Disclaimer:These characters don't belong to me. They belong to Joss, the mutant enemy who likes to fulfill our dreams and then rips them away...only the plot is mine, and it's how it should be.
Spoilers: picks up where the Challenge left off. Angel is human with his vampire strength, Oz and Doyle are back, Willow has yet to discover the extent of the gifts the Powers That Be gave her, Anya is two months pregnant, Giles and Joyce have a surprise for Buffy, and Spike has been restored to his former glory with his love at his side! Adam is dead, Parker is dead, Wesley has no idea what's going on, Kate is somewhere, Riley was dumped, Tara never was a person and Faith looms out in the expanse of the world.

I had watched everything from above, from within, felt everything they had felt. I had done my part and my time was slowly slipping away. A new one was on her way, she was being prepared to take over. The Oracles had tried to argue with me, convince me that I shouldn't, that he didn't deserve it, but neither did she. And so it came to pass, he met the challenges I threw at him and I restored his humanity, or rather he did. They were meant to be and now they were, with new challenges ahead and a gift being created.

"You know, if you keep your head there, I'll have a Buffy head instead of a tan."

"Oh, right. oh well. it doesn't matter, no one will see it except me anyway. Maybe we should actually try to find someone today?" He smiled. Everyday they had thought about calling Willow or Xander or finding where Cordelia went with Doyle, but they seemed more important. Over the past two weeks they had ordered pizza and Chinese food and Tai. She had introduced him to whip cream and strawberries and peanut butter captain crunch. He barely remembered the last time he had had real food, it had been steak and potatoes. The things they had come out with since were incredible.

He smiled at the memory of making hot fudge sundaes, and how it tasted as he was licking it off her stomach. She sat up, "What are you smiling about mister?"

"Nothing, everything, you, us, you."

"Oh, that's a lot or little, whatever." she nestled into his side once again and let the sun warm her skin. She felt so perfect against him. Since the last full moon, they had acquainted themselves with each other. He had explored every inch of her body, inside and out, he had memorized where every battle scar was and she had explored him the same. She had touched every part of his body, in essence they had been worshipping each other. He couldn't get enough of her, couldn't be close enough to her, couldn't touch her enough, couldn't reach far enough into her.

That morning they had decided to leave the apartment, he was tired of being cramped inside, he had spent 240 years inside during the day. So there they were, on the campus lawn, her and her lover. She was happy, too happy.

"Angel?"

"Mmmm?"

"This is horrible."

"What?" He jerked up and looked at her.

"Well, ya know, no demons, no vampires, no evil. it's been too nice, too quiet, like the calm before the storm. something big is going to happen, I can feel it."

"The only thing that is going to happen, is I am going to take you home and make you forget everything you said." He stood up and looked around. His eyes were still trying to adjust, it had been so long since they had to dilate and adjust to the sun.

"Sounds like a plan, how do you plan on doing that?"

"Well, I thought I'd start by getting rid of that shirt."

"Oh yeah, I'm intrigued, tell me more." she smiled in sweet anticipation.

"Well, once that shirt is gone, I thought that skirt would be the next thing, then maybe the pantyhose, and then I thought I'd. I thought I would grab you and kiss you, passionately."

"Yeah, then what?"

"Then I thought I'd have some ice cream."

"And do what?"

"Have some."

"Then what?"

"Maybe watch some television."

"Funny."

"I'm a funny guy, I already told you that."

"Right. Well, if those are your plans, maybe we should try and find Willow?" She didn't want to ruin their perfect world, but it had been two weeks.

"Well, we are here and I've got nothing better to do. Might as well." She stood up and they folded the blanket. "Feels weird."

"What does Angel?"

"Being deliriously happy. being able to talk to you about everything, not hold anything back, not having to worry about losing my soul and killing you. not being miserable."

"It's going to take some time, it is weird, but hey, things usually don't stay this way forever, something will come along to mess it up."

"Don't say that."

"I'm simply saying that Buffy and happiness aren't mixy things and that something is right around the corner, something back from the grave or from another plan." his mouth quieted hers.

"Okay, put me down already." He refused, he didn't want to let her go. "Angel? Come on."

"What you don't like being carried?" He smiled and stuck his tongue out at her and she grabbed it between her teeth and pulled it into her and kissed him.

"You can carry me anywhere, you know that, but my legs are crampy."

"Oh. That's odd."

"Not too, I've kinda been using those muscles a lot." He smiled, and let the memories wash over him. He loved that part of making love to her. Just when he thought it couldn't get any better, that he had gone as far as humanly possible, she would wrap her legs around his waist and pull him in deeper yet.

"Angel? You there inside?" He realized she was talking to him.

"No, I'm not, that's the problem."

"Right." She said with a smile as he put her down and she grabbed his hand and lead him inside.

"Willow? You there?" She opened the door to find Willow and Oz naked in bed.

