Buffy walked into her house later that afternoon. Luckily for her, it was about the time she would normally arrive home from school, so her mother wouldnt be too concerned. She closed the kitchen door quietly and prayed that she could make it upstairs before she had to answer any questions.

"Buffy?' Joyce called out when she heard her daughter on the staircase.

"Yes?"

"How was school today?"

"Great! Same old schooly fun we have everyday." Buffy sounded overly happy even to herself.

"So, you were there all day?"

'Of course, where else would I be?" Buffy started to get really nervous. What if someone called home and her mom found out she wasn't there?

"I don't know. But Willow called to talk to you this morning. She was worried that something was wrong because you missed your math class with her."

"OH! Well, I was in the library helping out Giles, so it was excused. She doesnt have a class with me before that, so she must have gotten worried. I saw her later on at lunch."

Okay. Joyce seemed to buy that lie for the moment. "So, where are you going now?"

"To take a shower. We, um, had gym class outside today, and I feel really gross."

"Okay, sweetheart." As Buffy started to head back upstairs, her mother stopped her again. "Oh, Buffy, did something happen today?"

"What?" Buffys hands were getting really clammy at this point. Could her mother tell she had just lost her virginity that morning?

"Well, you look....different."

"Nope, just the same old me."

Joyce just stood there looking at her daughter for a few more minutes before she nodded her head and went back to her laundry.

* * *

When Buffy finally made it to her room, she closed the door and leaned against it, letting out a long sigh of relief. She dropped her bag and began to remove her clothes so that she could take a long shower. Just as she dropped her dress to the floor, Buffy heard a noise coming from the other side of her room.

"Who's there?" She called out, falling into fighting stance, not noticing at the moment that she was standing there in only a bra and panties.

"It's just me." A deep and sexy voice came from the closet, followed by Angel. It was only then that she realized her shades were closed, and there was almost no light entering the room.

"Oh my god!!" She ran to him and hugged him so tightly, that had he needed to breath it would have been impossible.

"Miss me?"

"Where were you this morning? I thought something terrible happened to you when I woke up and you were gone."

"I had some errands to run. I'm so sorry for leaving you. I just wanted to make sure you were safe, you know, because of your dreams." It was only then that Angel took the time to notice that his new lover was standing in front of him in only her little white underwear. The same ones he removed earlier that day. Buffy realized what he was looking at when she saw him eying her hungrily. She immediately covered what she could of herself with her hands and ran back over to where her dress was still laying on the floor.

"I'm sorry, I..." She couldn't finish her thought because Angel chose that moment to follow her across the room and wrap his arms around her tiny waist, spanning his hands across her abdomen after one of them took the dress from her and dropped it on the floor again.

"Don't worry about it." He murmured, in between kisses on her shoulders and neck. She leaned her head to one side to give him better access, forgetting what she was so worried about. I think you lookabsolutely sexy. Whispering the last part into her ear, Angel felt the shiver run through his lovers body, and felt himself harden even more at the sensation. He could already smell her arousal and knew that she wanted him just as much as he craved her.

And he was right. As he was kissing her, Buffys mind was playing back that mornings erotic memories behind her closed eyelids. She remembered how his magnificent hands felt as he caressed every inch of her skin, leaving a searing trail of fire behind them. How his talented mouth and tongue brought her so much pleasure when they played with her sensitive young nipples and explored every inch of her virgin sex. How his cold, marble-like body managed to cool her down and yet heat her blood past the boiling point when they churned against each other. How his large, hard cock filled her so completely she thought it would split her in two, and at the same time, felt so good that she never wanted it to leave her tight channel. How his tender, gentle words of love and adoration made her melt and fall in love with him all over again, as he reassured her and comforted her through her first time. Well, her first few to be exact.

Suddenly, their happy moment was brought back to reality when Buffy's mom called to her.

"Buffy?"

Trying to break away just long enough to talk to her mother, Buffy was held back by Angels strong arms, as he continued his ministrations.

"Yes?" She asked, trying not to sound distracted, which was kind of difficult when Angel was creating the most delightful sensations with his caresses on her stomach and his kisses on her jaw line.

"I just got called out to the gallery, so I'm going to be gone until 7 or so. Will you be alright?"

"Yes. Thanks, Mom!" Buffy let out a sigh of relief when she heard the front door shut and her moms car start up. She wasn't sure how she would have been able to turn down the blatantly obvious offer that Angel was giving to her.

At that same moment, his hands snaked up to cup her cloth-covered breasts, adding to the desire she already felt, as he asked, "So what about that shower you were supposed to be taking?"

'Angel!" Buffy scolded him half-heartedly. She couldn't believe he was acting so sexual with her, yet the moment his deep, sexy voice said those words, her arousal doubled.

"What?" His voice was muffled slightly, as he rooted out the sensitive spot behind her ear.

"How could you even *suggest* something like that?" As shocked as she was, the idea of him standing with her under the steamy, hot running water sounded pretty damn good to her.

"Well.." He placed a final kiss to her shoulder before moving around to stand in front of her. "First of all, I love you."

"I love you too."

Angel smiled. Then he pulled her flush up against him, making sure she could feel his straining erection pressed into her stomach. "Secondly," accenting the word with a kiss, and whispering into her ear with a voice dripping with want and desire, he said, "I've always wanted to see you in the shower. I can just imagine the way the tiny pearls of water would trace every curve of your perfect body. The way the steam would rise in the room with not even half as much heat as your body pressed tightly against mine."

Buffy blushed. Oh, God!

Suddenly, Angel scooped her up into his arms, and carried her toward the bathroom. The moment that Buffy was placed back on the floor of the room, Angel fused his lips with hers in a searing kiss. Teasing her mouth, his tongue begged for admittance into her other warm cavern. She only waited a moment before giving him access, her tongue dueling with his. Both sets of hands wandered, trying to rememorize every inch of their mates body.

After several minutes, Angel broke the kiss, giving Buffy a chance to catch her breath. Then, he stepped away towards the shower, leaning over to turn the water on. As the steam began to fill the room, he returned to his lover.

The minute Angel reached her, Buffy leaned forward and kissed him passionately, as her fingers worked to unbutton his crimson silk shirt. Angel released her slightly, not breaking the kiss, but giving her enough room to undress him. His hands moved from her lower back up to her bra, expertly unclasping it. She moaned into the kiss when she felt her breasts bounce free and then press against his cool, now shirtless, chest. He returned the sound when he felt her nipples harden against him. His hands rubbed their way down her sides, only stopping when they reached her last article of clothing. They dove underneath and caressed her behind, adding to the torture by not touching her where she wanted him to. Slowly, Angel kissed his way down the center of her body, dipping his tongue into her belly button on the way. When he reached her white panties, his passion-glazed eyes rose up and met hers. It was almost as if he was waiting for an invitation or an acceptance of some kind that he didnt need. Angel kept eye contact, as his hands removed the offensive material as deliberately and slowly as possible.

When the dripping article was removed, Angel stood up, taking her in his arms and walked her to the shower. He quickly shed his own clothes and joined her under the steaming water.

As soon as the glass door was closed behind him, Angel moved over in front of Buffy, pulling her to him under the flowing water and deeply kissing her. When she needed to breathe, Angel reluctantly broke away, eliciting a whimper from his lover. However, that whimper turned into a drawn out moan as he lowered his head to her heaving breasts. He swirled his tongue around the areole, teasing her, before taking the nipple into his mouth, suckling it into a rosy bud.

"Oh, God, Angel!" She moaned, as she threaded her fingers into his hair and held him to her, starting to pant. She was amazed at how her body responded to him. It was like they had been lovers for centuries, not mere hours.

Angel chuckled into her skin and kissed his way over to her other breast, leaving the first one cold and neglected. He repeated the actions on the second nipple, making it hard as well. Soon, Buffy began to shiver with need, and Angel stopped his torturous ministrations and placed a tender kiss to her heart before moving lower. When he reached the apex of her body, Buffys devoted lover parted her slender legs and sinuously licked her nether lips. Teasing her open, Angel inserted two fingers into her hot, moist core, anxious to feel her come again. Wasting no time, he attacked her sensitive bundle of nerves, as he pumped his fingers in and out of her body. It didnt take long for her to start thrusting onto his hand, thrashing her head back and forth against the steam-covered tiles. Her moans and cries pushed him on, and the moment he latched on to her clit, suckling roughly, Angel tasted the rush of her juices. Buffy came hard, shaking almost violently as she tried to impale herself on his hand. Angel drank up every last drop of her precious come before returning to her swollen lips, letting her taste herself for the first time. Although he had wanted to do this last night, he was afraid of scaring Buffy, but it seemed that she trusted him completely. She didn't even shy away from the tangy taste on his tongue.

"I love you." Angel murmured, as he poised at her entrance, holding her body tightly to his own.

"I love you so much, Angel." She returned, kissing him hard. Angel entered her slowly as they continued to kiss, knowing that his new lover would need that tenderness still. Buffy dug her fingers into his back as his cock intruded her small body. The sensations he brought out in her were so new even now, that she was on the verge of tears as he filled her completely. Its what she always knew it would feel like with him. Perfect. Almost likehome, but not to any home she knew. Someplace new and different, yet with an age-old familiarity that comforted her.

Noticing her sudden stillness and teary eyes, Angel stopped in his motions. "Buffy, are you okay?"

God, yes. She nearly moaned. It was exquisite torture to feel him inside her and unmoving. Please, Angel

Understanding her plight, and feeling the same way, Angel started to slowly thrust into her willing body once more. He never knew anything could feel so right. It was like nothing he ever did mattered until today. Having this tiny goddess in his arms was the only good thing he had ever done, and he knew it. That's why Angel promised to himself, then and there, that he would never do anything to mess this up.

As Angel increased his movements, Buffy tightened her grip on his shoulders and back. He knew that he was close to coming, and wanted her to join him. So, one of his hands snaked down and began to pinch and manipulate her clit, as he pressed her harder and faster into the slick wall of the shower. She screamed out, his name among her cries, as she came. Angel let go the moment he felt her inner walls milking him, soothing her insides with his cool juices. He cried out as well, her name on his lips, causing her tears to finally fall.

When they had finally come down from their high, Angel gathered her to him, and just held her as the cool water continued to flow over their joined bodies.

* * *

Angel stayed for a few more hours at Buffys house, during which time they talked and made love. He only left because Buffy said she had to go and meet with Giles later that evening. Although Angel knew about the party, he refused to ruin the surprise, so he left, promising to see her later.

