At one o'clock the next afternoon, Buffy and Angel were still asleep. His arms were wrapped protectively around her, and the machines hummed and beeped continuously in the background.

A nurse walked through the waiting room where Willow, Giles, Anya and Xander were still sleeping; it had been a long night. She carried a tray with a glass of water and some vials of painkillers and other medications into Buffy's room. She glanced at the bed and noticed the two sleeping lovers. Electing not to disturb them, she smiled and walked past the bed.

A single band of sunlight came through the space between the curtains and made a line across the floor, approaching the bed at a dangerous pace. The nurse put the tray of medication beside the bed and walked to the window. Thinking that the young woman would like to wake up to the sun shining and the birds singing, 'the hills are alive type thing,' and not knowing Angel's condition, she pulled open the drapes. Instantly, the room was alive with bright sunshine.

Two birds sat singing on a nearby tree branch, and a gentle breeze tossed the leaves back and forth. The nurse opened the window and took a deep breath. After a moment, she turned and retreated from the room, leaving the couple sleeping soundly on the bed.

Something was warming his face and his skin tingled with life. Slowly, so not to disturb his sleeping love, he slowly stretched his arms above his head and opened his eyes. As soon as he saw the sunshine lighting the room, he threw himself from the bed and covered his face with his hands, attempting to shield himself from the sun. For some reason, he wasn't a big pile of dust. The sun was shining directly on him, and it wasn't affecting him at all; in fact, it felt wonderful. He took a moment to look out the window into the sunshine.

"Rmmm." Buffy groaned from the bed. She awoke and discovered that Angel was no longer lying beside her. "Rmmm," she groaned again and searched the room frantically for him. Finally, she noticed him standing in front of the window.

"Buffy?" he turned around.

She smiled.

"Look at me. I'm human. I'm alive." he spoke in wonder as he moved his hand up and down, studying the patterns the rays light made on his skin.

She nodded, the smile not leaving her face.

"You knew this was going to happen? But. wait.how? Why? The oracles. and you? You had something to do with this didn't you?"

She nodded proudly and pretended to pat herself on the back.

"Buffy," he walked over to the bed, "How did this happen?" he gestured to himself and the light surrounding him.

Buffy reached over and grabbed the pad of paper and pen from the bedside table. "I kinda helped. Actually." Before she could write anymore, the nurse reentered the room.

"It's good to see you awake this bright morning Ms. Summers. Your husband was really quite worried about you," she gestured towards Angel before glancing down at the chart she was holding.

Buffy glared at Angel. His hands were suddenly in his pockets and he was staring at the floor. She raised her eyebrows and tried to look angry, but his "puppy face" couldn't keep her scowling for long. She smiled at him turned back to the nurse.

"Well," the nurse continued, "I can take that tube out now, if you're ready."

Buffy nodded fiercely. She'd been waiting to get the tube out ever since she'd woken up yesterday.

"Alright. But you can't talk for a while. You can only whisper Ok?"

Buffy nodded again.

"I want you to take a deep breath in and then exhale slowly," the nurse walked to the bed and unhooked the tube from the machine that stood just to the right of the bed. Buffy took a deep breath and as she exhaled, the nurse gently pulled the tube from her throat. Buffy began to cough violently, and Angel was instantly at her side.

"Are you alright?" he put his hand on her shoulder protectively.

"Yea," she spoke for the first time since yesterday.

"Now remember what I said," the nurse stepped between them. "Only whispering," she patted Buffy's hand and smiled. "I have some medication to give you, but it can wait. It looked like you two were about to get into quite the discussion before I came in.," she turned and headed for the door. "I'll be back in a few minutes to administer your morphine."

As soon as the nurse left, Angel sat down on Buffy's bed and grasped her hand. Before he could say though, Buffy spoke first: "Husband?"

"Well," Angel nodded sheepishly. "It was the only way they'd let me stay with you. I couldn't stand not being with you when I knew you were in pain. Sorry," he bent down and kissed her hand.

