Skylar
Just To Be With You

"Just To Be With You"

Author: Skylar (Nichiren2am@hotmail.com)
Disclaimer: Joss and company own everything
Summary: Fixing The Prom
AN: Third story in my Remedy series.  For this series, I?ve just decided to
pick episodes at random to rewrite trying to fix Joss? mistakes.
Spoilers: Everything up to The Prom, plus the first two stories of this
series.
AN: For this series, there?s no happiness clause in Angel's curse, so there
was no Angelus, and no Angel being sent to hell.  However, Angel has moved
into the mansion on Crawford street.  Jenny was killed, only by Spike.  And
Xander and Willow never kissed, so everything's still peachy between W/O and
X/C.
AN: "Neon" belongs to John Mayer, "More Than Anything" belongs to Hanson,
"Chained to You" belongs to Savage Garden.
Rating: I'd say PG-13.
Distribution: Want it- take it.  Just let me know where it?s going.
Feedback: As always, greatly appreciated.




When sky blue gets dark enough
To see the colors of the city lights
A trail of ruby red and diamond white
Hits her like a sunrise


     Outside, the sky had lightened to a blue that was almost crystal clear.
  A newly rising sun lit the tops of the buildings, but found it hard to
penetrate the heavily-covered windows of the old mansion on Crawford street.
  On several mornings, the owner would awake sweating, tangled in damp
sheets, overtaken by his nightmarish memories.  Other mornings, he would
thank the heavens above to awake holding the precious beauty who had
captured his heart.

     On this particular morning, Angel was wide awake, carefully studying
the exquisite features outlining Buffy's face.  He was careful not to wake
her as he inched his face closer to hers, a curious smile forming on his
lips.

     As Buffy went to go lay back down on top of the nice, soft spot that
she had become accustomed to stretched out across Angel's body, she noticed
that he was awake as well, facing her with a huge grin.  "What?  Do I have
funny bed hair or something?"

"Or something..." he murmured, letting out a small laugh.

"Mmm...I guess we got a little carried away with the whole post-slayage nap
thing," she sleepily smiles, reaching a hand up to feel the mess that was
her hair.  "Ohh- not good..."

"Where are you going?" Angel makes a soft grab at her arm, not willing to
let her leave his side just yet.

"To go kill a cat on my head."

"No mirrors..." he solemnly reminds her.

"You know, this place isn't really girl-friendly.  You'd think after all the
time I spend here it would have more of a woman's touch.  I mean, no
mirrors, no natural light-"

"I think you look perfect," he earnestly tells her, reaching out a hand to
caress the side of her face.

"Oh yeah-" she brushes off his comliment.  "I'm sure I look- ok..." she
shrugs, giggling as she leans closer, submitting to his touch as they laid
back down together.  "You know, maybe we should think about getting a few
mirrors.  And, maybe a drawer, you know, for some of my stuff.  Because
that's what couples do- they have drawers."

"Hmm.  That's right..."

"That way I'd always have some stuff here for when I spend the night.  You
know, like after the prom tomorrow night, it would be nice to just come back
here and spend some time together."

"The prom?"  Angel had overheard her talking about the event with her mother
and friends, but was still a little uneasy discussing it with her himself. 
Mostly because of her latest conversation with Willow regarding the Scoobies
plans for afterwards.

"End of highschool, rite of passage thingy," she explains.  "Think cotillion
with spiked punch and electric slide.  I can't wait to see you in your tux."

"Right..."

"Don't worry, it's at night.  And lots of girls have older boyfriends. 
You'll blend..." she smiles up at him.

"Probably none as old as me..." he sighs, his grip around her waist
loosening.

"And none as wonderful as you," Buffy corrects him, reaching over to kiss
him, but surprised when he turns away.  "Angel, what's wrong?"

     He'd planned how he would do it for days now; he would sit her down in
the lamplight- the only light he would ever be able to see her in- and tell
her.  "Buffy..." he would say, "I have to leave you..."  But he wouldn't be
able to continue; he would never learn how to let her go and would spend
hours trying to convince himself that he would be doing the right thing.  He
was amazed, in fact, that he'd managed to fool himself for so long.  This
was the simple fact that had upset him most- fooling himself for so long
into thinking he could ever give Buffy a normal life while at the same time
fooling her too.

     Often times, the nights she would stay over, he would stay up just to
watch her sleep, allowing his mind to drift over the few memories he allowed
himself to recall of his own humanity.  He remembered the feel of the wind
on a summer day- how it used to billow through his house with the smells of
the town.  As he would finally lay his head down on the pillows beside his
sleeping love, he would see before him one final image that he would never
be able to grant her- a small child laughing as she ran towards Buffy on a
sunlit beach.

"Angel...?"  It only now occurred to Buffy that something more was bothering
him.  "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing.  You should get going, hmm?"

"Mmm...there must be a few more hours before sunrise."  Reluctantly, Buffy
stumbled out of the bed, heading over towards the curtain-draped balcony. 
As she peeled back the heavy wool, light burst out, a blazing streak
radiating across Angel as he let out a moan in pain.  He leapt off of the
bed, fleeing the sun's harsh rays as Buffy clasped the curtain shut, turning
to make her apologies.

"Sorry...guess it's later than-"

"*That's* what's wrong!"  Angel's words came out more as a shout than he
meant.

"Angel...honey, I'm- I'm sorry..." she managed to stammer out, still shocked
by his yell.

"No- Buffy, I didn't mean..."  He slowly approached her before continuing. 
"It's not you...it's me."  There was a deep, studious silence before Buffy
responded.

"What do you mean?" she asked, her eyes scanning his distraught face. 
Angel, as if it were him who had been struck by his own outburst, averted
his face sharply and stared away at some distant point.

"The other night...I overheard you and Willow talking about after the Prom."

     Buffy's eyes widened as she finally realized the only place Angel could
be going with this.  A certain embarrassment accompanied the slayer's frown
as she thought back on her best friend's news that Cordelia's parents had
given her the okay for her and the rest of the Scoobies to spend the weekend
at their beach house just down the coast.  Unwilling to leave Angel's side,
Buffy had turned down the offer, not knowing that Angel had overheard them.

"So that's what this is about," she says, slowly stepping over to the bed.


I can't be her angel now
You know it's not my place to hold her down
But it's hard for me to take a stand
When I would take her anyway I can


"That's just a small part of it," Angel sighs, moving over to sit back down
on the bed beside her.  "Buffy...you can't tell me that you're happy..."

"You're right..." she breathes out, much to his surprise.  Sliding over to
place herself in his lap, she leans forward in an attempt to kiss him.  "
*Now* I'm happy..."

"Buffy, I'm serious," he pulls her off of him, settling her back down onto
the blankets as he stands before her.  "I think we have to talk.  But not
now- and not here.  You have to go home and get to school-"

"No.  You think I'm going to be able to go to school like this?  Angel, come
on- you're scaring me."

"I've been thinking...about our future.  And the more I do, the more I feel
like us, you and I being together, is unfair to you.  You deserve more.  You
deserve something outside of demons and darkness.  I mean, look at what just
happened.  You deserve someone who can take you out into the light.  And
children-"

"Children?  Can you say jumping the gun?  I killed my goldfish!  Angel- I
don't care about any of that-"

"Today.  But you have no idea how fast it goes, Buffy.  One day before you
know it, you'll want it all- a normal life."

"I'll never have a normal life," she cries, as she tries to find some way to
edge into his pointless rant.  "Angel, *you* make my life normal.  Having
you is what gives me something normal outside of demons and darkness.  I
want my life to be with you, and it's as simple as that."  With a
no-nonsense, determined look, she stands up to head out of the room.  "Now,
since we're done here-"

"We're not done," Angel races over to her, grabbing onto her hand.  "Buffy-
think about this rationally, will you?  You know how much I love you-"

"Exactly my point.  Now, if you don't mind, I have to get to school, so..." 
She knew she should've left right then and there, but she didn't.  Instead,
she turned and gazed at the cloth-covered window, slightly tilting her head
to the side.

"Buffy, I'm trying to do what's right here," he urged, searching her face
with pleading eyes as he took off after her down the staircase.

"What's right?!"  By now, Buffy's eyes were filling with tears as they both
reach the bottom of the stairs.  "Angel- what's right is you and
me...together.  I've never known anything more right than that.  You don't
just give up on someone that you love."

"I'm not giving up on you!" he responds, still trying to make her
understand.  "I love you, and I've told you that nothing will ever change
that!"

"Then what is all of this stuff about us not being together about?!"

"I just..."  A heavy sigh followed as he tried justifying his case.  "I
don't know..."

"I have to get to home and then get to school..." Buffy absent-mindedly ran
a hand through her hair.  "So I hope by the time I come back here tonight to
meet up for patrol you can come up with a stronger argument, because even if
you can, nothing is ever going to change how I feel about any of
this...especially you."  Without giving him a chance to respond, she turns
on her heel headed out the door.  "I love you...there *is* nothing else..."

     Alone with his thoughts for the next few hours, Angel wandered
throughout the mansion, fidgeting with various odds and ends.  As he walked
past the couch, he took notice of the notebook Buffy had in haste left
behind after her quick departure.  Picking it up, he couldn't take his eyes
off of the design that adorned it's back cover.  <Buffy and Angel
forever...why does this have to be so hard?>  The sudden knocking at the
mansion's front doors took the sullen vampire by surprise.  Dropping the
notebook off to the side, he makes his way over to let his guest in.

"Hello Angel..."

"Joyce..."

Part 2
 
For a brief moment, an awkward silence passed between the two, until finally
Joyce spoke up.  "Did I come at a bad time?  I- I can come back later if you
were sleeping.  You...sleep during the day...don't you?  I- I mean, that's
what I've always heard about..."

"No...no, come on in.  You know you're always welcome here."  He moves aside
to let her in, closing the door behind her as he runs a nervous hand through
his hair.  "Can I get you something?  I- I don't have any coffee, but-"

"You don't drink coffee?"  Joyce's spirits were dampened even further by the
atmosphere of the elaborate building.  By it's lack of light, the certain
grim spareness that accompanied it.  She almost wondered if he was feeling a
bit under the weather, considering all the other happier times she had spent
dinner with both him and her daughter at the dining room table.

"The caffeine makes me jumpy.  And Buffy doesn't really like it either, so I
don't usually keep any.  But I've got juice, and a lot of other stuff."

"If I could just have some water," Joyce asks, sitting down on the nearby
coach as Angel hurries into the kitchen.  Handing her the cold glass, he
takes a seat across from her, anxious to find out why she was paying him
such an early morning visit.  "So you...slept last night?"

"I slept a little..." he replies.

"I understand Buffy spent the night too."

"She did.  I know it was a school night, but we were both exhausted after
patrol."

"Mmm...Buffy seemed a little tired when she came home this morning."  Joyce
slowly places her glass onto the sidetable before she presses on.  "She was
also a little upset..."  Angel noticed her concerned glance give him a quick
once-over, until finally she reached her point.  "Angel...Buffy told me
about some...things that happened this morning.  That's why I wanted to stop
by.  Maybe see if I could get the full story from you."

"Joyce..." he took an unnecessary breath, gently rubbing the back of his
neck as he lowered his eyes towards the floor.  "I didn't mean to upset
Buffy.  You know that I would never hurt her-"

"Oh I know that, Angel.  I know..."

"But...in the long-run...I think I am hurting her.  I mean, you can't
honestly tell me that I'm who you pictured your daughter to be with."

"Angel, I won't lie to you.  I mean, a year ago I never would've believed
that vampires even existed, let alone the fact that my daughter is a slayer
and in love with one..."  Angel's eyes quickly averted to the side until he
saw Joyce lean forward, addressing him with such sincerity in her eyes. 
"But that doesn't mean that I'm not thrilled she has you."  A small smile
was shared between the two before Angel stood, beginning to pace around in
front of the fireplace.

"But she deserves a normal life, Joyce," he insisted, leaning an arm over
the mantle.  "I love her so much...and it kills me to know that our
relationship, our bond, exists at the cost of all her other dreams. 
Children...just being able to have someone to hold her in the sunlight. 
There's so much that she deserves, and so little that I can give her. 
Joyce..." his eyes lifted, staring into hers with such despair, "what is she
really getting out of our relationship?"

"Everything.  You give her everything, Angel.  All the things she's never
had before."  She quickly stood, sauntering over to his still frame beside
the fireplace.  "Her life is so full of complications and risks...she'll
never have a simple, normal life, Angel.  Even I've come to accept that. 
But...what the two of you share goes beyond all that.  You, and Mr. Giles,
and all her friends give her the only normal life she'll ever know."

"And you," he adds, causing the corners of Joyce's mouth to lift into a warm
smile.  "You've been...incredible about everything.  She's very lucky to
have you."

"Well...I wish you'd come to realize how lucky she is to have you."  She
watched as he moved back to the sofa, wringing his hands in front of him. 
Following his lead, she sat down beside him, setting a hand on his sleeve. 
"Angel...perhaps one day, your..." she searched for the right wording,
hoping not to offend him, "...situation will...change.  But...isn't what the
two of you have worth more than everything else?"

     There was a pause.  You could pluck this single moment out of all time,
Joyce thought, and still discover so much about her daughter and Angel's
relationship.  Buffy was always so brisk and breezy, but Angel?she'd always
thought of him as being somewhat opaque, a reflecting surface flashing the
better parts of your own self back at you, giving you no hint of the
wonderful person that he was.

