He begins waking up. It takes him a moment to realize what woke him. It was Buffy. She must have moved in her sleep. He can feel the warmth of her body, but that is not what woke him. No what woke him was the smell. The smell of her makes him weak and dizzy. It might have something to do with the fact the majority of his borrowed blood has left his head and limps for another area. He lies there watching her sleep. Soon the smell evaporates. He relaxes and attempts to go pack to sleep. But it does not last long as she rolls onto her back. He is again assaulted by the enticing fragrance.

He opens his eyes and looks at her. He tries to resist the cravings stirring within him. But the pull is too strong. He looks into her face once more before sliding gradually under the covers. He slips down slow and easy. His years of moving about unseen or heard bode him well as he moves toward his target. He gracefully shifts his body until his face nears the source of his desire. Although deep under the covers, his nocturnal vision easily observes the damp flesh. His hands gently press against her thighs exposing more for his viewing. The aroma surrounds his senses.

He leans in and leisurely licks at the droplets of moisture clinging to the outer folds. His sensitive hearing picks up on her small involuntary sigh, but her breathing remains slow and even. He smiles slightly before leaning in and running his tongue over the hot flesh. Her legs open wider and he moves closer and slips his tongue inside the wet heat. She emits a low groan. He thrust his tongue up and down the sensitive inner skin. He feels her fingers brush his forehead before wrapping around his scalp. Her hand urges him closer as her legs widen more. Her breathing becomes labored as he continues to caress and suck at her flesh. Her hips arch towards him.

He is lost in the taste of her. The pure nectar trickling on his tongue. He hungers for more. A hunger born of both love and lust. He is struck by the realism that he craves this more than his food of life, blood. As he uses his finger to separate the other lips, he feels the cool breeze as she yanks the cover off. His eyes look up and into her glassy green pools. Her lust consuming her, she digs her fingers into his scalp. This seems only to further fuel his hunger. He presses against her thighs, forcing them even farther apart. He roams his tongue within her hot core once more before sliding it out. A momentary whimper escapes her throat before she feels the caress over her clit. She gasps and her fingers spasm within his hair.

His senses pick up on every essence of her arousal. He notices her labored breath, her accelerated pulse, and her facial expressions. But he notices most the smells that pound at his mind. His brain struggles to connect with anything beyond his own desires. Her small hand presses him forward. He latches his lips over her clit and his tongue teases the hard nub. As he hears her breathing hasten even more, he slips two fingers inside. She shifts her pelvis trying to impale him deeper. He glances once more into her eyes before closing his eyes and savoring the feel her on his tongue as it caresses her nerve endings. His hand pumps in and out. His ears follow the sounds of her breathing. As he feels her nearing her peak he pulls back momentarily only to thrust back in with an additional digit.

Buffy feels her whole being is centered between her thighs. Nowhere in the universe is more important at this moment. She as never felt so powerful and powerless at the same time. He orchestrates her body and she doesn’t care. It is so clear at this moment she is his body and soul. And god what he is doing to her body. She grabs her pillow and smashes it into her face. She wants to scream. She wants him deeper. She wants to……………….oh god what she wants is to come. He is pushing her to the top. Just when she thinks she is never going to be released he increases the stimulation with a third finger. It pushes her over the edge and she bellows into the feathers shoved in her mouth.

As her muscles twitch around his lips and hand, he is engulfed in more sensory stimulation as fresh juices seep out. He slides his fingers out and lifts his head. He watches as she lowers the pillow and attempts to focus on him. Buffy watches mesmerized as he sucks the wetness off his hand. He quickly advances up her torso. She looks as he runs his tongue over his lips, drawing in the remaining wetness. He kisses the tip of her nose before covering her mouth with his.

How she has missed this. His lips. His tongue. All tangling with hers in a dance of pleasure. But it is not enough; she wants more. Her hand snacks down and wraps around his erection. She loves the feel of it. So silky smooth but hard as steel. She strokes her hand over the flesh. She becomes more aroused as she feels him thrusting against her palm.

