A Life to Remember

Part 8

Riley looked at Professor Walsh with a steady face. He was going to be stern about this. He knew he was right and he wasn’t going to back down. He didn’t care what she was about to say.

“I agree Agent Finn.”

“Excuse me?”

“I said I agree with you. It will be too obvious if all three of you are together all the time. You are to be the main undercover agent. You have made contact with the target and that is a step in the right direction Agent Finn. I hope to see more of this in the future. Please inform Agent Miller and Gates of the change in plans.
Nodding at her, Riley excused himself and exited her office. Making his way through the Initiative and back up to his room he sat down on his bed. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out the napkin Buffy had neatly written her phone number on. Sighing he picked up the phone and dialed.

Buffy and Willow were sitting in her room, laughing and catching up on old times when her mom called up.

“Buffy, you have a phone call.”

“Ok, I’ll take it up here mom.”

Looking at Willow, Buffy smiled hopefully and picked up the phone. “Got it!” Hearing her mother hang the phone up down stairs she spoke into the phone. “Hello?”

“Hi Buffy…It’s Riley, we ugh met at the diner this morning.”

“Riley hi, how are you?” Buffy said, hitting Willow’s arm and giving her a look.

“I’m good. Actually I was wondering if you had any plans today?”

“Um well no I don’t think I do.”

“Ok, well um what I mean is do ugh…would…would you maybe like to go to a ugh movie and grab a late lunch?”

“Sure that sounds great.”

“Really? I mean um great. What time should I pick you up? Or we could meet up or you could um come here. Whatever you want.” Riley babbled.

“Riley, you can come here, say 12:30? So I have time to get ready?”

“Sure that’s fine.”

Buffy smiled at Willow and proceeded to give him directions to her house. After a few more minutes of conversation they ended their phone call. Buffy hung the phone up and looked at Willow with a smile on her face.

“I have a date!”

“So I heard!”

“We’re going to a movie and a late lunch!”

“Oh Buffy, I’m so happy for you.”

“Thanks Wills. Just think pretty soon if things work out with me and Riley, we could double date with you and Angel.”

Willow laughed and hugged Buffy. “I hope so.”

“Now lets find something for me to where, I only have…an hour and 45 minutes to shower, get dressed andmy mmy make-up and hair.”

“Well lets get moving.”
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Riley parked the SUV he borrowed from the Initiative in front of Buffy’s house. He sat there for a few moments thinking. This was going to be hard. He had real feelings for this girl and he didn’t want to hurt her. He knew that was inevitable, but he had a job to do. He couldn’t quit the Initiative, although sometimes he wished he could. He would follow through with this assignment and try not to fall too hard. He’d try not to hurt her, he really would, he only hoped that he could follow through with that.

Riley stepped out of the car and walked up to the front door. Taking a deep breath he rang bellbell and took a step back. Quickly checking over his appearance he smiled in satisfaction. The door opened and he smiled at the older w, wh, who must have been Buffy’s mother. He could see where Buffy got her looks from, there was no doubt about that. She was an attractive woman.

“Hello Ma’am. I’m Riley Finn, Buffy’s date.”

“Hello Riley, I’m Joyce, Buffy’s mother, please come in.”

“Thank you.” Riley said, stepping into the house.

After she closed the door Riley looked back at Joyce. “Um well this is for you. I ugh wasn’t sure what Buffy would like and since I hadn’t met you I thought I should at least bring something…” Riley stammered, handing Joyce a Daisy.

“Why thank you. That was very thoughtful of you Riley. And Buffy Loves Daisy’s so you’re in luck.”
Riley smiled and nodded at her.

“Well let me go see if she’s ready, have a seat.” Joyce said, pointing toward the sofa in the next room.

“Thank you ma’am.”

“Please, call me Joyce. And I’ll be right back.” Joyce said, walking upstairs to get her daughter.
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Joyce knocked on her daughter’s door and pushed it open.

“Buffy honey? Riley is here.”

“What? He’s five minutes early!” Buffy exclaimed, hurrying to get ready.

“Well it’s better then being five minutes late right?” Joyce asked, watching as her daughter finished with her make-up.

“I guess so. It’s just I needed a few more minutes.” She pouted.

“You look great.”

“Yea Buff, you look perfect.” Willow said, from her position on the bed.

“Ok. So I guess I have to go down stairs now right?”

“That would help.” Joyce joked.

Buffy took a deep breath and looked in the mirror one last time. Making sure everything was in place and she looked alright in her pink summer dress she smiled. This was it. She was going out, on a date. She had a date! This was good. She could do it. Buffy thought, taking a deep breath.

“Ok, lets get going.”

The three women smiled at each other and walked downstairs.

