|
TITLE: Birthdays and Breakdowns
AUTHOR: Reed
E-MAIL: iheartbareed@yahoo.comDISCLAIMER: Do I look like I take acid? No.
Therefore, the characters (sadly) and the dissgusting plotlines of S6/S3 are not mine (gladly).
TIMELINE: 3rd in The Love And War Series. (The first 2 stories "Love and War" and "Split" can be found @https://members.tripod.com/~monkeygreen/fanfic.html.SYNOPSIS: It's Buffy's birthday. Dun dun dun.
DISTRIBUTION: Tell me first but sure.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Lyrics in Part 2 from Savage Garden's"Truly Madly Deeply".
FEEDBACK: I crave it more than chocolate. Or maybe just as much as. Mmmmmm chocolate.
**************************
Angel opened the door when he heard the knock, knowing it was Buffy. She stepped inside and closed the door behind her. Immediately she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him to her. He was a little surprised at her quick actions, but wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her a little closer. She sighed in contentment.
"Mmmmm, this is where I wanted to be all day."
"Is everything okay?" he asked.
"Yeah, I was just thinking about you all day. I was going crazy in history. The professor was just droning and all I could think about was your perfect lips." As she said those words, she tilted her head up and kissed him softly. It was his turn to sigh happily. He pulled back and took her hands.
"Let's go for walk."
"Okay." Angel put on his shoes and they went outside. Angel blinked, getting his eyes used to the bright sunlight. He looked up at the single yellow star in the sky and smiled. Although he had been human for over a month now, there were still certain things he didn't take for granted and didn't think he ever would. Being able to see the sun, the heart beating in his chest and being allowed to love and be with Buffy were things he would always hold dear after being without them for so long. He and the petite blonde at his side began to walk aimlessly around Sunnydale. Their conversation touched on many topics and occasionally lapsed into the comfortable silence of two people who were perfectly satisfied just being together. Finally, Buffy led them into the park. She sat on one of the swings and Angel stood in back, pushing her gently back and forth.
"So," he said, "what do you want to do for your
birthday?" Buffy groaned, thinking about the annual occasion that arrived in 3 days and never went the way she planned.
"Nothing," she replied. "Absolutely nothing."
"Really?" Angel asked.
"Yes. I hate my birthday and this year I just want to ignore it completely."
"C'mon baby, you can't do that."
"And why not?" she retorted. "Let's recap my past few birthdays. On my seventeenth, the Judge came and I lost you. On my 18th, I lost all my strength because of Giles and the Watcher's Council and subsequently Giles was fired. On my nineteenth, Giles was turned into a demon and I almost killed him. And my birthday sucked before I became the Slayer too. When I turned six, the clown that was supposed to come to my party got in a car accident on the way to my house. When I turned 10, I broke my leg. I don't want any thing to happen for my 20th so we're doing nothing." She turned on the swing to face him.
"I promise you: no broken bones, no friends being turned into demons and most importantly you won't lose me ever again." He took her face in her hands and kissed her gently. She stood up and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Well if you really need me to make some plans, I have an idea." She leaned in close so that only he could hear. "You and me in bed all day. And maybe there could be some whipped cream." Angel groaned almost inaudibly.
"As tempting as that sounds, and believe me it really really does, I can't let you get away with that." Buffy pulled back.
"Why are you pushing this?" He smiled at her
sheepishly.
"Your mother asked me to find out what kind of party you want and she said that 'no party' is not a good answer." Buffy giggled.
"You're doing my mother's bidding now?" He nudged her playfully.
"Give me a break. We all just want you to have a good birthday." She sighed resignedly.
"Oh alright. Maybe you guys should all come over for dinner or something."
"Sounds good."
"Then, I'll spend the night with you."
"Sounds even better." They both grinned.
Part 2
Three days later, Angel rang Buffy's doorbell. She opened the door and flashed a wide grin when she saw him. He handed her the flowers he was holding and kissed her softly.
"Happy Birthday."
"I think you've said that ten times already."