He dives into her warm mouth. He will never get over how hot her tongue is. As it brushes across the roof of his mouth, he moans into her mouth. He lost in the feelings of her mouth, when he feels her small warm hand gripping his sensitive flesh. He cannot contain his desire and strokes into the hot grasp.

Both their hands collide as they feel for the nightstand drawer. Without looking he grasp the handle yanking it open. She runs her finger over the wood and seizes the foil package. He groans as she releases his flesh but is immediately sated by the touch of her fingers stretching the cool latex down the shaft. Once sheathed, she guides him to her wet core. He wastes no time driving deep inside. She widens her legs sinking him even deeper. Her ankles wrap around his hips as he plunges in and back out. She picks up his rhythm and rocks up to meet each thrust

He is soon lost as two separate regions of his body are lost in the heat of hers. He feels on the verge of losing control. He animal instincts push at his conscience. He fights to keep control. But as his climax nears he pulls back from her mouth as his face transforms. She looks into his golden eyes unafraid. She runs her fingertips across his brow before burying his finger in his hair and pulling him back to her lips. Her total acceptance sends him over the edge and an earth shattering orgasm immediately wracks him. As she feels him quake inside it sends her into her own climax. He collapses beside her and attempts to regain his mental composure. He is further pleased by her jagged breathing. He loves knowing he was not alone in the delightful experience.

She rolls over and lays her head on his chest. He wraps his arm around her waist.

Buffy: Is this my new alarm clock? Because if it is, I like it way more than the last one.

There is a knock at the door. They quickly grab the comforter and cover themselves.

Buffy: Come in.

Willow opens the door and looks at the two flushed faces.

Willow: Uh, if you are busy I can come back later.

Buffy: No. Just let us get dressed and we are ready.

Willow: You sure?

Buffy: Yes. Of course.

Willow walks out closing the door.

Angel: She looked embarrassed.

They get up and begin dressing

Buffy: I don’t think so. More like jealous. She really misses Tara.

Angel: Any chance that they might reconcile.

Buffy: We can hope.

The three of them empty all the drawers, shelves and closets and transfer the items to opposite rooms. After they bring Angel and Conner’s boxes up, they tackle the task of putting it all away.

Buffy: Why don’t I take one side of the dresser and you the other. Then Conner can have the bureau. Will that work?

Angel: However you want.

Buffy: That should work. I think.

Hours later.

The clothes are put away. Buffy sits on the floor beside her trunk. She is arranging and adding Angel’s weapons. She looks over her shoulder at Angel who is unpacking Conner’s stuff.

Buffy: I think we need another trunk. This one is packed. And there is no way your hurling ax will ever fit.

Angel: Just put it in the closet. We can find something bigger later.

Buffy: This may sound weird but seeing your weapons mixed in with mine makes it seem real. Like I finally understand we are back together and my god we are actually living together.

Angel: We are.

Buffy spins around on her bottom to face him.

Buffy: If this is a dream, you better never wake me.

Angel: No dream.

He kneels in front of her and takes her hand.

Angel: Feel. I am real. And I am here to stay.

Buffy leans in and brushes her lips against his.

Angel: We better not start anything right now.

Buffy: I guess not.

She turns back to the trunk.

Buffy: Hey look what I found.

She looks over her shoulder and holds up a set of hands cuffs.

Buffy: Trust me?

He stares at her shocked.

There is a knock at the door. Buffy quickly tucks the handcuffs in her pocket as the door opens

Gunn: Hey guys

Angel: You made it. Where’s Conner?

Gunn: Down stairs safe and sound. Seems the woman folk around here are already wrapped around his little finger.

Angel: He does have a way with the fairer sex.

Gunn: You ready for more junk?

Buffy: I guess.

They walk down the stairs.

Gunn: Oh yeah, Wes said to give you this.

He hands Angel an envelope. Angel looks in and tucks it in his pocket.

Buffy: What’s that?

Angel: My paycheck.