Riley stood as he heard footsteps coming down the stairs. Grabbing the daisy he’d set aside he made his way into the hall by the stairs. He smiled at Mrs. Summers and noticed the girl from diner, Buffy’s friend, Willow. Then he noticed Buffy. God she was beautiful. She was wearing a pale pink dress with little cream and yellow flowon ion it. He noticed she was carrying a cream sweater and knit purse. She was stunning.

“Wow. Buffy you look great.”

“Thanks. So do you.” Buffy said, admiring the way his jeans fit him just right. He was clad in a pair of form- fitting faded blue jeans and a gray pull over polo shirt. She thought he looked absolutely scrumptious.

“Oh um this is for you.” Riley said, handing her the daisy.

“Oh wow. Thanks.” Buffy said, smelling the flower. Smiling she handed the flower to Willow.
“Take care of this for me Wills?”

“Sure thing. Have fun and call me later.” Willow said, smiling at her friend.

“A’s?”’s?”

“Um yea?” Willow asked, hoping it wouldn’t be a problem.

“Ok Bye.” Buffy said, with a smile. After hugging her friend she gave her mother a quick hug and promised to be back by curfew.

“Have fun you two.” Joyce told them as they walked out.

“Thanks mom, we will.” Buffy said, closing the door.

Joyce turned and looked at Willow.
“Well now, lets put these in some water shall we?”

Part 9


Willow sighed as she stood outside the apartment door. She didn’t understand why she felt so weird about going in there now. Nothing had changed. Well, ok, that wasn’t true a lot had changed. She just wasn’t sure of what to expect. She felt different now. The last time she had walked in there, she was just his friend. Now she was a girlfriend. *His* girlfriend. *Oh boy*, Willow thought.

Angel stood against the door way that lead to the kitchen, deep in thought. He could feel Willow out in the hallway. She had been standing there for a good five minutes. Did she not want to come in? Had she changed her mind about them?

Just then he heard a light knock. He quickly made his way over and opened the door. Smiling down at the red head he opened the door wider and allowed her to enter.

“Hi” Willow said quietly, walking into the living room.

“Hi.” Angel responded, dropping a quick kiss on her lips.

“Buffy um had a uh date so I came over here.”

“A date?” Angel asked, confused.

“Yea, at the diner this morning we met these guys and one of them called Buffy asking her to a movie and a late lunch.” Willow explained.

“Oh that’s nice…we?” Angel asked, lowering his head slightly while looking away.

Well it was nice while it lasted, Angel thought. At least she was telling him the truth. This must be the part where she tells him they had fun but she’s found a nice human boy to take care of her now. He never thought Willow would be like that tho thought he knew her, but he obviously didn’t.

“What?” Willow frowned.

“We met guys…”

“Oh no! I just meant that I was there when they came for Buffy, no I mean, wait, there were three guys, Riley, Graham and Forrest. Riley is the one that is on the date with Buffy. They were kinda just there I guess,auseause Riley wanted to meet Buffy. They didn’t really talk that much so they weren’t interested I don’t think.”

“I see.” Angel said, clearly not happy.

So they had made an attempt to talk. The stupid boys didn’t know how to woo a woman. They probably sat there and stared at the beautiful creature that Willow was. Angel wasn’t sure weather to be happy or not. On one hand it seems they hadn’t made any moves on her, but on the other hand they made her feel like she wasn’t as important. Well he’d fix that. If she decided to stay that was.

Willow smiled and shook her head. “Angel. If they were interested in anyone it was Buffy not me.”

Angel smiled and pulled her into his arms. Hugging her close to him he dropped a kiss on the top of her head.

“I’m sorry. I just don’t want to lose you.”

“You won’t.” Willow said, squeezing him tight.

Just then Willow’s stomach started to growl and she laughed.

“I’m hungry.”

“I heard. C’mon we’ll make some popcorn and watch a movie.”

“Sounds good to me.” Willow said happily as they walked into the kitchen.
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Riley smiled as he held the door open for Buffy. They were now getting ready for their late lunch, or judging from the time early dinner. Riley sighed softly, he was having a good time with Buffy. He hadn’t noticed anything about her that was unusual. He just knew Walsh was wrong. He had no idea as to why she was in the cemetery last night but he was sure it had nothing to do with vampires. She couldn’t possibly know what went bump in the night.

Buffy smiled to herself. She was having such a great time. Although they hadn’t really had a chance to talk much, being in the movie theater and all, but she still felt like she was getting to know Riley. She noticed how much of a gentleman he was and how very polite he was being. She learned that he was from Iowa and was very well mannered. He had an excellent relationship with his family and as far as she could tell had dated very few girls. While he had learned that she had a rather dry but funny sense of humor and had a tense relationship with her absent father. Most of this having been learned on the way to the movies and while waiting for the picture to start.

