This Time

by Jill

Okay guys, here is the sequel. Hope you are happy!!! Special thanks to my friends Helen and Carrie who asked for the sequel in the first place. They were sort of pre-reading the story and pointed out it wasn't finished yet. Hope you enjoy!

RATING: pretty much like the show, so everyone should be able to read it
DISCLAIMER: Not mine, don't sue. If I owned them I would at least think that there could be long-distance relationships and not make such a mess! But I own Mike and Andrew and the plot. The title of this story is again a song by Wet, Wet, Wet from their album "End of part one". So it is not mine too.
FEEDBACK: is absolutely necessary. Connemara.Scarlets@t-online.de
SPOILERS: the whole BtVS and Angel-shows. And of course my story "Wishing I Was Lucky". If you do not know it I highly recomend you read that first because it would be difficult to understandthe plot of this one without knowing the other. It should be archived at the Land of Denial. Or if you need any parts just e-mail me.
SUMMARY: Takes places directly after "Wishing I Was Lucky". Last thing we heard was that Angel was human and they went off for breakfast. Well, they went and had also a strole through the city and the park and are coming back now to the office when darkness has set in to find an unexpected guest.
WARNING: CONTAINS ANGST!!!!!

Part One

It was already dark outside when they came back to the office. Their voices were loud on the street.

"I cannot believe you were in the mood to buy stuff, don't you ever stop," Xander teased.

"Hey, we had to celebrate and buying is the best way to do it." Cordelia grinned brightly and was the first to step into the office. She switched the light on and one after one the others entered.

"It seems Spike has finally managed to come out of his coma," Xander pointed out nodding over to the training room where the door was open now.

"I wonder where he has gone," Buffy frowned looking at Angel who shrugged, he certainly had no idea where his childe was.

"I'm still here slayer, but unlike you I can not go off and just forget..." he trailed off. He had come up the stairs while talking to the group and was now standing in front of them, mouth agape and staring at Angel. "Bloody, hell. You were meant to be dead," he finally managed to say.

"Obviously I am not," Angel answered dryly. "Don't you feel well, you look pale," he joked and behind him everyone began to chuckle.

"Yeah, humor me. This is very funny." He stepped closer to his sire. "Something odd is going on with you, your vibe is different... you ... hell, you have a heartbeat," he exclaimed, his eyes widening in surprise.

"Spike, is someone up there," a familar voice asked from downstairs.

"Mom," Buffy asked.

"Buffy," came the answer from downstairs while Joyce was heading up the stairs. During her way up she started: "Oh baby, Spike told me everything, I am so so.. Angel." She took a deep breath: "Okay, now I am confused." She looked at the ex-vampire: "I thought you were dead."

"You know, that line is becoming old. Maybe we should change it for something else," Xander recommended. When everyone glared at him he rose his hands in defense but the grin never left his face. His mood was too good to be destroyed.

Angel smiled at Joyce: "I am sorry. Yeah, well, I was supposed to be dead, but as you see I am not. In fact I am very much *alive*."

When Joyce only nodded, Buffy added: "No you don't understand, Mom. Angel is alive. Alive in breathing, having a heartbeat, eating normal food, alive."

Joyce's face lightened up: "Oh, baby, I am very happy for you. And for you, Angel." She reached out her hand and he took it. "I am sorry I misjudged you so much. It seems I have closed my eyes for much too long. While I am there and I really hate to destroy your mood, but Buffy. Mike came to see me this afternoon. He tried to persuade me to help him getting you back. When I told him I had no intention to do so he got very angry. I think he could become a problem."

Buffy shrugged: "Maybe, but I am not in the mood to deal with him now. And while I am at it," she pulled her wedding ring off her left hand and threw it out of the door. "Now I feel better."

"She is not going to leave me like that. Running off to LA and in the arms of her ex-boyfriend and obviously current lover. That bitch." Mike lay in his bed the arms around a beautiful dark haired woman.

She yawned: "Can we skip that for tonight, I am tired. And why are you talking about her all the time. You have me now, honey."

"Ellen, you don't understand. She. left. me. Nobody does that and gets away. She wants a divorce to be with him. Now I can promise she will hate the day she decided to get me out of her life.

"Okay," his companion said tiredly and drifted off to sleep.

"You are mine, Buffy Summers and you will learn how to behave to your husband." He told the darkness in his bedroom as nobody else was listening.

After going out for dinner Wesley offered Giles the guest bed in his apartment because Joyce was staying in LA and Angel wanted her to have his guest-room, so she could be near her daughter and talk. After all they only spoken some words since Buffy had left her mother's house. The others left and so Angel, Buffy, Joyce and Spike were assembled in the kitchen, drinking some whine Angel had offered his guests.

"Champagne in the morning, whine in the evening. You are turning me into a drinker, my love," Buffy exclaimed from Angel's lap. He grinned and looked at Joyce, who had a strange look on her face.

"Are you okay?"

"Oh... sorry," she looked up. "I was just in thoughts. I am fine. Just thinking. I am very happy, you know. I have never seen my daughter glow like that." She smiled.

"Oh hell, do I have to listen to that the whole evening. It's sickening," Spike emptied his glas with one gulp. Willow had left with Cordelia and Xander and he missed her. Even more when he looked at these two love-birds.

"You can go upstairs or out or whatever. Nobody forces you to stay," Angel said without looking at him. His whole concentration was directed to Buffy who was kissing his neck, sending showers down his spine.

"Well, then I leave. Have a strole round the block, see if I can find someone to beat up. See you later." He weaved a short goodbye and disappeard up the stairs.

Joyce yawned: "It was a long day. So I am going to bed now. See you in the morning." She stood up walked over to kiss her daughter on the cheek. She smiled and surprised the ex-vampire by doing the same with him.

When she had left, Buffy turned to her lover: "You know, she has a point."

"What do you mean?"

"Obviously she thinks you are cute and wanted to kiss you," she grinned with a mischieveous glimpse in her eyes.