Buffy: Oh.

Angel walks over to Willow.

Angel: Do you mind?

Willow: Of course not.

He takes his son.

Angel: You already have the women eating out of your hand.

Fred: Angel, I am confused. If uhh, sorry I am so bad with names.

Willow: I’m Willow and this is Dawn.

Fred: If Willow and Dawn are here, why do you need me to watch Conner?

Willow: Good question.

Angel: Oh, well Buffy and I thought that, well it would be too much to ask you both to watch him every night. I couldn’t do that. Bad enough we moved in and disrupted the whole house.

Willow: Does the word family mean anything?

Buffy: Will, you both have school and patrolling can last for hours.

Willow: So you are going to pay someone to come over here and sit with him every night until who knows what time? And I am already here.

Angel: Would you really want to? Do you even know how?

Willow: I do want to and no I don’t know everything but I think I can learn.

Dawn: Me too.

Angel: Buffy?

Buffy: It is your call. He is “your” son.

Angel flinches.

Angel: How about this. Fred stays here while you two learn what to do and see if you really want to take on the responsibility.

Willow: Sounds fine to me.

Angel: Fred?

Fred: Sure.

Angel: Well I guess we need to get the rest in the house.

Buffy: Sorry we can’t help carry it all in.

Gunn: No prob. I think we can handle.

Downtown

Warren, Jonathan, and Andrew stand in an alley.

Andrew: You really going to do this?

Warren: Of course. All I have to do is go back there and grab the papers and get back. Then take them to the bank and watch the money pour in.

Jonathan: But what if we gat caught.

Warren: How? No one will ever figure it out. Now stop worrying.

Warren looks around and assures they are alone. He then taps the red button. He disappears. Andrew moves toward the spot but Jonathan grabs him just as Warren reappears. Clutched in his had is stack if papers.

Warren: Just like taking candy from a baby. It was wild. All the people running around panicking. No one even noticed me

Jonathan: I would think so. There was an earthquake for Christ sake.

Warren: I don’t care I got the certificates. Now all we need to do is cash them in.

Jonathan: Had the fire started yet?

Warren: Nope. But it will and no one will know which certificates got burned and which didn’t.

Later

Buffy sits on the bed watching Angel finish fixing Conner’s crib.

Buffy: I guess that is the last of it.

Angel: I hope so.

He turns and walks over to her.

Angel: Tired?

Buffy: Not really but would you close the door?

Angel: Not sure now is a good time.

Buffy: No, I think we need to talk. Really talk.

He walks around the bed and closes and locks the door. He lies across the bed. She stares at him.

Buffy: Please sit up. I can not do this with you so prone.

Angel quickly sits up and moves beside her.

Angel: I don’t know what you want to say but it will be okay. I promise.

Buffy: It is not okay and it will never be okay. I have to tell you what I have been doing. Something I can’t even tell Willow. And I tell her everything.

Angel: It will be fine. But you don’t have to tell me if you’re not ready.

Buffy: No I need to say this. I need “you” to know.

Angel: Then I am listening.

Buffy looks down at her feet. She sighs.

Buffy: You know well I have not been well myself lately. Kinda dealing with the being ripped out of heaven kinda messes with me.

Angel: Heaven?

Buffy: Oh yeah. Heaven. I never told you. I never really wanted to tell the others.

She glances at him before looking back down.

Buffy: Willow did not pull me back from a Hell dimension. She brought me back from heaven.

Angel wraps his arms around her.

Angel: Oh honey.

She pulls away and stands up and walks over and into Conner’s crib. She reaches in and picks up a stuffed dog. She wraps it in her arms as she turns and looks at him.

Angel: Are you okay?

Buffy: I am getting there. But I still need for you to listen.

Angel: I am.

Buffy: Well since I cam back I have done a lot of things I am not very proud of.

She glances in his eyes and back toward the floor.

Buffy: I have been so lonely. My friends have felt so guilty I couldn’t tell them how I was feeling. I couldn’t burden them more. So I told the one being who would never tell.

