THE BURNING
By Brandi Reed
It was a friday night in Sunnydale, California... and Buffy Summers was cursing her friend and
co-worker, Cordelia Chase, to Hell and back for this dumb ass idea.
'I am in the bad part of town dressed like a damn hooker!' she thought bitterly as she looked
around.
She continued walking and straightening out the too-short dress she was wearing.
'Why did i listen to Cordy? I could have said 'no.' I didn't have to do this. I might have even been
able to find out the information that I need some other way. I could leave now and try too if I
wanted. But, of course not, that would be the smart thing to do, so, I can't. I just had to listen to
the damn queen of everything, gossip gal, and now, here I am.'
Buffy stopped and reached into the small bag she was carrying again. There was a dirty old
building that she used to lean onto and take off her tennis shoes to then replaced them with
some meant-to-kill pumps.
'Hooker outfit complete anyone?'
She reached into her purse and took out her cell phone, contemplating wether or not she'd
actually go through with this idea or not.
She sighed and put the phone back in. She took out the tape recorder and set it up, then put it
back in, sighing once more. Next, she continued on.
OoOoO
Buffy reached the big door on the grimy warehouse, took a deep breath, and knocked. She
heard voices inside and footsteps coming her way. She brushed her fingers through her blonde
hair then placed her hands on her hips waiting for someone to open the door.
"What the hell do you want?" the man said when he opened the door up and saw her.
'Holy shit! Bad idea! Really bad, dumb idea!'
"Um.. hi, um.. my car.. broke down. I saw some lights on here and thought maybe I could use
your phone.. or something?" she smiled nervously.
He half turned back into the room, "Hey, we got us a working girl out here! Apparently, she's
got some car troubles and needs some assistance, wanna let the pretty thing in?" He turned
back to her, smiling, creepying her the Hell out.
Someone answered but she couldn't make out what they were saying, then the next thing she
knew she was being pulled inside.
"Well.. would you look at that?" one of the men called out.
'He looks familiar..'
"Um, hi. my car.. it um, broke down out that way," she said pointing, "I wanted to see if I could
use your phone or something.. call my um boyfriend to come get me.."
"Hmm. Baby, this is a dead end street," he smiled wickedly. "What in the world were you doing
out here and at this time?"
"I'm lost," she admitted as she looked around. She began to notice a few of the guys in the
room with her had white powder looking stains on some of their clothing.
'Drugs? I knew it!' she rejoyced in her head.
"And I don't know what happened with my car.. it started making some strange noise and I got
freaked out. I pulled over to the side of the road back that way," again, she pointed, "I waited a
few minutes and then tried again. It was no better. So, I started looking for help."
"Uh huh," he said and began to look her over. She heard footsteps behind her and even more
eyes roaming over her. Then it dawned on her.
'Holy shit. That's Rack! One of William "Spike / William The Bloody" Pratt's lackeys!'
Before she could let that information sink in, the footsteps she heard behind her started
moving around her. She looked to see who it was and tried not to gasp.
'Spike. Spike as in Spike is here. This is bigger than I thought!'
Her head was spinning, blood pumping, heart beating fast. This was something reporters like
herself dreamed of.
"Well, hello cutie," Spike said, taking her hand. "Why don't you two, Ben and Adam, go check
on this girl's car would ya?"
"Yeah, maybe you can fix it then she won't have to make that call," Rack said, smirking and
leering at her.
Spike led her over to a dark-haired woman. He sat down next to her then dragged Buffy onto
his lap. "So, cutie, What is your name?"
"Anne."
"Nice to meet you, Anne," he said, putting his hands on her thighs.
She started to wiggle to get off of him. "Look, if I could just.."
"Shut up and stay still!" He grabbed her and held her tight so she couldn't move. He pulled her
closer to him and she could feel his hard erection pushing into her.
"The least you can do is show us all your appreciation," Rack said then laughed. Spike joined.
"I know they would all like to see you thanking me for my kind acts."
"I'm.. starting to think you have the wrong ideas about me here," she tried saying as calm as
she could.
He was slowly rubbing into her and she was looking around to find something to help her stand
and get away. She reached for a covered table and half pulled on it half pushed to try and stand
up. and in this action she accidentaly pulled the sheet off. Now, before her, was powdered
white bricks in plastic and wrapped with tape. There were a few lines of what she knew had to
be cocaine next to them and a few piles of money.
'This is the most coke since Scarface and the most money I've ever seen in my life!'
She started to blush and look at the guys. "I'm.. sorry. really sorry," she said, standing.
One man hurried over to recover the table up. After it was secure, his deep brown eyes burned
into her green ones. She began to look him over, no doubt realizing he was the most gorgeous
man she'd ever seen. He had dark hair that matched his eyes, that he wore spiked. He had on a
white tee shirt, black leather jacket and matching pants. He had black shoes on too. He was
tall.. Buffy guessed six one or six two. And built like a god.
He was looking her over too.
'Holy shit!'
"Listen, I don't have time for all of this fooling around, especially not with some dumb blonde
who's out looking for a John," he nodded towards Buffy. "So, are we going to get this taken care
of or what?"
"Patience Liam. I'm not done with you, or with her," Spike's eyes began trailing around on
Buffy's body once more. "Both need to be savored and taken care of at the right time," he
smirked. He grabbed her and she tried to pull away. "Bitch you better stop that," he growled.
"You better start behaving or I'm going to have to kill you when I deicde that I'm through with
you!"
"Look, would you just drop the bitch and get on with our deal?" the handsome stranger said.
"I'm not getting involved in your little rape and murder plans. I have a much more important
issue to deal with here."
"You know, Liam, I really don't like your tone," Spike growled at him. "I'd suggest you shut the
Hell up, too, or you'll be joining the princess."
He raised up his hands and took a step back. "Have a cow, Spikey. I just want to get my part of
this over with. Then, you can do whatever the Hell you want with the hooker. I just have other
things to do tonight, you know, people to see."
The men argued and Spike threw Buffy to the ground, she slowly started crawling away. She
was getting closer to the door when she felt herself run into something. She looked up to find
Rack smirking at her once more. He lifted her up roughly and it caused her to drop her bag,
some of the contents scattered out.
He picked something up.
'Oh shit!' Buffy's head screamed.
"Buffy Summers.. of the Sunnydale Post!" he yelled.
"What?" the two men arguing stopped and growled.
"A reporter? The bitch is a reporter!" Spike yelled. He walked over to her and grabbed her by
the hair, yanking him towards her, fire in his eyes.
"Let me the fuck go!" Buffy screamed at him.
"I don't think so," he turned to the man who let her in in the first place. "You let a
motherfucking reporter in here?" he yelled at him.
"I didn't know! She didn't look like no reporter Spike!"
The grogeous man who Spike had called Liam groaned. "Good job. A reporter. You know she's
probably wired right?" he walked over to the table and started putting the white bricks into a
large bag. "I'm getting my ass out of here before the cops show up, Spike."
"Shut the fuck up, Liam. You aren't going anywhere. We've got business to conduct."
"Sorry, we're finished. Teach you to keep it in your pants, I hope. At least long enough to get a
deal fucking over with. I can't deal with this Pratt. Fucking reporters and shit! What's the matter
with you? You think I wanna stick around for that?"
Spike dragged Buffy, still by the hair, over to the table. "It's first rate?" he asked.
"It's the best Spike," he said still putting the bricks away.
Spike used one of his hands to hold Buffy, released the other and stopped the stranger.. this
Liam fellow. He leaned down and snorted a line. After a few heartbeats, "You got a deal."
"It's two hundred thousand.. in cash, Billy Idol," Liam said with a smirk in his voice and on his
handsome face. "And I won't take any less than that."
"You'll get your fucking money! Now, let's do as you wish and seal the deal. And hey, maybe
you can stick around and help us deal with our new favorite reporter."
Buffy stepped in, "My editor knows where I am and he's probably called the cops by now."
Spike just laughed at her then threw her by the hair towards Liam. "You sure?" he asked as
Buffy slammed into the taller man. Liam had caught her easily and kept her in place just as easy.
Buffy's eyes were wide with fear as she looked up at him. "Please.. please don't," she
whispered, "you.. you don't want to do this."
He just pulled her closer to his body and ran his hands up from her hips to her neck. then he
leaned into to whisper, "You shouldn't have come in here. That was a very stupid mistake." He
leaned back enough an then pressed his lips into hers. He pulled her head back and ran his
tounge along her lips demanding access. And Buffy granted, and even welcomed it, cursing
herself.
'I'm supposed to be disgusted! Not turned on!' she yelled in her head as he explored her mouth
as one of his hands ran down her back and cupped her ass she let out a soft moan of pleasure
then blushed when she heard laughter.
"Well, well, sounds like she likes you," Spike said amused. Then Buffy gasped and started
struggling to get away.
After Buffy broke the kiss, she panted and tried to get back control of herself, then looked into
those warm chocolate pools and put as much anger and she could into her own green ones.
"Let go of me!" she growled at him.
He just smirked.
Spike grabbed Buffy once again and dragged her away from Liam and back into his embrace.
The next thing she knew his mouth was meeting hers and he was violently pushing his tounge
inside her mouth. His hands went up to the top of the halter dress she was wearing and started
to unfasten it then started to push the dress up by the short hem, exposing her tiny red satin
thong she had been wearing.
She was struggling against him and bit his tounge in the process, this made him pull away and
immediatly try to slap at her. She ducked and then saw his anger grow and he started to try
again. But it never came. She saw Liam's large hand wrapped around Spike's wrist, holding him
back.
"Shouldn't bruise the merchandise, Spike."
"She fucking bit me! I think she deserves to be taught a lesson!" he growled.
"Yeah, well, so do you. and let me show you how it's done," he let go, pushed him back and
started towards the blonde.
"I thought you said you didn't want a piece," Spike said as he regained his balance.
Liam smirked, "Changed my mind."
He grabbed Buffy once again and slightly lifted her up and held her in his arms. He walked them
both over to the edge of the table and sat her down. He stood inbetween her legs. He finished
unfastening her dress and let it start to slid down. Once it exposed her breasts, his hands
moved up to cup them. Buffy moaned as he began to roll her nipples with his fingers.
'This is all things not good, Summers!'
He leaned down to kiss her and as he broke it off once again whispered at her, "Play along. The
cops will be here soon," then dove in for another one.
'You don't have to tell me twice,' she thought and began to wrap her legs and arms around him
to draw him in closer. Her stomach pushed into his hard cock and he let out a deep moan,
wishing he could just carry her out of here and go someplace more private.
Just then they heard someone yelling "Police!" as the front foor of the warehouse busted open.
"On the ground. now!" the officers with heavy armor yelled.
Liam lifted up his head and sighed. He pushed Buffy back a a little and helped her with her
dress, getting it pulled up and retied, just as he did he felt himself being pushed to the ground.
He was instucted to lie on his stomach and he did, his legs were crossed and his arms were
behind his head.
They patted him down and then cuffed him. Then they forced him to his knees.
They started walking him out and he saw the gorgeous blonde talking to two of the officers. Her
head lifted up and he locked in with the emerald orbs, he smiled softly and whispered her name
before they continued dragging him out and putting him in the back of one of their vehicles.
"Damn it, Angel. Next time, I get to go undercover and you get to sit in the van, listening to me
kissing all the babes."
Angel grinned at his partner, Lindsay McDonald, as he went back and forth in front of his desk.
"Yeah, sure, Linds, I'll make sure you get to go undercover, with all the babes. Then you can
figure out what to do when an anonymous envelope full of incriminating pictures show up at
your door addressed to your wife."
Lindsay turned, "You wouldn't.. oh you would! Damnit it Angel!"
"Shut up Linds. You know Eve is everything you ever wanted in a woman. You'd cut off your
own kick before you would ever hurt her," he said and laughed at his partner.
Lindsay had a lust puppy dog expression on his face as he thought of his wife.
"I got lucky Angel. And maybe someday, if you can quit playing the field long enough, you will
have a grown up relationship of your own. With a woman!" he patted his partner on the head
then went to his own desk to sit and finish his own report.
"I've had relationships," he growled and glared at Lindsay. "Just because i don't want to walk
down an aisle, subjecting someone, some poor innocent woman, to the life of a cops wife,
doesn't mean I don't have relationships."
"We work too long of hours, it is dangerous.."
"And the divorce rate of cops is out of this world!" they finished together.
"Yeah buddy, so you keep saying. So how come Eve and I have been together for this long?"
"Well, you see, Eve? She feels sorry for you. You know, pity really is that woman's thing."
"Fuck you!" Lindsay laughed. "She just can't get enough of this sexy body of mine," he said
patting his belly with his large hand, making Angel snort.
Angel kicked up his feet to his desk and leaned back in his chair. "I can't believe we finally got
him."
"Yeah. William Pratt is going down. Big time. Possession with intent to sell, assault, and we
even found three pistols in the back of that warehouse. Ballistics has them now, they're going
to go through them and see if they can't match the bullets to the ones they found at the scene
of a few murders we think he did. You did good partner."
"It's going to be good.. going home.. to my own bed. That motel the Cap set me up with was the
worst ever," he said and leaned back a bit farther then stretched and a yawn caught him. "Shit.
I think I'm going to get of here Linds. You can finish this up, can't ya?"
"Sure, I got it. You go home, get some sleep. We'll talk tomorrow."
Angel grabbed his jacket and roll bag that he had picked up from the motel before dropping off
here then he headed out. He had a few days off now. He had been eating, sleeping, and
breathing William Pratt's case, ever since the Englishman had came to town. No one had been
able to get close enough to him. No one. Not until Angel anway. And it had taken him months
and months of careful planning to be able to get into his world, close enough to be trusted. And
with all those thoughts, another one came to mind.
'Buffy Summers.'
She had almost blown it for him tonight, all showing up at the complete wrong time.
'How had the press gotten word about this?' he wondered.
He had been so careful, obsessive compulsive even, over all things dealing with Pratt.
Angel figured there was only one way to find out what he neeeded to know.
He whistled as he got to the elevator, hitting the button for the bottom parking lot, then he
glanced at his watch. 'A little after two in the AM. what could be a more perfect time?'
OoOoO
Buffy finished her story and sent it by email to the editor. She then rose and pulled the ties of
the dress and yanked it off, leaving it on the floor then went to the bathroom.
Minutes later, she came back out, flushed from the shower, her hair was still wet as she pulled
on a big tee shirt. Then, she went to the kitchen, starving as she hadn't been able to eat earlier
today, too nervous about what she was going to do. She opened the fridge and groaned,
realizing she had forgotten to go to the grocery store earlier in the week. She pulled out a
bottle of water and a box that contained some left-over Chinese, then she put it in the
microwave and turned it on.
While she waited, she leaned against the counter, her mind going to what had happened
earlier.
'He had saved me. Liam or whoever. He'd saved me from being raped.. so what was he? A
criminal with a conscience?'
And a loud knock on the front door broke her out of her thoughts. She sighed and set down her
water, thinking how it had to be Cordy. 'Only she would be up this late and so then think
everybody else should be as well.'
She headed to the door, picking up the dress from where she had left it. "Thanks Cordy," she
said as she undid the four locks and the chain on her door. "I do appreactiate the loan. Let me
know how much the dry cleaning.. what are you doing here?" she hissed as she opened the
door, seeing who it actually was on the other side.
"I thought you might be hungry," Angel said, holding up a pizza box and a six pack of beers. "I
know I always am after I finish a case." And he then walked in, not waiting to be invited, and
heard her gasp. It made him smile.
"Who the Hell are you?" she asked and reached over to grab her cell phone from the charger.
She started closing the door but then thought better of it and left it open a crack. "I thought
you were arrested tonight. You know, along with your partner there, Spike."
"Well see, that's what you get for thinking too much," he said, siting the box on the counter.
Just then the microwave beeped. He went over and opened it, bringing out the box and sniffed
it. "Ew! Please tell me you weren't going to eat this," and then without waiting for the answer,
he just dropped it into the trashcan.
"Hey! That was my dinner!"
"Oh no, Buff, you can't eat something like that. Stunts your growth," he said looking at her tiny
size and chuckling. "Anyway, my name is Liam Angelus. You can call me Angel, if you like," he
then started going through her cabinets.
"What are you doing?"
"Looking for plates," he answered then found the right one. He pulled out two plates and a
couple of paper towels. He opened up the pizza box and brought out a couple of slices and put
them on his plate then hers. He picked them up and carried them over to her coffee table then
headed back to grab himself a beer and her bottle of water.
"Dinner is served," he said before he sat down on her couch.
Buffy just stared at him, looking at him as if he were insane. She held her cell phone opened,
911 was already typed in, ready for the call. "I thought you were arrested tonight."
"Well, Buffy, you thought wrong. I was working undercover tonight. And you? You almost blew
the case for me," He said, taking a bite of his pizza. "And you can either make that call or you
can come over here and eat with me while we talk."
"Your case huh?" she asked, stepping closer, and closing the phone in her hand. "What do you
mean, your case, you're a cop or something?"
"Well she finally catches on!"
Her eyes narrowed at him, "Who are you?"
"Detective Liam Angelus. You can call me Angel. We have been through this. I'm Angel, you're
Buffy Summers. Now.. we've got that out of the way, you should come eat some pizza."
Buffy walked over to the couch and sat at the very edge. "You were working undercover?"
"Yes," he said and watched as she leaned forward and grabbed a tape recorder then sat it in
front of him.
"Well.. you don't mind if I tape this now do you?"
"Yeah, I do. I work undercover. You write anything that has to do with me, I could end up
getting killed over it," he said reaching, out to grab the recorder.
"Okay.." she said slowly, "do you mind me asking what in the world you are doing here?
Especially at three in the morning?"
"Pizza," he said, pointing at his slice. "I'm celebrating, and, I thought you might want to, too.
You know, since you made it out of there with your life and all."
"Thanks to you. If you wouldn't have stepped in.. they would have hurt me. I guess I owe you a
thank you."
He waved it away. "Just have some pizza. I have the next few days off. You wouldn't want to go
out with me would you?" he said quickly. And it startled her.
She took a bite of her pizza then looked at him, "You want to go out with me?"
"Yeah, well, I don't think either of us were imagining the whole thing we each felt earlier."
Buffy blushed as she remembered. "I.. I don't.."
"Oh no, no you don't! You're there about to tell me you didn't feel anything, then I'm going to
have to call you a liar. And that is no way to start off any kind of relationship," he said and
reached for her hand. "See what I mean?" he asked at her gasp.
"And how do you know I'm not already seeing someone?" she asked, taking her hand back.
"Are you?"
"Well, no, but you didn't know that!"
"Well Buffy, I would like to hope that a classy lady like you would never lead a man on," he said
then tugged on a lock of her hair. "So? Will you go out with me?" he asked her again.
OoOoO
Buffy walked into the newsroom early that next morning, despite her late night before.
She carried her briefcase in one hand a huge cup of coffee in the other.
As she entered the room, a loud round of applause started and people started to gather around
her desk.
"Great job, Summers," her boss and editor-in-chief, Rupert Giles, said as he walked to greet her.
"Front page is all you."
And she took the press from him to look at it. "Thanks Giles," she said, sitting down and
scanning it quickly. "God! It's almost word for word!"
"It was a good piece. It didn't really need much work on it. Keep at it!"
And Cordy walked up as he walked off. "Well now. Didn't I tell you that dress would work? So I
hope you remember that when you win the Pulitzer."
"Um... Cordy? I kind of owe you a newpairofshoes," she blurted.
"What was that? What did you do to my shoes?"
Buffy sighed. "They got all scuffed up and one of the heels snapped as I got back to my car
and.."
"You have got to be kidding me! Do you know how much those damn shoes cost? They were..."
"Yeah, I know, I know. They were so expensive. They were made in Italy. They cost two weeks
of your salary and you probably only ever wore them once. Look, I'll buy you new ones."
"You couldn't afford them. Besides, they were last year. I was getting ready to give them to
Good Will anyhow," she bent and gave Buffy a quick kiss on the cheek. "You did great, you
know"
"Thanks Cordy," she said, then watched her friend walk away. Then she took another sip of her
cofee.
'I did it. I got the story. And, I made it out alive.'
"Summers?"
She looked up, "Yeah Giles?"
"There's an apartment on fire. Third and Houston. They called in the arson squad. Get your ass
down there!" And he grinned as she shot up and headed out.
OoOoO
Angel's alarm went off. Loudly. He reached out and batted at it, knocking it off the stand. When
it kept making noise. he ripped the cord from the wall and threw it across the room. And with a
sigh he settled back down.
Just then another radio blasted. Louder. And from his neighbors room. The shock from it made
him sit up and glare at the wall.
"Oh fucking kay people! I'm up!" he growled to the room. "Whoever decides to wake up at six
in the morning needs their damn heads checked!"
He got up and sighed heavily.
He knew he had to get up. He had to get to court. It wasn't about the Spike case, not yet, but it
didn't mean it wasn't important.
With his eyes half-open, he made it to his bathroom and turned the shower on. He stared at the
mirror while the water heated and yawned.
His eyes were sleepy and bloodshot as they stared back at him.
He had a wide jaw, nice hair, soulful eyes, he was tall and well built. He considered himself
pretty attractive. He usually never had much problem getting ladies.
'So what the hell happened last night?'
"Buffy Summers," he said outloud quietly, him enjoying her name as he said it.
She had been hot as Hell in his arms at that warehouse. There was a spark between them. But
then, when he went there last night... she ate his pizza, talked to him, even laughed with him,
but when he asked her out.. she went cold.
He turned when the mirror fogged over and then stepped into the hot water.
Twenty minutes later, a much different looking Liam Angelus stepped out.
He locked his apartment door and passed the elevator to run the ten flights of stairs down to
the lobby.
"Hey Angel! I see that you got him," Wesley, his doorman said, lifting up his copy of the paper.
"Great job!"
"Yeah, thanks. Press got ahold of it already huh?" he said shaking his head.
"Yeah, that sassy Buffy Summers got front page!" he said with a huge grin. He had been
drooling over Buffy ever since he had seen her picture.
"You know Buffy Summers?" he asked, slowly his steps.
"No, but oh, do I ever wish i did," he clutched the paper to his heart. "I saw her on this awards
show once. She had the best set of tits I have ever seen!"
Which brought thoughts of last night crashing into Angel.
'Got that right!'
"She seems pretty.. gutsy."
"Too gustsy. Considering all she says in that article.. you'd think she was right there when the
cops busted in. She could have gotten killed!" Wesley shook his head then look up. "Wait a
second! That was your deal. Did you meet her?"
"Look, Wes, I gotta go. Talk to you later!"
"You did, didn't you! Oh come on Angel! Give me something!" he called as angel hurried to his
car, who just kept going and waved back.
oOoOo
The traffic was pretty light for him that morning and he made good time getting to his office.
He grabbed the elevator up to his floor. He knew he needed time to review his notes on the
case he would have today.
But it wasn't until he reached his desk that he saw the smoke.
Buffy made great time across the city, running when the cab she had gotten got stuck in traffic,
and she arrived at the scene just within seconds of the first ladder truck.
She watched, completly horrified.
People were streaming out of the burning building. You could hear glass shattering, screams of
those inside, the hissing of the fire, and the smell was so heavy against the air.
She wandered around close to the one's who had made it out. She listened and asked questions
when she could, already writing the story in her head.
"That's him!"
Her head shot up as she listened to their conversation.
"Yeah, it is, that's the guy! I saw him leaving when I came in. I don't think he lives here,"
"Where are the cops?"
"Yeah, 'cause he's probably who set the fire."
"You said you smelled gasoline?"
Buffy was looking to where one of the women had pointed, seeing a small alley that led behind
the building. There was a figure there, a man, and she hurried across the street, ducking behind
the baricade and slipped through the alley. And for a moment she lost him from he smoke, but
then soon caught a glimspse as he turned, his eyes locking with hers before he hurried away.
OoOoO
"Oh God! Help me!"
Buffy glanced up, seeing a woman screaming three stories up, her head and shoulders out the
window.
"Help me please!" she screamed again.
"Just climb!"
"I can't! My baby! I can't get to her!"
"Oh shit!" Buffy hissed then stared back and forth of the alley. seeing no one who could help.
"Shit" she repeated.
Buffy dropped her purse, took a deep breathe, then reached for the first step of the ladder.
Climbing quickly, she made it there, but it was enough time for the fire to have burned hotter,
closer and much faster. The panicked woman grabbed for her and drew her into the window.
Into the flames and heat and horror.
"Where is she?" Buffy gasped, coughing as the smoke wanted to choke her.
"Down that hallway!" the woman screamed trying to drag her to the fire.
"Wait! Wait would ya! We needs some towels or blankets or something in water," she looked
around then grabbed for the drapes, dragging them down to put them in the sink and run water
through them. Next, she dragged it over her head. Then watched the woman repeat her
actions.
"Which room?"
"Second one!"
"Down to the floor!" she yelled. "And stay low."
The sounds of the flames were so loud. Buffy flinched as somewhere below them there was a
huge noise, sounding like a floor had collapsed.
They dropped to the floor where the air was a tad bit more clear.
Buffy crawled first, feeling the heat of the flames warming up the water in the drapes.
"I have to be fucking insane,' she thought, crawling as fast as she could.
When she got closer to the door, she could hear the babies screams, which gave her motivation
to move. She reached up to tap the handle of the door and thought it seemed cool enough to
the touch.
She reached up, grabbed and twisted, then pushed the door open. The woman rushed on past
her, her arms out, and reached down.
"Oh! Thank god!: she cried.
"Come on! We have got to get out of here! Now!" Buffy said and grabbed the woman and child,
wrapping them in the drape. She pushed through the doorway and helped her crawl.
OoOoO
"Go! Get to the window," she choked out, feeling dizzy from the smoke and heat. And her
coughing becoming worse. "Get to the window." she said again.
"Come on!" a male voice came in, feeling close to her ear. Then hands reached out and grabbed
her. Then they cradled her. "You're okay Summers, just hang on."
Buffy squinted through her tears. "Angel?"
"Yeah," he said, climbing out the window, having Buffy over his shoulder. "You have to hang on
Buffy," he ordered then felt her weakly grab onto him. Then he rushed down the stairs,
catching up with the woman and her baby just as two firemen reached them.
"Smoke inhalation," Angel coughed out. "All three of them."
"You too," the firemen said. "Hey Angelcakes! Is that you?"
"Lorne?" he asked then slapped the man on the shoulder and let him take Buffy from his back.
"She was almost out."
"Well, I was going to ask you what you were doing up there.. but from the looks of this one, I
think I might already know," he teased with a wink. Then he took Buffy to where they'd set up
the rescue units and laid her gently on a gourney. He grabbed a oxygen mask and placed it over
her mouth and turned it on. "You too now," Lorne said as he pushed Angel down on a different
one.
"What about the woman and her baby?"
"Already taken care of," he said then leaned to check Buffy's pulse and saw her eyes flutter
open. "Hey there sweetie pie. You're going to be just fine."
Buffy struggled to get up but then a couple of hands held her back down. Then next, she saw
big brown eyes full of concern and his hand grabbed hers.
"Settle down. The lady and her child are fine. You saved their lives. And then took ten off of
both yours and mine."
"We're going to take her to the hospital, get her checked out," Lorne said as she broke out into
a coughing fit when she was going to try and reply. "You can ride along if you want, Angelus."
"Yeah, thanks, I'd like that," he said. Then he waited for them to load her up and grabbed her
purse that he'd picked up from the ground earlier when he first started up the stairs. then he
climbed in the back with her, taking her hand. "We have to talk, you and me."
"What about?" she managed to get out.
"Well see, I think you need one huge reality check. See Buff, this isn't Metropolis, you aren't
Lois Lane, and I sure as Hell don't run around in tights and with a large S on my chest. One of
these days, I won't be there to catch you and save you when you're off pulling stunts like this,"
he said then leaned forward, pushing a strand of golden locks from her face.
Her face was smudge, her eyes were red and watering. She kept coughing. Her hair was a mess,
her face and body pale. But she was still the prettiest thing he had ever seen.
"Better watch it there, Angelus, you might wreck that image of yours if that gets out."
OoOoO
"I do not need to stay in here all night," Buffy pouted at, only to start coughing again.
"Oh, yeah, I can see that," Angel grinned.
She grabbed the small cup of water from beside the bed as she caught her breath. "Why the
Hell are you still here? I thought you weren't going to all fly in and save me anymore."
"I didn't say that. And God! Cranky are we?"
"Yeah well, let me tell you where you can go shove that crank.." she started, only to be stopped
when a doctor walked in.
"Well don't you sound better," she said as she looked at her then through a few pages of her
folder.
"I am. So how about I get my clothes and you let me go home?"
"I might if there was someone you could have at home with you to check on you.."
"I do!" she said quickly and ignored the look Angel shot her.
"Okay.." she started slowly, her eyes narrowing. She made a few notes on the file and scrawled
her name before patting Buffy on the foot. "I want you to go see your family physician in a
week, just for a check up though."
"Not a problem. I will even make the appointment tomorrow."
OoOoO
"Liar," Angel said as the doctor finally left.
"I am not," she scoffed.
"Are too," he said then studied her. "Then who are you going to have stay with you?"
"A friend," she took another sip of water. "What's it to you?"
"Well, I did save your life today, for the second time, so maybe I feel obligated to keep an eye
on you now. Or maybe it's because my doorman, Wesley Wyndam-Pryce thinks you have a
great rack," he laugehd as she stared at him in shock. And blushing.
"What.. why were you and your.. doorman discussing my.. rack?"
"He read your article today and he mentioned it to me. He knows I work Narcotics. So who?"
"A friend. Now why don't you get out of here so I can get dressed huh?"
Angel started to open his mouth to answer her, but then the door opened once more, some
strange man came storming in.
"Oh goodness! Buffy! Are you alright?"
"Yeah. The doctor even said I can go home. Really, I'm fine Giles," she sat up then glared at
Angel.
"You do know I sent you there for a story, not to die from smoke inhalation."
"She saved a woman and her daughter," Angel spoke up, unsure as to why he was helping to
defend the girl.
"Wonderful! Buffy, where's my story?"
"Well God! If you would both get out of here, I would get dressed then write the damn thing!"
she then pointed to the door.
Giles turned, finally noticing Angel really. "And who is this?" he asked.
"Ugh! Detective Liam Angelus, this is Rupert Giles, my editor and boss. Now, get out!"
"Fine, fine, we are going!" They started to leave, Giles openeing the door open for Angel to
come out. "You know, she is one Hell of a writer, truly, but not much in the way of manners,"
he said, making Angel chuckled.
"Ugh!" Buffy groaned at them then slipped out of bed to grab her clothing.
OoOoO
Buffy got dressed then sat at the end of the bed, waiting to sign papers when soon the nurse
came in.
"Wow, smells like a few fire alarms in here," she said as she held out a stack of papers.
After they were signed, she wheeled Buffy out in a wheelchair, despite all of her protests.
"Your chariot awaits," Angel said, holding out the door to the cab he'd had waiting for her.
"You!" she graoned and dropped her head to her hands.
"What? Expecting your other prince to be here waiting for you?" he chuckled. "Come on now,
Buff. We can share a cab and this way I won't have to worry about you
getting home."
Buffy stood up and grabbed her purse then turned. She quickly thanked the nurse then walked
past Angel and pulled out her cell phone. She hit one of the speed dial buttons only before it
was yanked out of her hand.
"Hey!" she said turning.
"Yellow Cab?" Angel read. "Now why would you want to call them when I have one waiting
right here for you already? Is this anyway for you to be treating the man who saved your life?"
"Fine!" she growled then walked back to the cab to get in.
Angel gave the driver directions to her place and sat quietly beside her. Instead of saying
anything, he just reached out and wrapped his fingers with hers and pulled her hand against his
leg. She stiffened at first but then he did nothing more, so she couldn't protest.
Her mind was spinning with images of earlier. The flames and smoke, the roar of the fire, the
panting coughs, that woman and her baby. just thinking about it made it harder and harder to
breath. and she knew she must have made some kind of sound, because angel wrapped his arm
around her shoulder and scooted closer to her. his head came down to rest on the top of hers.
"It's okay, Buffy. You're safe," he whispered.
OoOoO
Buffy didn't protest when he paid the driver, nor when he followed her into the building and
into the elevator.
He took the keys from her and unlocked the door with a word. He got her inside then lifted her
chin, studying her.
"Go take a shower. I'll wait here until you're out. Then I'll leave and let you rest alright?"
"I have to write a story."
"Fine, but the shower comes first. You'll feel better, I promise. And I will leave as soon as you
are done."
She nodded and let him follow her deeper into her apartment. She kicked off her shoes and
dropped her purse. "I.. I'll only be a few minutes. Um.. just make yourself at home," she said
then walked off.
OoOoO
She hurried through the shower, scrubbing off the scent of smoke in her hair and off of her skin.
And she felt ten times better when she was done.
She threw on another big tee shirt and some small shorts to put under it and dumped her
smoked clothes into a huge plastic bag.
She was brushing her hair when she came back into the living room.
Angel looked up, his eyes trailing over her locks and rosy cheeks. The shoft fabric clinging to her
curves. And looking into her eyes, he knew she could see and feel his heat in her own.
"Um... thank you," she said. "I do feel much better now."
"You look it, too," he said, his eyes dropping once more to the curve of her breasts and smiled
when he saw her shiver and her nipples harden a bit.
"Okay well, thanks. Thanks for staying and everything. I am fine now and I'm going to write my
story from here and send it on in.. after a few phone calls."
Angel looked at his watch, knowing then if he left then he would have enough time to make it
to the courthouse still. But, the funny thing was, he really didn't want to leave.
"Promise me that you won't get into anymore trouble. At least not until I get out of my court
appearance huh?" he teased.
"I'll do my best," she said as he stood then she followed him to the door. She opened it then
leaned on it. And, without thinking, Angel lifted his hands, his palm caressing her cheek. He
bent his head and his mouth found hers.
"I'll be in touch," he whispered.
She just nodded and watched as he left.
She closed the door then slid down against it, her fingers tracing her mouth where he had just
been. She breathed out a huge sigh and closed her eyes.
"Liam Angelus. You are going to be trouble."
OoOoO
It took Buffy ten phone calls and a few hours to get the info she needed about the fire. She
talked to her contacts down at city hall and had to call in a favor, but she finally had all she
needed,
The fire was an arson and was connceted by some signature to six others in the area. The
buildings were apartment complexes, every one full of families, innocent people,
all who lost everything they owned and loved because of some psycho who liked playing with
matches.
And she wrote the to stay as centered as she could. It was hard to not let her personal feelings
get in the way, but after some editing, she sent it to Giles, sending him a note of thanks for
visiting her at the hospital as well.
By the time she finished, she was tired. She knew she almost died earlier and just thinking
about it had the smell of smoke choking her and the heat pressing her skin.
Her hand went to her mouth and her fingers shook as she slid down the sofa.
"Oh God," she cried softly.
She reached down to her purse, remembering seeing Angel stick a card in there earlier. She
grabbed it and dialed the number and wrapped her other arm around her body, holding herself
tightly.
OoOoO
The phone rang and rang and rang. she was just about give up when she heard the voice on the
other end.
