This Time cont - by Jill

This Time

Part Six

Again he drove to Sunnydale, the second time within a week back to the little town he had avoided for years. Both times he had been worried, but this time the worry was accompanied by a deep, almost uncontrolable anger. Stay calm, Angel told himself, you are not helping anyone if anger will contol your actions. His gaze wandered to Buffy who sat beside him in the car. She was finally sound asleep after she had been tossing and turning the previous night, crying and waking from her sleep every now and then. Now she was exhausted and the movement of the car had lulled her into slumber. Willow and Cordelia had also noticed it and were quiet. The four of them had left LA about half an hour ago. Wesley stayed at the agency in case they needed information from there.

Now they headed for Mrs. Summers' house, which was to become a sort of their headquarters. Angel had only made a quick phonecall to inform Joyce they were on their way, she was in tears and very concerned. For Buffy's sake he hoped that she would be able to control herself, the last thing Buffy needed right now was a hysteric mother.

"She looks exhausted," Willow suddenly said, looking in Buffy's direction.

"No wonder. The guy should be tortured to death, very slowly. Hey maybe Spike can find Drusilla and we can give him to her," Cordelia suggested.

Angel sighed: "You are not helping, Cordy. Although I have to admit that similar thoughts have already crossed my mind."

"See. You hate him too."

"I do, but we don't need that right now. We have to try to think as rational as possible, otherwise we will never find the child." He took a deep breath. It sounded simple but it wasn't, it wasn't at all.

"Angel?" Buffy slowly opened her eyes and blinked.

"I'm right here, love," he said, reaching over to her and taking her left hand in his right.

"How long was I asleep?"

"Only about an hour," Willow answered. "We should be in Sunnydale soon."

The slayer nodded and streched her legs: "I wonder if Spike is at my mom's house."

"Why would he be there," Angel asked.

"Oh," Buffy grinned: "he has a bed there, well sort of. Sometimes when he feels lonely he stays there for a night or two. I never understood why but he and my mom like each other. It's strange especially when I think how she treated you, but then Spike never had any romantical interest in her daughter."

"Beside having been engaged to her," he joked.

"Will I ever live that one down?" The slayer rolled her eyes.

"Never," he shot back. "Mrs. William the Bloody, that would have been interesting in signing papers and stuff."

"Thanks," she said with sarcasm in her voice. "To think I kissed him."

"You kissed him," Angel said suddenly jealous. "You never told me you kissed him."

In the back Cordelia and Willow grinned.

"It was only the spell," she quickly assured him.

"Do you remember," Willow said excited. "when Xander was doing the love spell, well sort of, and all women were after him. You practially jumped him - oh, sorry," she blushed. When she saw Angel's gaze in the rear mirror, she added: "That was magic too. Even Drusilla was after him - in a pure romantical sense."

He nodded: "Oh I remember that." He chuckled slightly: "She saved his life that night."

Buffy turned to face him: "What do you mean?"

His face grew serious but still hold a slight smile: "Well, he was in your room and ... err ... Angelus was furious. He pulled him out of your window and threw him on the ground. I ... I mean, he was ready for the kill when Dru suddenly appeared. She was all lovey-dovey about him."

"Drusilla was in love with Xander," the slayer asked. She grinned: "Wow, I have to remember that. I bet Spike does not know?" A wicked grin was on her face.

"Love, I do not like that expression, but to answer your question, no Spike knows nothing about that, he was all roller-boy at that time," Angel said but still smiled.

"Well, you never know when it comes in handy to know the secrets of your friends," she chuckled. She sighed and Angel was immediately concerned: "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I feel better. I did not think about Andrew for some minutes. That really helps, thank you guys." She turned and gave her friends a grateful nod.

They passed the 'Welcome to Sunnydale'-sign and reached Buffy's former home after five minutes. The moment the car stopped, Joyce Summers came out of the door and hugged her daughter tightly: "Oh honey. I am so sorry, how do you feel?" Tears were shimmering in her eyes.

"I am okay mom. Angel had to take all my break downs and the crying. But I feel better now." She glanced over to her lover who smiled assuringly. "Mom, is Spike around?"

Joyce nodded: "Yeah, he is down in the basement."

"Fine. We have to talk to him," she looked at Angel and both headed for the basement.

Mrs. Summers looked at Willow: "How is she doing?"

"Buffy? Much better now. It is hard for her but she is the slayer, she is strong," Willow tried to comfort the concerned mother.

"I still cannot believe Mike did that. I mean he behaved badly the last time, he had an affair and all, but I never thought him capable of something like that."

"None of us did," the witch assured her.

"May I say, I did? I never knew what she saw in him. I mean, look at him, he still wears the last decade's ties."

"Cordy," Willow sighed. "He was really nice. I mean he really seemed to care for Buffy, I was sure he loved her."

Cordelia only rolled her eyes: "Yeah, Xander told me all about that."

"Girls, please," Joyce interrupted them. "Is this really important?"

"No, of course not. We should go in. I am also interested in what Spike has to tell us," the redhead said.

"I think you just want to see your vampire-lover," Cordelia teased.

Willow blushed and quickly entered the house to avoid Joyce's asking gaze.

"So he lives with that woman," Buffy asked the blonde vampire.

"Sure, they went on it like bunnies," he replied. "I saw them through the window. And may I add that I have seen a lot of things in my long life, but he has interesting sexual ideas."

The slayer immediately became pale thinking back what she had endured for too long. Angel's arms quickly encircled her waist and he pressed a kiss on her head to show her he understood. Looking at his childe he said: "How long did you watch them? I never thought you were for such things."

Spike rolled his eyes: "Sorry mate, it's not that I enjoyed it, you know. But I just thought about something you teached me some hundred years ago."

"And that would be?" Angel arched his eyebrows.

"Know your enemy. The better you know him the easier he is to kill," the blonde vampire stated.

"I remember that. So what else did you see?"

"He made two phonecalls, and in one of them he mentioned the kid's name."

Buffy's head shot up: "Do you know to whom he was talking to?"

"No, sorry pet, it was short. But I suggest it was the person who is looking for the boy. I am sure he is fine, luv." Spike reached out and patted the slayer's arm.

She gave him a grateful smile: "Nice to know you care," she said.

"Who cares," came Willow's voice from behind. She and Cordelia were now entering Spike's basement room. The vampire jumped up and looked at the witch:

"Morning, Red," he smiled. Cordelia only rolled her eyes.

"Spike," Willow said, slightly blushing. She coughed slightly and asked: "So do we know something now?"

"He is living with that girl, I think her name is Ellen or something. I really cannot remember," Buffy answered.

"He is living with her," Joyce asked coming in as well. "He is such a liar. He told me yesterday he had made a fault sleeping with her, that he had been drunk. I am so sorry, honey."

"No, mom. I don't mind. He can do with her whatever he wants. It's not as if I would care or something. I only want Andrew back."

"And now Xander is watching him?," Cordelia wanted to know.

"Sure. He took over around sunrise. I'm sure he'll call." Spike sat down again. "Look pet," he said gazing in Buffy's direction. "I am really tired, would you mind?"

"No, of course you are tired," Joyce smiled at him. "What about a nice cup of tea?" She looked around and everyone nodded. When they went upstairs, Buffy noticed her friend was missing.

"Willow," she called. "are you coming."

"Sure," the witch called back. "Just give me some minutes."