"Well, that makes eleven." He stepped back and looked her up and down appreciatively. She wore a long black skirt slit up the side, a blue print tank top, and her blonde hair flowed around her shoulders. "You look beautiful."
"Thanks. Let me put these in water," she said
indicating the roses he had given her. As she was walking in the other room, the doorbell rang. "Could you get that, Angel?" He answered the door, letting Cordelia, Wesley and Giles in. A few minutes later, Willow, Tara, Xander and Anya arrived. Dawn set the table and Joyce served everyone a delicious spaghetti dinner. They chatted as they ate. When they were done, Joyce and Dawn cleared the table. Afterwards, Buffy started to open presents. Dawn got her a framed picture of the two of them. Wesley got her a gift certificate, Cordelia got her bath and body stuff, Willow got her a sweater, and her mom got her a new pair of boots. Tara bought her a new pair of hoop earrings and a scarf that matched the blouse from Xander and Anya. Giles and Angel both got her cds. When she finished opening presents she hugged and thanked everyone. Dawn and Willow helped Joyce clear the table. Buffy put on the cd from Giles and everyone talked for a few hours. They party was winding down and when everyone had left, Buffy said goodbye to her mother and went home with Angel. He led her into the living room and kissed her softly.
"Wait here," he whispered. "I have another present that I didn't want to give you in front of everyone else." He disappeared into the bedroom and Buffy walked over to the stereo and put on the cd Angel had gotten her. The music started and as she sat on the couch waiting for Angel she listened to the lyrics.
//I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish I'll be your fantasy. I'll be your hope, I'll be your love be everything that you need. I love you more with every breath truly madly deeply do.//
Angel came back holding a small white unwrapped box and sat next to her. He handed her the box, she lifted the lid, and gasped. Inside, on a sea of cotton, was a silver Claddagh ring.
//I will be strong I will be faithful 'cos I'm
counting on A new beginning. A reason for living. A deeper meaning.//
Since Buffy couldn't seem to find her voice, Angel began to speak. "It's the original - the same one I gave you on your seventeenth birthday. I found it in the mansion after I came back from hell. I could never find the right time to give it back to you. After I left, I put it away and found it when we got back together. I decided to give it to you for your birthday because it's exactly three years since I first gave it to you that night on the docks. It was, and still is, a symbol of how much I love you, but it's also so much more. It stands for all that we been through, all that we've overcome together. It represents that our love is forever and we'll be together no matter what."
"Angel..." Buffy whispered, her voice quivering with emotion. A single tear rolled down her cheek. Angel cupped her face in his hands and brushed the tear away. His lips pushed gently against hers and although the kiss was tender, it was filled with so much emotion, passion, and love.
//I want to stand with you on a mountain.
I want to bathe with you in the sea.
I want to lay like this forever.
Until the sky falls down on me.//
Buffy pulled back and lifted the ring out of the box. She was about to put it on her finger when Angel stopped her.
"Let me." He steadied her tiny trembling hand with his large one, took the ring from her, and slipped it on her finger. He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it gently.
//And when the stars are shining brightly in the velvet sky, I'll make a wish send it to heaven then make you want to cry.//
"I have mine too," he said, pulling a similar but larger ring out of his pocket. Buffy took it from him and repeated his actions.
//The tears of joy for all the pleasure and the
certainty. That we're surrounded by the comfort and protection of The highest power. In lonely hours. The tears devour you.//
Buffy wrapped her arms tightly around him and buried her face in his neck. She was overwhelmed with so much love for the man she was holding in her embrace. She wanted to tell him how she felt, how much she loved him, how much she needed him, but she couldn't find the words. She sighed his name again, not knowing what else to say.
//I want to stand with you on a mountain,
I want to bathe with you in the sea.
I want to lay like this forever,
Until the sky falls down on me.//
He stood up, pulling her with him. They pressed their bodies closer together, craving more contact than humanly possibly. Angel's hands roamed over her back as they swayed to the soft music.
//Oh can't you see it baby?
You don't have to close your eyes 'cos it's standing right before you. All that you need will surely come.//
"I love you."