"Good excuse," Buffy smiled. His gesture, although it was technically lying, touched her.

"But back to me being human." Angel lifted his head and looked at her. "What were you going to say about being involved."

"Well ummm." she thought for a moment before explaining. "When I saw you at Giles' and we almost. well." she struggled to articulate her feelings. "When you stopped me from. at first I thought you didn't want me anymore. But after a while, I realized that it was because you cared about me too much to let me get hurt again. When I went to your old place, I kinda did a little soul searching, well actually, Faith kinda did it for me."

"Faith?" he interrupted her.

"Long story. Anyway, I realized that I was willing to be hurt, just to be with you. Any pain I endure because of our relationship can't compare, in a billion years, to how wonderful I feel when we're together."

Angel looked like he was about to interrupt , but she stopped him.

"And I know you don't understand."

"But Buffy," he put his hand on her cheek and she leaned into him, indulging for a moment. "I do understand, I mean, I feel the same way. But, in a few years, you'll want a family and you'll regret staying with me. And, you'll regret not."

She didn't let him finish. "Shut up!" she yelled. Her hands flew to her throat in pain.

"Are you alright Buffy? Are you hurt?" Angel put his hand on her shoulder.

"Stop asking me that!" she shook his hand from her shoulder. "I don't need you to come running to me every time I'm in pain."

Angel's face fell; her comment hurt him.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. It's just, whenever I'm in any physical danger you're the first to come running. But when I need you the most, when I need you to hug me, or rub my back, or just talk to me, you're never there," she calmed down a little. "That's why I did it."

"I don't understand," Angel looked puzzled. "What exactly did you do?"

"I ran off to see the Oracles. I begged them to make you mortal again. One of them-the guy, didn't want to do it, but the girl, she felt sorry for me, so she granted my wish."

"So," Angel stood and looked out the window into the sunshine. After a moment he turned to face her again. "You went to the Oracles and they made me mortal?"

She nodded, "Basically."

"And you did all this without even asking me?"

Buffy looked into her lap. "Yea," she thought for a moment. "I guess I did."

Angel didn't respond to her admission. The room was suddenly silent, and both felt rather uncomfortable. Finally, Angel spoke: " How could you do that? How could you do that without asking me?"

Buffy's chin began to quiver. Angel had never looked at her the way he was looking at her now. He looked truly angry: his eyes were dark and worry lines creased his forehead. It scared her. "I'm sorry Angel, I." she paused and looked down into her lap. After a moment, she looked up at him. This time, it was she who looked angry. She quickly wiped a stray tear from her cheek. "How can you be angry with me? How many decisions have you made without me. You never ask me what I want or what I need. It's always 'This is what's best for you Buffy,' or 'you'll thank me in a few years Buffy.' God Angel. Don't you think I'd like some say in my future. I think I know what's best for me. My feelings don't matter?"

"This is different," he still looked angry.

"No it's not," she interrupted him. "When you left me, you just left. You never even bothered to ask me how I felt about the whole thing. And again, you went to the Oracles and asked them to change you back, without even telling me. When I realized that our relationship was truly over, my heart broke into a million pieces. My body shut down. It felt like half my soul just decided to pack up and leave. I wasn't even a whole person anymore. I'd rather die, than have to feel that again. Those last moments in your arms, I was so angry with you, but I didn't have the strength to show it. If you had told me what you were going to do before hand, I wouldn't have let you go. We would have figured something out; I know we would have. But you didn't even tell me! So don't you dare get angry with me for doing this behind your back, because trust me Angel," she spat his name, "I've been on the receiving end many more times than you!"

Finished her speech, Buffy was breathless, and Angel was completely stunned. He had no idea how to respond. "Buffy I." he sat down again beside her and his frown of anger turned to one of worry. "I'm sorry. I had no idea. I." he looked into her eyes; they were bright with tears. "You shouldn't be getting so worked up," his thumb traced her cheek bone, wiping away a tear. "I know you want me to be your perfect 'normal boyfriend' but if it's going to cost you your life, or your future, then I can't do that. I can't be that perfect guy. And-I have to make that decision without you."