     Joyce observed him in silence, glancing at him confusedly tugging at
the shock of her visit and intentions.  He'd always liked Joyce and took a
sort of pride in the fact that she was so fond of him as well.  But never
had he imagined her to be the one to explain the significance of his
relationship with her daughter and why they would never be able to exist
without each other.  Angel's pensive stare and eventual half-smile and nod
was all it took to let Joyce know she'd accomplished her mission. 
"Joyce..." for a lack of word, unable to produce any further sounds from his
mouth, Angel's eyes were his only form of expression.

"I know," she patted him on the shoulder before rising to her feet.  "That's
what mother's are for, dear."  She paced over towards the front door,
preparing to leave until she turned to face him.  "So...I take it you two
will be able to fully enjoy the prom tomorrow night?  I've already bought
five rolls of film," she flashes him a quick smile as she secures her purse
over her shoulder.

"Absolutely.  And Joyce...would you mind if Buffy spent tonight here?  I
mean, I know it's still a school night, but tomorrow's Friday, and I know
she gets to go home from classes early to get ready for the prom, and-"

"Not a problem, Angel.  I understand," she nods, giving him a final pat
across the chest.  "I guess I'll see you tomorrow night then."

"Tomorrow night," he replies, pondering for a brief moment before deciding
to pull her into a friendly hug.  "Thank you, Joyce."

"Just happy I could help," she says, pulling out of their embrace to face
him.  After he shut the door behind her, Angel returned upstairs, already
planning how he would apologize to Buffy once she arrived later that
evening.
 
Part 3

"Angel actually said that?!"  Willow had a hard time all day trying to
believe the conversation her best friend had been stressed out about. 
"That's like...gosh, I don't even know what to tell you," she pouts,
noticing Buffy's worried stare.  "But he's wrong though!" she quickly adds
as an afterthought.  "He's so wrong!  Isn't he guys?" the redhead turns to
the others sitting outside the front of the school.  She received only an
appreciative nod from her taciturn boyfriend, expecting nothing less, but
still happy to see him agree with her.

"Absolutely," Cordelia chimes in, receiving a confused glare from Buffy. 
"Hey- don't look so surprised.  I can be sensitive too!  Isn't that right,
Xander?" she turns to her own boyfriend.

"Sure, Cordy.  You're sensitive..." he smiles.  "Whenever it comes to
fashion..." he adds under his breath, Oz being the only one who picked up on
it, sharing a small chuckle with him.

"See, even Xander agrees," Willow cheers.

"Who said I agreed?!  This is one guy who's learned to stay as far away as
possible from the whole Deadboy/Slayer love issue."

"Well...you don't count!" she snaps back at him, turning once again to her
best friend.  "The point is, Angel's wrong!  And I'll go tell him that
personally if you want.  I can be very intimidating.  Just lemme at him!"

"By all means, you try telling him that, because he wasn't listening to me
this morning," Buffy sighs.  "And then I come home and mom goes all postal
on me because I was upset."

"What'd she say?" Cordelia asks.

"Just to go to school and that she was sure things would turn out for the
best.  Wait..." Buffy's mind finally clicks with the realization of what her
mother's words could've implied.  "You don't think that mom would've talked
with him, do you?  Maybe she put him up to this?"

"No..." Willow resolutely answers her.  "Buffy- you're mom really likes
Angel.  You've said before how you think she's only spending more time with
you to spend time with him," she smiles.

"That's true...I don't know what to do," the small blonde wimpers.  "I just
hope we can straighten things out tonight."

"Sure you will," Willow, the eternal optimist that she was, tried cheering
up her friend.  "You have to.  You two are still going to the prom tomorrow
night...aren't you?"

"I don't know, Will.  The way he was talking...I just hope he's still here."

"He'd better be!" Cordelia suddenly shouts out.  "After all the preparations
I had done to our beach house just so he can come along...ooops..." the
brunette cracks an apologetic smile as the others flash her angry stares
upon hearing her blurt out their big surprise for Buffy and Angel.

"What're you talking about?"

"It was supposed to be a *surprise*," Willow squeaks out between gritted
teeth.  "We all kinda figured that you and Angel would be bummed about not
coming with us this weekend, so Cordy and Xander drove down the other night
to fix up the windows for Angel.  Oz taped up the back windows in his van
and tinted his front ones so we could all take it down for the weekend. 
Surprise..." she manages a weak smile, horribly upset that Cordelia had
ruined their plans.  Buffy, a bit taken back by all that her friends had
done for her, finally passed them all a warm smile before getting up to head
into the library for some training with Wes and Giles.

"Thanks guys...now all I have to do is convince Angel..."  After finishing
up training at around 8, Buffy was half tempted to rush straight over to the
mansion, but resisted and instead found herself walking into her kitchen to
find her mother just getting off of the phone.

"Hi honey," Joyce's voice was a little too perky for Buffy's liking.  "How
was school?"

"Fine...same old, same old.  Who was on the phone?"

"Oh- that was Angel."  Buffy's eyes immediately shot up as she heard his
name.  "He wanted me to tell you he wouldn't be able to make patrol tonight,
but if you wanted to stop by afterwards, he would probably still be at the
mansion."

"*Probably* still be at the mansion?" Buffy's smile soon faded as her mother
confirmed what she was just told.

"That's all he said, honey.  You think you'll be spending the night at the
mansion?  Or haven't the two of you made up yet?"

"Okay- what is going on?"

"What do you mean?"

"Something is going on and I'm the only one left out!  You talked to him,
didn't you?  You probably put him up to this!"

"Buffy, don't be ridiculous!  I would never do that!  But I did talk to
him..."

"I knew it!  What- what did you say?"  Joyce hesitated, debating whether or
not to let her daughter find out from her or straight from the source. 
"Mom...I swear, if you-"

"Why don't you take a few things with you in a bag and go talk to him
yourself after patrol.  I'm sure eveyrthing will be fine by now.  He's had a
whole day to think things through."  Not giving a response, Buffy races
upstairs to grab her duffel bag, slamming the back door behind her as she
hurries over to the mansion.  <The hell with patrol!  If I need a workout
I'll just practice knocking some sense into him!>

     After her third knock, an impatient Buffy came storming into the
mansion.  She moved rapidly through the great hall, noticing that there was
something pinched and starved about the décor.  Not a single book or sketch
pad was strewn about on the tables or couch.  Only a few pictures were left
hanging on the walls.  Even the side tables were completely bare.  Through
clenched fists, Buffy began searching through some of the drawers.  Seeing
that for the most part they were bare, she straightened, feeling panicky. 
<He couldn't have left.  He wouldn?t have...>

     She decided to check upstairs, hoping against hope that she would find
some trace of him still being there.  Her proof came as she walked down the
upstairs hall, noticing a few mirrors had been put up along the wall. 
Stopping to stare at her own shaky reflection, she was startled as she felt
two strong arms encircle her waist from behind.

"You're beautiful..." Angel whispered, placing a gentle kiss to the side of
her head.

"Angel..." she breathed out, turning in his arms to face him.  "You're still
here."

"And I'm not going anywhere," he silences her, placing his lips over her own
in a soft kiss.  "Buffy, I'm so sorry.  This morning, I just...I don't even
know what I was thinking, and I'm sorry.  The only thing I really know is
that I'm not leaving your side for anything."  He sees the glimmer of unshed
tears in her eyes, taking her by the hand and leading her further down the
hall to the master bedroom.  "I want to show you something else..."

     As they enter the room, Angel leads her straight over to a bureau she'd
never seen before.  She runs a hand along it's smooth finish, admiring its
simple design.  "It's beautiful."

"It's yours," he grins, stepping alongside her.  "I know you said you only
wanted a drawer, but I thought you'd like this a little better."

     Buffy reaches up to give him a soft kiss, deepening it as she wraps her
arms around his body.  Angel smiles in between kisses, laughing with her as
they both walk back towards the bed, his arms still wrapped around her as he
lifts her up by the waist, placing her onto the sheets.  Buffy gasps as she
notices the wonderful array he has set-up, a large blanket with big throw
pillows, the flames of the brightly lit candles sending flickers of light
playing across his features.

"Angel, this is wonderful," she smiles.  "I love you..."  Angel feels her
soft lips graze the side of his neck, making him jump a little.  She moves
her lips across his neck, up to his waiting lips, gently sliding her tongue
into his mouth, as they share an intimate kiss.  After a few minutes, she
pulls away, sitting up.  "And if you ever pull something like that again, I
swear..."

      He sits up, tenderly taking her into his embrace, running his thumb
along her jaw.  "I won't.  You and I together is worth more than everything
else," he whispers, repeating Joyce's all too true words from earlier.  "I
love you..."  Buffy sighs as she feels Angel come to rest ontop of her.  "I
love you...so much," she says, wrapping her arms around him, pulling him
down closer to her, meeting his lips for a deep kiss and a smile, as the
couple lovingly continues their gentle affirmation, falling asleep in each
others arms towards the early hours of the next morning.

******

"So where's all of your stuff?" Buffy asked, tracing random patterns across
the arm that lay around her waist.

"I moved some things around in case you wanted to bring over any of your
other stuff.  You know, make this place more girl-friendly," he smiles,
placing a kiss to her bare back.  Letting out a small chuckle, Buffy
snuggles further into his embrace, not wanting to have to leave for school
in an hour.  "I can't believe they're actually making us go to the first
four classes today before we get to go home and get all ready," she pouts. 
"I mean, how do they expect us to look our best in such a short time?"

"Well, you have nothing to worry about...you always look perfect."

"Again with the smooth talk," she smiles into his chest.  "You'll be a
regular Bond tonight in your tux.  You do have your tux, don't you?"

"Of course...I think your mother would kill me if I showed up without one. 
She's already bought five rolls of film."

     Buffy tipped her head back, all the more curious to find out just what
had transpired during her mother's talk with her boyfriend.  "Just what did
mom say to you anyway?"  Angel could only look at her, a small smile forming
upon his lips.  "Something I should've already realized..."

"Whatever it was...remind to thank her."  Realizing that she had to start
getting ready to check in with her mother then head off to school, Buffy
reluctantly rolled out of bed, Angel following suit behind her.  As he fixed
her a light snack, the two began to make plans for the evening's big event.

"Okay- Xander and Cordy will be here at around 6 with their limo..."

"A limo?  With- with Xander??"

"Believe it or not, it was his idea to come pick you up," she flashes him a
surprised look that almost matches his own.

"Should I be worried then?"

"Nah- Cordy will be there to protect you," she skips over to him, reaching
up to give him a playful kiss.  "Oh- that reminds me.  Make sure you have a
few things packed for the weekend."

"I don't understand..."

"You heard Cordelia invite us all down to her family's beachhouse for the
weekend," she reminds him.  "You've gotta have something more than a tux to
wear for two days."

"Buffy..." he sighs, a grim bleak look threatening to break out across his
features.  "Please...don't even-"

"We're driving down tonight in Oz's van- Will and him sun-blocked it.  Plus,
Cordy and Xand already put up some heavy curtains at the house.  We've got
everything taken care of.  Angel..." she grabs his face between her small
hands, urging him to look at her.  "I promise, everything is going to be
great.  We'll all go swimming once the sun sets and just have fun."

"But I still won't be able to take you out into the sunli-"

"Who cares?!  I don't!  I don't know why you do..."

"Because you deserve-" Angel's protest is quickly silenced by Buffy's warm
lips fervently capturing his in a strong kiss.

"What I *deserve* is to enjoy my prom and the weekend with my friends and
boyfriend.  Now if you have any objections to that, I'd be more than happy
to beat and toss you around a little bit until you came to your senses
again, but I've got to get going to school."  She races over to the couch to
grab her bag, turning to face him as she approaches the front doors.  "Any
questions?"

"Just one...do we have to play any more board games with Xander like we did
the last time we were all together?"

"So long as you promise not to glue him to any more furniture...I'll see
what I can do."  The slayer's face melted into a warm smile as she gave him
one final kiss before leaving in extreme anticipation of the prom.
 
Part 4
 
"Ready to roll, Deadboy?"  Angel couldn't help but give a slight chuckle at
Xander's remark.  "Hey- you clean up pretty good..." the tuxedo clad boy
told the vampire between mouthtfuls.

"Thanks.  So do...Xander...what are you eating?"

"Twinkie," he smiles, a smudge of cream filling oozing out the side of his
mouth.  "Want one?  I've got a couple extra," he says, already looking
through his jacket pockets.

"No, no- I'm good, thanks.  Where's Cordelia?"

"Out in the limo.  Something about not wanting to expose her new shoes to
the dreariness and dampness of this place...by the way..." he points over
towards the couch, noticing a single piece of red fabric peeking out from
under a pillow.  "Is that your bra or Buffy's?"  Looking back to see what
the grinning Xander was referring to, Angel was sure he would've blushed if
it were still possible.  "I'm hoping it's Buffy's, cause if that's what you
moonlight in, that just puts the most disturbing image into my mind, and I
really don't think you want your floor covered in spongy twinkie goodness."

"It's mine...I thought it might make a nice change from all the black
leather," he brushes off his teasing, gently pushing past him towards the
door.

"Oooo...Deadboy made a joke!  I was beginning to think I was the only one
around here with a sense of humor."

"Not neccesarily...I've always thought Cordelia had a great sense of humor. 
After all- she goes out with you?that's either a wonderful sense of humor,
or she's really into charity work.  I'm more apt to go along with the first
scenario."  Before Xander can retaliate, Angel is greeting Cordelia by the
limo.  "Here Cordelia..." he says, handing her one of the four roses he was
carrying along with Buffy's corsage.  "You look great."

