"Angel is going to kill me!" laughed Buffy. "You said a dinner, he would never have agreed to come if he knew we were having a big bash!"

"Well, I think it'll be good for him. Now that he's human, he needs to learn how to integrate into society better." Explained Cordelia.

Willow rolled her eyes. "Because he's such a deviant Buffy! How can you be seen with him!"

She and Buffy laughed while Cordelia glared at them. "I'm serious! This mopey broody guy thing isn't going to be cute in a while. He needs to be more social!"

"Actually, he doesn't seem to be mopey or broody at all. He seems pretty happy!" Willow smiled. "Well, not happy in the sense of the way, you or I act when we are happy but for Angel he is very happy!"

Buffy smiled at patted Willow's arm reassuringly. "I know what you mean."

"I still can't believe you had sex in that car!" Cordelia exclaimed.

Buffy giggled, "I can't either, but Angel does that to me."

"Yes, I want ALL the details about what Angel does to you later!" Cordelia said, "Now, we have less than an hour to do something with your hair."

"What's wrong with my hair?!" Buffy asked.

Cordelia rolled her eyes. "Do I really have to go through the list of things wrong with it, or are you just going to let me fix it?"

//Now the party didn't start 'til I walked in,
and I probably won't leave before the thing ends,
but in the meantime, the in-between time,
you go for yours and I'll go for mine. . . .//

"So where is Dead Boy?"

"Xander!"

"What?"

"I didn't like that name before, and now it really doesn't fit him!" Buffy informed him, glaring. "Trust me, he is VERY alive!"

Xander gasped, while Cordelia giggled at his side. Buffy just gave them both and evil smile.

Then she glanced at her watch and told him, "Angel should be here soon. I told him dinner would be at seven, so he still has a few minutes."

Cordelia pointed her finger at Xander, like a mother scolding her child. "You better behave yourself!"

Xander gave her his best wide-eyed innocent boy look. "Me?"

"Yes!" Buffy chimed in. "We don't want to hear and jokes about "Bite me" or "Dead Boy" all night!"

"Or you will be severely punished!" Cordy teased.

Xander grabbed her around the waist and pulled her to him. They started making out in the middle of Cordy's living room, which also had about thirty other people, who were having a grand time and didn't even notice. Buffy, however, did. She decided to she would go wait out front for her boyfriend. She could use some fresh air, and to be honest, the sight of Xander and Cordelia sucking face was making her nauseous.

The air outside was quite a bit nippy. It usually didn't get colder until the middle of November in southern California, but it had been a weird year. Anyway, October was almost over.

She wrapped her sweater tighter around her body as she sat don on the cool stone steps that led from the circular driveway to the Chase's front door. Buffy closed her eyes and just enjoyed the cool air and the peacefulness. She could still hear the music, but it was pretty faint.

"Buffy." A voice came out of nowhere, causing her to jump. She opened her eyes and found Angel walking up the driveway to her.

She placed a hand on her chest and gasped "Angel! You scared the Hell out of me!"

"I'm sorry." He smiled. Then gestured to the cars that were parked all along the driveway, and on the street. "What's going on?"

She gave him a nervous smile. "Oh, well, when Cordelia said dinner, she neglected to mention that several dozen of our closest friends would be joining us."

"It's a party?"

"Yeah."

Angel sighed "I don't know. This isn't exactly my kind of thing."

Buffy jumped up and grabbed his hand. "Too bad. It's not what I had in mind either. But there is no way you are leaving me alone tonight."

Angel gestured to the parked cars again. "I doubt you could be alone if you tried."

Buffy gave him a dirty look as she pulled him up the steps and into the front door. "You have boyfriendly duties." She stopped while they were still in the foyer and wrapped her arms around his neck, and gave him a sensual look. "I think we can both agree now that you are human, things are going to be a little different."

He smiled at her gently, and nodded, wrapping his arms around her waist. She reached up and kissed him softly. "See, there's all these crappy things you have to do for me, like, go to parties when you really don't want to, and hold my purse while I'm in the dressing room, and taking me to chick flicks, and lots of other things."

Angel wrinkled his nose and feigned disgust. "Oh well, you're worth it!"