"Angel?" she sobbed, seeming to accept his answer.

He smiled sadly at her.

"What if, what if I could give you back your strength, so you could fight demons with me?"

Angel sighed and kissed her forehead gently, "If only."

"Yea. If only," she whispered.

Willow suddenly burst though the door. She had been watching Buffy and Angel through the window, not wanting to interrupt, but as they drew closer to each other, she felt it was necessary. "Buffy!"

Buffy pulled away from Angel slowly. "What?" she sniffled, looking at Willow.

"I need to talk to you," she glanced at Angel, "Alone."

"I'll just um. wait outside." Angel let go of Buffy's hand and looked at her sadly. "I be back later, okay? I still need to talk to you. to say goodbye."

Buffy bit her lip and hung her head. "Alright," she managed to choke out.

Angel walked out the door and turned to face her before she left. He paused, as if he was about to say something; he opened his mouth, but could find no words that would express his sorrow. He sighed and retreated from the room.

"What's up Will?" Buffy whispered.

"I um," she paused, not certain as to how to bring up her worries. "It's about Angel."

"What about him?" Buffy questioned.

"He's not good for you," she blurted. "Don't get me wrong, I love Angel, and I. we all want you to be happy," she gestured out the window to where Giles, Xander and Anya were still sitting. "But it's not worth getting hurt again."

"But."

"No Buffy, listen to me," she interrupted. "It's just going to end badly again. And then you'll get hurt and it gets worse every time it happens. I don't want you to get hurt," she finished her speech softly and sat down in the chair next to Buffy's bed.

"Uh Will," Buffy smiled at her friend. "I appreciate your concern for my well-being but, well, did you happen to notice anything. different about Angel?"

"What do you mean?" she questioned.

"The window's open," Buffy whispered.

"So?" she looked confused. "I don't get it," she stopped and thought for a moment. "What does that have to do with anythi. Ohmigod! Angel's alive? How? I don't get it. How? Why? How?" Willow's chin dropped as she stared at her friend, who hadn't stopped smiling.

"I went to see the oracles. They granted me my wish."

"Wow. I'm sorry. I had no idea."

"It's Ok. Everyone has been making my decisions for me lately. I'm used to it," Buffy sighed.

"I said I was sorry," Willow pouted in response to her best friend's comment.

"It's alright."

"So, he's going to stay with you?" she smiled happily.

"I. no. He's leaving soon, going back to LA."

"Why?" she frowned. "I don't understand. You two have been looking for a way to be together for as long as I can remember. or for 3 years. Why would he give up that chance?"

"He decided that because as a mortal he couldn't help me fight along side me, he'd blame himself if I got hurt-so he can't stay," she bit her lip and fumbled with a stray piece of hair hanging in front of her face.

"But Buffy," Willow's brow wrinkled in concentration. "He'd blame himself anyway. I mean, if there was a battle and he was there fighting with you, and you got hurt, he'd blame himself. What's the difference?"

"I don't know. It's Angel logic. I don't get it either," she paused. "But, there may be a way to change his mind; there may be a way to give me reason to stay with me."

"I don't understand," she frowned.

"Riley-he told me that the initiative makes their soldiers really strong and really fast, by mixing their DNA with that of a particularly strong demon. I mean, he's normal and all, he's just a really good fighter. Well," she paused and smiled. "Not as good as me."

"Oh," Willow understood. "I see what you're getting at."

"Yea. I want to make Angel like Riley. Only, not so pathetic, and dull, and boring, and not such a momma's boy girlie man."

"I get the idea," Willow interrupted.

"Anyway, then he could help me fight. We can fight demons together, like Batman and Catwoman, or Mulder and Scully, or Bonnie and Cletus."

