telperion66
Potential
Hey guys, this is my first attempt at writing any kind of fan-fiction, and yes, of course it had to be for Buffy (one of my favourite shows, along with Angel)
I hope you take the time to check it out. There's plenty more of where this came from, as I've got loads of time on my hands and I'm really enjoying writing the story.
Enjoy!
_______________
Buffy was staring at the ceiling. Her hair was long, blonde and loose around her shoulders. She looked around idly, letting out a contented sigh. She was pretty comfy, stretched out on Angel's red-brown sofa bed that was in his apartment. She'd been taking in his place one day, as if for the first time, when she suddenly realised how aside from the bed that was there, there wasn't really any suitable seating to be had in Angel's place of abode. All the same, she loved being at Angel's, whether he was there or not. Obviously she preferred it when he was there, but he did have this tendency to take off without warning. At this time, she was wearing her brown heeled shoes, tight-fitting jeans and a white top. The cross that always adorned her chest was present; it comforted her to wear it. At was at this moment, running her hands through her smooth blonde hair, that she decided that that was one thing about Angel that she liked less about him, him taking off so much. She enjoyed being with him so much when they were together. What a paradox to be faced with. He was the love of her life, of that she had no doubt. She never had any doubts about that. She decided that when he got back, or whenever they saw each other next, wherever that was, she would speak with him about him not leaving her on her own as much. She was perfectly fine in her own skin, and of course being the Slayer meant that she certainly knew how to take care of herself. But her heart yearned to with Angel at all times, and she realised that she even felt somewhat dissatisfied that he didn't seem to want to spend all of his time with her.
Buffy started to twiddle her thumbs as she anxiously wondered where he might have gotten to. She decided that she wouldn't prolong the agony any more as she waited for him. With a sigh, in one motion she gently rose from the sofa bed and grabbed her black leather coat off of the rack. It wasn't cold outside per se, but she wasn't sure when or if she'd be going back to Angel's so she took it with her all the same. With that, she opened the door to his apartment and strode off toward the outside world.
As was usual for Buffy, she was walking through the graveyard to get to the Bronze. The trees were stirring with a very slight breeze (there was rarely much wind in Sunnydale so to see that was nice she thought) and the moon was out offering its modicum of light from it's half-crescent. Her footsteps made very little sound as she padded across all too familiar paths, weaving between the gravestones and mausoleums. Hearing a loud grunt, suddenly she was set upon, a leaping figure appearing from her right. Buffy looked at the guy, face disfigured and reached inside her jacket for the stake that she knew was there. The vamp swung and missed, Buffy reaching around his neck with her left arm from behind to clamp him in a rear chinlock as it were. Buffy had never been a massive wrestling fan, but she certainly would have made for a great wrestler that's for sure. With that, she brought her right hand with the stake firmly down into the vampire's chest just as he let out a tormented growl and disappeared from her grip, turning to brown ashes. Buffy dusted herself down as she felt her heart get back to its normal level after the rush of adrenaline that it had experienced. In a way, it was always good to get in a staking or two to really get her going for an evening, as this was something she had both experienced before and become accustomed to. And of course, she was both built for it and extremely good at it. Killing vampires added to the inherent excitement of her day-to-day existence, and her nights just never seemed to have that sense of completion unless she did get in a slaying or two. She realised she was kinda hot after the fight, so she decided to take off her leather jacket and to carry it the rest of the way to the Bronze. She had no idea who she might see there, or indeed if she would see any of her friends, but the music was generally good and she fancied a drink. And anyway she decided, a slight niggling twinge strumming a chord in her heart, if Angel could take off without warning without her and go wherever, well, then she'd be damned if anything was going to stop her going out also and doing as she please. Hell, maybe Angel was at the Bronze (though she doubted that). His melancholy demeanour and character usually stuck out like a sore thumb at a raucous club like the Bronze, so it tended to be a place he avoided.
______________________
Buffy had heard and been attracted to the sound of the live music from a fair distance away as she handed over the cover charge to the bouncer. As she entered, the lights on the ceiling of the club lit up her countenance and posture, as she placed her jacket on a table nearby and sat on a stool.
“Gee, will anyone buy me a drink tonight?” she muttered aloud to herself.
