Carissimo Padre

By Juliette Marchewka

Disclaimer: Joss & Co. Own all the characters and the idea is Victoria’s.
E-Mail: juliette2013@yahoo.de
Notes: After Victoria’s ‘Daddy dearest’ Challenge.
#2 Note: The songs are ‘Something Stupid’ by both Nicole Kidman & Robbie Williams and Nancy & Frank Sinatra, ‘Calling’ by Geri Halliwell, ‘Crawling’ by Linkin Park and ‘Don’t speak’ by No Doubt. They are all very good, so go to Nabster or Morpheus and download them! Or better: Buy ‘em! Especially No Doubt and Linkin Park are fabulous groups!
#3 Note: It’s possible that the comment about Robbie Williams Deanna tells isn’t true. I read it in a teenie magazine of my little sister’s. She’s a big fan of him. Well, the magazine was from the third of April, so it could be one of these horrible, nasty April Fools.....
Rating: I’d say *Strong* R. They do have sex, but I’m not telling it so visibly. There's one scene that contains an attempted rape, but it doesn't go farer than a ripped shirt. Also, language here and there...
Summary: AU, On her 17th birthday Buffy has sex with Angel who she doesn’t even know and gets pregnant. After 10 years they meet again.
Couples: B/A (what else??), X/A, F/S, W/T and hints about several ex’s.
Distribution: Everyone who already hosts my work can have it, if you don’t: Want. Take. Have. Just tell me where it’s going.
Dedication: To Shirlz, Leelee and my sweet Eva, ‘cause you forced me to continue this ^_^
Feedback: P-L-E-A-S-E
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

~ Note: Just imagine that Deanna plays something along the lines of ‘Close your eyes’. You all know the song and probably the solo-piano section. I’ve played it myself, it’s wonderful. Or Sarabande or the Moonlight Sonata, but I don’t know if you all know these. ~

Translations:

This is the conversation Buffy and Guiseppe, the waiter have:
G: Hello, beautiful. How are you? I haven’t seen you for a long time, already began missing you! That’s your boyfriend?
B: No, no. He’s not my boyfriend. Not yet.
G: Ah, I understand.
B: Shut up.
G: As usual?
B: Yes.

And this is what Buffy says on the phone, in French:
Good, I’ll tell him. I’ll see you next week then. Yes, Bye.

Angelino = It’s a short form for Angel in Italian. Literally. Used for kids, or small people.

*~*~*

“SURPRISE!” Buffy’s friends yelled when she entered the Chez Piere, an expensive establishment, along with her best friend Willow Rosenberg.

It was her 17th birthday and all of her friends were there: Xander and his girlfriend Anya, Dru and Spike, Ford, Pike, Tyler and Jenny, Amy and, of course, her father Dean Summers who embraced her warmly.

“Happy birthday, honey!” Dean told his (not so) little girl cheerily.

“Thank you, daddy” Buffy smiled.

“My, you look so much like your mother!” Dean took her at arms-length and looked her up and down. “My beautiful baby!”

If any other guy had said that she’d have blushed, but not with her dad. He always that this kind of stuff to her.

Buffy’s mom had died on a brain-tumor when the little girl had been 5 years old. Dean had sat at her side every night until she took her last breath. He’d needed a bit of time to move on, but when that time came, he did. Buffy didn’t remember much of her mommy, though. She’d been too young. So all she ever had, had always been her dad who’d raised her.

“Happy B-day, B.!” Faith hugged her. “Seems you have only 24 hours left!” Faith wiggled her eyebrows jokingly and Buffy only glared at her.

Faith and Buffy had made a bet two years previously, when Faith lost her virginity. Buffy had until one day after her 17th birthday to lose hers or pay a forfeit which involved table dancing at the Sunny Island club in LA. As things stood she was going to be table dancing very soon, and that would put paid to her ever setting foot in the club again!

“Here” Spike handed her a drink. “Let’s see how much you can drink!”

*~*~*

It was Angel Liery's bachelor party and he was already slightly drunk. His best friends Doyle and Gunn were making sure his glass was never empty, while in front of him a stripper undressed to an hypnotic beat.

Doyle, his best man, had chosen the stripper. The woman was blonde, smaller than him and thin. So, he had a type. But who cared?

He was about to get married to Darla Bennett, a girl he’d known since High School. Angel didn’t believe in true love, that’s why he’d said yes when Darla had proposed. He cared a great deal for the girl and liked her more than every other person in his life. But was it love?

“How’s your party, buddy?” Gunn grinned. “It’s a miracle we got that place! They are filled up, tonight. They have 2 birthdays, 1 wedding and a birth, here!” Charles Gunn informed the soon-to-be architect.

“It’s okay, I guess.” Angel mumbled.

“Oh-oh. Not so convinced, here!” Doyle remarked. “Harry!” He called the bartender. “Angel needs another drink!”

“How are you, son?” Angel’s father walked towards the bar, along with the 23-year-old’s Uncle Rupert Giles.

“Oh, we’re filling him up!” Gunn told the two men grinning.

*~*~*

Buffy’s world was spinning around her. She’d tried to walk in a straight line but landed on her butt after only the second step. She was more drunk than ever before in her life.

She could slightly see her dad flirting with the waitress, which probably didn’t look as icky to the others, as it did for her, because the waitress looked like she was 20 and her father was 36! Even though he didn’t look like it.

She had no idea where she was, or where she was going, so she just walked; and bumped directly into the most delicate body she’d ever seen.

*~*~*

Angel couldn’t think straight, anymore. He was so drunk, that he hardly felt his body, anymore.

Well, at least he wasn’t as drunk as Doyle and Wesley. The two were standing on the counter, singing ‘Let it be’ as loud as they could and he could clearly hear Doyle falling from the ‘stage’.

Then there ran the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen right into him. Looking down he saw it was a petite blonde girl. His first thought was that she was the stripper, at first glance they appeared identical...but then she kissed him.

He kissed her back. No, this wasn't the stripper. At the end of her act she had kissed him and it hadn't been like this. That had been purely business, this was soft and yielding, yet it held an underlying strength.

All he knew was that he wanted more of her, so he pulled the girl closer to him and dragged her into the nearest empty room.

And although he didn’t know at all what he was doing, it was the best ride to ecstasy he’d ever had.

The feeling of the girl’s skin under his fingers and tongue was incredible. So unbelievable soft and smooth.

He knew she also enjoyed herself, because he heard her moan and scream above him.

*~*~*

All she heard in the backround was a very poorly rendition of ‘Let it be’ when those gorgeous lips closed themselves over her’s and strong arms pulled her tighter and shoved her through the next door.

She had no idea what she was doing, but she was ripping his clothes apart and pushing him onto a nearby table.

It was the most amazing feeling she ever experienced.

It was fire and passion and desire and she just knew she couldn’t possibly survive one more moment without touching this guy.

It was crazy, she knew that despite the amount of alcohol in her blood, but she honestly didn’t care.

And she knew he also enjoyed himself, because she could hear him moan and scream under her.

*~*~*

Angel woke up with the biggest tomcat he imagined could ever exist. His head was damn hurting and he could hear the blood rush in his head loudly and painfully. Not even after his twelfth birthday, when he’d first drunken too much, had the headache been this bad.

Well, that and a petite naked blonde lying next to him on the floor of ‘Chez Piere’.

And when the memories of the last night returned to him, he felt completely guilty at once. It was his wedding-day, goddamnit!

But thinking more on it, he wouldn’t want it any other way, because this had been the most special night in his life; and he didn’t even know her name!

“Hey” He greeted the strange girl when she stirred and opened her eyes.

She gasped and looked around in shock, realising what she had done. “Oh. My. God.” She mouthed without letting out one single noise.

She had lost her virginity last night, without even knowing who that guy was. Hell, she didn’t even know his name!

“So,” Buffy said. “That was my birthday last night. What party have you been at?” Buffy mumbled, rather embarrassed, searching for her clothes.

“It was my bachelor party.” Angel said without thinking further. And when her eyes went wide and she stared at him in shock with this big beautiful hazel-eyes, he realised what he’d just told her.

She dressed quickly. “Hey…no…..wait! Please.. WAIT!” Angel called after her, but she’d already gathered her belongings and fled from the establishment.

*~*~*

When Buffy arrived home, she ran directly into the bathroom, puking into the toilet. The headache she had was so much bigger than her past ones. And in that moment she swore to herself – for maybe the hundredth time – that she’d never ever in her life touch alcohol, again. Now she knew what could happen, then.

Great. Oh HOW great. She really had spent the most intimate experience of her life with a guy cheating on his girlfriend!

But what scared her most, was that she’d actually enjoyed it with that wanker. No, more so: it had been the bloody best night of her life!

And, Oh God! They hadn’t used protection! How could they? They’d been like jumping each other and been completely drunk.

She silently went into her dad’s room and was relieved to find it empty. Which was no surprise when she thought about it. Considering it was 11am, he was obviously already at work.

So she went into the kitchen and found a note on the fridge.

Morning, Honey.
Hope you got home safely from Willow’s.
Breakfast’s in the refrigerator. It’s Gonna be a long day at work, so don’t wait for me.
Love you,
~Dad

Well, it seemed Willow had lied for her, for which she was really grateful.

Buffy grabbed the phone, calling the one person she could think of in such a situation.

“’Lo?” A sleepy voice answered.

“Faith? Can you please come here? And bring one of those pregnancy tests of yours.”

*~*~*

“And will you, Darla Bennett, take Angel Liery as your husband and care for him in joy and sorrow until death does you apart?”

“I do.” Darla said smiling.

“And will you, Angel Liery, take Darla Bennett as your wife and care for her in joy and sorrow until death does you apart?”

“I do.” Angel answered, a small frown playing on the sides of his lips.

*~*~*

The test stripe was pink.

And Buffy didn’t seem to stop crying in Faith’s arms.

“How did you get that so soon? Normally you only notice that you’re pregnant after a month or so!” Faith told the blonde.

“What am I gonna do, now?” The blonde girl sobbed. “What am I gonna tell my dad?”

“Oh, C’mon, B.! You don’t have to worry about your dad. The guy adores you. You’re his world!” Faith soothed the crying teenager. “He’ll understand and support you with every step you do!”

“I guess” Buffy sniffed.

“What you do have to think about is, if you wanna keep the baby.” Faith whispered.

*~*~*

Dean Summers puked the whole evening through, His baby girl was *pregnant*. No, his baby girl had SEX!

He needed a few minutes (correction: hours) to collect himself until he was finally able to face his sweet daughter, again.

“Will you keep the child?” Buffy’s dad asked her.

“Daddy, how could I not? Someone up there decided that it was time for this baby to be born. How could I possibly kill this child? It’s already a part of me!” Buffy whispered.

Dean made an ‘Ahw’-face and hugged his daughter warmly. “That’s my little girl.” He nearly cried. “But you are still *so* young!”

“You and mom were only one year older that I am when mom got pregnant with me!”

“Yeah, but we were married and knew perfectly well what we were doing!” Dean protested.

Buffy giggled lightly. “Daddy, I know I’ve been an accident! You told me so yourself!”

“But you’re loved like you’d been planned!” Dean Summers defended himself grinning and chuckled.

“What?”

“Well, at least you won that bet! Now, I won’t have to worry if my daughter is table-dancing in some club!” Dean smirked.

“Very funny.” Buffy growled, her voice dripping of sarcasm.

*~*~*

Ten years later:

“Mom? Mom!!” Deanna Summers yelled through the house. “MOOOOOM!” Deanna shouted again and watched her mother run down the hall and grab her coat.

“I’m ready!” Buffy said, kissed her daughter on the forehead and went through the door to Deanna’s parent-teacher meeting.

Buffy hated those. The teachers of her daughter criticised her and looked at her like she was some slut not able to race children, because Buffy was still young and looked even younger, while her daughter looked much older than her nine years. Which was no surprise, because most of her teachers didn’t know that Deanna skipped two years of school and was about to skip another. Which was all the more reason that there was no need at all for Buffy to meet her daughter’s teachers. Deanna was a child prodigy, just like Buffy had been at her age. So what need was there for Buffy to show up at a parent-teacher meeting?

