Authors Notes, Disclaimer and Intro
 
 

PART SIX -- Bringing Down
 

"Hi."

"Oh Buffy," Joyce let out a breath, rushing forward to hug her eldest daughter.

"Mom," Buffy said, closing her eyes and holding back tears.  She hook her arms under her moms and held her tightly.

"Hi Dawny," Angel smiled to Buffy's younger sister.

Dawn looked at Buffy and their mom embracing.  "Hey Angel.  Long time no see.  So where'd you find her?  I told mom not to worry."

"That was going to happen," Joyce cleared her throat, pulling away from Buffy.  She ushered them both in and shut the door.  "Hello Angel."

"Hi Joyce," Angel nodded.

"Been in town long?" She asked, trying to keep her voice warm, not wanting to drive Buffy away.

"Cordelia had a vision and that's why Angel's here," Buffy explained, biting her cheek to keep herself from arguing.

"In LA?"

"No.  Here," Buffy cursed inside, remembering Giles's cover story and now having to explain it all.  "Let's sit."

Angel followed Buffy to the sofa and Dawn sat beside Angel and Joyce sat adjacent.

"So we're sitting Buffy," Dawn reminded her sister.

"I noticed.  I wasn't in LA.  I was always here.  Angel came from LA to here for the vision."

"I see," Joyce clutched her hands together, squeezing relaxing squeezing relaxing.  "And where have you been?"

"The mansion."

"I see," Joyce said through gritted teeth.  "The mansion.  With Angel.  These past few days."

"Yeah," Buffy nodded.

"And Riley?"

Knew that was coming.

"I've seen Riley."

"And he knew what was happening?"

"Not until last night," Buffy cleared her throat.  She hated this.  Having to explain and justify her every move to everyone when she felt like this inside.  Couldn't they see Angel was the only thing keeping her together? "We broke up."

"Not again Buffy.. Not again.." Joyce shook her head.

"I haven't broke up with Riley before.."

"No.  Angel.  I mean, I like you Angel, I do.  We all know that you can't give Buffy a future.." Joyce started desparately.

"Or anything a real girl could want," Angel sighed.

"But Buffy's not just a girl, she's the Slayer," Dawn interjected.

"Thank you Dawn for the update," Buffy said to her sister on the other side of Angel.  "It's not important.  Angel came back because I needed him and I still do.  And right now.. All of the reasons... They don't matter.." Buffy wiped furiously at her eyes.

Joyce sat forward.  "Buffy?"

"I'm fine.. I'm fine.. I'm fine.." She repeated in a mantra.

"Are you?" Angel whispered, holding Buffy closer.

"No, no I'm not," Buffy broke down in more sobs.  She hated this.  Crying.  Crying until her eyes were so sore she cxouldn't open them.  Crying in front of people other than Angel.  Being weak.  Breaking down.  Acting like a nut.  Helpless.

Stop crying, stop crying...

She dug the heels of her palms into her eyes in vain to plug up the tears.  Angel held her closely and kissed her forehead, murmuring her name.

"I'm OK, I'm OK," she said, attempting normalilaty.

"No you're not hunny," Joyce shook her head, sitting on the coffee table in front of Buffy.  "Talk to me."

"Buffy.. You should tell her.." Angel urged gently.

Buffy's eyes glazed over and asked the question - How Angel?  How can I possibly tell my mother that I've been raped?

Buffy closed her eyes, not wanting to see her moms expression.  Angel held her hand in both of his for support.

"Tell me what?  Buffy?  I don't understand.  I need an explanation," Joyce said quietly.

"Know what?  I want an explanation too," Buffy burst out bitterly.  "I want to know why me.  Why the Hell me?  What did I do?  I've been protecting people since I was fifteen and my shelf life's a little shorter than most peoples.  You think I'd get into the good books for that!  And this happens!  I wanna know why.  Wrong place or wrong time.. Is it me?"

"Buffy what are you.. I don't understand.." Joyce kept calm.