Just then, out of her peripheral vision, a dark-haired form appeared and put her a drink on the table in front of her.
“Vodka cocktail” the stranger said.
“Hey thanks! But, you really shouldn't have, I was just going to go to the bar to get one for myself.”
“Hey, no worries. A beautiful lady like you should never have to buy her own drinks” the man said charmingly in response.
He was not too dissimilar in looks to Angel; tall, with dark hair and a strong frame, but still, like Angel he seemed a bit older than her and Buffy was a little uncomfortable at the thought of sitting at a table drinking with anyone other than her friends or Angel.
“So, I take it you live in Sunnydale?” “My name's Henk by the way.”
“Um, yes as a matter of fact I do. Not far from here actually on Rebello Drive” Buffy replied.
Henk gave her a reassuring smile and replied “Ah, and what a wonderful place this is. But hey, at least on the bright side we've got The Bronze, and the bands here are usually pretty good.”
Buffy smiled, and said “Yeah, you know my friends and I come here all the time. It really is one of the only places for kids to socialize, and you know what you're right, the music is pretty good considering.”
At that, Buffy took a long sip of her drink and turned her attention to the stage. It was all in lights, as the band “Sprung Monkey” bounced around and moshed like madmen to their tunes, the audience that was dancing away seeming to dig them.
“Hey, have you seen this band before? I think they're called 'Sprung Monkey'. They played here last year. It was a hell of a night for me, but I really shouldn't, or can't talk about it. At least I'd rather not. The band's cool though” Buffy implored.
“You know what I don't think I've previously seen them, but I was wondering, do you wanna dance with me? What's your name by the way?” Henk then asked, idly stroking the dark stubble on his chin as he checked out the band on the stage.
Buffy turned to look at Henk and took in his handsome features as if for the first time. She said “My name's Buffy. And yes, you know what. I feel like dancing tonight” she replied, giving him a vivacious smile.
Henk then stood up and took her by the hand. Before she left the table, Buffy quickly downed the rest of her drink and together they made their way to the dance floor, weaving between a few of the crowd to get more to the front of the stage.
Their bodies moved in tandem to the beat, as the loud tones of 'Sprung Monkey' filled the club. They smiled at each other as Buffy wrapped her arms around Henk's neck. He was a good dancer, albeit a little bit shaky at first, but he quickly got into the rhythm.
__________________________
Angel had had Buffy on his mind all night. Having left the apartment, he'd been sitting on a familiar hill writing poetry and drawing pictures of Buffy in his notebook. He had half a dozen such books back at his apartment, and most of their content centred around Buffy. She was after all, his muse, and he'd spent a good hour or so just thinking about their relationship as he jotted down his thoughts in poetic form and drawing her. Really he was just pining for her, but of course, she wasn't to know that.
The sun had long gone down by now of course, as Angel walked through the streets toward the entrance of the Bronze. He'd acknowledged the familiar bouncer with a quick smile and nod as he then pushed open the entrance door. With a quick scan of the club, at first sight he couldn't place her but her familiar, pleasant scent was strong here so he at least knew that she was to be found here somewhere. He got to the table with her coat, following the scent, and then at once his eyes were drawn to the dance floor. The music was pretty loud at this point, but Angel as it turned out didn't really care much for 'Sprung Monkey'. The point was hammered home when he finally caught sight of Buffy, bopping happily away. But, to his dismay, when she turned around, he saw that she was dancing with some other dude; a big, strong, tall looking guy who seemed to be busy jerking away to the upbeat music.
If it had been beating, Angel knew that his heart would have skipped a beat in his chest, but the effect was there all the same, which he felt. He turned and walked around to the table, placing his notebook next to Buffy's leather coat. Angel, despite being surrounded by happy people, was now not in a good place, as his thoughts took a darker turn. “Who is that guy, and what's Buffy doing dancing with him?” he wondered to himself. The thought that Buffy could like or be attracted to anyone other than him stung him, and incited the inherently jealous aspect of Angel's internal character more than he'd like. This had happened before, that time she'd danced with Xander back when 'Cibo Matto' had been playing at The Bronze on that fateful night, which now seemed to be lost to the aeons of time.