"Buffy? Hey!" Willow almost sat up but then realized she had no clothes on. "Oh."

"Will, we'll just wait outside here while you do the clothes thing."

She grabbed his shirt from under the bed and slipped it on. "Sorry Oz, but it's her room."

"I know. And might I say you look smashing in that shirt."

"Thanks." She flashed him a smile. "Okay Buffy." The door opened and her best-friend walked in.

"Morning Will, hey Oz, enjoying yourselves?"

"Morning, is it morning?" Willow asked as she ran over and gave Buffy a big bear hug.

"It's definitely morning, actually more like afternoon. How does it feel to be less furry?"

"Neat."

"We really missed your in depth conversation."

"Sorry. Nice to know though."

"Buffy, I was just on my way to the bathroom to get showered and dressed."

"Will, I'm a big girl, I think that the farthest thing from your mind, it has been from mine."

"Yeah, well. wanna come?"

"Sure." The two girls glanced back at their men smiled in unison and left.

"But." he started but realized they needed girl time and he did have to share her eventually.

"Oz."

"Angel."

"What's going on?"

"Not much. You?"

"Same. Little less blood these days."

"Yeah, I'm not chasing as many cars." He smiled. He sat on Buffy's bed, and glanced down where there was the stain, from where he had laid her down after he had.

"So, Angel, you heading back to LA?"

"Funny."

"Well, what can I say?"

"I might have to go back for a couple says, tie up some loose ends but other than that, I'm here."

"Good to know."

"Buffy and I are engaged."

"Oh."

"Shocker, I know." He had always liked Oz, felt something in common with him, loneliness. They had both been something they weren't. They could walk like men, but were not, Angel had always liked Oz, and he was glad he was back. He knew Buffy felt better about being with him when she knew Willow had someone. Besides that, he could understand Oz almost completely without many words, it was his way.

"How romantic! For me too, we talked a lot about what happened, and we caught up for lost time a lot too. I was beginning to wonder when you'd ya know, come up for air?"

"Believe me, it was a very tough decision, but we can't hide forever and Mom'll probably be wondering where I am, come to think of it, so will Giles. Poor Giles, I don't think I've been there since. oh no, what if Spike went over there. I have to go!" Buffy took off. She hadn't thought about Angel until she reached Giles house, but she was sure Willow would tell him where she'd gone.

She opened the door. "Giles? Giles? Are you home? Are you alive? Giles?" She walked upstairs, "Giles?" She heard movement in the bedroom and opened the door slowly, "Giles?" She opened the door and screamed.

Angel heard the scream from the road, and he raced into the house, with Willow and Oz at his heels. "Buffy!"

"MOM?!... GILES?!. MOM AND GILES?!. MOM AND GILES TOGETHER!" She bolted down the stairs and Angel caught her.

"Buffy?" She had slammed into him and just stopped. "Buffy? What's wrong? Are they?"

"Buffy, now before you jump to con." Angel looked up the stairs and saw Giles coming downstairs shirtless, with Joyce behind him in the shirt.

"GILES?!. JOYCE?!" Willow's eyes went wide. "Giles?"

Buffy looked up at him and said, "I told you, didn't I, I said 'calm before the storm,' and you laughed, but I'm telling you. I said this." He just looked at her, eyes wide, he just looked at her and he was thinking of all kinds of things he wanted to do to her. "I predicted this.I mean what the hell are you thinking MOM?"

She couldn't believe it, her mother and Giles having sex in Giles' house, in his bed, where Ms. Calendar had been not two years before. Her mother and Giles. Her mother and Giles, her mom and Giles, the words rung in her head. She couldn't deal with this, she let go of Angel and walked past him out the door.

Willow followed. "Your mom and Giles?"

"Yeah, my mom and Giles."

"There is a definite ick factor here, huh?.. Buffy?"

"Mmmm? Oh yeah, ick factor, yes I would say that sums it up."

"Buffy?" Angel came over to her and rested his chin on her shoulder and wrapped his arms around her waist and clasped his hand in front of her. "Buffy, you know, she isn't exactly going to approve of me and you either, but you know, she's going to have to deal."

"Deal? Deal? Angel, are you saying that Giles and my mother could be."

"In love, Buffy, we are in love." Her mom came over to her and took her hand. "Buffy, let's go talk, let's go out for lunch, you and me, we'll have a talk."

"O. okay Mom." Her mom went to get dressed and she turned to Angel and he nodded, he understood. "What'll you do?"

"I'll try to find Doyle and Cordelia, I want to talk to them, say hi, maybe go shopping. You have a good time, I love you."

"You? Shopping?"

"You know. I have more options opened to me, a little less O negative, maybe some fruit."

"Right. I forgot. I love you too." She met his lips as he leaned down to her. "Then I guess I'll see you later? Hey, you're not going to leave are you? Because you should at leas."