They were now sitting down to eat at the same diner they had met in that very morning. Things were going great for the both of them. They were getting along and although they hadn’t really talked since the movie she still felt at ease around him. Was it a sign maybe? That she could be completely over Angel and move on now. Maybe things were going to be ok with her and Riley. She would really like that, Buffy decided.

“So you feel like anything special?” Riley asked, looking over the menu.

“Um not really. I’ll just have my normal.”

“And what’s that?”

“Chef Salad.”

“Salad? That’s it?”

“Well yea, I’m not really hungry…”

“You have to have more then that. Salad isn’t a meal…it’s…it’s a snack. You have to be hungry. I bet you haven’t eaten anything since this morning and that wasn’t a breakfast you had either. My mother would throw a fit if she knew I didn’t feed my date.”

“Well actually I guess I am kinda hungry. I’ll skip the salad today and have a nice greasy bugger and fries, kay?” Buffy laughed.

“Good. Hmm now what should I have…”

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“So how do you think Buffy is doing?” Willow asked, breaking away from Angel’s kiss.

“I don’t know. I hope she’s having as much fun as I am.” Angel said, kissing around her jaw down to her neck.
“Mmm but they ugh should be having lunch now. I-I hope mmm they’re getting along.” Willow said, as Angel continued his ministrations

“Yea.” Angel moaned.

“I-I was thinking that…maybe we could all mmm go out sometime.” Willow asked, playing with the back of his hair.

“That would be nice.” Angel smiled.

“Really?” Willow asked, pulling away.

“Sure. I don’t mind.”

“Oh that’s great. Buffy will be so happy.” Willow said, bouncing in her seat.

“It was Buffy’s idea?”

“Well yea. She mentioned that if things go well with her and Riley that we could double date sometime.”
Angel nodded thoughtfully. “Ok.”

Willow smiled to herself and rested her head on his arm. Buffy was taking things so much better then she had thought she would. When she had suggested that they all get together sometime, well, Willow was shocked to say the least. But she was happy. Happy that her friend was obviously moving on with her life and her past relationship with Angel wasn’t going to hold her back anymore. Buffy was so much more like her old self now that Willow wasn’t about to complain. She knew that her friend had been moving slowly but surly toward forgiving herself and Angel. It looked like she had finally done that. She knew that Buffy and Angel needed to talk still. There was so much they needed to clear up and as Buffy’s best friend she knew it had to be done in order for the healing process to be complete. But she wasn’t worried. She knew things would work out for the best and that was what was important.

“I have an idea…” Angel said.

“What?” Willow smiled.

“How about you go take a relaxing bath and when you come out I’ll have a nice romantic dinner ready for you.” Angel said, kissing all over her face.

“That sounds really good.” Willow moaned.

Angel smiled and continued to kiss his love. Slowly he made his way to her lips. Just as he was about to kiss her he pulled back slightly and looked her in the eye.

“We should get moving.”

Willow stared at him for a moment before reaching behind his head and pulling him down to her for a passionate kiss. Willow reveled in the way her body reacted to him. Just a simple kiss had made her so hot and wanting. She wasn’t sure if she could take it anymore. She wanted him so bad. He made her feel things she was sure were against the law.

Angel moaned into her mouth. She tasted so good. He felt like he had to devour her or he’d die of insanity. Things were moving so fast, but then not fast enough. He knew it was important to wait but his demon raged against its cage to take her, to make her his. For once in his life he thought he agreed with it. Every fiber in his being ached to make her his. To claim the girl that had captured his heart and tamed the demon. There were no doubts in his mind that she was the one for him, his demon agreed a hundred percent with the soul that she was it. She truly was his soul mate.

“Mmm Wills. I should start on dinner now.” Angel said, punctuating every other word with a kiss.

“Ok.” Willow said, kissing him back.

Angel deepened the kiss once more for a few moments before pulling back. He watched as her chest rose and fell with each breath she took, causing her breasts to heave.

“I-I’ll be in the kitchen.” Angel said, before getting up and making his way into the kitchen.

Willow sat on the couch for a few moments trying to catch her breath. She knew one thing for sure. That man could kiss.

Willow giggled at her thoughts and made her way into the spacious bathroom. This was one of her favorite rooms in his apartment. She could spend a lot of time in here she decided. Everything was decorated in dark blues and golds. The counter top was a black marble, which gave the room an added oomph. He had a huge tub, that she was sure could fit about three people. An assortment of bath oils and bubbles lined back of the tub and candles sat all around. She was sure he spent hours in this room, soaking in the tub. *Soaking in the tub, naked, with bubbles dribbling down his muscular chest…* Bad thoughts Willow, she chided herself. *Thinking of a naked Angel isn’t going to do you any good.* Willow thought to herself. *Yea but its fun.* Willow giggled again and started the water for her bath, after pouring in some sweet smelling bubbles she undressed and climbed in.

She settled against the back of the tub and sighed softly. Closing her eyes, Willow felt her self start to relax and let her mind wander.