"Is that so," he asked playfully, his hands now roaming up and down her back.

The slayer closed her eyes and sighed delightfully: "Yes, that's so," she whispered. She glanced to the table: "Is this a new one?"

"Pardon?"

"The table. It's not *that* table?" She grinned.

He chuckled: "No. Maybe you remember: it broke. Well it broke the first time, but I could not keep it." His eyes had a sad expression for a short moment: "Too many memories. I threw it out after your wedding," he confessed. "It was ... well, as if you were finally untouchable."

She raised her hand and gently stroke his cheek: "I love you. And we should forget all about it, we are together now, truly together and that is all that counts."

He smiled: "You are right."

"You know, sometime you have to show me. It is a long time ago and I cannot really remember how it was. On the table, I mean." The mischieveous expression had again entered her eyes.

"But not tonight, not with your mother only across the apartment," he said but still smiled.

"I can see your point," she said sighing dramatically. "So I have to be patient. But that does not mean, we cannot... I mean." She pointed in the direction of his bedroom and his smile grew to a grin.

"Buffy, we have already lost so much time. I would never loose another day."

With this he took her in his arms. Entering the bedroom he made sure the door was closed this time.

Some feet away Joyce smiled while she was falling asleep.

Part Two

Buffy woke up with the feeling of *warm*, strong arms encircling her in bed. She smiled to herself thinking about the previous night, that was what she had ever dreamed of - it was perfect. Angel had been so loving, so careful and yet so passionate and she had never loved him more than now. Instictively he had felt her hesitation when he touched her intimately. She was still haunted by her experiences with Mike, all the things she had allowed him to do to her. She shuddered slightly thinking back to her nights in bed with her husband, no, no bad thoughts, not anymore. The past was the past, the only important thing was the future and that meant Angel and a better life, she was sure of that. She only wished she could get back Andrew, the only good thing that ever came out of all these past years. She closed her eyes for a short moment having his smiling face in her mind and hearing him saying 'mommy'. Buffy would never forget him.

Angel stirred and slowly opened his eyes. Buffy was laying in his arms, her back firmly pressed at his chest. He smiled, bowed down an kissed her gently on the head: "Good Morning, love."

She turned in his arms: "Good Morning to you." She kissed him again.

"How do you feel?"

"Perfect, I feel just perfect. This is like a dream coming true," a single tear of joy run down her face.

"Why are you crying," asked Angel, his voice full of concern.

She nodded smiling: "I am just so happy. It's almost unreal. I have never been so happy before. The only thing..."

"You miss your son, right?" He gently stroke her cheek.

"Yes I miss him. I wished. But he is gone, I have to move on." She was touched by his genuine concern and his understanding. He always knew what was going on in her.

"I know, but you had hardly any time to mourn him, Buffy. Mourning is a part of the healing process," he looked at her with a very serious expression.

"Are you sharing some wise knowledge with me again," she half-joked although she did not feel to do so.

"It's just common sense, ma grian." Angel kissed her forehead.

"What does it mean?"

"What?"

"You called me something." She could not remember the word.

He smiled: "Ma grian. That means my sun."

She smiled as well: "It sounds beautiful." She snuggled closer in his embrace.

"You are beautiful, Beloved." He sighed: "I think we should get up now." Seeing her frown he grinned: "I don't like it either but your mother is sleeping here and the others will arrive any minute. I have closed the door this time but ..."

"Yeah. I see your point, yesterday was too embarrassing," she blushed again remembering Cordelia storming in Angel's room finding them half naked making out. Standing up she reached for a towel and her bath utensils: "I am going to take a shower. Will you join me?"

He sighed: "Not today. Remember, your mother."

"Oh right. Mom. See you soon," she smiled and shut the door behind her.

Angel got up as well, pulled some clothes on and went into the kitchen only to find Joyce already sitting there with a cup of coffee in her hand. When she saw him coming in she smiled: "Morning, Angel. I hope you don't mind that I did help myself," she nodded at her cup.

"Of course not," he said smiling. "Make yourself home. Did you have something for breakfast?" She shook her head no. "Would you like to have some, let me see," he opened the fridge and got a nauseous feeling seeing the blood standing there.

Noticing his expression Joyce asked: "Are you alright?

"I am fine," he quickly assured her. "It's just funny. After drinking blood for such a long time it now seems to make me nauseous," he shook his head in disbelief and gave her a appologizing smile.

"I can imagine there will be a lot of changes now for you. Angel," she became serious. "I don't want to give you the third degree but Buffy and you, am I guessing right that you are together now?"

He winced slightly but relaxed when he saw that she was still smiling: "Yes, we are. I love her very much and she loves me. I know that you did not approve of our relationship at one point..." He stopped when he saw her rising her hand.

"As I said yesterday, I have learned a lot about my daughter over the last years, well over the last months. One of these things is the fact that she loves you and that you two have a very unique connection. Nobody could reach her in the past four months. You enter my house, be with her for some minutes and she comes back. If this did not teach me a lesson I would be truly lost. So basically, if she is happy with you and I can see she is I am happy with it too. Not that I would have a word in this. My daughter is not a little girl anymore, so she makes her own decisions." She smiled again.

"I know, but she wants you to support her decisions, because she loves you very much."

Joyce reached out and put a hand on Angel's arm: "I am glad we will get to know each other now. I have a feeling I will like you a lot."

Angel blushed slightly and changed the subject: "Coming back to your breakfast. I can see bacon and some eggs in here. So would you like it," he was still standing in front of the fridge.

"That sounds great. Oh, I hear Buffy has finished her shower, I just have a quick run to the bathroom and will be right back."

"Is everybody decent down there," Cordelia exclaimed when she stepped down to the apartment about an hour later. "I am SO not looking forward to repeat my yesterday experience."

"We are good," Buffy replied. "We are having breakfast."