"A few nights ago.. Angel found me in the woods afterwards.  I'd... I'd been.. I couldn't stop them.. I couldn't move..  I wanted so badly to die when they.." her voice cracked, thick with emotion.  Joyce's face went blank, her jaw slackened.

Silence claimed 1630 Revello Drive.

"But how?!" Dawn unleashed hidden denial and fury.  All three looked at Dawn.  "She can't!  She's the Slayer!  Buffy tell mom it's not possible!  You're the Slayer!  You're too strong... And and if anyone tried to.. You'd just.. It's not true!  Not you!"

Angel stood up and took Dawn's hands.  "I know what you're feeling right now Dawn.  Believe me I do."  He turned back to Buffy.  "You want me and Dawn to go upstairs to talk?"

"O-Ok.." Buffy nodded, eyes moist and heart heavy.

Dawn and Angel departed from sight, Dawn lingering behind at the sight of Buffy's tears and broken demeanour.

"I'm not some stupid kid Angel.  You know I'm not," Dawn protested as Angel closed over Dawn's bedroom door.  "This isn't real."

Angel followed Dawn to the bed.  "It is Dawn.  I hate it every second and it took me a while to.. accept it.. But it's real.  And we have to be there for Buffy now."

"But-but-but.. How?  I don't wanna know how but how..  She's so strong.." Dawn hiccuped.

"She was barely conscious at the time.  Paralysed.." Angel tried to comfort Dawn.

"No no no.." Dawn wept into Angel.

More Summers tears that felt like Holy Water.  He could take a little more.

Dawn and Angel left it half an hour before venturing down the stairs again.  Both Buffy and Joyce were on the sofa.  Buffy wasn't crying anymore.  Had she lost all ability to cry?  Had all of her tears dried up?  Was it at all possible?

Felt like it.

Angel wrapped his arms around Dawn's neck as they walked down the stairs, like he used to do when he was in Sunnydale, with Buffy.  Gratefully, she reached up and held one.

"How are you now?" Angel asked Buffy softly, leaving Dawn beside her mother and going to his beloved.

"Better.  A little better for letting it out," she sighed.  Angel reached out and took her hand, kissing the back of it several times.

"I love you," he said in a low voice, knowing she needed to hear it now.

"I love you," she smiled back.  He reached forward, kissing her forehead.  "It has to get better right?"

"Yeah, it does," Angel agreed.

"Angel, may I speak with you a moment?" Joyce requested.  Angel looked surprised.  "In the kitchen?"

"Sure," Angel nodded, following her.  Reluctantly, he let go of Buffy's hand and left Dawn and Buffy behind together.

Angel turned to Joyce, closing the door between the rooms over.

"I want this guy dead," Joyce said at once.  Angel was taken aback.  He'd assumed she would want to kill him for being there and confessing his love for Buffy at that moment when she should be Riley.

"Sorry?"

"Dead.  Not breathing anymore.  No offence," Joyce paused, remembering Angel himself didn't need oxygen.

"None taken.. I don't understand though.."

"Forrest, his name?"  Angel nodded slowly.  "Where does he live because so help me god I want to.. stake him for doing what he's done to my Buffy.. You've been with her the past four days Angel.. You know what I mean."

"I do.  I went to see the other boy.  The boy that held her," Angel said quietly, averting his eyes.  "I threatened him.. Questioned him a bit.."

"Did you rip his head off his body?" Joyce asked hysterically.  Angel's eyes went wide.  "Sorry.. sorry.."

"No.  He killed himself after I left.  But he didn't.. He just didn't stop Forrest."

"And have you seen Forrest?" Joyce spat out his name like it was venom.

Angel shook his head.  "I've been concentrating on Buffy.  And the night I went to see Steven.. It was because I tried to get Buffy to go to Riley."

"So.." Joyce began pacing.

"So Buffy came back to the mansion.  She couldn't talk to Riley like she could with me.." Angel murmured.