"I love you too. More than anything. Forever." Angel kissed her. Her lips, her cheeks, her ears. Little creeping kisses all over her face and Buffy sighed again. He kissed down her neck, sending wonderful sensations all through her body.
//I'll be your dream I'll be your wish I'll be your fantasy. I'll be your hope I'll be your love be everything that you need. I'll love you more with every breath truly madly deeply do.//
They held each until the song ended and then made their way to bedroom to finish Buffy's birthday the right way.
Part 3
Buffy settled down under the covers, blissfully exhausted. Angel's chest was molded to her back and his arms wrapped securely around her waist. He kissed the back of her bare shoulder.
"Did you enjoy your birthday?"
"Yes. Thank you for everything baby. Maybe my birthday curse is gone." She turned her head and received a kiss.
"Good night," he whispered in the dark. "Happy birthday."
"Good night. I love you."
***
Buffy woke up a half an hour later. Her super sensitive Slayer hearing perked up and she paused, listening carefully. She shook Angel's shoulder gently.
"Angel, wake up." He woke slowly, rubbing sleep from his eyes. "Angel, do you hear something?" He was quiet for a moment.
"I'm not sure," he replied honestly. His hearing wasn't as good as it was when he was a vampire and that frustrated him sometimes. "We should check." As they got dressed, Buffy in her underwear and Angel's tee shirt and Angel in his boxers, a large demon burst in to the bedroom. Half dressed, the lovers both stumbled backwards in surprise. Seeing the demon head towards Angel, Buffy sprung into action, throwing punches and kicks without abandon. The demon turned to her, fighting back. Buffy looked around for some kind of weapon to kill the demon with as she ducked a punch. Angel's bedroom was very simple and he kept his weapons' chest in the living room. He was about to join the fray when Buffy called out to him.
"Get me something to fight with." Following orders, he ran into the living room and grabbed a sword. He came back in just in time to see the demon stab Buffy with his knife.
"No!" Angel screamed. He used all his strength and anger to thrust the sword he was holding through the demon's back and tossed him out the open window. He rushed over to Buffy who had fallen back on the bed. "Buffy, oh my God, we need to get you to a hospital."
"No!" she replied emphatically. "I don't do
hospitals. Besides it's not that bad."
"Buffy..." Angel protested.
"No. Take me to Giles. Watchers have medical
training. He'll fix it." Her voice was strong and demanding, although she felt very weak. Angel was about to pick her up and carry her out when she stopped him. He was obviously frantic about her safety and wasn't thinking straight, so she needed to keep herself in charge. "Angel, first we need to take the knife out of my side. Get a towel so we can stop the bleeding." Angel followed her instructions. He came back with a white towel, gently removed the knife from her side, and pressed the towel against the wound. "Now," Buffy directed, "get dressed and bring me some pants. We're not going to Giles in our underwear." Angel pulled on a tee shirt and sweats and carefully dressed Buffy in her pajama pants. She was still laying on the bed, not able to sit up. He gently scooped her up into his arms, carried her out to the car, and speed off to Giles' house.
***
Giles was about to go to sleep when he heard a frantic knock on his door. He opened it to find Angel holding a bleeding Buffy. He ushered them inside.
"Buffy was stabbed. She refused to go to the hospital so I took her here," Angel said simply. Giles went to get some stuff to mend her wound. He came back and put a towel on the couch to prevent blood from getting all over his furniture. Buffy was placed on the couch and Giles revealed the wound. Angel squatted on the floor and held Buffy's hand. Giles wiped away a lot of blood and pressed around the wound, checking how deep it was. Buffy winced and Angel squeezed her hand.
"It's pretty deep," Giles stated, "but it didn't hit any internal organs, so you'll be fine in a couple of days. Let me just clean it." He dabbed peroxide on the wound and Buffy winced again. Angel smoothed hair back from her face and kissed her forehead.
"What time is it?" she asked. Angel glanced at the clock and looked back at her with regret.
"11:50."
"Oh," she replied, her voice soft. "So it's still my birthday."
"I'm sorry, Buffy." Angel said. Giles looked at her face, his expression saying the same thing.