His melancholic brooding was interrupted, however, when Buffy came bounding across happily to the table, after having made her way through the outskirts of the people in the audience, who were still jumping and dancing away to the band. Henk was in hot pursuit, holding on to one of Buffy's arms as she dragged him away from the floor to the table where Angel was.
Upon seeing Angel, she immediately let go of Henk and wrapped her arms around Angel's neck, mounting him and instantly planting gentle, imploring kisses around his neck.
“Hey you” she said as she looked up to stare into Angel's dark, chocolate brown eyes, the eyes of her one true love that she loved so much.
At that, Angel stood, glancing at Henk, placing Buffy forcibly yet gently back on her feet. He was clearly uncomfortable as he said to Buffy, “You've been drinking” as he smelt the vodka on her breath.
“Hey, just a little” Buffy responded, looking as innocent as she could as she looked up at him coyly. “I just wanted to come here for a little fun, and hey, look who I ran into!” she said excitedly.
She turned to Henk, bringing him closer to the table, then turned back to Angel saying, “Angel, meet Henk, he's a new friend I met here tonight”.
At that, Henk stuck out a firm hand in Angel's direction, a proud American-style smile decorating his features. Maybe he worked in business, but he really could have been a male model for all Buffy knew, musing to herself.
Angel in turn met Henk's gaze, a slight coldness in his demeanour as he said “Pleased to meet you”. Turning away from his apparent rival for her affection, chords of angst still plaguing his heart, Angel's gaze flicked back passed Buffy as he said to her, “I'd better go, I didn't know you'd be here making new friends.”
“Hey wait, honey” Buffy pleaded, grabbing Angel's wrist. “I honestly and truly just wanted to see you tonight.”
Sensing the immediate tension, Henk stammered out “Hey guys, I can see this is an awkward situation. Maybe I'm the one who'd better leave.”
“Hey, no, Henk, I really don't see why the three of us can't just stay and enjoy ourselves. I know, hey Henk why don't you go to the bar and see if you can get us all a round of drinks. That'll give Angel and enough time to re-acquaint?” Buffy suggested.
“Okay, sure thing” Henk replied. With that, Henk stood up and left, the scent of his cologne wafting in Buffy's direction as she turned back to Angel.
“Hey love, don't be that way” she said as she absorbed the look of disapproval on Angel's face.
Moving closer to him, she told Angel “My reasons for coming to the Bronze were entirely innocent, you can trust me on that.”
Angel's continued look of discomfort was not what Buffy wanted to see, so she said “Angel, sweetie, you can trust me.”
The music was playing loudly now, and seeing that she was getting through to him, Buffy put her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. “See, I like you. You're the one I want Angel, Henk's just a friend” she said as she looked up at him.
At this, Angel's defences seem to lower somewhat as he gently brought her face toward him and caressed her cheek with his fingers. “I just want it to be us Buffy, you and me. I just think that's the way it should be. At least for now. I want to be with you.”
“And hey, you are, right now” Buffy replied. “We're together, and that's all that matters.” “Angel” Buffy said gently into his ear, her face close to his, “can I ask you something?”
“Of course you can” Angel said.
“The next time I wake up in your apartment, I want you to be in it. I really don't like it when you take off without a moment's notice, and I can't seem to find you.”
Angel looked at her again. “Buffy, you know I just needed some time to myself, you know to think and take stock of where we are in our relationship. Never before have I loved you so much or ever had the pleasure of knowing that feeling for anyone else. Its a lot to take in at times. Just being around you makes me wonder what I can offer you, whether I'm worthy or something like that.”
At this, seemingly on cue, 'Sprung Monkey' launched into another tune and Buffy almost laughed as she caught sight of Henk making his way back to their table with a tray of their drinks. She took in Angel's countenance and reassured him, saying “of course you're worthy silly, who do you think I think about all the time? Who do you think I love the most in this world? Its you honey, and let me tell you it always will be.” She pulled closer to kiss his mouth and he drank it in, her soft lips playing a chorus in his beautiful soul that only the choirs of heaven could have composed. “Okay Buffy. Just know that I love you, and I never mean to hurt you. Even if sometimes its hard for me to take in the magnitude of our relationship and what it means to me, just know I never want it to hurt you, not if I can help it.”