He grabbed her and pressed lips to hers, and slowly opened his mouth. She let him in, kissing Angel was like breathing to her, she couldn't stop. It was automatic and she let it take her over. He started pulling away and she just wanted to keep him there forever, but he didn't stay. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm here for good this time, I promise."

"Good." Her mom was now dressed and was waiting for her. They hopped in the car and off they were to lunch.

She told Buffy everything and Buffy told her about what had happened, about Angel being human. She didn't approve, human or not, he had hurt her daughter more than twice. He still wouldn't be welcome in her house.

"Spike? Darling? Where are you?" Her voice sent chills down his spine. Indeed, it had been too long. He was watching her look for him, trying not to give his position away, waiting, biding his time. "Spike? Come on, Miss Edith's mummy has been a bad girl, you'll have to punish her severely." He watched her carry the doll around, looking for him. "Call to him Miss Edith, call, daddy? Daddy? Spike?"

She was close enough now, he jumped out and she turned and hissed at him. He grabbed her arms and they slammed into the wall behind them and he pinned her arms above her. "Ooo, you have been a bad mummy, haven't you?"

"Very bad." she gazed into his eyes begging for mercy, deliciously anticipating what he would do next. Her chest was heaving and he bent down to her and grabbed her dress in his teeth and pulled hard. She squealed with delight as the dress ripped. His grip relaxed on her arms and he sank to the floor, taking the rest of the dress with him.

She loved it when he did this, he knew exactly what she wanted, and he did it. She growled as his mouth found her most vulnerable parts. She felt his tongue on her thighs, slowly moving deeper into her body. He teased and taunted, nibbling and kissing her and she loved it. He got her excited and then stopped, making the burning inside, that need to have him inside, worse and painful. He stood up licking his lips and forged his tongue in her mouth to share her taste with her. She answered his aggression with her own and then she felt it coming and she stopped.

She was biting his tongue and then she was withdrawing. "Dru? Love?"

"Ooohhh Spike." she fell to the ground, doubled over, holding her head.

"What is it? What do you see love?" He knew he had to wait for her, there was nothing he could do otherwise. He just sunk down to the floor and cradled her while she held her head whining. In a couple minutes, she had quieted and she turned to look up at him, she was smiling.

"What did you see love?"

"I saw." her hands were moving up his legs, "I saw someone we need to meet. but she'll find us. we have to wait."

"Who is she love?" He groaned as her hands made contact with his throbbing need.

"Don't worry love, I got good games for all." and she squeezed him a little and then rested her mouth around him and bit. "A good time is on it's way Spike."

She felt so good around him. His hands went all over her. He adored her, worshipped her, loved her. She was biting and licking, teasing him, as he had to her and he couldn't stand it anymore. "Let's get it done love." and he grabbed her head and pulled her lips to his.

"Oooo goody." she whispered as he thrust himself inside her as fast as he could. He was moving in and out of her, twisting and turning, pushing as hard as he could, and she was drawing him inside, begging him for more, scratching at his back, her nails dug in and he felt the blood dripping down, on her stomach, he would get that later.

"Well, it seems like things have happened, that no one seemed to think to tell me."

"Giles, I can explain." Willow looked at him, he was hurt, she could tell. He was staring at Angel in the sun and he was clearly puzzled. "Giles, let me tell you what happened." she and Oz followed the ex-librarian into his house and Angel watched Buffy climb in the car with her mom. Angel didn't follow them into the house, he left, she knew he was going to look for Cordelia. She explained everything to Giles about the Powers That Be, although, it was really a Power That Is, actually, it was Tara. She missed her, but knew Tara was watching her. Se was so grateful, so in awe, she had gotten to meet her Goddess, she had practiced spells with her. She explained the gifts and Angel's human restoration. She told him what happened with Adam and Riley and he listened to everything.

He had to stop this, it wasn't good. Was he actually regretting what had happened? This was perfect, he could fight and be with Buffy and act like a normal person, no he didn't need to act, he was a normal person. He didn't want to agree with Buffy, but things did seem too perfect.

She heard the knock on the door and she ran upstairs, desperately wanting human contact. She hadn't seen him that much, rather she'd seen for ten minutes tops.

"Come on in." She already liked him, she didn't know why, maybe because they had something in common. Both had been demons and both were trying to cope with renewed life. She'd seen that look before, on her own.

"We've not been properly introduced. I'm Angel."

"Anya, nice to meet you. I've heard lots of things about you."

"All good I hope. but I know better."

"No, some good, some bad. but I like to make up my own mind. Want some juice?"

"No, thanks. How's our proud papa doing?"

"Well, he's not. He's just been sitting there. He hasn't moved except to go to the bathroom and eat. I'm scared. I don't want to push, but this baby will eventually come out and I'd like it's father to, you know, talk?"

"He's just shell shocked. I can't imagine what he's thinking."

