By Goddess Isa
SUMMARY: Part two of To Have & To Hold - Buffy and Angel struggle to deal with what may possibly their last month on this Earth.
SPOILER: Basically, this hints on ALL the Buffy & ANGEL eppys so far, because there will be some flashbacks during the series, I hope. SPECIFICALLY Pangs & I Will Remember You though.
FEEDBACK: Please, I'd hate to have to Slay for it. =P
RATING: TV-14
DISCLAIMER: In case you didn't know, all the characters I'll mention (probably) belong to David Greenwalt and Joss Whedon. I am SO furious at the both of them right now, I cannot even tell you. This stuff also belongs to all the writers that have ever written for both shows. The title comes from 'You Could Make A Killing' by Aimee Mann and the lyrics used in this fic are from that song. The song is also in 'Cruel Intentions' and 'The Curve' and it's a beautiful song.
DEDICATION: For Sandee, who always listens when I talk, and Garnet, who never turns down a B/A fic proposal, even if it's corny.
\\There is nothing that competes with habit
And I know it's neither deep nor tragic
It's simply that you have to have it\\,
Sundays were usually spent in heavy-duty book mode at Angel's, but since Saturday night had been spent holding and kissing and making love to Buffy, he was sound asleep in his bed. Ever the antsy Slayer, Buffy woke up around ten and crawled out of bed quietly as to not wake Angel. She slipped into one of his velvet shirts and went down the hall into the kitchen. Her stomach was growling and she wondered if he even had any food left.
Buffy wasn't expecting to find Doyle sitting down, drinking coffee. She noticed there was some sort of steel brick holding the table up on one end and that one of the legs was taped on.
"Hi," Buffy sat down across the barely repaired table from him and smirked. "I'm Buffy."
"Doyle. Pleased to meet you."
"We kind of did this yesterday, but--"
"You were busy. As I can tell," he gestured towards the messy apartment and Buffy blushed.
"Six months is a long time."
"As a rule."
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Of course."
She couldn't help but smile at him. His accent was endearing, and it was easy for her to see why Angel liked him. "You saw me in a vision?"
He sipped his coffee, just a tad of Irish Creme mixed in. "Yes."
"And you knew who I was?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"But we've never met. I mean, this is the first time we've been in the same room, other than yesterday?"
"That's right. Until a week ago, I wasn't even sure what ya looked like. Pretty, if you don't mind my sayin' so."
"I don't." she got up and got her own cup of coffee, then sat back down. She sipped it and made a face. "Decaf."
"Actually it's not. Cordelia just makes really bad coffee."
Buffy pushed the mug away and gave him a small smile. "What really goes on here, Doyle? Angel has this amazing place and the sign says you're investigators, but what's the real deal?"
"Angel helps those who can't get help elsewhere. Kills the demons, the big nasty like I'm told you do back home."
"Right," she nodded. "Angel's just sort of the big hero here?"
"Something like that." he shrugged.
"What should we do?"
"About?"
"I know Angel told you about the Thousand Eyes thing."
"Right."
"My Watcher says if we find it and destroy it, we'll be free. Angel will be human and uncursed, and we can live happily ever after."
"Sounds a bit like a soap opera to me," he got up and dumped his coffee into the sink.
"No, on a soap there are no happy endings."
"I'll help ya out any way I can." he headed for the elevator to go downstairs.
"Doyle?"
"Yeah?" he turned to look at her.
"Thank you."
"No problem."
After he closed the elevator door, Buffy opened the fridge and, not surprisingly, found it stocked with food. She took an apple and a bottle of Sunny Delight into the bedroom with her. Angel was still asleep, snoring softly, so she got between the sheets with her breakfast and read through an old poetry book on his night stand as she ate.
"Morning," he mumbled awhile later.
She finished her juice and smiled at him. "Morning."
They kissed softly and pulled away just as the phone rang. Angel got out of bed naked and answered it. "Hello."
"Angel."
"Giles." their voices were equally cold.
"May I speak with Buffy?"
"Of course," he handed the phone to her. "Giles."
"Thanks." he started to leave the room. "Where are you going?" she asked.
"Shower."
"Wait for me?" she asked in a small voice.
He grinned at her and went into the bathroom.