Buffy grinned and looked at Angel who also had a smile on his face: "Do you really think there is something going on between those two," he asked her.

"I don't know," she answered. "I hope Oz will be back soon though. Willow feels alone and Spike certainly has a crush for her."

"Can you please change the subject, I SO do not need to hear that," came Cordelia's disgusted shout from above.

Laughing they headed for the living room.

Part Seven

Spike left the house at sunset and Xander arrived half an hour later. Everyone was anxious to hear his news but one look at his face told them he had none. Mike had been to work and gone home afterwards. There had been nothing out of the usual, the only strange thing Xander had noticed was the fact that the man had made a stop at the butchers and left the shop with a large bag.

"Maybe he was hungry," Mrs. Summers guessed.

"To me it looked much like the bags Buffy used to bring to the mansion," Xander told them.

"You mean he bought blood?" Buffy couldn't believe it. "What would he need that for?" She looked around but nobody had an answer.

"Maybe he was turned, that would explain why he is so evil," Willow suggested hopefully. It would be a relief, so she had not been wrong about him in the beginning.

"Guys, please remember about vampires and daylight. I watched him the whole day and he had no problems with the sun."

"It was just a wild guess," the witch said. "Of course I did not think that. But it is strange. Nevermind we do not even know for sure if there was blood in the bag. We should skip that."

"I agree," Angel put his arm around Buffy's shoulders. "As much as I would like the idea of him being a vampire," he smiled when he saw his love quirking an eyebrow. "It would mean we could just dust him," he explained to her.

"I would hand you the stake," Xander added.

Joyce got up when they heard a knock on the door. It was Giles, he came into the living room, walked over to Buffy and hugged her. "Buffy, I am so sorry."

"It's okay, Giles. We will get him back," she said with certainty. She looked at Angel and saw him smile. He was so proud of her.

The ex-watcher turned his attention to the former vampire: "Angel. It is so good to see you. I am very glad she has you now." Angel only nodded.

"Is there anything I can do?," Giles asked. "I feel so helpless, because it is nothing demon related."

Buffy laid a hand on his arm: "Don't worry, Giles. Just you being here helps." He nodded and smiled.

The same moment Spike burst through the back door and everyone jumped up. The vampire was almost out of breath, although this was of course not possible: "I've got him. I mean I know where the boy is."

"Where," Buffy asked frantically.

"In an old house a bit outside of Sunnydale," he reported.

"Then lets go," the slayer shouted. She was almost out of the door, when Spike's voice stopped her: "Slayer, wait."

"What," she asked, her voice now a bit angry. "We do not have time."

"Just listen to me." He looked over to his sire. "You are not going to like that, mate."

"What," Buffy and Angel now shouted unison.

"He is with her. With Dru," the blonde vampire told them finally and looked to the ground.

"With Dru?," the slayer asked unbelieving. "You mean she is guarding my child?"

"Spike," Angel warned his childe. "This is not funny."

"Hell, I know," the vampire's head snapped up. "I couldn't believe it myself, when I saw her. I swear it is the truth."

"I know," Willow said suddenly. "You would not lie to us," she smiled.

"Okay, so the boy is with loony-tunes, then let's go and get him." Xander made a step in the direction of the door.

"She is not alone," Spike told them. "There are about ten vampires in the building, maybe more. Some of them might have been out hunting."

"Is Andrew alright?," Buffy wanted to know. She grabbed Angel's hand waiting for the worst.

"You mean is he turned. No, he is not, I could hear his heartbeat. But we have to be careful going there, they could kill the boy the moment we enter the building," the vampire pointed out.

"What do you mean by we?," Angel looked at his childe. "You are certainly not going with us, I do not trust you around Dru."

"That really hurts peaches. I was the one who reported it, wasn't I?" He looked at the assembled group, hurt apparent in his eyes.

"Angel," Willow spoke. "I am sure we can trust him," she smiled. "I trust him."

"Oh, god," Cordelia exclaimed. "Not now, this is not the time for this. Can we just go and save the child."

Angel looked at the red head for a brief moment and then nodded: "Alright, he can come." Willow mouthed 'thank you'.

Buffy glanced at her mother: "Mom, you and Giles, could you stay here," she looked at ther ex-watcher, who nodded in response.

Her mother hugged her briefly and whispered: "Be careful honey."

Spike showed them the way to the building. They left the cars about half a mile away from there so the vampires wouldn't hear them coming. Angel, Spike and Buffy were in front, the others followed. Through a window they could see about 15 vampires who were gathered round a table, most of them were playing cards. Drusilla and the child were nowhere to be seen. Buffy looked at Spike. The vampire shrugged: "There is a room on the left, she might have gone there."

"We have to split," Angel said.

"I am going with you," Buffy grabbed his hand, she would not let him go alone this time.

He smiled understandingly and nodded: "Buffy and me go to the back, Spike you take Xander, Willow and Cordelia. But you go in on your own first. Talk to them, maybe Dru will come out of the room as soon as she hears your voice. Willow, Andrew knows you, right?"

She nodded.

"Then you go and take the child as soon as it is safe. You, Cordelia and Xander take him and run to the car as fast as possible. Do you understand me, no staking, no helping. The boy." His voice left no room for discussion and the three humans nodded. He looked at Buffy: "Let's go."

Spike entered the building and looked at the assembled group of vampires. He tried his best smirk: "Now, now," he said. "I heard Drusilla is around, but now I do not see her."

One of the vampires, a red head, stood up and walked over to him: "Who are you?"

"That is none of your buisness, mate," he replied. "Is she here or not."

A door opened and a female vampire in a long purple gown appeared, holding a boy in her arms, Drusilla and Andrew. "My Spike," she smiled, her eyes showing even more insanity than ever.

The vampire who stood in front of Spike relaxed immediately. The blonde vampire grinned and walked over until he was only some feet away from his former lover. He looked at her: "Drusilla. You came back." She was still beautiful but he suddenly realised he was comparing her to Willow, the witch with her big eyes and her fiery hair. Drusilla stood no chance, he was free.

"My Spike, look," she patted the child on the head, the boy immediately started to cry, he was scared. "I got us a little baby. My daddy never wanted me to have a baby. I always liked little children. They are so soft and yummy."

"What do you want with the baby, Dru?"

"We could keep him for a while and then eat him," she suggested.

The blonde vampire looked around: "You have no man with you? Where is you chaos demon?"

"There is only you, Spikey. My Angel, he is gone," she whined.

"I am here, Dru," came a voice from the back door.

The insane vampire spun round: "My daddy. Look baby, my daddy is here. But he is a bad daddy. He betrayed us." She tilted her head and listened. "You are human."

"Give me the boy Drusilla," the former vampire ordered.

"It is the slayer's baby," she said. "We cannot let him live, he will be strong."

"His father is human," Angel tried to calm her. "He will be a normal human boy."

"But I want to keep him. You cannot have him, you were mean to me." Suddenly she changed into her game face. "Maybe I should eat him now. Little babies taste yummy."

"Now Peaches," Spike cried. He jumped forward and grabbed Drusilla's upper arms from behind. In surprise she loosened her grip on the child who was about to fall. In a flash Angel moved towards her as well and caught the boy. The same moment Buffy was beside him. He handed Andrew to her and shouted:

"Take him and then go, take Willow, Cordelia and Xander and run away."

"I am coming back," she said stubbornly.

"No, he needs you," Angel replied pointing at the baby. "We can handle this. And now go."