"Hello?" he said, sounding husky, as if he'd just been woken up.
She glanced at the clock, suprised as seeing how late it was now.
"Hello?" he asked again.
"Oh, uh, hi.. there. Sorry if I woke you," she said feeling stupid and embarassed.
"Buffy?" he asked, sounding suprised.
"Yeah, uh, hi, it's me. I.. um.. damnit.. look, I'm sorry. This was stupid. I'm sorry that I woke
you."
"Buff! Don't hang up. Please. What's wrong?"
"It's stupid," she sighed. "I just.. I was,"
"..having flashbacks of today?" he asked finishing for her.
"Yeah, how'd you know?"
"It was a scary event, Buff. You'd be a pretty cold and hard person to not have suffered any
from it."
Buffy sighed. "It's driving me crazy. I think about it.. and then it's like.. I'm there all over again. I
can feel the heat and smell it and everything." A sob caught her throat.
"I'm coming over there," he said and she heard the sound of him rustling about.
"You.. you don't have to.. I.. I'll be fi.. fine," she said.
There was silence on the line, but then his voice came back, sounding even more husky then
before. "Fifteen minutes," he said then she heard the click of the phone.
Buffy stared at the phone for a few moments then hung it up. Then she looked around her
apartment.
"Oh shit!" she hissed out then ran to clean it up.
She hurried to wash some dishes and cups, threw clothes into her closet and other small things.
And by the time she finally sat back to the couch there was a knock on the door.
She went over to and peek out the peephole, seeing him standing there.
His hair was still spiked but messy yet perfect. There was barely any stubble on his cheeks but if
you looked enough you could see it. He looked even more dangerous than ever.
He looked kind of sleepy, but very determined.
He was in jeans and white wrinkled tee.
"Come on Buff! Let me in!" he called.
And then she slowly undid the locks on her door and opened it for him.
He walked in, his eyes roaming over her body, stopping as they locked eyes, seeing the fear in
the green orbs. He waited until she locked the door then pulled her into his arms.
"It's alright now Buffy," he whispered against her hair, his hands rubbing up and down her back.
And at first she was tense but slowly she relaxed. Her hands slowly creeping up his chest, they
finally settled around his neck and she buried her face into his shirt. "Better?" he asked wanting
to hold onto her as long as she'd let him.
He felt her nod then shiver and he reached down to lift her into his arms, holding her high on
his chest now.
"What are you doing?" she asked not really caring just as long as he didn't leave.
"Taking you to bed." he said.
He turned and started towards her bedroom. She had stiffened but all he did was drop a kiss
against her head.
OoOoO
Angel found her bedroom was a suprise. He had been sure she would have some crazy art deco,
some weird shapes and wild colors, but no, instead it was painted a soothing green, almost the
same color as her eyes. There a big plush bed was against one of the walls. It had tons of
pullows on it and a thick comforter on it.
He pulled it and the sheet back and with one hand then he eased her under them before
covering her back up.
He went and sat on the side of the bed, near her, and reached to brush away a stand of her
hair.
"When I was a beat cop," he started, his voice rumbling and making her feel safe, "I got a call
downtown one day. Someone was screaming for help and whoever called the police didn't
know why. I headed down that way thinking it was all probably nothing, maybe just some
junkie that woke up on the wrong side of their high or a hooker that got rolled, just something
like that," he paused and locked their hands together.
"What happened?"
"I didn't wait for backup. I just took off on my own. The woman who had been screaming was
now dead. She had been beaten to death and the man who had done it was still there. He was
so hopped on drugs and out of his mind. I shot him.."
"And?"
"And.. he kept coming.. he came through four more shots. He'd probably had beaten me to
death too if backup hadn't arrived when it did. I spent four days after that in the hospital and..
well I shouldn't tell you this.." he glanced at her and she smiled.
"Oh, no, now you have to tell me."
"I still have nightmares about it. Bad ones too. And now you know my worst secret! I'm a
coward!" he said dramatically.
She snorted. "Yeah! Sure you are! Next you're gonna tell me there's vampires and no Santa
Claus or something."
"There's not?"
"Haha, funny. Look, I am really sorry if I dragged you all out of bed to take care of me and my
issues."
"Are you feeling better?"
"A bit," she said then jumped as he got up off the bed. She watched as he kicked off his shoes
then pulled his shirt over his head, showing off his tattoo to her.
"What are you doing?" she asked quickly with a tiny bit of panic in her tone.
"I thought that I would lie down there with you.. until you fall asleep of course," he said, not
being able to help his amusement at her tones. "I promise I will behave Buffy."
"Oh," she said and watched as he moved around the bed, stretching out over the top of the
comforter and placed a pillow behind his head before holding his arms out for her.
"Come here."
And she went, not having any choice. Angel made her feel safe, made her feel cared for,
feelings she hadn't had in a long time.
She pillowed her head on his wide chest and her hands draped over him.
"Comfy?" he whispered.
"Mmhmm," she mumbled and closed her eyes.
"Good," he said and she could feel him smiling against her hair. "Go to sleep. I'll be here to
chase those vampires away."
And she did.
OoOoO
A single ring of the phone was all it took to wake Owen up.
He grabbed for it blindly in the dark, fumbling as he picked it up.
"Fuck!" he growled. "This had better be fucking good!"
"Now, now. Is that anyway to talk to your boss?"
"It is whenever the asshole calls me at," he glanced at the clock, "damnit! Do you have any idea
what fucking time it is?"
"Wow, you sure do got quite the potty mouth when you wake up, Mister Grumpy Pants."
"Yeah, so could you please tell me what the Hell it is you want so I can go back to sleep?" he
rubbed his eyes and yawned waiting for the answer.
"How would you like to go to Sunnydale?"
"Is that a rhetorical question or do I get an actualy say in the deal?"
"Take it either way you want, but Buffy's in trouble and needs some help," he said as he pushed
the paper farther up the table staring at the story his cousin wrote. "She's mixed up with some
shady characters. I want you to go check on her."
"And what's wrong with you checking up on her?" he groaned not thrilled about having to pack
up so that this ass would stop worrying. "Besides, you do know she's a big girl now. She pays
her own bills and everything," he said with saracms high in his voice at him.
'Always having look after the damn clan, can't give anyone any peace. Now he's dragging me
into his mother henning ways!'
"She may be big enough to take care of herself.."
"..but we take care of our own just the same... yadda yadda," he sighed. "Fine. I'll go, but I sure
as Hell am not going to like it. And, I want a raise!"
"As if," he chuckled. "I pay you too much as it is just to sit around on your ass all day in my
office."
"Yeah, right," Owen yawned again. "Well if you're done handing out jobs now, can I go back to
sleep? Apparently, I'm going to have a busy day tomorrow, having to fly out and see my baby
cousin. Especially once she reams me for letting you push me into this."
"It's your job to let me push you around boy and don't you forget it!"
"Goodnight. Oh, and say hi to that sexy wife of yours. Tell her I'm waiting for her to realize she
married the wrong guy and come to me."
"Yeah, and that'll happen over my dead body Owen."
And then there was a click.
Owen snapped the phone close and growled as he thought of what he had to do.
OoOoO
There was hair tickling his nose and a small hand stroking over his stomach. It was arousing his
sleep and his desire.
It had been a long time since Angelus had slept with a woman and he savored how it all felt.
She was warm and heavy with sleep, her breasts pressed into his chest, her fingers slipping into
the waist band of his jeans. And his eyes popped open when he heard her sigh.
There was a small lamp on the side table still on giving a weak light to shine over her and he
couldn't help but stare.
Her cheeks were rosy from sleep, her lips slightly parted, her eyelids fluttering.
She had kicked the blanket off in her sleep. And her leg was coming up across his thigh and she
was completly wrapped around him. He was her life sized pillow.
Her fingers brushed against him once more and he thoguht he was about to explode.
His jeans were so tight over his erection, his blood throbbing as it rushed to his dick.
He heard a moan and knew it was him this time who made it, unable to stop it.
He held his breath and waited to see what she was going to do next.
He was fighting the urge to roll her under him and strip all clothes off of both their bodies. He
wanted to plunge himself into this girl and hear her scream his name in pleasure. But instead he
forced himself to lie still though he was completly centered on the hand sliding in his jeans.
Buffy soon found the tip of his cock, her fingers slid over it in her sleep and she murmed out
something he couldn't hear then she sighed and snuggled closer. Her hand not moving. It
stayed right where it was, wrapped around him, and making him want to push himself into her
hand more.
"Buff?" he whispered.
She didn't move. Didn't even change her breathing.
Angel reached over and unbutton the top of his jeans, giving her more room. Next he yanked
the zipper's fly up to his fingers then carefully undid them, freeing himself of the denim and
pressed firmly into her hand.
"Buffy?" he then tried again, a tad louder than before.
She just mumbled his name then her hand closed tightly around him. She stroked him once.
Then once again. And again. Making him hiss out a breath.
His hips soon began moving without any permission from him, thrusting himself as she
continued stroking him.
"Oh God," he groaned and closed his eyes, letting his head fall into the pillow. "Buffy!" he called
finally. Loudly, trying to get her to wake up before he embarrassed himself.
"Wh.. what?" she mumbled stirring from sleep. Her eyes opening as she seemed to realize what
she was doing. "Oh," she whispered and her cheeks burning with a blush.
Angel opened his eyes after a moment.
After she didn't remove her hand.
He looked down to see why she hadn't let go. Her eyes were staring at her own hand, watching
as her fingers moved over him, almost as if unable to stop herself.
"Buffy," he growled at her, his voice husky as it could be. "If you do not stop that, I am going to
come."
"Really?" she asked and tipped her head back to look at him. But only for a second, then she
dropped back to his groin again.
"God yes really," he groaned, his hips jerking as she played with him more. "Do you want me
to?" he couldn't help but ask since she still hadnt stopped.
"I..I.. um I've never.. seen.." she paused and he watched as she bit her bottom lip.
"Huh? Wh.. you've never seen a man come?" he asked and his eyes narrowed as he stared at
her. "Are you trying to tell me that tough as nails Buffy Summers is a virgin?"
She nodded and blushed once again.
"There is no way!" he breathed, emotions running through him. Some suprising him. There was
lust, tenderness, need, disbelief, attraction.. It had him pulsing in her hands.
He dropped his hand over hers, stopping her movement, then pulled her off even as he
groaned. With gentle fingers, he moved her hand to his stomach then he lifted her chin to look
at him.
"You're really a virgin?"
She nodded again. "It's not a big deal."
"It's a huge deal! Where the Hell did you grow up? In a monastery?"
"A monastery is full of monks," she said. "I grew up with an overprotective dad and family. They
made my social life a living Hell. Besides, do you know hard it is to be taken seriously as an
investigative reporter and be a girl? Its' probably not that much different from being a female
homicide detective. We have to work twice as hard, twice as much, and only get half the
respect a man would doing the same thing, so yeah, I haven't had time to.. not if I wanted to be
taken seriously."
He stared at her for a moment. "Well.. I guess I never thought of it that way."
"You wouldn't. You're not a woman."
"Well that's a good thing too, otherwise this might be hard to explain," he said waving over
them.
OoOoO
"So.. have you ever been kissed by anyone other than me?"
"Yes! I'm not that innocent," she snapped at him.
Angel smirked then before she could move, he rolled with her, ending up with his hips cradled
between her thighs and laying on her. He knew she couldn't help but to feel his cock. It was
aterall pressed up against the tiny shorts she was wearing under that huge shirt.
"What are you doing?" she gasped.
"Well, I figure if you're not so innocent, you won't mind if I kiss you again." And before she
could answer him, he dropped his head claiming her mouth.
She made a small sound before stilling under him. He smiled against her lips, fully knowing she
could feel it.
"Open your mouth," he said against her lips and groaned when she did as ordered.
He felt her hands come up, tangling in his hair was one. The other was sliding over his shoulder,
holding onto him.
Angel teased her with long passionate kisses which left her moaning when he would pull away.
He enjoyed the sounds she would make.
She would gasp everytime he rubbed against her, his cock pressing into the crease of her shorts
when it rode into her slit.
He loved it all. He loved teaching her passion, giving her laughter and need. Finally she pulled
tightly on his hair, frustrated with teasing.
"You want more?" he growled.
"Yes," she moaned.
"How much more?" he asked and watched as she bit her lip again. He bent his head forward,
finding himself wanting to bite that lip himself. He nibbled on it then sucked it into his mouth
gently. "How much more Summers?" he asked again.
"I.. I don't kn.. know," she whispered, her big green eyes staring at him.
"Can I take your shirt off?"
"Y.. yes," she answered and lifted them hem with him before pulling her hands and arms above
her head so he could lift it off.
Angel watched her face, his eyes never leaving. And he saw her flushing again, saw her arms
moving quickly over to cover herself back up.
"Hmm. Has no one ever seen your breasts but me?"
"We.. well there was you.. then William Pratt and his goons.."
"Did you like how it felt then?"
"Then?"
"Yeah. You, bared in front of those men, my hand on you, teasing you," he said as he removed
her arms then lifted them abover her head and started tracing down them.
"It.. it was different," she said, squirming some as he tickled her.
His fingers tracing down to her sides now, moving over her ribs and then to her waist before
coming back up again. His lips found hers again also, giving kisses to distract her from where his
hands were moving. Then suddenly he cupped her breasts in his palms and started rubbing and
squeezing her gently.
He heard her moan and felt her hips jerking a little against his.
"You like?"
"Yes," she groaned.
He rolled one nipple with his fingers. "I'll let you in on a secret. I do too."
"Really?" she groaned again, mocking him from a few minutes earlier.
"Yes, really," he smiled, but knew he was slowly losing control of himself. He wanted badly to
strip off those tiny shorts and thurst into her. To be her first. And that thought sent one Hell of
a shudder of longing through him.
"Are you alright?" she asked.
His lips found hers, now with less gentleness, letting her feel his hunger.
"Does that feel like I'm alright?" he growled against her lips then took them again before she
could answer. And her repsonse to him was hot and teasing. All of it going straight to his head.
His hand slid from her curves and moved down until he could feel the top of her shorts. He slid
one hand under the waistband, feeling the smooth warm skin underneath. Her arms went
around his neck again and she moved her legs up as he cupped her ass.
"These expensive?"
"N.. no.. why?"
"I have this urgent need to rip them off of you," he growled.
"Oh," she said with a shiver.
Angel didn't know if the shiver was in an agreement or not, but he didn't care. He gripped the
waistband tightly, flexed his hand, and then he yanked hard, ripping them easily off.
Her one remaining garment caught his eye and it made him give an admiing whistle.
Angel rolled to the side, his hand coming down to smooth out the red satin and lace covering
her skin. His thumb pressed against the juncture of her thighs and came slipping between,
feeling her smooth skin and her wet heat.
"I want you," he growled, "And if I take this off of you, I will not be able to stop myself."
He could feel the heat of her slit under the satin as he slid gently against it, pushing it into her
wet flesh, using it to caress the hard bump he could feel under it.
She groaned and her nails dug into his arm. Her hips jerked against his hand. A moan escaped
her lips and she half closed her eyes.
"Angel please," she breathed out as she spread her thighs further.
She was so close, he knew it.
Her body was jerking and shivering more and more as he brought her closer. He pulled aside
the satin and dipped his finger into her heat.
"Angel!" she gasped and her eyes going wide as she felt the first contractions of pleasure. Her
thighs pressed together, holding him to her, and her body tightened under his hand.
An explosion shot through her and she threw her head back on the pillow.
Angel watched her pleasure, making him long for his own.
She was so beautiful to him, as always, with her hair all messed up and sleep matted.
He felt her relax and her body going limp. Slowly he pulled his hand away and reached for the
waistband of her panties.
The sound of his cell phone ringing made him pause.
He listened to it ring and groaned since he knew he had to answer it.
"I'm sorry Buff," he sighed, "You don't know how sorry I am."
She chuckled.
He glanced back and sighed again then slowly reached for his shirt and pulled out his phone. He
glanced at the screen then flipped it open.
"This had better be good."
Angel felt the bed shift and was suprised to feel soft fingers traveling over his back then across
his shoulders and down his arms. He almost moaned into the phone when he felt her lips at his
throat, her breasts pushing into his back.
"Huh? What was that?" he asked into the phone and she gave a low and husky laugh sending
chills down his spine.
He close his eyes and silently cursed, trying to listen to the person on the other end.
"Yeah, I got it. I'll be there," he said then slammed the phone shut. He dropped it on the bed
beside him then turned and grabbed her, dragging her to his lap. "Teasing little minx!" he
growled and pressed his lips into her.
He kissed her. Hot. Instense. Smoldering.
He wanted her to feel every bit of desire he had.
Then he finally dropped her back into the bed and grabbed for his shirt once again and pulled it
on.
He could hear her heavy breathing, which didn't help any matters.
He stood and shoved his shirt into his jeans, tucking in his erection as well. He narrowed his
eyes when he looked at her, loving the picture she made. She was all sprawled out, wearing
nothing but bright red panties, ones darker around her slit.
"Dinner," he growled. "Tonight. I'm going to be here at seven to pick you up."
She nodded, her eyes never leaving him.
He leaned down to pick up his shoes, pulled them on and tied them, then he leaned to kiss her,
his hands cupping her breasts and speezing gently.
He got up and walked out of the room.
OoOoO
Buffy watched as he walked out of the room, her body still singing, her mind swimming.
She looked over at the clock, sighing as she realized she had to get up now also. If she didn't she
would be late for work.
OoOoO
The shower felt good, the water running down her, heat beatnig into her skin.
She sang any song that came to mind. And by the time she was done, her hair brushed, finally
dressed, she had about fifteen minutes to get across town and to work.
She got lucky with the cab, grabbing one pretty much stopped in front her building.
She made it across town and was in the elevator going up in about twenty minutes. When she
stepped off of it, Cordelia was right there.
"Are you okay?" she asked running her hand over her cheek. "Check those out. I thought when
they came to your desk you had died for something!"
And Buffy stared at the huge display of roses on her desk. "They're beautiful" she said.
"Check out who they're from!" Cordy urged. "I think you have an admirer!"
"Cordelia Chase! Did you read my card?" she asked as she plucked it out.
"No!" she said with her hand coming up to her breast. "Do you really think I'd do something like
that?"
Buffy rolled her eyes. "That's a rhetorical question right?"
"Shut up and open the damn card," she snapped.
The back of it had been tucked inside so it was easy to open.
Only four words were shown. With no name.
'Thanks for last night.'
"What did you do last night?" Cordy asked, reading it and raising her eyebrows.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Buffy said sliding the card back in the envelope then into her
purse.
"Yes, I would like to know," she said putting one hand on her hip. "Come on, dish. You never do
anything interesting like this so I just gotta know! What's gotten into you or should I ask who?"
she wiggled her eyebrows.
"I'd tell you Cordy, but then.. well, I'd have to kill you," she chuckled at Cordy's frustrated look
and was about to tell her a tiny bit of it when she heard Giles yelling for her across the room.
"Yeah?"
"Great piece on that arson. I want you to go out and get a follow up. Talk to the arson
investators. I want to know exactly what that signature is and what the Hell they are doing to
find out who's doing it. Maybe take Adam with you, he can get some pictures of the buildings.
Also get some more quotes from that pyschologist friend of yours. Oh, and that line about the
arsonist being sexually anorexic was fabulous!"
She went to grab her purse.
"Summers!"
"Yes?"
"now girl, not next week!"
"Yeah, yeah."
OoOoO
Buffy, still unknowing of her cousin calling in the calvary, was sitting at her desk, arguing with
the mayor's press secretary.
"Come on, Darla! You know that people in Sunnydale have a right to know! Why should it be
kept quiet if there is an actual serial arsonist around here? Wouldn't it be better to warn the
public?"
"Mayor Wilkins is not making any comments at this time as to wether or not there is a serial
arsonist in the city. He will not be railroaded by you or anyone into giving a statement saying
anything of the such. You know how he feels about politics and what rights the people should
have when it comes to the news."
"Oh, so the man is hiding his head in the political sandbox then? And because, oh, say, it's
election year and he's up for another term? Wow! Won't that make one wonderful quote? Or
maybe some huge front page heading. I can see it now: Mayor's Concern Over His Political
Career More Imporant Than His Consitituents!"
"Buffy Anne Summers! If you print anything like that, the mayor's lawyers will be on you with a
cease and desist order before you could even blink!" she warned harshly. "The mayor's
comment is 'no comment!' until more is learned."
"Can I quote you on that?" she said before slamming the phone down.
"Qow cousin, you make friends all over the place, don't you?"
Buffy glanced up at the famailiar voice then face. When she saw him she rose up and squealed
and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"What in the world are you doing here?"
"Got a call from our worrier. He wanted you checked up on," Owen said, swinging her in a small
circle.
"He called you?" she asked hugged him tightly before letting go to stand and look at him.
"Of course he called me. Can you really blame him after reading what you've been doing the
past couple of days? Damnit girl! You could have been shot raped or killed! Then, like that
wasn't bad enough, the next day you go running off into a burning building! He was just being
nice by sending me!"
She sighed. "You do know I have both a mother and a father. Both alive and well. I really don't
need him intruding an more on my lief than he already has."
"I understand, but you have to understand my position on this.."
"I know. Okay, I screwed up. I almost got killed. I need a keeper."
"No, more like, he's my boss and if i didn't come up here I'd never hear the end of it," he said
and she burst out laughing.
"Oh my poor baby! You've got it so hard. You're lucky you didn't have to grow up around him.
Big ole mean cousin like him. Older and meaner. Always in your business. Ugh, memories!"
"Summers!"
They both turned to see Giles coming out of his office.
"Huh?" she shouted back.
"Where's my story?"
"Have a cow Giles! I'm just finishing up," she laughed as his face turned red.
"Listen you! Who do you think gave you a start in this business?" he growled.
"You did and I am forever grateful. The story is almost done.. I just got a bit sidetracked," she
waved toward Owen.
"Keep your dates on your own time Summers," he said, turned around then shut his office door
rather loudly.
"Yes sir!" she quipped rolling her eyes.
"Well then.. I guess I should get out of here and let you get back to work," Owen said. "I
thought that maybe we could go to dinner tonight and I can tell our mother hen there that I
straightened your cute little butt out with a few words and then he can go back to driving Lilah
nuts instead."
"Shit O! I wish you would have called. I have a date tonight," she said, knowing that was a
mistake as soon as the words left her mouth.
"A date huh? Anyone I might know?"
"How could it be? You have alot of friends around here huh?"
"Who are you going out with Buff?"
"Ugh! He's a cop okay?" she said, not wanting to go into it anymore.
"What is it with this damn family and cops? I mean Jesus! At least Graham married a doctor."
"Owen, I'm sure we could find a meter maid who would take pity on you," she patted his cheek,
"I mean, you are such a cute boy and all."
"I appreaciate the thought," he said dryly.
"Good, now get out of here and let me work. When are you leaving?"
"God Buffy! 'Get out? When you leaving?' I'm starting to feel a little unloved over here. Maybe I
should call and tell him this might take some of his own personal touches to get you back to
your senses! What do you think?" he smiled and winked.
"I think I would nail your balls to a wall and then find me the biggest pit bull I cou.." she trailed
off and her eyes landed on Angel walking out of the elevator.
This was a much different looking Liam Angelus.
He was dressed in some old jeans. They were dirty and torn. He had some ugly bandana over
his hair and he still hadn't shaved. The shirt he was wearing was old and wrinkled, flannel and
thrown over some old tee.
"You know him?" Owen asked seeing her staring.
"Yeah," she said knowing this was going to be an even bigger mistake. "He's my date."
Owen widened his eyes, going from Angel back to Buffy. He whistled softly and shook his head.
"Oh Buffy, you are going to owe me so big for this."
"Hi," Angel said walking up to her dipping his head down to kiss her softly. "I had a few
minutes.. so I thought I would come see you."
"Glad you did," she smiled.
"Who's he?"
"Oh him," she sighed, "Liam Angelus, this would be my cousin, Owen Thurman," she said and
watched them size each other up.
"Pleasure," Owen said grinning and holding his hand out.
"Yeah," he said taking the man's hand, "You live in the 'Dale?"
"No, no. I'm just in town on some.. um.. business. I guess you could call it that," he said trying to
control the grin that wanted to plaster fully across his face.
"He's leaving for home today though," Buffy jumped in, patting owen on the arm. "He just came
by to say goodbye before going to catch his plane. Didn't you, dear cousin of mine?"
"Oh, well, I don't know. It's been so long since any of us have had the chance to really get
together and all.. maybe I should stick around.. say for a couple of days?" he grinned broadly,
finally giving up the fight. "I know one person who would love to know tons of stuff!"
Buffy rolled her eyes then glared. "I sure would hate for you to miss any new cases coming in
Owey," she turned to Angel. "My cousin here runs a PI firm with another one of my cousin's.
He's a busy busy man."
"Interesting work?" he asked.
"Oh, it has it's moments. Listen Buff.. I'm gonna go check in at the hotel, catch myself a nap. I'll
be by and see you later? It was very nice to meet you Liam. She is always so closed lipped on
who she dates," he shook his hand once more then bent to pick up the briefcase and bag he'd
brought in with him. "Later Buffy. I'll be sure to tell the big dog daddy there that you send him
and Lilah your best." And he chuckled and left.
"Putz!" she said as he left.
"You two don't get along?"
"Oh, no. We get along great, it's just.. he's.. oh, it's nothing.. and not that I'm not all happy to
see you and all.. but what does bring you here?"
"An informant. I might have found someone who knows who the arsonist is. I'm meeting him in
about ten minutes."
"Really now?" she said, sparkles in her eyes.
"No, no. No you don't. Buffy I mean this so listen. You are not going and you are not conning
me out of any info. This man, he came to me because he's informed for me before. He trusts
me. And I am going to keep that trust. You got me?"
"Yeah, yeah, but you can't blame a girl for trying now can you?"
"No," he glanced at his watch. "Shit babe, I gotta run. We still on for tonight right? You didn't
change your mind or anything on me did you?"
"We're still on," she said and lifted to kiss his cheek.
"Okay, I'll see you them," he said then turned to walk to the elevator. He glanced back as he
waited for the door to open. He waved goodbye then walked in.
Buffy slumped in her chair.
"Damnit," she muttered and picked up the phone, dialing a number she knew by heart.
No one answered then the machine popped on.
"Damn," she growled and waited for the beep. "Listen you! I am a big girl now. Call off the
watch dog!" and without saying anything else, she hung up.
"Summers!"
"I know Giles, I know!" she snapped then snapped the mouse so her computer would get off
the screensaver.
Quickly she ended her piece, sent it off to Giles, grabbed her purse then headed to the elevator.
OoOoO
Buffy went home. She kicked off her shoes and dropped her purse then went to the fridge.
She found a bottle of wine that was half empty and opened it and poured a glass. Then carrying
it with her, she went to the bathroom and filled up her huge tub with water and bubbles.
She found the remote to her stero and turned on some soft music and got out of her clothes.
With a sigh she slid down into the water and leaned back, taking a sip of the wine as she tried
to think of nothing.
And it sure wasn't easy.
Parts of conversations kept playing through her mind. Her cousins. The arson investigator
Linwood Murrow and his words about signatures and trailings. Even little pieces of her story
came to mind as she kept trying to relax.
It wasn't until she finished the glass of wine that she managed to rid her mind of the worries,
not wanting to think of anything but her date with Angel.
'He sure is one complex man,' she thought. 'Serious, but not without one Hell of a playful side.'
And she couldn't help but wonder where they were going. He called to say it was casual, so she
would make it casual.
Rising from the tub, she let the water drain and turned on the shower, rinsing off the bubbles
clinging to her.
Then twenty minutes later, she was wrapped in a towel still searching through her closet to pick
something to wear.
Then there was a knock on the door.
She threw on her robe and went to the door. She peeked out the peephole and almost growled
when she saw who was standing on the other side.
"Go away! No one's home!"
His eyes narrowed, looking right into the peephole.
"Buffy, tell me, does that ever really work?" Owen asked.
"No," she grumbled as she unlocked and opened the door. "I keep hoping for a first time
though."
"Oh cheer up, would ya? I won't be here long. I just wanted to know if you would have some
time for me tomorow? Maybe we could have lunch? And then I'm back off on a plane and you
won't have to see me until the next familt get together. Or catastrophe. You know, whichever
comes first," he said tugging on a lock of her hair. "You know you want to," he coaxed, "and I'll
even buy," he smirked.
"Okay now. For you, Owen Thurman, to buy lunch? Something must be wrong! Spill."
"I called the boss. He wants to come up here himself and see you," he said grimly then burst out
into loud laughter as he watched her pale and her mouth drop open. "Got ya!" he laughed
harder and she smacked him.
"You little shit! Fine, fine, lunch sounds great. Where are you staying anyway? We can just eat
there."
"Oh man, he put me up at the Crawford Hotel," he bragged and rubbed his fingernails on his
shirt. "Only the best for me, you know. Come around noon. I'll put it on the room charge," he
smiled.
"So much for you buying then huh?"
"Hey, why should I spend my money when it is so much more fun and so much easier to make
him pick up the tab? Besides, he was the one who woke me up. In the middle of the night. And
told me that I was coming here. I tried telling him you were a big girl now you could handle
yourself, but oh no, would he listen to me?"
"Okay, okay. Thanks so much Owen. Now come on, get out of here. I have a date to get ready
for."
"Yeah.. but honestly Buff. After seeing him earlier.. I think you might be too um.. clean?.. to go
out with him."
"Out," she said while snorting and waving him back out the door.
She shook her head and closed the door as he left then went back to her bedroom.
OoOoO
Buffy reached into her drawer and pulled out a silk bra and thong set in the color of a light
peach.
Silk made her feel pretty, more confident. Even if no one ever saw it or not. She knew she was
wearing underneath.
She pulled on a pair of khakis next and a dark blue henley tee then she slipped a pair of sandles
on, a little bit of make up, then brrshed her hair.
She lightly added perfume then waited. but not for long.
The knock came and she smiled and jumped up.
It was a completly different looking Angelus that stood on the other side of the door now again.
He had shaved and had gotten rid of that weird grunge outfit and ways.
She opened the door and took the flowers he handed her. She smiled and went to find
something to put them.
"So where are you taking me tonight?"
He raised his eyebrowns then smirked. "Not telling. Oh, and by the way, I am quite suprised by
your willpower, Miss Summers."
"Huh?" she frownedm "Oh, right. I didn't jump on you to find out what you may have learned
today.."
He nodded then a grin lit his face. "But I wouldn't mind if you did jump on me. Not at all."
"But you won't tell me anything?"
"Nope, can't really, but I will make you a promise though," he said as he came around the
kitchen counter then backed her into it, cornering her. He put his hands on her waist and
looked at her then dipped his head some. "You'll be the first to know when I can tell the press
anything."
"Aww. You sure do know the way into this little journalists heart," she pulled him down to kiss
him.
It started out slow, a taste testing of a sort.
His hands slid down her back and drew her closer, his head turned so he could take the kiss
deeper.
And she was the first to lick at his lips, demanding access. He hummed in pleasure then let her
control the kiss, enjoying her playing. And she could have stood there kissing him all night. Her
blood was pumpingm her heart racing.
Angel slowly lifted his head and licked his lips. "You taste so good," he whispered then nibbled
her bottom lip, "but.. if we don't get out of here.. we won't make our reservations."
She sighed and pressed more into him. "I could live with that."
"Nope," he reluncantly growled. "I have put alot of thought into this night so come on girly," he
said holding his arm out for her.
She grabbed her keys and took it, locking the door behind them as they left.
There was gravel crunching under Buffy's feet as Angel continued to draw her nearer to their
date destination.
There was loud screams, laughing, bright lights, loud music, and smells assaulting her nose.
"An amusement park?" Buffy asked when he twined his fingers up with her own.
"Oh, yeah! What better place is there? You can feel the excitment in the air!" he turned
suddenly and lifted and spun her around. "So, how you feel about rollercoasters?" he asked
clearly amused.
OoOoO
The park wasn't too huge and it had been there for quite some time. It had alot of lights making
it look bright and beautiful. And fun. But under all of the show, there was signs of it's age.
It sat on a large stretch of land just outside of the town. A trailor park and woods were near it,
as well as a nice view of the ocean if you got up high enough.
Buffy let herself be dragged off by him, getting a rush of excitment.
"What do you wanna do first?" he asked.
"The Merry Go Round?" she asked joking.
"The Merry Go Round?" he scoffed. "What are you? Ninety?" he asked, making her laugh
harder. "I thought you reporter types were all about taking chances, living dangerously!"
"I think I used up my quota for doing that already this week," she said but allowed him to pull
her now to the ticket booth.
He bought them each a bracelet that allowed them to ride as many rides as they wanted, then
hand in hand, he led her off to the first.
'God, he is just a big ole kid,' she thought laughing.
Angel and Buffy headed to the first car for their first ride. He helped her in and leaned over to
kiss her before sitting in himself.
The safty gate came over them and they leaned on it, listened as it clicked into place. Then a
few moments later, it started and they were spiing and twisting about. His arm was wrapped
around her and his lips found hers, his tounge easily sliding into her mouth.
She moaned and his hand went from her shoulder to as low as he could in their position then
pulled her as close to him as he could.
They ended up so wrapped up in one another, neither had felt the ride slow or come to a stop.
Nor heard the bar click and freeing them.
"Excuse me," a voice said after clearing his throat.
angel lifted his head and stared at the man then smiled at her. Ooops. Ride must be over
sweetheart."
Buffy blushed then got out of the ride, not waiting for him and made her way down to the
wood planks towards the exit.
She felt his arm wrapped around her waist just as she got down to the grass. She turned to look
at him then burst out into laughter with him.
"God, Angelus! Do you plan on doing that every ride?"
"Every one I can," he started pulling on her again. "Come on!"
OoOoO
They walked through the park, riding many rides as they continued. Then there they were
standing in front of one of the two rides this park was more famous for.
This one being a rollercoaster with a huge wooden structure and metal track. It curved and
twisted all around inself.
He pulled her into line and settled her in front him him. This way he was able to wrap his large
arms around her and pull her back to his chest.
"Mmm. So have I told you how glad I am that you walked into that warehouse?"
"No," she turned to grin up at him. "I think you just enjoyed the free feel you got."
"Yes, well, what part of me being a male did you miss?" he laughed and his hand stroked over
her lean stomach then went to her hip as the line moved forward some. "I gotta admit to being
a little breathless when they brought you in. You and that little red dress.." he remembered
thoughtful.
"That little red dress that went back to its rightful owner," she laughed at his dissapointment,
"But maybe Cordy will let me borrow it again sometime. You know, just for you."
He hummed into her neck before licking and nibbling at it making her shiver then he smiled,
loving what he could do to her.
OoOoO
"So tell me Buff, you a screamer?" he raised an eyebrow. And with that a tingling sensation
washed over her and for a second she was confused.
"Screamer? Oh.. the ride. huh.. eek. No, not really. I don't scream."
"We'll just have to see about tha,." he whispered against her ear then he licked her suddenly,
making her shiver once more and her nipples grew hard.
