Title: Everything's All Right

Author: Slayer's Angel

Disclaimer: Joss owns all the characters save for the ones I make up from the twisted workings of my brain.

Rating: If you can watch the show, you can read this thing.

Synopsis: Yet another rewrite of IWRY… Fluffy

Spoilers: IWRY and everything that came before it.

Distribution: Take my fic, please. Just tell me where you're taking it.

Author's Notes: I'm taking a break from my other fic to do this series. It came to me in a dream last night and kept nagging at me during school. Please tell me if you want this to continue with the other Angel eps.

Feedback: Duh. Of course I NEED it.

Email: SlayersAngel@msn.com

Angel fought with the demon in the sewer. It had already cut his palm and sliced his favorite axe in half. He fought with one of its swords; the battle was rough until Angel ran the demon through with its own weapon. He hardly noticed the blood oozing down from the open wound and onto his hand. The thing staggered back and fell against the wall. It was then that the vampire got a really good look at the green creature. Angel was then able to identify it as a Mohra demon and punched the ruby- colored jewel on the forehead. In a flash of light it was gone and Angel was alone in the tunnel once again.

The dark-haired vampire started to inspect the abrasion in his hand, only then did he see the demon's blood seep into the wound and spread throughout his body. He fell to his knees with the force of whatever was happening to him. The blinding light and pain ended as he attempted to breathe in much-needed oxygen to his lungs. His gasping didn't go unnoticed as he then heard a new sound, the racing of his long-dead heart. His blood was now pumping furiously to feed the starving tissues and organs.

He got his gasping under enough control to say two vital words, said in complete and utter awe, astonishment, and shock: "I'm alive!"

Cordelia and Doyle came back to the office to find their boss' office a mess and the window broken. She saw a pile of dust on the floor and gasped.

"Woah, when they fight…"

"Oh my god!"

"What?"

"She killed him!" Cordy picks up a handful of the dust and realizes that it wasn't the remains of a vampire.

"Oops, my bad. It's just dust I forgot to sweep under the rug."

"What, are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

"Hey, don't blame me if he's too cheep to hire a cleaning lady."

They hear the front door open and come out to see Angel enter with and dazed expression on his (handsome) face.

"What's wrong? What happened? Did you do it with Buffy?"

Doyle watches Angel while Cordy rants.

She notices him moving closer. "Watch it, Doyle, don't get too close." The brunette finally realized something. "Hey! You walked in the front door-from the street! You got…"

The older Irishman glanced at the younger one.

"Yeah."

"An umbrella!"

Angel walks over to stand in front of a sunny window and looks out. Doyle put two and two together and got four.

"He's alive, Cordelia."

"Alive?"

"Buffy and I were attacked by a Mohra demon. I- I tracked it – and killed it," He held out his wrist so the half-demon could check the pulse, "and some of its blood mixed with mine."

"And you wound up with a pulse?"

"I want to find out more about this demon. Ow, my back. It hurts. Everything's.."

"More real now that you're real," Doyle supplied.

"Yeah. I'm mortal now. I have a mortal body." Angel stared at something behind Cordelia. "And I'm so – hungry!"

He rushed for the fridge behind the actress and she moved out of his way.

"Look out, he's gonna eat…," Angel began to bite a few items as the other two watch him, "everything in sight!"

The former vampire bites into an apple. "Oh my god. Food." He takes a bite of a sandwich. "This is unbelievable! This is so.. You know, I forgot how good it all tastes when you're alive!"

"Yeah, and they didn't even have cookie dough fudge mint chip in your day."

Angel turned to look at her. "Mmm, I want some! Can you get that?"

"It'll go straight to your thighs," she warned him.

Angel's still trying things out. He takes a bite of a chocolate bar while opening a package of yogurt. "Uhm, chocolate! Oh!" Angel laughs. "Chocolate!"

Doyle tries to calm him down. "All right, all right, we need to focus here! We need to try and figure out.."