Buffy looked at him and then left. She met the others outside.

Inside the building the vampires cried out in rage. Spike pushed Drusilla out of his way and smashed her against the wall. She fell on the floor, unconscious. The other vampires now jumped Spike and Angel. The fight was tough but after a while they go the upper hand. After all they had the experience of almost 500 years behind them. Spike was now fighting with two minions and Angel had just staked his last when he suddenly felt a grip around his throat. Drusilla.

"Now, now, my Angel." Her fingernails cut the flesh of his neck and he felt blood running down. He could feel her nails were cutting deeper, searching for the pulsing artery running there. He was not able to move, fully aware that if he did, she would kill him in an instant.

Spike staked his last vampire and turned towards Angel. He got the situation at once. His eyes never leaving Drusilla's he stepped forward: "Dru, baby. What are you doing?"

"I will kill him," she hissed. "He betrayed me and now he took my baby away."

"Dru," Spike sighed. "He was not your baby. Vampires cannot have babies. You cannot kill him. He is your sire."

"He is not my Angel anymore. The slayer took him away."

And suddenly Angel was free, the grip around his neck was gone, he turned and saw Buffy, a stake in her hand, a pile of dust was everything that remained of Drusilla. The slayer looked at her lover and let out a cry, her hand moving towards his neck: "Angel, are you okay."

"I am fine," he assured her. "This is nothing. Spike prevented her from doing any serious damage." He embraced her tightly and kissed her head, looking at Spike: "You saved my life today. I will never forget that."

The blonde vampire shrugged: "No need mate, I didn't do it for you."

Angel smiled: "I know," he said. Spike smiled back. He knew that Willow would never again lay an eye on him if Angel had died tonight.

The former vampire put a finger under his lover's chin: "Are you okay?"

"I am fine," she sniffed looking deep in his eye.

"You came back," he said to her and smiled.

"Of course. I would never leave you. Never again." They kissed. Angel stroke her cheek:

"Is Andrew alright?"

She nodded: "He is fine. I left him with Willow. He likes her. But he is scared and confused. I told them to bring him home to my mom."

"Let's go then," Spike interrupted their conversation. "I need hot chocolate and marshmallows now."

Buffy looked at him: "We will, but we have to make a stop before."

When both men arched their eyebrows she simply said: "Mike."

"What a coincidence," a new voice came from the front door. "I am already here." Mike stood there, smiling, the gun in his hand pointing towards Angel's head.

Part Eight

"Isn't this an interesting situation," he began, never leaving his eyes from Buffy and Angel, who still stood in a tight embrace. "My wife and her lover. What a sweet picture, sorry I had to interrupt that Kodak moment for you both." He smiled coldly now walking slowly into the old house.

Spike was thinking if he could take him with his vampire speed and all. He exchanged a short glance with his sire, but when he saw him carefully shaking his head no, he only sighed and hung his head.

Angel had immediately noticed his childes's intention, but with the chip in his head this would be to dangerous. Nobody could know if Spike would really be able to actually do the final kill.

Buffy was frozen in place. She only stared at her husband, saw the gun in his hand, saw him pointing it at Angel. Only the thought her lover could be hurt made every movement impossible. Actually she did move but only so far as her body was shivering allover. Angel could feel her trembling hands on his chest. And he was also the first who was able to speak:

"Why are you doing this?," he asked. "I do not understand." Let him talk, you need time, think Angel, think.

"Why?," Mike shouted. "The bitch wanted to divorce me. She refused to have sex with me, she told me that could hurt the baby. Look at me, I am a young man, so I was looking for some temporary replacement in bed and found it. And she was angry with me. She had to run out of the house and to mommy. God isn't she pathetic? A grown up woman who runs to ther mother as soon as a *little* problem occurs." He now circled Buffy and Angel, waving with his left hand but still pointing the right with the gun towards them and Spike, who stood near by.

"And she wanted to leave you because of that?," the blonde vampire suddenly jumped in. "Women are really strange, don't you think mate." He had realised Angel's tactic.

"You understand me," Mike gave him a short smile. "I mean I had needs and wishes and she refused to fulfill them. I told her I loved her but she would not listen, so I had to make sure she would not take my son away. Men need sons."

"B...But," Buffy was now able to speak as well, tears running down her cheeks. "The baby I was expecting was yours as well. Did it mean nothing to you."

"It was a girl, you told me it was girl," he shrugged. "A girl means nothing. I told you men need sons. They carry on our name."

Angel heard Buffy gasping and tightened his embrace immediately. What sort of person was this man. "I see," he said taking a deep breath.

"Yeah," Mike spat. "You see. She wanted to take my son away. My son. I thought, maybe she would think about it afterwards, but the bitch get's back into life and the first thing she does is running to her former lover. Angel," he looked at the former vampire. "Do you know how that name has haunted me, how I hate your name. Do you know how often she shouted your name when we..." he trailed of. "How often she whispered your name when she was laying beside me, dreaming. She even said your name when my son was born." Suddenly he laughed: "But I realised she felt guilty, didn't you darling," he said looking towards Buffy. "I knew how I could use that, I could live every phantasy I had with her. She felt bad because she did not love me. She actually thought I was in love with her. As I said before, she was so unbelievable pathetic." He rolled his eyes and circled them again.

"What I do not understand, mate. How does Dru fit in that picture," Spike asked trying to sound deeply interested. "How did you find her and involved her in this plan."

"Actually she found me," Mike explained. "One evening she stood in front of my house asking for the slayer. It was one week before the accident. We talked a little and found a common interest. Revenge." He looked over to the blonde vampire: "Do you know that vampire?"

"I did," Spike answered, his voice barely sad. "We were ... involved for *some* years."

The blonde human laughed: "This is something new. A vampire and a human have an affair. Or did you know her before she was turned?"

"I am not really sharing my love life with you, mate. And let me tell you, just for the records, vampires and humans, that happens," gazing over to Buffy and Angel he gave them a small smile.

"However. We are leaving the topic here," Mike pointed his gun again towards Angel's head. "I know you have taken Andrew. But I will make sure you will have no time to enjoy this, and when you all are out of the picture Andrew will be mine."

For Buffy the next seconds happened in slow motion. The first thing she saw was that Mike's eyes narrowed and that the gun suddenly pointed towards her head, then she heard him pull the trigger and a shot echoed through the house. The same moment Angel spun round covering the slayer with his body. She felt his body tensing, then relaxing. Then Angel fell to the ground pulling her with him and burrying her underneath. She started to scream and saw Spike jumping in Mike's direction, the next moment he was laying on the ground holding his head and wincing in pain.

The only thing she could think was that Angel's lifeless body was laying above her. Then she saw Mike approaching them with the gun, ready for the deadly shot, he aimed at Angel's head and his trigger-finger was twitching.

Suddenly there was a noise at the back door and her husband shot twice in that direction, Buffy was not able to move under Angel's weight, but Mike seemed distracted for a moment and then the slayer saw Xander with a bat. The next moment Mike Collins lay on the ground unconscious.

"Buffy," came Cordelia's voice. She was running towards the couple. "Are you okay?" She kneeled beside them.

"Angel," Buffy whispered in panic, trying to pull herself away from him. "Angel," she said again. Her eyes were wandering over his body and froze at a red spot on his back. "Angel," she cried, touching him. "Please speak to me. Oh god."

"We have to get him to a hospital," Xander kneeled beside his friend.