"I think you mean Clyde," she interrupted again. "And they robbed banks."

"Well whatever. You know what I mean. It's just, I need him Will. I'm stronger when he's around. And when he's not, it's like a piece of me is missing, and little by little, what's left of me gets smaller and smaller until there's nothing left at all. And then I'm not even a person anymore. I'm just this hole and." she stopped. I'm sure you get the idea."

"Yea," Willow answered, thinking of Oz. "I totally understand the 'hole' thing. I've visited that scary country."

"Well, I've kind of been living their, Will. I've skipped right from tourist to permanent resident. The point is, we have a chance to be together, and I'm taking it. But," she thought for a moment, "I need your help."

"Sure," Willow smiled at her friend. "Anything." Willow wanted Buffy to be happy; if that meant getting Angel back, then that's what she'd do.

"I need you to find Riley and bring him here. He'll have to convince professor Walsh that Angel would make a good commando."

Willow nodded. "That I can do," she stood and walked to the door.

"Willow?" Buffy stopped her.

"Yea?" she turned around.

"Hurry Ok. We only have a day to do this. If we don't make it," she shuddered at the thought. "Angel will be turned back into a vampire. And I'll lose him again," she bit her lip.

"That's not going to happen," she smiled.

"Thanks Will."

"I'll be back as soon as I can," Willow turned and walked quickly out the door, leaving Buffy alone for the first time since her arrival at the hospital.

Buffy curled up into partial fetal position, being careful not to disturb the tubes coming out from her arms. She closed her eyes and tried to drift off to sleep-her thoughts on Angel. "Please." she whispered. "Please don't let him leave me again." The last things she thought of before drifting into nothingness, were the feeling of Angel's arms around her, and the sound of his voice whispering in her ear; she would hear it again.

"Hey Willow," he stood up. "Come in."

"Thanks," she walked in and closed the door behind her.

"Can I help you with something?" he walked over to her.

"Yes actually. I have a favor to ask."

"I can do favors. Except on Sunday mornings, because I have to go to church."

"Oh. of course." Willow frowned, puzzled by his comment.

"What can I do for you?"

"Actually, it's not for me. It's for Buffy."

"Oh," Riley paused, getting an 'I'm no longer a resident of the planet earth' look in his eyes. "Isn't Buffy lukewarm?" he sighed and smiled sweetly.

"Um yea, whatever." Willow looked puzzled some-more. "Anyway, she wanted me to come and get you. She needs your help with something."

"Ok sure," he grabbed his freshly ironed Gore Tex coat from the closet. "I'd do anything for Buffy. Except on Sundays. I can't miss church."

"Holy crap--what a loser," Willow muttered under her breath.

"Pardon me?"

"Nothing."

"So," he headed for the door. "Where are we going?"

"To the hospital actually."

"Eeeeeekkkk!!!" he let out a girlie scream. "What's wrong? Is my Buffy Ok?"

"Yea," Willow giggled. "She'll be alright."

"What happened?"

"Long story. I'm sure Buffy will fill you in."

"Ok."

The two were about to leave, when Willow remembered something important. "Oh and Riley?"

"Yupskies?"

"Yupskies? Oh god," she spoke under her breath. "She asked that you bring Professor Walsh along. It's important."

"Mommy? Why would. I mean," realizing his slip, he paused and corrected himself. "Why would Buffy want to see Professor Walsh?"

"I'm not at liberty to say," she did her best armyboy impression. "Something to do with the Initiative. She'll fill you in when you get there."

"Okie-dokey. I'm sure I can get mom-Prof., Walsh to come along."

"Great," Willow let out a sigh of relief. Everything was going according to plan.

"Hey Willow?" the two began to walk quickly down the hall.

"Yea?"

"Did Buffy tell you the story about me winning the Best Butter Churner and the Fastest Grain Harvester Awards in the same Pumpkin Festival back in Iowa?"

"No," Willow struggled to keep a straight face.