The brunette entered the kitchen and greeted the three people sitting there, sipping coffee or in Buffy's case some juice. She smiled: "Xander and Willow went to the mall again. They said something about seizing the day. Willow wants to buy some clothes," she rolled her eyes. "Although I doubt she can find something without me, but I have to work, right." She shot Angel a look.

"If this is a request for a day off the answer is yes. Why did you come anyway, you could have called and asked?"

"I just wanted to check if everything is alright, you know. No grrrr."

Buffy giggled and Angel sighed, rolling his eyes while Joyce's face had a confused look.

"Cordelia, I am human now. Why would there be any 'grrr' to say it in your words."

"Actually these are Willow's words but nevermind. I am glad everything is okay. So I am leaving. We will come back after shopping in some hours. Oh and something else. Are you planning to go back to Sunnydale?"

"What?"

"Well you and Buffy are obviously together now, so will you back with her?"

"We have not really talked about it yet," he looked at Buffy who smiled. "But as soon as we make a decision you will be the first to know."

"Good. I'm gone now." She gave them her best smile and left.

"Cordelia," Buffy sighed, rolling her eyes. Joyce immediately burst out laughing and the others joined her.

"She has a point, you know," the slayer finally managed to say. "We should talk about living arrangements soon. I mean you have the buisness here and I am still sorta bound to Sunnydale, having the hellmouth and all."

He took her hand: "I know. But we will find a way, I promise. Maybe we look for a house inbetween or I come back and go to LA for one or two days a week only. It's not that there aren't plenty of vamps to be slayed in Sunnydale."

"No," she grinned. "There are. Another idea, I could come and live here with you, in LA I mean. Sunnydale is not so far away, so if there is some big, bad evil we could easily go and take care of it. And with Spike there is always someone who can do the patroling."

Joyce smiled and patted her daughter's arm: "I am sure you will find a way. Excuse me now. I will have a short trip to the mall as well and I have to go back home this afternoon. There is a big exhibiton in the gallery tonight."

"What are we going to do today," Buffy asked Angel when her mother had left the apartment.

"It's Tuesday," he locked eyes with his slayer: "I have to go to jail."

"To jail?," Buffy arched her eyebrows.

"Yeah. I am visiting Faith, I do it every Tuesday. We talk," he explained. "I think she appreciates it."

"You see Faith?" she asked incredulously, but to Angel's surprise there was no anger in her voice.

"Yeah. Do you want to come? I mean, see her in jail."

She thought about it for a little while, then she nodded: "Yes, I think I would like to see her."

Buffy had never been to a jail before and it scared her. So many doors and empty halls, very similar to a hospital. The prison guard showed them to a room and closed the door. Angel pointed to a pair of chairs at a table and both sat down. Only some minutes later another door was opened and Faith appeared, a smile on her face that suddenly faded when she noticed the person who had come with
Angel.

"Buffy," she only said and hesitated in the door.

"Faith," Buffy nodded at her. "I hope you don't mind me coming. But Angel asked me if I would like to go with him."

Faith looked at the ex-vampire and when he nodded she slowly approached the table and sat herself opposite to them.

"How are you," Angel asked.

"Fine," she answered. "Well, almost. Another prisoner, a new one, she attacked me," Faith grinned. "But she never met a slayer before."

"Faith," he said warningly.

"No, not what you think. I only fought back, one punch and she understood. What happened, I mean you are here. At noon."

"I got my redemption, I am human."

Her face lightened up: "That's great. When did it happen?"

"Yesterday." He smiled looking at Buffy who smiled back.

"And you two," she began. "I thought you were married, B."

Buffy frowned: "I still am, but not for long anymore."

"So I guess you are together again."

"We are," the blonde slayer answered.

"Buffy,"

"Faith" they both said at the same time.

"You go first," Buffy said waiting for the other slayer to speak.

"Alright. It's. I just wanted to say I am sorry and that I understand you hate me and all. But you see, I have changed, I had to work hard, but I have and Angel's been a great help. So maybe..."

Buffy smiled: "Yeah, I would like that too," she said understanding what Faith had wanted to ask. "After all you are my sister slayer," she added.

A genuine smile spread across Faith's face: "I will not disappoint you again. I know you reached out your hand to me before and I put a knife in your back. But it won't happen again." Then she looked back at Angel: "I have news by the way. Kate came yesterday. There is a chance that I might be released on probation soon. It's not 100% but most likely."

"Are you happy about it," Angel asked.

"I am not sure, really. A part of me is glad, this whole jail-thing is pretty restricting but on the other hand I do not know what I have to expect. Outside I mean."

"You could always work for me, you know." Angel smiled when he felt that Buffy was squeezing his hand.

"You think so?" She seemed excited. "I mean, you would give a job to me. After all."

"Faith. As you said yourself before. You have changed a lot and it is not a bad idea to have a slayer working for me."

She grinned: "I am not in my best shape. The training conditions here are antique to put it mildly. So the best I can do is running and some other things. I have nobody to spar with me. They are just to afraid."

Angel chuckled: "I bet. We have to go now. You will call as soon as you have news?"

"I will." She looked back to Buffy. "I am glad you came."

"Me too," the blonde smiled. Both were shaking hands. Faith gave Angel a short glance, then turned and knocked on the door, which was opened at once and she stepped out.

When Buffy and Angel were again in his car, he looked over to her: "Are you okay?"

"I am fine. I am glad I came with you. She really seems to have changed. Her eyes are different."

"I know." He smiled softly and took her hand.

"You always felt that she was not completely lost. I am so sorry for yelling at you when I found her in your office. And for being such a bitch then."

He pulled her hand to his mouth and kissed it: "That is the past, Buffy. Let's not dwell on it."

"You are right." Suddenly she frowned: "I have to make a phonecall as soon as we are back at your office. Before I had the accident I was already talking to someone, a friend of my mother's actually, who would take care of all the formalities that are important for a divorce."

"You don't have to hurry."

"But I want to."