"His cell phone," Cordelia exclaimed, searching for the thing in his pockets. Pulling it out she dialed at once.

The slayer was now sitting beside her lover, his head in her lap she was stroking his cheeks and kissing his lips from time to time, whispering his name again and again, pleading him to talk to her, to wake up. But he remained unconscious. With a desperate expression she looked at Xander: "Mike wanted to kill me and Angel saved my life," she cried.

"It's okay," Xander tried to comfort her. "I am sure he will be okay."

"Okay?," she cried out as if she was in pain. "He is shot. Oh god, Angel." Suddenly her expression was hard: "Did you hit him hard?"

"Yeah."

"Make sure he will not wake up again," she said, her eyes never leaving Angel's face. He was still breathing and she could feel his pulse. Suddenly his eyelids flickered.

"Buffy," came a soft whisper.

"I am here, Angel, I am here?"

"Are you okay," he asked in a broken voice.

Tears sprung in her eyes, he was always thinking about her, never about himself. "I am fine. You saved my life."

"Good," he whispered. Then he fell back into unconsciousness.

They heard the loud noises of the ambulance. Angel was loaded into the van and Buffy stayed beside him all the way to the hospital. She hold his hand and stroked his face.

"You cannot come with him now, please wait," a nurse told her when they arrived the EU (emergency unit).

"But I have to stay with him," Buffy cried.

"No, Miss, please. The doctors have to do their work. They will come and inform you as soon as possible."

They rolled him away through the doors, leaving the slayer alone in the waiting area. She leaned backwards to the wall, her knees were so weak and she slowly slided with her back on the wall to the ground, pulling her knees to her chin and embracing them with her arms. He had to be okay, Angel had to live, she told herself again and again like a mantra.

And then Xander and Cordelia were there, they had followed the ambulance.

"How is he?," Cordelia wanted to know.

Buffy looked at her with fearful eyes: "I don't know. They just took him into the EU. Oh god, Cordelia. I cannot loose him, I cannot," she said in a broken voice.

The former cheerleader pulled the trembling slayer into her arms and hold her tightly. She looked at Xander, a single tear running down her cheek. Her boyfriend reached out and put a hand on her shoulder.

They sat there for almost an hour, then the door opened and a doctor came out, looking at them. They jumped up at once.

"How is he," Buffy asked him.

"He is doing pretty well, I have to say. We removed the bullet from his shoulder. We only needed a local, so he should be..."

"Buffy," came Angel's voice from the doors. The slayer run over to him and hugged him carefully, trying not to hurt him in the process. He had a taped shoulder, but seemed fine beside this.

The doctor walked over to the couple and put a hand on Angel's arm: "You were very lucky, young man." Then he looked at Buffy: "You make sure, he will have enough rest, Miss. And he has to come in two days so we can check the wound and change the tape."

"I will," Buffy smiled happily at the doctor. He smiled back and left in the direction of the EU.

"So you are okay, Boss," Cordelia grinned.

"Well, so far," he looked at the slayer: "Your husband is a pretty bad shot."

"Don't make a joke, Angel. He could have killed you."

The ex-vampire bowed his head and kissed her gently on the forehead: "I am fine, okay. I am sure the wound will heal quickly. I can feel it. We should better go to your home. Andrew will be waiting for his mommy." He smiled and put his good arm around her waist.

"Let's go," Xander said.

"Xand, do you know what happened with Mike," Buffy wanted to know.

"He should be somewhere in this hospital too. On our way over we called the police and told them what happened. I am sure they will come and talk to you both tomorrow. They said he would have a guard at his room while he is here."

Angel shrugged: "Good. Now let's get out of here. I've never been in a hospital before - at least not as a patient. I don't like it."

"See. Now you can understand why I hate them," Buffy added.

"Gee, it's a hospital, you two cowards," Cordelia rolled her eyes. "They help people here, you know."

"Doesn't matter. Hospitals just freak me out." Buffy burried her head in Angel's chest while they left the hospital.

Part Nine

When Angel woke up at night he immediately realised that Buffy wasn't lying beside him. They had come back from the hospital and recieved lots of concerned looks from Joyce, Giles and Willow. Andrew was sound asleep at that time, so Buffy had only given him a kiss and let him sleep. They had spent about an hour in the living room, talking about the events of the evening, before the slayer had insisted her lover should lay down. She herself was completely exhausted and they instantly fell asleep.

Angel tried to move his injured shoulder and was surprised it didn't hurt anymore, he could feel that some of his advanced healing was still working. Getting out of the bed he went in search for Buffy and found her in Mrs. Summers little sewing room which now served as a room for Andrew. They had changed it when Buffy had left her husband two weeks before the accident. The slayer sat in a rocking chair, her son in her arms and she was humming to him. She looked up when she saw her lover standing in the doorway and smiled: "Hey," she whispered.

"Hi," he smiled back, walked to her side and sat cross legged on the floor. "This is a beautiful picture, like one out of my dreams. You sitting with our child." He reached up and touched her cheek very gently.

A single tear ran down her cheek and he wiped it away: "Are you okay?"

She shook her head and a sad look crossed her features: "I am fine. It's just, I would wish it was our child. He would be very lucky to have you as his father."

"He is our child, Buffy," Angel replied.

"I love you, so very much," she said smiling again.

"Marry me?"

"Oh Angel, I will, of course I will," tears of joy were running down her face. "But I am technically still married."

He made a gesture with his hand: "Details. I think after the events of last evening the divorce is no problem anymore." Then he raised on his knees and kissed her gently. "The only thing I am sorry for is that I was not able to protect you from the experience with him."

"Don't," she said, cupping his face in one of her hands. "Maybe we both needed that to grow up and develop. Maybe we can only feel so strong now because we were apart. Maybe it was meant to be this way. We shouldn't dwell on the past. It's the future we should talk about." She looked at his shoulder: "How is the arm?"

"Fine," he answered. "It's much better than I would have expected. I think I still heal fast. I almost feel it." He looked at the child in her arms: "Is he okay?"

"Yeah," she smiled. "He is fine. I just woke up and wanted to look for him. I cannot believe he is really alive, but he is. He woke up shortly and smiled to see me, but he is tired. I only hope he will not have nightmares someday. Just to think that he was with Drusilla makes me shudder."

"I am sure she didn't do anything to him." When he saw her astonished gaze he explained: "She had always a thing with children. She kept asking me if she could have one. My demon was not very fond of them so he refused it. As a substitute she stole puppies and kept them until they were grown up. Maybe some motherly instinct, I don't know."

Buffy grinned: "It is hard to see insane Drusilla as a mother."

"I know. By the way have you seen Spike?"

"No," she said. "I suppose it must be hard for him."

"Maybe, but the look on his face was strange. Almost relieved. We should talk to him tomorrow. Am I really saying this, am I caring for Spike?" He frowned.

Buffy laughed silently: "Well, he saved your life, that binds."

"Obviously," Angel shrugged. Then he looked at the child: "He is beautiful, he looks like you, he has your eyes."

"His eyes are closed now," Buffy teased.

"I know, but I saw them before." He gave her a quick kiss. "We should go back to bed, love."

"Yeah," she answered. "I just put him back in his bed."

"Why don't we take him with us?" he suggested.

She smiled and the three went back to Buffy's bedroom.