"Well," he began. "It all started back when I was a wee lad of four years old. For Christmas that year, my dad bought me my first cow, and naturally, I named her tiger. Tiger the cow. Anyway, Tiger's milk was great for making butter so it was really easy for me. Every morning at four am, dad would pull me out of bed and we'd throw on our overalls and head out to the cattle pasture. The cattle pasture was my favorite place to hang out because.." And he went on. and on. and on.

"God help me," Willow muttered.

"Yes Ma'am?" he did a lame looking military salute.

"What exactly is going on here? I was engaged in rather important business when I was so rudely interrupted."

"I'm not sure yet, ma'am. Buffy will explain when we get there," he hopped down the sidewalk, happy that he was going to see his wonderful girlfriend. "I'm sure she has a good reason for calling us here,"

Willow winced as Riley continued to hop-scotch down the sidewalk in front of them. "Is he always like this?" she turned to Prof. Walsh.

"No. He used to be my baby G. I. Joe." realizing what she had just said, she cleared her throat and quickly continued. "Now he's just. giddy. I blame Buffy for this entirely; she's warped his programming. I mean his mind."

"Programming?" 'Ok, don't ask,' she thought. 'Riley is not important.' "Nevermind."

The three walked off down the sidewalk; Well, to be accurate, Willow and Professor Walsh walked. Riley seemed to prefer skipping.

Buffy's eyes slowly opened and Giles and the nurse were hovering over her.

"You had quite a nap," Giles patted her on the head and sounded like her father.

"I was tired," she smiled weakly.

"Yea," the nurse passed her a glass of water and several pills. "I told you not to yell."

"Sorry," Buffy whispered between swallows. "I couldn't help it."

"It's Ok. Just try not to do it again. You could damage your trachea," the nurse warned.

She nodded.

"Nut otherwise, you're feeling better?"

"Yep. You bet. In fact, I could probably go home tomorrow."

"Miss Summers," the nurse smiled, "You have just undergone extremely invasive surgery. I don't think you'll be going anywhere for a while yet."

"But," she protested.

"No Buffy. I'm not letting you out of here if you're going to get hurt again. You can stay here until the doctor says it's alright for you to leave."

Buffy pouted. She crossed her arms over her chest and stuck her bottom lip out as far as she could.

"You can make that face for as long as you like, but you're not getting out of that bed until the doctor tells you to," he shook his finger at her and spoke in his most authoritative British fashion.

"Okay," Buffy recognized Giles' resolve face and knew not to object further.

"Enough conversation," the nurse would've ended her protests if Buffy hadn't. "I have to give you your meds." It took about twenty minutes. Buffy was poked and prodded in every possible place, and she was forced to swallow several uncomfortably large pills. Afterwards, the nurse replaced the empty bags of medication hanging from the stand by her bed, with fresh full ones.

"There. All done," she picked up her tray and strode from the room.

"That was fun," Buffy spoke sarcastically as she gingerly rolled onto her back.

"I need to speak to you for a second," Giles sat down and fumbled with his fingers.

"Sure. What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I um. I spoke to Angel."

"Oh," Buffy tried to concentrate on one of the several tubes exiting her arm.

"He told me what happened."

She bit her lip.

"I'm sorry."

She laughed bitterly. "There seems to be a lot of that lately. You know, being sorry. It's like everyone's finding a new and improved way to screw me over."

Giles frowned.

"I'm sorry. see!" she tried to smile. "I a-pol-i-gize," she sounded the word out in syllables. "I'm just upset, and worried, and upset. I said that already didn't I?"

"It's understandable Buffy."

"Yea well," she glared at nothing in particular.

"Um. Angel told me to tell you that he'd be back later," he reached out and grasped her hand, "To say goodbye."

"I know. I mean he told me. I just. I don't want him to."

Their conversation was halted by the entrance of Riley, Willow and Professor Walsh.

"Hello my sweet!!" Riley bounced over to the bed making a fish-like kissey face. "My, how I've missed you!"