Buffy giggled. He always knew what to say when she really needed something to melt her heart. "Well, you get to make me do crappy things too."

"Like what?" he whispered, his lips centimeters from hers. She could feel his warm breath. She had forgotten how much she had missed feeling his breath.

"Usually it's football games, or car races, or……" she mumbled off after he captured her lips with his own. She still found every time they kissed it took her breath away.

"But I don't like football games or car races." He teased a moment later.

"That's just because you haven't really had a lot of time to get into them. There's other stuff to. Like, all the bizarre things you can do with a beer can, and I have to pretend to be interested. Oh, and the worst one is, you'll leave the toilet seat up so I can fall in!"

"I would never do that to you baby!"

"Oh sure, you don't mean to, but it is a biological trait of every male to do that!"

They both giggled, then resumed kissing. A few moments later, they were interrupted by Cordelia.

"Jeez! I was wondering where you were! Would you two give it a rest and join us?"

Buffy sighed as she and Angel reluctantly pulled apart. They followed a huffy Cordelia back into her living room. Buffy leading Angel by the hand. There was a new song playing, but Buffy doubted Angel would agree to dance. Not yet anyway, maybe after he ate and had a chance to get bored. She sighed as she led him to the food table.

//I can't get enough of you baby,
I can't get enough of you baby.
Yes it's true.
Baby, yes it's true.//

"Do you want to dance?"

Angel looked at her. "To this? No way."

Buffy pouted.

Angel sighed and offered, "I promise I will dance with you at least once tonight, but I want to slow dance. I want to be able to wrap my arms around you." He added with a smile.

Buffy returned the smile and gave in. If the DJ Cordy hired didn't play a slow song soon, she would threaten his life to force him to if that's what it took. Angel seemed perfectly happy sitting next to her on the couch and just observing all the people. She leaned her head on his shoulder and quietly sang along with the music.

//Whenever we kiss,
I get to feeling like this,
I get to wishing that there were two of you.
My heart cries out "More baby!"
It feels so nice,
I want your arms to wrap around me twice.//

Angel looked over at her and smiled.

"I'll be right back." He told her as he got up. She tried to see where he was going, but Willow materialized in front of her.

"Hey Will!"

"Hi!" Willow smiled, sitting down next to Buffy. "Are you two having fun?"

Buffy nodded. "We are, it's just, I really hate to admit this, but Cordelia was kind of right."

Willow raised her eyebrows.

"Angel does need to start. . . socializing more." Buffy explained. "I wish he would stop feeling so guilty about things. I didn't like it before, but it was kind of inescapable. He was a vampire, even though he had a soul. He couldn't go out in the day, and he was going to live forever. But now it's all changed! We stand a chance at normality! We can do stuff in the daytime. We can get married. Maybe we can even have kids!"

Willow nodded. "I guess you two need to sit down and have a heart to heart."

Buffy smiled at her. "That sounds like a good idea. I guess we can in a few days, things will hopefully be settled down by then."

"Yeah!"

The two friends hugged and Buffy said "I've really missed your great advice these past months."

"I've missed giving it." Willow replied. "Plus, you give me some pretty cool advice sometimes too!"

As they pulled apart Buffy grinned at the redhead. "Tonight is going to be so fun!"

"I know! A slumber party! Last time we had one. . . .oh, nevermind, let's not have sad memories now."

"I know." Buffy replied sadly, then sighed as she saw Angel walking back over to them. "Now if only I can get my boyfriend to dance with me."

Willow giggled as Angel approached them and extended his hand towards Buffy.

"Would the Lady care to dance?"

Buffy raised an eyebrow as she allowed him to pull her up to a standing position and lead her to the makeshift dance floor. The upbeat song ended and the next one seemed slower, calmer. It started with just a few piano notes.

//Spend all your time waiting,
for that second chance,
for a break that would make it okay.//

Angel pulled her into his arms. She rested her head on his chest and heard his heartbeat. How many times had she listened for one, only to fond silence? She wished Angel would just be happy that they really had a chance now. She sure was.