"Aww...thank you, Angel.  If I would've known you'd look so great in that
tux I would've asked you to the Prom the first night I saw you at the
Bronze."  <How unfair is this?  Buffy gets already dropped-dead gorgeous
Angel in a tux, and what do I get?  A twinkie munching clown who I wish
would drop dead sometimes...>

"Hey- where's my rose, Deadboy?" Xander whines, hopping in beside them.

"I'll tell you what...if you can go the rest of the night without calling me
Deadboy, I'll bring along all the Twinkies that I know Buffy has stashed
away in my kitchen this weekend."

"You're coming!" Cordy cheers.  "That's great!  It'll be a lot of fun,
Angel.  Well, except for the rest of these lameoids being there..."

"Yeah- so long as you keep your distance from me and the glue," Xander adds,
shifting a little in his seat before mustering up his pride to make his
confession to Angel.  "Look...you'll never, I repeat- *never* hear me say
this again, so you'd better have those vamp ears tuned up all the way." 
Taking a deep breath, he blurts out his statement.  "Imgladyourenotleaving."

"What?"  Angel had a pretty good idea what he'd just heard, but still, any
opportunity he could get to see Xander squirm was more than welcome.

"Ugghh...I'm glad you're not leaving," he repeats, slower this time as he
rolls his eyes at having to say it again.  "For what it's worth, you're
alright...and I think we all pretty much know how much you love Buffy.  And
even though she's got this fine guy right here to drool all over..." he
gives a sly grin which quickly disappeared once he saw his date's angry
glare.  "You're all she sees and needs.  So I'm glad you're staying."

"Thanks Xander," Angel finally gets out, more than a little surprised at
Xander's words.  "That means al-"

"Yeah yeah- don't go getting all mushy on me.  This wild man's up for some
prom-partyin!"

******

"How do I look, mom?"  Joyce, smiling at the fifth hairstyle her daughter
had tried on tonight, approached Buffy with open arms.  "You look wonderful,
princess.  Absolutely wonderful.  Angel won't be able to keep his eyes off
of you...well, not that he can't keep his eyes off of you just wearing jeans
and a sweater," she laughed.  "Try not to be so nervous, honey.

"I know.  I just want everything to go great tonight- and this weekend." 
Buffy unfolded herself out of her mother's supportive arms with a start in
response to the doorbell.  "He's early," she whispered, and slipped on her
shoes as Joyce made her way to the door.  She smiled, and swung it open.

"Hello Angel.  We seem to be seeing a lot of each other these past few days,
she laughed, welcoming him in.

"Well, it's certainly always a pleasure, Joyce," he smiles stepping through
the doorway.  "This is for you," he says, pulling another small rose from
behind his back.

"Why thank you, Angel.  It's beautiful."

"Speaking of beautiful, is Buffy ready?"

"Yes she is," answered a finally calmed Buffy as she appeared from the
dining room.  Angel couldn't pull his eyes away from her.  Her sleeveless
pink dress was simple in design, but her natural beauty gave it such
grandeur.  Her golden tresses just barely covered her shoulder, and her face
seemed to glow in response.

"You look amazing, Buffy," he smiled, handing her the one white rose that
stood out from the others he carried, placing the beautiful corsage he
carried with him over her wrist.

"Thank you, Angel."  As her mother talked with Angel about their plans for
the evening, Buffy's gaze fell quickly upon him.  <Definitely have to make
the tux his official patrol attire.>

"You two look so beautiful together.  Just perfect," Joyce beamed, already
working on her third roll of film.

"What's the hold up?" Xander's voice boomed into the living room.  "Queen C
is bustin' my eardrums with her complaining out in the limo, and-
whoa...Buffy.  Very nice..." he smiles, eyeing her appreciatively.

"Not so bad yourself, Xand," she pulls him into a hug, feeling something
squishing against her in the process.  "Xander- what have you got under your
jacket?"

"Don't get him started," Angel warns, lacing his fingers with hers.

"Say mom, grab a picture of these two-" Buffy grins, gently nudging Angel
and Xander together towards the fireplace.  After a brief moment of
hesitation and debate, Xander casually slipped his arm around Angel's
shoulder in a friendly manner, passing him a sideways smile as he did the
same.  After flashing a few more pictures of the three, Joyce walks with
them out on the porch.     "You all have fun," she smiles, giving Buffy a
final hug as Angel offers her his arm to escort her to the limo.

"Okay- so who's ready to get down with their badself!"

"Xander-" Cordy snaps as he slumps down next to her.  "Don't make me sorry
I'm taking you out in public!  You'd better behave tonight!"

"Hey- I make no promises.  I'm still trying to get in some last minute votes
for class clown."

"I would've thought he would win by a landslide," Angel mutters, leaning
over to give Buffy a quick kiss.

"Hey, I heard that!  If I've told you once, I've told you a hundred times-
leave the humor to an expert like me!"
Part 5
 
We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover, shaker
Dancing to Madonna
Then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time


     By the time they reached the gym, they were all laughing and blushing-
already having an awesome time.  As the music blasts
throughout the crowd, Angel and Buffy slowly make their way over to Willow
and Oz, hand in hand as Cordelia and Xander follow from behind.

"Buffy- you look awesome!" Willow cheers, pulling her best friend into a
hug.

"So do you.  How's the prom?"

"Strangely affecting," Oz grins.  "I got all teared up when they played 'We
Are Family'. "

"Everything's perfect," Will says, suddenly passing an eye to the stunning
vision who's hand was firmly clasping Buffy's.  "Angel...you look great in
your tux."

"Thanks," he passes her a half-smile, handing her the single rose he had
left.  "You look wonderful, Willow."

"Thank you..." she tries hiding her faint blush, turning instead to face her
date, proudly beaming from ear to ear.


Sweet temptation rush all over me
And I think about it all the time
Passion desire so intense
I can't take anymore


     The friends walk through the huge group of dancing seniors, which
wasn't as bad as Angel had expected, finally meeting up with Wesley and
Giles on the other side of the gym.  "Whoa- G-man!  lookin' good in the
monkey suit," Xander smiles, giving him a pat on the back.  As the
englishman sighs, looking to the oblivious Wesley for help, he pulls Buffy
off to the side.  "How do you all expect to put up with him for an entire
weekend?"

"We've managed before," his slayer giggles, watching in amusement as her
goofy friend began dragging Cordelia onto the dancefloor.  "So long as we
can keep him and Angel from torturing one another, everything will be
peachy.  I can't wait for him to see the ocean, Giles."  She turns slightly,
looking on as her date was busy talking with Oz.


I feel the magic all around you
It's bringing me to my knees
Like a wannabe
I've gotta be chained to you


"So Angel's going?" Giles' eyes held an uncertainty that Buffy immediately
picked up on.  "I take it you've already...made preparations?"

"Of course.  He'll be fine, Giles.  Besides, this is our big chance to make
him feel like he really belongs.  You know...normal like us.  Well...as
normal as we all get," she chuckles, half-tempted to go save Cordelia from
Xander's two left feet on the dance floor, but deciding to see Angel's moves
first.

     She immediately grabs his hands, pulling him out to the dance floor. 
He chuckled and shook his head at her, knowing full well he'd probably look
like as big a klutz as Xander was dancing to the fast-paced rhythm of the
current song, but suddenly not caring. Buffy.


When you looked into my eyes
Felt a sudden sense of urgency
Fascination casts a spell
And you became more than just a mystery
And I think about you all the time

Is this fate, is it my destiny
That I think about you all the time
I no longer pretend
To have my hand on the wheel


"Have I told you how..." Buffy was at a loss for words, subconsciously
dancing even closer to Angel as she noticed the hundreth girl that was
shamelessly checking him out.  "...incredibly sexy you look in that tux?"

"I'm gonna have to take your word on that," he leans into her ear, trying to
speak up over the blaring music.

"If you don't believe me, I would think having every girl's eyes all over
you would give you a pretty good idea."

"What are you talking about?"

"Okay- how can you be so perceptive when it comes to everything else except
the effect you have on the female population?  Let me explain it to you,
honey...I don't think there's a girl at this dance, including Will and
Cordelia, who hasn't undressed you with their eyes," she gives him a sly
smile, loving the feel of his hands grasping her around the waist to pull
her in closer.

"I could say the same things about every guy in here who thinks they're
worthy enough to feast their eyes on you," he smiles as he traces his hands
alongside her bare shoulders and arms, feeling her slight shiver in
response.


I feel the magic all around you
It's bringing me to my knees
Like a wannabe
I've gotta be chained to you


     The song faded as Xander's moment to shine was approaching.  Dragging
Cordelia along behind him, he raced over to the other Scoobies, wanting to
share his glory with the friends who had put up with his antics for so very
long.  As his classmate took to the stage, Xander's eyes widened in
anticipation, already preparing an acceptance speech as the announcement was
being made.

"And the award for Sunnydale High's class clown for 1999 goes to...Jack
Mayhew."

     With his outlandish balloon crown and ensuing happy-dance, Jack was a
sight to behold.  As he breezed past a shocked and disappointed Xander, the
others did their best trying to console their distraught friend.  However,
Cordelia, as usual, made no attempt to hide her amusement at her boyfriend's
loss.

"Expert in humor, huh?  More like the king of fools!" she laughed, noticing
that Angel and Oz seemed to share her sentiments as they expertly held back
their own laugher.

"Please!  Anybody can be a prop class clown!" Xander whined.  "You know,
none of the people who vote for these things are funny!"

"And according to them, neither are you," a grinning Angel smirks, giving
him a pat on the shoulder, for a brief second actually feeling sorry for his
loss.  <As far as clowns go, I can't imagine any worse clown than Xander. 
Shame he doesn't have an award to prove it.>

     As Buffy and Angel followed Willow and Oz over to get some punch, a
nervous Jonathan took to the stage.  "We have one more award to give out. 
Is Buffy Summers here tonight?"  The gym filled with murmurs, the anxious
crowd looking amongst themselves for the small blonde they'd all often wrote
off as a misfit.  "Did- did she, umm..."  Buffy's head finally turned
towards the stage, looking on as he continued.  "This is actually a new
category.  First time ever.  I guess there were a lot of write-in ballots,
and, um- the prom committeeasked me to- to read this," he stutters, fumbling
through his jacket for the sheet of paper.

     Buffy turned to her friends, looking for some sort of explanation as to
what was going on.  "We're not good friends.  Most of us never found the
time to get to know you.  But that doesn't mean we haven't noticed you.  We
don't talk about it much, but it's no secret that Sunnydale High isn't
really like other highschools.  A lot of weird stuff happens here..."

"Zombies!" one eager student shouts out.

"Hyena people!" another cries.

"Snyder!!" the third receives a few hushed laughs from the crowd.  Jonathan
gives his own slight chuckle before continuing.

"But whenever there was a problem, or something creepy happened, you seemed
to show up and stop it.  Most of the people here have been saved by you, or
helped by you at one time or another.  We're proud to say that the class of
'99 has the lowest mortality rate of any graduating class in Sunnydale
history."  A huge round of applause erupted from the crowd.  Angel turned to
his side to see Buffy begin to blush, still unclear as to what was really
going on.

"And we know at least part of that is because of you.  So the senior class
offers it's thanks, and gives you, uh, uh, this."  Jonathan turns to grab
the small pedastal, slowly popping it open to read it's inscription.  "It's
from all of us.  And it has written here, 'Buffy Summers...Class Protector."

     Buffy's beaming features floated down the cleared aisle, extremely
surprised and overwhelmed by her classmates' actions.  Gently taking the
award that Jonathan handed her, she turned to face the crowd, still in an
uproar of cheers.  Finally making it back to her friends, she was swept up
in a giant hug by all of them.

"Alright Buffy," Oz was the first to speak up.  "Way to make a scene."

"That was so cool," his date giggles, taking the small umbrella from her
best friend to take a closer look.

"I'm so very proud of you, Buffy."  Giles' pride was evident as he gave her
another hug, quietly rejoicing in the admiration and love he had for the
girl who'd come to be more of a daughter to him than a slayer.

"And so am I..." Angel wraps her up in his own hug, placing a gentle kiss on
her forehead.  The friends were so busy celebrating Buffy's big moment that
they almost succeeded in drowning out Xander's complaints.

"Buffy gets a golden umbrella...Jack gets class clown honors...even the
girls got roses from Angel.  And what do I get, huh?  When do I ever get
something good?!" he whimpers, his sulking face finally getting to Cordelia.

"Uggh!  You get *me*!!  Isn't that enough you big baby?!  Now come on- let's
dance!"  This time she drags his unwilling frame out to the floor to begin
swaying to the gentle, slow song that had just started.

"May I have this dance?" Angel gives his date a wide smile before leading
her wordlessly out to the center of the gym.  Clasping her small hand in his
own, he wraps his other arm around her waist, his hand gently caressing the
folds of her dress.


I love you more than anything
Than anything, I do
And I'd give anything
And everything I have
Just to be with you

These feelings I hold inside
Are emotions I cannot hide
These feelings will not subside
I'd give anything?anything


"So what do you think of your first prom experience?" Buffy looks up with a
huge smile across her face as Angel pulls her closer.

"Definitely not what I expected," he grins.  "But it's been great...can't
help but feel bad for Xander though," he steals a glance at the
still-pouting Xander, starting to feel sorrier for Cordelia for having to
put up with more whining.


