3rd Person's POV

Laney twists and turns in bed groaning as her eyes are shut tightly. Her hands grip the sheets as she murmurs to herself.

Suddenly sitting up, Laney gasps holding her chest. Her heart beats against her rib cage as she realizes that her nightmares were back for good... and there was nothing she could do about it.

"You alright?"

Jumping in fright, Laney's head snaps over towards the window. She was still in Cordelia's house but in a guest room. So what was he doing here.

"I thought you left?"

"I did..."

Laney bites her lip, "So you came back... why?"

Angel shrugs still staring at Laney blankly as she continues to question him, "To check on you."

Laney scoffs messing with the covers, "You came all the way back here just to check on little ole me? Why is that?"

Clearing his throat, Angel sighs before grimacing, "Because... we're... friends."

Laney smiles making Angel's dead heart feel as if it would skip a beat if it could. She had a beautiful smile and he was happy when she was happy.

Laney knew it was weird for him to say friends or even have one. But it meant everything to her. The fact that a once bad evil vampire who was now good, actually cared about something and somebody... that was huge.

Laney gulps trying not to make awkward eye contact with Angel as she pleads, "Can you stay? Please?"

Angel nods giving an uneasy stare as he walks over and sits beside her on the bed. He sits with his back against the headboard with one leg up on the bed. Laney scoots closer to him and sighs.

Angel inwardly groans smelling fresh blood from her wounds. His face turns making him growl while looking away from her.

Laney gulps while licking her dry lips. She takes a deep calming breath before lightly grabbing Angel's chin with her hand. She looks at his turned face, deadly fangs, angry frantic eyes and then smiles lightly. He flinches but relaxes as her fingers graze over the wrinkles on his face.

"It's okay Angel... I trust you..."

Angel takes a deep breath and sighs as he turns back human. Laney stares into his eyes feeling the intensity pulsate through the air. Angel's hand strokes through her hair lightly as her thumb grazes his jawline.

"Don't break it... okay?"

Laney lays her head on his shoulder as he nods in reply. After a minute of silence, Laney can feel herself beginning to doze off. She takes Angel's free hand and huffs.

"I was there..."

Angel frowns looking down at her as she lays now on his chest with her eyes closed, "Where?"

"In the car... with Darryl... I was in the passenger seat and we were arguing. Then the wreck happened... that was what my nightmare was."

"Laney, it was just a nightmare. You'll be okay."

"It wasn't just a nightmare... it was real... everything that happened then... everything that he did... the pain I felt... I-I just can't seem to get over it. I forget my past during the day, only to remember it every night..."

A minute passes by as Angel tries to think of something to say to her. But once he opens his mouth to speak, he hears the light snores coming from Laney.

Sighing, Angel looks down at her once more wondering what was going on. Not only with her. But them.

On one hand, when it came to her and her nightmares. He was told they stopped after the hyena problem. Then came back with the second death of her ex, Darryl. Was she having nightmares just of the crash? Or was there something else about her ex that he was missing. Angel would find out eventually, he just didn't want to push her past her limit.

And on the other hand, when it came to him and Laney, he had gotten over the fact that he would never understand what it was between them. There was some feeling, but he didn't think she, nor himself, would ever act upon it.

It just wasn't the right time.

Not in this lifetime.

...

Laney eyes flutter open as she wakes up. Her hand raises to shield the bright sun from her eyes. She frowns feeling an empty space beside her.

"He didn't even say bye before he left... that asshole."

"That's because I'm still here."

Laney jumps holding her chest which held her frantic heart. She turns to the doorway seeing Angel stand with Cordelia, who was grinning holding a glass of water.

"Oh whoops. Sorry for calling you an asshole."

Angel shrugs, "I've been called worse."

Laney nods then looks towards Cordelia patting the spot beside her on the bed, "Good morning bestie."

"Glad you're finally up!" Cordelia hurries over to the bed and plops down, then hands the glass of water to Laney, "We have to start getting you ready for your date!"

Laney smiles clapping excitedly before taking the glass of water, "I almost forgot about that."

"I wish I did."

Cordelia glares playfully at Angel who was now leaning on the doorway, "Nobody asked you Mr Broody Vampire. What are you jealous?"

