"I wake up quick just like I want to
Yeah, but I stay out much too late"
-Matchbox 20, "Long Day"

Rrrrrring!

Buffy sat up in bed with a jolt. Looking around carefully, she realized she was just in her room and that the phone had woken her up. It sounded another loud Rrrrrring!, and she reached over to answer it.

"Hello?" she asked groggily, rubbing her eyes with her free hand.

"Hey, sleepyhead," a cheerful voice greeted her. "And you said I waste my time."

Angel. Buffy perked up a little when she heard his voice on the other end.

"Hi. Sorry, I'm trying to make up for some late nights this week," she explained, checking the digital clock/radio beside her bed. 12:38. It wasn't that late...

"Buffy, why don't you let me take over for you some night so you can get some rest?" he asked, sitting down on his bed, concerned.

She was only seventeen. The girl needed to have a few nights to herself.

Buffy sighed. "Angel, that's really nice of you to offer, but I have to do this. I am the Chosen One, you know. It's a duty thing."

Angel let his head fall and took a deep breath. Why did she always have to be so stubborn and not let anyone help her? That was what got her killed in the first place, and he wasn't about to let that happen again.

He wasn't a vampire any more, but he wasn't exactly human either. Unbeknownst to anyone, he had been in training. Not anything special, just running and push-ups or sit-ups - things to keep him in shape. He knew Spike would try and retaliate, and he wanted to be there when he did. It was time he made things right.

"So... Do you want to get together today?" he asked, breaking the silence. "Unless you want to go back to sleep..."

"Nah." Buffy shook her head. "I'm awake now. I have to shower and stuff, but you want me to meet you at your place in about thirty, forty minutes?"

Angel smiled. He had almost forgotten about the reason he called, but this would be perfect.

"Sure."

"All right, I'll see you then," Buffy agreed. "Bye."

"Bye," he repeated, hanging up briefly before making another call...