Summary: Buffy and Angel hide from the Initiative.
Disclaimer: All of the characters belong to the almighty Joss, except Martin, and the entire idea of a Jatreil demon. The song is called "Here With Me" and it belongs to Michelle Branch. I didn't use the whole song, though.
Distribution: Feel free to use it, as long as you give me credit for writing it.
Spoilers: Up through Season 5, except this is a little different, because Riley is abusive and Joyce didn't actually die, although she almost did.
Rating: G, or PG at most.
Authors Note: Yes, "chocolate" has been used a THOUSAND times to describe Angel's eyes, but I joined the club, lol. If you can't read French, don't worry, the important parts (and the best parts) are in English. Basically Angel just asks if Buffy can stay at the demon's place. Thanks for the translation, Zineb.
Authors Note 2: I think this is my best fic so far, I'm real proud of it. So please be kind with the feedback. ;) Be prepared for heartache and angst in the Chapter 4 (I think, but I change my mind about fics every five minutes, so don't be surprised if it's pure fluff, lol).
Dedication: For everyone who sent me feedback!! I need more!!
Feedback: Yes, please!!! It's what keeps me going and inspires me to write more!!!

"Oh god..." I whispered. I looked up into his chocolate eyes and took in a sharp breath. He was here, he really was. "Angel..."

"Buffy," he said shortly. "We need to get out of here--fast. This place is swarming with Riley's men. We don't have time to talk right now. You understand?"

I nodded slowly and swallowed the large lump that was developing in my throat. I took in another breath. "Angel, if Riley finds me..." I said, voice shaking slightly. "I don't know what he'll do to me."

"You can explain this later," he said. "But right now.."

We both gazed at each other for a moment, then heard heavy footsteps behind us. Angel grabbed my hand and started running. I followed, desperately trying to stay caught up with him. We ran for what seemed like forever, until we turned a corner and found ourselves at an exit.

"Come on!" Angel yelled angrily. He morphed into his game face and ran even faster, leaving me stunned. For a second I just stood there in shock. Was this actually Angel, the Angel I used to love? Still love, I corrected myself. Or was this Angelus, acting as Angel, so he could somehow torture me like he did three years ago?

I heard the Initiative's men behind me and decided to take my chances with Angel. I hurried out the door and saw Angel standing in the rain pulling off the cover of a man-hole, which led, I assumed, to a sewer. He was soaking wet, and helped me down the hole. Once I was safely down, he jumped in after me.

"This way," he said in a softer tone than before.

We walked through the dirty water, an unpleasant smell staining the air. I could hear the rain pounding above us on the pavement. Angel stopped abruptly and turned to a wall. He knocked several times, and I saw that it was actually a door; someone actually lived down here.

A small demon, reddish in colour looked up at us with huge eyes. He looked rather paranoid, and quite reluctant to open the door very far.

"Oui?" he said slowly.

Angel stepped forward. "Martin, c-c'est moi, Angel."

"Angel? C'est vraiment toi?" he said in that same, slow voice.

"Oui...J-J'ai besoin de ton aide. Des hommes sont après mon amie, plusieurs hommes. Elle a besoin de rester chez toi pour quelques jours." Angel nudged me forward.

Martin looked at me with his enormous eyes, and nodded. He opened the door just wide enough for Angel and I to slip through.

The place was dark, and damp. Copper pipes ran along the ceiling and it was scarcely furnished, with a few soggy armchairs in one corner, a fridge in another. There were two doors along the back wall, which I assumed led to a bedroom and bathroom.

Martin sat down in one of the armchairs and stared at the wall, not moving.

"Is he alright?" I whispered to Angel. The way he was so still was creeping me out.

"He's fine. Jatreil demons do best on their own," he replied. I nodded and gave him a forced smile.

There was a moment of silence, then Angel said, "You hungry?" I realized with a start that I hadn't eaten in a day. I nodded fiercely.