"Don't feel bad for me," she said. "I've learned not to expect anything great on my birthday, so I'm not let down. Besides," she looked at Angel and the matching silver rings on their hands, "this was the best birthday I've had in a while, so this isn't a big deal." Angel kissed her hand.
"So what exactly happened?" Giles asked.
"A demon broke into my apartment and attacked us. I went to go get a sword and when I came back..." Angel trailed off.
"Do you know why he was there?"
"I didn't exactly have a chance to ask while he was stabbing me," Buffy answered, getting cranky. She didn't want them to feel bad for her, but she was definitely allowed to have her own little pity party. That or go to sleep. The last thing she wanted to do was recap the events of the night which was exactly what Angel and Giles were planning to do. Knowing how tired she was, neither Angel or Giles responded to her smart ass remark. Instead, they just went into the kitchen.
"So Angel, what happened?" He quickly retold the story. "What did the demon look like?" Angel picked up a pad and pen off the counter and quickly sketched the demon. Sometimes his artistic skills really came in handy.
"Here. Do you want me and Buffy to come by tomorrow morning to help with research?"
"No, let her sleep. She'll need her rest to heal. Just take care of her."
"Okay." Hell, he was going to do that anyway. He went back into the living room to find that Buffy had dozed off. He lifted her in his arms and she murmured something in her sleep and nestled against his chest. He carried her out to the car and went home.
Part 4
Buffy woke up slowly. Her hand reached down, touched the bandage on her side and she groaned, wishing it had all been a dream. She looked over and was disappointed to see that Angel wasn't in bed with her. Deciding she didn't want to face the day, she closed her eyes and pulled the covers up to her chin. She was lying there for a few minutes before she heard Angel come in. She felt the bed settle under his weight as he sat next to her. Interested to see what he would do, she continued to feign sleep. His hand ran up her arms, over her cheek, and though her hair.
"Buffy," he whispered, calling to her. "Buffy." He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. She struggled to keep her sleeping facade and not respond to his kiss. He kissed her again a little harder this time. She gave up on her fake slumber and brought her hands up to his head, pulling him in.
"Knew you were awake," he murmured against her lips. She tried to sit up, but she moved too fast and
strained the wound on her side. "Easy baby," he warned. "Take it slow." He helped her sit up by wrapping his arms around her. After she was upright, she dropped her head against Angel's
shoulder.
"What time is it?" she asked, nuzzling his neck.
"12:30."
"Why did you let me sleep so late?"
"You need your rest. How are you feeling anyway?"
"A little sore, but not too bad." He looked at her with regret and sadness in his eyes.
"I'm sorry I wasn't able to protect you."
"Angel, it's okay. I'm fine. Let's go to the magic shop and see if Giles had found anything about the demon."
***
Angel and Buffy entered the magic shop around 1:30. The blonde Slayer was walking more carefully then she ever had and the others noticed.
"Hey, are you okay?" Cordelia asked. Although Cordy and Buffy had a rough past of active dislike, they had become close friends over the past few weeks. In fact, the L.A. gang had very quickly meshed with the Sunnydale group and they all became a close knit family.
"I'm fine," Buffy asked scanning the room. "Where's everybody else?" Cordelia, Anya, Wesley, and Giles were there, but Xander, Willow, and Tara were not.
"Class and work," Wesley answered, looking up from his book. "Angel, come here. Could this be the demon that attacked you last night?" Angel leaned over the book.
"Yes, it is. The Zelnar demon," he read aloud. "A mercenary demon originating from the Qualnari clan." He looked up. "Well, there's your motive. Somebody paid him. But we're not going to find out who in these books."
"Angel can go talk to Spike to try to get some
information," Buffy suggested. "I'll go to Willie's bar."
"Honey, I don't think that would be such a good idea," Angel said after a beat of silence.
"Why not?" she asked naively. Angel looked over to Giles for help.
"Well Buffy, you're hurt."
"So? Nobody else knows that."