"Oh, that is not fair," she moaned just as the safty bar went into place. "That's cheating."
"Nope. All is fair.." He didn't get to finish. The ride took off with a jerk, startling her and making
her squeal then glare at Angel as he laughed.
The car started to make it's first climb and turned and scooted closer to him, her hand fell to his
thigh.
"You know what? I heard somewhere that an orgasm on a rollercoaster is like ten times better
than one in bed," she said, smoothing her hand over his jeans, sliding it down to his knee then
back up again, seeing the growing bulge.
"Really now?" he groaned as her hand rest on the hard ridge of his cock and she stroked and
squeezed him through the jeans. "Jesus maybe.. you ahh.. God.. shouldn't be um doing that.."
"Doing what?" she asked, flicking open the button of his jeans then sliding her hand inside.
"This?" she asked as she felt the tip of him then moved farther down his shaft., stroking him.
"Yes, that," he growled. The motion of the car was helping her jerk him off.
He felt so good in her hand, hard and thick, throbbing. She could only imagine what he would
feel like inside of her, how his shaft would stretch her, fill her, pump in and out of her until she
came.. And just the thought of it had her wet and wanting.
Angel had to close his eyes unable to watch her anymore.
He could feel his orgasm building. Every move of her hand sent him closer and closer. He
groaned and grabbed her hand, pulling it away from him.
"You have to stop," he growled then looked at her and groaned at the sight.
Buffy was flushed, her eyes heavy, hungry. Her lips were parted and she was wetting them with
her tongue. The wind was blowing through her hair, tossing it around. Her tee was also blown
around, it sticking to her body, outlining her curves and showing off her hardened nipples.
"If you do not stop looking at me like that, I am going to take you off somewhere then fuck you
until you scream for mercy," he growled and watched as her eyes narrowed. focusing on his
mouth and he could almost hear her thoughts, her expression making them clear.
Buffy could only fantasize about how that would feel, to be in his arms as he pounded into her.
She could almost see it all in her mind.
It had her licking in her lips again in anticipation.
Angel buttoned his jeans back up as they rounded the final turn and soon felt the car coming to
its stop. The safty bar clicked open and he pushed it up and out of his way then he reached for
her hand to pull her out.
They raced out together, him having to yank his shirt down to cover his massive erection.
He pushed her behind the exit and backed her out of sight from any other passengers.
Her back was pushed into a support of the ride and he bent his head to thrust his tounge into
her hot mouth. It feeling like a flame to her.
He kissed her hard, making her moan, then more so as he reached up and cupped her breasts in
his hands, his thumbs playing with her nipples.
"Now. How do you like it?" he growled.
OoOoO
Angel tore his mouth away from hers then stared around for a minute. He pulled her along
beside him, heading away from the rollercoaster.
Soon they were in another line.
Buffy glanced back at him, unsure of his mood. He had held her at the last ride but there was no
teasing anymore.
This line was shorer so they got through it quicker.
Buffy gasped when she saw the ride. A double ferris wheel which was looming over them.
Angel pulled her into the car and wrapped his arm around her shoulders as the carnie put the
bar in place. The car swung, swaying back and forth, then swung them up and over before
coming to it's first round stop.
"Now," he growled, his voice low and husky, "do you think it was wise to play like you did?"
"Wise? Well maybe not," she grinned and she stroked his handsome face. "But fun? Oh, it was.
Why? You gonna make me pay?" she teased.
He nodded. "I think someone should and well since i'm the only one here, I guess it's up to me."
He reached up into her hair at the base of her neck yanking gently to tip her head back. She
could see and almost feel the heat in his eyes as he got closer to her. It was an explostion of
heat burning in her stomach.
A moan tore from her throat as he teased and played with her. Teasing and devouring her,
thrusting his tonuge in to dance with hers.
His palm cupped her cheek, tipping her head back even more, gving him more room to play
with.
"You know, I should just pull up your shirt and bare those pretty nipples of yours to me, for my
lips," he growled as he tore his mouth from hers, them both having to pant at the air.
His hand slipped down to her heavy mounds, this thumbs stroking over what he had his
thoughts on.
"That would be breaking the law," she said arching into him, her head falling back on his arm.
She moaned as he put his lips to her neck, nipping and licking at her, then sucking gently.
"I want you," he growled. "You're driving me insane." He bunching her shirt up as he ran his
fingers under it.
"What are you doing?" she moaned and he pushed his hand under her bra, shifting the cup
around so he could cup her.
"Well if you can't tell I must be doing something wrong," he said shifting in the seat, making
them rock. His hand squeezed her gently, lifting her and stroking over her nipple. The car began
to move again and he lifted his head meeting her gaze then he glanced around, hiding his hand
from anyone around the best he could with his body.
Then they were spun. Then dropped. Only to spin again, go back up and around.
The two wheels traded places, slowed, and now left them at the top.
Buffy reached up to run her hands through his hair. "Kiss me."
"My pleasure," he whispered and did as ordered.
She moved under his hand and her leg came to rest over his and her hand dropped to his lap.
"Minx!" he growled and he wrapped one of his hands around hers there in his lap.
"Hey! You two! Get a damn room!"
Angel jerked, his hand coming out from under her shirt then he looked up.
There were two teenagers staring down at them from the car above them now.
"Very funny," he grumbled out.
Angel swivled his head and glared at Buffy as she laughed. Her hand was still at his groin, still
slowly squeezing and rubbing. He grabbed at her wrist, lifting it then pinning it back to the seat
behind her.
"You sure are something else you know that," he hissed at her.
"Me? I'm not the one molesting women on a ferris wheel," she grinned.
"No, you're the one with her hand down my pants on a rollercoaster."
"Oh. That was you?" she said chuckling then nuzzled her nose into his neck. "By the way, you do
know you have to win me some horrid looking stuffed animal before we go home right?"
"Horrid looking?"
"Yeah, haven't you ever seen the things they sell at amusement parks?"
"Okay, so if they're so bad, why would you want me to win you one?"
"Well because it's tradition," she lifted her head to kiss his neck then jaw. "If you take a girl to
an amusement park, you have to win her one. Then she can take it home and sigh over it. Well
unless the date didn't turn out well, then she would take it home and throw darts at it or
something."
"Hmm.. well how's this one going?" he asked as they were spinning down to the bottom of the
wheel.
"So far? No darts, but then again.. you still haven't won me an animal now have you?"
OoOoO
He stood at the concession stand, his eyes watchful, following the ferris wheel as it moved.
He watched her laugh. Her lean closer to the cop. Her hands touching him.
He watched them kiss.
He saw his hands under her shirt. He saw him touch her.
And he fumed.
He put his hand in his jeans pocket and played over his erection. He ignored the gasps of people
from around him, those who saw what he was doing.
OoOoO
"Ten shots for a dollar! Shoot the target and win your lady a prize!" the girl called sounding
clearly bored and tired.
"Come on," Angel said with a grin. "Time to get that horrid animal for ya."
"Aww, my heart is going pitter pat," she said letting him drag her over.
"Six bears. Eight ducks. Or four bulls will win your lady a prize," the girl said as they got closer.
Angel pulled out a follar and handed it to her then took the gun she handed him after. "What
does she get if I hit ten bears?"
"Ten bears wins any animals on the top," she said pointing.
"Pick one," he told her.
"Can I just pick you?" she whispered.
"Later," he hissed, taking his aim. "Can you not see this winning stuffed animals is important
business? Serious stuff is going on here! Now you hush."
"Well sorry!" she drawled out at him.
The gun made some popping sounds, the small bb's clicking off the bears. He set the gun down
and smiled cockily. "Decide what ya wanted?"
"Show off," she smirked then looked up at her choices. "Um.. how about.. the pink pig?"
The girl handed it to her. She took it and tucked it under one arm then snuggled her other up to
him.
"Thank you."
"God, all I get is a thank you?" he kidded.
"Depends."
"On?"
"Wether you plan on asking me out again I guess."
"Well, what do ya think?"
"I think.. that I am just simply irresitable and you.. well you're going to have to ask me out
again. It's like you can't help yourself!"
Angel chuckled. "And what are you going to say?"
"Well now if I tell you that it ruins the suspense. And you don't want to take all the mystery out
of our relationship now do you?"
"Okay, so when do I find out?"
"When you ask me. When else would you find out sillypants?"
"How about now?" he asked as they stepped into a line at a concession stand.
"Does that mean you're asking?"
"Okay, so how come if i feel like this is a game of Who's On First?"
She giggled and took the lemonade he was now handing her. "That would be cheesy."
He took the cone of french fries and got his change then led her off to find a table to sit down
at. He patted a spot for her to sit in front of him and pulled her back into his so she'd rest
against his chest.
"So?"
"Angel, I can't answer a question that has yet to be asked," she teased, licking the salt off of his
fingers as she took the fry he held out for her to eat then she held up the lemonade for him to
get a drink.
"Alright then.. Miss Buffy Anne Summers.. will you do me the great honor of accompanying me
out again?"
"Why! I do declare Sir, you are ever so bold!" she said in her best southern accent. "Whatever
would ma and pa say if they were to hear you speaking to me in such a way?"
Angel chuckled. "Well, gosh, Miss Scarlet. I just can't help but want to spend more time with
you."
Buffy then turned, her eyes serious. "Angel, I would love to go with you again.."
"Why is it that I hear a but at the end of that?" he asked.
"Probably because there is a but.."
"Why won't you go out with me again?" he demanded.
"There's reasons," she said with a shrug.
"What kind of reasons? Tell me one."
"Just one? Okay. Come closer and I'll tell you," she turned to face him a bit more.
Angel moved closer, putting his cheek up next to her.
Her perfume was surrounding him, making the wait for an answer something even harder.
Especially when she might be pulling away now.
'Well, I just won't let her,' he thought at that. And his brain was trying to come up with
whatever excuse she might give him, finding solutions for a million she might say. And he was
so busy with that that he almost missed what she whispered in his ear.
"What? What was that?"
"Because I'd rather stay in with you."
Angel stared at her, unable to comprehend her words. He looked into the amazing green orbs
seeing something in them sending thrills of fear and anticipation through him.
"You mean that?" he asked.
"Yes," she answered, not ready for his response.
Angel took the drink out of her hand and all the rest of the fries then grabbed her hand and he
pulled her off the bench. He tossed their litter into the trash barrel and started pulling her out
of the parking lot.
"What are you doing?" she asked, clearly amused.
"I'm taking you back to my place and we're going to see how long I can stay in you," he said,
playing off her words.
They were almost to the gates when they heard the first scream.
Both of them turned, staring at the woman who was shrieking. She stood next to an empty
baby carriage holding a bundle in her arms and Buffy gasped when she dropped it.
They watched the baby fall to the ground. Then it rolled.
"It's just a bear," Angel said relieved as the blanket fell away, showing the fuzz and nose.
"My baby! Someone stole my baby!"
"Shit! Don't move," he growled out at Buffy, dropping her arm.
She stared at him then rolled her eyes, hurrying after him. "Don't move my ass!" she muttered
and she reached the woman as her knees began to buckle and quickly grabbed her arm for
support.
"How long was the baby alone?" Angel asked with his eyes moving through the crowd.
"Not more than a second or two!" she sobbed. "I was getting my daughter off of a ride and then
when I turned back around.." she trailed off her eyes went wide. She started looking around for
her other child.
"I'm right here," she said seeing it and seemilngly understood. "I saw him.. the man who took
my brother. He had on a black jacket."
"Which way did he go?"
"That way," she said pointing down the parking lot.
"Call 911," he yelled at Buffy then pulled off his duty piece out of his holster. He checked the
load then he pushed through the crowd.
"You heard him," Buffy yelled at a man who had a cell phone stuck out of his shirt pocket. "Get
the cops!" and then she was on his heels racing after him.
"What are you doing?"
"Coming with you."
"Buffy Summers! You are not! Not! Coming with me!" he said, not stopping, but gave her a look
supposed to stop her dead in her tracks. But she wasn't frozen. She just rolled her eyes and
quickened her pace.
Her eyes roamed over the cars, moving from one to the other, searching for a sign of the man
who might have taken the baby. And for a moment she thought her eyes were tricking her then
she took a longer look, making out a shadow.
"Angel! Over there!" she said pointing to where he was standing.
Angel turned, seeing the man himself. "Freeze! Police!" he shouted then started after the man.
Buffy spun, racing down a row of cars, heading toward the man as he raced down the other
side.
The shadow cursed then he bent before running. He turned toward the street as Angel
followed. Buffy started after them only to be stopped by teh sound of a cry.
OoOoO
"Oh" Buffy gasped and ran to where the man had been standing. The little boy was there. His
clothing was half stripped off and he was howling like all Hell was coming down. "shh," Buffy
crooned and picked him up off the ground.
She straightened his clothing them turned, her eyes on Angel and she gasped as a car nearly hit
him. Then, the same car crashed into the man Angel was chasing, sending him flying into the air
before crashing down hard against its windshield.
"Shit!" she whispered hearing the squealing breaks, the sound of sirens.
She watched for a minute then turned back to where the woman and her daughter.
OoOoO
"Oh God, oh my dear God, thank you!" the woman cried , taking the baby out of Buffy's arms.
"Thank you so much!"
"He seems to be fine, but you might want to get him check out anyway," she said then stepped
away.
Two police officers came up behind them and she started to turn away but one of them
stopped her. "What's your role in this Miss?" he asked grabbing her arm.
"Take your damn hands off of me."
"Are you resisting?"
"Resisting what? You're hurting me here!" And she tried to move away but only to find herself
being pushed up against one of the fences, her arms yanked behind her and she felt the cuffs
snapping into place.
"What are you doing?"
"Don't move." He kicked her feet apart.
Buffy gasped as she felt his hands moving over her body, him even running his hand over her
groin and under each breast. By the time that he was done she was pissed. Her eyes were
heated and her face red.
"So now then.. you ready to talk civilly or do we have to take you down town? I have resisting
arrest already.. I could probably come up with a couple of other charges by the time we get
there," he smirked and yanked her away from the fence. And she was about to open her
mouth, tell him where he could go shove that talking civilly but she heard Angel's voice.
"Let her go Finn."
"You know this woman?"
"Yes, I do. She's my girlfriend," he reached over and dpulled out his own set of keys and slipped
the cuffs off of her. "What'd she do?"
"I asked her what she was doing her and she, well, didn't give me a satisfactory answer. Then
she tried to resist when I was going to arrest her."
"I'd resist you too. Get the fuck over there and take over traffic duty or something. Send that
office over there here to take this lady's statement. Do you think you could get that right?" he
asked watching the other man ste away, his face red with anger.
"Baby, I think you just made an enemy."
"Not the first, won't be the last, but you.. you'd better watch it. I could get busted back down to
a beat cop if I get caught dating a felon. Resiting arrest is a pretty serious crime you do now."
"Hey! You almost got killed or mainmed or something."
"Part of the job," he said then looked at the mother walking towards them.
"Thank you so much," she said, tears streaming down her face. "I would have died if something
would have happened to him!"
"He okay?" Angel asked running a finger down the baby's cheek.
"He's fine.. the man.. he.. he didn't have time.."
"Just keep a better eye on him." Angel leaned down, "Hi there little guy," he smiled at him then
the little girl. "You did really good today. You saved your baby brother." And she smiled shyly up
at him then hid behind her mother, sneaking peaks at both him and Buffy.
"We're on our way home now but I did want to thank you both."
Angel smiled at her. "Officer? Come help Mrs..."
"Calendar."
"Mrs Calendar to her car please."
Buffy bent down until she was at the young girl's eye level. "Could you do me a favor? Do you
think you could give this stuffed pig of mine a home? I can't have any pets in my apartment."
"Can I momma?" she whispered and looked at her mother who nodded and mouthed a thank
you at her, then she reached down slowly and took the stuffed animal which was just about as
big as she. She wrapped her arms around it and hugged it to her body. "Thank you," she said
with her eyes as big as the smile plastered on her face.
"You're very welcome," she said then stood up and watched as they left.
"I guess I'll never know now," Angel sighed.
"Huh? Know what?"
"Wether it would have been darts or the date."
Buffy chuckled, "You poor baby. Guess you'll just have to bite the bullet," She smiled. "So.. you
like kids?"
"What's not to like?" he asked, his hands going to her slender waist. "Don't you?" he kissed her.
"Sure, kids are always nice."
"You have any brothers or sisters?"
"Just a sister, Dawn. She lives with my folks," she reached up her hands, running them over his
chest then up his neck.. twirlling his hair in her fingers. "Mmm I thought we were planning to
stay in before we got all interrupted."
"Definitely," he dropped another kiss on her mouth, fire flowling through him.
Angel could feel all his blood rushing into his cock. He ran a hand down to cup her ass then
yanked her into his erection hearing her gasp then hum in pleasure. Next he felt her lightly
rubbing against him and drawing him in even closer.
"You know Angel. I would really hate to run you in for indecent exposure. It might look bad on
your record," a voice coming from behind them said.
Angel lifted his head but refused to let go of Buffy.
"Hey Linds," he said, "And Eve. How in the world did you manage to get this guy to take you
out?"
Buffy buried her face in his chest. She let out a small groan of frustration. One he could agree
with.
"Threats!' she said smiling and looking curiously at Buffy. "I told him I was leaving him.. and
leaving him the kids," she grinned and her eyes twinkled. "He was on the phone calling
babysitters before I even got the whole sentence out."
"You are one evil woman Eve. I'm glad I'm on your good side," he said and looked down at
Buffy. "You remember by partner Lindsay McDonald from that night of the raid. And this would
be his lovely wife, Eve. Eve, this is Buffy Summers."
"Oh! So you're that girl Linds was griping about," she had a huge grin still on her face. Eve
glanced over at her husband, seeing him start to turn a nice shade of red. "He told me how
Angel here gets to have all the fun while he gets stuck out in the van picking at his nails. So
what was all this 'fun' he was talking about?"
"Umm.." she looked up at Angel who was grinning over at the unconfortable looking Lindsay. "It
was mostly a stress filled situtation. I don't think I would have lived through it had it not been
for our Angel Cakes here. He managed to whisper how the cops would be there soon."
"I read your article. You make the police look good," she hugged Lindsay's arm. "There's not too
many reporters who do that. They seem to always want to make them look dirty."
"I probably would have ended up dead that day if it hadn't been for him. Spike had just found
my press ID card. He would have never let me out of there knowing what I had learned."
"Oh, so this is gratitude, what you're doing out with him tonight," Linsday said and he chuckled
at the look Angel shot him.
"No gratitude is what got him into my apartment at three AM the morning after the raid," she
twind her fingers with his. "He wouldn't take no for an answer."
"Hey!" he growled, "Watch it woman."
"See me shaking?" she teased.
"So.. what are you two doing?" Eve asked, amused by their play.
"Well we.. we on our way back to.. uh," he grunted as Buffy elbowed him in the ribs. He turned
and glared at her, seeing her sweet innocent smile on her face.
"..back into town to get some dinner," she finished for him. "He rushed me out here without
feeding me."
"You should try that new pasta place on Fifth street, they have the best," Eve said and grabbed
Lindsays hand. "Anyway, it was nice meeting you Buffy. Angel? You should bring her by
sometime for dinner. I'd love to get to know her better." Ever started yanking at her husbands
arm. "Come on now Linds, you have to win me a stuffed animal."
OoOoO
"I knew I always liked that woman."
"Why's that?" she asked, sort of distracted.
"She always knows how to end a converstation," then he looked towards her. "Hey.. Earth to
Buffy?"
"Oh, sorry," she gave a small smile.
"You aren't having second thoughts are you?" he asked and backed her up so her body was now
him and the car door.
"Well.. it's just.."
Angel's hands rubbed her waist and get moved closer to her. "Buffy we don't have to do
anything. I'll take you home or we can go out if you want, but I would just.. I'd love to just hold
you in my arms tonight if nothing more," he said as he rubbed his fingers down her soft cheek.
"I don't want to do anything that would change the way things are going with us."
"Hmm.. even if I were to tell you that I have a nosey big cousin who might come out here and
give you the third degree.. for starters?" she teased.
"Should I be afraid?" he smirked and bent his head to kiss her lightly.
"Oh, yeah," she breathed once he lifted his head. "You should be very afraid. I also have a few
cousins married to Feds."
Angel dropped his hands and backed away from her, a look of mock horror on his face. "No!" he
exclaimed and made a cross with his fingers. "Anything but that!"
Buffy grabbed his hand and laughed at him as she yanked him back to her. "Come back here,"
she wrapped her arms around his neck and he once more wrapped his around her slender
waist.
"I mean it Buff. If you aren't comfortable with the idea of me taking you back to my place and
well.. ravishing this beautiful body of yours.. I won't do it."
"I know," she said softly. "I trust you."
"Good because you should. I'm one of the good guys. I'll even show you my white hat
sometime. So.. Dinner? A movie?"
"How about take out.. and your place?"
He lifted her up and spun her in a small circle before hitting the button to open his car locks. He
slid her inside before she could change her mind again and he almost ran to the other side of
the car.
"So, we've done pizza. What are you in the mood for?"
"Chinese?"
"Great. I know the perfect place," he started the car.
OoOoO
"Sure you don't want a bite?"
"Seafood? Ick!" she shuddered. "Thanks but um no!"
"How can you not like seafood?" he asked and snuck a piece of her chicken and a kiss with it.
They had brought the food into his apartment. He sat it down in the kitchen then handed her a
remote letting her find some music. She had settled on some soft jazz. Then they snuggled
down on his wide leather couch.
Buffy kicked her sandles off and tucked her feet under her as she dug into her sweet and sour
chicken.
Angel picked up his beer, took a sip before settled back down. "So why a journalist?"
"I could just as well ask you why you're a cop," she smirked. "Awful hours, lots of days without
being home, the danger, dealing with the worst kind of people imaginable.. and you seem to
enjoy your job."
"I do. Especially when I get little perks such as a petite blonde thing in a red dress busting in on
a middle of my sting. And mmm, I don't think i'll ever forget that dress.."
"Neither will I," she sighed. "It did seem to draw me some pretty amazing attention."
Angel scooted closer. He took the plate from her lap and sat it down on the coffee table beside
his. He lifted up her legs and slid them over his lap and he moaned when she twisted her fingers
into his shirt and pulled him closer.
His hands went to her waist and started pulling it out from being tucked into her pants.
"This shirt is kind of interesting too. It would look great on my bedroom floor."
Buffy laughed. "That line ever work?"
"I'll tell you in the morning," he said slowly, his hands slipped under the shirt tails. "Will you
stay?" he asked.
Buffy paused then tugged him closer to her.
"If I were to say no?"
"I would take you home.. but I sure would be dissapointed," he said seriously.
"Well now.. we can't dissapoint a member of the law enforcement now can we? I might find
myself getting tickets all the time."
Angel raised his eyebrow. "You don't have a car."
"And that would stop you?"
Angel chuckled and wrapped his hands around her waist and he pulled her the rest of the way
into his lap.
"I don't know anything that would stop me from being with you Buffy Summers."
"I take it that means you like me a little bit," she said and started playing around with his shirt.
She pulled and tugged on it and pulled it up.
"Yeah.. I guess that I do. A little bit."
"Good. I sure would hate to sleep with someone who doesn't like me at least a little bit. My
momma always told me I should save myself."
"Oh. And you've been a good girl Miss Summers?"
"Very good, but then again.. that might have to do with my nosey cousins," she smirked. "You
gonna make me a bad girl?"
"Can I?"
Buffy moved around on his lap, feeling his hardness under her. She wanted him to kiss her, to
bring back the heat he gave her before. She slid her hands under his shirt, pulling it up some
more. She felt the heat underneath, the muscles, the strength.
"Yes," she whispered and kissed him.
Angel growled and lifted her in his arms standing easily. He moved around the furniture
without having to ever lift his head.
He kicked open the door of his bedroom and carried her in.
He walked over to the bed, laid her down then went back to the door and slammed it shut.
Buffy laid against the blankets of his bed, her heart thumping loud. She watched as Angel came
back to her, kind of a cockiness to his walk, which only made her want him more.
"If I make you nervous at all just tell me alright?" he whispered to her.
"Okay, but you have to do the same," she said sitting up, her hands reaching for her shirt tails.
She pulled it up and over her head, leaving her in nothing but the peach silk and lace.
Angel's eyes widened as he took in the sight before him and a sly grin crossed his face.
"Well now.. this is enough to make me nervous as Hell," he said and slid a finger across her
covered mounds. "If I had known you were in something like this.. I doubt we would have made
it out the front door."
"Yes, but then that poor baby would be on a milk carton tomorrow morning," she said then
gasped and arched her back as he hooked a finger in one of her laced cups.
"And we couldn't have that," he said then against her lips continued. "I just have one question.
Do the bottoms match?"
Buffy nodded. "I bought them together."
"I'm doomed," he groaned.
For just a moment Angel turned from her. He pulled his weapon from its place on his back and
dropped it to the night stand. Then he tugged at his shirt and got it over his head.
Buffy's hands went to his belt buckle and started undoing it with shaking hands.
"In a hurry?" he chuckled then he groaned when he fingers went to his button, undid it, then
zipped his zipper down. Her knuckles brushed against the long rigid bulge while doing so.
"Well, I have been waiting for this for a pretty long time," she said as she slid her hands inside
his pants. "I mean if you think back to all the times my cousins would scare off boys.."
"You keep that up, you might have to wait even longer," he gulped. "Jesus Buff," he said and
groaned as he pulled her fingers off of him and set them in her lap. "Leave those right there for
the time being."
Buffy tilted her head to the side and with almost scared eyes she looked at him. "Did I do
something wrong?"
Angel shook his head. "No.. you did something too right. If you can't tell by this," he motioned
to the tent in his boxers. "I want you pretty damn badly and the was you were going.."
Angel climbed up on the bed, forcing her to scoot back until he lowered his body over hers.
The silk and lace slipped across his chest, her nipples hard into his chest. His lips found hers, his
tounge sweeping over her lips, teasing her, coaxing her to open for him. She groaned and
parted her lips.
OoOoO
Angel rolled with her and his arms went around her as she laid there on his chest. Their lips
desperatly clung to one anothers. Her hands going to his spikey locks.
When her bra loosened, she gasped, having been unaware as to what his fingers had been
doing. He urged her to sit up and watched with eager eyes as the straps fell down her arms
then the rest coming with them.
"You are so beautiful," he groaned and reached a hand up to trace around one of the hardened
pink tips.
Buffy shivered under his fingers. Her nipple grew even harder and goodbumps started breaking
out as she arched her back. Her eyes closed and she parted her lips and he caught the pink flesh
with her teeth, biting softly down upon it.
"Oh," she moaned, "that feel so.."
Angel sat up suddenly, lifted her with his hands on her waist. This way he could find the pebble
and bring it into his mouth. He heard her cry out, felt her thighs clenching around him, her
hands grabbing at him.
He suckled her, loving all the small cries and whimpers she made, the feel of her hands on him
and running through his hair.
She moved above him and he rolled with her once again.
He settled between her thighs, his hips fitting perfectly in her cradle.
"Oh God, please!" she moaned and his fingers went to the button of her khakis. He slipped it
free then pulled down the zipper, now being able to feel the silk underneath with his fingers
and the warmth of her flesh.
Angel started tugging them down slowly, off her legs and down off her feet. He rose back up to
his knees between her legs, his eyes lingering on all he could see.
"Your beautiful Buffy Summers," he told her again, one finger busy tracing over the flesh of her
stomach, just above where the peach made a vee abover her sex.
He slowly began to slid his fingers into the silk, pulled at it, and slipped them down until he
could see her thick lower lips. He let out a moan of pleasure as his fingers came up her thighs
and slided with ease into her heat and wetness.
He heard her gasp then she stiffened as he went to the pearled bud of her clit.
"Mmm. You like that?" he asked, his voice husky.
Buffy slowly opened her eyes, having a dazed look on her face, heat in her eyes.
"Mmm. Guess you do like it," he said, now against her throat, his teeth nipping at her flesh.
His finger slid through the wet folds and he found the small opening covered by the thin barrier
of her pureness and his cock jerked at the thought of pushing through it. of becoming the only
man to know what she felt like. But Angel did what he could to control that thought for now.
He wanted to taste her, to drive her mad, make her have a desperate need for him to be inside.
He wanted her to cry out his name as she came, to feel her orgasm with his fingers and tongue
before he felt the same with his cock.
He slid down her body and his hand went to her panties and pulled them the rest of the way
off, leaving her completly naked to him.
He parted her thighs and pushed them open wide, his shoulders came between to hold her still.
He lowered and without warning his tonuge slicked through the wetness. He probed and teased
her with licks and flicks. And she shuddered under him.
Buffy's cries became almost incoherant and her need grew as she dug her nails into his shoulder
and scalp. Dhe rose slightly and her eyes looked down upon him as he got her closer and closer
to her peak. And when it came, her back arched, bowed off the bed, and her hips thrusted in
need.
OoOoO
Angel tore himself from her graps and quickly shed the remainder of his clothing. He took a
moment to drink all of her in and a jolt of need tore through him but he was also worried he
wouldn't be able to hold back, that he would hurt her.
"Buffy," he gritted out. "You sure about this?"
Buffy's eyes were focused on the thick ridge of flesh. She almost looked startled, her eyes
dancing from his cock to his face.
"It won't fit?" she finally said.
"Yes," he said with a snort of laughter, "It will."
"I want to touch you," she whispered.
"No. Not yet, not this time. Buffy, if you touch me, I won't be responsible for what happens. I
am feeling a bit on the desperate side at the moment. I want you pretty badly."
"Then what are you wa.. waiting for?" she asked and gasped as soon as the words got out for
he was pushing her down in the matress, his mouth and body covering over hers. His hands
were running impatiently over her body and they both groaned at the contact.
"I don't want to hurt you," he panted out.
"You won't," she said with a slight shake to the words. She slid her thighs over his legs and
moved them up until they were wrapped around his waist. "I want you detective," she
whispered.
Angel reached between them and rubbed the hard head of his cock in the wetness of her sex.
He slowly pushed forward and soon felt the barrier stretching.
"Hold on to me," he told her.
She grabbed onto his arms and closed her eyes, waiting for the pain.
He watched as she bit down nervously on her botton lips and bent his head down to kiss her.
Then, with one quick move, he broke through and plunged himself into her tight folds.
Buffy stiffened under him. Her nails dug into his arms. And she jerked, almost like she was
trying to buck him off of her. A small whimper came from her lips as she stiilled.
Angel ran a hand through her hair and looked down at her, his eyes filled with concern.
"Buffy? Are you okay?" he whispered.
"Yes.." she moaned and she gave a small smile. "just.. give me a minute."
"For the love of God Buff, make it a short one," he groaned and she chuckled.
OoOoO
After a few moments, Buffy finally started to move under him. Her hips rose and rubbed against
him. He let her move, let her get used to him. All the while clenching his teeth against the urge
to slam into her. Forcing him to hold back against the torture of her movements.
"It fit."
He snorted in laughter but it ended up a groan as she wrapped around him more and moved
now with quicker strokes.
"Buffy? Are you.."
"Yes" she whispered. "It feels.."
"It feels?" he asked and moved against her slowly.
Buffy closed her eyes and let out a small moan of pleasure. Her body arched and rubbed against
his. He grabbed at her hips but she was determined to make him lose what little control he had
left.
Angel still held out for as long as he could until something snapped deep with him. His thrusts
became heavy and sure.
Soon he felt her start to clench around him.
"Angel?" she gasped.
Angel smiled down and rubbed one of his hands down and inbetween her body and let his
finger find her clit.
"Oh God!" she moaned and her hands went from his shoulders down his back then down his
hips to cup his ass.
There were slow strokes, long ones, fast and hard ones, as he ground himself against her. He
felt dizzy from the need for her. She clung to him, making small sounds of pleasure and need
with her lips unless he was busy silencing them with his own.
She tensed under him, her back arched again, her brears rubbed into his chest. He tore his
mouth from hers, stared down and watched her face.
He felt her nails digging into his hips, making the sensations better.
Buffy's face was in stunned pleasure as her orgasm crashed into her. And it was all he needed.
He threw his head back and slammed into her, letting go of the control he held to and it roared
through him and stole his breath and all of his thoughts too. Except the ones of her.
When it was over he collapsed down next to her and he reached to draw her against him. He
fought to catch his breath and his hands were shaking still as he held her.
"Are you okay?" he panted.
"Okay? That was.. wow!"
Angel chucked at her wide eyes and tone. "Is that the writer in you coming out? All those
descriptive words... Wow.. Ow!" he rubbed his chest where she decided to bite him. "What'd
you do that for?"
"As if you didn't know," she snorted.
"Okay, so maybe I deserved it, but you know you gotta let me gloat a little bit. I mean, how
often does the great Buffy Summers, the investigative reporter, find herself speechless?"
Buffy glared over at him then her glare turned into a smile. "You want to gloat huh?"
"Umm.." his eyes narrowed. "I refuse to answer that on the grounds that I might get my ass
kicked."
"Smart boy," she smiled and leaned to kiss him.
"Buffy?"
"Angel?"
"Will you stay here with me tonight?"
"Just tonight?"
"Well.. I wasn't going to push my chances.. but I'm free tomorrow night and the next and the
next.."
"I'll stay," she said with her fingers trailing up to his lips. "Now shut up and kiss me already."
The explosion broke the windows out for the next two blocks. Glass shook, car alarms went off,
sirens blared, and men rushed all around.
And it was that mixture of noise that woke Buffy up.
She stared around her confused, her mind not recognizing where she was for the moment.
Then there was a mutter moan and a heavy arm that curled over her waist and it all came back
to her.
She turned her head and started at the picture he was making in the orange glow coming from
the window.
'He's so perfect. So handsome, so sweet and so gentle.. Wait? Huh? Orange glow!'
"Angel?" she hissed and nudged on his arm to get him to release her. "Someonething's going on
outside."
"It's outside and not in here," he muttered. He grumbled some more and then drew her back
down under him.
"Come on Angel! Something's going on out there. I think there's something on fire! Wake up!"
she nudged at him again and then she elbowed him.
"Yeah, well, something was on fire in here too," he growled.
Angel let her go and rubbed where she elbowed him then stared out at the orange glow.
"Shit! Something is on fire," he said then grabbed at his jeans. Looking over her head, he laid his
hands down on her shoulders and watched the flames. "That would be the Exxon Station."
She looked over her shoulder at him. "I have to get over there," she said then pushed away
from him and reached for her own clothes. "Can you give me a ride?"
"Yeah.. but I don't think it's going to be too safe over there. Do you know what would happen in
the underground tanks went up?"
"It's all part of the job," she pulled her shirt over her head then laid her hand on his cheek. "But
I do appreaciate your worrying."
Angel sighed and tried to grab her hand but she already took it back away and out of reach.
"I can't help it, you've kind of grown on me."
"What, like a fungus?" she laughed and started pulling her pants back on. "Aren't you getting
dressed?"
"Yeah, yeah. Nag, nag, nag. You try to give a woman a compliment and she just demands more
from you," he smiled. "I'll get dressed on one condition."
"Yeah, and what's that?" she asked as she tucked her shirt into her pants.
"You move in with me."