* * *

Later that night, Buffy arrived at the school where she had expected to meet Giles in the library. However, she ran into Jenny on her way there.

"Buffy." The computer teacher called, startling Buffy.

"Oh my God, I didn't see you there."

"Sorry. Um, Giles wanted me to tell you that theres been a change of plans. Uh, he wanted you to meet him some place near his house. I guess he had to go pick up a book or something."

"Cause Heaven knows there arent enough books in the library." Buffy retorted. Giles could certainly be an annoying perfectionist sometimes.

"Well, hes very thorough." Jenny responded.

"Oh, which is not too bad. Its kind of manly in an obsessive compulsive kind of way, dont you think."

"Um, yeah." Jenny wasn't quite sure how to respond to that. Yes, she knew he was a stuffy librarian sometimes, but she still was extremely attracted to him. So, she just went along, wanting to keep the Gangs party a secret. "Well, you know, my cars here. Why don't I drive you?"

* * *

Buffy accepted the offer, and ended up near the Bronze a few minutes later. Something about all of this just felt wrong, almost like a set up of some kind, but this was Jenny. She would never betray their trust, would she?

When they pulled up into the alley behind the club, the Slayer noticed something fishy going on with a delivery truck. So, she got out of the car, and checked it out. Sure enough, she found Dalton and a few others of Spike's men stealing strange looking boxes. Buffy started to attack, kicking the butt of the first one, but getting thrown up into the bed of the truck by the other. The second vamp was stronger, and she had a more difficult time dusting him. In fact, she ended up tossing him into one of the windows behind the stage area of the Bronze. There she dusted him with one of the drumsticks left by last nights band.

As Buffy stood up and looked around, Angel ran over to her, pulling her into a tight embrace.

"Are you okay?" Giles asked, watching the strange behavior of the couple. They normally weren't so clingy in public.

"Yeah. Um, what's going on?"

"Surprise Party."

"Happy Birthday!" Cordelia cheerily piped in.

"You guys threw a party for me? Thats so sweet!" She gazed up lovingly at Angel, wishing that all her friends weren't there, so there would be some big smootchies.

"Are you sure, you're alright? "Angel asked, in his usual overprotective kind of way.

"Yes, baby, I'm fine." She answered as she pulled him over to the side behind the bar, as her friends gathered around the food for a moment, at Cordy's request. "I love you." She told him, as she kissed him deeply.

When he broke the kiss a few minutes later, he replied, "I love you, too, Buffy. More than I ever thought possible."

"God, I want you." She said, breathlessly, and kissed him again.

'Later, baby." Angel promised, kissing her one last time before taking her hand and leading her back to the party.

Just as the lovebirds returned to the scene, Jenny walked into the room, carrying a large, odd-shaped box.

"Can someone give me a hand here?" Angel and Giles rushed over immediately, lifting the heavy box out of her hands and carrying it to a nearby table.

"What is this?"

"I have no idea. Can it be opened?" Giles asked, unable to answer his charges question.

'Yeah, looks like a release right here." Buffy pressed the piece of metal in and the clasp holding the box shut, popped open. As she lifted it up, Buffy, Giles, Angel and Jenny looked down at an arm, covered in armor, sitting in the box.

Suddenly, the arm jumped out of its confinement, and wrapped its fingers around Buffy's slender throat. She started gasping and choking, trying to get it off of her. Angel helped her, and was eventually able to remove the arm from his lovers pretty neck. After closing the box, he moved her over to the stage and sat her down, checking her over to see that she wasn't hurt.

"Guess thats the Hellmouths answer to what do you get the Slayer who has everything," Xander quipped, inappropriately as usual.

"Good Heavens! Buffy, are you alright?" Giles questioned.

Man that thing had major grip! Buffy answered.

"What was that?" Willow asked, creeped out as well at the strange occurrence that played out before them.

"It looked like an arm." The monosyllabic Oz told his date.

"It can't be. She wouldn't." Angel cryptically responded.

In his Xander-type fashion, the birthday girls friend retorted, "Vampires version of snakes-in-a-can, or do you care to explain?" The boy always disliked the tall, dark, gorgeous vampire, but it irritated him more, when Angel chose to be cryptic.

"Angel?"

"It's a legend, way before my time, of a demon brought forth to rid the earth the plague of humanity. Separate the righteous from the wicked, and burn the righteous down. They called him the Judge."

"This is he?"

"No, not all of him." Angel told the Watcher. As Giles finished the backstory for Buffy, Angel walked over to her and joined her on the stage. This was worse than he thought. He had found out that morning, that Drusilla was planning something, something big, but no one knew enough to tell him what.

"We need to get this thing out of town." Giles surmised, removing his glasses hastily, so he could clean them.

"Angel." Jenny finally found her opportunity to make her uncle proud. This would be a way to separate the couple for several months, not knowing what could happen in that long of a period of time. It would be more permanent that what she had originally thought of doing, so the Gypsy jumped at the chance. "You're the only one that can protect this thing."

"What about me?" Buffy chimed in. She didn't like the tone that Jenny was using or the fact that she was even suggesting that her lover leave town for even a minute.

"What, youre just going to skip town for a few months?"

"Months?" Buffy repeated, praying that she had heard wrong. No, he wouldnt leave me like this. He can't! She thought, as she listened to his reply.

"She's right. I have to get this thing to the remotest region possible."

"But that's not months." She fought back. Angel could hear the heartbreak in her voice already, and he thought he might just combust right there from the pain. He never wanted to leave her side, ever, ever again. But they were giving him no other option. He had to go, in order to save the world from Armageddon

"I could catch a cargo ship to Asia, maybe trek to Nepal..."

"You know, those new fangled flying machines are really much safer than they used to be."

"I can't fly. There's no sure way to guard against the daylight. Look, I don't like this any more than you do, Buffy, but there's no other choice." Her lovers eyes pleaded with her to understand. He knew that he had to do this but didn't want to go. If she really didn't want him to go, there would be nothing stopping him. He wouldn't care if there was Hell on earth as long as he was with Buffy.

"When?"

"Tonight. As soon as possible."

"But it's my birthday." Angel could only hang his head. He knew there was nothing he could say to make this right. He couldn't make her feel better and it was killing him. She was hurting and it was all his fault.

"I'll drive you to the docks." Jenny suggested. The Scoobies just looked around, not sure what to say. Willow knew that things were getting more and more serious between her best friend and Angel, but she didn't know how deeply and physically it went. Giles knew that things were going to be hard on his Slayer for awhile, since he knew that their connection was very close. Buffy just silently followed Jenny to her car, holding Angel's hand like it was her lifeline. And tonight it was.

* * *

When they arrived at the docks, the couple got out of car and headed to the boat. Buffy, neatly tucked into her lovers side, was crying for her loss, and holding his arm so tightly, that had he had circulation, his arm would have gone numb. Just before the got to the plank, Angel put down the box, and prepared for their goodbye.

"I should go the rest of the way alone."

"Okay." She answered, tears still streaking her cheeks.

"I'll be back. I will."

"When? Six months? A year? You don't know how long its going to take, or if well even..."

Tilting her chin up, so he could look into her eyes, Angel asked, "If well even what?"

"Well, in case you haven't noticed, someone pretty much always wants us dead."

"Don't say that. We'll be fine."

"We don't know that." She was trying her best to get him to stay and to tell him her fears, but he wouldn't let her think bad thoughts. It was the first time he ever found love in 242 years, and Angel was optimistic that they would find their way back to each other again.

"We can't know, Buffy. That's just the deal." He paused, not quite sure what to do next. That's when he realized that he hadn't given her the birthday present he had gotten her. "I have something for you, for your birthday. I had planned to give it to you earlier, but" Buffy looked down as Angel pulled a small velvet pouch out of his pocket, and emptied its contents out into his hand.

"It's beautiful!" She exclaimed, as she admired the tiny silver ring.

"My people before I was changed....they exchanged this as a sign of devotion. Its a claddagh ring. The hands represent friendship, the crown represents loyalty, and the heart....it represents love. Wear it with the heart pointing towards you, it means you belong to someone. Like this." Angel held up his hand, showing her the ring he wore, with the heart pointing in. Buffy stared at it for a moment before leaning in to place a tender kiss to it. When her soft lips finally came in contact with his hand, Angel had to choke back tears. He didn't know how he was ever supposed to make it for one day, much less several months, without the precious girl in front of him. But he had to be strong, especially for her.

"Let me put it on?" He asked, trying to keep his thoughts in the moment, and not on the agony he would be in once he got on the large cargo ship behind him. At her nod, Angel slowly slid the silver ring down his lovers slender finger, happy to finally see it in its rightful place.

Choking back tears, Buffy cried, "I don't want to do this."

"Me either." Angel answered truthfully.

"So don't go! Please don't go!! I need you, Angel." Shaking his head, he lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her with a bone-deep sorrow the likes of which come only from complete and utter heartbreak. This kiss was very passionate and desperate, each trying to convey to each other their most intimate thoughts and feelings the only way soul mates and lovers know how, and wondering if they would ever be together again.

Breaking the kiss, Angel touched his forehead to Buffy's, looking her deeply in the eyes. "Buffy...I love you. You are the only person I have ever loved. And no matter what happens, I need you to know that."

"I do know. And I love you too. More than I could ever tell you."

Angel moved away and grabbed the box. Throwing it over his shoulder, he began walking up the plank to the boat. Then, Buffy ran over to him, hugging him tightly.

"Promise you'll come back to me." She whispered through her tears.

"I promise." He replied, kissing the top of her blonde head. Pulling back slightly, he kept one hand in her hair, as he kissed her one more time, trying to savor and memorize the moment for as long as he could. Finally he broke away and walked up to the boat. At the top of the plank, he said, "Always remember that I love you!"

"I'll never forget!!" Buffy stood there, crying, as she watched the boat slowly fade away. "I'll never forget!!"

Angel, hearing her words repeat over and over again in his head, finally broke down. His tears flowed like a river, as he watched the love of his long, lonely life fade away to blackness.

Part 3

Sunnydale

1 Month Later

 

"So are we Bronzing it tonight?"  Willow asked the gang during their lunch hour.

 

"Sure!" The almost couple of Xander and Cordy simultaneously replied.

 

"The Dingoes are playing tonight, so count me in."

 

"Yeah, I guess."

 

"Hey, Buff, what's eatin' ya?" 

 

"Nothing, Xand.  I'm just not feeling really well."  As soon as the words left her mouth, Buffy jumped from her seat and ran to the bathroom.  Willow watched for only a moment, before going after her.  Something definitely wasn't right with the Slayer.