"You can see it in the way you walk. Besides demons have almost a radar for weakness and they'll know. Word would get around and it wouldn't be good." Buffy opened her mouth to speak, but then closed it again. She knew it would do no good because Angel, Cordelia, and Wesley were supporting Giles. Anya had left the conversation to go help a customer.
"Why doesn't Angel go to Willie's. Wesley and
Cordelia can talk to Spike. Buffy, come to the back room with me and I'll check your bandages." Everyone agreed and went their separate ways.
Part 5
Buffy sat cross-legged on the floor and her eyes we're closed. Her arms rested on her thighs and her eyes were closed. Her breathing was very steady as the dark surrounded her. She sat there meditating until she heard Angel's voice in the other room. She stood up, shaking out the kinks in her limbs. She walked to the door and listened to the conversation.
"Did you find anything?"
"No. Nothing." Buffy was about to interrupt when Giles said something that was very interesting.
"I don't want Buffy going out patrolling tonight. Try to keep her occupied, but don't let her know I said this because she'll resent it." Buffy considered Giles's comment and, proving him right, angrily entered the room.
"You're right. I will resent it. I also resent the fact that you think I'm an invalid because of a little injury. I've had worse ya know. And Giles, you said yourself that I'll be perfectly fine by tomorrow. If you don't think I should go patrolling I won't, but please just talk to me." Giles and Angel looked at her guiltily.
"We're sorry, Buffy." Giles apologized. "It just that not knowing what's out there and you not being 100%, we're worried."
"It's okay." She knew that both of them always tried to protect her even when she didn't need it. But she also knew they did it out of love and let it slide. She glanced at her watch. "Listen, I have class in a half hour. I'm gonna go, but you guys try to find something out."
***
Angel walked through the streets of Sunnydale. He had spent the evening with Buffy trying to relax, but he couldn't. They still hadn't found out who had sent the mercenary demon and it frustrated him to no end. He turned onto his block and saw a shadowy figure standing in front of his apartment. He approached the building cautiously.
"Hello Angel." A woman with rich auburn hair stepped out of the shadows. Angel took a few instinctive steps backwards.
"Catherine," he whispered unbelieving.
"Long time, no see. Not since 1897. You were
wreaking havoc in Italy if I remember correctly."
"You always had a good memory."
"I heard you got your soul back. I also heard you became human and started screwing the Slayer." Angel's eyes flashed, angry the anyone could talk so coarsely about his Buffy, but decided it wasn't worth fighting about. Slowly and hopefully inconspicuously, he reached for a stake.
"What do you want?" he asked, moving slowly towards her.
"That's for me to know and you to find out...in the most painful way," she said grinning evilly. She saw him moving the stake and laughed maliciously. He lunged towards her and she knocked the stake out of his hands. "Later Angel." She disappeared into the night.
***
Everyone gathered at the magic shop early the next morning. Angel was pacing in front of them as they settled in their seats.
"Angel, what's going on?"
"I know who sent the demon after me and Buffy."
"Well..."
"A vampire named Catherine.......she's my sister." There was a long stunned silence. A very very long stunned silence.
"Your sister?" Wesley finally spit out.
"Yes."
"Why is she here?"
"I can only guess that it has something to do with me."
"How do you know she's here?" Buffy asked.
"She was at my apartment last night." Buffy was silent a moment contemplating these facts. She was scared because Catherine's attacks at home made sure you could never let your guard down. Angel, having revealed the information he had, sat down and withdrew into himself. The others discussed the appropriate course of action. Although they knew who their enemy was , there was nothing they could research or fight. Not knowing what to do, Xander decided to go to work. Anya opened the store and Wesley and Giles started inventory. Cordelia, Willow, Tara, and Buffy needed to go to class and were about to leave when Buffy stopped to talk to Angel.
"Baby, are you okay?" she asked quietly, keeping the conversation private.
"Yes."
"Look at me, Angel," she demanded softly. He turned to look at her, but it was almost as if he was seeing right through her. His eyes were cloudier and darker than usual and Buffy was concerned. "Are you sure?"
"Yes," he answered again, a little more sharply this time. Not knowing what else to say, Buffy left.