Deanna was named after her grandfather, who took the place of a ‘dad’ in the little girl’s life. She knew the story of her father, though. But it didn’t really matter to her. Of course she wanted to meet him sometime. But only when he already knew that she existed.

Enie, the way her mother called her often, looked much like Buffy, besides the brown her and chocolate eyes.

Buffy and Deanna lived in a very expensive apartment building in downtown L.A.. Dean owned the whole block, so he lived practically next door.

The young mother had once thought about moving to a little town called Sunnydale, because she’d got the chance to teach architecture at UC Sunnydale, but had dropped the thought when her father had announced to her that she was about to inherit Summers & Co. after he turned 50. Till then she was his right hand and led nearly every project.

Dean loved both his daughter and granddaughter as much as he possibly could and he only wanted the best for them. He often played the babysitter for the 9-year-old and took her to work with him from time to time, as he had done when Buffy was little.

That was the plan for today.

“Can we go, now?” He asked Deanna, standing in the doorway to his daughter’s apartment.

“We can!” Deanna smiled, grabbing her Jansport-backpack and her jacket before walking out of the door and heading for her grandfather’s expensive car.

“Dean?” Enie asked. She always called him by his name, because she believed it would sound ridiculous to call a man ‘grandfather’ who looked like he could almost be her way older brother. “Have you got a meeting today? ‘Cause if you have, it’s gonna be real boring for me!” Deanna complained.

“No.” Dean chuckled lightly, starting the engine of his red sports-car. “I have to interview a new employee, though. He’s going to work with Buffy on the new Trump building. And I have to check the guy out, before I allow him to work with my daughter, don’t I?” Dean smirked and Enie only rolled her eyes.

*~*~*

Angel entered the building of “Summers & Co.” 10 minutes to early, he knew that. They said Dean Summers was very kind, but sceptic and strict all the same when the topic was either his family or his work. And Angel faced both of them, because his partner was going to be Buffy Summers, the daughter of the best architect the world knew. And Ms. Summers was good. They said she was as good as her father, if not better.

So that meant he had to make a good appearance, didn’t it? Now it was important to seem funny, reliable, nice and smart, so that Dean Summers would allow him to work on one of his projects, together with his beloved genius daughter Buffy Summers.

From what he heard, Buffy Summers had been a child prodigy and had graduated with seventeen. After that she graduated from Harvard after only three years of studying and already had several doctorate and professor titles. At only 20 years old, Buffy Summers began working for her father and would one day inherit the firm.

Angel went towards the counter and asked the older lady sitting behind it where the office of Dean Summers was and took the elevator to the 79th floor that lead directly to Mr. Summers’ office.

He knocked lightly on the huge double door and a loud “Please, come in!” echoed through it.

Angel was very surprised to see a man behind the table looking like 35, although he knew that the guy really was 47. Almost 50! He had expected a man with grey hair, grim face and wrinkled skin. But this guy’s skin was perfectly smooth, his hair still a deep brown and a huge goofy grin was plastered to his face.

“Good morning, Sir!” Angel greeted politely. “You’re Angel Liery, I presume?” Dean got up and walked around the table to lean against the front of it and motioned Angel to take a seat.

“Yes, that would be me, Sir.” Angel answered while sitting down.

“Oh, forget the ‘Sir’. That sounds much to much like ‘bum-licker’” Dean joked. “I’m Dean.” The man offered his hand.

Angel smiled at that. “I’m Angel.” The two men shook hands.

“So, Angel. Tell me more about yourself!”

Angel made a little shrug with his shoulders. “I’m 33 years old. Divorced. I studied architecture and graduated with flying colours from UC LA with 26 years and I already worked for several large companies in New York and with the designer of the Empire State building.”

Dean smiled his daddy-smile at Angel. “well, that’s rather interesting. Then, tell me, why are you the right man for this job?”

“Because I’m good. I know the business. I worked with the best people. I already experienced all the stuff I have to deal with now and I’m sure I’m good enough to work for your company.” Angel told.

“I’ve been told you’ve been accepted at Harvard and Prinze. Why did you chose UC LA?” Dean wanted to know.

“I chose LA, because I fell in love. And then I married and she didn’t want to move, so we stayed. That was the reason we got divorced; we were just too different.” Angel told his boss-to-be. Even when that wasn’t the real reason for his divorce. The reason had been that he fell in love on his wedding-day. And not with Darla. He fell in love with the beautiful stranger he’d shared the best night of his entire life with. But he never saw her again. The owner of Chez Piere had refused to help him over and over again and he’d searched everywhere for her.

“Well, I think I’ve heard enough.” Dean said calmly and Angel immediately feared the worst. “Welcome to my company.” Dean smirked when Angel cheered loudly.

“You will work with my daughter and with Mr. Alexander Harris. He and his company will build the building. Excuse me.” Dean said and walked around the table again to sit down into his big leather chair while pushing one of those many buttons on his phone. “Amanda?” He called his secretary. “Could you please send Xander in?” Dean asked.

“Sure, Mr. Summers.” Came the voice outta the machine.

“I’m afraid you won’t be able to meet my daughter today. But you’ll get to know her tomorrow. She’ll show you everything you need to know.” Dean Summers apologised.

“Hey D-man!” Xander yelled when he entered the office, earning an evil glare from Dean.

“A good morning to you, too, Xander.” Dean told his daughter’s friend. “Xander, this is Angel Liery. He and Buffy will design the new Donald Trump mall in downtown LA.” He told the younger man. “Angel, this is Alexander Harris.” He introduced the two.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Harris!” Angel said politely but Xander had to giggle at that.

“Call me Xander. Everybody does!” The dark-haired guy told Angel. “Oh, and Dean?”

“What?” Dean replied starlet.

“Why’s Amanda teaching Deanna how to play poker?” Xander said. “*I* wanted to show her that! I’m her god-father!” He complained.

“*I* am teaching *her*. NOT the other way around!” Enie yelled through the closed door with her small soft voice. Then she stormed into the room. “Okay. I’m under ten! But I’m as intelligent as a 13-year-old which means in mind I already am a teenager and know stuff! I’m not a bloody baby! I CAN play poker!” Deanna told her grandfather, standing in the doorway.

“’Kay. And who taught you? So that I’m not the bad one in front of your mother?” Dean smiled.

“Mom did!” With that Deanna shrugged and the 4’4” tall girl left the room.

Angel chuckled lightly. Somehow this little girl reminded him of someone. He just couldn’t put his finger on it. “Your daughter?” He asked Dean.

And again there was Dean’s chuckle. “My granddaughter.” He explained.

“That’s the Buffter’s little brat!” Xander grinned.

“I HEARD THAT!” Deanna shouted from outside.

That was something Angel hadn’t expected, because from what he’d heard Buffy Summers was only around 20!

“How old is she?” Angel was a little curious, now.

“9 YEARS AND THREE MONTHS!” The girl shouted from the outside.

*~*~*

“Honey, I'm home!" Buffy came through the door. She'd spent a day with "Oh, you're very young's , I expect her father to be a little older?" and "She has her intelligence from her grandfather?"s. Really , if hell did exist, then Deanna's teachers were it's kings!

Oh, what a satisfaction had it been to see the face of Mrs. Hamilton asking "Well, I do know that some stupid kids get children before they are even allowed to have sex at all, but those are too dump to even graduate from High School. Did you finish High School?" when Buffy replied: "Nah. I don't know. But some people I studied with at Harvard had children, too!" "Deanna?" Buffy called again. "Honey, you here?" She shrugged off her leather jacket and walked into her daughter's bedroom.

Empty.

"Enie? Cutie?" Buffy began to worry now.

"Hi Mom! We're in the living-room!" The 9-year-old yelled.

Deanna was sprawled over the couch in her pyjamas with her grandfather sitting opposite of her, playing poker.

"Dad! Hi! I didn't expect you to be still here!" Buffy bent down to hug her father. "And you, young lady, are supposed to lie in your bed for two hours!" She told the pouting girl.

"But mom! I'm winning!" Deanna whined with her puffy-eyes.

"Nah. You already did win." Dean stated, putting down his cards.

"YEAH!" The girl squealed, collecting all the money from the small couch table. "127$ for lil' Deanna!" She grinned.

Buffy giggled at that! "That my daughter! You're gonna make him real poor!" And now bed!"

"Spoil my fun!" Deanna mumbled when she strolled towards her room.

"Hey, that's what mothers are there for!" Buffy smiled sweetly. "G'night gorgeous!"

"Night mom. Night Dean.” The girl shouted back before disappearing through her door.

“God, you have absolutely no idea how cruel teachers can be!” Buffy groaned when she fell into the place her daughter had just sat in.

“Oh believe me, honey. I remember. I’ve been a young single father, once!” Dean chuckled. “No. Correction: I’ve been a young single father with a hell of an intelligent daughter and everybody kept telling me exactly how much I should hire a professional nanny!”

“Oh, I know exactly what you mean!” She complained.

Dean suddenly jumped up and walked towards Buffy’s CD-Player, switching it on and Frank and Nancy Sinatra’s song “Something Stupid” echoed through her apartment.

// I know I stand in line, until you think you have the time
To spend an evening with me.
And if we go someplace to dance, I know that there’s a Chance
You want be leaving with me.\\

Dean danced through his daughter’s living room, singing along the verses of one of his most favourite songs.

// And afterwards we drop into a quiet little place
And have a drink or two.
And then I go and spoil it all, by saying something stupid
Like: “I love you.” \\

Buffy giggled at the sight infront of her. It just looked too ridiculous.

Dean Summers liked all the ever-greens. Dean Martin, Sammy Davis jr., Barry Manilow, Frank Sinatra, Bob Marley, etc.. All the stuff Deanna Summers couldn’t stand. She was more into Hard-Rock, Bossa Nova, Jazz, Soul and R n’B.

// I can see it in your eyes, you still despise the
same old lies
You heard the night before
And though it’s just a line to you, for me it’s true
And never seemed so right before. \\

And out of a sudden Dean pulled his daughter from the couch and danced with her in a very formal manner. Like a real gentleman.

// I practise every day to find some clever lines to say
To make the meaning come through.
But then I think I wait until the evening gets late
And I’m alone with you.\\

Buffy had to laugh. She found it amazing how very cute her father could be, sometimes.

Why couldn’t the men in her life be a little bit more like that? Her own fiance had never done something this sweet. The only time someone had treated her with such tenderness had been the night of her 17th birthday. STOP!

Don’t go there. Jerk cheating on his wife! Remember?

// The time is right, your perfume fills my head, the stars get red
And oh the night’s so blue
And then I go and spoil it all, by saying something stupid
Like: “I love you.”

I love you

I love you

I love you

I love you

I love you \\

Why couldn’t her fiance act so loving towards her, like even her father did? Why couldn’t he make her smile or laugh or even surprise her sometimes?

“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” Dean asked concerned.

“Nothing.” Buffy grumbled.

“Oh, C’mon. Don’t you think I know you a little better by now? What’s on your mind?” Dean sat down, motioning her to sit next to him. “Is it Riley?”

Buffy groaned at the mention of her fiancé. Riley Finn was a very successful lawyer from Wolfram & Hart and was caring and sweet, but unbelievable boring. She still wasn’t sure why she’d said yes when he proposed.

“Do you love him?” Dean wanted to know.

But Buffy only shrugged.

“Do you love him?” Dean repeated. “Simple question: Yes or no?”

“You know- I thought about this a lot.” Buffy admitted. “I like Riley. I like him so very much, like I never liked one of my boyfriends before. And he likes Deanna and Deanna can actually kinda stand him, which is very rare considering her attitude towards my ex’s. But I don’t really love him. And I believed that I’m not able to love, because Riley’s so sweet, but I just don’t seem to fall in love! And then I realised that I’ve *never* been really in love. So then I thought it was just simply like this. That it wasn’t in my nature to feel true love. But then I saw that I *do* love. I truly and completely love somebody - Deanna. But I am not able to love another, like I love my little girl. And it’s all so confusing.”