//There's always some reason,
to feel not good enough,
and it's hard at the end of the day.
I need some distraction,
oh a beautiful release.
The memories seep from my veins.
That may be empty
oh and weightlessly maybe
I'll find some peace tonight.
In the arms of the angel,
Fly away from here.
From this dark, cold, hotel room,
and the endlessness that you feel.
You are pulled from the wreckage
of your silent reverie.
You're in the arms of the angel,
may you find some comfort here.//

Buffy smiled at the song lyrics. She knew she should just be happy she had such a romantic boyfriend, but she wanted to make him as happy as he made her. In fact, she couldn't be completely happy if he wasn't. She help onto him a little tighter.

//So tired of the straight life,
and everywhere you turn,
there's vultures and thieves at your back.
Storm keeps on twisting,
keep on building the lies,
that you make up for all that you lack.
It don't make no difference,
escaping one last time.
It's easier to believe.
In this sweet madness,
oh this glorious sadness,
that brings me to my knees.
In the arms of the angel,
fly away from here.
In this dark, cold, hotel room,
and the endlessness that you feel.
You are pulled from the wreckage,
of your silent reverie.
You're in the arms of the angel,
may you find some comfort here.//

"Angel?"

"Hmm?"

"I love you."

//You're in the arms of the angel,
may you find some comfort here.//

As the song ended, Angel led her out the open French doors, leading onto a large deck. There were a few people out there, but the cold temperatures made most people stay inside. They cuddled together in a secluded corner.

"What's wrong Buffy?"

"What? Nothing's wrong. . . "

Angel gave her a look that showed her he knew very well that something was indeed wrong. She might as well just tell him.

"I am so happy, but you're not. So, the fact that you're sad, makes me sad."

He wrinkled his forehead. "Buffy, I did terrible things. And the fact that I get to be a normal human and I get to live, and I get to have you, it's just not fair. After what I did, I should rot in Hell forever."

"No!" Buffy exclaimed. "It wasn't you! Why can't you see?"

"Buffy. . . ." He said sadly, looking away.

"What would you do for me?" she asked.

"Anything." He said, without even pausing a second. "Anything at all."

Buffy smiled. "Then please, forgive yourself. Try to remember that it was Angelus, not you. And that what's done is done. You have to live in the now."

Angel started to shake his head sadly. "I can't. . ."

"For me? You can't do it for me?" She asked softly, looking up into his eyes.

He stared down at her. He loved her eyes. They were so soft, and they gave her that wide eyed, innocent look. He saw how sad he was making her. He never wanted to make her sad again.

"I. . I could try."

She smiled and replied "Please, at least try."

They stood there, just holding each other, for a long while, until it got to be too cold. With his arms still wrapped around her, Angel led her back to the house. He smiled and realized that maybe he could let go of all the guilt. It wouldn't be selfish, he would be doing it for Buffy. He wasn't lying earlier. He would do anything for her.

//The cool cats,
The charmed kittens,
Both smitten by the love songs that he's written.
Caught in the sights of a deadly sniper.
The Magic Piper of love,
The Magic Piper of love,
of love,
of love. . .//

"So. . .how about those Yankees?" Xander said, with that obnoxious smirk on his face.

Angel really wanted to wipe it off, but Buffy might not have been happy. She smiled at the boy as she swayed her hips to the music. Angel noticed, not for the first time that night, how much he liked her outfit. She was wearing a dress he had bought her that first day in San Francisco. He remembered, distinctly handing it to her. She had been in her underwear, and he had found it quite endearing how she had been so shy and blushed. In was a midnight blue satin dress. She had a matching blue sweater tied around her waist. To say the least, Buffy looked exquisite.

Angel looked back up and saw Xander staring at him, actually, glaring at him. Their dislike for one another was mutual. He wondered why Buffy and Cordy tried to force them to get along. Angel didn't understand why they couldn't just not like each other. It wasn't like they were getting into fist fights. They just didn't like each other from a distance.

He noticed Buffy was whispering in Cordy's ear. If he had learned anything in his 200+ years, it was that when women schemed together, nothing good could come of it.

Buffy grabbed his arm and started pulling him away. "We'll talk to you two later."

"Hey," Xander objected. "where are you guys going?"

He moved to follow, but Cordelia grabbed his arm and shushed him. "Buffy can take care of herself, you don't have to. . .stalk!"