OoOoO
He slipped through the door of her apartment building. He smiled at the woman who had just
opened the door.
"Thanks, forgot my keys again," he said.
"You're welcome," the older woman said then she quickly moved toward the bank of elevators.
He followed her on and ignored how she moved to the far corner of the car, as far as she could.
She hopped off when the door opened to her floor and she snuck a peek behind her as the
doors started to close.
He laughed, enjoying the affect that he had on the poor woman.
Buffy's floor was next.
He slipped off when it got there and walked the short distance to her door. The locks were a bit
of a challenge, they took too long to pick. It made him nervous. Then when the last one clicked,
he breathed a huge sigh.
He turned the knob and pushed the door open.
"Buffy Summers," he muttered. "Can I come in?"
His head cocked to the side, listening for any kind of response then he smiled and stepped
inside and closed the door behind him.
"Why thank you so much. You are such a gracious host. Something to drink? Oh, would you
happen to have something in say, a white wine perhaps?"
He walked around the apartment, touching her things at random. He ran one of her silk scarfs
she'd left on an end table through his burned hands. Most of the nerve endings were dead but
he could still feel a bit of the soft material.
"Very nice," he said quietly. "You do have excellent taste Buffy."
Then suddenly he reached out and slashed his arm across the top of her desk, sending her
laptop and everything else on top of it crashing to the floor.
"Fucking bitch! Fucking nosey bitch!"
He tore the cuchions from the couch. He slashed the pillows with a knife he took from her own
kitchen. Feathers flew around in the air, mixed in with the broked glass and dirt from plants she
had around her place.
He went down to her bedroom, the knife slashing about her bed. He pulled clothing from her
closet and ripped into them also. Bottles of perfume and body mist were broken, her ceedees
were smashed, her books were torn apart.
Finally, he stood in the middle of the mess he had made and he smiled.
Then he pulled out his lighter.
OoOoO
Buffy stared. Stunned.
"Move in with you?"
"Yeah.. you know.. share some closet space. Your toothbrush and mine hanging out together in
our bathroom. His and her towels?" he said and kissed her.
He was almost as stunned as she really. The words had just slipped out before he knew what he
was doing or what he was going to say but he didn't regret it.
"So.." he urged.
"We've had one date, Liam. Don't you think it's kind of a stretch to go from one date to living
together?"
Angel smiled at the hesitant sound to her voice.
'Okay, so she wants me to convience her. I can do that!'
"Well, besides the mind blowing sex.. there is the fact that we enjoy each other. And there's the
problem of you always getting yourself into impossible situations. So no.. I don't think it's that
much of a stretch. Besides.. wouldn't your family feel better if you had a man in your life? A cop
no less."
"My family won't be the ones living with you. You gotta do better than that."
Angel sighed. "Alright, how about you don't answer me now, not just yet, and you think on it at
least. But I wouldn't take too long Nuffy.. you don't know how hard it is to hold off all the single
women who constantly throw themselves at me," he smirked. "Now come on woman! You
have a story to get."
OoOoO
You could feel the heat from blocks away.
Buffy took a deep breath and gasped as the air seemed to sear through her lungs.
When they got closer, she slipped under the blockade and snuck behind a uniformed cop that
were trying to keep people back.
Angel followed her.
He reached out and grabbed her hand then pulled her into an alley.
"What the Hell do you think you are doing?"
"Getting my story. And if you don't let go of me we are going to get caught."
"We should get caught. You do know those are up for a reason," he started pulling on her but
she yanked her arm out of his grasp.
"Okay, you go, but I've got a story to get. It's my job." Buffy started towards the next block and
started to pull a small digital camera from her purse.
Angel took a deep breath and tried to control his temper.
"Buffy!" he went after her. "You cannot do that. It's too damn dangerous," he grabbed her arm
and once more jerked away from him, making him growl. "Don't make me arrest you Buffy."
Her eyes narrowed. "You wouldn't."
"Yes, I would. So don't push me."
"You would seriously keep me from my job?"
"Who the Hell do you think you are? I already told you this once. You aren't Lois Lane. I'm not
Superman. I can't fly down and save your pretty ass everytime you get yourself into trouble."
"I have a job to do. I would never try to stop you from doing yours so would you please give me
the same consideration?" Buffy started to turn away but then once more felt his hands go to
her arm. Only this time he held her tight, with a grip she knew she'd never be able to break out
of.
"Buffy Summers. You are under arrest for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. You have the
right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.."
Angel glanced down at Buffy as he started to pull her back towards the barricade and to his car
as he finished reading her the Miranda Rights.
She felt anger building up inside her but that became overwhelmed by something that felt alot
like pain.
She stopped fighting him and followed him. She ducked under the barricade without being told
while he flashed his badge. She followed him through the ever growing crowd and sat in the car
after he opened her door. She crossed her arms over her chest, sat there, stared straight ahead
while all of her thoughts racing about.
Angel opened his own door, glanced at her again and then slid behind the wheel.
"Look, Buffy.." he began but stopped at her iced glare shot his direction.
"Am I under arrest?"
Angel closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. "No, but I couldn't let you go any closer. You
have to understand that."
She snorted.
"It's too dangerous."
"Okay, so in other words, I am supposed to sit back, let you do your job, the one that involves
drug king pins and cartels and henchmen and all of this, but you can't let me get some facts on
a simple arson story?"
Angel sighed and she did too.
"You know it's good to find this out before we actually got involved with each other," she said
finally.
"And what is that supposed to mean? I think we got pretty involved last night," Angel dropped
his hand down and jammed the key into the ignition.
"We had sex. And sex doesn't make a relationship," she turned to stare out the window. "Just
take me home please. Or drop me off somewhere where I can catch a cab."
"Damnit Buffy! Why do you have to be so damn stubborn?"
"Stubborn? I'm stubborn?" she turned to face him. "And how exactly would you feel if I went
and threw a fit everytime you went undercover? This is my job! This is all that I know, all I've
ever wanted. And you are keeping me from that!" Buffy's voice rose with every word and she
realized she was just below screaming. "Just take me home," she said and turned her head to
the window again.
"Buffy.." he started then decided to drop it. "Fine."
"Fine."
OoOoO
Angel drove her to her apartment.
He made record time as he squealed around corners, blew through stoplights, and then pulled
into the parking garage, parking as close as he possibly could to the entrance.
He got out and starting for her side of the door but she opened it herself then she got out and
turned to look at him.
"Thank you for a lovely evening. You don't need to come up," she said.
Next she turned on her heal and started to her building.
Angel started to follow her but stopped.
"Oh, to Hell with it," he growled. He turned and got back into his car, slamming the door hard.
"Women!"
OoOoO
Buffy seethed all the way into her building then continued as she started up the long flights of
stairs that would lead to her apartment.
'How dare he treat me that how? How dare he?' she thought. 'Did I stop him when he was
meeting with that informer? No, no. No, I did not. I knew he had a job to do. I smiled and I let
him go do it. Masochistic pig! My job is just as an important as him. And me? I'm damn good at
it too! Okay, so what if I had a couple of problems recently, everybody has days off!'
Then once her spout had finished, she pushed through the door to her floor.
Buffy could smell something burning before she reached the door. She was shocked when she
saw it standing open and curls of smoke coming into the hallway.
"What in the.."
Then there was shriek of suprise that left her as a hand came out and grabbed her arm and
pulled her back.
"Are you alright?" he asked pulling his pistol from its holster.
"No! I am not! You scared the Hell out of me!" she snarled and slapped at his hand. "And
somebody broken into my apartment. How could I be fine?"
"Stay here," he ordered. Angel held his gun down in front of him and started sliding closer to
the door, peering inside through the crack.
Buffy stared at his back for a moment, then she followed. She slid close to his back and shrieked
again when he twisted around and pushed her against the wall.
"Damnit Buffy! Can't you just do as your told once?" he hissed.
"This is my apartment and it's on fire," she said, one hand going to her breast to quiet her
madly thumping heart. "I am not sitting in the hallway like some child who got in trouble with
their teacher. Now quit being an overbearing man and let's go!"
"I swear Buffy Summers, your family is right about you needing a keeper. You," he growled
while pushing a finger in her chest, "stay right behind me." Then he turned and opened her
door with alot more force than necessary.
Buffy cringed as she got a good look at her place.
It had been ransacked. There was a small pile of clothing, papers and her lapton in a pile in the
center of her living room. Flames burning in their midst.
She gasped and stepped forward to try and save her computer but only ran into Angel's back.
"Stay behind me," he repeated. "He could still be here."
"Good, then you go do your job and arrest the son of a bitch. I have to get my laptop," she
snapped and went around him to run to the burning pile.
"Goddamnit! Buffy you haven't got one brain cell in that damn blonde head of yours. Are you
trying to get yourself killed here?"
He moved quickly about her place checking the other rooms.
"Empty," he said when he came back out.
He watched as she cradled her laptop in her arm all the while trying to use a fire extinguisher in
the other.
"Give me that!"
Buffy gave up the extinguisher and with her eyes almost wild she went to the counter and sat
her overheated computer on it. She said a small prayer, popped it open and hit the on button.
"Does it work?" he asked.
The laptop gave a small beeping sound and its screen flickered before lighting. Buffy gave out a
sigh when her desktop opened and the picture of her family stared back at her.
"Yes," she said running her fingers over the keys. "I knew you wouldn't give up the goat."
"Give up the goat?" he asked setting the fire extinguisher down. "What the Hell does that
mean?"
She sighed. "It means it still works, no thanks to you."
"What did you say?"
"Nothing," she said and closed her laptop and she slid it farther down the counter. Without
another word, Buffy started toward the other rooms, determined to see what else of hers had
been ruined.
She hurried off to her bedroom and stared at the horror left behind.
Her photo album was thrown on top of her matress, her sheets were on the ground, torn and
stomped on. Her clothing was thrown about, there was broken glass all over the floor from
picture frames, perfume bottles and other small things she'd owned. She saw her books and
music collection thrown and ripped up. Her small television was broken. As well as just about
everything else.
But it had been the album that had tears falling down her face.
Pictures were torn, throw around the room. They were ripped up and ruined. Pages had been
torn from the complete alumb.
She reached down and let her thumb rest on a picture of her father. The picture had been
ripped in half, the other half of it nowhere to be seen.
"Are you okay?"
"Fine, just fine," she snapped and wiped her eyes while moving away from him. "I'm just peachy
keen, you know considering that ninety five percent of everything that I owned was now taken
away from me."
"Buffy.." he started but she left the room and went to her bathroom.
He sighed and started after her.
OoOoO
"Buffy? I called in patroll to take a report. You're insured right?"
Buffy let out a snort. "Yeah, and for all the good it does. Money can't buy back the things that
really mean something to you," then she wiped the new tears away. turned. straightened her
back. She knew she had to get him out of there. Because if he stayed, she would break down.
And she couldn't let him be who comforted her. "You don't need to wait on me,"
"What?" he asked. "I don't mind," he told her gently.
"But I do. I'll be fine, Angelus. Go ahead and go," she snapped.
"Buffy.."
"Please just go," she said, a bit more sharp then she'd intended.
Her eyes were turned from him and she was staring into the sink of her bathroom. Her knuckles
were almost white from gripping the counter with all her might, not wanting to reach out to
him.
Buffy wanted to scream from the pain that was tearing her up inside.
It was a feeling of almost rape at having someone come there and go through all of her
possessions, ripping up the things that meant the most to her.
She heard him sigh and felt his hand brush against her back.
"I'll go," he told her softly, like before, "but I'll be back later."
"Suit yourself, Liam."
Then she heard his footsteps in the living room and the door close behind him And the sound of
the door almost sent her to her knees.
She longed to go run after him, to tell him that she really didn't want him to leave and that she
was sorry. But instead, she forced her hands to go from the counter to the faucet and slowly
run the cold water. She lifted her cupped hands and slapped some on her face.
OoOoO
Buffy was composed when the police arrived.
She was able to sit down and let them know all that she knew had happened and what things
were missing.
She signed her complaint then left the crime scene crew while she went to work.
OoOoO
Angel slammed into his apartment and stared around.
"Goddamnit!" he growled and he ran one hand through his hair. "You really fucked that up,
Angelus," he told himself.
Angel stomped over to his sofa and dropped down into the leather. He leaned forward and
dropped his head into his hands.
"I shouldn't have left her," he muttered.
Once more, he stared around his place. His eyes went to rest on the plates they'd used the
night before.
A sharp pang echoes around his chest at the sight.
"Damnit," he growled again and stood up to pace.
After two circuts he made through the place, he was more frustrated than ever.
"Oh to fucking Hell with it! She'll probably just throw something at me, but at least I'll know
she's safe." he said outloud.
He then went to grab his keys from where he'd tossed them on the coffee table and he headed
out the door.
OoOoO
Buffy stepped out of a cab that was still a few blocks from her goal.
Traffic was so backed up, Main Street looked like some kind of giant parking lot right now.
She could still see the flames and oily smoke was pouring into the blue sky.
"Damn," she breathed and her mind was already working on the story she was to write.
She jogged down the sidewalk, wishing she'd worn other shoes, or had changed into some
other clothing. Even with the heavy smell of gas and smoke, she could still smell him on her.
'You are just going to forget about him,' she told herself. 'The story is more important.'
But there was still that little voice inside of her, the one that she had always called her instinct,
and it was telling herself she was only trying to foll herself into believing that to be true.
A police barricade came into view and there were cops standing out in the street trying to
direct traffic around the burning exxon station. Two more were standing behind the barricade,
but they looked firece and unbribable.
"Damnit," she hissed, but instead of stopping, she turned down a side street.
At the next alleyway, she slid inside and cut through it until she came upon the next street.
There was a single office standing guard there. He was young and probably just out of the
academy. And was just what she was looking for.
She unbuttoned another button of her shirt and made her way to him. "Hi!" she said with her
best smile on. "What's going on?" she asked as her eyes roamed over him.
"Gas station went up in flames," he said smiling back and his eyes were roaming over her as
well. His eyes clearly admiring her curves.
"Oh wow! Did anybody get hurt?" she asked as she slid her hand inside her purse to turn on her
recorder. Also she made sure that the small mic that was embedded in the strap was pointed
towards him.
"Nope, the guy on duty saw it coming. He got out of there just in time," he leaned against the
barricade. "He's quite the lucky kid. That first explosion would have ripped him apart."
Buffy forced a shiver. "Wow. So what started it?"
"I can't tell you that Ma'am."
"It's Candy," she interrupted.
"Huh?"
"My name.. it's Candy. You know, like sugary sweet?" she giggled and watched as he fell into
her plan. "But I sure don't give any cavaties!"
"Nice name," he got even closer to her, "It fits you."
Buffy thought she was going to gag. "Thank you," Buffy told him as she wound a strand of her
hair around her fingers, also she started slightly bouncing on the balls of her feet.
His eyes dropped to the opening of her shirt and watched as her breasts jiggled about with her
movements.
"I wonder if it's that same guy who's been burning up all those apartment buildings.."
"That's what my boss said," then his eyes went to her face, "Shit! I wasn't supposed to say
anything!"
"Oh.. who would I tell?"
OoOoO
"I thought he only liked apartment buildings, why would he blow up a gas station?" Buffy asked
and leaned forward a bit. She let her hand rest on the barricade, just inches from the front of
the cops pants. She licked her lips and stared up at him from under her lashes.
"Well.." he began and also leaned in closer, "my boss thinks someone must have pissed him off,
that it was like some sort of spur of the moment thing. He even left a witness."
"You have a witness?" she said and straightened up in her excitement. "Who?"
"Look, Candy, I could get in all kinds of trouble for telling you."
"Please? Oh please?" she clasped her hands together in front of her, this making her breasts
push together as well. "I won't tell anyone. Please?"
"Sorry. I could get fired. or worse," he said and slowly moved away from her though his eyes
stayed glued to her breasts.
"Oh," she pouted, "Can't you just.. give me a hint or something? I would really like to know.."
A sly smile crossed his face and he moved closer to her again. "How about.. I give you a hint and
you give me your phone number?"
"Or.. how about you give me a hint for every number I give you of mine?" she ran a finger
lightly across his chest.
"Okay, but zip codes don't count," he said and she knew he thought he was one up on her.
Buffy tapped her lips with her finger and she tilted it to seem like she was thinking it all over.
"Alright, but then I get to ask a question for every number I give you right?"
He seemed to think about it then he nodded his head, "Just don't get me into any trouble with
my boss," he said with a wink and Buffy almost was rubbing her hands in glee.
'If Columbo here knows anything, I'll get it out of him in no time flat.'
"Okay, so your witness said he saw the arsonist?"
"Yeah," he answered. "They put him in with a sketch artist to try and draw him up. Alright, now
a number."
"Two. And what makes them think that this fire was set by the same guy?"
"They found some evidence at the scene. I don't know exactly what it was though. The 'Powers
That Be' aren't talking to me about it. Number?"
With a smile buffy chewed on her finger, drawing his eyes to her mouth, keeping him off
balance. "Eight," she giggled. "What time did the fire start?"
"Not long before five this morning. That's when the first call came in anyway. And by the time
the first truck pulled up, the place was fully engulfed in the flames," he grinned. "Number?"
"Greedy aren't we?" she teased and let her fingers slip up to his tie. "Seven," she said and
straightened up the knot on his tie, only to find out that it was clip on. Somehow she managed
to not roll her eyes, though she didn't know how that was.
After a moment of acting like she was thinking something important over she continued, "Um..
have they found any more clues as to who the arsonist might be?"
"There was a girl who got assulted a few streets over. They think he might have done it.."
"Why do they think that?" she asked quickly.
"Oh no, now Candy baby, that's another question. I get a number first," he teased with shaking
his finger at her.
"Fine, baby, eight. Now answer the question."
"Both witness described the same kind of car. And no.. before you even ask, I am not telling you
about the car. Now gimme a number."
"Aww, you're no fun. Six. So who's the witness for the station?"
"I didn't catch his name, but he was the kid who ran the place. He's a college kid."
"Seven," she said without him having to ask, then she spun on her heel.
Buffy knew that he wasn't going to give her the name of the other witness, the one who had
gotten beaten up, but she knew other ways to find out.
She started walking away after giving him a small wave.
"Hey! That was only the sixth number! Candy!" he yelled out.
OoOoO
Angel continued cursing himself as he made his way up the stairs to Buffy's apartment. He knew
she didn't want him there, and she didn't want him in her life. Not anymore. He knew he really
shouldn't be doing this at all. But sitting there in his apartment got to him too much.
All those thoughts of her, the memories.. how she had felt. the way she smlled.. the feel of her
skin under his hand.
It all seemed to have been mocking him.
He had to come here.
She had been amazing in bed, more than he'd expected. She met and matched him for every
kiss and every caress. She had driven him high and faster than he'd ever gone before.
And it wasn't just the sex, she was funny and sweet. She was sexy and driven. And she sure was
quite a maniac when it came to do the right or just the necessary thing.
Angel closed his eyes and her face came to him. Those beautiful green eyes twinkled with
humor, and were heated with desire. Her full pouty lips were begging for him, as was her skin.
He couldn't take it anymore.
"Stubborn little minx," he muttered and followed the hallway to her door.
He hurried to knock on it before he could talk himself out of it.
He could hear voices on the other side of then door and soon it was opened, A strange man
opening the door.
"Um.. hi. I'm looking for Buffy Summers."
"She said something about having a story to get.. going to work.." he shrugged. "Sorry
detective."
"Fuck," he breathed. He knew she was going after the damn story on the arsonist.
Angel turned away from the door and started running back down the hall.
OoOoO
Police tape waved in the wind around the parking lot where the girl had gotten beaten up.
There were crime scene techs searching the area for any and all signs of clues, any that might
connect the assult to the fires and then hoped from there they could figure out who it was.
There was also a group of bystandards looking on.
The sun was just beggining to move across the sky when she got there.
"So hey, what's going on?" Buffy asked an older man.
"Some kid got beaten up," he replied.
"Oh, wow, is he alright?" she asked playing dumb.
"Not he, she, and yeah, she's good. She wasn't raped or anything, thank goodness."
"No, maybe not, but it's still a crime when a poor kid can't even walk across a damn parking lot
without some sicko attacking her!" a woman joined in.
"Poor little Amy," another said, "she may be mouthy at times, but she sure didn't deserve
nothing like this."
"Amy?"
"Yeah, Amy Madison. She lives in that building right there, the poor thing."
Buffy's mind was spinning and her fingers itched to sit down and start putting this all together
on paper. As she turned, completly eager to get to her office, her eyes noticed a figure that was
crouched low to the ground.
There were latex gloves on his hands and a camera up to his face as he took some pictures of
whatever he had just foud.
"Xander!" she called.
She watched him look up pretty startled and there was a slow smile that came along with some
caution in his dark eyes.
"Well, Buffy Summers," he said as he rose up. He held his camera carefully and turned to his
partner then he came over to the barricade. "I don't have too much time, but it sure is good to
see you. When you gonna let me buy you that drink that I still owe you huh?"
"Hmm. How about this afternoon?" she offered and smiled up at the taller Xander Harris.
She had met him at another crime scene once, and ever since he'd flirted with her.
"I doubt I'll be done here until later tonight Buff, but hey, if you're up for say.. dinner and a
movie or something after.."
Buffy started to open her mouth to answer him but she felt a hand come down to her shoulder.
It pulled her back into a hard body.
She jumped ready to give hell to whoever was holding her.
"Sorry Xander, but she can't. She's moving in with me tonight," Angel said. But he hadn't been
prepared for her next action and he winced as a hard heel jammed into his foot through his
shoe.
"I am doing no such thing!" she hissed. "Now you go away!"
"I can't do that Buffy. Sorry. After your apartment got all trashed, they have had to cordoned it
off. You can't get back in there tonight. And hey, you sure didn't seem to have any problems
with my bed last night!" he said looking down at her. And loud enough for this Xander fellow to
hear.
"Bastard!" she snapped and jerked from him, only to bump into Xander.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
Buffy felt her cheeks heating up. She knew he had heard what Angel said, she wanted to just
sink down into the ground.
"I'm fine, Xan. Maybe I'll just take a raincheck on that drink. Thanks," she said and started
walking away.
Angel followed her. He reached out and took her arm, held her close so she could help but to
feel him.
"You and me got to talk. How did you get here?"
"You want to talk about how I got here? They are called cabs Angel! Usually, you can whistle or
wave your arm or just call them up. Then, you get in the back seat, for a price, and they take
you where it is you want to go. So now, if that was all you.."
"Funny," he growled. Angel looked around before taking her into the alley. He dropped his hand
from her arm and ran it through his hair instead. "I can't get you out of my damn mind," he said
and he glared at her like it was all her own fault.
"Well, you know.. it might be easier if you quit following me around," she quipped.
Angel narrowed his eyes and took a step towards her, both of his hands came out and reached
for her arms and he yanked her against his chest.
"You think this is funny? I don't have time for this! For these.. feelings," he pulled her up and his
mouth started towards her. "Damnit Buffy," he groaned and his lips found hers.
Her hands were on his chest, not pushing him away like she had planned. Instead they were
grabbing at his shirt, holding on and dragging him closer.
At first his lips had been hard, the anger in him making him rough. His tongue had probed her
lips and pushed past the barrier of her teeth. With one arm, he lifted her from the ground with
a moan and he walked with her until her back was against the brick wall.
Buffy's legs came up and wrapped around his waist. She clung to him as he devoured her
mouth.
She could barely breathe or think or anything but feel the heat in her body and moan for more.
His hands went to her ass and he squeezed the flesh through her pants and then he rubbed her
up against his erection. He tore his mouth away from hers and buried it into her neck. He
started licking and nipping away at her throat.
"We can't do this here," he told her. "Come home with me," he said, and it sounded much more
like an order than request.
This bringing her back to her senses.
She pushed Angel's chest and her legs slipped down to touch the ground.
"Let me go! Put me down damnit!"
She didn't trust herself around him, to be alone with him. He was too damn tempting and it
made a slight panic in her tone. She began to struggled against him until he dropped his arms to
release her.
"Buff.."
"No!" she snapped and held up her hand. She took a step away from him, cursed her shaky
knees and the heat that was still flaring up inside of her. "You and me.. we can't do this."
Angel took a step to her, his hand being held out to her. "Buffy, come on, we can work this
out."
She ducked around his hand and walked to the entrance of the alley. "No, Liam, I don't think we
can. I think that you will always consider me unable to handle what I do for a living and what I
may or may not have to do to get my stories. I cannot and will not choose between you and my
career, Angel. Not now," and she stared at him for a moment, feeling the tears building inside.
"You know, it was fun and all but.."
"Don't say it, Buffy. Just.. don't," he told her. "I don't give up very easy and neither do you."
Buffy sighed and her eyes moved over him. "It would never work." She took one last long look
at him and then she turned away to head back out of the dirty alleyway. And only was she out
of his sight did she let the tears fall.
Lindsay picked up a new file and then slid his feet up onto his desk. "So.." he began, "when's
your next date with the beautiful Miss Buffy Summers?"
Angel slammed down the report he had been reading so he could glare at his partner.
"There isn't going to be one."
"What?" he asked, his feet sliding back off of the desk in shock and he dropped the folder down
to his desk. "You are kidding me right? There was so much heat coming off of the two of you
the other night.. I'm pretty sure it was contagious. Eve took me home and nearly raped my ass
that night!"
"Good for you and Eve," he muttered and tried to get back to his case.
Lindsay wasn't about to let him get off that easily. He continued to stare at him until he sighed
and look back. Lindsay folded his arms over his chest and waited.
"It's over alright? She dumped me!"
"She dumped you? Dumped you?" he sat forward, his voice carrying over to some other desks.
Heads turned toward them, some with suprised looks on their faces as well as some with
amusement.
"Yes, and thank you so much for telling it to the world, Linds," Angel turned to glare at those
now looking his way. And once they got back to their own busisness, he continued, "You mind if
we don't talk about this now?"
"Angelus! McDonald! Get your asses in here now!"
They both glanced and got up to see what the captain wanted.
OoOoO
Angel paced back and forth in front of the house. It was deserted and found in one of the more
decayed areas in town.
His eyes settled on every figure that walked the street.
His informat was late. And he didn't like being here. Especially it being so soon after his
supposed arrest.
Too many people knew of his arrangement with Pratt. Too many knew the cops had busted into
the warehouse where Spike done most of his business. And so, just by being here.. he was
putting himself in danger.
"This could be a setup," Angel said under his breath into the tiny mic sewn into his shirt, "And I
don't like it."
Lindsay and Gavin Park, who was another narc detective, were in the van, parked on the other
side of the street and more down by the corner.
"Let's give it five more minutes, Angel, then if we can get this piece of shit van to start, we'll
leave. So until then just keep it cool."
"It's not your ass out here on the line, Park," he hissed.
Angel turned around and walked some down the block.
"Not good, not good at all., he muttered, his nerves tingling. Which he hated.
He was usually fine undercover, always able to extricate himself from any sticky situation
imaginalble.
'Just like I proved the other night wi.. No! No! No! You are not going to think about her.
Especially not now. That would be suicide!'
But that was easier said then done. His brain seemed determined to force him to see her face
everytime he closed his eyes. The picture that she had made last night laying in his arms.
Angel sighed and swung around once more and he started heading back down the other way.
He unconsciously checked every person who passed him, who were mostly street kids and older
women. Also there was a homeless man sitting down at the corner in front of a bar.
"He's not coming," he muttered and glanced at the van.
"Couple more minutes, pal," Lindsay said through the tiny earpiece.
'Why couldn't she have just give me the chance to explain?'
"Oh, yeah," he whispered outloud, "because I couldn't keep my fucking hands off of her!"
"What?" Lindsay's voice crackled over the reciever. "What did you just say?"
"Nothing!" Angel closed his eyes and took a deep breath, knowing he had to get ahold of
himself, had to quit thinking about her.
The sound of squealing brakes had his eyes shooting open. Just in time to catch the long black
car coming around the corner.
It swiped the side of the van before it bounced off and headed towards him.
The windows were illegally tinted and one rolled down. The end of a high powered automatic
weapon was thrust through it.
"Shit," he breathed.
It was only seconds before the first roung came from the barrel.
OoOoO
Buffy sighed and stared down into the drink that Owen had forced upon her whenever she had
showed up at his hotel room.
He was now sitting across from her, glaring at her. "Alright, that is it! That's the sixth sigh from
you in the past five minutes. What's the sitch?"
"I don't want to talk about it," she said and took her first sip of the pink-ish liquid. She found it
sweet, almost sicknening so. "What in the world is this?" she asked grimancing.
"You like it?" he chuckled. "It's my very own recipe. See, you take a bit of everything from the
wet bar and then add strawberries out of the fruit basket. You blending it all together really
well," he told her then he took another sip of his own drink and reached out to open another
one of the small bottle of liquor before pouring half of it down into his glass. Next he stirred it
with a straw.
"Do you know how much those tiny bottles go for O?" she asked, completly amused.
"Oh, yeah, you bet I do," he grinned and his eyes twinkled. "Just think of his face when he sees
the bill! Hey maybe this will teach his ass to go off on his own damn spy missions."
"Don't even think you can put one past me, dear cousin. You love to dig into him every chance
you get and you know it," she giggled and took a long swig of her drink. "I would so love to be
there when he gets this bill."
"Me too.. but I'm thinking a vaction will be a good idea right now," Owen leaned forward and
tipped the other half of the small bottle, which she know saw as tequila, into her glass. "Drink
up, princess. Next I'm treating you to a filet mignon."
"You know, I'm thinking you're only trying to get me drunk so you can trick me into
incriminating myself. Then, you have blackmail material in case I ever tell him about this little
trip."
"Can't hide anything from you huh?" he said and clinked his glass with hers.
OoOoO
"I am not talking about Angel," she said after drinking half of the glass. "I refuse to talk about
him," she took another sip. "The man refuses to realize that I can do my job," she pointed and
glared at Owen, "Sorta like you!"
"Oh hey! I know you can do your job! I'm the one who always stands up for you remember."
She giggled. "Oh, that's right. It's the rest of this damn family that thinks I need a keeper.
Wouldn't he just love that? Idiots!"
"He can get like that, yeah, but you know the fam only wants to look out for you.."
"I can take care of myself! I managed just fine before he saved me that night. And I can do just
fine without him."
"Him? Which him are we talking about this time?"
"We're not talking about him. I already told you that," she scowled, "you just remember that.
And that I can kick your ass if you keep annoying me."
"That's debatable, but I'll let you keep that fantasy if you so wish."
Buffy drank down what was left in her glass and closed her eyes as it burned down her throat.
She shuddered and then sat it down on the stand beside her.
"I don't know what all you put that in that.." owen started to open his mouth but she stopped
him, "Don't even tell me. Ugh!" she grimanced. "You really want to know what he did?"
Owen sat his glass down and leaned forward. "Spill."
"He stopped me from doing my job!"
Owen sat there, waiting for the more that didn't come.
"And.." he finally said.
"No and, that's it, he kept me from getting facts on a story. He said how it was too dangerous.
Like I can't take care of my muself!" she crossed her arms and pouted. "I can take care of
myself."
Owen smiled, "I know that you can baby, but Liam.. Angel.. whatever, I'm betting that he has
never really seen you in action, now has he?"
"Well.. besides seeing me at that warehouse.. then the burning building he pulled me out of..
oh, and when someone broke into my apartment.."
"Someone broke into your apartment?" he asked, all amusement gone. "Did you call the
police?"
"He did," she spat, "Like I couldn't even do that right!"
Owen got up from him seat and started to pace the room, he would stop every few steps to
glare at her.
"God girl! Why didn't you tell me? Shit! He is going to lose it. Do you know what he's going to
do?"
"The guy who broke into my place?" she asked confused.
"No," Owen rolled his eyes. "Sober up, Buffy. I'm talking about the watchdog. He is going to skin
my ass because you got broken into while I was here, here to keep an eye on you! Fuck me!
That bastard is going to have a hay day on my ass."
"Well hey, I'm fine and all. Don't worry about me. Or the fact that all of my possessions,
including my photo album and clothes, were trashed." Buffy stood up and took a few stumbling
steps before she gave it up to just stand, swaying around uneasily. "And don't even think of
caring that my poor laptop was almost destroyed, that I have no where to go tonight. Oh, and
that I'm on a serial arsonist's radar most likely now."
He reached out a arm to wrap around her. "Man Buff, I'm sorry. You know you can stay here
with me tonight," he said then was suprised when she shrugged his off.
"No, but thank you. Besides you're on your way back home tonight."
"The Hell I am! No way.,not now. I'm sticking around until we find who broke into your
apartment. And don't you even try and fight me on this, Buffy Anne Summers. I leave now and I
might as well hand in my letter of resignation the moment my plane touched down. And maybe
shop for a headstone while I'm add it."
The phone in Buffy's purse took that moment to go off.
She glared at him and mummbled some curses before she made her way to her purse. She
digged through it and flipped it open.
"Yeah what?" she snapped.
She listened to whoever was on the other line.
"Yeah, I know him Giles, you know that," she said next. Her tone having changed, her eyes wide
and worried. "I'm on my way," she said then flipped it back closed and threw it into her purse
and turned to her cousin, "We're going to have to finish this later. I gotta go."
"What? You can't go.. not until you at least tell me what that was about," he grabbed at her
arm, stopping her from walking past him and to the door.
"I don't have time.." she looked up at him. "I.. I.." and tears began to stream down her face. "It's
about Angel.."
Buffy stood at the curb waiting. The hotel doorman was whistling her up a cab. She bounced on
her feet with her heart racing and all effects of the booze gone.
She beat the man to the cab door. She opened it for herself and slid inside.
"The hospital please."
OoOoO
The trip took little time, but was enough for her to sit back and fret over everything.
She could still remember Owen's face as she took out of his motel room. The shock was almost
comical.
'I'm going to have to call him..'
Buffy threw the money at the drive as they got to the hospital parking lot. She hurried into the
emergency room and rushed up the desk.
"Liam Angelus," she said quickly to the nurse behind it whenever she had looked up. She looked
back down to her screen then gave Buffy his room number. Buffy thanked her. turned and
searched for the elevators.
Her eyes saw a sign and she followed it and slapped her hand on the up button as soon as she
had reached it. Her mind was racing, one thought came just as the last left. Her emotions were
all over the place. There was worry, regret, fear, tiredness.. all of it was in a knot in her stomach
and she felt like she might throw up.
"Damnit!" she snapped and started looking for the door to the stairs since the elevator was
taking too damn long.
She went and slammed it open and she hurried up the cement staircase as quickly as she could.
She only slowed when she reached the door with a huge red floor painted on the surface.
Angel's floor.
"Please let him be alright," she prayed and opened the door, stepping out into the bright
hallway.
Nurses were all around, visitors were walking in and out of rooms. The noise from it all seemed
to be too loud.
She walked down the hall, searching the numbers to the doors and she took a deep breath
when she found the right one.
OoOoO
Buffy pushed the door open slowly and she stepped inside the dimly lit room.
Only one of the rooms beds were being occupied and she stepped over to the side of his bed.