Parts 6-8
Buffy and Willow returned to the magic shop three hours later. Willow intended to spend the rest of her afternoon looking for a location spell they could use on Catherine. Buffy had an 45 minutes until her next class and desperately wanted to talk to Angel. But when she looked around the magic shop, her handsome boyfriend wasn't there.
"Where's Angel?" She asked Anya, who was manning the counter.
"He left about 5 minutes after you this morning. He said he had something to do." Buffy racked her brain to remember if he had informed her of any plans.
"Is something wrong?" Wesley asked, coming down from the loft.
"Yeah. Angel. Did you see how he was acting this morning? He was definitely brooding."
"So?" Willow interjected. "This is Angel, remember? Angel has always brooded. He's a brooder"
"Yeah, but not recently. We've been so happy and he hasn't been all pensive and dark."
"Go talk to him."
***
Buffy knocked on the door of Angel's apartment, hoping to find him there. She really wanted to talk to him and she didn't have time to go searching around town for him.
"Come in, Buffy," she heard him call. She entered to find him sitting in the living room. There was only one lamp on, which made the room dim and almost eerie. It obviously fit his brooding mood. She was tempted to turn on more lights, but didn't want to annoy Angel.
"How'd you know it was me?" she asked.
"I just knew you'd come by. You care about me, for some reason, and you want to talk about this morning. You know, you can be really predictable sometimes Buffy." His words were harsh and they stung.
"Angel, I..."
"Save it Buffy. I don't want to hear it."
"Angel, why are you being so mean to me?" she asked, like a hurt child. She knew he was upset but that was no reason to be so cruel to her. And his tone of voice...it almost reminded her of Angelus. She shuddered at the thought.
"I'm not being mean. I'm telling the truth. I don't want to hear anything that you have to say because you don't know what you're talking about." Buffy was suddenly furious. She loved Angel more than life itself, but how dare he! She came here trying to help him through whatever he was feeling and he was pushing her away. At this point in their relationship and he wasn't even being nice about it! Instead of screaming out her anger like she wanted to, she gritted her teeth and tried to talk some sense into him.
"Angel, for God sakes, listen. If I don't understand what's going on, explain it to me. Don't push me away. I want to be with you and I want to help you through whatever you're going through. Just let me in and everything will be fine."
"No Buffy. Nothing is going to be fine. Don't you see? It can't be," he cried out, his anger and self loathing coming out. "Just because I'm human now doesn't make everything magically okay. I still did all those things to all those innocent people. I killed, maimed, tortured, and I enjoyed it! I killed my family and turned my sister into a vampire!"
"Oh Angel," Buffy whispered, all her anger immediately gone. That's what this was about. He still felt guilty. Seeing Catherine had brought up all his past misdeeds. She had suspected that he was the one who had turned Catherine, but she didn't want to bring it up.
"Please go away Buffy. You shouldn't be with me."
"Stop it. Stop it right now Angel," she said
lovingly, but firmly. The class she had in five minutes was completely forgotten when she realized Angel needed her. "We've been through this so many times, but we're gonna keep going over it until it gets through that thick skull of yours. You did nothing wrong. You are beautiful and perfect and you have the purest soul I have ever known. It is not your fault that you were turned by Darla. Don't blame yourself for what Angelus did. Remember it was Angelus not you. No one blames you, don't blame yourself. And now that the demon is gone, there is no threat of any more damage. Remember that I need you with me because I love you and I never want to be without you. No matter what you say I'll never stop loving you. I can't. It's physically impossible and I don't want to even have to try. Please remember these things. It's not your fault and I love you."
Angel's face was full of turbulent emotions. What Buffy was saying struck a chord in the logical side of him, but his emotional side was overriding at the moment. Anger and despair were prominent, but as Buffy repeated "it's not your fault and I love you," the anger melted away and the pain was overwhelming. When he became human, he had pushed away his brooding and his memories to make room for his one goal of making Buffy happy. But now the memories came back at full force and he couldn't help but want to die. She was reminded of when the First came and he was suicidal. She didn't want that again. His head dropped down and his shoulders started to shake. Within a second, his whole body was trembling. Buffy took two steps so she was at his side and gathered him into her arms. He buried his head in her soft neck and she rocked him gently.