"How has she been?  These past few days I thought she was in LA.  I'm so stupid.."

"She burned her clothes from that night.  She's been taking at least seven showers a day.  Breaking down in tears alot which she hates," Angel rhymed off.  "She's nothing like fine."

"Are you leaving her again?" Joyce continued to pace.

"Do you want me to?"

"That's not an issue."

"It was last time."

"It's not now," Joyce paused.  "There's reason why she's been staying with you.  And not just because Cordelia had a.. vision.  Isn't there?"

"Yes," Angel admitted.

"Do you still love my daughter?"

"Yes," Angel said painfully.

"And she still loves you."

"Yes."

"And she couldn't go to Riley during this.. Because she just told me no one makes her feel like you do.  Inside."

Angel blinked away tears and focused on Joyce.

"Then I'm begging you to stay Angel," Joyce stared at him.  "For Buffy's sake."

Angel felt a smile being born and growing across his face.  "You.. Want me to stay?"

"Anything Angel.. Just make my baby girl happy again."

Angel bit his lip to keep from screaming with joy.

"She doesn't love Riley like that.  I just want her to be Buffy again."

Angel nodded and smiled.

"Me too."  Angel turned to go back to Buffy and Dawn.

"Just a little thing Angel.  You wouldn't be able to kill that other boy."

"No.  Thought about it.. But I can't.."

"Thought as much.  Could Spike?"

"Do when do we go to the police?" Dawn asked everyone.  Angel's arm was curled around Buffy and Joyce was sitting with Dawn's head in her lap.

Angel turned to Buffy.  "It's up to you Buffy."

"Wouldn't make a difference," Buffy sniffed.  "He'd get off.  I'd be a liar.  He's a goddamn military officer."

"Good point," Angel murmured into her hair.

"The display of love and over affection is really sickening guys," Dawn said, trying to retain some normaility.

"I do love the fact I'm not an only child," Buffy said sarcastically.

"Me too," Dawn fake smiled back.

"Please you two" Joyce calmed them.  "So does.. Anyone else know?"

Buffy shook her head.  "No.  I don't want to be the victim."

"You are Buffy.  It doesn't mean you're weak," Joyce enforced.

"Well you're acting totally victimy with Angel there," Dawn pointed out.

"I'm taking advantage of Angel, it's a different thing," Buffy replied.  Angel gave her a surprised look.

"You're.. Taking advantage of me?" He asked, amused.

"OK so not so much.  It doesn't work like that with Angel, Dawn, you know that," she told her sister.

"Yeah yeah," Dawn yawned.  "It's so late."

"That clock's completely wrong," Buffy and Angel said in tandem, not realising what they were saying.

"That was weird," Dawn said.

"What?" Buffy asked.

"Nothing," Dawn shook her head.  "So what about the gang?  What are you gonna tell them?"

"I don't know," Buffy answered truthfully.  The Summers's doorbell chimed and everyone looked at each other.

"Are you expecting someone?" Angel asked Joyce.

"No.  Dawn?"  Dawn shook her head.

"It's probably just.. A saleperson," Buffy said in a small voice.

"At this time?" Joyce asked rhetorically.  She got up and opened the door.

"Xander.  Anya.  Willow, Tara.  What are you all doing here?" Joyce said, surprised.

"To tell you.. Um.. Buffy's not in LA," Xander blurted out.

"She's staying in Sunnydale at Angel's mansion," Anya said.

"We really thought we should tell you," Willow said from beside Xander.

"Because we're worried about her," Tara said shyly.

"Not worried about her having sex with Angel.  Just worried in general," Anya reassured Joyce.

"Hi," Buffy greeted them, appearing behind her mom.

"Well there's Buffy," Xander announced embarrased.  "Red alert over.  Good to see you.."

"We'll be going," Willow supplied.

"Away," Tara continued.

"To have sex," Anya finished.  Everyone looked at her curiously.  "Not all of us of course.  Just Xander and I.  Willow and Tara can have sex by themselves... I uh.. We're going away now.."