Buffy took a deep breath. “Shouldn’t I feel the fire and passion and desire?” She whispered.

“What makes you so sure that this fire exists?” Dean asked gently.

“Because once I felt it.” Buffy breathed. “For one night I had this fire, this passion and desire. But I’m just not able to feel it, again. But I know it’s there and that bothers me so much.”

“It bothers me that I can feel real ecstasy and love with some moron I don’t even know, but not with my *fiance*!” Buffy exclaimed.

“I wanna have the passion back!” Buffy said, jumping up and spread out her arms like wings in the sky. “Why like when I can love? Why move when I can dance? Why run when I can fly?”

*~*~*

Buffy woke early the next morning. She would have to face a long day today. She felt a little groggy, because she’d stayed up rather late that night. She talked with her Dad until dawn.

She got up and took a long hot bath in order to remove the tension in her back and even fell asleep in the water. It wasn’t until Deanna waked her when she got up to prepare for school that Buffy finally got out of the water. Her skin was all wrinkled and soft, then.

It was like a morning ritual for her: First bath (or sometimes shower, that laid on the fact whether or not she had to hurry) then slowly - very slowly - choosing her clothing, then making Enie’s breakfast and eating a bite of a toast, before searching all over the place for her stuff, giving Deanna a ride to school and then driving to her own work.

The day was as boring as every other day. Unbelievably that this was her 27th birthday.

God, she sounded like your average mommy, although she hadn’t even turned thirty, yet! And the fact that her boyfriend - no, FIANCE - was boring and never there and she hadn’t had sex for weeks, now didn’t make her feel any better.

She walked - ever so slowly - towards the elevator, same as always, pushed the button for the 57th floor and waited for the noise and the tingling in her stomach that told her that the elevator had stopped and reached her aim and walked over the long floor towards the large door on which the name “Buffy Summers” was written in huge letters and opened it carefully, because Henry, the care-taker hadn’t oiled the lock, yet and it made horrible sounds when it was pushed open too fiercely.

And like expected, there was sitting a man on the chair infront of her desk with his back towards her. Angel Liery. Her new partner for the new Trump building design. Her father had only told her the best about him and that was rather unusual, because normally Dean Summers hated every freshman.

“Good morning, Mr. Liery it’s nice--“ But Buffy stopped in horror, because the guy shot around upon hearing her voice and now she was staring into the - oh god- eyes of her one-night-stand from ten years ago and father of her child. Oh no. Please, this just couldn’t happen to her.

And there she thought her life was average and boring.... Where was boring when you wanted it, huh?

“YOU!!?” They yelled at the other’s face.

Angel couldn’t believe his eyes. THIS was Buffy Summers? OH GOD! He’d screwed the daughter of his boss! Okay, he already could forget this job.... But ‘oh my’ she looked so *damn* good in this outfit.

“No, no, no, no. NO! No, no.” Buffy kept this single word as a mantra. “YOU are NOT Angel Liery! I REFUSE to believe that. No!” She walked up to her armchair, hands in her hair and plopped down onto the soft material, her feet dangling from the arm.

She then shot up in a heartbeat and looked him straight in the eye. “Tell me that you’re NOT Angel Liery!” She ordered, resolve face up and voice raised.

“I’m not Angel Liery.” Angel replied grinning.

Buffy’s face fell and her lips formed a pout. “My god, you ARE Angel Liery!” She whined desperately. “Okay, I need a drink, now.”

Oh my, she’s beautiful... Okay, WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?? “You’re Buffy Summers, then?” he said. “Not just, maybe, the secretary?” He asked hopefully. So, he admitted it, she IS beautiful. But who could blame him? He was a male, after all!

“Buffy Summers, the one and only.” She said dryly.

“Oh my.” Angel sank into his chair and there they kept sitting in complete silence and lost in thought.

“Wait.” Angel yelped terrified. “How old are you?? They say you’re around twenty! Then... ten years ago..... Please, tell me you’re over twenty.” He exclaimed.

“I’m 27.” Buffy told him smirking. “And so: NO! I wasn’t ten, then.” She said a little louder.

“Oh,” He sank back into the chair and lifted his head up. “Goodness, thank you!” He mouthed to the ceiling.

“Happy Birthday, by the way.” Angel told the blonde whose head shot up once again.

“YOU REMEMBER THAT?” She actually shouted.

“Hello? Tomorrow would have been my tenth anniversary! Of course I remember your birthday under this circumstances!” He told her as if she was a little girl.

Buffy chuckled then. “That’s amazing! Not even my fiance remembers that today’s my birthday!” She told him impressed.

“So you have a boyfriend?” He asked her frowning.

“Fiance. And don’t make that face. You’re married.” She told him annoyed.

“Am not.” He smiled at the small blonde.

“You’re not?” Buffy replied surprised. “You mean you didn’t marry her that day?” She asked.

“No!” He said. “I did. But it didn’t work out. I’m divorced.”

“Oh.” Was all Buffy said to that.

Then he frowned again. “NO!” He shouted. “Oh no, no, no! NO!” This was SO not happening.

“You’re imitating me.” Buffy remarked dryly.

“Your daughter! Nine years and three months!” He yelped when the revelation hit him. “Oh god.”

Buffy only bit her lip.

Okay, that was it. He was going crazy now. “I have a daughter.” He shook his head desperately. “I can’t even recall her name, right now.” He had a headache now. So much was sure.

“Deanna. Deanna Cameron Summers. Born on October 29th. Scorpio. A+. Must have been your blood, I’m AB-.” Buffy told him quietly.

“Oh god.” Angel repeated over and over.

*~*~*

Buffy returned to her office a few moments later with two mugs of coffee in her hand. This was a nightmare. This HAD to be a nightmare. She was facing the father of her child after ten bloody years. He hadn’t been there for so long. Why the hell did he have to show up, NOW?

She pushed the door to her office open with her foot and the large wooden door made a horrible screeching sound. Right. Non-oiled.

“Here.” She handed him a cup. Angel still sat on the same chair he’d done all morning. “Thought you might need this as much as I do.” She said sarcastically.

“I can’t believe this.” He chanted. “This can’t be.”

“Well, sorry but it’s the truth.” Buffy nearly shouted, annoyed. “Sorry, fella, but YES. You. Got me. Pregnant.”

“You!” Angel turned around.

“What’s with me?” She quirked an eyebrow at him.

“You’re the mother of my child!” He said.

“Yes, I thought we covered that, already.” She said sarcastically. “Are you this dumb?”

He glared at her then. “No, I mean you’re the mother of my child. Which I don’t know. And I don’t know a thing about you beside the fact that your birthday is on January 19th. And you lost your virginity exactly ten years ago.”

“Wait.” Buffy interrupted angry. “You don’t know that!”

“I do. You told me, remember?” He glanced at her. “Anyway: I know that you have a daughter. And your name is Buffy Summers, you were a child prodigy, graduated with 17 and went to Harvard. You’re about to inherit the most famous architecture firm of the world. Your father’s name is Dean Summers.” He said frowning, seemed he did knew a thing or two about the woman infront of him. Buffy only smirked at that. Angel slowly got up and paced around the room. “You’re engaged. Your blood type is AB-. Your father is VERY overprotective about you. Your favourite flowers are red and pink roses--“

“Huh?” Buffy interrupted, again. “How the HELL do you know THAT?” She yelped.

“The room your party was in. It was decorated with those two types of flowers.” He told her smiling. “Oh, and you aren’t exactly able to stand much alcohol.” Angel continued starring at the ceiling. He was lying on the couch in the corner of her office, now.

“HEY!” Buffy said. “You were drunk as well!”

“You have a tattoo on your right inner thigh and one in the hollow of your back. You’re ticklish on your sides, feet, knees and stomach.” Buffy wanted to protest about that, again. “And you’re all touchy when it comes to your personal life--“

Buffy shook her head confused at that. “Again: HOW THE HELL DO YOU KNOW THAT?”

“Oh C’mon.” He turned his head to look into her eyes. “You’re interrupting me nearly after every sentence I speak out!” He told her. “Oh, and Alexander Harris seems to be befriended with you, ‘cause he’s Deanna’s godfather. And if I’m right that you like vanilla. Am I right?” He asked her.

Buffy was completely impressed now. “Yeah. How---“

“Your perfume. You smell like it.” He told her sincerely. “Okay, I think I’m done now.”

“Wow.” Buffy said and got up, walking around her desk to lean against the front of it. The same way her father had done, the day before. “You DO know me better than my fiance!”

Then she plopped down next to him on the couch. “Oh god, you know me better than my FIANCE!” She whined desperately.

Angel smiled at her. “Okay, considering you’re the mother of my daughter. I want to learn more about you.” He told her.

“Don’t you rather want to get to know your daughter?” She asked him confused.

“Of course, but I want that she tells me about herself, herself.” He told Buffy.

Oh god, he’s actually cute! “Okay. Then ask me.” She said.

“Um. Favourite Food? Fave colour? Your middle name? Your fiance’s name?” He asked laughing. “God, that whole situation is so damn ridiculous!” He smiled his sexy half-smile at her.

Okay, Summers. Calm down, you DON’T find this smile in any way mind-blowing. YOU DON’T! “Spaghetti and jelly sandwiches. Pink, red and black. Anne. Riley Finn.” She answered his questions.

“Riley Finn?” He snored. “That screams ‘idiot’. Where does he come from? Iowa?” Angel joked.

Buffy choked at that. “Yes! Iowa!” She answered amazed.

Angel grinned at her and stretched out his legs, leaning against the back of the couch, tilting his head to the side to look into her face. “And how is he? You’re in love?” He asked curious. **Please, say no. Please, say no. Please say no. Please, say no. Please, say no.**

She smiled at him “Much” She lied. Who was she to tell a stranger about her love-life? Okay, so she lost her virginity to this particular stranger, but who cares? He’s a stranger so or so. A really gorgeous stranger..... Woah! Stop right there! “He’s a very successful lawyer. Very kind and loving and he likes Deanna a lot. And Deanna likes him, which is really rare, ‘cause normally she hates every male that so much as looks at me.” She told Angel.

“A lawyer?” Angel wrinkled his nose, which looked kinda cute.... , but no, Buffy had sworn herself to never ever again think about Angel Liery like this! “You DO know why they don’t get apartments? They like to sue their landlords.” He told Buffy and actually tried to seem serious, but failed miserably.

Buffy chuckled lightly. “What is this? You want to talk me out of my marriage?” She grinned.

YES! “Nah.” Angel smiled. “Just want to make you see it all from another perspective.” He half-smiled at her. “So. Let’s rather talk about business. Enough talking about old times.”

“Old times?” Buffy cocked an eyebrow at him. “We don’t have old times. We have an old time. Singular.”

“Yeah. Singular.” He smiled back at her. “Unfortunately. I’d have liked to make it plural.” He told her and she had to smile at him. God, he WAS cute!

“Okay. Angel Liery.” She looked into the files on her desk, having walked over to it. “33 years old. Divorced. Graduated from UC LA. Worked together with the Empire State Building’s designer. Right?” She turned to the dark-haired man.

“Right.” He confirmed.

“’kay: We’re working on the new Trump building as you might have already heard.” She sat down into her big leather chair that made her seem real small and received a nod from Angel who sat down into the chair opposite of her, again. “A mall. He wants a kind of ‘closed open-air’. Gothic style. And he wants it to look like a monastery. A touch Italian. We have a whole year to build it, so I think...”

They spoke on and on about the case for the rest of the morning.

*~*~*

Angel walked towards his black convertible later that day. He still expected to wake up any moment. HE HAD A DAUGHTER! A nine-year old daughter, about 4 feet tall, who didn’t know a thing about him. Well, likewise. But what mixed him up all the more was the feeling he had when he was around Buffy Summers. It was strange. Although he’d admitted the fact that he’d fallen in love with the strange blonde he’d woken up with ten years previous to himself long ago, the feeling was still utterly confusing. He’d never felt such a thing before. Never. It was like he couldn’t think straight anymore, once she’d entered the room everything fell into darkness beside the blonde beauty. **She’s the daughter of your boss, idiot!** He simply ignored the little voice that quietly whispered **But, she’s also the mother of your child**.