"It's okay Angel, it's ok," she murmured, soothingly. She felt the wetness of his tears against her skin and was shocked. Angel never cried. He was the strong one, her rock, her shoulder to cry on. She held him a little tighter, hoping that she could give him some fraction of the comfort she had found in his arms so many times. Somewhere in her mind, beyond all the sorrow she felt for her lover, she knew this was good. He needed to let all this stuff out before they could move on. Suddenly, she felt his lips on her neck and they started to move upward to her own mouth. He kissed her passionately, all his emotion overpowering as he gripped her to him.
"Angel," she said trying to pull away, but he did not loosen his hold.
"Buffy, I need you. I need to feel something besides pain. Please," he begged. Buffy understood. She pulled his head to hers and kissed him hard. If this was what he needed, she'd give it to him. She'd do anything for him.
***************
Later that night, Angel woke up to find Buffy watching him. She gave a small smile when he turned his head towards her and kissed him softly.
"How are you?" she asked, with a blatantly concerned expression.
"Not fantastic," he responded truthfully. "I'm sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to yell at you, I just..."
"I know." Buffy rested her head on Angel's shoulder. "It's all okay. You have a century of repression to deal with and I'm here for you all the way. Whatever you have to do."
"Thank you," he said sincerely. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Let's never find out." She snuggled against his broad chest and her tiny arms circled his waist. They sat in silence, but Buffy's mind was racing. She needed to talk about something, but didn't know how to bring it up. She felt guilty asking because Angel didn't like to talk about his past. And after the breakdown he had before she wasn't sure if how he would react, but she finally decided to just be blunt. "Angel, we need to talk about Catherine."
"Alright, let's get dressed first." They dressed silently and sat on the edge of the bed. Buffy took Angel's hand in hers, playing with the silver Claddagh ring on his finger.
"I know this is going to be hard, but if we're going to defeat Catherine, we need to know." Angel was reluctant, but knew it was necessary. He took a deep breath and began.
"Catherine is my younger sister. Three years younger. She was only sixteen when I turned her. We were close when we were human. That's why I changed her instead of killing her like the rest of my family. She was with Darla and I for a few weeks, but she clashed with Darla and left quickly. She was with a vampire named Andrew for a long time, I think. Our paths have crossed a few times and the last time I saw her was about 15 years before I was cursed. Catherine always liked to keep a low profile and a small group which is why she clashed with Darla. She never had any evil plots or specific victims. For the most part, she killed for food and not sport. I have no idea why she's here now." Buffy climbed into Angel's lap and twined her arms around his neck.
"Thank you Angel. I know this is hard." He nodded slightly. She started to place little kisses on his jaw. "How can I ever make it up to you?" She saw the corners of his mouth twitch into a slight smile and took that as a good sign. She moved her lips to his and lay back on the bed, pulling him with her.
***
Buffy hung up the phone and walked over to the bed. After Angel had fallen into a passion induced slumber, she had called Giles and related the information Angel had given her. She lay down in the bed and Angel, still sleeping, reached out for her. She settled into his arms with a sigh. She felt horrible that Angel had to go through this, but she was determined he wouldn't do it alone. She wouldn't leave his side if she could help it until he was back to the cheerful Angel that had emerged when he had become human.
Buffy hoped with all her heart that the Scooby Gang could find Catherine soon and they could put this behind them. However, everyone had given up for the night. Willow and Tara's location spell was a bust because they needed a belonging of Catherine's. All their sources were dry. Angel was right when he said Catherine kept a low profile.
She turned in Angel's arms trying to find a
comfortable position. He mumbled something and tightened his arms around her waist. She finally got comfortable and settled down for a good night's sleep.
***************
The group met in Giles' house the next day because it was Sunday and the magic shop was closed. Buffy sat on the couch next to Angel, holding his hand as Giles discussed their options for dealing with Catherine. Angel still hadn't fully recovered from the intense emotions of the previous night and Buffy wanted to get rid of the reminder of his past as quickly as possible.