 

"Buffy?"  She called out, when she finally entered the girls' bathroom.  Although she didn't receive an answer, the red-head heard the distinctive sounds of someone whose stomach wasn't agreeing with her food.  "Buffy, are you alright?"

 

Wiping her mouth, the blonde stepped out of the stall and went to clean up at the sink.  "I think so, Will."

 

"What happened?  One minute we were talking about the Bronze and the next, you were worshipping the porcelain gods!"

 

"I wish I knew.  I've been throwing up everyday for the last three days so far.  Maybe I have food poisoning or the flu or something."

 

"Maybe.  You should go to the doctor's.  Then you can-"

 

"NO!  No doctors!!!"

 

"Buffy!  You have to go.  I'll take you there myself if I have to.  Well, Oz and I will because I can't drive, but you will go with us.  Don't make me drag you."  The look on her friend's face showed Buffy that she wasn't kidding.  So, nodding her head, the two best friends worked out a time and place to meet so they could get the visit over with and still be able to party at the Bronze.

 

* * *

 

Nepal

 

~Buffy was running, hard.  Her feet were hitting the soft grass so roughly, that it could be heard by any vampire within a 30 mile radius.   Looking over her shoulder, the Slayer saw the three extraordinarily strong vamps gaining on her.  The lungs in her chest were working overtime, burning and tightening more every second.  Her legs felt like jelly, but

she couldn't stop running.  She had to make it to safety. 

 

Suddenly, she slipped on a rock and crashed hard into the ground.  When she was finally

able to shake it off, the three vampires had caught up with her and were pulling her to her feet.  The largest of them threw her into a nearby mausoleum.  Her head hit the stone very hard, blurring her vision.  As the vamps approached her, teeth bared, she screamed.

 

"ANGEL!!!  ANGEL!!!!  HELP!!!!"

 

But there was no one who could hear her.  The shortest vamp grabbed her small wrist, while the other two pierced either side of her neck, draining her from the three places.  As

she felt the life draining from her body, she called out to her soul mate, her voice only a whisper.  "Angel!!  I love you.  I never forgot!"  Then, she breathed her last breath. ~

 

Angel shot up in bed with a start, sweat covering every inch of his body.  He had to take several minutes to calm down the unnecessary heavy breathing that his nightmare caused.  Glancing around, the vampire reminded himself that he was in the dingy motel room he checked into the night before and that Buffy really was okay.  And he knew deep down that she was.  He could feel her, in such a way that he never felt anything before.  It was like he could sense her very life essence flowing through her even from across the globe.  It gave him the creeps sometimes because he could swear his own blood was pumping and his heart was beating.  Which was impossible, right?

 

Running a shaky hand through his hair, Angel stood up and padded his way to the bathroom.  All he needed was a nice hot shower to soothe his nerves and prepare him for the long day (well, night actually) ahead.  Tonight he was going to start his trek up Mount Everest, which was near the small town.  There, at the very summit, would he dig the hole in which to place the damned arm.  Then he could finally return to the arms of his beautiful lover.

 

* * *

Sunnydale

 

Buffy entered the doctor's office, just after school ended, with Willow directly behind her.  Oz had chosen to drive around a while and then pick the girls up later, in order to give them some privacy.  The blonde filled out her paper work, and took the seat closest to the exit.  Her best friend, however, kept her 'resolve face' on and kept a tight lock on the girl's wrist just in case she got any ideas.  Willow only let up when she got Buffy's promise not to run away.

 

They only had to wait about ten minutes before the nurse called her back in to see the doctor.  The tiny woman, Nancy, took her blood pressure, checked her pulse, and listened as Buffy explained her symptoms and her friend's insistence that she come here.  With a smile and a nod, Nancy said that the doctor would be right in, and she left the small room. 

 

"Buffy Summers?"  The short, slightly balding doctor called as he walked into the room.

 

"Yes,"

 

"So, what brought you here today?"

 

"Well, I have been throwing up a couple of times every day for the last three days.  I've been dizzy and nauseous all the time.  I'm sure it's nothing, though.  My friend made me come, so."  She started to get up from the hospital bed and was stopped by the doctor's arm.

 

"That's okay, Buffy.  I have an idea as to what it might be, but I'd like to run a blood test just to confirm my diagnosis.  I'll send a nurse to draw some blood."  With that the doctor left a very nervous Slayer in the small room to wait.

 

* * *

 

15 minutes later, the doctor returned with the results of her tests. 

 

"So what is it, doc?  Am I dying?"

 

"No, nothing at all like that, Ms. Summers."

 

"Well, then, what's wrong with me?"

 

"You're pregnant."

Part 4

Sunnydale

 

"What?"  Her voice was small and quiet, as she forced the words from her throat.  It's just not possible, is it?

 

"You're pregnant.  A month along to be exact.  The nausea and dizziness should pass after the first few months, but in any case, it's very common for women to go through this.  I'm sure you've heard of morning sickness before."

 

Buffy just nodded, too in shock to say anything coherent.

 

"Okay, well, here are some pamphlets on pregnancy and how to take care of yourself and your baby for the next eight months.  There is a hotline number on the back of this one," he pointed to the one on the top as he continued, "call it if you have any questions or need any help with dealing with your condition.  You can also contact me or any of my colleagues for any medical questions."

 

"Thanks."  Buffy took the pamphlets and slowly made her way out of the room.

 

* * *

 

"So, what's wrong??  What did the doctor say?"  Willow asked, curious as to what could be wrong with her friend.

 

"Um, I'm pregnant?"

 

"Really?"  The redhead's widened at the thought.  Her best friend not only had sex with someone (which she didn't know about) and then got pregnant?

 

Buffy could do nothing but nod.  She still didn't believe it herself.  She was PREGNANT!!  With Angel's baby!  But he couldn't have children, he said.  What the hell was she going to do now?  What was she going to tell her mother?  God, what was she going to tell Giles??

 

"Wow!"

 

* * *

 

"Wow!!"  Willow repeated for like the hundredth time.

 

"I think we get the point."  Buffy said, getting kind of cranky with her friend.  She was on her way back from the doctor's office with Willow and Oz, when everything finally started to sink in.  That's also when the tears started to flow.  "God, why did this have to happen to me now!"  She sobbed.

 

"Oh, Buffy.   It's all going to be okay."  Her friend pulled her close, trying to console the pregnant slayer.

 

"How can you say that?  I'm PREGNANT, Will!!  I'm seventeen years old, and I'm pregnant.  And to make matters worse, the only person I need right now, is gone and might not ever come back!"  The tears continued to flow, as Willow held the shaking girl. 

 

* * *

 

Nepal

 

Angel spent most of the night traveling up the steep, ragged side of Mount Everest.  He was actually glad for a brief moment that he didn't need oxygen.  The higher he climbed, the worse the air became.  Being human would only have slowed him down more.  And the weather was bad enough.  It started snowing a few hours into his trek, and hadn't let up at all.  In fact, it seemed to get continually worse as he went on.  It was almost as if someone (or something) was testing his faith and abilities.

 

As dawn approached, Angel found a small cave that he was able to use to hide from the daylight.  Placing the box into the far end of the cave, the vampire stretched out his tired, aching body and prepared for some much needed sleep.

 

* * *

Sunnydale

 

Buffy finally pulled herself together, with the help of Willow.  They talked things through and decided that it would be wise to talk to Giles first, and then go to her mother.   Hopefully, she'll get the support she needed from her Watcher in order to convince her mother that she should keep the precious miracle growing inside her. 

 

Once they arrived at Giles' apartment, Buffy grabbed Will's hand for support and knocked on the door. 

 

Inside, the Watcher made the girls and himself some tea, as he prepared to listen to whatever 'end of the world' topic came up today. 

 

"Well, Giles, I'm really not sure how to tell you this, so I think I'm going to start at the beginning, okay?"

 

"Yes, that sounds like the logical way to begin."  The Englishman said, as he entered the living room with his tray. 

 

"Okay, um.on the day of my birthday, I, um, sleptwithAngel."  Giles nearly dropped the tray before he made it to the coffee table. 

 

"Did I hear you correctly?  Did you say you.um.?"

 

"We made love, yes."  The Watcher removed his glasses and began to clean them with his handkerchief.  After finishing the task, he replaced them on the bridge of his nose and posed a question to his charge.

 

"Um, was that your news, Buffy?"  He was so unsure of how to react to that tidbit of information.  As a Watcher, he was appalled by the thought of his Slayer and a vampire doing.that.  As a father-figure, he was concerned that she had rushed into things with her boyfriend, but was grateful that he was the one she chose.  As much as it bothered him, Giles was starting to like, even trust (to some extent) the vampire.

 

"Um, no?"  The Slayer tentatively replied.  She knew her Watcher would be upset by the information that was coming, but she prayed that he understood and would stand by her when she tells her mom.

 

"You mean, there's more to this.revelation?"

 

"I'm pregnant."  Buffy said so low that she was afraid he didn't hear her.  But subconsciously, she really didn't want him too.  Giles was like a father to her, and his disapproval would wound her far worse than anything else.  Except maybe Angel leaving her.  She frowned at that thought.

 

"Excuse me?"

 

"I'm pregnant."  She said, louder this time.  As soon as the words left her mouth, Buffy saw Giles' legs give out and his body fall to the floor.  Jumping up, she rushed to his side to see that her Watcher had fainted.

 

* * * 

 

Nepal

 

~"Please, don't go!!!  I need you, Angel!!!"  Buffy said, tears flowing like rivers down her cheeks.  The vampire backed away, holding her hand as long as he could before boarding the boat. 

 

"Always remember that I love you."

 

"I'll never forget!!"  She cried out, hoping he could hear her over the noisy steam engine.  "I'll never forget!!"~

 

Angel tossed and turned for most of the night, dreaming horrible, soul-shaking nightmares and tearful goodbyes, as the snow continued to pile up in front of the entrance to his small shelter.

 

~ "Angel?"  Buffy whispered in his ear.  "Honey, please wake up." 

 

The dark-haired vampire rolled to his side in the bed, and peered into the eyes of his girlfriend.  He traced a finger over her jaw line before leaning in for a long, sweet kiss.  "What did you need, baby?"  Angel asked, after he pulled away from her mouth.

 

"It's time.  We have to go to the hospital."  She said, moving to get out of bed.

 

"What do you mean?  You hate hospitals."  His confused look upset her slightly.  Didn't he realize that this was the twenty-first century?  