Angel interrupts, talking with his mouth very full. "I love chocolate!" He drinks the yogurt and makes a face. "But not as it turns out yogurt!"

Doyle tries again. "Orsen! We're in a situation here."

That got the other man's attention. He stands and closes the fridge door. "Right. I know. You're right. Let me think- and now my stomach's killing me! Cordelia, find Buffy. She's in Santa Monica near the Lone Bar. Tell her I killed the demon."

"Okay."

"Oh, wait! Don't tell her what's happened to me. Not until I know what it means."

"All right." She left.

"So what happened?" Doyle looked up at his friend.

"The demon Buffy and I were attacked by was a Mohra demon. I think I read about them in the Book of Kelsor." Doyle ran over to the bookshelf, pulled out the book in question and opened to the section on the demon. "That's it."

"They're pretty powerful assassins, soldiers of darkness kind of thing. They take out warriors for our side, like you and Buffy. 'Needs vast amounts of salt to live'." "It was heading towards salt water." Doyle still quoted from the book. "'Veins run with the blood of eternity.' There it is. Its blood has regenerative properties."

Angel was only half listening to the half-demon; he was also staring at his reflection in the glass window, fascinated. "Which explains what happened to me. But it doesn't explain why."

Doyle closed the book. "Hey, what difference does it make, man? The demon's dead, you're alive! It's happy fun time."

"What's going on here, Doyle?"

"I don't know. I thought the only way for you to be made mortal was if the Powers- That-Be stepped in."

"What, they could have done this? How come I keep getting the feeling that you're not telling me everything."

"Because I'm not. We're both on a need to know basis here."

Angel begins to pace. "I need to know about this. Is this permanent? Am I - am I normal Joe now? Can I have a normal life? I want to speak to the Powers-That-Be."

"Woah, woah, woah! That's easier said then done, bud. The Powers-That-Be doesn't live in our reality. You have to approach them through channels. Dangerous channels."

"Yeah, you know what? Start approaching!"

"All right. All right. Maybe we can try the Oracles. But hey, if they turn you into a toad - don't say I didn't warn you."

Doyle led Angel down to a chamber under the post office.

"'The Gateway for Lost Souls' is under the post office?"

"It makes sense if you think about it. Now listen, the Oracles are finicky and unpredictable. You do get in, don't dilly-dally. Ask your questions, get out."

"Aren't you coming?"

"Not allowed. I'm just a lowly messenger; you're a warrior. If your heart is pure - and I do this right.." Doyle put some herbs in an urn. 'We beseech access to the knowing ones.' We may just survive." He put a lighter to the urn and it filled with high flames. The arc glowed and filled with light. You're in."

Angel steps through the light into a white marble chamber. Two glittery figures confront him.

The male oracle speaks first. "Come before us, lower being."

Then the woman spoke. "What have you brought us?"

"Was I supposed to.."

The man spoke again. "You call us forth and bring us no offering?"

Angel takes off his wristwatch: "I brought you this."

The woman held out her hand and the watch flew to her: "I like Time. There is so little and so much of it."

"Well?"

"What's happened to me?"

The woman stepped to one side of Angel: "It's true then, brother."

"He is no longer a warrior."

"It was the demon's blood. It wasn't the Powers-That-Be that did this?"

"The Powers-That-Be? Did you save humanity? Avert the Apocalypse?"

"You faced a Mohra demon. Life goes on."

"My life as a human. I'm not poisoned or under some spell?"

She looked up, after a beat: "The Auguries say no. If it has happened it was meant to be."

"From this day, you will live and die as any mortal man."

"Privy to all the attendant pains - and pleasures."

"That which we serve is no longer that which you serve. You are released from your fealty." The woman and man walked away from him.

"That's it? I'm free?"

The man held up his hand and Angel went flying backwards out of the arc to land on top of Doyle.

Doyle helped him up. "Angel, it didn't work?"

"Yes, it did."

"You just went in this instant."

