"Alive?"

The idea of living seemed impossible to Angel. He had his own life already with a soul and a mind of his own, but he never counted on a real one. What if it really was possible?

Buffy shrugged. "Well, Giles says he's never seen a case like yours before. Vampires becoming sick is impossible itself, and then feeding off a slayer and starting to get better, that just makes it more weird. See," she pulled one leg under her and sat on it, "he thinks that my blood somehow helped transform you into a human, although we really don't know if you are one."

"What do you know?"

If there was any way possible for him to become human again, Angel was willing to do whatever it required. Becoming mortal might be the only way, if there was one, for him and Buffy to get back together.

"Well, we know you had a fever for at least two and a half days and a temperature that would kill a normal person. We also know that you became sick after feeding on me the first time and then your condition improved drastically after feeding on me again. You were breathing subconsciously in your sleep, too, and refusing blood, which makes it seem like you are turning human."

Angel listened to her with rapt attention. These facts did make it sound like he was turning into some other kind of being besides a vampire. He just wasn't sure what.

"Giles and the gang are going to come over after school to try and help us out so hopefully we'll be able to figure out something," Buffy informed him. She wanted him to know that she was trying to find out what was going on.

"I'm sorry you had to miss school, Buffy," Angel apologized. Education really was important and she shouldn't have to miss out on anything because of him.

"Forget about it," she said, shrugging it off. "Today's Friday anyway, and I've only missed two days. Giles told the office I was sick so I can just go back Monday. I wasn't going to go back until I knew you were okay. Besides," she grinned, "I am the chosen one. I deserve a vacation. Don't you think?"

Angel smiled weakly and she giggled. It was good to see he was doing better. "What time is it now?" he asked curiously. He hadn't even known the day so no one could blame him if he was a little disoriented.

"Probably around twelve or so," guessed Buffy.

"How do you know?"

She giggled again, and it was like music to his ears. His only wish, if they weren't able to resolve their problems, was to see her happy.

"Because my stomach's growling! It must be lunchtime. I've got my biological clock set pretty well."

"Sorry, I don't think I have anything to offer you..." Angel scratched his head. "My refrigerator's pretty empty."

"I've got a better idea," Buffy told him, grinning...

"That will be $14, please," the delivery man said politely, trying to catch his breath. It was a little hard finding the place and getting the pizzas there on time.

Buffy looked down to check the watch she had strapped onto her wrist. It was thirty-five minutes past the time she had placed the order. They got their order free! The pizza place had a policy that if your order wasn't there in thirty minutes or under, you would receive it free of charge.

"Um, excuse me," she replied in the same polite tone, "but it's past thirty minutes. We get our order free. I called in at five past," she pointed to the time on the printed out slip attached to the top box, "and it's twelve forty now."

"What?" The man was positive he'd gotten there exactly on time. Checking his watch, he noticed she was in fact correct. He was five minutes late. "Here you go," he said disappointedly, handing her the two boxes.

"Thank you." Buffy took the warm boxes in her arms and thanked the man. "Have a nice day!" Smiling, she closed the door and the man trudged back up the stairs muttering various curses.

"Okay... What've we got here," Buffy murmured, setting the boxes down on Angel's coffee table and taking off the lids. "Anchovies, ew."

Angel came over to stand beside her. "What are you doing?" he asked curiously. She had ordered two pizzas, but didn't even like the things on one of them.

"Well, I didn't know what kind of pizza you like so I just got one cheese and one with the works. That okay?"

Smiling, Angel shook his head and sat down cross-legged next to her. She really was serious about them staying friends. Even if he couldn't have her back as his girlfriend just yet, he was willing to take her anyway he could.

"Here." Buffy handed him a slice. "Dig in. This is what we humans like to call stuffing our faces, a pastime I enjoy as much as I can. Giles keeps me on a pretty tight schedule so it's good to take a break. Mother's has the best pizza anywhere." She took a bite out of her own slice and looked at him.

Looking down at the slice in front of him, Angel saw a mass of cheese and tomato sauce. This is what humans ate nowadays? In all his trips to the Bronze he had never seen anything like this. Still, if Buffy liked it...

Angel bit into the pizza hesitantly, and Buffy was right. It did taste good.

"Mm." He nodded, chewing thoughtfully.

"See, I told you." Buffy laughed as they continued their meal...