Spike had been wandering through the streets of Sunnydale for a while that night. He had been restless but now he felt at peace. Drusilla had been part of his un-life for so long. For many years he had been madly in love with her, he always knew she was not in love with him. Her obsession with her sire was one reason the other her inability to love at all. She must have felt something for him at one point, after all it was Drusilla who persuaded Angel to turn him. He and his sire had never been friends, but then nobody had ever been Angelus' friend. The demon had been so self-centered and cruel, it had always surprised Spike to see his deep connection with Darla. They were almost inseparable. Then Angel had been cursed and that had caused a change Spike had never thought possible.

Spike looked up and found himself at Willow's house, there was still a light in her room. Could he be in love with her, that thought had been running in his mind for several months. He knew she was in love with her boyfriend but he wasn't at home very often, the bloody idiot was touring with his new band. Stupid wanker, how could one leave home when someone like Willow was waiting there. He shook his head, if she would be his...

Suddenly the window was opened and a red head looked down to the street: "Spike," came her lovely voice. "Are you down there?"

Surprised he looked up: "Pet?"

She smiled: "I knew you were there. Just wait a minute."

Only a second later she was at the door: "What are you doing here?"

He shrugged: "I was wandering around."

She reached out and stroked his cheek: "It must be hard. You loved her a long time."

"Yeah," he answered. "But I am glad it is over. It is easier now."

"Why don't you come in?" she offered, taking his hand and pulling the surprised vampire inside the house.

When Joyce opened the door to her daughter's bedroom in the morning, she stopped in the doorway and a smile settled on her face. Buffy and Angel were lying on both sides, their heads and hands touching. Between their chests Andrew was sleeping soundly.

She softly knocked on the door: "Morning, you three."

Andrew was the first to wake up: "Gramma," he cried and waved his little arms in her direction, grinning.

Angel only mumbled something while Buffy opened one eye and blinked: "Mom? What time is it?"

Mrs. Summers smiled: "It is almost noon, sweetheart."

"Wow," was the slayer's only comment. "We must have been tired."

Andrew crawled out of the bed and run over to his grandmother: "Gramma, gramma," he cried happily. Joyce took him in her arms: "Morning, my darling," she kissed him on the cheek and looked again at her daughter: "I take him with me, feed him and you two come whenever you are ready." With this she shut the door behind her.

Buffy reached over to Angel: "Morning sleepyhead."

"Mmmm."

She laughed: "You cannot be that tired. It is almost noon."

He opened one eye: "I was a vampire for a long time, dear. I am used to sleep during the the day."

"Whatever. I am getting up now, have a nice shower and breakfast. I am starving." With this she swung her legs from the bed and disappeared in the direction of the bathroom.

When she came back Angel was already fully dressed and waiting for her. After she got dressed as well they made their way down to the living room. They were surprised to see Willow sitting there with Joyce, Andrew on her lap: "Mommy," he cried, wiggled from Willow's lap and run to his mother. She scoped him in her arms and he kissed her soundly.

"How is my little boy."

"I miss you, mommy," he said. "Dru had dolls, but I miss you."

Buffy smiled: "Did Dru play with you?"

He shook his head: "No. Boring." Everyone laughed. Then the boy saw Angel: "Who?" he asked his mother.

"Andy that is Angel, he is mommy's friend. We are going to live with him. Would you like that."

"Andel," Andrew said.

"No, Angel," Buffy corrected him.

He frowned and tried again: "An-gel." He looked at his mother grinning proudly.

"That is right. You are a clever boy. So would you like us staying with im?"

As a response Andrew reached out for Angel and Buffy handed him over to her lover. The boy reached out and touched the face of the stranger who smiled at the little boy. Andy frowned again and seemed to study the face for a long time. "Daddy," he suddenly said.

Buffy looked at him surprised, while Angel gasped: "You want to call him daddy?"

Andrew nodded yes. Angel smiled: "You can do that, if you want." Andrew nodded again and repeated: "Daddy."

"How are you both," Willow wanted to know.

"We are good, thanks Willow," Buffy went to the table and poured tea for herself and Angel. He also settled down, Andrew still on his lap.

"How is your shoulder?," the witch asked the former vampire.

"Fine," he replied. "Almost healed."

"Did you hear anything from the hospital. I mean about Mike?"

Buffy shook her head: "No, nothing. But I suppose the police will contact us."

"They have been with Xander and Cordy already," Willow told them. "Xander phoned me an hour ago, that they were with them. I still cannot believe they are a couple again. When I found him in his boxer shorts..." she trailed off suddenly blushing.

"In his boxer shorts?," Buffy looked at her friend.

"Yeah," the red head smiled sheepishly. "When Cordelia was drunk they fell asleep together in her bed," she laughed. "Cordy looked as if she wanted to kill him in the morning. Those two," she sighed.

"If I remeber correctly it was always like that. They were shouting at each other, the next moment they were kissing." The slayer took another toast and buttered it.

Angel looked at Joyce: "Have you seen Spike?"

"No, he never came last night. I hope he is alright. Wasn't that Drusilla his former ... girlfriend."

Willow almost choked in her tea and blushed: "Sorry, just the term girlfriend for Drusilla is..."

"Odd," Buffy finished her sentence.

The witch nodded: "Very true. Spike ... uhm ... he is at my apartment." She blushed a little bit more.

"What?" Angel and the slayer asked unison.

"Geez, he is in my apartment. He came last night and we talked. Hey, don't look at me like that, we *only* talked. We are friends, nothing else. I have a boyfriend, don't forget that."

"As long as you don't forget that," Buffy muttered in her toast.

"Hey, I heard that."

"Thirsty," Andrew exclaimed suddenly.

"What do you want, honey," Joyce asked, getting up.

"Milk."

"Then come with me, Andy. I will give you some milk in the kitchen." She held out her hand for him. He jumped off Angel's lap and followed her.

Buffy leaned over to her friend: "You are not going to sleep with Spike, promise me that."

"Buffy," the witch exclaimed. "What do you think of me? But even if I would, what is the problem."

"Willow, he is ... a vampire."

"And? You slept with a vampire," she looked at Angel. "No offense."

"None taken," he said biting his toast. "She has a point, love."

Buffy glared at him: "But he is ... Spike."

"It's none of your buisness," Willow replied now slightly angry.

"Sorry," the slayer laid a hand on her friend's arm. "I just don't want you to get hurt. I know you love Oz."

"I do," Willow sighed. "But I feel so lonely sometimes. He is gone for some weeks now and I miss him so badly. Spike is easy to talk to, he is really very nice."

"Just be careful, will you promise me that?"

"I will."

There was a knock on the door and Joyce went to open it with Andrew on her arm. It were two police officers who wanted to talk to Buffy and Angel. They asked some questions about the shooting. They told them that Mike would be arrested for double attempted murder (shooting Angel and trying to kill Buffy in the accident) and kidnapping and as there were so many eye-witnesses they said it would be an easy and quick trial. They also assured Buffy that there was no need for her to see him outside court. Angel then told them about their suspicion that Andrew was exchanged for another child that might have been killed in that process. The shocked detectives wrote everything down and promised to contact him as soon as they would know anything for sure.

When they left the house Buffy phoned Mr. Gold who told her that the divorce would be a matter of weeks now.

Angel and Buffy went to a picnic in the afternoon, their first. Andrew stayed with Joyce who had offered to babysit him as she saw the lovers wanted to be alone for a while.

The ex-vampire stroked the slayer's hair. When she looked up he smiled and reached in his pocket, producing a little velvet box: "You already said yes, but I think a ring woud be nice."