Angel couldn't believe it when Buffy discreetly walked him upstairs and into a bedroom. Without a word, she pushed him down on the bed and stood still for a moment, as if she were waiting for something. After a few seconds he noticed that the song downstairs was stopped right in the middle of it, and another song came on.

As if on cue. Buffy looked at him and smiled. Angel leaned back against the pillows and decided to enjoy whatever show she was putting on. He noticed a condom on the nightstand. If anything, Buffy always came prepared.

He noticed Buffy's hips started moving slowly and seductively along with the music. He immediately began to feel aroused.

//A thousand thundering thrills await me,
facing insurmountable odds gratefully.
The female of the species is more deadly than the male.//

Buffy slowly untied the sweater from her waist and dropped it on the floor. If she wanted to do a strip show, Angel was sure he could rise to the occasion. He was already rising second by second.

//Shock shock horror horror
Shock shock horror
I'll shock myself hoarse
For your supernatural force
The female of the species
is more deadly than the male.//

Buffy giggled as she reached behind herself and unzipped the dress. She pulled her arms through the sleeves, and very slowly started slinking the dress down off of her body. When she was standing there in just her underwear, Angel gasped. She had on a midnight blue lace bra and a matching thong. He had never seen her body look so beautiful. He almost didn't want her to take it off. Almost.

//Oh, she deals in witchcraft,
and one kiss and I'm zapped
Oh, how can heaven hold a place for me,
when a girl like you has cast a spell on me?
Oh, how can heaven hold a place for me,
when a girl like you has cast a spell on me?//

She moved her hands as though she was going to take off her bra, then seemed to have a better idea. She walked over to the foot of the bed and crawled up to him, like she was a predator and he was the prey. She rubbed his straining erection through his pants and smiled at him. Her eyes never leaving his, she unbuttoned his pants and inched his zipper down, in an insanely slow pace.

//Frankenstein and Dracula have nothing on you.
Jekkyl and Hyde join the back of the Q.
The female of the species
is more deadly than the male.
Oh she wants to conquer the world completely,
but first she'll conquer me discreetly.
The female of the species
is more deadly than the male.//

Angel wanted to free himself more than anything, but he knew Buffy was the boss this time, so he followed her lead. Even when she stroked his erection through his boxers. He wanted nothing more than to have her skin on his. She pulled her hand away, eliciting a groan from him. She gave him a wicked smile and started unbuttoning his shirt.

//Oh, she deals in witchcraft,
and one kiss and I'm zapped.
Oh, how can heaven hold a place for me,
when a girl like you has cast a spell on me?
Oh, how can heaven hold a place for me,
when a girl like you has cast a spell on me?//

When his shirt was completely unbuttoned, Buffy moved the two flaps to the sides and began licking his chest. When she sucked on his left nipple he arched his back and groaned. She softly bit it, then did the same to his other nipple. She started trying to pull his shirt off and he leaned forward and helped her along with it. She looked deep into his eyes. His chocolate irises mirrored her own lust. For a moment she just stared deep into his eyes, running her nails slowly down his bare arms.

//Oh, how can heaven hold a place for me,
when a girl like you has cast a spell on me?
Oh, how can heaven hold a place for me,
when a girl like you has cast a spell on me?//

She moved herself down his legs and pulled off his shoes and sock, followed soon by his pants. Then she moved back up his body and began to kiss his stomach. He groaned, so close, yet so far away. Buffy hooked her fingers into the waistband of his boxers. He lifted up his hips and she pulled them off, revealing his rock hard erection. She smiled at the sight of it.

She straddle his stomach, so she could feel his erection against her butt. "Do you want to take off my bra?" she asked him softly.

He couldn't seem to force any words out of his mouth, so he just nodded. He reached behind her back and quickly unsnapped her bra. He pulled it off of her and cupped her breasts in his hands, squeezing them gently. Buffy closed her eyes and moaned, unconsciously rocking back against his penis.

"Buffy…" he moaned, "I need to be inside you."

She got up off of him and stood next to the bed, and wriggled out of her panties. She grabbed the condom and quickly sheathed him with it. Then she slowly slid him inside her. For a moment, she sat perfectly still, just enjoying the feel of him. Soon she was rocking back and forth, then up and down. He placed his hands on her hips and helped by repeatedly pulling her up, then slamming her down.