"Do whatever you want. I just wanted you to know that you have all the time you need. I would never push you."

"I love you," she said shifting in her seat to make herself comfortable.

"Love you too."

"You cannot buy that, it is so out." Cordelia rolled her eyes. Willow would have been lost without her. Xander stood behind her and grinned all the time. She spun round: "What are you grinning, Harris? Fashion is very important. The right impression can open doors you would've never thought they even existed." She turned again: "Now come out, Willow, let's see."

"I think it is not my style," the redhead answered, leaving the changing room hestitantly.

Xander's eyes nearly bulged out of his head. His childhood friend had never looked so sexy. "Wow," he breathed.

"Oh, Willow," the brunette smiled: "Oz is going to loose it. You look just perfect."

"You think?" Willow was still not sure. She had never worn something like that. The short red dress was tight fit and only held by thin straps.

"Will you look great," Xander quickly assured her and Willow smiled gratefully.

"Why do I bother at all," she said. "It's not as if Oz will see it the next time. He phoned me before we left Sunnydale. They have another gig in Calgary, so they heading for Canada from New York. Only god knows when I will see him."

"The more reason you buy this and we are going to a dance club. All men will go crazy."

Willow's eyes widened: "Oh. But I don't want that. I mean, I want to look good but."

"We understand, but Willow, you are in your twenties. No more time to loose. If Oz is to lazy to see what he has then you should not waste your time with him." Cordelia gave Xander a short smile.

"But I love Oz," the witch stated.

"I know, but that does not mean you have to sit at home. Go out, have fun. You could stay some more time in LA and come with me and Buffy to some night clubs."

"I could stay too," Xander jumped in. "I phoned my boss and got the whole week off. So I am free." Cordelia smiled broadly.

"Okay," Willow said reluctantly.

"Great. We drag Xander, Angel and Wesley with us. And Giles, if we must."

"We could ask Spike," Willow threw in.

"SPIKE?" Cordelia shrieked. All people in the store turned to look at them. She gave them an appologetic look, smiling sheepishly. "Spike," she said again. "Are you out of your mind."

The witch shrugged: "He is fun. I hate him sometimes, but he is fun. If I am going to have fun, he could come too."

"Uhm, Willow," Xander said taking his friends arm: "You remember, Spike, he is an evil vampire."

"And?" the redhead asked. "Angel was an evil vampire too."

"Just a second," the former cheerleader looked at her: "you are not really comparing Angel and Spike, do you? I mean Angel had a soul, exept for a short period. Spike is still evil, the only reason he does not bite is that thing in his head." Cordelia shook her head in disbelief, being without a boyfriend had some really frightening side-effects. Stop, she thought, I do not have boyfriend, I have to be careful.

"No I am not comparing them," Willow said. "I only said he was fun."

"He is annoying most of the time." Xander could not believe what his friend was telling them.

"So are you, well sometimes," the redhead shot back.

"Now you are comparing Spike and me, Willow I think you need some treatment."

"Xander, stop it," Cordelia cut in. "Okay, we ask Spike. It's fine with me. We just have to prevent Angel from killing him."

"You are both crazy," Xander muttered.

"You better be good, Harris, or I make you sleep with him in the training room." Cordelia teased.

"Oh. Okay, I'm good."

"So," the brunette asked: "do you take the dress now?"

Willow nodded, she paid and they made their way back to the office.

Part Three

"Mom, are your sure you do not want to stay one more night," Buffy asked, when her mother made ready to leave in the afternoon.

"I would love to, but there is no way. I have organised this whole exhibition so there is no way staying. I am sorry, honey."

"Fine," Buffy sighed. "I see, you have to leave." The both women made their way up the stairs, the slayer carrying her mother's bag.

"When will you come back to Sunnydale," Joyce asked when they stood at her car.

Buffy shrugged: "I do not know. At the moment I do not even want to think about being away from him," she smiled.

"I understand," Joyce laid a hand on her daughter's arm: "Did you speak to Daniel Gold?"

"I did. Today when Angel and I came back from our visit at the jail. He said he would do what he can to have a quick divorce," she frowned: "he said it all depends if Mike will be cooperative or not. And that is the point where I get a really bad feeling. Mom, I want to be free again, I want to be with Angel now we have a chance, a real chance to be together, to live with each other."

"Honey, whatever I can do, just tell me. Besides we are living in the 21st millennium, who cares to whom you are married or not and with whom you are living," Joyce smiled.

"Mom," Buffy replied in mocked surprise. "What happened to you? Is there a demon possessing your body?"

"Oh sweatheart, I have eyes. You have never looked so happy as you look when you are with him. And that is all that counts." She leaned forward, hugged her daughter and kissed her. "I really have to go. Hope to see you soon."

The slayer hugged her back: "Drive safe, mom. And call."

"I will," Joyce replied getting in the car.

Buffy looked after her when the car disappeared round the corner and went back into the office to find Cordelia busy with her nails and Angel on the phone at her desk. She smiled: "Cordelia, did you see Giles?"

"Giles," the brunnette said. "He and Wesley are in Angel's office."

"Are you okay," asked Angel, who had finished his phonecall by then, at the same moment.

"Yeah, I am fine, it's just, I wished the whole Mike-thing was over." She sighed.

"I know," he took her in his arms. "I am sorry, you have to go through that. But we will do it together, I will be beside you all the time." He kissed her softly and then rested his head on hers.

Cordelia cleared her throat: "Ahem... sorry to interrupt that, but I totally forgot to tell you that we are going out tonight."

"What," Buffy's mood changed immediately while Angel looked slightly shocked. "Where are we going," the slayer asked excited.

"A new club near by. They say it is really great and they have live music," she looked at Angel. "Don't look at me that way. It's going to be fun."

"Fun, sure." He slightly shook his head in disbelief.

"Oh come on," Buffy took his hand. "I am sure it will be fun and besides, you can dance with me all the time."