When I look into your eyes
I see something special about you
And when I hold your hand
You seem to understand

That I love, you more than anything
Than anything, I do
And I'd give anything
And everything I have
Just to be with you

These feelings I hold inside
Are emotions I cannot hide
These feelings will not subside
I'd give anything, anything


     Angel felt Buffy lay softly against his shoulder as he brought one hand
up from her back and placed it gently against her head, brushing against her
hair and tucking it back behind her ear.  The room seems to go silent as all
he can think about is how much he loved holding her soft body in his arms,
knowing he'd never be able to leave her.

"I don't know how I could ever go on if you ever left my arms," he whispers
against her neck, pressing his lips against her smooth skin.

"That's never going to happen," she emphasizes, pulling his lips down to
hers, delighting in the feeling of his mouth devouring hers.


When I, think of life without you
It brings me, it brings me right down to my knees
Cause I, I can't imagine life without you
You are the thing...
The thing that keeps me holding on

I'd do things that can't be done
I'd fly to the moon and around the sun
If you'll just say that I'm the one
I'd do anything

I love you more than anything...
More than anything...


     The song ended as softly as it had begun and the couple remained
trapped in one another's embrace.  Until Cordelia's sharp voice called them
to attention.  "If we don't leave now I just might tie up Xander and shove
him in a locker!"

"You know," Xander approached them from behind, his pouty face slowly
returning to it's usual smirk.  "You'd think you'd be a little more
sympathetic!"

"You lost class clown- big freakin' deal!  Isn't it enough that we all think
you're a big goofball?!  Now are we going or not?"  Not wanting to put up
any argument with Queen C, Angel and Buffy roamed the gym to grab Willow and
Oz.  Giving their last goodbyes to Giles and Wesley, the friends quickly
changed out of their formal attires and gathered into Oz's darkened van, all
set for two days to relax together.
Part 6
 
"Nice place, Cordy."  Xander was grinning ear to ear as he followed his
girlfriend and the others into the spacious beachhouse.  The others set
their bags down, nervously looking on as Xander made his way through the
house.  Inside was a virtual museum of old family knickknacks and antiques. 
Candles, books, and various porcelain ornaments surrounded the highly-priced
furniture and for some reason, Xander insisted on touching whatever
breakable items were in arm's reach.

"God- could you have any more painted glass around this place?"

"Well I won't if you keep touching everything!" she snaps, snatching the
small glass tree he was tossing in his hands.  "Just...don't touch anything
that looks valuable, okay?"

"Valuable?"

"You know- as in anything that could be considered above *your* price range.
  So pretty much everything in the house qualifies."

"You know what-" Xander angrily puts down the porcelain bear his hands were
fumbling with, "you are the most-"

"Okay- do you think we can hold off on the world war until tomorrow?" Buffy
intervenes, already knowing that before their two days were up, Xander and
Cordelia would come to blows.

"Guys..." she turns to address the others as she sets the tree back down on
its table.  "Just make yourselves at home.  You can decide which rooms you
want to take- mine's straight down there at the end of the hall."

"You mean that extra really big one with the balcony?" Willow passes her a
look.

"Hey- be grateful any of you are even here," she answers the redhead's
stare.  "If it weren't for me, you'd probably all be at some lame party for
freaks-anonymous."

"And what's it saying about you when you were the one to invite us freaks to
spend two days with you when you could've invited Harmony, Anya, and all
those other flakes?"  Momentarily stunned by Buffy's quick retort, the
brunette decides to change the subject.  "Anybody feel like something to
eat?"

"Pizzas are always a good standby," Willow offers, settling down onto the
couch with Oz.

"Great," Buffy stands, grabbing Angel's hands along with her.  "I saw a
pizza place about a block away.  Looked like they were still open.  We'll go
get a couple."

"We will?" Angel raises an eyebrow at her, yet still allowing himself to be
dragged towards the front door.

"Sure," she smiles, wrapping her arms around his waist.  "I think a little
walk would do us good."

"Why do I get the feeling that it's going to be more of a smooch-fest
instead of a walk to get food to feed your starving friends?!" Xander shouts
to them, watching with a disgusted look as the two head out the door,
already in the middle of a make-out session.  "Whatever.  I just hope they
come back with food!"  His girlfriend passes him a sudden glance, somewhat
sharing his sentiments.

"I just hope they find the time to come back in between kisses period!"

******

"Buffy..." Angel pulled away from their kiss long enough to just breathe out
her name.  "Mmm...Buffy?  Aren't we supposed to be...bringing the pizzas
back?"

"They'll stay hot," she passes the two boxes a glance before capturing
Angel's lips again.

"I would think after twenty minutes the heat would kind of wear off," he
smiles, just imagining Xander's angry glare and whining back at the beach
house- an image that gave him all the more reason to continue his activities
with Buffy.

     Finally realizing that they'd been gone for almost an hour, the lovers
share a final short but sweet kiss before heading back to the house.  As
they walked along the pier, with only a few houses left before reaching
Cordelia's, Buffy couldn't help but appreciate the view.  Although it was
close to 11 at night, she could still clearly make out the waves that were
rolling in gently.  Angel was too busy appreciating her rather than the
scenery, enjoying the almost serene look on her face.  He could hardly
believe that such a young, gentle young woman could be the fierce warrior
that she was.

"So whadya think?" her voice brought him to attention as she pulls him over
by the arm to get a closer glimpse.  "Pretty peaceful, huh?"

"Yeah...even better than I remember.  Probably because you're here with me,"
he sets down the two boxes on a nearby bench, wrapping his now free arms
around her, taking a moment to fully appreciate all that he'd been given in
Buffy. He lovingly looks down into Buffy's eyes, seeing the same love he has
for her reciprocrated for him in her glossy eyes.  Buffy pulls Angel into
hug, running her hands through his hair as he leans in for a soft kiss. 
"Okay..." he wills himself to pull away as the kiss lingers on.  "Unless we
want everyone to send out a search party for us, we'd better finish this at
home.

"Oh fuck them," she giggles, pulling him back in for another kiss.

"Buffy!  I'm surprised at your language!  You know, everyone thinks you're
so prim and proper...now I've got a thing or two to tell them about you and
the words that come out of your cute little mouth somtimes when we get
back."

"You might want to rethink doing that...unless you'd like this cute little
mouth to limit it's 'visitations' with your cute little mouth," Buffy
threatens, inching closer to his face.

"Duely noted," Angel says and he captures her lips, laughing, in a
passion-filled kiss.

"I knew it!!  I...knew...it!!"  Xander's semi-naked form came storming onto
the pier.  Clad only in his boxers, the highly upset young man was shivering
slightly from the cold breeze coming off of the ocean as he approached the
two.  "You two probably never even made it to the pizza place!  Now what are
we gonna eat!"

"What do you call those?" Buffy points towards the two boxes resting on the
green bench, passing Xander a glare.  Without hesitation, Xander grabs the
pizzas, pacing his way back to the house, still yelling.  "First my big
loss, and now this!  And to think- an entire two days with these two wild
bunnies!"  He looks towards the sky, beginning to shout to whoever was
listening.

"What did I do to deserve this, huh!  What else do you have in store for me
this weekend?  A few bolts of lightening maybe?!"

"You should be so lucky!" Angel shouts after him.

"Oh zip it, Deadboy!  If you two were able to go one minute without touching
each other, I would've already eaten and been in bed by now!"  Buffy and
Angel merely shake their heads in laughter as they follow behind him from a
distance, already looking forward to what the next morning would bring.

"Hey guys!" Willow welcomed the couple back.  "Sorry about Xander springing
on you like suburban commando or something.  We tried to stop him from going
out.  Buffy- there's still some pizza left in the kitchen.  Angel,
there's..." the redhead thought for a moment about what food to offer him. 
"Umm...there's..."

"It's okay," he grins, sensing her awkwardness as to just what he would be
eating in the house.  "I...fed...this afternoon before the prom.  And
I...brought my own...container, just in case."  He walks over to his bag
beside Buffy's, reaching in to retrieve a small plastic container.  As he
walks into the kitchen to place it in the fridge, a painfully loud sneeze
erupts from the living room.  He turns at the sound, seeing Cordelia eyeing
Xander suspciously.

"Look at me," she demands, grabbing his chin in her hands to observe his
features.  "You're getting a cold!"

"What?" Xander screeches out, reaching for a tissue in the process.  "I am
not!"

"Yes you are!  I can tell these things- I have a sixth sense."

"I thought that was only when it comes to shopping," he argues, sitting up
with his plate.  "I'm going to bed.  I think I've had just about all I can
take tonight."  Watching as he heads towards her own room, Cordy jumps up to
grab his arm from behind.

"Oh no- you are *so* not sleeping with me tonight!  You're not gonna get me
sick with all your disgusting germs!"

"I am *not* sick!"

"Define sick..." Angel whispers to Oz, the two usually taciturn men having
developed a strong friendship over the past year.

"Icck!  Don't touch me!" Cordy brushes away his hands as she races into her
bedroom, slamming the door behind her.  After a few seconds, the door opens,
much to Xander's delight.

"I knew you were only playing- umph!!"  The flying pillow and blanket almost
whacked him off balance as he turns back towards the living room, a nervous
smile breaking out across his face.  "I'm gonna...sleep out here tonight,"
he explains, still nervously grinning as he slouches down between Oz and
Willow.  "So...anyone want to watch a movie or something?  Maybe play some
cards?"

     Willow and Buffy share a look of panic as they grab their boyfriends
and head back towards their own rooms.  "Guys!!  Come on!  I am not getting
sick!!  It was just a sneeze!!"  His pleas go unnoticed as the couples
continue walking.  "Geez...I don't even know why you're so worried, Angel!! 
It?s not like you can even get sick!!"

"I may not be able to get sick *from* you, but trust me, I can get plenty
sick *of* you," he chuckles, picking up Buffy from behind, slamming their
bedroom door behind them.

"No good, lousy..." Xander mutters to himself, soon finding that late night
tv had very little to offer at one in the morning.  "Mom said there'd be
days like this..."
 
Part 7
 
Buffy lay in the quiet darkness, too content to open her eyes, and
wondered idly why she was awake at such an early hour in the morning.  A
welcome summer sun peeked in through a corner of their heavily-covered
windows and she could feel the tiny fragment of weak brightness on her
eyelids as she slowly woke.  When she finally opened her eyes, lying on her
side facing Angel, Buffy kept as motionless as she could, unwilling to
disturb the priceless scene before her.  For some reason, she felt no
inclination to get out of bed just yet, electing, instead, to memorize the
smile that crossed her lover's face as he held her in his arms.

     Last night, she wanted to melt into him, become a part of him; to be
his heart.  There were no words that could express what it was about him
that had stolen into her soul and woven him so inextricably within her very
being.  She had known him far more intimately than any others.  But, it went
beyond, and was more than the physical sharing of their bodies.  It was the
joining of everything that made them what they were, separately, and fused
into one living wholeness.  He was what made her life truly beautiful.

     She leans her head against his shoulder, smiling as she feels his head
bend slowly toward her mouth, capturing her lips in a kiss.  "Morning..."

"Morning..."  She leans up to give him another kiss, and snuggles into his
chest, planting several kisses there, until finally laying back down ontop
of him, hoping to catch a few more minutes of sleep.  Her disappointment in
not being allowed to do so was clearly evident as she moaned her protest at
Angel sliding out from underneath her, pulling on a pair of boxers, headed
down the hall.

"Mmm...just five more minutes?" she mumbles into his pillow, making sure she
moaned loud enough for him to hear.

"Come on," he calls back.  "I'm making you breakfast."  Sighing in defeat,
Buffy hops out of bed, beginning to get dressed.  After about twenty
minutes, Buffy emerges in the kitchen wearing a pair of khaki shorts and a
grey t-shirt.  To keep her eyes from becoming too engrossed in the sight of
her boyfriend, still wearing only shorts, she takes a seat at the table as
Angel turns around, finally noticing her watching him with her loving eyes. 
"Hey sleeping beauty," he says almost as a whisper.  "Enjoy..." he places
the plate of food in front of her, giving her a soft kiss.  Before she can
even take a bite, she notices him headed back towards their guest room. 
"Where are you going?"

"To get dressed," he replies, still walking down the hall.

"Get back here buddy," she demands, patting the seat next to her at the
wooden table.  "Sit with me for breakfast first, and then maybe I'll help
you get dressed-"

"You just want me to stick around to do the dishes when you're done," he
smiles, seeing right through her act.

"Well...that's part of it," she admits.  "But I always enjoy watching you
get dressed..." she says, wrapping an arm around his neck to pull him down
for a kiss, "...though I prefer watching you get undressed."

"Please!" the sudden outburst breaks the couple out of their embrace.  "It's
eight in the morning!  As of this moment I'm making a rule for this weekend-
no PDAs before noon!"

"Good morning to you too, Cordelia..." Buffy greets the waking brunette.

"Well it was until I walked in here to see the two of you sucking face," she
mutters, running a hand through her slightly messed hair.  "Nice of you to
make *everybody* breakfast, Angel," she jokes, stealing a piece of toast
away from Buffy's plate.  She pulls up a chair alongside them, throwing a
surprised stare towards the couch as a loud moan escapes from the body
resting across it.

     Xander stumbled into the kitchen blearily.  His feet shuffled along and
he kept his head bowed low as he made his way instinctively towards the
coffee machine.  Buffy, Angel and Cordy traded concerned glances.  The
brunette's suspicions from last night seemed to be accurate as they
collectively agreed that something was obviously wrong with their friend.

     He flopped down into his chair lethargically, his famed exuberance
tamed.  Just as Buffy was about to question him, Xander sneezed, violently,
three times in succession.  He sniffled and took a sip of his coffee as
though nothing were out of the ordinary.