Buffy was about to invite them in when they quickly walked back to Xander's car.  She shrugged as her mom shut the door.

Buffy yawned as she and joyce came back through to the living room.

"I think I should patrol," Angel announced.

"Wait and I'll get my coat," Buffy told him.

"I think I should go alone.  I think there will be certain people you don't want to see."

"Angel I can't keep hiding away.  I don't hide!"

"I know, I know," Angel soothed.  "That's not the issue.  I don't want him anywhere near you and if I do see him, I don't want you to see what I'm going to do to him.. Or me like that."

"Are you gonna kill him?" Dawn asked in a peppy voice.  Angel expected her to burst out in a Go Team Go!! Kill Kill Kill! cheerleading rift.

"Everything but," Angel muttered.  He kissed Buffy's forehead and headed for the front door.  "I'll get some pizza on the way back.  Pineapple still your favourite?"

Buffy sighed and nodded.  "Don't be too long.  Just a sweep."

"Are you hungry or will you be pleased to see me?"

"Hungry."

"Oh."

Angel stalked through the cemetery, looking for something to kill and pour his frustration and hatred into.  He heard voices and footsteps.  Angel leapt on top of the mausoleum and scanned the area.  His back was arched low and he held his hands close to his body, searching for his mace tucked in the leather holster at his back.

"Hey Batman! What are you doing up there?"

Angel turned around to see Xander and Anya loaded with stakes and crosses, like they were patrolling.

"Nothing," Angel growled and jumped down.

"We were patrolling but since you're here we should go, Xander," Anya shivered, wrapping her coat tightly.

"You were patrolling?" Angel half mocked Xander.

"Yeah well I may not be the best but I least I'm not taking off for LA anytime soon.. Or ever," Xander sneered.  There goes that Angel-Brings-Out-The-Worst-In-Me part..

"Fair point," Angel said, tucking his stake in his waistband.

"Angel let's forget that I hate you and you hate me and can you tell me what it is with Buffy?" Xander sighed.

Angel faux thought for a beat.  "No."

"Why?"

"Because it's not something of mine to tell.  It's Buffy's."

"What h-" Xander started before a crackle of light scorched the tree behind them.  Angel turned round to see an ocean of flashlights shining in his face.

"Missed your shot guys," Xander said to the faceless Initiative soldiers.

The flashlights extinguished and Xander blinked, getting used to the dark once again.

"Xander, Anya, hi.  Why don't you get out of here?" Riley advised, pulling his mask off.

"Dammit.. Can't," Xander cursed.  "Stupid deadboy."

"Angel," Riley said in a short tone.

"Finn.  Walk away.  Tell your men to walk away and I can guarantee they'll live."

"Good one.  Try again with a bit more threatening tone in it," Riley shrugged.

"I'm serious Riley."

"Ri, just stake the vamp and be done," a voice said behind Riley.  The figure emerged and folded his arms.

"Back down Forrest, I can handle this fine," Riley growled.

"Forrest?" Angel echoed.  "You're Forrest?"

So this was him.  This was it.  The thing.. The monster..

"Yeah.  And?" Forrest said cockily.  Angel snarled, moving into his vampire visage all at once.  He ran at Forrest and threw him up against the wall of the mausolem with his arm across the boys throat.

"You.. You are going to have a very short life unless you do what I say," Angel bit each word like he was attacking it.

"What's your problem man!" Forrest squirmed.  Riley gripped his gun and aimed at Angel.

"Get the Hell away from him, vampire!" Riley yelled.

"You!" Angel threw his head back onto the concrete wall.  He heard taser guns charge behind him but didn't care.  "Listen very carefully.  I want you to go down to the police station.  And I want you to confess to the rape and assualt of Buffy Summers.  And after your lengthy prison, stretch I never wanted to see you breathe in the same continent as her, got that?" Angel twisted Forrests jumper neck enough to choke him.  "I've had some personal requests.  To kill you.  But I'm not going to.  And that's unfortunate for you.  Because I'm gong to make your life Hell.  Not the fake cardboard cut out place you see on TV but actual Hell.  I've been there.  And I'm going to bring it all on earth for you.  And when you die.. You'll be on a one way trip there for the rest of eternity.."

