels room

"No she is not!" Buffy shouted down to them.  Julia picked up a piece of toast and offered one to her dad.  Angel shook his head.

"Mommys going to make us late," she sighed.

"No she's not," Angel smiled, wiping away a buttery crumb at the side of her mouth.

"You just said she would."

"You know Daddy likes to wind mommy up," he laughed.

"Found it!" Buffy yelled running down the stairs.  She jumped off the top part, over the railing and landed about fifteen feet below her on the ground.  Julia giggled.

"Was that really nessecary?" Angel grinned.

"Probably not," Buffy said kneeling down and tying Julia's laces.  "But it was fun."

"Can I do that mommy?" Julia asked sweetly.

"No," Angel and Buffy chorused together.

"Never," Buffy enforced.

"Well unless you do turn out a Slayer.."  Buffy dug her husband in the ribs and shot him a look, smirking.

"Slayer?" Julia repeated.  "What's a Slayer?"

"Guess what?" Buffy said lifting Julia up and walking towards the front door in a hurry.

"What?"

"I'm not gonna tell you."

"How?"

"Because," Buffy replied.  Then she stopped before she walked out the door and ran back to Angel, standing with his hands in his pockets.  She threw her free arm around his neck and kissed him.  Julia groaned.

"Mom, I'm gonna be late."

"Late.  Right. Late.  Must. Go," Buffy said punctuating each word with a kiss for Angel.  Angel kissed Julia's forehead.

"Have fun munchkin," he smiled.

"OK," she nodded.  "You have fun too daddy."

"I'll try without you."

Buffy kissed him again and then started running towards the car again.  "Be back soon."

"I'll be waiting," he smiled.

"I'll bet," Buffy grinned.  "You could.. Y'know.. Find something less to wear.  Preferably nothing," Buffy mouthed, cupping her mouth so Julia couldn't see.  Angel smirked.

"I think that could be arranged," he said as she rushed out.
 
 

Guess what?  There's no weak feedback mis-quote this time.  I'm not even gonna even ask for it (though you know I want it)  I'm not even gonna beg.  Theres a feedback link.  Do what you wish.. before I do beg.