He started the engine and drove off to the small club he was supposed to meet with a few friends of his. He let the top down and just let the wind whistle around his face.

He switched on his radio. Damn, Love song. He changed the channel.... Love song. Great, he really wasn’t in the mood for this.

He was about to switch the radio off, again when he recognised the song. He’d heard it before, he just couldn’t really place it.

//The sun is going down on me
As she surrenders to the sea
So steal the night and fly with me
I'm calling, I'm calling

The moon is high on me and you
Is my message breaking through?
Darkened skies that once were blue are falling
So hear me now\\

Where had he heard this? The lyrics were so familiar he could sing along. He knew the whole bloody thing! Why couldn’t he remember where he’d heard this before?

Somehow the words where touching him. They were so fitting to how he felt that it was becoming very scary.

//Calling out your name
Burning on the flame
Played the waiting game
Hear my calling
Hear my calling

(Forever and ever)

Through distant lands and mountain streams
My river's running through your dreams
There's an ocean in between
Forever and never\\

And suddenly he remembered where he’d last heard this song. Why hadn’t he thought of this faster? He’d heard this song. Over and over. Sung with a different voice.

Buffy had sung it over and over and over, silently to herself the whole day. Sometimes she hadn’t even noticed it.

//Chasing shadows through the years
I whisper softly to my dear
Be sure to know that I am here
Forever

So hear me now
Calling out your name
(A wish that could come true)
Burning on the flame
(I'm reaching out to you)
Played the waiting game
Hear my calling
Hear my calling\\

It was like there was a curse on him. Why did every thought in his mind return to the small blonde? It had been like that when he’d woken up with her those ten entire years ago. He hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her for a whole year!

Was this repeating itself all over again, only now? And it was even worse this time, because now he would spend a whole year working with her?

When he’d only needed a day to be haunted by her for a whole year, what was he gonna do when he had to spend an entire year in her presence?

//Whispers in the air
I dream you into life
Here a lover's prayer
I pray for you tonight
I can feel you there
Hear my calling
Hear my calling

No man is an island
That's an empty sin
Discovery is a journey
Just have to let me in\\

God, this was going to be the most difficult challenge in his whole life. How could he spend a whole year with this woman and not once kiss her beautiful lips, never know what they taste like?

And what was he going to tell his daughter? ‘Hello, I’m your father. No, you’re right, I haven’t known a thing about you my whole life, wanna play a game of Monopoly?’ Yeah, most likely.... Oh god!

//Calling out your name
(A wish that could come true)
Burning on the flame
(I'm reaching out to you)
Played the waiting game

Calling out your name
(A wish that could come true)
Burning on the flame
(I'm reaching out to you)
Played the waiting game
Hear my calling
Hear my calling\\

This was a nightmare! And this was what he’d imagined to be the very best day of his life for ten years! Of course, good things happened always with strings attached to him. Typical.

What the hell was he going to do now? This was all so difficult. Pro: You’ve found Mrs. Right. Con: She hates you.

He’d dreamed about her for so long, why couldn’t she simply feel the same way about him?

//Whispers in the air
(I dream you into life)
Hear a lover's prayer
(I can feel you there)
Hear my calling
Hear my calling

No man is an island (A wish that could come true)
That's an empty sin (I'm reaching out to you)
So steal the night and fly with me
I'm calling
Hear my calling\\

Oh, he SO felt a headache coming.

*~*~*

Angel arrived at the Sunny Island, a popular club in L.A. just a few minutes after sunset. Fortunately he wasn’t terribly late, so his friends were still there, sitting at a table in the end corner of the large club on the couches that were placed there. Walking over to them, he tried to calm himself down. Tried to decide whether or not to tell them.

“Hey, man!” Gunn grinned up at him. “How was your first day at that super-company? How’s your partner?”

“Quite okay.” Angel mumbled and plopped down on another couch.

“Hey. Shouldn’t ya jump around all happy? Ya got the job! It’s yer dream come true!” Doyle commented confused, noticing the other man’s disturbed face.

“I guess ...” Was all Angel replied absently. He wanted to go back to bed. Just crawl into the sheets and pretend all this shit had never happened.

Gunn tilted his head to the side, looking at Angel confused. “What’s wrong, man?” The African American asked his friend.

“I got myself into the biggest mess there ever was.” Angel stated through gritted teeth.

Doyle sighed and rolled his eyes. “What? Shagged yer boss’s daughter, or what?” He joked.

Angel lowered his eyes to the table and just stared.

“No!” Doyle yelped.

“Oh, C’mon, Angel. You’ve got to be kidding! You SCREWED your partner?!” Gunn frowned at the brooding man.

Angel sighed. “I met her.” Angel almost whispered. His voice was barely hear-able.

“You met who? Yer partner?” Doyle asked “Angel, we know that! Ya were supposed to meet Ms. Summers all along, remember? You two are PARTNERS! All the more reason not to fuck her on the first day!” He glared at his friend.

“No. SHE is Ms. Buffy Anne Summers. I met HER.” Angel corrected, his gaze fixed on the table.

“She? Who---“ Doyle began frowning until relation dawned on him. “SHE? As in the woman ya made love to on your wedding day? As in the woman you love? She, the woman you can’t get over, she? Oh.” He leaned back into his seat. “Oh.”

“Huh?” Gunn said. “You met her? Isn’t that all the more reason to run around and cheer nevertheless? Hell, you’ve searched for that woman for so long!”

Angel leaned forward and buried his face in his hands. “I met her.” He said, his voice muffled by his hands. “She’s absolutely beautiful. And so damn smart. And, god, those legs! But – She’s the daughter of my boss. She hates me. She’s engaged. She has a child!”

“Oh.” Gunn agreed. “Well. I don’t think the child’s father would be too thrilled when you try to steal her away from him.”

Angel throw his head against the back of the couch and watched the ceiling, sighing. “*I* am the father.” He told his friends.

“WHAT?!” The two men exclaimed unison.

“Are you absolutely sure it’s yours?” Doyle asked desperately. “I mean- ya know- ya do not know the girl, she could- maybe---“

“I’m positive.” Angel snapped. “And she’s not like that!” It was strange. Even without really knowing her, he felt the urge to defend her in front of his BEST FRIEND! And although he knew that all Doyle wanted for him was the best, he just hadn’t been able to not snap back at him for simply even thinking about her that way. It was strange. He’d really never felt this. A few days before his wedding day, Gunn had made a not so nice comment about Darla. And he’d had to force himself to glare at Gunn instead of smirking. He’d failed and actually laughed about the snappy remark. And now it was like just thinking about someone saying something like that about Buffy made him want to hit something. Hard.

“Okay. Big mess there, man.” Gunn replied and ordered himself another drink along one for Angel. Angel didn’t even notice the waitress flirting with him when he ordered his drink.

“Angel has a kid!” Doyle mumbled to himself. “ANGEL has a KID!” He shook his head frankly. These words just didn’t fit together for him.

“Yeah.” Angel whined.

* * *

“I’m home!” Buffy yelled through the apartment and went into the kitchen after tossing her coat over the couch and caught sight of her nine-year old daughter munching on a bowl of cereal. “Isn’t it a little late for breakfast?” Buffy joked and stroked her daughters wet hair.

“I got up only half an hour ago!” Deanna defended grinning. She was sitting on a stool at the counter in the modern designed apartment, still wearing her fluffy pink bathrobe.

Deanna’d had a temperature the last night, so Buffy had decided to let her stay at home, because Deanna wouldn’t have any problems to work the stuff from school up on her own, anyway. “Go, dry your hair! You’re gonna get a cold!” She told the girl and put the empty bowl into the sink.

She watched the dark-haired child walk out of the room and leaned heavily against the sink once she was out of sight. “I can’t do this! I can’t!” She whispered to herself and began washing the dishes, putting up the volume of the small radio on the counter in a desperate attempt to erase the thought about Angel in her mind.

After the dishes were clean and dried and each item was placed in it’s right place she began cleaning the counter, just trying to keep herself busy.

Because if she wasn’t, she had to go into the next room and tell her baby girl about her father that wanted to see her.

And when the counter was as shiny as waterdrops in the morning sunlight she moved on to the cooker and placed a pan there, taking a few eggs and milk out of the fridge to make her daughter scrambled eggs. One of her favourites.

“Mom?” A now fully dressed and dry Deanna called confused. “What are you doing there?” She said, placing her hands on her hips. And if there weren’t all these things on her mind she would have laughed out loud, because Deanna looked exactly like herself when she was little and wanted something from her dad. Of course, her father had made everything possible. She really had been a spoiled child.

“I-...I’m making you something to eat!” Buffy told the small brunette.

“Mom? I ate when you came home! Just a few moments ago!” She said frowning. “And what’s with the cleaning tick? You’re making our home to a museum! Louisa cleaned yesterday, remember?”

“Right.” Buffy shut her mouth and took the pan from the stove, shoving the eggs onto a plate. “You want some, nevertheless?” She asked her daughter.

“Sure.” The girl shrugged and took a seat at the counter in the middle of the room and dug into the warm meal. “Delicious!” She commented smiling.

Buffy smiled back. “Louisa came yesterday?” She asked, tilting her head. “She only comes on Mondays and Wednesdays!”

Enie looked towards her mothers amused. “Yesterday WAS Monday!” She told Buffy, smirking.

“Oh.” Buffy replied and took a mouthful of Deanna’s eggs. “Honey, I have to tell you something.” She then said.

*~*~*

“So, ya’ll meet her today?” Doyle asked. It sounded more like a statement than a question, though.

“Yes.” Angel sighed. “In two hours.”

“You have to buy a thingy thing for ‘er!” Gunn told Angel.

“Is thingy a word?” Doyle asked them.

“It is!” Gunn defended himself.

“You MADE it UP!” Doyle argued and took a sip of his beer.

“Yup.” Gunn grinned. “But it’s spreading! I heard a waitress use it yesterday!!”

“THINGY is NO word!!!” Doyle exclaimed. “You only use it because you don’t know another word for it. You know? Like useless, or nice or-or ---“

“Hello? Guys! Can we get back to the main problem here!” Angel interrupted, shifting uncomfortable in his seat.

“Buy her a rose!” Doyle advised. “This way she won’t feel treated like a child.”

“But a pink one, not a red one.” Gunn added, munching on his donut. “She’s still a little one, after all!”

“And buy her some stuffed animal.” Doyle said further.

“But just a small one. Those you can put on keys. And an expensive one.” Gunn told Angel who was extremely impressed at how good his friends knew about teenage girls. “If you buy a big one, she’ll think you see her as a baby.”

“But don’t let it look like you put effort in it. Let it look like you bought it only a few seconds before, or else she’ll think you want to buy her love.” Doyle said.

Angel simply shook his head. “How do you know all this?”

“I raised my cousin like, on my own.” Doyle told him, shrugging. “She was one hell of a difficult brat.”

“I raised more than one cousin on my own.” Gunn smirked at Doyle. “And they were devils in person.”

“Okay, Angel. What does she look like? Still as beautiful as you remember her?” Gunn winked.

“God, you HAVE to see those legs, wait - No you don’t!” Angel told Gunn.

*~*~*

“So, my dad’s in town?” Deanna asked, receiving a nod from her mother. “And he wants to see me?” Again, Buffy nodded, her gaze resting on the shiny counter.

“When?” Enie asked.

“One and a half hour left, then he’s here.” Buffy told her daughter.

Enie nodded once and then turned to face her mother, grinning. “So? Is he still as hot as you remember him?” She winked playfully.

Geeze, this girl was much too grown up to really be her little baby girl. Buffy rolled her eyes, groaning. “Even more so.” She replied in a desperate voice.

