PART 3

Buffy turned around to face the guy who'd said her name and could hardly believe her eyes. "Angel?" she gasped.

Angel took a good look at his beloved she'd changed. Her hair was longer and she was thinner, but he'd expected her to change physically, what disturbed him was that she'd lost her spirit. The thing that made her sparkle, that made her stand out in a crowd, which made her Buffy, that's why he'd barely recognised her.

Buffy was staring at Angel; he looked just like she remembered him, well except for the new haircut.

"So, how are you?" Angel asked, not quite knowing what to say. He'd planned for this moment for over a year, but now it had arrived his mind had gone blank.

"Miserable. You?" Buffy said, without actually meaning to say it.

"Same" Angel blurted out, he couldn't seem to control what his mouth said.

They stood there staring at each other, totally forgetting that anyone in the world existed outside of them.

Pike stood there in total shock; he couldn't believe that Buffy's true love guy was standing in front of him. Pike looked at them, looking at each other and knew then and there that he'd never stood a chance with Buffy; her heart always had and always would belong to this guy. Kate, who was also standing there, was wondering who in hell this silly little blonde annoyance was.

"Angel" Kate said, "Aren't you going to introduce us?"

Angel didn't even hear her; all that existed at that moment in time was Buffy. He snapped out of his daze a few minutes later when Kate and that bum Buffy was with had left.

"Your date's gone" Angel told her.

"Who, Pike? He wasn't my date; he's just a friend. What about the bimbo that you were with?" Buffy said, defensively.

"Colleague, no romantic intentions" Angel replied.

"So..." Buffy said, thinking that they should go somewhere else and talk.

"Want to go somewhere and talk?" Angel asked her, as if he'd been reading her mind.

"Sure, but where?"

"How about my place?" Angel suggested.

"Fine" Buffy replied.

They left Ziggy's Diner and headed the two blocks to where Angel's apartment and office were located.

Meanwhile, Cordy and Doyle were arriving home. Cordy marched into their apartment, still mad at Angel. Doyle said to her, "I don't see why you're so upset about this?"

"You want the truth?" Cordy asked him.

"Yeah", praying that the truth wasn't that Cordy had some sort of unrequited love-thing going on about Angel.

"I hate Kate" Cordy simply told him.

"Is that all?" Doyle said, in total relief.

"What do you mean is that all? Kate is a total bitca," Cordy ranted.

"So..." Doyle replied he didn't see a problem; it was Angel's choice who he dated.

"Any woman Angel wants isn't a problem, just as long as it isn't Kate" Cordy replied.

"Isn't that Angel's choice?" Doyle asked.

"No, it's mine".

"Why?" Doyle said, in complete confusion.

"Because I'm his friend and I have to look out for him," Cordy explained to Doyle.

Doyle gave up, if he lived to be Angel's age, he still wouldn't understand Cordy's logic. He sat down next to her on the couch and turned on the TV.

A few minutes later Cordy said, "This place is kinda small. Maybe we should move? I mean if you want to?"

Doyle extremely happy at Cordy's use of the word *we* replied, "Sure. We could look this weekend".

"Great" Cordy said, smiling.

They both settled back to watch the TV in silence.

Angel let Buffy into his office and noticed it was quiet. "Cordy and Doyle must have gone home" Angel told her.

"Cordy?" Buffy asked, confused.

"She works here" Angel replied.

"And you haven't killed her yet?" Buffy asked, in disbelief.

"She's not that bad" Angel defended, but he relented at the look Buffy shot him, "Well most of the time".

They went downstairs and sat at his kitchen table. They sat there in silence just staring at each other until Buffy said, "So...You're a detective?"

"Yeah. What are you doing?" he asked her.

"I'm a freshman, UCLA" Buffy replied. A few seconds later, she said, "It's weird isn't it?"

"What?"

"There's so much I need to say, but all I can think about is kissing you" Buffy told him.

"I know the feeling" Angel muttered.

Buffy heard him say that and before he could even blink, Buffy was in front of him and kissing him. Buffy was breathing heavily when they broke apart. "Wow" was all she could say, before Angel's lips were crushing down on hers. When they broke apart again, Buffy couldn't stifle a yawn.

