“You bitch!”

Buffy’s blood turned to ice as she heard that voice again. It had a slight southern drawl to it but was unmistakably the same voice.

“Thought you could outsmart me did you? Well you didn’t. I got out.”

Buffy turned to face him. He was standing in the doorway, grinning at her. He looked haggard.

She wondered briefly is she was dreaming but she knew this was real. Somewhere deep inside she knew it was real.

“What’s the matter? Not so talkative now are you? You were singing like a birdie not to long ago.”

“Leave now or I will kill you.” Said Buffy.

He laughed. “I don’t think so little lady.”

He approached her slowly. Buffy felt rooted to the spot, her self defence training all but forgotten. He stopped inches away from her.

He leaned into Buffy and breathed in deeply. “I been waiting so long for another taste of this. You smell so good.”

Suddenly Buffy kneed him in the crotch. He doubled over but caught her arm as she ran. She pulled herself out of his grip and headed for the stairs.

He was right in her tail though “You’ll pay for that bitch!” he said as he grabbed her ankle. Buffy fell on the stairs and kicked him in the head three times before he released his grip.

She carried on up the stairs, heading for the master bedroom. She knew where Angel kept the gun and that was her destination.

She entered the bedroom and slammed the door, locking it behind her. It was just a privacy lock though, it wouldn’t keep him out for long.

“I know you're in there princess. I’m comin' in.”

Buffy had the gun out as he kicked the door for the first time. It wasn’t loaded and she fumbled with the bullets, trying to get them into the chamber.

“We both know you were asking for it. You weren’t even a virgin, you think we didn’t notice that you whore!”

Another kick, Buffy heard wood splinter but the door didn’t give.

“I know all about women like you, you like it rough then you go crying rape.” Another kick and the door gave way. Buffy turned to face him as he entered the room.

“No where to run now is there?” he said grinning.

“I’m through running.”

His smile widened.

Buffy brought up the gun. “Goodbye Dr Lansing.”

She shot him three times in the chest before falling to the floor herself, sobbing.


Angel burst in and took one look at the body before rushing to Buffy.

“Oh God, are you OK?”

Buffy nodded. “I just… I just can’t stop crying.” She sobbed.

Angel held her in his arms as the sirens approached.


Thankfully the next day was a Saturday so Angel could be with Buffy. He decided to take her house hunting.

That house held too many memories now, besides, he couldn’t live there forever.

Buffy was surprisingly upbeat.

“I just feel like this weight has gone.” She explained.

Angel smiled. Perhaps in some weird twisted way this had helped Buffy. A cathartic experience perhaps.

They looked around four places until Buffy found one she liked.

It was on the coast again, along the cliff top. It was five bedroom with two bathrooms, two reception rooms, a study and a dining room.

Angel would use the study for his work and Buffy would use the fifth bedroom for her studies.

Buffy was unsure though. She would still be living off Angel which she didn’t like. She felt like she was using him.

Angel took her for a walk in the garden to convince her.

“Buffy. I know we’ve been going slowly, and I don’t have a problem with that, what ever you need. But rest assured, one day you will be my wife and legally own half of this.”

Buffy turned to him. “What?”

Angel grew fearful, perhaps he had revealed too much and pressured her. “I want you to marry me Buffy. When ever your ready to.”

“I… I… Oh. Wow.”

“Is that a good wow or a bad wow?” asked Angel.

“It’s good, it’s all good. I just. I didn’t dare hope you still wanted me.”

Angel hugged her. “I’ve never stopped wanting you and I never will.”

They put an offer in on the house.