"Angel!" she cried out, as she awoke with fear in her heart. She relaxed with the realization that she was in his arms. That meant that he must still be fully souled. "Buffy?" she heard him whisper, softly. She shifted around to face him. His eyes held that same love that Angelus could never fake, a love that would never die. She smiled. "Sorry. Just got a little scared..after what happened before." she said. He pulled her in closer to him and just held her. She felt so safe there, in his arms. She felt like she could stay there forever, and wished she could. She could stay in his arms for all eternity and never once be tempted to leave. She breathed in deeply, as if she could take in a part of him by doing so. She snuggled up against him and, with renewed peace of mind, drifted back off to sleep.
Spend all your time waiting
For that second chance
For a break that would make it okay
There's always some reason
To feel not good enough
And it's hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction
Oh beautiful release
Memories seep through my veins
Then maybe empty
Oh and weightless then maybe
I'll find some peace tonight
In the arms of the angel
Fly away from here
From this dark, cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your solid reverie
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here.
-exerpt from 'Angel' by Sarah McLachlan
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
They had spent the whole day at his apartment, just talking...and kissing. She'd had school, but that just didn't seem important. All that mattered to her was that her love was back. The world could collapse around them and they wouldn't even notice, for all they saw was each other, all they *needed* was each other. Now, everything had changed...except for the unwavering love each held for the other. Could they now have a future together? A lifetime even? Not much was for sure in their dark world, but it seemed that the love they shared could now flourish, and continue to grow all throughout the course of their lifetimes(however long or short they may be). Gazing into each other's eyes, they knew of nothing else. There they saw eternity, there they saw love. Few words were needed, for they spoke through their souls...and through their hearts. Their lips met in a tender kiss, but it soon grew in intensity..and became passionate. With each kiss, they exchanged the very essence of that which they were made of. Their hearts called out to each other, knowing this was where they belonged... Together. The passion and intensity grew with each passing second. They were at their passion's mercy, slaves to its will. There were times when being enslaved definately *wasn't* a bad thing. This was one of those times. Their bodies pressed up against each other, heat rising in them like the Sahara. They gripped each other closer...only to become aware of the insistant knocking at the door.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Buffy opened the door to the apartment, and saw an obviously worried Willow standing there. "Buffy. Thank god you're okay." Willow said when she saw Buffy. She then breathed a sigh of relief. "When you didn't come to school, and your mom couldn't find you..well, we were worried." Willow explained, seeming as if a huge weight had been lifted. Buffy took a deep breath. She hadn't meant for anyone to be worried, but she didn't regret what she'd done either. Angel was back, and the curse was permanent. She hadn't felt like this, like she had something to *really* live for, in so long that she'd almost forgotten what it felt like. She didn't have room for much else in her life besides her 'sacred duty'. She had her friends, but they couldn't ever really understand what it was like to have to *always* put everyone else first, no matter what it meant she had to give up. And her mom...Even though she now knew of her duty, they could never really see eye to eye. But with Angel, there was this complete understanding. They both knew the loneliness and isolation that came with their world, but found something in each other that no one else could touch. They found love. There was this bond of trust, and understanding, and feeling that few could understand. A vampire and a Slayer. Destined as enemies, yet in love despite the world being in their way. How could Willow ever understand? "How'd you know I was here?" Buffy simply asked. "I didn't." Willow replied "I just remembered how you said that Angel's place always made you feel safe..'cause it was, well, his place." Buffy smiled. "Well, I'm here, I'm fine, so you should go and tell everyone they can stop worrying." Buffy told Willow. A confused expression came to Willow's face. "But, why'd you miss school?" Buffy tried to think. "Well I..just needed to think. And have some alone-time." Buffy replied. < Okay, enough with the questions Will. Go tell the others. > she thought. Suspicion then crept over Willow's face. "Aren't those the same clothes you had on yesterday?" "Well, you know I..wear pretty much the same type of clothes all the time." was Buffy's excuse. "Shouldn't you go tell the others? You know, I bet they're worried-" Willow pushed past her and entered the apartment. "You know, you'd think the landlord would rent this place out to someone else, with Angel being gone for so long and all." Willow said, looking around the apartment. "That can't be good for business, losing so much rent money. You know, I bet-" "Okay Willow." Buffy interrupted. "You came, you found. Don't you think Giles and my mom and everyone'll wanna know I'm okay?" Buffy asked, all too eager to get Willow out. "What, can't I just look around? I've never been here and just looked around. You know, Angel has..well, had, alot of neat stuff. Very old and expensive stuff." Willow said, continuing to look around the room. "Yeah, some of it." Buffy agreed. Buffy needed to get Willow out of there. She'd tell her and the others about Angel, but this wasn't the way they should find out. Finally Willow went back towards the doorway. "Are going to come too, or do you still need some time?" she asked. "How 'bout I meet you guys later? At the Bronze?" Buffy asked. "Actually," Willow said "Me and Oz'll be researching. We need to see if there's any precautions that need to be taken with werewolves and, um.." Willow lowered her voice "Sex." Buffy's eyes widened, and then she grinned. "Oh, I see. And have you two already, or is this just for future reference?" Buffy asked. "Just in case." Willow said "I mean, you never know what could happen. You have to take precautions when you're dating on the Hellmouth. But..you already know that." "Yeah." Buffy agreed, and after a pause, continued. "So, look, I'll meet you guys there and help with the research." "Okay" Willow said "See ya." "Bye." Buffy responded, closing the door as Willow left. Angel emerged from the bedroom and came over to Buffy. "You think she noticed anything?" he asked her. "Nah." Buffy replied "She was suspicious, but there's no way she coulda known." He wrapped his arms around her waist, and they became caught in each other's eyes. He softly kissed her forehead, and she then leaned her head up against his chest. One unspoken question lingered. How would they tell the others?