"Well if you put it that way," he grinned and caught her lips in another kiss.

"Can you two stop that for a minute," Cordelia rolled her eyes. "Spike is right, this is sickening."

"Bloody right," came a voice from the training room.

"Uhm," the brunette began. "There is something else. Uhm... Spike is coming with us,"

"You must be joking," Buffy and Angel said unison.

"No, unfortunately not," she rose her hand in defense. "It was not my idea. As Willow has no partner I thought about Wesley, but she wants to go with Spike."

"Willow?" Buffy could not believe her ears. "The Oz-separation must be really hard on her."

"Obviously," Angel threw in. "And how am I supposed to survive a whole evening with Spike. Can you tell me that?"

"I'll make him behave," Buffy grinned. "I take a stake with me."

He grinned back: "And how are you planning to hide it. I mean you will not wear pants, t-shirt and a jacket, right."

"Oh shit," she exclaimed. "I have nothing to wear. I only took regular clothes with me from Sunnydale."

"No problem, you can take one of mine," Cordelia offered.

"That should do the trick. Cordelia's selection is better than a store," joked Xander entering the office with Willow in tow. The brunette glared at him but he shrugged: "It's true."

"Whatever," she changed the subject. "I think we three girls need to go to my apartment, getting ready for tonight." She looked at Angel: "You will get us there at eight?"

He nodded: "Alright. So I see you in two hours then."

"Oh I have to ask Spike first," Willow said shyly.

"No problem, red. I'll go with you," came the reply from behind the door. Willow grinned and the girls left the office.

"I cannot believe I am spending an evening with you," Angel muttered some hours later looking at Spike when the three men stood in front of Cordelia's apartment complex.

Xander pattet his shoulder: "I am right with you buddy." He and Angel exchanged a smile.

"What happened to the two of you. Has red done a love spell on you?" Spike was confused, he never believed the two men could be civil with each other.

The ex-vampire rolled his eyes: "Some of us can make women fall in love with them, you know. Only some very pittiful individuals are in need of such spells."

"Shut up," Spike yelled.

"Yeah, and thinking he went through all the trouble for loony-tunes Drusilla," Xander mocked.

The blonder vampire growled deeply: "You two shut up now. What do you know."

"After she left him for a slimy chaos-demon," Angel added.

"And that," Xander grinned.

Spike looked at his Sire: "What happened to you. Do you take joke-pills or what? The slayer must be really great in the sack."

"Spike," Angel threatened.

"Found a nerve, mate?"

The same moment the door was opened and the girls stepped out. Buffy threw her arms around Angel's neck and kissed him deeply: "I missed you," she whispered.

"I missed you too."

Cordelia took Xander's hand. They smiled at each other.

When Willow appeared in the doorway, Spike was a loss of words. The dress Cordelia had persuaded her to buy was perfect. She smiled shyly and took Spike's offered arm.

Because the club was only some minutes away they decided to walk. Cordelia had found it one night, they could also have dinner there as they had a separate restaurant.

They were almost there when Buffy's senses suddenly gave alarm. She glanced over to Angel who nodded slightly and also Spike stiffened.

"What is the matter," asked Willow feeling the change in the blonde vampire.

"We are followed," he answered making eye contact with Buffy and Angel.

"Oh great," Cordelia muttered. "We wanted to have a nice quiet evening. Vamps surely have a bad timing."

"What can I say," Buffy said. "The life of a slayer just sucks." She sighed. "Okay, can you come out now. I hate to play games."

Suddenly they were surrounded by 10 vampires.

"Buffy be careful please, this is one of favourite dresses," the former cheerleader exclaimed.

"I can promise nothing," Buffy excused herself in advance.

"What do you want," Angel asked the vamps.

"What do you think, human?" A tall black haired vampire stepped forward grinning at them viciously. Obviously their leader.

"Sorry, the blood bar is closed for tonight," Buffy told him.

"You will die, girl," a female vampire stepped forward.

The slayer rolled her eyes: "This is SO getting old. Can we just skip this conversation."

"Angelus," came another voice and a young blonde vampiress stepped out of the darkness.

The ex-vampire arched his eyebrows: "Do we know each other?"

"I've heard about you."

Buffy sighed: "This is all very intersting, but we have plans for tonight." She reached behind her back and produced a stake noticing Angel's look of surprise and grinning inwardly.

The vampires growled and attacked, but they were all quite new and no competition for the trained fighters. They were dust after only some minutes. Even Xander and Cordelia staked one and Willow helped Spike.

"Well, that was fun," Buffy exclaimed while she was patting her dress to get rid of the dust. "And I do not even look that bad."

"You look beautiful," Angel told her while Spike rolled his eyes, took Willow's hand and pulled her to the entrance of the night club.

"Come on red. They start again and I am not watching it."

Xander and Cordelia followed them while Buffy and Angel were still sunk in a kiss. At the entrance Cordelia turned round and shouted: "Will you come now. You can do this later when you are alone."

Reluctantly the couple pulled away and followed their friends into the club.

Part Four

Cordelia yawned and slowly opened her eyes the next morning. The bright California sun was shining through her window and hurting her eyes so she quickly closed them again. She felt tired and had a headache. Oh God, all these cocktails and to much fun to realize when one had enough. The evening had been fun after the vamps had been dusted. They had laughed a lot, danced a lot and ... okay she had drunk ... too much. Aspirin. I need aspririn. She turned over to reach for her nightstand where the pills lay for any case of emergency which meant one of her visions. Reaching over her body came into contact with something solid. She opened her eyes at once and screamed.

"Mmmm, I like this, I don't ever want to leave," Buffy sighed happily laying in Angel's arms.

"So you are not complaining," he asked playfully.

"Why should I do that? I feel so great. I never felt so loved, so safe and I love you." She turned to kiss him deeply.

"You don't have to leave. You could stay, move in with me, if you want." Angel said, looking a bit nervous. They had only scratched that subject yesterday.