"Hey, Riley," Buffy greeted him with a false grin.

He ran over to her and leaned in to hiss her. Buffy quickly turned her head, and he missed and got her cheek instead.

For a moment, he looked disappointed, but quickly brightened again and began bombarding her with countless questions: "How are you? How did you get here? What happened? Did it hurt? Was there a lot of blood? Did your tummy ache? Does hospital food taste good?" and lastly, "Can I have your creamed corn?"

Once she had answered some-most assuredly not all, of Riley's questions, she set to convincing Professor Walsh that Angel would make an ideal commando.

". and yes, you may have my creamed corn."

"Miss Summers," Prof. Walsh interrupted Riley's second stream of questions. "I don't mean to be rude, but I have a lot of work to do and I'd like to be out of here by next week-so, why exactly am I here?"

"Well," she took a deep breath. "I called you here because of the initiative, and a guy." she preceded to tell Prof. Walsh and Riley (well mostly Prof. Walsh because Riley was too busy with his creamed corn to pay much attention) about Angel. She didn't tell them that she was in love with him, or about any of their past escapades. She only gave them the information on past experiences that would make Angel an excellent asset to their team.

When she was finished, an awkward silence filled the room. Buffy looked into her lap and rolled a tube, protruding from an angry wound in her left arm, between her fingers.

Finally, Riley broke the silence. "Can I have your pudding too?" he indicated to her tray of food that hadn't been touched-except for the missing creamed corn.

Buffy didn't reply; she simply glared.

Riley shrugged his shoulders and picked up the pudding.

"The thing is Miss Summers," Prof. Walsh chose to ignore Riley's behavior. "Our men come to us after years of army training; they know how to take orders and act within army guidelines. This Angel person doesn't have any experience, and as such, I don't think it would be appropriate to."

"Mmmm, chocolate," Riley licked the spoon. The two women ignored him-again.

"But he has other experience. He knows how demons think. He can anticipate their every move. Plus, he's been around for 240 years or so, and he knows his demons; he's practically an expert!"

"True," Walsh pondered this for a moment, "But I don't think it would be right just to let him enlist, however."

Buffy bit her lip. She'd performed the act so frequently in the past week, that her lip began to bleed. She wouldn't give up this easily. "Please. He's already really strong, and he knows how to fight. He'd be an asset to your team. I know he would. he." she said, desperate to find more reasons for Prof. Walsh to give Angel a chance.

"What's going on?" unbeknownst to Buffy and Co., Angel had entered the room and was now standing beside Riley, who now had chocolate pudding all over his face. Angel glared at him, "Who the heck are you?"

"My name is Riley Billy-Bob-Joe Finn. I'm from Iowa. I like to harvest wheat, and milk cows. And eat creamed corn and chocolate pudding."

"Right. Ok." Angel thought he was a mental patient who had gotten lost on the way to the bathroom. Choosing, like everyone else, to ignore him, Angel turned to Professor Walsh. "And you are?"

"Angel," Buffy gingerly sat up. "These people are here to help us."

"What do you mean? What's going on?"

"Dr. Walsh, could I have a moment please?'

She sighed, "Alright, but I have to leave soon so please make it quick," she turned to Riley. "Come with me, Agent Finn." The two turned and exited the room, leaving Buffy and Angel alone.

"Agent Finn? Who were those people? What's happening?" he looked confused.

Buffy thought for a moment, "I brought them here to help you and I."

"What do you mean?" he sat down beside her on the bed.

"Riley and Professor Walsh are part of a secret operations unit called the Initiative; they fight demons."

"Go on."

"Well, their men are really strong and really fast, because their DNA has been spliced with a demon's. I thought," she stuttered a little. "I thought you could join. Then we could be together."

"Oh Buffy. that's what this has been about all along , hasn't it. This has been the plan since the beginning."