Buffy then looked up at him and smiled for her love. “Okay sweetheart, you're totally forgiven” moving in again to kiss his mouth passionately this time.
At this, Henk moved in, placing their drinks on the table. “Ah, I see things are a little better here since I went away. Maybe I should take that as a sign?” he said with a slight, charming smile.
Buffy turned to look at him, pulling away from Angel's embrace. “Nah, its cool Henk, and hey, thanks for the drinks. Say, hey is this one for me?”
Henk nodded grimly in the affirmative. “Well, I saw how much you seemed to enjoy the first one so I figured another one for the evening couldn't hurt.”
“And how right you were” Buffy said as she took a swig of her cocktail.
__________________________________
A little while later, the three of them (Angel, Buffy and Henk) were walking outside back to Angel's place. Buffy's arm was interlocked with Angel's, and her head rested on his tall frame as they walked in silence. She was a little woozy with booze by this point, but she had enjoyed her evening all the same and ultimately being with Angel was all that mattered to her.
“So guys, I guess this is my turn to get off. I'll be sure to see you around sometime. And Buffy, it has been a lovely evening, and it was so wonderful to meet you.”
Giving him a warm embrace, despite his apparent tallness, Buffy said “Sure Henk, and you know what, I had a nice time too. We should hook up soon and do something.”
“Okay sweetheart, sure thing, you bet.” With that, Henk walked over to where his car was parked and got in, his strong frame easing into the driver's seat.
Now alone, as they gazed into each other's eyes, Buffy and Angel were to hear two honks of a horn as the only car on the road drifted out of their vision.
Buffy turned to look at him and say, “I love you Angel” It was all she could muster.
“I know the feeling” was his response. They kissed and then embraced like that for a long time, as the moon shone its light and the cars in the distance were to be heard, morning not so far away.
It was getting late now, and Buffy could feel the need for sleep, as she felt her alcohol infused evening of dancing, music and conversation catching up with her. Her night was coming to a close, but it wasn't quite over yet.
“Shall we go to your place?” she looked up at Angel imploringly.
“Of course, you're always welcome to sleep at my apartment. Let's go” Angel said.
_____________________________
I hope you take the time to check it out. There's plenty more of where this came from, as I've got loads of time on my hands and I'm really enjoying writing the story.
Enjoy!
_______________
Buffy was staring at the ceiling. Her hair was long, blonde and loose around her shoulders. She looked around idly, letting out a contented sigh. She was pretty comfy, stretched out on Angel's red-brown sofa bed that was in his apartment. She'd been taking in his place one day, as if for the first time, when she suddenly realised how aside from the bed that was there, there wasn't really any suitable seating to be had in Angel's place of abode. All the same, she loved being at Angel's, whether he was there or not. Obviously she preferred it when he was there, but he did have this tendency to take off without warning. At this time, she was wearing her brown heeled shoes, tight-fitting jeans and a white top. The cross that always adorned her chest was present; it comforted her to wear it. At was at this moment, running her hands through her smooth blonde hair, that she decided that that was one thing about Angel that she liked less about him, him taking off so much. She enjoyed being with him so much when they were together. What a paradox to be faced with. He was the love of her life, of that she had no doubt. She never had any doubts about that. She decided that when he got back, or whenever they saw each other next, wherever that was, she would speak with him about him not leaving her on her own as much. She was perfectly fine in her own skin, and of course being the Slayer meant that she certainly knew how to take care of herself. But her heart yearned to with Angel at all times, and she realised that she even felt somewhat dissatisfied that he didn't seem to want to spend all of his time with her.
Buffy started to twiddle her thumbs as she anxiously wondered where he might have gotten to. She decided that she wouldn't prolong the agony any more as she waited for him. With a sigh, in one motion she gently rose from the sofa bed and grabbed her black leather coat off of the rack. It wasn't cold outside per se, but she wasn't sure when or if she'd be going back to Angel's so she took it with her all the same. With that, she opened the door to his apartment and strode off toward the outside world.
