Authors Notes, Disclaimer and Intro
 
 

EPILOGUE --  Together They Are Strong
 
 

"So how does that work anyway?" Buffy tapped her pencil on the edge of her Psyche book.  "It doesn't make sense!  None of it makes any sense!"

She lay back from her crosslegged position on her bed to flat out.  She groaned and covered her face with her hands.

Riley laughed and opened up at the back page.  "Buffy it's not that hard.  It's all about--"

Riley was interrupted by the dorms phone ringing.  Buffy dove over her side to get it and snatched it off the handle after one ring.

"Hello?"

"Buffy."

Buffy's smile widened and she nodded to Riley, letting him know who it was.  Riley rolled his eyes and began doodling in his pad.

"Angel," she said in a soft tone.

"Missed you," Angel sighed over the phone.  "what are you doing?"

"Don't you mean what am I wearing?"

"Tease."

"I'm studying.  With Riley.  I have this big Psyche midterm soon and I do not get any of it."

"Not sinking in to that thick skull of yours?" Angel laughed.

Six months ago, Buffy remembered that Angel would have been raging with jealousy if she'd said that she was studying with Riley.  Now, with Buffy and Angel back together, doing the 'Long Distance Thing' as Cordelia so eloquently put it, both Riley and Angel accepting Riley's friendship only status with Buffy and Riley dating someone new, Angel was almost at ease with the situation.

It had taken Riley some time, but she remembered the day he came to her door.

/"I'm coming, I'm coming," Buffy sighed as she got off her bed and opened the dorm door.  She was taken aback by sight of him there.  "Riley."

"Buffy.  Hi," he said, trying to keep his tone light.

"S-So.  What brings you here?" She asked nervously.

"Can I come in?"

"I guess," Buffy held it open for him.  He walked straight in and began pacing the floor.  Buffy pushed the door shut and turned to him, ready to open her mouth.

"I'm not here to win you back," Riley paused and sat down.

"Oh.  Good," Buffy smiled, feeling at bit more comfortable.

"Seeing Angel soon?"

"Yeah.  He's coming down tonight for the weekend.  As usual," Buffy sat opposite Riley.  "But you didn't come here to tell me that.."

"I came to tell you.. That I think you are an incredible person--"

"Riley I thought.." Buffy started before he held a hand up.

"No..  Buffy let me finish.  You are an incredible person and you do an incredible job.  And these past few weeks without you have been.. crappy.  And I realised, just because we're not together, it's really stupid not to be friends.  And I mean it Buffy.  Really stupid.  Because we got on so well.  And I think we did love out of convience."

He leaned further off the bed and took her two hands in his.  "I want us to be friends again. I want to still help with the Scoobies and everything.  Because you are an amazing person and I know.. That if I just pretended it didn't exist.. I'd be missing out on alot."

He bit his lip and cleared his throat.  "So.. What do you think?"

"And you're OK about Angel?" Buffy questioned.

"Yes," he nodded.  "If you love him Buffy.. Yes."

"And you know they'll be nothing romantic?"

"That's what I want."

"Then I think.. I think I say yes," Buffy smiled and then looked over her shoulder.  "Especially if you can help me with Psyche.."/

"Excuse me!" Buffy said, offended, showing a shocked face to Riley, who laughed.

"You know I love that thick skull," Angel said sweetly.

"Oh God.. I hate when you're charming," Buffy made a disgusted noise.

"Well in that case I hate when you're cute."

"You mean you don't think I'm cute all the time?" Buffy sounded offended.

"I'm gonna leave as soon as the sun sets," Angel changed the subject.

"OK.  See you at the mansion, as usual?  God.. You won't be here for another five hours.."

"You'll find something to occupy yourself with.  Riley maybe.." Angel teased.

"Ha ha.  And Riley has a date with Christie in an hour or so anyway."

"That's what..  A month they've been dating?"

"Think so.  And why would I want him when I have my very own charming, handsome, creature of the night?"