 

"My water broke, darling.  And unless you want me to get those wonderfully soft, blue silk sheets full of blood, you had better put some clothes on and drive me to the hospital."  It was at that moment that Angel noticed her normally slim waistline was replaced with a overly large, swollen belly. 

 

"You're pregnant!"  He said, with wonder in his voice.  "Wait a minute.  You're pregnant??  How the HELL did that happen?"

 

"Sweety, this is no time.ugh.for jokes.  You know how this happened.  Now, get your ass moving before I have to kick some sense into you."~

 

Angel shot up, quickly scanning his surroundings.   He was still in the cave.  Good.  Well, maybe it was.  'What the hell did that dream mean?   Was Buffy really pregnant?  No, of course not.  I can't have children, remember?'  The vampire frowned at the thought.  If his dream was correct and Buffy was pregnant, who was the father?  Just the thought of another man's hands on her made him sick, but thinking of that man with her so intimately, made him furious.  She was *his* now.  Didn't she understand that?  Well, as soon as he could get back to Sunnydale, he was going to show her again and again that she was his mate, physically and spiritually.

 

With a sudden burst of energy, Angel grabbed the boxed arm and headed for the entrance to the cave.  "SHIT!!"  While he was asleep, the snow fell so hard that it blocked the only way out.  "DAMMIT!!!"  It was going to take days to get himself free.  At this height, the sun would do little, if any, good.  Which means he would have to dig himself out.  He just had to remember why he was doing this and that the faster he completed his task, the faster he would be able to go home.

 
Part 5

Sunnydale

 

Buffy finally managed to bring Giles back to the land of the conscious and living about 10 minutes after he fainted, when Willow found smelling salts in the bathroom.  As he sat himself up, the Englishman grabbed his head, groaning.

 

"Giles, are you alright?"

 

"I.um, yes.  I'm fine.  Just a bump on the head."  He sat there on the floor for several moments, causing a deafening silence that was about to drive the pregnant slayer mad.  Suddenly, Giles finally turned to face his charge.  "I'm sorry, Buffy, but I really don't know how to respond to your.news."

 

"Well, you could start with 'I'm happy for you'."

 

"I wish I could, but that would be a lie.  I know you love Angel, and I also know that he loved you.  Nevertheless, a baby is such an enormous responsibility, especially on your own."

 

"But I'm not alone.  Angel-"

 

"Might not come back."  Her Watcher cut in.

 

"You don't know that."  She cried, tears starting to cascade down her face.  Willow started to move towards her best friend, but was halted by the hand of the older man.  Giles ushered Buffy to the sofa and placed a tentative, yet reassuring, hand on hers.

 

"You're right.  I don't know.  But that's the whole point, Buffy.  You're only seventeen.  You have the whole world depending on you.  Now's not the time to be risking everything on chance."

 

"What are you suggesting, Giles?"  Willow finally piped in. 

 

"Well, there are options."

 

"I'm not giving up this baby."  Buffy said, so low she could hardly be heard.  "I could never do that to Angel.  Even if."  She stopped, contemplating how to phrase her emotions.  "Angel told me once that he could never have children.  This is a miracle that may never happen again, Giles, and you can't ask me to betray him.  To give up the only link I might have with him now."

 

"No, I suppose not."

 

"I need your support, if not your approval.  I can't do this without you."  Buffy looked up a the man she had come to see as a father.  Her hazel eyes pleaded with him, almost begging for him to say something positive.

 

"You've got both.  I will always support you, no matter what."  When he finished, his Slayer threw herself into his arms for a hug.

 

"Thank you!!!  Thank you so much, Giles."

 

"Just let me know if you need anything.  A shoulder to cry on, someone to talk to, whatever."

 

"Actually, there is something you can help me with."

 

* * *

Nepal

 

Angel started to pace around the inside of the cave.  How the hell was he going to dig himself out of a hole in the side of Mount Everest, in the middle of a snow storm??  He walked over to the pile of wet snow, and tried to move it.  It was frozen together, unmoving even with the pressure of his supernatural strength. 

 

"Damn!"  The vampire said, feeling as if all was lost.  That's when he started to think about Buffy.  He could picture her watching for him day and night, missing him less and less as the days went on.  Soon, she wouldn't even remember him.  He'd be someone she vaguely imagined on a rainy day.  She would probably end up have a nice husband, with a nice salary and a nice house, and even a fucking nice dog.  "Damn!"  Angel swore again, punching his fist into the snow.  This time, he managed to make a hole in it.  Granted it was a small hole, but it inspired hope.  Life started to look less bleak.  He couldn't imagine how he would survive without his light.  Buffy was everything to him, with her long blonde hair, bewitching hazel eyes, perfect lips.  Oh, and how it felt to kiss those lips, look into those eyes shining with love, and run the strands of golden silk through his fingers.  That's when he recalled his dream from the other night.  The one with Buffy standing gloriously pregnant in front of him.  Pregnant with his child.  As impossible as the concept was, Angel wanted to see it happen.  Even if it never would, he knew that he would never tire from trying.  There were certainly worse punishments in life than making love to your soul mate everyday for the rest of your life.  Yes, he was*going* to make it out of this cave.  He *had* to if it took everything in him, and it just might.  But, damn it all, he was going to make his way back to the only thing that mattered in his life.

 

* * *
Sunnydale

 

"I can't believe you talked me into this!"  Giles said, as he, Buffy, and Willow climbed the steps in front of the Summers' home.

 

"Oh, come on.  You know you love me!"  The blonde said, batting her eyelashes.  It was obvious that her mood had improved, but the minute the group was at the door, her smile vanished, her expression sombered.  "Oh, God!"

 

"It's going to be okay, Buffy.  I promise."  Willow said, hoping to sound more confident than she felt.  Mrs. Summers was certainly known for overreacting and for losing it completely.  Truthfully, she was terrified of what would happen to her friend.  She could only imagine how her already unbalanced hormones would react to her mother's fury-inspired ranting.  Quickly, Willow lifted her head, and said a small prayer to Iovah for her friend's protection.

 

"Hi, honey!!"  Joyce said cheerfully, as her daughter and friends entered the house. 

 

"Hey, mom.  Um, can we talk?"  Buffy said, deciding to get right to the point.

 

"Sure, sweetie.  What's going on?  Is everything okay at school?"  Her mother said, looking pointedly at the man she knew to be the librarian at her high school.

 

"Oh, no, mom.  Nothing like that.  Giles is just here because."

 

"Because.she was going to give me one of her overdue library books this afternoon and forgot.  So she invited me here to pick it up."  Damn, that was close.

 

"Oh, okay."  Joyce replied, just as cheerily as before.

 

"Hey mom, you might want to sit down for this." 

 

"Why?  What's really going on here, Buffy?  Just tell me.  I'm your mother.  I can handle it."

 

"Well."  Her daughter began, but stopped, unsure of how to say this.

 

"You're failing aren't you?  That's why Mr. Giles is here, not because of some old book."  Joyce looked accusingly at the librarian for lying to her, and at Buffy for hiding such serious things from her.

 

"No, mom.   Look, do you remember that guy I had over here a few months ago?"

 

"Um, yeah, the history tutor, right?"

 

"Yeah, that's him.  Well, um, we fell in love and."

 

"You kissed him?  That's okay, honey.  I mean, sure he's older than you.a lot older, but I don't mind that."

 

"No, well, yeah, that was involved, but, um."

 

"Come on, Buffy.  Spill it."

 

"We made love, mom."

 

"You WHAT?!!"  Joyce screamed, jumping up from her chair.  Willow backed up, continuing to pray for the safety of her friend.  Giles took a protective stance behind his Slayer, ready to launch himself into the middle of things if necessary.

 

"We made love, and it was wonderful.  I'm not going to apologize for it or try to explain our actions to you, but I felt I had to tell you."  Buffy stood her ground against her now beet-red faced mother.   The older woman just looked at her daughter for a long time, trying to process everything.  Her baby had had sex.  This couldn't be happening!!

 

"Is that all you wanted to tell me?"

 

"No.  There's more."

 

"MORE???"  Buffy winced at the harshness in her mother's voice, but had to get everything out now.  Otherwise, she never would.  Giles put a hand on her shoulder, just as a reminder that he was still there.

 

"Mom, I'm pregnant."  She waited for the shouting that never came.  Joyce just stared at her with complete disbelief in her eyes.  Five minutes later, after an interminable silence, she said, "Mom, please, say something.  Anything."

 

"It's not true."  The sound was so quiet, and so unbelievable, that Buffy was certain that she was hallucinating.

 

"What?" 

 

"It's not true," her mother reiterated, more strength in her voice this time.  "It can't be.  We'll go to the doctor's tomorrow and get you checked out.  Because those damn at-home tests are never accurate.  Don't worry, baby.  We'll take care of this."  Now it was Buffy's turn to be in shock.  Her mother didn't believe her.

 

"I did go to the doctor's office.  Today, actually.  It's true, mom.  I'm pregnant."

 

"Shhh, now.  I'll take care of everything."  Joyce grabbed onto her daughter's arm and began to lead her out of the kitchen.  That was until Buffy ripped her arm away.

 

"What the HELL is wrong with you??  Mom, this is a baby.  You can't just 'take care of it'."

 

"There's this really great clinic on 5th street.  I'll take you there tomorrow afternoon, and then."



"No, mom.  I won't do it.  This is *my* baby, and I'm not giving it up."

 

"What other choice do you have?"  Joyce said, incredulously.  There was another option?

 

"I'm going to have this baby, mom.  With or without you, that part's up to you.  But I could never do that to Angel or myself, so you're just going to have to deal with it."  Joyce just stood there, dumbfounded.  Then, after a brief silence, she climbed the stairs to her bedroom and closed the door.

Part 6

"You're WHAT??"  Xander said later that afternoon when Buffy got the Scoobies together to discuss things.  She and Giles had decided to let her continue to slay until she got into her 6th or 7th month.  By that time, she should be too big to move fast enough.  It would be at that point that the rest of the gang would take over for her while she prepares for the coming birth.  So, they agreed to let them in on the secret so it will be easier to explain why they will have to train too.

 

"Pregnant, Xand.  You know, having a baby?!"

 

"Fine, Buff.  Mock me all you want.  You know what, why don't I help you pick out names for your little bundle of joy.  Hmm, let's see.  For a boy, how about Jack the Ripper?  For a girl, maybe Elizabeth Bathory?  You know, getting a dentist might be a pesky task, too.  I'm not sure how many doctors specialize in putting braces on fangs!"