As was usual for Buffy, she was walking through the graveyard to get to the Bronze. The trees were stirring with a very slight breeze (there was rarely much wind in Sunnydale so to see that was nice she thought) and the moon was out offering its modicum of light from it's half-crescent. Her footsteps made very little sound as she padded across all too familiar paths, weaving between the gravestones and mausoleums. Hearing a loud grunt, suddenly she was set upon, a leaping figure appearing from her right. Buffy looked at the guy, face disfigured and reached inside her jacket for the stake that she knew was there. The vamp swung and missed, Buffy reaching around his neck with her left arm from behind to clamp him in a rear chinlock as it were. Buffy had never been a massive wrestling fan, but she certainly would have made for a great wrestler that's for sure. With that, she brought her right hand with the stake firmly down into the vampire's chest just as he let out a tormented growl and disappeared from her grip, turning to brown ashes. Buffy dusted herself down as she felt her heart get back to its normal level after the rush of adrenaline that it had experienced. In a way, it was always good to get in a staking or two to really get her going for an evening, as this was something she had both experienced before and become accustomed to. And of course, she was both built for it and extremely good at it. Killing vampires added to the inherent excitement of her day-to-day existence, and her nights just never seemed to have that sense of completion unless she did get in a slaying or two. She realised she was kinda hot after the fight, so she decided to take off her leather jacket and to carry it the rest of the way to the Bronze. She had no idea who she might see there, or indeed if she would see any of her friends, but the music was generally good and she fancied a drink. And anyway she decided, a slight niggling twinge strumming a chord in her heart, if Angel could take off without warning without her and go wherever, well, then she'd be damned if anything was going to stop her going out also and doing as she please. Hell, maybe Angel was at the Bronze (though she doubted that). His melancholy demeanour and character usually stuck out like a sore thumb at a raucous club like the Bronze, so it tended to be a place he avoided.
______________________
Buffy had heard and been attracted to the sound of the live music from a fair distance away as she handed over the cover charge to the bouncer. As she entered, the lights on the ceiling of the club lit up her countenance and posture, as she placed her jacket on a table nearby and sat on a stool.
“Gee, will anyone buy me a drink tonight?” she muttered aloud to herself.
Just then, out of her peripheral vision, a dark-haired form appeared and put her a drink on the table in front of her.
“Vodka cocktail” the stranger said.
“Hey thanks! But, you really shouldn't have, I was just going to go to the bar to get one for myself.”
“Hey, no worries. A beautiful lady like you should never have to buy her own drinks” the man said charmingly in response.
He was not too dissimilar in looks to Angel; tall, with dark hair and a strong frame, but still, like Angel he seemed a bit older than her and Buffy was a little uncomfortable at the thought of sitting at a table drinking with anyone other than her friends or Angel.
“So, I take it you live in Sunnydale?” “My name's Henk by the way.”
“Um, yes as a matter of fact I do. Not far from here actually on Rebello Drive” Buffy replied.
Henk gave her a reassuring smile and replied “Ah, and what a wonderful place this is. But hey, at least on the bright side we've got The Bronze, and the bands here are usually pretty good.”
Buffy smiled, and said “Yeah, you know my friends and I come here all the time. It really is one of the only places for kids to socialize, and you know what you're right, the music is pretty good considering.”
At that, Buffy took a long sip of her drink and turned her attention to the stage. It was all in lights, as the band “Sprung Monkey” bounced around and moshed like madmen to their tunes, the audience that was dancing away seeming to dig them.
“Hey, have you seen this band before? I think they're called 'Sprung Monkey'. They played here last year. It was a hell of a night for me, but I really shouldn't, or can't talk about it. At least I'd rather not. The band's cool though” Buffy implored.
“You know what I don't think I've previously seen them, but I was wondering, do you wanna dance with me? What's your name by the way?” Henk then asked, idly stroking the dark stubble on his chin as he checked out the band on the stage.
Buffy turned to look at Henk and took in his handsome features as if for the first time. She said “My name's Buffy. And yes, you know what. I feel like dancing tonight” she replied, giving him a vivacious smile.
Henk then stood up and took her by the hand. Before she left the table, Buffy quickly downed the rest of her drink and together they made their way to the dance floor, weaving between a few of the crowd to get more to the front of the stage.