Angel stared at the arc. "What?"

"Look at your watch."

"I can't do that, Doyle. Next time remind me to bring a gift?"

"I knew I forgot something. So, what happened? What did they say?"

"They're a little confusing, but.. - The gist of it is - it's real. - I'm free."

"I can't believe this."

"Me either. I mean, what do I do now? - I have this whole new life spread before me. I don't know where to begin."

"Right. It's overwhelming. You can pretty much do what ever you want now. The question is, what do you want?"

Buffy walked around the pier, just watching the sights. Cordelia had come and said that Angel killed the demon, but there had been a funny note in her voice, almost as if she were hiding something.

All of a sudden, she felt Angel very near. She told herself that it was impossible, she couldn't possibly be sensing him. Seeing as how he was a vampire. The Slayer turned around and is shocked to discover Angel himself walk out from under the shade of a shadowed arch in a hedge, out into the sunlight. Buffy's still shocked when he walks up and kisses her, causing her to completely forget everything else.

How had she lived without his embrace, his kiss, all summer? Buffy felt safe and loved and never wanted Angel to stop the wonderful, Earth-shattering kiss. She melted into his arms, finally feeling as if everything was finally all right.

A couple hours later, Buffy and Angel are down in his apartment having tea and talking about their options. The last thing Angel wanted to do with Buffy was talk. He wanted to take her into his arms and never let go. But her trust and faith in him had been damaged when he broke up with her and left Sunnydale. He hoped these things were repairable.

Angel poured some tea. "Would you like some more?"

"No, thank you."

"I'm really sorry I kissed you like that."

"You are?"

"Well, not for the kiss itself.."

"Good. I mean, 'cause - as far as kisses go I thought it was well above average."

"It was incredible. I just - I-I think, maybe we'd be asking for trouble rushing back into things." Buffy looked at him. "Not that I don't want to - rush. Believe me, I do."

"Right. You spoke to the Oracles and they said you were cured for good. But how do we know that they really speak for the Powers? I mean they could be - pranksters."

"Or there could be another loophole."

"Exactly. And then the two of us would be in even deeper and it's 'grr' all over again."

"It would be smart to wait a while. See if this mortal thing takes."

"Exactly. And even if it does, it's still complicated."

"You're still the Slayer. And I'm not sure what I am now. I don't know what my purpose is. I can't just wedge myself into your life back in Sunnydale. It wouldn't be good for either of us. Not to mention the fact that you just started college. And what about slaying. I mean, if you had me to worry about, you might not be as focused."

"Are you going to pull out a pie chart on me now? Because I get it, it's not necessary." Angel got up with a sigh and moved to the chair next to her. "I'm not saying I don't want you. You know how much.. I'm just saying it's worth the wait to be sure this is right. I need to be sure you won't get hurt again."

Buffy got up. "You know it's a good thing I didn't fantasize about you turning human only about 10 zillion times, because today would have been a real let down. - So how does the mature plan go? You call me? I call you? What?"

Angel got up and stepped over to her. "We stay in touch - just not.."

"Literally. – Funny." The two stared at each other for several seconds before Buffy broke the silence. "Okay, I'd better…"

Angel turned to look at her. "Right. Remove the temptation."

Buffy faced Angel again. Her hand found a place atop his on the counter. Simultaneously, the two looked at their hands, hers over his. His hand grabbed hers and before they knew it, Angel and Buffy were kissing, all the pent up passion coming to the front. He pushed her up against the cold metal of his refrigerator and her legs found purchase around his waist. The now human Angel moved in the general direction of his bedroom but ran into the kitchen table instead. He laid the blonde Slayer on the table after clearing it of all dishes and cups. Still kissing, he climbed on top of her and they made love for the first time since that fateful night of Buffy's seventeenth birthday.

A couple hours later, Angel was standing in front of his fridge loading his arms with all the food they could hold. He marveled at the goosebumps that formed on his skin as a result of being in front of the coldness of the appliance.