"No you can't Dead Boy." He spoke! She ran over to him and touched his cheek.

"Don't call me that, besides, it's not true anymore." He had always hated that nickname, it had always made him feel like less of a man, no matter if he had indeed been less than a man, he didn't like to feel that way.

"Xander? Baby? Honey? Let's talk about this. Are you okay?" He watched as Xander and Anya hugged and he missed Buffy. His body yearned to be close to her, every cell called Buffy's name. He didn't remember every feeling this way, not with his entire body. He was alive, pulled in oxygen and felt it enter his lungs. He was glad he had not felt this before when he was in LA. It would have been torture.

"Angel, would you mind?" Xander was approaching him now, making it clear that he and Anya wanted to be alone.

"Oh, sorry, I was just looking for Cordelia, thought she might be here."

"Why would she be here?" Anya asked.

"Just because she doesn't have a place here and everyone else she knew has been accounted for. That's all, if you see her, tell her I'm lookin'."

"Consider it done, dead boy."

"DON"T call me that!" That said, he left, he would probably never get the point across. He was walking away from Xander's house when he heard two familiar voices.

"ANGEL? Angel! We've been looking for you!" Cordelia ran over and gave him a big hug. "I've been looking for you too. Doyle! I didn't get a chance to say thanks or hi or anything. What's it like being alive! And don't ever try that heroic stuff again."

"That's what I said." It was so great to see his friend, his confident, both of them really. "So where's Buffy? And how's it like being a guy?"

"I've always been a guy, I mean."

"You had guyness about you, distinct guy qualities, but you always said you're weren't one, so what's it like? You and Buffy ha. stupid question, of course you and Buffy, shall we say, 'pure happiness.'"

"Cordy," he laughed, "You are amazing."

"Yeah, tell me about it." Doyle said.

"Hey, just to let you know, we went back to LA last week when we couldn't find anyone anywhere. Phantom Dennis is so happy for you, he wants to meet Buffy, although that would be really difficult, but he left a note for us. Anyway, I told Wesley, he's happy, a little disappointed, what with being out of work now and all. but you really could care less, huh?"

"No, Cordelia, it's not you, it's me. I'm just somewhere else, my mind is somewhere else."

"Like in a room with Buffy?"

"Something like that."

"Speaking of Buffy, where is she? I didn't think she would let you out of her sight, I mean the last few times she did you know you tried to kill everyone and then you left her an."

"I think I remember Cordy, thanks for the recap."

"Sorry. Where is she?"

"With her mom."

"Oh, poor Buffy."

"Really poor Buffy, her mom was having sex with Giles."

"What? Her mom was having SEX with Giles?"

"You're a good listener."

"Shut up Doyle. or shall I say Francis."

"Hey now, that's not very nice." It was nice to see them so happy, and so alive together. He wondered if he had told Cordelia about how much time he'd spent pining over her. He smiled, his friend was very much alive.

"Well, listen, I'm going to try and find my parents. why don't you two meet me somewhere later? Maybe I'll run into Buffy."

"Cordelia, why don't I go with you, I think Angel wants to be alone."

"Oh. okay, we'll see you later."

"Bye guys, maybe we'll catch you at the Bronze."

"Yeah! The good ole Bronze."

"What's the Bronze?" Doyle asked as they continued on their way.

Miles and miles away she sat in the dark. She had been for some time now, thinking. What had she done? Why? She had had her chance but she had stayed. Dreamt, thought. Why had she gone back? Why had she cared? She was trying to figure out her life, what would become of it. She was being hunted, but they couldn't find her where she was.

She still wanted him. The little time they had spent together, she had fallen in love. She wanted him. He didn't deserve who he had, she could make him happy. She could change him, make him do her evil bidding, control him, then he could make her one of them and they would be unstoppable. Was this what she wanted? She had dreamt of revenge and how sweet if could be. What she had really wanted all along was someone of her own. She was on her way now to get him.

He was chained, in handcuffs, to the wall. He was kneeling on the floor, naked and she was burning his skin with the holy water she had once taken into her body. He was screaming and begging for more. He had been a bad boy. She sat a few feet away, throwing droplets of water at him every now and then. He was hungry for her, she could tell. She would make him pay for turning on her and her Angel.

It was getting old, he had had enough. He wanted her, craved her, was crazy for her to just come a little closer so he could taste her. He was begging for her to let him go, to undo the chains so he could have his fun. She was still mad, he knew that now, he hadn't before when she had come to him with the new game. She was mad and he needed to pay the price before she could forgive him.

"Dru. please. I'm sorry. but."

"Shhh. Spike, Miss Edith doesn't want your excuses." she said quietly, "Miss Edith is sleepy, I'm going to put her down for a nap. Stay here."

"Like I have a choice, love." He said as she stood and brushed past him, close enough for him to smell her excitement. She was getting over the betrayal, slowly but soon she'd be ready. She came back in.

