Summary: As before

After Riley left Angel went to check on her. He sat beside her on the sofa.

“Are you OK?”

She just nodded.

“Really?”

Buffy looked him in the eyes. “Really? No. Everything’s just so…” she paused, looking for the right words. “Everything’s different. It’s like I don’t see things the same way any more. Things that used to be easy, normal, they just seem… I don’t know. They’re just so hard and scary.”

Angel moved closer to Buffy and took her hand.

“We both know this isn’t easy Buffy. I have no real idea what your going through but I will be here for as long as you need me.”

“That’s the thing. I feel like I’ll need you forever. I want someone to protect me ‘cos I feel like…” her words trailed off and the tears began to form. “I feel like I cant do it any more. Not only cant I protect myself, I cant protect anyone else. What good am I to them if I cant even… Cant even…”

She broke down and Angel pulled her to him.

“Shh. It’s OK. I know you feel like that now but I promise you, that will change. And I’ll help you, we’ll all help you.”

“But you’ll leave again, you have to and… I love the gang but that cant really help me. You’re the only one strong enough to do that and you’ll leave me again.”

“No. Buffy, I can promise you I’ll never leave if you need me. I’ll be here for as long as it takes.”

“What about LA?”

“We’ll figure something out. Maybe when you’re feeling better I can commute or something. I don’t know yet Buffy, I don’t have the answers but I’m not going anywhere. Not until your OK.”

Buffy wrapped her arms around him, pulling him closer and they sat there until Buffy’s tears dried.

“Thank you.” She said sitting up again.

Angel smiled slightly. “It’s OK.” Angel reached into his pocket. “here.” He said handing her the sleeping pills.

“What are these for?” she asked.

“To help you sleep. It’s got to be damn near impossible right now so I’m hoping these will help.”

Buffy thought about it. A few house of blissful, uninterrupted sleep seemed a fantastic idea. For a while at least she would be at peace. Buffy opened the pack while Angel fetched a glass of water.


“Got it!” called willow a few minutes later. Buffy and Angel went through to see. “It’s in the milk.” She said triumphantly.

Buffy nodded but looked glum. Willow’s smile faltered slightly. “This is good right?” she asked.

“Yeah Will. It’s good we know. It’s just the thought that I’ve been poisoning myself. Makes me…” she shivered.

Willow nodded. A simple drink would never be the same for either of them again. “So what’s next?” asked Willow.

Angel sat down and began the questions. Where did they shop? Who had access to their room? Who had been in their room in the last week? When was the last time they shopped?

He decided that either someone had been in their room without them knowing or the shop that sold the milk to them had given them a poisoned bottle.

Angel saw Buffy growing tired, her eyes looked heavy and he suggested she sleep.

Angel stayed with her until she dozed off then he went to talk to willow again.

I need a favour.” He began.

“Sure, what?”

“I need you to buy some more milk tonight. I’ll be watching you the whole time, you wont be in any danger. Then once you’ve put it in the fridge come back here. I was thinking we could leave Xander to watch over your dorm room tomorrow. He’ll tell us who if anyone comes in and tampers with it.”

“Ok, I can do that.”

Willow left for the shop while Angel went for Xander. Willow would do a normal shop but made sure she didn’t pick up any milk until Angel got there.