She gasped when he opened the box and she saw a wonderful gold ring with a green marble stone.

"It is Connemara marble," he explained. "Nothing very expensive, but very precious for me. Connemara is a part of County Galway, it is the most beautiful part of Ireland for me. Maybe we will go there one day and I can show you."

"It is beautiful," she whispered. "I love it."

"I love you," he replied slipping the ring on her finger and kissing it afterwards. "I always dreamed I would put an engagement ring on your finger, I can hardly believe it is true."

She put his arms around his neck and kissed him deeply: "It is true. And as soon as I get rid of Mike we will marry. Mr. Gold promised me to call and tell me when I will be officially divorced. As soon as I know we will set a date. I don't want to wait any longer."

"Me neither." He sighed and laid back on the grass, pulling Buffy with him in the process.

"Are you serious," Cordelia looked at Xander, a shocked expression on her face.

"I have never been more serious in my life," he answered.

"It is just ... a bit unexpected."

His face fell: "I am sorry. I shouldn't have asked." He turned round.

Immediately she reached out for his arm, smiling: "I never said I wouldn't say yes."

He turned back to her: "So you..."

"Yes. The answer is yes, I will marry you, Xander Harris. I love you." She launched herself in his arms and kissed him deeply.

"I love you too," he replied, kissing her back.

Part Ten

The next weeks went peaceful and slowly in Sunnydale and LA. Buffy and Andrew had been moving in with Angel a week after they had rescued the boy. There had been a lot of tears spent by Buffy's mother who didn't want to part from her daughter. Sure she had lived with Mike for some years but their house had only been round two corners. On the other hand Mrs. Summers was happy for Buffy, she seemed to have found what she always wanted. Plus Joyce had come to like Angel a lot.

Giles was not surprised at all to hear about his slayer moving to LA, he was happy for her of course but concerned nevertheless to have her in a certain distance to the hellmouth, but Buffy convinced him that Spike was very capable of fulfilling her nightly slaying duties.

The blonde vampire had offered his help immediately, hoping it would make an impression on the woman he admired. After the night and day he had spent at her apartment where they were talking a lot, she had become more distant. She was friendly and warm as ever but she seemed to avoid being alone with him. He could only guess it was because she was not sure about her feelings or - and he prayed it was not - she was disgusted by the fact he was a vampire. For the first time in over 200 years Spike wished he was something else - he was so pathetic. It was good he could not see himself in a mirror. Was he the same who had laughed about his sire's devotion towards the slayer. And now a red head *human* made his head spin and his heart race when she just entered the same room.

It had been no surprise to everyone that Buffy and Angel would marry as soon as possible but the news about Xander's and Cordelia's engagement were completely unexpected.

"Cordelia? You will marry Cordelia," Willow had exclaimed for the fith time when her childhood-friend told her about it.

"Can you just calm down, Will," Xander was ready to shout every second. "I love her, okay. And we are going to get married. Why is this so hard believe?"

"I don't know," the red head's voice was still full of disbelief. "It's just ... it is ... Cordelia. I mean it was even hard to believe you would kiss her all those years ago and I was ... surprised that you seemed to be lovers now. But that. That..."

"I'll better go. This is ridiculous," he turned to leave her apartment.

"No, Xander. Wait. I am sorry. I have no right to behave like this," she was trying to excuse her words. "I haven't seen Cordelia for a while, well some years actually. You certainly know her much better than I. Angel seems to like her too, so ... I guess she really has changed. I am very sorry and ... congratulations."

Xander smiled: "It's okay. And thank you. I am really very happy. We love each other and we know each other. I think we can make it work. Speaking about it, how is Oz?"

Willow's face fell immediately: "He won't be back for another two months. I miss him so much. I know he has to tour with the band but ... I just feel lonely."

He put a hand on her shoulder: "Maybe you should talk to him."

"Maybe I should," she said but it did not sound very convincing.

It was six weeks after rescuing Andrew when Angel opened his eyes one morning to find his lover standing beside the bed, hands at her hips and grinning broadly. He looked at her quizzically: "What? You seem awfully cheery this morning."

"I am," she exclaimed in excitement. Waving an envelope in front of his face she continued: "Guess?"

"I have no idea," he yawned. "Just tell me, my mind is not working at that time of the day."

"Oh you," she playfully hit his arm. "It's from the court. I am an official single again."

"It's over?," Angel asked in disbelief. "Oh god, it is really over," he exclaimed finally, reaching out and pulling her back to bed on top of him.

"Hey, you are going to ruin my skirt," she laughed.

"It's not important. We should set a date now."

"I don't know," she teased. "Maybe I am going to like the idea of being a single mother, you know, enjoying life, dating lots of interesting men who will spent money in exspensive restaurants, for jewelry..."

She was cut off by lips closing firmly over her mouth making her forget all about other men and food. The kiss deepened immediately, she felt his hands working at the buttons of her shirt.

"Mommy!" With this a little body launched himself on the bed beside the entagled lovers. "Morning, Daddy," he squealed, jumping up and down on the bed at the same time.

Angel began to laugh in Buffy's mouth, pulling away from her he sighed: "Hey you," he reached out, grabbed the child and began to tickle him. Andrew squealed more and laughed at the same time. His mother sat on the end of the bed enjoying the sight of them together. They had become very close during the last weeks. Angel was a wonderful father, exactly how she had pictured him in her dreams and Andrew simply adored him. When Angel was reading a book the boy often climbed on his lap sitting there and watching him full of interest. The ex-vampire used to smile at him then and it made Buffy's heart melt. She sighed, her world seemed just perfect for once.

Angel had stopped tickling Andrew but held him in his arms instead, looking at him seriously: "Andy, what do you think. Your mommy and I are going to be married, you know to be a real family."

Andrew nodded, his face serious as well.

"There is one thing. You are very important in this, because we need rings for the ceremony. And someone has to bring them to us and I wanted to ask you if you could do that?"

The boy looked at him. It was apparent that he did not understand the full meaning of the words, but the word important was familiar to him. He was going to be important. Still the serious expression on his face, he nodded: "Sure, daddy."

"Good, because without you, we could never do that," Angel told him making the child grin broadly. He launched himself in the ex-vampire's arms who looked at the mother and saw her smiling, deep love radiating from her eyes. 'I love you' she mouthed, he just blew her a kiss.

When Cordelia and Buffy went for lunch some days later the former may queen asked: "So do you and Angel have a date?"

The slayer shrugged: "As soon as possible, maybe four weeks."

"We could have a double wedding. If you would like it, that is," the brunette looked at her expectantly.

"I don't know, I mean Angel and Xander have one wedding together?"

"They do not have to marry each other," Cordelia said dryly. "And I also think they are much better with each other now."

"At least they are civil," Buffy sighed. "I would like the idea, but I have to ask him first."

"Of course, do that. As soon as you know, we should set the date. Wow, I still cannot believe I am going to marry Xander Harris." She grinned.

"But you seem very happy."

"I am. Extremely in fact," she sighed happily. "Thinking that this all began with kissing in a cellar because we were hiding from bug-man."

Buffy grinned: "Don't tell me. Thinking my fiancée vamped out when we had our first kiss and I kicked his ass when I first met him," she giggled. "Things like these can only happen on a hellmouth."

"Yeah. But I wouldn't have it any other way." She leaned back in her chair. "I was just thinking, what about an engagement party. For our friends. We could have it at the Bronze. Just to celebrate old times. What do you think?"