"Hi Giles,"
"Hello Buffy."
"What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing, it's just....when are you coming home, exactly?"
"I hadn't thought about it, why?"
"Well, your mother will be home tomorrow and finals start tomorrow and I was assuming that your education does still mean something to you, so--"
"I'll be home later Giles." she said coolly, trying to persuade him to drop the father act. She already had one father who was only around when it was time to yell, she didn't need two. "Where are we on this Thousand Eyes thing?"
"Nowhere, unfortunately. We'll map some searches out when you get back."
"All right," Buffy agreed. "I have to go. Bye."
She hung up the phone and sighed. Then she peeled off the shirt and joined Angel in the shower. The tone of Giles' voice rang in her head though. She knew what he was thinking, and she refused to go there. It was none of his business if she wanted to screw Angel day and night.
\\So you could make a killing
You could make a killing\\
"Angel!" Cordelia entered the office and set her new shopping bags full of clothing from Express on the desk. "Angel!"
A muffled answer told her they were downstairs, so she sighed, gathered her packages and headed for the elevator. If she was going to see Buffy, she may as well take advantage and show off her new dress.
She found the couple eating a pizza on the leather couch. Angel's *leather* couch.
"Hey," she greeted them when they didn't speak first.
"Hola," Buffy said, giggling. "Did you ever watch soap operas in Spanish?" she asked, pointing to the screen.
"They're ridiculous," Angel added.
"You guys have been screwing all day. Gross!" Cordy jumped away from them. "I was going to show you my new clothes but I don't even want to touch anything in here. I mean, Doyle told me about the kitchen table and....eew!"
"You need a boyfriend," Buffy told her. She turned to Angel. "Does she have a boyfriend?"
"She wants Doyle--"
"I do not!"
"And he wants her but I don't know if it'll ever happen."
"Eew! Ew, ew, ew, ew, ew!" Cordy ran back to the elevator and when she was gone, Buffy stood up.
"Where ya goin'?" Angel asked.
"To pack. My stuff is all over the place." she leaned over and picked up her tank top. "We need to get going."
"What?"
"Giles needs us back in Sunnydale for this whole demon thing."
"Okay."
"And besides, we've got study."
"I have some books here that might help."
"No, not that kind of studying. For my exams."
\\I wish I was both young and stupid
Then I too could have the fun that you did
Till it was time to pony up what you bid\\
"Buffy, I can't."
"You're gonna pretend not to be the book type with me now? You'll never get away with it."
"No, Buffy, I should stay here."
"What?"
"I have a business."
"Angel, do you not remember last night? The whole death by prophecy thing? We have to do this."
"I know, but maybe--"
Buffy grabbed him and kissed his lips.
When they pulled away, she was smiling. "You were saying?"
He growled. "We'll talk on the way."
She grinned. She had him.
Hours later, he started to argue with her again. He'd been thinking about it and he just couldn't change what he knew was going wind up being their destiny.
"We have to be smart about this, Buffy."
"So we should study different books in different places and share information over the phone?"
"There's always email."
Buffy snorted. "You are coming with me."
"I can't."
"Why not?" she demanded.
"I'm not you, Buffy. I know my heart is beating, and I look young, and to you, I'm no different from any other young guy--"
"That's not true Angel," she said softly. "You are so different from every other guy. You're you. You're special, and caring, and loving, and....You're nothing like the others Angel." her mind floated momentarily to Parker. "Nothing like them."
"That's my point. I can't do the things you do, be who you want me to be." he took her hands in his. "I'd do anything to live the perfect life that you have to opportunity to live. Undead or not, I'm still two hundred and forty-four years old, several lifetimes too old for you."
"Age is just a number," she said as she pushed him back, closer to the wall. "You know I'm not going to give in."
He sighed. "I know."
She pressed her body against him and leaned her knee into the wall. "Make love to me?" she asked in a small voice.
Angel growled and grabbed her, tossing her onto the bed. When it began squeaking, Doyle and Cordelia, who were upstairs working, growled.
"Great, more repairs," Doyle muttered.
\\I could follow you and search the rubble
Or stay right here and save myself some trouble
Or try to keep myself from seeing double\\
"What am I doing here?" Angel asked the next morning.