He was so still, his head was wrapped in bandages, and there was a small blood stain showing
on the white. There were tubes hanging from the stand dripping liquid into his arm. A small clip
was on his hand and the machine in the corner beeped quietly as it counted his heartbeat.
"Oh God," she breathed and then sank into the chair next to his bed. "Angel.. I'm so sorry.
Please, you have to be okay." Buffy reached out her hand, slowly taking his and holding it in her
own. "I should have never gotten so mad at you," her head dropped and tears stung her eyes.
She placed a kiss on his hand.
She stayed like that, just pleading for his life. And she didn't know how long it had been, but
when she heard him groan, she shot right up.
"Angel?"
His eyes opened, blinked a few times, then settled on her face. His other hand went to his head
and he moaned again.
"Wh.. what happened?"
"You were shot," she softly told him. "Don't you remember?"
"Shot? No.. no.. I don't.. remember.. when?" he closed his eyes.
"This afternoon. You were on a stake out. You really can't remember?" she reached up and
gently ran her fingers on his face. "It's alright, don't struggle too much because of it, it'll make it
worse."
"I.. I remember.. us fighting.." he said, opening his eyes to search hers.
"It's not important Angel. All that matters is that you're okay."
Angel gripped her hand tighter and she smiled at him.
"I wanted.. to tell you that I was sorry," he whispered and his head fell back into the pillow, as if
it became too heavy for him to try holding up anymore.
"Don't worry about it, Angel. Please. Just rest."
"I can't. Not until I know you've forgiven me," he closed his eyes and moaned.
"Here, let me go get the nurse so she can bring you something for your pain." Buffy started to
rise from her chair and started to pull her hand away from his.
"No!" he said quickly, then more slowly repeated, "No," and pulled her back into the chair. "I
just need to know you'll forgive me."
"Of course I do. There's nothing to forgive. You were just worried about me, that's all." She
pulled the covers closer to him and around him. "You rest baby. I'll stay right here with you."
"Can I have a kiss?" he whispered.
Buffy stood and bent over him, meaning to drop a quick kiss on his lips. Anything to get him to
relax. But instead his arms came around her waist to hold her. And with much more strength
then she had expected him to have.
"Hey Ang? I got that shake and sub you wanted. I had to really hide them to sneak them in so
you owe.." Lindsay's voice stopped at the sight of Buffy lying across Angel's chest.
She sure wasn't there for long though.
She stood up and glared at Angel. "You son of a bitch!" she growled. She turned on her heal and
stalked out of the room.
"Wait! Buffy! Come on! Please! Hold up!" Angel yelled and tried to get himself out of the
blankets. He ripped the iv and yelped as the tape yanked the hair from his arms. "Come on
Buffy! Give me a chance to explain! Damnit!"
"Shit boy, you've really done something stupid this time," Lindsay said laughing.
"Shut up Lindsay" he growled and pushed past him. going out into the hall. He caught a glimpse
of Buffy as she pushed the door to the stairs and he started after her, not really realizing the
view he was now giving people behind him due to his hospital gown.
He hit the door and sent it slamming into the wall.
"Buffy!" he shouted.
OoOoO
Buffy heard his voice echoing her name and she couldn't make herself go any farther. With a
sigh, she sant down to the step she'd been standing on and listened to his feet coming to her.
She didn't look up when he slowed down because he saw her. Instead she kept her eyes on her
hands that were laying in her lap.
"Buffy?" he said softly, now standing on the step above her.
She glanced up then. "Were you ever shot or was this all some big scam to get me to talk to
you?"
Angel sank down beside her. "This is real," he said, pointing at the bandage wrapped around his
head. "Someone found out about my involvement with Spike and set me up. I was ambushed
while waiting for the same snitch who gave him up."
"I.. I didn't say anything," she told him quickly and reached out to his arm. "Honestly Angel. I
promise I wouldn't have."
"I know you didn't," he smiled.
"Do you know who did set you up?"
"No but I will. I also expect to find my informant ending up a floater," Angel laid his hand gently
on hers that was still on his hand and he squeezed when she tried to pull away. "Buffy, we
should talk. Just please let me explain?"
Her thoughts raced. He would never understand the things she had to do for her job. She knew
that. But yet, she nodded.
"Okay," finally she said.
"God.. where to start.."
"Usually the beginning is a good place."
"Smart ass," he rubbed his other hand through his hair before continuing. "You know what my
dad did for a living?"
"No, we hadn't exactly gotten that far yet."
"He worked steel. You know, the big ones in New York. He would walk a six inch steel beam that
was hundreds of feet above ground," he looked at her fingers then brought them up to lay a
gentle kiss on the back of her hand. "And my mom.. mom was a secrety. She worked for a
lawyer as his assistant. Her office was across from the building where dad was working.."
"Oh God! Did she watch him fall?" she asked, her heart was in her throat. There was no fear
Buffy had besides heights. She would do them if she had to, but she hated them.
Angel smiled with no amusement to it. "No, no.. he watched her get shot. The man that she
worked for was a criminal attorney and he was defending a child murder who had been found
guilty. The man's son didn't take the verdict well apparently. He came into the office with a
gun," he sighed, "and six people were killed on that day. Mom was the second. He stood her by
the window to the office in plain view of my father. He put the gun to her head and pulled the
trigger."
"Oh, god. I'm so sorry Angel!" She scooted closer to him. "How old were you?" she asked him
softly.
"Almost sixteen. And I was so full of myself back then. I don't have any idea how dad put up
with me. I so badly wanted to find the guy who did it and kill him with my bare hands."
"What happened?"
"The police found him. They had him trapped in his father's place and he'd committed suicide
instead of facing the charges for what he did," Angel's tone was bitter and his hand had
tightened around hers. He took a deep breath after looking at her, forcing himself to relax.
"That was the day that I decided that I was joining the police force. I wanted to be some big
shot homicide detective, chase the big guys, put their asses in jail. But instead I ended up in
narcs, keeping the streets clean."
"How'd you end up here in California?"
"Dad moved us after her funeral. He couldn't walk steel anymore after that and he started to
have nightmares, so we packed up our things and drove. When we got all the way across the
United States, he decided he liked it. He liked the ocean alot and the atmosphere, so we stayed.
I started going to college and he worked as an accountant. He even ended up remarrying before
he passed." he smiled.
And the two sat in silence, their fingers playing with one another's.
Finally Buffy broke it.
"That still doesn't explain why you won't let me do my job though.."
"Actually, it does." Angel took a deep breath. "My dad watched the woman that he loved get
gunned down and killed right in front of him," he looked at her, "I don't want the same thing to
happen to me with you."
Buffy felt the panic settling in at his words. His look. And his tone. "But.. but.. you don't love
me. You hardly know me!"
"Buffy.." he reached out and laid his hand on her cheek making her eyes lock with his again.
"I've never felt like this for any other woman."
"It's lust!" she said quickly then stood up, pulling her hand out of his grasp and giving them
some space. "You aren't allowed to love me!"
Angel laughed hard until he looked at her. Her face in one serious glare. "You're being serious?"
"Yes! I don't have time for love, kind of like what you said to me earlier.. remember?" then she
looked around, suddenly becoming aware with their surroundings once more. "You should get
back to bed."
"Not until you tell me why you don't have the time to be in love with me," he growled and
stood also, but he had to grab the railing when everything started spinning around him. And he
started to pale.
She reached out to grab him, afraid he was going to tip over and go rolling down the many
flights of steps.
"Okay you, you have to go back to bed now. Can you make it or you want me to go call
someone?"
"No.. we can.."
Buffy wrapped her around his waist and suddenly realized the back of the gown was open.
"Hang on to the railing for a second," she said and grabbed at the ties.
"What are you doing?"
"Keeping you from being arrested for nudity and exposure Mister, that's what," she told him.
She couldn't stop her self from running her hand over his ass, giving it a squeeze then a pat.
"Nice ass," she said with a bright smile. Angel jerked from her, almost heading down the stairs
before getting himseld up right.
"Thanks," he growled. "If I get arrested, I can just blame you for driving me crazy."
"Public nudity by reason of insanity? There's a new one, now come on." She put his arm over
her shoulder and helped him up the stairs.
They took them slowly with him leaning on her as little as he could, his hand over her shoulder.
And at first, he was cupping her shoulder, then it hung down to her collarbone, and soon he
leaned more of his weight on her so his hand could slip inside of her shirt to cup her breast. He
squeeze and palmed her nipple.
"If you don't want to fall down those stairs, I would remove your hand," she said, more husky
then she intended.
"Spoilsport," he muttered and did as told.
OoOoO
She got him back into his room with no more problems and she shooed Lindsay off of his bed.
He went reluctantly, his eyes glued to the television watching a baseball game.
He had finished half of Angel's sandwhich and helped himself to the shake.
"Holy Hell! Did you see that?" he asked excited. "I just won the motherload!"
"Oh Linds," Angel shook his head, "Eve is going to oh so dissapointed in you. You know you
were supposed to stop gambling."
"Hey, yeah, I know. So we just won't tell her," he grinned and rubbed his hands together. "Here
comes that big screen teevee!"
"And how are you going to explain that?" Buffy asked, amused by the look in his pretty blue
eyes.
"Everyone knows narc cops are always on the take," he rolled his eyes like she should have
known this. "You two work things out? I hope so. I don't know if I could take much more of that
mood he's been in."
"Mood? What mood? I haven't been in any kind of mood," he snarled at his partner and Buffy
laughed.
"I can see that really well."
"You know Linds, I appreciate you sticking around and all. Eating my sandwich and drinking my
shake, But don't you have some reports to file? A wife to go lie to.."
"Oh, oh. I see how it is. Some nice looking babe comes along and it's all bye bye partner," he
gave Angel a hurt look and sniffed. "That's fine, just fine. I know how to take a hint. I know
when I'm not wanted anymore. You won't find me sticking around whenever I'm not
welcome..."
"Lindsay, do shut up. And get out."
Lindsay grinned and went to give Buffy a huge huge then made a few more jokes at their
expense before leaving.
OoOoO
"I guess we should call a nurse and have her rehook your iv thing."
"Hell no. Now that you're here, I'm ready to go home," he reached for her hand, "that is if you
forgive me. Really. And will come home with me.."
"Angel.."
"No. I don't like the sound of that. Not one bit. Come on Buffy, you've got to stay somewhere
tonight, and they're not going to let me go home unless there's somebody there to keep an eye
on me. For once, I need you to save me."
She was quiet for a moment, her mind racing as she looked at him. She knew staying with him
was like playing with fire. It was dangerous and stupid. She knew that already liked him alot
more than she should.. But that look in his eyes, that stupid charm he had about him.. it all
made it impossible to tell him no.
"Alright," she said as she threw her hands into the air. "I know I'm going to regret this but.."
"No you won't. I'll be on my best behavior," he grinned. "And, we can order some pizza. I'm
starving!"
He pushed his finger to the call button, more than eager to leave.
Angel slippwed the key into the lock of his apartment door. He waved some as he tried to get it
in, the task was not going as smoothly as it should have.
"Let me okay?" Buffy asked and stepped past him to take the key. "Just hang on. We're almost
inside then you can lie down for a bit." she told him then she turned the key and pushed the
door open.
To her, it seemed like it'd been days since she'd been in there. But in reality it was less than
eighteen hours since she'd walked out of there this morning.
"Couch or bed?" Buffy asked as she wrapped his arm over her shoulder.
"Couch," he told her since the couch was closer and his head was killing him.
Angel sighed and sank down, letting his head rest back. He closed his eyes and let the thumping
in his head start to lessen.
She helped lift his legs and then got him a pillow to put behind his head as well as a blanket.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome," she told him with a sigh, then she sat down next to his hip, brushing her
hands through some of his now non spiked hair that was on his forehead. "Will you be alright if
I go to the pharmacy and fill your prescriptions?"
Angel nodded. "Yeah.. but I don't like the idea of you being out there by yourself after your
place got broken into," he smiled. "You notice how I said I didn't like it.. but I didn't say I was
going to keep you from it?"
Buffy grinned and bent forward to kiss him. "And that is a wonderful start, my Angel. You get
some sleep and I'll be back before you even notice I'm gone."
"Doubt that."
Buffy pushed some strands of her hair behind her ear and looked around for a moment. Then
she laid her hand on his.
"Buffy.. I.. I really missed you this afternoon."
"I can tell," she chuckled. "I leave you alone for a couple of hours and you go out and get
yourself shot."
"Maybe I'm the one who needs the keep. You wanna apply for the job?"
"Maybe.." she smirked, starting to pull her fingers away and got ready to leave.
"Be careful," he whispered.
Angel heard the door close behind her and he shifted some on the couch then he drifted into
sleep for awhile.
OoOoO
Angel woke up to a dark apartment with no sign of Buffy anywhere. He squinted until he could
make out the dial of his unlit watch.
"Only an hour," he quietly said to himself. "She hasn't been gone that long."
He sighed and closed his eyes, but a noise in the kitchen had them popping back open and he
turned his head. He turned it too quikly though, and searing pain set in once again. He had to
close his eyes tightly to try and get rid of it.
"Buffy!" he called out then frowned when there was no answer.
Angel forced his eyes open then tossed off the blanket. He slid his feet to the floor and sat up.
He dropped his head into his hands.
"Buffy?" he called out again.
There was another noise coming from the kitchen.
Angel forced himself to get up.
He slid his hand under the couch where he kept a small 22 caliber semiautomatic pistol hidden.
He grabbed at it then tucked it in the back of his scrubs, which he retied tightly around him so
they'd stay there. Next he started slipping down the hall to his kitchen.
Angel quickly glanced into the the dark bathroom on his journey to the kitchen. Nothing was
inside or out of place so he continued, soon seeing light that shone from under it's door.
Angel pulled the pistol from his back and his hand slipped off the safty. With his left hand, he
pushed the door slowly.
A click sounded close to Angel's ear.
"Drop it."
Angel closed his eyes and let his fingers loosen on the grip of his gun. His hand slid
automatically to put the safty back on before he let it fall out of his hands.
OoOoO
"Holtz," Angel greeted, "I was wondering if Pratt would be sending you after me."
Daniel Holtz, one of Spike's number one assassins. And Angel knew that if he was being sent for
him, Spike was out for blood.
"You should have known he would after what you did," Holtz replied, in an almost friendly, but
deep tone. "And you know Liam.. I really did like you. I am not looking forward to this at all,"
Holtz sighed, "but, I do have a job to do. And I can't afford for you to fuck it up. There's one
huge price on your head boy."
Angel's mind was buzzing. He knew he had to get Holtz out of here before Buffy came back.
He couldn't let anything happen to her.
"Yes, and you have your reputation to uphold, Daniel, but come on, do we have to do this here?
I mean, I just had the place redone and blood is almost impossible to clean out of the carpet."
This made Holtz snort. "And what exactly do you care Angelus? You'll be dead!"
"Yeah, but my landlady, she's a realy nice woman who doesn't need some bif mess to clean up,"
he slightly turned. "Come on, even the fucks on death row get a last request now don't they?"
"I think you're more worried about that cute little reporter you've been fucking. You always did
have the best taste in women, I will give you that. I sure wouldn't mind taking her for a spin
myself."
Angel felt the rage inside of him building, ready to explode, and he did his best to control it.
"She dumped me."
"Sure she did. That's why she's here helping you out today. Come on, you can't thnk I'm that
stupid."
OoOoO
"Angel?"
The door pushed open into the living room and Buffy walked in, seeing the couch empty.
"Angel! The doctor said you should get your rest."
OoOoO
Holtz turned his head at her voice, his eyes left Angel just for an instance, but it was enough.
Angel jumped for him, knocked the gun and grabbed him.
"Get out of here Buffy!" he shouted. "Call 911!"
"Angel? What.."
Holtz shoved him backwards and fell himself because he wouldn't let go.
They fought for the gun and it went off, the bullet went smashing into the ceiling.
Buffy jumped back as she heard it. And she jumped even farther back when the two men fell at
her feet.
Angel was still in the scrubs from the hospital. And he'd just landed on the floor with some
older stranger falling on top of him. And now they were rolling, neither wanting to give up the
fight for the weapon.
"Run damnit!" Angel hissed at her. And his voice released her from the momentary spell she'd
been under.
She turned.. but not to run as she'd been ordered, instead she searched for some kind of
weapon. Something. Anything. That would help Angel.
She reached for a heavy crystal bowl that sat near his front foor, the one he used to throw in his
keys often and any spare change.
Buffy hurried back to the two men who were rolling on the floor and stood over them, trying to
get a clear shot of the other man's head.
The man flipped him which sent Angel crashing into Buffy and threw her to the floor.
The bowl also crashed, sending shards of glass, keys and change everywhere.
Angel's head slammed into the side of the stand where the bowl had been laying on and stars
started dancing in front of his eyes. He did what he could to fight the blackness. He knew that it
meant death for the both of them if he went.
He heard Buffy get up, but he just couldn't draw enough strength to open his eyes.
A sense of utter hoplessness fell over him.
"No.."
The sound of a gun slide being ratched had him straining again to open his eyes.
"No!" Buffy screamed.
Buffy heard Angel's voice over the insanly loud thumping of her heart.
So.. if he wasn't him, she figured that she'd been the one shot.
Without opening her eyes, she start to run her hands over her body, searching for the hole.
"Buffy honey," Angel whispered with a small chuckle there in his voice. "I really can't say that I
mind the show you're putting on.. but I think that Linds thrtr might get the wrong idea."
And with that said, she slowly started to open her eyes, staring down into Angel's as she laid
upon him still from when she flung herself in front of him to protect him from death.
"I'm not dead?"
"No."
"But.. I heard a shot.."
"That would have been my partner there coming to our rescue," he turned her head so she
could see Lindsay who was bent over Holtz.
Holtz was on the ground, his gun kicked out of reach and his hands were being cuffed behind
his back. He was bleeding from the gunshot wound to his shoulder and was cursing to Hell and
back.
"Oh God! I thought we were both dead! Are you okay?"
"Better than he is."
Lindsay lifted the man by his arm and almost grinned when the guy groaned in pain. "Oh man,
sorry about that. I guess I should have grabbed at your other arm."
"I need a hospital, you prick. You fucking shot me!" he yelled and he started to pale as he saw
his blood on the floor.
"Yeah, yeah. They all think a little blood is gonna kill them." Lindsay handed over Holtz to one of
the cops that'd followed him in. "Read him his rights and then I want my damn cuffs back when
you're done with them." Next lindsay turned and held out a hand for Buffy and then Angel.
"You can't seem to stay out of trouble. You taking lessons from this one?" he asked as he
nodded his head at Buffy.
"Gee, thanks so much," Buffy said and 'accidentally' moved her elbow so she could hit him in
the gut. "Whoops! Sorry about that."
Lindsay grunted which made her grin.
They got Angel up and back to the couch. His wound had opened up and was bleeding again.
"You tore out some stitches," she said as she went towards the kitchen to find the first aid kit
and some paper towels.
OoOoO
"So who was that guy?"
"A hired guy.. one of Spike's favorites," Lindsay said watching Buffy nurse his friend. "We got
the call he was in town and so we staked our here waiting for him to make his move."
"And you couldn't have called me?" Angel growled and flinched when Buffy's fingers touched
his wound. "Don't you think a heads up would have been called for?"
"There wasn't anytime Angel. We barely made it over here when we spotted him already
outside of the building. Pratt's got a hard on for you pal. And not in the good way."
Lindsay started getting back out of the chair. "And hey we got him didn't we? You're not hurt,
more than you already were anyway, and once more, good won over evil. All in a day's work."
Lindsay walked over and patted Angel on the shoulder, careful not to look at his wound.
OoOoO
Buffy waited until Lindsay let himself out before talking.
"Are you alright?" she asked softly.
"Yeah.. just a few extra bruises is all," then before he could blink, she punched him in the
shoulder. As hard as she could. "Hey! What the Hell was that for?"
"You scared the bejesus out of me! Do not ever! Ever! Do that to me again!" she got up
suddenly and started pacing about.
"I told you to run," he mumbled and dropped his head into his hands.
"Oh . I'm just going to turn and run while someone is trying to kill you!" She rolled her eyes. "I
can't believe that you yell and complain about me being in danger. here you've been shot and
beat up and.."
Angel had risen and grabbed her around the waist, bringing her into his arms. His lips also came
down to hers, hard, cutting off her words.
"You done?" he asked when they finally had to break apart.
"Done?"
"Yelling."
"Yeah, I guess I'm done," she breathed and smiled.
"Good because you can't stay here tonight. I don't know how many guys might be after me and
you aren't getting involved in this."
"Don't you think that Im already involved?"
"Buffy, he's not sending men to kill you. They're only after me. And I couldn't live with myself in
anything happened to you."
Angel sat down on the couch again, he leaned back and closed his eyes. Noticing that she'd
become quiet.
'Too quiet.'
And he just waited for the aftermath.
Then, just when he was about to open his eyes, he felt the couch shift as she straddled his laps.
Her hands come down on his shoulders.
Angel smiled as her lips found his and his hands rose up to settle on her bare hips.
'Whoa! Wait a second there. Bare hips?'
Angel pulled his mouth away from hers and opened his eyes, finding Buffy naked on him.
"Buff.. what are you.."
"The least you can do if you're kicking me out is make love to me first," she said smiling.
"Now isn't the time to be.. Jesus.. stop that," he groaned as she rubbed against him making his
cock rise swiftly.
But she didn't stop playing and teasing him. Nor did she have any intention too.
"You really don't want me to leave," she breathed, "because if i do, I'll stop doing this."
"No.. no.. I don't want you to leave," he growled and brought her body closer to his. "I just want
you to be safe and I can't keep you safe here," he said while his hands moved over her. When
he cupped her breasts and palmed at her nipples she shuddered and let her head fall back.
"I'm a reporter," she told him huskily, "And safety is never a guarantee. Besides.. you'll protect
me." And she moaned when his hands were replaced with his tongue.
Her hands went to his head and held him to her, her thighs clenched and quivered, her hips
moved against him.
"I want you Buffy Summers, more than you might know and realize," he said, "but I won't put
you in danger."
"Then come with me! We'll find a nice hotel with some room service and a hot tub for the two
of us?" she bent to kiss him. "You and me sleeping where no one will know where we are.."
"God you are evil," and he captured her mouth once more, "but.. I can't." he sighed.
"Why not?" she panted and her hips moved against him. "You want me, I want you. What could
be more perfect?"
"He would find us Buffy. The man has connections all through the town."
"Then I'll stay here with you," she kissed him quickly, "And we can take turns doing lookout"
"Damnit Buff!" he growled and pulled her off of his lap before standing. "This isn't a game
Buffy. When are you going to get it?"
"From the looks of it.. apparently not tonight," she muttered.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing," she told him with a sigh. Buffy stood up herself and started looking for her clothes.
Once she got her shirt over her head she looked at him with pleading eyes. "Please come with
me. Please?"
"Buffy.."
"How are you going to know that I'm safe unless you're with me?"
"I doubt you're in any danger unless you're around me. This is the second time today he's tried
to do me in. And the next time just might be the final try. I don't want you getting caught up in
it."
"That is no way to get me to leave," she snapped.
Buffy had left her bra off when she threw on her shirt so with her movements her breasts
swayed freely. Angel's eyes got drawn into them and he took the few steps to get to her.
"You're so beautiful Buffy, so innocent, so sweet. If something happened.. I'd never forgive
myself. It would always haunt me."
"Nothing is going to happen," she whispered and stood on her tip toes to kiss him. "Just come
with me."
Angel sighed, his shoulders slumped, "Okay.." he sighed again, defeated by the little woman's
body against him.
"Really?"
"Yes.. really. It's against my better judgement.."
Buffy grinned. "Just can't resist me though can ya?"
"No."
OoOoO
The hotel was a bit out of town, not in the nicest looking area, but the rooms were nice and the
price was good. Buffy stood in the middle of it and stared at the bed, the mini bar, the paintings
on the wall.. all of it.
"Nice place."
"Yeah, a friend of mine owns it. He's a firm believer of making you feel at home."
"Home was never this nice," she grinned and pushed him back until he got to the bed. "Now
then let me see."
"Let you see what?"
"Your head. And no, not that one," she said, rolling her eyes as he grinned, "I want to make sure
you're not bleeding anymore."
Buffy carefully unwrapped the gauze and sighed in relief when there wasn't any new blood on
the bandages.
"I still think you should go to the hospital and let a doctor stitch you back up."
"I'm fine!" he said. For the millionth time. The woman had been singing that tune the whole
way here. "It's not bleeding correct? Let me just take something for the headache and than I'm
good as new."
She glared at him then rolled her eyes and went back to poking and proding about.
"Ouch!"
"That's only what you deserve," she smirked then rebandaged him and kissed him. When he
started to deepen the kiss, she made herself back away and she reached for the bag of pain
killers. "I'll get you some water."
When she came back out, she found him without his shoes and shirt on. He was laying on the
bed in nothing but his jeans, which.. were unbuttoned. This made her stop dead in her tracks as
her eyes roamed over the picture he was making.
When he opened his eyes, his head tilted towards her, his eyes dark and a wicked smile on his
face.
"That for me?" he nodded towards the glass in her hand.
"Huh.. yeah," she said and went over to him, trying to stop the mess of emotions in her
stomach. She held the glass out to him and then jerked as his fingers brushed hers, making the
water spill down his chest.
"Shit!" he jumped.
"Oh God!" She ran to grab a towel. "God I'm so sorry," she said when she got back and started
wiping away at the water. But the towel was suddenly taken from her hands and he grabbed
her arms.
He rolled over in the bed with her until she was under him.
"That didn't work."
"Huh? What didn't work?"
"That cold shower you just gave me. I still want you. Probably now more than ever."
OoOoO
Angel ducked his head to find her lips then he groaned and his arms became steel around her
holding her closer. His lips parted and twisted until she opened. She arched her aching breasts
into him, feeling the water she'd missed with the towel soaking through her shirt.
Angel rose above her and started pulling at her shirt, sweeping both off of her arms.
His eyes dropped to the exposed mounts and they grew harder under the heat in his eyes, but
he still didn't touch her. Instead he went down to the foot of the bed and grabbed at her legs,
pulling her down some on the bed.
He easily flicked open the button on her khakis and pulled the zipper down.
"Oh, yeah," he breathed, "more than ever."
Angel dropped his head and kissed her stomach, making her moan and lift slightly to him. His
hands grabbed each side of her pants and tugged them down as she lifted her hips to help.
Now, just in only her peach panties, she pushed at his chest. "You stand up," she ordered, her
voice not hiding her desire.
She rose and went to stand next to him. Her lips went to his neck and her hands stroked over
his chest, then she traveled down. When she found the unbuttoned buttons of his jeans, she let
her fingers slip inside and tease him, then she started also making her way down with her
tongue.
She tugged his jeans and boxers down then dropped to her knees in front of him, carefully
taking her harden cock in her hands.
"I've never exactly done this before," she said while making soft strokes.
She licked her lips and moved towards him.
"Mmm," she moaned as she traced over the shaft with her tongue.
She heard him growl out her name and felt his hands go to her hair which made her smile,
loving what she was doing to him.
Her lips parted and she suckled him in. She closed her lips around him and closed her eyes for a
moment before looking up at him.
Angel groaned as she started to move her head back and forth, her hand moving counter point
which made him drop his head back.
Her breasts were rubbing agasint him, which made her wet and ache more for him. She pressed
her legs together and moaned at the sensation that caused, which also sent a wave of
vibrations through him.
Angel's breath grew more ragged and his hands gripped tighter in her hair. Then suddenly he
pulled her away from him. She groaned and looked up at him confused.
"What?"
And with a growl, he grabbed her and threw her onto the bed and climbed up after her. Before
she could move, he was in between her thighs, his hands holding her open, and his mouth
moving in on her.
"Angel," she moaned and dug her fingers into his hair.
His hands lightly carressed her thighs, his tounge explored the soft pink flesh. Every touch drove
her higher. Every flick sent her soaring.
Her body was wanting to explode.
"Please," she pleaded, her head starting to roll in the pillows. "I.. I ca..can't"
Angel captured her clit with his mouth while thrusting two fingers deep into her.
It didn't take long to send her over the edge. Her body arched and shuddered. Her hand dug
deeper into his hair while the other fisted the blankets.
She didn't know how long the ride was but when she finally started to come to again and
opened her eyes he was there. Above her. Smiling down at her.
"I guess you could."
"Hush," she breathed," then before she knew what was going on, he pushed inside of her. "Oh,"
she gasped and her hand flew up to grab his shoulders.
"That an 'oh good' or 'oh bad'?"
"Good.. very.. good."
OoOoO
Angel rolled them so she was now laying on top of him, both left panting.
"You're amazing," he breathed as he ran his fingers up and down her spine.
"Not so bad yourself," she smirked. "Is it always like this?"
"Is what always.. oh.. you mean is sex always like this? This fantastic? Mind altering.."
"Yeah," she rolled her eyes, "I guess that's what I mean."
"Well.. I am a master at what I do"
"I'm not even going there," she laughed. "That would just be too easy."
"Then again, so am I," he wiggled his eyebrows at her.
"I'm trying to be serious here.. will sex be like this with any guy I have it with?"
Angel's playful mood vanished and his eyes narrowed. "No. It won't," he growled and pushed
her off of him. He turned to sit on the side of the bed.
"Angel?"
He didn't answer her. Instead he reached down and pulled his jeans back on then he headed to
the bathroom hoping to calm himself down.
When he returned, she was under the covers in his tee shirt. She threw back the sheet and
patted for him to join.
"Did I say something wrong?" she asked when all he did was stare at her.
"Let me give you a little piece of advice Buff. Not too many guys are going to want to make love
to you and then have you go off talking about your future loved while you're still leaking him
out of your body."
Buffy sat up and stared at him. Then a sly grin crossed her lips and she slid over to him.
"Aww, I hurt your feelings?" she breathed and reached out her hand to him drawing him closer
so she could plant kisses on his chest.
"Stop it Buff," he growled while trying to ignore the stiring in his pants. "I'm serious!"
"So am I," she whispered. "If I hurt your feelings I think I should kiss them and make them
better now shouldn't I?" she sat up and kissed up his neck before licking just under his earlove.
She smiled at his shivering. "Come on now, don't make me beg for forgiveness."
Angel grabbed her and dragged her up into his arms, his mouth taking hers. He was hard a
rough, frustrated beyond understanding. He yanked at his shirt and tore it off her which left her
naked in his arms. He laid her back down on the bed and came to join her, a growl escaping his
throat.
"I'm not talking about anyone else. While you're in my bed, you are mine. End of story. Got it?"
She stared up at him, thrilled by his jealousy.
"Yeah. I got it. But it works both ways. Got that?" she narrowed her eyes at him.
His twinkled, loving that fiery attitude of hers.
"Yeah. I got it."
The early edition was at newstands around three AM. And at one of these stands, a man
waited. His hands were hidden in the pockets of the long jacket he wore, his face hidden by a
hood.
Merl looked over at the man, something about him made him nervous but he didn't understand
why.
"I told you.. I don't open for another hour man," he repeated for probably the fifth time since
the guy had shown up. "I gotta have some time to get organized."
The man pulled one of his hands from his pocket and a long black handled flipped open to show
a silver blade.
This caught the newstand owner's eye fast.
Then with a quick flick of his wrist, the man slid the blade under the plastic binding that held
the newspapers together, then he lifted the top one off of the pile.
Next he tossed down the exact amount of change and turned to walk away.
"Hey! You wait a minute now! You can't just.." but Merl's voice was cut off as he stared down to
the blade now at his throat. "Okay, okay, Chill my man. You go ahead. take the paper. With my
blessing!"
"Thank you," the man said. He closed the blade and slipped it back into his pocket then he
folded the paper under his arm and once more turned to walk away.
As he got out of range, Merl shivered.
"Fucking scarred freak."
OoOoO
Angel brushed at whatever was tickling at his nose, grunting at it too since it woke him from his
sleep. And his hand fell to the woman who was laying next to him. One eye popped open and
he gave a sleepy smile.
Buffy was completly wrapped around him again.
Her head was pillowed on his chest, her hair brushing against his nose, one leg hiked up over
him.
He had no words to describe how the night had gone.
He would let her catch small naps before he'd wake her up again and again to ravish her. And
just the thought of how she had been had him jerking up to half mast.
Buffy moaned as she felt his shaft nudging her leg and her hand moved from his chest down to
it.
"You have got to be kidding me. After all that.. you still want more?" she asked with her eyes
still closed.
"What can I say?" and he groaned as she stroked him harder. He grabbed the back of her head
and brought her to his lips. "Woman you go right to my head."
"This head?" she asked stroking her thumb over the head of his cock, making him chuckle.
"Well, that one too," then suddenly she started moving down the comforter, her lips moving
over his body. And his eyes widen knowing what she was doing.
Angel groaned as she got lower, her lips at his navel, tracing patterns with her tongue.
"Damn," he muttered and closed his eyes, his blood rushing through his veins, all headed to the
same place she was.
He pushed aside the comforter some, wanting to watch her and her emerald eyes sparkling
wickedly before she took in the first few inches of him.
He could feel her tongue running along the sensitive underside, tracing the flared ridge. Then
she took him deep.
Soon his head was on the pillow, his hands fisted, his body arched.
"Fuck!" he growled. "Buffy, you're going to make me come."
And she moaned around him then. Sensation wanting to overwhelm him. His breathed grew
more ragged and rough groans came from his lips.
One of his hands went down to her blonde locks, guiding her.
When he felt the hot ejaculate rising, he tried to pull her head away, but she took him deeper
and deeper until the hot spurts filled her mouth.
He could feel her swallowing around him, then her tongue coming out to lap up after her. His
chest heaved and he tried to recover.
When he opened his eyes finally she was moving up and over him to lie down on his chest.
"Enjoy?" she smirked.
"I think you know I did," he growled and his arms held her closer to him. "And now, where in
the world would some innocent woman like you learn to do that?" and before she could answer
he continued. "No.. wait.. on second thought, I don't want to know."
She blushed and made him laugh.
"I read alot."
"Well then, thank God for curious minds huh?" he chuckled. "Now I think it's my turn," and with
that, he rolled her to her back, his body on top of hers, his mouth buried in her throat.
"Wait. Do you hear that?" she asked.
"Hear what?" he muttered and his lips fell down to capture one straining nipple.
"Shit! That's my phone. I gotta get it."
Buffy pushed him off enough so she could get out from under him. She reached for her purse
beside the bed and she pawed through it finally finding her phone.
She flipped it open.
"Buffy Summers." she said breathlessly.
Angel stared at the uncovered backside of her and smiled as he moved closer.
"Stop that," she quietly hissed at him as his fingers traced circles on her back then she returned
to the converstation. "No, not you Giles. I'm in a hotel remember. My apartment was all
trashed yesterday and all."
Angel got even closer to her and ran his palm up and over the curve of her ass. He bent lightly
and let his tongue slid over her thigh, tracing the the line to where it and her curves started.
She wriggled under his touches. One hand came to push him away, but he heard the small
catch in her voice while she spoke on the phone.
He took her hand and brushed a kiss on her palm before moving it away.
He slid his tongue between the globes, finding the furled rosebud hidden between.