Part 10

Buffy watched as the food was placed in front of her. Smiling she watched as Riley started inhaling his as soon it was placed in front of him.

Riley looked up and smiled sheepishly as he noticed her watching him. He’d been so hungry and the food had taken awhile to get there. He really hadn’t been thinking as he started eating.

“Hungry?” Buffy joked.

“A bit.”

Buffy laughed and ate a french fry. “Well don’t let me stop you.”

Riley smiled and nodded. He continued to eat at a much slower pace and started talking between bites.

“So how long have you lived in Sunnydale?”

“About three years now.”

“Really? That’s nice.”

“Yea. LA had its highlights but there’s just something about good old Sunnydale.” Buffy said, hoping he hadn’t caught her sarcasm.

“I’ll bet.”

“So have you been here long?” Buffy asked, chng tng the topic.

“Almost two years now.”

“Coming from Iowa, it must have been a change.”

“It has its highlights.” Riley laughed. “It’s a lot different then Iowa but I get a little home sick at times.”

“Really?”

“Yea. There are just some things at home you can’t replace you know.”

“Yea.” Buffy agreed, thoughtfully.

“So your friend, Willow, does she have a boyfriend?”

“What?” Buffy asked, worried he wasn’t really interested in her, but Willow.

This is so not good. Was he really interested in Willow? Maybe he had taken her out so he could get closer to her friend. Buffy felt her eyes welling up with tears. Just when she thought it was safe. This couldn’t be happening. What would she do? How could she face Willow? Knowing that it was she Riley wanted.

“Does she have a boyfriend? I think my friend might be interested in her.” Riley continued, unaware of the inal nal dilemma Buffy was engaged in.

“Your friend?” Buffy asked, looking up hopefully from the table.

“Yea, Graham, the big lunk-head that was sitting next to her.”

“Oh…Oh! Graham. Um well yea she does have a boyfriend actually.” Buffy said.

“Oh that’s too bad. He didn’t say anything to me but I think he might have been interested.” Riley said, finishiis fis food.

“Oh. Well she just started seeing an old friend of ours.”

“Well that’s ok. He’ll find someone else I’m sure.”

Buffy nodded and continued to eat the rest of her food. To bad her friend had started seeing Angel. She could have been dating a college boy instead of a vampire. Oh well. Willow was happy and that’s all that mattered to her.

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Angel smiled as he placed the two plates on the table. So far everything was perfect. All he had to do was pour some wine and light the candle on the table. He’d transformed the kitchen into a romantic setting. Well, as best he could with the limited amount of time and space he’d had. The counters were covered in candles of all different sizes and shapes. And he’d turned on his stereo so it was softly playing.

Looking at the time, Angel made his way over to the bathroom. Knocking softly he told Willow everything was ready.

“Ok Angel, I’ll be right there.” Willow called out.

Walking back into the kitchen, Angel finished the last of the preparations. This was going to be a special night. He could feel it. His demon was calm, almost peaceful, except for the random thoughts he sent Angel every so often about claiming the red-head. In time, he thought, in time.

Willow stepped out of the bathroom and made her way into the kitchen. She gasped in delight as she took in the sight before her. She couldn’t have imagined anything more beautiful. Suddenly she felt underdressed for such a romantic setting. Willow turned, about to go in search of something else to wear when she felt strong arms wrap around her waist.

“Leaving so soon?”
“No. I just wanted to find something else to wear. Everything looks perfect, I’m a little underdressed though.” Willow said, turning to face him.

“You look wonderful.” Angel purred, bending down to better reach her lips.

Brng ang away from the brief kiss, Willow looked toward the table. Noticing two plates she looked at Angel confused.

“You’re eating too?”

“Yea. I thought it would be rude to just watch you eat.”

“That’s so sweet.” Willow said, kissing him again.

Angel pulled away from the kiss after a moment and directed her to the table. After pulling her chair out for her, he walked to the other side of the table and sat down. He picked up his glass of wine and held it up. Smiling Willow followed suit and held her glass up also.

“To us. May this be the start of a long and happy relationship.” Angel toasted.

Willow smiled and agreed, clinking her glass with his before taking a drink.

“Now lets eat. I would have made something else but I didn’t have much and really not enough time.”

Willow smiled and took a bite of her spaghetti. “Everything is perfect Angel. I wouldn’t change a thing, well maybe what I’m wearing but other then that everything is great.”

“You look beautiful Will Don Don’t worry about anything. I want this to be your night.”

“Our night.” Willow smiled, reaching across the table for his hand.

“Our night then.” Angel agreed, rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb.

Willow smiled and continued to eat, never letting go of his hand. This was the happiest night of her life and she knew this was only the beginning. Being with Angel would only bring her happiness and love. She knew to expect many more romantic dinners from him. That and much more.