Buffy smirked as she ran into a fire hydrant. "I know I'm a sucky driver, but you know you love being here with me."
"Being with you, yes. Being in the car..."
Buffy laughed and turned the radio on. Angel cringed only a little when she sang aloud with someone she introduced as Jessica Simpson. They pulled into the lot at UC Sunnydale and drove towards Buffy's dorm.
"I'll just change first and then we can go to class."
"We?" he asked, stunned.
"We," she got out and he followed her into the building. "You're part of my everyday life now, Angel. I intend to make you follow me everywhere."
"Everywhere, huh?" he arched an eyebrow. "Even to the shower?"
"We'll talk."
Angel did follow Buffy around all day long. When she went to her psychology class, Riley gawked at them the entire time. Buffy kept hold of Angel's hand and told Professor Walsh he was part of her research project. She also said he was her cousin.
The lowly professor didn't believe her, of course, but she just shrugged and left because she didn't have time for anyone with a pulse. Riley handed her a homework assignment and tried not to glare at Angel.
"So. Cousin, huh? From where?"
"Ireland," Buffy said just as Angel said "LA."
"He travels a lot," she explained, glancing at him.
"Well," Riley refused to meet her eyes. "I'll see you in class."
Angel kept a tight hold on Buffy as they walked away. "Who is that?"
"Riley."
"He likes you."
She made a face. "No way."
"He does. Really."
"Gross," she shivered. "He's like my teacher."
"I'm glad you feel that way."
"How else would I feel?"
They walked outside and Angel looked up, still trying to get used to embracing the sunlight. They bought coffee and croissants and sat down in the quad to eat them with Willow and Xander, who was on a break from the bar.
They were enjoying themselves and avoiding the demon subject at all costs when Buffy spotted him.
He was only a few tables away, talking to some pretty brunette. Her hair was blowing in the wind and her eyes were wet with tears at what Parker was telling her. She looked away from him, disgusted.
"Something wrong?" Angel asked.
"I just spotted a piece of pond scum is all." she pushed her food away, her appetite gone.
"Where?" Xander looked the remainder of her breakfast over.
"She means Parker," Willow said.
Angel followed Buffy's former gaze and saw the rodent. He was walking away from the girl now, blowing her a kiss as he went. Angel's heart stiffened, knowing this had to be the guy Oz had just barely mentioned when he'd visited LA.
"Come'ere," Angel grabbed her hand and pulled her to the center of the quad. He knew everyone could see them, so he pulled her to him and kissed her with intensity. Her hands slid through his hair and he caressed her back, deepening the kiss.
When they pulled away, just as Angel wanted, Parker was standing beside them, glaring at Buffy.
"So this is what it's all about, huh? This is why you never call?"
She smirked. "Sorry Parker. I play with the big boys now."
"Well, I'd be weary if I were you," Parker said to Angel. "She's sort of slow, if you know what I mean."
Angel figured the asshole wasn't worth it, but he punched the idiot anyways, cracking his jaw.
"You were amazing," Buffy said as they walked towards Giles' apartment. "I cannot believe you punched Parker Abrams."
"He deserved it."
"He did."
"Did he hurt you?" Angel asked softly.
Buffy stopped walking and stood in front of him, putting her arms around his neck and watching his eyes. "He was a creep. He took advantage of me when I was upset and in need of someone to take care of me."
"I am so sorry, Buffy. I should've--"
"Shhhh." she put her finger to his lips. "Don't. That's the past. This is the present."
The door to Giles' place opened and the Watcher stared at them. "I know you're enjoying the illustrious daylight, but we have some serious demonology to research. The others are already here."
"We're coming, Daddy." Buffy joked. "Can we stay up 'till nine if we finish our homework?"
Giles was not amused.
Around four a.m., the Scooby Gang began to conk out. Empty pizza boxes and pop cans were strewn all over the floor of Giles' place along with the remote control, the TV Guide and several old books that smelled like a basement.
Buffy had seen the notes and she knew the outcome. If they didn't find this thing in thirty days, she was a goner. She looked at Angel, sleeping peacefully beside her and knew they were going to have to find this thing and fast.
\\Or you could make a killing
you could make a killing
You could make a killing\\
The End
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