"Well, why not," she giggled again. "I can just see Angel rolling his eyes and saying 'a party, again'."

Cordelia laughed: "So we will do it. I am going to phone Xander, he knows the owner, he is a friend of the notorious uncle Rory. Oh god, I am a part of his family then..."

"Hush, Cordy. You are marrying Xander, right. Not uncle Rory."

"Well, nobody can choose his family," she grinned again. "However I am going to phone him later. What do you think about Saturday next week. And I am trying to get Oz. Maybe he could come down with his band."

"That would be so great. Willow really misses him," Buffy said with a concerned gaze.

"I know," the brunette answered. "And I have also seen Spike's eyes when he looks at her. I only hope she will not do something she is going to regret later on."

"Me too," the slayer sighed. "Me too."

It was two days before the party at the Bronze. Willow was almost out of the apartment when her phone rang. She swore, she was already late for patrol and Giles was waiting for her. They were doing the patrol together as Spike had some urgent buisness as he told them.

"Yes," her voice sounding a little bit angry.

"Willow?" a male voice at the other end asked.

"Yes, who are you and what do you want," she asked, still sounding annoyed.

"Is it a bad time, I can call later?"

Who the heck is this, Willow thought. The voice sounded familiar but she was not able to put it somewhere. She sighed: "No, it is alright. I just have a date in some minutes. Who is it?"

"Oh sorry, it's me, Riley."

"Riley," she exclaimed, rolling her eyes at the same time. She took a deep breath: "That is a surprise. Why are you calling?"

"Oh I tried to call Buffy, but the number I have of her and her husband is not working."

"Oh, well she does not live there anymore," the witch told him.

"Did they move?"

"Sorta. They split up some weeks ago."

"Oh, I see."

Was there hope in his voice? Willow looked at her watch and sighed: "Riley, is there something I can do for you?"

"Yes, your date, sorry. Well I am in Sunnydale for the weekend, seeing a friend. You remember Floyd, no of course not. He was in the Initiative once. Nevermind. What did I say? Yes, I am in Sunnydale for the weekend and I would like to see you guys."

"Oh, well there is a party on Saturday night at the Bronze, why don't you just show up there. Everyone will be there." Absentmindely she played with her pen on the desk.

"That's great, thank you Willow. Is it okay when we both come, Floyd and I?"

"Sure, it's at eight and with open end." She again looked at her watch. "I am sorry, Riley, but I have to go now."

"Of course. See you on Saturday."

Willow put the phone back to the station, took her keys and rushed out of the apartment. Standing in front of the door it finally hit her. She had invited Riley to Buffy's engagement party. "Ooops," she giggled, that would become an interesting evening.

Part Eleven

"You know Cordy, I am beginning to love this double wedding thing," Buffy exclaimed gazing over to her friend. The two women were driving in Cordelia's new car from LA to Sunnydale for the party at the Bronze. Angel would follow later on, he had some errands to run he had told his fiancée and they would need his car anyhow to drive back on Sunday.

"Yeah, I love the idea too," the brunette replied. "Xander was actually delighted about it. He really seems to like Angel now. But then the boss has changed a lot. He already had before... you know ... but it is more apparent now. He still broods but ..."

"... yeah," the slayer nodded. "He is a whole new Angel. He laughs a lot and I love it," she smiled. She turned to look at the backseat, turning back to Cordelia she said: "Andy is sound asleep. Cars are the best babysitters. Mom is really looking forward to have him tonight."

"She is the perfect grandmother then. I cannot imagine my mother to look for her grandchild," the former cheeleader sighed.

"Cordy," Buffy exclaimed. "You are not..."

"No," Cordelia rolled her eyes. "I am not pregnant. But I want kids, one day."

"Poor children."

"Hey," the brunette playfully hit the slayer's arm.

"No. Sorry Cordy," Buffy grinned. "I thought about Xander. They will learn a lot of nonsense from him."

"I guess. But then, he has changed a lot. The whole Anya-thing made him grow up. And I grew up in LA, working with Angel. In fact he was the first person who gave me his friendship and didn't expect anything in return. He is a very special person and I am glad he can be happy now."

The same moment Cordelia pulled into the driveway at Mrs. Summers' house, Buffy took Andrew and the kid seat out of the car and handed the boy to her mother who greeted them in excitement. She hadn't seen her daughter and grandchild for three weeks.

"Thanks for the ride, Cordy," Buffy smiled at her friend.

"No prob. I enjoyed the company. I'll go and get Xander now. See you and Angel later." The brunette waved goodbye and drove off.

A knock on her apartment door pulled Willow out of her deep thoughts. She wasn't expecting someone and went to open the door with a frown. Her eyes went wide.

"Hey Will." Oz stood there, smiling sheepishly, holding a red rose in his hand.

"Oz," she breathed. "I thought you would come next week."

"That was the plan. But ... well Cordelia sorta got us back for the party tonight and ..."

"So you came for buisness," her eyes were suddenly cold.

"No, well yes. But ... I missed you, Willow. I missed you so much." He looked at her in typical Oz manner, but she could see love in his eyes.

"I missed you too." She simply answered, stepping back to let him in.

"Come on Riley," Floyd Rollins rolled his eyes at his friend who was holding two shirts in front of him, staring into the mirror. "You are behaving like a girl. This is a simple party we are going to."

"You don't understand. I am going to see her again." Riley decided for the blue shirt, she had always liked him in blue.

"Buffy," Floyd exlaimed. "You still have the hots for her. Man, she dumped you what four or five years ago. You had several girlfriends and some of them - let me say that - I would not threw out of my room. What's so special about her."

"I don't know, I can't explain. She's still in my head," Riley looked in the mirror. He looked good, well alright. He sighed, he had matured. His face had lost the boyish look, his hair was short by now. He smiled, he would see Buffy again today. Last time he saw her was at her wedding with that annoying Mike-guy. Riley never liked him, the way that man was behaving around Buffy as if she was his possession, but she obviously loved him. But maybe not as much as he had once believed. After all the marriage had only lasted for about three years.

"We should go now," Floyd looked at his watch. "It's almost eight."

Riley nodded, took his coat and the two men headed for the door.

"It's like old times," Xander exclaimed when he entered the Bronze together with his fiancée.

"Hopefully not," Cordelia smiled at him. "I wouldn't have married that old Xander Harris."

"You kissed him though," he teased back.

"I did," she rolled her eyes. "Don't remember me."

"Hey you two," a voice came from behind them.

"Willow," Cordelia turned and hugged the witch. "How are you? You look better now."

"Yeah," she smiled looking at the stage.

The brunette followed her gaze: "I see. Did you two talk?"

The red head nodded: "Yeah, we did."

They turned right at the moment when Riley and his friend entered the Bronze. When they saw Willow, Riley smiled: "Hey Willow. Good to see you and thanks for the invitation."

Willow smiled nervously avoiding Xander's and Cordelia's gazes. "Hey Riley and..."

"Oh, sorry. This is Floyd, my friend. Floyd Rollins," Riley introduced his friend. "Floyd these are Xander Harris and Willow Rosenburg and this is," he looked at the pretty brunette. "I am sorry but I do not think we've met."

"That is Cordelia Chase," Xander introduced her. "My fiancée," he added proudly. "In fact this is a *private* engagement party tonight," he said looking sharply at Willow who seemed to shrink under his gaze.