"Okay Giles," Buffy managed to get out, the groan wanting to break through her badly. "I'll be
there as soon as I can."
"Two hours," Angel said, now running a finger down the same path, "At least"
Buffy turned to give him a dirty look, but it was replaced without permission with a smile.
"No one Giles. You must be hearing my television. I'll be there soon."
She flipped the phone and started to turn but was stopped by his arm across her lower laid out
back.
"Nope, sorry, you're being held here as my hostage," and he ducked his head again and bit
down on one of her firm cheeks.
"Hey!" she cried but couldn't help the shiver of pleasure that flowed through her. And he
watched as she tried to shake off the desire. "Angel," she began. "you have to let me go. I have
work to do."
"Hostages don't work!" he grinned and pushed his fingers between her thighs. He manuvered
them into her silkly wetness. He heard her moan and dropped her head to the bed, lifting up
some to give him better access. "And besides, this would tell me you would much rather stay
here with me."
"I would," she panted, "but.. I have to.. have to.. do my job," though her hips moved more as
she said it. They surged up against his thrusting fingers in pure desperation. And she cried out
when he pulled away.
"Okay," he said. He leaned back and released her from his hold.
"Okay?" she asked, confused and flushed.
"I know I'm nothing more than some idiotic male and all.. but I do try and learn from my
mistakes. Your job is important, and it is necessary, so if you need to go do it.."
She grinned and her eyes sparkled then she threw herself at him knocking him backwards
some. She kissed him, making it hard for him to resist the tempation to roll her under him once
more. But he managed to hold off and smile as she pulled back her head some.
"You have no idea how much that means to me. Thank you." She kissed him again.
"Just promise me one thing."
"What's that?" she asked as she sat up to search for her clothing.
"Promise me that you'll come back so we can finish this."
Owen paced back and forth in his suite that he'd rented for another night and he was doing his
very best to ignore the phone in his hand that kept playing the theme to The Twilight Zone.
He knew who it was. And what they wanted.
Updates on what the Hell was going on with Buffy. And for the life of him.. he didn't know what
to tell.
Owen dropped the cell onto the small loveseat and placed some pillows on top of it, hoping to
drown out the noise. He then picked up the suite phone and dialed for an outside line but a
knock on the door stopped him from completing his call. He dropped the phone back to its
cradle.
"Shit," he muttered. "Who is it?"
"Room service, Sir. Qe have your order."
Owen sighed then he glanced over to where his phone was going off yet again.
He ignored it and went to the door and opened it. A small cart was pushed into the room. He
sighed and accepted the reciept also left a nice tip. Afterall, he wasn't the one paying for it.
"Here is the newspaper you asked for, Sir," the waiter said, holding it out, folded neatly.
"Thank you," Owen said then let the man leave.
He closed the door and then went back to the cart. He pushed it over to one of the chairs and
sat down. He opened the paper and started to reach for the dome but his hand stilled in mid
air.
"Shit girl, are you trying to piss this guy off?"
Owen quickly scanned through the article, his head shaking more and more at the words.
"Psychosis, impotent, unable to maintain any sort of relationship.. Jesus fucking Christ Buff!"
Owen shoved a hand through his hair and rolled the paper up before throwing it to the cart.
"Well at least now I know what he's got up his ass!" the phone took that moment to go off
again. "Fuck!"
OoOoO
"Remind me when he finally answers that damn phone of his to shove it up his ass," he growled
and paced the floor.
Lilah looked up from the file she was going through, smiling at his muttering and pacing
husband.
"I think he's a little smarter than to answer when you're in this kind of mood. Haven't you ever
thought that maybe Buffy is capable of living her own life?"
He spun, his eyes glaring at first, but softening at the sight of his pregnant wife.
"Did you read the article?"
"Yes, and I thought it was written and done very well."
He threw the phone down on the couch, muttering once more, then he came over to Lilah. His
hand rubbing over her stomach, enjoying the baby's kicks.
"You should be a little more gentle with your momma there. She does carry a gun."
"Ha ha," Lilah said. "These last few weeks are taking forever. But you still haven't answered my
question."
"Well if she had a normal job.. then I wouldn't have to worry so much about her, but no,
instead she's out there throwing herself into burning buildings, almost getting kidnapped by
drug lords and God knows what else! You can't expect me to just sit back and let her get into
more trouble!"
"Yes I can," she smiled. "It is her life baby. How would you act if someone tried to influence you
the way you do to her?"
"There's a huge difference in.. alright now, if I keep talking I'm just going to end up in a huge
hole now aren't I?"
"Well now. I knew you could be trained," she grinned.
His eyes narrowed at her then he moved quickly, scooping her up into his arms.
She screeched and wrapped her arms around his neck. "What in the Heavens do you think you
doing? You put me down. Yut me down now before you go and hurt yourself"
"Okay so now I'm weak?." he turned towards the bedroom door.
"No, I just weigh a ton. besides.. don't you have to get back to your office?"
"Hey, even the boss desereves a lunch."
OoOoO
Angel stood in the shower, letting the water run down his chest and stomach. He bent his head
into it and let it wash over his wound.
The heat felt good. It loosened up his muscles that were tightened by all the events over the
past few days.
He sighed then he stretched and let out a groan as the bruises made themselves known.
"Damn," he hissed.
Angel turned off the water and stepped out of the shower to the bathmat. He grabbed one of
the thick towels to wrap around his waist then another to carefully dry out his hair but a knock
on the hotel door had his head shooting right up.
He quietly snuck over to the door after grabbing his 9 mm off of the dresser.
"Who is it?"
"Owen Thurman."
Angel looked through the peephole then let his breath out slowly. He undid the chain and
opened the door and let owen into the room.
"Where is she?" he growled looking through the room. He even checked under the bed. "What
did you do with her?"
"With who? Buffy?"
"Yeah, you know, short, blonde, pig headed cousin of mine."
"She's not here," Angel smirked at him, "What'd she do now?"
"Did you read this article?" he asked and threw his folded paper towards Angel. "She's just
asking for more and more trouble. You would think she'd know better.. especially after being in
this fucking family!"
Angel grabbed at the paper and unfolded it and started to skim over the article he'd seen she
wrote.
"Shit!"
"Yeah, you can say that again!"
"Shit," he repeated and then went through it more thoroughly. "..received from an anonymous
informant inside the police department. Shit! They're going to think it was me!"
"It wasn't?"
"Hell no! I would never give out information on an investigation," he glared. "And how exactly
did you find me anyway?"
"I'm a private investigator, Angelus. It wasn't all that difficult. But alright.. if Buff isn't here with
you.. then where is she?"
"She got called into work this morning. I'm going to get dressed and come with you." He then
grabbed some clothes and went slamming into the bathroom.
OoOoO
"She's going to get herself killed," he growled at the mirror, his anger rising.
He came back out and started putting his shoes on at the edge of the bed then he checked his
gun and pulled on his holster.
"She always been this pig headed?"
"Oh this? This is nothing," Owen said shaking his head. "You should have seen her when she
wanted to go to school up in New York City. It was all the girl could talk about."
Angel grabbed a shirt and pulled it over on top of his tee shirt to hide his weapon.
"I bet she went too."
"Yeah.. Hank, her daddy, had a fit, but I think Joyce was secretly pulling for her though," he
sighed and went over to reach for the door handle. "It was a huge fight all the way til the day
she left. But I know they were both proud of her. Especially when she graduated.. top of her
class."
Angel stuck the key card to the room in his pocket and followed Owen out. And behind him he
shut the door with a thunderous thud.
OoOoO
The phone on her desk was ringing as she came out of Giles' office and she was most tempted
to just ignore it.
There had already been a huge stack of pink slips with phone messages on her desk when she
came in and out of twenty or so of them.. most had been from the same guy with the not so
subtle message to call "When she got her head out of her ass."
Buffy dropped to the chair and started to reach for her phone. She took a deep breath and
prepared herself for her cousin's rath.
"Buffy Summers."
"You wanna know about the arsonist?" the voice said. "I can give ya all you want."
She lifted her head and grabbed at a pencil. "Who is this?"
"There's some kinda reward or somethin' out for what I gotta give to ya," he said, ignorning her
question. "You wanna know or should I just go to the tribune?"
"No.. no. I want it. Who is he?"
"It ain't gonna be that easy darlin'. I ain't giving you this information just so you can go run out
and claim my reward for yourself," the man had paused and Buffy worried that maybe he'd
hung up. "You gotta meet me," he finally said.
"Okay.. there's this coffee shop.."
"Nope, no good. You gotta come to me," he said then rattled off an address. "Half an hour Miss
high and mighty newspaper lady. You don't show, I'm calling the tribune. They probably know
how to show rats some respect."
"I'll be.." the man had hung up, "there."
Thoughts flew in her mind. thinking how this could be the story of the year. This could be her
chance to get her dumbass cousin to respect her abilities if she could unmask the arsonist
who'd been harrassing the city for months.
A thrill of anticipation shot through her and she ripped the address off of the notepad she'd just
written it on. She grabbed at her purse then headed for the bank of elevators.
Two elevators reached her floor at the same time and Buffy stepped into one of them, never
seeing the two men who'd come out of the other. She hit the button for the lobby and started
to check her purse to make sure she had everything.
OoOoO
"I thought you said she was gonna be here," Owen said glaring Angel's way.
"I thought she was going to be here!" he said glaring back then he looked up as a familiar face
walked past. "Cordelia!"
"Mmm," the curvaceous brunette purred. "Well now.. if it isn't my favorite narc cop. Oh, and
his very cute friend. Who is this very cute friend of yours Angel?"
Owen stepped forward, a smile playing on his lips. "I'm Owen Thurman Ma'am. I'm Buffy's
cousin." And Owen took the hand she held out to him, brining it up to his lips.
"Enchanted," she breathed, batting her eyes. "Buffy sure does have the most interesting men in
her life. And just how I like them. Young, tall, tanned, and tasty."
Cordelia licked at her lips thinking about that, sizing the tall blonde man in front of her.
Owen's gaze followed the pink tonuge ad sent his thoughts into a spin.
"Thurman? She would chew you up and spit you out," he muttered looking at the spellbound
blonde.
"Yeah.. but what a way to go!" he sighed. Owen shook his head and gave her hand one more
kiss before getting back to business. "We're looking for Buff, you seen her?"
Cordelia took a deep breath and watched as both of the men's eyes went to the daring neckline
of her dress.
"Well.. she was in a staff meeeting that let out.. about two minutes ago. She should be at her
desk.. I was just heading over to mine. It's over there," she said standing on her tip toe and
letting her hand rest on Owen's shoulder and she pointed to her desk.
"I will have to remember that," he said with a wink, "but for now.. you think you could find
Buffy for us? We really need to talk to her."
Cordelia's hand went up to her throat and it began playing with her necklace. "I could page her
if you wanted," and she turned to the nearest phone. Bending slightly at her waist, she picked
up the reciever, giving every male eyes in the room a nice view of her thighs.
"If you're looking for Buffy she left a few minutes ago."
Angel turned to see a skinny redheaded woman in front of him. "You know where she was
going?"
"No.. but she was on the phone then she took out of here like the place was on fire."
"Thank you so much Willow," Cordelia said, annoyed by the interruption.
"No problem Cordelia," the girl grinned.
"What do we do now?" Owen finally growled out.
"You're the private dick. Do some detecting."
OoOoO
Buffy stood outside of the abandoned apartment building. She stared up at the broken
windows and graffiti covered walls before her.
"You are completely nuts Summers," she muttered to herself.
Once more she glanced down at the paper where she had written the information on.
'Alright. This is the right place. Let's go!'
She slipped the paper back into her bag and reached deeper inside to turn the tape recorder on
and to check once more than her cell phone and pepper spray were close and handy.
Buffy pushed aside the door and stepped into the darkened building. And a squeak came from
one side and made a squeal erupt from her lips as she jerked backwards. her hand going to her
chest.
"Go away beast!" she said when she saw the rat that had made the awful noise.
She checked the first door and pushed it open.
"This is going to take all day.." but someone.. or something.. then moved aboved her, causing a
clatter of pipes and the sound of footfalls which made her jump, barely holding back her next
schreech.
She moved to the door and yanked out her pepper spray.
"Hello?" she called softly.
The stairs creaked rather noisily as she rested her foot on the first tread.
'This is not good! God, Buffy Anne Summers! You could be in bed right now! Having multiple
orgasms! And eating that detective of yours alive! But oh no, no, no, no. You have to have a
career. You have to be in the lime light. You have to climb those stairs..'
She let out a groan and flinally shifted the pepper spray to her other hand and grabbed at the
banister which seemed to shudder in her hands and shake dangerously. Carefully, she took one
step at a time and started up the stairs.
When she was three from the top, the wood shifted and she threw herself forward, her arm
scrapping a nail in the process.
"Damnit" she cried and turned over to sit while she looked over her wound which was raw and
ugly and bleeding.
She reached into her purse and grabbed at some tissues, holding it to the wound. She jerked at
the contact and her hand opened. Her pepper spray going bouncing down the stairs.
Buffy looked down the hall as far as she could see from where she sat. She could see another
flight of stairs that headed up and some doors that were all closed down the long hall.
"Hello?" she tried again, "is anyone there?" then she rose up and rubbed her hip from the fall.
"I'm here all alone, like you wanted. You can come out and talk to me."
"Up here," a voice said from the floor above her, making her yelp.
"Can't you uh.. come down here? I really don't trust these stairs."
"No. You come to me if you want what I got."
Buffy took a deep breath and dropped the tissues back into her bag and pulled it back over her
shoulder.
"I think you should that I told my boss where I was going.. so if I don't come back.. he's going to
send the police," she lied as she grabbed at the old railing once more. "So you don't try
anything.. funny."
The stairs creaked and groaned with every step she took. The railing seemed to shake more and
more. But soon she could see the boots at the top of the flight of stairs.
"I'm coming, I'm coming."
"Hurry it up!" the voice said and stepped back into the shadows.
"Hey! Come back out where I can see you."
But there wasn't a reply.
She reached the top step and rubbed her eyes. A hand dropped to her shoulder making her
jump. She turned around quickly and blinked at the figure.
Her scream echoed through the empty rooms, but was cut off by the hand that came down
over her mouth.
"There is nothing here," Owen said disgusted.
They had been searching her desk again and again but couldn't find anything useful.
"If she got some kind of message telling her to go somewhere it sure isn't here now."
"She's still not answering her phone either," Angel growled, shoving his cell into his pocket.
"Where the Hell would she have gone?"
"My goodness! You two still here?" Cordelia purred as she came up behind Owen, letting her
hands rest on his wide shoulders. "I thought you would be gone for sure. Oh.. but I guess you
must have been waiting for me.."
"We still have no idea where Buffy is," Angel told her, his anger not hidden. "You would think
she'd let someone know! Especially after all she's just been through. You know, such as her
place getting trashed!"
"You two really are helpless aren't you?" she said, pushing Owen out Buffy's chair so she could
sit down herself. "Buffy told me you're a PI and you Angel.. you're a cop. I cannot believe
neither of you figured this trick out."
Cordelia grabbed a pencil out of the cup Buffy had on her desk and picked up the pad of papper
that sat next to the phone. Using the side of the pencil, she carefully shaded over the area of
the writing, bringing out the address.
"Here you go."
"Hey you two looking for Buffy?" a voice of a small blonde came out. Angel turned to look at
her. "I was riding in the elevator with her. She just left a bit ago. She said she had just gotten a
call from an informant, said he had some information on the arsonist, like where he was going
to strike next," she said excited.
"Did she say who this informant was Lily?"
"No, I didn't ask.."
"Goddamn her! Does she not ever think?" Angel growled. He stood up and took the paper out
of Cordy's hand. "Let's go," he growled at Owen.
"Thank you ladies," Owen said then hurried after him.
OoOoO
Buffy groaned. Her head hurt like a mother and her arm was throbbing. She tried to reach up
and touch her head but found out she wasn't able to. She opened her eyes, blinked a few times,
and then was finally able to focus on the man who sat across the room from her.
"Who are you?"
The man turned his head.
He was young, she figured maybe even around her age, kinda cute too. Something dangerous
about him was obvious.
"I had hoped you'd be out for a little longer. I didn't want you to be awake during this. For your
sake of course."
"Why am I tied up? Who are you?"
"Oh, I bet your head hurts. I am sorry. I didn't mean to hit you that hard. There's no reason you
should suffer."
"Okay.. then.. why don't you let me go?"
"I can't do that. See, the boss has decided your lover has to die, and so.. he has to die. I know
he will come after you, that's why I hoped you'd stay unconscious. This is going to be quite
painful for you." He came closer to her, a strange look in his eyes. "I can hit you again if you'd
rather.."
"Are you crazy!" she struggled against the ropes that held her, not yet getting all he was saying.
'Why would he hit me? And why had he in the first place?'
The pain wouldn't let her think straight.
"As soon as Angelus realizes that you are gone, he's going to come looking for you, and then.. I
will kill him. And, I will start a fire. Then your deaths will be blamed on that arsonist you've been
writing so much about. My boss will be happy to know that Liam Angelus is now and forever
out of the pictur.e"
"You are crazy," she said in horror and then a thought struck her. "He won't be here you know.
He doesn't know where I am."
"Of course he does," the man said. He turned his back and went to a small window that
overlooked the building. "You have to tell people where you go. And he will be here. He will
come looking for you."
"No.." she said stubbornly, "I didn't tell anyone where I was going. So sorry, that little plan of
yours? Not going to work."
"You didn't tell anyone?" he turned to her, his eyes narrowing as she shook her head. "How
stupid can you be to go after an anonymous informant and not tell anyone!"
And he started to stalk towards her.
"I just didn't have the time alright!" she said then shrieked when he picked up the other chair in
the room and flung it against the wall.
"You fucking bitch!"
Buffy watched him with wide and scared eyes as he paced the floor, sometimes stopping to
look out the window. The whole time he kept muttering to himself. Then he would glance at
her. And start to walk more.
Suddenly the dark haired man stopped. His head came up. And he smiled.
"Easy to fix. It is easy to fix. She will call him."
"Oh no! She will not! I will not put him in danger. Not for anything!"
The man turned with his eyes flaring, his face red as well with rage. "You will do as you are told
little girl!" he shouted. He went over and picked up her her purse. He dumped all its contents to
the floor and grabbed her phone. "You're going to call your office and tell them where you are.
And then you're going to call him. You're going to tell him you need his help."
And she watched as he scrolled through her contacts, stopping at her work number, and he hit
the send button.
"You fuck me over on this.. I'm going to make you feel so much pain that you beg me to kill
you."
"This is Rupert Giles," the voice came out of the speaker.
Buffy shook her head and the man stepped behind her. She closed her eyes and waited for
whatever was going to happen next, though it wasn't that long of a wait. He grabbed at one of
her fingers and yanked on it, making it feel like it was going to break.
"Hello? Is anybody there?"
"Okay!" she pretty much yelled, tears falling down her face.
"Buffy? Is that you?" Giles asked, his voice was concerned.
"Yeah, it's me goddamnit."
The man waved a finger at her with a small smile on his lips. "None of that now darlin'."
"Where are you?"
"Um.. I'm fine Giles, just finishing up with an informant."
"Give him the address," the man whispered and she did as told. He flipped the phone close
before she had a chance to say anything more. "Now then it's time to call Mister Angelus. If you
try to warn him about anything Miss.. you're not going to like what happens to you next."
Tears blurred Buffy's vision and she shook her head. "I can't.." she whispered.
"Oh you will unless you would rather.."
Buffy's phone buzzed, vibrating in the man's hand. He checked the screen and chuckled when
he saw who it was.
"Well, well, looky here. He's making it so much easier on me. Now.. no warning him." He flipped
the phone open and held it to her ear.
OoOoO
"Buffy?" Angel's voice came. "Are you there?"
"Ye..yes," she said, her voice barely loud enough to be heard.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm f.. fine.." she sobbed.,completely unable to stop herself. Her head felt like it was about to
explode and her heart about to break.
"You don't sound fine Buffy. Are you crying?"
"No.. I'm fine.. really," she looked up at the man who's eyes were narrowing. She took a deep
breath and let Angel know where she was.
"I already know, honey. The address was on a piece of paper you wrote on. Don't go anywhere
okay? I'm going to pick you up then we can go get something to eat alright?"
Buffy shook her head, wishing there was some way to warn him, some way that would get her
killed too.
The thought of Angel dead was enough to have her stomach turning and a grip at her heart.
She saw the man start to close her phone and knew she couldn't let this happen.
"No!" she screamed out, "Don't come here! It's a trap Angel!"
And a searing pain went across her cheekbone and her eye felt like it had just exploded.
"You fucking bitch!" he shouted. "You had better hope that phone disconnected before he
heard you or.."
"Or you'll what?" she spat. "You'll kill me even more? Give me a break!"
"I know ways of giving pain you've never even dreamed of little girl," his eyes hardened. "Don't
you push me."
"Sounds like someone's been watching far too many old action flicks to me," she said but
flinched as he raised his hands once more.
"You sounds like a little girl who's playing with things that are out of her league," he said and
reached out grabbing her shirt. He yanked on it hard so it tore halfway off. "And if I had more
time, I'd show you the many things that are worse than death. A whole lot worse."
Then, as if to prove his point, the man reached into the front of her shirt, lifting her bra encased
breasts in his hand. He squeezed her until his fingers sunk deep into her flesh.
She tried as much as she could to ignore the pain but it just grew and grew until she fought
against her bonds and screamed out in pain.
When he released her, she breathed a sigh of relief, but it didn't last long. He pulled up her bra
and exposed one of her nipples.
"You know.. with the right pair of scissors.. I could nip that little bud there right off," he said
staring at her.
He seemed excited by his words and that marks he'd left on her body. Ones that were already
starting to bruise. He reached back out and trailed one finger over the welts and ended up
catching the nipple between his fingers and squeezed hard on her.
"No!" she screamed and the man sighed.
"You're right. I have to be extra careful now. He could walk in here at anytime and the boss is
really counting on me. But maybe.. after I kill him.. I'll bend you over his corpse and fuck you,"
he said then laughed.
He turned back to the window to watch for his prey.
As soon as he turned, Buffy began to struggle again on what held her to the chair.
He'd use duct tape and one rope, the tape was wrapped around her wrists several times. She
fought against it and a small bit of hope came to life as she felt it give just the smallest bit.
Her phone was out of her reach, but she figured if she could get one of her hands free she'd be
able to get it with some work. That she'd have a way to warn Angel again.
But everything depended on getting that arm free.
OoOoO
Angel stared at his phone then he slammed it shut and glanced over at Owen.
"Something's wrong."
"Ya think?" the blonde said sacrastically.
Angel shot him a glare, making Owen sigh and shake his head.
"That crazy son of a bitch has her," he finally said.
"No.." Angel started slowly. "I don't think it's the arsonist."
"Then who?"
"She was trying to warn me."
"Who Angelus?"
"I think it's one of Pratt's men."
"Pratt? Isn't he that Spike guy she ended up almost being raped by?"
"Yeah.. he's looking for me. He thinks that I double crossed him, which, of course, I did since he
is a criminal and I'm a cop. He's tried to kill me twice already now."
"Alright. So this guy has tried to kill you twice and you let my cousin stay with you?" Owen's
voice was getting angrier by every word. "You knew how dangerous this guy was.. this whole
situation was.. and still she stayed with you? What in the Hell is wrong with you?"
Angel looked at him again. He didn't have an answer. He knew Owen was right. He knew that it
wasn't right for her to come with him, that he should have sent her somewhere, someplace
safe, someplace away from him.
And now she was out there in the hands of one of Pratt's men.
And it was completely his fault.
Owen looked over at Angel, knowing what must be going through his mind. He felt bad for him..
but he also didn't like the fact his cousin was in danger.
"Just get over it," Owen growled, "We have to go get here, otherwise when I get home there's
going to be a list of people on my ass. Starting with my boss. So you got any ideas?"
Angel thought for a minute.
"He wants me. Let's give him me."
OoOoO
Buffy squirmed in her chair, fighting with every ounce of her strength
She had managed to pull some of the duct tape that the man had placed over her mouth before
leaving the room. He'd waved a finger in her face and whispered how he didn't want her to ruin
the suprise.
Buffy's phone began to ring, still sitting just out of her reach. She could see Giles' name come
up on the front screen and frustration overflowed through her, making her fight even more
against the tape.
'No! Please Giles! Don't have up!' she begged silently pulling more.
And then, just as she was about give up.. the tape stretched. Giving her back her hope.
"Come on, come on, come on," she begged breathlessly. "Let. Me. Go!" She grunted and pulled
hard. And her hand slipped out of the tape. She'd used so much force getting free that she even
almost fell out of the chair.
"Thank you god," she whispered and ripped the tape off her other wrist. She reached for her
phone and with her other hand undid the rope on her legs, but before she could open it or dial
a number, she heard footsteps coming back towards her.
Her eyes searched everywhere for a place to hide, only seeing the other door in the room she
rushed towards it. She scooted through it just as the one to the hall opened.
Her captor walked in.
"It shouldn't be too much longer, my pretty girl. Then you and I can get to know each other alot
better. Of course.. I do have to kill you after.. but I don't think we should let that wreck our.."
he boomed out the last word in rage, "afternoon!"
Then the chair went flying across thr room and his screams of rage filled the air, scaring her
more.
She moved away from the door and searched the new room for somewhere where she could
hide.
She saw no other doors but there was a window without glass in it's frame. She ran over to it,
staring down at the four story drop, and fear had her backing away.
"I'll find you bitch!" he screamed in the next room. "I'm going to find you and then you're going
to pay!"
'Listen here, Buffy Anne Summers. If you get through this.. you are going to ask for a transfer to
the obits,' she told herself before she grabbed onto the side of the building.
Her foot slipped and for a moment she thought she was dead and her arms flew about.
She caught onto another brick and yanked herself back to the building, hugging it with all she
had in her.
"Oh God, oh God, oh God!" she whined and closed her eyes, her heart beat going at a frantic
pace, and she thought she was going to be sick.
"Come out, come out wherever you are," his voice sounded closer.
She forced her eyes opened and forced her fingers to slid over a few bricks and her foot to
move a few inches. Her face was pressed into the wall and she refused to look anywhere but
the next brick or to her feet, watching them slip along the building.
She made it to the next window and peaked inside, her whole body was shaking the whole
time.
The room was deserted but the glass to the window was still intact and she couldn't make it
budge. She thought about trying to kick it in but knew it was too close. He would hear her, no
way he wouldn't.
So she just looked towards the next.
Tears were on her face, her heart thudding hard in her chest, her mind going dizzy.
She glanced down the small ledge, seeing a chunk of the brick missing abotu half way down to
the next window and she knew she'd have to step over it to get to her next destination.
A sob shook her and she had trouble keeping herself from screaming.
"You shouldn't be out there."
And as soon as she heard his voice, the scream that had been building came bursting out.
"Leave me alone!"
"I can't do that Miss Buffy. You're a witness," he said then stepped out onto the ledge, his eyes
barely noticing the drop. "Come back in here now or I'm going to have to follow you and catch
you. And you will not like what happens next."
"No!" she turned ready to just kick out the glass, but she overbalanced and her body ripped
towards the drop.
With a scream.. Buffy felt herself falling.
OoOoO
Angel pulled into the apartment complex and his eyes searched the different buildings. Slowly
he turned and nodded at owen who opened his door and slipped out. He rolled once on the
ground before getting to his feet. Then he took off in a run towards one of the buildings.
Angel pulled into a parking spot and got out himself and he made a huge production or making
himself visible to whoever wanted him here.
He stood there waiting for the sound of a rifle, waited to feel the bullet, but there was nothing.
"Where are you?" he muttered.
Next he scanned over the buildings quickly. He paced one then came back to it after noticing
something not right about it.
Angel squinted into the sun, barely making out the figures, but he knew it was Buffy.
Buffy.
Buffy who was standing on the ledge on the outside of the building.
"Buffy!" he hissed, frozen for a second. Then he started running towards the building.
Owen saw him running and started after him. He looked up at the building they were heading
for and cursed.
"We got to get to her before she falls."
The two men sprinted up the stairs, Owen completely on Angel's fast moving heels.
They broke through a door on the same side of the building they'd seen Buffy standing on and
they headed towards the window of the room.
Angel was almost there when he heard teh sound that stopped him dead in his tracks.
Buffy screamed.
"Buffy!" once more Angel yelled after hearing her scream, his heart in his stomach.
'She couldn't have fallen. She couldn't have. I won't be able to stand the pain..'
Angel started for the room where the scream came from.
OoOoO
Buffy's fingers barely grabbed onto the ledge as she fell. Her arms jerked as she clung frantically
to the brick, her feet kicking out into the air under her trying to find anything there.
Glass from the window that she had broken was cutting into her fingers.
"God! Somebody please help me!" she cried out.
"Buffy!" she heard Angel's voice call out. But it was both a blessing and a curse to her. He was
there.. but so was the man who wanted to kill him.
"Don't come out here Angel! He'll kill you!" she said with her voice cracking.
Her voice gave Angel hope but he could hear the emotions in it.
Her fingers were growing slippery from the blood. And the pain was more than she could stand.
She glanced over her shoulder and almost screamed again when she saw the ground. How
awfully far away it was.
"Buffy!" Angel yelled out again, his voice closer. He pushed the door open to the room and
dived inside. He rolled quickly and hid by a half wall to the kitchen.
When no shot came, he peeked over the side of it.
Angel could see the man standing in the broken window. And the glass sparkling around him.
"Buffy!"
He sounded far too close.
"No!" she screamed and heard the crunch of glass from Pratt's man who was also coming
closer.
And with a strength she didn't know she had, Buffy lifted herself slowly until she could hook her
arm over the ledge, dragging herself over the glass.
The man was in front of her now, peering in the broken window, waiting for Angel to get close
enough for him to kill.
She pulled herself up far enough with the last bit of strength she had and she grabbed at the
man's leg and yanked. It sent him flying off balance and he scremed as his feet hit the edge of
the ledge.
Angel watched the whole thing and raced to the window. Just in time to see the man falling.
He gave a sigh of relief and reached out for Buffy, but she jerked and her body started falling
backwards. Her fingers were the last to go and he reached out and grabbed her arm in both of
his hands.
The jerk on his arms almost yanked him through the window and off the ledge as well, but he
managed to brace himself against the sill at the last moment and held her tight.
"Buffy!"
"Let me go!" she started moving trying to get free. "Get off of me damnit!"
"Wh.. what?" he almost let go from the shock. But instead, he turned and shouted for Owen.
"Thurman! Get your ass in here! Now!"
But Owen was already there and reached out to grab at Buffy's other arm and he heard her
scream in pain.
"Quit fighting!"
"Get off of me!" she screamed again as they pulled her up, her head and shoulders now almost
over the edge.
He saw her look down and could feel her kicking her feet.
"He has a gun Angel!"
"Holy shit. He's on her legs."
OoOoO
There was a gun shot and Buffy again screamed out. Her wriggling becoming a deserpate
strugle.
Then another scream rang out and she almost flew over the side of the ledge and into Angel's
arms.
She was missing a shoe, her pants, and was now only left in a pale green thong and what was
left of her ripped shirt.
"Are you shot?" Angel asked holding onto her, "were you hit?"
"N..no.." she whispered and her whole body was shaking.
She'd wanted to grab and hold him tightly but her fingers were bleeding and both her hands
and arm hurt terribly. There were also scraps and welt all over her legs.
"Call 911 and have them send some medics.. and a coroner," Angel told Owen over her head
then he took off the shirt he'd put on over his tee shirt and wrapped it over her shoulders and
helped get it over her arms. "Come on baby. Let's get you out of here."
Angel bent down and lifted her into his arms. He could hear Owen on the phone behind him
speaking to an operator.
He would have called himself but he couldn't make his hands get off of her long enough and his
fingers were shaking far too badly to try anyway.
"How.. did you know?" she whispered and snuggled into his chest as he carried her out of the
room.
"Buff baby.. I don't want to piss you off or anything.. but you get into more trouble than any
woman I have ever met in my life. Maybe even three or four put together. And when no one
knew where in the world you were, I knew there had to be trouble."
Buffy play gasped. "I'm not that bad!"
"Are you kidding me?" he laughed.
OoOoO
There was sirens in the background as he carried her down the four flights of stairs. He felt her
head snuggle more into him and turned her so she wouldn't have to see what was left of the hit
man.
He had fallen and his head had hit the cement first.
It wasn't a pretty sight.
He still had her pants in a death grip.
The cops were the first to arrive. Angel put her down so he could pull his badge out. Then the
ambulance pulled in shortly. And it was followed by the coroner bus.
Buffy sat on a gurney and let them wrap up her hands in the gauze and jerked some as they
tried to touch her shoulder.
"This might be dislocated. We're going to take her in."
"I'm riding with her," he said, his tone showing he wasn't in any mood to argue about it. "Owen
can follow us in my car," he said then shouted for him to come over. "We're going to the
hospital," he said and tossed the blonde his keys.
Owen nodded and grabbed them with one hand before he went back to his phone
conversation.
OoOoO
The trip went quickly but the ride was bump and not at all comfortable. She would groan every
time they got tossed around and her shoulder hurt worse anyway now that she was coming
down from the adrenaline high.
Buffy glanced over at Angel, only to find him staring at her.
"What are you looking at?" she asked, trying to understand the look on his face.
"Everything," he said softly, but deep, "You are absolutely everything to me Buffy Summers."
Buffy felt tears coming to her eyes. "You're just scared because of what happened."
"Well.. yeah.. there is that. But there's also the fact that you are the most.. incredible woman.. I
have ever met," he stared at her. "You could have died back there trying to protect me."
The medic took her wrist to count her pulse then he inflated the plastic around her arm to get
her blood pressure.
"I couldn't have let him hurt you."
"So.. what are we going to do about this?" he asked after a minute.
She stared at him. "Do? Why do we have to do anything?" then she groaned as the ambulance
stopped, then started to go into reverse in front of the hospital doors.
The medic took the iv bag he had started and laid it beside her then they slipped her out as
soon as the back doors opened and they got her to the ER.
OoOoO
It was late when the doctor finished with her. And Buffy had to fight with her cousin to settle
down when he found out she was planning to go with Angel.
"You have been knocked out, had your shoulder dislocated, you've been shot at, almost thrown
out of a building.. and more.. all because of this guy and now you want me to go off on my
merry way so you can leave with him? Are you right in the head at all these days?"
Buffy stared down the hall, seeing Angel pacing. He was giving her prvacy but kept glancing her
way every thirty seconds or so.
"I am. For him. I think i'm in love with him Owen."
"In love with a cop," he sighed, complete disgust in his voice. "Is there something in our genes
that says we have to either be one or fall for one?" Owen shook his head. "He is so going to so
have my ass."
"He needs to realize that I am old enough to deal with my own life."
Owen opened his mouth to speak but she held up a hand to stop him and shook her head at
him.
"The past few weeks don't count. Mars must be in the wrong house.. or retrograded.. or
whatever.."
"Qhat in the blazes are you talking about now?"
"Astrology.. or astornomy.. whatever.. your horrorscopes. Mine's all messed up." And she
giggled since the drugs just started kicking in. "Angel will take care of me Owen," she smiled,
"I'm his everything."