Buffy had been yelling things to get from his recently stocked kitchen. "And peanut butter, preferably crunchy!" He searched for said item for a minute before locating it next to a case of Pepsi.

"I got it!" He hurried back to the bedroom before he dropped all the food in his hands. The food was dumped on the bed and Angel got back under the sheets.

Buffy wearing a black robe smiled at him. "The perfect yum." Angel fed her a piece of chocolate after scooping some peanut butter onto it.

"Mmm, this is a dream. You're human for like a minute and already there is Cookie- dough-fudge-mint-chip in the fridge."

"God, I love food."

Buffy fed him some ice cream on a chocolate waffle. "Food is good."

They kissed, tasting the ice cream and waffle in each other's mouths. "Why didn't you ever tell me about chocolate and peanut butter?"

Buffy moved so that she was sitting next to her lover. "Well, I figured if your vamp taste buds couldn't really savor it, then it would only hurt you, you know? By the way, I'm over the whole needing to be mature thing. That time you just spent in the kitchen? That was enough time apart."

Angel returned her sentiment with a bright smile. Buffy loved that smile. She had never seen enough of it before. "Too much."

They kissed again and some ice cream dripped from his spoon and onto his bare chest. He looked down at the melted ice cream. "Okay, mortal coordination leaving something to be desired."

"Wrong. It's just right."

Angel laughed heartily as she licked up the ice cream and pulled her down into a kiss.

Several hours later, Buffy was lying in her Angel's arms, too exhausted to move. She had fallen asleep listening to the sound of his heartbeat. It was strong and steady, just as she had always dreamed of.

Angel was still awake, not used to going to sleep at night instead of during the day. He was content to watch his beautiful girlfriend sleep; he loved the little smile that played over her lips, showing him that she was perfectly happy. He loved the fact that he put that smile there and could now see the same emotions forever. They had agreed to discuss living arrangements in the morning. He wanted her to move in with him and go to school at one of the LA colleges. But there was still the Hellmouth to consider. It couldn't be left unguarded.

One last look at his love erased all thoughts from his mind and he slipped into slumber, now able to dream of one day having a family with the woman he loved. Buffy groaned as she woke up. She was sore. Muscles that she didn't even know existed protested against the movement of stretching. She was disconcerted for a moment when she tried to figure out where she was. Then she opened her eyes and found herself in Angel's apartment in LA. The blonde felt for him beside her. She was startled to realize that he was not in bed.

Then the smell of waffles and toast reached her nose and she knew exactly where he was. She found Angel's shirt that she had worn last night and slipped it on, only to realize that several buttons were missing. She switched shirts and headed for the kitchen, which was clean of broken tea cups and the table had duct tape holding up the corner that had collapsed. Just beyond that was Angel clad in black slacks and a gray long-sleeve shirt. His back was to her so she couldn't see what he was doing.

"Morning."

Angel jumped, startled. "Jeez, Buffy. You scared me. I thought you were still sleeping."

"I have Psyche at ten today."

"Oh." Angel was disappointed.

"I know we won't have the conversation today but I can come back tomorrow or you could come to Sunnydale."

"I met a new client this morning. It's gonna take some time to track down the demons."

They were eating the waffles Angel had made. Buffy only had one, with minimal syrup and butter. Angel ate three, all loaded with syrup and strawberry jam. "How long do you think it will take?"

"A week at most. But we can call each other every night. We can make this work."

"I know we can." She looked at the clock. "I better leave now so I won't be late for class."

"I'll drive you."

They made idle chit chat on the way back and when Angel reached the dorms, he insisted on walking her to her door. At the door, Willow opened it just as Buffy was going to put her key in.

"Angel! What are you doing here?"

"I'm walking my girlfriend to her door."

Willow was completely floored. The newly reunited couple briefly told the witch what happened before Angel departed, not before giving Buffy a see-you-later kiss. She smiled as she watched his retreating figure. Life was good.

END