"You're tired?" he asked her, sympathetically.

"It's been a long night" she said, "And I still have to get back to the dorm". Buffy got up and ready to leave.

Angel, who didn't want her to leave, said, "You're welcome to stay here". Then he realised how that may have sounded to her and quickly said, "I mean you take the bed and I'll stay on the couch".

Buffy, who didn't want to leave him, said "You sure that you don't mind?"

"It's no problem" he lied. He showed her to the bedroom and left her to get ready for bed. A few minutes later he knocked on the door, when he entered he saw her just sitting in the bed. "Is everything okay?" he asked.

"Yeah. I just don't wanna go to sleep, I have nightmares" Buffy told him.

"It'll be okay. If you have one, I'll be here" Angel told her, soothingly.

"Maybe, if you stayed here with me, I wouldn't have any" Buffy suggested, shyly.

"Buffy...are you sure?" Angel asked her.

"Yeah" she replied. Angel climbed into the bed beside Buffy and she snuggled into him.

His last coherent thought as he was drifting off to sleep was that this felt right.

The next afternoon Cordy and Doyle came downstairs, into Angel's apartment to put away the blood that they'd gotten him. Doyle was putting it away, when Cordy spotted a woman's jacket hanging over a chair.

"I don't believe this, Kate spent the night. Is Angel nuts?" Cordy told Doyle.

"Don't jump to conclusions, princess" Doyle warned her.

Cordy as usual ignored Doyle and burst into Angel's bedroom and what she saw shocked her even more than finding Kate there would have. She saw Buffy and Angel wrapped in each other's arms asleep.

"Princess, what's wrong?" Doyle asked, coming up behind her.

"Buffy" Cordy said, still in shock.

Doyle looked at the blonde that was asleep in bed with his friend, "So that's her?"

"Yep" Cordy told him, "That's our Buffy".

"He actually found her," Doyle said, in amazement as they backed out of the bedroom and went quietly back up into the office.

Buffy was the first to wake up; she could hardly believe that she was there with Angel. She examined him closely and all she could see was how good he looked, unfortunately she realised they needed to talk before she played touchy-feely with him. It had been two years since she'd really talked with him and knew that although he may be the same physically, she was sure that he'd changed emotionally.

Even Buffy realised that she wasn't the same girl that he'd known back in Sunnydale; she'd grown up and was hopefully more mature than she'd been at 17. Any relationship that she and Angel might...no, would have, was gonna have to start from scratch, as they got to know each other again. Buffy was so deep in thought that she didn't even notice that Angel was awake and watching her.

"Hey" he said, scaring her.

"Morning" she told him, "I guess I should get going?"

"Why?" Angel had been hoping that they could talk.

"I've got psych class" Buffy replied, checking her watch, "Or not. It kinda finished an hour ago".

"Great, so we can talk?" Angel asked, hopefully.

"Yeah" Buffy replied. Buffy took her things into the bathroom, while Angel dressed in the bedroom.

Since when he'd finished and Buffy was still in the bathroom, he decide to check if Cordy and Doyle were around.

When Angel got upstairs he saw them actually doing some work. Cordy was actually billing customers and Doyle was finishing up case reports. "Okay, who are you people and where are the real Cordy and Doyle?" Angel joked.

"Afternoon, man" Doyle said, unable to meet Angel's eye. He felt uncomfortable after seeing Angel and Buffy earlier, kinda like he'd invaded Angel's privacy.

Cordy on the other hand had no problem with it, "Hey. How's Buffy today?"

Doyle groaned inwardly as he heard Cordy's question, he expected Angel to get mad, but he didn't. "She's fine" Angel said, smiling, "Since everything's okay, I'm going back downstairs".

Cordy stared at Angel's retreating form and said, "My God, he's smiling. What did she do to him?"

Doyle replied, "If she puts him in this good a mood, let's keep her".

Instead of answering him, she rolled her eyes and got back to work. Doyle followed her example, but all the time was secretly wondering what was going on down there.

Buffy and Angel were sat at his kitchen table, staring at each other silently. Buffy broke the silence by asking, "So what do you want to talk about?"

"Us" Angel answered.