Angel chuckles shaking his head, "I'm not jealous. First of all she's still hurt. So I doubt she can go far. Second of all, you don't even know the guy."

Laney giggles, "Hence the date Angel. You know get together, talk about yourselves, slowly learn about one another and their past, slowly become part of their future."

"You want this guy to be part of your future."

Laney scoffs shrugging, "Maybe. He's really sweet you know. And he helped you guys save us last night. Doesn't he get some brownie points for that?"

"This isn't Girl Scouts."

"Alright I'm going out with him and that's that. He's a great guy. I'm sure of it."

Angel nods, "Just don't want you to get hurt... again."

Cordelia grins looking in between the two. This was literally like a soap opera and she was living for it.

"Thanks for the concern Angel. I truly appreciate it. But Colby isn't Xander... he's different."

Angel raises an eyebrow, "Did you just call Xander his actual name."

Laney giggles, "You're annoying."

"If anything helps you let me know. Understand?"

"Yes dad I understand completely."

"Dad?"

"Alright before this goes anywhere kinky I'm gonna stop it. Laney has about four hours to get ready."

"Girls need that much time to get ready?"

Laney and Cordelia stare at Angel blankly, "Of course!"

"I will never understand women. Never have. Never will."

"Oh go stare at Buffy."

...

Laney looks at herself in the mirror as she twirls side to side. She was wearing a brown dress that was skin tight and had ties in the middle keeping the dress together.

Thankfully Cordy was right. The medicine worked wonders and Laney didn't feel a thing when it came to her external wounds. Her internal ones... that was another story.

KNOCK KNOCK

"He's here!" Laney says to herself as she hears Cordelia open the door downstairs.

Quickly grabbing a small crossbody purse, Laney pulls on her white converse and hurries down the hall. She slowly walks down the stairs and sees Cordelia standing with Colby and Angel, who was still here for whatever reason.

Colby stares at Laney as if she was a goddess. His eyes never leave hers as she walks down the stairs. Only once does he look down her body and only scanning the dress before stopping at her shoes.

"I didn't take you for a converse kinda girl."

Laney smiles, "I'm full of surprises."

"That you are."

A throat clears making the two of them look over at Angel who had just grimaced from being punched in the arm by Cordelia.

"She's still hurt so take it easy. And if you do anything to hurt her physically or emotionally, I'll rip your throat out... with my teeth."

"Angel!"

Colby grins at Laney holding his hand up nonchalantly, "It's fine I get it Laney." He then looks to Angel wearing a serious face, "I know she's super important to you guys. And I'd never do anything to purposefully hurt her. I swear. I'm glad she had friends like you guys... not alot of people do."

Cordelia smiles, "Thanks. Now run along. Have fun."

Angel nods crossing his arms over his chest, "Yeah alright... be back by 8 o'clock."

Laney chuckles shaking her head before turning to Colby, "Shall we?"

Colby nods, "We shall."

The two walk out the house to Colbys car as Cordelia and Angel stand in the doorway watching.

"Kids... they grow up so fast."

Angel glances over at Cordelia with a light smile. Cordelia sees this and gasps.

"You smiles at something I said."

"I guess you're growing on me. When you're not bitchy Cordelia, you're just like Laney."

Cordelia smiles raising her eyebrows up and down, "This is why we're besties."

"Speaking of besties. I know you know what happened to Laney and her ex. She's having nightmares-"

"Again?" Cordelia frowns.

Angel nods, "Yeah. She explained to me about the crash but I'm still lost. It feels like there's something she's not telling me."

Cordelia sighs, "Don't worry she will."

"Is it bad?"

Cordelia doesn't say anything as they both watch the car drive off.

...

Laney giggles as Colby throws a grape at her.

"Scream 4 is not better than Scream 2."

Laney shrugs reaching into the front of her dress pulling out a grape from her bra, "It most definitely is. Scream 1 is a classic so that's gotta be first. 2 was good but 4 was just new age. It was awesome."

Colby shakes his head taking the grape fork Laney's hands before tossing it in his mouth, "You're crazy. It's scream 1 then 2 and then 4. We don't talk about 3."

Laney grimaces, "Yeah never. Did you just eat my boob grape?"