"Miss Edith thinks you were naughty and she's not happy." She went to the table and picked up the wooden stake and walked over to him, was he wrong? Had this been her plan all along? She walked to him and dropped the stake on the floor. She came to him and bent down in front of him. Her lips just touching his, close enough, he didn't dare try anything.

"Spike." she said softly as she put her hands on his shoulders and slowly trailed them down his bare chest. "Spike. Miss Edith is very mad at you. you hurt her, how do you plan to atone for your crimes?"

"Dru. Miss Edith isn't mad, you are." That had been the wrong thing to say, he knew it as soon as he had said it and saw in her eyes, hurt. He didn't want to hurt her but he had been chained for two days now and he was hungry and tired. He hadn't been thinking. She stood up and slapped him, hard on the face and her nails scratched him and stung. The blood began dripping down his cheek.

"Dru, I'm sorry, I'm hungry. I'm tired. I'm sorry, I know I was wrong, but I don't like sharing you, especially with Angel. He was the one who hurt you, Dru, he made you hurt, and I hate him for that."

He had finally been honest. That's all she had wanted, for him to stop patronizing her with pitiful apologies. He was scared, he was afraid. she could sense the fear in her bones and it made her blood boil. He was looking up at her, wondering what she'd do next. She picked up the stake and faced it's tip at her.

"DRU?! NO!!!!" He screamed and she smiled, that was torment enough for him. She could forgive him, he had been punished.

She dropped the stake and walked over to him and knelt in front of him and put her mouth to his cheek and licked off the blood. She grazed her tongue on his ear and whispered, "let's get it done love." She met his eyes with hers and she smiled.

He was forgiven. He was relieved. She reached above him, his head in her chest and he kissed her as she unlocked the handcuffs. He threw his arms around her and pushed her to the floor.

He had seen dusk, the end of it anyway. He remembered the last complete sunset he had seen, in LA with the ring of Amara on his hand, he had watched, never being able to imagine seeing another. It was night yet again, his companion for two centuries and now his nightmare. Memories of torture and pain he caused so many, memories of time spent with Buffy, making her cry, how could she love him after all the hurt?

He walked streets he had once before seeking evil, now he was going home. He opened the door to the apartment and it was empty, solitude washed over him. It was as it had been dozens of times before, empty and lonely, full of books and curtains to blind death. He sat in a chair in the darkness for what seemed like minutes.

The door opened. "What's wrong?" Buffy asked as she came in carrying a couple bags.

"Nothing."

"That's not a nothing face, that's a something face. What kind of something face is it? A good something, or a bad something cause I just poofed three vampires on my way home and I was hoping for a good something. Although by your face and the dark, I fear a bad something."

"Just a something. Never mind, it's not important."

"Angel, if it's important enough to give you a something face, it's important to talk about." She dropped the bags and closed the door. She walked to him and sat straddling the chair, with her arms around him. "Tell me, what's the something?"

She had seen this face before now. She had seen it when he told her he was leaving after the ascenscion and when he told her he had asked the Oracles to change him bac. oh no, what if he had? "Angel? Please do not tell me the something is that time is going to disappear because I can't handle that again."

"No, that's not it. It's just."

"Just what?"

"Private."

"Private from me? We're not supposed to have privates. that's bad, of course we do, I mean, I know I imagined some stuff up, but I know for sure that we. mmm, sorry, private from me?"

"Buffy, I can't talk to you about this stuff, it's."

"Angel, there is nothing you can't tell me. I wanna know. tell me. secrets haven't worked for us in the past, have they? Now tell me."

"Buffy, the demon might be gone, but I can still remember everything, chasing, killing, hurting people, I can still remember what it was like, how much I. no, what's in the bags?" He was holding a lot inside, he was hurting, a pain she couldn't understand.

"How much you what?"

She wasn't going to drop it, she couldn't, he knew that.

"How much I enjoyed it. How it felt to be drinking your blood, how good it tasted, the smell. it makes me sick to think about it now, but I can still remember it and it."

"I know." She couldn't possibly! How dare she say that to him! How could she?

The truth of the matter is that she didn't know, she'd never know. She'd never understand what it had been like for him living for a hundred years with all that guilt. She could read on his face, what he was thinking.

"Angel, I didn't mean. I mean. I can understa. I mean, I guess I know nothing. It's just, what do you say to that something?"

"Nothing. You just let it be. I told you that you didn't want to know."

"I do though, Angel, I want to know, I want to try and understand. I mean, it must be a huge thing to get used to, you know. food and sun, those are big things. oh and happiness, another big thing on the list of big things to get used to. oh, and the fact that you can now die.huh? The fact that you will. another big thing on the lis."

"I love you."

"I do know that."

"No, I really love you."

"I know."

"What's in the bags?"

"Wouldn't you like to know." She jumped up and grabbed them. "They are coming with me, while I go change."