Deanna turned in her seat to face her mother fully. “What does he look like?” She asked curiously. “I need to be able to recognise him, don’t I?”

Buffy smiled warmly at the brown-haired girl and stroked the dark, velvety locks. “He has the same hair, short and spiked up. And the same chocolate eyes.” Buffy tilted her head to the side and gazed deeply into her daughter's eyes. “And your smile. He’s tall with broad shoulders and he’s mysterious looking and he wears only dark clothing, I think. It suits him, he looks unbelievably irresistible in them.” She sighed then, pushing back the thoughts that sprung to her mind. “He hasn’t really changed at all.”

“Crush?” Deanna asked, hiding the hope in her voice. There was nothing that she wanted more than having both a mother AND a father. Even when she didn’t know her father at all. Riley surely didn’t cover the ‘dad’ in her life.

Buffy only glared at her daughter playfully and put the empty plate into the sink. Did she have a crush? Yes. But would she tell her daughter? No. What kind of mother would she be, telling her daughter she had a crush on another man when she was in a steady relationship? And about to get married.

Oh god! Riley! She’d forgotten all about him! The two of them were supposed to meet in a few minutes. She rushed to the phone and dialled the familiar number of his mobile. “Riley? Yeah, I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to see you today. What? Yes, I’m sorry. I’m ... distracted.... I-I have to ...work longer.” She lied. She could almost feel Deanna’s stare from the kitchen door. But what was she supposed to do? If she told Riley about Deanna’s father visiting he’d come in an instant and act all protective and jealous and possessive infront of Angel. “Yes, I’m sorry. Yeah, me too. ...” There was a long pause before she mumbled a small good-bye and hung up. She never said “I love you” to anyone but Deanna and her father. She’d never told Riley and Riley knew that.

“Why didn’t you tell him the truth?” Deanna asked, standing in the doorway to the kitchen. “If Angel’s gonna stay in my life, he’ll find out about him sooner or later.”

Buffy turned, noticing how her daughter referred to her father as ‘Angel’ instead of ‘Dad’. It shouldn’t surprise her, Deanna didn’t call Dean ‘granddad’, either. “I don’t know.” She replied honestly. “It just felt like the right thing to do. You know what would have happened if I’d told him. He’s even acting all protective infront of Spike, since he knows there was a thing going on between us when you were little.”

“Yeah. Right.” Deanna flinched, remembering the day Riley’d found out about that. He’d been so angry at Buffy for not telling him. But most of all, he was angry that Spike was still in the picture after that. Even more, so. Spike was Buffy’s best friend and Buffy nearly told him everything.

Riley hated it when there was a guy near Buffy. Even Xander, and Xander was married! But since he knew that Buffy and Spike had had an affair for more than a year, it was nearly impossible for Buffy to spend time with her friends without Riley towering over them.

One could only imagine what the man would do if he found out about Angel.

It wasn’t that Deanna didn’t like Riley. She did. Riley loved her mother, everyone could see that. He was just a little overprotective. Which didn’t really fit, because Buffy normally hated that in men. She had that more than enough in her father.

And with that the doorbell rang.

*~*~*

“Bye!” Mandy chirped after her boss. “Have a good day with your *fiance*.” She spit sarcastically.

The blonde man turned around and blew the younger girl a kiss. “I will, believe me.” Riley said before exiting his office. He had an affair with his secretary for several months now. Mandy was not even 19 yet, though. She was a student at UC LA, her major law, so the girl could use the help and who was he to deny such a beautiful girl?

He walked trough the floor his office was in, greeting everybody he thought he needed to know and smiled politely at every potential client.

He was a very successful lawyer and everybody here knew so. And even when they didn’t like him, or even hated him, they still respected him. He had everything a man could possibly want. A good job that covered him with more than enough money, great car, a woman on every single finger and about to get married to America's most successful architect and most beautiful woman.

“Riley.” Lindsey greeted, nodding politely and the two men walked into the elevator.

“Lindsey.” Riley greeted back, not really enjoying the company.

The small room was big enough for at least 30 people, so there was enough room to avoid each other, unfortunately the walls were all mirrors, so they couldn’t tell if the other was looking at you.

They stood there in silence, both looking everywhere but at each other. “When are you planning on telling her? On your honeymoon?” Lindsey suddenly asked out of nowhere.

“That’s none of your business, McDonald.” Riley mumbled through gritted teeth.

“Well, I think Buffy deserves to know. She’s a nice, smart, rich, beautiful young woman. She can do better than you.” Lindsey smiled at the taller man towering over him.

“You know nothing about us, Lindsey. So stop the hell caring!” Riley Finn yelled in the other man’s face.

“I think I know enough to know that you’re playing with her. All you want is her money.” Lindsey countered.

“I love her.” Riley argued enraged.

“Yeah.” Lindsey smiled again. “You love her enough to betray her.” The lawyer snored. “With a teenager. C’mon, Finn. Buffy Summers is way better that that chick floating around you. I don’t get what you want more, Riley. You have LA’s most sexy woman. Rich. Smart. Beautiful. Successful. Why are you doing this to her?”

The elevator stopped and the doors opened on both sides, allowing them to part again.

“Get out of my sight, McDonald. Now.” Riley warned and took of to his car once the elevator doors opened, leaving a smirking Lindsey McDonald behind.

*~*~*

Buffy walked through her apartment, stripping off the warm black pullover she was wearing and throwing it over the couch where also her coat lay. Smoothing down the red tank top she wore underneath she walked through the hall.

Entering the kitchen, she searched for a vase for Deanna’s long, pink rose. Buffy hadn’t expected something so nice from Angel. He’d also bought a little stuffed Hello Kitty for her. One so small it was as big as her thumb. And so damn cute.

And it made Deanna fall for her daddy. Immediately.

The two of them headed for the mall only a few minutes before. Deanna’s request, of course. Angel had only smiled and nodded and went out with her without any complains. That man actually enjoyed the nine-year-old’s company so much to spend a whole day at the mall!

She’d told herself she was crazy for letting a strange man that she met only yesterday go out with her baby girl. But strangely enough, she trusted him with her life. Even with Deanna’s life. Somehow she just knew Angel would take better care of her than Dean Summers even did.

She’d only allowed Riley to take her daughter to the movies alone after a whole five months of being with him and she’d allowed Angel after twelve hours. And somehow, it didn’t even confuse her.

It was just a feeling that made it seem right. Angel was Deanna’s father. It was just natural to trust him with her, wasn’t it? And Angel adored her, she could see that. It was as if for Angel, Deanna was something sacred he wasn’t allowed to even see. That day with his daughter at the mall meant the world to him, she could see that.

Placing the vase nicely on the couch table she turned around and shrieked when a man was standing right behind her. “Riley! God, you scared me!” She exclaimed.

“I thought you had to work longer?” He asked sceptically, laying his jacket over her coat and pullover.

“I-I ... I thought I needed longer.” Buffy stammered, turning around again and walking back into the kitchen. The room seemed to mature into her Buffy-has-problems-room. Whenever she didn’t know what to do she went in there.

“Why didn’t you call me?” Riley asked further. “I could have picked you up.” He followed her into the room and stopped right behind her at the counter.

“I was there by the car. There was no need.” Buffy said without facing him, opening the fridge and grabbing a bottle of coke.

“Where’s Deanna?” God, was it just her or was he way too question-happy today?

Buffy sighed. “Out.” Buffy said simply, taking a sip of the coke without taking a glass. She drank right from the bottle, because she knew exactly how much Riley hated that.

“Out where?” Riley wanted to know.

“Out!” Buffy turned around. “You don’t have to know everything about her! She’s MY daughter!” Buffy yelped.

“Well, sorry for caring!” Riley shouted after her, watching her stalking out of the room. “And just so you know: Next month, she’s also mine!”

*~*~*

“Mom’s friends are the coolest people on earth. Well, granted. They’re a little odd, especially Anya, but hey, they’re cool anyway!” Deanna charmed. “Willow’s my godmother and mom’s best female friend. She’s so nice! She liked learning as much as I do now! And she’s good with computers!” The girl smiled warmly at her father.

“Best female friend?” Angel asked confused.

“Yeah, mom’s best male friend is Spike, he’s also my godfather. The two of them knew each other like forever. He’s way cool and unlike Riley, he and Xander don’t treat me like a child!” Deanna ranted, sipping on her oversized milk shake.

The two of them were sitting in an open air cafe in the mall’s center. Big, filled shopping bags were piled up on the empty chair next to Deanna. Angel’d found himself not being able to deny the little girl one single wish, so Deanna had now at least four new outfits, a pile of new books, a new computer program and professional pencils. But beside a suddenly much more empty wallet, Angel had seen things in which the two were very much alike. They had the same taste in books and clothing and Deanna’s favourite flavour in milk shakes was chocolate, just like his. They also both despised yoghurt ice-cream and overcrowded places.

They found themselves very comfortable in the other’s presence and got along so well that it was getting really creepy. It was really like a father-daughter relationship. And they acted instantly like they’d known each other all their life.

“I thought Alexander Harris was your godfather?” Angel's brow furrowed.

“They both are. Buffy couldn’t choose between the two and they were arguing so bad they were on each other's throats all the time, so Buffy let ‘em both be my godfather. Mom says that it was a whole bunch of trouble getting the priest to agree on that, so they played out the fact that there was no father and I’d deserve a second godfather, blah, blah. Must have been a real freak show but unfortunately, I really can’t remember.” Deanna babbled exited. “But they both suck in authority. Xander teaches me all kinds of illegal card games and Spike shows me how to snatch things in a shop without being caught and how to drink without getting drunk and stuff. So I’m corrupted from all sides, ‘cause sometimes mom’s as bad as those two are.”

Angel chuckled lightly. Yes, he could imagine Buffy Summers like that.

“But they’re so bad when they are all together in one room. I really miss that!” Deanna smiled sadly.

“Why miss? They don’t do that anymore?” Angel asked further, noticing the sadder look on the happy girl’s face.

“Riley.” Deanna answered simply. “He’s so jealous, that he’s around whenever there’s a guy near mom. And with him it’s not that fun, anymore. He’s just... boring.” Deanna shrugged.

Angel smiled. “Why would he be jealous of her friends? Didn’t you say they know each other since High School and longer?”

“Oh, they do!” Deanna said. “Mom and Spike had a thing going on when I was three. It wasn’t like they’d been in love or something. It was a pure sex-affair. And sometime they just stopped. Now, they’re like brother and sister.” Deanna sighed. “But Riley’s jealous, because nobody had told him and Xander accidentally let it slip. Riley always hated Spike, but now it’s so tense that Mom and Spike meet secretly, so Riley doesn’t tower over them and glare at Spike whenever he says something that’s definitely Spike-ish. The guy’s a nympho. He says dirty things. That’s him, but Riley freaks everytime!”

Angel laughed right out at that. “I thought you liked Riley.” He commented grinning.

“I do! He loves mom. I mean - why else would a guy be SO jealous? And he’s acting all protective towards mom and me.” Deanna defended herself. “He’s just boring. You’d fit so much better to mom!” She said to her father.

Angel sighed at that and leaned back in his seat. “Deanna, your mother and I are over. When you see it from the right side, then there never WAS a ‘your mother and I’”

“I know.” Deanna pouted. “But you’re so better than Fish-boy!” The small brunette whined.

Angel chuckled once again. “Fish-boy?”

“Spike and Xander named him like that. Fish boy. Captain Cardboard. Pony. Etc.” She grinned up at Angel.

Angel cocked an eyebrow at her, smirking. “You want anything else beside that monster-shake? Maybe something more... healthy?” He winked at her.

Deanna groaned at that. “You sound like mom!” She whined.

*~*~*

Buffy stalked around in her bedroom, punching the couch in the corner to her large balcony. “How dare he!” She yelled to nobody in particular. She was fuming.

How dare he to only think he would be allowed to decide over Deanna? How dare he to only think he’d be allowed to interfere into her education.?