"Oh I see," Floyd replied. "I hope we are not intruding," he felt uncomfortable, he didn't know anyone really. He had seen Willow and Buffy and also Xander once or twice, but they weren't friends, not at all.

"No, it's okay," Cordelia said quickly, squeezing Xander's arm. "I invited two of my friends from LA, they are coming later. They are both female and single and they might need a partner to dance. So you are welcome. Just help yourselves with the bar. Music will be on in a few minutes." She gave them a smile then walked over to the bar for a drink pulling Xander with her.

Willow looked at Riley and Floyd and sighed. Giving them her best smile she tried to get them into a conversation, after all it was her fault they were here tonight.

Spike stopped in front of the Bronze when the band started to play. He immediately knew it was the Dingoes' sound. So he is back now, he thought. He is back in her life and I have to leave. That's nonsense old boy, you have never been there. But at least you can dance with her. The boyfriend will play the whole night, so be a supportive friend and dance with her. He took a deep unnecessary breath and stepped into the club.

Leaving Riley and his friend with drinks at a table Willow walked over to Xander, a guilty look on her face: "I am really sorry, about Riley, I mean."

"I hope you are. Not for me, well I didn't like him but I don't mind him being here. I just ignore him. I am more thinking about Buffy."

"I know. He phoned me the other night. I was already late for patrol and not really paying attention. He told me he would be seeing a friend and I just said he could come here," she sighed.

Xander put his arm around her shoulder: "It's okay, Will. After all Buffy is still the slayer and Angel has superpowers too, so I think they can handle it." He gave her a smile: "What about a dance?"

Angel pulled his convertible in front of the Bronze. He got out, walked around and opened the door for Buffy. She smiled: "I like these old fashioned manners, you know."

He smiled back: "Well, all for you milady." He bowed his head slightly. "Did I tell you that you look stunning tonight."

She laughed: "You did, about ten times. But don't hold back. A woman can never get enough compliments."

"It isn't a compliment," he told her, holding out his hand. "It's just an observation."

She took his hand: "Whatever. It's nice to hear."

Thy walked to the entrance of the Bronze and he held the door open for her. She looked around: "Seems most of the people are already here. I told you we would be late."

He shrugged: "Sorry, but there was something important I had to take care of." She arched an eyebrow and he smiled: "You will see - later," he gave her a quick kiss on her nose.

"Angel," came Cordelia's voice. "I was waiting for you," she looked at Buffy. "Do you mind if I borrow your fiancée for a dance?"

Buffy laughed: "Not at all. Just go on you two." Angel gave her a smile and followed his employée to the dance floor. The slayer spottet Willow and Xander at a table in the far corner and walked over. She was greeted with brilliant smiles from her friends.

"Hey, Buff. We thought you'd never show," Xander grinned wickedly.

Buffy hit him playfully: "You have dirty thoughts, Xander Harris, but you are wrong. Angel had some urgent buisness so *he* was late."

"Where is he," the red head looked to the dance floor.

"He is with Cordelia, she wanted to dance with..." Suddenly Buffy froze and blinked. Xander followed her gaze. She shook her head and looked back at her friends: "Just tell me I am having a vision."

"No, you don't," Xander told her.

"Oh god, what is Riley doing here?"

"Uhm... well," Willow stuttered. "I kinda ... invited him ... by accident."

The slayer whirled around: "You what," she almost shouted.

"I am really sorry. It was a ... well he phoned me and it just slipped out. Sorry." The witch looked truly guilty now.

Buffy gave her a small smile: "It's okay, Willow. I just ... last time he and Angel met," she rolled her eyes. "They will certainly not be thrilled to see each other. Riley won't because Angel kicked his ass and Angel, well he didn't like Riley."

"He didn't?" Xander asked.

"No, he told me before he left."

"You should have told me. Angel and I would have been friends much earlier," Xander could not help but grin broadly. Buffy glared at him and his grin faded, but only a little.

The slayer suddenly rolled her eyes: "There he comes," she said.

"Buffy!" Riley had seen his ex-girlfriend talking to her friends from the other side of the room. His breath was caught in his throat. She looked even more beautiful then he remembered her. There was an air around her tonight, he had never seen before. She looked so vibrant and full of energy, her eyes were sparkling. When he walked over to her she gave him a smile:

"Riley, hey," she greeted him. When she spotted the other man who was with him she frowned. "I have seen you before. Boyd?"

"Floyd," Riley's dark haired friend answered.

She nodded: "Right, Floyd. You were at the Initiative as I remember."

"Yeah, I was. Until I found out they were not exactly what I thought they were," he sighed and Buffy gave him an understanding nod. Then she turned back to her former boyfriend.

"What are you doing here, Riley?"

"I came to see Floyd and tried to phone you. I only got the information that the number wasn't working anymore, so I tried Willow," he smiled at the red head who wanted to disappear right then.

"Why did you want to see me," Buffy asked. "We haven't seen each other since the day I got married."

"Well, I just thought I could drop by and we talk a little," he coughed slightly. "I hear you are separated now?"

The slayer arched an eyebrow, looking at Willow. The witch shrugged and Buffy turned back to Riley: "Yeah. Actually I am divorced now, but..." She wasn't able to finish her sentence because Cordelia joined them the same moment.

"Buffy, why didn't you tell me he dances like a god," she exclaimed.

The slayer giggled: "Did you tell him that? By the way where is he?"

"He'll be here soon. But seriously, he really. can. dance. Wow," she was almost breathless. She grinned: "I worked with him for five years, no even longer. God, I'll better stop that or everyone will know my real age. Nevermind, I know him for a while but I never imagined this hidden talent."

"That's what I always say. He never ceases to amaze me," Buffy sighed, a happy look on face. Then a wicked grin spread across her features and she leaned over and whispered: "And dancing is only one of his hidden talents."

Cordelia giggled immediately, Willow blushed and Xander only rolled his eyes: "Buff, I *so* do not need to hear that."

"What," a male voice asked and hands slipped around Buffy's waist.

She grinned at him: "We were talking about your hidden talents."

He grinned back and kissed her behind her right earlobe making her gasp: "I see," he whispered.

Riley stood in shock. He had recognized the vampire at once. He would never forget him. And now there he was, right in front of him, his arms around the woman Riley was still dreaming about. The ex-commando was not able to move or speak.

When Angel finally looked up he met Riley's gaze. He was surprised but only arched an eyebrow and turned his questioning gaze back to his fiancée. She rolled her eyes in his direction, but smiled again when she turned back to meet Riley's gaze. Angel barely managed not to chuckle. It was very obvious that Buffy wasn't enjoying Riley's presence at all.

Buffy took a deep breath: "Oh, sorry. Riley, do you remember Angel? Angel, Riley and that is his friend Floyd. They were together at the Initiative."

Angel greeted both with a nod. Floyd nodded back, Riley was still to much in shock to do anything.

Cordelia looked back and forth between the two men. She knew who Riley was, had been and she had also seen the way he had looked at Buffy. She felt it was her duty as Angel's friend to make things clear, so she coughed slightly and when she saw everyone was looking at her, she said smiling sweetly: "Oh, we forgot, Riley. We are actually celebrating a double engagement party tonight. Me and Xander," she turned to face the other couple. "And Buffy and Angel. We are also going to have a double wedding in three weeks." She leaned back at her fiancée's chest enjoying the look on Riley's face when the words finally hit home.

On to Part Twelve