"Change?"

"Well, I thought I'd try something new tonight, I ran into Doyle and Cordelia, he's really nice by the way, didn't get to really talk to him, but he seems really nice, anyway, I told them that I was going patrolling and he said they would do it."

"Doyle? Patrol?"

"Uhoh. not mixy things?"

"Not mixy things."

"Why?"

"He's not combat ready." He cracked a smile, he was so gorgeous.

"Well, he said he would. and besides, I think we're good on that evil front thing. I mean how many vampires can there be for one night?"

"Well, we know there are least two, undead British ones."

"Let's not drag them into this. I'm going to change."

"What's the new thing tonight?"

"Vegging."

"Vegging?"

"Yes, vegging out in front of the television with a big bowl of popcorn and ice cream and soda and just laying still like vegetables, in your pajamas."

"But we don't have a television."

"Oh. well, we can still vegg, we'll just do it on the floor, we'll have a little picnic. Now go change, and keep yours paws out of those bags."

"I thought they were going with you."

"Oh. my mind isn't exactly working right. it's kind of on hold."

"Hold?"

"Hold onto you, hold onto me." she smirked, "I think I can trust you with them." She only had one set of pajamas there, the bunny ones. She would have to remember to bring some more clothes over. Chances are Willow and Oz would be moving to his old place, and she was hoping that Angel would want her to live with him, since the whole loosing the soul thing wasn't an issue anymore. She put her hair up in pigtails as best she could without mirrors and went to the kitchen.

"HEY! Get away from those bags or I'll."

"You'll what?"

"I'll. I'll. I'll. I'm not going to tell you, but it's bad. That would have sounded more authoritative if I wasn't in my bunny pajamas and matching slippers, huh?"

"Definitely." He was in a pair of silk boxer shorts with a tank top on and he was all hers. "Buffy, we really should figure out what to do about Spike and Dru."

"She's not Dru to you pal, she's Drusilla, okay? Read my lips, Dru-SILLA." She turned to him and articulated it very exaggeratingly.

"O-K, I get it. the jealousy thing."

"As if!"

"You know Buffy, she pales in comparison. I guess she really does." He chuckled.

"You're very bad at vamp humor."

"Ex-vamp humor. Seriously though."

"Simmer down, Mr. Dark and Brooding."

"And speaking of which, Mrs. William The Bloody?" He was standing behind her and he slid his arms around her waist as she began unpacking the bags, he began nibbling her ear.

"Angel?"

"Yes?"

"NO FORCE ON THIS EARTH."

Somewhere, not far from their bliss, was Iowa boy, decked out as G.I. Joe. He was tracking a vicious demon that had a specific taste for heart. He was picking up it's trail, that was leading him down an ally. He had been alone since the night the Bronze was under siege. Adam had been killed, he was dismantled and burned. It was good, the killing machine had been stopped. But what was it he had known? What had Adam known? What was Maggie's plan? Why had he been so important to her? The questions plagued him.

He missed her, Buffy. He wondered who that guy had been, he seemed old for her, not good enough. He wanted her back, he wanted her. He would find her and make her see the error of her ways, perhaps in class.

She looked so cute in those pajamas, her hair up, all blond and gorgeous.

"Angel?"

"Mmmm?"

"I think it's time you moved into the big boy human category and put up some mirrors, ya know unless of course it would be too traumatic, what with seeing your reflection and all."

"You want to check your hair?"

"Well, that and maybe some make-up."

"You don't need any, you're perfect just the way you are."

"Well, I won't argue on that point because we have different opinions, we can agree to disagree."

"So, what's in the bags?"

"Well, I have some strawberries, and M&M's, and peanut butter and fluff, that's always a good combo, also some honey, because it's good with peanut butter too, although not as good as the fluff, but they are definite mixy things, then I got some whip cream and we should really branch out into the real food categories, huh?"

"Isn't this real food?"

"No, this is junk food, the stuff that will rot your teeth and make you sick, but that's okay, healthy doses, we have to find a balance, hence the strawberries, of course, they go with the whip cream, but I'm flexible."

"Are you?" He asked, nuzzling into the nape of her neck and kissing her softly.

"You wanna find out?"

"I'm dying to."

"Please don't."

"Oh, bad joke, sorry."

"Let's see, what else? I got some popcorn and ooo, some of those little cracker thingies that have the little sprinkles on them, I guess they're really cookies, but I'm not a really technical person. Hmmm," he moved his hands under her shirt and his hands found her silk breasts, they fit so perfect in his hands. It was like she was made for him. "Mmmm. seems like someone isn't really hungry."

"Oh, I'm hungry, just not for that stuff."

"Oh, well, I was thinking we could try having dinner like a normal couple, do the whole sit down and eat thing."

"We can sit down and eat, I'll use you as my plate, you'd make a very good plate."