 

"Xander, that was uncalled for."  Giles reprimanded when he saw the tears welling up in his charge's eyes.

 

"Look, I'm sorry, Buffy.  It's just.you know how I feel about Dead-boy."

 

"I understand, Xand.  Just please try to see my side of this before you start making comments about my lover."

 

"Hey, speak of the devil, since when does he not shoot blanks, or shoot at all for that matter?  I thought vamps, being dead bodies and all, couldn't.well, you know."  He tried to gesture with his hands what he meant, and was only met with the sound of Giles clearing his throat and wiping his glasses.

 

"Well, he definitely can.um." Buffy stopped, blushing at the thought.  She definitely had to change the subject.  "We're still not sure how the whole conception thing happened.  Even Angel didn't know he could father children."

 

"As far as we know, it's not possible, Xander.  But, Willow and I have been conducting some preliminary research to figure out the possibilities and explanations for such an extraordinary occurrence."  Giles explained, giving a warm smile to the red-head for her diligent help in his studies.

 

"So, does he know?"

 

"Angel?  No, I just found out yesterday, actually."

 

"And you didn't tell me sooner, because.?"

 

"Well, I had to deal with my mother, and then there was the whole, you were out of town part that made things difficult."  Xander just fumed silently, wishing that the love of his life hadn't gotten knocked up by a vampire.  It was just so typical of how his life sucked.

 

* * *

 

Life really did suck.  Angel had been working on that damn pile of snow for almost a week before he was able to break through enough to squeeze himself and the box out of the cave.  The minute he was safely on the other side of the hole, it started to snow again.  < I swear, I will never complain about the monotonous California weather again.  That is, if I ever see it again.>  The vampire thought, as he tried to scale a particularly difficult portion of the mountain. 

 

And that's when things really took a turn for the worse. 

 

WHACK

 

Angel fell down several feet, rolling several more, after the blow he took to the head.  Looking up through blurry eyes, he saw four medium sized vampires dashing for the boxed arm.  < Shit!> Angel jumped to his feet, in an attempt to thwart their plans, but was stopped by the dizziness and nauseousness that came with the concussion he received.  Trying to steady himself, the much larger vampire watched as the other demons started to make their way back down the mountain.  He knew at that moment that it was stupid of him to think that Spike and Drusilla would give up so easily.  He knew his children better than that.  Hell, he personally showed them better than that.  Shaking the strange sensations out of his head, Angel began the trek back down the mountain, hoping to catch up with them before they reached the bottom.

 

* * *

 

Buffy went home later that afternoon after having worked some things out with her friends.  She walked in the door and looked around.  She needed to find her mother.  There was so much to talk about and things that had to be settled before they can resume the normal mother-daughter relationship.  There was no way she would be able to survive the next 8 months fighting and arguing with the people she needed the most support from.  She found her in the living room, looking through a box on the coffee table.

 

"Mom?"

 

"Buffy.  How was school?"  Joyce asked, not looking up from the blanket she held in her hands.

 

"Fine.  Mom, are you okay?"  Buffy was starting to get worried about her mother.  She was acting way too strange.

 

"Do you remember this?"  Joyce looked up at her daughter, holding the blanket up higher.  She had tears in her eyes, and a withdrawn look on her face.  "I brought you home in this the day after you were born." 

 

"Mom, I."

 

"I was so worried about everything that day.  Would I be a good mother?  Would I raise you properly?"

 

"Oh, Mom."  Buffy walked over to the couch and tried to sit next to Joyce, when the older woman put her hand up, stopping her.  The younger woman tried to speak, but her mother got her words out first.

 

"I know that I messed up a lot.  I wasn't there for you when I should have been, and I know that your father wasn't a major factor in your life.  But I had hoped that I raised you to be a responsible, conscientious, young woman.  I just wish I knew where I went wrong."

 

"Mom, you didn't go wrong."

 

"But if I would have talked to you, or made it possible for you to talk to me, maybe you wouldn't have needed to rebel like this."  Buffy was shocked.  Her mother actually believed that her time with Angel was a simple rebellion by a mindless teenager.

 

"Mother, what I did, what Angel and I did, had nothing to do with rebelling or payback.  We made love because we both wanted too.  It was our way to share the love we feel for each other.  And this child, this miracle, may not be great timing, but he or she will be loved and well cared for by me AND its father."

 

"I don't want you to go through what I went through.  It may feel like love now, but children complicate things.  Just look what happened with your father and me.  We loved each other too, but some men can't handle the responsibility."

 

"But Angel can.  He's going to be so happy when he finds out about this."

 

"He doesn't know?  Well, where is he??"

 

"He, um, took a trip, but he'll be back any time now."  Buffy knew where this was going, but there was no way she was going to lie to her mother now.

 

"Well, that's just great.  He can knock up my baby girl, but can't stay around to deal with the consequences?"

 

"Angel didn't want to leave.  He had to.  It was his job, but as soon as he can, he will be back here with me."  Buffy started to cry then.  She wasn't sure her lover would ever come back.  That was half the reason she didn't want him to leave in the first place, but it wasn't important now.  She wasn't going to let her mother bad mouth the man she loved. 

 

"See?  He's already ruining your life, and he's not even her to help you."

 

"Mom, stop it!!"  Joyce looked at her daughter, who just jumped up from the seat beside her and regarded her with daggers in her eyes.  "I will not stand for this.  Look, I need you, more than I think I ever did.  But I will not stay in this house and listen to you make a mockery of our love and our child for the next several months.  So you must decide right now.  Do you want to be a part of my life, or a part of my baby's life?  If you don't, I will move out tonight, and you won't have to be bothered by us again." 

 

Joyce had tears flowing down her face at this point.  She gathered her daughter to her, and cried on her shoulder for several moments.  "Oh, Buffy.  I don't want you to leave.  I love you so much.  I just want what's best for you."

 

Buffy was crying now too.  "This is what's best for me.  Angel and this baby.  I love you too, but I need you to trust me.  I need you to believe in me."

 

"Oh, honey.  I do believe in you, and I want to trust you, but you never tell me anything.  I didn't even know you were dating this Angel guy, and now you are pregnant with his child."

 

Buffy knew that was coming.  She wasn't very forthcoming with her mother, and knew that would have to change.  "I promise from now on, to tell you anything of that importance, okay."

 

"It's definitely a start.  So are we okay now?"

 

"Yeah, mom.  We're okay."  Buffy smiled for the first time in their conversation.  They hugged for a while and then started to go through the box together.  Joyce shared her stories of baby Buffy and they discussed what they would do about the child while they waited for Angel's arrival.

 
Part 7

It took Angel almost a week to make it back down the steep mountain.  The trek was much more treacherous down hill and harder now with the snow built up from the recent storm.  But the determined vampire was not going to let the elements stop him from completing his task and getting back home.

 

To Buffy.

 

God how he missed her.  Making love with her had only deepened their bond and his need for her.  The solitary journey was becoming harder the longer he was away from her arms.  Her lips.  Her warm, soft body.

 

Angel shook his head.  He didn't have time for that kind of thinking.  Because that led to brooding, or worse.  And right now, he had a band of vampires to dust and an arm to bury.  No, his life wasn't strange at all.

 

* * *

 

At lunch, Buffy and Willow sat together in the lounge, looking through a stack of magazines, when Xander came to join them.

 

"What about this?  It seems very unisex to me."

 

"WHAT?  Will, what would your mother say if she heard you talking about random sex?"  He shouted, and then blushed as he realized he said that aloud and most of the other students heard him.

 

"Xander!!  We were talking about UNISEX mobiles!"  Buffy corrected, as she tried not to laugh at her red-headed friend whose face was almost the color of her hair.  At least some things haven't changed in her really crazy life.

 

"Oh.  Well, you would have said that too if you would have walked in on the conversation."  He said, sitting on the couch in front of them.

 

"Whatever, Xand.  So, what do you think of this?"

 

Looking at the magazine she passed him, Xander's face lit up.  "Hey!  I love Snoopy.  Snoopy is definitely cool!!  But what is this for?  Junior won't be coming for almost eight more months."

 

"Well, Mom and I are planning a nursery for the baby, and it may not be a 'junior.'  I've decided not to find out.  At least not unless Angel wants to know.  If I ever see him again."  Buffy hung her head, watching the hand that rested on her very slightly curved abdomen.

 

"Oh, Buffy.  He'll come back."  Willow reassured, placing a hand on her friend's shoulder.  "Angel loves you.  And as soon as he's finished with the box, he's gonna be back here with you, and your baby."

 

"I don't know, Will.  It's just.I miss him so much it's tearing me apart inside.  I need him more than anything else right now, and he's off somewhere all alone.  I mean, what if he's."

 

"He's not dead, Buff."  Xander cut in.  "I may not like him very much, but Dead-Boy loves you.  Anyone with eyes can see that.  And, Will's right, he'll be back as soon as he can.  Which sucks, because then I'll have to try to be nice to my nephew's father."

 

"Oh, Xand." Tears welled in Buffy's eyes at her friends' thoughtfulness.  "You guys are the best."

 

"We know," burst out of her friend, which earned Xander a couple of half-hearted smacks on the shoulder.  "Ouch!  Fine, how about some ice cream after class? My treat."

 

"Oooh.  That's perfect!!  I've been having a craving for peanut butter and mocha ice cream with pickles!"  The pregnant slayer rubbed her stomach to emphasize her point.  Her two friends just laughed at her comment, and then gagged at the thought of the combo, which caused Buffy to laugh as well.

 

* * *

 

After a couple of hours, Angel managed to track down the annoying band of Spike's vampires to a dingy bar on the outskirts of town.  Following them to the alley outside, he found them harassing their next 'meal.'

 

"Hey, boys.  I think you've got something that belongs to me."  The youngest of the fledglings turned angrily at him, allowing the defenseless teenage girl to flee the scene.

 

"Angelus."  The tallest one growled.

 

"Oh, good.  At least you recognize me.  I'd hate to have to kill you all under false pretenses."  With that, Angel lunged at the smallest two not even bothering to vamp out.  After a roundhouse kick and a couple of punches to the gut and face of both, they were dust.  Unfortunately, the last two wouldn't be as easy.  Even though they were fledglings, these two vampires weren't completely stupid.  He knew for a fact that one of them worded at the construction site down the street from his apartment by the Bronze.  Before he was changed anyway.