"I think you're both a couple of love sick idiots."
OoOoO
"Alright," Owen said after a minute. "I won't call him in, but you better call me in the morning.
And no more chasing damn unknown informants without telling anyone, you understand?"
"Yes Sir!" she saluted him then laughed and tried to get out of bed. "I need my clothes!"
"You need bed and some rest," Angel said smirking at Owen when he walked into the room.
"You feel up to helping?"
"I would rather face all of Pratt's hit men and then some then her on pain killers. Thank you," he
pulled his phone out of his pocket, as well as Angel's keys, "Your car's in the lot. I'm going to call
a cab and let your keeper know everything's all fine and dandy here," he glared at Buffy then
back to Angel. "If you keep her out of trouble for twenty four hours maybe I'll finally be able to
go home!"
"I'm not trouble!" Buffy announced with a yawn. Then she threw her unsligned arm around
Owen. "Besides.. yoooouu love me."
"Yes, Buffy. I love you. Angel loves you. Everybody loves you," he said then steered her to Angel
and shook his head again at her. "You are in for a very interesting evening, my friend."
Owen tossed Angel the keys and turned to leave. And he smiled as he heard Angel shout his
reply.
"Coward!"
OoOoO
Buffy and Angel looked like a couple of walking accidents as he helped her back up to the hotel
room. She was only dressed in his shirt and her thong underneath it. Her arm was bandages up,
so were her hands. She had got fifteen stitches total in them both from the glass. And Angel
had bruises all on his face and random places on his own body. With a bandaid was on his head
from the bullet wound.
Angel held onto her carefully, treating her like she was made up of glass.
"Come on, Baby. It's only a little bit farther.. then you can lie down," he said and remember her
saying the same to him when she walked him home from his own hospital trip.
"I am fine Angel," she argued but then yanked. "Okay, so, I'm tired. But you should be too!"
"Me? I wasn't the one who was out there fighting off hit men on a foot wide ledge Buffy."
Angel opened the door and his eyes scanned the place quickly, seeing everything looking right.
Nothing was out of place or disturbed from earlier.
"You know.. you scared me. Badly."
"I'm sorry.. I just.. couldn't let him hurt you or kill you," she said while making her way to the
bed to sit down on the edge.
He sighed. "So you were just.. going to get yourself killed instead? I don't want that Buffy. You
can't sacrifice yourself for me. You got that?"
"Hmm, is that an order?" she asked taking the sling off.
"What if it is?" he asked walking toward her. He took the sling for her and sat it down on the
dresser before turning back to her. His hand went to cup her cheek. "What if I make that an
order?"
"You know how I don't like orders," she told him and cupped one of her hands around his.
"Actually.. I kind of hate them."
He dropped down to his knees in front of her, bringing him almost eye level with her.
"I can't blame you for that, Baby, I don't like them much myself," he told her while he reached
to unbutton his shirt. Buffy had left her own at the hospital and it was covered in blood and
glass.
So now she was naked under his shirt, all but her underwear.
"No," she said, her tone sarcastic, "you hate orders? I'd never have guessed that!"
"Smart ass," he grinned and spread open the shirt. "God.. you are so beautiful," he whispered.
"Even bandaged.. half stoned.. you still take my breath away."
"I am not stoned!" she argued, but had a goofy smile on her lips.
"Buffy.." he sighed, "that wasn't what you were supposed to comment on from the sentence."
Buffy leaned forward and she hooked her uninjured arm around his neck. "Take your breath
away huh? Does that mean you need CPR?" she whispered and heard him chuckle before his
lips covered hers.
The kiss started off gentle, but then his tongue slicked along her lips and dipped with in. His
arms wrapped around her waist and dragged her from the bed down to him.
He stood easily and lifted her legs and laid her back down to the matress. Then followed her
down to lie next to her.
She moved her legs up over his hips and he couldn't help but run his hand from her ankle and
up over her legs and thighs. He pressed gently and ran his hand flat between.
She moaned and arched, begging for more. She tried to reach out to him but the bandages
caught on his clothing and she hissed in pain that spread through her.
"No Baby, just lie still and let me," he whispered.
"But.."
"No. I want to," He kissed her pouting lips. "Just let me take care of you."
"I can't get that sight of you.. hanging off the ledge.. out of my mind, Buffy. I could have lost
you."
She sighed. "But you didn't. It didn't happen. I'm right here."
"But it could have!" he argued with a hint of desperation in his voice. "I could have lot you
today."
"You may find that I'm not so easy to lose," she teased, "It'll take more than some little two bit
hit man to get rid of this girl!"
Angel lifted his head and he stared at her in amazement. "You don't know who he was?"
"The hit man?"
Angel nodded.
"No.. should I?"
"He was another one of Pratt's biggest guns. His name's Jack O'Toole. He's killed more than
sixty men Buff."
A moment later, Buffy was sitting up, staring at him in horror.
"Si..sixty men?"
"More than."
"He.. you're not teasing me, are you?"
"No," he stroked her back, "you, my dearheart, just too out one of the FBI's top ten Most
Wanted men."
"Holy shit."
Angel chuckled and dragged her back to him. "You can say that again. Now you see why I was so
scared?"
"Wait.." she said with a twinkle in her eyes. "There a reward?"
"Yeah. You get me," he kissed her forehead.
"Oh.." she said in mock dissapointment. "I was kind of hoping for money.."
"Buffy," he growled and she smiled and giggled. "You're going to pay for that remark."
"See me shaking?"
Angel pounced but was carefuly of her shoulder and hands and he buried his face in her neck.
He growled and nipped at her skin, loving her squeals.
"You will be when I'm done with you!"
"Promises, promises," she moaned.
And with gentle hands, he slowly took off the shirt he'd given her.
She was covered in bruises, cuts and scrapes. And it reminded him of how close he had come to
losing her.
His hands and lips became more tender and he traced around each bruise with his mouth,
taking his time to let her know how he felt. His kisses reamined soft, his hands gentle.
Her hands went to his head but he gently moved them back down to the bed.
"No. You leave them right there," he smiled.
"But.."
"Just stay still Buffy."
And she nodded, unable to say anything.
When he touched her next, a moan bubbled deep inside of her. Her body arched under his
hands and lips.
He slowly took off her underwear and dropped them over the edge of the bed then he stripped
off his tee shirt and did the same. Then he stood and looked down at her.
"You are so gorgeous," he whispered.
Then he kicked his shoes and unfastened his pants and yanked them along with his boxers
down his legs. He stopped only to pull of his socks. Then he lied down by her once again.
Angel carefully gathered her into his arms and groaned at the way she felt. His lips found hers
and moved with a skill so her breasts pressed into his chest as she panted. He dropped his head
to hers, closed his eyes, and his body shook.
"Angel?" she whispered, her bandaged hand coming to his cheek.
"I'm okay Buff. I just.. want you a little too much right now," he tried to laugh but it came out
more strangled than anything. "I guess you being in danger got to me more than I'd thought.
Buffy.. I don't know what I would do if..."
"You don't have anything to worry about Angel. No if anythings. I'm not going anywhere," she
brought her lips up to his.
He couldn't help but draw her closer and the flames sprang between them. His hands stroked
down her back, then gripped her hips. He rubbed her against him, letting her feel the proof of
his need.
He moaned and dipped his head to find her nipple. He laved it with his tonuge, letting it harden
before suckling it back into this mouth.
And the taste of her sent his passion soaring even higher, his pulse to thunder, and his breath
grew harsh.
"You're going to be the death of me," he growled.
OoOoO
Angel's hand was on her cheek while his lips searched out each and every erogenous zone. With
unerring accuracy. He teased her with tiny nips, flicks, and open kisses.
Buffy's head turned and he soon felt the heat of her mouth around one of his fingers and his
eyes darted up to her face. He hissed in a breath as she slowly sucked on his finger. She took all
of his finger before pulling it back out. Then her lips wrapped back around the digit and her
tonuge flicked and licked at him.
When her teeth bit down on the end of his finger, Angel's body jerked and he pulled free. His
other hand fisted to keep himself from dragging her under him and taking her in one fast and
hard stroke.
Instead he brought his hands to her ribs and held her while his lips moved over her stomach.
Then down to the small slope of her lower belly.
She gasped and egged him lower.
Gentle fingers spread her, revelaing the pink flesh wet with desire. He traced the folds with one
finger, enjoying the heat of her, the sight and smell of her.
"Angel!" she cried and he felt her jerk when his finger slid over the knotted flesh of her clit. He
did it again and flicked gently at the bud before he dipped his head to capture it with his mouth.
"Oh God," she moaned and her bandaged hands came up to bury themselves in his dark hair.
And the flat of his tongue played with her clit as his fingers slid with ease into her.
Angel could feel that she was close. Her body moved with him, thrusting against his mouth. And
he could feel the tiny contractions fluttering around his fingers.
Her whimpers turned into cries and her hands grasped at him.
He moved his fingers faster and soon he heard her grunt, felt her body tightened, and the
muscles of her sex convulsed around his fingers. She arched and dug her heels into the bed as a
sharp squeal came between her lips.
And it was an explosion. Pure and simple. Bright white lights burst inside of her and heat
shivered through her. Snd she thought she was going to die from the pleasure of it all.
"Angel!" she shrieked and arched into him as his tongue continued to lap at her responsive sex,
driveing her to the next peak and then to the next until she was almost to numb to feel
anything.
It all seemed to last forever.. and yet, at the same time, not long enough once she settled
down. Her breathing harsh and unsteady. She pushed his head away, not able to take anymore.
"Oh, God!"
"Yes?" he drawled as he leaned above her.
Buffy opened her eyes and narrowed them at the smug look on his face. "Conceited much?"
Angel chuckled and rolled off her to pull her into his arms. She turned to her side and snuggled
her ass against the hard ridge of his erection as it pushed against her.
"No.. I'm more.. convinced."
"Very funny."
"I'm a funny guy."
Angel moved his hip and his lips found the back of her neck. "Lift your leg up Baby."
She turned her head to look at him. Her face was flushed and their heated eyes locked. "Lift my
leg?"
"Yes," he growled and reached down to trap her thigh. He pulled it up and over his and moved
his hips again.
She could now feeling him rubbing against her still throbbing sex. And she started moving back
against him with a moan.
Angel moved his hand from her thigh and slid up to her waist. Then to her breasts.
"You ready?"
"For what?" she asked then groaned as the head of his cock was pushed inside of her body.
"This," he growled and he pushed farther until he was buried completly inside of her.
OoOoO
"Buffy," Angel groaned.
Her muscles contracted around his shaft, throbbing in time with the rapid beat of her heart. She
moved against him, unable to be still, no matter how much he tried to hold her still. Her hips
danced with him and he stole her breath with the ferocity of his need for her.
He buried his face in her blonde locks, breathing deeply, his body shaking aginst hers.
"Angel?" she whispered and turned her head back to look at him.
"I could have lost you," he said looking up. His eyes were full of lust and fear. "You could have
died.. and I'd never have been able to tell you."
"Tell me what?" she asked slowly her movements so she could turn more towards him.
Angel closed his eyes and took a shuddering breath. "That I love you," he whispered then
opened his eyes to look at her.
For a moment everything spun because of his words. All the pain. All of the confusion. The love.
And everything else that had happened over the past few days.. it all had her stopping from
answering. But then a slow smile curved on her lips.
"Well, it's about time!"
Angel blinked. "About time? About time for what?"
"For you to admit it. What in the world took you so long?" she sighed but her eyes were
sparkling.
"Buffy. Don't make me take you over my knee," he growled then pulled away and went to sit at
the side of the bed. "Tell the woman you're in love with her.. and what happens? All she does is
bitch at you. Again." he grumbled.
Buffy smiled and came to her knees behind him. "Aww honey, you know how I feel," she
whispered in his ear.
"Buffy Anne Summers," he growled and grabbed her to lay her back down on the bed. "I try and
be gentle with you. I try to be romantic. I try to show you my feelings for you, my fears for your
safety. I even tell you that I love you! And you can't even say those three little words back to
me. I can't.."
"I love you Detective Liam Angelus," she said softly, interrupting his rantings. "I think I have
since you showed up at my door that morning with pizza. Now would you shut up and come
back to me please? Show me how much it is you really do love me," she smiled.
Angel grinned and his eyes roamed over the body waiting for him before coming closer to it.
"I need you," he whispered against her mouth.
"I'm right here," she managed to say before he kissed her. And soon she felt her body
responding. Her hands came up to hold him closer as her legs parted to let him in.
Angel slid inside of her, thrusting gently as she wrapped her ankles around his back.
"I love you," he panted out and stared down at her.
"I love you too," she whispered, her body reacting to every thrust.
She could feel the tension in her core, the heat that was buidling there, getting closer with
every move he made. She arched her back as he ducked his head to suckle a nipple into her
mouth and chewed gently on it.
She whimpered and began to move with desperation under him, wanting to feel the pleasure
she'd only known with him.
He could feel her body tightening around him again, hearing the familar sound of her cries.
"Come for me Baby," he growled.
She stared up at him, their eyes locking, all their emotion inside reflecting inside. He thrust into
her hard and watched her eyes go blank.
"Oh God!" she cried and her head went back into the pillow.
"Buff.." he started but only threw his own head back and clenched his teeth together as
pleasure took him over. He filled her without ever taking his eyes off of her face.
When he could finally breath again he reached down and wiped her cheek gently, amazed at
finding her crying.
"Buffy?"
"What?" she asked then turned her head away in embarrassment. Ashamed she couldn't
control the emotions that were bubbling inside of her.
"Baby, don't turn away from me," he rolled to his side and brought her with him. "Don't ever
turn away from me Buffy. Are you alright? Did I hurt you?"
His concern sent a whole new wave of tears from her eyes. "No, Angel.." she started softly,
"you didn't hurt me. You.. it.. it was the way you.. looked at me.."
Angel reached up and turned her head so he could look into her eyes. "How did I look at you?"
"Like.. Like I.. really was.. everything.." she felt her cheeks blush at the words.
Angel chuckled and watched her eyes narrow at him.
"Whoa there sweetheart. Don't get mad. I'm not laughing at you, just because I'm happy ,that's
all. You are my everything," he kissed her. "I love you," he whispered once he finally lifted his
head.
"But it.. just sounds.. I don't know.. like something out of those cheesy romance novels."
"Hmm. So does this mean we're at the point where everything fades to black.. the hero and the
heroine whisper sweet nothings to each other.. and then they have some hot and wild monkey
sex for the rest of the night?" he asked and made her laugh.
"I don't think i've ever read that terminology in any novel I've ever read Angel."
"But.. we can still have hot and wild monkey sex the rest of the night right?" he pleaded making
her laugh again and harder.
Buffy pushed on him so he was on his back then she climbed ontop of him. "Think you're up for
it?"
"I'm not ready for my walker yet. I think I can handle you," he growled.
OoOoO
The scissors were sharp. They cut through the newspaper with ease.
He lifted the article from the Sunnydale Press and stared at it.
"Buffy Summers. I do think it's about time you and I met. Don't you?"
He opened up the scrapbook that was filled with newspaper articles. Big bold black printing
filled the pages.
He looked for an empty space and quickly put the article down upon it.
Next he picked up the marker.
He closed his eyes and he took a deep breath.
When he again opened his eyes they were full of purpose.
He popped the cap off of the pen and he began to write.
Well, If You Didn't Know, This Is My Favoritest Part Of The Story. :D
My 'He' As In 'The Watchdog' He Comes To Town.
And, In Case You Haven't Heard, He's Sorta The Inspiration For Skip Being A Bit Of A Different
Character In The Captured Series Stories.
The door to the room rattled. The person who was knocking seem furious. And it startled the
two who were entwined on the bed.
"What the fuck.." he began before jumping out of bed to reach for his pants.
"Who is it? And what time is it?" she groaned, her body aching so much she couldn't even sit
up.
"Two o'clock," he told her then started going towards the door.
"Whoever it is.. get rid of them kay?" she said then curled up in a ball and drew the blankets up
over her head.
Angel smirked. She looked like a mass of bedding lying like that.
"Allow me to wait on you hand and foot," he chuckled still as he opened the foor.
He turned his head to see who it was, but all he caught was a glmipse of a fist before it hit him.
Angel flew backwards and ended up on the floor. Stunned.
"Where is she?"
"Damnit Caleb! We talked about this shit on the flight here!" Graham said walking into the
room, completly furious at his brother, then he held his hand out to Angel. "I'm sorry about
Caleb here. He doesn't exactly have the best manners. Mom gave up on him too soon, that
what I think anyway."
Angel stared at the hand then at the man who held it out to him. "Who are you?" he asked
before taking his hand.
"I didn't hit him that damn hard! Besides, you'd think Buffy would choose a guy who could take
a punch," Caleb growled and walked through the door.
He plopped down on the bed and grabbed his cell phone. He checked the screen before stuffing
it back into his pocket.
"You're Caleb Miller," Angel said glaring at the man who'd punched him. "You're the one that
has both Owen and Buffy jumping through hoopes."
Caleb smiled, a very satisfied look was on his face. "It's good for them! Keeps 'em on their
toes!"
"God, you sound like my old man," he turned to the other guy in the room. "I don't have a clue
about you though."
"Me? Oh, I'm the lucky one who gets to call him brother," he nodded towards Caleb then rolled
his eyes. "Graham Miller," he shrugged.
"Wel.." Angel said while touching his swelling eye, "it's been you know alot of fun but what the
Hell do you want? Besides to come in here, insult and bash me in the face, that is."
"We're looking for Buffy. Owen said you brought her here with you."
Angel stared at Graham, unsure as to what to say. He figured that if Buffy had wanted them to
know she was here, she'd said something by now.
"What do you want with her?"
"We're here to take her ass home! She needs to heal up. Her momma can take care of her..
then, when she's better, I'm going to let her come work for me at my agency," Caleb simply
stated. He had the whole thing decided. All Angel had to do was produce her.
"And what if she doesn't want to go with you?"
"Well now she doesn't have much of a choice, you see. I've already talked to her boss at work,
even though the jackass wouldn't accept her resignation from me," he said, his tone showing
his annoyance with Giles, "but has given her leave. Her apartment, as you may know, is a
complete mess so she'll lose her security desposit, not her fault mind you, but yes, she'll be
happier back with her family."
"Are you this heavy handed with everyone in your family?" Angel asked and grabbed for a tee
shirt, but when he looked down he saw Buffy's thong sitting on the floor by Caleb's feet.
"Heavy handed? Listen boy, you don't even know me," Caleb growled and sprung up, as he did
he kicked her thong, but didn't seem to notice.
But Graham did.
Graham looked down and then at the bed.
"Where's Buffy?" he asked from behind Caleb's back, but shook his head at Angel.
"She's not here."
"Look," Caleb said, pushing a finger into Angel's chest, "We are taking her home. Her parents
want her there and they are going to take care of her."
"I am not going to let you kidnap her."
Caleb growled and dug his hands into his pockets, fisting them there since he didn't trust
himself.
"It's not kidnapping damnit. She's my baby cousin."
"And she's the love of my life and I am not about to let you take her away from me!"
And the room quiet after Angel dropped that bomb.
"She's the what now?" Caleb finally asked.
"I am in love with Buffy, and she loves me. As soon as things get straightened out, I'm going to
ask her to marry me."
Graham grinned and held his hand out again. "Congratulations."
"Well she hasn't said yes yet.." he said, though he took Grahams hand, a smile of his own on his
face and he glanced at the mess of covers that still hadn't moved. "I can give Buffy a message
when she returns," he offered.
"You can tell her to call me," Caleb said and turned to the door.
"I'll do just that," Angel said, sarcasm dripping from every word.
Caleb would have turned around and popped him if his brother hadn't grabbed him.
"Listen here asshole.."
"No, you listen. The only reason I'm not taking you in for assault on a police officer is because
you're her family. Now, I didn't respond any to the kind little love tap, but if you try and fuck up
our relationship by taking her out of here and away from me,.you and I are going to have alot
more between us then this," he motioned towards his face.
Caleb turned, stopped, and stared at Angel. Then a smile grew across his face.
"You'll do," he nodded his head, "You can tell Buffy that I approve."
Then Caleb walked out the door. Graham followed behind, shaking his head.
OoOoO
Angel shut the door, feeling like he was just run over by a tornado.
"What the fuck was that?"
"That," Buffy said, finally uncovering herself from the blankets, "was my cousin Caleb. I told you
a little about him, remember?"
"Vaguely." He pushed at his swollen eye. "He throws quite a punch." He shook his head and sat
down on the bed.
She pulled herself out of her cocoon of blankets to kneel behind him. Her hands cupped his
hands and planted a tiny kiss on the corner of his eye.
"All better?"
Angel's eyes were on the naked body before him. Even scabbed and bruised, she was the most
beautiful woman he'd ever seen.
"Walk around like that some more and I'll be just great."
"Did you mean it?"
"Yeah.. that sure is one way to keep my attention. Naked, gorgeous, and all mine. That works
every time Baby."
"No, you ass! I mean what you said to my cousins. You plan to.." she trailed off, unable to
Finish.
"Marry me? Yeah, I do."
"But.. we;ve only been on one.. we hardly know each.."
"I haven't asked you yet.. so keep the protesting til then would ya? For now I think you owe me
something for hiding out here while I had to deal with that cousin of yours."
"I suppose you're right. What do you want?"
"Food. I'm starving!" he laughed. "What would sound good to you?"
"Asprin," she groaned as she moved her shoulder to try and get up.
Suddenly a squawk came from her mouth as Angel picked her up then put her back on the bed.
"I got your prescription filled," he said going to the dresser and dragging out the bag. Then he
went to the bathroom and grabbed a cup. He filled it with cold water and brought it to her,
along with one of the pills.
"How would subs sound?'
"Good enough to eat," she laid against the pillows more comfortably. "I really do owe you a
thank you. I've never seen Caleb back down from anyone."
"You still haven't seen it," he joked. "Someone was too chicken to make herself known. Instead
she kept her head covered by all these blankets. But I can't really blame you. He always been
that.. intense?" he asked pulling on his socks.
"He feels responsible for.. well.. everyone. He's been in charge of his brothers and sister since
he was barely a teenager himself. Their parents died in a car accident.." and she told him of
some different twists and turns the family had been through. The runaways, more deaths, bad
marriages..
"Okay so maybe I don't want to marry you. You all sound like jinxes," he teased.
OoOo
"Why don't you let that pill get to work. I'll go get us something to eat," he said then started
tucking her in.
"What, no goodnight kiss?"
"If I kiss you.. I might not be able to stop," he said but leaned down to gently brush her lips.. but
she had other plans in mind. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer.
The kiss started off slow then she licked at his lips, teasing him with her tounge.
Angel growled and pulled her closer.
"You know you still go straight to my head," he said then laid her back down, covering her one
more time. "You gonna be okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." she snuggled into the pillows. "I love you."
"I love you, too," he said and bent to kiss her forhead. "Sleep."
She mumbled something or other and rolled to her side.
And she was asleep before he made it out of the room.
There was a sharp pain that woke her. She grabbed for her arm, her vision blurred, the room
spinning.
There was a strange face appearing in her line of vision. A terrible grin on his face.
"It's just you and me now," he said.
She closed her eyes and fell into unconsciousness.
When she woke up the second time, her mouth was dry and felt like it was stuffed with cotton.
Her head hurt and she was seeing double.
She tried to wipe her eyes, only to realize she was tired down to the chair. Even her chest was
taped. Everything was holding her in.
Buffy blinked furiously as the strange smell attacked her senses and it took her a moment to
figure out what it was.
"Gasoline," she breathed.
She stared around the room.
There were candles, all lit, on tops of gas tanks. Her chair was in the middle of a puddle. And a
pillar candle was lit, sitting just off to the side on the floor.
She was in one of Angel's shirts, her legs and her feet were bare. Her arms were pulled back
behind the chair and they were taped together. Her injured arm was rebelling against the pain
of being abused in this way.
She swiveled her head while trying to figure out where she was and who had her.
The room was unfamiliar but the walls.. were covered all with pictures of her. There were
hundreds of them. Some were taken while she had been working, others when she was out
doing errands, but the ones that made her blood run cold were ones taken with Angel.
His face had been cut out or marked over in every one of the pictures.
There were comments in bold letters written over and under the pictures. Words like bitch,
whore, die and such were left there.
They send a chill down her spine.
There were also newspaper articles taped on the walls and windows.
She saw the one she had written on the drug bust. The one she'd met Angel at. And more
articles were around about the arsonist.
Under them was a small bed. It was made up almost in military precision and on top was a thick
black scrapbook. Every page was so full, bits were hanging from it.
OoOoO
"Where am I?"
"You're in my home," the voice came out from behind her.
She tried desperatly to see who it was but deep down she already knew.
"What.. what do you want from me?"
"You lied about me. You lied and then all the other papers lied too. I brought you here to pay
for them."
The man moved closer and she cringed as he dropped his hands to her shoulders. His skin was
burned, horrible scarred.
"If.. if you let me go.. I could fix those lies. I could.. wr.. write the truth about you.. why you
burn those buildings. I promise! I'll write whatever you want"
He patted her shoulder and laughed softly. "Did you like my fires? I know you've been at a
couple of them. The flames.. they're so pretty. Did you know that fire is alive? It breaths. It
consumes. It destroys."
"I.. I never thought of it that way.. but now that you said that.."
"Quit patronizing the freak," he chuckled, "I am not an idiot. And I do not wet my bed either."
"I.. I'm sorry I wrote that," she said quickly. "I got that quote from an expert on arsonists. I'll
retreact anything I said.. you just have to let me go."
Tears began to streak down her face. The fumes from the gas were getting to her too much and
it was making her sick.
"Please.. just let me go."
"I can't do that. You have to be made to see the truth the way I was. You have to face the fire,
let it burn into you, you have to feel the.. the blessing.. as it feeds off of your pretty flesh." And
he moved around so she could see his face.
Buffy barely barely bit back the scream as she saw him for the first time.
Fresh burns covered his cheeks. There were huge blisters and red skin, all covered by a thin
sheen of some kind of cream. His eyes were wild above the burns, his eyebrows were gone,
burned off by whatever had caused this.
His hair was burned in places, then was thick and full in others.
"Oh, God, please don't," she begged, horrified. "Why are you doing this? Please just let me go! I
won't tell anyone! You can just undo the tape and I'll leave. I won't cause any problems.
Please!"
He laughed. "I can't do that." He bent to pick the candle from the floor. He turned it so wax
dropped off and onto her knee.
She hissed as it landed, unable to move or get away from the drops.
"Please.." she sobbed.
"You beg.. so.. so prettily," he told her and lifted the candle. "Now.. I'm going to take this candle
and I'm going to put it on the table just behind you. If you can face the fire, let it burn through
your tape, you'll be able to get free. But if not.. I have a timer rigged on one of those gas cans
there. It has just enough to knock over the tank and make the candle land into the gas," he
laughed again, "and no.. I'm not going to tell you how long a fuse it has," he whispered.
"Please don't do this!" she cried.
"You can get away if you wish," he pulled away from her, "You can now feed those pretty
fingers to the flame, let it free you. Or, you can sit and wait for the timer to go off and hope the
little explosion blows out the flame before it hits. Either way.. it's about time that I left."
He lifted up Buffy's chin, forcing her to look at him.
"Can I have a goodbye kiss?"
"Fuck you!" she said and jerked away from his fingers.
"Now,now. That is no way to treat someone," he chuckled. "I kind of wish I could stay here and
watch.. but I've got other stuff to burn and not alot of time to do it in. Have fun!" he bent to
pick up a can of gasoline and a small bag.
She heard the door behind her open and close again.
She was now alone in a room full of gas and candles.
Panic struck Buffy hard and fasr. She wriggled in the chair, desperate to free herself. She pulled
against the tape, feeling it move, but not enough to get loose. It was also wrapped around the
bandages so she knew if she tried to burn the tape they would burn as well.
"Fuck fuck fuck!" she screamed, struggling more. "Angel, where are you?"
OoOoO
Angel whistled as he opened the door to their hotel room, a bag of food in one hand, in his
other he was holding clean clothes for Buffy. He could hardly wait to see her in what he'd
picked out.
"Hey," Angel called as he opened the door. "Time to get up.. Buffy?"
The bed was torn apart, sheets and the blankets on the floor. Angel dropped his bags and ran
into the bathroom.
"Buff?"
She was nowhere to be seen. He walked to the phone and called the lobby.
"Did anyone see Buffy Summers leave the building"
"No sir," the operator told him.
He dropped the phone to its cradle without answering.
'It has to be her cousins. Damnit, I knew I should have taken her with me.'
He picked the phone up once more, pulling out Owen's card from his wallet and dialing the
number to his cell phone.
"Where is she, Owen?" he asked when there was an answer.
"She's with you, isn't she?" Owen answered.
"No, she's not. Why would I call you is she was with me? Where are those damn cousins of
yours? They must have taken her." He dug his hand into his hair, more than frustrated.
"They're with me right now, Angelus. They couldn't have taken her."
Angel heard some noise on the other end of the phone and then Caleb's unmistakable voice
came over the line. "I thought you said you didn't have her, Angelus."
"Can I help it if Buffy would rather hide out than have you stick your nose into her business?
Maybe, If you weren't so heavy handed, she's probably be with you right now instead of.."
Angel took a deep breath, pinching the bridge of his nose with his fingers. "This won't get us
anywhere. We've got to find her. I left her here to go get food and when I came back, she was
gone."
"We'll meet you at the hotel."
"No! Meet me at the precint. Owen knows which one. I need to talk to some people." He hung
the phone up, not giving Caleb any say in the matter. He grabbed his keys and ran from the
room, taking the stairs to the main floor. They ended in a small hallway that was out of sight of
the main desk. One door led into the main lobby, the other went outisde. The door to the
outside world was locked and he knew you had to have a room key to open it.
Angel went out that way, checking for any security cameras, searching the lot for any signs of
Buffy.
There was none.
Going back inside, he flashed his badge at the desk.
"I need to see the tapes for the back entrance and the parking lot for the past two hours."
He was shown into a small room that held a desk and a couple of chairs, as well as a whole large
bank of video equipment, moniters that flashed different cameras on a steady circuit, moving
every two to three minutes. He saw the hotel's security manager there also.
"What is this about?"
"My girlfriend was taken from our room, I believe it was by force. I need to see the back parking
lot security tapes, especially the ones that show the exit."
"Have you called the cops?" the manager asked. "Usually we give those to the police."
Angel yanked out his badge and slammed it on the desk. "I am the police, now do it!"
"Yes, Sir," the manager said, and he pulled out a keyboard and started typing in key commands.
"All of our videos are done digitally now. We print them off onto disks. It's easier storage as
well as the abily to put more on one disk than a whole felt of VHS tapes. It'll come up on this
screen," he said, pointing towards the one just above him.
Angel watched the tape and the steady stream of people who came in and out of the building.
He perked up some when he saw a man in a dark sweatshirt standing next to the door, ducking
his head when somebody had walked past him. As soon as the person unlocked the door, he
stepped forward, grabbing it and letting himself in.
Ten minutes later, that same man walked out the door, carrying he unconscious body of Buffy
in his arms.
"Come on, look up! Look up you bastard. Give me a shot of your face," Angel growled,
watching. The man took two steps and then flinched, looking up as if he'd been startled and he
stared right into the camera. "Yes! I'll need a copy of this film."
The manager oressed a few more buttons on his keyboard and put an empty disk into the disk
drive. He didn't say a word as it burned then it popped out on its own. He slipped it into a small
paper envelope and handed it over. "If there's anything he hotel can do.." he started.
"Lock that door and keep it locked," Angel growled.
Then he was gone.
OoOoO
Angel parked in the underground parking lot, his tires squealing, he threw it into park even as
he was opening the door to get out.
He was the only one in the elevator and pushed to go up.
The usual chaos had an added bonus as Caleb paced around back and forth, snarling at anyone
in his path.
He looked up when the elevator doors opened then he marched toward Angel. Murder in his
eyes.
"What. Did. You. Do!" he growled. "Who the fuck did you piss off so much they'd take my
cousin?"
"This time, it was your cousin who did the pissing off. Remember where you are would ya
before one of these cops decided they don't care for your tone," he said then Angel motioned
for him, Owen and Graham to follow him and he turned towards the stairs. "I've got a disk that
shows the man who kidnapped her. I want to get our Audio/Visual guy to see it, maybe he can
clear it up."
"Maybe you should send it to the Feds."
"We've got one of the best crime labs in the state. Our A/V guy is a trained expert, he's come
through for me before and will again."
"Well thanks for the vote of confidence," Parker Abrams said and held his hand out for the disk.
"What am I looking for?"
"Hey Park, I want his face. I want it cleaned up and maybe you can use that face recognition
program.. the one you are oh so proud of. I need a hit on this Parker. He's got my woman and I
want her back. In one piece," Angel stood over him and Parker fast forwarded through until he
got to the spot where the man was standing outside the back door of the hotel. "That's him."
Parker went through it frame by frame and they searched for anything that would help tell who
the man was.
He cleaned the video up as much as possible then suddenly stopped on one frame.
"Fuck me.. look at his hands!"
"Holy Hell.. the pain should have him half mad," Owen said and slid closer to the large screen.
"He's had to have had them checked out. Shock alone from burns like that could kill a person."
Angel picked up his cell phone and a phone book. "Hospitals.. call them all. See who's missing a
burn patient." Then Owen threw Angel his cell phone back and grabbed his own from his jacket.
He took the phone book and went to the back of the room to start making calls.
Both Caleb and Graham growled when they watched the screen, seeing him coming back
through the door, carrying the unconscious body of Buffy.
"That fucker! If he's hurt her.."
"Stand in fucking line," Angel growled with them. "Hey, go back one frame. Can you clear that
up any more for me?"
Parker's fingers flew over the keyboard, typing in all kinds of things Angel didn't understand. He
just kept his eyes on the large screen, watching as it grew more and more clearer.
"His face is also burned. God.. why isn't he deadly afraid of fire?"
"Psychosis. Voices in his head tell him to set the fires.. and they're more painful than his burns.
The longer he resists them, the louder the voices get. His only relief is the fire."
Parker looked up at Angel, suprise in his eyes. "I didn't know you narc guys were all in tune with
how people think and feel."
"We're not exactly. Most the fuckers we mess with are out there getting kids hooked on drugs,
fucking up lives. So no.. this is something Buffy taught me. She got in that guy's head.. which is
why he's fixated on her. And now I've got to get her back before those voices tell him to burn
her up next."
He watched the screen and saw the man look up.. which is where he'd stopped the video
before. Now he watched as the man went to a car, small and dinged up, and he popped the
trunk.
He dropped buffy inside then slammed the lid down.
"No fucking way.. no way it's going to be that fucking easy!"
"I got the plate running now," he rattled off an address that was smack dab in the middle of all
the arsons and only a few blocks from Buffy's apartment.
"We gotta get down there now. Call the arson squad and the fire department. If this guy's as
looney as i think he is.. he won't be going down without a fight. Thanks Park, I owe you one," he
said and slapped the A/V geek on the back.
