"And can I be a friend?
We'll forget the past
But maybe I'm not able"
-Fuel, "Shimmer"

A week passed, and Buffy spent almost all of it with Angel. She showed him all the sights around town, which didn't take very long, and then they hung out the rest of the time. It was something she did with all her friends, and he was no different. The fact that they were no longer 'involved' didn't mean they couldn't be friends. She didn't understand why more people weren't able to accomplish this. It really was quite easy.

"Hey," she greeted him, breezing through the apartment door.

She spent more time at Angel's place than any other, and he enjoyed her company, allowing her to come in without knocking at any time. At first she worried that she might come in at a bad time, maybe he wouldn't be dressed or asleep, but he didn't really care. He actually hoped she might come in when he wasn't 'decent.' Who knew what that might lead to? But he didn't tell her that.

Of course, he still hadn't given up his quest to make her his girlfriend again. This whole ordeal had taught him that was what he wanted most in the world. The life was just a bonus, but it did help him. He couldn't imagine anyone else more suited for her than himself. He wasn't being cocky, but when you looked at the facts, they proved it true.

"Hey," he replied, relaxing on the couch and smiling. The apartment was relatively the same, except now the shade was always up, day or night, and sun or moonlight radiated in all the time. "How was school?"

Buffy rolled her eyes. "As school-like as always. How were things here?"

"Hmm... Fine. I went out to the park and read another book."

Sighing, Buffy settled down on the couch beside him. "How many is it now? Nine books in a week? Angel, you're human now. You don't need to sit and read all day. Have some fun!"

"Okay. What do you do for fun?" he asked curiously.

"Angel, I'm in school."

"What about after? Or on the weekends?"

"'After?' That pretty much goes without saying. I do as much homework as I can before sunset, and then I have to patrol."

"What about during the weekend?"

"During the weekend I sleep, and I patrol sometimes at night. Not for all of it, but a lot. The only fun I really have is the semi-socializing I do at the Bronze."

"Hmm," said Angel thoughtfully. "Seems I'm not the only one who needs to lighten up."

"Actually, I'm perfectly happy with my life. When I'm not in grave danger, that is. You on the other hand... Were you always Mr. Gloom And Doom? Look at you. You've been given a whole new chance at life, and instead you sit and read books all day. It may be outside, but it's still boring. And what about this whole black and white theme you have going on? Do you have clothes in any other colors?"

Angel looked down at his clothes self-consciously. What was wrong with them? He'd gotten along fine with them these past two years. Why should he change?

Sighing, Buffy put her head in her hands. "I'm sorry. Never mind what I just said. You look fine. You look great, actually. It's just... Angel, you look like a businessman and me? We don't quite look like we're from the same group, if you know what I mean. I wear whatever I want, and you seem to lean toward the more conservative side. This isn't the 1700's. We're not in Ireland. This is America, the 'Land Of The Free.' You don't need to dress so formally."

"What would you suggest then, Miss Summers?" he asked, settling back into the upholstery and crossing his arms over his chest.

A slow grin spread over Buffy's face, and he knew she had a plan...