 

The remaining vampires circled Angel, slowly waiting to see if he would strike first.  But he was too smart for that.  The thin one behind him jumped the gun and went for Angel's neck.  His face met the master vampire's elbow just before he was thrown into his friend, knocking them both into a row of garbage cans.  The two demons shook it off and ran right back at him.  The former construction worker grabbed Angel from behind and locked him into a full nelson.  The other looked around for a stake or something to use.  Angel dropped his during their fight, but fortunately, the other vampires didn't notice.  Using all his strength, the souled vampire grabbed the discarded piece of wood with his feet and held on to the larger vamp's head.  With the thinner one approached, Angel used the other vampire as leverage and staked the one in front of him.  Tossing the stake into the air, he flipped the vampire behind him over his head and staked him on the ground.

 

Brushing the dust off of himself, Angel grabbed the boxed arm and headed to the local motel near the base of the mountain for the remainder of the night, which was about 35 minutes according to his demon senses.  Even though there was no point in trying to sleep, Angel hoped that maybe today he could finally rest without disturbing thoughts of his lover being dead or worse, with someone else.  Maybe.

 
Part 8

5 months later:

 

Buffy was really starting to look the part of the soon-to-be mother as she entered her second trimester.  She was much larger than she would normally be, but the doctor said that was normal.  She was carrying twins, and therefore, was gaining the extra weight necessary for supporting two babies.  Although she had hurt for a long time, Buffy had gotten over the possibility of Angel's return.  It had been 6 months, and still no word.  She and Willow had a good cry the night before and then lit a candle for her lover in front of her first ultrasound picture that she put on the dresser in her room.

 

So, she walked into the Bronze that night with a smile on her face and a new attitude on life.  Things were going to be okay for her and her babies, that much she was confident about.  Will and Cordy helped her to pick out a stylish pastel pink tunic top and very comfortable, black stretch pants, even though she felt like an overgrown pig, before the Scooby Gang went out for a bit of teenage fun.

 

Sitting around their usual table, Buffy sat back and enjoyed the scenery.  Willow was dancing with Xander to an upbeat song by the Dingoes.  Everyone was having a good time, and the Slayer could not be more content.

 

* * *

 

//Angel woke up with a start.  Sweat covered his brow, and he could swear his nightmare had been real.  He left for Nepal after Drusilla and Spike decided to reek havoc on Sunnydale.  When he tried to lift his arm to wipe the moisture from his forehead, Angel noticed that it wouldn't move.  Someone was laying on it.  A smile graced his face as he turned and saw his tiny lover fast asleep in his arms.  She looked so serene and peaceful as he brushed an unruly lock of hair off her cheek. 

 

Feeling his touch, Buffy moaned quietly, not wanting to wake up from the magnificent dream she was having.  In it, Angel came over to her house the morning of her birthday and made love to her for hours.  Blushing at the memory, she blinked open her eyes, only to come face to face with her demon lover.

 

"Hey," she whispered shyly. 

 

"Hey, baby."  He saw the color cover flood her face, and was curious about what brought it there.  "What were you dreaming about?  Something good?"

 

She smiled and reddened some more, if that was possible.  "Yeah, very good.  I was just thinking about you."  Buffy raised a hand and ran it along his jawline before lifting her head and placing a soft kiss to his lips.

 

"Mmmm, glad you enjoyed it."  He pulled her closer to him, only to realize that something was in his way.  Giving her a goofy half-smile, Angel lifted the sheet that covered them to see what was blocking his hold on her.  His jaw dropped as he saw that it was only her stomach.  "Buffy, wha-"

 

Hearing her innocent giggling, Angel looked over at her.  "What's so funny?"

 

"You are, silly.  You act like you haven't seen me for a long time."  She held his hand on her distended abdomen, letting him feel the kicks of his children.

 

"But how?  We've only.how?"  She just giggled some more.  "Buffy, this is not funny.  How did this happen?  Baby.you're going to have a baby!"

 

"Actually two, and I know.  We've know this for 6 months now.  I can't believe that you don't remember."  She was angry now.  How could he forget the miracles that they created together? 

 

Buffy scooted off the bed, and strolled over to get her bathrobe.  When he looked at her again, she was fully dressed.  Shaking his head, he watched her walk over to the door.  "Buffy, where are you going, baby?  We need to talk about this."

 

"No, Angel, there's nothing to talk about.  You LEFT me, remember?  *You* left *me*, so I think that leaves very little room for discussion."  Buffy opens the door and greets the short, lanky boy who is waiting for her. 

 

"You ready?"  The boy asked.

 

"Yeah.  Let's go, Scott."  Angel watched as the door slammed in his face.//

 

"Hey, hey, wake up, man!!"  The old captain said, as he tried to rouse the screaming vampire.

 

"What?"  Angel replies, as he takes in his surroundings.  "Where am I?" 

 

"Damn, son.  That must have been one hell of a dream.  You're on the Persephone, the cargo freighter.  Are you okay?"

 

"Um, yeah.  Yeah, I'm fine.  Just a bad dream."  He ran a hand through his hair.  This was the second dream he had about Buffy being pregnant.  She had said the children were his, but who was that guy?  Skip?  No, Scott.  The vampire's borrowed blood began to boil as he thought about them together.  At that moment, Angel knew if he saw that boy, he would not have any qualms about torturing him.slowly.  Breaking his scrawny, mortal neck wouldn't be so bad either.

 

A high-pitched whistle brought Angel out of his musings. 

 

"We're close now.  I have to go back to the controls.  Are you sure you'll be okay?"  The old man asked.

 

"Yeah.  Thanks for the ride."  The vampire followed the captain up to the deck.  He walked over to the front of the ship and looked out at the shoreline.  Breathing a sigh of relief, Angel smiled.  He was home.  He was finally home.

Part 9

Buffy was sitting with Willow, Xander, and Cordelia later that evening, as they sipped from their lattes.  Buffy also had a blueberry scone dipped in ketchup.  The gang was finally having their first night out in a long time, when a friend stopped over to say hi.

 

"Scott.  Wow!  How nice to see you here.  Isn't it nice to see him here?"  Willow said, looking pointedly at Buffy.

 

"Yeah, it great."  Her pregnant friend replied.

 

"So, um, I was wondering if you wanted to dance, Buffy?"  Scott said, holding out his hand.  She looked over at her friends, who all were nodding enthusiastically, and then nodded and took the proffered hand.  Scott led her out to the dance floor, just as a familiar slow song began to play.

 

// the winter here's cold, and bitter
it's chilled us to the bone
we haven't seen the sun for weeks
to long too far from home
I feel just like I'm sinking
and I claw for solid ground
I'm pulled down by the undertow
I never thought I could feel so low
oh darkness I feel like letting go

if all of the strength and all of the courage
come and lift me from this place
I know I could love you much better than this
full of grace
full of grace
my love//

 

* * *

 

Angel followed his senses and tracked Buffy down at the Bronze.  He stopped by his apartment on the way, just to drop off his bag of weapons.  As he walked into the crowded club, the vampire could already smell her perfect vanilla scent.  His gazed wandered over the room, finally landing on her friends.  Their smiles were large, and they were talking happily, but Buffy was not there.  Following the path of their eyes, he saw his love, standing very close to some guy.  Backing into his usual dark corner, he watched, as the petite blonde took the boy's hand and guided it to her very large, rounded stomach.  A low growl escaped his lips, as he realized she was pregnant.

 

* * *

 

// so it's better this way, I said
having seen this place before
where everything we said and did
hurts us all the more
its just that we stayed, too long
in the same old sickly skin
I'm pulled down by the undertow
I never thought I could feel so low
oh darkness I feel like letting go//

 

"Umph!"  Buffy winced as she and Scott were dancing.  Immediately, he backed away, and watched as she rubbed her stinging abdomen.

 

"Buffy, are you okay?"  He asked, a rather concerned look on his face.  She smiled and reached for his hand.  Guiding it over to her stomach, the blonde pressed his hand against the site of her baby's kicking.

 

"This is the first time they've been so active."  She said, feeling that tingling sensation she used to get when Angel was around.  When she first realized she was pregnant, Buffy noticed that a part of her former lover was inside her because she could feel his presence.  It was comforting at first, then much more saddening later when she admitted that he wasn't coming back.  Tonight, as the twins continued to kick her sides, she felt the sensation stronger than usual.    She had this happy thought that Angel was watching over her somewhere.

 

* * *

 

// if all of the strength
and all of the courage
come and lift me from this place
I know I could love you much better than this
full of grace
full of grace
my love//

 

Angel just couldn't take it anymore.  He fought his way through the crowds and the dancing couples until he was standing right behind his traitorous lover.  After a few minutes, the boy, Scott, noticed that they were not alone.  Buffy noticed his look, and turned around.

 

"Oh, my God!!!"  She screamed and threw herself at the vampire, tears streaming down her face.  Placing kisses all over his face, she began chanting his name like a life-saving mantra. 

 

When she realized that he wasn't touching her, Buffy stopped her actions, and looked at his face.  He was completely still, expressionless.  Then, he reached up and grabbed her wrists, lowering her to the floor, carefully.  She was shocked at his apparent dismissal of her, but kept quiet, knowing that she had never seen him so upset.  Long unused veins were starting to pop out of his neck.  He moved around her to stare down at the boy, who dared to touch his mate.  Knowing he was thinking rashly, the vampire's eyes flashed a golden amber, scaring Scott.

 

"Hey, Buffy.  Um, I have to go now, but I'll see you later, okay?"  Not even waiting for a response, the younger, much smaller guy, bolts out the door.

 

The pregnant blonde was wringing her hands, when her lover slowly turned around.  "Outside.  Now."  He said, in a suspiciously low voice, signally his fury.  She simply nodded and followed him out into the back alley.

 

* * *

 

Angel just leaned against the brick wall, as he tried to gather his thoughts.  Buffy was pregnant.  PREGNANT.  And obviously not with his baby.  Obviously with that little piece of shit.  The only problem was that he didn't smell that rat bastard on her.  Which means that it might not have been his kid either.  He could feel the tears burning in the back of his eyes, as he asked her the dreaded question.

 

"So, you're pregnant?"  Okay, rather dumb, yes, but that was all his brain could function, as his pain assaulted him.

 

"Yes, isn't it wonderful?!!  I've never been so happy!!" She had tears in her eyes now, too.  He was alive!!  It was a miracle in itself, but now she could finally raise her babies with their father.  What a glorious night it turned out to be!!!

 

"Yeah, Buffy, I'm really happy for you."  Swallowing, Angel realized that he just couldn't take it right now.  It was too much.  He thought he had finally made it home, back to his true love, when he finds her with another.  Pregnant by another man's seed.  It was like someone ripped his dead heart out, beat it into little pieces with a shovel, and then sent the remains to a hell dimension to be tortured for all eternity.  "Look, I have to go.  Congratulations.  I'm glad that things worked out so well for you."  With that, the dark vampire turned and started the trek back to his very lonely apartment.