"Me too" Buffy told him. She looked at him for a moment and said, "I think we should take things slowly. You know, date and get to know each other again".

"I agree" Angel said, "We just can't jump back into where we left off, we've both changed".

Relieved that they both felt the same way, they talked about everything that had happened to them since her 17th birthday. Buffy a while later got up and said, "I have to get back to the dorm, but how about we patrol together tonight?"

"Sure, about eight?" Angel replied, happy that Buffy wanted to have him around.

"Okay, I'll meet you here" Buffy said, as she left by Angel's back entrance.

After she'd left Angel went back upstairs and tried to clear as much work as he could out of the way, so he could spend time with Buffy later on.

Half an hour later Buffy was walking quickly across campus, when she heard someone calling her name. She turned around to see who it was.

"Hey Buffy," Riley Finn said, catching up with her.

"Hi Riley" Buffy said resuming her walk back to the dorm.

"So...how come you weren't in class?" Riley asked. He was wondering because he'd planned to ask her out.

"I was up late last night studying, so I kinda slept in" Buffy told him, wondering why he was bothering her.

They walked along for a minute or two, and then Riley asked, "So, Buffy... wouldyougooutwithmesometime?"

Buffy didn't want to hurt his feelings if she could help it, so she said as nicely as possible "I'm sorry Riley, but I'm already seeing someone".

"That Pike-guy?" Riley asked, curious as to who had gotten there before him.

"No, Pike's just a friend" Buffy answered, growing increasingly uncomfortable with the conversation.

"Who then?"

"You don't know him, his name's Angel" Buffy replied reaching her dorm. "See ya Riley" Buffy called, entering the building and heading towards the stairs.

Riley watched Buffy go and headed back to the Frat house, all the time barely believing that he'd lost a chance to get to be with Buffy because of some guy with a fruity name like Angel.

Angel was sitting in his office, daydreaming about Buffy when Spike walked in. "Okay, tell me everything" Spike said, sitting back and awaiting the gossip.

"About what?" Angel said, confused as he snapped out of his fantasy.

"About the babe you brought home last night. Does she put out and if so can I have 'er when you're done?" Spike asked.

"Spike piss-off," Angel told him, wanting to get back to his daydream.

"Hey, no need to be rude. It's not like your hot babe was the slayer or..." Spike trailed off as he saw the look on Angel's face.

"Man, you slept with Buffy, that's so sick".

"Nothing happened Spike all we did was sleep" Angel said, so tired of explaining his every action to his grand-childe.

"It's still gross" Spike replied. A few seconds late he asked, "Can I still have 'er when you're done?"

Seeing the angry look on Angel's face, he wisely chose to leave the office. Angel watched Spike run and couldn't believe the nerve that he'd had. Spike was driving him nuts, he knew he had to get rid of him, but he wasn't sure how.

Then Doyle came in, "Angel, man. I need some advice".

"What?" Angel asked, taking a minute to help his friend.

"Say you were living with a girl and you are completely in love with her, but you're hiding a few things. Should you tell?" Doyle asked him.

"Just tell her you're father was a Bracken demon, she might surprise you with her reaction" Angel told him.

"Yeah, well I doubt she'd like the rest of me news" Doyle muttered.

"Oh, what would that be?" Angel asked, curiously.

"That I'm married" Doyle said, quietly.

Angel silently groaned, instinctively knowing it was going to be a long day.

Buffy finished all of her schoolwork and still had hours before she met Angel. She wasn't sure what to do with her time, but she eventually decide to go see Pike and find out what had happened to him last night. Pike was sitting in the garage's office when she pulled up.

He watched her climb out of her car and head towards him, and he tried to stop the irrational anger that overtook him that she'd fallen for some other guy, but he couldn't. He felt that it was supremely unfair that he'd known her longer and knew all the same stuff about her that this Angel-guy did and yet she fell for Angel over him. He tried to look busy hoping to discourage her from staying long.

"Hey" Buffy said, coming inside.

"Hi" he replied, still pretending to be busy.

"So what happened to you last night?" Buffy asked, unaware at how uncomfortable she was making him.

"Well, jeez Buff. I didn't see the point in hanging around, when all you were doing was staring at that guy" Pike told her, bitterly.