"I would love to." She beamed. "Actually I was thinking about this, you know because we talked about it yesterday. Why should we go back to Sunnydale, or I? As I said before, Spike can do the slaying. He loves it because he can beat someone," she grinned. "And if there is an emergency case we would be there in less then two hours."

"So it is a yes?"

"Yes. I know your heart is in this agency. It's become an important part of your life."

"It has. And I would prefer staying in LA. Are you sure about this?"

She smiled and kissed him: "As sure as I can be. But I have to get my stuff, I cannot borrow my clothes from Cordelia all the time when we go dancing."

"All the time," he winced.

"Hey, we are still young, we should enjoy life. Part of it is dancing."

"I am not young. I am very old," he stated.

Buffy grinned: "But you look young and don't tell me it wasn't fun yesterday."

"It was," he admitted. "Especially a drunken Cordelia." A grin crossed Angel's face.

"Wasn't it. I wonder how she feels this morning, she must have the hell of a headache."

"What is the matter?" Willow stormed in Cordelia's bedroom and froze in track staring at the scene before her with big eyes.

"Ask him," the former cheerleader answered, the tone of her voice a combination of anger and confusion.

"I... I, I have done nothing, I swear," Xander managed to stutter.

"Then why on earth are you laying in my bed," Cordelia demanded to know.

"And in your boxers only," Willow added, still in shock.

Xander looked to the ground in total embarrassment: "You don't want me to tell that, believe me." he muttered.

"Of course I want to know, spill it." For the first time Cordelia looked down at herself and shrieked again: "Oh god." Realizing she was only in her underwear she desperately clutched the sheet over her bra.

"You, uhm...," Xander began.

"Go on," the brunette demanded.

"You remember you were drunk yesterday, right."

"If I wouldn't my head would," she replied pressing the palm of her hand against her forehead. "It hurts like hell."

Taking a deep breath he continued: "Well you were kinda ... kinda acting funny. I had to carry you in your bed because you could not walk anymore."

Cordelia's eyes went wide, she looked at Willow. When she saw her friend nodding she sighed and faced Xander again.

"So I carried you in here and laid you down on your bed and then... you ... you grabbed me."

"WHAT?"

"You grabbed me and kissed me," he said now locking eyes with her.

She swallowed hard: "Are you telling the truth? Because ..."

"It's true, I swear. But nothing happened," he quickly assured her. "Nothing besides kissing and ... ripping clothes off."

"I ripped your clothes off?"

He nodded: "And your own. Your own first actually."

"And nothing happened?"

"Nothing."

"Uhm, guys," Willow threw in. "Do you mind if I leave. I mean you do not really need me anymore, right?"

"Sorry, Willow, of course. I am very sorry I scared you," Cordelia excused herself.

"No it's okay. So, see you both later," she said closing the door behind her.

The ex-cheerleader shook her head in disbelief: "Don't you think I am attractive or what?"

"Pardon?" Xander was not able to follow her thoughts, not at this time of the day and certainly not in his boxer-shorts.

"I mean I offer my body and you don't want it."

"Uhm... I would never take advantage of you, you are my friend, Cordelia."

"Well I am awake and conscious now," she began and patted beside her on the bed. "So why don't you just come back." She looked him deep in the eye, smiling.

Xander swallowed hard and then followed her invitation.

"Do you know about that," Mike Collins yelled when he stormed into Joyce's office at noon holding a letter in his hand.

"I am sorry, Mrs Summers, I could not stop him," the secretary said when she entered right behind him.

Joyce looked up: "It is okay, Denise. But you could do me a favour, just stay with us for a moment. He will soon leave."

The secretary smiled understandigly and took a seat at the conference table.

Mrs. Summers turned back to her son-in-law: "I suppose that letter is about the divorce."

"You got that right. And it contains an injunction that I have to stay in 100 yards distance from my OWN WIFE. Did you know about that?" His face was red and contorted in anger.

"No, I didn't, but I am not surprised. As far as I understand you went to LA and threatened her." Joyce replied as calm as possible.

"But she obviously forgot to tell you her current lover nearly killed me."

"Did he," she arched an eyebrow and the corner of her mouth switched upwards in the slightest smile. Denise tried not to giggle. She never had liked Buffy's husband and the image of him being beaten was just to exciting.

"Yes, he did. That guy is dangerous, how can you allow your daughter to be with someone like him?"

"Buffy is an adult, Mike. She and she alone decides what goes on in her life."

"I tried to phone her, but I only get an annoying person there who tells me she is not available." Suddenly his voice changed completely: "Joyce, I need her, I cannot be without her. She is my life. You are the only one who can help me. Talk to her, she has to remember the good times we had."

Mrs. Summers had a sort of déjà vu, Angel's demon had once used a similar tactic. And Riley had once told her only demons were truly evil, Mike was the living proof that this was wrong, she thought.

"Mike. Buffy does not want to talk to you and I cannot say that I am surprised. Finding my husband in my bed with another woman, I would not be pleased."

"She told you that. Well, I cannot deny it, but I tried to explain that to her, I was drunk that night," he lied. "I missed her so much and the woman seduced me. You cannot know how sorry I am."

"I cannot help you. I am sorry. This is between Buffy and you. Would you please leave now, I have a date in twenty minutes."

"I will," he stood up. "But please talk to her."

"Goodbye, Mike," Joyce said coldly and did not even look up when he left the room.

"He gives me shivers," Denise told her boss when the door was closed.

Mrs. Summers nodded: "He does. Could you please make me a line to my daughter in LA."

Denise nodded and left the room.

"What is it," Angel asked his love when she put the phone down and frowned.

"Mike was at mom's office. He was quite upset to get the letter from Mr. Gold."

"I see," he took her hand. "Are you okay?"

She nodded: "I am fine. I hope he will not bother my mother all the time."

"He called two times this morning," Cordelia threw in from her spot at the desk. The three of them were assembled in the outer office.