Their bodies moved in tandem to the beat, as the loud tones of 'Sprung Monkey' filled the club. They smiled at each other as Buffy wrapped her arms around Henk's neck. He was a good dancer, albeit a little bit shaky at first, but he quickly got into the rhythm.
__________________________
Angel had had Buffy on his mind all night. Having left the apartment, he'd been sitting on a familiar hill writing poetry and drawing pictures of Buffy in his notebook. He had half a dozen such books back at his apartment, and most of their content centred around Buffy. She was after all, his muse, and he'd spent a good hour or so just thinking about their relationship as he jotted down his thoughts in poetic form and drawing her. Really he was just pining for her, but of course, she wasn't to know that.
The sun had long gone down by now of course, as Angel walked through the streets toward the entrance of the Bronze. He'd acknowledged the familiar bouncer with a quick smile and nod as he then pushed open the entrance door. With a quick scan of the club, at first sight he couldn't place her but her familiar, pleasant scent was strong here so he at least knew that she was to be found here somewhere. He got to the table with her coat, following the scent, and then at once his eyes were drawn to the dance floor. The music was pretty loud at this point, but Angel as it turned out didn't really care much for 'Sprung Monkey'. The point was hammered home when he finally caught sight of Buffy, bopping happily away. But, to his dismay, when she turned around, he saw that she was dancing with some other dude; a big, strong, tall looking guy who seemed to be busy jerking away to the upbeat music.
If it had been beating, Angel knew that his heart would have skipped a beat in his chest, but the effect was there all the same, which he felt. He turned and walked around to the table, placing his notebook next to Buffy's leather coat. Angel, despite being surrounded by happy people, was now not in a good place, as his thoughts took a darker turn. “Who is that guy, and what's Buffy doing dancing with him?” he wondered to himself. The thought that Buffy could like or be attracted to anyone other than him stung him, and incited the inherently jealous aspect of Angel's internal character more than he'd like. This had happened before, that time she'd danced with Xander back when 'Cibo Matto' had been playing at The Bronze on that fateful night, which now seemed to be lost to the aeons of time.
His melancholic brooding was interrupted, however, when Buffy came bounding across happily to the table, after having made her way through the outskirts of the people in the audience, who were still jumping and dancing away to the band. Henk was in hot pursuit, holding on to one of Buffy's arms as she dragged him away from the floor to the table where Angel was.
Upon seeing Angel, she immediately let go of Henk and wrapped her arms around Angel's neck, mounting him and instantly planting gentle, imploring kisses around his neck.
“Hey you” she said as she looked up to stare into Angel's dark, chocolate brown eyes, the eyes of her one true love that she loved so much.
At that, Angel stood, glancing at Henk, placing Buffy forcibly yet gently back on her feet. He was clearly uncomfortable as he said to Buffy, “You've been drinking” as he smelt the vodka on her breath.
“Hey, just a little” Buffy responded, looking as innocent as she could as she looked up at him coyly. “I just wanted to come here for a little fun, and hey, look who I ran into!” she said excitedly.
She turned to Henk, bringing him closer to the table, then turned back to Angel saying, “Angel, meet Henk, he's a new friend I met here tonight”.
At that, Henk stuck out a firm hand in Angel's direction, a proud American-style smile decorating his features. Maybe he worked in business, but he really could have been a male model for all Buffy knew, musing to herself.
Angel in turn met Henk's gaze, a slight coldness in his demeanour as he said “Pleased to meet you”. Turning away from his apparent rival for her affection, chords of angst still plaguing his heart, Angel's gaze flicked back passed Buffy as he said to her, “I'd better go, I didn't know you'd be here making new friends.”
“Hey wait, honey” Buffy pleaded, grabbing Angel's wrist. “I honestly and truly just wanted to see you tonight.”
Sensing the immediate tension, Henk stammered out “Hey guys, I can see this is an awkward situation. Maybe I'm the one who'd better leave.”
“Hey, no, Henk, I really don't see why the three of us can't just stay and enjoy ourselves. I know, hey Henk why don't you go to the bar and see if you can get us all a round of drinks. That'll give Angel and enough time to re-acquaint?” Buffy suggested.
“Okay, sure thing” Henk replied. With that, Henk stood up and left, the scent of his cologne wafting in Buffy's direction as she turned back to Angel.