"The sun should be down by now. I'll go find something for you...I doubt Martin will have anything for you. Trust me, you don't want to know what Jatreil demons eat."

I winced, and watched him turn away and head out the door. For several minutes, I just stood there, watching the door, unmoving like the demon. Then I walked around, deciding to explore the place.

Silently, I opened the first door along the back wall. It turned out to be the bathroom. I stood in front of a large mirror that hung above the sink.

My long blonde hair was an absolute mess. I hadn't brushed it in days. I could see the dark circles under my eyes, and my lips were thinner than I remembered.

*It's been a long, long time since I looked into the mirror
Guess that I was blind, now my reflection's getting clearer
Now that you're back things will never be the same again*

Slowly, I took a brush out of my bag, which I had brought into the room with me. I took a few strands in my hand and unhurriedly brought the brush down on them. I stroked my hair with the brush over and over, enjoying the silence.

*You know that silence is loud when all you hear is your heart
And I wanted so badly just to be a part
Of something strong and true
But you were scared and left it all behind*

Suddenly, I heard the front door open, and footsteps. Angel, I thought with a sigh. I looked at myself once more, then stepped out into the main room. Angel and I locked eyes, and I found that I couldn't help but smile.

*I never will forget that look upon your face
How you turned away and left without a trace
But I understand that you did what you had to do
And I thank you*

I remembered his face the day he left. It haunted me for months. His solemn eyes, his lips slightly parted and unsmiling. It was the only thing I was able to think about until I was over him, although I don't think I ever truly got over him.

But now, as we looked at each other, his mouth curved upwards into a sweet sort of half-smile. He held up a bag of food which he had picked up from a local cafe. I walked over and started ruffling through the bag.

He had picked up some coffee, pastries, bread, and...blood.

"That's for me, he said, hastily picking it up. I couldn't help but laugh as he sheepishly tried to hide it behind his back. I helped myself to some of the pastries he had bought, and ate in peace until I noticed him watching me.

"What?"

"Why, Buffy? Why are you here?" he asked, his eyes full of concern.

I sighed. "Don't make this harder," I pleaded with him.

"Buffy..."

And so I told him everything. Well, mostly everything. I told him about who Riley was, and my mother's illness, and my 'sister.' I told him about the discrepancies between my friends, and about the Initiative, and how I couldn't stand it anymore. The only part I left out was him, how I had never stopped loving him. Not for a minute, not for a second.

I was almost in tears by the time I finished. He put his arm around me and kissed my forehead. I knew he meant to be comforting, but I couldn't help but feel like we both wanted something more from it.

He place a hand underneath my chin and tilted my head up.

"Angel, we can't, you know that..." I said. God, I can't go through him losing his soul again, I thought. I just can't go through that.

"Shh...just kiss me."

A sudden impulse told me to run for it, told me he was taking advantage of me in my 'weakened' state. I pulled back, filled with mixed feelings of love, anger, and sadness. Damn it. I wanted him so much, but not now, not like this.

"Buffy, I'm so sorry...I just...I love you so much. I never have stopped, and I never will, as long as I live. I'll understand if you want nothing to do with me, I will," he confessed. He ran his fingers through my hair.

"Angel, I never stopped either. I don't know why you left, but you have to promise me that you'll never go away again. And that you'll never lose your soul. We'll find a way. I just can't go through that heartache again." He nodded, and I smiled. "Now kiss me."

And he did. We kissed like there was no tomorrow, like tonight would be our last night on earth together. I had forgotten what an amazing kisser he was.

"Buffy?" he said in between kisses.

"Hmm?"

"I'm sorry about before. Yelling at you, and morphing into game face."

"Mmm-hmm," I managed to say, then resumed kissing him. We went on like that for several minutes until the door flew across the room. Yes, it actually flew.

Angel and I both stared at where the door used to be. In its place stood Riley, with numerous Initiative soldiers standing in place behind him.

"Buffy Summers."

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