She gives one more furtive look before continuing.

Buffy: I told Spike.

Angel: Spike?

Buffy: Spike. And he listened. It was actually nice at first. Having someone to talk to. But that did not last long. He took my confidence as a sign of trust and began pursuing me endlessly. He would not take no for an answer. Then one day I got fed up and punched him.

Angel: Good.

Buffy: No not good. Because he punched me back.

Angel: I’ll kill him.

He looked at her as realization sank in.

Angel: But he can’t hit you.

Buffy: Yes he can. Because something is wrong with me. I came back wrong. And it scares me.

Angel: Hey nothing is….

He stands up and heads to her but she holds up her hand. He stops.

Angel: There is nothing wrong with you. I know. I know you inside and out. My soul is your soul.

Buffy: Angel.

He sits down.

Buffy: I don’t know why Spike can hit me. But I need to find out. Maybe then I will know why I let him do the things he does.

Angel jerks to attention. Buffy turns back to face the crib.

Buffy: Why I’ve been sleeping with him.

Buffy flinches as she hears him growl. Her eyes begin watering. She chokes back a sob. So close, she was so close to the gold ring.

She gasps as she feels the strong arms wrap around her waist. He leans down resting his chin on her shoulder.

Angel: I am going to kill him. And you are not going to stop me.

Buffy: But.

Angel: No. He had no right to take advantage of you. He does not deserve to exist.

Buffy: I let him.

New tears stream down her cheeks.

Angel: You were weak and he knew it.

Buffy: But you don’t understand. Part of me liked it.

Angel flinches but then turns her around to face him.

Angel: Why? Because he made you feel something? Or because he made you forget everything else for a moment?

Buffy (a timid smile): Both. When it was going on nothing else mattered. I could forget it all. It was like a drug.

Angel: And he knew that. And he used that.

He looks into her face.

Angel: You don’t want him dead?

Buffy: No. (she smiles bigger) But you can beat him up if it will make you feel better.

Angel: Will it make you feel better?

Buffy: No. I already have done it.

Angel laughs softly.

Angel: I bet you have.

Buffy runs her fingertips along his jaw.

Buffy: I am sorry.

Angel grabs her hand and kisses her palm.

Angel: You have nothing to be sorry for. I on the other hand do.

Buffy: You know I am no longer upset you slept with Darla.

Angel backs up a step.

Angel: I am not talking about Darla.

Buffy looks into his face.

Buffy: Not Darla? Oh god Cordelia. You were involved with her. Please tell me you didn’t sleep with her.

Angel: No I did not sleep with her.

Buffy looks into his eyes.

Buffy: You didn’t sleep with her? But you wanted to.

He looks at the floor. She grabs his chin and makes him look into her face.

Buffy: Are you in love with her?

Angel: No, well maybe, no. Not in love with her. Not like I am with you. But I do have feelings.

Buffy swallows.

Buffy: Oh. Feelings you want to pursue?

Angel: No! Just well…….

Buffy: But if the last couple days had not happened.

Angel: Maybe. I don’t even know if she………

Buffy: Oh she does. She has for years. Everyone knows it. I am just not sure she would ever admit it. Even to herself.

Angel: Buffy, you know it is you I want. Right?

Buffy: I know. But do me a small favor.

Angel: Anything.

Buffy: Don’t say it until you hear what I say.

Angel: Okay.

Buffy: Just well keep some physical space between you two for a while. I just……

Angel: I got it. Can I say the same about Spike?

Buffy: Already done. But I do have to see him once more.

Angel: What?

Buffy: To tell him to his face it is over.

Angel: We will do it together.

Buffy: No, alone. This is something “I” have to do. It has nothing to do with us. Do you understand?

Angel: Actually I do. You have to take back the power he took from you.

Buffy: How come you are so damn smart?

Angel: I think it comes with age.

Buffy giggles: Then you should be a frikin genius.

Angel: Not quite. Still working on a few things.

Buffy: Like what?