"You think? I kinda always imagined myself as a mixing bowl, or a really nice spoon, or a spork."

"A spork?"

"God, have you never eaten at Kentucky Fried Chicken? I guess no, huh? A spork is a spoon and fork, both together. a spork."

"Oh, well I'll tell you something, you've got a really nick set of. bowls. shall we say?"

"Oh you think so?"

"I do."

"Well, I guess you're the expert, I mean. how would I know, I don't go around feeling other girls chests."

"I don't either, just yours."

"That better be true, mister."

"You are the only girl for me Buffy, the only one. In my two and half centuries, you're the only girl I have ever loved, the only one I will ever love, forever."

It was a dream. She had remembered when he had come back from LA and she was in the club dancing, trying to move on. It had been so hard and now she had all she ever wanted, all she could ever want. His fingers were brushing her nipples ever so slightly and it sent chills down her spine. He was perfect, he was human and he loved her now, could be with her, make love to her. He had been so tender and gentle the past two weeks, sweet love with passion. She couldn't help remembering what he had looked like in the leather pants. She smiled.

He was breathing on her neck while she was making strawberry shortcakes. "Angel?"

"Yeah?"

"Would you do something for me?"

"Anything."

"Would you wear the leather pants?"

"The pants? Why?"

"Because I like 'em."

"Oh yeah?"

"Oh yeah, big turn on. I wanted to jump you right there, actually right here, huh? Evil or not. I wanted you to just throw me into the wall and rip off my clothes."

"So what's the point of putting on the pants if they are just coming off anyway?"

"Oh, just because I like them, and you love me."

"I do and if that's what you want, I don't need the pants."

"Serious?"

"Are you?"

"Yes." She met his eyes and she knew it was coming.

She wanted him to throw her up against the wall? He had never thought about it, well he had, but that was something he had done with Dru, not Buffy, never with Buffy. He didn't want to hurt her, but she wanted it, so he would, her eyes were sure. He took in a deep breath and jerked her around and his mouth found hers and he forged his tongue deep into her mouth. She answered his passion with her own. He slowly backed up toward the wall and threw her arms above her head and held them there with one hand, and his other grabbed her pajama top and he looked down and started laughing.

"What? Angel?"

"I'm sorry, I can't do this with the bunny pajamas Buffy, how can I take you seriously? I mean you couldn't look more not serious if you were in a duck costume." She was hurt, he could see it, she was in the moment and he had ruined it, he stopped laughing and put on his most serious face. His brooding, creature of the night, I'm-a-vampire-and-I'm-pissed face and ordered, "loose the pajamas."

Then he watched as she put her hands to the collar of the pajamas and she yanked on it and the buttons popped off and it fell to the floor. "Oh, not exactly what I meant, but it certainly caught my interest." He followed suit and ripped her pants off, she was naked underneath. He lunged for her and she put her hand out and stopped him. What was she playing at? He thought that's what she wanted. She leaned up and kissed him gently and put her hands on his shoulders, under the tank top and ripped it off. She then got close to him and squatted down and put her fingers on his boxers and slowly pulled them down to the floor. He could feel her breath on his body and she was instantly aware of how much he wanted her. She slowly stood up and met his eyes with hers. She put her hands on his bare shoulders and pushed him to his knees. She put a foot up on his shoulder and he looked straight ahead into her body, she was swollen, she was ready for him.

"Take off my slippers?" She said and he moved his hand upward and placed it on the inside of her thigh and moved it toward her foot and took the slipper off. She did the same with the other leg and just stood there. "Is that better?" She said with a look that called to him, take me now.

"Much." He was ready for her, wanted to be inside, but she wanted him to throw her up against the wall, so that's what he was going to do. He stood up and lunged at her grabbing her arms and holding them above her with one arm. With the other, he slowly moved down and inserted his fingers into her being and she moaned while fondled with her and he kissed her. He released her arms and brought his hands under her arms and picked her up to him and she threw her arms around his neck. Her breasts smashed against his chest, they were so warm, like satin.

He carried her over to the counter and pushed the bags out of his way. He heard a crash. "Oops."

She just started laughing as he sat her on top. "Those would be the eggs for breakfast, or rather they were."

He was laughing too. "Not a good idea for the counter, huh?"

"What is this with us? We're like the three stooges meets Debbie does Dallas, with some Lucy and Ethel thrown in for fun."

"Huh?"

"Oh, sorry, pop culture references. it means we're pathetic. we'll have to try being serious some other day, huh?"

"Well, we could try for three? But I seriously doubt it." He was still laughing and he buried his head into her breasts.

"Well, we're naked, we have a clean counter and lots of whip cream and fluff."

"Hmmm, what can we do?"

"Back to the plate idea?"