"Whoa. What's wrong with you?" Buffy asked, concerned at Pike's behaviour.

Pike looked at her and said, "You really have *no idea*, do you?"

"About what? Pike you are so not making any sense" Buffy replied, confused.

"Buffy maybe we shouldn't hang out anymore" Pike said.

"Why not? What aren't you telling me?" Buffy pushed.

"Because I'm in love with you and you love him, so I just can't deal" Pike yelled, walking out.

Buffy stood there in shock; she'd had no idea that Pike had, had those kinds of feelings for her. She'd once again been so wrapped up in herself that she'd not only hurt but also lost her best friend.

At seven Angel was pacing his apartment, he didn't know how he was going to survive another hour until Buffy showed up. He sat down but was unable to stop himself thinking about her he smiled.

"I *so* hope that smile was for me" Buffy said, coming down the stairs, "Sorry I'm early".

Angel saw the look on her face, "Are you okay?"

"It's nothing, just something I need to deal with" Buffy replied.

"If you need me..." Angel said, a little upset that she wouldn't confide in him. "Hey, I know what will cheer you up".

"What?' she asked.

"You can kick Spike's butt when he comes out of the room" Angel told her.

"Spike's here?" Buffy said, coming up with a somewhat evil idea. "So you want me to kick his butt, so he'll leave?"

"Yeah" Angel replied.

"I have a better idea," Buffy said, pulling him closer and whispering her plan in his ear.

When Spike finally emerged from the room he had commandeered, he saw Buffy and Angel making out on the couch. "Oh, that's gross. Stop it you bleedin' morons" Spike told them.

"Spikey" Buffy yelled, rushing from Angel's arms to give him a hug.

"Get off me" Spike screamed, trying to break out of her grip.

"Spike, she's just excited over our plans" Angel told him, justifying her behaviour.

"What plans?" Spike asked, suspiciously.

"Buffy's agreed to become one of us, so we can spend eternity together" Angel replied.

"What?' You can't be serious," Spike yelled.

"Just think Spike. You, Angel and me together *forever*" Buffy said, trying not to laugh.

Spike went paler than usual. "Peaches, I just came out to tell ya that I called Sunnyhell and Red begged for me to come back, so I'm going". Spike quickly headed back the room to pack.

As soon as he'd gone, Angel picked Buffy up and whirled her around. He gave her a quick kiss and said, "You're a total genius".

"I know" Buffy replied, as he set her down and pulled him into another kiss.

When Spike came back out, they were still kissing. "Don't you two ever stop? Wait you're still in that whole newlywed phase" Spike said evilly, knowing Angel probably hadn't told her about it.

"What?" Buffy asked, confused by Spike's reference.

"Didn't Peaches tell you the real meaning of your claddagh ring?" Spike asked, innocently.

"Buffy..." Angel began.

"We're married?" Buffy asked.

Spike chose that moment to leave, after seeing that his work was done. He left the apartment laughing evilly.

"Not officially. Claddagh's were exchanged as wedding rings by my people" Angel explained.

"Wow" was all she could say. She stood there in shock for a minute before saying, "Can I be the one to tell Xander?"

Angel was confused by her reaction to the news, but he was also glad she wasn't yelling and throwing things at him.

"You were gonna tell that night weren't you?" Buffy asked, calmly.

"Yeah, I had it all planned. I was going to walk you home from your party and tell you how I felt and what it meant and then give you the ring. But then I had to leave town and I didn't think it was fair to tie you down like that. I'm sorry I didn't tell you and I've regretted every day, that I didn't tell..." Buffy kissed him; it was the only way she could shut him up.

"At least I know now. Oh My God, what am I gonna tell my mom".

"Do we have to tell her?" Angel asked, panicked. There was just something about Joyce that freaked him out, like she was evil or something.

Buffy laughed, "She'll find out sooner or later".

"Why?" Angel asked.

"Because one day I'm gonna make you make it official" Buffy answered, kissing him. A few minutes later she broke the kiss and got up, when Angel groaned she said, "Patrolling now, making out after".

Buffy and Angel grabbed weapons and stuff and he pulled her out of the apartment, because he knew the sooner the patrol was over, the sooner he could be back in her arms.