"Yeah it was tasty."

Laughing Laney slaps his arm and lays back on the blanket.

Colby had put together a picnic for them. He got the blanket, wicker basket, fruits, juice, and little sandwiches. It was different than what she was used to. And she was just glad he didn't take her to the Bronze.

Colby lays down beside Laney as they both look at the sky.

"Colby?"

"Hmm..."

"You don't wanna date me."

Colby's head snaps to the side as he stares at Laney in confusion, "Why wouldn't I?"

"I'm damaged. I'm deadly. Just being around me and everyone else brings death."

Colby shakes his head and brings his hand up to her face as they both lay on their sides, staring dreamily into one another's eyes.

"Laney I'm prepared to help glue you back together. And I've seen a lot of death in my life, nothing I'm not used to. If what happened last night is something that is normal to you and your friends, so be it. I like you, and I wanna date you."

Laney sniffles as she thinks about the consequences of bringing a new guy into the gang and action, "But you could get hurt. And I don't want to see you hurt."

Colby holds Laney's face with both hands, "Do you like me?"

"Yes."

"You wanna see where this goes?"

"Of course."

"I don't fear death. It'll happen to everyone. When it's time, it's time. But don't take my decision away from me. I wanna be with you. If that means crazy ugly demons and psycho frat boys with ancient snakes then so be it."

Laney giggles, "You actually brought that one to me."

"See we're perfect for each other. Both caught in crazy worlds we knew nothing about."

Laney bites her lip staring at him with pleading eyes, "You sure?"

"I'm sure. Are you sure?"

"Yes..."

Leaning closer, Laney feels her lips graze his. Colby could inhale her breath and taste her lip gloss. He chuckles to himself before  closing the distance. Their lips move amongst one another as Laney sighs and moves her hands to Colby's brown locks. Colby groans as Laney gently tugs his hair. His groan sends shivers down her spine. Heat rises to her cheeks as his arms slip around her waist.

He kisses down her jaw and behind her neck before whispering, "I'm all in Laney Rosenberg."

...

Laney leans against Colby's car as they hold hands. The school bell rings as a five minute warning. Sighing Laney looks away from the building she knew as prison.

She smiles up at Colby who was already grinning down at her, "You look at me like I'm the only girl in the world."

"You are. In mine at least..." Colby's hand raises to her face. His thumb pushes a strand of hair behind her ear.

"You're so cheesy."

"You love it."

Off in a distance, the Scooby gang all stand with Ms Calendar watching Laney and Colby.

"So we're gonna pretend like this is not okay?"

Giles shrugs raising an eyebrow at Xander, "This is her decision. It may not be the best one. But I cannot stop her. Or him. He helped us the other night. He now knows about the Hellmouth and supernatural creatures. It's up to them whether they want him involved."

Buffy frowns before hiding it with a blank stare. How come when she went out with Chambers she hadn't received the same answer. She wasn't sure this was completely fair. Sure Colby was involved with the cultish frat, granted he had no idea what they were doing, but Chambers saw what had happened in the funeral home. He helped... or at least tried. So how was this different.

Willow smiles, "Well I am for one happy that my sister is finally truly happy. She doesn't have to fear keeping the Hellmouth a secret. Colby is a nice guy."

Xander glares, "You're only saying that because he brought you and your mom sugar cookies."

Willow shrugs pouting, "They were chocolate chip."

"Enough."

Everyone turns to Cordelia who stands ahead of them with her arms crossed over her chest.

"My best friend is finally truly happy. No one is ruining this for her. Not even me. So can you guys get over yourselves for one second and look at her. She that she looks at peace. Let her have this."

Cordelia walks away making Cander shake his head, "I still don't like it."

"You don't have to." Giles says trying to hold in a small smile as he sees Laney walk up to them glowing.

Laney and Colby 🥺💛

Laney and Angel 👌😩
as best buddies of course

Laney and Cordelia ✨😌

What'd y'all think of this chapter?

What else is Laney keeping a secret about her past with her ex Darryl?

Was Buffy jealous?
Did she have a right to be?

Spike is in the next chapter!!
Who's excited?!

Future predictions?

Any special requests...

JUST FOR FUN

Laney's Dress

The cute picnic date