Angel heard the taser guns slowly disarm and mumblings of Xander, Anya and the Initiative.  Angel threw Forrest head long into the tree 25 metres away.  Forrest broken his nose and fell against the bark like a broken toy, head lolled to the side.

No one rushed to his aid.  Angel took some calming breaths and slipping his human mask on painlessly.

"Did you say what I think you said?" Xander asked nervously.  Angel was jolted into the present and realised where he was.  And what he'd done.  And what he'd said.  And who he's said it in front of.

And what he'd said.

"Is that the thing?  Why Buffy's been crying and disapeared because that.. thing raped her!" Xander roared.

"Yes," Angel said in a low tone, affixing his eyes to the ground.

Riley's mouth fell open.  "What?"

"Your best friend raped your girlfriend.  Talk about close knit," Xander snarled.  "I'm going to kill every one of you!" Xander yelled, lurching forward.  Angel dove and grabbed his shoulders.  This wasn't Xander's fight.

"God if I had my powers.." Anya hissed.  Riley jumped back in fear.  "I'd liquify you all.  Let's leave Xander.  They're not worth it."

Reluctantly and in gritted teeth, Xander turned and was led away by Anya.

"Angel?" Anya called him, as he faced down the Initiative team, a few people now helping Agent Gates up.

Angel turned and followed Anya and Xander, gritting his teeth.

Another night.

They walked in silence to Revello drive, even Anya was speechless.  Somebody had to speak first.

"When?" Xander's voice sounded dry.

"Few nights back.." Angel murmured.  The days bled together and there was no distinction.

"How'd you know?"

"Cordelia.  Vision.  I came straight  away.  I was too late."

"Not your fault," Xander mumbled and they walked, feet beating on the sidewalk.

Buffy sat slouched on the sofa, her mom on one side and Dawn the other, watching an old musical.  She heard footsteps outside the door and then knocking.

"I got it," Buffy said quietly, getting up, manouvering herself out of her family sandwich.  She threw back the door and exhaled in relief.  She embraced Angel with a small whimper.

"Hey," she said huskily.

"Hey," He returned.  When they parted she saw Xander and Anya behind him.

"Oh.  Come in," Buffy waved, opening the door wider.  When they eased in, she shut it behind her.  Dawn was sitting up, wide awake.

"Patrol OK?" Dawn asked Angel.

"Fine.  Fine Dawny thanks for asking," Angel smiled sadly.

"So what are you--" Buffy turned to the couple.  She saw Xander's expression, angry and sorry.  And Anya could hardly meet her gaze.  "How?"

"Buffy.." Xander murmured as he stepped forward to hug her.  She quickly side stepped and swallowed hard.

"Angel how do they know?  How can you know?" Buffy panicked.  Joyce got up and walked into the lobby.

"He was there Buff.  Forrest.  Ran into him and the Initiative.  When Angel was pounding on him, he accidentally let slip.  Which is an.. OK thing..  We wanna be here for you," Xander said clearly.  "Both of us."  Anya met Buffy's stare and nodded.

"He was there?" Buffy turned to Angel.

"Did you kill him?" Joyce said immediately, at Buffy's back.

"Wanted to," Angel shook his head.

"So he's not dead?" Dawn asked.  Angel shook his head.  "Why not?"

"Because I can't... just do that.." Angel trailed off.

"Why not?  You've killed hundreds of people.  Thousands.  And a rapist isn't gonna make the Big Man up there unhappy," Dawn argued.

"Way to make Angel feel better," Buffy half hissed.

"So Dawn knows," Xander concluded.  "Who does know?"

"No one outside this room," Buffy cast her eyes to the floor, ashamed and humilated.