Deanna Summers was a well-behaved girl. What made Riley think there was a need for him to interfere? Deanna was the little girl every parent dreamed of. Kind, behaved, pretty, funny, intelligent. Why wasn’t that enough for this guy? Granted, she knew a lot that a normal nine-year-old wouldn’t know, like playing poker or black jack and how to make alcohol on your own, but Deanna spend her time with teenagers and grown-ups that still acted like teens. But all in all, the little girl was perfect. At least for her and her little group of friends.

Why the hell was Riley so determined to change Deanna?

Hitting the back of her couch once again, she felt her hand hit the wall instead and heard her hand gave a horrible breaking noise as she howled in pain.

Great, now she’d broken her wrist.

And to her utter surprise, Riley didn’t come to her rescue. She knew he’d heard her, she’d screamed so loud that even the old man walking his dog in front of her window had looked up to her.

So she held her wrist and fought desperately to hold back the tears. She pulled a scarf out of her cupboard, tying it over the swollen flesh as firm as she could and stumbled out into the bathroom, searching for the first-aid kit.

“Fuck!” She exclaimed in pain when the kit fell out of her grasp and onto the injured hand, spilling it’s contents onto the cold floor.

Hissing in pain she took the scarf off her now bloody wrist and rubbed it with an ointment that burned like hell.

Dressing her wrist she kicked the door open and stalked into the living room, facing a TV-watching Riley Finn. “Why the hell didn’t you help me?” She shouted at him, stepping right infront of the screen.

“Help you? After you called me a coward and wanker? Yeah, most likely.” He snored and shoved her out of the way.

Buffy couldn’t believe what she heard. “I BROKE my wrist!”

“Why should I care?” Riley replied half heartedly, his gaze fixed onto the telly.

Just that moment the door opened and Deanna stepped in with her father in tow.

*~*~*

“My first day in elementary school: horror! Xander would run around with a camera and shoot everything and annoy all my teachers to death. Ya know? They even remembered him, and he promptly got send out of the classroom! And Spike would ask questions in front of all the kids that made the teacher’s blush and stammer like: “How was that with the bees and flowers again?”, or “How does the baby come in Mrs. Newman’s stomach?” and stuff.” Deanna told her father excitedly and actually found him laughing about the things she told him. Turning the key in its lock, she stepped into her mother’s apartment and could clearly hear yelling inside, but wasn’t really able to make out the exact words. Frowning at Angel, she walked further into the apartment to the living room and found Riley at the TV, as always. It was Friday night and he was watching a football match or something. But Buffy was standing infront of him, glaring through a tear-streaked face.

“Hey honey! How was your day?” Buffy fake-smiled at her daughter and tried to wipe the tears away from her face with her uninjured hand, freezing when she saw Angel enter the room as well.

“Where the hell have you be---“ Riley turned around in his seat and glared at the stranger, then facing Buffy with anger burning in his eyes. “You left her with a STRANGER?!” He yelled into her face.

“I can leave MY daughter with whoever I want!” Buffy barked into his face. “That’s SO none of your business! Stay the hell out of this! It’s only my concern how I bring her up! Understand?” She said, clutching her dressed wrist.

Angel watched her with concern and rushed to her side, noticing the injured hand. “God, Buffy. What happened?” He asked her, taking the wrist and turning it, checking if it was broken.

Hissing in pain, she pulled her arm back and clutched it to her chest. “It’s broken.” She told him. Stepping away from both men and leaning against the side of the couch.

“You have to see a doctor!” He told her, completely ignoring the other man in the room. “Deanna, get your mother’s coat, I’m taking her to a hospital.” He turned back to the little girl who rushed into her mom’s bedroom to search for the jacket.

“What in god’s name do you think you’re doing?” Riley spit in the other man’s face, getting up from his seat infront of the TV. “Who are you?”

“I’m Deanna’s father.” Angel told him calmly, watching the blond guy do a double take.

“WHAT?!” He grabbed Buffy by the upper arm despite her whimpering in pain and pulled her towards him. “Is this true? You’re seeing her father? You’re cheating on me?”

Angel’s eyes darkened at the scene infront of him and he fought the urge to kick the other man’s ass to the moon for treating her like that.

“I’m NOT cheating on you! What the hell makes you think that?” Buffy shoved him away. “God, Riley, what the fuck is wrong with you?!”

“You!” Riley barked at Angel, ignoring the blonde girl who was waiting for an answer. “What do you think you’re doing? Stepping into her life suddenly, playing the nice, caring father, trying to get into her pants?” He glared at the slightly shorter man, clenching his fist.

Deanna came running into the room with Buffy’s black leather coat dangling over her arm. She stopped right in the doorway, eyes growing huge and she looked into her mother’s face who helplessly watched the confrontation on her own. Riley and Angel were standing in the middle of the room, facing each other and Riley punched Angel’s jaw, making him fly into the empty armchair behind him.

Touching his jaw he stood up again, facing the other again, but making no attempt in hitting him when Riley punched him again, this time into the rib cage. Angel coughed for air.

“Deanna, into your room, NOW!” Buffy yelped panicking and the girl ran off into the other direction.

Angel stood up again, this time with more difficulty and simply smirked at the raging lawyer. “You of all people should know what an amount of money I could get if I sued you now.” He joked, coughing.

Riley smirked right back. “What? You don’t even try to hit me? What’s wrong? You’re afraid? Or are ya simply a chicken?”

“I’m usually not one for violence.” Angel shrugged and stepped right back into the other man’s face. “I’d simply like to know why you’re freaking out like this. I just don’t get it. What did I do to you?”

Riley’s eyes lowered and he hit Angel again.

“Stop it!” Buffy yelled, but the two men didn’t even notice it. “I said stop it!” She shouted again and walked up to them both, trying to hold Riley back and stopping his next punch in mid air with her injured hand. Crying out in pain, he turned to her and pushed her off of him, hard. She flew into the back of the couch and hit her head on the table, collapsing to the ground.

“Okay, that was it.” Angel remarked and punched Riley hard, breaking his nose. Riley fell onto the couch behind him and Angel rushed to Buffy, lifting her off the ground and checking for injuries. She had a large cut on her forehead from the impact on the table and black spot on her cheekbone. She whimpered and Angel gently stroked the sore spot, helping her sit on an armchair.

“Oh god, Buffy, I’m---“ Riley began, coming up to her, but Buffy’s eyes shot around and she glared at him.

“Go!” She said in a low voice. “Go home, Riley.”

“Baby, I’m so sor---“ He tried again, stepping towards her.

“GO!” She screamed and Riley backed away, turning around while grabbing his jacket and walking up towards the door.

“I’ll call you.” He said and left the apartment.

Eyeing her many injuries Angel frowned. “That doesn’t look too good.” He commented and wiped the blood away that flowed down her cheek from the cut.

Deanna walked into the room, a little frightened and gasped loudly when she saw her mom.

“Deanna, do you know if you have any ice?” Angel asked her, “And can you bring me a few clean towels and the first-aid kit?” He asked the little girl in a soothing, calm voice.

“I-I’ll go get it.” Deanna mumbled and jumped off towards the bathroom, frowning at the mess she found there. The first-aid kit was lying on the floor, it’s contents strewn all over the place. Collecting all the things from the floor and grabbing two fluffy white towels, she ran into the kitchen, getting the ice and filling it into another smaller towel.

“Here.” She said, running back into the living room and handing her father the ice-towel.

“Thanks.” He mumbled and placed the towel over the cut, cleaning it. Buffy winced and closed her eyes.

“I’m sorry.” He replied, but Buffy simply shook her head, telling him silently he didn’t have to.

Deanna walked out of the room again, going into her room and locking herself up.

“You need to get to a hospital.” Angel told Buffy, dressing the cut on her forehead.

“No.” She replied. “I-I hate hospitals.” She admitted. “I’m kinda afraid of ‘em. This has to do.” She whispered.

“Did he...- Has this....- Has he ever slapped you... before?” Angel stammered, avoiding to look into her eyes.

“No.” She said. “I kinda thought that something like this would never happen to me.” She chuckled in agony, trying to joke about it, but Angel simply looked into her eyes. “He’s usually so gentle and caring. I have no idea what got into him.” She whispered brokenly.

Angel gently stroked her cheek, closing the first-aid-kid and sitting down beside her. “I think I got into him. That’s why he freaked.” He commented, staring off into space.

“No!” She turned around facing him and he noticed the tears in her eyes for the first time. “It’s not you. He was angry with me even before you showed up.” She told him. “He’s... different.” She said, folding her hands in her lap and staring at them. And she silently began to cry.

Angel gently took her fragile form into his arms and held her. “It’s gonna be okay.” He whispered into her ear and just let her cry.

*~*~*

Riley kicked the door shut behind him. What had he done? What had got into him?

He actually HIT her. He loved her, why had he done it? Truth was, he hadn’t paid attention, not at all. The moment it happened, he hadn’t been aware of it. It all happened so fast.

He wanted to kick that guy’s ass for stealing her away from him, from preventing her from loving him. It was his fault. Because of this guy she couldn’t love him. He wanted to beat the shit out of this guy and she’d been in the way. He’d snapped. He hadn’t known what he’d done when he’d shoved her away from him. He hadn’t been thinking clearly.

All he’d felt was the jealousy towards this other guy. Deanna’s father. One could understand that, right? Who wouldn’t be jealous if your girlfriend’s ex, who happened to be the father of her child, showed up without you knowing he even exited in her life? And then after such a fight that they’d had beforehand. It was understandable, wasn’t it?

She would forgive him, she had to.

He had simply freaked. Something like that happened. He hadn’t hurt her on purpose. It was an accident.

Yes, an accident. But how was he able to make her see that? Beg her for forgiveness?

They would be as happy as they were before. Before that shadow of her past showed up and screwed it all up. It was his fault. His and his alone. The guy shouldn’t have come there. He hadn’t been there for ten FUCKING YEARS, so he could simply sod off to where he came from.

That would be the exact first thing he would do when he and Buffy were okay again. This bloke had no right to see either of them. Not Buffy, not Deanna. He hadn’t cared for ten years, so he shouldn’t have begun, now.

When Deanna’s father was gone, all would be as it was before.

Determined with his thoughts he let himself fall onto his big black leather chair. He rolled his eyes in annoyance when Mandy danced into the room, giggling happily. “Back again?” She beamed. “What? Your lovely fiance not good enough?” She winked at him and strolled over to him, sitting on his lap.

“That’s none of your business, girl. Keep out of it.” He snarled absently. Mandy was not the reason for his problems with Buffy. It wasn’t his fault. He just had to keep telling this to himself and it would be true.

“Oooh, you’re being mean? I like that!” She smirked and hopped off his lap, strolling back outside his office.

It wasn’t his fault. It wasn’t.

*~*~*

Drying her tears, she stepped out of Angel’s embrace, a little embarrassed. “Sorry for crying all over you.” She whispered up to him.

Angel smiled back at her. “No need. It’s okay.” He stroked her cheek once more.

Buffy turned away a gazed at Deanna’s closed door. “I-I need to talk to her.” She said and was about to walk into her daughter’s room when Angel’s hand on her arm stopped her.

Letting go of her arm, he gazed deeply into her eyes. “Please, let me talk to her.” He said softly and all Buffy could do was nod.

Walking over to the door with the huge sign that said Realm of Deanna, he knocked lightly and waited for the little girl to open the door. She did after a few seconds and let him into her room.

Sighing, Buffy collapsed onto the couch again and grabbed the phone, calling her best friend.

*~*~*

“Why did he do this?” Deanna whispered, clutching her pillow to her chest and sitting down onto her bed in Indian-style, leaning against the headboard.

“I don’t know.” Angel replied honestly, sitting down next to her. “But I promise he won’t do anything to you or your mother again.” He told the frightened girl.

“How can you be so sure?” She whispered back. “I’ve never seen him like this! He’s so different!” The girl whined desperately.