"I told you that you were getting sick, didn't I?" Cordy asks kindly, though
very amused by the situation.

?Mm fine...? Xander mumbles so quietly that it was almost inaudible as he
sniffles again.  "Wuz fer bekfust?"

"Xander, maybe you should get into bed," Angel suggests, genuinely concerned
about his friend.  "You really look sick."  Seeing that Xander was giving no
response, Cordelia grabs him by the point of his chin and raises his head
without protest.  She leans forward on instinct and places a hand on his
forehead.  He was burning up and she announced as much.

     Once allowed, Xander immediately hung his head again as though holding
it up was too much of a struggle.  ?...mm fine,? he mumbles again, his tone
a little more forceful.  ?Tuk pillz laz night,? he manages to get out before
coughing a few times.

?Xander Harris,? Cordy begins authoritatively, ?you are not going out until
this fever is broken and you can string three words together.  Do I make
myself clear??  Silence follows as Xander's jaw drops open, his eyes slowly
closing.

     Buffy frowned, her eyes widening as she took in Xander?s ragged, yet
rhythmic breathing.  She tries to rouse her friend but knew from the start
it was no use.  If it was a battle just to get Xander to go to sleep, waking
him up was twice the hassle.  She tries to force annoyance into her sigh as
she loops one arm around his shoulders, Angel supporting him from the other
side, and the two began to drag him down the hall to Cordy's bedroom.

     Cordy followed wordlessly, opening the door to her room and slipping
off her poor boyfriend?s duckie slippers when Buffy and Angel lay him on the
bed.  They put a blanket over him and Cordy sits down by his bedside as
Buffy goes to get some cool water and a face cloth.

     She comes back a moment later, laying the cloth over Xander's forehead
as she passes Cordy and Angel a smile.  "Maybe this will teach him to go
running around outside in just boxers."  Angel returns the smile, something
catching his eye suddenly.  He reaches over, pulling a nearly empty package
of Sudafed out of Xander's shirt pocket.  He glances over at Xander's
completely still face.  "No wonder the bottle says do not operate heavy
machinery."

     Cordelia motions for the couple to head out with her into the living
room.  "Now who amongst you is going to question my sixth sense, huh?" she
asks once they all sit down.

"Poor Xand," Buffy sighs.  "I just hope it's a 24-hour deal cold.  I'd hate
for him to be sick all weekend while the rest of us are out enjoying the
beach."

"Hey guys."  Willow, along with Oz, comes trudging out of their room,
rubbing her eyes sleepily.  "What's up?"

"Xander's sick," Buffy informs them.  "We've got him in bed right now, but I
think somebody should stay with him today to keep an eye on him.  Without
giving anyone else a chance to sacrifice their afternoon, Angel speaks up.

"I'll do it."

"Great!" Cordy cheers.  "Problem solved!  If we hurry, maybe we can still
get a good spot on the beach..."

"Cordelia!" Willow passes her a shocked stare.  "Your boyfriend is in the
other room, sick as a dog, and all you're worried about is getting a good
spot on the beach?"

"Xander would want me to enjoy myself," she answers matter-of-factly,
heading towards her bedroom, but stopping in her tracks about midway. 
"Uh...could someone else go in their and grab my clothes from off my bureau.
  I don't want to catch his cold."

"You'd rather one of us get sick," Oz states.

"I knew you'd understand," she flashes him a smile, turning towards the
bathroom.  "When you get them, just toss them in here, will ya?"  The
friends share a frustrated look until Angel starts walking towards
Cordelia's room to retrieve the clothes.  Upon entering, he notices Xander's
eyes flutter open, beginning to wake.

"Angel?"

"Yeah- just have to get something.  Go back to sleep, Xander.  If you need
anything just let me know."

"Whadya mean?  You're gon' be watchin' me tuday?"

"That's right."  Angel's eyes widen in amazement as Xander tosses off his
blanket, helplessly trying to crawl out of bed as he calls out to the
others.  "Help!  Cordy!  Buuffyy!!"

     The rest of the Scoobies, including Cordelia, come running into the
room, shocked to see Xander sitting up in bed, eyes wide with panic.  "Xand?
  What are you doing?" Buffy asks as she approaches the bed.  "What's
wrong?"

"That!" he points to Angel, his ability to speak coherently suddenly
returning.  "*That* is what's wrong.  I'm in bed dying and you're all gonna
leave me with Nurse Ratchet over there?!  I thought we were friends?!"

"Oh come on, Xander," Willow chastises her friend.  "You should be grateful
that Angel's willing to wait on you hand and foot."

"Grateful??  What else is he gonna be doing during the day- sunbathe?! 
You're crazy if you think I'm gonna...did you say 'hand and foot'?" he
raises his eyebrows at the thought of being able to order around the vampire
for a whole afternoon.

"Did I say that?" Willow passes an apologetic look towards Angel who was
already visibly concerned about what her statement implied.

"You know what..." he says after a moment, "it's okay.  You guys all head
down to the beach or the pier for the day.  I'll be fine...taking care
of...him..." he trails off, noticing the evil gleam that was in Xander's
eyes."

"Are you sure?" Buffy asks, hoping he would come to his senses.  "I'm sure
we can just leave him alone for the day.  He shouldn't get any worse."

"I'm sure...and what's all this 'we' stuff?  You're going out today with the
others."

"Angel-"

"Buffy, please.  I'll be fine.  Go and enjoy yourselves.  You and I will be
able to go out tonight after sunset, okay?"  Knowing not to even bother
arguing with him, Buffy sits with him for awhile until the others get
dressed.

     Finally around eleven, everyone was ready to go out.  Buffy followed
the others, turning to face Angel once she reached the door.  "I'd rather
stay here with you..."

"And I'd rather you go out with your friends," he lies, wishing he could
just let his selfish side take over and let her spend the day indoors with
him.  "Besides, you need some more sun...I'm pale enough for the both of
us," he kids, rubbing his finger alongside her jaw.  He softly brushes the
hair out of her eyes and kisses her on the lips.  As he goes to break the
kiss, he sighs as she pulls him back, making the kiss longer and deeper.

"Okay- this is ridiculous!" Cordy's voice approaches from outside as she
climbs the steps back up to the front door.  Quickly retreating from the
opening door, Angel walks backwards, Buffy still in his arms, as Cordy
storms into the house.  "You've already broken rule number one!"  In an
instant, she hastily grabs Buffy's arm, spinning her away from Angel and
dragging her along out the door and down the steps.

"Have fun..." Angel sighs to the closed door.

"Aaannngggeeelll!" Xander's voice, now returned to 'sick-mode' calls out to
him.  "Cun I 'ave sum waater?"  The vampire, suddenly realizing that he was
too generous for his own good, sighs, heading into the kitchen to retrieve a
glass.

"An sum bekfust!"

"This is going to be fun..."
 
Part 8
 
One hour, twenty-seven minutes, and thirty-one seconds later, Angel was
steadily observing the living room clock, calculating when Xander's next
command would be shouted.  He'd caught on pretty quick to Xander's system-
almost every half-hour, his surprisingly recovered voice would cry out for
something else.  Whether it was breakfast, orange juice that had to be
freshly-squeezed, fluffier pillows, ice cream, or just calling Angel into
his room to tell him he wasn't feeling any better, Angel was certainly
getting his workout for the day.  But what had bothered him so much above
all else was the fact that Xander had discovered one particular item
Cordelia had in her room.

*Ding ding ding*

     The vampire made a mental note to ask Cordelia why in god's name she
kept a small silver bell in her room.  <Probably to give her parents the
same treatment Xander's giving me when *she's* sick...> he smiles to
himself, getting up from the couch to see what Xander wanted.

"What do you need, Xander?"

"Took you long enough!  I thought vampires are supposed to have super
hearing or something."

"We have *sensitive* hearing," he corrects him.  "And that bell isn't doing
my ears much good you know."

"I need a tissue."  Angel glances over to the sidetable, seeing that a box
of tissues were clearly resting within arm's reach of the sick boy.

"They're right there.  You can't grab one?"

"Ooohhhh..." Xander begins to moan.  "My head...my stomach...my liver...it
all hurts."

"Fine."  He reaches over, handing him the box, then turns to leave, stopping
only when he hears the bell ring again.  "What?"

"I need a drink too," he says between sniffles.

"You have a glass of orange juice, *freshly squeezed*, right there," he
points to the young man's hand.

"But it's cold.  Can I have some fruit punch...please??" he pleads, stealing
one of Buffy's puppy-dog pouts that he knew Angel always fell for.

"Sure..." Angel sighs, walking out towards the kitchen.  Within a few
seconds he returns, glass of punch in hand.  "Here...now is there anything
else I can get you right now before I sit down to read again?"

"No?nothing I can think of.  What're you reading anyway?"

"I don't really know...I haven't had the chance to finish reading the
*cover* yet," he replies, his tone a little sharper than Xander anticipated.
  Deciding to let his servant rest for a little while, Xander relaxes back
against the pillows, sipping away at his fruit punch with a wide smile. 
<Being sick isn't so bad after all.  So long as I've got good ol' Jeeves to
take care of me...>

******

"So how do you think Jeeves and Xander are getting along?" Cordy asks from
underneath her sunglasses.  The four friends had decided to stroll the pier,
opting to spend the night on the beach when Angel would be able to join
them.

"I'm sure they're fine..." Buffy rolls her eyes at the brunette's comment,
wishing the others would suggest heading home soon.  As much as she was
enjoying her time out with her friends, she would've still rather have
stayed home cuddling with Angel.

"I wonder how Angel's holding up," Oz mentions, stealing a piece of Willow's
cotton candy in the process.

"What are you worried about Angel for?" Cordy asks.  "Xander's the one
that's sick-"

"Oh, you mean the Xander who's your *boyfriend* and who you wouldn't stay
home with to take care of?" Willow blurts out.

"I would've stayed home with him...but...Angel offered to first!" she
asserts, still receiving a disbelieving stare from the three others.  "You
know...it was really nice of him to offer.  I mean- even though he would've
been stuck in the house anyway...just goes to show you how nice Angel is,
right Buffy?"

"Mmm-hmm..." the blonde agrees, still eyeing her suspiciously.  "Wish we
could say the same for *some* people."

"Alright, alright- fine!  Tell you all what...I'll stay home with him
tonight while you all go to the beach, okay?  Happy now?"

"Well gee...don't do us any favors or anything," Oz mutters.

"Whatever.  He'd just better not get me sick!  I don't do sick very well."

"Or anything else for that matter..." Willow mumbles to her best friend.

"What'd you say?" Cordy overhears her.

"I said look at all that funnel cake batter," she nods towards the nearby
foodstand.

"Oooo- let's get some!" Cordy cheers.  "I'm starved."

"We should bring home one for Xander," Buffy smiles.  "After twinkies, I
think that's his favorite food."

"Yeah...I'd say bring back one for Angel too...but...considering the whole
lack of tastebuds thing..." Willow pouts.

"Yeah," was Buffy's simple response.  "Do you know how weird it is that for
someone who can't really taste anything, he's the best cook I know?"

******

"You know, for someone who doesn't eat, you cook pretty good."  Xander was
happily sitting up in bed, eating off of the tray of food Angel had brought
in for him.

"Thanks...I think.  Is there anything else you want?"

"Ooo- some barbecue sauce would be good on this chicken."

"I thought your stomach hurt?"

"It does..." he answers, rubbing his ailing tummy appreciatively.

"Don't you think you shouldn't have anything too spicy then?"

"No way!  I've got a cast-iron stomach.  Besides, that's just one of those
old superstitions.  An old wide tale or whatever you call it..."

"An old wive's ta- never mind..." Angel sighs, headed into the kitchen for
what he estimated to be the hundreth and third time.  "Here..." he hands him
a bottle once he returns.  "But don't blame me when you get sicker."

"Never gonna happen my man.  In the past eighteen years I've never gotten
sick from food..."

     An hour later...

"This is the worst I've gotten sick from food in eighteen years..." Xander
mumbles, emptying his stomach once again in the bathroom as Angel looked on,
letting out a sigh that was halfway between a laugh and a desperate cry.

"I'm really beginning to hate vacations..."

******

*Ding ding ding*

"Well...at least I managed to finish a whole chapter this time," Angel sighs
to himself, setting his book aside as he gets up to answer Xander's latest
call.  "You rang?"

"There's nothing on tv," he whines in between coughs.

"Why don't you read something?" Angel suggests, anxious to return to his own
book.

"Who do I look like...you?  Newsflash Angel- books and vacation do not mix."

<Vacation?  *This* is a vacation?>  "Okay...why don't you play cards with
yourself or something?  Maybe draw, or...play with the fish," he smiles,
eyeing the tank resting on Cordy's bureau.

"And exactly how do *you* play with fish Angel, cause to us normal folk,
fish aren't exactly the play kind of pets."

"I don't know Xander!  Just...find something else to do besides annoy me,
okay?"

"I wanna watch a video!"  Angel looked around Cordelia's room, noticing that
a vcr was nowhere in sight.

"The only vcr is in the living room.  If you want to watch a tape, come lay
out on the couch and I'll put one on for you."

"I don't wanna move!  I'm nice and comfy right here."

"Well Xander, it's either that or me bringing the thing in here...oh no. 
Xander come on!  I don't know the first thing about setting these things up,
and Cordelia would have a fit if I ruined anything of her's."

"Owww!" Xander let out a sharp moan in response.  "My pancreas...my
gallbladder...my lower thorax!!"

"You don't have a lower thorax Xander!  That's only in insects!"