"And why didn't you tell me," Buffy demanded.

"Would you have liked to talk to him?" the brunette wanted to know.

"No."

"So, see. It would not have done any good. That guy is really annoying and has no manners by the way. He called me a bitch. I should get a raise for talking with people like these."

Angel quirked an eyebrow at her and ignored her last comment, then he turned back to Buffy: "Your mom can obviously manage him, right?"

"I think so." The slayer was not entirely sure but her mom had not sounded frightened, not in the least. She had been quite angry.

He laid his arm around her shoulders: "I am sure this will be over soon. You say Mr. Gold was quite positive about that."

She nodded and was about to answer when Xander and Willow entered the building. Buffy greeted her friends and was taken aback when Xander lowered his head to kiss Cordelia - full on the mouth. More disturbing was the fact that she seemed to enjoy it.

Buffy looked at Willow who made an I-explain-later face. Angel only shook his head and smiled. He had already noticed that Xander was intersted in Cordelia in a more than friendly way.

"So what's up," Xander asked when he faced Buffy and Angel again.

"Nothing," the slayer answered still in a sort of shock. Xander and Cordelia, wow, she had to digest that.

"How is Spike?," asked Willow.

The ex-vampire shrugged: "Don't know. Since Joyce has left he moved to the guestroom so you can find him there and ask him yourself."

The redhead only nodded and headed down the stairs.

"The surprises keep coming today," came Wesley's voice from Angel's office.

"You can say that," Angel answered him and Buffy giggled getting a glare from Cordelia.

"The vampire attack you told me about," the ex-watcher said while coming out of the office, "it's strange, don't you think. I mean usually there are no vampire groups that attack people in LA. That is more the Sunnydale style."

"What," Angel asked slightly confused. He suddenly realised that Wesley had not spoken about the new romances but pure buisness.

"I said..."

"Yes, yes, sorry," the ex-vampire said. "Well it was not a dangerous attack. All of them were young and easy to dust."

Wesley looked at Buffy who nodded confirming her lover's sentence.

"It's strange nevertheless. I have to read a bit more. Just in case," he said, turned and disappeared in the office again.

"Always expecting the worst, our Wesley," Cordelia sighed.

"It's good to be prepared, Cordelia. One never knows." Angel defended the ex-watcher.

There was a knock at the door and when Xander opened he saw a courier holding a letter: "Is there a Mrs. Collins," he asked.

Buffy stepped forward: "I am Mrs. Collins."

"I have a letter for you, could you please sign here," he gave her a sheet and a pen. When she had signed it he handed her the letter.

After closing the door again Angel looked at her: "Who sent it?"

"Mike," she answered and opened it at once. The second she read the letter, she started to shiver and her free hand flew to her mouth. Angel was at her side in an instant, laying his arm around her waist.

"Buffy, tell me," he said gently.

"Oh God," she only whispered showing him the letter and pressing herself tightly to his chest.

His eyes went wide when he saw the lines.

** Buffy, you want to get rid of me to be with him. So let me tell you I am not done with you yet. You remember our son. Andrew is alive and with me. You do not think the car crash was an accident, do you. I knew you wanted to divorce me and wanted to be sure you would not take my son. The paramedics found a dead two-year old in the car but it was not Andrew. I include a picture of him. You see the date on the front, it was taken three days ago. He is safe and healthy. If you should show this letter to the police or talk about this with the police I will make sure you will never see him again.This could have been so easy and it still is. Come back to me and you will get Andrew. **

The letter was not signed. The included picture showed an obviously scared little boy. He looked so lost, he had Buffy's hazel eyes and her nose.

Buffy began to sob in his chest. Angel handed the letter to Cordelia who had looked at him with big eyes.

The ex-vampire embraced the woman who was crying in his arms and desperately clunging at him: "Shhh," he whispered. "Please love, don't cry."

"He has my baby. Oh God, he had him all the time, he made me believe he was dead. Oh, Angel," came her muffled words from his chest. He hold her tightly and gently stroked her hair. He desperately tried to concentrate on her and not let his anger take over. He had never been so angry in his life, well maybe, but not for a long time. How could anyone do this to a mother. He bowed his head and kissed Buffy on the forehead who now looked up at him with her tear-streamed face, her eyes full of fear.

"He looks so scared, Angel. My baby is alone and scared."

"We will get him back, I swear. Buffy, look at me."

"What," she whispered hoarsly looking him in the eye.

"Do you trust me?"

She nodded.

"I promise, we will get him back. I swear." He tightened his embrace because she was still shaking in his arms. He did not know what had to be done but they would find a way. Locking eyes with Xander and Cordelia he saw the same determination in their eyes.

"That bastard," Cordelia finally exclaimed expressing what everyone felt at that moment.

Part Five

"I could just suck him dry," Spike suggested.

"Don't you forget that there is still that chip in your head?" Xander pointed out.

"Please, calm down," Wesley said. "This will not lead us anywhere. Our first thought must be for the child. When we have him back Spike can do what he wants with this bastard."

"Wesley," Cordelia shrieked in surprise. "I never thought you were the violent type."

"I am not, but this is even beyond my imagination. To think someone plans a car accident that kills his unborn child and almost the mother. And all this to secure the other child because the wife plans to divorce him. This is so sick." Wesley's face was contorted in disgust.

"Uhm ... guys," Willow said suddenly. "I had a very bad idea. He wrote he exchanged the kids, right. Where did the other child come from? I mean even in Sunnydale dead kids do not plaster the roads."

"Red has a point."

"She has," Wesley said, frowning. "Maybe we should check for missing infants," he looked over to Willow. "Could you search the net for it?"

She nodded instantly: "I'm on my way." She stood up and left Angel's office to use Cordelia's computer.

The former cheerleader jumped up as well: "I am coming with you, I have advanced my computer skills a lot and four eyes see more than two." With this the both girls were gone.