"Currently, we do not have enough information to track Catherine down," Giles' accented voice explained. "So we either need to get that information or we need to have Catherine come to us. How we would do either of those things is up for grabs."
"I have an idea," Angel spoke up softly. "We need to lure Catherine to us and she is after me. So why don't we just use me as bait?"
"No!" Buffy responded emphatically. Baiting
situations could too easily get out of hand and she refused to risk Angel's safety.
"Well, what else are we going to do?"
"Well, we haven't checked the warehouses down by the docks. There's always vampires there," Cordelia chipped in.
"That's a good idea, Cordelia. Angel, Buffy, why don't you two go on some reconnaissance to see if she's there?"
"Well, if it's just recon, I'll go myself." She felt the puzzled looks that were focused on her. Everyone was surprised at her separation from her boyfriend because they all knew that if they could the couple would spend every waking moment together. Angel, however, understood and appreciated her actions and that was enough.
***
"Well, it's over," Buffy said, forty-five minutes later, when she arrived back at Giles' house. She was a bit dirty and bruised, but happy nonetheless.
"Over?" Wesley asked.
"Over. Catherine was in one of the warehouses. There were only two other vampires with her, so punch, stake, poof, it's over."
"Not that I'm complaining or anything, but does this seem anticlimactic to anyone else?" Xander observed.
"A little," Buffy replied. "But I don't care. My Slayer senses tell me it's over and I trust my instincts, so now I just wanna go home."
"Well, I see no reason why you should stay."
"Yay!" was the resounding chorus. They all exited Giles' house and went their separate ways. Buffy nestled under Angel's arm as they started to walk home.
"Angel, there's something that I didn't tell the others that I think you should know. I had a little battle chatter with Catherine and she told me why she tracked you down. I don't want to upset you and truthfully I think the reason's kinda silly, but here goes. She came to kill you because she felt you were disgracing her. Vampires were talking about you and me and she felt that it shamed in her because you're her sire and brother. To kill some one over that makes no sense to me but..."
"It makes sense," Angel answered. "Vampires have a thing for reputations and the like. When you live for centuries, things like that matter."
"But it's over now."
"Right."
***
Buffy arrived at Angel's early the next morning. He had requested some time alone and she gave it to him. But now she desperately wanted to see him. She knocked softly and got no response. She knocked again, a little louder, and after a moment Angel answered.
"Hey," he said, a hint of a smile gracing his
exquisite features when he saw her. "I'm glad you stopped by."
"I'm glad you're glad." She smiled back. He stepped aside, letting her enter the apartment. Immediately, he pulled her to him. His strong arms wrapped around her torso and he buried his face in her hair.
"I wish you were here last night."
"You're the one who wanted space. I would have been here in a flash if you called."
"I know, but I did need time to think. Anyway can we make up for it now?" he asked, kissing her neck lightly.
"Sorry, love, but I have class later. That's why I came by so early. I have something to give you." She reached into her bag and pulled out a leather bound book. She handed it to him almost shyly. "I'm not good with words, really, so I wrote something on the inside." He opened it to the first page of the journal and Buffy anxiously watched his expression as he read the words.
//Angel,
I know that there's a lot in your past that hurts. I wish I could change it and take away all your pain because you don't deserve to feel any pain. You are a wonderful, beautiful, caring man and I love you more than anything. You've been there for me so many times, giving me comfort, safety, and love I couldn't find anywhere else. I would love to do the same for you but I realize that you don't feel comfortable sharing some of these past things with me. That's why I gave you this journal to put your thoughts and feelings in. I love you.
Yours forever,
Buffy//
He lifted his eyes, revealing the slightest hint of tears.
"Thank you," he whispered. She pulled his head down to hers and kissed him. It was soft and sweet and caused both of them to sigh happily. She rested her forehead against his.
"I have to go to class."
"I know."
"I'll be back right after class."
"Good. A lot of bad memories have surfaced lately and we need to make some good ones to replace them."
"Can do." They both grinned
|
