With A Little Help From A Friend
by A. Price

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters of BTVS. I
just play with their lives. They belong to Joss Whedon and
Co. This story is mine though.

Buffys blond hair was blowing in the slight autumn breeze.
She had dropped Xander off at the airport about an hour
earlier. He was going to New York for a journalists
conference. She had taken the three children outside to the
swingset, it had just started getting darK. Buffy was
starting to take the kids in, when Giles asked in his
sweetest voice "One more time on the slide please Mommy"
Buffy gave in "Okay, one more time".

Angel stood in the shadows watching, it had been six
months since he had come to visit Xander and Buffy and
let them know he was alive.
He came and checked on Buffy frequently without her
knowledge, it was simply because he still loved her. "Where
is Xander?" he thought to himself. "He is usually here at
swingset time."

He was watching as the little boy Giles, was his name,
slid down the slide a little too fast, he fell off the end
and hit his head. The little boy was crying and his
forehead was bleeding. Buffy had picked him up, she
looked panic stricken. Buffy who had slayed hundreds of
vampires, looked like she was going to faint.

The oldest little girl was pulling on Buffys coat and the
baby was toddling around her feet. Angel asked himself
again "Where is Xander?" Not knowing what else to do,
Angel flew across the street "Buffy, its okay, let me see
him" he said gently. He looked at the little boys forehead,
the gash could use a couple of stitches. Angel smiled at
Buffy reaasuringly, "Wheres Xander? I think we should take
him to the ER."

Buffy explained that Xander was gone. Angel helped her get
the children into the house. Absentmindedly Buffy said
"Come on in." Angel followed her in the house, he had
never been inside before. He noticed Buffy was shaking,
she went and got a towel to put on Giles head. Angel
then spoke "I'll drive you to the hospital."

Buffy handed Angel the keys to the minivan and he helped
her load the children into their carseats. Angel got them
to the ER quickly. They unloaded the children and ran in.
Buffy registered at the desk. She called Willow while they
were waiting to be seen.

The nurse called "Giles Harris" and Buffy got up to go, she
looked at the two little girls. Angel looked at her and
said "I'll watch them, go." He sounded nervous but he
wanted to help. "Thanks, I've called Willow, shes on her
way." Buffy said as she picked up Giles.

When Willow arrived in the ER, she was faced with a great
shock. Buffy had failed to tell her that Angel was there.
She had to smile when she saw him sitting there with the two
little girls on his lap. He looked, well he looked almost
scared.

Willow hadn't seen him in years, she went to him and
hugged his neck. "Its good to see you" She said with such
sincerity that Angel knew she meant it. "It's good to see
you too, Willow." Angel said as he shifted the baby to the
other knee, as Willow relieved him of Kendra.

Kendra explained in her best two and a half year old way,,
what had happened to Willow. "Giles fell and his head
was bloody, and Mommy looked funny. And Alexia was crying
and this stranger droved us here." She explained eloquently.

Willow explained that Angel wasn't a stranger, he was their
friend. Angel smiled, it was good to be somebodys friend
again. Kendra looked up and flashed him her minature Buffy
smile. He had been there in the shadows the night she was
born, envying Xander. He had always had a special place in
his heart for this little girl. He was very protective of all
Buffys children. He would protect then with his life.

Alexia fell asleep on Angels shoulder. Willow wished she
could have a picture of this. Although she doubted Xander
would have been happy.

After what seemed like hours. Buffy emerged from the exam
room. "He had to have three stitches, but he's going to be
okay." She smiled at Angel holding Alexia and said warmly
"Thank you for being there tonight Angel" She flashed her
big Buffy smile.

She looked at Willow, "Thanks for coming Will" Willow
hugged her and said "I'm just glad he's okay."

Kendra pulled on Buffys shirt "Mommy Aunt Willow says that
Mr. Angel is not a stranger." Buffy picked her up "Thats
right sweetie, he's our friend." Buffy sat her back down
and went to get Giles. In a few minutes she returned with
the little boy he had a small bandage on his forehead.
He smiled and actually looked in better shape then his Mommy.

Willow gave Giles a hug and told him she was glad he was
okay. "Buffy do you want me to drive you home? Oz can come
pick me up at your house."

Angel spoke up "I'll drive them home, it will be okay."
Willow looked at Buffy. "Are you sure?" Buffy nodded that
it was okay. Willow leaned in to hug her "Be careful!" she
whispered.

Angel and Buffy loaded the kids back into the van, by
the time they got home, they were all asleep. Angel helped
Buffy carry in the sleeping children, he followed her up
the stairs. She tucked Giles in first, and kissed his cheek.
Then they took the girls to their room,she put the baby in
her crib, humming and stroking her dark hair. Angel lay
Kendra in her bed and pulled up the covers, when he didn't
think Buffy was looking he placed a gentle kiss on the top
of her head. Buffy smiled not letting him know she had
seen him, she kissed her daughter and they went downstairs.

"Angel would you like a cappucino? You used to drink them
at the Bronze. I need some caffeine after this night!" she
asked him sweetly.

Knowing he should leave, but not willing to tear himself
away just yet, he answered "Sure."

"I'll be right back, I also need to call Xander" she said
as she left for the kitchen.

Angel heard Buffy on the phone with Xander explaining
what had happened. He imagined that Xander wasn't very happy
that he was there. He heard her say "I love you too" and
hang up the phone, there was a twinge of pain.

"Xander says hello, and owes you another thank you." said
Buffy as she brought in the cappucinos. They sat and drank
their coffee quietly. Then Angel spoke "Buffy you have
beautiful children, they are lucky to have you and Xander for
parents."

"Thanks, they make life interestin!" she laughed as she
spoke.

"I should go now, I'm glad I could help" Angel said as he
stood up to go.

"Thanks again, and Angel you don't always have to stay
in the shadows. I told Kendra the truth, you are our
friend." Buffy said softly.

Angel had tears in his eyes as he left the house. It felt
so good to be a friend again. He couldn't have Buffy, but
he could still be there for her. It wasn't everything, but
it was enough.

The End tell me what you think