"Sounds good." She leaned over to the floor and picked up the fallen strawberry shortcakes and a thing of whip cream. She shook it up and squirted some at him. He jumped back laughing and it landed on his chest and she leaned over and licked it off. She shook it some more sprayed some on her navel and he leaned in and his mouth found her stomach. She leaned back on the counter and he covered her in the whip cream. She was moaning and twisting as he did his work on her and when he resurfaced from her, his face was practically covered in melting whip cream and she just started laughing, she couldn't help it.

"If I thought you were scary before with your vampire face, you should see yourself now."

He cracked up while she did and he jumped up on the counter and sat next to her.

"This just isn't going to work out Angel, I'm in a weird mood."

"We can. vegg? Is that it?"

"Very good."

"We can vegg in the buff can't we?"

"Of course, we kind of have to, my pajamas are torn in half."

"Right, you know until the eggs crashing on the floor, it was working for me."

"Me too." She leaned over and kissed him. "I'll clean up the eggs. I guess we'll have toast again for breakfast."

"Maybe by then we'll be over the gigglies and we can have a quickie for breakfast."

"Maybe."

Her body was on fire, he lay below her, his hands moving about her body, twisting and pinching her skin. He rarely let her have the control and most of the time she liked him to be the aggressor, but he was submissive this time. He had told her to take what she wanted, so she was, moving, forcing herself onto him, pushing him further inside. She could usually feel it coming before it actually came and she stopped.

"Dru, baby?" She fell on top of him, her hair in his face and he put his arms around her and waited for her to come back to him.

"Oh, it's all wrong. mmm." she was getting upset, she started flipping her hand a little and began sobbing, "it's all wrong. wrong. mmm.. Mmm. Spike."

"Baby, what? Tell me. we can fix it." He had to calm her down, if she got too upset, she'll be useless for days, sometimes she'd retreat, go quiet when things didn't work out. her visions weren't perfect, but they were nothing if not accurate. "Baby?"

"Mmmm. it's wrong."

"Dru?!" He sat up, and took her with him and experienced mild discomfort, as he was still inside her. "Look at me baby." he lifted her head to his and stared into her eyes, full of fear. "Look at Spike, we'll fix it, tell me what you see, come back to me, tell me, I'll make it right."

It was his job to protect her, make things as right as they could be for her. He wanted her happy, it was all that mattered, all that ever had, not even the blood took precedence over his Dru.

"Spike. it's the girl, the one from before, she has other plans now Spike. she's in love. we have to find her soon, we have to get her before he does."

"Now, that's better, I'll take care of it. MAX!" He bellowed.

He heard his master calling him, he ran upstairs to their chambers where the mistress had taken him two days earlier. She had told him not to bother her, but his master was calling and he ran. "Yes master?"

"MAX, we need to find a girl, Dru will tell you what she looks like."

"Okay, yes sir." He looked at the mistress, he had imagined what she looked like under those dresses she liked so much, but he had never seen. He was told who to find by the mistress, he stared at her while she spoke, she was so gentle and kind, he wanted her.

"NOW GET OUT!" His master screamed.

"Yes sir."

"Is that better love?"

"Yes."

"I told you I would make it better."

"Quite. Now I'm going down to help Max." She stood up.

"Like bloody hell you are!" He held onto her arm and pulled her back to him. "You have to finish what you started!"

"I'm done." She said as she yanked her arm away and grabbed her robe. He jumped up and beat her to the door.

"I'm not," and he grabbed her arms and pulled her to him. He was angry and his face now showed her he meant business. He pulled her close to him and forced her mouth open with his tongue, to taste her sweet delights. She bit down hard and it hurt, he growled at her.

"You're being naughty, not listening to mummy Spike." She reached down and grabbed him and squeezed hard and he screamed with agony and delight. "You know what happens to bad boys."

She could feel his need rising again and she had lied. She let the robe slip down to the ground and she jumped up on him, legs around his waist, and squeezed them around him as tight as she could. He moaned in pain and kissed her again. He carried her to the table and the stones were cold to her naked bottom, which sent chills down her spine. She leaned back and his mouth found its way down her body where he tasted the little warmth she possessed. She was pulling on his head to come up and to finish what he started, but now it was she who was being punished.

"Spike, please. please Spike." she was begging him to force himself into her. Her body was on fire and she needed to squeeze herself around him. "SPIKE! PLEASE!"

She was screaming, begging for mercy of which he had none, but it was getting painful for him too, so he obliged. His mouth met hers and moved her back more on the table, so he could climb on. He forced himself inside and felt her tighten around him, she locked her legs around his waist as he found her core. He could feel it. He moved in and out, twisting and turning, finding out what she screamed for and what she smiled at.

When it was done, she lay beside her Spike. She tickled him with her fingers and he ran his fingers through her hair. "Spike?"

"Yes love?"

"I think we should pay Buffy a visit."

"That's a wonderful idea, love, I knew you wouldn't fail me."

"No, Spike, I never do." She said, as the sun rose.