He turns them around and backs her to the bed. He lowers them down and she feels his fresh desire pressed against her hip.

Angel: Like where are all your erotic zones.

Buffy: Sorry, you will have to learn those over time. I am not giving you the cliff notes.

Angel: Fine, but it will demand lots and lots of homework.

He shifts his body and leans in to her.

Buffy: Ow!

Angel looks up from kissing her neck.

Angel: What’s wrong.

She digs her hand in her pocket and pulls out the handcuffs.

Buffy: Hard metal in soft flesh.

Angel: Oh

Later that night

Cemetery

Angel grabs her arm.

Buffy: (w) What?

Angel (nods toward a crypt) (w): In there.

Buffy: I know.

Angel: Huh……….(suddenly understands) Spike.

Buffy nods.

Buffy: Time I did this.

Angel: You still want to do it alone?

Buffy: I have to.

Angel: I will be close if you need me.

Buffy: You are always close. I kinda expect it.

Angel: You know what I mean.

Buffy: I know.

They approach the door and Angel slips into the shadows. Buffy reaches for the doorknob as the door opens.

Spike: Hello love. Been expecting you.

Buffy: I’m not here to…….

She breaks off and Spike just looks at her.

Buffy: It’s over.

Spike: (smiles, moves closer to her) I've memorized this tune, love. Think I have the sheet music. Doesn't change what you want.

Buffy: I know what I want and it’s not you. It was never you. I was using you.

Spike: (moves even closer) Really not complaining here.

Buffy: I can't love you. You know that. I have only ever loved one man and you know it.

Spike: Is this what all this is about? You been getting moony over dead memories. Face it child the poofter is gone and he ain’t coming back. And I hate to break it to you love but he ain’t been all that piney after you. Word on the street is he’s been doing Darla.

Buffy: I know all about Darla. And it was one night.

He stares at her.

Buffy: I'm sorry ... William.

She turns and walks out. Spike hollers after her.

Spike: You’ll be back; you just better hope I am here.

She walks up to Angel. He wraps his arms around her. They walk off.

Inside the crypt Spike paces around in anger.

Spike: Bloody bint. She’ll be back.

He grabs his duster and heads out the door.

Espresso Pump

Buffy and Angel sit at a table. Angel stands up as Tara arrives.

.

Tara: Hey, sorry I'm late.

She sits down and Angel sits down rubbing his wrists.

Buffy: Thanks for coming by.

Tara: (worried) Is it bad?

Buffy: I was sort of hoping you could tell me.

Tara: I knew this was gonna happen. What did Willow do now? Did she ... she hurt anyone?

Buffy: Wha... uh, no, no, um... Ta-Tara, this isn't about Willow.

Tara: I-I thought that's why you didn't want to meet at the house.

Buffy: Uh, sorry, it's, um ... Willow's fine, uh, she, she's been doing really well. You'd be proud of her.

Tara: Good, that's ... that's good. (pause) So, so what do you want to talk about?

Angel continues rubbing his wrists.

Buffy: I-it's Spike. (Tara looking confused) He can hurt me.

Tara glances at Angel's hands as he continues rubbing his wrists. Suddenly he realizes it, and quickly pulls his sleeves down.

Buffy: Without his head exploding.

Tara: Oh my god. Hi-his chip stopped working?

Buffy: No, it still works. Just not on me.

Tara: You think it's you.

Buffy: I don't know. I feel ... different. There are things...

Tara looks at her, waiting.

Buffy: I-I think ... maybe ... I came back wrong.

Tara: (firmly) No, Buffy, that's n-not ... no. You didn't.

Buffy: Can you check out the spell? Just see if there's something that ... Could you just check? Please?

Tara: Of course I will.

Angel: Thank you. She won’t believe me when I say she is okay.

Tara: I will let you know soon.

Buffy: So how about we get you a cappuccino and we three get caught up.

Tara: I….I would like that.

Angel: Me too.

Summers house

Buffy and Angel enter.

Buffy: Were home!