"Well I told you I was really sick!  I'm so sick I'm starting to sprout bug
parts!  Owww..."

"Okay, okay!  I'll bring it in here..."

     To Angel's, as well as Xander's amazement, setting up the vcr wasn't as
hard as he'd anticipated.  Within a few minutes, everything was all hooked
up.  "Okay...what tape do you want to watch?"

"How the Grinch Stole Christmas!"

"It's the middle of June and you want to watch something having to do with
Christmas?"

"Hey- it's an all-time classic movie!"  Angel goes back into the living room
where Cordy's tapes were collected and grabbed it from the shelf, reading
the back of the box as he headed back into the room.  "This isn't even a
movie, Xander?it's a thirty minute cartoon."

"Who cares?  It's awesome!  You should stay and watch it with-"

"Oh no.  I'm good...thanks anyway.  Just?be quiet and watch your cartoon,
okay?"  Xander joyfully scoots near the end of the bed, drink in hand, to
get an upclose view of his cartoon.

     After about an hour, Angel figured that Xander had fallen asleep after
the tape and began to thank god for small miracles.  For the entire
afternoon, he hadn't been off of his feet for more than twenty minutes and
was practically clawing at the door, waiting for the others to come home.

*Clank!  Zapp!*

"Oooopps..."

     Upon hearing the noises and Xander's accompanying 'oops', Angel knew
he'd spoken too soon.  Hopping up from his seat, he raced into the bedroom
only to find Xander's now-empty glass laying beside the fruit punch covered
vcr.

"Xander...please tell me you didn't..."

"It slipped...next thing you know...poof!  I think it's broke..."

"Cordelia...is going...to skitz!!"

"Hey- you've been practicing since last time!  Good use of the word, Angel. 
And here I thought you'd forgotten my little lesson in modern language!" 
Angel's angry eyes shifted slightly up to meet Xander's, wondering just how
one person could be so annoying and clumsy all in one.  "Oh well...no use
crying over spilled fruit punch, which, by the way, I need another glass
of," he asks, shaking his glass in front of him as a not-so-subtle hint. 
"Only, can you make it lemonade this time?"

     Having no other clue as to how to react, Angel wordlessly grabbed the
glass, marched into the kitchen and poured him a glass, making sure to put
in the straw that Xander had consistently reminded him to include with his
drinks whenever he wanted lemonade.  "Here..." he wimpers, handing him the
glass as he passes a look to the broken vcr.

"Thanks- hey, wait a minute!  Angel, what did I tell you before?  The straw
is facing the wrong way..."

"Oh?here, let me get that," Angel smiles, taking the glass out of Xander's
hand and turning it upside down over his head, spilling the drink and ice
all over him.

"What the hell- are you crazy!!"

"I think I'm pretty close to it after taking care of you all day!"  He
slammed the glass onto the bureau, finally having had enough of  Xander's
lunacy.

"Well this is just great!!  Now I'm all wet, and I'm probably gonna go into
a relapse thanks to you!!"

"Oh give me a break!  You're probably not even sick!"  Xander's eyes widened
as he pulled himself off the bed, slowly pacing towards Angel.

"Are you calling me a liar?"

"No...liar is too good.  You're a deceitful charlatan!"

"Hey- if you're gonna insult me, you'd better do it in english!"  Angel
could only roll his eyes as he left the room, willing to just drop the
subject and return to his book.  Xander on the other hand wasn't willing to
let things go that easily.

"Don't you walk away from me!" he shouts, running after him.  "I haven't
thought of a good comeback yet!"

"Xander- let's just drop it, okay?"

"No!  Apologize for dumping that lemonade on me!"  Angel was willing to drop
the matter, not apologize for it.

"After the way you've treated me?!  And especially now that you've ruined
Cordelia's vcr?!"

"On accident!"

"There seem to be a lot of those whenever you're around!"

"Oh that's it!  That is it!!  This sick man's taken just about all he's
gonna take from you, you big...you big...vampire!!"

"You're losing your touch, Xander.  Now I know why you lost class clown!" 
Angel turns his back on him, hoping the two of them would be able to calm
down without saying anything they'd regret.  "Look..." he takes a deep sigh,
rubbing a hand across his forehead before continuing.  "Maybe I shouldn't
have dumped that- umph!!"

     Angel was completely thrown off balance as Xander jumped him from
behind, wrapping his arms around his neck, trying to choke him down to the
ground as he wraps his legs around his waist.

"Xander!!  Aggh!  What are you doing?!"

"Trying to choke you!  Now hold still, will ya?!"  Angel was finding it
difficult to maintain his footing as Xander started punching him on the top
of his head.  Suddenly, tripping over the rug that laid in the living room,
both men are sent spiraling to the ground, continuing their impromptu
wrestling match.

"Get off of me!" Angel shouts, grabbing him by the leg.

"Apologize first you gargoyle!!"

"Do you really want to resort to childish name-calling?"

"Yes!"

"Good- so do I, you simpering twit!!"

"Lousy excuse for a corpse!!"

"Ummm...excuse me?"  The two managed to disentangle themselves long enough
to look up at the front door, nervously grinning as Buffy, Cordelia, Willow,
and Oz all stood, mouths dropped wide open at the sight before them.  "Is
this like quality time?" Oz spoke again.  "Do you want us to go?"  Both
Angel and Xander were dumbfounded, though Xander still managed to keep his
arms firmly gripped around Angel's neck.

"Angel, what's going on?" Buffy demanded, giving the both of them an angry
stare as she tries to hide her amusement at the situation.  "What the hell
did Xander do to you?!"

"Me!" Xander finally released his grip from Angel, pulling himself to his
feet.  "He started it!"

"Maybe it's just me..." Willow shyly speaks up, "but I find that really hard
to believe."

"Sure- take his side!  Don't worry about the fact that your *sick* friend
has been harrassed!"

"Funny..." Oz steps towards Xander, giving him a quick once over.  "You
don't look so sick to me."

"Well who can afford to be sick when they've got the Dark Angel of Death to
deal with!"  As Angel gets up himself, Xander begins walking towards
Cordelia's bedroom.  "I'm going back to bed to get as much rest as I can,
cause I'll be damned if I'm gonna stay sick and be stuck in this house with
him again tomorrow!"

"Unbelievable!" Cordelia tosses her bag onto the couch, throwing her hands
up in the air.  "We leave for a few hours and return to When Wild Idiots
Attack!"

     Xander sneezed loudly as he reached the bedroom, causing the others to
stare down at him.  It was Cordelia's sudden sneeze that finally drew their
attentions away from Xander.

"This doesn't bode well..." Oz surmises, watching as the brunette lets out
another sneeze.

     An hour later and Cordelia still couldn't believe it.  She was a head
cheerleader, one of the most powerful girls in school.  Queen C did not get
sick.

     A wicked bout of coughing was proving it's point to the contrary. 
Xander looked at her sympathetically as they were cuddled together in her
bed.  Somehow, he had a feeling that this was his fault.  He reached over
and handed his girlfriend the Sudafed.  Cordelia stared at it for a moment
as though not comprehending what it was.  Reluctantly, she swallowed two
tablets.  "This sucks..."

"Welcome to my world," Xander muttered drowsily.
 
Part 9
 
"Okay guys...there's some soup on the stove and a bunch of orange juice in
the fridge, so you two should be okay for the night."

"You're leaving the both of us!" Cordy hacks out, reaching for another
tissue.

"You can take care of each other.  Xand's getting better so this will be
*his* turn to start waiting on someone hand and foot."

"Wait a minute-" Xander sits up in bed at her last remark.  "I didn't go and
open my big mouth like Deadboy did and volunteer to play nurse for *her*!"
he shoots a pointed stare over at his girlfriend.

"And just what is that supposed to mean?" Cordelia pouts.

"You wouldn't even stay here with me when I was sick!  Why should I have to
take care of you now that you're sick?!"

"Because you're the one who got me sick in the first place!  Now shut up and
get me some more orange juice."

     Leaving the lovebirds to sort out their caretaking arrangements for the
evening, Buffy turns into her own room, passing by Angel to change into her
bathing suit.  "Xander and Cordelia both getting sick...I never expected
that.  But then again, I never expected that they'd ever wind up dating
either."

"Neither did I," Angel answers, tossing on a white t-shirt over his black
shorts.  "I don't think much of their taste in people, but at least they
have each other...no matter how twisted, cheap, arrogant, and annoying they
may be."  Buffy reemerges from their bedroom in her bathing suit, laughing
at his remarks.

"Plus, they're out of our hair for the night, so that's a huge note on the
positive side," she beams.  "Whatever makes them happy, I guess.  Ready?"

"Yeah...let's go."  He grabs her hand, preparing to head out the door with
Oz and Willow when he suddenly remembers something.  "Give me one minute." 
He races into the kitchen to grab a glass, filling it with lemonade and a
straw.

"Here you go, Xander..." he smiles, handing him the drink as he enters
Cordelia's bedroom.  "Thought you'd like some lemonade.  And I've even got
the straw facing the right way so you won't *spill* it all over yourself
like the last time..."  Without giving him a chance to respond, Angel
happily strolls down the hall to meet up with the others, already outside on
the porch.

"All set?" Oz asks him.

"Yeah...just wanted to get Xander a drink, that's all."

******

"What was that for?"  Buffy tried to sound angry as she yelled at Angel for
dunking her under the wave, but her smile gave her away.  Before Angel had
the chance to answer, she splashes him directly in the face.  Angel rubs his
face with his hands, then submerges them into the water, pushing them
forward and upward, sending another stream of water in Buffy's direction.

     For a good hour, the two couples act like children, splashing about in
the ocean, and dunking each other under the water, trying to make the most
of Angel's first visit to the beach in years.

     As a final splash, Buffy musters up all her strength, and spins around
in a circle, creating a mini tidal wave just big enough to drench Angel. 
When she stops spinning, she notices Angel was underwater.  As she looks
around herself to see just where he is, Angel comes up from the water
directly underneath of her, and Buffy now found herself helpless atop his
broad shoulders as he stood up completely in the water.

"Don't you think you've gotten into enough fights today?" she squeals out,
never knowing her creature of the night boyfriend could be as playful as a
bunch of teens.

"That was not my fault," he insists.  "Xander literally jumped me from
behind.  He said he was trying to choke me," he laughs, running a wet hand
over Buffy's thigh eliciting a giggle from her as well.

"That would've taken a pretty long time...his fever must've made him
delusional," Willow jokes, splashing Oz in the face again.  "Poor Cordelia
though.  Now she's stuck sick too.  But who knows...maybe this will teach
the two of them to appreciate one another.  You know sometimes I think those
two are really good for each other-"

"More like *deserve* each other," Oz reminds her.

"Yeah," Buffy agrees.  "That relationship is like the blind leading the
blind?or the dumb leading the dumber- take your pick."  As she feels Angel
start to shake her from her position atop his shoulders, she lightly smacks
him on the head.  "Alright, alright, you win.  Come on, let's head back to
the house.  We can check up on Twedledee and Tweedledum, then relax in the
pool."

     Buffy slides herself down from Angel's shoulders and onto his back,
wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist, as Angel
picks up their stuff and makes his way back to the house carrying her
piggyback around his back as Oz and Willow followed alongside them.

     Once they arrived back at the house, Willow and Oz decided to call it a
night, volunteering to check on the beachhouse's sick ward before turning
in.  Meanwhile, Angel, with Buffy still wrapped around him, makes his way
out onto the back deck to relax in the pool.

"Buffy?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't think that I'm complaining or anything, but it's going to be a little
rough settling down in the pool if you're around my back," Angel says with a
laugh.

"Ohhh?I see what ya mean.  No problem," she says, and she proceeds to climb
down off of Angel's back, only to jump ontop of him, wrapping her arms
around his neck and her legs around his waist, holding on for dear life as
Angel falls backwards into the pool.

"See..." says Buffy, trying to keep a straight face, "problem solved.  We
settled into the pool just fine."  She runs a hand through Angel's drenched
hair and pulls him in for a kiss.

     The couple spends the lazy evening just holding each other, talking
about anything, from the gorgeous scenery to some new ideas for slaying.

     Buffy's lips soon make their way to Angel's chin as she begins to
deeply kiss his soft spot along the underside of his jaw.  "You know," says
Angel, thoroughly enjoying Buffy's toying with him, "two can play at this
game."  He tilts Buffy's chin up as he relinquishes an arsenal of kisses to
her neck, stopping only at her own soft spot at the nape of her neck to dish
at the same kind of
loving torture to Buffy.

"Mmmm...ok...uuh...you win, you win."  Angel pulls his head up to face her
after she surrenders.

"I always do," he says, giving her a quick kiss.

"Yeah...well we'll see about that tonight," she says with a seductive smile.

     The two sat in peaceful silence as they watched the overlook of the
quiet ocean, the graceful moonbeams glimmering as they hit the ocean's
horizon, disappearing into shattered fragments of white and crystal blue.

******

     By early the next morning, Xander was feeling almost one hundred
percent better.  Cordelia on the other hand was an absolute mess.  "You?re
just going to rest today," he informs his girlfriend, leaning over in bed to
brush his hand across her forehead as she sneezed.  "How do you feel?"

"Ugh," was Cordy?s weak reply.  "Like an ogre?s tap dancing on my head." 
Xander couldn?t help but smile at her typical dramatic reply.  As much as he
really did love Cordelia, the two often spent most of their time arguing and
this was probably the longest they had ever gone without fighting.

     Cordy sneezes loudly, groaning and resting her head against the pillows
to gaze at the ceiling.  "Why do these kind of things always happen to me? 
What did I ever do to anyone?"