“Come here.” He drew Deanna into his arms and she laid her head on his shoulder. “I’m sure, because I know your mother would do everything to protect you and she’s intelligent enough to see if this was a one-time-slip or if he’ll be like this forever. And I don’t think he is, because your mother wouldn’t have fallen in love with a man that hits his family, I’m sure.” He comforted his daughter. It was odd to him, because in a way he felt that this was right, that this was his place to be. That it was his task to be there for this little girl and her mother that he so desperately craved to touch. “And if he turns out to be a major pain in the ass, nevertheless, then I promise to make sure he won’t be able to lay a hand on you and your mother, ever again.” He said in a small, low voice.

“Promise?” Deanna whispered, drawing the fluffy pillow closer to herself.

“I promise.” Angel confirmed, smiling down at his daughter. Even when he couldn’t believe it himself, the little brown-haired girl already had crawled her way directly into his heart. This was his daughter!

Deanna sat up then, and looked deeply into Angel’s eyes. “Why do you do this for us? Why do you want to help us?”

Angel was taken aback by the question. Never in his life he’d believed that a nine-year-old could ask such deep-lined questions. But then, she’d surprised him in many ways, as well as her mother had. “Because you’re my daughter.” He stated simply.

“Good, so that’s the reason you want to help me.” Deanna nodded, understanding. “But why mom? Why do you want to help her?”

Angel reached out and stoked his daughter’s hair, in the same way her mother always did, Deanna noted to herself, and smiled warmly down at her. “Because I’m in love with her.”

*~*~*

There was a knock on the door and Buffy got up from her place on the couch to answer it, revealing a soaked Spike in front of it.

Buffy only chuckled at the sight. “Do you EVER think about taking an umbrella?” She joked sarcastically and then her gaze softened. “Thank you for coming so quickly.” She said and let her best friend step into the apartment.

“Hey, no prob, luv.” He grinned down at her and shrugged off his black leather coat. “You look horrible, by the way.” He commented, mentioning towards her bruised face.

“Oh, thank you very much.” She glared, her voice dripping of sarcasm. “Get beat up for yourself first, then talk again!” She said, then flinched.

“Been there, done that, remember?” He said, referring to the day Riley had found out about the affair he and Buffy had a couple years ago. Spike grinned again and plopped down on her couch, receiving a loud shriek from the blonde.

“Spike! You’re soaked! You’re ruining my couch!” She whined and tried to shove him off said furniture but hissed in pain, her arm wildly protesting against the movement.

But Spike’s grin only widened and she gave up, sitting down next to him.

“How’s the wrist?” He asked, switching on the TV and surfing through it.

“It’s broken, stop asking such stupid questions.” She remarked, before jumping off the couch and walking towards the kitchen. “Cocoa?” She shouted back, receiving a loud “Of course!” From the couch. Spike was sprawled across the whole thing and one wasn’t able to see him unless you could see the front of the lemon-green/yellow cord couch.

“How’s the Lil’?” Spike yelled through Buffy’s living-room into the kitchen.

Buffy returned with two steaming mugs and sat down next to Spike, again. “Angel’s talking to her right at the moment. I think she’s gonna be okay.” She glanced at her friend, handing him a cup. “Oooh, Friends!” She squealed, fixing her gaze onto the television.

Spike groaned. “C’mon, luv. That show’s lame!” He commented.

“It’s not!” Buffy confirmed, shifting her weight onto her feet under her. “It’s nice. Easy.” She told the bleach blonde.

“Easy? C’mon! Emily doesn’t allow Ross to see Rachel, and those two are completely in love with each other, but Ross is married to Emily. Chandler and Monika have an affair, but don’t tell their friends and Joey who”s desperately fighting to not let it slip accidentally! Easy?” Spike asked her, shaking his head.

Buffy smirked at him. “You’re only watching the repetitions, huh? The show’s way further on!”

Really?” Spike asked confused

Buffy grinned at that. Same old Spike. “Really.”

“What are you gonna do about Riley?” Spike asked out of nowhere. He knew she didn’t want to talk about it, but asked nonetheless.

She sighed deeply. “I don’t know. I honestly don’t know.”

“Dump him.” Spike shrugged. “He’s a bug. I know that, Xander knows that and I think you should also know by now.” He got up from the couch and walked around the room. “You have those little marshmallows?”

“In the kitchen cupboard.” Buffy replied absently. “You really think I should break up with Riley? I mean, we’re engaged and all! Isn’t that a little abrupt? He hasn’t slapped me on purpose!” Buffy asked her best friend, following him into the kitchen and switching off the TV.

“Doesn’t make right the fact that he DID slap you!” Spike told her, searching for the marshmallows. “I think something like that should only happen when you’re married for 25 years or something like that. You know - out of midlife-crisis or stuff.” He mumbled, finding the package with the little white marshmallows directly behind the chocolate chip cookies.

“Who ate all the coconut cookies?” He asked the blonde woman.

“You!” She winked at him and grabbed the chocolate chip cookies out of the still open cupboard. Spike always ate everything she had in the house.

“Uncle Spike!” Deanna squealed, running into the kitchen and hugging her Godfather.

Spike lifted her off the ground and choked. “Lil’ Bit, I can’t breath!” He coughed and Deanna let go immediately.

Turning around she pulled Angel into the room. “Spike, this is my Dad!” She introduced beaming. “Angel, this is my Uncle Spike!”

“So, you’re the jerk cheating on his girlfriend?” Spike grinned and offered the strange man his hand.

“Spike!” Buffy warned behind him.

Angel glanced uneasily at his daughter, but she was completely calm. Seemed she knew that story. “Yes, that’d be me.” He replied and shook the other man’s hand.

“Thought so.” Spike smirked and strolled into Deanna’s room. “Didn’t you want to show me your new computer-game, sweetness?” He called back.

And Deanna left the room grinning, running after Spike. She was all too happy to leave her parents alone in one room together.

Closing the door behind her she jumped onto her bed, bouncing happily. “I know something you don’t know!” She smirked at the taller man.

Spike chuckled lightly at that and turned in her fluffy pink chair. “And that’d be what exactly?” He asked her sceptically.

Deanna grinned only wider and shook her head. “Nope. Sorry, can’t tell you.” She beamed. Her father’s admit had made her day. All the horror from only an hour ago was completely forgotten.

Spike only shook his head confused. “So? What’s with the computer game?” He cocked an eye-brow at her.

“Oh, forget the stupid game, there are more important things to be discussed here!” She said and crawled to the end of her bed, sitting down right infront of him. “When I tell you something, will you promise me to not tell anyone else? Not even mom? Especially not mom?”

“You didn’t do anything stupid, did you?” Spike asked sceptically. The last time she’d seen the little one like that, Deanna’d ruined her mother’s favourite sweater and replaced it with a new one. Buffy had never found out.

“No.” She shook her head, smiling. “I want to get Mom and Dad back together!”

*~*~*

Buffy walked into her office, still half asleep and her mind far away. She didn’t want to think about what had happened in her apartment two days ago, but her mind obviously had it’s own will. And the many sappy speeches Riley bombarded her answering machine with didn’t help much. She hadn’t called him back once. She couldn’t. Not yet. He’d simply betrayed her trust in him too much. She needed time.

But unfortunately Riley wasn’t about to give her that. He just kept on calling.

And god, how she wanted to forgive him, but she needed time.

This was her fiance. The one man she’d wanted to spend her life with and from one moment to another she didn’t even know anymore if she’d ever really known this guy.

And what was even more confusing was that now, Riley was back to his old self. The sweet words he spoke onto her answering machine were the ones she was used to from him. But that man was so very different from the man she’d met in her apartment two days ago.

He’d hit her! And that wasn’t even all. Even before that he’d refused to help her, although she’d been in obvious pain. She’d broken her wrist several times and it was now embedded in a cast.

It was a difficult brake. Very difficult. Those were the doctors words after Spike and Angel had dragged her to a hospital despite her protests. She’d be forced to wear that bloody cast for two whole months.

She’d freaked, telling the doc that she couldn’t possibly wear this thing for so long, because there was work she had to do and a new building to plan. She couldn’t do that with her arm in a big white.

And Angel’d been so kind, soothing her and telling her it was okay. He’d do the work that involved her right arm for the next two months, because they were partners. He told her that it all wasn’t a problem and they’d face that burden together. She didn’t have to worry a thing about it.

And she’d asked herself in the same moment why Riley couldn’t be like Angel. Angel’d been on a guilt trip the whole drive to the hospital, apologising to her and telling her how sorry he was for causing that mess.

He’d apologised for a thing that wasn’t even his fault while Riley didn’t even help her with her wrist, but hit her instead!

Why was a stranger so much nicer towards her and treated her with so much more respect than her fiancé did after the whole three and a half years they knew each other?

And why did she dream about Angel’s smile when he told her those kind words at the hospital for the last two nights?

Why did she feel so very much more drawn to the guy she’d spent one single night with than she felt for the man she’d been with all these years?

Why couldn’t her world simply turn to its black and white again? Where did all the different types of grey come from? Why was she suddenly not so sure about marrying Riley anymore, but was drawn to the man she’d pretended to hate for the last fucking ten years???

She walked over to the coffee machine and watched the dark brown fluid be spilled into the pink cup. This was something she did everyday, but today it felt so much different.

Bringing the mug to her lips she nearly spit it all over the desk of her secretary, Dru, her long-time friend from High-School and Spike’s ex.

The coffee was too hot and she knew that. She was simply too tired to take notice of that and placed the cup on the desk, leaning over and grabbing one of the photos that was standing on Drusilla Pearson’s working space.

She knew the photo. She had one of it herself. It was a group-shot of her whole High School Gang. Drusilla, Spike, Willow, Xander, Anya, Ford, Pike, Tyler, Jenny, Amy and herself sitting on a large oversized sofa and the floor in Buffy’s old home.

She hadn’t seen Tyler and Jenny for ages, but still held contact to Pike and Ford. Anya and Xander were married for four years and Spike nearly lived with her, so often he was at her place.

Wondering briefly how her life had changed so much, or where her trusty secretary was for that matter, she placed the picture back on the desk and walked into her office, taking the steaming mug of coffee with her.

She didn’t even notice Angel sitting on the couch next to her door. She was too engrossed into balancing her mug and the files in only one hands, since her right arm was in that stupid cast.

“Thought you’d never come.” Angel commented, startling Buffy and she dropped the coffee on the floor, being able to rescue the files, but yelped when the hot liquid hit her bare leg and the empty mug rolled onto the floor.

Angel jumped up and held her when she fell and she furiously began to rub the burned skin with the end of her black silk skirt that reached her knees.

“I’m sorry.” Angel flinched and lifted her from the floor, collecting the files and placing them on her desk, helping her towards the couch.

“S’okay.” Buffy mumbled, rubbing the sore skin. “I’m just being clumsy. As always.” She nearly growled. “These things ALWAYS happen to me.”

Angel only smiled and nodded. “Actually, I find that kinda cute.” He admitted, flirting, his half-smile firmly in place.

Buffy only grinned and stood up, walking to her desk. “Deanna says hello, by the way.” She told the father of her child, smiling. “She asks if you want to go to the movies with her tomorrow and I’m supposed to tell you how much she enjoyed herself at the musical you two visited yesterday.” She said. Deanna and Angel did something together often, since they hardly knew each other. And every time Deanna asked her mother if she wanted to join them. And even Angel insisted, but she always refused. She didn’t want to disturb the time those two spent together. She’d feel out of place, ‘cause she knew Angel only was there because of Deanna. She doubted he’d so much as care about her if she wasn’t the mother of his child.

But only with three days knowing him, she knew he was a wonderful father to Enie. And she wouldn’t trade that for the world, because she could see it in her daughter’s eyes how happy the little one was about finally having a father in her life.

“That’s okay with me.” Angel said, smiling. “You’ll come along?” He asked hopefully.

“Nah.” Buffy answered without noticing how Angel’s smile dropped immediately.

“Heard something of your fiance?” Angel asked her, dropping the subject, much to Buffy’s liking. But there was the one topic she didn’t want to talk about right now.

“Beside the calls? No.” Buffy asked calmly and Xander entered the room, which meant they had to begin to work for the rest of the day.