Fred: Hello.

Buffy: Hey, everyone else asleep?

Fred: Yes. I was just watching television. Oh you have to see this. There is one song coming up that makes me think of both of you.

Buffy drops down beside her. She glances as Angel lowers himself into his leather chair. She smiles as she recalls Dawn’s reaction when Gunn carried it in earlier. But hey this is now his home. He deserves to have things around he likes. Even if it is an old leather chair that still hold the shape of him when he gets up.

Buffy: So what is it?

Fred: It’s the musical “Gypsy”.

Buffy: (stands up) Uh no thanks. I no longer like musicals.

Fred: You don’t.

Angel: And gypsies and me don’t mix.

Buffy (laughs): And where would you be without the gypsy curse.

Angel: (arches an eyebrow) Not where I want to be. That is for sure.

Fred: Here it is. Here comes the song.

Next Day

Xander and Willow walking past the coffee shop and toward the Magic Box. They reach the door to the magic shop just as Tara comes out, holding a large magical book.

Willow: (surprised) Tara. What are you doing here? I mean ... uh, it's okay for you to be here if you have things that ... you have to be here for.

Xander: I am just going in and see Anya.

Xander gives Tara a friendly smile as he passes her. She smiles back briefly. Xander goes into the store.

Willow: (looking at Tara's book) The “Brekenkrieg Grimoire“? Light reading?

Tara: Uh, yeah, I was just...

Willow: No, it's okay. I, I didn't expect you to stop doing magic just because ... You don't have to hide it. I'm not - I'm, I'm doing better. (Tara smiles) I can even go to the magic shop now. As long as someone's with me at all times. But, uh, but it's better now, it really is. You know; if you were checking on me.

Tara: No, I wouldn't. So doing the sp…spell on Angel d..didn’t trip you up?

Willow: No. But you know why I had to do it?

Tara: Yes ....Uh Is Buffy at home?

Willow: Oh. Well, She should be. She is kinda trapped there during the day thanks to me. Plus she's been kinda busy these last few days.

Tara: I'm sure with Angel moving in and all. If you see her b..before me tell her I need to talk to her. It's important.

Willow: Yeah. Of course I will.

Tara: Thanks.

Tara starts to walk off, pauses, turns back.

Tara: Will? I'm ... I'm glad you're doing better.

They look at each other. Tara gives a little smile, turns and walks away. Willow stands there looking sad.

Summer’s House

Angel, Buffy and Tara sit on the sofa

Buffy: Are you sure?

Tara: I-I've double-checked everything. (smiling) There's nothing wrong with you.

Buffy: Then why can Spike hurt me?

Tara: Well, I said that there was nothing wrong with you, but ... you are different. Shifting you out of ... f-f-from where you were ... funneling your essence back into your body ... i-it, it altered you on a basic molecular level. Probably just enough to confuse the sensors or whatever in Spike's chip. But it's all just surfacey physical stuff. It wouldn't have any more effect than ... a bad sunburn.

Buffy looks close to tears as she contemplates this.

Buffy: I didn't come back wrong?

Tara: No, you're the same Buffy. (lightly) With a deep tropical cellular tan.

Buffy: You must have missed something. Will you check again?

Tara: (concerned) Buffy, I-I promise, there's nothing wrong with you.

Buffy: There has to be! This just can't be me; it isn’t me. (starting to cry) Why do I feel like this? Why did I let Spike do those things to me?

Tara: You mean hit you.

Buffy meets Tara's eyes, but only for a moment, then looks away. Tara frowns as she begins to get it.

Tara: Oh.

Angel: I told you it was not your fault. He took advantage of you.

Tara: Oh, huh. Really.

Buffy: Don't tell anyone, please.

Tara: I won't.

Buffy: (crying) The way they would look at me ... I just couldn't...

Tara: I won't tell anyone. I wouldn't do that.

Buffy just stares at her tearfully.

Angel pulls her close and kisses the top of her head.

Buffy starts to cry for real now.