"You starting to feel like that too?" Xander chuckles.  "You'll be fine by
this afternoon...maybe we'll even get a chance to go on the beach together
this weekend after all.  I was starting to think I would've been better off
just staying-"

"Xander, do you mind?  We're talking about *me* here, remember?  The really
sick one?"

"Oh- like I'm the picture of health?!  I'm still sick ya know!"

"Not sick enough to stay in bed with me all day, and I know that's what
you're planning on doing!  I barely got any sleep last night because of all
your tossing and turning.  I mean, it's bad enough I had those two wild
bunnies' moaning to deal with.  So just shut up and get me some breakfast
would ya?"

"If it'll shut you up..." he mumbles, getting out of bed to head for the
kitchen, cringing as he heard the sudden ringing coming from her bedroom. 
<I knew I should've hidden that bell in a better place...>

     Smiling to himself as he heard the familiar sound, Angel runs his
fingers through his lover's hair, sighing down at her sleeping form as he
wraps his arm around her, snuggling back down into the covers with her. 
With his lips pressed against her back he smiles as he feels the vibrations
of the soft sigh escaping her lips.  "Hmmm...I hear bells?" she tiredly
announces, rolling over to face him.

"I think Xander's finally getting a taste of his own medicine," he laughs,
lightly brushing lips with the beauty he held firmly in his arms.

"It would serve him right," Buffy giggles, nuzzling against Angel's neck. 
"But I still feel kinda bad for him.  I mean, when it comes right down to
it, Xander's really a great friend and he's really gotten the full shaft job
this week."  Hearing his moan of agreement, Buffy's eyes dart up with an
idea.  "You know what would be really great?  What if tonight before we
leave..."  After hearing her plans to surprise Xander, Angel had to admit he
thought the young man deserved some sort of compensation for everything that
had happened to him.

"Hey Angel!"  Xander's steady pounding at their door wasn't helping the
couple capture a few more peaceful moments of sleep.  "Do you know how to
make french toast?"

"You were saying..." Angel sighs, sharing an amused look with his beloved.

"I said he was a great friend...I didn't say he wasn't annoying as hell!"

     Receiving no answer, Xander was still apprehensive about just barging
into their bedroom, knowing full well just how he was likely to find the
over-affectionate couple.  "Angel??  Come on...Cordy will be bitching all
day if I don't make her her damn breakfast.  Do I have to beg?"  Reluctantly
pulling himself away from Buffy, Angel pulls on his shorts, headed for the
door.  "Now that is something I'd like to see."

"Ha!  I just wanted you to open the door!" Xander blurts out, grabbing him
by the arm and attempting to pull him along into the kitchen.

"Xander..."  Angel stares at the poor boy, tugging helplessly at his arm and
soon realizing the vampire wasn't budging.

"You don't seriously want me to beg..." he turns around, somewhat exhausted
from his efforts to move him.  "Do you...?"

"No...I suppose not."

"Good-"

"But I do!" Buffy excitedly cheers, emerging in the doorway behind Angel, a
wide grin plastered across her face.  "So...come on, Xand."  With the
surprise she was planning for him later that evening, she just had to get
out this last form of humiliation.  Seeing him not making any effort to
utter the words to Angel, she brushed past her boyfriend, approaching Xander
to lean on his shoulder.  "I'm sure by now Cordelia has taught you to beg,"
she giggles, finally getting to him.

"You two are gonna pay for this..." he mutters, rolling his eyes as the
words finally escape his lips.  "I'm begging you to help me, Angel..."

"Now was that so hard?" Buffy pats him on the head affectionately, strolling
into the kitchen to sit down at the table alongside Willow and Oz. 
"Oh...and while you're at it, you can make the rest of us breakfast too!"

"Oooo...I want pancakes!" Willow shouts.

"I'm an omlette man myself," Oz smiles.

*Ding ding ding*

"Xander!!!  Where's my breakfast!" Cordy's scratchy voice calls out from her
room.  "What did you do- go to France to get the damn toast?!  I'm
starving!"

"What would it take for you to go in there and snatch that bell from her?"
Xander whispers to Angel as they walk down the hall into the kitchen. 
"Cause I would definitely beg you to do that."

"And deny you the fun of waiting on an ungrateful whiner, hand and foot,
answering to every single ringing of a bell?" Angel places a hand across his
chest in mock sincerity.  "Xander- I like you way too much to deny you that
privelage."  He hands him some bread, pointing him towards the stove as he
sits down beside Buffy, ready to instruct Xander's cooking lesson.

"Hey Xand," Buffy grins, taking full advantage of the situation, "I think I
want some chocolate chip pancakes instead of french toast."

"Oh, and how about some bacon with my omlette," Oz suggests, following
Buffy's lead.

"Muffins are always good with pancakes," Willow chimes in.

"What's this look like to you guys- a buffet?!"  Xander slams down a few
more pans onto the stove in frustration.  "You'll eat whatever I make you!"
 
Part 10
 
"And don't put in too many ice cubes this time!"

     By the time Cordelia had finished her lunch, Xander had made a solemn
vow to never again take advantage of anyone's generosity.  <Well...at least
not for a month...>  "Here honey..." he smiles through gritted teeth. 
"Here's your juice."

"Bout time- wait...did you just call me honey?" Cordy sits up in bed to grab
the drink from him.

"Huh?  Well...yeah, I guess I did," his eyes glance over her with a sweet
glint, hoping his term of endearment could possibly change her irritated
mood.

"Aww...that's really sweet, Xand," she shyly smiles, leaning over to give
him a quick kiss before he turns to leave.  "Hey wait- this has four ice
cubes in it!  I only wanted two!" she shouts, resorting back to her typical
Queen C fashion.  A frustrated Xander walks back over to her bed and reaches
in a hand to remove two of the ice cubes.

"Well don't do that!  You think I'm gonna drink it now that your hand's been
in it?!"  Silently wondering how Angel was able to put up with this kind of
abuse yesterday, Xander simply tilts his head to the side, giving his
girlfriend a silly grin and laugh.  "You know what...you can get your own
damn drink, *honey*..."  He inches his face closer to her's as he casually
slips a hand down the back of her shirt, releasing the ice cubes he held. 
"I quit!"

"Xander Harris!!"  As she flails around in bed to remove the ice from her
skin, she continues shouting after him.  "You get back here you little toad!
  Uggh!  Why I even gave you the time of day is beyond me!!"

     Ignoring her latest round of complaints, Xander slowly found his way
into Buffy and Angel's room, spotting Angel sitting on the bed, appearing to
be drawing something.

"Oh- Xander," Angel looks up from his sketch, shifting a bit on the bed. 
"You startled me..."

"Didn't think that was possible."  He walks over to him, sitting on the edge
of the bed.

"Are Buffy and the others back yet?"

"Nah...probably stopped to get some lunch or something."

"Gee..." he sighs in the sarcastic voice he'd been picking up from both his
girlfriend and Xander, "I can't imagine they'd still be hungry after that
*wonderful* breakfast you made them."

"And how would you know?  You didn't even taste any of it!"

"No, but listening to everyone else's complaining was enough to give me a
taste," he grins, picking up his pencil again.

"Ha freakin' ha!  So what're you drawing?"  Angel turns the pad around to
show him the almost completed scene he was drawing from memory.  "Hey?that's
pretty good.  Needs a little color though...oceans always look better when
they're blue."

"Hello?  Where's everyone?"  As the sound of Buffy's voice wafted down the
hall, Angel left Xander staring at his sketchpad as he went to greet her.

"Hey," he leans in to give her a gentle kiss.  As their embrace becomes more
heated, Willow and Oz cleared their throats from behind Buffy.  "Hey
guys..." Angel finally acknowledges them, taking a few of the bags Oz was
carrying and placing them onto the kitchen table.  "Did you get everything
for tonight?"

"Yep," Willow answers him.  "Buffy even got the special thingy made up at
this store on the pier.  It's really shiny.  Xand's really gonna like it-"

"Xand's gonna like what?"  The four turn to see their friend coming down the
hall, headed straight for the bag-covered kitchen table.  As he goes to peek
into one of the bags, Buffy quickly slaps away his hand.

"We were just saying how you're gonna like picking up dinner for us
tonight," the slayer quickly covers, hoping he hadn't heard all of their
conversation.

"Hey- I thought maybe I'd make dinner for us tonight.  I'm kinda getting
into the whole cooking deal...thought I'd try my hand at some seafood
tonight.  Sound good?" he asks, immediately noticing everyone's
apprehension.

"Uh...well..." Will tries refusing his offer as gently as possible, not
wanting to be the one to crush his hopes.

"You're cooking sucks!!!"  Hearing Cordelia's tactful shout as the brunette
comes trodding into the kitchen, blanket wrapped around her, Willow can only
nod her head in agreement along with the others.  <Why worry about crushing
Xander's spirits when we've got Cordelia around?>

"Well look who finally decided to crawl from her lair..." Xander grins,
taking in his girlfriend's disheveled state.  "The creature from the black
lagoon."

"Oh, drop dead you scum," she groans, brushing straight past him to take a
seat on one of the stools.

"I take it you two are still fighting?" Buffy asks as she takes a seat on
Angel's lap, feeling bad that she had left him alone to deal with the
bickering couple for the afternoon.

"It's what we do best," Xander answers.

"Speak for yourself!" Cordy snaps back.  "I never knew there was anything
that you could do best!"

"You know, I've got half a mind to-"

"Oh that's good!  Maybe in another 18 years you'll develop the other half!"

"Hold it!" Buffy hops up from Angel's lap to step between them, stretching
her arms out to keep them from striking distance.  "Cordelia, why don't you
just go back to bed and try and get some more sleep, and Xand, you can-"

"I'm not going back to bed!" Cordy cuts her off.  "I've been stuck in there
for the whole day!"

"Fine- go curl up on the couch or something with Will and Oz.  Xand, you can
go grab us dinner now.  Everybody happy?"

"Does it matter?" Xander retorts.  "I haven't been happy since I had my big
moment stolen at the prom.  And then after being stuck here with the Angel
of Death and Miss Sunshine," he throws a stare at Cordy, already sprawled
out on one of the couches in the living room, "I can't imagine a better
vacation or a faster road to suicide!"

"Just go get dinner, Xander," Angel cuts in, not really appreciating the
tone his voice was taking as he argued with Buffy.  "Maybe the walk will
help you blow off some steam, huh?"  Only slightly surprised by Angel's
overprotective defense of Buffy, Xander heads for the door, turning back
around with a sly glint in his eyes as he turns the knob.  "Say Angel- why
don't you grab a *video* for everyone to watch," he suggests, noticing the
vampire's immediate angry glare.

"Good idea, Xand," Willow smiles, looking for the vcr.  "Hey wait..."

"Where's my vcr?" Cordy lifts her head from the stack of pillows she was
resting against.  "You heard me- what happened to my vcr??"

"Xander!" Angel yelled, letting out a low growl as he saw him quickly shut
the door behind him, racing off to the pier, thanking god that the sun
hadn't set yet, preventing Angel from pursuing him.  <That should fix him. 
Let's see how much *he* likes the wrath of Queen C...>

******

     By the time Xander returned with dinner, the sun was just beginning to
set and he blinked a few times as he approached the front door.  <I just
hope Angel's not too mad...>  But as he went to turn the doorknob, he found
it to be locked.  "Guys..." he shouted, still fumbling with the knob. 
"Hello?  I've got food..." he tried coaxing them out, but received no
answer.

     He decided to try his luck at the back door, balancing the paper bags
he held in both hands as he tries the knob, only to find it locked as well. 
Fed up, he drops the bags to the ground, beginning to pound on the door. 
"Guys!!  Come on!  Lemme in!"

"Xander?" he hears Angel's voice call.  "Hold on- I?m coming."  Picking up
the bags, Xander grabs the doorknob just as Angel opens it and pushes
straight past him.

"Ahhh..." Angel jumps back a bit, not having a chance to pull away from the
door as Xander, as well as a bright glare of remaining sunlight struck his
face.  "Xander...be careful."

"After leaving me to stand outside all that time I oughta toss you straight
out into it, Deadboy!" he snaps, tossing the bags onto the kitchen table. 
"Why's it so dark in here anyway?  Where is everyone?"

"Asleep," Angel answers, still rubbing a hand across his streaked forehead.

"Asleep?  It's only seven!"

"Well...we finished watching the movie, and-"

"And you're still alive...er, umm...well, as alive as you can be?  Cordelia
didn't kill you?"

"Once I explained what happened?she said she'd deal with you later."  Seeing
Xander's shocked face turn even paler, he continued.  "Everyone was just
really tired and-"

"And decided to turn in before I even got home?  Typical!  Just typical!!"

"Xander-"

"You know what, I don't wanna hear it, especially from you!  This whole week
has been pick-on-Xander week, and I'm sick of it!  First the prom, than I
get sick, then I get attacked-"

"Excuse me?  Who was the one who jumped on *my* back first?"

"Whatever!  Then Cordelia turns me into her personal french maid..."

"Thank god she didn't make you actually wear the outfit..." Angel mumbles
under his breath though Xander clearly heard it.

"Okay- I may have to take everyone else's crap, but I'm not taking anymore
of yours!"  WIthout another word, Xander charges Angel, spearing him to the
ground and rolling with him into the living room.  The two are so caught up
in picking up where they left off the last time they met in battle that the
sudden burst of light in the room takes them both by surprise.