"I say, we need someone watching that guy, day and night. To know his schedule. He might go and visit the child and then we've got him." Spike was really pissed. Even an evil vampire had limits and Willow looked so sad, she was really suffering with her best friend - he wanted to punch the bastard's face - right now. He grabbed his head and winced, even a thought hurt, damned chip.

"He is right," Xander agreed. "I say Spike and me leave for Sunnydale tonight. He can watch him during the nights and I am going to do the days. I have the week off anyhow. So why not playing a little detective." He nodded in Spike's direction and the vampire got up as well.

"You can take my car," Wesley offered.

"You have a car?" Xander was surprised.

"Of course I have," the ex-watcher said a little bit hurt. He was not living in the last century. He pulled out his keys and handed them to Xander. "Just one thing. Spike is not driving."

Xander laughed and Spike muttered while they were leaving the office: "No trust in a vampire's driving abilities, that hurts."

"Come on, Spike," Xander gave him a friendly smack on the back: "the Sunnydale sign knows you far to well, even you have to admit that."

Wesley shook his head and took the phone to call Giles and inform him about the situation.

"Do you feel any better now," Angel asked his love. They were in his bedroom, Buffy lying on the bed, he sitting beside her, her hand firmly in his.

"I don't know. I always see his face. He must be so scared and lonely. How could he do that. He made us all believe he was dead. God, Angel. He took my baby away and killed the one I was expecting." Buffy's face was wet, her eyes puffy and red, although she had stopped crying for a while. Now all she felt was despair. It had been hell to live with the thought Andrew was dead, but to realise she had gone through all this and he had been alive. She forced herself away from these thoughts or she would go insane.

"I promise we will get him back. I swear," he repeated the words, he had said in the afternoon.

"I know and I trust you," she said and tried a little smile. "How can a father do this to his child?"

"How can a husband do this to his wife?" Angel added another question. "How can anyone do this to a mother? God, Buffy, I am so angry right now. I am really glad I am not a vampire anymore because this time I had to fear my demon would take over out of anger. I am sorry, I did not want to..."

"It's okay, Angel. I understand and I love you." She sat up and gave him a gentle kiss. "Maybe we should get up and see what the others have done so far. I am sure they are in full research mode already."

The former vampire nodded and they headed for the stairs, hand in hand.

When Cordelia and Willow spottet their friend and her lover at the top of the stairs they smiled at them. The redhead stood up and hugged the slayer tightly. "I am so sorry, Buffy," she said. "But we get him back I am sure. And then Mike will rott in jail."

"I second that," Cordelia added. "Buffy, Angel. We are just researching any missing children in Sunnydale. You know for the child that was exchanged and took Andrew's place."

The couple nodded.

"The frightning thing is how many chidren are missing in Sunnydale. I would have never guessed. There were six in last five months," Willow explained.

"I see. It's a good idea." Angel let go of Buffy's hand and walked over to look at the screen over Cordelia's shoulder. "But there were only two boys in Andrew's age."

"That's right. I have checked the police database. None of them was found so far." Willow recaptured her chair beside the former cheerleader and pressed another button. "You see, only one of both had blonde hair, so I'd say we have him. He just disappeared and was never found again. It happened two days before Buffy's accident," she added glancing over to her friend who still stood at the same spot, arms wrapped around herself.

Angel went back to her and embraced her again. She hugged him back: "I would never make it through this without you," she admitted, pressing herself deeper in his embrace. She felt save and loved. "Andrew would love you, Angel. I wished he was your son, then Mike would have never been in his life," she started to cry again.

"Shhh, please don't cry again. He will be my son, because he is yours and we will love him. You will see."

"I love you so much," she replied.

"I have just talked to Giles and Buffy's mother," Wesley said coming out of Angel's office. When he saw Buffy he immediately stopped. Looking over to his boss he asked: "Is she okay?"

"I am fine," the slayer answered herself.

"I understand," the ex-watcher assured her. "Giles and your mother, I just told them the facts. Your mother wanted to come but I told her not to, because we would all be in Sunnydale soon."

"Thanks, Wesley. I don't know if I could deal with my mother right now," Buffy said grateful. "Where are Spike and Xander?"

"They are on their way to Sunnydale," Cordelia explained. "They will shadow Mike day and night."

"Good," Angel nodded. "Anything else," he added looking in Willow's direction.

"Well, I've got the adress where the other boy lived. I hate that we have to talk to his parents. That must be dreadful."

"We will not, not now," the former vampire told her. "We have to be sure first. We will not tell them their child is dead if we are not hundred percent sure." He looked deeply in Buffy's eyes. The slayer nodded knowing exactly what he meant. Nobody should feel like she did for long four months.

"It is not important at the moment, which child was taken and obviously murdered to serve the purpose. Right now it is enough to know that one child that could easily be mistaken as Andrew, especially if it's face was deformed, disappeared two days before the accident." Angel left no room for discussion and everybody nodded.

"So when will we go to Sunnydale," Cordelia finally asked.

"We go tomorrow. I am sure Spike has it covered for tonight and Xander will take over in the morning. We cannot do anything before we know the location of the child, is that okay with you love?"

"Yes. You are right," she answered. She looked to the clock. "It is already late. Maybe we all should go and sleep now. We have long days and nights before us as soon as we reach Sunnydale." Her gaze rested on her friends.

"Fine with me," Cordelia stood up, reaching for her purse.

Willow pressed the energy button of the computer off and took her things as well: "See you all in the morning," she took Buffy's hand. "You have to try and sleep as well. As soon as we find im he will need his mommy."

Buffy smiled: "Yeah, I'll try."

Whe the girls were gone, Wesley left as well.

Angel looked at his slayer: "Hungry?"

"Not really, but suppose you will make me eat someting, I know that look," she sighed.

The former vampire smiled: "Exactly. Otherwise you will not make it through the days. How about some Spaghetti?" He hold his hand out for her and pulled her downstairs into the kitchen.

On to Part Six