*~*~*

Buffy walked into her father’s office later that day, with the first plans for the Trump-mall and a few sketches. It was her break, so she wanted this to get done quickly and take a few minutes for herself to take her mind off of all that crap that was her life, before she had to continue working. Stepping into the room, her father gasped.

“OHMYGOD!” Dean exclaimed horrified and rushed to her side.

Shit, she’d forgotten that he didn’t know about her ‘accident’.

“WHAT the HELL HAPPENED to you???!” Dean Summers screeched, searching for other injuries beside the blue spots in her face and the cast.

“I... um, ... tripped?” Buffy said sheepishly.

“Buffy.” Dean said in a Don’t-Lie-To-Me-I’m-Gonna-Find-Out-Soon-Look.

“It’s nothing.” Buffy shrugged away from her dad.

“NOTHING?!” He yelped. “Honey, your arm’s in a cast and your face looks like someone hit you to a bloody pulp!” He said and grew quieter. “That’s it, isn’t it? Someone beat you up.”

Buffy just looked at him without any emotion in her eyes.

“Riley beat you up.” Dean corrected himself, collapsing helplessly into his chair. “Wh---“

“N-not exactly. It was, um, ..k-kinda an accident. He didn’t want to.” Buffy said, defending her fiance. ‘Is he?’ A small voice whispered in her head. ‘Is he still your fiance? Do you want him to still be your fiance?’

“H-he DIDN’T WANT TO?!” Dean shouted, but tried to calm once he saw his daughter’s wincing face. “I’m sorry, b-but you look way too injured to tell me he didn’t want to. You have an black eye and cheek, there’s a cut on your lip and forehead and your arm is in a cast! What did he do? Shoved you out of a window, or what?! What got into him?” He stood up again and checked her over, once again. Just to make sure she was alright.

Buffy took a deep breath and looked her father straight in the eye. “Daddy, sit down.” She ordered and he quickly obeyed, making himself comfortable in his leather clad chair.

Buffy sat down in the chair opposite to him and sighed. This was gonna be difficult. “I met him.” She said.

“Who?” Dean asked back, confused.

“Him. I met Deanna’s father a few days ago. He turned out to not be the major pain in the ass I thought he was and he spends time with her. She’s already obsessed with her dad. Two days ago, he met her for the first time and they went to the mall while I was at home with Riley. He had no idea about him and we had a fight. I was so furious that I broke my wrist. I broke it myself, not he. He didn’t come to my help so I snapped and yelled at him when the two came back. Riley was so jealous and thought I was cheating on him and the two began to beat each other up. Or rather Riley beat Angel up. I wanted to stop them and before he could think about it Riley’d shoved me all across the room into the couch table. I haven’t spoken to him since then.” She said in a row, not stopping once and staring at her father with wide, teary eyes, once she was finished.

Dean sighed deeply and got up, kneeling infront of his sobbing daughter. “I’m sorry, honey. I wish there was anything I could do to make this easier for you. But you are to decide what you want now. I can’t help you with that, but I can give you a few advises. And I advise you to look a little closer at Riley. I bet if it happened once, he won’t necessarily stop hitting you. You deserve better, darling. Way better.” He told his daughter and she calmed.

Buffy smiled sadly at him. “Thank you, daddy.” She said in a watery voice.

He wiped her tears away with his thump and took her files. “I’ll look over those, later. But now, tell me, do I know him?” Dean asked.

Buffy got up and smoothed down her black skirt. “Yes.” She smiled back. “You do.” And left the room.

*~*~*

Deanna hopped into Spike’s convertible when her school-bell rang and she got envious looks from most of the girls around when Spike smirked at her and drove off.

“So, mall it is, sweetness?” Spike asked her, glancing quickly at her.

“Yup.” Was all she answered, grinning.

Spike shook his head. Really, that kid came way beyond too much after her mother. “And where exactly are we planning to go, little one?” Her mother’s best friend asked further, turning into the next street onto the Highway.

“First Victoria’s Secret, then that expensive boutique. I saw once - ya know - the one mom always stops in front of to stare at that short red dress? “ then a florist and we’re gonna buy tickets to Snoopy on Ice for four people. And of course you are getting me a new pen. Mine’s broken, Philip sat on it.” The small-sized brunette told her godfather smirking.

The breaks of Spike’s ride did a screeching noise and he turned to the drive-out, stopping immediately. “What? You’re NINE! I know I’m corrupting you way too much, but WHAT THE BLEEDING HELL DO YOU WANT IN VICTORIA’S SECRET, SMALL LADY?” The 28-year-old yelped.

Deanna burst out laughing. “Not for ME, you moron! For mom! We’re getting her the right outfit - for her date on Friday!” She slapped his arm. “C’mon, did you really think I---“

“Okay, okay, got it.” Spike said, pulling onto the road again and drove off towards downtown. “Angel’s asked her on a date? I didn’t know that!” Spike grinned.

“She doesn’t know, either.” Deanna smirked.

Spike quirked an eyebrow at her. “He should tell her then. Friday’s the day after tomorrow!”

Deanna’s grin only widened. “Oh, he also doesn’t know.”

*~*~*

Buffy walked into her office again and spotted Xander and Angel arguing about the color of the highlights on the roof near Dru’s desk who was on the phone, talking to someone she seemed to know rather well.

Pouring herself a new cup of coffee she shook her head at both males in the room and opened the door that had the letters B-U-F-F-Y S-U-M-M-E-R-S written on it, eager to find at least a little rest, before break ended.

But the person she met inside of her office was the last person she’d expected.

“Oh, Mr. Lindsey McDonald’s waiting for you in your office!” Drusilla yelled from outside.

“I see that, Dru.” I remarked sarcastically, looking into a smiling blond man’s face.

*~*~*

Spike was in hell. Deanna Summers run around through Victoria’s Secret like that was her average shopping aiming. The girl’d been in that damn shop only one time before! Why did she have to feel so completely comfortable around all those bras and thongs and slips? “Deannaaaa!” Spike whined desperately.

He could clearly see all the stairs the women around gave him for shopping with a small child in those shops. His face had turned a bright red like ten minutes ago and he simply kept staring at the wall infront of him while the youngest Summers girl ran around getting bras and thongs and slips for her mommy.

And that although he knew for a fact that Buffy Summers never wore thongs.

Once in a while Deanna would rush to him and ask for his opinion. One can’t imagine the look he got from the old woman near to them when the little brunette came with a black satin bra and slip that was highly transparent on certain places and covered nothing.

He’d stammered a small “It’s okay. Get it so we can go out of here.” And left the place only to hide from that woman. Since then he'd been facing that wall and Deanna’d already got around five pairs of sexy undies for her mother.

Spike had thanked all the gods in the heavens when Deanna’d announced that she had everything, handed him the bags and they walked off to get that red dress Deanna’d talked about earlier, only to find himself facing a wall again, ‘cause that boutique turned out to be a place with model-sized *small* transparent dresses and all the woman that changed walking around in stuff like that.

But much to Spike’s benefit they didn’t stay too long there, but went to a cafe nearby to recover from the heat. It was the hottest day in January for around twenty years.

Searching for an empty table they made their way across the cafe and ordered their usual Banana Splits and Ice-bombs along with oversized milk-shakes.

“Where do I get a meteorite from? They say the temperature on earth lowers about 10°C when one hits us.” Deanna complained, plopping down into a seat of the mall’s ice-cafe.

Spike only quirked an eyebrow at her. “You do know, that the last time that happened all the dinosaurs died?”

“Oh, that’s no problem.” Deanna grinned goofy. “There aren’t any dinosaurs around anymore!”

Spike only shook his head, chuckling. “My, you’re exactly like your mom, girlie.”

“What can I say?” Deanna smirked. “Summers women are the best!”

“That they are.” He smiled back, tousling her hair and receiving a growl-like sound from the small girl. “So tell, Ms. Summers. What are you planning for your parent’s date that she needs that amount of lacy underwear?” He asked while the waitress came with their ice-cream and Spike went back to flirt-mode.

*~*~*

“Lindsey!” Buffy said, almost as if convincing herself to see him. Lindsey McDonald was her ex-boyfriend. He was the one before Riley, but it had only lasted for two months before both realised that they were nothing more than friends. And actually they’d planned to stay that way until Lindsey’d introduced her to Riley Finn, his colleague at Wolfram & Hart.

And that was the last time she’d seen him, ‘cause that day Riley’d made sure that Lindsey didn’t come near her again. He’d been too afraid that Lindsey might still have a hold on her. But of course she never knew that.

Little did she know that Lindsey had infact tried to contact her all that time. Buffy’d been told by her fiance that he didn’t want to see her ever again, because he and Riley had problems with each other.

But all Riley had wanted out of that was that Lindsey wouldn’t be able to tell Buffy about the thing with his female colleagues. Because Mandy hadn’t been the only one all that time. Mandy was the newest.

“Hello Buffy.” Lindsey smiled warmly at her. “How are you doing? What happened to your arm? And face?” He said, turning serious.

“Nothing.” Buffy replied. Too quickly.

“Uh-huh.” Lindsey remarked. Riley. Of course Riley. He hadn’t expected anything else. And suddenly all of his doubts flew out of his window. Buffy needed to know what he was doing. She deserved better than a man that hit, shouted and cheated on her. “I have to tell you something. And you better sit down, ‘cause you’re not going to like it.” Lindsey told her and she quickly sat down on to her couch, staring at her former boyfriend in confusion.

*~*~*

“Dru, you’re standing on my foot!” Xander complained, shoving her gently to the side.

Only to be shoved right back.

“Shut up, I can’t hear anything!” Dru snapped, drawing closer to her boss’ door.

Angel had to bite down laugher that threatened to escape. Infront of him were two grown adults, bickering at each other with their ears on the door to listen to their friend’s conversation.

“Who’s he?” Angel asked after a while.

“Her ex.” They replied unison and all too quickly Angel was on his feet, crouching down next to them to hear what was going on behind that damn door.

“You guys do realise that what we’re doing here isn’t right, right?” Xander asked around.

“You started it, Xander!” Dru snapped at him.

“Shut up!” Angel yelped at them both, hearing Buffy’s yell all through the room.

*~*~*

“HIS SECRETARY?” Buffy screeched, jumping off from the couch and pacing around the room. “I can’t believe this!” She said desperately. But truth was, she could. She could picture Riley cheating on her. Easily.

“It’s the truth. Go see yourself. They’re going at it like bunnies. Always. And that during work.” Lindsey told her. ”I just thought you’d deserve to know. You deserve better than him, Buffy.”

Buffy exhaled deeply and sat down again, covering her eyes with her hands. “I’m not so sure about that anymore.” She whispered.

“What?”

“I mean – why does that keep happening to me?” Buffy whispered brokenly. “All the guys keep leaving me. They are either using me or realise that they only want to be friends. First Taylor who fell in love with my best friend, then Pike for whom I was too boring. Scott, who only had eyes for all the other girls but me. My one-night-stand who was cheating on his fiance, Parker, who used me for sex. Spike who couldn’t stand touching me anymore, ‘cause he felt like he was making love to his sister. You. Now Riley. See a trend there?” She looked up, meeting her ex’s gaze. “What is it? Am I clinging too much? Am I ugly? Am I not good?”

“Buffy, don’t talk like that. Don’t!” Lindsey said, sitting down next to her and she rested her head on his shoulder tiredly. “You’re a breathtakingly beautiful woman, a wonderful mother, a caring friend and an intelligent architect. And you’re not clinging. Far from that. You’re keeping everything inside and you don’t open up. You’re a strong person, Buffy. And god knows you’re like a god in bed.” He told her. “You just haven’t met the right man, yet.”

“Do you think I ever will?” Buffy said.

“I promise.” He smiled and got up.

“Thank you, Lindsey.” She said and got up as well, walking him to the door.

Opening it, three persons fell into the room. Buffy only shook her head while Lindsey was laughing his head off and three bright red heads headed back to their work immediately.

TBC...

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