"Here's that quality time thing again..." Oz grins, trying to hold his
laughter at the familiar sight of Angel and Xander entangled on the floor. 
As Xander looks up, he finally notices the balloons and decorations that
filled the living room.

     From the ceiling hung a long banner reading "We Love You Xander" in
bold letters and Cordelia was standing in a fit of giggles holding what
appeared to be, upon closer inspection, a small plaque with his name on it.

"What's goin' on?" he asks, removing his hands from Angel's leg as he
adjusts his position a bit.

"A surprise party..." Willow answers, still standing in disbelief at the
sight before her.

"For you..." says Buffy, eyeing her lover laying with an amused smile on his
face from underneath Xander.

"Surprise..." Angel adds, trying to crawl out from under the guest of honor.
  Xander makes no attempt to move as his eyes dart from each one of his
friends to the beautiful scene they'd created for him.

"Oh...boy...do I...look...stupid..."

"I've been telling you that for years..." Cordy replies, still laughing at
her boyfriend's jaw dropped wide open to the floor.  "You're just now
realizing it?"
 
Part 11
 
After pulling a very shocked Xander off of Angel, the friends gathered
around to give him the small but thoughtful gift Buffy had picked up for him
on the pier.  "You guys did all this for me?" he smiles, running his hand
over the plaque's small inscription- The Scoobies' Funniest Friend.  "Wow
guys...I- I really don't deserve this."

"You're telling me-" Cordy agrees.  "You've done nothing but whine,
complain, and annoy all of us for as long as I can remember.  Plus, you got
*me* sick, which is a severe offense in itself!  But..." her face breaks out
into an earnest smile as she wraps her arms around his neck.  "You're still
a great friend...and a great boyfriend," she reaches up to give him a quick
kiss.  "And you'll always be our favorite clown, so we just had to throw you
a party."

"Aww..." Xander sighs, capturing her lips in another kiss.

"And besides- we've gotta have a little more fun and excitement before we
head back to the ever so pleasant hellmouth tonight.  So come on- someone go
grab the food.  I'm starving!"

"I'll get it," Buffy and Angel offer simultaneously, grinning as they reach
for each other heading into the kitchen together.  "This was a really great
idea you came up with," Angel smiles, more intent on grabbing her instead of
everyone's food.  "I think Xander's really surprised."

"Try more like stunned," she laughs.  "Especially after he tried choking you
to the ground again right in the middle of his own surprise party.  What is
it about you getting beat up all the time, huh?  I mean, what kind of guy am
I dating when he gets attacked by Xander all the time?" she teases, leaning
back into his embrace.

"*Sneak-attacked*," he defends, turning her around in his arms.

"Excuses, excuses..."  She grins playfully as she pulls him in for a kiss. 
Being so caught up in one another, they never hear Cordelia walk in until
she's standing right beside them.

"Please!  There's *no* excuse for the two of you!" she blurts out, grabbing
the few bags they'd brought back from the pier.  "Just don't get any ideas
with my kitchen table, okay!"

"Cordelia..." Buffy grabs hold of Angel's hand as they stroll past the
brunette.  "It's way past noon so we're not breaking any of your *rules* so
just let us enjoy, ok?"

"You two can enjoy all you want!  But why should we be forced to listen to
it?!" she calls down the hall to them, letting out a frustrated growl as she
watches their door slam shut behind them.

"Willow...turn up the music, will ya?" she pleads, putting down everyone's
food and rolling her eyes as she can already hear Buffy's giggles.  <Thank
god we're leaving in a few hours.  It'll be nice to get some sleep without
having to put up with *that*! >

******

     By around eleven-thirty, everyone had agreed that they'd better start
back for Sunnydale if they wanted to get enough sleep for school the next
morning.  "Why are they even making us go to classes tomorrow?" Xander
complains, helping the others to clean up from the party.  "I mean, don't
they realize that after prom weekend we all need a few extra days to
recover?"

"Just another attempt by the dreaded school board to ruin our young
lives..." Oz smiles.

"Well, I don't know about recovering from prom weekend," says Cordelia, "but
I'm definitely gonna need some time to recover from having a room right next
to Buffy and Angel.  Is someone gonna go in there and tell them we're ready
to go?"

"Maybe we should just leave them here," Xander raises his eyebrows at the
thought, but his ensuing smile soon fades as he realizes just what
repercussions he'd have to deal with from both the slayer and her vampire
counterpart once they got hold of him.  "I'm sure as hell not going in there
to get them."

"And we've still gotta pack," Willow announces for herself and Oz, already
knowing Cordelia would volunteer one of them to approach the couple.

"Fine, fine!  I always get stuck doing the dirty work!" she pouts as she
cautiously heads down the hall.  "And I don't see anyone throwing *me* any
parties or giving *me* any plaques for what I put up with!"  Letting out a
huge sigh, she turns the knob, already averting her eyes to the side.

"Alright you two- stop whatever you're doing, and..."  Hearing only silence
as she enters the room fully, Cordelia breathes a sigh of relief until she
decides to raise her eyes to the bed, spotting nothing but a huge Buffy and
Angel sized lump completely concealed under the covers.  "Oh god!  Would you
two stop!"  Still hearing nothing, she begins thinking that maybe the couple
had already made a run for it and left their pillows in their place. 
Knowing full well that she'd probably regret doing so, she approaches the
bed, intent on lifting the covers until she hears Angel's muffled voice.

"Cordelia...what are you doing in here?"

"Gee, I'd ask you two the same thing, but my totally scarred for life mind
has already got a pretty good idea."

"We were sleeping," Buffy lets out a tired yawn, not really caring whether
she believed her or not.

"Uh-huh.  Well that's not what it looks like from up here," she eyes the
tangled lump suspiciously, quickly turning away her eyes as she sees Angel's
arm reach out to lift the covers off of them.

"Cordelia- it's okay," Angel says, pulling aside the covers to show that the
two weren't completely naked.  "We started to get dressed, but we kind of-"

"Got distracted?" Cordy smirks, raising an eyebrow at them, Angel clad only
in a pair of black boxers and Buffy covered only by her own undergarments
and Angel's arms.

"No...we fell asleep," Buffy corrects her, snuggling back down onto her
lover.

"Like that?!" the brunette raises another eye at their position.  Buffy was
sprawled out completely on top of Angel, her head resting soundly across his
chest, arms folded underneath of his and her legs straddling his waist,
while Angel's arms enveloped her, one wrapped around her back while the
other was gently resting behind her head.  "How can anyone sleep like that?"

"We always sleep like this," Buffy smiles, placing a soft kiss across
Angel's chest, thoroughly enjoying the fact that she was really getting to
the high-strung brunette.

"Yet another example of how you two are the freakiest of the bunch!" Cordy
yells, lifting her arms in defeat.  "Whatever- just finish getting dressed
'cause we're leaving in a few minutes."

     Waiting until Cordelia is fully out of hearing distance, Buffy raises
her head from its comfy spot, turning to face Angel.  "How fun was that?"
she beams.  "I always love messing with her."

"Mmm..." he agrees, his own smile radiating as he reluctantly pulls himself
out of bed.

"Do you think they'd mind if we took just a little while longer getting
dressed..." she reaches over, grabbing him around the waist before he can
finish getting dressed.  "Like say...another few hours..."  Angel can't help
but laugh as he lays back down with her on the bed.  "What is it?" Buffy
asks, laughing herself.

"Nothing honey, but when you want to, you know, you get this look on your
face and it's just really adorable," Angel says with a smile.

"Oh yeah?  Well when you get, uh...let's say, 'happy' you start to give this
classic snare," Buffy retaliates.

"Probably not as bad as the one you give when I-"

"What?!  Shut up," Buffy says as she playfully slaps Angel's bare chest.

"Well I just thought you'd like to know," Angel laughs at her reaction.

"So exactly how is this snare I give?" Buffy says with a smirk.

"Well I could show you but..." Angel is cut off as she pulls him flush
against her and starts to kiss him tenderly.

"Buffy...as much as I want to, we really should get dressed."  Seeing her
initial pout, he reaches up to place another gentle kiss on her lips.  "Come
on...you don't want Cordelia coming back in here, do you?"

"Not without you being dressed first," she says, crawling out of bed herself
to gather her things together.  "I don't know if you noticed the stares she
was giving you while she was in here, but I sure did."

"Buffy...she's dating Xander," he argues.

"Try telling *her* that!"

******

     Within another hour, the friends are only ten minutes away from
Sunnydale, and Buffy was counting every minute until she and Angel were
dropped off at her house.  For the entire ride back in Oz's van, she'd been
forced to watch Cordelia and Xander groping alongside of her without the
slightest care.  Normally this wouldn't have bothered her.  <God knows
they've seen Angel and I do more than that...>  But after listening to the
two of them fighting for the entire weekend, almost coming to blows on
several occasions, it took all of her slayer strength to restrain from
slapping the hell out of both of them.

"Would you just look at the two of them," she whispers to Angel.  "Happy as
ever making with the major smoochies as if everything was just peachy this
weekend.  I bet by third period tomorrow they'll be at each other's throats
again, and guess who'll have to break up their fight?"

"I'm sure you'll be able to handle it," he shushes her with a kiss to her
forehead.

"First stop guys," Oz calls from the front seat, jumping out to open the
doors for them.  "Been fun, man," he nods his head, patting Angel on the
shoulder.  "Maybe our next group trip will be skiing."

"That's a good idea.  It'd be easier to ditch Xander in the mountains," he
shares a small chuckle with him.  After exchanging their goodbyes with the
others, he and Buffy walk up to her front door, surprised to find Joyce
waiting for them.

"Mom-" Buffy gasps, returning the hug her mother offered as she walked with
them into the house.  "I thought you weren't going to be home until tomorrow
afternoon?"

"I wasn't.  But I managed to move a few things around, got everything
straightened out for the gallery, and here I am.  I was just so anxious to
hear about the prom and your weekend."  She turns, pulling Angel into a
quick hug.  "How'd you enjoy it, Angel?"

"It was amazing, Joyce.  The prom was really enjoyable."

"What about your weekend at the beach?"

"Let's just say it was...interesting."

"To say the least," Buffy adds, nudging him softly.  "Oooo- and look..." she
reaches into her duffel bag to retrieve her small golden umbrella.  "I even
got an award!"

"Wow..." Joyce smiles, reaching in to take a closer look.  "Where are you
going to put it, honey?"

"Well, why don't you start looking for a place while I say goodnight to
Angel," she hints, grateful that her mother was quick to pick up on it and
began scurrying into the dining room.

"Goodnight, Joyce," Angel calls out to her giving her a small wave.

"Goodnight, Angel," she smiles back, turning back around as she suddenly
remembers the invitation she wanted to offer him for next week.  "Oh- Angel!
  I almost forgot- Buffy's father will be arriving in town next week for her
graduation.  I was hoping you'd join us all for dinner one night?"

"That sounds great, thank you," he accepts, beaming from ear to ear as Buffy
walks along with him onto her front porch.

"I always hate saying goodnight," she gives a faint smile, pulling herself
to him.

"Me too...but you need your sleep for school tomorrow."

"I guess..."

"Hey-" he tilts her chin up for her to face him.  "Patrol tomorrow night?"

"As usual," she sighs.

"How about before patrol I take you to see a movie?"

"A movie?"

"Or the mall.  I could take you shopping.  Maybe Willow and Oz would like to
go too.  But not Xander and Cordelia...please.  I think I've had enough of
them these past two days to last me a good few years."

"Okay...who are you, and what the hell did you do with my broody boyfriend?"
she steps back in mock horror.  "Where's all this coming from?  I mean, I
know you're always sweet and romantic, but this is crossing the line into
sheer giddiness."  Matching her huge smile with one of his own, he cups the
side of her face with one hand, bringing her just inches from his own.

"This weekend really helped me to see things a lot more clearly...and not
just how annoying Xander can really be."  Sharing a small laugh with him,
she smiles as he continues.  "Buffy...from the moment I saw you, you
captured my heart.  But I think now I'm just starting to realize just how
incredible that is...how incredible our relationship, our bond, really is. 
Just to be with you...just loving you...I can't even put it into words, but
I'm not taking anything for granted.  I want to take advantage of
everything."

"So no more talk about leaving me 'for my own good'?" she quotes him, using
the words that he knew would come back to haunt him.

"No...I swear it," he whispers, shaking his head softly as he leans down to
capture her lips.  "Sleep sweet..." he whispers, sharing one final kiss
before turning to leave.  "Love you..." he calls back to her, smiling into
the darkness, sure that she would see it.

"I love you."  Watching as he walks back to the mansion, never shifting her
gaze, even once he was out of sight, Buffy's taken by surprise when she
feels a hand come to rest on her shoulder.

"Geez mom!  Eavesdrop much?"

"I didn't hear much..." she grins, wrapping an arm around her daughter's
shoulder.  "Nothing I don't always like hearing from the two of you anyway. 
So the weekend really went well, huh?" she asks, walking back into the house
with Buffy.

"It went great...and I think Angel's finally realizing what just about
everyone's already known."

"That's good to hear."

"Now we've only got one more problem," Buffy sighs, slumping down on the
couch, curling up next to Joyce.

"And what's that?"

"Do you think dad's gonna like him?"

Home

 A Mirror In The Heart | Divide and Shatter | Undeniable | The Nature Of A Family | The New Pet | Babysitting | A Typical Saturday | Scaring The Big Bad | So Long | I'm Good For It | What Makes It Right | Just To Be With You | Doppleganger Duets | Simple Things | Little By Little | Slipping Away | In Rotation | Nothing To Fear | Tomorrow's Light | Euphoria Morning