The two of them forgot about everyone and everything. They were the only two people in the universe.

Unfortunately, they were wrong. There were a lot of other people in the house, including Xander, who was very protective of his friends, even if they didn't need his protection. So, when he was upstairs grabbing towels to help clean up a spill and he heard Buffy screaming, he raced to go see what was wrong with her.

"Buffy!" He called running up and down the hall. Where was she? He saw a light under the door of one of the bedrooms and tried to open the door, but it was locked. So he started pounding on the door.

"Buffy! Are you okay?" He shouted. "Don't worry, I'll find a key and I'll get you out of there!"

"You better not!" He heard her muffled shout. "I am fine! Just go away!"

"But you were screaming!" He replied.

"Not all screams are from pain Xander!" Cordelia informed him, walking up behind him. She had heard him screaming like a woman again and came upstairs to see what was going on. "I know you don't make ME scream like that, but trust me, she's pretty happy."

Xander looked at her, confused. "Huh?"

Cordelia rolled her eyes and smacked him upside the head. "They're having sex dumbass!"

Even throughout Xander's outburst Angel hadn't slowed his pace.

"Good. . .thing. . .I. . .locked. . .the. . .door." Buffy panted.

"Yeah." Was all Angel could manage to grunt.

Buffy felt her second orgasm approaching. She knew she didn't want to risk what might happen if she shouted out again, so she muffled her cries of ecstasy with her forearm. Feeling her writhe around him, Angel knew he was close. Buffy collapsed on top of him. He rolled her over and pounded into her. His hands slid up and down her sides, starting at her underarms and trailing down to her knees.

He planted a soft kiss on the corner of her open mouth, then moved to her cheek and made a trail down her jaw, to her neck, and then along her collarbone. He increased the speed of his thrusts as he reached orgasm.

"Buffy. . ."

Feeling him come triggered Buffy's third orgasm. She gripped his shoulders as her body shook violently.

Angel collapsed on top of her and Buffy wrapped her arms around him, enjoying his gentle weight on top of her.

"Baby, you never cease to amaze me." He panted.

"Good." She purred. "You never cease to make me crazy."

They both laughed as they held each other, savoring their time alone. They knew it would end all too soon.

"Details, Buffy, I want details!" Cordelia demanded as she stood behind her blonde friend. Buffy was sitting at Cordelia's vanity and the May Queen was playing with her hair. Willow laid on her stomach on Cordy's bed, with and open issue of Marie Claire in front of her.

Buffy giggled and teased, "About what?"

"Well, first of all, how big is he?" Cordelia asked. "I am pretty sure he's hung, judging from those leather pants."

Buffy looked at Cordy's face in the mirror. "Have you ever seen Boogie Nights?"

"Yeah." She replied, then realization hit her. "He's as big as that Dirk guy?"

Buffy smiled. "Yup."

Willow, who had only been half listening, looked up. She had never seen the movie, so she really had no clue what they were talking about. She shrugged and resumed reading.

"I didn't even think that was humanly possible!"

"Trust me, it is." Buffy grinned.

"Wasn't it like, 10 inches, when SOFT, and when he's erect, it was like 14!"

"Yup."

Cordelia leaned over Buffy shoulder and asked "How can you walk?"

Buffy erupted in laughter and Cordy soon did the same. Willow looked up at them, and resigned herself to still not knowing what was going on.

After a few moment's, Cordelia started brushing Buffy's hair again. Buffy looked at her in the mirror again. "Why did you ask me that now? I could have told you months ago."

Cordy shrugged. "I kinda figured that since your boyfriend lost his soul, it wasn't exactly a fun thing to talk about."

"Wow," Buffy teased, "Cordelia Chase was sensitive and tactful! Who woulda thunk it?"

Cordy laughed and slapped Buffy playfully on the shoulder. "Just don't let it get around!"

The girls put avocado masks on, painted their nails, and decided to play a friendly game of Truth or Dare.

Willow dared Cordy to suck her big toe, which she did after she and Buffy gave Willow strange looks for picking something so mild. Although, Buffy had to admit, the vision of Miss High and Mighty sucking her own toe, was hysterical.