"I see your point," Angel smiled.  "So I'll see you soon?"

"Not soon enough."

"I love you."

Buffy's mouth broke out in the largest, uncontrollable smile.  "I love you too.  Bye."

"Bye."

Buffy sighed as she put down the phone and then looked at Riley who was making gagging noises.  She threw a cushion at him.

"Oh Mister Hypocrite!"

"I guess I am.." Riley mused.  "What was it I once said to you.. I'm so in love with you I can't think straight?"

"Among other things."

"Oh God, what a fool," Riley moaned, holding his head in his hands.  "I plead Initiative drugs.  But you reciprocated.. What'd your excuse?"

"Broken heart," Buffy said sombrely.

"You are so mushy!" Riley hit her with a pillow.  "Geez, talk about me!"

"Oh you are so gonna get it boy!" Buffy warned, jumping up on her bed, armed with a pillow.

"Ooh.. The Pillow Slayer's coming to get me!" Riley laughed, backing away.

"Shut up!" Buffy hit him half strength and threw him onto the other bed.  "Look it's a secret government organisation that re-programs teddy's to make them harmless!" Buffy teased.

"Where do I sign up?" Riley looked around, protecting his body from Buffy's blows.  "OK OK!  Surrender!  I have to get ready for my date!" Riley held up his hands as Buffy beat him softly with the cushions.

"Fine," Buffy stared icily at him.  She burst out in giggles as Riley gathered up his books.

"You'll do fine next week on the midterm," Riley promised, adjusting his backpack.

"I hope."  Riley went to the door and opened it slowly.  "Hey Riley.. Christie's really lucky."

"Well so am I.  She's incredible Buffy.." he said dreamily.

"I'm glad you've found someone.  And I'm also glad you're still in my life," Buffy admitted.  Riley smiled and walked over to Buffy, enveloping her in a warm hug.

"Me too Buffy," Riley murmured.  "And this doesn't feel at all sexual."

"Well I could comment that when we were in bed it didn't feel at all sexual.."

"Reaching for a pillow.." Riley teased.

"Kidding.. Kidding.." Buffy laughed.

"Seriously though Buffy, I ned to ask you.. Were we.. Was I..?  Was it any...?"

"You want to know if you were any good," Buffy said slowly, sitting down.

"Yeah.. The only reason I'm asking is because.. Well Christie and I haven't yet and I just.. I want it to be perfect," Riley explain coming to Buffy's side.  "And don't compare me to your first time.. Because I just can't compete with vampire stamina and that kind of connection.."

"Riley," Buffy placed a hand on his knee, stopping him babbling.  "You have nothing to worry about.  Honestly.  And we.. Alot.  So i think I'm in a good position to tell you that you were.. good.. And you made me.." Buffy arched her eyebrows and Riley repeated the expression.  "Every time."

"OK," Riley stood up, rubbing his hands together.  "I feel a bit more confident now..  Buffy I'm gonna ask you something as a friend.. And only becuase I care about you and you don't have to answer."

"What?"

"With Angel.. You can't.. And you're OK about that?"

"When it's with Angel.. All I need to do is be near him to feel.." Buffy shivered, hugging her body tightly.  "I want to.. And I would kill for.. But y'know, it doesn't really matter.. Not when I get to be with him."

"now who's mushy?"

Buffy hit the back of his head.  "Hey it's true."

"Well if that's how you feel.. It must be killing Angel," Riley commented.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Buffy asked curiosuly.

"Angel may be undead.. But he's also a guy.. And also crazily in love with you.  Must get a bit intense for him.."

Buffy rolled her eyes and then Riley stopped.

"hey you didn't just say all that..  About the.." Riley half blushed.  "Prowess.. To help my confidence did you?"

"They're true," Buffy rolled her eyes again.  "Jeez, go get the girl already.  Christie's got a long night ahead of her.. If I recall a certain night at a frat party.."

"Unfair.. That was a evil lust spirit thing," Riley pointed out opening her door.  "See you later OK?"

"OK."