"Except the Initiative guys," Anya corrected.  "Sorry."

"So what about Giles, Willow and Tara?" Xander asked, holding onto Anya's hand

"I'll have to tell them," Buffy said in a weak voice.

"They want to help Buff," Xander assured.  "We all do."

"How can you possibly help?" Buffy demanded.

"Kick bad guy ass.. Or something.  I hadn't thought it through," Xander admitted.

"I just.. I'm so humilated.." Buffy whimpered, hiccuping in unoptional tears.  Xander stepped forward to hug her, sliding his arms frimly in place.  Then Dawn wrapped her body around Xander and Buffy's.  Then Anya pressed on top of them.

Joyce and Angel watched from the back.  She glanced at Angel and quickly brushed away tears.  Angel reached into his duster pocket and pulled his woven hankerchief out.  He handed it to Buffy's mom and she sniffed, taking it gratefully.

Joyce paused to observe the stitching in the corner.  She looked up at Angel, who opened his mouth, a rush of guilt filling him.

"I.. It's been there.. I mean.. It was a present.. I couldn't throw it.." Angel stammered.

"No no.  It doesn't matter anymore," Joyce shook her head.  Angel nodded and smiled.

/"So," Buffy punctuated her word with a kiss.  "How's this Valentine's day.. Night been for you since I arrived five seconds ago?"

"Better than the last," Angel said dryly.

"What happened.. Oh yeah.  The whole you trying to kill me, I was attracted to Xander, I got turned into a mouse thing."

"Yeah that," Angel breathed out.  Buffy instantly smiled.  "Buffy.. Don't you ever feel I'm.. too.. old for.."

"This?  Valentines day?  It's not just for kids Angel," Buffy stood up, not believing what she was hearing.

"No no no.  I mean.. I didn't mean.. Sorry.  I meant for you," Angel babbled.

"Too old for me?  You think you're some cradle robbing creature of the night boyfriend?" She teased, sitting back down cross legged.

"Well.. Yeah.. You're eighteen.. I'm old enough to be a relic.."

Buffy supressed a laugh and then straightened her face.  She laid a hand on Angel's arm.

"Angel it doesn't even matter.  It's hardly Lolita.  I'm not thirteen and you're way older than Humbert."

Angel smiled shyly.  "You are really something Buffy Summers."

"I try not to be.  So presents.  Here," Buffy pushed forward a box from behind her coat.

Angel touched it delicately.  "What is it?"

"Blood filled chocolates.  Do you have any idea how hard it is to try and get them from Thornton's?"

"Enough with the teasing," Angel tried to say as she smothered her mouth on his.

"Never.  Go ahead."

Angel undid the string and opened the box.

"It's a double present.. I wanted to get it engraved but they didn't do that.. So.. I got you that," Buffy explained.  Angel touched a smooth, clean white hankerchief in the box.  He ran his thumb over the stitching 'I love you Angel -- Buffy, on Valentine's day 99'

He unravled it and there was a watch with a Roman Numeral face nestled there.

"Was going to get you a chain but I didn't know if that was too girl-ish.. So I got you that."

"I love it," he said softly, putting it on.

"I'm glad," Buffy smiled.  "So mine?"

"I'm sorry Buffy.. I forgot," Angel said quietly.

"Doesn't matter," Buffy shook her head and smiled.  "Semi-thought and you that counts."

"I'm kidding," Angel laughed, revealing a red box with a rose tucked inside the lace.  "Go ahead.. Open it.."/

Joyce dried her tears with the now off-white piece of cloth reverently and handed it back to Angel.

"Thank you," she nodded.

They lay together for a long while without saying anything, just staring at the ceiling.  The ceiling that keep the stars out.  The stolen stars that Angel felt no longer priveliged to be near, not when he was with Buffy as well.

"Quite a day huh?" Buffy yawned.

"Yeah," Angel agreed.  "How are you?" He asked softly, feeling like an idiot

"I'm OK.  For once I'm OK," Buffy sighed, burrowing herself closer into Angel's chest.  Her bed the comfiest place to be and his arms the warmest place she knew of.