 

"Angel, wait!!"  The Slayer cried, as she ran after him.  "Don't you have anything to say?  Why are you leaving?"

 

The tears he was trying to hold back finally came down, like Niagra Falls originated inside his head.  "Buffy, I can't do this.  I can't see you so fucking happy in your life without me.  I know it's selfish, but I don't fucking care.  I love you so much, and I can see now that it was just a mistake.  You deserve better than the darkness that follows me, and I realize now that you found it.  Good for you.  I'm so happy for you.  Now, go.  Go be with your friends and live your happy, little life."  Angel trailed off, the thoughts in his brain no longer even remotely coherent.  Shaking his head, he turned and walked away, this time he wasn't followed.

 

Buffy stood there, utterly shocked.  She thought this would be the best day of her life.  The day she could finally tell her soul mate that by some miraculous intervention, they were going to have a family.  Instead, he left her.  Again.  In her hormonal state, she just sank to the ground in the middle of the alley, sobbing. 

 

Willow and Xander saw the commotion in the Bronze, and followed their friend, just to make sure that everything was alright.  Unfortunately, they overheard the conversation between the lovers.  Willow was crying too, and Xander was just pissed off.  How dare he treat the mother of his children like that?  Although he wanted to teach that guy a lesson, Buffy was more important right now.  So, the two friends went out and cradled the tiny, pregnant, blonde as she poured out all of her pain on the pavement.

 

* * *

 

Angel finally reached his apartment.  He walked immediately to the refrigerator and grabbed the first bottle of alcohol he could find.  The whiskey burned as it went down is throat, and it made him laugh.  It amazed him how his life was like an aged whiskey.  No matter how good it looked or tasted, it always burned you as time went on.  Taking another long slug, he reflected on what happened.  She moved on.  From the looks of it, she didn't wait for him too long either.  She had to be at least 5 months along.  So what?  Why did he care anymore?  Buffy moved on with her life.  She's happy now.  Why couldn't he do the same?  'Because you're in love with her, you twit!' His inner voice said.  After another swig, he threw the bottle as hard as he could, smashing it against the far wall, the one-hundred year old whiskey running darkly down the wall.  He went back to the fridge and grabbed a cold beer.  Angel knew that the voice was right.he was definitely in love with Buffy.  But he couldn't just stand by and watch her be happy with someone else.  He couldn't watch her and know that someone else was able to have her in a way that she obviously didn't want him to anymore.  And all because of the do-good kick he was on lately.  Well, there was only one way to solve this.  He would leave.  For good.  Since the dawn was only a few hours away, he would wait until tomorrow night.  Then he would leave Sunnydale and his heart behind.  Maybe then, he could move on, and find some kind of peace.

Part 10

Buffy was taken home by Cordy and the gang shortly after her disastrous meeting with Angel.  When she walked into the house, her mother got a panicked expression on her face, as she saw her daughter's puffy, red eyes. 

 

"Honey, what's wrong?"

 

"I can't, Mom.  I just need to go lay down."  Buffy said, as she walked past her mother and started to climb the stairs to her room.

 

"Okay, baby.  If you need anything, please let me know."  A nod was the only reply she received.

 

Buffy entered her bedroom, and immediately crawled onto her bed.  Grabbing her stuffed pig, Mr. Gordo, she clutched it to herself as she continued to cry. 

 

* * *

 

Angel paced back and forth in his apartment for the rest of the night and most of the morning.  He knew that he wouldn't be able to sleep.  All that would happen would be nightmares about Buffy with another man.  Kissing him.  Touching him.letting him touch her.  A pitiful, pained growl sounded from deep in his chest and reverberated off the walls.  By accident, his pacing led him into the bedroom.  The vampire stopped dead in his tracks as he looked at the disheveled bedding that covered the mattress.  Very slowly, Angel walked across the room and sat down gingerly on the bed, not wanting to disturb anything on it.  He lowered his face down to her pillow and took a long breath, inhaling her scent.  How could things have gone so wrong?  It seemed like she was just here, lying in his bed, tangled in his sheets, beneath his body.  Curling up, Angel took the pillow and held it tightly against him, as he fell into a fitful sleep.

 

* * *

 

//Angel continued to kiss her breasts, as Buffy moaned and writhed beneath him.  He was determined to remember every sound she made, every expression on her face.   She was perfection.  Especially now, in the heat of passion, with sweat covering her beautiful body and her lips parted on a soft, husky cry of pleasure.  But her scent was the best of all.  Maybe it was because he was a vampire, but her light vanilla fragrance topped with the heady scent of her arousal, made him want to eat her up.  And he planned to.  Even if this was her first time, Angel wanted it to be as close to perfect as it could be.  As he made his way down her tight stomach, dipping his tongue into her small belly button, he heard her call his name.//

 

"Angel?"  Wait a second.  It was a man calling his name.  Rolling over, Angel saw an old friend standing at the foot of his bed.

 

"Oh, Damn, Cole, you shocked the shit out of me!!"  The vampire said, sitting up on the bed.

 

"Sorry about that.  But the Powers didn't exactly let me pick the time to come and see you.  Guess it was really important."  The half-demon shrugged.

 

"Well, do you think they can wait until I shower first?"  Cole nodded and went out into the living room area while Angel made himself presentable.

 

* * *

 

Ten minutes later, the broody vampire returned from his shower, dressed in a pair of sweats and a tee shirt.  He was still attempting to towel dry his hair when he wandered into the living room.

 

"So, how long has it been?"  He asked the demon, making himself comfortable in the chair opposite his friend.

 

"Over a year since I saw you last.  But nothing will beat that time in Dublin, when we went to that club.  You know with the stripper."  Cole bust out in laughter at the memory of Angel's attempt at flirting with the 'girl' while he was stone drunk.  "You were so comical that night!!!"

 

"Yeah, well you try turning down a cross-dressing stripper, when you've had 4 beers, 10 shots of Tequila, and two bottles of scotch!"

 

"Okay, good point.  Either way, you look much better now.  Though, some sleep might be just what the doctor ordered."

 

Angel forced a chuckle.  "Thanks.  Things were different then, weren't they?  You were getting married, and I."  He trailed off, unsure where his brooding was leading him.

 

"You, my dear friend, were a disaster.  Granted, it was much better than you were before you came to Sunnydale, but you were still so scrawny.  But it's much better now.  You have Buffy and I have Phoebe."

 

Okay, he was not going into that subject now.  Changing the topic quickly, Angel questioned, "The Powers That Be sent you here?"

 

"Nice attempt at dodging the truth.  And yeah, They did.  Have you been getting into trouble again?"  Cole had a goofy smile on his face, knowing that Angel couldn't cause too much trouble, not even if he tried.  Angelus, however, was a completely different story all together.

 

"No, but I am leaving town, so it's a good thing you caught me when you did."  Angel said, discarding the towel over his desk chair.

 

"Wait! You're leaving??  I thought Sunnydale and its little Slayer were your destiny.  Besides last I heard you've become more of the fluffy puppy, I'm-in-love-so-bad-I-can't-see-straight kind of vampire.  Something change?"  Cole looked perplexed as he listened to his friend's recount of the last few months.  "So, you came back here to find her pregnant and with another man, is that it?"

 

"What do you mean, 'is that it'?  How do you think you would feel if you came home one night after working at that firm to find some other man touching a pregnant Phoebe, when you know it couldn't be yours?"

 

"Okay, okay, don't get your panties in a twist."  Angel growled at that comment.  "I get it.  If the places were reversed, I can't say I would have acted differently.  But you're wrong."

 

"Wrong?  Please elaborate, oh perfect one."  Sarcasm and anger dripped off of the words as they left the vampire's mouth.

 

"Okay, well, first of all, she's 6 months pregnant, not five like you imagined.  And they're yours."  The shocked, fish-out-of-water look on his friend's face made Cole nod to indicate that it was true, while suppressing a laugh at his friend's expression.

 

"But how?  I mean, I'm dead, or rather undead, but still.Vampires can't father children.  I can't."

 

"Yes, you can.  The Powers informed me that it is possible.  Something about the internal structure and whatever about the Slayer makes your seed come to life, so to speak.  Or maybe it was your internal force, if you know what I mean.  I'm not totally sure on the details, they kind of entered my mind while Phoebe and I.well, you know.  We were right at the part where she nibbles on my-" Cole stopped as he heard Angel's very unsubtle, very forced coughing. 

 

"Okay, so they're mine.  But that doesn't change the fact that she's with someone else.  Besides, she deserves better, they deserve more than a life of darkness.  And no matter how much I love them, it won't change the fact that I'm a demon, and she's.not."

 

"Well, that's still not determined yet.  There are a lot of characteristics that Slayers and other demons, especially vampires, have.  But that's beside the point.  Ask her.  She seemed pretty damn happy to see you last night.  And did you see the shrimp she was with?  If they were really together, wouldn't he have at least tried to stand up to you for her?"

 

"Well, I.it.oh.  Dammit, Cole!!!  What the hell do I do now??"

 

"Being that I'm not exactly new in the love department, let me give you a clue.  There are three ways into a woman's heart.  Roses, apologies, and great sex.  And somehow, I think you've got most of that down already, if your history with women tells you anything."

 

"Oh, shut up."  Angel took a deep breath.  "So, how's Phoebe and the kids?"

 

"Great.  I just love my family.  It's the best thing that's ever happened to me.  Having children definitely puts things in perspective, my friend.  And we're having our 2nd anniversary next week, so I'm throwing a party.  Both of you are invited of course.  And I *expect* to see you there.  Especially since you turned down my offer to be best man."

 

"Well, I couldn't just leave Buffy, Cole.  You knew that.  She was just learning how to fight, and I."

 

"Don't worry about it.  Just be there next week, and I'll consider it forgiven."  The half-demon stood up, fixing his duster.  Angel stood up too.

 

"It was good to see you again, friend.  I hope you will come by again."  The vampire said, shaking hands with Cole.

 

"I will definitely try.  The Powers are keeping me busy, but at least, it's honest work."

 

"And bring Phoebe next time.  I know Buffy and she would get along great."  He called as the demon vanished from sight.

 

Taking a deep breath, Angel walked over to the phone and called the town's florist.  After ordering 50 single stem red roses, he wrote out a little message, which he would have delivered with the flowers.  Then he changed his clothes and started to clean the apartment.  Buffy would be there in a few hours, assuming she followed the instructions on the card, and he needed everything to be perfect when he groveled at her feet.

