"Baby? You almost ready?" Angel called from the bedroom of the hotel they had gotten for the weekend, as he straightened his black tie. "We're going to be late."

"Angel, we can't be late. It's kinda hard to start a party without the guest of honor." Buffy exited the bathroom. "Viola!" Buffy posed, turning on her heel to show off the black strapless dress that clung to her figure. A trim black jacket hung from her hand, and she pulled it on, buttoning the two buttons.

"You look fantastic. Going for sexually professional?" He asked, tugging at one of the loose curls framing her face. Releasing it, it bounced back in place, and then he trailed a finger down her neck to touch the small silver and diamond pin in the shape of a stake on the label of her jacket. "Is this new? I don't recognize it."

Buffy's own hand reached up to trace the cool metal. "It was given to me by Mira after my third book. I don't like to wear it, I only do when I go to these things; it just seems like I'm asking for trouble if I do."

Angel nodded in understanding, bending his head to take her lips, which were stained a deep red, in a soft kiss. "You ready to go now?"

"Mmmhmm. I hate these things. It's just a bunch of bookish types milling around, commenting on this book or others. Picking my book apart as if they are the premier art critics."

"So why do you go?" He asked, taking her hand in his as the elevator doors shut, and the machine smoothly made its way to the lobby.

"Because its all politics. A nod to the publisher. It would be rude not to." Buffy fidgeted, looking up at her husband as they waited for the valet to bring their car. "I told you that you didn't need to come. It's going to be boring."

"No, I'm going. I'm your husband, I'm supposed to support you in things like this, remember?"

Buffy scoffed. "Most of the male population would disagree with you."

"Buffy, this night is important to you, whether you feel like it is or not. Besides, the book was fantastic."

She looked up at him sharply, her curls bouncing. "You liked it?"

"Why shouldn't I have?"

"I just thought when you didn't say anything about it that you didn't want to hurt my feelings."

Angel drew his arm around her. "Buffy, I lived those days, every moment was precious to me, and this book gave me a chance to see how you saw them." He wrapped her fully in his arms then. "My only thought was that I wished it had ended how you ended their story."

Tears unexpectedly flooded Buffy's vision, and she fought for control of her emotions. "Oh Angel."

***

"Buffy! Finally!" A tall, slender woman with a short, boyish haircut and wire-rimmed glasses called out as Buffy and Angel entered the ballroom of the five star hotel. She rushed over to them, a bundle of energy and excitement. "Mr. Stone wants to see you, and there are press agents that want to talk to you about your inspiration." She paused suddenly, as if just becoming aware of the man beside her client. "I'm Mira. You have got to be Angel. Buffy, why didn't you ever tell me he looked like one as well? If I had known, I would have fought harder with my schedule to make it to your wedding."

Buffy grinned, wrapping her arm around one of Angel's. "I know you Mira. You flirt with anyone without a wedding band. Even those who do."

Mira laughed, nodding. "I think I've told you too much about my life." She grinned then, taking hold of Buffy's hand and beginning to maneuver the couple through the crowded party. "You have to talk to Mr. Stone now, Buffy."

"Mira, slow down," pleaded Buffy, as she tugged softly on her agent's hand. "What's the rush?"

"Buffy," said the deep, warm voice of Mira's supervisor in the editing company. "I'm glad you're finally here."

"Thank you, Mr. Stone. And I'd like to introduce you to my husband, Angel O'Roarke."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Angel. Buffy, this is Christophe White. He's been impatiently waiting to meet you."

Buffy turned her gaze of the small, thin man, with a charming smile. "Mr. White?"

"Mrs. O'Roarke. A pleasure to finally meet you," He paused. "Well, I think I'm going to cut to the chase. Mrs. O'Roarke, I work for DreamWorks studios. We're interested in developing Soulmate into a movie."

Buffy gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "You want to make my book into a movie? Oh my god. Oh my god. This can't be happening."

"I can assure you that it is. We are very anxious to get you into meetings discussing your terms." He produced a thick manila envelope, and handed it to her. "This is our tentative offer. As you will see, we want very much to make this film. We approached Mr. Stone a few weeks ago about the proposal, and he has given us our permission to go ahead with the plan if you agree."

Buffy nodded, clutching the envelope. "Well, Mr. White, you certainly have shocked me speechless. I'm going to have to look it over before I give my word, but I'm extremely flattered. And right now, it's very possible my answer will be yes."

Mr. White's smile grew even wider and he flushed in pleasure. "Well then, I'm glad to have had this opportunity. I hope you will be getting back to me in a few days." He shook her hand again, and nodded to the others, before moving into the party.

"Congratulations Buffy," complimented Mr. Stone.

Mira hugged her. "I'm so proud of you. Have fun tonight. I'll talk to you later, all right, sweety?"

Buffy nodded, wordless, as the two editors moved away. Her mouth hung open in shock and she turned to look at Angel. He was smiling widely, and pride was distinguishable in his gaze. "Oh god, Angel. Can you believe this? This is unreal!"

Angel laughed, scooping her into his arms for a hug. "Congratulations my love."

****

Buffy gasped as she flipped the page of the drafted contract. They had returned home from the publisher's party quite late, and as soon as they had awoken the next morning, Buffy had scrambled to look at them.

Angel turned a curious look down to her, as she was using his stomach as a pillow as they both studied the packet that had been in the envelope. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Angel, look how much they want to give me just for the rights to make this a movie!" She raised the paper so he could see; a silver tipped nail pointing out the six-digit number.

He whistled softly. "They really do want you bad. And from what I've read, it's a sound deal. But the question is, do you want to?"

Buffy bit her lip. "My first instinct is to say yes. But Angel, this is our story. Our life. Well, most of it anyway. I'm not sure how I feel about someone rewriting it to make it appealing to audiences. It's not that I don't want it be shown, because I wouldn't have written it if I hadn't been okay with that idea."

"Well, tell them that you want to be on hand for the whole process. I don't think they'd be against it."

Buffy's eyes lit up and she was suddenly off the bed, reaching for the phone and dialing in the space of a second.

****

"So we are agreed then?" asked the man sitting at the head of the table. Buffy, Angel and the two lawyers nodded. "Well then, Mrs. O'Roake, it will be a pleasure working with you in the future. Thank you for your permission."

Buffy smiled as she, Angel, and his lawyer friend stood. "Your welcome. It will be interesting to see how it turns out."