Even if his body was stone cold.

Angel inhaled the scent of her shampoo and sighed.  He knew she was half-lying.

In the morning, Buffy staggered out of bed and downstairs.

"Morning Mom," she moaned, feeling her way to the kitchen.  She flickered her eyelids open.  "Dawn.. Willow Tara Giles.. Guys.. What are they doing here?"

"Xander said we had to be here.  So we're here," Willow stood up.  The Scoobies were littered around the living room.

"Yeah so I see," Buffy folded her arms.

"Are you OK?" Tara asked quietly.

"I'm fine."

"You know that's not the truth Buff," Xander said in a low voice.

"Maybe it is."

"And maybe you can tell me what's wrong," Willow stepped forward.

"Will--"

Buffy was interrupted by the front door crashing open.

"Buffy!" Riley squealed.  "You're here.  I've found you."  He took both of her hands in his two and held them tightly.

"Yeah I guess so," Anya got up, hitting Xander's knee.  "And you had to bring down the door to see if she was here?"

"Sorry.  I'll repair it," Riley said quickly, looking over his shoulder at the door hanging off it's hinges.  "Buffy this is the first chance I've had to come and see you since last night.  I couldn't take off and everything..."

"First chance because why?" Anya questioned.

"Is this why you've been with Angel for the past week?  I forgive you Buffy.  If you needed something from the past.. Not connected to Forrest then it's OK.  And I realize how hard it would have been to tell me.. And I know it's hard now.. I'm just so sorry I wasn't there for you Buffy.." Riley babbled.

Buffy nodded and Riley pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Oh God Buffy I thought I'd lost you.. I had no idea.." Riley whimpered into her hair.  "I was so scared I would.  We can do this together.  I love you."

"I love you too Riley," Buffy allowed herself to slip into the past.  "I'm glad you're here."

"Can someone tell me what this is about?" Giles took off his glasses.

"Forrest.. He and Steven.. R-Raped Buffy," Riley cleared his throat, still clinging onto Buffy's body.

Giles sat down slowly, Willow's jaw dropped to her chest and Tara came forward to support her.

"Oh God," Giles held his forehead in his hand.

Angel turned from his position at the bannister of the last few minutes and went back to Buffy's room.

Buffy climbed the stairs after a half an hour with Riley and her friends.  She couldn't take anymore sympathy or empthatic looks.  She knew they meant well but it wasn't what she needed right now.  Angel was.

She pushed open her bedroom door quietly in case he was still asleep.

"Angel?"

He was just out of the shower and lacing up his boots.  He said nothing as she came and sat next to him.

"Angel where are you going?"

"LA."

"LA?" She repeated in a harsher tone.

He looked straight at her.  "You don't need me anymore."

"What?  What?  Because Will and Giles and Tara know, you assume I'm A-OK and you can get back to playing detective."

"And Riley.  He was here.  You have them."

Angel got off the bed and took his jacket off the hook.

"So this is about Riley?"

"No."  Buffy crossed her legs and stared at him.  "Yes."

"Just because Riley knows, doesn't mean I want him."

"You love him.  I heard you say you loved him and you were glad he was there."  Angel's eyes were fixed down and it made his head pound to verbalize any feelings of love Buffy had for Riley.

"Yeah I do and I was.  Doesn't mean I'm in love with him.  I love him as the person he's become to me.  Someone sweet... He's Xander.  Only not as funny, twice as tall and I haven't kissed Xander."

"Which was not something I wanted to hear right now," Angel scratched his nose.

"I don't care Angel!  This is my life now.  You want in it, you need to accept Riley is a friend."

Wrong words Buffy when you're trying to convince him to take you back, she wailed inside.

Angel opened the door and looked down.  "I don't."

He closed the door firmly behind him and Buffy collapsed on the bed in shock.

He'd left her again.

/I don't/

END PART SIX