She nodded.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I don't know," she couldn't look him in the face. "I guess I was just worried you'd be really angry with me. and that you wouldn't do it. that you wouldn't want to take the kind of risk just to be with me."

He lifted her chin with his fingers. "I would do anything in power so that I could be with you. I promise."

She pulled away and looked down again.

"Hey," he gently grasped her shoulders. "I love you, always. You know that."

"Then why were you being so stubborn?"

"I just. I couldn't stand to see you get hurt. I worry about you, you know," he took her hand.

"When I was without you in LA, I had trouble getting to sleep at night because I couldn't get you out of my head. I was always worried that you were alone, or hurt. It's weird though, sometimes it was like I could feel when you were happy, or sad, or afraid. I missed so terribly. I won't go through that again. I'd do anything to be with you," he repeated, "anything."

"So. you'll?"

"Of course," he took her hand and gently kissed it.

She sighed happily, her heart swelling in her chest. The pain that raced through her entire body, was no match for the tingle of joy she felt. Quickly, she reached for him, and he enveloped her in his arms. He gently rubbed her back and she lay her head on his chest, her arms wrapped around her back, holding him to her. This is where she felt most comfortable; she felt truly loved, and cared for. Angel kissed the top of her head, the rested his chin where his lips has just kissed. They stayed that way for a few minutes, simply listening to each other's heartbeat; they were safe, and happy.

"What are you doing to my girlfriend?"

Angel lifted his head from Buffy, and although she was started to see Riley and Prof. Walsh standing in the room, she made no move to leave Angel's arms.

"Riley," Buffy looked at him sympathetically. "I'm sorry," she looked at Angel, who hadn't stopped smiling. "But, I can't see you anymore"

"What do you mean?" his chin began to quiver and he pouted.

"Well, I love Angel. I've always loved him, and I always will," she looked up at Angel, and he kissed her gently.

"But.But." he fell to his knees and threw his body onto the floor. "It's just not fair!" he began to kick and scream, flailing his arms about like a fish out of water. "Why me? Oh the horror! The horror!"

Buffy tried to be serious, but she failed miserably. First, she cracked a smile, which quickly became a toothy grin, which eventually became hysterical, and uncontrollable laughter. She laughed so hard, that she pulled over the medicine stand, which was connected to the tubes in her arms.

"Ha Ha.ow! Ha ha. ow! Laughing is pain. ha.. ow. ha ow. I can't believe. ha ha ow I can't believe I actually liked you! Ha OW!!!!"

"Buffy stop it!" Angel tried to hide his laughter by attempting calm Buffy down. "You're hurting yourself. C'mon," he rubbed her back, "calm down."

After a few moments, she was able to get her breathing under control. Riley, however, continued to kick and scream in the middle of the floor."

"Riley!" Prof. Walsh finally stepped in. "Agent Finn!"

He continued his tantrum.

"Oh for God sakes, be quiet!"

"Wah! It's not fair!" Riley pounded his fists on the floor. After a moment, he slid across the floor and attempted to attach himself to the Professor's ankle.

"Just a moment," glanced at Buffy and Angel before grabbing the doorframe, and pulled her and Riley out of the room. Once the door had been closed behind her, Buffy and Angel could hear yelling and then whining; they ignored it.

Buffy looked up into Angel's eyes, and could see herself reflected in them. He slowly dipped his head in and kissed gently, yet with a promise of passion. She wrapped her arms around him tightly and moaned into his lips. He pulled away quickly.

"Did I hurt you?" he looked concerned.

"No," she smiled. "Definitely not."

"Good," he brushed some stray hairs away from her eyes. "The first thing we're going to do when you get out of here, is go on a picnic and watch the sunset. I've always wanted to see a sunset with you."

Buffy grinned. "Really? That's the first thing you want to do? I had other activities in mind," she looked mischievous.

Angel laughed at her, before leaning in and kissing her again.

"Uh. I don't mean to interrupt but." Prof. Walsh was standing at the end of the bed.