Part 11

Buffy woke up later than usual.  It was the first day in a long time she didn't get up at the crack of dawn with morning sickness.  She laid a hand against her stomach, tenderly caressing the flesh that held the two tiny lives that she and Angel made in beautiful love.  That's when she realized that he didn't know.  She never got to tell him that the babies were his.  Oh, God.  He saw her with Scott.  With Scott's hand on her.  Oh, God.  Hoping out of bed- well as much as any very pregnant woman could-, Buffy ran to the shower, and dressed in the shirt she stole from Angel's apartment the day after he left and a pair of track pants (maternity sized, of course).  He had to know.  He may still hate her afterwards, but she refused to let him think that they belonged to someone else.

 

Waddling her way down the stairs, Buffy nearly ran into Joyce in her hurry to see Angel. 

 

"Buffy, where are you going?"

 

"Out.  He's back, Mom.  And I have to see him." 

 

"You mean, Angel's back?  The father?"  Joyce looked almost as shocked as she did the day she found out about Buffy's pregnancy.

 

"Yeah, Mom, he's back.  And I haven't gotten to tell him about the babies yet, so I have to go."

 

Joyce, uncharacteristically, placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder.  "Let me drive you."  Buffy nodded, and they headed off to Angel's apartment together.

 

* * *

 

Buffy got out of her mother's car, thanking her for the ride, but reassuring her that she would get Angel or someone to take her back home.  Hesitantly, she walked down the stairs to his small, yet somehow cozy, apartment.  When she reached the door, all Slayer senses went full force, as she noticed that the door was slightly ajar.  Entering, she scanned the area, but only felt his presence in the building. 

 

"Angel?"  She called, hoping that he was still there.  Wandering around the apartment, she realized that he wasn't home.  She made her way into the bedroom, and just sighed.  She couldn't believe that it had been six months since they were here together.  Yet at the same time, it felt like an eternity. 

 

Wiping the newly formed tears from her eyes, Buffy walked over to his desk on the other side of the apartment.  Finding some paper and a pencil, she jotted down a small note for him and folded it up.  Just as she was about to leave, she noticed a partially hidden drawing, laying under the paper she borrowed.  She lifted it up and saw her own image reflected on the parchment.  In the picture, she was asleep, her cheeks slightly colored, her hair rumpled.  It was the night they first made love.  As tears started to fall again, she clutched the drawing to her chest, praying to anyone who would listen that she and Angel would be together again.  Tucking the picture away in her purse, she placed her handwritten note on his pillow in the bedroom.  Then she turned and walked out the door.

 

* * *

 

Even though she promised her mother, Buffy walked herself home after stopping at Angel's place.  She needed time to think and to figure out what to do next.  Obviously they needed to talk things out.  He had to know the truth about everything. 

 

As she closed the back door to her house, she saw a huge bouquet of red roses sitting on the kitchen table.  Under it was a small note from Joyce.

 

Honey,

I had to go out for a while.  There were some problems at the gallery.

These came for you just after you left.  Have a great night tonight, and

I'll see you first thing in the morning, so we can go shopping for the

twins.

 

Love you,

Mom   

 

P.S.  Tell Angel I said hi!

 

Even though she was shocked at her mother's seemingly strange acceptance of her former lover, Buffy was so happy that she decided to let her make her own choices.  It was definitely a first.  Looking over the beautiful roses, she noticed a small note, written on similar paper as the drawing from the apartment.  Opening it, she read:

 

Meet me at the apartment tonight.  8 :oo sharp. 

Don't be late.

 

A

 

P.S.  Look in your closet.

 

Intrigued by his added statement and thrilled that he wanted to meet with her, Buffy climbed the stairs to her room as quickly as she could to check what was in her closet.  Opening the door, she saw a large black box laying on the shelf.  Hurriedly, she yanked it out and put it on her bed.  When she opened it up, she saw a blood red lace nightgown that was just her size.  Grabbing it in her small hands, she lay back on the bed with a grin on her face.  He was ready to kiss and make up.  And from the looks of it, it was going to be a great night.  Buffy dozed off a few minutes later, with a grin on her face, still holding the piece of lingerie in her hand.

 

* * *

 

Buffy left her house at 7:40, trying to give herself plenty of time to get to Angel's and to make sure she would be on time.  She dressed fairly conservatively, given her proportions, in a low cut, loose tunic-styled red dress.  Under it, she wore the lingerie that her lover left her for the night.

 

As she was walking down the street, Scott ran out of the coffee shop and stopped to talk to her.

 

"Buffy.  How are you?"

 

"I'm great, Scott.  Why, is something wrong??"  The teenager looked unusually alarmed.

 

"No, it's just that the guy who came up to us in the Bronze really creeped me out.  And I was worried about you."  He laid a supportive, friendly hand on her arm.  She just smiled.

 

* * *

 

Angel was just returning from the store when he saw his beautiful lover walking down the street towards his house.  He had an armful of candles and scented bubble baths, which he bought as a last minute surprise for their night.  That was when he saw that little boy from the club walking up to her.  Watching them talk, laugh, and touch each other was making him sick.  He should have known that they weren't together any more.  He was hoping that Cole was right, that she really did love that boy.  But it all seemed to be just a joke to her.  Because there she was, with Scott, letting him touch her swollen abdomen again.  Infuriated, Angel nearly ran back to his apartment.  Slamming the door, he put the bag of supplies down on the couch and threw himself into a chair, where not for the first time that day, he let the tears fall.

 

* * *

 

At 8 o'clock sharp, Buffy walked down the stairs to Angel's apartment, her overnight bag in hand.  She was freshly showered, with a light vanilla fragrance on, just the way he liked it.  She made certain that her conversation with Scott didn't make her late to see her lover.  Knocking on the door, she realized that it was already open.  So, she stepped inside, calling out for its owner.

 

"Angel?"  She said, looking around.  She saw a paper bag lying on the couch, its contents spilling out of it.  Wondering why, she continued to look for the vampire.

 

Suddenly, with a bottle of Jack in hand, her lover stumbled out into the living room area, glaring at the pregnant woman before him.

 

"What the HELL do you want?"  He slurred.  Angel was wasting no time tonight.  He had already downed 2 beers and a bottle of port when Buffy came into the apartment.  It helped that he was a vampire, but he was still going to have the mother of hangovers in the morning.

 

"Angel?  What's gotten into you?  You're drinking?"  The blonde was really confused.  Her boyfriend left her a beautiful note that said to meet him, bought her a VERY suggestive piece of lingerie, and then yells at her like a drunken fool?  Something was definitely wrong.

 

"You're damned right, I'm drinking.  What else is there to do?  I was planning on making love with my girlfriend, but apparently, she had other obligations."

 

"What other obligations?  Angel, what is going on?  You're scaring me."  She said in a tiny, little girl voice.

 

"Don't play me anymore, Buffy.  I can't take it anymore.  I just can't.  It's just.I think you should go."

 

"Go?  But-"

 

"Go home.  Go to your lover.  Whatever.  Just leave me alone."  He turned his back on her and fell into his leather chair.  Taking a deep slug of whiskey, he concentrated on the numbness that he wanted to consume his body.  Unfortunately it wasn't working fast enough, and she still wasn't leaving.

 

"My lov- oh no.  Not again.  You saw me and Scott talking, didn't you?"  There was no reply.  "Dammit, Angel, we need to talk.  She said, helping herself to the armchair he had near his desk. 

 

"Look, Buffy, if this is about-"

 

"Stop."  She said, curtly, cutting him off.  "I have a lot of this to say to you, so I think you should just shut up and listen for once."  Angel was extremely surprised by the tone of her voice and her attitude.  Unsure of what else to do, he stayed silent and listened to her.  "Okay, first of all, I'm sorry.  I'm sorry for not explaining things to you last night.  I was just so overwhelmed by seeing you, knowing that you were okay, that I wasn't thinking straight.  I think you should know that I thought you were.well, dead."  She held up her hand, as Angel started to protest.  "It's not your fault, I know this.  But I waited for 6 months.  *6 MONTHS*, Angel.  Last night was the first time I went out after.you left.  There was just so much to deal with.  First you leave me.  I know you had to but it still hurt.  Then, there was the pregnancy, and even then, I kept on waiting, but you never came."

 

Finally, Angel broke his silence.  "So you moved on.  It's understandable.  But Buffy, you don't need to-"

 

"Yes, I do.  I need to."  She opened up her purse, and searched around for something.  Angel looked on in confused silence, as she pulled out what looked like a picture.  Handing it to him she said, "This was the last ultrasound I had taken, it was a couple of months ago.  This is the first one," she pointed to a small figure in the right corner, "and this is the second."  Buffy looked up, noticing Angel's teary expression, as he traced the pictures of her babies.  Putting her hand on his, she held his gaze for a few moments before telling him the big news.  "They're yours."

 

The vampire stared at her blankly for several minutes, just holding tightly to the picture in his hands.  Shaking his head, he whispered, "No, I mean, I know, but it can't be."

 

"Yes, love.  They're ours.  Our precious miracles."

 

"But how?  I mean, Cole said that.but I can't.well, I.it's not." He stopped, realizing that he was babbling like a crazy man.

 

"Honestly, I don't know how.  But you're the only one I've made love with.  I'm also 6 months pregnant, which puts their conception probably sometime the morning you came to see me." 

 

A smile broke out on Angel's face, as tears continued to fall down his cheeks.  "You're serious?  I mean, they're mine?"  He was still in shock, she could understand that.   In reply, she stood up and moved in front of him.  Taking his shaky hand, she guided it to her abdomen.  The minute his hand touched her skin, he felt the kick of one of the babies.  His shining eyes looked up in amazement at her, all the pieces finally coming together in his head. 

 

"I love you.  Only you."

 

"I love you, too, Buffy.  And I'm so sor-"  She silenced him with a soft, searching kiss.    It had been so long since he held her close, kissed her, made love to her.  Maybe it was just the hormones, but she needed him so badly at that moment, she thought she would go crazy.  But the minute he broke the kiss, she decided that the wait was more than worth it.  Angel gently lifted the hem of her shirt and placed it between her belly and breasts.  Leaning over, he showered her sensitive skin with kisses and caresses, murmuring sweet, loving words to their children and to the woman who carried them.  Holding his head to her, Buffy knew then that everything would be okay.  They were a family now, and nothing could change that.

 

TBC.