“Hey love, don't be that way” she said as she absorbed the look of disapproval on Angel's face.
Moving closer to him, she told Angel “My reasons for coming to the Bronze were entirely innocent, you can trust me on that.”
Angel's continued look of discomfort was not what Buffy wanted to see, so she said “Angel, sweetie, you can trust me.”
The music was playing loudly now, and seeing that she was getting through to him, Buffy put her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. “See, I like you. You're the one I want Angel, Henk's just a friend” she said as she looked up at him.
At this, Angel's defences seem to lower somewhat as he gently brought her face toward him and caressed her cheek with his fingers. “I just want it to be us Buffy, you and me. I just think that's the way it should be. At least for now. I want to be with you.”
“And hey, you are, right now” Buffy replied. “We're together, and that's all that matters.” “Angel” Buffy said gently into his ear, her face close to his, “can I ask you something?”
“Of course you can” Angel said.
“The next time I wake up in your apartment, I want you to be in it. I really don't like it when you take off without a moment's notice, and I can't seem to find you.”
Angel looked at her again. “Buffy, you know I just needed some time to myself, you know to think and take stock of where we are in our relationship. Never before have I loved you so much or ever had the pleasure of knowing that feeling for anyone else. Its a lot to take in at times. Just being around you makes me wonder what I can offer you, whether I'm worthy or something like that.”
At this, seemingly on cue, 'Sprung Monkey' launched into another tune and Buffy almost laughed as she caught sight of Henk making his way back to their table with a tray of their drinks. She took in Angel's countenance and reassured him, saying “of course you're worthy silly, who do you think I think about all the time? Who do you think I love the most in this world? Its you honey, and let me tell you it always will be.” She pulled closer to kiss his mouth and he drank it in, her soft lips playing a chorus in his beautiful soul that only the choirs of heaven could have composed. “Okay Buffy. Just know that I love you, and I never mean to hurt you. Even if sometimes its hard for me to take in the magnitude of our relationship and what it means to me, just know I never want it to hurt you, not if I can help it.”
Buffy then looked up at him and smiled for her love. “Okay sweetheart, you're totally forgiven” moving in again to kiss his mouth passionately this time.
At this, Henk moved in, placing their drinks on the table. “Ah, I see things are a little better here since I went away. Maybe I should take that as a sign?” he said with a slight, charming smile.
Buffy turned to look at him, pulling away from Angel's embrace. “Nah, its cool Henk, and hey, thanks for the drinks. Say, hey is this one for me?”
Henk nodded grimly in the affirmative. “Well, I saw how much you seemed to enjoy the first one so I figured another one for the evening couldn't hurt.”
“And how right you were” Buffy said as she took a swig of her cocktail.
__________________________________
A little while later, the three of them (Angel, Buffy and Henk) were walking outside back to Angel's place. Buffy's arm was interlocked with Angel's, and her head rested on his tall frame as they walked in silence. She was a little woozy with booze by this point, but she had enjoyed her evening all the same and ultimately being with Angel was all that mattered to her.
“So guys, I guess this is my turn to get off. I'll be sure to see you around sometime. And Buffy, it has been a lovely evening, and it was so wonderful to meet you.”
Giving him a warm embrace, despite his apparent tallness, Buffy said “Sure Henk, and you know what, I had a nice time too. We should hook up soon and do something.”
“Okay sweetheart, sure thing, you bet.” With that, Henk walked over to where his car was parked and got in, his strong frame easing into the driver's seat.
Now alone, as they gazed into each other's eyes, Buffy and Angel were to hear two honks of a horn as the only car on the road drifted out of their vision.
Buffy turned to look at him and say, “I love you Angel” It was all she could muster.
“I know the feeling” was his response. They kissed and then embraced like that for a long time, as the moon shone its light and the cars in the distance were to be heard, morning not so far away.
It was getting late now, and Buffy could feel the need for sleep, as she felt her alcohol infused evening of dancing, music and conversation catching up with her. Her night was coming to a close, but it wasn't quite over yet.
“Shall we go to your place?” she looked up at Angel imploringly.
“Of course, you're always welcome to sleep at my apartment. Let's go” Angel said.
_____________________________