OoOoO
The trip didn't take too long, even with Caleb and Graham in the back arguing and backseat
driving. Angel was more than tempted to stop half way there and kick both of their asses out
just so he could think.
"If the two of you can't stop your bitching, you're going to be staying in the car when we get
there," he yelled at them.
"Yeah.. give a guy a badge and he thinks he's Superman!"
"Caleb, give him a break. He's found Buff.. we just gotta go get her now."
"U'm going in. The two of you are going to stay by the car. And you are going to wait for the
arson squad and fire department. Just think.. he may get away from me then you guys could
perform and citizen's arrest and rough him up some."
Angel squealed around the corner. His car went up on two tires before slamming back down.
Graham grabbed for his seat belt and clicked it into place. "Listen you crazy man.. I've got a wife
and kids at home. I would really like to get back to them in one piece."
"No one said you had to come along," he replied and hit the brakes in front of a dark apartment
building. He slammed the transmission into park, which rocked the entire car around.
In the back seat, Graham reached over and smacked Caleb on the arm. "Would you say
something?" he hissed.
"I can't," Caleb said. "I'm praying."
Angel got out and opened the back seats of the squad car and let the two brother's out.
"You're staying down here," he ordered.
Angel pulled his gun from its holster and checked the load before slamming it into place. He slid
it back under his shirt and looked up at the top floor of the building.
"Is that on fire?" he asked as he squinted.
Buffy could feel the heat of the flames against the tips of her fingers as she tried to get close
enough to the candle to burn through the tape, but wanting it to stay far enough away to keep
the guaze around her hands from burning with it.
Her breath was coming out in harsh pants and the fumes of the gas was making her more
nauseous by the second.
She just wanted to hear Angel's voice right now.
He'd been known to show up right in the knick of time. And if he planned to stick to tradition,
she knew he'd better get a move on. She didn't know when the bomb was to go off, but knew it
wouldn't be too long.
The sound of her cell phone going off made her want to scream. But she bit it back. Barely.
She looked around the room, seeing the phone on a table across from her, and the vibrations
sending it shaking around on the table.
Her legs were taped to the chair, her feet bare, but she forced herself to lean forward and lifted
her butt so the chair would rest more on the small of her back. She half hopped, half hobbled
over to the small table where he phone was.
'Please keep ringing. Please don't stop,' she pleaded. Then she cried as she felt the heat of a
candle against her leg.
When Buffy reached the phone, she bent as low as she could to press her nose to the on
button.
"Hello?" she whispered loudly.
She wasn't sure where the psycho was and she sure didn't want him coming back and finding
her like this.
"Still there are you?"
She then heard the said psycho's voice on the other end.
"I thought for sure that the explosive would have blown by now. But ah well, we're getting an
even better thrill. Your boyfriend just showed up at the front of the building. Let's see if he can
get through all of my booby traps to get up there to you shall we?"
The man laughed then hung up the phone.
"No!" she moaned and sunk back into the chair. she lifted her feet out of the gas. "I have to
warn him."
Buffy leaned forward once more, her attention on the phone. She turned it off the carefully
used her nose to press number keys.
OoOoO
Angel stared with distrust at the elevator. The building was old, abandoned, and condemned if
the yellow papers on the door had meant anything.
There probably wasn't any electricity to run the old elevator.
Then, as if he'd conjured it up, there was a crackling noise then the hall lights turned on. One
sending an arc of sparks over the floor from a broken bulb.
"Nope. I'm still not taking the damn thing," he hissed. "You can't even tempt me enough to take
that."
The phone in his pocket vibrated, startling him.
'Shit!'
Angel took a deep breath and grabbed for it. "Hello?"
"Oh God! Angel! You can't come up here! The place is booby trapped!"
"Buffy? Baby are you alright?"
Buffy looked around the gasoline filled room. "Well.. I have been better.."
"Baby, I'm coming to get you."
"No! You can't come up here. It's too damn risky. He's got traps waiting on every floor. He's
even got the place set to blow. It's on a timer Angel. You have to get ou!t"
"Buff, I'm coming to get you. Just hold on okay?"
"Goddamnit Angel! Do you ever listen to anyone but yourself? Quit trying to be a hero! There
are booby traps. He's got the room i'm in wired to blow up. AndI a'm standing up to my ankles
in gasoline, there's candles everywhere."
"And you want me to what? Just walk away? I can't do that Buffy! Now just sit down and hang
on. Keep your feet up if you can. I'll be there soon."
He would have loved to have kept her on the phone but he could hear the panic in her voice.
He knew he had to move. He glanced one last time at the elevator, seeing it standing there,
open and oh so inviting. He sighed and headed for the stairs.
OoOoO
The first trap he came across was easy. All he had to do was step over it.
Their arsonist had set up a trip wire was all, but what it was attached to he had no idea. He just
stepped over and continued.
The next trap was about half way up. And just when Angel had been thinking the guy was just a
blowhard, he stepped down to one of the metal trends and felt it give, barely a second before
he threw himself forward and dragged his leg up out of the hole that surely would have
snapped it in two.
After that, he moved more cautiously. He'd checked every step quickly before he'd let his
weight rest on it.
At the top of the stairs, he hesitated before the fire door. He visually scanned every inch of the
frame and the door itself, searching for anything. Then he reached out to press on the push bar,
but jumped when his phone went off before he actually touched it.
"Angelus," he growled.
"What'd we got?" his captain asked.
"The arsonist has a captive in the building, Sir. He's riddled the place with traps and now I'm
standing outside the fire door on the top floor. That's where he's holding her."
"Let me send one of my men up. He can check the door for any traps and disarm any he finds."
Angel stared at the door, thinking back to the sound of Buffy's panicked voice.
"Make it quick."
OoOoO
Five minutes later he heard the sound of some heavy footsteps on the treads and glanced up.
"Liam Angelus" he said and held his hand out.
"Billy Forham" the man said and gave him a firm hand shake. "Your man is smart.. but I'm
smarter. I've disarmed the trip wire. It was set up to a smoke grenade. There would have been
alot of noise and tons of smoke but nothing else if you had tripped it."
He moved to the fire door and bent to push it open a mere inch then he slipped a tiny mirror
inside, kind of like the ones you see at dentist offices. He used it to search the door and spotted
the wires a second before he would have called it clear.
"Fuck me," he growled.
"That's not really big on my list of priorites," Angel said. "What did you find?"
"That sure isn't any smoke grenade. If you would have gone through this door.. we would be
picking up pieces of you for months to come to get enough together to bury."
"Can you get me through it? There's a hostage trapped in a room on the other side of this door.
She's in gas to her ankles with candles lit all over the place."
"Yeah, I can get you through it, but it's gonna take a few minutes."
Fordham pulled out a small leather roll and untied it then rolled it out infront of him. Silver
glistened against the black satin that lined the roll, holding every pick and scissor inside.
"Nice," Angel remakred offhandedly when he glanced down at it.
"These are my babies. I never go anywhere without them."
"Bet you're a blast on dates and at parties."
"I do alright. Okay, I need you to hold the door open this much for me," he used his thumb and
index finger to measure, "no more than this.. because if you do, you're going to trip the wire
that sets off the grenade. Got me?"
"Yeah," he said and reached for the door.
"You know, for a guy who's had this city in an uproar, he's pretty basic with his traps. Push the
door open and it pulls the pin. Ten seconds later.. wham, bam, thank you ma'am. You're sushi."
"Thanks for the graphics there, Billy. Can't I just push open the door and you grab the pin and
put it back in the grenade?"
"What if I drop it? What if it flies and is out of my reach? What if I can't get it back in?"
Angel sighed. "Sorry Forham, it's just.. the captive is my girlfriend and I just want to get her
back."
"This will only take a minute," Fordham said and pushed the pair of pliers through the small
gap. "Red or blue wire?"
"Are you telling me you don't know?"
He chuckled. "No. I've just always wanted to say that."
"Very funny," Angel growled. "Just get me through."
"You can push the door open now Detective Angelus."
Angel pushed the door open slowly then he breathed a sighed when he could step through.
"God thank you," he said and held his hand out to the bomb squad tech. "One more door."
OoOoO
Angel walked down the hallway, staring at the scorched places on the wall. There were three
dors on both sides of the hall and he had to take a moment to collect his bearings.
"Which one?" Fordham asked.
Angel turned and touched two then a third door with the lightest of touches.
"This one. From what Buffy's told me, he's got gasoline and candles in there, with one of the
cans set to a timer. The can will blow and the candle will light the gasoline.."
"It's not easy to light pools of gasoline. What you're actually igniting is the vapors from the gas
itself," the tech told him. "If you throw a match in a pool of gas usually it's just going to get wet
and go out. Fire needs fuel to eat."
Billy Fordham went to his hands and knees and pushed the small mirror under the door.
OoOoO
"Buffy?" Angel called out when Fordham motioned for him to.
"Angel?"
"Yeah Baby, I'm right here. I've got a bomb tech out here with me. Can you tell us if there's any
wires or devices hooked up by the door?"
"Um.. yeah.. there's two wires. They come off the door knob" and she shuffled around to try
and get a better look at them. "I think they run under one of the cans of gasoline."
"Got 'em!" He called after a minute or two.
"What are you going to do about them?" Angel growled and moved from the door to pace.
"I'm going to diffuse the bomb so we can get your girl and we can get the fuck out of this place.
What did you think I was doing here?"
"Sorry."
"Don't apologize. Just be ready to go in and grab her when I tell you to. I'd really like to get out
of this place. It's creepy," he glanced around for a second.
"Yeah so's the arsonist," Angel said and came over, ready to lay his hand on the knob.
"Don't touch that! You'll trip the connection and set off the bomb!"
Angel quickly moved his hand away.
"Anything i can do?"
"Stay out of my way and don't touch anything. I can't see the bomb.. I'm sure it's under that gas
tank. So.. i'm kind of flying blind here."
Angel backed up and listened to the tech talk to himself.
It was a few minutes later when the tech looked up at Angel, making him realize that last part
must have been meant for him.
"Yeah?"
"You ready?"
"About as ready as I'll ever be," he said and walked up to the door again.
"I'm going to cut the wire and if the bomb doesn't blow.. you should be set to go and get her.
You got it?"
"Just tell me when," angel said. His hand lingered over the door knob but he didn't touch it.
Fordham fiddled with the scissors for a moment then he nodded.
"Go!"
OoOoO
Angel flew open the door and the smell of the gasoline almost choked him. He could see Buffy,
taped down to the chair. And he reached into his pocket for his knife.
"Oh God! Angel!" Buffy said and soon felt the knife slip through the duct tape that held her feet
to the chair.
Soon she was completly cut free. After being extremely careful of her wounded hands. And
then just as he was about to pick her up and into his arms.. a noise caught his attention.
At the door stood Billy Fordham. His eyes were huge and a long knife was at his throat. The
knife holders hands were covered in bandages.
"This could have and would have been perfect if not for this fucker. He had to come along and
ruin it for me. I was going to get rid of both of you at the same time and now I just have to do it
all myself."
And at the end of the words, the arsonist ran the thin knife across Billy's neck, slicing it right
down to the bone. Blood squirted out in jets as he was cut. He gave a rattled sigh then he fell
face first to the floor, splashing blood and gasoline everywhere.
Buffy screamed and closed her eyes trying to rid of the sight.
"I won't be so easy to get rid of," Angel said and crushed down the guilt building inside. He
knew he'd have time to mourn later. After he got this guy under control. And the Hell out of
here.
"Then I'll just enjoy it more."
"Okay.. but just tell me one thing. Why Buffy?" he stalled.
"She wrote lies about me!"
"What lies? She went to experts on your psychosis who gave her that information. It's not her
fault now is it?"
"Psychosis? You make me sound crazy."
"Well.. you just killed a man standing in gas with lit candles all around you. Sounds pretty crazy.
Just look at yourself, you've caused yourself so much damage with these burns. What's not
crazy about what you do? So just give yourself up and we'll go find you a nice padded cell
somewhere sae. You can heal up with help from doctors."
"A cell? You want me to give myself up so you can play the hero and put me in a cell? You son
of a bitch!" he yelled and threw himself at Angel and in the process one of his pant legs slid up
against one of the candles and the gasoline soaked liquid caught quickly.
The arsonist's screams of rage turned into screams of pain. He thrashed himself about, knocking
over candles and the cans of gasoline.
The flames flew across the liquid towards Buffy and Angel.
He swung her up into his arms and ran out of the room. Then sat her feet down on the carpet.
The horrible screams kept coming from the room. Then there was a crash. And a whistle of
wind.
Angel looked back into the room once and stared at Fordham's body as it started to catch fire
then he coughed into his sleeve.
"Let's get out of here."
"What about.."
"He's gone.. there's nothing I can do."
Buffy started to walk down the hallway, limping and stumbling along. The pain pill she'd taken
earlier was out of her system. Then she shrieked when Angel lifted her back into his arms and
carried her down the stairs as firemen flew up them to take care of the fire that was starting to
get out of control.
Angel carried her out to the ambulance that had been brought up and he turned her face away
from what was now left of the arsonist.
He had jumped out of the window, racing away from the flames that had been such a large part
of who he was.
"Buffy! Baby, are you alright?" Caleb asked as he came up beside Angel as he sat her down.
"I'm fine Caleb. Hey Graham. It's nice to see you both," she coughed some as the tech put an
oxygen mask on her and started working on her hands.
"Oh baby.. your hands," Caleb said and lifted one up to stare at the stitches. "How'd you
manage to do this princess?"
"As if you didn't know," Angel said, standing back some to let the others see her.
"Don't you start with me Angelus. I still have a bone to pick with you about letting her get taken
by this creep in the first place," Caleb growled before turning to smile sweetly down at Buffy.
"You're coming home with me right? Your momma and daddy miss you. I know they'd love to
see you."
Buffy looked over to Angel, waiting for him to tell Caleb off as he had before. But when he
didn't say anything and only looked down at his feet, she felt pain overcome her like nothing
ever had before.
"I guess.. I could go home.. for a few days," she told him hesitantly.
"Good, Now that's all settled. I'll call us in some tickets and we can leave right away." He hit the
speed dial on his phone and walked over to the side.
Soon he was back.
"We've got three tickets for a flight leaving in three hours. Your mom has plenty of clothes you
left so no need to even pack. Anything else you may need, we'll get for you after the trip. She's
okay to leave right?" he asked the EMT.
"Just as soon as I get done with her bandages. And if she's going to be gone for over a week,
she should really see her own doctor to have these checked out."
"We can do that," Caleb told him.
"Angel?" Buffy asked and glanced around. She didn't see him anymore. "Where did he go?" she
whispered.
Graham looked around himself, seeing him nowhere in sight and his car gone.
"He was just here a second ago.."
"He didn't stay to say goodbye?"
Angel listened as Buffy talking about going home with her cousins, feeling his stomach rolling,
his head hurting. Much from the gasoline and fumes. His mind still spun from watching
Fordham's death.
It was just too much for him. He was sure he was going to vomit.
Angel turned and left, leaving Buffy with her cousins.
He walked to his car and drove away.
OoOoO
Angel found his apartment still a wreck, but really he didn't want to go anywhere someone
would find him anyway.
Angel stopped quickly to pack a bag and grab the keys to his dad's cabin he'd built up north. He
thought he'd go up there for a few days, get his mind straight. He thought that a few days
fishing in the old river would make him right once more with the world. And that maybe then
he could think of Buffy without feeling the hollow pit in his stomach. And he could decided
what to do or if to even do anything at all.
OoOoO
Angel drove the miles and got to the cabin fairyly quickly. He stopped only to pick up a week's
worth of supplies.
The road to the cabin was just a bit more than a two track and was barely kept. It was rutted
and his car bottomed out more than once even though he was being carful.
But then the trail started to bloom out into the wide clearing. Grassy and filled with flowers,
buzzing with bees. The sound of the river was welcoming.
Angel felt the worry and stress from the past few days starting to slip away as he parked his car
and got out. he went up to the door and unlocked it. He stepped in and looked around, taking
everything in.
Being here made him realize how much he missed his old man.
He carried the suplies in and started the generator, getting everything up and running. He
hauled in some water from the river to prime the pump with. Then Angel gathered up his
favorite fishing pole and a bucket before heading back down to the river.
OoOoO
Angel had barely cast out the first time before he felt the first tug on his line and hauled back,
hooking himself a nice sized large mouth bass. It gave him a pretty satisfying fight before being
dropped into the bucket.
Angel sighed and cast out again, feeling the kinks in his back loosening under the sun and of just
being here. No worries.
He ended up catching three more bass then took the bucket up to the round tree stumb he
always used to clean fish on.
When he finished, he had eight beautiful filets ready to be rolled and fried. He took them up to
the house and rinsed them again in the sink then washed his hand trying to rid of the smell.
Loneliness started setting in as he fixed his dinner. He couldn't help himself from thinking about
Buffy. About what she was doing then.
'Probably being babied by her parents or cousins,' he thought, 'Which isn't so bad. She sure has
been through Hell these past few days.'
Though a little voice in the back of his head kept trying to interrupt, telling him how he'd been
there beside her through most of it, but Angel ignored it. He couldn't blame her. She had a
good reason to go. She wanted to go somewhere where she felt safe. Just like he had.
The fish was good and flaky with hints of chives and lemons. He made a salad out of some
lettuce and vegetables that he'd gotten from the store. He also opened the first of the beers he
brought with him, which was something he didn't allow himself very often but it was cold and
tasted great with the fish.
He ate four of them and saved the rest for the next day.
The clean up took little time then he walked out to the back deck that he had finished himself
after his father died. He sat down in one of the chairs they'd made together long ago, watching
the sun set, drinking another beer.
Angel watched as the deers came out across the field, moving slowly or some stared over the
river at him. He made no movement besides lifting his bottle to his lips and just watched as
they drank from the river and dipped their head to the ground to eat and look around them as
they chewed.
Then something startled them and they all took bounding through the field, dissappearing into
the woods.
The first set of mosquitoes came out not long after that, landing on his arms, which got him
moving.
Angel stood, gathering the last of his beer and headed back into the cabin.
He was planning to take a shower and then he had some books to read or he'd just go to sleep.
He lit up the water heater and sat down to wait for the water to warm.
Memories came fast. Of his dad and the time the two of them had spent.
'I wish you were right now dad. I sure could use some answers.'
OoOoO
Angel stripped and dropped his clothing down to the small basket in the bathroom. He had
turned the water on and soon he had the small room steamy and hot. He stepped in under the
water, letting it run over his body, and through his hair.
He cleaned up, thinking over everything that had been going on, for the countless time.
When he stepped out, he watched the steam curl off his skin and into the cool air, drying
himself of before grabbing some sweat pants.
Next he went to the loft and curled in the bed he always used when up here.
Sleep came easily, as did his dreams. And he woke from seeing Fordham's throat being slit. But
what was worse was the shock in Buffy's eyes as she sank down into the ambulance.
"Why didn't I see this before?" he asked outloud to himself, feeling guilty as Hell for leaving her
now. "She hadn't want to go. I pushed her into going by walking away. How the fuck could I be
so stupid?" he growled.
'If I had just stayed with her a little longer.. she'd came up here with me.'
Angel slid out of bed. He pulled on his clothes and hurried to put everything back into his
suitcase. He figured if he hurried there might be a slim chance he could get there before she
left.
Angel closed the cabin up, turned the generator off and locked everything back up. He threw
everything back into his car and turned it around, heading back down the track.
It was steep, rutted, and his lights didn't seem to be working right.
He went around a small curve and slammed on his brakes, swerving sideways down the road.
He felt the crash as it slammed into the side of a tree. The deer he'd hit his brakes to miss ran
from the road.
The impact from the crash had Angel's head going into the driver's side window, cracking the
glass. Blood trailed down his forehead and dripped down to his shirt.
He was about to get out of the car when he felt it slip and started sliding down the steep
incline., picking up speed as it continued. And suddenly rolled twice, then finally landed on its
hood.
Silence echoed as the engine ticked, cooling off.
OoOoO
"For the last time Caleb, I am not going. And I'm sorry if that upsets you, I am, but I'm staying
here until I find our what's wrong with Angel. Maybe then we can go visit my parents. So take
the damn ticket and if you still don't know why I'm doing this then well.. you can just shove it
up your ass." Buffy's voice rose as she grew more and more frustrated by Caleb's patronizing
smile. "Graham please?" she said softly. "Please talk to him."
"He doesn't listen to me either sweetie," Graham answered and rubbed his knuckles over jer
cheek. "But for what it counts.. I'm on your side."
"Thanks for that at least. Caleb?" she started to say and looked back at her cousin.
He was holding the phone, staring at the screen, color fading from his face.
"Caleb?" she tried again, softer.
"What is it?" Graham asked, stepping up to his brother.
"Lilah's in labor," then he looked panicked, "I've got to get home. Now!" he turned and sank
down to the floor and put his head between his knees.
"Caleb? Just breath sweetheart. Just breathe." She kneeled beside him. Graham got on the
phone and changed their tickets to an even earlier flight.
"We can just make it.. if we leave now,"he said. Caleb nodded and his face continued to turn
white.
"Okay... I'm ready."
Buffy helped him up. "Go caleb. Be with your wife, she needs you. And call me when the baby's
born." She hugged him tightly. "I love you Caleb and I promise I'll me fine."
Caleb hugged her back. "Fine, I'm going, but will you at least promise me you will try and stay
out of trouble?"
Buffy crossed her heart with one finger. "Now go."
Graham snatched her up. "Please Buff. Stay out of trouble. The wife and kids hate it when I'm
gone."
"Yes, yes. You give them my love and take care of him would ya?" she nodded at Caleb who was
searching for his keys. "Please don't let him drive."
"Trust me Buffy, I like being alive." He hugged her quickly then grabbed Caleb's keys and his
shoulder and started pushing him towards the door, leaving Buffy alone.
She stared around the room, seeing Angel's suitcase gone, his things out of the bathroom gone,
his clothes gone, everything.. gone.
There was a bag on the bed that held some of her clothes. The bag he'd brought in this morning
when he found her missing.
So much had happened since then.
Buffy sighed and pulled out some of the clothes, laughing as she noticed some of her sexier
undergarments in there as well.
'Okay.. so if he's not here.. he should be at home. I'll just go find him,' she thought and went to
go change and shower quickly, trying to get rid of the smell of fire and gasoline.. and death.
Then she dried her hair and left.
OoOoO
She grabbed a taxi and was in front of his place in about ten minutes.
Slowly she climbed up the stairs, her body worn out. She just wanted to find him, get
everything straightened out, then get some damn rest.
She knocked on the door.
No answer.
So she waited a minute or two before trying again.
There still was no answer so she pressed her ear up close to the door, hearing no sounds at all
coming from the place. No television, no music, no talking, no sounds of anyone moving
around.
"Miss? Can I help you?"
Buffy spun around, her hand went to her throat, and a small yelp came from her mouth.
"Oh God! You scared me!" she exclaimed then took a few deep breaths. "I'm looking for Liam
Angelus, do you know if he's in?"
"He left for that cabin of his saying he needed to take it easy for a few days, needed to heal up
and do some fishing,"
Buffy felt tears of frustration welling up. "So.. he's going to be gone for a few days?"
The man looked her over. "Hey, ain't you that reporter girlfriend of his?"
Buffy nodded.
"Well Hell girl! I can draw you a map up there. Him and his dad were kind enough to invite me
up with them a few times. It's only a few hour drive or so. You could be there before morning I
bet ya."
"Thank you." she smiled and followed him into his apartment.
OoOoO
Buffy left with the directions firmly in hand. She grabbed a taxi and took it to the nearest car
rental place where she rented a big suv for the trip ahead.
She stopped at an all night retail store and loaded up on some food and clothing more durable
then what she had on. She also bought a pair of hiking boots that she put on in the truck.
Then.. she headed out.
A map of the surrounding area was unfolded on the passengers seat next to her. And the map
and directions his neighbor had give laid carefully out on top of it.
She drove with the windows down, the night air rushing into the suv, helping her to stay awake.
She played the music loudly and sang along with all the songs she knew.
She turned off onto the two track road that would lead to the cabin and she bounced around in
the cab for the ride and cursing it more than once for biting her tounge.
Soon the tracked opened onto a clearing that looked ambsolutly stunning in the early morning
light. The cabin was beautiful. She could hear morning birds singing and the sounds of the river
as it rushed along.
Buffy stepped out of the suv, seeing all Angel must see in this place. It was breathtaking. But
she saw his car wasn't there and the cabin actually looked deserted. The only thing she could
see that might have placed him here was the grass near the front of the cabin was flattened.
'I couldn't have passed him on the way up could I? Was he on his way back to see me?'
Buffy grabbed for her phone and held it up, trying to see any signal bars, but she hardly had
one.
"Just going to have to do." and she dialied his number, holding her breath as she waited for him
to answer.
OoOoO
Angel woke to the sound of ringing in his ears.
His body felt crushed and the pain came at him from every which way.
He tried to move his jaw and rubbed his ears, wanting to rid himself of the ringing.. before
realizing it was his cell phone he'd left in his glove compartment.
He reached over and opened it, dumping everything inside of it to the roof of his car, which
made it the first time he realzied he was upside down.
Angel scrambled through the junk, finally finding his phone and tried to open it with shaking
hands.
OoOoO
Buffy stood waiting, listening to the small quiet sounds of her surroundings. Then suddenly she
could hear his phone ringing.
She turned to the cabin before realizinging that's not where the sound seemed to be coming
from.
She jumped back in the suv, turned it around, and strained her ears to hear the phone again
over the loud engine noise.
Buffy looked around and down into the valley on the other side of the steep stretch of the road
and immediatly spotted Angel's car on its roof.
Aww. Last Chapter.
Buffy slid down the incline and approached the car cautiously, afraid of what she might find.
"Angel?" she said softly and kneeled down next to the driver's window. The side of the car was
caved in, most of the glass gone from the windows.
Angel turned his head and looked over at her. "Buffy?" he asked, surpised.
"Yeah," she smiled, "Your neighbor told me I could find you here. I came to see if I could talk
you into taking me back."
"I thought you were going home with your cousins.. I thought.. you didn't want me," he said,
but before she could answer he asked if she could help get him out of the car.
"Sure, but first you need to get rid of the seat belt."
Angel yanked on it. Iit's stuck."
"Hold on," she said and slid under him, "Put your hands down to brace your weight," she told
him, then she pressed on the button that held the fastener close and yanked on it at the same
time.
He fell down over her, his legs catching on the bottom of the wheel.
"Okay, now I'm going to try and wriggle out. Then you're going to follow me alright?"
She squirmed her way out from under him, catching her leg on a small piece of glass on the
way, which she warned him about. Then she was outside and reaching for him.
"Come on," she urged gently.
And together they got him and she worried all the way as they made their way up the hill. then
breathed a sigh of relief when he got steeled in the passenger seat of her rental car.
"Okay, now I'm getting you to a hospital."
"No. Let's just get back to my dad's cabin. Buffy we need to talk. We can talk when we get
there. And, I have even have a first aid kit." He leaned his head back and grimanced a little as
his head hit the leather.
When she just sat there silently he turned and opened one eye a mere slit and looked at her
questiongly.
"You should go to the hospital."
"I just smacked my head on the window to the door. I've got a hard head. I'm fine."
"Don't I know it," she muttered.
"What was that?"
"I said I know. You have a thick skull, a hard head, and it's terribly difficult to get anything into
it," she said and put the suv into reverse since there wasn't any room to turn around.
OoOoO
It took less than five minutes to get back to the cabin. And a little longer to get him inside.
"I'm going to go get you a cloth for your head," she said after sitting him down. "You stay
there."
She headed to the bathroom and pulled out to towels, along with the first aid kit she found in
there.
"What happened?" she called out as she checked to see what was in the kit
"I was on my way back to get you. I went around the curve and there was a deer in the road. I
slammed on the brakes and slid off of the road. And the rest.. I guess you can see." he said now
grabbing at the bathroom counter to steady himself as he came up behind her. His hands went
to her shoulders and he pulled her back against him. "I was really stupid Buff. Can you forgive
me?"
He was making her nervous and she pulled away. She turned to grab him and lead him back to
the chair he was in before.
"Let's clean up that wound."
"You didn't answer me," he growled and took the cloth away and grabbed her hands. "Will you
forgive me for being the world's biggest ass and leaving you? Especially with those cousins of
yours," he muttered then he looked up into her green eyes and cupped her face. "Please Buff. I
need you to forgive me."
Buffy nodded. "There's really nothing to forgive Angel. I needed to face Caleb down.. and I did.
Of course it helped that Lilah picked that exact time to go into labor.. he kind of forgot what he
was here for, what he wanted me to do. Graham drove him to the airport."
"Caleb procreated? Oh shit. The world isn't ready for that," he leaned back into the chair and
she started cleaning him up.
"Ouch," he said gently when she poked at one of his wounds.
"I'm sorry," she said and bit the tip of her tongue, big tears formed in her eyes and started
down her cheek.
"Baby, what's wrong?"
She sniffed. "Nothing. I'm just being silly. I.. I don't want to hurt you.."
"As long as you're with me, you could never hurt me," he leaned forward and kissed away her
trail of tears.
"I never wanted to leave you.. but my cousins were all pushing me.. and you didn't say
anything.. I thought you didn't want me, that you wanted me go. Then when I looked up, you
were gone. You were gone and I had no idea where you were or how you felt.."
"I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
She smiled through her tears. "Good 'cause I didn't come out here just to save your ass from
your car. I came to get my guy back."
"I think your guy needed to get to bed," he rose to his feet.,his body sore and aching. He had
bruises on his bruises. Angel wrapped his arm over her shoulder and took her with him. "We'll
go get my car in the morning, get some supplies. How you feel about fishing?"
"As long as you clean them.. no problem."
OoOoO
Angel woke hours later, his hand was warm, snuggled between Buffy's breasts under the tank
top she'd worn to bed.
She was spooned up against him tightly, her hips moving slowly against his. Somehow in her
sleep her panties had ended up down around her ankles and his hardened cocked was nestled
between her soft lips.
Buffy moaned in pleasure and he bent his head, finding her neck with his lips.
"Buffy," he whispered, "make love to me."
She gave him a sleepy moan in response and nodded her head. She rolled halfway onto her
back towards him.
"Yes," she breathed, still not fully awake.
Angel's hand moved over her breast, kneading the flesh softly, teasing her nipple under it rose
to a hard peak. He played with it, wetted his fingers and twisted her until she was all but
writhing under him.
"More," she whispered, her eyes now open.
He bent and found the tip with his mouth, wetting the shirt she still wore and suckled her into
his mouth, tugging hungrily on it and heard her moaning and whimpering cries. He slid his hand
down her stomach and soon found the soft curls that guarded her slit. He push his fingers
between, finding the heat of her desire, the wetness of her need. And he played theretoo,
teasing her until she strailed against him. Her hands roaming over him, even thoguh they were
still in bandages.
It took little enticemtent for him to slide insde of her from behind, moving with gentle care as
his fingers continued to tease and torment her clit.
Her first peak came easily, leaving her breathless and moving against him, still wanting more.
Words of love spilled from his lips. Words of love, need, and care. Words he had never been
able to say before. But with her.. it was as if he couldn't stop himself.
"You're everything to me Buffy," he said as she cried out again.
Buffy rolled to her stomach and arched her back so her hips were up. Angel followed her and
kneeled behind her. His hands filled with her hips, bringing them up a little more. and put a
pillow under her then he began moving with purpose.
Every slow thrust had her crying out his name, every long withdrawl had her moaning loudly.
She moved with him, slamming her hips back into his, wanting him to take a hint.
And finally, he began pummeling her.
Her orgasm started, squeezing him in a fist glory and he felt himself losing control as well. He
grabbed her shoulder and leaned over herM pulling her back hard onto his cock as he spasmed
uncontrollably inside of her.
When it was done, he collpased and laid against the pillows. He pulled her down on top of him
and trailed his fingers down her spine.
"I love you Buffy Summers."
"Back at ya Liam Angelus," she said, stretching under his hands.
"You know what comes next don't you?"
"A cigarette?" she teased.
"Ha ha, very funny. You don't smoke."
"I thought what you did was pretty smokin'" she laughed.
"I'm trying to be serious here! How the fuck is a guy suppose to propose when his girl won't
take him seriously?"
OoOoO
"Propose?" her eyes went wide. "You're going to propose?"
"Well I would wait until I had a ring but I just never know when you're going to run into a
burning building or show up at a narc bust or even get kidnapped by some psycho. So you're
just going to have to wait for the ring when we get back. So what do you say? Make a honest
man outta me?"
Buffy closed her eyes.
'Okay so this isn't the perfect type of proposal. You know, with soft music and candlelight.
Maybe a romacntic dinner for two. A small ring box. But the type isn't what matters is it? What
matters was him.'
She couldn't tell him no.
"Well, since you put it so elegantly. I'll be your old lady if that's what you want."
"Really?" his tone was one of disbelief. "Wait.. really?"
"Yes, really." she giggled.
He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her close. "I am one lucky man," he smiled.
"let's hope you continue with that luck. i tend to be on the jinxy side of things."
"Not anymore. Now you'll be Mrs Liam Angelus. Buffy Angelus. All mine," he smiled.
"We'd better make sure your health insurance is paid up all the same," she teased.
The two were both startled by the sound of her cell phone going off in her jacket downstairs.
Angel got up and went down to get it, cursing out when he saw the name on the view screen.
"Who is it?"
"Your fucking cousin," he growled and hit the talk button. "Go the fuck away Miller. She's
marrying me." And he started to hang up when the phone was taken from his hands and Buffy
stood naked in front of him.
"Hey Caleb, it's me, how's Lilah?" she listened at the other end and her eyes lit up. "Oh Caleb!
That's fantastic. Mom and babies are doing well?"
"Babies?" Angel mothed and sunk down into a chair, pulling her with him. He wrapped his arms
around her and listened as he put his ear up to phone.
"There were in total shock. Neither of us were planning on twins. One of each Buff, a boy and a
girl. Can you bevelieve it?" But before she could reply, he started again. "I take it you found
your cop. Everything good there?"
"Everything's fine. In fact, we're getting married," and she laughed when the voice on the other
end just shut up. "Caleb? You there?"
"You're marrying a cop?"
"Yep. Looks like it," she laughed. "Come on, be happy for me Daddy," she tried to get him back
to his happy state before he'd burst her bubble.
"I am happy for you Buffy. I just don't wanna see you getting hurt."
"He's not going to hurt me. He loves me."
And the two of them talked for a few minutes more before saying their goodbyes and hanging
up. Then she tossed the phone onto the table and paid attentioned to everything Angel was
doing to her body.
"You mean it?" he groaned out.
"That you won't hurt me? Yeah, I mean it. You love me too much. And if you haven't proved
that to me in the past few days then I'm more thick headed than you."
"Thank God for small favors and intelligent women," he said as his hands molded her breasts
and played with her nipples.
"Take me to bed," she whispered, "take me to bed and show me how much you love me. We
can worry about everything else tomorrow."
"Deal." he kissed her. "I love you"
"I love you too."
He blew out the lamp he'd used to get down to the first floor of the cabin.
The end