After she was done, she gave the blonde a wicked look and said "Buffy, truth or dare?"

Buffy thought about it, really thought about it. Cordelia had an evil mind. So she had to decide, would she rather do something humiliating, or say something humiliating. . .

"Truth."

Cordelia grinned evilly. "I want to know every orifice of yours that Angel's manhood has come in contact with."

Willow's eyes practically bugged out. Buffy blushed a deep shade of red.

"Well, the normal one of course, and. . .um. . .orally."

"No anal?" Cordy asked, enjoying the fact she was the only one this didn't embarrass.

Buffy shook her head quickly. "Never."

"Never have or never will?" Cordy asked, really enjoying making Buffy turn as red as a tomato.

Buffy looked like she wanted to be sucked into the carpet. Willow felt extremely embarrassed just hearing the stuff, so she felt really bad for Buffy.

"Uh, Cordy, she answered your question. I think it's Buffy's turn."

Cordy sighed. "Fine, go ahead Buffy, ask one of us."

Buffy thought for a moment. "Cordy, truth or dare?"

"Truth."

"How far have you and Xander gone?"

"Not nearly far enough" Cordelia exclaimed.

Buffy and Willow started giggling hysterically.

"He doesn't! I'm serious! Xander is such a wuss! Willow probably sees more action than me!"

Buffy laughed harder as Willow blushed and sputtered "Action? No! Action bad!"

Cordelia sighed. "Lots of kissing, a little groping, that's it."

"Well, there you go." Willow told her, "You don't see any more action than me."

Buffy and Cordelia raised their eyebrows and Willow blushed as red as her hair when she realized her omission.

With a wicked smile Cordelia announced. "My turn!"

She looked from Buffy to willow, trying to decide who to pick on. Cordelia loved this game. She was great at strategizing what embarrassing things she could get people to say or do.

"Willow, truth or dare?"

Sheer panic covered Willow's face. She tried to think about it for a moment. If she said truth Cordelia could ask her all sorts of embarrassing things about Oz being a werewolf and all that. If she said dare she would have to do something embarrassing, like run naked around the house.

"Dare."

Cordelia pursed her lips. "Call Oz, try and get him to have phone sex with you."

"But. . but. . but I don't know how!"

"I didn't say you had to have phone sex, you just have to ask him." Cordelia laughed. "Although it'd be pretty mean to get him excited, and then just hang up on him. Don't worry, Buffy and I can help you through it!"

"I bet he won't even want to. He knows you're at a slumber party with us, so he'll figure it out." Buffy reassured her.

Willow nervously picked up the phone on Cordelia's nightstand and dialed Oz's number.

The phone in Oz's room, buried under a pile of clothes, started ringing. It was three in the morning, and the teenage boy was sound asleep. The ringing didn't even disturb him.

After four rings the machine picked up.

After the prompt, Willow began "Hi honey! This is Willow. .um. .if you have somebody in the room with you, stop playing this now! I was just wondering if you wanted to. .uh. .um . havephonesex, but you're not answering, you must be sleeping, or something, uh, I love you! Bye!"

Willow slammed the phone down and looked at her two friends. Buffy couldn't stop laughing and Cordelia had her arms crossed in front of her. "The answering machine doesn't count!"

"Why not? I asked him, eventually he will hear it."

"She's right Cordy." Buffy piped in. "Besides, it's not her fault he didn't answer. Why don't we do something else now?"

Willow nodded her head fervently, "Yes, let's!"

"Fine. Do you guys want to watch a movie?"

"Sounds safe. What movie?" Buffy asked.

"Well, now I see I should have rented Boogie Nights," teased Cordelia, "But I rented Scream."

"Oh cool! I love to be scared!" Buffy grinned.

Willow looked at her strangely. "Horror movies scare YOU?"

Buffy shrugged. "Sure, it's the whole suspense thing. Did Scream scare you?"

"I never saw it." Willow told her. "I'm too much of a wuss usually."

"Don't worry, I'll protect you! I always do!"

The three girls settled down on the floor of Cordy's room with pillows, blankets, and junk food strewn everywhere. They ended up staying awake all night, watching movies, and doing normal teenage stuff. Things weren't getting back to normal, they were better than things had ever been.


The End