"Oh. I'm sorry," Buffy reluctantly pulled away from her love. "This is Angel," she gestured to him. "Angel, this is Prof. Walsh."

Angel got up of the bed and walked over to shake her hand.

"Well Miss Summers, it turns out we do have need of a good demon hunter. It seems that Agent Finn is in need of some psychiatric attention."

"Really? That's awesome!!!" she grinned again. "Wait. not the part about Riley visiting the looney bin, the part about Angel joining. Wow! Thank you,"

"Yea," Angel sat back on the bed and grabbed Buffy's hand. "Thank you."

"Well Mr... Wait. What exactly is your last name?"

"I um. I don't have one. You know, like Madonna?"

"Ok.. Agent Angel. that could work."

"When do I start?"

"Tomorrow. We can begin the tests tomorrow." With that organized, Prof. Walsh turned and left the hospital room, leaving the lovers alone again.

"I can't believe this is happening. I can't believe we're actually going to be together," Buffy shook her head in wonder. Angel said nothing; instead, he let out a sigh of relief and leaned in and enveloped her in a giant bear hug. Buffy rested her head on his shoulder, thankful for the times they'd had, and would have in the future.

"Angel?" Buffy broke the thoughtful silence.

"Yes love?"

"I love it when you call me that." she lost her train of thought.

"What? Love?"

"Yea."

"That's what you are. You're my love."

"I know," she sighed happily as he began to trace a pattern of kisses down her neck.

"Angel?"

"Yes?"

"When I get out of here," she paused, "It'll be your turn to play nursemaid. Think you can handle it?"

"Yea," Angel didn't stop kissing her. "I'm up to the challenge."

They rested comfortably in each other's arms for a few hours. No one dared to come in an interrupt their quiet alone time; it was meant to be that way.

"Angel! Behind you!!" Buffy warned Angel of the vampire that had come up behind him.

With almost no effort, Angel spun around and staked the minion.

"That was fun," Angel smiled.

"You," Buffy walked up and poked him in the chest, "are good at what you do."

"I have incentive," he smiled at her before leaning in to kiss her. As the kiss deepened, the two fell, entwined onto the picnic blanket.

"Ow," Angel laughed into her mouth. Buffy pulled away from him for a moment, her desire for him reflected in her eyes. Slowly, she pulled her gaze from his face, and stared down at his chest. Her fingers worked precisely and at agonizingly slow pace to undo the buttons on his shirt.

"Are you sure you're Ok to do this?"

"I don't know. But I can't wait any longer."

That was enough for Angel. Carefully, he rolled her onto the blanket and showered her face with kisses. She arched her back into him, as he kissed her lips, neck and chest. His gaze never leaving hers, he began to slide his hands up the back of her shirt. Being careful not to bump the scar running down the middle of her chest, he pulled the shirt up over her head.

Seeing Angel look at her scar, Buffy tensed up.

"What is it?" Angel looked concerned.

"Nothing," she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Tell me," he demanded softly.

"It's just. the way you looked at me just then. the way you looked at my scar. I."

Realizing what she was thinking, he placed a finger to her lips. "You're beautiful even with the scar. You're perfect. And." he ran his finger over her stomach and up to her nose, where he stopped. "And, you're my Buffy."

She smiled radiantly. "Always."

Angel leaned down and began to kiss the jagged scar that ran from her stomach to her collar bone. She arched her back into him and ruffled his hair with her hands.

"Angel?" After a moment of indulgence, she lifted his head from her stomach.

"Yea Baby?"

"Promise me that it'll always be like this."

"Like what?"

"I know there are going be battles, but promise me that they'll always end up this way," she gestured to their position on the picnic blanket. "Promise me you'll always stay with me."

Angel rose to his knees. "I'll never leave you. No matter what happens. No matter how many seven headed snakes are in our future, I'll never run away again. I promise."

And with that, the lovers lay together on their blanket, lost in their own little world; together forever. Or- at least until tomorrow, when their next battle began.

END.